Abstract:
A locking system provides multiple lockable latching mechanisms that are collectively operable and lockable from a central actuation mechanism. Each latching mechanism can be positioned and actuated independent of the positioning of others of the latching mechanisms. In particular, the latching mechanisms need not be aligned with one another. The system uses flexible connectors between the central actuation mechanism and the respective latching mechanisms. The flexible connectors can have different respective lengths.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to locking systems with multiple lockable latch mechanisms, the latch mechanisms each being actuable from a common central actuation mechanism. The invention more particularly relates to a locking system in which the each of the lockable latch mechanisms can be positioned for operation independently of the position of others of the lockable latch mechanisms. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A conventional locking system most generally provides a single locking point between two structures, such as a file drawer relative to the cabinet in which the file drawer is disposed, a door relative to its door frame, and so on. Examples of such locking systems include a deadbolt lock or a lockable door knob for doors, or a locking cylinder (for example, key-actuated) that drives a bar or pin into a locking position for obstructing, for example, a drawer from being opened. 
     It is also conventionally known to operate several locking points in unison from a central location, such as using a single key to lock multiple file drawers in a vertical filing cabinet at the same time. However, such locking systems usually require a restrictive degree of proximity or alignment or both between the locking points (and, thus, between the elements being locked such as the drawers in this example). For example, a conventional single key lock for multiple drawers in a filing cabinet uses a linearly elongate bar or other rigid member that generally extends or spans across all of the drawers and is selectively moved between locked and unlocked positions by actuation of the key. Such restrictions as to proximity and/or alignment in conventional lock systems limit their usefulness if the required locking positions are distant from one another and/or are spaced apart in several dimensions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a locking system with multiple lockable latch mechanisms and a central actuation mechanism operably connected to each of the latch mechanisms. The latch mechanisms characteristically can be positioned where needed with more flexibility than in conventional locking systems. In particular, the present invention uses flexible connectors between the central actuation mechanism and the respective latch mechanisms. These flexible connectors can each have different lengths and permit each latching mechanism to be placed in a variety of positions relative to the central actuation mechanism, independent of the positioning of the other latching mechanisms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be even more clearly understandable in view of the written description herein and the figures appended hereto, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storage cabinet, used here as an example implementation of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an interior portion of the storage cabinet illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in which an example of a locking system according to the present invention is illustrated; 
         FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c  are side, partial plan, and partial perspective views of an interior portion of an example of a central actuation mechanism of the locking system provided in the storage cabinet illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are an exploded perspective view and a perspective view of an exterior side of the central actuation mechanism of the present invention, opposite the structure(s) shown in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of an example of a latch mechanism according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     It is noted that not all of the Figures are drawn to the same scale, including elements shown in multiple-part figures (for example, in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c ). 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Strictly by way of example for illustrating the concept of the present invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates a storage cabinet  100  having a plurality of independently accessible storage spaces. It is emphasized that the mention of a storage cabinet here is merely an example of how the locking system of the present invention can be used, and the present invention will be easily understood to be applicable to other structural arrangements in which a plurality of locking points must be provided. As used herein, the term “locking point” is a most general reference to a physical location where some type of lock or lockable latch mechanism is provided between two physical elements. 
     Storage cabinet  100  may include an upper first storage space  102  that can be selectively closed by way of an upwardly swinging (see arrow A) door or lid  103  that is hinged or otherwise pivotably mounted in a conventional manner (not illustrated) to cabinet body  105 . If desired or useful (for example, if lid  103  is relatively heavy or must be held open without manual support), one or more support members (such as conventional gas pistons)  107  can be provided in a known manner to at least partly support the weight of lid  103  and/or keep lid  103  in an open position. 
     Storage cabinet  100  may further include one or more additional lower storage spaces. In  FIG. 1 , for example, storage cabinet  100  further includes three selectively extensible (see arrows B) drawers  109 ,  111 ,  113  defining therein lower storage spaces  104 ,  106 ,  108 , respectively. The number of lower storage spaces provided is strictly by way of example, and the provision of drawers, as such, is also by way of example. For example, the lower storage space or spaces could be accessible by way of a corresponding number of hinged or otherwise pivotably mounted doors. The relative arrangement of the plurality of storage spaces can also vary in accordance with the present invention. 
     As explained in further detail below, the lid  103  and drawers  109 ,  111 ,  113  can be latched (i.e., not necessarily locked) and, if desired, locked closed by way of a single central actuation mechanism  110 . In an example, a pivoting handle  112  can be operated to latch (although not necessarily lock) the lid and drawers closed. Thereafter, the handle  112  itself can be locked in the latched position if desired. For example, a padlock or the like (not shown) can be passed through aligned openings  117  in handle  112  and  117   a  in an eye member  112   a  (see  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ). In another illustrative example (not illustrated here), a key-operated lock cylinder can be provided in the handle  112  itself to selectively prevent rotation of the handle  112  (in a manner similar to conventional door knobs and door handles provided with locks). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a part of an interior of storage cabinet  100 . In particular,  FIG. 2  illustrates an example of the locking system  200  of the present invention including a plurality of latch mechanisms  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 , and the central actuation mechanism (as was seen in  FIG. 1 ) generally indicated at  110 . In general, central actuation mechanism  110  is connected to the respective latch mechanisms  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  by way of respective flexible connectors  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 . An example of a flexible connector in accordance with the present invention will be described later. A plurality of conventional cable mounts  217  may be optionally provided as needed to organize the flexible connectors and keep them lying generally against the interior surface of the storage cabinet. 
     In an example of the present invention, the latch mechanisms  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  each include a protruding pin or other generally elongate latching member  202 ′,  204 ′,  206 ′,  208 ′, respectively, that is driven to selectively extend and retract in correspondence with operation of the central actuation mechanism  110 . The respective latching members in turn selectively engage or latch with a cooperating part of drawers  109 ,  111 ,  113  and lid  103 , respectively, when extended so as to prevent, in unison, the drawers and lid from being opened. The cooperating part may be, for example, a bore hole of appropriate diameter and depth suitably located opposite the latching member so as to receive the extended latching member therein so as to generally fix the drawer or lid fixed relative to the storage cabinet in a closed position. In another example, the cooperating part may be an eye ring suitably positioned in order to receive the extended latching member, or a metal bracket shaped to at least partly define an opening therethrough to receive the extended latching member. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the interior side of central actuation mechanism  110  is schematically shown with a cover or protective casing (also in  FIG. 4   b ).  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  illustrate certain structure details of the interior side of the central actuation mechanism  110  when uncovered. 
     In one example of the present invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c , the central actuation mechanism  110  includes a base plate  300  on which a drive member  302  is rotatably mounted. A cover plate  304  is mounted on base plate  300  and is shaped so as to be spaced away from (generally along a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of drive member  302 ) base plate  300 , particularly in order to permit drive member  302  to be rotatably mounted between base plate  300  and cover plate  304 . In one example of the present invention, at least a part of cover plate  304  is generally parallel to and spaced away from base plate  300  to define a space in which drive member  302  is disposed. Furthermore, the drive member  302  may be partly rotatably mounted on the base plate  300  and partly supported by cover plate  304 . Base plate  300  and cover plate  304  may be attached to each other in any conventional manner suitable to space and environmental concerns, such as, without limitation, screws, bolts (see  FIG. 3   c ), welding, gluing, etc. 
     Drive member  302  is illustrated as being circular, this being useful relative to addressing certain features of its rotational movement (as discussed below with reference to, for example,  FIG. 3   b ). However, the particular shape of the drive member  302  is not overly critical to the present invention to the extent it satisfies space, size, and environmental limitations. 
     The axis of rotation of drive member  302  corresponds with the axis of rotation of pivoting handle  112  (see, for example,  FIG. 4   a ) so that rotation of handle  112  drives rotation of drive member  302 . In one example of the present invention, drive member  302  is provided with a central bore  306  (which is, for example, square in cross section in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c ) that is shaped to conformingly receive a mounting shaft  115  (see  FIG. 4   a ) of handle  112  therein (see  FIG. 4   b ). The shaft  115  may be fixed in place in central bore  306  if desired in any conventionally known manner. The shape of the handle  112  is not specifically critical to the present invention as long as it facilitates being manually gripped, so a knob, t-shaped handle, etc. could also be used. 
     In an example of operation, handle  112  is rotatable through an arc of about 90° (compare  FIG. 1  and  FIGS. 4   a - 4   b ). Because handle  112  is mounted to drive member  302  as described above, drive member  302  also rotates through an arc of about 90°. 
     The present invention is not necessarily limited to manual actuation via a handle  112 . The drive member  302  could also be selectively actuated via, for example, a selectively operated motor (not illustrated here) suitably coupled to the drive member  302 . 
     Drive member  302  is provided with first and second nubs  308 ,  310  on diametrically opposed edges of drive member  302  which is circular by way of example in the figures. If the drive member  302  is not circular, the nubs  308 ,  310  are provided on diametrically opposite sides of an imaginary circle of a given radius centered on the axis of rotation of drive member  302  (and handle  112 ). 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c , the drive member  302  may desirably be biased towards rotation by way of a spring member  312  that is under tension at the extreme rotational positions of the drive member  302 /handle  112  (compare  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4   b ). For example, a coil spring  312  may be fixedly attached at one end to an end portion of cover plate  304 , and attached at its other end to a third nub  314  provided on drive member  302 . Nub  314  is provided circumferentially about halfway (or about 90° in a rotational sense) between nubs  308 ,  310  such that when the drive member  302  is rotated, nub  314  travels along a lower (as seen in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c ; compare in particular  FIGS. 3   b  and  3   c ) edge of drive member  302 . According to the present invention, the spring member  312  is useful and desirable, but not critical to operation. 
