US2880040A

US2880040A - Drawer suspension

Info

Publication number: US2880040A
Application number: US531073A
Authority: US
Inventors: John R Gomersall
Original assignee: McGraw Edison Co
Current assignee: McGraw Edison Co
Priority date: 1955-08-29
Filing date: 1955-08-29
Publication date: 1959-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 1976-03-31

Description

March 1959 J. R. GOMERSALL DRAWER SUSPENSION Filed Aug. 29.195

United States Patent C) 2,880,040 DRAWER SUSPENSION John R. Gomersall, Elgin, Ill., assignor to McGraw- Edison Company, a corporation of Delaware Application August 29, 1955, Serial No. 531,073 7 Claims. (Cl. 3083.8)

The present invention relates to suspensions for drawers and the like, and more particularly to a novel extensible-type suspension capable of supporting a drawer or the like when the drawer is in an open position substantially fully withdrawn from an enclosure or cabinet.

While the novel drawer suspension of the present invention may be incorporated in cabinet structures of various types, it is especially useful in food preserving cabinets or the like. In food preserving cabinets,'it is frequently desirable to provide a cover or closure-within the cabinet housing for a drawer to control the moisture content of food within the drawer, and it is also desirable that the drawer be movable smoothly and without sticking into and out of engagement with the cover and to and from extended and closed positions so as to prevent spilling of the food from trays or containers resting within the drawer. Therefore, it is an important object to provide a novel extensible drawer suspension which is constructed so as to insure free movement of the drawer to and from extended and closed positions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel extensible drawer suspension wherein longitudinally relatively movable support members are prevented from engaging each other with sliding frictional contact both laterally and vertically in a simple and economical manner.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel extensible drawer suspension of the type including a fixed cabinet track member, a movable drawer track member and a movable intermediate member, wherein anti-friction rollers are mounted for preventing substantial sliding frictional contact between the intermediate member and the drawer and cabinet members while the drawer is being moved to and from fully closed and fully extended positions.

Another more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel extensible drawer suspension of the type set forth in the preceding paragraph which is constructed so as to permit a drawer supported thereby to be raised into engagement with a closure therefor when the drawer is returned from an open position to a closed position.

Other objects and advantages of 'the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptio and the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a cabinet structure embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the elements of the novel drawer suspension of this invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 33 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the position of the suspension elements and drawer when the drawer is fully inserted within a'cabinet and disposed in engagement with a cover or closure; and

. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing on a reduced scale the position of the suspension elements and the drawer when the drawer is fully extended from the cabinet. I

. Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a cabinet structure 10 shown for the purpose of illustrating the present invention includes housing means 12 having one or more drawer openings 14, one or more drawers 16, and drawer suspension means 18 mounting the drawer for movement into and out of the housing. A cover 20 is'mounted within the housing means in a known manner for engaging an upper peripheral edge of the drawer when the drawer is in a closed or retracted position and is raised above its normal operating level in the manner described below. The drawer suspension 18 includes a fixed cabinet member 22 mounted on a wall of the housing means 12, a movable dr'awer member 24 secured to a side of the drawer 16, and an intermediate member 26 disposed between the drawer and cabinet members and movable relative thereto. The elongated cabinet member 22 is preferably formed from 'sheet material such as sheet metal and is provided with a vertical track or web portion 28 and upper and lower inturned flanges or

horizontal track portions

30 and 32. An elongated keyhole slot 34 is formed in the vertical portion 28 of the cabinet member for receiving a headed pin 36 on the intermediate member, which pin serves to retain the intermediate member against lateral separation from the cabinet member and also acts to abut against the end of the slot 34 as shown in Fig; 5 to limit outward movement of the intermediate member.

The drawer track member 24 is preferably formed from a pair of elongated angle-irons respectively having substantially

vertical track portions

38 and 40 secured to the side of the drawer and generally horizontal flange or

track portions

42 and 44 disposed in abutting relationship. A pin 46 extends laterally from the vertical track portion 38 for engagement with a stop member 48 pivotally mounted to a forward end portion of the intermediate member as at 50 for limiting outward movement of the drawer relative to the intermediate member as shown in Fig. 5.

The intermediate member 26 which is also preferabl formed from sheet material such as sheet metal comprises a vertical web portion 52 having a height substantially less than the height of the vertical track portion 28 of the cabinet member, and generally

horizontal flanges

54 and 56 which extend laterally from upper and lower margins of the web portionj52. Roller means is provided on the intermediate member 26 for preventing sliding frictional contact between the intermediate member and the drawer and cabinet track'members whereby free smooth movement of the drawer is assured.

The above mentioned roller means includes

rollers

58, 60 and 62 respectively disposed for rotation about substantially horizontal axes and mounted on

stub shafts

64, 66 and 68 connected to forward, intermediate and rear portions of the upstanding web, 52. Recesses 7.0, 72 and 74 are provided in the lower flange 56 of the intermediate member, and the rollers 58 through 62 respectively project through these recesses for engagement with the upwardly facing surface of the generally horizontal track section 32 of the cabinet track member. The intermediate roller 60 is disposed so that it remains in engagement with the track portion 32 even when the drawer is fully extended as shown in Fig. 5 so that the lower flange 56 of the intermediate member is always prevented from coming into frictional contact with the track portion 32. Another roller 76 disposed for rotation about a horizontal axis is mounted to an upper rear '3 portion of the .upstanding web 52 by a stub shaft 78 for engaging a downwardly facing surface of the upper horizontal track portion 30, whereby to prevent the intermediate member from tilting "and to prevent the flange 54 from 'engaging'the'track portion 30 when the drawer is moved to an extended position.

The downwardly facing surface of the generally horizontal drawer track portion 44 rests on the rollers 58, 60 and62 for-supporting the drawer track member and the drawer 'on the intermediate member. Another roller 80*disposed for=rotati'on about a horizontal axis is mounted to the upstanding web 52 by means of a stub shaft 82 for engagingan upwardly facing surface'of the drawer track portion '42 and preventing the drawer from tilting when the drawer is in an extended position as shown -in Fig. 5. Preferably, the roller '80 is arranged directly above theintermediate roller 60. A recess 84 is. provided in the upper .flang'e 54 of the intermediate memberso thatvthe roller'80 may project therethrough for engagement with the downwardly facing surface of the cabinet track'portion 30.

Preferably, the:loweriintermediate roller-60 is loosely mounted for vertical movement relative to the intermediatememb'erand this may be accomplished by providing it with-a central bore having a larger diameter than the 'stub'shaft 66. With this structure the weight of the system presses the roller 60 against the upwardly facing surface of the horizontal cabinet track portion 32, and theupper roller 80 engages the upwardly facing surface of the drawer track portion 42 and presses the downwardly'facing surface of the drawer track against the top of the lower-roller 60. Then when the drawerispulled out ormo-ved inwardly, the drawer track portion 44 -frictionally engages the roller 60 and drives it along the stationary cabinet track portion 32, whereby'positively ro-drive the intermediate member at a-rate' equal to about one=half of the speed atwhich the drawer'is beingmoved. The roller means 'm'entioned hereinabove also includes a plurality of rollers disposed to-prevent the intermedi- "atememberfrom shifting laterally relative to the drawer "and'cabi'net track members and coming into sliding frictionalcont'act therewith. 'Mo're specifically, a pair of

rollers

86 and 88 disposed for rotation about substantially vertical-axes are mounted onthe lower flange 56 of the inteiihediate member-by means of'stlib

shafts

90 and 92 respe ctively A The diameter of the

rollers

86 and 88 is "greater than the width of the flange 56, and recesses 94 and 9mm 'provided in the upstanding web portion 52 through "which the

rollers

86 and 88 respectively extend {rerrening contact'with the vertical track portion 28 of f t'he cabinet 'track member. In'addition, the rollers 86 andf'88 extend for 'rollingcontact with th'vertical track fpdratsn 40j' iof thedrawer-trackfrnember. Additional *roll'er fverticalaxes, are mounted beneath theupp'erfi'ange 54 of the"i rit'efmecli ate member 'by'

stub shafts

104, 106 ar'id 9 8, 100 and 102, disposed for "rotation "about 108 respectively. These rollers also have a diameter which greater than'the width of the flange 54 and res'pectively'project through recesses oropenin'gs 110, 112 and114in theweb portion 52 for rolling contact with "the vertical tr'acleportion 26 of the cabinet track. In

