U.S. patent application number 10/553401 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-04 for self closing device for a slide and slide having this.
Invention is credited to Yoon-Sik Park.
Application Number | 20070001562 10/553401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36142801 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070001562 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Yoon-Sik |
January 4, 2007 |
Self closing device for a slide and slide having this
Abstract
Disclosed is a self-closing apparatus for a slide, which
automatically moves a drawer to a completely closed position by
tensile force of springs when the user moves the drawer toward the
closed position. The self-closing apparatus includes a pair of
springs, a moving pin, a moving pin guide, a plate-shaped movable
member, and a fixed member. The moving pin includes a support pin
portion, a support plate, and a guide protrusion. The moving pin
guide includes a moving pin guide slot including a pin-receiving
inlet portion and a pin engaging portion. The movable member
includes a plate portion provided with a hole, a sliding rod formed
integrally with the plate portion, and spring support portions. The
fixed member includes a support base including spring support
portions, an extension bar including movable member sliding
portions and a moving pin guide portion, and a head.
Inventors: |
Park; Yoon-Sik; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN PLLC
400 SEVENTH STREET N.W.
SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
36142801 |
Appl. No.: |
10/553401 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
December 29, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR04/03489 |
371 Date: |
October 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/333 ;
312/334.7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/467
20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/333 ;
312/334.7 |
International
Class: |
A47B 88/00 20060101
A47B088/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 8, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0080602 |
Oct 8, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0080628 |
Dec 24, 2004 |
KR |
20-2004-0036684 |
Claims
1. A self-closing apparatus for a slide comprising: a pair of
springs; a moving pin comprising a support pin portion having a
cylindrical shape, a support plate, and a guide protrusion; a
moving pin guide comprising a moving pin guide slot and first
coupling means, the moving pin guide slot comprising a
pin-receiving inlet portion defined by two inlet surfaces, and a
pin engaging portion defined by three engaging surfaces; a movable
member including a plate portion centrally provided with a hole,
sliding rods formed integrally with the plate portion, and spring
support portions to which first ends of the springs are
respectively coupled; and a plate-shaped fixed member comprising a
support base comprising spring support portions, to which second
ends of the springs are respectively coupled, an extension bar
comprising movable member sliding portions respectively formed at
opposite longitudinal sides of the extension bar, and a moving pin
guide portion formed at an intermediate portion of the extension
bar, a head, and second coupling means, wherein each sliding rod of
the movable member comprises a protrusion and a sliding groove;
wherein the moving pin guide portion of the fixed member comprises
a rectilinear guide portion and a curved guide portion; wherein the
moving pin is slidably coupled to the moving pin guide portion of
the fixed member; the movable member sliding portions of the fixed
member are slidably engaged with the sliding grooves of the movable
member under a condition in which the support pin portion of the
moving pin is inserted in the hole of the movable member, so that
the moving pin moves integrally with the movable member along the
moving pin guide portion of the fixed member when the movable
member slides along the movable member sliding portions of the
fixed member; wherein the moving pin guide is fixed to a movable
rail of the slide by the first coupling means such that the moving
pin guide is moved together with the movable rail; and wherein the
fixed member is fixed to a fixed rail of the slide by the second
coupling means.
2. The self-closing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
hole formed in the plate portion of the movable member has a length
corresponding to a transversal length of the moving pin guide
portion of the fixed member.
3. The self-closing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
movable pin guide slot further comprises an engagement groove
formed at one of three engaging surfaces of the pin engaging
portion.
4. The self-closing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each
of the springs has the tapered portions respectively formed at a
portion near the end of the spring.
5. The self-closing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
first coupling means comprises a hole in which a coupling
protrusion of the movable rail is fitted, and the second coupling
means comprises riveting holes.
6. The self-closing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
extension bar of the fixed member further comprises a buffering
space connected to the rectilinear guide portion of the moving pin
guide portion while extending parallel with the rectilinear guide
portion, a support protrusion formed between the moving pin guide
portion and the buffering space, and a twist preventing protrusion
formed at the support protrusion and adapted to prevent the support
protrusion from twisting.
7. The self-closing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
moving pin guide further comprises elastic blocks respectively
formed at opposite longitudinal sides of the moving pin guide, and
buffering grooves respectively formed around the elastic blocks,
the elastic blocks being diverged from each other to have
elasticity.
8. The self-closing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
extension bar of the fixed member further comprises protrusions
respectively arranged close to and in parallel with the movable
member sliding portions.
9. The self-closing apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
moving member further comprises a movable rail support formed on a
surface of the movable member, and adapted to support the movable
rail
10. The self-closing apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the
movable rail support comprises support bars formed integrally with
the movable member, and support flanges respectively formed at free
ends of the support bars.
11. A slide comprising: a fixed rail; two movable rails; ball
retainers each located between adjacent ones of the rails, and
adapted to operatively connect the adjacent rails such that the
movable rails are slidable; and a self-closing apparatus as set
forth in claim 1.
12. The slide as set forth in claim 11, wherein one of the movable
rails comprises a rail groove for receiving a part of the
self-closing apparatus.
13. The slide as set forth in claim 11, wherein the slide comprises
a fixed rail, a movable rail, and a ball retainer located between
the rails, and adapted to operatively connect the rails such that
the movable rails are slidable.
14. The slide as set forth in claim 11, wherein the slide is a
slide for a Kimchi refrigerator.
Description
[0001] This is a nationalization of PCT/KR04/003489 filed Dec. 29,
2004 and published in English.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a self-closing apparatus
for a slide and a slide having this, and more particularly to a
self-closing apparatus for a slide, which automatically moves a
drawer to a completely closed position by means of elastic force of
springs when the drawer moves toward the closed position, and a
slide having the self-closing apparatus.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In general, slides are mounted to an item, for example, a
cabinet, in which a drawer is received, in such a manner that a
pair of slides are symmetrically mounted to opposite side walls of
the cabinet defining a space for receiving the drawer, in order to
slidably move the drawer between a closed position and an open
position. Such slides are mainly used in drawers of tables, clothes
chests, and dressers, and may be used in any item, such as a Kimchi
refrigerator, including a drawer or drawers slidable between a
closed position and an open position with respect to the body of
item.
[0004] Conventional slides have a problem in that force must be
continuously applied to the drawer until the drawer is completely
closed. Also, there is inconvenience in that, when the drawer is
closed with excessive force, the drawer may slam against the
cabinet, so that the drawer may be unintentionally re-opened due to
the resultant repulsive force. In order to solve these problems, a
proposal has been made in which the slides are mounted such that
they are slightly downwardly inclined as they extend inwardly in
the cabinet, thereby causing the drawer to be self-closed without
being unintentionally opened. In this case, however, the drawer may
slam against the cabinet due to the weights of the drawer and
articles received in the drawer, thereby generating high impact
force. As a result, the cabinet, the drawer, and rails of the
slides supporting the drawer may be damaged.
[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the present applicant
proposed an improved structure which is disclosed in Korean Utility
Model Registration No. 20-0287996 entitled "SLIDER FIXING AND
GUIDING APPARATUS FOR DRAWER". However, this apparatus, which
employs a single hooked spring, has a problem in that the apparatus
cannot be used for a prolonged period of time when it is used at
the drawer for receiving heavy articles because the hooked portions
of the spring may be easily broken.
[0006] PCT Publication No. WO 2001-82749 discloses a mechanism for
a self-closing slide which includes a guide pin, a spring, an
actuator, and a housing. The spring and actuator of the mechanism
are coupled to the guide pin such that the spring urges the
actuator toward a rear wall of the housing. The spring is in a
compressed state at an open position of the slide, and is in a
normal state at a closed position of the slide. The spring is not
stretched, and is thus not broken.
[0007] The housing of the above mechanism includes rear, front,
upper and two opposite side walls, and has a structure for
receiving all of the guide pin, spring, and actuator. That is, the
housing has a box-shaped structure within which the guide pin,
spring, and actuator are placed. However, such a box-shaped housing
cannot be easily manufactured, and requires high production costs.
In order to fix the housing to a fixed member (an outer member) of
the slide, a plurality of legs are formed integrally with the
housing. For this reason, there are problems of a more complex
manufacturing process and an increase in manufacturing costs.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a self-closing apparatus for a slide, which automatically
moves a drawer to a completely closed position by tensile force of
springs and prevents the spring from being early broken and has a
simple structure.
[0009] In accordance with the present invention, the above and
other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a
self-closing apparatus comprising: a pair of springs; a moving pin;
a moving pin guide; a plate-shaped movable member; and a
plate-shaped fixed member.
[0010] The moving pin comprises a support pin portion having a
cylindrical shape, a support plate, and a guide protrusion. The
moving pin guide comprises a moving pin guide slot and first
coupling means. The moving pin guide slot is formed by a
pin-receiving inlet portion defined by two inlet surfaces and a pin
engaging portion defined by three engaging surfaces. The movable
member comprises a plate portion centrally provided with a hole,
sliding rods formed integrally with the plate portion, and spring
support portions to which first ends of the springs are
respectively coupled. The fixed member may comprises a support base
comprising spring support portions, to which second ends of the
springs are respectively coupled, an extension bar comprising
movable member sliding portions formed at opposite longitudinal
sides of the extension bar, and a moving pin guide portion formed
at an intermediate portion of the extension bar, a head, and second
coupling means.
[0011] Each sliding rod of the movable member comprises a
protrusion and a sliding groove. The moving pin guide portion of
the fixed member comprises a rectilinear guide portion and a curved
guide portion. The moving pin guide may be fixed to a movable rail
of the slide by the first coupling means such that the moving pin
guide is moved together with the movable rail. The fixed member is
fixed to a fixed rail of the slide by the second coupling
means.
[0012] The moving pin is slidably coupled to the moving pin guide
portion of the fixed member. The movable member sliding portions of
the fixed member is slidably engaged with the sliding grooves of
the movable member under a condition in which the support pin
portion of the moving pin is inserted in the hole of the movable
member, so that the moving pin moves integrally with the movable
member along the moving pin guide portion of the fixed member when
the movable member slides along the movable member sliding portions
of the fixed member.
[0013] In accordance with the present invention, when the slide is
in an extended state, the moving pin of the self-closing apparatus
is located at the curved guide portion of the moving pin guide
portion of the fixed member. When the slide is in a retracted
state, the moving pin is located at an inner end of the rectilinear
guide portion of the moving pin guide portion. When the moving pin
moves from the location corresponding to the extended state of the
slide to the location corresponding to the retraced state of the
slide, this movement is automatically carried out by tensile force
of the springs. Thus, the self-closing apparatus automatically
closes the slide. The self-closing apparatus of the present
invention prevents early breakage of springs, has a simple
structure and low production costs, and is easily returned from an
abnormal operating state to a normal operating state.
[0014] Preferably, an engagement groove is formed at one of three
engaging surfaces of the pin engaging portion.
[0015] Further preferably, tapered portions are formed at a portion
near the ends of the spring.
[0016] Further preferably, the extension bar of the fixed member
comprises protrusions being parallel with the movable member
sliding portions while being close to the movable member sliding
portions.
[0017] Further preferably, a movable rail support is formed on a
surface of the movable member to support and guide the movable
rail.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a three-member
slide;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a three-member slide having
a self-closing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the self-closing apparatus
in accordance with the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a moving pin;
[0023] FIGS. 5A to 5C are a perspective, rear, and front views
respectively of a moving pin guide;
[0024] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a perspective and front views
respectively of an embodiment of a movable member;
[0025] FIG. 6C is a sectional view of the movable member seen from
the direction of "B" of FIG. 6A;
[0026] FIGS. 7A and 7B are a front and rear view respectively of a
fixed member;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along the line A-A
of FIG. 7A;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which
only the moving pin is engaged with the fixed member;
[0029] FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views respectively illustrating
a state in which the moving pin is located at one end of a
rectilinear guide portion of a moving pin guide portion of the
fixed member, and a state in which the moving pin is located at a
curved guide portion of the moving pin guide portion of the fixed
member;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which
the moving pin is separated from the moving pin guide;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which
the moving pin guide is coupled to the moving pin located at the
curved guide portion;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which
the moving pin guide is coupled to the moving pin and is located at
a completely retracted position of the slide by the force of
springs;
[0033] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
movable member;
[0034] FIG. 14B is a sectional view of the movable member seen from
the direction of "B" of FIG. 14A; and
[0035] FIG. 15 is a schematic view illustrating an abnormal state
of the self-closing apparatus of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0036] Generally, slides may be two-member slides (including a
fixed rail and a movable rail) or three-member slides (including a
fixed rail and two movable rails). Referring to FIG. 1, a
three-member slide 10 is illustrated. The three-member slide
comprises a fixed rail (outer member) 800 and two movable rails,
i.e., an intermediate movable rail (intermediate member) 900
sliding within the fixed rail 800 and an inner movable rail (inner
member) 700 sliding within the intermediate movable rail 900 (FIGS.
1 and 2). Ball retainers 950 having proper lengths are positioned
between adjacent rails. Balls 955 are retained by the ball
retainers 950, respectively, thereby allowing the movable rails 700
and 900 to smoothly slide.
[0037] The slide 10, as shown in FIG. 2, is used to slidably move a
drawer 960 between a closed position and an open position in a
cabinet (not shown). The fixed rail 800 of the slide 10 is attached
to a proper position of the cabinet and drawer 960 is coupled to
the inner movable rail 700 by fastening means such as screws
fastened through coupling holes 720. Accordingly, movement of the
drawer 960 causes sliding of the inner movable rail 700 and/or the
intermediate movable rail 900. At a completely closed position of
the drawer 960, the slide 10 is in a completely retracted state (a
completely retracted state of the movable rails). At a completely
open state of the drawer 960, the slide 10 is in a completely
extended state (a completely extended state of the movable
rails).
[0038] A self-closing apparatus 20 for a slide in accordance with
the present invention is mounted to the rearmost end of the fixed
rail 800. A rail groove 910 is formed at the rearmost end of the
intermediate movable rail 900 to receive a part of the self-closing
apparatus 20.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the self-closing apparatus
20 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The self-closing apparatus 20 comprises a moving pin
400, a movable member 200, a fixed member 100, and a pair of
springs 500. The self-closing apparatus 20 further comprises a
moving pin guide 300 (FIG. 11) coupled to the inside of the inner
movable rail 700 and separably engaged with the moving pin 400.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, the moving pin 400 includes a guide
protrusion 410 formed at one end of the moving pin 400, a support
pin portion 430 formed at the other end of the moving pin 400, and
a support plate 420 formed between the guide protrusion 410 and the
support pin portion 430. The moving pin 400 also includes a groove
411 formed between the guide protrusion 410 and the support plate
420. The support pin portion 430 of the moving pin 400 has a
cylindrical shape.
[0041] FIGS. 5A to 5C are a perspective, rear, and front views
respectively of the moving pin guide 300. A moving pin guide slot
350 is formed at the moving pin guide 300 (FIG. 5A), and includes a
pin-receiving inlet portion 310 and a pin engaging portion 320
(FIG. 5B). The pin-receiving inlet portion 310 includes a first
inlet surface 311 and a second inlet surface 312, whereas the pin
engaging portion 320 includes a first rectilinear engaging surface
323, a second rectilinear engaging surface 324, and a curved
engaging surface 325. Preferably, an engagement groove 328, with
which the moving pin 400 is engagable, is formed at the second
rectilinear engaging surface 324 of the pin engaging portion 320.
The detailed function of the moving pin guide slot 350 will be
described later.
[0042] The moving pin guide 300 includes first coupling means for
coupling the moving pin guide 300 to the inner movable rail 700
(FIG. 11) of the slide 10. FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate a hole 330,
serving as the first coupling means, in which a coupling protrusion
710 of the inner movable rail 700 is fitted.
[0043] Preferably, elastic blocks 340 are respectively formed at
opposite longitudinal sides of the moving pin guide 300. The
elastic blocks 340 are slightly diverged from each other in a state
of being outwardly protruded from the associated longitudinal sides
of the moving pin guide 300, respectively, as they extend rearward.
A buffering groove 341 is formed around each elastic block 340.
Since the elastic blocks 340 are diverged from each other in a
state of outwardly protruded from the associated longitudinal sides
of the moving pin guide 300, FIG. 5B, illustrating the rear surface
of the moving pin guide 300 (here, the rear surface refers to the
surface of the moving pin guide 300 coupled to the inner movable
rail 700 of the slide 10), shows that the elastic blocks 340 are
protruded from the longitudinal side surfaces of the moving pin
guide 300. But, FIG. 5C, illustrating the front surface of the
moving pin guide 300, shows that the opposite longitudinal edges of
the moving pin guide 300 are rectilinear. When the moving pin guide
300 is inserted into the inner movable rail 700 of the slide 10,
the elastic blocks 340 is elastically deformed to allow an easy
insertion of the moving pin guide 300 (since the self-closing
apparatus of the present invention including the moving pin guide
300 is made of a proper plastic material, the elastic blocks 340
have an elasticity). Once the moving pin guide 300 is inserted into
the inner movable rail 700, the elastic blocks 340 serve to prevent
the moving pin guide 300 from being separated from the inner
movable rail 700 of the slide 10. Thus, the moving pin guide 300 is
easily inserted into the inner movable rail 700 and firmly fixed to
the inner movable rail 700 by the first coupling means and the
elastic blocks 340.
[0044] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a perspective and front views
respectively of the movable member 200, and FIG. 6C is a sectional
view of the movable member 200 seen from the direction of "B" of
FIG. 6A. The movable member 200 includes a substantially
rectangular plate portion 210, sliding rods 220 formed integrally
with the plate portion 210, and spring support portions 212
respectively formed at opposite longitudinal sides of the plate
portion 210.
[0045] Each sliding rod 220 includes a protrusion 221 and a
U-shaped sliding groove 222. Movable member sliding portions 121 of
the fixed member 100, which will be described later, are
respectively engaged in the sliding grooves 222 of the sliding rod
220.
[0046] The spring support portions 212 are formed at an end of the
plate portion 210 opposite to an engaging surface 223. In the
present invention, any linear spring may be used as the springs.
That is, any linear spring, both end portions of which have a
hooked or tapered shape, may be used. Preferably, tapered linear
springs which have the tapered portions respectively formed at a
portion near the end of the spring are used. The tapered spring 500
(FIGS. 10A and 10B) can be used for a prolonged period of time
without breakage even when a heavy load of the drawer is applied to
the slide, as compared to the hooked linear spring. According to a
test performed by the present applicant, the hooked portions of the
hooked spring was broken when the hooked spring was repeatedly used
approximately 5,000 times, but the tapered spring having the same
strength as that of the hooked spring had a life span as long as 5
times the hooked rectilinear spring under the same drawer load.
Referring to FIG. 6A, one end of each tapered spring 500 is
received in an associated one of the spring support portions
212.
[0047] A hole 211 is centrally formed through the plate portion
210. The support pin portion 430 of the moving pin 400 shown in
FIG. 4 is inserted into the hole 211 from the direction of the
sliding grooves 222. Preferably, the hole 211 has a length
corresponding to a transversal length C (FIG. 7A) of a moving pin
guide portion 123 formed at the fixed member 100 so that the
support pin portion 430 received in the hole 211 can move
transversely. Further, preferably, a buffering portion 213 for
absorbing impact, which is applied to the movable member 200 when
the movable member 200 collides with another member, is formed on
one end of the plate portion 210.
[0048] FIGS. 7A and 7B are a front and rear view respectively of
the fixed member 100. Here, the rear surface of the fixed member
100 refers to the surface of the fixed member 100 coupled to the
fixed rail 800 (FIG. 11) of the slide. The fixed member 100
includes a support base 110, an extension bar 120 formed integrally
with the support base 110, and a head 130 formed integrally with
the extension bar 120. The entire structure of the fixed member 100
has a plate shape.
[0049] Stoppers 119 are formed where the support base 110 meets the
extension bars 120 at the side of the support base 110 connected to
the extension bars 120. Spring support portions 111 are formed both
sides of the support base 110. Each spring support portion 111
receives the other end of an associated one of the springs 500. The
spring support portions 111 have a structure corresponding to that
of the spring support portions 212 of FIG. 6A.
[0050] The moving pin guide portion 123 is longitudinally formed in
the extension bar 120. The moving pin guide portion 123 includes a
rectilinear guide portion 124 and a curved guide portion 125. The
moving pin 400 is inserted into the moving pin guide portion 123 to
slide along the moving pin guide portion 123. Movable member
sliding portions 121, which are inserted into respective sliding
grooves 222 of the movable member 200, are formed at opposite sides
of the extension bar 120. As shown in FIG. 8 illustrating the cross
section of the movable member 200 taken along the line A-A of FIG.
7A, protrusions 122 are formed on the extension bar 120 to extend
parallel with the movable member sliding portions 121 while being
close to the movable member sliding portions 121. The protrusions
122 serve as supporters for preventing the movable member 200 from
being bent or twisted even when transversal or longitudinal
compressing force is applied to the movable member 200. A buffering
space 126 is formed at one end of the rectilinear guide portion 124
of the moving pin guide portion 123 of the extension bar 120. The
buffering space 126 is connected to the moving pin guide portion
123, and extends parallel with the moving pin guide portion 123. A
support protrusion 127 is formed between the moving pin guide
portion 123 and the buffering space 126. Preferably, a twist
preventing protrusion 128 for preventing the support protrusion 127
from twisting is formed at the support protrusion 127 on the rear
surface of the fixed member 100. The functions of the buffering
space 126 and twist preventing protrusion 128 will be described
later.
[0051] Preferably, an impact buffering portion 132 is formed at the
head 130 of the fixed member 100. When the fixed member 100
collides with another member of the slide (for example, the
intermediate movable rail of the three-member slide), the impact
buffering portion 132 serves to absorb impact. The above collision
may be generated when the rail reaches a retracted position.
[0052] Second coupling means for coupling the fixed member 100 to
the fixed rail 800 of the slide is provided at the support base 110
and head 130 of the fixed member 100. In the illustrated case, the
second coupling means comprises coupling holes 112 and 131 for
riveting.
[0053] Hereinafter, the connection and function of the above
members will be described.
[0054] First, the moving pin 400 is engaged in the moving pin guide
portion 123 of the fixed member 100. FIG. 9 is a perspective view
illustrating a state in which only the moving pin 400 is engaged
with the fixed member 100. This engagement is achieved by inserting
the moving pin 400 into the moving pin guide portion 123 such that
the groove portion 411 of the moving pin 400 formed between the
guide protrusion 410 and the support plate 420 is engaged with the
moving pin guide portion 123 of the fixed member 100 under the
condition in which the guide protrusion 410 is directed to the rear
surface of the fixed member 100, and the support pin portion 430 is
directed to the front surface of the fixed member 100. Here, the
above insertion is easily achieved by simply pushing the guide
protrusion 410 of the moving pin 400 to pass through the moving pin
guide portion 123 while pushing the support protrusion 127 toward
the buffering space 126 of the fixed member 100. After the moving
pin 400 is engaged in the moving pin guide portion 123, the movable
member 200 is coupled to the fixed member 100. Coupling is achieved
by inserting the support pin portion 430 of the moving pin 400 into
the hole 211 of the movable member 200, and inserting the movable
member sliding portions 121 of the fixed member 100 into the
sliding grooves 222 of the movable member 200. Finally, one end of
each spring 500 is coupled to an associated one of the spring
support portions 111 of the fixed member 100, and the other end of
each spring 500 is coupled to an associated one of the spring
support portions 212 of the movable member 200. FIG. 3 is a
perspective view illustrating the self-closing apparatus completely
assembled in the above-described manner. In the assembled state,
the movable member 200 is slidable along the movable member sliding
portions 121 of the fixed member 100. When the movable member 200
slides, the moving pin 400 is moved along the moving pin guide
portion 123 of the fixed member 100 because the moving pin 400 is
moving together with the movable member 200.
[0055] FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views illustrating a coupled
state of the fixed member 100, movable member 200, moving pin 400,
and springs 500. FIG. 10A illustrates a state in which the moving
pin 400 is positioned at one end of the rectilinear guide portion
124 of the moving pin guide portion 123 of the fixed member 100,
and FIG. 10B illustrates a state in which the moving pin 400 is
positioned at the curved guide portion 125 of the moving pin guide
portion 123 of the fixed member 100. The moving pin 400 moves
between the above two positions. When the moving pin 400 is
positioned at the curved guide portion 125, the springs 500 are
maximally stretched.
[0056] As described above, the fixed member 100, to which the
moving pin 400, movable member 200, and springs 500 are coupled, is
coupled to the fixed rail 800 of the slide by the second coupling
means, and the moving pin guide 300 is coupled to the inner movable
rail 700 of the slide by the first coupling means.
[0057] Now, the function of the self-closing apparatus of the
present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to
13.
[0058] In FIGS. 11 to 13, the slide is a three-member slide
including two movable rails (an intermediate movable rail and an
inner movable rail) and one fixed rail. However, for
simplification, the intermediate movable rail positioned between
the inner movable rail 700 and the fixed rail 800 will be omitted.
Also, for convenience, the drawer and the walls of the cabinet will
be omitted, and only the slide will be described. Further, since
the fixed member 100 is fixed to the fixed rail 800, and the moving
pin guide 300 is fixed to the inside of the inner movable rail 700
such that the moving pin guide 300 faces the fixed member 100, the
moving pin guide 300 is not shown, but, for convenience, is shown
by a solid line.
[0059] FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which
the fixed member 100 is separated from the moving pin guide 300
under the condition that the fixed member 100 is riveted to the
fixed rail 800 of the slide, and the moving pin guide 300 is
coupled to the coupling protrusion 710 of the inner movable rail
700 of the slide. When the drawer is pushed from an open position
toward a closed position, the inner movable rail 700 of the slide
moves from an extended position toward a retracted position. In
this case, the moving pin 400, which is inserted in the hole 211 of
the movable member 200 to move integrally with the movable member
200, is in a state of being positioned at the curved guide portion
125 of the moving pin guide portion 123 of the fixed member 100.
Also, the springs 500 are in a maximally stretched state.
[0060] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which
the moving pin guide 300 is coupled to the moving pin 400,
particularly to the support pin portion 430, positioned at the
curved guide portion 125 when the inner movable rail 700 further
moves toward the retracted position. In this case, the support pin
portion 430 of the moving pin 400 is inserted into the
pin-receiving inlet portion 310 defined by the first inlet surface
311 and second inlet surface 312, and is then moved along the first
rectilinear engaging surface 323 and second rectilinear engaging
surface 324 of the pin engaging portion 320. This movement
separates the moving pin 400 from the curved guide portion 125. As
soon as the moving pin 400 is separated from the curved guide
portion 125, the movable member 200 and the moving pin 400 moving
integrally with the movable member 200 are moved along the
rectilinear guide portion 124 by the tensile force of the springs
500. Then, the movable member 200 and moving pin 400 move to a
completely retracted position along the rectilinear guide portion
124 of the fixed member 100 until the engaging surface 223 (FIG.
