Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6341511
-
Patent Number
6,341,511
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, November 19, 199726 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, January 29, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Pillsbury Winthrop LLP Intellectual Property
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 312 219
- 312 218
- 312 216
- 312 217
- 109 45
- 109 49
- 109 56
- 109 53
- 109 59 R
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A lock system for locking a chest having multiple banks of drawers having a horizontally situated transfer mechanism, the transfer mechanism adapted to move horizontally and where the transfer mechanism is positioned behind a portion of each of the multiple banks of drawers intended to be locked and unlocked; a lockrod for actuating the horizontally situated transfer mechanism; and a plurality of vertically situated lock hinges, where each of the lock hinges corresponding to a bank of drawers, and wherein each of the vertically situated lock hinges are actuated by a horizontal movement of the transfer mechanism.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of workstations, and more particularly, to an improved workstation lock system.
Portable tool chests are known in the art (e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,549,377 and 4,938,548). However, known tool chests, or workstations, have traditionally been installed with lock systems that are hard to service, require high actuation force, and are not easily installed in workstations of different sizes. The demand for, and cost of, heavy-duty workstations is on the rise. Accordingly, the present invention provides a flexible lock system that may be used in many different types of workstations and with workstations of many sizes. The flexibility of the lock system of the present invention allows easy and costeffective integration in different types of workstations, with workstations of many sizes, and with workstations having various drawer arrangements.
The lock system of the present system is designed so as to allow low torque manipulation. The transfer channel of the present invention moves in the horizontal plane to lock and unlock banks of drawers. This horizontal actuation requires much less torque in manipulating the lock system as compared to traditional lock systems which operate in the vertical plane. The horizontally actuated transfer channel makes the lock system comfortable for the user to activate.
The lock system of the present invention is also designed to be easily serviced. As key locks are routinely serviced for code changes, the lock system of the present invention is designed with a “hairpin” clip underneath the key lock which provides easy access to the lock system. The lock system of the present invention may also be configured with a remote entry locking mechanism.
Accordingly, the present invention provides many advantages over known lock systems. The lock system of the present invention:
1.) is designed to allow easy locking and unlocking of multiple banks of drawers using a single keylock;
2.) allows manipulation of the lock mechanism by minimal torque making it very comfortable for the user to activate;
3.) is easily adapted to virtually any unit size or drawer configuration;
4.) is adapted with a keyless entry feature; and
5.) is adapted with a “key-alike” lock system that is easily changed without disassembling the entire unit.
The present invention is preferably comprised of:
a horizontally situated transfer mechanism, the transfer mechanism adapted to move horizontally; a means for actuating the horizontally situated transfer mechanism; and a plurality of vertically situated lock mechanisms, where each of the lock mechanisms corresponds to a bank of drawers, and wherein each of the vertically situated lock mechanisms are actuated by a horizontal movement of the transfer mechanism.
In addition to the features mentioned above, objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent upon a reading of the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Novel features and advantages of the present invention, in addition to those mentioned above, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:
FIG. 1
illustrates one embodiment of an assembled workstation;
FIG. 2
illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a workstation;
FIG. 3
illustrates one embodiment of a workstation with exploded views of the uprights;
FIG. 4
illustrates one embodiment of a workstation with an exploded view of the top panel;
FIG. 5
illustrate alternative upright and drawer configurations of the workstation of
FIGS. 1-4
;
FIG. 6
illustrates an elevational cross-sectional view of the workstation of
FIGS. 1-4
;
FIG. 7
illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the lock system of the present invention;
FIG. 8
illustrates an exploded view of portions of the lock system of the present invention;
FIG. 9
illustrates embodiment of a drawer interface of the present invention;
FIGS. 10-11
illustrate one embodiment of the key lock and lockrod of the present invention;
FIG. 12
illustrates a perspective view of the lock hinge of the present invention; and
FIG. 13
illustrates an embodiment of the workstation having a cable as the transfer mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
The preferred system herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. They are chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention, and the application of the method to practical uses, so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention.
