Pivoting Drawer Stop Mechanism for Secure Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawer stops in furniture require tilting or additional maneuvering to remove drawers fully, which complicates the process and often necessitates larger openings, making unintentional removal a risk.
Innovation Solution
A stop mechanism with a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration pivotally mounted on a pin, allowing the drawer to be easily opened and closed without unintended removal, and easily removable by pivoting out of alignment with the drawer's normal travel line, preventing full removal unless manually manipulated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stop member is provided to prevent drawer removal, then drawer security is improved, but drawer removal operation becomes complex requiring tilting and additional maneuvering
Solution Approach 1:
The stop member is made pivotally mounted rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between a first position that obstructs drawer removal and a second position that clears the drawer path. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by enabling both secure prevention of unintended removal and easy manual removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: a pivotal mounting portion, an obstructing portion that contacts the drawer, and a actuating portion. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function, enabling the obstructing portion to effectively prevent removal while the actuating portion provides simple manual control for intentional removal.
2Reliability
If a stop mechanism is added to prevent unintended drawer removal, then drawer security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop member serves multiple functions with a single unified structure: it provides obstruction to prevent unintended drawer removal, offers a pivotal mounting that simplifies installation, and includes an actuating portion that enables easy manual operation. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function, obstruction function, and actuation function are merged into a single integrated stop member assembly. The pivotal mounting directly connects the obstructing portion to the structure, and the actuating portion is integrated with the same assembly, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, stops, and release mechanisms.
3Reliability
If existing stop members are used to prevent drawer removal, then drawer security is improved, but the drawer compartment opening must be larger to accommodate tilting motion
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the drawer to tilt over the stop member as in conventional designs, this invention inverts the approach by having the stop member pivot to clear the drawer's normal travel path. The drawer maintains its normal horizontal movement without tilting, while the stop member actively repositions itself to permit removal, thereby eliminating the need for larger compartment openings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables drawers to be removed without tilting or additional maneuvering, reducing the risk of unintentional removal and simplifying the assembly process with accurate and cost-effective component fabrication using CNC routing.
Implementation Method 1
A stop mechanism with a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration pivotally mounted on a pin, allowing the drawer to be easily opened and closed without unintended removal, and easily removable by pivoting out of alignment with the drawer's normal travel line
Data Source
AI summary
A stop mechanism for a drawer displaceable along a line of travel into and out of a compartment of a cabinet, such drawer including a first surface disposed parallel to the line of travel and a second surface disposed at an angle relative to such line of travel, having a member pivotally mountable on such structure, displaceable between a first position resting upon such first drawer surface, in abutting alignment with the second drawer surface, obstructing removal of such drawer from the opening along such line of travel, and a second position out of resting relation with such first drawer surface and abutting alignment with such second drawer surface, permitting the removal of such drawer from such compartment along such line of travel.