Washerless dishwasher basket wheel assembly

Abstract

A washerless dishwasher basket wheel assembly that uses a countersunk sprocket opening in the sprocket of the wheel through which a shoulder screw having raised retaining nibs formed thereon is retaining connected there. The nibs extend radially outwardly of the opening of the sprocket to retain the screw connection to the wheel and, normally, to prevent its removal therefrom.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A wheel assembly comprising: 
 a fastener having a shoulder portion having a first diameter, an intermediate portion having a second diameter which is less than said first diameter and a threaded portion, said intermediate portion being interposed between said shoulder portion and said threaded portion and having a plurality of raised longitudinal ribs extending radially outwardly therefrom;    a wheel defining a hole therethrough receiving said fastener such that said shoulder portion supports said wheel for rotation thereon; and    a washer defining an aperture formed therethrough received over said intermediate portion such that said plurality of raised longitudinal ribs secure said washer to said fastener.    
     
     
         2 . The wheel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the intermediate portion has a length and wherein the raised ribs extend the length of the intermediate portion.  
     
     
         3 . The wheel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the raised ribs define an exterior radius greater than the inner diameter of the washer.  
     
     
         4 . The wheel assembly according to  claim 1  having more than three raised ribs.  
     
     
         5 . The wheel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the raised ribs are coupled to the aperture via an interference fit.  
     
     
         6 . The wheel assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the threaded portion has a third exterior radius, said third exterior radius being less than the second radius.  
     
     
         7 . A kit for a wheel assembly comprising: 
 a fastener having a shoulder portion having a first diameter, an intermediate portion having a second diameter which is less than said first diameter and a threaded portion and, said intermediate portion being interposed between said shoulder portion and said threaded portion and having a plurality of raised longitudinal ribs extending radially outwardly therefrom;    a wheel defining a hole therethrough configured to receive said fastener such that said shoulder portion supports said wheel for rotation thereon;    a washer having an aperture therethrough configured to receive said intermediate portion such that said plurality of raised longitudinal ribs secure said washer to said fastener.    
     
     
         8 . A method of coupling a wheel assembly to a dishwasher basket comprising: 
 providing a fastener having a shoulder portion having a first diameter, an intermediate portion having a second diameter which is less than said first diameter and a threaded portion, said intermediate portion being interposed between said shoulder portion and said threaded portion and having a plurality of raised longitudinal ribs extending radially outwardly therefrom;    disposing a wheel defining a hole therethrough about said shoulder portion thereby supporting said wheel for rotation thereon;    disposing a washer having an aperture therethrough over said intermediate portion such that said plurality of raised longitudinal ribs secure said washer to said fastener; and    coupling the fastener to the dishwasher basket.