U.S. patent number 3,901,565 [Application Number 05/508,727] was granted by the patent office on 1975-08-26 for adaptor and latching means for removably attaching drawers to telescoping ball bearing drawer slides.
Invention is credited to Magnus F. Hagen, Fred A. Jordan.
United States Patent |
3,901,565 |
Hagen , et al. |
August 26, 1975 |
Adaptor and latching means for removably attaching drawers to
telescoping ball bearing drawer slides
Abstract
A progressive, full ball bearing, precision, telescoping slide
mechanism for the suspension of drawers having an adaptor attached
to the drawer to provide simple attachment without tools to the
drawer and to permit the drawer to be easily -- without tools --
removed from the slide when it is desired to do so, and readily
reinserted, or interchanged with other drawers. When the drawer is
carried by the usual two slides with the adaptors resting on the
slides, there is means for releasably locking the adaptors to the
outer slide mechanism for positively securing the drawer in place
on the slides. The latching mechanism in one arrangement is
manually operated. In another arrangement, the latching mechanism
latches automatically. Another feature is a combination of stops
which will absorb any metal clicking noise at times of opening or
closing of drawer, thus, contributing to the elimination of today's
harmful "noise pollution" modern office ecology is exposed to.
Still another feature comprises means to hold a drawer in the
closed position so that a slight forward tilt of the drawer or
cabinet will not let the drawer come out as the slides roll very
easily. Also, a too forcefully closed drawer has a tendency to come
out against, that is, to bounce open. With the present invention,
these conditions are overcome. In removing a drawer, or replacing
same on the slide mechanisms, the adaptors slide on the outer slide
members and it is extremely important that there be no projections
on the slides of the adaptors that contact the outer slide members
and slide thereon. Hence, there are certain details embodied in the
adaptors that are important to the proper functioning thereof.
These details will be further described hereandafter
Inventors: |
Hagen; Magnus F. (Fullerton,
CA), Jordan; Fred A. (Whittier, CA) |
Family
ID: |
27015573 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/508,727 |
Filed: |
September 23, 1974 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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396593 |
Sep 12, 1973 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
384/18;
312/332 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B
88/57 (20170101); A47B 88/427 (20170101); A47B
88/493 (20170101); A47B 2210/0032 (20130101); A47B
2210/001 (20130101); A47B 2210/007 (20130101); A47B
2088/4235 (20170101); A47B 2210/0035 (20130101); A47B
2210/0059 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
88/10 (20060101); A47B 88/16 (20060101); A47B
88/04 (20060101); F16C 021/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;308/3.8
;312/341,343,344,331,332,333,350,348 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Church; Gene A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Baisch; J. Carroll
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application, a Continuation-in-part of: Magnus F. Hagen and
Fred A. Jordan For: PRECISION TELESCOPING BALL BEARING DRAWER SLIDE
SUSPENSION FOR WOOD AND METAL FURNITURE PRODUCTION Ser. No.:
396,593 Filed: Sept. 12, 1973, now abandoned
Claims
We claim:
1. A drawer slide mechanism, comprising:
an outer slide member having facing ball races along the
longitudinal side edges thereof;
an inner slide member having oppositely facing ball races along the
longitudinal side edges thereof, the ball races of the inner slide
member being spaced inwardly from and facing respective adjacent
ball races of the outer slide member to provide operable space for
balls;
balls in the space between the respective adjacent ball races of
outer and inner slide members;
a generally channel-shaped ball bearing retainer disposed between
the outer and inner slide members, said ball bearing retainer
having flanges at the outer longitudinal edges between adjacent
ball races of the outer and inner slide members, said flanges
having openings for the balls, said openings being of smaller size
than the diameter of the the inner slide member being spaced
inwardly from and facing respective adjacent ball races of the
outer slide member to provide operable space for balls;
balls in the space between the respective adjacent ball races of
outer and inner slide members;
a generally channel-shaped ball bearing retainer disposed between
the outer and inner slide members, said ball bearing retainer
having flanges at the outer longitudinal edges between adjacent
ball races of the outer and inner slide members, said flanges
having openings for the balls, said openings being of smaller size
than the diameter of the balls so said balls are held in the races
of the outer slide member by the flanges of said ball bearing
retainer;
and a drawer mounting adaptor adapted to be attached to the side of
a drawer and resting on the top of the outer slide member of a
slide mechanism;
balls so said balls are held in the races of the outer slide member
by the flanges of said ball bearing retainer;
and a drawer mounting adaptor adapted to be attached to the side of
a drawer and resting on the top of the outer slide member of a
slide mechanism;
a first releasable means for holding the adaptor against being
lifted from the wall raise of the outer slide member;
and a second releasable means for holding the adaptor against
sliding longitudinal movement on the ball race of the slide
mechanism.
2. A drawer slide mechanism, comprising:
an outer slide member having facing ball races along the
longitudinal side edges thereof, the outer slide member having a
notch in the upper ball race adjacent the front end thereof;
an inner slide member having oppositely facing ball races along the
longitudinal side edges thereof, the ball races of a locking clamp
operably carried by the adaptor and movable between a locking
position and a release position, said locking clamp having a part
for engaging the upper ball race of the outer slide member for
holding the adaptor from being lifted off said upper ball race when
the clamp is in the locking position;
and a locking block on said locking clamp disposed in the notch of
the upper ball race of the outer slide member when the locking
clamp is in the closed position for holding the adaptor against
longitudinal movement relative to the outer slide member.
3. The invention defined by claim 1, wherein the adaptor includes a
longitudinally extending rail having a horizontal part and a
vertical flange upstanding from one edge of the horizontal part for
attachment to the side of a drawer; a lever pivoted to the
horizontal part and movable between a latching position and a
release position, said lever having a depending part with an
inturned end portion adapted to be moved under the free edge of the
upper ball race of the outer slide member, and a block of muffling
material secured to said lever and disposed in the notch in the
upper ball race of said outer member.
4. An adaptor for attachment to a side of a drawer for mounting
same on a slide mechanism having an outer slide member;
said adaptor having a rail in the general shape of a Z lying on its
side and including a horizonal part;
a lever having one end pivotly attached to the horizontal part of
the rail;
a depending part intermediate the ends of the lever and carried
thereby, an inwardly turned flange in general parallel spaced
relation to the lever for engaging the free edge of the upper ball
race of the outer slide member when the latch is in the closed
position, a block of material secured to the under-side of the
lever and an upstanding ear at the adjacent end of the lever for
facilitating moving the lever between the locked position and the
unlocked position.
5. An adaptor for detachable attachment to a slide member of a
slide mechanism, having a pair of openings in the ball race of the
outer slide member adjacent one end, comprising:
an elongated rail in the general shape of a Z lying on its side,
said rail including a horizontal part and an upstanding vertical
part attachable to the side of a drawer;
a spring latch having one end secured to the horizontal part of the
rail and normally lying on the top surface of the rail;
a block of sound muffling material secured to the free end portion
of the spring latch;
a tongue inclined downwardly and toward the block of material
lanced from the spring latch, said horizontal part of the rail
having a pair of openings spaced longitudinally apart and adapted
to receive the block of material and the tongue when the latch is
in the closed position;
and means for raising the free end of the spring latch.
6. The invention defined in claim 5 including a second pair of
openings in the opposite ball race of the outer slide member.
7. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein the spring latch is
normally in the closed position.
8. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein there are two
extrusions in the horizontal part of the rail, said extrusions
being spaced apart longitudinally of the rail and upwardly, and an
opening through the horizontal part intermediate said extrusions;
said spring latch 108 having a pair of openings adjacent the free
ends in which the extrusions are received, the free ends of said
extrusions being riveted over; and a dimple formed in the spring
latch extending into the opening between said extrusions, said
dimple extending part-way through said opening so that it does not
extend beyond the lower surface of the spring latch.
9. The invention defined by claim 8, including a guide on the
upstanding flange of the rail for holding the clamp member against
lateral displacement.
10. The invention defined by claim 9, including a stop for limiting
raise of the free end of the spring lever.
11. The invention defined by claim 5, in combination with a slide
mechanism having an outer slide member, said slide member including
a ball race and a tab raised above the top of the ball race and
facing forwardly for reception of the rear end of the horizontal
part of the rail; a U-shaped guide at the forward end of the rail
for reception of the forward end of the outer slide member.
12. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein the slide mechanism
includes a ball retainer and a block of sound muffling material
fitting over the central portion of said ball retainer, a shallow
channel-shaped bracket disposed over the block of material with an
end portion of said material extending beyond said block and
adjacent end of the ball retainer; rivet means securing the bracket
to the ball retainer and clamping said block of material onto said
ball retainer; and inturned end portions at the rear end of the
bracket for engaging the adjacent end of the block for holding the
block against inward movement.
13. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein there are a plurality
of longitudinally extending substantially parallel ridges in the
bottom of the outer slide member extending beyond the openings in
the ball race of the outer slide member.
14. A slide mechanism, comprising:
an intermediate member of generally Z shaped in cross-section, the
Z lying on its side, said intermediate member having a horizontal
part with oppositely extending flanges along each side of said
horizontal part;
a slide mechanism including an inner slide member and an outer
slide member having the inner slide member attached to one of the
flanges;
a slide mechanism having inner and outer slide members and having
the inner slide member attached to the other flange, said
intermediate member having an opening therein intermediate the ends
thereof;
a resilient roller rotatably mounted to adjacent portions of the
intermediate member and occupying a part of the opening in said
intermediate member;
a boss extending outwardly of the ball race of one of the outer
slide members and in the back of the roller;
a boss extending from the ball race of the outer slide member of
the other slide mechanism and in the back of the roller;
said roller being disposed between the bosses when the slide
mechanisms are telescoped but adapted to roll over said bosses when
the slide mechanisms are extended.
15. A slide mechanism, including:
inner and outer slide members in telescoping relationship, each of
said slide members having a bottom wall;
a portion pressed-out of the bottom wall of the outer slide member
and including a ramp inclined downwardly and toward the adjacent
end of the outer slide member, said pressed-out portion having a
part inclined upwardly and toward the adjacent end of the slide
member, there being a hump at the junction of said parts;
a button secured to the bottom wall of the inner slide member, said
button having its free end positioned for engagement with the hump
when the slide mechanism is telescoped.
16. The invention defined by claim 15, wherein the button is of
resilient material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
While the invention has particular utility embodied in slides for
drawers of wood and metal furniture, file cabinets, desks, cabinets
and the like, and is shown and described thus embodied, it is to be
understood that its utility is not confined, thereto.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are various types of drawer slides in the prior art of which
we are aware having means for removal and replacement of drawers
from their slides, but as far as we are aware, these are not
satisfactory for various known reasons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Our invention comprises mounting means and functional ball bearing
slide features which include in their combinations, become a part
of the precision telescoping ball bearing slides. There is an
adaptor attached to the drawer to provide means whereby a drawer
may be easily attached to the slides without the use of tools and
may be easily removed from the slides when it is desired to do so.
This permits ready attachment of the drawers to the slides so that
the drawers may be reinserted or interchanged with other drawers.
At the same time, the invention also eliminates what in offices is
called today "noise pollution" caused by the noise and metallic
clicking when drawers are moved back and forth in such units as
file drawers, desk drawers, department store fixture drawers, etc.
Thus it contributes greatly to the improvement of office
ecology.
In this connection, a sound muffling material is employed and is
positioned so that metal to metal contacts are eliminated. The
latch mechanism part which drops into a notch provided therefor in
the outer slide member, automatically locking the drawer to the
slides, prevents any noise or clicking when the moving drawer comes
to a stop, either in the open position or the closed position.
Thus, the latch or resilient material or block automatically and
releasably locks the drawer to the slide without creating any noise
when the drawer is moving.
It should be stated that in order to understand the importance of
the invention that a precision, ball bearing slide is a linkage
connecting a stationary structure with a moving structure, both
being connected to this slide.
The invention covers the following areas of telescoping, ball
bearing, precision drawer slides:
An adaptor attached to a drawer or the like for providing easy and
quick removal of the drawers from the desk, cabinet or the like and
easy and quick replacement thereof without the use of tools. This
adaptor comprises a mounting rail which is mounted on or attached
to the drawer or other moving object;
A locking latch on the adaptors for positively but releasably
locking the adaptor to the outer members of the slides. In one
arrangement, the locking or latching mechanism locks or latches
automatically;
In the automatic latching arrangement, there is a spring for moving
the latch to the locking position. This arrangement provides means
for disconnecting the drawer rail from the slide so that the drawer
may be lifted off the slide without the use of tools;
The invention also eliminates what in offices is called noise
pollution caused by the noise and metallic clicking when drawers
are moved back and forth in such units as file drawers, desk
drawers, department store fixture drawers, etc. Thus, it
contributes greatly to the improvement of office ecology;
In the automatic latching arrangement, there are certain very
important features. As described above, it is necessary for the
side of the rail that slides on the outer member of the slide
mechanism to be free from any projecting parts and for this reason,
the following is important.
Two holes are extruded upwardly from the rail to provide securing
means for the spring latch which has two latching holes aligned
with the extruded holes.
The extruded set-ups are then knurled over the spring latch surface
thereby fastening it or securing it to the rail.
There is a third hole in the rail between the above mentioned two
holes. This hole is merely punched out and receives a dimple in the
spring latch which protrudes into the metal hole of the rail to
lock it. In this arrangement then, the spring latch is not creating
any shear forces upon the two outside knurled over extruded
protrusions due to the dimple in the center locking it with the
hole in the rail and thus taking the side shear forces. These shear
forces are applicable when the latch drops into the slot of the
outer member which is provided for the locking function. In other
words, when the latch part drops into the slot provided therefor,
in the outer member, the drawer is prevented from moving back and
forth or being disconnected. Thus, the underside of the rail
provides a flush surface resting on the upper ball race of the
outer member.
A hold-in detent is holding the drawer in position when closed so
that any slide forward tilt of the desk, cabinet or the like, will
not let the drawer come out. Also, this hold-in detent arrangement,
will prevent the drawer to come out when it is too forcefully
closed.
The slide mechanism also includes provision whereby it is
reversible, that is, it can be attached to either side of the
drawer. Thus, it is not necessary to make right and left-hand
mechanisms thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
It is also a part of the invention that it applied to an all-steel,
ball bearing, precision, telescoping slide mechanism, which has
been patented under U.S. Pat. No. 3,205,025.
The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further
sufficiently referred to in connection with the following detailed
description of the accompanying drawings which represent certain
embodiments and arrangements. After considering these examples,
skilled persons will understand that many variations may be made
without departing from the principles disclosed, and I contemplate
the employment of any structures, arrangements or modes of
operation that are properly within the scope of the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes
only:
FIG. 1, is a perspective view of a slide mechanism installed in a
desk and embodying the rail and latch;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof attached to a drawer,
the latch being in the closed position;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the latch in the unlatched or
released position;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the
slide and rail with the latch in the closed position;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG.
4;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged section view taken on line 6--6 of FIG.
4;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the top edge
of a slide member having a notch therein for reception of a
resilient block;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an alternative
arrangement;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal section view;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 10--10 of FIG.
8;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 11--11 of FIG.
8;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line 12--12 of
FIG. 10;
FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 13--13 of FIG.
12;
FIG. 14 is a side elevational view showing a hold-in detent
arrangement;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing
the hold-in detent arrangement of FIG. 14 in the drawer closed
position;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 16--16 of FIG.
15;
FIG. 17 is a very similar view to FIG. 15 but showing the hold-in
detent arrangement in a partly closed or partly open position;
and
FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of an alternative hold-in
detent arrangement.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 - 5, there is shown one
embodiment of a slide mechanism embodying the present invention and
indicated generally at 24. The mechanism includes the usual outer
slide member indicated generally at 28 and an inner slide member,
not shown, in FIGS. 1 - 5, but shown and described
hereandafter.
In FIG. 1, there is shown a desk or cabinet 30 having a drawer 32,
it being understood, of course, that there may be more than one
drawer, the inner slide member in this figure being hidden from
view since it is fastened to an adjacent part of the desk or
cabinet.
Also, it is to be understood that there is a slide mechanism for
each side of the drawer. As shown in FIG. 1, the drawer is in an
outward or open position. The outer slide members of the slides at
opposite sides of the drawer are free to slide into and out of the
cabinet 30.
The outer slide member 28, FIG. 1, is shown to be in its extended
position and it should be noted that the outer slide element is not
affixed to the drawer side wall 34.
The means for attaching the desk drawer to the slides comprises an
adaptor or drawer attachment, indicated generally at 36, which in
cross-section, is shaped like a Z lying on its side. That is, there
is a horizontal portion 38, a vertical upstanding portion or flange
40 along one longitudinal edge of the horizontal portion, and a
depending portion or flange 42 along the opposite longitudinal
edge.
The longitudinally extending vertical portion or flange 40 has a
plurality of longitudinally spaced openings for screws 44 for
attaching the adaptor 36 to side 46, FIG. 1, of the drawer 32.
The longitudinally extending horizontal portion 38 has a locking
clamp, indicated generally at 48.
The locking clamp 48 comprise a lever 50 pivotly attached to the
horizontal part 38, sometimes termed the rail, by any suitable
means such as a rivet 54 adjacent one end so as to be freely
movable in a horizontal plane.
Adjacent the opposite end is an upstanding ear 56 so that the lever
may be easily actuated between locking and release position.
Intermediate the ends of lever 50, there is a flange 60 depending
at right angles from the outer edge of the lever and at the lower
end of flange 60, is an inturned lip 62 normal to said flange 60.
As shown, the locking lip 62 of the locking clamp 48 fits under and
engages the free edge 64 of the outer slide member 28. When in this
closed position, the locking clamp 48 now vertically locks together
the adaptor 36 and the outer slide element 28, the engagement of
the horizontal part 38 of the rail and the top of the outer slide
member 28 effects secure locking together of the adaptor and the
outer slide member.
To release the adaptor from the outer slide 28, latch 48 is
manually actuated by means of the upstanding ear 56 to the release
position shown in FIG. 3.
As shown in FIG. 5, there is also a locking block 68 which is
affixed to the under side of the lever 50 by means of a rivet 70
although any other suitable fastening means may be used. The
locking block 68 is adapted to fit into a locking slot 72 in the
upper portion of the outer slide element 28. More specifically,
slot 72 is in the upper ball race 74 of said outer slide
member.
While the locking block 68 may be formed of any suitable material,
it has been found preferable to use a resilient material such as
rubber, urethane or the like. The locking block 68 has a fairly
snug fit in the locking slot 72 of the outer slide element but a
limited amount of longitudinal movement may occur and the resilient
material is sound absorbing or muffling to substantially eliminate
noise.
The drawer 32 is illustrated with its inner end positioned within
the cabinet 30 and with the adaptor 36 resting on the top of the
outer slide element 28. When installing the drawer, the locking
clamps are open and the drawer is lowered onto the slide member 28,
the lower surface of the horizontal part 38 of the adaptor coming
to rest on the top of the outer slide element 28 so that the slide
thus supports the weight of the drawer and its contents. Moreover,
the locking block 68 of the locking clamp 48 enters the locking
slot 72 of the outer slide element 28 when the locking clamp is
moved to the closed position. Thus, the mutual engagement of these
parts provides a longitudinal locking action that prevents the
drawer from moving axially relative to the outer slide element 28.
While it is not shown, there is a similar arrangement on the other
side of the drawer 32 so that both sides of the drawer are
longitudinally locked in place relative to the outer slide member
of the slides and are supported thereby. When the locking clamp is
moved to the closed position, the inturned lips 62 engage the free
edge portion 64 of the ball races 74 of the outer slide members to
lock the drawer against lifting or vertical movement.
Now, the drawer may be pushed into or pulled outwardly of the
cabinet, the longitudinal locking arrangement between the locking
block and the locking slot assure that the slide mechanism operates
as designed, and also assures that the drawer may be easily removed
by unlocking the locking clamp and lifting the drawer from the
sides whenever so desired.
Once the drawer and its affixed adaptors 36 have been lowered onto
the outer slide member 28, their respective cross-sections appear
as indicated in FIG. 6. It will be seen from this illustration that
the drawer side wall 46 and its affixed adaptor now engage the
upper portion of the outer slide member 28 in such a way that the
outer slide member 28 is "pinched" between the drawer side wall 46
and the vertical part 40 with the upper portion of the outer slide
member 28 supporting the weight of the drawer by means of the
horizontal part 40. Thus, the engagement of the depending part 42
of the adaptor, coacts with the upper ball race of the outer slide
member to prevent transverse movement relative to each other and
thus produces transverse locking between the drawer and the slide
mechanism.
When the drawer is supported by the slide mechanisms, the
horizontal portion 38 of the adaptor floats or slightly rests on
the curved top portion of the top races 74 of the outer slide
members 28. The depending flanges 42 of the adaptors depend along
side the free edges of said top races of the outer slide member to
thereby aid in retaining the drawer in proper alignment with the
slides.
When the drawer is in its closed position, the inner and outer
members of the slides are fully telescoped and the adaptor is fully
retracted, that is, said adaptor is at its furthest inward position
on the top bearing races of the respective outer slide members.
When the drawer is pulled out, the outer slide members 28 of the
respective slides first move outwardly to their limit of movement.
Up to the point at which the outer slide members are stopped by the
usual limiting means, the adaptors remain at the position on the
top races of the outer slide members, but, when the outer slide
members are stopped, the drawer may be further pulled out with the
adaptors sliding on said top races of the outer slide members of
the slides at opposite sides of the drawer by releasing the locking
clamps, the drawers thus being released and adapted to be pulled to
the fully extending position whereat the rear end of the drawer is
clear or substantially clear of the desk at the drawer opening.
Should it be desired to remove the drawer, it is pulled outwardly
from the closed position to the fully extended position. It may
then be lifted off the slides after the locking clamps have been
released. To replace the drawer, the reverse procedure is
followed.
Thus, it will be apparent that the drawer may be easily and quickly
removed from the slides of the desk or cabinet and easily and
quickly replaced. Further, it will be apparent that a drawer may be
removed and replaced by another drawer.
The slides are also practically noiseless and extremely smooth in
action. Opening and closing the drawers is practically effortless
requiring but a light touch. Removal and replacement of drawers may
be effected quickly and easily.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the outer slide
member may be provided with a similar notch 72 in the lower ball
race. With this arrangement, the slides may be reversed. That is,
the slides may be attached at either side without otherwise being
specially constructed for such an arrangement.
FIGS. 8, 9, 10 AND 11
Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11, there is shown an alternative
adaptor and slide arrangement.
The slide mechanism includes the outer slide member 28 of the
ususal well-known character and an inner slide member 80, there
being a ball retainer indicated generally at 82 which retains the
ball bearings 83 and spaces them apart in the ball races of the
inner and outer slide member. The upper ball race of the outer
slide member is provided with a pair of notches 84 and 86,
separated by dividing part 87, notch 84 being of greater size than
notch 86 and being closer to the end of the slide. Notch 86 is
actually a rearward extension of notch 84 and connects with the
rear of notch 84. Adjacent its inner end, the outer slide member
has a raised tab 88 lanced from the upper ball race thereof and
opening forwardly.
The slide member 80 is attached within the inner desk opening or
other fixed part, while the outer slide member carries the drawer
as will be here and after fully described. The inner slide member
has resilient parts 92 and 94 whereby said inner slide member is
attached to the desk, cabinet or the like. It is to be noted that
the outer slide member is provided with ridges 90 in the bottom
thereof and in the region of the openings 84 and 86 to thereby
strengthen this part of the outer slide member.
Referring more particularly to the adaptor of FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and
11, said adaptor is indicated generally at 96.
Adaptor 96 comprises what is termed herein a rail 98 of generally
in the shape of a Z lying on its side. There is a horizontal part
100 along one edge, the rail has an upstanding or vertical flange
102 and along the opposite edge, there is a depending flange 104.
Horizontal part of the rail is adapted to normally rest upon the
upper ball race of the outer slide member. The rail may also slide
upon the upper ball race under certain conditions described
hereandafter.
Flange 102 is secured to the side of the drawer by means of screws
106 or by any other suitable means.
Adjacent the forward end of the adaptor rail is a down-turned and
slightly in-turned guide and connector which is in the general
shape of a U lying on its side and indicated generally at 135, the
purpose of which will be described hereandafter.
The releasable clamping mechanism comprises a latch or locking
arrangement comprising an elongated resilient spring 108. Spring
108 normally lies on the horizontal part 100 of the rail and the
rear end of said spring is secured to said horizontal part of the
rail by a unique fastening means comprising upward extrusions 110
from the horizontal part of the rail so that the under surface of
the horizontal part 100 of the rail is smooth. There are two holes
in the spring latch 108 through which the extrusions 110 extend and
are riveted over at their ends 112 thereby securing the spring
latch to the horizontal part of the rail. A hole 114 is also
provided in the horizontal part of the rail intermediate the
extrusions 110 and a dimple 116 formed downwardly in the spring
latch, extends into hole 114 and does not extend below the lower
plane of the spring latch. This provides a very effective lock so
that the spring latch does not create any shear forces upon the two
extruded parts since the dimple thus takes any side shear forces.
These shear forces are applicable when the latch drops into the
slot of the outer member preventing the drawer from moving backward
and forward or being disconnected.
At the forward free end of the spring latch 108, there is a holder
for a piece of sound muffling material 120, the holder for this
material comprises a pair of depending ears 122 spaced apart and
having inturned end portions 124 which extend beneath the piece of
material 120. Thus, the piece of material 120 is clamped between
the inturned portions 124 and the adjacent part of the spring
latch. Toward the rear of the piece of material is a downwardly and
forwardly inclined tongue 126, which functions as a cam, and is
lanced from the spring latch and normally rests in the notch
extension 86 as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Spring latch 108 has
an upturned flange-like structure 127 which is at the side adjacent
the upturned flange 102. This structure has an opening therein with
a vertical part 128 adapted to be slidingly received in the space
between an ear 130 lanced from the vertical part 102 of the rail
and spaced outwardly a sufficient distance to slidingly receive the
vertical part 128. Structure 127 has a laterally turned flange 132
which is adapted to be engaged by the thumb or other digit of the
operator and an outwardly turned stop 134 is lanced laterally from
the vertical flange 102. Stop 134 is spaced upwardly of the spring
latch a sufficient distance to permit the free end of the latch to
be raised to clear the material 120 and the tongue 126 from the
openings 84 and 86 thereby releasing the adaptor from the outer
slide member.
With the adaptors attached to the respective sides of a drawer, the
drawer is placed on the slide members with the horizontal part of
the rail of the adaptor resting on the upper ball races of the
outer slide members. When thus placed on the ball races of the
outer slide members, the muffling material or block 120 and the
tongue or cam 124 rests on the horizontal part of the rail
forwardly of notches 84 and 86 and is forced upwardly against the
spring tension of spring latch due to the weight of the drawer. The
drawer is then slid rearwardly and, as this is done, the outer end
of the upper ball race, which is slightly notched along the free
edge, slides into the guide and connector 135 thereby
interconnecting the front end of the adaptor and the front end of
the outer slide member. Slightly further movement of the drawer
rearwardly causes the rear end of the horizontal part of the rail
to pass beneath the tab or ear 88 thereby interconnecting the rear
end of the adaptor and the rear end of the outer slide member.
These end parts become interconnected prior to the entrance of the
block or muffling material 120 into the forward opening in the
upper ball race of the outer slide member. As the drawer is moved
further rearwardly, the free end of the cam 126 passes onto the
dividing part 87 and keeps the forward free end of the latch spring
108 raised. Still further rearward movement of the drawer causes
the free end of the cam 126 to drop into the opening 86 of the
upper ball race of the outer slide member and simultaneously allows
the block or muffling material 120 to drop into the opening 84,
thus, preventing linear or longitudinal movement of the adaptor and
outer slide element. The structure 127 is held against lateral
displacement by the ear 130.
To remove the drawer from the slide mechanisms, the forward free
end of the spring latch is raised by means of the flange 132 to a
position whereat said spring latch engages the stop 134 thus
clearing the block 120 and the cam 126 with respect to the upper
ball race of the outer slide member. The drawer then may be moved
forwardly to disengage the forward ends of the adaptor and outer
slide member as well as the rear ends of these parts. The drawer
may then be lifted from the slides and removed. Replacing of the
drawer is effected by placing it on the slide mechanisms with the
horizontal part 100 of the rail of the adaptor resting on the upper
ball race of the outer slide members. Securing the adaptors and
outer slide members together is effected as above described.
Laterally-turned flange 138 provides a stop at the rear part of the
slide mechanism and there is a block 140 which serves as a bumper
and sound muffler. This block is attached to the central part 142
of the ball retainer, said bumper projecting longitudinally
outwardly of the ball retainer and clamped onto said central part
142 by means of a shallow channel-shaped bracket 144 which is
attached to the central part of the ball retainer by means of a
rivet 146. A similar bumper is similarly attached to the opposite
end of the ball retainer. Thus, clicking noises are effectively
muffled when either end of the ball retainer strikes a stop. It is
also to be noted that the sides 148 of the bracket 144 has inturned
end parts 150 which aid in preventing displacement of the bumpers
as they strike stops.
