GB2509899A

GB2509899A - A locking device for a drawer unit

Info

Publication number: GB2509899A
Application number: GB1221926.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oliver Simon Isaacs; Martin Charles Isaacs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-06
Filing date: 2012-12-06
Publication date: 2014-07-23

Abstract

A locking device 10 to lock a drawer 34 within a drawer unit 33 comprises a frame member 12 fixed to the drawer unit 33, and a moving member 14 fixed to or butting against the front of the drawer 34. The frame member 12 and the moving member 14 are selectively fixable together by a lock such as a padlock 32 to restrict opening movement of the drawer 34. Preferably a plurality of apertures 30a-e are located on the moving member to allow the padlock to be located at a variety of positions, for example to allow limited opening of the drawer. This affects the distance the placement portion 28 is located relative to the drawer unit. The frame member may have a slot 22 in it for receiving the padlock shackle. Both members may be secured to their respective parts of the drawer via mechanical fastenings or adhesive.

Description

Locking Device

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a locking device. Particularly the present invention relates to a locking device for drawers.

Background

Locks are widely used throughout the world to provide additional security and safety.

Drawer locks ensure an element of control over when and how a drawer can be opened.

This control can be increased and decreased based on the level and type of locking mechanism available on any drawer or within any particular drawer unit.

A diawer lock can be located within a drawei unit that has been installed during the construction of the unit of furnishing. Alternatively, an additional lock can be fifted to an exterior or interior surface of a collection of drawers or indeed to a single drawer within a unit.

It is also the case that drawer units can have no locks or security measures in place and that a user will not be able to lock or secure the contents of a drawer as a result.

Fuithermoie, the level of security a drawer can offer, based on its locks, can be diminished when a person is using a drawer unit that they are not familiar with or if a lock within the drawer unit has failed.

Suitable levels of security for drawer units can vary. Whether it is total security for contents where a user can be assured that contents are protected to a high level indeed in a case where another individual is trying to break into a particular drawer, or whether it is more of a deterrent that is required where a minimal level of security is available to simply notify another person that a particular drawer is unavailable to them.

Locks that are fitted to drawer units generally provide users with the ability to lock one or more drawers within a unit of furniture. These locks can vary greatly in quality and strength and commonly fail during the life of the piece of furniture.

Differing designs of drawer unit furniture provide the ability to lock singular drawers at any onetime, or alternatively, lock all drawers at the same time. This can inhibit choice for a user with regards to which drawer can be used or locked at any one time or situation.

Drawer locks commonly use keys to operate the locking mechanism and this can be a significant problem when the key is lost. Also, in some circumstances, key locks within drawer units are of such inadequacy, that they can be easily manipulated with blunt or basic instruments in order to open them.

It is also the case that not all units of drawer furniture provide a locking mechanism within their original construction, and as a result, users may not be able to secure items within the drawer units that they use in different places on a day to day basis.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for restricting the opening of a drawer, the device comprising; a frame member, adapted to be located on a drawer unit; and a moving member, adapted to be located on a drawer, the moving member, in use, moving with the drawer, wherein the moving member is selectively fixable relative to the frame member, thereby restricting opening of the drawer.

By drawer unit, it is meant a fixed chassis or construction which forms the basis for a unit of furniture with the primary function of containing objects within drawers, housed by the drawer unit.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a device is provided which permits a drawer to be restricted from opening either partially or fully without the need for an integral lock. This provides utility for an existing drawer set or unit which can be locked by the user through use of the device. This is most prevalent when an original lock in the drawer set has failed or if the drawer set does not have a lock fitted as part of its original design.

In one embodiment, the frame member, in use, is fixed to the drawer unit.

In one embodiment, the frame member may further comprise a locating portion and a restricting portion.

In this embodiment, the device is located on the drawer unit by means of the locating portion. Providing a locating portion assists with locating the frame member on the drawer unit.

The locating portion may, in use, be fixed to the drawer unit using an adhesive. This facilitates the retro-fitting of the frame member to the drawer unit without the need to disrupt the existing form and/or finish of the drawer unit during the installation process of the frame member.

In alternative embodiments, the frame member may, in use, be retro-fitted to the drawer unit via the locating portion using a mechanical fixing, for example a threaded fixing such as a nut and bolt assembly or a rivet or a pin or the like.

In some embodiments of the present invention, this method of fixing offers an increase in the strength of the fixed connection between the locating portion and the drawer unit. Furthermore, suitable methods of attaching the locating portion to the drawer unit via a mechanical fixing will facilitate such an increase in strength and integrity of the fixation of the frame member.

In one embodiment, the locating portion may define at least one aperture. The aperture, in use, providing a conduit for fixing the frame member to the drawer unit with a suitable mechanical fixing.

In one embodiment, the locating portion may define a plurality of apertures. Such a plurality may, in use, facilitate a heightened strength of fixing between the frame member and the drawer unit by way of increasing the number of fixings that can be used. It may also facilitate an element of flexibility and choice of where the fixing may be introduced between the frame member and the drawer unit.

In at least one possible embodiment, at least one of the apertures may be circular. In such an embodiment, in use, a circular aperture may facilitate a more suitable accommodation of a cylindrical mechanical fixing such as a screw or rivet.

In one embodiment, the/each aperture may extend along at least a portion of the length of the locating portion. Such an extension, in use, facilitating movement of the frame member during the installation process. This movement further providing the ability to slide the frame member relative to the length of the aperture while the selected fixing is paitially in place. In so doing, further providing the user with an increased flexibility in selecting the most appropriate position of the frame member on the drawer unit before the mechanical fixing is fixed in position.

In one embodiment, the locating portion may define a first and a second aperture. In this embodiment! the first aperture may extend along at least a portion of the locating portion. Such an extension in the first aperture facilitating movement of the frame member during the installation process. The second aperture, having an area complementary to the cross section of a suitable fixing, in use, with a suitable fixing, restricting further movement of the frame member.

In one embodiment, the restricting portion may extend perpendicularly to the locating portion. The moving member may be selectively fixable to the restricting portion of the frame member.

In an alternative embodiment, the frame member may further comprise a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion extending perpendicularly to the locating portion.

In one such embodiment the first and second restricting portions may be in parallel.

Having a plurality of restricting portions in parallel would, in use, facilitate the retention of the moving member between the parallel restricting portions, in an embodiment where the moving member is not fixed to a drawer.

In one embodiment, the restricting portion may extend at least partially along the length of the locating portion.

In one embodiment, the restricting portion may extend along the full length of the locating portion.

In further embodiments, the restricting portion may extend at least partially along the length of the locating portion in a tapered mannel. This may, in use, facilitate easier installation of the frame member to the diawer unit. It may also facilitate, in use, easier interaction with the moving member by way of a transition surface. In such a manner, the tapered angle of the surface easing the physical interaction of the frame member and the moving member.

In one embodiment, the lestricting portion may define at least one apeitule. Such an apeiture may! in use, receive a part of a lock, such as a padlock aim to facilitate the fixing of the moving member relative to the frame member.

In one embodiment, the restricting portion may define a plurality of apertures. In such an embodiment, the plurality of apertures may! in use, facilitate the reception of a padlock arm at different positions along the length of the restricting portion, relative to the moving membei. Such an embodiment may, in use, allow the device to be installed on a variety of drawei units and as such, to accommodate different styles and arrangements of drawers within a drawer unit.

In further embodiments, such a plurality of apertures, in use, may facilitate a drawer to be accessible by a limited amount relative to the apertures utilised within the restricting portion. Such an embodiment, could allow a user to deposit an item into the drawei, foi example a letter, without having full access to the opening of the drawer.

In one embodiment, the moving member may, in use, be located on a drawer in a position relative to the frame member that may be fixed to the drawer unit. As such, the moving member may travel via its engagement with the drawer, independently of the frame member. Furthermore, the relative position of the moving member to the frame member when the drawer is near or in the closed position facilitates the restriction of the movement of one against the other by way of the leception of a lock such as a padlock thiough both the frame member and the moving member.

In one embodiment, the moving member may complise a placement portion and a locking portion. In embodiments of the invention, the placement portion being engaged with the drawer, in use, provides a fixed location for the moving member ielative to the frame member during the opening and closing of the drawer.

The placement portion may engage the drawer via an adhesive. This may facilitate the retro fitting of the device on to a unit of furniture without the need to modify or disrupt the foim or surface finish of the piece of fuiniture.

In alternative embodiments, the moving member may, in use, be retro fitted via the placement portion engaging the drawer via a mechanical fixing, for example, a threaded fixing such as a nut and bolt assembly or a rivet or a pin or the like. In some embodiments of the present invention, this method of fixing offers an increase in the strength of the fixed connection between the placement portion and the drawer. Furthermore, suitable methods of attaching the placement portion to the drawer unit via a mechanical fixing will facilitate such an increase in strength and integrity of the fixation of the moving member.

In one embodiment, the moving member is not fixed to the drawer. In such an embodiment, the moving member is selectively fixable to the frame member by way of a lock, such as a padlock. In so doing, and when selectively fixed to the frame member, the moving member becomes a barrier against the opening of the drawer by butting against the drawer surface, thereby restricting the opening of the drawer due to the fixed connection of the moving member with the frame member.

In one embodiment, the locking portion may extend perpendicularly to the placement portion.

In at least one embodiment, the locking portion may extend along the full length of the placement portion.

In an alternative embodiment! the locking portion may extend from within at least a portion of the placement portion. This may facilitate easier engagement of the moving member in differing styles and design of drawer units.

In one embodiment the locking portion may extend in a tapered manner from the placement portion. This may, in use, facilitate an easier installation process or an easier interaction with the restricting portion of the frame member by way of a transition surface relationship.

In one embodiment the locking portion may define at least one aperture. Such an aperture may, in use, receive a part of a lock, such as a padlock arm to facilitate the fixing of the moving member relative to the frame member.

In further embodiments, a single aperture or a plurality of apertures may, in use, allow the moving member to travel a distance relative to the length of the aperture defined by the restricting portion of the frame member. When fixed via a lock, such as a padlock, to the corresponding aperture in the restricting portion of the frame member such a facilitation would provide a user with the ability to slide open or close the drawer by a restricted amount relative to the available movement of the moving member as defined by the aperture in the locking portion, relative to its engagement with the aperture in the restricting portion of the frame member.

In other embodiments, a single or plurality of apertures may in use, facilitate the installation of the device in differing styles and designs of drawers within drawer units. For example, the aperture may provide flexibility in the distance at which the moving member may be located relative to the frame member as dictated by the physical dimensions of a drawer unit construction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for restricting the opening of a drawer as shown in a locked configuration with a drawer unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the device of figure 1, installed in a locked configuration on a differing style of drawer unit to that shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4a is a plan view showing the device of figure 1 during the installation process in situ.

Figure 4b is a plan view showing the device of figure 1 after installation in situ.

Figure 5a is a plan view showing the device of figure 1 in situ with a padlock in place.

Figure 5bis a plan view showing the device of figure 1 in situ with a padlock secured in an alternative position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device in relation to a padlock according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the device in situ with a drawer, in a secured position of figure 6.

Figure Ba is a plan view showing the device of figure 7 during the installation process in situ.

Figure 8b is a plan view showing the device of figure 7 after installation in situ.

Figure 9a is a plan view showing the device of figure 7 in situ with a padlock in place.

Figure 9b is a plan view showing the device of figure 7 in situ with a padlock secured in an alternative position.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring firstly to figure 1, shown is a device, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, for restricting the opening of a drawer 34 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The device 10 comprises a frame member 12, adapted to be located on a drawer unit 33. The device 10 further comprises a moving member 14, adapted to be located on a drawer 34. The moving member 14 is selectively fixable relative to the frame member 12, by way of a lock such as a padlock 32, thereby restricting opening of the drawer 34.

Figures 1 and 2 show the frame member 12 further comprising a locating portion 16 and a restricting portion 18. These figures also show that the locating portion 16 defines an elongate aperture 20, used to fix the frame member 12 to a drawer unit 33 (more clearly shown in figures 2). The elongate aperture 20 extends partially along the length of the locating portion 16 (figure 2), to facilitate movement of the frame member 12 during installation, thereby providing flexibility for the user in selecting the final and most appropriate installation placement.

The locating portion 16 further defines a pair of circular apertures 24 as shown in figures 1 and 2. These circular apertures 24 accommodate more precisely, a fixing (not shown) with a circular cross section so as to restrict any further movement of the frame member 12 once the final installation location has been selected. For clarity, it is intended that these circular apertures 24 receive fixings (not shown) once the elongate aperture 20 has been utilised via a suitable fixing (not shown) for flexible initial installation.

The restricting portion 18 defines a slot 22. The slot 22 facilitates the fixation of the moving member 14 to the frame member 12 by way of the padlock 32. The slot 22 extends along a significant portion of the restricting portion 18 facilitating movement of the moving member 14 relative to the length of the slot 22! granting a limited access to the drawer 34 in such an embodiment.

Referring again to figure 2, the moving member 14 is more clearly shown to further comprise a locking portion 26 and a placement portion 28.

The locking portion 26 defines 5 fixing holes 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e which facilitate the ability to selectively fix the moving member 14 to the frame member 12. Utilising any one of the fixing holes 30a -e facilitates a different distance from, and range of movement relative to, the slot 22 as defined by the frame member restricting portion 18.

The placement portion 28 engages the drawer 34 via an adhesive (in use, and in the closed position more easily shown in Figure 1).

Due to the fact that the placement portion 28 extends perpendicularly (more clearly shown in figure 2) to the locking portion 26, installation on different shapes and styles of drawer unit 33 is facilitated. Figure 3 shows an alternative design arrangement of a drawer unit 37 with differing drawer 35 and installation of the device 10 with the drawer 35 in the closed position.

Referring to figures 4a,4b, 5a and Sb, the device 10 is used as follows. With the drawer 34 in the closed position within the drawer unit 33, the frame member 12 is installed in place via the introduction of a fixing (not shown) firstly through the elongate aperture 20 to ease placement during installation. Secondly, the circular apertures 24 are then used to secure the fame member 12 to the drawer unit 33 (clearly shown in figure 4a).

Referring specifically to figure 4b, the moving member 14 is fixed to the front of the drawer 34 in a position relative to the locating member 12. Specifically, the locking portion 26, defining the fixing holes 30a -e interacts with the slot 22 as defined by the restricting portion 18 of the frame member 12 when all parts are in their final installed position.

Figure 5a shows a padlock 32 being introduced to the installed device 10.

The padlock 32 can be seen in figure 5a to selectively fix the moving member 14 to the frame member 12 using one of the fixing holes 30 (specifically the fixing hole labelled 30c' on figure 5a), as defined by the moving member locking portion 26, and the slot 22 as defined by the frame member restricting portion 18.

Figure 5b shows an example of how the drawer 34 and the moving member 14 can move relative to their selectively fixed location to the frame member 12 which is fixed to the drawer unit 33. Figure 5b also shows the padlock 32 fixing the moving member 14 and the frame member 12 together through the introduction of the padlock 32 through fixing hole 30e of the moving member 14 and the slot 22 of the frame member 12. Due to the increase in distance of fixing hole 30e to the placement portion 28 within the moving member 14, in this particular installation, the moving member 14 is able to move a greater distance relative to its selectively fixed location to the slot 22 as defined by the restricting portion 18 of the frame member 12. Furthermore, granting a limited access to the drawer 34 in such an embodiment.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, figure 6 shows an alternative or additional frame member 140. Features common to both embodiments have been given the same reference numeral as in the first embodiment incremented by 100.

Figure 6 shows the frame member 112 further comprising a first and second restricting portion 142a,142b. The use of a first and second restricting portion 142a, 142b in parallel within the frame member 140 facilitates an improved interaction with moving member 114 in an alternative embodiment where the moving member 114 is not fixed to the drawer 134 (shown in Figure 7 and 9b).

Referring to figure 6, the locking portion 126 of the moving member 114 is situated between parallel restricting portions 142a and 142b. The 5 fixing holes 130a -e as defined by the moving member locking portion 114, in combination with the slots 144a,144b defined by the frame member restricting portions 142a, 142b, provide the ability to use a padlock 132 to selectively fix the moving member 114 to the frame member 140 in such an alternative embodiment. This stops the moving member 114 from falling away from the frame member 140 in an embodiment where the moving member 114 is not fixed to the drawer 134 during use (more clearly shown in figures 7 and 9b).

Referring to figures 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b, the device 110 is used as follows. The frame member 140 is installed on to the drawer unit 133 using the elongate aperture 120 and the circular apertures 124 in the same way as in the first described embodiment, specifically shown in figure Ba in this second embodiment.

Figure Sb shows the moving member 114 introduced into the frame member 140, but in this second embodiment, it is not fixed to the drawer 134. Due to the introduction of parallel restricting portions 142a, 142b of the frame member 140, the moving member 114 can remain in place without being fixed to the drawer 134.

Figure 9a shows the introduction of a padlock 132 through the slots 144a, 144b of the frame member 140 and the third moving member fixing hole 130c. As a result, the moving member 114 is selectively fixed to the frame member 140. In this particular embodiment, figure 9a shows that by choosing the third moving member fixing hole 130c for the introduction of the padlock 132, the moving member 114 is buffing up against the surface of the drawer 134 thereby restricting any further movement of the drawer 134 by the moving member 114 due to its selectively fixed location relative to the frame member 140.

Figure 9b shows an alternative example of the padlock 132 being introduced to the device 110 through the fifth moving member fixing hole 130e. As a result of the increased distance between the fifth fixing holel3Oe and the moving member placement portion 128, the moving member 114 is able to move a distance away from the front of the drawer 134 relative to its selectively fixed location to the slots 142a, 142b of the frame member 140.

Due to the fact that in this second embodiment, the moving member placement portion 128 is not fixed to the drawer 134, limited access to the drawer 134 is available as the drawer 134 can move within the confines of the movable distance provided by the selectively fixable relationship between the moving member 114 and the frame member 140 when using the fifth moving member fixing hole 130e and the frame member slots 42a, 42b as shown in figure 9b.

Various modifications and improvements may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the moving member restricting portion may define 6 or more fixing holes.

In an alternative embodiment frame member locating portion may define hexagonal apertures.

In further alternative embodiments the frame member may have more than two restricting portions and furthermore the restricting portions may not be in parallel.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device for restricting the opening of a drawer, the device comprising: a frame member adapted to be located on a drawer unit; and a moving member, adapted to be located on a drawer for movement with the drawer; wherein the moving member is selectively fixable to the frame member, thereby restricting opening of the drawer.
2. A device according to claIm 1, in which the frame member, in use, is fixed to the drawer unit.
3. A device accordIng to claim I or claim 2, in which the frame member comprises a locating portion and a restricting portion.
4. A device according to claim 3, in which the locating portion is, in use, fixed to the drawer unit by an adhesive.
5. A device according to claim 3, in which the locating portion is, in use, fixed to the drawer unit by one or more mechanical fixings.
6. A device according to claIm 5, In which the locating portion is provided with at least one aperture for receiving a mechanical fixing.
7. A device according to claim 6, in which the locating portion is provided with at least one elongated parture extending along part of the length of the fixing portion, and at least one circular aperture.
8. A device according to any of claims 3 tol, in which the restricting portion extends perpendicularly to the locating portion, the moving member being selectively fixable to the restricting portion. $
9. A device according to claIm 8, IncludIng a second restricting portion extending perpendicularly to the locating portion parallel to the first restricting portion,
10. A device according to any of daims 3 to 9, in which the restricting portion extends along part or all of the length of the locating portion.
11. A device according to claim 10, in which at least part of the length of the restricting portion is tapered.
12. A device according to any of claims 3 to 11, in which the restricting portion is provided with at least one aperture suitable for receipt of part of a lock, such as a padlock staple.
13. A device according to claim 12, in which the restricting portion is provided with a plurality of apertures along its length.
14. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the moving member comprises a placement portion and a locking portion, the placement portion in use being engaged with the drawer and the locking portion in use being selectively fixable to the frame member.
15. A device according to claim 14, in which the placement portion, in use, is secured to the drawer by an adhesive.
16. A device according to claim 14, in which the placement portion, in use, is secured to the drawer by a mechanical fixing.
17. A device according to claim 14, In which the placement portion, in use, is not fixed to the drawer.
18. A device according to any of claims 14 to 17, In which the locking portion extends perpendicularly to the placement portion.
19. A device according to claim 18, in which the locking portion extends along the full length of the placement portion.
20. A device according to claim 18, in which the locking portion extends from within a portion of the placement portion.
21. A device according to any of claims 18 to 20, in which the locking portion extends in a tapered manner.
22. A device according to any of claims 14 to 21, in which the locking portion defines one or more apertures suitable for receipt of part of a lock, such as a padlock staple.