With Latch, Lock, Or Gravity Closer Patents (Class 312/333)
  • Patent number: 8393693
    Abstract: A return device for a drawer employs an actuator to drive a slide block, when the drawer is pulled open, the slide block is moved into a positioning concave and positioned therein while stretching an elastic member. Or pushing the drawer back can make the slide block slide out of the positioning concave, meanwhile, the elastic member pulls the drawer back to its original position. Furthermore, since the angle between the slide surface of the positioning concave of the positioning member and the track is obtuse, it is easy for the slide block to slide in and out, so that the drawer can be easily positioned and unlocked from the positioned state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Sun Chain Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teng-Yi Juan, Shih Wang Chen
  • Patent number: 8393692
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism includes an outer rail, an inner rail, a middle rail and a latching assembly. The middle rail has a resisting portion and is slidably mounted to the outer rail and the inner rail is slidably mounted to the middle rail. The latching assembly includes a first protrusion, a second protrusion, a third protrusion, a first roller and a second roller, a latching slot and a stopping surface. When the inner rail slides relative to the middle rail, the first protrusion resists the first roller so the middle rail sliding with the inner rail; and then the first roller slides along the third protrusion to release the first roller from the first protrusion. The second roller then slides in the latching slot until the resisting portion resists the stopping surface; and then the first roller slides along the first protrusion so the inner rail further extends relative to the middle rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mo-Ming Yu, Ze-Hong Chen
  • Patent number: 8379380
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a main body, a HDD, a frame, and two latch members. The main body defines an opening. The main body includes a first casing portion and a second casing portion defining at least one slot. The frame is capable of securing the HDD and capable of being moved into and out of the main body through the opening. Two first positioning posts protrude from the frame. Two latch members are rotatably connected to first casing portion and capable of being rotated into and out from the main body through slots. Each latch member defines a first recessed portion. Each first recessed portion accommodates a part of one first positioning post to latch the frame to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuai Zhang
  • Patent number: 8371542
    Abstract: A slide rail assembly includes a first rail, a second rail slidably received in the first rail, a mounting bracket fixed to the second rail, a positioning member movably mounted to the mounting bracket, and a releasing member slidably mounted to the second rail. The first rail includes a holding portion. The positioning member engages with the holding portion to prevent the second rail from sliding into or out of the first rail. By sliding the releasing member, the releasing member drives the positioning member to disengage from the holding portion of the first rail, thereby enabling the second rail to slide into or out of the first rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guang-Yi Zhang, Jia-Qi Fu, Hai-Chen Zhou, Lin-Ren Gu
  • Patent number: 8366217
    Abstract: An installation device for a slide assembly includes a first rail and a second rail which has a guide seat and two slots for being connected with an exterior equipment. A positioning member is fixed to the second rail and an arm board has a positioning hole located corresponding to one of the slots of the second rail so that one of installation members of the exterior equipment is engaged with the positioning hole. An end board has a through hole and an end piece extending toward the second rail. The release member is movably installed to the second rail. When the release member is moved by an exterior force and positioned by the guide seat, the protrusion of the release member pushes the end piece to keep the positioning hole away from the second rail and the exterior equipment is removed from the positioning hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: King Slide Works Co., Ltd., King Slide Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shih-Lung Huang, Chiang-Hsueh Fang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8369079
    Abstract: There is disclosed a carrier (50) for a disk drive (100) for inserting a disk drive into a bay (22) of a storage enclosure (10), a storage enclosure and methods relating to the same. The carrier (50) comprises a housing for housing a said disk drive, and a latch member (61) slidably attached to the housing. The latch member has at least one latch part (64) for engaging with a corresponding engagement part of a said bay to latch the carrier (50) into position when the latch member (61) is slid in a latch direction to a latch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Graham Collins
  • Patent number: 8366216
    Abstract: A drawer received in an electronic device includes a drawer assembly and a locking assembly. The drawer assembly is detachable attached to the electronic device and can be used as a carrying case for components of the electronic device. The locking assembly includes a rotatable key set on the drawer assembly, a rod operable to fix or release the drawer assembly from the electronic device, and a moveable member movably connected between the rotatable key and the rod. The moveable member is driven by the rotatable key to drive the rod to fix or release the drawer assembly from the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuai Zhang
  • Patent number: 8365950
    Abstract: A medicine dispensing device has a device body (1), shelf members (2) arranged in the vertical directions in the device body (1), and a medicine conveyance member (3) for conveying medicines (D), received in the shelf members (2), on one by one basis from the front face side of the device body (1). A shelf member (2) has cassettes (26) in which medicines (D) are received in line, a pusher (31) for pushing the medicines in the cassettes (26) toward the front face side of the device body (10), and a constant load spring (32) for applying a constant load to the medicines (D) received in the cassettes (26) through the pusher (31). To fill the cassettes (26) with the medicines (D), the shelf member (2) can be pulled out from the front face side of the device body (1) and then positioned by pivoting the shelf member (2) so as to face obliquely downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Hiroyuki Kanda
  • Publication number: 20130020919
    Abstract: A wire strike assembly for use with a latch mechanism having an adjustment mechanism and locking mechanism to enable the wire strike assembly to be readily adjusted to align with the latch in an efficient and fail safe manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Frank H. Rechberg, Jason A. Rechberg
  • Publication number: 20130021740
    Abstract: A latching system includes a removable chassis having at least one enclosure coupling feature that is operable to engage an enclosure to house the removable chassis in the enclosure. A moveable component is moveably coupled to the removable chassis. A latch is coupled to the removable chassis. The latch is operable to engage the moveable component when the removable chassis is not housed in the enclosure such that the moveable component is restricted from moving relative to the removable chassis. The latch is operable to disengage the moveable component in response to the removable chassis being housed in the enclosure such that the moveable component is not restricted from moving relative to the removable chassis. The latching system allows the removable chassis to be carried around outside the enclosure without movement of the moveable component, while also allowing the moveable component to move when the removable component is housed in the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Karl I. Hamand, Zachary A. Cravens
  • Patent number: 8356864
    Abstract: The invention relates to an immobilization device for locking a furniture part that is movably supported in or on a piece of furniture, particularly a drawer, in a closed end position. The device includes at least one locking unit, which has a receiving element for an engagement element and a blocking mechanism for the releasable fixation of the receiving element in a position that locks the engagement element when the movable furniture part is in the closed end position. The receiving element or the engagement element is disposed on the furniture, and the other element is disposed on the moved furniture part. The locking unit has an overload safety mechanism, which includes at least two parts connected movably to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Koenig, Martin During
  • Patent number: 8353563
    Abstract: A roller pull-out guide pulls out a furniture part from a furniture body in a pull-out direction and slides the furniture part into the furniture body in a slide-in direction. The guide includes at least one guide rail and at least one roller guided in this guide rail as well as a self-retraction device with a spring-loaded, tiltably and displaceably supported tilt slide for retracting the furniture part in the slide-in direction. The tilt slide includes a claw which engages on the roller for the retraction of the furniture part in the slide-in direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Fulterer Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventor: Guenter Bonat
  • Patent number: 8348769
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a printed circuit board that is part of a wagering game machine. The printed circuit board includes a processor operable to execute instructions associated with a wagering game. The printed circuit board also includes a hard drive mount that includes an alignment guide and a blind mate connector for electrically coupling a hard drive to a surface mount connection on the printed circuit board. The hard drive is to store wagering game data for the wagering game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob C. Greenberg, Raymond E. Macika, Victor Mercado, Eleobardo Moreno
  • Patent number: 8336760
    Abstract: A parcel box for receiving and keeping parcels in a theftproof manner has a box having a drawer which can be pulled out and pushed in, and a prevention mechanism that prevents unauthorized removal of parcel. The prevention mechanism has a placing portion on which the parcel is placed, a blocking mechanism that blocks pulling out of the drawer from the box when parcel is placed on the placing portion, and an unblocking mechanism that unblocks the parcel box drawer. The placing portion has two platforms, each having a first end and a second end situated opposite each other. The two platforms are facing each other or are placed in adjacent relation to each other, with the ends of the platforms directed to opposite sides. Each platform is pivotable about a pivot axle fixed in the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Peter Skouboe
  • Patent number: 8336759
    Abstract: A parcel box for receiving and keeping parcels in a theftproof manner has a box having a drawer which can be pulled out and pushed in, and a prevention mechanism that prevents unauthorized removal of parcel. The prevention mechanism has a platform for placing parcel, a blocking mechanism that blocks pulling out of the drawer from the box when parcel is placed on the platform, and an unblocking mechanism that unblocks the parcel box drawer. The platform has a first end and a second end situated opposite each other. The platform is swingable about a cross pivot axle fixed in the drawer. The first end of the platform is situated lower than the second end. The blocking mechanism has a blocking bracket and a stop. The blocking bracket has a first end and a second end situated opposite each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Peter Skouboe
  • Patent number: 8335080
    Abstract: A sliding rail having anti-tilting mechanism is disclosed. The sliding rail includes a slidable connecting piece that is located at an enclosure and that has a fourth retaining portion, a slider whose outer side has a second slidable connecting portion and whose inner side has a resilient piece with a second retaining portion and a third retaining portion that is used to retain or release the fourth retaining portion, and a support with a first slidable connecting portion and a first retaining portion, wherein the second slidable connecting portion is connected with the first slidable connecting portion and moves in the forward and backward direction. When the slider and the support are located at the first relative location, the resilient piece retains the fourth retaining portion. When the slider and the support are located at the second relative location, the slidable connecting piece is released from the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Infortrend Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsung-Chi Huang, Shiuan-Jang Chen
  • Patent number: 8328299
    Abstract: A drawer slide with lock mechanism has an elongated outer slide member extendably coupled to an inner slide member. A latch arm or pin is fixed to the inner slide member for latching by a lock mechanism fixed to the outer slide member. The lock mechanism uses a latch receiver that rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is in a travel path of the latch arm. A lever arm rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is positionable to block rotation of the latch receiver in a locked position to retain the latch arm. A motor drives a cam to position the lever arm to free the latch receiver from the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Accuride International Inc.
    Inventors: Darush David Hashemi, Xiaoping Zhou, Xiwen Wang
  • Patent number: 8328300
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus is provided for mounting a slide rail to a rack post defining a number of through holes. The mounting apparatus includes a mounting bracket and a clipping member. The mounting bracket includes a sliding portion slidably engaged with the slide rail and an end plate perpendicularly extending from a front end of the sliding portion. Two inserting pins extend from the end plate through corresponding through holes of the rack post. The clipping member includes a first end fixed to the mounting bracket, and a second end approaching the end plate. A tab protrudes from the clipping member and is adjacent to the second end of the clipping member. The second end or the tab of the clipping member abuts against a side of rack post opposite to the end plate to avoid the inserting pins to disengage from the corresponding through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mo-Ming Yu, Ze-Hong Chen, Guang-Hua Gu
  • Patent number: 8317277
    Abstract: A system for assisting the linear movement of a pull-out component relative to a housing includes a first bracket coupled to a slide member of the housing, a second bracket coupled to the pull-out component, and a strut that is pivotally coupled to the first and second brackets at its respective ends. The strut includes an outer hollow member that houses a primary spring, a cylindrical piston that translates through one end of the outer hollow member, and a reverse damping mechanism. A free end of the primary spring is held inside the outer hollow member by a clevis for the first bracket, and its opposite end rests on the piston. The piston's free end includes a clevis for the second bracket. An inner hollow member houses a second spring which regulates movement of a damper shaft such that damping occurs when the shaft is pulled out of the damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Accuride International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Sheng-Shyong Hu, Saul Gutnik
  • Patent number: 8320115
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a chassis, a plurality of first locking members, and a second locking member. The chassis includes a bottom plate and two opposite side plates. The first locking members are secured to the bottom plate. A locking slot is defined in each locking member for receiving fastening members of a disk drive. The second locking member is secured to the bottom plate. A positioning flange is located on the second locking member and configured for abutting the disk drive, for preventing the fastening members from moving out of the locking slots along a direction perpendicular to the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8317278
    Abstract: Slide assemblies having telescopic slide members, a handle assembly and open and closed positions, with either or both of the open and closed positions being a releasable locking position, while merely requiring an intuitive pushing or pulling on a handle in the direction of intended movement to both unlock and move the slide assembly from the respective optional locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Enos
  • Patent number: 8308251
    Abstract: An elastic force adjustment device for slide assembly includes a fixing member, a movable member, an adjustment member and at least one elastic member. The fixing member includes a threaded rod and a longitudinal body. A longitudinal guiding portion is located between two ends of the longitudinal body. The adjustment frame has a mounting portion connected to the threaded rod. The adjustment member contacts the adjustment frame and has a threaded portion threadedly connected to the threaded rod. The at least one elastic member has two ends which are respectively connected to the movable member and the adjustment frame. A force of the at least one elastic member or the position of the movable member is adjusted by rotating the adjustment member on the threaded rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiu-Chiang Liang, Ken-Ching Chen, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8297721
    Abstract: A slide rail includes an outer rail, an intermediate rail slidably received in the outer rail, a first inner rail slidably received in the intermediate rail opposite to the outer rail, a second inner rail slidably received in the intermediate rail opposite to the outer rail, a protuberance disposed on the first inner rail, a latch member connected to the second inner rail, and a releasing member connected to the outer rail. The first and second inner rails are arranged adjacent to opposite first and second ends of the outer rail. The latch member is capable of engaging with or disengaging from the protuberance. When the first inner rail slides out of the outer rail from the first end, the releasing member is configured to abut against the latch member and urge the latch member to disengage from the protuberance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mo-Ming Yu, Xiang-Wei He
  • Patent number: 8297722
    Abstract: A cabinet slide assembly permits the soft-close action and/or a soft-open action of a drawer. The cabinet slide assembly includes a cabinet, a drawer, and at least one slide mechanism coupling the drawer to the cabinet to permit movement of the drawer between a fully open position and a fully closed position. A gas spring is also included in the assembly having a first end coupled to a portion of the cabinet assembly and a second end coupled to a portion of the drawer assembly. The gas spring is permitted to swing through an arc along a vertical plane as the drawer moves between the fully open position and the fully closed position. An adjustable bracket can also be included in the assembly and is configured for a top mount drawer assembly having a concealed drawer slide mechanism. The bracket is also configured for face frame or frameless cabinet construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Rev-A-Shelf Company, LLC
    Inventors: Paul F. Chambers, Kevin M. Ward, David P. Noe
  • Patent number: 8297723
    Abstract: An interlock device includes an outer rail, an inner rail, an intermediate rail, a base, a driving member, a stop and a locking member. The base is connected to one end of the outer rail and includes a top room and a bottom room. The driving member is movable and includes a driving portion, an engaging portion and a co-moving portion. The driving portion is located in the top room and partially exposed from the top room. The engaging portion is located in the bottom room. The stop is connected to the inner rail or the intermediate rail. The locking member is connected to the co-moving portion. When the inner rail and the intermediate rail are pulled out, the driving portion is pushed by the intermediate rail and retracted into the top room. The co-moving portion is moved to shift the locking member, and the engaging portion extends from the bottom room of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Hsueh-Lung Liu, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8295044
    Abstract: A storage device assembly includes a storage device, a bracket and a securing member. The storage device defines a first securing hole. The bracket includes a sidewall with an opening. The securing member is attached to an outside of the sidewall and includes an actuating end, a securing end, and a pivot portion formed between the actuating end and the securing end. The actuating end includes a ridge portion. The pivot portion is pivotally attached to the sidewall. The storage device abuts the actuating end of the securing member to force the securing end to pivot toward the sidewall and engage the first securing hole, and the actuating end extends through the opening and to be pressed by the storage device when located in the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (WuHan) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Da-Long Sun, Pei-Bin Luo
  • Publication number: 20120262041
    Abstract: An enclosure includes a main body, a cover for covering the main body, a movable member movably attached to an inner surface of the main body, and a latch member. The main body defines a through hole. The cover defines a through hole aligning with the through hole of the main body. The movable member defines a locking hole. The locking hole includes a small part and a large part communicating with the small part. The movable member is moved to align the large part of the locking hole with the through hole of the second sidewall. The latch member extends through the through hole of the cover, the through hole of the second sidewall, and the large part of the locking hole. The movable member then is restored, thereby the latch portion engaging in the small part of the locking hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: GUANG-YI ZHANG, JIA-QI FU, PU-YU YAO
  • Publication number: 20120262039
    Abstract: A modular drawer structure comprises a housing having an interior volume defined therein, and a drawer comprising one or more compartments, wherein the drawer is slidably movable with respect to the interior volume of the housing between a first closed position, wherein the compartments are enclosed within the interior volume, and a second open position, wherein the compartments are at least partially accessible. The drawer structure further comprises a mechanism for controllably locking the drawer in the first closed position, an access pad, e.g. such as but not limited to a keypad and/or a card swipe pad, for entry of a passcode, and a processor for unlocking the drawer when an entered passcode matches a stored passcode value. Some embodiments of the drawer structure include a stored time threshold, wherein if the drawer is unlocked for a time that meets or exceeds the stored time threshold, the drawer is relocked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Cristian J. DAUGBJERG, Robert Peter Glaser, Carl Hermann Poppe
  • Patent number: 8287059
    Abstract: A rail device and a server are provided. The server includes a rack, at least one chassis, and a rail device. The rail device is disposed on the chassis and the rack to move the chassis between a first position and a second position relative to the rack. The rail device includes a first rail, a second rail, a bracket, and a first latch. The first rail is installed on the rack, the second rail is installed in the chassis, the bracket is slidably coupled to the first rail and the second rail, and the first latch is disposed on the bracket. When the chassis moves away from the first position, the first latch locks the bracket and the chassis together, so that the chassis pushes the bracket forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Chi-Chun Yang
  • Patent number: 8282176
    Abstract: A locking mechanism of a slide assembly is connected between a first rail and a second rail, and includes a top, a locking member, a release member and a resilient member. The stop is connected to the first rail and the locking member is pivotably connected to the second rail. The release member has a window to accommodate the locking member. The window includes an inclined surface which is located corresponding to the locking member. The resilient member contacts between the locking member and the inside of the window to keep the locking member to be located corresponding to the stop. When the second rail is retracted relative to the first rail, the locking member is engaged with the stop. When the operation portion of the release member is pulled outward, the locking member is guided by the inclined surface and pivoted toward another direction to disengage from the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Hsueh-Lung Liu, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8282177
    Abstract: A self-closing drawer slide for a refrigerator includes a slide assembly operable between an expanded position and a non-expanded position and having first and second slides that are slidably engaged. The first slide is removably attached directly or indirectly to the interior wall of the refrigerator. An actuator is operably coupled to the second slide. A modular self-closing mechanism is releasably attached to an interior wall of the refrigerator separate from the slide assembly. A slider is attached to a spring and slidably engaged with the self-closing mechanism. The slider is positionable by the actuator between an extended position and a retracted position. The slider is adapted to be disengaged from the extended position by the actuator, which allows the slider to move toward the retracted position under force of the spring and which consequently pulls the actuator and a third slide, causing the slide assembly to move toward the non-expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Chad J. Rotter
  • Patent number: 8277002
    Abstract: A slide assembly with a self-closing mechanism that includes a dampening mechanism. In one arrangement, the slide assembly includes an inner slide segment slidably coupled to an outer slide segment. The self-closing mechanism is configured to move the inner slide segment towards a retracted position when the inner segment is moved to within a predetermined distance from the retracted position. The slide assembly can also include a latch which is engaged during the closing process and functions to trigger the self-closing and dampening. In an arrangement, the slide assembly has a maximum width dimension of about 0.4 inches or less, taking into account normal manufacturing variations. In an arrangement, a movable portion of the self-closing mechanism slidably engages a bearing race of the outer segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Jonathan Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Ramiro A. Perez, Ronald J. Judge, Patty J. Brock
  • Publication number: 20120223630
    Abstract: A drawer assembly includes a housing, a drawer body retractably mounted on the housing, two locking members mounted in the housing, and a control bar pivotally mounted on the drawer body and having two opposite ends each provided with a locking end that is movable to lock a respective one of the locking members. Thus, when the drawer body is retracted into and received in the housing, the locking end of the control bar is locked onto the respective locking member to lock the drawer body onto the housing so that the drawer body is locked onto the housing when the drawer assembly is closed and will not be moved outward from the housing when the drawer assembly is moved or declined to facilitate the user moving or transporting the drawer assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Kuo-Chan Weng, Jung-Hung Weng
  • Patent number: 8256853
    Abstract: An opening device for a slide assembly includes a swing member with a pin portion, a first resilient member and a pusher connected to the first rail. The first resilient member applies a force to the pusher. An engaging member pivotably connected to the second rail and includes a block and a positioning leg contacting a portion of the second rail. The engaging member is connected to a second resilient member. When the second rail is retracted relative to the first rail, the block of the engaging member contacts the pin portion of the swing member. When a pull force is applied to the retracted second rail, the engaging member swings an angle on the second rail to disengage the block from the pin portion of the swing member, and the engaging member returns to its original position relative to the second rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Xue-Long Liu, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8240788
    Abstract: A hidden self-closing drawer slide assembly comprises a base, a pressure cylinder, a traction member and a spring. The traction member is movably received in the base. The traction member is provided with a guiding block. The base is formed with a slide groove, and one end of the slide groove is folded into a positioning portion. The guiding block guides the traction member to linearly moves in the slide groove, and slides through the slide groove and finally into the positioning portion, and the locking protrusion of the traction member will disengage from the concave locking portion of the pressure cylinder. The traction member will be pushed back by the spring to its original position, and the pressure cylinder provides a buffering effect to absorb the shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sun Chain Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teng-Yi Juan, Shih-Wang Chen
  • Patent number: 8240787
    Abstract: A self-closing rail system includes a first rail, a second rail which is slidably connected to the first rail, and a self-closing device. The self-closing device includes an attachment member connected to the first rail and a guide portion extends longitudinally from the attachment member. A movable member is movably connected to the guide portion of the attachment member. An elastic member is connected between the attachment member and the movable member such that the elastic member applies a force to the movable member. A fixing member is connected to the second rail and has a pin which is connected to or disengaged from the movable member depending on the relative movement between the first and second rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Ting-Tsai Huang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8240789
