CABINET DOOR ADJUSTABLE ROD GUIDE

An apparatus (100), including: a housing (106); female threads (138) recessed into a bottom end of the housing; a through-slot (162) oriented to transverse to a longitudinal extent (908) of the housing; and an adjustment mechanism (176) configured such that adjustment of the adjustment mechanism adjusts an amount of occlusion of the through-slot.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a guide for a locking bar of a door. Specifically, the invention relates to a guide that can be pushed onto a threaded stud and locked in place with one motion and that includes an adjustable through-slot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional cabinet doors may be opened by rotating a handle from a closed position to an open position. Inside the cabinet an eccentric point on the handle is connected to a locking bar that extends from the eccentric point and through a guide. In the closed position an end of the locking bar extends past an inner perimeter of a frame surrounding the panel door. When the handle is rotated to the open position, the eccentric point pulls the end of the locking bar out of the frame, thereby disengaging the locking bar from the frame and freeing the cabinet door to swing open.

The guide provides structural support for the locking bar and ensures that the end of the locking bar aligns with the frame as necessary when the handle is moved to the closed position. Some conventional guides are mounted on a threaded stud that is secured to an inner surface of the cabinet door and protrudes into an interior of the cabinet. Guides with female threads must be threaded onto the threaded stud and the threads must cooperate so that the base of the guide abuts the inner surface of the panel when the guide is at an appropriate clocking position to receive the locking bar. Other guides may be secured to the stud with a nut, in which case access to the nut which is at least partially inside the guide must be provided. In this case the guide may include a first piece that is secured to the panel via the stud and a second piece that is secured to the first piece. Each of the above approaches requires positioning and or assembly that requires time and effort.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present inventor has devised a unique and innovative guide that permits a user to install and lock the entire guide onto a threaded stud in a single motion. Moreover, an embodiment of the guide is equipped with a locking bar slot that can be adjusted to accommodate locking bars of different diameters or to permit adjustment of the alignment of the locking bar. The latter can be used to control an amount of force exerted by the locking bar on the cabinet frame, and hence a force with which the cabinet door is held closed, as well as to align the locking bar.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a partial cutaway of an example embodiment of a guide100in an uninstalled state. The guide100includes a housing assembly102that includes a stud assembly housing104that is optionally discrete from and assembled into a slot assembly housing106. An example threaded stud is a ¼-20×0.75″ weld stud having male threads. The stud may be spot welded to a panel or door or the like.

The stud assembly housing104and/or the slot assembly housing106may be composed of a plastic, or more specifically a nylon. An example nylon includes polyamide and the like. The stud assembly housing104and/or the slot assembly housing106may be formed by any suitable process, for example, casting. The stud assembly housing104comprises a recess110and a locking plunger guide112in which a locking plunger114is disposed. In the uninstalled state the locking plunger114protrudes from the locking plunger guide112as shown. The stud assembly housing104further comprises at least one pawl120comprising an arm122. The pawl120may be made of a metal, for example, stainless steel. A first end130of the arm122is secured to the stud assembly housing104at an inlet132of the recess110. A locking feature134is disposed at second end136(e.g. a free end) of the arm122that projects into the recess. In the embodiment shown, the locking feature134comprises a female thread138configured to engage with a male thread of a stud inserted into the recess110.

The pawl120is mounted to the stud assembly housing104in a cantilevered manner and can deflect outward in a lateral direction140to permit the female threads of the locking feature134to pass by the male threads of a threaded stud when the guide100is pressed onto the threaded stud. Once fully installed on the threaded stud, a resilience of the pawl120causes the pawl120to return to its original position, in which position the female threads of the pawl120will engage with the male threads of the threaded stud, thereby preventing removal of the guide100from the threaded stud.

During installation of the guide100on a threaded stud, the locking plunger114initially protrudes from the locking plunger guide112as is shown. A panel on which the threaded stud is disposed contacts a bottom150of the locking plunger114and pushes the locking plunger114into the locking plunger guide112as the threaded stud is inserted into the recess110. As a leading edge152of the locking plunger114progresses farther into the locking plunger guide112, the locking plunger114provides progressively more support behind the pawl120. This, in turn, increases the pawl's resistance to the lateral deflection. The leading edge152of the locking plunger114may optional abut a stop154at an end of the locking plunger guide112when the locking plunger114is fully seated in the locking plunger guide112. The locking plunger114will be fully seated when the panel abuts a bottom surface160of the housing assembly102. This occurs when the threaded stud is fully inserted into the recess110. Once fully seated, the locking plunger114provides the most support to the pawl120, and hence, the pawl120exhibits its greatest resistance to the lateral deflection. Since lateral deflection would be necessary to disengage the female threads from the male threads of the threaded stud, the threaded stud is effectively locked inside the recess110.

