Medical cabinet access belt optimization system

• US 9,511,001 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2016
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ArXium, Inc. (Van Humbeck Family)
• Original Assignee: ArXium, Inc. (Van Humbeck Family)
• Inventors: Michael, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R
• Application Number:
  US15/072,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20160193115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 265 Days
• Field of Search: 221/122, 221/133, 700/236, 700/242, 700/243
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/90 Constructional details of drawers
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/975 in the form of repositionable partition walls
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 88/994 in the form of trays or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/105 Cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/185 Drawers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/18 Cupboards; Drawers therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 7/0084 for multiple medicaments
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0094 Mechanical aspects of remotely controlled locks electronic locks G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/00 Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means electric permutation locks E05B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/462 for two or more drawers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/18 Recessed drawers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/60 the storage containers or supports being rectilinearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement.

Claims

1. A secured cabinet comprising:

a drawer housing;

a plurality of drawer units slidable within the drawer housing between an extended position and a retracted position, each of the plurality of drawer units comprising;

a top frame having an opening;

a shell coupled to the top frame, the shell having receiving portions;

an insert disposed between the top frame and the shell, the insert having an interior divided into at least a first compartment and a second compartment and flanges extending from the insert and contacting the receiving portions;

a belt having an opening, the belt being moveably supported by the insert and being moveable to align the opening with the opening in the top frame and with either the first compartment or the second compartment, wherein the contact of the flanges and the receiving portions separate the belt form the shell during movement;

a belt actuator supported by the insert and configured to move the belt; and

an electronic controller in communication with the belt actuators of each drawer unit, wherein the controller is configured to control the belt actuator of each drawer unit to move the belt of each drawer unit to provide access to the compartments of the drawer unit, wherein the controller, in response to a user request to access one of the compartments of one of the drawer units, is configured direct the belt actuator of the drawer unit to move the belt.

2. The secured cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of restraining devices coupled to the insert and configured to hold items within the first and second compartments.

3. The secured cabinet of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to cause movement of the belt of each drawer unit only when the drawer unit is in the retracted position within the housing.

4. The secured cabinet of claim 1 wherein the movement of each belt is movement that occurs above the first compartment and the second compartment of the requested drawer unit.

5. The secured cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a first roller supported at a first end of each insert and a second roller supported at a second end of each insert.