Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
:~2Q9Q~S
IMPROVED NON-ELECTRIC PORTABLE DIS~,~ASHER
-
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to
dishwashers, and more particularly 9 to a non-electric,
self-contained, portable dishwasher unit adapted to
be removably interconnected with a domestic hot water
supply.
Description of the Prior Art
._
Portable dishwashers operable solely by water
pressure are not new. Several such units have been
manufactured and sold in recent years. A common
drawback of such units, however, has been their
inability to rapidly and effectively clean dishes and
cookware.
Many of tlle prior art units are cheaply COTl-
structed and have been sold more as a novelty item
than as a bona fide, high perforTnance dishwashing
device. Generally, the washing action in such units
is attempted by one or more rapidly rotating emitters
located beneath or alongside a rack holding the
dishes. These emitters, which operate in much~ the
same manner as lawn sprinklers, have proven
ineffective in the removal of most troublesome types
~9~s
of food residue on the dishes. Other types ofemitters have from time to time been tried, but for
the most part have also proven to be ineffective.
One of the most effective dishwasher units
ever developed is the unit discussed in ~anadian
Patent 1,159,748~ dated Jan~3/84~This unit, for the
first time, overcomes the quality and performance
drawbacks inherent in its predecessor prior art
de~lces. Like the apparatus of my earlier design,
the present invention is not a toy, or a novelty
item, but rather is a carefully engineered, high
performance device adapted to rapidly and efficiently
remove even the most difficult food residue from
dishes and cookware. The improved and readily adjust-
able water jet means of this new improved unit con-
trollably directs a multiplicity of high velocity
water jets at the articles to be washed while they
are supported within the unit on a uniyue holding
rack which is precisely rotated at an optimum rate
of speed. These water jets may be directed to impinge
upon all the surfaces of the dishes supported within
the rotating rack and create a unique scrubbing type
of action which loosens and dislodges even the most
difficult of residues. A dosing chamber of improved
design precisely mixes an emulsifier, such as liquid
soap, with the water upstream of the water jets,
thereby enhancing the cleaning efficiency of the
device.
An important aspect of the present invention
is the improved water jet means and the control means
associated therewith. The water jet means comprises
a first collimated jet means adapted to initiate
rotation of the rotatable rack which supports the
dirty dishes, and an adjustable second spray jet
means which accomplishes the efficient scrubbing and
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cleansing action and sustains the rotation of the
rack. The control means which are associated with
the jet means permit a smooth transition between
~he activation of the first and second jet means to
obtain efficient initiation of rotation followed
by maximum cleaning effectiveness. The spray jet
means is readily adjustable with respect to the
rack so that a multiplicity of fin~, very high
velocity water jets bombard the dishes from all
angles, from above, from below, and from the sides.
The unique hole pattern formed in the spray jet
means permits optimum controlled rotation of the
supporting rack while at the same time accomplish-
ing maximum cleaning and scrubbing of the dishes.
Another important aspect of the present inven-
tion resides in the novel apparatus embodied in the
dishwasher unit for preventing any posslble back flow
of fluid from the dishwasher unit into the domestlc
water supply should the pressure within the device
for any reason exceed the input pressure of the
domestic water supply.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention ~o
provide an improved non-electric, free-standing,
self-contained, rotatable d:ishwasher Eor washing
dishes, cookware and the like which is operated
solely by domestic water pressure and can be directly
connected to a hot water faucet of the type typically
provided in kitchens and bathrooms of houses and
apartments.
It is another object of the invention to
provide a dishwasher of the aforementioned character
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in which, in operation, a multiplicity of very fine
high velocity jets oE water are directed at the
articles to be washed from a multiplicity of direc-
tions, said jets being of such force as to quickly
and ef~iciently dislodge and thoroughly clean even
the most stubborn of food residues and greases.
It is another object of the invention to pro-
vide a dishwasher of the character described in which
means are provided for uniformly and controllably
mixing a soap or detergent with the high velocity
water jets. This novel means is adapted to precisely
meter the emulsifier into the water stream so as to
economically use only the minimum amount of emulsi-
fier necessary to effectively clean the dishes.
Still another object of the invention is to
provide a dishwasher of the type described in the
preceding paragraphs in which the articles to be
washed are strategically held in position upon a
uniquely configured imrpoved rotating rack adapted
to orient the articles with respect to the high
velocity water jets so as to achieve a novel
scrubbing type of action to enable maximum cleaning
in a minimum time.
