U.S. patent application number 11/646788 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for dishwasher tine extender.
Invention is credited to Margaret A. Richardson.
Application Number | 20080156750 11/646788 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39582379 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080156750 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richardson; Margaret A. |
July 3, 2008 |
Dishwasher tine extender
Abstract
There is provided in one embodiment of the device a removable,
adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender for holding objects in
an automatic dishwasher rack, the rack having a plurality of
upstanding tines, the extender comprising an elongated tube with a
first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a securement
means adapted to receive a dishwasher tine, so that the extender is
securely mounted on the dishwasher tine, and wherein the elongated
tube is adjustable in height via an adjusting means. In another
embodiment of the device there is provided a removable dishwasher
tine extender for holding objects in an automatic dishwasher rack,
the rack having a plurality of upstanding tines, the extender
comprising an elongated tube with a first end and a second end,
wherein the first end has a securement means adapted to receive a
dishwasher tine, so that the extender is securely mounted on the
dishwasher tine. The embodiments of the dishwasher tine extender
protect and support a variety of dishware, glassware, servingware,
plasticware, and stemware.
Inventors: |
Richardson; Margaret A.;
(Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHALTER NEMER
18400 VON KARMAN AVE., SUITE 800
IRVINE
CA
92612
US
|
Family ID: |
39582379 |
Appl. No.: |
11/646788 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/41.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/505
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/41.9 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/14 20060101
A47F005/14 |
Claims
1. A removable, adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender for
holding objects in an automatic dishwasher rack, the rack having a
plurality of upstanding tines, the extender comprising: an
elongated tube with a first end and a second end, wherein the first
end has a securement means adapted to receive a dishwasher tine, so
that the extender is securely mounted on the dishwasher tine, and
wherein the elongated tube is adjustable in height via an adjusting
means.
2. The extender of claim 1 wherein the objects comprise any one of
the group of dishware, glassware, servingware, plasticware, and
stemware.
3. The extender of claim 1 wherein the elongated tube is rigid and
securely mounted on the dishwasher tine in an upright position.
4. The extender of claim 1 wherein the elongated tube is flexible
and securely mounted on the dishwasher tine.
5. The extender of claim 1 wherein the elongated tube is flexible,
and wherein the second end has a securement means, such that the
second end is adapted to receive a dishwasher tine.
6. The extender of claim 1 wherein the elongated tube has a center
mounting portion for securely mounting the extender to the
dishwasher tine.
7. The extender of claim 1 wherein the securement means comprises a
side gripping means attached to a side of the first end of the
tube.
8. The extender of claim 1 wherein the securement means comprises a
side cap attachment means attached to a side of the first end of
the tube.
9. The extender of claim 1 wherein the adjusting means comprises
any one of the group of thread and screw portions, resistance
ridges, twist lock portions, clamp lock portions, and spring lock
portions.
10. The extender of claim 1 wherein the second end has a gripping
means for gripping a portion of the object.
11. The extender of claim 10 wherein the gripping means is a
suction cup.
12. The extender of claim 10 wherein the gripping means is a
plurality of suction cups.
13. The extender of claim 1 wherein the elongated tube is hinged in
positions comprising vertical, horizontal, and angled.
14. The extender of claim 1 wherein the elongated tube is hinged in
positions comprising vertical, horizontal, and angled, and the
second end has a stemware grip portion.
15. The extender of claim 1 further comprising additional elongated
tubes and a flexible sheet connected between the elongated
tubes.
16. A removable dishwasher tine extender for holding objects in an
automatic dishwasher rack, the rack having a plurality of
upstanding tines, the extender comprising: an elongated tube with a
first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a securement
means adapted to receive a dishwasher tine, so that the extender is
securely mounted on the dishwasher tine.
17. The extender of claim 16 wherein the objects comprise any one
of the group of dishware, glassware, servingware, plasticware, and
stemware.
18. The extender of claim 16 wherein the elongated tube is rigid
and securely mounted on the dishwasher tine in an upright
position.
19. The extender of claim 16 wherein the elongated tube is flexible
and securely mounted on the dishwasher tine.
