U.S. patent application number 10/825278 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for undermount drawer slide.
Invention is credited to Garcie, Kent Clifton JR..
Application Number | 20050231083 10/825278 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35095581 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050231083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Garcie, Kent Clifton JR. |
October 20, 2005 |
Undermount drawer slide
Abstract
An undermount drawer slide with a carriage for retaining rollers
and for placement in between members of said drawer slide, wherein
the carriage has shock absorbing stops. Also an undermount drawer
slide with a one-piece self closer that is capable of being
self-contained when fully assembled and which biasedly urges the
undermount drawer slide assembly into a closed position when the
drawer or drawer member engages the self closer. Lastly, an
undermount drawer slide that has a quick connect device attached to
a drawer for reversibly mounting the drawer onto an undermount
drawer slide assembly, where the quick connect device includes a
vertical adjustment mechanism that relies upon a toggle that is
infinitely and affirmatively positionable by a threaded screw
adjuster.
Inventors: |
Garcie, Kent Clifton JR.;
(Bossier City, LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Christopher D. Harrington
Harrington Law Office
447 Ada Drive SE
Ada
MI
49301
US
|
Family ID: |
35095581 |
Appl. No.: |
10/825278 |
Filed: |
April 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/333 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2210/0097 20130101;
A47B 88/467 20170101; A47B 2210/0056 20130101; A47B 2210/0032
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/333 |
International
Class: |
A47B 088/00 |
Claims
1. A drawer slide for suspending a drawer in a carcass, comprising:
At least a pair of telescoping interconnected members where said
members are fitted between a carcass and the sidewall of a drawer;
Rollers disposed between said members allowing telescopic slidable
movement of the members while said rollers transfer the loading of
the drawer to the carcass; Stops for limiting the telescopic
slidable movement of said members between a closed position and an
open position; At least one self closer affixed to a first member
and engageable by and in alignment to be engaged by a second
member, where said self closer further includes a biasing means for
urging the drawer slide into a closed position when the self closer
is engaged by said second member and where said self closer has a
body part and a bottom part formed from a single piece and
interconnected by a living hinge, and where said body part and said
bottom part compatibly form a completed self closer independent
from being mounted on a member when said self closer is fully
assembled:
2. The drawer slide of claim Number 1, where the self closer
further includes a shuttle that is engageable by said second
member, and where a portion of said shuttle moves within the self
closer body between an open position and a closed position, and
said shuttle is connected to a spring that exerts a closing bias on
the shuttle which closing bias is transmittable to the second
member.
3. The drawer slide of claim Number 2, wherein the bottom part
further includes an integrally formed apron upon which the portion
of the shuttle that is not enclosed within said body part can
slidably move.
4. The drawer slide of claim Number 3, wherein said self closer
body, living hinge, and self closer bottom are comprised of a
plastic resin.
5. The drawer slide of claim Number 4, wherein said plastic resin
has a coefficient of friction favoring the slidable movement of
said shuttle.
6. The drawer slide of claim Number 5, wherein said self closer
body and self closer bottom can be welded together by solvent
welding or by ultrasonic welding.
7. An undermount drawer slide for suspending a drawer in a carcass
with at least two telescoping members, with a first member affixed
to a drawer and a second member affixed to the carcass, and where
said first member and said second member move between a closed
position and an open position, and further where at least one
carriage is disposed lengthwise in between said members for
facilitating telescopic movement there between, said carriage being
comprised of two ends, and a frame, and has rollers disposed about
each of said ends, and where the carriage has at least one stop on
at least one of said ends, said stop being comprised of at least
one shock absorbing coil.
8. An undermount drawer slide as in claim Number 7, wherein said
carriage is a bottom carriage, where said second member is a
cabinet member and said bottom carriage is located between the
cabinet member and another member.
9. An undermount drawer slide as in claim Number 8, wherein said
frame of the bottom carriage further includes a web portion
integral with and extending between said ends and where the web
portion includes spaced openings therein for enhancing the
capability of said bottom carriage to absorb shocks emanating from
either or both ends of said carriage.
10. An undermount drawer slide as in claim Number 9, wherein said
bottom carriage further includes stops on each of said ends.
11. An undermount drawer slide as in claim Number 10, wherein said
stops include a first shock absorbing coil and a second shock
absorbing coil both aligned in lengthwise series.
12. An undermount drawer slide as in claim Number 9, wherein said
bottom carriage is comprised of a one-piece construction.
13. An undermount drawer slide for suspending a drawer within a
carcass, where said drawer slide comprises more than two
telescoping members with a first member affixed to the drawer and a
second member affixed to the carcass, and where at least one
intermediate member is telescopically interconnected between said
first member and said second member, and said undermount drawer
slide is movable between an open position and a closed position,
where at least two carriages are disposed on said intermediate
member and in between said intermediate member and a member other
than said second member, and at least one of such carriages
including rollers and at least one stop where said stop is
comprised of at least one shock absorbing coil.
14. The undermount drawer slide of claim Number 13, wherein said
carriages containing at least a stop, each such stop further
including multiple shock absorbing coils arranged in lengthwise
series.
15. An undermount drawer slide for suspending a drawer within a
carcass, including at least two members for translational movement
of such undermount drawer slide between an open position and a
closed position, where each such undermount drawer slide is
reversibly connected to a drawer by a quick connect device which is
primarily affixed to said drawer and which engages a front portion
of a drawer member of said undermount drawer slide, the improvement
therein comprising a quick connect device with an integrated
vertical adjustment toggle, where said toggle is infinitely
adjustable within its range of adjustability and said toggle is
affirmatively positioned for an adjustment by the turning of a
threaded screw adjuster that is accessible to a user when the quick
connect is installed on a drawer and the drawer is thereafter
raised or lowered to a desired placement within the carcass.
16. An undermount drawer slide of claim Number 15, wherein said
quick connect device includes a threaded screw adjuster that can be
rotatably adjusted by the hand of a user.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to undermount drawer slides,
e.g., telescoping slide rails for suspending a drawer within a
cabinet. More specifically, the present invention relates to heavy
duty drawer slides that are mountable underneath the bottom of a
drawer in a manner where the drawer slide is largely unexposed to
view when the drawer is opened.
[0004] Undermount drawer slides of the type described herein,
became a factor in drawer slide products during the 1980's. During
this period, and extending to the present time, undermount drawer
slides have been associated with European cabinet applications and
the predominant undermount drawer slide manufacturers during this
period of time have been European as well. These include companies
like Julius Blum Gesellschaft; M.B.H. ("Blum"), Paul Hettich GmbH
& Company ("Hettich"), MEPLA-Werke Lautenschlager GmbH &
Company (MEPLA"), Hafele GmbH & Company ("Hafele"), Alfit
Aktiengesellschaft ("Alfit"), and Grass GmbH ("Grass"), to name a
few. These manufacturers have taken similar approaches with respect
to the configuration of the typical undermount slide although the
means by which the telescoping members interact and the features
that they include vary from each company. The Blum slides, for
instance, use member profiles that are compatible with cylindrical
rollers that are positioned in between the members. Other slide
designs have used ball bearings, nonetheless, the designs share a
common functionality in that the working loads are supported by the
components and ultimately transmitted to the cabinet.
[0005] The typical undermount drawer slide of the type that is the
subject of the present application is based on the inclusion of two
or three telescoping members (or rails) which are connected between
a drawer body and a cabinet. The drawers typically are comprised of
two sidewalls, a bottom, a drawer back and a drawer front. The
cabinet is usually fabricated from one of two main approaches. The
first is the face frame method where a skeletal frame of wood is
constructed and the exterior is paneled with wood sheet, quite
often plywood, resulting in an enclosed cabinet that can be
finished for a furniture quality appearance. The second method is a
frameless construction where wood panels, again typically a plywood
material, of sufficient thickness are fastened together to form the
enclosed cabinet product. Like the first method, the resulting
product can be finished and made to resemble a high quality
furniture piece.
[0006] Whichever method is used, the resulting cabinet housing, or
carcass, is then ready for completion with the installation of the
drawer suspension system, any doors, or any other features or
accessories as may be required. In the process, the selection of an
undermount drawer occurs when the application is suited for medium
or heavy duty loads, or where the desired objective is to reduce or
minimize the exposure of suspension hardware to the end user, or
where the requirement calls for the superior action of the
undermount slide which is far smoother and easier in its movement
than other slides designs that might be considered.
[0007] The functionality of the undermount drawer slide has
steadily improved since its entry into the marketplace in the early
1980's. A typical application, as has been disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,015,199, is shown in the present application in FIG. 1 where
cabinet 10 includes a number of suspended drawers 12. The cabinet
is further enclosed by the sidewalls 14, top 16 and a bottom and a
back (not shown), all of which comprise the carcass. The drawer(s)
are made up of the drawer front 18, the drawer sides 20, the drawer
bottom 24 and the drawer back 26. The drawer pull 28 is used to
move the drawer from a closed position to an open position and vice
versa.
[0008] In FIG. 1, the drawer is suspended within the carcass by
means of the undermount drawer slide 30 which includes the drawer
member 32, the intermediate member 34 and the cabinet member 36. As
may be realized from the drawing, the cabinet member has an overall
"L" shaped profile that projects outwardly from the sidewall of the
carcass. The intermediate and drawer members ride on the outboard
portion of this "L" configuration, allowing for sufficient
clearance for the drawer member to be affixed to the underside of
the drawer bottom. In this fashion, the drawer is adequately
supported and the drawer slide system remains largely unexposed. In
this illustration, the undermount drawer slide utilizes three
members although it is understood that two members may be used, and
conversely, more than three could be used, although the most
prevalent slide in use is the three-membered version. It is also
understood that when referencing "drawer slides" or "undermount
drawer slides" the conventional application is to use a pair of
such slides, each one attached to opposing sidewalls of a drawer
and the corresponding sidewalls of the carcass, notwithstanding
references herein to the singular "drawer slide" or "undermount
drawer slide." Wherever such terms are used whether in singular or
plural, it is assumed that a pair of such assemblies would be used
in the suspension of the drawer.
[0009] Accessory features that have been integrated into the
undermount drawer slide design include a self-close function.
Various devices have been developed to promote a closing bias in a
drawer slide once it approaches the fully closed position. However
many of these versions suffer from a variety of problems, including
noise, binding, durability, ease of assembly, to name just a few.
One example of such prior art device is found in U.S. Pat. No.
5,364,179 where a spring activated self-closer is disclosed. The
'179 device is structurally similar to the self-closer of the
present invention, however it also has deficiencies that have been
overcome by the Applicant's invention. Most notably, the '179
self-closer relies upon the surface of cabinet member to which it
is mounted to form a part of the enclosure for keeping the spring
and for retaining slidable components within the body of the self
closer. This also means that the prior art device has to be
assembled within close proximity to the drawer slide itself and is
not easily subject to being assembled beforehand and certainly not
as a stand-alone completed unit.
[0010] Another feature that has been developed to enhance the
undermount drawer slide design is the inclusion of dampeners for
cushioning the impact of the drawer slide components when hitting a
stop placed at a stopping point on a member. The dampener feature
assists in reducing the noise associated with the opening and
closing of the drawer slide as well as reducing the severity of
impact upon various components thereby increasing durability. One
example of this feature is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,199 where
roller carriages with integrated dampeners are provided in the
undermount drawer slide assembly. The present invention also
includes a dampener of an improved design that further reduces the
effects of impacts on the stop elements in a manner that is more
beneficial to the life and durability of the slide assembly.
[0011] Another feature that has become associated with the
undermount drawer slides in particular, is the usage of a
reversible connector between the bottom of the drawer and the
drawer member of the slide. This function became popular as the
undermount drawer slide was accepted into more and more
applications and eventually a method was needed to allow the end
user to occasionally remove a drawer from the cabinet. One problem
that developed with the usage of such a device, however, was the
need to adjust the height or placement of the drawer. Several
solutions have been offered to provide vertical adjustment of the
drawer in such applications, one such example being the embodiment
associated with the quick connect device taught in U.S. Pat. No.
5,580,139. The usage of the wedge shaped adjustment means in this
version provides crude vertical adjustments much like the use of a
"shim" in wood carpentry for alignment of casings and the like.
This and the other adjustment methods suffer from a lack of
precision and stability and do not normally retain their adjusted
position, or at least fail to do so affirmatively, when the drawer
is removed from the cabinet. These and other deficiencies found in
the prior art have been overcome by the embodiments of the present
invention.
[0012] Additional deficits and problems of the prior art have been
addressed by the embodiments of the present invention will be
illustrated and discussed below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention comprises a novel undermount drawer
slide that has an improved self-closer. More particularly, the
self-closer of the present invention is comprised of a body that
encloses a spring, where the body further includes provisions for
the guiding and retention of a shuttle that is actuated by an
engagement device located on the drawer member of the undermount
drawer slide. The shuttle is connected to the spring and is biased
in a closing direction and is also movable between a closed
position and a cocked or open position. The self-closer is
compatibly mounted on the cabinet member in alignment with the
engagement device located on the drawer member. One improvement in
the self-closer is the inclusion of an integrated bottom portion
for the self-closer body that fully encloses the spring and a
portion of the shuttle.
[0014] The present invention also includes an integrated bottom for
a self-closer that provides a surface for the shuttle to rest on
while transitioning from its closed position to a cocked or open
position and vice versa.
[0015] The present invention also includes an integrated bottom for
a self-closer that has a living hinge for ease of manufacturing the
assembly as a one-piece construction.
[0016] Another embodiment of the present invention is an improved
dampener for the roller carriages for reducing the noise and force
of impact when the undermount drawer slide members contact stop
elements. The improvement in the dampener of the present invention
includes, at least, the inclusion of at least one elliptically
shaped coil element positioned to contact a stop element of the
undermount drawer slide and to absorb the shock of any impacts.
[0017] The present invention also includes a dampener for a roller
carriage that has a contact face that evenly spreads the impact
force when meeting a stop element.
[0018] The present invention also includes a roller carriage with a
web portion that is comprised of openings that reduce the amount of
material needed to fabricate the carriage and which also allow for
elastic absorption of an impact force.
[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, an
undermount drawer slide is provided with a quick connect device for
the reversible mounting of a drawer onto a drawer member. The
improvement in the quick connect device comprising a vertical
adjuster that affirmatively and precisely allows for vertical
adjustment of the drawer relative to the undermount drawer slide
assembly.
[0020] The present invention also includes a quick connect for an
undermount drawer slide that has an infinite adjustments within its
range.
[0021] The present invention also includes a quick connect for an
undermount drawer slide that retains its adjusted position when a
drawer is removed and until it is reinstalled, thereby eliminating
the need for new adjustments.
[0022] These and other benefits and attributes of the present
invention will be further explained and disclosed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative cabinet
with prior art undermount drawer slides installed on a drawer.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of a prior art
undermount drawer slide as installed onto a drawer and in a
position to be installed onto a carcass.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an undermount drawer
slide as mounted onto a face frame and where the drawer slide
assembly is in the closed position.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an undermount drawer
slide as in FIG. 3, however it is shown in the open position and as
it relates to a sidewall and drawer front of a drawer.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the profile of a
drawer member of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the profile of an
intermediate member of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the profile of a
cabinet member of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a rear mounting
bracket of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a cabinet member of
the present invention with a bottom carriage installed thereon.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cabinet member of the
present invention with a bottom carriage installed thereon.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an intermediate member of
the present invention with roller carriages mounted thereon.
[0034] FIG. 12 is a top view of a drawer member of the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a drawer member of the
present invention.
[0036] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bottom carriage of the
present invention.
[0037] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a roller carriage of the
present invention with dampeners.
[0038] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a quick connect of the
present invention.
[0039] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a toggle component of the
present invention.
[0040] FIG. 18 is a perspective exploded view of a quick connect of
the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the front portion of a
drawer member engaging a quick connect device of the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 20 is a top schematic view of a portion of a drawer
slide assembly of the present invention showing a self closer in
the closed position.
[0043] FIG. 21 is a top schematic view of a portion of a drawer
slide assembly of the present invention showing a self closer in
the open position.
[0044] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a self closer of the
present invention as shown from the shuttle side.
[0045] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a self closer of the
present invention as shown from the living hinge side.
[0046] FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the body of a self
closer of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a shuttle of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] A novel undermount drawer slide of the present invention is
premised upon the telescoping members typically associated with
drawer slides of this type as shown in FIG. 1 and as discussed
above. This arrangement is shown with more detail in FIG. 2 where
the elements of the subject drawer slide and its relationship to a
drawer are illustrated.
[0049] Specifically, the undermount drawer slide 30 is comprised of
the drawer member 32, the intermediated member 34 and the cabinet
member 36. Shown hidden behind the drawer back 26 is the drawer
member tab 38 with drawer member tab point 40 with tapered point
sides 42. The drawer member tab point and a substantial portion of
the drawer member tab projects through the drawer back mounting
hole 44 which is shown in its mounted position. The drawer back
wall 26 is indicated as being coextensive from the drawer side 20
to the drawer bottom 24 and ultimately to the opposing drawer side
(not shown). The typical drawer construction is indicated where the
drawer side is routed to provide a mounting slot for the drawer
bottom, which itself is recessed from the bottom of the drawer side
somewhat, thus providing the clearance for installing the
undermount drawer slide.
[0050] Continuing, the bottom carriage 46 is shown along with the
roller carriage 48 and a bottom carriage stop 50. The cabinet
member mounting flange 52 is illustrated in a position in which it
would be mounted onto the right hand side of a carcass and includes
cabinet member mounting flange holes 54, cabinet member gusset 56,
the cabinet member flange 60 and the cabinet member side stop
62.
[0051] The intermediate member 34 is shown with intermediate member
stop 64 and is telescopically oriented in between the cabinet
member and the drawer member 32. The self closer pin 66 is shown in
position to engage the self closer (not shown). Lastly, the drawer
member side flanges 70 are disposed on the sides of the drawer
member and are virtual mirror images, and with the drawer member
web 72, and the drawer member front flange, they all form the
profile of the drawer member.
[0052] Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an undermount drawer slide of
the present invention is disclosed as installed between a drawer
and a carcass. In this instance, the representation shows a frame
mounting type of installation. Specifically, the face frame 100 is
situated at the front portion of the carcass while the rear wall
102 is at the rear portion of the carcass. The undermount drawer
slide 110 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 3 and in the full
opened position in FIG. 4. In addition, a partial view of the
drawer 80 is displayed with drawer front 82, drawer sidewall 84,
and drawer bottom 86. The rear wall of the drawer has been omitted
but it is understood that it would conform to the illustration of a
rear wall as described for FIG. 2 above, including the drawer back
mounting hole. It should be noted that the rear wall and the face
frame portion are only partially represented here for the purposes
of explaining the invention and, normally, the carcass would be
comprised of frames, or walls that extend lengthwise for
substantially the whole height of the cabinet dimensions.
[0053] The undermount drawer slide is further comprised of the
cabinet member 112, which has an array of 32 mm mounting holes 114,
and which is engaged with the rear-mounting bracket 116. Also, the
intermediate member 120 and the drawer member 130 can be seen, and
near the front portion of the assembly, as shown in FIG. 4, is the
quick connect 132 which fastens the drawer to the drawer member in
the front, and the drawer member tab 134 which serves to fasten the
drawer in the back (through the drawer back mounting hole which is
not shown in this view).
[0054] It can be appreciated that the three membered slide
arrangement allows the drawer to be fully extended which would not
be the case normally for a two membered slide arrangement. This
capability has made the three membered slide product the more
desirable design in the marketplace although it does not represent
all of the applicable undermount drawer slide products that an end
user may consider.
[0055] Turning now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the profiles of the drawer
member, intermediate member and the cabinet member respectively are
shown. These members resemble the corresponding prior art members
in large part and as such the profiles are not specifically the
focus of the present invention. Some differences do exist and
facilitate or support aspects of the present invention.
[0056] The drawer member 130 is displayed with the drawer member
front flange 122, the drawer member stop 124, the drawer member web
126, the drawer member side flanges 128. The drawer member tab 134
with the drawer member tab point 136 is disclosed.
[0057] The intermediate member 120 is shown in FIG. 6 with the
intermediate web 140, the intermediate member inside flange 142,
the intermediate member exterior flange 144, the intermediate
member stops 146. The intermediate member also includes the inside
runner 160, the exterior runner 162, the inner stops 164, the
intermediate member front stops 166 and the intermediate member
rear stops 168. For purposes of the present application, reference
to "interior" and/or "exterior" means locations towards the center
of the drawer or towards the sidewall of the drawer
respectively.
[0058] The cabinet member 112 disclosed in FIG. 7 includes the
cabinet member mounting flange 154, with flange holes 156, the
gusset 157, the cabinet member web 158, the cabinet member inside
flange 159, the cabinet member top flange 150 and the cabinet
member stops 152.
[0059] The rear mounting bracket 116 is disclosed in FIG. 8 and
includes the rear mounting bracket holes 172, the rear mounting
bracket adjustable holes 174, the bracket back 170, the bracket
flange 176 and the bracket slide mount 178.
[0060] In the usual application, the undermount drawer slide is
fitted in between the carcass and the drawer with the drawer being
held to the drawer member by means of the quick connect at the
front, and the drawer member tab at the rear. The drawer member tab
actually penetrates the drawer back through the drawer back
mounting hole, which allows the drawer to be inserted first onto
the drawer in this fashion and then to be connected to the quick
connect. The actual means by which the quick connect fastens the
drawer to the drawer member will be discussed separately below.
[0061] The drawer member, the intermediate member and the cabinet
member are all telescopically interconnected and since the cabinet
member is fixed to the carcass, the other two are allowed to freely
move into the open position as has been shown in the drawings. The
rear portion of the cabinet member is fixed to the rear wall of the
carcass by means of the rear mounting bracket which through the
bracket slide mount, slidably engages a corresponding slotted
portion on the cabinet member. The cabinet member is also fixed to
the carcass by way of screw fasteners which can be inserted through
the 32 mm mounting holes and into the frame or panel forming the
carcass, which is applicable for the situation. As will be
discussed below, the members have carriages in between that assist
in the telescopic movement as well as transferring and distributing
the loads placed on the members.
[0062] FIG. 9 reveals the orientation of the bottom carriage 180 on
a portion of the cabinet member 112. The bottom carriage further
includes the bottom carriage frame 182, the bottom carriage rollers
184 and the bottom carriage stop 186.
[0063] Continuing in FIG. 10, the bottom carriage can be seen in
more detail, and how it is limited in its travel by the cabinet
member front stop 190 and the cabinet member stops 152. Also shown
in this view are the self closer mounting tabs 192 which will be
discussed in more detail below. The bottom carriage in this view is
shown as a conventional type without on-board stops or dampeners
which are a part of the present invention.
[0064] FIG. 11 discloses an intermediate member with roller
carriages disposed about its long axis. Specifically, the
intermediate member 120, generally includes web portion 140, the
inside flange 142, the exterior flange 144, the intermediate member
stops 146, the inside runner 160, and the exterior runner 162. In
addition, the front roller carriage 200 and the mid roller carriage
210 can now be seen. The front roller carriage includes the front
roller carriage rollers 202, the front roller carriage upper frame
204, the front roller carriage lower frame 206 and the front roller
carriage stops or dampeners 208. The mid roller carriage is
comprised of the mid roller carriage upper frame 212, the mid
roller carriage rollers 214, and the mid roller carriage lower
frame 216. Also shown are the rail rollers 220 and the rail roller
axles 222.
[0065] The bottom carriage and the roller carriages both work in
similar ways. They both utilize rollers that are oriented about the
member profiles so as to provide rolling surfaces when contacting
the corresponding member surface. In this fashion, the loads placed
upon the undermount slide assembly are transferred from the drawer,
to the drawer member, to the intermediate member and then to the
cabinet member, all the while providing telescoping movement. The
travel of the carriages is limited by the stops that are placed
appropriately for the desired length of extension required for each
member. Carriages may be provided with stops or dampeners which
will greatly reduce the shocks of impacts when member reaches a
stopping point (either in an open or fully extended position or in
the closed position). As shown, the front roller carriages do have
such stops or dampeners and the particular version shown are a
prior art design. The carriages of the present invention have
improved upon the prior art designs and the specific enhancements
will be discussed in more detail herein.
[0066] The last general component of the undermount drawer slide
assembly to consider is revealed in FIGS. 12 and 13. The drawer
member 130, includes the drawer member front flange 122, the side
flanges 128, the web portion 126, the drawer member tab 134 and the
tab point 136. The drawer member also includes the drawer member
front portion 240, the drawer member rear portion 242, the
engagement flange 244, the engagement opening 246, the drawer
member rear stop 248 and the drawer member notch 250.
[0067] FIG. 14 discloses a bottom carriage 270 of the present
invention, which includes the bottom carriage top 272, the bottom
carriage bottom 274, the bottom carriage frame 276, the bottom
carriage frame web 278, the bottom carriage frame holes 280, the
bottom carriage rollers 282, the bottom carriage end portion(s)
284, and the bottom carriage dampener or stop 286. The bottom
carriage dampener also includes the front coil 288 and the rear
coil 290.
[0068] As has been seen herein, the bottom carriage is slidably
located in between the cabinet member and the intermediate member.
In use, the bottom carriage is free to move within the space
enclosed by the two members until it reaches the stopping point for
either the fully extended or open position (the intermediate member
can reach a fully extended position without the drawer slide
assembly as a whole reaching the fully opened position) and also
the stopping point for the fully closed position. When this
happens, the bottom carriage dampener is intended to contact the
cabinet member front stop 190. The bottom carriage may continue to
move once contact occurs, and additional stops are provided for
secondary stopping purposes, however, it is the intention of the
present invention to provide for a cushioned stopping action that
is realized when the bottom carriage dampener is the first to reach
a stopping element or when the bottom carriage dampener is impacted
by a stopping element on the other end, either simultaneously or
secondary to any front stopping.
[0069] Once the initial contact with the stop occurs, and no matter
where it occurs, the bottom carriage dampener(s) receives the
impact load on the forward portion of the front coil as can be
understood from the drawings. This load is transmitted evenly
across the forward portion of the first coil owing to its
elliptical configuration, and at the same time the front coil is
compressible and may elastically compress as the impact force is
dissipated. Transmittal of the impact force continues to the second
coil, if need be, and although there is no direct contact between
the stopping element and the second coil, it does receive the
loading of the impact force and when the impact is sufficiently
hard, the second or rear coil will likewise compress in a uniform
manner, thereby dissipating the loads evenly and gradually. This
even distribution of loads would be expected to minimize the impact
more than the dampeners used in the prior art devices and the
expectation is that the durability of the components have thereby
been improved as well.
[0070] The impact force may also be dissipated through the bottom
carriage frame, more specifically, through the frame web with its
series of frame holes. The openings or holes provide a measure of
additional elastic deformation potential across the length of the
bottom carriage frame if the impact loadings exceed the capability
of the dampener portion of the bottom carriage to do so. This is
not meant to be a primary method for absorbing the loading,
although it serves as a tertiary measure when the application is
severe. Providing for some dissipation across the length of the
bottom carriage frame, it is believed, will reduce the likelihood
for fracturing of the frame to occur as would be the case for the
prior art carriage devices. Additionally, the inclusion of the
bottom carriage frame holes reduces the material commitment for the
manufacture of the product.
[0071] Similar treatment is found with respect to the roller
carriage 300 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15, the
roller carriage includes the roller carriage upper frame 302, the
roller carriage lower frame 304, the roller carriage rollers 306,
and the roller carriage dampener(s) 308. The roller carriage
dampener also includes the roller carriage front coil 310 and the
roller carriage rear coil 312. The roller carriage front coil also
has a roller carriage front coil face 314.
[0072] As may now be understood, the roller carriage dampeners or
stops work in a similar fashion as the dampeners associated with
the bottom carriage. The dissipation of the impact forces remain
nearly identical with the exception that the roller carriage does
not have the extent of length that the bottom carriage does and
therefore does not dissipate impact forces through holes or
openings in the frame.
[0073] Both the bottom carriage and the roller carriage of the
present invention can be fabricated as a single piece. The
preferred embodiment is to manufacture the bottom carnage frame and
the roller carriage frames via plastic injection molding, thereby
reducing the need for any assembly, beyond the insertion of the
rollers into the spaces provided in the carriage frame. Also, it is
understood that the rollers in accordance with the prior art, with
preformed axle ends thereon, may be retained within the frame by
means of snap-fitting them into receivers for the roller axle
ends.
[0074] The bottom carriage and roller carriage of the present
invention solves problems associated with the non uniform
dissipation of impact forces, and with respect to the bottom
carriage, also improves on the durability of the device while
reducing material requirements.
[0075] The quick connect 400 of the present invention may now be
discussed fully, and as shown from the top in FIG. 16, includes the
quick connect base 402, the handle 404, the toggle 406, the toggle
mount 407, the quick connect stop 408, the latch spring 410, the
quick connect base top 412, the quick connect base web 414, the
quick connect web openings or holes 416, the quick connect base
mounts 418, and the quick connect fastener holes 420. The latch
spring also includes the latch portion 422 and the spring portion
424.
[0076] The toggle 406 of the present invention is shown in more
detail in FIG. 17, and includes the toggle ends 430, the toggle
pivot 432, the center hole 434 and the toggle top face 436.
[0077] Additional detail of the quick connect device of the present
invention is found in FIG. 18 where the quick connect also includes
the toggle mount 450, the toggle screw adjust 452, the toggle screw
adjust mount 454, and the toggle block 456. The toggle itself is
shown from the opposite side and the toggle barrel 442 and the
toggle ramp(s) 444 can be seen along with the toggle pin 446 and
toggle pin head 448. The quick connect stop 406 is shown with the
associated stop face 460.
[0078] Continuing, the quick connect also includes the handle 404
which itself includes the handle stop face 462, the handle pivot
470, the handle pivot through hole 472 and the handle pivot mount
474. The handle pivot mounting hole 476 located on the base is
associated with this part of the handle. The handle also includes
the handle edge 478, the handle end 480, the latch opening 482, the
handle apron 484, the handle body 486, the latch spring mount 488,
and the latch guide slot 520.
[0079] The latch spring 410 includes the latch spring mount 488,
the latch spring pivot 490, the latch spring guide 492, the latch
spring arm 494, the latch head 496, the latch faces 498, the thumb
release 500, the latch spring body 502, and the spring base
504.
[0080] The quick connect base 402 now can be seen with the quick
connect base head flange 510, the quick connect base head 512, the
latch guide 514, and the latch guide end 516.
[0081] Turning now to FIG. 19, the quick connect 400 is shown in
the mounted alignment with the front portion 240 of the drawer
member. At the forward most position on the drawer member, fitted
into the final stop notch 426, is the final stop 425. The quick
connect latch head is engaged with the engagement opening in the
drawer member (not shown). The final stop has the final stop top
427 and the final stop front 428. In use, the toggle end 430 rests
on the final stop top where it is received into a slight recessed
area. The other end of the toggle is in a neutral position where
the quick connect base is flush with the top of the drawer
member.
[0082] The quick connect of the present invention provides a
convenient means for the reversible mounting of a drawer onto a
drawer member in an undermount drawer slide installation. Reference
to FIG. 4 shows the placement of the quick connect device is at the
most forward position on the undermount drawer slide. In the usual
application, the quick connect device is affixed to the back side
of the drawer front by means of screws that are threaded into the
drawer front through the quick connect base fastener holes. The top
side of the quick connect base therefore resides in close contact
with the bottom side of the drawer bottom and in the usual
orientation, the quick connect handle edge is oriented towards the
interior of the drawer. In this way, the quick connect device is
placed so as to be in alignment with the drawer member engagement
flange and engagement flange opening and in particular, the quick
connect latch guide becomes positioned on the other side of the
engagement opening from the latch head and latch faces. Multiple
faces are provided for adapting to any lateral clearances that may
develop by means of tolerances that stack up during assembly of the
cabinet and/or drawer, or in the undermount drawer slide itself The
engagement provides for affirmative retention of the drawer member
to the drawer in this location since the latch faces prevent the
reversal or release of the engagement flange from the quick connect
latch unless it is acted upon by the user.
[0083] As was mentioned above, the user will typically mount the
drawer onto the drawer member by insertion of the drawer member tab
and tab point into the opening provided for same in the drawer
back. The drawer front is then lowered into place and when the
quick connect latch is locked up with the engagement flange, the
whole assembly is firmly held in the installed position. It should
be understood at this point, that the mirror image installation
occurs on each side of the drawer, and the representations and
descriptions given herein are meant for a pair of assemblies,
inclusive of the present invention, for each drawer
application.
[0084] The ease in which the quick connect is latched to the drawer
member comes from the combination of the handle and the latch
spring. In the preferred orientation, the handle edge is positioned
interior to the rest of the quick connect assembly and is
addressable by the fingers of either the right or left hand of the
user depending on whether the right or left quick connect is being
manipulated. Manipulation of the handle in this fashion causes it
to rotate about the handle pivot and to otherwise contact quick
connect spring portion and the latch spring pivot which urges the
latch spring in an opposing rotation as well. In fact, both quick
connects are typically manipulated simultaneously. The thumb of the
user then naturally and ergonomically rests on the thumb release
portion of the latch spring and when a slight closing pressure is
applied between the thumb and fingers of each hand, each handle is
urged towards the exterior and the spring is urged towards the
interior of the drawer. In this fashion, the latch faces are
disengaged from contact with the engagement flange and the drawer
may be removed or installed as desired. In fact, as far as
installation goes, the latch spring does not need to be retracted
but owing to the compatibly formed latch head, it will
automatically retract when coming into contact with the engagement
flange. As mentioned above, the latch faces will also automatically
provide contact for multiple lateral positions as may be
required.
[0085] The cooperation between the latch and the spring assemblies
of the quick connect may be easily discerned from the drawings. The
travel of the handle is limited by contact between the stop face on
the quick connect stop and the corresponding handle stop face.
[0086] Of particular note in the present invention, is the
inclusion of a vertical adjustment capability with a quick connect
device. Reference to the drawings, and in particular the toggle
assembly, reveals a toggle that is free to rotate about the toggle
pin. When the quick connect is installed onto a drawer and
undermount drawer slide, the toggle top face is flush with the top
of the drawer member. The toggle end is positioned to engage the
final stop top and elevating the opposing toggle end would then
result in a corresponding elevating of the quick connect device,
which is itself is attached to the drawer. As may be appreciated
from the representation in FIG. 18, the toggle screw adjuster 452
fits into the toggle screw adjuster mount 454 which is itself
formed as part of the toggle block 456. The toggle screw adjuster
is threaded (not shown) and can be rotatably advanced and retracted
the end of which lands on the toggle ramp 444 where it influences
the position of the toggle, raising and lowering the drawer when
the quick connect is in position.
[0087] One advantage of the present invention is the fact that the
toggle adjustments are made in an infinite number of increments
throughout the range of the toggle screw adjuster. As compared to
some prior art devices that have only stepped adjustments, the
ability to precisely adjust the drawer is an advantage.
Additionally, once the adjustment has been made, the toggle screw
adjuster can be retained within its mount and the adjustment
remains the same even if the drawer is removed from the undermount
drawer slide installation. Again this an advantage over prior art
devices where the adjustments can be bumped or altered when the
drawer is removed, thus requiring additional effort to reinstall
the drawer back into the assembly.
[0088] While the quick connect base is preferentially fabricated
from zinc die cast, it is possible to fabricate the quick connect
base from other materials such as plastic (via injection molding or
sintered metal casting, or other methods and materials as one
skilled in the art may see fit to employ. Similarly, the toggle,
latch spring and the handle, all are preferentially fabricated from
plastic, it is possible to construct these components from die cast
metals.
[0089] The toggle screw adjuster is shown as having a Phillips type
head for engagement with a driver of same type. It is just as
feasible to have a toggle screw adjuster that uses a finned or
winged end for gripping by the fingers of a user. In terms of
making adjustments without having to retain line-of-sight with the
top of the toggle screw adjuster, it is preferential to use an
alternate terminus for this purpose, especially one that can be
manipulated by hand rather than by insertion of a tool.
[0090] Turning now to the embodiment of the present invention
disclosed in FIGS. 20 through 25, a self closer 600 is shown as
installed on a portion of an undermount drawer slide assembly, and
in both the closed position (FIG. 20) and in the open position
(FIG. 21). Specifically, the self closer 600 of the present
invention is installed on a cabinet member 602 and is in close
proximity with a drawer member 604. The self closer is affixed to
the cabinet member by means of cabinet tabs 606 which project
through and grip onto the self closer mounts 616. The self closer
also comprises the self closer body 610, the shuttle 612, the self
closer apron 614, the self closer latch 620, the self closer safety
stop 622 and the self closer stop 624.
[0091] In FIGS. 22 and 23, the self closer bottom 630 is shown as
being integral with the self closer living hinge 632. Also, the
self closer rear opening 634 and the rear spring mount 636 can be
seen in these views.
[0092] Turning to FIG. 24, the self closer body 610 is shown
without the living hinge and the self closer bottom. The view of
the interior of the self closer body reveals the self closer latch
620, the spring chamber 642, the shuttle track 644, the forward
track stop 646 and the rear track stop 648.
[0093] The shuttle 612 is shown in more detail in FIG. 25 and
includes the shuttle base 650, the shuttle spring mount 652, the
shuttle spring opening 654, the rear shuttle safety stop block 656,
which is itself comprised of the rear shuttle pin 658 and the rear
shuttle brace 660. Also included in the shuttle is the rear shuttle
guide 662, the rear shuttle notch 664, the rear shuttle guide 670,
the front shuttle guide 672, the shuttle stop tab 674, the shuttle
latch tab 676, the engagement slot 678, the rear engagement block
680, the intermediate engagement block 682, the front engagement
block 684, with corresponding rear engagement surface 690, the
intermediate engagement surface 688, and the front engagement
surface 686. The shuttle also includes the stepped portion 692.
[0094] As may now be realized, a portion of the shuttle slidably
rides within the self closer, captured within the self closer body
and the self closer bottom. The shuttle rear and forward guides are
likewise captured within the shuttle track and the shape of the
rear guide in particular is given a roughly triangular shape so as
to allow the front guide to follow the track run as it turns 90
degrees and comes to rest within the forward track stop as it is
moved to its forward most position.
[0095] The portion of the shuttle that is captured within the self
closer body is defined in part by the stepped portion 692 on the
shuttle. As the shuttle progresses from the forward most position
to the rear position, the shuttle will orient itself from a
position that is at an angle to the long axis of the self closer
body, to become more parallel as the forward guide moves out of the
portion of the shuttle track that is the forward track stop. When
this transition occurs, the shuttle guides will be substantially in
straight line alignment with each other and the shuttle itself will
scribe a straight line as it continues its travel to the rear most
(closed) position.
[0096] The action of the shuttle within the self closer body is
revealed even more by considering the shuttle positions as the self
closer is shown in the "Closed" and "Open" conditions in FIGS. 20
and 21. The actuation of the shuttle, causing it to be moved from
one position to the other, is the result of the shuttle contacting
the drawer engager 608 (see also the self closer pin 66, in FIG.
2). Essentially, the drawer engager is a 90 degree steel pin that
is welded to the desired location on the sidewall of a drawer
member, in such alignment as to contact the shuttle at the rear
engagement surface when returning to the closed position, and the
intermediate and front engagement surfaces when the shuttle is
moving to the open position. The impact of the contact is absorbed
by the respective rear, intermediate and front engagement
blocks.
[0097] When the shuttle is in the closed condition, the shuttle
stop tab 674 rests on the self closer stop 624. This is the
preferential condition, although if the closing force overcomes
this, the shuttle safety stop will contact the self closer safety
stop.
[0098] The spring is not shown in the drawings although it is
understood to be connected from the self closer rear spring mount
636, threaded through the self closer rear opening 634 and then
connected to the shuttle by threading it through the shuttle spring
opening 654 and then attached to the shuttle at the spring mount
652. Spring tension remains on the shuttle at all times as it moves
through its positions.
[0099] In the open or forward most position, the shuttle is angled
in relation to the self closer body and this exposes the engagement
slot 678 to the drawer engager. Since the shuttle only travels a
matter of inches, once it is retained in the open position, contact
with the drawer engager is broken and the drawer member can
continue to extend without any engagement with the self at all. It
is only when the drawer member returns to a position near a closed
position that the drawer engager is now in close relation to engage
the shuttle. In so doing, it contacts the rear engagement surface
which urges the shuttle out of the angled position and once it is
substantially parallel with the line of travel of the drawer member
the shuttle is released from the forward track stop and the self
closer latch and the spring tension will cause the shuttle to
impart a closing bias to the drawer member, urging it to the
predetermined closing position.
[0100] The present invention, now understood as to its function
within the undermount drawer slide installation, is substantially
improved over the prior art which, in one example, relied upon the
mounting of a self closer body directly to the surface of the
drawer member flange to form the bottom of the self closer device.
This prior art device had the advantage of needed less material,
however, this meant that in order to install the device on a drawer
slide, it would have to be assembled virtually on the spot, by
threading the spring between the self closer body and the shuttle,
placing and orienting the shuttle within the self closer body, and
then placing the components while in this semi-assembled condition,
in the appropriate location on the drawer member and then affixing
them to the drawer member. All of which requires no small amount of
dexterity and skill not to mention the then-present availability of
all of the component parts in sufficient quantity to match the
production requirements for the drawer slides.
[0101] By contrast, the present invention allows for the self
closer to be assembled elsewhere, by going through the same process
of inserting the spring to the self closer body and to the shuttle,
but the shelf closer of the preferred embodiment has a bottom that
is linked to a living hinge running the length of the self closer
body. When the component parts are in their proper position, the
bottom may be closed over the self closer body, thereby enclosing
the spring and shuttle in the desired placement, and the self
closer bottom may then be solvent welded to the self closer body,
or it may be welded by means of ultrasonic welding, or by any other
fixing means known to one skilled in the art. The end result is an
independently functional self closer that can be held in inventory
until required for installation on the subject undermount drawer
slides. This advantage not only improves the efficiency of drawer
slide manufacturing, but the improved self closer of the present
invention is easier to assemble.
[0102] In addition to the foregoing, the self closer bottom has an
apron portion upon which the outboard portion of the shuttle rests.
There is an advantage in having the shuttle ride completely on a
surface formed from the apron and bottom of the self closer, since
the preferred material of fabrication for the self closer is
plastic. A plastic can be selected that has lubricious qualities
which will enhance and improve the sliding action of the shuttle
within the self closer body and on the self closer bottom and
apron. As compared to prior art devices that utilize the surface of
the drawer member, there is less binding and less friction that is
developed which will increase the longevity of the self closer
overall and which, it is believed, prevent forced movement of the
shuttle during binding which would lead to immediate and
unpredicted failure of the device.
[0103] The integration of a living hinge and self closer bottom to
the body of the self closer achieves a level of economy in
manufacturing since the unit can be plastic injection molded as one
complete part. This is the preferred embodiment of the present
invention although it is noted that the benefits of the invention
can be practiced with a self closer bottom and/or apron that are
provided as a separate component from the self closer body.
[0104] The features and benefits of the present invention, and its
various embodiments, as described herein, are illustrative of the
concepts of the applicant and aren't meant to be limiting or
restrictive as to the reasonable extensions and variations that may
be made from the teachings herein.
* * * * *