Drawer system and drawer lock

Abstract

A bidirectional drawer system is disclosed. The bidirectional drawer system can include a frame. The bidirectional drawer system can also include first and second drawers slidably coupled to the frame. Each of the first and second drawers can be movable between a retracted position and first and second extended positions on opposite sides of the retracted position. In addition, the bidirectional drawer system can include a drawer interlock mechanism. The drawer interlock mechanism can include first and second interlock portions associated with the first and second drawers, respectively. The first interlock portion can have a cam with a cam surface, and a cam follower operable to interface with the cam surface. The second interlock portion can have a cam lock with a cam lock surface, and cam follower operable to interface with the cam lock surface. With the first and second drawers in the retracted positions, movement of the first drawer toward the first extended position can cause the cam follower of the first interlock portion to engage the cam surface and the cam follower of the second interlock portion to engage the cam lock surface thereby preventing movement of the second drawer out of the retracted position.