LACE SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a strip system with strips for arrangement on a wire basket having a wire mesh, in particular on a dishwashing basket of a dishwasher.

[0002] Dishwashers typically have a wash chamber that provides a washing area. This chamber is accessible to the user via a loading opening, which can be sealed fluid-tight by means of a hinged wash chamber door. Under normal use, the wash chamber serves to hold items to be cleaned, such as dishes, cutlery, and / or similar items.

[0003] Dishwashers use baskets for loading and unloading dishes. These baskets can be moved through the loading opening, either into or out of the wash chamber, depending on the direction of movement. A typical dishwasher has two or three such baskets, depending on the design. These usually include a lower basket, an upper basket positioned above it in the direction of travel, and optionally, a cutlery drawer located above the upper basket.

[0004] According to a design known from the prior art, a dishwashing basket is designed as a wire basket and has a wire mesh formed from individual, plastic-coated wires. The wire mesh provides surfaces for holding items to be cleaned, and may also include items that can be held in place by spikes, loops, and / or the like.

[0005] It is also known from the prior art to equip dishwashing baskets with strips, for example in the form of handle strips to improve user handling of the dishwashing basket and / or in the form of decorative strips to enhance the aesthetic design of the dishwashing basket. According to a previously known design, such strips have a strip body which has integrally attached locking projections that allow the strip to be locked to the wire mesh of the dishwashing basket.

[0006] A multi-part strip design is also known from the prior art, for example from DE 10 2013 211 531 A1. According to this patent, a strip serving as a basket cover has three separately designed parts: a central part and two side parts. Each part has locking elements on its back side facing the dish basket, allowing it to be locked into place. In the final assembly, the parts are arranged adjacent to each other, thus forming the basket cover.

[0007] US 2016 / 100739 A1 discloses a basket handle attached to the front of a dishwashing basket, which has a front and a rear part, between which parts a wire of the dishwashing basket runs.

[0008] US 9 113 773 B2 discloses a generic rib system for a wire basket.

[0009] Although existing ridges have proven their worth in everyday practical use, there is room for improvement. In particular, the aim is to simplify the manufacturer's process of equipping dishwashing baskets with ridges. Therefore, the Task The invention provides a strip system that simplifies the manufacturer's equipping of a dishwashing basket with strips.

[0010] To Solution To address this problem, the invention proposes a strip system with strips for arrangement on a wire basket having a wire mesh, comprising the features of claim 1.

[0011] The system according to the invention comprises three strips for mounting on a wire basket: a basket end strip to be mounted on the front of the wire basket and basket side strips to be mounted on each side of the basket. According to the invention, the strips can be optionally combined with one another to form a common strip assembly, which allows a wire basket to be equipped with only one basket end strip, only two basket side strips, or with one basket end strip and two basket side strips. This creates a flexible strip system that enables manufacturers to easily differentiate between various equipment classes, thus providing modularity. The disadvantage of an inflexible design is thereby overcome, resulting in advantageously simplified manufacturing.

[0012] According to the invention, it is further provided that each strip is designed in two parts and has locking means designed to correspond to the wire mesh.

[0013] The two-part design of the strip offers the advantage of functionally differentiating between the desired aesthetic shape on the one hand and the permanently secure attachment of the strip to the wire basket on the other. Thus, one part of the strip can provide the visible surface for the user during intended use, while the other part provides the locking mechanism for attaching the strip to the wire basket.

[0014] Prior art strips, which have a strip body with integrally attached locking projections, always suffer from the disadvantage that, due to the manufacturing process, visually perceptible indentations occur at the connection point of the locking projections to the strip body. This is perceived as a disadvantage because it impairs the desired aesthetic shape of the strip.

[0015] The design according to the invention overcomes this disadvantage, because one of the two strip parts has no locking means attached to it, which allows for the creation of a visually perceptible outer surface free of undesirable indentations. The other strip part, equipped with locking means, ensures a secure positioning of the strip on the wire mesh and, in the intended use, is at least partially covered decoratively by the first strip part.

[0016] The invention further proposes a wire basket, in particular a dishwasher basket, comprising such a strip system and having a wire mesh.

[0017] According to a further feature of the invention, a basket side rail has an inner part and an outer part receiving the inner part, wherein the inner part provides the locking means.

[0018] A basket side rail therefore consists of two components: an inner part and an outer part. The inner part's design function is to ensure the rail remains securely in place on the dishwashing basket. For this purpose, the inner part is equipped with locking mechanisms that interact with the wire mesh when fully assembled.

[0019] The second component of the basket side rail is the outer part. In its fully assembled state, the outer part holds and covers the inner part. Unlike the inner part, the outer part does not serve to secure the rail to the wire mesh of the dishwashing basket. Rather, its sole purpose is to cover the inner part, ensuring that the user sees only the outer part of the rail, not the inner part.

[0020] According to a further feature of the invention, the inner and outer parts, manufactured separately, are joined together to form a single, integrated unit. While the inner and outer parts are indeed designed as separate components, subsequent assembly does not require individual assembly of the inner and outer parts, because they are joined together to form a single, integrated unit, thus simplifying assembly by requiring only one unit.

[0021] The result of this design is a basket side rail consisting of an inner part and an outer part. The outer part is characterized by the absence of any internal locking mechanism. The inner part, on the other hand, is a simple injection-molded component that provides all the necessary locking geometry for mounting on the dishwashing basket. The inner and outer parts are bonded together, forming a single unit that is easy to handle, install, and remove. The outer part visually covers the inner part, so that only the outer surface of the outer part is visible to the user. This surface is free of unwanted indentations because the locking elements of the rail are provided by the inner part, not the outer part. Surface defects on the user-visible outer surface of the rail are therefore avoided.

[0022] According to a further feature of the invention, the basket end strip has a support strip and a cover strip, wherein the support strip has the locking means.

[0023] The basket end rail is also made of two parts, consisting of a support rail and a cover rail. The cover rail is the visually perceptible outer surface of the basket end rail in normal use. The support rail ensures a secure and precise positioning of the basket end rail on the wire basket and therefore incorporates the locking mechanisms for this purpose.

[0024] According to a further feature of the invention, the support strip and the cover strip are components manufactured separately from each other, which have correspondingly designed locking elements and, in the final assembled state, accommodate a wire of the wire basket between them.

[0025] The basket end rail features both locking devices and locking elements. The locking devices, as previously described, serve to securely position the basket end rail on the wire basket. These locking devices are provided by the support rail, while the cover rail is designed without locking devices.

[0026] The locking elements serve to connect the support strip and the cover strip. Therefore, the support strip and the cover strip each have corresponding locking elements that interlock when the basket end strip is fully assembled, thus securely holding the cover strip to the support strip.

[0027] In its fully assembled state, the support strip and the cover strip accommodate one wire of the wire basket between them. The wire is thus completely enclosed by the basket's end strip in the final assembly state. This advantageously avoids a downwardly open design, which minimizes the tendency for dirt to accumulate and improves the strength of the connection.

[0028] According to a further feature of the invention, the cover strip has a mounting section for arranging a functional element. Such a functional element could be, for example, a high-quality optical cover, a nameplate, and / or the like.

[0029] According to a further feature of the invention, the locking elements are designed to be spring-elastic. It can be provided that the material forming the inner part or the aperture strips, including the locking elements arranged thereon, is itself spring-elastic, so that the locking elements form an interference fit with the associated wire of the wire basket in the final assembly state. This ensures a backlash-free and therefore movement-free arrangement of a strip on the wire basket.

[0030] According to a further feature of the invention, a coupling element is also provided for attaching a basket side rail to the basket end rail. Such a coupling element serves to lock the basket end rail and the basket side rail together, thus ensuring a play-free connection between the two rails. In particular, relative movement between the two rails is prevented in the intended use. This not only provides improved tactile feedback for the user, but also results in a more stable overall construction.

[0031] According to a further feature of the invention, the coupling element has a groove on the basket rib side, which interacts with a rib of the basket side rib. This creates a permanently play-free connection between the basket side rib and the basket end rib, thus preventing any relative displacement of the ribs with respect to the wire basket. To compensate for any manufacturing tolerances, it is preferably provided that the groove and the rib are formed in a corresponding arc shape.

[0032] The invention proposes a flexible and high-quality strip system for decorative and / or handle strips. The system allows for simple modifications to accommodate different device classes. This is because a wire basket can be optionally fitted with either side strips or a combination of side and front strips. Fitting the basket with only a front strip is also conceivable.

[0033] The basket end bar is designed as a closed construction that surrounds the associated wire of the wire basket, preventing unwanted component contamination while maintaining maximum stability.

[0034] All strips are multi-part and occupy a visually perceptible surface area without defects. The connection of the basket side strip to the basket front strip using appropriate coupling elements ensures flawless alignment of all strips, both with each other and with the wire basket. Any unavoidable gaps are reduced to a minimum, which also helps to minimize the tendency for soiling.

[0035] Furthermore, the system according to the invention enables simplified assembly, particularly because the multi-part basket side rails can each be handled as a single assembly unit.

[0036] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. These show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic exploded view of a dishwashing basket with a rail device according to the system according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic exploded view of the dishwashing basket according to Fig. 1 with basket side rails already mounted; Fig. 3 in schematic side section view of the dishwashing basket according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 in a schematic detail view the basket front rib according to Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 in schematic side section view of the dishwashing basket after Fig. 1 with mounted strips; Fig. 6 in schematic detail view the dishwashing basket after Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7 in a schematic section view of the connection area between a basket end rail and a basket side rail; Fig. 8 in a partially sectioned top view of the dishwashing basket after Fig. 1 ; Fig. 9 in a schematic detail view the dishwashing basket according to Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 in schematic side view the dishwashing basket after Fig. 1with basket side rail that still needs to be mounted.

[0037] Fig. 1 The diagram shows a wire basket in the form of a dishwashing basket 1 of a dishwasher, presented in a purely schematic exploded view. The dishwashing basket 1 depicted is designed as an upper basket. In its intended use, this upper basket 1 is positioned above a lower basket within the wash chamber provided by a dishwasher. The dishwashing basket 1 serves to hold items to be cleaned, such as dishes, cutlery, and / or the like.

[0038] The dishwashing basket 1 has a wire mesh 2, which is formed from individual interconnected, plastic-coated wires, such as the mesh bars 3 and the upper end wire 4 in the vertical direction 5.

[0039] The dishwashing basket 1 is equipped with strips 7, 8 and 9 according to the strip system according to the invention, wherein the strips 7, 8 and 9 are combined with each other to form the strip assembly 6.

[0040] According to the illustrated embodiment, a basket end strip 7, a first basket side strip 8, and a second basket side strip 9 are provided, which are optionally combined with one another to form a common strip assembly 6. The strips 7, 8, and 9 at least partially cover the upper end wire 4 in the vertical direction 5 and thus serve both as decorative strips and as handle strips.

[0041] The strips 7, 8 and 9 are each designed in two parts and have locking means 20 corresponding to the wire mesh 2, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0042] As in particular a synthesis of Figure 1 , 3 , 5 and 10This results in a basket side rail 8 or 9 having a strip-shaped inner part 14 or 16 and an outer part 15 or 17 covering the inner part 14 or 16 and thus also having a strip-shaped outer part.

[0043] For the arrangement of a basket side rail 8 or 9 on the wire mesh 2 of the dishwashing basket 1, locking means 19 are used, which are provided exclusively by the respective inner part 14 or 16 and not by the respective associated outer part 15 or 17.

[0044] The inner part 14 or 16 and the outer part 15 or 17 of each basket side rail 8 or 9 are, as separately manufactured components, joined together to form a single, cohesive unit. In its final, finished state, the unit consists of a rail 8 or 9 formed from the inner part 14 or 16 and the outer part 15 or 17, which is manageable and mountable on the dishwashing basket 1, as shown in particular in the illustration according to Fig. 10This can be seen.

[0045] An outer part 15 or 17 has a U-shaped cross-section with a strip element and two legs arranged on it, which provide a volume space between them that accommodates the corresponding inner part 14 or 16. In the fully assembled state, the inner part 14 or 18 is thus completely covered by the outer part 15 or 17 and is therefore not visible to the user. Only the outer surface 18 provided by the outer part 15 or 17 is perceived by the user when viewing the respective strip 8 or 9, which is particularly evident from a combined view of the Figure 1 and 2 results in, whereby Fig. 2 The dishwashing basket 1 shows the basket side rails 8 and 9 already fully assembled.

[0046] The locking means 19 provided by the respective inner part 14 or 16 are preferably designed such that, in the fully assembled state, they engage the associated wire 4 of the wire mesh 2, thereby preventing the inner part 14 or 16 and thus also the entire basket side rail 8 or 9 from being pulled off the wire mesh 2 in the vertical direction 5.

[0047] The locking mechanism provided by the respective inner part 14 or 16 ensures that a basket side rail 8 or 9, once mounted on the dish basket 1, is held securely in position, both longitudinally and vertically 5. Furthermore, rotation of the rail 8 or 9 around an axis of rotation in the longitudinal direction of the dish basket 1 is prevented. This prevents any relative displacement or movement of the rail 8 or 9 relative to the wire mesh 2. Consequently, the basket side rail 8 or 9 can also be used by the user as a handle, thus serving simultaneously as a decorative strip and a grip.

[0048] The basket front strip 7 is also designed in two parts and has a support strip 10 on one side and a cover strip 11 on the other, as can be seen in particular from a combined view of the Figure 1 , 2 , 6 and10 This can be seen.

[0049] The support strip 10 is equipped with locking elements 19 and serves to securely position the basket end strip 7 on the surrounding wire 4 of the wire mesh 2. For the arrangement of the cover strip 11 on the support strip 10, the support strip 10 and the cover strip 11 have corresponding locking elements 20, which are located both laterally ( Fig. 1 ) as well as in the middle (cf. Fig. 7 ) can be formed. In the fully assembled state, the support strip 10 and the cover strip 11 encircle the wire 4, thus avoiding a downwardly open design, as is particularly evident in the illustration according to Fig. 6 This can be seen. As a result of this design, the tendency to become soiled is advantageously minimized.

[0050] The cover strip 11 has a mounting section 13 on its front side, which serves to enable functional elements 12 to be arranged on the cover strip 11, which is particularly evident from Fig. 1 results.

[0051] A coupling element 21 is provided for connecting the basket end rail 7 and the basket side rail 8 or 9. For this purpose, the coupling element 21 preferably has a groove 23 (see figure). Fig. 10 ), into which a rib 22 (cf. Fig. 7 ) engages with a corresponding basket side rail 8 or 9 in the final assembled state. The groove 23 and the rib 22 are preferably formed in a corresponding arc shape relative to each other, which in particular helps to compensate for any manufacturing tolerances while minimizing an unavoidable gap between the basket end rail 7 and the basket side rail 8 or 9.

[0052] The assembly of the strips 7, 8 and 9 belonging to the system according to the invention and forming the strip assembly 6 in the finished state takes place as follows.

[0053] First, the support strip 10 of the basket end strip 7 must be locked onto the wire basket 2. For this purpose, the locking elements 19 provided by the support strip 10 must be brought into operative contact with the corresponding wire 4 of the wire mesh 2. Fig. 2 The support strip 10, pre-mounted on the wire basket 2, is shown.

[0054] The cover strip 11 of the basket end strip 7 is then to be locked into the support strip 10. For this purpose, the support strip 10 and the cover strip 11 have corresponding locking elements 20. These are lateral locking elements 20 (see figure). Fig. 2 and 7 ) as well as end-face locking elements 20 in the form of tabs (see Fig. 6 and 7) provided. In a final step, the functional element 12 is to be positioned in the designated mounting section 13 of the cover strip 11, as can be seen from Fig. 1 results.

[0055] According to the invention, the basket front rail 7 can optionally be supplemented by the two basket side rails 8 and 9, which are optionally designed to be connectable to the basket front rail 7. The figures each show a complete configuration of the rail assembly 6 with a basket front rail 7 and two basket side rails 8 and 9.

[0056] Coupling elements 21 are provided for the arrangement of the basket side rails 8 and 9 on the basket end rail 7. The coupling elements 21 are characterized by their suitable fit, which aligns the basket side rails 8 and 9 in such a way as to ensure a uniform transition between the individual rails, and this with a uniform gap dimension. The rib-groove arrangement between the basket end rail 7 on the one hand and the basket side rails 8 and 9 on the other serves this purpose, as can be seen from a view of the Fig. 7 and 10 results.

[0057] After the coupling elements 21 have locked onto the basket end rail 7, the two basket side rails 8 and 9 are each pivoted into a corresponding groove 23 by means of the arc-shaped rib 22, as can be seen from Fig. 10This results in a permanently fixed connection between the basket side slats 8 and 9 and the basket front 7, and also reliably prevents any undesired relative movement between the slats themselves or between the slats and the wire mesh 2.

[0058] By pivoting the basket side rails 8 or 9 in accordance with Fig. 10 The locking means 19 provided by the respective inner part 14 or 16 of the basket side rails 8 and 9 come into operative contact with the associated wire 4 of the wire mesh 2, resulting in a position-secure fixation of the basket side rails 8 and 9 in the vertical direction 5. Reference sign

[0059] 1 Dishwashing basket 2 Wire mesh 3 Mesh bar 4 Wire 5 Height direction 6 Rail device 7 Basket end rail 8 Basket side rail 9 Basket side rail 10 Support rail 11 Cover rail 12 Functional element 13 Mounting section 14 Inner part 15 Outer part 16 Inner part 17 Outer part 18 Outer surface 19 Locking device 20 Locking element 21 Coupling element 22 Rib 23 Groove

Claims

1. Strip system comprising strips for arranging on a wire basket having a wire grid (2), in particular on a washware basket (1) of a dishwasher, a basket front strip (7) and two basket side strips (8, 9) being provided, which can be selectively combined with one another to form a common strip device (6), each strip (7, 8, 9) having latching means (19) designed to correspond to the wire grid (2), each strip (7, 8, 9) being formed in two parts, a basket side strip (8, 9) having an inner part (14, 16) and an outer part (15, 17) which accommodates the inner part (14, 16), only the inner part (14, 16), i.e. not the outer part (15, 17), providing the latching means (19), and the outer part (15, 17) visually covering the inner part (14, 16) so that only the outer part (15, 17) is visible to the user, characterised in that the inner part (14, 16) and the outer part (15, 17) are components which are manufactured separately from one another and are integrally connected to one another to form a common structural unit (8, 9) in combination with one another.

2. System according to claim 1, characterised in that the basket front strip (7) has a support strip (10) and a cover strip (11), the support strip (10) having the latching means (19).

3. System according to claim 2, characterised in that the support strip (10) and the cover strip (11) are components which are manufactured separately from one another and have latching elements (20) designed to correspond to one another, and which accommodate a wire (4) of the wire grid (2) therebetween in the assembled state.

4. System according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the cover strip (11) has a fastening portion (13) for arranging a functional element.

5. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latching means (19) are resilient.

6. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterised by a coupling element (21) for arranging a basket side strip (8, 9) on the basket front strip (7).

7. System according to claim 6, characterised in that the coupling element (21) has a groove (23) on the side facing the basket side strip, which interacts with a rib (22) of the basket side strip (8, 9).

8. System according to claim 7, characterised in that the groove (23) and the rib (22) are curved in a corresponding manner to one another.