Abstract:
A tool cabinet drawer and latching mechanism for operating a drawer of a cabinet. The latch pivots within a channel disposed in a handle assembly, which itself pivotally mounts to supports, which are themselves mounted to the drawer. The latch engages with a catch in the cabinet itself to secure the drawer. In some embodiments the latch incorporates a tapered leading edge to allow the catch edges to exert downward force on the latch, which is free to move to an unlatched position, and thereby will automatically latch upon normal closing of the drawer.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/823,989 filed on May 16, 2013. This application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to latch mechanisms, and, more particularly, to latch mechanisms used on tool cabinet drawers and doors. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Existing drawers, particularly those used in tool cabinets, commonly employ latching mechanisms. Although some latching mechanisms are designed to protect against theft, most are designed simply to prevent inadvertent opening of the drawers, especially while relocating the cabinet. Typical latching mechanisms include small components unsuitable for use with gloved hands, require the use of two hands, or are overly complicated and prone to breakage. 
         [0004]    What is needed, therefore, is a simple and durable drawer and latch mechanism that can be easily operated by a single gloved hand. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a sliding drawer assembly including a latch mechanism for securing the drawer, comprising: a cabinet frame; a drawer slidably coupled to the cabinet frame, the drawer having a front wall, a back wall, spaced apart side walls, and at least one shelf secured to and extending between the side walls; at least two supports fixed to the drawer, abutting the drawer&#39;s front wall, providing pivotal connections for rotation about an axis substantially parallel with the drawer front; a handle having a channel in rotatable communication with the supports&#39; pivotal connections and a latch contact section extending from the channel, away from the drawer front wall, and substantially parallel to the drawer shelf in an unrotated position; a latch having a pivotal connection, a top portion, and extending substantially parallel to the drawer shelf, the pivotal connection in rotatable communication with the handle&#39;s channel and coaxial with the supports&#39; pivotal connection, the top portion of the latch being in communication with the latch contact section; and a catch, disposed in the cabinet frame, able to provide releasable engagement with the latch. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides such a sliding drawer assembly, wherein the latch includes tapered leading ends. 
         [0007]    A further embodiment of the present invention provides such a sliding drawer assembly wherein the latch includes curved ends. 
         [0008]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides such a sliding drawer assembly further comprising a spring member between the front wall and the latch, biasing the handle and the latch towards a closed position. 
         [0009]    A yet further embodiment of the present invention provides such a sliding drawer assembly wherein the spring member is selected from the group of spring members comprising pre-loaded springs, springs, extension springs, polymeric pads or bumpers, tangs, leaf springs. 
         [0010]    Even another embodiment of the present invention provides such a sliding drawer assembly wherein the latch incorporates a spring seat facing the front drawer wall. 
         [0011]    An even further embodiment of the present invention provides such a sliding drawer assembly further comprising at least two end caps fixed within the handle&#39;s channel at opposite ends. 
         [0012]    Still another embodiment of the present invention provides such a sliding drawer assembly wherein the end caps are fixed to the handle&#39;s channel by threaded fasteners. 
         [0013]    A still further embodiment of the present invention provides such a sliding drawer assembly wherein the top section of the latch is substantially flat. 
         [0014]    Yet even another embodiment of the present invention provides such a sliding drawer assembly wherein the top section of the latch is curvilinear. 
         [0015]    A yet even further wherein the latch top comprises a cam. 
         [0016]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a latch system, the latch system comprising: at least two supports providing pivotal connections for rotation about an axis; a handle having a channel in rotatable communication with the supports&#39; pivotal connections and a latch contact section extending from the channel; a latch having a pivotal connection, a top portion, and the pivotal connection in rotatable communication with the handle&#39;s channel and coaxial with the supports&#39; pivotal connection, the top portion of the latch being in communication with the latch contact section; and a catch, mounted externally to the latch system, able to provide releasable engagement with the latch. 
         [0017]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides such a latch system further comprising tapered leading ends. 
         [0018]    A further embodiment of the present invention provides such a latch system further comprising curved leading ends. 
         [0019]    Even another embodiment of the present invention provides such a latch system further comprising a spring member biasing the handle and the latch towards a closed position. 
         [0020]    An even further embodiment of the present invention provides such a latch system further comprising at least two end caps fixed within the handle&#39;s channel at opposite ends. 
         [0021]    Still another embodiment of the present invention provides such a latch system wherein the end caps are fixed to the handle&#39;s channel by threaded fasteners. 
         [0022]    A still further embodiment of the present invention provides such a latch system wherein the latch top comprises a cam. 
         [0023]    The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1A  is a side partial perspective section view of one end of the latching mechanism in a closed position, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1B  is a side partial elevation view of one end of the latching mechanism in a closed position, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a side partial section view of one end of the latching mechanism in an open position, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3A  is a side partial section view of one end of the latching mechanism, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, where the latch is being forced under the catch by the drawer being closed, without the use of the handle. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3B  is a side partial section view of one end of the latching mechanism, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, where the latch is engaging the catch by the drawer being closed, without the use of the handle. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3C  is a side partial section view of one end of the latching mechanism, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, where the draw is in an open position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3D  is a side partial section view of one end of the latching mechanism, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, where the draw is in a closed position with the end cap removed. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one end of the latching mechanism, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of one end of the latching mechanism with handle removed to illustrate the alignment of the supports and latch, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of one end of the latching mechanism with the end caps omitted, configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , the latching mechanism handle  10  has a flat lower section or latch contact section  12  which rests on a latch  14 . The latch may be made of a wide range of materials including plastics, metals, and composites. Although the latch  14  may pivot downwards without concurrent upwards movement the handle  10 , any upwards movement of the handle  10  will cause a concurrent downward pivot in the leading edge  16  of the latch  14 . In some embodiments, the latch is biased towards a horizontal position, in which the leading edge is engaged with a catch  18  in the cabinet frame  20 , by a spring  22 , positioned between an inside front wall  21  of the drawer and the latch  14 . In embodiments including a biasing spring  22 , the latch  14  may include a spring seat  24  to securely hold the spring  22 . In one embodiment end caps  26  are used to seal the end of the handle&#39;s channel and for decorative purposes. End caps  26  are attached to the end of each handle  10  to retain and protect the moving parts explained above and center each assembly on the drawer. End caps  26  according to one embodiment of the present invention manufactured from plastic or other suitable material. The end cap  26  is attached, in various embodiments with mechanical, or other suitable, fasteners into the provided channels  42  in the handle. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the catch  18  is a formed tab manufactured into the drawer slide hanger. The catch  18  should not be limited to an integrated form. The catch  18  may be a separate piece that can be attached by any secure means such as: welding, gluing, threaded fasteners and/or a non-threaded fastener such as a riveting operation. The catch  18  provides a striker for the latch  14  to tumble down and under, and then hook its self onto. The catch  18  may take the form of any shape so to provide a body for which the latch  14  can tumble down, under and across the inclined plane of the latch. The catch  18  may be produced from any number of manufacturing operations including, but not limited to: extrusions, milling, bending, forming or a protruding fastener. Furthermore, the material may be but is not limited to: plastics and any number of different metals. 
         [0036]    Similarly in one embodiment of the present invention, the latch  14  engages the catch  18  in a dog or tumbling action. The latch  14  is self-guided, by inclined planes, so when the drawer is pushed closed, each latch  14  acts independently of one another, without the use or action of the handle, will tumble down and under the lance. Once the drawer  30  is pushed far enough in and into a closed position, the latch  14  then engages the catch  18  and retains the drawer closed. The latch  14  is, in one embodiment, an injected molded part but is not limited to this manufacturing process or material. The latch  14  pivots on the handle rather than from the supports  40 . The channel  42  in which the handle  10  pivots on the supports  40  is the same channel  42  in which the latch  14  pivots. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment, a pre-loaded spring  22  is provided which preloads or biases the latch  14  and the handle  10  in the closed position. In one embodiment, each latch  14  has a bucket or seat built into the body of the latch  14 , that faces the inside front face of the drawer  30 . This face is also the surface which interacts with the spring  22  to apply force to the latch  14 , to which the latch  14  then acts upon the handle  10  and preloads or biases the handle  10  in the closed position. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the latching mechanism has been moved to an open position by upward rotation of the handle  10 . This movement of the handle  10  has forced the applied pressure forward of the pivot point of the latch  14 , forcing its leading edge  16  under the catch  18 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 3A-D , the latch  14  can be seen in the open position, sliding under the catch  18 , while the handle  10  remains in the closed position. This occurs when the drawer  30  is closed by the user. The latch leading edge  16  is tapered in some embodiments to facilitate its sliding under the catch  18 . Once the latch  14  clears the catch  18 , it will rotate back to a horizontal position, engaging the catch  18 . In some embodiments a spring  32  may be used to bias the latch  14  towards the desired horizontal position. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-5A , a support  40  is visible in rotatable engagement with a channel  42  in the handle  10 . The latch  14  can also be seen to be in rotatable engagement with this channel  42 . The support or pedestal  40  provides a fulcrum point on which the handle can pivot. Supports  40 , in one embodiment, are individual pieces fastened to the inside front face of the drawer basin  30 . In one embodiment, fastening method may be a threaded fastener of any sort. Welds, rivets, and other permanent fastening techniques can also be used in alternative embodiments. In one embodiment, each support  40  is mounted independently of one another. The quantity of supports  40  needed varies according to width of the drawer  30 . In one embodiment, a minimum of two supports  40  per assembly is used but is unrestricted to the amount needed, as each assembly&#39;s handle could be cut to any custom length to achieve an infinite number of drawer widths. The support  40  interacts with the handle  10  (lever), inward of each edge. When the handle  10  is pulled up to open the drawer  30 , the latch  14  is acted upon by the handle  10  and rotates down. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 5A-B , the channel  42  in the handle  10  can clearly be seen with the end cap  26  omitted. The latch  14  and support  40  are rotatably fixed within this channel. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment of the present invention for a sliding drawer assembly is provided which includes a latch mechanism for securing the drawer, comprising: a cabinet frame  20 ; the drawer is slidably coupled to the cabinet frame  20 , the drawer having a front wall  21  and draw shelf; at least two supports  40  fixed to the drawer, abutting the drawer&#39;s front wall  21 , providing pivotal connections for rotation about an axis substantially parallel with the drawer front  21 ; a handle  10  having a channel  42  in rotatable communication with the supports&#39;  40  pivotal connections and a latch contact section  12  extending from the channel  42 , away from the drawer front wall  21 , and substantially parallel to the drawer shelf in an unrotated position; a latch  14  having a pivotal connection, a top portion  16 , and extending substantially parallel to the drawer shelf, the pivotal connection in rotatable communication with the handle&#39;s channel  42  and coaxial with the supports&#39; pivotal connection  40 , the top portion  16  of the latch  14  being in communication with the latch contact section  12 ; and a catch  18 , disposed in the cabinet frame  20 , able to provide releasable engagement with the latch. 
         [0043]    In one such embodiment of the present invention provides such a latch  14  with a tapered leading end  16  or curved end  16 . In some embodiments a spring member  22  may be disposed between the front wall and the latch, biasing the handle and the latch  14  towards a closed position. In such embodiments, the spring member  22  is selected from the group of spring members comprising pre-loaded springs, springs, extension springs, polymeric pads or bumpers, tangs, leaf springs. 
         [0044]    The latch may use a spring seat  24  disposed on the latch and facing the front drawer wall. At least two end caps  26  fixed within the handle&#39;s channel  14  at opposite ends of the handle  10 . The end caps  26  can be fixed to the handle&#39;s channel by threaded fasteners. The top section of the latch  16  can be flat or curvilinear or a cam. 
         [0045]    An embodiment of the present invention provides a latch system, the latch system comprising: at least two supports  40  providing pivotal connections for rotation about an axis; a handle  10  having a channel  42  in rotatable communication with the supports&#39;  40  pivotal connections and a latch contact section  12  extending from the channel  42 ; a latch  14  having a pivotal connection, a top portion  16 , and the pivotal connection in rotatable communication with the handle&#39;s channel  42  and coaxial with the supports&#39;  40  pivotal connection, the top portion  16  of the latch  14  being in communication with the latch contact section  12 ; and a catch  18 , mounted externally to the latch system, able to provide releasable engagement with the latch  14 . The leading ends  23  can be tapered or curved. A spring member  22  can be used to bias the handle  10  and the latch  14  towards a closed position. End caps  26 , possibly two, can be fixed within the handle&#39;s channel  42  at opposite ends to close the channel  42  and may be fixed by threaded fasteners. In one embodiment, the top 16 of the latch may have different shapes, and act as a cam, but flat or curved. 
         [0046]    The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.