Singular Drawer Slide-Mounting Bracket Preassembly Unit

The present invention relates to a one-piece (singular) drawer slide-mounting bracket preassembly unit composed of two parts that are preassembled before being transported as a single unit for direct installation in any furniture body, such as a cabinet, that accommodates movable furniture members, such as drawers.

Many different types of furniture bodies, such as cabinets, dressers, armoires, and multi-purpose shelving units include movable parts, such as drawers. The drawers are movably affixed to an inner portion of the furniture body via a slide rail mechanism that facilitates a sliding movement for smoothly opening and closing the drawer. Typically, a number of different production and assembly processes are required to provide various aspects of the drawer slide rail, and the drawer slide rails are mounted to the furniture body using a non-adjustable mounting mechanism, i.e., via the sidewall screws and/or fixed-end mounting brackets that are also attached to the furniture using screws.

For example, the drawer slide members and the associated mounting brackets are made, in many cases, by different manufacturers, and are usually sold separately. This involves separate purchasing and acquisition steps that require multiple coordination steps. During production, the individual drawer slide rails and mounting brackets, which are produced and received separately, are transported separately to an initial assembly location, and are then temporarily attached together, which involves manual labor steps. The temporarily attached drawer slide rails are then transported to yet another location, prior to further distribution to a cabinet manufacturer, where the drawer slide rails are then manually installed in the cabinets.

One drawback is that this multi-step process involves numerous acquisition, attachment and transportation steps before the drawer slide rail is ultimately mounted to the cabinet. Further, most of these steps are performed manually, incurring labor time and costs, and introducing human error. Additionally, since the drawer slide rails and brackets are only preliminarily (temporarily) connected before installation, it is possible for the brackets and drawer slide rails to separate and/or malalignment during the subsequent transportation steps, causing costly damage/displacement of drawer slide components that require replacement and/or re-assembly before use, which introduces additional human intervention and costs both time and money.

The present invention has been made in order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art discussed above. Specifically, the drawer slide-mounting bracket preassembly unit according to the present invention, also referred to herein simply as a singular preassembly unit or preassembly unit, offers many benefits over the prior art process and structures. For example, the singular preassembly unit according to the present invention reduces time and costs otherwise associated with acquiring and using multiple components and requiring multiple assembly steps that are performed at different facilities by different people prior to shipping and delivery to the installer/user for installation. Instead, the preassembly unit according to the present invention is provided in one step, and then the preassembly unit is sent as a single unit directly to the installer/user for installation. The singular preassembly unit according to the present invention provides structural stability during handling and transport as one unit without risking component separation or damage or requiring manual re-assembly or replacement.

Further, while the mounting bracket portion of the preassembly unit is securely mechanically fastened to the drawer slide member of the preassembly unit, the mating of the two parts is achieved in a secure snap-fit (press-fit), yet releasable manner. Since adhesive is not needed, and not preferred, one can manually release the secured connection between the two parts of the preassembly unit with a simple press and twist (rotation) motion of the mounting bracket portion, so that either component can easily be replaced, if needed. No tools or machinery are required.

In addition, the singular preassembly unit further facilitates easy snap-fit/press-fit installation on an inner rear cabinet wall via integrated mounting members provided on the mounting bracket portion of the preassembly unit, further eliminating the need to use any tools for this step. The singular preassembly unit easily adjusts to fit different cabinets within a tolerance, and side-to-side adjustment is available for leveling and positioning, also without needing any extra tools.

Since the preassembly unit according to the present invention is provided as a single unit that has the durability to withstand transport without separating, and which is delivered as a single part directly to the final installation site, the present invention reduces the number of steps involved, particularly manual steps, ensures stable one-step transport, reduces acquisition time and costs, transportation time and costs, and simplifies the installation and adjustment process of the preassembly unit on the cabinet. In this manner, the preassembly unit according to the present invention offers many advantages over the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a singular drawer slide-mounting bracket preassembly unit is provided, comprising a drawer slide member, including a drawer slide member bracket part and a drawer slide member sliding part, and a mounting bracket portion mechanically affixed to a rear end portion of the drawer slide member, specifically a rear end of the drawer slide member bracket part, via one or more connection mechanisms having corresponding mating structures respectively provided on the drawer slide member and the mounting bracket portion.

A lower/bottom side of the drawer slide member bracket part includes a raised stamped-up part proximate a rear end part of the drawer slide member bracket part. The raised stamped part includes one or more detents extending outwardly and downwardly from a bottom/outer surface of the stamped part of the lower/bottom side of the drawer slide member bracket part. An upper portion of a cabinet facing side of the drawer slide member bracket part includes a notch proximate the rear end part of the drawer slide member bracket part. The notch includes a first channel part extending a distance along a longitudinal extension direction of the drawer slide member bracket part, a second channel part defining a substantially vertical or angled channel whose extension path deviates from the path of the first channel part, and a transition ledge defined between the first and second channel parts. Preferably, the bottom surface of the drawer slide member bracket part is flush with a bottom surface of the mounting bracket portion.

The mounting bracket portion includes a latch having a first end extending outwardly and away from a portion of a front side surface of the mounting bracket portion toward an opposed terminal end having a hook portion, which extends in a direction that deviates from an extension direction of a remainder of the latch, which is otherwise substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the drawer slide member. The mounting bracket portion further includes a mounting bracket channel that is open at a front side of the mounting bracket portion and which extends inwardly along a bottom inner surface toward an inner rear side surface of the mounting bracket portion proximate a bottom side thereof. The bracket channel preferably includes two laterally opposed side portions and a central portion sandwiched therebetween. The bracket channel also includes at least one upwardly sloped detent entering path extending into the bracket channel from the channel opening at the front side toward the rear inner surface of the mounting bracket portion, and one or more transversely extending detent recess channel(s) are provided immediately adjacent to an uppermost end of the upwardly sloped detent entering path inside the bracket channel. The extension direction of the detent recess channel(s) non-parallel, preferably arranged perpendicular, with respect to the extension direction of the detent entering path(s).

It is also preferred that the mounting bracket portion includes one or more securing dowels extending outwardly from a back/outer surface thereof, whereby the singular slide member-mounting bracket preassembly unit is adapted to be securely installed in a cabinet for slidably accommodating drawers via the securing dowels without using any tools. The securing dowels are selected from the group consisting of a double securing wing dowel, solid post securing dowel, a single latch securing dowel, and a mushroom securing dowel.

According to a second aspect of the singular slide-mounting bracket preassembly unit according to the present invention, the rear end part of the drawer slide member bracket part includes an extension part having one or more notches provided in an upper surface thereof and running along at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the extension part. The one or more bracket channels of the mounting bracket portion include one or more convex locking members formed on an upper inner surface of the one or more bracket channels, extending downwardly therefrom, to lockingly engage with a corresponding shape of the one or more notches situated in the bracket channel(s).

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for producing a singular drawer slide-mounting bracket preassembly unit is provided, comprising the steps of providing a drawer slide member, including a drawer slide member bracket part and a drawer slide member sliding part, providing a mounting bracket portion, and mechanically connecting the mounting bracket portion to an end part of the drawer slide member via one or more connection mechanisms having corresponding mating structures, so that a bottom surface of the drawer slide member is flush with a bottom surface of the mounting bracket portion, whereby the singular drawer slide-mounting bracket preassembly unit can be handled and transported prior to being installed in a furniture unit that accommodates sliding parts without disengaging or misaligning. Preferably, the mounting bracket portion includes one or more securing dowels extending outwardly from a back outer surface thereof, whereby the singular drawer slide-mounting bracket preassembly unit is adapted to be securely installed in the furniture unit via the securing dowels without using any tools.

The present invention is described in more detail below in connection with the related drawing figures. Like reference numbers have been used to designate like parts among the various drawings, and repeat descriptions are omitted.

The first embodiment of the preset invention is illustrated in.show a singular drawer slide-mounting bracket portion preassembly unit(“preassembly unit”) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The preassembly unitis a single unit, which is transported and installed as a single unit in a cabinet or furniture unit/body designed to accommodate one or more sliding members, such as drawers or pull-out shelves (see, e.g.,).

The preassembly unitincludes a rear mounting bracket portion(hereinafter also referred to simply as mounting bracket portion) and a drawer slide member.

The drawer slide memberincludes a drawer slide member bracket partand a sliding part. The mounting bracket portionis mechanically affixed to a rear end partD of the drawer slide member bracket part. The drawer slide memberalso includes a stop latch, situated on the sliding partas shown in, to provide additional drawer-slam prevention, which is an optional feature. The drawer slide member bracket partalso includes a first sideA (cabinet facing side), a bottom/lower sideB, a second sideC, transversely opposing the first sideA for accommodating the sliding part, and the rear end partD. The bottom/lower sideB includes an upper inner surface portionB, and a bottom outer surface portionB.

An upper portion of the first sideA of the drawer slide member bracket partincludes a notchproximate the rear end partD. The notchincludes a substantially horizontal channel partA extending a distance along a longitudinal extension direction of the (overall) drawer slide member, and a downwardly extending hook portionB defining a substantially vertical or angled channel whose extension direction deviates from the extension path of the channel partA. A transition portion (ledge) is defined between the two channel partsA,B.

A raised step-up (stamped) partis provided on the lower sideB of the drawer slide bracket memberproximate the rear end partD (see, e.g.,). The raised, stamped partis indented upwardly, deviating from a remainder of a longitudinal extension plane of the lower sideB of the drawer slide member bracket part, which coincides with the overall longitudinal extension direction of the drawer slide member. The stamped partincludes one or more detentsextending outwardly and downwardly from the bottom outer surfaceB. As described in more detail below in connection with the second connection mechanism, the detentsare slidably received and retained in one or more portions of the mounting bracket portion.

The mounting bracket portionof the singular preassembly unitincludes a top/upper sideA, a bottom/lower sideB, a front sideC, which is arranged to face the rear end partD of the drawer slide member bracket part, and a rear/back surfaceD (which faces the inner rear wall of the cabinet/furnitureto which the preassembly unitis attached-see, e.g.,). The mounting bracket portionincludes a latchextending outwardly, in a substantially horizontally or angled manner, away from a first end proximate a portion of the front sideC, toward an opposed terminal end having a hook portionA. The hook portionA extends in a direction that deviates from the extension direction of the remainder of the latch, i.e., downwardly as shown, in a straight (i.e., substantially perpendicular) or angled manner.

The mounting bracket portionalso includes a mounting bracket channelthat is open at the front sideC, and which extends inwardly along a bottom inner surfaceB toward an inner surface of the rear sideD of the mounting bracket portion, proximate the bottom sideB. As shown, the bracket channelincludes two laterally opposed side portions and a central portionC sandwiched therebetween. A height h of the central portionC extends between an inner surface of the bottom sideB toward the top sideA of the mounting bracket portion(substantially vertically), and has a dimension that is less than a height of either of the side portions of the bracket channel. The height h of the central portionC is preferably sized to accommodate the thickness of the stamped partof the rear end partD of the drawer slide bracket memberin a press-fit manner, without causing deformation or permanent affixation.

At least one detent entering path portionformed in a portion of the bottom inner surfaceB proximate the opening on the front-receiving portion (front surfaceC) of the mounting bracket portion. The detent entering path portionis sloped upwardly extending into the bracket channelfrom the channel opening at the front sideC toward the back sideD of the mounting bracket. One or more transversely extending detent recess channel(s)are provided, located immediately adjacent, but positioned more inwardly (closer to the inner surface of the back sideD), which extend deeper into the bottom inner surfaceB than an uppermost end of the upwardly sloped path ofinside the bracket channel.

As shown in, the mounting bracket portioncan also include one or more through holesto accommodate alternative fixation means, such as screws, to facilitate fixation. This feature is also discussed in detail in connection with, for example. The present invention is not limited to this feature, which is merely provided as a convenience for installers, depending on particular needs. It is preferred, however, for the back sideD of the mounting bracket portionto be equipped with one or more securing dowels, extending outwardly from the outer surface of the back sideD, to facilitate installation without the need for screws through holes.

The drawer slide memberis preferably made of a standard metal material, formed by methods including, but not limited to, machining and stamping, whereas the mounting bracket portionis preferably a rigid yet resilient material, which is made of plastic, resin or the like, and which is formed by methods including, but not limited to, molding orD-printing, for example. The drawer slide memberand the mounting bracket portioncan be made of any materials that can assume the desired structure and which provide sufficient strength and resiliency for installation and long-term performance of the singular preassembly unit.

The mounting bracket portionis affixed to the drawer slide membermechanically via at least one or more, preferably at least two, different mechanical connection mechanisms to provide the preassembly unit. Two such connection mechanisms are described below with respect to the related structures responsible for providing the stable, yet releasable, connection between the two members composing the singular preassembly unitshown in the drawings.

According to the first connection mechanism of the first embodiment of the present invention, the notchproximate the rear end partD of the drawer slide memberreceives and retains the latchof the mounting bracket portionvia corresponding mechanical mating features of the interlocking parts (see, e.g.,). For example, as noted above and as shown, the notchincludes the first (substantially horizontal) receiving channel partA and the seating channel partB defining a substantially vertical or angled channel. A transition (ledge) is defined between the two channel partsA,B, into and over which the hooked endA of the latchpasses to be retained and secured in the channel seating part of channelB as the two components of the preassembly unit are pressed together. The particular shapes of the channel partsA,B of notchand the shape/angle of the hook endA of latchare not limited to the structures shown, so long as the respective shapes and angles correspond to receive, retain and secure the latchwithin the notch.

The first connection mechanism described above therefore effectively secures the mounting bracket portionand the drawer slide membertogether to define the preassembly unit. It should be noted, however, that because this interlocking structural arrangement is not permanently affixed, it is still possible to remove the mounting bracket portionfrom the drawer slide memberof the preassembly unitby performing deliberate mechanical (manual) effort to the mounting bracket portion, but the respective parts,of the preassembly unitwill not otherwise disengage, detach, or misalign during normal transport, installation and use practices.

While it is preferable to provide a standard drawer slide memberhaving a standard notchdepth (length in the running/longitudinal extension direction of the drawer slide member), the length of the latchcan be modified (increased, decreased) to adjust the overall length of the preassembly unitin order to accommodate varying cabinet depths. Because the width of the latchis greater than the width of the notch, for example, by a dimension of ¼″ on both sides, it is possible to provide side-to-side adjustment of the preassembly unit. For example, if the overall length of the notchis about ½″, and the width of the bracket side surfaceA of the drawer slide memberis about 1/16″, the width and the length of the latchcan be appropriately selected to provide the best attachment configuration in view of the overall desired length of the preassemblyand the desired amount of side-to-side play for adjustment. The relative dimensions are not limited to the specific dimensions noted above.

It is also critical that the connection between the mounting bracket portionand the drawer slide memberof the preassembly unitis accomplished such that the lowermost outer surfaceBofB of the drawer slide bracket memberis flush with the outermost surface of the bottom/lower sideB of the mounting bracket portion(see, e.g.,). This feature ensures that the preassembly unitcan be installed in a stable and level manner, even for use in connection with a bottom/lowermost drawer opening in a cabinet, proximate a bottom inner surface of the cabinet (on which the surfaceB of the slide portionrests).

In addition to the first connection mechanism described above, the structural features of the components defining the preassembly unitalso preferably, but not necessarily, include a second connection mechanism to securely connect the mounting bracket portionand the drawer slide membertogether to define the singular preassembly unit.

To facilitate the second connection mechanism, the detentsextending from the bottom outer surfaceBon the stamped partat the rear end partD of the drawer slide bracket partare slidably received in and retained in one or more portions of the mounting bracket portion, e.g., the laterally opposed side portions of the bracket channelthat sandwich the bracket channel central portionC. Specifically, upon assembly, the detentsare first received in the detent entering path(s), the lower surface of which is sloped upwardly into the channelfrom the channel opening at the front sideC toward the back sideD of the mounting bracket portion. As the one or more detentspass through the detent entering path, the detentsthen pass over the raised (upwardly sloped) end of the detent entering pathto enter the detent recess channel(s), at which point and the detentssnap into place in channel(s)to be securely seated and retained therein, but not permanently affixed thereto.

Additional features that can be associated with the second connection mechanism include providing a plurality of ribsCthat extend downwardly from the upper inner surfaceA of the central portionC of the mounting bracket channel(see, e.g., modified mounting bracket portionshown in). A portion of the bottom surfaceB of the slide member bracket part, such as the stamped partof the bottom surfaceB of drawer slide member bracket part, is received in the central portionC of the mounting bracket channel. The provision of the ribsCextending downwardly from the bottom surfaceCof the central portionC toward the bottom surfaceB of the mounting bracket channelfurther facilitates a tight press-fit connection between the mounting bracket portionand the stamped partof the bottom surfaceB of drawer slide member bracket partproximate the rear endD thereof. A height of the ribsCsimilarly corresponds to the height h described above. Again, this press-fit structural arrangement is also not permanently affixed, so it is still possible to manually remove the mounting bracket portionfrom the drawer slide memberof the preassembly unitby performing deliberate mechanical effort to the bracket portion, but the respective parts will not otherwise disengage or detach during normal transport and installation practices.

It should also be noted that while the mounting bracket portionshown in, for example, includes three vertically oriented interior dividing walls,,in the central portion thereof (i.e., located above the central portionC of the bracket channel), the mounting bracket portionshown inincludes only two such internal dividing walls,. Indeed, the present invention is not limited by the number of vertical interior walls in the mounting bracket portion. The vertically oriented interior dividing walls are merely stabilizing mechanisms that address structural issues related to varying thicknesses of the drawer material. That is, three interior walls provide more structural stability to the mounting bracket portionthan two, particularly for drawer materials having a greater thickness. Thinner drawer materials require less additional support, so two interior walls are sufficient.

As described above, once connected, the outermost surfaceBof the bottom/lower sideB of the drawer slide memberis flush with the outermost surface of the bottom/lower sideB of the mounting bracket portionto ensure that the preassemblycan be installed in a stable and level manner, even on a bottom inner surface of the cabinet (on which the bottom sideB of the drawer slide member bracket partrests).

Because the interlocking structural arrangement facilitated by the first and/or second connection mechanisms is secure but not permanently affixed, it is still possible to remove the mounting bracket portionfrom the drawer slide memberof the preassembly unitby performing deliberate mechanical (manual) effort to the bracket portion, however the respective parts will not otherwise disengage or detach during normal transport, installation and use practices.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown inin connection with. It should be noted that structures shown inthat are common with respect to embodiment 1 are labeled accordingly, as discussed below, and repeat descriptions are omitted.

show a singular preassembly unit′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The preassembly unit′ is transported as a single preassembly unit for direct installation in a piece of furniture designed to accommodate one or more sliding drawers/roll-out trays (see, e.g.,).

The preassembly unit′ includes a mounting bracket portionand a drawer slide member′, which includes a drawer slide member bracket part′ and a sliding part′. The mounting bracketis mechanically attached to a rear end partD of the drawer slide bracket member′ to provide the preassembly unit′. The mounting bracketattaches to the drawer slide member′ mechanically via connection mechanism, which is described in more detail below.

The rear end partD of the drawer slide bracket part′ of the drawer slide member′ includes an extension parthaving one or more notches(shown as half-round in shape, but which can be any desired shape) provided in a top/upper surface thereof. Providing a plurality of notchesalong the longitudinal length of the extension partenables the length of the overall assembly unit′ to be adjusted (see, e.g.,).

The mounting bracket portionincludes one or more bracket channels, the depth of which (from a front sideC of the mounting bracket portiontoward a back sideD of the mounting bracket portion) is sized to accommodate any length of the extension partthat would reside within the mounting bracket channelsof the preassembly unit′.

The mounting bracket portionalso includes one or more convex locking membersformed on an upper inner surface of the bracket channelswhich sandwich a central bracket channelC. The convex locking membersare also shown as half-round, like the shape of the notches, but can be any desired shape that corresponds to and lockingly engages with a corresponding shape of the notches.

In addition, a small clearance is provided on either side of the convex locking memberson the upper/inner surface(s)A of the bracket channel(s), and a width of the convex locking membersis wider than the width of the extension partto provide side-to-side adjustment capability.

In the preassembly unit′ of the second embodiment of the present invention, the preassembly unit is achieved according to a third connection mechanism, wherein the notchesengage with the convex locking membersto provide a secure engagement between the mounting bracket portionand the drawer slide bracket part′ of the drawer slide member′. The position of the engagement between notchesand the convex locking membersalong the length of the extension partdetermines the overall length of the preassembly unit′, and is adjustable in that manner to correspond to varying depths of cabinets into which the drawers will be installed. For example, if the depth of the cabinet is shorter, and the overall length of the preassembly unit′ is desired to match that depth, more of the extension partwill reside within the bracket channel(i.e., the engagement betweenandwill be in one of the notcheson the extensionthat is located closer to the rear end partD of the drawer slide bracket′).

While embodiment 1 is shown and described above as including a combination of the structures responsible for facilitating connecting mechanismand connecting mechanism, and embodimentis shown and described as including connecting mechanism, it should be noted that the present invention is not so limited, and additional embodiments could be envisioned to include any combination of connection mechanisms,and, within reason and so long as the corresponding structural features are provided.

The preassembly unit,′ is mounted to the inner surface of the rear wallof the cabinetusing conventional mounting means, such as screws, or by using the preferred dowel configurations shown in, which do not require the use of tools to achieve secure fixation to the cabinet. This preferred mounting mechanism can be applied to any of the embodiments according to the present invention.

The back sideD,D of the mounting bracket portions,include one or more securing dowels (,,,in) extending outwardly therefrom, and which enter predrilled holespassing through the cabinet rear wall from the inner rear surfaceto engage with the outer rear surfaceof the cabinet. The securing dowels,,,are spaced/positioned depending on a specific predrilled hole configuration in a cabinet rear wall, and can have a plurality of different dowel profiles (, for example) that pass through the holesand snap into position to secure the preassembly unit,′ in the proper position on the cabinet rear wall and along the inner side wall of the cabinet(including, but not limited to the configurations shown in). For example, securing dowelsrepresent double securing wing dowels, securing dowelsrepresent solid post securing dowels, securing dowelsrepresent single latch securing dowels, and securing dowelsrepresent mushroom securing dowels.

This mechanism for installing the preassembly unit,′ according to the present invention does not require any tools, and provides a secure connection between the cabinetand the preassembly unit,′ that enables further alignment, leveling, and side-to-side adjustment capabilities during installation, as described above. It should also be noted that the securing bracket dowels could be omitted from mounting bracket portions,, which can then instead be mounted using traditional fixation means, such as screws, via fixation reception holesformed therein, as shown in, for example.

It should be noted that the first sideA of the drawer slide members,′ that abuts the cabinet inner side wall is also provided with a plurality of openings to receive one or more additional attachment mechanisms (i.e., screws) to secure the assembly units,′ along the length of inner side wall of the cabinet, if desired. This additional attachment feature is not needed in connection with installing the preassembly units,′ according to the present invention, but is often present on the drawer slide members,′ merely as a convenience feature to enable other or additional mounting options if needed or desired according to the particular installer/cabinet situation.

The following is a list of the various components of the present invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as described above. Some elements are different for Embodiment 1 () and Embodiment 2 (), as noted below.