[0001] THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a drawer, such as is provided in an item of household
furniture, and more particularly to a connection for mounting a fascia panel on part
of a drawer body.
[0002] It is known to form a drawer body as an integrally moulded, single unit and to provide
a separate fascia panel, together with means for connecting the panel to the drawer
body. It is also known to form a drawer body in kit form comprising a base and upstanding
walls which are interconnectable to form the drawer body. Again it is necessary to
provide means for connecting a fascia panel to part of the drawer body. References
in this document to a drawer body are to be understood to cover either an integrally
formed body or a body in kit form.
[0003] Various arrangements have been proposed for connecting the fascia panel to the drawer
body. Simple arrangements which serve permanently to secure the front panel on the
drawer body, such as screwing the panel in position, are cheap to produce but do not
permit for adjustment of the panel relative to the drawer body if assembly of the
complete unit is not effected with the necessary degree of accuracy. More complex
arrangements have been proposed which allow for adjustment of the panel relative to
the drawer body. However, these arrangements tend to be relatively expensive to produce
and are often difficult or awkward to assemble and adjust.
[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a drawer having a connection between a drawer
body and a fascia panel which is simple and cost-efficient to produce and assemble
and which enables adjustment of the fascia panel relative to the drawer body, both
vertically and horizontally, in a quick and simple manner.
[0005] According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a kit of parts for forming
a drawer, the kit comprising a drawer body and a fascia panel adapted to be mounted
on the front of the drawer body, the fascia panel and the drawer body having means
for releasably retaining the panel adjacent the front of the drawer body, part of
the retaining means being movable between a first position in which the retaining
means permit movement of the fascia panel relative to the drawer body and a second
position in which said part of the retaining means locks the fascia panel in position
relative to the drawer body; the kit further comprising means mountable on the drawer
for moving said part of the retaining means to the second position.
[0006] Preferably the releasable retaining means comprise a projection extending rearwardly
of the fascia panel and a channel formed at the front of the drawer body, the channel
defining an opening through which the projection may be introduced into the channel.
[0007] Conveniently the channel extends substantially vertically and is formed at the front
of a side wall of the drawer body, the channel having an opening extending into the
front of the channel, through which part of the projection protrudes when the projection
is inserted into the channel.
[0008] Advantageously the projection is in the form of a connector element comprising a
front portion and a rear portion, the front portion being received wholly within the
channel and the rear portion protruding through said opening and being connected to
the rear surface of the fascia panel.
[0009] Preferably the front portion of the connector ele- mentcomprises a central region
of reduced thickness, there being an aperture between said central region and the
rear portion of the connector element, the central region constituting said part of
the retaining means movable between said first and second positions.
[0010] Conveniently the central region of the front portion of the connector element is
connected to the remainder of the front portion by relatively thin, flexible webs
of material.
[0011] Advantageously the means for moving the central region of the front portion of the
connector element between the first and second positions comprise a member introducible
into the aperture between the central region of the front portion and the rear portion
of the connector element, the thickness of the member being greater than the depth
of the aperture between the central region and the rear portion of the connector element
such that, upon insertion of the member into the aperture, said thin webs of material
flex and the central region of the front portion of the connector element is moved
away from the rear portion so as to project beyond the remainder of the front portion
of the connector element and moves forcibly into engagement with a wall of the channel
formed at the front of the drawer body when the connector element is received within
that channel, thereby locking the fascia panel in position relative to the drawer
body.
[0012] Preferably the means for moving the central region of the front portion of the connector
element between the first and second positions comprise a cover plate receivable within
a shallow recess formed in a side wall of the drawer body, the cover plate carrying
said member which is introducible into the aperture between the central region of
the front portion of the connector element and the rear portion of the connector element,
the shallow recess in the side wall having an aperture through which the member passes
when it is to be introduced into the aperture in the connector element.
[0013] Conveniently the shallow recess defines a further aperture and the cover plate carries
a projection designed to be received in that further aperture as a snug fit so as
to retain the cover plate in position within the shallow recess.
[0014] Advantageously the central region of the front portion of the connector element and
said wall of the channel define cooperating sets of teeth which are brought into engagement
when the central region is forced into engagement with the wall, the sets of teeth
serving to prevent movement of the fascia panel relative to the drawer body in one
or more directions.
[0015] The sets of teeth may serve to prevent vertical and horizontal movement of the fascia
panel relative to the drawer body.
[0016] According to a second aspect this invention provides a method of forming a drawer
from a kit of parts as described above the method comprising the steps of connecting
a projection to the rear surface of the fascia panel and inserting said projection
into a channel formed at the front of the drawer body such that the panel is retained
adjacent the front of the drawer body; mounting a member upon the drawer body so as
to engage part of the projection and move said part of the projection from a first
position in which the fascia panel may move relative to the drawer body to a second
position in which the part of the projection locks the fascia panel in position relative
to the drawer body.
[0017] This invention further provides a drawer when formed from a kit of parts as described
above, and an item of furniture incorporating such a drawer.
[0018] In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, and so that further
features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a drawer body forming part of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is perspective view, from the rear, of one end of a fascia panel adapted
to be mounted on the front of the drawer body of Figure 1;
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a locking member for use in mounting the fascia
panel of Figure 2 on the drawer body of Figure 1;
FIGURE 4 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale showing a front corner of the
drawer body of Figure 1;
FIGURE 5 is a rear view of a connector element as shown on the rear of the fascia
panel portion shown in Figure 2;
FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VI-VI of Figure 5;
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the front of one side
wall of an alternative embodiment of a drawer body forming part of the present invention;
FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a locking mem- berfor use in mounting a fascia panel
on the front of the side wall shown in Figure 7;
FIGURE 9 is a view showing a connector element designed to be mounted on the rear
of a fascia panel which is in turn to be mounted on a drawer body; and
FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line X-X of Figure 9.
A drawer in accordance with the present invention comprises a drawer body 1, as shown
in Figure 1 of the drawings, and a fascia panel 2 (only part of which is shown in
Figure 2) carrying, on its rear surface, a pair of connector elements 3 (only one
of which is shown in Figure 2) and a pair of locking members 4, one of which is illustrated
in Figure 3. The connector elements 3 and the locking members 4 enable the fascia
panel to be releasably mounted on the front of the drawer body 1.
[0019] The drawer body comprises an integrally moulded unit which is, in plan view, substantially
square and comprises a base 5, side walls 6 and a rear wall 7. Each of the side walls
6 are of similar form and extend outwardly at their upper edge in an arcuate manner
and then extend downwardly as a depending skirt 8 which turns inwardly before again
extending downwardly to the level of the base 5. Thus the skirt 8 has an upper portion
extending over approximately two thirds the depth of the side wall and a lower portion
which extends over approximately one third the height of the side wall. The region
between each of the side walls 6 and their respective skirts 8 is hollow.
[0020] At the front of the drawer each side wall 6 is connected to its associated skirt
8 by way of a vertical front wall 9, each front wall 9 defining a rectangular opening
10 which extends upwardly from the base of the drawer (where it has an open mouth)
over approximately three quarters of the height of the side wall. A further vertical
wall 11 extends between the side wall 6 and the skirt 8 at a position just behind
the front wall 9. The wall 11 carries a set of vertically extending, parallel serrations
or teeth 12 which are of a limited depth and are positioned just beneath the level
of the upper edge of the opening 10. A horizontal set of teeth may be superimposed
on the vertical teeth 12. The teeth 12 are designed to cooperate with a corresponding
set of teeth formed on part of each connector element 3.
[0021] It will be appreciated from the description given above and from Figures 1 and 4
of the drawings that the front end of each side wall of the drawer body defines a
vertically extending, open bottomed channel which is of substantially T-shaped configuration
when seen in horizontal cross-section, the head of the T being enclosed by the side
wall 6, the wall 11 and the skirt 8, whilst the stem of the T is defined between the
edges of the opening 10. This channel is designed to receive a connector element 3
which may be introduced into the channel via the open bottom thereof.
[0022] At the front end of each skirt 8 at a position just above the point where it turns
inwardly, the upper portion of the skirt defines a shallow, generally rectangular
recess 13. The recess defines two apertures, there being a first, rectangular upright
aperture 14 positioned adjacent the front edge of the drawer and a second, elongated
oval-shaped aperture 15 positioned behind the aperture 14 at a small distance therefrom.
The aperture 14 extends through the skirt 8 into the hollow region between the side
wall and the skirt at a position in front of the wall 11 i.e. it extends into the
T-shaped channel at the front of the side wall. The aperture 15 extends through the
skirt into the hollow between the skirt and the side wall at a position behind the
wall 11. The shallow recess 13 is aligned vertically with the set of teeth 12 formed
on the wall 11. The hollow region between the skirt 8 and the side wall 6 is accessible
in the region of the recess 13 by way of an opening in the skirt 8 where the skirt
turns inwardly. This opening is not visible in the drawings but allows a person's
finger to enter behind the upper portion of the skirt 9 in the region of the recess
13. Each recess 13 is designed to receive a locking member 4.
[0023] Each locking member 4 comprises a planar, substantially rectangular cover plate 16
of the same overall dimensions as the recess 13. The cover plate carries, adjacent
one edge, a projection 17 which is of rectangular cross-section and which is dimensioned
to pass through the aperture 14. The projection 17 defines a bevelled free edge 18.
The cover plate 16 also carries an elongate oval-shaped projection 19 dimensioned
to fit in the aperture 15. The free edge of the projection 19 is also bevelled at
20.
[0024] Each connector element 3 comprises an integrally moulded elongate component having
a relatively wide front portion 21 designed to be received wholly within the T-shaped
channel formed at the front edge of each side wall of the drawer body and a relatively
narrow rear portion 22 designed to pass through the opening 10 in the front wall 9.
The rear portion 22 is located substantially centrally upon the rear of the front
portion 21 and extends over only part of the width and only part of the height of
the front portion, as is most clearly visible in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings.
The rear portion 22 defines a flat rear surface 23 which lies flat on the rear surface
of the fascia panel 2 when the connector element is mounted thereon. Each connector
element defines a pair of vertically spaced apart, countersunk screw holes 24 through
which screws may be passed in order to screw the connector element onto the rear surface
of the fascia panel. The holes 24 are countersunk so that the heads of the screws
received within the holes lie substantially flush with or slightly below the front
surface of the connector element.
[0025] The front portion of each connector element comprises three regions, there being
an upper region 25, a central region 26 and a lower region 27.
[0026] The upper region 25 and the lower region 27 are of equal thickness and are interconnected
at the rear by the rear portion 22, whilst the central portion 26 is of lesser thickness
such that an aperture 28 is defined between the rear portion 22 and the central portion
26. The depth of the aperture 28 in a direction extending perpendicularly between
the rear portion 22 and the back of the central portion 26 is slightly less than the
thickness of the projection 17 on the locking member 4. The height of the aperture
28 is slightly greater than the height of the projection 17.
[0027] The upper region 25 and the lower region 27 are each connected to the central region
by a relatively thin web of material 29 forming one side of the base of respective
V-shaped grooves 30 which extend transversely across the front surface of the front
portion 21 at the upper and lower borders of the central portion 26. The front surface
of the central portion 26 carries a set of vertical, parallel teeth 31 designed to
engage with the teeth 12 formed on the wall 11 in the drawer body. A set of horizontal
teeth may be superimposed on the horizontal teeth 31.
[0028] It is envisaged that the connector elements 3 will be formed from polypropylene and
the webs 29 will be sufficiently thin to enable them to flex slightly so that the
central portion 26 may be urged away from the rear portion 21 thereby causing the
surface carrying the teeth 31 to project beyond the plane of the front surface of
the connector.
[0029] The screw holes 24 are located in the upper and lower regions of the front portion
at positions immediately adjacent the V-shaped grooves 30. The lower portion 27 has
one side face which defines an inturned step 32 in similar manner to that which is
defined by the skirt 8 on the drawer body. Thus, the lowermost section of the lower
portion 27 is of lesser width than the remainder of the front portion of the connector
element.
[0030] In use it will be appreciated that the two connector elements 3 are screwed onto
the rear of a fascia panel 2 at predetermined positions spaced across the width of
the panel, the spacing corresponding to the distance between the T-shaped channels
defined at the front of the side walls of the drawer body. The panel is then mounted
on the front of the drawer body by introducing the connector elements 3 into the T-shaped
channels at the front of the side walls of the drawer body. The connector elements
are introduced into these channels by way of its open bottom, with the front portion
21 of each connector element being received between the walls 9, 11 and with the rear
portion 22 of each connector element projecting through the opening 10. When the connector
elements are fully inserted into the T-shaped channels the teeth 31 on each connector
element are aligned with, but spaced slightly from the teeth 12 formed on the wall
11.
[0031] The two locking members 4 are now each inserted into a respective recess 13 on either
side of the drawer body such that the projection 17 passes through the aperture 14
and the projection 19 extends into the aperture 15. The projection 17 passes into
the aperture 28 and because that projection is of greater thickness than the depth
of the aperture, that projection urges the central portion 26 away from the rear portion
22 and causes the teeth 31 to move into engagement with the corresponding teeth 12.
The bevelled edge 18 at the free end of the projection 17 facilitates the insertion
of the projection into the aperture 28 behind the central portion 26.
[0032] When the locking member 4 is fully inserted the cover plate 16 is received with in
the shallow recess 13 and lies substantially flush with the surface of the skirt 8,
whilst the projection 19 is a tight fit within the aperture 15. The bevelled edge
20 on the projection 19 facilitates the introduction of that projection into the aperture
15. When both locking members 4 have been inserted the fascia panel 2 is securely
mounted upon the front of the drawer body with the two sets of teeth 31, 12 serving
to prevent sideways movement of the fascia panel relative to the drawer body and the
frictional engagement between the front surface of the central portion 26 and the
wall 11 serving to prevent vertical movement of the panel relative to the drawer body.
If horizontal sets of teeth are superimposed on the vertical teeth 12, 13 then the
teeth will serve to prevent both horizontal and vertical movement of the fascia panel
relative to the drawer body.
[0033] If it is necessary to adjust the position of the fascia panel relative to the drawer
body or to remove the fascia panel from the front of the drawer body then the locking
members 4 can be released by pushing them out of their respective recesses 13. This
is effected by passing a finger behind the skirt 8 at a position adjacent the recess
13 and pushing on the free end of the projection 19 so as to force the locking member
4 out of the recess 13. As the locking member 4 moves out of the recess 13 so the
projection 17 is withdrawn from the aperture 28 and the sets of teeth 31, 12 become
disengaged, thereby allowing movement of the fascia panel both vertically and horizontally.
[0034] It is to be noted that when the connector elements 3 are fully inserted within the
T-shaped channels and the sets of teeth are aligned the wider section of the front
portion 21 of each connector element is received within the channel at a position
above the level of the step in the skirt 8. If the connector elements 3 are lowered
from the fully introduced position then the wider section of the front portion 21
of each connector element will just pass through the lower portion of the T-shaped
channel but no significant sideways movement of the panel will be possible relative
to the drawer body unless the connector elements are fully inserted within the T-shaped
channels.
[0035] It is envisaged that the connector elements and the channels within which they are
received will be provided with cooperating means to enable the fascia panel to be
supported upon the front of the drawer body before the locking members 4 have been
placed in position. Thus, the connector elements and the channels may be provided
with cooperating projections and recesses which form a flexible snap-fitting connection
which supports the connector elements within the channels and thereby supports the
fascia panel upon the front of the drawer body. The step 32 on the front portion of
each connector element already serves this purpose to a certain degree, in that the
step enables the connector to rest upon the corresponding step formed in the skirt
8. However there is no positive retention of the fascia panel in position relative
to the drawer body with this arrangement. Similarly the locking members 4 may well
be provided with means for retaining the locking members in position relative to the
recess before the locking members have been fully inserted. It will still be possible
to adjust the position of the fascia panel both vertically and horizontally relative
to the drawer body when the panel is supported upon the front of the drawer body in
this way and when the locking members 4 are supported in position relative to the
recesses 13.
