US20140190531A1

US20140190531A1 - Height adjustment mechanism for rack assemblies for appliances

Info

Publication number: US20140190531A1
Application number: US13/737,247
Authority: US
Inventors: William Nathan Garnett
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2013-01-09
Filing date: 2013-01-09
Publication date: 2014-07-10

Abstract

A rack assembly for an appliance is provided. The rack assembly includes a sidewall and a block that defines a series of holes. A shaft extends between the block and an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism selectively retracts the shaft from the series of holes of the block in order to permit the sidewall to move vertically.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to height adjustment mechanisms for rack assemblies for appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A dishwasher appliance is typically provided with one or more rack assemblies into which various articles may be loaded for cleaning. The rack assemblies may include features such as, e.g., tines that hold and orient the articles to receive sprays of wash and rinse fluids during the cleaning process. The articles to be cleaned may include a variety of dishes, cooking utensils, silverware, and other items.
The size of the articles can vary significantly. For example, glasses are available in a variety of different heights. Dishes are manufactured with various diameters between large and small. Pots used for cooking can have different depths.
In order to accommodate the larger articles, an upper rack assembly of a dishwasher appliance can be provided with features for height adjustment of the rack assembly. Such adjustability allows for movement of the upper rack assembly along a vertical direction. By moving or lifting the upper rack to a higher vertical position, larger articles can be accommodated in, e.g., a lower rack assembly positioned beneath the upper rack assembly. Conversely, by lowering the upper rack to a lower vertical position, larger articles can be accommodated in, e.g., the upper rack assembly.
Certain adjustment features have been proposed for providing height adjustability for a rack assembly. Typically, these features include multiple moving parts that may require the user to manipulate both the rack assembly and the adjustment features at the same time when lifting and/or lowering the rack assembly. For example, the user may be required to lower or lift the rack assembly while simultaneously depressing or squeezing a lever or other aspect of the adjustment feature. For certain users, these adjustment features can be difficult to operate.
Accordingly, a rack assembly for an appliance that can be easily adjusted to different vertical positions would be useful. In particular, a rack assembly for an appliance that can be easily adjusted to multiple different vertical positions would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a rack assembly for an appliance. The rack assembly includes a sidewall and a block that defines a series of holes. A shaft extends between the block and an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism selectively retracts the shaft from the series of holes of the block in order to permit the sidewall to move vertically. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In a first exemplary embodiment, a rack assembly for an appliance is provided. The rack assembly defines a vertical direction and a transverse direction. The vertical and transverse directions are perpendicular. The rack assembly includes a sidewall and a block positioned adjacent the sidewall. The block defines a series of holes that is oriented along the transverse direction. The series of holes is spaced apart from one another along the vertical direction. A rack adjustment assembly is mounted to the sidewall and includes a shaft that extends longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion along the transverse direction. The first end portion of the shaft is received within one of the series of holes of the block. The rack adjustment assembly also includes an actuating mechanism. The second end portion of the shaft is coupled to the actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism is configured for selectively sliding the shaft along the transverse direction in order to remove the first end portion of the shaft from the series of holes of the block. The sidewall is moveable along the vertical direction relative to the rack adjustment assembly when the first end portion of the shaft is removed from the series of holes of the block.
In a second exemplary embodiment, a dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber. The dishwasher appliance also includes a rack assembly for receipt of articles for washing. The rack assembly has opposing sidewalls that are spaced apart along the lateral direction. A pair of slides is mounted to the rack assembly at the opposing sidewalls of the rack assembly. The pair of slides is configured for sliding movement of the rack assembly within the wash chamber of the tub. A plurality of blocks is mounted to the pair of slides. Each block of the plurality of blocks defines a series of holes facing the transverse direction. The series of holes is spaced apart along the vertical direction. A pair of rack adjustment assemblies is mounted to the rack assembly at the opposing sidewalls of the rack assembly. Each rack adjustment assembly includes a shaft that extends longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion along the transverse direction. The first end portion of the shaft is received within a respective one of the series of holes of the plurality of blocks. Each rack adjustment assembly also includes an actuating mechanism that is carried by the sidewall. The second end portion of the shaft is coupled to the actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism is configured for selectively sliding the shaft along the transverse direction in order to remove the first end portion of the shaft from the series of holes of the plurality of blocks. The rack assembly is moveable along the vertical direction relative to the tub when the first end portion of the shaft is removed from the series of holes of the plurality of blocks.
In a third exemplary embodiment, a rack assembly for an appliance is provided. The rack assembly defines a vertical direction and a transverse direction. The vertical and transverse directions are perpendicular. The rack assembly includes a sidewall and a block. The block defines a series of holes that is oriented along the transverse direction. The series of holes is distributed along the vertical direction. A rack adjustment assembly is mounted to the sidewall and includes a shaft that extends longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion along the transverse direction. The shaft is configured for selectively shifting between a first position and a second position. The rack adjustment assembly also includes an actuating mechanism. The second end portion of the shaft is coupled to the actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism is configured for selectively shifting the shaft between the first and second positions. The first end portion of the shaft is received within one of the series of holes of the block when the shaft is in the first position in order to hinder the sidewall from moving along the vertical direction relative to the block. The first end portion of the shaft is positioned outside of the series of holes of the block when the shaft is in the second position in order to permit the sidewall to move along the vertical direction relative to the block.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a front view of a dishwasher appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a partial, cross-sectional side view of the dishwasher appliance of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front, perspective view of a rack assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. The rack assembly includes a sidewall and a rack adjustment assembly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear, perspective view of the rack assembly of FIG. 3. The rack assembly includes a slide assembly.

FIGS. 5-8 provide rear, perspective views of the rack assembly of FIG. 4 with the slide assembly removed. A shaft of the rack adjustment assembly selectively engages a block of the rack adjustment assembly in order to support the rack assembly and permit vertical movement of the sidewall.

FIG. 9 provides a side elevation view of the block of the rack adjustment assembly. The block defines a series of holes for receiving the shaft of the rack adjustment assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a dishwasher appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Dishwasher appliance 100 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L (FIG. 1), and a transverse direction T (FIG. 2). The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions V, L, and T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system.
Dishwasher appliance 100 also includes a cabinet 102 (or chassis) having a tub 104 therein that defines a wash chamber 106. The tub 104 includes a front opening (not shown) and a door 120 hinged at its bottom 122 for movement between a normally closed vertical position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), wherein the wash chamber 106 is sealed shut for washing operation, and a horizontal open position for loading and unloading of articles from dishwasher appliance 100. Latch 114 is used to lock and unlock door 120 for access to chamber 106.
Slide assemblies 124 are mounted on opposing tub sidewalls 128 to support and provide for movement for an upper rack assembly 130. Lower guides 126 are positioned in opposing manner of the sides of chamber 106 and provide a ridge or shelf for roller assemblies 136 so as to support and provide for movement of lower rack assembly 132. Each of the upper and lower rack assemblies 130, 132 is fabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of elongated members 134 and 135 that extend in lateral (L), transverse (T), and/or vertical (V) directions. Each rack assembly 130, 132 is adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the rack is located inside the wash chamber 106. This is facilitated by slide assemblies 124 and roller assemblies 136 that carry rack assemblies 130 and 132, respectively. A silverware basket 150 may be removably attached to the lower rack assembly 132 for placement of silverware, small utensils, and the like, that are too small to be accommodated by the upper and lower racks 130, 132.
The dishwasher appliance 100 further includes a lower spray assembly 144 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 146 of the wash chamber 106 and above a tub sump portion 142 so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to the lower rack 132. A mid-level spray assembly 148 is located in an upper region of the wash chamber 106 and may be located in close proximity to upper rack 130. Additionally, an upper spray assembly (not shown) may be located above the upper rack 130.
The lower and mid-level spray assemblies 144, 148 and the upper spray assembly are fed by a fluid circulation assembly for circulating water and wash fluid in the tub 104. Portions of the fluid circulation assembly may be located in a machinery compartment 140 located below the bottom sump portion 142 of the tub 104, as generally recognized in the art. Each spray assembly includes an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing washing liquid onto dishes or other articles located in the upper and lower racks 130, 132, respectively. The arrangement of the discharge ports in at least the lower spray assembly 144 provides a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of the lower spray assembly 144 provides coverage of dishes and other articles with a washing spray.
Dishwasher appliance 100 is further equipped with a controller 116 to regulate operation of dishwasher appliance 100. Controller 116 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.
Controller 116 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, controller 116 may be located within a control panel area 110 of door 120 as shown. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of dishwasher appliance 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through bottom 122 of door 120. Typically, the controller 116 includes a user interface panel 112 through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of the dishwasher appliance 100. In one embodiment, user interface panel 112 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, the user interface panel 112 may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface 112 may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. User interface 112 may be in communication with controller 116 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher appliance. Thus, the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for illustrative purposes only. For example, different locations may be provided for a user interface 112, different configurations may be provided for rack assemblies 130 and 132, and other differences may be applied as well.
Dishwasher appliance 100 also includes features for permitting movement of upper rack assembly 130 along the vertical direction V such that upper rack assembly 130 may be placed in various positions along the vertical direction V. In particular, dishwasher appliance 100 includes a rack adjustment mechanism 154 mounted to slide assemblies 124. As an example, a user can utilize rack adjustment mechanism 154 to shift upper rack assembly 130 upwardly or downwardly along the vertical direction V, e.g., relative to tub sump portion 142 and/or lower rack assembly 132. Such adjustment can permit larger dishes to be loaded into upper and/or lower rack assemblies 130 and 132.
FIG. 3 illustrates a front, partial perspective view of a rack assembly 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. As an example, rack assembly 200 may be utilized in dishwasher appliance 100 as upper rack assembly 130 (FIG. 2). Rack assembly 200 may also be used in any other suitable appliance such as a refrigerator appliance.
Rack assembly 200 includes a sidewall 210 and a rack adjustment assembly 220. Sidewall 210 extends between a top portion 212 and a bottom portion 214 along the vertical direction V. Sidewall 210 includes a series of vertical members 216 fixed to a series of transverse members 218. Each vertical member of series of vertical members 216 extends longitudinally along the vertical direction V. Vertical members of the series of vertical members 216 are also spaced apart from one another along the transverse direction T. Similarly, each transverse member of series of transverse members 218 extends longitudinally along the transverse direction T. Transverse members of series of transverse members 218 are also spaced apart from one another along the vertical direction V. Thus, series of vertical members 216 and series of transverse members for a lattice structure for containing articles within rack assembly 200.
Rack adjustment assembly 220 includes features for permitting movement of sidewall 210 along the vertical direction V, e.g., relative to a slide assembly 202 and blocks 222 fixed to slide assembly 202. Thus, as an example, a user can pull upwardly on rack adjustment assembly 220 to shift sidewall 210 upwardly along the vertical direction V. Rack adjustment assembly 220 includes features for supporting sidewall 210 at various locations along the vertical direction V, e.g., when a user pulls on sidewall 210 as discussed above.
FIG. 4 illustrates a rear, perspective view of rack assembly 200. As discussed above, rack assembly 200 includes slide assembly 202. Slide assembly 202 is configured for permitting movement of sidewall 210, e.g., along the transverse direction T. In particular, slide assembly 202 includes a first slide rail 204 and a second slide rail 206. First slide rail is fixed or mounted to sidewall 210. Conversely, second rail 206 may, e.g., be fixed or mounted to tub 104 at tub sidewalls 128 (FIG. 2). Second rail 206 is received within first rail 204. Thus, first rail 204 can slide on second rail 206, e.g., to permit movement of rack assembly 200 out of wash chamber 106 of tub 104 (FIG. 2) along the transverse direction.
FIGS. 5-8 provide a rear, elevation views of rack assembly 200 with slide assembly 202 removed to show components of rack adjustment assembly 200. Rack adjustment assembly 200 includes blocks 222 mounted or fixed to slide assembly 202 (FIG. 4). FIG. 9 provides a side elevation view of one of blocks 222 of rack adjustment assembly 220. As may be seen in FIG. 9, blocks 222 define a series of holes 224 that are dispersed along the vertical direction V such that the holes of the series of holes 224 are spaced apart from one another along the vertical direction V. Turning back to FIG. 5, series of holes 224 extend into block 222 along the transverse direction T such that series of holes 224 are oriented in or face the transverse direction T. Series of holes 224 is configured for assisting with selective positioning of sidewall 210 along the vertical direction V as discussed in greater detail below.
Rack adjustment assembly 220 also includes shafts 230. Each shaft of shafts 220 extends between a first end portion 232 and a second end portion 234, e.g., along the transverse direction T. First end portion 232 of shafts 230 is selectively received within one of series of holes 224 of blocks 222. Second end portion 234 of shafts 230 is coupled to an actuating mechanism 240 of rack adjustment assembly 200.
In particular, second end portion 234 of shafts 230 is received within a channel 244 defined by actuating mechanism 240. Channel 244 of actuating mechanism 240 has a first portion 246 and a second portion 248. First portion 246 of channel 244 extends along both the vertical and transverse directions V and T. Conversely, second portion 248 of channel 244 extends along only the vertical direction V. First portion 246 of channel 244 is disposed above the second portion 248 of channel 244 along the vertical direction V.
Actuating mechanism 240 is slidably mounted to a base 242 of rack adjustment assembly 220 that is mounted to sidewall 210. Actuating mechanism 240 can slide up and down along the vertical direction V in order to shift shafts 230 along the transverse direction T. Thus, actuating mechanism 240 can selectively slide shafts 230 along the transverse direction T in order to remove first end portion 232 of shafts 230 from series of holes 224 of block 222. In particular, actuating mechanism 240 can selectively shift shafts 230 between a first position (shown in FIGS. 5 and 8) and a second position (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7).
As an example, from the position shown in FIG. 5, a user may desire to lower sidewall 210 along the vertical direction V relative to rack adjustment assembly 220, e.g., in order to deposit larger articles within rack assembly 200. In FIG. 5, shafts 230 are shown in the first position such that first end portion 232 of shafts 230 is received within one of the series of holes 224 (FIG. 9) of block 222. With first end portion 232 of shafts 230 received within the hole, rack adjustment assembly 220 supports sidewall 210 and hinders sidewall 210 from moving (e.g., upwardly or downwardly) along the vertical direction V relative to blocks 222.
To move sidewall 210 downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 5, the user can grasp actuating mechanism 240 and pull upwardly on actuating mechanism 240 in the vertical direction V to shift shafts 230 along the transverse direction T. In the first position, second end portion 234 of shaft 230 is positioned within first portion 246 of channel 244 as shown in FIG. 5. However, when user pulls upwardly on actuating mechanism 240, second end portion 234 of shaft 230 slides within channel 244 from first portion 246 of channel 244 to second portion 248 of channel 244 as shown in FIG. 6.
When second end portion 234 of shaft 230 slides into second portion 248 of channel 244, shaft 230 slides along the transverse direction T due to the orientation of first and second portions 246 and 248 of channel 244. Thus, when the user pulls upwardly on actuating mechanism 240, first end portion 232 of shaft 230 slides out of series of holes 224 (FIG. 9) and into the second position as shown in FIG. 6. With first end portion 232 of shaft 230 positioned outside of series of holes 224, sidewall 210 can move along the vertical direction V relative to rack adjustment assembly 220. Thus, the user can push downwardly on sidewall 210 in the vertical direction V in order to shift sidewall 210 from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7.
With sidewall 210 adjusted to the desired height shown in FIG. 7, the user can release actuating mechanism 240 in order to slide shaft 230 along the transverse direction T. When the user releases actuating mechanism 240, second end portion 234 of shaft 230 shifts from second portion 248 of channel 244 to first portion 246 of channel 244 as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, first end portion 232 of shaft 230 slides into one of series of holes 224 (FIG. 9) when the user releases actuating mechanism 240 as shown in FIG. 8. In particular, when the user releases actuating mechanism 240 such that actuating mechanism slides downwardly along the vertical direction V relative to base 242, shaft 230 slides from the second position shown in FIG. 7 to the first position shown in FIG. 8. With first end portion 232 of shaft 230 received within the hole, rack adjustment assembly 220 locks or supports sidewall 210 at the position shown in FIG. 8 such that sidewall 210 is hindered from moving along the vertical direction V. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, first end portion 232 of shaft 230 can be received into any of series of holes 224 (FIG. 9) in order to position sidewall 210 at a variety of positions along the vertical direction V relative to blocks 222, e.g., utilizing the method described above.
Actuating mechanism 240 is shown as a rectangular handle, e.g., in a plane that is perpendicular to the lateral direction L (FIG. 1), in FIGS. 4-8. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, actuating mechanism 240 may be any suitable mechanism with any suitable shape. For example, actuating mechanism 240 may be a knob or switch or have an oval shape.
Rack assembly 200 can also include a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring that urges actuating mechanism 240 downwardly and/or shafts 230 towards the first position. As an example, a spring may extend between actuating mechanism 240 and base 242. Such spring may urge actuating mechanism downwardly along the vertical direction V such that shafts 230 are urged into a default position in which second end portion 234 of shafts 230 is positioned within second portion 248 of channel 244.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A rack assembly for an appliance, the rack assembly defining a vertical direction and a transverse direction, the vertical and transverse directions being perpendicular, the rack assembly comprising:

a sidewall;

a block positioned adjacent said sidewall and defining a series of holes, each hole of the series of holes being oriented along the transverse direction, the series of holes being spaced apart from one another along the vertical direction; and

a rack adjustment assembly mounted to said sidewall, said rack adjustment assembly comprising:

a shaft that extends longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion along the transverse direction, the first end portion of said shaft received within one of the series of holes of said block; and

an actuating mechanism, the second end portion of said shaft coupled to said actuating mechanism, said actuating mechanism configured for selectively sliding said shaft along the transverse direction in order to remove the first end portion of said shaft from the series of holes of said block;

wherein said sidewall is moveable along the vertical direction relative to said block when the first end portion of said shaft is removed from the series of holes of said block.

2. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein said rack adjustment assembly further comprises a base mounted to said sidewall, said actuating mechanism slidably mounted to said base.

3. The rack assembly of claim 2, wherein said actuating mechanism is configured for sliding upwardly along the vertical direction relative to said base in order to remove the first end portion of said shaft from the series of holes of said block.

4. The rack assembly of claim 2, wherein said actuating mechanism defines a channel that receives the second end portion of said shaft.

5. The rack assembly of claim 4, wherein the channel of said actuating mechanism has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the channel extending along both the vertical and transverse directions, the second portion of the channel extending along the vertical direction, the first portion of the channel disposed above the second portion of the channel along the vertical direction.

6. The rack assembly of claim 1, further comprising an additional block positioned adjacent said sidewall and spaced apart from said block along the transverse direction, said additional block defining an additional series of holes, the additional series of holes distributed along the vertical direction, wherein said rack adjustment assembly further comprises an additional shaft that extends longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion along the transverse direction, the first end portion of said additional shaft received within one of the series of additional holes of said additional block, the second end portion of said additional shaft coupled to said actuating mechanism.

7. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein said actuating mechanism comprises a rectangular handle.

8. The rack assembly of claim 1, wherein said sidewall is formed of a series of vertical members fixed to a series of transverse members, said series of vertical members extending longitudinally along the vertical direction and spaced apart from one another along the transverse direction, said series of transverse members extending longitudinally along the transverse direction and spaced apart from one another along the vertical direction.

9. A dishwasher appliance, the dishwasher appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the dishwasher appliance comprising:

a tub that defines a wash chamber; and

a rack assembly for receipt of articles for washing, said rack assembly having opposing sidewalls that are spaced apart along the lateral direction;

a pair of slides mounted to said rack assembly at the opposing sidewalls of said rack assembly, said pair of slides configured for sliding movement of said rack assembly within the wash chamber of said tub;

a plurality of blocks, said plurality of blocks mounted to said pair of slides, each block of said plurality of blocks defining a series of holes facing the transverse direction, the series of holes spaced apart along the vertical direction; and

a pair of rack adjustment assemblies mounted to said rack assembly at the opposing sidewalls of said rack assembly, each rack adjustment assembly comprising:

a shaft extending longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion along the transverse direction, the first end portion of said shaft received within a respective one of the series of holes of said plurality of blocks; and

an actuating mechanism carried by said sidewall, the second end portion of said shaft coupled to said actuating mechanism, said actuating mechanism configured for selectively sliding said shaft along the transverse direction in order to remove the first end portion of said shaft from the series of holes of said block;

wherein said rack assembly is moveable along the vertical direction relative to said pair of slides when the first end portion of said shaft is removed from the series of holes of said plurality of blocks.

10. The dishwasher appliance of claim 9, wherein each rack adjustment assembly further comprises a base mounted to said opposing sidewalls, said actuating mechanism slidably mounted to said base.

11. The dishwasher appliance of claim 10, wherein said actuating mechanism is configured for sliding upwardly along the vertical direction relative to said base in order to remove the first end portion of said shaft from the series of holes of said block.

12. The dishwasher appliance of claim 10, wherein said actuating mechanism defines a channel that receives the second end portion of said shaft.

13. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein the channel of said actuating mechanism has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the channel extending along both the vertical and transverse direction, the second portion of the channel extending along the vertical direction, the first portion of the channel disposed above the second portion of the channel along the vertical direction.

14. The dishwasher appliance of claim 9, wherein each rack adjustment assembly further comprises an additional shaft that extends longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion along the transverse direction, the first end portion of said additional shaft received within one of a series of additional holes defined by said plurality of blocks, the second end portion of said additional shaft coupled to said actuating mechanism.

15. The dishwasher appliance of claim 9, wherein said actuating mechanism comprises a rectangular handle.

16. The dishwasher appliance of claim 9, wherein said opposing sidewalls are formed of a series of vertical members fixed to a series of transverse members, said series of vertical members extending longitudinally along the vertical direction and spaced apart from one another along the transverse direction, said series of transverse members extending longitudinally along the transverse direction and spaced apart from one another along the vertical direction.

17. A rack assembly for an appliance, the rack assembly defining a vertical direction and a transverse direction, the vertical and transverse directions being perpendicular, the rack assembly comprising:

a sidewall;

a block positioned adjacent said sidewall and defining a series of holes that is oriented along the transverse direction and distributed along the vertical direction; and

a shaft that extends longitudinally between a first end portion and a second end portion along the transverse direction, said shaft configured for selectively shifting between a first position and a second position; and

an actuating mechanism, the second end portion of said shaft coupled to said actuating mechanism, said actuating mechanism configured for selectively shifting said shaft between the first and second positions;

wherein the first end portion of said shaft is received within one of the series of holes of said block when said shaft is in the first position in order to hinder said sidewall from moving along the vertical direction relative to said block, the first end portion of said shaft is positioned outside of the series of holes of said block when said shaft is in the second position in order to permit said sidewall to move along the vertical direction relative to said block.

18. The rack assembly of claim 17, wherein said sidewall is formed of a series of vertical members fixed to a series of transverse members, said series of vertical members extending longitudinally along the vertical direction and spaced apart from one another along the transverse direction, said series of transverse members extending longitudinally along the transverse direction and spaced apart from one another along the vertical direction.