Locking system linkage adjustment
AssigneeSteelcase Inc.
InventorDouglas Scheerhorn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The specification discloses a locking system for locking a plurality of drawers or like components in desk pedestals or like components having a primary and secondary locking means movable between a first position unlocking said components and a second position locking said components, and an adjustable linkage operably connecting the primary locking means to the secondary locking means. The linkage system includes two rods adjustably connected to each other by a spring clip whereby the effective length of the linkage assembly can be varied and the first and second positions of the secondary locking means thereby adjusted. The spring clip engages a linkage rod so there is a bias force against the linkage rod preventing movement of the rod relative to the spring clip.
Claims13
A locking system for locking the drawers, doors or like components of a desk pedestal or like compartment, said drawers, doors or like components including a lock stop, said locking system comprising;
- a primary locking means having a first movable member selectively movable to a first locking position and to a second unlocking position;
- a secondary locking means having a second movable member selectively moveable to a first locking position engaging said lock stop and to a second unlocking disengaging said lock stop position;
- a spring clip;
- a linkage member coupled to said first moveable member of said primary locking means by said spring clip and to said second moveable member of said secondary locking means for coupling movement between said first and second movable members;
- and
- said spring clip being releaseably coupled to one of said linkage member and said first moveable member and being coupled to the other thereof, said one of said linkage and first moveable members having sufficient length that said spring clip can be releaseably secured in a plurality of different positions along said length so that the position of said spring clip can be changed thereby changing the effective length of said linkage member and effecting adjustment between the relative positions and movements of said first and second movable members of said primary and secondary locking systems.
A locking system for locking the drawers, doors or like components of a desk pedestal or like compartment, said drawers, doors or like components including a lock stop, said locking system comprising:
- a lock bar means mounted in said compartment for pivotal movement between a first, unlocking position and a second, locking position;
- and
- means for pivoting said lock bar means between said first and second positions;
- said lock bar means projecting into the path of said lock stop on said components to thereby lock said components in said compartment when said lock bar means is pivoted to said second locking position;
- said lock bar means clearing the path of said lock stop of said compartments to thereby unlock said components in said compartment when said lock bar means is pivoted to said first unlocking position;
- said means for pivoting comprising an elongated actuator linkage rod being coupled to said lock bar means and to an adjustable spring clip which, in turn, is coupled to a primary locking system, including a moveable rod adjustably coupled to said spring clip, whereby the movement of said primary locking system is transmitted to said lock bar means;
- said moveable rod having a sufficient length that said spring clip can be releasably secured in a plurality of different positions along the length of said moveable rod so that the position of said spring clip can be changed thereby changing the effective length of said linkage rod and effecting adjustment between the relative positions and movements of said lock bar means and said means for pivoting said lock bar means between said first and second positions.
A locking system for locking the drawers, doors or like components of desk pedestal or like compartment, said locking system comprising:
- a primary locking means moveable between first and second positions;
- a secondary locking means moveable, in response to movement of said primary locking means to said first and second positions, between a first unlocking said components and a second position locking said components, respectively;
- a spring clip;
- a linkage rod operably connected to said spring clip and operably connected to said secondary locking means;
- said primary locking means including a moveable rod adjustably coupled to said spring clip, whereby movement of said primary locking means is transferred to said secondary locking means and the effective length of said linkage and moveable rods can be varied and the first and second positions of said secondary locking means thereby adjusted, said spring clip exerting a biasing force on said moveable rod to prevent relative motion between said moveable rod and said spring clip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.