Patent Publication Number: US-7210198-B2

Title: Retracting apparatus, drawer apparatus and sliding door apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a Divisional application of application Ser. No. 10/809,938, filed Mar. 26, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,370, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a retracting apparatus which is provided with a fixed body and a moving body supported to the fixed body so as to freely move in a predetermined range, and when the moving body moves from one moving end position or another moving end position in a direction of the another moving end position or in a direction of the one moving end position, and reaches an automatic retract position a predetermined distance apart from the another moving end position or the one moving end position, is automatically retracted to the another moving end position or the one moving end position, such as a drawer apparatus, a sliding door apparatus or the like. 
   Conventionally, as this kind of retracting apparatus, there is a closing apparatus for a drawer which is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-23763. 
   The closing apparatus for the drawer is a closing apparatus for a drawer which is constituted by supporting rails firmly attached to the drawer, a plurality of load transmission rails mounted to the supporting rails or between the supporting rails and the like. The closing apparatus for the drawer is constituted by an inclined portion  103  which is mounted to a furniture main body and is operated by a spring  101  and a driving pin  102  mounted to the drawer, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , and is structured such that the inclined portion  103  is guided by a guide track  106  formed by a groove or the like and constituted by a forward arch portion  104  and a straight portion  105  adjacent to the arch portion  104 , and the inclined portion  103  is held by the arch portion  104  in accordance with a self locking method. 
   In this case, reference numerals  107  and  017  denote bolts which are fixed to the inclined portion  103  and slide along the arch portion  104 . 
   Since the drawer closing apparatus mentioned above is structured such that the inclined portion  103  is self locked by the forward arch portion  104  of the guide track  106 , the self locking is easily cancelled, so that there is a risk that the inclined portion  103  is retracted by the spring  101  without intention. Accordingly, it is necessary that a recovering mechanism is provided for recovering the retraction. As a result, there is a problem that a structure of the apparatus is complex and a cost increase is generated. 
   Further, in order to effectively self lock, a mounting position of an end portion of the spring  101  to the inclined portion  103  is important (in accordance with the mounting position, the self locking may not be achieved, or the self locking may be easily cancelled). Accordingly, there is a problem that an adjustment is complex. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Taking the matter mentioned above into consideration, an object of the present invention is to provide a retracting apparatus, a drawer apparatus and a sliding door apparatus in which a self locking state is not cancelled without intention, a structure and an adjustment are simple, and a cost is inexpensive. 
   Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a retracting apparatus which can easily recover an automatic retracting function by moving a moving body in a direction of one moving end position or in a direction of another moving end position even in the case that the automatic retracting function is lost, and a drawer apparatus and a sliding door apparatus which use the retracting apparatus. 
   In order to achieve the object mentioned above, in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a retracting apparatus which is provided with a fixed body and a moving body supported to the fixed body so as to freely move from one moving end position to another moving end position, and is automatically retracted to the one moving end position or the another moving end position, in the case that the moving body moves toward the one moving end position or the another moving end position and reaches an automatic retract position a predetermined distance apart from the one moving end position or the another moving end position, comprises: 
   a driving member mounted to a side of the moving body or a side of the fixed body; 
   an engagement member engaged with the driving member; 
   a guiding member guiding the engagement member; and 
   an energizing member energizing the engagement member in a retracting direction, 
   wherein the guiding member is provided with a guiding groove which guides the engagement member in a predetermined range of a drawing and retracting direction during a period that the moving body moves between a retract end position and the automatic retract position, the guiding groove is constituted by two parallel arranged guiding grooves which are linear in the predetermined range of the drawing and retracting direction, and are bent at a predetermined amount toward an approximately vertical lower side in an end portion in the drawing direction, the engagement member is provided with two sliding pins respectively sliding along two guiding grooves, and two sliding pins of the engagement member slide along two guiding grooves in accordance with movement of the moving body in the drawing direction, and move downward at a predetermined amount in the end portion of the guiding grooves in the drawing direction, whereby an engagement between the engagement member and the driving member is cancelled, the engagement member is locked, the driving member and the engagement member are engaged with each other at the automatic retract position on the basis of the movement of the moving body in the retracting direction, and the lock of the engagement member is cancelled. 
   The retracting apparatus is provided with the driving member mounted to the side of the moving body or the side of the fixed body, the engagement member engaged with the driving member, the guiding member guiding the engagement member, and the energizing member energizing the engagement member in the retracting direction, and is structured such that the engagement member moves downward in the approximately vertical direction at the predetermined amount in the retracting direction of the guide groove on the basis of the movement of the moving rail in the retracting direction, whereby the engagement between the engagement member and the driving member is cancelled, and the engagement member is locked. Accordingly, the engagement member is not retracted without intention. Therefore, it is not necessary that the recovering mechanism is provided, and the structure of an entire apparatus is simple. 
   Further, since the engagement member slides along two parallel arranged guiding grooves of the guiding member via two sliding pins, the sliding motion of the engagement member is stable, and the operation of the retracting apparatus is stable. 
   In this case, mounting to the side of the moving body or the side of the fixed body means to mount to the moving body or the fixed body itself, and to indirectly mount to the moving body or the fixed body. 
