GB2447033A

GB2447033A - Tool chest drawer priority system

Info

Publication number: GB2447033A
Application number: GB0704058A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Chapman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-02
Filing date: 2007-03-02
Publication date: 2008-09-03
Also published as: GB0704058D0

Abstract

The invention is a mechanical method of ensuring only one tool chest drawer can be opened at any time to reduce the possibility of the tool chest being tipped over. The design incorporates a series of plastic security blocks located at the front of the chest between which a lifter bar located on each drawer can extend as the drawer is opened. The drawer above the one being activated is blocked as a lifted block is in its way, and the drawer below cannot be opened as the block cannot lift as it fouls on the bottom of the open drawer. The arrangement also prevents, the simultaneous opening of two drawers. A spring ball catch at the bottom of each block can engage depressions in the top of the lifter bar to define drawer open positions.

Description

2. Description.

Technical Field of the invention.

This invention operates in the field of safety of both mobile and fixed tool storage systems and prevents more than one drawer being open at any one time.

3. Background to the invention.

Tool storage systems retain tools and equipment weighing many kilograms are available in both static and portable forms. The tool drawers operate on a wide variety of tracks and are designed to pull out to their full extent allowing access to the most rear part of the drawer, this amount of travel can be up to and exceeding 600mm. Where drawers are holding high weight products the weight distribution shifts from the centre of the box in a closed situation, outwards as the drawer is opened, this is not normally an issue as the weight of the remaining closed drawers is sufficient to counterbalance the open drawer situation, however as most current locking systems work on a locking transfer method, until the open drawer has transferred its movement to a locking catch two or more drawers can be opened at the same time. (If tools have jammed against an adjacent drawer this will cause two drawers to open at the same time) With the opportunity to open two or more drawers at the same time the weight distribution increases as the drawers are opened and there is a sever risk the tool chest will topple over and this is always in the direction of the operator.

Claims

4. What is Claimed is: 4.1 The invention works in combination with a

tool box having a fixed cabinet (Chassis) and multiple sliding drawers extending outwards from the fixed cabinet: 4.
2 The toolbox comprises of a vertical housing built into the front cabinet pillar either side of the drawers, consisting of multiple clearance apertures cut horizontally across the pillar to allow the drawer lip and lift bar to pass through. This vertical housing has a top and bottom fixed dimension which allows a specific amount of clearance in which the "security blocks" can move: (Ref drawing 1 & 2) 4.
3 The drawer lip located on both sides of the drawer comprises of a nylon or similar material lift bar which is secured to the drawer with fasteners and has an angled front edge. This lift bar" has semi circular depressions at intervals along its edge: (Ref drawing 4) it is into these semi circular depressions the security block spring loaded bearing drops holding the drawer in a specific position.

4.4 Security blocks comprises of a nylon or similar material and include a corresponding angled front edge which interacts with the "lift bar" described in claim 4.3. The top of the security block has a smaller angled chamfer which interacts with the drawer lip on the lower drawer, forcing the security block downwards. The top of the security block has a depression in its surface which allows the spring loaded bearing of the security block directly above it inside and not foul the surface. (Ref drawing 2 & 3) 4.5 The security block includes a spring loaded bearing located into its base which interacts with the "lift bar" (claim 4.3) and drops into the "semi circular" depression holding the drawer in one of several fixed positions. (Ref drawing 4) 4.6 The complete locking mechanism acts where a drawer is extended and the "lift bar" and "security block" combined length equals that of the "fixed dimension" as stated in claim 4.1 thus no other drawer can be extracted at the same time.

4.7 As stated in claim 4.6, with the combination of the drawer extended and the "fixed dimension" fully utilised, the lower drawers cannot lift the "safety block" as its passage is blocked by the already extended drawer lip.
4.9 With a toolbox comprising of the vertical housings (fixed dimension), vertical housing apertures, security blocks, spring loaded bearings, and lift bars two drawers cannot physically be opened. /

4.8 As stated in claim 4.6, with the combination of the drawer extended and the "fixed dimension" fully utilised, the security block acting upon the lift bar" on the open drawer will have raised by the height of the lift bar blocking the exit route of the drawers above.