Dishwasher tine, tine extender and rack

Abstract

There is provided in one embodiment of the invention a removable, adjustable-height dishwasher tine for holding objects in an automatic dishwasher rack, where the dishwasher rack has at least one receiving element for receiving the dishwasher tine and where the tine comprises an elongated tube with a first end and a second end, such that the first end has a securement means for securely attaching the tine to the receiving element of the dishwasher rack, and such that the elongated tube is adjustable in height via an adjusting means. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a dishwasher rack for use in an automatic dishwasher, where the dishwasher rack has a plurality of spaced receiving elements for receiving a plurality of corresponding removable dishwasher tines. The tines each comprise an elongated tube with a first end and a second end, where the first end has a securement means for securely attaching each tine to the receiving element, such that the dishwasher tines can be arranged to securely hold objects in the dishwasher rack.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of published U.S. utility publication number US 2008 / 0156750 A1, application Ser. No. 11 / 646,788, filed Dec. 28, 2006, entitled “Dishwasher Tine Extender”, currently pending, and which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]a. Field of the Invention[0003]Embodiments of a dishwasher tine, tine extender and rack for an automatic dishwasher are provided. More particularly, an adjustable-height dishwasher tine and tine extender and a fixed height dishwasher tine and tine extender for protecting and supporting a variety of dishware, glassware, servingware, plasticware, and stemware within an automatic dishwasher, as well as a dishwasher rack for use with embodiments of said tines and tine extenders, are provided.[0004]b. Background Art[0005]Automatic dishwashers, particularly those designed for home use, accomplish the washing and rinsing of dishware, glassware, servingwar...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The need for a new and improved dishwasher tine, tine extender and rack 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. Embodiments of the improved dishwasher rack may provide one or more of the following advantages: it provides a unique dishwasher rack with a plurality of receiving elements for receiving and securing a variety of removable, adjustable-height and fixed-height dishwasher tines to protect and support a variety of dishware, glassware, servingware, plasticware, and stemware within an automatic dishwasher; it provides a dishwasher rack that may be customized to accommodate a variety of different design options for including adjustable-height and fixed-height dishwasher tines of varying sizes and heights; it provides a dishwasher rack that may be fixed within or removable from an automatic dishwasher; it is simple and economical to manufacture, use and maintain; it increases space efficiency for a variety of dishware, glassware, servingware, plasticware, and stemware within an automatic dishwasher; and, it is durable and provides a long service life. Embodiments of the improved dishwasher tine may provide one or more of the following advantages: it provides for a variety of removable adjustable-height and fixed-height tines that can be inserted into the various receiving elements of the dishwasher rack disclosed herein; it can be securely attached to the dishwasher rack disclosed herein to provide stability and lateral support for dishware, glassware, servingware, plasticware, and stemware; it is quick and easy to install; it is simple and economical to manufacture, use and maintain; it is easily attached to and removed from the dishwasher rack disclosed herein; and it can be repositioned in a variety of different ways and attached to any of the receiving elements of the dishwasher rack disclosed herein. Thus, it is the object of the invention to provide embodiments of 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.

Problems solved by technology

None of the known devices provide all of the numerous advantages discussed herein.

Images