Office furniture abstract
A front loading lock system for office furniture including a lockheader
having two openings, a reinforcing channel member attached to the
lockheader and also having an opening and a bracing lip, a plastic
lock housing which is snap fitted into one of the openings in the
lockheader and a lock which is axially inserted into the other of
the openings in the lockheader, and into an opening in the lock
housing, where the lock is supported by both the lock housing and
braced by the bracing lip.
Office furniture claims
What is claimed is:
1. A braced front loading lock system for office furniture comprising
in combination: a furniture cabinet; a lockheader forming part of
said cabinet, said lockheader having a first opening and a second
opening; a reinforcing structure connected to said lockheader, said
reinforcing structure having an opening and a support flange; a
lock housing connected to said lockheader through said first opening,
said lock housing having a body portion with a central opening,
a projection, and structure for forming an interference fit with
a flange surrounding said first opening of said lockheader; and
a lock mounted flush in said second opening of said lockheader and
mounted in said central opening of said lock housing, said lock
having structure for causing an interference fit between said lock
housing and said lock, and said support flange of said reinforcing
structure for bracing said lock.
2. The lock system as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said flange of
said reinforcing structure extends in a direction toward said second
opening of said lockheader.
3. The lock system as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said first opening
of said lockheader is a bottom opening and said second opening of
said lockheader is a front opening.
4. The lock system as claimed in claim 3 wherein: said lockheader
includes a front wall having said front opening; and said projection
of said lock housing is for bracing said front wall of said lockheader.
5. The lock system as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said lock housing
includes a horizontally directed snap leg for engaging said lock.
6. The lock system as claimed in claim 5 wherein: said lock housing
includes a motion limiting flange for positioning said lock.
7. The lock system as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said lock housing
includes a plurality of vertically directed snap legs for forming
the interference fit with said lockheader.
8. The lock system as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said lock housing
includes reinforcing ribs and flange feet for positioning said lock
housing relative to said lockheader.
9. The lock system as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said lock housing
includes a snap leg; and said lock includes a barrel portion having
a recess for receiving said snap leg of said lock housing.
10. The lock system as claimed in claim 9 wherein: said flange
of said reinforcing structure extends in a direction toward said
second opening of said lockheader.
11. The lock system as claimed in claim 10 wherein: said first
opening of said lockheader is a bottom opening and said second opening
of said lockheader is a front opening.
12. The lock system as claimed in claim 11 wherein: said lockheader
includes a front wall having said front opening; and said projection
of said lock housing for bracing said front wall of said lockheader.
13. The lock system as claimed in claim 12 wherein: said lock housing
includes a plurality of vertically directed snap legs for forming
the interference fit with said lockheader.
14. The lock system as claimed in claim 9 wherein: said lock housing
includes a plurality of vertically directed snap legs for forming
the interference fit with said lockheader.
15. The lock system as claimed in claim 14 wherein: said lock housing
includes a motion limiting flange for positioning said lock.
16. A front loading lock system for office furniture comprising
in combination: a furniture cabinet; a lockheader connected to said
cabinet, said lockheader having a bottom opening and a front opening;
a reinforcing channel-shaped structure connected to said lockheader,
said reinforcing structure having a front opening and a forward
projecting flange; a lock housing snap fitted to said lockheader
through said bottom opening, said lock housing having a body portion
with a central opening for alignment with said front opening of
said reinforcing structure and said front opening of said lockheader,
the body portion opening having front and rear ends, a projection
mounted adjacent to said front end of said central opening for bracing
said lockheader, a horizontally directed snap leg formed at the
rear end of said central opening, a motion limiting flange formed
adjacent said rear end of said central opening, a plurality of vertically
directed snap legs connected to said body portion, two arms with
reinforcing ribs and flange feet connected to said body portion,
said plurality of vertically directed snap legs for forming an interference
fit with a flange surrounding said bottom opening of said lockheader;
and a lock mounted flush in said front opening of said lockheader,
in said front opening in said reinforcing structure and in said
central opening of said lock housing, said lock having a lock bar
and a barrel portion with two recesses, a first recess for receiving
said horizontally directed snap legs and for causing an interference
fit therewith and a second recess for engaging said motion limiting
flange of said lock housing, said forward projecting flange of said
reinforcing structure for supporting said barrel.
17. A method for assembling a front loading lock system for office
furniture comprising the steps of: providing a furniture cabinet;
providing a lockheader as part of said cabinet, said lockheader
having a bottom opening and a front wall and a front opening in
said front wall; providing a reinforcing structure connected to
said lockheader, said reinforcing structure having a front opening
and a forward projecting flange; providing a lock housing having
a central opening, a projection, and a plurality of snap legs; providing
a lock; inserting said lock housing in said bottom opening to cause
an interference fit between said plurality of snap legs of said
lock housing and said lockheader; and inserting said lock into said
front opening of said lockheader, said central opening of said lock
housing and said front opening of said reinforcing structure to
cause an interference fit between said lock and said lock housing,
said projecting positioned to brace said front wall of said lockheader
and said forward projecting flange of said reinforcing structure
for bracing said lock.
Office furniture description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENT RE FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a front loading lock system and
more particularly to a strongly braced front loading lock system
for office furniture which lock system is structurally simply and
easily installed.
2. Description of the Related Art
One way to reduce costs of a product is to simplify its structure
and lessen the time needed for assembly. The front loading lock
system described here is simply constructed and allows speedy assembly
to reduce the cost of production. An important aspect of the disclosed
lock system is a lock housing that may be inserted into an opening
in a furniture cabinet from outside the cabinet and "snapped"
into engagement with the cabinet. Thereafter, a lock including a
barrel and a lock bar may also be inserted through a hole in the
furniture cabinet and through a hole in the lock housing and then
also "snapped" into engagement with the lock housing.
An object of the present invention is to provide a strong, well
supported front lock system for office furniture that is simple
in structure and is easily and quickly assembled to a piece of office
furniture.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
What is described here is a strongly braced front loading lock
system for office furniture comprising in combination a furniture
cabinet, a lockheader forming part of the cabinet, the lockheader
having a first opening and a second opening, a reinforcing structure
connected to the lockheader, the reinforcing structure having an
opening and a support flange, a lock housing connected to the lockheader
through the first opening, the lock housing having a body portion
with a central opening, a projection and structure for an interference
fit with a flange surrounding the first opening of the lockheader,
and a lock mounted flush in the second opening of the lockheader
and mounted in the central opening of the lock housing, the lock
having structure for causing an interference fit between the lock
housing and the lock, and the support flange of the reinforcing
structure for bracing the lock.
A more complete understanding of the present invention and other
objects, advantages and features thereof will be gained from a consideration
of the following description of a preferred embodiment read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawing provided herein. The preferred embodiment
represents an example of the invention which is described here in
compliance with Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 (first paragraph), but
the invention itself is defined by the attached claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a furniture pedestal.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial side elevation view of the pedestal
illustrating the lockheader, the lock housing, the lock and a reinforcing
channel.
FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation view of the pedestal.
FIG. 4 is a partial top plan view of the pedestal.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lockheader.
FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the lockheader.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the lockheader.
FIG. 8 is a top plan view taken within circle 8--8 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a isometric view of the reinforcing channel.
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the reinforcing channel.
FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the reinforcing channel.
FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the reinforcing channel.
FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the reinforcing channel.
FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the reinforcing channel.
FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the lock housing.
FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the lock housing.
FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of the lock housing.
FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the lock housing.
FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the lock housing taken along line
19--19 of FIG. 16.
FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line 20--20 of FIG.
17.
FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line 21--21 of FIG.
17.
FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line 22--22 of FIG.
17.
FIG. 23 is an isometric view of the lock.
FIG. 24 is a front elevation view of the lock.
FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the lock.
FIG. 26 is an elevation view of the lock.
FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view of the lock.
FIG. 28 is a sectional view taken along line 28--28 of FIG. 25.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
While the present invention is open to various modifications and
alternative constructions, the preferred embodiment shown in the
various figures of the drawing will be described herein in detail.
It is understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the
invention to the particular embodiment, structure or example disclosed.
On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalent
structures and methods, and alternative constructions falling within
the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended
claims, pursuant to Title 35 U.S.C. section 112 (second paragraph).
A piece of office furniture 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 in the
form of a two drawer pedestal. The pedestal includes a box drawer
12 and a file drawer 14 and has side walls, such as the side wall
16 a back wall (not shown) and a top wall section 18 also referred
to here as a lockheader. Mounted generally flush in the lockheader
is a lock 20.
The pedestal illustrated in FIG. 1 is typically used adjacent a
work table or a table desk or located under the desk.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 3 and 4 the relevant portions of the
pedestal 10 are shown in more detail. The lock 20 is mounted horizontally
in a lock housing 22 which in turn is mounted in the lockheader
18 above the boxdrawer 12. A header reinforcing structure 24 is
connected to the lockheader.
Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 the lockheader or top wall section
of the pedestal is shown in more detail. The lockheader 18 includes
a main horizontal panel 30 which forms the top wall of the pedestal,
two side walls 32 34 a front wall 36 and a short bottom wall 38.
Formed in the bottom wall 38 is a generally rectangular opening
40. Formed in the front wall 36 is a round opening 42.
The channel shaped reinforcing structure 24 is shown in more detail
in FIGS. 9-14. The reinforcement structure includes a top wall 50
a front wall 52 and a back wall 56. Formed in the front wall 52
is a rectangular opening 56 with a forward extending bracing flange
or lip 58 formed along a bottom side of the opening 56. Located
in the top wall 50 are a number of keyhole shaped openings, such
as the opening 60 which may be used should the pedestal be suspended
from a desk or table rather than supported on a floor 62 as shown
in FIG. 1. Both the lockheader 18 and the reinforcing structure
24 maybe formed of cold rolled and oiled steel.
The lock housing 22 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 15-22. The
lock housing may be molded of Acetal or Nylon to have a body portion
70 with a central opening 72. The opening includes a front end 74
and a rear end 76. A bracing projection 78 is formed adjacent the
front end 74 and a motion limiting flange 80 overhands the central
opening at the rear end 76. A horizontally disposed snap leg 82
is also formed at the rear end 76 of the central opening 72. By
the term "snap leg", it is meant a cantilevered tab that
is able to flex under load and then snap or return to an original
position once the load is released. The body portion 70 also includes
a pair of shoulders 84 86 from which extend vertically directed
snap legs 90 92 94 96.
The shoulders also support two arms 98 100 that each include the
enforcing ribs 102 104 106 108 and flange feet 110 112.
The four vertical snap legs 90 92 94 96 are constructed to engage
a flange which forms the border of the opening 40 in the bottom
wall 38 of the lockheader 18 FIGS. 5 and 8. The horizontal snap
leg 82 engages the lock 20 to create an interference fit between
the lock housing and the lock.
The lock 20 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 23-28. The lock 20
includes a barrel 120 and a lock bar 122. The barrel includes a
front surface 124 in which is formed a key slot 126. Located around
the barrel are recesses in the form of pockets and slots, such as
the pocket 128 and the slot 130. Also formed in the barrel is a
circumferential groove 132. The slot 130 includes a shoulder 131
which functions to engage the motion limiting flange 80 of the lock
housing to limit the axial position of the lock in the lock housing.
The engagement of the slot 130 and the flange 80 also prevents rotation
of the lock relative to the lock housing. The pocket 128 functions
to receive and engage the snap leg 82 to restrain the lock from
backing out of the central opening 72.
It may now be appreciated how simple is the structure of the front
loading lock system. Nevertheless, a strong, reliable and dependable
lock system is provided. In particular, the arrangement described
allows the lock housing to be snap fitted into the lockheader whereby
an interference fit is created between the two components to securely
hold the lock housing in place. No fasteners are required. A similar
approach allows the lock to be front loaded by insertion axially.
The insertion is limited by the flange on the lock housing and an
interference fit is created between the lock and the horizontal
snap leg of the lock housing to securely mount the lock in the lock
housing. Further, by the clever expedient of the bracing flange
58 of the reinforcement structure 24 the end of the barrel distant
from the front face 124 is supported so that the lock barrel is
mounted not only to the lock housing but is braced by the reinforcement
structure. The lock housing also includes the projection 78 to brace
the front wall 36 of the lockheader 18.
The lock system is easily assembled into the pedestal simply by
pushing or inserting the lock housing into the bottom opening of
the lockheader. Inserting the lock housing flexes the four vertical
snap legs as the bottom wall around the opening 40 bears against
the snap legs until shoulders 140 142 144 146 clear the wall
at which time the snap legs snap back to their original position.
This creates an interference fit between the snap legs and the bottom
wall. The lock is then inserted or pushed into the front opening
in the front wall of the lockheader, then through the central opening
of the lock housing and finally through the front opening in the
reinforcing structure. The lock may be pushed inwardly in an axial
direction until the motion limiting flange abuts the shoulder 131
formed on the barrel portion of the lock. At the same time the horizontally
disposed snap leg engages in the pocket 128 to constrain the lock
in position and prevent rotation.
The above specification describes in detail a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. Other examples, embodiments, modifications
and variations will, under both the literal claim language and the
doctrine of equivalents, come within the scope of the invention
defined by the appended claims. For example, modifying the structure
of the lock housing or the shape of the bracing projection or the
number of snap legs are considered equivalent structures and will
also come within the literal language of the claims. Still other
alternatives will also be equivalent as will many new technologies.
There is no desire or intention here to limit in any way the application
of the doctrine of equivalents nor to limit or restrict the scope
of the invention.
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