Supports: cabinet structure – Gang-bar type locking or latching means – Concealed
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-26
2001-07-03
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Supports: cabinet structure
Gang-bar type locking or latching means
Concealed
C312S221000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254205
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to rail assemblies, and more particularly to a homing device and interlock for a rail assembly.
Telescopic rails, or drawer slides, are widely used for guiding movement of drawers, shelves, and other sliding elements. One common application for telescopic rails is to guide movement of drawers in a lateral filing cabinet. A conventional lateral filing cabinet includes multiple drawers stacked one above the other (See FIG.
1
). Each drawer
210
,
212
and
214
is typically attached to the cabinet by a pair of telescopic rails
216
,
218
and
220
, one located at each end of the drawer. The telescopic rail includes a cabinet member
222
that is attached to the cabinet
200
, a drawer member
226
that is attached to the drawer
212
, and an intermediate member
224
that is positioned between the cabinet and drawer members (See FIG.
2
). The drawer member
226
is telescopically received within the intermediate member
224
which is, in turn, telescopically received within the cabinet member
222
. A bearing assembly (not shown), such as a ball cage, or other friction reducing components are sandwiched between the rails to provide smooth and easy movement of the drawer. In some applications, the intermediate member is eliminated and the drawer member is received within the cabinet member.
In applications that include multiple drawers or shelves, such as a lateral filing cabinet, it is often important to prevent more than one drawer from being drawn out of the cabinet at a time. If more than a single drawer is drawn out, there is an increased likelihood that the weight of the items contained in the drawer will upset the balance of the cabinet and cause it to tip forward. This is a well-known problem that is typically addressed by providing the cabinet with an “interlock.” Interlocks are available in a variety of different constructions. One such construction is a “stacked bar” construction, which includes a number of stacked locking bars located adjacent to the telescopic rails (See FIGS.
1
and
2
). The locking bars
202
,
204
and
206
are arranged so that the bottom of each locking bar is generally aligned with a corresponding rail
216
,
218
and
220
, respectively, and are free to move vertically. An inclined surface
208
is formed at the bottom of each locking bar
202
,
204
and
206
facing the corresponding rail
216
,
218
and
220
, respectively. To actuate the locking bars
202
,
204
and
206
, a ramp
230
is formed on the intermediate member
224
of each rail
216
,
218
and
220
. The ramp
230
is in horizontal alignment with the inclined surface
208
at the bottom of the corresponding locking bar
202
,
204
and
206
. When a drawer
212
is opened, the ramp
230
moves horizontally and, through interaction of the ramp
230
and inclined surface
208
, lifts the locking bars
202
and
204
located above that slide (See FIG.
2
). As a result, the inclined surfaces
208
of the locking bar
202
located above the open drawer are no longer aligned with the corresponding ramps
230
. This prevents any drawers located above the open drawer from being opened. Also, the ramp
230
of the open drawer obstructs upward movement any locking bars
206
located below the open drawer. This prevents any drawers located below the open drawer from being opened.
Another common feature in many telescopic rails is a “homing device.” A homing device is a mechanism that biases the rail, and consequently the drawer or shelf, in a closed position. Like interlocks, homing devices are available in a variety of different constructions. One particularly ingenious design includes a homing device
300
that is mounted to the rear of the cabinet member (See FIGS.
3
and
4
). The homing device
300
includes a base
302
and a pivot arm
304
that operatively interacts with the drawer member (not shown). The homing device
300
further includes a bias clip
306
that secures the pivot arm
304
to the base
302
. The bias clip
306
and pivot arm
304
are arranged in a conventional “over-center” relationship so that the bias clip
306
biases the pivot arm
304
in both open (See
FIG. 4
) and closed position (See FIG.
3
). When the drawer is closed, the bias clip
306
biases the pivot arm
304
in the closed position, thereby biasing the drawer in the closed position. When the drawer is opened, the pivot arm
304
pivots against the bias clip
306
until it passes its center point. After which, the bias clip
306
biases the pivot arm
304
in the open position, permitting the drawer to be fully opened. When the drawer is reclosed, the drawer member causes the pivot arm
304
to pivot back against the bias clip
306
until it passes back over its center point. After it has passed back over its center point, the bias clip
306
biases the pivot arm
304
in the closed position, thereby biasing the drawer in the fully closed position.
Although existing interlock and homing device constructions provide acceptable operation, a continuing need exists for more efficient and effective constructions. In particular, a need exists for effective interlock and homing devices that are easily and inexpensively manufactured and installed, and that require a minimum of modification to existing rail systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aforementioned need is satisfied by the present invention which provides a rail assembly with an integrated interlock and homing device. The interlock includes a series of locking bars and corresponding locking slides. The homing device includes an arm that is moved between open and closed positions as the rail is opened and closed, respectively. The arm is operatively connected to the corresponding locking slide. When the rail is opened, the arm is moved into the open position, thereby simultaneously opening the homing device and moving the locking slide (and locking bars) into the locked position. When the rail is closed, the arm is moved into the closed position, thereby simultaneously closing the homing device and moving the locking slide (and locking bars) into an unlocked position.
In a preferred embodiment, the homing device includes a pivot arm that is pivotally secured to a base by a resilient biasing clip. The elements are arranged in an “over-center” relationship so that the biasing clip biases the pivot arm in either the open position or the closed position, depending on the position of the arm. An actuator pin extends from the pivot arm into a slot in the locking slide so that pivotal movement of the arm results in sliding movement of the locking slide.
In a more preferred embodiment, the bottom of each locking bar includes an inclined surface facing an oppositely inclined surface on the corresponding locking slide. When a drawer is opened, the locking slide moves into the locked position with the inclined surfaces on the locking slide and locking bar interacting to lift the above locking bars and secure the below locking bars to prevent any additional drawers from being opened.
The present invention provides an effective and efficient homing device and interlock. The integrated design eliminates the need for separate interlock and homing devices. As a result, the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install. The present invention is also easily incorporated into conventional rail systems with minimal modifications to the design of preexisting components.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3874755 (1975-04-01), Hegg et al.
patent: 3900236 (1975-08-01), Goulish et al.
patent: 3909090 (1975-09-01), Breckner et al.
patent: 4298236 (1981-11-01), Laroche
patent: 4355851 (1982-10-01), Slusser
patent: 4768844 (1988-09-01), Ludwig
patent: 4865404 (1989-09-01), Harper
patent: 4889396 (1989-12-01), Mitchell et al.
patent: 4936640 (1990-06-01), Pratzer
patent: 5040858 (1991-08-01), Krus
Dopp Alex
Wright Alan R.
Cuomo Peter M.
Hansen James O.
Thomas Regout USA Inc.
Warner & Norcross & Judd LLP
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