Runner for a drawer

Abstract

A runner for slidably supporting a drawer includes a telescopic rail assembly having a first rail and a second rail, both being movable one along another to allow the telescopic rail assembly to be varied between an elongated position and a shortened position. The runner further includes a retainer having a female piece attached to the first rail and a male piece attached to the second rail. Additionally, the female piece has a recess defined therein and the male piece is adapted to releasably snap into the recess of the female piece when the telescopic rail assembly is in the shortened position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A runner for a drawer, comprising: 
 a telescopic rail assembly having a first rail and a second rail;    said rails being movable one along another to allow said telescopic rail assembly to be varied between an elongated position and a shortened position;    a retainer having a female piece attached to said first rail and a male piece attached to said second rail; and    wherein said female piece has a recess defined therein and said male piece is adapted to releasably snap into said recess of said female piece when said telescopic rail assembly is in said shortened position.    
     
     
         2 . The runner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said recess of said female piece has a narrow entrance, and wherein said male piece has a rounded portion adapted to releasably snap into said recess of said female piece when said telescopic rail assembly is in said shortened position.  
     
     
         3 . The runner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said male piece has a protrusion adapted to releasably snap into said recess of said female piece when said telescopic rail assembly is in said shortened position.  
     
     
         4 . The runner as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pieces have respective narrow slots defined therein, and wherein said rails are formed with respective tabs fitted in said narrow slots, thereby attaching said pieces to said rails.