Slide Mechanism

Abstract

A slide mechanism for a piece of furniture having a slidable member, the slide mechanism comprising (a) a fixed slide rail; (b) a rebate which in use receives the fixed slide rail; (c) first biasing means to resist engagement of the fixed slide rail with the rebate; and (d) a second biasing means to resist freefall of the slidable member; wherein in use the slidable member is moved from a first, fully raised position to a second, fully lowered position by exerting force on the first biasing means such that the slide rail is brought into engagement with the rebate, subsequent vertical movement of the slidable member being counterbalanced by the second biasing means.

1 . A slide mechanism for a piece of furniture having a slidable member, the slide mechanism comprising:
 (a) a fixed slide rail;   (b) a rebate which in use receives the fixed slide rail;   (c) a first biasing means to resist engagement of the fixed slide rail with the rebate; and   (d) a second biasing means to resist freefall of the slidable member;   
     wherein in use the slidable member is moved from a first, fully raised position to a second, fully lowered position by exerting force on the first biasing means such that the slide rail is brought into engagement with the rebate, subsequent vertical movement of the slidable member being counterbalanced by the second biasing means. 
   
   
       2 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein the piece of furniture is chosen from the group comprising cots, cribs and beds. 
   
   
       3 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein the biasing means are chosen from the group comprising coil springs, spiral balance tubes, and gas struts or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       4 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein in use, force must be exerted on the first biasing means in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the slidable member such that the slide rail is brought into engagement with the rebate. 
   
   
       5 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein the second biasing means counterbalances the effect of gravity on the slidable member. 
   
   
       6 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 1  wherein in use, the first and second biasing means and the rebate are concealed from sight within the slidable member. 
   
   
       7 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 6  wherein in addition, the slide rail is concealed from sight within the slidable member. 
   
   
       8 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 1  further comprising a latching mechanism such that the slidable member may be latched in the fully raised position. 
   
   
       9 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 1  further comprising a latching mechanism such that the slidable member may be latched in the fully lowered position. 
   
   
       10 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 1  which further comprises a latching mechanism chosen from the group comprising manual latches and automatic latches. 
   
   
       11 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 1  which further comprises a latching mechanism having a pawl which may be moved into engagement with the end of the fixed slide rail to prevent vertical movement of the slidable member. 
   
   
       12 . A slide mechanism according to  claim 1  which further comprises a latching mechanism having a pawl which may be moved into engagement with a stop on the furniture to prevent vertical movement of the slidable member. 
   
   
       13 . A method of operating that slide mechanism of  claim 1  the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) exerting force in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the slidable member such that the first biasing means is opposed and the slide rail is brought into engagement with the rebate, and   (b) moving the slidable member to descend from the fully raised position to the fully lowered position, the second biasing means resisting freefall of the slidable member.