Goblet support / cup rack for dishwasher

Abstract

A goblet support / cup holder assembly (10) provided on a dish rack (300; 200, 300, 400) for supporting goblets and also serving as a cup holder (CS), comprising: a frame (F) having a front edge portion (20) with a plurality of notches (N) for supporting goblets; an upper shelf portion (22) serving as a cup holder (CS); and a rear edge portion (24) having a pair of mounting members (30, 32) for mounting the goblet support / cup holder assembly (10) to a side wall portion (SP) of the dish rack (300; 200, 300, 400). Each of the pair of mounting members (30, 32) is configured to allow the frame (F) to rotate upward from a storage position along the side wall portion (SP) to a working angular position and then slide horizontally to a final locked position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to dishwashing appliances and to racks for holding tableware and glassware in dishwashers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a stemware support / cup holder for stemware (such as glasses) disposed on a dish rack in a dishwashing appliance, and which also serves as a cup holder for cups and other small items. Background Art

[0002] Typically, most household dishwashers include two dish racks or utensil racks for supporting items to be washed, such as tableware, glassware, kitchen utensils, pots, pans, etc. Generally, the two dish racks include an upper dish rack positioned near the top portion of the dishwasher, and a lower dish rack disposed below the upper dish rack. The upper dish rack is used to support glassware, utensils, and other small items, while the lower dish rack is used to support larger items such as dinner plates, bowls, baking pans, and roasting pans. Some dishwashers also include a third top dish rack that is disposed directly above a second or middle dish rack and is used to hold smaller items (such as utensils, cups, and small bowls). The second middle dish rack is in turn positioned above a first, bottom, or lower dish rack within the dishwasher compartment. Dish racks are typically formed of multiple discrete lengths of wire that are welded together and then covered with a rubber or plastic coating. Additionally, various dish racks are typically formed with multiple vertically projecting securing teeth and / or securing ribs to support and organize the items placed on the dish rack.

[0003] Some dishwashers have devices for supporting the stems of glass wine glasses when placed in a dish rack and that can also be used to support cups on the upper rack area. Such devices may also have a hinge mechanism to allow them to rotate upward to release space in the dish rack when not in use.

[0004] However, the above-described devices for supporting the stems of glass wine glasses have complex hinge mechanisms that are difficult for users to operate and are also costly to manufacture. Moreover, with continued use, the complex hinge mechanisms are more likely to break or malfunction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An apparatus according to the present invention is directed to providing a stemware support / cup holder assembly for a dish rack in a dishwasher, the stemware support / cup holder assembly being both versatile and easy for a user to operate and having a low manufacturing cost.

[0006] According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a goblet support / cup holder assembly disposed on a dish rack for supporting goblets and also serving as a cup holder, comprising: a frame having: a front edge portion having a plurality of notches for supporting goblets; an upper shelf portion serving as a cup holder; and a rear edge portion having a pair of mounting members for mounting the goblet support / cup holder assembly to a side wall portion of the dish rack, wherein each of the pair of mounting members is configured to allow the frame to rotate upward from a storage position along the side wall portion to a working angular position and then slide horizontally to a final locked position.

[0007] According to another aspect, each of the pair of mounting members includes a vertical slot and a horizontal slot that interact with corresponding vertical lines of the side wall portion of the dish rack.

[0008] According to another aspect, the horizontal slot includes a fixing block that catches on the corresponding vertical line of the side wall portion of the dish rack when the frame of the goblet support / cup holder assembly slides to the final locked position.

[0009] According to another aspect, the frame includes a hinge that allows the frame to rotate downward to a storage position along the side wall portion of the dish rack.

[0010] According to another aspect, the frame is supported by the hinge when in the storage position along the side wall portion of the dish rack.

[0011] According to another aspect, the frame includes a hinge preferably disposed along the rear edge portion, adjacent to the pair of mounting members and allowing the frame to preferably rotate downward about a horizontal line of the side wall portion of the dish rack to a storage position along the side wall portion of the dish rack. The frame is preferably supported by the hinge when in the storage position along the side wall portion.

