CA1050095A - Equalizer slide assembly - Google Patents

Equalizer slide assembly

Info

Publication number
CA1050095A
CA1050095A CA231,073A CA231073A CA1050095A CA 1050095 A CA1050095 A CA 1050095A CA 231073 A CA231073 A CA 231073A CA 1050095 A CA1050095 A CA 1050095A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
central section
section
slide
connecting element
cable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA231,073A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John M. Schill
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WATERTOWN TABLE SLIDE CORP
Original Assignee
WATERTOWN TABLE SLIDE CORP
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by WATERTOWN TABLE SLIDE CORP filed Critical WATERTOWN TABLE SLIDE CORP
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1050095A publication Critical patent/CA1050095A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47BTABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B1/00Extensible tables
    • A47B1/10Slide mechanisms

Landscapes

  • Flexible Shafts (AREA)
  • Electric Cable Arrangement Between Relatively Moving Parts (AREA)

Abstract

EQUALIZER SLIDE ASSEMBLY

Abstract of the Disclosure An equalizer slide assembly comprising a fixed central section and a pair of outer sections mounted for sliding movement on opposite sides of the central section. The outer sections are connected to the central section by connector assemblies which permit longitudinal sliding movement of the outer sections relat-ive to the central section. Pulleys are mounted at the ends of the central section and an endless cable is trained over the pulleys. Opposite locations of the cable are connected to the connector assemblies so that extension or retraction of one of the outer sections with respect to the central section will corres-pondingly extend or retract the other outer section.

Description

105()095 Back~round of the Invention A slide assembly is often employed with an extension table to permit the ends of the table to be extended or moved apart and enable additional leaves to be inserted between the extended ends to increase the overall table area With ~arger tables, or tables having a central leg or pedestal, an equalizer slide assembly is frequently used in which the central section of the slide is fixed to the leg or pedestal while the outer slide sections are secured to the table ends and interconnected by an equalizer arrangement so that extension or retraction of one outer slide section will be transmitted to the cther outer slide section.
With the use of the equalizer slide assembly, extending or retract-ing one end of the table will automatically act to correspondingly extend or retract the opposite end of the table while maintaining lS the pedestal or central leg at the center of the split table.
In the pastJ various types of equalizer mechanisms have been employed, such as a gear and rack arrangement in which a gear is mounted on the fixed central section and is engaged with racks on the outer sections. By extending one of the outer sections the gear is driven to correspondingly extend the outer slide section.
Equalizer mechanism, as used in the past, have also included cables or bands mounted on pulleys on the central section.
With a cable arrangement, the cables are connected to the outer sections in a manner whereby extension of one outer section will 5 act to correspondingly extend the other outer section.
Summary of the Invention The invention relates to an improved equalizer slide assembly which has a particular application for use with extension tables. The slide assembly includes a central section, which is adapted to be secured to the cen~ral pedestal or leg of a table, and outer sections are located on either side of the central section and are connected to the central section by connector assemblies tha~ permit relative sliding movement of the outer sections with respect to the central section.
Pulley or supports are located at the ends of the central section and an elongated endless flexible member, such as a cable, is trained over the pulleys. Opposite por~ions of the cable are connected to the connector assemblies so that extension or retrac-tion of one of the outer sections will operate to correspondingly extend or contract the other outer section.
The equalizer slide assembly of the invention is a simplif-ied construction over those employed in the past and provides a positive connection between the cable and the sliding outer sections.
The equalizer mechanism can be applied to a standard table slide assembly so that the same basic slide mechanism can be utilized for an equalizer slide assembly as well as for a slide assembly that does not include an equalizer feature.
Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.
Description of the Drawings The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contem-plated of carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the equalizer slide assembly of the invention in the partially extended position;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the slide assembly with parts broken away in section;
Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 3;
Fig. 4 is a section taken along line 4-4 of Fig.2; and shwoing a connector assembly;
Fig. 5 is a section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is an exploded view of a connector assembly;
2-~0500~S
Fig, 8 is a section taken along line 8-8 of Fig, 2;
Fig. 9 is a section taken along line 9-9 of Fig, 8;
Fig. 10 is a section taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 8;
and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a clip used to attach the cable to a connector assembly.
DescriPtion of the Illustrated Embodiment .
The drawings illustrate an equalizer slide assembly which can be utilized with an extension table or any other applica~ion where it is desired to slide two components relative to a fixed component. The slide assembly includes central section 1 and a pair of outer sections 2 and 3 which are located on opposite sides of the central section and are adapted to slide longitudinally with respect to the central section.
As best illustra~ed in Figs. 4 and 8, each of the sec-tions 1-3 is -formed of an upper channel 4 and a lower channel 5, the side flanges of which are joined together by a series of plates or straps 6 which are located at intervals along the length of the sections.
The central section 1 is adapted to be secured to a fixed support such as a pedestal or central leg of a table, and to provide the fixed connection, the lower surface of the central member is provided with a series of holes 7 surrounded by dimples or bosses and suitable screws or fasteners extend through holes 7 and secure the central section to the fixed support. The outer sections 2 and 3 are adapted to be connected to the ends of the table and the upper surfaces of the sections 2 and 3 are provided with holes 8 which are also surrounded by dimples ox bosses. Screws or fasteners, not.shown, extend through holes 8 and connect the outer sections to the respective table ends.

Accessopenings 9 are pro~ided in both the upper channel 4 of central section l and in the lower channel 5 of the outer sections 2 and 3, in alignment with the holes 7 and 8, to permlt a tool to be inserted within the sections to attach the central section 1 to the fixed support and attach the outer sections 2 and
3 to the table ends.
The outer sections 2 and 3 are connected to the central section 1 by connector assemblies, indicated generally by 10, to permit relative longitudinal movement of the outer sections with respect to the fixed central section. Each of the connector assemblies 10 includes a plate 11 which is welded to the inner surface of the corresponding vertical flanges of the channels 4 and 5. For example, a pair of connector assemblies 10 connect the central section^l to the uuter section 2, and the plate 11 of one of the assemblies 10 is welded to the inner surfaces of the flanges of the channels 4 and 5 of the outer section 2, while the plate 11 of the other connector assembly is welded to the inner surfaces of the flanges of channels 4 and 5 of the central section.
Similarly, a pair of connector assemblies 10 connect the central section 1 and the out~r section 3 and the plate 11 of one of the assemblies 10 is welded to the inner surfaces of the flanges of the channels 4 and 5 of the outer section 3, while the plate 11 of the second of the assemblies 10 is welded to the inner surface of the flanges of the channels 4 and 5 of the central section.
As best shown in Fig. 7, each of the plates 11 of the connector assemblies 10 is provided with a pair of C-shaped side flanges 12 which extend through the gap 13 between the edges of the channels 4 and 5, and through a central opening 14 in a slide plate 15 which is disposed between the central section and each of 3Q the outer sections 2 and 3. Slide plates 15 serve to space the sections 1-3 apart laterally.
As shown in the Fig. 7, each slide plate 15 is provided with a pair of generally horizontal ears 16 which are located above the upper horizontal legs 17 of flanges 12 on plate 11, to thereby position the slide plate 15 with respect to the sections.
Each connector assembly 10 also includes a spring clip 18 having a generally vertical section 19, the ends of which ter-minate in reverse bends 20. Horizontal sections 21 extend out-wardly from the bent portions 20 and extend through a slot 22 formed in the central portion of plate 11. As best shown in Fig.7 sections 21 are provided with punched-out locking tabs 23, and when the sections 21 are forced into the respective slots 22 the tabs 23 will spring outwardly to thereby secure the clips 18 with respect to the plates 11.
With this construction, the connector assemblies 10 act to connect the outer sections 2 and 3 to the central section 1, and permit longitudinal sliding movement of each outer section with respect to the central section.
In accordance with the invention, an endless elongated flexible ~ember or equalizer cable 24 is located within the inter-ior of the central section 1 and a pair of pulley assemblies or supports 25 are mounted at the ends of the central section and support the cable. As best shown in Fig. 3, each of the pulley assemblies 25 includes a pulley 26, over which the cable is trained, and a fixed hub 27 on which the pulley is journalled. A
stem 28 of reduced diameter extends outwardly from the hub and through a hole 29 in one of the straps 6. The outer end of the stem 28 is provided with a V-shape cut which is deformed outwardly, as indicated by 30, to lock the stem with respect to the strap 6.
The cable 24 is attached through the connector assemblies , . . ..
,:~
~ t --5 lOS009S
10 to the outer sections 2 and 3 In this regard, one of the connector assemblies 10 that connects the central section 1 to outer section 2, and one of the connector assemblies that connects the central section to the outer section 3, carries a connector 31 and one end of the connector is provided with a generally horiz-ontal channel or passage 32 whic~ receives the cable 24. The cable is continuous or endless, and the channels 32 of the two connectors 31 are crimped inwardly, as indicated by 33, to secure the connectors to opposite portions of the cable.
To attach the connector 31 to the connector assembly 10, the connector 31 is provided with a pair of side flanges 34 which extend through the opening 14 in slide plate 15 and abut plate 11 inwardly of the flanges 12, A spring clip 35, as illustrated in ~ig. 8, serves to secure the connector 31 to the connector assembly 10. The spring clip 35 is provided with a generally U-shaped end 36 which is received within a pair of holes 37 in the connector 31. The opposite end of the spring clip extends between the tabs 23 and is bent vertically, as shown in Fig. 8, to thereby secure the connector 31 to the connector assembly 10.
As previously described, the central section 1 is adapted to be secured to a fixed support, such as a pedestal or the central leg of an extension table. With the equalizer arrange-ment provided by the cable 24 which is connected to the outer sections 2 and 3 through the connector assemblies 10, extension or retraction of either of the outer sections will result in a corresponding extension or retraction of the other outer section Thus, the table ends, which are connected to the outer sections 2 and 3, can be moved apart ~ithout movement of the central pedestal or leg which is connected to the central section 1.
The equalizer slide assembly of the invention is a lO50C~95 simplified construction in which the cable is connected to ~he standard connector assemblies 10 which are employed to provide the sliding connection between the central section 1 and the outer sections 2 and 3. Thus, the same components can be utilized in a standard slide assembly as well as an equalizer slide assembly with the only addition for the equalizer slide assembly being the cable 24, pulley assemblies 25, the connectors 31 and clips 35.
This reduces the economies of manufac~ure and enables standardized items to be used for a wide variety o~ different slide assemblies.
~hile the illustrated embodiment has shown the slide plate 15 as separating the adjacent sections 1, 2 and 3, to reduce sliding friction, other types of fr~ction reducing elements, such as projections, bosses, or the like, can be formed integrally with, or secured to, one of the sections and positioned to ride against the adjacent section during extension and contraction of the assembly.
The above description has shown the use of the equalizer slide assembly in connection with an extension table. It is con-templated that the slide assembly can be used in any application having a central fixed section and two or more outer sections mounted to slide relative to the central section.