   In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a retracting apparatus which is provided with a fixed body and a moving body supported to the fixed body so as to freely move from one moving end position to another moving end position, and is automatically retracted to the one moving end position or the another moving end position, in the case that the moving body moves toward the one moving end position or the another moving end position and reaches an automatic retract position a predetermined distance apart from the one moving end position or the another moving end position, comprising: 
   a driving member mounted to a side of the moving body or a side of the fixed body; 
   an engagement member engaged with the driving member; 
   a sliding member with which the engagement member is engaged; 
   a guiding member guiding the sliding member; and 
   an energizing member energizing the sliding member in a retracting direction, 
   wherein the guiding member is provided with a guiding groove which guides the sliding member in a predetermined range of a drawing and retracting direction during a period that the moving body moves between a retract end position and the automatic retract position, the guiding groove is constituted by a guiding groove which are linear in the predetermined range of the drawing and retracting direction, and are bent at a predetermined amount toward an approximately vertical lower side in an end portion in the drawing direction, the engagement member and the sliding member are provided with sliding pins respectively sliding along the guiding grooves, a sliding groove along which the engagement member slides in an approximately vertical direction is formed in the sliding member, the sliding pins of the sliding member and the engagement member slide along the guiding grooves in accordance with movement of the moving body in the drawing direction, the sliding pin of the engagement member moves downward at a predetermined amount in the end portion of the guiding groove in the drawing direction, and the engagement member moves downward at a predetermined amount with respect to the sliding member via the sliding groove, whereby an engagement between the engagement member and the driving member is cancelled, the engagement member is locked, the driving member and the engagement member are engaged with each other at the automatic retract position on the basis of the movement of the moving body in the retracting direction, and the lock of the engagement member is cancelled. 
   The retracting apparatus is provided with the driving member mounted to the side of the moving body or the side of the fixed body, the engagement member engaged with the driving member, the sliding member with which the engagement member is engaged, the guiding member guiding the sliding member, and the energizing member energizing the sliding member in the retracting direction, and is structured such that the sliding member and the engagement member slide along the guiding groove of the guiding member in accordance with the movement of the moving body in the drawing direction, the engagement member moves downward in the approximately vertical direction at the predetermined amount with respect to the sliding member at the end portion in the drawing, whereby the engagement between the engagement member and the driving member is cancelled, and the engagement member is locked. Accordingly, the engagement member is not retracted without intention. 
   Further, since the sliding member energized in the retracting direction by the energizing member slides along the guiding groove of the guiding member only in the drawing and retracting direction, the energizing member is not deflected in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction, so that it is possible to structure the apparatus compact. 
   Further, it is preferable that the apparatus is assembled in a narrow guiding apparatus such as a slide rail, accordingly. 
   In this case, mounting to the side of the moving body or the side of the fixed body means to mount to the moving body or the fixed body itself, and to indirectly mount to the moving body or the fixed body, in the same manner as mentioned above. 
   In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drawer apparatus provided with a drawer portion which is freely drawn and retracted with respect to the apparatus main body, wherein the drawer apparatus is provided with the retracting apparatus as stated in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the fixed body of the retracting apparatus is mounted to a side of the apparatus main body, the moving body is mounted to a side of a drawer portion, and the guiding member is mounted to a side of the apparatus main body or a side of the drawer portion. 
   Since the drawer apparatus is provided with the retracting apparatus in accordance with the first or second aspect of the present invention, as mentioned above, the drawer portion is automatically retracted to the retract end stably in the case of retracting (pressing) the drawer portion to the automatic retracting position. 
   In this case, mounting to the side of the apparatus main body or the side of the drawer portion means to mount to the apparatus main body or the drawer portion itself, and to indirectly mount to the apparatus main body or the drawer portion. 
   In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sliding door apparatus comprising: 
   a fixed body fixed to a fixed side; 
   a moving body supported to the fixed body so as to be freely drawn and retracted with respect to the fixed body; and 
   a sliding door supported to the moving body, 
   wherein the sliding door apparatus is provided with the retracting apparatus as recited in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the fixed body of the retracting apparatus is mounted to a fixed side or a side of the sliding door, and the moving body is mounted to the side of the sliding door or the fixed side. 
   Since the sliding door apparatus is provided with the retracting apparatus in accordance with the first or second aspect of the present invention as mentioned above, the sliding door is automatically retracted to the retract end, that is, the close end or the open end stably, at a time when the sliding door is retracted to the predetermined close or open position. 
   In this case, mounting to the fixed side or the side of the sliding door means to mount to the fixed side or the sliding door itself, and to indirectly mount to the fixed side or the sliding door. 
   In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a retracting apparatus which is provided with a fixed body and a moving body supported to the fixed body so as to freely move from one moving end position to another moving end position, and is automatically retracted to the one moving end position or the another moving end position, in the case that the moving body moves toward the one moving end position or the another moving end position and reaches an automatic retract position a predetermined distance apart from the one moving end position or the another moving end position, comprising: 
   a driving member mounted to a side of the moving body or a side of the fixed body; 
   a sliding member engaged with the driving member and sliding; 
   a guiding member guiding the sliding member; and 
   an energizing member energizing the sliding member to one moving side or another moving side, 
   wherein the guiding member is provided with a guiding portion which guides the sliding member in a predetermined range of a moving body moving direction during a period that the moving body moves from one moving end position to an automatic retract position or from another moving end position to the automatic retract position, and a guiding groove having a large diameter portion formed in an end portion of the guiding portion in a direction of the one moving end position or a direction of the another end position such that a width is larger than a width of the guiding portion, the sliding member is provided with a sliding pin which is inserted through the guiding groove and slides along the guiding groove, the sliding pin of the sliding member slides along the guiding groove in accordance with movement of the moving body in the one moving end position direction or the another moving end position direction of the moving body, and rotates in the one moving end position direction or the another moving end position direction at the guiding groove end portion, whereby a dimension in an orthogonal direction to the guiding groove is changed, the sliding pin is fitted to the large diameter portion and locks the sliding member, an engagement between the sliding member and the driving member is cancelled, the driving member and the sliding member are engaged with each other at the automatic retract position on the basis of the movement of the moving body in the another moving end position direction or the one moving end position direction, and the lock of the sliding member is cancelled. 
   As mentioned above, in accordance with movement of the moving body in the one moving end position direction or the another moving end position direction, the sliding member is changed in the dimension in the orthogonal direction to the guiding groove of the sliding pin in the end portion in the one moving end position direction or the end portion in the another moving end position direction of the guiding groove, the sliding member is fitted to the large diameter portion and locks the sliding member, and the engagement between the sliding member and the driving member is cancelled. Accordingly, the sliding member is retracted to the one moving end position direction or the another moving end position direction without intention, and the automatic retracting function is not lost. 
   Further, since the sliding member energized by the energizing member in the one moving end position direction or the another moving end position direction slides along the guiding groove of the guiding member only in the moving direction of the moving body, the energizing member is not oscillated in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, so that the apparatus can be structured compact. Further, it is preferable that the apparatus is assembled in a narrow guiding apparatus such as the slide rail, accordingly. 
   In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a retracting apparatus as recited in the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the sliding pin of the sliding member is allowed to rotate in the one moving end position direction or the another moving end position direction in the end portion in the side of the one moving end position or the end portion in the side of the another moving end position of the guiding groove, and the sliding member is pressed by the driving member so as to rotate around the sliding pin in the one moving end position direction or the another moving end position direction by moving the moving body in the one moving end position direction or the another moving end position direction, in the case that the sliding member is in the end portion in the side of the one moving end position or the end portion in the side of the another moving end position of the guiding groove in a state in which the engagement of the sliding member with the driving member is cancelled, whereby the engagement between the sliding member and the driving member is recovered. 
   As mentioned above, the structure is made such that the sliding member is pressed by the driving member so as to rotate around the sliding pin by moving the moving body in the one moving end position direction or the another moving end position direction, in the case that the sliding member is in the end portion in the side of the one moving end position or the end portion in the side of the another moving end position of the guiding groove in a state in which the engagement of the sliding member with the driving member is cancelled, whereby the engagement between the sliding member and the driving member is recovered. Accordingly, even in the case that the lock of the sliding member is cancelled for some reasons, the sliding member is retracted to the end portion in the side of the one moving end position or the end portion in the side of the another moving end position in the guiding groove of the guiding member by the energizing member, and the retracting function is lost, at a time when the moving body is at the one moving end position or the another moving end position, the retracting function can be recovered only by moving the moving body in the one moving end position direction or the another moving end position direction. 
   In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drawer apparatus provided with a drawer portion which is freely drawn and retracted with respect to the apparatus main body, wherein the drawer apparatus is provided with the retracting apparatus as recited in the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the fixed body of the retracting apparatus is formed as the apparatus main body or is mounted to the side of the apparatus main body, the moving body is formed as the drawer portion or is mounted to the side of the drawer portion, and the guiding member is mounted to the side of the apparatus main body or the side of the drawer portion. 
   As mentioned above, since the drawer apparatus is provided with the retracting apparatus for the sliding rail as described in the first aspect or the second aspect, the drawer portion is automatically retracted to the retract end position stably in the case of retracting (pressing) the drawer portion to the automatic retract position. 
   In accordance with an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sliding door apparatus comprising: 
   an apparatus main body; and 
   a sliding door supported to the apparatus main body so as to be freely drawn and retracted, 
   wherein the sliding door apparatus is provided with the retracting apparatus as recited in the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the fixed body of the retracting apparatus is formed as the apparatus main body or is mounted to the side of the apparatus main body, and the moving body is formed as the sliding door or is mounted to the side of the sliding door. 
   As mentioned above, since the sliding door apparatus is provided with the retracting apparatus in accordance with the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the sliding door can be automatically retracted to the one moving end position or the another moving end position, that is, the close end position or the open end position, at a time when the sliding door is moved to a predetermined position in the close direction or the open direction. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view showing a structure of a conventional closing apparatus for a drawer; 
       FIG. 2  is a view showing a structure example and an operation of a retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a view showing a structure example and an operation of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an outer appearance showing a structure example of a retracting apparatus in a sliding rail in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view showing a part of the structure example of the retracting apparatus in the sliding rail in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view along a line C—C in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a view showing a structure example of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a view showing an operation of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a view showing an operation of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a view showing a structure example of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a view showing a structure example of a guiding member of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a view showing a structure example of a sliding member of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a view showing a drawing operation of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a view showing an operation of the sliding member of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a view showing a retracting operation of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 16  is a view showing a recovering operation of a retracting function of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 17  is a view showing a structure example of the retracting apparatus of the sliding rail in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   A description will be given below of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIGS. 2 and 3  are views showing a structure and an operation of a retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
   A retracting apparatus  10  is provided with a driving member  11  moving interlocking with a moving rail (described in detail later) (not shown), an engagement member  12  engaging with the driving member  11 , a guiding member  13  guiding the engagement member  12 , and a coil spring  14  corresponding to an energizing member energizing the engagement member  12  in a retracting direction (an arrow B). 
   The engagement member  12  is constituted by a plate-shaped body, and is structured such that an engagement groove portion  12   a  engaged with the driving member  11  is formed in an upper portion thereof, a projection portion  12   b  having a predetermined height is provided in a retracting side (an arrow B side) with respect to the engagement groove portion  12   a , and a projection portion  12   c  having a height a predetermined amount smaller than the height of the projection portion  12   b  is provided in a drawing side (an arrow A side). 
   Further, the engagement groove portion  12   a  is provided in a state in which the engagement groove portion  12   a  is inclined at a predetermined angle to the retracting side (the arrow B side) from an upper portion toward a lower portion. 
