Internal locking mechanism

Abstract

Disclosed is a storage container with an internal locking mechanism. The storage container with internal locking mechanism 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 second door includes a door surface with a recess formed therein. The recess includes a recess surface and a recess sidewall. The recess sidewall extends between the recess surface and the door surface. A recess aperture is formed through the recess surface. The internal locking mechanism further includes a tab fixedly mounted directly or indirectly to the first door. The 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 tab extends through the recess aperture when the first and second doors are in the closed position.

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, wherein the second door comprises a door surface with a recess formed therein, wherein the recess comprises a recess surface and a recess sidewall, wherein the recess sidewall extends between the recess surface and the door surface, and wherein the recess comprises a recess aperture;    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;    wherein the tab extends through the recess 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 lock 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 lock recess.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the lock housing is cylindrically shaped in general, wherein the lock housing comprises a cylindrically shaped sidewall extending between substantially flat top and bottom surfaces, wherein the lock recess is formed in the bottom surface.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the recess sidewall comprises an arcuate portion.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the tab is received in the recess of the lock housing, and wherein the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the lock housing engages the arcuate shaped portion of the recess sidewall.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the tab is received in the recess of the lock housing, and wherein the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the lock housing is positioned adjacent the arcuate shaped portion of the recess sidewall.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the lock housing is separated from the arcuate shaped portion of the recess sidewall by less than one inch.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the recess surface engages the bottom surface of the lock housing.  
     
     
         10 . 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 the one of the sidewalls, wherein the door is rotatably between open and closed positions, wherein the door comprises a door surface with a recess formed therein, wherein the recess comprises a recess surface and a recess sidewall, wherein the recess sidewall extends between the recess surface and the door surface, and wherein the recess comprises a recess aperture;    wherein the tab extends through the recess aperture when the door is in the closed position.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising the lock, the lock comprising a lock housing and the shackle, wherein the lock housing comprises a lock 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 lock recess.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the lock housing is cylindrically shaped in general, wherein the lock housing comprises a cylindrically shaped sidewall extending between substantially flat top and bottom surfaces, wherein the lock recess is formed in the bottom surface.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the recess sidewall comprises an arcuate portion.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the tab is received in the recess of the lock housing, and wherein the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the lock housing engages the arcuate shaped portion of the recess sidewall.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the tab is received in the recess of the lock housing, and wherein the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the lock housing is positioned adjacent the arcuate shaped portion of the recess sidewall.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the cylindrically shaped sidewall of the lock housing is separated from the arcuate shaped portion of the recess sidewall by less than one inch.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the recess surface engages the bottom surface of the lock housing.  
     
     
         18 . 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.    
     
     
         19 . 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 sidewalls, wherein the door is rotatably between open and closed positions;    means for locking the door to the end wall when the door is in the closed position.