Claims (8)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An equalizer slide assembly, comprising a fixed central section, a pair of outer sections each disposed on opposite sides of the central section, connecting means for con-necting each outer section to the central section for sliding longitudinal movement with respect to the central section, an endless cable, a pair of pulleys mounted on the central section and disposed to support the cable, each connecting means includ-ing a first connecting element secured to the outer section and a second connecting element secured to the central section and connected to said first connecting element, each connecting means also including a slide plate attached to one of said sections and disposed between the outer section and the central section, and attaching means for attaching the cable to said second connecting element of each connecting means, whereby extension and retraction of one of said outer sections with respect to the central section will result in corresponding extension or retraction of the other outer section.
2. The slide assembly of claim 1, wherein said attaching means includes an attaching member removably secured to said second connecting element, said attaching member having a portion to engagably receive said cable.
3. The slide assembly of claim 2, wherein said por-tion of the attaching member is generally tubular and is crimped inwardly to engage the cable.
4. An equalizer assembly, comprising a fixed central section, a pair of outer sections each disposed on opposite sides of the central section, connecting means for connecting each outer section to the central section for sliding longitudinal movement with respect to the central section, an elongated flex-ible member, support means on the central section and disposed to support said flexible member for travel, each connecting means
Claim 4 cont'd. . . . . .