20. The extender of claim 16 wherein the elongated tube is
flexible, and wherein the second end has a securement means, such
that the second end is adapted to receive a dishwasher tine.
21. The extender of claim 16 wherein the elongated tube has a
center mounting portion for securely mounting the extender to the
dishwasher tine.
22. The extender of claim 16 wherein the securement means comprises
a side gripping means attached to a side of the first end of the
tube.
23. The extender of claim 16 wherein the securement means comprises
a side cap attachment means attached to a side of the first end of
the tube.
24. The extender of claim 16 wherein the adjusting means comprises
any one of the group of thread and screw portions, resistance
ridges, twist lock portions, clamp lock portions, and spring lock
portions.
25. The extender of claim 16 wherein the second end has a gripping
means for gripping a portion of the object.
26. The extender of claim 25 wherein the gripping means is a
suction cup.
27. The extender of claim 25 wherein the gripping means is a
plurality of suction cups.
28. The extender of claim 16 wherein the elongated tube is hinged
in positions comprising vertical, horizontal, and angled.
29. The extender of claim 16 wherein the elongated tube is hinged
in positions comprising vertical, horizontal, and angled, and the
second end has a stemware grip portion.
30. The extender of claim 16 further comprising additional
elongated tubes and a flexible sheet connected between the
elongated tubes.
31. A fixed, adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender for holding
objects in an automatic dishwasher rack, the rack having a
plurality of upstanding tines, the extender comprising: an
elongated tube with a first end and a second end, wherein the first
end has a securement means adapted to receive a dishwasher tine, so
that the extender is securely and fixedly mounted on the dishwasher
tine, and wherein the elongated tube is adjustable in height via an
adjusting means.
32. The extender of claim 31 wherein the adjusting means comprises
any one of the group of thread and screw portions, resistance
ridges, twist lock portions, clamp lock portions, and spring lock
portions.
Description
[0001] Embodiments of a dishwasher tine extender for an automatic
dishwasher are provided. More particularly, an adjustable-height
dishwasher tine extender and a fixed height dishwasher tine
extender for protecting and supporting a variety of dishware,
glassware, servingware, plasticware, and stemware within an
automatic dishwasher are provided.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Automatic dishwashers, particularly those designed for home
use, accomplish the washing and rinsing of dishware, glassware,
servingware, plasticware, stemware, and the like, by spraying
pressurized streams of water mixed with a detergent over the
dishware, glassware, servingware, plasticware, and stemware. Such
streams of water are often powerful, so as to forcefully spray
dishware, glassware, servingware, plasticware, and stemware to
dislodge encrusted food and beverage particles. However, the
powerful water pressure can upset light items, such as crystal
glassware or plasticware, and especially items with a high center
of gravity, like stemware, where a large portion of the weight of
the item may be in its base and its stem rather than in the liquid
retaining bowl. Thus, these items may get dislodged from the
dishwasher rack and may break. Ordinary glassware may be broken by
collision, causing inconvenience to the user. Moreover, when fine
china or crystal is subjected to pressurized water, often
irreplaceable dishware of greater personal value may be ruined. In
addition, if stemware or glassware is lying on its side, the cup of
the stemware or glassware may collect a pool of dirty dishwasher
water that would then require that the stemware be hand washed.
These occurrences decrease the utility of the dishwasher.
[0003] Dishware and stemware protectors for automatic dishwashers
are known. Such known dishware and stemware protectors include a
separating device with longitudinal slots and perforated web
sheets, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,799. However, this
separating device is limited in where it can be positioned and
attached to the dishwasher rack due to its size and shape. In
addition, a known dishwasher rack clip for mounting in a dishwasher
rack to hold objects to be washed is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,827,225. However, this known clip is not designed to attach over
a dishwasher tine to extend the dishwasher tine. In addition, a
known dishwasher accessory for securing and supporting stemware in
a dishwasher rack is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,285. However,
this known accessory has an elongated member that is not designed
to protect and support plateware, dishware or plasticware due to
its fixed horizontal position. Thus, known dishware and stemware
protector devices have not proven practical in application or are
widely adaptable to different shapes of dishware and designs of
dishwasher racks.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a new and improved
dishwasher tine extender that does not have the problems associated
with known dishware and stemware protector devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The need for a new and improved dishwasher tine extender is
satisfied. None of the known devices provide all of the numerous
advantages discussed herein. Embodiments of the improved dishwasher
tine extender may provide one or more of the following advantages:
it is simple and economical to manufacture, use and maintain; it is
durable and provides a long service life; in an embodiment it is
easily attached to and removed from a standard dishwasher tine; it
provides for the use of a variety of interchangeable dishwasher
tine extender designs, such as adjustable-height, hinged, flexible,
rigid, flexible double-sided, center mounted, side grip, side cap,
suction cup ended, and other designs; it holds dishware, glassware,
servingware, plasticware, and stemware securely in an upright
position; it is securely mounted on a dishwasher tine to provide
stability and lateral support for dishware, glassware, servingware,
plasticware, and stemware; it is quick and easy to install; it
prevents or minimizes stemware and glassware from tipping,
cracking, and breaking, or ending up on their side full of dirty
dishwasher water; it occupies minimal space inside a dishwasher; in
an embodiment it is removable from the dishwasher when not in use;
it provides in an embodiment a one piece, unitary design; it
provides in an embodiment a stemware grip portion for added
securement to stemware; and in an embodiment it may be easily
stored within an automatic dishwasher or removable from the
automatic dishwasher when not in use. Thus, it is the object of the
invention to provide a new device which has many of the advantages
of prior art devices and many novel features which result in a new
device that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or
even implied by any of the prior art devices, either alone or in
any combination.
[0006] In one embodiment of the device there is provided a
removable, adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender for holding
objects in an automatic dishwasher rack, the rack having a
plurality of upstanding tines, the extender comprising: an
elongated tube with a first end and a second end, wherein the first
end has a securement means adapted to receive a dishwasher tine, so
that the extender is securely mounted on the dishwasher tine, and
wherein the elongated tube is adjustable in height via an adjusting
means.
[0007] In another embodiment of the device there is provided a
removable dishwasher tine extender for holding objects in an
automatic dishwasher rack, the rack having a plurality of
upstanding tines, the extender comprising: an elongated tube with a
first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a securement
means adapted to receive a dishwasher tine, so that the extender is
securely mounted on the dishwasher tine.
[0008] In another embodiment of the device there is provided a
fixed, adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender for holding
objects in an automatic dishwasher rack, the rack having a
plurality of upstanding tines, the extender comprising: an
elongated tube with a first end and a second end, wherein the first
end has a securement means adapted to receive a dishwasher tine, so
that the extender is securely and fixedly mounted on the dishwasher
tine, and wherein the elongated tube is adjustable in height via an
adjusting means.
[0009] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood from the following
description and appended claims and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Exemplary embodiments or versions of the present invention
are shown in the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an open automatic
dishwasher showing an embodiment of dishwasher tine extenders
attached to tines of a dishwasher rack;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front perspective close-up view showing an
embodiment of dishwasher tine extenders attached to tines of a
dishwasher rack;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
flexible dishwasher tine extender of the invention attached to a
tine of a dishwasher rack;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
rigid dishwasher tine extender of the invention attached to a tine
of a dishwasher rack;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
flexible double-sided dishwasher tine extender of the invention
attached to tines of a dishwasher rack;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
center mount dishwasher tine extender of the invention attached to
a tine of a dishwasher rack;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
side grip dishwasher tine extender of the invention attached to a
tine of a dishwasher rack;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
side cap dishwasher tine extender of the invention attached to a
tine of a dishwasher rack;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an
adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender of the invention
attached to a tine of a dishwasher;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the adjustable-height
dishwasher tine extender of FIG. 9 with a first portion in a
semi-extended stage;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the adjustable-height
dishwasher tine extender of FIG. 9 with a first portion in a fully
extended stage;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
an adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender of the invention
attached to a tine of a dishwasher;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
hinged dishwasher tine extender attached to a tine of a
dishwasher;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an
adjustable-height hinged dishwasher tine extender of the invention
attached to a tine of a dishwasher;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the
hinged dishwasher tine extender of FIG. 13 with a stemware grip
portion;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of
FIG. 15 with the stemware grip portion gripping a stemware;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of
FIG. 15 with the stemware grip portion hinged downwardly;
[0028] FIG. 18 is a front view of an embodiment of a stemware grip
portion;
[0029] FIG. 19 is a front view of another embodiment of a stemware
grip portion;
[0030] FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
dishwasher tine extender with a suction cup end portion;
[0031] FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the
dishwasher tine of FIG. 20 with the suction cup end portion
attached to a stemware base;
[0032] FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the
dishwasher tine of FIG. 20 with the suction cup end portion
attached to a glassware portion;
[0033] FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of a dishwasher tine
extender with multiple suction cup end portions; and,
[0034] FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of an embodiment a
dishwasher tine extender with a flexible sheet connected between
multiple elongated, hollow tubes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The invention is directed to a unique, novel, and nonobvious
dishwasher tine extender. In one embodiment, a dishwasher tine
extender for holding objects in an automatic dishwasher rack is
provided. Preferably, the rack has a plurality of upstanding tines.
With reference now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a front perspective
view of an open automatic dishwasher 10 showing an embodiment of
dishwasher tine extenders 12 attached to tines 14 of a dishwasher
rack 16. Plates 18 are held in place by the dishwasher tine
extenders 12. FIG. 2 is a front perspective close-up view showing
an embodiment of dishwasher tine extenders 12 of FIG. 1 attached to
tines 14 of a dishwasher rack 16. The dishwasher tine extender 12
comprises an elongated, hollow tube 20 with a first end 22 and a
second end 24. Preferably, the tube is formed of an elastomeric
material, vinyl, rubber, nylon, plastic, or coated metal. However,
the tube may also be made of other suitable materials. The first
end 22 has a securement means 26 adapted to receive a dishwasher
tine, so that the extender is securely mounted on the dishwasher
tine. Preferably, the securement means may comprise a suction type
securement, an adhesive type securement, a snap fit type
securement, a fitted bore type securement, or other suitable type
securement means. Preferably, the dishwasher tine extender is
removable from and attachable to the dishwasher tine. Preferably,
the objects comprise dishware, glassware, servingware, plasticware,
and stemware. In one design of this embodiment, the elongated,
hollow tube is rigid and securely mounted on the dishwasher tine in
an upright position. Preferably, the tube in this embodiment is of
a unitary, continuous configuration. FIG. 4 is a front perspective
view of an embodiment of a rigid dishwasher tine extender 28 of the
invention attached to a tine of a dishwasher rack. In another
design of this embodiment, the elongated, hollow tube is flexible
and securely mounted on the dishwasher tine. FIG. 3 is a front
perspective view of an embodiment of a flexible dishwasher tine
extender 30 of the invention attached to a tine of a dishwasher
rack. The flexible dishwasher tine extender is preferably mounted
onto the tine in an upright position and may be bent to the shape
of various dishware or glassware to securely hold and support the
dishware or glassware. FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an
embodiment of a flexible double-sided dishwasher tine extender 32
of the invention attached to two tines 14 of a dishwasher rack. In
this design, an elongated, hollow tube 34 is flexible, and has both
a first end 36 having a first securement means 38 and a second end
40 having a second securement means 42, such that both the first
end and the second end are adapted to receive a dishwasher tine 14.
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a center
mount dishwasher tine extender 44 of the invention attached to a
tine 14 of a dishwasher rack. In this design, an elongated, hollow
tube 46 has a center mounting portion 48 with a securement means 50
for securely mounting the extender to the dishwasher tine.
