GB2432299A

GB2432299A - Cabinet having sliding drawers with latching arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2432299A
Application number: GB0619559A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mu Huo Tsai
Original assignee: TUNG CHIEN IND CO Ltd
Current assignee: TUNG CHIEN IND CO Ltd
Priority date: 2006-10-04
Filing date: 2006-10-04
Publication date: 2007-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-04
Also published as: GB0619559D0; GB2432299B

Abstract

A cabinet 10 comprises a chamber 11 bounded by two side walls 12 and includes one or more sets of guide rails 13 attached to the walls for slidably receiving one or more drawers 30. Each of the guide rails include a catch 14 extending downwards at the front. Each drawer has a front face 33 with a flange 34 to which a plate 40 is pivotally attached. A cover 50 is secured to the plate and together they form a front handle or operating means. Latch members 60 are connected to each end of the plate and these are able to cooperate with the catches. Spring members 38 bias the plate to a condition in which the latches and catches engage each other. In this condition the drawers are prevented from inadvertent extension. A drawer can be opened by pivoting the front handle to release the latch followed by applying a pulling force to extend it forwards. On pushing the drawer back the latch automatically engages with the catch to secure the drawer in the closed position.

Description

DRAWER HAVING SECuRITY DEVICE The invention relates to a drawer having

a security device for latching the drawer to the cabinet or the desk or the like and for preventing the drawer from being disengaged from the cabinet or the desk or the like inadvertently, particularly when heavy tools or objects are received in the drawer.

Typical cabinets or desks or tables or the like comprise one or more guide rails disposed therein for slidably attaching and supporting drawers therein. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,370,007 to Fler discloses one of the typical suspensions for slidably supporting a drawer and for allowing the drawer to be moved into and out of a cabinet.

However, the typical suspensions have no security devices for latching the drawer to the cabinet such that the drawer may have a good chance to be disengaged from the cabinet inadvertently, particularly when the cabinet is tilted relative to the ground and when heavy tools or objects are received in the drawer. The dropped heavy tools or objects and the drawer may hurt the users and other people inadvertently.

U.S. Patent No. 5,615,624 to Terry Ct al. discloses another typical drawer with a hinged security flap to permit the conveyance of articles in a relatively secure manner, and a stud for latching into a stud receptacle when the drawer is in the fully closed position.

However, the stud may not be easily operated by the users.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a drawer having a security device for latching the drawer to the cabinet or the desk or the like and for preventing the drawer from being disengaged from the cabinet or the desk or the like inadvertently, particularly when heavy tools or objects are received in the drawer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a cabinet comprising:-at least one guide rail, a drawer slidably attached the guide rail, a plate pivotally attached to the drawer, a security device attached to the plate for engaging with the guide rail and for latching the drawer to the guide rail, and means for biasing the security device to engage with the guide rail.

The security device includes a bar secured to the plate and having a hook for engaging with the guide rail and for latching the drawer to the guide rail. The guide rail includes a catch extended from the guide rail for engaging with the hook of the bar.

The drawer includes at least one ear, and the plate includes at least one ear pivotally coupled to the ear of the drawer with a pivot pin. The drawer includes a flange having a compartment formed therein, and the biasing means includes a wring member received in the compartment of the flange and engaged with the plate.

The drawer includes a cover having an anchoring slot for engaging with the plate and for securing the cover to the plate. The cover includes a channel formed by two ribs for slidably receiving a label.

Further objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG 1 is a partial exploded view of a cabinet having a security device for latching a drawer to the cabinet; FIG 2 is another partial exploded view illustrating the security device of the drawer; FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the security device of the drawer, FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view of the security device for latching the drawer to the cabinet; and FIGS. 5,6, 7 are partial cross sectional views similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of the security device for the drawer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a cabinet 10 comprises a chamber ii formed therein and defined between two side walls 12, and one or more pairs of supporting or guide rails 13 attached or disposed in the chamber 11 of the cabinet 10 for slidably attaching and supporting one or more drawers 30 in the chamber 11 of the cabinet 10. For example, the drawers 30 each include a track 31 attached or disposed in each of the two sides 32 of the drawer 30 for sli&ably engaging with the guide rails 13 and for slidably attaching the drawer 30 to the cabinet 10. The cabinet 10 further includes a catch 14 extended from each of the guide rails 13.

The drawers 30 each include a front fence 33 having a flange 34 extended rearwardly or forwardly from the front fence 33, and having one or more ears 35 extended or punched from the flange 34 for forming one or more openings 36 in the flange 34, and having one or more compartments 37 formed in the flange 34 each for receiving a spring blade or member 38 therein. A plate 40 includes a flap 41 extended forwardly or rearwardly therefrom and also includes one or more ears 42 extended or punched from the flap 41 for forming one or more orifices 43 in the flap 41 and for engaging through the openings 36 of the flange 34, and for pivotally or rotatably securing to the ears 35 of the flange 34 of the front fence 33 with pivot pins 44 for allowing the plate 40 to be pivotally or rotatably attached or coupled to the flange 34 of the front fence 33.

A cover 50 is attached or secured onto the plate 40, such as includes an anchoring slot 51 formed therein for engaging with the plate 40 and for securing the cover 50 to the plate 40. The cover 50 includes a front chnnnel 52 formed therein and defined by such as two ribs 53 for slidably receiving a tag or label 54 therein onto which an advertisement or a mark or the like may be applied. The drawers 30 each include a security device 6 attached to such as the plate 40 for engaging with the catch 14 of the guide rails 13 of the cabinet 10 and for latching the drawer 30 to the cabinet 10 and for preventing the drawer 30 from being disengaged frqm the cabinet lo inadvertently, particularly when heavy tools or objects are received in the drawer 30.

For example, the security device 6 includes one or more bars 60 secured to the flap 41 or the plate 40 with such as latches or fasteners (not shown) or by welding processes, and each bar 60 includes a hook 61 for engaging with the catch 14 or the guide rails

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13 of the cabinet 10 and thus for latching the drawer 30 to the cabinet 10 (FIGS. 4-7). The spring members 38 may be engaged with the flap 41 or the plate 40 for biasing the hooks 61 of the bars to engage with the catch 14 or the guide rails 13 of the cabinet 10 and to selectively latch or lock the drawer 30 to the cabinet 10 (FIn 5), and for allowing the hooks 61 of the bars 60 to be forced or moved downwardly against the spring members 38 by the catch 14 or the guide rails 13 when the drawer 30 is moved into the cabinet 10(FIG.4).

As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the hooks 61 of the bars 60 may also be forced or moved downwardly against the spring members 38 by pulling the plate 40 and/or the cover 50 forwardly or upwardly for allowing the drawer 30 to be selectively opened or moved out of the cabinet 10. As shown in FIG 5, the books 61 of the bars 60 will not be disengaged from the catch 14 or the guide rils 13 of the cabinet when the plate 40 and/or the cover 50 is depressed downwardly or forced toward the drawer 30 inadvertently by the users.

Claims

CLAIMS:- 1. A cabinet comprising: at least one guide rail, a drawer

slidably attached the guide rail, a plate pivotally attached to the drawer, a security device attached to the plate for engaging with the guide rail and for latching the drawer to the guide rail, and means for biasing the security device to engage with the guide rail.

2. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the security device includes a bar secured to the plate and having a hook for engaging with the guide rail and for latching the drawer to the guide rail.

3. A cabinet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide rail includes a catch extended from the guide rail for engaging with the hookofthebar.

4. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drawer includes at least one ear, and the plate includes at least one ear pivotally coupled to the ear of the drawer with a pivot pin.

5. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drawer includes a flange having a compartment formed therein, and the biasing means includes a spring member received in the compartment of the flange and engaged with the plate.

6. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drawer includes a cover having an anchoring slot for engaging with the plate and for securing the cover to the plate.

7. A cabinet substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims ha7e been filed as follows 1. A cabinet comprising: a guide rail, a drawer slidably attached to the guide rail, a plate pivotally attached to the drawer, a security device attached to the plate for engaging with the guide rail and for latching the drawer to the guide rail, and means for biasing the security device to engage with the guide rail, wherein the security device includes a bar that is secured to the plate and has a hook for engaging with the guide rail and for latching the drawer to the guide rail, and wherein the guide rail includes a catch extending from the guide rail for engaging with the hook of the bar.

2. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drawer includes at least one lug, and the plate includes at least one lug pivotally coupled to the lug of the drawer with a pivot pin.

3. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drawer includes a flange having a compartment formed therein, and the biasing means includes a spring member received in the compartment of the flange and engaged with the plate.

4. A cabinet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drawer includes a cover having an anchoring slot for engaging with the plate and for securing the cover to the plate.

5. A cabinet substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. b4S