Abstract: A drawer construction having a floor element surmounted by a plurality of upstanding sidewalls forming a frame includes one or more reinforced connections between the floor element and one or more of the sidewalls. The reinforced connection may include one or more outwardly extending tabs associated with the floor element which are received within appropriately sized and oriented slots defined within a selected sidewall. The sidewall may further include a laterally extending shelf positioned proximate the lower edge of the sidewall and oriented to extend below the floor element such that the floor element rests on the upper surface of the shelf. Mounting supports, positioned on the opposing ends of the sidewall may be secured to adjacently positioned sidewalls to further strengthen the association of the sidewall with the drawer structure.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for use in drawers of cabinet structures including a pair of bolts secured for lateral displacement along the interior face of the drawer front. A latch having a flange is rotationally secured to the drawer to permit the flange of the latch to be positioned between the opposing ends of the bolts and thereby preclude their further displacement. A lever, rotationally mounted out of the path of travel of the bolts is associated with an externally mounted lock that permits the user to rotate the lever and lift the latch flange out of engagement with the bolts, thereby permitting the bolts to be displaced out of a locking engagement with the cabinet structure.

Abstract: A drawer construction having a floor element surmounted by a plurality of upstanding sidewalls forming a frame includes one or more reinforced connections between the floor element and one or more of the sidewalls. The reinforced connection may include one or more outwardly extending tabs associated with the floor element which are received within appropriately sized and oriented slots defined within a selected sidewall. The sidewall may further include a laterally extending shelf positioned proximate the lower edge of the sidewall and oriented to extend below the floor element such that the floor element rests on the upper surface of the shelf. Mounting supports, positioned on the opposing ends of the sidewall may be secured to adjacently positioned sidewalls to further strengthen the association of the sidewall with the drawer structure.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for use in drawers of cabinet structures including a pair of bolts secured for lateral displacement along the interior face of the drawer front. A latch having a flange is rotationally secured to the drawer to permit the flange of the latch to be positioned between the opposing ends of the bolts and thereby preclude their further displacement. A lever, rotationally mounted out of the path of travel of the bolts is associated with an externally mounted lock that permits the user to rotate the lever and lift the latch flange out of engagement with the bolts, thereby permitting the bolts to be displaced out of a locking engagement with the cabinet structure.

Abstract: A guide mechanism for use in cabinet like structures includes a pair of scissor arms connected to one another at a point which corresponds substantially with the medial or central point along a length of each arm. The opposing ends of each arm are pivotally secured to a respective guide which is oriented generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of a door connected to the scissor arms. One end of each arm is mounted within a slot defined in its guide which permits the end of the arm to travel longitudinally along a length of the arm. A power cylinder is pivotally connected to the arms at their central connection point. The opposing end of the power cylinder is pivotally connected to the body of the cabinet.

Abstract: A modular stair system includes a plurality of upright support members which are spacedly positioned form one another to form an array. A plurality of treadle members are positioned adjacent one another to extend between the upright support members. Each of the treadle members is fitted with one or more connection members which are configured to engage and form a detachable union with a counterpart connection member of an adjacently positioned treadle to form a stair system.

Abstract: A console for enclosing one or more component elements of a computer system is disclosed. The console includes a cabinet structure which defines an interior space configured to receive one or more component elements of the computer system. The cabinet defines an inlet port and one or more discharge ports. The inlet port is fitted with a fan on the interior surface of a sidewall forming the cabinet. Releasably mounted on the external sidewall which defines the inlet port is a filter positioned to filter air prior to its introduction into the interior space of the cabinet through the inlet port. The filter is adapted to be slidably removed from its association with the cabinet.

Abstract: An under platform drawer adapted for mounting on a utility vehicle is disclosed. The drawer is adapted to increase the storage capability of the vehicle while not affecting the previously provided storage area. The drawer includes a pair of parallelly mounted guide tracks adapted to be secured orthogonally to the longitudinally extending frame members of the truck's chassis. A pair of parallelly positioned guides are displaceably mounted on the guide tracks. A storage drawer is fixedly mounted to the guides whereby the drawer may be extended outwardly or returned inwardly along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for compacting an empty container which comprises applying a compressive force to the sidewall of the container at two points substantially opposite to each other and approximately midway between the container ends thereby causing the sidewall of the container to collapse inwardly on a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container and approximately midway between the container ends. Upon release of the compressive force to the container sidewall, a second compressive force is applied to one end of the container while the other end is held firm, thereby causing the container sidewall to collapse along the longitudinal axis of the container so as to bring the container ends together. An empty container compacting device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A door latch for use with metal lockers or compartments frequently found on service trucks, panel trucks and the like, includes a mounting member with a recess formed into its front. A shaft is positioned in the recess. A latch member is mounted to the shaft and extends through an aperture formed in the recess. The aperture is sized so that the latch member is rotatable between a latched position and an unlatched position. Biasing means mounted to the back of the base member biases the latch member in the latched position. A lever is mounted to the shaft with means to coact with the latch member to rotate the latch member from the latched position to the unlatched position. The lever preferably is mounted with a pawl extending from a first edge along the front of the latch member so that as the lever is pulled outwardly from the recess the pawl contacts the latch member and causes it to rotate.