Patent US3809451A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3809451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rack level adjustment system in a dishwasher
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-12-27
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Granted: 1974-05-07
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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 Pitstick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:13
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L15/00; A47L15/42; A47L15/50; A47L15/504
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In a front-opening dishwashing machine having a wash chamber with a dish-supporting rack disposed therein, connecting means structure along a side of the rack including means adapted to enable selective variable vertical adjustment of the level of the rack side to any level between predetermined high and low level positions, manual control mEans for the vertical adjustment means including a manually rotatable portion linked to the vertical adjustment means whereby rotation of the rotatable portion causes the rack side to move downwardly and counter-rotation of the rotatable portion causes the rack side to move upwardly, the improvement comprising: scaled indicating means operatively linked to and remote from the manually rotatable portion for providing continuous visual indication of the level of the rack side relative to the high and low level positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a front-opening dishwashing machine having a wash chamber with a dish-supporting rack disposed therein, connecting means structure along a side of the rack including means adapted to enable selective variable vertical adjustment of the level of the rack side to any level between predetermined high and low level positions, manual control mEans for the vertical adjustment means including a manually rotatable portion linked to the vertical adjustment means whereby rotation of the rotatable portion causes the rack side to move downwardly and counter-rotation of the rotatable portion causes the rack side to move upwardly, the improvement comprising: scaled indicating means operatively linked to and remote from the manually rotatable portion for providing continuous visual indication of the level of the rack side relative to the high and low level positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the control means further includes a worm adapted to rotate with the rotatable portion, and a riding member adapted to move along the worm in response to the worm''s rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein a portion of the riding member is disposed to be visible to the machine''s operator and serves as part of the indicating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the control means is disposed at the front end of the dish supporting rack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the manually rotatable portion is disposed outwardly on the front side of the rack.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the control means further includes a worm adapted to rotate in unison with the rotatable portion, a nut is threadably engaged on the worm, the worm and nut are mounted in a housing, the indicating means includes the housing having an elongated slot therein to enable the position of the nut to be seen through the slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the housing is located within the rack, the rotatable portion is disposed outwardly on the front side of the rack, and the slot is disposed to be visible to the operator when looking downwardly into the rack.
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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) | 1977-05-06 | 1977-11-05 | 1978-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-06 | 1981-11-05 | 1982-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-06 | 1985-11-05 | 1986-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |