CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/405,809, filed October 7, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a locking mechanism; more particularly a button-like locking mechanism used in conjunction with fasteners to join drawer slides to substrates.

2. Background

[0003] Drawers from furniture and cabinets move with the use of drawer slides but after long periods of operation, the drawer slides become loose from the panels of the furniture and cabinets. It is also dangerous when drawer slides detach from the furniture and cabinets because drawers carry heavy loads and can potentially harm people. When installing and removing drawer slides, users want something that is quick and easy to use.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a drawer slide fastening system with an additional locking mechanism to prevent the detachment of the drawer slide from the substrate that is quick and effortless to use.

SUMMARY

[0005] One object of the present invention described herein is a drawer slide locking button 2 that prevents lateral movement of the drawer slide mount once it is installed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is a drawer slide locking button comprising a head and a shank, with a diameter of the head being less than the diameter of the shank, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is a drawer slide locking button comprising a spring.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is a drawer slide locking button not comprising a spring.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the height of the drawer slide locking button including the spring when fully compressed is slightly shorter than the depth of the hole, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is a draw slide locking button used in conjunction with a drawer slide channel lock and drawer slide channel slot, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is locking apparatus for use with a fastening system comprising: a hollow button having a head and a shank; and a spring located in the shank configured to compress and extend, and provide a lock between a mount and a panel of a cabinet framework.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is a locking apparatus for use with a fastening system for a cabinet framework comprising: a hollow button comprising a head extending integrally with a shank and a spring located in the shank, the head having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the shank; a mount having at least a base, the base of the mount comprising an opening configured for interlocking with the hollow button; and the hollow button positioned in a cavity of a panel of the cabinet framework, wherein a height of the cavity is substantially a height of the shank. [0013] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is a locking apparatus for use with a fastening system for a cabinet framework comprising: a button having a head and a shank, the button located in a cavity of a panel of the cabinet framework; a mount having at least a base, the base comprising an opening configured to interlock with the button; an underside of the base removably attachable to at least two drawer slide channel locks; and a plurality of drawer slide channel lock slots formed in the panel of the cabinet framework. Furthermore, each drawer slide channel lock has a bottom surface and a top surface, wherein the top surface is removably attached to the underside of the base; and the bottom surface fastens to a drawer slide channel lock slot. Moreover, a quantity of the drawer slide channel lock slots corresponding to each drawer slide channel lock, each of the drawer slide channel lock slots having a narrow groove transitioning to a wider groove; and the cavity located adjacent to the narrow groove of at least one of the drawer slide channel lock slots.

[0014] These features, advantages and other embodiments of the present invention are further made apparent, in the remainder of the present document, to those of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more fully describe embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, but are merely illustrative.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the drawer slide locking button, according to an embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the drawer slide locking button, according to an embodiment. [0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the drawer slide locking button, according to an embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of the drawer slide locking button with a spring installed, according to an embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of the drawer slide locking button with an installed spring riveted in place, according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of the drawer slide locking button with a spring installed, according to an embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of the drawer slide locking button with an installed spring riveted in place, according to an embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view at B-B of FIG. 5B, according to an embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom view of the drawer slide locking button with a spring installed, according to an embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom view of the drawer slide locking button with a spring riveted to the drawer slide locking button, according to an embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates the drawer slide locking button in a relaxed state in a cavity, according to an embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates the drawer slide locking button coiled in a cavity by a drawer slide mount pushing down, according to an embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates the drawer slide locking button coiled in a cavity by a drawer slide mount entirely pushing down, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 10 illustrates the drawer slide locking button springing into the hole of the drawer slide mount and in its resting state, according to an embodiment. [0030] FIG. 11 illustrates a user pressing down on the drawer slide locking button to release the drawer slide mount from the panel, according to an embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 12 illustrates a user removing the drawer slide mount from the panel, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 13 further illustrates the drawer slide locking button in a relaxed state in a cavity, according to an embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 14 further illustrates the drawer slide locking button springing into the hole of the drawer slide mount and in its resting state, according to an embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 15 further illustrates a user pressing down on the drawer slide locking button to release the drawer slide mount from the panel, according to an embodiment.

[0035] FIG. 16 illustrates an undermount drawer slide, according to an embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 17 illustrates a sidemount drawer slide, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The description above and below and the drawings of the present document focus on one or more currently preferred embodiments of the present invention and also describe some exemplary optional features and/or alternative embodiments. The description and drawings are for the purpose of illustration and not limitation. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize variations, modifications, and alternatives. Such variations, modifications, and alternatives are also within the scope of the present invention. Section titles are terse and are for convenience only.

[0038] A drawer slide mount can be either a sidemount or an undermount. A sidemount drawer slide connects the sides of a drawer to the cabinet framework. An undermount drawer slide connects the bottoms of a drawer to the cabinet framework. The opening in the base can also be referred to as a hole. [0039] Embodiments of the invention are described in FIGS. 1-6. The drawer slide locking button 2 can be cylindrically shaped allowing it to fit into the cavity 22 of the panel 32 (not shown, see FIG. 7). FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the drawer slide locking button 2 having a shank 6 and a button head 8. The drawer slide locking button 2 can be made of plastic or metal, for example, it can be made from a die cast zinc-aluminum alloy. The diameter of the shank 6 can be different lengths depending on the size of the cavity 22. The diameter of the shank 6 needs to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the cavity 22. The entire length of the button 2, which comprises the shank 6 and head 8 and the compressed spring 14, is dependent on the depth of the cavity 22; however, it is slightly shorter than the depth of the cavity 22. The diameter of the head 8 is dependent on the size of the cavity 22 in the drawer slide mount. The diameter of the head 8 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the hole 24 on the drawer slide mount. The head 8 is approximately 5 millimeters in diameter and the shank 6 is approximately 7.9 millimeters in diameter; however, other lengths can be contemplated. The shank 6 comprises a spring cavity 12 and a spring chamfer 10. The spring cavity 12, makes the button 2 hollow and is where the spring 12 (not shown, see FIGS. 4A, 4B) is located. The spring chamfer 10 guides the spring 14 into the spring cavity 12 when the spring 14 is compressed.

[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the drawer slide locking button 2, according to an embodiment comprising a shank 6, button head 8, and a button chamfer 16. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the drawer slide locking button without a spring 14 in the spring cavity 12, according to an embodiment.

[0041] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of the drawer slide locking button 2 with a spring 14 installed, according to an embodiment. The spring 14 can be easily twisted into the spring cavity 12. The spring 14 can be detachably secured to the shank 6. For example, twisting the spring 14 engages and removes the spring 14 from the spring cavity 12. The drawer slide locking button 2 comprises a shank 6 and a spring 14 located inside the spring cavity 12. The shank 6 is approximately the same height as the cavity 22 and is fitted into the cavity 22 so there is enough room for the button 2 to move up and down when pressure is exerted on it. FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of the drawer slide locking button 2 with an installed spring 14 riveted in place within the shank 6, according to an embodiment.

[0042] FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of the drawer slide locking button 2 with a spring 14 installed, according to an embodiment. The drawer slide locking button 2 further comprises a button head 8 and a button chamfer 16. The button chamfer 16 guides the button head 8 smoothly into the hole 24. Without the button chamfer 16, the head 8 may get stuck on the edge of the hole 24 or elsewhere and not properly engage into the hole 24. The head 8 fastens with the hole 24 on the drawer slide mount to provide additional fastening strength and prevents lateral movement of the drawer slide mount once it is installed. The height of the head 8 allows the rim of the hole 24 to catch so that the hole 24 fastens with the button 2 when the button 2 enters the hole 24. FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of the drawer slide locking button 2 with an installed spring 14 riveted in place, according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5B the length of the spring 14 is variable depending on the length of the shank 6 and the cavity 22. FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view at B-B of FIG. 5B, according to an embodiment. The rivet 46 is cast into the drawer slide locking button 2. A tool makes a depression 52 to deform 48 the rivet 46 and secure the lower coil 50 of the spring 14 to the button 2.

[0043] FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom view of the drawer slide locking button 2 with a spring 14 installed, according to an embodiment. The spring 14 fits snugly in the spring cavity 12. The length of the spring 14 can be adjusted before manufacturing. The length of the spring 14 depends on the depth of the hole 22 and the head 8 fully protrudes from the surface of the panel 32 when the button 2 is in a relaxed state in the hole 22. FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom view of the drawer slide locking button 2 with a spring 14 riveted to the drawer slide locking button within the spring cavity 12, according to an embodiment.

[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates the drawer slide locking button 2 in a relaxed state in a cavity 22 of a panel 32, according to an embodiment. When the drawer slide locking button 2 is in its relaxed state, the spring 14 is fully extended causing the button head 8 and button chamfer 10 to peak above the upper most part of the cavity 22. The drawer slide channel lock 26 has a front 34, back 36, bottom 38, top 40, right 42 and left 44 surface (opposite the right surface 42). The drawer slide channel lock 26 mates with the drawer slide channel lock slot 28. When the user inserts the drawer slide channel lock into the wider groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28, the user then slides the drawer slide mount towards the narrow groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28. When the drawer slide channel lock 26 fastens with the narrow groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28, the hole 24 will mate with the button 2. When the drawer slide channel lock 26 reaches the end of the narrow groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28, the hole 24 aligns with the cavity 22 and the button 2 engages the hole 24. This ensures the drawer slide mount is in the proper lateral position on the cabinet.

[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates an undermount drawer slide 18; however, the same procedure of sliding the drawer slide channel lock 26 until it locks in the drawer slide channel lock slot 28 and the button 2 mating with the hole 24 occurs with the sidemount drawer slide 20 as well.

[0046] FIG. 8 illustrates the drawer slide locking button 2 coiled in a cavity 22 by an undermount drawer slide 18 pushing down on the drawer slide locking button 2, according to an embodiment. The cavity 22 for the undermount drawer slide 18 sits to the side of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28. It can be observed that the hole 24, which is located on the base of the mount, slowly slides towards the button 2 as the drawer slide channel lock 26 (not shown, see FIG. 7) is being pushed towards the narrow groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28.

[0047] FIG. 9 illustrates the drawer slide locking button 2 completely covered by the base 30 of the undermount drawer slide 18 as the spring 14 is coiled in the cavity 22, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The locking button is in a coiled/compressed position as the pressure of the base 30 pushes down on the head 8. The hole 24 (can also be referred to as an opening or aperture) is aligned with the drawer slide locking button 2, so when the drawer slide mount slides across the panel 32, the drawer slide locking button 2 will spring up and engage with the hole 24.

[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates the drawer slide locking button 2 springing/extending into the hole 24 of the undermount drawer slide 18, according to an embodiment. The undermount drawer slide 18 is in a secure position after the drawer slide locking button 2 is fitted into the hole 24 of the undermount drawer slide 18. The base 30 of the drawer slide mount is now flushed against the panel 32. In addition to the button 2 being engaged with the hole 24, the drawer slide channel lock 26 is fully engaged with the drawer slide channel lock slot 28. With both fasteners connecting the drawer slide mount to the panel 32 and the panel 32 to the cabinet framework, there is added fastening strength.

[0049] FIG. 11 illustrates a downward force, such as a user pressing down on the drawer slide locking button 2 with a screwdriver, according to an embodiment. A screwdriver or any other point can be used to press down on the head 8. The user can use a screw driver to push down on the button head 8 so that it compresses into the cavity 22 of the panel making the drawer slide locking button 2 go below the plane of the base 30 so that the drawer slide locking button 2 no longer engages with the hole 24 and the undermount drawer slide 18 is easily slid off. Once the drawer slide locking button 2 is pushed fully into the cavity 22, the user can then slide the undermount drawer slide 18 to remove it from the rout. The undermount drawer slide 18 disengages with the panel 32 because the drawer slide channel lock 26 slides from the narrow groove to the wider groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28 underneath the base 30.

[0050] FIG. 12 illustrates a user removing the undermount drawer slide 18 from the panel 32, according to an embodiment of the present invention and the drawer slide locking button 2 is pushed compressing the spring 14 into the cavity 22. The spring 14 naturally wants to be in an extension state. As the undermount drawer slide 18 is being removed from the panel 32, the drawer slide channel lock 26 is being slid across the drawer slide channel lock slot 28.

[0051] FIG. 13 illustrates a figure of the sidemount drawer slide locking button 2 in a relaxed/extension state in a cavity 22, according to an embodiment. A sidemount drawer slide 20 has a drawer slide locking button 2 aligned with the drawer slide channel lock slot 28. The drawer slide channel lock slot 28 is similar to the one found for the undermount drawer slide 18. When the user inserts the drawer slide channel lock into the wider groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28, the user then slides the drawer slide mount towards the narrow groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28. When the drawer slide channel lock 26 fastens with the narrow groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28, the hole 24 will mate with the button 2. When the drawer slide channel lock 26 reaches the end of the narrow groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28, the hole 24 aligns with the cavity 22 and the button 2 engages the hole 24. This ensures the drawer slide mount is in the proper lateral position on the cabinet. [0052] FIG. 14 illustrates a drawer slide locking button 2 extending into the hole 24 of the sidemount drawer slide 20, which is its resting state, non-compressed position, according to an embodiment. The hole 24 for the sidemount drawer slide 20 is also located on the base 30. FIG. 14 illustrates the drawer slide mount securely fastened to the panel 32. This can be determined because the button 2 is securely fastened by the hole 24. FIG. 15 illustrates yet another figure of a downward force, such as a user pressing down on the drawer slide locking button 2 (not shown, see FIG. 14) of a sidemount drawer slide 20, according to an embodiment. A screwdriver is shown, but any point can be used to push the drawer slide locking button 2 into the cavity 22 making the drawer slide locking button 2 go below the plane of the base 30. When the button 2 is depressed, the user pushes the sidemount drawer slide 20 so that the drawer slide channel lock 26 is slid from the narrow groove to the wider groove of the drawer slide channel lock slot 28. In this illustration, the drawer slide channel lock 26 is fully engaged with the drawer slide channel lock slot 28; however, the button 2 is not fully engaged with the hole 24.

[0053] FIG. 16 illustrates an undermount drawer slide 18 connected to a panel 32, according to an embodiment. An undermount drawer slide 18 is hidden from view when the drawer is in the open position. The undermount drawer slide 18 is used for high end cabinetry, closets and furniture. The drawer box sits on top of the drawer slide arm. Undermount drawer slide 18 are not typically rated for more than 100 pounds. FIG. 17 illustrates a sidemount drawer slide 20 connected to a panel 32, according to an embodiment. A sidemount drawer slide 20 can be seen connected to the side of a drawer when in the extended position. The drawer slide arm attaches to the side of the drawer box and is more conventional and typically less expensive than an undermount drawer slide 18. Some sidemount drawer slides 20 are also used for heavy loads that can exceed 100 pounds. Also illustrated is a drawer slide channel lock slot 28.

[0054] Throughout the description and drawings, example embodiments are given with reference to specific configurations. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms. Those of ordinary skill in the art would be able to practice such other embodiments without undue experimentation. The scope of the present invention, for the purpose of the present patent document, is not limited merely to the specific example embodiments or alternatives of the foregoing description.