Secure storage system having mobile shelving units

Abstract

A storage system having mobile storage units and lock means for securing a plurality of the storage units. A storage system having mobile storage units, door means, and lock means for securing a plurality of the storage units. A method for securing a storage system having mobile storage units and lock means.

1 . A storage system, comprising:
 a. first and second storage units, each of which has an interior for storing items;   b. guide means for mounting said first storage unit for movement between (1) a closed position relative to said second storage unit, wherein in the closed position access to the interiors of said first and said second storage units is prevented, and (2) an open position spaced away from said second storage unit, wherein in the open position access to the interiors of said first and said second storage units is provided; and   c. lock means for selectively (1) locking said first storage unit in the closed position and (2) unlocking said first storage unit thereby permitting it to move to the open position.   
   
   
       2 . The storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein when said first storage unit is in the closed position, the exterior sides of said first and said second storage units are substantially enclosed thereby preventing access to their interiors. 
   
   
       3 . The storage system according to  claim 2 , further comprising enclosing means for substantially enclosing all the exterior sides of said first and said second storage units when said first storage unit is in the closed position. 
   
   
       4 . The storage system according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the exterior sides of said first or said second storage unit is substantially enclosed via a wall which is separate from the storage system. 
   
   
       5 . The storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein said second storage unit is mounted in a stationary position, and said guide means mounts said first storage unit for translational movement between the closed position and the open position. 
   
   
       6 . The storage system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional first storage units, one of said first storage units being positioned most distant from said second storage unit,
 wherein (1) said guide means mounts each of said additional first storage units for movement along a path between a closed position relative to an adjacent storage unit, the adjacent storage unit being one of said first storage units, and an open position spaced away from the adjacent storage unit and (2) said lock means is operative for selectively locking one of said additional first storage units in its closed position and unlocking it.   
   
   
       7 . The storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein said lock means does not require a separate rack means to lock said first storage unit in the closed position. 
   
   
       8 . The storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein said lock means comprises a bar operable to extend into an aperture in the guide means. 
   
   
       9 . The storage system according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional first storage units,
 wherein said lock means is operable to lock two adjacent storage units together.   
   
   
       10 . The storage system according to  claim 9 , wherein if neither of the two adjacent storage units is said second storage unit, the two adjacent storage units are operable to move as a single unit when they are locked together. 
   
   
       11 . A storage system comprising:
 a. first and second storage units, each of which has an interior for storing items;   b. guide means for mounting said first storage unit for movement between a first position and a second position relative to said second storage unit, wherein when said first storage unit is in the first position there is an access space between said first and said second storage units;   c. door means mounted for movement between (1) a closed position wherein the door means substantially obstructs the ingress of the access space formed when said first storage unit is moved to the first position and (2) an open position wherein the door means does not substantially obstruct the ingress of the access space; and   d. lock means for selectively (1) simultaneously locking said door means in the closed position and said first storage unit in the first position and (2) simultaneously unlocking said door means permitting it to move to said open position and said first storage means permitting it to move to said second position.   
   
   
       12 . A method for securing a storage system, the storage system comprising first and second storage units each having an interior, guide means for mounting said first storage unit for movement, and lock means for selectively locking said first storage unit in a closed position, the method comprising:
 a. moving said first storage unit from an open position spaced away from said second storage unit, the open position being a position where the interior of each of said first and said second storage units are accessible, to a closed position relative to said second storage unit, the closed position being a position where the interior of at least one of said first and said second storage units is not accessible; and   b. locking said lock means when said first storage unit is in the closed position, thereby to prevent access to the interior of each of said first and said second storage units.