U.S. patent application number 16/630312 was filed with the patent office on 2020-07-09 for drawer slide assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Plant IP Pty Ltd. Invention is credited to Gary Raymond Plant, Ronald Rae, Guanwen Wang.
Application Number | 20200214445 16/630312 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65000952 |
Filed Date | 2020-07-09 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200214445 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wang; Guanwen ; et
al. |
July 9, 2020 |
DRAWER SLIDE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A slide assembly 30 is provided for slidably mounting a drawer
200 within a carcass 101. The slide assembly includes a runner bar
16 and a slide limiter. The runner bar 30 has a first slidable
connection 36,48 for slidably mounting the drawer 200 for sliding
movement relative to the runner bar 30 between retracted and
extended configurations. The runner bar 30 also has a second
slidable connection 42, 50 for slidably mounting the runner bar 30
for sliding movement relative to the carcass 101 between retracted
and extended configurations. The slide limiter includes stops 72,
80, 82, 372, 380, 382 for limiting the relative extension of the
drawer 200 and the runner bar 46, and the runner bar 46 and the
carcass 101. The stops 72, 80, 82, 372, 380, 382 are discrete from
the first and second slidable connections 36, 48, 42, 50.
Inventors: |
Wang; Guanwen; (Chengdu,
CN) ; Plant; Gary Raymond; (Cairns, AU) ; Rae;
Ronald; (Pacific Pines, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Plant IP Pty Ltd |
Portsmith, Cairns, Queensland |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
65000952 |
Appl. No.: |
16/630312 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
July 13, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2018/050730 |
371 Date: |
January 10, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2210/0043 20130101;
A47B 88/437 20170101; A47B 88/49 20170101; A47B 88/57 20170101;
A47B 88/473 20170101; A47B 88/493 20170101; A47B 2210/0032
20130101; A47B 2210/0059 20130101; A47B 2210/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 88/57 20060101
A47B088/57; A47B 88/493 20060101 A47B088/493 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 13, 2017 |
CN |
201710569788.1 |
Jul 13, 2017 |
CN |
201720848326.9 |
Jul 13, 2017 |
CN |
201720848363.X |
Aug 17, 2017 |
AU |
2017903315 |
Claims
1. A slide assembly for slidably mounting a drawer within a
carcass, the slide assembly including: a runner bar having a first
slidable connection for slidably mounting the drawer for sliding
movement relative to the runner bar between retracted and extended
configurations, the runner bar having a second slidable connection
for slidably mounting the runner bar for sliding movement relative
to the carcass between retracted and extended configurations; and a
slide limiter including stops for limiting the relative extension
of the drawer and the runner bar, and the runner bar and the
carcass, wherein the stops are discrete from the first and second
slidable connections.
2. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stops of
the slide limiter include: a first set of inter-engageable stops
including a first runner stop disposed on the runner bar and a
drawer stop for fixedly mounting on the drawer; and a second set of
inter-engagable stops including a second runner stop disposed on
the runner bar and a body stop for fixedly mounting on the
carcass.
3. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the drawer stop
and the body stop are movable relative to the runner bar along
respective dedicated pathways in the runner bar, discrete from any
tracks provided for the slidable connections.
4. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the dedicated
pathways are in the form of channels in the runner bar on opposite
sides of the runner bar.
5. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the runner bar
is arranged with the first slidable connection and the second
slidable connection, one above the other with a bridging portion
therebetween and the dedicated pathways are disposed on either side
of the bridging portion.
6. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the runner
stops are fitted at each end of the runner bar to close the
channels.
7. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the stops of
the first set are removably interconnectable and the stops of the
second set are removably interconnectable.
8. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the runner bar
has tracks to accommodate drawer-mounted wheels or rollers and
carcass-mounted wheels or rollers.
9. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the runner bar
has a first track above a second track.
10. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the two tracks
are each open to a respective side of the runner bar to define an
S-shaped cross-section.
11. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the slide
limiter is disposed in the channels between the two tracks.
12. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein a bridging
portion is provided between the two tracks with the channels for
the drawer stop and the body stop respectively disposed on each
side of the bridging portion.
13. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 2, further including an
outer drawer plate for mounting on the outside of a drawer side
panel, whereby drawer wheels and the drawer stop are mounted on the
outer drawer plate.
14. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein an inner
drawer plate is provided for mounting on the inside of the drawer
side panel to provide additional support.
15. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 2, further including a
first body plate for mounting on one side of a carcass side panel
wherein body wheels and the body stop are provided on the first
body plate.
16. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein a second body
plate is provided for mounting on the other side of the carcass
side panel.
17. A slide assembly for slidably mounting a drawer within a
carcass, the slide assembly including: a first runner bar having a
first slidable connection for slidably mounting the drawer for
sliding movement relative to the first runner bar between retracted
and extended configurations, the first runner bar having a second
slidable connection for slidably mounting the first runner bar for
sliding movement relative to the carcass between retracted and
extended configurations; a first slide limiter including stops for
limiting the relative extension of the drawer and the first runner
bar, and the first runner bar and the carcass, wherein the stops
are discrete from the first and second slidable connections; a
second runner bar having a third slidable connection for slidably
mounting the drawer for sliding movement relative to the second
runner bar between retracted and extended configurations, the
second runner bar having a fourth slidable connection for slidably
mounting the second runner bar for sliding movement relative to the
carcass between retracted and extended configurations; a second
slide limiter including further stops for limiting the relative
extension of the drawer and the second runner bar, and the second
runner bar and the carcass, wherein the further stops are discrete
from the third and fourth slidable connections.
18. The slide assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the first and
second runner bars are connected by a joining bar.
19. A drawer assembly including a drawer slidably mounted within a
carcass using a slide assembly as claimed in claim 1.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a slide assembly. In
particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a
drawer slide assembly for slidably mounting a drawer within a
cabinet body or carcass. The present invention has particular
application to an ancillary storage unit for a vehicle. However,
the invention may also have application to other kinds of cabinets
and furniture systems where a drawer slides relative to the cabinet
body. The invention may also have application beyond a drawer and
could have application to pull out desks, trundle beds and other
furniture applications. Furthermore, the invention could also have
application beyond furniture and storage units.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ancillary storage units, particularly for use in vehicles
are known. Generally, these are used for storage of tools and have
slidable drawers which may be accessed by the user through an
opening in the vehicle such as the back or side of a utility
vehicle or the boot of a car. When used in recreational vehicles,
it is sometimes desirable to use these drawers to store
refrigeration units. Accordingly, it is particularly useful if the
drawer can pull out from the cabinet body as far as possible in
order to increase the access opening into the drawer, particularly
when a refrigeration unit is stored within the drawer. For this
purpose, it is known to use a floating runner bar to which the
drawer is slidably mounted, the runner bar also being slidably
mounted relative to the cabinet body. This permits the drawer to
extend beyond what would normally be permitted if the drawer was
directly slidably mounted to the cabinet body.
[0003] WO 2016/090406 discloses one particular storage cabinet with
a drawer, cabinet body and a floating runner bar. The arrangement
in D1 relies on drawer-mounted wheels rolling in a track on the
runner bar and cabinet-mounted wheels which roll within another
track on the runner bar. The runner bar has two plugs which are
placed at either end which incorporate respective stopping
mechanisms. When the drawer is opened sufficiently from the cabinet
body, one of the drawer wheels abuts against the forward stopping
mechanism of the runner bar. Further opening of the drawer causes
extension of the runner bar out of the cabinet body until the
rearward stopping mechanism abuts one of the cabinet wheels. The
wheels which engage with the stopping mechanisms are referred to as
"stopper wheels" which are part of the set of drawer mounted wheels
and body-mounted wheels. Thus, repeated impact between the stopper
wheels and the stopping mechanisms could damage the wheels and
hinder their rolling function.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a slide
assembly which addresses the above mentioned disadvantage or at
least provides the public with a useful choice over known slide
assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a slide assembly for slidably mounting a drawer within
a carcass, the slide assembly including:
[0006] a runner bar having a first slidable connection for slidably
mounting the drawer for sliding movement relative to the runner bar
between retracted and extended configurations, the runner bar
having a second slidable connection for slidably mounting the
runner bar for sliding movement relative to the carcass between
retracted and extended configurations; and
[0007] a slide limiter including stops for limiting the relative
extension of the drawer and the runner bar, and the runner bar and
the carcass, wherein the stops are discrete from the first and
second slidable connections.
[0008] Thus, preferably the stops do not perform any functioning
role of the slidable connections. The function of the slide limiter
is therefore preferably independent of the slidable connections.
The stops may therefore be dedicated to the function of the slide
limiter, not forming a dual role as part of the slidable
connections i.e. wheels of the slidable connection do not function
as stops to limit the sliding extension of the drawer or the runner
bar. Thus, the stops are preferably non-rotatable.
[0009] In a preferred form of the invention, the slide limiter
includes a first set of inter-engageable stops including a first
runner stop disposed on the runner bar and a drawer stop for
fixedly mounting on the drawer. The slide limiter may also include
a second set of inter-engagable stops including a second runner
stop disposed on the runner bar and a body stop for fixedly
mounting on the carcass. In this preferred form of the invention,
when the drawer is fully extended from the carcass, the drawer stop
engages with the first runner stop and the second runner stop
engages with the body stop to define the limit of full extension of
the drawer.
[0010] In a preferred form of the invention, the drawer stop and
the body stop move relative to the runner bar along respective
dedicated pathways in the runner bar. The dedicated pathways are
suitably discrete from any tracks provided for the slidable
connection. The dedicated pathways may be in the form of channels
in the runner bar. The dedicated pathways may be on opposite sides
of the runner bar. Preferably, the runner bar is arranged with the
first slidable connection and the second slidable connection, one
above the other with a bridging portion therebetween and the
dedicated pathways are disposed on either side of the bridging
portion.
[0011] The runner stops may be integrally moulded with the runner
bar. Alternatively, the runner stops may be in the form of a
moulded fitting. The moulded runner stops may fit onto an extruded
runner bar. The runner stops may be fitted at each end of the
runner bar to close the channels.
[0012] The inter-engagement between the stops of the slide limiter
may be by abutment only. However, in a more preferred form of the
invention, the stops of the slide limiter may be removably
interconnectable to retain the drawer in a predetermined position
such as the fully extended position. More specifically, the first
set of stops may be removably interconnectable, for example,
nestable profiles such as tongue and groove. Likewise, the second
set of stops may be removably interconnectable.
[0013] The slide connection may be in the form of slidably
engageable surfaces. Alternatively, the slide connection may be in
the form of a rolling part and a track. For example, the rolling
part may comprise wheels, rollers, ball bearings which are moveable
along a track.
[0014] Preferably the runner bar has tracks to accommodate the
drawer-mounted wheels or rollers and carcass-mounted wheels or
rollers. Alternatively, the wheels or rollers may be mounted on the
runner bar for running along respective tracks in the drawer and
carcass.
[0015] Preferably, the runner bar has a first track above a second
track. The two tracks may be open to a respective side of the
runner bar. Thus, the runner bar may have a S-shaped cross section.
Preferably, the slide limiter is disposed in the channels between
the two tracks. In a most preferred form of the invention, the
bridging portion mentioned above may be provided between the two
tracks with the channels for the drawer stop and the body stop
disposed on each side of the bridging portion.
[0016] The slide assembly may also include an outer drawer plate
for mounting on the outside of the drawer side panel. The drawer
wheels and the drawer stop may be mounted on the outer drawer
plate. Additionally, an inner drawer plate may be provided for
mounting on the inside of the drawer side panel to provide
additional support.
[0017] Additionally, the slide assembly may include a first body
plate for mounting on one side of the carcass side panel. The body
wheels and the body stop may be provided on the first body plate. A
second body plate may also be provided for mounting on the other
side of the carcass side panel.
[0018] The drawer plates and the body plates may be integrally
formed with the drawer side panel and the carcass side panel
respectively.
[0019] The slide assembly may include a first such runner bar and
first such slide limiter for mounting on a first side of the drawer
and a second such runner bar and a second such slide limiter for
mounting on the second side of the drawer. The first and second
runner bars may be connected by a joining bar.
[0020] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a drawer assembly including a drawer slidably
mounted within a carcass using a slide assembly as defined above in
connection with the first aspect of the invention.
[0021] Any of the features described above in connection with the
first aspect of the invention may be applied to the second aspect
of the invention.
[0022] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and
defined in this specification extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] In order that the invention may be more fully understood,
one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with
reference to the figures in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fully assembled storage
unit in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage unit of FIG. 1,
except with the top panel removed;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage unit shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, except showing various parts removed for clarity
including the top panel, one of the extension panels and the front
panel of one of the drawers;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view substantially from the front of
the storage unit shown in FIG. 1, except with various parts removed
including one of the extension panels, the front panel of one of
the drawers and the adjacent side panels of the drawer and carcass
at A;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the drawer slide
assembly as per A in FIG. 4, the side panels of the drawer and the
carcass being removed for clarity;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of the drawer slide
assembly as per B in FIG. 5;
[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates the section of a runner bar used in the
drawer slide assembly of FIGS. 6 and 7;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a partial view of the drawer slide assembly of
FIGS. 6 and 7, except with the drawer plates for the carcass side
panel being removed for clarity;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9, except
additionally showing the runner bar removed for clarity;
[0034] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a drawer and a
carcass side panel showing the drawer slide assembly mounted on the
carcass side panel;
[0035] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 11,
except showing the runner bar removed for clarity;
[0036] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a spring catch used to
retain the drawer in the open and closed configuration;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a storage unit similar to
FIG. 3 except according to a second preferred embodiment which is
similar in many respects to the first preferred embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a runner assembly
incorporated into the storage unit of the second preferred
embodiment, the runner assembly being shown with the side plates
for the carcass side panel having been removed for clarity;
[0039] FIG. 16 is a perspective view from the rear of a drawer of
the storage unit shown in FIG. 14;
[0040] FIG. 17 is a perspective view from the rear of a side panel
of the carcass assembled with the drawer slide assembly;
[0041] FIG. 18 is an exploded view showing the drawer of FIG. 16,
except with the rear panel of the drawer removed for clarity,
together with a side panel of the carcass, showing portions of the
drawer slide assembly, similar to FIG. 17, except with the runner
bars removed for clarity;
[0042] FIG. 19 is an assembled view of the drawer of FIG. 18,
together with the opposite side panel of the carcass, showing the
runner bar in position, with the near side panel of the carcass
removed for clarity, the drawer being shown in the fully closed
configuration;
[0043] FIG. 20 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 19, except
showing the near runner bar and the far side panel of the drawer
removed for clarity;
[0044] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the drawer of FIG. 19,
except shown in the fully extended configuration, the far runner
bar removed for clarity;
[0045] FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 21 with the drawer fully
extended, except with both of the runner bars removed for
clarity;
[0046] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the drawer except shown
without front and rear panels, shown with the drawer fully received
within the carcass.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0047] The figures show a multipurpose vehicle-mounted storage unit
10 which is made up of flat-packable panels which are substantially
planar or plate-like. Many features of the unit 10 are similar to
the unit described and shown in our earlier PCT applications
WO2018/014079 and WO2018/014080, details of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0048] The panels may be shipped to the end user in a flat-pack for
do-it-yourself assembly by the end user. The panels and the
assembly features provided thereon, also lend themselves to being
de-constructed as desired by the end-user for lower volume storage.
The panels make up a carcass 101 (best shown in FIG. 3) to form
compartments to accommodate a number of drawers 200. The drawers
200 are also constructed from flat-packable panels.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the storage unit 10 has a carcass
101 comprising a rear panel 11, a horizontally arranged top panel
12 (see FIG. 1) and bottom panel 13, and several upright divider
panels 14 uprightly placed between the top panel 12 and bottom
panel 13. The panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 are all fabricated using the
construction technique of blow-moulding of plastics material e.g.
polypropylene to produce hollow panels.
[0050] The bottom panel 13, top panel 12, and rear panel 11 are
connected to the divider panels 14 with mortise-tenon joints, thus
forming two side-by-side storage compartments used for placing
drawers 200 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. When the unit 10 is
installed, these compartments open towards the same direction as
the opening in the vehicle (not shown).
[0051] Support Beams
[0052] As shown in FIG. 2, three continuous support beams 17 extend
across the upper edges of the divider panels 14 and received in
complementary recesses provided on the underside of the top panel
12. The top panel 12 is fixed to the beams 17 with fastenings (not
shown).
[0053] Each fastening passes through the top panel 12. There are 3
rows of fasteners spaced across the top panel 12. The central row
of fasteners are fixed in fastening screw holes 17 which are
threaded holes provided in the beams 17.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a dust cap 1715 is placed on the
top of the fastener. The dust cap 1715 prevents dust and dirt from
entering into the fastener and the fastening screw hole 1711 and
thus protects them from rust and other damage to prolong their
service life.
[0055] The support beams 17 are each comprised of a central
flattened aluminium tube 1710 of approximately rectangular
cross-section which is able to receive extendible and retractable
extension pieces (not shown). Each extension piece is provided with
a series of spaced adjustment holes (not shown) which are threaded
and allow adjustment of the extension/retraction of the extension
pieces. The outer rows of fasteners seat into aligned holes in the
support bars and the extension pieces to allow for adjustment.
[0056] The telescopic beams 17 permit the overall width of the unit
10 to be reduced for easy removal from the rear of the vehicle.
Generally the width of the opening of a vehicle such as the boot
opening, hatch or tailgate is less than the width inside the
vehicle so this feature allows easy removal of the unit 10 from the
vehicle.
[0057] Further details of the support beams are shown and described
in the above mentioned PCT applications which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0058] Sundries Compartments
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, extension panels 15 that are flush
with the top panel 12 are fixed to the beams 17 at the ends of the
beams 17/extension pieces. On each side of the carcass 101, the
extension panel 15, the inner wall of the vehicle body (not shown)
and the adjacent divider panel 14 form a sundries compartment which
is convenient for holding tools and articles. The extension panel
15 increases the flat extent of the top surface of the unit and
makes it feasible to place luggage and other objects on top of the
storage unit.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, at the front of each sundries
compartment, front panels 16 are fixed to the divider panels 14 on
both sides of the unit 10. The upper edge of the front panel 16 is
fixed to the top panel 12 and extension panel 15 through a grooved
connection (see FIG. 2), and the lower edge is fixed to the bottom
panel 13 through a grooved connection.
[0061] The front panel 16 is composed of a curved segment 161 and a
flat baffling segment 162, which are unitarily moulded in one
piece. The curved segment 161 is fixed to the outer side of the
divider panel 14, and installed into two complementary arc-shaped
grooves on the undersurface of the top panel 12 and the top surface
of the bottom panel 13, which are consistent with the curved
segment 161 in shape.
[0062] The upper edge of the baffling segment 162 is fixed to the
underside of the extension panel 15 through a grooved connection.
There is a straight groove on the underside of the extension panel
15, which matches with the upper edge of the baffling segment 162,
and the upper edge of the baffling segment 162 is embedded in the
straight groove 150.
[0063] The curved segment 161 is convenient for fixing the front
panel 16 to the divider panel 14, and the baffling segment 162
keeps the front of the unit flat. The front panel 16 can prevent
articles in the sundries compartment from falling out and further
improve the effectiveness of space partitioning.
[0064] The sundries compartment can be used for storing car repair
tools. Further details of the sundries compartments are shown and
described in the above-mentioned PCT applications which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0065] Mortice-Tenon Joints
[0066] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper edges, lower edges, and
rear edges of all the divider panels 14 are provided with aligned
tenons 181, and the bottom panel 13, top panel 12, and rear panel
11 are all provided with mortises (not shown) at the corresponding
positions. The tenons 181 mate with the mortises to form a roughly
cuboid structure of the carcass 101. It is very easy to assemble
the panels with mortise-tenon joints. When not in use, the carcass
101 can be disassembled for easy storage, thus giving users more
autonomy and flexibility.
[0067] The mortises are all of the same form and the tenons 181 are
also all of the same form throughout the unit 10. The tenons 181
are integrally moulded with the associated divider panel 14.
Likewise, the material surrounding the mortices i.e. the mortise
surrounds, are integrally moulded with the associated panel.
[0068] Each tenon 181 is formed as a projection extending from the
panel, in line with the general plane of the divider panel 14. The
tenon 181 has a hook profile.
[0069] The mortice surround defines a slotted mortice hole which is
complementary to and cooperates with the hook profile of the tenon
181. The tenons 181 engage with respective mortice surrounds with a
snap engagement. The tenons 181 are pushed into the respective
surrounds and then with a relative sliding movement, the tenons are
pushed into a home position, effecting the snap engagement. Further
detail of the mortice and tenon joins are described in the
foregoing PCT applications, details of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0070] When assembling the carcass 101, the user should first
assemble all the divider panels 14 on the bottom panel 13 by
inserting the tenons 181 into the corresponding mortises of the
bottom panel, and then longitudinally pushing the divider panels 14
until each hook profile is seated in its home position. Thus, the
bottom panel 13 remains stationary while each divider panel 14 is
pushed to seat the tenons 181 in the home position in the mortice.
The rear panel 11 is then assembled with the divider panels with
the tenons 181 at the rear edges of the divider panels received in
the mortices of the rear panel 11. The rear panel is pushed down to
lock the tenons in place--and a longitudinal rib on the bottom edge
of the rear panel seats in a groove in the upper face of the bottom
panel.
[0071] The support beams 17 and extension pieces are positioned as
explained above.
[0072] The top panel 12 is overlaid onto the divider panels 14 to
line up the tenons on the divider panels 14 with the mortices in
the top panel 12. The tenons 181 must be all received in the top
panel 12 before the top panel 12 is pushed rearwardly so that the
tenons 181 in the divider panels 14 seat in the home position in
the mortices in the top panel 12.
[0073] This structure is very simple to assemble, easy to operate,
and rigid in final form. Dismantling is possible if desired but
requires individual prising apart of each tenon/mortice pair with a
suitable pronged tool.
[0074] Seals (not shown) may be provided to insert into the mortice
holes from above the top panel 12 to seal the mortice holes and
prevent entry of dirt and other debris.
[0075] In this embodiment, there are several sunken grooves 141
(see FIG. 3) on the upper edges of the divider panels 14, and the
support beams 17 are placed in the grooves 141 so as to avoid the
situation that the beams 17 protrude over the upper edge of the
divider panel 14, which would otherwise impair the tenon-mortise
joint between the divider panel 14 and the top panel 12.
[0076] Mounting in Vehicle
[0077] The rear edge of the bottom panel 13 may have margin (not
shown) of reduced thickness.
[0078] To position the storage unit in a vehicle, reduced thickness
margin of bottom panel 13 is pushed with a firm fit into a channel
portion of a matching hollow metal section (not shown) that is
fixed across the vehicle floor at the rear edge of bottom panel 13.
If desired, the unit is fastened into place by suitable clamps or
other releasable fasteners at the sides of outer divider panels 14
(not shown).
[0079] Drawers
[0080] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the drawers 200 of the
vehicle-mounted storage unit proposed in this embodiment may be
used for storing articles. Additionally, the drawer 200 may be
utilised for placing a vehicle-mounted refrigerator 203 or
insulated unit. In this particular embodiment, there is a large
drawer 201 for accommodating a refrigerator 203 and a smaller
drawer 202 for other articles. The large drawer 201 and the smaller
drawer 202 are of substantially the same construction.
[0081] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the drawer 200 consists of a
bottom panel 24, a handle-bearing panel 21 in the front, a rear
panel 23 at the back, and two upright panels 22 on each side.
[0082] The handle-bearing panel 21 is provided with a handle 211
(FIG. 2) which is lockable.
[0083] The rear panel 23 may be provided with ventilation holes
230, designed for promoting heat transfer of the refrigerator
203.
[0084] The front edge of the upright panel 22 is provided with
first tenons (not shown), and the back edge provided with second
tenons 224 and the lower edge is provided with third tenons (not
shown). There are first mortises at the front of the handle-bearing
panel 21, three on each side, which match with the first tenons.
The handle-bearing panel 21 is connected to the upright panels 22
through mortise-tenon joints. Front plates 213 (see FIG. 1)
disguise these mortice-tenon joints and depending on the selected
material, can reduce vibration in the front mortice-tenon joints.
An insulative or sound absorbent material such as cotton may reduce
vibration and extend service life.
[0085] There are second mortises (not shown) on the rear panel 23
which match with the second tenons 224 (FIG. 12) on the upright
panel 22. There are third mortices (not shown) on the bottom panel
24 which match with the third tenons (not shown) of the upright
panel 22. The bottom panel 24 and the rear panel 23 are thus
connected to the upright panels 22 through mortise-tenon
joints.
[0086] The configuration of the tenon projections and the mortice
holes and surrounds is the same for the drawers as that described
above for the carcass 101. The resulting mortice-tenon joints are
therefore the same.
[0087] Structure of Panels
[0088] The panels of the drawers 200 and carcass 101 are in a
unitary hollow structural form of a panel constructed from plastic
material e.g. polypropylene, using blow-moulding so the panel is of
low weight and easy to manufacture. The rear panel 23 of the large
drawer 201 has an arrayed recess structure which is similarly
applied to all of the panels used in the storage unit 10. The panel
23 may have removable pieces 230 (FIG. 11) in the recesses 237 to
provide ventilation openings when the large drawer 201 is used to
house a refrigerator 203. These removable pieces 230 may be
selectively removed by the end user. The feature of the removable
ventilation pieces 230 may also be applied to the rear panel 11 of
the carcass 101. The divider panels 14 in the carcass 101 may also
have removable pieces within at least some of the recesses.
