With Movable Compartment As Operator Patents (Class 312/221)
  • Patent number: 7823992
    Abstract: A drawer interlock mechanism includes at least two drawers, a fixture, a linking frame, locking members and guiding members. The drawers may be pulled in and out. The drawers are lined straight with each other. The fixture is disposed at one side the drawers, and is formed with slots corresponding in position and in number to the guiding members. The linking frame is disposed on the fixture. Each guiding member is secured to the side of each drawer. When one of the drawers is open, the guiding member of the open drawer will link the relative locking member to move the linking frame, which then links the other locking members. The guiding member of the open drawer triggers the relative locking member to lock the linking frame temporarily, and the other locking members block their relative guiding members so that the other drawers are unable to slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken-Ching Chen, Shun-Ho Yang, Chun-Chiang Wang
  • Patent number: 7775612
    Abstract: An interlocking device for a drawer slide is disposed at the end of a drawer and comprises a positioning block disposed at the end of the fixed slide rail, at least one moveable slide rail received in the fixed slide rail, a control block assembly, a first locking member, a second locking member, a pivot control member and a spring. The first and second locking members are pushed to clamp the pivot control member by the spring. The control block of the control block assembly is fixed at the end of the moveable slide rail. The drawer is used to move a control block on the slide rail, and then the guiding portion and the pushing block of the control block can push the pivot control member to move. Therefore, the interlocking device for a drawer slide is simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Sun Chain Metal Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teng Yi Ruan, Joe Lee
  • Patent number: 7744173
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with a cabinet having a door that is openable by a user to provide access to a refrigeration compartment. A storage bin is located in the refrigeration compartment and accessible upon the opening of the cabinet door. A mounting system is arranged for the storage bin, supporting the storage bin for movement into and out of the refrigeration compartment. A latch is carried on the cabinet door to be selectively engaged by the user with a latch receiving portion of the storage bin. When the latch is engaged with the latch receiving portion, the storage bin will be pulled out of the refrigerator upon the opening of the cabinet door, and when the latch is disengaged from the latch receiving portion, the storage bin will remain in the refrigeration compartment, unless manually moved by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Weston Maglinger, Martin Shawn Egan, Aidan C. Kunkle, Richard Bruce Mills
  • Patent number: 7665812
    Abstract: A locking system for drawers may include a lock with a lock driver that is configured for engaging a drive actuator. The drive actuator may have a lock bar slider in communication with a lock bar. A slave actuator may also be provided in communication with the drive actuator through a shaft. The drive actuator and slave actuator may be respectively positioned so as to lock opposite ends of a drawer. The locking system may also provide the lock with a lock driver that is prevented from being moved into a locked position when the drawer is opened. One of several different resulting arrangements prevents unintentional or inadvertent locking until the drawer is placed into engagement with a drive actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: CompX International Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg W. Walla
  • Patent number: 7657971
    Abstract: A support system includes a frame member and a cover magnetically coupled to one another proximate an edge of the cover and in an aligned state. The cover is rotatable with respect to the frame member without any structural coupling therebetween while the frame member and cover remain substantially in the aligned state. A method of supporting a cover with respect to a frame includes magnetically attracting the cover and frame to each other proximate an edge of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Peter Danko
  • Patent number: 7637576
    Abstract: A blocking system for file cabinets that including a pull shaft (c) linked to each drawer/guide (c), a support platen (1) fastened to the furniture, which defines a groove-rail (11) with at least two sections (11a and 11b) angled between each other, a mobile blocking element (2) outfitted with two emerging bolts (2a and 2b) that can move linearly, guided on the groove-rail (11) upon being pulled with the movement of the corresponding shaft (e), and mobile arms (3a and 3b) that are aligned between each other and which can move linearly within a maximum amplitude (a) on a vertical rail (12) defined on the support platen (1) where they are guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Ojmar, S.A.
    Inventor: Benito Sevillano Gil
  • Publication number: 20090289533
    Abstract: An interlocking mechanism is provided for sliding rails mounted to a cabinet. Each sliding rail comprises an outer rail and an inner rail slidably attached to the outer rail. The interlocking mechanism includes a plurality of interlocking members each of which includes a driving portion and a retaining opening. The interlocking members are respectively attached to the sliding rails. A rod is resiliently and slidably attached to the cabinet. The rod includes a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of corresponding resilient members slantingly attached adjacent to one of the protrusions, corresponding to each interlocking member. The retaining opening comprises a guiding part and a retaining part. If one of the interlocking members moves, the resilient members corresponding to the other interlocking members can move to the corresponding retaining opening retaining parts to lock these interlocking members to prevent the corresponding sliding rails from sliding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: MO-MING YU, XIANG-WEI HE
  • Publication number: 20090278427
    Abstract: An anti-tip linkage mechanism for vertical file cabinets of the type having drawers and/or pivotal front panels includes molded polymeric cam follower housings that snap-fit onto each of the slide channels for the drawers or panels and non-circular connecting rods attached to cam actuators that enable interaction of the anti-tip mechanisms incorporated with each slide channel. Lock actuated auxiliary cam mechanisms and panel locking assemblies controllable by a single cabinet lock are connected with a cabinet lock by linkage bars or cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: COMPX INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Gary R. Ludwig, Jamie L. Payne, Todd T. Andres, Robert Dalton, Glyn A. Finch, JR., Nicholas L. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20090179534
    Abstract: A drawer interlocking mechanism apparatus is applied where a drawer is installed inside an article. A secured plate of the present apparatus is secured at the lateral portion of the article and a sliding plate is connected the present apparatus at the lateral side of the drawer correspondingly to have the sliding plate move on the secured plate indirectly to produce the opening or closing function of the drawer. The sliding plate of the interlocking structure is installed on a single side or both sides of the drawer and also installed at a plurality of drawers in the same way. By means of a preset pull cord of the interlocking structure, a plurality of drawers are connected in series to lock the other drawers synchronously when one of drawers is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: MARTAS PRECISION SLIDE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Lai Chen, Tsung-Po Chang, Tung-Lu Chang
  • Patent number: 7540573
    Abstract: A cabinet has a housing, multiple tracks, multiple drawers, a safety device and a lock assembly. Each track has a sliding rail having a guiding notch and a locking hole. The safety device is mounted in the housing and has a fixed base, a moving base, multiple locking blocks, multiple locking tongues, multiple guiding posts and multiple guiding blocks. The locking blocks are securely attached to the moving base and each have a locking tab. The locking tongues are mounted respectively on the drawers and selectively aligning with the locking tabs on the locking blocks. The guiding posts are mounted on the moving base and locate respectively above the locking blocks. The guiding blocks are slidably and respectively attached to of the tracks. Each guiding block has an inclined face and corresponding to and selectively abutting with a corresponding one of the guiding posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiang Lin
  • Patent number: 7524003
    Abstract: A cabinet includes a cabinet body, multiple drawers and a safety device. The drawers are mounted moveably in the cabinet body. The safety device is mounted in the cabinet body and has a control member and multiple hook members. The control member is mounted on the rear panel of the cabinet body and has a supporting base, a pivotal member and a resilient element. The pivotal member is mounted pivotally on the supporting base. The resilient element is connected to the supporting base and the pivotal member. The hook members are mounted respectively on the drawers and are aligned with the pivotal member. When a drawer is opened, the corresponding hook member pushes the pivotal member to pivot the pivotal member and stretch the resilient element and a hook flange on the pivotal member engages the hook members on other drawers to prevent other drawers from being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: George C. M. Liu
  • Patent number: 7520576
    Abstract: An anti-tip linkage mechanism for vertical file cabinets of the type having drawers and/or pivotal front panels includes molded polymeric cam follower housings that snap-fit onto each of the slide channels for the drawers or panels and non-circular connecting rods attached to cam actuators that enable interaction of the anti-tip mechanisms incorporated with each slide channel. Lock actuated auxiliary cam mechanisms and panel locking assemblies controllable by a single cabinet lock are connected with a cabinet lock by linkage bars or cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Compx International Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Ludwig, Jamie L. Payne, Todd T. Andres, Robert Dalton, Glyn A. Finch, Nicholas L. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 7484817
    Abstract: Interlocks for file cabinets and the like which generally prevent more than one drawer from being opened at a given time. The interlocks include a cable which is changeable from a slack condition to a taut condition. In the taut condition, the interlocks prevent the associated drawer from being opened. In the slack condition, the interlock allows the associated drawer to be opened. The interlocks may be used in conjunction with a lock that selectively changes the tension in the cable from a slack condition to a taut condition and vise versa. The interlocks may be constructed to exert a tension on a cable that is independent of the pulling force exerted on a locked drawer. Alternatively, the interlocks may be constructed to exert a force on the cable that is a small fraction of the pulling force exerted on a locked drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Keith A. Hoffman, Sharon M. Carson
  • Patent number: 7481503
    Abstract: A storage cabinet assembly includes a housing including a pair of sidewalls, a rear wall, and a top wall that cooperate with one another to form a storage area, and a base assembly supporting the housing. The base assembly includes a top wall and a bottom wall that mate together to form an interior space, and a plurality of corner support brackets supporting the top wall from the bottom wall. The storage cabinet assembly further includes a drop-in drawer arrangement, and a drawer interlock assembly adapted to prevent multiple drawers from being simultaneously moved to an opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley D. Youngs, Daniel N. Phillips, Theodore M. Haan, David J. Battey, Michael G. Barney, Koryn L. Smith, Michael J. Feldpaush, Bruce W. DuVall, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090021123
    Abstract: Immobilization system, for stackable modular filing cabinets, of the type which include strips (1) with moveable billets (P). Each strip (1) has on each of the ends of its moveable billet (P), mobile blockers (2), (4) each equipped with shafts (2?), (4?) facing each other to abutment in the modular stacking of the contiguous files and on each of its own ends, fixed blockers (3), (5) crossed through by the corresponding shaft (2?), (4?) of the corresponding mobile blocker (2), (4), so that there is always mechanical continuity between shafts (2?), (4?) of two contiguous strips (1) the shafts of which (2?), (4?) meet alignedly to abutment, one being supported upon the other in continuity with the billets (P).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: OJMAR, S.A.
    Inventor: Pedro ARRIOLA ARRIZABALAGA
  • Patent number: 7467833
    Abstract: An assembled/linked locking apparatus including a first and a second slide rail assemblies and a first and a second activators. The first and second slide rail assemblies respectively include a stationary slide rail and a telescopic slide rail set. The first activator is disposed at an end of the telescopic slide rail set. The second activator is corresponding to the first activator and disposed at the stationary slide rail. The second activator includes a base seat, a guide seat, a bar member, a pair of slide ways and a slide member. The base seat is disposed at the stationary slide rail. The guide seat is disposed on the base seat. The two slide ways are oppositely respectively formed on the base seat and the guide seat. Two ends of the slide member are respectively fitted in the slide ways. Two ends of the bar member are respectively passed through the spaces between the base seats and the guide seats of the first and second slide rail assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventor: Kuo-Chan Weng
  • Patent number: 7461908
    Abstract: A cabinet locking system having a drawer having a side panel disposed between a front panel and a back panel and a first corner formed by the intersection of the side and back panels. A lock bar is mounted within the cabinet adjacent a first corner when the drawer is in a closed position and the lock bar includes an aperture. A slide is provided having an integrally formed lock tab and the slide is mounted to the side panel of the drawer so that the lock tab protrudes beyond the back panel. In the closed position, the lock tab is received by the aperture so that the drawer may be locked within the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles H. Heiligenthal, David A. Doerflinger
  • Publication number: 20080284294
    Abstract: A piece of furniture comprises several sliding elements arranged above one another. Each sliding element is arranged behind a swivellable flap and may be pulled out of a furniture cabinet only when the flap is open. The sliding elements are associated with a blocking rail that is arranged on the furniture cabinet. The blocking rail may be moved by way of a lock between an unlocked and a locked position. The blocking rail is coupled with locking elements, by means of which flaps may be locked. As a result, a protection against tilting and a locking of the flaps can be implemented by way of the blocking rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: PAUL HETTICH GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Leidner, Volker Pohlmann, Detlev Kruse, Stefan Salomon
  • Patent number: 7410227
    Abstract: A cabinet safety device has a fixing base neighboring a side of the cabinet, a slide base mounted on the fixing base, lock members provided that can hook on both the slide base and the fixing base, and a fastening member provided between a bottom of the slide base and a bottom of the cabinet. When one of the drawers is pulled out, the slide base will go down to let the lock member escape from the slide base, and the slide base then goes up to prevent other drawers from sliding out, thus only one drawer can be pulled out at one time, which avoids potential danger when the center of gravity of the tool cabinet is shifted due to too many drawers being slid out at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Hui-Chen Liao