Preferably, the center mounting portion is pressure fitted onto the
dishwasher tine and the securement means comprises graduated ridges
and/or a flexible interior wall within the hollow tube. FIG. 7 is a
front perspective view of an embodiment of a side grip dishwasher
tine extender 52 of the invention attached to a tine 14 of a
dishwasher rack. In this design, the securement means comprises a
side gripping means 54 attached to a side 56 of the first end 58 of
the tube. The side gripping means may be in the form of a clamp,
clip, hook, or latch. However, the side gripping means may also be
in other suitable forms. FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an
embodiment of a side cap dishwasher tine extender 60 of the
invention attached to a tine of a dishwasher rack. In this design,
the securement means comprises a side cap attachment means 62
attached to a side 64 of a first end 66 of the tube.
[0036] Another embodiment of the dishwasher tine extender is shown
in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of
an adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender 68 of the invention
attached to a tine 14 of a dishwasher. In this embodiment, a
removable, adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender for holding
objects in an automatic dishwasher rack is provided where the rack
has a plurality of upstanding tines. The extender comprises an
elongated tube with a first end and a second end, wherein the first
end has a securement means adapted to receive a dishwasher tine, so
that the extender is securely mounted on the dishwasher tine, and
wherein the elongated tube is adjustable in height via an adjusting
means. In the design of this embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, the
elongated, hollow tube is height adjustable and comprises a first
screw portion 70 and a second internally threaded portion 72. The
second threaded portion 72 can be extended from the first screw
portion 70 by twisting the second portion 72 away from the first
portion 70. The height may be adjusted by rotating the first
internally threaded portion away from the second screw portion. In
an alternate design, the first portion may have resistance ridges
and the second portion may be extended from the first portion by
applying pressure on or to the resistance ridges and extending the
second portion. FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the
adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender 68 of FIG. 9 with the
first portion 70 in a semi-extended stage. FIG. 11 is a front
perspective view of the adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender
68 of FIG. 9 with the first portion 70 in a fully extended stage.
FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of an
adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender 74 of the invention
attached to a tine 14 of a dishwasher. In this design, the
elongated, hollow tube is of an adjustable-height and comprises a
first portion 76 that can is attachable to and detachable from a
second portion 78 via an attachment element 80. Preferably, the
attachment element comprises twist lock portions or a twist lock
assembly. Preferably, the first portion has a series of openings 81
for receiving the attachment means to attach the second portion to
the first portion. The attachment element may further comprise
clamp lock portions or spring lock portions.
[0037] FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
dishwasher tine extender 82 with a gripping means 84 for gripping a
portion of the object. The gripping means 84 is attached to a first
end 86 of hollow tube 88. A second end 90 has securement means 92.
Preferably, the gripping means is a suction cup end portion. FIG.
21 is a front perspective view of the embodiment of the dishwasher
tine of FIG. 20 with the gripping means 84 in the form of a suction
cup end portion attached to a base 94 of a stemware 96. FIG. 22 is
a front perspective view of the embodiment of the dishwasher tine
of FIG. 20 with the gripping means 84 in the form of a suction cup
end portion attached to a side 98 of a glassware 100. FIG. 23 is a
front perspective view of a dishwasher tine extender 102 having
multiple gripping means 84. Preferably, the gripping means
comprises a plurality of suction cups. Preferably, the gripping
means secures the stemware, glassware, or dishware in a preferred
cleaning orientation and is designed for detachable engagement with
the stemware, glassware or dishware.
