U.S. patent application number 11/843121 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-26 for utensil holder for a dishwasher.
This patent application is currently assigned to WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION. Invention is credited to GARY MARK LINDGREN, JOHN IRVEN SMITH.
Application Number | 20090050585 11/843121 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40381183 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090050585 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LINDGREN; GARY MARK ; et
al. |
February 26, 2009 |
UTENSIL HOLDER FOR A DISHWASHER
Abstract
A utensil holder for holding a utensil to limit the rotation of
the utensil.
Inventors: |
LINDGREN; GARY MARK; (THREE
OAKS, MI) ; SMITH; JOHN IRVEN; (COLOMA, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WHIRLPOOL PATENTS COMPANY - MD 0750
500 RENAISSANCE DRIVE - SUITE 102
ST. JOSEPH
MI
49085
US
|
Assignee: |
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
BENTON HARBOR
MI
|
Family ID: |
40381183 |
Appl. No.: |
11/843121 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/70.7 ;
248/37.3; 248/37.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/505 20130101;
A47L 15/502 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/70.7 ;
248/37.3; 248/37.6 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00; A47B 55/00 20060101 A47B055/00; A47B 81/02 20060101
A47B081/02 |
Claims
1. A utensil holder for holding a utensil having a working face and
a first portion of a greater dimension than a second portion in a
wire-frame dish rack of a dishwasher, the utensil holder
comprising: a coupler configured for mounting to the wire-frame
dish rack; a first support element having a first recess; and a
second support element having a second recess that is smaller than
the first recess; wherein the first support cradles the first
portion of the utensil within the first recess and the second
support cradles the second portion of the utensil within the second
recess.
2. A utensil holder according to claim 1 wherein the support
elements are spaced from each other.
3. A utensil holder according to claim 2 wherein the support
elements are aligned with each other.
4. A utensil holder according to claim 1 wherein the support
elements each have a first recess and a second recess.
5. A utensil holder according to claim 4 wherein the second recess
opens into the first recess.
6. A utensil holder according to claim 1 wherein the recesses are
configured to prevent the utensil from freely rotating when
received within the recesses.
7. A utensil holder according to claim 1 and further comprising a
rib projecting from at least one of the first and second support
elements and into corresponding first and second recess.
8. A utensil holder according to claim 1 wherein the support
elements extend from the coupler.
9. A utensil holder according to claim 1 and further comprising at
least one hook projecting from the coupled for attaching the
coupler to the dish rack.
10. A utensil holder according to claim 1 wherein the coupler
further comprises a stop for preventing the utensil holder from
rotating relative to the dish rack.
11. A utensil holder according to claim 1, where at least one of
the first and second support elements comprises both a first and
second recess.
12. A utensil holder according to claim 11 wherein the second
recess diverges away from the first recess.
13. A utensil holder according to claim 12 wherein the first recess
has a smaller cross-sectional area than the second recess.
14. A utensil holder according to claim 13, wherein each of the
first and second supports comprises both a first and second
recess.
15. A utensil holder according to claim 1 wherein the support
elements are substantially rigid.
16. A utensil holder for holding a utensil having a first portion
of a greater dimension than a second portion on a wire-frame dish
rack of a dishwasher, the utensil holder comprising: a body; a
coupler mounted to the body and configured for mounting to the
wire-frame dish rack; a first recess formed in the body; and a
second recess formed in the body and smaller than the first recess;
wherein the first recess can receive the first portion of the
utensil and the second recess can receive the second portion of the
utensil.
17. A utensil holder according to claim 16 wherein the recesses are
spaced from each other.
18. A utensil holder according to claim 16 wherein the body has two
first recesses and two second recesses arranged in pairs of first
and second recesses.
19. A utensil holder according to claim 18 wherein the second
recess opens into the first recess.
20. A utensil holder according to claim 19 wherein the first recess
diverges away from the second recess.
21. A utensil holder according to claim 16 wherein the recesses are
configured to prevent the utensil from freely rotating when
received within the recesses.
22. A utensil holder according to claim 16 and further comprising a
rib projecting into at least one of the first and second
recesses.
23. A utensil holder according to claim 16 wherein the coupler
further comprises a hook for attaching the coupler to the dish
rack.
24. A utensil holder according to claim 23 wherein the coupler
further comprises a stop for preventing the utensil holder from
rotating relative to the dish rack.
25. A utensil holder according to claim 16 wherein the first recess
is longitudinally aligned with the second recess.
26. A utensil holder according to claim 16 wherein the body is
substantially rigid to minimize compressive forces on the utensil.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to a removable holder for
supporting a utensil in a dishwasher basket.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Utensil holders are well-known for supporting utensils in a
dishwasher, especially utensils that are not readily supported by
the vertical tine configurations commonly found in the upper and
lower wire-frame rack of contemporary automatic dishwashers. An
illustrative group of utensils are elongated utensils having
multiple discrete cross sections or varying diameters along their
length, such as serving spoons, spatulas, carving knives, etc.
These utensils normally have a handle that varies in size and
diameter to the working face, such as a spoon, blade, etc, which
usually defines a somewhat planar surface.
[0005] Prior holders for these utensils support the utensil using
spring hooks or clips or supporting the utensil. Contemporary
spring hooks and clips rely on a compressive or gripping force to
hold the utensil in place. This compressive or gripping force is
typically achieved by using resilient materials to fabricate the
hook or clip. Repeated exposure of the utensil holder to heat and
moisture of the dishwasher often affects the resiliency of the
material, with a consequent loss in the gripping force exerted on
the utensil. This can result in the utensil being moved due to
gravity or vibration, the force of the dishwasher liquid against
the utensil, or both. Consequently, the utensil may move to a
position in which the surface to be cleaned is not optimally
positioned. A common situation is for the spring hooks or clips to
hold the utensil by the handle so that the working face is exposed
to the wash dishwasher liquid and not covered by the spring hooks
or handle. When the spring hooks or clips lose their resiliency,
the handle will rotate in response to the spray of dishwasher
liquid contacting the generally planar surface of the working face
until the handle is rotated such that the generally planar surface
is parallel to the direction of the spray. In such a position, the
spray of dishwasher liquid does not as effectively clean the
working face.
[0006] There is a need for a utensil holder which can be utilized
in a dishwasher rack which securely holes a utensil in a
preselected position, can be readily removed when not needed, is
resistant to deterioration from heat and moisture, and can hold a
variety of utensils of different sizes and shapes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A utensil holder for holding a utensil having a working face
and a first portion of a greater dimension than a second portion in
a wire-frame dish rack of a dishwasher. The utensil holder
comprises a coupler configured for mounting to the wire-frame dish
rack, a first support element having a first recess, and a second
support element having a second recess that is smaller than the
first recess. The first support cradles the first portion of the
utensil within the first recess and the second support cradles the
second portion of the utensil within the second recess.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a dishwasher
rack having an embodiment of a utensil holder according to the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the front of the utensil
holder illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the utensil holder
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the utensil holder
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the utensil
holder illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a first embodiment of a hook
for attaching the utensil holder to the dishwasher rack
[0014] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a second embodiment of a hook
for attaching utensil holder to the dishwasher rack having a
rotation stop.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a utensil holder 10
according to the invention is illustrated attached to a dishwasher
rack 12. The dishwasher rack 12 is well known in the art and does
not form part of the invention. The dishwasher rack 12 will only be
described to the extent necessary to explain one possible
environment for the invention. The dish rack 12 has a generally
vertical side wall 14 fabricated of a plurality of parallel,
spaced-apart vertical wires 16 intersecting a plurality of
parallel, spaced-apart horizontal wires 18. The utensil holder 10
is illustrated holding a utensil 20, having a handle 20a, with a
first cross section, a stem 20b, with a second cross section, and a
working face in the form of a generally planar, shallow scoop 20c.
The utensil 20 as disclosed is for illustration purposes and does
not form part of the invention.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 2, the utensil holder 10 may have a
body 30 having an obverse side 22 and an opposed reverse side 24. A
coupler 32 forming a central portion of the body 30 transitions to
a pair of support elements 34, 36. The coupler 32 may have a pair
of parallel, spaced-apart side members 38, 40 joined by an upper
crosspiece 42 and a lower crosspiece 44 extending therebetween. The
support elements 34, 36 may extend away from the obverse side 22
and open upwardly. Alternatively, the lower crosspiece 44 may be
omitted, with only the upper crosspiece 42 joining the side members
38, 40.
[0017] Each support element 34, 36 defines a cradle that may be
formed by a pair of spaced-apart support arms 58, 60 terminating in
and joined by an upwardly disposed tongue 66. A first rib 62 may
extend along an interior periphery of the support arm 58, and a
second rib 64 may extend along an interior periphery of the support
arm 60.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, each of the cradles may be formed by
first and second recess 54, 56, which may be defined by a lower
portion 50 and an upper portion 52, respectively. The second recess
56 may be contiguous with and open away from the first recess 54.
The recesses 54, 56 may be longitudinally aligned and sufficiently
elongated to prevent a utensil 20 inserted therein from rotating
within the recesses 54, 56.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 4, a pair of hooks 46, 48 may extend away
from the reverse side 34 adjacent the upper crosspiece 42. The
hooks 46, 48 may open downwardly to enable the utensil holder 10 to
be suspended from a horizontal wire 18 of the dish rack 12. The
hooks 46, 48 may be configured so that, when the holder 10 may be
suspended from the horizontal wire 18, the reverse side 24 will
extend along the vertical side wall 14.
[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the hook 46 may be provided with
inwardly-disposed, bosses 70, 72 to define a recess 74 for receipt
of the horizontal wire 18 therein. The bosses 70, 72 may be
configured to provide an interference fit of the horizontal wire 18
within the cradle 74 to securely hold the hook 46 to the wire 18,
and to enable the wire 18 to be removed from the hook 46 by
applying sufficient upward force to the hook 46 to enable the
utensil holder 10 to be removed from the dishwasher rack 12. Hook
48 may also be provided with bosses 70, 72 to form a recess 74.
[0021] A preferred embodiment of the utensil holder 10 is
illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the hook 48 may be
provided with an elongated stop 76 extending laterally away from
the recess 74 along the apex of the hook 48. The stop 76 may be
configured to engage vertical wires 16 when the utensil holder 10
may be supported on a horizontal wire 18, thereby preventing the
utensil holder 10 from pivoting completely about the horizontal
wire 18 to a position outside and/or behind the dishwasher rack 12,
which may interfere with the movement and proper positioning of the
rack 12 in the dishwasher. The hook 46 may also be provided with
the elongated stop 76. However, to prevent the rotation of the
utensil holder 10, only one such stop 76 may be needed.
[0022] The utensil holder 10 may be fabricated of any suitable
material having sufficient strength and durability for the purposes
described herein. Preferably, the utensil holder 10 may be
fabricated of a plastic resistant to deterioration through the
repeated exposure to a hot, wet environment characteristic of a
dishwasher. A suitable plastic material may be an acetal copolymer,
such as Celcon.RTM. M 90-34 manufactured by the Ticona unit of
Celanese Corporation. The material may have sufficient rigidity to
minimize the flexing of the support elements 34, 36 against the
utensil 20.
[0023] Referring again to FIG. 1, with the utensil holder 10
supported on a horizontal wire 18, a utensil such as a spoon 20 may
be cradled, for example, by inserting the shaft 20b of the spoon 20
into one of the support elements 34 and inserting the handle 20a
into the other of the support elements 36. The smaller
cross-sectional shaft 20b may be inserted into the first recess 54,
and the larger cross-sectional handle 20a may be inserted into the
larger second recess 56. The ribs 60, 62 may help hold the shaft
and the handle to minimize the contact area of the shaft and the
handle with the lower and upper portions 50, 52 in order to
maximize the area of the utensil 20 contacted by the dish washing
liquid. In this position, the utensil 20 will not rotate relative
to the support elements 34, 36 when dishwasher liquid is sprayed
against the scoop 20c as is common with other utensil holders
because the cross-sectional configuration of the recesses 54, 56
relative to the shaft 20b and handle 20a do not permit such
rotation. The recesses 54, 56 function somewhat like a slot
receiving part of the utensil.
[0024] The recesses 54, 56 are relatively sized such that they
receive various cross sections found in contemporary utensils while
preventing their relative rotation thereby maintaining the utensil
20 in a preselected optimal position relative to the dishwashing
sprayers. Thus, the utensil 20 will be securely, but loosely,
cradled in the support elements 34, 36 and may be easily inserted
into and removed from the utensil holder 10. With each support 54,
56 having multiple recesses, it increases the number of utensil
configurations that may be received and supported without
rotation.
[0025] It should be noted that the utensil holder 10 may have more
than two supports 54, 56. The supports 54, 56 may have fewer or
more than two recesses. The supports 54, 56 may have a different
number of recesses along with differently sized recesses. The
recesses need not be longitudinally aligned and could be
longitudinally offset from each other.
[0026] The utensil holder 10 may be a single body with no moving
parts, thereby simplifying its manufacture and minimizing the
potential for operational defects. The utensil holder 10 may be
supported on virtually any horizontal wire in the dish rack 12,
including the top wire and middle wires, thereby optimizing the
positioning of the utensil relative to the dishwashing spray jets
to maximize cleaning effectiveness. The utensil holder 10 may be
securely held to the dish rack 12, yet may be readily removed when
not needed in order to enable the area occupied by the utensil
holder 10 to be used for other dishes or utensils. The
configuration of the recesses and the ribs enables the utensil to
be securely, but loosely, held in order to maintain the selected
orientation of the utensil relative to the dishwashing spray jets,
yet facilitate the easy removal and effective rinsing and drying of
the utensil at the end of the wash cycle.
[0027] While the invention has been specifically described in
connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not of
limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible
within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without
departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the
appended claims.
* * * * *