[0089] The panel 23 has a cavity (not shown) enclosed by two spaced
walls which reduces the overall weight of the panel 23. The outer
surface of the first wall 231 is provided with an array of recesses
237 that are arranged at regular intervals transversely and
longitudinally and sunken into the cavity 233. Each recess 237 is
of rectangular or slotted shape with generally rounded ends as
shown in FIG. 11.
[0090] The inner surface of the first wall in the region of the
recess 237 may be closely spaced or connected to the second wall,
or there a clearance may be provided between them. The cavity with
the panel 23 is thus punctuated by the recesses 237. Both the first
wall and the second wall may have an array of recesses 237 with the
recesses in each wall meeting to define a "waffle" structure.
[0091] Drawer Slide Assembly
[0092] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the components of the drawer slide
assembly 30. The drawer slide assembly 30 is disposed to permit
sliding movement between the drawer 200 and the carcass 101. In the
first embodiment, the drawer slide assembly 30 is made up of two
sub-assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the drawer. In the
second embodiment, the two sub-assemblies are linked by a joining
bar 399 (FIG. 23). The sub-assemblies each provide a sliding or
wheeled connection between the drawer and a runner bar 46 on the
one hand, and between the runner bar 46 and the carcass 101 on the
other hand. Thus, the runner bar 30 has a first slidable connection
in the form of drawer wheel 42, and track 50 for slidably mounting
the drawer 200 for sliding movement relative to the runner bar 30
between retracted and extended configurations. The runner bar 30
also has a second slidable connection in the form of body wheel 36
and track 48 for slidably mounting the runner bar 30 for sliding
movement relative to the carcass 101 between retracted and extended
configurations.
[0093] The carcass side panel 14 is defined by one of the divider
panels 14. Neither the carcass side panel nor drawer side panel 22
are shown in FIG. 6 for the purposes of clarity. First and second
plates 32, 34 are embedded on opposite sides of the carcass side
panel 14 and held together by bolts 35 (see FIG. 10) that pass
through the side panel 14. These bolts also provide a mounting for
body wheels 36. As can be seen from FIG. 10, body wheels 36 are
arranged spaced apart in the direction of travel of the drawer 200.
The body wheels 36 may be mounted on the same bolts 35 that connect
the first and second plates 32, 34 to the sides of the carcass side
panel 14. The body wheels 36 permit sliding or rolling movement
between the carcass 101 and the runner bar 46.
[0094] In a similar manner, the side panel 22 of the drawer may
also have embedded inner and outer plates 38, 40, secured to the
side panel 22 through the use of bolts passing through the side
panel 22. The inner and outer plates 38, 40 also support a series
of spaced drawer wheels 42, (see FIGS. 2 and 10) which are spaced
apart in the direction of travel of the drawer 200. The drawer
wheels 42 may also be supported by the bolts 43 which interconnect
the inner and outer plates 38, 40. The drawer wheels 42 are
disposed in a linear array which is arranged below the linear array
of body wheels 36, as best appreciated from FIG. 10. The drawer
wheels permit sliding/rolling movement between the drawer 200 and
the runner bar 46.
[0095] While the drawer slide assembly operates to permit the
drawer 200 to slide in and out of the carcass 101, an additional
floating runner bar 46 is provided. The floating runner bar 46 is
neither fixed to the drawer 200 nor the carcass 101. Rather, the
floating runner bar 46 is mounted to slide relative to the drawer
side panel 22 and the carcass side panel 14. This is provided by
the body wheels 36 and the drawer wheels 42 being received in upper
and lower tracks 48, 50 as shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows the form
of the runner bar 46. The runner bar 46 is comprised of a
substantially S-shaped profile which is firstly defined by an upper
open channel 52. The upper open channel receives the body wheels
36. It is essentially C-shaped in form with an opening towards the
carcass side panel 14. The C-shaped channel 52 defines the upper
track 48 for the body wheels 36. The opening of the C-shaped
channel 52 is defined by upwardly and downwardly projecting lips
56.
[0096] Secondly, a lower C-shaped channel 54 is provided to define
a track and receive the drawer wheels 42. The lower C-shaped
channel 54 is open in the opposite direction to the upper channel
52 towards the drawer 200. The upper channel 52 and the lower
channel 54 thereby define an S-shaped runner bar 46. The upper and
lower channels 52, 54 are bridged by bridging portion 58. The
bridging portion defines channels 60 on opposite sides of the
runner bar 46, the purpose of which will be explained.
[0097] The runner bar 46 is also provided with dampening slots 62
at the upper and lower edges. The dampening slots 62 are defined by
flanges 64 which provide that the dampening slots 62 have a
narrower opening than the base 66 of the slot 62. The dampening
slots receive dampening strips 68 which have a T-section with the
top of the T being received in the base 66 of the slot 62.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 7, the outer plate 40 is formed with a
guide profile 70 to receive the projecting top of the dampening
strip 68. Similarly, the second plate 34 is also provided with a
guide profile 70 to receive the projecting bottom of the lower
dampening strip 68. The dampening strips 68 received in the guide
profiles 70 are suitably made of rubber or plastics material and
facilitate smooth running of the runner bar 46 relative to the
carcass side panel 14 and the drawer side panel 22 for quieter
operation with reduced vibration.
