GB2282319A

GB2282319A - Mounting rollers on dishwasher baskets

Info

Publication number: GB2282319A
Application number: GB9419350A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Giancarlo Finola
Original assignee: Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA
Current assignee: Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici SpA
Priority date: 1993-10-01
Filing date: 1994-09-26
Publication date: 1995-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-26
Also published as: SE9501149D0; ITPN930027U1; IT231980Y1; ES1029060U; GB2282319B; DE9414442U1; SE9501149L; SE507316C2; ES1029060Y; ITPN930027V0; GB9419350D0

Abstract

A dishwasher crockery basket comprises a frame (5) with rollers (6) rotatable on respective hubs (9), each of which is provided with an axial hole (16) which is extended towards the exterior by a longitudinal slot (17). The hole and the slot receive an axial pin (14) and a transverse portion (15) of the frame respectively. The hub integrally comprises a pair of elastic teeth (20) which extend in convergent relationship over a certain longitudinal portion at a position corresponding to the slot (17) towards the transverse portion (15) of the frame (5) in such a way that a force tending to move the hub (9) axially away from the frame (5) causes the free ends of the elastic teeth (20) to be pressed against each other. <IMAGE>

Description

EXTRACTABLE BASKET FOR A DISHWASHING MACHINE The present invention relates to a basket for a dishwashing machine, of the type comprising a rigid frame with a plurality of rollers such as to permit sliding movement thereof along lateral support guides in such a way as to extract the basket from the washing tub of the machine. An extractable basket of that kind is described for example in Italian patent no. 1094269.

The rollers of the basket are generally made of plastics material and are mounted rotatably on a hub, also of plastics material, which is moulded with a cavity which permits fitting thereof with latching engagement on a corresponding fixing portion (which is substantially L-shaped) of the rigid frame. In particular the cavity in the hub comprises an axial hole which is prolonged radially by a flared slot which is arranged to come into latching engagement on the fixing portion of the frame.

While the basket is being moved, any wrong moves on the part of the user which involve pulling forces in the direction of the axis of the rollers can easily cause disengagement of the hub from the frame of the basket with resulting mechanical jams, with the basket falling off the guides and with the crockery possibly being broken.

To limit such disadvantages, extractable baskets for dishwashing machines have been proposed, in which the hub of the rollers comprises a flexible tooth which extends substantially transversely at a position corresponding to the cavity thereof in such a way as to pass elastically over the fixing portion of the frame during assembly, thereby locking the hub in position axially.

However that solution is also unsatisfactory insofar as any axial pulling forces, even if limited, can easily cause deformation of the flexible tooth which does not succeed in preventing the above-mentioned disengagement of the hub from the frame of the basket.

The aim of the present invention is to provide an improved extractable basket for a dishwashing machine, provided with rollers which are mounted in a secure, simple and rapid fashion, with a mounting system which does not require undesirable and complicated anti-disengagement devices.

According to the present invention, there is provided an extractable basket for a dishwashing machine comprising a frame with a plurality of rollers mounted rotatably on respective hubs, each of which is fixed to the frame by latching connecting means and is provided with an axial hole which is extended radially towards the exterior by a longitudinal slot, said hole and said slot receiving an axial pin and a transverse portion of the frame respectively, wherein said connecting means comprise at least one pair of elastic teeth which in the hub extend in converging relationship over a certain longitudinal distance in correspondence with said slot towards the transverse portion of the frame in such a way that a force tending to move the hub axially away from the frame causes the free ends of the elastic teeth to press against each other.

The invention will be further described by way of non-limitative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded front view in partial section of a lateral detail of the basket; Figure 2 shows the detail of Figure 1 after assembly of the components; Figure 3 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a component of the basket; and Figure 4 is a view in section taken along line IV-IV of the component of Figure 3.

