CA1135318A - Bearing system and locking mechanism for rotary storage cabinet - Google Patents
Bearing system and locking mechanism for rotary storage cabinetInfo
- Publication number
- CA1135318A CA1135318A CA000336512A CA336512A CA1135318A CA 1135318 A CA1135318 A CA 1135318A CA 000336512 A CA000336512 A CA 000336512A CA 336512 A CA336512 A CA 336512A CA 1135318 A CA1135318 A CA 1135318A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- rotor
- base
- housing
- cabinet
- openings
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B63/00—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, specially adapted for storing books, documents, forms, or the like
- A47B63/06—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, specially adapted for storing books, documents, forms, or the like with parts, e.g. trays, card containers, movable on pivots or on chains or belts
- A47B63/062—Cabinets, racks or shelf units, specially adapted for storing books, documents, forms, or the like with parts, e.g. trays, card containers, movable on pivots or on chains or belts with trays revolving on a vertical axis
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a rotary storage cabinet comprised of an outer stationary housing and an inner rotatable rotor having four sides two of which are positionable to present the contents of the cabinet simultaneously to two opposite openings in the housing.
Two other opposite sides of the rotor are positionable to close the openings in the housing. The cabinet is constructed from a plurality of sub-assemblies which are shipped for assembly at the point of use. The basic structure of the unit comprises a base (20), two pilaster frames (10), and a top frame pan (30) each of which is shipped as a sub-assembly. The cabinet includes several features including: the ball bearing mechanism (Figs. 7-9); spring urged wheel (180) and detent (150) (Fig. 12) stop mechanism; lock mechanism (160) (Fig. 12);
welded pilaster frames (10); and a single centrally located rotor frame (50). The unit is modular permitting the use of like "add-on" units (Figs. 16 and 17).
This invention relates to a rotary storage cabinet comprised of an outer stationary housing and an inner rotatable rotor having four sides two of which are positionable to present the contents of the cabinet simultaneously to two opposite openings in the housing.
Two other opposite sides of the rotor are positionable to close the openings in the housing. The cabinet is constructed from a plurality of sub-assemblies which are shipped for assembly at the point of use. The basic structure of the unit comprises a base (20), two pilaster frames (10), and a top frame pan (30) each of which is shipped as a sub-assembly. The cabinet includes several features including: the ball bearing mechanism (Figs. 7-9); spring urged wheel (180) and detent (150) (Fig. 12) stop mechanism; lock mechanism (160) (Fig. 12);
welded pilaster frames (10); and a single centrally located rotor frame (50). The unit is modular permitting the use of like "add-on" units (Figs. 16 and 17).
Description
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BEARING SYSTEM 2~D LOCKING MECHANISM FOR
ROTARY STORAG~ CABINET
Backaround of the Invention Rotary storage cabinets for storing various articles are known. Commonly such storage cabinets are provided with shelves for filing of office records.
They may, however, also be used for the storage of other materials such as books, computer tapes or discs, music tapes or discs, for the display of articles for sale, clothing lokcers~ and numerous other items. In one such rotary storage cabinet the rotor that rotates within the outer housing has four sides any one of which may be presented to tl1e open side of the housing.
The open side of the housing may or may not have a door or doors.
In another such rotary storage cabinet it is known to provide the rotor with two sets of shelves arranged at 180 with respect to each other with the other two sides of the four sided rotor being posi-tionable to close the opening in the housing. In this construction no door is re~uired in the housin~. This construction also lends itself to accessability from two opposite sides by providing that the housinq has openings in two opposite sides. In this latter con-struction the rotor may be rotated to present a closure door to both openings simultaneously or, upon rotation of 90 the shelves may be presented to the two openings simultaneously. The present invention is directed to this latter type of rotary storàge cabinet.
In rotary storage cabinets of the type to which the present invention is directed there are a number of problems in manufacture, shipping, sales and assembly.
~nong these problems is the fact that these cabinets _ tend to he quite large and if shipped fully assembled ~ .
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BEARING SYSTEM 2~D LOCKING MECHANISM FOR
ROTARY STORAG~ CABINET
Backaround of the Invention Rotary storage cabinets for storing various articles are known. Commonly such storage cabinets are provided with shelves for filing of office records.
They may, however, also be used for the storage of other materials such as books, computer tapes or discs, music tapes or discs, for the display of articles for sale, clothing lokcers~ and numerous other items. In one such rotary storage cabinet the rotor that rotates within the outer housing has four sides any one of which may be presented to tl1e open side of the housing.
The open side of the housing may or may not have a door or doors.
In another such rotary storage cabinet it is known to provide the rotor with two sets of shelves arranged at 180 with respect to each other with the other two sides of the four sided rotor being posi-tionable to close the opening in the housing. In this construction no door is re~uired in the housin~. This construction also lends itself to accessability from two opposite sides by providing that the housinq has openings in two opposite sides. In this latter con-struction the rotor may be rotated to present a closure door to both openings simultaneously or, upon rotation of 90 the shelves may be presented to the two openings simultaneously. The present invention is directed to this latter type of rotary storàge cabinet.
In rotary storage cabinets of the type to which the present invention is directed there are a number of problems in manufacture, shipping, sales and assembly.
~nong these problems is the fact that these cabinets _ tend to he quite large and if shipped fully assembled ~ .
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1 the transporation costs are excessive since a consider-able quantity of empty space is being ship~ed as well.
As a result such cabinets are generally shipped in ; ~nocked down form with the same being assembled either 5 by the manufacturer's representative or by the purchaser on the premises where it is to be used. Since the assemblers in such a circumstance are generally not skilled it is necessary that the units be so designed - as to be assembled readily with hand tools while at the same time insuring ade~uate strength and maintenance of shape throuqh sufficient rigidity. At the same time, the less material utilized in the entire unit the more economy both with respect to raw material and labor that may be achieved in the manufacture of the product.
Often in attempting to resolve these problems it occurs that resolution or improvement of one problem results in the aggravation of another proble~. The larger the parts assembled in the factory and shipped, then the simpler the assembly on site and the more certainty there is that the structure will be properly assembled, strong and stable. At the same time, however, the larger the assembly in the plant the more difficult and.larger the packaging and the more costly the transportation. At the same time, as ~ell, the cost of in plant assembly of sub-units increases the cost of the unit as compared with shipment of indi-vidual parts which are then assembled esentially without cost by the purchaser or representative.
Still further, it is des;rable that the units be modular in construction in order to perntit the addi-tion of additional units integrated with the original unit or units in order to save space and in order to provide an extended line of such cabinets. Fre~uently such cabinets are utilized as room dividers and the _ modular construction lends itself well to this use , , .
1 while permitting individuals positioned on both sides of the room divider to have access to the files.
Prior Art .
One currently manufactured rotary file cabinet that is available commercially is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
1 the transporation costs are excessive since a consider-able quantity of empty space is being ship~ed as well.
As a result such cabinets are generally shipped in ; ~nocked down form with the same being assembled either 5 by the manufacturer's representative or by the purchaser on the premises where it is to be used. Since the assemblers in such a circumstance are generally not skilled it is necessary that the units be so designed - as to be assembled readily with hand tools while at the same time insuring ade~uate strength and maintenance of shape throuqh sufficient rigidity. At the same time, the less material utilized in the entire unit the more economy both with respect to raw material and labor that may be achieved in the manufacture of the product.
Often in attempting to resolve these problems it occurs that resolution or improvement of one problem results in the aggravation of another proble~. The larger the parts assembled in the factory and shipped, then the simpler the assembly on site and the more certainty there is that the structure will be properly assembled, strong and stable. At the same time, however, the larger the assembly in the plant the more difficult and.larger the packaging and the more costly the transportation. At the same time, as ~ell, the cost of in plant assembly of sub-units increases the cost of the unit as compared with shipment of indi-vidual parts which are then assembled esentially without cost by the purchaser or representative.
Still further, it is des;rable that the units be modular in construction in order to perntit the addi-tion of additional units integrated with the original unit or units in order to save space and in order to provide an extended line of such cabinets. Fre~uently such cabinets are utilized as room dividers and the _ modular construction lends itself well to this use , , .
1 while permitting individuals positioned on both sides of the room divider to have access to the files.
Prior Art .
One currently manufactured rotary file cabinet that is available commercially is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
3,868,157. This patent aiscloses a rotary file cabinet providing access from two opposite sides of the cabinet and in which the internal rotor has four sides two of which, positioned 180 from each other, contain shelves which may be positioned in the oppositely located openings of the housing thus permitting access from either side. Upon rotating the rotor 90 the re~aining two sides of the rotor are positioned in the openings to close them. The construction shown is modular thus permitting units to be added. A snubber mechanism is provided for stopping the rotation of the rotor in a resilient manner and insuring its proper alignment in any one of its four possible positions. A pedal operated arrangement releases the engagement of the snubber when it is desired to rotate the rotor. It has been found, however, that this pedal operation has certain disad-vantages. The pedal itself extends outwardly of thecabinet to one or both sides and comprises a protrusion which clerical personnel frequently find damaging to shoes and stockinas and occassionally injurious to the foot. Still further, particularly in rooms containing a number of such cabinets, the clacking noise induced when the pedal is operated to release the rotor and again when the snubber engages an opening in the rotor to stop the same has been found disturbing to personnel working nearby. Still further, the snubber mechanism is coln-prised of numerous springs, levers, plates and the likewhich are expensive to manufacture and assemble and which _ by their co~plex nature require in-plant asse~bly.
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1 Brief Summarv of the Invention .
The present invention aims to overcome the various problems mentioned above and the disadvantages of the snubber mechanism as described above. In order to insure thoroughly adequate strength, accurate and rigid retention of shape and to simplify on site assembly the present rotary storage cabinet is constructed from a number of sub-assemblies. As described in detail below the currently preferred arrangement provides for nine different sub-assemblies three of which are duplicated thus providing for twelve sub-assemblies which by their nature pack compactly together with miscellaneous hard-ware thus eliminating waste or cost in transportation ~1hile the assemblies do require some in-plant assembly with attendant cost the same is minimized by this invention and, further, what in plant assembly is undertaken is largely limited to welding at important locations thus insuring great strength for llght weight and the proper rectangular shape to the various sub-assemblies such as the two identical pilaster frames which provide the basic strength of the unit together with the base and top.
The rotor is assembled on a single open welded rectangular frame extending through the vertical axis of the rotor. This arrangement provides great strength and rigidity at low weight and cost.
Additionally, a areatly simplified spring urged wheel and detent arrangement is utili7ed instead of the complex snub~er mechanism to insure proper alignment of the rotor in any one of its ~our selectable positions. A unique locking arrangement is also provided for in which a throw pin moves upwarclly through the base when the lock is oper-ated to engage or clisencZagc a peripheral slot or groove _ in the underside of the rectangular rotor base.
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_5 1 Still further, a unique bearing arrangement is provided for support of the rotor which is simple and economical to produce. This bearing comprises a bearing plate to hold the ball bearings which operate on flat surfaces rather than in a track.
Brief Description of the Drawings . ~
The construction and operation of the device - will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and drawings in which:
F IG . 1 i s an e~ploded, perspective, some-what schematic view of a rotary storage cabinet constructed in accordance with the present in-vention and showing the various sub-assemblies;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the assembled rotary storage cabinet showing the rotor in the closed position;
, ~ FIG. 3 is a view like FI~. 2 with the rotor shown -~ in open position;
FIG. 4 is a cross-secticn ta~en along the line
, ~13S318 . . .
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1 Brief Summarv of the Invention .
The present invention aims to overcome the various problems mentioned above and the disadvantages of the snubber mechanism as described above. In order to insure thoroughly adequate strength, accurate and rigid retention of shape and to simplify on site assembly the present rotary storage cabinet is constructed from a number of sub-assemblies. As described in detail below the currently preferred arrangement provides for nine different sub-assemblies three of which are duplicated thus providing for twelve sub-assemblies which by their nature pack compactly together with miscellaneous hard-ware thus eliminating waste or cost in transportation ~1hile the assemblies do require some in-plant assembly with attendant cost the same is minimized by this invention and, further, what in plant assembly is undertaken is largely limited to welding at important locations thus insuring great strength for llght weight and the proper rectangular shape to the various sub-assemblies such as the two identical pilaster frames which provide the basic strength of the unit together with the base and top.
The rotor is assembled on a single open welded rectangular frame extending through the vertical axis of the rotor. This arrangement provides great strength and rigidity at low weight and cost.
Additionally, a areatly simplified spring urged wheel and detent arrangement is utili7ed instead of the complex snub~er mechanism to insure proper alignment of the rotor in any one of its ~our selectable positions. A unique locking arrangement is also provided for in which a throw pin moves upwarclly through the base when the lock is oper-ated to engage or clisencZagc a peripheral slot or groove _ in the underside of the rectangular rotor base.
113S~18 ``
_5 1 Still further, a unique bearing arrangement is provided for support of the rotor which is simple and economical to produce. This bearing comprises a bearing plate to hold the ball bearings which operate on flat surfaces rather than in a track.
Brief Description of the Drawings . ~
The construction and operation of the device - will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and drawings in which:
F IG . 1 i s an e~ploded, perspective, some-what schematic view of a rotary storage cabinet constructed in accordance with the present in-vention and showing the various sub-assemblies;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the assembled rotary storage cabinet showing the rotor in the closed position;
, ~ FIG. 3 is a view like FI~. 2 with the rotor shown -~ in open position;
FIG. 4 is a cross-secticn ta~en along the line
4-4 of FIG 2;
FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4 but with the rotor shown during rotation having becn rotated appro~i-., ~, mately 45 from the position shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a vicw taken alonn the line 6-6 o~ FIG.
3 showing the rotor in open position;
FIG. 7 is a view of the hearing plate ~pon which _ the rotor rests: -_ -6-1 FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the portion marked A in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 11 is a view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 12 is a view taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a shelf and its two associated end supports;
FIG. 15 is an enlarcied detailed view ta~en along the line 15-15 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 1~ is a view of a-portion of FIG. 12 showincj how an additional base for an additional unit may be secured to an existing unit; and FIG. 17 is an enlarged detailed vi.w taken generally alony the line 17-17 of FIG. 1 showing the manner in whico the to~ frame pan for the housiny is secured and also showing the securing of an additional top fra~e pan for an additional unit.
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1~35318 1 Detailed Description of Preferred Fmbodiment --. _ As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the rotary storage cabinet of the present invention comprises two sub-units: an exterior stationary housing 2 and an internalrotor 4. As seen in FIG. 2 the rotor has been rotated to a position in which the rotary cabinet is closed while in FIG. 3 the rotary cabinet is shown with the rotor having been rotated to present shelves 6 in the front openi.ng 8 of the stationary housing 2. It will be unclerstood that the stationary housing 2 has an opening 8 on the two opposite sides thereof as shown in FIG. 6. The rotor 4 has two sets of shelves 6 opening in opposite directions and presented to the two open-: 15 ings 8 as shown in FIG. 6. As also shown in FIG. 6 the other two sides of the rotor 4 have door or closure panels 12 which in the view of FIG. 6 are moved out of closure position and are within the stationary housing 2. FIGS. 2 and 4 show the rotor 4 rotated to present the door panels 12 at the openinss 8 to close the same.
FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of one rotary cabinet unit which is made up of the following sub--assemblies:
Stationary housing 2:
A basc 20 A pair or open rectan~ular pilaster frames 10 A top frame pan 30 A pair of end panels 40 I'.otor 4:
An open rec~angular frame 50 A to~ frame pan 60 A bottom swivel pan 70 A bearinq plate 80 _ A pair of door or closure panel assemblies 90 ~13S~
1The two pilaster frames 10 are identical in construction but in use one is turned 1~0 about the vertical center line with respect to the other.
Similarly, the two end panels are identical and the two door closure panels 90 are identical. As will be seen from FIG. 1 each pilaster frame 10 has two vertical upright angle irons 74 with two horizontal angle irons 18 exten~ing between the bottom ends of the upright angle irons 74 ~7ith one angle 18 on each side of the 10flange 68 of each anale 74. The ends of the flanges 66 of the anale irons 18 are welded to the opposite sides of the flange 68 of each of the upright angle irons 74.
Two angle irons 17 extend horizontally between the angle irons 74 adjacent the upper ends of angles 74 with one angle 17 on one side of flanges 68 and the other angle 17 on the~other side of flanges 68. The ends of flanges 16 of angles 17 are ~;elded to the opposite sides of the flange 68 of each angle iron 74.
Accordingly, the angle irons 17, 1~ and 74 comprise an open rectangular wel~ed fra~e of very considerable strength. It is preferred to also weld face plates 102 to each of the flanges 75 of the angle irons 74.
In assembling the unit the two pilaster frames 10 are mounte~ on the opposite upper edges 22 of the base 20.
At their top the two pilaster frarnes 10 are connected by the top frame pan 30 which rests on a flan~e 14 of an angle iron 17 oE each of the pilaster frames 10 and it is secured thereto as ~nore fully descriLed herein-aftcr. It will be seen that the base 20, the twopilaster frames 10 and the top frame pan 30 comprise the basic structural frame of the stationary housing 2 and also serve to support the internal rotor ~. The end panels 40 are rnounted to the outside of the pilas-ter frames 10 as more fullv described hereinafter.
g 1 The rotor frame 50 has two upright channels 56, an upper cross channel 54 and a lower cross channel 52 all welded into an open rectangular ~rame 50. The rotor 2 also has a swivel pan 70 bolted to the lower U shaped channel member 52 of the rotor frarne 50. Similarly,the rotor upper frame pan 60 is bolted to the upper U
shaped channel member 54 of the rotor frame 50. The panel assemblies 90 are bolted to the upright channel members 56 of the rotor frame 50. The swivel pan 70 has a do~nwardly extending post 72 passing through an opening 82 in the bearing plate 80 and then through a suitable bearing 24 in the base 20 as more fully described hereinafter. It will be seen that the bearing plate 80 rests upon the top surface 26 of the base 20 and that the swivel pan 70 bears against the top of the bearing plate 80 thus supporting the entire rotor weight from the base 20. At its top the rotor frame pan 60 has a post 62 extending upwardly into a bearing 32 in the top frame pan 30 in order to stablize the rotor a within the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 1 no shelves are providecl. Chelves such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 14 or different types of elements extending between the channel upri~hts 56 of the frame 50 may be provided for housing or supporting whatever articles it is desired to store in the cabinet.
As shown in FIG. 12 the base 20 is built-up from two la~ers. The bottom layer 2~ has its two opposite sides 34 bent downwardly ~only one side being sho~Jn in FIG. 12). At the bottom t~e side 34 is bent inwardly to provide a flange 3~. The opposite side (not shown) has a corresponclin~ly downwarclly and inw2rdly bent side 34 anc3 flange 3~. rhe top layer 3~ of the base 20 has its two opposite sides bent downwardly to provide the clepending sides 42 only one of which is shown in FIG. 12. At their bottom the _ sides 42 are bent inwardly to provice flan~es 44. A
1 threaded adjustable foot generally indicated at 46 passes through openings in flanaes 36 and is secured thereto in known manner by means of threaded nuts. As will be seen from FIG. 12 the top layer 38 of the base ends at the point or edge indicated at 48 and does not extend all the way to the corner 22 of the base. A
flange 58 of an angle iron 18 of the pilaster frame 10 rests on the bottom layer 28 of the base 20 and has its outwardly extending edge abutting the edge 48 of the 10 top layer 38 of the base 20. Short spacer blocks 64 are welded to the flanges 66 of the angle irons 18. When the pilaster frames 10 are assembled as shown in FIGS.
1 and 12 the spacer blocks bear against the end walls 34 of the base 20 and the pilaster frames 10 are held in place by means of bolts 76 passing through suitable openings in flanges 66 and threaded into weld nuts 78 welded to the inside of the end walls- 34 of the base 20. It will be appreciated that there are a number of bolts 76 and weld nuts 78 ~rovided along the length of the flanges 66 and wall 34 respectively in order to secure the pilaster frames 10 in place. It will be seen that the pilaster frames 10 rest on the base by virtue of the flange 58 of the channel member 1&
resting upon the lower layer 28 of the base 20 and are secured by the bolts 76 and weld nuts 78. Openings are also provided through the fldnges 58 of the channel members 18 through which bolts 8~i mav be passed as well as through a flan~e 85 of an angle iron 88 and into a weld nut 9~ welded to the opposite side of the flange 30 86. 'rhis angle iron 88 (see FIG. 1) is welded to the inner face oE the end pallel 40 to secure tl-e same in place aftcr first engaging the top of the end panel assembly 40 in place.
As shown in FIG. 1 the end panel assembly 40 has an upper wall 94 bent at substanti~lly a right anale to the maln end panel face 96. At its inner end the end .
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1 panel 40 has a downwardly turned lip 98 which enqages over and behind the upwardly extending flanges 16 on angle irons 17 of pilaster base 10. After engagement of the lip 98 with the upper extending flanges 16 of the angle irons 17 the angle iron 88 is positioned with its flange 86 beneath the flange 58 (see FIG. 12) and bolted thereto by bolt 8a. At various points along its length the angle iron 88 is welded to the end panel 40 by spot welding its other flange 89 therealong.
Again having reference to FIG. 1 the pilaster frames 10 are joined together at the top by means of the frame pan 30 which rests on the flan~e 14 of the angle irons 17 for each of the two frames 10. The frame pan 30 has an upstandin~ lip or flanye 104 extendinc thereabout. The two opposite sides of the upstanding lip 10~ which face the pilaster frames 10 have openings 106 therethrough with weld nuts 108 welded in alignment therewith on the inner side of the 20 lip 104. Holes 110 in the flanges 1~ of the angle irons 17 align ~ith the holes 106 and bolts 112 extend through the holes 110 and 106 and are threaded into the weld nuts 108 to secure the frame ~an 30 in place in the two pilaster frames 10.
It will be aFpreciated that while the securelnent of a pilaster frame 10 to the base 20 has beel1 de-scribed for only one of the pilaster frames 10 that the other pilaster frame 10 is secured to the opposite side of the base 20 in e~actly the same manner. As mel1tiot;ed, the pilaster frames 10 are identical and it is only necessary to turn one 1~0 about its vertical cel1ter line in order to mount them in facin~ position on opposite sides of the base 20. The bolts 76 and weld nuts 7~ and the holes associated therewith are so positioned that this interchangeability is possible.
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1 From the above description it will be seen that the base 20, the two pilaster frames 10 and the frame pan 30 comprise the strong basic frame of the cabinet.
ReEerence is now had to FIG. 11 which shows that the base 20 includes not only a bottom layer 28 and a top layer 38 but also includes, welded thereto, a wide U sh~pea channel me~ber 114 having depending sides 116. This reinforcing ~ember 114 underlies at least all of that area on which the balls 120 of the bearing plate 80 bear. This member 114 serves there-fore to greatlv strengthen the base 20 and to support the rotor 4 and its contents.
In the center of the U shaped reinforcing member 11~, the lower plate 28 and the upper bearing plate 38 of the base 20 there is provi~ed a series of aligned openings in which is positioned a suitable bearing 24. The shaft 72 extends through this bearing 24 and is held in place by means of a washer 122 and a cotter pin 124. The bearing ~late 80 has an opening 82 through which the shaft 72 extends as shown and above the bearing plate 80 is provided a s~acer member 126. The rotor swivel base 70 has a top floor plate 128 and two 25 reinforcing pans 130, 132 with the reinforcing pan 130 beinq smaller in the lateral dirnensions than the pan 132. The shaft 172 is welded as shown to the floor plate 128 and extends throu~h suitable openings in the pans 130, 132. The lower pan 132 rests upon the top of 30 the balls 120 in the ball bearin~ plate 80 and on the spaces 126.
As shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 the bottom rein-forcing pan 132 has Eour u~struck detents 150 for reasons hereinafter described. q~he top layer or floor 12~ has a downwardly bent wall 134 around its periphery which ter-353~
1 minates in an inwardly extending flange 136. The rein- -forcing pan 132 has a wall 138 around its periphery terminating in an outwardly extending flange 142 which is welded to the underside of the floor 128. The inwardly turned flange 136 terminates short of the wall 138 tllus - providing a groove 140 extending entirely around the swivel base 70 at a short distance inwardly of its periphery. This groove 1~0 is positioned to receive a locking pin 160 whereby the rotor may be locked against rotation in any of its four positions.
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The loc~ing pin 160 passes through suitable openings in the lower and upper layers 28 and 38 respectively of the base 20 and also slides in an openina within a bushinq t52 secured as by welding to !~ the underside of the lower layer 28 of the base. This bushing 152 is of sufficient vertical extent as to insure that the pin 160 operates in a straight line fashion and does not become cocked. The locking pin 160 has a taper 154 at its upper end to help auide the same into the slot 140. At its opposite end the lockina pin 160 is pivoted at 156 to a loc~ing lever 158 which is in turn pivotea at 162 to a support 164 welded to the underside of the lower layer 28 of the base. The support 164 also has a nut and bolt 166 which secures one end of a coil spring 168 to the support 164. The other end of the spring 16$ is hooked into an eye 172 secured as by welding to one side of the lever 158 (tl1e sicle away from the viewer in FIG.
12). ~ince the eye 172 is on the opposite side of the pivot 162 from the pivot 156 for the locking pin 160 it wiil be seen that tension in the spring 168 urges the lever 15$ in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 12 thus maintaining the locking pin 160 in its unlocked ~osition.
~3S318 ( _ -14-1A lock rod 170 extends vertically upwardly through suitable openings in the lower and upper layers 28 and 38 of the base and is pivoted at 174 to one end of a lock lever 176 which is secured at its other end (not pivotally) to the barrel of a key lock 178. It will be seen that the lock lever 176 extends through a suitable opening in the flange 68 of one of the vertical angle irons 74 and that the lock 178 extends through openings provided in the flange 75 of the angle iron 74 10and through the face plate 102. The lock 178 may be of any conventional design and secured in place by a suitable facing nut ?82 threaded to the barrel of the lock 178 in known manner.
15The lock rod 170 at its lower end is bif~rcated having a slot in the center thereof extending inw2rdly from its lower end. The end 184 of the lock pin lever 158 is positioned in this slot and is held in place against the inner (upper) end of the slot by the spring 168. When it is desired to lock the cabinet the operator merely positions the rotor in any one of the four positions ~hich it can maintain and operates the key to turn the barrel of the lock 17& counter clock-wise as vie~Jec3 in FIG~ 12. Th-is ~oves the lock lever 176 counter clockwise as well and moves the lock rcd 170 do~nwardly to its dashed line ~osition. This movement of the lock rod 170 do~n~ardly rotates the lockin-3 pin lever 158 clock~ise as vie~/ed in rIG~ 12 and urges the lockinq, pin,160 upwardly into its clashed line position in the groove 1~0 th~1s lockinc3 the cabinet. ~ en the key is later turnec3 in the clockwise direction'tl1e lockinq rod 170 moves upwardly and the sprinq 168 maintains the end 18~ of the lock ~in lever 15~ in contact ~ith the upper end of the slot in the lock lever 170 effectina a co~nter clockwise rotation of the locking pin lever 158 anc' movina the 1~3S318 (`
1 loc~ pin 160 downwardly out of engagement with the slot 140. Even though the slot 140 extends around the entire swivel base 70 a short distance inwardly of the eri~hery thereof (see FIG. 13), the same will align with the locking pin 160 in only four positions. At all other positions of the rotor the slot 140 will not be positioned immediately over the locking pin 160.
This can perhaps best be seen in FIG. 5 where the locking pin 160 is shown somewhat schematically as is the slot 140. As shown in FIG. 5 the rotor has moved 45 and the slot 140 no longer aligns with the pin 160.
The rotor 4 is securely positioned in any one of its four selectable positions against undesired move-ment therefrom by means of the four detents 150 in the reinforcing pan 132 which are engaged selectively with a s~rina urged wheel 180. Mounted to the underside of the lower layer 28 of the base is a down~-ardly opening 20 channel 186 having two legs 188. The channel 186 has weld nuts 194 which receive bolts 196 passing through suitable elongated slots 193 in the lower and u~per layers 28 and 38 respectively of the base 20 and through openings in the bight 198 of the U shaped channel 186 which openings are ali~ned both with the weld nut~ 194 and the slots 193. ~ithin the channel 186 is another smaller upwardly opening U shapec1 channel 190 which is mounted by means of a nut and bolt 202 in pivoted fashion within the outer channel 18G.
The wheel 18Q is mounted for ready rotation upon an a~le 20~ ~hich extends entirely throu~h the wheel 180 and throunh the lateral upstanding walls 20~ of thc channe] 190. The whcel 180 extends upwardly through elongated aligned slots 197 in the layers 3~ and 28 and 35 in the bigi1t 1g8 of channel 186. The wheel 1~0 e~tends sufficiently through slot 197 to permit it to bear _ against the under surface of pan 132.
1~3S311~ ( 1 It will be seen that the channel 190 is pivoted at one end, the wheel 180 is mounted intermediate the length of the channel 190 and that at the end c~posite to the pivot the channel 190 carries a spring mechanism 200. ~ielded transversely across and between the up-standing walls 206 of the channel 190 is a plate 208.
Extending downwardly loosel~ through a suitably large slot 195 in the lo~ter and upper layers 28 and 38 of the base 20 and also in the bight 198 of the channel 186 is a bolt 210. These aligned slots are srnall enough to retain the bolt being smaller than the head thereof but are larger than the shank in order to permit a loose fit for rotation of the bolt 210. Adjacent the lower end of the bolt 210 it passes through another plate 212 to which is welded a weld nut 214 into which the bolt 210 is threaded. The plate 212 e~tends between the para-llel legs 188 of the channel 186 but is not secured there-to. The ends of the plate 212 are cut square and merely slidingly engage the inner surfaces of the depending leas 20 188. Accordingly, upon rotation OL the bolt 210 in a tightening direction its threads interact with the nut threads for the nut 214 to move the plate 212 upwardly wtich action further compres~es a spring 21O positioned between the plates 2C8 and 212. This causes the spring to bear with greater pressure on the plate 208 urging it with greater pressure ccunter clocl;wise about the pivot 202 along with the entire channel 1~0. Tl1is causes the wheel 180 to bear with increased pressure a~ainst the undersurface of the reinforcing pan 132. To reduce the pressure of the wheel 180 against the undersurface of the reinforcing pan 132 the head of t}e bolt 10 is simply rotated in the opposite (loosenit1g) dire~ctiol1.
