GB1582894A

GB1582894A - Adjustable mounting of elongated members on supports

Info

Publication number: GB1582894A
Application number: GB20155/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: LB Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1977-05-05
Filing date: 1977-05-05
Publication date: 1981-01-14

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING OF ELONGATED MEMBERS ON SUPPORTS (71) We, L.B. (PLASTICS) LIMITED, a British Company of Firs Works,' Nether Heage, Belper, Derbyshire, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to means for adjustably mounting elongated members such as drawer runners on supports.

The invention provides a component for adjustably mounting an elongated member on a support, said component having means for retaining same in a rotatable manner in an opening in the elongated member such that the angular position of the component relative to the elongated member can be varied by rotating the component about an axis by means of an applied force, there being an aperture in the component displaced from said axis for receiving releasable securing means by means of which the component and the-elongated member may be mounted on said support.

Preferably, the component includes visual indicating ' means serving to indicate the angular position of the component relative to the elongated member.

Said indicating means may comprise a groove on an outer face of'the component, said groove also being capable of receiving a screwdriver or the like to provide said applied force.

Preferably also the component is of circular configuration, said retaining means comprising a portion of increased cross-sectional area defining an annular shoulder at one axial end of the component, and at least one radial projection at the other axial end.

The invention also provides a drawer runner comprising an elongated runner member adapted to be mounted by releasable securing means in a cabinet or other housing in which a drawer is to be mounted, and an adjusting component rotatably mounted in an opening in the runner member and having an aperture therein displaced from the axis of rotation of the component for receiving a releasable securing member the angular position of the adjusting component in said opening being variable by rotating the component by means of an applied force.

Preferably the adjusting component includes visual'indicating means which, when disposed in a predetermined position, indicates alignment of said eccentric aperture with holes provided along the runner member for receiving said releasable securing means. Advantageously the opening for the component is located towards one end of the runner member, preferably the end which constitutes the front end in use.

Said visual indicating means may comprise a groove on one face of the adjusting component, the groove extending at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of the runner member in said predetermined position.

Preferably also, the adjusting component is a push fit in its opening, the component and the opening being of circular shape.

Further the component may have, at one' axial end, a portion of increased crosssectional area defining an annular shoulder which abuts one side face of the runner member, and, at the other axial end, means engaging with the opposite side face of the runner member to retain the component in its opening.

The invention further provides a method of adjusting the position of an elongated member on a support', comprising providing, in an opening in the elongated member, a rotatable adjusting component having an aperture displaced from its axis of rotation for receiving a releasable securing member, mounting the elongated member on the support by means of said securing member and further releasable securing members received in respective holes spaced along the length of the elongated member, partially releasing said securing members, varying the angular position of said adjusting component in its opening by rotating the component by means of an applied force, and tightening said securing members.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by a way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from one side of a drawer runner incorporating an adjusting component according to the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section through the adjusting component; and Figure 3 is a view of the adjusting component in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 2.

Drawers are conventionally mounted in cabinets or like housings by means of two fixed runners of opposite hand secured one at each side of the cabinet or like housing, the drawer having two runners of opposite hand secured to respective opposite sides thereof for co-operation with the fixed runners. Neither the drawer nor the movable runners form part of the present invention and are not therefore shown in the drawings.

A fixed runner is shown in Figure 1 and comprises an elongated runner member 10 of generally L-shaped cross-section having, relative to its disposition in use, an upstanding flange 12 and a horizontal flange 14. The latter terminates short of one end of the runner member 10 (the front end in use) in a downward stop member 16. The front end of the flange 12 has a depending extension 18 carrying a stud 20 which rotatably supports a roller 22. Holes 24 are provided in the flange 12 at spaced intervals to enable attachment of the runner to the cabinet or like housing by means of securing members in the form of screws 26.

A circular opening 28 is provided in the flange 12 towards the front end of the member 10 adjacent to the extension 18. An adjusting component 30 of circular configuration is adapted to be mounted in the opening 28 and comprises a main body portion 32 dimensioned to fit in the opening and a projecting flange 34 defining an annular shoulder 36 which, when the component 30 is mounted in the opening 28, abuts one side face of the flange 12. At the other axial end from the flange 34 the body portion 32 has projections in the form of nibs 38. The component is formed by injection moulding from a plastics material, such as nylon, and is a push fit in the opening 28, the nibs 38 being resilient and engaging with the side face of the flange 12 opposite to that engaged by the flange 34.

The component 30 has an eccentric aperture 40 which is countersunk to receive a securing member in the form of a screw 42.

A diametral slot or groove 44 is provided on the end face of the flanged portion 34 and extends along the diameter which is at right angles to the diameter passing through the axis of the aperture 40. The groove 44 is capable of receiving a screwdriver or the like for effecting rotation, i.e. varying the angular position of the component 30 in the opening 28. The groove also constitutes a visual indicating means which, when perpendicular to the upper edge of the flange 12, indicates that the aperture 40 is in a neutral position aligned with the holes 24.

Due to tolerance variations or the like it may be that the runners on the drawer do not align properly with one or both of the fixed runners in the cabinet. The runner described above may be adjusted to compensate for such mis-alignment. The runner member 10 is initially fixed to the cabinet or like housing by the screws 26 and 42 with the groove 44 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the runner member. If adjustment is required, the screws 26 and 42 are partially unscrewed, the angular position of the component 30 in the opening 28 is varied clockwise or anti-clockwise, as viewed in Figure 1 to move the front end of the runner member respectively up or down as required, and the screws are then re-tightened to fix the runner in the adjusted position.

The screws 26 need not be removed during adjustment because of the small movements involved.

Where adjustment is not required the' aperture 40 can be easily aligned with the holes 24 by ensuring that the groove 44 is perpendicularly arranged.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, indicating means other than a slot or groove may be provided and the component may be retained in its opening by means other than those described. The invention also applicable to the adjustment of elongated members other than drawer runners,.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A component for adjustably mounting an elongated member on a support, said component having means for retaining same in a rotatable manner in an opening in the elongated member such that the angular position of the component relative to the elongated member can be varied by rotating the component about an axis by means of an applied force, there being an aperture in the component displaced from said axis for receiving releasable securing means by means of which the component and the elongated member may be mounted on said support.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. and further releasable securing members received in respective holes spaced along the length of the elongated member, partially releasing said securing members, varying the angular position of said adjusting component in its opening by rotating the component by means of an applied force, and tightening said securing members. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by a way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from one side of a drawer runner incorporating an adjusting component according to the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-section through the adjusting component; and Figure 3 is a view of the adjusting component in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 2. Drawers are conventionally mounted in cabinets or like housings by means of two fixed runners of opposite hand secured one at each side of the cabinet or like housing, the drawer having two runners of opposite hand secured to respective opposite sides thereof for co-operation with the fixed runners. Neither the drawer nor the movable runners form part of the present invention and are not therefore shown in the drawings. A fixed runner is shown in Figure 1 and comprises an elongated runner member 10 of generally L-shaped cross-section having, relative to its disposition in use, an upstanding flange 12 and a horizontal flange 14. The latter terminates short of one end of the runner member 10 (the front end in use) in a downward stop member 16. The front end of the flange 12 has a depending extension 18 carrying a stud 20 which rotatably supports a roller 22. Holes 24 are provided in the flange 12 at spaced intervals to enable attachment of the runner to the cabinet or like housing by means of securing members in the form of screws 26. A circular opening 28 is provided in the flange 12 towards the front end of the member 10 adjacent to the extension 18. An adjusting component 30 of circular configuration is adapted to be mounted in the opening 28 and comprises a main body portion 32 dimensioned to fit in the opening and a projecting flange 34 defining an annular shoulder 36 which, when the component 30 is mounted in the opening 28, abuts one side face of the flange 12. At the other axial end from the flange 34 the body portion 32 has projections in the form of nibs 38. The component is formed by injection moulding from a plastics material, such as nylon, and is a push fit in the opening 28, the nibs 38 being resilient and engaging with the side face of the flange 12 opposite to that engaged by the flange 34. The component 30 has an eccentric aperture 40 which is countersunk to receive a securing member in the form of a screw 42. A diametral slot or groove 44 is provided on the end face of the flanged portion 34 and extends along the diameter which is at right angles to the diameter passing through the axis of the aperture 40. The groove 44 is capable of receiving a screwdriver or the like for effecting rotation, i.e. varying the angular position of the component 30 in the opening 28. The groove also constitutes a visual indicating means which, when perpendicular to the upper edge of the flange 12, indicates that the aperture 40 is in a neutral position aligned with the holes 24. Due to tolerance variations or the like it may be that the runners on the drawer do not align properly with one or both of the fixed runners in the cabinet. The runner described above may be adjusted to compensate for such mis-alignment. The runner member 10 is initially fixed to the cabinet or like housing by the screws 26 and 42 with the groove 44 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the runner member. If adjustment is required, the screws 26 and 42 are partially unscrewed, the angular position of the component 30 in the opening 28 is varied clockwise or anti-clockwise, as viewed in Figure 1 to move the front end of the runner member respectively up or down as required, and the screws are then re-tightened to fix the runner in the adjusted position. The screws 26 need not be removed during adjustment because of the small movements involved. Where adjustment is not required the' aperture 40 can be easily aligned with the holes 24 by ensuring that the groove 44 is perpendicularly arranged. Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, indicating means other than a slot or groove may be provided and the component may be retained in its opening by means other than those described. The invention also applicable to the adjustment of elongated members other than drawer runners,. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A component for adjustably mounting an elongated member on a support, said component having means for retaining same in a rotatable manner in an opening in the elongated member such that the angular position of the component relative to the elongated member can be varied by rotating the component about an axis by means of an applied force, there being an aperture in the component displaced from said axis for receiving releasable securing means by means of which the component and the elongated member may be mounted on said support.

2. A component according to Claim 1,

including visual indicating means serving to indicate the angular position of the component relative to the elongated member.

3. A component according to Claim 2 wherein said indicating-means comprises a groove on an outer face of the component.

4. A component according to Claim 3 wherein said groove is of sufficient width to receive the blade of a screwdriver to provide said applied force.

5. A component according to any pre ceding claim which is of circular configura tion, said retaining means comprising a portion of increased cross-sectional area defining an annular shoulder at one axial end of the component, and at least one radial projection at the other axial end.

6. A component for adjustably mount ing an elongated member on a support substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A drawer runner comprising an elon gated runner member adapted to be mounted by releasable securing means in a cabinet or other housing in which a drawer is to be mounted, and an adjusting compo nent rotatably mounted in an opening in the runner member and 'having an aperture therein displaced from the axis of rotation of the component for receiving a releasable securing member, the angular position of the adjusting component in said opening being variable by rotating the component by means of an applied force.

8. A drawer runner according to Claim 7 wherein the adjusting component includes visual indicating means which, when dis pose'd in a predetermined position, indicates alignment of said eccentric aperture with holes provided along the runner member for receiving said releasable securing means.

9. A drawer runner according to Claim 7 or 8 wherein the opening for the compo nent is located towards one end of the runner member.

10. A drawer runner according to Claim 9 wherein said opening is located towards 'the end of the runner member which consti tutes the front end in use.

11. A drawer runner according to any of Claims 7 to 10 wherein said visual indicating means comprises a groove on one face of the adjusting component.

12. A drawer runner according to Claim 11 wherein said groove extends at right angles to the longitudinal dimension of the runner member in said predetermined posi tion.

13. A drawer runner according to any of Claims 7 to 12 wherein said adjusting component is a push fit in its opening, the component and the opening being of circu lar shape.

14. A drawer runner according to Claim 13 wherein said component has at one axial end, a portion of increased cross-sectional area defining an annular shoulder which abuts one side face of the runner member, and, at the other axial end, means engaging with the opposite side face of the runner member to retain the component in its opening.

15. A drawer runner according to Claim 14 wherein said retaining means comprises at least one radial projection.

16. A drawer runner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A method of adjusting the position of an elongated member on a support, comprising providing, in an opening in the elongated member, a rotatable adjusting component having an aperture displaced from its axis of rotation for receiving a releasable securing member, mounting the elongated member on the support by means of said securing member and further releas able securing members received in.respec tive holes spaced along the length of the elongated member, partially releasing said securing members, varying the angular posi tion of said adjusting component in its opening by rotating the component by ,,means of an applied force, and tightening' said securing members.

18. A method of adjusting a drawer runner substantially as hereinbefore de scribed.