US3874755A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anti-tilt lock mechanism
Assignee: Interstate Industries Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-29
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1993-10-29
Abstract
Abstract An anti-tilt mechanism for locking the remaining drawers of a filing cabinet in a closed position when one of the drawers is pulled open. Catch-plates affixed to each drawer are adapted to engage pins affixed to a lock rod suspended within the cabinet frame. When one drawer is pulled outwardly the lock rod is raised upwardly, automatically sliding pins corresponding to the remaining drawers into locking engagement with their respective catch-plates. Fail-safe means are also provided to correct inadvertent downward shifting of the lock rod when one drawer is opened.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R Hegg
- 👤 Michael D Mccormack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:01
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B65/00; E05B65/46; E05B65/462; E05B65/463
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
324 words
In a filing cabinet comprising a cabinet frame, a plurality of vertically stacked drawers slidably supported within said frame for inward and outward movement with respect thereto, and an anti-tilt lock mechanism for maintaining the remaining drawers fixed within said cabinet when one of said drawers is pulled outwardly from said cabinet, said anti-tilt lock mechanism comprising a lock rod carried by said cabinet and extending generally vertically therewithin, collar means affixed to said cabinet frame and constituting guide means for said lock rod during vertical shifting thereof; a plurality of pin means secured to and extending laterally outwardly from said lock rod at vertically spaced positions therealong correlated with respective said drawers for locking engagement therewith; vertically disposed catch-plate means affixed to each said drawers and projecting outwardly therefrom, each said catchplate means being formed with a rearwardly opening, generally V-shaped slot adapted to receive therewithin and across a corresponding pin means carried by said lock rod; and detent means affixed to said cabinet frame and said lock rod and adapted to retain said lock rod and each of the pin means connected thereto in an elevated position when said lock rod is shifted upwardly; the improvement wherein said slot includes upward and rearward channels diverging upwardly from a junction thereof, said rearward channel opening rearwardly of said catch-plate means; and wherein walls bounding said slot include a first bearing edge for said pin means, said first bearing edge being pitched rearwardly and upwardly and constituting a lower margin of the rearward channel of said slot; whereby upon pulling one of said drawers outwardly from said cabinet frame said first bearing edge abuts against a corresponding pin means to elevate said pin means and the lock rod connected thereto, thereby to raise said pin means in each said upward channel of said catch-plate means of each remaining drawer of the cabinet and to lock the remaining drawers within the cabinet against withdrawal therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
324 words
In a filing cabinet comprising a cabinet frame, a plurality of vertically stacked drawers slidably supported within said frame for inward and outward movement with respect thereto, and an anti-tilt lock mechanism for maintaining the remaining drawers fixed within said cabinet when one of said drawers is pulled outwardly from said cabinet, said anti-tilt lock mechanism comprising a lock rod carried by said cabinet and extending generally vertically therewithin, collar means affixed to said cabinet frame and constituting guide means for said lock rod during vertical shifting thereof; a plurality of pin means secured to and extending laterally outwardly from said lock rod at vertically spaced positions therealong correlated with respective said drawers for locking engagement therewith; vertically disposed catch-plate means affixed to each said drawers and projecting outwardly therefrom, each said catchplate means being formed with a rearwardly opening, generally V-shaped slot adapted to receive therewithin and across a corresponding pin means carried by said lock rod; and detent means affixed to said cabinet frame and said lock rod and adapted to retain said lock rod and each of the pin means connected thereto in an elevated position when said lock rod is shifted upwardly; the improvement wherein said slot includes upward and rearward channels diverging upwardly from a junction thereof, said rearward channel opening rearwardly of said catch-plate means; and wherein walls bounding said slot include a first bearing edge for said pin means, said first bearing edge being pitched rearwardly and upwardly and constituting a lower margin of the rearward channel of said slot; whereby upon pulling one of said drawers outwardly from said cabinet frame said first bearing edge abuts against a corresponding pin means to elevate said pin means and the lock rod connected thereto, thereby to raise said pin means in each said upward channel of said catch-plate means of each remaining drawer of the cabinet and to lock the remaining drawers within the cabinet against withdrawal therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said detent means comprises a lug affixed to said cabinet frame; spring means resiliently urging said lug against said lock rod; and a socket in said lock adapted to receive said lug thereby to detain said lock rod and each said pin means connected thereto in an elevated, drawer locking position when one of the drawers is pulled outwardly from the cabinet to bring said lug and said socket into mating engagement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 1, wherein walls bounding said slot further include a second bearing edge for said pin means, said second bearing edge being pitched rearwardly and upwardly and constituting an upper margin of the rearward channel of said slot; whereby upon pushing an open drawer inwardly into said cabinet frame said second bearing edge abuts against a corresponding pin means to force said pin means and the lock rod connected thereto downward, thereby to release said lock rod from said detent means and to lower said pin means in each said upward channel of said catch plate means of each remaining drawer of the cabinet and to free the remaining drawers for selective withdrawal from the cabinet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
The improvement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said catch-plate means further comprises fail-safe means for lifting said lock rod upwardly to engage each said pin means within corresponding slots in case of inadvertent downward shifting of said lock rod while one of the drawers is open, said fail-safe means comprising a vertically disposed angle plate affixed to said catch-plate means, said angle plate being characterized by a third bearing edge pitched rearwardly and doWnwardly of a rearward opening of said slot, said third bearing edge being adapted to abut against said pin means and to lift said pin means upwardly into the rearward channel of said slot upon rearward shifting of an open drawer to a closed position within said cabinet. 5. The improvement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said angle plate is integrally formed with said catch-plate means.
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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |