Year: 1886

page_text: I, THEOPHILUS MAYHEW, Gentleman, of the City and State of New York,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to a case or receptacle for poisons and is for the purpose of
preventing such mistakes in compounding prescriptions or dispensing poisonous
drugs as might happen through the inadvertance of the druggist or the misplacing
of bottles.
It consists, as hereinafter more fully set forth, of a series of drawers or slides for
receiving and retaining the drugs, said drawers or slides being mounted in a
frame or case and provided each with a catch or latch arranged so that, in their
normal condition the drawers will be secured in the frame, but may be unlatched
and removed one, but only one at a time. The locking mechanism of the several
drawers or slides is formed and connected so that the movement of unlocking or
removing one drawer will disconnect or block the mechanism for opening or
removing those remaining. To prevent the removal of the wrong receptacle
through inadvertance, the unlocking mechanism is constructed so that before it
can be operated an index or other device must be moved or placed in an appro-
priate position for the drug or poison needed and to so prepare for the removal of
the drug from the case it will be necessary for the person wishing the same to apply
his mind directly to the operation. To still further guard against error I prefer to
use two separate indicating devices both of which must be placed before the
receptacle can be withdrawn from the case.
There are several forms in which the locking and unlocking mechanism can be
operated to retain or release the drawers and I have shown as a modification of
my case a lock device which is entirely mechanical and positive in its operation.
I prefer however to construct the device so that the unlocking will be accomplished
Di 031

page_text: through the agency of electro-magnets as electric currents are more easily con-
trolled, require no exact adjustment and are less liable to become deranged through
rough handling.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1, is a front view of the case complete.
Fig. 2, is a rear view of the same with the back of the case removed to show its
interior construction.
Fig. 3, is a vertical section through one of the slides and its locking mechanism
on line xx of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4, is a horizontal section on line yy of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5, is a perspective view of the rear portion of the removable slide.
Fig. 6, shows a modification in the slide.
Figs. 7 and 8, are respectively sections on lines zz and uu of Fig. 2.
Fig. 9, is a rear view of a detached portion of a case in which the locking and
unlocking is done by purely mechanical means, without the use of electro-magnets
and
Fig. 10, is a vertical section on line vv of Fig. 9.
A, is a rectangular case open in front and divided by partitions as follows: first
by a vertical partition a extending from front to rear, then on one side of this
vertical partition by horizontal shelves a¹ extending from front to rear of the case.
The spaces between these horizontal shelves are divided by vertical partitions a¹
extending from the bottom of one shelf to a point above the next lower shelf and
at a distance therefrom equal to the thickness of the drawer or slide which is to be
used. The spaces between the lower edge of the partitions a³ are divided by
guide strips a³ running from front to rear of the case to form channels or ways
into which are fitted drawers or slides B. These slides B are preferably made as
shown, that is, of a flat piece, of a length to reach from front to rear of the case.
That part of the slide B which is in front of the partition a² is made to receive
and retain a bottle b, secured thereto by any suitable means. I have shown this
slide as having an opening cut therein to receive the lower end of the bottle which
may be secured either by cement or by means of a clamp ring as shown in Fig. 6.
This front portion of the slide may also be made in the form of a box or drawer.
At the rear end of each of the slides B, is formed a detent notch b¹ and levers C
are pivoted to the rear side of the partitions a³ one over each slide, so that when
the slide is pushed in the free end of the lever will drop into the detent notch b¹
and prevent the removal of the slide.
Immediately over each of the pivoted levers or latches C and secured to the
rear slide of the partition a³ is an electro magnet D preferably made double as
shown and an iron armature E is secured to each of the levers C.
Attached to the rear edge of the shelves a¹ are contact plates F so placed and of
such a size and form that each will extend up and project for a short distance over
the rear and of the adjacent sides of two of the slides B and bear thereon. These
plates F and more especially the portion of them which project over the sides are
made of spring metal. Extending horizontally across from side to side of the
slides B near their rear ends are metallic conductors G terminating in contact
plates or knobs g g one at either side of the slide in position to contact with the
plates F when the drawers are in place and complete with the plates F a con-
tinuous electric conductor from end to end of each shelf a² and these conductors
thus formed on the several shelves are connected in series throughout the case.
In the compartment of the case A which is not occupied by the slide B is placed
a switch board H carrying one or two sets of electric switches II¹ there being
a switch in each set for each slide B. These switches may be made of any well-
known form but I prefer to make them as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7 wherein metal
. plates ii are made to project from opposite sides of an opening in the switch board
through which a metallic plug K may be passed to form an electric connection
between the plates i i. It will of course be understood that the conducting wire

page_text: t
is led to one of the plates and from the other. Upon the face of the switch
board and adjacent to the openings through which the switch plug is to be inserted
are placed tags or lables each to indicate which circuit is controlled by that
particular switch.
An electric conductor L is made to traverse the spaces to the rear of the electric
magnets D and is connected at one end to one end of the series of conductors
formed by the plates F and conductors G of the slides. The second end of the
conductor. formed by the plates F and conductors G is connected through an open
circuit switch M preferably in the form of a push button, as shown in Fig. 8 with
one pole of, an electric battery N. The second pole of the battery N is connected
through a conductor n with one plate of each of the switches I and the second
plate of each of these switches is connected with the first plate of one of the
switches I. The second plate of each of the switches I¹ is connected with one
end of one of the electro-magnet coils and the second end of each of these coils is
connected with the conductor L to the plates F and to the battery.
It will be seen from the above that the circuit through each magnet coil
includes one of the switches I, one of the switches I¹ all of the plates F and all
of the conductors G, also the open switch M and the electric battery N. To close
the circuit through any one of the magnet coils it is necessary to insert the plugs
in the two switches I I¹ included in that circuit and then close the switch M. On
this being done the magnet D will raise the armature E and the lever C to which
it is attached thus setting free the slide B. In connecting the circuits through
the switches I I¹ the two switches in any single circuit should not be near
together on the switch board and are preferably so arranged so that the switches of
the several circuits shall be interspersed upon the switch board so as to compel a
search when it is desired to work the switches.
As soon, however, as one of the slides B is removed and with it the conductor G,
the circuit will be broken and a second circuit cannot be closed till the slide B is
returned to its place.
In order to insure the locking of the slide B when it is returned to its place and
to prevent a second slide being removed before the first is properly locked the latch
lever C is made of such a length as that it will drop into the detent notch before
the slide is fully back to its place. The contacts g of the slide are so placed as that
the latch lever E must have dropped into the detent notch in the slide before
contact will be made within the plates F. To prevent the breaking of the circuit
by the contacts g on the slide being withdrawn from the plates F before the latch
lever is freed from the slide detent, projecting arms O are formed upon the adjacent
edges of the plate E and these arms are made to terminate immediately over the
latch lever C so that when said lever is raised by the electro-magnet D it will
contact with the two arms O and hold the circuit complete, even after the slide is
withdrawn, till the push contact M is released.
In Figs. 9 and 10 I have shown a modification of the locking device. B¹ are the
slides. bare pins projecting upwards, one from the rear end of each slide. R is
a plate or rod extending along over the slides and in front of the pins 64, working
through guides and having notches r, at intervals along its lower edge through
which the pins 6* may pass to allow the slides to be withdrawn when the notches
are brought into register therewith. These notches r r are so placed along the
rod R as that no two notches will be in register with their respective pins at the same
time. A spring actuated lever O¹ is pivoted behind the slide B and made to carry
a pin or lug o. This lever is normally held back by the slide B but when the slide
is removed the lever will advance and insert the pin o into the notch in the rod R
through which the pin 64 on the slide has passed and will prevent the movement
of the rod to free another slide till the one already removed is replaced.
The bar R is moved by means of a toothed rack r¹ formed at one end into which
is made to gear a toothed pinion S mounted upon a shaft extending through the case
and operated by a handle upon the outside.

page_text: °
Two or more of these bars R may be used and their notches r differently spaced
so that it will be necessary for the operator to work out a combination before
releasing the receptacle wherein is stored the particular drug which he wishes
to use.
Other mechanism may be used to perform this locking without departing from
the spirit of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
Claim 1st. In a case or receptacle for poisons, the combination of a series of
detachable slides, adapted to support receptacles, and locking mechanism, substan-
tially such as described, to control the removal of said slides, as and for the purpose
set forth.
2nd. In a case or receptacle for poisons, a series of detachable slides carrying
receptacles, and locking mechanism for retaining the same in their closed positions,
adapted to permit one only of said slides to be removed from the case at a time, and
preventing the removal of a second slide till such time as the first shall have been
returned, as set forth.
3rd. In a case or cabinet for poisons, the combination with two or more sliding
receptacles, of a locking device for each of said receptacles and a lock operating
mechanism common to all of said receptacle locking devices; the combination being
such as described, that it is impossible to have removed from the case or cabinet
more than one receptacle at a time, all as set forth.
4th. In a case or receptacle for poisons a receptacle consisting of a base piece
adapted to slide in guide ways formed in the case and having attached to it a
bottle or receptacle in combination with an electro magnetic locking device for
retaining or releasing said slide, as and for the purpose set forth.
5th. In a case or receptacle for poisons, the combination of two or more sliding
receptacles, a pivoted latch lever for each slide, an armature attached to each latch
lever, electro-magnets located in position each to operate one of the pivoted latch
levers, contact plates bridging over the spaces between the sliding receptacles,
electric conductors arranged on each sliding receptacle and provided with contact
points to bear upon the bridging contact plates on opposite sides of the receptacles
when the latter are closed, an electric generator, a number of circuits extending
from one pole of the generator, each passing through one or more controlling
switches, one of the electro-magnets all of the bridging contact plates and the
conductors on the receptacles, through a circuit closer common to all and back to
the other pole of the electric generator, as and for the purpose set forth.
6th. In a case or receptacle for poisons the combination of a slide carrying a
receptacle and working within guide ways in a supporting frame or shelf, a lock or
latch for said slide operated by an electro-magnet and adapted to engage a stop on
said slide, two insulated contact plates bearing upon the slide when closed and
connected across the slide by an electric conductor arranged thereon and adapted
to make said connection after the slide has been latched or locked and to break the
said connection during the withdrawal of the receptacle from the case, an electric
circuit passing from an electric generator through a governing switch, the electro-
magnet coils, to and through the contact plates across the conductor on the
receptacle and back to the electric generator, and two auxiliary contact plates
connected one to each of the main contact plates and arranged over the pivoted
latch lever in position to make contact with the latter when it is raised by the
electro-magnet, all as and for the purpose set forth.
7th. In a case or receptacle for poisons, the combination with two or more
receptacles, locking mechanism for said receptacles and electro-magnets adapted to
operate said locked mechanism, of an electric circuit for each of said electro-magnets

page_text: passing through one or more controlling switches, all as and for the purpose
set forth.
8th. In a case or receptacle for poisons, the combination with a series of
receptacles, an electro-magnet locking device for retaining each of said receptacles
in the supporting case and an electric circuit for each of said locking devices, of
two or more switches connected in each of the electric circuits, the switches of the
several circuits being interspersed or intermixed on the switch board, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.