US3404932A - Slideable drawer stop - Google Patents

Description

K. H. GUTNER Oct, 8,

' Filed Sept. 21. 1967 N WT U W6 N. H H T E N N E K United States Patent 3,404,932 SLIDEABLE DRAWER STOP Kenneth H. Gutner, 591 Roger Williams, Highland Park, Ill. 60035 Filed Sept. 21, 1967, Ser. No. 669,437 1 Claim. (Cl. 312-348) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A removable rivet-like member for insertion into the side wall or bottom wall of a slideable drawer wherein the head of the member is undercut and the shank of the member is equipped with a plurality of convergent circumferentially spaced apart ribs.

Over the years various dowel-like members have been provided in drawers to prevent inadvertent removal of the drawer from a dresser desk or like drawer-equipped structure. Thus, the idea of a drawer stop is generally Well known-the stops projecting beyond the drawer proper for engagement with the drawer-opening defining frame. Thus, the drawer can be pulled almost all of the way out, but not all the way without first removing the dowel or other stop member. Notwithstanding the availability of this basic concept for many years, it has not been widely utilized because of the difiiculty of reconciling two conflicting objectives. The stop member must first be easily installed and removed. On the other hand, it must be firmly and securely seated to perform its function. According to the instant invention, these heretofore essentially irreconcilable objectives have been met in a single structure and the provision of such a stop structure constitutes an important object of the invention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may be seen in the details of construction and operation set down in this specification.

The invention is described in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a dresser having drawers equipped in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the rivetlike member of the invention.

In the illustration given and with reference to FIG. 1, the numeral designates generally a dresser or like structure. For example, other furniture structures which utilize drawers such as desks, cabinets, etc., may utilize the invention to advantage. However, for ease of generic designation, I will refer to such structures as dressers. The dresser '10 is seen to be equipped with a top 11 and a plurality of drawers 12, 13, 14 and 15. The drawer 14 is shown in virtually completely removed condition to reveal the existance of holes 16 and 17 provided in the side thereof. Alternatively, the holes may be provided in the base of the drawer. The invention contemplates both installation sites-and for the purpose of brevity, I characterize both locations as sides. In any event, a rivet-like lmember generally designated 18 and seen installed in the side wall of the drawer 15, is adapted to engage a portion of the perimetric frame 19 provided as part of the dresser so as to limit removal of the drawer.

In connection with the drawer 14, it is seen that a package 20 has been stapled to the inside of the drawer, the package 20 containing two of the dowels 18 for installation in the holes 16 and 17.

Once the dowels are installed in the fashion indicated in FIG. 2 wherein the stop member 18 is mounted in an opening 21 provided in the drawer side 22, the assembly is complete. From time to time, it may become necessary to remove the drawer completely from the dresser 10as for applying paper, cleaning, etc. In that case, the stop member 1 8 is readily removed by inserting a prying tool under the head portion 23 in the vicinity of the undercut designated 24. This permits leverage to be applied so as to loosen the member 18 and facilitate its removal.

In the illustration given, the stop member 18 is constructed of a substantially rigid plastic material such as polypropylene and which is characterized by substantial impact strength, it being appreciated that the shank portion 25 will be the portion to contact the frame 19' so as to restrict withdrawal of the drawer. I have found that excellent results are obtained when the shank portion 25 is equipped with integral ribs of the character designated 26 in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ribs being circumferentially spaced apart on the shank 25 and convergent when proceeding away from the head 23.

In operation, the ribs 26 develop a superior seat or connection between the stop member 18 side 22 notwithstanding the fact that there is a limited amount of surface under the head 23 as at 27 for bearing against the inner side of the drawer. Thus, the ribs 26 tend to stabilize the connection of the stop member 18 with the drawer side 22 against any undesirable rocking which could result from the impact of the stop member 18 with the frame 19. The rocking referred to tends to loosen the stop member in its seat, particularly when there is limited surface bearing provided by the base surface 27 to the head 23. However, the ribs prevent this while still making available the advantageous undercutting as at 24 for easy removal. It will be appreciated that a variety of undercuts may be employedin some instances a slight beveling may be equally advantageous. In the illustration given, the shank of the stop member 23 has a diameter of The ribbing 26 extends over about one half the length of the shank with the taper being relatively small, of the order of about less than 15.

While in the foregoing specification a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention has been set down for the purpose of illustration, many variations of the details herein given may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a dresser or the like having pull-out drawers wherein the drawers are confined by a generally rectangular frame when fully installed, said drawer along each side having a projecting member adapted to engage said frame to limit complete disengagement of the drawer from the frame, the improved projecting member characterized by the fact that it is constructed of polymeric material having a substantial impact strength, said member having a generally tubular elongated shank portion extending outwardly of said drawer for engagement with said frame, said member having an integral head portion inwardly of said drawer at one end of said shank portion, said shank portion adjacent said head portion being equipped with a plurality of circu-mferentially spaced apart longitudinally extending integral ribs, said ribs converging radially in-wardly proceeding away from said head, said head portion having a generally flat surface intersecting said shank portion, the outer periphery of said fiat surface being relieved to facilitate removal of said member from a mounting hole in said drawer.

Jowett 312348 Rhodes 312-348 X Abramovich 312-348 Rose 85-19 Rudd 8526 JAMES T. MCCALL, Primary Examiner.

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