[0038] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 13
which is a front view of an embodiment of a hinged dishwasher tine
extender 104 attached to a tine 14 of a dishwasher. This embodiment
provides for a dishwasher tine extender for holding objects in an
automatic dishwasher rack having a plurality of upstanding tines,
where the extender comprises an elongated hinged tube 106 with a
first end 108 having a securement means 110, a second end 112, and
hinged portion 114. In this design, the hinged tube may be height
adjustable. Preferably, the elongated tube is hinged in positions
comprising vertical, horizontal, and angled. That is, the hinged
tube has multiple functions and maintains at least three
positions--a vertical position for supporting and holding objects
such as glassware, a horizontal position for supporting and holding
objects such as stemware, and an angled position for supporting and
holding objects such as plasticware. The securement means of the
first end is adapted to receive a dishwasher tine 14, so that the
extender is securely mounted on the dishwasher tine. Preferably,
the objects comprise any one of the group of dishware, glassware,
servingware, plasticware, and stemware. FIG. 14 is a front
perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable-height hinged
dishwasher tine extender 116 of the invention attached to a tine 14
of a dishwasher. This design has a height adjustable element 118
for adjusting the height of the tine extender. FIG. 15 is a front
perspective view of an embodiment of a hinged dishwasher tine
extender 104 of FIG. 13 a stemware grip portion 120 formed in the
second end 112 for gripping a stem of a stemware. Preferably, the
second end of the hinged tube has a stemware grip portion to secure
and hold the stem of a stemware. FIG. 16 is a front perspective
view of the embodiment of FIG. 15 with the stemware grip portion
120 gripping a stem 122 of a stemware 124. FIG. 17 is a front
perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 15 with the stemware
grip portion 120 hinged downwardly against a dishware 126. FIG. 18
is a front view of an embodiment of a stemware grip portion 128.
FIG. 19 is a front view of another embodiment of a stemware grip
portion 120 as shown in FIGS. 15-17.
[0039] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 24,
which is a front perspective view of an embodiment a dishwasher
tine extender assembly 130 with a flexible sheet 132 connected
between multiple elongated, hollow tubes 134. This embodiment
provides for either a removable, adjustable-height dishwasher tine
extender with additional elongated tubes and a flexible sheet
connected between the elongated tubes, or a removable fixed height
dishwasher tine extender with additional elongated tubes and a
flexible sheet connected between the elongated tubes. This
embodiment provides for a dishwasher tine extender assembly for
holding objects in an automatic dishwasher rack having a plurality
of upstanding tines, where the extender comprises multiple,
elongated, hollow tubes where each tube has a first end 136 and a
second end 138. The first end has a securement means 140 adapted to
receive a dishwasher tine, so that the extender is securely mounted
on the dishwasher tine. Preferably, the flexible sheet comprises a
plastic netting material. This embodiment provides for a flexible
and customizable wall to protect and support non-linear dishware
when the dishwasher tine extender is mounted vertically onto the
dishwasher tine. Preferably, each end of the elongated, hollow
tubes 134 has an entry or opening that allows for a double-sided
securement of the tube to two dishwasher tines, and that allows the
flexible sheet to be used in a horizontal position. Preferably, the
objects comprise any one of the group of dishware, glassware,
servingware, plasticware, and stemware. The assembly acts to
support in an upright position stemware and glassware with the bowl
facing down into the flow of the stream of water and detergent
typically directed upwardly from the water distribution means
present in the automatic dishwasher.
[0040] In another embodiment, there is provided a fixed,
adjustable-height dishwasher tine extender for holding objects in
an automatic dishwasher rack, the rack having a plurality of
upstanding tines similar to the extender shown in FIG. 9 and other
Figures. The extender of this embodiment comprises an elongated
tube with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a
securement means adapted to receive a dishwasher tine, so that the
extender is securely and fixedly mounted on the dishwasher tine,
and wherein the elongated tube is adjustable in height via an
adjusting means. However, the extender of this embodiment is
preferably retrofitted to existing dishwasher tines within the
automatic dishwasher via an epoxy or secure gripping means or may
be produced by an automatic dishwasher manufacturer as a new
dishwasher rack with adjustable-height tines. The adjusting means
of the extender may comprise thread and screw portions, resistance
ridges such as in FIG. 9, twist lock portions such as in FIG. 12,
clamp lock portions (not shown), or spring lock portions (not
shown).
[0041] With respect to the above description, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
[0042] Although the invention has been described with reference to
certain preferred versions thereof, other versions of the invention
are possible. In compliance with the statute, the invention
described herein has been described in language more or less
specific as to structural features. It should be understood,
however, that the invention is not limited to the embodiments
described herein or to specific features shown, since the means and
construction shown, is comprised only of the preferred embodiments
for putting the invention into effect. It is also understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
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