Locking mechanism, and locking barrier and cabinet using same

Abstract

A self-locking mechanism for use with a locking barrier on a cabinet. The locking mechanism includes an actuator and one or more locking members for securing the locking barrier in a closed position. When the locking barrier is in an open position, a detent element holds one of the locking members and the actuator in an unlocked position. A projection attached to the cabinet disengages the detent element upon closing of the locking barrier, thus allowing the locking member to extend into its locked position.

1 . A locking mechanism for use with a locking barrier, the locking mechanism comprising: 
 at least one locking member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position;    a detent element engaging said locking member when said locking member and said detent element are in an unlocked position, said detent element biased towards the unlocked position, said detent element moveable to a locked position where said detent element does not engage said locking member; and    an actuator connected with said at least one locking member, said actuator capable of movement between a locked position and an unlocked position, said actuator biased towards the locked position, said actuator adapted to move said at least one locking member to said locked position in response to the movement of said detent element to its locked position.    
     
     
         2 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one locking member comprises a first locking pin.  
     
     
         3 . The locking mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one locking member further comprises a second locking pin.  
     
     
         4 . The locking mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein end portions of the first and second locking pins move in substantially parallel but opposite directions when moving between their respective locked and unlocked positions.  
     
     
         5 . The locking mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein said end portion of said first locking pin comprises a shoulder adapted to engage a portion of said detent element when said first locking member and said detent element are in their respective unlocked positions.  
     
     
         6 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator rotates between its locked position and its unlocked position.  
     
     
         7 . The locking mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein said actuator comprises a rotatable disk.  
     
     
         8  The locking mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein said disk further comprises a slot on a periphery thereof, and wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a lever having a disk engaging portion adapted to engage said slot when said disk is in its locked position.  
     
     
         9 . The locking mechanism of  claim 8 , wherein said disk is incapable of movement to an unlocked position when said disk engaging portion of said lever is engaging said slot of said disk.  
     
     
         10 . The locking mechanism of  claim 9 , further comprising a cam for moving said lever to an unlocked position wherein said disk engaging portion of said lever does not engage said slot.  
     
     
         11 . The locking mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising a lock core assembly, said lock core assembly engaging said cam and capable of moving said cam from the locked to an unlocked position.  
     
     
         12 . The locking mechanism of  claim 8 , further comprising a release member adapted to move said disk engaging portion out of said slot.  
     
     
         13 . A locking barrier comprising: 
 a barrier housing;    at least one locking member within said housing moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position;    a detent element within said housing engaging said locking member when said locking member and said detent element are in an unlocked position, said detent element biased to the unlocked position, said detent element moveable to the locked position where said detent element does not engage said at least one locking member; and    a first actuator moveably mounted within said housing and connected with said at least one locking member, said actuator capable of movement between a locked position and an unlocked position and biased towards the locked position, said actuator adapted to move said at least one locking member to its locked position in response to the movement of said detent element to its locked position.    
     
     
         14 . The locking barrier of  claim 13 , wherein said barrier housing comprises a front panel and a spaced rear panel, the panels defining a housing interior therebetween, and wherein said first actuator is mounted within said housing interior and is moveable by movement of a second actuator mounted on said front panel.  
     
     
         15 . The locking barrier of  claim 14 , wherein said first actuator comprises a rotatable disk.  
     
     
         16 . The locking barrier of  claim 15 , wherein said disk further comprises a slot on a periphery thereof, and wherein the locking barrier further comprises a lever having a disk engaging portion adapted to engage said slot when said disk is in its locked position.  
     
     
         17 . A cabinet comprising: 
 a cabinet housing;    a plurality of bins within said cabinet housing, said bins moveable between a closed position and open positions;    an actuating member attached to said cabinet housing; and    a locking barrier connected with said cabinet housing and moveable between a closed position and open positions, said locking barrier adapted to secure said bins in their closed position when said locking barrier is in its closed position, and allowing said bins to move to their open positions when said locking barrier is in one of its open positions; and    a locking mechanism associated with said locking barrier, said locking mechanism including at least one locking member capable of locking said locking barrier in its closed position, an actuating member engaging portion of said locking mechanism configured so as to contact said actuating member when said locking barrier is in its closed position, said locking mechanism and said actuating member cooperating to activate said locking member in response to movement of said locking barrier from one of its open positions to its closed position.    
     
     
         18 . The cabinet of  claim 17 , wherein said actuating member comprises a projection.  
     
     
         19 . The cabinet of  claim 18 , wherein said actuating member engaging portion of said locking mechanism comprises a detent element.  
     
     
         20 . The cabinet of  claim 17 , wherein said locking barrier comprises a lock bar.  
     
     
         21 . The cabinet of  claim 20 , wherein said cabinet housing comprises a top, a bottom, a pair of sides, a back, and an at least partially open front face; and 
 said lock bar is pivotedly attached to a portion of one of said sides and is adapted to restrict movement of said bins out of said front face when said lock is its closed position.    
     
     
         22 . The cabinet of  claim 17 , wherein said bins are adapted to contain pharmaceuticals.  
     
     
         23 . The cabinet of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one locking member comprises at least one locking pin.  
     
     
         24 . The cabinet of  claim 23 , wherein said housing further comprises a locking cavity for each of said at least one locking pin, said locking pin residing in said locking cavity when said locking bar is in its closed position.