Closure system for a dishwashing appliance and associated apparatus

Abstract

A closure system for a dishwasher and associated apparatus is provided. A door is pivotably engaged with a tub, and defines a latch pocket, configured as a grasping member, having a latch aperture in communication therewith and extending therethrough to the tub. A latch actuation member is received by the latch pocket, and a latch device engaged therewith extends through the latch aperture to releasably secure the door to the tub, the securement being releasable by actuation of the latch actuation member. A pull-latch is receivable by the latch aperture, in place of and interchangeably with the latch device and latch actuation member, and releasably secures the door to the tub, the securement being releasable by exertion of an outward force on the grasping member. A latch pocket insert member operably engages the latch pocket to separate the latch aperture therefrom, when the pull-latch is received by the latch aperture.

1 . A dishwashing appliance, comprising:
 a tub portion defining an opening;   a door member configured to pivotably engage the tub portion so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position with respect thereto, the door member covering said opening in the closed position, and defining a latch pocket having a latch aperture in communication therewith, the latch aperture extending from the latch pocket and through the door member to the tub portion, the latch pocket being configured as a grasping member for pivoting the door member from the closed position;   a latch actuation member operably engaged with a latch device, the latch actuation member being configured to be received by the latch pocket, and the latch device being configured to extend through the latch aperture so as to be capable of operably engaging the tub portion to releasably secure the door member to the tub portion when the door member is in the closed position, the securement between the latch device and the tub portion being releasable by selective actuation of the latch actuation member;   a pull-latch configured to be received by the latch aperture, in place of and interchangeably with the latch device and associated latch actuation member, the pull-latch being capable of operably engaging the tub portion to releasably secure the door member to the tub portion when the door member is in the closed position, the securement between the pull-latch and the tub portion being releasable by selective exertion of an outward force on the grasping member; and   a latch pocket insert member configured to operably engage the latch pocket so as to separate the latch pocket from the latch aperture, when the pull-latch is received by the latch aperture.   
     
     
         2 . A dishwashing appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first portion of a securement mechanism operably engaged with the door member about the latch pocket and a second portion of the securement mechanism operably engaged with the latch pocket insert member, the first and second portions of the securement mechanism being complementarily configured so as to secure the latch pocket insert member to the latch pocket upon engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . A dishwashing appliance according to  claim 2 , wherein one of the first and second portions of the securement mechanism comprises a tab, and the other of the first and second portions of the engagement mechanism comprises a securing flange, the tab and securing flange being configured to interact in an interference fit for securing the latch pocket insert member to the latch pocket upon engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         4 . A dishwashing appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive material disposed between the latch pocket insert member and the latch pocket, for securing the latch pocket insert member to the latch pocket upon engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . A dishwashing appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one mechanical fastener configured to operably engage and secure the latch pocket insert member to the latch pocket upon engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . A dishwashing appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the latch pocket insert member is configured to be secured to the latch pocket by a weld therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . A dishwashing appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising a proximity sensor operably engaged with one of the door member about the latch pocket, and the latch pocket insert member, the proximity sensor being configured to sense grasping of the grasping member and to send a corresponding signal to at least one operational component in response thereto. 
     
     
         8 . A dishwashing appliance according to  claim 1 , further comprising a switch device operably engaged with one of the door member about the latch pocket, and the latch pocket insert member, the switch device being configured to be actuated by grasping of the grasping member and to send a corresponding signal to at least one operational component in response thereto. 
     
     
         9 . A dishwashing appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the pull-latch further comprises one of a magnetically-operable latch, a frictionally-operable latch, and an electro-mechanically-operable latch. 
     
     
         10 . A closure system adapted to be operable between a door member and a tub portion of a dishwashing appliance, the tub portion defining an opening, and the door member being adapted to pivotably engage the tub portion so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position with respect thereto, the door member covering said opening in the closed position, and defining a latch pocket having a latch aperture in communication therewith, the latch aperture extending from the latch pocket and through the door member to the tub portion, the latch pocket being adapted as a grasping member for pivoting the door member from the closed position, the closure system comprising:
 a latch actuation member operably engaged with a latch device, the latch actuation member being configured to be received by the latch pocket, and the latch device being configured to extend through the latch aperture so as to be capable of operably engaging the tub portion to releasably secure the door member to the tub portion when the door member is in the closed position, the securement between the latch device and the tub portion being releasable by selective actuation of the latch actuation member;   a pull-latch configured to be received by the latch aperture, in place of and interchangeably with the latch device and associated latch actuation member, the pull-latch being capable of operably engaging the tub portion to releasably secure the door member to the tub portion when the door member is in the closed position, the securement between the pull-latch and the tub portion being releasable by selective exertion of an outward force on the grasping member; and   a latch pocket insert member configured to operably engage the latch pocket so as to separate the latch pocket from the latch aperture, when the pull-latch is received by the latch aperture.   
     
     
         11 . A closure system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a portion of a securement mechanism operably engaged with the latch pocket insert member, the portion of the securement mechanism being adapted to engage a complementarily-configured portion of the securement mechanism operably engaged with the door member about the latch pocket so as to secure the latch pocket insert member to the latch pocket upon engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . A closure system according to  claim 11 , wherein one of the portions of the securement mechanism comprises a tab, and the other of the portions of the engagement mechanism comprises a securing flange, the tab and securing flange being configured to interact in an interference fit for securing the latch pocket insert member to the latch pocket upon engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         13 . A closure system according to  claim 10 , further comprising an adhesive material disposed between the latch pocket insert member and the door member about the latch pocket, for securing the latch pocket insert member to the latch pocket upon engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         14 . A closure system according to  claim 10 , further comprising at least one mechanical fastener configured to operably engage and secure the latch pocket insert member to the door member about the latch pocket upon engagement therebetween. 
     
     
         15 . A closure system according to  claim 10 , wherein the latch pocket insert member is configured to be secured to the door member about the latch pocket by a weld therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . A closure system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a proximity sensor operably engaged with the latch pocket insert member, the proximity sensor being configured to sense grasping of the grasping member and to send a corresponding signal to at least one operational component in response thereto. 
     
     
         17 . A closure system according to  claim 10 , further comprising a switch device operably engaged with the latch pocket insert member, the switch device being configured to be actuated by grasping of the grasping member and to send a corresponding signal to at least one operational component in response thereto. 
     
     
         18 . A closure system according to  claim 10 , wherein the pull-latch further comprises one of a magnetically-operable latch, a frictionally-operable latch, and an electro-mechanically-operable latch.