U.S. patent application number 10/081290 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-28 for stress relieving plate.
Invention is credited to Bacho, Brett W., Florence, Melissa A..
Application Number | 20030160552 10/081290 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27752933 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030160552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bacho, Brett W. ; et
al. |
August 28, 2003 |
Stress relieving plate
Abstract
The present invention is a stress relieving plate mounted on a
drawer track boot, where screws, bolts or similar fastening devices
are used to mount the drawer track boot to the drawer cabinet
wherein the stress relieving plate transfers the localized stress
caused by the fastening devices to a larger area of the drawer
track boot, and to prevent loosening of the screws, bolts or other
fastening devices during use of the drawer.
Inventors: |
Bacho, Brett W.;
(Bloomsbury, NJ) ; Florence, Melissa A.;
(Washington, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MATHEWS, COLLINS, SHEPHERD & MCKAY, P.A.
100 THANET CIRCLE, SUITE 306
PRINCETON
NJ
08540-3674
US
|
Family ID: |
27752933 |
Appl. No.: |
10/081290 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/334.5 ;
312/334.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/43 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/334.5 ;
312/334.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 088/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A stress relieving plate for a drawer track boot comprising a
substantially planar L-shaped body comprising at least one opening
formed therein.
2. The invention according to claim 1 comprising at least two
openings formed therein.
3. The invention according to claim 1 comprising at least three
openings formed therein.
4. The invention according to claim 1 further comprising a locking
means adjacent said opening to prevent a fastener from
loosening.
5. The invention according to claim 4, said locking means
comprising a protrusion adjacent at least one opening in said
plate.
6. The invention according to claim 4, said locking means
comprising a roughened surface adjacent at least one opening in
said plate.
7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the
openings is an inlet.
8. The invention of claim 1, said L-shaped body comprising a major
body and a minor body.
9. A stress relieving plate for a drawer track boot comprising: a
substantially planar L-shaped body comprising a major body and a
minor body having at least one opening formed therein for receiving
a fastener means to secure the drawer track boot to a cabinet
surface, said major body being about 1{fraction (11/16)}" to about
1{fraction (13/16)}" in length and about 1{fraction (9/16)}" to
about {fraction (11/16)}" in width and said minor body being about
1{fraction (7/16)}" to about 1{fraction (9/16)}" in length and
about {fraction (5/16)}" to about {fraction (7/16)}" in width.
10. A system for relieving stress placed upon a cabinet drawer boot
comprising: a stress relieving plate that contacts a surface of the
boot, the stress relieving bracket having at least one aperture
formed therein corresponding to at least one opening formed in the
boot, a fastener disposed in the aperture in the stress relieving
plate and the opening in the drawer boot, wherein said fastener
secures the stress relieving plate to the surface of the boot and
the boot to the cabinet.
11. The system of claim 10 comprising at least two openings formed
in said plate.
12. The system of claim 10 comprising at least three openings
formed in said plate.
13. The system of claim 10 further comprising a locking means
disposed adjacent to at least one said opening.
14. A method for distributing stress among neighboring fastening
means employed for attaching a drawer track boot to an interior
surface of a cabinet, the method comprising: providing a stress
relieving plate for a drawer track boot comprising a substantially
planar L-shaped body comprising at least one opening formed
therein; providing a drawer track boot having a cabinet mounting
surface and an opposite plate receiving surface and at least one
aperture formed therein for receiving a fastener means; mounting
said L-shaped plate on said plate receiving surface of the drawer
track boot such that at least one opening in the stress relieving
plate communicates with at least one aperture in the drawer track
boot; placing the cabinet mounting surface of the drawer track boot
in contact with a surface of the cabinet; passing a fastener
through the opening of the stress relieving plate and the aperture
of the drawer track boot; and affixing the fastener to the cabinet,
whereby the fastener secures the stress relieving plate to the
drawer track boot and the drawer track boot to the cabinet
surface.
15. The method of claim 14 said plate comprising at least two
openings formed therein.
16. The method of claim 14 said plate comprising at least three
openings formed therein.
17. The method of claim 14 said plate comprising a locking means
adjacent at least one opening.
18. The method of claim 17 said locking means comprising a
protrusion adjacent at least one opening in said plate.
19. The method of claim 17 said locking means comprising a
roughened surface adjacent at least one opening in said plate.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a plate or washer for
distributing stress from neighboring fastening elements used to
anchor a drawer roller bracket assembly to a cabinet structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional drawer roller brackets adapted for mounting
within a cabinet typically consist of a track for receiving rollers
mounted on a drawer and a means for mounting the track within a
cabinet. The brackets are typically mounted horizontally in
opposing pairs and receive complementary rollers mounted on
opposing sides of a drawer. Various means have been employed for
mounting roller brackets inside a cabinet but in most instances the
roller brackets must be anchored at some point along the length of
the bracket to the inside of the cabinet and at the end of the
bracket distal the drawer receiving opening. This end portion of
the bracket comprising the anchoring portion is sometimes referred
to as a drawer track boot.
