US3752547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stackable drawer and cover
Assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
•
Filing: 1971-03-26
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A drawer includes a stacking recess around its top perimeter into which another similar drawer can be placed in order to stack the drawers one on top of the other. The drawer includes a cover which is thinner in cross section than the depth of the stacking recess in order that the cover can be positioned on the drawer without interfering the stacking of one drawer on top of another. The cover includes outwardly biased, resilient ribs which extend below the stacking recess when the cover is in place and which press against the drawer walls to insure a tight fit. The drawer is supported in a structure having opposite sides with inwardly projecting guide flanges for embracing glide flanges projecting outwardly from the drawer. The stacking recess is formed in the drawer glide flanges and the cover rests on the glide flanges such that it is also embraced by the guide flanges of the support and cannot be removed from the drawer when the drawer is closed.
Inventors
- 👤 R Propst
- 👤 J Kelley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:56
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B87/00; A47B87/02; A47B88/00; A47B88/90; A47B88/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A drawer and cover therefor, comprising: a bottom, side walls extending vertically from opposite sides of said bottom, front and rear walls extending vertically from said bottom and joined with the edges of said side walls to form a generally rectangular drawer; said side walls and rear wall including a horizontal, outwardly extending glide flange integrally formed therewith and including a vertical lip extending to the top of said walls to define an interior stacking recess along three sides of said drawer, as well as an exterior drawer glide along the exterior of said sides of said drawer for supporting said drawer in a cabinet; said front wall extending above the horizontal level of said flange of the remaining walls whereby one of said drawers can be stacked on top of another when the drawer is uncovered such that the bottom of said one of said drawers rests upon the stacking recess of said another of said drawers without shifting laterally or longitudinally of the lower drawer; and a cover for said drawer having dimensions such that it also fits within said stacking recess and rests upon said horizontal glide flange thereof and is adapted to move with said glide flange within a drawer guide; said cover being thinner than the depth of said recess whereby one drawer can be stacked on top of another when said cover is in place on the lower drawer and said vertical lip and the top edge of said front wall prevents longitudinal and lateral shifting of covered drawers when stacked.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A drawer and cover therefor, comprising: a bottom, side walls extending vertically from opposite sides of said bottom, front and rear walls extending vertically from said bottom and joined with the edges of said side walls to form a generally rectangular drawer; said side walls and rear wall including a horizontal, outwardly extending glide flange integrally formed therewith and including a vertical lip extending to the top of said walls to define an interior stacking recess along three sides of said drawer, as well as an exterior drawer glide along the exterior of said sides of said drawer for supporting said drawer in a cabinet; said front wall extending above the horizontal level of said flange of the remaining walls whereby one of said drawers can be stacked on top of another when the drawer is uncovered such that the bottom of said one of said drawers rests upon the stacking recess of said another of said drawers without shifting laterally or longitudinally of the lower drawer; and a cover for said drawer having dimensions such that it also fits within said stacking recess and rests upon said horizontal glide flange thereof and is adapted to move with said glide flange within a drawer guide; said cover being thinner than the depth of said recess whereby one drawer can be stacked on top of another when said cover is in place on the lower drawer and said vertical lip and the top edge of said front wall prevents longitudinal and lateral shifting of covered drawers when stacked.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said drawer cover includes an outwardly biased, resilient rib, near at least two sides thereof projecting downwardly into said drawer and engaging the walls thereof whereby said cover fits snugly on said drawer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination of claim 2 in which said rib is defined by a downwardly projecting groove in said cover whose outer wall is resiliently biased outwardly away from its inner wall; said cover including a generally horizontal peripheral flange extending outwardly from said outer wall of said groove for resting on said stacking recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
The combination of claim 1 in which: said cover includes a flange at the front edge thereof projecting upwardly for a height greater than the depth of said recess and then outwardly over the front of said drawer to define a handle for said cover; the bottom of said drawer having a width such that it will rest on said stacking recess of a lower drawer and having a length less than the distance between said top portion of said rear wall and said top portion of said front wall by an amount equal to the thickness of said upwardly extending flange of said cover such that one of said drawers will stack within said recess of a lower one of said drawers even with said cover in place on said lower drawer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 4 in which said drawer cover includes an outwardly biased, resilient rib, near at least two sides thereof projecting downwardly into said drawer and engaging the walls thereof whereby said cover fits snugly on said drawer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
The combination of claim 5 in which said rib is defined by a downwardly projecting groove in said cover whose outer wall is resiliently biased outwardly away from its inner wall; said cover including a generally horizontal peripheral flange extending outwardly from said outer wall of said groove for resting on said stacking recess; said groove existing around said cover near the peripheral edge thereof; the said outer wall of said groove at the front edge of said drawer being defined by said upwardly projecting flange at the front edge thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
128 words
A drawer and a cover therefor comprising: a drawer having four walls and including a recessed interior cover receiving seat extending around at least three of said walls near the top thereof; a cover for said drawer having an outwardly biased, resilient rib, near at least two sides thereof projecting downwardly into said drawer below said seat and engaging the walls thereof whereby said cover fits snugly onto said drawer; said cover being slightly bowed between said resilient ribs when not in place over said drawer; said cover including a horizontal outwardly extending flange extending outwardly from each said resilient rib, integrally formed on said at least two sides of said cover and dimensioned to rest upon said seat of said drawer when said cover is positioned thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
A drawer and a cover therefor comprising: a drawer having four walls and including a recessed interior cover receiving seat extending around at least three of said walls near the top thereof; a cover for said drawer having an outwardly biased, resilient rib, near at least two sides thereof projecting downwardly into said drawer below said seat and engaging the walls thereof whereby said cover fits snugly onto said drawer; said cover being slightly bowed between said resilient ribs when not in place over said drawer; said cover including a horizontal outwardly extending flange extending outwardly from each said resilient rib, integrally formed on said at least two sides of said cover and dimensioned to rest upon said seat of said drawer when said cover is positioned thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 7 in which said rib is defined by a downwardly projecting groove in said cover whose outer wall is resiliently biased outwardly away from said inner wall; said cover including a generally horizontal peripheral flange extending outwardly from said outer wall of said groove for engaging the top of said drawer to prevent said cover from being accidentally pushed into said drawer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |