Counterbalance assembly for a dishwasher door and associated method

• Main Authors: TYNES RONALD G, DUCKWORTH JASON, VAN VOOREN GREGORY, STEWART DANIEL M, OLESEN JERRY, HELGESEN JOHN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.05.2011
• Subjects: CABINETS; COFFEE MILLS; DESKS; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; DRAWERS; FURNITURE; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE; HUMAN NECESSITIES; OFFICE FURNITURE; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL; TABLES

A dishwasher is provided, comprising a door pivotably engaged with a body and a counterbalance assembly coupled therebetween for facilitating pivoting of the door. The counterbalance assembly includes a first and second biasing member, each coupled to the body and serially engaged with a respective first and second flexible element coupled to the door. A guide member is secured to the body and includes a fixed arcuate member defining a first guide track, and a pulley rotatable about an axis and defining a second guide track. The first flexible element is at least partially wrapped about each of the fixed arcuate member and the pulley so as to serially engage the first and second guide tracks. The second flexible element is at least partially wrapped about a second side of the fixed arcuate member so as to engage the first guide track. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.