US3332729A - Drawer construction - Google Patents

Description

July 25, 1967 D. D. DICKSON DRAWER CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov l8, 1965 w MN Em.

K. T D D E L A United States Patent 3,332,729 DRAWER CONSTRUCTION Dale D. Dickson, 700 N. East St., Greensburg, Ind. 47240 Filed Nov. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 508,457 4 Claims. (Cl. 312204) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A drawer construction wherein the drawer has a false bottom beneath which is a compartment. Outside of the drawer is a knob which can be moved to a position such that when the drawer is opened a hook on the closure for the compartment is engaged causing the closure for the compartment to be opened. The knob is also positionable to permit the closure and compartment to remain closed when the drawer is opened.

The present invention relates to a drawer construction and more particularly to hidden compartments in cabinets and the like.

It is known in the art to provide hidden or secret inner compartments or panels in cabinets and the like. These compartments in many cases operate excellently to hide the objects in the hidden or secret compartment but are difficult to open. Consequently, one object of this invention is to provide a drawer construction incorporating a hidden compartment which is easily opened.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved drawer construction.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a drawer construction usable in a sample case by a salesman for displaying objects in predetermined order.

A further object of the invention is to provide a drawer construction which is usable for storing jewelry, doctors tools and the like.

Related objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

One embodiment of this invention might include a drawer construction comprising a housing, a drawer slidable in said housing between a closed and an open position, said drawer having a compartment therein, a closure element for said compartment, and means for opening said compartment, said means being selectively movable between two positions in a first of which said compartment remains closed when said drawer is opened and in a second of which said compartment is automatically opened when said drawer is opened.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken longitudinally of the cabinet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the apparatus in a different operating position, FIG. 3 being taken along the line 33 of FIG. in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS 2 and 3 but showing the apparatus in still a further operating position.

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of 3,332,729 Patented July 25, 1967 ice the invention and the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, there is illustrated a cabinet 10 which has a drawer 11 slidably received in the cabinet in conventional manner, the drawer being slidable between a closed position, as in FIG. 2, in which the front 12 of the drawer is flush with the front 15 of the cabinet and the open position of FIG. 1. The drawer 11 has a hidden compartment 16 therein. The compartment 16 is defined in the drawer by a horizontal member 17 and a closure element 20 hingedly connected to the horizontal member 17 at 21. The horizontal member 17 is fixed at three sides to the inside of the drawer 11. The compartment 16 further includes an abutment element 23 which acts as a stop or an abutment limiting the downward movement of the closure element 20 and normally retaining the closure element in a horizontal position. It can be appreciated that the upper surfaces of the members 17 and 20 define a false bottom for the inside of the drawer 11.

Fixed to the closure element 20 is a hook 22 which opens and faces forwardly of the cabinet 10. The cabinet includes a housing 25 upon which is swingably mounted a wire loop 26, said wire loop being pivotally mounted upon downwardly extending projections 27 fixed to the inside of the housing. A tension spring 30 is connected to the loop 26 and to the inside of the housing and normally retains the loop in the upward position of FIG. 2.

A cam 31 is fixedly mounted upon a member 29 including sidewardly projecting portions 32 which are slidably received in tracks 35. A handle 36 is mounted on an arm 37 which is secured to a depending folded portion 40 integral with the member 29. The handle 36 may be pulled outwardly to the position of FIG. 3 to cause the cam 31 to move the loop 26 to a downwardly projecting position wherein it is in the path of the hook 22. When the drawer 11 is opened with the loop 26 in the position of FIG. 3, the hook engages the loop 26 and causes the closure element 20 to swing upwardly as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, the loop is caused to swing beyond the downwardly extending position of FIG. 3 extending the spring 30 and causing the apparatus to move into the position of FIG. 4. Of course, closure of the drawer also automatically returns the closure element 20 to the position of FIG. 2.

It will be evident that the present invention provides an improved drawer construction which incorporates a hidden compartment. This hidden compartment normally is retained closed when the drawer 12 is opened and shut in conventional fashion with the handle 36 pushed in. It will also be evident that the present invention provides a hidden compartment which can be easily opened merely by pulling out the handle 36 and then opening the drawer in conventional manner.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. A drawer construction comprising a housing, a drawer slidable in said housing between a closed and an open position, said drawer having a compartment therein including the lower portion of said drawer, a closure element for said compartment, said closure element closing off the lower portion of said drawer and forming a false bottom for said drawer and means for opening said compartment, said means mounted on said housing, said means being selectively movable between two positions in a first of which said compartment remains closed when said drawer is opened and in a second of which said compartment is automatically opened when said drawer is opened.

2. The drawer construction of claim 1 wherein said closure element is hinged to said drawer, said means for opening when in said second position being positioned to engage said closure element when said drawer is slid to said open position for opening said drawer.

3. A drawer construction comprising a housing, a drawer slidable in said housing between a closed and an open position, said drawer having a compartment therein, a closure element for said compartment, and means for opening said compartment, said means being selectively movable between two positions in a first of which said compartment remains closed when said drawer is opened and in a second of which said compartment is automatically opened when said drawer is opened, said closure element having a proximal end hinged to said drawer inwardly of said housing and a distal end projecting outwardly of said housing, a hook mounted on said closure element and facing outwardly of said housing, said means for opening when in said second position projecting downwardly in the path of said hook and adapted to engage said hook for opening said closure element and compartment.

4. The drawer construction of claim 3 wherein said means for opening comprises a loop swingably mounted on said housing, spring means yieldably retaining said loop in an upward position, cam means for moving said loop into adownwardly extending position against the urging of said spring, said loop being adapted to swing past said downwardly extending position when engaged by said hook against the urging of said spring for opening said closure element and compartment.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 128,439 6/1872 Unna 312204 2,362,017 11/1944 May 312-204 3,166,364 1/1965 Shorin 312204 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A DRAWER CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A HOUSING, A DRAWER SLIDABLE IN SAID HOUSING BETWEEN A CLOSED AND AN OPEN POSITION, SAID DRAWER HAVING A COMPARTMENT THEREIN INCLUDING THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID DRAWER, A CLOSURE ELEMENT FOR SAID COMPARTMENT, SAID CLOSURE ELEMENTS CLOSING OFF THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID DRAWER AND FORMING A FALSE BOTTOM FOR SAID DRAWER AND MEANS FOR OPENING SAID COMPARTMENT, SAID MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING, SAID MEANS BEING SELECTIVELY MOVABLE BETWEEN TWO POSITIONS IN A FIRST OF WHICH SAID COMPARTMENT REMAINS CLOSED WHEN SAID DRAWER IS OPENED AND IN A SECOND OF WHICH SAID COMPARTMENT IS AUTOMATICALLY OPENED WHEN SAID DRAWER IS OPENED.

Images