including a first connecting element secured to the outer section and a second connecting element secured to the central section and connected to said first connecting element, each connecting means also including a slide member attached to one of said sections and disposed between the outer section and the central section, and attaching means for attaching the flexible member to the second connecting element of each connecting means, whereby extension and retraction of one of said outer sections with respect to the central section will result in corresponding extension or retraction of the other outer section.
5. The slide assembly of claim 4, wherein said slide member has an opening and at least one of said connecting elements extends through said opening.
6. The slide assmebly of claim 4, wherein the outer sections and the central section have adjacent side surfaces and said slide member is disposed between the adjacent side surfaces, said side surfaces being provided with apertures and said slide member has an opening aligned with said apertures, said connecting means including a clip interconnecting the first connecting element and the second connecting element and extending through said apertures and through said opening in the slide member.
7. The slide assembly of claim 4, wherein said elon-gated member is endless in configuration and said attaching means is located at opposite locations on the elongated member.
8. The slide assembly of claim 7, wherein the elon-gated member is a cable and said support means comprises a pair of pulleys with each pulley located at an end of the central section, the axes of said pulleys being disposed horizontally.
CA231,073A 1974-07-11 1975-07-08 Equalizer slide assembly Expired CA1050095A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US487576A US3911835A (en) 1974-07-11 1974-07-11 Equalizer slide assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1050095A true CA1050095A (en) 1979-03-06

Family

ID=23936300

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA231,073A Expired CA1050095A (en) 1974-07-11 1975-07-08 Equalizer slide assembly

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US3911835A (en)
CA (1) CA1050095A (en)

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4025138A (en) * 1975-02-20 1977-05-24 Halle Industries Inc. Progressive slide assemblies
CH608706A5 (en) * 1975-02-25 1979-01-31 Blum Gmbh Julius
ATA395075A (en) * 1975-05-23 1978-03-15 Blum Gmbh Julius Method and apparatus for the quantitative determination of elements and substances in aqueous solutions
US4077677A (en) * 1976-05-26 1978-03-07 Buildex, Inc. Drawer slide assembly
US4274689A (en) * 1979-09-10 1981-06-23 Leslie Metal Arts Company Drawer glide assembly
US4348063A (en) * 1980-12-23 1982-09-07 Ncr Corporation Ball bearing slide
US4662761A (en) * 1986-08-18 1987-05-05 Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company Sequential drawer slide
US4988214A (en) * 1986-08-18 1991-01-29 Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co. Sequential drawer slide
DE19627794C2 (en) * 1996-07-10 1998-07-23 Tony Rueegg Extending table, extendable support structure, as well as sliding elements for an extendable support structure
AU727390B3 (en) * 1999-09-30 2000-12-14 Beryl Blode Extend a table
US20060032415A1 (en) * 2004-08-11 2006-02-16 Ming-Cheng Wang Slide assembly for extension table
US20080092783A1 (en) * 2006-10-23 2008-04-24 Chen Simon S Roller extension slide
WO2010047699A1 (en) * 2008-10-22 2010-04-29 Pem Management, Inc. Clinching linear slide device

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1176937A (en) * 1915-02-23 1916-03-28 Frederick Bossler Walter Extension-table slide.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US3911835A (en) 1975-10-14

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