Abstract:
A locking system provides multiple lockable latching mechanisms that are collectively operable and lockable from a central actuation mechanism. Each latching mechanism can be positioned and actuated independent of the positioning of others of the latching mechanisms. In particular, the latching mechanisms need not be aligned with one another. The system uses flexible connectors between the central actuation mechanism and the respective latching mechanisms. The flexible connectors can have different respective lengths.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/708,394 filed on Dec. 7, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its totality. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to a unique locking system with multiple lockable latch mechanisms, the latch mechanisms each being actuable from a common central actuation mechanism. The invention more particularly relates to several applications of such a locking system in which the each of the lockable latch mechanisms can be positioned for operation independently of the position of others of the lockable latch mechanisms. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A conventional locking system most generally provides a single locking point between two structures, such as a file drawer relative to the cabinet in which the file drawer is disposed, a door relative to its door frame, and so on. Examples of such locking systems include a deadbolt lock or a lockable door knob for doors, or a locking cylinder (for example, key-actuated) that drives a bar or pin into a locking position for obstructing, for example, a drawer from being opened. 
         [0004]    It is also conventionally known to operate several locking points in unison from a central location, such as using a single key to lock multiple file drawers in a vertical filing cabinet at the same time. However, such locking systems usually require a restrictive degree of proximity or alignment or both between the locking points (and, thus, between the elements being locked such as the drawers in this example). For example, a conventional single key lock for multiple drawers in a filing cabinet uses a linearly elongate bar or other rigid member that generally extends or spans across all of the drawers and is selectively moved between locked and unlocked positions by actuation of the key. Such restrictions as to proximity and/or alignment in conventional lock systems limit their usefulness if the required locking positions are distant from one another and/or are spaced apart in several dimensions. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention generally relates to a locking system with multiple lockable latch mechanisms and a central actuation mechanism operably connected to each of the latch mechanisms. The latch mechanisms characteristically can be positioned where needed with more flexibility than in conventional locking systems. In particular, the present invention uses flexible connectors between the central actuation mechanism and the respective latch mechanisms. These flexible connectors can each have different lengths and permit each latching mechanism to be placed in a variety of positions relative to the central actuation mechanism, independent of the positioning of the other latching mechanisms. At least some of the positions are displaced from one another along two orthogonal directions, and in a particular example, at least some of the positions are displaced from one another along three mutually orthogonal directions. The flexible connectors usefully permit a compact installation, such as threaded through the framework of windows or through the bars of fencing. The flexible connectors further allow flexible installation options not available with conventional rigid locking bars, and the connectors can in particular be threaded through existing structures in a manner similar to electrical wiring. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention will be even more clearly understandable in view of the written description herein and the figures appended hereto, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storage cabinet, used here as an example implementation of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an interior portion of the storage cabinet illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in which an example of a locking system according to the present invention is illustrated; 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3 a , 3 b , and 3 c    are side, partial plan, and partial perspective views of an interior portion of an example of a central actuation mechanism of the locking system provided in the storage cabinet illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    are an exploded perspective view and a perspective view of an exterior side of the central actuation mechanism of the present invention, opposite the structure(s) shown in  FIGS. 3 a   - 3   c;    
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of an example of a latch mechanism according to the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view illustrating an application of the locking system in a French door arrangement; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6B  is an enlarged schematic view of a latch mechanism as used in the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6C  is an enlarged schematic view of a central actuation mechanism as used in the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a fence in which the locking system of the present invention is applied; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7B  is an enlarged schematic view of a latch mechanism as used in the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 7A ; and 
           [0017]      FIGS. 8 a -8 f    illustrate a portable and lockable storage box that can be locked closed and then locked in a certain location (such as in a recess in a wall) in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    It is noted that not all of the Figures are drawn to the same scale, including elements shown in multiple-part figures (for example, in  FIGS. 3 a -3 c   ). 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Strictly by way of example for illustrating the concept of the present invention,  FIG. 1  illustrates a storage cabinet  100  having a plurality of independently accessible storage spaces. It is emphasized that the mention of a storage cabinet here is merely an example of how the locking system of the present invention can be used, and the present invention will be easily understood to be applicable to other structural arrangements in which a plurality of locking points must be provided. As used herein, the term “locking point” is a most general reference to a physical location where some type of lock or lockable latch mechanism is provided between two physical elements. 
         [0020]    Storage cabinet  100  may include an upper first storage space  102  that can be selectively closed by way of an upwardly swinging (see arrow A) door or lid  103  that is hinged or otherwise pivotably mounted in a conventional manner (not illustrated) to cabinet body  105 . If desired or useful (for example, if lid  103  is relatively heavy or must be held open without manual support), one or more support members (such as conventional gas pistons)  107  can be provided in a known manner to at least partly support the weight of lid  103  and/or keep lid  103  in an open position. 
         [0021]    Storage cabinet  100  may further include one or more additional lower storage spaces. In  FIG. 1 , for example, storage cabinet  100  further includes three selectively extensible (see arrows B) drawers  109 ,  111 ,  113  defining therein lower storage spaces  104 ,  106 ,  108 , respectively. The number of lower storage spaces provided is strictly by way of example, and the provision of drawers, as such, is also by way of example. For example, the lower storage space or spaces could be accessible by way of a corresponding number of hinged or otherwise pivotably mounted doors. The relative arrangement of the plurality of storage spaces can also vary in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0022]    As explained in further detail below, the lid  103  and drawers  109 ,  111 ,  113  can be latched (i.e., not necessarily locked) and, if desired, locked closed by way of a single central actuation mechanism  110 . In an example, a pivoting handle  112  can be operated to latch (although not necessarily lock) the lid and drawers closed. Thereafter, the handle  112  itself can be locked in the latched position if desired. For example, a padlock or the like (not shown) can be passed through aligned openings  117  in handle  112  and  117   a  in an eye member  112   a  (see  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   ). In another illustrative example (not illustrated here), a key-operated lock cylinder can be provided in the handle  112  itself to selectively prevent rotation of the handle  112  (in a manner similar to conventional door knobs and door handles provided with locks). 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a part of an interior of storage cabinet  100 . In particular,  FIG. 2  illustrates an example of the locking system  200  of the present invention including a plurality of latch mechanisms  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 , and the central actuation mechanism (as was seen in FIG.  1 ) generally indicated at  110 . In general, central actuation mechanism  110  is connected to the respective latch mechanisms  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  by way of respective flexible connectors  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 . An example of a flexible connector in accordance with the present invention will be described later. A plurality of conventional cable mounts  217  may be optionally provided as needed to organize the flexible connectors and keep them lying generally against the interior surface of the storage cabinet. 
         [0024]    In an example of the present invention, the latch mechanisms  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  each include a protruding pin or other generally elongate latching member  202 ′,  204 ′,  206 ′,  208 ′, respectively, that is driven to selectively extend and retract in correspondence with operation of the central actuation mechanism  110 . The respective latching members in turn selectively engage or latch with a cooperating part of drawers  109 ,  111 ,  113  and lid  103 , respectively, when extended so as to prevent, in unison, the drawers and lid from being opened. The cooperating part may be, for example, a bore hole of appropriate diameter and depth suitably located opposite the latching member so as to receive the extended latching member therein so as to generally fix the drawer or lid fixed relative to the storage cabinet in a closed position. In another example, the cooperating part may be an eye ring suitably positioned in order to receive the extended latching member, or a metal bracket shaped to at least partly define an opening therethrough to receive the extended latching member. 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 2 , the interior side of central actuation mechanism  110  is schematically shown with a cover or protective casing (also in  FIG. 4 b   ).  FIGS. 3 a -3 c    illustrate certain structure details of the interior side of the central actuation mechanism  110  when uncovered. 
         [0026]    In one example of the present invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 a -3 c   , the central actuation mechanism  110  includes a base plate  300  on which a drive member  302  is rotatably mounted. A cover plate  304  is mounted on base plate  300  and is shaped so as to be spaced away from (generally along a direction parallel to an axis of rotation of drive member  302 ) base plate  300 , particularly in order to permit drive member  302  to be rotatably mounted between base plate  300  and cover plate  304 . In one example of the present invention, at least a part of cover plate  304  is generally parallel to and spaced away from base plate  300  to define a space in which drive member  302  is disposed. Furthermore, the drive member  302  may be partly rotatably mounted on the base plate  300  and partly supported by cover plate  304 . Base plate  300  and cover plate  304  may be attached to each other in any conventional manner suitable to space and environmental concerns, such as, without limitation, screws, bolts (see  FIG. 3 c   ), welding, gluing, etc. 
         [0027]    Drive member  302  is illustrated as being circular, this being useful relative to addressing certain features of its rotational movement (as discussed below with reference to, for example,  FIG. 3 b   ). However, the particular shape of the drive member  302  is not overly critical to the present invention to the extent it satisfies space, size, and environmental limitations. 
         [0028]    The axis of rotation of drive member  302  corresponds with the axis of rotation of pivoting handle  112  (see, for example,  FIG. 4 a   ) so that rotation of handle  112  drives rotation of drive member  302 . In one example of the present invention, drive member  302  is provided with a central bore  306  (which is, for example, square in cross section in  FIGS. 3 a -3 c   ) that is shaped to conformingly receive a mounting shaft  115  (see  FIG. 4 a   ) of handle  112  therein (see  FIG. 4 b   ). The shaft  115  may be fixed in place in central bore  306  if desired in any conventionally known manner. The shape of the handle  112  is not specifically critical to the present invention as long as it facilitates being manually gripped, so a knob, t-shaped handle, etc. could also be used. 
         [0029]    In an example of operation, handle  112  is rotatable through an arc of about 90° (compare  FIG. 1  and  FIGS. 4 a -4 b   ). Because handle  112  is mounted to drive member  302  as described above, drive member  302  also rotates through an arc of about 90°. 
         [0030]    The present invention is not necessarily limited to manual actuation via a handle  112 . The drive member  302  could also be selectively actuated via, for example, a selectively operated motor (not illustrated here) suitably coupled to the drive member  302 . 
         [0031]    Drive member  302  is provided with first and second nubs  308 ,  310  on diametrically opposed edges of drive member  302  which is circular by way of example in the figures. If the drive member  302  is not circular, the nubs  308 ,  310  are provided on diametrically opposite sides of an imaginary circle of a given radius centered on the axis of rotation of drive member  302  (and handle  112 ). 
         [0032]    As seen in  FIGS. 3 a -3 c   , the drive member  302  may desirably be biased towards rotation by way of a spring member  312  that is under tension at the extreme rotational positions of the drive member  302 /handle  112  (compare  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 b   ). For example, a coil spring  312  may be fixedly attached at one end to an end portion of cover plate  304 , and attached at its other end to a third nub  314  provided on drive member  302 . Nub  314  is provided circumferentially about halfway (or about 90° in a rotational sense) between nubs  308 ,  310  such that when the drive member  302  is rotated, nub  314  travels along a lower (as seen in  FIGS. 3 a -3 c   ; compare in particular  FIGS. 3 b  and 3 c   ) edge of drive member  302 . According to the present invention, the spring member  312  is useful and desirable, but not critical to operation. 
         [0033]    In a particular example of the present invention, nubs  308 ,  310  extend (along the direction of the axis of rotation of drive member  302 ) beyond the cover plate  304  (see  FIG. 3 a   ). Cover plate  304  is therefore desirably provided with arcuate cutouts  304   a  at its edges corresponding with the respective paths of travel of nubs  308 ,  310  in order to accommodate the movement of these protruding nubs  308 ,  310 . The cutouts  304   a  are about 90° in circumferential arc, corresponding to the limits of rotation of the drive member  302 . The opposing ends of cutouts  304   a  may therefore desirably act as rotation limiters when the nubs  308 , 310  abut them. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 3 b  and 3 c    show drive member  302  in opposite rotational positions (that is, at opposite extremes of rotation). As will be understood taking the written description and drawings as a whole,  FIG. 3 b    corresponds to a position in which latch members  202 ′,  204 ′,  206 ′,  208 ′ are retracted and thus an “unlatched” position;  FIG. 3 c    is the opposite position in which the respective latch members are extended and thus a “latched” position. 
         [0035]    When spring  312  is provided under tension as shown in  FIG. 3 b   , drive member  302  is biased towards counterclockwise rotation (relative to  FIG. 3 b   ), into the position shown in  FIG. 3 c   . By rotation of drive member  302 , nub  314  moves in  FIG. 3 c    to the position previously occupied by nub  308  (in  FIG. 3 b   ). As a result, in the arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 3 c   , spring  312  now biases the drive member  302  into clockwise rotation, similar to the manner in which it biased the drive member  302  into counterclockwise rotation starting from  FIG. 3 b   . Preferably the tension in spring  312  in the positions illustrated in  FIGS. 3 b  and 3 c    is relatively light—enough to assist or encourage rotation of drive member  302 /handle  112  without causing drive member  302 /handle  112  to rotate independently without operation of the handle  112 . 
         [0036]    In a particular example of the present invention, the flexible connectors  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216  are flexible cables having a structure similar to conventional (and commercially available) cables used in bicycles and motorcycles to actuate brakes, gear shifting and clutch mechanisms, and the like. Most generally, cables of this type include a metal central cable (for example, braided steel wire) that is freely slidable along its length within an outer flexible rubber, plastic, polymer, etc. tubular sheath. That is, the metal central cable can be pulled/released at one end to cause the metal cable to move freely relative to its surrounding sheath. In a common example of such cables, the internal metal cable is provided at at least one end with an enlarged anchor or head mounted thereon or attached thereto, by which a cooperating engaging portion can more easily engage and retain the metal cable to provide a selective pulling action relative to the sheath. Cables of this type used in motorcycles are comparatively thicker (with respect to overall cross section) than those used in bicycle applications and may considered desirably more mechanically durable than bicycle cables. 
         [0037]    In accordance with the foregoing, the central actuation mechanism further includes a cable pull member  316 . The cable pull member is illustrated only in  FIG. 3 c    for the sake of clarity. 
         [0038]    In general, cable pull member  316  is rigid member pivotably mounted (in any known manner) relative to nub  310  (in order to provide a linear pulling force component while accommodating rotation of drive member  302 ). As drive member  302  (and thus, in pertinent part, nub  310 ) moves between the positions illustrated in  FIGS. 3 b  and 3 c   , cable pull member  316  is correspondingly moved in opposite directions. 
         [0039]    The distal end of cable pull member  316  (that is, opposite the end mounted on nub  310 ) is, for example, generally shaped into a hooked portion having a plurality of slots into which respective metal cables of, inter alia, flexible connectors  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216  are fitted. (An end of an extra fifth flexible connector  218  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 c   , but this does not change the underlying explanation of the present invention.) Each of the metal cables of flexible connectors is provided with a respective anchor  210 ′,  212 ′,  214 ′,  216 ′ that is sized and arranged so that is retained by the distal hook-shaped cross section  316 ′ of cable pull member  316 . Ultimately, the distal end of cable pull member may have any mechanical structure suitable for assuredly engaging the respective metal cables. The proximal ends of the flexible connectors may be held in, for example, generally parallel orientation relative to each other by an additional mounting bracket  318  as seen in  FIG. 3   c.    
         [0040]    When the drive member  302  is rotated into the position illustrated in  FIG. 3 b   , the cable pull member  316  is retracted relative to the bracket  318  in which respective ends of the flexible connectors are fixedly mounted. Because the anchors of the respective metal cables of the respective flexible connectors are retained in the distal hook-shaped portion  316 ′ of cable pull member  316 , the metal cables are pulled within their respective sheaths until the drive member  302  is returned to the position shown in  FIG. 3 c   , at which point tension on the metal cables is released. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary structure of the latch mechanisms  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  of the present invention. 
         [0042]    An example of a latch mechanism  500  according to the present invention is connected to a flexible connector  502  of the type described above. The flexible connector  502  has an outer flexible sheath  504  as described above, and a freely slidable cable (for example, a metal cable)  506  disposed within the sheath  504 . The opposite end of cable  506  from the latch mechanism  500  terminates at, for example, an anchor provided on an end of cable  506  in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 3 c   . An elongate latching member  508  is fixedly attached to an end of cable  506  by a connector  510 . Connector  510  may be, for example, a sleeve or ferrule having one end having a diameter suitable for receiving an end of cable  506  and a second end having a diameter having a diameter suitable for receiving an end of latching member  508 , bearing in mind that these respective diameters may differ. Connector  510  may be attached to cable  506  and latching member  508  in any known matter suitable for the intended use, including without limitation, crimping the connector onto one or both of the cable  506  and latching member  508 , adhesive, welding, etc. 
         [0043]    The latching member  508  is preferably made of a generally rigid material that resists bending that is appropriate for the actual and commercial environment. As such, the latching member  508  could be made from, without limitation, hard polymer resin, plastic, metal, or even wood. 
         [0044]    As seen generally in  FIG. 2 , each latch mechanism  500  includes a housing or shell  512  that is generally rigid and may be made from, for example, metal or hard plastic. In general, the flexible connector  502  is connected to the housing  512  such that some or all of the portion of the cable  506  extending outside of the sheath  504 , a proximal end of latching member  508 , and the connector  510  connecting the cable  506  and latching member  508  is disposed within the housing  512 . In general, the latch mechanism  500  can be fixed in a desired location by screws, nails, staples, etc. driven through peripheral portions of housing  512  into an underlying surface. See, for example, fixation points  514  schematically indicated in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0045]    When cable  506  is thusly connected to latching member  508 , the latching member  508  can be extended and retracted relative to housing  512  (see arrow C in  FIG. 5 ) in accordance with the tension selectively applied at the other end of the flexible connector via the operation of the central actuation mechanism  110  that selectively applies tension to the cable  506 . 
         [0046]    In one example of the present invention, a resilient biasing member, such as a coil spring  516  may be included in the latch mechanism  500  in order to bias the latching member  508  towards an extended direction. For example, the coil spring  516  may be provided such that a portion of cable  506  extends axially therethrough as seen by way of example in  FIG. 5 . One end of the coil spring may be disposed in abutting relationship with, for example, a proximal wall of housing  512 . The other end of coil spring  516  may abut, for example, a radially outward extending portion of connector  510 . The coil spring  516  may be in a neutral state of tension when the latching member  508  is at its fully extended position or it may be under relatively light compressive tension, such that retracting the latching member  508  (by pulling cable  506 ) compresses or further compresses coil spring  516  so that the latching member  508  is biased towards an extended latching position. 
         [0047]    Returning to  FIGS. 3 b  and 3 c   , it will be recalled that  FIG. 3 b    corresponds to an unlatched position of the system, in which the respective latching members (like  508 ) are retracted from a latching position. The cable pull member  316  is pulled relative to the flexible connectors in  FIG. 3 b   , such that the metal cables of the flexible connectors are pulled within their respective sheaths, and the respective latching members at the other ends of the flexible connectors are retracted, as was discussed with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0048]    When the central actuation mechanism  110  is put in the position shown in  FIG. 3 c    (the latching position in which the latching members of the latch mechanisms extend), the cable pull member  316  is lowered such that tension on the metal cables is released. However it should be understood that the tension on the metal cables is merely released at the central actuation mechanism  110 . For this reason, the provision of a biasing member, such as coil spring  516  in  FIG. 5 , assists in the latching members attaining an extended position when tension on metal cable  506  is released by the central actuation mechanism  110 . 
         [0049]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , latching member  508  may be arranged to protrude from a similarly sized bore or opening (not specifically illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) formed in a corresponding end of housing  512 . The bore may thus serve to allow the latching member  508  to extend and retract axially (that is, along arrow C) while at least partly limiting lateral movement of the latching member  508 . Depending on the application in which the present invention is used, it may be useful to limit the extent to which the latching member  508  extends outside of housing  512  so as to limit bending forces on the latching member  508  that could snap the latching member (if, for example, one were to try and force open one of the drawers  109 ,  111 ,  113  when a respective latching member is extended into a latching position). 
         [0050]    Several applications of the locking system of the present invention will be described hereinbelow. The details of the structure and functioning of the locking system described above apply completely to the examples that follow, so detailed descriptions already made above are not repeated. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate the use of the invention to lock a French door  600  in multiple places. (It could be equally applied to a French window.) As is conventionally known, a French door is particularly characterized by a high proportion of glass (or other transparent or translucent light-transmitting material) relative to the overall surface area of the door. For example, the door  600  may be provided with a rectilinear grid or lattice framework defining a plurality of, for example, square openings therein, into which corresponding panes of glass (or other light-transmitting material) are mounted. 
         [0052]    Because the aesthetics of the French door (or window) fundamentally depend on maximizing the light passing therethrough (in view of the large area of light-transmitting material), it is undesirable to obscure or otherwise block the glass (or the like) of the door with hardware, such as elements of a door lock like a conventional rigid locking bar. Furthermore, it is desirable to distribute more than one locking or latching point about the periphery of the door (e.g., beyond merely along one vertical edge where a conventional door latch is located). In particular, multiple locking points can increase the security of the door when locked, making it comparatively more difficult to open or, particularly, force open. 
