US3181924A

US3181924A - Rack arrangement for dishwasher

Info

Publication number: US3181924A
Application number: US340589A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lauren W Guth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-01-17
Filing date: 1964-01-17
Publication date: 1965-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-04

Description

RACK ARRANGEMENT FOR DISHWASHER Filed Jan. 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIGJ INVENTOR. LAUREN \N. GUTH BYMFW HIS ATTORNEY y 4, 1965 1.. w. GUTH 3,181,924

RACK ARRANGEMENT FOR DISHWASHER Filed Jan. 17, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

LAUREN \U. GUTH 'ro RNEY United States Patent 3,181,924 RACK ARRANGEMENT FUR DEHWASHER Lauren W. Guth, 3210 Rock Creel; Drive, Louisville, Ky. Filed Jan. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 340,539 2 Claims. (6i. 312-330) This application comprises a continuation-in-part of the copending application of Lauren W. Guth, Serial No. 216,380, filed August 13, 1962, and now abandoned. This invention relates to a rack arrangement for dishwashers, and more particularly to an improved arrangement for permitting the loading of both large and small items in either of two vertically spaced racks positioned within a washing compartment.

It is an object of my invention to provide, in a dishwashing machine, an arrangement of two vertically spaced racks which will permit either large or small items to be loaded into either of the two racks as a result of the relationship of the racks to each other and to the compartment.

In one aspect of my invention, I provide a dishwasher which has a washing compartment with its upper portion substantially rectangular in vertical cross section in the usual manner, Vertically spaced upper and lower open framework dish racks are positioned in the compartment, together with suitable means for washing dishes supported on the dish racks. Thus, when dishes are loaded onto the racks and the compartment is closed, a dishwashing op eration will be effected.

The upper rack has a first part formed to provide a relatively large vertical dish receiving distance between the racks and a relatively small vertical dish receiving distance between the upper rack and the top of the compartment. A second part of the upper rack is formed so as to provide a relatively small vertical dish receiving space between the racks and a relatively large vertical dish receiving space between the upper rack and the top of the compartment. This means that dishes such as large plates may be positioned in either the upper or the lower rack, with the same being true of relatively small dishes.

This is an important advantage in many dishwashing machines, particularly those of the drop door type wherein the racks slide out through a front opening for loading and unloading. Where, as is conventional, all large dishes must be placed in the lower rack, it creates a problem when the usual practice is followed of carrying the dishes from the table place setting by place setting. This results from the fact that each place setting usually includes, for instance, a large dish, a small dish, and a glass. Where only the lower rack will take large dishes, and the upper rack is intended for glasses and small dishes, it means that when a place setting is brought out the lower rack must be brought out to put the large dish in, and the upper rack must be pulled out to position the rest of the place setting.

My invention obviates this diiiiculty by permitting an entire place setting to be positioned in the same rack so that a single rack may be used until it is full. Then that rack may be returned to its position within the compartment, and the other rack may be pulled out for loading.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. My invention, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view, with some of the parts broken away to illustrate details, of a dishwasher embodying my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the dishwasher of FIGURE 1 with its door open and its racks out in loading position; and

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view, similar to that of FIGURE 1, showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a dishwasher 1 having a cabinet 2 within which there is defined a washing compartment 3 which, insofar as its upper portion within which a pair of open framework dish racks 4 and 5 are positioned is concerned, is generally rectangular in vertical cross section. Racks 4 and 5 are vertically spaced within the compartment and provide support for dishes during a dishwashing operation. The upper rack and the lower rack may be independently moved forwardly out of the compartment, the upper rack by means of a slide arrangement 6 and the lower rack by means of a slide arrangement 7. When a dishwashing operation is being provided a door 8 may be vertically positioned so as to close the compartment 3. On the other hand, when dishes are to be loaded or unloaded between operations, the racks 4 and 5 may be moved forwardly out of the compartment 3 over the open door 8 to the positions shown in FIGURE 2.

Dishwasher 1 incorporates, within compartment 3, suit able washing means which in this case is embodied in a rotatable water ejecting member 9 positioned below lower rack 5, together with a telescoping member 10 positioned at the center of member 9. When under pressure, a part 11 of member 10 rises somewhat and is provided with apertures in its top so as to eject water with substantial force against dishes in the upper rack 14 at the same time that member 9 is ejecting water against the dis-hes in both racks. The circulation of water and the rotation of the members 9 and ltl may be caused in the conventional manner, which normally will include a pumping and motor assembly (not shown).

With such a structure, a complete dishwashing operation may readily be provided by means of a conventional sequence control assembly (not shown) which controls, in suitable sequence and for an appropriate number of cycles, the entry of water and washing materials, the spraying of the dishes, and the removal of the water. It will be understood that, as thus far described, the components of the dishwasher are conventional and are provided in dishwashers widely available for purchase by the public. Such a dishwasher is, for instance, more fully described in copending application Serial No. 149,891 of Norman L. Kendt, now Patent No. 3,125,249, filed November 3, 1961, for Dishwasher With Improved Treating Agent Dispenser Mechanism.

