Locking system for a storage container.

(54) Title: LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A STORAGE CONTAINER.

(54) Title: LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A STORAGE CONTAINER.

(57) Summary

A lock system for a tool box is described where locking is accomplished with a padlock which is located in a recessed portion along the front wall of the tool box in order to prevent tampering. A hitch rod is slidably disposed adjacent to a front wall of the box. The padlock and hitch rod are arranged so that the padlock body blocks the longitudinal movement of a padlock coupler and holds the hitch rod in the locked position when the tool box lid is in the closed position and the padlock locks. When the padlock is unlocked, the padlock coupler is allowed to move past the padlock to move the latch rod into the unlocked position thereby allowing the tool box lid to open. The lock system can be used for a horizontal or vertical tool box.

(57) Abstract

A lock system for a tool box is disclosed where locking is achieved with a lock which is located in a recessed portion along the front wall of the tool box in order to prevent tampering. A latch rod is slidably disposed adjacent to front wall of the box. The lock and the latch rod are disposed such that the lock body blocks the longitudinal movement of a lock engager and maintains the latch rod in the latched position when the lid of the tool box is in the closed position and the lock is locked. When the lock is unlocked, the lock engager is allowed to move past the lock to move the latch rod to the unlatched position thereby allowing the lid of the tool box to be opened. The lock system may be used for a horizontal or a vertical tool box.

LOCKING SYSTEM FOR A STORAGE CONTAINER DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a lock system for a storage container, and more particularly to a lock system in which a padlock or other similar type of lock is located within the container so as not to be exposed to tampering.

Containers, such as tool boxes and storage cabinets, which are used on construction job sites and similar locations for tool and material storage, are typically protected from theft by padlocks. In many cases, due to the value of tools or materials stored in such containers, it is further desired to use containers that have lock systems that protect the padlock so that the padlock is not exposed to tampering, such as attempts to cut the padlock. or pry open the padlock body.

Various locking systems have been proposed for horizontally arranged lockboxes having an upward opening lid, as well as vertically arranged lockboxes having vertical doors. In order to prevent potential thieves from prying open the corners of such boxes, storage cabinets typically include locking mechanisms at both free corners of the cover opposite the hinge. Horizontal tool boxes typically include two padlocks arranged at opposite ends of the box adjacent to the locking mechanisms for the free corners of the lid. Using two padlocks can be inconvenient for the user in that the two keys must be kept and the two padlocks must be operated separately to unlock the box. Also, if the bed is fitted with a truck bed, transverse to the vehicle, the user must unlock the padlock at one end of the bed and then walk around to the opposite side of the truck and unlock the opposite padlock. Similarly, when locking the box, the user must ensure that both padlocks are locked. Thus, locking, verifying, and unlocking the padlocks at either end of the box can be a time-consuming process with the potential for user error.

As noted above, safety is an important issue with regard to workplace boxes, and thus there is a need to protect the boxes from prying, cutting, and other types of break-ins. US Patent No. 6,772,613 describes a lock system for a horizontal lock box that provides protection for a padlock. In this system the padlock is mounted on one end of the box in a horizontal orientation. A portion of the padlock is accessible from the front wall of the box. With this configuration, it is possible to pierce the padlock as there is sufficient space and access to position the drill and pass through the padlock.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a locking mechanism in which the padlock is installed and mounted in such a way that it provides protection against tampering and in particular is resistant.

<td>to perforations. Such</td><td>mechanism</td><td>blocking</td><td>not</td><td>must allow</td>

<td>enough space or</td><td>access for</td><td>place</td><td>a</td><td>drill for</td>

<td colspan="3">pass the drill through the padlock.</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>These well</td><td>like others</td><td>aspects</td><td>and</td><td>advantages are</td>

will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this summary and elsewhere are intended to illustrate the invention by way of example only.

