External locking mechanism

Abstract

Disclosed is a storage container with an external locking mechanism. The storage container includes a base, a roof, sidewalls extending between the base and roof, and first and second doors rotatably mounted directly or indirectly to the first and second sidewalls, respectively. The first and second doors are configured to rotate between open and closed positions. The locking mechanism includes a tab fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to the first door. This tab includes an aperture for receiving a shackle of a lock. The tab aperture defines a centerline that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to respective planes in which the roof and base are contained. The locking mechanism also includes a container fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to the second door and configured to receive the lock. The lock container comprises a lock container base, and lock container sidewalls extending from the lock container base. A first lock container side comprises a lock container aperture. The lock container is fixedly mounted to the second door. When the first and second doors are in the closed position, the tab extends through the lock container aperture.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A storage container comprising: 
 a base;    a roof;    sidewalls extending between the base and roof;    first and second doors rotatably mounted directly or indirectly to the first and second sidewalls, respectively, wherein the first and second doors are configured to rotate between open and closed positions;    a tab fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to the first door, wherein the tab includes an aperture for receiving a shackle of a lock, wherein the tab aperture defines a center line that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to respective planes in which the roof and base are contained;    a lock container fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to the second door and configured to receive the lock, wherein the lock container comprises a lock container base, and lock container sidewalls extending from the lock container base, wherein a first lock container side comprises a lock container aperture, wherein the lock container is fixedly mounted to the second door;    wherein the tab extends through the lock container aperture when the first and second doors are in the closed position.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising the lock, the lock comprising a lock housing and the shackle, wherein the lock housing comprises a recess configured to receive the tab, wherein the shackle is movable into or out of the tab aperture when the tab is received in the recess.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the lock container comprises an opening, wherein the lock is insertable into or removable from the lock container through the opening.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the lock container comprises four lock container sidewalls, wherein ends of the lock container sidewalls opposite the lock container base, define the opening.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the tab is received in the recess of the lock housing, wherein third and fourth oppositely facing lock container sidewalls engage the lock housing.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the tab is received in the recess of the lock housing, wherein the lock housing engages one of second and third oppositely facing lock container sidewalls.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the tab is received in the recess of the lock housing, wherein the lock housing is separated from second and third oppositely facing lock container sidewalls by first and second distances, respectively.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the first distance is less than one inch.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the second distance is less than one inch.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the container sidewall engages the lock housing.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein a third distance separates the lock and a fourth container sidewall, wherein the first container sidewall faces opposite the fourth lock container sidewall, wherein the fourth distance is greater than a width of the lock housing.  
     
     
         12 . A storage container comprising: 
 a base;    a roof;    a pair of sidewalls extending between the base and roof;    an end wall extending between the base and roof;    a tab fixedly mounted to the end wall, wherein the tap comprises a tab aperture configured to receive a shackle of a lock, wherein the tab aperture defines a center line that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to respective planes in which the roof and base are contained;    a door mounted directly or indirectly to one of the side walls, wherein the door is rotatably between open and closed positions;    a lock container fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to the door and configured to receive the lock, wherein the lock container comprises a lock container base, and lock container sidewalls extending from the lock container base, wherein a first lock container side comprises a lock container aperture;    wherein the tab extends through the lock container aperture when the door is in the closed position.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising the lock, the lock comprising a lock housing and the shackle, wherein the lock housing comprises a recess configured to receive the tab, wherein the shackle is movable into or out of the tab aperture when the tab is received in the recess.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the lock container comprises an opening, wherein the lock is insertable into or removable from the lock container through the opening.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the lock container comprises four lock container sidewalls, wherein ends of the lock container sidewalls opposite the lock container base, define the opening.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the tab is received in the recess of the lock housing, wherein second and third oppositely facing lock container sidewalls engage the lock housing.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the tab is received in the recess of the lock housing, wherein the lock housing engages one of second and third oppositely facing lock container sidewalls.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the tab is received in the recess of the lock housing, wherein the lock housing is separated from second and third oppositely facing lock container sidewalls by first and second distances, respectively.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the first distance is less than one inch.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the second distance is less than one inch.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the first container sidewall engages the lock housing.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein a third distance separates the lock and a fourth container sidewall, wherein the first container sidewall faces opposite the fourth lock container sidewall, wherein the fourth distance is greater than a width of the lock housing.  
     
     
         23 . A storage container comprising: 
 a base;    a roof;    sidewalls extending between the base and roof;    first and second doors rotatably mounted directly or indirectly to the first and second sidewalls, respectively, wherein the first and second doors are configured to rotate between open and closed positions;    means for locking the first and second doors when the first and second doors are in the closed position.    
     
     
         24 . A storage container comprising: 
 a base;    a roof;    a pair of sidewalls extending between the base and roof;    an end wall extending between the base and roof;    a door mounted directly or indirectly to one of the side walls, wherein the door is rotatably between open and closed positions;    means for locking the door to the endwall when the door is in the closed position.