Drawer guidance mechanism

Abstract

A guide mechanism for use in cabinet like structures includes a pair of scissor arms connected to one another at a point which corresponds substantially with the medial or central point along a length of each arm. The opposing ends of each arm are pivotally secured to a respective guide which is oriented generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of a door connected to the scissor arms. One end of each arm is mounted within a slot defined in its guide which permits the end of the arm to travel longitudinally along a length of the arm. A power cylinder is pivotally connected to the arms at their central connection point. The opposing end of the power cylinder is pivotally connected to the body of the cabinet.

1 . A storage structure comprising:
 a retaining structure;   a closure structure;   a guidance device communicating said retaining structure and said closure structure, said guidance device including a scissors-type linkage having a first arm and a second arm pivotally connected to one another at a pivot connection; and   a force applying device movably coupled to said retaining structure and pivotally coupled to said pivot connection;   wherein said force applying device is operable to displace said closure structure between a first closed position and a second open position.   
   
   
       2 . The storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein said guidance device further includes two guides, a first guide coupled to said retaining structure and a second guide coupled to said closure structure. 
   
   
       3 . The storage structure of  claim 2 , wherein an end of said first arm is pivotally connected to said first guide. 
   
   
       4 . The storage structure of  claim 3 , wherein an end of said second arm is pivotally connected to said second guide. 
   
   
       5 . The storage structure of  claim 4 , wherein said first guide defines a first slot therein and an end of said second arm is slidably disposed in said first slot for movement along said first slot. 
   
   
       6 . The storage structure of  claim 5 , wherein said second guide defines a second slot therein and an end of said first arm is slidably disposed in said second slot for movement along said second slot. 
   
   
       7 . The storage structure of  claim 6 , wherein said retaining structure includes a door. 
   
   
       8 . The storage structure of  claim 7 , wherein said door is pivotally mounted. 
   
   
       9 . The storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein said force applying device is a pneumatic cylinder. 
   
   
       10 . The storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein said force applying device is a hydraulic cylinder. 
   
   
       11 . The storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein said guidance device is coupled to said retaining structure and said closure structure. 
   
   
       12 . The storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein said guidance device is disposed intermediate said retaining structure and said closure structure. 
   
   
       13 . The storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein said force applying device is pivotally connected to said retaining structure. 
   
   
       14 . The storage structure of  claim 1 , wherein said pivoted connection of said arms defines a pivot first axis, said pivoted coupling of said force applying device with said pivot connection being rotatable about said first axis. 
   
   
       15 . A storage structure comprising:
 a retaining structure;   a closure structure;   a guidance device communicating said retaining structure and said closure structure, said guidance device including a scissors-type linkage having a first arm and a second arm pivotally connected to one another at a pivot connection, said guidance device further including two guides, a first guide coupled to said retaining structure and a second guide coupled to said closure structure, an end of said first arm being pivotally connected to said first guide and a second arm being pivotally connected to said second guide; said first guide defining a first slot therein and an end of said second arm being slidably disposed within said first slot for displacement along said first slot and said second guide defining a second slot therein and an end of said first arm being slidably disposed within said second slot for displacement along said second slot; and   a force applying device pivotally coupled to said retaining structure and pivotally coupled to said pivot connection;   wherein said force applying device is operable to displace said closure structure between a first closed position and a second open position.   
   
   
       16 . The storage structure of  claim 15 , wherein said force applying device is a pressurized cylinder. 
   
   
       17 . The storage structure of  claim 16 , wherein said force applying device is a pneumatic cylinder. 
   
   
       18 . The storage structure of  claim 16 , wherein said force applying device is a hydraulic cylinder. 
   
   
       19 . The storage structure of  claim 15 , wherein said pivoted connection of said arms defines a pivot first axis, said pivoted coupling of said force applying device with said pivot connection being rotatable about said first axis. 
   
   
       20 . The storage structure of  claim 15 , wherein said closure structure includes a door which is pivotally mounted.