US3123417A - Pedestal with locking means - Google Patents

Description

March 3, 1964 E. c. BULLOCK PEDESTAL WITH LOCKING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 17, 1961 March 3, 1964 I c, BULLOCK 3,123,417

PEDESTAL WITH LOCKING MEANS Filed April 17, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORQ 4ALE C. 5011. 06K

ATTOFA/EKS United States Patent 3,123,417 PEDESTAL WITH LOCKING MEANS Earle C. Bullock, Grand Rapids, Mich, assignor to Steelcase, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich, a corporation of Michan g Filed Apr. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 103,445

5 Claims. (Cl. 312221) This invention relates to a pedestal with locking means, and more particularly to a pedestal having locking means of a nature that will allow security information to be filed in the pedestal even though it forms part of a desk.

Presently, in the United States, there are hundreds of companies doing Government contract work involving classified information. Existing security regulations require that classified papers used by individuals be kept in filing cabinets away from their desks. Usually the filing cabinets are four-drawer cabinets with a combination lock, each drawer being used by a separate person. This means that the combination to the cabinet is held by four people. Much time is wasted because the people involved must go from their desk to the filing cabinets, obtain the papers, and return to their desks to Work. If they leave their desks, the classified papers must be returned to the cabinet which is locked at all times when not in actual use. Filing security information in a locked desk is not practical because presently available desks can be opened and reclosed, even when locked, without leaving tell-tale marks.

The present invention overcomes this problem by providing a desk designed to prevent surreptitious entry, i.e. entry of the pedestal without visible damage. The pedestal of this invention, which forms a part of the workers desk, thus makes it possible to keep classified papers at the desk. Obviously, this has many advantages. One such advantage is that it eliminates the necessity for the worker to continuously walk between the filing cabinet and his desk. Another advantage is that only one person need know the combination to a particular pedestal, thus lessening the chance of a security leak. There is practically no chance of the project of one worker becoming confused with the project of another due to misfiling as is the case in the four-drawer type cabinet. Thus, security leak investigations which are merely the result of misfiling are practically eliminated by the present invention.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a desk with a lockable pedestal wherein security information can safely be stored.

Another object of this invention is to provide a desk with a lockable pedestal which can be separated from the desk only by removing fasteners which are accessible only when the pedestal is unlocked.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a pedestal which is completely sealed even though it has been separated from the desk top.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pedestal which has dual latch bar controls, one on each side of the pedestal, for double protection.

Still another object of this invention is to provide dual latch bars at the rear of the pedestal, making it impossible to manipulate the latch bar by insertion of a blade between the drawer front and the pedestal side.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a pedestal having dual latch bars which are operated by bell cranks upon closing the drawer, the bell cranks being positively interlocked with the latch bar in such a manner that one cannot be sprung past the other.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a pedestal having a latch bar mechanism which positively interlocks with the bottom drawer, preventing opening of the bottom drawer unless the top drawer is unlocked.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a pedestal with a locking mechanism which automatically opens the top drawer a certain degree when unlocked to provide visual indication that the pedestal is unlocked.

Another object of this invention is to provide the edges of the top drawer with reflective, luminous paint to make it easier to detect an unlocked drawer.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a locking pedestal with mechanism which prevents closing of the bottom drawer if the top drawer is locked, thereby indicating that the pedestal is not secure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pedestal with locking means whereby the bolt of the lock cannot be jammed by inserting a blade between the top edge of the front of the drawer and the top of the pedestal.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the pedestal of this invention associated with a desk;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pedestal frame structure and latch mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section lines IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the section lines IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the section lines V-V of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fragment of the top of the pedestal, showing a portion of the top cut away to reveal the means for securing the pedestal to the top;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the section lines VII-VII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the top drawer in the position it normally assumes when not locked.

Basically, this invention is concerned with a pedestal having tamperproof locking means. The pedestal includes a frame which is completely enclosed by a casing or housing. The front of the pedestal is provided with openings which slidably receive in a conventional manner a lower and upper drawer. A special bracket is fixed to the casing and the frame adjacent the back of the pedestal. The bracket straddles a flange which forms a part of the desk top. The bracket can only be connected to the flange by lifting the pedestal up and moving it backwards into engagement with the flange. A bracket is also fixed to the front of the pedestal and engages a cross brace formed on the top. The cross brace of the top is tapped and receives fasteners which are located within the pedestal. Thus, to gain access to the fasteners, the top drawer of the pedestal must be opened. Furthermore, to remove the pedestal from the top, the fasteners must be removed so that the pedestal can move forwardly and downwardly to disengage the back bracket from the top flange. The top drawer has a combination lock which includes a locking bolt. The locking bolt moves behind a lock rib which is fastened to the casing and frame. The lock rib extends the entire distance across the front of the pedestal, preventing the possibility of inserting a knife or similar instrument which might be utilized to jam' the locking bolt and thus. permit opening of the drawer. Vertical latch hanger members are fixed to the frame on each side of the drawer adjacent the rear of the pedestal. The latch hangers act as guide members for latchbars which are slidable therein. The latch bars have hook members fixed to the bottom ends thereof. The bottom drawer has a latch loop on each side thereof which receive the hooks. The lower drawer is thus positively latched into position by the latch bar and hooks. The latch bars are operated by bell cranks which are pivotally secured to the latch hanger members. The bell cranks c aser? have connections with leg members which are fixed to the latch bars. The bell cranks also have operator fingers which are engaged by catches that are fixed to opposite sides of the upper drawer when the drawer is closed. The bell cranks are rotated, drawing the latch bars upwardly and thereby bringing the hooks into engagement with the latch loops. The catches carried by the upper drawer overlap the operator fingers on the bell crank so that the members cannot be sprung apart by an instrument inserted between the drawer and the pedestal casing. Springs are connected to the pedestal frame and to the leg members on the latch bars. The springs constantly urge the bell crank to rotate in a manner so as to open the top drawer if it is not locked. This provides a visual aid for indicating that the pedestal is not locked. Reflective, luminous material may be applied to the edges of the drawer to enhance the visual indication that the drawer is not locked. The latch bars and hooks are arranged so that the lower drawer cannot be closed when the top drawer is closed. Thus, it is impossible to lock the top drawer without also latching the bottom drawer or noticing that it is open.

In the drawings, the pedestal assembly is designated generally as 10. The pedestal assembly includes the frame 12, the casing 20, the latching mechanism 35 and 35a, the upper drawer 55 and the desk top 75.

Referring now more specifically to the details of the invention, the frame 12 is best shown in FIG. 2.

The frame 12 is a generally parallelepipedic structure having upright members 13, horizontal members 15 and cross members 17 which are interconnected to form a rigid frame structure. Rivets may be used to connect together the frame members, or they may be welded together or fastened together in some other conventional manner.

The frame 12 is enclosed with a casing 20. The casing is formed from sheet metal and is attached to the frame by conventional means such as spot welding. The casing top is designated as 22 and its bottom as 21. The front of the casing 20 is provided with opening 28 for an upper drawer and a lower drawer.

' Fixed to the top 22 of frame 12, adjacent the front, is a front attachment bracket 23. The front attachment bracket 23 is of a Z-bar design as best illustrated in FIG. 3. The portion of the front attachment bracket 23 which projects above top 22 but is parallel therewith is provided with a pair of spaced apertures 34. These apertures are adapted to receive fasteners to be explained more fully hereinafter.

The rear attachment bracket 24 is connected to the desk top and frame adjacent the back of the pedestal. The rear attachment bracket 24 consists of a pair of Z- bars 25 and 26. The Z-bar 25 is superimposed upon the Z-bar 26, providing a space between the portions which overlie the pedestal top 22. A depending flange from the table top is adapted to be received between the Z- bars 25 and 26 which straddle the flange as best shown in FIG. 3. The purpose for this will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Fixed to the bottom surface of top 22 and the frame 12 is a lock rib 27. The lock rib 27 is a generally L- shaped member which is located immediately adjacent the drawer opening 28. The long leg of the member is secured to the top and frame, and the short leg of the member projects downwardly into the drawer opening. The long leg of the lock rib is provided with apertures 32 (FIG. 7) which are aligned with the apertures 34 in bracket 22. The apertures 32 receive fasteners utilized to connect the pedestal to the desk top. The short leg of lock rib 27 receives behind it the locking bolt which forms a part of the combination lock carried by the upper drawer. The lock rib 27 extends across the entire width of the upper drawer and pedestal to prevent a knife blade or similar instrument from being inserted between the it top edge of the upper drawer and the pedestal to jam open the locking bolt.

Latching mechanism 35 and 35a is fixed to the frame 12 on opposite sides and adjacent the back of the pedestal as best shown in FIG. 2. Since the latching mechanism 35a is a mirror image of the latching mechanism 35, only the latching mechanism 35 will be explained in detail. FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 best illustrate the details of the latching mechanism 35.

The latching mechanism 35 includes a latch hanger 36. The latch hanger 36 is a generally U-shaped member having a channel portion 37 and arm portions 38 and 39 which extend transversely in opposite directions from the channel portion. The latch hanger 36 is fixed to the horizontal frame members 15 by means such as rivets. The arm 39 is also riveted to the horizontal frame members 15. The channel portion 37 faces the interior of the pedestal. The latch hanger 36 is of a length such that it extends substantially the entire distance between the top and bottom of the pedestal.

A latch bar is slidably received in the channel 37. A latch hook 46 is formed on lower end of the latch bar 45. The hook 46, when in the unlatched position, rests against a horizontal frame member 15 as best shown in EH33. 3 and 4. Fixed to the latch bar 45 adjacent the top end is a leg 47 having a foot portion 48 which extends transversely therefrom. The foot 48 projects toward the interior of the pedestal. The end of the foot is turned upwardly to form a toe 49 which is parallel with the leg, but spaced toward the interior of the pedestal therefrom.

A bell crank 45 is pivotally connected to the arm 39 by pin 43 located adjacent the top of the latch hanger 36. The bell crank 40 has an actuator slot 42 which has a sliding connection with the foot 48. This is located at one end of the bell crank. At the other end of the bell crank is formed an operator finger 41. The finger 41 projects transversely from the bell crank toward the interior of the pedestal. The operator finger 41 has a notch 44 which faces the front of the pedestal. The purpose for this will be explained more fully hereinafter.

A bell crank return spring 50 is connected to a horizontal frame member 15 and to the foot 48 of latch bar 45. The return spring 5%) is of the tension type and constantly urges the latch bar downwardly or to an unlatched position, and also rotates the bell crank which is connected therewith.

The pedestal has an upper drawer which is of conventional design. Drawer front 56 is provided with a combination lock 57 (FIG. 7) having a locking bolt 58. The locking bolt 5%, when extended by the lock mechanism, assumes the position behind the lock rib 27 as best shown in FIG. 7.

The upper drawer 55 has a catch 59 fixed to the side thereof. The catch 59 is a Z shaped member when viewed in plan. A portion of the catch thus projects outwardly from the side of the upper drawer and toward the back of the pedestal. This portion of the catch fits within the notch 44 formed in the operator finger 41. The catch 59 is thus in overlapping interengagement with operator finger 41 (FIG. 4). The catch 59 is located on the upper drawer 55 in a position such that as the drawer is closed the catch engages the operator finger and rotates the bell crank. When the drawer is fully closed the bell crank has been rotated to a position wherein it has lifted the latch bar into the latching position. If the upper drawer 55 is then not locked by the positioning of the latching bolt 58 behind the lock rib 27, the spring 5i will rotate the bell crank against the weight of the drawer and maintain it in the open position as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, if the drawer is not locked, it is forced ajar, giving a visual indication that the pedestal is not secured.

Luminous material 62 (FIG. 8) is fixed to the side edges of the upper drawer adjacent the front 56. The material 62 may be in the form of a paint, strip, or any other conventional form. Since the top drawer is held ajar when not locked, the material 62 will show providing a striking visual indication that the pedestal is not locked.

The lower drawer 65 is also of conventional design. The sides of the drawer are provided with a latch loop 67. The latch loop 67 is positioned on the drawer sides such that when the drawer is closed it is aligned with the hook 46 on latch bar 45 and the simliar structure of latch mechanism 35a. When the latch bar 45 is raised, the hook enters the loop and thereby positively latches the lower drawer in the closed position.

The pedestal forms a part of the desk 70. The desk 70 also includes the desk top 75.

The desk top 75 has an anchor flange 76 which is fixed to the top adjacent one end thereof. The anchor flange 76 is a generally L-shaped member and depends downwardly and faces toward the interior of the desk top. The anchor flange 76 cooperates with the bracket 24 to fix the top to the pedestal. An anchor cross brace 77 is also formed on the bottom of the desk top. The cross brace 77 is in parallel alignment with the anchor flange 76 but is positioned adjacent the opposite edge of the desk top 75. The anchor cross brace 77 is provided with threaded apertures 78 which are alignable with the apertures 34 in front attachment bracket 23. The threaded apertures 78 receive stud fasteners 72 and 73, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. The stud fasteners 72 and 73 are utilized as one connection means for joining the desk top to the pedestal.

Operation The desk top 75 is fixed to the pedestal 10 in a manner such that the pedestal cannot be removed from the desk top unless the stud fasteners 72 and 73 are first removed. Since the heads of these fasteners are located inside the pedestal, it is impossible to gain access to the stud fasteners unless the upper drawer is open. The rear attachment bracket 24 straddles the anchor flange 76, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. To connect the rear attachment bracket to the anchor flange 76 in this manner, it is necessary to move the pedestal relative to the top or vice versa. Thus, it is also necessary to move the top or pedestal relative to each other to disengage these members. This is impossible unless the stud fasteners 72 and 73 are loosened from the anchor cross brace 77. Thus, the desk top 75 cannot be removed from the pedestal 10 by merely loosening the stud which conventionally connect the pedestal to the top. This is an important feature which prevents surreptitious entry into the pedestal.

In the description of the latching mechanism as in the operation, only the latch assembly 35 is explained in detail. However, it is to be understood that a latch assembly 35a (FIG. 2) operates simultaneously with the latch assembly 35. Thus, there is a dual latching mechanism for double safety.

The pedestal is made secure by first closing the lower drawer. If for any reason the upper drawer should be locked when the lower drawer is open, the lower drawer cannot be closed. This is true since the hook 46 of the latch bar will be lifted into the path of travel of the latch loop 67. The latch loop 67 will abut the hook 46, preventing closing of the lower drawer. If the upper drawer is open, the hook 46 will be down and allow the drawer to close.

The upper drawer is then pushed to the closed position. As the drawer is being closed, the catch 59 engages the operator finger 41 and rotates the bell crank in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3. As the bell crank 40 rotates, it carries with it the foot 48 of leg 47 which is fixed to the latch bar 45. The latch bar 45 is thus lifted, and as it lifts, the hook 46 is threaded into the latch loop 67 on lower drawer 65, thus latching the lower drawer closed. When the drawer is fully closed, the latching bolt 58 moves behind the lock rib 27, positively locking the upper drawer in the closed position.

If the upper drawer is not positively locked in the closed position, the spring will cause the bell crank 40 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. Due to the association of the operator finger 41 with the catch 59, the drawer will be opened and remain ajar, providing a ready visual indication that the pedesal is not locked.

The luminous material placed on the edge of the upper drawer further draws attention to the fact that the drawer is not secure.

Since the lock rib 27 extends across the entire width of the pedestal, it is impossible to jam down the locking bolt 58 by inserting an instrument between the top edge of the drawer front 56 and the pedestal top 22.

Also, due to the overlapping arrangement of the catches with the operator fingers, it is impossible to separate the members by inserting an instrument between the side edge of the upper drawer and the pedestal. The same reasoning applies to separating the bell crank from the leg 47 since the toe 49 overlies the bell crank 46, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Since there are two latching assemblies, one on each side of the drawer, it would further be necessary to insert instruments simultaneously on each side of the drawer to attempt to separate the catches from the operator fingers or the bell cranks from the legs. This would be an extremely difficult operation for a single individual seeking surreptitious entry to the pedestal.

It is also impossible to insert an instrument between the side edge of the lower drawer and the pedestal and separate the hook 46 from the latch loop 67. This mechanism is also dual, thus requiring one seeking entry to the pedestal to simultaneously insert instruments on each side of the lower drawer to attempt to gain entry in this man ner.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described, it will be understood that modifications and improvements may be made thereto. Such of these modifications and improvements as incorporate the principles of this invention are to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. A tamperproof desk pedestal comprising: frame means, casing means enclosing said frame means, said casing means having an opening receiving an upper and lower drawer, latch means operative by closing said upper drawer to lock said lower drawer, and means for lock ing said upper drawer, said locking means including a locking bolt movable to a position behind a locking bar fixed to said frame and casing means to lock said upper drawer, said locking bar extending across the full width, of said casing and having a horizontal portion fixed to said frame means, and a generally vertical flange extending downwardly from said horizontal portion into a position between the front of said upper drawer and said locking bolt to provide an unbroken barrier between said locking bolt and the outside of said upper drawer when said upper drawer is closed.

2. A tamperproof desk pedestal comprising: frame means, casing means enclosing said frame means, said casing having an opening receiving an upper and lower drawer, latch means operative by closing said upper drawer to lock said lower drawer, said latch means including a latch hanger fixed to said frame means near the back thereof, said latch hanger having a channel portion and a latch bar slidable therein, a hook formed on said latch bar and being movable to engage a latch loop fixed to the side of the lower drawer, a bell crank pivotally car ried by said latch hanger, said bell crank having a connection with leg means fixed to said latch bar, an operator finger formed from said bell crank, a catch fixed to said upper drawer and engaging said operator finger when said upper drawer is closed to actuate said bell crank and move said latch bar thereby latching said. lower drawer, lock means for locking said top drawer in the closed position, said upper drawer catch overlaps said operator finger whereby an instrument inserted between the upper drawer and casing cannot separate said catch from said operator finger.

3. A tamperproof desk pedestal comprising: frame means, casing means enclosing said frame means, said casing means having an opening receiving an upper and lower drawer, latch means operative by closing said upper drawer to lock said lower drawer, said latch means including a latch hanger fixed to said frame means near the back thereof, said latch hanger having a channel portion and a latch bar slidable therein, a hook formed on said latch bar and being movable to engage a latch loop fixed to the side of the lower drawer, a bell crank pivotally carried by said latch hanger, said bell crank having a connection with a leg fixed to said latch bar, an operator finger formed from said bell crank, a catch fixed to said upper drawer and engaging said operator finger when said upper drawer is closed to actuate said bell crank and move said latch bar thereby latching said lower drawer, locking means including a locking bolt movable to a position behind a locking bar fixed to said frame and casing means to lock said upper drawer, said locking bar extending across the full width of said casing and having a horizontal portion fixed to said frame means, and a generally vertical flange extending downwardly from said horizontal portion into a position between the front of said drawer and said locking bolt to provide an unbroken barrier between said locking bolt and the outside of said drawer when said drawer is closed.

4-. A tamperproof desk comprising: a desk top having a flange depending therefrom, frame means, casing means enclosing said frame means, said casing means having an opening receiving an upper and lower drawer, first and second bracket means fixed to the top of said frame means and easing means near the back and front respectively thereof, said first bracket means being adapted to straddle said flange, said second bracket means being adapted to be fixed to said desk top by fastener means accessible only from within said casing, said pedestal being removable from said desk top only by removing said fastener means and moving said pedestal relative to said desk top, latch means operative by closing. said upper drawer to lock said lower drawer, said latch means including a latch hanger fixed to said frame means near the back thereof, said latch hanger having a channel portion and a latch bar slidable therein, a hook formed on said latch bar and being movable to engage a latch loop fixed to the side of the lower drawer, a bell crank pivotally carried by said latch hanger, said bell crank having a connection with a leg fixed to said latch bar, an operator finger formed from U said bell crank, a catch fixed to said upper drawer and engaging said operator finger when said upper drawer is closed to actuate said bell crank and move said latch bar thereby latching said lower drawer, locking means including a locking bolt movable to a position behind a locking bar fixed to said frame and casing means to lock said upper drawer, said locking bar extending across the full width of said casing and having a horizontal portion fixed to said frame means, and a generally vertical flange extending downwardly from said horizontal portion into a position between the front of said drawer and said locking bolt to provide an unbroken barrier between said locking bolt and the outside of said drawer when said drawer is closed.

5. A tamperproof desk comprising: a desk top having a flange depending therefrom, frame means, casing means enclosing said frame means, said casing means having an opening receiving an upper and lower drawer, first and second bracket means fixed to the top of said frame means and easing means near the back and front thereof respectively, said first bracket means being adapted to straddle said flange, said second bracket means being adapted to be fixed to said desk top by fastener means accessibly only from within said casing, said pedestal being removable from said desk top only by removing said fastener means and moving said pedestal relative to said desk top, locking means including a locking bolt movable to a position behind a locking bar fixed to said frame and easing means to lock said upper drawer, said locking bar extending across the full width of said casing and having a horizontal portion fixed to said frame means, and a generally vertical flange extending downwardly from said horizontal portion into a position between the front of said drawer and said locking bolt to provide an unbroken barrier between said locking bolt and fasteners and the outside of said drawer when said drawer is closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,118,303 Meyer Nov. 24, 1914 1,686,194 Wheary Oct. 2, 1928 1,841,220 Sturm y Jan. 12, 1932 2,259,145 Waldo Oct. 14, 1941 2,461,823 Jones Feb. 15, 1949 2,654,649 Pasewalk Oct. 6, 1953 2,886,392 Stegmaier May 12, 1959 2,913,296 Martin Nov. 17, 1959 2,992,055 Kass July 11, 1961

Claims (1)

1. A TAMPERPROOF DESK PEDESTAL COMPRISING: FRAME MEANS, CASING MEANS ENCLOSING SAID FRAME MEANS, SAID CASING MEANS HAVING AN OPENING RECEIVING AN UPPER AND LOWER DRAWER, LATCH MEANS OPERATIVE BY CLOSING SAID UPPER DRAWER TO LOCK SAID LOWER DRAWER, AND MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID UPPER DRAWER, SAID LOCKING MEANS INCLUDING A LOCKING BOLT MOVABLE TO A POSITION BEHIND A LOCKING BAR FIXED TO SAID FRAME AND CASING MEANS TO LOCK SAID UPPER DRAWER, SAID LOCKING BAR EXTENDING ACROSS THE FULL WIDTH, OF SAID CASING AND HAVING A HORIZONTAL PORTION FIXED TO SAID FRAME MEANS, AND A GENERALLY VERTICAL FLANGE EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID HORIZONTAL PORTION INTO A POSITION BETWEEN THE FRONT OF SAID UPPER DRAWER AND SAID LOCKING BOLT TO PROVIDE AN UNBROKEN BARRIER BETWEEN SAID LOCKING BOLT AND THE OUTSIDE OF SAID UPPER DRAWER WHEN SAID UPPER DRAWER IS CLOSED.

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