FIG. 1
illustrates one embodiment of an assembled workstation
10
to whicb the lock system of the present invention may be installed (although the following description relates to a lock system of the present invention installed on a modular workstation, it should be appreciated that the lock system may also be used with a one-piece workstation). The workstation
10
illustrated in
FIG. 1
is a heavy-duty workstation capable of storing large loads and having the flexibility to be custom built for different user specifications.
In the preferred embodiment, the workstation
10
resides on spring casters
12
. The casters
12
provide portability to the workstation
10
. The casters
12
are designed to support the large loads the workstation
10
is capable of storing.
The workstation
10
illustrated in
FIG. 1
depicts a workstation
10
having a first and second upright
40
,
42
positioned in predetermined positions along the base portion
18
of the workstation
10
. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the uprights
40
,
42
may be placed in various locations along the base portion
18
to allow for different drawer arrangements. A third upright (not shown in
FIG. 1
, see
FIGS. 5A-5Q
) may also be used in conjunction with the first and second uprights
40
,
42
to provide four banks of drawers across the workstation
10
.
Example dime ions have been indicated on FIG.
1
. In another embodiment of the workstation
10
shown it
FIG. 1
, the width of the workstation
10
is 88¼″, the height of the unit is 38½″ (46⅜″ including the casters
12
), and the depth of the unit is
27
″. In this embodiment, the width of the top large drawer is 60{fraction (9/16)}″ and the width of the middle bank of drawers is 38{fraction (15/16)}″.
FIG. 2
illustrates an exploded view of the workstation
10
.
FIG. 3
illustrates one embodiment of the workstation
10
with exploded views of the uprights
40
,
42
(the uprights
40
,
42
may be of a one-piece or a multiple piece construction).
FIG. 4
illustrates one embodiment of the workstation
10
with an exploded view of the top panel
38
. In one embodiment, the workstation
10
is comprised of:
a.) a first module element
20
having a plurality of grooves
22
, a back panel
24
, a side panel portion
26
, and a base;
b.) a second module element
28
having a plurality of grooves
30
corresponding to the grooves
22
of the first module element
20
, a back panel
32
, and a side panel portion
34
, and a base;
c.) a plurality of rails
36
inserted into the plurality of grooves
22
,
30
of the first and second module elements
20
,
28
;
d.) a top panel
38
secured to the back panels
24
,
32
and side panel portions
26
,
34
of the first and second module elements
20
,
28
;
e.) first and second uprights
40
,
42
attached to a base portion
44
formed by the connected first and second module elements
20
,
28
;
f.) a plurality of drawers
46
; and
g.) means for holding the plurality of drawers
46
attached in predetermined positions on the uprights
40
,
42
and side panel portions
26
,
34
of the first and second module elements
20
,
28
.
In an alternative embodiment, the first and second module elements
20
,
28
may be integrated into a one-piece construction. In such an embodiment the base portion
44
and the back panels
20
,
32
would be of a one-piece construction.
In the preferred embodiment, the first module element
20
is wider than the second module element
28
. The corresponding edges
48
of the first and second module elements
20
,
28
are secured together. The back panels
24
,
32
of the first and second module elements
20
,
28
are preferably attached using {fraction (3/16)}″ poprivets
50
. The resulting joint may be concealed using an adhesive backed black bumper molding.
FIG. 3
illustrates the first and second module elements
20
,
28
in an assembled state.
In the preferred embodiment, once the first and second module elements
20
,
28
are attached, a plurality of rails
36
may be placed into the grooves
22
,
30
. Each rail
36
preferably contains multiple threaded holes for receiving bolts. These bolts secure the module elements
20
,
28
to the rails
36
and also provide mounting points for the swivel and rigid casters
12
. The rails
36
provide the necessary stiffness to the workstation
10
to ensure the workstation will not sag under heavy loads (i.e. from the drawers, top chest or side cabinqts). The number of rails
36
placed in the workstation may vary depending on the width of the workstation
10
and the maximum load capacity. In the preferred embodiment, the workstation has three rails
36
.
The uprights
40
,
42
may be placed into the base portion
44
by inserting the bottom tabs
52
of the uprights
40
,
42
into the slots
54
in the base portion
44
of the workstation
10
. These uprights
40
,
42
are also secured to the base portion
44
using screws along the bottom flanges
56
of the uprights
40
,
42
, the back flanges
58
of the back panel, and top flanges
60
located on the uprights
40
,
42
. The uprights
40
,
42
may be “tall” uprights which extend all the way to the top panel
38
of the workstation
10
or they may be “short” uprights which do not extend to the top panel
38
of the workstation
10
. The short uprights allow for the use of wider drawers
46
. As discussed, in the preferred embodiment, either none, one, two, or three uprights may be used to accomplish various drawer configurations.
FIGS. 5A-5Q
illustrate elevational cross-sectional views of the workstation
10
of the preferred embodiment depicting various drawer configuration options of the workstation
10
.
In the preferred embodiment, it is preferred that the side panel portions
26
,
34
be constructed of a double-wall construction. As illustrated in
FIG. 3
, a double-wall side panel
26
,
34
is comprised of an inner and outer wall
64
,
66
.
For high load bearing applications, it is preferred that a corner reinforcer
62
be inserted into the space formed by the inner and outer walls
64
,
66
of the side panels
26
,
34
. The corner reinforcement
62
is preferably held in position using sheet metal screws. The corner reinforcements
62
are vertical compression members that span from the top panel
38
to the base portion
44
of the workstation. The corner reinforcements
62
act to transfer top panel loads directly to the casters
12
.
Referring to
FIG. 4
, in the preferred embodiment, bolts are inserted through clearance holes in the inner panel hat section
68
and hand threaded into a weld nut on the back side of the outer walls
66
(see areas identified as “A”). Subsequently, the top panel
38
may be secured to the workstation
10
. It is preferred that the back edge of the top panel
38
contains an open hem flange
70
which hooks over the top edge
72
of the back panels
24
,
32
of the first and second module elements
20
,
28
. The top panel
38
also preferably has side flanges
74
which are formed down and engage into wide pockets
76
running the depth of the outer wall
66
. The overlapping of the top panel
38
and the outer wall
66
, identified as Area “A”, is clamped together by wrench tightening the bolts already in place in the clearance holes in the inner panel hat section
68
. The resulting joint appears as a spot welded corner with no visible gap between the top panel
38
and the outer wall
66
.
In the preferred embodiment, a facia strip
78
is secured to a front face of the base portion
44
of workstation
10
, preferably using sheet metal screws. The facia strip
78
conceals the joint between the first and second module elements
20
,
28
and also provides a skirt around the caster plate and mounting bolts.
The workstation
10
is preferably constructed from a durable steel material. The top panel
38
is preferably a high strength panel able to accommodate large loads without lock system failure (i.e. 500 lb. minimum). In an alternative embodiment, a work surface, such as a laminated board may be placed on the top of the workstation
10
.
The method of construction of the workstation
10
provides modularity and drawer interchangeability. The uprights may be reversed, doubled-up, or eliminated to create many different drawer configurations.
FIGS. 5A-5Q
illustrate some of the possible drawer configurations. Depending on the upright configuration used, different width drawers can be mounted adjacent to each other. For example, looking at
FIG. 6
, two narrow width drawers (denoted as A) may be removed and replaced with a wider drawer (denoted as B). Three narrow or one narrow and one wide drawer may be removed and replaced with an extra wide drawer (denote as C).
Additionally, different width cabinet modules can be joined together to create unique workstation dimensions and drawer arrangements. For example, two wide module elements may be assembled to create a wider unit. The width of the modules are generally controlled by the dimension of the smallest standard width drawer for a given application.
The workstation described above provides the strategic value of custom drawer configurations within a given workstation size. Also, the method of construction, and the modularity of the workstation, offers the capability for infinite workstation sizes. Additionally, by building the modules separately, larger workstation widths are no longer limited by the dimensional capability of the paint and fabrication equipment. Workstations may be produced to larger sizes without demanding capital investments for new painting and sheet metal equipment adapted to larger one-piece welded units.
