Patent ID: 12213587

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1is a perspective view showing a slide111and release bar113coupled to a drawer115. The slide is mounted to a side of the drawer, with usually a corresponding slide mounted to the drawer's opposing side (not visible inFIG.1). The slide(s) allows for extension of the drawer from a cabinet or rack. The slide includes a latch for keeping the slides in the retracted position, hence keeping the drawer in a closed position. The release bar is coupled to a front119of the drawer by opposing end caps117a,b, shown at opposing sides of the front of the drawer. Activation of the release bar unlatches the latch, allowing for extension of the slides, hence opening of the drawer. For the embodiment ofFIG.1, the release bar is activated by pressing down on the release bar.

FIG.2is a cross-sectional view of the slide and release bar coupled to the drawer ofFIG.1, along the sectional line2-3shown inFIG.1.FIG.2shows the left end cap mounted to the face of the front of the drawer. The release bar is within an outline formed by the end cap. The release bar is shown in an unactivated position. InFIG.2, a spring211is shown as normally biasing the release bar in an upwards direction.

A mounting bracket213is also coupled to the face of the front of the drawer, although the mounting bracket may be instead coupled to the end caps. The mounting bracket includes a vertical forward slot215, away from the drawer, with a forward vertical wall of the release bar partially extending into the slot. A top of the release bar extends toward the face of the front of the drawer. A curled end from the top of the release bar, the end towards the drawer, is positioned above a forward end of a release lever217for the drawer slide. In various embodiments the end is not curled, with either a bottom side of the top of the release bar or some extension from the top of the release positioned above the release lever. The release lever serves to unlatch an inner slide member of the drawer slide from an outer slide member of the drawer slide.

FIG.3is also a cross-sectional view of the slide and release bar coupled to the drawer ofFIG.1, along the sectional line2-3shown inFIG.1, but with the release bar in the activated position (and the spring not shown for clarity). InFIG.3, the top of the release bar has been pressed downward. With the release bar pressed downward, the forward vertical wall of the release bar more fully extends into the slot of the mounting bracket, and the curled end of the release bar presses the forward end of the release lever downward.

FIG.4is a perspective view of a drawer slide that may be used with the invention. The drawer slide includes a latch arm on an extending member of the drawer slide, and a latch receiver on a fixed member of the drawer slide. ForFIG.4, the drawer slide is a three member telescopic drawer slide. In various embodiments, the number of slide members may vary, and the drawer slide may be of a different type than a telescopic drawer slide.

The drawer slide ofFIG.4includes an outer member411, an intermediate member413, and an inner slide member415. Each member, whether the outer member, intermediate member, or inner member, generally comprises a longitudinal vertical web with raceways extending horizontally from upper and lower margins of the vertical web. The raceways of the outer member and the intermediate member and the raceways of the intermediate member and inner member may be in contact with one another, as in a friction drawer slide. Perhaps more commonly, and as with the drawer slide ofFIG.4, sets of bearings slidably or rollably couple the raceways of the outer member and the intermediate member, and sets of bearings slidably or rollably couple the raceways of the intermediate member and inner member.

The outer member411is normally mounted to a cabinet frame or sidewall. The intermediate member413is nested within the outer member, with the intermediate member extendably coupled to the outer member. The inner member415, in turn is nested within the intermediate member, with the inner member extendably coupled to the intermediate member. The inner member is normally mounted to a side of a drawer within the cabinet.

A release lever217extends forward from the front of the inner member. The release lever is mounted to a pin or shoulder rivet, attached to the web of the inner member. A torsion spring, also attached to the pin or shoulder rivet, normally biases the release lever to an upward position, flush with and continuing a longitudinal line formed by the length of the upper raceway of the inner member. A tab421extends from a portion of a structure of the release tab. The tab extends in an inward direction from the web of the inner member, towards the outer member, with the slide in a retracted or closed position. The tab includes a ramped surface, so as to partially rotate the release lever, to allow the tab to pass under a catch417of the outer member. The catch417may be a bent over portion at the end of the forward end of the outer member, positioned so as to capture the tab. Alternatively, the catch may in the form of a hook, shaped out of the web of the outer member, for example as shown inFIG.1(and later inFIGS.13-14and elsewhere). The intermediate member includes a cutout419, positioned so as to allow the tab to interact with the catch of the outer member.

