WO2008127040A2

WO2008127040A2 - Cover for protecting a slide

Info

Publication number: WO2008127040A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoon Sik Park
Original assignee: Yoon Sik Park
Priority date: 2007-04-16
Filing date: 2008-04-11
Publication date: 2008-10-23
Also published as: WO2008127040A3; KR20080093372A

Abstract

A slide protection cover is disclosed. The slide protection cover includes a first cover fixed to a desk body, with a fixing member of the slide fixed thereto, and a second cover fixed to a flank of a drawer, with a sliding member of the slide fixed thereto. The first cover includes a fixing member mounting unit connected with the slide fixing member, a slide supporting unit vertically extended from one side of the fixing member mounting unit with respect to a length direction of the fixing member mounting unit, and a side fastening unit formed at one side of the slide supporting unit with respect to a length direction of the slide supporting unit to fix the first cover to the desk body. The second cover includes a sliding member mounting unit connected with the sliding member, an end fastening unit formed at one end of the second cover to fix the second cover to the drawer, and an upper awning formed at one side of the sliding member mounting unit with respect to a length direction of the sliding member mounting unit. When the slide protection cover is mounted to the slide, the slide is not exposed directly to the user s view, thereby improving the exterior view. Also, infiltration of a foreign object into the slide can be prevented.

Description

COVER FOR PROTECTING A SLIDE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a cover for protecting a slide, and more particularly to a slide protection cover capable of preventing foreign substances from getting in gaps between parts of a slide. Background Art

[2] In general, when a slide device (hereinafter, referred to merely as a 'Slide') is applied to a piece of furniture having a drawer, such as a desk, a sliding member is fixed to flanks of the drawer and a slide fixing member is fixed to a body part of the desk where the drawer is inserted. Representatively, hereinafter, the piece of furniture will briefly be referred to as the desk. When the drawer is pulled out, the sliding member slides in the pulling direction and when the drawer is inserted, the sliding member slides in the opposite direction to the pulling direction. Thus, the drawer can freely move in and out with respect to the desk body. In a case where the slide is in the type of a 2-part slide, the drawer can be pulled out only partly. When the slide is in the type of a 3-part slide, the drawer can be fully pulled out by the whole length.

[3] US Patents No. 6,099,099 and No. 6,007,172 disclose a protection cover removably mounted to a slide. When manufacturing a furniture piece adopting the slide, the slide may be damaged during assembling of the furniture piece. Also, if the furniture piece is coated, for example with paint, the coating material may be attached to a ball bearing unit of the slide, accordingly hindering a smooth operation of the slide. Therefore, the aforementioned US patents suggest the protection cover having a C- shape section, being extended around the slide so as to surround and protect the slide from the coating material such as the paint during assembling of the furniture piece. Such a protection cover is temporarily attached only when necessary and then removed.

[4] When the drawer is pulled out, usually, the slide is exposed to be seen by a user, which is not so much favored in terms of aesthetic appearance. In addition, since lubricant is applied on surfaces of component members of the slide operated relative to one another, the user may touch the exposed lubricant by mistake. Thus, the exposure of lubricant is inconvenient for the user and also undesirable for a long lifespan of the slide since causing loss of the lubricant. Moreover, when a small object is inserted in a gap between the component members, the slide cannot normally operate. Consequently, there occurs a need for a slide protection cover permanently mounted to the slide. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[5] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of solving the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a slide protection cover capable of preventing the slide mounted to a drawer from being directly exposed to the user. It is another object of the present invention to provide a slide protection cover which is permanently mounted to the slide rather than being temporarily mounted and removed. Technical Solution

[6] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a cover for protecting a slide, comprising a first cover fixed to a desk body, with a fixing member of the slide fixed thereto, and a second cover fixed to a flank of a drawer, with a sliding member of the slide fixed thereto.

[7] The first cover may comprise a fixing member mounting unit connected with the slide fixing member, a slide supporting unit vertically extended from one side of the fixing member mounting unit with respect to a length direction of the fixing member mounting unit, and a side fastening unit formed at one side of the slide supporting unit with respect to a length direction of the slide supporting unit to fix the first cover to the desk body. The second cover may comprise a sliding member mounting unit connected with the sliding member, an end fastening unit formed at one end of the second cover to fix the second cover to the drawer, and an upper awning formed at one side of the sliding member mounting unit with respect to a length direction of the sliding member mounting unit.

[8] The first cover may further include at one end thereof an end fastening unit fixing the first cover to the desk body.

[9] The upper awning may have a flattened U-shape section or C-shape section.

Advantageous Effects

[10] By applying a slide protection cover according to the present invention to a slide, the slide mounted to a desk and a drawer can be prevented from being directly exposed to a user. Accordingly, exterior view of the drawer can be improved and undesired insertion of an object into the slide can be prevented. Brief Description of the Drawings

[11] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[12] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a slide equipped with a protection cover according to an embodiment of the present invention, as mounted to a desk and a drawer of the desk; [13] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing only the slide and the slide protection cover of

Fig. 1; [14] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a slide protection cover according to another embodiment of the present invention; [15] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are front and rear perspective views, respectively, showing a first board constituting the slide protection cover shown in Fig. 2; and [16] Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are front and rear perspective views, respectively, showing a second board constituting the slide protection cover shown in Fig. 2.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [17] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [18] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a slide protection cover 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The slide protection cover 1 comprises a first cover 10 and a second cover 20. [19] Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the first cover 10 comprises a fixing member mounting unit 11, a slide supporting unit 13, and a side fastening unit 15. [20] The fixing member mounting unit 11 is engaged with a fixing member of the slide through a proper connection means (not shown) such as a screw hole or a rivet hole. If a fastening projection is provided at the slide fixing member, the fixing member mounting unit 11 may have a hole or recess corresponding to the fastening projection.

Preferably, the fixing member mounting unit 11 has the same length as the slide fixing member. [21] The slide supporting unit 13 is formed at one side of the fixing member mounting unit 11 with respect to a length direction of the fixing member mounting unit 11, extending vertically to the fixing member mounting unit 11. When being mounted to a drawer, the slide is erected on one lateral side thereof, that is, in a width direction.

Here, the slide supporting unit 13 supports the one lateral side as shown in Fig. 2 or

Fig. 3. [22] The side fastening unit 15 is formed at one side of the slide supporting unit 13 with respect to a length direction of the slide supporting unit 13. When the slide is mounted to a desk, the side fastening unit 15 fixes the first cover 10 to an inner sidewall of a desk body. For this, the side fastening unit 15 is equipped with a proper means for fixing the first cover 10 to the desk body. In the drawings, screw holes or rivet holes 16 are formed as the fixing means of the first cover 10. A cut recess 14 shown in the drawings is optional. [23] It is preferred that an end fastening unit 17 is formed at one end of the first cover

10, in addition to the side fastening unit 15. The end fastening unit 17 fixes the first cover 10 to the inner sidewall of the desk body and supplements a fixing force of the side fastening unit 15. Like the side fastening unit 15, the end fastening unit 17 also includes a proper means for fixing the first cover 10 to the desk body. For example, according to the embodiment, a fastening hole 18 as the fixing means is formed at the end fastening unit 17 as shown in the drawings.

[24] The second cover 20 comprises a sliding member mounting unit 21, an end fastening unit 23, and an upper awning 25, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

[25] The sliding member mounting unit 21 is engaged with a sliding member of the slide through a proper connection means (not shown). As explained above, the proper connection means may comprise a screw hole or a rivet hole. If the sliding member is provided with a fastening projection, the sliding member mounting unit 21 may have a hole or recess corresponding to the fastening projection. As shown in Fig. 2, the sliding member mounting unit 21 has a sufficient length to cover the slide even when the slide is fully pulled out. In addition, the sliding member mounting unit 21 is provided with a fixing member fastening unit 29 that will be described later. A semicircular groove 22 is provided optionally.