The guide100also includes a through-slot162oriented transverse to a longitudinal extent164of the recess110and configured to receive the guide rod. The guide further includes a splined spindle170and a spindle recess172configured to cooperate with the splined spindle170so that rotation of the splined spindle170adjusts a distance174the splined spindle170protrudes into the through-slot162. The splined spindle170constitutes an adjustment mechanism176that translates into and out of the through-slot162when rotated. Hence, a bottom surface180of the splined spindle bounds at least a portion of the through-slot162. The bottom surface180translates as the splined spindle is rotated and this changes a dimension182of the through-slot162. The translation is made possible in this embodiment by spline184disposed on the splined spindle170that cooperates with a groove186in the housing assembly102. Changing the dimension182changes a location of the locking bar relative to the panel on which the guide100is mounted.

The adjustment mechanism optionally further includes a detent assembly190configured to hold the splined spindle170in a detented clocking position relative to an axis of rotation192of the splined spindle170. The detent assembly190may include a spindle ball194disposed in the splined spindle170and urged toward a spindle recess wall196of the spindle recess172. One or more vertical grooves198may be disposed about the spindle recess wall196that receive the spindle ball194, thereby acting as a detent to hold the splined spindle170in a detented clocking position. Example detented positions includes four positions, each generating1.6millimeters of translation of the splined spindle170.

Removal of the guide100is a simple matter of unscrewing the guide100from the threaded stud200in the conventional manner.

FIG. 2is a cutaway view of the guide100ofFIG. 1installed on a threaded stud200. The threaded stud200is associated with a surface202of a panel204or other structure. The threaded stud200is aligned with the recess110and the guide100is lowered onto the threaded stud200. The threaded stud200enters the recess110and the surface202contacts the bottom150of the locking plunger114. Further lowering of the guide100causes the surface202to push the locking plunger114into the locking plunger guide112while the threaded stud200moves farther into the recess110.

The female threads138at the second end136of the pawl120must deflect laterally in lateral direction140for the male threads206to pass by. The pawl120deflects where unsupported by the locking plunger114through its own resilience.

Initially, most or all of the pawl120is unsupported by the locking plunger114and hence the second end136of the pawl120readily deflects laterally to accept the threaded stud200. However, as the locking plunger114travels farther into the locking plunger guide112, progressively more of the pawl120is supported. This renders the pawl120progressively more resistant to the lateral deflection. The pawl120, the locking feature134, the locking plunger114, and the bottom surface160of the housing assembly102are configured to cooperate with each other to allow the locking feature134to deflect enough to permit a full seating of the guide100on the surface202, but once fully seated, locks the guide100to the threaded stud200with enough force to remain on the threaded stud200during normal operation.

FIG. 3is a side cross sectional view of the guide ofFIG. 1with the locking plungers114in a first partially inserted position. The portion protruding of the locking plunger114just reaches the surface202and the threaded stud (not shown) would already be partly in the recess110. A threaded stud200having a diameter300would clear the female thread138. With the leading edge152of the locking plunger114in this position, a bend302is formed in the arm122at the location shown. This results in a distance304between the bend and an innermost point308of the female threads138. The innermost point308is the point where the female thread138and the male threads of the threaded stud200will make contact. Distance304is relatively large compared to when the locking plunger114is farther inserted. Accordingly, an unsupported length of the arm122from the bend302to the second end136is relatively large. Hence, a deflection angle310of the arm122is relatively small. With a large moment arm created by distance304and a small deflection angle310, the pawl120provides relatively less resistance to the lateral deflection required to pass the threaded stud200. The pawl120may optionally include a relief312such as a chamfer or a radius. This helps increase a radius of the bend302and enables the locking plunger114to travel into the locking plunger guide112more readily, thereby reducing the force necessary to push the guide100downward onto the threaded stud200.

FIG. 4is a side cross sectional view of the guide100ofFIG. 1with the locking plungers114in a second partially inserted position that is farther inserted than the first partially inserted position. Distance304is relatively small compared to when the locking plunger114is inserted less. Accordingly, an unsupported length of the arm122from the bend302to the second end136is relatively small. Hence, a deflection angle310of the arm122is relatively large. With a small moment arm created by the relatively smaller distance304and a large deflection angle310, the pawl120provides relatively more resistance to the lateral deflection required to pass the threaded stud200. Hence, the pawl120provides progressively increasing resistance to insertion as the guide100approached a fully installed position. Upon reaching the fully installed position, the pawl120provides enough resistance to the lateral deflection that it holds the guide100in position on the threaded stud200securely enough to remain ensure its operation as a locking bar guide.

Full insertion of the locking plunger114into the locking plunger guide112may constitute a fully installed configuration if no structure associated with the threaded stud200like the panel has a surface202to operate as described herein. Moreover, fully inserting the locking plunger114in the locking plunger114is not required to satisfactorily secure the guide100to the threaded stud200. Full insertion simply insures the maximum resistance to removal of the guide100from the threaded stud200. In addition, male and female threads are not required. Any interlocking geometry known to the Artisan will suffice so long as it comports with the principles set forth herein.

