Lock system for a container

Abstract

A locking system includes a carrier member at least one locking member extending from the rod. The carrier member is movable between a first locked position in which the locking member engages a locking receptacle to maintain a container cover in a closed position and a second unlocked position in which the locking member disengages from the locking receptacle and the cover is movable between the closed and open position. The locking system includes a blocking member at a second end of the carrier member. The blocking member is movable between a first engaged position in which the rod abuts a portion of the blocking member and maintains the elongate rod in the first locked position and a second disengaged position in which the rod disengages from the blocking member and a biasing unit urges the rod in the second unlocked position.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container, comprising:
 a receptacle having walls, a floor, and an open end;   a cover pivotally attached to one of the walls of the receptacle, the cover having at least one tab extending from its inner surface and being movable between an open position, in which the open end of the receptacle can be accessed, and a closed position, in which the cover overlies the open end of the receptacle;   at least one locking receptacle mounted on one of the cover and one or more of the receptacle walls;   a locking system for maintaining the cover in the closed position, the locking system mounted on the other of the cover and the one or more of the receptacle walls, comprising:
 a carrier member having at least one locking member extending from the carrier member, the carrier member being movable between a first locked position in which the at least one locking member engages the at least one locking receptacle to maintain the cover in the closed position and a second unlocked position in which the at least one locking member disengages from the at least one locking receptacle and the cover is movable between the closed and the open position, 
 wherein the at least one tab is disposed adjacent the at least one locking member so that the at least one tab is disposed between the at least one locking member and the at least one locking receptacle wherein both the at least one locking member and the at least one tab are disposed in the at least one locking receptacle. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , the locking mechanism further comprising a locking indicator assembly having an indicium on an external portion of the container and a movable member connected to the carrier member to move the carrier member between the first locked position and second unlocked position, wherein the movable member overlies the indicium when the carrier member is in at least one of the first locked position and the second unlocked position. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one locking member is disposed within an outer perimeter of the at least one tab in the second unlocked position and has a first portion that extends beyond the outer perimeter of the at least one tab when in the first locked position.