DRAWER INTERLOCK SYSTEMS FOR FURNITURE

Abstract

A drawer locking system includes a support strap, a lock plate, and a lock hook. The lock plate is configured to mount to a locking rail of a piece of furniture. A lock hook is pivotally mounted to the lock plate and includes a body that has a first end portion and a second end portion. The lock hook has a locked configuration in which the first end portion is configured to engage a drawer to prevent the drawer from moving from a closed position towards an open position thereof. The lock hook has an unlocked configuration in which the first end portion is configured to disengage the drawer to allow the drawer to move from the closed position towards the open position. The second end portion is engaged with the support strap such that the support strap pivots the lock hook from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

Claims

1. A drawer locking system comprising: a support strap; a lock plate configured to mount to a locking rail; and a lock hook pivotally mounted to the lock plate, the lock hook comprising a body having a first end portion and a second end portion, the lock hook having a locked configuration in which the first end portion is configured to engage a drawer of a piece of furniture to prevent the drawer from moving from a closed position towards an open position thereof, the lock hook having an unlocked configuration in which the first end portion is configured to disengage the drawer to allow the drawer to move from the closed position towards the open position, the second end portion engaged with the support strap such that the support strap pivots the lock hook from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

2. The drawer locking system according to claim 1, wherein the support strap is configured to secure to structure to support the piece of furniture.

3. The drawer locking system according to claim 1, wherein the support strap pivots the second end portion downward to pivot the lock hook from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

4. The drawer locking system according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member configured to urge the lock hook towards the locked configuration.

5. The drawer locking system according to claim 4, wherein the biasing member is secured to the first end portion of the lock hook.

6. The drawer locking system according to claim 5, wherein the lock plate includes a mount, the biasing member having a first end secured to the mount and a second end secured to the first end portion of the lock hook.

7. The drawer locking system according to claim 6, wherein the lock plate includes a stop, the stop configured to engage the second end portion to prevent over pivoting of the second end portion beyond the unlocked configuration.

8. The drawer locking system according to claim 7, wherein the lock plate is of monolithic construction with the stop and the mount bent from in plane with the rest of the lock plate.

9. The drawer locking system according to claim 1, wherein the first end portion of the lock hook includes an arm that extends from the body to a hook, the hook configured to engage an inside surface of a rear of the drawer in the locked configuration of the lock hook to prevent the drawer from moving from the closed position.

10. The drawer locking system according to claim 1, further comprising a strap clamp secured to the second end portion, the strap clamp securing the support strap to the second end portion.

11. A piece of furniture comprising: a frame; a locking rail secured to the frame; a first drawer slidably supported in the frame, the first drawer having an open position and a closed position, the first drawer having a back end positioned adjacent the locking rail in the closed position; a second drawer slidably supported in the frame, the second drawer having an open position and a closed position, the second drawer having a back end positioned adjacent the locking rail in the closed position; a first drawer locking system according to claim 1, the lock plate of the first drawer locking system mounted to the locking rail behind the back end of the first drawer, the lock hook engaged with the back end of the first drawer in the locked configuration to prevent the first drawer from sliding from the closed position; and a second drawer locking system according to claim 1, the lock plate of the second drawer locking system mounted to the locking rail behind the back end of the second drawer, the lock hook engaged with the back end of the second drawer in the locked configuration to prevent the second drawer from sliding from the closed position, the support strap of the first drawer locking system and the support strap of the second drawer locking system forming a single continuous support strap such that the single continuous support strap transitions the first drawer locking system and the second drawer locking system from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in concert with one another.

12. The piece of furniture according to claim 11, wherein the frame includes a base positioned below the first drawer and the second drawer, the base is configured to be spaced apart from a support surface of the piece of furniture, the single continuous support strap configured to secure to the support surface or a wall below the base such that the first drawer locking system and the second drawer locking system are each transitioned to the unlocked configuration.

13. A drawer interlock system for a piece of furniture including a first drawer, a second drawer, and a locking rail secured adjacent a back end of each of the first drawer and the second drawer, the drawer interlock system comprising: a support strap; a first lock plate configured to mount to the locking rail adjacent the back end of the first drawer; a second lock plate configured to mount to the locking rail adjacent the back end of the second drawer; a first lock hook pivotally mounted to the first lock plate, the first lock hook comprising a body having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first lock hook having a locked configuration in which the first end portion of the first lock hook is configured to engage the back end of the first drawer to prevent the first drawer from moving from a closed position towards an open position thereof, the first lock hook having an unlocked configuration in which the first end portion of the first lock hook is configured to disengage the first drawer to allow the first drawer to move from the closed position towards the open position; and a second lock hook pivotally mounted to the second lock plate, the second lock hook comprising a body having a first end portion and a second end portion, the second lock hook having a locked configuration in which the first end portion of the second lock hook is configured to engage the second drawer to prevent the second drawer from moving from a closed position towards an open position thereof, the second lock hook having an unlocked configuration in which the first end portion of the second lock hook is configured to disengage the second drawer to allow the second drawer to move from the closed position towards the open position, the second end portion of the first lock hook and the second end portion of the second lock hook each engaged with the support strap such that the support strap pivots the first lock hook and the second lock hook from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in concert with one another.

14. The drawer interlock system according to claim 13, wherein downward movement of the support strap transitions the first lock hook and the second lock hook from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

15. The drawer interlock system according to claim 13, further comprising a first biasing member disposed between the first lock plate and the first lock hook, the first biasing member urging the first lock hook towards the locked configuration.

16. The drawer interlock system according to claim 15, wherein the first biasing member urges the support strap upwards.

17. The drawer interlock system according to claim 13, wherein first lock plate includes a first stop, the first stop configured to engage the second end portion of the first lock hook to prevent over pivoting of the second end portion of the first lock hook beyond the unlocked configuration.

18. A piece of furniture comprising: a frame; a locking rail secured to the frame; a first drawer slidably supported in the frame, the first drawer having an open position and a closed position, the first drawer having a back end positioned adjacent the locking rail in the closed position; a second drawer slidably supported in the frame, the second drawer having an open position and a closed position, the second drawer having a back end positioned adjacent the locking rail in the closed position; and a drawer interlock system according to claim 13, wherein the first lock plate is mounted to the locking rail adjacent the back end of the first drawer when the first drawer is in the closed position such that the first lock hook engages the back end of the first drawer when the first drawer is in the closed position and the first lock hook is in the locked configuration, the second lock plate mounted to the locking rail adjacent the back end of the second drawer when the second drawer is in the closed position such that the second lock hook engages the back end of the second drawer when the second drawer is in the closed position and the second lock hook is in the locked configuration.

19. A method of securing a piece of furniture from tipping, the method comprising: positioning the piece of furniture in a desired location; and securing a securement plate to a wall or a support surface adjacent a back side of the piece of furniture and below a frame of the piece of furniture, securing the securement plate including transitioning a first lock hook and a second lock hook of a drawer interlock system from a locked configuration in which a first drawer associated with the first lock hook and a second drawer associated with the second lock hook are prevented from sliding from a closed position to an unlocked configuration in which the first drawer and the second drawer are each capable of sliding from the closed position towards an open position.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein securing the securement plate includes tensioning the securement strap that extends between the securement plate and the frame of the piece of furniture such that the securement strap transitions the first lock hook and the second lock hook from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to tensioning of the securement strap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a rear view of a piece of furniture including a drawer interlock system provided in accordance with the present disclosure in a locked state;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the piece of furniture of FIG. 1 with the drawer interlock system in an unlocked state;

[0024] FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view of the piece of furniture of FIG. 2;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a drawer interlock device of the drawer interlock system of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a front view of the drawer interlock device of FIG. 4;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a top view of the drawer interlock device of FIG. 4;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a lock plate of the drawer interlock device of FIG. 4;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a lock hook of the drawer interlock device of FIG. 4;

[0030] FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of a strap clamp of the drawer interlock device of FIG. 4;

[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a securement plate of the support strap of the drawer interlock system of FIG. 2; and

[0032] FIG. 11 is front view of a strap buckle of the drawer interlock system of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to example embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. These example embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Features from one embodiment or aspect can be combined with features from any other embodiment or aspect in any appropriate combination. For example, any individual or collective features of method aspects or embodiments can be applied to apparatus, product, or component aspects or embodiments and vice versa. The disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, the, and the like include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to manufacturing or engineering tolerances or the like.

[0034] This disclosure is directed generally to a drawer interlock device that prevents the drawers of a piece of furniture from opening until a support strap of the drawer interlock device is secured to a fixed structure such as the floor or the wall. The support strap prevents or substantially reduces the possibility of the piece of furniture from tipping over, e.g., tipping forward.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a drawer interlock system 1 is provided in accordance with the present disclosure installed on a piece of furniture 100. The piece of furniture 100 includes a frame 102, a base 104, and may include one or more legs 106. The piece of furniture 100 also includes a locking rail 108 secured to the frame 102 and drawers 110, 120, 130. Each of the drawers 110, 120, 130 has a closed position in which a back of the respective drawer 110, 120, 130 is adjacent to or in contact with the locking rail 108 and an open position in which a back of the respective drawer 110, 120, 130 is spaced apart from the locking rail 108. In the open position, the respective drawer 110, 120, 130 is open to allow access to an interior of the respective drawer 110, 120, 130.

[0036] With particular reference to FIG. 1, the drawer interlock system 1 includes one or more drawer interlock devices 10, and a support strap 80. The support strap 80 includes a securement plate 88 that is securable to structure around the piece of furniture 100. When the drawer interlock system 1 is in the locked state, the support strap 80 is unsecured to structure and each of the drawer interlock devices 10 are in a locked configuration in which each of the drawers 110, 120, 130 is prevented from moving from the closed position towards an open position. In some embodiments, the drawer interlock devices 10 may allow a drawer to move from an open position to the closed position when the respective drawer interlock device 10 is in the locked configuration.

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the drawer interlock system 1 has an unlocked state in which the securement plate 88 of the support strap 80 is secured to structure such that each of the drawer interlock devices 10 are in an unlocked configuration in which each of the drawers 110, 120, 130 are allowed to move from the closed position towards an open position thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, when in the unlocked configuration, a lock hook 40 of the drawer interlock device 10 is pivoted upward to release a back of the drawer 130 to allow the drawer 130 to move towards the open position. In certain embodiments, the frame 102 may include a strap passage 109 that allows the support strap 80 to extend through the frame 102 adjacent the locking rail 108. The strap passage 109 may be circular, elliptical, rectangular, or any shape to allow the support strap 80 to pass through.

[0038] With reference to FIGS. 3-6, the drawer interlock device 10 is described in accordance with the present disclosure. The drawer interlock device 10 includes a lock plate 20, a lock hook 40, a strap clamp 60, and a biasing member 70. The lock plate 20 is secured to the locking rail 108 to attach the drawer interlock device 10 to the piece of furniture 100. The lock plate 20 is positioned such that the lock hook 40 is rotatable about the lock plate 20 between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration as described below. The lock hook 40 is positioned to capture a back of a respective drawer in the locked configuration and to release the back of the respective drawer in the unlocked configuration. The strap clamp 60 is secured to the lock hook 40 with a portion of the support strap 80 disposed therebetween such that the lock hook 40 is fixed to the portion of the support strap 80 by the strap clamp 60. The biasing member 70 is attached to the lock plate 20 and the lock hook 40 such that the biasing member 70 urges the lock hook 40 towards the locked configuration.

[0039] With additional reference to FIG. 7, the lock plate 20 includes a mounting plate 22, a ring mount 26, a stop 28, and a boss 32. The mounting plate 22 includes mounting holes 24 defined therethrough that are sized and dimensioned to receive fasteners 94 to secure the mounting plate 22 to the locking rail 108. The ring mount 26 extends forward from the mounting plate 22 and is configured to support the biasing member 70. The ring mount 26 and/or the stop 28 may be a portion of the mounting plate 22 that is cut from the mounting plate 22 and bent forward to extend from the mounting plate 22 such that the ring mount 26 and/or the stop 28 is out of plane with the remainder of the mounting plate 22. The ring mount 26 and/or the stop 28 may be bent at a right angle to the mounting plate 22.

[0040] The boss 32 extends forward from the mounting plate 22 and may be circular in shape. The boss 32 defines a pivot hole 33 therethrough that receives a pivot pin 34 therethrough. The pivot pin 34 may secure the lock hook 40 to the lock plate 20. The boss 32 may extend forward from the mounting plate 22 to prevent the lock hook 40 from contacting the mounting plate 22. The stop 28 may limit rotation of the lock hook 40 about the pivot pin 34 when transitioned to the unlocked configuration.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 8, the lock hook 40 includes a body 42 that extends between a first end portion 44 and a second end portion 46 thereof. The body 42 includes a pivot opening 48 that extends through the body 42 between the first end portion 44 and the second end portion 46. The pivot opening 48 receives the pivot pin 34 therethrough to rotatably secure the lock hook 40 relative to the lock plate 20.

[0042] The first end portion 44 includes an arm 52 that extends forward from the body 42 which terminates in a hook 54 that engages the back of a respective drawer to prevent the drawer from moving from the closed position towards to the open position when the lock hook 40 is in the locked configuration. The first end portion 44 of the body 42 includes a ring mount 50 that extends forward from the body 42 and is configured to receive a portion of the biasing member 70. The ring mount 50 may be positioned between the pivot opening 48 and the first end portion 44. The second end portion 46 includes a threaded hole 56 and may include a clamp opening 58 defined therethrough. The first end portion 44 may engage the ring mount 26 of the lock plate 20 to limit rotation of the lock hook 40 about the pivot opening 48 in the locked configuration. The second end portion 46 may engage the stop 28 in the unlocked configuration to limit rotation of the lock hook 40 about the pivot opening 48.

[0043] When the biasing member 70 is connected to the ring mount 50 of the lock hook 40 and the ring mount 26 of the lock plate 20, the biasing member 70 biases the lock hook 40 towards the locked configuration. The biasing member 70 may be a coil spring that is extended when the lock hook 40 is rotated towards the unlocked configuration such that the biasing member 70 resists the rotation of the lock hook 70 towards the unlocked configuration.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 9, the strap clamp 60 includes a clamp body 62 and clamp walls 68 that extend forward from opposite ends of the clamp body 62. The clamp body 62 includes a slot 64 defined therethrough. The clamp body 62 also includes a strap clip 66 that extends forward from the clamp body 62. The strap clip 66 may be cut from the clamp body 62 and bent forward. The strap clip 66 may engage the support strap 80 when the support strap 80 is received within the strap clamp 60.

[0045] The strap clamp 60 is secured to the second end portion 46 of the lock hook 40 by a fastener 92 that passes through the slot 64 and is threaded into the threaded hole 56. When the support strap 80 is received within the strap clamp 60, the support strap 80 passes forward of the clamp walls 68 and is captured between the clamp body 62 and the lock hook 40 with the clamp walls 68 urging the support strap 80 into the lock hook 40. The support strap 80 may be seated in the strap clip 66 to prevent the support strap 80 from moving away from the lock hook 40. The support strap 80 may be positioned between the fastener 92 and the strap clip 66. A portion of the strap clip 66 may be received in the clamp opening 58 when the strap clamp 60 is secured to the lock hook 40. When the strap clamp 60 is secured to the lock hook 40 such the support strap 80 is fixed to the lock hook 40, the support strap 80 transitions the lock hook 40 from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration as detailed below.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the securement plate 88 and the buckle 90 of the support strap 80 (FIG. 1) are described in detail. The securement plate 88 includes one or more openings 87 that extend through the securement plate 88. The openings 87 are sized and dimensioned to receive the fasteners 89 that secure the securement plate 88 to a structure. The securement plate 88 includes strap connectors 86 that define a passage to couple the securement plate 88 to the support strap 80. The structure may be a floor or surface that the piece of furniture rests or a portion of a wall such as a base board or stud of the wall. The structure needs to be sufficient to resist the tip over of the piece of furniture when the securement plate 88 is secured to the structure.

[0047] The support strap 80 may include a buckle 90 that receives the support strap 80 about the buckle member 98. The buckle 90 may include a plate rod 96 that is received in the strap connectors 86 of the securement plate 88. The buckle 90 may allow for adjustment of a length of the support strap 80 such that when the securement plate 88 is secured to the structure, the support strap 80 pulls downward on each of the lock hooks 40 to transition each of the drawer interlock devices 10 to the unlocked configurations thereof.

[0048] Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, a method of preventing a piece of furniture from tipping over is described in accordance with the present disclosure with reference to the piece of furniture 100 and the drawer interlock system 1. The method includes securing a drawer interlock system 1 to the piece of furniture 100. Securing the drawer interlock system 1 to the piece of furniture 100 may include fixing a locking rail 108 to the frame 102 of the piece of furniture 100 such that the locking rail 108 extends vertically and is adjacent the rear of the drawers 110, 120, 130 when the drawers 110, 120, 130 are in the closed position. Securing the drawer interlock system 1 may include mounting drawer interlock devices 10 to the locking rail 108 adjacent the back of each drawer 110, 120, 130 such that when the lock hooks 40 are in the locked configuration, the lock hooks 40 engage the back of the drawers 110, 120, 130 to prevent movement of the drawers 110, 120, 130 from the closed position towards the open position thereof.

[0049] The method includes positioning the piece of furniture 100 with the drawer interlock system 1 in position within a room of a building. With the piece of furniture 100 positioned, the support strap 80 of the drawer interlock system 1 is secured to structure. Securing the support strap 80 includes securing the securement plate 88 of the support strap 80 to the structure. In some embodiments, the structure may be the floor or a portion of a wall below the drawers of the piece of furniture. The structure may be a baseboard, a stud, flooring, or a floorboard. The structure should be sufficient to resist tipping of the furniture. When the securement plate 88 is secured to the structure, the support strap 80 may rotate each of the lock hooks 40 from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration such that the drawers 110, 120, 130 of the drawer interlock devices 10 are movable from the closed position towards the unlocked positions thereof. In some embodiments, after securing the securement plate 88 to the structure, the support strap 80 may be tightened using the buckle 90 to transition the drawer interlock devices 10 to the unlocked configurations.

[0050] The drawer interlock systems 1 detailed herein may be used to prevent pieces of furniture from tipping over when the drawer interlock systems 1 are secured to structure. In addition, when the drawer interlock systems 1 are not secured to structure, the drawers of the furniture are prevented from opening to reduce or prevent the possibility of the furniture tipping over.

[0051] While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope of the claims appended hereto.