FIG. 5is an exploded view of the guide100with an alternate embodiment of the detent assembly. In this embodiment, the stud assembly housing104fits into the slot assembly housing106and the two are held together via a pin500or similar fastener known to the Artisan. The pin500may be composed of any suitable material such as stainless steel. Alternately, the assembly may be welded together. This embodiment of the detent assembly502provides the same detent function as does detent assembly190. However, in this embodiment, the spindle ball194and spring504are disposed in the slot assembly housing106. The spindle ball194is urged toward the splined spindle506and interacts with various grooves508to secure the splined spindle506in one or more detented positions.

FIG. 6is a top view of the guide100ofFIG. 5. Visible are various clocking positions600,602,604,606.

FIG. 7an exploded view of an alternate example embodiment of a guide700. In this embodiment the detent assembly is omitted, and the through-slot702is configured slightly different. The remainder of the components operate as disclosed for the embodiment ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8is a side cross sectional view of the guide700ofFIG. 7. The through-slot702is tapered slightly to allow for ease of installation of the locking bar of various shapes, including round and rectangular.

FIGS. 9-10show an alternate embodiment of the guide900. The guide900includes a housing902, female threads recessed into a bottom end904of the housing902, the through-slot906oriented transverse to a longitudinal extent908of the housing902, and an adjustment mechanism910configured such that adjustment of the adjustment mechanism910adjusts an amount of occlusion of the through-slot906. In this example embodiment, the guide900is simply rotated onto the threaded stud200for installation. The adjustment mechanism910includes the splined spindle920having a spline922that advances the adjustment mechanism910along the longitudinal extent908of the housing902when the splined spindle920is rotated. Advancement along the longitudinal extent908adjusts the amount of occlusion912. The housing902includes a spindle recess924that opens at a top end926of the housing902and also opens to the through-slot906. The spline922of the splined spindle920cooperates with the spindle recess924so rotation of the splined spindle920moves the splined spindle920along the longitudinal extent908, thereby adjusting a distance the splined spindle920protrudes into the through-slot906and the associated amount of occlusion912.

The guide900further includes a detent assembly940configured to hold the splined spindle920in a detented position. The detent assembly940includes plural detents942arranged at different circumferential positions on the splined spindle920, and a biased element in the housing902that is urged toward the splined spindle920and which engages whichever detent942of the plural detents942is rotated into position in front of the biased element as the splined spindle920is rotated. In this example embodiment, the plural detents942are arranged in a helix on the splined spindle920. A pitch of the helix may match a pitch of the spline922so that each detent942arrives in front of the biased element as the splined spindle920is rotated and thereby advanced. The adjustment mechanism910further includes a stud950that protrudes into a helical recess952in which the plural detents942are disposed. (A cap screw embodiment of the stud950is shown withdrawn from the housing902and a flathead version is shown installed in the housing902.) The stud950abuts a first end wall of the helical recess952(a maximum occlusion stop) when the splined spindle920reaches a maximum amount of occlusion of the through-slot906. The stud950abuts a second end wall956of the helical recess952(a minimum occlusion stop) when the splined spindle920reaches a minimum amount of occlusion of the through-slot906.

FIG. 11is side cross sectional view of the guide900along line A-A ofFIG. 10. Visible are the female threads1100recessed into the bottom end904. In this example embodiment, the female thread1100are disposed in a nut1102that is recessed into the housing902. Also visible is the stud950that is threaded into the housing902and which protrudes into the helical recess952. This enables the stud950to contact the end walls of the helical recess952, thereby limiting the amount of rotation and associated occlusion912of the through-slot906. In this example embodiment, the stud950includes an interior volume1104that optionally houses the biased element1106(e.g. a ball) and optionally also houses a resilient element1108that biases the biased element1106into whichever detent942is rotated in front of the biased element1106. The stud950optionally includes a lip1110configured to retain the biased element1106therein. This permits removing the stud950, the biased element1106, and the resilient element1108as a unit, thereby simplifying assembly and disassembly.

As can be seen inFIG. 11, if the splined spindle920were rotated such that the splined spindle920moved upwards (as seen inFIG. 11), the amount of occlusion912would be reduced to an amount of occlusion912′. This adjustment permits adjustment of a position of a bar/rod passing through the through-slot906which, in turn, adjusts an amount of force with which a door is held closed.

FIG. 12shows a bottom view of the guide900. Visible are the bottom end904of the housing902into which the female threads1100are recessed.

FIG. 13shows an alternate embodiment of the guide1300where the female threads1302are formed directly in the housing1304.

As is disclosed above, the inventor has created an inventive guide that enables simple installation of the guide and flexible positioning of the guide rod, thereby providing a savings of time and effort.