Secure File Cabinet

摘要

A controlled access file cabinet permits an authorized user access only to one file drawer or one locked compartment at a time. The cabinet has at least one pull-out drawer with a lock mechanism that self-locks when the drawer is pushed in and closed, and has an electro-mechanical servo to release the drawer for authorized access. One or more drawers may be divided into a row of locked compartments. Slide bar lock mechanisms interact with with lock pins on hinged lids or covers for the compartments. Only one compartment can be opened at a time. A control board within the cabinet ensures that all drawers are closed and latched before any can be released. The secure cabinet may be connected with a network, or by i2c or daisy chain to other secure file cabinets, including cabinets retro-fitted with a bolt-on lock mechanism. Computer software limits access to certain areas of the cabinet to specific authorized users, and maintains inventory and audit trail over multiple cabinets.

主权项

1. A storage cabinet arrangement for secure storage of documents and/or other materials for which limited authorized access is to be provided, comprising:
a cabinet including left and right side walls, a rear wall, and a front frame having at least one drawer opening; at least one respective sliding file drawer mounted in an associated one of said at least one aperture of the front frame and having at least one back wall, the file drawer being adapted to be pulled proximally out from said cabinet to an open position for permitting access to contents of said file drawer, and to be pushed distally in to the cabinet to a closed position in which the back wall of the file drawer is positioned adjacent the rear wall of the cabinet; a locking mechanism for releasably locking the at least one file drawer in its closed position within said cabinet, the locking mechanism including for each of said at least one file drawer:
a latch pin affixed onto the back wall of each of said at least one drawer in a position oriented parallel to the back wall thereof; anda latch mechanism mounted on the rear wall of said cabinet and aligned with the latch pin of a respective one of said at least one file drawer, the latch mechanism including a mechanical latch hook that engages said latch pin in a locked position when said latch pin is pushed into engagement therewith; a latch release coupled to said latch hook for moving said latch hook to release the latch pin so that the drawer may be pulled out to its open position, and an electromechanical actuator coupled to said latch release; a controller mounted within said cabinet having an input and at least one output coupled to the electromechanical actuator of the associated latch mechanism; and an interface arrangement coupled to the input of said controller for permitting an authorized person to interface with said controller to release the latch mechanism from the latch pin of one of said at least one file drawer to permit the drawer to be pulled out to its open position.