Cabinet Lock and Method for Using Same

The present invention relates to a cabinet lock and method for using same.

In the assembling of appliances, it is sometimes desirable to detachably secure two metal parts together. Examples of such situations are cabinet tops of fabric washers and dryers, stoves, or other appliances.

It is desirable to provide a locking device and method whereby the two parts can be detachably secured together quickly and easily. Another desirable feature is the ability to provide a cushion or separator between the two parts after they are secured together so that they will not vibrate against one another during operation of the appliance. It is also important to be able to detach the parts easily for maintenance and repair.

Therefore a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved cabinet lock and method for using same.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved cabinet lock which can be quickly and easily assembled to the particular parts being joined.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved cabinet lock allowing side-to-side and front-to-back registration of one cabinet member with respect to another cabinet member.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a cabinet lock and method for using same which is efficient in operation, economical to manufacture, and durable in use.

The foregoing objects are achieved, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, by a cabinet locking device having a horizontal base flange, an upper body portion extending above the base flange, and a lower body portion extending below the base flange. The lower body portion is comprised of spaced apart spring legs which are capable of springing from a normal position spaced apart from one another to a narrowed position wherein they are closer to one another than in their normal position.

An elongated passageway extends through the upper body portion, the base flange and the lower body portion and between the spaced apart legs. A retaining peg, sized and shaped to fit within the passageway is integrally molded with the locking device, and is positioned in registered alignment above the upper end of the passageway. A thin wall portion separates the peg from the remainder of the upper body portion. Pressure applied manually such as by a hammer on the peg causes the thin wall to break and forces the peg into the passageway between the spaced apart legs.

The locking device of the present invention can be used to join a first cabinet member having a downwardly presented surface with a first aperture therein to a second cabinet member having an upwardly presented surface with a second aperture therein. The spaced apart spring legs are inserted into the second aperture to a depth where the horizontal base flange abuts against the upwardly presented surface of the second cabinet member. The relative size of the second aperture and the distance between the spring legs causes them to be forced to their narrowed position during insertion, and the spring like nature of the legs causes them to spring to their normal position after insertion. When in their normal position the spring legs retentively engage the second cabinet member and hold the locking device within the aperture of the second cabinet member. The peg is then driven downwardly in the passageway between the spring legs so as to cause the spring legs to be locked in their normal position and also to be locked to the second member.

Next the first cabinet member is lowered over the second cabinet member with the aperture in the first member surrounding and passing over the upper body portion of the locking device. The upper body portion of the locking device is provided with a catch pawl which retentively engages the first cabinet member after it has been lowered to the desired position. In this position the downwardly presented surface of the first cabinet member engages the horizontal flange of the locking device so that the horizontal flange separates the first and second members and prevents them from vibrating against one another during operation of the appliance.

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view partially broken away, showing the locking device as it is used to join an upper cabinet member and a lower cabinet member.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the locking device after it has been molded, but before the peg has been driven between the spring legs.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view, partially broken away, showing the locking device in place joining the upper and lower cabinet members.

FIGS. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the cabinet lock or locking device of the present invention. The cabinet lock 10 is shown in FIG. 1 for joining an upper cabinet member 12 to a lower cabinet member 14. Upper cabinet member 12 includes a downwardly facing surface 16 and lower cabinet member 14 includes an upwardly facing surface 18. A hinge 20 joins the two cabinet members at their rear edges, and the locking device 10 is used to join the two cabinet members 12, 14 at their forward edges. It is also possible to use a second locking device 10 at the rear edge in the place of hinge 20.

Downwardly facing surface 16 is provided with a T-shaped opening 22, and the upwardly presented surface 18 of lower cabinet member 14 is provided with a rectangular opening 24 (FIG. 5). Rectangular opening 24 is shown as an extruded opening but can also be configured as simply a punched opening through surface 18.

Locking device 10 comprises an upper body portion 26, a central flange 28, and a lower body portion 30. A retaining peg 32 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to be molded integrally with the upper body portion 26, the central flange 28 and the lower body portion 30. It is understood that the retaining peg 32 can also be molded as a separate part and assembled to the locking device 10 when attached to the upwardly facing surface 18. Upper body portion 26 is provided with a spring pawl 34 having a camming node or knuckle 36 on the outside surface thereof. Spring pawl 34, is free to spring toward and away from the remainder of the upper body portion 26.

Lower body portion 30 includes spaced apart spring legs 38, 40 each of which has upwardly presented catch lips 42 thereon. The configuration of the legs 38, 40 and catch lips 42 will vary depending upon the thickness of the surface 18.

A vertical passageway 44 (FIG. 5) extends downwardly through the upper body portion 26, the flange 28, and between the legs 38, 40 of lower body portion 30. Retaining peg 32 includes a shank 46 and a head 48. The head 48 shown in this embodiment is optional and is not essential to the operation of the retaining peg 32. Shank 46 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to be joined to the upper body portion 26 by a thin wall 50. This thin wall 50 is formed at the time of molding, and can be broken by downward pressure on peg 48 such as might be provided by a hammer. It also should be noted that the shank 46 of peg 32 is in vertical alignment with the upper end of passageway 44. As further shown in FIG. 2, the shank 46 can be cored on both sides to provide a substantially uniform wall section.

In operation, the spring legs 38, 40 are inserted into the opening 24 of the upwardly facing surface 18 of lower cabinet member 14. The distance between legs 38, 40 is slightly greater than the opening 24 so that the legs are forced to spring toward one another as they are inserted into the opening. Once the flange 28 engages the upwardly presented surface 18, the spring legs 38, 40 are free to spring outwardly to their normal position so that the catch lips 42 engage the under surface of the lower cabinet member 14 and lock the locking device 10 to the lower cabinet member 14 as shown in FIG. 1. It is noted that the locking device 10 can be attached to either the upper or lower cabinet members 12 or 14. Also, the locking device 10 can be utilized to detachably secure any appliance panels to each other.

The retaining peg 32 is driven downwardly by a hammer or other means so that it moves from the position shown in shadow lines in FIG. 5 to the position in solid lines in FIG. 5. In this position the shank 46 of peg 32 separates the legs 38, 40 and prevents them from moving inwardly. This locks the device 10 to the lower cabinet member 14.

Next, the upper cabinet member 12 is lowered over the upper portion 26 of the locking device 10 so that the opening 22 passes around the upper portion 26. During this movement, the camming node or knuckle 36 engages the downwardly presented surface 16 of upper cabinet member 12 and causes the spring pawl 34 to cam inwardly so as to permit the upper portion 26 to pass through the opening 22. Once the upper portion 26 is through the opening 22, the spring pawl 34 springs outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 5. The node 36 thus prevents the upward movement of cabinet 12 away from the position shown in FIG. 5. In this position the flange 28 creates a space 56 between the downwardly presented surface 16 of upper cabinet member 12 and the upwardly presented surface 18 of lower cabinet 14. This prevents the two from vibrating against one another during operation of the appliance. Side-to-side and front-to-back registration of the upper cabinet member 12 with respect to the lower cabinet member 14 is provided by the fit of the edges of the T-shaped opening 22 to the periphery of the upper body portion 26 of cabinet lock 10 in an area designated by numeral 27 in FIG. 2 adjacent the central flange 28.

If it becomes necessary to remove the upper cabinet 12 from its attachment with the lower cabinet 14, a screwdriver or other flat bladed tool 54 can be inserted into the space 56 so as to engage the spring pawl 34 and force it inwardly toward the remainder of the upper body portion 26. A notch 52 is provided in the flange 28 so as to provide space for this to happen. When the catch pawl 34 is forced inwardly sufficiently far to permit the node 36 to clear the aperture 22, the upper cabinet 12 can be lifted upwardly.

The locking device of the present invention is simple to manufacture. It can be molded into a single part with the peg 32 being attached to the remainder of the locking device so that the two do not become separated from one another before installation. Furthermore, the retaining peg 32 is in registered alignment with the passageway 44 so that it can be easily installed merely by forcing it downwardly. Optionally, the locking device can be molded as two separate parts and brought together during installation. The device can be used quickly to attach the upper and lower cabinet members 12, 14 together, and it prevents the two from vibrating against one another during operation of the appliance.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and the proportion of parts as well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.