Wheel rack for dishwashing equipment

Abstract

A shelf for a device such as a dishwashing apparatus. The shelf may include an intermediate rack. The intermediate rack may include a biasing member. The intermediate rack may pivot between one or more positions. The intermediate rack may form a substantially continuous rack configuration with one or more racks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel rack for a dishwashing device, particularly for a dish rack. Background Art

[0002] Typical racks, baskets, drawers or shelves include wheels to move back and forth in a space, passage or gap between the door and the tub of a dishwashing device (such as two wheel racks). However, this practice may typically include at least one wheel being pinched or stuck in the gap, such that an undesired collision, delay or movement of the rack occurs when the user unfolds and / or folds up the rack (such as the lower rack). Therefore, there is a need for a dish rack that can be easily folded up and / or unfolded in a gap or a discontinuous wheel rack. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In some embodiments of the present invention, for example, a dishwashing device may include a dishwasher tub defining an opening. In various embodiments, the dishwasher tub may include a first wheel rack. In some embodiments, the dishwashing device may include a door pivotally coupled to the dishwasher tub to cover the opening of the dishwasher tub. In various embodiments, the door may be hinged about a first hinge between a closed position for covering the opening of the dishwasher tub and an open position allowing access to the dishwasher tub through the opening. Additionally, in some embodiments, the door may include a second wheel rack. In various embodiments, the dishwashing device may include an intermediate wheel rack that connects the first wheel rack and the second wheel rack when the door is in the open position. Further, in some embodiments, at least one rack may have a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one of the plurality of wheels engages the first wheel rack, the second wheel rack, and the intermediate wheel rack when positioning the at least one rack between a stowed position and a deployed position different from the stowed position within the dishwasher tub.

[0004] In various embodiments, the intermediate wheel rack may include a second hinge, wherein the intermediate wheel rack may pivot about the second hinge. In some embodiments, the intermediate wheel rack may be connected to the door in a manner capable of pivoting about the second hinge. In various embodiments, the intermediate wheel rack may be connected to the dishwasher tub in a manner capable of pivoting about the second hinge. Additionally, in some embodiments, the intermediate wheel rack may include a biasing member. In various embodiments, the biasing member may bias the intermediate wheel rack towards a first pivot position. In some embodiments, the first pivot position may be a horizontal orientation. In various embodiments, the door may drive the intermediate wheel rack between the first pivot position and a second pivot position different from the first pivot position.

[0005] In some embodiments, a dishwashing apparatus may include a dishwasher tub defining an opening. In various embodiments, the dishwasher tub includes a first rack. In various embodiments, the dishwasher may include a door pivotally coupled to the dishwasher tub to cover the opening of the dishwasher tub. In some embodiments, the door may be hinged about a first hinge between a closed position for covering the opening of the dishwasher tub and an open position allowing access to the dishwasher tub through the opening. In various embodiments, the door may include a second rack. In some embodiments, when the door is in the open position, the dishwashing apparatus may include a gap between the first rack and the second rack. In various embodiments, the dishwashing apparatus may include an intermediate rack. In some embodiments, when in a first pivot position, the intermediate rack bridges the gap between the first rack and the second rack, thereby connecting the first rack and the second rack when the door is in the open position to form a substantially continuous and horizontal rack extending across the gap. Further, in some embodiments, at least one rack may have a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one of the plurality of wheels engages the first rack, the second rack, and the intermediate rack when positioning the at least one rack between a stowed position and a deployed position different from the stowed position within the dishwasher tub to span the gap.

[0006] In various embodiments, the intermediate rack may pivot between a first pivot position and a second pivot position different from the first pivot position. In some embodiments, the door may drive the intermediate rack between the first pivot position and the second pivot position. In various embodiments, the intermediate rack may be connected to the door in a manner capable of pivoting about a second hinge. Further, in some embodiments, the intermediate rack may be in a first orientation when the door is in the open position and the closed position. In various embodiments, the intermediate rack may be connected to the dishwasher tub in a manner capable of pivoting about a second hinge. In some embodiments, the intermediate rack may include a biasing member. In various embodiments, the biasing member may bias the intermediate rack towards the first pivot position, wherein the first pivot position is a horizontal orientation. In some embodiments, the intermediate rack may include a first intermediate rack and a second intermediate rack.