In one embodiment, the present application provides a lock system for use in a storage container having a first body component and a second body component. The lock system comprises a locking rod located in the first or second body component of the storage container, a padlock coupler attached to the locking rod, a padlock housing placed in the storage container adapted to have a padlock placed therein, and having at least one slot to accommodate the padlock coupler, an opening to provide access to a portion of the padlock when placed within the padlock housing, the opening is located in an outer recessed portion of the storage container, and a handle extending from the locking rod. When the padlock is unlocked and the handle is moved in a first direction, the locking rod slides from a locked position to an unlocked position where the padlock coupler passes through at least one slot in the padlock housing and beyond of the padlock. When the handle moves in a second direction and the padlock is locked, the locking rod slides from an unlocked position to a locked position where the padlock blocks the movement of the padlock coupler.

In another embodiment, a lock system is provided for use in a horizontal storage container, having a first body component and a second body component. The lock system comprises a locking rod located in the first body component of the storage container, a padlock coupler attached to the locking rod, a padlock housing placed within the storage container adapted to have a vertically oriented padlock in the same, and having at least one slot to accommodate the padlock coupler, an outer recessed &lt;»portion located in the storage container, an opening positioned in the recessed portion to provide access to a portion of the padlock when vertically oriented within the padlock housing, at least one flange positioned in the second body component, and a handle extending from the locking rod and which can be accessed from outside the storage container. When the padlock is unlocked and the handle is moved laterally in a first direction, the locking rod slides to an unlocked position where the padlock coupler can move past the padlock. When the handle is moved laterally in a second direction and the padlock locks, the locking rod engages at least one tab and slides into a locked position where the padlocks block the movement of the padlock coupler.

In yet another embodiment, a lock system is provided for use in a vertical storage container, having a first body component and a second body component. The lock system comprises a locking rod located in the first body component of the storage container, a padlock coupler attached to the locking rod, a padlock storage housing placed within the adapted container to have a padlock located horizontally in the same, and having at least one slot to accommodate the padlock coupler, an outer recessed portion located in the storage container, an opening positioned in the recessed portion to provide access, to a portion of the padlock when oriented horizontally within the padlock housing, at least one flange positioned in the second body component, and a handle extending from the locking rod and that it can be accessed from outside the storage container. When the padlock is unlocked and the handle moves longitudinally in a first direction, the locking rod slides to an unlocked position where the padlock coupler can move past the padlock. When the handle moves longitudinally in a second direction and the padlock locks, the locking rod engages at least one tab and slides into a locked position where the padlocks block the movement of the padlock coupler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a horizontal tool box incorporating a lock system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lock system of the present invention;

Figure 3a is a perspective view of the padlock housing of the present invention;

Figure 3b is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the padlock housing of the present invention;

Figure 3c is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the padlock housing of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of the padlock housing shown in Figure 3a.

Figure 5 is a front view of the lock system shown in Figure 2 in the locked position;

Figure 6 is a front view of the lock system shown in Figure 2 in the unlocked position;

Figure 7 is a front view of the box shown in Figure 1 in the locked position;

Figure 8 is a front view of the box shown in Figure 1 in the unlocked position;

Figure 8a is a side view of the recessed portion of the box shown in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the clamps used with the lock system of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a vertical tool box incorporating a lock system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the vertical box in the unlocked position;

Figure 12 is a rear view of the vertical box doors in the locked position;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the lock system shown in Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a rear view of the lock system of Figure 12 in the unlocked position;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of an alternate padlock which can be used with the lock system of the present invention;

Figure 16a is a perspective view of the alternate padlock of Figure 15 in the locked position;

Figure 16b is a perspective view of the alternate lock of Figure 15 in the unlocked position; and Figure 17 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the lock system of the present invention.

The present application provides a locking system for a horizontal or vertical storage cabinet or tool box, which offers protection against manipulation and is puncture resistant. The lock system can be left in an unlocked position after the padlock is unlocked to facilitate repeated opening and closing of the box lid or doors.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows a horizontal storage cabinet or tool box 10, which is protected by one embodiment of the lock system of the present invention (generally identified as 40 and shown in detail in FIGURE 2). . Alternatively, the lock system 40 can be used with a storage cabinet or vertical tool box, as shown in FIGURES 10-14 and described hereinafter.

Tool box 10 has a conventional padlock, with a body 12 and a lid 14 in the illustrated embodiment. Although this description will name body 12 and cap 14 as the first and second components, respectively, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the location of various elements may be arranged along either the first or second body components. That is, the cap can alternatively be identified as the first body component and the body be identified as the second body component.

As illustrated, body 12 comprises a bottom portion 16, and front, side, and rear walls 18, 20, 22, which define an enclosed space 24. Similarly, cover 14 includes an upper portion 26, and can include front, side, and rear walls 28, 30 (the rear wall is not visible in the position illustrated in FIGURE 1). Body 12 and cover 14 are hingedly coupled along rear wall 22 so that they can move between the open position illustrated in FIGURE 1 and a closed position, which further defines the enclosed space. The horizontal toolbox can be built alternately. For example, the horizontal toolbox can be opened along the top and a portion of the front wall, and can include a folding lid which covers the top and the open portion of the front wall of the box, such as It is known to those with experience in the art.

In order to lock the tool box 10 to prevent theft when the box 10 is in its closed position, a lock system 40 is provided, as shown in FIGURE 2. The lock system 40 is intended to be used with a padlock 60 enclosed in a padlock housing 52, and includes a latch mechanism 41 located along the front wall 18 of the box 10. The latch mechanism 41 includes a latch rod 42 and segments 43, 45, 47, and 49 that project and extend from the latch rod 42. The projecting segments 43, 45, 47, and 49 can be positioned offset from the latch rod 42 as shown in FIGURE 2. The latch rod 42 is supported on the body 12 for lateral sliding movement between a position of unlock and a locked position where segments 43,

45, 47, and 49 projecting from latch rod 42 disengage, or engage, respectively, from flanges 44,

46, 48, and 50 extending from the inside of the lid 14 in the horizontal tool box 10. As can best be seen in FIGURE 1, the tabs 44, 46, 48, and 50 are generally arranged equally along the lid 14 of the tool box 10 and extend into the enclosed space 24 defined by the box 10 of tools. Tabs 44, 46, 48, and 50 can each include a plurality of legs 44a, 44b, 46a, 46b, 48a, 48b, 50a, and 50b. In order to allow the latch rod 42 to extend through the flanges, each flange leg 44,

46, 48, and 50 include a hole 44c, 44d, 46c, 46d, 48c,

48d, 50c, and 50d. It should be understood that the flanges can take an alternate shape as long as they are capable of supporting the latch rod 42.

The lock system 40 also includes a padlock, which may be a conventional padlock 60 having a padlock body with a key insertion surface at the bottom (not shown), and a shackle 62, as shown in FIGURES 3a-3c. It should be understood that other types of padlocks can be used in the lock system 40, such as combination padlocks, number turn padlocks and managed access design padlocks, for example. As conventional, shackle 62 and padlock body 60 can move relative to each other between locked and unlocked positions. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the padlock 60 is arranged so that a hole cannot access the padlock in order to maintain the security of the case and avoid tampering with the padlock 60. To provide such an appearance, access to padlock 60 can be located in a recessed portion 74 of the front wall of body 12 (shown in FIGURES 7 and 8) to avoid tampering with the padlock, as mentioned hereinafter.

In order to secure the padlock 60 within the tool box 10, a padlock housing 52 is provided. FIGURE 3a shows the padlock 60 arranged in a vertical orientation within the padlock housing 52. In this orientation, the key insertion surface can be accessed from the bottom of the padlock housing 52 by means of an opening 3 2 in the tool box 10, discussed hereinafter. Although the padlock housing 52 is shown as a box having four side walls, it will be appreciated that the padlock housing 52 may have fewer than four side walls. Also, the padlock housing can be configured differently in order to accommodate different types of padlocks. Padlock housing 52 may include a padlock clamp 58 mounted on an upper wall of padlock housing 52 to receive shackle 62 of padlock 60. Alternatively, the padlock clamp 58 can be mounted to a side wall of the padlock housing 52, as illustrated in FIGURE 3c. Padlock clamp 58 includes one or more openings through which shackle 62 can extend. Padlock clamp 58 is preferably coupled to padlock housing 52 by at least one fastener 59, in this case a nut and bolt. As shown in FIGURES 3a and 3b, the fastener 59 can be secured to either the top wall or the side wall of the padlock housing. The padlock housing 52 can be additionally secured to the front wall 18 of the tool box 10 by any appropriate method, such as welding or the like.

In order to allow the user to activate the padlock 60 while protecting the shackle 62 and its connection to the padlock body from tampering, the padlock housing 52 disposes the padlock 60 adjacent to an opening 32 (as best seen in FIGURE 3a) on the front wall 18 of the tool box 10, so that the key insertion surface can be accessed from the outside of the box 10. To the extent that the padlock body 60 can slide into the padlock housing 52 relative to the secured shackle 62, the user can either push the padlock body up into the padlock housing 52 to lock padlock 60, or actuate the key and pull down on the padlock body to unlock padlock 60 in the open position, as illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6.

The padlock system 40 further comprises a padlock coupler 64 coupled to the latch rod 42. Padlock coupler 64 may include a pair of legs 66, 68. Alternatively, the padlock coupler may include only one leg. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the leg can take an alternate shape, such as a rod, splint, etc. The legs 66, 68 of the padlock coupler align with the slot 54a, 56a and 54b, 56b, of the padlock housing 52, as best seen in FIGURES 3a and 3b, when the padlock 60 is in the unlocked position. It should be understood that the grooves can take an alternate shape such as a circular or rectangular opening or can be formed as openings, holes, slits, etc. When the padlock 60 is in the unlocked position, the legs 66, 68 of the padlock coupler 64 are able to move past the shackle 62 of the padlock 60. When the padlock 60 is in the locked position, however, the pins 66, 68 of the padlock coupler 64 are locked by the padlock body from movement beyond cando 60 and through slots 54b and 56b of padlock housing 52.

The latch rod 42 is arranged relative to the padlock housing 52 so that when the horizontal toolbox 10 is in the closed position and the latch rod 42 is in the locked position illustrated in FIGURE 5, the padlock body of the locked padlock 60 blocks lateral movement of the padlock coupler 64 to prevent the padlock coupler 64 and latch rod 42 from moving to the unlocked position. In contrast, when the padlock 60 is in the unlocked position as illustrated in FIGURE 6, the padlock body no longer blocks lateral movement of the padlock coupler 64 or latch rod 42. More specifically, when the padlock 60 is in the unlocked position shown in FIGURE 6, the padlock coupler 64 is free to advance through the slots 54a, 56a and 54b, 56b of the padlock housing 52 and pass beyond the padlock shackle 62. In this way when the padlock 60 is unlocked, the latch rod 42 is free to move in the unlocked position, thereby allowing the lid to move to an open position. Conversely, when padlock 60 is in the locked position, as shown in FIGURE 5, padlock coupler 64 enters slots 54a and 56a of padlock housing 52, but then splices padlock body 60 to avoid lateral movement of the hitch rod 42. In this position, the lid 14 of the tool box 10 cannot be moved to an open position.

To facilitate lateral movement of the latch rod 42 within the tool box 10, the latch rod 42 includes a handle 70 which can be secured to the latch rod 42 by a clamp 72, and can be accessed by the user from the exterior of the horizontal toolbox 10, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. It should be understood that the handle 70 may be of any appropriate shape, such as a rod or knob, or any other suitable structure that a user reaches to move the latch rod 42 to open and close the tool box 10. To minimize the opportunity for damage to handle 70, handle 70 preferably extends generally downwardly from latch rod 42 and through an elongated slot in the top wall of an outer recessed portion 74 of the front wall 18 of the box 10. The recessed portion 74 is shown in detail in FIGURE 8a.

