Patent Description:
In general, a drawer assembly that is slidably coupled to draw an object in and out is installed in a mounting structure such as a dishwasher and an oven.

The drawer assembly is provided with a slide rail for allowing the object to be smoothly drawn in and out of the mounting structure. The slide rail may be provided with a rolling portion in the form of a ball or roller and moved smoothly when sliding so that user convenience can be improved.

In addition, the slide rail is fixed to the mounting structure through a fixing part, and a fixing force of the fixing part is weakened due to continuous movement of the slide rail, which often causes deformation and separation of the slide rail. Therefore, as a method for maintaining a high coupling force of the fixing part, a fixing part having a complex structure or a structure using a high elastic force has appeared, but there are problems in that a great force is required for coupling and manufacturing costs are increased.

In the case of the conventional fixing part using a complex structure or a high elastic force so as to improve a fixing force of the fixing part with respect to a slide rail, the fixing force is improved during coupling, but there is a problem in that an excessive force and effort are required when the fixing part is separated from the slide rail.

Accordingly, there is an increasing need for an easy clip which improves the convenience of a slide rail by allowing a user to easily separate and couple the rail from and to a wire rack of a mounting structure.

The structure of the easy clip needs to be simple and have high assembly convenience and needs to be easily mounted on and separated from the wire rack with less force.

A fixing assembly comprising the features of the preamble portion of claim <NUM> is known from <CIT> and also from <CIT>.

Further fixing assemblies are known from <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention is directed to providing an alternative fixing assembly which, by using two-piece type fixing parts coupled to a slide rail, allows the slide rail to be firmly and quickly mounted on a wire rack through a simple operation and to be easily and conveniently separated from the wire rack.

This technical problem is solved by a fixing assembly comprising the features of claim <NUM>.

When an external force is applied upward to the side extension portion, the inclined portion formed integrally with the side extension portion is moved downward using a point, at which the connection portion and the side extension portion are connected, as a fulcrum.

According to one aspect of the present invention, by using two-piece type fixing parts which are coupled to a slide rail and act complementarily to each other, the slide rail is fixed to a wire rack, thereby simplifying an assembly structure of a fixing assembly.

In addition, due to the simplified assembly structure, the fixing assembly of the present invention is coupled quickly and firmly in a coupling process, thereby improving coupling convenience.

The fixing assembly of the present invention has a structure that can be easily separated with a small force in a separating process so that separation convenience can be improved.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments but can be realized in various other ways. In the drawings, certain parts not directly relevant to the description are omitted to enhance the clarity of the present invention, and like reference numerals denote like parts throughout the whole document.

Throughout the whole document, the terms "connected to" or "coupled to" are used to designate a connection or coupling of one element to another element and include both a case where an element is "directly connected or coupled to" another element and a case where an element is "indirectly connected or coupled to" another element via still another element. In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, "comprising" or "including" any components will be understood to imply the inclusion of other components rather than the exclusion of other components.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a fixing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a fixing assembly <NUM> of the present invention includes a wire rack <NUM> mounted inside a main body of a mounting structure, a slide rail <NUM> coupled to the wire rack <NUM> and disposed to be slidably movable, and a fixing part <NUM> formed to fix the slide rail <NUM> to the wire rack <NUM>.

The fixing assembly <NUM> is coupled to a mounting structure such as a dishwasher, an oven, or the like and serves to draw an object in and out in a sliding manner.

According to one embodiment, the fixing assembly <NUM> of the present invention includes the wire rack <NUM> mounted inside the main body of the mounting structure.

More specifically, the wire rack <NUM> includes a pair of vertical frames <NUM> disposed vertically and at least one horizontal frame <NUM> configured to connect the vertical frames <NUM> horizontally. Accordingly, a load applied from the horizontal frame <NUM> may be transmitted to the main body of the mounting structure through the vertical frame <NUM>.

The horizontal frame <NUM> includes a horizontal portion <NUM> and angular end portions <NUM> having an "L shape" formed at both ends of the horizontal portions <NUM>. In this case, the angular end portions <NUM> may be coupled to the vertical frames <NUM> so that the horizontal frame <NUM> may be horizontally fixed to the vertical frame <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the slide rail <NUM> that is slidably movable may be coupled to the wire rack <NUM>.

More specifically, the slide rail <NUM> includes a fixed rail <NUM> fixed to the horizontal frame <NUM> and at least one movable rail <NUM> provided on the fixed rail <NUM> so as to be slidably movable. Accordingly, the slide rail <NUM> is formed to have a structure in which the at least one movable rail <NUM> slides to one side or the other side to draw an object in and out according to a user's need.

Meanwhile, the fixed rail <NUM> is coupled to the wire rack <NUM> by the fixing part <NUM> including a first fixing clip <NUM> and a second fixing clip <NUM>. The fixing part <NUM> may be made of a hard material such as a metal.

More specifically, the first fixing clip <NUM> and the second fixing clip <NUM> may be coupled to one end portion and the other end portion of the fixed rail <NUM> and coupled to the wire rack <NUM> so that the fixed rail <NUM> may be fixed to the wire rack <NUM>.

That is, the fixed rail <NUM> is coupled and fixed to the wire rack <NUM> by the first fixing clip <NUM> and the second fixing clip <NUM> which have different structures to act complementarily to each other, and the movable rail <NUM> is formed on the fixed rail <NUM> to be slidably movable.

<FIG> shows perspective views and a front view of the first fixing clip according to one embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> illustrates the first fixing clip coupled to the wire rack and the slide rail according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first fixing clip <NUM> includes a first plate portion <NUM>, a plate extension portion <NUM>, a first bent portion <NUM>, and a second bent portion <NUM>.

More specifically, the first fixing clip <NUM> includes the first plate portion <NUM> which is made of a hard material such as a metal and is coupled to the fixed rail <NUM> through welding, rivets, bolts, or the like in contact with one surface of the fixed rail <NUM>. That is, one surface of the fixed rail <NUM> is seated on and coupled to an upper surface of the first plate portion <NUM> to form an integral structure.

According to one embodiment, the first fixing clip <NUM> may include the first bent portion <NUM>, which is formed integrally with the first plate portion <NUM> at one side of the first plate portion <NUM> to be bent and formed to support an inner side of the angular end portion <NUM>, and the second bent portion <NUM> which extends from the first bent portion <NUM> to be bent and formed to support a lower side of the angular end portion <NUM>.

In this case, the fixed rail <NUM>, the first bent portion <NUM>, and the second bent portion <NUM> may be formed to form an approximately "⊂" shape. The first fixing clip <NUM> may be fixedly supported on the angular end portion <NUM> through a space in the "⊂" shape.

Meanwhile, the first fixing clip <NUM> may further include the plate extension portion <NUM> extending from the first plate portion <NUM> to one side.

In this case, the plate extension portion <NUM>, the first bent portion <NUM>, and the second bent portion <NUM> may be formed to form an approximately "c" shape. The first fixing clip <NUM> may be fixedly supported on the angular end portion <NUM> through a space in the "⊂" shape. In addition, the plate extension portion <NUM> may be coupled to the fixed rail <NUM> through welding, rivets, bolts, or the like in contact with one surface of the fixed rail <NUM>. Accordingly, since the horizontal frame <NUM> is not in direct contact with the fixed rail <NUM>, it is possible to prevent damage to the fixed rail <NUM> due to continuous use.

Meanwhile, the first plate portion <NUM> may include a first upper plate portion <NUM> and a first lower plate portion <NUM> formed below the first upper plate portion <NUM>, the plate extension portion <NUM> may be formed to extend from the first upper plate portion <NUM>, and the first bent portion <NUM> may be formed to be bent from the first lower plate portion <NUM>. In this case, the first upper plate portion <NUM> and the first lower plate portion <NUM> may be formed to be in surface contact with each other or may be formed to have a small gap.

In addition, the second bent portion <NUM> may include a first support portion <NUM> formed to fixedly support the lower side of the angular end portion <NUM>, a convex portion <NUM> which extends from the first support portion <NUM> and is formed to be convex upward, and a guide portion <NUM> which is formed to be inclined downward from the convex portion <NUM> and guides an approach to the angular end portion <NUM>.

According to one embodiment, the shortest distance L1 from an upper end of the convex portion <NUM> to the plate extension portion <NUM> may be formed to be less than a diameter L2 of the angular end portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, the convex portion <NUM> may serve as a locking protrusion when coupled to the angular end portion <NUM>. That is, when a user applies a predetermined force, the convex portion <NUM> may be pushed downward by the angular end portion <NUM>, and thus, the first fixing clip <NUM> may be coupled to the angular end portion <NUM>. After the first fixing clip <NUM> is coupled, the convex portion <NUM> serves to prevent lateral separation and fixedly supports the angular end portion <NUM> together with the first support portion <NUM>, the first bent portion <NUM>, and the plate extension portion <NUM>.

The guide portion <NUM> is formed to be inclined downward from the convex portion <NUM> and serves to primarily guide coupling when the first fixing clip <NUM> is coupled to the angular end portion <NUM>. In addition, due to a shape thereof being inclined downward, the guide portion <NUM> guides an approach to the convex portion <NUM> and the first support portion <NUM> when coupled to the angular end portion <NUM>, and thus, even when the user does not visually check that a process of the coupling is preferably performed, the user can recognize the process. Therefore, the guide portion <NUM> enables quick and easy coupling.

<FIG> shows perspective views and a front view of the second fixing clip according to one embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> illustrates the second fixing clip coupled to the wire rack and the slide rail according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second fixing clip <NUM> includes a second plate portion <NUM>, a connection portion <NUM>, a side extension portion <NUM>, a second support portion <NUM>, an extension portion <NUM>, and an inclined portion <NUM>.

More specifically, the second fixing clip <NUM> includes the second plate portion <NUM> which is made of a hard material such as a metal and coupled to the fixed rail <NUM> through welding, rivets, bolts, or the like in contact with one surface of the fixed rail <NUM>. That is, one surface of the fixed rail <NUM> is seated on and coupled to an upper surface of the second plate portion <NUM> to form an integral structure. In addition, after being coupled to the horizontal frame <NUM>, the second plate portion <NUM> is positioned on the horizontal frame <NUM> (more specifically, on the angular end portion <NUM>).

After being coupled to the horizontal frame <NUM>, the second support portion <NUM> is positioned below the horizontal frame <NUM> (more specifically, below the angular end portion <NUM>) to support a lower end of the angular end portion <NUM>. That is, the second support portion <NUM> is formed to be parallel to the second plate portion <NUM> in one direction from the connection portion <NUM>, that is, in a direction in which the horizontal portion <NUM> extends.

The connection portion <NUM> is formed to be bent downward from one end of the second plate portion <NUM> and connects the second plate portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the second fixing clip <NUM> is formed such that, after being coupled to the horizontal frame <NUM>, the second plate portion <NUM>, the second support portion <NUM>, and the connection portion <NUM> surround the angular end portion <NUM>. In this case, preferably, the connection portion <NUM> is disposed outside the angular end portion <NUM> and configured to connect the second plate portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the side extension portion <NUM> is formed to extend in the other direction from the connection portion <NUM>, that is, in a direction opposite to the direction in which the horizontal portion <NUM> extends. That is, the side extension portion <NUM> may be formed integrally with the second support portion <NUM> formed in one direction from the connection portion <NUM>, that is, in the direction in which the horizontal portion <NUM> extends.

More specifically, the side extension portion <NUM> may include a second upper plate portion <NUM> and a second lower plate portion <NUM> formed below the second upper plate portion <NUM>. The second upper plate portion <NUM> may be formed to extend in the other direction from the connection portion <NUM>, that is, in a direction opposite to the direction in which the horizontal portion <NUM> extends, and the second lower plate portion <NUM> may be formed integrally with the second support portion <NUM> formed in one direction from the connection portion <NUM>, that is, in the direction in which the horizontal portion <NUM> extends. That is, the second upper plate portion <NUM> may be formed to be connected to an end of the connection portion <NUM>, and the second lower plate portion <NUM> may be formed to be connected to the second support portion <NUM>. The second upper plate portion <NUM> and the second lower plate portion <NUM> may be formed to be in surface contact with each other or may be formed to have a small gap.

In this case, the second upper plate portion <NUM> may be provided with a strength reinforcing portion <NUM> bent upward. The strength reinforcing portion <NUM> prevents deformation of the side extension portion <NUM> due to continuous use, and as will be described below, the strength reinforcing portion <NUM> serves as a stopper in contact with the slide rail <NUM> in a separating process of the second fixing clip <NUM>.

The side extension portion <NUM> does not serve to directly engage in coupling in a process of being coupled to the horizontal frame <NUM>, and as will be described below, the side extension portion <NUM> serves to allow separation from the horizontal frame <NUM> to be easily performed with less force using a principle of a lever in a separating process after coupling.

The extension portion <NUM> is formed to extend from the second support portion <NUM> so as to face the second plate portion <NUM>. That is, the extension portion <NUM> is formed in a direction in which the horizontal portion <NUM> extends from the angular end portion <NUM>.

In addition, the inclined portion <NUM> is formed in a direction from one side of the extension portion <NUM> to the horizontal portion <NUM> so as to be inclined upward. The inclined portion <NUM> may be formed to have elasticity.

In this case, a vertical distance D1 between an upper end of the inclined portion <NUM> and the second plate portion <NUM> may be formed to be less than a diameter D2 of the horizontal portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the inclined portion <NUM> may serve as a locking portion in a process of being coupled to the horizontal frame <NUM> as will be described below.

When the second fixing clip <NUM> is mounted on the horizontal frame <NUM>, the second fixing clip <NUM> is horizontally moved toward the horizontal frame <NUM>. Accordingly, an external force is applied such that the second fixing clip <NUM> comes into contact with the angular end portion <NUM>, and in this case, the horizontal portion <NUM> and the inclined portion <NUM> come into contact with each other. Thereafter, when an external force is continuously applied, the inclined portion <NUM> is elastically deformed to be opened downward. When the second fixing clip <NUM> passes through the horizontal portion <NUM> and comes into contact with the angular end portion <NUM>, the inclined portion <NUM> is restored to be inclined upward again.

After the inclined portion <NUM> is restored, one end of the inclined portion <NUM> and the horizontal portion <NUM> are in contact with each other. That is, after the second fixing clip <NUM> is mounted on the horizontal frame <NUM>, one end of the inclined portion <NUM> and an outer peripheral surface of the horizontal portion <NUM> are in contact with each other. Accordingly, the second fixing clip <NUM> may be easily mounted on the horizontal frame <NUM> due to elastic deformation of the inclined portion <NUM>. After the second fixing clip <NUM> is mounted on the horizontal frame <NUM>, the second fixing clip <NUM> is firmly and fixedly supported on the horizontal frame <NUM> unless there is a separate operation for separation. Therefore, according to the application of the present invention, the second fixing clip <NUM> can be easily and reliably coupled to the horizontal frame <NUM>.

<FIG> shows usage state views illustrating a coupling process of the second fixing clip according to one embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> shows usage state views illustrating a separating process of the second fixing clip according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A process of coupling the fixing part <NUM> coupled to the slide rail <NUM> to the wire rack <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

First, the first fixing clip <NUM> coupled to one end portion of the fixed rail <NUM> is fixedly supported on the angular end portion <NUM> formed at one end of the horizontal frame <NUM>, and the second fixing clip <NUM> coupled to the other end portion of the fixed rail <NUM> is horizontally moved about the fixedly supported first fixing clip <NUM> and coupled to the angular end portion formed at the other end of the horizontal frame <NUM>. In this case, the inclined portion <NUM> of the second fixing clip <NUM> and the horizontal portion <NUM> of the horizontal frame <NUM> come into contact with each other, and when an external force is continuously applied, the inclined portion <NUM> is elastically deformed downward. Thereafter, when the second fixing clip <NUM> passes through the horizontal portion <NUM> and comes into contact with the angular end portion <NUM>, the inclined portion <NUM> is restored upward again.

That is, in the process of the coupling, the inclined portion <NUM> serves as a locking portion and an approach guide, and after the coupling, the inclined portion <NUM> serves to prevent separation. Accordingly, in a state in which there is no artificial external force, the second fixing clip <NUM> may be firmly and fixedly supported on the horizontal frame <NUM>.

A process of separating the fixing part <NUM> coupled to the slide rail <NUM> from the wire rack <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>.

First, when a user gripes the slide rail <NUM> coupled to the wire rack <NUM> and the side extension portion <NUM> provided to be parallel to the slide rail <NUM> with his or her fingers and applies an external force, the side extension portion <NUM> formed in a beam shape is moved upward. In this case, the side extension portion <NUM> is moved until the strength reinforcing portion <NUM> comes into contact with the slide rail <NUM>.

Accordingly, the second support portion <NUM>, the extension portion <NUM>, and the inclined portion <NUM> formed integrally with the side extension portion <NUM> are moved downward according to a principle of a lever by using a point, at which the connection portion <NUM> and the side extension portion <NUM> are connected, as a fulcrum.

That is, the inclined portion <NUM> may no longer be in contact with the horizontal portion <NUM> and may be positioned below the horizontal portion <NUM>, and the second fixing clip <NUM> may be easily separated horizontally by the user.

According to the fixing part <NUM> according to the present invention, lateral separation is prevented by the first bent portion <NUM> of the first fixing clip <NUM> and the connection portion <NUM> of the second fixing clip <NUM>, vertical separation is prevented by the plate extension portion <NUM> and the first support portion <NUM> of the first fixing clip <NUM> and the second plate portion <NUM> and the second support portion <NUM> of the second fixing clip <NUM>, and horizontal separation is prevented by the first bent portion <NUM> of the first fixing clip <NUM> and the inclined portion <NUM> of the second fixing clip <NUM>, and thus the slide rail <NUM> may be firmly and fixedly supported on the wire rack <NUM>.

In addition, since horizontal separation of the inclined portion <NUM> can be easily performed according to a principle of a lever due to a configuration of the side extension portion <NUM> during separation, both a coupling process and a separating process can be easily performed.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A fixing assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a wire rack (<NUM>) including a vertical frame (<NUM>) and a horizontal frame (<NUM>);
a slide rail (<NUM>) including a fixed rail (<NUM>) coupled to the wire rack (<NUM>) and a movable rail (<NUM>) disposed on the fixed rail (<NUM>) to be slidably movable; and
a fixing part (<NUM>) configured to couple the fixed rail (<NUM>) to the wire rack (<NUM>),
wherein the fixing part includes a first fixing clip (<NUM>) provided at one side of the fixed rail (<NUM>) and a second fixing clip (<NUM>) provided at the other side of the fixed rail <NUM>);
wherein the first fixing clip (<NUM>) is laterally supported on the horizontal frame (<NUM>), and then the second fixing clip (<NUM>) is horizontally fixed to the horizontal frame (<NUM>)
wherein the second fixing clip (<NUM>) includes:
a second plate portion (<NUM>) positioned on the horizontal frame (<NUM>) and coupled to be in contact with one surface of the fixed rail (<NUM>);
a connection portion (<NUM>) formed to be bent downward from one end of the second plate portion (<NUM>) so as to support an outer side of one angular end portion (<NUM>) of the horizontal frame (<NUM>);
a second support portion (<NUM>) positioned below the horizontal frame (<NUM>) and formed to face the second plate portion (<NUM>) in one direction from an end of the connection portion (<NUM>) which is a direction in which a horizontal portion (<NUM>) of the horizontal frame (<NUM>) extends, wherein the second plate portion (<NUM>), the second support portion (<NUM>), and the connection portion (<NUM>) surround said angular end portion (<NUM>) of the horizontal frame (<NUM>);
characterized in that
an extension portion (<NUM>) is formed to extend from said second support portion (<NUM>) so as to face the second plate portion (<NUM>);
an inclined portion (<NUM>) is formed in a direction from one side of the extension portion (<NUM>) to the horizontal portion (<NUM>) of the horizontal frame (<NUM>) so as to be inclined upward; and
a side extension portion (<NUM>) is formed to extend in the other direction from the connection portion (<NUM>), that is, in a direction opposite to the direction in which the horizontal portion (<NUM>) extends.