CONTROL MECHANISM FOR DRAWER SLIDE ASSEMBLY

- Grass America, Inc.

A control mechanism for a drawer slide assembly including a cabinet rail and a drawer rail is provided. The control mechanism comprises a latch bracket positioned on a portion of a drawer and having a post extending therefrom, a movable latch associated with the cabinet rail and capable of limited linear movement along a portion of the cabinet rail, the movable latch cooperating and engaging with the post of the latch bracket so as to move along with movement of the drawer when engaged with the post, and a damping mechanism for damping movement of the movable latch at least when the drawer is moving from an open position to a closed position.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to slide assemblies used in connecting drawers to cabinets, and more particularly relates to a control mechanism to dampen the movement of a drawer slide assembly as it is closed within the cabinet housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drawer slide assemblies are used in most drawer-cabinet settings to facilitate a smooth opening and closing of a drawer relative to the cabinet housing. The problem with such drawer slide assemblies, however, is that they lack means for providing any sort of control over the movement of the drawer as it closes in the cabinet housing. As such, the drawer, cabinet, or a facia cover associated with the front of the drawer, can be damaged as the drawer is forcibly closed into the cabinet housing.

Such forceful movement of the drawer relative to the cabinet housing can also cause loud slamming noises upon impact between the drawer and the cabinet interface, and there can be damage to the associated drawer slide assembly mechanisms and rails, or the contents of the drawers themselves. It is clear that such uncontrolled closing motion is undesirable, and it is equally clear that it would be desirable to prevent such uncontrolled forceful movement of the drawer upon closing and the damage associated therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control mechanism in conjunction with a drawer slide assembly having a wheeled rolling mechanism that inhibits such forceful movement of the drawer relative to the cabinet housing and effectively prevents the damage and undesirable noise associated with otherwise uncontrolled closing movement.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a drawer slide assembly control mechanism is provided, comprising a cabinet rail associated with a cabinet housing and a drawer rail associated with a drawer, and a control mechanism associated with the drawer. The control mechanism comprises a drawer latch bracket having an engagement member extending outwardly therefrom, and a shock-absorbing sub-assembly. The shock-absorbing sub-assembly comprises an elongate bracket member associated with the cabinet rail, a movable latch associated with the elongate bracket member and cooperating with the engagement member of the drawer latch bracket so as to move along with movement of the drawer over at least a portion of a length of the drawer rail, and a shock absorber unit associated with the elongate bracket member and cooperating with the movable latch for damping movement of the movable latch at least during a closing stroke of the drawer to reduce noise associated with closing the drawer.

Preferably, the drawer latch bracket is positioned on at least one of a side surface of the drawer and a bottom surface of the drawer.

It is also preferable that the drawer slide assembly control mechanism further comprises a stabilizing bracket fixedly attached to the cabinet rail and the elongate bracket member and extending therebetween in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to an extension direction of the cabinet rail. The elongate bracket member preferably comprises a groove extending in a direction that is substantially parallel with respect to an extension axis of the cabinet rail, and the movable latch comprises a first portion that resides in and rides along the groove of the elongate bracket member, and a catcher extending outwardly beyond the groove of the elongate bracket member from the first portion in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the extension axis of the cabinet rail. The catcher preferably has at least one portion for receiving, engaging and retaining at least one portion of the engagement member of the drawer latch bracket to prevent disengagement between the catcher and the engagement member of the drawer latch bracket during the closing stroke of the drawer.

The movable latch preferably further comprises a member for engaging the shock absorber within the elongate bracket member, and a member for engaging a drawer return spring within the elongate bracket member. When the drawer is closed during a closing stroke, the engagement member of the drawer latch bracket engages the receiving and engaging portion of the catcher, at which point the drawer return spring draws the movable latch in the closing stroke direction, and the shock absorber dampens the closing stroke to provide a smooth and gentle closing action of the drawer.

It is also preferable that the elongate bracket member comprises positioning means for determining a mounting location with respect to the cabinet rail and the drawer latch bracket.

According to one aspect, the drawer latch bracket is fixed to a front portion of a side panel of the drawer, and according to another aspect, the drawer latch bracket is fixed to a front portion of a bottom panel of the drawer.

