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Publication Number
US-9345644-B2
Publication Date
2016-05-24
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 invention describes a secured cabinet or storage system comprising at least one drawer unit divided into compartments and a movable belt or cover having an opening. The opening aligns with a selected compartment to provide access while restricting access to at least one other compartment. An actuator moves the belt or cover in either of two opposite directions under the control of an electronic controller.
In response to a request, the controller selects a movement direction that lowers, decreases, or minimizes the travel distance needed to align the opening with the selected compartment. The secured cabinet arrangement can include multiple sliding drawer units each having compartments and a movable belt. Dependent features include belt position sensing, bi-directional motor control, and compartments containing medical products.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims include four independent claims (1, 11, 15, and 20), summarized below as four inventive features.
Compartmented secured cabinet with direction-selectable belt
Claim 1 recites a secured cabinet with a sliding drawer unit divided into at least two compartments, a movable belt opening alignable with either compartment, and an actuator that moves the belt in opposite directions. The electronic controller determines which direction lowers the travel distance required for alignment. Dependent claim elements include position sensing, user-request control, medical products, and belt openings of different sizes.
Compartmented storage system with user-controlled movable cover
Claim 11 recites a drawer unit with a plurality of compartments and a movable cover opening that aligns with a compartment to provide access while restricting access to at least one other compartment. A user interface receives requests, and the controller directs the cover actuator in either direction based on a user request. Dependent claim elements specify a drawer housing, a bi-directional motor, and a belt cover.
Multi-drawer cabinet with travel-reducing belt control
Claim 15 recites a secured cabinet with multiple sliding drawer units, each divided into compartments and having a movable belt with an opening. In response to a request for a compartment, the controller determines which direction decreases the belt travel distance needed for alignment and directs the actuator accordingly. Dependent claim elements include belt-position sensing and conditions on belt movement.
Storage system with cover direction selected to minimize travel
Claim 20 recites a compartmented drawer unit and a movable cover opening that provides access to a selected compartment while restricting access to at least one other compartment. In response to a user request, the controller determines which direction minimizes the cover travel distance needed for alignment and directs the actuator to move the cover in that direction.
The independent claims cover single- and multiple-drawer storage arrangements in which a controller selectively moves a belt or cover in opposite directions to align an opening with a requested compartment, reducing or minimizing travel distance while restricting access to other compartments.
Stated Advantages
The controller selects a movement direction that lowers, decreases, or minimizes the travel distance required to align the belt or cover opening with a selected compartment.
The opening provides access to a selected compartment while restricting access to at least one other compartment.
Documented Applications
Secure storage of items in a storage system with a plurality of compartments.
Storage of medical products in compartments of a secured cabinet.
Multi-unit storage systems connected to a user terminal, software, and a server.
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