Patent US3883199A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3883199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
File drawer interlocking and locking mechanism
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1972-07-25
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1992-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A file drawer interlocking and locking mechanism that includes an elongated rod that carries a plurality of projections thereon. Each file drawer carries thereon a channel member to engage a corresponding one of the projections to prevent more than one drawer from being opened when another drawer is already in an extended position. The elongated rod pivots between drawer closed and drawer opened positions as part of the drawer interlocking action. To provide for drawer locking, the rod is moved in the direction of its elongation to engage all of the channel members on the drawers and to prevent any drawer from being opened.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Charles R Cawley
- 👤 Gerald M Wiseman
- 👤 John T Gabel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:47
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B65/00; E05B65/46; E05B65/462; E05B65/463; E05B65/465; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
A file drawer interlocking mechanism comprising an elongated rod pivotal about a longitudinal axis between drawer closed and drawer opened positions and extending parallel to one of the sides of each of a plurality of drawers of a multi drawer file and carrying a plurality of projections thereon spaced from and parallel to the rod and each positioned closely adjacent to a corresponding one of said drawer sides, channel means on each of said drawer sides and positioned closely adjacent to and operatively associated with a corresponding one of said projections in the closed position of the drawer, each channel means having opposed sides defining a channel through which the corresponding projection passes as the drawer is moved between closed and opened positions, one of the sides of each channel engaging the corresponding projection to pivot said elongated rod about said axis from said drawer closed position to said drawer opened position as the projection moves through the corresponding channel during the opening of the corresponding drawer when all other drawers are in closed positions, the opposite side of each channel engaging the corresponding projection to pivot said elongated rod from said drawer opened pOsition to said drawer closed position as the projection moves through the corresponding channel during the closing of the corresponding drawer when all other drawers are in closed positions, and each channel means having a striking surface which strikes the corresponding projection when the corresponding drawer is in the closed position but said elongated rod is in the drawer opened position to prevent the opening of any closed drawer when another drawer is in an opened position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
A file drawer interlocking mechanism comprising an elongated rod pivotal about a longitudinal axis between drawer closed and drawer opened positions and extending parallel to one of the sides of each of a plurality of drawers of a multi drawer file and carrying a plurality of projections thereon spaced from and parallel to the rod and each positioned closely adjacent to a corresponding one of said drawer sides, channel means on each of said drawer sides and positioned closely adjacent to and operatively associated with a corresponding one of said projections in the closed position of the drawer, each channel means having opposed sides defining a channel through which the corresponding projection passes as the drawer is moved between closed and opened positions, one of the sides of each channel engaging the corresponding projection to pivot said elongated rod about said axis from said drawer closed position to said drawer opened position as the projection moves through the corresponding channel during the opening of the corresponding drawer when all other drawers are in closed positions, the opposite side of each channel engaging the corresponding projection to pivot said elongated rod from said drawer opened pOsition to said drawer closed position as the projection moves through the corresponding channel during the closing of the corresponding drawer when all other drawers are in closed positions, and each channel means having a striking surface which strikes the corresponding projection when the corresponding drawer is in the closed position but said elongated rod is in the drawer opened position to prevent the opening of any closed drawer when another drawer is in an opened position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
A file drawer mechanism according to claim 1, including spring means biasing said elongated rod into each of its drawer opened and drawer closed positions, and in which an end of said elongated rod includes an extension substantially at right angles to the direction of elongation of said rod, and said spring means includes a V-shaped spring engaging said extension, one side of said V-shaped spring engaging said extension in the drawer opened position of the rod and the other side of said V-shaped spring engaging said extension in the drawer closed position of the rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
A file drawer mechanism according to claim 1, in which each of said channel means comprises a clip having a first portion attached to a side of the corresponding drawer, a generally U-shaped portion in section defining said channel and attached at one end to said first portion with the plane of said U-shaped section at an acute angle to the plane of said drawer side, and a second portion joining together the other end of said U-shaped portion and said first portion and defining said striking surface on the channel means which strikes the corresponding projection when the corresponding drawer is in closed positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A file drawer mechanism according to claim 1, in which said elongated rod is also movable in the direction of its elongation between drawer locked and drawer unlocked positions, each channel means having a striking part which strikes the corresponding projection when the corresponding drawer is in the closed position and said elongated rod is in the drawer locked position to provide for the locking of all drawers in closed positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A file drawer mechanism according to claim 4, in which said striking part of each channel means comprises an edge portion thereof shaped with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of said projection to interfit therewith when the projection is struck by said striking part of said channel means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
173 words
A file drawer mechanism according to claim 4, in which each of said channel means comprises a clip having a first portion attached to a side of the corresponding drawer, a generally U-shaped portion in section defining said channel and attached at one end to said first portion with the plane of said U-shaped section at an acute angle to the plane of said drawer side, and a second portion joining together the other end of said U-shaped portion and said first portion and defining said striking surface on the channel means which strikes the corresponding projection when the corresponding drawer is in closed position, an edge of said U-shaped portion at said other end thereof defining said striking part of said channel means that strikes the corresponding projection when the corresponding drawer is in the closed position and said elongated rod is in the drawer locked position, said edge being shaped with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of said projection to interfit therewith when the projection is struck by said edge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A file drawer mechanism according to claim 4, including locking means for moving said elongated rod between said drawer locked and unlocked positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A file drawer mechanism according to claim 7, in which said locking means comprises an extension of said elongated rod substantially at right angles to the direction of elongation of said rod, and a locking rod engaging said extension for moving said extension in the direction of elongation of said elongated rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A file drawer mechanism according to claim 8, in which said locking rod has an end thereof that engages said extension of said elongated rod, and said locking rod is pivotal about a portion thereof and when so pivoted said end thereof moves said extension in the direction of elongation of said elongated rod.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A file drawer mechanism according to claim 9, including a locking mechanism on an outer surface of said multi drawer file for actuating said locking rod to pivot the same about said portion thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |