WO1994013912A1

WO1994013912A1 - Cabinet locking system

Info

Publication number: WO1994013912A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/010123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Koves
Original assignee: Thomas Koves
Priority date: 1992-12-17
Filing date: 1993-10-21
Publication date: 1994-06-23
Also published as: AU5447494A

Abstract

The cabinet (10) has a top level (12), base level (14), and swing-out drawers (28, 30 and 32) therebetween. The top level (12) has a plunger lock therein. The base level (14) has a plunger socket (98). When the drawers (28, 30, 32) are closed and the plunger lock is depressed, all of the plungers (72, 80, 88) move down to lock all of the drawers (28, 30, 32) in closed position. When multiple cabinet levels are used, the base level (14) has a plunger (116) to actuate the drawer plungers (112) in the lower cabinet.

Description

CABINET LOCKING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a locking system for a cabinet having swing-out drawers wherein locking plungers engage the top level, swing-out drawers and base level to hold the drawers in the retracted position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are storage compartments of various sizes and types for storage of varying materials. Many of the storage compartments can be provided with locks so that they are lockable in a closed position to limit access to the materials therein. Locking is convenient in sliding drawers, and in such sliding drawers, both individual drawer locks and a single lock for a set of drawers are known. However, there is greater difficulty in locking drawers which swing out from a closed position and pivot to an open position. Prior locking systems for cabinets with a set of swing-out drawers have been unsatisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a cabinet locking system comprising a top level and a base level spaced from each other and attached to each other; at least one swing-out drawer positioned between said top level and said base level; a pivot pin extending from said top level to said base level and through said swing-out drawer there-between to permit said swing-out drawer to swing from a first position between said top level and base level when said drawer is inaccessible to a second position wherein said drawer is extended and accessible; a lock on said top level, said lock having a plunger thereon, said plunger having an unlocked position wherein said plunger is away from said swing-out drawer and a locked position wherein said plunger extends into said swing-out drawer; a plunger tube in said swing-out drawer, a plunger slidably mounted in said plunger tube, said plunger tube being within said swing-out drawer when in the unactuated position, said plunger in said swing- out drawer being in alignment with said lock plunger and said top level when said drawer is in its first position so that, when said lock plunger is actuated, it moves said drawer plunger to extend out of said swing-out drawer into said base level to inhibit swing-out of said swing-out drawer. The invention is essentially directed to a cabinet locking system for a cabinet having a top level, a base level and swing-out drawers therebetween. The drawers may swing out on an axis and, in the closed position, a plunger lock in the top level is depressed to depress plungers in each drawer to interengage the top level, each drawer and base level to achieve locking.

The invention may provide a cabinet locking system particularly useful for cabinets having swing-out drawers so that, when locked, a plunger engages both the top and bottom of each swing-out drawer for secure locking thereof. The invention may also provide a cabinet locking system wherein a plurality of swing-out drawers in a single cabinet can be locked by means of a plunger in each drawer and a plunger lock in the top to depress all of the plungers.

The invention preferably provides a cabinet locking system wherein a plurality of sets of drawers can be stacked so that a plunger lock in the top thrusts down plungers through drawers in each set to lock all of the drawers of each set in the closed position.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a cabinet having a first set of drawers and having a cabinet locking system, in accordance with this invention, and also showing in dashed lines a second set of drawers in a cabinet of increased height also being locked by the same cabinet locking system.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the cabinet locking system of FIGURE 1, with parts broken away, shown in unlocked position.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, with parts broken away, showing the cabinet locking system in the locked position.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to the lower portion of FIGURE 2, showing the locking system arranged for locking a cabinet having plural sets of stacked drawers.

FIGURE 5 is an exploded view of the cabinet locking system of FIGURE 4 with some of the drawer parts omitted.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view looking downward through the base locking plunger, as generally seen along line 6-6 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a top isometric view, enlarged with respect to FIGURE 1, of one of the swing-out drawers, with parts broken away.

FIGURE 8 is a similar view, as seen from the bottom.

FIGURE 9 is a section showing the side of a plunger spring tube, with parts broken away. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A cabinet having the locking system of this invention is generally indicated at 10 in FIGURE 1. The cabinet 10 has a top level 12 and a base level 14 which are fixed together and have one or more swing-out drawers therebetween. The top and base levels are joined by a back structure 16, see FIGURE 1, which is generally in the form of a rectangular box. The back structure is hollow and has an access opening 18 so as to permit it to provide storage. The top and base levels 12 and 14 are secured to the back structure. The top level has a recessed floor 20 so that the side walls of the top level and dividers 22 therein permit small item storage in the top of the top level. Back structure 18 also has a recessed floor 24 for the same purpose.

Pivot pin 26 extends downward through a pivot pin opening in the top level and the base level. The pivot pin serves as a pivot for one or more swing-out drawers positioned between the top level and base level. In the preferred embodiment shown, there are three swing-out drawers 28, 30 and 32. These swing-out drawers are configured to lie between the top and base levels when swung into closed position and to swing out into accessible position, as shown in dashed lines in FIGURE 1. A portion of the swing-out drawer 28 is shown in enlarged detail in FIGURES 7 and 8. In those FIGURES, it can be seen that it has a side wall 34 and a recessed floor 36 to define storage space therein. Each of the swing-out drawers has a pivot opening therethrough to embrace the pivot pin 26. In FIGURES 7 and 8, this pivot opening is shown at 38. The drawers are configured to swing from the closed position of FIGURE 1 to an extended position wherein the drawer contents are accessible. It is also seen that, in the closed or non-extended position, each of the swing-out drawers is positioned immediately below the swing-out drawer above, and the top swing-out drawer 28 is positioned immediately below the top level 12 so that the contents of these drawers are inaccessible. The drawers must be swung out in order to provide access to the contents thereof.

In accordance with this invention, a cabinet locking system is provided to selectively lock the swing-out drawers in their pivoted-in location. As seen in FIGURES 2, 3 and 5, lock housing 40 is positioned in a lock hole in the top level 12. A lock flange 42 is attached to the lock housing and is secured underneath the bottom wall 44 of top level 12 by means of suitable fasteners, such as rivet 46, see FIGURE 5. Lock barrel 48 extends out of the top of housing 40 in the unlocked position. The lock barrel has a pin 50 thereon, see FIGURE 5, which serves as a guide pin for the lock barrel in the housing to limit axial motion therein. Tumblers interengage between the lock barrel and housing and are controlled by key 52, see FIGURE 2. When the lock barrel 48 is depressed to the full-line position shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 5, the lock barrel stays depressed until the key is used to release the internal tumblers. When the tumblers are released, spring 54 (shown in dashed lines in FIGURE 2) presses the lock barrel upward to the unlocked position. Plunger 56 is fastened to lock barrel 48 and moves therewith from the upper, unlocked position shown in FIGURE 2 to the lower, locked position shown in FIGURE 5. The lock barrel 48 and lock housing 40 are inter-related so that spring 54 can return plunger 56 to the raised, unlocked position only by the insertion and turning of a proper key 52.

Each of the swing-out drawers below the lock has a plunger tube and a spring tube therein. Plunger tube 58 and spring tube 60 are axially aligned and are cylindrical tubes which are integrally formed with the drawer extension 62, see FIGURES 7 and 8. As seen in these FIGURES, the plunger tube is separated from the drawer pivot opening 38. As seen in FIGURES 7 and 8, the swing-out drawer 28 can be conveniently molded in one piece, and this piece includes the tubes 58 and 60. Similarly, as is seen in FIGURE 2, drawer 30 has plunger tube 64 and spring tube 66. Swing-out drawer 32 has plunger tube 68 and spring tube 70. Drawer plunger 72 is slidable within plunger tube 58. The drawer plunger 72 is as high as the total height of the swing-out drawer 28. Plunger washer 74 is fixed on the plunger and stops against the top of plunger tube 60 when the top and bottom of the drawer plunger are in line with the top and bottom of the drawer, as seen in FIGURE 2. Plunger spring 76 urges the drawer plunger up to that position. Spring stop 78 is secured in the bottom of spring tube 60 to engage the lower of compression spring 76 and also to serve as a guide for the lower end of the drawer plunger. In the position shown in FIGURE 2, the drawer plunger 72 does not extend out of the top or bottom of the drawer, and thus serves as no impediment to the swinging of the drawer from its recessed position to its extended position.

Swing-out drawer 30 has a similar structure with drawer plunger 80, plunger washer 82, plunger spring 84 and spring stop 86. Swing-out drawer 32 has another similar structure of drawer plunger 88, plunger washer 90, plunger spring 92 and spring stop 94. Neither of these drawer plungers extends out of the top or out of the bottom of its respective drawer when unactuated. Base level 14, see FIGURE

2, when it serves as the very bottom of the cabinet, has a tube 96 which is integrally formed with the bottom wall of the base level. Into this tube is inserted a socket 98 which has a plunger opening 100 therein.

When all of the drawers are closed, swung into the recessed position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 1, the lock barrel 48 can be depressed to the position shown in FIGURE 3. When there is no key in place, the lock tumblers engage and hold the lock barrel in the down, locked position of FIGURE

3. In this position, the lock plunger 56 is extended. With all of the drawers in the closed position, the drawer plungers 72, 80 and 88 are aligned under the lock plunger 56. Thus, with the lock plungers depressed to the locked position, each of the drawer plungers moves down to both engage into the drawer therebelow and to depress the drawer plunger in the drawer therebelow. The bottom drawer plunger 88 engages in the plunger opening 100, as seen in dashed lines in FIGURE 2. Since the plungers are offset from the pivot pin in pivot opening 38, the drawers cannot be swung out. Each of the drawers is interengaged both top and bottom. In this way, secure drawer locking is achieved. Release of lock barrel 48 by use of the proper key 52 permits all of the springs to press all of the plungers upward so that each of the drawers is in the unlocked condition.

The above-described structure is suitable where the cabinet has one or more swing-out drawers between the top level and a base level. In some cases, the cabinet is built up to a higher level through the use of a top level, a base level, an intermediate level therebetween, together with one or more swing-out drawers between the top level and the intermediate level, and then one or more swing-out drawers between the intermediate level and base level. If, instead, one were to try to expand the structure of FIGURES 1 and 2 by merely putting more swing-out drawers inbetween the top level and the base level, the resulting structure is not likely to be sufficiently strong and stable. In other cases, it may be desirable to have two intermediate levels with one or more swing-out drawers between each level. With the cabinet assembly disclosed, the foregoing expansions are readily accomplished, and the locking system needs little additional structure to permit locking of all the stacked drawers.

FIGURE 1 shows in full lines a cabinet having a top level 12, a base level 14, and swing-out drawers 28, 30 and 32 therebetween. Making the assumption that this structure is the upper portion of a cabinet and the level 14 is instead used as an intermediate level, the intermediate level must have a plunger therein to permit locking of the swing-out drawers between the intermediate level and the base level. FIGURE 4 shows the level 14 as an intermediate level. Therebelow is another swing-out drawer 102, which is also shown in dashed lines in FIGURE 1. The swing-out drawer 102 is one of several swing-out drawers, the others of which are shown in dashed lines at 104 and 106. These are the same as the swing-out drawers 28, 30 and 32 and have a base level therebelow. As seen in FIGURE 4, the swing-out drawer 102 has a plunger tube 108, a spring tube 110, a drawer plunger 112 sliding therein, and a plunger washer 114 secured to the plunger 112. The plunger washer engages against the top of the spring tube to limit the upward motion of the plunger, and a spring is positioned beneath the plunger washer to urge the plunger to the upward position shown in FIGURE 4. Thus, this is the same plunger structure shown with respect to drawers 28, 30 and 32.

Tube 96 is formed as part of the bottom of the level

14 shown in FIGURE 4. Pressed into tube 96 is socket 98. In order to permit the plunger 88 to press down on the plunger 112, level plunger 116 is positioned therein. The level plunger 116 has a plunger washer 118 fixed thereto and has a plunger spring 120 therebelow. In order to retain the level plunger and plunger spring in place, bottom cover 122 is secured to the bottom of the intermediate level. As seen in FIGURE 5, the bottom cover 122 has ears and fastener openings therein to permit the bottom cover to be secured in place by screws or rivets. Bottom cover 122 has a guide opening 124 therein which embraces the lower end of plunger 116, even in the topmost position, as seen in FIGURE 4. This maintains the plunger in axial alignment with the plungers thereabove and therebelow. When the plungers in the swing-out drawers 28, 30 and 32 are depressed, the plunger 88 depresses the plunger 116 to thus depress the plungers in the swing-out drawers below to thus lock all of the swing-out drawers in the closed position.

This invention has been described in its presently contemplated best mode, and it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications, modes and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art and without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A cabinet locking system comprising: a top level and a base level spaced from each other and attached to each other; at least one swing-out drawer positioned between said top level and said base level; a pivot pin extending from said top level to said base level and through said swing-out drawer there- between to permit said swing-out drawer to swing from a first position between said top level and base level when said drawer is inaccessible to a second position wherein said drawer is extended and accessible; a lock on said top level, said lock having a plunger thereon, said plunger having an unlocked position wherein said plunger is away from said swing-out drawer and a locked position wherein said plunger extends into said swing-out drawer; a plunger tube in said swing-out drawer, a plunger slidably mounted in said plunger tube, said plunger tube being within said swing-out drawer when in the unactuated position, said plunger in said swing-out drawer being in alignment with said lock plunger and said top level when said drawer is in its first position so that, when said lock plunger is actuated, it moves said drawer plunger to extend out of said swing-out drawer into said base level to inhibit swing-out of said swing-out drawer.

2. The cabinet locking system of Claim 1 wherein said swing-out drawer carries a spring tube in alignment with said plunger tube in said swing-out drawer, said plunger extending through said spring tube, a plunger washer secured to said plunger and engaging in the end of said spring tube when said drawer plunger is in its unactuated position where it does not extend from said drawer.

The cabinet locking system of Claim 2 wherein there is a spring in said spring tube, said spring engaging against said plunger washer to urge said plunger toward a position where it does not extend from said swing-out drawer.

4. The cabinet locking system of Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein there is a plurality of swing-out drawers between said top level and said base level, and each of said swing-out drawers has therein a drawer plunger in alignment with said lock plunger when said drawers are in their inaccessible position.

5. The cabinet locking system of Claim 4 wherein said swing-out drawer carries a spring tube in alignment with said plunger tube in said swing-out drawer, said plunger extending through said spring tube, a plunger washer secured to said plunger and engaging in the end of said spring tube when said drawer plunger is in its unactuated position where it does not extend from said drawer.

6. The cabinet locking system of Claim 4 wherein there is a spring in said spring tube, said spring engaging against said plunger washer to urge said plunger toward a position where it does not extend from said swing-out drawer.

7. The cabinet locking system of Claim 6 further including an intermediate level between said top level and said base level, and at least one swing-out drawer between said top level and said intermediate level and at least one swing-out drawer between said intermediate level and said base level, said intermediate level having a plunger therein in alignment with said lock plunger and each of said drawers having a drawer plunger therein in alignment with said lock plunger when said drawers are in their first position so that, when said lock plunger is actuated to its locked position, said drawer plungers and said intermediate level plunger are moved to a locking position.

8. A cabinet comprising: a base level for support of said cabinet; a top level spaced above said base level for forming the top of said cabinet; a structure attached to both said base level and said top level for securing them with respect to each other, a pivot pin opening in each said top level and said base level in alignment with each other and a pivot pin therein; at least one swing-out drawer positioned between said top level and said base level, said swing-out drawer engaging on said pivot pin so that said swing-out drawer is guided on said pivot pin, said swing-out drawer being swingable from a first position wherein said swing-out drawer is inaccessible to a second position wherein said swing-out drawer is accessible; and a lock plunger in said top level, said lock plunger having a plunger thereon, said lock plunger having an unlocked first position wherein said lock plunger does not engage said swing-out drawer and a second, locked position wherein said lock plunger engages said swing-out drawer, said swing-out drawer having a plunger recess therein in alignment with said lock plunger when said swing-out drawer is in its first position so that moving said lock plunger from its first position to its second position engages said lock plunger in said plunger opening in said swing-out drawer to retain said swing-out drawer in its first position.

9. The cabinet of Claim 8 wherein there is a drawer plunger in said plunger recess in said swing-out drawer and said drawer plunger has a first position where it does not extend from said swing-out drawer to a second position wherein it extends out of said swing-out drawer, said drawer plunger being in alignment with said lock plunger when said swing-out drawer is in its first position so that when said lock is moved from its first position to its second position, said lock plunger presses said drawer plunger from its first position to its second position and further including a plunger recess below said swing-out drawer so that said drawer plunger engages into said plunger recess when it is in its second position.

10. The cabinet locking system of Claim 9 wherein there is a spring in engagement with said drawer plunger to return said drawer plunger to its first position.

11. The cabinet locking system of Claim 9 wherein there is a plurality of swing-out drawers between said top level and said base level and each of said swing-out drawers in said plurality of drawers has a plunger therein movable from a first position to a second position where it extends from its respective swing-out drawer and each of said plungers is in alignment with said lock plunger when each of said drawers is in its first position so that when said lock plunger moves from its first to its second position each of said plungers extend into the plunger opening therebelow to restrain said swing-out drawers in their first position.

12. The cabinet locking system of Claim 11 wherein said base level has a plunger recess therein in alignment with said lock plunger so that said plunger recess in said base level receives the drawer plunger in the lowermost drawer when said drawers are in said first position and said lock is in said second position.

13. The cabinet locking system of Claim 9 wherein each said drawer has a drawer plunger tube therein and a spring tube in alignment with said drawer plunger tube, said spring tube being larger than said drawer plunger tube, said drawer plunger extending through both said drawer plunger tube and said spring tube when in said first position; and a plunger washer secured to said drawer plunger, said plunger washer lying in said spring tube and lying against said plunger tube when said drawer plunger is in its first position so as to serve as a stop for said drawer plunger in said first position.

14. The cabinet locking system of Claim 13 wherein a compression spring is positioned in said spring tube and engaging against said plunger washer to urge said drawer plunger toward said first position.

15. The cabinet locking system of Claim 14 wherein a spring stop is positioned in said spring tube to engage said plunger spring opposite said plunger washer.

16. The cabinet locking system of Claim 15 wherein said spring stop has a plunger guide opening therein and said drawer plunger engages in said guide opening.

17. The cabinet locking system of Claim 16 wherein there is a plurality of swing-out drawers between said top level and said base level and each of said swing-out drawers in said plurality of drawers has a plunger therein movable from a first position to a second position where it extends from its respective swing-out drawer and each of said plungers is in alignment with said lock plunger when each of said drawers is in its first position so that when said lock plunger moves from its first to its second position each of said plungers extend into the plunger opening therebelow to restrain said swing-out drawers in their first position.

18. The cabinet locking system of Claim 17 wherein said base level has a plunger recess therein in alignment with said lock plunger so that said plunger recess in said base level receives the drawer plunger in the lowermost drawer when said drawers are in said first position and said lock is in said second position.

19. The cabinet locking system of Claim 8 wherein there is an intermediate level between said top level and said base level and there is at least one swing-out drawer between said top level and said intermediate level and at least one swing-out drawer between said intermediate level and said base level, said intermediate level having a plunger therein in alignment with said lock plunger so that when said lock plunger moves from its first to its second position, said intermediate plunger is actuated from a first position to a second position to engage in a plunger recess in the swing-out drawer therebelow.

20. The cabinet locking system of Claim 19 wherein there is a plurality of swing-out drawers between said top level and said intermediate level.