GB2477577A

GB2477577A - Drawer strengthening device

Info

Publication number: GB2477577A
Application number: GB1003172A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew John Barr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-09
Filing date: 2010-02-25
Publication date: 2011-08-10
Also published as: GB201002035D0; GB201003172D0

Abstract

An adjustable drawer strengthening device comprises a front bar A and a rear bar B which are connected by a buckle C. The buckle C has an aperture F through which is secured a grub-screw E. Each bar has holes D for securing to the front and/or back panels of the drawer. The device may be non adjustable comprising of only one bar (figures 4, 5). The device is designed to be fitted on the underside of a drawer to either strengthen or repair. In both cases, it is fitted to the underside of the drawer and supports the drawer bottom as well as pulling in the rear panel of the drawer.

Description

One of the most common problems that householder have with drawers is that because of the design (usually made from lightweight wood) is that the bottoms all too quickly begin to bow or buckle through the drawers being overloaded with garments or too much being put in them. Or because of oversized items being forced into them, the back wall of the drawer is pushed away, leaving the bottom to come away from the guiding slot resulting in the drawer bottom dropping.

As a result the drawer can become an obstacle to other drawers in the set, preventing them from opening correctly. If it is the bottom drawer in question, this can result in the bottom drawer not being able to be opened at all, thus denying access to the contents unless the drawer above is removed.

Common results of these occurrences is to try and repair the drawer, replace the drawer, replace the set of drawers or in drastic measures where more drawers are affected, to replace a whole suite if the suite design is no longer manufactured.

There have been a couple of solutions to resolve the problems of a drawer that has become either mis-shapen, contorted or come out of it's guide slots.

The first being a U.S. Patent Number 5,033,902. A ratchet type sliding device with attachable ends. It is cited in UK Patent Application Number GB 2314006 A. The inventor has invented a similar ratchet design, but with fixed ends. It is also worthy of note that this invention has to be "cut" to a required length as described in Fig 3 on page 3/5, and Fig 4 (2) on page 4/5. Therefore once cut, can only be used on a drawer of the same size or smaller.

This patent application was not to my knowledge proceeded with.

The second is a UK Patent number GB 2375287 B. It is a one piece device with a strengthening member across the lower face of the device with flexible ends to attach it to a drawer or such like.

It is worthy to note that this device includes a detachable portion (32) as described on pages 8 and 9 of the Patent form and therefore is not re-usable on larger drawers after portion 32 has been removed.

It also mentions that to be fixed it may require a tourniquet or sash clamp or use of force as described on page 6 and demonstrated in Figure 8.

The "Baudy Bar" has be designed to increase the payload capacity of any drawer and is fully adjustable to fit drawers within a base span of 28cm -48cm without the need to cut, bend, or fold and to assist with the assembly of all size drawers as a tool for holding drawer parts in place whilst gluing and keeping it's structure while the glue sets. As shown in Fig 6.

It can then be taken off and used an any sized drawer, either bigger or smaller, with and quick and easy adjustment.

Alternatively, a fixed length Baudy Bar, that is specifically made for that particular size of drawer can be used to achieve the same results as shown in Fig 4 and Fig 5.

The Baudy Bar can also be used to give new life to a drawer that has suffered from bowing downwards at the bottom or where the back wall of the drawer has been pushed away from the drawer bottom, or both.

For drawers that have suffered any of these combinations, the Baudy Bar can be used as a permanent or a temporary fixture to the drawer, whilst re-gluing, as required.

The adjustable Baudy Bar is made up of 4 components: A front bar (A), A Rear bar (B), A Buckle (C) and a securing screw or grub-screw or lug (E).

The Front Bar (A) has 2 holes (D) that can be used for securing the device either permanently or temporarily to a drawers' lower front underside wall, via screws, nails or tacks or any other means of an independent fixant. It is also worthy of note that this device can be secured or attached by double-sided sticking tape, double-sided sticking pad or any of the various multi surface adhesives available on the current market, as to the users discretion.

The Rear Bar (B) has a similar hole (D) available for use to secure the rear bar to the back wall of the drawer in the same way as mentioned for the front bar.

The Buckle (C) is designed for the Front Bar (A) and the Rear Bar (B) to "sit" into at the desired length of the user. This allows both Bars to be adjusted easily to the desired length of the underside of the drawer being worked on.

On the underside of the Buckle (C), there is an aperture (F) to take a securing screw (E), a grub-screw (E) or lug (E), or any other screw-able bolt or fixing (E) currently available. Fig.2 shows an upturned buckle for clarity.

When the required length is found, all three aforementioned components are secured in place my means of a securing screw (E), a grub-screw or lug (E), or any other screw-able bolt or fixing (E) currently available.

The Baudy Bar is fitted by firstly putting the components loosely together as shown in Fig 3 and ideally working on a drawer that has been pre-glued and turned upside down (see Fig 6).

The Baudy Bar is then laid on the underside of the drawer with the Front Bar (A) being aimed at the front of the Fascia "on show" drawer front, and the Back Bar hole (D) going down the outside rear of the drawer, keeping it as straight and uniform as possible.

Once these two Bars have be aligned and secured in any of the ways mentioned before.... a slight pressure is recommended to "squeeze" the to opposing parts of the drawer together.

When everything is in place to the satisfaction of the user, the securing screw (E) can be tightened and the Baudy Bar will keep it secured in that position until the drawer glue has set.

The Baudy Bar can then be removed and re-used on another drawer of any size, or the Baudy Bar can be left in-situ and the drawer be used as recommended by the retailer or manufacturer of the drawer.

The alternative Baudy Bar, where the device is made of 1 piece as shown in Fig 4 and Fig 5.

Figure 4 shows a fixed length Baudy Bar which has been designed to sit on the underside of a drawer, being fixed to the front fascia panel and the rear of the rear wall of the drawer as shown in Fig. 7.

It may be attached using screws, nails or tacks or any other means of an independent fixant. It is also worthy of note that this device can be secured or attached by double-sided sticking tape, double-sided sticking pad or any of the various multi surface adhesives available on the current market, as to the users discretion. The same method applies to the attachment of the rear of the device.

This too can be used as a permanent fixture or whilst glue is drying. When no longer required on a repaired drawer it may be applied to another drawer of the same length.

Figure 5 shows a Baudy Bar which has been designed to sit between the two walls of a drawer. As shown in Fig. 8 It is a totally symmetrical design in width and length. One end of which can be seen clearly in Fig. 5 It is attached through the holes (D) as shown in Fig. 5 or it may be attached using screws, nails or tacks or any other means of an independent fixant. It is also worthy of note that this device can be secured or attached by double-sided sticking tape, double-sided sticking pad or any of the various multi surface adhesives available on the current market, as to the users discretion.