Modular flatware basket assembly

US5431294A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Richard L. Stottmann · Crestwood, US
• Thomas Binzer · Bietigheim-Bissingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 13, 1994
• Grant date: Jul 11, 1995
• Expiry date: Sep 13, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A47L15/502
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A flatware basket for use in a modular basket assembly in a dishwasher includes a bottom wall bounded by upstanding, spaced apart side walls joined by end walls. A first upstanding cross wall joins the side walls midway between the end walls and includes horizontal openings. A handle includes alternating, depending fingers with inwardly facing ribs. The handle is mounted on the cross wall with the fingers overlapping the cross wall and the ribs received in the cross wall openings. A cover mounted on the handle moves between a vertical position and horizontal positions on either side of the handle. Another cross wall supports the cover in one of its horizontal positions and ribs support the handle in its other horizontal position. One of the basket side walls is planar and includes key holes in predetermined locations adjacent one end of the wall and buttons spaced from the wall at corresponding positions adjacent the other end of the wall so that two of the baskets can be connected with their planar walls abutting.