Drawer slide

Abstract

A drawer slide, having a plurality of slide members and a noise stop damper is provided. The slide members have a first elongate linear member and a second elongate linear member to slide within a channel defined by an interior surface of the first slide member. The first and second slide members each have a first end portion, a second end portion, and the interior surface defining the first and second channels, respectively. Preferably, the interior side edges of the first linear member and the exterior side edges of the immediate linear member further define a first pair of raceways within which a plurality of ball bearings and bearing spacers are alternately disposed to provide a smooth slide motion of the second slide member. The noise damper is a noise-absorbing cushion mounted to the interior surface of the second linear member at the second end portion thereof.

1 . A drawer slide, comprising:
 a first elongate linear member having a first end portion including a first edge, a second end portion including a second edge, and an interior surface defining a first channel extending between the first end portion and the second end portion;   a second elongate linear member to slide within the first channel, the second linear member having a first end portion including a first edge, a second end portion including a second edge, and an interior surface defining a second channel extending between the first end portion and the second end portion thereof, wherein interior side edges of the first elongate linear member and exterior side edges of the second elongate linear member further define a first pair of raceways;   a plurality of ball bearings and bearing spacers alternately disposed within each of the first raceways; and   a noise absorbing cushion mounted to the interior surface of the second elongate linear member at the second end thereof.   
   
   
       2 . The drawer slide of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate linear member is perforated with a plurality of holes to reduce the weight of the slide drawer. 
   
   
       3 . The drawer slide of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate linear member is perforated with at least one mounting hole. 
   
   
       4 . The drawer slide of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate linear member includes a pin extending across the first channel at the second end portion thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The drawer slide of  claim 4 , wherein the pin is encircled with a rubber sheet. 
   
   
       6 . The drawer slide of  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate linear member includes a pair of pins extending towards the first channel at the first end portion thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The drawer slide of  claim 1 , wherein the second elongate linear member is perforated with a plurality of holes. 
   
   
       8 . The drawer slide of  claim 1 , wherein the second elongate linear member includes a pair of roll pins extending towards the first channel at the second end portion thereof, and the first elongate linear member includes a pair of roll pins extending into the first channel from the first end portion thereof to confine the bearings and bearing spacers within the first bearing raceways. 
   
   
       9 . The drawer slide of  claim 8 , wherein the first elongate member includes a pair of spacer pins extending toward the first channel, the spacer pins being interposed between the roll pins and the first edge. 
   
   
       10 . The drawer slide of  claim 1 , wherein the bearing spacers are fabricated by noise-absorbing plastic material. 
   
   
       11 . The drawer slide of  claim 1 , wherein the noise-absorbing cushion extends beyond the second edge of the second elongate linear member. 
   
   
       12 . The drawer slide of  claim 1 , wherein the noise-absorbing cushion is fitted to the second elongate linear member via a pair of rivets extending through the second linear member. 
   
   
       13 . The drawer slide of  claim 1 , further comprising a third linear member to slide within the second channel, the third elongate linear member having a first end portion and a second end portion. 
   
   
       14 . The drawer slide of  claim 13 , wherein exterior side edges of the third elongate linear member and interior side edges of the second elongate linear member defines a pair of second bearing raceways. 
   
   
       15 . The drawer slide of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of bearings and bearing spacers alternatively disposed within each of the second bearing raceways. 
   
   
       16 . The drawer slide of  claim 15 , wherein the third elongate linear member includes a pair of roll pins extending into the second channel at the second end portion thereof, and the second elongate linear member includes a pair of roll pins extending into the second channel from the first end portion thereof to confine the bearings and bearing spacers within the second bearing raceways. 
   
   
       17 . The drawer slide of  claim 15 , wherein the third elongate linear member has an interior surface defining a third channel. 
   
   
       18 . The drawer slide of  claim 17 , further comprising a fourth elongate linear member fitted within the third channel, the fourth elongate linear member having a first end portion aligned with the first end portion of the third elongate linear member and a second end portion positioned between the first and second end portions of the third elongate linear member. 
   
   
       19 . The drawer slide of  claim 17 , wherein the third elongate linear member includes a stopper protruding into the third channel at the second end portion of the fourth elongate linear member. 
   
   
       20 . A drawer slide, comprising:
 an outermost linear member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an interior side surface defining a first channel;   at least one intermediate slide member to slide within the first channel, the intermediate slide member having a first end portion, a second end portion including a second edge, and an interior surface defining a second channel, wherein the first end portion of the intermediate slide member is aligned with the first end portion of the outermost linear member when the intermediate slide member slides to a fully unextended position;   an innermost linear member fitted to the intermediate slide member within the second channel, wherein the innermost linear member has a first end portion aligned with the first end portion of the intermediate slide member when the innermost slide member slides to a fully unextended position; and   a noise damper mounted to the second end portion of the intermediate slide member.   
   
   
       21 . The drawer slide of  claim 20 , wherein the noise damper includes a rubber cushion extending beyond the second edge of the intermediate slide member. 
   
   
       22 . The drawer slide of  claim 20 , comprising a plurality of intermediate slide members, wherein the noise damper includes a rubber cushion mounted to at least the intermediate slide member immediately adjacent to the outermost linear member. 
   
   
       23 . The drawer slide of  claim 20 , wherein interior side edges of the outermost linear member and exterior side edges of the intermediate slide member define a pair of raceways in which a plurality of bearings and bearing spacers are disposed. 
   
   
       24 . The drawer slide of  claim 23 , wherein the bearing spacers are fabricated from noise absorbing plastic material. 
   
   
       25 . The drawer slide of  claim 20 , wherein the outermost linear member further includes a pin extending across the first channel at the second end portion thereof. 
   
   
       26 . The drawer slid of  claim 25 , wherein the pin is covered with a noise absorbing sheet. 
   
   
       27 . A noise damper for reducing noise caused by sliding motions of a drawer slide having a plurality of linear slide members, comprising:
 a rubber cushion mounted at one end portion of at least an intermediate one of the linear slide members.   
   
   
       28 . The noise stop device of  claim 27 , wherein the rubber cushion extends beyond the end portion of the at least one of the linear slide member.