Article of furniture having hidden slide

• US 6,830,299 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kimball International Incorporated (HNI Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kimball International Incorporated (HNI Corporation)
• Inventors: Rauscher, Kevin T., Henriott, Jay M.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US10/160,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20030222543A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 312/198, 312/199, 312/109, 312/139.2, 312/330.1, 312/350, 49/63, 492/07, 494/04, 494/25, 494/26, 434/430, 434/429
• US Class Current: 312/139.2
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/0643 on balls or floating rollers
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/0678 on balls or floating rollers
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/684 Rails; Tracks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/122 Telescopic action
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/20 for furniture, e.g. cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/4663 specially adapted for furniture

Abstract

A mounting arrangement for mounting a door or other element to an article of furniture using an existing slide mechanism of the type known for use in drawers, wherein the slide mechanism is hidden from view when the door or other element is in both a closed and in an open position to enhance the aesthetic design of the article of furniture. The slide mechanism is mounted to a rear or interior surface of the article of furniture, and a bracket connects the slide mechanism to a door or other element which is disposed adjacent a front face of the article of furniture. In this manner, the slide mechanism and bracket are hidden from view regardless of the position of the door or other element. In one embodiment, a cabinet with a door connected thereto by hidden slides is provided, and in another embodiment, a display board with covers connected thereto by hidden slides is provided.

Claims

1. A display board, comprising:

a first panel having a rear surface and a front surface;

a slide mechanism connected to said rear surface of said first panel;

a second panel disposed in front of said front surface of said first panel; and

a bracket connecting said slide mechanism and said second panel, wherein said second panel is slidable relative to said first panel to selectively cover and expose said front surface of said first panel, wherein said rear surface of said first panel includes mounting structure for mounting said display board to a wall.

2. The display board of claim 1, wherein said slide mechanism is disposed substantially horizontally, and said second panel is slidable laterally with respect to said first panel.

3. The display board of claim 1, wherein said display board includes at least two slide mechanisms and associated brackets, and at least two said second panels slidably mounted to said first panel, said second panels slidable laterally outwardly of said first panel in opposite directions with respect to one another.

4. The display board of claim 1, wherein said bracket includes an aperture through which a threaded fastener is disposed to connect said bracket to said second panel, said aperture larger than a diameter of said threaded fastener such that the position of said bracket relative to said second panel is adjustable.

5. The display board of claim 1, wherein said bracket has one of a Z-shaped profile and a U-shaped profile.

6. The display board of claim 1, wherein said slide mechanism includes outer, inner, and intermediate slide members, said intermediate and inner slide members slidable telescopingly outward of said outer slide member.

7. A display board, comprising:

a first panel having a rear surface and a front surface;

a slide mechanism connected to said rear surface of said first panel;

a second panel disposed in front of said front surface of said first panel; and

a bracket connecting said slide mechanism and said second panel, wherein said second panel is slidable relative to said first panel to selectively cover and expose said front surface of said first panel, wherein said front surface of said first panel is selected from the group consisting of a markerboard, a chalkboard, a tackboard, and a projection screen.

8. The display board of claim 7, wherein said slide mechanism is disposed substantially horizontally, and said second panel is slidable laterally with respect to said first panel.

9. The display board of claim 7, wherein said display board includes at least two slide mechanisms and associated brackets, and at least two said second panels slidably mounted to said first panel, said second panels slidable laterally outwardly of said first panel in opposite directions with respect to one another.

10. The display board of claim 7, wherein said bracket includes an aperture through which a threaded fastener is disposed to connect said bracket to said second panel, said aperture larger than a diameter of said threaded fastener such that the position of said bracket relative to said second panel is adjustable.

11. The display board of claim 7, wherein said bracket has one of a Z-shaped profile and a U-shaped profile.

12. The display board of claim 7, wherein said slide mechanism includes outer, inner, and intermediate slide members, said intermediate and inner slide members slidable telescopingly outward of said outer slide member.