Granted Patent B2

US 12,599,283 · App. 18/501,207 · Granted Apr 14, 2026

Inventors: Justin James Brolley (New Albany, IN); Benjamin Carl Maddux (Louisville, KY); Abhisek Agrawal (Louisville, KY)

Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.

A47L15/507A47L15/4246

Abstract

Claims (16)

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 mounted to the tub, the slide assembly comprising a soft close mechanism, the soft close mechanism comprising an actuator to dampen movement of the slide assembly, and 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

a universal trigger assembly comprising:

a symmetrical trigger support arm attached to the slide assembly, the symmetrical trigger support arm comprising a first member and a second member, the second member defining a first end and a second end spaced apart approximately along the vertical direction, the second member comprising a member joint positioned approximately equidistance between the first end and the second end, the first member extending from the member joint approximately along the transverse direction; and

a symmetrical trigger head comprising a base and a top, the base attached to the second member of the symmetrical trigger support arm, the top attached to the base, the top comprising a main body and a tip extended from the main body approximately along the lateral direction.

2 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 1 , wherein the tub comprises a first lateral tub side wall and a second lateral tub side wall opposite the first lateral tub side wall.

3 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 2 , wherein the slide assembly is mounted to the first lateral tub side wall.

4 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 3 , wherein the symmetrical trigger head is attached to the first end of the second member of the symmetrical trigger support arm.

5 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 2 , wherein the slide assembly is mounted to the second lateral tub side wall.

6 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 5 , wherein the symmetrical trigger head is attached to the second end of the second member of the symmetrical trigger support arm.

7 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 1 , wherein the tip comprises an angled leading side and an angled trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction.

8 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 1 , wherein the first member defines a fastener hole extending therethrough, and wherein the symmetrical trigger support arm is at least partially held within the fastener hole.

9 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 8 , wherein the symmetrical trigger support arm is permanently attached to the slide assembly via a weld at the fastener hole.

10 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 8 , wherein the symmetrical trigger support arm is temporarily attached to the slide assembly via a mechanical fastener at the fastener hole.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (55)