Supports: cabinet structure – Gang-bar type locking or latching means – Concealed
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-20
2001-01-09
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3624)
Supports: cabinet structure
Gang-bar type locking or latching means
Concealed
C312S219000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170927
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to storage cabinets having sliding assemblies. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mobile storage cabinet having interlinked drawers where each drawer of the cabinet is movable between an extended and a retracted position so that when a worker extends one drawer from the cabinet the other drawer is retracted into the cabinet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Storage cabinets for stowing and organizing contents have been known for many years. Such cabinets typically include a plurality of drawers. Contents (e.g., files, papers, office utensils) are stowed in the drawers of the cabinet for access by workers. Typically, the center of gravity of the cabinet shifts toward the front of the cabinet when a worker extends a drawer to retrieve the contents therein. The center of the gravity is further shifted toward the front of the cabinet when a second or third drawer is also extended to retrieve the contents therein. The shift in the center of gravity toward the front of the cabinet may cause the cabinet to tip forward resulting in the spillage of the stored contents, or even overturn.
Several attempts have been made to prevent cabinets from tipping forward or overturning. One attempt includes providing a heavy weight attached to the back end of a cabinet. The weight can decrease the degree to which the center of gravity of the cabinet shifts forward as a drawer is extended. However, cabinets of this type are bulky and weighty, which reduces the mobility of the cabinet and increases costs of manufacture and shipping. Another attempt to prevent cabinets from overturning includes anchoring the cabinet to a floor or wall. However, anchoring the cabinet eliminates the mobility of the cabinet.
Still another attempt to prevent cabinets from overturning includes using a cord linking the drawers of the cabinet and having only enough slack to allow one drawer to be completely extended at a given moment in time. When so linked, the cord causes one drawer to retract when another drawer is extended. However, the linking action of the drawers is not smooth or immediate because of slack in the cord, which inhibits a direct response between the extension of one drawer and the retraction of another drawer. Some cabinets include a counterbalance to reduce the slack in the cord, but the counterbalance further adds to the overall weight of the cabinet, which reduces the mobility of the cabinet.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a cabinet for stowing contents that overcomes these and other disadvantages of the related art. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide a cabinet for storing items that does not easily tip forward or overturn when a drawer is extended. Further, it would be advantageous to provide a cabinet that is not weighted so greatly that it is difficult to move. It would also be advantageous to provide a cabinet with interlinked drawers so that one drawer is retracted in direct response to the extension of another drawer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a drawer interlinking system for a storage cabinet. The cabinet includes a frame, a first sliding assembly, and a second sliding assembly. Each sliding assembly (preferably, a drawer) is selectively configured between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the frame. The system includes a flexible member having a first end coupled to the first sliding assembly. The system also includes a first guide, coupled to the frame relative to the first sliding assembly, that directs the flexible member. The system further includes a first primary guide, coupled to the frame and spaced a distance from the first guide, that directs the flexible member. The system still further includes a connecting guide, coupled to the frame by a connecting member, that directs the flexible member. In addition, the system includes a second primary guide, coupled to the frame and spaced a distance from the first guide, that directs the flexible member. Further, the system includes a second guide, coupled to the frame relative to the second sliding assembly and spaced a distance from the first and second primary guides, that directs the flexible member. The flexible member has a second end coupled to the second sliding assembly, so that when the first sliding assembly is extended from the frame the second sliding assembly is retracted into the frame.
The present invention further relates to an interlinking system for a storage cabinet. The cabinet provides a frame, a first sliding assembly, and a second sliding assembly (such as drawers), each sliding assembly being movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the frame to open and close the drawers, respectively. The system includes a first guide coupled to the frame relative to the first sliding assembly. The system also includes a first primary guide coupled to the frame and spaced a distance from the first guide. The system further includes a connecting guide coupled to the frame by a connecting member. The connecting member prevents slack from accumulating in the flexible member. The system still further includes a second primary guide coupled to the frame and spaced a distance from the first guide. In addition, the system includes a second guide coupled to the frame in association with the second sliding assembly and spaced a distance from the first and second primary guides. Further, the system includes a flexible member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the flexible member is coupled to the first sliding assembly, the second end of the flexible member is coupled to the second sliding assembly. The flexible member is directed by the first guide, the first primary guide, the connecting guide, the second primary guide, and the second guide. When the first sliding assembly is extended from the frame the second sliding assembly is retracted into the frame.
The present invention further relates to a method of operating an interlinking system. The interlinking system provides a storage cabinet having a frame, a first sliding assembly and a second sliding assembly. Each sliding assembly is selectively configured between an extended position, a retracted position, and a combination thereof relative to the frame. The interlinking system further provides a flexible member having a first end coupled to the first sliding assembly. The interlinking system still further provides a first guide, coupled to the frame relative to the first sliding assembly, that directs the flexible member. Also, the interlinking system provides a first primary guide, coupled to the frame and spaced a distance from the first guide, that directs the flexible member. Further, the interlinking system provides a glide, coupled to the frame by a connecting member, that directs the flexible member. The interlinking system also includes a second primary guide, coupled to the frame and spaced a distance from the first guide, that directs the flexible member. Still further, the interlinking system includes a second guide, coupled to the frame relative to the second sliding assembly and spaced a distance from the first and second primary guides, that directs the flexible member. The flexible member has a second end coupled to the second sliding assembly. The method includes extending the first sliding assembly to create tension on the flexible member. The method further includes directing the flexible member with the first guide. The method still further includes directing the flexible member with the first primary guide. In addition, the method includes directing the flexible member with the glide assembly. Further, the method includes directing the flexible member with the second primary guide. Still further, the method includes directing the flexible member with the second guide.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 26902 (1970-05-01), Levenberg
patent: 1238514 (1917-08-01), Hartbeck
patent: 1868495 (1932-07-01), Einermann
patent: 2873159 (1959-02-01), Becker
patent: 33783
Dykstra James R.
Oetman David A.
Allred David E.
Friedman Carl D.
Steelcase Development Inc.
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