Patent Publication Number: US-2003227241-A1

Title: Drawer for storage cabinet or storage unit

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention generally relates to a storage cabinets.  
       [0003] 2. Description of Related Art  
       [0004] Multi-drawer or multi-tray cabinets or storage units are used in industry for storing a variety of components such as screws, nuts, washers, electrical components, etc. Such cabinets are also used in retail establishments as such hardware stores. Examples of such drawers, trays, cabinets and other storage units are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,866,993, 3,954,315, 4,440,461, 4,838,627, 5,632,542, 5,664,856, 5,823,650 and 6,076,908. Prior art multi-drawer cabinets are typically fabricated from metal and generally comprise a metal box-like housing and a plurality of drawers or trays that are slidably disposed within the housing. The multi-drawer cabinets include a plurality of pairs of interior slides that are attached to the inner walls of the cabinet or housing of the storage unit. Specifically, one of the interior slides is attached to inner sidewall of the cabinet and the other interior slide is attached to the opposite cabinet sidewall. The interior slides of each pair are aligned with one another. Each drawer has a pair of sidewalls and a corresponding pair of drawer outer slides that are rigidly attached to the exterior sides of the opposing sidewalls and slidably engaged to the interior slides. Thus, the drawer can be slid into and out from the interior of the cabinet housing.  
       [0005] One disadvantage of the conventional drawer configuration described above is that the process of attaching the drawer outer slides to the exterior sides of the opposing sidewalls of the drawer is time consuming and as a result, increases the production costs of the drawer. Furthermore, if any of the drawer outer slides becomes damaged, the entire drawer must be replaced. The drawer is then either discarded or taken back to the factory for repair. Either one of these options is cost-inefficient, time consuming and disruptive.  
       [0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cabinet drawer or tray that solves the aforementioned problems.  
       [0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved cabinet drawer or tray that can be manufactured at reasonable costs.  
       [0008] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the ensuing description of the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] The present invention is directed to, in one aspect, a drawer comprising a pair of opposite sidewalls wherein each sidewall comprises a longitudinally extending axis, a pair of widthwise end portions, an exterior side, and an interior side facing the opposite sidewall. The exterior side of each sidewall further includes a plurality of pairs of tracks extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinally extending axis. Each pair of tracks defines a channel. Each widthwise end portion defines a channel on the exterior side. Each sidewall further includes a plurality of openings. The drawer further includes a pair of insert members. Each insert member is removably attached to the exterior side of a corresponding drawer sidewall. Each insert member has a longitudinally extending axis, a front side, a rear side confronting the exterior side of the corresponding drawer sidewall, a pair of flanged widthwise ends, a top lengthwise end, a bottom lengthwise end, and plurality of rails on the rear side. Each rail is slidably disposed within a corresponding channel on the exterior side of the corresponding sidewall. The insert member further includes a plurality of openings. Each opening has a perimetrical edge and is located at a predetermined position with respect to the longitudinally extending axis of the insert member. Each insert member further includes a plurality of protrusions extending from the rear side. Each protrusion is frictionally and removably inserted into a corresponding one of the openings in the corresponding sidewall. The tracks on the exterior side of the sidewall and the rails of the rear side of the insert member cooperate to define a space between the sidewall and the insert member. The positioning of the (i) rails of each insert member within the channels of the corresponding sidewall, and (ii) flanged widthwise ends of the insert member within the channels defined by the widthwise ends of the drawer sidewall, and the frictional insertion of the protrusions of the insert member in the openings of the corresponding sidewall cooperate to substantially eliminate upward, downward and lateral movement of the insert member with respect to the corresponding sidewall thereby effecting firm but removable attachment of the insert member to the corresponding drawer sidewall.  
       [0010] The drawer further includes a pair of outer slide members. Each outer slide member is removably attached to the exterior side of a corresponding insert member. Each outer slide has a longitudinally extending axis and a plurality of protruding members. Each of the protruding members is removably disposed within a corresponding one of the openings of the insert member and engages a portion of the perimetrical edge of the corresponding opening.  
       [0011] In a related aspect, the present invention is directed to a drawer comprising a pair of opposite sidewalls, each sidewall having a longitudinally extending axis, a pair of widthwise end portions, an exterior side, an interior side facing the drawer interior, the exterior sides of each sidewall having a plurality of pairs of tracks extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinally extending axis, each pair of tracks defining a channel, each widthwise end portion defining a channel on the exterior side, each sidewall having a plurality of openings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012] The features of the invention are believed to be novel and the elements characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
     [0013]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the drawer of the of the present invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled drawer of the present invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the drawer of FIG. 1.  
     [0016]FIG. 4 is a front view taken along line  4 - 4  in FIG. 3.  
     [0017]FIG. 5 is a side view taken along line  5 - 5  in FIG. 3, the insert member depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 not being shown so as to facilitate viewing a sidewall depicted in FIG. 1.  
     [0018]FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the drawer shown in FIG. 2.  
     [0019]FIGS. 6A, 6B and  6 C are enlarged views of certain portions of the view of FIG. 6.  
     [0020]FIG. 6D is a view taken along line  6 D- 6 D of FIG. 6B.  
     [0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the insert member depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
     [0022]FIG. 8 is a front view of the insert member of FIG. 7.  
     [0023]FIG. 9 is an end view taken along line  9 - 9  in FIG. 8.  
     [0024]FIG. 10 is a rear view of the insert member of FIG. 7.  
     [0025]FIG. 11 is a top view taken along line  11 - 11  of FIG. 8.  
     [0026]FIGS. 12 a ,  12   b  and  13  are enlarged views of certain portions of the view of FIG. 11.  
     [0027]FIG. 14 is a bottom end view taken along line  14 - 14  in FIG. 10.  
     [0028]FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of an outer slide member that is removably attached to the insert member shown in FIG. 7.  
     [0029]FIG. 16 is an end view taken along line  16 - 16  in FIG. 15.  
     [0030]FIG. 17 is a bottom end view taken along line  17 - 17  in FIG. 15. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0031] In describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, reference will be made herein to FIGS.  1 - 17  of the drawings in which like numerals refer to like features of the invention.  
     [0032] Although the ensuing description is in terms of a “drawer”, it is to be understood that the features and concept of the present invention are also applicable to trays that are used in multi-tray cabinets or storage units.  
     [0033] Referring to FIGS.  1 - 6 , there is shown drawer  10  of the present invention. Drawer  10  generally comprises bottom  12 , outer sidewalls  14  and  16 , front wall  18  and rear wall  20 . Drawer  10  further includes interior  22  and equidistantly spaced inner walls  24 . Front wall  18  includes beveled top lengthwise end  25 . Drawer  10  further includes removable dividers or partitions  26  that are slidably engaged within tracks  28  on inner walls  24 .  
     [0034] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5,  6 , and  6 A- 6 D, sidewalls  14  and  16  are identical in construction and therefore, for purposes of brevity and simplification, only sidewall  14  is described in the ensuing description. FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the portion of the view of FIG. 6 indicated by dotted line  47   a . FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion of the view of FIG. 6 indicated by dotted circle  47   b . FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of a portion of the view of FIG. 6 indicated by dotted circle  47   c . Sidewall  14  has front widthwise end  30  and rear lengthwise end  32 . Sidewall  14  includes interior side  34 , exterior side  36 , and top lengthwise end  38 . Sidewall  14  includes a plurality of pairs of tracks  40  on exterior side  36 . Each pair of tracks  40  defines a channel  42 . In one embodiment, tracks  40  are attached to exterior side  36 . In another embodiment, tracks  40  are integrally formed with sidewall  14  during fabrication of sidewall  14 . In a preferred embodiment, each pair of tracks  40  are equidistantly spaced. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and  6 C, sidewall  14  further includes single track  44  and single track  46 . Single track  44  is adjacent end  30 . Single track  46  is adjacent to end  32 . Track  44  and wall  18  define channel  50 . Track  46  cooperates with wall  20  to define channel  52 . Referring to FIG. 6D, sidewall  14  includes a stepped portion  53  that has front surface  53   a . Sidewall  14  further includes openings  54  therein. In a preferred embodiment, openings  54  are equidistantly spaced. In one embodiment, openings are generally rectangular shaped. The purpose of openings  54  is—explained in the ensuing description.  
     [0035] Referring to FIGS.  7 - 14 , there is shown insert member  60  that is configured to be removably attached to sidewall  14 . Insert member  60  is also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Drawer  10  utilizes an additional insert member, which is identical to insert member  60 , that is removably attached to outer sidewall  16 . However, for purposes of brevity and simplicity, only insert member  60  is described in the ensuing description. Insert member  60  comprises longitudinally extending axis  61 , front side  62 , rear side  64 , top lengthwise end  66 , bottom lengthwise end  68 , flanged widthwise end  70  and flanged widthwise end  72 . Referring to FIG. 9. insert member  60  has a width W 1 . Insert member  60  includes upper portion  74  that has width W 2  that is less than width W 1 . The difference in widths W 1  and W 2  provide ledge  75  which is contiguous with surface  76 . The purpose of such a configuration is explained in the ensuing description.  
     [0036] Referring to FIG. 10, insert member  60  further includes a plurality of protrusions  80 . Protrusions  80  are aligned with openings  54  of sidewall  14  (see FIG. 5). Each protrusion  80  is shaped and sized to frictionally fit into a corresponding opening  54  on sidewall  14 . In a preferred embodiment, each protrusion  80  is generally rectangular shaped. In a preferred embodiment, protrusions  80  are equidistantly spaced. Thus, in such a configuration, protrusions  80  function as male engagement regions and openings  54  function as complementary female engagement regions.  
     [0037] Referring to FIGS.  11 - 14 , insert member  60  includes a plurality of rails  82  on rear side  64 . Each rail  82  is sized to be slidably disposed within a corresponding channel  42  on sidewall  14  (see FIG. 6B). FIG. 13 is an enlarged portion of the view of FIG. 11 indicated by dashed circle  83 . Referring to FIGS. 7, 10,  11 ,  12   a  and  12   b , insert member  60  includes flanged widthwise end  70  and flanged widthwise end  72 . FIG. 12 a  is an enlarged view of a portion of the view of FIG. 11 indicated by dashed circle  87   a . FIG. 12 b  is an enlarged view of a portion of the view of FIG. 11 indicated by dashed circle  87   b . Flanged end  70  is sized to be slidably disposed within channel  50  formed by track  44  (see FIG. 6C). Similarly, flanged end  72  is sized to be slidably disposed in the channel  52  formed by track  46  (see FIG. 6A).  
     [0038] Referring to FIGS.  10 - 12 , insert member  60  includes a plurality of engagement regions  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98 . In a preferred embodiment, each engagement region  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  comprises an opening. In one embodiment, each engagement region  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  98  comprises a generally square-shaped opening. However, other suitable shapes may be used. Each opening  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  has a perimetrical edge  100 . A portion of the perimetrical edge  100  of opening  92  is designated as edge  100   a . A portion of the perimetrical edge  100  of opening  94  is designated as edge  100   b . A portion of the perimetrical edge  100  of opening  96  is designated as edge  100   c.    
     [0039] In a preferred embodiment, opening  98  is the smallest in size. The purpose of such a configuration is discussed in the ensuing description. Insert member  60  further includes reinforcing ribs  102  which provide structural support and integrity to insert member  60 .  
     [0040] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, each opening  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98  is positioned in a predetermined position with respect to longitudinally extending axis  61 . Opening  94  is positioned adjacent bottom lengthwise end  68  and between a pair of reinforcing ribs  102 . Similarly, opening  96  is positioned adjacent bottom lengthwise end  68  and between a pair of reinforcing ribs  102 . Opening  92  is positioned adjacent to reinforcing rib  102   a . Opening  98  is positioned a predetermined distance away from reinforcing rib  102   b.    
     [0041] Referring to FIGS. 1, 7,  10 ,  12   a ,  12   b ,  13  and  14  in order to removably attach insert member  60  to sidewall  14  of drawer  10 , insert member  60  is positioned so that it is beneath sidewall  14 , front side  62  faces outward, each rail  82  is aligned with a corresponding channel  42 , and flanged ends  70  and  72  are aligned with channels  50  and  52 , respectively (see FIGS. 6A and 6C). Insert member  60  is then maneuvered so that rails  82  enter channels  42  and flanged ends  70  and  72  are inserted into channels  50  and  52 , respectively. Insert member  60  is then moved with respect to sidewall  14  so that:  
     [0042] (i) rails  82  are completely inserted into channels  42 ;  
     [0043] (ii) flanged ends  70  and  72  are completely inserted into channels  50  and  52 , respectively;  
     [0044] (iii) protrusions  80  are inserted into openings  50 ; and  
     [0045] (iv) surface  76  of portion  74  of insert member  60  (see FIG. 9) is positioned over surfaces  53   a  of sidewall  14  (see FIG. 6D). As insert member  60  is slid on sidewall member  14 , protrusions  80  of insert member  60  frictionally slide along side  36  of sidewall  14  until protrusions  80  snap into corresponding openings  54  in sidewall  14 .  
     [0046] In order to remove insert member  60  from sidewall  14 , bottom edge  68  of insert member  60  is first pried away from sidewall  14  so as to withdraw protrusions  80  from openings  54 . Next, insert member  60  is slid off of sidewall  14  so rails  82  are completely withdrawn from channels  42  and rails  70  and  72  are completely withdrawn from channels  50  and  52 , respectively.  
     [0047] The storage cabinet. housing or storage unit (not shown) with which drawer  10  is used utilizes interior slides that are typically rigidly attached to the inner walls of the cabinet, housing or storage unit as described in the foregoing description. Outer slide members are moveably attached to the interior slides. Such interior and outer slide members are generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,908, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. However, the aforementioned patent is cited merely to show the general operation of such interior and outer slides.  
     [0048] In accordance with invention, completely assembled drawer  10  (see FIG. 2) is slidably mounted within a cabinet, housing or other structure (not shown). Sin order to accomplish this, a pair of slide members are removably attached to the insert member (e.g. insert member  60 ) which are removably attached to sidewalls  14  and  16  of drawer  10 . One embodiment of such an outer slide member is shown in FIGS.  16 - 17 . Outer slide member  120  generally comprises front side  122 , rear side  124 , top lengthwise end  126 , bottom lengthwise end  128  and protruding members  130 ,  132 ,  134  and  136 . Outer slide  120  includes longitudinally extending axis  138 . Each protruding member  130 ,  132 ,  134  and  136  is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to axis  138 . Specifically, axis  138  generally bisects protruding members  132 ,  134  and  136  and extends through a portion of protruding member  130 . Protruding member  136  comprises a lip that extends in the direction of longitudinal axis  138 . Protruding member  136  has generally the same configuration as engagement region  66  shown in FIGS. 3 and 3 a  of U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,908. Each protruding member  132  and  134  comprises a lip that extends generally upward. Protruding members  132  and  134  have generally the same configuration as engagement region  68  shown in FIGS. 3 and 3 b  of U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,908 with the exception that protruding members  132  and  134  of the present invention extend upward rather downward. Protruding members  132  and  134  extend in a direction that is generally perpendicular to axis  138 .  
     [0049] Referring to FIGS. 2, 8 and  15 , in order to removably attach outer slide  120  to insert member  60 , slide  120  is positioned so that protruding members  130 ,  132 ,  134  and  136  confront side  62  of insert member  60 . Slide  120  is then maneuvered so that protruding member  136  is inserted into opening  92  of insert member  60 . Outer slide  120  is then maneuvered so that protruding member  132  is disposed in opening  96  of insert member  60 , and protruding member  134  disposed within opening  94 . The space existing between sidewall  14  and insert member  60  is sized to receive protruding members  132 ,  134  and  136  when these protruding members are inserted through openings  96 ,  94  and  92 , respectively. Once protruding members  132 ,  134  and  136  are inserted through openings  96 ,  94  and  92 , respectively, the user applies force to outer slide  120  in order to frictionally insert protrusion  130  into opening  98  of insert member  60 .  
     [0050] The predetermined positions of openings  92 ,  94 ,  96  and  98 , with respect to bottom edge  68  of insert member  60 , and the predetermined positions of protruding members  132 ,  134  and  136 , with respect to axis  138 , provide for a tight fitting attachment of outer slide  120  to insert member  60 . Thus, when protruding members  130 ,  132 ,  134  and  136  are completely inserted through openings  98 ,  96 ,  94  and  92 , respectively, protruding member  136  firmly abuts edge  100   a  of opening  92 , protruding member  132  firmly abuts edge  100   c  of opening  96 , protruding member  134  firmly abuts edge  100   b  of opening  94 , and protruding member  130  is frictionally inserted into opening  98 .  
     [0051] In order to remove outer slide  120  from insert member  60 , the user pries outer slide  120  away from insert member  60  SO as to withdraw protruding member  130  from opening  98 . The user then maneuvers outer slide  120  with respect to insert member  60  SO as to cause protruding members  132 ,  134  and  136  to be withdrawn from openings  96 ,  94  and  92 , respectively.  
     [0052] Drawer  10  can be fabricated from a variety of materials, e.g. metal, plastic, etc. In a preferred embodiment, drawer  10  is fabricated from plastic. Such suitable plastics include ABS, GPPS, Crystal Styrene, HDPE, HIPS, Nylon, PC, PCABS, PE, PP and SAN.  
     [0053] Thus, the improved drawer  10  of the present invention allows for the easy removal and replacement of insert member  60 . Furthermore, drawer  10  of the present invention allows streamlining of production lines, decreases the per-unit fabrication time, and improves production yield. Furthermore, drawer  10  of the present invention allows for easy replacement of damaged drawer outer slides, eliminates the need for factory refitting of drawers or discarding drawers with damaged drawer outer slides, can be configured to fit cabinets or varying sizes, and can be manufactured at a reasonable costs.  
     [0054] While the present invention has been particularly described, in conjunction with a specific preferred embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.