PRESSURE RELEASE SLIDE LATCH MECHANISM

Abstract

A pressure release slide latch mechanism for a drawer slide assembly comprises an outer slide, an intermediate slide mounted in the outer slide, and an inner slide mounted in the intermediate slide, a channel plate having a track portion and a guide block attached to the outer slide and a carriage slidingly engaged and biased along the track portion. A pin of a follower pivotally attached to the inner slide engages the guide block to releasably maintain the drawer slide assembly in a closed position and releases upon an inward force applied to the drawer slide assembly.

Claims

1. A method for closing and opening a drawer using a pressure release slide latch mechanism, the method comprising the steps of: providing a guide block, where an entrance to the guide block includes a first redirecting surface and a second redirecting surface; initiating a closing force in a proximal direction; urging a carriage against a spring bias in the proximal direction; directing a pin of a follower with the entrance; engaging the guide block with the pin; abutting the pin with a latch member of the guide block; maintaining the pin abutment with the spring bias of the carriage; initiating a secondary force in the proximal direction to disengage the pin from the latch member; and, disengaging the pin from the guide block in a distal direction with the spring bias.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of engaging a guide block with a pin of a follower further comprises the step of: engaging a ramp of the guide block.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of engaging a guide block with a pin of a follower further comprises the step of: redirecting the pin through an inlet channel of the guide block.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of engaging a guide block with a pin of a follower further comprises the step of: redirecting the pin into a first positioning recess of the guide block.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of engaging a guide block with a pin of a follower further comprises the step of: moving the pin in the distal direction.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of engaging a guide block with a pin of a follower further comprises the step of: redirecting the pin to engage the latch member.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of disengaging the pin from the guide block in a distal direction with the spring bias further comprises the step of: redirecting the pin into a second positioning recess of the guide block.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of disengaging the pin from the guide block in a distal direction with the spring bias further comprises the step of: moving the pin in the distal direction.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of disengaging the pin from the guide block in a distal direction with the spring bias further comprises the step of: redirecting the pin through an outlet channel of the guide block.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of disengaging the pin from the guide block in a distal direction with the spring bias further comprises the step of: redirecting the pin into the ramp.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of disengaging the pin from the guide block in a distal direction with the spring bias further comprises the step of: disengaging the pin from the ramp.

12. A method for releasably maintaining a drawer of a piece of furniture in a closed position using push to open mechanism attached to a drawer slide assembly, the method comprising: providing a channel plate having a track and a guide block; providing the guide block with a ramp leading to an inlet shoulder having a first redirecting surface and an outlet shoulder having a second redirecting surface; providing the guide block with a latch member between the inlet shoulder and the outlet shoulder and having a third redirecting surface; providing the inlet shoulder adjacent an inlet channel; providing the inlet channel to lead to a first positioning recess; providing the guide block with a fourth redirecting surface between the first positioning recess and a second positioning recess; providing the second positioning recess to lead to an outlet channel; providing the outlet channel adjacent the outlet shoulder; slidingly engaging a carriage with the track; biasing the carriage along the track with a pair of springs connected to the track and the carriage; pivotally connecting a follower to the drawer slide assembly; releasably engaging a pin of the follower with the latch member; and, slidingly engaging a guide post of the follower with the drawer slide assembly.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of slidingly engaging the guide post with the drawer slide assembly further comprises: limiting the pivotal movement of the follower.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein an opening sequence of the push to open mechanism comprises the steps of: releasing the pin from engagement with the latch member in response to a proximal force against the bias of the pair of springs; directing the pin into the second positioning recess with the fourth redirecting surface; pulling the pin through the outlet channel with the bias of the pair of springs; directing the pin to the ramp with the outlet shoulder; and, rotating the follower and positioning the pin for further engagement with the ramp.

15. A method using a pressure release mechanism that is attached to a drawer slide assembly including an outer slide, an intermediate slide telescopically mounted to the outer slide, and an inner slide telescopically mounted to the intermediate slide, comprising: connecting a channel plate having a track and a guide block to the outer slide; providing an entrance to the guide block that includes a first redirecting surface and a second redirecting surface; defining a circuitous path with the guide block, the circuitous path having a latch surface; attaching a pivoting follower to the inner slide, the pivoting follower having a latch pin; attaching a guide post to the pivoting follower; slidingly engaging the guide post with a guide slot in the inner slide; slidingly engaging a carriage with a linear path on the track; biasing the carriage along the linear path on the track; urging the carriage along the linear path with the intermediate slide and the inner slide and following, by the latch pin, the circuitous path to the latch surface to a closed retracted position during a closing sequence; and, disengaging the latch pin from the latch surface and following, by the latch pin, the circuitous path to an open position during an opening sequence.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: limiting the pivotal movement of the pivoting follower with the guide slot; providing a ramp adjacent the circuitous path at the entrance; and, directing the latch pin into the circuitous path with the ramp, the first redirecting surface, and the second redirecting surface.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: surrounding the circuitous path with a plurality of redirecting surfaces of the channel plate; defining the latch surface with a latch member protruding from the channel plate; and, guiding the latch pin along the circuitous path with the plurality of redirecting surfaces.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: providing the circuitous path with an inlet path and an outlet path; following, by the latch pin, the inlet path during the closing sequence; and, following, by the latch pin, the outlet path during the opening sequence.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: applying a proximal force to the inner slide to disengage the latch pin from the latch surface during the opening sequence.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: releasably maintaining the latch pin adjacent the latch surface with the bias of the carriage along the linear path.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The disclosed embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like pieces in different drawings carry the same number.

[0014] FIG. 1A is an exploded isometric view of a preferred embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 1B is a detail view of a pressure release slide latch mechanism of a preferred embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 2 is an assembled side view of a preferred embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a partial section view of a guide block of a preferred embodiment taken along line I-I of FIG. 2.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a partial section view of a guide block engaged with a follower of a preferred embodiment taken along line I-I of FIG. 2.

[0019] FIG. 5A is a side view of a follower approaching a guide block of a preferred embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 5B is a side view of a follower approaching a guide block of a preferred embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5C is a side view of a follower after entering a guide block of a preferred embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view of a follower engaged with an inlet channel of a guide block of a preferred embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a side view of a follower engaged with a positioning recess of a guide block of a preferred embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a side view of a follower engaged with a catch surface of a guide block of a preferred embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a side view of a follower engaged with a redirecting surface of a guide block of a preferred embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 10 is a side view of a follower engaged with a positioning recess of a guide block of a preferred embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 11 is a side view of a follower engaged with a redirecting surface of a guide block of a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1A, drawer slide assembly 10 comprises outer slide member 100, intermediate slide member 200 telescopically mounted to outer slide member 100, and inner slide member 300 telescopically mounted to intermediate slide member 200. Outer slide member 100 has outer body portion 101 and opposing races 102 and 103 attached to outer body portion 101. Outer body portion 101 has catches 104, 105, and 106, and slots 107 and 108.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, outer slide member 100 is made of a durable metal or metal alloy. Other durable materials known in the art may be used. Catches 104, 105, and 106 are raised portions of outer body portion 101 stamped into outer body portion 101 having a generally hooked shape. Slots 107 and 108 are generally rectangular holes cut out of outer body portion 101. Other shapes and structures known in the art may be employed to provide a fastening means.

[0030] Cage 109 telescopically slides into race 102. Cage 109 includes a plurality of ball bearings 111 inserted into holes in cage 109 and positioned along an inside surface of race 102. Cage 110 telescopically slides into race 103. Cage 110 includes a plurality of ball bearings 112 inserted into holes in cage 110 and positioned along an inside surface of race 103.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, cages 109, 110, and ball bearings 111 and 112 are made of a durable metal or metal alloy. Other durable materials known in the art may be used.

[0032] Intermediate slide member 200 telescopically mounts to outer slide member 100 with cages 109 and 110 positioned between intermediate slide member 200 and outer slide member 100. An outside surface of race 202 is adjacent ball bearings 111 of cage 109. An outside surface of race 203 is adjacent ball bearings 112 of cage 110. Intermediate slide member 200 has intermediate body portion 201 and opposing races 202 and 203 attached to intermediate body portion 201, end 215, and end 216. Intermediate body portion 201 has ridge 204 formed into intermediate body portion 201 and extends longitudinally and generally centrally along intermediate body portion 201.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, intermediate slide member 200 is made of a durable metal or metal alloy. Other durable materials known in the art may be used. Ridge 204 is a stamped portion of intermediate body portion 201. Other structures known in the art may be employed to form ridge 204.

[0034] Intermediate stop 205 attaches to intermediate slide member 200 at end 215. Intermediate stop 205 has stop ridge 206 and stop catch 207. Intermediate stop 205 has a cross-sectional shape similar to that of intermediate slide member 200 enabling intermediate stop 205 to press-fit into intermediate slide member 200 at end 215 and conform to the cross-sectional shape of intermediate slide member 200. Other means of attachment known in the art may be employed.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, intermediate stop 205 is made of a single piece of durable plastic. Other durable materials known in the art may be used.

[0036] Bearing retainer 208 telescopically inserts into intermediate slide member 200. Bearing retainer 208 has retainer body portion 209 and opposing cages 211 and 212 attached to retainer body portion 209. Retainer body portion 209 has retainer ridge 210 formed into retainer body portion 209 and extends longitudinally and generally centrally along retainer body portion 209. Cage 211 has a plurality of ball bearings 213 inserted into holes in cage 211. Cage 212 has a plurality of ball bearings 214 inserted into holes in cage 212.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, bearing retainer 208, cages 211, 212, and ball bearings 213 and 214 are made of a durable metal or metal alloy. Other durable materials known in the art may be used. In this embodiment, retainer ridge 210 is a stamped portion of retainer body portion 209. Other structures known in the art may be employed to form retainer ridge 210.

[0038] Inner slide member 300 telescopically mounts to intermediate slide member 200 with bearing retainer 208 positioned between inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200. Inner slide member 300 has inner body portion 301, opposing races 302 and 303, end 322, and end 323. End stop 304 is attached to inner body portion 301 at end 322. Inner body portion 301 has recesses 305 and 306 at end 323. Inner body portion 301 further has hole 310 through which fastener 327 is received, hole 319 through which fastener 324 is received, and guide slot 320. Race 302 has race slot 307 at end 323. Race 303 has race slot 308 at end 323.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, inner slide member 300 is made of a durable metal or metal alloy. Other durable materials known in the art may be used. In this embodiment, guide slot 320 is generally rectangular in shape. In another embodiment, guide slot 320 is generally arcuate in shape. Other shapes will suffice.

[0040] Follower 315 pivotally connects to inner slide member 300 with fastener 324 inserted through hole 319. Follower 315 includes follower body 316. Follower body 316 has end 325, end 326, and pivot hole 317 at end 326 through which fastener 324 is inserted. Guide post 318 attaches to follower body 316 between end 325 and end 326 and extends generally perpendicularly from follower body 316 into guide slot 320 of inner body portion 301. Pin 321 attaches to follower body 316 at end 325 and extends generally perpendicularly from follower body 316 away from inner body portion 301.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, follower 315 is formed of a single piece of plastic such as Delrin and Teflon. Other durable materials, including other plastics, metals and metal alloys, may be used. In this embodiment, fastener 324, is a flush rivet. Other suitable fasteners known in the art may be employed.

[0042] Latch 309 pivotally connects to inner body portion 301 with fastener 327 through hole 310. Latch 309 has latch handle 311, resilient member 312, shoulder 314, and hole 313, sized to receive fastener 327. Resilient member 312 urges shoulder 314 towards race 302. Shoulder 314 engages stop catch 207 of intermediate stop 205 to prevent disengagement of inner slide member 300 from intermediate slide member 200.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, latch 309 is formed of a single piece of plastic such as Delrin and Teflon. Other durable materials, including other plastics, metals and metal alloys, may be used. In this embodiment, fastener 327, is a flush rivet. Other suitable fasteners known in the art may be employed.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1B, channel plate 400 attaches to outer slide member 100. Channel plate 400 has track portion 401 and guide block 402. Guide block 402 is adjacent to track portion 401 and end 434. Track portion 401 has catch surfaces 431, 432, and 433 that frictionally engage with catches 104, 105, and 106 of outer body portion 101. Carriage track 407 is adjacent catch surface 433 and extends generally centrally and longitudinally along track portion 401. Spring guides 403 and 404 are each positioned on each side of carriage track 407 immediately adjacent to catch surface 433 at end 435, extend beside carriage track 407 increasing in distance from a central axis of carriage track 407, and extend between guide block 402 and outer body portion 101 to a distance approximately greater than the width of guide block 402 at end 434. Spring guide 403 has spring hold 405 adjacent catch surface 433 to secure spring 421. Spring guide 404 has spring hold 406 adjacent catch surface 433 to secure spring 422.

[0045] Carriage 420 slidingly engages with track portion 401. Carriage 420 has frame 423, extension 425, and extension 426. Frame 423 has rail 424 extending generally centrally and longitudinally along frame 423 to slidingly engage with carriage track 407. Extension 425 has bumper 427 to which spring 421 is further attached. Extension 426 has bumper 428 to which spring 422 is further attached. The attachment of springs 421 and 422 to track portion 401 and carriage 420 biases carriage 420 along track portion 401 towards end 435.

[0046] Guide block 402 has ramp 430, inlet shoulder 412, inlet channel 409, positioning recess 411, latch member 429, redirecting surface 413, positioning recess 410, outlet channel 408, and outlet shoulder 414. Lugs 415 and 416 extend from end 434 adjacent guide block 402. Lugs 415 and 416 frictionally engage with slots 418 and 419, respectively, of base 417. Base 417 frictionally engages with the ends of races 102 and 103 of outer slide member 100 to further secure channel plate 400 to outer slide member 100.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, channel plate 400, carriage 420, and base 417 are made of plastic. Other durable materials, including metals and metal alloys, may be used. In this embodiment, springs 421 and 422 are coil tension springs. Other resilient materials known in the art including, but not limited to elastic rubber bands may be employed. Other resilient biasing means known in the art may be employed including, but not limited to compression springs, elastomeric materials such as neoprene, fluid-filled piston/cylinder arrangements, and combinations thereof positioned in spring guide 403 and/or spring guide 404 at end 434 to urge carriage 420 towards end 435 will suffice.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, cage 109 inserts into race 102 of outer slide member 100 and ball bearings 111 are positioned in race 102 to roll within race 102 and along the outside surface of race 202 of intermediate slide member 200. Cage 110 inserts into race 103 of outer slide member 100 and ball bearings 112 are positioned in race 103 to roll within race 103 and along the outside surface of race 203 of intermediate slide member 200.

[0049] Bearing retainer 208 inserts into intermediate slide member 200 such that ball bearings 213 position between inside surface of race 202 and the outside surface of race 302 of inner slide member 300, and ball bearings 214 position between inside surface of race 203 and the outside surface of race 303 of inner slide member 300.

[0050] Ramp 430 has a generally trapezoidal shape with width 503 and width 504. Width 503 is greater than width 504. Inlet shoulder 412 includes redirecting surface 442 and peak 443. Outlet shoulder 414 includes redirecting surface 444, peak 445, and redirecting surface 446. Peaks 443 and 445 are offset such that peak 443 is closer to end 434 than peak 445. Peak 445 coincides with an edge of ramp 430. Latch member 429 includes peak 447 and redirecting surface 436.

[0051] Follower 315 pivotally attaches to inner slide member 300 with fastener 324. Follower 315 pivots about the central axis of fastener 324. The connection of follower 315 to inner slide member 300 is such that frictional forces keep the position of follower 315 relative to inner slide member 300 static and prevent follower 315 from freely rotating unless acted upon by a redirecting surface. The pivotal range of movement of follower 315 is limited by the sliding engagement of guide post 318 with guide slot 320. As follower 315 pivots, guide slot 320 has dimensions which restrict pin 321 to swing through arcuate path 505. Arcuate path 505 is less than width 503 to consistently direct pin 321 into guide block 402 via ramp 430 regardless of the position of follower 315.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, ramp 430 is angled with respect to outer body portion 101 and inner body portion 301 to consistently direct pin 321 into guide block 402. Ramp 430 is angled to provide consistent operation during possible deflection of drawer slide assembly 10. In normal operation, follower 315 is adjacent to and generally parallel with inner body portion 301. As shown in FIG. 3, in a case in which follower 315 separates from inner slide 300, but remains loosely fastened to inner slide member 300, pin 321 will slidingly engage ramp 430. As shown in FIG. 4, ramp 430 forces follower 315 back adjacent to and generally parallel with inner slide member 301 thereby correctly positioning pin 321 between redirecting surfaces 442 and 446 and prevents jamming.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, to close drawer slide assembly 10, inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200 move in proximal direction 501. Intermediate slide member 200 abuts carriage 420. Inner slide member 300 engages bumpers 427 and 428 and urges carriage 420 in proximal direction 501 against the bias of springs 421 and 422. Pin 321 may potentially be positioned anywhere along arcuate path 505. As pin 321 slidingly engages ramp 430, either redirecting surface 442 or redirecting surface 446 will cause follower 315 to pivot about the central axis of fastener 324 and position pin 321 towards engagement with redirecting surface 436.

[0054] FIG. 5A shows pin 321 contacting redirecting surface 442 resulting in follower 315 pivoting in direction 506.

[0055] FIG. 5B shows pin 321 contacting redirecting surface 446 resulting in follower 315 pivoting in direction 508. As pin 321 is positioned to engage redirecting surface 436, guide post 318 is located generally centrally in guide slot 320. As inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200 continue to move in proximal direction 501, pin 321 engages redirecting surface 436 and redirects pin 321 into inlet channel 409.

[0056] FIG. 5C shows pin 321 cresting peak 445 after engaging redirecting surface 436. As follower 315 continues to move in proximal direction 501, linear path 449 tracks the center point of pin 321. The dimensions of outlet shoulder 414, including peak 445, and pin 321 ensure that as pin 321 passes peak 445, linear path 449 is always positioned above (as relationally laid out on the page shown in FIG. 5C) peak 447 such that pin 321 is always directed towards contact with redirecting surface 436 when follower 315 is moving in proximal direction 501.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 6, as inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200 further urge carriage 420 in proximal direction 501 against the bias of springs 421 and 422, pin 321 is directed into inlet channel 409 between redirecting surfaces 437 and 438 thereby pivoting follower 315 and moving guide post 318 to a first end of guide slot 320.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 7, as inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200 further urge carriage 420 in proximal direction 501 against the bias of springs 421 and 422, pin 321 is redirected into positioning recess 411 by redirecting surface 440. Follower 315 pivots away from the first end of guide slot 320 towards the center of guide slot 320.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 8, inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200 are urged in distal direction 502 by the bias of springs 421 and 422 until pin 321 engages latch surface 439. The bias of intermediate slide member 200, inner slide member 300, and thereby pin 321 against latch member 429 by springs 421 and 422, releasably maintains inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200 in a closed retracted position with respect to outer slide member 100.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 9, to release inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200, inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200 move in proximal direction 501 and urge carriage 420 against the bias of springs 421 and 422 and away from latch member 429. Pin 321 engages redirecting surface 413 to direct pin 321 towards positioning recess 410. Follower 315 pivots towards positioning recess 410 and guide post 318 slides towards a second end of guide slot 320.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 10, inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200 further move in proximal direction 501 and urge carriage 420 against the bias of springs 421 and 422. Pin 321 situates in positioning recess 410. Follower 315 pivots towards positioning recess 410 and guide post 318 slides to the second end of guide slot 320. From positioning recess 410, pin 321 can now move into outlet channel 408.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 11, inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide member 200 move under the bias of springs 421 and 422 in distal direction 502. The frictional forces from the connection of follower 315 to inner slide member 300 hold the position of follower 315 and pin 321 static and prevent follower 315 and pin 321 from moving relative to inner slide member 300. Pin 321 moves through outlet channel 408 and engages redirecting surface 444. Redirecting surface 444 directs pin 321 towards ramp 430 to exit guide block 402. The redirection of pin 321 by redirecting surface 444 pivots follower 315 back to a generally central position thereby releasing inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide 200 allowing inner slide member 300 and intermediate slide 200 to extend with respect to outer slide member 100 and positioning follower 315 for possible future engagement with ramp 430.

[0063] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed and remain within the inventive concept. Therefore, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover changes within the scope and spirit of the claims.