Leslie Metal Arts Company, Inc.

David L Tomsu

V Harold Williams

A spring loaded drawer, such as an ashtray assembly (100) for use in automobiles or other vehicles includes a stationary frame (102) and a movable drawer (120) slidably mounted therein. A catch mechanism (164, 166, 168) releasably maintains the drawer (120) in a closed position. A damping assembly (180) mounted to the frame (102) includes an outer barrel (182), a rotatable inner barrel (190) interconnected to a gear (194) which engages a rack (160) mounted to the drawer (120), and a fluid-filled annular chamber (206) formed between the barrels (182, 190). When the catch mechanism (164, 166, 168) is released, a torsion spring (200) coupled to the inner barrel (190) is unloaded, causing the inner barrel (190) to rotate and the drawer (120) to move forward to an open position. The fluid within the annular chamber (206) produces a shear damping effect on the drawer movement. A lock bar (150) releasably maintains the drawer (120) in a fully open position and prevents inward drawer movement until the lock bar (150) is released by operator action.

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Grand Rapids, MI, United States of America

David L Tomsu