FIG. 7
illustrates a perspective view of the lock system
100
of the present invention installed on the modular workstation
10
described above. (It is again emphasized that the lock system
100
of the present invention may be used with the modular workstation
10
described above, or with various other workstations, including, but not limited to, a one-piece workstation.) The drawer locking system
100
of the present invention is designed to easily lock and unlock multiple banks of drawers using a single key lock
102
. The key lock
102
may easily be serviced based on a “hairpin” clip
104
design. The horizontal actuation of the lock system
100
of the present invention requires minimal torque at the key (e.g. less than 5 in.lbs.) making it very comfortable for the user to activate. Unlike traditional vertical lifting lock systems, the rotary action lock system activates with horizontal movement. As a result, during activation, the system of the present invention does not operate against the force of gravity. Based on this low torque activation, a low power remote entry module
106
may be used to activate the lock system
100
.
FIG. 8
illustrates an exploded view of portions of the lock system
100
of the present invention. A lock mechanism
108
acts to engage a retaining means
110
on the back portion of each of the drawers
112
. In one embodiment, each of the lock mechanisms
108
is a lock hinge
114
riveted to a vertical angle
116
, located on the back panel of the workstation (see
FIG. 12
for a close-up erspective view of the lock hinges. It is prferred that the lock hinge
114
be comprised of a stationary leaf portion
118
and a moving leaf portion
120
. In the preferred embodiment, the moving leaf portion
120
of the lock mechanism
108
rotates in the counterclockwise direction to unlock the drawers
112
. (
FIG. 9
illustrates a top plan view illustrating the lock mechanism
108
and drawer
112
interface details.) It is also preferred that the lock hinge
114
be spring loaded and possess a 90 degree stop angle. As illustrated in
FIG. 9
, the moving leaf portion
120
of the lock mechanism
108
will rotate approximately 45 degrees counterclockwise (looking down from the top) as the system activates from locked to unlocked position. The moving leaf
120
portion preferably has a series of rectangular slots
150
. These rectangular slots
150
engage the retaining means
110
when the moving leaf portion
120
is in the locked position.
Although in
FIG. 9
, a horsehead retaining means is illustrated, it is appreciated that other retaining means may be used. For example, a hook latch retaining means may be used when the lock mechanism
108
contains hooks as opposed to engaging slots. It is also preferred that the lock mechanism
108
be vertically situated along the back of the unit so that the lock mechanism
108
can simultaneously lock and unlock all the drawers
112
of a bank of drawers.
The lock hinges
114
are activated by a transfer mechanism
122
that runs horizontally across the back of the workstation. In the preferred embodiment, the transfer mechanism
122
is a transfer channel
124
. The transfer channel
124
is positioned behind a portion of each of the multiple banks of drawers. Rectangular slots
126
in the transfer channel
124
fit into tabs
128
at the top of the vertical angles
116
located on the back panel of the workstation. The tabs
128
guide the tranfer channel
124
as it moves left to right while preventing the channel
124
from rotating. It is preferred that plastic spacers
130
be screwed to a bottom flange of the transfer channel
124
. These spacers
130
move the moving leaf portion
120
of the lock hinge
114
as the transfer channel
124
moves horizontally to the unlocked position (in an alternative embodiment they may also be configured to move the hinge to a locked position). In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 7-11
, as the spacers
130
move to the right of the unit, they act to push the moving leaf portion
120
from the locked to the unlocked position. To lock the drawer, the transfer channel
124
is activated to return to the left position, wherein the spacers
130
also move to the left. The moving of the spacers
130
to the left allows the Proving leaf portion
120
of the spring-loaded lock hinge
114
to return to the locked position. It is appreciated that other components, other than spacers
130
may be used to activate the lock hinge
114
.
In another embodiment, illustrated in
FIG. 13
, the transfer mechanism is a cable
152
. In one embodiment, the cable has loops or rings
154
that engage holes placed in the moving leaf portions
120
of the lock hinges
114
. Horizontal movement of the cable
152
acts to move the moving leaf portion
120
from the locked to the unlocked position.
