Drawer assembly

Abstract

A drawer assembly comprising a front panel, a rear panel, a bottom panel, two side panels and two side rails is disclosed. Each side panel extends between the front and rear panels at a respective side of the drawer assembly and has an associated one of the side rails vertically spaced from that side panel. A rear end of the side rail is connected to the rear panel by means of a clip having a locking formation, the clip being provided on one of the side rail and the rear panel, and a complementary locking formation provided on the other of the side rail and the rear panel. The portion of the other of the side rail or rear panel that has the complementary locking formation is insertable into the clip to bring the locking formation and complementary locking formation into an interlocked condition.

1 . A drawer assembly comprising:
 a front panel ( 10 ), a rear panel ( 40 ), a bottom panel ( 20 ), two side panels ( 30 ) and two side rails ( 50 );   each side panel ( 30 ) extending between the front ( 10 ) and rear panels ( 40 ) at a respective side of the drawer assembly and having an associated one of said side rails ( 50 ) vertically spaced from that side panel ( 30 );   a rear end of the side rail being connected to the rear panel by means of a clip ( 60 ) having a locking formation, the clip being provided on one of the side rail and the rear panel, and a complementary locking formation provided on the other of the side rail and the rear panel;   
       wherein a portion of said other of the side rail or rear panel that has the complementary locking formation is insertable into said clip to bring the locking formation and complementary locking formation into an interlocked condition. 
     
     
         2 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the clip ( 60 ) is provided at a rear end of the side rail ( 50 ). 
     
     
         3 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the clip ( 60 ) defines a gap, between the clip and the side rail ( 50 ), for receiving said inserted portion of the side rail or rear panel. 
     
     
         4 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said locking formation comprises a tab ( 64 ) on the inside of the clip ( 60 ) and the complementary locking formation comprises a receiving aperture ( 45 ) on the rear panel ( 40 ). 
     
     
         5 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said tab ( 64 ) is formed on a resilient leg of the clip ( 60 ) and further comprises a flat steep edge surface ( 66 ) and a sloping edge surface ( 67 ) relative to the surrounding leg portion. 
     
     
         6 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said locking formation comprises a receiving aperture on the clip ( 60 ) and the complementary locking formation comprises a tab on the rear panel ( 40 ). 
     
     
         7 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said rear panel ( 40 ) further comprises side flanges ( 43 ) to which the rear ends of the side rails ( 50 ) are connected. 
     
     
         8 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said side rail ( 50 ) further comprises an overhang portion ( 56 ) along its length. 
     
     
         9 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said rear panel ( 40 ) further comprises a recess ( 46 ) adjacent each side flange ( 43 ) for receiving said overhang portion ( 56 ) of each side rail ( 50 ). 
     
     
         10 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said side flange ( 43 ) extends rearwardly from the main body of the rear panel ( 40 ). 
     
     
         11 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said rear panel ( 40 ) includes an aperture ( 47 ) that permits access to an open end ( 61 ) of the clip ( 60 ) to release the interlock. 
     
     
         12 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said rear panel ( 40 ) is made of sheet metal. 
     
     
         13 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the clip ( 60 ) defines a gap, between the clip and the side rail ( 50 ), for receiving said inserted portion of the side rail or rear panel. 
     
     
         14 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said locking formation comprises a tab ( 64 ) on the inside of the clip ( 60 ) and the complementary locking formation comprises a receiving aperture ( 45 ) on the rear panel ( 40 ). 
     
     
         15 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said locking formation comprises a tab ( 64 ) on the inside of the clip ( 60 ) and the complementary locking formation comprises a receiving aperture ( 45 ) on the rear panel ( 40 ). 
     
     
         16 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said locking formation comprises a receiving aperture on the clip ( 60 ) and the complementary locking formation comprises a tab on the rear panel ( 40 ). 
     
     
         17 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said locking formation comprises a receiving aperture on the clip ( 60 ) and the complementary locking formation comprises a tab on the rear panel ( 40 ). 
     
     
         18 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said rear panel ( 40 ) further comprises side flanges ( 43 ) to which the rear ends of the side rails ( 50 ) are connected. 
     
     
         19 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said rear panel ( 40 ) further comprises side flanges ( 43 ) to which the rear ends of the side rails ( 50 ) are connected. 
     
     
         20 . A drawer assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said rear panel ( 40 ) further comprises side flanges ( 43 ) to which the rear ends of the side rails ( 50 ) are connected.