     In a particular example of the present invention, nubs  308 ,  310  extend (along the direction of the axis of rotation of drive member  302 ) beyond the cover plate  304  (see  FIG. 3   a ). Cover plate  304  is therefore desirably provided with arcuate cutouts  304   a  at its edges corresponding with the respective paths of travel of nubs  308 ,  310  in order to accommodate the movement of these protruding nubs  308 ,  310 . The cutouts  304   a  are about 90° in circumferential arc, corresponding to the limits of rotation of the drive member  302 . The opposing ends of cutouts  304   a  may therefore desirably act as rotation limiters when the nubs  308 , 310  abut them. 
       FIGS. 3   b  and  3   c  show drive member  302  in opposite rotational positions (that is, at opposite extremes of rotation). As will be understood taking the written description and drawings as a whole,  FIG. 3   b  corresponds to a position in which latch members  202 ′,  204 ′,  206 ′,  208 ′ are retracted and thus an “unlatched” position;  FIG. 3   c  is the opposite position in which the respective latch members are extended and thus a “latched” position. 
     When spring  312  is provided under tension as shown in  FIG. 3   b , drive member  302  is biased towards counterclockwise rotation (relative to  FIG. 3   b ), into the position shown in  FIG. 3   c . By rotation of drive member  302 , nub  314  moves in  FIG. 3   c  to the position previously occupied by nub  308  (in  FIG. 3   b ). As a result, in the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 3   c , spring  312  now biases the drive member  302  into clockwise rotation, similar to the manner in which it biased the drive member  302  into counterclockwise rotation starting from  FIG. 3   b . Preferably the tension in spring  312  in the positions illustrated in  FIGS. 3   b  and  3   c  is relatively light—enough to assist or encourage rotation of drive member  302 /handle  112  without causing drive member  302 /handle  112  to rotate independently without operation of the handle  112 . 
     In a particular example of the present invention, the flexible connectors  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216  are flexible cables having a structure similar to conventional (and commercially available) cables used in bicycles and motorcycles to actuate brakes, gear shifting and clutch mechanisms, and the like. Most generally, cables of this type include a metal central cable (for example, braided steel wire) that is freely slidable along its length within an outer flexible rubber, plastic, polymer, etc. tubular sheath. That is, the metal central cable can be pulled/released at one end to cause the metal cable to move freely relative to its surrounding sheath. In a common example of such cables, the internal metal cable is provided at at least one end with an enlarged anchor or head mounted thereon or attached thereto, by which a cooperating engaging portion can more easily engage and retain the metal cable to provide a selective pulling action relative to the sheath. Cables of this type used in motorcycles are comparatively thicker (with respect to overall cross section) than those used in bicycle applications and may considered desirably more mechanically durable than bicycle cables. 
     In accordance with the foregoing, the central actuation mechanism further includes a cable pull member  316 . The cable pull member is illustrated only in  FIG. 3   c  for the sake of clarity. 
     In general, cable pull member  316  is rigid member pivotably mounted (in any known manner) relative to nub  310  (in order to provide a linear pulling force component while accommodating rotation of drive member  302 ). As drive member  302  (and thus, in pertinent part, nub  310 ) moves between the positions illustrated in  FIGS. 3   b  and  3   c , cable pull member  316  is correspondingly moved in opposite directions. 
     The distal end of cable pull member  316  (that is, opposite the end mounted on nub  310 ) is, for example, generally shaped into a hooked portion having a plurality of slots into which respective metal cables of, inter alia, flexible connectors  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216  are fitted. (An end of an extra fifth flexible connector  218  is illustrated in  FIG. 3   c , but this does not change the underlying explanation of the present invention.) Each of the metal cables of flexible connectors is provided with a respective anchor  210 ′,  212 ′,  214 ′,  216 ′ that is sized and arranged so that is retained by the distal hook-shaped cross section  316 ′ of cable pull member  316 . Ultimately, the distal end of cable pull member may have any mechanical structure suitable for assuredly engaging the respective metal cables. The proximal ends of the flexible connectors may be held in, for example, generally parallel orientation relative to each other by an additional mounting bracket  318  as seen in  FIG. 3   c.    
     When the drive member  302  is rotated into the position illustrated in  FIG. 3   b , the cable pull member  316  is retracted relative to the bracket  318  in which respective ends of the flexible connectors are fixedly mounted. Because the anchors of the respective metal cables of the respective flexible connectors are retained in the distal hook-shaped potion  316 ′ of cable pull member  316 , the metal cables are pulled within their respective sheaths until the drive member  302  is returned to the position shown in  FIG. 3   c , at which point tension on the metal cables is released. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary structure of the latch mechanisms  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  of the present invention. 
     An example of a latch mechanism  500  according to the present invention is connected to a flexible connector  502  of the type described above. The flexible connector  502  has an outer flexible sheath  504  as described above, and a freely slidable cable (for example, a metal cable)  506  disposed within the sheath  504 . The opposite end of cable  506  from the latch mechanism  500  terminates at, for example, an anchor provided on an end of cable  506  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3   c . An elongate latching member  508  is fixedly attached to an end of cable  506  by a connector  510 . Connector  510  may be, for example, a sleeve or ferrule having one end having a diameter suitable for receiving an end of cable  506  and a second end having a diameter having a diameter suitable for receiving an end of latching member  508 , bearing in mind that these respective diameters may differ. Connector  510  may be attached to cable  506  and latching member  508  in any known matter suitable for the intended use, including without limitation, crimping the connector onto one or both of the cable  506  and latching member  508 , adhesive, welding, etc. 
     The latching member  508  is preferably made of a generally rigid material that resists bending that is appropriate for the actual and commercial environment. As such, the latching member  508  could be made from, without limitation, hard polymer resin, plastic, metal, or even wood. 
     As seen generally in  FIG. 2 , each latch mechanism  500  includes a housing or shell  512  that is generally rigid and may be made from, for example, metal or hard plastic. In general, the flexible connector  502  is connected to the housing  512  such that some or all of the portion of the cable  506  extending outside of the sheath  504 , a proximal end of latching member  508 , and the connector  510  connecting the cable  506  and latching member  508  is disposed within the housing  512 . In general, the latch mechanism  500  can be fixed in a desired location by screws, nails, staples, etc. driven through peripheral portions of housing  512  into an underlying surface. See, for example, fixation points  514  schematically indicated in  FIG. 5 . 
     When cable  506  is thusly connected to latching member  508 , the latching member  508  can be extended and retracted relative to housing  512  (see arrow C in  FIG. 5 ) in accordance with the tension selectively applied at the other end of the flexible connector via the operation of the central actuation mechanism  110  that selectively applies tension to the cable  506 . 
     In one example of the present invention, a resilient biasing member, such as a coil spring  516  may be included in the latch mechanism  500  in order to bias the latching member  508  towards an extended direction. For example, the coil spring  516  may be provided such that a portion of cable  506  extends axially therethrough as seen by way of example in  FIG. 5 . One end of the coil spring may be disposed in abutting relationship with, for example, a proximal wall of housing  512 . The other end of coil spring  516  may abut, for example, a radially outward extending portion of connector  510 . The coil spring  516  may be in a neutral state of tension when the latching member  508  is at its fully extended position or it may be under relatively light compressive tension, such that retracting the latching member  508  (by pulling cable  506 ) compresses or further compresses coil spring  516  so that the latching member  508  is biased towards an extended latching position. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 3   b  and  3   c , it will be recalled that  FIG. 3   b  corresponds to an unlatched position of the system, in which the respective latching members (like  508 ) are retracted from a latching position. The cable pull member  316  is pulled relative to the flexible connectors in  FIG. 3   b , such that the metal cables of the flexible connectors are pulled within their respective sheaths, and the respective latching members at the other ends of the flexible connectors are retracted, as was discussed with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     When the central actuation mechanism  110  is put in the position shown in  FIG. 3   c  (the latching position in which the latching members of the latch mechanisms extend), the cable pull member  316  is lowered such that tension on the metal cables is released. However it should be understood that the tension on the metal cables is merely released at the central actuation mechanism  110 . For this reason, the provision of a biasing member, such as coil spring  516  in  FIG. 5 , assists in the latching members attaining an extended position when tension on metal cable  506  is released by the central actuation mechanism  110 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , latching member  508  may be arranged to protrude from a similarly sized bore or opening (not specifically illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) formed in a corresponding end of housing  512 . The bore may thus serve to allow the latching member  508  to extend and retract axially (that is, along arrow C) while at least partly limiting lateral movement of the latching member  508 . Depending on the application in which the present invention is used, it may be useful to limit the extent to which the latching member  508  extends outside of housing  512  so as to limit bending forces on the latching member  508  that could snap the latching member (if, for example, one were to try and force open one of the drawers  109 ,  111 ,  113  when a respective latching member is extended into a latching position). 
     Although the present invention is described above with reference to certain particular examples for the purpose of illustrating and explaining the invention, it must be understood that the invention is not limited solely with reference to the specific details of those examples. More particularly, the person skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications and developments that can be carried out in the preferred embodiments without thereby going beyond the ambit of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.