[0007] Further, in various embodiments, a method of bridging a gap between a door and a dishwasher tub with an intermediate rack may include providing a dishwasher tub and a door pivotable between a closed position and an open position relative to the dishwasher tub, wherein the dishwasher tub includes a first rack and the door includes a second rack. In some embodiments, the method may include biasing the intermediate rack to a first pivot position to bridge the gap between the first rack and the second rack, thereby connecting the first rack and the second rack. In various embodiments, the method may include, when the door is in the open position, forming a substantially continuous and horizontal rack constituted by the intermediate rack, the first rack, and the second rack.

[0008] In various embodiments, the method can include pivoting an intermediate rack between a first pivot position and a second pivot position. In some embodiments, the method can include driving an intermediate rack between a first pivot position and a second pivot position. In some embodiments, the intermediate rack can be pivotally coupled to a dishwasher tub. Additionally, in various embodiments, the intermediate rack can be pivotally coupled to a door.

[0009] These and other advantages and features characterizing the embodiments are set forth in the appended claims and form a further part of the present application. However, for a better understanding of the embodiments and the advantages and purposes obtained by their use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and the appended descriptive matter, in which exemplary embodiments are described. This summary is provided only for introducing a selection of concepts further described in the detailed description below and is not intended to identify key points or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, nor to define the field of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the drawings, the same reference numerals generally denote the same parts in different views. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and generally focus on schematically illustrating the principles of the invention.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an intermediate rack of a dishwasher in a first pivot position, showing a lower rack in an extended position and a door in an open position relative to the dishwasher tub;

[0012] Figure 2 is in Figure 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of an intermediate rack in a first pivot position, the intermediate rack being hinged to the dishwasher tub by a biasing member shown in dashed lines, and showing the lower rack in a retracted position;

[0013] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of a dishwashing apparatus taken along line 3-3, showing the door in an open position and the intermediate rack in a first pivot position relative to the dishwasher tub;

[0014] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of a dishwashing apparatus taken along line 3-3, showing the door in a closed position and the intermediate rack in a second pivot position relative to the dishwasher tub;

[0015] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a dishwashing apparatus taken along line 3-3, showing another embodiment of the intermediate rack in a first pivot position relative to the door when the door is in an open position; and

[0016] Figure 6 Yes Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an intermediate wheel carrier, showing a door in a closed position and the intermediate wheel carrier in a second pivotal position relative to the door. Specific embodiment

[0017] Various variations and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the following description. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments discussed herein.

[0018] The embodiments discussed below will focus on the implementation of the devices and techniques described below within a front-loading residential dishwasher such as the dishwashing device 10, which may be of the type used in single-family or multi-family dwellings or in other similar applications. However, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the devices and techniques described herein may also be used in combination with other types of dishwashers. For example, in some embodiments, the devices and techniques described herein may be used in commercial applications. Additionally, the devices and techniques described herein may be used in combination with other devices, such as ovens, refrigerators, freezers, etc.

[0019] For ease of understanding, an embodiment of a dishwasher is shown herein. For example, a front-loading dishwasher may be used, which includes a front-loading door 12 located in a cabinet or housing 11, the front-loading door 12 enabling access to one or more dish racks or assemblies 2, 3 that are horizontally oriented and located within the cabinet or housing 11. More specifically, the dish racks 2, 3 may be mounted within the dishwasher tub 14. Those of ordinary skill in the art who benefit from this disclosure will be well able to implement the devices and techniques described herein in a variety of devices, and thus the present invention is not limited to the front-loading dishwashing embodiments discussed in detail herein. For example, the devices and techniques may be used with a dishwasher drawer of a dishwashing device.

[0020] Referring to the accompanying drawings, like numerals represent like parts in several views, Figures 1-6 showing an example of a dishwashing device 10 in which various techniques and processes described herein may be implemented. The dishwashing device 10 is a front-loading dishwasher and thus may include a front-loading door 12 that operatively engages a horizontally oriented dishwasher tub 14 that defines an opening 13 and enables access to the dishwasher tub 14. In some embodiments, the door 12 may be connected or pivotally coupled to a cabinet or housing 11 that may accommodate the dishwasher tub 14 via a hinge connection (e.g., a first hinge 15). The door 12 is typically hinged along the front or leading edge 14a of the housing 11 or the dishwasher tub 14 adjacent to the opening 13 and is configured to be in Figures 1-3 and Figure 5 the open position shown and Figure 4 and Figure 6pivots between the closed positions shown. When the door 12 is in the open position, dishes, utensils, pans, and other washable items can be inserted into and removed from one or more dish racks 2, 3 via the opening 13 in front of the cabinet or housing 11.

[0021] When in the closed position, the door 12 covers the opening 13 of the dishwasher tub 14. User control of the dishwashing device 10 is typically managed through a control panel disposed on the door 12 and implementing a user interface (not shown), and it should be understood that in different dishwasher designs, the control panel may include various types of input and / or output devices, including various knobs, buttons, lights, switches, text and / or graphic displays, touchscreens, etc., by which the user can configure one or more settings and start and stop the dish rack cycles or movements (e.g., automatic and / or manual) as described herein. For example, the control panel or portions thereof may be included inside or outside the door with the dish rack, and / or adjacent to the rack within the opening of the dishwasher. For example, in some embodiments, portions of the controller are accessible when the door is in the open position. In other embodiments, one or more racks or portions thereof can be closed / opened, locked, and / or unlocked in a position by one or more user approaches and / or by one or more gestures / forces or body movements relative to the rack and / or portions of the dishwasher.

[0022] As shown, one or more intermediate rack carriers 20, 120 can be used to span one or more gaps, passages, or spaces 18 that are created when a portion of the device 10 (e.g., the door 12) is opened or repositioned relative to the remainder of the dishwasher 10 (e.g., the washer tub 14, the housing 11, the opening 13, etc.). In one embodiment shown, the gap 18 may be between the washer tub 14 (e.g., the bottom side 14b) and the door 12 (e.g., the inner side 12b), or more specifically, the gap 18 is between the first rack 30 of the washer tub 14 and the second rack 40 of the door 12. The gap 18 between the first rack 30 and the second rack 40 can be substantially horizontal. The intermediate rack carrier can engage or connect one or more racks (e.g., discontinuous racks, the first rack 30, the second rack 40, the third rack, etc.) such that a substantially continuous rack 50 is formed for one or more racks 2 (e.g., the lower rack, the plurality of wheels 2a) to deploy and / or retract the gap 18. As shown in one embodiment, when bridging the gap 18, the continuous rack 50 formed by the intermediate rack carriers 20, 120 can be in a substantially horizontal orientation. When positioning at least one rack 2 in the retracted position ( Figure 1 ) and an extended position different from the retracted position ( Figure 2) When between them, the substantially continuous wheel carrier 50 allows at least one wheel 2a of the rack 2 or the engaging member of the rack 2 to engage or move (such as slide, roll, etc.) along one or more surfaces and / or lengths or parts thereof of the continuous wheel carrier 50 (such as the intermediate wheel carrier 20 and one or more wheel carriers 30, 40). As shown in one embodiment, one or more wheels 2a of the rack 2 roll at least along the top surface 20a of the intermediate wheel carrier 20 and the connected wheel carriers (such as top surfaces 30a, 40a) to cross the gap 18. Although the wheels shown in the embodiment engage the intermediate wheel carrier or other parts of the continuous wheel carrier from the rack, it can be understood that another engaging member or members can travel along the contact surface of the wheel carrier and engage the contact surface of the wheel carrier. For example, the cylindrical bearings of the rack can be an embodiment using the contact members of the intermediate shelf.

