Interlocking arrangement

Claim 2

In a cabinet containing a first drawer and a second drawer, each movable between an open position and a closed position, the drawers having predetermined widths and front edge portions arranged to leave a space therebetween, apparatus for preventing the relative movement of the first and second drawers and for sealing the space therebetween comprising: locking means movable between a first position in which relative movement between the first and second drawers is allowed and a second position in which said locking means is disposed in which said locking means is disposed in the space between the drawers across substantially the entire width thereof, whereby relative movement between the first and second drawers and access to the space therebetween is prevented; and actuation means connected to said locking means whereby said locking means may be moved between its first and second positions.

Claim 3

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises: a first bracket attached to the first drawer; a second bracket attached to the second drawer; and slide means movable between a first position in which said slide means engages only one of said brackets in order to allow relative movement between the first and second drawers and a second position in which said slide means engages both said first and second brackets in order to prevent relative movement between the first and second drawers.

Claim 4

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising second locking means movable between a first position in which relative movement between the second drawer and the cabinet is allowed and a second position in which said second locking means is disposed in the space between the second drawer and the cabinet across substantially the entire width of the drawer, whereby relative movement between the second drawer and the cabinet and access to the space therebetween is prevented, said actuation means being connected to said second locking means, whereby said second locking means may be moved between its first and second positions.

Claim 5

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: first cam means connected to the first drawer; second cam means connected to the second drawer; plate means movable in a direction transverse to the plane of the drawers and having first and second openings therein adapted to engage said first and second cam means, respectively; and bias means for normally positioning said plate means with said openings located to interact with the respective cam means, whereby opening of one of the drawers will cause the associated cam means to interact with the corresponding opening in said plate means to drive said plate means against the force of said bias means and thereby position said plate means to prevent opening of the other drawer.

Claim 6

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and second cam means each comprises: a cam surface arranged at an angle skewed with respect to the direction of movement of said plate means; and a lip projecting from a portion of said cam surface adjacent said plate means, said lip adapted to engage said plate means and prevent movement of the associated drawer when said plate means has been driven against the force of said bias means.

Claim 7

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said locking means and said second locking means are interconnected with said plate means for movement therewith, whereby positioning of said plate means to prevent opening of one or both drawers will place said locking means and said second locking means in their said second positions.

Claim 8

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cabinet has a door and further comprising actuation means for said plate means comprising an interlock portion that prevent closure of the door unless said plate means has been positioned to prevent opening of the drawers.

Claim 9

Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said interlock portion is connected to said plate means by a toggle arrangement, said toggle arrangement being adapted to cause said interlock portion to prevent closure of the door as a result of the force exerted by said bias means through said plate means unless the force is overcome by a superior force exerted on said interlock portion.

Claim 10

Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 and further comprising: movable members mounted on the first and second drawer, each of said movable members being normally biased against objects to be dispensed from the drawers and movable against such bias to permit reloading of the drawers; latch means mounted adjacent to each of said members for maintaining said members in a position away from the articles to be dispensed to permit reloading of the drawers; a first latch bar adjacent said latch means on the first drawer; a second latch bar adjacent said latch means on the second drawer, said first and second latch bars being connected to said plate means and adapted to engage the associated latch means to permit reloading of the drawers when said plate means is positioned to permit said cam means to engage the openings therein; and connection means between said plate means and said latching bars adapted to cause said latching bar to release said latch means when said plate means is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers.

Claim 11

Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the cabinet has a door and further comprising actuation means for said plate means comprising an interlock portion that prevents closure of the door unless said plate means has been positioned to prevent opening of the drawers.

Claim 12

An interlock arrangement for a cabinet having a door and having a first drawer and a second drawer, each drawer being movable between an open and a closed position, comprising: cam means located on each of the drawers; plate means movable in a direction transverse to the plane of the drawers and having openings therein adapted to be engaged by said cam means upon opening of the drawers, engagement of said plate means by one of said cam means upon opening of the associated drawer causing displacement of said plate means to prevent opening of the other drawer; bias means biasing said plate means toward a position wherein said opening therein may be engaged by the corresponding cam means; an interlock portion connected to said plate means and adapted to prevent closure of the door of the cabinet unless said plAte means is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers; and locking means interconnected with said plate means to close the spaced between the drawers and between each drawer and the cabinet and to prevent relative motion between the drawers and between a drawer and the cabinet, unless said plate means is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers.

Claim 13

An interlock arrangement for a cabinet having a door and having a first drawer and a second drawer, each drawer being movable between an open and a closed position, comprising: cam means located on each of the drawers; plate means movable in a direction transverse to the plane of the drawers and having openings therein adapted to be engaged by said cam means upon opening of the drawers, engagement of said plate means by one of said cam means upon opening of the associated drawer causing displacement of said plate means to prevent opening of the other drawer; bias means biasing said plate means toward a position wherein said opening therein may be engaged by the corresponding cam means; an interlock portion connected to said plate means and adapted to prevent closure of the door of the cabinet unless said plAte means is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers; and locking means interconnected with said plate means to close the spaced between the drawers and between each drawer and the cabinet and to prevent relative motion between the drawers and between a drawer and the cabinet, unless said plate means is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers.

Claim 14

An interlock arrangement for a cabinet having a door and having a first drawer and a second drawer, each drawer being movable between an open and a closed position, comprising: cam means located on each of the drawers; plate means movable in a direction transverse to the plane of the drawers and having openings therein adapted to be engaged by said cam means upon opening of the drawers, engagement of said plate means by one of said cam means upon opening of the drawers, engagement of the associated drawer causing displacement of said plate means to prevent opening of the other drawer; and bias means biasing said plate means toward a position wherein said openings therein may be engaged by the corresponding cam means; movable members mounted on the first and second drawer, each of said movable members being normally biased against objects to be dispensed from the drawers and movable against such bias to permit reloading of the drawers; latch means mounted adjacent to each of said members for maintaining said members in a position away from the articles to be dispensed to permit reloading of the drawers; a first latch bar adjacent said latch means on the first drawer; a second latch bar adjacent said latch means on the second drawer, said first and second latch bars being connected to said plate means and adapted to engage the associated latch means to permit reloading of the drawers when said plate means is positioned to permit said cam means to engage the openings therein; connection means between said plate means and said latching bars adapted to cause said latching bar to release said latch means when said plate means is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers; and an interlock portion connected to said plate means and adapted to prevent closure of the door of the cabinet unless said plate means is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers, whereby said latching bars are forced to release said latch means before the door of the cabinet can be closed.

Claim 15

An interlock arrangement for a cabinet having a door and having a first drawer and a second drawer, each drawer being movable between an open and a closed position, comprising: cam means located on each of the drawers; plate means movable in a direction transverse to the plane of the drawers and having openings therein adapted to be engaged by said cam means upon opening of the drawers, engagement of said plate means by one of said cam means upon opening of the drawers, engagement of the associated drawer causing displacement of said plate means to prevent opening of the other drawer; and bias means biasing said plate means toward a position wherein said openings therein may be engaged by the corresponding cam means; movable members mounted on the first and second drawer, each of said movable members being normally biased against objects to be dispensed from the drawers and movable against such bias to permit reloading of the drawers; latch means mounted adjacent to each of said members for maintaining said members in a position away from the articles to be dispensed to permit reloading of the drawers; a first latch bar adjacent said latch means on the first drawer; a second latch bar adjacent said latch means on the second drawer, said first and second latch bars being connected to said plate means and adapted to engage the associated latch means to permit reloading of the drawers when said plate means is positioned to permit said cam means to engage the openings therein; connection means between said plate means and said latching bars adapted to cause said latching bar to release said latch means when said plate means is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers; and an interlock portion connected to said plate means and adapted to prevent closure of the door of the cabinet unless said plate means is positioned to prevent opening of the drawers, whereby said latching bars are forced to release said latch means before the door of the cabinet can be closed.