GB2299260A - Drawer with security compartment - Google Patents

Abstract

A drawer housing which is configured to fit into eg a kitchen cupboard contains a drawer 21 having compartments for storage of stationery (front), suspension files (middle) and a slot-shaped compartment (rear) for storage of high-security documents. The drawer can be locked fully closed or it can be partially locked such that access can be gained to the front compartments only. When the drawer is fully unlocked it can be slid out far enough to gain access to the rear, secure compartment.

Description

DOCUMENTS AND STATIONERY STORAGE CABINET This invention relates to a documents and stationery storage cabinet for use in the home.

Documents which need to be stored in a way which makes them easy to retrieve are commonly stored in suspension files inside filing cabinets. By dividing documents between a number of suspension files each designated to contain a particular category of document, the user can greatly reduce the time taken to find a document. A suspension file is a well known form of document-holding folder which hangs between two rails upon which it rests, in such a way that documents may be easily inserted, located or removed. The rails in turn are usually integral with a sliding drawer, and one or more such drawers arranged to slide in and out of a stationary casing make up a filing cabinet, which is well known as an item of office furniture.

For many office workers, three types of furniture will usually be provided and arranged to ensure that documents can be handled speedily and efficiently; namely filing cabinets for document storage, a desk to provide a working and writing surface, and cupboards or drawers for the storage of items of stationery. In the home, the number of documents which a householder would wish to store and process just as efficiently as an office worker is considerable and increasing, but only a small proportion of houses have space available to accommodate a dedicated filing cabinet, desk, and cupboard or drawer. Instead, in many homes, documents (which usually arrive by post) are often placed haphazardly in a letter rack, or dispersed with items of stationery in various cupboards and drawers, to be dealt with when time permits.As a consequence, time is wasted in bringing them together on a suitable working surface when needed, and occasionally important documents may be lost.

Portable filing cases are well known document storage cabinets which are of such a size that they can be stored wherever there is space available, and carried to a working surface when needed. They sometimes include space to contain items of stationery, and they are a considerable improvement on having no dedicated document storage cabinet at all. However, they are of necessity of limited capacity in order that they should not be too awkward to store and carry, and furthermore will not usually be conveniently to hand to insert documents as they arrive, or to find documents as they are needed.

It is the aim of the present invention to provide a storage cabinet within a base unit of the type commonly found in fitted kitchens. A base unit is a built-in cupboard which is usually positioned beneath a working surface known as a worktop. In many cases there will also be a kitchen table nearby, and these surfaces are quite adequate to perform the function of a desk for the limited amount of paperwork the householder will need to do. Since a householder's working day often starts and ends in the kitchen, the siting of the present invention inside a cupboard there, together with the use of the available working surfaces, can lead to the kitchen becoming the ideal place to store and process household documents in a very efficient way.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a documents and stationery storage cabinet comprising a supporting cover, a sliding drawer divided into a number of storage compartments, the drawer being adapted to slide out from under the supporting cover, and means for locking the drawer in such a way that it may be immovably locked when fully under the supporting cover, in which position there is no access to any of its storage compartments, or constrained in such a way that it can open to give access to certain ofthe storage compartments but not all, or fully unlocked to give access to all ofthe storage compartments.

The means for locking, constraining and releasing the drawer in different positions may comprise a key-operated lock, one or more slideable or pivotable projecting members, means for extending or withdrawing the projecting member or members as a key is turned and one or more stops. The lock and projecting member or members may be attached to the drawer in which case the stop or stops are attached to the supporting cover in positions where they will be in the path of any extended projection, or alternatively the lock and projecting member or members may be attached to the supporting cover in which case the stop or stops are attached to the drawer to the same effect.

The key-operated lock may be replaced by any suitable locking device which requires the user to be in possession of a correct key or to know a secret code in order to be operated. More than one locking device could be used, each having means attached for extending and withdrawing a projecting member, and thereby independently controlling access to different compartments or groups of compartments within the drawer.