The particular size and configuration of the recessed portion 74 depends on the type of padlock used. In one embodiment, the recessed portion has a portion 76

<td>higher</td><td>the</td><td>which</td><td>I know</td><td>place</td><td>in</td><td>a</td><td>angle</td><td>of</td><td>approximately</td>

<td>90 ° with</td><td>the</td><td>wall</td><td> 18</td><td>frontal</td><td>of</td><td>the</td><td>box</td><td> 10,</td><td>and a wall 78</td>

<td>lower</td><td>the</td><td>which</td><td>I know</td><td>place</td><td>in</td><td>a</td><td>angle</td><td>of</td><td>approximately</td>

120 ° with the front wall 18. The recessed portion 74 not only presents an aesthetically pleasing stylish appearance to the case, it also contributes a tamper-proof appearance as it makes it difficult for a drill to access the padlock body. As is apparent from the figures, the only access to padlock 60 from the outside is through opening 32 which is located in recessed portion 74. The recessed portion 74 is dimensioned such that the hole cannot be placed therein to manipulate the padlock body through the opening 32. Although the recessed portion 74 is shown as extending the full length of the wall 18 Front, it should be understood that the recessed portion 74 may extend only along a portion of the length of the front wall 18. Furthermore, the recessed portion 74 can be constructed as separate multiple recessed portions along the front wall 18.

In use, the user can move the handle 70 laterally within the recessed portion 74 to slide the latch rod 42 between the locked and unlocked positions. When handle 70 is moved in a first direction, latch rod 42 slides into an unlocked position, and when handle 70 is moved in a second direction, which may be opposite of the first direction, rod 42 of hitch slides into a locked position. Although the handle 70 is illustrated as being arranged near the center of the box 10, it can alternatively be arranged anywhere along the front section 18 of the box 10 to facilitate access by a user.

Referring once again to FIGURE 2, the hitch rod 42 includes a plurality of clamps 80, 82, 84 and 86 which support the segments 43, 45, 47, and 49 projecting from the hitch rod 42 . Clamps 80, 82, 84 and 86 can secure lock system 40 to box 10 and serve as a guide for latch rod 42 and projecting segments 43, 45, 47, and 49. Although clamps 80, 82, 84, and 86 can be of any appropriate shape, each is generally L-shaped and includes a first hole 88, 92, 96, and

100 to support the projecting segments 43, 45, 47, and 49, and a second hole 90, 94, 98, and 102 to support the hitch rod 42 as shown in FIGURE 9. Although the four clamps are shown, more or less the clamps can be used to secure the lock system 40 to the box 10.

It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the lock system 40 projects only minimally into the enclosed space 24 defined by the body 12 and the cover 14. This is because the particular structure of the latch rod 42 in which it is arranged substantially adjacent to the front wall 18 of the body 12. The projecting segments 43, 45, 47, and 49 are then displaced only as much as necessary to obtain the desired latching capabilities. Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that the hitch rod 42 moves along the first lateral axis within the body 12, while the offset projecting segments are slidably disposed along the parallel lateral axes. The flanges 44, 46, 48 and 50 extending from the lid 14 are then arranged in planes perpendicular to the axis of the hitch rod 42.

The lock system may also be provided in a vertical tool box 110, and is generally identified as 140 in FIGURES 10-14. The vertical box 110 includes a body 112, and two doors 114 and 115. The body 112 comprises a lower wall 116, an upper wall 118, side walls 120, and a rear wall (not visible in the position illustrated in FIGURES 10 and 11) which define an enclosed space 124. The doors 114, 115 are hingedly coupled to the side walls 120 so that they can move between the closed position illustrated in FIGURE 10 and the open position illustrated in FIGURE 11. Although this description will refer to body 112 and doors 114, 115 as the first and second components, respectively, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the location of various elements may be arranged along either the first or the second. body components, that is, the doors can be alternatively identified as the first body component and the body be identified as the second body component.