  • Publication number: 20080074017
    Abstract: An interlocking device for a drawer slide is disposed at the end of a drawer and comprises a positioning block disposed at the end of the fixed slide rail, at least one moveable slide rail received in the fixed slide rail, a control block assembly, a first locking member, a second locking member, a pivot control member and a spring. The first and second locking members are pushed to clamp the pivot control member by the spring. The control block of the control block assembly is fixed at the end of the moveable slide rail. The drawer is used to move a control block on the slide rail, and then the guiding portion and the pushing block of the control block can pDush the pivot control member to move. Therefore, the interlocking device for a drawer slide is simple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Teng Yi Ruan, Joe Lee
  • Publication number: 20080054768
    Abstract: A cabinet has a housing, multiple tracks, multiple drawers, a safety device and a lock assembly. Each track has a sliding rail having a guiding notch and a locking hole. The safety device is mounted in the housing and has a fixed base, a moving base, multiple locking blocks, multiple locking tongues, multiple guiding posts and multiple guiding blocks. The locking blocks are securely attached to the moving base and each have a locking tab. The locking tongues are mounted respectively on the drawers and selectively aligning with the locking tabs on the locking blocks. The guiding posts are mounted on the moving base and locate respectively above the locking blocks. The guiding blocks are slidably and respectively attached to of the tracks. Each guiding block has an inclined face and corresponding to and selectively abutting with a corresponding one of the guiding posts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiang Lin
  • Publication number: 20080030111
    Abstract: A slipping-proof kit drawer structure includes a hollow chest which has an opening directing forwards and at least a pair of sliding tracks on two side walls to allow a drawer to straddle and slid thereon for drawing out and retracting. The inner wall of the chest and the outer side of the drawer are interposed by an elastic latch assembly to form an anchoring condition. Thus a latch function can be achieved to prevent the drawer from slipping out even in a tilted condition during moving of the chest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: George Liu
  • Patent number: 7320507
    Abstract: An interlock for a stack of drawers. A pair of drawer slides mounts each drawer, the interlock assembly being fitted to the rear of one of the drawer slides. A housing has a plate slidably supported thereon biased towards the rear of the slide. An actuator having an actuating surface co-operates with an actuator follower slidably supported in the slide member for movement at right angles to the movement of the plate. Releasable latching means extends between the housing and plate. Releasable catching means extend between the plate and the actuator. When a drawer is moved towards an open position, the catching means causes the plate to move to a blocking position where it can be held by the latching means, causing the actuating surface to co-operate with a follower surface on the actuator follower to move the actuator follower from a first position to a blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignees: Accuride International Limited, USM Holding AG
    Inventors: David Martin White, Kurt Scherrer, Alexander Schaerer
  • Patent number: 7309114
    Abstract: A cabinet has a housing, multiple tracks, multiple drawers, a safety device and a lock assembly. Each track has a sliding rail having a guiding notch and a locking hole. The safety device is mounted in the housing and has a fixed base, a moving base, multiple guiding blocks, multiple locking blocks, multiple guiding brackets and multiple sliders. The guiding blocks are securely attached to the moving base and each have an inclined face. The locking blocks are securely attached to the moving base and each have a locking tab selectively engaging with a corresponding locking hole. The guiding brackets are attached to the fixed base and each have a guiding slot laterally defined through the guiding bracket. Each slider has a top abutting with a corresponding inclined face and a pin engaging with a corresponding guiding notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Ching-Hsiang Lin
  • Patent number: 7293845
    Abstract: Interlocks for file cabinets and the like which generally prevent more than one drawer from being opened at a given time. The interlocks include an elongated, flexible member, such as a cable, which is changeable from a high slack condition to a low slack condition. In the low slack condition, the interlocks prevent their associated drawers that are closed from being opened. In the high slack condition, the interlocks allow their associated drawer to be opened. The interlocks may be used in conjunction with a lock that selectively changes the cable from a high slack condition to a low slack condition and vice versa. The interlocks may be constructed to exert a force on the cable that is a small fraction of the pulling force exerted on a locked drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Keith A. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7144092
    Abstract: An arresting apparatus of multilayer drawers. Several drawers are slidably mounted in a cabinet. A linear rail is disposed on inner face of a backboard of the cabinet body. Several movable members are slidably mounted on the linear rail. The bottom section of the movable member abuts against the head section of an adjacent movable member. The bottom section of each movable member is formed with a working slope. The working slope and the linear rail define a notch. An arresting member of each drawer can be guided into the notch and located between two adjacent movable members by a locating member of the movable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Ting-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 7140700
    Abstract: An interlocking system for preventing simultaneous opening of drawers of a cabinet, including activation members affixable to back sides of the drawers and coupled to carriage members slideably mounted in guide supports affixable in the cabinet behind the drawers in respective registration with the activation members. An elongated track member affixable in the cabinet on a side of the guide supports slideably guides a stack of mobile blocks between which bolt elements projecting from the carriage members are driveable only one at a time due to a limited space provided for displacement of the blocks and for insertion of one of the bolt elements. The carriage members slide using the pulling and pushing motions of the activation members when the drawers are opened and closed. Due to the limited space, only one bolt element is insertable between the mobile blocks and only one drawer is openable at a same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Rousseau Metal Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Dubé, Richard St-Pierre, Yves Lord
  • Patent number: 7104619
    Abstract: An anti-tip linkage mechanism for vertical file cabinets of the type having drawers and/or pivotal front panels includes molded polymeric cam follower housings that snap-fit onto each of the slide channels for the drawers or panels and non-circular connecting rods attached to cam actuators that enable interaction of the anti-tip mechanisms incorporated with each slide channel. Lock actuated auxiliary cam mechanisms and panel locking assemblies controllable by a single cabinet lock are connected with a cabinet lock by linkage bars or cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: CompX International Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Ludwig, Jamie L. Payne, Todd T. Andres, Robert Dalton, Glyn A. Finch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7101001
    Abstract: A coupling device preventing two drawers from being pulled out simultaneously includes two flat main bodies and a coupling pipe. Each of the main bodies is provided at two opposite ends with a centered vertical recess and a horizontal recess, respectively. The centered vertical recess is provided in an open end with two opposite curved flanges, and at a closed bottom end with a projected post. The coupling pipe has an axially centered through hole, into two ends of which the projected posts in the vertical recesses of the two main bodies are inserted, so that each end of the coupling pipe is clamped between the two flanges on each main body to enable a stable connection of the main body to the coupling pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Inventor: I Hsiang Chiu
  • Patent number: 7063398
    Abstract: Interlocks for file cabinets that prevent more than one drawer from being opened at a given time include an elongated, flexible member, such as a cable, which is changeable from a high slack condition to a low slack condition when one of a number of associated drawers is opened. In the low slack condition, the interlocks prevent their associated drawers that are closed from being opened. In the high slack condition, which exists when the drawers are closed, the interlocks allow their associated drawers to be opened. The interlocks may be used in conjunction with a lock that selectively changes the cable from a high slack condition to a low slack condition and vice versa. The interlocks may be constructed to exert a force on the cable that is a small fraction of the pulling force exerted on a locked drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Keith A Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6979064
    Abstract: A drawer interlock mechanism comprises a fixation base, an axial cam, two braking slides and a guiding switch. The axial cam is put into a holding groove of the fixation base, so a big column and a small column are respectively placed into the position-limiting groove on top surface of the holding groove. The two braking slides are put in a slide groove of the fixation base, so when the axial cam rotates 90 degrees, its moving and stopping blocks move the two braking slides outward. The guiding switch is locked with the slide at the front. Its side has a guiding groove and a curved groove, which correspondingly match the big column and the small column, so they move according to the path lead by the curved slide groove and the guiding slide groove and the axial cam can rotate 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Nan Juen International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Hsiang Chiu
  • Patent number: 6966619
    Abstract: A pull-out safeguard for a drawer cabinet, having a multiplicity of elements (20) which are arranged essentially in a row and can be displaced, a guide means (40) for guiding the elements (20), adjusting elements (50) which are connected to the drawers (12) to be secured, for adjusting the vertical position of the elements (20), and a restricting means (26) for restricting the displaceability of the elements (20). The adjusting elements (50) interact with the drawers (12) to be secured in such a manner that at the beginning of a pull-out movement of one of the drawers (12) to be secured, they move one of the elements (20) and all of the other elements (20) which are situated in one of the directions of the row, but, after a certain pull-out position of the pulled-out drawer (12), are moved back into their starting position by the gravitational force and/or the spring force of a spring element and/or a different driver driving back the elements (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Lista Holding Europa AG
