Abstract:
An emergency crash cart includes a sealing structure that enables multiple storage sections of the cart to be locked and sealed simultaneously. The locking structure enables one of the storage sections to be unlocked and unsealed without unlocking or unsealing the other storage sections. The locking structure also can be actuated to unlock and unseal all storage sections simultaneously for rapid access to the contents of all storage sections of the cart.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a sealing or locking structure for a mobile utility cart, and more particularly to such a sealing structure for a mobile utility cart commonly called a “medical emergency crash cart” or simply a “crash cart”, for medical emergency use in hospitals and other medical institutions. The sealing structure in accordance with an aspect of the present invention enables all storage sections of the crash cart to be locked and sealed, indicating that the crash cart contains a full complement of readily accessible medical equipment, instruments, and supplies. In addition, the locking structure enables an operator of the cart to unlock and unseal a single section of the cart or to unlock and unseal all sections of the cart simultaneously. 
         [0003]    For purposes of this application the terms “locked” and “sealed” are used synonymously to mean that the various sections of the cart are held in a closed position or condition until a seal is broken in a way that can be easily confirmed to permit one or more of such sections to be moved to an open position or condition. The term “lock” is not intended to require that any section must be “unlocked” by use of a separate mechanism such as a key. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    A medical emergency crash cart commonly contains medical equipment, instruments, and supplies that may be required while responding to medical emergencies, particularly for medical procedures practiced in cases of cardiac emergencies. However, the crash cart may be equipped for any type of medical emergency. The crash cart generally includes a housing having a plurality of bins, drawers, shelves, sections, and/or compartments for storing medical equipment and supplies such as syringes and drugs. 
         [0006]    After all sections of the cart have been fully stocked with equipment, the cart is locked or sealed until the equipment is needed during an emergency. An unbroken tamper-proof seal indicates that the cart is fully stocked. During an emergency, the cart is unlocked or unsealed to enable access to the medical supplies within the cart. After the emergency, the cart typically is sent to a pharmacy department where an inventory of the cart is taken and missing items are replaced. When the cart is restocked, the cart is locked or sealed again until the next emergency. 
         [0007]    Current crash carts employ conventional cart locking structures that simultaneously lock or unlock all sections of a cart when actuated. An advantage of such cart locking structures is that the cart can be unlocked quickly. However, if only a single item is needed from one section of the cart, a complete inventory of all sections of the cart must be made after use, which is a very time consuming task. Accordingly, one drawback of current crash carts is that discrete sections cannot be selectively unlocked during an emergency. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,610 (Welch et al.), No. 5,673,983 (Carlson et al.), and No. 6,158,830 (Johnson et al.) disclose mechanisms for locking multiple sections of a cart. A commercial product, known as the Starsys™ Passive Lock Security System, available from InterMetro Industries Corporation, has a number of drawers. In this product, each drawer is provided with a separate breakable or frangible seal such that any one drawer may be opened while the remaining drawers remain closed and sealed. Therefore, it can be confirmed by examination of the seals which have been broken and, therefore, which drawers need to be restocked. However, while the mechanisms disclosed in these patents have many advantages, they are not well suited for selectively unlocking one section of the cart while leaving other sections locked. 
         [0009]    For these and other reasons, the crash carts and related locking structures of the prior art are not entirely satisfactory. A need exists for an improved crash cart and related locking structures for providing selective access to multiple sections of the cart. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to improve the accessibility of medical equipment, instruments, and supplies in a medical emergency crash cart. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a security mechanism that offers easy visual inspection of at least two sections of the crash cart and that assures that a full complement of medical equipment, instruments, and supplies are stored within each section of the crash cart. 
         [0012]    Generally speaking, the present invention will be referred to as a “cart,” which may incorporate an enclosed cabinet for storing items, such as medical supplies used in responding to medical emergencies. However, the present invention may be used in conjunction with a variety of storage structures, as well as other utility carts that have general application outside of the medical field. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to crash or other medical carts, but may be used in conjunction with any structure that can benefit from a locking assembly that may be actuated to open a single section of the cart and also can be actuated to open all sections of the cart simultaneously. 
