Aspects of the present invention relate generally to drawer systems and, more specifically, to systems and methods for assisting the opening and closing action of drawers and similar pull-out components, including a damping mechanism to dampen, or soften, the end of the assisted motion of the drawer in both the opening and closing directions.
The conventional slide system includes a drawer member and a cabinet member, and may also include an intermediate member. The slide system facilitates the opening and closing of a drawer in a cabinet. Typically, the slide system is mounted between a side of a drawer and a sidewall of a cabinet, with the drawer member affixed to the drawer, and the cabinet member affixed to the cabinet.
The conventional slide system may also include a self-closing mechanism. A typical self-closing mechanism includes a slide component slidably mounted on the cabinet member of the slide system and spring biased in the closing direction, and an engagement component fixedly mounted on the drawer member of the slide system. When the drawer is in the closed position, the engagement component is fully engaged with the slide component. As the drawer is pulled open, the engagement component pulls the slide component in the opening direction of the drawer against the spring force. When the slide component reaches a certain point, it locks into position and releases the engagement component. The slide component remains in the locked position until it is released by the engagement component when the drawer is pushed back to a closed position. Once it is released, the spring biased slide component, now back in full engagement with the engagement component, pulls the engagement component in the closing direction of the drawer, thereby pulling the drawer to a closed position.
Such self-closing mechanisms, however, provide assistance only in the closing direction of the drawer. As such, movement of the drawer in the opening direction is completely unassisted. In addition, even in the closing direction, the typical self-closing mechanism provides assistance only in the latter portion of the drawer's travel, when the drawer has already been pushed inwards most of the way. There is therefore a need for systems that provide assistance in both the opening and closing directions of the drawer and, preferably, along a larger portion of the drawer's travel. In addition, to avoid hard slamming, “bounce-back”, and/or noise that may exist at the end of the assisted motion in each of the opening and closing directions, there is a need for assisted-motion systems that include and/or incorporate a damping mechanism to provide a “soft”, or damped, end-of-travel effect in both the opening and closing directions.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems (and associated methods) that are economical to manufacture, simple to install, remove, adjust, and re-install, easy to customize, and easy to operate for assisting the linear opening and closing motion of drawers and other pull-out components in a manner that provides soft opening, as well as soft closure travel.
It is noted that, in the ensuing description, reference is made to a “drawer” and, more specifically, to a cabinet drawer. However, this is for illustrative purposes only, and not by way of restriction or limitation, and the principles of the inventions described herein may be applied to other pull-out components and/or systems that include one or more pull-out components, such as, for example, office furniture, home furniture, kitchen appliances, general cabinetry (e.g., kitchen, garage, storage, etc.), tool boxes, automotive applications, shelves and shelf systems, etc. In addition, while certain components are described as being coupled to, or engageable with, a cabinet member and others are described as being coupled to, or engageable with, a drawer member, it is understood that, in embodiments of the invention, such coupling and/or engagement may be interchangeable between the cabinet and drawer members. Similarly, where a component is described as being coupled to, or engageable with, one side of a drawer or cabinet, it is understood that, in embodiments of the invention, the component may be coupled to, or engageable with, the opposite side of the drawer/cabinet. In further embodiments, one such component may be coupled to, or engageable with, each side of the drawer/cabinet. It is also noted that descriptors such as “left side” and “right side” are used herein for ease of reference only, and do not restrict the structure, means for manufacturing, or operation of, or otherwise limit, embodiments of the invention.
As shown in
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the linear opening (i.e., outwards) and closing (i.e., inwards) motion of the drawer 10 is assisted by a strut 100 that, at one end, may be coupled to the cabinet member 20 via a cabinet member bracket 200 and, at an opposite end, may be coupled to the back (vertical) panel 14 of the drawer 10 via a drawer bracket 300. In embodiments where the pull-out component is a shelf or similar component without a full-height back panel—such as panel 14—the bracket 300 may be coupled to the shelf by coupling either directly onto the rear of the shelf, if the shelf has sufficient thickness proximate its rear end, and/or to the undersurface of the shelf proximate its rear end.
