대표
청구항
▼
The invention claimed is: 1. Apparatus comprising: a deal drawer adapted to pass items between persons on opposed sides of a wall, wherein the wall divides an interior area and an exterior area, including: a housing, wherein the housing includes an opening therein; a panel, wherein the panel is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing; a drawer, wherein the drawer is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the drawer includes a holding area adapted to hold items therein, and wherein the d...
The invention claimed is: 1. Apparatus comprising: a deal drawer adapted to pass items between persons on opposed sides of a wall, wherein the wall divides an interior area and an exterior area, including: a housing, wherein the housing includes an opening therein; a panel, wherein the panel is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing; a drawer, wherein the drawer is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the drawer includes a holding area adapted to hold items therein, and wherein the drawer is movable between a retracted position wherein the holding area is accessible through the opening, and an extended position wherein the holding area is accessible from outside the housing from the exterior area; a mechanism operatively connecting the drawer and the panel, wherein the mechanism is operative to cause the panel to move in coordinated relation with movement of the drawer, wherein the panel moves between an open position and a closed position, wherein when the drawer is moved from the extended position to the retracted position the panel is moved to the open position responsive to the mechanism whereby the holding area is accessible through the opening, and wherein when the drawer is moved from the retracted position toward the extended position the panel is moved from the open position to the closed position responsive to the mechanism; and wherein the mechanism includes a clutch, wherein the clutch enables panel movement that is not coordinated with the drawer movement. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clutch is operative to transition between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration, wherein when the clutch is in the engaged configuration the clutch is able to transmit sufficient force through the mechanism to move the panel in coordination with movement of the drawer, and wherein when the clutch is in the disengaged configuration the clutch is unable to transmit sufficient force through the mechanism to move the panel in coordination with movement of the drawer. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein with a force below a threshold force acting on the mechanism when the clutch is in the engaged configuration, the clutch is able to resist panel movement to transition to the disengaged configuration. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein with a force greater than the threshold force acting on the mechanism when the clutch is in the engaged configuration, the clutch is able to allow the panel to move independent of the mechanism to transition to the disengaged configuration. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein responsive to drawer movement when the clutch is in the disengaged configuration, the mechanism is able to transition the clutch to the engaged configuration. 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein responsive to panel movement when the clutch is in the disengaged configuration, the mechanism is able to transition the clutch to the engaged configuration. 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clutch includes: a clutch housing including a body having first and second spaced ends, the body having a first surface at the first end; a detent plate mounted in operatively supported connection with the clutch housing, wherein the clutch housing and the detent plate are adapted for relative rotational movement, wherein the detent plate comprises a detent surface adjacent and in generally opposed facing relation relative to the first surface; a detent mechanism operative to place the clutch in the engaged configuration when the detent plate and the clutch housing are in at least one predetermined relative rotational position; wherein when the clutch is in the engaged configuration, the clutch housing and the detent plate are releasibly operatively engaged, wherein the clutch housing and the detent plate move in coordinated relation, and wherein when the clutch is in the disengaged configuration, the clutch housing and the detent plate are each relatively rotatably movable independently of one another. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the drawer includes a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion is disposed from the front portion in a direction of movement, wherein the drawer moves along the direction of movement between the extended position and the retracted position; and wherein the mechanism includes a cam member mounted in operatively supported connection with the drawer and movable therewith, wherein the cam member includes a channel having a first end disposed toward the front portion of the drawer and a second end disposed toward the rear portion of the drawer. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising: an arm movably mounted in operative supported connection with the housing and in operative connection with the mechanism, wherein the arm includes a distal end; and a cam follower mounted in operative supported connection with the arm, wherein the cam follower is adjacent the distal end of the arm, wherein the cam follower extends in the channel, wherein the cam follower moves relative to the channel responsive to movement of the drawer, and wherein the arm moves responsive to movement of the cam follower. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the channel includes a vertically angled portion, wherein the angled portion extends adjacent the first end, and a straight portion, wherein the straight portion extends adjacent the second end, wherein movement of the cam follower in the angled portion is operative to cause rotational movement of the arm, and wherein rotational movement of the arm is operative to apply a rotational force to the clutch. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the mechanism further includes: a pivot rod, wherein the pivot rod includes first and second spaced rod end portions disposed along a common axis, and wherein the pivot rod includes a central rod portion disposed intermediate of the first and second spaced rod end portions, wherein the central rod portion is radially disposed relative to the common axis, wherein the first end portion is operatively connected with the detent plate, and wherein the central rod portion is operatively engaged with the panel, and wherein rotation of the clutch and detent plate in a first angular direction responsive to movement of the arm is operative to move the panel into the closed position responsive to movement of the pivot rod, and wherein rotation of the clutch and pivot plate in a second angular direction, opposed of the first angular direction, is operative to move the panel into the open position responsive to movement of the pivot rod. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the panel includes a lower side, and wherein the mechanism further includes: a bracket mounted in operatively supported connection with the lower side of the panel, wherein the bracket includes a bracket portion defining an open region, and wherein the central portion of the pivot rod extends in the open region. 13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the housing includes an elongated slot, wherein the elongated slot extends along the direction of movement of the drawer, and further comprising: a movement mechanism in operative supported connection with the drawer, wherein the movement mechanism is operative to selectively move the drawer between the extended and retracted positions, and wherein the movement mechanism includes a handle movable in the elongated slot. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the panel is rotationally movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the panel moves in a first rotational direction during panel movement from the panel open position to the panel closed position, wherein the panel moves in a second rotational direction during panel movement from the panel closed position to the panel open position, wherein the second rotational direction is opposite the first rotational direction. 15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the detent mechanism includes: a plurality of angularly spaced longitudinally extending chambers extending in the body and through the first surface; a plurality of detent members, wherein one detent member is disposed in each chamber, and wherein each detent member is longitudinally movable in the respective chamber; and a plurality of detent member engaging sites in the detent surface, wherein each detent member engaging site is operative to releasibly engage one detent member, and wherein when the detent plate and the clutch housing are in at least one relative rotational position, at least one detent member engages at least one detent site. 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the detent mechanism further includes a plurality of spring members, wherein one spring member is positioned in each chamber and is operative to bias a respective detent member to engage the detent surface. 17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein each detent member comprises a cylindrical surface disposed adjacent the detent surface, and wherein each detent site comprises a recess configured to engage the cylindrical surface. 18. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the drawer has a forward opening, wherein the holding area is accessible from the exterior area through the forward opening, and further comprising a door assembly including: first and second spaced drop members each movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the drawer and movable in coordination therewith between an upward position and a downward position; and a door mounted in operatively supported connection with the first and second drop members and moveable therewith, wherein when the drawer is in the retracted position, the first and second drop members are each in the upward position and the door selectively closes the forward opening, and when the drawer is in the extended position the first and second drop members are each in the downward position and the door is disposed relative to the forward opening such that the holding area is accessible therethrough. 19. Apparatus comprising: a deal drawer adapted to pass items between persons on opposed sides of a wall, wherein the wall divides a first area and a second area, including: a housing, wherein the housing is adapted to extend through the wall, wherein the housing includes a first surface having a first opening therein, wherein in an operative position of the deal drawer the first surface extends generally horizontally and in the first area, wherein an interior area of the housing is accessible generally vertically through the first opening, and wherein the housing includes a second opening, wherein in the operative position of the deal drawer the second opening extends generally vertically and enables accessing the interior area of the housing from the second area through the second opening; a panel movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the panel is movable between a panel closed position wherein the panel closes the first opening, and a panel open position wherein the panel is positioned relative to the first opening such that the interior area is accessible through the first opening; a drawer, wherein the drawer is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the drawer includes a holding area therein, and wherein the drawer is movable between a retracted position wherein the holding area is generally aligned with the first opening and the holding area is accessible through the first opening, and an extended position wherein the holding area is accessible through the second opening from the second area; a mechanism in operative mechanical connection with the panel and the drawer, wherein the mechanism is operative to cause the panel to move in coordinated relation with movement of the drawer, wherein the mechanism is operative to cause the panel to move to the panel open position responsive to movement of the drawer to the retracted position, and wherein the mechanism is operative to cause the panel to move to the panel closed position responsive to movement of the drawer from the retracted position toward the extended position, wherein the mechanism includes two relatively movable members, wherein the two relatively movable members are non-rigidly operatively engaged by a structure such that the members move together as the panel moves with movement of the drawer, and wherein the non-rigid operative engagement through the structure enables moving the panel between the open panel position and the closed panel position without movement of the drawer, wherein the mechanism includes a clutch, wherein the clutch enables panel movement that is not coordinated with the drawer movement. 