Dishwasher silverware basket with swivel handle

Abstract

A dishwasher basket assembly includes a basket and a handle selectively positionable between a first position approximately centered relative to the basket and a second position allowing substantially unobstructed access to the basket for loading and unloading of basket contents. The handle includes a peg configured to be received in a bracket on the side walls of the basket. A projection on a peg outer surface engages and disengages detents on an attachment bracket crown surface as the handle is moved between the first and second positions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A basket assembly for a dishwashing machine comprising: 
 a basket defining at least one compartment; and    a handle attached to said basket, said handle selectively positionable between a first position and a second position, one of said first and second positions allowing substantially unobstructed access to said compartment.    
     
     
         2 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said basket comprises at least one handle bracket, said handle attached to said bracket, said bracket configured for maintaining said handle in said first position and said second position.  
     
     
         3 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said basket comprises a longitudinal axis, said handle extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         4 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said handle is contoured to form finger grips therein.  
     
     
         5 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said bracket comprises a crown, said handle comprising a peg for insertion into said crown, one of said peg and said crown including a first detent and a second detent therein, the other of said peg and said crown comprising a projection for engagement with said first detent and said second detent.  
     
     
         6 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said handle includes a gripper portion and an attachment portion extending therefrom, said peg extending from said attachment portion.  
     
     
         7 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said crown is substantially round.  
     
     
         8 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said detent is substantially round.  
     
     
         9 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said handle is channel-shaped in cross section.  
     
     
         10 . A basket assembly for a dishwashing machine comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular basket comprising first and second lateral side walls having a first length and first and second longitudinal side walls having a second length, said second length greater than said first length,    a handle attached to said lateral side walls and comprising a contoured gripper portion therebetween, said handle selectively positionable between a first position and a second position, one of said first and second positions allowing substantially unobstructed access to said compartment.    
     
     
         11 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 5  wherein said gripper portion is U-shaped in cross section.  
     
     
         12 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said basket further comprises a handle bracket attached to each of said lateral side walls, said handle attached to said bracket, said bracket configured for maintaining said handle in said first position and said second position.  
     
     
         13 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said handle comprises opposite attachment portions extending from said gripper portion, each of said attachment portions comprising a peg configured to be received by said handle brackets.  
     
     
         14 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 13  wherein each of said brackets comprises a crown, one of said pegs and said crowns including a first detent and a second detent therein, the other of said pegs and said crowns comprising a projection for engagement with said first detent and said second detent.  
     
     
         15 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said crown is substantially round.  
     
     
         16 . A basket assembly in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said detent is substantially round.