In embodiments employing the stabilizing bracket, it is preferred that the stabilizing bracket comprises one or more protrusions having shapes that lockingly engage with corresponding portions of the elongate bracket member and the cabinet rail. According to another aspect, the stabilizing bracket comprises a plurality of snap-fit tabs that engage with corresponding portions of the elongate bracket member and the cabinet rail, and it is also preferred that the stabilizing bracket comprises at least one snap-fit dowel that engages with a corresponding opening of the elongate bracket member.

Preferably, at least one portion of the catcher for receiving and engaging at least one portion of the engagement member of the drawer latch bracket comprises a pocket portion, a lever portion having a lip horizontally opposed to the pocket portion, and a seat portion defined therebetween.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the engagement member of the drawer latch bracket preferably comprises a main body portion, and the main body portion of the engagement member of the drawer latch bracket comprises one or more posts extending outwardly from a surface thereof which engage a pocket portion of the catcher. The main body portion of the engagement member of the drawer latch bracket preferably engages a seat portion of the catcher and is sandwiched between a pocket portion of the catcher and a horizontally opposed lip portion thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a drawer slide assembly control mechanism is provided, comprising a cabinet rail associated with a cabinet housing and a drawer rail associated with a drawer, and a control mechanism associated with the drawer. The control mechanism comprises a drawer latch bracket positioned on the drawer, the drawer latch bracket having an engagement tab extending outwardly therefrom, and a shock-absorbing sub-assembly. The shock-absorbing sub-assembly comprises an elongate bracket member associated with the cabinet rail and capable of limited linear movement along a portion of the cabinet rail. The elongate bracket member comprising a groove extending in a direction that is substantially parallel with respect to an extension axis of the cabinet rail, a movable latch associated with the elongate bracket member and cooperating with the engagement tab of the drawer latch bracket so as to move along with movement of the drawer over at least a portion of a length of the drawer rail, and a shock absorber unit associated with the elongate bracket member and cooperating with the movable latch for damping movement of the movable latch at least during a closing stroke of the drawer to reduce noise associated with closing the drawer.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a control mechanism for a drawer slide assembly including a cabinet rail and a drawer rail is provided. The control mechanism comprises a latch bracket being fixedly positioned on a portion of the drawer above or below the drawer rail and the cabinet rail, a moveable latch associated with the cabinet rail and adapted to engage the latch bracket, the moveable latch being configured to move along with movement of the drawer when in a latched state as engaged with the latch bracket, and a damping mechanism for clamping movement of the movable latch engaged with the latch bracket as the drawer moves from an open position to a closed position to reduce noise associated with closing the drawer.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a control mechanism for a drawer slide assembly including a cabinet rail and a drawer rail is provided. The control mechanism comprises a latch bracket positioned on a portion of a drawer and having a post extending therefrom, a movable latch associated with the cabinet rail and capable of limited linear movement along a portion of the cabinet rail, the movable latch cooperating and engaging with the post of the latch bracket so as to move along with movement of the drawer when engaged with the post, and a damping mechanism for damping movement of the movable latch at least when the drawer is moving from an open position to a closed position to reduce noise associated with closing the drawer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, left-side view of a drawer slide control mechanism 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention including a shock-absorbing sub-assembly and a combined stabilization bracket 20 for left and right cabinet rail attachment according to one aspect of the present invention (the drawer and drawer rail are removed).

FIG. 2 is a partial-exploded, right side perspective view of the control mechanism shown in FIG. 1 having a stabilization bracket 30 for the right cabinet rail according to another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the drawer slide control mechanism 5 including the stabilization bracket 20 shown in FIG. 1 mounted in connection with a wooden drawer 2 (the drawer rail is removed).

FIGS. 4A-4D show perspective views of a movable latch 10 and a latch bracket 7 according to one aspect of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A shows the movable latch 10, FIG. 4B shows the drawer latch 7, FIG. 4C shows the initial engagement positions of the movable latch 10 and the drawer latch 7 as the drawer is closing, and FIG. 4D shows the engaged positions of the movable latch 10 and the drawer latch 7 when the drawer is closed/closing.

