US3768883A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rack level adjustment system in a dishwasher
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1971-12-27
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Granted: 1973-10-30
•
Expires: 1991-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A dish supporting rack is mounted within the wash chamber of a dishwashing machine by connecting means permitting selective manual adjustment of the vertical level of the rack side. The connecting means includes a pair of spaced apart pivotal sectors, preferably formed from a durable plastic, linked to a manual control means at the front corner of the rack such that manipulation of the control means is translated to the sectors whereby the sectors pivot to vary the level of the rack side. Linkage between the control means and the sectors includes an elongated rod that may be formed as a toothed rack wherein plastic tooth sections are retained in a metal channel body portion. The manual control means has visual indicating means in combination therewith whereby the machine operator can ascertain the disposition of the rack side relative to the normal or intermediate level of adjustment.
Inventors
- 👤 M Kauffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:39
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; A47L15/50; A47L15/504; A47B; A47B88/00; A47B88/40; A47B88/407; A47B2210/00; A47B2210/0002; A47B2210/0029; A47B2210/0043; A47B2210/0051; A47B2210/0054; A47B2210/0059
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In combination with a dish-supporting rack in the wash chamber of a dishwasher wherein the rack is adapted for selective manual vertical adjustment of a side thereof, a linking element in the form of a rigid rod member along the adjustable rack side, control means for imparting movement to the linking element including a manually rotatabLe portion mounted in an exposed accessible position on the rack adjacent the adjustable rack side, a worm adapted to rotate in response to manual rotation of the rotatable portion, a rider carried on the worm for longitudinal movement therealong in response to rotation of the worm, the linking element being attached to the rider whereby movement of the rider causes the linking element to move, at least one pivotal member mounted to rotate on the rack side about an axis transversed to the rack side, the pivotal member having an arcuate edge portion with a series of uniform teeth therealong, an insert portion receivably retained by the rod member, and the insert portion having a series of teeth therealong for cooperatively meshing with the teeth on the pivotal member''s arcuate edge portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In combination with a dish-supporting rack in the wash chamber of a dishwasher wherein the rack is adapted for selective manual vertical adjustment of a side thereof, a linking element in the form of a rigid rod member along the adjustable rack side, control means for imparting movement to the linking element including a manually rotatabLe portion mounted in an exposed accessible position on the rack adjacent the adjustable rack side, a worm adapted to rotate in response to manual rotation of the rotatable portion, a rider carried on the worm for longitudinal movement therealong in response to rotation of the worm, the linking element being attached to the rider whereby movement of the rider causes the linking element to move, at least one pivotal member mounted to rotate on the rack side about an axis transversed to the rack side, the pivotal member having an arcuate edge portion with a series of uniform teeth therealong, an insert portion receivably retained by the rod member, and the insert portion having a series of teeth therealong for cooperatively meshing with the teeth on the pivotal member''s arcuate edge portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the rod member has a downwardly facing channel and the insert portion is retained within the channel at an intermediate point along the length of the rod member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the pivotal member is constructed substantially from a thermoplastic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the insert portion is constructed of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the rod member has a downwardly facing channel along the length thereof, and the insert portion is retained by means of one or more crimps in the rod member binding against the insert portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the worm is formed substantially from a thermoplastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the rider is formed substantially from a thermoplastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the pivotal member is formed substantially from a thermoplastic material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |