Drawer interlock assembly

• US 5,671,985 A
• Filed: 08/27/1996
• Issued: 09/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Keller Products, Inc., Sauder Woodworking Company
• Original Assignee: Keller Products, Inc., Sauder Woodworking Company
• Inventors: Decknick, James J., McGinnis, Michael J., Nelson, Richard A., Grieser, Jerry D., Steinberg, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US08/703,506
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 312/217, 312/218, 312/219, 312/221
• US Class Current: 312/221
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/463 Drawer interlock or anti-tilt mechanisms, i.e. when one drawer is open, at least one of the remaining drawers is locked

Abstract

A drawer interlock assembly for a furniture article having at least first and second drawers. A track member is positioned on the furniture article. The assembly includes at least first and second locking members slidingly mounted in the track member. The locking members are interconnected by at least one interconnection strip. Each of the locking members includes a locking projection. The assembly further includes at least first and second drawer members attached to the first and second drawers, respectively. Each of the drawer members includes a first ramp and a second ramp. Engagement of the locking projections with the first and second ramps allows only one drawer of the furniture article to be opened at a time.

Claims

1. A drawer interlock assembly for a furniture article having at least first and second drawers, comprising:

a track member positioned on said furniture article;

at least first and second locking members slidingly mounted in said track member, each of said locking members including a body having a top, a bottom, a front surface, a back surface, a first side and a second side, said body including at least one tab positioned on said back surface, said locking members being interconnected by at least one interconnection strip defining at least one opening for receiving said tab, each of said locking members including a locking projection; and

at least first and second drawer members attached to said first and second drawers, respectively, each of said drawer members including a first ramp and a second ramp, said first ramp of said first drawer member having a guiding surface that engages said locking projection of said first locking member to cause said second locking member to move from a first position to a second position as said first drawer is opened, said second ramp of said second drawer member having a locking surface that engages said locking projection of said second locking member at said second position to prevent said second drawer from opening.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said track member defines a substantially U-shaped channel having a pair of opposed inwardly extending flanges.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said track member is comprised of plastic.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said drawer members are comprised of plastic.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said body is substantially rectangular.

6. The invention of claim 1, wherein each of said drawer members includes a bracket defining an opening for receiving fastening means to attach said drawer member to said drawer.

7. The invention of claim 1, wherein said interconnection strip is positioned in said track member.

8. The invention of claim 1, wherein said interconnection strip is comprised of plastic.

9. The invention of claim 1, wherein said body includes guide means for guiding said body on said track member.

10. The invention of claim 9, wherein said guide means consists of at least two flexible guide members positioned on said back surface, said guide members extending beyond said first and second sides, said guide members engaging said track member to guide and maintain said locking member in said track member.

11. The invention of claim 1, wherein said locking projection is positioned on said front surface.

12. The invention of claim 11, wherein said locking projection includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge and a back edge.

13. The invention of claim 1, wherein said locking members are comprised of plastic.

14. The invention of claim 1, wherein each of said drawer members includes a drawer side and a track side.

15. The invention of claim 14, wherein said first and second ramps are positioned on said track side.

16. The invention of claim 12, wherein said guiding surface of said first ramp of said first drawer member engages said lower surface of said locking projection of said first locking member.

17. The invention of claim 12, wherein said locking surface of said second ramp of said second drawer member engages said front edge of said locking projection of said second locking member.