FIG. 5 is a perspective, right-side view of a drawer slide control mechanism 51 according to another embodiment of the present invention, including a stabilization bracket 40 and an invertedly installed shock absorbing sub-assembly (the drawer and drawer rail are removed).

FIG. 6 is perspective view of the latch bracket 70 associated with the control mechanism 51 shown in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective, left-side view of a drawer slide control mechanism 5 according to one embodiment on the present invention including a shock-absorbing sub-assembly and a combined stabilization bracket 20 for left and right cabinet rail attachment according to one aspect of the present invention (the drawer and drawer rail are removed).

The control mechanism according to the present invention is designed to function in a similar manner to that which is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/011,269, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. In particular, many of the details of the internal mechanisms and functions that are described in connection with the shock absorbing sub-assembly in the '269 Application are the same in the present invention, and repetitious details are omitted. There are, however, some clear structural differences between the drawer control mechanism of the present invention and that described in the '269 Application, which would be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Like the drawer control mechanism of the '269 Application, the drawer control mechanisms according to the present invention are designed to work in concert with a conventional drawer slider assembly to control the movement of a drawer 2 relative to a cabinet housing 1 (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,861, for example). The conventional assembly includes slide rails, which include a cabinet rail that is fixed to the cabinet housing, and a drawer rail that is attached to the drawer, in any known manner. For example, the drawer rail can be a separate member that is affixed to the side surface of the drawer (e.g., such as a side-mount roller or slide rail system), or it be formed as an integral part of a metal or plastic side surface of the drawer itself, extending outwardly therefrom along the length thereof, rather than as a separate member affixed thereto. In any event, the essential structural components of the drawer rail remain the same regardless of whether it is separately mounted or an integral component with respect to the side surface of the drawer.

The control mechanism 5 shown in FIGS. 1-4D includes a cabinet rail 3 that is fixed to the cabinet panel 1 by a number of different means, such as via a fastener though the fixation opening 3a, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The control mechanism 5 also includes a drawer latch bracket 7 that is fixed to at least a portion of the drawer 2, such as the latch bracket 7 shown in FIG. 3, which is affixed to a front, side portion of the drawer 2 via a fastener though the fixation member opening 7a, and the latch bracket 70 shown in FIG. 5 in conjunction with a different embodiment of the present invention, which is affixed to a front, bottom portion of the drawer (not shown) via a fastener though the fixation member opening 70a.

The control mechanism 5 also includes a shock absorbing sub-assembly having an elongate bracket member 9 and a moveable latch 10 (see FIGS. 1-4D). The movable latch 10 includes a first portion 11 that resides and rides within a groove 9a formed on at least one side of the elongate bracket member 9. The movable latch 10 includes a catcher portion 13 having a pocket portion 13a and a spring finger/lever portion 13b that define a space or seat portion 13c therebetween in which is sandwiched an engagement member 12 extending perpendicularly from the main plane 71 of the drawer latch bracket 7 that is attached to the drawer 2.

As described in more detail in the '269 Application, the shock absorbing sub-assembly also includes a shock absorber having a piston rod that is pivotally connected to latch, by a pin, for example. The shock absorber can include any type of fluid, such as a gas or a liquid, like air or oil or any other suitable dampening means. A drawer return spring extends from a holding member fixed to a portion of the elongate bracket, and is attached to a portion 11 of the movable latch 10 (see, e.g., FIG. 4A).

The elongate bracket member 9 is attached to a portion of cabinet panel 1 by at least one fastener through the fastener/fixation member opening 9c (see FIGS. 1-3). The means for affixing the elongate bracket member 9 of shock absorbing sub-assembly to the cabinet panel 1 is shown as a screw, but is not limited, and can include other means, such as welding, gluing, adhesive tape, an adhesive-backed or glue-backed hook-and-loop type fastener member, or formed integrally by casting, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 4B-4D, the drawer latch bracket 7 likewise includes a fastener/fixation member opening 7a for direct connection to cabinet panel 1 via a screw, for example. The means for affixing the drawer latch bracket 7 is also not limited, and can include other means, such as welding, gluing, adhesive tape, an adhesive-backed or glue-backed hook-and-loop type fastener member, for example. In the example of the latch bracket 70 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the latch bracket 70 is adapted to be affixed to the bottom panel of a metal drawer (not shown, but understood from the drawings and the knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art) using the fixation means through the fastener/fixation means opening 70a for affixing fasteners such as screws, or through the various alternative means described above.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a stabilization bracket 20, 30 is also provided, if desired, as a stabilizing mechanism between the elongate bracket member 9 and the cabinet rail 3. The stabilization brackets 20 is a combined bracket for use on the left-hand or right-hand side of the cabinet rail 3, which lend a universal applicability to this embodiment of the stabilization bracket according to the present invention.