[0023] In some embodiments, the intermediate member, track or wheel carrier 20, 120 can be in various positions relative to one or more additional members, tracks or wheel carriers 30, 40. As shown in one embodiment, the intermediate wheel carriers 20, 120 are shown between the first wheel carrier 30 and the second wheel carrier 40 or connecting the first wheel carrier 30 and the second wheel carrier 40, thereby forming a continuous wheel carrier 50 and extending the travel length of the rack 2 or the wheel 2a to span / bridge the gap 18. As shown in one embodiment, the dishwasher tub 14 can include the first wheel carrier 30, while the door 12 can include the second wheel carrier 40. As shown in one embodiment, the bottom side 14b of the dishwasher tub 14 can include the first wheel carrier 30, while the inner side 12b of the door 12 can include the second wheel carrier 40. When the door 12 is in the open position as Figures 1-3 and Figure 5 shown, the intermediate wheel carriers 20, 120 (such as in the first pivot position) are connected to the first wheel carrier 30 and the second wheel carrier 40 to bridge the gap 18. The intermediate wheel carriers 20, 120 span the gap 18 when interconnected between the two wheel carriers 30, 40 and can be horizontally oriented and / or at the same height / level as the adjacent wheel carriers. When the door 12 is in the closed position (as Figure 4 and Figure 6 shown), the intermediate wheel carriers 20, 120 can be in the second pivot position. In the second pivot position, one or more wheel carriers may be misaligned or discontinuous with one or more remaining wheel carriers. As Figure 4 shown, when the intermediate wheel carrier 20 is in the second pivot position, the first wheel carrier 30, the intermediate wheel carrier 20 and the second wheel carrier 40 are misaligned with each other (such as not horizontal, discontinuous). As Figure 6 shown, the second wheel carrier 40 of the door is misaligned with the intermediate wheel carrier 120 and the first wheel carrier 30 of the dishwasher tub 14 (such as not horizontal, discontinuous). The intermediate wheel carrier 20 can be in a second pivot position ( Figure 3 ) different from the first pivot position ( Figure 4) This prompts different orientations of the intermediate wheel carrier. As Figure 3 shown, when in the first pivot position, the intermediate wheel carrier 20 is in a horizontal orientation. As Figure 4 shown, when in the second pivot position, the intermediate wheel carrier 20 is in a different, non - horizontal or vertical orientation. In other embodiments, the intermediate wheel carrier 120 can be in a second pivot position ( Figure 5 ) different from the first pivot position ( Figure 6 ) and still maintain the same orientation (e.g., horizontal) of the intermediate wheel carrier.

[0024] In some embodiments, the intermediate wheel carriers 20, 120 can include at least one elongate member 21 having opposite ends 22, 23. The elongate member 21 of the intermediate wheel carriers 20, 120 can include a hinge end 22 and an opposite free distal end 23 that pivots about the hinge end. The intermediate wheel carriers 20, 120 can include a hinge mechanism or pin (such as a second hinge 25) that engages an aperture 26 at the hinge end 22 such that the free distal end 23 can pivot about the hinge 25 between two or more pivot positions. In some embodiments, the intermediate wheel carriers 20, 120 can include one or more contact surfaces (such as a top surface 20a) that receive / guide / contact the wheels 2a of the rack 2 over a certain length. The one or more contact surfaces can be a top surface 20a, a channel, or a ledge that engages the wheels. The contact surface (such as the top surface) of the intermediate wheel carrier can be the same as the first and second wheel carriers shown, but can also be different in some embodiments.

[0025] In some embodiments, the intermediate wheel carrier 20 can be hinged to the dishwasher tub 14. The intermediate wheel carrier 20 can be hinged directly or indirectly via a frame 11 to the dishwasher tub 14. The intermediate wheel carrier 20 can be hinged via a pin 25. As Figures 1 to 4 shown, the intermediate wheel carrier 20 pivots relative to the dishwasher tub 14 in various pivot positions. The intermediate wheel carrier can pivot about a hinge 25 (such as a second hinge) between a first pivot position as Figure 3 shown and a second pivot position as Figure 4 shown.