As shown in
The rod sub-assembly 119 includes a stem 120 which, in embodiments of the invention, may be tubular throughout its length. See, e.g.,
Specifically, as shown in
Thus, where the receptacles at the ends 122, 124 of the stem 120 have a circular cross-section, the press-fit members 132, 142 may be generally conical, so as to be matingly received by, and held within, the respective receptacle at the ends of the stem 120. Other geometries are also possible, as long as the press-fit members can be press fit into and held by the stem's ends. Of course, regardless of the specific geometry, in embodiments where the stem may be solid through most of its length, the receptacle proximate each of its ends must still have sufficient longitudinal depth to receive and hold the entire length of the press-fit member (i.e., up to the flange 133, 143).
At its opposite end, the rod tail 140 includes an anchor 146 having a first clip member 147 and a second clip member 148. In embodiments of the invention, the members 147, 148 may be made of elastic and/or resilient material so as to be able to flex towards the longitudinal portion 141. With reference to
In embodiments of the invention, the piston 150 is generally tubular, having a circular cross-section and a first longitudinal portion 151 that has a relatively larger diameter than a second longitudinal portion 153. The transition between the first portion 151 and the second portion 153 defines a ledge 156 upon which rests one end of the spring 190. See, e.g.,
As noted, the instant description is provided by way of illustrative example, rather than limitation. In the illustrative example, the spring 190 is a compression spring, although various types of springs may be used in embodiments of the invention. As noted previously, one end of the spring 190 may be in contact with the ledge 156 of the piston 150. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 10-12, in embodiments of the invention, the opposite end of the spring 190 is in contact with a cabinet bracket clevis 160.
More specifically, the cabinet bracket clevis 160 includes a spine 162 that is relatively flat on a first side 161 and, on a second opposite side, is integral with a coupling member 164. The spine 162 is also integral with two extension arms 163, 165, each of which extends substantially perpendicularly to the spine 162 and includes a respective longitudinal slot 166, 168. At its base, the longitudinal slot 166 includes an aperture 167. Similarly, the longitudinal slot 168 includes an aperture 169 at its base.
As shown in
In embodiments of the invention, the cabinet bracket clevis 160 and the tube 102 are held together via a locking clip 170. See
On an opposite end 105 of the tube 102, the rod sub-assembly 119 and the spring 190 are maintained within the tube by the combination of a tube cap 110 and a second locking clip 170. As shown in
In addition, as described above in connection with the end 103 of the tube 102, a locking clip 170 is coupled to the tube 102 such that a first transverse protrusion 171 is received in the aperture 116 of slot 113 and in one of the apertures 106, and the second protrusion 172 is received in the aperture 117 of slot 115 and in the other one of the apertures 106. It is noted that, in embodiments of the invention, pins—such as, e.g., dowel pins—may be used to couple the tube cap 110 to the tube 102 through the orifice(s) 106, and the cabinet bracket clevis 160 to the tube 102 through the orifice(s) 104, thereby obviating the need for the locking clips 170. Thus, while fewer components would need to be manufactured, the assembly process may be more labor intensive. In addition, when the locking clips 170 are used, the strut 100 may be disassembled more quickly and more easily when needed, including for repair and/or replacement of components, such as, e.g., a failed spring, in the field.
An embodiment of the cabinet member bracket 200 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14A-14D. With reference to
As noted previously, in embodiments where the pull-out component is a shelf or similar component without a full-height back panel—such as panel 14 of drawer 10—the bracket 300 may be coupled to the shelf by coupling either directly onto the rear of the shelf, if the shelf has sufficient thickness proximate its rear end, and/or to the undersurface of the shelf proximate its rear end. In these, and other similar instances, the vertical section 315 of the bracket 300 may be modified—e.g., some, or all, of the vertical section 315 may be rotated counterclockwise by 90° so as to be parallel to, or coplanar with, the horizontal section 305—or even eliminated altogether, as warranted by the characteristics of the shelf. In the latter case, where the vertical section 315 is eliminated, the horizontal section 305 may include one or more transverse attachment holes for coupling the bracket 300 to, e.g., an undersurface of the shelf.
With reference to
A cabinet member bracket 200 is welded onto, or otherwise coupled to, the cabinet member 20 at approximately the longitudinal midpoint of the slide travel which, in embodiments of the invention, corresponds to the longitudinal midpoint of the drawer travel. With the brackets 200, 300 in place, the strut 100 may be coupled between the two brackets in order to urge the drawer towards both the open and closed directions. Specifically, on one side, the strut 100 is connected by engaging the coupling member 164 of the cabinet bracket clevis 160 to the clevis pin 230 of the cabinet member bracket 200. On the opposite side, the strut 100 is connected by engaging the coupling member 136 of the rod-subassembly 119 to the clevis pin 310 of the drawer bracket 300.
In operation, the strut 100 serves to apply a limited force to the drawer 10 to urge it to open, when it is partially open, or to close, when partially closed. Specifically, as the drawer is pulled out, the angle of the strut 100 relative to the line of motion (or travel) changes from about −40° to about +40°. The longitudinal component of the force applied by the spring 190—and, therefore, through the strut 100—either resists or assists the motion of the drawer 10, while the crosswise component of the force is countered by reaction of the slides.
As noted before, in order to maximize the stroke length of the system, the cabinet member bracket 200 is mounted about mid-stroke, resulting in about 40% of the stroke resisting, and about 40% of the stroke assisting, the motion of the drawer 10. In the middle of the stroke, i.e., in a region around “dead center”, where the strut is essentially perpendicular to the cabinet member 20, the crosswise force is at a maximum, as the spring 190 is maximally compressed. Therefore, in this middle portion, comprising about 20% of the entire stroke, slide movement effort is minimal as there is essentially no longitudinal force component and, as such, no motion-assist in either direction.
Thus, starting from a closed position, as the drawer 10 is pulled open, the longitudinal component of the spring force resists the drawer's outward motion, until the above-mentioned middle portion is reached. As the drawer continues to be pulled open through the middle portion, the outward motion of the drawer is essentially unaffected by the strut. However, once the end of the middle portion—i.e., about 60% of travel—is reached, the spring's expansion assists the outward motion of the drawer until the drawer has reached the fully open position.
Similarly, from the fully open position, as the drawer is pushed inwards toward the closed position, the spring resists the drawer's motion as it is compressed. The resistance then ceases through the middle portion of travel. Once again, at about 60% of (inward) travel, the spring's expansion assists the inward motion of the drawer until the drawer has reached the fully closed position.
In the embodiments shown in the figures, the coupling members 136 and 164 are held together by molded clip-locks that basically provide for snap-on connection to the respective clevis pins 310, 230. As such, an important advantage of aspects of the invention is that the strut 100 may be detached or taken apart and reassembled very quickly without the need for hand tools.
Similarly, an end user can disconnect and remove the drawer without the need to reach behind the drawer and disconnect the strut. The resilient spring action of the coupling member 136 will frictionally release from the drawer bracket clevis pin 310 as the drawer members 16 are disconnected from the intermediate members 17 and/or the cabinet members 20 and the drawer 10 is pulled and removed from the cabinet structure. Thus, the ability to easily disconnect the strut and remove the drawer may be realized when the drawer members are disconnectable from the intermediate and/or cabinet members.
An additional advantage of embodiments of the invention is the potential to “dial” in spring forces for specific (OEM) type applications. That is, a custom spring could be specified, with a higher (or lower) spring rate based the specific needs of the user and the system's intended application.
A further advantage of embodiments of the invention is provided through the rod-subassembly 119. More specifically, at the end of stroke, i.e., with the spring 190 fully extended, and the drawer 10 in the fully open position, the clip members 147, 148 are able to travel outwards (i.e., in the extension direction) through the respective slots 157, 158 for an additional distance, which provides an un-assisted extension at the end of stroke. In embodiments of the invention, this feature may allow about one inch of extension from the piston when it reaches the end of stroke. This, in turn, may correspond to, e.g., about 1.5″ of un-assisted travel for the drawer 10, assisting the connection of the clevis to the clevis pin 310. This feature is useful for disconnecting and reconnecting the drawer to the strut, especially within a vertical bank of drawers, with limited access to the back of the drawer boxes. The clevis pin on the drawer bracket may be offset to the rear to improve visibility, aiding the connecting activity.
In this regard, it is also noted that the fingers 232, 234 of the cabinet member bracket 200 serve to prevent the strut 100 from becoming oriented too close to parallel, relative to the cabinet member 20, when the drawer 10 is removed. Thus, fingers 232, 234 may be used to prevent damage to the strut 100 when the drawer 10 is reinserted, as the strut may be contacted by the lower portion and/or corner of the drawer. In short, the fingers 232, 234 restrict the strut from moving into an unfavorable position for/during reinsertion of the drawer.
It is important to note that embodiments of the invention may be used in association with standard slides ranging from, e.g., 12 to 28 inches in length. Various strut sizes may be provided in order to cover the range of strokes for the above-mentioned lengths, while fitting in specific narrow drawers. As noted above in connection with
Various components described herein may be “standard”, or common, regardless of the strut size (length) that is used. For example, both locking clips 170, the clevis pins 230, 310, the tube cap 110, and the rod tail 140 may be used interchangeably among various struts. In addition, the spring coil diameter, wire diameter, and pitch may be common to the various strut sizes, with only the free length varying accordingly. The spring is designed with substantial margin for its stroke, and a certain amount of adjustment for the open and closing assist force is possible by slightly varying the spring's free length.
With limitations on drawer widths, as previously mentioned, the length of travel or stroke may be greater than the width of the drawer. This condition places a high demand on the usable stroke of the spring, as it is desirable to provide maximum stroke, with minimal spring force. For this condition, minimal space is taken by the common components (mentioned above), to achieve the maximum assisted stroke within the aforementioned limited drawer width.
An illustrative example of an alternative embodiment including a damping mechanism is shown in
In contrast to the strut 100, however, the strut 1100 includes an integrated damping mechanism (or damper) 1140 which is configured to soften, or dampen, the end of the assisted motion of the drawer in both the opening and closing directions. Thus, in conjunction with the carriage 1119, the damper 1140 serves to enhance the operation of the systems described herein by substantially reducing or eliminating any “bounce-back” and/or noise that may exist at the end of the assisted motion in each of the opening and closing directions.
As with the embodiments described previously, the rod sub-assembly, or carriage 1119 includes a rod 1120, a drawer bracket clevis 1130, and a piston 1150. Moreover, the piston 1150 has a first longitudinal portion 1151 and a second longitudinal portion 1153 with a relatively smaller diameter than the first longitudinal portion 1151, with the transition between the first and second longitudinal portions defining a ledge 1156 upon which rests one end of the spring 1190. However, the carriage 1119 no longer includes a rod tail. Rather, proximate the free end of the first longitudinal portion 1151, the piston 1150 now includes a press-fit member 1158 that is received directly in a receptacle at one end of the rod 1120. At its opposite end, the rod 1120 receives a press-fit member 1132 of the drawer bracket clevis 1130.
In the embodiment shown in
Each of the clamp shells includes a transverse pin that extends perpendicularly from an inner surface of the shell. Thus, for example, the clamp shell 1180b includes a pin 1189 that extends perpendicularly from an inner surface of the first arcuate portion 1186; a similar pin, not shown, extends perpendicularly from the inner surface of the first arcuate portion 1182 of the clamp shell 1180a.
To operationally couple the damper 1140 to the carriage 1119 and, therefore, the strut 1100, the tube 1102 includes respective first and second slots 1108, 1109 that run longitudinally through the wall of the tube, spaced 180° from one another. Similarly, the piston 1150 includes a first slot 1157 and second, opposing slot (not shown), that are also spaced 180° from one another and are aligned, respectively, with the longitudinal slots 1108, 1109. As shown, the transverse pin 1189 is received into a slot opposite slot 1157 of the piston 1150 through the longitudinal slot 1109 of the tube 1102. Similarly, the transverse pin of the clamp shell 1180a (not shown) is received into the slot 1157 of the piston 1150 through the longitudinal slot 1108 of the tube 1102. With this construction, the damper 1140 translates back and forth along the tube 1102 in concert with the piston 1150.
