Technical Field of Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a rack support frame, more specifically to a rack
support frame for a hood-type dishwasher with improved performance characteristics.
Background
[0002] Typically, rack holders for hood-type dishwashers are manufactured from metal, such
as, for example stainless steel. However, these rack supports are expensive in terms
of materials and manufacturing time, as a plurality of components are assembled and
welded together. Further, the welds used to assemble the components of the rack are
difficult to clean, causing a high risk for the accumulation of dirt. In addition,
rack supports formed of metal are heavy, meaning that the handling and/or removal
of the rack from the dishwasher can be difficult. Other risk factors caused by the
metal components are the potential of sharp cutting edges. Thus, the combination of
potentially excessive weight, sharp edges and the increased need to handle the rack
for cleaning purposes can be a hazardous for users.
[0003] Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved rack
support which alleviates or at least mitigates the aforementioned problems.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] An aspect of the invention is set out in the independent claim. Dependent claims
describe optional features.
[0005] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a rack support frame for a hood-type
dishwasher comprising:
a substantially square support formed of a polymer or polymer composite material,
configured to provide a substantially flat top surface for supporting a rack, and
a plurality of leg members operably attached at respective corners of said substantially
square support.
[0006] Hood-type dishwashers require a rack or basket filled with dishes to be slid onto
and off of a supporting rack. Such dish racks are generally formed of a polymer to
keep the cost and weight of the racks low. However, the rack support is required to
have increased structural strength, as well as, being harder wearing than the dish
rack, because it supports the weight of the full (i.e. filled with heavy dishes) dish
racks through every wash cycle. Forming the rack support frame of a polymer or polymer
composite has several advantages. Firstly, forming the rack support frame of the same
material as the rack reduces wear on the racks. Secondly, polymer or polymer composite
materials are generally more light-weight than steel racks, thus, a lighter rack can
be more easily removed and cleaned. Thirdly, by using a polymer material or polymer
composite the rack support frame can be manufactured as a unitary piece, removing
the need for welding multiple components and thus significantly reducing potential
dirt-collecting spots on the frame. Finally, polymers are generally cheaper in terms
of manufacture and material costs compared to metal, such as, stainless steel.
[0007] Advantageously, said leg members are formed from metal. Using metal leg members allows
for a simplified assembly with the polymer frame, as the metal legs can be simple
moulded into the corner section of the frame support during manufacture of the polymer
or polymer composite frame support. Also, providing metal leg members can increase
the lifespan of the rack support frame.
[0008] Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise an outer and an inner
side, opposing said outer side face, each attached to and protruding perpendicularly
away from a top face, so as to form a U-shaped cross-sectional profile. This will
increase the overall structural strength of the support frame.
[0009] Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise a plurality of ribs
attached between said outer and inner side faces and said top face.
[0010] Including a plurality of ribs attaching the outer and inner side faces and the top
face increases the strength and rigidity of the rack support frame without substantially
affecting the overall weight and the surface area of the top face.
[0011] Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise at least one strut connecting
at least one corner between two inner side faces.
[0012] This provides the advantage of increased structural strength and rigidity of the
rack support frame without substantially affecting the overall weight and the surface
area of the top face.
[0013] Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise at least one aperture
to accommodate a fixing means on at least one of said side faces.
[0014] Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise a substantially square
bottom face, said bottom face being releasably attachable to said outer and inner
side faces such that when attached, said bottom face opposes said flat top face.
[0015] This provides the advantage of closing the inner volume defined by the U-shaped profile
of the support frame, to avoid ingress of debris during the wash cycle. The bottom
face may then be removed for cleaning purposes.
[0016] Advantageously, said leg members may be co-moulded with said rack support.
[0017] Advantageously, said rack support frame may further comprise at least one releasably
mountable side support border for guiding and positioning a dish rack, said at least
one side support border being formed of a plastic material.
[0018] Advantageously, the rack support frame may further comprise at least one triangular
mounting formation adapted to couplingly engage with a respective one of at least
one triangular mounting structure of said at least one side support border. This provides
the advantage of a "quick-fit" coupling between the side support border and the rack
frame.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0019] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow
with reference to the figures:
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a rack support frame for a hood type dishwasher with configurable
side borders;
Figure 2A shows an exploded view of a rack support frame for a hood type dishwasher with side
borders in a different configuration;
Figure 2B shows an underside of a rack support frame;
Figure 3 shows an assembled rack support frame for a hood type dishwasher;
Figure 4 shows a rack support frame for a hood type dishwasher with side borders in a different
configuration;
Figure 5 shows a rack support frame with a dish rack and dishes in position;
Figure 6 shows a rack support frame with a dish rack and dishes in position;
Figure 7 shows a rack support frame with an alternative dish rack in position, and
Figure 8 shows an alternative rack support frame formed of a metal wire structure.
Detailed Description
[0020] The described example embodiment relates to a rack support frame for use with a hood
type dishwasher. In particular the rack support frame comprises a substantially square
support which is formed of a polymer.
[0021] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and
is not limiting. The words 'right', 'left', 'lower', 'upper', 'front', 'rear', 'upward',
'down', 'downward', 'above' and 'below' designate directions in the drawings to which
reference is made and are with respect to the described component when assembled and
mounted (e.g.
in situ)
. The words 'inner', 'inwardly' and 'outer', 'outwardly' refer to directions toward
and away from, respectively, a designated centreline or a geometric centre of an element
being described (e.g. central axis), the particular meaning being readily apparent
from the context of the description.
[0022] Furthermore, the term plastic, polymer, composite and polymer composite are used
interchangeably within this specification.
[0023] Further, as used herein, the terms 'connected', 'attached', 'coupled', 'mounted'
are intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members
interposed therebetween, as well as, indirect connections between members in which
one or more other members are interposed therebetween. The terminology includes the
words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.
[0024] Further, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal adjectives, such as, 'first',
'second', 'third' etc. merely indicate that different instances of like objects are
being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must
be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner.
[0025] Through the description and claims of this specification, the terms 'comprise' and
'contain', and variations thereof, are interpreted to mean 'including but not limited
to', and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives,
components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification,
the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular,
where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating
plurality, as well as, singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.
[0026] Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described
in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are
to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described
herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification
(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps
of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except
combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention
extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this
specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract or drawings), or to any
novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.
[0027] Referring now to Figure 1, and according to a first example embodiment of the present
invention, the rack support frame 100 is for a hood-type dishwasher, but the skilled
person will appreciate that the rack support frame can be used in a variety of different
situations. The rack support frame 100 includes a substantially square support structure
101. The substantially square support 101 is formed of a polymer material, such as
a plastic, or a polymer composite. The polymer may be a mouldable plastic. The substantially
square support 101 may be formed as a single piece, for example, having a U-shaped
cross-sectional profile, having no joints or welds or any other connections or couplings.
Legs 103 (e.g. metal) are attached at the corners of the square support 101. The legs
103 may be made from wires that are shaped into leg structures suitable to be attachingly
moulded into the square support 101 during a manufacturing process. The wire material
may be any one of a suitable metal, a polymer or plastic material and a composite
material (e.g. polymer composite). However, any other suitable metal structure having
any shape or form suitable to act as a leg (e.g. flat metal sheet) may be used.
[0028] The substantially square support 101 defines a flat top surface 110 which can accommodate
a dish rack 107. The square support 101 may have outer 112 and inner 114 opposing
side faces (so as to form the U-shaped profile). The side faces 112, 114 are attached
to and protrude perpendicularly from the substantially flat top face 110. The bottom
opening 116 of the square support 101 may be closed by a releasably attachable square
bottom surface 104 that can be attached with screws or any other suitable fastener
means (e.g. clips). In use, the bottom surface 104 can be removed such that the hollow
interior of the square support 101 can be cleaned. Preferably, the rack support frame
100 will be flipped upside down during cleaning, such that water may flow out of the
screw holes.
[0029] Alternatively, the bottom surface 104 may be ultrasonically welded to the opposing
side faces 112, 114. In yet another alternative embodiment, the square support 101
may be formed as a single generally tubular structure, forming for example a square
cross sectional profile.
[0030] The rack support 101 may be provided with holes 106 for attachment means, such as
screws and/ or nuts and bolts. These attachment means may be used to attach various
accessories to the square rack support 101.
[0031] One such attachable accessory may be a side support 105 or side support border. The
one or more side support 105 can be attached to one or more sides of the square rack
support 101. Hood type dishwashers may be placed in a number of different situations.
A dish rack 107 may be inserted under the hood from one side and then removed from
the other side. In this configuration, two side support borders 105 may be attached
such that a dish rack 107 can be slid straight over the dishwasher without being lifted.
Alternatively, a plurality of side support borders 105 may be attached on three sides
such that a dish rack can be moved into position and then removed from the same direction
it was entered. The side support borders 105 may be constructed such that a dish rack
107 is aligned with the cleaning components of the hood-type dishwasher.
[0032] Referring now to Figure 2A, the same rack support frame 100 as in the preceding Figure
1 is shown, except, the side borders 105 are configured to be slid into position for
a hood type dishwasher configured to be placed into, for example, the corner of a
kitchen.
[0033] Referring now to Figure 2B, the underside of the rack support frame 100 is shown.
The substantially square bottom face 104 of the rack support 101 may comprise one
or more screw hole structures 118 for fixing means, such that it can be attached using
a screw and/or nut and bolt. Furthermore, the internal structure of the rack support
101 is shown. The rack support 101 includes a plurality of structural support ribs
108 which serve to strengthen the rack support 101, increasing the longevity of the
structure. In the configuration shown the ribs 108 are attached to opposing side faces
(inner and outer) 112, 114 and the top face 110.
[0034] Referring now to Figure 3, a rack support frame 100 is shown. In the embodiment shown,
struts 102 are provided to the inner side faces 112, such that each strut 102 is attached
to a corner section of the rack support 101, i.e. connecting two inner side faces
112. The struts 102 may increase the rigidity of the rack support 101 such that it
does not deform under strain, especially under the high temperature conditions known
to be present in a hood-type dishwasher during use.
[0035] Referring now to Figure 4, a rack support frame 100 is shown. The side support borders
105 of the rack support 101 are in a different configuration, i.e. on opposing sides
of the rack support 101.
[0036] Referring now to Figures 5, 6 and 7, a rack support frame 100 is shown with a dish
rack 107 located on the substantially flat top face 110 of the rack support 101. The
flat top face 110 is configured in terms of shape and size to accommodate a dish rack
107. The rack support 101 may be adapted to accommodate a variety of dish racks of
different configurations. Furthermore, the side support borders 105 may be configured
such that one degree of freedom (DOF) of movement is removed, meaning that the dish
rack 107 cannot be slid off the rack support 101 in an undesired direction. The side
support borders 105 may also help to locate the dish rack 107 within the hood-type
dishwasher.
[0037] Referring now to Figure 8, an alternative embodiment of a rack support frame 200
is shown. In this aspect, the support face is made up of a wire frame 201, material
used for forming the wire frame 201 may include any one or any combination of a stainless
steel, a polymer or a polymer composite material. The wire frame 201 provides a support
for a dish rack 107. Side support borders 205 may be attachable to the wire frame
201 using fixing means, such as a nut, bolt and washer 210. Also, the rack support
frame 200 may further comprise triangular formations 212, wherein the side support
borders 205 may comprise complimentary triangular mounting structures (not shown)
adapted to couplingly engage with the triangular formations of the rack support frame
200 (as well as, an equivalent triangular mounting structure provided with rack support
frame 100).
[0038] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment(s)
have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and that
various alterations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Various modifications to the detailed
designs as described above are possible, for example, variations may exist in shape,
size, arrangement (i.e. a single unitary components or two separate components), assembly
or the like.
Reference numbers:
[0039]
- 100
- Rack support frame
- 101
- Square support structure
- 102
- Strut
- 103
- Legs
- 104
- Square bottom surface
- 105
- Side support
- 106
- Holes
- 107
- Dish rack
- 108
- Support ribs
- 110
- Flat top surface
- 112
- Outer side faces
- 114
- Inner side faces
- 116
- Bottom opening
- 118
- Screw hole structures
- 200
- Alternative rack support frame
- 201
- Wire frame
- 205
- Side support
- 210
- Washer
- 212
- Triangular formations
1. A rack support frame (100) for a hood-type dishwasher comprising:
a substantially square support (101) formed of a polymer or polymer composite material,
configured to provide a substantially flat top surface (110) for supporting a rack
(107), and
a plurality of leg members (103) attached at respective corners of said substantially
square support (101).
2. A rack support frame according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of leg members are
formed from metal.
3. The rack support frame according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising
outer and inner opposing side faces (112, 114), each attached to and protruding perpendicularly
away from a top face, so as to form a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile.
4. The rack support frame according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of ribs
(108) attached between said outer and said inner side faces and said top face.
5. The rack support frame according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein said support
frame further comprises at least one strut (102) connecting to at least one corner
between two adjacent inner side faces.
6. The rack support frame according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein at least one
of said outer and inner side faces comprises at least one aperture (118) to accommodate
a fixing means.
7. The rack support frame according to any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising a
substantially square bottom face (104), said bottom face being releasably attachable
to said outer and inner side faces such that when attached, said bottom face opposes
said flat top face.
8. The rack support frame according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said
leg members are co-moulded with said rack support.
9. The rack support frame according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at
least one releasably mountable side support border (105) for guiding and positioning
a dish rack, said side support border being formed of a plastic material.
10. A rack support frame according to claim 9, further comprising at least one triangular
mounting formation (212) adapted to couplingly engage with a respective one of at
least one triangular mounting structure of said at least one side support border.