Brackets and associated components for drawer and tray slides in cabinetry

A bracket for attaching a drawer slide to a cabinet wall includes: a main panel having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, and opposed side edges; an L-shaped upper flange mounted to front surface of the main panel; an L-shaped lower flange mounted to the front surface of the main panel substantially parallel to the upper flange; a recess in the main panel positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange; an access ramp extending between one of the side edges and the recess; and means for mounting the main panel to the cabinet wall so that the rear surface confronts the rear wall. The upper and lower flanges are configured to capture the upper and lower edges of a panel of a mating bracket that is attached to a drawer slide. The recess is configured to receive and capture a nub extending from the panel of the mating bracket, the recess being of sufficient length that the nub can translate horizontally within the recess, thereby enabling the horizontal position of the mating bracket to be adjusted relative to the main panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to furniture, and more particularly to cabinets with sliding drawers and trays.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many cabinets, particularly those found in kitchens, include drawers for storing various items. Often, drawers are mounted to the cabinet with elongate slide members that are fixed to the drawer. Each slide member slidably engages a second elongate slide member that is fixed to the walls of the cabinet (often one of the slide members includes a small wheel that facilitates sliding motion). Some of such cabinets include multiple drawers, which can be disposed in vertically stacked fashion, side-by-side fashion, or both.

One of the simplest versions of a drawer slide is the so-called “epoxy-coated” drawer slide, which includes a channel that receives a wheel attached to the slide member that is fixed to the drawer. Typically, epoxy-coated drawer slides are mounted with brackets that are received on one end of the slide and that are fixed (typically with screws) to the rear wall of the cabinet.

Another popular drawer slide style is a “ball-bearing” drawer slide, which, as the name suggests, utilizes drawer slides mounted to the sides of the drawer that include ball bearings to augment relative movement. Ball bearing drawer slides are typically mounted directly to the front and rear walls of the cabinet.

Some drawers have slides that are mounted on the underside of the drawer (so-called “undermounted” drawer slides). These drawer slides may be preferred in some environments because they are less exposed than side-mounted drawer slides (and therefore may be less exposed to damage) and may avoid taking up space on either side of the drawer. In some embodiments, undermounted slides may have mechanisms that cause the drawer to close automatically without slamming. An exemplary undermounted drawer slide is the TANDEM slide, available from Blum, Inc. (Lincolnton, N.C.); another is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,817 to Simon.

When a drawer slide is to be mounted to the front or rear wall, often the wall will include mounting holes for receiving screws or other fasteners inserted through a mounting bracket that connects to the slide. However, the tolerances of cabinets and drawer slides are typically insufficiently precise to consistently position the holes in the mounting bracket for easy mounting of the drawer slide. Also, some currently popular cabinets have drawers that are configured such that, when the drawer is closed, the front face of the drawer is substantially flush with the front face of the cabinet. In such instances, it is typically desirable that the drawer be mounted precisely to ensure the flush relationship of the drawer face and cabinet face. However, achieving a flush relationship may be difficult due to inconsistencies in the thickness of the drawer face, the length of the cabinet and drawer slides, and the thickness of the front wall of the cabinet. In view of the foregoing, it may be desirable to provide a mounting technique that addresses these difficulties. It may also be desirable to provide a mounting system that allows the mounting of different drawer slide types.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As a first aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a bracket for attaching a drawer slide to a cabinet wall. The mounting bracket comprises: a main panel having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, and opposed side edges; an L-shaped upper flange mounted to front surface of the main panel; an L-shaped lower flange mounted to the front surface of the main panel substantially parallel to the upper flange; a recess in the main panel positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange; an access ramp extending between one of the side edges and the recess; and means for mounting the main panel to the cabinet wall so that the rear surface confronts the rear wall. The upper and lower flanges are configured to capture the upper and lower edges of a panel of a mating bracket that is attached to a drawer slide. The recess is configured to receive and capture a nub extending from the panel of the mating bracket, the recess being of sufficient length that the nub can translate horizontally within the recess, thereby enabling the horizontal position of the mating bracket to be adjusted relative to the main panel.

As a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a bracket assembly for mounting a drawer slide in a cabinet. The assembly comprises (a) a mounting bracket and (b) a mating bracket. The mounting bracket comprises: a main panel having front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, and opposed side edges; an L-shaped upper flange mounted to front surface of the main panel; an L-shaped lower flange mounted to the front surface of the main panel substantially parallel to the upper flange; a recess in the main panel positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange; an access ramp extending between at least one of the side edges and the recess; and means for mounting the main panel to the cabinet wall so that the rear surface confronts the rear wall. The mating bracket comprises: a panel with upper and lower edges; a nub extending from one side of the panel; and means for interconnecting with a drawer slide. The upper edge of the mating bracket panel is captured by the upper flange, the lower edge of the mating bracket panel is captured by the lower flange, and the nub is received in the recess. The recess and nub are configured such that the nub is free to translate horizontally within the recess relative to the main panel, such that the position of the mating bracket relative to the mounting bracket can be adjusted horizontally.

As a third aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of mounting a drawer slide to the wall of a cabinet. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mounting bracket as described above; (b) selecting a mating bracket, the mating bracket including a panel with upper and lower edges and a nub extending from one side of the panel, the mating bracket further including means for interconnecting with a drawer slide; (c) mounting the mounting bracket onto a rear wall of a cabinet with the mounting means, wherein the mounting means interface with pre-formed holes in the cabinet; (d) positioning the mating bracket relative to the mounting bracket such that the upper edge of the mating bracket panel is captured by the upper flange, the lower edge of the mating bracket panel is captured by the lower flange, and the nub is positioned on the access ramp; (e) sliding the mating bracket relative to the mounting bracket until the nub is positioned within the recess; and (f) sliding the mating bracket relative to the mounting bracket such that the nub moves horizontally within the recess, such relative movement adjusting the position of the mating bracket relative to the mounting bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.

Referring now to the figures, a mounting bracket, designated broadly at10, is illustrated inFIGS. 1-3. The mounting bracket10includes a main panel12that has two apertures14a,14b. The apertures14a,14bare separated from each other by a distance equal to that of the conventionally pre-formed holes in the rear wall of a cabinet; typically this distance is between about 1 and 2 inches. An L-shaped upper flange20is located below the apertures14a,14band projects from the front side of the main panel12and extends downwardly, and another L-shaped lower flange22projects from the front side of the main panel and extends upwardly.

An access ramp16leads from one edge of the main panel12toward the center of the main panel12. The access ramp16leads to a rectangular recess18that extends horizontally between the upper and lower flanges20,22. The inwardmost portion of the access ramp16juts forwardly (i.e., toward the front surface of the main panel12), with the result that the recess18is bounded on all sides: on three sides by the main panel12, and on the fourth side by the inwardmost portion of the access ramp16.

The back side of the main panel12includes two split dowels24a,24bin vertical alignment. The split dowels24a,24bare separated from each other by a distance equal to that of conventional dowel-accepting pre-formed holes in a cabinet. Typically this distance is between about 1 and 2 inches. Those of skill in this art will recognize that any number of known split dowel configurations may be suitable for use with the bracket10.

The mounting bracket10is typically of unitary construction, but may be formed of multiple components if desired. The mounting bracket10may be formed of any material suitable for the mounting of drawer slides; a polymeric material, such as ABS, is typically employed.

Referring now toFIGS. 1,3and4, an undermount slide bracket40is shown therein. The undermount slide bracket40has a vertical panel42with three sets of wings (lower wings48, intermediate wings50, and upper wings52) that extend forwardly therefrom. The vertical panel42includes an upper edge44and a lower edge46. The wings48,50,52are “stair stepped”, such that the intermediate wings50extend forwardly slightly farther than do the upper wings52, and the lower wings48extend forwardly slightly farther than do the intermediate wings50. Gaps49,51are formed between respective pairs of wings48,50,52. Triangular gussets54extend between the panel42and the edges of the upper wings52. A central rib56divides the wings48,50,52and extends upwardly from the upper wings52. A rear nub58extends from the rear surface of the vertical panel42partially coextensive with a central portion of the rib56(seeFIG. 1B). In some embodiments, vertically oriented stops are present between vertically adjacent wings (e.g., a stop may be present between48and50).

The undermount slide bracket40is typically of unitary construction, but may be formed of multiple components if desired. The undermount slide bracket40may be formed of any material suitable for the mounting of drawer slides; a polymeric material, such as acetal, is typically employed.

Turning now toFIGS. 4-6, one possible use of the mounting bracket10and undermount slide bracket40is illustrated therein. A rear cabinet wall60includes two mounting holes62. As used herein, the term “pre-formed hole” refers to a hole, bore, aperture or the like that is formed during the manufacture of the cabinet, rather than being drilled or bored by an installer of the drawer slide on-site. The mounting holes62receive the split dowels24a,24bof the mounting bracket10(FIG. 4). Once the mounting bracket10is fixed to the rear cabinet wall60, the undermount slide bracket40is mounted onto the mounting bracket12in the manner described below.

Alternatively, the mounting bracket10may be mounted to the rear cabinet wall60via screws66inserted into the apertures14a,14b. The screws66are then inserted into pre-formed holes in the rear cabinet wall60. Thus, it can be seen that, whether the cabinet has pre-formed holes for split dowels, screws, or both, the same mounting bracket10may be employed irrespective of which means for mounting the bracket10to the wall62is employed. This provides the installer with significant flexibility in mounting the mounting bracket10and, subsequently, the drawer slides.

Interconnection of the mounting bracket10and the undermount slide bracket40is accomplished by sliding the upper edge44of the vertical panel42into the pocket created by the upper flange20, and by sliding the lower edge46of the vertical panel42into the pocket created by the lower flange22(FIG. 6). When so positioned, the rear nub58is received in the access ramp16in the main panel12. The undermount slide bracket40is then slid toward the center of the mounting bracket10until the rear nub58is received in and captured by the recess18. Once the nub58is positioned within the recess18, the bracket40is free to slide horizontally relative to the main panel12until the nub58strikes either of the side edges of the recess30(FIG. 7). Thus, the position of the undermount slide bracket40relative to the mounting bracket12can be adjusted.

Once the mounting bracket10and undermount slide bracket40have been mounted to the cabinet wall60(typically by the manufacturer), a drawer slide67can be mounted to the undermount slide bracket40. Typically, the drawer slide67will not already be attached to the underside of a drawer, although this need not be the case. Mounting is achieved by sliding lips68that define a slot69in the drawer slides67into a set of the gaps49,51between wings48,50,52of the undermount slide bracket40(FIG. 8) (in the illustrated embodiment, the lips68are positioned in the gap51between wings50and52). If stops are present between vertically adjacent wings, they can ensure that the slides67of the same drawer are positioned similarly within the undermount slide bracket40. Notably, because the undermount slide bracket40is free to slide horizontally relative to the mounting bracket10, the horizontal position of the undermount slide bracket40can be adjusted so that the drawer slide67can be received more readily and easily even though the drawer slide67is already mounted to the drawer.

It should be noted that the dimensions of the upper and lower edges44,46of the undermount slide bracket40, the upper and lower flanges20,22, and/or the nub58may be selected so that there is some frictional resistance to horizontal movement of the nub58within the recess18. Such frictional resistance can limit unwanted horizontal movement, such that once the position of the undermount slide bracket40has been adjusted, the undermount slide bracket40remains in place and provides stable mounting to the drawer slide67.

It should also be noted that, although the undermount slide bracket40is illustrated herein, other varieties of undermount slide brackets that are suitable for mounting of undermount drawer slides may also be employed. For example, brackets available from Tenn-Tex, Inc. (Colfax, N.C.) having Model Nos. C-107, C-174, and C-182-00 offer structures other than the wings48,50,52for mating with different types of undermount drawer slides; any of these structures may be combined with the structure of the panel42and nub58to enable the resulting combination to mount an undermount drawer slide onto the mounting bracket10. Other exemplary undermount slide bracket structures include those that can mate with the SOLO drawer runner, available from Blum, Inc., and the EXPRESS drawer slide, available from Grass America, Inc. (Kernersville, N.C.).

Turning now toFIGS. 9-11, another bracket70, in this instance suitable for mounting an epoxy slide, is shown therein. The epoxy slide mounting bracket70includes a panel74with a capture pocket76configured to receive the end of an epoxy slide. A rear nub78projects from the rear side of the panel74.

As was the case with the undermount slide bracket40, the epoxy slide mounting bracket70can be interconnected with the mounting bracket10and its position relative to the mounting bracket10may be adjusted as the nub78slides within the recess18of the mounting bracket10(seeFIG. 11). An epoxy slide can then be inserted into the capture pocket76of the epoxy slide mounting bracket70. Once again, the mounting bracket10can be mounted to the rear wall60of a cabinet via either preformed holes for the split dowels24a,24band/or via screws inserted through the apertures14a,14binto pre-formed screw holes in the cabinet wall60.

In the manner described above in connection with the undermount slide bracket40, the capture pocket76may be replaced with another structure suitable for mounting with epoxy drawer slides. For example, brackets available from Tenn-Tex, Inc, supra, having Model Nos. C-069, C-089, C-105 and C-151-01 offer different structures for mounting to different varieties of epoxy-coated drawer slides; these may be combined with the panel74and nub78for mounting of these differently configured epoxy-coated drawer slides.

Referring now toFIG. 12, a third bracket80, in this instance suitable for mounting a ball-bearing slide, is shown therein. The ball bearing bracket80includes a body82with screw holes for receiving screws and upper and lower edges that can fit within the upper and lower flanges20,22, and on its rear side the ball bearing bracket80includes a rear nub that is received in the recess18of the mounting bracket10in the same manner as described above with respect to the undermount slide bracket40and the epoxy slide bracket70. Thus, in the manner discussed above, the ball bearing bracket80can be interconnected with the mounting bracket10and its position relative to the mounting bracket10adjusted as needed. The ball bearing slide84can then be attached via screws to the ball bearing bracket80either before or after the ball-bearing bracket80is mounted on the mounting bracket10. Once again, the mounting bracket10can be mounted via either the split dowels24a,24b, screws inserted into the apertures14a,14b, or both. Also, other structures for mounting ball bearing drawer slides may be included in lieu of the body82.

The foregoing demonstrates that the mounting bracket10can be employed with any of undermount drawer slides, epoxy drawer slides and ball bearing drawer slides in conjunction with a mating bracket that includes (a) a main panel with upper and lower edges that can fit within the upper and lower flanges20,22(b) a nub that is received within the recess18, and (c) structure for mounting the type of drawer slide of interest. This bracket assembly provides the manufacturer with significant flexibility and convenience, as he needs to carry and utilize only one type of mounting bracket (rather than all three types) to mount any of the drawer slide configurations within the same variety of cabinet, can accomplish that mounting with common mounting holes62for the mounting bracket10, and can still provide the cabinet with the desirable adjustability that facilitates installation. Moreover, changing from one drawer slide type to another, should the consumer decide to do so, can also be accomplished easily and with the same mounting bracket.

Referring now toFIG. 13, another mounting bracket, designated broadly at110, is illustrated therein. The mounting bracket110is similar to the mounting bracket10with the exceptions that (a) the split dowels are omitted, (b) there are four mounting apertures114a,114b,114c,114dthat are spaced in the corners of the main panel112, and (c) there are two access ramps116a,116b(rather than just one) that lead to the recess118. This mounting bracket110is mounted to a cabinet wall with screws inserted through the apertures114a-114dand into preformed holes in the cabinet wall. The mounting bracket110can be interconnected to any of the drawer slide bracket types discussed above.

Notably, the mounting bracket110provides the additional advantage that it is symmetrical, and can therefore be used on either side (i.e., left or right) of a cabinet. As a result, the manufacturer has even greater flexibility with the mounting bracket110, as he can carry only one variety of mounting bracket for each cabinet and use it on either side of the cabinet, yet still can mount any of the drawer slide types mentioned above.

Referring now toFIG. 14, a method according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a mounting bracket of the type described above (Block210); (b) selecting a mating bracket including a panel with upper and lower edges, a nub extending from one side of the panel, and means for interconnecting with a drawer slide (Block220); (c) mounting the mounting bracket onto a rear wall of a cabinet with the mounting means, wherein the mounting means interface with pre-formed holes in the cabinet (Block230); (d) positioning the mating bracket relative to the mounting bracket such that the upper edge of the mating bracket panel is captured by the upper flange, the lower edge of the mating bracket panel is captured by the lower flange, and the nub is positioned on the access ramp (Block240); (e) sliding the mating bracket relative to the mounting bracket until the nub is positioned within the recess (Block250); and (f) sliding the mating bracket relative to the mounting bracket such that the nub moves horizontally within the recess, such relative movement adjusting the position of the mating bracket relative to the mounting bracket (Block260). In some instances, the drawer slide is mounted on the mating bracket prior to step (d) above.