File interlock system and mechanism

ES 2 270 636 T3

DESCRIPTION

File interlocking system and mechanism.

The present invention relates to sliding guides and sliding guide interlocking systems.

Background of the invention

Vertically arranged multi-drawer cabinets can tip over when more than one drawer is opened at the same time, creating a hazard. The cabinet tipping is caused by the shift of the center of gravity when two or more drawers are opened. Cabinet tipping is especially likely when open drawers contain very heavy materials.

To prevent such tipping, many vertically arranged drawer cabinets incorporate interlocking systems that prevent one drawer from being opened if another drawer is open. Some interlocking systems in use today are related to the back of the filing cabinet drawers, as illustrated in US 4,480,883. Its location makes installation and repair difficult. Furthermore, the position of such interlocking systems makes it difficult to relate these systems to the locking systems that are typically located at the front of the cabinet on either side of the top of the filing cabinet.

Today's interlocking systems require their components to be installed or removed in a sequential order. For example, the interlocking components positioned between the lower runners must be installed before the components positioned between the higher runners. An example of this design is a locking system utilizing a stack of bolt pins that is described in US Patent 4,637,667. In addition, the components were located close to the upper sliding guides. This results in a complex, time-consuming and expensive installation and removal process of the interlocking system.

Other sliding guide interlocking systems are described in the specification of European patents Nos. 639687 and 818597.

Additionally, most of the interlocking systems in use today are designed for use with drawers of a specific predetermined height and cannot easily be modified for use with drawers of different heights.

Most of the interlocking systems in use today require that their components be constructed to precise tolerances. A deviation in these tolerances can lead to a malfunction of the interlocking system.

Rotational cam interlocking systems, also currently used, such as those described in PCT application document Serial No. PCT / CA 93/00359 (International Publication No. WO 94/07989) rely on instantaneous actuation in the drawer openings and cannot always maintain a constant scroll while the drawer is open. Consequently, they do not provide a positive and sustained performance in a way that prevents system malfunction. This could lead to the drawers being inadvertently opened.

Accordingly, there is a need for an interlocking system that can be related to the front of the sliding guides used to couple drawers to a cabinet or other housing and that can be related to the cabinet closing system. Furthermore, there is a need for an interlocking system that is easy to install, does not require precise tolerances, and can be easily modified for use with drawer arrangements comprising drawers of different heights.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sliding guide member system comprising: a body, characterized by a finger coupled to the sliding guide member and extending beyond a first end of the body, where the finger can pivot with respect to to the body.

Such slide guides can be used in a drawer slide interlocking system for use with two or more vertically arranged drawers mounted on left and right sets of vertically spaced slide guides in a housing such as a filing cabinet or storage unit. . The interlocking system can be related to the right or left set of the sliding guides.

Each set of sliding guides comprises a stationary member that is attached to the cabinet and a telescopic member that is attached to the drawer.

A pair of opposing upper and lower followers are slidably positioned and perpendicularly adjacent to the forward end of each stationary member. Each actuator follower can slide from a position that blocks the extension travel of the telescopic member to a non-blocking position of such extension travel. Inside a sliding guide, as one actuator follower moves toward the other, it abuts the other and displaces it. For example, as the lower actuator follower moves up, it abuts against the actuator follower and moves it.

Rods are used to interconnect the upper actuator follower of a slide to the lower actuator follower of an upper slide. The rods can be snapped on and, if necessary, unfastened from the actuator followers. When connected to the actuator followers, the rods are free to move vertically within reasonable limits.

In one embodiment, an actuator is positioned at the forward end of the telescopic member. The actuator has tapered surfaces. The conical surfaces of the actuator followers come into contact with the conical surfaces of the actuator as the telescopic member is extended from its closed position or when it is retracted from an open position. The actuator and actuator followers are preferably made of a polymer material to reduce friction, soften the impact between them and make the operation of the slide silent.

Upon extension of a telescopic member of a slide, the actuator in front of the telescopic member makes contact with the upper actuator follower of that slide and moves it upward. The actuator follower is held upwardly offset by the extension of the intermediate member of the slide, which is sequenced to initially extend with the telescopic member of the slide. Consequently, the actuator follower moves the rod and the actuator

ES 2 270 636 T3 lower interconnected on the immediately upper slide guide, bringing the lower actuator follower of that slide guide to a position that blocks the extension of the telescopic member of the slide guide.

Simultaneously, this lower actuator follower moves its opposite actuator follower. This process is repeated simultaneously and as a result, all the lower actuator followers of the sliders located above the extended slide guide move to a position that blocks the extension of their respective telescopic members.

Similarly, the extended slide blocks upward movement of the upper actuator followers of the lower slide guides. Consequently, all of the actuator followers of the sliders below the extended slide guide are prevented from moving upward, thereby remaining in a position that blocks the extension of their respective telescopic members.

In an alternative embodiment, the actuator comprises a body and a pair of fingers that extend beyond the body of the actuator. These fingers are flexible or pivotally coupled to the actuator body. This actuator of the alternative embodiment is coupled to the forward end of the intermediate member of a slide, such that the fingers of the actuator extend beyond the telescopic member of the slide when the slide is retracted. When the slide is retracted, the upper finger is in a position to engage the upper actuator follower of the slide while the lower actuator finger is in a position to engage the lower actuator follower of the slide. With this embodiment, the extension of the telescopic member of the sliding guide causes the extension of the intermediate member of the sliding guide, which is sequenced to extend with the telescopic member of the sliding guide causing the fingers and subsequently the intermediate member to engage and displace. the upper slide actuator follower up. With the actuator of this embodiment, the locking system still operates as described above. However, if the sequencing mechanism of the extending slide fails such that the telescopic member of the slide extends without extending the intermediate member of the slide, the intermediate member of the slide will still deflect the upper finger of the slide actuator upward causing the slide to engage and move the slide actuator follower up. Simultaneously, the telescopic member will lock the lower actuator finger and thus the lower actuator follower from moving upward. Accordingly, the extension of the slide guides above and below the extended slide guide is prevented.

A locking mechanism to lock all slide guides in a closed position can easily be incorporated into the locking system of the present invention. For example, a locking mechanism can be positioned such that it interferes with the upward movement of the upper actuator follower of the uppermost slide. This will prevent displacement of any upper actuator follower from any slide. Consequently, all of the upper actuator followers will be in a position that blocks the extension of their respective telescopic members.

Similarly, a locking mechanism can also be incorporated anywhere along the height of the system. For example, one member can be used to deflect any of the rods such that all the lower actuator followers of the sliders directly above the deflection member travel upward, while all the lower actuator followers of the guides sliders directly below the deflection member are prevented from being displaced upward. Accordingly, an actuator follower on a slide of each drawer will be in a position that blocks the extension of its respective telescopic member.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a locking system for three vertically arranged sliding guides with all the sliding guides in a fully closed position.

Fig. 2 represents the locking system shown in Fig. 1 with the center slide extended.

Fig. 3a is an isometric view of a stationary sliding guide member, showing the cuts that allow sliding positioning of the actuator followers.

Fig. 3b is an isometric view of a stationary slide guide member, provided with upper and lower actuator followers.

Fig. 3c is an end view with actuator followers mounted on a cabinet wall.

Fig. 3d is an end view of a stationary member with one actuator follower displacing the other.

Fig. 4a is a side view of an actuator follower.

Fig. 4b is a front view of an actuator follower.

Fig. 4c is a top view of an actuator follower.

Fig. 5a is a top view of a retention clip.

Fig. 5b is a side view of a retention clip.

Fig. 6 represents the actuator corresponding to the front end of the telescopic member.

Fig. 7 depicts the contact made by the actuator followers such that they push the actuator and its telescopic member into a closed position.

Fig. 8 represents a closing member deflecting an intermediate rod in order to close the sliding guides.

Fig. 9 depicts a three-member slider with only the telescopic member of the slider extended.

Fig. 10 represents a perspective view of a cam actuator of an alternative embodiment.

Fig. 11 depicts a three-member slide guide with only the telescopic member of the slide extended and incorporating a flexible finger actuator of an alternative embodiment of the present invention mounted at the front end of the intermediate member of the slide.

Fig. 12a represents a side view of the guide

ES 2 270 636 T3 three-member slide in a fully retracted position and incorporating a pivot finger actuator of an alternative embodiment of the present invention mounted at the forward end of the intermediate member of the slide guide.

Fig. 12b represents a side view of the three-member slide shown in Fig. 12a with the telescopic member extended and the intermediate member partially extended.

Fig. 12c depicts a side view of the three-member slide shown in Fig. 12a with only the telescopic member extended. Detailed description

The present invention is an interlocking system for use with two or more vertically arranged drawers mounted on telescopic sliding guides in a housing such as a cabinet so as to prevent the extension of a drawer once another drawer has been opened.

The interlocking system is related to the telescopic sliding guides that are used to mount drawers in the cabinet (Figs. 1, 2). Telescopic sliding guides can be of various designs. For descriptive purposes, however, the present invention is made in terms of telescopic sliding guides 10 having a stationary channel member 12, which is attached to the cabinet wall 35, and a telescopic member 14, which is attached to the drawer (not shown). The telescopic member may preferably be coupled to the outer stationary member via an intermediate member 16. For descriptive purposes, the term "telescopic member" as used herein refers to the sliding member of the slide guide assembly. For slide guide assemblies that include an intermediate member, the term "telescopic member" refers to the slide guide member coupled to the intermediate member of a three-member slide guide.

Each drawer is fitted to the cabinet in a sliding way using two sliding guides. One slide is attached to the left side of the drawer and the other to the right side of the drawer. Thus, the cabinet has a right and a left set of sliding guides. The interlocking system can be related to one of the sets, the left or right of the sliding guides, or with both.

The stationary member 12 of each slide is channel-shaped having a web section 18 from which arcuate side sections 20, 21 extend that form the channel (Fig. 3a). An elongated cut 22 extending through vertical section 18 is formed proximate the forward end of the stationary channel. Preferably, cutout 22 is formed adjacent the forward end of a stationary member and typically has a width of less than 25.4 mm (one inch).

As further shown in Fig. 3a, openings 28 are formed in the side sections 20, 21 of the stationary member at opposite ends of the cut 22. These openings are wider than the cut 22 formed in the web section of the member. stationary and together with cutout 22 form a continuous opening. The three cuts are laterally aligned through the channel to form a continuous cut.

Opposing upper and lower actuator followers 32, 34 are slidably positioned within these cuts (Fig. 2, 3a, 3b). The upper actuator follower 32 is slidably positioned through the cut formed in the upper side section of the stationary member. Similarly, the lower actuator follower 34 is positioned through the cut formed in the lower side section (Figs. 1, 2, 3b). The actuator followers are normally positioned within the cutouts prior to their attachment to the stationary member of the slide rail to the cabinet wall 35 (Fig. 3c). When positioned within the cutouts, a portion of each actuator follower extends out of the stationary member beyond the side sections. For purposes of description, the portion 36 of the actuator follower that always extends beyond the lateral section is referred to herein as the "outer portion" of the actuator follower (Fig. 1).

The rear surface 38 of the actuator follower is recessed in width (Figs 4a and 4c). This recessed portion allows the rear surface of the actuator to fit and slide within the vertical cutout in the vertical section of the stationary member. The widest portion 40 of the actuator follower is designed to fit and slide within the cutouts 28 formed in the side sections of the stationary member. The narrowest part of the actuator follower serves as a guide to guide the recessed rear of the actuator follower and thereby guide the sliding movement of the actuator follower.

Each actuator follower has a laterally projecting member or tip 42 which has a triangular or trapezoidal section geometry with a rounded apex (Figs. 4a, 4b). The inclined surfaces 44, 46 of the tip are preferably at 45 °. Once an actuator follower has been slidably fitted within the stationary member, its tip is located between the two side sections 20, 21 of the stationary member. Furthermore, the tip has a length 48 such that it projects beyond the cut in the lateral section of the stationary member. As a result, once the follower has been inserted into the opening, the tip prevents the actuator follower from sliding past a side section of the stationary member (Figs. 3b, 3c).

A vertical projection 50 extends perpendicularly beyond the conical surface as part of the rear side 38 of the actuator follower (Figs. 4a, 4b). The vertical projections of the two opposing actuator followers are designed to abut against each other when one actuator follower slides toward the other (Figs. 1 and 2). Therefore, as one actuator follower moves toward the other, it displaces the other actuator follower.

An actuator follower retaining clip 52 can be used to retain the actuator followers within the stationary member of the slide (Figs. 5a, 5b). The retention clip is typically a metal or plastic strip that is shaped to form two sections spaced from one another in parallel. A section 54 of the fastener is attached or clamped to the stationary member such that the other spaced section 55 defines a space through the vertical cutout 22 between itself and the cabinet surface on which the stationary member is mounted. The projections of the actuator followers slide into that space (Figs. 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b).

To ensure that an actuator follower is always retained by the retaining clip, it is 4

In order to ensure that a vertical projection of an actuator follower does not slide beyond the area covered by the retaining clip, the vertical projection 50 is staggered along its width. At half its width, the projection has a greater length 56 than it is at the other half of its width. The staggered projections of the opposing actuator followers are complementary to each other (Figs. 1, 2).

The outer portion 36 of the actuator follower has a depth that is greater than the length of the cutout 28 in the side sections of the stationary member. This prevents the outer part from sliding through the side sections. The outer part forms a vertical channel 65. The channel is formed by two side walls 60 connected by a side wall 62. Side wall 62 is part of the rear surface of the actuator follower (Figs. 4b, 4c). The upper end 66 of the channel is open while its lower end 68 is limited by the lower part of the actuator follower. A small lip 70 is formed on the inner surface of each side wall. The lip encompasses only a part of the inner surface of each side wall, both longitudinally and laterally, starting from the horizontal and lateral edges of the side wall.

The rods 72 are used to interconnect the actuator followers of the adjacent sliders (Figs. 1, 2). For example, a rod connects the upper actuator follower 32 of a slide to the actuator follower 34 of the slide directly above it. The rods used can have a cross-sectional shape. For descriptive purposes, reference is made here to cylindrical rods.

The rods are inserted into the channel opening of the outer parts of the actuator followers. The rods are inserted by pushing them past the lips 70 into the inner surfaces of the side walls. The rods pass the lips and "snap" into place. The lips serve as retainers to hold the rods within the canal opening. The temples can also be easily removed, if necessary, by pushing them out ("unzipping") past the lips. When inserted into the vertical channel openings, it is preferred that the rods are able to slide freely within the channel openings.

An actuator 74 is attached to the front of the telescopic member of the slide. When attached, the actuator surrounds the forward end 76 of the telescopic member 84 (Fig. 2). The actuator has a flat face 78 parallel to the end of the telescopic member. Two inclined surfaces 80, 82 extend towards the end of the telescopic member from the upper and lower ends of the flat face. Preferably, the surfaces are symmetrical about the longitudinal axis 84 of the telescopic member. These surfaces are referred to here as the front sloped surfaces. These surfaces continue past the vertical plane to the end of the telescopic member and then bend approximately 90 ° towards the upper and lower edges of the telescopic member forming another set of angled surfaces 86, 88 (referred to herein as the "rear inclined surfaces ”) With respect to the longitudinal axis of the sliding guide. Although it is preferred that the front and rear inclined surfaces are inclined to

45 °, they can be inclined at other angles.

The inclined surfaces of the actuator followers ride on the inclined surfaces of the actuator. Therefore, it is preferred that the inclination of the actuator surfaces coincide with the inclination of the contact surfaces of the conical projections.

When the actuator followers are in their fully extended position, that is, when their conical projections abut against the side sections of the stationary member, they do not interfere with the extension travel of the telescopic member. When the distance between the vertices of the tips 42 is less than the widest section of the actuator, the projections will present a blockage to the extension travel of the actuator, and therefore of the telescopic member unless they are capable of being displaced away from the travel of the actuator. telescopic member when the telescopic member is extended. In one embodiment, each actuator follower is allowed to slide approximately 12.7mm (1/2 inch) from its extended position.

When the telescopic member is in a closed position (Fig. 1), the tips 42 of the actuator follower bear under the influence of gravity, fully extended, against the lower side section 20 of the stationary member 12 of the slide, while that the upper actuator follower, also due to gravity, is in its fully closed position with its conical projection blocking the extension travel of the telescopic member 14 (Figs. 1, 2). If all the telescopic members of a cabinet are closed and the telescopic member of a slide is extended from its closed position, the front inclined surface 80 of the actuator contacts the preferably mating conical surface 44 of the tip of the actuator follower. causing the actuator follower to move up (Figs. 1 and 4b). Consequently, the actuator follower pushes on the rod 72 which interconnects it with the actuator follower of the slide directly above it and places said conical projection of the actuator follower in the extension travel of its telescopic member. Simultaneously, the vertical staggered projection 50 (Figs. 3d, 4b) of the lower actuator abuts the vertical staggered projection of its opposite upper actuator displacing the upper actuator. Similarly, all of the actuator followers of the sliders above the extended slide guide move in the same manner. Accordingly, the tips of the lower actuator followers of all the slide guides above the extended slide block and prevent the extension of the telescopic members of their respective slide guides. Similarly, the extended runner blocks the upward movement of the actuator followers of the lower runners, that is, the runners below it. Therefore, the tips of the upper actuators of the guides below the extended sliding guide block and prevent the extension of the telescopic members of those sliding guides.

Since the rods can extend into the channel openings of the actuator followers and since the displacement of the actuator followers from their extended positions to their closed positions is relatively significant (for

ES 2 270 636 T3 example 12.7 mm, (½ inch) for the preferred embodiment), locking taking place within the first 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) of displacement, it would be appreciated that the tolerances of the lengths of the rods do not have to be precise for the interlocking system to function properly.

If a drawer, and therefore a slide rail, is partially open, such that a front inclined surface 80, 82 of the slide rail actuator is in contact with either of the conical projections of the actuator followers, while another slide guide, the closing or compression movement 90 of the actuator followers 32, 34 will cause their surfaces 44,46 to bear on the forward inclined surfaces 80, 82 of the actuator generating a force along the axis of the telescopic member which causes the actuator and the telescopic member to move in a rearward direction 92 to a closed position (Fig. 7). Also, as the telescopic member of the slide is moved to the closed position (Fig. 7) After being extended, the rear inclined surfaces 86, 88 of the actuator will contact the conical surfaces 44, 46 of the conical projection and cause them to extend to allow the telescopic member to close (Fig. 2 ). To cushion the impact of the actuator with the actuator follower and make operation quiet, the actuator and actuator followers are preferably made of a polymer material.

The interlocking system can also be easily arranged with a locking capability in relation to a separate locking system or mechanism. For example, a closure system 100 may comprise a member 102 that blocks upward travel of the actuator followers, thereby preventing any of the slide guide members from opening, as shown in Fig.

1. This can be accomplished by using a closure member that can slide past the travel path of a rod connected to the upper actuator follower of the upstream slide guide member.

The locking mechanism can be located at any location along the interlocking system. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, a closing or biasing member can be used to bias either rod such that all actuator followers on the sliders directly above the biasing member are moved upward, while all upper actuator followers from the slide guides directly below the deflection member 104 are prevented from moving upward. Consequently, all of the actuator followers will be in a locked position of their respective telescopic members.

Typically, slide guide assemblies incorporating a stationary member, an intermediate member, and a telescopic member have a sequencing mechanism such as that described in US Patent No. 5,551,775 incorporated herein by reference and in the application. Serial No. 08 / 796,055, which has a deposit date of February 7, 1997, also incorporated herein by reference. As the extension force is applied to extend the telescopic member, for example, when a drawer is opened, the sequencing mechanism temporarily prevents the telescopic member from extending relative to the intermediate member, that is, it temporarily retains the telescopic member within the member. intermediate. As a result, the extension force causes the intermediate member, with its telescopic member, to extend relative to the stationary member. When the intermediate member extends beyond a predetermined distance, the sequencing mechanism releases the telescopic member from the intermediate member and the extension force now causes the telescopic member to extend relative to the intermediate member and the stationary member.

When a compressive force is applied to the slide assembly, such as when a drawer is closed, the force causes the telescopic member to slide relative to the intermediate member until the telescopic member contacts a stop in the middle member. The intermediate member remains extended until the telescopic member is fully retracted from the intermediate member. When that occurs, the force causes the intermediate member with the retracted telescopic member to retract relative to the stationary member until the intermediate member contacts a stop on the stationary member.

Thus, under normal conditions, the opening of a drawer causes the intermediate member to extend relative to the stationary member prior to the extension of the telescopic member relative to the intermediate member. Furthermore, during closing of a drawer, the telescopic member fully retracts from the intermediate member before the intermediate member retracts from the stationary member. With a slide guide incorporating an intermediate member, the actuator would have a width approximately equal to the outer width of the intermediate member of its corresponding slide guide. In this regard, the actuator moves its corresponding upper actuator follower upward to allow the intermediate member of the slider to move past the upper actuator follower. In this way, upon extension of the drawer, the intermediate member blocks the upward movement of its corresponding lower follower, as well as the downward movement of its corresponding upper follower, Consequently, all upper actuator followers are prevented from the guides below the extended slide guide move upwards, thus remaining in a position that blocks the extension of their respective intermediate members. Similarly, all of the lower actuator followers of the slide guides above the extended slide guide are prevented from moving downward, thus blocking the extension of their respective intermediate members. During retraction, the intermediate member continuously causes blockage of movement of the upper and lower actuator followers of the lower and upper sliders, respectively, until fully retracted.

However, if the sequencing mechanism of a slide should fail to function during extension of a drawer, the telescopic member can be extended relative to the intermediate member before the intermediate member extends relative to the stationary member. If this happened, the upper actuator of the slide guide would be displaced6

ES 2 270 636 T3 upwards by the telescopic member 14 of the sliding guide (Fig. 9). Typically, the telescopic member, due to its smaller vertical dimension, will displace the upper follower approximately half the vertical distance that the follower would have been displaced by the intermediate member. Consequently, this reduction in the travel travel of the follower can allow sufficient movement of the follower of a second sliding guide allowing partial extension of the second sliding guide and its associated drawer. As a result, two drawers can be partially opened at the same time, the drawer with the damaged slide being partially open (typically about halfway). A similar problem can occur if the intermediate member is first retracted during closing of a drawer leaving only the telescopic member of the slide assembly extended. In both cases, the anti-tip element, that is, the closing function of the interlocking system, can be defeated.

To overcome this problem, an actuator of an alternative embodiment is provided that is coupled to the forward end of the intermediate member. The actuator has a body 200 and two fingers 202, 204 that extend from the front end of the body (Fig. 10). One finger 202 extends from an upper part of the actuator body while the other finger 204 extends from a lower part of the actuator body. Fingers 202, 204 are separate structures that are pivotally connected to the actuator body as shown in Fig. 10. Alternatively, fingers 1202, 1204 may be integral with the body as shown in Fig. 11. In such a case, the fingers must be flexible, so that they can be bent up or down in relation to the body. The actuator body has a portion 206 that extends from the end of the body in front of the fingers (Fig. 10). This part of the body is complementary to the inner surfaces of the intermediate member that correspond to the forward end portion of the intermediate member, allowing easy mounting of the actuator to the forward end of the intermediate member.

When the slide is in a fully retracted position and the actuator is mounted in position on the front end of the intermediate member, the fingers extend beyond the front end 208 of the telescopic member into a position to engage the followers 32, 34 (Fig 12a). Under normal sequential operating conditions, the fingers serve as the cam surface to move the followers as the intermediate member extends. Each of the trackers of a slider will contact a respective finger as the tracker moves toward the slider. Preferably, the surface of each finger that contacts the tracker has a recess 210 to mate with a tracker tip 42 (Figs. 10 and 11).

As the lower follower of a retracted slide moves vertically up the extension of a drawer that extends a second slide below the first slide, the lower follower pushes the lower actuator finger causing the lower finger to rotate or rotate. bends up toward the extension path of the telescopic member of the first slide. When in that position, the offset lower follower also blocks the extension travel of the intermediate member of the slide guide. Consequently, the extension of the intermediate and telescopic members of the first slide is prevented, preventing the extension of the drawer coupled to the first slide.

Similarly, the upper follower of a third slide below the extended second slide is retained in a downward offset position by pushing the top finger of the third slide actuator down and into the travel of the telescopic member of the slide. third sliding guide preventing its extension.

If, during the opening of a drawer, the intermediate member of the drawer sliding guide remains fully retracted (Figs. 11 and 12c), or almost fully retracted so that it is out of the path of movement of the followers (Fig. 12b), while extending the telescopic member of the slide as in the case of failure of the sequencing mechanism or in the case of complete or almost complete retraction of the intermediate member prior to full retraction of the telescopic member, the telescopic member deflects the two fingers of their corresponding actuator as shown in Figs. 11, and 12b and 12c. To assist the telescopic member in deflecting the two fingers, a secondary actuator 209 may be attached to the forward end of the telescopic member as shown in Figs. 11 and 12a12c. Consequently, when extended, the telescopic member prevents rotation or deflection of the fingers towards the telescopic member. When in this position, the upper finger in combination with the telescopic member of the extended slide holds the upper follower in a vertically displaced position similar or identical to the displaced position that the follower would have acquired if it had been displaced by the intermediate member. . Simultaneously, the travel path of the lower follower of the extended slide is blocked by limiting the upward movement of the lower follower at the same or near the same vertical location where the extension of the intermediate member would have limited the travel of the follower. lower. In this regard, even when only the telescopic member of a sliding guide extends, the upper follower of that sliding guide will move sufficiently causing the lower followers of the upper sliding guides, that is, of the sliding guides located above the extended slide guide, have rotated their corresponding fingers of the lower actuator to a position that blocks the extension of the telescopic and intermediate members of those slide guides. Similarly, the extended telescopic member, in combination with its corresponding lower finger, will limit the movement of the lower follower of the lower sliding guide, preventing the upward movement of the upper followers of the lower sliding guides, that is, of the sliding guides located by under the extended slide. Consequently, the fingers of the upper actuator of the lower sliders are retracted into a position that blocks the extension of the lower sliders.

The interlocking system technique of the present invention can function without a follower of

ES 2 270 636 T3 upper actuator and / or upper actuator finger incorporated in the uppermost sliding guide, and similarly, without a lower actuator follower and / or upper actuator finger incorporated in the outermost sliding guide.

The interlocking system as described here has several advantages. The interlocking system of the present invention allows modular construction. It can be used in cabinets that have drawers of different heights. All that is required to accommodate drawers of varying heights is to use interconnecting rods of appropriate length. All other required mechanical elements remain the same. Another advantage is that inventory costs associated with the interlocking system of the present invention are reduced since only the length of the rods changes from one system to another. In addition, installation labor is reduced, since assemblers no longer need to build the interlocking system by installing the sliding guides from the bottom of the cabinet upwards as required in most current interlocking systems. Assemblers can install the rods in any order that is most convenient for them. Additionally, since the interlocking mechanisms (actuator followers and interlocking rods) maintain actuation travel even when the drawer is open, there is virtually no chance that the system will break down and allow additional drawers to open fully, or all drawers are inadvertently closed.

Although this invention has been described in some specific embodiments, many additional modifications and variations will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, this invention may be practiced in ways other than those specifically described. For example, when adjacent drawers are narrow and their respective runners are closely together, the actuator followers can be positioned together or abutting so that they do not require the use of a connecting rod.