Methods to improve rigidity of vertically oriented drawer slides

Abstract

Methods include direct and indirect communication of a lifting force to the middle slide of each drawer slide that counteracts the effects of gravity and maintains the maximum elevated position of the middle slide, where said methods cooperating with over-length drawer slides enable further improvement in rigidity.

1 . A method to improve the rigidity of vertically oriented drawer slides typically implemented in pairs cooperating with a movable object or an underframe of an adjustable height work surface and further cooperating with one or more base structures that enable linearly constrained vertical movement of the object or underframe, wherein:
 1. the leading ends of each middle slide of each drawer slide further cooperates with one or more objects that communicate a lifting force sufficient to lift the middle slide assembly, the one or more objects further cooperating with the underframe,   2. said one or more objects further capable of extending while continuing to provide a sufficient lifting force throughout the vertical travel range, thereby maximizing the middle slide support of the inner slide, resulting in improved rigidity of the drawer slide for the majority of said travel range,   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  where the one or more objects is a spring or springs with sufficient preload prior to elevating the underframe, and capable of extending the distance of the phase 2 travel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  where the one or more spring objects comprise one or more constant force springs mounted on hubs rotationally cooperating with shafts cooperating with the underframe, the free ends of the springs further comprising a preferred feature or object that cooperates with a middle slide feature to communicate the lifting force. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , where each object connected to each middle slide is a length of flexible material further comprising a connecting object or feature capable of communicating the lifting force, said flexible material further manipulated by one or more: pulleys, hubs, sprockets, cable housings, or guides, to a preferred orientation within or adjacent to the underframe, the second ends of the flexible material cooperating with one or more preloaded springs further cooperating with the underframe, wherein:
 1. the spring or plurality of springs cooperating with the plurality of flexible materials separately or together, provide the lifting force resulting in improved rigidity of the drawer slides.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  where the one or more springs are constant force springs further cooperating with hubs rotationally cooperating with shafts cooperating with the underframe, the free ends of the springs further comprising a preferred feature or object that cooperates with a flexible material to communicate the lifting force. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  cooperating with over-length drawer slides provides an extended height of phase 1 elevation of the middle slide, while reducing the remaining phase 2 travel distance of the inner slide, thereby further improving the rigidity of the extended drawer slide. 
     
     
         7 . A drawer slide further comprising one or more features and modifications and identified as enabling customers to easily apply said modified drawer slides in vertical orientations wherein:
 1. a feature is provided proximate to leading end of the middle slide to easily connect an object that communicates a lifting force to the middle slide, enabling the improved rigidity benefits.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  where a drawer slide further comprises a preferred flexible material or spring object, further enabling customers to easily apply said modified drawer slides in vertical orientations, and enabling the improved rigidity benefits.