The transfer channel
124
is preferably activated to move in the horizontal direction via a lockrod system
132
.
FIG. 10
illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the lockrod system
132
of the present invention.
FIG. 11
illustrates the preferred embodiment of the key lock
102
of the present invention. In the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 10-11
, an offset at the rear of the lockrod
132
rotates 180 degrees when activating the system. The offset in the lockrod
132
applies pressure to a bearing surface on the transfer channel
124
. The transfer channel
124
displaces left to right the horizontal distance traveled by the 180 degrees rotation of offset in the lockrod
132
(approximately 0.54″ in one embodiment, this 0.54″ linear movement generates 45 degrees of rotation in the lock hinges
114
). In the preferred embodiment, the lockrod
132
and the key lock
102
are connected by a hairpin clip
104
. The hairpin clip
104
may be easily removed allowing the key lock
102
to be removed and replaced.
In a preferred embodiment, the lock system
100
of the present invention may be activated by remote entry. The remote entry module
106
is illustrated in FIG.
7
. The remote entry module
106
is preferably a self-contained unit having a DC solenoid, receiver and battery back-up. The solenoid actuator connection to the transfer chamuel
124
is shown generally at
134
. The remote entry module
106
preferably has a DC power line
136
that interfaces to an AC wall outlet
138
via a plug-in AC-DC power converter
140
. The antenna
142
for the receiver may be routed through a knock-out portion
144
of the back panel, or across the inside panel, into the hat section space and through a hole in the base portion to the underside of the unit (see FIG.
7
).
The remote entry module
106
may be mounted to the back panel of the unit via mounting holes provided in an upper portion of the inside of the back panel, top panel hat section and the transfer channel
124
. It is also preferred that the back panel contain a “knock-out” portion which allows for easy access to the remote entry module
106
(the “knock-out” portion may be separately locked).
As described, the lock system
100
of the present invention provides an improved lock system that is manipulated by low torque, that is easily serviceable once installed, and which may be easily configured for different types of workstations, of differing size, and/or having different drawer arrangements. For example, the lock system
100
of the present invention may be easily configured for installation into workstations having the various drawer arrangements shown in
FIGS. 5A-5Q
, and FIG.
6
. E.g., any of the different drawer arrangements shown in
FIGS. 5A-5Q
may be accommodated by installing a lockrod
132
, a transfer channel
124
, a lock hinge
114
, and by placing vertical lock mechanisms
108
in predetermined locations on the back panel of the modular workstation corresponding to each bank of drawers, as described above.
Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to affect the described invention and still be within the scope of the claimed invention. Thus, many of the elements indicated above may be altered or replaced by different elements which will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. For example, the number and placement of the uprights may vary, the size of the modules may vary, and the base portion of the invention may be a one-piece construction as opposed to being modular. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.
Claims
- 1. A chest comprising:a frame having a back wall; a plurality of drawers mounted within said frame for movement between open and closed positions, said drawers being arranged in a vertical column, each of said drawers having a retainer extending rearwardly therefrom towards said back wall; a locking system comprising: a horizontally situated transfer structure movably mounted within said frame, said transfer structure being movable horizontally with respect to said frame; an actuator carried on said frame separate from said drawers, said actuator being interconnected with said horizontally situated transfer structure such that only rotational movement of said actuator is transferred to said transfer structure via said interconnection to affect horizontal movement of said transfer structure; and a vertically situated lock mechanism having a frame mounting portion mounted to the back wall of said frame and a retainer engaging portion movable between (a) an engaged position wherein said retainer engaging portion engages the retainers on each of the drawers in said column to retain said drawers in the closed positions thereof and (g) a disengaged position wherein said retainer engaging portion is disengaged from said retainers on each of the drawers in said column to permit movement of said drawers to said open positions thereof; said lock mechanism and said transfer structure being constructed and arranged such that horizontal movement of said transfer structure by operation of said actuator moves said retainer engaging portion between said engaged and disengaged positions there of, wherein said transfer structure is a flexible cable.
- 2. A chest comprising:a frame having a back wall; a plurality of drawers mounted within said frame for movement between open and closed positions, said drawers being arranged in a vertical column, each of said drawers having a retainer extending rearwardly therefrom towards said back wall; a locking system comprising: a horizontally situated transfer structure movably mounted within said frame, said transfer structure being movable horizontally with respect to said frame; an actuator carried on said frame separate from said drawers, said actuator being interconnected with said horizontally situated transfer structure such that movement of said actuator is transferred to said transfer structure via said interconnection to affect horizontal movement of said transfer structure; and a vertically situated lock mechanism having a frame mounting portion mounted to the back wall of said frame and a retainer engaging portion movable between (a) an engaged position wherein said retainer engaging portion engages the retainers on each of the drawers in said column to retain said drawers in the closed positions thereof and (b) a disengaged position wherein said retainer engaging portion is disengaged from said retainers on each of the drawers in said column to permit movement of said drawers to said open positions thereof; said lock mechanism and said transfer structure being constructed and arranged such that horizontal movement of said transfer structure by operation of said actuator moves said retainer engaging portion between said engaged and disengaged positions thereof, wherein said retainers are hooks extending rearwardly from said drawers, an d wherein each retainer engaging portion is formed from a single member and has a plurality of openings formed therethrough, said hooks being received within said openings when said retainer engaging portions are in said engaged positions there of to retain said drawers in said closed positions thereof.
- 3. A chest comprising:a frame having a back wall; a plurality of drawers mounted with in said frame for movement between open and closed positions, said drawers being arranged in a vertical column, each of said drawers having a retainer extending rearwardly therefrom towards said back wall; a second plurality of drawers mounted within said frame for movement between open and closed positions, said second plurality of drawers being arranged in a second vertical column spaced horizontally from the aforesaid vertical column; each of said drawers of said second plurality having a retainer extending rearwardly therefrom; a locking system comprising: a horizontally situated transfer structure movably mounted within said frame, said transfer structure being movable horizontally with respect to said frame; an actuator carried on said frame separate from said drawers, said actuator being interconnected with said horizontally situated transfer structure such that movement of said actuator is transferred to said transfer structure via said interconnection to affect horizontal movement of said transfer structure; and a vertically situated lock mechanism having a frame mounting portion mounted to the back wall of said frame and a retainer engaging portion movable between (a) an engaged position wherein said retainer engaging portion engages the retainers on each of the drawers in said column to retain said drawers in the closed positions thereof and (b) a disengaged position wherein said retainer engaging portion is disengaged from said retainers on each of the drawers in said column to permit movement of said drawers to said open positions thereof; said lock mechanism and said transfer structure being constructed and arranged such that horizontal movement of said transfer structure by operation of said actuator moves said retainer engaging portion between said engaged and disengaged positions thereof, a second vertically situated lock mechanism having a frame mounting portion mounted to said back wall of said frame and a retainer engaging portion movable between (a) an engaged position wherein said retainer engaging portion of said second lock mechanism engages the retainers on each of the drawers in said second column to retain said drawers in said closed position thereof and (b) a disengaged position wherein said retainer engaging portion of said second lock mechanism is disengaged from the retainers on each of the drawers in said second column to permit movement of said drawers to said open position thereof; said second lock mechanism and said transfer structure being constructed and arranged such that horizontal movement of said transfer structure by operation of said actuator moves the retainer engaging portions of both said lock mechanisms between the respective engaged and disengaged positions thereof, wherein said retainers are hooks extending rearwardly from said drawers, and wherein each retainer engaging portion is formed from a single member and has a plurality of openings formed therethrough, said hooks being received within said openings when said retainer engaging portions are in said engaged positions thereof to retain said drawers in said closed positions thereof.
US Referenced Citations (12)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
203662 |
Mar 1956 |
AT |
626307 |
Jul 1949 |
GB |
844462 |
Aug 1960 |
GB |