US3784274A

US3784274A - Drawer and support system

Info

Publication number: US3784274A
Application number: US00193661A
Authority: US
Inventors: G Read; F Holmes; W Moore
Original assignee: Ajax Hardware Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Ajax Hardware Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 1971-10-29
Filing date: 1971-10-29
Publication date: 1974-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-08

Abstract

A drawer of molded plastic construction in combination with alternative support systems, as well as alternative design of the front panel of the drawer, provides storage versatility meeting a myriad of end uses. The drawer has one of two front panelled configurations; in the first case being adapted to receive a wood or other material facade carrying a drawer pull and in the other instance having an integrally molded handle or pull facility to lend itself for other end uses. The drawer may be manufactured in several sizes, but the unique design of the drawer makes each of the drawers compatible with other drawers of the same size to make them nestable or stackable. The unique configuration of the drawer permits use of the drawer in structures defining oversize drawer receiving openings or, in more economical structures, permits the use of the drawers in spaced relationship utilizing only side supports therefor. The single drawer configuration with exception of the front panel, permits the drawer to be mounted wholly on conventionally found side channelled or guides and at the same time permits alternative mounting of the drawer on a single track or rail super-positioned over the drawer by the means of a simple bracket member carrying a wheel to engage the track and which is receivable by the rear wall of the drawer. In the latter installation, the drawer is self-closing and selfaligning.

Description

1 ie States atet 1 1 1111 3,784,274 Holmes et al. Jan. 8, 1974 DRAWER AND SUPPORT SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Frank Holmes, Buena Park; William [57] ABSTRACT A. Moore, West Los Angeles; A drawer of molded plastic construction in combina- George Read, Glendora, all of Calif. tion with alternative support systems, as well as alter- [73] Assignee: Ajax Hardware Manufacturing design of ih pimel of h drawer pro- Cor Cit bf Indus" Calif vrdes storage versatllrty meeting a myriad of end uses.

y The drawer has one of two front panelled configural l Filed! 1971 tions; in the first case being adapted to receive a wood 1 L N J l or other material facade carrying a drawer pull and 1n [2 1 App 0 93661 the other instance having an integrally molded handle or pull facility to lend itself for other end uses. The [52] US. Cl 312/330, 312/342, 312/345, drawer may be manufactured in several sizes, but the 31 /348 unique design of the drawer makes each of the draw- [51] Int. Cl A47b 88/00 ers compatible with other drawers of the same size to Field Of Search 5, make them nestable or stackable. The unique configu- 3 /330, 341, 341 NR, 34o, 347, 34 8, 349, ration of the drawer permits use of the drawer in 1316- 14 structures defining oversize drawer receiving openings or, in more economical structures, permits the use of [56] References Cited the drawers in spaced relationship utilizing only side UNITED STATES PATENTS supports therefor. The single drawer configuration 3,542,447 11 1970 Himelreich 312/330 Whh excephm of the from Panel Permits the drawer 3,462,208 8/1969 Black et al.... 312/330 be mounted wholly convenhonahy found We 2,843,444 7/l958 Nelson 312/341 channelled of guides and at the Same time Permits 3.129.988 4/1964 Kanzelberger v 312/345 ternative mounting of the drawer on a single track or 3273952 9/1966 Hirnelreich et al.. 312/350 rail super-positioned over the drawer by the means of 3,387,906 6/1968 Edwards .1 312/342 3 simple bracket member carrying a wheel to engage 6/197] h 312/330 the track and which is receivable by the rear wall of 1639927 2/1972 312/330 the drawer. In the latter installation, the drawer is selfcl 5' and self-al' ni Primary Examiner-James T. McCall 0 mg lg ng Attorney-Thomas P. Mahoney et al. 42 Claims 20 Drawing Figures 7 7 6\ 4 8O 84x 85\ I i l i |O6 22\ 33577:! 7 76 2 i 7777 F iA I I\ I 1 1 5- 1i d l2 45 1 H6 2 1 1 8| 58 6O 1 1 I30 6 ,11:1 ""2 h PATENTEU 83974 3,784,274

Sum 1 OF 4 Fig. 7. -i]

Y IO 1 I! 13* I30 u f L Ir I \x x "GUT! 1 I 2O *W w .j, T/ k A 5-! l/V VE/V TORS GEORGE READ WILLIAM A. MOORE ANO FRANK HOLMES BYMAHONEY, HORNBAKER ANO SCH/CK ATTORNEYS PATENTED 81974 SHEEI 2 D? 4 Fig. 3.

M E. M

Q E m m h 2 m m I E w 2 B A 2/ A T8 94 Fig. 6.

INVEN TRS. GEORGE REA D WILLIAM A. MOORE ANO FRANK HOLMES BY MA HONEY, HORNBA KER ANO SCH/CK ATTORNE Y5 PATENTED 8 I914 SHEET 3 [If 4 IOI' INVENTORS.

8 gm Y O A M ML K D mO MM WW W MWM G MHNN RW 0A w WM 6 AM lol PAIENTEUJM a 224 SHEU '4 0? 4 N VE N TORS. GEORGE R 0 WILL/AM A. MOORE AND FRANK HOLMES BY/WAHONE Y, HORNBAKER AND SCH/CK A TTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is related to-a drawer and support system having a high degree of versatility. More specifically, the invention is directed to a dimensionally stable drawer which may be adapted to a plurality of end uses easily and economically because of its overall design and configuration.

More particularly, the invention is directed to a molded plastic drawer which may be available in several basic sizes wherein each of the types are so configured and constructed as to be stackable and/or nestable with like drawers of the identical or similar type. Even more specifically, the molded plastic drawers of this invention are compatible with alternative support systems wherein a single basic design will suffice to allow suspension or support of the drawer in the normal side mount manner or in a manner comprising a superpositioned track whereby the drawer is supported in rolling relationship thereon.

In several of the embodiments, drawers of a specific configuration are disclosed wherein the front panel may be selectively configured so that the drawer may accept andsupport a facade panel of wood or other material carrying a drawer pull on its exterior surface. In the case where a facade is utilized, the drawer may be mounted in an oversized drawer opening and the facade appropriately sized so as to provide an aesthetic appearance to the assembly.

. In other instances where aesthetic appearance is not of prime import, a drawer having the essential capability of alternative mounting or suspension systems may be provided with an integrally molded handle on the front panel thereof and employed in a multitude of end uses where economical storage space is desired as for example, attics, basements, closets and similar such usage, wherein outward appearance is of secondary concern.

The drawers and support systems of this invention fulfill manufacturers desires in that a basically single drawer configuration is adaptable and utilizable for a variety of end uses thereby decreasing the manufacturing cost-and by having the drawer stackable or nestable with one another, ease of handling during the manufacturing and marketing period is considerably increased. Moreover, the labor costs by utilizing moldable plastic material for the drawer itself, produces considerable savings especially when considering that the same drawers may be used in wood or simulated wood sup port structures in a manner that allows a front facade or panel to match the support system to conceal the plastic drawer used therein.

The prior art has not made available a versatile drawer which is compatable with alternative support systems to yield true versatility with respect to the end uses that the drawer may be put. For example, the prior art does not have a single drawer configuration which may be utilized in almost every room of the home or alternatively, find use in the office, factory, or other environments while still having the capability of blending into the decor of the environment in which the drawers are used. Also, drawers which are easily maintained and are substantially inert and unaffected by ambient atmosphere or conditions and which, because of their trueness in structure, are easily installed not requiring skilled labor or installation.

The drawer and support systems therefor of this invention is thusly directed to overcome the shortcomings of prior art drawers and to fulfill objects and meet other attributes as will become apparent from the hereinafter following commentary.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a drawer of high versatility.

It is another object of this invention to provide a drawer and support system therefor which has a plurality of end uses.

It is still another and more important object of the invention, to provide a drawer and support system therefor which is modifiable to a selected one of a plurality of ultimate configurations.

It is still another and more specific object of the invention to provide a molded plastic drawer having dimensionally stable characteristics which is comparable with one or more support systems.

It is still another and more specific object of the invention to provide a drawer construction which permits ready stacking of said drawer with drawers of the same size. 4

It is still another and more specific object of the invention to provide a molded plastic drawer having the ability to be modified to have a front panel ofa selected one of two configurations.

It is still another and more specific object of the invention to provide a molded plastic drawer which is adapted to have one of two front panel configurations or in the one instance a molded plastic handle is utilized and in the other instance, a structure is provided to receive a facade of selected characteristics.

It is still another and further specificobject of the invention to provide a drawer adapted for selective modification and association with alternative support systems with little or no substantial restructuring of the drawer. A

It s still another and more important object of the invention to provide a single basic drawer configuration which may be mounted for normal sliding support in a support structure or which may be associated with a track superposed over the drawer for rolling coaction therewith.

It is still another and further specific object of the invention to provide a drawer which may be utilized in support structures having oversized drawer openings, wherein the overall aesthetic appearance of the drawer and associated structure is pleasing.

It is another additional object of the invention to provide a molded plastic drawer having a front panel configuration to mount a wood or other material facade which, when associated with a support structure, does not readily disclose the material of construction of the majority of the drawer.

It is another additional and more specific and further object of the invention to provide a molded plastic drawer which is provided witha front panel having dovetails thereon, which are adapted to cooperate with a facade having accommodating grooves to be mounted on said front panel in secure fashion.

It is another further and more specific object of the invention to provide a drawer and support system therefor which is economical and easy to install.

It is another specific object of the invention to provide a drawer and support system therefor wherein the 3 drawer is self-closing and the support system is selfaligning.

These and further objects of the invention will become clear when considered in relation to the drawings and hereinafter following commentary.

Generally, in an exemplary embodiment, the invention is directed to a drawer and support system comprising the combination of a molded drawer having side, front, rear and bottom walls wherein the front wall is adapted for modification to a selected configuration. The opposed side walls of the drawer have integral outwardly directed lateral guide flanges at the upper edge portions thereof for selective coaction with and engagement by side track members of a support system, for sliding support of the drawer. The rear wall of the drawer is adapted to centrally receive a mounting bracket for alternate selective mounting of said drawer in rolling relationship on a single track and wherein the side walls are of a configuration to permit stacking in nestled relationship of said drawer with other drawers of like construction and size. In the alternate track suspension system, the drawer also becomes self-closing and self-aligning and in one case, the drawer front wall or panel is of a configuraion to receive a facade panel thereby allowing its use in oversized drawer openings.

The drawer achieves a high degree of flexibility and versatility with respect to end use and manner of support because of unique construction and support features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan of view of one of the drawer and support systems of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a elevational view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmented view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmented view illustrating a portion of the superpositioned track shown in FIG. 2 and the mode of support thereof at the front terminus of the track;

FIG. 6 illustrates a fragmented view of an alternate method of supporting the superpositioned track illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmented view illustrating the drawer depicted in FIG. 2 positioned at the point ofself-closing with respect to its support structure;

FIG. 8 is a fragmented view illustrating the drawer depicted in FIG. 2 in an outermost, but still confined, position with respect to its support structure in a different relative position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmented view illustrating the drawer in its furthest position on the superpositioned track and being readied for removal therefrom;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary view illustrating how the drawer of FIG. 2 is removed from the superpositioned track;

FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating the drawer depicted in the earlier FIGS. with the facade removed;

FIG. 12 is a view taken along the line 12l2 of FIG. 11 illustrating a facade in phantom line;

FIG. 13 is a view taken along the line 13l3 of FIG. 11 again showing the facade in phantom line;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view ofa side guide member illustrated in the drawer and support system of the earlier FIGS., and illustrating an alternate construction;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of another embodiment of the drawer and support system of this invention illustrating an alternative side mountsupport structure.

FIG. 16 is a view taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a fragmented view, in partial cross-section, taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 16 illustrating the integrally molded handle of the drawer illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16;

FIG. 18 is a fragmented view illustrating in detail the back wall of one of the drawers of this invention;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are perspective, fragmented views of the exemplary embodiments of the drawers of this invention illustrating the two. basic front panel configurations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENTS CONTEMPLATED Referring to the FIGS. of drawings wherein like numerals of reference will designate like elements throughout, an exemplary drawer and support system generally designated 2 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-14 inelusive.

The system 2 comprises a support structure 4 entailing for example, one by

twos

6 and 8 forming an oversized drawer receiving opening 10. The

support structures

6 and 8 may be other than that illustrated and may be open-sided or have enclosing sides as those of ordinary skill in the art will at once recognize. For all practical purposes, however, a box-like frame formed by one by twos such as 6 and 8 will be found in the usual cabinet or the like fixture.

Secured to rear support 8 at an upper portion thereof, is back track bracket 12 generally comprising a molded plastic plate member 14 secured to support members 8 as by means of wood screws 16. The plate portion 14 is provided with an aperture 18 through which anchoring protuberance 20 projects. The anchoring protuberance 20 is laterally shiftable within the confines of square aperture 18 as indicated by phantom line, for alignment purposes, as will become apparent. The structure of bracket 12 is clearly disclosed and claimed in copending application of Holmes, et al., Ser. No. 73,108 and bearing a filing date of Sept. I7, 1970, which disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference. An equally usable bracket structure is as shown in US Patent to Fremstead, et al., No. 3,l49,81 l.

Secured to support member 8, in opposed relationship to bracket number 12, but at a slightly upward angle with respect thereto, is superpositioned track member 22 comprising a central span 24, having angular side wall portions 26 and 28 (FIG. 5) with open side 30 there between. The angular wall 28 provides a groove or track upon which a wheeled member may be carried as will be hereinafter described.

The terminus 34 of track 22 is L-shaped and plate like in configuration and is at right angles with respect to central span 24 and is adapted to be secured to support member 8 as by means of wood screw 36 being disposed in aperture 38. A tang such as 40 may also be provided for the usual purpose.

An alternate track construction and means of mounting same on the front end or for that matter, both ends of the track, if the self-alignment feature may be sacrificed, is shown in FIG. 6. Herein the terminus (or termini) 42 of track member 44 is notched as at 46 and provided with an integral tab-like projection 48 which is received in an aperture 50 of a support 52.

Regardless of which type of mounting is used for track 22, it is desirable that the forward portion or that closest to the drawer pull or handle (as seen in FIG. 2) be slightly higher than its rear securement, so that the drawer supported thereon is mounted in self-closing fashion as will be pointed out.

The track 22 is provided with a first wheel well 54 which will provide an abutment-like stop impeding further travel or movement of a drawer being suspended thereon. A rearward well 56 of a similar shape and configuration is provided to define the closed position for a drawer supported therefrom, so that the combination of the rear well 56 and the slight elevation to lthe forward portion of track 22, causes the suspended drawer to be gravitationally urged to its closed position.

The drawer S8 in this particular instance, comprises a molded plastic receptacle, for example, high impact polystyrene or the like, having

side walls

60 and 62, a rear wall 64 and a front panel 66 best seen in FIGS. 11 and 19. The front panel 66 because of the mold used in fabricating the drawer 58, is modifiable into the configuration shown in FIG. '19 or that shown in FIG. 20. The FIG. 19 embodiment is adapted to receive a facade or panel as shown in FIGS. 1-2 in tight flush engagement with the exterior surface of front panel 66.

The front panel 66 is provided with a parallelly disposed, integrally fashioned facadereceiving or mounting means as for example, a pair of dovetails 68, best seen in FIG. 19. Inwardly disposed from dovetails 68, are two wedge or incline plane-like projections or protuberances 70 which permits ready mounting of for example, a wooden facade or panel 71 having co-acting grooves 72 to be engaged by dovetails 68 to thereby hold the facade 71 in tight securement with front panel 66. Towards this end, the wedge-shape projections 70 create a wedging effect to ensure rigid securement of the panel 71 to front panel 66 of drawer 58. To ensure this rigid-type securement, an aperture 74 may be provided in front panel 66, and an ornamental knob or drawer pull 76 secured to panel 66 by means not shown.

The configuration of drawer 58 and the draft angle of the walls thereof are such that one drawer is nestable or stackable with respect to another drawer of the same size. The nestability is necessarily limited by the upper edges of

side walls

60 and 62 which terminate in outwardly directed

lateral guide flanges

78 and 80 respectively. The

flanges

78 and 80 are integrally molded with the

side walls

60 and 62 and have reinforcing

edges

82 and 84 with the depending skirt-

like portions

86 and 88 forming under

surfaces

90 and 92 connected to side walls .by spaced ribs 94 (FIG. 3).

The under edges 90 and 92 of

lateral guide flanges

78 and 80, form in one instance as seen in FIG. 11, a track to engage side bearing members 96 or 96', in this instance comprising a

plastic cap member

98 or 98, rotably disposed on shaft 100, which bearing assembly is positioned on the lateral edges of the oversized opening formed by the support 8 as best seen in FIG. 11.

Th extreme terminal ends of

th lateral flanges

78 and 80 are slightly bevelled or upwardly sloped for easy removal of the drawer 58 from its support system and so as to be more easily guided on the lateral bearings 96; 96' as is apparent from the drawings. It is readily apparent that the exteriorly disposed peripheral edge of member 98' is adapted to engage and ride in the under surfaces or tracks and 92 of

lateral guide flanges

78 and 80 to provide more positive positioning of the drawer 58.

A rearwardly positioned groove 0r

notch

102 and 104 respectively of

lateral flanges

78 and 80 provide abutment stops to engage the side bearing members 96 when the drawer comes forward out of the receiving opening as depicted in FIG. 8.

The bottom wall 101 of drawer 58 may be provided with reinforcing ribs such as 103 (FIG. 3) for. the well known rigidity and structural support prevalent in the molded plastic art. The rear wall 64 of Drawer 58 is inclined with respect to the plane in which the bottom wall 101 lays. The upper central portion of rear wall 64 (FIG. 18) is provided with a slot 106 formed by inwardly directed wall portions 108 which have converging edges 110 terminating in bottom wall 112. Rear wall 64 is also provided with a depending lip 114 best seen in FIG. 3 which extends downwardly to about the same distance as the depending wall portions of

lateral guide flanges

78 and 80, thereby forming a perimetric stop on three sides to prevent further nestling of one drawer within the other should they be stacked.

Slot 106 is adapted to receive mounting bracket 116 comprising a tab-like portion 118 and being congruently shaped to the slot 106 defined by the walls 108. An upstanding portion 120 is integrally connected in an offset manner to the tab portion 118 and is provided with boss or hub 122 to act as a bearing surface for wheel 124, which is secured to upper portion 120 of mounting bracket 116. The wheel 124 is held in free rotatable relationship with respect to upstanding portion 120. It will be noted that a tight frictional engagement is obtained once the mounting bracket 116 is put into engagement with the slot 106. However, to ensure rigid connection, the use of a plastic cement, as for example trichloroethylene, or the like, will ensure satisfactory bonding.

The bracket 116 may be as illustrated in FIG. 18, or may be of another type so long as a rigid connection between the drawer S8 and the wheel carrying member such as 124 is obtained. Note that wheel 124 is shaped to th congruent configuration of track member 22 and is adapted to ride in the groove formed by angular wall 28 with the upper angled wall 26 ensuring retention of the wheel therein.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will now be seen how this embodiment of the invention operates. Thus, once a support

structure comprising supports

6 and 8 are fabricated to define an oversized drawer receiving opening such as 10, a basic drawer 58 is fitted with a secured wheel bracket member such as 116 in a manner aforedescribed. A wood or other material facade or panel 71 is slidably engaged on the front wall or panel 66 of drawer 58 in the manner heretofore described with drawer pull 76 secured thereto as illustrated in the drawings.

The oversized opening 10 is prepared to receive the versatile drawer 58 by placement of rear bracket mem ber 12 and track member 22 by either one of the methods of securement previously described with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6. The front support or panel 8 is provided with side bearing members 96 in the approximate positions as shown in FIG. 11 and is now readied for receiving the drawer 58 with the mounting bracket and wheel attachment secured thereto. To mount the drawer on the support system, namely the track superpositioned as shown in FIG. 2, the drawer 58 is introduced into the opening 10 at a slight angle as shown in FIG. 10 to allow the wheel 124 to pass into the receiving slot 132 of superpositioned track 22. The drawer 58 is then pivoted to a horizontal position as shown in FIG. 9 making sure that the wheel 124 is in alignment with the groove or track surface formed by the angularly placed

side walls

26 and 28 of bracket 22. The drawer is then further disposed into the receiving opening as shown in FIG. 7 and as can be seen, the drawer then is in fully supported rolling relationship with respect to superpositioned track 22, and the front panel or facade 71 completely masks the oversized opening 10 formed by front support 8 of the support structure. The furthest inward movement of the assembly, and particularly the drawer 58, will be defined by the inwardly directed surface of face 70 and more particularly of button stops 130 secured to the interior surface thereof.

It will be seen that the assembled drawer is now freely moveable from left to right as seen in FIG. 2 along the track 22 and because of the lateral moveability of track projection 20, the drawer movement is completely aligned at all times within the drawer opening 10. The extreme forward movement of the drawer is permitted until such time as the wheel 124 engages the notch or well 54 and contrariwise will be retained from backward movement by the abutment stop 56 formed in track member 22. Should the drawer be desired to be moved further out of its supported position and past the well 54, a continued urging will carry the wheel 122 over the well 54 to the safety stop position illustrated in FIG. 8 by reason of the fact that the side bearing members 96 engage the

notches

102 and 104 of

lateral flanges

78 and 80. To move the drawer 58 beyond this position, a slight vertical or upward movement must be imparted to the drawer 58 to carry it over the abutment stop area formed by

notches

102 and 104 and over the well 54 so that the drawer is moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 9 and aligned with the track opening 132 of track member 22. Thereupon, the drawer is tilted or pivoted as illustrated in FIG. 10 and the drawer removed in a reversal of action as for mounting the drawer on the suspension system as earlier described.

It will also be noted from the description specifically directed to FIG. 7, 8, 9, and 10, that the cooperation of the side guide members 98 and the various edge surfaces of the

flanges

78 and 80 cooperate to make an easily manipulable drawer and support system wherein the drawer is self-closing and self-aligning with respect to the opening and support system within which it is received. The inclined portions of the

lateral flanges

78 and 80 particularly the fore portions thereof, aid in facilitating self-closing of the drawer and as can be best appreciated from the FIG. 7 showing. That is, the

inclined portions

81 and 83 on the depending

wall portions

82 and 84 respectively, upon engagement with side members 96, tend to urge the assembled drawer 58 into its closed position as shown in FIG. 2. This, as well as other features and attributes of the described drawer and support system, will make themselves readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring now to the remaining figures of drawings, another exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this instance, the drawer 58' is basically the same as the drawer 58 already described (although it may be and it is contemplated it will be different in size) with the exception that the front panel or wall 132 is not modifiable to receive a facade as for the embodiment heretofore described, but is provided with a handle 134 which is integral with the front wall or panel 132 of drawer 58. The drawer 58' having an integral handle 134 is intended for low cost installations not requiring important aesthetic consideration and is ideally suited for attic, garage, and the like installations. Moreover, in such instances a very oversized drawer opening is not required and the drawer 58' may be installed in almost flush engagement with the support structure.

Herein however, for purposes of illustration, support structure comprising front member 136, having an opening 138 cut therein, is secured to side walls 140 and they in turn are secured to rear wall 142. It should be clear that these support structures may additionally also comprise one by twos or the like members making up the conventionally found box structure to receive a drawer as shown in FIG. 15 and 16.

Channel guide members 144 are secured by means of

support brackets

146 and 148 to the support structure in a manner that the drawer 58' will be received therein in sliding relationship to the drawer receptacle or opening 138. Outwardly directed lateral flanges 78' and will engage in the interior track surfaces of channel members 144 and because of low friction forces will be easily slided thereon to the open or closed positions in the normal and conventional utilization of drawers of this nature. No inventive claim is laid to the channel supports or the brackets providing the side mount suspension system for the drawer 58' and thus will not be delved into in great detail for such matters are within the skill of one working in the art.

Thus, there has been described a versatile drawer construction which is compatible with support systems of several types to fulfill and meet a myriad of end uses. In some instances, it may be desirable to provide covers for the drawers and/or desirable molded plastic covers may be fitted so that the

drawers

58 or 58' will form dirt-proof-like structures within which articles and the like may be stored. Such modifications, additions, and the like, will suggest themselves quite readily to those familiar with this art and in some instances it may be found that the materials of construction suggested or disclosed may be substituted by other materials. For example, while the track and bracket members have been disclosed as being of metal and plastic respectively, it is of course obvious that these two materials may be interchangeable. All such modifications, changes, deletions, and additions, will not detract from the spirit and the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a drawer and support system, the combination of an integrally molded drawer having side, front, rear and bottom walls, said front wall being adapted for modification to a selected configuration by a panel member and having at least one receiving member comprising an integral protuberance having a dovetail configuration to be received by at least a complementary groove provided in said panel member; the opposed side walls of said drawer having integral, outwardly directed lateral guide flanges at the upper edge portions thereof for selective coaction with and engagement by side track members of a support system for sliding support of said drawer; said flanges having end portions adjacent said front and rear walls inclined upwardly, with respect to said bottom wall, to lie outside the plane of a majority of the remainder of said lateral flanges; the rear wall of said drawer being adapted to centrally receive a mounting bracket for alternate selective mounting of said drawer in rolling relationship on a single track, said walls being of a configuration to permit stacking and nestled relationship of said drawer with other drawers of like construction and size.

2. The system in accordance with claim ll wherein said drawer is fabricated of high impact strength plas- NC.

3. The system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said bottom wall is provided with reinforcing webs.

4. The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rear wall has an integral, outwardly extending flange portion depending along an upper edge of said rear wall.

5. In a drawer and support system, the combination of: a molded drawer having side, front, rear and bottom walls, said front wall being adapted for modification to a selected configuration; the opposed side walls of said draweer having integral, outwardly directed lateral guide flanges at the upper edge portions thereof for selective coaction with and engagement by side track members ofa support system for sliding support of said drawer; the rear wall of said drawer having an integral, outwardly extending flange portion depending along an upper edge of said rear wall and being adapted to centrally receive a mounting bracket for alternate selective mounting of said drawer in rolling relationship on a single track, said rear wall being provided with an integral central slot having the lateral edges thereof inwardly directed to captively receive said mounting bracket having a tablike portion for said alternate mounting, said walls being of a configuration to permit stacking and nestled relationship of said drawer with other drawers of like constructionand size.