The lock system 140 can be located on one door 114 while a plurality of tabs 144, 146, 148, and 150 can be located on the other door 115. As shown in FIGURE 12. The lock system 140 is constructed substantially similar to the lock system 40 described above, and includes a latch rod 142, a padlock 160 enclosed in a padlock housing 152, and a padlock coupler 164, both of which are shown in detail in FIGURE 13. Tabs 144, 146, 148, and 150 are generally disposed equally along door 115 of box 110 and extend perpendicularly from door 115. The tabs can be constructed similar to tabs 44, 46, 48, and 50 described above.

Returning to FIGURE 13, the lock system 140 includes a latch rod 142 having segments 143, 145, 147, and 149 projecting and extending therefrom. The projecting segments 143, 145, 147, and 149 can be positioned offset from the latch rod 142. Hitch rod 142 is supported on door 114 for longitudinal sliding movement between an unlocked position and a locked position where segments 143, 145, 147, and 149 project from the rod

<td>142 hitch se</td><td colspan="2">undock</td><td>since</td><td>or I know</td><td>couple</td><td>to,</td>

<td>respectively, the</td><td>tabs</td><td> 144,</td><td> 146,</td><td>148, and</td><td>150 what</td><td>I know</td>

<td colspan="2">extend from the other door</td><td> 115.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>The system</td><td>140 of</td><td colspan="2">lock</td><td>also</td><td>It includes</td><td>a</td>

padlock, which can be a conventional padlock 160 having a padlock body with a key insertion surface at one end (not shown) and a shackle 162, as shown in FIGURE 14. As mentioned above, they can be used other types of padlocks with the 140 lock system. Padlock 160 is constructed substantially similar to padlock 60 described above and is arranged in a horizontal orientation in padlock housing 152. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, padlock 160 and padlock housing 152 are arranged such that a hole cannot access the padlock in order to maintain the security of case 110 and avoid tampering with padlock 160. Access to padlock 160 can be located in a recessed portion 174 (shown in FIGURE 10) of door 114 to avoid further tampering with the padlock, as mentioned above. As is apparent from the figures, access to padlock 160 from the outside is only through opening 132 which is located in recessed portion 174. As with recessed portion 74, recessed portion 174 is dimensioned such that a hole cannot be placed therein to manipulate the padlock body through opening 132.

As shown in FIGURES 13 and 14, the lock system 140 further comprises a padlock coupler 164 coupled to the latch rod 142. Padlock coupler 164 can be constructed substantially similar to padlock coupler 64 and can function in a similar manner as coupler 64. padlock, described above. Thus, when padlock 160 is in the unlocked position, the legs of padlock coupler 164 are able to move beyond the shackle of padlock 160. When padlock 160 is in the locked position, however, the pins Padlock coupler 164 is blocked from movement beyond padlock 160 by the padlock body.

The hitch rod 142 is arranged relative to the padlock housing 152 so that when the vertical toolbox 1 10 is in the closed position and the hitch rod 142 is in the locked position, the padlock body of the Locked padlock 160 blocks vertical or longitudinal movement of padlock coupler 164 to prevent padlock coupler 164 and latch rod 142 from moving in the unlocked position.

On the other hand, when the padlock 160 is in the unlocked position as illustrated in FIGURE 14, the padlock body no longer blocks vertical or longitudinal movement of the padlock coupler 164 or latch rod 142. In this position, the doors 114, 115 of the tool box 110 can be moved to an open position.

To facilitate longitudinal movement of the hitch rod 142 within the tool box 110, the hitch rod 142 includes a handle 17 0 which is secured to the hitch rod 142 by a clamp 172, and can be accessed by the user from the outside of the vertical tool box 110, as shown in FIGURE 10. To minimize the opportunity for damage to handle 170, handle 170 preferably extends generally outwardly from latch rod 142 and through an elongated slot 134 in box door 114. As mentioned above handle 17 0 may be of any appropriate shape such as a rod, or a knob or any other suitable structure that a user reaches to move the latch rod 142 to open and close the box 110.

