Dishwasher tine, tine extender and rack

Abstract

There is provided in one embodiment of the invention a removable, adjustable-height dishwasher tine for holding objects in an automatic dishwasher rack, where the dishwasher rack has at least one receiving element for receiving the dishwasher tine and where the tine comprises an elongated tube with a first end and a second end, such that the first end has a securement means for securely attaching the tine to the receiving element of the dishwasher rack, and such that the elongated tube is adjustable in height via an adjusting means. In another embodiment of the invention there is provided a dishwasher rack for use in an automatic dishwasher, where the dishwasher rack has a plurality of spaced receiving elements for receiving a plurality of corresponding removable dishwasher tines. The tines each comprise an elongated tube with a first end and a second end, where the first end has a securement means for securely attaching each tine to the receiving element, such that the dishwasher tines can be arranged to securely hold objects in the dishwasher rack.

1 . A removable, adjustable-height dishwasher tine for holding objects in an automatic dishwasher rack, wherein the dishwasher rack has at least one receiving element for receiving the dishwasher tine, the tine comprising an elongated tube with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a securement means for securely attaching the tine to the receiving element of the dishwasher rack, and wherein the elongated tube is adjustable in height via an adjusting means. 
   
   
       2 . The dishwasher tine of  claim 1  wherein the elongated tube is rigid and securely attached to the receiving element of the dishwasher rack in an upright position. 
   
   
       3 . The dishwasher tine of  claim 1  wherein the elongated tube is flexible and securely attached to the receiving element of the dishwasher rack. 
   
   
       4 . The dishwasher tine of  claim 1  wherein the elongated tube is flexible, and wherein the second end has a securement means, such that the second end is adapted to removably attach to a second receiving element of the dishwasher rack. 
   
   
       5 . The dishwasher tine of  claim 1  wherein the securement means comprises any one of the group of thread and screw portions, resistance ridges, twist lock portions, plug and socket portions, snap fit portions, clamp lock portions, and spring lock portions. 
   
   
       6 . The dishwasher tine of  claim 1  wherein the adjusting means comprises any one of the group of thread and screw portions, telescoping portions, resistance ridges, twist lock portions, plug and socket portions, snap fit portions, clamp lock portions, and spring lock portions. 
   
   
       7 . The dishwasher tine of  claim 1  wherein the second end has at least one gripping means for gripping a portion of the object. 
   
   
       8 . The dishwasher tine of  claim 1  wherein the tine has a decorative element coupled to the tine. 
   
   
       9 . The dishwasher tine of  claim 1  wherein the elongated tube is hinged in positions comprising vertical, horizontal, and angled. 
   
   
       10 . The dishwasher tine of  claim 1  further comprising additional elongated tubes and a flexible sheet connected between the elongated tubes. 
   
   
       11 . A dishwasher rack for use in an automatic dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher rack has a plurality of spaced receiving elements for receiving a plurality of corresponding removable dishwasher tines, the tines each comprising an elongated tube with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a securement means for securely attaching each tine to the receiving element, such that the dishwasher tines can be arranged to securely hold objects in the dishwasher rack. 
   
   
       12 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 11  wherein the dishwasher rack is removable from the automatic dishwasher. 
   
   
       13 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 11  wherein the dishwasher tines are securely attached to the receiving elements of the dishwasher rack in an upright position. 
   
   
       14 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 11  wherein the dishwasher tines are flexible and securely attached to the receiving elements of the dishwasher rack. 
   
   
       15 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 11  wherein the securement means comprises any one of the group of thread and screw portions, resistance ridges, twist lock portions, plug and socket portions, snap fit portions, clamp lock portions, and spring lock portions. 
   
   
       16 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 11  wherein the dishwasher tines are of varying heights. 
   
   
       17 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 11  wherein the second end has at least one gripping means for gripping a portion of the object. 
   
   
       18 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 11  wherein the elongated tube is hinged in positions comprising vertical, horizontal, and angled. 
   
   
       19 . The dishwasher rack of  claim 11  wherein one or more of the dishwasher tines has at least one decorative element coupled to the tine. 
   
   
       20 . A removable dishwasher tine extender for holding objects in an automatic dishwasher rack, the rack having a plurality of upstanding tines, the extender comprising:
 an elongated telescoping tube with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end has a securement means adapted to receive a dishwasher tine, so that the extender is securely mounted on the dishwasher tine, and wherein the tube can be extended in a telescoping configuration to extend the height of the dishwasher tine.