Searchable binder with security lock

Abstract

A searchable binder which is operationally compatible with a binder management system having a cabinet with shelves for removable storage of the binder. Each binder has a body with front and rear covers and a spine. Inside the body is a binder mechanism for removably retaining sheet media. Each binder has a binder contact mechanism mounted to the spine at the upper end, a binder lock mechanism mounted to the spine at the lower end, a binder identification circuit electrically coupled to the binder contact mechanism and the binder lock mechanism, and a visible indicator. The binder contact mechanism has a contact element extending outwardly of the upper end of the spine and engaged with one of several first conductive shelf elements of the binder cabinet. The binder lock mechanism has a lock bolt extending outwardly of the lower end of the spine with an end portion engaged with one of several grooved second conductive shelf elements of the binder cabinet to normally lock the binder in the cabinet. When a binder identification signal from a host computer is supplied to the cabinet conductive elements, it is transferred by the binder contact mechanism and the binder lock mechanism to the binder identification circuit. If the signal matches a binder identification code stored in the binder identification circuit, the binder lock mechanism is activated to the release position and the visible indicator is activated to aid the user in finding the binder.