The present invention relates generally to a locking device for drawers of a file cabinet.
Lower-priced file cabinets are commonly sold without a built-in lock. Some other cabinets may originally have a built-in lock, but the keys may be malfunctioning or the key may be lost. In these cases, a replacement lock provided by a locksmith may be expensive. It is desirable to have an inexpensive non-built-in locking device to lock a drawer of the file cabinet, in order to store and secure valuable, sensitive or confidential documents.
The present invention provides a locking system for standard file drawer cabinets, and in particular steel-constructed filing cabinets. The system includes a first locking device including a main elongated member that includes a locking end portion and an opposing attaching end portion, the attaching end portion including an upturned wall at the distal end of the attaching end, and a laterally-extending hooking member extending from an upper end of the upturned wall toward the locking end portion, substantially parallel to the main elongated member, the hooking member spaced apart from the main elongated member at the attaching end by a gap having a dimension, wherein the gap accommodates insertion of the thickness of an inwardly extending wall of a filing cabinet that defines the upper edge of the file drawer opening.
The first locking device is useful in locking the drawer, especially the top drawer, of a first embodiment of a filing cabinet that includes a main drawer disposed within a main drawer frame, the upper structure of main drawer frame defining a drawer opening including a vertical outer wall having a lower edge and a lower horizontal wall of a wall thickness extending perpendicularly from the lower edge into the drawer opening.
The attaching end can include a laterally-extending upturned wall and an upper and lower laterally-extending members extending from a lower end and the upper end of the upturned wall, toward the locking end, the upper and lower laterally-extending members having a substantially constant gap therebetween that accommodates insertion of the thickness of the lateral lower horizontal wall of the drawer opening with the elongated member extending outward from the drawer opening. The gap between the pair of laterally-extending members can taper toward the locking end, with the upper laterally-extending member having an upturned distal edge for easier insertion of the lateral lower horizontal wall of the drawer opening.
The invention also relates to a method for securing closed a drawer within a drawer opening of a file cabinet, comprising the steps of: a) opening a drawer of a file cabinet; b) attaching the attaching end portion of the locking device to the lower horizontal portion of the upper front of the file cabinet; c) closing the drawer to expose the locking end portion; and d) attaching a lock to the locking end portion to prevent the drawer from opening within the drawer opening.
The invention also relates to instructions associated with the use of the locking device with a file cabinet, directing the consumer to attach the locking device to the file cabinet, and for closing and locking the drawer in the file cabinet. The invention also relates to a method of closing and locking and securing a drawer of a file cabinet using the locking device.
The invention also relates to an article of manufacture comprising the locking device, packaged in association with instructions for use by a consumer, with the use of the locking device with a file cabinet, and with a method of locking and securing a drawer of the file cabinet using the locking device.
The locking end 14 comprises a rounded end 52 and a plurality of lock engaging elements 50 (teeth or ridges) disposed along the side edge of the body 16. This locking end 14 is used to lock the drawer using a ratcheting lock 55 (shown in
The first locking device is useful in locking the drawer of a first embodiment of a filing cabinet shown in
The upturned wall 18 is also illustrated as being laterally-extending, and connects the upper laterally-extending or hooking member 20 with a lower laterally-extending member 22. The upper and lower laterally-extending members 20 and 22 having a substantially constant gap therebetween that accommodates insertion of the thickness of the lateral lower horizontal wall 103 of the drawer opening with the body 16 of the elongated locking portion 14 extending outward from the drawer opening. The gap between the pair of laterally-extending members of the attaching portion 12 can have a taper 26 toward the locking end of dimension X. The upper laterally-extending member 20 can have an upturned distal edge 28 for easier insertion of the lateral lower horizontal wall 103 of the drawer opening.
Once the locking device is installed by hooking the attaching end 12 over the horizontal wall 103 of the drawer, the file drawer 101 is closed and a lock means, illustrated as a ratcheting lock 55, is installed over the rounded end 52 of the locking end to engage ratchetingly to the teeth 50 along the side edge of the body 16, thereby securing closed the drawer 101.
The length of the pair of laterally-extending members of the attaching portion 12 that extend along the lower horizontal portion 103 of the file cabinet is typically from about 6 cm to about 12 cm, preferably from about 8 cm to about 10 cm. The narrow gap formed between the lower horizontal portion 103 of the upper front of the file cabinet and the upper horizontal edge 109 of the cabinet drawer constrains the attaching end of the elongated member and prevents the elongated member from wiggling.
The invention also relates to instructions associated with the use of the locking device with a file cabinet, directing the consumer to attach the locking device to the file cabinet, and for closing and locking the drawer in the file cabinet. The invention also relates to a method of closing and locking and securing a drawer of a file cabinet using the locking device. Typically the method for securing closed a drawer within a drawer opening of a file cabinet comprises the steps of: a) opening a drawer of a file cabinet; b) attaching the attaching end portion of the locking device to the lower horizontal portion of the upper front of the file cabinet; c) closing the drawer to expose the locking end portion; and e) attaching a locking means to the locking end portion to prevent the drawer from opening within the drawer opening.
The invention also relates to an article of manufacture comprising the locking device, the lock and one or more keys, packaged in association with instructions for use by a consumer, with the use of the locking device with a file cabinet, and with a method of locking and securing a drawer of the file cabinet using the locking device.