IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,616,355
Granted Patent B2
US 12,616,355 · App. 18/488,622 · Granted May 5, 2026

Angled leading side for a trigger head of a slide assembly

Inventor: Justin James Brolley (New Albany, IN)
Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
A47L15/507A47L15/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,616,355
App. No.
18/488,622
Granted
May 5, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A trigger assembly for a dishwashing appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The trigger assembly includes a trigger support arm attached to a slide assembly of the dishwashing appliance. The trigger assembly also includes a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm. The trigger head includes a base. The base includes a first leg, a second leg, and an arm. The arm is positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction. The trigger head also includes a top attached to the base. The top includes a main body and a tip extended from the main body approximately along the lateral direction. The tip includes an angled leading side and a trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction.

Claims (39)

1 . A dishwashing appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the dishwashing appliance comprising:

a tub defining a wash chamber;

a rack assembly positioned within the wash chamber;

a slide assembly comprising a soft close mechanism in a vertical orientation, wherein the slide assembly is mounted to the tub, wherein the rack assembly is slidably mounted to the slide assembly to transition the rack assembly between an extended loading position and a retracted position, and wherein the soft close mechanism comprising an actuator to dampen movement of the slide assembly; and

a trigger assembly, the trigger assembly comprising:

a trigger support arm attached to the slide assembly; and

a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm, the trigger head comprising:

a base comprising a first leg, a second leg, and an arm, wherein the arm is positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction, and

a top attached to the base, the top comprising a main body and a tip extended from the main body approximately along the lateral direction, the tip comprising an angled leading side and a trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction.

2 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 1 , wherein the angled leading side comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion and the second portion define a predetermined angle therebetween.

3 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 2 , wherein the second portion comprises a first leading edge and a second leading edge spaced apart approximately along the vertical direction.

4 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 3 , wherein the second leading edge is chamfered.

5 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 1 , wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the arm define a slot and wherein the trigger support arm is attached to the trigger head within the slot.

6 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 1 , wherein the soft close mechanism comprises a saddle coupled to the actuator.

7 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 6 , wherein the saddle comprises a front edge and a rear edge.

8 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 7 , wherein the angled leading side is engaged with the front edge of the soft close mechanism to reset the soft close mechanism following a false trip failure mode of the soft close mechanism.

9 . A dishwashing appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the dishwashing appliance comprising:

a tub defining a wash chamber;

a rack assembly positioned within the wash chamber;

a slide assembly comprising a soft close mechanism in a horizontal orientation, wherein the slide assembly is mounted to the tub, wherein the rack assembly is slidably mounted to the slide assembly to transition the rack assembly between an extended loading position and a retracted position, and wherein the soft close mechanism comprising an actuator to dampen movement of the slide assembly; and

a trigger assembly, the trigger assembly comprising:

a trigger support arm attached to the slide assembly;

a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm, the trigger head comprising:

a base comprising a first leg, a second leg, and an arm, wherein the arm is positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction; and

a top attached to the base, the top comprising an angled leading side and a trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction.

10 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 9 , wherein the angled leading side comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion and the second portion define a predetermined angle therebetween.

11 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 9 , wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the arm of the base define a slot and wherein the trigger support arm is attached to the trigger head within the slot.

12 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 9 , wherein the soft close mechanism comprises a saddle coupled to the actuator.

13 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 12 , wherein the saddle comprises a front edge and a rear edge.

14 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 13 , wherein the angled leading side of the trigger head is engaged with the front edge of the soft close mechanism to reset the soft close mechanism following a false trip failure mode of the soft close mechanism.

15 . A trigger assembly of a slide assembly for a dishwashing appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the trigger assembly comprising:

a trigger support arm attached to the slide assembly of the dishwashing appliance, wherein the trigger support arm defines a hole therethrough;

a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm, the trigger head comprising:

a base comprising a first leg, a second leg, and an arm, wherein the arm is positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction, wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the arm define a slot, wherein the arm comprises a pin extending approximately along the lateral direction into the slot; and

a top attached to the base, the top comprising a main body and a tip extended from the main body approximately along the lateral direction, the tip comprising an angled leading side and a trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction,

wherein the trigger head is attached to the trigger support arm within the slot.

16 . The trigger assembly of claim 15 , wherein the angled leading side comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion and the second portion define a predetermined angle therebetween.

17 . The trigger assembly of claim 16 , wherein the second portion comprises a first leading edge and a second leading edge spaced apart approximately along the vertical direction.

18 . The trigger assembly of claim 17 , wherein the second leading edge is chamfered.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2023
From: BROLLEY, JUSTIN JAMES
To: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 065254/0795 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250120565A1 · Apr 17, 2025
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