Of course the means for moving any projection as a locking device is operated may not involve physical engagement. For example the influence urging the extending or withdrawing of a projection may be magnetic or electro-mechanical in nature.

In a further aspect of the invention, one or more of the compartments in the drawer may be adapted to contain suspension files; one or more compartments may be adapted to contain other items of general stationery, and a compartment adjacent to the rear end of the drawer may be provided for storage of particularly important documents.

In a further aspect of the invention, the storage cabinet may have a height and width which are little more than those of the suspension files inside, so that it may readily be fastened inside the type of kitchen fitted cupboard known as a base unit without occupying too much space. This type of cupboard often has one or more hinged doors, and the hinges are often proprietary concealed types which protrude slightly into the internal space inside the cupboard. In order that the storage cabinet can be accommodated within a cupboard of the least possible width, the supporting cover and drawer front may be shaped at the sides adjacent to the front to permit a hinge to protrude into the space vertically beneath the drawer slide and the overhanging parts of the suspension files which locate on the drawer rail.

In a further aspect of the invention, the storage cabinet may be fastened into a base unit or other type of cupboard by screws or other means of fastening which are fitted from inside the storage cabinet, such that they cannot be removed except when the storage cabinet is fully unlocked and the drawer removed. This makes it difficult to remove the locked storage cabinet from the base unit or cupboard in which it is housed, thereby increasing the level of security.

In a further aspect of the invention one or more compartments in the drawer together with the corresponding part of the supporting cover which forms a lid to these compartments when the drawer is closed may be constructed from or lined with material of a fire-resisting nature, so that items stored in these compartments may be protected from damage for a period of time in the event that the storage cabinet is involved in a fire.

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practise. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows in perspective the storage cabinet with the drawer fully closed.

Figure 2 shows in perspective the storage cabinet in place inside a kitchen base unit, with the base unit door and the storage cabinet drawer both open.

Figure 3 shows in perspective, the storage cabinet with the drawer in the fully open position and the various items of stationery which the storage cabinet is designed to house positioned above their respective storage compartments, with arrows indicating where the items are to be inserted.

Figure 4 shows a side elevation of a base unit with its side panel removed to show the position of the storage cabinet inside.

Figure 5 shows a front elevation of a base unit with its door removed but with the door hinges still fastened in position, and the storage cabinet in position inside the base unit with its drawer front partially cut away to show the positions of a drawer slide and suspension file inside.

Figure 6 shows in perspective the storage cabinet with its drawer fully closed as in Figure 1, viewed frorn a different angle, with part of the supporting cover and part of the drawer cut away to show the lock components.

Figure 7 shows the same view as Figure 6, except that the lock components are in a different position.

Figure 8 shows the storage cabinet viewed from the same angle as in Figure 6, with its drawer partially open.

Figure 9 shows the storage cabinet with the drawer in the same position as in Figure 8, viewed from a different angle Figure 10 shows the same view as in Figure 8, except that the lock components are in a different position.

Figure 11 shows in perspective the storage cabinet empty of contents with its drawer fully open.

Figure 12 shows in perspective a different form ofthe storage cabinet in place inside a kitchen base unit, with the base unit door open, and the storage cabinet drawer closed.

Figure 13 shows from a different angle the storage cabinet shown in Figure 12, removed from the base unit, and with the drawer in the fully open position.

Figure 14 shows the storage cabinet shown in Figure 13 with the drawer in the closed position and part of the supporting cover cut away to show the lock components.

Figure 15 shows the part of the storage cabinet enclosed by a circle in Figure 14 enlarged to show the detail more clearly.

Referring to Figure 1, the storage cabinet comprises a supporting cover 20, a drawer 21 which slides out from under the supporting cover and means for locking the drawer 22. The supporting cover includes means (for example holes for screws, some of which are shown 23) for being rigidly secured inside a cupboard. Figure 2 shows such a cupboard, in this case base unit 24 of the type commonly found in fitted kitchens. Base unit 24 may be fitted with a door 25 attached by hinges 26.

