U.S. patent application number 11/858839 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-27 for shelf mounted drawer.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rubbermaid Incorporated. Invention is credited to Roddy Burgess, Christopher J. Claypool, William F. Croft.
Application Number | 20080074021 11/858839 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39224195 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080074021 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Croft; William F. ; et
al. |
March 27, 2008 |
Shelf Mounted Drawer
Abstract
A slide drawer assembly for mounting to a shelf has a mounting
bracket configured to slip over a front end of the shelf. A pair of
slide channels is spaced apart from and parallel to one another and
carried by the mounting bracket. A drawer has a bottom and an
upstanding side wall extending around a substantial portion of a
perimeter of the bottom. The upstanding side wall includes a pair
of opposed sides each having a surface supported by and slidable
along a respective one of the channels between a retracted position
and an extended position.
Inventors: |
Croft; William F.;
(Mooresville, NC) ; Burgess; Roddy; (Charlotte,
NC) ; Claypool; Christopher J.; (Huntersville,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEMPIA BRAIDWOOD LLC
223 W. JACKSON BLVD.
SUITE 620
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Rubbermaid Incorporated
Huntersville
NC
|
Family ID: |
39224195 |
Appl. No.: |
11/858839 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60845977 |
Sep 20, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/334.1 ;
211/181.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2210/04 20130101;
A47F 5/08 20130101; A47B 2088/4274 20170101; A47B 88/407 20170101;
A47B 2088/401 20170101; A47B 2210/01 20130101; A47F 5/01 20130101;
A47B 2210/05 20130101; A47B 96/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/334.1 ;
211/181.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 88/12 20060101
A47B088/12 |
Claims
1. A slide drawer assembly for mounting to a shelf, the slide
drawer assembly comprising: a mounting bracket configured to slip
over a front end of a shelf; a pair of slide channels spaced apart
from and parallel to one another and carried by the mounting
bracket; and a drawer having a bottom and an upstanding side wall
extending around a substantial portion of a perimeter of the
bottom, the upstanding side wall including a pair of opposed sides
each having a surface supported by and slidable along a respective
one of the channels between a retracted position and an extended
position.
2. A drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein the storage
receptacle is a wire form basket.
3. A drawer assembly according to claim 2, wherein the bottom and
the upstanding side wall are formed of a wire grid pattern.
4. A drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bracket
includes a front part that extends laterally between and
interconnects front ends of the pair of slide channels.
5. A drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the
slide channels is formed by a top panel, a side panel, and a
support flange arranged in an elongate C-shape in cross-section,
and wherein a side of the drawer is supported on the support flange
of each slide channel.
6. A drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mounting
bracket includes a resiliently flexible clamping structure coupled
to and extending rearward from a front end of the mounting bracket
and spaced vertically upward from a top panel of each of the
respective slide channels.
7. A drawer assembly according to claim 6, the clamping structure
further comprising: a pair of clips resiliently coupled to the
mounting bracket and extending rearward from the front end; a top
panel extending between the pair of clips; and a front panel
coupled to the top panel and the pair of clips, wherein the top
panel and clips are arranged to bear against a top surface of a
shelf and the front panel is arranged to bear against a front end
of a shelf when installed.
8. A drawer assembly according to claim 7, wherein a top panel of
the slide channels is arranged to bear against a bottom surface of
a shelf when installed.
9. A drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the
slide channels has a stop surface that is positioned near a back
end of the channel and arranged to limit drawer travel when moved
to the retracted position.
10. A slide drawer assembly for mounting to a shelf, the slide
drawer assembly comprising: a mounting bracket with a clamping
section configured to clamp onto a front end of a shelf; a pair of
slide tracks spaced apart from and parallel to one another and
carried by the mounting bracket, the pair of slide tracks each
having an open front end and a support surface extending in a
lengthwise direction along the respective slide track; and a drawer
having a bottom and an upstanding side wall extending substantially
around a perimeter of the bottom, the upstanding side wall
including a pair of opposed sides each having an upper edge slid
into the open front end of a respective one of the channels and
supported by and slidable along a respective one of the channels
between a retracted position and an extended position.
11. A slide drawer assembly according to claim 10, wherein the
mounting bracket, the clamping section, and the pair of slide
tracks are integrally formed as one piece from a sheet metal
material.
12. A slide drawer assembly according to claim 10, wherein the
clamping section comprises: a pair of clips resiliently coupled to
a front end of the mounting bracket and extending rearward from the
front end; and a front panel coupled to the pair of clips, wherein
the clips are arranged to bear against a top surface of a shelf and
the front panel is arranged to bear against a front end of a shelf
when installed.
13. A slide drawer assembly according to claim 12, wherein a top
panel of each of the slide tracks is arranged to bear against a
bottom surface of a shelf when installed.
14. A slide drawer assembly according to claim 10, wherein each of
the slide tracks is integrally bent from the same material as the
mounting bracket and includes a top panel, a side panel, and a
support flange arranged in an elongate C-shape in cross-section,
and wherein a side of the drawer is supported on the support flange
of each slide channel.
15. A slide drawer assembly mountable to a shelf, the slide drawer
assembly comprising: a mounting bracket having a transverse front
panel, at least one elongate panel extending rearward from a bottom
edge of the front panel, and at least one clip extending rearward
from a top edge of the front panel and spaced upward from the
elongate panel, wherein the elongate panel, front panel, and clip
form a shelf receiving clamp therebetween; a pair of slide channels
spaced apart from and parallel to one another and carried by the at
least one elongate panel, the pair of slide channels each having an
open front end and a support flange extending in a lengthwise
direction along the respective slide channel track; and a drawer
having a bottom and an upstanding side wall extending around a
majority of a perimeter of the bottom, the upstanding side wall
including a pair of opposed sides each having an upper edge slid
into the open front end of a respective one of the channels and
supported by and slidable along a respective one of the support
flanges.
16. A slide drawer assembly according to claim 15, further
comprising a travel stop positioned at a back end of each of the
slide channels to limit travel of the drawer in the retracted
position.
17. A slide drawer assembly according to claim 15, wherein the
mounting bracket has a pair of the elongate panels spaced apart
from one another and a side wall depending from an edge of each of
the pair of elongate panels, and wherein each of the support
flanges extends from a bottom edge of a respective one of the side
walls.
18. A slide drawer assembly according to claim 17, wherein each of
the slide channels is C-shaped and wherein the support flanges
extend inward from the respective side walls toward one another.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This patent is related to and claims priority benefit of
U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/845,977 entitled
"Shelf Mounted Slide Drawer," which was filed on Sep. 20, 2006, and
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present disclosure is generally directed to drawers, and
more particularly to a slidable drawer that can be mounted under an
existing shelf.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Most modern kitchen redesigns are configured for optimal
usage of storage space. Older kitchens were typically also designed
with storage space as an important issue, but with older kitchen
storage accessory technology in mind. Still, many older and more
modern kitchens include cabinet systems and other storage elements
that include a large volume potential storage space that is either
not utilized at all, or that is under-utilized. Kitchen cabinets
are typically designed to include a number of vertically spaced
apart shelves. Shelves are also present in pantries and other
storage areas of a home. Depending on the objects that are to be
stored in a particular portion of a cabinet or other storage area
that has shelf space, there typically is unused storage space found
directly beneath one or more of the shelves in the storage
area.
[0006] Some storage unit accessories are known that can be mounted
directly onto or beneath shelves. These units typically employ
fixed additional sub-shelves or fixed baskets that are attached to
an underside of an existing shelf. These baskets or sub-shelves can
be mounted in order to better utilize the unused space beneath
existing shelves. However, it can be difficult for a user to grasp
or even to reach items that are stored near the back end of such
sub-shelves or baskets. This is because these units are typically
fixed in position under the shelf and because the space between the
prior existing shelf and the surface of the sub-shelf or the bottom
of the basket can be rather small.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent upon reading the following description in
conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one example of a slide
drawer that can be mounted to an existing shelf and that is
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the slide drawer shown in FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the slide drawer shown in FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the slide drawer shown in FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows a lateral cross-section taken along line V-V of
the slide drawer shown in FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the slide drawer shown in FIG.
1.
[0014] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the slide drawer mounted to an
existing shelf and with the drawer slid to an open and accessible
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0015] The slide drawer assembly disclosed and described herein
solves or improves upon one or more of the above-noted and/or other
problems or disadvantages with existing storage solutions for
conventional kitchen and other storage cabinets. A slide drawer
assembly is disclosed herein that readily mounts to a front edge of
an existing shelf without requiring the need for complex hardware
to install the assembly. The disclosed slide drawer assembly also
provides a retractable and extendable drawer-like storage
receptacle that mounts directly beneath the existing shelf. The
drawer utilizes this typically unused storage space in a cabinet
below the existing shelf and above smaller objects stored within
the cabinet. The disclosed slide drawer assembly is simple in
construction and easy to install and use. The disclosed assembly
also takes up relatively little space, requires few components, and
efficiently and effectively increases usable storage space in a
cabinet, pantry, or other storage space that includes existing
shelves. The drawer can also be extended to permit easy access to
items stored anywhere in the drawer.
[0016] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an exploded view
of one example of a slide drawer assembly 10 constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In the
disclosed example, the assembly 10 generally has a mounting bracket
12 that is configured to mount to an existing shelf. The assembly
10 also includes a slidable basket, drawer, or storage receptacle
14 that can slide along part of the bracket between a closed or
retracted position and an open or extended position for easy and
ready access to items stored in the drawer. The bracket disclosed
herein can slip directly onto the front edge of a shelf and the
disclosed drawer 14 can slide directly onto the mounting bracket 12
and is then ready for use.
[0017] In general, the mounting bracket 12 has a pair of elongate
tracks 20 that are spaced apart laterally across the mounting
bracket 12 and are parallel to one another. FIG. 2 shows a front
view of the slide drawer assembly 10 in an assembled configuration.
FIG. 3 shows a top partial cut-away view of the slide drawer
assembly 10 with a phantom view of the receptacle or drawer 14 slid
to a stored position relative to the bracket 12. In the disclosed
example, each of the tracks 20 has a back end 22 and a front end
24. Though not shown, it is possible to include a transverse cross
member that interconnects the back ends 22 of the tracks 20 to
stabilize the bracket structure. However, in this example, the
structure has no component between the back end of the tracks.
[0018] In this example, a transverse channel or clamping structure
30 extends between and interconnects the front ends 24 of the
tracks 20. In general, the mounting bracket 12 is rectangular or
square when viewed from the top and has a large gap between the
tracks 20. The clamp structure 30 in the disclosed example has a
front panel 32 that is oriented generally vertically and that is
connected to and extends upward from the front end 24 of each track
20. An attaching clamp 34 extends rearward from a top edge of the
front panel 32. A bottom edge 33 of the front panel 32 is exposed,
except where it attaches to the tracks 20. In this example, the
clamp 34 includes a pair of elongate clips 36 on opposite ends of
the structure that extend toward the back ends of the tracks. Each
clip 36 is positioned generally parallel with and vertically spaced
above a respective one of the tracks 20. The clamping structure 34
also has a transverse top panel 38 of a length or front-to-back
edge depth that is shorter than a length of the clips 36. The top
panel 38 extends rearward from the top edge of the front panel 32
and is positioned between and connected to each of the clips 36.
The panel 38 is thus significantly shorter in a rearward direction
than the clips 36.
[0019] The tracks 20 in the disclosed example each include a top
panel 40 that lies generally horizontally and extends from the back
end 22 to the front end 24. Each track 20 also has an outer facing
side panel 42 that depends from an outside edge of each top panel
40. Each track 20 also includes an elongate support flange 44 that
extends laterally inward from a bottom edge of each of the side
panels 42 along the length of each track. In the disclosed example,
the top panel 40, side panel 42, and support flange 44 on each
track form a C-shaped slide channel 46 on each side of the mounting
bracket 12. Opposed side portions of the drawer 14 are captured
within the channels and are supported on the flanges 44. In the
disclosed example, the channels 46 are open and face inward toward
one another as can be seen in the cross-section of FIG. 5 and the
perspective exploded view of FIG. 1.
[0020] As shown in the side view of FIG. 4, each of the clips 36
and the transverse top panel 38 are angled slightly downwardly from
the top edge of the front panel 32 moving toward the back end of
the bracket 12. Each clip 36 joins with the front panel 32 at a
bend 50. In the disclosed example, the clips 36 and the transverse
top panel 38 are intended to be resiliently movable and flexible
relative to the tracks 20. Free ends 51 of the clips 36, upon
application of an upward force, can bend upward and away from the
track top panels 40 to a generally parallel orientation relative to
the tracks. In the disclosed example, the sides of the front panel
32 adjacent the exposed bottom edge 33 are coupled to the track
front ends 24 at joints 52. The front panel 32 can also lean
slightly rearward and can also be resiliently and flexibly movable
about the joints 52 to assist in bending the clamp section 34,
including the clips 36 and top panel 38 when the bracket 12 is
installed. As discussed in more detail below, the construction of
the bracket 12 can vary within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0021] Returning to FIG. 1, the slide drawer 14 in the disclosed
example is constructed as a wire form basket. In this example, the
drawer 14 includes a top perimeter wire 60 that is bent to a
generally rectangular configuration when viewed from the top. The
top wire 60 in the disclosed example includes a rear section 62, a
front section 64, and a pair of opposed side sections 66. The side
sections 66 in this example are laterally spaced apart and
generally parallel to one another as are the front and rear
sections 62 and 64. The disclosed drawer 14 has a perimeter side
wall formed of bent wires and includes a rear wall 68, a front wall
70, and a pair of side walls 72. The drawer 14 also has a bottom
74.
[0022] In the disclosed example, the bottom 74 is formed of a wire
grid pattern with spaced apart side-to-side extending bottom wires
76 and spaced apart fore and aft extending bottom wires 78. Each of
these wires includes a bend 80 at each end. From the bend, each of
the bottom wires 76 and 78 continues upward. The lateral wires 76
continue upward into side wires 82, which are connected to the top
wire 60. The fore and aft wires 78 continue upward into either
front wires 84 at the front wall 70 of the assembly and rear wires
86 at the rear wall 68 of the drawer. In the disclosed example, the
front wires 84, rear wires 86, and side wires 82, are all generally
vertical but inclined or angled slightly outward moving toward the
top wire 60. This draft angle can be beneficial during formation of
the wire basket. It can also be useful in operation of the
installed drawer. In the disclosed example, the tips 90 of the
side, front, and rear wires are bent outward and also rest on the
top wire 60. Thus, the upper perimeter of the drawer 14 is wider
than the bottom and an underside 92 of the top wire 60 creates an
unencumbered sliding surface for the drawer. To assemble the drawer
14, the tips 90 can be welded, soldered, or otherwise attached to
the top wires 60. The points of intersection in the grid of the
bottom wires 76 and 78 can also be welded, soldered, or otherwise
joined to form a sturdy drawer construction.
[0023] As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the
art, the overall general structure of the bracket 12 and drawer or
receptacle 14 can vary and yet fall within the spirit and scope of
the present invention. For example, the general wire configuration,
wire gauge, and overall size and shape of the drawer 14 can vary.
As shown in the drawings, the top wire 60 is a heavier gauge,
non-circular cross-section wire than the wall and bottom wires 76,
78, and 82, which are smaller gauge and circular in cross-section.
Materials other than metal wires can also be used to form a
suitable drawer as well. A molded configuration can be formed that
will function in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention. In the disclosed example, the bottom surfaces 92 of the
top wire 60 at least on the side sections 66 are exposed from below
and rest on and slide along the support panels 44 in the channels
46. The front ends 24 of the tracks 40 are open to permit free,
unencumbered insertion of the drawer 14 into the channels 46 when
installed on the bracket 12. Other laterally outward extending
features, such as a flange or lip, of a different drawer
construction can perform this same supporting and sliding function.
The drawer can have a solid bottom and walls that are transparent,
semi-transparent, translucent, or opaque as well. A wire-form
basket can help reduce material usage and yet provide a sturdy,
durable drawer construction. The drawer can also have an open front
wall, a forward tilted front wall, and/or a reduced height front
wall to permit partial access to items stored in the drawer without
having to slide the drawer outward. The drawer 14 can also take on
shapes that differ from the rectangular box-like structure as shown
and described herein. The drawer can also have one or more
removable or fixed tray inserts and can be sub-divided into storage
compartments, if desired.
[0024] In the disclosed example, the bracket 12 can be formed from
a single sheet metal layer and stamped, bent, and/or drawn to the
configuration as shown. Thus, all of the bracket 12 components
discussed above are integrally connected with one another in this
example. The unitary bracket construction forms a simple bracket
assembly with few failure points, virtually no assembly, and
minimal manufacturing difficulty. However, a bracket formed from
different materials, such as wire, plastic, thermoplastic
elastomer, polypropylene, polyethylene, and the like, other than
sheet metal, can also be provided in accordance with the teachings
of the present invention. In one example, a unitary bracket can be
formed of a molded plastic or other similar material and yet
function as intended.
[0025] The shape and configuration of the bracket 12 can also vary
from that shown and described. The disclosed bracket 12 is U-shaped
from the top view with C-shaped clamps 34 and C-shaped slide
channels 46. Each of these features can vary from the shapes and
configurations shown. The top of the bracket can have a different
shape and can employ traversing structures to add stability between
the tracks 20. The clips 36 can be positioned differently from that
shown and can even be modified to include only a single clamping
structure or more than two clamping structures. The tracks 20 need
not underlie the clips 36 and even need not provide part of the
clamping structure, as they do in this example. The slide tracks 20
and channels 46 need not be part of a unitary bracket, but instead
can be separately manufactured components that are fastened or
otherwise attached to other bracket components. Assembly of the
tracks to the bracket can simultaneously fasten the bracket to a
shelf, if secondary fastening of the assembly to a shelf is
desired. The bracket can alternatively be provided with fastener
openings to receive mounting fasteners if desired. The bracket can
be designed to clamp onto the shelf using only friction, a
spring-enhanced biasing mechanism, or an inherently biased clamping
force as in the disclosed example. Other positive attachment
mechanisms can alternatively be used including adhesive tape or
pads, one way metal tangs in the bracket surfaces, or the like.
[0026] Separate slide tracks can be configured to slidably engage,
clip on, snap on, or connect to a part of a bracket body and can do
so in any attaching direction relative to the bracket during
installation. In this example, the C-shaped channels 46 are open
facing inward toward one another. It is also possible that the
slide tracks provide support surfaces that extend outward away from
one another from which a drawer can hang. In addition, a more
elaborate bracket structure including two or more components
connected together can also be provided. More complex tracks and/or
channels could be utilized in a higher end product. The drawer
and/or the tracks or channels can employ bearings, wheels, sliders,
guide or tracking features, and the like to create a more robust,
easily slidable storage drawer product.
[0027] In the disclosed example, each of the clips 36 includes a
stamped depression 98 in the body of the clip. These depressions
can be provided to add strength and rigidity to the clip structure.
Similarly, the top panels 40 of the tracks 20 also include a
stamped or drawn upward bump 100 for a similar purpose. Stiffening
or strengthening crossbars and braces can also be employed for
either or both the bracket and drawer. The bracket and/or drawer
can also include structural depressions, ribs, or other features to
add strength and rigidity. The depressions 98 and bumps 100 can
also assist during bracket installation by reducing surface area
contact with the shelf and by providing smooth, rounded contact
surfaces against the shelf, thus reducing surface friction between
bracket and shelf.
[0028] In the disclosed example, a pair of down turned tabs 102 are
provided at the back ends of the tracks. These tabs can be of a
downward length sufficient to close off the back end 22 of each
track. As shown, the tabs 102 can act as rearward stops for the
slide drawer 14 when the drawer is pushed completely inward into
the bracket.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates the disclosed slide drawer assembly 10
installed on a shelf 110. The shelf 110 has a top surface 112, a
bottom surface 114, and a front end 116. The clamp 34 including the
clips 36 and panel 38 are slipped over the front end 116 of the
shelf 110. The bracket 12 is the pushed onto the shelf 110 until
the front panel 32 bears against the front end 116. The free ends
52 of the clips are upturned and curved to smoothly engage the
shelf front edge. In this configuration, the clips 36 and top panel
38 lie adjacent the top 112 of the shelf and the top panels 40 of
the tracks 20 lie adjacent the bottom 114 of the shelf. The shelf
is clamped between the tracks 20 and the clamping structure 34. The
drawer 14 can then be slid into the open front ends 46 of the
channels and pushed in and pulled out as needed. In FIG. 7, the
drawer 14 is shown in a pulled out ready for access
configuration.
[0030] Although certain shelf mounted drawer and drawer features
have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not
limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all
embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall
within the scope of permissible equivalents.
* * * * *