Dishwasher rack guide

Abstract

Rack guides are provided for the rear corners of a dishwasher rack to minimize or eliminate lateral movement of the rack as the rack moves into and out of a dishwasher. In one embodiment, each guide includes a member with a base mounted on the rack and a surface to engage the inner sidewall of the dishwasher tub. Legs are provided on the base to stabilize the rack guide. In an alternative embodiment, the guide includes a wheel rolling along the inner sidewall of the dishwasher tub.

1 . A rack guide for a dishwasher rack having opposite sides, a front and a back, and being movably supported on tracks mounted on opposite vertical sidewalls in a dishwasher, the rack guide comprising: 
 a member associated with the rack and extending laterally outwardly for engagement with the dishwasher vertical sidewall.    
   
   
       2 . The rack guide of  claim 1  wherein the member snap fits onto the rack.  
   
   
       3 . The rack guide of  claim 1  further comprising a leg extending from the member and adapted to engage the rack and prevent movement of the member.  
   
   
       4 . The rack guide of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of legs extending from the member and adapted to engage the rack to stabilize the member.  
   
   
       5 . The rack guide of  claim 1  wherein the member is integral with the rack.  
   
   
       6 . The rack guide of  claim 1  wherein the member includes a wheel for engaging the vertical sidewall of the dishwasher.  
   
   
       7 . The rack guide of  claim 6  wherein the wheel rotates about a vertical axis.  
   
   
       8 . An improved dishwasher rack comprising: 
 a wire rack with a front, a back, and opposite sides; and    a pair of members on the rack, each being adapted for engagement with a vertical sidewall of the dishwasher to substantially preclude lateral movement of the rack.    
   
   
       9 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 8  wherein each member snap fits onto the rack.  
   
   
       10 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 8  wherein each member has at least one leg extending therefrom to engage the rack and thereby substantially preclude movement of the member.  
   
   
       11 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 8  wherein the members are integrally formed in the opposite sides of the rack.  
   
   
       12 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 8  wherein each member includes a wheel to roll along the vertical sidewall of the dishwasher.  
   
   
       13 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 12  wherein each wheel rotates on a vertical axis.  
   
   
       14 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 8  wherein each member is mounted adjacent a rear corner of the rack.  
   
   
       15 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 8  wherein the rack includes upright wires upon which each member is mounted.  
   
   
       16 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 8  wherein each member includes a curved surface for engaging the dishwasher sidewall.  
   
   
       17 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 16  wherein the curved surface of each member extends about a vertical axis.