The heac~ of the bolt 210 may be reached with an open end wrench froln outside of the cabinet simply b~ inserting it between the reinrorcing pan 132 . .
~13S3~8 .
1 and the base 20 from outside the cabinet. Alternatively, : the bolt 21n may be positioned such that it is exposed during a portion of the rotation of the rotor 4 in the ; same manner as the pin 116.
. The slots 193, 195 and 197 are elongated (from left to right in FIG. 12) in order to permit adjustment of the wheel 180 to the left and right within its slot 197. This adjustment is effected by looseninq bolts 10196 and sliding the channel 186 (and thus the entire wheel sub-assembly) in..the desired direction. By this adjustment the point along the slot 197 at which the wheel 180 engages the detents 150 may be adjusted.
This insures that the rotor 4 stops with the sides of its swivel base 70 perfectly parallel to the sides of base 20.
~ ,hen the lock pin 160 is in its unlocked position the rotor may be turned from its position as sho~n in FIG. 2 to its position as is sho~Jn in FIG. 3 simply by pushinq on the door closure panel 12 or gripping one of the handles 220 provided for t~.e purpose on each of the door panels 12. Initially enough force ~ust be applied not only to overcome the inertia of the rotor and its contents but also to overcome the friction applied bv the wheel 180 to the reinforcing pan 132 and, in particu].ar, enough force rnust be a~?lied to pivot the channel 206 downwardly against the compressior1 forces in spring 216 in order that the wheel 180 m~y roll out of tlle detent 15(). Thereafter only enouc3h force is required to keep the rotor turnil1g and the wheel 18C will rotate about its axis 20~l due to its engagement with the undersic1e of tl1e reinforcing pan 132. ~,hen the next position, 90 rernoved from the first, is reached the spring 216 will move the channel lao upwardly about the pin 202 enc~aging the i~heel l~0 . , ` 113S31~ ( 1 in the ne~t detent 150. The engagement of the wheel 180 in the ~etent 150 is sufficient to keep the rotor from inadvertant rotation under normal conditions and if it is not, additional tension may be applied to the spring 216 by adjusting the bolt 210. It will be appreciated that since the wheel 180 is positioned generally tangent to a circle drawn about the axis 230 of the rotor and throught the detents 150 there will be a very slight scrubbing action between the outer surface of the wheel 180 and the undersurface of the reinforcing pan 132. This scrubbing action can ke greatly minimized by slightly crowning the outer surface of the wheel 180 rather than providing the flat surface shown. In fact, the scrubbing action is cenerally quite slight and what small resistence this provides is desirable-in preventing the rotor from rotating too fast~
Sho~n in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 is the construction of the ball bearing plate 80. A plurality of ball bearings 120 are arranged in circular openings in the plate 80 and retained therein by integral tabs 222 struck upwardly from the plate 80 and tabs 224 struc~
down~/ardly therefrom. The tabs 222 and 224 alternate ~ith each other and are curved as shown in FIG. 9 to enqage the outer spherical surface of the ball 120 and retain the same in position. These tabs 222, 224 e~tend over the sur~ace of the balls 120 only a suf-ficient amount to retain them in place leavin~ a portion thereof e~posed to bear a~ainst the ~ase 20 and to suFJFiort the pan 132 of the swivel base 70.
~ I(,S. 10 and 11 show the mounting arran4el;~el1t for the top and bottom respectively of the rotor 50. The central frame of the rotor (see ~IG. 1) comprises a pair of identical vertical uprights 56 welded at their _ upper ends to a ~own"ardly opening U shaped channel 54 `` ~
1~353~
~ --19-- I
1 and at their bottom ends to an u~wardly opening channel mer!ber 52. Tnis central frame 50 is bol-ed by means of ~olts 192 passing through the channel 52 to the swivel base 70, and r~ore particularlv the bolts pass tnrough the upper floor 128 thereof and are threaded into nuts 191 welded to the underside thereof. The swivel base 70 is rectangular, preferably square, and the frame 50 is bolted across the square swivel base 70 at the center thereof.
At its top the frame 50 is positioned crosswise through the middle of an upwardly openins ~rame pan 60 by m~ans of bolts 193 passing through the u~per channel member 54 and into weld nuts 195 positioned on the floor inside of the pan 60.
Bolted to the upper surface of the loor o~ the frame pan 60 is a reinforcing shaft plate 61 .o ~;hich is welded an upper shaft 62. The upper shcf. 62 passes through a bearing 32 welded to a bearin~ plate 33 ~ounted h~ means of bolts to the upper surface of the frame pan 30. In FIG. 10 the rest of the staticnary fra.me, other than the upper frar~e pan ~0 and the bace G, is deleted in the interest of clarity. ~s mentioned above, the frarne pan 30 and the hase 20 interconnect the two pi-laster frames 10.
The rnour1tin~ of the door or closure panels 90 isalso shown in ~IGS. 10 al1d 11. ,This sub-assembly 90 has a ~acins panel 12, tl1e inside of wl~ich is seen in FIGS.
10 and 11. ~ielded to the facing pnel 12 ~re two rows - of threaded studs 13 which pass through openings in the laterally e~:tendin~ flan~es 15 of the uprigl1t channel member 56. Nuts are thel1 applied to the inside of the studs 1~ to secure the panels 12 in place. ~t their bottor~ the pan2ls 12 have inwardly bent flar1ges 117 ~hich rest upon the floor 123 of the swivel base 70 and are secured thereto by bolts 19. The flanges 17 on 11353~8 1 each door are relieved or notched as indicated at 21 in order that the notch may accept the vertical upright 56 of the frame 50. Similarly, at the top the door panels 12 have inwardly projecting flanges 23 bolted at 27 to the bottom of the rotor frame pan 60. A notch 25 is provided in each flange 23 to accept the upright 56.
It will be ap~arent therefore that each of the closure sub-assemblies 90 is secured across the top and bottom and down the center in a generally "I" fashion.
As ~ill be apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5 there is provided a flexible strip 230 on the vertical lateral edges of both openings 8 of the stationary housing 2.
These flexible members 230 may be of rubber, plastic or the like and not only ~rovide for the rotation of the aenerally scruare shaped rotor 4, but, most importantly, guard against the pinching of finaers if one tends to push ones hand along with the surface of the rotor into the space within the housing 2. These fle~i~le members 20 230 are mounted alonq the vertic21 edge of the face plates 102 which define the lateral edges of the open-inc~s 8 in the housing 2. The shape anc-~ mo~nting of these fle~ible striFs 230 is best shown in FIG. 15 as including an offset portion 232 disposed-behind the face plate 102 and havinc~ a curved ridge 234 alona one margin thereof.
A suitab]y shaped clamp 236 is bolted to the inside of the face plate 102 alonc, its entire vertical e~tel1t by means of stuc-]s 238 the heads of which are weldcc1 to the interior of the face plate 102. There mav be a clamp 30 236 for each stud 233 or, preferably, one lonc3 clamp 236 of the salle vertical eYtent as the fle~;ible stri~
member 230 with a plurality of opel~ gs theretl~rougi) to receive the row of studs 23~. A second row of stucis 238 (onlv one of which is shown) is locateà to the right in FIG. 15 and are welded to the inner surface of flange 75 of the vertical angle iron 74. This second row of studs 2~8 will he useà when it is desired to add ..
, _ -21-1 a second cabinet to the right of an existing cabinet as shown in FIG. 15.
When adding additional rotary storage cabinets, the end panel assembly 40 on one side is removed by removing the bolts 84 (see ~IG. 12) which secure the flange 86 of the angle iron 88 to the flange 58 of the angle iron 18 of the pilaster frame 10. While an additional or "add-on" unit may be added either on the right or the left as viewed in FIG. 12, the following description is directed to adding the additional unit on the right. To add a unit on the left the same procedure is used though the parts are arranged as a mirror image of those shown in the figures. After removal of the bolts 84 the bottom of the panel assem-bly 40 may be pulled outwardly and then the assembly lifted to disengage the flange 9& from its engagement with the upper edge of the flange 16 of angle iron 17.
The end panel assembly 40 is then set aside.
A second "add-on" rotary file cabinet may be added as indicated in FIGS. 15 and 17. The new base 20a is first bolted to the existina cabinet as shown in FIG.
16. The base 20a is slid under the right hand flange 25 58 of the pilaster frame 10 in place of the flange 86 of the angle iron 88 on the end panel assembly 40 which has just been removed. The right hand flange 5~
therefore rests upon the bottom layer 2~ of the top of the base 20a. The base 2pa is slid into the pilaster frame 1Q until the edgc 48 of the upper la~er 3~ of the h-ase 20a abuts the encl of the flange 5~. A bolt 85 is then passed through the opening provided in flangc 5~ and into wcld nut 87 welcled to the underside of the lower layer 2~ of the base 20a. The reason for the spacers 64 now becomes apparent. The spacers 64 weldcd on the flange 66 of the left hand angle iron 18 _ _ _ . . _ _... .. .. . _ . . . . . . . _ . . .
1 bears against the wall 34 of the left hand base 20 and serves to space the base 20 a distance from the flange 66 equal to the thickness of a bolt head. The spacer 64 to the right which is welded to the right hand flange 66 as viewed in the figure is also of the thickness of a bolt head such as bolt head 76 for the securement of the left hand base 20. The spacers 64 provide an area greater than that of a bolt head ~or the base to bear against. Thus it will be seen that 10 the adjacent walls 34 of the bases 20 and 20a are spaced the same distance from the central vertic~l flange 68 of the angle irons 74. The weld nuts 78 on the inside of wall 34 for the base 20a are not used though shown in FIG. 12.
Having secured the ne~ base 20a at the bottom a new upper frame pan 30a is secured at the top to the - lower flange 14 of the angle iron 17 that is to the right in FIG. 17 by means of a bolt and nut arrangement 31.
The spacers 67 at the top serve the SAme purpose for the frame pans 30, 30a as do the spacers 64 at the bottom for the bases 20, 20a.
The assemtbly of the "add-on" unit then continues in the same manner as construction of ti1e original unit.
A pilaster frame 10 identical to those sho~n is secured to the riqht hand end of the base 20a and fralne pan 30a (not shown). This assel~bly is identical to that si1own for the right hand end Or pan 30 and hase 20 in FIGS. 17 30 ar1d 16 respectively. A second rotor 4 idel1tical to that sho-~n is also supplied and the encl panel 40 which pre-viously occupied the position shown in FIG. 12 is no~
relocated on the acldition..l third pilaster fral~e lC to the ri~ht of the second unit (not shown). As mentioned 35 above, an additional flexible strip 230 and clip 236 are supplied to the riql)t hanc1 row o~ bolts 238 as viewed in _ FIG. 15 in place of the for~er end panel 40 ~ith a ., ~13531~3 `
_ -23-1 flexible strip 230 being provided at each of the lateral edges of the two opposite openings 8 in the new "add-on" uni.. It will be seen therefore that the "add-on" unit requires one less pilaster frame 10 and two fewer (no) end panel assemblies 40. Thus the cost of these three sub-assemblies may be eliminated from the second and subsequent units added. It will be appreciated that the second unit added shares a pilas-ter frame 10 with the original unit and such is true of each subsequent unit added.
. . . .
As thus far described, the rotary storage cabinet of this invention is completely open and the same may be used as such for the storaae of large objects;
however, the storage cabinet is adaptable to a number of storage applications including, among others, file storage; magnetic tape storage as reels, casettes, discs and the like; clothing storage; and numerous other applications. In order to adapt the storage cabinet to various uses a plurality of vertical slots 250 are provided on either side of the vertical channel frame members 56 of the frame 50 of the rotor 4. These openings 250 are vertically elongated slots and there are a considerable number of them on either side of the members 56. One common use of the cabinet will be as a filin~ cabinet and for this purpose reference has been made to the shelves 6 in F`IG. 3.
The details oE the shelves ~ are shown in FIG. 1~.
Each of the shelves 6 comprises a horizontal platform 30 252 ~lith a vertical back 25-l integral with the material of 252 and bent at a right an~l. with respect thereto.
T'1e vertical bac~ 25~ has a lip 256 bent at a ri~3ht an~le with respect thereto. 'l`oward the front tl1e platform 252 has a lip 25~ integral therewith an~
formed by bending the edge upwardly a short distance and then back upon itself as clearly shown in FIG. 1~.
_ Adjacent its corners the platform 252 has four ~ .
`~ :
~ ':
.
( ~135318 1 recesses 260 each of which comprise two parallel cut-outs 262 and a central depressed portion 264.
To support the shelves 6 there are two end panels 270 which are mirror images of each other. At their upper inner corners the end supports 270 have offsets 272 bent towards the center of the shelf.
Extending at a right angle from these offsets are hooks 280 which engaqe in the slots 250 in the frame uprights 10 56. ~s best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 these hooks are of such a dimension as to pass through the slots 250 and then drop down and engage the lower edges of the slots. Once engaged there is a very slight pivoting action of the shelf with respect to the bottom edges of 15 the slots 250 and the lower corners 2c'2 of the shelf supports come to rest-against the ~djacent surface of the uprights 56.
The end supports 270 also include an inwardly 20 bent flanc~e 278 having four notches 276 therein which define a two tabs 274. The two tabs 274 and the flange 278 are all in the same plane and are inserted under the floor 252 of the shelf 6. During this insertion the tabs 274 enter the recesses 260 above the material 264 of the depressions therein. During this insertion the slots 276 receive the vertically sloped portions 2~4 of the depressions. It will be ~ppre-ciatecd that the shelf is first assembled with its end supL;orts and then installed as a unit by passinc3 the 30 hOor;s 2~0 thro~c3h the o~el1in(3s 250 in the uprights 5G.
Any number oE dividers 290 may be provided havinc3 out~ardly e~tendinq tabs 292 for insertion in slots 294 in the shelf 6.
.
FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4 but with the rotor shown during rotation having becn rotated appro~i-., ~, mately 45 from the position shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a vicw taken alonn the line 6-6 o~ FIG.
3 showing the rotor in open position;
FIG. 7 is a view of the hearing plate ~pon which _ the rotor rests: -_ -6-1 FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the portion marked A in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 11 is a view taken along the line 11-11 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 12 is a view taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a view taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a shelf and its two associated end supports;
FIG. 15 is an enlarcied detailed view ta~en along the line 15-15 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 1~ is a view of a-portion of FIG. 12 showincj how an additional base for an additional unit may be secured to an existing unit; and FIG. 17 is an enlarged detailed vi.w taken generally alony the line 17-17 of FIG. 1 showing the manner in whico the to~ frame pan for the housiny is secured and also showing the securing of an additional top fra~e pan for an additional unit.
.
1~35318 1 Detailed Description of Preferred Fmbodiment --. _ As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the rotary storage cabinet of the present invention comprises two sub-units: an exterior stationary housing 2 and an internalrotor 4. As seen in FIG. 2 the rotor has been rotated to a position in which the rotary cabinet is closed while in FIG. 3 the rotary cabinet is shown with the rotor having been rotated to present shelves 6 in the front openi.ng 8 of the stationary housing 2. It will be unclerstood that the stationary housing 2 has an opening 8 on the two opposite sides thereof as shown in FIG. 6. The rotor 4 has two sets of shelves 6 opening in opposite directions and presented to the two open-: 15 ings 8 as shown in FIG. 6. As also shown in FIG. 6 the other two sides of the rotor 4 have door or closure panels 12 which in the view of FIG. 6 are moved out of closure position and are within the stationary housing 2. FIGS. 2 and 4 show the rotor 4 rotated to present the door panels 12 at the openinss 8 to close the same.
FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of one rotary cabinet unit which is made up of the following sub--assemblies:
Stationary housing 2:
A basc 20 A pair or open rectan~ular pilaster frames 10 A top frame pan 30 A pair of end panels 40 I'.otor 4:
An open rec~angular frame 50 A to~ frame pan 60 A bottom swivel pan 70 A bearinq plate 80 _ A pair of door or closure panel assemblies 90 ~13S~
1The two pilaster frames 10 are identical in construction but in use one is turned 1~0 about the vertical center line with respect to the other.
Similarly, the two end panels are identical and the two door closure panels 90 are identical. As will be seen from FIG. 1 each pilaster frame 10 has two vertical upright angle irons 74 with two horizontal angle irons 18 exten~ing between the bottom ends of the upright angle irons 74 ~7ith one angle 18 on each side of the 10flange 68 of each anale 74. The ends of the flanges 66 of the anale irons 18 are welded to the opposite sides of the flange 68 of each of the upright angle irons 74.
Two angle irons 17 extend horizontally between the angle irons 74 adjacent the upper ends of angles 74 with one angle 17 on one side of flanges 68 and the other angle 17 on the~other side of flanges 68. The ends of flanges 16 of angles 17 are ~;elded to the opposite sides of the flange 68 of each angle iron 74.
Accordingly, the angle irons 17, 1~ and 74 comprise an open rectangular wel~ed fra~e of very considerable strength. It is preferred to also weld face plates 102 to each of the flanges 75 of the angle irons 74.
In assembling the unit the two pilaster frames 10 are mounte~ on the opposite upper edges 22 of the base 20.
At their top the two pilaster frarnes 10 are connected by the top frame pan 30 which rests on a flan~e 14 of an angle iron 17 oE each of the pilaster frames 10 and it is secured thereto as ~nore fully descriLed herein-aftcr. It will be seen that the base 20, the twopilaster frames 10 and the top frame pan 30 comprise the basic structural frame of the stationary housing 2 and also serve to support the internal rotor ~. The end panels 40 are rnounted to the outside of the pilas-ter frames 10 as more fullv described hereinafter.
g 1 The rotor frame 50 has two upright channels 56, an upper cross channel 54 and a lower cross channel 52 all welded into an open rectangular ~rame 50. The rotor 2 also has a swivel pan 70 bolted to the lower U shaped channel member 52 of the rotor frarne 50. Similarly,the rotor upper frame pan 60 is bolted to the upper U
shaped channel member 54 of the rotor frame 50. The panel assemblies 90 are bolted to the upright channel members 56 of the rotor frame 50. The swivel pan 70 has a do~nwardly extending post 72 passing through an opening 82 in the bearing plate 80 and then through a suitable bearing 24 in the base 20 as more fully described hereinafter. It will be seen that the bearing plate 80 rests upon the top surface 26 of the base 20 and that the swivel pan 70 bears against the top of the bearing plate 80 thus supporting the entire rotor weight from the base 20. At its top the rotor frame pan 60 has a post 62 extending upwardly into a bearing 32 in the top frame pan 30 in order to stablize the rotor a within the housing 2. As shown in FIG. 1 no shelves are providecl. Chelves such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 14 or different types of elements extending between the channel upri~hts 56 of the frame 50 may be provided for housing or supporting whatever articles it is desired to store in the cabinet.
As shown in FIG. 12 the base 20 is built-up from two la~ers. The bottom layer 2~ has its two opposite sides 34 bent downwardly ~only one side being sho~Jn in FIG. 12). At the bottom t~e side 34 is bent inwardly to provide a flange 3~. The opposite side (not shown) has a corresponclin~ly downwarclly and inw2rdly bent side 34 anc3 flange 3~. rhe top layer 3~ of the base 20 has its two opposite sides bent downwardly to provide the clepending sides 42 only one of which is shown in FIG. 12. At their bottom the _ sides 42 are bent inwardly to provice flan~es 44. A
1 threaded adjustable foot generally indicated at 46 passes through openings in flanaes 36 and is secured thereto in known manner by means of threaded nuts. As will be seen from FIG. 12 the top layer 38 of the base ends at the point or edge indicated at 48 and does not extend all the way to the corner 22 of the base. A
flange 58 of an angle iron 18 of the pilaster frame 10 rests on the bottom layer 28 of the base 20 and has its outwardly extending edge abutting the edge 48 of the 10 top layer 38 of the base 20. Short spacer blocks 64 are welded to the flanges 66 of the angle irons 18. When the pilaster frames 10 are assembled as shown in FIGS.
1 and 12 the spacer blocks bear against the end walls 34 of the base 20 and the pilaster frames 10 are held in place by means of bolts 76 passing through suitable openings in flanges 66 and threaded into weld nuts 78 welded to the inside of the end walls- 34 of the base 20. It will be appreciated that there are a number of bolts 76 and weld nuts 78 ~rovided along the length of the flanges 66 and wall 34 respectively in order to secure the pilaster frames 10 in place. It will be seen that the pilaster frames 10 rest on the base by virtue of the flange 58 of the channel member 1&
resting upon the lower layer 28 of the base 20 and are secured by the bolts 76 and weld nuts 78. Openings are also provided through the fldnges 58 of the channel members 18 through which bolts 8~i mav be passed as well as through a flan~e 85 of an angle iron 88 and into a weld nut 9~ welded to the opposite side of the flange 30 86. 'rhis angle iron 88 (see FIG. 1) is welded to the inner face oE the end pallel 40 to secure tl-e same in place aftcr first engaging the top of the end panel assembly 40 in place.
As shown in FIG. 1 the end panel assembly 40 has an upper wall 94 bent at substanti~lly a right anale to the maln end panel face 96. At its inner end the end .
~1353~8 - 1 1 - . I
1 panel 40 has a downwardly turned lip 98 which enqages over and behind the upwardly extending flanges 16 on angle irons 17 of pilaster base 10. After engagement of the lip 98 with the upper extending flanges 16 of the angle irons 17 the angle iron 88 is positioned with its flange 86 beneath the flange 58 (see FIG. 12) and bolted thereto by bolt 8a. At various points along its length the angle iron 88 is welded to the end panel 40 by spot welding its other flange 89 therealong.
Again having reference to FIG. 1 the pilaster frames 10 are joined together at the top by means of the frame pan 30 which rests on the flan~e 14 of the angle irons 17 for each of the two frames 10. The frame pan 30 has an upstandin~ lip or flanye 104 extendinc thereabout. The two opposite sides of the upstanding lip 10~ which face the pilaster frames 10 have openings 106 therethrough with weld nuts 108 welded in alignment therewith on the inner side of the 20 lip 104. Holes 110 in the flanges 1~ of the angle irons 17 align ~ith the holes 106 and bolts 112 extend through the holes 110 and 106 and are threaded into the weld nuts 108 to secure the frame ~an 30 in place in the two pilaster frames 10.
It will be aFpreciated that while the securelnent of a pilaster frame 10 to the base 20 has beel1 de-scribed for only one of the pilaster frames 10 that the other pilaster frame 10 is secured to the opposite side of the base 20 in e~actly the same manner. As mel1tiot;ed, the pilaster frames 10 are identical and it is only necessary to turn one 1~0 about its vertical cel1ter line in order to mount them in facin~ position on opposite sides of the base 20. The bolts 76 and weld nuts 7~ and the holes associated therewith are so positioned that this interchangeability is possible.
1135311~ (`
1 From the above description it will be seen that the base 20, the two pilaster frames 10 and the frame pan 30 comprise the strong basic frame of the cabinet.
ReEerence is now had to FIG. 11 which shows that the base 20 includes not only a bottom layer 28 and a top layer 38 but also includes, welded thereto, a wide U sh~pea channel me~ber 114 having depending sides 116. This reinforcing ~ember 114 underlies at least all of that area on which the balls 120 of the bearing plate 80 bear. This member 114 serves there-fore to greatlv strengthen the base 20 and to support the rotor 4 and its contents.
In the center of the U shaped reinforcing member 11~, the lower plate 28 and the upper bearing plate 38 of the base 20 there is provi~ed a series of aligned openings in which is positioned a suitable bearing 24. The shaft 72 extends through this bearing 24 and is held in place by means of a washer 122 and a cotter pin 124. The bearing ~late 80 has an opening 82 through which the shaft 72 extends as shown and above the bearing plate 80 is provided a s~acer member 126. The rotor swivel base 70 has a top floor plate 128 and two 25 reinforcing pans 130, 132 with the reinforcing pan 130 beinq smaller in the lateral dirnensions than the pan 132. The shaft 172 is welded as shown to the floor plate 128 and extends throu~h suitable openings in the pans 130, 132. The lower pan 132 rests upon the top of 30 the balls 120 in the ball bearin~ plate 80 and on the spaces 126.
As shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 the bottom rein-forcing pan 132 has Eour u~struck detents 150 for reasons hereinafter described. q~he top layer or floor 12~ has a downwardly bent wall 134 around its periphery which ter-353~
1 minates in an inwardly extending flange 136. The rein- -forcing pan 132 has a wall 138 around its periphery terminating in an outwardly extending flange 142 which is welded to the underside of the floor 128. The inwardly turned flange 136 terminates short of the wall 138 tllus - providing a groove 140 extending entirely around the swivel base 70 at a short distance inwardly of its periphery. This groove 1~0 is positioned to receive a locking pin 160 whereby the rotor may be locked against rotation in any of its four positions.
.
The loc~ing pin 160 passes through suitable openings in the lower and upper layers 28 and 38 respectively of the base 20 and also slides in an openina within a bushinq t52 secured as by welding to !~ the underside of the lower layer 28 of the base. This bushing 152 is of sufficient vertical extent as to insure that the pin 160 operates in a straight line fashion and does not become cocked. The locking pin 160 has a taper 154 at its upper end to help auide the same into the slot 140. At its opposite end the lockina pin 160 is pivoted at 156 to a loc~ing lever 158 which is in turn pivotea at 162 to a support 164 welded to the underside of the lower layer 28 of the base. The support 164 also has a nut and bolt 166 which secures one end of a coil spring 168 to the support 164. The other end of the spring 16$ is hooked into an eye 172 secured as by welding to one side of the lever 158 (tl1e sicle away from the viewer in FIG.
12). ~ince the eye 172 is on the opposite side of the pivot 162 from the pivot 156 for the locking pin 160 it wiil be seen that tension in the spring 168 urges the lever 15$ in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 12 thus maintaining the locking pin 160 in its unlocked ~osition.
~3S318 ( _ -14-1A lock rod 170 extends vertically upwardly through suitable openings in the lower and upper layers 28 and 38 of the base and is pivoted at 174 to one end of a lock lever 176 which is secured at its other end (not pivotally) to the barrel of a key lock 178. It will be seen that the lock lever 176 extends through a suitable opening in the flange 68 of one of the vertical angle irons 74 and that the lock 178 extends through openings provided in the flange 75 of the angle iron 74 10and through the face plate 102. The lock 178 may be of any conventional design and secured in place by a suitable facing nut ?82 threaded to the barrel of the lock 178 in known manner.
15The lock rod 170 at its lower end is bif~rcated having a slot in the center thereof extending inw2rdly from its lower end. The end 184 of the lock pin lever 158 is positioned in this slot and is held in place against the inner (upper) end of the slot by the spring 168. When it is desired to lock the cabinet the operator merely positions the rotor in any one of the four positions ~hich it can maintain and operates the key to turn the barrel of the lock 17& counter clock-wise as vie~Jec3 in FIG~ 12. Th-is ~oves the lock lever 176 counter clockwise as well and moves the lock rcd 170 do~nwardly to its dashed line ~osition. This movement of the lock rod 170 do~n~ardly rotates the lockin-3 pin lever 158 clock~ise as vie~/ed in rIG~ 12 and urges the lockinq, pin,160 upwardly into its clashed line position in the groove 1~0 th~1s lockinc3 the cabinet. ~ en the key is later turnec3 in the clockwise direction'tl1e lockinq rod 170 moves upwardly and the sprinq 168 maintains the end 18~ of the lock ~in lever 15~ in contact ~ith the upper end of the slot in the lock lever 170 effectina a co~nter clockwise rotation of the locking pin lever 158 anc' movina the 1~3S318 (`
1 loc~ pin 160 downwardly out of engagement with the slot 140. Even though the slot 140 extends around the entire swivel base 70 a short distance inwardly of the eri~hery thereof (see FIG. 13), the same will align with the locking pin 160 in only four positions. At all other positions of the rotor the slot 140 will not be positioned immediately over the locking pin 160.
This can perhaps best be seen in FIG. 5 where the locking pin 160 is shown somewhat schematically as is the slot 140. As shown in FIG. 5 the rotor has moved 45 and the slot 140 no longer aligns with the pin 160.
The rotor 4 is securely positioned in any one of its four selectable positions against undesired move-ment therefrom by means of the four detents 150 in the reinforcing pan 132 which are engaged selectively with a s~rina urged wheel 180. Mounted to the underside of the lower layer 28 of the base is a down~-ardly opening 20 channel 186 having two legs 188. The channel 186 has weld nuts 194 which receive bolts 196 passing through suitable elongated slots 193 in the lower and u~per layers 28 and 38 respectively of the base 20 and through openings in the bight 198 of the U shaped channel 186 which openings are ali~ned both with the weld nut~ 194 and the slots 193. ~ithin the channel 186 is another smaller upwardly opening U shapec1 channel 190 which is mounted by means of a nut and bolt 202 in pivoted fashion within the outer channel 18G.
The wheel 18Q is mounted for ready rotation upon an a~le 20~ ~hich extends entirely throu~h the wheel 180 and throunh the lateral upstanding walls 20~ of thc channe] 190. The whcel 180 extends upwardly through elongated aligned slots 197 in the layers 3~ and 28 and 35 in the bigi1t 1g8 of channel 186. The wheel 1~0 e~tends sufficiently through slot 197 to permit it to bear _ against the under surface of pan 132.
1~3S311~ ( 1 It will be seen that the channel 190 is pivoted at one end, the wheel 180 is mounted intermediate the length of the channel 190 and that at the end c~posite to the pivot the channel 190 carries a spring mechanism 200. ~ielded transversely across and between the up-standing walls 206 of the channel 190 is a plate 208.
Extending downwardly loosel~ through a suitably large slot 195 in the lo~ter and upper layers 28 and 38 of the base 20 and also in the bight 198 of the channel 186 is a bolt 210. These aligned slots are srnall enough to retain the bolt being smaller than the head thereof but are larger than the shank in order to permit a loose fit for rotation of the bolt 210. Adjacent the lower end of the bolt 210 it passes through another plate 212 to which is welded a weld nut 214 into which the bolt 210 is threaded. The plate 212 e~tends between the para-llel legs 188 of the channel 186 but is not secured there-to. The ends of the plate 212 are cut square and merely slidingly engage the inner surfaces of the depending leas 20 188. Accordingly, upon rotation OL the bolt 210 in a tightening direction its threads interact with the nut threads for the nut 214 to move the plate 212 upwardly wtich action further compres~es a spring 21O positioned between the plates 2C8 and 212. This causes the spring to bear with greater pressure on the plate 208 urging it with greater pressure ccunter clocl;wise about the pivot 202 along with the entire channel 1~0. Tl1is causes the wheel 180 to bear with increased pressure a~ainst the undersurface of the reinforcing pan 132. To reduce the pressure of the wheel 180 against the undersurface of the reinforcing pan 132 the head of t}e bolt 10 is simply rotated in the opposite (loosenit1g) dire~ctiol1.
The heac~ of the bolt 210 may be reached with an open end wrench froln outside of the cabinet simply b~ inserting it between the reinrorcing pan 132 . .
~13S3~8 .
1 and the base 20 from outside the cabinet. Alternatively, : the bolt 21n may be positioned such that it is exposed during a portion of the rotation of the rotor 4 in the ; same manner as the pin 116.
. The slots 193, 195 and 197 are elongated (from left to right in FIG. 12) in order to permit adjustment of the wheel 180 to the left and right within its slot 197. This adjustment is effected by looseninq bolts 10196 and sliding the channel 186 (and thus the entire wheel sub-assembly) in..the desired direction. By this adjustment the point along the slot 197 at which the wheel 180 engages the detents 150 may be adjusted.
This insures that the rotor 4 stops with the sides of its swivel base 70 perfectly parallel to the sides of base 20.
~ ,hen the lock pin 160 is in its unlocked position the rotor may be turned from its position as sho~n in FIG. 2 to its position as is sho~Jn in FIG. 3 simply by pushinq on the door closure panel 12 or gripping one of the handles 220 provided for t~.e purpose on each of the door panels 12. Initially enough force ~ust be applied not only to overcome the inertia of the rotor and its contents but also to overcome the friction applied bv the wheel 180 to the reinforcing pan 132 and, in particu].ar, enough force rnust be a~?lied to pivot the channel 206 downwardly against the compressior1 forces in spring 216 in order that the wheel 180 m~y roll out of tlle detent 15(). Thereafter only enouc3h force is required to keep the rotor turnil1g and the wheel 18C will rotate about its axis 20~l due to its engagement with the undersic1e of tl1e reinforcing pan 132. ~,hen the next position, 90 rernoved from the first, is reached the spring 216 will move the channel lao upwardly about the pin 202 enc~aging the i~heel l~0 . , ` 113S31~ ( 1 in the ne~t detent 150. The engagement of the wheel 180 in the ~etent 150 is sufficient to keep the rotor from inadvertant rotation under normal conditions and if it is not, additional tension may be applied to the spring 216 by adjusting the bolt 210. It will be appreciated that since the wheel 180 is positioned generally tangent to a circle drawn about the axis 230 of the rotor and throught the detents 150 there will be a very slight scrubbing action between the outer surface of the wheel 180 and the undersurface of the reinforcing pan 132. This scrubbing action can ke greatly minimized by slightly crowning the outer surface of the wheel 180 rather than providing the flat surface shown. In fact, the scrubbing action is cenerally quite slight and what small resistence this provides is desirable-in preventing the rotor from rotating too fast~
Sho~n in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 is the construction of the ball bearing plate 80. A plurality of ball bearings 120 are arranged in circular openings in the plate 80 and retained therein by integral tabs 222 struck upwardly from the plate 80 and tabs 224 struc~
down~/ardly therefrom. The tabs 222 and 224 alternate ~ith each other and are curved as shown in FIG. 9 to enqage the outer spherical surface of the ball 120 and retain the same in position. These tabs 222, 224 e~tend over the sur~ace of the balls 120 only a suf-ficient amount to retain them in place leavin~ a portion thereof e~posed to bear a~ainst the ~ase 20 and to suFJFiort the pan 132 of the swivel base 70.
~ I(,S. 10 and 11 show the mounting arran4el;~el1t for the top and bottom respectively of the rotor 50. The central frame of the rotor (see ~IG. 1) comprises a pair of identical vertical uprights 56 welded at their _ upper ends to a ~own"ardly opening U shaped channel 54 `` ~
1~353~
~ --19-- I
1 and at their bottom ends to an u~wardly opening channel mer!ber 52. Tnis central frame 50 is bol-ed by means of ~olts 192 passing through the channel 52 to the swivel base 70, and r~ore particularlv the bolts pass tnrough the upper floor 128 thereof and are threaded into nuts 191 welded to the underside thereof. The swivel base 70 is rectangular, preferably square, and the frame 50 is bolted across the square swivel base 70 at the center thereof.
At its top the frame 50 is positioned crosswise through the middle of an upwardly openins ~rame pan 60 by m~ans of bolts 193 passing through the u~per channel member 54 and into weld nuts 195 positioned on the floor inside of the pan 60.
Bolted to the upper surface of the loor o~ the frame pan 60 is a reinforcing shaft plate 61 .o ~;hich is welded an upper shaft 62. The upper shcf. 62 passes through a bearing 32 welded to a bearin~ plate 33 ~ounted h~ means of bolts to the upper surface of the frame pan 30. In FIG. 10 the rest of the staticnary fra.me, other than the upper frar~e pan ~0 and the bace G, is deleted in the interest of clarity. ~s mentioned above, the frarne pan 30 and the hase 20 interconnect the two pi-laster frames 10.
The rnour1tin~ of the door or closure panels 90 isalso shown in ~IGS. 10 al1d 11. ,This sub-assembly 90 has a ~acins panel 12, tl1e inside of wl~ich is seen in FIGS.
10 and 11. ~ielded to the facing pnel 12 ~re two rows - of threaded studs 13 which pass through openings in the laterally e~:tendin~ flan~es 15 of the uprigl1t channel member 56. Nuts are thel1 applied to the inside of the studs 1~ to secure the panels 12 in place. ~t their bottor~ the pan2ls 12 have inwardly bent flar1ges 117 ~hich rest upon the floor 123 of the swivel base 70 and are secured thereto by bolts 19. The flanges 17 on 11353~8 1 each door are relieved or notched as indicated at 21 in order that the notch may accept the vertical upright 56 of the frame 50. Similarly, at the top the door panels 12 have inwardly projecting flanges 23 bolted at 27 to the bottom of the rotor frame pan 60. A notch 25 is provided in each flange 23 to accept the upright 56.
It will be ap~arent therefore that each of the closure sub-assemblies 90 is secured across the top and bottom and down the center in a generally "I" fashion.
As ~ill be apparent from FIGS. 4 and 5 there is provided a flexible strip 230 on the vertical lateral edges of both openings 8 of the stationary housing 2.
These flexible members 230 may be of rubber, plastic or the like and not only ~rovide for the rotation of the aenerally scruare shaped rotor 4, but, most importantly, guard against the pinching of finaers if one tends to push ones hand along with the surface of the rotor into the space within the housing 2. These fle~i~le members 20 230 are mounted alonq the vertic21 edge of the face plates 102 which define the lateral edges of the open-inc~s 8 in the housing 2. The shape anc-~ mo~nting of these fle~ible striFs 230 is best shown in FIG. 15 as including an offset portion 232 disposed-behind the face plate 102 and havinc~ a curved ridge 234 alona one margin thereof.
A suitab]y shaped clamp 236 is bolted to the inside of the face plate 102 alonc, its entire vertical e~tel1t by means of stuc-]s 238 the heads of which are weldcc1 to the interior of the face plate 102. There mav be a clamp 30 236 for each stud 233 or, preferably, one lonc3 clamp 236 of the salle vertical eYtent as the fle~;ible stri~
member 230 with a plurality of opel~ gs theretl~rougi) to receive the row of studs 23~. A second row of stucis 238 (onlv one of which is shown) is locateà to the right in FIG. 15 and are welded to the inner surface of flange 75 of the vertical angle iron 74. This second row of studs 2~8 will he useà when it is desired to add ..
, _ -21-1 a second cabinet to the right of an existing cabinet as shown in FIG. 15.
When adding additional rotary storage cabinets, the end panel assembly 40 on one side is removed by removing the bolts 84 (see ~IG. 12) which secure the flange 86 of the angle iron 88 to the flange 58 of the angle iron 18 of the pilaster frame 10. While an additional or "add-on" unit may be added either on the right or the left as viewed in FIG. 12, the following description is directed to adding the additional unit on the right. To add a unit on the left the same procedure is used though the parts are arranged as a mirror image of those shown in the figures. After removal of the bolts 84 the bottom of the panel assem-bly 40 may be pulled outwardly and then the assembly lifted to disengage the flange 9& from its engagement with the upper edge of the flange 16 of angle iron 17.
The end panel assembly 40 is then set aside.
A second "add-on" rotary file cabinet may be added as indicated in FIGS. 15 and 17. The new base 20a is first bolted to the existina cabinet as shown in FIG.
16. The base 20a is slid under the right hand flange 25 58 of the pilaster frame 10 in place of the flange 86 of the angle iron 88 on the end panel assembly 40 which has just been removed. The right hand flange 5~
therefore rests upon the bottom layer 2~ of the top of the base 20a. The base 2pa is slid into the pilaster frame 1Q until the edgc 48 of the upper la~er 3~ of the h-ase 20a abuts the encl of the flange 5~. A bolt 85 is then passed through the opening provided in flangc 5~ and into wcld nut 87 welcled to the underside of the lower layer 2~ of the base 20a. The reason for the spacers 64 now becomes apparent. The spacers 64 weldcd on the flange 66 of the left hand angle iron 18 _ _ _ . . _ _... .. .. . _ . . . . . . . _ . . .
1 bears against the wall 34 of the left hand base 20 and serves to space the base 20 a distance from the flange 66 equal to the thickness of a bolt head. The spacer 64 to the right which is welded to the right hand flange 66 as viewed in the figure is also of the thickness of a bolt head such as bolt head 76 for the securement of the left hand base 20. The spacers 64 provide an area greater than that of a bolt head ~or the base to bear against. Thus it will be seen that 10 the adjacent walls 34 of the bases 20 and 20a are spaced the same distance from the central vertic~l flange 68 of the angle irons 74. The weld nuts 78 on the inside of wall 34 for the base 20a are not used though shown in FIG. 12.
Having secured the ne~ base 20a at the bottom a new upper frame pan 30a is secured at the top to the - lower flange 14 of the angle iron 17 that is to the right in FIG. 17 by means of a bolt and nut arrangement 31.
The spacers 67 at the top serve the SAme purpose for the frame pans 30, 30a as do the spacers 64 at the bottom for the bases 20, 20a.
The assemtbly of the "add-on" unit then continues in the same manner as construction of ti1e original unit.
A pilaster frame 10 identical to those sho~n is secured to the riqht hand end of the base 20a and fralne pan 30a (not shown). This assel~bly is identical to that si1own for the right hand end Or pan 30 and hase 20 in FIGS. 17 30 ar1d 16 respectively. A second rotor 4 idel1tical to that sho-~n is also supplied and the encl panel 40 which pre-viously occupied the position shown in FIG. 12 is no~
relocated on the acldition..l third pilaster fral~e lC to the ri~ht of the second unit (not shown). As mentioned 35 above, an additional flexible strip 230 and clip 236 are supplied to the riql)t hanc1 row o~ bolts 238 as viewed in _ FIG. 15 in place of the for~er end panel 40 ~ith a ., ~13531~3 `
_ -23-1 flexible strip 230 being provided at each of the lateral edges of the two opposite openings 8 in the new "add-on" uni.. It will be seen therefore that the "add-on" unit requires one less pilaster frame 10 and two fewer (no) end panel assemblies 40. Thus the cost of these three sub-assemblies may be eliminated from the second and subsequent units added. It will be appreciated that the second unit added shares a pilas-ter frame 10 with the original unit and such is true of each subsequent unit added.
. . . .
As thus far described, the rotary storage cabinet of this invention is completely open and the same may be used as such for the storaae of large objects;
however, the storage cabinet is adaptable to a number of storage applications including, among others, file storage; magnetic tape storage as reels, casettes, discs and the like; clothing storage; and numerous other applications. In order to adapt the storage cabinet to various uses a plurality of vertical slots 250 are provided on either side of the vertical channel frame members 56 of the frame 50 of the rotor 4. These openings 250 are vertically elongated slots and there are a considerable number of them on either side of the members 56. One common use of the cabinet will be as a filin~ cabinet and for this purpose reference has been made to the shelves 6 in F`IG. 3.
The details oE the shelves ~ are shown in FIG. 1~.
Each of the shelves 6 comprises a horizontal platform 30 252 ~lith a vertical back 25-l integral with the material of 252 and bent at a right an~l. with respect thereto.
T'1e vertical bac~ 25~ has a lip 256 bent at a ri~3ht an~le with respect thereto. 'l`oward the front tl1e platform 252 has a lip 25~ integral therewith an~
formed by bending the edge upwardly a short distance and then back upon itself as clearly shown in FIG. 1~.
_ Adjacent its corners the platform 252 has four ~ .
`~ :
~ ':
.
( ~135318 1 recesses 260 each of which comprise two parallel cut-outs 262 and a central depressed portion 264.
To support the shelves 6 there are two end panels 270 which are mirror images of each other. At their upper inner corners the end supports 270 have offsets 272 bent towards the center of the shelf.
Extending at a right angle from these offsets are hooks 280 which engaqe in the slots 250 in the frame uprights 10 56. ~s best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 these hooks are of such a dimension as to pass through the slots 250 and then drop down and engage the lower edges of the slots. Once engaged there is a very slight pivoting action of the shelf with respect to the bottom edges of 15 the slots 250 and the lower corners 2c'2 of the shelf supports come to rest-against the ~djacent surface of the uprights 56.
The end supports 270 also include an inwardly 20 bent flanc~e 278 having four notches 276 therein which define a two tabs 274. The two tabs 274 and the flange 278 are all in the same plane and are inserted under the floor 252 of the shelf 6. During this insertion the tabs 274 enter the recesses 260 above the material 264 of the depressions therein. During this insertion the slots 276 receive the vertically sloped portions 2~4 of the depressions. It will be ~ppre-ciatecd that the shelf is first assembled with its end supL;orts and then installed as a unit by passinc3 the 30 hOor;s 2~0 thro~c3h the o~el1in(3s 250 in the uprights 5G.
Any number oE dividers 290 may be provided havinc3 out~ardly e~tendinq tabs 292 for insertion in slots 294 in the shelf 6.
.
Claims (2)
1. In a rotary storage cabinet having a stationary housing with openings in two opposite sides and a rotor mounted for rotation in said housing and wherein said rotor has four sides with two opposite sides positionable to present the contents of the cabinet to the openings in said housing and said rotor also having two other opposite sides positionable to close the openings in said housing, the improvement comprising said housing having a base, said rotor having a rectangular base with an upper and an under surface, said rotor base being supported for rotation rela-tive to said housing base, a groove in said under surface spaced inwardly from the periphery of the rotor base and extending sub-stantially completely around said under surface, a lock pin mounted in the housing base for vertical reciprocating motion to and from a first and second position, said lock pin when in said first position engaging said groove to prevent rotation of said rotor, said lock pin in said second position being retracted from engagement with said rotor base whereby rotation of said rotor is permitted, lock means actuatable to effect movement of said lock pin to and from said positons, and said groove defining a rectangle in said under surface whereby said groove aligns with said lock pin in four positions of said rotor.
2. The cabinet of claim 1 in which said housing base has an opening therethrough, said lock pin extends through said opening and into said groove when said groove is aligned with said opening and said lock pin is in said first position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US949,227 | 1978-10-06 | ||
| US05/949,227 US4258966A (en) | 1978-10-06 | 1978-10-06 | Bearing system and locking mechanism for rotary storage cabinet |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1135318A true CA1135318A (en) | 1982-11-09 |
Family
ID=25488777
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000336512A Expired CA1135318A (en) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-09-27 | Bearing system and locking mechanism for rotary storage cabinet |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4258966A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1135318A (en) |
Families Citing this family (16)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4509676A (en) * | 1983-12-20 | 1985-04-09 | Hss Industries, Inc. | Rotary post office box and equipment enclosure |
| US4555990A (en) * | 1984-05-29 | 1985-12-03 | Genroku Corporation | Rotary board |
| US4901973A (en) * | 1989-05-31 | 1990-02-20 | Ferrara Jr Daniel A | Support base for an air traffic controller's console or the like |
| DE9006002U1 (en) * | 1990-05-26 | 1990-08-02 | Grundmann, Ernst H., 4005 Meerbusch, De | |
| US5040759A (en) * | 1990-07-05 | 1991-08-20 | Wainwright Andrew G | Camera mount for taking panoramic pictures |
| JPH07203335A (en) * | 1993-12-28 | 1995-08-04 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Rotary device |
| US5494347A (en) * | 1994-04-01 | 1996-02-27 | White Consolidated Industries, Inc. | Hand operated actuator for rotary storage cabinet |
| KR970009683A (en) * | 1995-08-28 | 1997-03-27 | 배순훈 | Rotatable Showcase |
| US6604797B2 (en) * | 2001-02-14 | 2003-08-12 | Spacesaver Corporation | Rotary storage unit with motorized latch actuator |
| WO2004068840A2 (en) * | 2003-01-29 | 2004-08-12 | Everest Vit, Inc. | Remote video inspection system |
| US7182219B2 (en) * | 2003-10-10 | 2007-02-27 | Kil Jae Chang | Vending machine for dispensing items in small packages |
| US20050082308A1 (en) * | 2003-10-16 | 2005-04-21 | Simson Anton K. | Machine for controlled dispensing of small articles |
| US7314203B2 (en) * | 2004-12-15 | 2008-01-01 | Chi Yau Yue | Base for vanity mirror or other small object with enhanced stability and rotational ability |
| US7819798B2 (en) * | 2005-06-24 | 2010-10-26 | Ge Inspection Technologies, Lp | Insertion tube storage carousel |
| RU2465126C1 (en) * | 2011-06-30 | 2012-10-27 | Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "БЛИЗНЕЦЫ" | Rotary device |
| MX2023001533A (en) * | 2020-08-07 | 2023-03-08 | Mil Stak Mfg Co Lllp | Bale receiving table having a turntable assembly. |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US271054A (en) * | 1883-01-23 | Anthony c | ||
| US678612A (en) * | 1900-08-03 | 1901-07-16 | Paul J Daemicke | Refrigerator. |
| US924938A (en) * | 1907-10-04 | 1909-06-15 | Arthur Lang | Revolving tray. |
| US1859352A (en) * | 1930-12-20 | 1932-05-24 | Fred H Albee | Rotary plant support |
| US2070168A (en) * | 1934-02-12 | 1937-02-09 | English Needle & Fishing Tackl | Apparatus for the storage and display of goods |
| US2673778A (en) * | 1948-11-15 | 1954-03-30 | Joseph E Wood | Display machine |
| US3046052A (en) * | 1959-07-13 | 1962-07-24 | Reuben E Summers | Revolvable seat |
| US3172712A (en) * | 1963-06-07 | 1965-03-09 | Allen Raymond | Combination bookcase-desk |
| US3248815A (en) * | 1963-11-18 | 1966-05-03 | Maurice J Arage | Beauty shop coiffure profile and illuminated display enclosure |
| US3765738A (en) * | 1971-07-02 | 1973-10-16 | L Cobb | Cassette tape holder |
| US3868157A (en) * | 1971-10-04 | 1975-02-25 | Gerard A Robinson | Rotary filing cabinet |
| US3957159A (en) * | 1972-03-31 | 1976-05-18 | Ready Metal Manufacturing Co. | Rotary storage unit |
| US3850487A (en) * | 1973-08-14 | 1974-11-26 | Raymond Lee Organization Inc | Sewing caddy |
-
1978
- 1978-10-06 US US05/949,227 patent/US4258966A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1979
- 1979-09-27 CA CA000336512A patent/CA1135318A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4258966A (en) | 1981-03-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 19991109 |