[0099] A slide limiter is provided in the form of stops or stoppers
72, 80, 82, for limiting the relative extension of the drawer 200
and the runner bar 46, and the runner bar 46 and the carcass 101.
The stops or stoppers 72, 80, 82, are discrete from the first and
second slidable connections 36, 48, 42, 50 i.e. the wheels 36, 42
and the tracks 48, 50 do not function to limit the relative sliding
movement of the runner bar, drawer and carcass.
[0100] FIGS. 6 and 10 illustrate the end stoppers 72. The end
stoppers 72 can be best seen in FIG. 10. The form of the end
stoppers 72 is a moulded plastic body having an end plate 74 with
two projecting pegs 76 which define a gap 78 therebetween. Each end
stopper 72 is seated at one end of the runner bar 46 with the pegs
76 spaced either side of the bridging portion 58 so that the
bridging portion is received within the gap 78. The end stoppers
have end plate 74. With one of the end stoppers 72 at each end of
the runner bar 46, the channels 60 are closed at each end.
[0101] FIG. 6 illustrates the runner bar 46 with the outer end
stopper 72 installed whereas in FIG. 7, the end stopper 72 is
removed for clarity purposes. FIG. 11 also illustrates the end
stoppers 72 at each end of the runner bar 46.
[0102] FIG. 11 also illustrates that the outer plate 40 of the
drawer 200 is provided with a drawer stopper 80. The outer plate 40
on both sides of the drawer is provided with a drawer stopper 80,
although only one is depicted in FIG. 11. The drawer stopper 80 is
disposed approximately midway relative to the height of the drawer
and approximately midway relative to the length of the drawer 200.
When the drawer 200 is assembled in the carcass 101, the drawer
stopper 80 will reside in one of the channels 60 along the runner
bar 46. As the drawer 200 extends from and retracts into the
carcass 101, the drawer stopper 80 will commute back and forth
along the channel 60 between the end stoppers 72. Drawer stopper 80
is also visible in FIG. 7 within the channel 60.
[0103] Similarly, the side panel 14 of the carcass 101 is also
provided with a body stopper 82 (see FIGS. 7 and 9). The body
stopper 82 is similarly positioned on the side panel 14 i.e.
approximately midway relative to the height and midway relative to
the side panel 14. When the drawer slide assembly is fully
assembled, the body stopper 82 resides within the other channel 60
in the runner bar 46. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the drawer
stopper 80 and the body stopper 82 lie in respective channels 60 on
opposite sides of the bridging portion 58. As the runner bar 46
moves relative to the side panel 14, the runner bar will be able to
run past the body stopper 82 until the end stopper 72 meets with
the body stopper 82.
[0104] Operation of the Drawer Slide Assembly
[0105] When the user wishes to operate a drawer 200, it may be
first necessary to unlock the drawer via a lock 84 provided as part
of a locking assembly on the front panel 21 of the drawer 200. When
unlocked, the user can pull down on the handle 86 to release a
latch. On pulling down of the handle 86, a latch tongue (88) is
withdrawn from its extended latching position within a slot 90 at
the front of the bottom panel 13 (see FIG. 3). The latch tongue 88
is biased towards the extended position so that on closing the
drawer, the latch will be biased into the slot 90. This ensures
that the drawer remains closed during transit so that articles do
not fall out.
[0106] As the drawer 200 is withdrawn from the carcass 101, the
drawer stopper 80 will move within the corresponding channel 60 in
the runner bar 46 until the drawer stopper 80 engages the outer end
stopper 72 on the runner bar 46. As the runner bar 46 is floating
between the drawer 200 and the carcass 101, as the drawer is
withdrawn further from the carcass 101, the drawer stopper 80 will
push on the end stopper 72, tending to withdraw the runner bar 46
from its location adjacent to the carcass side panel 21. The runner
bar 46 will continue to be extended from the carcass 101 until the
rear end stopper 72 contacts the body stopper 82 on the carcass
101. At this point, the drawer reaches its maximum extended
position as defined by the stoppers 72, 80, 82. The maximum
extended position of the drawer 200 relative to the carcass 101 is
therefore extended by virtue of the runner bar 46. This means that
it will be easier to access the contents of the drawer as the
drawer 200 will be more extended from the carcass 101 than would
have been the case without the runner bar 46. It is also possible
with this arrangement for the drawer 200 to extend entirely from
the carcass 101 so that the drawer opening is fully accessible.
[0107] Spring Catch
[0108] The drawer may be provided with a stopper or limiting part
engaging with a corresponding part on the carcass 101 to avoid the
drawers from being excessively pushed into or pulled out of the
storage compartments due to a force or accident.
[0109] FIG. 13 illustrates the form of a spring catch 92. The
spring catch 92 is in the form of a U-shape including a mounting
portion 94 and a flat spring portion 93. The mounting portion 94 is
seated in a recess 95 as shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen from FIG.
3, there are four such recesses 95 provided in respect of each
drawer in the bottom panel 13. Each recess 95 houses a spring catch
92. Therefore, for each drawer, two such spring catches 92 are
provided at the forward end of the bottom panel 13 and two such
spring catches 92 are provided at the rear end of the bottom panel
13.