[0036] Figures 7 to 10 illustrate modified components for enabling a fascia panel to be
mounted upon the front of a drawer body. Figure 7 illustrates the front end only of
one side wall 33 of a drawer body supplied in kit form. The complete drawer body would
comprise a base, a pair of side walls, a front wall and a rear wall. I some cases
the front wall may be omitted and a fascia panel can be mounted directly on the front
ends of the side walls 33. Alternatively the rear of a fascia panel may carry the
front wall of the drawer body which is in turn mounted on the front end of the side
walls 33. The modified arrangement of Figures 7 to 10 comprises the same basic components
as previously described and thus the front end of each side wall 33 is designed to
receive a connector element 34 mounted on the rear of a fascia panel, with each connector
element 34 being positively retained in position relative to the front end of the
its associated side wall 33 by means of a locking member 35.
[0037] The main difference between the modified arrangement of Figures 7 to 10 and that
of Figures 1 to 6 is that the front end of each side wall 33 has been modified to
take account of the fact that the drawer body is to be provided in kit form and, as
can be seen from Figure 7, the front end of each side wall defines a vertically extending
channel 36 between inner and outer walls 37, 38 of the side wall. The channel has
a base which is constituted by a vertical wall 39 extending between the inner and
outer walls 37, 38, the vertical wall 39 being spaced rearwardly of a further vertical
wall 40 which is positioned adjacent the front end of the side wall and which defines
an opening 41 extending into the channel 36 from the front end of the side wall. The
opening 41 has a first portion 42 which extends across approximately half of the width
of the side wall and which is of greater height than a second portion 43 of the opening
which extends across the other half of the width of the front wall. The second portion
of the opening 41 is formed with a projecting rim 44 around three of its sides. It
will be appreciated that the lowermost portion of the vertical wall 40 forms a web
extending between the inner and outer walls 37, 38 adjacent the lowermost edge of
the side wall 33 and this web prevents the insertion of a connector element 34 into
the channel 36 via the open end of the channel 36 adjacent the base of the side wall
when the connector element is mounted on the rear of the fascia panel.
[0038] In similar manner to the previously described embodiment, the front end of the side
wall 33 defines a shallow recess 45 which is designed to receive the locking member
35. In the modified embodiment the recess 45 is generally L-shaped, having a portion
which extends vertically at the front end of the side wall and a portion which extends
horizontally from the front end towards the rear of the side wall adjacent the upper
edge thereof. Within the recessed area 45 the outer wall 38 defines a rectangular
upright aperture 46 which extends into the channel 36 in similar manner to the aperture
14 of the previous embodiment. The aperture 46 is aligned with a set of teeth 47 formed
on the vertical wall 39 constituting the base of the channel 36.
[0039] Each locking member 35 comprises a generally L-shaped portion designed to be received
within the recessed area 45 formed on the outwardly directed face of the side wall
33 and a portion 48 which extends perpendicularly thereto, the portion 48 being designed
to extend across the front end of the side wall 33 when the locking member is in place.
The portion 48 defines a cut away region 49 which is designed to be aligned with the
opening 41 when the locking member is in place. As with the previously described locking
member, the locking member 35 effectively forms a cover plate and carries a projection
50 which is of rectangular cross-section and which is dimensioned to pass through
the aperture 46. The projection 50 has a bevelled edge 51 which facilitates the mounting
of a fascia panel on the front end of the drawer body.
[0040] The connector elements 34 are of very similar design to the connector elements 3
which have been described above and thus comprise a front portion 52 which is dimensioned
to pass through the first portion 42 of the opening 41 with a small clearance and
a rear portion 53 which is of lesser height than the front portion and which is dimensioned
so that it will just pass through the second portion 43 of the opening 41 with a small
clearance. As can clearly be seen from Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings the front
portion and the rear portion of each connector 34 are of the same width and each portion
is of generally rectangular shape. Each connector element defines a pair of screw
holes 54 by way of which the element is designed to be mounted upon the rear of a
fascia panel or upon the rear of the front wall of a drawer body which is itself mounted
on the rear of a fascia panel.
[0041] The front portion 52 of each connector element is of the same design as the front
portion of the connector element 3 described above and will therefore not be described
in detail again other than to say that it comprises a central region 55 which is spaced
from the rear of the connector by an aperture 56, the central region being connected
to the remainder of the connector element by thin webs of material 57 which can flex
slightly so as to permit the central portion 55 to be urged away from the rear portion
53 of the connector element. The front surface of the central region 55 again carries
a set of teeth 58 designed to cooperate with the teeth 47 formed on the base of the
channel 36. Thus, as the webs 57 flex and the central portion 55 is urged away from
the rear portion 53 of the connector element the teeth 58 project beyond the plane
of the front surface of the connector.
[0042] In use two connector elements 34 are mounted on the rear of a fascia panel or on
the rear of a front wall of a drawer body which is itself mounted on the rear of a
fascia panel so that the spacing between the connector elements corresponds to the
spacing between the side walls 33 of the drawer body to which the fascia panel is
to be connected. The panel (and the front wall of the drawer body if this is mounted
on the rear of the panel) is then mounted on the front of each side wall 33 by introducing
the connector elements 34 into the channel 36 through the opening 41.
[0043] It will be appreciated that in contrast to the previously described embodiment the
connector elements are introduced into the channel not via the opening adjacent the
base of the side wall but via the opening formed at the front of the side wall i.e.
by pushing the connector elements into the channel in a direction towards the rear
of the drawer body. The connector elements are inserted into the channel by passing
the elements through the first portion 42 of the opening whereupon the fascia panel
and the connector elements can be moved laterally such that the front portion 52 of
each connector element is received behind the vertical wall 40 with the rear portion
53 of each connector element projecting out through the second portion 43 of the opening
41. The rear portion 53 of each connector element now rests upon the projection 44
formed around the periphery of the second portion 43 of the opening 41 and when the
fascia panel is correctly positioned relative to the drawer body the locking members
35 can be located in position on each side wall 33.
[0044] Each locking member is offered up to the side wall by introducing the projection
50 into the aperture 46. As the projection 50 passes through the aperture 46 it is
automatically directed into the aperture 56 between the front and rear portions of
the connector element 34. The projection 50 has a thickness which is slightly greater
than the distance between the front and rear portions of the connector element 34
and thus the projection 50 urges the central portion 55 away from the rear portion
53 and causes the teeth 58 to move into engagement with the corresponding teeth 47.
The bevelled edge 51 on the projection 50 facilitates the insertion of the projection
into the aperture 56 defined by the connector element. The fascia panel is now effectively
locked in place on the front of the drawer body and the locking member 35 is received
within the recessed area 45 with its front portion 48 extending across the front of
the side wall 33.
[0045] If necessary the rearwardly extending portion of the L-shaped locking member may
carry a further projection designed to be received within a further aperture formed
in the outer wall 38 in similar manner to the projection 19 which is received in the
aperture 15 in the embodiment described previously. This would serve to ensure that
the locking member is retained securely in position within the recessed area 45.
[0046] As previously described the teeth 47, 58 prevent sideways movement of the fascia
panel relative to the drawer body and the frictional engagement between the front
surface of the central portion 55 of the connector element and the wall 39 defining
the base of the channel prevent vertical movement of the panel relative to the drawer
body. As previously mentioned horizontal sets of teeth could be superimposed upon
the vertical teeth 47, 58 so that the two sets of teeth would prevent both horizontal
and vertical movement of the fascia panel relative to the drawer body.
[0047] Adjusting the position of the fascia panel relative to the drawer body can be effected
in the same manner as described above by simply removing the locking members 35 adjusting
the position of the panel as necessary and then replacing the locking members.
[0048] Whilst this invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments,
it will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to those embodiments
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
1. A kit of parts for forming a drawer, the kit comprising a drawer body (1) and a
fascia panel (2) adapted to be mounted on the front of the drawer body (1), the fascia
panel (2) and the drawer body (1) having means (3, 34) for releasably retaining the
panel (2) adjacent the front of the drawer body (1), part (26, 55) of the retaining
means (3, 34) being movable between a first position in which the retaining means
(3, 34) permit movement of the fascia panel (2) relative to the drawer body (1) and
a second position in which said part (26, 55) of the retaining means (3, 34) locks
the fascia panel (2) in position relative to the drawer body (1); the kit further
comprising means (4, 35) mountable on the drawer for moving said part (26, 55) of
the retaining means (3, 34) to the second position.
2. A kit of parts according to Claim 1, wherein the releasable retaining means comprise
a projection (3, 34) extending rearwardly of the fascia panel (2) and a channel formed
at the front of the drawer body (1), the channel (36) defining an opening (41) through
which the projection (34) may be introduced into the channel.
3. A kit of parts according to Claim 2, wherein the channel (36) extends substantially
vertically and is formed at the front of a side wall (6, 33) of the drawer body (1),
the channel (36) having an opening (41) extending into the front of the channel, through
which part of the projection (3, 34) protrudes when the projection (3, 34) is inserted
into the channel.
4. A kit of parts according to Claim 3, wherein the projection is in the form of a
connector element (3, 34) comprising a front portion (21, 52) and a rear portion (22,
53), the front portion (21, 52) being received wholly within the channel (36) and
the rear portion (22, 53) protruding through said opening (41) and being connected
to the rearsur- face of the fascia panel.
5. A kit of parts according to Claim 4, wherein the front portion (21, 52) of the
connector element (3, 34) comprises a central region (26, 55) of reduced thickness,
there being an aperture (28, 56) between said central region (26, 55) and the rear
portion (22, 53) of the connector element, the central region (26, 55) constituting
said part of the retaining means movable between said first and second positions.
6. A kit of parts according to Claim 5, wherein the central region (26, 55) of the
front portion (21, 52) of the connector element is connected to the remainder of the
front portion by relatively thin, flexible webs of material (29, 57).
7. A kit of parts according to Claim 6, wherein the means for moving the central region
(26, 55) of the front portion (21, 52) of the connector element (3, 34) between the
first and second positions comprise a member (17, 50) introducible into the aperture
(28, 56) between the central region (26, 55) of the front portion (21, 52) and the
rear portion (22, 53) of the connector element (3, 34), the thickness of the member
(17, 50) being greater than the depth of the aperture (28, 56) between the central
region (26, 55) and the rear portion (22, 53) of the connector element such that,
upon insertion of the member (17,50) into the aperture (28, 56), said thin webs of
material (29, 57) flex and the central region (26, 55) of the front portion (21,52)
of the connector element (3, 34) is moved away from the rear portion (22, 53) so as
to project beyond the remainder of the front portion (21, 52) of the connector element
(3, 34) and moves forcibly into engagement with a wall (11, 39) of the channel formed
at the front of the drawer body (1) when the connector element (3, 34) is received
within that channel, thereby locking the fascia panel (2) in position relative to
the drawer body (1).
8. A kit of parts according to Claim 7, wherein the means for moving the central region
(26, 55) of the front portion (21, 52) of the connector element (3, 34) between the
first and second positions comprise a cover plate (16) receivable within a shallow
recess (13, 45) formed in a side wall of the drawer body (1), the cover plate (16)
carrying said member (17, 50) which is introducible into the aperture (28, 56) between
the central region (26, 55) of the front portion (21, 52) of the connector element
and the rear portion of the connector element, the shallow recess (13, 45) in the
side wall having an aperture (14, 46) through which the member (17, 50) passes when
it is to be introduced into the aperture (28, 56) in the connector element (3, 34).
9. A kit of parts according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the central region (26,
55) of the front portion (21, 52) of the connector element (3, 34) and said wall (11,
39) of the channel define cooperating sets of teeth (12, 31; 47, 58) which are brought
into engagement when the central region (26, 55) is forced into engagement with the
wall (11, 37), the sets of teeth (12,13; 47, 58) serving to prevent movement of a
fascia panel (2) relative to the drawer body (1) in one or more directions.
10. A method of forming a drawer from a kit of parts according to any one of Claims
1 to 9, the method comprising the steps of connecting a projection (3, 34) to the
rear surface of the fascia panel and inserting said projection (3, 34) into a channel
formed at the front of the drawer body (1) such that the panel (2) is retained adjacent
the front of the drawer body (1); mounting a member (4, 35) upon the drawer body (1)
so as to engage part (26, 55) of the projection (3, 34) and move said part (26, 55)
of the projection from a first position in which the fascia panel (2) may move relative
to the drawer body (1) to a second position in which the part (26, 55) of the projection
(3, 34) locks the fascia panel (2) in position relative to the drawer body (1).