As with previously-described embodiments, at its end 1105, the tube 1102 is coupled to a tube cap 1110 having a first extension arm 1112 (with a first tube-cap slot having an aperture therein) and an opposing second extension arm 1114 (with a second tube-cap slot and also having an aperture therein). Thus, when assembled, the tube cap 1110 is placed on the end 1105 of tube 1102, with one of the apertures 1106 of the tube 1102 being aligned with the aperture of the first tube-cap slot, the other aperture 1106 being aligned with the aperture of the second tube-cap slot, and the coupling member 1136 of the drawer bracket clevis 1130 protruding through the orifice 1111.
However, rather than being coupled to one another through a locking clip, the tube cap 1110 and the tube 1102 are coupled via tube cap pins 1107. In addition, the second extension arm 1114 now includes a transverse (with respect to the second extension arm) flange 1116. In operation, the flange 1116 is disposed such that it is on the same side of the tube 1102 as the damper 1140, and is oriented so as to serve as a contact point with an end 1145 of the damper piston 1144, thereby slowing the strut travel at each end (i.e., drawer opening and drawer closing) of the assisted motion (see
Also, the generally U-shaped coupling member 1136 of the drawer bracket clevis 1130 is rotated, i.e., from an axial direction with respect to the strut, to a perpendicular direction, such that the assembly to the drawer clevis pin is in a rotational arc, swinging the strut assembly into position and snapping the coupling member 1136 to the drawer clevis pin from the side. This side directional connection helps eliminate inadvertent disengagement of the strut from the drawer at the end of the dampened travel. The structure of the coupling member 1136 of the drawer bracket clevis 1130, therefore, is quite similar to that of the coupling member 1164 of the cabinet bracket clevis 1160.
As noted, the presently-disclosed embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. For example, in embodiments of the invention, a strut may be coupled to each side of a drawer system, in which case the width of the drawer must be greater than double the minimum length for each strut assembly, in order to ensure that the struts stay on the same plane while, at the same time, clearing each other when in the horizontal or middle zone. In alternative embodiments, the cabinet-member end of the strut may be mounted directly to the side wall of the cabinet, e.g., by screws or other attachment means. Additionally, or alternatively, the drawer end of the strut may be mounted, or otherwise coupled directly to, the underside or back side of the drawer. In such embodiments, the cabinet member bracket and/or the drawer bracket would be eliminated, thereby resulting in fewer components, but also a more permanent attachment than would be provided when releasable coupling members (e.g., coupling members 136, 164) are used.
In addition, the cabinet member bracket and/or the drawer bracket may be modified in accordance with the specific type of cabinet member and/or drawer. Thus, as noted previously, the principles of the inventions herein may be applied to drawer systems with outer members having various cross-sectional configurations, such as, e.g., a generally “L” shaped configuration, or a generally asymmetrical “C” shaped configuration, wherein the two parallel portions of the “C” are of different lengths, etc.
It is noted that, while an air damper 1140 is shown in
Thus, with reference to
Specifically, in one embodiment shown in
The strut 3100 includes an integrated damping mechanism having a damper 3140 which is configured to soften, or dampen, the end of the assisted motion of the drawer in both the opening and closing directions. More specifically, working in conjunction with an inner tube 4102 that houses a second spring 4190, the damper 3140 serves to enhance the operation of the systems described herein by substantially reducing or eliminating any “bounce-back” and/or noise that may exist at the end of the assisted motion in each of the opening and closing directions. As shown, the damping mechanism is contained entirely within the strut 3100. In embodiments of the invention, the damper 3140 may be, e.g., an air damper or an oil damper.