6A) of the movable member 200 is engaged with the stoppers 119 of
the fixed member 100, thereby causing the inner movable rail 700 of
the slide to automatically move to the completely retracted
position.
[0061] According to the present invention, as described above, the
engagement groove 328 is formed at the second rectilinear engaging
surface 324. The engagement groove 328 is formed at a position, at
which the support pin portion 430 of the moving pin 400 is engaged
with the engagement groove 328 just when the moving pin 400 is
separated from the curved guide portion 125. Accordingly, as soon
as the moving pin 400 is separated from the curved guide portion
125, the support pin portion 430 of the moving pin 400 is safely
engaged with the engagement groove 328, and is moved along the
rectilinear guide portion 124.
[0062] FIG. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which
the moving pin guide 300 and the support pin portion 430 of the
moving pin 400 have been moved to the completely retracted position
of the slide (that is, the completely closed state of the drawer)
by the force of springs 500.
[0063] The extension of the slide is performed in the reverse order
of the above process. When the inner movable member 700 of the
slide is extended (that is, the drawer is extended), the moving pin
400, which has been in the state of FIG. 13, is moved along the
rectilinear guide portion 124 under the condition that the support
pin portion 430 of the moving pin 400 is engaged with the
engagement groove 328. When the moving pin 400 reaches the curved
guide portion 125, the support pin portion 430 of the moving pin
400 is separated from the engagement groove 328, and is then moved
along the second rectilinear engaging surface 324 toward the
pin-receiving inlet portion 310. When the support pin portion 430
moves along the second rectilinear engaging surface 324, and
reaches the pin-receiving inlet portion 310, the moving pin 400 is
engaged with the curved guide portion 125 of the moving pin guide
portion 123 of the fixed member 100 (the state shown in FIG. 12).
Further movement of the moving pin 400 toward the extended position
separates the moving pin 400 from the pin-receiving inlet portion
310 of the moving pin guide 300, so that the moving pin 400 is
separated from the moving pin guide 300. The state, in which the
moving pin guide 300 moves toward the extended position after being
separated from the moving pin 400, corresponds to the state of FIG.
11.
[0064] When the inner movable rail 700 of the slide is located at
the extended position as described above, the moving pin 400 is
positioned at the curved guide portion 125 of the fixed member 100.
When the inner movable rail 700 is moved to the retracted position,
the pin engaging portion 320 of the moving pin guide 300 coupled to
the inner movable rail 700 is coupled to the support pin portion
430 of the moving pin 400, and is then pulled by the tensile force
of the springs 500 to move along the rectilinear guide portion 124
of the fixed member 100. The movement of the pin engaging portion
320 along the rectilinear guide portion 124 of the fixed member 100
is continued until the engaging surface 223 of the movable member
200 is engaged with the stoppers 119 of the fixed member 100. Thus,
the drawer is automatically moved to the completely closed
position.
[0065] As described above, the movable rails 700 and 900 are
extended or retracted in a state of being operatively connected by
the ball retainers 950. However, since the movable rails 700 and
900 are supported by the ball retainers 950 only, the front ends of
the movable rails 700 and 900 may be rocked during the extension or
retraction of the movable rains 700 and 900. Such vibration of the
movable rails 700 and 900 causes a difficulty in coupling the
moving pin guide 300 to the moving pin 400 when the state of FIG.
11 is changed to the state of FIG. 12. That is, the vibration of
the movable rails 700 and 900 disturbs smooth operation of the
self-closing apparatus.
[0066] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
movable member 200' which is provided with a movable rail support
270 for preventing the front end of the inner movable rail 700 from
vibrating. FIG. 14B is a sectional view of the movable member 200'
seen from the direction of "B" of FIG. 14A.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the movable rail support 270
is formed on a surface of the movable member 200' opposite to the
surface of the movable member 200' in which the U-shaped sliding
grooves 222 are formed. The movable rail support 270 includes
support bars 272 formed integrally with the movable member 200'.
Preferably, the support bars 272 have a rectangular shape. Of
course, the support bars 272 may have a triangular shape. The
support bars 272 are vertically spaced apart from each other by a
distance corresponding to the width of the inner movable rail 700.
The support bars 272 have a length suitable to guide the inner
movable rail 700. Preferably, the support bars 272 extend
throughout the overall length of the movable member 200'. The
support bars 272 serve to restrain lateral vibration of the inner
movable rail 700. Other portions of the movable member 200' are the
same as those of the movable member 200.
[0068] Preferably, support flanges 274 are respectively formed at
free ends of the support bars 272. The support flanges 274 serve to
restrain vertical vibration of the inner movable rail 700. To this
end, the protruded height of each bar 272 from the movable member
200' corresponds to the height of the inner movable rail 700.
[0069] When the moving pin guide 300 moves toward the retracted
position, the moving pin 400 is not in the state of being engaged
with the curved guide portion 125 (the state of FIG. 11), but may
be located at the completely retracted position, i.e., at the
position in which the moving pin guide 300 completes the movement
along the rectilinear guide portion 124 (the state of FIG. 13).
This state occurs in the case that a certain element enters the
slide due to user's careless mistake when the slide is located at
the extended position, thereby separating the moving pin 400 from
the curved guide portion 125. Even in such an abnormal operating
state, the self-closing apparatus of the present invention is
easily returned to its normal operating position.
[0070] When the moving pin guide 300 moves toward the retracted
position in the above state, that is, the abnormal operating state
in which the moving pin 400 completes the movement along the
rectilinear guide portion 124, as shown in FIG. 15, the moving pin
guide 300 is moved toward the retracted position by the force
applied by the user to push the drawer to the closed position, and
the second inlet surface 312 of the moving pin guide 300 meets the
support pin portion 430 of the moving pin 400. Since the second
inlet surface 312 is inclined at an angle of approximately 45
degrees, further movement of the moving pin guide 300 toward the
retracted position cause to push the support pin portion 430 of the
moving pin 400 into the buffering space 126 of the fixed member
100. This pushing moves the free end of the support protrusion 127
into the buffering space 126. As a result, the moving pin 400 moves
towards the pin engaging portion 320 after passing the second inlet
surface 312 of the moving pin guide 300. Consequently, the moving
pin 400 enters the pin engaging portion 320 through the
pin-receiving inlet portion 310 of the moving pin guide 300. When
the moving pin 400 enters the pin engaging portion 320 of the
moving pin guide 300, the self-closing apparatus of the present
invention is returned to the original normal operating position
(the state of FIG. 13).
[0071] Preferably, as described above, the twist preventing
protrusion 128 for preventing the support protrusion 127 from
twisting is formed at the support protrusion 127 on the rear
surface of the fixed member 100 (FIG. 7B). The twist preventing
protrusion 128 serves to linearly move the support protrusion 127
to the buffering space 126 without twisting, when the self-closing
apparatus of the present invention is returned from the abnormal
operating state to the normal operating state, i.e., when the
further movement of the moving pin guide 300 toward the retracted
position cause to push the support pin portion 430 of the moving
pin 400 into the buffering space 126 of the fixed member to move
the free end of the support protrusion 127 into the buffering space
126. When the support protrusion 127 is severely twisted, the
moving pin 400 may be separated from the rectilinear guide portion
124 of the moving pin guide portion 123 of the fixed member 100,
and may enter the buffering space 126. In this case, the
self-closing apparatus cannot operate normally until the slide is
disassembled and assembled to be returned to its normal position.
When twisting force is applied to the support protrusion 127, the
twist preventing protrusion 128 comes into contact with the inner
surface of the fixed rail 800 of the slide, and gives repulsive
force, thereby preventing the support protrusion 127 from
twisting.
[0072] As described above, although the preferred embodiment of the
present invention describes one slide, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that two slides must be symmetrically installed.
Since two slides must be symmetrically installed, two self-closing
apparatuses of the present invention must also be manufactured to
have symmetrical structures, respectively, such that a pair of the
fixed members 100 and a pair of the moving pin guides 300 are
manufactured to have symmetrical structures like a mirror image
respectively.
[0073] Further, although the preferred embodiment of the present
invention describes a self-closing apparatus applied to a
three-member slide including two movable rails and one fixed rail,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that the self-closing
apparatus of the present invention may be applied to a two-member
slide including one movable rail and one fixed rail.
[0074] Preferably, the self-closing apparatus of the present
invention is made of a plastic material having proper strength and
elasticity, but is not limited thereto.
[0075] Further, although the moving pin guide of the self-closing
apparatus of the present invention is separately manufactured, and
is mounted to the end of the movable rail in the illustrated case,
the moving pin guide may be formed at the end of the movable rail
by means of punching.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0076] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention provides a self-closing apparatus for a slide, which
automatically closes a drawer without continuously applying force
to the drawer until the drawer is completely closed, and prevents
the drawer from being re-opened by repulsive force caused by impact
generated when the drawer is slammed, thereby being conveniently
used.
[0077] The self-closing apparatus of the present invention prevents
early breakage of springs, has a simple structure and low
production costs, and is easily returned from an abnormal operating
state to a normal operating state.
[0078] The self-closing apparatus of the present invention
restrains vibration of the front ends of the movable rails, thereby
being smoothly operated.
[0079] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention
has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
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