~nother object of the invention is to provide
a dishwasher as described in the previous paragraph
in which, during the startup mode, a first collimated
water jet is directed at the rotatable rack to
initiate rotation. ~nce the starting inertia of the
rack is overcome, the first water jet is closed and
the full force of the water is directed toward a jet
spray system which sustains the rotation of the rack
and at the same time eEfectively accomplishes the
washing operation. The novel con~rol mechanism of
the invention permits a smoo~h transition between
the starting and scrubbing mode and is easily operated
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from the exterior of the unit.
A further object o:E the lnvention is to pro-
vide an improved dishwasher o.F the class described
which is compact, lightweight, easily portable,
highly attractive and e~tremely simple to use and
maintain.
Another object of t',le invention is to provide
a dishwasher of the aforementioned character which
can be readily interconnected to domestic water
outlets without the use of special tools and which
includes drain means for conveniently draining the
unit into an existing kitchen or bathroom sin~.
Still another object of the invention i.s to
provide an improved dishwasher of the class described
in which there is provided a safety device adapted
to preclude any backflow of fluid from the unit into
the domestic water supply.
These and other objects of the invention are
realized by an improved rotatable dishwasher adapted
to be connected to a domestic water supply line com-
prising a housing; a rack rotatably mounted within
the housing, the rack being adapted to support
articles to be washed; jet means for directing a jet
of water in the direction of said rack to impart
rotational movement thereto, the jet means comprising
a first co].limated jet for emitting a collimated
stream of water in the di.rection of the racl; Eor
initiating rotation thereo:E and a second spray jet
for sustaining rotation of said rack; and safety
means interposed between the unit and the domes~ic
water supply for positively preventing flow of fluid
from the dishwasher in a direction toward the domestic
water supply line.
9~s
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWI~GS
FIG. 1 is an exploded generaly perspective
view of the outer housing and article-supporting
racks of the apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded generally perspective
view of the base, jet means, and control means of
the apparatus as they appear with the supporting
rack and outer housings removed.
FI&. 3 is a generally perspective view of the
apparatus partly broken away to show internal
construction.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view
of portions of the jet and control means of the
invention showing the configuration of the first
collimated jet, the dosing means, and the control
means for controlling the direction of flow of the
water received from the domestic water line.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view
taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 4 showing the internal
construction of the control means.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-
sectional view of a portion of the control means show-
ing it in a position which permits the flow of water
toward the first collimated jet.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-
sectional side elevational view o:E a portion of the
apparatus ill~strating the construction of the second
jet spray means of the invention.
FIG. ,3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view
of the first colllmated jet showing the jet of water
being directed toward a vane member depending from
~he dish-supporting rack.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid
control safety means of the invention talcen along
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lines 9-9 of Fig. 3.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view
of a portion of the fluid control safety means of
Fig. 9 showing the appearance of the device in an
open condition permitting the flow of fluid from
the domestic water supply line toward the dishwasher
unit.
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view
of the locking means of the invention for locking
the rotatable portion of the housing in a closed
orientation.
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view
of the locking means taken along lines 12-12 of Fig.
6.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view
of the locking means which is similar to Fig. 11, but
showing the locking means in a depressed, release
configuration to permit rotation of the rotatable
portion of the housing.
DESCRIPTION OF T'.-IE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT~S)
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly
to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the dishwasher of the present
invention generally designated in Fig. 3 by the
numeral 12 includes a housing 14, a rack assemblage
15 mounted for rotation witllin housing 14, jet means
16 for directing a jet of water at rack assemblage
15 to impart rotational movement thereto, dosing
means 17 adapted to cooperate with the jet means or
dosing with an emulsifier water flowing through the
jet means and flow control safety means 1~ for pre-
venting the backElow of fluid from the dishwasher
toward the domestic water supply line.
~Z(~9~S
As shown in Fig~. 1, the housing 14 of the
unit, which can suitably be constructed of thin
plastic or sheet metal, comprlses a first stationary
part 14a and a rotatable part l~b which comprises
the closure means of the apparatus. While the
housing shown in the drawings is generally cylindri-
cal in shape, it could be constructed in other con-
figurations to meet particular design requirements.
Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the housing 14 is
received in concentric, circular tracks 20a and 20b
formed in the upper portion 22a of a generally
rectangular base 22. The fixed portion 14a of the
housing is sealably received in track 20b while the
movable portion 14b of the housing is received for
sliding movement within track 20a.
As best seen in Fig. 2, track 20b defines the
outer periphery of a floor 24 which slopes radially
inwardly toward a frustoconically shaped, upwardly
extending hub 26. E~.tending upwardly from hub 26 is
a frustoconically shaped column 23 having at its
upper end a recess 30 adapted to closely receive a
ball bearing 32. The upper portion 22a of the base
is affixed to a lower portion 22b to form an internal
cavityJ the purpose of w'nich will be presently dis
cussed.
Turning once again to Fiv. 1, rack assemblage
15 includes a racl; havin~ upper and lower circularly
shaped members 1.5a and 15b and apertured hub portion
15c and 15d. Radiating outwardly from these hub
portions are a plurality of spokes 15e and 15f.
The upper and lower members 15a and 15b are rnaintained
i.n a verticall.y spaced apart location by four
supports 15g. ~eceivable with the apertures of hub
portions lSc and 15d are inserts 15h and 15i. The
rack is preferabl.y constructed of coated steel wire
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and :is specially configured to carry and strategi-
cally position various items of crockery, cutlery,
dishes and cookware with the housing and in a specific
relationship with respect to the spray jet means.
As shown in Fig. 3, racl~ assemblage 15 is
rotatably supported by column 2~ with insert 15i
being disposed in close proximity with the lower
portion of the column and with inser~ 15h resting
upon and being rotatably supported by the ball bear-
ing 32. With t'nis arrangement, the rac~ assemblage
is freely rotatable with housing 14 about the central
column 28.
Also forming a part of the rack assemblage
15 is a uniquely configured silverware holder 34
comprising upper and lower members 34a and 34b.
These members, whlch are held in a vertically spaced
apart position by means of adjacent pairs of the
supports 15g, are provided with silverware support
means for positioning the silverware to be washed
at a slight angle with respect to the vertical axis
of the unit. More specifically, the upper member
34a is provided with a plurality of circumferentially
spaced apart hook-like protrusions 34c which define
openings therebetween adapted to receive the handle
portion of the silverware. Similarly, lower member
34b is provided with a plurality of circumferentially
spaced apart apertures 34d, or recesses, aclapted
to support the opposi.te end of the silverware.
Apertures 34c and 34d are angularly of.Eset so that
the silverware will be maintained on an angular, or
sloping, orientation during the washing operation
which has been found to be optimum for an effi.cient
scrubbing action by the water spray jets.
In the embodiment of the invention shown in
the drawings, the jet means 16 comprises a first
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collimated jet means for directing a collimated
stream of water at tlle rack assemblage for initiating
rotation thereof and a second spray jet means for
sustaining rotation of the rack assemblage once the
starting inertia of the rack has been overcome by
the first get means. To control the rotation of
the rack, control means is provided. This control
means is cooperatively associated with the spray jet
means and the collimated jet means to direct the
flow of the water through the latter during the
startup operation and then through the former during
~he normal wash cycle.
Turning to Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6, the jet means
16 of the invention can be seen to comprise a
cylindrically shaped housing 36 defining first and
second chambers 38 and 40 (Figs. 4 and 5). Housing
36 has an inlet connection 42 leading into chamber
38 and a first outlet connection 44 leading from
chamber 33. The housing is received proximate its
upper end 36a within a counter bore 46 formed in
base 22. Additionally, housing 36 has a second outlet
connection 48 in communication with chamber 40. The
lower end 36b of housing 36 is closed by a threaded
cap 50 and washer 51. Formed between chambers 38
and 40 is a valve seat 52, the purpose of which will
presently be described.
In the present form oE the invention, the
previously described :Eirst collimated Jet means
comprises an upwardly extending hollow housing 54
formed as an integral part of floor 24 of base 22
(see Fig. 3 for the relative location of housing 54
with respect to rack assemblage 15). As indicated
in Figs. 3 and 8, housing 54 is provided with a
small apert~lre 55 proximate its upper end for direct-
ing a high pressure, collimated stream of water in
~æ~r~ls
ll
the direction indicated by arrow 55a toward one ofa plurality of vanes 58 which depend from the lower
member 15b of the rack assemblage.
Referring once again to Figs. 4 and 5, the
first collimated jet means also comprises a down-
wardly extending portlon 60 which is integrally
formed with floor 24 and which is interconnected
with an inlet connection 62. This inlet connection
62 is connected by means of a fluid conduit 6~ with
outlet connection 48 of housing 36 so that fluid can
flow in the direction of the arrows 66 in Figs. 4
and 5.
Also forming a part of the apparatus of the
present invention is t'ne previously mentioned dosing
means 17 which is adapted to cooperate with the jet
means for dosing water flowing through the jet means
with an emulsifier. In the present form of the
invention, the dosing means comprises a housing 70
having an upper chamber 70a (Fig. 4) disposed above
floor 24 and a lower chamber 70b disposed below
floor 24. Chambers 70a and 70b are divided by a par-
tition 72 and are in communication witll one another
via two holes 74 extending through the partition 72.
Chamber 70a is closed by a cap 76 which i.s removably
interconnected to housing 70 by any suitable means
such as a bayonet-type connection means. With the
cap removed, a liquid or powdered 50ap 71 can be
added to chamber 70a. Connected to the lower end oE
housing 70 is a coupler member 80 which has an inlet
connection SOa and an outlet connection 80b. Inlet
connection 80a is connected to outlet connection 44
of housing 36 by a fluid conduit 82 (Fig. 2). ~.y
means of fluid conduit 84, outlet connection 80b is,
in turn, connected to the inlet of the second spray
jet means, tne construction of which will now be
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discussed.
As best seen by referring to Figs. 2, 3 and
7 in the present embodiment of the invention, the
second spray jet means is provided in the form of a
specially configured hollow ~ubing comprising a
first substantially horizontal extending conduit leg
portion 86 extending beneath rack assemblage 15, a
substantially vertically extending conduit leg
portion ~8 disposed proximate the periphery of rack
15 (Figs. 3 and 7). Integrally for~ed with leg
portion 8~ is substantially horizontally extending
portion 88a disposed above rack 15. The inboard ends
of portions 86 and 88a are closed by plug assemblages
89.
The tubing of the second spray jet means may
be constructed from copper, alumlnum, plastic or
other suitable durable material which can be bent
into the configuration sho~ in Figs. 2 and 3. In
Figs. 2 and 7, it can be seen that a multiplicity
20. of small holes 90 are drilled in a specific pattern
in each of the leg portions, as well as in the
vertically extending portion of the tubing. The
pattern of holes 90 is carefully engineered to
create a three-dimensional water spray pattern within
housing 14 which sustains rotation of rack 15 and
produces a unique scrubbing type of cleansing action
on the dishes and cookware supportecl in rack assem-
blage 15. The position of these holes or apertures
90 as shown in the drawings is critical to the opera-
tion or the device in that through each aperturethere is directed a high-velocity spray jet which
impinges on the articles to be washed. The velocity
of these jets, coupled with the three dimensional
pattern thereof, creates a highly novel and unique
scrubbing action upon the articles supported wit~in
~2~g,~5
rack assemblage 15.
As previously discussed, the second spray
jet means is in communication Witil the domestic
water supply via the dosing means through conduit
84 (~ig. 2) which in turn is connected at one of its
ends to connector SOb. The other end of conduit 84
is connected to a connector 9, (Figs. 2 and 7) which
forms a part of the second spray jet means of the
present embodiment of the invention. Connector 92
has a shank portion 92a and a flange portion 92b.
Shank 92a extends through floor 24 and flange 92b is
provided with a groove 94 adapted to receive a
resilient O-ring 96 which is disposed in sealing
engagement with the lower surface of a "T" adapter
98 which is affixed to floor 24 by threaded connectors
99 and which also forms a part of tne second jet
spray means.
Adapter 98 has an inlet passageway 100 in
communication with connector 92, a first outlet 102
adapted to receive the inner end of leg portion 86
and a second outlet 104 adapted to rotatably receive
the lower end of leg portion 88 of the spray tube.