6. The system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said lateral guide flanges in cross-section having a depending skirt-like configuration and the exterior edge forms a reinforced track for engagement by a support system.

7. The system in accordance with claim 6 wherein the terminal portion of said lateral guide flanges have upwardly extended inclined portions for easy mounting of said drawer with a support system and to contribute to self-closing thereof.

8. The system in accordance with claim 7 wherein a locking groove is provided in said lateral guide flanges to prohibit further normal outward planar movement of said drawer on said support system.

9. The system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said drawer is supportable within a structure having an over-sized receiving opening and a front panel member is releasably secured to the front wall of said drawer to mask said over-sized receiving opening.

10. The system in accordance with claim 9 wherein said front wall of said drawer has integrally molded receiving members to receive said front panel.

11. The system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said integrally molded receiving members comprise parallelly spaced protruberances having a dovetail con figuration to be received by complementary grooves provided in said front panel member.

12. The system in accordance with claim 11 wherein said front panel is provided with integrally molded, elongated wedge-like projections parallelly spaced to said protruberances to effect wedging engagement of said front panel and said front wall of said drawer.

13. The system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said front panel is of wood construction and carries a drawer pull extending from the exterior surface thereof.

14. The system in accordance with claim 12 including a wheel-carrying member support bracket secured in said center slot of said rear wall, the wheel thereof engaged in a superpositioned central rail track in rolling engagement therewith and said support system additionally includes freely rotatable bearing side members oppositely secured to the lateral edges of said over-sized receiving opening and aligned to engage said tracks formed by said lateral guide flanges in free rolling relationship therewith.

15. The system in accordance with claim 14 wherein said superpositioned central rail is positioned to cause said drawer to normally move to the closed position.

16. The system in accordance with claim 13 wherein the support system additionally includes side track members extending the depth of said over-sized receiving opening and being oppositely positioned on the sides thereof to be slideably engaged by said tracks formed by said lateral guide flanges and form a sliding path through which said drawer is moved.

17. The system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said front wall is provided with a dovetail configuration to receive a demountable front panel of the same or different material as said drawer and is supportable within a structure having at least side supports to form a receiving opening at least as wide as the overall width of said drawer and side track members are provided extending the depth of said opening and are secured in opposed relationship to be slideably engaged by said tracks formed by said lateral guide flanges and form a sliding path through which said drawer is moved.

18. The system in accordance withh claim 8 wherein said front wall of said drawer is provided with an integrally molded, centrally located pull handle.

19. The system in accordance with claim 18 wherein said drawer is supportable within a structure having at least side supports to form a receiving opening at least as wide as the overall width of said drawer and side track members are provided extending the depth of said opening and are secured in opposed relationship to be slideably engaged by said tracks formed by said lateral guide flanges and form a sliding path through which said drawer is moved.

20. The system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said drawer is of a high-impact strength easily molded plastic.

211. The system in accordancewith claim 5 including a mounting bracket having a tab-like portion which comprises a molded member having an upstanding portion having a through bore and encircling boss with a rotatable wheel fixedly secured thereto and a lower integrally connected plate defining said tab-like portion and being offset from said upstanding portion.

22. The system in accordance with claim 21 wherein said wheel is of molded plastic and is retained in said through bore on a metal axle.

23. The system in accordance with claim 21 wherein said boss acts as a bearing for said wheel and said wheel is configured to ride in an elongate superpositioned track and carry said drawer through an opening and closing path within a support structure.

24. The system in accordance with claim 23 wherein a reinforcing web is provided between said upstanding portion and said offset tab-like portion.

25. The system in accordance with claim 24 wherein the configuration and thickness of said plate-like portion is sufficient to be received by said lateral edges of said center slot in tight. flush engagement.

26. The system in accordance with claim 25 wherein said plate-like portion has converging side edges and said slot is congruently shaped to effect friction-fit engagement therebetween.

27. The system in accordance with claim 26 wherein said rear wall of said drawer adjacent said center slot is provided with an abutment stop and said reinforcing web of said mounting bracket has a flat adapted to engage said stop upon securement of said bracket within said center slot.

28. The system in accordance with claim 27 wherein the upper edge of said plate-like portion is flush with the upper edge of said rear wall ofsaid drawer when secured within said center slot.

29. The system in accordance with claim 28 wherein said superpositioned track extends the depth of said drawer receiving opening and has a forward opening slot to receive said wheel in captive relationship therewith upon inward movement thereof.

30. The system in accordance witlh claim 29 wherein said track has a V-shaped lower wall forming said groove within which said wheel travels.

31. In a drawer the combination of: integrally molded side, front, rear and bottom walls, said front wall being adapted for reception of a demountable front panel member to a selected final configuration; the opposed side walls of said drawer having integral outwardly extending lateral flanges at the upper edge portions thereof for engagement with guide means to guide said drawer in a support system, said lateral flanges, in cross-section, having a depending skirt-like configuration, and said flanges having end portions adjacent said front and rear walls inclined upwardly, with respect to said bottom wall, to lie outside the plane ofa majority of the remainder of said lateral flanges.

32. The drawer in accordance with claim 31 wherein 12 said front wall of said drawer has at least one receiving member to receive said front panel member.

33. The drawer in accordance with claim 32 wherein said at least one receiving member comrpises a protruberance having a dovetail configuration to be received by complementary grooves provided in said front panel member.

34. The drawer in accordance with claim 33 wherein said drawer is of molded construction and at least one elongated wedge-like projection is provided to effect wedging engagement of said front panel member and said front wall of said drawer.

35. The drawer in accordance with claim 34 which additionally includes a second receiving member to act in cooperation with said at least one receiving member to receive said front panel member.

36. The drawer in accordance with claim 35 wherein said receiving members are integrally molded with said drawer and are in substantial parallel relationship with each other.

37. The drawer in accordance with claim 36 which additionally includes a second elongated wedge-like projection.

38. The drawer in accordance with claim 37 wherein said wedge-like projections are integrally molded with said drawer and are parallely spaced to said receiving members.

39. The drawer in accordance with claim 31 wherein said drawer is of plastic molded construction and said bottom wall is provided with reinforcing webs.

40. The drawer in accordance with claim 39 wherein said lateral flanges forms a reinforced track for engagement with said guide means.

41. The drawer in accordance with claim 40 wherein the upwardly extending inclined portions of said flanges adjacent said front wall facilitates self-closing of said drawer when mounted on a support system.

42. The drawer in accordance with claim 41 wherein a locking groove is provided in said lateral flanges to prohibit further normal outward planar movement of said drawer when mounted on a support system.

Claims

2. The system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said drawer is fabricated of high impact strength plastic.

5. In a drawer and support system, the combination of: a molded drawer having side, front, rear and bottom walls, said front wall being adapted for modification to a selected configuration; the opposed side walls of said draweer having integral, outwardly directed lateral guide flanges at the upper edge portions thereof for selective coaction with and engagement by side track members of a support system for sliding support of said drawer; the rear wall of said drawer having an integral, outwardly extending flange portion depending along an upper edge of said rear wall and being adapted to centrally receive a mounting bracket for alternate selective mounting of said drawer in rolling relationship on a single track, said rear wall being provided with an integral central slot having the lateral edges thereof inwardly directed to captively receive said mounting bracket having a tablike portion for said alternate mounting, said walls being of a configuration to permit stacking and nestled relationship of said drawer with other drawers of like construction and size.

11. The system in accordance with claim 10 wherein said integrally molded receiving members comprise parallelly spaced protruberances having a dovetail configuration to be received by complementary grooves provided in said front panel member.

21. The system in accordance with claim 5 including a mounting bracket having a tab-like portion which comprises a molded member having an upstanding portion having a through bore and encircling boss with a rotatable wheel fixedly secured thereto and a lower integrally connected plate defining said tab-like portion and being offset from said upstanding portion.

25. The system in accordance with claim 24 wherein the configuration and thickness of said plate-like portion is sufficient to be received by said lateral edges of said center slot in tight, flush engagement.

28. The system in accordance with claim 27 wherein the upper edge of said plate-like portion is flush with the upper edge of said rear wall of said drawer when secured within said center slot.

31. In a drawer the combination of: integrally molded side, front, rear and bottom walls, said front wall being adapted for reception of a demountable front panel member to a selected final configuration; the opposed side walls of said drawer having integral outwardly extending lateral flanges at the upper edge portions thereof for engagement with guide means to guide said drawer in a support system, said lateral flanges, in cross-section, having a depending skirt-like configuration, and said flanges having end portions adjacent said front and rear walls inclined upwardly, with respect to said bottom wall, to lie outside the plane of a majority of the remainder of said lateral flanges.

32. The drawer in accordance with claim 31 wherein said front wall of said drawer has at least one receiving member to receive said front panel member.