The lower rack 5' is formed substantially as shown so as to provide support for dishes of any type including glassware and chinaware, the chinaware including both large and small dishes. The upper rack 4, according to my invention, is formed so as to have a first portion 12 which has its lowest part 13 raised a substantial distance above rack 5 so that there is substantially more vertical room for dishes between the racks, that is, in the lower rack, than there is for dishes in part 12 of rack 4. In other words, part 12 of rack 4 is suitable for small dishes rather than large ones. In this connection, part 12 may be specially formed as shown so as to be especially suitable for glassware although, if so desired, it may be provided with a conventional formation which makes it suitable for all the various types of dishes to be washed. Because of the height of part 13 above rack 5, dishes of substantial height, including dinner plates and the like, may be inserted on the left hand side of rack 5 without any interference whatsoever from the upper rack.

The right hand portion 14 of rack 4 has a base, or supporting part 15, which is positioned quite low over rack 5 so that it affords room for large plates in the upper rack enemas at the expense of the vertical space above the lower rack. In other words, portion 14 of the upper rack decreases the amount of vertical room in the lower rack to an extent where large plates may no longer be positioned therein. In effect then, the forming of the upper rack is such that on the left hand side there is sufficient vertical space between the racks to permit large dishes to be positioned in the lower rack but only small dishes in the upper rack. On the right hand side of the compartment 3, as viewed in the drawing, the upper rack is formed so that there is sufficient vertical space to permit the provision of large plates in the upper rack, while the available vertical distance between the upper and lower racks is substantially less so that it is appropriate for glassware and small dishes.

As a result of this division of the upper rack into two different parts each having different characteristics, either rack may be pulled out by an operator and individual place settings loaded therein without the need for continually moving the upper rack. Large plates, small plates and glassware may all be provided in each rack, in opposition to the general condition prevailing today wherein large plates may not be placed in the upper rack, and the upper rack must be pushed back in each time a large plate is to be loaded.

It will, of course, be understood that while the lower rack has been shown in FIGURE 1 as being of a conventional design it may be specially formed as shown in FIGURE 3 so that the part under portion 14 of the upper rack is particularly well suited for the reception of glassware or small dishes and the like, rather than making the entire rack suitable for the reception of all types of dishes as shown. Referring to FIGURE 3, it can be seen that lower rack is provided at its right hand side with a configuration similar to part 12 of rack 4 which makes this portion of lower rack 5 especially suitable for glassware and other small dishes. Also, a suitable silverware basket, of any conventional design, may be included as part of either or both racks.

While I have shown and described one particular em bodiment of my invention, I do not desire the invention to be limited to the precise construction disclosed, and I intend by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A dishwasher comprising:

(a) a washing compartment,

(b) an upper rack disposed within said compartment,

(0) said upper rack having a first part formed to provide a relatively large vertical dish-receiving space between said upper rack and the top of said compartment,

(d) means on said first part of said upper rack to sup X} port large dishes in an attitude to facilitate washing thereof,

(e) said upper rack having a second part formed to provide a relatively small vertical dish-receiving space between said upper rack and the top of said compartment,

(7) means on said second part of said upper rack particularly adapted to support glasses, cups and small dishes in an attitude to facilitate washing thereof, and

(g) a lower rack spaced below said upper rack and disposed within said compartment,

(/1) said lower rack having means directly below said first part of said upper rack particularly adapted to support glasses, cups and small dishes and further having means directly below said second part of said upper rack to support large dishes,

(i) each of said means on said lower rack being formed to support said glasses, cups and dishes in an attitude to facilitate washing thereof.

2. A dishwasher comprising:

(a) a washing compartment,

(b) an upper rack disposed within said compartment,

(d) means on said first part of said upper rack to support large dishes in an attitude to facilitate washing thereof,

(c) said upper rack having a second part formed to provide a relatively small vertical dish-receiving space between said upper rack and the top of said compartment,

(11) said lower rack having a first part below said first part of said upper rack with means particularly adapted to support glasses, cups and small dishes in an attitude to facilitate washing thereof,

(i) said lower rack having a second part below said second part of said upper rack with means to support large dishes in an attitude to facilitate washing thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A DISHWASHER COMPRISING: (A) A WASHING COMPARTMENT, (B) AN UPPER RACK DISPOSED WITHIN SAID COMPARTMENT, (C) SAID UPPER RACK HAVING A FIRST PART FORMED TO PROVIDE A RELATIVELY LARGE VERTICAL DISH-RECEIVING SPACE BETWEEN SAID UPPER RACK AND THE TOP OF SAID COMPARTMENT, (D) MEANS ON SAID FIRST PART OF SAID UPPER RACK TO SUPPORT LARGE DISHES IN AN ATTITUDE TO FACILITATE WASHING THEREOF, (E) SAID UPPER RACK HAVING A SECOND PART FORMED TO PROVIDE A RELATIVELY SMALL VERTICAL DISH-RECEIVING SPACE BETWEEN SAID UPPER RACH AND THE TOP OF SAID COMPARTMENT, (F) MEANS ON SAID SECOND PART OF SAID UPPER RACK PARTICULARLY ADAPTED TO SUPPORT GLASSES, CUPS AND SMALL DISHES IN AN ATTITUDE TO FACILITATE WASHING THEREOF, AND (G) A LOWER RACK SPACED BELOW SAID UPPER RACK AND DISPOSED WITHIN SAID COMPARTMENT, (H) SAID LOWER RACK HAVING MEANS DIRECTLY BELOW SAID