How Dishwasher Racks Use Articulating Skis to Glide Smoothly
A mechanical assembly for dishwasher racks that uses a pivoting ski foot to help the rack slide over obstacles or transitions without getting stuck.
Original patent title: “Articulating ski assembly for a lower rack of a dishwashing appliance”
A mechanical assembly for dishwasher racks that uses a pivoting ski foot to help the rack slide over obstacles or transitions without getting stuck. Granted to Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc in 2025 with 22 claims.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a specialized 'ski' attachment for the bottom of a dishwasher rack. The assembly uses a hub and articulation ring to allow the ski foot to pivot or tilt, helping the rack glide over the gap between the dishwasher tub and the door or over uneven tracks. It includes specific suspension arms that dampen movement, ensuring the rack doesn't jerk or jam when it hits a transition point. The tip and tail of the ski feature a serpentine design, which provides flexibility and structural support during the articulation process.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover fixed, non-pivoting rack wheels or rollers.
- Does not cover motorized or powered rack movement systems.
- Does not cover rack designs that rely solely on ball-bearing slides.
- Does not cover the internal plumbing or spray arm mechanisms of the dishwasher.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The use of a 'serpentine' body for the ski tip and tail combined with integrated suspension arms allows the rack to absorb impact forces at the transition point, rather than just rolling over it rigidly.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
GE Appliances dishwashers
Haier-branded kitchen appliances
Modern high-end dishwasher lower rack glide systems
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Dishwasher racks often catch or drop when rolling from the door onto the main tub track. This mechanism addresses a common consumer frustration—the 'clunk' or jam that occurs during loading and unloading. By adding a dampened, pivoting contact point, it improves the tactile quality and durability of the appliance's rack system.
Filed
November 22, 2023
Granted
October 28, 2025
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Haier US Appliance Solutions, which owns brands like GE Appliances, is the primary developer. They are actively integrating these mechanical refinements into their mass-market dishwasher lines to improve user experience and reduce warranty claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → related to rack damage.
Market impact
This patent represents a shift toward more sophisticated mechanical engineering in 'invisible' appliance components. It helps manufacturers differentiate their products by focusing on the smoothness and reliability of the user interface—the rack glide—which is a key metric for customer satisfaction in the appliance market.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a specialized 'ski' attachment for the bottom of a dishwasher rack. The assembly uses a hub and articulation ring to allow the ski foot to pivot or tilt, helping the rack glide over the gap between the dishwasher tub and the door or over uneven tracks. It includes specific suspension arms that dampen movement, ensuring the rack doesn't jerk or jam when it hits a transition point. The tip and tail of the ski feature a serpentine design, which provides flexibility and structural support during the articulation process.
The clever bit
The use of a 'serpentine' body for the ski tip and tail combined with integrated suspension arms allows the rack to absorb impact forces at the transition point, rather than just rolling over it rigidly.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover fixed, non-pivoting rack wheels or rollers.
- Does not cover motorized or powered rack movement systems.
- Does not cover rack designs that rely solely on ball-bearing slides.
- Does not cover the internal plumbing or spray arm mechanisms of the dishwasher.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$51K – $165K
Midpoint $103K · 17.4 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
22 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Dunaway, L. C. (2025). How Dishwasher Racks Use Articulating Skis to Glide Smoothly (U.S. Patent No. 12,453,456). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12453456/raptor-evolution
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Dishwasher Racks Use Articulating Skis to Glide Smoothly cover?
A mechanical assembly for dishwasher racks that uses a pivoting ski foot to help the rack slide over obstacles or transitions without getting stuck.
Who owns patent US 12453456?
Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc owns this patent, granted in 2025.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on October 28, 2045, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Dishwasher racks often catch or drop when rolling from the door onto the main tub track. This mechanism addresses a common consumer frustration—the 'clunk' or jam that occurs during loading and unloading. By adding a dampened, pivoting contact point, it improves the tactile quality and durability of the appliance's rack system.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover fixed, non-pivoting rack wheels or rollers.
Patent monitoring