Rail stop for dishwasher rack rail

Abstract

A rail stop is provided for a dishwasher rack rail. The rail stop includes a plug portion with inner and outer ends, and a lock portion connected to the outer end of the plug portion with a double living hinge, which permits the lock portion to move between an open, unlocked position and a closed, locked position. The plug portion of the rail stop is adapted to be inserted into the channel of the rack rail, and then the lock portion is moved to the closed position wherein a post extends through an opening in the plug portion and into a hole in the rail to prevent removal of the rail stop from the rail. A projection of the lock member frictionally engages a surface on the plug portion to hold the lock portion in the closed, locked position. A curved surface on the end of the lock portion is receivable on a circumferential groove in the rack wheels to prevent accidental opening of the lock portion if the lock is pulled or slammed forwardly with excessive force.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rail stop for a rack rail of a dishwasher, the rail being elongated with a channel to rollably receive a wheel on a dishwasher rack, the rail stop comprising: 
 a plug portion adapted to be fit into the rail channel and having an opening therein;    a lock portion hinged to the plug portion for movement between an open and closed position; and    a post on the lock portion adapted to extend through the opening in the plug portion after the plug portion is inserted longitudinally into the rail channel and into a hole in the rail to retain the rail stop in the rail channel when the lock portion is in the closed position.    
     
     
         2 . The rail stop of  claim 1  wherein the plug portion has opposite inner and outer ends, and the lock portion is hinged to the outer end of the plug portion.  
     
     
         3 . The rail stop of  claim 1  further comprising a projection on the lock portion for frictionally engaging the plug portion when the lock position is in the closed position.  
     
     
         4 . The rail stop of  claim 3  wherein the lock portion includes a curved surface adapted to substantially matingly engage with a circumferential groove in the rack wheel.  
     
     
         5 . The rail stop of  claim 1  wherein the plug portion includes crush ribs to assure a snug fit in the rail channel.  
     
     
         6 . The rail stop of  claim 1  further comprising a double living hinge connecting the lock portion to the plug portion.  
     
     
         7 . A method of installing a rail stop into a rack rail of a dishwasher, the rail having an elongated channel for receiving wheels of a dishwasher rack, the method comprising: 
 inserting a plug portion on one end of the rail stop longitudinally into the rail channel, and then    moving a lock portion on an opposite end of the rail stop from an open position to a closed position wherein a post on the lock portion extends through an opening in the plug portion and into a hole in the rail.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the lock portion pivots approximately 180° in moving from the open position to the closed position after the plug portion is inserted into the rail channel.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising engaging a projection on the lock portion with a surface on the plug portion to frictionally retain the lock portion in the closed position.  
     
     
         10 . A rail stop for a rack rail of a dishwasher, the rail being elongated with a channel to rollably receive wheels on a dishwasher rack, the rail stop comprising: 
 a plug portion having an outer end and an inner end adapted to be inserted longitudinally into the rail channel;    a lock portion hinged to the outer end of the plug portion for movement between unlocked and locked positions; and    a post on the lock portion adapted to extend through a hole in the rail to secure the rail stop in the rail when the lock portion is in the locked position.    
     
     
         11 . The rail stop of  claim 10  wherein the lock portion is moved to the locked position after the plug portion is inserted into the rail channel.  
     
     
         12 . The rail stop of  claim 10  further comprising a tab on the lock portion for frictionally engaging the plug portion when the lock position is in the closed position.  
     
     
         13 . The rail stop of  claim 10  wherein the lock portion includes a curved surface adapted to substantially matingly engage with a circumferential groove in one of the rack wheels.  
     
     
         14 . The rail stop of  claim 10  wherein the plug portion includes crush ribs to assure a snug fit in the rail channel.  
     
     
         15 . The rail stop of  claim 10  further comprising a double living hinge connecting the lock portion to the plug portion.