In use, the user can move the handle 170 longitudinally within the slot 134 to slide the latch rod 142 between the locked and unlocked positions. When handle 170 is moved in a first direction, latch rod 142 slides into an unlocked position, and when handle 170 is moved in a second direction, which may be opposite of the first direction, rod 142 of hitch slides into a locked position. Although rod 170 is illustrated as being arranged near the center of box 110, it may alternatively be arranged anywhere along door 114 of box 110 to facilitate access by a user.

Referring once again to FIGURE 13, latch rod 142 includes a plurality of clamp

180, 182, 184 and 186 which support segments 143,

145, 147, and 149 projecting from latch rod 142. Clamps 180, 182, 184 and 186 can be constructed and can function substantially similar to clamps 80, 82, 84, and 86 described above.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the padlock housing 52 or 152 can be structured so that they can use more than one size or type of padlock. Referring now to FIGURES 15, 16a, and 16b, an alternative type of padlock that can be used with the lock system of the present invention is illustrated. FIGURE 15 shows a managed access design padlock. As shown in FIGURES 16a and 16b, the managed access design padlock is secured directly to an upper wall of the padlock housing 52 without the need for a padlock clamp. FIGURE 16a shows the managed access design padlock in the locked position within padlock housing 52, and FIGURE 16b shows the managed access design padlock in the unlocked position within padlock housing 52. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that this arrangement provides great versatility in user choice and use of a desired padlock.

Padlock housing 52 may also include an opening 57 on one or both sides located below grooves 54a, 56a and 54b, 56b of padlock housing 52. Although opening 57 is shown as a square it can take an alternate shape such as a circle or rectangle. Opening 57 allows a tool (not shown) to be inserted into an access port in the managed access design padlock so that the padlock cylinder can be easily removed. Thus, a variety of different padlock cylinders, such as a conventional cylinder with a conventional key, or a Videx padlock cylinder with an electronic key can be used in the present padlock system 40.

Returning to FIGURE 17, an alternate embodiment of the lock system 40 is shown. This embodiment includes all the same elements as the previous embodiment of the horizontal tool box 10 lock system 40, and thus the reference numbers refer to the same elements described above. In this embodiment, the lock system 40 further includes a plate 200 for securing the lock system 40 to the box 10. Clamps 80, 82, 84, and 86 secure lock system 40 to plate 200. Plate 200 is, in turn, coupled to front wall 18 of box 10, such as by welding. Alternatively, the plate 200 can be secured to the front wall 18 by any known fastening means. The plate 200 facilitates the assembly of the lock system 40 to the body 12. It should be appreciated that this alternate mode of the lock system can also be used with the vertical lock box 110, and in which case plate 2 00 can secure the lock system 140 to door 114 of box 110.

Although latch rod 42 and padlock 60 are both disposed within body 12 of tool box 10, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that padlock 60 and latch rod 42 may alternatively be disposed within box . For example, by using the padlock housing configured as in FIGURE 3c, the hitch rod 42 may be disposed within the body 12, while the padlock 60 may engage the cover 14, as long as the padlock 60 acts to limit travel. of the latch rod 42 when the lid 14 of the horizontal toolbox 10 is in the closed position. Furthermore, the complete lock system 40 can be attached to the cover 14 while the tabs 44, 46, 48, and 50 can be provided on the body 12. Similarly, in the embodiment of FIGURES 10-14, the tabs 144, 146, 148, and 150 can be provided on a center post of box 110 with hitch rod 142 provided on one of two doors 114, 115.

It will now be appreciated that what has been provided is a significantly improved padlock protection lock system for a horizontal or vertical toolbox which is simple, strong, and reliable. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to those particular embodiments. Rather, it is intended to cover all modifications, alternatives and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.