U.S. patent application number 11/716347 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for drawer slide.
This patent application is currently assigned to Actron Manufacturing, Inc.. Invention is credited to Frank H. Rechberg.
Application Number | 20080218046 11/716347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39740940 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080218046 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rechberg; Frank H. |
September 11, 2008 |
Drawer slide
Abstract
A drawer slide, having a plurality of slide members and a noise
stop damper is provided. The slide members have a first elongate
linear member and a second elongate linear member to slide within a
channel defined by an interior surface of the first slide member.
The first and second slide members each have a first end portion, a
second end portion, and the interior surface defining the first and
second channels, respectively. Preferably, the interior side edges
of the first linear member and the exterior side edges of the
immediate linear member further define a first pair of raceways
within which a plurality of ball bearings and bearing spacers are
alternately disposed to provide a smooth slide motion of the second
slide member. The noise damper is a noise-absorbing cushion mounted
to the interior surface of the second linear member at the second
end portion thereof.
Inventors: |
Rechberg; Frank H.; (Corona,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
75 ENTERPRISE, SUITE 250
ALISO VIEJO
CA
92656
US
|
Assignee: |
Actron Manufacturing, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39740940 |
Appl. No.: |
11/716347 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/334.11 ;
312/334.1; 312/334.46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/493
20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/334.11 ;
312/334.1; 312/334.46 |
International
Class: |
A47B 88/10 20060101
A47B088/10; A47B 88/16 20060101 A47B088/16 |
Claims
1. A drawer slide, comprising: a first elongate linear member
having a first end portion including a first edge, a second end
portion including a second edge, and an interior surface defining a
first channel extending between the first end portion and the
second end portion; a second elongate linear member to slide within
the first channel, the second linear member having a first end
portion including a first edge, a second end portion including a
second edge, and an interior surface defining a second channel
extending between the first end portion and the second end portion
thereof, wherein interior side edges of the first elongate linear
member and exterior side edges of the second elongate linear member
further define a first pair of raceways; a plurality of ball
bearings and bearing spacers alternately disposed within each of
the first raceways; and a noise absorbing cushion mounted to the
interior surface of the second elongate linear member at the second
end thereof.
2. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the first elongate linear
member is perforated with a plurality of holes to reduce the weight
of the slide drawer.
3. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the first elongate linear
member is perforated with at least one mounting hole.
4. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the first elongate linear
member includes a pin extending across the first channel at the
second end portion thereof.
5. The drawer slide of claim 4, wherein the pin is encircled with a
rubber sheet.
6. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the first elongate linear
member includes a pair of pins extending towards the first channel
at the first end portion thereof.
7. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the second elongate linear
member is perforated with a plurality of holes.
8. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the second elongate linear
member includes a pair of roll pins extending towards the first
channel at the second end portion thereof, and the first elongate
linear member includes a pair of roll pins extending into the first
channel from the first end portion thereof to confine the bearings
and bearing spacers within the first bearing raceways.
9. The drawer slide of claim 8, wherein the first elongate member
includes a pair of spacer pins extending toward the first channel,
the spacer pins being interposed between the roll pins and the
first edge.
10. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the bearing spacers are
fabricated by noise-absorbing plastic material.
11. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the noise-absorbing
cushion extends beyond the second edge of the second elongate
linear member.
12. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the noise-absorbing
cushion is fitted to the second elongate linear member via a pair
of rivets extending through the second linear member.
13. The drawer slide of claim 1, further comprising a third linear
member to slide within the second channel, the third elongate
linear member having a first end portion and a second end
portion.
14. The drawer slide of claim 13, wherein exterior side edges of
the third elongate linear member and interior side edges of the
second elongate linear member defines a pair of second bearing
raceways.
15. The drawer slide of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of
bearings and bearing spacers alternatively disposed within each of
the second bearing raceways.
16. The drawer slide of claim 15, wherein the third elongate linear
member includes a pair of roll pins extending into the second
channel at the second end portion thereof, and the second elongate
linear member includes a pair of roll pins extending into the
second channel from the first end portion thereof to confine the
bearings and bearing spacers within the second bearing
raceways.
17. The drawer slide of claim 15, wherein the third elongate linear
member has an interior surface defining a third channel.
18. The drawer slide of claim 17, further comprising a fourth
elongate linear member fitted within the third channel, the fourth
elongate linear member having a first end portion aligned with the
first end portion of the third elongate linear member and a second
end portion positioned between the first and second end portions of
the third elongate linear member.
19. The drawer slide of claim 17, wherein the third elongate linear
member includes a stopper protruding into the third channel at the
second end portion of the fourth elongate linear member.
20. A drawer slide, comprising: an outermost linear member having a
first end portion, a second end portion, and an interior side
surface defining a first channel; at least one intermediate slide
member to slide within the first channel, the intermediate slide
member having a first end portion, a second end portion including a
second edge, and an interior surface defining a second channel,
wherein the first end portion of the intermediate slide member is
aligned with the first end portion of the outermost linear member
when the intermediate slide member slides to a fully unextended
position; an innermost linear member fitted to the intermediate
slide member within the second channel, wherein the innermost
linear member has a first end portion aligned with the first end
portion of the intermediate slide member when the innermost slide
member slides to a fully unextended position; and a noise damper
mounted to the second end portion of the intermediate slide
member.
21. The drawer slide of claim 20, wherein the noise damper includes
a rubber cushion extending beyond the second edge of the
intermediate slide member.
22. The drawer slide of claim 20, comprising a plurality of
intermediate slide members, wherein the noise damper includes a
rubber cushion mounted to at least the intermediate slide member
immediately adjacent to the outermost linear member.
23. The drawer slide of claim 20, wherein interior side edges of
the outermost linear member and exterior side edges of the
intermediate slide member define a pair of raceways in which a
plurality of bearings and bearing spacers are disposed.
24. The drawer slide of claim 23, wherein the bearing spacers are
fabricated from noise absorbing plastic material.
25. The drawer slide of claim 20, wherein the outermost linear
member further includes a pin extending across the first channel at
the second end portion thereof.
26. The drawer slid of claim 25, wherein the pin is covered with a
noise absorbing sheet.
27. A noise damper for reducing noise caused by sliding motions of
a drawer slide having a plurality of linear slide members,
comprising: a rubber cushion mounted at one end portion of at least
an intermediate one of the linear slide members.
28. The noise stop device of claim 27, wherein the rubber cushion
extends beyond the end portion of the at least one of the linear
slide member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present invention relates in general to a drawer slide,
and more particularly, to a multi-member drawer slide with a noise
damper.
[0004] Drawer slides that include multiple, substantially linear,
metal slides each sliding within the interior channel of the next
successively larger member have been known in the art. By a
succession of such metal members, a drawer or an object supported
by such members may slide between a first position when the metal
members are fully extended from each other and a second position
when the metal members are fully unextended.
[0005] The prior art drawer members make certain accommodations to
their sliding and suspension function. They may be made of light
alloy metals and incorporate relieved areas to reduce weight. The
suspension between members may be by ball or roller bearings. A
final one of the sliding members which attaches to a drawer, or
other object, may be releasable and detachable from the other
members so that the drawer may be completely extracted from its
sliding suspension within a cabinet. The drawer may be latched in
both the extended and unextended positions in a manner prohibiting
all movement among and between the members.
[0006] To perform the desired functions as described above, the
sliding members of the drawer slide are typically made of strong
and durable metal material. When the drawer supported by the drawer
members slides to the second position, noise and impact are
inevitable when the inner ends of the strong metal slides reach the
fully unextended position.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] A drawer slide including a plurality of slide members and a
noise damper is provided. The slide members include at least a
first elongate linear member and a second elongate linear member.
The first elongate linear member includes a first end, a second
end, and an interior surface defining a first elongate channel
extending between the first and second end. The second elongate
linear member is configured to slide within the first channel. The
second elongate linear member also has a first end, a second end,
and an interior surface defining a second elongate channel
extending between the first end and the second end thereof.
Preferably, the interior side edges of the first elongate linear
member and the exterior side edges of the second elongate linear
member further define a first pair of raceways within which a
plurality of ball bearings and bearing spacers are alternately
disposed to provide a smooth slide motion of the second slide
member. The noise damper includes a noise-absorbing cushion mounted
to the interior surface of the second linear member at the second
end of thereof.
[0008] The first elongate linear member is perforated with a
plurality of holes to reduce the overall weight of the drawer
slide. The first elongate linear member also includes at least one
mounting hole for mounting the drawer slide to a cabinet or a wall
to which a drawer is supported by the drawer slide. The first
elongate linear member further includes a pin extending across the
first channel at the second end thereof to prevent the second
elongate linear member from sliding through. The pin is encircled
with a rubber sheet to further reduce the noise caused when the
second elongate linear member approaches the pin. Preferably, the
bearings and bearing spacers are confined by a pair of pins
extending from the first end of the first elongate linear member
towards the first channel and a pair of pins extending from the
second end of the second elongate linear member towards the first
channel. Therefore, when the second elongate linear member slides
to a fully extended position, the bearings and bearing spacers fit
tightly between the first end of the first elongate linear member
and the second end of the second elongate linear member.
[0009] The second elongate linear member is also perforated with a
plurality of holes to reduce the overall weight of the drawer
slide. The noise-absorbing cushion is preferably fitted to the
second elongate linear member by a pair of rivets and extends
beyond the second end of the intermediate linear slide member in
one direction, and into the second elongate channel in the other
direction.
[0010] The drawer slide may further include a third elongate linear
member to slide within the second channel. The third linear member
also has a first end and a second end, and the exterior side edges
of the third linear member and interior side edges of the second
elongate linear member define a pair of second bearing raceways for
accommodating a plurality of bearings and bearing spacers. The
bearings and the bearing spacers are confined by a pair of pins
extending into the second channel from the second end of the third
elongate linear member and a pair of pins extending into the second
channel from the first end of the second elongate linear
member.
[0011] The third elongate linear member has an interior surface
defining a third channel, in which a fourth elongate linear member
is fitted. The fourth elongate linear member has a first end
aligned with the first end of the third elongate linear member and
a second end between the first and second ends of the third
elongate linear member. In one embodiment, the third elongate
linear member includes a stopper protruding into the second channel
at the second end of the fourth elongate linear member.
[0012] A drawer slide comprising an outermost linear member, at
least one intermediate slide member, and an innermost linear member
is also provided. The outermost linear member has a first end, a
second end, and an interior side surface defining a first channel.
The intermediate slide member is configured to slide within the
first channel and has a first end, a second end, and an interior
surface defining a second channel. The first end of the
intermediate slide member is aligned with the first end of the
first linear member when the second intermediate slide member
slides to a fully unextended position. The innermost linear member
is configured to slide within the second channel. The innermost
linear member has a first end aligned with the first end of the
intermediate slide member and a second end between the first and
second end of the intermediate member. The drawer slide also
includes noise damper mounted to the second end of the intermediate
slide member.
[0013] The noise damper includes a rubber cushion extending beyond
the second end of the intermediate slide member. In the case that
the drawer slide comprises a plurality of intermediate slide
members, the noise damper includes at least one rubber cushion
mounted to the interior surface of the intermediate slide member
extends beyond the second end of the intermediate linear slide
member in one direction, and into the second elongate channel in
the other direction. The interior side edges of the outermost
linear member and exterior side edges of the intermediate slide
member define a pair of raceways in which a plurality of bearings
and bearing spacers are disposed. The bearing spacers are
preferably fabricated from noise absorbing plastic material. The
outermost linear member further includes a pin extending across the
first channel at the second end thereof to prevent the intermediate
slide member to slide out of the outermost linear member. To
further suppress the noise caused by relative slide motion of the
outermost linear member and intermediate slide member, the pin is
covered with a noise absorbing sheet.
[0014] The present invention further provides a noise damper for
reducing noise caused by sliding motions of a drawer slide having a
plurality of linear slide members. The noise damper includes a
rubber cushion mounted at one end of at least an intermediate one
of the linear slide members and extends beyond the end of the
intermediate linear slide member in one direction, and into the
second elongate channel in the other direction. Thereby, when the
intermediate slide member slides towards its immediately adjacent
slide member, the noise caused by such slide motion can be
effectively suppressed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior side of a
drawer slide at its fully extended position;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the interior side of
the drawer slide as shown in FIG. 1 at its fully extended
position;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the interior side of the
drawer slide as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 at its fully extended
position;
[0019] FIG. 3A is an end view of the drawer slide viewed from the
line 3A-3A when the drawer slide slides to its fully extended
position as shown in FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the drawer slide along
the cutting line 3B-3B when the drawer slide slides to its fully
extended position as shown in FIG. 3;
[0021] FIG. 3C is a cross sectional view of the drawer slide along
the cutting line 3C-3C when the drawer slide slides to its fully
extended position as shown in FIG. 3;
[0022] FIG. 3D is an end view of the drawer slide observing from
the line 3D-3D when the drawer slide slides to its fully extended
position as shown in FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the drawer slide showing the
interior side of slide members;
[0024] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the drawer slide showing the
exterior side of the slide members;
[0025] FIG. 6 shows the drawer slide at its partially withdrawn
(unextended) position;
[0026] FIG. 7 shows the drawer slide at its fully withdrawn
position;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the drawer slide showing
the interior side of the slide members, including a rubber cushion;
and
[0028] FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of the drawer slide showing
the interior side of the slide members, including a bearing spacer
disposed between a roll pin and a spacer pin.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] A drawer slide including a plurality of sliding members and
a noise damper is provided and shown in FIGS. 1-7. In application,
two sets of the sliding members with reversed image orientations
will be mounted at two opposing sides (left and right, for example)
of the drawer for supporting the slide motion of the drawer. It
will be appreciated that, although FIGS. 1-7 illustrates a drawer
slide including four linear members, the number and length of the
slide members may be altered according to the dimension of the
specific drawer supported thereby or other specific requirement
without exceeding the scope of present invention.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drawer slide includes a
first, outermost, elongate linear member 10, a second,
intermediate, elongate linear member 20, a third, intermediate,
elongate linear member 30, and a fourth, innermost, elongate linear
member 40. The first linear member 10 has a first interior channel
11 and the second linear member 21 has a second interior channel
20, allowing the second and third linear members 20 and 30 to slide
between a fully extended position and a fully unextended position.
