U.S. patent application number 11/983560 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for drawer guidance mechanism.
Invention is credited to Angelo Gianelo.
Application Number | 20080218043 11/983560 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39740938 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080218043 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gianelo; Angelo |
September 11, 2008 |
Drawer guidance mechanism
Abstract
A guide mechanism for use in cabinet like structures includes a
pair of scissor arms connected to one another at a point which
corresponds substantially with the medial or central point along a
length of each arm. The opposing ends of each arm are pivotally
secured to a respective guide which is oriented generally
perpendicular to the direction of travel of a door connected to the
scissor arms. One end of each arm is mounted within a slot defined
in its guide which permits the end of the arm to travel
longitudinally along a length of the arm. A power cylinder is
pivotally connected to the arms at their central connection point.
The opposing end of the power cylinder is pivotally connected to
the body of the cabinet.
Inventors: |
Gianelo; Angelo; (Salt Lake
City, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TRASK BRITT
P.O. BOX 2550
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84110
US
|
Family ID: |
39740938 |
Appl. No.: |
11/983560 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60859276 |
Nov 15, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/319.2 ;
312/322; 312/350 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 3/385 20130101;
A47B 43/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/319.2 ;
312/322; 312/350 |
International
Class: |
A47B 88/18 20060101
A47B088/18 |
Claims
1. A storage structure comprising: a retaining structure; a closure
structure; a guidance device communicating said retaining structure
and said closure structure, said guidance device including a
scissors-type linkage having a first arm and a second arm pivotally
connected to one another at a pivot connection; and a force
applying device movably coupled to said retaining structure and
pivotally coupled to said pivot connection; wherein said force
applying device is operable to displace said closure structure
between a first closed position and a second open position.
2. The storage structure of claim 1, wherein said guidance device
further includes two guides, a first guide coupled to said
retaining structure and a second guide coupled to said closure
structure.
3. The storage structure of claim 2, wherein an end of said first
arm is pivotally connected to said first guide.
4. The storage structure of claim 3, wherein an end of said second
arm is pivotally connected to said second guide.
5. The storage structure of claim 4, wherein said first guide
defines a first slot therein and an end of said second arm is
slidably disposed in said first slot for movement along said first
slot.
6. The storage structure of claim 5, wherein said second guide
defines a second slot therein and an end of said first arm is
slidably disposed in said second slot for movement along said
second slot.
7. The storage structure of claim 6, wherein said retaining
structure includes a door.
8. The storage structure of claim 7, wherein said door is pivotally
mounted.
9. The storage structure of claim 1, wherein said force applying
device is a pneumatic cylinder.
10. The storage structure of claim 1, wherein said force applying
device is a hydraulic cylinder.
11. The storage structure of claim 1, wherein said guidance device
is coupled to said retaining structure and said closure
structure.
12. The storage structure of claim 1, wherein said guidance device
is disposed intermediate said retaining structure and said closure
structure.
13. The storage structure of claim 1, wherein said force applying
device is pivotally connected to said retaining structure.
14. The storage structure of claim 1, wherein said pivoted
connection of said arms defines a pivot first axis, said pivoted
coupling of said force applying device with said pivot connection
being rotatable about said first axis.
15. A storage structure comprising: a retaining structure; a
closure structure; a guidance device communicating said retaining
structure and said closure structure, said guidance device
including a scissors-type linkage having a first arm and a second
arm pivotally connected to one another at a pivot connection, said
guidance device further including two guides, a first guide coupled
to said retaining structure and a second guide coupled to said
closure structure, an end of said first arm being pivotally
connected to said first guide and a second arm being pivotally
connected to said second guide; said first guide defining a first
slot therein and an end of said second arm being slidably disposed
within said first slot for displacement along said first slot and
said second guide defining a second slot therein and an end of said
first arm being slidably disposed within said second slot for
displacement along said second slot; and a force applying device
pivotally coupled to said retaining structure and pivotally coupled
to said pivot connection; wherein said force applying device is
operable to displace said closure structure between a first closed
position and a second open position.
16. The storage structure of claim 15, wherein said force applying
device is a pressurized cylinder.
17. The storage structure of claim 16, wherein said force applying
device is a pneumatic cylinder.
18. The storage structure of claim 16, wherein said force applying
device is a hydraulic cylinder.
19. The storage structure of claim 15, wherein said pivoted
connection of said arms defines a pivot first axis, said pivoted
coupling of said force applying device with said pivot connection
being rotatable about said first axis.
20. The storage structure of claim 15, wherein said closure
structure includes a door which is pivotally mounted.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/859,276, filed Nov.
15, 2006, for "A DRAWER GUIDANCE MECHANISM."
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to drawers, especially of the
type conventionally contained within a retaining or cabinet
structure. The invention is particularly directed to a structure
for guiding the travel path of a drawer within a retaining or
cabinet structure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A drawer of conventional construction typically includes a
structure for retaining articles to be stored and a mechanism for
translating that structure to a location which is generally
secluded. Generally, the mechanism is operated by the user by
simply applying an outwardly directed force to the drawer structure
which results in the drawer structure being displaced to an
orientation wherein the structure is rendered accessible to the
user.
[0004] Scissors-type linkages have been historically used in a
number of devices to provide movable characteristics. Such linkages
facilitate a construction for displacing a structure between a
closed, retracted position and an open, extended position.
Scissors-type linkages permit a user to displace such a structure
between the two positions in a controlled and predictable manner
while avoiding deviations from a preselected path of travel.
[0005] A device which utilizes a scissors-type linkage is disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,430. In the aforesaid patent a method for
adjusting a first force applied to a movable element in a first
position of the movable element by a force applying device is
described. A second force may also be applied to the movable
element in a second position of the movable element by the force
applying device. Notably, the force applying device applies both
the first and the second force through means of a scissors-type
linkage assembly at a location on that assembly which is spacedly
removed from the pivoted connection of the two scissor arms which
constitute the structure of the scissor-arm assembly. Furthermore,
the opposing end of the force applying device is movably disposed
whereby the opposing end is free to move relative to the linkage
during the displacement of the linkage.
[0006] Another device which utilizes a scissors-type linkage is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,209. In this construction a lift
table includes a base which is interconnected to a table surface by
means of a scissors-type linkage linkage. The table surface is
elevated by the use of a compression spring which is secured to a
first end of one of the scissors-type links. The opposing end of
the compression spring is secured to a screw slider which is
slidably secured to the other link of the linkage. Similar to the
device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,430 one end of the force
applying device, i.e. the compression spring, is attached to the
linkage at a location on the linkage which is spacedly removed from
the pivoted connection of the links which form the linkage.
Moreover, in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,209 construction, the opposing
end of the force applying device is secured to the linkage itself
as opposed to being secured to a structure apart from the
linkage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The instant invention includes a retaining structure in
association with a closure structure, which controls access to the
retaining structure. A guidance device operably interconnects the
retaining structure and the closure structure, for guiding the
closure structure between a first closed position and a second open
position. The retaining structure is accessible when the closure
structure is disposed in the second open position. The invention
further includes a force applying device movably coupled to the
retaining structure and movably coupled to the guidance device. The
force applying device is operable to displace the closure structure
between the first closed position and the second open position.
[0008] The retaining structure is formed to define one or more
storage areas which are configured to receive and retain an article
or articles to be stored. The closure structure is configured to
cover the retaining structure or otherwise preclude access to the
interior of the retaining structure.
[0009] The guidance device may be coupled to the retaining
structure. This coupling functions to anchor the guidance device in
place relative to the retaining structure. The guidance device may
also be coupled to the closure structure. The guidance device may
include a scissors-type linkage having at least two arms, namely a
first arm and a second arm, which are pivotally connected to one
another about a pivoted connection. The guidance device may also
include two guides, namely a first guide and a second guide. The
first arm is pivotally connected to the first guide, preferably at
one end of the first arm. The first guide defines a first slot
therein in which the second arm is movably disposed for movement
along a length of the first slot. The second guide is pivoted
coupled to the second arm, preferably at an end of the second arm.
The second guide defines a second slot therein in which is movably
disposed the first arm for movement along a length of the second
slot.
[0010] The force applying device may be any type of device capable
of applying a linearly directed force. Preferably, the force
applying device is a pressurized cylinder, e.g. a pneumatic or
hydraulic cylinder. The force applying device may be pivotally
coupled to the guidance device on a first end thereof and may be
pivotally coupled to the retaining structure on its opposing
end.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a storage
structure of the instant invention illustrating the guidance device
and force applying device in phantom;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the guidance device and force
applying device in a closed condition;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the guidance device and force
applying device in an open condition;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the storage structure of
FIG. 1 with the closure structure shown in an open condition;
and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the storage structure of
FIG. 1 with the closure structure shown in a closed condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 1 a storage structure of the instant
invention includes a retaining structure 10 in association with a
closure structure 12, a guidance device 14 and a force applying
device 16.
Retaining Structure
[0017] The retaining structure 10 may include any type of structure
which is configured to retain one or more articles intended to be
stored. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining structure is a
boxlike structure having a planar top element 22, a planar bottom
element 24 interconnected by a planar back element 26. The top
element 22, the bottom element 24 and the back element 26 are all
shown as being rectangularly configured panels having linear side
edges. A pair of side elements 28 and 30 are positioned
intermediate the top element 22 and the bottom element 24. The top
element is coupled with each of the side elements 28 and 30 along
the respective upper edge of each side element. Furthermore, the
bottom element 24 is likewise coupled with the side elements 28 and
30 along the respective bottom edge of each side element. The side
elements 28 and 30 are also coupled with the back element 26 along
the upright side edge of each side element. The conjunction of the
top, bottom, back and side elements forms a rectangularly
configured boxlike structure which defines an access opening 31
between the unattached upright edges of the side elements 28 and
30.
[0018] The access opening 31 is framed by a plurality of generally
co-planar panels which extend from the free edges of the side
elements 28 and 30, the top element 22 and the bottom element 24. A
first upright framing panel 32 extends from the free upright edge
of side element 28. The plane of panel 32 is oriented
perpendicularly to the plane of side panel 28. Frame panel 32
extends generally along the height of the free upright edge of side
element 28. Similarly, the frame panel 36, disposed opposite from
the frame panel 32 is also disposed along the upright free edge of
the side element 30 and the plane of the frame panel 36 is oriented
perpendicularly to the plane of the side element 30. Frame panel 34
extends laterally along the free edge of the top element 22. The
plane of the frame element 34 is oriented perpendicularly to the
plane of the top element 22. Similarly, the frame panel 38 extends
laterally along the free edge of the bottom element 24. The plane
of the frame panel 38 is oriented perpendicularly to the plane of
the bottom element 24. The frame panel 38 is fitted on its upper
edge with a horizontally extending shelf like element 40 which
extends into the interior of the retaining structure. Similarly,
the edge of the shelf like element 40 is fitted with an upstanding
panel 42. The top edge of the panel 42 is fitted with a stop
structure 44 which is adapted to preclude the further inward
movement of the closure structure 12 into the interior of the
retaining structure 10. The stop structure 44 may be configured to
engage and intercooperate with a counterpart stop structure 45
which is secured to the inside face of the closure structure
12.
[0019] The frame panel 34 may also be configured to define an
abutment surface for the closure structure 12. As shown to
advantage in FIGS. 4 and 5, the panel 34 is coupled on its
lowermost edge with a horizontally extending panel 46 which extends
inwardly into the interior of the retaining structure. Coupled to
the inwardly most edge of the panel 46 is a panel 48 which extends
upwardly at an acute angle to the plane of the panel 46. As shown
by the phantom representation in FIG. 5, the panel 48 forms an
abutment surface for the closure element 12 when that element is
positioned in its closed orientation.
The Guidance Device
[0020] The guidance device 14 is shown as including a scissors-like
linkage, formed of two arms 50 and 52, in association with two
guides 64 and 66. As shown to advantage in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
linkage is formed of two elongate arms 50 and 52 which are
pivotally joined to one another proximate their respective
midpoints by a pivot connection 54. Each of the arms 50 and 52 is
formed of an elongate, planar element having a substantially
rectangular configuration. Each arm 50 and 52 defines a hole
therein which passes through the entire thickness of the arm
proximate the midpoint of the length of the arm to form the
connection point 54. As shown in FIG. 5, the pivot connection 54
may be formed of a bolt-like structure 56 which passes through an
aperture defined within each of the respective arms. A spacer 58 is
disposed intermediate the two arms 50 and 52 to retain the arms
spacedly apart from one another and facilitate the free movement of
the two arms relative to one another. A nut-like member 60 is
threadedly secured to a male threaded end of the bolt-like member
56 in order to retain the bolt-like structure in place. A spacer 57
may also be positioned on the bolt-like structure 56 in order to
properly space the uppermost arm from the force applying device 16
which is also mounted on the bolt-like structure 56.
[0021] The scissor arm linkage is pivotally secured to two guides
62 and 64. As shown each of the guides includes a planar base panel
68, 86 which is coupled on one of its longitudinal edges to an
upstanding panel 69, 84. As shown in FIG. 4, the combination of the
base panel and the upstanding panel produces a generally `L` shaped
member. Each of the guides defines an aperture there through
disposed proximate one end of the guide to form a mounting situs
for a respective end of one of the arms 50, 52. Each arm 50, 52 is
secured to a respective guide by means of an attachment assembly. A
typical attachment arrangement is illustrated by bolt-like element
72A which extends through an aperture in the respective arm 52 and
thereafter through a spacing washer 75. The bolt-like element 72A
then extends through the aperture defined within the respective
guide 62. Thereafter, the bolt-like element 72A extends through a
second spacer washer 73. The bolt-like element 72A is then
threadedly connected to a nut 74. A similar connection of arm 50 to
guide 64 utilizes a bolt-like element 90A. As illustrated in FIG.
5, the bolt-like element 90A passes through a spacer washer 93 and
thereafter through an aperture defined in the guide 64.
Subsequently the element 90A passes through a second spacer washer
94 and thereafter through an aperture in arm 50. The element 90A is
then threadedly secured to a nut 92. The connection of the arms 50,
52 to the guides 62, 64 is constructed to permit the arms to pivot
about the vertical axis defined by the bolt-like elements 72A, 72B,
90A and 90B, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The connection of arm 52 to
guide 64 includes a similar arrangement of a bolt like element 90B,
spacer washers and a nut as illustrated for the connection of arm
52 to guide 62 by means of bolt-like element 72A. Likewise, the
connection of arm 50 to guide 62 adopts a similar arrangement of a
bolt-like element 70B in association with spacer washers and a
nut.
[0022] Each of the guides 62 and 64 defines a respective slot 82,
98 therein. The slots 82 and 98 are elongate in configuration and
extend longitudinally along each guide over a length which is
determined by the desired extension length 99 of the guide
assembly. The bolt-like element 72B passes through the slot 82
while the bolt-like element 90B extends through the slot 98. A
washer element 75B is positioned intermediate the arm 50 and the
bracket 62. The bolt like element 72B extends through the washer
75B and thereafter through an aperture in the arm 50. The bolt like
element 72B then extends through another washer 76B and then
through a threaded nut which secures the bolt like element 75B in
position. It follows that in each connection of a bolt like element
to a respective scissor arm 50 and 52 to a guide 62 and 64, a
washer is positioned immediately above the guide and immediately
below the guide to facilitate pivotal movement of the scissor arms
50 and 52 about the guide. Each of these two bolt-like elements 72B
and 90B are adapted to be displaceable along the lengths of their
respective slots 82 and 98 responsive to the pivoting motion of the
arms 50,52 about the pivot point 54 defined by the axis 116 which
passes through the bolt like element 56.
[0023] A power drive mechanism such as a gas or hydraulic cylinder
is connected to the arms 50 and 52 through its connection to the
bolt-like element 56. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the end 116 of power
drive 110 defines an aperture through which the bolt-like element
56 passes thereby connecting the arm 111 of the cylinder 110 to the
arms 50,52. The end of the arm 111 is pivotally secured to the arms
50, 52 by the association of the element 56 and the end of arm 111
The opposing end 118 of the drive cylinder 110 is pivotally secured
to the frame of the cabinet by a pivot pin which passes through an
aperture defined in end 120 of the drive cylinder.
[0024] An "L" shaped channel member 106 is secured to the guide 64
along its upstanding leg as shown in FIG. 2. The laterally
extending leg of the channel member 106 is secured to a hinge 130
at its end. The hinge 130 may extend along the longitudinal length
of the end of the laterally extending leg. The hinge 130 is also
secured to a bracket 128. The bracket 128 is pivotally rotatable
about the axis of the hinge 130 as shown by FIGS. 4 and 5 and more
specifically as shown by the arrow 128 in FIG. 5. A cabinet door
122 is secured to the bracket 128 to be rotatable therewith about
the pivot axis of the hinge 130 as shown to advantage in FIGS. 4
and 5. A handle 124 extends outward from the surface of the door
122. The handle functions not only as a means for the user to
displace the door 122 from a closed to an open position, but
furthermore, the handle 124 functions as a stop element to preclude
the displacement of the door too far into the interior of the
cabinet. As shown in FIG. 4, the handle 124, during the course of
the door's rotation about the pivot axis of the hinge 130 and its
concomitant displacement into the interior of the cabinet as shown
in FIG. 4, is brought into abutment against a facing panel 34 of
the frame of the cabinet. The abutment of the handle 124 against
the facing panel 34 functions to preclude any further lateral
displacement of the door 122 into the interior of the cabinet.
Furthermore, the abutment functions to position the handle 124 at
the fully open position of the door 1229 in a location which
permits the user to easily grasp the handle 124 and displace the
door 122 into a closed position as shown in phantom lines in FIG.
5.
Operation
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates in phantom lines the positioning of the
door 122 in its closed position. As shown in this position the door
122 is substantially in a vertical position with the lower flange
edge 127 of the door 122 in abutment against a stop structure 45.
The stop structure 45 may be either secured to the structure 44 or
alternatively to the flange 127 of the door 122. Furthermore, the
top of the door 122 is also in abutment against the top frame
structure 46 of the cabinet 22. As shown to advantage in FIG. 5 the
top of the door 122 may be angled away from the planar surface of
the door 122 to form a second planar surface which mirrors the
surface of the frame 46 whereby when the two structures are brought
into abutment they form parallel extending planar surfaces. In this
closed condition the interior 136 the cabinet 20 is substantially
sealed from the environment, In order to access the interior of the
cabinet 20, the user grasps the handle 124 and displaces it upwards
generally in the direction of arrow 130. As the user pulls the
handle 124 upwardly the door 122 pivots about the hinge 130 as
indicated by the upwardly pointing portion of directional arrow
128. In essence the mounting bracket 129 pivots about the hinge
130. In the closed condition, the guide mechanism is substantially
in the orientation shown in FIG. 2. Once the door has been rotated
about the hinge 130 until it is in a substantially horizontal
orientation, as shown in FIG. 4, the door 122 is then pushed into
the cabinet along the direction of arrow 144 as shown in FIG. 4. As
the door is pushed into the interior 136 of the cabinet 22, the
guide mechanism 14 is displaced into the orientation shown in FIG.
3 by the action of the power cylinder 110 together with the pushing
action of the user. The central connection point 54 of the two
scissor arms is displaced along the arcuate path 146 shown in FIG.
2. The power cylinder 110 retains the door 122 in the open position
shown in FIG. 4 until the user, intending to close the door of the
cabinet, pulls on the handle 124 in a direction 180 degrees from
the direction indicated by arrow 144 thereby compressing the power
cylinder and pulling the door outwardly from the interior 136 of
the cabinet.
[0026] Once the door 122 has been displaced outwardly substantially
to the position shown in FIG. 5, the door 122 is then rotated
downwardly, in a direction essentially opposite to that indicated
by arrow 130 into the closed position shown by the phantom line
representation of FIG. 5. Notably the power cylinder 110 is
oriented such that the direction of the displacement of the arm 111
of the cylinder is substantially collinear with the direction of
travel 146 of the central connection point 45 of the scissor arms
as that connection point travels between the positions that the
connection point occupies at the open and closed conditions of the
cabinet door. As noted above the end 120 of the cylinder is
pivotally secured to the body of the cabinet to permit the cylinder
to swivel about its mounting to the cabinet. In this way the force
applied by the cylinder to the connection point 54 operates to
pivot the connection point effectively about the connection 74A
while minimizing any force applications to the connection point in
directions which would tend to cause the scissor linkage to bind up
about the connection 74A.
[0027] It should be appreciated that although specific embodiments
of the invention have been disclosed herein, the instant invention
is subject to many changes, variations and modifications which do
not depart from the spirit of the invention as disclosed.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention is limited only by the
following claims.
* * * * *