   Further, the engagement member  12  is provided with two sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  having a circular cross sectional shape. A diameter of the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  is slightly smaller than a width of guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b  of the guiding member  13  (at such a degree that the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  can smoothly slide along the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b ). 
   The guiding member  13  is provided with two guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b  guiding the engagement member  12  within a predetermined range L in the drawing and retracting directions (the arrows A and B directions), during a period that the moving rail (not shown, and described later in detail) moves between a retract end position and an automatic retract position. 
   The guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b  are constituted by two guiding grooves which are linearly formed in the predetermined ranges L and L in the drawing and retracting directions respectively, and are bent at a predetermined amount to an approximately vertical lower side in an end portion in the drawing direction. 
   Two sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  of the engagement member  12  are respectively inserted to the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b  of the guiding member  13 , and are structured such as to slide along the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b.    
   Further, the coil spring  14  serving as the energizing member is structured such that one end thereof is mounted to the guiding member  13  (a fixed side), and another end is mounted to the engagement member  12 . 
   In the retracting apparatus  10  having the structure mentioned above, the driving member  11  interlocking with the moving rail is moved in the drawing direction by moving (drawing) the moving rail (not shown) in the drawing direction (the arrow A direction). Accordingly, the projection portion  12   c  of the engagement member  12  is pressed by the driving member  11 , and the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  of the engagement member  12  are guided and moved in the drawing direction along the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b  of the guiding member  13 . 
   When the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  reach the end portion in the drawing direction of the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b , the respective sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  reach the approximately vertically lower bent portions of the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b.    
   At this time, since the driving member  11  presses the inclined surface of the projection portion  12   c  in the engagement member  12  in a horizontal direction by a force F 1 , a component force F 2  directed to a lower side is applied to the engagement member  12 , and the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  move downward along the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b  on the basis of its own weight. When reaching a state shown in  FIG. 2C , the driving member  11  breaks away from the projection portion  12   c  and moves in the drawing direction. 
   At this time, since the engagement member  12  is drawn in the retracting direction by an elastic force of the coil spring  14 , the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  are brought into contact with the vertical descending surfaces of the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b  so as to be locked. At this time, since the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  are brought into contact with the vertical descending surfaces of the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b , a lock state is stable and the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  are not retracted without intention. 
   The driving member  11  moves in the retracting direction by moving the moving rail in the retracting direction (the arrow B direction) from the drawn state, and reaches a state in  FIG. 3B  via a state in  FIG. 3A . When further pressing the inclined surface of the projection portion  12   b  in the engagement member  12  in the retracting direction by a force F 4 , a pressing-up component force F 3  is applied to the engagement member  12 , and the engagement member  12  is pressed up to an upper side. When the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  reach the horizontal portions (the linear portions) of the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b  in the guiding member  13 , the lock of the engagement member  12  is cancelled, and the engagement member  12  is drawn in the retracting direction by the elastic force of the coil spring  14 , and is automatically retracted to the retract end as shown in  FIG. 3C . 
     FIGS. 4 to 6  are views showing the structure example in which the retracting apparatus having the structure shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is provided in the sliding rail so as to be formed as the retracting apparatus of the sliding rail, in which  FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an outer appearance,  FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a part thereof, and  FIG. 6  is a cross sectional perspective view along a line C—C in  FIG. 5 . 
   As illustrated, the sliding rail  20  is structured such as to be provided with an inner rail  21  and an outer rail  22 . The inner rail  21  may be formed as a fixed rail or may be formed as a moving rail. Further, the outer rail  22  may be formed as the moving rail or may be formed as the fixed rail. In this case, as a matter of convenience for explanation, the outer rail  22  is set to the moving rail, the inner rail  21  is set to the fixed rail. The outer rail  22  is supported to the inner rail  21  so as to be freely drawn and retracted. 
   In other words, the inner rail  21  having an approximately C-shaped cross section is received such that an opening portion thereof is opposed to an opening portion of the outer rail  22 , a lot of balls  24  held by a retainer  23  are interposed between an inner peripheral surface of the outer rail  22  and an outer peripheral surface of the inner rail  21 , and the outer rail  22  is supported to the inner rail  21  so as to freely slide in a longitudinal direction (in a drawing and retracting direction). 
   The guiding member  13  of the retracting apparatus  10  is fixed to the opening portion of the inner rail  21  having the approximately C-shaped cross section and forming the fixed rail, and the driving member  11  of the retracting apparatus  10  is provided in the opening surface of the outer rail  22  having the approximately C-shaped cross section and forming the moving rail so as to protrude to the side of the inner rail  21 . 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  show a state in which the outer rail  22  corresponding to the moving rail is drawn in the retracting direction (a direction of an arrow A in  FIG. 2 ). In this state, the engagement member  12  of the retracting apparatus  10  is in a lock state as shown in  FIG. 2C  such that the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  are drawn by the elastic force of the coil spring  14  and are brought into contact with the vertically descending portions of the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b  in the guiding member  13 . 
   In this case, although an illustration is omitted, the driving member  11  may be provided in the inner rail  21  and the guiding member  13  may be provided in the outer rail  22 . 
   When pressing the outer rail  22  corresponding to the moving rail in the retracting direction (a direction of an arrow B), the driving member  11  also moves in the retracting direction. When reaching the state in  FIG. 3B  from the state in  FIG. 3A , the engagement member  12  is pressed up to the upper side. When the sliding pins  12   d  and  12   e  reach the horizontal portions (the linear portions) of the guiding grooves  13   a  and  13   b  in the guiding member  13 , the engagement member  12  is drawn in the retracting direction on the basis of the elastic force of the coil spring  14 , and is automatically retracted to the retract end as shown in  FIG. 3C . 
