Pilfer-proof Desk And Work Table Drawer

Abstract

A drawer assembly is fastened to the underside of a desk or table by screws or other means that are not accessible when the drawer of the assembly is therewithin. The drawer itself is locked to the assembly by a bolt that enters a strike and cams the drawer against a stop when an attempt is made to jimmy the bolt out of the strike.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the locking and mounting of a drawer relatively to a desk, table or the like. More particularly, the invention relates to the like. More particularly, the invention relates to the mounting of a drawer assembly in such manner on a table or desk, that the entire assembly will be difficult to remove from the desk or table, while the drawer itself will be held securely locked to the assembly and against unauthorized release and attack.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Drawer assemblies of the general class described are naturally quite old in the art. However, so far as is known, there has been no contribution of an entire assembly comprising a support structure and a drawer mounted thereon, that may be readily secured by simple means to the underside of a table or desk, and then rendered difficult to attack or remove unless the drawer is released for sliding outwardly of the assembly.

Further, while locking means have long been used for locking drawers in a fully closed position, so far as is known, bolts used for such locking have generally been of a conventional rotary or sliding type adapted for conventional movement and positioning relatively to a locking strike. Therefore, such bolts have been subject to a type of attack known as "jimmying." To prevent jimmying, complex interlocking means have been utilized, but these have not been generally effective because, unless extremely strong frame members and strikes are utilized, jimmying will result in the destruction of the normal type of strike.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A feature of this invention resides in the utilization of a drawer assembly unit comprising a support structure or mounting frame, and a drawer adapted to be locked to the frame. Means, preferably in the form of bolts or screws are utilized for securing the mounting frame to the underside of a table or desk. The presence of the drawer within the frame, renders the securing means, such as screws or bolts, inaccessible for manipulation. Therefore, by locking the drawer inwardly of the support structure or frame, the securing means are rendered inaccessible.

A further feature of the invention resides in the utilization of an angular drawer front wall. This makes it possible to mount in a conventional manner within the drawer front wall, a conventional type of lock having a rotary or sliding bolt adapted to move outwardly of the upper surface of the drawer front wall into an interlocking strike forming an integral part of the mounting frame or drawer support structure. Despite the fact that the lock and bolt are conventional, the angular position of the front wall of the drawer in which the lock is carried, provides for the movement of the bolt angularly into the strike. Therefore, the bolt, will exert an angular action against the strike in the event an attempt is made to jimmy the upper end surface of the front wall of the drawer away from the strike. This angular action will tend to cam the drawer rearwardly into the frame or support structure in which it is mounted. By providing a stop, which may be integral with the strike, such inward movement is prevented, and therefore the very simple bolt that is utilized will actually prevent jimmying without requiring interlocking. Furthermore, the stop will actually reinforce the strike with which the bolt coacts, so as to resist jimmying.

It may be said therefore, that the general object of this invention is to provide a drawer locking mechanism utilizing a conventional lock and bolt carried by an angular drawer front wall, so as to provide interlocking and reinforcing security to the locking mechanism with a conventional lock and bolt. A further general object of the invention is the utilization of a novel form of drawer assembly that may be readily secured to a desk or table, and rendered difficult to attack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristics of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and operation, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a table top to which the drawer assembly of this invention has been applied, the drawer being shown in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a partial section along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, but with the drawer shown in closed position relatively to the table and the drawer support structure or frame.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in section illustrating the action of the lock bolt relatively to the strike, and the functioning of the stop or limit member.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 10 indicates a table top or desk top as the case may be, to which the drawer assembly of my invention is adapted to be secured. The drawer assembly of the invention is shown fabricated from steel, while the table top is wood, but it will be appreciated that other materials may be utilized if that is desired.

The support structure for the drawer is in the form of mounting frame 11 fabricated from relatively light steel, and formed by the welding together of a series of peripheral frame members 12, 13, 14, and 15. These frame members have vertical portions, and also horizontal portions, and outline a space within which is adapted to slide a drawer designated generally by reference numeral 20. Cross member 17 restrains frame members 12 and 15 from spreading apart. The actual construction of drawer 20, except for the formation of its front end wall is conventional, and may take various forms known to those skilled in the art. Mounting frame 11 also may be varied in form.

The particular novel feature of the mounting frame 11 that is believed to be a contribution to the art, comprises securing as by welding to the several frame members 12, 13, 14, and 15, a horizontal bar such as that designated by reference numeral 21 and shown in section in FIG. 2. Bar 21 is also well illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 1. With the drawer 20 moved outwardly of the frame 11, screws 22 may be passed through openings 23 in the horizontal bar 21 and into the wood of desk top 10. Of course, other fastening means such as bolts may be utilized. It is quite clear, that with the drawer 20 in position within the mounting frame 11, screws 22 will not be accessible, and therefore it will be extremely difficult to attack the means securing mounting frame 11 to the desk top or table top 10. A horizontal bar 25 similar to the bar 21 is welded to the front end of the mounting frame 11, and it is secured by screws 26 to the front end of the underside of desk or table top 10 in a similar manner. Obviously, the screws 26 are also not accessible when the drawer is in its closed position illustrated in FIG. 2.

As already outlined, drawer 20 may be of conventional construction except for its front end wall, and may be mounted in any suitable manner for sliding within the support structure or mounting frame 11. Thus, the drawer may have a rib 30 at each side thereof coacting with rollers (not shown) carried by frame 11, or any other conventional means.

Advantageous to this invention, the forward or front wall of drawer 20 is formed angular as is clearly evident from the drawings. Thus, utilizing hollow light metal construction, the drawer's front wall is fabricated, for example, from parallel spaced metal plates designed by reference numerals 35 and 36, suitably welded relatively to the remainder of the drawer. Illustrated at 38 in FIG. 3, is part of the inner formation of the drawer, which happens to be a pencil tray. Obviously, the metal forming this formation 38 will reinforce the plates 35 and 36. Additional longitudinal walls 39, seen best in FIG. 1, extend between the formation 38 and plate 36, and further act to reinforce the plate 36 together with the plate 35. Additional structure may be used to reinforce plates 35, 36 as will be understood.

Mounted between the plates 35 and 36 forming the angular front wall of the drawer 20, is a lock of standard construction, mounted in a standard manner. Thus, the lock includes a forward escutcheon 40 accessible at the front of the drawer, and a cylinder portion 41 lying between the plates 35 and 36. A fastening washer 42 is screw threaded about the cylinder 41 and holds the lock in position in a conventional manner. The lock also includes a key plug 43 of standard design, to which is secured a bolt 44, best illustrated in FIG. 4. Obviously, upon rotation of the key plug 43, the bolt 44 will rotate therewith. If desired, instead of a rotary bolt 44, a sliding bolt may be utilized, and will contribute substantially the same results accomplished by the rotary bolt 44.

The mounting frame 11 has welded to its front structural member 15, a combined stop and strike assembly designated generally by reference numeral 50 as can best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. A part 51 of this assembly 50 coacts with an offset portion of the internal plate 36 forming the drawer front wall, to prevent inward movement of the drawer from its closed position of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrow 52. In other words, the surface 51 is a rigid stop preventing inward movement of the drawer 20. A further surface of the combined strike and limit member 50, is the strike surface 53 having an opening 54 into which the bolt 44 is adapted to be projected as well illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. It will be appreciated that if desired, the lock may be of a type having a bolt that may be projected in a sliding manner into the opening 54. In either case, the bolt 44 is moved outwardly of the top surface 37 of the front wall of the drawer through an opening 55 in that top surface, best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The opening 55 in the surface 37 and the opening 54, which actually is an end slot in the modification here illustrated, are both so dimensioned, that the bolt 44, while angularly positioned, will substantially close both openings laterally while lying in angular relation thereto, as clearly seen in FIG. 3.

As those skilled in the art well understand, when a burglar attempts to open a drawer such as the drawer 20, he will generally apply a jimmy or wedge between the upper surface 37 of the front wall of the drawer and the surface 53 of the combined strike and limit member 50. Where a conventional vertical front is utilized in the drawer, together with a conventional lock of the type illustrated in this application, it will be possible generally to move the surface 37 a sufficient distance away from the strike surface 53 to move the bolt out of the strike opening 54, and permit the drawer to be opened. In the construction illustrated in this application, any downward pressure exerted in an attempt to move the surface 37 away from the strike and limit member 50, will cause a reaction against the bolt 44, which because of its angular position will actually tend to apply a force against one surface of opening 54 in strike 50 to move the drawer inwardly in the direction of the arrow 52. In other words, the bolt 44 will translate downward pressure against the surface 37 into endwise movement of the drawer in the direction of the arrow 52. Obviously, since the drawer cannot move in the direction of the arrow 52, because of the stop surface 51, the stop surface 51 will actually present a jimmy resisting barrier. This jimmy resisting barrier may be made more effective by changing the angularity of surface 51 as well as plate 36.

In illustrating the invention, a rotary bolt 44 adapted to interlock with the strike 50 has been purposely illustrated. Thus, the bolt 44 has a hook portion 44a which overlies the surface 53 of the strike to prevent jimmying. Because of the relatively thin metal that is used in constructions of the particular class, were a conventional vertical front wall used on drawer 20, any jimmying action readily would deform the surface 53. Severe attack might rotate bolt 44 against the restraining action of the lock tumblers. In other words, attack of a conventional nature would rip or deform the metal at 53 or would cause injury to the lock mechanism. The use of other types of interlocking bolts and strikes would create like problems and difficulties.

It will now be appreciated that through utilization of an angular front drawer wall, it is possible to mount a conventional lock in a conventional manner relatively to the wall, and yet provide a bolt positioned at such an angle to the strike as to be able to exert a camming action, so that the drawer stop mechanism may serve to reinforce the bolt. Further, the bolt need not interlock with the strike, thereby simplifying the strike and bolt constructions and protecting the strike against deformation.

It will be noted that plate 35 of the front wall of the drawer extends downwardly below its bottom to form a lower extension 60. This extension 60 lies outwardly of mounting frame 11, and thus is available to the fingers for pulling the drawer outwardly. However, with the drawer locked, only minimum force can be exerted against the relatively small extension 60 to pull the drawer outwardly of frame 11.

It is believed that the contribution of this invention now will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In a combination of the class described, a drawer having a front wall, means mounting said drawer for sliding movement in a support structure, a lock mounted on said front wall and having a bolt for engaging a locking surface of said support structure for locking said drawer to said support structure against sliding movement outwardly of said support structure from a predetermined closed position within said support structure, a stop on said support structure for preventing sliding movement of said drawer relatively to said support structure inwardly of said predetermined position, and said bolt when in locking position, engaging said support structure locking surface in such camming relation that attempted wedging movement of said drawer front wall away from said support structure at an angle to the direction of sliding of said drawer will cause said bolt to cam the drawer inwardly of said support structure against said stop.

2. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that the upper surface of said front wall of said drawer lies directly under a lower surface of said support structure when said drawer is closed against said stop, the said attempted wedging taking place between the upper surface of said front wall and said lower surface of said support structure.

3. In the combination of claim 2, the feature that said locking surface is integral with said lower surface, said bolt moving into position against said locking surface to hold said drawer against outward sliding movement, and means whereby said lock is so mounted on said drawer front wall that said bolt moves at an angle to the vertical to assume said camming relation.

4. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said bolt is movable in said lock parallel to the forward surface of said drawer front wall, and said front wall surface is at an angle to the vertical so that said bolt assumes said angular position.

5. In the combination of claim 4, the feature that said locking surface is the surface of a slot into which said bolt is projected by operation of said lock.

6. In the combination of claim 1, the feature that said drawer front wall is inclined angularly to the vertical with said drawer sliding horizontally, a rotary conventional lock fitted in said front wall with its axis of rotation perpendicular to the drawer front wall and its bolt moving in a plane parallel to said front wall, and said locking surface coacting with said bolt formed integral with an overlying surface of said support structure under which the upper edge of said front wall of the drawer lies in close juxtaposition.

7. In the combination of claim 6, the feature that the lower portion of said drawer front wall extends angularly below the support structure, forming a surface through which the drawer may be pulled outwardly of said support structure.

8. In a combination of the class described, a drawer having a front wall, means mounting said drawer for sliding movement in a support structure, a lock mounted on said front wall and having a bolt for engaging a locking surface of said support structure for locking said drawer to said support structure against sliding movement outwardly of said support structure from a predetermined closed position within said support structure, said drawer front being inclined angularly to the vertical with said drawer sliding horizontally, a rotary conventional lock fitted in said front wall with its axis of rotation perpendicular to the drawer front wall and its bolt moving in a plane parallel to said front wall, and said locking surface coacting with said bolt formed integral with an overlying surface of said support structure under which the upper edge of said front wall of the drawer lies in close juxtaposition.

9. In the combination of claim 8, the feature that the support structure is in the form of a frame adapted to be secured as a unit to the undersurface of a desk top or table or the like, said structure comprising surfaces overlying said drawer and formed with openings for the passage of screws or the like upwardly into said desk or table, and with said screws or the like accessible from the underside of said structure only when said drawer is moved outwardly of said structure a predetermined distance exposing said openings.

10. In the combination of claim 8, the feature that the lower portion of said drawer front wall extends angularly below the support structure, forming a surface through which the drawer may be pulled outwardly of said support structure.