The third linear member 30 also includes a third interior channel
31 in which the fourth linear member 40 is fitted. Each of the
first, second, third, and fourth linear members 10, 20, 30, and 40
has a first (outer) end portion and a second (inner) end portion;
for example, the first and second end portions 12 and 13 of the
first linear member 10, the first and second end portions 22 and 23
of the second linear member 20, the first and second end portions
32 and 33 of the third linear member 30, and the first and second
end portions of 42 and 43 of the fourth linear member 40. The first
and second end portions 12 and 13 of the first linear member 10
include first and second edges 62 and 63, respectively. Likewise,
the first and second end portions 23 and 23 of the second linear
member 20 also include first and second edges 72 and 73,
respectively. The first and second end portions 32 and 33 of the
third linear member 30 includes first and second edges 82 and 83,
respectively, and the first and second end portions 42 and 43 of
the fourth linear member 40 includes first and second edges 92 and
93, respectively. When the first, second and third linear members
10, 20 and 30 are disposed at their extended positions as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first edge 72 of the second
linear member 20 extends beyond the first edge 62 of the first
linear member 10, and the first edge 82 of the third linear member
30 extends beyond the first edge 72 of the second linear member 20.
When the first, second and third linear members 10, 20 and 30 are
disposed at their fully unextended positions, the first edges 62,
72 and 82 of the first, second and third linear members 10, 20, and
30 are aligned and proximate to each other as shown in FIG. 6. As
the fourth linear member 40 is fitted within the third channel 31,
the relative position of the fourth linear member 40 to the third
member 30 remains unchanged. Therefore, the first edge 92 of the
fourth linear member 40 is maintained aligned and approximate to
the first edge 82 of the third linear member 30, while the second
edge 93 of the fourth linear member 40, in the embodiment as shown
in FIG. 2, is fixed position between the first and second edges 82
and 83 within the channel 31 of the third linear member 30.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first linear member 10
includes a plurality of relieved areas or holes 14 in order to
reduce weight. A plurality of countersunk or mounting holes 15 are
also formed for mounting the first linear member 10 to the interior
wall of a cabinet by mounting screws or bolts in a manner which
allows the second linear member 20 to slide through without
obstruction within the first channel 11 thereof. The first linear
member 10 includes a pin 17 extending across the first channel 11
at the second end portion 13 thereof to prevent the second linear
member 20 from sliding through. The interior side edges of the
first channel 11 and the exterior side edges of the second linear
member 20 define bearing raceways within which steel ball bearings
50 and bearing spacers 51 (as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 4)
are alternately disposed. The bearings 50 and the bearing spacers
51 are confined by a pair of roll pins 16 extending from the first
linear member 10 into the first channel 11 at the first end portion
12 thereof and a pair of roll pins 27 extending from the second
linear member 20 into the first channel 11 at the second end
portion 23 thereof. Therefore, when the second linear member 20
slides to fully unextended position where the second edge 73 of the
second linear member 20 is aligned with the second edge 63 of the
first linear member 10, the bearings 50 and the bearing spacers 51
are free to move within the entire first channel 11. When the
second linear member 20 slides to a fully extended position, the
bearings 50 and the bearing spacers 51 fit tightly within the
bearing raceways between the first edge 62 of the fist linear
member 10 and the second edge 73 of the second linear member 20 as
shown in FIG. 2. A pair of spacer pins 18 also extends from the
first linear member 10 into the first channel 11. The spacer pins
18 are interposed between the roll pins 16 and the first edge 62 of
the first linear member 10. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, a bearing spacer 51 is disposed between each roll pin 16
and each spacer pin 18. In this regard, the bearing spacer 51
disposed between the roll pin 16 and the spacer pin 18 does not
travel along the bearing raceway. Rather, it is maintained in its
position by the roll pin 16 and the spacer pin 18.
[0032] Similar to the first linear member 10, the second linear
member 20 also includes a plurality of released areas or holes 24
in order to reduce the overall weight of the drawer slide. The
interior side edges of the second channel 21 and the exterior side
edges of the third linear member 30 jointly define bearing raceways
in each of which a plurality bearings 50 and a plurality of bearing
spacers 51 are alternately disposed. The bearings 50 and bearing
spacers 51 disposed within the second channel 21 are confined by a
pair of pins 26 extending into the second channel 21 from the first
end 22 of the second linear member 20 and a pair of pins 37
extending into the second channel 21 from the second end 33 of the
third linear member 30. Therefore, when the third linear member 30
slides to the fully unextended position where the second end 33 of
the third linear member 30 is aligned with the second end 23 of the
second linear member 20, the bearings 50 and the bearing spacers 50
are free to move within the entire second channel 21. When the
third linear member 30 slides to a fully extended position, the
bearings 50 and the bearing spacers 51 fit tightly within the
bearing raceways between the first edge 72 of the second linear
member 20 and the second edge 83 of the third linear member 30 as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0033] Instead of being slidable within the third channel 31, the
fourth linear member 40 is fitted to the third channel 31 between
the first edge 82 of the third member 30 and a stopping member 47
protruding from an interior surface of the third member 30 into the
third channel 31. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 3A, the fourth linear
member 40 includes an interior linear portion received within the
channel 31 and an exterior linear portion extending over the
channel 31. Preferably but optionally, the fourth linear member 40
also includes the released areas such as holes 44 perforated
therethrough to reduce the overall weight of the drawer slide. In
one embodiment, the first, second, and fourth members 10, 20, and
40 may include as many holes 14, 24 and 44 as possible to reduce
the overall weight of the drawer slide while the drawer slide is
still operative to support a drawer or an object up to 100
pounds.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, the third linear member 30 may be
perforated with a cavity 35 in which a latch 36 is installed.
Preferably, the cavity 35 is located at the portion where the third
linear member 30 is overlapped with the fourth linear member 40.
The latch 36 operates by a spring-loaded wedge which is pin mounted
to the third linear member 30. The wedging surface of the
spring-loaded wedge is substantially a flat chisel surface, and the
cavity 35 is preferably square in shape presenting a flat opposing
wall to the chisel surface.
[0035] To reduce the noise caused by sliding the linear members 10,
20, 30 (and 40), the second edge 73 of the second linear member 20
is equipped with a noise damper. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2,
3 and 3D, when the second and third linear members 20 and 30 slide
to the fully unextended position, the second edges 63, 73 of the
first and second linear members 20 and 30 are brought in direct
contact with the pin 17 to create in impact and noise. The pin 17
is thus preferably encircled with an impact and noise absorbing
rubber sheet. In addition, a rubber cushion 28 is preferably
mounted to the second linear member 20 at the second end portion 23
thereof. The rubber cushion 28 can be attached to the second linear
member 20 via two rivets 29 extending through the second linear
member 20. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, the pins 27 extending
towards the channel 11 may also extend towards the rubber cushion
28 through the side edge of the second linear member 20.
Preferably, the rubber cushion 28 extends beyond the second edge 73
of the second linear member 20 in one direction and into the second
channel 21 in the other direction. Therefore, when the second
linear member 20 slides to the fully unextended position, the
rubber cushion 28 will be the first member or object in direct
contact to the pin 17 of the first linear member 10. As the rubber
cushion 28 is preferably fabricated from resilient material that
will temporarily deform upon impact to consequently absorb the
noise, the mechanical fatigue and noise caused by the relative
sliding motion between the first and second linear members 10 and
20 are effectively suppressed. Similarly, when the third linear
member 30 slides to the fully unextended position, the second edge
of the third linear member 83 will be brought in direct contact
with the rubber cushion 28 before reaching the pins 27. Thereby,
the noise and impact caused by the relative slide motion between
the second and third linear members 20 and 30 can be
suppressed.
[0036] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the
embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying
combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to
the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the
claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
* * * * *