         [0053]    Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention the locking system of the present invention is provided in, for example, a French door  600  having a lattice or grid-like frame  604  that defines a plurality of openings in which glass or other light-transmitting material  602  is provided. The frame  604  may be made, for example, from metal or molded synthetic material like plastic or the like, and may include aesthetically desirable features such as surface textures or colored highlights. One or more latch mechanisms  517  (of the type illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) are provided at respective locations along the edge of the door  600  in accordance with the disclosure of the invention set forth herein. Preferably, each latch mechanism  517  is installed within a thickness of the door  600  so as to be substantially hidden from view. Alternatively, the latch mechanisms  517  could be mounted on an interior surface of the door  600  and be covered by an aesthetically pleasing or at least neutral looking housing or the like, like housing  512  in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 6A , two such latch mechanisms  517  are provided by way of example. The latching member of each latch mechanism  517  selectively engages an opposing member (here, the door frame and the floor) depending on extension or retraction of the latching member in the manner described hereinabove, as seen in more detail in  FIG. 6B . 
         [0055]    The central actuation mechanism as described hereinabove can be provided in the door as shown in more detail in  FIG. 6C , and provided with a manually graspable handle or doorknob  518  as shown, for driving the central actuation mechanism as previously described. The handle or doorknob  518  can be lockable (such as with a key) to prevent rotation thereof, thereby preventing retraction of the latching members of latch mechanisms  517  so as to lock the door  600  closed. 
         [0056]    In an example of this embodiment, the frame  604  at least partly defines a hollow or bore therein, through which the respective flexible connectors connecting the latch mechanisms  517  with the central actuation mechanism can be threaded or otherwise disposed (as schematically indicated  FIG. 6C ). This desirably hides the flexible connectors from view and preserves the aesthetic appeal of the door  600 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate the use of the locking system of the present invention in a hinged gate or the like, particularly in an exterior fence or similar barrier. In  FIG. 7A , a gate  700  is hingedly mounted to selectively permit passage through a fence  710  in a known manner. The gate  700  can be selectively latched shut and locked using the locking system of the present invention. Here, strictly by way of example, three latch mechanisms  715  are provided as indicated (but the number of mechanisms provided can vary as needed). Again, the latch mechanisms  715  may be structurally of the same type as that disclosed and described relative to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0058]    Like the French door in  FIG. 6A , the latch mechanisms  715  can be provided so as to be disposed substantially within a structural portion of the gate. This is again desirable because it preserves the aesthetic presentation of the fence and the gate. It is additionally desirable because it protects the latch mechanisms  715  from tampering as well as from weather. Alternatively, the latch mechanisms may be mounted on an interior surface of the gate  700  by known fixation means, but preferably using a relatively permanent fixation like rivets (so as to prevent detachment or other tampering). Such an arrangement can be useful for permitting retrofitting of an original gate with a locking system of the present invention. 
         [0059]    The gate  700  can be selectively opened (i.e., unlatched) via a centrally located handle or doorknob  716 , which is provided in association with the central actuation mechanism of the present invention as described above. The handle  716  can be locked as desired to prevent rotation as discussed herein, either by a self-contained lock mechanism like a conventional key cylinder or, for example, by threading a padlock or the like through the handle and an eyelet (in the manner discussed above relative to  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   ). 
         [0060]    Like the door  600  in  FIG. 6A , the flexible connectors connecting the latch mechanisms  715  to the central actuation mechanism are preferably completely (or at least mostly) threaded or otherwise provided within hollow portions of the gate structure (such as the vertical metal bars of certain fencing). This is also useful for protecting the flexible connectors from tampering. For example,  FIG. 7B  illustrates a latch mechanism  715  mounted on a surface of the gate, connected to a respective flexible connector of which a relatively minimal portion is exposed. 
         [0061]      FIGS. 8 a -8 f    illustrate the use of the present invention to lock a secured container  800  (i.e., lid  802  and box  804 ) to (or in) a vertical or horizontal surface (like a wall or a floor). The lid  802  of the box  804  has a rotatable handle  806  which actuates the locking/latching mechanism of the present invention. The surface (wall or table or floor) has a space or recess  810  sized and shaped in conformance with the container  800  and receives the container therein and is adapted to engage the locking mechanism. See, for example,  FIGS. 8C, 8D, and 8E . 
         [0062]    Once the lid  802  is placed on the box  804  and the container  800  is then placed into the space  810 , the user turns the handle  806 , which activates the elements of the locking system of the present invention, which here, differently, are provided outside of the container  800  being locked—that is, the central actuation mechanism, flexible connectors, and latch mechanisms are provided within the surface (e.g., a wall) in which the receiving recess  810  is formed, as discussed further below, particularly with respect to  FIG. 8E . 
         [0063]    More particularly, the lid  802  is provided with one or more elongate and rigid lock bars  808  (e.g., made from metal or rigid plastic or the like) that extend perpendicularly downward from the plane of the lid  802  (i.e., along the direction of mounting and dismounting the lid  802  relative to box  804 , indicated by arrows in  FIG. 8A ). The lock bars  808  are provided at a distal end thereof with a respective bore  808   a  therethrough. 
         [0064]    In general, when the lid  802  is put into place relative to box  804 , the bores  808   a  align with corresponding bores  812  formed through the sides of box  804 , as in  FIG. 8B . In one example of the present invention, the lock bars  808  are received in respective slits (not shown) in the sides of box  804  (i.e., within the thickness of the walls of box  804 ) that are sized and positioned to guide the lock bars  808  (and the bores  808   a  thereof) into alignment with the bores  812 . In another example, the lock bars  808  may simply be disposed generally on the interior of the box  804  when the lid  802  is closed so that the bores  808   a  and  812  align. 
         [0065]      FIG. 8C  schematically illustrates the container  800  disposed in a receiving space  810 , such as a floor. When disposed in the space  810 , the bores  808   a  and  812  are additionally aligned with either bores formed the periphery of the space  810  or directly with the latching members of the latch mechanisms provided relative to the space  810 , as discussed below. In general, according to the present invention a respective latching member  824  of a given latch mechanism  820  selectively extends into locking engagement through bore  812  of the box  804  and the locking bar  808   a  aligned thereto. See, for example,  FIG. 8E . In this manner, both the box  804  and the lid  802  (via locking bar(s)  808 ) are lockingly retained relative to the space  810  and the surface in which the space  810  is provided. 
         [0066]      FIG. 8D  illustrates an example of several containers  800  mounted in a wall, each of which can be individually removed or locked into place as described here. 
         [0067]      FIG. 8E  is a cross-sectional view of a container  800  locked into a receiving space  810  as described above. As mentioned above, lid  802  includes a rotatable handle  806  that operably engages with the central actuation mechanism  816  according to the present invention, which is provided, for example, underneath the bottom surface of receiving space  810 , as seen in  FIG. 8E . In one example, the handle  806  is connected to a rotation shaft  815  of sufficient length to engage and rotatably drive the central actuation mechanism  816 . Shaft  815  extends generally downwardly and perpendicularly from the plane of lid  802  (i.e., generally in parallel with locking bars  808 ). Shaft  815  can be provided, for example, with a distal tip shaped to engage a corresponding engagement opening or socket in the drive member of the central actuation mechanism (such as a square cross-sectional tip for engaging a correspondingly sized square cross-sectional socket or aperture in the drive member). 
         [0068]    In one example, the box  804  may be provided with an upwardly extending hollow column, channel or tube  813 , through which shaft  815  is inserted when the cover  802  is used to close box  804 . The length of shaft  815  may for example be sufficiently long so as to protrude slightly from the bottom of box  804  so that the distal tip of the shaft  815  can be engaged through an aperture or the like in the bottom of space  810  with the central actuation mechanism so that the central actuation mechanism can be operated by rotation of handle  806 . 
         [0069]    The central actuation mechanism  816  is connected with respective latch mechanisms  820  via flexible connectors  822  in accordance with the description hereinabove. When the central actuation mechanism  816  is operated, latch members  824  of latch mechanisms  820  are selectively extended through bores  812  in box  804  and bores  808   a  of the locking bars  808 . As a result, the container  800  is lockingly retained in space  810 , and additionally the lid  802  is lockingly retained relative to the box  804 , so that the container  800  is locked in a closed state. Moreover, the elements of the locking system of the present invention are all hidden from exposure to tampering, thereby increasing the security of the arrangement. 
         [0070]    The handle  806  can have any suitable conventional form, such as a graspable handle (see, for example,  FIG. 4 ) or a conventional doorknob or the like, or the structure illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8F . The handle  806  can be selectively locked (i.e., prevented from rotating) by, for example, a conventional key lock cylinder provided therein, or an eyelet arrangement through which a padlock or the like can be engaged to prevent rotation of handle  806 . See, for example,  FIG. 8F  or  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    (and the written description associated therewith). 
         [0071]    Although the present invention is described above with reference to certain particular examples for the purpose of illustrating and explaining the invention, it must be understood that the invention is not limited solely with reference to the specific details of those examples. More particularly, the person skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications and developments that can be carried out in the preferred embodiments without thereby going beyond the ambit of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.