US Patent 7925375 Storage machine for objects

A machine for storing objects includes a compartment system with a plurality of compartments and having at least one closure mechanism which can be moved relative to a central, predefined access orifice in the machine housing to permit or prevent access to a specific, individual compartment or to a specific group of adjacent compartments. A driving force of the drive system for the closure mechanism is dimensioned or can be set and/or a drive train or a motion transmitting path between the drive system and closure mechanism has a force or torque limiting device such that maximum force or torque transmitting values acting on the closure mechanism are fixed or can be set so that automatic movements of the closure mechanism can not cause serious injuries to a user, and in addition the closure mechanism can be manually held open or pushed open in spite of the active drive system. The closure mechanism or drive system co-operates with at least one stop mechanism which can be activated and/or deactivated in a controlled manner or positioned in a controlled manner, which is designed mechanically to restrict a maximum permissible opening width of the closure mechanism). This results in an increased degree of personal safety and at the same time protects access to the storage machine.