     FIG. 7  is a view showing another structure example of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, and  FIGS. 8 and 9  are views for explaining an operation thereof. A retracting apparatus  30  is structured such as to be provided with a driving member  31  moving interlocking with a moving rail (not shown), an engagement member  32  engaging with the driving member  31 , a sliding member  33  with which the engagement member  32  is engaged, a guiding member  34  guiding the sliding member  33 , and a coil spring  35  corresponding to an energizing member energizing the sliding member  33  in a retracting direction (an arrow B). 
   The engagement member  32  is constituted by a plate-shaped body, and is structured such that an engagement groove portion  32   a  engaged with the driving member  31  is formed in an upper portion thereof, a projection portion  32   b  having a predetermined height is provided in a retracting side (an arrow B side) with respect to the engagement groove portion  32   a , and a projection portion  32   c  having a height a predetermined amount smaller than the height of the projection portion  32   b  is provided in a drawing side (an arrow A side). 
   Further, the engagement groove portion  32   a  is provided in a state in which the engagement groove portion  32   a  is inclined at a predetermined angle to the retracting side (the arrow B side) from an upper portion toward a lower portion. 
   The guiding member  34  is provided with one guiding groove  34   a  guiding the sliding member  33  within a predetermined range in the drawing and retracting directions (the arrows A and B directions), during a period that the moving rail moves between a retract end position and an automatic retract position. 
   The guiding grooves  34   a  is constituted by a guiding groove which is linearly formed in the predetermined range in the drawing and retracting directions, and is bent at a predetermined amount to an approximately vertical lower side in an end portion in the drawing direction. 
   The engagement member  32  and the sliding member  33  are respectively provided with a sliding pin  32   d  and a sliding pin  33   a  which slide along the guiding groove  34   a.    
   The sliding pin  32   d  is formed such that a cross sectional shape is a circular shape and a diameter thereof is slightly smaller (at a smoothly sliding amount) than a width of the guiding groove  34   a , and the sliding pin  33   a  is formed such that a cross sectional shape is a rectangular shape and a width thereof is slightly smaller (at a smoothly sliding amount) than a width of the guiding groove  34   a.    
   The sliding member  33  is provided with a sliding groove  33   b  along which the engagement member  32  slides in an approximately vertical direction. 
   In the retracting apparatus  30  having the structure mentioned above, the driving member  31  interlocking with the moving rail is moved in the drawing direction (the arrow A direction), as shown in  FIG. 8A , by moving (drawing) the moving rail (not shown) in the drawing direction. Accordingly, the projection portion  32   c  of the engagement member  32  is pressed by the driving member  31 , and the engagement member  32  is moved by being guided by the movement of the sliding pin  32   d  thereof in the drawing direction along the guiding groove  34   a  of the sliding member  33 , and the sliding member  33  with which the engagement member  32  is engaged via the sliding groove  33   b  is moved by being guide by the movement of the sliding pin  33   a  thereof in the drawing direction along the guiding groove  34   a.    
   When the sliding pin  32   d  reaches the end portion in the drawing direction of the guiding grooves  34   a , as shown in  FIG. 8B , the sliding pin  32   d  reaches the approximately vertically lower bent portion of the guiding groove  34   a.    
   At this time, since the driving member  31  presses the inclined surface of the projection portion  32   c  in the engagement member  32  in the drawing direction by a force F 1 , a component force F 2  directed to a lower side is applied to the engagement member  32 , and the sliding pin  32   d  moves downward along the guiding groove  34   a  on the basis of its own weight. 
   When reaching a state shown in  FIG. 8C , the driving member  31  breaks away from the projection portion  32   c  and moves in the drawing direction. At this time, since the sliding member  33  is drawn in the retracting direction (in the arrow B direction) by an elastic force of a coil spring  35  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), the sliding pin  32   d  of the engagement member  32  engaged with the sliding member via the sliding groove  33   b  is brought into contact with the vertical descending surface of the guiding groove  34   a  so as to be locked. 
   At this time, since the sliding member  33  only moves along the linear portion of the guiding groove  34   a , the coil spring  35  does not oscillate in the vertical direction, so that it is possible to structure the retracting apparatus compact at that degree, and it is possible to obtain a structure which is preferably assembled in a narrow guiding apparatus such as a sliding rail. 
   As shown in  FIG. 8C , in the case of moving the moving rail in the retracting direction (in the arrow B direction) in a state in which the engagement member  32  is in a locked state, the driving member  31  reaches a state in  FIG. 9A , and when further pressing the inclined surface of the projection portion  32   b  in the engagement member  32  in the retracting direction by a force F 4 , a pressing up component force F 3  is applied to the engagement member  32 , the engagement member  32  is pressed up. When the sliding pin  32   d  reaches the horizontal portion (the linear portion) of the guiding groove  34   a  in the guiding member  34 , the sliding member  33  is drawn in the retracting direction by the elastic force of the coil spring  35 , and is automatically retracted to the retract end as shown in  FIG. 9C . 
   The retracting apparatus  30  having the structure mentioned above achieves the same operations and effects as those of the retracting apparatus of the sliding rail  20  shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , by being mounted in place of the retracting apparatus  10  of the sliding rail having the structure shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6 . Further, in the case of the retracting apparatus  30 , since the sliding member  33  does not move in the vertical direction as mentioned above, the coil spring  35  does not oscillate in the vertical direction, so that it is possible to structure the apparatus compact, and the apparatus is preferably mounted to the narrow sliding rail. 
   In the case of using the retracting apparatus of the sliding rail having the structure mounted to the sliding rail  20  to which the retracting apparatus  10  or the retracting apparatus  30  is mounted, as a retracting apparatus in a drawer apparatus such as a furniture or the like, which is not illustrated, the inner rail  21  corresponding to the fixed rail is mounted to the side of the apparatus main body, the outer rail  22  corresponding to the moving rail is mounted to the side of the drawer portion, and the guiding member  13  or the guiding member  34  is mounted to the side of the apparatus main body. Accordingly, in the case of pushing in the drawer portion to a predetermined automatic retract position from a drawn state, the drawer portion is retracted to the retract end. 
   Further, since the retracting apparatus  10  and the retracting apparatus  30  are not retracted without intention as mentioned above, the recovering mechanism is not required, and the structure of an entire of the structure is simple. 
   Further, in the case of using the retracting apparatus of the sliding rail having the structure mounted to the sliding rail  20  to which the retracting apparatus  10  or the retracting apparatus  30  is mounted, for a sliding door apparatus provided with a sliding door mounted to an apparatus main body such as a wall of a building or the like so as to be freely drawn and retracted, which is not illustrated, the inner rail  21  corresponding to the fixed rail is mounted to the fixed side, the outer rail  22  corresponding to the moving rail is mounted to the side of the sliding door, and the guiding member  13  or the guiding member  34  is mounted to the fixed side. 
   Since the retracting apparatus of the sliding rail is provided in the sliding door apparatus as mentioned above, it is possible to provide the sliding door apparatus which can be automatically retracted to the retract end, that is, the close end or the open end, stably, in the case that the sliding door is retracted to the predetermined close or open position, and it is possible to prevent the sliding door from being left in a partly close state and in a partly open state. 
     FIG. 10  is a view showing an example of the other structure of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention, in which  FIG. 10A  is a plan view, and  FIG. 10B  is a front elevational view.  FIG. 11  is a view showing a structure of a guiding member of the retracting apparatus, in which  FIG. 11A  is a plan view and  FIG. 11B  is a front elevational view.  FIG. 12  is a view showing a structure of a sliding member of the retracting apparatus, in which  FIG. 12A  is a plan view and  FIG. 12B  is a front elevational view. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the retracting apparatus  40  is provided with a driving member  41  moving interlocking with a moving body (not shown), a sliding member  42  engaged with the driving member  41 , a guiding member  43  guiding the sliding member  42 , and a coil spring  44  corresponding to an energizing member energizing the sliding member  42  in a direction of one moving end position (in a direction of an arrow B). 
   In this case, the moving body mentioned above is supported to a fixed rail  45  (refer to  FIG. 10A ) so as to freely move between one moving end position and another moving end position by a sliding rail, a roller or the like. 
   The sliding member  42  is formed in a plate body shape as shown in  FIG. 12 , and is structured such that an engagement groove portion  42   a  with which the driving member  41  is engaged is formed in one end portion, a projection portion  42   b  having a predetermined height is provided in one moving end position side (an arrow B side) with respect to the engagement groove portion  42   a , and a projection portion  42   c  having a height a predetermined amount smaller than the height of the projection portion  12   b  is provided in another moving end position side (an arrow A side). 
   Further, a pin  42   e  having a disc-shaped collar  42   d  in a leading end thereof is provided in another end of the sliding member  42 , and a sliding pin  42   f  is provided in a center portion thereof. The sliding pin  42   f  has a flat notched surface  42   f - 1  formed in an outer periphery of a circular column having a diameter d 1 , and a flat notch surface  42   f - 2  formed in a side portion of the flat notched surface  42   f - 1  at a predetermined angle, and is formed in a partly notched circular cross sectional shape. 
   The guiding member  43  is provided with a guiding groove  43   a  which guides the sliding member  42  within a predetermined range L in a moving body moving direction (directions of arrows A and B), during a period that the moving body (not shown) moves between one moving end position and an automatic retract position which is a predetermined distance apart from the one moving end position. 
   The guiding groove  43   a  is structured such that a width in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction is d 2 , an upper half of the end portion in the one moving end position direction is formed in a circular arc  43   a - 1  having a diameter equal to the diameter d 1  of the sliding pin  42   f , and the end portion in the another moving end position direction is formed in a circular arc  43   a - 2  having a diameter equal to the diameter of the sliding pin  42   f  so as to form a large-diameter portion  43   c.    
   In this case, the diameter d 1  of the sliding pin  42   f  is larger than the width d 2  of the guiding groove  43   a  (d 1 &gt;d 2 ). The upper portion  43   b  of the guiding groove  43   a  in the guiding member  43  is positioned between the pin  42   e  and the sliding pin  42   f  in the sliding member  42 . 
   Further, the sliding pin  42   f  of the sliding member  42  is inserted through the guiding groove  43   a , and is slid in the one moving end position direction and the another moving end position direction along the guiding groove  43   a.    
   Further, a recess portion  43   d  for receiving the sliding member is formed in a back surface of the guiding member  43 , and a space for receiving the sliding member  42  is formed between a mounting surface  45   a  of the fixed rail  45  and the guiding member  43 , as shown in  FIG. 10A , by mounting the recess portion  43   d  so as to oppose to the mounting surface  45   a  of the fixed rail  45 . 
   Further, a recess portion  43   e  for arranging the coil spring  44  corresponding to the energizing member is formed in a top surface of the guiding member  43 . 
   One end of the coil spring  44  is mounted to the end portion in the one moving end position direction of the guiding member  43 , and another end thereof is mounted to the pin  42   e  of the sliding member. Accordingly, the sliding member  42  is energized in the one moving end position direction by the elastic force of the coil spring  44 . 
   A description will be given of an operation of the retracting apparatus having the structure mentioned above with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a view showing an operation in the another moving end position direction. In this case, in  FIG. 13 , the coil spring  44  is omitted, and both end portions of the guiding member  43  are omitted. As shown in  FIG. 13A , in the case that the sliding member  42  exists in the end portion in the retracting direction of the guiding member  43 , the flat notched surface  42   f - 2  of the sliding member  42  is brought into contact with the lower surface of the guiding groove  43   a , and the circular arc outer peripheral surface is brought into contact with the top surface of the guiding groove  43   a  and the surface of the end portion circular arc  43   a - 1 , as shown in  FIG. 14A . 
   In this case, a dimension d 3  from the flat notched surface  42   f - 2  of the sliding member  42  to the highest point of the outer peripheral circular arc orthogonal to the surface is slightly smaller than a width d 2  of the guiding groove  43   a  (in order to make the sliding pin  42   f  to smoothly move along the guiding groove  43   a ). 
   When moving the moving body (not shown) in the another moving end position direction (in the direction of the arrow A), as shown in  FIG. 13B  from the state in  FIG. 13A , the driving member  41  moves in the same direction, and the sliding member  42  moves along the guiding groove  43   a  in a state in which the sliding pin  42   f  is in a state (attitude) shown in  FIG. 14A . 
   Further, the sliding pin  42   f  reaches the end portion in the side of the another moving end position of the guiding groove  43   a , as shown in  FIG. 13C . In this state, when the driving member  41  further moves in the another moving end position direction, the sliding member  42  is drawn by the driving member  41  and the sliding pin  42   f  rotates in the large-diameter portion  43   c  of the guiding groove  43   a , as shown in  FIGS. 13D and 13E . 
   Details of this operation will be shown in  FIGS. 14B and 14C . Since the diameter d 1  of the sliding pin  42   f  becomes larger than the width d 2  of the guiding groove  43   a  (d 1 &gt;d 2 ) as mentioned above, the sliding pin  42   f , that is, the sliding member  42  is locked by the large-diameter portion  43   c  in the another moving end position side end portion of the guiding groove  43   a . At this time, since the projection portion  42   c  of the sliding member  42  is positioned above the position of the driving member  41 , the engagement between the sliding member  42  and the driving member  41  is cancelled. 
   Next, a description will be given of an operation of the retracting apparatus in the one moving end position direction with reference to  FIG. 15 . When moving the moving body (not shown) in the one moving end position direction (the direction of the arrow B), the driving member  41  moves in the same direction as shown in  FIG. 15A . 
   Further, as shown in  FIG. 15B , when the driving member  41  passes through the position of the projection portion  12   c  in the sliding member  42 , and is brought into contact with the projection portion  42   b , and the driving member  41  further moves, the sliding member  42  rotates around the sliding pin  42   f  as shown in  FIG. 15C . 
   Further, when the flat notched surface  42   f - 2  of the sliding pin  42   f  is aligned with the lower surface of the guiding groove  43   a  in the guiding member  43  (refer to  FIG. 14B ), the lock of the sliding member  42  is cancelled, the driving member  41  enters into the engagement groove portion  42   a  of the sliding member  42 , and the driving member  41  and the sliding member  42  are engaged with each other. 
   Accordingly, since the sliding member  42  is retracted in the one moving end position direction by the elastic force of the coil spring  44 , as shown in  FIG. 15D , the driving member  41  and the moving rail are retracted in the same manner, and are retracted to the one moving end position side end portion of the guiding groove  13 , as shown in  FIG. 15E . 
   Next, a description will be given of an operation for recovering the engagement between the sliding member  42  and the driving member  41  in the case that the sliding member  42  in  FIG. 13E  is cancelled in locking from the locked state without relation to the movement of the moving body in the one moving end position direction for some reasons, and is retracted to the one moving end position side end portion of the guiding groove  13   a , as shown in  FIG. 16A . 
   In this case, as shown in  FIG. 16B , the projection portion  42   c  of the sliding member  42  is pressed by the driving member  41  by moving the moving body in the one moving end position direction so as to move the driving member  41  in the same direction, whereby the sliding member  42  rotates around the sliding pin  42   f.    
   Further, when the driving member  41  passes through the position of the projection portion  42   c , the sliding member  42  rotates in an opposite direction, and the driving member  41  is positioned within the engagement grove portion  42   a  of the sliding member  42 , as shown in  FIG. 16C . accordingly, the engagement between the driving member  41  and the sliding member  42  is recovered. 
   This is because the flat notched surface  42   f - 1  and the flat notched surface  42   f - 2  are provided in the outer peripheral surface of the sliding pin  42   f  in the sliding member  42 , and it is possible to rotate from the state in  FIG. 16A  in which the flat notched surface  42   f - 2  is in contact with the lower surface of the guiding groove  43   a  in the one moving end position direction end portion of the guiding groove  43   a  to the state in which the flat notched surface  42   f - 1  is in contact with the lower surface of the guiding groove  43   a , as shown in  FIG. 16B . 
   In the example mentioned above, there is shown the example in which in the case that the moving body which is not illustrated moves with respect to the fixed body from the one moving end position toward the another moving end position (moves in the direction of the arrow A), as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15 , the sliding member  42  is locked in the another moving end position side end portion of the guiding groove  43   a , the engagement between the sliding member  42  and the driving member  41  is cancelled, the lock of the sliding member  42  is cancelled at the automatic retract position a predetermined distance apart form the one moving end position on the basis of the movement of the moving body in the one moving end position direction (the movement in the direction of the arrow B), and the sliding member  42  and the driving member  41  are engaged with each other. However, although an illustration is omitted, the structure may be inversely made such that in the case of moving from the another moving end position to the one moving end position (moving in the direction of the arrow B), the sliding member  42  is locked in the one moving end position side end portion of the guiding groove  43   a , the engagement between the sliding member  42  and the driving member  41  is cancelled, the lock of the sliding member  42  is cancelled at the automatic retract position which is a predetermined distance apart from the another moving end position on the basis of the movement of the moving body in the another moving end position direction (the movement in the direction of the arrow A), and the sliding member  42  and the driving member  41  are engaged with each other. 
