Drug dispensing cabinet having a drawer interlink, counterbalance and locking system
US7077286B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F11/30
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A dispensing cabinet is comprised of a frame, a plurality of shelves movably connected to the frame at an angle with respect thereto, and a plurality of drawers with each drawer carried by one of the shelves such that each of the drawers is capable of moving between a fully open position extending outwardly and downwardly from the frame and a fully closed position. Each of the drawers carries at least one dispenser. Each of said drawers also carries a lock for locking each of the drawers to the frame when the drawers are in their respective fully closed positions. A counterbalance is provided, and each of the drawers is responsive to the counterbalance such that only one drawer at a time can be in its fully open position. A controller for controlling the dispensers and, in certain embodiments, for controlling the locks, is also provided. The counterbalance includes a cable connected at one end to a spring and fixed at another end either to the frame or to another drawer. The cabinet may be provided with locking arms carried by each of the drawers for locking each of the drawers in its fully open position. The locking arms are pivotable and are balanced such that upon opening a draw…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.