Modular housing
AssigneeWesko Locks Ltd.
InventorFlorian Westwinkel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular housing assembly is stacked in a vertical array of similar assemblies within a multi-drawer storage unit. A modular housing assembly includes a housing and a linear channel extending though opposite ends of the housing. The channel opens into the interior of the housing. Two bar end modules slide along the channel. The end modules may be connected to bar spacers cut from separate pieces to form assembled sliding bars. An actuator, including a fork and a cam, is provided to lock the sliding bars to prevent more than one drawer from opening at one time. The actuator rotates within the housing, about a pin mounted between two walls of the housing. A modular housing and a kit for installing a modular housing assembly are also described.
Claims24
A housing assembly for use in a multi-compartment storage unit, the storage unit comprising a plurality of stacked sliding drawers, wherein each of the sliding drawers is slidably mounted for withdrawal from the storage unit, and the storage unit comprises a plurality of like housing assemblies in an abutting linear array, the plurality of like housing assemblies comprising a plurality of sliding bar assemblies within the linear array, and a stop limiting displacement of the sliding bar assemblies in the linear array to a predetermined distance, each like housing assembly being operatively associated with one of the sliding drawers, the housing assembly comprising:
- a housing defining a linear channel extending along a first axis and opening at opposite ends of the housing;
- the housing comprising a first wall of the channel opposite a second wall of the housing positioned away from the channel;
- a pair of the sliding bar assemblies in opposing relation, comprising sliding bar ends located within opposite ends of the channel;
- an actuator operatively associated with one of the sliding drawers, the actuator being located intermediate the opposing sliding bar ends, the actuator operating between first and second positions, wherein in the first position, the actuator permits displacement of the sliding bar ends within the linear channel upon withdrawal of the associated drawer from the storage unit, and in the second position the actuator engages at least one of the opposing sliding bar ends to inhibit displacement of the sliding bar ends within the linear channel;
- and
- a mounting member securing the actuator to the housing in a predetermined operative location relative to the sliding bar ends, the mounting member being coaxially positioned along a second axis extending between the first and second walls.
A housing for use in a multi-compartment storage unit, the housing comprising:
- a plurality of outer walls defining an inner chamber, a first wall being of a lower height relative to a second wall, the first wall defining a first aperture and the second wall defining a second aperture, for receiving an axial mounting member extending through the inner chamber between the first and second apertures;
- the housing defining a linear channel extending through the inner chamber, the channel opening at opposite ends of the housing and defining a first axis;
- the first and second apertures being positioned along a second axis, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis;
- and
- at least one fastening element for securing the housing to the multi-compartment storage unit.
A kit comprising a pair of sliding bar assemblies, an actuator, a housing, and an axial mounting member, the housing comprising:
- a plurality of outer walls defining an inner chamber, a first wall being of a lower height relative to a second wall, the first wall defining a first aperture and the second wall defining a second aperture, for receiving the axial mounting member extending through the inner chamber between the first and second apertures;
- the housing defining a linear channel extending through the inner chamber, the channel opening at opposite ends of the housing and defining a first axis;
- the first and second apertures being positioned along a second axis, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis;
- and
- at least one fastening element for securing the housing to the multi-compartment storage unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.