Drawer Actuator and Latch System

Abstract

A drawer manipulation system adapted to facilitate opening of a drawer supported within a cabinet. The system includes at least one biasing actuator adapted for mounting in supported relation at projecting edge elements within the cabinet housing the drawer. The actuator incorporates an arrangement of slotted engagement surfaces adapted to accept supporting edge structures. The actuator may be used in conjunction with a push-push latch assembly.

1 . A drawer manipulation system adapted for use within a cabinet housing a moveable drawer to urge the drawer towards an open position when the drawer is in an unlatched condition, the drawer manipulation system comprising at least one biasing actuator, said at least one biasing actuator comprising:
 a cylinder including a first end defining a base and a second end defining a piston acceptance port, the cylinder having a cylinder axis extending along the length of the cylinder;   a piston disposed in inserted relation within the piston acceptance port and arranged in substantially coaxial relation with the cylinder, the piston including a distal portion projecting in a first direction away from the cylinder towards a rear surface of the drawer, the piston being moveable along the cylinder axis;   a biasing spring housed within the cylinder between the piston and the base of the cylinder;   a rearwardly projecting engagement slot disposed at a surface adjacent the base of the cylinder, the rearwardly projecting engagement slot projecting in a second direction facing away from the first direction, the rearwardly projecting engagement slot being adapted to slidingly engage a supporting rib member projecting in the first direction away from a rear surface of the cabinet; and   a downwardly extending bracket structure projecting away from the cylinder at a position forward of the base of the cylinder, the bracket structure defining a channel extending in a plane transverse to the cylinder axis, the channel adapted to slidingly engage a support member projecting away from a floor surface of the cabinet.   
   
   
       2 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one push-push latch adapted to selectively secure the drawer in a closed position. 
   
   
       3 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 1 , including a pair of biasing actuators. 
   
   
       4 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said rearwardly projecting engagement slot disposed across a downwardly projecting tongue structure disposed adjacent the base of the cylinder. 
   
   
       5 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the supporting rib member comprises a lip of a channel frame support disposed within the cabinet. 
   
   
       6 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the support member projecting away from a floor surface of the cabinet comprises a localized upstanding plate disposed at a channel frame support within the cabinet. 
   
   
       7 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the downwardly extending bracket structure comprises a pair of opposing leg elements of substantially equivalent length such that the channel is characterized by a substantially “U” shaped profile. 
   
   
       8 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the downwardly extending bracket structure comprises a first leg having a first length in opposing relation to a second leg of a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length such that the channel is characterized by a substantially inverted “J” shaped profile. 
   
   
       9 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the first leg is disposed forward of the second leg. 
   
   
       10 . A drawer manipulation system adapted for use within a cabinet housing a moveable drawer to urge the drawer towards an open position when the drawer is in an unlatched condition, the drawer manipulation system comprising at least one push-push latch adapted to selectively secure the drawer in a closed position and at least one biasing actuator, said at least one biasing actuator comprising:
 a cylinder including a first end defining a base and a second end defining a piston acceptance port, the cylinder having a cylinder axis extending along the length of the cylinder;   a piston disposed in inserted relation within the piston acceptance port and arranged in substantially coaxial relation with the cylinder, the piston including a distal portion projecting in a first direction away from the cylinder towards a rear surface of the drawer, the piston being moveable along the cylinder axis;   a biasing spring housed within the cylinder between the piston and the base of the cylinder;   a rearwardly projecting engagement slot disposed across a downwardly projecting tongue element adjacent the base of the cylinder, portions of the rearwardly projecting engagement slot being disposed outboard of opposing sides of the cylinder axis, the rearwardly projecting engagement slot projecting in a second direction facing away from the first direction, the rearwardly projecting engagement slot being adapted to slidingly engage a supporting rib member projecting in the first direction away from a rear surface of the cabinet; and   a downwardly extending bracket structure projecting away from the cylinder at a position forward of the base of the cylinder, the bracket structure defining a channel extending in a plane transverse to the cylinder axis, the channel adapted to slidingly engage a support member projecting away from a floor surface of the cabinet.   
   
   
       11 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 10 , including a pair of biasing actuators. 
   
   
       12 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the supporting rib member comprises a lip of a channel frame support disposed within the cabinet. 
   
   
       13 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the support member projecting away from a floor surface of the cabinet comprises a localized upstanding plate disposed at a channel frame support within the cabinet. 
   
   
       14 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the downwardly extending bracket structure comprises a pair of opposing leg elements of substantially equivalent length such that the channel is characterized by a substantially “U” shaped profile. 
   
   
       15 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the downwardly extending bracket structure comprises a first leg having a first length in opposing relation to a second leg of a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length such that the channel is characterized by a substantially inverted “J” shaped profile. 
   
   
       16 . The drawer manipulation system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first leg is disposed forward of the second leg.