Drawer slide

Abstract

A drawer slide, having a plurality of slide members and a noise stop damper is provided. The slide members have a first elongate linear member and a second elongate linear member to slide within a channel defined by an interior surface of the first slide member. The first and second slide members each have a first end portion, a second end portion, and the interior surface defining the first and second channels, respectively. Preferably, the interior side edges of the first linear member and the exterior side edges of the immediate linear member further define a first pair of raceways within which a plurality of ball bearings and bearing spacers are alternately disposed to provide a smooth slide motion of the second slide member. The noise damper is a noise-absorbing cushion mounted to the interior surface of the second linear member at the second end portion thereof.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates in general to a drawer slide, and more particularly, to a multi-member drawer slide with a noise damper.

Drawer slides that include multiple, substantially linear, metal slides each sliding within the interior channel of the next successively larger member have been known in the art. By a succession of such metal members, a drawer or an object supported by such members may slide between a first position when the metal members are fully extended from each other and a second position when the metal members are fully unextended.

The prior art drawer members make certain accommodations to their sliding and suspension function. They may be made of light alloy metals and incorporate relieved areas to reduce weight. The suspension between members may be by ball or roller bearings. A final one of the sliding members which attaches to a drawer, or other object, may be releasable and detachable from the other members so that the drawer may be completely extracted from its sliding suspension within a cabinet. The drawer may be latched in both the extended and unextended positions in a manner prohibiting all movement among and between the members.

To perform the desired functions as described above, the sliding members of the drawer slide are typically made of strong and durable metal material. When the drawer supported by the drawer members slides to the second position, noise and impact are inevitable when the inner ends of the strong metal slides reach the fully unextended position.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A drawer slide including a plurality of slide members and a noise damper is provided. The slide members include at least a first elongate linear member and a second elongate linear member. The first elongate linear member includes a first end, a second end, and an interior surface defining a first elongate channel extending between the first and second end. The second elongate linear member is configured to slide within the first channel. The second elongate linear member also has a first end, a second end, and an interior surface defining a second elongate channel extending between the first end and the second end thereof. Preferably, the interior side edges of the first elongate linear member and the exterior side edges of the second elongate linear member further define a first pair of raceways within which a plurality of ball bearings and bearing spacers are alternately disposed to provide a smooth slide motion of the second slide member. The noise damper includes a noise-absorbing cushion mounted to the interior surface of the second linear member at the second end of thereof.

The first elongate linear member is perforated with a plurality of holes to reduce the overall weight of the drawer slide. The first elongate linear member also includes at least one mounting hole for mounting the drawer slide to a cabinet or a wall to which a drawer is supported by the drawer slide. The first elongate linear member further includes a pin extending across the first channel at the second end thereof to prevent the second elongate linear member from sliding through. The pin is encircled with a rubber sheet to further reduce the noise caused when the second elongate linear member approaches the pin. Preferably, the bearings and bearing spacers are confined by a pair of pins extending from the first end of the first elongate linear member towards the first channel and a pair of pins extending from the second end of the second elongate linear member towards the first channel. Therefore, when the second elongate linear member slides to a fully extended position, the bearings and bearing spacers fit tightly between the first end of the first elongate linear member and the second end of the second elongate linear member.

The second elongate linear member is also perforated with a plurality of holes to reduce the overall weight of the drawer slide. The noise-absorbing cushion is preferably fitted to the second elongate linear member by a pair of rivets and extends beyond the second end of the intermediate linear slide member in one direction, and into the second elongate channel in the other direction.

The drawer slide may further include a third elongate linear member to slide within the second channel. The third linear member also has a first end and a second end, and the exterior side edges of the third linear member and interior side edges of the second elongate linear member define a pair of second bearing raceways for accommodating a plurality of bearings and bearing spacers. The bearings and the bearing spacers are confined by a pair of pins extending into the second channel from the second end of the third elongate linear member and a pair of pins extending into the second channel from the first end of the second elongate linear member.

The third elongate linear member has an interior surface defining a third channel, in which a fourth elongate linear member is fitted. The fourth elongate linear member has a first end aligned with the first end of the third elongate linear member and a second end between the first and second ends of the third elongate linear member. In one embodiment, the third elongate linear member includes a stopper protruding into the second channel at the second end of the fourth elongate linear member.

A drawer slide comprising an outermost linear member, at least one intermediate slide member, and an innermost linear member is also provided. The outermost linear member has a first end, a second end, and an interior side surface defining a first channel. The intermediate slide member is configured to slide within the first channel and has a first end, a second end, and an interior surface defining a second channel. The first end of the intermediate slide member is aligned with the first end of the first linear member when the second intermediate slide member slides to a fully unextended position. The innermost linear member is configured to slide within the second channel. The innermost linear member has a first end aligned with the first end of the intermediate slide member and a second end between the first and second end of the intermediate member. The drawer slide also includes noise damper mounted to the second end of the intermediate slide member.

The noise damper includes a rubber cushion extending beyond the second end of the intermediate slide member. In the case that the drawer slide comprises a plurality of intermediate slide members, the noise damper includes at least one rubber cushion mounted to the interior surface of the intermediate slide member extends beyond the second end of the intermediate linear slide member in one direction, and into the second elongate channel in the other direction. The interior side edges of the outermost linear member and exterior side edges of the intermediate slide member define a pair of raceways in which a plurality of bearings and bearing spacers are disposed. The bearing spacers are preferably fabricated from noise absorbing plastic material. The outermost linear member further includes a pin extending across the first channel at the second end thereof to prevent the intermediate slide member to slide out of the outermost linear member. To further suppress the noise caused by relative slide motion of the outermost linear member and intermediate slide member, the pin is covered with a noise absorbing sheet.

The present invention further provides a noise damper for reducing noise caused by sliding motions of a drawer slide having a plurality of linear slide members. The noise damper includes a rubber cushion mounted at one end of at least an intermediate one of the linear slide members and extends beyond the end of the intermediate linear slide member in one direction, and into the second elongate channel in the other direction. Thereby, when the intermediate slide member slides towards its immediately adjacent slide member, the noise caused by such slide motion can be effectively suppressed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior side of a drawer slide at its fully extended position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the interior side of the drawer slide as shown in FIG. 1 at its fully extended position;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the interior side of the drawer slide as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 at its fully extended position;

FIG. 3A is an end view of the drawer slide viewed from the line 3A-3A when the drawer slide slides to its fully extended position as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the drawer slide along the cutting line 3B-3B when the drawer slide slides to its fully extended position as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3C is a cross sectional view of the drawer slide along the cutting line 3C-3C when the drawer slide slides to its fully extended position as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3D is an end view of the drawer slide observing from the line 3D-3D when the drawer slide slides to its fully extended position as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the drawer slide showing the interior side of slide members;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the drawer slide showing the exterior side of the slide members;

FIG. 6 shows the drawer slide at its partially withdrawn (unextended) position;