[0003] The drawer track boot may be integral with the drawer roller
bracket assembly or may be a distinct piece to which the drawer
roller bracket may be attached. One such drawer roller bracket
assembly which comprises separate drawer roller bracket and boot
pieces is the Kitchen Magic drawer track bracket assembly
manufactured by Amerock Industries.
[0004] Most contemporary drawer roller bracket assemblies are
manufactured of plastic components because of the ease with which
plastic materials can be installed and the low cost associated with
their manufacture.
[0005] In addition, plastic components despite their light weight
are often more durable than metal or wood components due to their
resilience. This is a particularly important attribute for drawer
roller brackets which are subjected to continuous weight bearing
stress. In addition, regardless of the degree of care employed in
installation of the roller brackets, torsional stress is inevitable
as a result of uneven weight distribution in a drawer.
[0006] However, despite the advantages of employing plastic drawer
bracket parts a significant drawback exists in that the fastening
means for anchoring the drawer track boot inevitably becomes loose
by virtue of repeated stress caused by drawer use. As a result, it
is necessary to periodically tighten the fastening means (usually
wood screws) anchoring the drawer track boot to the interior of the
cabinet. Inevitably the tightening of the screws to secure the boot
will result in the splitting of a plastic boot. In addition,
repetitive torsional stress can cause splitting of the boot at the
point a fastener contacts the boot. As a result, a need exists for
a device to prevent splitting of the boot by the installation or
tightening of the boot and also to reduce the incidence of
loosening of the boot fastening means.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the subject
invention to provide an inexpensive device that can be used to
prevent damage to a plastic drawer track boot during installation
and/or tightening of the drawer track boot to a cabinet.
[0008] It is another object of the subject invention to provide a
device that prevents loosening of the drawer track boot caused by
repeated use of a drawer associated therewith.
[0009] It is still a further object of the subject invention to
provide a device that distributes stress among neighboring fastener
means.
[0010] It is yet a further object of the subject invention to
provide a drawer track boot reinforcement device that can be
installed easily by a layman using simple hand tools.
[0011] It is still a further object of the subject invention to
provide a drawer track boot reinforcement device that can be
installed in existing already installed drawer track
assemblies.
[0012] It is a further object of the subject invention to provide a
method for preventing damage to a plastic drawer track boot.
[0013] It is a further object of the subject invention to provide
an improved drawer roller bracket system including a stress
relieving plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The subject invention is directed to a device for
distributing stress from neighboring fastening elements used to
anchor a drawer roller bracket assembly to a cabinet structure. The
subject invention is particularly suited to be used in connection
with a plastic drawer roller bracket boot wherein the drawer roller
bracket is attached at least in part to the interior of a cabinet
by means of said boot. The subject invention substantially prevents
the plastic drawer roller bracket boot from being damaged as a
result of stress imparted on the fasteners employed to anchor the
boot to the cabinetry. The subject invention also serves to prevent
loosening of the fastener means anchoring the boot to the
cabinetwork.
[0015] The device comprises essentially a substantially planar
plate having formed therein at least one opening for receiving
fastening means. The plate is preferably formed of metal but may be
formed of an alternate material suitable for the purpose such as
ceramic, PVC or the like. The plate is shaped to substantially
conform to the shape of the mounting surface of the boot with which
it is to be used.
[0016] Preferably the plate is generally L-shaped and comprises
three openings formed therein to substantially correspond to the
openings formed in the mounting surface of the Kitchen Magic drawer
track bracket boot manufactured by Amerock Industries. Preferably
the plate is fabricated of a metal material of the type typically
used for fabricating washers, striker plates and other cabinetry
hardware. Such materials include but are not limited to aluminum,
steel, brass and alloys thereof.
[0017] The plate is mounted on the surface of the boot opposite the
surface to be anchored directly to the cabinet. Fastening means
such as but not limited to screws used to secure the boot to the
cabinet are passed first through the apertures of the plate and
next through the corresponding apertures of the boot and ultimately
into the cabinet to which the fastener anchors the boot. The
fasteners, such as screws, can be secured so that the head of the
screws are flush against the plate without damaging the underlying
plastic boot. The force imparted by fasteners on the plate is
distributed over the entire surface of the plate and underlying
boot. In the absence of the plate the force of the fastener is
imparted only on the plastic material of the boot that is contacted
by the fasteners.
[0018] The plate can be installed during initial installation of
the boot and drawer track assembly or afterward.
[0019] Other fasteners such as but not limited to nails may also be
employed in connection with the subject invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a stress relieving plate in
accordance with the subject invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stress relieving plate in
accordance with the subject invention.
[0022] FIGS. 3-7 are top plan views of several preferred
embodiments of a stress relieving plate in accordance with the
subject invention.
[0023] FIG. 8a is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the
stress relieving plate in accordance with the subject
invention.
[0024] FIG. 8b is a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment
of the stress relieving plate according to FIG. 8a taken through
line A-A.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the plate of FIG. 1 prior to
assembly in a drawer track boot device.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective of the plate of FIG. 1 affixed to a
drawer track boot device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] The present invention is an apparatus for distributing
stress from neighboring fasteners used to anchor a drawer roller
bracket assembly to a cabinet structure.
[0028] The stress relieving plate of the present invention is
identified generally by the numeral 10 in FIGS. 1-10. The stress
relieving plate 10 includes a generally L-shaped body 20 comprising
a major body 24 and a minor body 26 and at least one opening 30
formed in the body 20. Referring to FIGS. 1-7, it can be seen that
the stress relieving plate 10 can comprise a body 20 with a major
body 24 and a minor body 26 providing various L-shaped forms with
openings 30 of various dimensions, and remain within the scope of
the invention.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a top plan view and FIG. 2 shows a perspective
view of the stress relieving plate 10. As can be observed, the
opening 30 can comprise any shape suitable for receiving a
fastening means. Additional embodiments of the opening 30 include,
but are not limited to, triangular, square, and rectangular shaped
openings.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment the stress relieving plate 10 is
formed of metal of the type typically used for fabricating washers
but in alternate embodiments the stress relieving plate 10 may be
formed of any material suitable for the purpose of stress
dissipation. This material can consist of metals such as aluminum,
steel, brass and alloys thereof, or other materials such as
ceramic, plastic, wood, PVC or the like.
[0031] Now referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the
stress relieving plate 10 comprises one opening 30. In an alternate
embodiment now referring to FIG. 4, opening 30 comprises at least
two openings 30. As shown in FIG. 7, in another embodiment the
plate 10 comprises at least one inlet 30 to the stress relieving
plate 10.
[0032] Now referring to FIG. 9 in a most preferred embodiment the
major body 24 has a length indicated by dimension "x" of about
1{fraction (11/16)}" to about 1{fraction (13/16)}" and a width of
about {fraction (9/16)}" to about {fraction (11/16)}" and minor
body 26 has a length indicated by dimension "y" of about 1{fraction
(7/16)}" to about 1{fraction (9/16)}" and a width of about
{fraction (5/16)}" to about {fraction (7/16)}" and is used in
conjunction with the Kitchen Magic drawer track boot.
[0033] The opening 30 is formed in the body 20 for receiving a
fastener 70 such as but not limited to a wood screw, sheet metal
screw, nail, bolt or the like.
[0034] Now referring to FIG. 8a, a preferred embodiment of the
stress relieving plate 10 includes a locking means 40. In a most
preferred embodiment the locking means 40 is a roughened surface
formed on the surface of the body 20 adjacent opening 30 that
prevents the fastening means (not shown) such as but not limited to
a sheet metal screw from loosening when the head of the sheet metal
screw is in contact with the locking means. Now referring to FIG.
8b, in another embodiment the locking means is at least one
protrusion 45 that engages the head of a fastening means such as a
sheet metal screw 50. However, the locking means 40 can be any
suitable means that is known in the art.
[0035] Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the stress relieving plate
10 is disposed on the surface of a drawer track boot 60 on the
surface 62 opposed to the surface contacting a cabinet 80. The
stress relieving plate 10 is secured to the drawer track boot 60 by
fasteners 70. The stress relieving plate 10 is generally L-shaped
to conform to a mounting surface that supports and connects a
drawer track 90 to the drawer track boot 60. In a preferred
embodiment the stress relieving plate 10 comprises three openings
30 formed therein to assure communication of fasteners 70 with
apertures 64 of the drawer track boot 60. The stress relieving
plate 10 substantially prevents the drawer track boot 60 from being
damaged as a result of stress imparted by the fasteners 70 employed
to anchor the drawer track boot 60 to the cabinetry 80.
[0036] Now referring to FIG. 10, the stress relieving plate 10 is
mounted on the drawer track boot 60 to be attached to the cabinetry
80. Fasteners 70 such as, but not limited to, screws used to secure
the drawer track boot 60 to the cabinetry 80 are passed through the
openings 30 of the stress relieving plate 10 and through the
corresponding apertures 64 of the drawer track boot 60 and into the
cabinetry 80. In a preferred embodiment, the fasteners 70 consists
of wood screws, however other fastening elements such metal screws,
bolts, and nails can be used. The force imparted by the heads of
fasteners 70 on the stress relieving plate 10 is distributed across
the stress relieving plate 10 and the underlying drawer track boot
60.
[0037] Now referring to FIGS. 8a and 8b, in a preferred embodiment
plate 10 further comprises locking means 40 adjacent to openings
30. In a most preferred embodiment best seen in FIG. 8a locking
means 40 comprises a roughened surface. As best seen in FIG. 8b in
an alternate most preferred embodiment locking means 40 comprises a
protrusion 45.
[0038] Numerous modifications and alternative embodiments of the
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of
the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be
construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching
those skilled in the art the best modes of carrying out the
invention. Details of the structure may be varied substantially
without departing from the spirit of the invention and the
exclusive use of all modifications, which will come within the
scope of the appended claims, is reserved.
* * * * *