Appliance with a support rack having a plurality of support elements

Abstract

A support rack for an appliance such as a laundry dryer includes a plurality of support elements that are designed to hold items at least partially above a main support surface of the rack. The support elements may be movably mounted on the rack so that they can be moved between stowed and deployed positions. The ends of the support elements may have configurations that are designed to securely hold items, such as delicate clothing items. Holders on either the rack or the support elements, or on both, could hold the support elements in stowed and deployed positions. In some instances, the support elements may also be removably mounted on holders on the rack.

1 . A rack for supporting items within an appliance, comprising:
 a rack that includes a primary support surface and mounting elements configured to mount the rack on an appliance; and   at least one support element that is movably mounted on the rack so that the at least one support element can move between a stowed and at least one deployed position, wherein when the at least one support element is located in a deployed position, the at least one support element is configured to support an item at least partially above the primary support surface.   
     
     
         2 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support element is rotationally mounted on the rack such that it can rotate between the stowed position and a deployed position. 
     
     
         3 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support element is slidably mounted on the rack such that it can slide between the stowed position and a deployed position. 
     
     
         4 . The rack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one detent mechanism, each detent mechanism coupling a support element to the rack and being configured to hold the support element in a deployed position. 
     
     
         5 . The rack of  claim 4 , wherein each detent mechanism is configured to hold a support element in each of a plurality of deployed positions. 
     
     
         6 . The rack of  claim 4 , wherein each detent mechanism is also configured to hold a support element in the stowed position. 
     
     
         7 . The rack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one holder coupled the rack or a support element, wherein each holder is configured to releasably hold a support element in a deployed position. 
     
     
         8 . The rack of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one holder, each holder being coupled to a support element, and wherein each holder is configured to hold its support element in both a deployed position and the stowed position. 
     
     
         9 . The rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a first holder coupled to a support element and configured to hold the support element in a deployed position, and a second holder coupled to the support element and configured to hold the support element in the stowed position. 
     
     
         10 . The rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a first holder coupled to the rack and configured to hold a support element in a deployed position, and a second holder coupled to the rack and configured to hold a support element in a stowed position. 
     
     
         11 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein an end of the at least one support element is configured to hold and support a laundry item. 
     
     
         12 . The rack of  claim 11 , wherein an end of the at least one support element comprises a closed loop that includes a movable jaw, and wherein the movable jaw is biased into a closed position at which the jaw closes the loop. 
     
     
         13 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support element comprises a plurality of holding elements configured to hold and support laundry items, and wherein the holding elements are spaced along a length of the at least one support element. 
     
     
         14 . The rack of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support element is a flexible member that slidably mounted inside a hollow member that forms a portion of the rack, and wherein the flexible member can be slid out of and inserted into the hollow member. 
     
     
         15 . A rack for supporting items within an appliance, comprising:
 a rack that includes a primary support surface and mounting elements configured to mount the rack on an appliance;   a plurality of holders that are mounted on the rack; and   a plurality of support elements, each support element being configured to support an item at least partially above the primary support surface, wherein each support element is removably mountable in one of the plurality of holders.   
     
     
         16 . The rack of  claim 15 , wherein each holder is configured to hold a plurality of support elements. 
     
     
         17 . The rack of  claim 15 , wherein each holder is configured to hold a plurality of support elements such that the support elements extend in different directions away from the holder. 
     
     
         18 . A rack for supporting items within an appliance, comprising:
 a rack that includes a primary support surface and cross members having ends that extend upward from the primary support surface;   a plurality of straight members that can be attached to ends of the cross members in first and second orientations, wherein when a straight member is in the first orientation, the straight member is oriented substantially parallel to the primary support surface, and wherein when a straight member is in the second orientation, the straight member is oriented substantially parallel to an end of a cross member.   
     
     
         19 . The rack of  claim 18 , wherein a clip is formed on at least one end of each straight member, each clip being configured to hold the straight member in either the first or the second orientation. 
     
     
         20 . The rack of  claim 18 , wherein when a straight member is in the second orientation, the straight member can support an item at least partially above the primary support surface.