A drawer system and components of a drawer system

Abstract

An integrated drawer side panel for a vehicular drawer system including a drawer removably insertable into a cabinet, the integrated drawer side panel including: an extruded member including: a side panel portion and one or more track elements wherein the side panel portion and the one or more track elements are integrally extruded, the one or more track elements including: a first track portion including a support surface for engaging at least one support wheel mounted to a side wall of the cabinet; and a second track portion including a guide surface for engaging at least one guide wheel mounted to said side wall. Other aspects contemplated include an integrated tray mount for a sliding tray, a cabinet side wall, and a drawer runner assembly, and assemblies, kits and systems including all of the foregoing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 national stage application of PCT / AU2024 / 050813 filed Aug. 1, 2024, which claims priority to Chinese patent application 202310966382 filed on 2 Aug. 2023, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. This application also claims priority to Australian provisional patent application 2023258425 filed on 2 Nov. 2023, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. This application also claims priority to Australian provisional patent application 2024902162 filed on 12 Jul. 2024, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to drawer systems and the components of drawer systems. For example, vehicular drawer systems and components thereof.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Drawer systems are a storage solution which includes a cabinet which houses a sliding drawer. A user may place articles in the drawer so that they are stored within the drawer and thus within cabinet. Drawer systems are installed in vehicles to provide additional storage. Such systems can be installed behind the driving position in the cabin of the vehicle or may be installed to the tray or bed of a utility vehicle.

[0004] In a simple form, the drawer can be supported on its underside by tracks which extend inwardly from the sides of the cabinet. The bottom of the drawer then slides along the tracks. Movement of the drawer in this arrangement can be difficult due to the high friction between the underside of the drawer and the track. Additionally, there is often no arrangements in place to keep the drawer resting on the track and the drawer may then move away from the track. For example, if installed in a vehicle such as a car, the drawer could ‘bounce’ when the vehicle travels on rough terrain and cause excessive vibration.

[0005] The drawer can be arranged to be slideable relative to the cabinet via a runner assembly. The runner assembly can include separate components which are adapted to slide relative to one another. The separate components attach (e.g. using screws or rivets etc.) to either of the cabinet and the drawer to provide the sliding relationship between the drawer and cabinet. In this arrangement, the drawer system includes three distinct components: a drawer, a cabinet and a runner assembly. Runner assemblies often have large tolerances between the components to reduce manufacturing costs of the runner assembly. This can result in excessive movement or vibration between the drawer and the cabinet in certain applications, such as when installed in a vehicle. The use of a separate runner assembly also increases manufacturing cost and complexity of the drawer system.

[0006] The excessive vibration which may be present in the above drawer systems can result in failure of components and reduce the service life of the drawer system. If the drawer system is installed in a vehicle, the vibration can also cause noise in the cabin which is undesirable for occupants.

[0007] A vehicular drawer system is described in WO 2016090406 A1. This document teaches a drawer system in which wheels are mounted to both the drawer and the cabinet which engage a third moveable runner component disposed between the drawer and the cabinet. The main advantage of WO 2016090406 A1 is that the movable runner allows the drawer to be pulled outward of the cabinet so that more of the internal space of the drawer is accessible. This arrangement adds complexity and weight to the drawer system. Further, the movable runner between the drawer and the cabinet may increase vibration due to the interfaces between the components which all require sufficient freedom of movement so that the components remain moveable.

[0008] It is desirable for the present disclosure to ameliorate the above drawer backs of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

[0009] Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and / or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION1. Integrated Drawer Side Panel

[0010] A first aspect provides an integrated drawer side panel for a vehicular drawer system including a drawer removably insertable into a cabinet, the integrated drawer side panel including:

[0011] an extruded member including:

[0012] a side panel portion and one or more track elements wherein the side panel portion and the one or more track elements are integrally extruded,

[0013] the one or more track elements including:

[0014] a first track portion including a support surface for engaging at least one support wheel mounted to a side wall of the cabinet;

[0015] a second track portion including a guide surface for engaging at least one guide wheel mounted to said side wall.

[0016] The first track portion and the second track portion may be separate track elements (although each would be integrated with the side panel portion). For example, the first track portion may be formed on a first track element and the second track portion may be formed on a second track element. The first and second track elements may be separate protrusions from a side of the side panel portion. Preferably that side defines an outside wall of the integrated drawer side panel facing the side wall of the cabinet and the other side of the side panel portion defines an inside wall of the integrated drawer with side panel.

[0017] Alternatively, the first track portion and the second track portion may be formed on a single track element, for example, the single track portion forming a protrusion from a side of the side panel portion. Preferably that side defines an outside wall of the of the integrated drawer side panel facing the side wall of the cabinet and the other side of the side panel portion defines an inside wall of the integrated drawer side panel.

[0018] The first track portion and the second track portion may be spaced from each other. Preferably where the side panel portion has a height dimension, the first track portion and the second track portion may be spaced from each other along the height dimension. Suitably, the height dimension of the side panel portion corresponds to the height dimension of the normal in-use orientation of the drawer. Accordingly, it is preferred that the first and second track portions are vertically spaced, given the normal in-use orientation of the drawer panel.

[0019] In the embodiment with a single track element, preferably, the guide surface and the support surface face away from each other. Preferably, the support surface of the first track portion faces downwardly (considering the normal in-use orientation) in order to transfer the weight of the drawer to the at least one support wheel mounted to the side wall of the cabinet. The guide surface of the second track portion may face upwardly (considering the normal in-use orientation) to engage with the at least one guide wheel mounted to the side wall of the cabinet.

[0020] Accordingly, where there is a single track element incorporating both the first track portion and the second track portion, the first track portion and the second track portion may be disposed, respectively, on a lower and an upper side of the single track element. Accordingly, the first track portion is below the second track portion.

[0021] In an embodiment having separate first and second track elements, the guide surface and the support surface may face each other. Each of the first and second track elements may be defined by a protuberance from the side panel portion. Preferably the first and second track elements protrude from the same side of the side panel portion.

[0022] Preferably, the support surface of the first track portion faces downwardly in order to transfer the weight of the drawer to the at least one support wheel. Preferably, the guide surface of the second track portion faces upwardly to engage with the at least one guide wheel. Accordingly, first track portion and the second track portion define a corridor along which both the support wheel(s) and the guide wheel(s) pass.

[0023] In the embodiment with a single protrusion, a web may extend between the first track portion and the second track portion to provide structural support. The web may at least partially define the track element or protrusion as an at least partially hollow element. The web may be disposed to extend between the first track portion and the second track portion where the load bearing on either or both of these is the largest. For instance, the support surface, where load bearing, may be aligned with the web to structurally support the support surface. Most preferably, the web runs between the support surface and the guide surface. Additionally, there may be a second web to support the side of the track element which is most remote from the side panel portion. Accordingly, there may be 3 spaced upright wall portions within the extruded member; the second web, the first web and a portion of the side panel portion.

[0024] A first cavity may be defined in the track element. The first cavity may be defined by the web portion, the support surface, the guide surface and the side panel portion. A second cavity may be defined in the track element. The second cavity may be at least partially defined by the second web portion. The second cavity may be defined by the web portion, the support surface, the guide surface, and the second web portion.

[0025] The guide surface may include a groove. The guide surface may be configured to engage the guide wheel mounted to the side wall of the cabinet via said groove. The groove of the guide surface may have a curved profile, e.g. the groove is curved when viewed in the transverse cross section. The curved profile of the groove may be a circular curve, e.g. a segment of a circle, and have a constant radius. The radius of the circular curved groove of the guide surface may be from 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 3 mm to 6 mm, and most preferably about 4.6 mm. The curved profile of the groove may be a curve with a varying radius. The curved profile of the groove may be a parabolic curve.

[0026] The support surface may include a groove. The support surface may be configured to engage the support wheel mounted to the side wall of the cabinet via said groove. The groove of the support surface may have a curved profile, e.g. the groove is curved when viewed in the transverse cross section. The curved profile of the groove of the support surface may be a circular curve, e.g. a segment of a circle, and have a constant radius. The radius of the circular curved groove of the support surface may be from 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 3 mm to 6 mm, and most preferably about 4.6 mm. The curved profile of the groove of the support surface may be a curve with a varying radius. The curved profile of the groove of the support surface may be a parabolic curve.

[0027] The integrated drawer side panel may include a drawer bottom panel mounting portion. The drawer bottom panel mounting portion may be an integrally formed protrusion extending from the side panel portion. The integrally formed protrusion may protrude from the side panel portion in a direction which is opposite to the one or more track elements.

[0028] In accordance with a related aspect (1A) of the present invention, there is provided a drawer assembly including:

[0029] a first integrated drawer side panel as described above in connection with the first aspect, provided on one side of the drawer;

[0030] a second integrated drawer side panel as described above in connection with the first aspect provided on the other side of the drawer; and

[0031] a bottom panel extending from the first integrated drawer side panel to the second integrated drawer side panel.

[0032] Preferably, the first integrated drawer side panel and the second integrated drawer side panel have the same cross-section. Accordingly, the extruded members of the first integrated drawer side panel and the second integrated drawer side panel may be cut from the same extrusion.

[0033] Any of the features described below in connection with other aspects of the invention may be applicable to the present aspects above.2. Integrated Sliding Tray Mount

[0034] A second aspect provides an integrated tray mount for a sliding tray for a vehicular drawer system including a cabinet and a sliding tray, the integrated tray mount including:

[0035] an extruded member including:

[0036] a tray support portion and one or more track elements wherein the tray support portion and the one or more track elements are integrally extruded, the one or more track elements including:

[0037] a first track portion including a support surface for engaging at least one support wheel mounted to a side wall of the cabinet;

[0038] a second track portion including a guide surface for engaging at least one guide wheel mounted to said side wall.

[0039] The tray support portion may include a ledge which is substantially level in normal in-use orientation. The tray support portion may further comprise a connector between the ledge and the one or more track elements. Accordingly, the ledge may be disposed at a first end of the connector portion and the one or more track elements may be disposed at a second end of the connector portion. The ledge may be substantially perpendicular to the connector portion. For example, the connector portion may be substantially vertical in normal in-use orientation.

[0040] The integrated tray mount may include a channel portion. The channel portion may have a substantially U-shaped or C-shaped profile. The channel portion may be a T-slotted channel. The channel portion may be disposed at the same end of the connector portion as the ledge. The channel portion may include two flange parts and a web part intermediate the flange parts. The web part may be substantially level in normal in-use orientation. The two flange parts may be substantially perpendicular to the web part in normal in-use configuration. Accordingly, the flange parts may be substantially vertical in normal in-use configuration. The two flange parts may each include a lip that folds toward the other flange part. The lip may partially close the channel portion.

[0041] The first track portion and the second track portion may be separate track elements (although integrated with the tray support portion in the extruded member). For example, the first track portion may be disposed on a first track element and the second track portion may be formed on a second track element. Alternatively, the first track portion and the second track portion may be formed on a single track element, for example forming a protrusion from the side of the tray support portion, preferably on the connector portion. The features described above concerning the one or more track elements as described in connection with the first aspect of the invention may be applicable to this present aspect of the invention.

[0042] The first track portion and the second track potion may be spaced from each other. Preferably, the first and second track portions are vertically spaced, given the normal in-use orientation of the tray mount. Preferably, the guide surface and the support surface face away from each other. This is desirably a feature of an embodiment having a single track element. In an embodiment having first and second track elements, the guide surface and the support surface may face each other.

[0043] The connector portion may connect the first track portion and the second track portion. The one or more track element(s) may be to one side of the connector portion. For instance, the track element may be shaped as a protrusion from the connector portion with the first and second track portions formed on the protrusion. Accordingly, the first and second track portions may be portions of a single protruding track element integrally formed with the tray support portion.

[0044] A web may extend between the first track portion and the second track portion to provide structural support. The web may at least partially define the track element or protrusion as an at least partially hollow element. The web may be disposed to extend between the first track portion and the second track portion to support the side of the track element which is most remote from the connector portion.

[0045] A cavity may be defined in the track element. The cavity may be defined by the web portion, the support surface, the guide surface and the connector portion.

[0046] The guide surface may include a groove. The guide surface may be configured to engage the guide wheel mounted to the side wall of the cabinet via said groove. The groove of the guide track may have a curved profile, e.g. the groove is curved when viewed in the transverse cross section. The curved profile of the groove may be a circular curve, e.g. a segment of a circle, and have a constant radius. The curved profile of the groove may be a curve with a varying radius. The curved profile of the groove may be a parabolic curve.

[0047] The support surface may include a groove. The support surface may be configured to engage the support wheel mounted to the side wall of the cabinet via said groove. The groove of the support surface may have a curved profile, e.g. the groove is curved when viewed in the transverse cross section. The curved profile of the groove of the support surface may be a circular curve, e.g. a segment of a circle, and have a constant radius. The curved profile of the groove of the support surface may be a curve with a varying radius. The curved profile of the groove of the support surface may be a parabolic curve.

[0048] In accordance with a related aspect (2B) of the present invention, there is provided a tray assembly for a vehicular drawer system including a cabinet and a sliding tray, the tray assembly including:

[0049] a first integrated tray mount as described above in connection with the second aspect, provided on one side of the tray;

[0050] a second integrated tray mount as described above in connection with the second aspect provided on the other side of the drawer; and

[0051] a tray panel extending between the first integrated tray mount and the second integrated tray mount.

[0052] Preferably, the first integrated tray mount and the second integrated tray mount have the same cross-section. Accordingly, the extruded members of the first integrated tray mount and the second integrated tray mount may be cut from the same extrusion.

[0053] Any of the features described above or below in connection with other aspects of the invention may be applicable to the present aspects under the above subheading.3. Cabinet Side Wall

[0054] A third aspect provides a cabinet side wall for a vehicular drawer system, the cabinet side wall having a length direction and a height direction and including:

[0055] a side wall portion having a length and a height;

[0056] a support wheel mounted to the side wall portion, the support wheel having a first radius and a first axis of rotation; and

[0057] a guide wheel mounted to the side wall portion, the guide wheel having a second radius and a second axis of rotation,

[0058] the support wheel and the guide wheel being spaced from one another in the height direction and in the length direction;

[0059] wherein a distance in the length direction between the first and second axes is greater than the combined first and second radiuses, and a distance in the height direction between the first and second axes is less than the combined first and second radiuses.

[0060] Accordingly, the support wheel and guide wheel are non-aligned in the height direction of the side wall portion. As the distance in the height direction between the first and second axes is less than the combined first and second radiuses, the support wheel and guide wheel may be configured to run within a corridor that has a height that is less than a combined diameter of the support wheel and the guide wheel. The corridor may be defined by first and second separate track elements as set out in connection with the first aspect of the invention.

[0061] Preferably, the first radius and the second radius are the same. Thus, the support wheel and the guide wheel are substantially the same diameter. However, the first radius and the second radius may differ.

[0062] The support wheels may be configured to be engageable with a support surface of a drawer side panel or tray mount. The guide wheels may be configured to be engageable with a guide surface of a drawer side panel or tray mount.

[0063] The cabinet side wall may be an extrusion. The side wall portion may include a thick portion and a thin wall portion. The thick portion may be disposed toward the bottom of the side wall portion when in the normal in-use position.

[0064] Accordingly another aspect of the invention may reside in a vehicular drawer system including a cabinet made up of two spaced cabinet side walls as defined above in connection with the third aspect of the invention and a drawer assembly as defined above in connection with the above aspect (1A) of the invention, each integrated drawer side panel of the drawer assembly including separate first and second track elements defining a corridor, wherein the support wheel and the guide wheel of the adjacent cabinet side wall are configured to run within the corridor of the adjacent drawer side panel.

[0065] Preferably, there is a plurality of support wheels and a plurality of guide wheels on each cabinet side wall, the plurality of support wheels and guide wheels configured to run within the associated corridor.

[0066] The support wheels may have a circumferential edge profile that is complementary to the support surface of the drawer side panel (as per the first aspect of the invention) or tray mount (as per the second aspect of the invention). The support wheel may have a circumferential edge profile that is of complementary shape to the groove in the support surface. The support wheel may have a circumferential edge profile that is flat. The support wheel may have a circumferential edge profile that is curved, e.g. the circumferential edge profile of the support wheel is curved when viewed in diametrical section. The curved circumferential edge profile may be a circular curve, e.g. a segment of a circle, and have a constant radius. The radius of the circular curved circumferential edge profile of the support wheels may be from 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 3 mm to 6 mm, and most preferably about 4.5 mm. The curved circumferential edge profile may be a curve with a varying radius. The curved circumferential edge profile may be a parabolic curve.

[0067] The guide wheel may have a circumferential edge profile that is complementary the guide surface of the drawer side panel (as per the first aspect of the invention) or tray mount (as per the second aspect of the invention). The guide wheel may have a circumferential edge profile that is of complementary shape to the groove in the guide surface. The guide wheels may have a circumferential edge profile that is flat. The guide wheel may have a circumferential edge profile that is curved, e.g. the circumferential edge of the guide wheel is curved in diametrical cross-section. The curved circumferential edge profile may be a circular curve, e.g. a segment of a circle, and have a constant radius. The radius of the circular curved circumferential edge profile of the guide wheels may be from 2 mm to 8 mm, preferably 3 mm to 6 mm, and most preferably about 4.5 mm. The curved circumferential edge profile may be a curve with a varying radius. The curved circumferential edge profile may be a parabolic curve.

[0068] The features described above or below in relation to any of the other aspects of the invention may equally apply to these aspects under this subheading.4. Drawer Runner Assembly

[0069] A fourth aspect provides a drawer runner assembly for a vehicular drawer system having a drawer removably insertable into a cabinet, comprising:

[0070] an integrated drawer side panel including a track element integrally formed with the drawer side panel, the track element including:

[0071] a first track portion including a support surface;

[0072] a second track portion including a guide surface, wherein the guide

[0073] surface and the support surface face away from each other; and

[0074] wherein the support surface is engageable with at least one support wheel mountable to a side wall of the cabinet, and the guide surface is engageable with at least one guide wheel mountable to the sidewall of the cabinet in a position, such that the drawer side panel is slidable relative to the cabinet side wall.

[0075] Another related aspect (4B) provides a drawer runner assembly for a vehicular drawer system having a drawer removably insertable into a cabinet, comprising:

[0076] an integrated drawer side panel including a track element integrally formed with the drawer side panel, the track element including:

[0077] a first track portion including a support surface;

[0078] a second track portion including a guide surface, wherein the guide surface and the support surface face each other; and

[0079] wherein the support surface is engageable with at least one support wheel mountable to a side wall of the cabinet, and the guide surface is engageable with at least one guide wheel mountable to the sidewall of the cabinet in a position, such that the drawer side panel is slidable relative to the cabinet side wall.

[0080] The features described above or below in relation to any of the other aspects of the invention may equally apply to these aspects under this subheading.5. Vehicular Drawer System

[0081] A fifth aspect provides a vehicular drawer system, including:

[0082] a cabinet including a cabinet side wall having a length direction and a height direction, the cabinet side wall including:

[0083] a side wall portion, a support wheel mounted to the side wall portion, and a guide wheel mounted to the side wall portion; and

[0084] a drawer including an integrated drawer side panel including an extruded member including:

[0085] a side panel portion and one or more track elements wherein the side panel portion and the one or more track elements are integrally extruded, the one or more track elements including:

[0086] a first track portion including a support surface for engaging the support wheel; and

[0087] a second track portion including a guide surface for engaging the guide wheel.

[0088] The vehicular drawer system may further include an integrated tray mount for a sliding tray. The integrated tray mount may be as described in connection with the second aspect of the invention.

[0089] The cabinet side wall may be an extrusion. The support wheel mounted to the side wall portion may have a first radius and a first axis of rotation. The guide wheel mounted to the side wall portion may have a second radius and a second axis of rotation. The support wheel and the guide wheel may be spaced from one another in the height direction and in the width direction. A distance in the length direction between the first and second axes may be greater than the combined first and second radiuses. A distance in the height direction between the first and second axes may be less than the combined first and second radiuses. The cabinet sidewall may be in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.

[0090] The support wheel and the guide wheel may be spaced from one another in the height direction only. Accordingly, the support wheel and the guide wheel may be aligned in the height direction.

[0091] The features described above or below in relation to any of the other aspects of the invention may equally apply to this aspect.6. Kit for a Vehicular Drawer System

[0092] A sixth aspect provides a kit for a vehicular drawer system or a drawer for a vehicular drawer system comprising:

[0093] two integrated drawer side panels according to the first aspect.

[0094] The kit may further include two cabinet side walls according to the third aspect.

[0095] The kit may further include two tray mounts according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0096] The features described above in relation to any of the foregoing aspects may equally apply to this aspect.

[0097] The additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be partially provided in the following descriptions, some of which will become apparent from the following descriptions, or learned through the practice of the present disclosure.

[0098] As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised”, are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps.

[0099] Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0100] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled drawer system according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0101] FIG. 2 depicts the drawer system of FIG. 1 with the drawer in the extended, e.g. open, position;

[0102] FIG. 3 illustrates the drawer system of FIG. 1 with the sliding tray assembly in the form of a sliding tray top in the extended position;

[0103] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cabinet of the drawer system with the drawer and sliding top removed;

[0104] FIG. 5 is a transverse cross section view of the left hand side cabinet side wall panel;

[0105] FIG. 6 is a transverse cross section of the right hand side wall of the cabinet of FIG. 4;

[0106] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the left hand side cabinet side wall with the wheels mounted thereon;

[0107] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the drawer in isolation;

[0108] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the drawer;

[0109] FIG. 10 is a transverse cross section of the left hand drawer side panel

[0110] FIG. 11a is a transverse cross section of the left hand sliding tray mount;

[0111] FIG. 11b is a transverse cross section of the right hand fixed top bracket;

[0112] FIG. 11c is a perspective view showing the fixed top bracket of FIG. 11b attached to the cabinet side wall;

[0113] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the underside of the sliding tray top;

[0114] FIG. 13 is a transverse cross section of the right hand side of the assembled drawer system shown in FIG. 1;

[0115] FIG. 14 shows an assembled drawer system according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0116] FIG. 15 depicts the drawer system of FIG. 14 with the drawer in the extended, e.g. open, position;

[0117] FIG. 16 illustrates the drawer system of FIG. 14 with the sliding tray top in the extended position;

[0118] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the cabinet with the drawer and sliding top removed;

[0119] FIG. 18 is a transverse cross section view of the left hand side cabinet side wall panel;

[0120] FIG. 19 is a transverse cross section of the right hand side wall of the cabinet of FIG. 17;

[0121] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the left hand side cabinet side wall with the wheels mounted thereon;

[0122] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the drawer in isolation;

[0123] FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the drawer;

[0124] FIG. 23 is a transverse cross section of the left hand drawer side panel;

[0125] FIG. 24 is a transverse cross section of the right hand side of the assembled drawer system shown in FIG. 14;

[0126] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an assembled drawer system according to a further embodiment of the invention;

[0127] FIG. 26 depicts the drawer system of FIG. 25 with the drawer and sliding tray top in extended positions;

[0128] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the cabinet with the drawer and sliding top removed to aid understanding;

[0129] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the drawer in isolation;

[0130] FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the drawer;

[0131] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the sliding tray top;

[0132] FIG. 31 is a transverse cross section of the right hand side of the assembled drawer system shown in FIG. 25; and

[0133] FIG. 32 is detail transverse cross section of drawer track and cabinet wheels of FIG. 31.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0134] An embodiment of a drawer system 10 is depicted FIG. 1. The drawer system 10 includes a cabinet 12 and drawer 14 which is slidable to the interior of the cabinet 12 and may be pulled outwardly to extend the drawer to an open configuration, as shown in FIG. 2. The drawer system 10 includes a sliding tray assembly in the form of a sliding tray top 16 which may also be pulled outwardly from the cabinet 12 to extend the sliding top and gain access to the interior of the drawer, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0135] FIG. 4 depicts a cabinet 12 with the drawer and sliding tray top 16 removed to aid understanding. The cabinet 12 may also be referred to as a carcass. The cabinet 12 is a generally rectilinear hollow box which includes cabinet sidewalls 18, a rear panel 20, an upper crossmember 22, and lower cross members 24. It will be appreciated that in embodiments without a sliding top tray 16, the cabinet 12 may also be provided with a top panel fixed to the cabinet sidewalls.

[0136] FIG. 5 shows a profile of a cabinet sidewall 18, in particular the left-hand side wall. It will be appreciated that the right-hand side cabinet sidewall 18, as shown in FIG. 6, is a mirror-image of the left-hand sidewall 18.

[0137] FIG. 6 shows the right-hand cabinet sidewall 18 of the assembled cabinet 12. Accordingly, the cabinet sidewalls 18 may be made from a single extruded form as the left-hand side wall may be simply flipped (i.e. rotated around the vertical axis) to form the right-hand side wall. In other words, the left-hand sidewall and the right-hand sidewall may be cut from the same extrusion. They merely vary in orientation within the assembled cabinet 12.

[0138] Referring to FIG. 5, the cabinet sidewall 18 includes a cabinet sidewall portion 26, an upper ledge 28 and a lower ledge 30. The upper ledge 28 and the lower ledge 30 are into girlie formed with the cabinet sidewall portion 26, for example being part of the same extrusion. The cabinet sidewall portion 26 includes a thicker portion 32 and a thinner portion 34, the thinner portion 34 being above the thicker portion 32 when the cabinet sidewall 18 is in the normal in use configuration. The thicker portion 32 provides additional rigidity to the cabinet sidewall 18.

[0139] The upper ledge 28 and lower ledge 30 both project substantially perpendicularly to the cabinet sidewall portion 26. The upper ledge 28 is located toward the top of the cabinet sidewall portion 26 when the cabinet sidewall 18 is in the normal in-use configuration. The upper ledge 28 provides an overhang which covers the space between the sidewall portion 18 and the sliding top tray 16 of the cabinet 12, as best seen in the assembly shown in FIG. 13.

[0140] Alternatively, in a version without the sliding top tray 16, the upper ledge 28 may be configured such that a top panel mounts to the upper ledge 28. The lower ledge 30 is located at or toward the bottom of the cabinet sidewall portion 26 when the cabinet sidewall 18 is in the normal in-use configuration. The lower cross members 24 of the cabinet 12 connect to the lower ledge 30.

[0141] The cabinet sidewalls 18 have wheels mounted to them which engage with track elements located on the drawer and sliding top panel, as discussed further below. As more clearly shown in FIG. 7, the cabinet sidewalls 18 include a first set of wheels 36 for engagement with a track element 56 (see FIG. 10) of the drawer 14 and a second set of wheels 38 for engagement with a track element of the sliding tray top 16. Each set of wheels 36, 38 includes a row of support wheels 40 and a row of guide wheels 42 which are located above the support wheels 40. The weight of the drawer 14 or sliding tray top 16 (as the case may be) is supported by the corresponding support wheels 40. The guide wheels 42 assist in retaining the drawer 14 and sliding tray top 16 in the correct orientation, particularly when the drawer 14 or sliding tray top 16 is extended. For example, when extended, the centre of mass of the drawer 14 may be located outside of the cabinet 12 which could cause the front of the drawer 14 to tip down. The guide wheels 42 prevent this from occurring by retaining the drawer track element 56 between the guide wheels 42 and the support wheels 40. The support wheels 40 and the guide wheels 42 are preferably the same size and shape.

[0142] The drawer 14, depicted in FIG. 8, includes side panels 44, a rear panel 46, a front panel 48 and base panel 50. The front panel 48 connects to the side panels 44 using corner brackets 52, shown in FIG. 9. The rear panel 46 connects directly to the side panels 44. The base panel 50 is connected directly to the side panels 44. The front panel 48 has a lockable latch with a handle which retains the drawer 14 in the closed position. The handle may be pulled to release the latch 54 and allow the drawer 14 to be pulled outward of the cabinet 12 to the extended position.

[0143] The side panel 44 of the left hand side of the drawer 14 is shown in FIG. 10. It will be appreciated that the right-hand side panel 44 is substantially same as the left-hand side panel 44, but mirrored about the vertical axis. This allows for both the left-hand side panel of the drawer and the right-hand side panel of the drawer to be cut from one extrusion. The extruded profile can be simply flipped around, depending on whether used for the left-hand or right hand side panel. The side panels 44 are an integrally formed extrusion. That is to say, the drawer side panels 44 are a unitary piece. The track element 56 is therefore formed integrally with a side panel portion 58. The track element 56 projects or protrudes away from the side panel portion 58 in a substantially perpendicular direction. The side panel 44 also includes one or more ledges 60 for mounting the bottom panel 50 to the side panel 44. The ledge(s) 60 is substantially perpendicular to the side panel portion 58 and extends from the opposite side of the side panel 44 to the track element 56. Since the side panel 44 is an integral extrusion, it will be appreciated that the integrated track element 58 has a constant cross-section along the length of the side panel 44. The integrated track element 58 also extends the full length of the side panel 44. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the ledge(s) 60 is also of constant cross-section along the length of the side panel and extends the full length of the side panel 44. However, post-extrusion machining steps can modify the integrated track element 58 and / or the ledge(s) 60.

[0144] The track element 56 includes a first track portion 62 and a second track portion 64 which are connected by a first web 66 and a second web 68. The track element 56 is partially hollow and has a first elongate cavity defined by the first track portion 62, the second track portion 64, the first web 66 and the adjacent wall of the side panel portion 58. A second elongate cavity is defined by the first track portion 62, the second track portion 64, the first web 66 and the second web 68. The first track portion 62 has a support surface 70 including an elongate groove which is curved in transverse cross-section, the groove engaging the corresponding support wheels 40 on the cabinet sidewall 18. The second track portion 64 has a guide surface 72 including an elongate groove which is curved in transverse cross-section, the elongate groove engaging corresponding guide wheels 42 on the cabinet sidewall 18. The support surface 70 and the guide surface 72 face away from each other.

[0145] In this exemplary embodiment, the curves of the grooves of both the support surface and the guide surface have a diameter of about 9.2 mm (a radius of 4.6 mm) but the diameter could be in the range of about 4 mm to about 20 mm (a radius of 2 mm to 10 mm). It will be appreciated that the peripheral edge profile of the support wheels and the guide wheels is complementary to the grooves of the support surface and the guide surface, respectively. Accordingly, the radius of curvature of the peripheral edge profile of the support and guide wheels when viewed in the diametrical cross-section of the wheels (as shown for example in FIG. 6 and FIG. 13) may be substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the grooves. In this exemplary embodiment, the diameter of the curve of the support and guide wheels is about 9 mm (a radius of curvature of 4.5 mm) but the diameter could be in the range of about 4 mm to about 20 mm (a radius of curvature of 2 mm to 10 mm). The slight difference between the diameter of the groove (9.2 mm) and the curvature of the edge profile of the wheels (9 mm) is preferable as it provides a small amount of clearance between the wheel and the groove to reduce binding of the wheel in the groove.

[0146] The support surface 70 and the guide surface 72, and therefore the first track portion 62 and the second track portion 64, are spaced apart in the vertical direction, when in the normal in-use orientation. The first track portion 62 is located below the second track portion 64. The majority of the weight of the drawer 14 is supported on the groove of the support surface 70 of the first track portion 62. The first web portion 66 extends between the first track portion 62 and the second track portion 64, centred on the curvature of the grooves to provide additional strength and support to the grooves. The second web 68 also provides additional strength and support and extends between the remote ends of the first and second track portions 62, 64 (remote in the sense of being spaced from the side panel portion 58). This construction allows the drawer side panel 44, in particular the integrated track element 56, to be formed from less material and in a single extrusion with high dimensional accuracy. Additionally, manufacturing is simplified as no wheels are mounted on the side panel 44.

[0147] The sliding tray top 16 is depicted in FIG. 12, which shows the underside of the sliding tray top 16 and the sliding tray mounts 74 which run on the second set of wheels 38 of the cabinet side panel 18. The left-hand side sliding tray mount 74 is depicted in isolation in FIG. 11a and includes a track element 76, a connector portion 78, a ledge portion 80, and a channel 82. The connector portion 78 connects the track element 76 to the ledge portion 80 and the channel 82. In the normal in-use orientation, e.g. when the sliding tray top 16 is installed in the drawer system 10, the connector portion 78 is substantially upright. It will be appreciated that the right-hand side sliding tray mount is a mirror image of the left-hand side sliding tray mount. This allows a single extrusion profile to be used for both the left-hand side and right-hand side sliding tray mounts.

[0148] The sliding tray top track element 76 includes a first track portion 84 and a second track portion 86 which both extend from a side of the connector portion 78. The ends of the first track portion 84 and second track portion 86 are joined by a web portion 88. The track element is accordingly substantially hollow. The first track portion 84 includes a support surface 90 and the second track portion 86 includes a guide surface 92. The support surface 90 includes an elongate groove which is curved in transverse cross-section. Likewise, the guide surface 92 includes an elongate groove which is curved in transverse cross-section. The curved groove of the support surface 90 of the first track portion 84 engages the support wheels 40 of the second set of wheels 38 mounted to the cabinet sidewall 18. The curved groove of the guide surface 92 of the second track portion 86 engages the guide wheels 42 of second set of wheels 38 mounted to the cabinet sidewall 18.

[0149] The second set of wheels 38 and the grooves 90, 92 of the sliding tray mount 74 preferably have similar dimensions and a complementary shape as described with regard to the drawer panel side wall 44 and first set of wheels 36.

[0150] The ledge portion 80 extends in the opposite direction to the track element 76. A top panel is connected to the sliding tray top mounts 74 by the ledge portion 80. The channel 82 may be used to connect optional attachments and accessories to the drawer system 10. The channel 82 has an upwardly open C-shape and has a substantially horizontal web portion 94 and two substantially upright flange portions 96, when in the normal in-use orientation. Each of the flange portions 96 have a lip 98 that folds inwardly of the channel 82 to at least partially close the channel opening and form a slotted opening 100. The slotted opening 100 may be provided with apertures 102 along the length of the channel to aid the attachment of accessories, similar to those depicted in FIG. 11c which relates to a fixed top bracket discussed below. The channel may also be referred to as a T-slotted channel.

[0151] In an embodiment, the top of the drawer system 10 may be fixed top rather than a sliding tray top. In this embodiment, the top panel is connected to the cabinet sidewalls 18 via a bracket 104, as depicted in FIG. 11b. The bracket 104 may include a ledge portion 80 and a channel 82 which have a similar function to corresponding features of the sliding tray mount 74. The bracket 104 attaches directly to the upper ledge 28 of the cabinet side wall 18, as shown in FIG. 11c. It will be appreciated that the bracket may be omitted and the top panel may simply connect directly to the cabinet sidewall 18.

[0152] FIG. 13 shows a cross-section through the assembled drawer system 10. As can be seen, the track element 56 of the drawer side panel 44 is engaged with the first set of wheels 36 mounted to the cabinet sidewall 18. The track element 76 of the sliding tray mount 74 is engaged with the second set of wheels 38 mounted to the cabinet sidewall 18.

[0153] Another embodiment of a vehicular drawer system 10′ is shown in FIG. 14. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13 but is of an overall lower height (e.g. is a low height drawer system 10). Where appropriate, like for like reference numerals are used in the following description. The addition of a prime (′) symbol indicates that a part is adapted for the additional embodiment.

[0154] The drawer system 10′ includes a cabinet 12′ and a drawer 14′ which is slidable relative to the cabinet 12′ so that it may be withdrawn from the cabinet 12′ into an open configuration shown in FIG. 15. The drawer system 10′ also includes a sliding top tray 16′, which is also slidable and may be pulled outwardly from the cabinet 12′ to an extended position, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0155] FIG. 17 shows the cabinet 12′ with the drawer 14′ and sliding top removed 16′. This cabinet 12′ is similar in many respects to the cabinet 12′ shown in FIG. 4, the main difference being the height of the cabinet side panels 18′ and the arrangement of the first set of wheels 36′ on which the drawer 14′ runs. Accordingly, the cabinet 12′ is a generally rectilinear hollow box which includes cabinet sidewalls 18′, a rear panel 20′, an upper crossmember 22′, and lower cross members 24′. It will be appreciated that in embodiments without a sliding tray top 16′ the cabinet 12′ may also be provided with a top panel fixed to the cabinet sidewalls 18′.

[0156] FIG. 18 shows a profile of a cabinet sidewall 18′ which is essentially the cabinet sidewall 18′ of the first embodiment. Obviously, the overall height of the cabinet sidewall 18′ of FIG. 18 is less than that of the first embodiment and therefore the proportions of the various elements is slightly different, but the overall function remains the same. FIG. 19 shows the right-hand side cabinet sidewall 18′ of the lower height drawer in the assembled cabinet 12′.

[0157] The cabinet sidewalls 18′ have wheels mounted to them which bear on track elements located on the drawer 14′ and sliding top panel 16′. As more clearly shown in FIG. 20, the cabinet sidewalls include a first set of wheels 36′ for engagement with a track element of the drawer 14′ and a second set of wheels 38′ for engagement with a track element of the sliding tray top 16′. Preferably, the wheels are all of substantially the same size and diameter. The first set of wheels and second set of wheels preferably have the same dimensions as described in regard to the first embodiment.

[0158] Each set of wheels 36′, 38′ includes support wheels and guide wheels. The weight of the drawer 14′ or sliding top 16′ is supported by the corresponding support wheels 40′. The guide wheels 42′ assist in retaining the drawer 14′ and sliding tray top 16′ in the correct orientation, particularly when the drawer 14′ or sliding tray top 16′ is extended.

[0159] In the second set of wheels 38′, the guide wheels 42′ are located above the support wheels 40′. However, in this embodiment, the first set of wheels 36′ are arranged differently. As shown in FIG. 20, guide wheel one 42a and guide wheel two 42b are located beside, and preferably between, support wheel one 40a and support wheel two 40b toward the front of the cabinet 12′. Guide wheel one 42a and guide wheel two 42b are mounted to the cabinet sidewalls 18′ slightly lower than the support wheels 40′, in particular support wheel one 40a and support wheel two 40b. Guide wheel one 42a and guide wheel two 42b are not aligned in the vertical direction (e.g. the height direction of the cabinet sidewall) with support wheel one 40a and support wheel two 40b, as is the case in the first embodiment.

[0160] To illustrate, as shown in FIG. 20, guide wheel one 42a and support wheel one 40a are at similar but different heights on the cabinet sidewall 18′. The distance in the height direction between the axes of rotation of support wheel one 40a and guide wheel one 42a is less than the sum of the radiuses of support wheel one 40a and guide wheel one 40a. In other words, the wheels overlap in the height direction.

[0161] However, the distance in the length direction of the cabinet side wall 18′ between the axes of rotation of support wheel one 40a and guide wheel one 42a is greater than the sum of the radiuses of support wheel one 40a and guide wheel one 42a. In other words, the wheels do not overlap in the length direction. This must be the case so that the wheels do not interfere with one another. The same applies to guide wheel two 42b and support wheel 40b.

[0162] This arrangement of guide wheels 42′ and support wheels 40′ for a lower height drawer 14′, such as that pictured in FIG. 21 requires a lower height track element (see FIG. 23). This lower height drawer 14′ has a substantially similar construction to the drawer shown in FIG. 8 with the exception of the drawer side panels 44′. An exploded view of the lower height drawer is shown in FIG. 22.

[0163] The drawer side panel 44′ of the lower height drawer 14′ is shown in FIG. 23. Similar to the first embodiment, the side panel 44′ of the left-hand side of the drawer is shown in FIG. 23. It will be appreciated that the right-hand side panel is substantially same as the left-hand side panel but mirrored about the vertical axis. This allows for one extrusion profile to be used for the drawer side panels 44′ as the piece of the extrusion can be simply flipped around.

[0164] The drawer side panels 44′ are an integrally formed extrusion. That is to say, the drawer side panels are a unitary piece. The track elements 106, 110 are therefore formed integrally with the side panel portion 58′. The track elements 106, 110 project or protrude away from the side panel portion 58′ in a substantially perpendicular direction. The side panel 44′ also includes integrally formed ledges 60′ for mounting the bottom panel 50′ to the side panel 44′. The ledges 60′ are substantially perpendicular to the side panel portion 58′ and extends from the opposite of the side panel to the track element or elements.

[0165] The drawer side panel 44′ includes a first track element 106 having a first track portion 108 and a second track element 110 having a second track portion 112. The first track portion 110 has a support surface 114 including an elongate groove with a curved surface in transverse cross-section, the elongate groove engaging the corresponding support wheels 40′ on the cabinet sidewall 18′. The second track portion 112 has the guide surface 116 including an elongate groove which has a curved surface and transverse cross-section, the elongate groove engaging the corresponding guide wheels 42′ on the cabinet sidewall 18′. The support surface 114 and the guide surface face 116 toward each other. The support surface 114 and the guide surface 116, and therefore the first track portion 108 and the second track portion 112 (and therefore the first track element 106 and the second track element 110), are spaced apart in the vertical direction, when in the normal in-use orientation. Accordingly, the first track portion 108, the second track portion 112, and the side panel portion 58′ define a channel which is open on the side facing the cabinet sidewall 18′. The majority of the weight of the drawer 14′ is supported on the grooved surface of the support surface 114 of the first track portion 108.

[0166] It will be appreciated that in this arrangement of support wheels 40′, guide wheels 42′, and track elements 108 and 112, the first track portion 108 is located above the second track portion 112, which is opposite to the arrangement of the first embodiment. Arranging the first track portion 108 and second track portion 112 in this manner allows the drawer side panel 44′ to engage the guide wheels 42′ and support wheels 40′ with the arrangement discussed above, which in turn allows for an overall lower height drawer. This lower height drawer also has the same advantages as the first embodiment.

[0167] In the depicted embodiment of a lower height drawer, a sliding tray top 16′ is provided which is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 11a and FIG. 12. The system may alternatively be provided with a fixed top in a similar manner to the first embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 11b and 11c.

[0168] FIG. 24 shows a cross-section through the assembled lower height drawer system 10′. As can be seen, the track elements 106, 108 of the drawer side panel 44′ are engaged with the first set of wheels 36′ mounted to the cabinet sidewall 44′. The track element 76′ of the sliding tray mount 74′ is engaged with the second set of wheels 38′ mounted to the cabinet sidewall 18′.

[0169] A further embodiment of a vehicular drawer system 10″ is shown in FIG. 25. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the first and second embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13 and FIGS. 14 to 24, respectively. The main difference of this embodiment compared to the previous embodiments is in the configuration of the cabinet side wall. Where appropriate, like for like reference numerals are used in the following description. The addition of a double prime (″) symbol indicates that a part is adapted for the further embodiment

[0170] The drawer system 10″ includes a cabinet 12″ and a drawer 14″ which is slidable relative to the cabinet 12″ so that it may be withdrawn from the cabinet 12″ into an open configuration shown in FIG. 26. The drawer system 10″ also includes a sliding top tray 16″, which is also slidable and may be pulled outwardly from the cabinet 12″ as also shown in FIG. 26.

[0171] FIG. 27 shows the cabinet 12″ with the drawer 14″ and sliding top removed 16″. This cabinet 12″ is similar in many respects to the cabinet 12 shown in FIG. 4, the main difference being the arrangement of the second set of wheels 38″ on which the sliding tray top 16″ runs and the arrangement of the side wall 18″ of the cabinet. Accordingly, the cabinet 12″ is a generally rectilinear hollow box which includes cabinet sidewalls 18″, a rear panel 20″, and lower cross members 24″. It will be appreciated that in embodiments without a sliding tray top 16′ the cabinet 12′ may also be provided with a top panel fixed to the cabinet sidewalls 18′.

[0172] The drawer 14″, depicted in FIG. 28, includes side panels 44″, a rear panel 46″, a front panel 48″ and base panel 50″. The front panel 48″ connects to the side panels 44″ using corner brackets 52″, shown in FIG. 29. The rear panel 46″ connects directly to the side panels 44″. The base panel 50″ is connected directly to the side panels 44″. The front panel 48″ can have a lockable latch with a handle (not shown) which retains the drawer 14″ in the closed position. The handle may be pulled to release the latch and allow the drawer 14″ to be pulled outward of the cabinet 12″ to the extended position.

[0173] A sliding tray top 16″ is shown in FIG. 30. This sliding tray top 16″ is substantially the same as the sliding tray tops of the first and second embodiments. It accordingly includes left and side sliding tray mounts 74″ which are connected to a top panel 118 and which slidingly engage respective wheels on the cabinet side wall 18″ via track elements 76″.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 31, the cabinet sidewalls 18″ have wheels mounted to them which bear on track elements located on the drawer 14″ and sliding top panel 16″. The cabinet sidewalls include a first set of wheels 36″ for engagement with a track element 56″ of the drawer 14″ and a second set of wheels 38″ for engagement with a track element 76″ of the sliding tray top 16″. Preferably, the wheels are all of substantially the same size and diameter. The first set of wheels and second set of wheels preferably have the same dimensions as described in regard to the first embodiment.

[0175] Each set of wheels 36″, 38″ includes support wheels 40″ and guide wheels 42″. The weight of the drawer 14″ or sliding top 16″ is supported by the corresponding support wheels 40″. The guide wheels 42″ assist in retaining the drawer 14″ and sliding tray top 16″ in the correct orientation, particularly when the drawer 14″ or sliding tray top 16″ is extended.

[0176] In this embodiment, the top portion of the cabinet side wall 18″ includes a bend portion 120 which extends substantially perpendicularly to the side wall portion 26″ and toward the inside of the cabinet 12″. The cabinet side wall 18″ also includes an upper side wall portion 122 that extends from the bend portion 120 upwardly and parallel to the main side wall portion 26″. The guide wheels 42″ of the second set of wheel 38″ are mounted to the upper side wall portion 122 so that they face outwardly i.e. away from the interior of the cabinet 12″. In contrast, the guide wheels 42″ of the first set of wheels 36″ and the support wheels 40″ of both sets 36″, 38″ are mounted to the cabinet side wall 18″ so that they point inwardly i.e. toward the interior of the cabinet 12″. This arrangement of the second set of wheels 38″ positions the sliding tray top 16″ outside of the interior of the cabinet 12″. Additionally, the upper wall portion 122 is located closer to the drawer side panel 44″ which reduces the ability for articles or debris to fall between the drawer 14″ and the cabinet 12″ and potentially foul the sliding of the wheels 40″, 42″ on the drawer track element 56″.

[0177] FIG. 32 shows the first set of wheels 36″ and the track element 56″ of the drawer side panel. This track element 56″ is substantially the same as the track element described in relation to the first embodiment. The track element includes first and second track portions 62″, 64″ having a support surface and a guide surface respectively, the support surface and a guide surface braced by the first and second web portions 66″, 68″, which also define first and second cavities. However, the cabinet side wall includes thick wall portions 124 at which the wheels 40″, 42″ are mounted. The thick wall portions 124 are spaced from one another along the height of the side wall portion 26″. The wall between the thick portions 124 is thinner and defines a thin wall portion 126. The track element 56″ is partially disposed within a recess or channel formed by the thicker portions 124 and the thin portion 126. This arrangement allows the drawer side wall portion 58″ and cabinet side wall 18″ to be closer together and reduces the overall width of the combined drawer side panel 44′ and cabinet side wall 18″.

[0178] The above described drawer systems may include components made from different materials, for example aluminium, steel, and plastic, as required. It is preferable that the drawer side panels, the sliding tray mounts, and / or the cabinet sidewalls be made from aluminium due to its light weight. It is preferable that these components be formed by an extrusion process. However, the same components may also be formed by a machining or casting process. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be applied across drawer systems manufactured from a range of materials. The material may be selected based on the desired uses and implementation of the drawers. For example, drawers intended to hold larger loads would obviously require a stronger material than drawers intended to hold a lighter weight.

[0179] In all of the above-described embodiments, the extruded drawer side panels have better dimensional of tolerances when compared to the prior art, for example drawer systems made from folded sheet-metal. This allows for a more accurate placement of the support and guide wheels on the cabinet side walls so that the engagement between the wheels and the track element can have smaller tolerances and therefore less movement between the drawer and cabinet. This is beneficial as it can reduce vibration noise inside the vehicle and may also reduce wear on the components of the drawer system. Further, a drawer side panel having the described arrangements has a simpler manufacturing process as once the extruded panel is complete it can be simply cut to the required length and installed in the drawer.

[0180] Another advantage is that the described drawer systems can be flat packed and assembled by the end user. This is because of the better dimensional tolerancing, which enables the end user to assemble the drawer system, without requiring adjustment after assembly. Prior art folded sheet-metal systems typically required adjustment after assembly due to the poorer tolerances. This typically was performed in the factory where they were assembled which led to overall increase in assembly cost and also increased in shipping cost to the end user or reduced market access because of shipping costs.

[0181] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. An integrated drawer side panel for a vehicular drawer system including a drawer removably insertable into a cabinet, the integrated drawer side panel including:an extruded member including:a side panel portion and one or more track elements wherein the side panel portion and the one or more track elements are integrally extruded,the one or more track elements including:a first track portion including a support surface for engaging at least one support wheel mounted to a side wall of the cabinet; anda second track portion including a guide surface for engaging at least one guide wheel mounted to said side wall.

2. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 1, wherein the first track portion and the second track portion are formed on a single track element.

3. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 2, wherein the guide surface and the support surface face away from each other.

4. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 1, wherein a first web extends between the first track portion and the second track portion to provide structural support, and wherein the first web at least partially defines the track element as an at least partially hollow element.

5. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 4, wherein the first web runs between the support surface and the guide surface.

6. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 5, wherein a second web extends between the first track portion and the second track portion to support the side of the track element which is most remote from the side panel portion.

7. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 4, wherein a first cavity is defined in the track element by the first web, the support surface, the guide surface and the side panel portion.

8. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 6, wherein a second cavity is defined in the track element by the first web, the support surface, the guide surface, and the second web.

9. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 1, wherein the first track portion is formed on a first track element and the second track portion is formed on a second track element, wherein the first and second track elements are separate protrusions from a side of the side panel portion.

10. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 9, wherein the guide surface and the support surface face each other.

11. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 1, wherein the guide surface and / or the support surface include a groove configured to engage the respective at least one guide wheel or at least one support wheel.

12. The integrated drawer side panel of claim 11, wherein the groove of the guide surface and / or the groove of the support surface has a curved profile of a constant radius.

13. A drawer assembly including:a first integrated drawer side panel according to claim 1, provided on one side of the drawer;a second integrated drawer side panel according to claim 1 provided on the other side of the drawer; anda bottom panel extending from the first integrated drawer side panel to the second integrated drawer side panel.

14. A vehicular drawer system, including:a cabinet including a cabinet side wall having a length direction and a height direction, the cabinet side wall including:a side wall portion, a support wheel mounted to the side wall portion, and a guide wheel mounted to the side wall portion; anda drawer including an integrated drawer side panel according to claim 1.

15. The vehicular drawer system according to claim 14 wherein the side wall portion is an extrusion.

16. An integrated tray mount for a sliding tray for a vehicular drawer system including a cabinet and a sliding tray, the integrated tray mount including:an extruded member including:a tray support portion and one or more track elements wherein the tray support portion and the one or more track elements are integrally extruded,the one or more track elements including:a first track portion including a support surface for engaging at least one support wheel mounted to a side wall of the cabinet;a second track portion including a guide surface for engaging at least one guide wheel mounted to said side wall.

17. The tray support portion as claimed in claim 16 including a ledge and a connector between the ledge and the one or more track elements.

18. A vehicular drawer system including:a cabinet made up of two spaced cabinet side walls, the cabinet side walls having a length direction and a height direction and including:a side wall portion having a length and a height;a support wheel mounted to the side wall portion, the support wheel having a first radius and a first axis of rotation; anda guide wheel mounted to the side wall portion, the guide wheel having a second radius and a second axis of rotation,the support wheel and the guide wheel being spaced from one another in the height direction and in the length direction;wherein a distance in the length direction between the first and second axes is greater than the combined first and second radiuses, and a distance in the height direction between the first and second axes is less than the combined first and second radiuses; anda drawer assembly according to claim 13, each integrated drawer side panel of the drawer assembly including separate first and second track elements defining a corridor, wherein the support wheel and the guide wheel of the adjacent cabinet side wall are configured to run within the corridor of the adjacent drawer side panel.

19. A kit for a vehicular drawer system or a drawer for a vehicular drawer system including:two integrated drawer side panels according to claim 1.

20. The kit of claim 19 including two integrated tray mounts according to claim 16.

Images