Abstract:
A lock system for a horizontal tool box wherein the latching mechanism for the lid may be operated from the proximal end of the toolbox and locking is achieved by means of a single padlock which is likewise located at the proximal end of the toolbox. An elongated latch rod is slidably disposed adjacent a front wall of either the body or lid components of the box. Latching portions of the latch rod are disposed to slidingly engage flanges that extend from the opposite component of the box to latch the components together at multiple locking points, the elongated latch rod being slidably disposed to engage or disengage each locking point substantially simultaneously. The padlock and the elongated latch rod are disposed such that the padlock body blocks the longitudinal movement of the proximal end of the latch rod and maintains the latch rod in the latched position when the body components are in the closed position and the padlock is locked, but the proximal end of the latch rod passes between the shackle and the padlock body to move the latch rod to the release position when the padlock is unlocked.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a lock system for a horizontal container, and more particularly to a lock system in which a padlock is located within the container so as to not be exposed to tampering.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Containers, such as tool boxes and storage cabinets, which are used at construction job sites and similar locations for storing tools and materials, are typically protected from theft by means of padlocks. In many instances, due to the value of the tools or materials stored in such containers, it is additionally desirable to use containers having lock systems that shield the padlock so that the padlock will not be exposed to tampering, such as by attempts to cut the padlock shackle or pry the shackle from the padlock body  
           [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,290,281 to Kiiaack et al., owned by the assignee of this application, describes and claims a lock system for a container in which a padlock is mounted on a support within the container such that only its key insertion surface is exposed for external access. In a disclosed embodiment of the lock system for a storage cabinet, the support is mounted on a vertical stile of the cabinet A slide member is mounted on the stile for movement, and has means for coupling to the doors of the cabinet and maintaining the doors in a closed position when the slide member is in a lowered position. Locking of the doors is achieved through cooperation of a tang, which is pivotally mounted on the underside of the slide member, and the shackle of the padlock which is captured by the support. The tang is positioned for insertion between the shackle and the body of the padlock when slide member is in its lowered position. When the padlock is locked, the body of the padlock pushes the tang toward the shackle so that a notch on the tang captures the shackle thereby preventing a slide member from being raised to unlatch the doors. To in order to allow the tang to disengage from the shackle when the padlock is unlocked, the tang is mounted such that it is normally urged by its own weight to an inclined position from the shackle.  
           [0004]    While the embodiment of the lock system illustrated in the Knaack et al. patent is very effective for preventing padlock tampering, it can be somewhat cumbersome and time consuming to install, especially in the confined space of a tool chest or cabinet.  
           [0005]    A lock system which addresses this installation problem of the Knaack et al. system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,078 to Weger, Jr. The Weger patent is also assigned to the assignee of this application. Like the Knaack et al. system, the lock system disclosed in this patent uses a slide member with a tang for engaging a shackle of a padlock. In some embodiments disclosed in this patent, the shackle of the padlock is captured on the support by means of an easily removable U-shaped bracket which has a pull-up ledge with coaxial openings for capturing the shackle.  
           [0006]    Although the Weger system provides certain improvements over the Knaack et al. system, it is still not entirely satisfactory due to the use of a free hanging pin, the lock system has the significant limitation that it can only be used in containers that accommodate it in an upright position. Furthermore, the correct operation of the lock system requires reasonably precise alignment of the tang with respect to the shackle of the padlock. However, since the tang is designed to hang freely on the slide member, there is no means for positively controlling its position. Thus, if the cabinet is not level, the inclined position of the tang will be affected, and the notch on the tang may not be clear of the shackle when the padlock is unlocked. Similarly, friction in the pivotable support of the tang or between the tang and the shackle or the bracket may prevent the tang from returning to its normal inclined position when the padlock is unlocked, thereby hindering the operation of the lock system. Because the slide member normally stays in the lower position, the doors normally remain latched in the closed position even when the padlock is unlocked. Thus, every time a user attempts to open the door, he has to move the slide member up to unlatch the doors. Although this arrangement prevents accidental opening of the doors, some users may consider it somewhat inconvenient and would rather leave the doors unlatched.  
           [0007]    Various locking systems have been proposed for horizontally disposed locking boxes having an upwardly opening cover, as opposed to vertical doors. In order to prevent would-be thieves from prying open the corners of such horizontal boxes, horizontal storage cabinets typically include locking mechanisms at both free corners of the cover opposite the hinge. Horizontal tool boxes marketed by the assignee of this application typically include two padlocks disposed at opposite ends of the box adjacent the locking mechanisms for the free corners of the cover. Using two such padlocks can be inconvenient for the user in that two keys must be maintained and the two padlocks separately actuated to unlock the box. Moreover, if the box is disposed in a truck bed, transverse the vehicle, the user must unlock the lock at one end of the box and then walk around to the opposite side of the truck and unlock the opposite lock. Similarly, when locking the box, the user must ensure that both locks are locked. Thus, locking, checking, and unlocking locks at either end of the box can be a time consuming process with the potential for user error.  
           [0008]    An attempt to provide a horizontal tool box wherein the latching mechanisms at opposite ends of the cover may be operated from one end of the box, a locking system for a horizontal container is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,126 to Weger, Jr. et al. This patent is likewise assigned to the assignee of this application. The Weger &#39;126 patent discloses a push button lock system having a push button lock mechanism disposed along opposite sides of the container. Depression of either of the push buttons engages and displaces a pivoting latch member to disengage the pivoting latch member from a rigid latch member extending from the lid, while locking the push button lock pivots the pivoting latch member into engagement with the rigid latch member. The push button locks along opposite faces are coupled together by a series of tie rods, a stirrup and brackets which provide movement of the pivoting latch member of one side by operation of the lock of the opposite side.  
           [0009]    While the Weger &#39;126 patent locking system includes a relatively large number of moving parts, which may be susceptible to damage which could potentially prevent proper operation of the locking mechanism. Moreover, the disclosed lock system does not utilize a padlock, which is typically considered desirable by users.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,830 to Benje discloses a horizontal tool box which utilizes a single padlock locking system. The Benje reference includes a horizontally extending elongated tubular conduit which is spring biased toward one end of the box. The conduit includes two openings within its other face which are disposed to receive two spring biased pivotable latches extending from the interior surface of the cover. A lateral bar coupled to the tubular conduit by manes of a wing extends outward from the tubular conduit in order to facilitate movement of a tubular conduct against the biasing spring to permit the cover to be opened. Should the adjacent padlock be in the locked position, the horizontal unlocking movement of the wing is not sufficient to commit the tubular conduit to release the downwardly extending latches. The Benje reference, however, presents numerous practical concerns about safety as well as operation. For example, the Benje reference includes numerous relatively fragile movable parts and couplings, including the biasing springs of the latches extending from the cover as well as the pivotable connection of the latches to the cover. Moreover, the mechanism is highly susceptible to failure in that the tubular conduit must be slid a sufficient distance to completely release the spring biased latches were a biased into engagement with the openings in the conduit. This is of particular concern in that the spring biased tubular conduit must be held against the force of the conduit biasing spring while the cover is opened. Accordingly, if the tubular conduit cannot be sufficiently moved, the cover will not unlatch the user will be unable to open the box, regardless of whether the padlock is in a locked position or not. Further, the lock is disposed in the center of the front of the box, extending into the storage area, and the latching mechanism is large and cumbersome, likewise extending into storage space. This being the case, the components are highly susceptible to damage from the user lifting items in and out of the box. Moreover, the mechanism occupies valuable storage space. While the Benje reference attempts to minimize this concern by housing the mechanism in an extension protruding from the front wall of the box, the effect is the same. Finally, the Benje reference proposes a tool box which includes a central cover area which is not movable relative to the tool box, the central cover area being flanked by two movable covers hinged thereto. Accordingly, the Benje reference proposes an arrangement which utilizes two padlocks on opposite sides of the vehicle, rather than a desirable single padlock system.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide an improved tamper resistant lock system for a horizontal tool box. It is a more particular object of the invention to provide a horizontal tool box which utilizes a single padlock and locking mechanism with multiple latching points, each of which is simultaneously operated from one end of the box.  
           [0012]    It is another object of the invention to provide a locking mechanism which is resistant damaged to due normal movement of objects into and out of the tool box. More particularly, it is an object to provide a locking mechanism which provides minimal protrusion into the storage area.  
           [0013]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a locking system for a horizontal tool box which is resistant to failure. A related object is to provide a locking system which utilizes a minimal number of sturdy components which are resistant to failure and damage during normal usage. It is also an object of the invention to provide a lock system for a horizontal tool box in which the locking and unlocking thereof are accomplished by means of components whose positions can be positively controlled to guarantee the reliable operation of the system.  
           [0014]    It is another object of the invention to provide a lock system for a horizontal tool box that can be left in an unlatched position after the padlock is unlocked to facilitate repeated opening and closing of the box cover.  
           [0015]    It is also an object of the invention to provide a lock system which may utilize different sized padlocks.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    In accordance with the invention, a high security lock system which requires a single padlock and can be operated from a proximal end of a horizontal tool box is provided. The lock system includes an elongated latch rod which is supported in the first body component of the horizontal tool box for sliding lateral movement between a release position and a latched position. Flanges having bores are disposed generally at the proximal and distal ends of the toolbox and extend into the enclosed space of the toolbox from the second body component of the horizontal toolbox. When the toolbox is closed and the latch rod is in the latched position, the latch rod is engaged with the flanges. When the latch rod is in the release position, the latch rod is disengaged from the flanges. The latch rod may be slid laterally within the toolbox between the latched and release positions by means of a handle accessible from the outside of the toolbox substantially adjacent the proximal end of the box.  
           [0017]    Significantly, the padlock is supported within the toolbox with the key insertion surface of the padlock likewise accessible from the proximal end of the toolbox. The latch rod is disposed relative to the padlock such that when the horizontal tool box is in the closed position and the latch rod is in the latched position, the padlock body blocks the longitudinal movement of the proximal end of the latch rod to prevent the latch rod from moving into the unlatched position. Conversely, when the padlock is in the unlatched position, the padlock body no longer blocks the lateral movement of the proximal end of the latch rod. As a result, a padlock engaging portion at the proximal end of the latch rod is free to advance between the legs of the padlock shackle so that the latch rod may move to the release position. In this way, the user may operate both the latch rod and the padlock from the proximal end of the toolbox.  
           [0018]    According of other aspects of the invention, the locking mechanism provides only minimal interference with the use of the toolbox, and the toolbox may utilize different types of padlocks. More specifically, the elongated latch rod is disposed substantially adjacent a front wall of the toolbox with the latching portions being offset therefrom only enough to permit engagement with the flanges. Additionally, the padlock is supported within the tool box by a bracket which may be adjusted to dispose the padlock shackle at different positions in order to accommodate different types of padlock designs while ensuring proper operation of the locking mechanism. The system also preferably includes an anti-theft mechanism wherein a channel is provided about one or more of the openings which receive the proximal end of the latch rod and the latching portions so that the latch rod and latching portions cannot be readily bent to disengage them from the associated opening. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a horizontal tool box incorporating a lock system according to teachings of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is an inside fragmentary perspective view of the lock system of FIG. 1 shown in the unlocked position, certain components being shown in phantom to facilitate explanation and understanding.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is an inside perspective view of the lock system of FIG. 2 shown in the locked position, certain components being illustrated in phantom to facilitate understanding of the invention and explanation.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of the tool box of FIG. 1.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shackle support bracket constructed in accordance with teachings of the invention, the shackle support bracket being adaptable to two different locks.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the shackle support bracket of FIG. 5.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shackle support bracket of FIG. 5 shown in a second configuration for accommodating a different size padlock.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the shackle support bracket as illustrated in FIG. 7.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]    Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a horizontal storage cabinet or tool box  20 , which is protected by an embodiment of the lock system of the present invention (identified generally as  22 ). The tool box  20  has a conventional look, with first and second body components  24 ,  26  identified as the body  24  and the lid  26  in the illustrated embodiment. While this description will refer to the body  24  and lid  26  as the first and second components, respectively, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the location of various elements may be disposed along either the first or the second body components, i.e., the lid might alternately be identified as the first body component and the body identified as the second body component.  
         [0028]    As illustrated, the body  24  comprises a bottom  30 , and front, side, and back walls  32 ,  34 ,  36 , which define an enclosed space  38 . Similarly, the lid  26  includes a top portion  40 , and may include front, side, and back walls  42 ,  44  (back wall not visible in position illustrated). The body  24  and lid  26  are hingably coupled along the back walls  36  such that they are movable between the open position illustrated in FIG. 1 and a closed position, further defining the enclosed space. The tool box  20  includes proximal and distal ends  46 ,  48 . The horizontal tool box may be alternately constructed. For example, the horizontal tool box may be open along the top and a portion of the front wall, and may include a bi-fold lid which covers the top and the open portion of the front wall of the box, as is known by those of skill in the art.  
         [0029]    In order to lock the tool box  20  to prevent theft when the box  20  is in its closed position, a conventional padlock  50  having a padlock body  52  with a key insertion surface  54 , and a shackle  56  (FIGS. 2 and 3) is provided. The shackle  56  is generally U-shaped with a pair of legs  57 ,  58  and a bight section  59 . As is conventional, the shackle  56  and padlock  52  are movable relative to one another between locked and unlocked positions. While the padlock  50  is illustrated as disposed along the right end of the box  20 , it could alternately be disposed along the left end of the box  50 , as would be desirable when the box  50  is to be utilized in the bed of a truck.  
         [0030]    In order to secure the padlock  50  within the tool box  20 , a support  60  is provided. The support  60  includes a box  62  and a bracket  64  for receiving the shackle of the padlock. The bracket  64  includes one or more openings  66 ,  68  through which the shackle  56  extends. The bracket  64  is preferably coupled to the box  62  by a fastener  70 , in this case a nut and bolt. The box  62  is further secured, to the tool box  20  by any appropriate method, such as welding or the like. In order to permit the user to activate the padlock  50  while protecting the shackle  56  and its connection to the padlock body  52  from tampering, the support  60  disposes the padlock  50  adjacent an opening  72  (see FIGS. 1 and 4) in the wall of the tool box  20 , in the illustrated embodiment, the wall  32  of the body  24 , such that the key insertion surface  54  is accessible from the outside of the box  20 . Inasmuch as the padlock body  52  is slidable within the support  60  relative to the secured shackle  56 , the user may depress the padlock body  52  within the support  60  to lock the padlock  50  (as shown in FIG. 3), or actuate the key to unlock the padlock  50  and slide the padlock body  52  to the open position illustrated in FIG. 2.  
         [0031]    According to the invention, the horizontal tool box  20  is provided with a lock system  22  which requires a single padlock  50  and which actuates latching mechanisms at both the proximal and distal ends  46 ,  48  of the box  20 , both the padlock  50  and the latching mechanisms being actuable from the proximal end  46  of the box  20 . The lock system  22  includes an elongated latch rod  80  which is supported in the first body component  24  for sliding lateral movement between a release position and a latched position wherein the latch rod  80  is disengaged or engaged, respectively, from flanges  82 ,  84  extending from the inside of the second body component  26  into the enclosed space of the horizontal tool box. As may best be seen in FIG. 1, the flanges  82 ,  84  are generally disposed at the distal and proximal ends  48 ,  46  of the tool box  20  and extend into the enclosed space defined by the tool box  20 . In order to receive the latch rod  80 , the first and second flanges  82 ,  84  each include a bore  86 ,  88 , which extends therethrough.  
         [0032]    The elongated latch rod  80  includes a proximal end  90  and a distal end  92 . Significantly, the latch rod is disposed relative to the padlock support  50  such that when the horizontal tool box  20  is in the closed position and the latch rod  80  is in the latched position illustrated in FIG. 3, the padlock body  52  of a locked padlock  50  blocks the longitudinal movement of the proximal end  90  of the latch rod to prevent the latch rod from moving into the unlatched position. Conversely, when the padlock  50  is in the unlatched position as is illustrated in FIG. 2, the padlock body  52  no longer blocks the lateral movement of the proximal end  90  of the latch rod  80 . More specifically, a padlock engaging portion  130  is provided at the proximal end  90  of the latch rod  80 . When the padlock  50  is in the unlatched position shown in FIG. 2, the padlock engaging portion  130  is free to advance between the legs  57 ,  59  of the padlock shackle  56 . Conversely, when the padlock  50  is in the locked position shown in FIG. 3, the padlock engaging portion  130  of the elongated latch rod  80  abuts the body  52  of the padlock  50  to prevent lateral movement of the latch rod  80 . In this way, when the padlock  50  is unlocked, the latch rod  80  is free to be moved into the release position, as is illustrated in FIG. 2.  
         [0033]    While the elongated latch rod  80  and the padlock  50  are both disposed within the first body component  24 , or the body  24 , it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the padlock  50  and latch rod  80  may be alternately disposed. For example, the latch rod  80  may be disposed within the first body component  24 , while the padlock  50  may be coupled to the second body component  26 , so long as the padlock  50  acts to limit the travel of the latch rod  80  when the horizontal tool box  20  is in the closed position.  
         [0034]    Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the latch rod  80  includes an elongated latch body portion  94  from which latching portions  96 ,  98  extend. Latching portion  96  is disposed at the distal end  92  of the latch rod  80  to engage the bore  86  in the first flange  86  extending from the inner surface of the lid  26 , while the latching portion  98  at the proximal end  90  of the latch rod  80  is disposed to engage the bore  88  in the flange  84 . As may be seen, both latching portions  96 ,  98  extend in the direction of the distal end  92  of the latch rod  80  such that laterally sliding the latch rod  80  in the distal direction substantially simultaneously engages the latching portion  96 , . 98  with the bores  86 ,  88  in the flanges  82 ,  84 .  
         [0035]    In order to slidingly support the latch rod  80  within the first body component  24 , brackets  100  and  110  are provided. For ease of explanation, the brackets  100 ,  110  are illustrated in phantom in FIGS. 2 and 3. While the brackets may be of any appropriate form, bracket  100  has a generally U-shape and includes a bore  102  for supporting the latch body portion  94 , and a bore  104  for supporting the first latching portion  96 . In order to further ensure the security of the latching of the latching portion  96  to the first flange  82 , an additional support bracket  120  which includes a bore  122  may be provided (shown in phantom). In this way, during use, the first latching portion  96  extends through the bore  104  of the first bracket  100 , through the bore  86  of the first flange  82  extending from the second body component  26 , and through the bore  122  of the bracket  120 , brackets  100  and  120  both being secured to the first body component  24 .  
         [0036]    The second bracket  110  at the proximal end of the elongated latch rod  80  similarly includes a bore  112  for supporting the elongated latch body portion  94 . It will be appreciated that bores  102  and  104  are offset from one another, and, accordingly, bores  102 ,  104  in conjunction with bore  112  in bracket  110  maintains the latch rod  80  in a steady, but sliding position within the first body component  24 .  
         [0037]    The second bracket  110  may additionally include a second bore  114  for receiving the distal end of the second latching portion  98 . As may best be seen in FIG. 3, when latched, the second latching portion  98  extends through the bore  88  of the second flange  84  extending from the second body component  26 , and through the bore  114  of the second bracket  110  secured to the first body component  24  to securely latch the first and second body components  24 ,  26 .  
         [0038]    Thus, the dual bracket design for coupling a first and second latching portions  96 ,  98  with the bores  86 ,  88  of the first and second flanges  82 ,  84  provides an arrangement which is highly resistant to tampering. More specifically, should a thief attempt to pry the second body component  26  from the first  24 , the ends of the latching portions  96 ,  98  would be highly resistant to separation from the bores  86 ,  88  of the flanges  82 ,  84  because the very ends of the latching portions  96 ,  98  not only extend through the flange bores  82 ,  84 , but further extend through the bores  122 ,  114  in brackets  100 ,  110 .  
         [0039]    It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that latch rod  80  protrudes only minimally into the enclosed space defined by the first and second body components  24 ,  26 . This is due to the particularized structure of the latch rod  80  in that the elongated latch body portion  94  is disposed substantially adjacent the front wall  32  of the first body component  24 . The latching portions  96 ,  98  are then offset only as much as necessary to obtain the desired latching capabilities. Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that the elongated latch body portion  94  moves along a first longitudinal axis within the first body component  24 . While the offset latching portions  96 ,  98  are slidably disposed along parallel longitudinal axes. The flanges  82 ,  84  extending from the second body component are thus disposed in perpendicular planes to the elongated latch rod  80 .  
         [0040]    In order to support the padlock  50  in position within the padlock support  60 , and to support the padlock engaging portion  130  of the elongated latch rod  80 , a bracket  132  (shown in phantom in FIGS. 2 and 3 for clarity of the drawing) is provided at the proximal end  46  of the horizontal tool box  20 . As shown, the bracket  132  includes a bore  134  for receiving the padlock engaging portion  130  of the latch rod  80  and ensuring its proper positioning within the first  24  body component. To minimize opportunity for the padlock engaging portion  130  of the elongated latch rod  80  to disengage from the bore  134 , the bracket  132  and a channel  136  is disposed about the bore  134  and protrudes from the surface of the bracket  132 . The channel  136  extends a sufficient distance about the padlock engaging portion  130  to inhibit bending of the portion  130  such that its end would disengage from bore  134 . The channel  136  preferred illustrated design, for example, is in the form of a “C-shaped” bracket, the top and bottom of which extend adjacent and subjacent the latch rod portion  130 , a rearwardly extending portion  131  of the latch rod  80  being received in the open portion of the “C-shaped” bracket  136  when the latch rod  80  is in the proximal, unlatched position shown in FIG. 2. As a result, the latch rod portion  130  is resistant to disengaging from bore  134 , even when an upward force is exerted on the latch rod  80  by the flange  84  as a would-be thief attempts to pry the tool box open. Similar brackets could be provided around the other bores through which portions of the latch rod  80  extend, e.g., bores  114  and  122 .  
         [0041]    To facilitate lateral movement of the elongated latch rod  80  within the tool box  20 , the latch rod  80  includes a handle  140  which is secured to the latch rod  80 , and is accessible to the user from the outside of the horizontal tool box  20 . To minimize opportunity for damage to the handle  140 , the handle  140  preferably extends generally downward from the latch rod  80  and through an elongated slot  142  (shown in phantom in FIGS. 2 and 3 for clarity of the drawings) in the upper wall of a recessed portion  144  of the front wall  32 . It will be appreciated that the recessed portion  144  presents an aesthetically pleasing, stylish appearance for the box. An alternate embodiment which includes a recessed box portion  144   a  is illustrated in FIG. 4. While presenting an alternate appearance, the embodiment of FIG. 4 operates identically to the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 3 . In use, the user may move the handle  140  laterally within the recessed portion  144  or recessed box  144   a  to slide the latch rod between the latched and unlatched positions. In keeping with an important aspect of the invention, the handle  140  and the padlock  50  are both disposed substantially adjacent the proximal end  46  of the horizontal tool box  20  whereby the user may latch and lock or unlatch and unlock the box from a single end thereof.  
         [0042]    According to another feature of the invention, the padlock support  60  may be structured such that it can utilize more than one size or type of padlock. Referring now to FIGS.  5 - 8 , there is illustrated a padlock support  160  which includes a box  162  that is formed of a stamped sheet metal wherein sides  162   a ,  162   b , and end  162   c  portions extend from a back wall  162   d.    
         [0043]    In order to permit the inventive padlock support  160  to effectively utilize different sizes of padlocks, the bracket  164  includes two separate openings  166 ,  168  which are alternately used to couple the bracket  164  to the support box  162  or to receive the shackle  56  of the padlock (see FIGS.  2 - 3 ). Significantly, the bracket  164  has an L-shape with the openings  166 ,  168  being disposed along opposite legs of the “L” at different distances from the apex. When coupled to the box  162  via a coupler, such as a nut and bolt  170 ,  172 , the location of the openings  166 ,  168  then. dictate location of the shackle  56 , and accordingly, the padlock body  52 . In order to facilitate proper attachment of the bracket  164  to the support box  162 , wall  162   c  includes an opening  165 . Thus, the bracket may be disposed as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, or as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 to provide alternate positioning of a padlock  50  within the support  160 . Those of skill in the art will appreciate that this arrangement provides great versatility in the user&#39;s choice and use of a desired padlock  50 .  
         [0044]    It will be appreciated now that what has been provided is a significantly unproved padlock-protecting lock system for a horizontal tool box which is simple, robust, and reliable while the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, however, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those particular embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives modifications, and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.