   In this case, the large-diameter portion  43   c  is provided in the one moving end position side end portion of the guiding groove  43   a , and the sliding member  42  is energized by the coil spring  44  in the another moving end position direction. 
     FIG. 17  is a view showing a structure example in which the retracting apparatus having the structure shown in  FIG. 10  is provided in the sliding rail so as to be formed as the retracting apparatus of the sliding rail, in which  FIG. 17A  is a side elevational view of a part thereof, and  FIG. 17B  is a cross sectional view along a line C—C in  FIG. 17A . 
   As is illustrated, a sliding rail  50  is structured such as to be provided with an inner rail  51  and an outer rail  52 . The inner rail  51  may be formed as a fixed rail or may be formed as a moving rail. Further, the outer rail  52  may be formed as the moving rail or may be formed as the fixed rail. In this case, as a matter of convenience for explanation, the outer rail  52  is set to the moving rail, the inner rail  51  is set to the fixed rail. 
   The outer rail  52  forming the moving rail is supported to the inner rail  51  forming the fixed rail so as to be freely drawn and retracted. In other words, the inner rail  51  having an approximately C-shaped cross section is received such that an opening portion thereof is opposed to an opening portion of the outer rail  52 , a lot of balls  54  held by a retainer  53  are interposed between an inner peripheral surface of the outer rail  52  and an outer peripheral surface of the inner rail  51 , and the outer rail  52  is supported to the inner rail  51  so as to freely slide in a longitudinal direction (in a drawing and retracting direction). 
   The guiding member  53  of the retracting apparatus  50  is fixed to the opening portion of the inner rail  51  having the approximately C-shaped cross section and forming the fixed rail, and the driving member  51  of the retracting apparatus  50  is provided in the opening surface of the outer rail  52  having the approximately C-shaped cross section and forming the moving rail so as to protrude to the side of the inner rail  51 . 
     FIG. 17A  shows a state in which the outer rail  52  corresponding to the moving rail is drawn in the retracting direction (a direction of an arrow A in  FIG. 10 ). In this state, the sliding member  42  of the retracting apparatus  40  is in a state in which the sliding pin  42   f  is locked to the large-diameter portion  43   c  of the guiding groove  43   a  in the guiding member  43 , as shown in  FIG. 15A . In this case, although an illustration is omitted, the driving member  41  may be provided in the inner rail  51  and the guiding member  43  may be provided in the outer rail  52 . 
   When pressing the outer rail  52  corresponding to the moving rail in the retracting direction (a direction of an arrow B), the driving member  41  also moves in the retracting direction. When reaching the state in  FIG. 15B  via the state in  FIG. 15A , the sliding member  42  is pressed by the driving member  41 , and rotates around the sliding pin  42   f , and the lock of the sliding member  42  is cancelled at the position shown in  FIG. 15C . 
   Accordingly, sliding member  42  is drawn in the retracting direction by the elastic force of the coil spring  44 , and is automatically retracted to the retract end as shown in  FIG. 15E , via the state shown in  FIG. 15D . 
   In the case of using the retracting apparatus of the sliding rail having the structure mounted to the sliding rail  50  to which the retracting apparatus  40  mentioned above is mounted, as a retracting apparatus in a drawer apparatus such as a furniture or the like, which is not illustrated, the inner rail  51  corresponding to the fixed rail is mounted to the side of the apparatus main body, the outer rail  52  corresponding to the moving rail is mounted to the side of the drawer portion, and the guiding member  43  is mounted to the side of the apparatus main body. Accordingly, in the case of pushing in the drawer portion to a predetermined automatic retract position from a drawn state, the drawer portion is retracted to the retract end. 
   Further, in the case of using the retracting apparatus of the sliding rail having the structure mounted to the sliding rail  50  to which the retracting apparatus  40  mentioned above is mounted, for a sliding door apparatus provided with a sliding door mounted to an apparatus main body such as a wall of a building or the like so as to be freely drawn and retracted, which is not illustrated, the inner rail  51  corresponding to the fixed rail is mounted to the fixed side, the outer rail  52  corresponding to the moving rail is mounted to the side of the sliding door, and the guiding member  43  is mounted to the fixed side. 
   Since the retracting apparatus of the sliding rail is provided in the sliding door apparatus as mentioned above, it is possible to automatically retract the sliding door to the retract end, that is, the close end or the open end, stably, in the case that the sliding door is retracted to the predetermined close or open position, and it is possible to prevent the sliding door from being left in a partly close state and in a partly open state. 
   In this case, an application of the retracting apparatus in accordance with the present invention is not limited to the apparatus mentioned above in which the fixed body is mounted to the fixed rail of the sliding rail, and the moving body is mounted to the moving rail as mentioned above. The present invention can be widely applied, for example, to a retracting apparatus supported to the fixed body from one moving end position to another moving end position by rollers or the like, in which the moving body moves toward the one moving end position or the another moving end position, and the retracting apparatus is automatically retracted to the one moving end position or the another moving end position in the case that the moving body reaches a predetermined automatic retract position which is a predetermined distance apart from the one moving end position or the another moving end position. 
   The description is given of the embodiments in accordance with the present invention, however, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned above, and can be variously modified within a scope of the technical idea described in claim, the specification and the drawings. In this case, every shapes, structures and materials which can achieve the operations and effects of the present invention are considered to be within the technical idea of the present invention, even if the specification and the drawings do not describe the matter directly.