The stabilization brackets 20, 30 each include one or more mechanical mating mechanisms to affix the stabilization brackets to both the elongate bracket member 9 of the shock absorbing sub-assembly and the cabinet rail 3. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the stabilization brackets 20, 30 each include a snap-fit dowel 21, 31 which extends from a first end of a main body portion 22, 32 of the respective stabilization brackets 20, 30 and mechanically mates and lockingly engages with a corresponding mating portion, such as opening 9b formed the elongate bracket member 9, to fasten the stabilization brackets 20, 30 in place. Although one set of a dowel 21 and opening 9b are shown, any number of these or similar pairs can be provided, as desired.

The main body portion 22 of the stabilization bracket 20 also includes a portion on which a double-sided adhesive member 22a can be affixed to achieve an adhesive relationship with a corresponding portion of a surface of the cabinet rail, as shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the stabilization bracket 20 can also include a lip portion 23 extending from and opposed second end of the main body portion 22 that extends toward the cabinet rail 3 and engages the lower surface thereof (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

The stabilization bracket 30 shown in FIG. 2 further includes snap-fit tabs 33a, 33b extending from a middle portion of the main body portion 32 thereof, which lockingly engage a surface ridge (i.e., an upper surface, as shown in FIG. 2) of the cabinet rail 3, as well as a snap-fit tab 34 extending from an opposed second end of the main body portion 32 of the stabilization bracket 30, which lockingly engages a surface ridge (i.e., a bottom surface, as shown in FIG. 2) of the cabinet rail 3. In that manner, the elongate bracket 9 is affixed to the stabilization bracket via the snap-fit dowel, and the stabilization bracket 30 is snap-fit onto the cabinet rail 3, which is essentially sandwiched between the respective tabs 33a, 33b and 34 of the stabilization bracket 30.

This stabilization brackets are preferably made from a spring load memory material, as is the entire elongate bracket member 9, which enables the stabilization brackets 20, 30 (and 40, as described below with respect to FIG. 5) to snap into place to be securely affixed between the elongate bracket member 9 and the cabinet rail 3 and to prevent unintentional disengagement of the mated/adhered positions.

Means for attaching the stabilization brackets 20, 30, 40 to a surface of the cabinet rail 3 is not limited to the embodiments described above, however, and includes additional and/or alternative means such as welding, glue, adhesive tape, adhesive-backed or glue-hacked hook-and-loop type fasteners, or the like, to name a few. The snap-fit, locking mating means shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, combined with the use of double-sided adhesive, if necessary, are preferred in the context of ease of installation, the speed of installation for both factory and aftermarket or retrofit applications, and the fact that no additional tools or fastening members or accessories are needed to facilitate the secure attachment and removal, if necessary.

The operation of the drawer slide control mechanism 5 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows the drawer 2 in an open position and FIGS. 4C-D show the stages of engagement of some of the components of the control mechanism 5 during the closing stroke (FIG. 4C) and in the closed (FIG. 4D) positions of the drawer 2. It should also be noted that the engagement member 712 of the latch bracket 70 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 functionally interacts with the movable latch 10 in the inverted shock absorbing sub-assembly in the same manner as the engagement member 12 of the drawer latch bracket 7 described below with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, just upside-down, comparatively speaking.

The elongate brackets members 9 shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5 also include locator tabs or feet 9d spaced a distance apart from one another along the longitudinal extension direction of the elongate bracket member 9 and extending away therefrom in a perpendicular direction with respect to the longitudinal extension direction thereof (i.e., downwardly as shown in FIGS. 1-3; upwardly as shown in FIG. 5). The locator tabs 9d are used to guide and aid in the proper positioning of the elongate bracket member 9 with respect to the cabinet rail 3 during installation.

As the drawer 2 is closed, the post 12b of the engagement member 12 on the drawer latch bracket 7 first contacts and engages the pocket portion 13a of the catcher 13, and is received in a lower portion of the pocket 13a. The movable latch 10 rotates counter-clockwise with the force of the closing drawer as shown in FIG. 4C, and the engagement member 12 clears the lip portion 13b1 of the spring finger/catcher lever 13b and enters and engages the space defined the seat portion 13c, and is held in place by virtue of being sandwiched between the pocket portion 13a and the lever 13b, as shown in FIG. 4D. The post 12b is then located in an upper part of the pocket portion 13a, where it is retained. The movable latch 10 rides along the groove 9a of the elongate bracket member 9 of the shock absorbing sub-assembly in the closing direction. At this point, the drawer return spring draws the movable latch 10 back toward the cabinet panel/housing 1 until the drawer 2 is fully closed. The shock absorber dampens the return stroke of the movable latch 10, and thus the drawer 2, so that the drawer 2 does not close abruptly with respect to cabinet panel 1. The result is a smooth and gentle closing action of the drawer 2 relative to cabinet panel 1.

In the event that the engagement member 12 is dislodged from the temporary locking position provided within the catcher portion 13 of the movable latch 10, which would force the movable latch 10 back to a position as if the drawer were opened, it would still be possible to manually return the drawer 2 to its fully closed position. Specifically, the catcher portion 13 is resilient enough to allow the engagement tab 12 to deflect/rotate the lever portion 13b of the catcher 13 counter-clockwise upwardly to a sufficient extent for the engagement tab 12 to clear the lip portion 13b1 of the lever 13b of the catcher 13 to essentially reset the position of the engagement tab 12 in the space defining the seat portion 13c between the pocket portion 13a and the lever portion 13b of the catcher 13 of the movable latch 10. At this point, the drawer slide control mechanism 5 is reset and again ready for use in the manner described above.

Another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is described in more detail below. More specifically, FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a drawer slide control mechanism 51 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 a perspective view of the bottom-mounted drawer latch 70 shown in FIG. 5. The drawer slide control mechanism 51 is likewise provided in conjunction with cooperating rails, namely a cabinet rail 3 and a drawer rail having a wheeled rolling mechanism (not shown). While the details shown in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6 differ somewhat from those depicted in FIGS. 1-4D it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can easily be adapted to accommodate variations in drawer slide rail designs, and the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and described herein.

The drawer slide control mechanism 51 includes a drawer latch bracket 70 having a main plain 71 and an engagement member 712 extending outwardly from a perpendicular extension 711 at a first portion of the main plane 71. The latch bracket 70 also includes a second portion 72, extending perpendicularly upwards a distance at an opposed second portion of the main plane 71, in a direction that is perpendicular with respect to the extension direction of the engagement member 712. The second portion 72 includes, for example, openings 70a through which fixing means, examples of which include, but are not limited to a screw, bolt, nail, brad, solder, or other mechanical fixing member, can be inserted to affix the latch bracket 70 to the bottom panel of the drawer. In that manner, the drawer latch bracket 70 attaches directly to a portion of the bottom surface of the drawer via the attachment means 70a. Although it is not shown in FIG. 5, the means for affixing the drawer latch 70 to the drawer could also include snap fit mating means that engage reciprocating engagement means on the bottom surface of the drawer. The materials of the drawer latch bracket 70, being metal or plastic, for example, are conducive for forming snap-fit mating members, as well as the apertures shown, as one skilled in the art would readily appreciate.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control mechanism 51 also includes a shock absorber sub-assembly having an elongate bracket member 9, which is mounted in an inverted mounting position, but which is otherwise structurally and functionally the same as the elongate bracket member 9 and the shock absorber sub-assembly described above and in connection with the '269 Application.

The elongate bracket member 9 attaches to a surface of the cabinet panel 1, such as a side surface as shown, for example, or any other surface as dictated by the particular requirements associated with the design constraints of the drawer slide rail system. Means for attaching the elongate bracket member 9 to a surface of the cabinet panel 1 is not limited to the embodiment described above, however, and includes additional and/or alternative means such as welding, glue, adhesive tape, adhesive-backed or glue-backed hook-and-loop type fasteners, or the like, to name a few.

FIG. 5 also shows an example of a stabilization bracket 40. In this case, because the orientation of the shock absorbing sub-assembly is inverted, the orientation of the stabilizing bracket is likewise inverted, and will be described with respect to the particular orientation depicted in FIG. 5. That is, a snap-fit dowel 41 extends from a second end of the main body portion 42 of the stabilization bracket 40, and engages the opening 9b in the elongate bracket member 9 in the same manner described above in connection with FIGS. 1-3. In addition, two sets of engagement tabs 43a and 43b, 43c, also of the snap-fit type, are provided extending proximal the opposed first end of the main body portion 42 of the stabilization bracket 40. The engagement tabs 43a-c snap-fit onto and lockingly engage the upper and lower ridge surfaces of the cabinet rail 3 as shown in FIG. 5 to securely affix the stabilization bracket thereto, so that the stabilization bracket extends downwardly between the cabinet rail 3 and the elongate bracket member 9. The specific length of the main body portion 42 of the stabilization bracket 40 is selected based on the particular dimensions, such as the height, of the drawer to ensure the correct alignment and proper cooperation between the respective components of the drawer slide control mechanism when the drawer latch bracket 70 is mounted on the bottom surface of the drawer, as shown in FIG. 5.

Each of the component parts described above can be made from any one of a variety of materials that are typically used in the construction of drawer and cabinet hardware assemblies, including, but not limited to plastic, metal, composite, or any other suitable material. If any of the parts are to be formed integrally as described above, the respective parts would likely be made of the same material, preferably plastic to reduce cost.

In a similar manner, there is no special requirement for the shock absorber, and a variety of linear-type shock absorbers are available in the market. The damping characteristics and stroke length of the shock absorber would, of course, have to be selected so as to meet the particular damping and stroke requirements for the drawer slide control mechanisms 5, 51 as described above. The shock absorber can contain a fluid such as a gas, like air or any other suitable gaseous damping fluid, or a liquid, such as an oil or any other suitable liquidous damping fluid.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A drawer slide assembly control mechanism comprising:

a cabinet rail associated with a cabinet housing and a drawer rail associated with a drawer; and
a control mechanism associated with the drawer, said control mechanism comprising a drawer latch bracket having an engagement member extending outwardly therefrom, and a shock-absorbing sub-assembly comprising an elongate bracket member associated with said cabinet rail, a movable latch associated with said elongate bracket member and cooperating with said engagement member of said drawer latch bracket so as to move along with movement of said drawer over at least a portion of a length of said drawer rail, and a shock absorber unit associated with said elongate bracket member and cooperating with said movable latch for damping movement of said movable latch at least during a closing stroke of said drawer to reduce noise associated with closing said drawer.

2. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said drawer latch bracket is positioned on at least one of a side surface of said drawer and a bottom surface of said drawer.

3. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing bracket fixedly attached to said cabinet rail and said elongate bracket member and extending therebetween in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to an extension direction of said cabinet rail.

4. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said elongate bracket member comprises a groove extending in a direction that is substantially parallel with respect to an extension axis of said cabinet rail; and

wherein said movable latch comprises a first portion that resides in and rides along said groove of said elongate bracket member, and a catcher extending outwardly beyond said groove of said elongate bracket member from said first portion in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to said extension axis of said cabinet rail, said catcher having at least one portion for receiving, engaging and retaining at least one portion of said engagement member of said drawer latch bracket to prevent disengagement between said catcher and said engagement member of said drawer latch bracket during the closing stroke of the drawer.

5. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said movable latch further comprises a member for engaging said shock absorber within the elongate bracket member.

6. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said movable latch further comprises a member for engaging a drawer return spring within the elongate bracket member.

7. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 6, wherein when said drawer is closed during a closing stroke, said engagement member of said drawer latch bracket engages said receiving and engaging portion of said catcher, at which point said drawer return spring draws said movable latch in the closing stroke direction, and said shock absorber dampens said closing stroke to provide a smooth and gentle closing action of said drawer.

8. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said elongate bracket member comprises positioning means for determining a mounting location with respect to said cabinet rail and said drawer latch bracket.

9. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said drawer latch bracket is fixed to a front portion of a side panel of the drawer.

10. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said drawer latch bracket is fixed to a front portion of a bottom panel of the drawer.

11. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said stabilizing bracket comprises one or more protrusions having shapes that lockingly engage with corresponding portions of said elongate bracket member and said cabinet rail.

12. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 11, wherein said stabilizing bracket comprises a plurality of snap-fit tabs that engage with corresponding portions of said elongate bracket member and said cabinet rail.

13. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 11, wherein said stabilizing bracket comprises at least one snap-fit dowel that engages with a corresponding opening of said elongate bracket member.

14. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said at least one portion of said catcher for receiving and engaging at least one portion of said engagement member of said drawer latch bracket comprises a pocket portion, a lever portion having a lip horizontally opposed to said pocket portion, and a seat portion defined there between.

15. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said engagement member of said drawer latch bracket comprises a main body portion.

16. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 15, wherein said main body portion of said engagement member of said drawer latch bracket comprises one or more posts extending outwardly from a surface thereof which engage a pocket portion of said catcher.

17. The drawer slide assembly control mechanism according to claim 15, wherein said main body portion of said engagement member of said drawer latch bracket engages a seat portion of said catcher and is sandwiched between a pocket portion of said catcher and a horizontally opposed lip portion thereof.

18. A drawer slide assembly control mechanism comprising:

a cabinet rail associated with a cabinet housing and a drawer rail associated with a drawer; and
a control mechanism associated with the drawer, said control mechanism comprising a drawer latch bracket positioned on said drawer, said drawer latch bracket having an engagement tab extending outwardly therefrom, and a shock-absorbing sub-assembly comprising an elongate bracket member associated with said cabinet rail and capable of limited linear movement along a portion of said cabinet rail, said elongate bracket member comprising a groove extending in a direction that is substantially parallel with respect to an extension axis of said cabinet rail, a movable latch associated with said elongate bracket member and cooperating with said engagement tab of said drawer latch bracket so as to move along with movement of said drawer over at least a portion of a length of said drawer rail, and a shock absorber unit associated with said elongate bracket member and cooperating with said movable latch for damping movement of said movable latch at least during a closing stroke of said drawer to reduce noise associated with closing said drawer.

19. A control mechanism for a drawer slide assembly including a cabinet rail and a drawer rail, said control mechanism comprising:

a latch bracket being fixedly positioned on a portion of said drawer above or below said drawer rail and said cabinet rail;
a moveable latch associated with said cabinet rail and adapted to engage said latch bracket, said moveable latch being configured to move along with movement of said drawer when in a latched state as engaged with said latch bracket; and
a damping mechanism for damping movement of said movable latch engaged with said latch bracket as said drawer moves from an open position to a closed position to reduce noise associated with closing said drawer.

20. A control mechanism for a drawer slide assembly including a cabinet rail and a drawer rail, said control mechanism comprising:

a latch bracket positioned on a portion of a drawer and having a post extending therefrom;
a movable latch associated with said cabinet rail and capable of limited linear movement along a portion of said cabinet rail, said movable latch cooperating and engaging with said post of said latch bracket so as to move along with movement of said drawer when engaged with said post; and
a damping mechanism for damping movement of said movable latch at least when said drawer is moving from an open position to a closed position to reduce noise associated with closing said drawer.
Patent History
Publication number: 20140042884
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 8, 2012
Publication Date: Feb 13, 2014
Applicant: Grass America, Inc. (Kernersville, NC)
Inventors: Georg DOMENIG (Kernersville, NC), Manfred Peer (Walkertown, NC), Cheng Jiang (Kernersville, NC)
Application Number: 13/569,455
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Having Biasing Means (312/319.1); And Particular Stop Means (312/334.44); Resilient Releasable Stop (312/334.46)
International Classification: A47B 88/16 (20060101); A47B 88/12 (20060101);