Removable tine block assembly for a dishwashing appliance

Abstract

A tine block assembly for a dishwashing appliance is provided that can be repositioned within and/or removed from a rack assembly. A user can, for example, reverse the direction of the tine assembly based upon the location of a dishwasher in the kitchen. The tines can be moved relative to the side or wall of the rack assembly to accommodate different article sizes. The tines can also be completely removed from the rack assembly to accommodate a large article. Additionally, a degree of modularity is provided in that the same rack assembly may be provided with different tine assembly configurations so as to e.g., simplify the manufacturing process.

1 . A removable tine block assembly for a dishwasher appliance, the tine block assembly defining longitudinal and lateral directions, comprising:
 a pair of elongated base members extending parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction;   a plurality of tines extending vertically from said elongated base members, said tines spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction and arranged in corresponding pairs along the lateral direction; and   a pair of transverse members extending along the lateral direction and connecting said base members, said transverse members defining a pair of hooks that face along the longitudinal direction and are configured for removable attachment to a laterally extending member of a dishwasher rack assembly.   
     
     
         2 . A removable tine block assembly for a dishwasher appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein said pair of hooks face away from each other along the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         3 . A removable tine block assembly for a dishwasher appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein one of said pair transverse members further comprises a tab positioned at a mid-point along the lateral direction and extending along the longitudinal direction, said tab configured for aiding the removal of the tine block from a dishwasher rack assembly. 
     
     
         4 . A removable tine block assembly for a dishwasher appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein said pair of hooks are each J-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . A removable tine block assembly for a dishwasher appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of tines each include an offset along the vertical direction. 
     
     
         6 . A removable tine block assembly for a dishwasher appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein said pair of hooks are positioned near opposing ends of the tine block assembly. 
     
     
         7 . A removable tine block assembly for a dishwasher appliance as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clip attached for attaching the tine block assembly to a rack assembly of a dishwasher appliance, said clip comprising   a pair of hooks positioned on a first end of said clip and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction to define a first slot, said hooks configured for receipt of an elongated member of a dishwasher rack assembly;   an arcuate portion positioned on a second end of said clip and attached to one of said elongated base members; and,   a pair of legs extending from said arcuate portion along the lateral direction and spaced apart from each other to define a second slot.   
     
     
         8 . A removable tine block assembly for a dishwasher appliance as in  claim 7 , wherein said pair of hooks of said clip face towards each other along the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         9 . A removable tine block assembly for a dishwasher appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein said pair of hooks of said clip are each shaped to wrap partially around elongated members of a dishwasher rack assembly. 
     
     
         10 . A dishwasher rack assembly, comprising:
 a bottom wall formed of a first set of elongated spaced apart rods crossed by a second set of spaced apart rods to define an open lattice structure;   a tine block assembly removably attached to said bottom wall, said tine block assembly comprising   pair of elongated base members extending parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from each other along the lateral direction;   a plurality of tines extending vertically from said elongated base members, said tines spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction and arranged in corresponding pairs along the lateral direction; and   a pair of transverse members extending along the lateral direction and connecting said base members, said transverse members defining a pair of hooks that face along the longitudinal direction and are configured for removable attachment to at least one of the rods of said bottom wall.   
     
     
         11 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 10 , wherein said pair of hooks face away from each other along the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         12 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 10 , wherein one of said pair transverse members further comprises a tab positioned at a mid-point along the lateral direction and extending along the longitudinal direction, said tab configured for aiding the removal of the tine block from a dishwasher rack assembly. 
     
     
         13 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 12 , wherein said pair of hooks are each J-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 10 , wherein said plurality of tines each include an offset along the vertical direction. 
     
     
         15 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 10 , wherein said pair of hooks are positioned near opposing ends of the tine block assembly. 
     
     
         16 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a clip attached for attaching the tine block assembly to said bottom wall; said clip comprising
 a pair of hooks positioned on a first end of said clip and spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction to define a first slot, said hooks configured for receipt of one of the rods of said bottom wall; 
 an arcuate portion positioned on a second end of said clip and attached to one of said elongated base members; and, 
 a pair of legs extending from said arcuate portion along the lateral direction and spaced apart from each other to define a second slot. 
   
     
     
         17 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 16 , wherein said pair of hooks of said clip face towards each other along the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         18 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 10 , wherein said pair of hooks of said clip are each shaped to wrap partially around one of the rod members of said bottom wall. 
     
     
         19 . A dishwasher rack assembly as in  claim 10 , wherein said pair of transverse members comprise elongated rods also forming said pair of hooks.