FLEXIBLE PLASTIC DRAWER-TYPE RECEPTACLE GUIDE

• US 3,586,394 A
• Filed: 08/14/1969
• Issued: 06/22/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Charles W. Hecksel
• Original Assignee: Charles W. Hecksel
• Inventors: Hecksel, Charles W.
• Application Number:
  US04/849,981
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• US Class Current: 384/23
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2210/0059 Guide located at the side of the drawer
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/483 with single extensible guides or parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/497 with other guiding mechanisms, e.g. scissor mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/083 Ash-trays
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 29/02 Sliding-contact bearings

Abstract

A glide arrangement for supporting drawer-type receptacles and the like wherein the drawer being supported is interposed between supporting members and the guide elements. The glide arrangement includes a longitudinal protuberance extending in the direction of relative movement between the drawer and its supporting member which cooperates with a generally U or channel-shaped guide element having a base region and spaced, parallel leg extension portions extending therefrom engaging the protuberance adjacent its base surface regions. The leg extensions are firmly flexible, having end regions arcuately disposed and depending away from each other and so engage the protuberance base regions as to firmly support the drawer against displacement transverse to the longitudinal length of the protuberances and guide elements under normal conditions, yet permitting such transverse displacement under predetermined conditions.

Claims

1. A guide for slidably supporting a first member relative to a second member comprising, in combination, first and second adjacently disposed members, said first member including a first surface disposed toward and spaced from said second member, an elongated protuberance defined on said first member extending from said first surface toward said second member, said protuberance including an apex surface and base surfaces adjacent the intersection of said protuberance with said first surface, said base surfaces being of a converging configuration in the direction of said apex surface, an elongated guide element mounted on said second member, said element including a base portion having lateral side portions, an elongated, firmly flexible, leg portion extending from each lateral side portion in a direction toward said first member and transversely to said first surface, said leg portions being substantially parallel to each other and spaced-apart a distance substantially corresponding to the cross-sectional width of said protuberance and located on opposite sides thereof with respect to said apex surface, said leg portions each including a terminating free end region of an arcuate configuration, the arcuate configurations curving away from said protuberance and said end regions resiliently engaging said first surface adjacent said base surfaces whereby said first member and protuberance may longitudinally slide relative to said guide element and is restrained against lateral displacement relative thereto by said leg portions.

2. In a guide as in claim 1 wherein said guide element base portion is engaged by said protuberance apex surface.

3. In a guide as in claim 1 wherein said guide element is formed of a synthetic plastic material.

4. In a guide as in claim 3 wherein said guide element is formed of an acetal resin.

5. In a guide as in claim 1 wherein a stop shoulder is defined on said protuberance extending toward the associated guide element base portion, an abutment shoulder defined on said associated guide element base portion extending toward the associated protuberance and within the relative path of movement of said stop shoulder wherein said shoulder and abutment are adapted to engage and limit movement of said first member relative to said second member.

6. In a guide for slidably supporting a first member relative to a second member as in claim l wherein said base surfaces are of a concave transverse cross-sectional configuration generally corresponding in configuration to that of said leg portions arcuate free end regions and are engaged thereby.

7. A guide arrangement for a drawer-type receptacle wherein the drawer includes spaced sidewalls and is supported between spaced supporting members disposed adjacent said sidewalls comprising, in combination, an elongated protuberance defined on each of the drawer sidewalls extending toward the associated supporting member, said protuberances each including an apex surface and base surfaces adjacent the associated sidewall, said base surfaces being of a converging configuration in the direction of said apex surface, an elongated guide element mounted on each of said supporting members in opposed relation to the adjacent protuberance, each element including a base portion, a pair of parallel, spaced, elongated, firmly flexible leg portions extending from said base portion toward the adjacent sidewall and a leg portion of each pair resiliently engaging the adjacent sidewall adjacent a base surface of the opposed protuberance, said leg portions each including a free end region capable of being resiliently deflected whereby the leg portions of said guide elements support said drawer relative to said Supporting members permitting relative sliding movement therebetween in the longitudinal direction of said protuberances and said guide elements.

8. In a guide arrangement as in claim 7 wherein said leg portion end regions are of an arcuate configuration convexly disposed toward the adjacent protuberance and adjacent base surface.

9. In a guide arrangement as in claim 8 wherein said base surfaces are of a concave transverse cross section generally corresponding in configuration to that of said leg portions arcuate end regions and are engaged thereby.

10. In a guide arrangement as in claim 7 wherein said guide element includes a base portion having lateral side portions and said leg portions extend from said lateral side portions.

11. In a guide arrangement as in claim 10 wherein said guide elements are formed of a synthetic plastic material.

12. In a guide arrangement as in claim 7 wherein a stop shoulder is defined on at least one of said protuberances extending toward the associated guide element base portion, an abutment shoulder defined on said associated guide element base portion extending toward the associated protuberance and within the relative path of movement of said stop shoulder wherein said shoulder and abutment are adapted to engage and limit movement of said drawer relative to said supporting members.

13. In a guide arrangement as in claim 12 wherein said supporting members are deformable away from the adjacent drawer sidewall, and an inclined surface comprising at least a portion of said abutment shoulder adapted to engage said stop shoulder wherein said stop shoulder may deform the adjacent supporting member away from the adjacent sidewall permitting the stop shoulder to pass over the engaged abutment shoulder.

14. A drawer-type guide and support comprising, in combination, an elongated element having a generally flat base region, a pair of spaced, parallel, firmly flexible extensions extending from said base region in a common direction therefrom, said element and extensions being formed homogeneously of a synthetic plastic material, said extensions each having a free end region, said regions each being of an arcuate transverse cross-sectional configuration and arcuately depending away from each other.

15. A drawer-type guide and support as in claim 14 wherein said element is formed of an acetal resin.

16. A guide arrangement for a drawer-type receptacle wherein the drawer includes spaced sidewalls and is supported between spaced supporting members disposed adjacent said sidewalls comprising, in combination, an elongated protuberance defined on each of the drawer sidewalls extending toward the associated supporting member, said protuberances each including an elongated apex surface and base surfaces adjacent the associated sidewall, said base surfaces being of a converging configuration in the direction of said apex surface, an elongated guide element formed of synthetic plastic material mounted on each of said supporting members in opposed relation to the adjacent protuberance, each element including an elongated recess adapted to receive the associated opposed protuberance in sliding relationship, said elements each including a pair of spaced leg portions extending toward the adjacent protuberance defining said recess, said leg portions each having a free end including a convex surface defined thereon engaging a protuberance base surface and said leg portions of a common element spaced-apart a distance sufficient to snugly hold the associated protuberance therebetween in sliding relationship.