GLIDE RAIL SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING SLIDING EXTENSION

Abstract

A glide rail system includes a roll-formed tubular track, a pair of cabinet-attached and tray-attached glides each slidingly engaging the track, and plugs in ends of the track limiting extension of the tray. The components can be quickly telescopingly assembled to each other and are configured for quick-attachment to the cabinet and tray in order to provide a low-cost, high-strength system of relatively few components. The present system is designed especially for supporting a dishwasher for extension, and provides for smooth extension of the tray as well as sanitary and non-rusting sliding support for the tray.

Description

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 60/826,012, filed Sep. 18, 2006, entitled GLIDE RAIL SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING SLIDING EXTENSION, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to glide rail extension systems such as for supporting a drawer or tray in a dishwasher appliance for sliding extension. However, the present invention is not believed to be limited to only supporting dishwasher trays. For example, it is contemplated that the present inventive concepts could also be used in other applications, such as in a refrigerator drawer, a desk or cabinet drawer, or in many other similar drawer, tray and component applications where smooth extension of a component is desired, and/or where sanitary and non-rusting sliding support is desired.

A system is desired for supporting a dishwasher tray for sliding extension that is durable, robust, low-cost, and yet that provides stable smooth extension of the dishwasher tray. Further, the system preferably should require relatively few pieces, and provide for an efficient, easy and consistent assembly. Notably, a dishwasher tray is in a relatively harsh environment that is damp, hot, and subject to debris. However, the tray must be sanitary and rust free, even after substantial and long-term use.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a glide rail system for slideably mounting an extendable component to a stationary support includes a tubular extension member defining a track, a pair of first glides including a first mount section adapted for attachment to the stationary support and including a first slide section slideably engaging the tubular extension member, and a tray carrier with a pair of second glides having a second mount section adapted for attachment to the extendable component and including a second slide section slideably engaging the tubular extension.

Methods related to manufacturing, assembly, and repair also form aspects of the present invention.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glide rail system embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the rail used in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-3A are end views of the glide rail system of FIG. 1, FIG. 3A having the end plug 43 removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of glides connected by an integrally formed bridge.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of glides connected by an attached bridge.

FIGS. 6-8 are additional views of the roll-formed track, an inverted bridge-connected glide bracket, and a wire-tray-carrying glide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present glide rail system 30 (FIG. 1) includes a tubular extension member 31 (also called a “track”) that defines a track, a pair of stationary glides 32 configured for attachment to a stationary support and for sliding engagement with the track, and a tray carrier 33 with a second pair of glides 34 configured for attachment to an extendable tray and for sliding engagement with the track. One set of the components can be used on each side of the extendable tray (see dashed lines) for supporting the tray for smooth extension. Preferably, the components are designed to be telescopingly assembled and for configured snap-assembly or friction-fit or other quick-attachment method to the cabinet and tray for efficient and low-cost assembly. Further, the components are designed using materials that resist rust and degradation, even after substantial use in a harsh, hot, damp environment, such as a dishwasher. The system is durable, robust, low-cost, high-strength, and designed for stable, smooth, horizontal extension of a tray (or drawer, or other component). Further, the system is constructed of relatively few components, and the components are designed for efficient and low-cost assembly without the need for substantial secondary operations. Notably, the present system is designed especially for supporting a dishwasher for extension, but it is contemplated that it could also be used in other applications, such as in a refrigerator drawer, a desk or cabinet drawer, and in many other similar drawer, tray and component applications where smooth extension of a component is desired and where sanitary and non-rusting sliding support is desired.

The illustrated extension member 31 is roll-formed from a sheet of metal into a tubular cross section (FIG. 2). The illustrated extension member 31 is preferably roll-formed for efficient and low-cost manufacture, but it is contemplated that it could be stamped, extruded, or formed using other manufacturing methods if desired. The tubular cross section includes opposing flat vertical side walls 35 and 36, connected by top and bottom arcuately concave walls 37 and 38, with all parts of the cross section being rolled to form generous radii and to eliminate sharp edges. Also, the cross section is symmetrical, so that the extension member 31 can be used on right- and left-hand sides of the tray. The extension member 31 is roll-formed to abut opposing edges of its raw sheet stock and then is welded to form a permanent tube, with the welded abutting edges being located in an optimal location such as along a center of the flat side walls 35 or 36, or along a bottom location for low visibility. The extension member 31 is tubular for high-strength, which also gives it a high-strength-to-weight ratio, and is preferably made of a non-rusting strong material suitable for sanitary use and for long-term use in the harsh environment inside the dishwasher.

The stationary glides 32 (FIGS. 3 and 3A) each include a mount section 39 adapted for snap or hook attachment (or adapted for attachment by fasteners) to a dishwasher cabinet, and include a slide section formed by top and bottom flanges 40 and 41. The flanges 40 and 41 are L-shaped and opposing, such that they slideably engage top and bottom edges of the outer side wall 35 and further they extend into channels of the top and bottom concave walls 37 and 38. The glides 32 are preferably acetal, such that the extension member 31 slidingly positively engages the glides 32 with low friction for smooth inward and outward sliding extension. A polymeric plug 43 (FIG. 1) friction-fits into each end of the extension member 31 and limits sliding extension of the extension member 31 on the glides 32 and 34. The plugs 43 further close ends of the extension member 31.

The glides 34 (FIG. 3) on the tray carrier 33 are similar to glides 32, in that glides 34 are acetal and include a mount section 49 adapted for attachment to a bracket 53, and include a slide section forming top and bottom flanges 50 and 51. The flanges 50 and 51 are L-shaped and opposing, such that they slidingly engage top and bottom portions of the inner side wall 36 and extend into channels of the top and bottom concave walls 37 and 38. A bracket 53 engages the mount section 49 and ties the glides 34 together in a stable arrangement so that they do not tend to twist or bind the movement of the tray. The bracket 53 includes an inner mount section 54 with flanges 55 and 56 (FIG. 1) for attachment to a dishwasher tray. The attachment can be by positive means, such as by fasteners or can be by releasably engaging means, such as by hook or snap or frictional attachment. Such attachment structures can be designed by a skilled artisan, and they are not the present focus, such that they do not require a detailed explanation in the present discussion.

The outer glides 32 can be tied together by the dishwasher cabinet. Alternatively, the glides 32 can be connected by an integrally formed bridge 57 (FIG. 4) or by an attached bridge 58 (FIG. 5) for increased stability. This also assists with efficient and quick assembly. FIGS. 6-8 show an additional view of the roll-formed track 31, a view of an inverted bridge-connected glide bracket similar to bracket 53, and a wire-tray-carrying glide similar to glide 34.

The front outer glide 32 is positioned about ¼ inch higher than the rear outer glide 32, so that the tubular tracks 31 are tilted to drain toward a rear of the track. This can also be done by making the flanges on the front glide 32 to be about ¼ inch higher than similar flanges on the rear glide 32. This angled arrangement of the tracks causes moisture to drain out of the track, and further causes the moisture to drain rearwardly past the rear plug 43 into the dishwasher cabinet (rather than forward out of the cabinet). It is contemplated that this angled arrangement can also be used to provide for a self-closing drawer that automatically slides by gravity toward a closed position.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

Claims

1. A glide rail system for slideably mounting an extendable component to a stationary support, comprising:

a tubular extension member defining a track;

a pair of first glides including a first mount section adapted for attachment to the stationary support and including a first slide section slideably engaging the tubular extension member; and

a tray carrier with pair of second glides having a second mount section adapted for attachment to the extendable component and including a second slide section slideably engaging the tubular extension.

2. The glide rail system defined in claim 1, wherein the extension member comprises an elongated roll-formed member with a constant cross-sectional shape.

3. The glide rail system defined in claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape includes an outer side wall that is vertically oriented and planar in shape.

4. The glide rail system defined in claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape includes a top wall that defines an arc.

5. The glide rail system defined in claim 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the extension member is symmetrical about a longitudinally-extending vertical plane extending through a center of the extension member.

6. The glide rail system defined in claim 1, wherein the mount section of the first slide sections includes an outwardly-extending hook shaped to securely engage a mating wall structure on a dishwasher cabinet and further the first slide section includes an inwardly-extending set of L-shaped flanges for slideably engaging top and bottom surfaces of the extension member.

7. The glide rail system defined in claim 6, wherein a shape of the second slide section includes an outwardly-extending set of L-shaped flanges for slideably engaging top and bottom surfaces of the extension member.

8. The glide rail system defined in claim 1, including at least one plug extending into an end of the extension member, and wherein a first end of the extension member is at least about ¼ inch above a second end of the extension member to facilitate draining water from a cavity defined within the extension member.

9. The glide rail system defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the pair of first glides and the pair of second glides are interconnected by a bridge extending therebetween.

10. The glide rail system defined in claim 9, wherein the bridge is integrally formed with the one pair of glides.

11. A method comprising steps of:

roll-forming a tubular track from a sheet of material;

attaching stationary glides to a cabinet wall and slideably engaging the stationary glides with the track;

attaching second glides to a carrier and slideably engaging the second glides with the track; and

placing end stops on the track to limit telescoping movement of the stationary and second glides.