Supports: cabinet structure – With movable components – Horizontally movable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-05-01
Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3636)
Supports: cabinet structure
With movable components
Horizontally movable
C312S334800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224178
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to slide assemblies. More particularly, the present invention relates to slide assemblies for slidably mounting an object within a receptacle.
DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Slide assemblies are mechanisms that are used to slidably mount objects, such as drawers, within a receptacle. A typical slide assembly comprises two or more rails that are coupled to each other such that the rails slidably move relative to one another along the longitudinal axes of the rails. Generally, the rails of the slide assembly are slidably movable between an open and a closed position. In the closed or non-extended position, an inner rail is fully nested within an outer rail of the rail assembly. In the open or extended position, the majority of the inner rail extends beyond the end of the outer rail so that only a portion of the inner rail is nested within the outer rail.
Slide assemblies are often used in environments that entail certain performance requirements regarding the moveability of one rail relative to another. For example, certain uses may require that the slide assemblies can be locked in either the open or the closed position. When locked in a given position, the slide assembly may only be closed or opened upon actuation of a control mechanism attached to the assembly. Alternatively, some uses may require that the slide assemblies can be moved out of the opened or closed position only if a certain threshold level of force is applied to the rails.
Currently, a control piece or mechanism is mounted to one or more of the rails in the slide assembly to regulate the movement of the rails relative to each other, such as described above. The type of control piece mounted to the rail assembly may be varied depending on the desired control characteristics of the rail assembly. The control piece is usually fixedly mounted to one of the rails in the slide assembly using attachment devices such as rivets, tabs, nails, screws, etc. The control piece may also be mounted through spot welding. Unfortunately, several drawbacks are associated with fixedly mounting a control piece to the rail.
For example, the use of special tools is required to mount the control piece with rivets or welding. This increases the expense of mounting the control piece to the rails, and also increases the amount of time required for installation. Moreover, the control piece may not be installed if such tools are not readily available.
Another drawback relates to the control piece being installed in the wrong position or orientation relative the rails of the slide assembly. It is difficult to remove an incorrectly-mounted control piece from the rails if the control piece is fixedly mounted using rivets or welding. As a result, if the control piece is incorrectly mounted, the slide assembly may be unusable. Even if the control piece is successfully removed, the rail is often left with unsightly holes or weld spots where the control piece was previously mounted.
There is therefore a need for a control piece that may easily attached to and removed from a slide assembly. Desirably, the control piece will not require the use of special tools or attachment devices and methods, such as screws, rivets or welding. Additionally, the control piece should be easily manufactured.
One aspect of the invention is a multi-section slide assembly particularly adapted to satisfy the foregoing needs. The assembly includes an elongate first rail, an elongate second rail, a first plurality of ball bearings, a second plurality of ball bearings, and a rail control. The first rail includes a first elongate web, between a first elongate outer roll form on one side and a second elongate outer roll form on an opposing side. The elongate second rail includes a second elongate web and is positioned between a first elongate inner roll form on one side and a second elongate inner roll form on a opposing side. The first inner roll form defines a first surface overhanging the second web and the second inner roll form defines a second surface overhanging the second web which defines a first opening. The first plurality of ball bearings is nested between the first outer roll form and the first inner roll form. Additionally, the second plurality of ball bearings is nested between the second outer roll form and the second inner roll form. Advantageously, the rail control comprises a body defining a mating surface and an alignment member raised with respect to the mating surface, the alignment member being sized and shaped to be received by the first opening of the second rail. The control further comprises a first foot portion along one side and a second foot portion along an opposing side. The first foot portion is sized and shaped to be secured between the second web and the first overhanging surface. The second foot portion is sized and shaped to be secured between the second web and the second overhanging surface.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of controlling movement of a slide assembly including a first rail section having a first roll form and a second roll form, a second rail section having a first roll form and a second roll form and a controller having a first foot portion and a second foot portion. The method comprises inserting the first foot portion between a web portion and a first overhanging portion of the first rail, aligning the first alignment member with the opening, and forcing the second foot portion between the first roll form and the second roll form until the second foot portion is positioned between the web portion and a second overhanging portion of the first rail.
Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a series of controllers for a slide assembly. The method comprises providing a base mold having a relief for molding a body defining a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a mating surface, an alignment member extending outward from the mating surface, a first interlock member along an outer portion of the first beam member and a second interlock member along an outer portion of the first beam member. The method further comprises selecting a first attachment mold insert from the group of lock, detent, and blank molds, inserting the first attachment mold insert at a first end of the relief, selecting a second attachment mold insert from the group of lock, detent, and blank molds, inserting the second attachment mold insert at a second end of the relief, and molding a controller.
In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed an improved rail controller. The controller comprises a body defining a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a mating surface, and an alignment member extending outward from the mating surface. The body defines a first elongate aperture and a first beam member along the first side of the body outboard from the first elongate aperture. The first aperture is sized and shaped to permit the first beam member to flex inward. A first interlock member is positioned along an outer portion of the first beam member. The body further defines a second elongate aperture and a second beam member along the second side of the body outboard from the second elongate aperture. The second aperture is sized and shaped to permit the second beam member to flex inward. A second interlock member is positioned along an outer portion of the first beam member.
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Anderson Jerry A.
Jonathan Manufacturing Corporation
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Wilkens Janet M.
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