Abstract: A drawer closing mechanism includes a toothed rack fixed in position with respect to a furniture frame member, a toothed drive gear mounted to a drawer for engaging the teeth on the rack, and a spring with two ends, one end being fixedly attached to the drive gear and rotatable therewith and the opposite end being fixed, wherein as the drawer is pulled open, the teeth on the drive gear engage the teeth on the rack and rotate the drive gear, and as the drive gear rotates, the spring is wound and potential energy is stored in the tension therein. The spring can be a flat wire spring wound circumferentially about a central point in a spiral.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hinge assembly comprising a frame plate for engagement to a furniture frame member comprising means for engaging a spring assembly, an intermediate plate comprising means for rotatably engaging the intermediate plate with a pin, and two side members, a spring assembly for releasably engaging the intermediate plate to the frame plate, and, a base plate comprising two side members each having at least one aperture therein, and a pin. The pin extends through the apertures on the side members of the base plate and the means for rotatably engaging the intermediate plate with a pin provide a slideable engagement between the base plate and the intermediate plate, and the spring assembly provides a releasable engagement between the frame plate and the intermediate plate.

Abstract: A shock absorber mounting system for a drawer slide system comprising a fixed drawer slide member fixedly attached to a furniture frame, a moveable drawer slide fixedly attached to a drawer and slideably attached to the fixed slide member for guiding the drawer in and out of a furniture frame, a shock absorber comprising a cylinder and a piston wherein the piston is operable to slide in and out of the cylinder and wherein air is controllably allowed to enter or escape the cylinder in response to movement of the piston, a retainer clip comprising a central aperture for receiving and retaining the shock absorber and a base portion comprising means for engaging a mounting bracket, and a mounting bracket comprising means for retaining the retainer clip and shock absorber and wherein the mounting bracket is fixedly attached to the fixed drawer slide.

Abstract: A drawer closing mechanism comprising a rack fixed in position with respect to a furniture frame member and comprising a plurality of teeth a drive gear mounted to a drawer and comprising a plurality of teeth for engaging the teeth on the rack, and a spring with two ends, one end fixedly attached to said drive gear and rotatable therewith and the opposite end fixed, wherein as the drawer is pulled open, the teeth on the drive gear engage the teeth on the rack and rotate the drive gear, and as the drive gear rotates, the spring is wound and potential energy is stored in the tension therein. The drawer slide is mounted to the furniture frame member, and the rack is mounted to the drawer slide. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the spring comprises a flat wire spring wound circumferentially about a central point in a spiral.

Abstract: A drawer slide support and closure apparatus designed to support a drawer within its supporting frame includes one or more drawer support members connecting the frame front and back each of which has an upstanding member with a ridge formed therewith forming a guide rail. A ridge surrounding slidable member encompasses the guide rail and is movable with respect to it. The ridge surrounding member is affixed to the bottom of the drawer and enables slidable movement between the guide rail supported by the frame and the ridge surrounding member affixed to the drawer. Rollers provide additional support for the drawer in the open position, and a spring enables positive opening and closing of the drawer. A shock absorber minimizes sound and impact when the drawer is firmly closed.

Abstract: A roller and stopper mechanism for drawer slide systems which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and effectively provides a low friction rolling surface between two drawer slides in directions parallel to and perpendicular to the length of the drawer slide, and provides a stopper to provide shock absorbing means to the system. The roller and stopper mechanism comprising a body portion comprising two opposing ends and two opposing sides, and having a roller associated therewith, a first leg portion extending substantially perpendicular from one end of the body portion, and having a roller associated therewith, and a second leg portion extending substantially perpendicular from the opposite end of the body portion, and having a roller associated therewith.

Abstract: A shock absorber mounting system for a drawer slide system comprising a fixed drawer slide member fixedly attached to a furniture frame, a moveable drawer slide fixedly attached to a drawer and slideably attached to the fixed slide member for guiding the drawer in and out of a furniture frame, a shock absorber comprising a cylinder and a piston wherein the piston is operable to slide in and out of the cylinder and wherein air is controllably allowed to enter or escape the cylinder in response to movement of the piston, a retainer clip comprising a central aperture for receiving and retaining the shock absorber and a base portion comprising means for engaging a mounting bracket, and a mounting bracket comprising means for retaining the retainer clip and shock absorber and wherein the mounting bracket is fixedly attached to the fixed drawer slide.

Abstract: A front locking device for releasably securing a drawer to a drawer slide comprising a drawer slide comprising catch means for receiving and securing a portion of a locking lever, a drawer, a locking lever comprising at least one tooth, pivotably mounted to the drawer and spring means for releasably engaging the at least one tooth in contact with the catch means. The catch means comprises a catch insert mounted in an aperture provided in the drawer slide comprising a plurality of ridges and grooves aligned in a direction parallel to the sliding direction of the drawer, and extend in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the drawer. The locking lever comprises a plurality of teeth, which are aligned in a direction parallel to the sliding direction of the drawer, and extending in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the drawer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hinge assembly comprising a frame plate for engagement to a furniture frame member comprising means for engaging a spring assembly, an intermediate plate comprising means for rotatably engaging the intermediate plate with a pin, and two side members, a spring assembly for releasably engaging the intermediate plate to the frame plate, and, a base plate comprising two side members each having at least one aperture therein, and a pin. The pin extends through the apertures on the side members of the base plate and the means for rotatably engaging the intermediate plate with a pin provide a slideable engagement between the base plate and the intermediate plate, and the spring assembly provides a releasable engagement between the frame plate and the intermediate plate.

Abstract: A mounting plate for a furniture hinge includes a hinge plate pivotably connected to a hinge component, such as a hinge cup, on a pivot axis. At least one front support members depends from the front edge of the hinge plate and is spaced a predetermined radial distance from the pivot axis. The front support member depends a distance from the hinge plate that is less than, and preferably not greater than three-fourths, the predetermined radial distance between the front support member and the pivot axis. The mounting plate also includes at least one opposing rear support member depending from the rear edge of the hinge plate a distance that is at least as great as, and preferably, at least one and three-fourths times, the distance by which the front support member depends from the hinge plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to hinges for mounting a door on a furniture article frame. The hinges include at least a hinge cup member adapted to be affixed to the furniture door, a top hinge arm segment pivotably connected to the hinge cup member and comprising a top elongated aperture and two tabs, and an L-shaped hinge arm segment comprising at least a circular aperture, a center hole and two grooves. A base hinge arm segment comprising an elongated center hole, a circular aperture and an upper flange may also be used with the top hinge arm segment and the L-shaped hinge arm segment to allow adjustments to be made in a third direction. In some embodiments, turning a cam or eccentric screw allows adjustments to be made horizontally from side-to-side so that the desired spacing of the door from opposite sides of the door opening can be set.

Abstract: A guide rail assembly is used with a drawer to guide the movement of the drawer into and out of an article of furniture. The assembly has a supporting rail attached to a supporting surface and a pull-out rail attached to the drawer. At least one carriage is positioned between the supporting rail and the pull-out rail, and the supporting rail and the pull-out rail have stops for limiting movement of the pull-out rail and the carriage with respect to the supporting rail. A spring is loaded as the drawer is moved to the drawer-open position and actuated when the drawer is moved toward the drawer-close position. The noise associated with closing the drawer as it is pulled by the spring is controlled and suppressed by a shock absorbing device formed by a plunger and plunger-receiving cylinder.

Abstract: This invention relates to hinges for mounting a door on a furniture article frame. The hinges include at least a hinge cup member adapted to be affixed to the furniture door and a top hinge arm segment pivotably connected to the hinge cup member and having a top center hole and a top elongated aperture with one end open to the top center hole. Various intermediate hinge arm segments and base hinge arm segments can be used with the top hinge arm segment to allow adjustments to be made in two or three directions. In some embodiments, turning an adjustment screw allows adjustments to be made horizontally from side-to-side so that the desired spacing of the door from opposite sides of the door opening can be set. In some embodiments, turning a cam screw allows adjustments to be made horizontally in-and-out so that the desired alignment of the door with the front face of the furniture article frame can be set.

Abstract: This invention relates to hinges for mounting a door on a furniture article frame. The hinges include at least a hinge cup member adapted to be affixed to the furniture door, a top hinge arm segment pivotably connected to the hinge cup member and comprising a top elongated aperture and two tabs, and an L-shaped hinge arm segment comprising at least a circular aperture, a center hole and two grooves. A base hinge arm segment comprising an elongated center hole, a circular aperture and an upper flange may also be used with the top hinge arm segment and the L-shaped hinge arm segment to allow adjustments to be made in a third direction. In some embodiments, turning a cam or eccentric screw allows adjustments to be made horizontally from side-to-side so that the desired spacing of the door from opposite sides of the door opening can be set.

Abstract: A drawer slide support and closure apparatus designed to support a drawer within its supporting frame includes one or more drawer support members connecting the frame front and back each of which has an upstanding member with a ridge formed therewith forming a guide rail. A ridge surrounding slidable member encompasses the guide rail and is movable with respect to it. The ridge surrounding member is affixed to the bottom of the drawer and enables slidable movement between the guide rail supported by the frame and the ridge surrounding member affixed to the drawer. Rollers provide additional support for the drawer in the open position, and a spring enables positive opening and closing of the drawer. A shock absorber minimizes sound and impact when the drawer is firmly closed.

Abstract: A rotary shelf assembly mechanism has shelves mounted on a vertical post arrangement formed by a first lower post and a second upper post. The mechanism is connected to a cabinet by upper and lower mounting brackets interacting with the top and bottom of the cabinet to support the posts and shelves carried thereby. The mechanism is mounted in the corner of the cabinet. To fit the mechanism within the cabinet, a height adjustment device is formed by positioning the second upper post in the upper end of the first lower post for slidable movement therebetween. When securement of the two joined posts and mounted shelves is desired, the slidably movable second upper post is extended upwardly until it engages the upper mounting bracket mounted on the cabinet. An elongated recess in the second upper post aligns with an opening in the first lower post, and a threaded member extends into a casting positioned within the upper post.

Abstract: A fastening device for securing a drawer end plate, front or back, to metal or plastic sidewalls incorporates a tensioning device to force open split dowels held inside holes made in the interior surface of the drawer plate. The dowels thus spread firmly grip the walls of the hole and clamp the sidewall flanges to secure the plate to the sidewalls. Tensioning takes place by the rotation of an expanding member that has an oval cross sectional configuration with the larger diameter formed by the oval shape forcing open the split dowels.

Abstract: A drawer slide support and closure apparatus designed to support a drawer within its supporting frame includes one or more drawer support members connecting the frame front and back each of which has an upstanding member with a ridge formed therewith forming a guide rail. A ridge surrounding slidable member encompasses the guide rail and is movable with respect to it. The ridge surrounding member is affixed to the bottom of the drawer and enables slidable movement between the guide rail supported by the frame and the ridge surrounding member affixed to the drawer. Rollers provide additional support for the drawer in the open position, and a spring enables positive opening and closing of the drawer. A shock absorber minimizes sound and impact when the drawer is firmly closed.