EP3473134A1 - Cabinet comprising drawers and a snap fit lock mechanism - Google Patents
Cabinet comprising drawers and a snap fit lock mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3473134A1 EP3473134A1 EP17290129.0A EP17290129A EP3473134A1 EP 3473134 A1 EP3473134 A1 EP 3473134A1 EP 17290129 A EP17290129 A EP 17290129A EP 3473134 A1 EP3473134 A1 EP 3473134A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- drawer
- locking member
- housing
- closed position
- cabinet according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 35
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/50—Safety devices or the like for drawers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B65/00—Locks or fastenings for special use
- E05B65/46—Locks or fastenings for special use for drawers
- E05B65/462—Locks or fastenings for special use for drawers for two or more drawers
- E05B65/468—Locks or fastenings for special use for drawers for two or more drawers using rotary locking bars
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B2220/00—General furniture construction, e.g. fittings
- A47B2220/0091—Electronic or electric devices
- A47B2220/0097—Remote control for furniture, e.g. tables or shelves
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/40—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/40—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
- A47B88/453—Actuated drawers
- A47B88/46—Actuated drawers operated by mechanically-stored energy, e.g. by springs
- A47B88/47—Actuated drawers operated by mechanically-stored energy, e.g. by springs having both self-opening and self-closing mechanisms which interact with each other
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B47/00—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means
- E05B2047/0091—Retrofittable electric locks, e.g. an electric module can be attached to an existing manual lock
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B47/00—Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means
- E05B2047/0094—Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks
Definitions
- the invention deals with a cabinet comprising at least one drawer.
- a known cabinet comprises a housing, a drawer able to slide relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position, and locking means for locking the drawer to the housing so as to retain the drawer in the closed position, and for unlocking the drawer from the housing, so as to allow the drawer to leave the closed position.
- the locking means comprises and a notch formed in the drawer, and a bar mounted on the housing which slides relative to the housing in a vertical direction. When the drawer is in the closed position, the bar is in front of the notch.
- the bar can be caused, by means of an actuator comprising a key lock, to slide in the notch in order to lock the drawer.
- an actuator comprising a key lock
- the bar is caused to slide out of the notch by means of the same actuator.
- the purpose of the invention is to lock a drawer in a cabinet in an easier manner.
- the cabinet may comprise the following optional features taken alone or in combination when it is technically feasible.
- the first snap fit lock mechanism may comprises a first locking member mounted on the first drawer and a second locking member mounted on the housing, wherein one of the first locking member and the second locking member is moveable between an engaged position, wherein the second locking member is engaged with the first locking member while the first drawer is in the closed position, and a disengaged position, wherein the second locking member is disengaged from the first locking member allowing the drawer to slide relative to the housing.
- the actuator may be configured to move said one locking member from the engaged position to the disengaged position and maintain said one locking member in the disengaged position for a predetermined duration.
- the first snap lock mechanism may comprise a resilient member arranged for urging the said one locking member towards the engaged position.
- the first locking member may protrude from a back of the first drawer.
- the cabinet may further comprise a shutter arranged between the first drawer and the second locking element at least partially, wherein the shutter comprises an opening to allow the first locking element pass through the shutter.
- the second locking member may be rotatably moveable relative to the housing between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
- One of the first locking member and the second locking member may comprises a hook, and the other of the first locking member and the second locking member may define a recess for receiving the hook.
- the actuator may comprise a sliding pen which is adapted for urging the second locking member towards the disengaged position.
- the housing may comprise a back wall towards which the first drawer gets closer when sliding towards the closed position, and wherein the actuator is arranged between the back of the first drawer and the back wall of the housing.
- the actuator may be motorized.
- the cabinet may further comprise a radio communication interface, for instance of NFC type, for receiving a control signal, and a controller configured to operate the motorized actuator such that the actuator unlocks the first snap fit lock mechanism when the control signal is received.
- a radio communication interface for instance of NFC type, for receiving a control signal
- a controller configured to operate the motorized actuator such that the actuator unlocks the first snap fit lock mechanism when the control signal is received.
- the actuator may comprise a key lock adapted to cooperate with a key for manually operating the actuator.
- the cabinet may further comprise:
- the first snap fit lock mechanism may comprise a first locking member mounted on the first drawer and a second locking member mounted on the housing
- the second snap fit lock mechanism may comprise a third locking member mounted on the second drawer and the second locking member.
- the second locking member is moveable between an engaged position wherein the second locking member is engaged with the first locking member and the third locking member while the first drawer and the second drawer are both in their closed position, and a disengaged position, wherein the second locking member is disengaged from the first locking member and from the third locking member allowing the drawers to slide relative to the housing.
- the third locking member may protrude from a back of the second drawer.
- the third locking member may comprise a hook
- the second locking member may comprise a folded bar defining a recess for receiving the hooks of the first and third locking members.
- a cabinet 1 comprises a housing 2 and at least a first drawer 4a and at least a second drawer 4b.
- the cabinet comprises for instance six drawers 4a-4f.
- the housing 2 comprises a bottom 6, a top 8, two side walls 10, 12 and a back wall 14.
- the two side walls 10, 12 and the back wall 14 extend vertically and connect the bottom 6 to the top 8.
- the back wall 14 interconnects the two side walls 10, 12.
- the housing 2 defines at least a cavity located between the bottom 6 and the top 8, and between the two side walls 10, 12, wherein the drawers 4a-4f can slide.
- the housing 2 further defines at least one front opening for accessing the cavity.
- the front opening is opposite the back wall 14 relative to the cavity.
- the cabinet 1 further comprises four feet 16 extending from the bottom 6 of the housing 2. Each foot is rotatably mounted on the bottom 6.
- the cabinet 1 further comprises four wheels 18 for rolling the cabinet 1 on a floor. Each wheel 18 is mounted on a corresponding foot 16.
- the housing comprises a handle 20, for instance affixed to the top 8 of the housing 2.
- the handle 20 can be seized by a user for moving and steering the cabinet 1 mounted on wheels 18.
- Each drawer 4a-4f comprises a front 22, a back 24, a bottom 26 and two lateral walls 28, 30 forming together a top-opened container.
- All drawers 4a-4f have the same length measured in the sliding direction, and have the same width (which corresponds substantially to the distance between the two side walls 10, 12). However, the drawers 4a-4f may have various heights, so as to form top-opened containers have various storage volumes. In the embodiment depicted in figure 1 , the drawers 4a-4d have a small storage volume, the drawer 4e has a larger storage volume and the drawer 4f, closest to the bottom 6, has an even larger storage volume.
- Each drawer4a-4f is arranged to slide relative to the housing 2 between an open position and a closed position, in a sliding direction.
- each drawer 4a-4f comprises a handle which can be seized by a user for sliding the drawer relative to the housing 2.
- Each drawer 4a-4f is located at a specific altitude between the bottom 6 and the top 8.
- the drawers are located one above the others between the bottom 6 and the top 8 of the housing 2. They can slide independently relative to the housing 2.
- any of the drawers 4a-4f at least partially extends outside the housing 2, such that a user can access to the top-opened container formed by this drawer.
- any of the drawers 4a-4f is located between the bottom 6 and the top 8 of the housing 2, such that a user cannot access a content stored in the top-opened container.
- the back 24 of a drawer and the back panel 14 of the housing 2 remain spaced apart.
- figure 1 shows top drawer 4a in its open position, and other drawers 4b-4f in their closed position.
- figure 2 all drawers 4a-4f are in their closed position.
- the cabinet 1 comprises a first snap fit lock mechanism for locking automatically the first drawer 4a to the housing 2 when the first drawer 4a reaches the closed position, so as to retain the first drawer 4a in the closed position.
- the first snap fit lock mechanism comprises a first locking member 32 mounted on the first drawer 4a, and a second locking member 34 mounted on the housing 2.
- the first locking member 32 protrudes from the back 24 of the first drawer 4a.
- Such arrangement is advantageous in that the cabinet 1 cannot be easily broken by a user inserting a flat rod between two drawers in attempt to manually operate the first snap fit lock mechanism.
- the first locking member 32 comprises for instance a hook 36.
- the hook 36 extends parallel to the bottom 26.
- the hook 36 comprises a first portion 38 extending towards the second locking element 34 in the sliding direction, and an end portion 40 extending from the first portion in a direction towards side wall 10.
- the end portion 40 comprises an outer slant 42 with respect to the sliding direction.
- the outer slant 42 faces the second locking member 34, so as to contact the second locking member 34 when the first drawer 4a is moved towards the closed position.
- the end portion further comprises an engaging surface 44 opposite the outer slant 42 relative to the end portion 40.
- the engaging surface 44 faces the first drawer 4a.
- the engaging surface 44 is designed to engage with a surface of the second locking member 34 which will be described later.
- the hook 36 may have the form of a "1".
- the second locking member 34 is moveable between an engaged position (visible on figure 5 and a disengaged position (visible on figure 6 ).
- the second locking member 34 In the engaged position, the second locking member 34 is engaged with the first locking member 32. When the second locking member 34 is in the engaged position, while the first drawer 4a is in the closed position, the second locking member prevents the drawer 4a to leave the closed position.
- the second locking member 34 is disengaged from the first locking member 32 allowing the drawer to slide relative to the housing 2.
- the second locking member 34 extends vertically between the bottom 6 and the top 8 of the housing 2.
- the second locking member 34 is rotatably moveable relative to the housing 2 between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
- the second locking member 34 is mounted on the bottom 6 and the top 8 of the housing 2 by means of a pivot 46, for instance made in polyamide, such that the rotation axis of the second locking member 34 is vertical.
- the second locking member 34 comprises a folded bar 48 extending vertically between the bottom 6 and the top 8 of the housing 2.
- the folded bar 48 defines a recess 50 for receiving the end portion 40 of the hook 36 of the first drawer 4a.
- the folded bar 48 comprises an end portion 52 comprising an outer slant 54 facing the first locking member 32, and an engaging surface 56 opposite the outer slant 54.
- the inner surface partially defines the recess 50.
- the outer slant 54 is arranged to face the outer slant 44 of the first locking member 32 when the first drawer 4a slides is in its closed position.
- the folded bar 48 has a V-shaped profile in a plane parallel to the bottom 6 of the housing 2.
- the second locking member 34 further comprises a primary support 58.
- the primary support 58 comprises an engaging surface oriented in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction.
- the primary support 58 is affixed to the folded bar 48 at a first altitude.
- the second locking member 34 further comprises a secondary support 60.
- the secondary support 60 comprises an engaging surface oriented in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction.
- the secondary support 60 is affixed to the folded bar 48 at a second altitude different from the first altitude.
- the secondary support 60 is for instance closer to the bottom 6 of the housing 2 than the primary support, as shown in figure 4 .
- the first snap lock mechanism comprises a resilient member 62 arranged for urging the second locking member 34 towards the engaged position.
- the resilient member 62 is for instance a spring comprising a first end affixed to the folded bar 48 and a second end affixed to the housing 2.
- the cabinet 1 further comprises at least one actuator, for instance a primary actuator 64 and a secondary actuator 65, for causing the first snap fit lock mechanism to unlock the first drawer 4a from the housing 2, so as to allow the first drawer 4a to leave the closed position.
- Each actuator 64, 66 is configured to move the locking member 34 from the engaged position to the disengaged position.
- the primary actuator 64 is a motorized actuator.
- the primary actuator 64 is arranged in the cavity between the drawers 4a-4f and the back wall 14 of the housing 2.
- the primary actuator 64 comprises a body 66 and a pen 68 able to slide relative to the body 66.
- the body 66 is affixed to an inner surface of the back wall 14.
- the pen 68 is adapted for pushing the primary support 58 of the locking member 34, when the locking member 34 is in the engaged position, so as to urge the locking member 34 towards the disengaged position.
- the sliding pen 68 is arranged to slide parallel to the back wall 14 (i.e. perpendicularly to the sliding direction).
- the cabinet 1 further comprises a radio communication interface 70, for instance of NFC type, is adapted to communicate with an object located outside, for instance a mobile terminal or a chip card. It is arranged in the top 8 of the housing 2, such that it can be visible on the front of the cabinet 1, as shown on figure 1 .
- a radio communication interface 70 for instance of NFC type, is adapted to communicate with an object located outside, for instance a mobile terminal or a chip card. It is arranged in the top 8 of the housing 2, such that it can be visible on the front of the cabinet 1, as shown on figure 1 .
- the cabinet 1 further comprises a controller configured to operate the motorized actuator based on signals received by the radio communication interface 70.
- the controller is arranged in the cavity between the drawers and the back wall 14.
- the controller is for instance located in the body 66 of the actuator. At least one wire (not shown on the figures) makes the radio communication interface 70 and the controller communicate together.
- the cabinet 1 further comprises a power supply 72 for supplying the controller, the radio communication interface 70 and the motorized actuator 64 with power.
- the power supply 72 is arranged in the cavity between the drawers 4a-4f and the back wall 14 of the housing 2.
- the secondary actuator 65 comprises a key lock 74 (visible on figures 1 , 3 , 4 ).
- the key lock 74 comprises a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted on the stator. The rotor is adapted to cooperate with a key for manually operating the secondary actuator 65.
- the key lock 74 is arranged on the back wall 14 of the cabinet 1.
- the stator may for instance be affixed to the back wall 14.
- the key lock 74 comprises a pin 76 moveable between a first position wherein the pin 76 pushes the secondary support 60, so as to urge the locking element 34 into its disengaged position despite the action of the resilient member 62, and a second position wherein the pin 76 is distant from the secondary support 60, such that the second locking element is free to reach its engaged position by means of the resilient member 62.
- the pin 76 is for instance affixed to the rotor of the key lock 74 and is eccentric relative to a rotation axis of said rotor.
- the cabinet 1 comprises additional snap fit mechanisms (one snap fit mechanism per drawer). Each snap fit lock mechanism is adapted for locking automatically one of the drawers 4a-4f to the housing 2 when said drawer reaches its closed position, so as to retain said drawer in the closed position.
- the cabinet 1 illustrated on the figures therefore comprises six snap fit lock mechanisms for locking the six drawers 4a-4f.
- Each snap fit lock mechanism comprises a locking element mounted on a corresponding drawer. All locking elements mounted on drawers have a similar shape (for instance a hook protruding from the back of a drawer, like the hook 36 of the first drawer 4a).
- all snap fit lock mechanisms have in common the locking element 34 mounted to the housing 2 described above comprising a folded bar 48.
- This locking element 34 allows all drawers 4a-4f, when in their closed position, to be unlocked from the housing in one single action.
- multiple locking elements mounted on different drawers 4a-4f can be simultaneously engaged with the locking element 34.
- said multiple locking elements comprise a hook and when the locking element 34 defines a recess 50, end portions of said hooks can be received simultaneously in the recess 50 at different altitudes between the bottom 6 and the top 8 of the housing 2.
- the cabinet 1 further comprises a shutter 78 arranged to hide the second locking element 34 at least partially.
- the shutter 78 is arranged between the drawers 4a-4f and the second locking element 34.
- the shutter 78 comprises a plate 80 extending parallel to the back wall between the bottom 6 and the top 8.
- the shutter 78 also comprises at least one opening 82 arranged in the plate 80 between the first locking element 32 mounted on the first drawer 4a, and the second locking element 34.
- the opening 82 is arranged to receive the first locking element 32 and to allow the first locking element 32 to reach the second locking element 34 hidden behind the shutter 78, when the drawer 4a slides towards the closed position.
- the opening 82 is for example a horizontal slot sized in accordance with the hook 36.
- the shutter 78 comprises as many openings as the number of drawers 4a-4f in the cabinet 1 (six openings in the embodiment illustrated in the figures).
- the openings are formed in the shutter 78 at different altitudes between the bottom 6 and the top 8.
- Each opening is arranged to receive the locking element mounted on a corresponding drawer and to allow said locking element to reach the second locking element 34 hidden behind the shutter 78.
- the shutter 78 may also comprise a primary opening 84 in front of the primary support 58 and a secondary opening in front of the secondary support 60. Thanks to both openings 84 and 86, both supports 58 and 60 have enough space to pivot even if the shutter 78 is placed very close to the back wall 14.
- the sliding pen 68 is distant from the primary support 58, and the pin 76 is distant from the secondary support 60, such that the second locking member 34 is in its engaged position, by means of the resilient member 62.
- the first drawer 4a can be locked to the housing 2 as follows.
- a user pushes the first drawer 4a so as to make it slide in the sliding direction towards the back wall 14 of the housing 2. Therefore, the hook 36 mounted on the back of the first drawer 4a gets closer to the folded bar 48.
- the hook 36 urges the folded bar 48 from its engaged position to its disengaged position while the outer slant of the first locking element slips along the outer slant of the second locking member 34.
- the outer slant 42 of the hook 36 leaves the outer slant 54 of the folded bar 48.
- the hook 36 does not urge the folded bar 48 anymore; the folded bar 48 is then free to move back in the engaged position.
- the folded bar 48 automatically returns in this engaged position by means of the resilient member 62.
- the end portion of the hook 36 enters the recess 50 formed by the folded bar 48.
- the folded bar 48 is now in its engaged position, while the first drawer 4a is in the closed position, as shown on figure 5 .
- the engaging surface 44 of the hook 36 will abut against the engaging surface 56 of the folded bar 48.
- the first drawer 4a is automatically locked to the housing 2 by the snap fit lock mechanism housing 2 when the first drawer 4a reaches the closed position, so as to retain the first drawer 4a in the closed position.
- any other drawer in its opened position can be moved in its closed position in the same manner.
- the end portion of the hook of the second drawer is in the recess 50 formed in the folded bar 48 as well as the end portion of the hook 36 of the first drawer 4a. Both hooks simply engage the same folded bar 48 at different altitudes.
- the primary actuator 64 is not used for closing and automatically locking any drawer 4a-4f in its closed position.
- Opening at least one of the drawers 4a-4f, for instance the first drawer 4a, can be carried out by means of the primary actuator 64 as follows.
- the radio communication interface 70 can receive a radio signal emitted by a chip card or a mobile terminal held by a user, wherein the radio signal is designed to trigger such opening.
- the radio signal is then transmitted by the radio communication interface 70 to the controller.
- the controller operates the primary actuator 64 so as to slide the pen 68 towards the primary support 58 of the folded bar 48 relative to the body 66.
- the sliding pen 68 pushes the primary support 58 such that the second locking element 34 is moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position.
- the hook 36 is moved out of the recess 50 formed by the folded bar 48, and the resilient member 62 stretches.
- the engaging surface 56 of the folded bar 48 does not face anymore the engaging surface 44 of any hook mounted on a drawer, especially the hook 36 mounted on the first drawer 4a.
- the primary actuator 64 maintains the second locking member 34 in the disengaged position for a period of predetermined duration.
- This predetermined duration can be programmed in the controller by means of a timer. This duration preferably depends on the number of drawers 4a-4f of the cabinet 1. This duration is for instance equal to kT, wherein k is the number of drawers, and T is greater than 5 seconds.
- the predetermined duration can be set by a user by means of an appropriate configuration signal received by the radio communication interface 70 and transmitted to the controller.
- the user can pull the first drawer 4a or any other drawer 4b-4f from the closed position to the opened position.
- the actuator ceases to maintain the second locking member 34 in the disengaged position.
- the resilient member 62 causes the second locking member 34 to pivot into the engaged position.
- the second locking element 34 pivots into the engaged position while the hook 36 is outside the recess 50 formed in the folded bar 48. Therefore, the drawer 4a can slide in the sliding direction towards the opened position or the closed position.
- Opening the first drawer 4a can be also carried out by means of the secondary actuator 65 as follows.
- a user inserts a key in the rotor of key lock 74.
- the eccentric pin 76 moves as well around the rotation axis of the rotor and pushes the secondary support 60, such that the second locking element 34 is moved from its engaged position into the disengaged position.
- the hook 36 is moved out of the recess 50 formed by the folded bar 48, and the resilient member 62 stretches.
- the engaging surface 56 of the folded bar 48 does not face anymore the engaging surface 44 of the hook 36.
- the user can pull the first drawer 4a or any other drawer 4b-4f towards in its opened position.
- This secondary actuator 65 can be advantageously used instead of the primary actuator 64, if the primary actuator 64 does not work properly (because of an internal failure or if the power supply 72 runs out of power).
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- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The invention deals with a cabinet comprising at least one drawer.
- A known cabinet comprises a housing, a drawer able to slide relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position, and locking means for locking the drawer to the housing so as to retain the drawer in the closed position, and for unlocking the drawer from the housing, so as to allow the drawer to leave the closed position.
- For this purpose, the locking means comprises and a notch formed in the drawer, and a bar mounted on the housing which slides relative to the housing in a vertical direction. When the drawer is in the closed position, the bar is in front of the notch.
- Once the drawer has reached the closed position, the bar can be caused, by means of an actuator comprising a key lock, to slide in the notch in order to lock the drawer. To unlock the drawer, the bar is caused to slide out of the notch by means of the same actuator.
- However, a drawback of this cabinet is that a user must perform two subsequent actions to get the drawer locked: first, sliding the drawer into the closed position, then using the key lock.
- Another drawback of this cabinet is that the drawer cannot be locked if it has not reached the closed position, since in such case the notch is not in front of the bar. As a consequence, a user has to ensure that the drawer has reached the closed position before using the key lock, which is uncomfortable.
- The purpose of the invention is to lock a drawer in a cabinet in an easier manner.
- For this purpose, it is proposed a cabinet comprising:
- a housing,
- a first drawer arranged to slide relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position,
- a first snap fit lock mechanism for locking automatically the first drawer to the housing when the first drawer reaches the closed position, so as to retain the first drawer in the closed position, and
- an actuator for causing the first snap fit lock mechanism to unlock the first drawer from the housing, so as to allow the first drawer to leave the closed position.
- The cabinet may comprise the following optional features taken alone or in combination when it is technically feasible.
- The first snap fit lock mechanism may comprises a first locking member mounted on the first drawer and a second locking member mounted on the housing, wherein one of the first locking member and the second locking member is moveable between an engaged position, wherein the second locking member is engaged with the first locking member while the first drawer is in the closed position, and a disengaged position, wherein the second locking member is disengaged from the first locking member allowing the drawer to slide relative to the housing.
- The actuator may be configured to move said one locking member from the engaged position to the disengaged position and maintain said one locking member in the disengaged position for a predetermined duration.
- The first snap lock mechanism may comprise a resilient member arranged for urging the said one locking member towards the engaged position.
- The first locking member may protrude from a back of the first drawer.
- The cabinet may further comprise a shutter arranged between the first drawer and the second locking element at least partially, wherein the shutter comprises an opening to allow the first locking element pass through the shutter.
- The second locking member may be rotatably moveable relative to the housing between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
- One of the first locking member and the second locking member may comprises a hook, and the other of the first locking member and the second locking member may define a recess for receiving the hook.
- The actuator may comprise a sliding pen which is adapted for urging the second locking member towards the disengaged position.
- The housing may comprise a back wall towards which the first drawer gets closer when sliding towards the closed position, and wherein the actuator is arranged between the back of the first drawer and the back wall of the housing.
- The actuator may be motorized.
- The cabinet may further comprise a radio communication interface, for instance of NFC type, for receiving a control signal, and a controller configured to operate the motorized actuator such that the actuator unlocks the first snap fit lock mechanism when the control signal is received.
- The actuator may comprise a key lock adapted to cooperate with a key for manually operating the actuator.
- The cabinet may further comprise:
- a second drawer arranged to slide relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position,
- a second snap fit lock mechanism for locking automatically the second drawer to the housing when the second drawer reaches the closed position, so as to retain the second drawer in the closed position, and
- The first snap fit lock mechanism may comprise a first locking member mounted on the first drawer and a second locking member mounted on the housing, and the second snap fit lock mechanism may comprise a third locking member mounted on the second drawer and the second locking member. In such embodiment, the second locking member is moveable between an engaged position wherein the second locking member is engaged with the first locking member and the third locking member while the first drawer and the second drawer are both in their closed position, and a disengaged position, wherein the second locking member is disengaged from the first locking member and from the third locking member allowing the drawers to slide relative to the housing.
- The third locking member may protrude from a back of the second drawer.
- The third locking member may comprise a hook, and the second locking member may comprise a folded bar defining a recess for receiving the hooks of the first and third locking members.
- Further details, features and advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with the aid of the exemplary embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the figures in which:
-
Figure 1 and2 are two different perspective views of a cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention. -
Figures 3 and4 are two different perspective views of components located within the cabinet shown onfigure 1 and2 . -
Figures 5 and6 are top views of a snap fit lock mechanism located in the cabinet offigures 1-4 , in two different configurations. -
Figure 7 is another perspective view of components located within the cabinet shown onfigure 1 and2 . - Similar features have identical numbers in all figures.
- Referring to
figures 1 and2 , acabinet 1 comprises ahousing 2 and at least afirst drawer 4a and at least a second drawer 4b. The cabinet comprises for instance sixdrawers 4a-4f. - The
housing 2 comprises abottom 6, atop 8, twoside walls back wall 14. - The two
side walls back wall 14 extend vertically and connect thebottom 6 to thetop 8. Theback wall 14 interconnects the twoside walls - The
housing 2 defines at least a cavity located between thebottom 6 and thetop 8, and between the twoside walls drawers 4a-4f can slide. - The
housing 2 further defines at least one front opening for accessing the cavity. The front opening is opposite theback wall 14 relative to the cavity. - The
cabinet 1 further comprises fourfeet 16 extending from thebottom 6 of thehousing 2. Each foot is rotatably mounted on thebottom 6. Thecabinet 1 further comprises fourwheels 18 for rolling thecabinet 1 on a floor. Eachwheel 18 is mounted on acorresponding foot 16. - The housing comprises a
handle 20, for instance affixed to thetop 8 of thehousing 2. Thehandle 20 can be seized by a user for moving and steering thecabinet 1 mounted onwheels 18. - Each
drawer 4a-4f comprises afront 22, aback 24, abottom 26 and twolateral walls - All
drawers 4a-4f have the same length measured in the sliding direction, and have the same width (which corresponds substantially to the distance between the twoside walls 10, 12). However, thedrawers 4a-4f may have various heights, so as to form top-opened containers have various storage volumes. In the embodiment depicted infigure 1 , thedrawers 4a-4d have a small storage volume, the drawer 4e has a larger storage volume and the drawer 4f, closest to thebottom 6, has an even larger storage volume. - Each drawer4a-4f is arranged to slide relative to the
housing 2 between an open position and a closed position, in a sliding direction. - The
front 22 of eachdrawer 4a-4f comprises a handle which can be seized by a user for sliding the drawer relative to thehousing 2. - Each
drawer 4a-4f is located at a specific altitude between the bottom 6 and the top 8. The drawers are located one above the others between the bottom 6 and thetop 8 of thehousing 2. They can slide independently relative to thehousing 2. - In its open position, any of the
drawers 4a-4f at least partially extends outside thehousing 2, such that a user can access to the top-opened container formed by this drawer. - When any of the
drawers 4a-4f is moved from its open position to its closed position, the drawer gets closer to theback wall 14 of thehousing 2. - In its closed position, any of the
drawers 4a-4f is located between the bottom 6 and thetop 8 of thehousing 2, such that a user cannot access a content stored in the top-opened container. In its closed position, the back 24 of a drawer and theback panel 14 of thehousing 2 remain spaced apart. - For instance,
figure 1 showstop drawer 4a in its open position, and other drawers 4b-4f in their closed position. Infigure 2 , alldrawers 4a-4f are in their closed position. - Now referring to
figures 3 and4 , showing the cavity defined in thehousing 2, thecabinet 1 comprises a first snap fit lock mechanism for locking automatically thefirst drawer 4a to thehousing 2 when thefirst drawer 4a reaches the closed position, so as to retain thefirst drawer 4a in the closed position. - The first snap fit lock mechanism comprises a
first locking member 32 mounted on thefirst drawer 4a, and asecond locking member 34 mounted on thehousing 2. - The
first locking member 32 protrudes from the back 24 of thefirst drawer 4a. Such arrangement is advantageous in that thecabinet 1 cannot be easily broken by a user inserting a flat rod between two drawers in attempt to manually operate the first snap fit lock mechanism. - The
first locking member 32 comprises for instance ahook 36. Thehook 36 extends parallel to the bottom 26. - Referring to
figures 5 and6 , thehook 36 comprises afirst portion 38 extending towards thesecond locking element 34 in the sliding direction, and anend portion 40 extending from the first portion in a direction towardsside wall 10. Theend portion 40 comprises anouter slant 42 with respect to the sliding direction. Theouter slant 42 faces thesecond locking member 34, so as to contact thesecond locking member 34 when thefirst drawer 4a is moved towards the closed position. The end portion further comprises an engagingsurface 44 opposite theouter slant 42 relative to theend portion 40. The engagingsurface 44 faces thefirst drawer 4a. The engagingsurface 44 is designed to engage with a surface of thesecond locking member 34 which will be described later. As shown onfigure 5 , thehook 36 may have the form of a "1". - The
second locking member 34 is moveable between an engaged position (visible onfigure 5 and a disengaged position (visible onfigure 6 ). - In the engaged position, the
second locking member 34 is engaged with the first lockingmember 32. When thesecond locking member 34 is in the engaged position, while thefirst drawer 4a is in the closed position, the second locking member prevents thedrawer 4a to leave the closed position. - In the disengaged position, the
second locking member 34 is disengaged from the first lockingmember 32 allowing the drawer to slide relative to thehousing 2. - The
second locking member 34 extends vertically between the bottom 6 and thetop 8 of thehousing 2. - The
second locking member 34 is rotatably moveable relative to thehousing 2 between the engaged position and the disengaged position. - Referring to
figure 4 , thesecond locking member 34 is mounted on thebottom 6 and thetop 8 of thehousing 2 by means of apivot 46, for instance made in polyamide, such that the rotation axis of thesecond locking member 34 is vertical. - The
second locking member 34 comprises a folded bar 48 extending vertically between the bottom 6 and thetop 8 of thehousing 2. The folded bar 48 defines arecess 50 for receiving theend portion 40 of thehook 36 of thefirst drawer 4a. - More specifically, the folded bar 48 comprises an
end portion 52 comprising anouter slant 54 facing the first lockingmember 32, and an engagingsurface 56 opposite theouter slant 54. The inner surface partially defines therecess 50. - The
outer slant 54 is arranged to face theouter slant 44 of the first lockingmember 32 when thefirst drawer 4a slides is in its closed position. - The folded bar 48 has a V-shaped profile in a plane parallel to the
bottom 6 of thehousing 2. - The
second locking member 34 further comprises aprimary support 58. Theprimary support 58 comprises an engaging surface oriented in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. Theprimary support 58 is affixed to the folded bar 48 at a first altitude. - The
second locking member 34 further comprises asecondary support 60. Like theprimary support 58, thesecondary support 60 comprises an engaging surface oriented in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. - The
secondary support 60 is affixed to the folded bar 48 at a second altitude different from the first altitude. Thesecondary support 60 is for instance closer to thebottom 6 of thehousing 2 than the primary support, as shown infigure 4 . - Besides, the first snap lock mechanism comprises a
