System and method for unlatching a door with spring interface

Abstract

A system and method of opening a storage unit includes a foot pedal, lever arm, linkage arm, spring, and latching rod. The lever arm is coupled to the foot pedal. The linkage arm is coupled to the lever arm. The spring is coupled to the linkage arm. The latching rod is coupled to the spring and is in a latched position. Downward movement of the foot pedal causes movement of the lever arm and the movement of the lever arm causes movement of the linkage arm. The movement of the linkage arm causes stretching of the spring and the latching rod remains stationary.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for opening a storage unit, the device comprising: 
 a foot pedal;    a lever arm, the lever arm being coupled to the foot pedal;    a linkage arm, the linkage arm being coupled to the lever arm;    a spring, the spring being coupled to the linkage arm;    a latching rod, the latching rod being coupled to the spring, the latching rod being in a latched position;    wherein downward movement of the foot pedal causes movement of the lever arm and the movement of the lever arm causes movement of the linkage arm; and    wherein the movement of the linkage arm causes stretching of the spring and wherein the latching rod remains stationary.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the latching rod has an unlatched position, and the latching rod is moveable into a second position when the latching rod is in the unlatched position.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is incorporated into a storage unit.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the spring is initially compressed.  
     
     
         5 . A method of protecting a storage device from damage from unauthorized entry, the method comprising: 
 moving a foot pedal in a downward direction;    thereby, causing a lever arm and the movement to move;    thereafter, causing a linkage arm to move; and    thereafter, stretching a spring and leaving a latching rod stationary.    
     
     
         6 . A storage cabinet comprising: 
 a foot pedal;    a lever arm, the lever arm being coupled to the foot pedal;    a linkage arm, the linkage arm being coupled to the lever arm;    a spring, the spring being coupled to the linkage arm;    a latching rod, the latching rod being coupled to the spring, the latching rod being in a latched position;    a receptacle structure for holding the latching rod when the latching rod is in the latched position;    a door, the door being coupled to the receptacle structure;    wherein downward movement of the foot pedal causes movement of the lever arm and the movement of the lever arm causes movement of the linkage arm; and    wherein the movement of the linkage arm causes stretching of the spring and wherein the latching rod remains stationary.    
     
     
         7 . The storage cabinet of  claim 6  wherein the spring is initially compressed.  
     
     
         8 . The storage cabinet of  claim 6  wherein the latching rod also has an unlatched position.  
     
     
         9 . A device for opening a storage unit, the device comprising: 
 a foot pedal;    a lever arm, the lever arm being coupled to the foot pedal;    a linkage arm, the linkage arm being coupled to the lever arm;    a spring, the spring being coupled to the linkage arm;    a plurality of latching rods, a single one of the plurality of latching rods being coupled to the spring, the plurality of latching rods being in latched positions;    a sliding assembly, the sliding assembly coupled to each of the plurality of latching rods;    wherein downward movement of the foot pedal causes movement of the lever arm and the movement of the lever arm causes movement of the linkage arm;    wherein the movement of the linkage arm causes stretching of the spring and wherein each of the plurality of latching rods remains stationary.    
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the spring is in an initial compressed position.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the sliding assembly moves within grooves of a body.  
     
     
         12 . A storage unit, the device comprising: 
 a foot pedal;    a lever arm, the lever arm being coupled to the foot pedal;    a linkage arm, the linkage arm being coupled to the lever arm;    a spring, the spring being coupled to the linkage arm;    a plurality of latching rods, a single one of the plurality of latching rods being coupled to the spring, the plurality of latching rods being in latched positions;    a sliding assembly, the sliding assembly coupled to each of the plurality of latching rods;    a door coupled to the sliding assembly;    wherein downward movement of the foot pedal causes movement of the lever arm and the movement of the lever arm causes movement of the linkage arm;    wherein the movement of the linkage arm causes stretching of the spring and wherein each of the plurality of latching rods remains stationary.    
     
     
         13 . The storage unit of  claim 12  wherein the spring is in an initial compressed position.  
     
     
         14 . The storage unit of  claim 12  wherein the sliding assembly moves within grooves of a body.