US3870387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
File drawer interlock mechanism
Assignee: Harbor Universal Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-27
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1994-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A file drawer interlock mechanism for preventing the opening of more than one of a plurality of drawers, trays or shelves, slideably mounted in a file cabinet. Each slideable unit is provided with an interlock channel on a side wall thereof, the channels being mutually spaced by a first predetermined interval when the units are mounted in the cabinet. An interlock bar slideably disposed within the cabinet in a generally vertical direction is provided with a plurality of interlock members mutually spaced at second intervals different from the separation distance of the interlock channels. With all units closed, each interlock member is positioned in a forward portion of the associated interlock channel. When a single unit is opened, the corresponding interlock member is forcibly positioned in the interlock channel, thereby changing the position of the remaining interlock members. Since the remaining interlock members are misaligned from their corresponding interlock channels, a second unit cannot be opened. With all units closed, the lower-most unit interlock channel and interlock member are normally aligned so that accidental tipping of the cabinet causes the lower-most unit to open under the force of gravity to minimize the danger of cabinet tip-over. A full lock-up mechanism is also provided for preventing any one of the units from being opened.
Inventors
- 👤 Merle H Mortashed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:01
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B65/00; E05B65/46; E05B65/462; E05B65/463
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
In a cabinet having a plurality of slideable units mounting at first spaced intervals, an interlock device for preventing the opening of more than one unit, said interlock device comprising: an interlock bar slideably secured to said cabinet in a generally vertical position; a plurality of interlock members rotatably attached to said bar at second spaced intervals different from said first spaced intervals, said first and second spaced intervals extending in a direction substantially normal to the sliding direction of said units; and a corresponding plurality of interlock channels secured to different ones of said units at said first spaced intervals in selective misalignment with said interlock members, said interlock channels having camming portions arranged in cooperative relationship with said interlock members so that the opening of a single unit forceably aligns the corresponding interlock member and channel and causes mis-alignment of the remaining interlock members and channels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a cabinet having a plurality of slideable units mounting at first spaced intervals, an interlock device for preventing the opening of more than one unit, said interlock device comprising: an interlock bar slideably secured to said cabinet in a generally vertical position; a plurality of interlock members rotatably attached to said bar at second spaced intervals different from said first spaced intervals, said first and second spaced intervals extending in a direction substantially normal to the sliding direction of said units; and a corresponding plurality of interlock channels secured to different ones of said units at said first spaced intervals in selective misalignment with said interlock members, said interlock channels having camming portions arranged in cooperative relationship with said interlock members so that the opening of a single unit forceably aligns the corresponding interlock member and channel and causes mis-alignment of the remaining interlock members and channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a cabinet having a plurality of slideable units mounting at first spaced intervals, an interlock device for preventing the opening of more than one unit, said interlock device comprising: an interlock bar slideably secured to said cabinet in a generally vertical position; a plurality of interlock members rotatably attached to said bar at second spaced intervals different from said first spaced intervals, said first and second spaced intervals extending in a direction substantially normal to the sliding direction of said units; and a corresponding plurality of interlock channels secured to different ones of said units at said first spaced intervals in selective misalignment with said interlock members, said interlock channels having camming portions arranged in cooperative relationship with said interlock members so that the opening of a single unit forceably aligns the corresponding interlock member and channel and causes mis-alignment of the remaining interlock members and channels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a cabinet having a plurality of slideable units mounting at first spaced intervals, an interlock device for preventing the opening of more than one unit, said interlock device comprising: an interlock bar slideably secured to said cabinet in a generally vertical position; a plurality of interlock members rotatably attached to said bar at second spaced intervals different from said first spaced intervals, said first and second spaced intervals extending in a direction substantially normal to the sliding direction of said units; and a corresponding plurality of interlock channels secured to different ones of said units at said first spaced intervals in selective misalignment with said interlock members, said interlock channels having camming portions arranged in cooperative relationship with said interlock members so that the opening of a single unit forceably aligns the corresponding interlock member and channel and causes mis-alignment of the remaining interlock members and channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said interlock members each comprise a roller rotatably attached to said interlock bar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 further including means for forcibly mis-aligning said plurality of interlock members relative to said interlock channels to prevent the opening of any one of said units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein said misaligning means includes a plurality of abutment flanges positioned at the forward end of said interlock channels, and means for translating said interlock members to an abutting position relative to said abutment flanges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said translating means includes said interlock bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said translating means includes a second bar slideably secured to said cabinet in a generally vertical position and wherein said interlock means each comprise a tab member having a curved head portion rotatably attached to said second bar and a flared tail portion rotatably attached to said interlock bar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said interlock bar is retained in a forward corner portion of said cabinet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the interlock channel secured to a first one of said units is normally aligned with the corresponding interlock member when all said units are closed to provide preferential opening of said first one of said units.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said first one of said units is the lower-most unit.
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) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |