Patent ID: 6375235
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
A latch mechanism for a sliding drawer supported by telescoping slides and mounted in a cabinet with a cabinet wall and front opening, said drawer including a front side wall with a top edge and lateral side walls, said telescoping slides attached to the lateral side walls of the drawer for support and movement of the drawer into and out of the cabinet, said latch mechanism comprising in combination:a drawer handle mounted on the front side wall of the drawer, said drawer handle including a plate positioned on the top edge of the drawer, said plate pivotal on the top edge between a first drawer retention position and a second drawer release position; said plate projecting into the drawer from the front edge and including a catch member attached to the plate, said catch member including a catch tab projecting generally transverse to the direction of drawer slide movement; means for biasing said plate and catch member about the front edge toward the first position; and a strike mounted on the inside of the cabinet at the front opening adjacent the drawer top edge when the drawer is closed, said strike positioned for engagement by the biased catch member when in the first position, and disengaged therefrom when the plate is manually pivoted about the top edge to the second position by moving the handle against the force of the means for biasing.