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the panel is rotationally movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the panel moves in a first rotational direction during panel movement from the panel open position to the panel closed position, wherein the panel moves in a second rotational direction during panel movement from the panel closed position to the panel open position, wherein the second rotational direction is opposite the first rotational direction. 21. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the non-rigid operative engagement of the two members through the structure enables movement of the drawer to the retracted position without movement of the panel. 22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the structure providing non-rigid operative engagement of the two members includes a detent mechanism. 23. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the clutch includes the detent mechanism, and wherein the detent mechanism comprises a detent ball supported by one member and a recess configured to accept a portion of the detent ball on the other member, and a spring, wherein the spring biases the ball to engage the recess. 24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the mechanism comprises a cam and a cam follower, wherein one of the cam and the cam follower are in operatively fixed connection with the drawer, wherein movement of the drawer causes relative movement of the cam and the cam follower. 25. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the panel moves between the panel open position and the panel closed position through rotational movement relative to the housing, and wherein the mechanism includes a pivot rod, wherein the pivot rod includes an offset portion, wherein the offset portion is radially offset from an axis about which the pivot rod rotates in operatively supported connection with the housing, and wherein rotation of the pivot rod relative to the housing operatively engages the panel and causes movement of the panel between the panel open position and the panel closed position. 26. The apparatus according to claim 25 and further comprising a door, wherein the door is movably mounted relative to the housing, wherein the door is operative to close the second opening when the drawer is in the retracted position. 27. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the door is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the drawer through at least one member, wherein the at least one member is mounted in operatively supported connection with the door so as to be angularly movable relative to the drawer, and wherein the at least one member is operative to lower the door as the drawer moves toward the extended position, and to raise the door as the door moves from the extended position toward the retracted position. 28. A method comprising: (a) moving a drawer from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the drawer is part of a deal drawer adapted to pass items between persons on opposed sides of a wall that divides an interior area and an exterior area, wherein the deal drawer includes a housing, a panel, and a mechanism, wherein the mechanism operably connects the drawer and the panel, wherein the panel is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the drawer is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the drawer includes a holding area adapted to hold items therein, wherein when the drawer is in the retracted position the panel is in an open position enabling access to the holding area through an opening in the housing, wherein when the drawer is in the extended position the panel is in a closed position preventing access through the opening, wherein when the drawer is in the extended position the holding area is accessible from the exterior area, wherein the mechanism includes a clutch, wherein the clutch enables panel movement that is not coordinated with the drawer movement; and (b) causing the mechanism to move the panel from the open position to the closed position in coordinated relation with movement of the drawer in step (a). 29. The method of claim 28 wherein the clutch includes a clutch housing and a detent plate mounted in supporting connection with the clutch housing, wherein the clutch housing and the detent plate are relatively rotationally movable, and further comprising: placing the clutch into a disengaged configuration by rotating the detent plate relative the clutch housing, wherein the detent plate rotates away from at least one predetermined relative position. 30. The method of claim 28 wherein the clutch includes a clutch housing and a detent plate mounted in supporting connection with the clutch housing, wherein the clutch housing and the detent plate are relatively rotationally movable, and further comprising: placing the clutch into an engaged configuration by relatively rotating the clutch housing and the detent plate into at least one predetermined relative position. 31. The method of claim 28 and further comprising: moving the panel responsive to movement of the drawer by rotating the clutch responsive to movement of the drawer. 32. The method of claim 28 and further comprising: placing the clutch assembly into a disengaged configuration by rotating a detent plate away from at least one predetermined angular position relative to a clutch housing, wherein the detent plate is operatively connected with the panel and movable therewith; placing the clutch into an engaged configuration by moving a pivot arm in operative connection with the clutch housing to rotate the clutch housing into one of the at least one predetermined angular position relative to the detent plate; and moving the panel responsive to movement with the drawer by operating the clutch in the engaged configuration. 33. The method of claim 28 further comprising: (c) applying a resistive force to the panel, wherein the resistive force is operative to disengage the clutch, wherein when the clutch is disengaged panel movement is not coordinated with drawer movement. 34. The method of claim 33 further comprising: (d) subsequent to step (c), moving one of the drawer or the panel to engage the clutch, wherein when the clutch is engaged panel movement is coordinated with the drawer movement.
