Cabinet system with improved drawer security
First Claim
1. A drawer for securely storing items within a cabinet, comprising:
- a plurality of walls defining a plurality of compartments, wherein the drawer is configured to be moveable relative to the cabinet;
a cover configured to block access to the compartments when the cover is in a first configuration and to allow access to at least one of the compartments when the cover is in a second configuration;
an electric actuator including a pair of electrical conductors, the electric actuator supported by at least one of the plurality of walls, the electric actuator configured to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration, wherein the electrical conductors are electrically coupled to the cabinet when the drawer is fully within the cabinet and electrically decoupled from the cabinet when the drawer is moved at least partially out of the cabinet; and
a switch coupled to the electric actuator and located between the electrical conductors, wherein, when activated, the switch closes and shorts the electric actuator by coupling the electrical conductors such that an electrical path between the electrical conductors is provided.
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Accused Products
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. The cover is designed to block access to the compartment 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. The switch is connected to the electric actuator, and when activated the switch selectively shorts the electric actuator. Sliding the drawer relative to the enclosure activates the switch.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A drawer for securely storing items within a cabinet, comprising:
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a plurality of walls defining a plurality of compartments, wherein the drawer is configured to be moveable relative to the cabinet; a cover configured to block access to the compartments when the cover is in a first configuration and to allow access to at least one of the compartments when the cover is in a second configuration; an electric actuator including a pair of electrical conductors, the electric actuator supported by at least one of the plurality of walls, the electric actuator configured to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration, wherein the electrical conductors are electrically coupled to the cabinet when the drawer is fully within the cabinet and electrically decoupled from the cabinet when the drawer is moved at least partially out of the cabinet; and a switch coupled to the electric actuator and located between the electrical conductors, wherein, when activated, the switch closes and shorts the electric actuator by coupling the electrical conductors such that an electrical path between the electrical conductors is provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A cabinet for securely storing items, comprising:
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a cabinet housing; a drawer moveable at least partially into and out of the cabinet housing, the drawer having a compartment therein; a cover having at least one opening, the cover moveable to position the opening to block access to the compartment when the cover is in a first position and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second position; an electric motor movable with the drawer into and out of the cabinet housing and mechanically coupled to the cover to move the cover from the first position to the second position; and a locking mechanism configured to disable the electric motor when activated, the locking mechanism configured to be activated when the drawer is moved at least partially out of the cabinet housing; wherein the locking mechanism comprises a motor brake coupled to the electric motor, wherein the motor brake is engaged to lock the motor when electricity is not supplied thereto, wherein electricity is selectively supplied to the motor brake by way of the cabinet housing during operation of the cabinet, wherein movement of the drawer at least partially out of the cabinet housing breaks electrical connectivity between the cabinet housing and the motor brake. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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10. A cabinet for securely storing items, comprising:
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a cabinet housing; a drawer moveable at least partially into and out of the cabinet housing, the drawer having a compartment therein; a cover having at least one opening, the cover moveable to position the opening to block access to the compartment when the cover is in a first position and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second position; an electric motor movable with the drawer into and out of the cabinet housing and mechanically coupled to the cover to move the cover from the first position to the second position; and a locking mechanism configured to disable the electric motor when activated, the locking mechanism configured to be activated when the drawer is moved at least partially out of the cabinet housing; wherein the locking mechanism comprises a switch configured to electrically short the electric motor when the drawer is moved at least partially out of the cabinet housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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16. A cabinet for securely storing items, comprising:
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a cabinet housing; a drawer moveable into and out of the cabinet housing, the drawer having a plurality of compartments; a flexible belt surrounding the drawer and configured to selectively block access to the compartment, the belt including a plurality of openings each sized to allow access to at least one of the compartments when the opening is aligned with the compartment; a lock activated by moving the drawer at least partially out of the cabinet housing configured to prevent rotation of the belt in any direction about the drawer; and an electric motor housed inside the drawer and configured to rotate the belt about the drawer; wherein the lock comprises a motor brake coupled to the electric motor, wherein the motor brake is engaged to lock the motor when electricity is not supplied thereto, wherein electricity is selectively supplied to the motor brake by way of the cabinet housing during operation of the cabinet, wherein movement of the drawer at least partially out of the cabinet housing breaks electrical connectivity between the cabinet housing and the motor brake. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A cabinet for securely storing items, comprising:
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a cabinet housing; a drawer moveable into and out of the cabinet housing, the drawer having a plurality of compartments; a flexible belt surrounding the drawer and configured to selectively block access to the compartment, the belt including a plurality of openings each sized to allow access to at least one of the compartments when the opening is aligned with the compartment; a lock activated by moving the drawer at least partially out of the cabinet housing configured to prevent rotation of the belt in any direction about the drawer; and an electric motor housed inside the drawer and configured to rotate the belt about the drawer wherein the lock comprises a switch configured to electrically short the electric motor when the drawer is moved at least partially out of the cabinet housing; wherein the lock comprises a switch configured to electrically short the electric motor when the drawer is moved at least partially out of the cabinet housing. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification