Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-8744621-B2
Publication Date
2014-06-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A cabinet for securely storing items includes a drawer enclosure, a drawer, a cover, an electric actuator, and a switch. The drawer is slidable at least partially into and out of the enclosure, and includes a compartment. A cover which is configured as a metal belt is designed to selectively block access to the compartments of the drawer when the cover is in a first configuration, and to allow access to the compartment when the cover is in a second configuration. The electric actuator is designed to move the cover from the first configuration to the second configuration in one of two directions. The actuator selects the direction to reduce the time required to make such movement.
Core Innovation
The claims describe a secured drawer or storage system with compartments and a movable belt or cover having one or more openings. Movement aligns an opening with a designated compartment to provide access while restricting access to at least one other compartment. An actuator or controller moves the belt or cover in either of two opposite directions, selecting the direction to minimize the time or travel distance needed for alignment.
The claims also describe openings of different sizes, position sensing, and controller operation based on opening-position data or compartment access-frequency data. In addition, the system may reposition the belt based on access frequency and include tamper detection, event logging, and belt tension adjustment. Associated arrangements include a multi-unit storage system connected to software, a server, and additional terminals.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify four inventive features corresponding to four independent claims covering a compartmented drawer or storage system with a movable belt or cover that selectively provides compartment access via directional control based on minimizing time or travel distance.
Bidirectional belt over a secured drawer
Claim 1 covers a secured drawer for a supply cabinet with end-to-end compartments, rollers, and a belt having a first opening and a larger second opening. A belt actuator moves the belt in either direction to align an opening with a compartment while restricting access to at least one compartment, selecting the direction that minimizes the time required to change access.
Rotatable belt around a compartmented drawer unit
Claim 4 covers a storage system with a belt rotatably disposed about a drawer unit's compartments. The belt rotates clockwise or counter-clockwise to align its opening with a designated compartment while restricting access to at least one other compartment, and the actuator selects the direction to minimize the time required to provide access.
Controller-directed cover with differently sized openings
Claim 11 covers a compartmented drawer unit, a cover with a first opening larger than a second opening, an actuator that moves the cover in opposite directions, and a controller. The controller selects an opening according to the designated compartment's size, stores opening-position data, and directs movement in the direction that minimizes the cover's travel distance for alignment.
Storage system with sensor-based cover positioning
Claim 17 covers a cover with an opening, an actuator that moves the cover in opposite directions, and a sensor that detects cover position. The controller receives position data from the sensor and directs movement in the direction that minimizes the travel distance required to align the opening with the designated compartment.
The four independent claims cover selective compartment access using a bidirectional belt or cover, with movement direction determined to minimize access time or travel distance. The claims also cover differently sized openings and sensor-based or stored position control.
Stated Advantages
The belt or cover provides access to a designated compartment while restricting access to at least one other compartment.
The actuator or controller selects the direction of movement to minimize the time required to change or provide access, or minimize the travel distance required for alignment.
Documented Applications
A secured drawer for a supply cabinet, including a medical-supply cabinet, and a storage system for securely storing items in compartments.
A multi-unit storage system connected to software, a server, and additional terminals.
Interested in licensing this patent?