[0012] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a dish rack of a dishwasher, comprising: a basket formed by a plurality of linear elements including a bottom portion and a side wall portion; and at least one goblet support / cup holder assembly disposed on the side wall portion of the basket for supporting goblets and also serving as a cup holder, the at least one goblet support / cup holder assembly including a frame having: a front edge portion having a plurality of notches for supporting goblets; an upper shelf portion serving as a cup holder; and a rear edge portion having a pair of mounting members for mounting the at least one goblet support / cup holder assembly to the side wall portion of the basket, wherein each of the pair of mounting members is configured to allow the frame to rotate upward from a storage position along the side wall portion to a working angular position and then slide to a final locked position.

[0013] According to another aspect, each of a pair of mountings includes a vertical slot and a horizontal slot, and the vertical slot and the horizontal slot interact with corresponding vertical lines of the side wall portion of the basket.

[0014] According to another aspect, the horizontal slot includes a fixing block, and in a situation where the frame of at least one goblet support / cup rack assembly slides to a final locking position, the fixing block catches on the corresponding vertical line of the side wall portion of the basket.

[0015] According to another aspect, the frame includes a hinge, and the hinge allows the frame to rotate downward to a storage position along the side wall portion of the basket.

[0016] According to another aspect, the frame is supported by the hinge when in the storage position along the side wall portion of the basket.

[0017] According to another aspect, the dish rack further includes at least one other goblet support / cup rack assembly such that a pair of goblet support / cup rack assemblies are provided on the side wall portion of the basket, and each of the pair of goblet support / cup rack assemblies has three notches configured to support the same number of goblets.

[0018] According to another aspect, the hinge is provided along the rear edge portion, adjacent to the pair of mountings, and the hinge allows the frame to rotate about a horizontal line of a plurality of linear elements of the side wall portion of the dish rack.

[0019] According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides a dishwasher including: a dishwasher compartment having a loading opening; a door configured to close the loading opening; at least one dish rack configured as a basket formed by a plurality of linear elements, the plurality of linear elements including a bottom portion and a side wall portion and configured to move out of and into the dishwasher compartment; and at least one goblet support / cup rack assembly provided on the side wall portion of the basket for supporting goblets and also serving as a cup rack, the at least one goblet support / cup rack assembly including a frame having: a front edge portion having a plurality of notches for supporting goblets; an upper shelf portion serving as a cup rack; and a rear edge portion having a pair of mountings for mounting the at least one goblet support / cup rack assembly to the side wall portion of the basket, and each of the pair of mountings is configured to allow the frame to rotate upward from a storage position along the side wall portion to a working angular position and then slide to a final locking position.

[0020] According to another aspect, each of a pair of mountings includes a vertical slot and a horizontal slot, and the vertical slot and the horizontal slot interact with corresponding vertical lines of the side wall portion of the basket.

[0021] According to another aspect, the horizontal slot includes a fixing block, which catches on a corresponding vertical line of the side wall portion of the basket in the situation where the frame of at least one goblet support / cup rack assembly slides into the final locking position.

[0022] According to another aspect, the frame includes a hinge, which allows the frame to rotate downward into the storage position along the side wall portion of the basket, and the frame is preferably supported by the hinge when in the storage position along the side wall portion of the basket.

[0023] According to another aspect, the dishwasher further includes at least one other goblet support / cup rack assembly, such that a pair of goblet support / cup rack assemblies are provided on the side wall portion of the basket, wherein each of the pair of goblet support / cup rack assemblies has three notches configured to support the same number of goblets, and / or further includes a hinge provided along the rear edge portion, adjacent to a pair of mounting members, the hinge allowing the frame to rotate about a horizontal line of a plurality of linear elements of the side wall portion of the utensil shelf. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The drawings incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0025] Figure 1 is a front partial perspective view of a dishwashing utensil according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure, wherein the door is opened to show a dishwasher compartment including a utensil shelf configured to receive a goblet support / cup rack assembly;

[0026] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of an intermediate utensil shelf according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure, wherein a pair of goblet support / cup rack assemblies support four stemmed glass wine glasses;