    Abstract: A positioning device of a slide assembly includes a first rail, a second rail slidably connected to the first rail and defining a path, and a third rail slidably connected to the path of the second rail. A positioning member is securely connected to the second rail. An engaging member is pivotably connected to the positioning member and includes an extension arm located corresponding to the positioning portion of the first rail and capable of engaging with the positioning portion. An extension wing has an inclined surface relative to a horizontal plane and extending toward the path of the second rail. A resilient member is connected to the engaging member and makes the extension wing of the engaging member slide toward the third rail. When the third rail is retracted relative to the second rail, the engaging member is disengaged from the positioning portion of the first rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shih-Lung Huang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8235477
    Abstract: A controlled insertion device is provided for securing an electronic module in a cabinet, the device comprising a strike fixable to the cabinet and a latch engageable with the strike for imparting a longitudinal insertion force on the module for making an electrical connection while simultaneously imparting a lateral retention force on the cabinet defining a preselected clearance between the module and the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Karl H. Cunha
  • Patent number: 8235478
    Abstract: In an acceleration device including a carrier element movably disposed in a housing together with a first energy store which is connected to the carrier element for moving the carrier element from a locked parking position to an end position while its energy is being discharged, a second energy store, which is charged with an initial energy amount when the carrier element is in the parking position, is associated with a guide element and is discharged upon release of the carrier element from the parking position while the carrier element is moved to an end position opposite the parking position. The second energy store, while being discharged to a residual energy amount, controls, by means of the guide element, the energy change rate of the first energy store at least in a part of its discharge time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: Günther Zimmer, Martin Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20120194049
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cabinet for housing electronic equipment, the cabinet comprising two generally parallel side walls and a door moveable between a closed position and a fully open position; wherein the distance between the door and each of the side panels is greater when the door is in the fully open position than the distance between the door and each of the side panels when the door is in the closed position, and also wherein the orientation of the door with respect to the plane of each of the side doors is generally the same in the fully open position as it is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: USYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Charles Alfred Cook
  • Publication number: 20120195010
    Abstract: A structure of a housing mounted with a lens unit is provided that is capable of withstanding internal pressure changes and ensures shock-resistance while being waterproof and thin. The housing structure includes a resin case, and a metal frame for preventing deformation of the resin case. A sliding groove with which the metal frame is engageable by being slid is formed in an inner section of the resin case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Kurokawa, Takayuki Satou
  • Patent number: 8231188
    Abstract: A slide assembly includes a first rail, a second rail, an engaging member and a resilient member. The first rail includes an extension wall and the second rail is slidably connected to the first rail, and has a passage. The engaging member is pivotably connected to the second rail, and has a first end and a second end. The first end includes a stop. The resilient member is connected between the second end of the engaging member and the second rail so as to provide a resilient force to the engaging member so that the stop of the first end of the engaging member is inserted into the passage of the second rail by the resilient force from the resilient member. The stop is longitudinally located corresponding to the extension wall of the first rail. When the second rail is slid to a pre-set position relative to the first rail, the stop of the engaging member contacts the extension wall of the first rail to form a stop point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignees: King Slide Works Co., Ltd., King Slide Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Wei-Cheng Chang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Publication number: 20120187807
    Abstract: A drawer assembly is disclosed that includes a removable container ad a receiving tray. The container has a housing having at least one shaped surface and at least one horizontal alignment element coupled to and projecting from the housing. The receiving tray has a base having a redirection feature and at least one horizontal alignment hole in the base that is configured to accept the horizontal alignment element. The container and receiving tray are configured such that downward motion of the container with the shaped surface of the housing in contact with the redirection feature of the base induces a lateral motion of the container according to the engagement of the shaped surface and the redirection feature that causes the horizontal alignment element to slide into the horizontal alignment hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: CareFusion 303, Inc.
    Inventor: FRANK DEAN WEBER
  • Patent number: 8220882
    Abstract: A piece of furniture and a device for locking a first furniture part in a closing position in relation to a second furniture part, wherein the lock can be overridden using a triggering process. Releasing means are provided that are operable to unlock the first furniture part from the closing position by an externally applied, predetermined triggering force on the first furniture part in the opening direction of the first furniture part relative to the second furniture part, if the triggering process does not override the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Grass GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kropf, Dieter Seewald, Klaus Schneider
  • Patent number: 8220883
    Abstract: An ejection device for a furniture part mounted movably in or on a furniture body includes an ejector, a drive unit, and a friction clutch. The friction clutch is designed in such a manner that it decouples the drive unit and the ejector from each other when a predetermined torque is exceeded. The friction clutch includes two parts which are rotatable in relation to each other with respect to two directions of rotation. A spring is provided which interacts with the two parts in such a manner that the torque at which the decoupling takes place differs for the two directions of rotation of the two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Julius Blum GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Gasser, Edgar Huber
  • Patent number: 8218315
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for fixing a storage device to a chassis defining an opening includes two opposite fixing arms for supporting the storage device, a main body connecting the fixing arms, a latching member pivotably received in the main body, and an operating member slidably coupled to the main body. When the mounting apparatus is received in the chassis through the opening, and the operating member is pushed to drive the latching member to rotate, the latching portion protrudes outwardly from the main body and engages with an inside surface adjoining the opening of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Chun Lu
  • Patent number: 8215727
    Abstract: A carrierless storage system enclosure includes an ejection mechanism to permit installation and removal of data storage devices (e.g., hard disk drives) without tools, carriers, and manual cabling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Drobo, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey S. Barrall, Julian M. Terry, Mark J. Herbert
  • Publication number: 20120169198
    Abstract: A an assembly unit for assembling a drawable device into a casing includes a fixing member disposed on a side wall of the drawable device and a latching member slidably disposed on the casing correspondingly to the fixing member. The fixing member has a fixing hole thereon. The casing has a first tongue portion corresponding to the latching member and a fixing protrusion protruding toward the interior of the casing; wherein the fixing protrusion engages with the fixing hole when the drawable device is assembled into the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, SILITEK ELECTRONIC (GUANGZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUE-WEN JIANG, SHU-HUA MAU
  • Patent number: 8210624
    Abstract: A self-closing drawer slide has a housing with a linear channel extending therein at an inner end of an outer longitudinal section. A catch is slidably mounted within the channel and has pivot pins 36 extending out either side thereof (only one side is shown) into corresponding slots in the sides of the channel. The catch is symmetrical about a longitudinal centre line of the housing and rocks rearward to unlock and engage a latch on an inner longitudinal section and forward to lock and release the latch. The catch is biased to slide to an inner end of the channel when the catch is unlocked and there are no external forces on the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Waterloo Furniture Components Ltd.
    Inventor: Samuel Jurja
  • Publication number: 20120161599
    Abstract: An anti-drop structure includes a rail assembly, a drag assembly, and two latching members. The rail assembly includes a pair of L-shaped sliding rails. Each L-shaped sliding rail includes a sidewall and a holding portion bent outwards from an end of the sidewall. One end of the sidewall defines a latching opening. The drag assembly is slidably positioned on the holding portions of the sliding rails and located between the sidewalls of the sliding rails. The drag assembly includes two opposite side plates. Each latching member is positioned on an inner surface of a corresponding one of the side plates, and includes a latching portion passing through a corresponding side plate. The latching portion is configured to slid into a corresponding latching opening to prevent the drag assembly from dropping out of the rail assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HSUAN-CHANG CHEN, CHIA-MING CHANG, PING-HUNG CHEN