Lock box using three point locking system

Abstract

A lock box with a locking mechanism using a puck lock is provided that also has a handle for moving a locking bar from a locking to an unlocking position. The locking bar has a locking member that can engage three flanges simultaneously, providing at least three points of locking contact.

1 . A container with an interior and exterior comprising:
 a first panel that is fixed;   a second panel that is in moving engagement with the first panel whereby a user can close or open the container;   a first flange with an aperture and a second flange with an aperture that are attached to the second panel;   a third flange with an aperture that is attached to the first panel and is positioned between the first and second flanges when the container is closed; and   a locking bar that is movably attached to the second panel and that has a locking member that engages all the apertures of the first, second, and third flanges when the locking bar is in a locked configuration, thereby providing three points of locking contact.   
   
   
       2 . The lock box of  claim 1  wherein the locking member and flanges are located near a midplane of the container. 
   
   
       3 . A lock box comprising:
 a lid, a bottom panel, a front panel, a right side panel, a left side panel, a back panel, which all define an exterior and an interior of the box; and   a puck lock that is attached to the lock box that has a body and a shank that is disposed substantially within said body when the puck lock is in the locked configuration;   a first flange with an aperture that is attached to the lock box; and   a locking bar having a locking member that is substantially disposed within the lock box and that is movably attached to the lock box so that the locking member engages the aperture of the first flange when the locking bar is in the locked configuration, said locking bar also having an aperture that receives the shank of the puck lock when the locking bar and the puck lock are in their locked configuration, thereby locking the lock box.   
   
   
       4 . The lock box of  claim 3  wherein the puck lock is attached to a side panel and the first flange is attached to the front panel of the box, said lock box further comprising a second flange with an aperture that is attached to the lid and a third flange with an aperture that is attached to the front panel and that is located between the first and second flanges when the lock box is closed so that the locking member engages all the apertures of the first, second, and third flanges when the locking bar is in the locked configuration. 
   
   
       5 . The lock box of  claim 4  wherein the locking bar has a sliding attachment to the lid of the box and which further comprises:
 a fourth flange with an aperture and a fifth flange with an aperture that are attached to the lid;   a sixth flange with an aperture that is attached to the front panel and that is located between the fourth and fifth flanges when the lock box is closed; and   a second locking member that is part of the locking bar and that engages all the apertures of the fourth, fifth, and sixth flanges when the locking bar is in the locked configuration, thereby providing six points of locking contact.   
   
   
       6 . The lock box of  claim 5  wherein one of the locking member and flange combinations is located near a midplane of the lock box. 
   
   
       7 . The lock box of  claim 4  wherein the first and second flange are formed by the ears of a unitary bracket that is welded to the underside of the lid. 
   
   
       8 . The lock box of  claim 6  which further comprises:
 a seventh flange with an aperture and a eight flange with an aperture that are attached to the lid;   a ninth flange with an aperture that is attached to the front panel and that is located between the seventh and eight flanges when the lock box is closed; and   a third locking member that is part of the locking bar and that engages all the apertures of the seventh, eight, and ninth flanges when the locking bar is in the locked configuration, thereby providing nine points of locking contact.   
   
   
       9 . The lock box of  claim 7  wherein the locking bar has a sliding attachment with the unitary bracket. 
   
   
       10 . The lock box of  claim 9  wherein the configuration of the bracket is a substantially U shaped channel that has two holes that are in alignment such that the locking member of the locking bar can engage the two holes. 
   
   
       11 . The lock box of  claim 10  wherein the locking member is a hook that is welded onto the locking bar. 
   
   
       12 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A container with an interior and an exterior comprising:
 a first panel;   a second panel; and   a locking bar that is movably attached to the second panel and that has first, second, and third locking members that engage the first panel when the container is locked and wherein the container has a midplane and at least one locking member is located near the midplane when the container is locked, making it difficult to pry open the container.   
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 18  wherein the first panel is fixed in position and the second panel is movable with respect to the container. 
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 20  which further comprises a first flange with an aperture that is attached to the first panel, a second flange with an aperture that is attached to the first panel, and a third flange with an aperture that is attached to the first panel; and wherein the locking bar translates causing its locking members to engage and disengage the flanges attached to the first panel when the container is in a closed position. 
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 21  wherein the locking members of the locking bars are hooks that are welded onto the locking bar, said hooks having free ends each of which can slide into one of the apertures of the flanges, thereby locking the container. 
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 18  which further comprises a puck lock that is attached to the container and which prevents the locking bar and its locking members from disengaging the first panel when the puck lock and container are in their locked configuration.