FIG.5shows a top view of the slide ofFIG.4, in the extended position. The top view shows the outer member411, the intermediate member413extending from the outer member, and the inner member415extending from the intermediate member. The top view also shows the release lever217extending forward from the inner member, and the tab421extending outward from the inner member in a direction towards a plane defined by the web of the outer member.FIG.5shows that the tab extends sufficiently far so as to engage with the catch of the outer member.

FIG.6shows a front view of the slide ofFIG.4, also in the extended position. The front view illustrates the ramped tab421as positioned below the release lever217, with the ramped tab extending sufficiently far so as to allow for capture of the tab by the catch417.

FIG.7is a perspective view showing a slide711and an alternative release bar713coupled to a drawer715. As with the embodiment ofFIG.1, the slide is mounted to a side of the drawer, with usually a corresponding slide mounted to the drawer's opposing side (not visible inFIG.7). The slide(s) allows for extension of the drawer from a cabinet or rack. The slide includes a latch for keeping the slides in the retracted position, hence keeping the drawer in a closed position. The release bar is coupled to a front of the drawer by opposing end caps, shown at opposing sides of the front of the drawer. Activation of the release bar unlatches the latch, allowing for extension of the slides, hence opening of the drawer. For the embodiment ofFIG.7, the release bar is activated by pressing down on the release bar.

FIG.8shows a perspective view of a portion of the alternative release bar, pivotally engaged with a mounting bracket811. The mounting bracket forms a generally U-shaped channel, with a top forward edge having a slot to receive a forward edge of the top of the release bar. The slot is somewhat rounded, as is the forward edge of the top of the release bar, such that forward edge of the top of the release bar is captured within the slot.

FIG.9is a cross-sectional view of the slide and alternative release bar coupled to the drawer ofFIG.7, along the sectional line9-10shown inFIG.7. Similar toFIG.2,FIG.9shows the left end911cap mounted to the face of the front of the drawer. The release bar is within an outline formed by the end cap. The release bar is shown in an unactivated position. A spring may be used to normally bias the release bar in an upwards direction, as discussed with respect toFIG.2, but the spring is omitted fromFIG.9for clarity.

The mounting bracket is also coupled to the face of the front of the drawer, although the mounting bracket may be instead coupled to the end caps. The top of the release bar extends from the slot of the mounting bracket and towards the face of the front of the drawer. A curled end from the top of the release bar, the end towards the drawer, is positioned above a forward end of a release lever for the drawer slide. In various embodiments the end is not curled, with either a bottom side of the top of the release bar or some extension from the top of the release positioned above the release lever. The release lever serves to unlatch an inner slide member of the drawer slide from an outer slide member of the drawer slide.

FIG.10is also a cross-sectional view of the slide and alternative release bar coupled to the drawer ofFIG.7, along the sectional line9-10shown inFIG.7, but with the release bar in the activated position. InFIG.10, the top of the release bar has been pivoted downward. With the release bar pivoted downward, the curled end of the release bar presses the forward end of the release lever217downward.

FIGS.9and10also show the bottom of the U-shaped channel of the mounting bracket as having a longitudinal convex surface. The convex surface may be convenient in that the convex surface may act as a stop for downward movement of the release lever, thereby also limiting extent of pivoting of the top of the release bar.

FIG.11is a perspective partial view showing a slide1111and a further release bar1113coupled to a drawer1115. As withFIGS.1and7, the slide is mounted to a side of the drawer, with usually a corresponding slide mounted to the drawer's opposing side (not visible inFIG.1). The slide(s) allows for extension of the drawer from a cabinet or rack. The slide includes a latch for keeping the slides in the retracted position, hence keeping the drawer in a closed position. The release bar is coupled to a front of the drawer by opposing end caps, at opposing sides of the front of the drawer, with only a right end cap shown in the partial view ofFIG.11. Activation of the release bar unlatches the latch, allowing for extension of the slides, hence opening of the drawer. For the embodiment ofFIG.11, the release bar is activated by squeezing the release bar and the mounting bracket to which the release bar is coupled.

FIG.12is a perspective partial view of the slide and further release bar coupled to the drawer ofFIG.11.FIG.12shows a portion of a pivot arm1211, with the pivot arm extending over a release lever1213of the slide. The pivot arm is pivoted through displacement of the release bar away from the drawer, which may be accomplished by squeezing the release bar and the mounting bracket1215.

FIG.13is a side view of the slide and further release bar coupled to the drawer ofFIG.11, with the side of the end cap made transparent. The mounting bracket has a horizontal lower surface extending away from the face of the front of the drawer, a vertical wall extending upward from a forward edge of the lower surface, and a horizontal upper surface extending back to the drawer from an upper edge of the vertical wall. The surfaces of the mounting bracket form a somewhat C-shaped channel facing the drawer, and the release bar is dimensioned so as to fit in the C-shaped channel of the mounting bracket.

The embodiment of the release bar ofFIG.13is also shown as having a generally C-shaped cross-section, facing outward away from the drawer. In many embodiments a spring, not shown, normally biases the release bar away from the vertical wall of the mounting bracket. A tab1311extends from a vertical portion of the channel, with the tab extending towards the drawer. The tab includes a pin1313for contacting an actuation arm1315, with the actuation arm coupled to a base of the pivot arm with extends over the release lever. The release lever also includes a tab1319, extending out of the page inFIG.13, with the tab captured in a catch slot of a receiver of an outer member of the drawer slide. The receiver of the outer member is slightly different than that of the drawer slide ofFIGS.4-6. For the outer member ofFIG.13, the receiver may be considered to provide an opening extending into a front edge of the outer member, with the opening further including the catch slot extending vertically upwards. The receiver therefore may be considered to create a retaining hook1317in the outer slide member, with the tab of the release lever to be captured by the retaining hook.

FIG.14is also a side view of the slide and further release bar coupled to the drawer ofFIG.11, with the side of the end cap made transparent. InFIG.14, however, the release bar has been actuated, resulting in the tab of the release lever exiting the catch slot and clearing the hook of the outer member. InFIG.14the release bar has been displaced towards the vertical wall of the mounting bracket. With such forward displacement of the release bar, the pin pushes the actuation arm, resulting in pivoting of the pivot arm downward. The pivoting of the pivot arm downward in turn pushes the release lever downward, such that the tab of the release lever clears the retaining hook of the outer member of the drawer slide. As the release lever is mounted to the inner member, the inner member is now free to extend from the outer member.

FIG.15shows portions of a further drawer slide, in an extended position. The further drawer slide may be used to extendably couple a drawer to in a cabinet or rack. As with the drawer slide ofFIG.4, the slide ofFIG.15includes an outer member1511, an intermediate member1513, and an inner member1515. The intermediate member is extendably coupled to the outer member, and the inner member is extendably coupled to the intermediate member. The outer member includes a retaining hook1517formed of a cutout in a forward edge of the outer member.

InFIG.15, a release arm1519is mounted about a forward edge of the inner member, with the release arm including a tab1521that may be captured by the retaining hook of the outer member. The intermediate member includes a cutout in its forward edge, allowing for capture of the tab of the release arm by the retaining hook of the outer member, with the drawer slide in the retracted or unextended position.

The release arm extends from an end of an arm of a torsion spring1523, with the release arm extending rearward and at a slightly downward angle along the length of the inner member. The torsion spring is mounted on a pin1525or shoulder rivet extending out from a web of the inner member, with the arm of the torsion spring extending forward and at a slightly downward angle along the length of the inner member. In various embodiments the release arm may instead so extend from an end of another arm, for example also mounted to the pin or shoulder rivet, with the torsion spring configured to act on the other arm.

A push blade1527extends out from the web of the forward end of the inner member. The push blade, when displaced inward towards a rear of the inner member, displaces the release arm downward and slightly rearward. The push blade may do so by way of an edge, ramp, or pin, contacting the arm of the torsion spring, the other arm, or apex between such and the release arm, or the tab of the release arm, depending on the embodiment.

FIGS.16and17are a side view of the further drawer slide ofFIG.15, in the retracted position. InFIG.16, the tab of the release arm is captured in the hook of the outer member. With the tab so captured, the inner member is prevented from extending forward.FIG.17shows the same view asFIG.16, with a portion of the outer member cut away, so as to more fully show the release arm and associated components.

FIGS.18and19are also a side view of the further drawer slide ofFIG.15, in the retracted position. In the views ofFIGS.18and19, however, the push blade has been displaced inward, and the tab of the release arm is clear of the hook of the outer member. With the tab clear of the hook of the outer member, the inner member is free to extend forward.

FIG.20is a perspective view of a push bar2011and mounting bracket2013that may be used with the further drawer slide ofFIG.15. The push bar has a substantially planar face, offset in parallel from a substantially planar face of the mounting bracket. For convenience, the push bar has upper and lower edges curled towards the mounting bracket and the mounting bracket has a generally U-shaped square channel extending rearward along the bottom of the planar face, for use in attaching the mounting bracket to a drawer front.

FIGS.21and22are side views of the push bar and mounting bracket ofFIG.20coupled to a drawer slide2111, for example the drawer slide ofFIG.15. The push bar having a neck2211extending through the mounting bracket, for example through an aperture in the mounting bracket. The neck ends in a head2213, aligned with and proximate a front edge of the push blade1529of the drawer slide.FIG.21shows the push bar positioned away from the mounting bracket, and in various embodiments a spring or other mechanism may be used to normally bias the push bar away from the mounting bracket.FIG.22shows the push bar pressed against the face of the mounting bracket, pressing the head into the blade of the drawer slide, thereby causing the blade to move inward and release the tab of the release arm from the hook of the outer member.

FIG.23is a perspective partial view showing a slide2311coupled to a drawer2313, with a mount2315for a lever coupled to a face of the drawer, or alternatively to the slide. As withFIG.1, the slide is mounted to a side of the drawer, with usually a corresponding slide mounted to the drawer's opposing side (not visible inFIG.23). The slide(s) allows for extension of the drawer from a cabinet or rack. The slide includes a latch for keeping the slides in the retracted position, hence keeping the drawer in a closed position. The slide may be as discussed with respect toFIG.15.

FIG.24shows a side view of the drawer, one of the mounts, and a lever2411coupled to the mount.

Also visible is a forward end of the blade1527for releasing the latch, by way of releasing the tab of the release arm of the inner member from the hook of the outer member of the drawer slide. The lever may be mounted to a pin2511extending from a side of the mount, as may be seen inFIG.25. As shown inFIG.24the lever includes a socket or aperture for receiving the pin, approximately halfway along the length of the lever inFIG.24, although various embodiments may otherwise position the socket or aperture. Rotation of a first part of the lever away from the drawer causes the lever to pivot about the pin, with a second part of the lever moving towards the drawer, as may be seen inFIG.24. An end of the lever moving towards the drawer is aligned with the blade of the inner member, pushing the blade inward so as to release the release tab from the hook of the outer member, for example as discussed with respect toFIGS.15,18and19.

FIG.26shows a further embodiment of a mechanism for releasing a latch of a drawer slide. InFIG.26, a connecting bracket2613may be coupled to a lever arm2611, for example of the slide ofFIG.4. The connecting bracket may be used to operate the lever so as to release the latch. Alternatively, a handle2615may be mounted to the connecting bracket, to possibly increase ease of operation.

FIG.27shows a further embodiment of a release bar2711coupled to a slide2715, in turn mounted to a side of a drawer. The release bar may be moved both upward and downward to release a latch of the slide. ForFIG.27, gearing is provided in an end cap2713to which the release bar is mounted, with the gearing allowing for bidirectional operation of the release bar.

Although the invention has been discussed with respect to various embodiments, it should be recognized that the invention comprises the novel and non-obvious claims supported by this disclosure.