Outlet 104 is externally threaded to accommodate a
closure member 106 having a throat portion 106a
within which the lower end of the leg portion 88 of
the spray tube is closely received. ~ith this
arrangement, the spray tube can be rotated an~ularly
with respect to the raclc assemblage about its
vertically extending axis by simply loosening closure
member 106. In the present embodiment of the inven-
tion, closure member 106 and adaptor 98 comprise the
primary components of t:he adjustment means for
adjusting the orientation of the second spray jet
means. While the components are shown as threadably
interconnected, other connections such as bayonet-type
12091~5
14
connections can be used. By adjusting the spray
tube in the manner described, the angle at which
jets of water emanating from the spray tube strike
the dishes placed upon the rack assemblage can be
precisely adjusted. This enables precise control
over the speed of rotation of the rack assemblage
duri.ng tlle washing cycle and ensures an optimum
scrubbing action by the jets of water striking the
dishes at the most effective angle.
Referring again to Fig. 7, it is to be noted
that the inboard end of leg portion 86 is supported
by frustoconical portion 26a and in this way, it is
at all times maintained in a spaced relationship with
the sloping floor 24 and out of contact with the
clishwasher as it drains toward the center of the
unit. This is an important safety aspect of the
apparatus which tends to ensure against backflow of
the dirty dishwater into the domestic water supply
in the event of a drop in source water pressure.
Another extremely important aspect of the
present invention resides in the unique and improved
control means for controlling the flow of water
between the first collimated jet means and the second
jet spray means. Tllrning once again to Figs. ~, 5
and 6, this control means comprises a valve assemblage
carried within housing 36 and generally designated
in the drawings by the numeral 110. Assemblage 110
includes a valve stem 112 having uppcr and lower
extremities 112a and 1]2b. Intermediate its
extremities valve stem 112 is provided with a
tapered surface 112c adapted to sealably engage the
previously identified va:lve seat 52 when the valve
is in a closed position. To continuously ruge the
valve stem upwardly and into a closed position is
a biasing means provided in the form o~ a coil spring
~2~91~5
114 disposed within housing 36 intermediate cap 50
and the bottom of the valve stem 112.
The upper end 112a of the valve stem normally
extends above the upper surface of base 22 when the
valve is in a closed position. A cap, or push button
116 is carried by upper end 112a of the valve stem.
Intermediate portions 112a and 112c, t~Le valve stem
is maintained in sealable engagement with the inner
walls of O-rings 118.
When the valve assemblage is closed as shown
in Fig. 5, water from the domestic water supply flows
in the direction of the arrows 120 through connectors
42 and 44 and into conduit 82 which leads to the
dosing means. However, when the valve is opened
by depressing button 116 causing stem 112 to move
clownwardly so that portion 112c moves away from seat
52, water will be permitted to flow in the direction
of the arrows 122 toward connector 48. Wi~h the
valve thusly opened, water will flow through
connector 48 into conduit ~4 ancl toward the collimated
jet means (see Figs. 4 and 5). As indicated in Fig. 8,
the water flowing under pressure into housing 54 will
create the high velocity collimated water jet indi-
cated by the arrow 55a. This water jet sequentially
strikes the vanes 58 disposed at the bottom oE the
rack assem~lage causing it and the dishes carri.ed
therein to rotate about col~Lmn 28.
Once the startup inertia o:E the rack assem-
blage is overcome, release of the button will, due
3~ to the urging of spring ll4, cause the valve to move
into a closed position with all oE the water once
again being directed toward the dosing means and
thence to the second spray jet means. As previously
discussed, the apertured spray tubing of the spray
jet means can be adjusted as necessary tG ensure
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16
smooth and continuous rotation of the rack assem-
blage throughout the duration of the washing cycle.
Still another important feature of the
presently described invention is the flow control
safety means 18 provided here in the form of a
vacuum breaker assemblage. As best seen by referring
to Figs. 9 and 10, this assemblage comprises a first
housing 120 defining a water inlet passage 122 and
a second housing 124 defining a water outlet passage
126. Housing 120 is externally threaded to mate with
internal threads 124a provided in housing 124 and is
provided with at least one vent opening 127 in
communication with atmosphere.
Carried by housing 120 is coupling means for
quickly connecting and disconnecting tne assemblage
to a domestic water supply as, for example, a hot
water faucet. ~n the present form of the invention,
the coupling means comprises a collar 128 received
over the outside surface of housing 120, a retaining
ring 130 adapted to retain the collar in position
over the housing and biasing means in the form of
spring 132 for biasing the collar in a direction
toward the ring 130. Collar 128 is designed to mate
with a stan~ard, commercially available faucet
adapter (not shown) which is receivable between the
collar and housing 120 and is held captive there-
between by the ball bearings 13]. carried about: the
periphery oE housing 120. This arrangement enables
quick connection and disconnection o-E the assemblage
to the source of domestic hot water.
Disposed intermedlate passages 122 and 126
and held securely in position between housings 120
and 124 is a closure means comprising fle~ible dia-
phragm 134 which is adapted to normally block the
flow of water between passageways 122 and 126. I~hen
~2~g~15
the diaphragm is in the closed position shown in
Fig. 9, water cannot flow from passageway 122
toward passageway 126, nor can it flow in the
opposite direction. As indicated by the arrows 136
in Fig. ~, water flowing within passageway 126 in
a direction toward the blocking diaphragm will be
automatically vented to atmosphere through openings
127.
Turning to Fig. 10, the flexible diaphragm
1~ 134 is specifically constructed so that when the
water pressure within passageway 122 reaches a
predetermined level, the diaphragm will deform into
the configuration shown, blocking vents 127 and
permitting water to flow freely toward passageway
126 and thence to the dishwasher apparatus through
a conduit 13~. However, should the water pressure
drop below this level, the diaphragm will auto-
mati.cally close as shown in Fig. 9. In this way, no
contaminated water from the dishwasher apparatus
can ever flow into the domestic water supply lines
to which the appratus is connected.
Other important features of the improved
dishwasher of the present invention include t:he
novel, retractable drain trough 140 (Figs. 2 and 3)
which conveniently slides into and out of a guide
142 (Fig. 2) disposed within the cavity defille~l
betwèen the upper and lower base members 22a ancl 22b
and the closure locking means wllich locks housing
14b in a closed position.
As best seen in Fig. 2, the guide 142 is
integrally formed with floor 24 and is in communica-
tion with the washing chamber so that when trough
140 is in an extended position, water will flow by
force of gravity along the sloping floor 24 into
the trough 140 for deposition into an adiacent sink
12~g~1~
18
or drain conduit. The drain trough 140 is of a
capacity sufficient to adequately drain the apparatus
with no fear of the water level therein rising above
a safe, predtermined level.
Turning to Figs. 11, 12 and 13, the novel
closure locking means of the invention comprises an
actuating means carried by the upper portion 22a of
base 22. In the form of the invention shown in the
drawings, the actuating means includes an actuating
member 150 slidably carried within an opening 152
formed in the upper portion 22a of the base.
Actuating member 150 can be moved as a result of
pressural contact imposed thereon from a first
elevated position, as shown in Fig. 11, to a second
depressed position as shown in Fig. 13. A biasing
means is provided for yieldably urging against move-
ment of member 150 from the first position to the
second position. In the present embodiment of the
invention, this biasing means comprises a tab member
154 which is affixed to the underside of sloping
floor 24 by means of a suitable connector, such as
a screw 156. As illustrated in Fig. 13, a pressural
force exertecl downwardly on member 150 will cause
tab 154 to deform downwardly in the manner shown in
Fig. 13. The actuating member 150 also includes an
upwardly extending member 150a which, as best seen
in Fig. 12, has sloping side surfaces l50b. ~t ~he
ape~ of these sloping surfaces 150b, there is pro-
vided a slot 150c. ~hen actuatlng member 150 is in
its upward position, as shown in Fig. 11, slot 150c
is adapted to closely receive a rib member 158
formed on the external surface of the rotatable por-
tion 14b oE closure housing 14 (Fig. 3). However,
when member 150 is depressed as shown in Fig. 13,
rib member 15~ will freely pass over portion 150a
1209~
19
of the actuating member.
As will be noted in Fig. 3, similarly con-
figured rib members 160 are provided at spaced apart
locations about the periphery of closure member 14b.
