Abstract:
Described herein is an improved tool and method for installing undermount drawer slides in a cabinet. The undermount drawer slides are of the type commonly used to conceal the drawer slide from a user for improved aesthetics. The tool is designed so that the drawer slide fits snugly and securely to the tool and the drawer slide may be adjusted horizontally or vertically without moving or becoming displaced easily. The method of using the tool provides a means for securely attaching the drawer slide within the cabinet without variation, thereby ensuring that drawers open and close smoothly and securely.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Proper installation of drawers and sliding shelves in pull-out shelves, cabinets, desks, entertainment centers, and other furniture is a necessarily precise function. Drawers which do not have slides installed level and at the correct height may stick, fail to properly and smoothly open or close, or appear unsightly. Additionally, drawers require matching slides on opposite ends of the drawer, and it is important that the slides are similarly positioned relative to the cabinet in order to ensure smooth travel of the drawer along the entire slide. 
         [0002]    Applicant&#39;s previous application Ser. No. 10/954,637, filed Sep. 30, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,281,338 on Oct. 16, 2007, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, described a particular slide mounting tool for use with a variety of slide designs. For example, one type of commonly used slide design is the European epoxy slide, shown in the &#39;338 patent in FIGS. 4A and 4B. These types of slides are inexpensive and low profile, but do not allow the drawer to completely slide out of its seating. A separate type of slide design, the full extension, shown in FIGS. 6A-6D of the &#39;338 patent, allow the drawer to completely slide out of its seating, but are more expensive. Applicant&#39;s prior art design described in the &#39;338 patent is intended to be used with and fits both of these design styles. 
         [0003]    However, Applicant&#39;s prior device and other available devices are unable to adequately support undermount drawer slides. These undermount slides have an L-shaped bracket with one leg that attaches to the cabinet. The other leg of the L-shaped bracket extends under the drawer and supports the slide mechanism. The slide mechanism is therefore concealed from view of an individual opening the drawer. 
         [0004]    Applicant&#39;s existing device is unsuitable for use with these modern undermount slides. As shown in FIG. 1 of the &#39;338 patent, the existing device includes a lower ledge 107 on which the slide rests during installation. Undermount slides, having an L-shaped bracket, cannot fit around this ledge, and therefore cannot be used with this product. It is therefore necessary to design a novel device which accomplishes the object of supporting these undermount slides. 
         [0005]    Unlike other slides, undermount slides allow the drawer or shelf to completely slide out of the pocket in which the drawer rests. This allows consumers to use more of the drawer space without having to move objects out of the way to access items in the rear of the drawer. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, unlike other drawer slides, the undermount slides may be positioned offset from the cabinet edge at a distance. This installation option is useful in further concealing the drawer slide from view. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is recognized in the art a need for an improved tool which may be used to install undermount drawer slides. 
         [0008]    There is further recognized in the art a need for an improved tool which may be used to securely hold an undermount drawer slide in a proper position. 
         [0009]    There is further recognized in the art a need for an improved tool which can position the drawer slide offset from the cabinet to which the drawer is being installed. 
         [0010]    There is further recognized in the art a need for an improved tool which can align the drawer slide vertically within the cabinet. 
         [0011]    For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for improved slide mounting tools and methods. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    An improved tool is provided for use in installing drawer slides to a cabinet. The tool has a vertical and a horizontal member, each with a top, bottom, front, back, and opposing faces. The vertical member includes a handle and a flat plane, while the horizontal member includes a lip offset from the bottom and square with the flat plane on the vertical member. Additionally, one or more magnets may be disposed on the horizontal member for holding the drawer slide securely to the tool. 
         [0013]    A method for installing undermount drawer slides is also provided. A tool and a drawer slide are provided. The drawer slide and tool are positioned together to place the drawer slide in a repeatable and secure position. The plane face of the tool is placed adjacent a cabinet to which the drawer slide is to be attached. The drawer slide is fastened to the cabinet and the tool is removed from the drawer slide. By utilizing this method to install a drawer slide, the drawer slide is accurately positioned at a set height, levelness, and distance in from the edge of the cabinet in a repeatable manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the improved tool according to one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are opposite side elevation views of the improved tool according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an undermount drawer slide in a closed position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the improved tool with an undermount drawer slide secured thereto. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are opposite side views of the tool with an undermount drawer slide positioned on the tool. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the improved tool and undermount drawer slide positioned adjacent a cabinet. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    The preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein numerals refer to their like in the drawings. These embodiments are described in detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventions. Any limitations to the invention herein described are limited to allowed claims and their functional equivalents. The preferred embodiment is generally shown in  FIG. 1  in a perspective view. 
         [0021]    The preferred embodiment of the invention is a slide mounting tool  10  for use in mounting drawers to cabinets. Although drawer slides are the preferred hardware for mounting, other hardware may be mounted utilizing the invention. For example, sliding shelves, racks, or other furniture extras may be installed to the slides. Furthermore, additional hardware other than slides may be installed utilizing the preferred embodiment. 
         [0022]    The preferred embodiment will first be described by its independent physical properties. The preferred embodiment will then be described in relationship to its preferred accompanying drawer slide. Finally, the preferred embodiment will be described as it relates to the use of the tool. 
         [0023]    It is to be understood that certain terms have specific meanings as applied to the following description. 
         [0024]    The term “installer” means an individual installing a drawer slide to a cabinet. 
         [0025]    The term “user” means an individual opening, closing, or otherwise operating a drawer which has been installed within the cabinet. 
         [0026]    The term “square” means a right angle, defined as 90 degrees plus or minus manufacturing tolerances. For example, a precision T-square, a commonly used woodworking tool, may have a tolerance of 1/32″ over 39.25″. This means that at a point 39.25″ away from one square surface, the t-square may be off by as much as 1/32″. This means that the “square” tool may actually be 89.95°, rather than 90°. Other squares may be less precise, for example having a tolerance of 90°±/−2.5°. Alternatively, if an angle is to be maintained at an absolute lower limit, the tolerance may be 90°±/−5°/0° (meaning an upper limit of 95° and a lower limit of 90°, while maintaining an error of 2.5°). 
       Structure of the Tool 
       [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the slide mounting tool  10  generally comprises an L-shaped extrusion with a horizontal arm  12  and a vertical leg  14 . While it is preferred that the tool is L-shaped, it is further recognized that the tool may be triangular, T-shaped, I-shaped, C-shaped, or any other shape meeting the general functional requirements of the tool. 
         [0028]    According to the preferred embodiment, the tool  10  is symmetrical and has the same features or mounting structure on each of the opposing faces  20 . However, it is anticipated that the faces  20  may be different for different purposes. For example, left- and right-side drawer slides may have different mounting profiles. It would then be necessary to have different mounting structure on either side of the tool  10  in order to properly mount the set of drawer slides. However, the preferred embodiment anticipates utilizing symmetrical drawer slide mounts and therefore is described to be symmetrical. 
         [0029]    The horizontal arm  12  is preferably an elongated rectangular shape and has a top  16 , bottom  18 , and opposing faces  20 . The bottom  18  is preferably flat while the top  16  may have any shape. Positioned along the horizontal arm  12  and extending through the opposing faces  20  are cutouts  22 . These cutouts  22  are designed to be aligned with screw or fastener holes in the mounting bracket of a drawer slide and allow the installer to access the fastener holes without removing the tool. 
         [0030]    Positioned on the face  20  of the horizontal arm  12  are one or more lips  24  which extend outwardly from the face  20 . These lips are preferably parallel to the bottom  18  and collinear with one another. While the lips  24  are generally shown as elongated protrusions, it is to be understood that the lips  24  may take additional forms. For example, the lips may be cylindrical, square, ovoid, or other shaped bosses, or the face  20  may be extended outward and the lips  24  are the beginning of a recessed portion of the arm  12 . It is most important that the bottom surfaces  26  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the lips  24  are collinear and the lips  24  extend outward from the face relative to the bottom  18  of the arm  12 . The width  28  or overall profile of the lips  24  is unimportant. It is further contemplated that the lip  24  may be a single extension along the length of the horizontal component  12 . Another option is stepped lips  24 , allowing for drawer slides of varying widths to be used. 
         [0031]    Also positioned on the arm  12  are one or more magnets  30 . These magnets  30  are securely fastened to the arm  12  so as not to be easily removed. One method of installing these magnets  30  has been expressly detailed in Applicant&#39;s prior application, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,281,338. These magnets  30  are shown to be circular in the preferred embodiment, but it is understood that the magnets may be of any shape or size. It is preferred that two magnets  30  be used to securely hold the drawer slide to the tool  10 . These magnets should be arranged so that they hold opposite ends of the drawer slide, with one magnet having a “north” and one a “south” orientation on each exposed face  20 . This arrangement of opposing faces ensures that a firm magnetic force is maintained between the tool  10  and slide. 
         [0032]    Another element on the arm  12  is a series of graduations  32 . These graduations  32  measure a distance from the flat plane  34  of the vertical component  14 . The graduations  32  are preferably at a fixed distance from one another, and are in either English or metric units. However, it may be desirable to have non-uniform graduations, such as a series of preset distances at, by way of example, ¼″, ½″, and 1″, labeled as “A”, “B”, and “C”. Such non-uniform graduations would be useful, for example, in a mass assembly factory where only the given preset distances are used and other graduations would be unnecessary. 
         [0033]    Attached to or integrally formed with the arm  12  is the leg  14 . According to the preferred embodiment, the leg  14  is part of a single piece plastic molding of all of the component parts. However, it can be appreciated that other variations are possible. For example, the leg  14  may be a separate part, fastened or attached to the horizontal component  12 . Alternatively, the leg  14  may include portions of the arm  12  and a second horizontal component may be fastened to the vertical leg and horizontal arm. 
         [0034]    The leg  14  preferably includes a flat plane  34 . This flat plane  34  is preferably square to the lower surface  26  of the lips  24 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the flat plane  34  is also square to the bottom  18  of the arm  12 , although the bottom  18  may be designed so that it is not parallel to the bottom  26  of the lips  24 , and therefore not square to the flat plane  34 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the flat plane  34  may extend outwardly from either side of the tool  10 . This extension provides greater precision in positioning the tool  10 . With this extension, the tool may be positioned adjacent a cabinet on either side, or may be positioned on a crossbar which passes under the drawer opening. 
         [0035]    Positioned on the flat plane  34  are a plurality of graduations  36 . These graduations are equally spaced to indicate a distance from the bottom  18  of the arm  12 . With reference to additional hardware or other features on a cabinet, an installer may align the drawer slide to a preferred height. The graduations may be metric, English, or other units and need not be uniform, according to the needs of the installer. 
         [0036]    According to the preferred embodiment, on the leg  14  includes a handle  38 . In a preferred embodiment, the handle  38  is generally formed by a cavity passing through the leg  14 . The handle  38  is generally shaped to be ergonomically gripped by a user, although other variations are anticipated. For example, the handle may include finger grips, be square shaped, or not be included at all. The handle may alternatively be moved, either to the arm  12  or inside the area bounded by the arm and leg, thereby forming a triangular rather than L-shaped tool. 
         [0037]    A small boss  60  may also be installed at the corner between the vertical and horizontal components. According to one embodiment, the drawer slide must be installed at a set distance in from the cabinet edge and cannot be installed flush. This boss  60  is molded into the tool  10  at this distance, preventing installers from installing the drawer slide in an unacceptable position. In the preferred embodiment, this distance is 1/16″. It is further contemplated that this distance may be modified according to the manufacturer&#39;s specification, although an installer may use the graduations  32  to determine the distance himself. The boss  60  may also be extended along the length of the horizontal component  12  to allow slides to be installed only at a set distance, such as in a high-throughput manufacturing facility. 
       Tool and Drawer Slide 
       [0038]    The undermount drawer slide  50  to be used with the preferred embodiment is shown in perspective in  FIG. 4 . The drawer slide  50  generally comprises two parts, a mounting bracket  52  and a sliding mechanism  56 . The mounting bracket  52  and sliding mechanism  56  are separated by a gap  60 . 
         [0039]    The mounting bracket  52  has a plurality of holes  54  spaced apart along the length of the bracket  52 . According to one embodiment, the holes are equally sized to receive a single size screw. However, the holes  54  may be of various sizes to accommodate fasteners of various sizes and types. 
         [0040]    The sliding mechanism  56  is shown generally without all of the working components. A drawer attaches to the top  58  of the sliding mechanism  56 , through fasteners, adhesive, or any other type of attachment means. The means of attaching the drawer to the undermount slide is not the focus of this application. Preferably, the sliding mechanism is of a type which allows the drawer to fully extend out of the drawer housing. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 5-7  show the undermount drawer slide  50  secured to the tool  10 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the undermount drawer slide  50  is properly positioned, the top of the mounting bracket  52  abuts the bottom  26  of the lips  24 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , when the top of the mounting bracket  52  abuts the bottom  26  of the lip  24 , the bottom of the mounting bracket  54  does not rest on the bottom  18  of the arm  12 . Therefore, while the bottom  18  of the arm  12  is generally shown as horizontal (or square to the flat face  34 ), such an arrangement is not necessary. 
         [0042]    As further shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cutouts  22  are positioned in a manner so that the screw holes  54  of the mounting bracket  52  are visible and accessible to an installer. With this feature, an installer is able to position the drawer slide  50  relative to the cabinet and install screws while the drawer slide  50  is attached to the tool  10 . 
         [0043]    Additionally, according to the preferred embodiment, the arm  12  of the tool has a width nearly equal to the gap  60  between the mounting bracket  52  and sliding mechanism  56 . While this gap is not essential to the tool, it helps prevent the tool from “rocking” in the gap  60 . This also ensures that the mounting bracket  52  is not caught on top of the lip  24 , thereby changing the orientation of the drawer slide. 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the graduations  32  allow for an installer to control the distance from which the drawer slide is offset from the flat plane  34 . The trailing edge of the mounting bracket  52  can be positioned by sighting along the graduations  32 . The graduations  32  are preferably located on the arm  12  so that the mounting bracket  52  is flush with the graduations  32 , increasing readability. 
         [0045]    As further shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the magnets  30  securely hold the slide mount  50  flush with the side of the tool  10 . The use of strong magnets  30 , for example rare earth magnets, ensures that when the tool is positioned at a distance along the graduations  32 , the tool remains in place and does not move or otherwise become dislocated. 
       Method of Using Tool 
       [0046]    Further described by the present application is a method of using the tool  10  to attach an undermount drawer slide  50  to a cabinet  70  or other structure. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a drawer slide  50  is typically attached inside a cabinet  70  along an inner wall  72  of the enclosure. It may also be preferable to attach the drawer slide to an underside of a desk surface or other structure within the cabinet  70 . It also may be preferable to attach the drawer slide  50  to a mounting slat  74  which has better strength for holding a screw or other fastener than the wall  72  of the cabinet  70 . Despite these variations, the method of attaching the slide  50  to the cabinet  70  remains the same. 
         [0048]    Prior to securing the drawer slide to the cabinet, the drawer slide  50  must be attached to the tool  10 . The tool  10  is presented into the gap  60  between the mounting bracket  52  and sliding mechanism  56  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The mounting bracket  52  of the drawer slide  50  is ensured to butt against the bottom  26  of the lip or lips  24 . 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the drawer slide  50  may then be adjusted along the length of the arm  12  to a preferred position. In many cases, the drawer slide  50  will abut the boss  40 , but this distance may be adjusted according to the needs or preferences of the user or installer. 
         [0050]    Once the drawer slide is adjusted along its length to a preferred location, the drawer slide  50  is positioned adjacent the cabinet wall  72  or mounting slat  74 . If there is a cross slat  76  present, the tool  10  may be positioned so that the flat face  34  is flush with this cross slat  76 . Otherwise, the extended arms of the flat face  34  may be used to ensure the flat face  34  is flush with the exterior of the cabinet  70 . Several verification steps may be performed to adjust the drawer slide  50  relative to the tool  10 . The graduations  36  on the flat plane  34  aide the installer in ensuring that the drawer slide is positioned at an appropriate height. For example, the installer may determine that the top of the cross slat  76  should align with the 2″ (4 graduations according to the preferred embodiment) graduation  36  on the flat face  34 . This allows the installer to ensure that drawer slides on opposite sides of the cabinet are installed at the same height. 
         [0051]    When the installer has achieved the proper placement of the drawer slide  50  in the cabinet  70 , it is customary to clamp the tool  10  to the cross slat  76  or cabinet  70  to hold the tool  10  and drawer slide  50  in place. This is achieved by means of a clamp  80 , including but not limited to vice grips, c-clamps, or other devices. An installer may also temporarily affix the tool  10  to the cross slat  76  (but preferably not the cabinet  70 , as the exterior of the cabinet  70  should remain free from mars) by means of a screw, adhesive, or other fastener commonly known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0052]    Finally, once the drawer slide  50  is in the proper position and, preferably, immobilized by a clamp  80 , a plurality of screws  82  or other fasteners are inserted through the screw holes  54  to secure the mounting bracket  52  to the cabinet wall  72  or mounting slat  74 . Cutouts  22  allow the installer to insert screws  82  into the mounting bracket  52  while maintaining the drawer slide  50  in a proper position. 
         [0053]    After securing the drawer slide  50  inside the cabinet  70 , the tool  10  may be removed and the installer may continue to secure the drawer slide  50  with additional fasteners  82  as needed. 
         [0054]    Due to the symmetry of design, this process may be repeated on the other side of the cabinet to achieve a uniform drawer slide arrangement between the two sides of the cabinet  70  and prevent sticking or unintended drawer movement. 
       Variations on the Design 
       [0055]    Other variations on the design of the tool may also occur without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0056]    As previously discussed, the bottom  18  of the arm  12  may not be square to the flat face  34 , or even of a non-uniform shape. Similarly, the top  16  of the arm  12  may vary in shape, size, or style. 
         [0057]    Additionally, some installers may prefer that, in order to avoid installing drawers at a lower slope (so that the drawer tends to open on its own), the lip or lips  24  are installed at a downward angle, thereby ensuring that the front of the drawer is at a position above the back of the drawer when finally installed. Such an arrangement may be preferable to ensure that the drawer will remain in a closed state, even if the cabinet is installed off level. 
         [0058]    As previously described, it may also be preferable to include a stepped lip, so that several sizes of drawer slides may be installed. 
         [0059]    Other variations to the preferred embodiment are apparent from the description and described therein. It should be understood to those skilled in the art that a number of variations to the basic structure of the tool may be used without departing from the spirit or allowed claim scope of the invention. Any examples used in the description of the preferred embodiment or shown in the attached figures are by way of example only and are not limiting on the scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention only be limited by the allowed claims and the full range of equivalents thereof.