Patent US3640596A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3640596A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety apparatus for mechanical filing cabinets
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1969-12-10
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1989-12-10
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure describes a safety apparatus for use in a mechanized filing cabinet. A lower bar having a lamp at one end and a photocell at the other end is attached by springs to the rear of the posting board of the filing cabinet. An upper bar also having a lamp at one end and a photocell at the other end is attached by springs to the bottom of the closure door of the filing cabinet. When either of the photocell beams is broken, the motor that moves the trays of the filing cabinet is deenergized. In addition, when the door is closed, the upper bar impinges on rubber stops causing the upper bar to move upwardly. The upward movement of the upper bar opens microswitches which are also connected to deenergize the tray movement motor.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Edwin Kanitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:34
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B63/00; A47B63/06; A47B63/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
282 words
A safety apparatus for use in a mechanized filing cabinet wherein any tray of a plurality of trays may be moved by an electric motor to an access opening, said filing cabinet also including a vertically sliding door for closing said access opening and a posting board projecting outwardly from said access opening, said safety apparatus comprising: an upper safety bar assembly, said upper safety bar assembly including: an upper bar; a first lamp mounted on one end of said upper bar so as to direct a beam of light toward the other end of said upper bar; a first photocell mounted on the other end of said upper bar so as to intercept the beam of light from said first lamp; and upper springs for hanging said upper bar from the lower edge of said sliding door of said mechanized filing cabinet in a vertically moveable manner; a lower safety bar assembly, said lower safety bar assembly including: a lower bar; a second lamp mounted on one end of said lower bar so as to direct a beam of light toward the other end of said lower bar; a second photocell mounted on the other end of said lower bar so as to intercept the beam of light from said second lamp; and, lower springs for hanging said lower bar from the rear of said posting board of said mechanized filing cabinet in a vertically movable manner; and, electric circuit means connected to said first and second photocells and to said electric motor for preventing the application of electric power to said electric motor when either of said light beams is prevented from being intercepted by said first and second photocells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
282 words
A safety apparatus for use in a mechanized filing cabinet wherein any tray of a plurality of trays may be moved by an electric motor to an access opening, said filing cabinet also including a vertically sliding door for closing said access opening and a posting board projecting outwardly from said access opening, said safety apparatus comprising: an upper safety bar assembly, said upper safety bar assembly including: an upper bar; a first lamp mounted on one end of said upper bar so as to direct a beam of light toward the other end of said upper bar; a first photocell mounted on the other end of said upper bar so as to intercept the beam of light from said first lamp; and upper springs for hanging said upper bar from the lower edge of said sliding door of said mechanized filing cabinet in a vertically moveable manner; a lower safety bar assembly, said lower safety bar assembly including: a lower bar; a second lamp mounted on one end of said lower bar so as to direct a beam of light toward the other end of said lower bar; a second photocell mounted on the other end of said lower bar so as to intercept the beam of light from said second lamp; and, lower springs for hanging said lower bar from the rear of said posting board of said mechanized filing cabinet in a vertically movable manner; and, electric circuit means connected to said first and second photocells and to said electric motor for preventing the application of electric power to said electric motor when either of said light beams is prevented from being intercepted by said first and second photocells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A safety apparatus for use in a mechanized filing cabinet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper springs exert less force than the weight of said upper safety bar assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A safety apparatus for use in a mechanized filing cabinet as claimed in claim 2 wherein said lower safety springs exert a greater force than the weight of said lower safety bar assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A safety apparatus for use in a mechanized filing cabinet as claimed in claim 3 including upper microswitches operably connected to said upper safety bar assembly and mounted on the back side of said sliding door, said microswitches mounted so as to be closed when said upper safety bar assembly is hanging against the upper spring force and open when said upper safety bar assembly is moved upwardly, said microswitches being connected to prevent the application of electric power to said electric motor when said upper safety bar is moved upwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A safety apparatus for use in a mechanized filing cabinet as claimed in claim 4 including lower microswitches operatively connected to said lower safety bar assembly so as to impinge on the underside of said posting board, said microswitches being closed with said lower safety bar assembly is in its normal raised position and open when said lower safety bar assembly is moved downwardly, said microswitches being connected so as to prevent the application of power to said electric motor when said lower safety bar assembly is moVed downwardly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
A safety apparatus for use in a mechanized filing cabinet as claimed in claim 5 wherein said lower safety bar assembly includes a pair of brackets attached to the lower side of said posting board, and a pair of rearwardly projecting arms connected to said brackets so as to swivel with respect to said brackets, said arms having said lower bar attached to their other ends so that said lower bar is located at the rear of said posting board.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |