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A self-closing drawer slide system includes first and second slide members and a self-closing mechanism which, in turn, includes a housing coupled to the first slide member, a carriage slidably coupled to the housing, and a spring coupled between the housing and the carriage. The carriage has an eng

A self-closing drawer slide system includes first and second slide members and a self-closing mechanism which, in turn, includes a housing coupled to the first slide member, a carriage slidably coupled to the housing, and a spring coupled between the housing and the carriage. The carriage has an engagement area that selectively receives a cam/tab extending from the second slide member. As the drawer is pulled open, the carriage disengages from the cam/tab as it rotates and is locked in place. As the drawer returns, the carriage again engages the cam/tab, unlocks, and is pulled toward a drawer-closed position by the spring. The system may also include an intermediate member, with respective sets of three balls disposed between the intermediate and first and second slide members such that respective centers of the balls define corners of an obtuse triangle. The self-closing mechanism may also include a damper.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A self-closing drawer slide system comprising: a first slide member;a second slide member, said second slide member being slidable with respect to the first slide member; anda self-closing mechanism comprising: a housing coupled to the first slide member, said housing having a front end, a rear e

1. A self-closing drawer slide system comprising: a first slide member;a second slide member, said second slide member being slidable with respect to the first slide member; anda self-closing mechanism comprising: a housing coupled to the first slide member, said housing having a front end, a rear end, and first and second parallel side walls extending between the housing's front and rear ends, wherein the first and second side walls include respective first and second longitudinal guide grooves, each of said guide grooves having a rotation zone proximate said front end, and a rectilinear portion extending rearwardly from the rotation zone, and wherein each said guide groove has a top edge and a bottom edge, said top and bottom edges being horizontal and parallel to each other in the rectilinear portion, and said bottom edge diverging from the horizontal top edge in the rotation zone;a carriage slidably mounted between said first and second guide grooves and having a first guide ledge configured to slide along said first guide groove, and a second, opposing guide ledge configured to slide along said second guide groove, wherein the carriage is configured to engage with the second slide member and moves between a first, drawer-closed position in which the carriage is disposed towards a rear end of said rectilinear portion, and a second position in which the carriage is disposed in said rotation zone; anda single spring having a rear end coupled to said rear end of the housing, and a front end coupled to the carriage. 2. The drawer slide system of claim 1, wherein the first slide member is a cabinet member. 3. The drawer slide system of claim 1, wherein the second slide member includes a cam that engages the carriage. 4. The drawer slide system of claim 3, wherein, on a top side thereof, the carriage includes a pair of teeth defining an engagement area therebetween for receiving said cam. 5. The drawer slide system of claim 1, wherein, as the carriage moves from the first position towards the second position, the carriage is configured to rotate in the rotation zone and disengage from the second slide member. 6. The drawer slide system of claim 5, wherein the top edge of the first guide groove includes a first housing notch and the top edge of the second guide groove includes a matching second housing notch. 7. The drawer slide system of claim 6, wherein, once the carriage has fully rotated, a rear end of the carriage's first guide ledge is received in said first housing notch and a rear end of the carriage's second guide ledge is received in said second housing notch so as to latch the carriage in place. 8. The drawer slide system of claim 5, wherein the spring is biased in the drawer-closed position. 9. The drawer slide system of claim 1, further including a damping mechanism configured to dampen motion of the carriage. 10. The drawer slide system of claim 9, wherein the damping mechanism includes a damping rod, and the carriage includes a first catch for coupling to a front portion of said rod and a second catch for coupling to said front end of the spring. 11. The drawer slide system of claim 10, wherein said first catch is disposed on an underside of the carriage, and vertically above the second catch. 12. The drawer slide system of claim 1, wherein the first slide member is a cabinet member, the second slide member is a drawer member, and the system further includes a third slide member, said third slide member being an intermediate member that is slidably disposed between the cabinet and drawer members. 13. The drawer slide system of claim 12, wherein the cabinet member includes a substantially L-shaped connection portion and a lower rail member that is integral with the connection portion. 14. The drawer slide system of claim 12, further including first, second, and third balls disposed in raceways defined between a top portion of the intermediate member and the drawer member, wherein respective centers of said balls define corners of a first obtuse triangle. 15. The drawer slide system of claim 14, further including fourth, fifth, and sixth balls disposed in raceways defined between a bottom portion of the intermediate member and the cabinet member, wherein the respective centers of the fourth, fifth, and sixth balls define corners of a second obtuse triangle. 16. The drawer slide system of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second obtuse triangles includes one angle that is approximately 100°. 17. The drawer slide system of claim 16, wherein the intermediate member has a cross-section that is generally in the shape of an I-beam, with the vertical portion of the I-beam being generally in the shape of a reversed “S”. 18. The drawer slide system of claim 1, wherein the first slide member is a cabinet member, the second slide member is a drawer member, and the system further includes a set of three balls disposed between the cabinet and drawer members such that the respective centers of the balls define corners of an obtuse triangle having one angle that is approximately 100°.