Patent Application
20070278910
The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
Referring to the figure, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a door 10 that can cover a locker or the like. Door 10 comprises transparent section 12 through which the contents of an enclosure 14 covered by the door can be viewed. A cover 16 which is mounted on the door over the transparent section prevents viewing of the contents of the enclosure when the cover is in place. The cover is movable between a contents-viewing position and a contents-covering position.
The door includes a locking element 20 which is operated by the person who is authorized to enter the locker, such as the owner or renter of the locker. The locking element can include a combination lock, a shackle lock or a key lock as is generally associated with lockers. Cover 16 is adapted to be operated by an authorized person such as a security guard or the like.
Door 10 can include a section 30 that is simply transparent, or a section 32 that includes louvers 34 that are movable between an open position and a closed position by a mechanism that includes a lock 36 on handle 38 of the locker and suitable levers and arms 40 connecting the lock to the louvers to move the louvers when the lock on the handle is turned, or when the handle is turned. Thus, when lock 36 is turned in direction 42, a portion of the levers and arms moves in direction 44 to move louvers 34 from a closed condition to an open condition. Once the authorized person has viewed the contents of the locker, he or she moves lock 36 in the opposite direction to close the louvers and restore privacy to the locker. Lock 36 can be located immediately adjacent to the louvers as indicated for lock 36′ with suitable arms and levers connecting the lock to the louvers to move the louvers as just discussed. In this manner, someone other than the owner or renter of the locker can view the contents of the locker while maintaining the privacy associated with a locked enclosure such as a locker.
Yet another form of the invention simply has a door 50 that is clear or transparent. While this form obviates privacy, in some instances it is acceptable. The doors can include vents 60 through which dogs can sniff the contents of the locker whereby drugs, explosives or the like can be detected using trained dogs.
While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.