    Inventor: Thomas Muller
  • Patent number: 6957877
    Abstract: This invention relates a braking slide structure of the drawer interlock wherein the braking slide is composed of detachable bracket board and the insert sleeve. The bracket board is designed with a guide channel formed by side walls and with the guide stud to limit the bracket board sliding off the bracket. This drawer interlock is mounted on the drawer slides and rails, entailing additional installation of a pair of braking slides. The drawer interlock is an integral element fixed on the drawer for simplified assembly and operation. The braking rod is easy to be inserted into the insert sleeve linking to the top of the bracket board. The bracket board exposes to the outside of the slide hole on the bracket which is easy for the braking rod to slip into the insert sleeve and reach to the top of the bracket board with no space restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Nan Juen International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Hsiang Chiu
  • Patent number: 6932445
    Abstract: An improved drawer interlocking mechanism mainly has a number of curved holes at equal angle along the peripheral of an axle hole in the base. There are flexible and moveable sticking tabs along the peripheral of an axle cam, which is allowed to freely rotate when it is installed into the axle hole of a base. After the axle cam rotates by an angle, the tab matches and locks into a curved hole for positioning. Two sets of brakes have symmetrical matching stoppers on two opposite sides, so the brakes can be placed into any slot of the base and a guide groove can be placed on the axle line corresponding to convex point. The groove surface has a stop to block the convex point, so the brake can slide and lead the direction with position limiting function. Thus, this can prevent the brake from dropping out of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Nan Juen International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Hsiang Chiu
  • Patent number: 6896342
    Abstract: A cabinet anti-tilt safety apparatus including a cabinet body, at least two drawers arranged in the cabinet body, an activation section disposed on rear side of each drawer, a base seat fixed on inner face of a panel of the cabinet body corresponding to the rear side of each drawer, a slide seat slidably fitted with the base seat and movable between a first position and a second position, a first connecting section disposed at one end of the base seat and a second connecting section disposed at one end of the slide seat corresponding to the first connecting section. A block body is disposed on the slide seat corresponding to the activation section. The activation section can get into or out of the corresponding block body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: E-Make Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen Kung Cheng
  • Patent number: 6779855
    Abstract: Interlocks for file cabinets and the like which generally prevent more than one drawer from being opened at a given time. The interlocks include a elongated, flexible member, such as a cable, which is changeable from a high slack condition to a low slack condition. In the low slack condition, the interlocks prevent their associated drawers that are closed from being opened. In the high slack condition, the interlocks allow their associated drawer to be opened. The interlocks may be used in conjunction with a lock that selectively changes the cable from a high slack condition to a low slack condition and vice versa. The interlocks may be constructed to exert a force on the cable that is independent of the pulling force exerted on a locked drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Knape & Vogt Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Keith A. Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20040130246
    Abstract: An interlocking system for preventing simultaneous opening of drawers of a cabinet, comprising activation members affixable to back sides of the drawers and coupled to carriage members slideably mounted in guide supports affixable in the cabinet behind the drawers in respective registration with the activation members. An elongated track member affixable in the cabinet on a side of the guide supports slideably guides a stack of mobile blocks between which bolt elements projecting from the carriage members are driveable only one at a time due to a limited space provided for displacement of the blocks and for insertion of one of the bolt elements. The carriage members slide using the pulling and pushing motions of the activation members when the drawers are opened and closed. Due to the limited space, only one bolt element is insertable between the mobile blocks and only one drawer is openable at a same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Rousseau Metal Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Dube, Richard St-Pierre, Yves Lord
  • Publication number: 20040119383
    Abstract: An upright storage cabinet has a lock assembly which operates a vertically movable lock bar to simultaneously lock all drawers of the cabinet. The lock assembly includes a rotatable cam body which has a resiliently deflectable cam that projects radially therefrom. The cam body is rotatable between a locked position wherein the cam rotates a drive element to vertically displace the lock bar into engagement with the drawers, and an unlocked position wherein the cam allows the drive shaft to return to an initial position which disengages the lock bar from the drawers. The cam generates a driving force on the drive shaft during rotation of the cam body and is also resiliently deflectable to accommodate dimensional variations which varies the radial position of the drive shaft relative to the drive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Richard G. Haworth, Jayson J. Robinson, Jeremy J. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6749274
    Abstract: A modular housing assembly is stacked in a vertical array of similar assemblies within a multi-drawer storage unit. A modular housing assembly includes a housing and a linear channel extending though opposite ends of the housing. The channel opens into the interior of the housing. Two bar end modules slide along the channel. The end modules may be connected to bar spacers cut from separate pieces to form assembled sliding bars. An actuator, including a fork and a cam, is provided to lock the sliding bars to prevent more than one drawer from opening at one time. The housing includes a pair of opposing, sloped surfaces to align an activator mounted on an associated drawer so that the activator will travel along a guide when the drawer is returned to its closed position. The actuator engages with the activator when the activator travels along the guide, causing the actuator to rotate within the housing, about a pin mounted between two walls of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Florian Westwinkel
  • Patent number: 6742854
    Abstract: Anti-inclination and internal locking device for a cabinet, including a cabinet body, at least two drawers disposed in the cabinet body, a projecting body disposed on rear side of each drawer, a base seat fixedly disposed on inner side of a rear wall board of the cabinet body corresponding to each drawer, a slide seat slidably fitted in the base seat and movable between a first position and a second position and a first and a second connecting sections respectively disposed at one end of the base seat and one end of the slide seat. The projecting body has an activating section and a stop section. The slide seat is formed with an opening corresponding to the projecting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: E-Make Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kung Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 6726294
    Abstract: A cabinet locking system includes at least one cabinet having a housing and a plurality of separately openable compartments in the housing. The system has an interlocking device locking the compartments, that device including separate switchable locking devices mounted in the housing and assigned to the compartments as well as an access authorization device into which identification codes corresponding to the compartments may be entered. An electronic processing unit that is connected to the interlocking device and the access authorization device controls the locking devices in accordance with codes entered into the access authorization device so that by entering selected codes into that device, corresponding ones of the compartments are unlocked. The system also includes an interlock responsive to the opening of one unlocked compartment for preventing the opening of any other unlocked compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Lista Europe Holding AG
    Inventors: Thomas Muller, Bruno Hasler
  • Patent number: 6722749
    Abstract: A multi-drawer device includes a first drawer and a second drawer, each carried by a housing, and movable between a closed position disposed within a housing and an open position extending from the housing. A first slide assembly couples the first drawer to the housing and a second slide assembly couples the second drawer to the housing. A ramp and follower are each associated with the first drawer and the follower is adapted to contact and slide along the ramp. A first blocking device is associated with the second drawer and coupled to one of the ramp and the follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Pagac
  • Publication number: 20040036387
    Abstract: An anti-tip linkage mechanism for vertical file cabinets of the type having drawers and/or pivotal front panels includes molded polymeric cam follower housings that snap-fit onto each of the slide channels for the drawers or panels and non-circular connecting rods attached to cam actuators that enable interaction of the anti-tip mechanisms incorporated with each slide channel. Lock actuated auxiliary cam mechanisms and panel locking assemblies controllable by a single cabinet lock are connected with a cabinet lock by linkage bars or cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: CompX - Waterloo
    Inventors: Gary R. Ludwig, Jamie L. Payne, Todd T. Andres, Robert Dalton, Glyn A. Finch
  • Patent number: 6637843
    Abstract: A modular housing assembly is stacked in a vertical array of similar assemblies within a multi-drawer storage unit. A modular housing assembly includes a housing and a linear channel extending though opposite ends of the housing. The channel opens into the interior of the housing. Two bar end modules slide along the channel. The end modules may be connected to bar spacers cut from separate pieces to form assembled sliding bars. An actuator, including a fork and a cam, is provided to lock the sliding bars to prevent more than one drawer from opening at one time. The actuator rotates within the housing, about a pin mounted between two walls of the housing. A modular housing and a kit for installing a modular housing assembly are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Wesko Locks Ltd.
    Inventor: Florian Westwinkel
  • Patent number: 6634726
    Abstract: A multi-drawer device includes a first drawer and a second drawer, each carried by a housing, and movable between a closed position disposed within a housing and an open position extending from the housing. A first slide assembly couples the first drawer to the housing and a second slide assembly couples the second drawer to the housing. A ramp and follower are each associated with the first drawer and the follower is adapted to contact and slide along the ramp. A first blocking device is associated with the second slide assembly and coupled to one of the ramp and the follower. The ramp, the follower and the first blocking device all cooperate such that as the first drawer moves from the closed position toward the open position, the follower contacts and slides along the ramp, for moving the first blocking device into a locked position that interferes with the second slide assembly to prevent the second drawer from moving to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Slivon
  • Patent number: 6615993
    Abstract: A slide interlock assembly for a rack including a first rod, a first mount bracket secured to a first stationary member of the rack and having a first guide for receiving one end of the rod, a second mount bracket, secured to a second stationary member of the rack and having a second guide for receiving a second end of the first rod, a first actuator bracket secured to a first slide member adjacent the first mount bracket, having a surface that is inclined relative to a sliding axis of the first slide member for engaging a first end of the first rod, and a second actuator bracket, secured to a second slide member, having a hole for receiving a second end of the first rod when the first slide member is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Wolfram A. Rudiger
  • Patent number: 6568771
    Abstract: A drawer interlock system for a multi-drawer filing cabinet includes respective cam units, one associated with each drawer. The cam units are aligned on a common axis and each unit includes an in-line cam assembly that includes a rotary cam and two stationary cams, one above and one below the rotary cam. When a drawer is opened, the rotary cam is turned, causing axial displacement of the stationary cams, which takes up available “play” in the system, locking the cam units of the other drawers and preventing them being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: TK Canada Limited
    Inventors: Stefano Gentili, Eugene Varaschin, L. Scott Deugo
  • Publication number: 20030076016
    Abstract: A modular housing assembly is stacked in a vertical array of similar assemblies within a multi-drawer storage unit. A modular housing assembly includes a housing and a linear channel extending though opposite ends of the housing. The channel opens into the interior of the housing. Two bar end modules slide along the channel. The end modules may be connected to bar spacers cut from separate pieces to form assembled sliding bars. An actuator, including a fork and a cam, is provided to lock the sliding bars to prevent more than one drawer from opening at one time. The housing includes a pair of opposing, sloped surfaces to align an activator mounted on an associated drawer so that the activator will travel along a guide when the drawer is returned to its closed position. The actuator engages with the activator when the activator travels along the guide, causing the actuator to rotate within the housing, about a pin mounted between two walls of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Florian Westwinkel
  • Publication number: 20030062810
    Abstract: A modular housing assembly is stacked in a vertical array of similar assemblies within a multi-drawer storage unit. A modular housing assembly includes a housing and a linear channel extending though opposite ends of the housing. The channel opens into the interior of the housing. Two bar end modules slide along the channel. The end modules may be connected to bar spacers cut from separate pieces to form assembled sliding bars. An actuator, including a fork and a cam, is provided to lock the sliding bars to prevent more than one drawer from opening at one time. The actuator rotates within the housing, about a pin mounted between two walls of the housing. A modular housing and a kit for installing a modular housing assembly are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventor: Florian Westwinkel
  • Publication number: 20030025425
    Abstract: A guiding device for drawer is disclosed. The device comprises a cupboard body having a vertical slot at the inner wall thereof near to the external edge of the cupboard body, and a plurality of drawers. A plurality of safety connection blocks are mounted to the slot so that only a sliding space is provided. The top and bottom sides of each safety connection blocks are provided with rollers, so that when a drawer is withdrawn, the rail board located at the side of the drawer will squeeze in between two adjacent rollers and the sliding space of the slot is fully filled. This will cause the other safety connection blocks to mutually urge against each other and other drawers are restricted from withdrawal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventor: Hoff Fu Chia Cheng