[0027] Figure 3A is a perspective view of a goblet support / cup rack assembly shown in the storage position along the side wall portion according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3B and Figure 3C are respectively a perspective view and a side / partial cross-sectional view of a goblet support / cup rack assembly shown rotated upward into the working position according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 4A and Figure 4B are respectively a perspective view and an enlarged view of a goblet support / cup rack assembly shown rotated to its final working angle according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 4C and Figure 4D are a perspective view and an enlarged view, respectively, of a goblet support / cup holder assembly shown as sliding and locking into its final working position in accordance with an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of a goblet support / cup holder assembly shown as being in its final locked working position on a dish rack in accordance with an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through a goblet support / cup holder assembly (including at the location of a rear mounting member and a rear hinge) and a side wall of a dish rack in accordance with an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view through a dish rack and a side view showing a glass goblet supported by a goblet support / cup holder assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a goblet support / cup holder assembly shown as supporting two cups on an upper shelf portion in accordance with an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure; and

[0035] Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of a dish rack having a pair of goblet support / cup holder assemblies, where one supports a stemmed glass goblet and a cup and the other is in a stowed position along a side wall portion, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The exemplary embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information that enables those skilled in the art to practice the present invention. When reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the present invention and will recognize the application of these concepts that are not specifically addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims.

[0037] In addition, it should be understood that terms such as top, bottom, front, rear, middle, upper, lower, right, left, vertical, horizontal, downward, upward, etc., as used herein are for purposes of orientation with respect to the drawings when describing exemplary embodiments and should not limit the present invention unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims. Further, terms such as substantially, approximately, and about are intended to allow for variations to account for manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances, or variations with respect to an ideal value that would be acceptable to those skilled in the art.

[0038] Figure 1is a front perspective view of a household dishwasher 100 according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure, where the door D is open to show the dishwasher compartment 101, the dishwasher compartment having a loading opening 102 and including a third, top utensil rack 200 positioned directly above the second or middle utensil rack 300. The middle utensil rack 300 in turn is positioned above the first, bottom or lower utensil rack 400. As will be described in detail below, according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present invention, for example, the middle utensil rack 300 is provided with a pair of goblet supports / cup rack assemblies 10 (also see Figures 2 to 9 ), the pair of goblet supports / cup rack assemblies being provided on the sidewall portions of the middle utensil rack 300 and including a rear goblet support / cup rack assembly 10A and a front goblet support / cup rack assembly 10B. It should be noted that the reference numeral 10 is used hereinafter mainly to denote the goblet support / cup rack assembly, which may refer individually to either the rear goblet support / cup rack assembly 10A or the front goblet support / cup rack assembly 10B, or may also refer to both of them together as a pair.

[0039] As Figure 1 shown, the household dishwasher 100 may also include rotatable spray arms S1 and S2, as well as a drain opening 103 in the tub 104. The door D may include a detergent dispenser WAD (see Figure 2 ). Moreover, although not shown, as is known in the art, the household dishwasher 100 includes a pump and filter assembly, a heating element, a drain hose, and may include additional spraying devices. A detailed description of the suitable structure and operation of the household dishwasher 100 does not form part of the present disclosure, but may be found, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 9,445,703 and 9,510,729, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] More specifically, the first, bottom or lower utensil rack 400 is configured as a basket for holding larger plates, bowls, pans, cooking utensils (such as baking trays), etc. The bottom or lower utensil rack 400 is configured as a basket 410, the basket including a sidewall portion interconnected with a bottom portion 404 and formed by a plurality of linear elements, the sidewall portion including a front sidewall 401, a rear sidewall (not shown), and opposed sidewalls 403 (one of which is visible). The bottom or lower utensil rack 400 may include a plurality of vertically extending teeth or tooth members TM. At the bottom of the bottom or lower utensil rack 400 and on its left and right sides are provided rollers 415, and these rollers are configured to travel on corresponding flanges or tracks TS on the inner wall of the dishwasher compartment 101 and also on the inner surface of the door D, as is conventional in the art. The bottom utensil rack 400 may include a handle 445.

[0041] The second or middle dish rack 300 is positioned directly above the bottom dish rack 400. The middle dish rack 300 is configured as a basket for holding medium-sized plates, bowls (such as medium-sized bowls), and glasses. The middle dish rack 300 includes a front wall 301, a rear wall 302, and two opposing side walls 303 (one of which is visible) that are interconnected with a bottom portion 304 and formed by a plurality of linear elements. The bottom portion 304 includes a plurality of structures 305 and adjustable tooth rows 306, 306' for securing items to the middle dish rack 300. The middle dish rack 300 has a water supply 307 for the spray arm S1 (see also Figure 2 ). The middle dish rack 300 may include a handle 345. As described above, for example, the middle dish rack 300 is provided with a pair of goblet supports / cup holder assemblies 10. In this case, as Figure 1 shown, the rear goblet support / cup holder assembly 10A is shown in the in-use or working position, and the front goblet support / cup holder assembly 10B is shown in the storage position along one of the side walls 303 to release space in the middle dish rack 300 for other types of tableware.

[0042] As described above, the bottom dish rack 400 and the middle dish rack 300 are formed by linear elements configured to have a basket shape. The linear elements of the bottom dish rack 400 and the middle dish rack 300 may be formed of solid plastic, wire coated with plastic or rubber, or composite materials, respectively.

[0043] As Figure 1 shown, the third, top dish rack 200 is configured to hold tableware and dishes larger than tableware, such as but not limited to small plates, bowls, cups, and cooking utensils. The third, top dish rack 200 includes a front wall 201, a rear wall (not shown), and two opposing side walls (not shown), and may be a combination of a wire frame covered with plastic parts or made entirely of plastic. The third, top dish rack 200 may also be formed by a plurality of linear elements that are formed entirely of metal (such as stainless steel) or metal (such as carbon steel) dipped in, for example, nylon powder so that the wire is coated. The third, top dish rack 200 may include a structure or recess 205 on the front wall 201 for mounting a handle 245 thereon.

[0044] Now, the goblet support / cup holder assembly 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 9 . Although the goblet support / cup holder assembly 10 is described below in connection with the middle dish rack 300, other dish racks (such as the lower dish rack 400 or the upper dish rack 200) may also be configured to accommodate the goblet support / cup holder assembly 10 consistent with the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 2is a partial perspective view of an intermediate dish rack 300 according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure, where a pair of stemware support / cup rack assemblies 10 support four stemmed glass wine glasses WG. In this case, both the rear stemware support / cup rack assembly 10A and the front stemware support / cup rack assembly 10B are shown in the use position. The intermediate dish rack 300 can be mounted on telescopic rail assemblies TR (only one of which is Figure 2 visible in) that are provided at opposite sides of the intermediate dish rack 300. Figure 7 Shown are upper and lower rollers R mounted on one side wall 303 of the intermediate dish rack 300 and configured to roll on the telescopic rail assemblies TR. These rollers R are provided on two side walls 303 of the intermediate dish rack 300. As will be discussed in more detail below, each stemware support / cup rack assembly 10A and 10B includes a shelf-shaped portion that is rotatably clamped to a side wall of the dish rack (e.g., side wall 303 of the intermediate dish rack 300). Each stemware support / cup rack assembly 10A and 10B can be formed of a plastic material such as, but not limited to, mineral-filled polypropylene.

[0046] Reference Figure 2 , one of the adjustable tooth rows 306' rotates downward in the non-use position, while the other tooth row 306 rotates upward in the use position. The shelf-shaped portion of the stemware support / cup rack assembly 10 includes a frame F having: a front edge portion 20 having a plurality of notches N for supporting the stemware; an upper shelf portion 22 that serves as a cup rack CS; and a rear edge portion 24 having a pair of mounting members 30 and 32 for rotatably mounting the stemware support / cup rack assembly 10 to the side wall portion 303 of the intermediate dish rack 300.

[0047] The plurality of notches N support the stemware (such as, but not limited to, stemmed glass wine glasses WG). In this case, although three notches N are shown in each of the stemware support / cup rack assemblies 10, it is apparent that more or fewer notches N can be used. Also, although Figure 2 four stemmed glass wine glasses WG are shown in, six smaller stemware (such as slender champagne glasses) can be supported simultaneously by six notches N. As best seen in Figure 2 and Figure 4C , each notch N can include a pair of support protrusions SB to assist in supporting the stem portion of the stemware (such as stemmed glass wine glasses WG).

[0048] Figures 3A to 9 are various views of the stemware support / cup rack assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment consistent with the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 3AShows a goblet support / cup holder assembly 10 rotated downward into a storage position along a sidewall portion, primarily identified as SP (corresponding to sidewall 303) of a utensil rack 300 configured as a basket B. The rear edge portion 24 of the frame F also includes a pair of hinges 40 and 42 on which the frame F is supported when in the storage position along the sidewall portion SP of the basket B forming the utensil rack 300, and which allow the frame F to rotate about the upper horizontal line UHW of the sidewall portion SP. Each of the pair of mountings 30 and 32 is configured to allow the frame F to rotate upward (see Figure 3A ) from the storage position along the sidewall portion SP (see Figure 3B and Figure 3C ) to a working angular position approximately 25 degrees upward from the horizontal position (see Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) and then slide horizontally to a final locked position (see Figure 4C and Figure 4D ). A structural support portion SS may also be included between the two mountings 30 and 32 along the lower edge of the rear edge portion 24 (see specifically Figure 3C and Figures 5 to 7 ). The structural support portion SS is an elongated, horizontally extending portion extending from the rear edge portion 24 and includes a recess or circular groove 25 into which the upper horizontal line UHW of the sidewall portion SP of the basket B is inserted and which serves to support the frame F against the upper horizontal line UHW, for example, when cups are loaded onto the cup holder CS.

[0049] When the goblet support / cup holder assembly 10 rotates between the use or working position and the non-use or storage position along the sidewall portion SP, the hinges 40 and 42 allow the frame F to rotate or pivot about the upper horizontal line UHW. In this regard, it should be noted that each hinge 40 and 42 includes a recessed portion 40P near its base (one of which is visible in Figure 3A ), into which the upper horizontal line UHW mates and which allows the frame F to rotate or pivot about the upper horizontal line UHW, as well as a hinge lock 40L. In this regard, it should be noted that the hinge lock 40L flexes open and then snaps back into place when the goblet support / cup holder assembly 10 is mounted on the upper horizontal line UHW of the utensil rack 300, such that the hinges 40 and 42 are locked to the upper horizontal line UHW.

[0050] As Figure 3A , Figures 4A to 4D and Figure 5In the best-case scenario shown, this includes, for each of the mountings 30 and 32, a vertical slot VS and a horizontal slot HS, which interact with corresponding vertical lines VW of the sidewall portion SP of the basket B that forms the utensil rack 300. The horizontal slot HS includes a fixing block 35 that, in the situation where the frame F of the goblet support / cup holder assembly 10 slides to the final locked position (as Figure 4D shown), gets stuck on the corresponding vertical line VW of the sidewall portion SP of the basket B.

[0051] As Figure 3A , Figure 4A , Figure 5 and Figure 6 in the best-case scenario shown, the frame F is configured as a shelf-shaped portion having a generally rectangular outer edge 50 and a set of spaced-apart ribs 52 extending from the front to the rear of the frame F and another set of ribs 54 extending from one side to the other side of the frame F, such that the ribs 52 and 54 are perpendicular to each other and form a grid-shaped structure G that allows water to drain therethrough. The ribs 54 extending from one side to the other side of the frame F have small protrusions 55 extending upward therefrom. Additional larger protrusions 60 extend from the side edges of the outer edge 50 and also from the central rib 52A. The small protrusions 55 and the larger protrusions 60 serve as fixing members to fix the cups placed on the grid-shaped structure G of the cup holder CS. Figure 8 Shows one of the goblet support / cup holder assemblies 10 serving as the cup holder CS, where two cups (e.g., a small cup SC and a large cup LC) are shown on the cup holder CS.

[0052] As Figures 3A to 3C and Figure 6 in the best-case scenario shown, the bottom of the outer edge 50 of the frame F and the bottom of the ribs 52 may include circular cutouts 65 (it should be noted that only one cutout is visible in Figure 3A and Figure 3C ), and the circular cutouts are configured to fit on the lower horizontal line LHW when the frame F is in the storage position along the sidewall portion SP of the basket B (see Figure 3A ).

[0053] Figure 9 Is a partial perspective view of the utensil rack 300 in the form of a basket B having a pair of goblet support / cup holder assemblies 10, where the rear goblet support / cup holder assembly 10A supports a stemmed glass WG and a large cup LC, and the front goblet support / cup holder assembly 10B is shown in the storage position along the sidewall portion SP of the basket B.

[0054] When operating, in order to change one of the goblet support / cup holder assemblies 10 from the storage position along the sidewall portion SP ( Figure 3A shown) to the final locked position for use ( Figure 4D andFigures 5 to 8 As shown in Figures 5 to 8 , a user grasps the frame F at the outer edge 50, for example, and begins to rotate the front edge portion 20 of the frame F away from the sidewall portion SP, and continues to rotate the frame F upwardly about the recessed portions 40P of the hinges 40 and 42, and also about the structural support portion SS on the upper horizontal line UHW, while the vertical slot VS allows the vertical line VW of the side portion SP of the basket B to move therethrough (see Figure 3B and Figure 3C ). The user continues to rotate the frame F upwardly until the upper shelf portion 22 of the frame F is at a final working angle of about 25 degrees upward from horizontal (see Figure 4A and Figure 4B ). Then, the user slides the frame F horizontally or laterally (in this case, forwardly towards the front of the basket B) such that the horizontal slot HS slides relative to the vertical line VW of the sidewall portion SP of the basket B until the fixed block 35 catches on the vertical line VW (see Figure 4C and Figure 4D ), thereby sliding the frame F of the goblet support / cup holder assembly 10 to the final locked position (see Figure 4D and Figures 5 to 8 ). The user can now support the glass wine glass WG by resting the cup portion (also referred to as the liquid holding portion) of the glass wine glass WG on the bottom portion of the basket B (e.g., bottom portion 304) and by resting the stem of the glass wine glass WG in the notch N such that the cup portion of the glass wine glass WG points towards the dishwasher water jet from the spray arm S1 (see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 7 ), or support the large cup LC and / or the small cup SC or other small dishes or items on the cup holder CS (see Figure 8 ), or support the glass wine glass WG in one of the notches N and support a cup (such as the large cup LC) on the cup holder CS (see Figure 9 ).

[0055] To again place the goblet support / cup holder assembly 10 in the stowed position along the sidewall portion SP of the basket B, the user simply reverses the above steps by horizontally pushing the frame F in the opposite direction or towards the rear of the basket B such that the fixed block 35 moves past and releases the vertical line VW, and the frame F continues to move along the horizontal slot HS relative to the vertical line VW until the vertical slot VS is aligned with the vertical line VW. Then, the user can rotate the frame F downwardly about the hinges 40 and 42 rotatably clamped on the upper horizontal line UHW, while the vertical slot VS allows the vertical line VW to move therethrough, until the frame F is positioned along the sidewall portion SP of the basket B and the circular cutout 65 mates above the lower horizontal member LHW. The frame F is supported by the hinges 40 and 42 in the stowed position along the sidewall portion SP (see Figure 3A ).

[0056] Thus, according to the present invention, each of the goblet supports / cup rack assemblies 10 has two functions:

[0057] 1) Support the stem(s) of one or more glassware or similar goblet-shaped glasses while securing the goblet such that the cup portion of the glass points towards the dishwasher spray nozzles to allow for effective cleaning of the glass; and

[0058] 2) Provide a flat rack area in which cups and other small dishes and items can be arranged for washing.

[0059] There is a great opportunity for variation in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example, while the middle dish rack 300 is provided with the goblet supports / cup rack assemblies 10, other dish racks (such as the lower dish rack or the upper dish rack) can also be configured to accommodate goblet supports / cup rack assemblies 10 consistent with the present disclosure. Additionally, the various features described in connection with specific embodiments can be used in conjunction with other embodiments (mixed and matched) where appropriate.

[0060] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. All such improvements and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the appended claims.

[0061] List of reference numerals

[0062] 10 Goblet support / cup rack assembly

[0063] 10A Rear goblet support / cup rack assembly

[0064] 10B Front goblet support / cup rack assembly

[0065] 20 Front edge portion

[0066] 22 Upper shelf portion

[0067] 24 Rear edge portion

[0068] 25 Depression or circular groove

[0069] 30 Mounting member; a pair of mounting members

[0070] 32 Mounting member; a pair of mounting members

[0071] 35 Fixed block

[0072] 40 Hinge; a pair of hinges

[0073] 40L Hinge lock

[0074] 40P Depression portion

[0075] 50 Outer edge

[0076] 52 Rib; a set of ribs

[0077] 52A Central rib

[0078] 54 Rib; a set of ribs

[0079] 55 Small protrusion

[0080] 60 Additional larger protrusion

[0081] 65 Circular cutout

[0082] 100 Dishwasher

[0083] 101 Dishwashing

[0084] 102 Loading opening

[0085] 103 Discharge port

[0086] 104 Tub

[0087] 200 Third or top utensil rack

[0088] 201 Front wall

[0089] 205 Structure or recess

[0090] 245 Handle

[0091] 300 Second or middle utensil rack

[0092] 301 Front wall

[0093] 302 Rear wall

[0094] 303 Side wall

[0095] 304 Bottom part

[0096] 305 Multiple forms

[0097] 306 Adjustable tooth row

[0098] 306' Adjustable tooth row

[0099] 307 Water supply

[0100] 345 Handle

[0101] 400 First, bottom or lower utensil rack

[0102] 401 Side wall part, including front side wall

[0103] 403 Side wall

[0104] 404 Bottom part

[0105] 410 Basket

[0106] 415 Roller

[0107] 445 Handle

[0108] B Basket

[0109] CS Cup holder

[0110] D Door

[0111] F Frame

[0112] G Grid-shaped structure

[0113] HS Horizontal slot

[0114] LC Large cup

[0115] LHW Lower horizontal line; Horizontal line

[0116] N Notch; Multiple notches

[0117] R Upper and lower rollers

[0118] S1 Spraying arm

[0119] S2 Spraying arm

[0120] SB A pair of support protrusions

[0121] SC Small cup

[0122] SP Receiving position along the side wall part

[0123] SS Structural support part

[0124] TM Tooth member

[0125] TR Telescopic guide rail assembly

[0126] TS Flange or track

[0127] UHW Upper horizontal line; Horizontal line

[0128] VS Vertical slot

[0129] VW Vertical line

[0130] WAD Cleaning agent dispenser

[0131] WG Glass wine glass with a stem foot.

Claims

1. A cup holder assembly (10) arranged on a dish rack for supporting a goblet and also serving as a cup stand (CS), comprising: - A frame (F), the frame having: a front edge portion (20) having a plurality of notches (N) for supporting the goblet; an upper shelf portion (22) serving as the cup stand (CS); and a rear edge portion (24) having a pair of mounting members for mounting the cup holder assembly (10) to a side wall portion (SP) of the dish rack, - wherein each of the pair of mounting members is configured to allow the frame (F) to rotate upward from a storage position along the side wall portion (SP) to a working angular position and then slide horizontally to a final locked position, and wherein each of the pair of mounting members includes a vertical slot (VS) and a horizontal slot (HS) that interact with corresponding vertical lines (VW) of the side wall portion (SP) of the dish rack.

2. The cup holder assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The horizontal slot (HS) includes a fixing block (35) that, in the condition where the frame (F) of the cup holder assembly (10) slides to the final locked position, catches on the corresponding vertical line (VW) of the side wall portion (SP) of the dish rack.

3. The cup holder assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The frame (F) includes a hinge provided along the rear edge portion (24), adjacent to the pair of mounting members, and allowing the frame (F) to rotate downward about a horizontal line (UHW) of the side wall portion (SP) of the dish rack to the storage position along the side wall portion (SP) of the dish rack, and wherein the frame (F) is supported by the hinge when in the storage position along the side wall portion (SP).

4. A dish rack of a dishwasher (100), comprising: - A basket (B) formed by a plurality of linear elements, the plurality of linear elements including a bottom portion (304) and a side wall portion (SP); And - At least one cup holder assembly (10) arranged on the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B) for supporting a goblet and also serving as a cup stand (CS), the at least one cup holder assembly (10) including a frame (F) having: a front edge portion (20) having a plurality of notches (N) for supporting the goblet; an upper shelf portion (22) serving as the cup stand (CS); and a rear edge portion (24) having a pair of mounting members for mounting the at least one cup holder assembly (10) to the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B), - Each of the pair of mounting members is configured to allow the frame (F) to rotate upward from a storage position along the side wall portion (SP) to a working angle position and then slide to a final locking position, wherein each of the pair of mounting members includes a vertical slot (VS) and a horizontal slot (HS), and the vertical slot and the horizontal slot interact with a corresponding vertical line (VW) of the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B).

5. The dish rack according to claim 4, wherein, The horizontal slot (HS) includes a fixing block (35), and in the condition that the frame (F) of the at least one cup holder assembly (10) slides to the final locking position, the fixing block is stuck on the corresponding vertical line (VW) of the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B).

6. The dish rack according to claim 4, wherein, The frame (F) includes a hinge, and the hinge allows the frame (F) to rotate downward to the storage position along the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B), and wherein the frame (F) is supported by the hinge when in the storage position along the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B).

7. The dish rack according to claim 4, further comprising at least one other cup holder assembly (10) such that a pair of cup holder assemblies (10) are provided on the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B), wherein, Each of the pair of cup holder assemblies (10) has three notches (N) configured to support the same number of goblets.

8. The dish rack according to claim 4, further comprising a hinge disposed along the rear edge portion (24), adjacent to the pair of mounting members, the hinge allowing the frame (F) to rotate about a horizontal line (UHW) of the plurality of linear elements of the side wall portion (SP) of the dish rack.

9. A dishwasher (100), comprising: - A dishwasher compartment (101) having a loading opening (102); - A door configured to close the loading opening (102); - At least one dish rack configured as a basket (B) formed by a plurality of linear elements, the plurality of linear elements including a bottom portion (304) and a side wall portion (SP) and configured to move out of and into the dishwasher compartment (101); and - At least one cup holder assembly (10) disposed on the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B) for supporting goblets and also serving as a cup holder (CS), the at least one cup holder assembly (10) including a frame (F) having: a front edge portion (20) having a plurality of notches (N) for supporting goblets; an upper shelf portion (22) serving as a cup holder (CS); and a rear edge portion (24) having a pair of mounting members for mounting the at least one cup holder assembly (10) to the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B). - Each of the pair of mounting members is configured to allow the frame (F) to rotate upward from a storage position along the side wall portion (SP) to a working angle position and then slide to a final locking position, wherein each of the pair of mounting members includes a vertical slot (VS) and a horizontal slot (HS), and the vertical slot and the horizontal slot interact with corresponding vertical lines (VW) of the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B).

10. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 9, wherein, The horizontal slot (HS) includes a fixed block (35), and in the condition that the frame (F) of the at least one cup holder assembly (10) slides to the final locking position, the fixed block is stuck on the corresponding vertical line (VW) of the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B).

11. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 9, wherein, The frame (F) includes a hinge that allows the frame (F) to rotate downward to the storage position along the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B), and wherein the frame (F) is supported by the hinge when in the storage position along the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B).

12. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 9 further includes at least one other cup holder assembly (10) such that a pair of cup holder assemblies (10) are provided on the side wall portion (SP) of the basket (B), wherein, Each of the pair of cup holder assemblies (10) has three notches (N) configured to support the same number of goblets, and / or further includes a hinge disposed along the rear edge portion (24), adjacent to the pair of mounting members, and the hinge allows the frame (F) to rotate about a horizontal line (UHW) of a plurality of linear elements of the side wall portion (SP) of the dish rack.

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