Enhanced modular drawer structures, systems, and methods
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a base column that extends upward from a first end to a second end and that includes an attachment channel defined therein;
a plurality of spaced attachment points that are located along the attachment channel and configured to receive and secure thereto drawer housings;
a plurality of drawer housings,where each drawer housing is fixedly attachable to the base column through the attachment channel,where a drawer opening extends inward from a front end of each drawer housing to define an interior volume, andwhere each drawer housing includes a lock and a processor;
a plurality of drawers that each include one or more compartments,where each drawer is slidably movable with respect to the interior volume of the corresponding drawer housing betweena closed position in which the compartments are inaccessible, andan open position in which the compartments are at least partially accessible; and
a plurality of access pads mounted to the plurality of drawer housings for entry of a passcode by a user,wherein each processor is configured to unlock the corresponding lock when the passcode matches a stored passcode value for the corresponding drawer housing.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular drawer structure comprises a housing having an interior volume defined therein, and a drawer comprising one or more compartments, wherein the drawer is slidably movable with respect to the interior volume of the housing between a first closed position, wherein the compartments are enclosed within the interior volume, and a second open position, wherein the compartments are at least partially accessible. The drawer structure further comprises a mechanism for controllably locking the drawer in the first closed position, an access pad, e.g. such as but not limited to a keypad and/or a card swipe pad, for entry of a passcode, and a processor for unlocking the drawer when an entered passcode matches a stored passcode value. Some embodiments of the drawer structure include a stored time threshold, wherein if the drawer is unlocked for a time that meets or exceeds the stored time threshold, the drawer is relocked.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a base column that extends upward from a first end to a second end and that includes an attachment channel defined therein; a plurality of spaced attachment points that are located along the attachment channel and configured to receive and secure thereto drawer housings; a plurality of drawer housings, where each drawer housing is fixedly attachable to the base column through the attachment channel, where a drawer opening extends inward from a front end of each drawer housing to define an interior volume, and where each drawer housing includes a lock and a processor; a plurality of drawers that each include one or more compartments, where each drawer is slidably movable with respect to the interior volume of the corresponding drawer housing between a closed position in which the compartments are inaccessible, and an open position in which the compartments are at least partially accessible; and a plurality of access pads mounted to the plurality of drawer housings for entry of a passcode by a user, wherein each processor is configured to unlock the corresponding lock when the passcode matches a stored passcode value for the corresponding drawer housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A drawer assembly comprising:
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a drawer housing having a drawer opening that extends inward from a front end of the drawer housing to define an interior volume, and a notch along a back end of the drawer housing to define an attachment channel, where the drawer housing includes one or more fastener components for securing the drawer housing to an attachment point of a base, the one or more fastener components being located within the notch such that the base at least partially resides within the attachment channel when the drawer housing is secured to the attachment point, a lock for securing a drawer within the interior volume, a processor for controllably locking and unlocking the lock, and a memory for storing one or more stored passcode values for unlocking the lock; the drawer that includes one or more compartments and is slidably movable with respect to the interior volume of the drawer housing between a closed position in which the compartments are inaccessible, and an open position in which the compartments are at least partially accessible; a drawer catch for releasing the drawer from the interior volume of the drawer housing when the drawer is in the open position; and an access pad mounted to an exterior surface of the drawer housing, the exterior surface being parallel to an access along which the drawer is slidably movable with respect to the interior volume of the drawer housing, where the access pad enables a user to enter a passcode, and where the processor is configured to unlock the lock when the passcode matches one of the one or more stored passcode values in the memory. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A drawer assembly comprising:
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a drawer housing defined by an upper surface and opposite sides extending downwardly from the upper surface, the drawer housing having an opening that extends inward from a front end of the drawer housing to define an interior volume, and a notch along a back end of the drawer housing to define an attachment channel; a drawer that includes one or more compartments and is slidably movable with respect to the interior volume of the drawer housing between a closed position in which the compartments are inaccessible, and an open position in which the compartments are at least partially accessible; an access pad mounted to one of the opposite sides of the drawer housing; a lock for selectably locking and unlocking the drawer in response to entry of a passcode on the access pad; and a fastener component for affixing the drawer housing to a base, the fastener component being located within the notch such that the base at least partially resides within the attachment channel when the drawer housing is affixed to the base.
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Specification