U.S. patent application number 11/532171 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for dish insert for a dishwasher.
This patent application is currently assigned to Miele & Cie. KG. Invention is credited to Bernhard Graute.
Application Number | 20080083678 11/532171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37563208 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080083678 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Graute; Bernhard |
April 10, 2008 |
DISH INSERT FOR A DISHWASHER
Abstract
A dish insert for a dishwasher includes a plurality of first
tines disposed one behind the other on a first holding strut. Also
included is a plurality of second tines disposed one behind the
other on a rotatably mounted second holding strut so that the
second tines are pivotable relative to the first tines and the
first and second tines are alignable alternately one behind the
other in a row and configured to receive dishes therebetween.
Inventors: |
Graute; Bernhard;
(Marienfeld, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P.O. BOX 770, Church Street Station
New York
NY
10008-0770
US
|
Assignee: |
Miele & Cie. KG
Guetersloh
DE
|
Family ID: |
37563208 |
Appl. No.: |
11/532171 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/41.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/503 20130101;
A47L 15/505 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/41.8 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/08 20060101
A47G019/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 15, 2006 |
DE |
10 2005 044 264.1 |
Claims
1. A dish insert for a dishwasher, comprising: a plurality of first
tines disposed one behind the other on a first holding strut; and a
plurality of second tines disposed one behind the other on a
rotatably mounted second holding strut so that the second tines are
pivotable relative to the first tines and the first and second
tines are alignable alternately one behind the other in a row and
configured to receive dishes therebetween.
2. The dish insert as recited in claim 1 wherein the first and
second holding struts are configured to be disposed in a dish rack
of the dishwasher.
3. The dish insert as recited in claim 1 wherein the first holding
strut is rotatably mounted so that the first tines are pivotable
relative to the second tines.
4. A dish insert for a dishwasher, comprising: a plurality of first
tines disposed one behind the other on a first holding strut; and a
plurality of second tines disposed one behind the other on a second
holding strut, the second holding strut defining a second
longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the first holding
strut in a direction of the second longitudinal axis so that in a
first position of the second holding strut the first and second
tines are alignable alternately one behind the other evenly spaced
in a row at a first distance between adjacent tines of the row, and
in a second position of the second holding strut the first and
second tines are alignable alternately one behind the other forming
a plurality of tine units evenly spaced from each other in the row
at a second distance between adjacent tine units, each tine unit
including a respective tine of the first tines and a respective
tine of the second tines, the second distance being greater than
the first distance; wherein, in the first position, the tines are
configured to receive first dishes therebetween, and, in the second
position, the tine units are configured to receive second dishes
therebetween.
5. The dish insert as recited in claim 2 wherein the first and
second holding struts are configured to be disposed in a dish rack
of the dishwasher.
6. The dish insert as recited in claim 2 wherein the first and
second tines stand upright in the first and second positions.
7. The dish insert as recited in claim 2 further comprising a
pivotably mounted holding device, wherein the first holding strut
defines a first longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second
holding struts are operatively connected to the pivotably mounted
holding device so that a pivoting of the holding device causes the
first and second holding struts to rotate at a same time
respectively about the first and second longitudinal axes so as to
pivot the first and second tines at the same time.
8. The dish insert as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a
plurality of third tines disposed one behind the other on a third
holding strut; and a plurality of fourth tines disposed one behind
the other on a rotatably mounted fourth holding strut so that the
fourth tines are pivotable relative to the third tines and the
third and fourth tines are alignable alternately one behind the
other in a second row and configured to receive dishes
therebetween; wherein a distance between the first and second rows
is approximately the same as a length of a tine of the fourth
tines.
9. The dish insert as recited in claim 7 further comprising: a
plurality of third tines disposed one behind the other on a third
holding strut; and a plurality of fourth tines disposed one behind
the other on a rotatably mounted fourth holding strut so that the
fourth tines are pivotable relative to the third tines and the
third and fourth tines are alignable alternately one behind the
other in a second row and configured to receive dishes
therebetween; wherein a distance between the first and second rows
is approximately the same as a length of a tine of the fourth
tines.
10. The dish insert as recited in claim 1 further comprising a
locking device configured to lock at least one of the first tines
and the second tines in an upright position.
11. The dish insert as recited in claim 7 further comprising a
locking device configured to lock at least one of the first tines
and the second tines in an upright position.
12. The dish insert as recited in claim 8 further comprising a
locking device configured to lock at least one of the first tines
and the second tines in an upright position.
13. The dish insert as recited in claim 9 further comprising a
locking device configured to lock at least one of the first tines
and the second tines in an upright position.
14. The dish insert as recited in claim 4 wherein in the second
position of the second holding strut the respective first and
second tines of each respective tine unit are disposed against each
other.
15. The dish insert as recited in claim 4 wherein in the second
position of the second holding strut the respective first and
second tines of each respective tine unit are disposed with a space
between each other.
16. The dish insert as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a
plurality of third tines disposed one behind the other on a third
holding strut; and a plurality of fourth tines disposed one behind
the other on a rotatably mounted fourth holding strut so that the
fourth tines are pivotable relative to the third tines and the
third and fourth tines are alignable alternately one behind the
other in a second row and configured to receive the dishes
therebetween.
17. The dish insert as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a
plurality of third tines disposed one behind the other on a third
holding strut; and a plurality of fourth tines disposed one behind
the other on fourth holding strut, the fourth holding strut
defining a fourth longitudinal axis and being movable relative to
the third holding strut in a direction of the fourth longitudinal
axis so that in a third position of the fourth holding strut the
third and fourth tines are alignable alternately one behind the
other evenly spaced in a second row at a third distance between
adjacent tines of the second row, and in a fourth position of the
fourth holding strut the third and fourth tines are alignable
alternately one behind the other forming a plurality of second tine
units evenly spaced from each other in the second row at fourth
distance between adjacent second tine units, each second tine unit
including a respective tine of the third tines and a respective
tine of the fourth tines, the fourth distance being greater than
the third distance; wherein, in the third position, the tines are
configured to receive third dishes therebetween, and, in the fourth
position, the second tine units are configured to receive fourth
dishes therebetween.
Description
[0001] Priority is claimed to German patent application DE 10 2005
044 264.1, filed Sep. 15, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a dish insert for
a dishwasher, for example a dish insert to be arranged in a dish
rack, and specifically to a dish insert having a plurality of
upright tines arranged in at least one row between which dishes can
be placed.
BACKGROUND
[0003] World patent application WO 00/49935 A1 and German utility
model DE 201 04 114 U1, which are hereby incorporated by reference
herein, describe dish racks which have several rows of upright
tines on the bottom. Here, the individual tines are mounted on a
shared axis and can be pivoted as a unit. This makes it possible to
either place dishes between the tines in the dish rack or else to
create more space so that pans or other larger objects can be
placed into the dish rack without hindrance. A drawback of such a
dish rack is that only rigid rows of tines are provided to hold the
dishes, so that dishes that are somewhat deeper can no longer be
placed between the tines. Precisely soup plates or pasta plates and
the like can have a depth that exceeds the distance between two
tines, as a result of which they cannot be held between them.
[0004] European patent application EP 0 797 949 A2 describes
another dish rack that has several rows of tines on the bottom that
are likewise pivotably mounted. In addition, different types of
tines are provided, some of which are longer and are placed at a
greater distance from each other. However, this dish rack also
entails the problem that the rows of tines are rigidly arranged and
cannot be flexibly adapted by the user to the dishes in
question.
[0005] Japanese patent application JP 10286214 A describes a dish
insert in which two opposite tines and a crosswise rod that serves
to connect them are mounted so that they can slide along two
lengthwise rods. As a result, the distances between two adjacent
units consisting of the tines across from each other and the
crosswise rod can be changed. Since in most cases dishes of a
uniform size are placed into the dish insert, if dishes having a
greater depth are to be accommodated, every other unit would have
to be slid individually. This is time-consuming and complicated to
do.
SUMMARY
[0006] Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a dish rack which users can individually adapt to the
dishes in question with just a few manipulations, thus allowing a
flexible loading of the dishwasher.
[0007] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a dish
insert for a dishwasher. The dish insert includes a plurality of
first tines disposed one behind the other on a first holding strut;
and a plurality of second tines disposed one behind the other on a
rotatably mounted second holding strut so that the second tines are
pivotable relative to the first tines and the first and second
tines are alignable alternately one behind the other in a row and
configured to receive dishes therebetween.
[0008] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a dish
insert for a dishwasher. The dish insert includes a plurality of
first tines disposed one behind the other on a first holding strut;
and a plurality of second tines disposed one behind the other on a
second holding strut, the second holding strut defining a second
longitudinal axis and being movable relative to the first holding
strut in a direction of the second longitudinal axis. In a first
position of the second holding strut the first and second tines are
alignable alternately one behind the other evenly spaced in a row
at a first distance between adjacent tines of the row. In a second
position of the second holding strut the first and second tines are
alignable alternately one behind the other forming a plurality of
tine units evenly spaced from each other in the row at a second
distance between adjacent tine units, each tine unit including a
respective tine of the first tines and a respective tine of the
second tines, the second distance being greater than the first
distance. In the first position, the tines are configured to
receive first dishes therebetween, and, in the second position, the
tine units are configured to receive second dishes
therebetween.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be described in greater detail on the
basis of an embodiment making reference to the accompanying
drawings. The following is shown:
[0010] FIG. 1 a dish rack without a dish insert;
[0011] FIG. 2 a dish rack with a dish insert;
[0012] FIG. 3 a dish insert;
[0013] FIG. 4 an exploded view of the dish insert from FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 a perspective view of the dish insert from FIG. 1
with tines that have been pushed together,
[0015] FIG. 6 a perspective view of the dish insert from FIG. 1
with tines that have been flipped down,
[0016] FIG. 7 a perspective view of a dish insert with tines that
have been partially flipped down.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] According to the invention, the distance between adjacent
tines arranged in a row can be varied so that the dish insert can
be individually adapted to the dishes in question; for instance,
the distance between adjacent tines can be increased if deeper
dishes are to be placed into the dish insert. Conversely, the tines
can be arranged at a smaller distance, so that the volume is used
particularly effectively. This possibility of varying the distance
between adjacent tines allows an optimized space distribution of
the dish rack. Here, the tines of one row are arranged on at least
two rod-shaped carriers, at least one of which is rotatably
mounted, as a result of which the group of tines arranged on this
carrier can be pivoted relative to the tines arranged on the other
carrier(s). This facilitates the handling since several distances
can be changed simultaneously with one single manipulation.
[0018] Equally simple handling can be achieved in that the upright
tines of one row are arranged on at least two holding struts, at
least one of which can be moved in the direction of its
longitudinal axis relative to the other strut, so that at least two
tines lie close to each other to form a unit, and the distance
between the units consisting of at least two tines is greater than
in a position in which all of the tines stand upright individually
at equal distances.
[0019] The upright tines can also be removed completely in order to
allow the most flexible possible configuration of the dish rack so
that the it can accommodate pans and other objects in cases where
the tines would be in the way. In an advantageous manner, this can
be done in that the carriers associated with the tines of one row
are arranged together in a pivotably mounted holding device, so
that pivoting the holding device causes all of the carriers
arranged in it to turn at the same time, thus pivoting all the
tines of one row. Here, two spaced rows of tines can be provided
that are at approximately the same distance from each other as the
length of the tines, so that when the tines are in the downward
pivoted position, they create a bottom flat surface for dishes and
pans. Moreover, locking means can be provided with which the tines
can be locked in the upright position.
[0020] A dish rack 1 depicted in simplified form in FIG. 1,
especially a lower rack for a household dishwasher, is fitted with
a permanently installed plate holder 2 for dessert plates as well
as for flat, large and small plates or soup plates of the standard
set of dishes to be loaded into the dishwasher. The dish rack 1
includes struts 6 and rack frame 7. In addition to the plate holder
2, a free rack surface 3 is provided for purposes of accommodating
large items such as pans, lids and the like.
[0021] The plate holder consists of two rows 4 running parallel to
each other, each having a plurality of upright tines 5 at a
distance from each other, which can support dishes placed between
them. Optionally, the tines 5 of the plate holder 2 that is
permanently installed in the dish rack 1 can be configured so that
they can be flipped down in the generally known manner. If
necessary, the free rack surface 3 can also accommodate a glassware
insert (not shown here) or can be employed to accommodate
additional plates. In order to allow the latter, a dish insert 10
with two rows 11 of tines can be placed into the free rack surface
3. FIG. 2 shows the separate dish insert 10 installed in the dish
rack 1, with the two rows 11 of tines flipped down. A fastening
bracket 15 serves to affix the dish insert 10 inside the dish rack
1.
[0022] FIGS. 3 and 4 show a dish insert 10 as a single unit in
which, for example, dishes (not shown here) can be accommodated.
The dish insert 10 comprises a base 12 made up of two lengthwise
oriented support struts 13, two guide struts 14 arranged crosswise
thereto, and a fastening bracket 15. These parts are welded to each
other. The support struts 13 have an extension on one side that is
bent to form latching arms 16. The guide struts 14 have holding
eyelets 17 on both ends. The fastening bracket 15 serves to affix
the dish insert 10 inside the dish rack 1, as depicted in FIG. 2.
For this purpose, both arms 18 of the fastening bracket 15 fastened
to the support struts 13 are bent to form holding catches 19 that
engage underneath one strut 6 of the dish rack 1; the upper end of
the bracket 15 is configured so as to be springy and it rests on
the rack frame 7 via two indentations 20.
[0023] Since the two rows 11 of tines and the way they are mounted
on the base are the same, their description below is restricted to
one single row. In each case, half 21.1 of the tines 21 of one row
are fastened to a first holding strut 22--shown on the left-hand
side in FIG. 3 and at the bottom in FIG. 4--while the second half
21.2 is fastened to a second holding strut 23--shown on the
right-hand side in FIG. 3 and at the top in FIG. 4. The tines on
each holding strut are a distance D from each other. The tines 21
are fastened to the struts 22 and 23 in such a way that the tines
21.1 of the first strut 22 are disposed on the left side of the
strut while the tines 21.2 of the second strut 23 are disposed on
the right of the strut. As a result, when the two struts are joined
in the position shown in FIG. 3, one row of struts is created in
which tines 21.1 of the first strut 22 and tines 21.2 of the second
strut 23 are arranged alternately one behind the other and the
individual tines are at a distance d from each other, whereby d is
half the size of D. One end of the second strut 23 has a crank-like
curved section 24. In contrast, this end of the first strut 22 has
a shorter tine 21.3 while the other end has an eyelet 25. A clip 26
made of plastic is placed onto the shorter tine 21.3, said clip
also being affixed by a fastening eyelet 27 to the first holding
strut 22. The clip 26 serves to latch with the latching arm 16 by
means of an indentation 30 in the clip (see FIG. 6), thus locking
the tines 21 in the upright position, as shown in FIG. 5. Secondly,
a holder 28 having a channel with an oblong cross section in its
interior is shaped onto the lower area of the clip 26.
[0024] The two struts 22 and 23 are fastened to the base 12 in such
a way that the first holding strut 22 is pivotably mounted in the
holding eyelets 17 of the guide strut 14. The second holding strut
23 with its crank-like curved section 24 is inserted into the
channel of the holder 28 on one side and into the eyelet 25 on the
other side. As a result, this strut 23 is mounted so that it can
slide and so that it can rotate, together with the clip and the
first strut 22, over the holder 28 and over the curved section 24.
Since the second strut 23 is mounted so that it can slide, it can
be slid into the position shown in FIG. 5, in which two adjacent
tines lie close to each other to form a unit 21.4, and the distance
between the units 21.4 amounts to approximately the dimension D and
is thus greater than the distance d between the tines 21 when the
tines are in a position where all of the tines project upwards
individually at equal distances d (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 6). In the
embodiment shown, two holding struts 22 and 23 are used for each
row 11 of tines, that is to say, every other tine can be slid. It
is likewise conceivable to select an arrangement consisting of
three or more holding struts per row, with which greater distances
between the units can then be created. By the same token, the use
of only one or else three or more rows 11 of tines is also
possible.
[0025] FIG. 6 shows both rows 11 of tines in the flipped-down
state. For this purpose, the ends 29 of the clips 26 are pressed
down, so that their indentations 30 are disengaged from the
latching arms 16. Then the clips 26 are pivoted to the side, as a
result of which the holder 28 moves along and rotates the two
holding struts 22 and 23 via short tine 21.3 and crank-like curved
section 24, respectively. In this process, all of the tines 21 are
laid on their side. As shown in FIG. 6, the distance between the
rows 11 of tines is slightly greater than the length of the tines
21. Therefore, the tines 21 can be flipped down all the way to the
support struts 13, thus forming a flat surface on which pans and
other large items can be accommodated without any loss of
space.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which one of the two holding
struts 31 and 32 can be turned independently of the other. This
makes it possible for the tines 21.5 fastened to this strut 31 to
pivot away, thus enlarging the distance between the upright tines
21.6 from d to D.
* * * * *