GB2062081A

GB2062081A - Storage Unit Locking System

Info

Publication number: GB2062081A
Application number: GB7932979A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: CHRISTOPHIDES P L
Current assignee: CHRISTOPHIDES P L
Priority date: 1979-09-24
Filing date: 1979-09-24
Publication date: 1981-05-20
Also published as: GB2062081B

Abstract

The locking system comprises two types of locking member which are positioned at right angles to one another. Each type of locking member is formed of a series of similar interconnected elements which means that the locking system itself can be extended whenever the storage system itself is extended. Portions of the first 30 and second locking members 40 contact one another and cooperate, preferably in the manner of a rack 45 and pinion 35, to cause engagement or disengagement of key members 41 with respective storage units 2a etc. of the system. These storage units 2a etc. are preferably provided with an aperture which is shaped in accordance with the shape of the key members of the locking system. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Locking System This invention relates to a locking system which is particularly suited for use with an assembly of storage units, for example filing trays, stackable drawer units and the like.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a locking system for an assembly of storage units disposed in a series of contiguous substantially vertical columns, which locking system comprises a first locking member formed of a plurality of similar interconnected first elements and two or more second locking members each formed of a plurality of similar interconnected second elements, the second locking members being arranged parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another so that they can be incorporated into the storage units, and the first locking member being positioned normal to the second locking members and in contact therewith, wherein the surface portions of the first and second locking elements which are in contact with one another are provided with mutually cooperating regions whereby rotation of the first locking member about its axis causes axial displacement of the second locking members and wherein each of the second locking elements is provided with a key member which is adapted to fit into an aperture provided in one of the storage units to hold the same in place, so that rotation of the first locking member about its axis in a first sense results in the key members of the second locking elements-engaging their respective storage units, and rotation of the first locking element about its axis in the opposite sense results in disengagement of the key members of the second locking elements from their respective storage units.

Conveniently, the first locking member can be disposed to pass horizontally through the array of storage units, and each of the second locking members will be disposed vertically with one vertical locking member per column of storage units.

The surface portions of the locking members which are adapted to cooperate with one another are advantageously formed to cooperate in the manner of a rack and pinion. Thus the first locking member can comprise a series of interconnected rods which carry an annular toothed barrel which is adapted to cooperate with a stepped surface portion provided on the appropriate elements of the second locking member. If desired, each of the second locking elements can be formed with an appropriate surface structure so that the first locking member can be disposed in any convenient location with respect to the second locking members.

The key member can be in the form of a Lshaped hook extending outwardly from the second locking element.

The invention also provides a storage system comprising a plurality of identical storage units constructed to be supported within a framework, wherein said framework includes a locking system in accordance with the invention, and wherein each of the storage units is provided with an aperture shaped and positioned so that the key members of the locking system can engage the storage units and hold them in place.

The first locking member preferably has at one end thereof means for effecting rotation of the first locking member about its axis, for example a key fitting into a keyway formed in the end of the adjacent first locking element A barrel lock or similar mechanism is preferably provided so that rotation of the first locking member can only be achieved when the barrel lock has been disengaged.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front elevation of a storage system incorporating a locking system of this invention; Figures 2a and 2b show parts of the first locking member of the system; and Figure 3 shows one of the elements of the second locking member of the system.

Referring now to the drawings, the storage system comprises an array 1 of stackable boxes arranged in a series of vertical columns 2a, 2b, 2c etc. Each individual box is constructed so that it can cooperate with similar boxes placed above, below or on either side of itself to form an interconnected array. Each of the stackable boxes is adapted to receive a drawer unit for holding files, loose papers or other items.

Disposed within the array of stackable boxes is a first, horizontal locking member 3 formed of a series of elements 30 connected axially together, and a plurality of second, vertical locking members 4a, 4b, 4c etc. which are also formed of a series of elements interconnected end to end. A barrel lock 31 is located at the left hand end of horizontal locking member 3.

As shown Figure 2b, each of the horizontal units which together form the horizontal locking member comprises a cylindrical rod 32 having a male connecting member 33 at one end thereof and a female connecting member 34 at the opposite end thereof. The connecting members 33 and 34 preferably act together as a snap-on connection. A pinion gear 35 is mounted on rod 32.

As shown in Figure 3, the unit 40 comprises a bar 42 having a male connecting member 43 at one end thereof and a female connecting member 44 at the opposite end thereof. Connecting members 43 and 44 cooperate together to form a snap-in connection. A key 41 is provided on element 40 and is substantially L-shaped. Other key designs may be employed if desired. Those vertical units 40 which make contact with the horizontal locking member 3 are formed with a surface portion 45 which is stepped or grooved so that it can cooperate with the pinion gear 35 of one of the units 30. In this way, rotation of the horizontal locking member 3 about its horizontal axis causes upward or downward movement of each of the vertical locking members 4a, 4b, 4c etc.This in turn causes the key members 41 of each of the vertical units to move into or out of engagement with an aperture formed in each of the draw units.

If desired, the key member 41 may be omitted from certain of the vertical locking units 40 so that predetermined drawer units may remain open to access while the remainder of the drawer units are locked to prevent them being opened. In addition, it is preferred for the pinion gear 35 to be readily disengageable from rod 32, so that it can be moved to the left or right of its effective operating position, thereby enabling a preselected column of drawer units to remain open to access while the remaining columns of drawer units are locked.

The units which together constitute the locking members 3 and 4 can be formed of any convenient material, for example aluminium, plastics materials, steel or any convenient alloy.

They can be produced by moulding or casting or by any other suitable technique which enables the units to be produced with adequate precision. The dimensions of the units will be determined by the stackable storage system to which they are to be applied. Existing storage systems can be adapted to take a locking system of this invention by providing an appropriate number of channels for the first and second locking members and also by providing an appropriate number of apertures in each of the individual drawer units to enable key members 41 to function.

Instead of employing vertical units 40 in the form of bars, elements of cylindrical, triangular or square cross-section may be employed.

A locking system in accordance with the present invention can be produced at low cost and can be assembled very easily. The locking system does not have to be replaced if additional storage units are added to an existing system, since the locking system itself can easily be extended by adding further vertical locking members or further horizontal locking units as required.

Claims

1. A locking system for an assembly of storage units disposed in a series of contiguous substantially vertical columns, which locking system comprises a first locking member formed of a plurality of similar interconnected first elements and two or more second locking members each formed of a plurality of similar interconnected second elements, the second locking members being arranged parallel with one another and spaced apart from one another so that they can be incorporated into the storage units, and the first locking member being positioned normal to the second locking members and in contact therewith, wherein the surface portions of the first and second locking elements which are in contact with one another are provided with mutually cooperating regions whereby rotation of the first locking member about its axis causes axial displacement of the second locking members, and wherein each of the second locking elements is provided with a key member which is adapted to fit into an aperture provided in one of the storage units to hold the same in place, so that rotation of the first locking member about its axis in a first sense results in the key members of the second locking elements engaging their respective storage units, and rotation of the first locking element about its axis in the opposite sense results in disengagement of the key members of the second locking elements from their respective storage units.

2. A locking system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first locking member is disclosed to pass horizontally through the array of storage units and each of the second locking members is disposed to pass vertically through the array of storage units.

3. A locking system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein each substantially vertical column of storage units includes one of said second locking members.

4. A locking system as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein the surface portions of the locking members which are adapted to cooperate with one another are formed to cooperate in the manner of rack and pinion.

5. A locking system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the first locking member comprises a series of interconnected rods each of which carries an annular toothed barrel, and wherein the second locking members comprise second elements which include stepped surface portions, the locking members being disposed so that the annular toothed barrels of the first locking member cooperate with the stepped surface portions of the second locking members.

6. A locking system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said key member is in the form of a L-shaped hook extending outwardly from the second locking element.

7. A locking system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

8. A storage system comprising a plurality of identical storage units constructed to be supported within a framework, wherein said framework includes a locking system as claimed in any preceding claim, and wherein each of the storage units is provided with an aperture shaped and positioned so that the key members of the locking system can engage the storage units and hold them in place.

9. A storage system substantially as hereinbefore described.