FIG. 7 shows the drawer slide at its fully withdrawn position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the drawer slide showing the interior side of the slide members, including a rubber cushion; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of the drawer slide showing the interior side of the slide members, including a bearing spacer disposed between a roll pin and a spacer pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A drawer slide including a plurality of sliding members and a noise damper is provided and shown in FIGS. 1-7. In application, two sets of the sliding members with reversed image orientations will be mounted at two opposing sides (left and right, for example) of the drawer for supporting the slide motion of the drawer. It will be appreciated that, although FIGS. 1-7 illustrates a drawer slide including four linear members, the number and length of the slide members may be altered according to the dimension of the specific drawer supported thereby or other specific requirement without exceeding the scope of present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drawer slide includes a first, outermost, elongate linear member 10, a second, intermediate, elongate linear member 20, a third, intermediate, elongate linear member 30, and a fourth, innermost, elongate linear member 40. The first linear member 10 has a first interior channel 11 and the second linear member 21 has a second interior channel 20, allowing the second and third linear members 20 and 30 to slide between a fully extended position and a fully unextended position. The third linear member 30 also includes a third interior channel 31 in which the fourth linear member 40 is fitted. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth linear members 10, 20, 30, and 40 has a first (outer) end portion and a second (inner) end portion; for example, the first and second end portions 12 and 13 of the first linear member 10, the first and second end portions 22 and 23 of the second linear member 20, the first and second end portions 32 and 33 of the third linear member 30, and the first and second end portions of 42 and 43 of the fourth linear member 40. The first and second end portions 12 and 13 of the first linear member 10 include first and second edges 62 and 63, respectively. Likewise, the first and second end portions 23 and 23 of the second linear member 20 also include first and second edges 72 and 73, respectively. The first and second end portions 32 and 33 of the third linear member 30 includes first and second edges 82 and 83, respectively, and the first and second end portions 42 and 43 of the fourth linear member 40 includes first and second edges 92 and 93, respectively. When the first, second and third linear members 10, 20 and 30 are disposed at their extended positions as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first edge 72 of the second linear member 20 extends beyond the first edge 62 of the first linear member 10, and the first edge 82 of the third linear member 30 extends beyond the first edge 72 of the second linear member 20. When the first, second and third linear members 10, 20 and 30 are disposed at their fully unextended positions, the first edges 62, 72 and 82 of the first, second and third linear members 10, 20, and 30 are aligned and proximate to each other as shown in FIG. 6. As the fourth linear member 40 is fitted within the third channel 31, the relative position of the fourth linear member 40 to the third member 30 remains unchanged. Therefore, the first edge 92 of the fourth linear member 40 is maintained aligned and approximate to the first edge 82 of the third linear member 30, while the second edge 93 of the fourth linear member 40, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, is fixed position between the first and second edges 82 and 83 within the channel 31 of the third linear member 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first linear member 10 includes a plurality of relieved areas or holes 14 in order to reduce weight. A plurality of countersunk or mounting holes 15 are also formed for mounting the first linear member 10 to the interior wall of a cabinet by mounting screws or bolts in a manner which allows the second linear member 20 to slide through without obstruction within the first channel 11 thereof. The first linear member 10 includes a pin 17 extending across the first channel 11 at the second end portion 13 thereof to prevent the second linear member 20 from sliding through. The interior side edges of the first channel 11 and the exterior side edges of the second linear member 20 define bearing raceways within which steel ball bearings 50 and bearing spacers 51 (as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 4) are alternately disposed. The bearings 50 and the bearing spacers 51 are confined by a pair of roll pins 16 extending from the first linear member 10 into the first channel 11 at the first end portion 12 thereof and a pair of roll pins 27 extending from the second linear member 20 into the first channel 11 at the second end portion 23 thereof. Therefore, when the second linear member 20 slides to fully unextended position where the second edge 73 of the second linear member 20 is aligned with the second edge 63 of the first linear member 10, the bearings 50 and the bearing spacers 51 are free to move within the entire first channel 11. When the second linear member 20 slides to a fully extended position, the bearings 50 and the bearing spacers 51 fit tightly within the bearing raceways between the first edge 62 of the fist linear member 10 and the second edge 73 of the second linear member 20 as shown in FIG. 2. A pair of spacer pins 18 also extends from the first linear member 10 into the first channel 11. The spacer pins 18 are interposed between the roll pins 16 and the first edge 62 of the first linear member 10. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a bearing spacer 51 is disposed between each roll pin 16 and each spacer pin 18. In this regard, the bearing spacer 51 disposed between the roll pin 16 and the spacer pin 18 does not travel along the bearing raceway. Rather, it is maintained in its position by the roll pin 16 and the spacer pin 18.

Similar to the first linear member 10, the second linear member 20 also includes a plurality of released areas or holes 24 in order to reduce the overall weight of the drawer slide. The interior side edges of the second channel 21 and the exterior side edges of the third linear member 30 jointly define bearing raceways in each of which a plurality bearings 50 and a plurality of bearing spacers 51 are alternately disposed. The bearings 50 and bearing spacers 51 disposed within the second channel 21 are confined by a pair of pins 26 extending into the second channel 21 from the first end 22 of the second linear member 20 and a pair of pins 37 extending into the second channel 21 from the second end 33 of the third linear member 30. Therefore, when the third linear member 30 slides to the fully unextended position where the second end 33 of the third linear member 30 is aligned with the second end 23 of the second linear member 20, the bearings 50 and the bearing spacers 50 are free to move within the entire second channel 21. When the third linear member 30 slides to a fully extended position, the bearings 50 and the bearing spacers 51 fit tightly within the bearing raceways between the first edge 72 of the second linear member 20 and the second edge 83 of the third linear member 30 as shown in FIG. 2.

