Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispenser configured for storing one or more items and dispensing the stored items to authorized users. According to various embodiments, the dispenser generally includes a housing defining an interior portion dimensioned to receive one
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispenser configured for storing one or more items and dispensing the stored items to authorized users. According to various embodiments, the dispenser generally includes a housing defining an interior portion dimensioned to receive one or more items and a laterally sliding access door comprised of a flexible barrier configured to provide restricted access to items stored within the dispenser. In various embodiments, the dispenser also includes a biasing system configured bias the access door to a closed position.
대표청구항▼
1. A dispenser for storing one or more items and providing selective access to the items, the dispenser comprising: a housing defining an access opening and an interior portion dimensioned for receiving the one or more items;at least one upper horizontal support member disposed adjacent an upper per
1. A dispenser for storing one or more items and providing selective access to the items, the dispenser comprising: a housing defining an access opening and an interior portion dimensioned for receiving the one or more items;at least one upper horizontal support member disposed adjacent an upper perimeter of the access opening;at least one lower horizontal support member disposed adjacent a lower perimeter of the access opening; andan access door disposed adjacent the access opening, the access door comprising: at least one vertical support member operatively connected to the housing and configured to slide laterally between a first lateral side of the access opening and a second lateral side of the access opening;a flexible barrier, wherein a first side edge of the flexible barrier is operatively connected to the vertical support member;a first plurality of door attachment members disposed adjacent an upper edge of the flexible barrier and engaged with the upper horizontal support member; anda second plurality of door attachment members disposed adjacent a lower edge of the flexible barrier and engaged with the lower horizontal support member;wherein the first plurality of door attachment members are configured to slide relative to the upper horizontal support member and the second plurality of door attachment members are configured to slide relative to the lower horizontal support member in order to permit the access door to move laterally to: (i) a closed position in which the access door prevents access to one or more items stored within the interior portion of the housing through the access opening, and(ii) an open position in which the access door permits access to one or more items stored within the interior portion of the housing through the access opening. 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein a second side edge of the flexible barrier is operatively connected to the housing adjacent the second lateral side of the access opening; and wherein, when the access door is in the closed position, the vertical support member is positioned adjacent the first lateral side of the access opening and the flexible barrier extends substantially between the first and second lateral sides of the access opening. 3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one upper horizontal support member is a first upper horizontal support member and the dispenser further comprises a second upper horizontal support member; wherein the at least one lower horizontal support member is a first lower horizontal support member and the dispenser further comprises a second lower horizontal support member; andwherein the vertical support member is operatively engaged with the second upper horizontal support member and the second lower horizontal support member, and wherein the vertical support member is configured to slide laterally relative to the second upper horizontal support member and the second lower horizontal support member. 4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the first plurality of door attachment members extend around the first upper horizontal support member such that the first plurality of door attachment members are able to slide laterally along the first upper horizontal support member; wherein the second plurality of door attachment members extend around the first lower horizontal support member such that the second plurality of door attachment members are able to slide laterally along the first lower horizontal support member; wherein the second upper horizontal support member comprises an upper linear bearing rail and the vertical support member is secured to an upper sliding assembly configured to slide laterally along the upper linear bearing rail; andwherein the second lower horizontal support member comprises a lower linear bearing rail and the vertical support member is secured to a lower sliding assembly configured to slide laterally along the lower linear bearing rail. 5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the interior portion of the housing includes one or more item support features. 6. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the vertical support member is operatively engaged with the first upper horizontal support member and is configured to slide laterally relative to the first upper horizontal support member, and the vertical support member is operatively engaged with the first lower horizontal support member and is configured to slide laterally relative to the first lower horizontal support member; the vertical support member being operatively engaged with the first upper horizontal support member at a point positioned below the vertical support member's engagement with the second upper horizontal support member and the vertical support member being operatively engaged with the first lower horizontal support member at a point positioned above the vertical support member's engagement with the second lower horizontal support member. 7. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the vertical support member includes an engaging member extending outwardly from a leading edge of the vertical support member, the engaging member being configured for engaging a portion of the housing when the access door is in the closed position. 8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the engaging member comprises a support flange extending laterally outwardly from the vertical support member's leading edge. 9. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a biasing system configured to apply a force biasing the access door to the closed position. 10. The dispenser of claim 9, further comprising an open locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the access door in the open position; and wherein, when the access door is unlocked from the open position, the biasing system is configured to drive the access door to the closed position. 11. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the biasing system comprises a counterweight operatively connected to the vertical support member and configured to apply a force sufficient to pull the vertical support member to the access door's closed position. 12. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a damping mechanism configured to damp the motion of the access door as it is moved to its closed position by the biasing system. 13. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a close locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the access door in the closed position. 14. The dispenser of claim 13, further comprising a control system comprising at least one processor configured to receive user input from a user interface, wherein the control system is configured to generate a control signal that actuates the close locking mechanism in order to unlock the access door in response to receiving valid user input. 15. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an open locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the access door in the open position. 16. The dispenser of claim 15, further comprising a control system comprising at least one processor configured to generate a control signal that actuates the open locking mechanism in order to unlock the access door from the open position. 17. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the control system is configured to generate the control signal in response to user input received via a user input device. 18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the control system is configured to generate the control signal after a predefined timing period elapses. 19. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the access door is configured such that: when the access door is in the closed position, the flexible barrier is substantially outstretched in a substantially planar orientation and spans the width of the access opening; andwhen the access door is in the open position, the flexible barrier is gathered into a plurality of folds. 20. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the flexible barrier comprises a tear-resistant fabric material. 21. The dispenser of claim 20, wherein the flexible barrier includes one or more vertical support rods attached to the flexible barrier and extending vertically between the flexible barrier's upper edge and lower edge.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (56)
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