Checking device for use in hotel refrigerators and other lockable self-service apparatuses

• US 4,596,203 A
• Filed: 12/28/1983
• Issued: 06/24/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Siegen GmbH
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Siegen GmbH
• Inventors: Lorek, Manfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowland, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mullen, Jr., Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US06/566,146
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 116/294, 116/215, 116/311, 116/DIG. 21, 116/73, 116/80, 116/100, 340/568, 340/545, 340/693, 340/542, 340/549, 340/540, 340/691, 62/125, 62/129, 62/131, 70/432, 70/DIG. 49, 200/61.67, 200/61.68, 200/61.64
• US Class Current: 116/215
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 39/04 with counting or registering devices time recording locks G07C1/32
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/36 Visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2700/02 Sensors detecting door opening

Abstract

The subject matter of the invention is a checking device for use in hotel refrigerators and other lockable self-service apparatuses. In order to be able to determine simply and quickly whether the apparatuses were opened and, if so, whether any of their contents were removed, an indicator means automatically actuated upon opening of the apparatus is installed in the interior of the apparatus so as to be safeguarded against unauthorized manipulation, the indicator means having an externally visible indicating element. The indicator means may be coupled with the door lock or with the handle of the apparatus and may include a slide which is actuated when the apparatus is opened and mechanically activates the externally visible indicating element.

Claims

1. A checking device for use on a movable member such as a door on hotel refrigerators and other lockable self-service apparatuses characterized in that said checking device is provided with an externally visible indicating element which is activated when said apparatus is opened with an apparatus key and is gravitationally biased to remain in the activated state and which indicating element remains in the activated state regardless of subsequent openings of the apparatus until the indicating element is reset to an inactivated initial state by actuation of a setting member by means of a device key.

2. Checking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicating element is contained in the interior of a housing so as to be safeguarded against unauthorized manipulation, said housing being coupled with a door lock of the apparatus, that a key-operated slide activates the indicating element only upon initial opening of the apparatus, and the setting member is coupled with the indicating element and is actuatable independently of the door lock.

3. Checking device according to claim 2, characterized in that the slide is movable by the apparatus key against the force of a spring, said slide slidably supporting a retainer for the indicating element.

4. Checking device according to claim 3, characterized in that the retainer is a stop slidably mounted in the slide and engaging a nose on the indicating element designed as a colored retainer catch.

5. Checking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicator element can be moved to a non-indicating position only by means of said device key.

6. Checking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the indicator element is accommodated in a plastic housing mounted to the inside of the door of the apparatus directly beside a door lock of the apparatus.