With particular reference to Figures 1 and 2 the extractable basket of the type comprising a rigid frame 5 which is capable of supporting the dishes and which is provided with a plurality of lateral rollers 6, wheels or the like which are capable of co-operating with associated guides (not shown for the sake of simplicity) mounted in the washing tub of the machine in such a way as to permit extraction of the basket by sliding movement.

In substantially conventional manner each roller 6 comprises a central hole 7, by means of which it can be efficiently mounted by latching engagement freely rotatably on a first axial portion 8 of a hub 9. The portion 8 of the hub 9 is preferably hollow and extends between a second axial portion 10 of larger diameter and a free end provided with axial locking teeth 11, and a diametral slot 12 adapted to impart elasticity to the end of the portion 8. The hub 9 in turn is arranged to be mounted with latching engagement on a frame 5 in a position corresponding to an associated fixing upright 13. The latter comprises a substantially horizontal pin 14 which is connected to the frame 5 with a radial portion 15.

With reference also to Figures 3 and 4 the portion 10 of the hub 9 comprises an axial hole 16, into which the pin 14 of the frame 5 is adapted to be inserted. The hole 16 is extended radially outwardly, at a position corresponding to a possible enlargement 19 of the hub 9, with a longitudinal slot 17, into which the radial portion 15 of the frame 5 is adapted to be inserted transversely.

Preferably the longitudinal slot 17 extends towards the portion 8 of the hub 9 with a restricted portion 18 against which, once the assembly has taken place, the radial portion 15 of the frame bears.

According to the invention the enlarged portion 10 of the hub integrally comprises at least one pair of elastic locking teeth 20. In particular the teeth 20 extend in converging relationship over a certain longitudinal distance, at a position corresponding to the slot 17, from the free edge of the portion 10 of the hub. When the hub is fitted to the frame 5, as in Figure 2, the pin 14 is axially inserted into the hole 16 while the teeth 20 move elastically apart to permit the radial portion 15 of the frame to pass beyond same and to adopt a position at the restricted portion 18 of the slot 17. After that simple operation which is effected in substantially conventional manner, the hub 9 (with the roller 6) is securely locked in position and can be removed only by suitably taking action with a tool.

That is achieved by virtue of the oppositely disposed and convergent arrangement of the teeth 20 which radially lock the pin 14 and prevent any axial force, even if substantial, which tends to move the upright 13 of the frame away from the hub 9, from overcoming the mechanical resistance opposed thereto by the pair of teeth 20. In fact if the portion 15 of the frame is forced towards the exterior of the hub 9 the free ends of the teeth 20 are urged one against the other, thereby preventing any substantial deformation of the elastic teeth 20 which therefore maintain the coupling effect between the frame 5 and the hub 9.

For improved functional reliability the free ends of the teeth 20 may be shaped with rectilinear (or at any rate complementary) oppositely disposed surfaces 21. When the frame 5 is forced to disengage from the hub 9 the surfaces 21 are adapted to fit together, preventing reciprocal sliding movement as between the teeth 20 and thus undesired asymmetrical deformation thereof which could permit release of the components.

It will be appreciated that the extractable basket described may be the subject of numerous modifications without thereby departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An extractable basket for a dishwashing machine comprising a frame with a plurality of rollers mounted rotatably on respective hubs, each of which is fixed to the frame by latching connecting means and is provided with an axial hole which is extended radially towards the exterior by a longitudinal slot, said hole and said slot receiving an axial pin and a transverse portion of the frame respectively, wherein said connecting means comprise at least one pair of elastic teeth which in the hub extend in converging relationship over a certain longitudinal distance in correspondence with said slot towards the transverse portion of the frame in such a way that a force tending to move the hub axially away from the frame causes the free ends of the elastic teeth to press against each other.

2. An extractable basket according to claim 1 wherein the elastic teeth are produced integrally with the hub.

3. An extractable basket according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the free ends of the elastic teeth comprise complementary oppositely disposed surfaces capable of fitting together when said force is applied.

4. An extractable basket constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.