'fa'ddition, these rollers also extend 'foifrolling c'ontactwith "the vertical track portion38' of the drawer trackmemib er. 1 As shown 'in Fig. 3,'the stub shaft 106h'as a relativelyll arge diameter portion 116 rotatably carrying the roller 100 and a'reduced diameter portion 118 extending :th'r'o'ugh an"apert ure"in the flange 54 and peened over as "at 120 for permeating the stub" shaft to the flange. An enlarged head 12 2"is provided atthefree end of the shaft fportibn 116 for retaining the roller '100 thereon. s'leeve 124 extends from the roller-100 toward theffian'ge .54. for maintaining the roller in spaced relationshipl'with flange, sleeve may" be integrally 'formedwrth the roller, if desired. The'rrriaihing'ver- -tl:tat--rnanystructural-details may be changed "without -with' the' cover.

4 tically disposed rollers and stub shafts therefor are similar to the roller and stub shaft 106 and need not be described in detail.

By arranging the vertically disposed rollers in upper and lower groups, it will be appreciated that the vertical track portions of the drawer and cabinet track members will be engaged at vertically spaced points so that any possibility of the intermediate member becoming laterally canted relative to either of the track members is eliminated and sliding frictional contact between the intermediate member and either of the track members is positively precluded. It should be noted that with the lower roller 86 disposed adjacent the forward end of the intermediate member and the upper roller 98 disposed slightly forwardly of the intermediate roller 80, these rollers will always be in contact with the drawer track member even when the drawer is fully extended. In

addition, by locating the-lower roller 88 and the upper roller 100 slightIy behind'the

intermediate rollers

60 and 80, respectively, theserollers always remain in position for'conta'cting the cabinet track and cooperate with the roller 102 disposed adjacent the rearend of the interr'nediate member to insure the prevention of sliding frictional contact between the intermediate member and the cabinet track member.

In order to raise the' drawer into engagement with the cover- 20 when the draweris moved from its extended position toward itsretracted position within the chamber provided by'the housing means, the cabinet track portion 32' 'is provided with a raised portion or bump 126 adjacent and-nner end thereof and the drawer track portion 44 is provided with a depending bump 128 adjacent a forwardi end thereof. As shown in Fig. 4, these bumps -ar'e -positioned so. that when the drawer is moved tola substantially fully retracted; position, the roller 62 rides 'up on-the 'bump-126 whereby-the inner end of the drawer track member is 'raised and the inner end of the drawer moves with the drawertrack upwardly into engagement In addition, the inner end of-the intermediate member is raised, and in order to accommodate theroller 76 upon upward movement of the inner end -of the intermediate member, the upper track portion 30 is recessed or interrupted as at 130. As the roller 62 'rides-up 'on the bump 126, the bump '128 also rides up onlthe' roller 58 so that the forward end of the drawer track is raised and the forward end of the draweris raised therewith into engagement with the cover. "order to permit this upward movement of the drawer -'track relative to the forward portions of the intermediate 50 "ito aceom'rnodate the upper intermediate roller 80.

member, the drawer track portion 42 is recessed as at 132 It should be noted that by' arranging the rollersv rotatable no=way interfere with the relative vertical movementbe- While the preferred embodiment of the present invention-* has 'been shown and described herein, it is obvious departing from 3 the .spiritand scope. ofnthe. appended claims.

--The 1 invention isclainiedas follows:

1. A suspension for drawers and the like adapted-to able drawer member including generallyzhorizontal track means and generally vertical track means, an intermediate member disposed-between and movable longitudinally .of said drawer and cabinet members, a plurality of rollers mounted on said intermediate member for rotationabput' generally' horizontal axes and engaging said generally "horizohtal'track' means of said cabinet'and drawer members for supporting said intermediate and drawer members for movement relative to the cabinet member and each other, and a plurality of rollers mounted on said intermediate member for rotation about generally vertical axes and engageable with said generally vertical track means of said cabinet and drawer members for maintaining said intermediate member free from sliding contact with said cabinet and drawer members, a first set of said second mentioned rollers being disposed along a lower margin of said intermediate member for engaging lower areas of said vertical track means, and a second set of said second mentioned rollers being disposed along an upper margin of said intermediate member for engaging upper areas of said generally vertical track means, whereby to prevent lateral tilting of said intermediate member relative to said cabinet and drawer members.

2. A suspension, as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said lower rollers rotatable about a vertical axis and one of said upper rollers rotatable about a vertical axis are spaced longitudinally of said suspension and are disposed between said intermediate member and said drawer member when the drawer member is in and is being moved to and from a fully extended position.

3. A suspension, as defined in claim 1, which includes means on said generally horizontal track means engageable with a pair of said first mentioned rollers respectively disposed adjacent opposite ends of said intermediate member for raising said drawer member above its normal operating level to move a drawer carried by the suspension to a raised position, and wherein said second mentioned rollers rotatable about vertical axes are disposed on said intermediate member in vertical spaced relationship with respect to said generally horizontal track means so as to avoid interference with said generally horizontal track means when the drawer member is raised.

4. A suspension for drawers and the like adapted to be moved into and out of a cabinet, comprising a stationary cabinet member including a generally vertical track portion and generally horizontal track means having vertically spaced sections with upwardly and downwardly facing track surfaces, a movable drawer member including a generally vertical track portion and generally horizontal track means having upwardly and downwardly facing track surfaces, an intermediate member disposed between and movable longitudinally relative to said drawer and cabinet member, a plurality of rollers mounted on said intermediate member for rotation about generally horizontal axes and disposed for engaging the upwardly facing surface of said cabinet member and the downwardly facing track surface of the drawer member for supporting said intermediate and drawer members for movement relative to the cabinet member and each other, additional roller means mounted on said intermediate member for rotation about generally horizontal axes and disposed for engaging the downwardly facing track surface of said cabinet member and the upwardly facing track surface of said drawer member for preventing said intermediate and drawer members from tilting longitudinally when they are moved from retracted positions to extended positions, and a plurality of rollers mounted on said intermediate member for rotation about generally vertical axes and spaced vertically and longitudinally of said intermediate member and located at forward, intermediate and rear portions of said intermediate member for engaging vertically and longitudinally spaced areas of said generally vertical track. portions of the cabinet and drawer members in all extended and retracted positions of said intermediate member for maintaining said intermediate member free from sliding contact with said cabinet and drawer members.

5. A suspension, as defined in claim 4, wherein said upwardly facing track surface of the cabinet member includes an upward deflection engageable with one of said first mentioned rollers rotatable about horizontal axes for lifting the intermediate member and thereby lifting the drawer member when the intermediate and drawer members are in retracted positions, said downwardly facing track surface of said drawer member includes a downwardly inclined portion engageable with another of said first mentioned rollers rotatable about a horizontal axis for further lifting said drawer member when the drawer member is in retracted position, and said rollers rotatable about vertical axes being vertically spaced from said generally horizontal track means so as to avoid interference therewith when the drawer member is lifted.

6. A suspension, as defined in claim 4, wherein said intermediate member includes an upstanding web portion and generally horizontal flanges extending from upper and lower margins of said web portion, and which suspension includes a plurality of stub shafts secured to, spaced along and extending inwardly from said flanges, said rollers which are rotatable about vertical axes being rotatably mounted on said stub shafts within said flanges. l

7. A suspension, as defined in claim 6, wherein said flanges are disposed in opposing relationship, said last mentioned rollers have a diameter greater than the width of said flanges for traversing a space between the vertical track portions of said cabinet and drawer members, and said web portion has openings therein through which said rollers extend for engagement with one of said generally vertical track portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,732,472 Hill Oct. 22, 1929 2,032,054 Gussack Feb. 25, 1936 2,564,658 Jakeway Aug. 21, 1951 2,687,924 Gomersall Aug. 31, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 480,666 Italy May 9, 1953