# US 4,396,239 A · Interlock mechanism

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- Number: US 4,396,239 A
- Document ID: US4396239A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/242,224
- Filed: 1981-03-10
- Granted: 1983-08-02
- Earliest claimed: 1981-03-10
- Assignees: Paradyne Corporation
- Inventors: Tom Wissman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4396239A

## CPC

- E05B 65/463: Drawer interlock or anti-tilt mechanisms, i.e. when one drawer is open, at least one of the remaining drawers is locked
- E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS

## Abstract

An interlock mechanism for use with a plurality of vertically stacked units such as disk drives wherein said mechanism allows only one unit to be withdrawn or extended from the stack at a time.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An interlock mechanism for use with a plurality of vertically stacked units each unit capable of being horizontally movable into and out of the stack, with said mechanism comprising:
pin means maintained on each unit respectively and movable therewith;
slide means which includes respective slot means having respective camming surfaces engageable with the respective pin means upon movement of the respective units in and out of the stack with said engagement causing the slide means to move vertically between a first position and a second position;
said slide means having means which allows a unit to be withdrawn from the stack when in said first position with the withdrawing therefrom causing the pin means of the unit withdrawn to engage the respective slot means on the slide means moving the slide means from the first position to the second position;
said slide means capable of preventing the units remaining in the stack from being horizontally withdrawn from the stack when in said second position; and
insertion of the withdrawn unit into the stack causes the pin means of said unit to engage the slot means moving the slide means from the second position to the first position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said slot means includes a vertically extending portion with respect to the camming surface and the pin means are disposed in this portion when the slide means is in its second position preventing horizontal movement of the unit.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1, 2)

The invention in accordance with claims 1 or 2 wherein said slide means comprises an elongated member having capture brackets affixed thereto with said slot means disposed on said bracket, and said member is slidably supported adjacent the stack of units.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The invention in accordance with claim 3 which further includes a tension controller capable of adjusting the slidability of the slide means.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The invention in accordance with claim 3 which includes a cabinet which supports said stacked units, and said stacked units are disk drives slidably mounted in said cabinet.