resilient member 62 arranged for urging thesecond locking member 34 towards the engaged position. Theresilient member 62 is for instance a spring comprising a first end affixed to the folded bar 48 and a second end affixed to thehousing 2. - Referring to
figure 5 , thecabinet 1 further comprises at least one actuator, for instance aprimary actuator 64 and asecondary actuator 65, for causing the first snap fit lock mechanism to unlock thefirst drawer 4a from thehousing 2, so as to allow thefirst drawer 4a to leave the closed position. Eachactuator member 34 from the engaged position to the disengaged position. - The
primary actuator 64 is a motorized actuator. - The
primary actuator 64 is arranged in the cavity between thedrawers 4a-4f and theback wall 14 of thehousing 2. - The
primary actuator 64 comprises abody 66 and apen 68 able to slide relative to thebody 66. Thebody 66 is affixed to an inner surface of theback wall 14. Thepen 68 is adapted for pushing theprimary support 58 of the lockingmember 34, when the lockingmember 34 is in the engaged position, so as to urge the lockingmember 34 towards the disengaged position. - The sliding
pen 68 is arranged to slide parallel to the back wall 14 (i.e. perpendicularly to the sliding direction). - The
cabinet 1 further comprises aradio communication interface 70, for instance of NFC type, is adapted to communicate with an object located outside, for instance a mobile terminal or a chip card. It is arranged in thetop 8 of thehousing 2, such that it can be visible on the front of thecabinet 1, as shown onfigure 1 . - The
cabinet 1 further comprises a controller configured to operate the motorized actuator based on signals received by theradio communication interface 70. The controller is arranged in the cavity between the drawers and theback wall 14. The controller is for instance located in thebody 66 of the actuator. At least one wire (not shown on the figures) makes theradio communication interface 70 and the controller communicate together. - The
cabinet 1 further comprises apower supply 72 for supplying the controller, theradio communication interface 70 and themotorized actuator 64 with power. - The
power supply 72 is arranged in the cavity between thedrawers 4a-4f and theback wall 14 of thehousing 2. - Besides, the
secondary actuator 65 comprises a key lock 74 (visible onfigures 1 ,3 ,4 ). Thekey lock 74 comprises a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted on the stator. The rotor is adapted to cooperate with a key for manually operating thesecondary actuator 65. - The
key lock 74 is arranged on theback wall 14 of thecabinet 1. The stator may for instance be affixed to theback wall 14. - The
key lock 74 comprises apin 76 moveable between a first position wherein thepin 76 pushes thesecondary support 60, so as to urge the lockingelement 34 into its disengaged position despite the action of theresilient member 62, and a second position wherein thepin 76 is distant from thesecondary support 60, such that the second locking element is free to reach its engaged position by means of theresilient member 62. - The
pin 76 is for instance affixed to the rotor of thekey lock 74 and is eccentric relative to a rotation axis of said rotor. - The
cabinet 1 comprises additional snap fit mechanisms (one snap fit mechanism per drawer). Each snap fit lock mechanism is adapted for locking automatically one of thedrawers 4a-4f to thehousing 2 when said drawer reaches its closed position, so as to retain said drawer in the closed position. Thecabinet 1 illustrated on the figures therefore comprises six snap fit lock mechanisms for locking the sixdrawers 4a-4f. - Each snap fit lock mechanism comprises a locking element mounted on a corresponding drawer. All locking elements mounted on drawers have a similar shape (for instance a hook protruding from the back of a drawer, like the
hook 36 of thefirst drawer 4a). - However, all snap fit lock mechanisms have in common the locking
element 34 mounted to thehousing 2 described above comprising a folded bar 48. This lockingelement 34 allows alldrawers 4a-4f, when in their closed position, to be unlocked from the housing in one single action. For this purpose, multiple locking elements mounted ondifferent drawers 4a-4f can be simultaneously engaged with the lockingelement 34. When said multiple locking elements comprise a hook and when the lockingelement 34 defines arecess 50, end portions of said hooks can be received simultaneously in therecess 50 at different altitudes between the bottom 6 and thetop 8 of thehousing 2. - Referring to
figure 7 , thecabinet 1 further comprises ashutter 78 arranged to hide thesecond locking element 34 at least partially. Theshutter 78 is arranged between thedrawers 4a-4f and thesecond locking element 34. - The
shutter 78 comprises aplate 80 extending parallel to the back wall between the bottom 6 and the top 8. - The
shutter 78 also comprises at least oneopening 82 arranged in theplate 80 between thefirst locking element 32 mounted on thefirst drawer 4a, and thesecond locking element 34. Theopening 82 is arranged to receive thefirst locking element 32 and to allow thefirst locking element 32 to reach thesecond locking element 34 hidden behind theshutter 78, when thedrawer 4a slides towards the closed position. Theopening 82 is for example a horizontal slot sized in accordance with thehook 36. - The
shutter 78 comprises as many openings as the number ofdrawers 4a-4f in the cabinet 1 (six openings in the embodiment illustrated in the figures). The openings are formed in theshutter 78 at different altitudes between the bottom 6 and the top 8. Each opening is arranged to receive the locking element mounted on a corresponding drawer and to allow said locking element to reach thesecond locking element 34 hidden behind theshutter 78. - Thanks to the
shutter 78, a user inserting a flat rod between two drawers in attempt to manually operate the first snap fit lock mechanism cannot easily access thesecond locking element 34. Thecabinet 1 is therefore even more difficult to break in. - The
shutter 78 may also comprise aprimary opening 84 in front of theprimary support 58 and a secondary opening in front of thesecondary support 60. Thanks to bothopenings shutter 78 is placed very close to theback wall 14. - Let us assume that the
first drawer 4a is in its opened position, as shown infigure 1 . At this stage, thehook 36 mounted on the back of thefirst drawer 4a is distant from the folded bar 48 rotatably mounted on thehousing 2. - Besides, the sliding
pen 68 is distant from theprimary support 58, and thepin 76 is distant from thesecondary support 60, such that thesecond locking member 34 is in its engaged position, by means of theresilient member 62. - The
first drawer 4a can be locked to thehousing 2 as follows. - A user pushes the
first drawer 4a so as to make it slide in the sliding direction towards theback wall 14 of thehousing 2. Therefore, thehook 36 mounted on the back of thefirst drawer 4a gets closer to the folded bar 48. - When the
drawer 4a reaches an intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position, theouter slant 42 of thehook 36 mounted on theback 24 of thefirst drawer 4a contacts theouter slant 54 of the first lockingmember 32. - When the user pushes further the
drawer 4a from the intermediate position towards the closed position, thehook 36 urges the folded bar 48 from its engaged position to its disengaged position while the outer slant of the first locking element slips along the outer slant of thesecond locking member 34. - Slightly before the
first drawer 4a reaches the closed position, theouter slant 42 of thehook 36 leaves theouter slant 54 of the folded bar 48. As a consequence, thehook 36 does not urge the folded bar 48 anymore; the folded bar 48 is then free to move back in the engaged position. As a matter of fact, the folded bar 48 automatically returns in this engaged position by means of theresilient member 62. The end portion of thehook 36 enters therecess 50 formed by the folded bar 48. The folded bar 48 is now in its engaged position, while thefirst drawer 4a is in the closed position, as shown onfigure 5 . - When the first drawer is in the closed position, the
end portion 40 of thehook 36 is located between theend portion 52 of the lockingelement 34 and theback wall 14. Moreover, engagingsurfaces - If the user ever attempts to move the
first drawer 4a from the closed position towards the open position, the engagingsurface 44 of thehook 36 will abut against the engagingsurface 56 of the folded bar 48. In other words, thefirst drawer 4a is automatically locked to thehousing 2 by the snap fitlock mechanism housing 2 when thefirst drawer 4a reaches the closed position, so as to retain thefirst drawer 4a in the closed position. - Any other drawer in its opened position can be moved in its closed position in the same manner. Once a second drawer has reached its closed position, the end portion of the hook of the second drawer is in the
recess 50 formed in the folded bar 48 as well as the end portion of thehook 36 of thefirst drawer 4a. Both hooks simply engage the same folded bar 48 at different altitudes. -
Many drawers 4a-4f can also be moved simultaneously from their opened position to their closed position. In this case, the end portions of their hooks will enter therecess 50 of the folded bar 48 substantially at the same time. - It can be noted that the
primary actuator 64 is not used for closing and automatically locking anydrawer 4a-4f in its closed position. - Opening at least one of the
drawers 4a-4f, for instance thefirst drawer 4a, can be carried out by means of theprimary actuator 64 as follows. - First, the
radio communication interface 70 can receive a radio signal emitted by a chip card or a mobile terminal held by a user, wherein the radio signal is designed to trigger such opening. - The radio signal is then transmitted by the
radio communication interface 70 to the controller. Upon receiving the radio signal, the controller operates theprimary actuator 64 so as to slide thepen 68 towards theprimary support 58 of the folded bar 48 relative to thebody 66. The slidingpen 68 pushes theprimary support 58 such that thesecond locking element 34 is moved from the engaged position into the disengaged position. In this movement, thehook 36 is moved out of therecess 50 formed by the folded bar 48, and theresilient member 62 stretches. - Once the
second locking member 34 has reached the disengaged position, as shown infigure 6 , the engagingsurface 56 of the folded bar 48 does not face anymore the engagingsurface 44 of any hook mounted on a drawer, especially thehook 36 mounted on thefirst drawer 4a. - The
primary actuator 64 maintains thesecond locking member 34 in the disengaged position for a period of predetermined duration. This predetermined duration can be programmed in the controller by means of a timer. This duration preferably depends on the number ofdrawers 4a-4f of thecabinet 1. This duration is for instance equal to kT, wherein k is the number of drawers, and T is greater than 5 seconds. - The predetermined duration can be set by a user by means of an appropriate configuration signal received by the
radio communication interface 70 and transmitted to the controller. - During this period, the user can pull the
first drawer 4a or any other drawer 4b-4f from the closed position to the opened position. - When this period expires, the actuator ceases to maintain the
second locking member 34 in the disengaged position. Thus, theresilient member 62 causes thesecond locking member 34 to pivot into the engaged position. - If the user has not pulled the
first drawer 4a in this period, thehook 36 moves back into therecess 50 formed by the folded bar 48. Therefore, the drawer is automatically relocked relative to thehousing 2. - If the
first drawer 4a has left the closed position before the period of predetermined duration expires, thesecond locking element 34 pivots into the engaged position while thehook 36 is outside therecess 50 formed in the folded bar 48. Therefore, thedrawer 4a can slide in the sliding direction towards the opened position or the closed position. - Opening the
first drawer 4a can be also carried out by means of thesecondary actuator 65 as follows. - A user inserts a key in the rotor of
key lock 74. - When the user manually rotates the key and the rotor relative to the stator of the
key lock 74, theeccentric pin 76 moves as well around the rotation axis of the rotor and pushes thesecondary support 60, such that thesecond locking element 34 is moved from its engaged position into the disengaged position. In this movement, thehook 36 is moved out of therecess 50 formed by the folded bar 48, and theresilient member 62 stretches. Once the lockingmember 34 has reached its disengaged position, the engagingsurface 56 of the folded bar 48 does not face anymore the engagingsurface 44 of thehook 36. - In the disengaged position, the forces applied by the
resilient member 62 and by thepin 76 to thesecond locking element 34 compensate, such that thesecond locking element 34 can remain in the disengaged position even if the user releases the key inserted in thekey lock 74. - From this point on, the user can pull the
first drawer 4a or any other drawer 4b-4f towards in its opened position. - This
secondary actuator 65 can be advantageously used instead of theprimary actuator 64, if theprimary actuator 64 does not work properly (because of an internal failure or if thepower supply 72 runs out of power). - Later on, the user can rotate back the key relative to the
key lock 74, so as to cause thepin 76 to move away from thesecondary support 60. Thus, thesecond locking element 34 is urged towards its engaged position by theresilient member 62. Anydrawer 4a-4f of thecabinet 1 in its closed position will be retained in its closed position, whereas anydrawer 4a-4f of thecabinet 1 which is not in its closed position will be free to slide in the sliding direction either towards the opened position or the closed position.
Claims (17)
- Cabinet comprising:• a housing (2),• a first drawer (4a) arranged to slide relative to the housing (2) between an open position and a closed position,• a first snap fit lock mechanism for locking automatically the first drawer (4a) to the housing (2) when the first drawer (4a) reaches the closed position, so as to retain the first drawer (4a) in the closed position, and• an actuator (64, 65) for causing the first snap fit lock mechanism to unlock the first drawer (4a) from the housing (2), so as to allow the first drawer (4a) to leave the closed position.
- Cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the first snap fit lock mechanism comprises:• a first locking member (32) mounted on the first drawer (4a),• a second locking member (34) mounted on the housing (2),wherein one (34) of the first locking member and the second locking member is moveable between an engaged position, wherein the second locking member (34) is engaged with the first locking member (32) while the first drawer (4a) is in the closed position, and a disengaged position, wherein the second locking member (34) is disengaged from the first locking member (32) allowing the drawer to slide relative to the housing (2).
- Cabinet according to claim 2, wherein the actuator (64, 65) is configured to move said one locking member (34) from the engaged position to the disengaged position and maintain said one locking member (34) in the disengaged position for a predetermined duration.
- Cabinet according to one of claims 2 and 3, wherein the first snap lock mechanism comprises a resilient member (62) arranged for urging the said one locking member towards the engaged position.
- Cabinet according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first locking member (32) protrudes from a back of the first drawer (4a).
- Cabinet according to one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a shutter (78) arranged between the first drawer (4a) and the second locking element (34) at least partially, wherein the shutter comprises an opening (82) to allow the first locking element (34) to pass through the shutter (78).
- Cabinet according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second locking member (34) is rotatably moveable relative to the housing (2) between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
- Cabinet according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein one of the first locking member (32) and the second locking member (34) comprises a hook (36), and wherein the other of the first locking member (32) and the second locking member (34) defines a recess (50) for receiving the hook (36).
- Cabinet according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the actuator (64, 65) comprises a sliding pen which is adapted for urging the second locking member (34) towards the disengaged position.
- Cabinet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (2) comprises a back wall towards which the first drawer (4a) gets closer when sliding towards the closed position, and wherein the actuator (64, 65) is arranged between the back of the first drawer (4a) and the back wall of the housing (2).
- Cabinet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (64, 65) is motorized.
- Cabinet according to claim 11, wherein the cabinet further comprises:• a radio communication interface (70), for instance of NFC type, for receiving a control signal,• a controller configured to operate the motorized actuator (64, 65) such that the actuator (64, 65) unlocks the first snap fit lock mechanism when the control signal is received.
- Cabinet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator (64, 65) comprises a key lock adapted to cooperate with a key for manually operating the actuator (64, 65).
- Cabinet according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising• a second drawer (4b-4f) arranged to slide relative to the housing (2) between an open position and a closed position,• a second snap fit lock mechanism for locking automatically the second drawer (4b-4f) to the housing (2) when the second drawer (4b-4f) reaches the closed position, so as to retain the second drawer (4b-4f) in the closed position, andwherein the actuator (64, 65) is adapted for causing the second snap fit lock mechanism to unlock the second drawer (4b-4f) from the housing (2), so as to allow the second drawer (4b-4f) to leave the closed position.
- Cabinet according to claim 14, wherein the first snap fit lock mechanism comprises:• a first locking member (32) mounted on the first drawer (4a),• a second locking member (34) mounted on the housing (2),and wherein the second snap fit lock mechanism comprises:• a third locking member mounted on the second drawer (4b-4f),• the second locking member (34),wherein the second locking member (34) is moveable between an engaged position wherein the second locking member (34) is engaged with the first locking member (32) and the third locking member while the first drawer (4a) and the second drawer (4b-4f) are both in their closed position, and a disengaged position, wherein the second locking member (34) is disengaged from the first locking member (32) and from the third locking member allowing the drawers to slide relative to the housing (2).
- Cabinet according to claim 15, wherein the third locking member protrudes from a back of the second drawer (4b-4f).
- Cabinet according to any of claims 15 to 16, wherein the third locking member comprises a hook, and wherein the second locking member (34) comprises a folded bar defining a recess (50) for receiving the hooks of the first and third locking members.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17290129.0A EP3473134B1 (en) | 2017-10-17 | 2017-10-17 | Cabinet comprising drawers and a snap fit lock mechanism |
PCT/US2018/056290 WO2019079452A1 (en) | 2017-10-17 | 2018-10-17 | Cabinet comprising drawers and a snap fit lock mechanism |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17290129.0A EP3473134B1 (en) | 2017-10-17 | 2017-10-17 | Cabinet comprising drawers and a snap fit lock mechanism |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3473134A1 true EP3473134A1 (en) | 2019-04-24 |
EP3473134B1 EP3473134B1 (en) | 2020-04-29 |
Family
ID=60302020
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17290129.0A Active EP3473134B1 (en) | 2017-10-17 | 2017-10-17 | Cabinet comprising drawers and a snap fit lock mechanism |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP3473134B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019079452A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080278043A1 (en) * | 2007-05-08 | 2008-11-13 | Waterloo Industries, Inc. | Drawer lock mechanism |
US20110140831A1 (en) * | 2009-01-09 | 2011-06-16 | Automed Technologies, Inc. | Cabinet System |
US20140167574A1 (en) * | 2011-11-08 | 2014-06-19 | S&S X-Ray Products, Inc. | Secure File Cabinet |
US20150240531A1 (en) * | 2014-02-27 | 2015-08-27 | LifeStyleLock, LLC | Wireless locking system and method |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5723850A (en) * | 1996-07-26 | 1998-03-03 | Loyal Manufacturing Corporation | Cash drawer assembly |
JP6219943B2 (en) * | 2012-07-18 | 2017-10-25 | アキュライド インターナショナル, インコーポレイテッドAccuride International, Inc. | Drawer slide and electrically actuated locking mechanism |
CN104003048B (en) * | 2014-05-20 | 2016-08-24 | 无锡瑞巴斯医疗器械有限公司 | A kind of mobile medicine-chest |
WO2016122930A1 (en) * | 2015-01-16 | 2016-08-04 | Accuride International Inc. | Electro-mechanical latching/locking with integrated touch/push activation |
-
2017
- 2017-10-17 EP EP17290129.0A patent/EP3473134B1/en active Active
-
2018
- 2018-10-17 WO PCT/US2018/056290 patent/WO2019079452A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080278043A1 (en) * | 2007-05-08 | 2008-11-13 | Waterloo Industries, Inc. | Drawer lock mechanism |
US20110140831A1 (en) * | 2009-01-09 | 2011-06-16 | Automed Technologies, Inc. | Cabinet System |
US20140167574A1 (en) * | 2011-11-08 | 2014-06-19 | S&S X-Ray Products, Inc. | Secure File Cabinet |
US20150240531A1 (en) * | 2014-02-27 | 2015-08-27 | LifeStyleLock, LLC | Wireless locking system and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2019079452A1 (en) | 2019-04-25 |
EP3473134B1 (en) | 2020-04-29 |
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