[0110] As can be seen from FIG. 12, the bottom panel 24 of each
drawer 200 are provided with integrally moulded elongate
protrusions 96 having a rounded profile. These protrusions 96 are
able to seat into a groove 97 formed in the flat spring portion 93
as shown in FIG. 13. Thus, the spring catches 92 at the forward end
of the bottom panel 13 will define a holding position for the
outermost extent of the drawer 200. Due to the shape of the flat
spring 93 with the groove 97, the spring will need to be depressed
by the protrusion 96 in order for the protrusion 96 to
achieve/leave the seated position within the groove 97. Thus, the
drawer 200 will be held in the outermost position. Similarly, the
spring catches 92 at the rear of the bottom panel 13 also define a
position where the drawer is detained in a closed configuration.
The user must apply a force to overcome the bias of the flat spring
93 to move the protrusions 96 out of their seated positions within
the grooves 97 in order to move the drawer 200.
Second Embodiment
[0111] The second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 23 is
similar in many respects to the first embodiment and for this
reason, same reference numerals are used to represent same parts.
However, where a part has been changed to suit the second
embodiment, that part number will be proceeded by a "3" to indicate
that the part is similar to that of the first embodiment but
changed in some respect.
[0112] Referring to FIG. 14, the spring catches 392 are only
provided at the rear of the bottom panel 313. Therefore, only
spring catches 392 are provided to hold the drawer in the closed
position as per FIG. 19. In all other aspects, the spring catches
392 are the same as for the first embodiment.
[0113] In the second embodiment, the main difference is to be found
in the drawer slide assembly 330. As per FIG. 15, the drawer slide
assembly 330 has inner and outer plates 38, 40 on the drawer side
panel 22 as before. Likewise, first and second plates 32, 34, are
provided on the carcass side panel 14 although these plates are not
visible in FIG. 15.
[0114] It can be seen that the end stoppers 372 are of a different
form than in the first embodiment. The end stoppers 372 have an end
plate 374 and two pegs 376 with a gap (not shown) therebetween to
receive the bridging portion 58 of the runner bar 46. The front end
stopper 372 has the same configuration as the rear end stopper
372.
[0115] The inwardly extending end of the peg 376 has a shaped
profile 377. The rearward facing end of the body stopper 382 also
has a shape profile 383 which is complementary to the shape profile
377 of the end stopper 372. The complementary profiles may define a
tongue and groove arrangement. The tongue 383 and the groove 377
may be shaped like the mating parts of a jig-saw. The groove 377 is
concave while the tongue is a complementary convex shape. The
groove 377 may have an undercut whereby the tongue 383 spreads the
fingers of the peg 376 in order for the tongue 383 to be received
in the groove 377. This provides a snap engagement between the body
stopper 382 and the end stopper 372.
[0116] Similarly, the drawer stopper 380 (see FIG. 16-18) has the
same configuration as the body stopper 382 except that the tongue
381 points forwardly instead of rearwardly as is the case with the
tongue 383. The tongue 381 engages with the front end stopper 372
as the drawer is withdrawn. The tongue 381 engages within the
groove 377 of the front end stopper 372.
[0117] It will be appreciated that the drawer stopper 380 and the
body stopper 382 traverse the channels on opposite sides of the
bridging portion 58. Thus, the drawer stopper 380 will engage with
the groove on the peg 376 on the corresponding side of the end
stopper 372. Likewise, the body stopper will engage with the groove
on the peg 376 on the corresponding side of the end stopper 372,
which happens to be on the opposite side of the bridging portion
58.
[0118] Thus, where there is a snap fit engagement between the
tongues 381, 383 and their respective grooves 377, the drawer will
be held in its extended position as a result of the snap fit
connection. This requires a force to be applied by the user in
order to disengage the snap fit connections, in order to move the
drawer towards the retracted position. This arrangement takes the
place of a forward spring catch.
[0119] Operation of Second Embodiment
[0120] In operation, as the user pulls the drawer 200, the drawer
stopper 380 will move forwardly with the drawer 200 until it
engages with the front end stopper 372, with the tongue 381
engaging in the groove 377. As the drawer is extended further, the
runner bar 46 will be extended along with the drawer until the rear
end stopper 372 reaches the body stopper 382 which engage to define
the fully extended position of the drawer 200.
[0121] The invention thus provides a slide assembly 30, 330 for
slidably mounting a drawer 200 within a carcass 101. The slide
assembly 30, 330 includes a runner bar 16 and a slide limiter. The
runner bar 30 has a first slidable connection 36, 48 for slidably
mounting the drawer 200 for sliding movement relative to the runner
bar 30 between retracted and extended configurations. The runner
bar 30 also has a second slidable connection 42, 50 for slidably
mounting the runner bar 30 for sliding movement relative to the
carcass 101 between retracted and extended configurations. The
slide limiter includes stops 72, 80, 82, 372, 380, 382 for limiting
the relative extension of the drawer 200 and the runner bar 46, and
the runner bar 46 and the carcass 101. The stops 72, 80, 82, 372,
380, 382 are discrete from the first and second slidable
connections 36, 48, 42, 50.
[0122] The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present
invention and modifications may be made thereto without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *