Pull-out guide for a dish rack of a dishwasher

Abstract

A pull-out guide ( 3 ) for a dish rack ( 2 ) of a dishwasher includes a guide rail ( 3 a ), which can be fixed to a washing container ( 1 ) of a dishwasher, and a running rail ( 3 c ), which can be connected to a lattice-like dish rack ( 2 ), as well as a center rail ( 3 b ) to extend the pull-out length, wherein the running rail ( 3 c ) is coupled to the center rail ( 3 b ) such that the running rail ( 3 c ) after rendering the coupling ineffective can be pulled off the center rail ( 3 b ) in the pull-out direction A. The coupling means include a stop ( 6 ), which is disposed on the center rail side and protrudes in the direction of the running rail ( 3 c ), and an engagement member ( 7 ) engaging behind the stop ( 6 ) in the pull-out direction (A), wherein the carrier ( 7 ) can be moved out of the contact zone with the stop ( 6 ) transversely to the pull-out direction by an actuating device ( 8 ).

1 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A pull-out guide for a dish rack of a dishwasher, comprising:
 a guide rail securable to a washing container of a dishwasher;   a running rail connectable to a lattice-like dish rack and movably guided in the guide rail to allow a movement of the running rail and the dish rack in a pull-out direction;   a center rail interacting with the running rail to extend a pull-out length,   a coupling constructed for detachable connection of the running rail from the center rail and including a stop projecting in a direction of the running rail and an engagement member arranged on the running rail and sized to reach behind the stop as viewed in the pull-out direction; and   an actuating device operably connected to the engagement member to allow disengagement of the engagement member from the stop in a direction transversely to the pull-out direction.   
     
     
         15 . The pull-out guide of  claim 14 , further comprising an energy accumulator to urge the engagement member in a direction of the center rail. 
     
     
         16 . The pull-out guide of  claim 15 , wherein the energy accumulator is a spring. 
     
     
         17 . The pull-out guide of  claim 14 , wherein the stop is arranged directly on the center rail. 
     
     
         18 . The pull-out guide of  claim 14 , wherein the coupling includes a rolling bearing cage having rolling elements for support of the center rail on one side and support of the running rail on an opposite side, said stop being arranged on the rolling bearing cage. 
     
     
         19 . The pull-out guide of  claim 14 , wherein the engagement member is constructed to traverse through the running rail and coupled with the actuating device. 
     
     
         20 . The pull-out guide of  claim 14 , wherein the actuating device is configured in the form of a flexible spring which applies a spring force by which the engagement member is urged into a coupling position with the stop, when the actuating device assumes a base position, said actuating device being deflectable in opposition to the spring force to uncouple the engagement member from the stop. 
     
     
         21 . The pull-out guide of  claim 14 , wherein the actuating device is configured in the form of pressure-operated component. 
     
     
         22 . The pull-out guide of  claim 14 , wherein the actuating device includes a spring-biased slider and a flexible band connected to the slider and having a free end which is connected to the engagement member. 
     
     
         23 . The pull-out guide of  claim 14 , wherein the actuating device has a slider and a wedge-shaped arm coupled to the slider and sized to extend through an opening of the engagement member. 
     
     
         24 . The pull-out guide of  claim 23 , wherein the actuating device includes a spring assembly to urge the slider and the engagement member continuously into a direction of coupling with the stop. 
     
     
         25 . The pull-out guide of  claim 14 , wherein the stop has a slanted ramp surface ascending in a direction of a backside of the washing container. 
     
     
         26 . The pull-out guide of  claim 25 , wherein the engagement member has a slanted surface corresponding to the slanted ramp surface of the stop.