Instead of being slidable within the third channel 31, the fourth linear member 40 is fitted to the third channel 31 between the first edge 82 of the third member 30 and a stopping member 47 protruding from an interior surface of the third member 30 into the third channel 31. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 3A, the fourth linear member 40 includes an interior linear portion received within the channel 31 and an exterior linear portion extending over the channel 31. Preferably but optionally, the fourth linear member 40 also includes the released areas such as holes 44 perforated therethrough to reduce the overall weight of the drawer slide. In one embodiment, the first, second, and fourth members 10, 20, and 40 may include as many holes 14, 24 and 44 as possible to reduce the overall weight of the drawer slide while the drawer slide is still operative to support a drawer or an object up to 100 pounds.

Referring to FIG. 5, the third linear member 30 may be perforated with a cavity 35 in which a latch 36 is installed. Preferably, the cavity 35 is located at the portion where the third linear member 30 is overlapped with the fourth linear member 40. The latch 36 operates by a spring-loaded wedge which is pin mounted to the third linear member 30. The wedging surface of the spring-loaded wedge is substantially a flat chisel surface, and the cavity 35 is preferably square in shape presenting a flat opposing wall to the chisel surface.

To reduce the noise caused by sliding the linear members 10, 20, 30 (and 40), the second edge 73 of the second linear member 20 is equipped with a noise damper. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 3D, when the second and third linear members 20 and 30 slide to the fully unextended position, the second edges 63, 73 of the first and second linear members 20 and 30 are brought in direct contact with the pin 17 to create in impact and noise. The pin 17 is thus preferably encircled with an impact and noise absorbing rubber sheet. In addition, a rubber cushion 28 is preferably mounted to the second linear member 20 at the second end portion 23 thereof. The rubber cushion 28 can be attached to the second linear member 20 via two rivets 29 extending through the second linear member 20. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, the pins 27 extending towards the channel 11 may also extend towards the rubber cushion 28 through the side edge of the second linear member 20. Preferably, the rubber cushion 28 extends beyond the second edge 73 of the second linear member 20 in one direction and into the second channel 21 in the other direction. Therefore, when the second linear member 20 slides to the fully unextended position, the rubber cushion 28 will be the first member or object in direct contact to the pin 17 of the first linear member 10. As the rubber cushion 28 is preferably fabricated from resilient material that will temporarily deform upon impact to consequently absorb the noise, the mechanical fatigue and noise caused by the relative sliding motion between the first and second linear members 10 and 20 are effectively suppressed. Similarly, when the third linear member 30 slides to the fully unextended position, the second edge of the third linear member 83 will be brought in direct contact with the rubber cushion 28 before reaching the pins 27. Thereby, the noise and impact caused by the relative slide motion between the second and third linear members 20 and 30 can be suppressed.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A drawer slide, comprising:

a first elongate linear member having a first end portion including a first edge, a second end portion including a second edge, and an interior surface defining a first channel extending between the first end portion and the second end portion;

a second elongate linear member to slide within the first channel, the second linear member having a first end portion including a first edge, a second end portion including a second edge, and an interior surface defining a second channel extending between the first end portion and the second end portion thereof, wherein interior side edges of the first elongate linear member and exterior side edges of the second elongate linear member further define a first pair of raceways;

a plurality of ball bearings and bearing spacers alternately disposed within each of the first raceways; and

a noise absorbing cushion mounted to the interior surface of the second elongate linear member at the second end thereof.

2. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the first elongate linear member is perforated with a plurality of holes to reduce the weight of the slide drawer.

3. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the first elongate linear member is perforated with at least one mounting hole.

4. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the first elongate linear member includes a pin extending across the first channel at the second end portion thereof.

5. The drawer slide of claim 4, wherein the pin is encircled with a rubber sheet.

6. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the first elongate linear member includes a pair of pins extending towards the first channel at the first end portion thereof.

7. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the second elongate linear member is perforated with a plurality of holes.

8. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the second elongate linear member includes a pair of roll pins extending towards the first channel at the second end portion thereof, and the first elongate linear member includes a pair of roll pins extending into the first channel from the first end portion thereof to confine the bearings and bearing spacers within the first bearing raceways.

9. The drawer slide of claim 8, wherein the first elongate member includes a pair of spacer pins extending toward the first channel, the spacer pins being interposed between the roll pins and the first edge.

10. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the bearing spacers are fabricated by noise-absorbing plastic material.

11. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the noise-absorbing cushion extends beyond the second edge of the second elongate linear member.

12. The drawer slide of claim 1, wherein the noise-absorbing cushion is fitted to the second elongate linear member via a pair of rivets extending through the second linear member.

13. The drawer slide of claim 1, further comprising a third linear member to slide within the second channel, the third elongate linear member having a first end portion and a second end portion.

14. The drawer slide of claim 13, wherein exterior side edges of the third elongate linear member and interior side edges of the second elongate linear member defines a pair of second bearing raceways.

15. The drawer slide of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of bearings and bearing spacers alternatively disposed within each of the second bearing raceways.

16. The drawer slide of claim 15, wherein the third elongate linear member includes a pair of roll pins extending into the second channel at the second end portion thereof, and the second elongate linear member includes a pair of roll pins extending into the second channel from the first end portion thereof to confine the bearings and bearing spacers within the second bearing raceways.

17. The drawer slide of claim 15, wherein the third elongate linear member has an interior surface defining a third channel.

18. The drawer slide of claim 17, further comprising a fourth elongate linear member fitted within the third channel, the fourth elongate linear member having a first end portion aligned with the first end portion of the third elongate linear member and a second end portion positioned between the first and second end portions of the third elongate linear member.

19. The drawer slide of claim 17, wherein the third elongate linear member includes a stopper protruding into the third channel at the second end portion of the fourth elongate linear member.

20. A drawer slide, comprising:

an outermost linear member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an interior side surface defining a first channel;

at least one intermediate slide member to slide within the first channel, the intermediate slide member having a first end portion, a second end portion including a second edge, and an interior surface defining a second channel, wherein the first end portion of the intermediate slide member is aligned with the first end portion of the outermost linear member when the intermediate slide member slides to a fully unextended position;

an innermost linear member fitted to the intermediate slide member within the second channel, wherein the innermost linear member has a first end portion aligned with the first end portion of the intermediate slide member when the innermost slide member slides to a fully unextended position; and

a noise damper mounted to the second end portion of the intermediate slide member.

21. The drawer slide of claim 20, wherein the noise damper includes a rubber cushion extending beyond the second edge of the intermediate slide member.

22. The drawer slide of claim 20, comprising a plurality of intermediate slide members, wherein the noise damper includes a rubber cushion mounted to at least the intermediate slide member immediately adjacent to the outermost linear member.

23. The drawer slide of claim 20, wherein interior side edges of the outermost linear member and exterior side edges of the intermediate slide member define a pair of raceways in which a plurality of bearings and bearing spacers are disposed.

24. The drawer slide of claim 23, wherein the bearing spacers are fabricated from noise absorbing plastic material.

25. The drawer slide of claim 20, wherein the outermost linear member further includes a pin extending across the first channel at the second end portion thereof.

26. The drawer slid of claim 25, wherein the pin is covered with a noise absorbing sheet.

27. A noise damper for reducing noise caused by sliding motions of a drawer slide having a plurality of linear slide members, comprising:

a rubber cushion mounted at one end portion of at least an intermediate one of the linear slide members.

28. The noise stop device of claim 27, wherein the rubber cushion extends beyond the end portion of the at least one of the linear slide member.