[0026] In some embodiments, the intermediate wheel carrier can be hinged to a location outside the dishwasher tub (such as a door). The intermediate wheel carrier 120 can be hinged directly or indirectly to the door 12. The intermediate wheel carrier can be hinged via a pin 25. As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the intermediate wheel carrier 120 can pivot relative to the door 12 to various pivot positions. The intermediate wheel carrier 120 can pivot about a hinge (such as a second hinge) between a first pivot position as Figure 5 shown and a second pivot position as Figure 6 shown relative to the door 12.

[0027] In various embodiments, the intermediate rack may include a biasing member. In one embodiment shown, the biasing member 60 (if used) may be a spring or other tensioning device. To provide a pivotal engagement between the intermediate racks 20, 120 and corresponding parts of the dishwasher (such as the door, dishwasher tub, etc.), hinges, pins or other suitable pivotal members 25 may be operably engaged therebetween. The biasing member 60 may be adjacent to the hinge end 22 of the elongate member 21 of the intermediate racks 20, 120 and / or the hinge 25. The biasing member 60 may bias the intermediate racks 20, 120 in a pivotal direction (such as CCW, CW) about the hinge 25. The biasing member 60 may bias or apply tension about the hinge or pivot mechanism 25 such that the intermediate racks 20, 120 are positioned towards at least one pivotal position. As Figures 2 to 4 shown, when the door 12 is operably opened and closed, the biasing member 60 tensions the intermediate rack 20 towards a first pivotal position (such as a horizontal orientation). As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, when the front-loading door is operably opened and closed, the biasing member 60 tensions or holds the intermediate rack 120 in a first pivotal position (such as a horizontal orientation).

[0028] In some embodiments, the intermediate racks 20, 120 may be driven between pivotal positions. As Figures 1 to 4 shown, the door 12 drives or actuates the free distal end 23 about the hinge 25 (such as a pin, hinge end 22) relative to the dishwasher tub 14. When the front-loading door closes from an open position to a closed position, the free distal end 23 of the intermediate rack 20 is pushed into the dishwasher tub inwardly from a horizontal direction by the door, against the tension of the biasing member along a substantially vertical orientation. When the door opens from a closed position to an open position, the door no longer applies a force to the intermediate rack such that the biasing member 60 returns or tensions the intermediate rack 20 back to a horizontal orientation or a first pivotal position, thereby forming a continuous rack configuration 50. As Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, the door 12 drives or actuates the intermediate rack 120 between pivotal positions. When the door pivots between open and closed positions to change the pivotal position of the intermediate rack 120 relative to the door 12, the biasing member 60 maintains the orientation (such as horizontal) of the intermediate rack 120. When the door 12 opens from a closed position to an open position, the pivotal position changes relative to the door from a second pivotal position towards a first pivotal position such that the biasing member 60 holds or tensions the intermediate rack 120 in a horizontal orientation to form a continuous rack configuration 50.

[0029] As shown, one or more dish racks, baskets, drawers or shelves 2 or portions thereof may be positioned relative to the dishwashing apparatus 10 or the dishwasher tub 14 in a retracted or undeployed position (asFigure 2 shown) and the deployed or different positions of the rack configuration 50 (such as Figure 1 shown). It should be understood that the rack can be of various shapes, sizes, numbers, positions relative to the dishwasher tub 14 (such as retracted and deployed), and configurations, and still be within the scope of the present invention. The rack can include an appliance rack, a drawer, a basket, or a shelf, and a specific embodiment of a dishwashing rack for a dishwashing appliance is shown.

[0030] It should be understood that the intermediate racks 20, 120 can be of various shapes, sizes, numbers, pivotal positions relative to the dishwasher tub 14 and / or the door and / or the frame, and structures, and still be within the scope of the present invention. For example, although two intermediate racks 20, 120 (such as a first rack, a second rack) shown are spaced apart from each other across the gap 18 so as to form two rack configurations 50 along the bottom edge of the door, it should be understood that a single intermediate rack can be used to interconnect multiple first racks (such as a pair of first racks) and multiple second racks (such as a pair of second racks).

