Motion control bracket with integrated motion control device
A motion control bracket (100) for use with a drawer slide includes a mounting plate (102) for fastening the bracket (100) to a cabinet drawer slide. A motion control device (101) is used for controlling the rate of speed with which a drawer closes against a cabinet frame. Other embodiments of the motion control bracket (130, 160) include fastening tabs (113, 115 and 119) for mounting the bracket to an existing drawer slide and a substantially L-shaped bracket (131) for mounting motion control device (101) under a cabinet drawer. The invention enhances existing drawer slides by adding motion control with minimal cost and effort.
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This invention relates in general to mechanical drawer slides used for cabinet drawers and, more particularly, to a bracket with motion control device that can be added to preexisting drawer slides for controlling the speed with which a drawer is closed.
BACKGROUNDDrawer slides are well known in the art and are used in many applications to allow drawers to easily slide in and out of the cabinet frame. One initial improvement for drawer slides included a detent or bumper that allowed the drawer to be pulled from the cabinet frame when applying a pulling force to the drawer. This allowed the drawer to remain in a closed position without accidentally opening due to contract or vibration. Over time, drawer slides were again improved to allow the drawer to self-close. A self-closing feature allows the drawer to automatically close when the user pushes the drawer a predetermined position back into the cabinet frame. Either a ramped surface built into the slide or a biasing spring allows the drawer to retract back into the cabinet frame after release.
Still further improvements to the self-closing slide included integrated dampening devices that work to control the speed with which the drawer retracts into the cabinet frame. In general, this feature utilizes a motion control device to operate once the drawer reaches a predetermined position in the track of the drawer slide. A dampener works to slow movement of the drawer allowing to it gently return to its closed position. This has an advantage of allowing the drawer to softly close into a shut position without slamming or bumping the drawer face against the cabinet frame.
One problem associated with the slides that include an integrated self-closing device is that there is no easy way to add a motion control feature to preexisting drawer slides. If the user wants to add a motion control feature, most often the cabinet slide must be completely removed and replaced.
In most instances, the cost to add motion control to a drawer involves more expense than replacing the drawer slide. The motion control feature is currently available largely, if not exclusively, on drawer slides that are concealed beneath the drawer box. This type of slide requires drawer construction and drawer sizes unlike those utilized with conventional side mount slides, necessitating a new drawer box. This obviously can be costly and burdensome and may require the services of a skilled carpenter. Although it is possible to drill out a cavity in the cabinet frame to add a motion control cylinder, this is difficult process for the ordinary consumer. Drilling large holes in the cabinet frame that are the right size and location is difficult for an ordinary consumer to accomplish. This method also runs the risk of improperly positioning the motion control device in the cabinet frame.
Another problem associated with the current art extends to builders of new cabinets. Since the motion control feature is currently available largely, if not exclusively, on drawer slides that are concealed beneath the drawer box, cabinet makers must utilize drawer construction techniques and drawer sizes unlike those utilized with conventional side mount slides. For example, the drawer must often be notched in two locations and two holes drilled in the back of the drawer in order to mount the drawer slide. These construction changes can be costly to implement in both equipment and production costs.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a motion control device that can easily be retrofitted to existing drawer slides. The motion control device should be operable with standard slides or ones having a self close feature. The device should be capable of controlling the rate upon which the drawer closes into the cabinet frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
Referring now to
In an alternative embodiment,
As best seen in
Finally,
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
Claims
1. A motion control bracket for use with a drawer slide comprising:
- a mounting plate for fastening the bracket to a cabinet drawer slide; and
- a motion control device for controlling the rate of speed with which a drawer closes against a cabinet frame.
2. A motion control bracket as in claim 1, further including a mounting channel formed on the mounting plate using at least one tab extending from the surface of the mounting plate.
3. A motion control bracket as in claim 1, wherein the motion control device includes an arm extending from the motion control bracket.
4. A motion control bracket as in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate may be fastened to a drawer slide without the use of tools.
5. A motion control bracket as in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate includes at least one tab to locate the motion control bracket along a drawer slide.
6. A motion control bracket as in claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is fastened to the cabinet drawer slide using at least one mechanical fastener.
7. A motion control bracket as in claim 1, further comprising at least one support tab for mounting the motion control bracket to a cabinet frame.
8. A motion control bracket as in claim 1, wherein the motion control bracket is configured in a substantially L-shape for mounting the motion control device below a cabinet drawer.
9. A motion control bracket as in claim 1, further comprising a self-closing mechanism for automatically closing the cabinet drawer when in a predetermined position.
10. A motion control bracket as in claim 1, wherein the motion control device includes a bumper for contacting a cabinet drawer.
11. A motion control bracket for adding motion control to a cabinet drawer slide comprising:
- a mounting surface for fastening to the drawer slide; and
- a dampener for controlling the speed with which the cabinet drawer contacts the cabinet frame.
12. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, wherein the dampener includes an arm that contacts the face of the cabinet drawer.
13. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, wherein the dampener includes an arm that contacts the back side of a drawer wall.
14. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, wherein the dampener includes an arm that contacts a surface attached to the drawer.
15. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, further comprising a mounting channel extending from the mounting surface.
16. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, wherein the motion control bracket is frictionally engaged to the cabinet drawer bracket without the use of tools.
17. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, wherein the mounting surface attaches to the drawer slide though an attachment hole located in the mounting surface.
18. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, further comprising at least one mounting tab for mounting the drawer slide to the cabinet frame.
19. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, wherein the bracket is substantially L-shaped for positioning the dampener beneath the cabinet drawer.
20. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, further comprising a self-closing mechanism for allowing the cabinet drawer to self close.
21. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, further comprising a locating tab on the mounting surface for positioning the motion control bracket in the correct mounting location.
22. A motion control bracket as in claim 11, wherein the dampener includes a bumper for contact the cabinet drawer.
23. A bracket for adding closing features to a drawer slide comprising:
- at least one mounting surface for fastening the bracket to the drawer slide;
- a motion control device for controlling the rate of speed with which the cabinet drawer closes against a cabinet frame; and
- a self-closing mechanism for self closing the cabinet drawer.
24. A motion control bracket as in claim 23, further comprising at least one mounting tab extending from the at least one mounting surface.
25. A motion control bracket as in claim 23, wherein the motion control device includes an arm for contacting a drawer.
26. A motion control bracket as in claim 25, wherein the arm includes a bumper.
27. A motion control bracket as in claim 23, wherein the self-closing mechanism automatically closes the cabinet drawer when moved into a predetermined position.
28. A motion control bracket as in claim 23, wherein the bracket is substantially L-shaped to allow the motion control device and self-closing mechanism to be mounted under the cabinet drawer.
29. A motion control bracket as in claim 23, wherein the motion control device includes a bumper for contracting the cabinet drawer.
30. A motion control bracket as in claim 23, wherein the motion control deice includes at least one locating tab on the mounting surface for positioning the bracket in a predetermined location on the drawer slide.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 25, 2005
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2007
Applicant:
Inventor: Keith Hoffman (Hudsonville, MI)
Application Number: 11/212,072
International Classification: A47B 88/00 (20060101);