Patent US5079992A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3900236A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3900236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
File interlock
Assignee: CT TEN LP
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Filing: 1974-06-28
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1994-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A file device includes a plurality of vertically stacked drawers or shelves provided with a safety interlock system precluding the opening of more than one storage element at a time. The cabinet contains a plurality of vertically aligned lock bars supporting rotary cam members adapted to be arcuately displaced upon movement of one storage element whereby all remaining lock bars and cam members are immobilized against vertical and rotary displacement respectively, to block movement of any additional storage element.
Inventors
- 👤 Gabriel J Goulish
- 👤 Leo Terlecki
- 👤 Alan R Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:33
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B65/00; E05B65/46; E05B65/462; E05B65/463; E05B65/464
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A file cabinet having a plurality of vertically stacked storage elements provided with interlock means for preventing the opening of more than one said element at a time, said interlock means including, a plurality of vertically aligned lock bars in said cabinet for limited vertical displacement therein, guide means in said cabinet containing said lock bars and defining the limit of vertical displacement of said lock bars, cam means carried by each said lock bar each having rotatable lesser and greater diameter portions, said lesser diameter portions normally disposed immediately adjacent the next lower one of said lock bars, means mounting each said storage element within said cabinet for substantially horizontal rectilinear movement therein, activator means horizontally movable concurrently with each said storage element to engage one said cam means to vertically displace its respective lock bar and concurrently rotate said cam means whereby, when one said cam means has been rotated by said activator means and its respective lock bar elevated thereby, all remaining said lock bars and cam members are immobilized and block movement of any additional activator means and associated storage elements therepast.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A file cabinet having a plurality of vertically stacked storage elements provided with interlock means for preventing the opening of more than one said element at a time, said interlock means including, a plurality of vertically aligned lock bars in said cabinet for limited vertical displacement therein, guide means in said cabinet containing said lock bars and defining the limit of vertical displacement of said lock bars, cam means carried by each said lock bar each having rotatable lesser and greater diameter portions, said lesser diameter portions normally disposed immediately adjacent the next lower one of said lock bars, means mounting each said storage element within said cabinet for substantially horizontal rectilinear movement therein, activator means horizontally movable concurrently with each said storage element to engage one said cam means to vertically displace its respective lock bar and concurrently rotate said cam means whereby, when one said cam means has been rotated by said activator means and its respective lock bar elevated thereby, all remaining said lock bars and cam members are immobilized and block movement of any additional activator means and associated storage elements therepast.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A file Cabinet according to claim 1 wherein, said cabinet includes a sidewall and said lock bar guide means comprise a vertical channel provided adjacent the interior of said side wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A file cabinet according to claim 1 wherein, said cam means comprise a rotary cam member, said lesser diameter portion including a central main body having an annular periphery, and said greater diameter portion includes a radial cam flange having an arcuate periphery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A file cabinet according to claim 1 wherein, said mounting means include at least a pair of suspension channels between each side of each said storage elements and the sides of said cabinet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A file cabinet according to claim 1 wherein, said activator means include a front ramp engageable with said cam means'' lesser diameter portion to rotate said greater diameter portion as said storage element is horizontally displaced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A file cabinet according to claim 1 wherein, at least one said lock bar includes an inturned flange tip at its top and said cam means carried by the next higher of said lock bars rests upon said flange tip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
136 words
A file cabinet according to claim 2 wherein, said lock bars normally are disposed one upon another when all said storage elements are in the closed position within said cabinet to provide a free space between the top of the uppermost of said lock bars and the upper limit of said channel whereby, opening of one said storage element horizontally displaces its associated activator to engage said cam means'' lesser diameter portion and elevate the attached lock bar and any higher lock bar so that said free space is occupied by the top of the uppermost one of said lock bars, and said concurrent rotation of said cam means arcuately displaces said greater diameter portion to a position below said lesser diameter portion and overlying the top of the most lower one of said lock bars.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A file cabinet according to claim 3 wherein, said annular periphery is provided with friction means enhancing positive engagement with said activator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
67 words
A file cabinet according to claim 3 wherein, said rotary cam member includes a rib radially extending from said main body adjacent to and in the vertical plane of said radial cam flange whereby, said rib normally supports its associated lock bar upon the top of the next lower one of said lock bars when the adjacent one of said storage elements is in the closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
A file cabinet according to claim 4 including, one of each said pairs of channels fixed to each side of said storage element and said activator means are fixed to one said storage element affixed channel at a point located to the rear of said lock bars when said storage element is in the closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A file cabinet according to claim 5 wherein, the height of said ramp is no less than the difference in the radius of said lesser and greater diameter portions of said cam means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A file cabinet according to claim 5 wherein, said ramp includes a leading edge disposed below said cam means'' lesser diameter portion and above the top of the next lower one of said lock bars.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A file cabinet according to claim 5 wherein, said activator includes a central top track and a rear ramp.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
A file cabinet according to claim 6 including, rib means on said cam means engageable with said lock bar flange tip to provide a minimal spacing between said lesser diameter portion and said flange tip through which said activator passes when the adjacent said storage element is opened.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
A file cabinet according to claim 7 wherein, said activator includes a front ramp and the height of said channel free space when all said storage elements are closed is substantially less than twice the height of said ramp whereby only one said cam means may be vertically displaced at a time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3199937A
Cited
US3622216A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |