US2710617A

US2710617A - Dishwashing machine and article racks therefor

Info

Publication number: US2710617A
Application number: US254413A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lewis A James; Duane A James
Original assignee: JAMES Inc
Current assignee: JAMES Inc
Priority date: 1951-11-01
Filing date: 1951-11-01
Publication date: 1955-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 1972-06-14

Description

June 14, 1955 L. A. JAMES ET AL 2,710,617

DISHWASHING MACHINE AND ARTICLE RACKS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 1, 1951 INVENTOR. Lew/5A James and BY Duane A. James.

A TTORNE Y3.

June 14, 1955 A. JAMES ETAL 2,710,617

DISHWASHING MACHINE AND ARTICLE RACKS THEREFOR I Filed Nov. 1, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR.

\ Lewis. A. James and BY Duane A. James.

A TTORNEYZS'.

J 1955 L. A. JAMES ET AL DISHWASHING MACHINE AND ARTICLE RACKS THEREFOR Filed Nov. 1 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Lew/s A.James and BY Duane A. James.

AT TORNE Y5.

United States Patent DISHWASHWG MACHINE AND ARTICLE RACKS THEREFOR Lewis A. James and Duane A. James, Independence, Kans., assignors to James, Incorporated, Independence, Kans., a corporation of Kansas Application November 1, 1951, Serial No. 254,413

6 Claims. (Cl. 134183) This invention relates to dishwashing machines and article racks therefor, and more particularly to a dishwasher rack structure and arrangement for supporting articles in a dishwasher wherein washing liquid is directed and distributed on the articles in streams by an impeller or other source of liquid distribution. More specifically this invention relates to a rack structure and arrangement in a dishwasher having an impeller or liquid supply extending centrally and longitudinally of the washing compartment in such a manner as to deliver the liquid in a stream that sweeps laterally across said dishwashing compartment, whereby the articles therein receive impulses of concentrated washing action.

The objects of the invention are to provide a dishwashing machine with a rack arrangement for supporting articles for effective washing liquid circulation; to provide a dishwasher having a liquid impeller providing a stream of liquid which sweeps the interior of the washing compartment with a wire rack arrangement for supporting articles to be washed with the soiled sides toward the source of the directed streams of washing liquid to facilitate the washing liquid reaching all soiled parts of all articles; to provide a rack adapted to receive and support various shaped articles so that they will drain freely of liquid and dry properly after the last rinse; to provide a dishwashing machine with a' flat article rack in the lower portion thereof and extending along each side of the impeller with article spacing members at acute angles to the impeller whereby plates, saucers, bowls, lids and the like are supported on edge at an angle to the impeller with the soiled side angled toward the source of the stream of washing liquid; to pro-' vide removable upper racks for facilitating loading and unloading of the lower rack; to provide a lower rack which supports flat plates and like articles on edge so washing liquid from the impeller can ascend between such articles and wash articles on the upper racks; to provide a removable upper rack longitudinally of the washing compartment and adjacent the top thereof with hooks for supporting deep articles, such as glasses, cups and the like, in inverted position; to provide such center, upper rack with a trough for supportingodd pieces; to provide side racks which are removable or foldable back against the side walls of the washing compartment; to provide a silverware rack or container which is loose and adapted to rest on the flat, lower or side racks; and to provide a dishwashing machine with a rack structure and assembly therefor which is economical to manufacture, that facilitates the disposition of articles to be washed therein in a manner for receiving concentrated washing action from the liquid delivered by the impeller, and that is elficient in operation for washing and rinsing dishes and the like.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, we have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a dishwasher and rack arrangement therein.

I nal center of the washing compartment.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the dishwasher on the line 22, Fig. 1, illustrating the arrangement of the lower article rack therein.

Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of a side rack and support therefor, the side rack being shown folded against a side wall of the dishwasher.

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of the center, upper rack and the end support therefor.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the lower or plate rack.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a side rack.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the silverware rack.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the upper, center rack.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

- 1 designates a portion of a dishwashing machine ha ing a washing compartment 2 formed by

side walls

3 and 4, end walls 5 and 6, bottom wall 7, and a cover 8. The bottom wall 7 is preferably semicylindrical, with the axis thereof longitudinally of the washing compartment whereby said bottom forms a sump for suitable washing or rinsing liquid. An impeller assembly 9 is mounted in the washing compartment and suitably driven to deliver washing or rinse liquid at considerable velocity onto articles to be washed, which are supported on a rack arrangement in the washing compartment as later described.

The impeller assembly preferably extends longitudinally of the washing compartment and consists of a housing 10 fixed to the end wall 5 and having an inlet opening 11 below the liquid level in the washing compartment and an elongated slot 12 forming a discharge opening positioned above the liquid level and extending substantially the full length of the washing compartment. The slot 12 in the illustrated structure is offset from the longitudi- An impeller 13 is rotatably mounted in the housing 10 and suitably driven to move liquid with considerable velocity through the slot 12, said liquid being directed against the baffle or deflector 14 spaced vertically from the slot 12 and extending parallel thereto. The bafile 14 is suitably rotated at a considerably slower speed than the impeller 13 about an axis extending longitudinally of the washing compartment whereby the liquid discharged from the slot 12 in the form of a sheet is deflected by the bafiie during rotation thereof to sweep the washing compartment, providing a concentrated washing action that is progressively moved back and forth across the washing compartment to impinge on articles to be washed supported on the rack arrangement.

The rack arrangement preferably consists of a lower rack 15 for supporting relatively flat articles, such as dinner plates, meat platters, pie pans, saucers, pan lids, sauce dishes, medium to shallow bowls, bread plates, and the like, along each side of the impeller. Side racks 16 are arranged on each of the

side walls

3 and 4 above the lower rack, and a central, upper rack 17 is arranged longitudinally of the washing compartment in the upper portion thereof. A silverware rack 18 is adapted to rest on the lower rack 15 or a side rack 16. All of the racks are removably mounted in the washing compartment so they can be removed to facilitate cleaning of the racks and inner surfaces of the compartment. The rack 15 is preferably formed of wire and has a rectangular frame 19 slightly shorter than the longitudinal length of the washing compartment and of suitable width whereby the side bars or

wires

20 and 21 will engage the

side walls

3 and 4 when the rack is in desired position.

, are secured thereto. The spacing of the

rods

22 and 23 is preferably approximately the width of the baflle 14 and said rods arranged on opposite sides of a vertical plane extending through the axis of rotation of the baffie 14 which is preferably spaced rearwardly from the longitudinal center of the washing compartment. The ends of the

rods

22 and 23 are turned downwardly and are connected at their lower ends as at 26, whereby said ends form lugs 27 adapted to engage suitable rigid portions of the impeller housing or other support in the washing compartment to adequately support the central portion of the rack 15. The lug 27 adjacent the bar 24 engages the inner surface of a flange 28 of the impeller housing 10 at the end wall 5, and to prevent movement of the rack a lug 29, in the shape of a U-sha ed member 30, extends beyond the bar and engages the inner surface of the end wall 6. The legs 31 of the U-shaped lug 29 are preferably secured alongside the

rods

22 and 23.

A purality of dish spacing wires 32 extend generally transversely of the rack 15, said wires 32 being substantially equally spaced along the length of the rack. Each of the spacing wires 32 has intermediate portions 33 which extend transversely across the

rods

22 and 23. Said portions 33 rest on the rods and are suitably secured thereto as by welding. Each of the spacing wires 32 has

portions

34 and 35 extending from the ends of the intermediate portion 33 to the

side bars

20 and 21 respectively with the ends of said portions extending under the side bars and suitably secured thereto as by welding. The

portions

34 and 35 are arranged in angular relation to the side bars and/or the impeller housing 10. In the structure illustrated the intermediate portions 33 of the spacing wires are approximately the same length as the diameter of the flange 23 whereby the ends toward the side bar 20 are substantially vertically aligned with the adjacent side of the impeller housing 10 and the other-ends extend a short distance beyond the rod 23. The angularly arranged portions of the spacing wires preferably have depending or downwardly extending

portions

36 and 37 to aid in supporting the dishes. In the illustrated structure each of the spacing wires 32 at the ends of the intermediate portions toward the side bar 20 are turned downwardly to form vertical portions 38 which terminate just above the inlet opening 11 of the impeller housing and are turned outwardly to provide substantially horizontal portions 39. The horizontal portions 39 are of such length that the outer ends thereof engage the wall of the washing compartment. said wires being bent upwardly as at 40 forming vertical portions 41 which terminate in bends 42 providing horizontal portions 43 that extend to the side bar 29. The engagement of the bend portions 40 with the side walls of the washing compartment aids in supporting the rack in position.

A rod 44 extends longitudinally of the rack and rests on the horizontal portions 39 and is secured thereto as by welding adjacent the bends 40, the rod 44 having its ends turned upwardly forming vertical portions 45, the upper ends of which are secured to the

end rods

24 and 2! whereby the rod 44 adds strength to the structure ano aids in maintaining the spacing of the spacing wires 32. The depending portions 37 in the spacing wires on the opposite side of the rack are arranged substantially in the same manner as the depending portions 36 but are shorter in length and in depth. A rod 46 is secured on the depending portions 37 in the same manner as the rod 44 is secured on the depending portions 36, said rod 46 having upwardly turned ends providing vertical portions 47, the upper ends of which are secured to the

end rods

24 and 25. The arrangement of the spacing rods and their depending portions and the relative positions of the

longitudinal rods

22 and 23 are such that large plates and the like are preferably placed between the rod 22 and side bar 20 and smaller plates and the like are placed between the rod 23 and side bar 21 as later described.

The side racks 16 are each formed of wire or the like and have a plurality of spaced, longitudinal Wires 48 and a plurality of spaced, transverse wires 49 suitably secured together as by welding to make a coarse mesh. A longitudinal edge is turned upwardly as at 50, whereby the rack is substantially L-shaped with Wires substantially defining the periphery of the rack as illustrated in Fig. 6. Each of the side racks 3.6 is slightly less in length than the inside length of the washing compartment whereby the racks may be inserted therein and the ends of the racks rest on supports 51 suitably secured to the end walls 5 and 6. The supports 51 are preferably angular in crosssectiou. each having flange 52 extending outwardly from the end walls and sloping downwardly toward the adjacent side wall whereby the racks 16 will be supported thereon at suitable angles, whereby articles resting on the rack will tend to move toward the sides of the washing compartment and not fall off of the free ends of the racks. Articles to be washed are preferably placed upside down on the racks 16 whereby the streams of washing liquid from the impeller unit deliver the full washing action on the soiled parts of the articles. When the racks 16 are emptied, they may be folded upwardly, as illustrated Fig. 3, or can be removed to provide additional access to articles on the lower rack 15.

The upper, center rack 17 includes laterally spaced upper rods or

wires

54 and 55 and lower rods or

wires

56 and 57 extending longitudinally of the washing compartment, the spacing of the lower rods being less than the spacing of the upper rods. A plurality of transverse members 58 is spaced along the upper and lower rods. these transverse members each preferably being formed of wire substantially in a U-shape with a bar portion 59 extending under and secured to the

lower rods

56 and 57, the bar 59 terminating in upwardly turned, diverging legs 60, the upper ends of which are secured to the

upper rods

54 and 55. The ends of the

rods

56 and 57 are provided with upwardly extending end members 61 ter minating in ends 62 that are secured to the adjacent transverse member 58. End rods 63 extend across and are secured at the ends of the

upper rods

54 and 55. the opposite ends of the rods 63 extending beyond the

rods

54 and 55 and being turned rear ardlv as at with the free ends secured to the respective rods to provide lateral loops or extensions 65 adapted to rest on supporting l s 66 of brackets 67 which are secured to the end walls of the washing compartment in such a manner that the lu s 66 extend from the walls and receive the troughlike ortion of the rack 17 therebetween. One of the brackets 67 is provided with a horizontal. fiat lug 68 snaced upwardly from the upper edges of the lugs 66 whereby the end rods 63 resting on the upper edges of the lu s 66 may be moved under the flat lug 68. Ohviously the opposite end of the rack 17 must be lifted and the rack moved longitudinally to disengage the end rod 63 from the flat lug 68 for removing the rack from the washing compartment.

Spaced along the sides of the rack 17 are hook members 69. Said hook members are of different sizes and shapes for receiving glasses. cups and other deep articles. Each of the hook members generally consists of an inverted U-shaped portion 70. the downwardly extending legs 71 thereof being turned upwardly as at 72 to form upwardly extending members 73 which are secured to the upper and lower side rods of the rack.

The silverware rack 18 preferably includes a perforated sheet metal bottom 74 with upwardly turned flanges 5 on the front and side edges thereof. A sheet metal back 76 extends upwardly from the rear edge of the bottom, providing a closed back to the rack. the back 76 having flanges 77 on the side edges thereof. A Wire mesh 78 having vertical wires 79 and horizontal wires 80 is cut and bent to fit within the flanges and 77, the wires being suitably secured to said flanges whereby the rack has an open top and relatively large openings in the front and side faces. The silverware rack 18 is placed as desired on the lower rack 15 or side racks 16 with the front or sides facing the impeller whereby the washing action Will be delivered to silverware in the rack.

In using a rack structure and arrangement such as described, flat articles such as dinner plates, meat platters and the like are placed in the lower rack 15. It is to be noted that said lower rack is divided by the

rods

22 and 23 ofiset from the middle with the larger portion on the inlet side of the impeller housing. The larger side is designed for larger, flat articles such as dinner plates and the smaller side is for smaller, flat pieces such as saucers and the like. The

portions

34 and 35 of the spacing wires 32 are at an angle from the impeller housing to the sides of the washing compartment and flat articles such plates are placed edgewise between the spacing wires with the soiled sides of the plates angled toward the impeller whereby the baflle 14 will direct the washing liquid against the soiled faces and impart the full washing action thereon. Extremely large plates such as platters and the like may be given a greater angle by arranging same wherein they cross one or more of the spacing wires. It is preferable to group like kinds of dishes, for example by making a row of dinner plates of one size and a group of shallow or medium deep bowls, followed by smaller dishes. Each of the plates and the like being placed on edge at an angle to the impeller permits the washing fluid from the impeller to strike the soiled portion of the plates and the like and then ascend between said plates and wash articles on the upper racks. If, after placing the flat plates and the like on the lower rack 15, there is suificient room for the rack 13, the silverware is placed in said rack and the rack suitably arranged on the lower rack with the open front toward the impeller. After the lower rack has been loaded the side racks may be folded downwardly onto the supports 51 and the upper, center rack l7 placed in the compartment with the ends thereof supported on the lug 66. Deep bowls, pans, cups and the like are then placed on the side racks in inverted condition. The hooks 71 are designed to hold glasses, cups and the like, which are placed on the hooks upside down. 3? he trough through the center of the rack is adapted to receive odd pieces such as kitchen knives, spatulas, jar lids, etc.

Each of the racks is removable from the washing compartment, however, such removal is usually not necessary except for cleaning, as adequate access to the lower rack 15 is provided when the side racks 60 are folded upwardly. Therefore, the rack arrangement is such that all of the dishes and the like are supported in spaced relation to each other and in such relationship to the impeller that the washing action of the liquid from the impeller is directed against the soiled faces of the articles to be washed. Also the rack arrangement is such that it is accessible both for loading and unloading the racks.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A dishwashing machine comprising, a receptacle having sides, ends and a bottom forming a sump for containing a quantity of washing liquid, an elongate impeller unit fixed in the receptacle and extending longitudinally of the sump for moving liquid from said sump and discharging said liquid in an upwardly directed fiat stream, means for deflecting said stream of liquid to cause same to sweep the receptacle at the sides and above the impeller unit, a dish supporting rack removably mounted in the receptacle, said rack having side bars engaging the sides of the receptacle, end bars extending transversely of the receptacle and connected to the ends of the side bars, said end and side bars being substantially coplanar, spaced bars in the rack extending longitudinally of the receptacle from one end bar to the other and arranged substantially above the deflecting means of the impeller, a plurality of article spacing wires secured to said spaced longitudinal bars and extending transversely thereof to the side bars of the rack, U-shaped depressed portions in said spacing wires intermediate the ends thereof, and wires extending longitudinally of the rack and secured to the depressed portions'intermediate the ends of said depressed portions for cooperating with the spaced longitudinal bars and spacing wires in supporting articles on edge with the soiled faces toward the impeller and at an acute angle thereto for receiving the washing action of the liquid discharged thereby.

2. A dishwashing machine comprising, a receptacle having sides, ends and a bottom forming a sump-for containing a quantity of washing liquid, an elongate impeller unit fixed in the receptacle and extending longitudinally of the sump for moving liquid from said sump and discharging said liquid in an upwardly directed flat stream, means for deflecting said stream of liquid to cause same to sweep the receptacle at the sides and above the impeller unit, a wire rack removably mounted in the receptacle, a plurality of spacing wires in the rack extending from above the impeller to the sides of.

the receptacle for supporting flat articles in spaced relation on edge with the soiled faces toward the impeller and at an acute angle thereto for receiving the washing action of the liquid discharged thereby, brackets fixed on the ends of the receptacle adjacent the sides thereof and sloping downwardly toward the adjacent side, wire side racks having ends removably supported on saidbrackets, and upturned edges on the side racks adjacent the sides of the receptacle, said side racks being adapted to support articles in inverted position wherebyxthe inner soiled surfaces of said articles are faced toward the impeller and receive washing action of liquid ascending between the spaced articles on the first-named rack.

3. A dishwashing machine comprising, an open top receptacle having sides, ends and a bottom forming; a sump for containing a quantity of washing liquid, a cover closing the open top of the receptacle, an elongate impeller unit fixed-in the receptacle and extending longi-' tudinally of the sump for moving liquid from said sump and discharging said liquid in an upwardly directed flat stream, means for deflecting said stream of'liquid to cause same to sweep the receptacle at the sides and above the impeller unit, a wire rack removably mounted in the receptacle, a plurality of spacing wires in the rack extending from above the impeller to the sides of the receptacle for supporting flat articles in spaced relation on edge with the soiled faces toward the impeller and at an acute angle thereto for receiving the washing action of the liquid discharged thereby, a wire trough-like rack, hook members spaced along the sides of the troughlike rack, and means on the ends of the receptacle adjacent the open top thereof for removably supporting the trough-like rack therein, said hook members being adapted to support articles in inverted position whereby the inner soiled surfaces of said articles are faced toward the impeller and receive washing action of liquid ascending between the spaced articles on the first-named rack.

4. A dishwashing machine comprising, a receptacle having sides, ends and a bottom forming a sump for containing a quantity of washing liquid, an elongate impeller unit fixed in the receptacle and extending longitudinally of the sump for moving liquid from said sump and discharging said liquid in an upwardly directed flat stream, means for deflecting said stream of liquid to cause same to sweep the receptacle at the sides and above the impeller unit, a dish supporting rack removably mounted in the receptacle, said rack having side bars engaging the sides of the receptacle, spaced bars in the rack extending longitudinally of the receptacle substantially above the deflecting means of the impeller, a plurality of article spacing wires secured to said spaced longitudinal bars and extending transversely thereof, said spacing wires having portions extending to the side bars of the rack at an acute angle to the impeller, depressed portions in the angled portions of said spacing wires intermediate the ends thereof, wires extending longitudinally of the rack and secured to the depressed por tions for cooperating with the spaced longitudinal bars and spacing wires in supporting articles in spaced relation on edge and faced toward the impeller for receiving the washing action of the liquid discharged thereby, brackets fixed on the ends of the receptacle adjacent the sides thereof and sloping downwardly toward the adjacent side, wire side racks having ends removably supported on said brackets above said first-named rack, and upturned edges on the side racks adjacent the sides of the receptacle, said side racks being adapted to support articles in inverted position whereby the inner soiled surfaces of said articles are facedtoward the impeller and Washing liquid discharged by the impeller will ascend between the articles in the first-named rack and impinge on the articles in the side racks.

5. A dishwashing machine comprising, an open top receptacle having sides, ends and a bottom forming a sump for containing a quantity of Washing liquid, a cover closing the open top of the receptacle, an elongate irnpeller unit fixed in the receptacle and extending longitudinally of the sump for moving liquid from said sump and discharging said liquid in an upwardly directed fiat stream, means for deflecting said stream of liquid to cause same to sweep the receptacle at the sides and above the impeller unit, a dish supporting rack removably mounted in the receptacle, said rack having side oars engaging the sides of the receptacle, spaced bars in the rack extending longitudinally of the receptacle substantially above the deflecting means of the impeller, a plurality of article spacing wires secured to said spaced lngitudinal bars and extending transversely thereof, said spacing wires having portions extending to the side bars of the rack at an acute angle to the impeller, depressed portions in the angled portions of said spacing wires intermediate the ends thereof, wires extending longitudinally of the rack and secured to the depressed portions for cooperating with the spaced longitudinal bars and spacing wires in supporting articles on edge and faced toward the impeller for receiving the washing action of the liquid discharged thereby, brackets fixed on the ends of the receptacle adjacent the sides thereof and sloping downwardly toward the adjacent side, wire side racks having ends removably supported on said brackets above said first-named rack, upturned edges on the side racks adjacent the sides of the receptacle, a wire troughlike rack, hook members spaced along the sides of the trough-like rack, and means on the ends of the receptacle adjacent the open top thereof for removably supporting the trough-like rack therein, said hook members and side racks being adapted to support articles in inverted position whereby the inner soiled surfaces of said articles are faced toward the impeller and washing liquid discharged by the impeller will ascend between the articles in the first-named rack and impinge on the articles in the side and trough-like racks.

6. A dishwashing machine comprising, a substantially rectangular receptacle having an arcuate bottom, means adjacent the arcuate bottom and extending longitudinally thereof for discharging washing liquid upwardly in the receptacle in a stream which sweeps the receptacle, a wire rack removably mounted in the receptacle and having a substantially rectangular frame of connected side and end wires, spaced wires in the rack extending longitudinally thereof substantially above the liquid discharging means, a plurality of article spacing wires secured to said spaced longitudinal wires and extending transversely thereof to the side wires of the rack frame, U-shaped depressed portions in said spacing wires intermediate the ends thereof, and a Wire extending longitudinally of the rack and secured to the spacing wires in each of the depressed portions adjacent the ends thereof toward the sides of the frame for cooperating with the spaced longitudinal wires and spacing wires in supporting articles on edge with the soiled faces toward the liquid discharg ing means and at an acute angle thereto for receiving the washing action of the liquid discharged thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 568,202 Lippard Sept. 22, 1896 1,339,810 Cochran May 11, 1920 1,466,514 Smythe Aug. 28, 1923 1,610,782 Homan Dec. 14, 1926 1,682,654 Andrews Aug. 28, 1928 2,284,026 Stockham May 26, 1942 2,317,014 Yochem Apr. 20, 1943