Rib members 160 function as gripping handles for use
by the operator of the device in easily rotating the
housing 14b relative to fixed housing 14a. Rib
members 160 are constructed of a height such that
they will freely pass over portion 150a of the
actuating member even when said member is in its
elevated position. However, when rib member 158 is
moved into the position shown in Fig. 3, the sloping
side portions 150b of the actuating member will permit
the rib to depress the actuating member so that the
lower end of rib 158 can be received in a locking
position within slot 150c. In this locking pOSitiOII,
rotatable closure member 14b cannot be opened unless
and until actuating member 150 is depressed into the
position shown in Fig. 13. In this position, the
rotatable portion of the closure housing can be
freely rotated into an open position so that the
dishes and silverware can be introduced into or
removed from the rack assemblage 15.
~_ration
In operating the apparatus of the embodiment
of the invention shown in the drawings, the entire
unit may be conveniently placed on a sink cabinet
with the trough 140 being movable into the extended
position shown in Fig. 3 overhanging the sink portion
of the sink cabinet. In this position, water flow-
ing from the interior of the unit along trough 140
will be safel~ deposited into the sink for drainage
through the drain lines attached to the sink unit
itself. With the assemblage in position on the sink
lZQ~ S
cabinet, or drainage ~oard, safety connector 18 may
be interconnected with the hot water faucet of the
sink unit.
Once the dishwasher apparatus is interconnected
with the hot water line of the domestic supply and
the drain trough is extended in the rnanner shown in
Fig. 3, actuating member 150 of the locking means
can be depressed and the rotatable portion of the
closure housing 14 rotated to an open position. In
this open position, free and convenient access to the
rack assemblage 15 is provided. The dishes and silver-
ware to be washed can then be placed on the rack
assemblage and are strategically supported thereon
by the structural elements of the assemblage so that
continued rotation of the rack by the spray jet means
will be assured after startup inertia has been over-
come by the collimated jet means.
Once the dishes and silverware have been loadPd
into the dishwasher apparatus, the rotatable portion
of the closure housing can be moved into a closed
position with rib 158 being received within the slot
provided in the actuating means 150. When the
rotatable portion of the closure housing is disposed
ln this locked position, the unit will be entirely
water tight and the only water coming from the unit
will be water draining through drain trough 1~0 into
the sink.
With the closure housing in the closed
position, the ho-t water faucet may be turned Ol-,
causing water to flow into the apparatus through
conduit 138. By depressing member 116 of the control
means, the water flowing through conduit 13~ will be
diverted so as to flow through conduit 64 toward the
collimated jet means of the apparatus. This will
cause a hi~h pressure collimated jet of water to be
12t~9(~.5
21
emitted from the collimated jet means in a direction
toward the vanes 58 which depend from the lower
portion of the rack assembly (Fig. 8). This high
pressure collimated stream of water will overcome
the inertia of the rack assembly causing it to start
to rotate. Once rotation has been achieved, push
button 116 can be released and water will be caused
to flow through conduit 82 toward the jet spray
means of the apparatus via the dosing means or assem-
bl~ge 17. As the water flows through the dosingmeans, the detergent contained therein will be
metered in~o the stream of water and will flow along
with the water into the jet spray means
Because of the unique arrangement and con-
struction of the spray jet means of the invention,
the water jets emitting from apertures 90 will impact
the dishes carried on rack assemblage 15a in such
a manner as to continue the constant rate of rotation
of the rack assemblage. At the same time, the unique
design of the spray jet means will ensure a highly
efficient scrubbing action to ~fficiently and ~uickly
remove food particles from the dishes carried on the
rack assemblage. Should the operator desire to
increase or decrease the speed of rotation of the
?5 rack assemblage, this may be accomplished by adjust-
ment of the upper portion 88 of the spray jet means
and can be readlly accomplished by simply loosening
member 106, and then rotating the upper portion of
the jet spray means to change the angular orientation
of the leg 88a with respect to the top of the rack
assemblage. Once the desired orientation of leg 88a
is achieved, member 106 can be retightened, thus
locking the spray jet means in the selected optimum
position.
After the dishes have been cleaned by the
~2~g~?1S
acti.on of the spray jet means, the hot water faucet
can be closed and the apparatus can be opened by
simply depressing the actuating member L50 and ro-
tating closure housing 14b into an open position
allo~ing easy access to the clean dishes residing on
the rack assemblage.
Having now described the invention in detail
in accordance with the requirements of the patent
statutes, those skilled in the art wi.ll have no
difficulty in making changes and modifications in the
individual parts or their relative assembly in order
to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such
changes and modifications may be made without depart-
ing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as
set forth in the following claims.