[26] The end fastening unit 23 is formed at one end of the second cover 20 to fix the second cover 20 to the drawer. The end fastening unit 23 includes a proper means for fixing the second cover 20 to the drawer. In this embodiment, a screw hole or rivet hole 24 is formed as the fixing means.

[27] The upper awning 25 is formed along one lateral side of the sliding member mounting unit 21, that is, along the length of the sliding member mounting unit 21. The upper awning 25 shields the sliding member from above the sliding member so that the sliding member is not exposed to the user s view when the drawer is pulled out. The upper awning 25 is capable of performing such a function by comprising just a single plate 26. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the upper awning 25 comprises three plates 26, 27 and 28 connected in a flattened-U shape such that an impact accidentally applied by a heavy external object can be well absorbed. Although the three plates 26, 27 and 28 form the flattened-U shape in this embodiment, those plates may be structured to have a C-shape section.

[28] Hereinafter, assembling of the parts of the slide protection cover 1 will be explained with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

[29] The slide 40 of this embodiment is a 3-part slide comprising a fixing member 45, a sliding member 41, and an intermediate member 43 interposed between the fixing member 45 and the sliding member 41. The sliding member 41 of the slide 40 is fixed to the sliding member mounting unit 21 of the second cover 20 by a proper connection means such as a screw or a rivet. On the other hand, the fixing member 45 is also fixed to the fixing member mounting unit 11 of the first cover 10 by a proper connection means such as a screw or a rivet. The slide 40 shown in the drawings has a triple folding structure in which the intermediate member 43 is interposed between the fixing member 45 and the sliding member 41. One lateral side of the slide 40 is disposed at the first cover 10 to be supported by the slide supporting unit 13 of the first cover 10.

[30] Referring to Fig. 2, the slide 40 is mounted with a rack and pinion device 3. Since the slide 40 is mounted to both sides of the drawer, the drawer may sometimes be pulled out eccentrically, that is, as biased to the left or the right due to a difference of sliding speed between the slides of the both sides of the drawer. The rack and pinion device 3 helps the left and the right slides move in and out at the same speed. The principle and detailed description related to this is disclosed in KR Patent Application No. 10-2007-0027991. A rack 4 of the rack and pinion device 3 is formed along one lateral side of the fixing member 45 of the slide 40. Therefore, the rack 4 is disposed in the fixing member mounting unit 11 of the first cover 10. A pinion 5 of the rack and pinion device 3 is disposed in the sliding member mounting unit of the second cover 20 and slid along the sliding member 41 of the slide 40. The pinion 5 is fixed to the sliding member mounting unit 21 of the second cover 20 by a fastening means (not shown) (refer to KR Patent Applications No. 10-2007-0028017 and No. 10-2007-0028352 by the present applicant). According to this, the sliding member mounting unit 21 of the second cover 20 is formed with a fastening means holder 29 to which the pinion fastening means is fixed. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the fastening means holder 29 includes recesses 31 and 32 adapted to fix the pinion fastening means. More particularly, the fastening means holder 29 is protruded by a predetermined height from a surface of the sliding member mounting unit 21 toward the second cover 20 such that the rack 4 and the pinion 5 can be engaged with each other.

[31] It will surely be understood that the fastening means holder 29 is unnecessary in case that the slide 40 is not equipped with the rack and pinion device 3 as shown in Fig. 3.

[32] Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 1, there will be explained a method for mounting the slide 40 equipped with the slide protection cover 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention to the drawer. For easy understanding, the drawer and the desk body are just partly illustrated by a chain double-dashed line while the slide protection cover 1 is illustrated by a continuous line as if it were seen through the drawer.

[33] The slide 40 is fixed to the drawer and to the desk body where the drawer is inserted. A predetermined mounting space for the slide 40 is formed between each flank 9 of the drawer and each sidewall 5 of the desk body. In addition, since a front side 7 of the drawer is extended beyond the flanks 9 in a lateral direction so that an extension part 8 is formed on both sides of the front side 7.

[34] When generally mounting the slide to the drawer, a web part of the slide fixing member is directed and fixed to the sidewall of the desk body and a web part of the sliding member is directed and fixed to the flank of the drawer.

[35] When the slide equipped with the slide protection cover according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted to the drawer, contrary to the case of mounting only the slide to the drawer, the web part of the fixing member is directed to the flank of the drawer and the web part of the sliding member is directed to the sidewall of the desk body. However, this case is actually processed in the same manner as in the previous case. In other words, the fixing member is fixed to the sidewall of the desk body through the first cover while the sliding member is fixed to the sidewall of the desk body through the second cover.

[36] As described with reference to Fig. 2, when the slide 40 is connected to the slide protection cover 1, the side fastening unit 15 of the first cover 10 is fixed to a proper position on the sidewall of the desk body. If the end fastening unit 17 is formed at the first cover 10, the end fastening unit 17 is fixed to the inner sidewall of the desk body. On the other hand, the end fastening unit 23 of the second cover 20, which fixes the second cover 20 to the drawer, is fixed to an inner surface of the extension part 8 of the front side 7 of the drawer. Since the slide 40 is well supported by the first cover 10, the second cover 20 can be stably fixed to the drawer by only the end fastening unit 17. However, as necessary, a hole may be additionally formed at the plate 27 so that the second cover 20 can be fixed to the drawer by a screw or a rivet penetrating the hole. The slide protection cover 1 is positioned so that the upper awning 25 of the second cover 20 is disposed at a lower height than the drawer flank 9.

[37] As described with reference to Fig. 2, when the slide 40 is connected to the slide protection cover 1, the side fastening unit 15 of the first cover 10 is fixed to a proper position on the sidewall of the desk body. If the end fastening unit 17 is formed at the first cover 10, the end fastening unit 17 is fixed to the inner sidewall of the desk body. On the other hand, the end fastening unit 23 of the second cover 20, which fixes the second cover 20 to the drawer, is fixed to an inner surface of the extension part 8 of the front side 7 of the drawer. Since the slide 40 is well supported by the first cover 10, the second cover 20 can be stably fixed to the drawer by only the end fastening unit 17. However, as necessary, a hole may be additionally formed at the plate 27 so that the second cover 20 can be fixed to the drawer by a screw or a rivet penetrating the hole. The slide protection cover 1 is positioned so that the upper awning 25 of the second cover 20 is disposed at a lower height than the drawer flank 9.

[38] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modi- fications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. For instance, although a 3-part slide is illustrated in the drawings, the slide protection cover of the present invention may also be applied to a 2-part slide comprising only the fixing member and the sliding member.

Claims

[1] A cover for protecting a slide, comprising: a first cover fixed to a desk body, with a fixing member of the slide fixed thereto; and a second cover fixed to a flank of a drawer, with a sliding member of the slide fixed thereto. [2] The slide protection cover according to claim 1, wherein the first cover comprises: a fixing member mounting unit connected with the slide fixing member; a slide supporting unit vertically extended from one side of the fixing member mounting unit with respect to a length direction of the fixing member mounting unit; and a side fastening unit formed at one side of the slide supporting unit with respect to a length direction of the slide supporting unit to fix the first cover to the desk body, and the second cover comprises: a sliding member mounting unit connected with the sliding member; an end fastening unit formed at one end of the second cover to fix the second cover to the drawer; and an upper awning formed at one side of the sliding member mounting unit with respect to a length direction of the sliding member mounting unit. [3] The slide protection cover according to claim 2, wherein the first cover further includes at one end thereof an end fastening unit fixing the first cover to the desk body. [4] The slide protection cover according to claim 3, wherein a hole fitted around a fixing means such as a screw or a rivet is provided to the fixing member mounting unit, the side fastening unit and the end fastening unit of the first cover, and the sliding member mounting unit and the end fastening unit of the second cover. [5] The slide protection cover according to claim 2, wherein the upper awning has a flattened U-shape section or C-shape section. [6] The slide protection cover according to claim 2, wherein the sliding member mounting unit of the second cover includes a holder fixing a fastening means that fixes a pinion of a rack and pinion device to the second cover.