[0031] Although several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily conceive of various other means and / or structures for performing the functions and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications should be considered to fall within the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, sizes, materials, and configurations described herein are exemplary and that the actual parameters, sizes, materials, and / or configurations will depend on the particular application or applications for which the teachings are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to determine many equivalents of the specific embodiments described herein using only routine experimentation. Accordingly, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that the embodiments can be practiced in a different manner than specifically described and claimed within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each separate feature, system, article, material, and / or method described herein. Moreover, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention.

[0032] All definitions as defined and used herein shall be understood to be prior to dictionary definitions, definitions in incorporated documents by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0033] The indefinite article "a" used in the specification and claims shall be understood to mean "at least one" unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

[0034] As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "and / or" shall be understood to mean "one or both" of the elements so combined, i.e., the elements appear together in some cases and separately in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" shall be construed in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the multiple elements so combined. In addition to the elements specifically limited by "and / or", there may optionally be other elements, whether related or unrelated to those specifically limited elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, when "A and / or B" is used in conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising", in one embodiment it may refer only to A (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, only to B (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); and so on.

[0035] As used herein in the specification and claims, "or" shall be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" shall be interpreted inclusively, i.e., including at least one, but also including more than one of several elements or a list of elements and (optionally) other unlisted items. Unless the contrary is clearly stated, such as "only one of them" or "exactly one of them", or "consisting of" as used in the claims refers to including exactly one of several elements or a list of elements. Generally, when preceded by exclusive terms such as "or", "one of them", "only one of them" or "exactly one of them", the term "or" as used herein shall be understood to represent only exclusive alternatives (i.e., "one or the other, but not both"). "Consisting essentially of" as used in the claims shall have its ordinary meaning in the field of patent law.

[0036] As used in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one" with respect to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed in the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements other than those specifically identified in the list of elements referred to in the phrase "at least one" may optionally be present, whether related or unrelated to those specifically recited elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or equivalently "at least one of A and / or B") can, in one embodiment, mean at least one, optionally including more than one A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment can mean at least one, optionally including more than one B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment can mean at least one, optionally including more than one A and at least one, optionally including more than one B (and optionally including other elements), and so forth.

[0037] It should also be understood that, unless the contrary is expressly stated, in any method that claims protection herein and that includes more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not limited to the order described for the steps or acts of the method.

[0038] In the claims as well as in the specification, all transitional phrases such as "comprising," "having," "including," "containing," "involving," "owning," "constituting," etc. should be understood to be open-ended, i.e., meaning including but not limited to. According to Section 2111.03 of the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" should be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0039] It should be understood that the embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of construction and component arrangement set forth in the specification or shown in the drawings. The present invention also has other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. Unless otherwise restricted, the terms "connected," "coupled," "communicating with," and "mounted" and their variants are used broadly herein, including direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Further, the terms "connected" and "coupled" and their variants are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0040] The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and / or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.

Claims

1. A dishwashing device, comprising Dishwasher tub with a defined opening, wherein, The dishwasher tub includes a first rack; A door pivotally coupled to the dishwasher tub to cover an opening of the dishwasher tub, wherein the door is hinged about a first hinge between a closed position for covering the opening of the dishwasher tub and an open position allowing access to the dishwasher tub through the opening, and wherein the door includes a second rack; An intermediate rack that connects the first rack and the second rack when the door is in the open position; and At least one rack having a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one of the plurality of wheels engages the first rack, the second rack, and the intermediate rack when positioning the at least one rack between a retracted position and an extended position different from the retracted position within the dishwasher tub; the intermediate rack includes a biasing member that biases the intermediate rack toward a first pivot position, wherein the first pivot position is a horizontal orientation; the door opens at the first pivot position and closes at a second pivot position.

2. The dishwashing device according to claim 1, wherein, The intermediate rack includes a second hinge, wherein the intermediate rack is pivotable about the second hinge.

3. The dishwashing device according to claim 2, wherein, The intermediate rack is connected to the door in a manner pivotable about the second hinge; when the door is in the open position and the closed position, the intermediate rack is in a horizontal orientation.