Also housed within the strut 3100 is a cylindrical piston 3120, which includes a first longitudinal portion 3123, a second longitudinal portion 3125, and a third longitudinal portion 3127, with the second longitudinal portion having a relatively larger diameter than the first and third longitudinal portions. See, e.g.,
In this regard, the damping mechanism also includes an inner tube 4102 that extends axially through the first spring 3190. The inner tube 4102, in turn, houses a second spring 4190. The second spring 4190 is disposed between the cabinet bracket clevis 3160 and a spring seat 3146 which is slidably coupled to the damper shaft 3144 proximate a first (free) end 3144a thereof. More specifically, as shown in
At their respective first ends, i.e., the right-hand side of the diagrams in
With the above-described construction, the strut 3100 is configured such that, as the first spring 3190 expands, causing the third longitudinal portion 3127 of the piston 3120 to exit the second end 3105 of the outer tube 3102, the piston's first longitudinal portion 3123 slides over the inner tube 4102 and away from the strut's first end 3103. Thus, as the strut 3100 begins to move from the fully-retracted position shown in
As noted, the above description relates to a “reverse damper”. Nevertheless, in embodiments of the invention, a “forward damper” may be used, wherein, when the strut moves from the fully-extended position (i.e., drawer fully open or fully closed) to the fully-retracted position (i.e., neutral region in which the drawer is between the fully-closed and fully-open positions), the damper shaft extends first. On the other hand, when the strut moves from the fully-retracted position to the fully-extended position, the damper shaft retracts last, thereby slowing the strut travel at each end (i.e., drawer opening and drawer closing) of the assisted motion.
As shown in
Also, as with the embodiment of
In an embodiment of the invention, the cabinet bracket clevis 3160 may include a fork-shaped coupling member 3164, 4164. In the embodiment shown in
As the clevis pin contacts the fingers 3161, 3165, the latter flex outwards to allow the pin to become disposed in a first “circle” 3164a. While the clevis pin is in this first circle, it can be disengaged from the coupling member 3164 with a minimal pulling force. However, if the clevis pin continues to be pushed in, it becomes lodged in a second “circle” 3164b, where it is rotatably held in place by extensions 3163a, 3167a of the springs 3163, 3167, such that the strut 3100 will not become disengaged from the cabinet member bracket (and, therefore, from the cabinet) with a simple outward pull on the drawer occurring during normal use. It is noted that the coupling member 3164 also includes protrusions 3168 on each of opposing arms 3166 that, in one embodiment, may be received within apertures 3104 proximate the strut's first end 3103, thereby removably coupling the cabinet member clevis 3160 to the strut 3100. See, e.g.,
In an alternative embodiment, shown in
As has been noted previously, embodiments of the invention may be used in association with standard slides ranging from, e.g., 10 to 28 inches in length. Various strut sizes may be provided in order to cover the range of strokes for the above-mentioned lengths, while fitting in specific narrow drawers. In addition, drawer width limitations as related to drawer slide length are predicated on the available cross space when the strut rotates into the middle zone of action, during either the opening or the closing motion. Thus, in embodiments of the invention, various “spacers” may be used to provide the needed stroke and accommodate various drawer widths and slide lengths.
Specifically, as shown in
Thus,
Finally, in
The embodiments discussed above in connection with
Moreover, during normal operation, the strut 3100 is securely, yet releasably, coupled at both ends. As such, whenever there is an impact, such as a hard push or pull on the drawer, the heavy damping force will not cause accidental self-release of the drawer bracket clevis from the clevis pin. Rather, when, for example, the drawer is removed with a heavy pull-out force, the strut is automatically released from the cabinet bracket clevis pin 3230, 4230, and consequently, from the cabinet itself, without the need to manually disconnect the connector at the drawer side and without damaging any components.
It is understood that one or more of the components and/or sub-components described herein in connection with a specific embodiment may be used in conjunction with one or more of the components and/or sub-components described in connection with a different specific embodiment. Thus, while the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/237,946, filed Aug. 28, 2009 and Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/171,395, filed Apr. 21, 2009, and is related to application Ser. No. 12/549,699, filed Aug. 28, 2009, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61237946 | Aug 2009 | US | |
61171395 | Apr 2009 | US |