HOLD-IN STOPS
FIGS. 14 - 17 INCLUSIVE
In one type of slide mechanism, there is an intermediate member
indicated generally at 200, having a horizontal part 202 with
upwardly and downwardly extending flanges 204 and 206. This member
has a notch or opening 208 intermediate its ends and there is a
roller 210 of resilient material such as rubber, plastic or the
like carried on a rivet 212 or the like. The rivet may be of any
suitable type and extends through openings provided therefor in
ears 214 extending downwardly and upwardly from the respective
flanges 204 and 206.
There are a pair of slide mechanisms secured to the flanges 204 and
206, the inner slide members thereof being the parts secured to
said flanges. The slide members are in generally the same plane and
the lower ball race of the outer slide member of the upper slide
mechanism is provided with a depending arcuate shaped boss 216 and
the upper ball race of the outer slide member of the lower slide
mechanism is provided with a similar boss 218. These bosses are in
the path of movement of the roller 210 and when the slide members
are in the retracted position, the bosses 216 and 218 are at
opposite sides of the roller 210 and substantially in contact with
the periphery of said roller. Thus, when the slide mechanisms are
telescoped and in their retracted position, they are normally held
against extension by reason of the bosses engagement with the
roller 210.
While the slide mechanisms are held against extension by the
bosses, said slide mechanisms may be extended by a force sufficient
to overcome the holding of the roller between the bosses. Since the
roller is of resilient material, it does not require a great deal
of force to release the slide mechanisms to permit their
extension.
This arrangement is for the purpose of releasably holding the
drawer or the like supported by the slides in the closed position
so that the drawer will not slide open should the cabinet, desk or
the like be slidably inclined in a direction that would otherwise
cause the drawer to slide open. Also, this arrangement, prevents
the drawer from snapping or bumping out when it is closed.
Referring to FIG. 18, there is shown an alternative hold-in stop
mechanism. In this arranagement, the bottom wall 220 is provided
with a pressed-out portion indicated generally at 222. This portion
has a part 224 inclined laterally and toward the adjacent end of
the slide member. At the rear end of the part 224, there is a part
226 which is curved toward the adjacent wall of the slide member to
provide a hump 228. The other slide member 230 is provided with a
frictional button of a suitable plastic, such as, for example,
nylon, teflon or the like. This button is secured to the bottom of
the slide member 230 by means of a rivet 234 or any other suitable
means. The free end of the buttom is rounded and is adapted to be
at the outer side of the hump 228 when the slide members are
telescoped and thus, hold the slide members in the telescoped
position under normal conditions. When it is desired to extend the
slide members, a sufficient force may be readily applied to cause
the button to ride over the hump 228 and thus release the slide
members for normal extension.
Both of these arrangements serve the same purpose of holding the
slide members in a telescoped position so that the drawer carried
by the slides, will not inadvertently slide open. The resistance of
the parts holding the slide members telescoped is not great and the
drawer may be readily pulled open.
SUMMARY
Thus, we have provided slide mechanisms which have means for
removably mounting drawer slides and latching or locking drawers on
the slides. The mounting means comprise adaptors attached to the
sides of a drawer and the latching or locking means for securing
the adaptors and the slide mechanisms together, hold the adaptors
from being lifted from the slide mechanisms and also hold the
adaptors from sliding on the slide mechanisms when the latching
means are in the latching or locking position. Also, by having the
notches or openings for the latching means on both upper and lower
parts of the outer slide members, the slide mechanisms may all be
formed the same and a mirror reversal of the slide mechanisms make
it possible to use these same slide mechanisms for either side of
the drawer.
There are also novel bumper arrangements for muffling noises when
parts of the slides reach stops.
A further feature of the present invention includes hold-in stops
which hold the drawer in position when closed so that any slide
forward tilt of the desk, cabinet or the like will not let the
drawer come out. Also, hold-in stops or detents, prevent the drawer
from bumping out when it is too forcefully closed.
The invention and its attendent advantages will be understood from
the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various
changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of
the parts of the invention without departing from the spirit or
scope thereof or sacrificing its material advantages, the
arrangement hereinbefore described being merely by way of example,
and we do not wish to be restricted to the specific form shown or
uses mentioned except as defined in the accompanying claims.
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