Access system for a temperature controlled storage device
First Claim
1. An access system for a temperature-controlled storage device, the access system comprising:
- a perimeter frame configured to move substantially vertically along a surface of the temperature-controlled storage device between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein moving the perimeter frame into the raised position exposes an opening into a temperature-controlled space within the temperature-controlled storage device;
a plurality of substantially transparent display case doors mounted within the perimeter frame and configured to move along with the perimeter frame between the raised position and the lowered position, wherein the plurality of display case doors substantially cover the opening when the perimeter frame and the display case doors are in the lowered position and are configured to facilitate presentation of items within the temperature-controlled space, wherein each of the display case doors is configured to rotate substantially horizontally between an open position and a closed position when the perimeter frame is in the lowered position and provides access to the same temperature-controlled space through a different portion of the opening; and
a torsion spring assembly coupled to the perimeter frame and configured to counteract a weight of the perimeter frame and the plurality of display case doors, wherein the torsion spring assembly is configured to store energy when the perimeter frame and the plurality of display case doors are moved into the lowered position and to release the stored energy when the perimeter frame and the plurality of display case doors are moved into the raised position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An access system for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a perimeter frame and least one display case door mounted within the perimeter frame. The perimeter frame and the at least one display case door are configured to move substantially vertically along a surface of the temperature-controlled storage device between a raised position and a lowered position. The at least one display case door is further configured to move substantially horizontally between an open position and a closed position when the perimeter frame is in the lowered position. The access system further includes a torsion spring and motor assembly coupled to the perimeter frame and configured to move the perimeter frame and the at least one display case door between the raised position and the lowered position.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An access system for a temperature-controlled storage device, the access system comprising:
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a perimeter frame configured to move substantially vertically along a surface of the temperature-controlled storage device between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein moving the perimeter frame into the raised position exposes an opening into a temperature-controlled space within the temperature-controlled storage device; a plurality of substantially transparent display case doors mounted within the perimeter frame and configured to move along with the perimeter frame between the raised position and the lowered position, wherein the plurality of display case doors substantially cover the opening when the perimeter frame and the display case doors are in the lowered position and are configured to facilitate presentation of items within the temperature-controlled space, wherein each of the display case doors is configured to rotate substantially horizontally between an open position and a closed position when the perimeter frame is in the lowered position and provides access to the same temperature-controlled space through a different portion of the opening; and a torsion spring assembly coupled to the perimeter frame and configured to counteract a weight of the perimeter frame and the plurality of display case doors, wherein the torsion spring assembly is configured to store energy when the perimeter frame and the plurality of display case doors are moved into the lowered position and to release the stored energy when the perimeter frame and the plurality of display case doors are moved into the raised position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An access system for a temperature-controlled storage device, the access system comprising:
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a display case door assembly including an interior frame and a plurality of substantially transparent display case doors mounted within the interior frame, wherein the plurality of display case doors substantially cover an opening into a temperature-controlled space within the temperature-controlled storage device and are configured to facilitate presentation of items within the temperature-controlled space, wherein each of the display case doors is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis of rotation between an open position and a closed position and provides access to the same temperature-controlled space through a different portion of the opening; a perimeter frame fixedly attached to the interior frame along an outer perimeter of the interior frame, wherein the perimeter frame is configured to move substantially vertically between a raised position in which the perimeter frame uncovers the opening in the temperature-controlled storage device and a lowered position in which the perimeter frame covers the opening in the temperature-controlled storage device; a torsion spring and motor assembly coupled to the perimeter frame and configured to move the perimeter frame and display case door assembly between the raised position and the lowered position; and a controller configured to operate the torsion spring and motor assembly to move the perimeter frame and display case door assembly between the raised position and the lowered position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An access system for a temperature-controlled storage device, the access system comprising:
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one or more guide channels fixed to an exterior surface of the temperature-controlled storage device and extending substantially vertically adjacent to an opening into a temperature-controlled space within the temperature-controlled storage device; a perimeter frame configured to move substantially vertically along a path defined by the one or more guide channels between a raised position in which the perimeter frame uncovers the opening in the temperature-controlled storage device and a lowered position in which the perimeter frame covers the opening in the temperature-controlled storage device; a plurality of substantially transparent display case doors mounted within the perimeter frame and configured to move along with the perimeter frame between the raised position and the lowered position, wherein the plurality of display case doors substantially cover an opening into the temperature-controlled space and are configured to facilitate presentation of items within the temperature-controlled space; wherein each of the display case doors is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis of rotation coplanar with the perimeter frame between a closed position in which the display case door prevents access to the temperature-controlled storage device and an open position in which the display case door allows access to the temperature-controlled storage device through a portion of the opening, wherein each of the display case doors provides access to the same temperature-controlled space through a different portion of the opening. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification