DRAWER ARRANGEMENT WITH INTEGRATED LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

Drawer arrangement (10), comprising: a drawer (12) which includes a locking mechanism (14); and a frame (16) containing an integral spring (18), wherein the drawer (12) is received in the frame (16) and is held in a closed position by the engagement of the spring (18) with the lock (14), wherein the lock (14) includes an arcuate cam surface (26) which engages with the integral spring (18) when the drawer (12) is in a closed position, wherein the integral spring (18) is an elongated tab with a proximal end (28) and a free distal end (32), wherein the integral spring (18) is angled downwards from the proximal end (28) to the free distal end (32) and in a direction of the drawer opening movement, such that the integral spring (18) extends into a path of movement of the lock (14) when the drawer (12) is opened and closed,wherein the integral spring (18) curves upwards at an intermediate point (34) between the proximal end (28) and the free distal end (32), characterized in that the edging (16) and , the integral spring (18) are made from a single piece of material.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] This document generally concerns the field of motor vehicle equipment and in particular a drawer arrangement which includes an integral locking mechanism. BACKGROUND

[0002] Drawer assemblies that include a frame which holds and supports a pull-out drawer are well-known in engineering. Such assemblies also contain a separate locking mechanism connected to the drawer and the frame. These separate locking mechanisms typically have many individual components, which increases the costs of manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance.

[0003] A drawer arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 is already known from CN 102 065 726 A. FR 2 778 156 A1 also discloses a drawer arrangement.

[0004] This document describes a new and improved drawer assembly in which the locking mechanism is an integral part of the drawer and its frame. This effectively reduces the number of individual components, thereby lowering manufacturing and assembly costs. Fewer parts also translate to more reliable performance over a long service life and fewer warranty repairs. Therefore, this drawer assembly represents a significant technological advancement.

[0005] According to the invention, a drawer arrangement with the features of claim 1 is proposed. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description. SUMMARY

[0006] For the purposes and advantages described herein, a drawer assembly is provided. The drawer assembly comprises a drawer containing a latch and a frame containing an integral spring. The drawer is received in the frame and held in a closed position by the engagement of the spring with the latch.

[0007] According to the invention, the edging and the integral spring are manufactured from a single piece of material. In one possible embodiment, the edging and the integral spring are formed from a single piece of plastic material. In another possible embodiment, the edging and the integral spring are formed from a single piece of composite material.

[0008] In a particularly useful embodiment, the locking mechanism is integrally formed with the drawer. Thus, the locking mechanism and the drawer are manufactured from a single piece of material. In one possible embodiment, the locking mechanism and the drawer are molded from a single piece of plastic. In another possible embodiment, the locking mechanism and the drawer are molded from a single piece of composite material.

[0009] In describing the locking mechanism, the lock includes an arc-shaped cam surface that engages with the integral spring when the drawer is in a closed position.

[0010] The spring is an elongated tab with a proximal end and a free distal end. The spring is angled downwards from the proximal end to the free distal end and extends in one direction of the drawer opening movement, so that the spring protrudes into a path of movement of the locking mechanism when the drawer is opened and closed.

[0011] Furthermore, the spring is curved upwards at an intermediate point between its proximal and distal ends. Thus, when the drawer is in the closed position, the arc-shaped cam surface of the locking mechanism engages the integral spring between the proximal end and this intermediate point. Consequently, a portion of the integral spring extending downwards from the proximal end exerts a downward force on the drawer's locking mechanism, holding the drawer in the closed position.

[0012] It should be obvious that the drawer also includes a handle with which the drawer can be lifted towards the frame, thereby bending the internal spring to release the drawer for a sliding movement within the frame to an open position.

[0013] According to yet another aspect, a cost-effective method for manufacturing a drawer assembly is provided. This cost-effective method can be generally described as comprising the following steps: (a) forming a drawer with an integral locking mechanism to create a one-piece assembly, (b) forming a frame with an integral spring to create a one-piece assembly, and (c) assembling the drawer assembly by sliding the drawer into the frame. The method may further include the step of locking the drawer in a closed position within the frame by engaging the integral spring with the integral locking mechanism.

[0014] The following description shows and describes several different embodiments of a drawer arrangement. It should be evident that the drawer arrangement can have further, different embodiments and that its various details can be modified according to different, obvious aspects without deviating from the drawer arrangement specified and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be considered illustrative and not limiting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0015] The drawing figures contained herein, which form part of the patent specification, represent several aspects of the drawer arrangement and, together with the description, serve to explain certain basic features thereof. Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b shows side views of the drawer arrangement. Fig. Figure 1a shows the drawer in a closed position, while Fig. 1b shows the drawer in an open position. Fig. Figure 2 is a detailed side view showing the locking mechanism, which includes the edging and integral spring, and the drawer and integral locking mechanism.

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the drawer arrangement, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawing figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] It will now be referred to as follows: Fig. Reference is made to Figures 1a-2, which represent the drawer assembly 10. As shown, the drawer assembly 10 includes a drawer 12 containing the integral locking mechanism 14 and a frame 16 containing the integral spring 18. As best as in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the locking mechanism 14 and the spring 18 form the locking mechanism 20 for the drawer assembly 10.

[0018] It should be evident that the frame 16 and the spring 18 are manufactured from a single piece of material to form a one-piece assembly. In one possible embodiment, the frame 16 and the integral spring 18 are formed from a single piece of plastic material. In another possible embodiment, the frame 16 and the integral spring 18 are formed from a single piece of composite material.

[0019] Similarly, the drawer 12 and the locking mechanism 14 are manufactured from a single piece of material and thus form a one-piece construction. In one possible embodiment, the drawer 12 and the integral locking mechanism 14 are formed from a single piece of plastic material. In another possible embodiment, the drawer 12 and the integral locking mechanism 14 are formed from a single piece of composite material.

[0020] Since the drawer 12 contains an integral lock 14 and the frame 16 contains an integral spring 18, it should be obvious that the locking mechanism 20 is formed as part of the drawer 12 and frame 16. Thus, the locking mechanism 20 is not a separate mechanism or arrangement. Accordingly, manufacturing and assembly costs are significantly reduced.

[0021] How best to Fig. 1b and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the drawer 12 includes an integral slide rail 22 on each of its sides. The frame 16 includes an integral guide channel 24 on each of its sides. The slide rail 22 and the guide rail 24 on each side of the drawer assembly 12 are shown in the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. 2 shown. A similar sliding rail 22 and guide rail 24 are provided on the opposite side of the drawer arrangement 10 and are a mirror image of those shown.

[0022] As shown, the guide channel 24 receives the cooperating slide rail 22 to hold the drawer 12 in sliding engagement in the frame 16, so that the drawer moves between the Fig. 1a shown closed position and the one in Fig. The open position shown in 1b can be moved.

[0023] It will now be referred to again Fig. Reference is made to Figure 2, which shows the locking mechanism 20 in detail. It should be obvious that a locking mechanism 20 is provided on each side of the drawer assembly 10. In particular, each locking mechanism 20 includes a latch 14 positioned along the slide rail 22 and a spring 18 positioned along the guide channel 24 with which it interacts. The latch 14 includes an arcuate cam surface 26 which engages with the associated spring 18 when the drawer 12 is in the closed position, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. 2 shown.

[0024] The spring 18 is an elongated tab with a proximal end 28 that is integrally attached to the enclosing body 30, and a free distal end 32. As shown, the spring 18 is angled downwards from the proximal end 28 to the free distal end 32 and in a direction of the drawer opening movement, so that the spring extends into a path of movement of the locking mechanism 14 when the drawer 12 is opened and closed.

[0025] As further shown, the spring 18 is curved upwards at an intermediate point 34 between the proximal end 28 and the free distal end 32. When the drawer 12 is fully in the closed position, the arcuate cam surface 26 of the latch 14 engages the integral spring 18 between the proximal end 28 and the intermediate point 34. As a result, the portion 36 of the spring 18 extending downwards from the proximal end 28 exerts a downward force on the latch 14 of the drawer 12, which holds the drawer in the closed position.

[0026] Furthermore, the drawer 12 contains a recessed handle 38. The handle 38 can be grasped to lift the drawer 12 towards the frame 16, thereby bending the integral spring 18 and allowing the arcuate cam surface 26 to slide past the intermediate point 34 of the spring, thus enabling the drawer to slide within the frame towards the Fig. The open position shown in 1b is released. It should be obvious here that the tip or distal end 32 of the spring 18 engages the edging at point 40 to limit the movement of the drawer in the Z-direction during opening.

[0027] When the drawer 12 is closed, the arcuate cam surface 26 of the locking mechanism 14 engages the arcuate surface 42 of the spring 18 between the intermediate point 34 and the free distal end 32, thereby pushing the spring upwards until the arcuate cam surface 26 passes the intermediate point 34, at which point the elastic spring 18 springs back to its initial position, thereby generating a necessary force to hold the drawer in the closed position (back in Fig. 2 to be seen) is provided.

[0028] In short, the drawer assembly 10 described herein offers several advantages. By incorporating a locking mechanism 20 integral with the drawer 12 and the frame 16, separate locking assembly is unnecessary, and manufacturing and assembly costs are significantly reduced. Thus, the drawer assembly 10 is associated with a cost-effective manufacturing process comprising: (a) molding a drawer 12 and an integral locking mechanism 14 to form a one-piece assembly, (b) molding a frame 16 with an integral spring 18 to form a one-piece assembly, and (c) assembling the drawer assembly by sliding the drawer into the frame. The process further comprises locking the drawer 12 in the closed position within the frame 16 by engaging the integral spring 18 with the integral locking mechanism 14.

[0029] The foregoing has been set forth for illustration and description purposes only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the exact form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations fall within the scope of protection of the appended claims when interpreted according to the breadth to which they are entitled in a fair, legal, and just manner.

Claims

[1] Drawer arrangement (10), comprising: a drawer (12) containing a lock (14); and a bezel (16) containing an integral spring (18), the drawer (12) being received in the bezel (16) and held in a closed position by engagement of the spring (18) with the latch (14), the latch (14) including an arcuate cam surface (26) engaging the integral spring (18) when the drawer (12) is in a closed position, the integral spring (18) being an elongated tab having a proximal end (28) and a free distal end (32), the integral spring (18) being angled downwardly from the proximal end (28) to the free distal end (32) in a direction of drawer opening movement such that the integral spring (18) extends into a path of movement of the latch (14) when the drawer (12) is opened and closed,wherein the integral spring (18) curves upwards at an intermediate point (34) between the proximal end (28) and the free distal end (32), , characterized by that the frame (16) and the integral spring (18) is made from a single piece of material. [2] The drawer assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the bezel (16) and the integral spring (18) are molded from a single piece of plastic material. [3] The drawer assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the bezel (16) and the integral spring (18) are formed from a single piece of composite material. [4] Drawer assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the lock (14) is formed integrally with the drawer (12). [5] Drawer assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the latch (14) and the drawer (12) are made from a single piece of material. [6] Drawer assembly (10) according to claim 1, wherein the latch (14) and the drawer (12) are formed from a single piece of plastic. [7] The drawer assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the latch (14) and the drawer (12) are formed from a single piece of composite material. [8] The drawer assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the arcuate cam surface (26) engages the integral spring (18) between the proximal end (28) and the intermediate point (34) when the drawer (12) is in the closed position, whereby a portion of the integral spring (18) extending downwardly from the proximal end (28) exerts a downward force on the latch (14) of the drawer (12) holding the drawer (12) in the closed position. [9] The drawer assembly (10) of claim 8, wherein the drawer includes a handle for lifting the drawer (12) toward the enclosure (16), thereby flexing the integral spring (18) to release the drawer (12) for sliding movement within the enclosure (16) to an open position. [10] Drawer assembly (10) according to claim 8, wherein the drawer (12) includes a slide rail (22) and the enclosure (16) includes a guide channel (24) receiving the slide rail (22). [11] Drawer assembly (10) according to claim 10, wherein the lock (14) is positioned along the slide rail (22) and the integral spring (18) is positioned along the guide channel (24).

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