Means for locating supporting cover 20 in the correct position are provided in the form of a downward projection 27 which locates against the lower front edge of base unit 24. This downward projection can be seen more clearly in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 3, drawer 21 is divided into compartments which can contain items of stationery such as envelopes, postage stamps, paper clips, pens, a stapler, one or more suspension files and a ring binder. The slides 28 which connect drawer 21 to supporting cover 20 are preferably of the type which incorporate an intermediate sliding section 29 between the fixed part and the sliding part, so that drawer 21 can slide out fully from under supporting cover 20 as shown in Figure 3 and in Figure 4. There are many examples of this type of slide which are well known.

Referring to Figure 5, supporting cover 20 and drawer front 30 are shaped at the sides adjacent to the front to form recesses 31 which permit a hinge 26 to protrude into the space vertically beneath drawer slide 28 and the overhanging parts of the suspension files 32 which locate on the drawer rail.

Referring to Figure 6, drawer front 30 has fitted into it a lock 33 which is keyoperated, and of the type which is well known for securing doors, drawers and opening panels. The key 34 is able to be inserted and removed in two positions approximately 90 degrees apart. When key 34 is inserted and moved between these two positions, a pawl 35 at the opposite end of lock 33 to key 34 also moves through an arc of approximately 90 degrees.

Pawl 35 engages in a slot in a lever 36, which is pivotally attached to drawer 21 at pivot 37. With pawl 35 in the position shown in Figure 6, a projection 38 on lever 36 engages with a stop 39 attached to supporting cover 20, causing drawer 21 to be locked so that it cannot slide open.

Moving now to Figure 7, turning key 34 through 90 degrees clockwise to the position shown in Figure 7 causes lever 36 to move about pivot 37 to where proection 38 is no longer engaged behind stop 39. Drawer 21 is now unlocked and can slide forward.

Referring to Figure 8, there is a second projection 40 on lever 36, and after drawer 21 has been pulled open a certain amount, this will come to rest against stop 39 on supporting cover 20 in the position shown in Figure 8, and prevent drawer 21 from being pulled open further.

As can be seen in Figure 9, in this position, access can be gained to the compartments which are designed to store the items of stationery and the suspension files. However, there is a solid division 41 which extends from the base of drawer 21 almost to the underside of supporting cover 20 between the compartment which houses the suspension files and the compartment adjacent to the rear of the storage cabinet, and therefore access cannot be gained to this rearmost compartment.

Referring now to Figure 10, turning key 34 through approximately 90 degrees anticlockwise to the position shown in Figure 10 will cause lever 36 to pivot back to its first position, in which projection 40 no longer engages with stop 39. Drawer 21 is now free to be pulled forward to the fullest extent permitted by slides 28, and in this position, access can be gained to all compartments as shown in Figure 11.

The drawer may be closed by reversing the above sequence. The final step which would lock drawer 21 in the fully closed position shown in Figure 1 may be omitted, and key 34 may be withdrawn with drawer 21 unlocked. Drawer 21 would then be able to be opened without the need of key 34, but only as far as the intermediate position shown in Figure 8 and Figure 9 where access to the rearmost compartment in drawer 21 cannot be gained.

This compartment may be used to provide storage for important personal documents, which might be contained within a ring binder. These items are securely contained, since access to them is not possible without using the correct key, even if drawer 21 is left unlocked for ready access to the files and other items of stationery.

The storage cabinet as shown in Figures 1-11 is equally suited to installation in new or existing cupboards or base units, since supporting cover 20 may rest either on the bottom of the cupboard or base unit, or on a shelf therein.

In Figures 12-15, supporting cover 20 is shown in a form adapted to span the internal width of a base unit or cupboard, such that its top can more usefully be used as a shelf.

Figure 12 shows such an installation, in which supporting cover 20 is adapted to span the full width of base unit 24. Alternatively, in a larger base unit or cupboard, supporting cover 20 could be fitted between one side of the base unit or cupboard and an internal partition, or between two internal partitions. The sequence of operation is as previously described, even though the locking means 22 is mounted differently.

Referring to Figure 13, supporting cover 20 now houses lock 33 in its front face.

