Patent ID: 6848759
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: A47B,E05F,E05Y,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A self-closing slide movable between an open position and a closed position, comprising: a frame; a linear gear on the frame; a carriage configured for movement along the frame; a biasing element operably connecting the frame and the carriage to bias the carriage to the closed position; a pinion gear carried by the carriage and positioned for movement along the linear gear with movement of the carriage along the frame; a damper operably connected to the pinion gear and to the carriage; and an engagement gear operably mounted to the carriage and operably connected to the damper, the engagement gear movable between a first, engaged position in which the engagement gear engages the damper and a second, disengaged position in which the engagement gear disengages the damper, wherein when the carriage is moved from the closed position toward the open position, the engagement gear is in the second, disengaged position to disengage the damper so that the pinion gear rotates, moving along the linear gear in an undampened state, and wherein when the carriage is moved from the open position toward the closed position, the engagement gear is in the first, engaged position to engage the damper, damping rotation of the pinion gear along the linear gear.