         [0013]    The cart in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a housing having a top section and a front section. The top section includes a tub for storing items that are needed most frequently during emergencies. The front section includes one or more bins for storing additional items that may be required during an emergency. 
         [0014]    The top section and the front section are secured in a locked condition by a common locking structure that nevertheless permits the top and front sections to be unlocked independently of each other. Therefore, if, for example, in the context of use of the invention as a medical emergency crash cart, only the top section need be unsealed and opened to access those items most frequently needed in an emergency, then the front section may remain closed and sealed. Inventory and restocking of the top section is all that is then required to ready the cart for its next use. 
         [0015]    More particularly, a first breakable seal provided at an upper portion of the locking structure can provide quick visual confirmation that, if unbroken, the complements of the top section are complete. A second breakable seal provided at a lower portion of the locking structure can provide quick visual confirmation that, if unbroken, the complements of the front section of the cart are complete. The locking structure is designed to shear the first seal for accessing the contents of the top section quickly. In addition, the locking structure is designed to shear the first and second seals and unlock all sections of the cart for accessing the contents of all sections of the cart quickly. 
         [0016]    A more complete appreciation along with an understanding of other objects, features, and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0017]    Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention is directed to a cart comprising a housing having a top and at least one side, a recessed tray for storing items provided in the top of the housing, a top cover mountable with the top of the housing for covering the tray to prevent removal of items stored in it, but being removable from or slidable off of the top of the housing thereby to permit access to items stored in the tray, and at least one compartment, also for storing items, associated with and accessible from the one side of the housing. The compartment is movable between (a) a closed position for preventing removal of items stored therein, and (b) an open position to permit access to items stored therein. A seal and lock mechanism are capable of (a) simultaneously locking the top cover to cover the tray and locking the compartment in the closed position, (b) unlocking the cover to permit its removal from the top, but not unlocking the compartment from the closed position, and (c) simultaneously unlocking the top cover to permit its removal from the top and unlocking the compartment permitting it to be moved to the open position. 
         [0018]    Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention is directed to a cart including a housing having a top that defines a recessed tray, a cover for covering the tray but providing access to the interior thereof when removed or otherwise moved away therefrom. The cover includes a first cover retaining portion having a lock seal aperture formed therethrough. At least one compartment is mounted on one side of said housing and being movable between an open position providing access to its interior and a closed position with its interior enclosed. A lock can lock the compartment in the closed position, the lock includes a stationary member and a slide member having a lock seal aperture formed therethrough. The slide member is movable to (a) a first position where the lock seal aperture of the slide member is aligned with the lock seal aperture of the first cover retaining portion and where the compartment is locked in the closed position, and (b) a second position where the lock seal aperture of the slide member is not aligned with said lock seal aperture of said first cover retaining portion and where the compartment is not locked in the closed position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C,  1 D,  1 E, and  1 F are a front view, a right side view, a top view, a perspective view taken from the front right, a partial top view, and a partial cross-sectional view taken along line  1 F- 1 F in  FIG. 1C  and looking in the direction of the arrows, respectively, of certain external and internal features of a preferred embodiment of a crash cart in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are top and bottom views, respectively, of a top frame or component illustrated in  FIGS. 1A through 1D . 
           [0021]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C are front, top, and right side views, respectively, of a top cover hold-down bracket of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are top and right side views, respectively, of a tub illustrated in  FIG. 1B . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is top view of a sliding top cover illustrated in  FIG. 1C . 
           [0024]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are top, right side, and front views, respectively, of a sliding top cover pull plate illustrated in  FIG. 1C . 
           [0025]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are top and front views, respectively, of a sliding top cover retainer bar illustrated in  FIG. 1C . 
           [0026]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are top views of a lock seal illustrated in  FIG. 1C , shown in an unsealed state and a sealed state, respectively. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are front and right side views, respectively, of a lock bar of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are front and right side views, respectively, of a front frame illustrated in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0029]      FIG. 11A  is a right side view of a left front frame, and  FIG. 11B  is a left side view of a right front frame of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are right side and top views, respectively, of a tilt-out bin illustrated in  FIG. 1B . 
           [0031]      FIGS. 13A ,  13 B, and  13 C are front, right side, and top views, respectively, of a tilt-out bin lock bar clip of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 14A ,  14 B, and  14 C are front, right side, and top views, respectively, of a manual lock handle of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 15A ,  15 B, and  15 C are right side, top, and bottom views, respectively, of a thumb latch of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  illustrates attachment of the manual lock handle illustrated in  FIGS. 14A through 14C  to the lock bar illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . 
           [0035]      FIGS. 17A and 17B  are front and right side views, respectively, of the lock bar illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  with the manual lock handle illustrated in  FIGS. 14A through 14C  attached and a plurality of the tilt-out bin lock bar clips illustrated in  FIGS. 13A through 13C  attached. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 18A ,  18 B, and  18 C are front, right side, and top views, respectively, of a manual lock bracket of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 19A ,  19 B, and  19 C are front, right side, and top views, respectively, of a vertical channel of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIGS. 20A and 20B  illustrates right side and front views, respectively, of a bushing used to slidably attach the lock bar illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  to the vertical channel illustrated in  FIGS. 19A ,  19 B, and  19 C. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 21A ,  21 B,  21 C, and  21 D illustrate front, right side, top, and enlarged partial right side views, respectively, of the lock bar illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  attached to the vertical channel illustrated in  FIGS. 19A ,  19 B, and  19 C. 
           [0040]      FIGS. 22A and 22B  illustrate top and front views, respectively, of a drawer of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 23A and 23B  illustrate top and front views, respectively, of a drawer lock tab of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 24  illustrates a partial three-quarter perspective view, taken from the front and right side of the cart shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1F  with sections removed to show certain external and internal features. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0043]    Initially, the principal features of the present invention will be described generally in order to provide an overview of its various aspects. Then those features will be described in detail. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 1A through 1E  illustrate a front view, a side view, a top view, a perspective view taken from the front right, and a partial top view, respectively, of external and internal features of one embodiment of a crash cart  100  according to the present invention. More particularly,  FIGS. 1A through 1E  show the cart  100  with certain external enclosures removed so that internal operating mechanisms can be illustrated. In addition, while the present invention is described in the environment of a cart, structures for mounting the cart for movement on a floor, for example, like wheels or casters have been omitted. The unshown features are well within the skill of the art and are not part of the present invention. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , the crash cart  100  in accordance with the invention includes a top frame  102 , a front frame  104 , a left front frame  106 , and a right front frame  107 . The left front frame  106  and the right front frame  107  support four substantially identical tilt-out bins  108 , in which medical supplies may be stored. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate top and bottom views, respectively, of the top frame or component, which may be a molded part,  102  of the cart  100 . An upper portion of the top frame  102  includes a tub opening  102   a,  a lock bar opening  102   b,  sliding top cover retainer bar openings  102   c,  screw openings  102   d,  screw openings  102   e,  and a flange  102   f,  as shown in  FIG. 2A . A lower portion of the top frame  102  also can be considered to be formed with the tub opening  102   a,  the lock bar opening  102   b,  and screw openings  102   g,  as shown in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0047]    A sliding top cover  110  is removably attached to the top frame  102  to enclose a tub that is described below. Attachment of the sliding top cover  110  to the top frame  102  is described with reference to  FIGS. 1C and 2  through  10 . More particularly, a top cover hold-down bracket  112  is illustrated in  FIGS. 3A through 3C . The top cover hold-down bracket  112  includes a retaining flange  112   a  and screw apertures  112   b.  A first top cover hold-down bracket  112  is attached to the top frame  102  using a pair of screws (not illustrated) that are inserted through the screw apertures  112   b  of the top cover hold-down bracket  112  and advanced into the screw openings  102   d  of the top frame  102 . A second top cover hold-down bracket  112  is similarly attached to the top frame  102  using a pair of screws (not illustrated) that are inserted through the screw apertures  112   b  of the top cover hold-down bracket  112  and advanced into the screw openings  102   e  of the top frame  102 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate top and side views, respectively, of the tub  114 . A flange  114   a  is disposed about an upper periphery of the tub  114 . A plurality of screw apertures  114   b  are formed through the flange  114   a.  The tub  114  is attached to the top frame  102  using a plurality of screws (not illustrated) that are inserted through the screw apertures  114   b  of the flange  114   a  and advanced into the screw openings  102   g  of the top frame  102 . The tub  114  may be used to store medical items that are required most often during emergencies. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 1C , the sliding top cover  110  is disposed over the tub  114  when an upper section of the cart  100  is locked, thereby preventing access to the tub  114 . When the upper section of the cart  100  is unlocked, the sliding top cover  110  may be removed to provide access to items stored in the tub  114 . The sliding top cover  110  includes a first end  110   a,  an opposing second end  110   b,  and four rivet apertures  110   c  formed through the first end  110   a,  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C illustrate top, side, and front views, respectively, of a sliding top cover pull plate  116 , with which the sliding top cover  110  is equipped and which includes a main portion  116   a,  a first retaining flange  116   b,  a handle portion  116   c,  a second retaining flange  116   d,  and a locking flange  116   e,  which includes a lock seal aperture  116   f  formed therethrough. A plurality of rivet apertures  116   g  are formed through the main portion  116   a  of the sliding top cover pull plate  116 . 
         [0051]    The sliding top cover pull plate  116  is fixed to the sliding top cover  110  using a plurality of rivets (not illustrated) that are inserted through the rivet apertures  110   c  of the sliding top cover  110  and the rivet apertures  116   g  of the sliding top cover pull plate  116 . A plurality of nuts (not illustrated) are attached to the plurality of bolts to securely attach the sliding top cover pull plate  116  to the sliding top cover  110 . Of course, any suitable fasteners such as bolts, rivets, screws, and the like may be used in the various applications. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate top and front views, respectively, of a sliding top cover retainer bar  118 , with which the top cover is also equipped and which includes a top cover retaining portion  118   a,  horizontal extension portions  118   b,  and vertical extension portions  118   c.  Push fasteners or push nuts are secured to lower portions of the vertical extension portions  118   c,  which are inserted into the openings  102   c  of the top frame  102  thereby securely attaching the sliding top cover retainer bar  118  to the top frame  102 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a lock seal  120  in an unsealed state and in a sealed state, respectively, for sealing and locking the sliding top cover  110  in place. The lock seal  120 , which is known, per se, and commercially available, includes a severable or frangible locking portion  120   a,  which has a first end  120   b,  and a retaining portion  120   c.  As shown in  FIG. 8A , when the lock seal  120  is not sealed, the locking portion  120   a  is not connected to the retaining portion  120   c.  As shown in  FIG. 8B , when the lock seal  120  is sealed, the locking portion  120   a  is fixed to the retaining portion  120   c.  The seal  120  may also include a depending tab  120   d  on which a serial number may be printed or embossed. The serial numbers may be used by, for example, hospital staff to monitor how many times portions of the cart have been accessed in order to track carefully items or supplies used from the cart. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate front and side views, respectively, of a lock bar  122 . The lock bar  122  includes a main portion  122   a,  a lock seal aperture  122   b,  a sliding flange  122   c,  a rectangular aperture  122   d,  screw apertures  122   e,  retaining flanges  122   f,  oval-shaped apertures  122   g,  and screw apertures  122   h.  The interengagement and interaction of these components will now be described further below as a first storage section of the crash cart. 
       First Storage Section of Crash Cart 
       [0055]    The first storage section of the cart  100  may be defined by the top frame  102 , the tub  114 , and the sliding top cover  110 . To secure the first storage section in a closed and locked state, the second end  110   b  of the top cover  110  is inserted between the retaining portion  118   a  of the top cover retainer bar  118  and the top frame  102 , as shown in  FIG. 1C . The first end  110   a  of the top cover  110  then is positioned so that the first retaining flange  116   b  and the second retaining flange  116   d  of the top cover pull plate  116  are disposed beneath the retaining flanges  112   a  of the cover hold-down brackets  112 , which prevent the first end  110   a  of the top cover  110  from being lifted upwardly, as shown in  FIG. 1F . 
         [0056]    When the top cover  110  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 1C , the lock seal aperture  116   f  of the locking flange  116   e  of the pull plate  116  (shown in  FIG. 6C ) is aligned with the lock seal aperture  122   b  of the lock bar  122  (shown in  FIG. 9A ). The first section may be locked or sealed by inserting a first end  120   b  of a locking portion  120   a  of a lock seal  120  through the lock seal apertures  116   f  and  122   b  and into the retaining portion  120   c  of the lock seal  120 . 
         [0057]    During an emergency, an operator may remove the sliding top cover  110  from covering the top of the cart  100  by pushing the handle portion  116   c  of the cover pull plate  116  toward the cover retainer bar  118 , which causes the lock bar  122  and the locking flange  116   e  of the cover pull plate  116  to sever the locking portion  120   a  of the lock seal  120 . When the handle portion  116   c  engages the cover retainer bar  118 , the top cover  110  may tilt downwardly and hang from the side of the cart. Further, once the locking portion  120   a  of the lock seal  120  is broken, an operator is then able to slide the first end  110   a  of the top cover  110  toward the sliding top cover retainer bar  118  until the first retaining flange  116   b  and the second retaining flange  116   d  of the pull plate  116  are no longer disposed beneath the retaining flanges  112   a  of the hold-down brackets  112 . The operator can then lift the sliding top cover  110  upwardly and remove it. 
         [0058]    After the emergency, the cart  100  may be sent to the pharmacy department for taking of inventory and restocking. If the operator recloses or replaces the sliding top cover  110  prior to returning the cart  100  to the pharmacy department, the lock seal  120  will no longer be within the lock seal apertures  116   f  and  122   b,  which indicates that the first section must be checked for its inventory, restocked, and resealed with a new lock seal  120  prior to returning the cart  100 . 
         [0059]    A second storage section of the cart will now be described. 
       Second Storage Section of Crash Cart 
       [0060]    A second storage section of the cart  100  is defined by the front frame  104 , the left front frame  106 , the right front frame  107 , and the tilt-out bins  108 .  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate front and side views, respectively, of the front frame  104 . The front frame  104  includes side walls  104   a,  which have rectangular apertures  104   b  formed therethrough. Circular indentations  104   c  are formed in inner surfaces of the side walls  104   a.    
         [0061]      FIG. 11A  is a right side view of the left front frame  106 . The left front frame  106  includes recesses  106   a.    FIG. 11B  is a left side view of the right front frame  107 . The right front frame  107  similarly includes recesses  107   a  and a lock aperture  107   b.    
         [0062]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate side and top views, respectively, of one tilt-out bin  108 . The bin  108  includes a handle  108   a,  partially cylindrical projections  108   b,  and locking tabs  108   c.  Each locking tab  108   c  includes a lip  108   d  formed at an outer, forward surface thereof. 
         [0063]    Each tilt-out bin  108  is mounted into the front of the cart  100 . Opposed projections  108   b  of the tilt-out bins  108  are received in the recesses  106   a  and  107   a  of the left front frame  106  and the right front frame  107 , respectively. Accordingly, the projections  108   b  act as pivots for tilting the tilt-out bins  108  with respect to the front frame  104 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 13A ,  13 B, and  13 C illustrate front, side, and top views, respectively, of a tilt-out bin lock bar clip  124 . The bin lock bar clip  124  includes a base portion  124   a,  which has a pair of screw apertures  124   b  formed therethrough. The bin lock bar clip  124  also includes an extension member  124   c  that extends from the base portion  124   a.  A locking tab  124   d  is formed at the forward end of the extension member  124   c.  The locking tab  124   d  includes a lip  124   e  formed at an inner surface thereof. The lips  124   e  of the bin lock bar clips  124  cooperate with the lips  108   d  of the locking tabs  108   c  of the bins  108  to securely lock them in a closed position. 
         [0065]    Four tilt-out bin lock bar clips  124  are securely attached to the lock bar  122  illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . More particularly, each lock bar clip  124  is secured to the lock bar  122  using a pair of screws (not illustrated) that are inserted through the screw apertures  122   h  (shown in  FIG. 9A ) of the lock bar  122  and advanced into the screw apertures  124   b  of the tilt-out bin lock bar clips  124 . 
         [0066]    A third storage section of the cart will now be described. 
       Third Storage Section of Crash Cart 
       [0067]    The third storage section of the cart  100  is defined by the top frame  102  and one or more drawers  144  that are slidably mounted in the cart  100 .  FIGS. 22A and 22B  illustrate top and front views, respectively, of a drawer  144  in which medical supplies may be stored. A front wall of the drawer  144  includes a plurality of bolt apertures  144   a  formed therethrough. A back wall (not shown) of the drawer  144  also includes a plurality of bolt apertures  144   a  formed therethrough. The bolt apertures  144   a  are used to attach slide rails  146  (one of which is shown in  FIG. 24 ) using a plurality of nuts and bolts (not shown). The front wall of the drawer  144  includes a pair of screw apertures  144   b.    
         [0068]      FIGS. 23A and 23B  illustrate top and front views, respectively, of a drawer lock tab  148 . The drawer lock tab  148  includes a main portion  148   a,  and a notch  148   b  that extends from the main portion  148   a.  The drawer lock tab  148  also includes apertures  148   b  and  148   c,  which are used to secure the drawer lock tab  148  to the drawer  144 . More particularly, a screw (not shown) is inserted through each of the apertures  148   b  and  148   c  of the drawer lock tab  148 , and advanced into corresponding screw apertures  144   b  of the drawer  144 . The screw (not shown) that is inserted into  148   d  of the drawer lock tab  148  prevents the drawer lock tab  148  from flexing away from the drawer  144 , which prevents the drawer lock tab  148  from becoming caught on the frame of the cart  100  as the drawer  144  is opened and closed. It will also be appreciated that the tab  148  can flex inwardly when the drawer is closed permitting it to be overridden by a retaining flange  122   f,  as described below. 
         [0069]      FIG. 24  illustrates a partial three-quarter view of the cart  100  taken from the front and right side, with a drawer  144  slidably attached thereto. The drawer  144  is accessible from the right side of the cart  100 . An operator may pull on a handle (not shown) attached to the drawer  144 , which causes the slide rail  146  and an opposing slide  146  rail (not shown) mounted to a back wall of the drawer  144  to slide within slide members (not shown) that are attached to the cart  100  and receive the slide rails  146 . The lock bar  122  is shown in a locked position. In the locked position, one of the retaining flanges  122   f  of the lock bar  122  is disposed directly in front of the notch  148   b  of the drawer lock tab  148 , which prevents the drawer  144  from being moved to the open position. Although not shown in  FIG. 24 , multiple drawers  144  may be slidably mounted within the cart  100 . When the drawers  144  are closed and the lock bar  122  is moved to the locked position, each of the retaining flanges  122   f  of the lock bar  122  is disposed in front of one of the notches  148   b  of the drawer lock tabs  148 , which prevents all of the drawers  144  from being opened until the lock bar  122  is moved to an open position. It is noted that the shape of the notch  148   b  of the drawer lock tab  148  enables the drawers  144  to be closed, even when the lock bar  122  previously has been moved to the locked position. 
         [0070]    Assembly of the sealing mechanism of the present invention will now be described. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 14A ,  14 B, and  14 C illustrate front, side, and top views, respectively, of a manual lock handle  126 , which includes a base portion  126   a,  having a pair of standoff apertures  126   b  formed therethrough. A locking portion  126   c  extends from the base portion  126   a  and includes a lock seal aperture  126   e  formed therethrough. A latch flange  126   d  extends from the locking portion  126   c  and includes a screw aperture  126   f  formed therethrough. 
         [0072]    The manual lock handle  126  is pivotably attached to the lock bar  122 . Attachment of the manual lock handle  126  to the lock bar  122  is described with reference to  FIG. 16 . More specifically, a hex head standoff  130  includes a cylindrical shaft  130   a  and a hexagonally shaped end portion  130   b.  The cylindrical shaft  130   a  is inserted into an aperture of a washer  132  and a center portion of a spring  134  and is advanced until the washer  132  contacts the spring  134  and the end portion  130   b  contacts the washer  132 . The standoff apertures  126   b  of the base portion  126   a  of the lock handle  126  then are aligned with screw apertures  122   e  of the lock bar  122 . A screw  135  is inserted through one of the screw apertures  122   e  of the lock bar  122  and a corresponding standoff aperture  126   b  of the base portion  126   a  of the manual lock handle  126 , and is advanced into the center of the cylindrical shaft  130   a  of the hex head standoff  130 . This procedure is repeated for the other screw aperture  122   e  of the lock bar  122  and the corresponding standoff aperture  126   b  of the base portion  126   a  of the manual lock handle  126 . 
         [0073]      FIGS. 17A and 17B  illustrate front and side views, respectively, of the lock bar  122  with four of the tilt-out bin lock bar clips  124  and the manual lock handle  126  attached thereto. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 18A ,  18 B, and  18 C illustrate front, side, and top views, respectively, of a manual lock bracket  136 . The manual lock bracket  136  includes a base portion  136   a,  which includes a pair of rivet apertures  136   b  formed therethrough. A locking portion  136   c  extends from the base portion  136   a  and includes a lock seal aperture  136   d  formed therethrough. 
         [0075]      FIGS. 19A ,  19 B, and  19 C illustrate front, side, and top views, respectively, of a vertical channel  138 . The vertical channel  138  includes a base portion  138   a.  A side portion  138   b  extends from one side of the base portion  138   a.  A sliding flange  138   c  extends from an opposite side of the base portion  138   a.  A front portion  138   d  extends from the sliding flange  138   c.    
         [0076]    The base portion  138   a  includes a first rectangular aperture  138   e,  second rectangular apertures  138   f,  third rectangular apertures  138   g,  and bolt apertures  138   h.  The side portion  138   b  includes an aperture  138   i,  a locking projection  138   j,  and a pair of rivet apertures  138   k.  The lock bracket  136  illustrated in  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B, and  18 C is attached to the side portion  138   b  of the vertical channel  138 . More particularly, the rivets apertures  136   b  of the base portion  136   a  are aligned with corresponding rivet apertures  138   k  of the side portion  138   b  of the vertical channel  138 , and rivets are placed therethrough. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 20A and 20B  illustrate front and side views, respectively, of a bushing  140  that is used to slidably attach the lock bar  122  to the vertical channel  138 , as will be described below. The bushing  140  includes an end portion  140   a,  a cylindrical portion  140   b,  and a bolt aperture  140   c  formed through the end portion  140   a  and the cylindrical portion  140   b.    
         [0078]    Assembly and operation of the locking structure of the present invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 17A through 21D . The partially assembled locking structure shown in  FIGS. 17A and 17B  is slidably mounted in the vertical channel shown in  FIGS. 19A through 19C . More particularly, the upper end of the lock bar  122  is inserted through the rectangular aperture  138   e  of the base portion  138   a  of the vertical channel  138 , and the locking portion  126   c  of the manual lock handle  126  is inserted through the aperture  138   i  of the side member  138   b  of the vertical channel  138 , as shown in  FIGS. 21A through 21D . 
         [0079]    A cylindrical portion  140   b  of a bushing  140  is inserted through one of the oval-shaped apertures  122   g  of the lock bar  122  and aligned with one of the bolt apertures  138   h  of the base portion  138   a  of the vertical channel  138 . A washer (not illustrated) is inserted between the base portion  138   a  of the vertical channel  138  and the lock bar  122  such that it contacts the end cylindrical portion  140   b  that does not include the end portion  140   a.  A bolt (not illustrated) is inserted through the bolt aperture  138   h  of the vertical channel  138 , an aperture of the washer, and the bolt aperture  140   c  of the bushing  140 . A nut  142  is secured to the end of the bolt, as shown in  FIG. 21A . This process is repeated for the other oval-shaped apertures  122   g  of the lock bar  122 . The lock bar  122  now is slidably attached to the vertical channel  138 . 
         [0080]    When the lock bar  122  is positioned as described, the retaining flanges  122   f  of the lock bar  122  protrude through the rectangular apertures  138   g.  The retaining flanges  122   f  and the rectangular apertures  138   g  cooperate to ensure that the lock bar  122  slides only a predetermined distance with respect to the vertical channel  138 . In addition, the locking portion  126   c  of the manual lock handle  126  is positioned above the locking projection  138   j  of the vertical channel, as shown in  FIG. 21D . 
         [0081]    The assembled locking structure is positioned on the cart  100  such that the upper portion of the lock bar  122  extends through the lock bar opening  102   b  of the top frame  102  and the tilt-out bin lock bar clips  124  extend through the rectangular apertures  104   b  of the side walls  104   a  of the front frame  104 . The locking portion  126   c  of the lock handle  126  and the locking portion  136   c  of the lock bracket  136  extend through the lock aperture  107   b  of the right front frame  107 . 
         [0082]      FIGS. 15A ,  15 B, and  15 C illustrate side, top, and bottom views, respectively of a thumb latch  128 , which includes a curved upper surface  128   a,  as shown in  FIG. 15A . A lower surface of the thumb latch  128  includes a retaining portion  128   b,  which has a screw aperture  128   c  formed therein, as shown in  FIG. 15C . The thumb latch  128  is attached to the lock handle  126 . More particularly, a screw (not labeled) is inserted through the screw aperture  126   f  of the latch flange  126   d  of the manual lock handle  126  and advanced into the screw aperture  128   c  of the thumb latch  128 . 
         [0083]    As shown in  FIG. 1B , the vertical channel  138  is attached to an upper horizontal member  139   a  and a lower horizontal member  139   b  of the cart  100  using a plurality of nuts and bolts (not illustrated). When the locking portion  126   c  of the manual lock handle  126  is disposed on the upper side of the locking projection  138   j  of the vertical channel  138 , the locking portion  126   c  rests on the locking projection  138   j  and each of the locking tabs  124   d  of the bin lock bar clips  124  is disposed in front of one of the locking tabs  108   c  of one of the bins  108 , which prevents the bins  108  from being opened. 
         [0084]    To unlock the bins  108 , an operator applies a force to the curved upper surface  128   a  of the thumb latch  128 , which causes the locking portion  126   c  of the lock handle  126  to pivot away from the lock bar  122  and slide downwardly next to the locking projection  138   j,  which causes the lock bar  122  to move downwardly. When the lock bar  122  moves downward, the locking tabs  124   d  of the tilt-out bin lock bar clips  124  are lowered from in front of the locking tabs  108   c  of the tilt-out bins  108 , which enables the tilt-out bins  108  to be opened by pulling on the handles  108   a  thereof. 
         [0085]    The second section of the cart  100  may also be sealed with a frangible or severable lock seal  120 . More particularly, a locking portion  120   a  of the lock seal  120  is inserted through the lock seal aperture  126   e  of the locking portion  126   c  of the lock handle  126  and the lock seal aperture  136   d  of the locking portion  136   c  of the lock bracket  136 , and into the retaining portion  120   c  of the lock seal  120 . When an operator depresses the thumb latch  128 , movement of the lock bar  122  causes the lock seal  120  to be severed, thereby enabling access to the interior of the second section of the cart  100 . If the cart  100  also has a lock seal  120  attached to the first section, as described above, when the operator depresses the thumb latch  128 , movement of the lock bar  122  causes both lock seals  120  to be severed, thereby enabling access to the interior of both sections of the cart  100 . 
         [0086]    While the present invention has been described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present invention covers various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the appended claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.