Drawer 21 has a plate 42 rigidly attached at the side adjacent to lock 33. Plate 42 has a stop face 46 adjacent to the front of drawer 21, a stop face 47 positioned further back, and a cutout 48. Drawer 21 is provided with compartments to store files and items of stationery, as shown previously in Figure 3 It is also provided with solid division 41 to provide a compartment for secure storage of important items as described previously.

Drawer 21 may be locked in the closed position as shown in Figure 14, or unlocked progressively to provide access to the compartments as previously described, as follows.

Figure 15 shows part of Figure 14 enlarged so that some of the components which comprise the locking means can be more clearly seen. Lock 33 is adapted so that key 34 can be rotated through approximately 90 degrees anticlockwise from the position shown in Figure 15. Rotating key 34 in this manner also causes plate 43, which is attached to lock 33 to be rotated through the same angle.

In the locked position shown in Figure 15, projection 44 on plate 4; engages with stop face 46 of plate 42 (Figure 13 showed these two items) to prevent drawer 21 from being pulled open. Turning key 34 causes plate 43 to turn so that projection 44 moves out of the plane of plate 42, thereby releasing drawer 21 so that it can be pulled open. However, at the same time, projection 45 on plate 43 moves into the plane of plate 42, so that eventually stop face 47 (shown in Figurel3) will come to rest against projection 45, preventing drawer 21 from being opened further. In this position solid division 41 is still under supporting cover 20 preventing access being gained to the rearmost compartment of drawer 21.

Turning key 34 and thereby plate 43 clockwise back to the position shown in Figure 15 would move projection 45 out of the plane of plate 42 (Figure 13), allowing drawer 21 to be pulled fully open. Cutout 48 of plate 42 allows projection 44 to move back into the plane of plate 42 without interfering with the action of drawer 21 being pulled fully open.

Claims (16)

CI,AIMS

1. A storage cabinctcol1lprising: - a housing; - a drawer mounted for linear sliding-type movenrent in-andlout of said housing, said drawer being sub-divided into two or more substantially separate compartments; and locking means operable: a) to lock said drawer in flie housing in such as way as to deny access to all of said mpartments, b) to partially unlock said drawer such as to allow the draw to be moved out of the housing sufficiently to allow access to at least one, but not all, of said compartmcnts, and c) to fully unlock said drawer such as to allow access all of said compartments.

2. A storage cabinet according to Claim 1, in which said locking means comprises at least one key or code operated lock.

3. A storage cabinet according to Claim 2, in which the or each lock is arranged to move one or more projections in and out of co-operation with stop means.

4. A storage cabinet according to Claim 3, in which the or each lock is associated with the drawer and the stop mcans is associated with the housing.

5. A storage cabinet according to Claim 3, in which the or each lock is associated with the housing and the stop means is associated with the drawer.

6. A storage cabinet according to any preceding claim, in which the drawer comprises a compartment which is suitable for holding suspension tiles.

7. A storage cabinet according to Claim 6, in which the drawer comprises a stationery compartment located in front of said compartment for holding suspension files.

8. A storage cabinet according to Claim 6 or 7, in which the drawer comprises a rearmost compartment.

9. A storage cabinet according to Claim 8, in which said rearmost compartment is slot-shaped.

10. A storage cabinet according to any preceding claim, which is contained within a cupboard.

I I . A storage cabinet according to Claim 10, in which said cupboard comprises a door fitted with hinges which are mounted inside said cupboard.

12. A storage cabinet according to Claim 11, in which the front of said cabinet is recessed at one side to accommodate one or more of said hinges.

13. A storage cabinet according to Claim 10, 11 or 12, which is secured inside the cupboard by fastening elements which are inserted from within the housing with the drawer removed.

14. A storage cabinet according to any of Claims 10 to 13, in which at least one of said compartments and at least part of said housing comprises a firc-rcsistant material forming a tlrc-proof enclosure.

15. A storage cabinet substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

16. A combincd storage cabinet and cupboard substantially as described with reference to the drawings.