Abstract: An interlock system for use in an array of retractable storage cradles. The instant system prevents the opening of more than one cradle at one time through a slide modified generally by a biased cam insertion-extraction means and a column of movable components. The system can be used in free-standing file cabinets as well as prefabricated and modular storage units.

Abstract: An article of furniture has a series of superimposed drawers. An arresting mechanism for the drawers includes an activating device secured to a side wall of the article of furniture adjacent to each drawer. Each activating device comprises a carrier which is affixed to the side wall and supports an entraining element. The entraining elements are rotatable and also shiftable horizontally in the direction of movement of the drawers. Each entraining element defines a gap and each drawer carries an operating pin which is received in the corresponding gap when the drawer is closed. An entraining peg is provided on each entraining element.The activating devices have aligned passages which receive a vertically movable strip extending by all of the drawers. The strip has an angular groove adjacent to each drawer consisting of a vertical portion and an inclined portion, and each entraining peg projects into a respective groove.

Abstract: A locking device including a plurality of small, discrete elements and means for confining the elements in a string. Further included are primary and secondary biasing means at opposite ends of the string for biasing the elements into a contiguous series with each adjacent pair meeting at a junction. The locking device also has a plurality of actuator means. Each of the actuator means in an unlocked state is poised adjacent a junction, and is movable from the unlocked state to a locked state in which it is interjected into its adjacent junction for shifting the remainder of the elements against the force of the biasing means to misalign all of the remaining junctions with respect to their associated actuators and prevent the remaining actuators from moving to the locked state. The biasing means returns all the elements to the contiguous series when the actuator means in the locked state is returned to the unlocked state.

Abstract: A cabinet drawer interlock to prevent more than one drawer from being opened at one time has an actuator on each drawer which is engaged with a separate sprocket rotor. A number of locking bars arranged in end contacting relation and each bar having a slot. First and second pawls on each rotor are inserted between the ends of a pair of adjacent locking bars and within a locking bar, respectively, when a first drawer is opened rotating the rotor for that drawer. The remaining closed drawers cannot be opened since the associated locking bars contact the pawl ends on attempted rotor rotation.

Abstract: A lock and interlock mechanism for file cabinets, desks, storage units and the like includes an elongated channel which receives a plurality of elongated lock bars in a vertically stacked relationship. A plurality of cam actuators are selectively positionable adjacent the elongated channel. Each actuator is pivotally mounted for movement from a first to a second position upon opening movement of a cabinet drawer. The actuators each define cam portions adapted to engage one of the lock bars and shift it vertically. When one of the actuators is in the second or operative position, the remaining actuators may not be moved or are blocked from movement to their second positions. A detent arrangement on the actuator and lock bars holds each actuator in its second position in a detent type fashion. A control member is mountable on a drawer or drawer guide mechanism to pivot the actuator between its first and second positions.

Abstract: An interlock system for a multi-draw cabinet having a latching module for each drawer which is actuated by the movement of the draw between an open and a closed position relative to the cabinet. Each latching module includes a base which is mounted to the side wall of the cabinet and includes an actuating lever which is pivotally mounted on the supporting base and is moved between a non-actuating position and an actuating position through an inter-connection between the lever and the drawer. An elongated transmitter extends between each adjacent latching module for relative longitudinal movement between adjacent latching modules within appropriate vertical passageways in the modules. Each latching module has a horizontal passageway which intersects the vertical passageway and which contains a horizontally-extending transmitter which is moved toward the vertical passageway by movement of the actuating lever from its non-actuating position to its actuating position upon opening of its corresponding drawer.

Abstract: A latching mechanism is provided for use with a cabinet having a number of drawers in stacked relation, to permit the opening of only one drawer at a time. The mechanism is suited for retroactive fitting to existing cabinets, and for original equipment manufacture. The mechanism components are mounted on the drawer slide, the active components being secured by way of a bracket to the stationary channel member of the slide, and an actuating pin for cooperation therewith secured to a movable drawer slide. A lock and locking systems components also may be provided. A method of constructing an anti-tip locking mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a piece of furniture having a cabinet with first and second drawers, each selectively slidable relative to the cabinet between an open position and a closed position. The improvement comprises a lock bar mounted to the cabinet for translatory movement relative to the cabinet in first and second opposite directions between first and second positions, and cooperating structure on the lock bar and first and second drawers for preventing simultaneous movement of the first and second drawers from their closed position to their open position.

Abstract: A drawer interlock combination for a stack or tier of drawers and simplified to include a frame forming a receptacle guide for a plurality of rotors, one rotor for each drawer in the stack and the same frame guiding a plurality of actuators, one for each drawer through a path limited in both extremes of travel and displaceable by the action of only one of the rotors so that only a single drawer may be opened at a time and plural drawers cannot be opened concurrently. The device may be completely locked by simple blocking of the travel of the actuators to less displacement than by an single of the rotors. The structure is simple, economical and easy to install. The parts repeat themselves and provide excellent drawer stabilization with overall locking of all drawers.

Abstract: A file storage assembly having a string or stack of elements vertically disposed along one side to allow only one drawer to be opened at a time. A shaft (48) having inclined cam surfaces (50,52) at opposite ends is associated with each drawer and includes a pinion (44) rotated by engagement with a rack (46) on the drawer during opening of the drawer. Upon rotation of the shaft (48), the cam surfaces (50,52) at the ends thereof vertically move the shafts (48) of the other drawers to vertically move one of a pair of locking lugs (64) on the shafts (48) into horizontal alignment with a lug (78) on the drawer (38) to prevent opening of all other drawers. A key projection (66) extends from the housing between each pair of lugs (64) upon rotation of the shaft (48) during opening movement of the drawer to prevent vertical movement of the operative shaft (48).

Abstract: A cargo trailer safety lock is set forth for securing typical trailer doors of piggy-back type trailers. A first embodiment includes an upwardly biased "U" shaped bracket oriented into a latch position by an "L" shaped spring-like lever secured to a plate attached to an associated railroad car to maintain latching of the trailer doors until removal of the trailer. A second embodiment includes an elongate sliding latch directed upwardly upon positioning of an associated piggy-back trailer onto a freight car into a latch orientation relative to trailer doors associated with a trailer. A third embodiment includes a generally "U" shaped pivotal latch mechanism with upstanding orthogonally oriented legs maintained in a locking position relative to trailer doors of an associated trailer.

Abstract: A multi-drawer file cabinet having an interlock mechanism to prevent opening of more than one drawer at a time. The interlock mechanism includes modular lock bars for accommodating half-height and full-height drawers in any desired combination. A security lock mechanism is actuatable without requiring shifting of the lock bars. Doors may be provided for the cabinet spaces and anti-rebound mechanisms are provided for the drawers and/or doors.

Abstract: An improvement in an actuator of the type having a slide plate with an L-shaped slot, guide structure for movement of the slide plate in a reciprocating path between locked and unlocked positions, structure for connecting the slide plate to a locking member so that the locking member follows reciprocating movement of the slide plate, a crank for rotation about an axis and having a pin offset from the axis, and structure mounting the crank to the channel so that the crank is rotatable back and forth about its axis through a predetermined range with the pin in the slot to thereby cause the pin to engage and shift the slide plate between its locked position and its unlocked position upon the crank being rotated. With the pin at the juncture of the two slot legs, the slide bar can be shifted to its unlocked position without rotating the crank. With the pin so situated and all drawers closed, the crank is jammed and cannot be rotated.

Abstract: A filing cabinet includes a safety interlock that prevents more than one drawer from being opened at a time. The safety interlock comprises a column of endwise abutting catches mounted to the cabinet wall for vertical reciprocation thereon. The ends of the catches are formed with tabs. The tabs of adjacent catches cooperate to define gaps of predetermined spacing. Actuator means on each cabinet drawer are aligned with the catch gaps. When a selected drawer is opened, the actuator means thereon enters the associated gap and displaces upwardly any higher catches. Upward displacement causes the gaps between higher adjacent catches to be displaced into the paths of the actuator means of any higher drawers, thereby preventing any higher drawers from being opened. The retainer of an open drawer blocks upward displacement of any lower catches, thereby preventing lower drawers from being opened. A slide is reciprocably mounted on each retainer.

Abstract: The cabinet comprises a case carrying a plurality of slidably mounted drawers. At the back of the drawers a latch bar is vertically oriented and pivotal between latch and unlatch positions. The bar has a flange which fits into keeper structure on a clip protruding from each drawer in the latch condition. A camming surface on each clip moves the latch bar to a latch position after one drawer is withdrawn so that none of the other drawers can be withdrawn. As the drawer is closed, another camming surface on the clip moves the latch bar back to an unlatch position. To insure alignment of the last mentioned camming surface with the latch bar, a slot is provided in the clip on each drawer which slot is aligned with an alignment flange attached to the case.

Abstract: A file storage assembly having a string or stack of elements vertically disposed along one side to allow only one drawer to be opened at a time. A shaft (48) having inclined cam surfaces (50,52) at opposite ends is associated with each drawer and includes a pinion (44) rotated by engagement with a rack (46) on the drawer during opening of the drawer. Upon rotation of the shaft (48), the cam surfaces (50,52) at the ends thereof vertically move the shafts (48) of the other drawers to vertically move one of a pair of locking lugs (64) on the shafts (48) into horizontal alignment with a lug (78) on the drawer (38) to prevent opening of all other drawers. A key projection (66) extends from the housing between each pair of lugs (64) upon rotation of the shaft (48) during opening movement of the drawer to prevent vertical movement of the operative shaft (48).

Abstract: A locking system for the drawers of a desk or file cabinet, etc., comprising a latch plate on each drawer, a simultaneously movable set of locking pins, one for each latch plate, and a line of discrete cylindrical elements to shift the locking pins from a single location, as by key or the like. The discrete elements are spring held, top and bottom, and can be jolted aside momentarily as an unlocked drawer is slammed to locked position.

Abstract: A locking system for a filing cabinet which permits only one drawer to be pulled out at a time includes a vertical track at the side of the cabinet in which move vertically extending bars, one for each drawer, against the pressure of a spring through a predetermined limited distance. When the cabinet is locked the bars are held against any movement. When the cabinet is unlocked, such movement is permitted. When one drawer is withdrawn, a two position cam on the respective bar is rotated 90.degree.. The cam is rotationally mounted on one bar but bears against a projecting shelf on the next adjacent bar or a fixed shelf. When the cam is rotated by the respective drawer being pulled out further movement of the bars is precluded locking all of the other drawers against withdrawal.

Abstract: An interlock assembly (20) for two or more horizontally sliding drawers (11, 12) in a cabinet (10) to prevent opening more than one drawer at a time is described. The interlock assembly is characterized by each drawer having rotating cam members (22, 23) with lobes (23a and 23b) and valleys (23c and 23d) which mate with corresponding lobes (26a, 27a) and valleys (26c, 27c) in blocks (26 and 27). When the cam member (23) is rotated the lobes (23a, 23b) and (23c and 23d) engage lobes (26a and 27a) of the blocks (26 and 27) to move the blocks and cam members as a train so as to engage the cabinet (10) to provide the interlock of the drawers.

Abstract: Device consisting of a safety bar (2) preventing the simultaneous opening of a plurality of drawers (A, B, C), said bar being free to slide between a bottom stop (D) and a top stop (E) in a slide guide (G) fixed against a side wall (100) of the cabinet (1), parallel to a vertical edge (101) bordering the face on which the drawers open. This bar carries pivots provided with rotating rollers (1A, 1B, 1B', 1C) judiciously distributed over its face directed towards the drawers, and cooperates with rails (120, 20, 30) fixed on a side face of each drawer, parallel to and near its bottom.

Abstract: An improved cabinet drawer locking system is provided which permits a user to lock the cabinet drawers by placing the system in the locked position after closing the drawers and/or by placing the system in the locked position and then closing the drawers. The system includes a key actuated lock and a shaft, rotatably mounted in the cabinet and connected at one end to the lock. The shaft includes an offset lever at the end opposite the end connected to the lock. This lever drives a linkage which engages a spring-biased latch bar. The latch bar co-acts with a cooperating member secured to the drawers of the cabinet to lock and unlock the drawers. In operation, the lock rotates the shaft and the offset lever; and the linkage transmits this motion to the latch bar to move the latch bar between a locked and an unlocked position.

Abstract: An interlock system for a filing cabinet or the like preventing any two drawers from being open at one time, the system using a generally vertical line of contacting balls as a lock, and means on each drawer to rigidify the line of balls upon the opening of a single drawer, and returning the line of balls to a loose, unlocked condition upon closing the drawer.

Abstract: An improved locking system for a series of vertical arrayed drawers includes a plurality of dogs mounted on a pivot rod attached to a panel adjacent the series of drawers. The dogs pivot in response to an actuator plate which is driven by cam drive associated with movement of the drawers. The mechanism is useful for operation of a series of drawers in vertical array to maintain all of the drawers closed or to maintain selected drawers in a closed condition.

Abstract: An improved central locking system for a desk includes a plurality of stop members mounted on a pivot rod attached to a panel adjacent a series of drawers. One stop member is pivoted in response to a pin drive actuator which moves when driven by a cam associated with a control drawer horizontally adjacent the other drawers.

Abstract: A file cabinet provided with a housing which has a front opening, and which supports thereon a vertically-spaced plurality of drawer units supported for horizontal displacement between open and closed positions relative to the housing. A horizontally elongated but vertically narrow filler panel is positioned within the front opening of the housing between two vertically-spaced drawer units. The filler panel is disposed at a convenient working height which is preferably in the range of 24 to 36 inches above the floor. The filler panel mounts thereon a key-operated lock mechanism which is preferably centrally positioned both vertically and horizontally of the cabinet, and which activates locking bolts which project sidewardly of the cabinet for activating vertically-movable lock bars which are mounted for limited vertical displacement on the insides of the housing side walls. These lock bars having locking elements which engage the closed drawer units to hold them in a locked position.

Abstract: A lateral type file cabinet is provided with a predetermined number of file drawers suspended therein for movement between drawer open and drawer closed positions. Lock and interlock mechanisms are provided in the cabinet for coaction with the drawers to prevent withdrawal of more than one drawer at a time and to lock all drawers in the cabinet. The interlock mechanism includes a stack of interlock bars; their being one less bar than the number of drawers. Each bar includes an upper an a lower actuator block; with the blocks disposed for coaction with the radiused leading edge of an interlock track carried by each drawer. When a drawer is pulled from the cabinet the interlock track engages the appropriate actuator block to raise its bar and all interlock bars thereabove. The actuator blocks on the raised bars prevent movement of all drawers above the open one.

Abstract: A cabinet has drawers mounted for movement in and out of the cabinet to prevent the cabinet from tipping when one or more of those drawers are displaced outside the cabinet while still attached to the cabinet, a stabilizer leg is provided with an interlock. The interlock prevents the drawer from being removed and tipping the cabinet until the stabilizer leg is in place.

Abstract: A storage system utilizing both shelving and drawers mounted between supports in which the drawers may be locked individually or in concert for security purposes. The shelves are mounted to the support members above a number of drawers slidably mounted between the support members. A locking channel, adjustable in length to accommodate the number of drawers desired, is slidably mounted within a similarly adjustable housing at the rear of the storage system to engage operatively pawls mounted at the rear of the drawers. The locking channel is moved vertically by a spring-biased locking mechanism causing openings in the locking channel to come into proper alignment so that the locking channel engages the pawls to lock the drawers in concert or disengages from the pawls to unlock the drawers in concert. The angular design of the pawl arms allows drawers remaining open during the locking procedure to be individually closed and locked thereafter.

Abstract: An interchangeable lock assembly for a vertical file cabinet having plurality of drawers includes a self-locating bracket affixed to the interior cabinet side adjacent the cabinet top, a lock bar extending vertically along the cabinet side between the cabinet drawers for engaging and disengaging the drawers, a lock operating arm pivotally connected to the bracket and a lock which may be either of the rotary type or the plunger type for engaging different respective surfaces of the lock operating arm to cause the lock operating arm to vertically move the lock bar.

Abstract: A locking device for interlocking drawers in a file cabinet includes an elongated L-shaped locking member pivoted adjacent to an interior corner of the cabinet and cooperating with a fixed arm on each of the cabinet drawers so that withdrawal of any drawer pivots the L-shaped member to prevent the withdrawal of any other drawer.

Abstract: The lightweight drawer support assembly of the present invention includes a plurality of drawers each having an open frame and a depending flexible compartment. In a closed condition, the drawers are supported in a hollow rectangular frame in vertically stacked alignment on upstanding front and rear fixed drawer support posts. In an open condition out of the hollow interior of the frame, any one of the drawers is supported on its front end by the upstanding fixed front drawer support posts, and on its rear ends on upstanding movable rear drawer support posts slidably mounted to the sides of the hollow frame for movement in a direction generally transverse to their long axes. The upstanding movable rear drawer support posts have a plurality of vertically spaced rearwardly extending projections that yoke and support corresponding laterally and outwardly extending shoulder portions at the rear of the drawers.

Abstract: A cabinet 10 has internal units which can be slid out of the cabinet on slides 12. The slides are mounted in slots 15 in the side walls 14, 16 of the cabinet. To prevent several of the units being slid out simultaneously, which may cause the cabinet to topple forward, a safety device 34 consisting of a number of blocking elements 36 on a guide 38 is arranged near one side of the entrance 20 to the cabinet 10. The guide 38 has a free length which enables the blocking elements to be slid along the guide to release one of the units, but which does not permit the blocking elements to be slid to release further units.

Abstract: A file cabinet having drawers and doors and an anti-tip lock mechanism that simultaneously locks all closed doors and drawers when in a locking mode and that permits movement of a single drawer from its closed to its open position while simultaneously locking both the remaining unopened doors and all of the other drawers against movement from their closed to their open positions when in an unlocked mode.

Abstract: A drawer interlock apparatus for multiple drawers having at least one drawer locking cam for each drawer, which is pivotally movable between open and closed positions, a drawer pin on each drawer interengageable with the cam, when in the closed position, and being releaseable from the cam in the open position to permit the drawer to be opened, linkage connecting the cam with the next adjacent cam of a next adjacent drawer, such linkage being responsive to opening movement of said first mentioned cam, to prevent opening movement of the second mentioned cam.

Abstract: A system for locking either all or all but one of the drawers of a file cabinet. A bar rides in a groove at the interior of the shell of the cabinet. A plurality of drawer locks is engaged to the bar, each drawer lock including inclined and vertical surfaces at its rear edge. A rail having a key end is positioned at the side of each drawer so that the blunt end of the key faces the inclined surfaces of an associated drawer lock when all drawers are closed. The engagement of the blunt end with the opposed inclined surface of a lock raises the bar so that the blunt ends of the rail members associated with the remaining drawers abut and are locked by the vertical surfaces of the associated drawer locks. A block at the top of the bar abuts the cylinder of a cabinet lock when extended to prevent the vertical movement of the bar, locking all drawers.

Abstract: An interlock mechanism for use with a plurality of vertically stacked units such as disk drives wherein said mechanism allows only one unit to be withdrawn or extended from the stack at a time.

Abstract: A mechanism preventing opening more than one drawer at one time, the mechanism having one movable locking bar for each drawer, using gravity to move a bar into interfering, locking position when its associated drawer is opened, and using an inclined surface to raise the bar into non-locking position as the drawer is shut.

Abstract: A locking and bracing apparatus, comprising a vertically movable interlock bar and a horizontally movable outrigger-type support brace, is mounted to a cabinet having a drawer. When the brace is in a stored position within the cabinet or in any position intermediate the stored position and a fully extended position, a peg which is on the interlock bar and slidably rides over the brace keeps the interlock bar in a raised position whereby the drawer is locked in a closed position within the cabinet. When the brace is in the fully extended position to support the cabinet from tipping, the peg is disposed in a hole formed in the brace so that the brace is locked in the extended position and the interlock bar is in a lowered position whereby the drawer is unlocked. Thereafter, if the drawer is pulled outward from the cabinet, the interlock bar is blocked by the drawer from being moved from the lowered position so that the brace remains locked in the extended position.

Abstract: A file cabinet (10) including slidably mounted drawers (18) is provided with an interlock mechanism which prevents the simultaneous opening of two drawers. The interlock mechanism includes an elongate channel (24) having a fixed length and depth. Slidable within the channel (24) along the length thereof are blocks (42) and wedges (44). The blocks (44) include at least one end surface (48) which is at an acute angle relative to the bottom wall (28) of the channel (24). The wedge members (44) are displaceable relatively into and out of the depth of the channel. The wedge members have surfaces (52) complementary to and in sliding contact with the end surfaces (48) of the blocks. The length of the channel (28) is less than that of the combined length of all of the block (42) and wedge members (44) disposed therein and at least as long as the combined length of the block and one of the wedge members.

Abstract: The system includes an elongated latching bar located behind the drawers and rotatable between latching and unlatching positions. A spring biases the latching bar to its latching position. A latching clip is mounted on each drawer and has a cam for engaging the latching bar and causing rotation thereof to its unlatching position as the drawer is closed. The latching clip has a keeper for receiving the latching bar as it rotates back to its latching position.

Abstract: A prismatic frame designed to hold a multiplicity of flat articles such as printed-circuit boards has two generally rectangular end walls interconnected by two coplanar pairs of cross-members each having a narrow face with a row of perforations receiving locator pins of guide elements spanning each pair of cross-members, the guide elements being provided with longitudinal channels accommodating respective boards. The guide elements are held in position by retaining bars confronting the perforated faces of one cross-member of each pair, at least one of these bars forming a guidetrack for a locking rod which has teeth alignable with the boards in a blocking position and is shiftable into an unblocking position facilitating their withdrawal.

Abstract: Initial opening movement of a drawer in a cabinet by cam action raises a locking bar to lock the other drawers closed. In so doing the locking bar rotates a pinion having an arm which stresses a spring carrying it past an over-center position to maintain the bar in locking position while the moving drawer travels to the fully open position. The end of the closure of this drawer by cam action returns the bar, arm and spring to their initial state. A key-lock mechanism can raise the bar to lock all the drawers shut. If the cabinet is tilted forward substantially, gravity causes a ball to run to a position to hold the pinion against rotation thereby preventing all the drawers from automatically becoming locked due to the bar running to the locking position under gravity or inertia.

Abstract: A safety lock system for vertically stacked slideably retained storage elements, such as file drawers. The system comprises one or more locking bars vertically slideably retained in alignment in a vertical support guide channel. Two or more cam elements are pivotally secured on a respective fixed pivot axis to the support guide channel adjacent an opposed end of each of the locking bars. Each of the cam elements have a cam portion retained in planar alignment with the locking bars and an activating arm portion for rotating the cam portion about the fixed pivot axis. A displaceable space is provided below each cam element portion defined between one of the locking bar opposed ends and the cam portion. An engaging member is secured to one or more of the storage elements.

Abstract: A file cabinet having drawers and doors and an anti-tip lock mechanism that simultaneously locks all closed doors and drawers when in a locking mode and that permits movement of a single drawer from its closed to its open position while simultaneously locking both the remaining unopened doors and all of the other drawers against movement from their closed to their open positions when in an unlocked mode.

Abstract: A file arrangement includes a cabinet housing, a plurality of vertically stacked file elements with an interlock assembly carried by one cabinet lateral wall precluding the opening of more than one element at a time as the first opened drawer vertically displaces a roller on the assembly to block any displacement of similar rollers adjacent the remaining file elements. A separate lock bar assembly adjacent the opposite cabinet lateral wall includes a plurality of lock dogs engageable with the front of the file elements and vertically shiftable upon actuation of a lock mechanism. Operation of the lock mechanism and its associated lock bar assembly also actuates a transfer rod joining both assemblies to simultaneously and equally displace the interlock assembly and a plurality of lock dogs thereon to lock both sides of all file elements within the cabinet.

Abstract: A file cabinet (10) is disclosed as having a drawer interlock (18) including a plurality of lock members (24) of a unique construction that is preferably unitary and injection molded from plastic. An interlock bar (22) on which the lock members are mounted is received by a plastic sleeve (27) on side panels (14, 28) of the cabinet with the lock members mounted in a vertically spaced relationship in association with drawers (12) of the cabinet, preferably with one such interlock bar at each side of the cabinet. A vertically elongated guide (38) of each lock member extends between vertically elongated slide flanges (32) of the plastic sleeve so as to support the interlock bar for translational movement in a vertical direction between lower and upper positions. Each lock member also including a pair of upwardly extending hooks (44) located laterally inward from the adjacent inner panel.

Abstract: In the blocked position of the central locking mechanism the locking bolt projects into the path of a blocking face of the drawer and can be elastically displaced when closing a drawer which is still open. In the open (unblocked) position of the central locking mechanism a stopping face which is arranged at a distance from the blocking face butts against a lever arm of the locking bolt when withdrawing the drawer and swivels the locking bolt into the blocking position; when closing the drawer the locking bolt is swivelled back into the release position.

Abstract: In the locked position of the central locking mechanism the locking bolt can be elastically displaced when a still opened drawer is being closed. In the unlocked position of the central locking mechanism, the locking bolt is swivelled into the blocking position when a drawer is being opened and swivelled back into the release position when the drawer is being closed.

Abstract: A gang locking mechanism for use with a cabinet having a plurality of slidably mounted drawers includes a single drawer mounted control rod operatively connected at one end to a master lock supported at the front panel of one of the drawers. The other end of the control rod engages a pivot plate secured to the inner face of the rear wall of the cabinet when the drawer is in a closed position. Linkage members extend from the pivot plate and engage corner mounted locking bars. The locking bars are mounted for limited pivotal movement about their vertical axes and include a plurality of hook-like clips adapted to lock the drawers in a closed position.

Abstract: A safety latch and drawer movement sequencing control arrangement for file cabinets of the lateral and vertical file type, wherein the file equipment includes a filing cabinet equipped with a plurality of drawers mounted in superposed relation for independent horizontal shifting movement between open and closed positions, which includes a drawer movement sequencing device arranged to permit only one drawer at a time to be moved to open position, and a safety latch device that latches the unopened drawers against opening movement until the open drawer has been returned to closed position.