4. The dishwashing device according to claim 2, wherein, The intermediate rack is connected to the dishwasher tub in a manner pivotable about the second hinge; when the door closes from the open position to the closed position, a free distal end of the intermediate rack is pushed into the dishwasher tub inwardly from a horizontal direction by the door to resist the tension of the biasing member along a substantially vertical orientation, and when the door opens from the closed position to the open position, the door no longer applies a force to the intermediate rack, so that the biasing member returns or biases the intermediate rack back to the first pivot position.

5. The dishwashing device according to claim 1, wherein, The door drives the intermediate rack between a first pivot position and a second pivot position different from the first pivot position.

6. A dishwashing device, comprising Dishwasher tub with a defined opening, wherein, The dishwasher tub includes a first rack; A door pivotally coupled to the dishwasher tub to cover an opening of the dishwasher tub, wherein the door is hinged about a first hinge between a closed position for covering the opening of the dishwasher tub and an open position allowing access to the dishwasher tub through the opening, and wherein the door includes a second rack; A gap between the first rack and the second rack when the door is in the open position; An intermediate rack, wherein when in a first pivot position, the intermediate rack bridges the gap between the first rack and the second rack, thereby connecting the first rack and the second rack when the door is in the open position to form a substantially continuous and horizontal rack extending across the gap; and At least one rack having a plurality of wheels, wherein at least one of the plurality of wheels engages the first rack, the second rack, and the intermediate rack to span the gap when the at least one rack is positioned between a retracted position and an extended position different from the retracted position within the dishwasher tub; the intermediate rack includes a biasing member that biases the intermediate rack toward a first pivot position, which is a horizontal orientation; the door opens at the first pivot position and closes at a second pivot position.

7. The dishwashing device according to claim 6, wherein, The intermediate rack pivots between the first pivot position and a second pivot position different from the first pivot position.

8. The dishwashing device according to claim 7, wherein, The door drives the intermediate rack between the first pivot position and the second pivot position.

9. The dishwashing device according to claim 6, wherein, The intermediate rack is connected to the door in a manner capable of pivoting about a second hinge.

10. The dishwashing device according to claim 9, wherein, When the door is in the open position and the closed position, the intermediate rack is in a horizontal orientation.

11. The dishwashing device according to claim 6, wherein, The intermediate rack is connected to the dishwasher tub in a manner capable of pivoting about a second hinge; when the door closes from the open position to the closed position, the free distal end of the intermediate rack is pushed into the dishwasher tub inwardly from the horizontal direction by the door to resist the tension of the biasing member along a substantially vertical orientation, and when the door opens from the closed position to the open position, the door no longer applies a force to the intermediate rack, so that the biasing member returns or tensions the intermediate rack back to the first pivot position.

12. The dishwashing device according to claim 6, wherein, The intermediate rack includes a first intermediate rack and a second intermediate rack.

13. A method of bridging a gap between a door and a dishwasher tub with an intermediate rack, comprising: Providing a dishwasher tub and a door pivotable between a closed position and an open position relative to the dishwasher tub, wherein the dishwasher tub includes a first rack and the door includes a second rack; Biasing an intermediate rack to a first pivot position to bridge the gap between the first rack and the second rack, thereby connecting the first rack and the second rack; and When the door is in the open position, forming a substantially continuous and horizontal rack constituted by the intermediate rack, the first rack, and the second rack; the intermediate rack includes a biasing member that biases the intermediate rack toward a first pivot position, which is a horizontal orientation.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of pivoting the intermediate rack between the first pivot position and a second pivot position.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of driving the intermediate rack between the first pivot position and the second pivot position.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The intermediate wheel carrier is pivotally coupled to the dishwasher tub; when the door closes from the open position to the closed position, the free distal end of the intermediate wheel carrier is pushed inward into the dishwasher tub by the door in the horizontal direction to resist the tension of the biasing member in a substantially vertical orientation. When the door opens from the closed position to the open position, the door no longer applies a force to the intermediate wheel carrier, such that the biasing member returns or tensions the intermediate wheel carrier back to the first pivot position.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein, The intermediate wheel carrier is pivotally coupled to the door; the intermediate wheel carrier is in a horizontal orientation when the door is in the open position and the closed position.

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