US3857621A

US3857621A - Pedestal lock system

Info

Publication number: US3857621A
Application number: US00366162A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Korell; R Mohr; D Sheerhorn; Kuik D Van
Original assignee: Steelcase Inc
Current assignee: Steelcase Inc
Priority date: 1973-06-01
Filing date: 1973-06-01
Publication date: 1974-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-31
Also published as: CA1010104A

Abstract

A locking system for locking a plurality of drawers or like components in desk pedestals or like compartments in which a vertical lock bar having one or more projecting lock tabs is mounted in the compartment for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis. The lock bar includes two spaced walls with hanger brackets sandwiched therebetween to facilitate mounting the lock bar to a mounting bracket. One of the walls is deformed outwardly at spaced intervals to define guides or channels for releasably receiving lock tabs. Each lock tab includes a notch located near the lock bar to facilitate its removal through the use of a screwdriver or other tool. Each lock tab includes an enlarged contact area at its head for contacting the side of a drawer or the like to better distribute the forces therebetween. The lock bar is moved between locking and unlocking positions in response to movement of a primary locking system, there being an elongated linkage rod between the lock bar and the primary locking system. The linkage rod includes a generally U-shaped deviation which can be bent inwardly or outwardly with respect to itself to change the effective length of the elongated linkage rod and thereby adjust the locking and unlocking positions of the lock bar.

Description

United States Patent [191 Sheerhorn et al.

[ PEDESTAL LQCK SYSTEM [75] Inventors: Douglas Sheerhorn, Grand Rapids; Dirk J. Van Kuik, Jenison; Donald D. Korell; Robert G. Mohr, both of Grand Rapids, all of Mich.

[73] Assignee: Steelcase, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich. [221 Filed: June 1, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 366,162

[52] US. Cl. 312/219 [51] Int. Cl. E05b 65/46 [58] Field of Search 3l2/l07.5, 194, 215-219;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,023,066 2/1962 Mohr et al. 312/219 3,325,234 6/1967 Lewin 312/219 3,331,644 7/1967 Kafferlin 312/216 X Primary ExaminerJames C. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Price, l-leneveld, Huizenga and Cooper [57] ABSTRACT A locking system for locking a plurality of drawers or 51 Dec. 31, 1974 like components in desk pedestals or like compartments in which a vertical lock bar having one or more projecting lock tabs is mounted in the compartment for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis. The lock bar includes two spaced walls with hanger brackets sandwiched therebetween to facilitate mounting the lock bar to a mounting bracket. One of the walls is deformed outwardly at spaced intervals to define guides or channels for releasably receiving lock tabs. Each lock tab includes a notch located near the lock bar to facilitate its removal through the use of a screwdriver or other tool. Each lock tab includes an enlarged contact area at its head for contacting the side of a drawer or the like to better distribute the forces therebetween. The lock bar is moved between locking and unlocking positions in response to movement of a primary locking system, there being an elongated linkage rod between the lock bar and the primary locking system. The linkage rod includes a generally U-shaped deviation which can be bent inwardly or outwardly with respect to itself to change the effective length of the elongated linkage rod and thereby adjust the locking and unlocking positions of the lock bar.

33 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures sum 1 or 3 PEDESTAL LOCK SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a locking system for desks, cabinets or other articles of furniture. More particularly, it relates to a gang locking mechanism particularly useful in desk pedestals or other like components for simultaneously locking and unlocking a plurality of drawers. Such mechanisms are also used as locks for doors located in pedestals or the like.

Some prior art mechanisms of this general type employ a pivotally mounted generally vertical rod having a plurality of lock tabs secured thereto. By twisting the rod, one can move the lock tabs from an unlocking position to a locking position in which the lock tabs are in alignment with lock stops on adjacent drawers or the like. One problem with such prior art systems is that they lack flexibility. For example, one might want to place one large drawer and one small drawer in one pedestal and three small drawers in another pedestal. Such an arrangement would require two different vertical lock rods. Some prior art mechanisms employ lock tabs which are releasable secured to the lock bar such that they can be oriented in different positions to accommodate different arrangements of drawers. However, such prior art mechanisms have typically been complicated and appear to involve expensive constructlon.

Another problem is encountered in the adjustment of gang locking mechanisms. For example in systems employing a vertical rotating rod of the type described above, the rod is typically rotated by employing a linkage between the rod and some type of primary locking mechanism such as a key lock. The linkage introduces additional variables into the system which may lead to difficulty in properly adjusting the rotating lock rod. One must be sure that the lock rod at least rotates into a locking position, but it is preferable that the key lock be completely turned before or at the time when the lock tabs on the lock rod come into engagement with the adjacent drawers. Otherwise, in most key lock mechanisms, one wouldnot be able to remove the key from the key lock when the drawers were locked. Prior art linkage mechanisms add dimension variables which sometimes make it difficult achieve proper achieve adjustment of the vertical lock rod.

Yet another problem encountered in prior art systems of this general type is that the lock tabs either bend or damage the walls of a drawer, or perhaps both, when one exerts a significant force on a drawer when it is in its locked condition. Such damage to the drawer or to the lock tab could ultimately lead to fouling of the entire system.

As will be appreciated by reference to the following summary of the invention, these and other difficulties encountered in prior art gang locking mechanisms are significantly alleviated by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

In the present invention, a significant degree of system flexibility is achieved through the use of a pivotally mounted lock rod having two generally parallel walls with means defining channels therebetween at spaced points along the length of the rod. One or more lock tabs are releasably positioned within one or more such channels. The base area of each lock tab is adapted to be releasably received within any of the channels and the lock tab also includes a projecting portion projecting outwardly away from the lock bar. Means are provided for pivoting the lock bar between an unlocking position and a locking position in which the projecting portions of the lock tab project into the path of lock stops on adjacent drawers or like components to thereby lock the drawers in place.

In another aspect of the invention, the lock tabs can be readily removed from the lock bar by inserting a screwdriver or other implement into a notch which is provided in the lock tab generally at the juncture of its base portion and the projecting portion. With the tool so inserted, one can pry the lock tab out of engagement with the lock bar.

To facilitate adjustability of the lock bar, a linkage rod is employed between the lock bar and a primary locking mechanism, which linkage rod includes a deviation therein which is made of a material which can readily be bent through the use of a pliers or other comparable implement. Thus, one can effectively increase or shorten the length of the linkage rod by changing the bend in the deviation.

In yet another aspect of the invention, individual lock tabs are provided with an enlarged contact surface near the head thereof. This enlarged surface area contacts the adjacent drawer when the lock bar is moved to its locked position so that when one attempts to force a drawer against the locking action of the lock tab, the

forces which exist between the drawer and the lock tab are better and more evenly distributed.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the written specification and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially broken away perspective view of a desk pedestal utilizing the locking system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the lock bar;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the lock bar;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the lock bar with a projecting lock tab;

FIG. 5 is a generally cross-sectional view taken generally along plane VV of FIG. 4, with the lock tab shown entirely whole;

FIG. 6 is a generally top plan view of the lock bar PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the preferred embodiment, the locking system of the present invention includes a vertical lock bar having one or more lock tabs releasably mounted therein (FIG. 1). Vertical lock bar 120 is pivotally mounted for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis on a mounting bracket which is secured to a wall of pedestal 70. A linkage rod 110 is pivotally joined at one end to lock bar 120 and at the other end to the primary locking system shown in FIG. 7. The free end 111 of linkage rod 110 is releasably received in a pivotally suspended rock bar which can be moved in a fore or aft direction by means of a key lock acting through a bell crank 40. This fore and aft motion of rock bar 10 is transmitted to lock bar 120 by means of linkage rod 110.

Lock bar 120 is made by stamping a piece of sheet steel and thenfolding it over in the middle to define a pair of spaced, generally parallel walls 122 joined by a base wall 121 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5). At spaced intervals along its length, one of the walls 122 of lock bar 120 is deformed outwardly to define a plurality of outwardly deviating channels 126. Channels 126 serve as guides and'mounting channels for lock tabs 130. A locating aperture 127 is punched into each channel wall 126 for cooperating with a corresponding dimple 134 on each lock tab 130.

Sandwiched between the walls 122 at the top and bottom of lock bar 120 are top hanger bracket 124 and bottom hanger bracket 123 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 6). These hanger brackets are formed of sheet metal and are securely held in place by means of welding or the like. Each includes a

hook portion

123a and 124a, re-v spectively, which projects outwardly from lock bar 120 for hooking into suitable slots 144 in lock bar mounting bracket 140. Top hanger bracket 124 additionally includes a linkage mounting flange 125 bent over at the top thereof and projecting laterally away from lock bar 120 (FlGS. l, 3 and 6). Linkage mounting flange 125 includes a suitable hole 125a therein for receiving the end 113 of linkage rod 110.

Each lock tab 130 is stamped ofa rigid piece of steel. Each of the lock tabs 130 includes generally a base portion 136 adapted to be releasably secured within a channel area 126 of lock bar 120 and a projecting portion 137 which projects away from lock bar 120 (FIGS. 4 and 5). A rib l32extends generally from one end of lock tab 130 to the other. In the area of the base portion 136, rib 132 includes a dimple 134 projecting therefrom which fits into the locating hole 127 in channel wall 126 when lock tab 130 is in place. The deviating shape of channel wall 126 corresponds in crosssectional configuration to the cross-sectional configuration of rib 132 whereby channel wall 126 serves as a receiving guide for rib 132.

At the projecting or head end 137 of lock tab 130, rib 132 widens out and terminates in an enlarged triangular shaped area referred to herein as the contact area or contact surface 133. Contact surface 133 is sloped at an angle with respect to the body of lock tab 130 so that when lock tab 130 is rotated into its locking position as shown in FIG. 6, contact surface 133 contacts the side of drawer wall 84 of drawer 80. This serves to better distribute the forces which are exerted between lock tab 130 and drawer wall 84 when one attempts to force the lock stop 81 on drawer 80 past the end of lock tab 130.

Each lock tab 130 includes a notch 135 along an edge thereof generally in the vicinity of the juncture of the base portion 136 with the projecting portion 137 (FIG. 4). This locates notch 135 generally adjacent lock bar 120 when lock tab 130 is in place therein. Notch 135 makes it possible for a'person to insert the tip of a screwdriver 150 or other like implement into notch 135 and pry lock tab 130 outwardly to the position shown in phanton in FIG. 4. This facilitates removal and rearrangement of the various lock tabs 130 at different channel locations 126 along the length of lock bar 120.

Mounting bracket 140' on which lock bar 120 is hingedly supported is generally Z-shaped in configuration (FIGS. 1 and 6). It is formed by bending a piece of sheet metal and includes a base wall 141 which is welded to the side wall 72 ofa pedestal 70. A mounting wall 142 projects outwardly from base wall 141 and includes a pair of spaced slots 144 therein for receiving the'hook portions of

hanger brackets

123 and 124. A third wall 143 then projects laterally from mounting wall 142, generally parallel to side wall 72 of pedestal 70, and serves as a cover to hide the

hook portions

123a and 124a of

hanger brackets

123 and 124. Since pedestal reinforcing members frequently have the generally Z-shaped configuration of mounting bracket 140, mounting bracket 140 can be merely a pedestal reinforcing member having suitable slots 144 to adapt it for service as a lock bar mounting bracket.

Linkage rod 110 is made of a wire rod which is sufficiently pliable or bendable that it can be readily bent through the use of a pair of pliers or like implement. lt includes a bent end 113 which passes through hole 1250 in flange 125 of vertical lock bar 120. The other end of linkage rod 110 is bent upwardly to define a free end 111 which can be matingly inserted into a link receiving aperture 14 in rock bar 10 (see FlGS. 7 and 9).

By making linkage rod 110 of a bendable material, one

can adjust the effective length of linkage rod 110 and thereby effect an adjustment in the positioning of lock bar 120. Specifically, a generally U-shaped deviation 112 is provided in linkage rod 110 between its ends. By pinching the legs of U-shaped deviation 112 inwardly towards one another, one can shorten the effective length of linkage rod 110. Contrawise, one can increase the effective length of linkage rod 110 by prying the legs of U-shaped deviation 1 12 away from one another. A pliers or like implement can be used for the pinching and for the spreading, or a screwdriver might be usable for the spreading. While the fore and aft positions of rock bar 10 are relatively unadjustable, one can adjust the locking and unlocking positions of lock bar 120 by making this adjustment in the effective length of linkage rod 110.

Linkage rod 110 is carried in a bracket 90 which is mounted to the top 71 of pedestal (FIG. 1). Bracket includes a mounting flange 91 which is welded or otherwise secured'to top wall 71 of pedestal 70. A wall 92 depends downwardly therefrom and a bottom wall 93 extends laterally from wall 92, generally parallel to, top wall 71. This makes it possible to slip linkage rod on top of bottomwall 93 and into the position in bracket 90 which is shown in FIG. 1. Downwardly depending wall 92 includes an aperture 96 therein through which the end of U-shaped deviation 112 projects. The bottom wall 93 of bracket 90 includes an aperture 97 therein which allows one to gain access to adjustment U l12with a pair of pliers or a screwdriver or the like. Basically, the purpose of bracket 90 is to hold linkage rod 110 up with its free end 111 engaged within rock bar 10. However, linkage rod 110 is sufficiently resiliently flexible and there is a sufficient length of linkage rod 110 between bracket 90 and its free end 111 that one can force free end 111 downwardly and out of engagement with rock bar 10. This makes it possible to completely remove pedestal 70 and secondary locking system 100 from a particular relationship with respect to rock bar and rearrange them in another location along the length of rock bar 10.

The primary locking system to which linkage rod 1 10 is engaged comprises an elongated tubular rock bar 10 which is pivotally suspended from the top of a desk 1 (FlG. 7). A key lock controls the fore and aft movement of rock bar 10 through an interconnecting bell crank (FIGS. 7 and 8). Key lock 30 is mounted to a reinforcing rail 22 which in turn is mounted to a reinforcing hat section 21 of desk top 20. Rock bar 10, key lock 30 and bell crank 40 are completely enshrouded by a security shroud which is also joined to top 20. Shroud 50 is provided with a plurality of apertures 56 generally at the rear thereof through which the free end 111 of linkage rod 110 can pass for further engagement with link receiving aperture 14 in rock bar 10. The specific details of the construction of this primary locking system are more fully set forth in copending patent application Ser. No. 366,071 entitled DESK LOCK SYSTEM, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference, filed on even date herewith by Donald D. Korell and assigned to the assignee of this invention, Steelcase lnc.

Pedestal can be of any of a number of constructions having a top wall 71, side walls 72, a bottom walls 73 and a rear wall. Suitable bolt holes 77 are provided at the front and each side of pedestal top wall 71 to facilitate mounting of pedestal 70 to reinforcing rail 22 of desktop 20 via mounting bolts 76. In all other respects, pedestal 70 can be mounted to desk 1 in the manner disclosed and claimed in the copending patent application Ser. No. 366,l55, filed on even date herewith by G. F. Wilcox and Donald D. Korell, entitled SUSPENDED PEDESTAL DESK, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference, and assigned to the assignee of this application, Steelcase Inc.

The drawers mounted in pedestal 70 are generally conventional in nature. Drawer 80 includes a lock stop 81 projecting outwardly from the side wall 84 of drawer 80 (FIG. 6). Actually, lock stop 81 projects outwardly from a plate or lever 83, through a hole in the side of drawer 80. Lever 83 is pivotally mounted to the inside of drawer 80and is spring biased towards the position shown in FIG. 6. Plate 83 also includes an outwardly projecting out stop 82, but out stop 82 is not in line with lock tab 130 and is provided only to prevent one from readily pulling the drawer 80 out of pedestal 70. While the present application specifically discloses the use of locking system to lock drawers 80, locking system 100 could be used to lock other like components such as doors. To be sure, this would require a relocation and perhaps other modifications of locking system 100.

OPERATION In operation. one can lock the drawers 80 in pedestal 70 by rotating the key in key lock 30. Rotation of key lock 30 activates bell crank 40 which in turn pivots rock bar 10 from its rear position to its forward position as shown in FIG. 7. This draws linkage rod forwardly, thereby pivoting lock bar into its locking position as shown in FIG. 6. In this position, the ends of lock tabs are in line with lock stops 81 on drawer 80, thereby preventing the removal of drawers 80. If

one attempts to force drawer 80 outwardly, the enlarged contact surface 133 at the end of each lock tab 130 helps to more evenly distribute the forces acting between lock tab 130 and drawer 80, thereby minimizing the possibility of damage to either drawer 80 or lock tab 130.

If one desires a pedestal having three small drawers, one can locate three lock tabs 130 in appropriate channels 126 along the length of lock bar 120. Rearrangement of the system so that the pedestal holds only one large drawer and one small drawer, for example, can be readily achieved by removing one of the lock tabs 130 and perhaps relocating another. Removal of each lock tab 130 is readily achieved by inserting a screwdriver 150 or like implement into the notch 135 in lock tab 130 and prying lock tab 130 outwardly from its position within channel 126 of lock bar 120.

In order to achieve proper adjustment of the system, so that lock bar 120 does not lock the drawers 80 when it is not supposed to and so that it is in a locking position when key lock 30 has been rotated to a point where one can remove the key, one can simply adjust the effective length of linkage rod 110. One inserts a pair of pliers through hole 97 in bracket 90 and pinches the legs of U-shaped deviation 112 towards one another or forces them away from one another, depending on which way the length of linkage rod 110 is to be adjusted.

The hinged mounting construction of lock bar 120 renders its assembly into the system a relatively easy production operation. One simply hooks the

hook portions

123a and 124a of

hanger brackets

123 and 124 into the slots 144 in mounting bracket 140. A reinforcing bracket for pedestal 70 can be used as mounting bracket merely by providing it with a pair of spaced slots 144.

Of course, it will be understood that the above is merely a preferred embodiment of the invention and that various changes and alterations can be made thereof without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A locking system for locking the drawers, doors or like components of a desk pedestal or like compartment, said component including a lock stop, said locking system comprising: a lock bar mounted in said compartment for pivotal movement between a first, unlocking position and a second, locking position; said lock bar including two generally parallel walls, at least one wall deviating from the other at a plurality of spaced points to thereby define a plurality of channels between said walls at said points; at least one lock tab having a base area adapted to be releasably received within any one of said channels; said lock tab including a projecting portion projecting outwardly from said lock bar; means for pivoting said lock bar between said first and second positions, said lock tab projecting into the path of said lock stop on said component to thereby lock said component in said compartment when said lock bar is pivoted to said second locking position.

2. The locking system of claim 1 in which said lock bar is generally vertically oriented within said compartment and is mounted for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis.

3. The locking system of claim 1 in which said lock tabincludes a notch located generally at the juncture of said base portion and said projecting portion whereby an implement can be inserted into said notch and used to pry said lock tab free of said lock bar.

4. The locking system of claim 1 in which said lock tab includes a detent projecting therefrom; at least one wall of said lock bar including a recess adapted to receive said detent and thereby aid in holding said lock tab in position within said lock bar.

5. The locking system of claim 1 in which a mounting bracket is mounted in said compartment generally adjacent said lock bar; said lock bar including at least two spaced hangers projecting therefrom; said mounting bracket including at least two slots therein for receiving said hangers, said hangers being disposed within said slots whereby said lock bar is pivotally mounted to said mounting bracket.

6. The locking system of claim 5 in which said hangers comprise brackets sandwiched between said walls of said lock bar,.said brackets including a hook portion projecting from said lock bar for engagement with said slots in said mounting bracket.

7. The locking system of claim 1 in which said lock tab includes a rib extending generally the length thereof; said deviating portion of said one wall of said lock bar conforming in configuration to said rib whereby said deviating portion serves asa guide for said rib when said lock tab is insertedinto said lock bar between said walls.

8. The locking system of claim 7 in which said lock tab includes a detent located on said rib; at least one wall of said lock bar including a recess adapted to receive said detent and thereby aid in holding said lock tab in position within said lock bar.

9. The locking system of claim 7 in which said rib widens generally at said projecting portion of said lock tab to define an enlarged force distributing area on said projecting portion of said lock tab for engaging the side of a drawer or like component and for distributing the forces exerted between said lock tab and said drawer when one attempts to remove the drawer when it is locked. v 1

10. The locking system of claim 1 in which said means for pivoting said lock bar between said first and second positions comprises an elongated linkage rod and a primary locking system movable betweenfirst and second positions; said linkage rod being joined to said primary locking system and to said lock bar whereby the movement of said primary locking system is transmitted to said lock bar; said elongated linkage rod being made of a material which can be bent relatively easily with an implement such as a-pliers or the like whereby the effective lengthof said linkage rod can be altered to thereby alter the first and second positions of said lock bar.

11. The locking system of claim 10 in which said linkage rod includes a deviation therein whereby said linkage can be more readily bent by effecting such bending at said deviation.

said component in said compartment when said lock bar is pivoted to said second locking position.

14. The locking system of claim 13 in which said lock bar is generally vertically oriented within said compartment and .is mounted for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis.

15. The locking system of claim 13 in which said lock tab includes a rib extending generally the length thereof; said deviating portion of said one wall of said 12. The locking system of claim 11 in which said deviation is generally U-shaped in configuration.

13. A locking system for locking the drawers, doors -or like components of a desk pedestal or like compartlock bar conforming in configuration to said rib whereby said deviating portion serves as a guide for said rib when said lock tab is inserted into said lock bar between said walls.

16. The locking system of claim 15 in which said lock tab includes a detent located on said rib; at least one wall of said lock bar including a recess adapted to receive said detent and thereby aid in holding said lock tab in position within said lock bar.

17. The locking system of claim 16 in which said rib widens generally at said projecting portion of said lock tab to define an enlarged force distributing area on said projecting portion of said lock tab for engaging the side of a drawer or like component and for distributing the forces exerted between said lock tab and said drawer when one attempt to remove the drawer when it is locked. I

18. A locking system for locking the drawers, doors or like components of a desk pedestal or like compartment, said locking system comprising: a primary locking means movable between first and second positions; a secondary locking means movable between a first position unlocking said components and a second position locking said components; a linkage rod operably connected to said primary locking means and operably connected to said secondary locking means and extending therebetween whereby movement of said primary locking means is transferred to said secondary locking means; said linkage rod including a deviation formed therein, said deviation being of a material which can be readily bent with an implement such as a pliers or the like whereby the effective length of said rod can be varied and the first and second positions of said secondary locking means thereby adjusted.

19. The locking system of claim 18 in which said deviation is generally U-shaped in configuration.

20. The locking system of claim 19 in which a bracket is mounted in said compartment for carrying said linkage rod; said linkage rod being carried within said bracket, said bracket being located at said deviation in said linkage rod; said bracket including an aperture therein to allow access to said deviation with an implement such as a pliers or the like.

21. The locking system of claim 18 in which a bracket is mounted in said compartment for carrying said linkage rod; said linkage rod being carried within said bracket, said'bracket being located at said deviation in said linkage rod; said bracket including an aperture therein to allow access to said deviation with an implement such as a pliers or the like.

22. The locking system of claim 18 in which said lock bar is generally vertically oriented within said compartment and is pivotally mounted for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis; said primary locking system including a movable member oriented generally horizontally for generally horizontal movement.

23. A locking system for locking the drawers, doors or like components of a desk pedestal or like compartment, said component including a lock stop, said locking system comprising: a lock bar mounted for movement between a first, unlocking position and a second, locking position, said lock bar including a plurality of projecting lock tabs; each of said lock tabs having an enlarged contact surface for contacting a drawer or like compartment to aid in distributing the forces between said component and said lock tab and thereby preventing damage to either when a person tries to force the locked component open; the end of said lock tab engaging a lock stop on said component, said enlarged contact surface extending generally away from said end of said lock tab; said contact surface being generally triangular in configuration, being widest generally at said end of said lock tab and tapering off in a direction away from said end of said lock tab.

24. The locking system of claim 23 in which said lock tab includes a rib extending generally the length thereof, said rib being enlarged generally at said end of said lock tab to thereby define said contact area.

25. The locking system of claim 24 in which said lock tab is removably mounted in said lock bar, said lock tab including a notch therein positioned generally adjacent said lock bar when said lock tab is in place in said lock bar whereby the end of a screwdriver or other tool can be inserted into said notch and used to pry said lock tab out of said lock bar.

26. A locking system for locking the drawers, doors or like components of a desk pedestal or like compartment, said component including a lock stop, said locking system comprising: a lock bar mounted in said compartment for pivotal movement between a first, unlocking position and a second, locking position; said lock bar including two spaced walls; at least two hanger brackets for said lock bar; each of said hanger brackets being sandwiched between said walls and including a hook portion projecting from said lock bar; a mounting bracket mounted in said component and including a slot therein for each of said hanger brackets; said hook portions of said hanger brackets being received in said slots to effect pivotal mounting of said lock bar to said mounting bracket.

27. A locking system for locking the drawers, doors or'like components of a desk pedestal or like compartment, said component including a lock stop, said locking system comprising: a primary locking means moveable between first and second positions; a lock bar mounted in said compartment for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis and being moveable between first and second positions; said lock bar including two generally parallel walls; channel means defining a plurality of channels between said walls at spaced points along the length of said lock bar; at least one lock tab having a base adapted to be releasably secured in any one of said channels and having a projecting portion projecting away from said lock bar; a linkage rod operably connected to said primary lock means and to said lock bar for transferring the motion of said primary lock means to said lock bar; said linkage rod being made of a material which is readily bendable through the use of a pliers or like implement whereby the effective length of said linkage rod can be adjusted, thereby adjusting said first and second positions of said lock bar.

28. The locking system of claim 27 in which said hangers comprise brackets sandwiched between said walls of said lock bar, said brackets including a hook portion projecting from said lock bar for engagement with said slots in said mounting bracket.

29. The locking system of claim 28 in which said lock tab includes a rib extending generally the length thereof; each of said channels including an outwardly formed deviation in one of said walls of said lock bar, said deviation conforming in configuration to said rib whereby said deviation serves as a guide for said rib when said lock tab is mounted in said channel.

30. The locking system of claim 29 in which said rib widens generally at said projecting portion of said lock tab to define an enlarged force distributing area on said projecting portion of said lock tab for engaging the side of a drawer or like component and for distributing the forces exerted between said lock tab and said drawer' and used to pry said lock tab free of said lock bar.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 1 3,357,621 DATED December 31, 1974 |NVENTQR(S) Douglas Sheerhorn, Dirk J. VanKuik, Donald D. Korell I and Robert G. Mohr It IS certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 28;

Delete "a" before --bottom--.

Column 9, line 17;

"compartment" should be component Signed and sealed this 10th day of June 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks

Claims

3. The locking system of claim 1 in which said lock tab includes a notch located generally at the juncture of said base portion and said projecting portion whereby an implement can be inserted into said notch and used to pry said lock tab free of said lock bar.

6. The locking system of claim 5 in which said hangers comprise brackets sandwiched between said walls of said lock bar, said brackets including a hook portion projecting from said lock bar for engagement with said slots in said mounting bracket.

7. The locking system of claim 1 in which said lock tab includes a rib extending generally the length thereof; said deviating portion of said one wall of said lock bar conforming in configuration to said rib whereby said deviating portion serves as a guide for said rib when said lock tab is inserted into said lock bar between said walls.

9. The locking system of claim 7 in which said rib widens generally at said projecting portion of said lock tab to define an enlarged force distributing area on said projecting portion of said lock tab for engaging the side of a drawer or like component and for distributing the forces exerted between said lock tab and said drawer when one attempts to remove the drawer when it is locked.

10. The locking system of claim 1 in which said means for pivoting said lock bar between said first and second positions comprises an elongated linkage rod and a primary locking system movable between first and second positions; said linkage rod being joined to said primary locking system and to said lock bar whereby the movement of said primary locking system is transmitted to said lock bar; said elongated linkage rod being made of a material which can be bent relatively easily with an implement such as a pliers or the like whereby the effective length of said linkage rod can be altered to thereby alter the first and second positions of said lock bar.

12. The locking system of claim 11 in which said deviation is generally U-shaped in configuration.

13. A locking system for locking the drawers, doors or like components of a desk pedestal or like compartment, said component including a lock stop, said locking system comprising: a lock bar including a plurality of channels therein for receiving lock tabs; at least one lock tab having a base adapted to be releasably received in any one of said channels; said lock tab including a projecting portion projecting away from said lock bar; a notch in said lock tab generally at the juncture of said base portion and said projecting portion whereby an implement can be inserted into said notch and used to pry said lock tab free of said lock bar; means for pivoting said lock bar between said first and second positions, said lock tab projecting into the path of said lock stop on said component to thereby lock said component in said compartment when said lock bar is pivoted to said second locking position.

14. The locking system of claim 13 in which said lock bar is generally vertically oriented within said compartment and is mounted for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis.

15. The locking system of claim 13 in which said lock tab includes a rib extending generally the length thereof; said deviating portion of said one wall of said lock bar conforming in configuration to said rib whereby said deviating portion serves as a guide for said rib when said lock tab is inserted into said lock bar between said walls.

17. The locking system of claim 16 in which said rib widens generally at said projecting portion of said lock tab to define an enlarged force distributing area on said projecting portion of said lock tab for engaging the side of a drawer or like component and for distributing the forces exerted between said lock tab and said drawer when one attempt to remove the drawer when it is locked.

21. The locking system of claim 18 in which a bracket is mounted in said compartment for carrying said linkage rod; said linkage rod being carried within said bracket, said bracket being located at said deviation in said linkage rod; said bracket including an aperture therein to allow access to said deviation with an implement such as a pliers or the like.

27. A locking system for locking the drawers, doors or like components of a desk pedestal or like compartment, said component including a lock stop, said locking system comprising: a primary locking means moveable between first and second positions; a lock bar mounted in said compartment for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis and being moveable between first and second positions; said lock bar incluDing two generally parallel walls; channel means defining a plurality of channels between said walls at spaced points along the length of said lock bar; at least one lock tab having a base adapted to be releasably secured in any one of said channels and having a projecting portion projecting away from said lock bar; a linkage rod operably connected to said primary lock means and to said lock bar for transferring the motion of said primary lock means to said lock bar; said linkage rod being made of a material which is readily bendable through the use of a pliers or like implement whereby the effective length of said linkage rod can be adjusted, thereby adjusting said first and second positions of said lock bar.

30. The locking system of claim 29 in which said rib widens generally at said projecting portion of said lock tab to define an enlarged force distributing area on said projecting portion of said lock tab for engaging the side of a drawer or like component and for distributing the forces exerted between said lock tab and said drawer when one attempt to remove the drawer when it is locked.

31. The locking system of claim 27 in which said linkage rod includes a deviation therein whereby said linkage can be more readily bent by effecting such bending at said deviation.

32. The locking system of claim 31 in which said deviation is generally U-shaped in configuration.

33. The locking system of claim 27 in which said lock tab includes a notch located generally at the juncture of said base portion and said projecting portion whereby an implement can be inserted into said notch and used to pry said lock tab free of said lock bar.