Patent Publication Number: US-6666056-B1

Title: Internal locking device for use on magazine doors

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to locking mechanisms and devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a key activated internal locking device for use on weapons storage magazine doors. 
     Presently, magazine doors for weapons storage facilities/magazines at military installations are secured by high security padlocks which include hasps. High security padlocks are generally placed on the exterior of the magazine doors which subject the padlocks to extreme environmental conditions such as intense heat, bitter cold, rain and snow. These environmental conditions can have an adverse impact on the operational capabilities of the padlocks and their effectiveness in preventing theft of munitions from the weapons storage facilities. 
     Weapons storage facilities which use high security padlocks are generally not resistant to forced entry. The high security padlock also requires periodic lubrication and maintenance to insure that it operates correctly. Key damage and breakage is problem associated with the use of high security padlocks at weapons storage facilities. Further, there is a need locking device that allows for the integration of an electrical intrusion detection system into the locking device. 
     One such device used in the past to secure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,817, entitled “High Security Internal Locking System” issued May 13, 1986 to Henry L. Self. Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,817 is a locking system consisting of two locking mechanisms protected by a drill resistive shutter plate. The shutter plate can be rotated to expose a first lock which when unlocked allows it to be further rotated to uncover the second lock. Upon unlocking the second lock, the drive for the main bolt lock can be actuated. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a high security locking device which provides substantial improvement to force entry resistance over high security padlocks and is not vulnerable to the environment and operational problems associated with a harsh environment. In addition, the high security locking device should preferably not require periodic lubrication and maintenance. The high security locking device be adapted for use with an electrical intrusion detection system which senses the presence of a person not authorized to use the locking device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a highly efficient and effective high security internal locking device which is adapted for use with the magazine doors of a weapons storage facility and which is highly resistant to forced entry by individuals not authorized to access the facility. The internal locking device may be configured to require the use of either two keys or one key to open the magazines doors for the weapons storage facility. 
     To open the magazine doors of the weapons storage facility the operator first turns a handle ninety degrees which rotates a shutter plate connected to the handle. This allows the operator to insert a key into a single lock cylinder when the internal locking device utilizes a single key operated device to open the magazines doors. When the internal locking device utilizes a pair of keys to open the magazine doors for the weapons storage facilities, the operator inserts a pair of keys into a pair of lock cylinders within the internal locking device after the shutter plate is rotated which exposes the lock cylinders. 
     The internal locking device includes key guides which allow for quick, fluid key insertion of the keys into the lock cylinders. The key guides, in turn, reduce key breakage. The internal locking device also has a push-through key feature which allows the user to remove a broken key from a lock cylinder by pushing the key through the lock cylinder using another key. 
     A one key operated internal locking device has one locking bolt slidable mounted in its housing, while a two key operated internal locking device has a pair of locking bolts slidably mounted in its housing. The locking bolts engage and lock the output shaft in a fixed rotational position which insures that the magazine doors remain locked. For a one key operated internal locking device the locking bolt is operatively connected to the lock cylinder so that rotation by the operator of the key dis-engages the locking bolt from the output shaft. For a two key operated internal locking device each of the locking bolts is operatively connected to one of the two lock cylinder so that rotation by the operator of the keys dis-engages the locking bolts from the output shaft. 
     The operator next pushes the handle forward towards the housing which moves a spring loaded clutch to the output shaft. The clutch engages the output shaft allowing the operator to rotate the output shaft by rotating the handle counter-clockwise ninety degrees. Rotating the shaft removes a door locking bolt operatively connected to the shaft from a locking bolt receiver located on one of the two magazine doors allowing the operator to open the magazine doors and gain access to the weapons storage facility. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the magazine doors for a weapons storage facility which utilizes the internal locking device comprising the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view, in partial section, which depicts the door locking bolt assembly for the magazine doors of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the door locking bolt assembly of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a view from inside the weapons storage facility of the door locking bolt assembly of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is an opposite side view which depicts the door locking bolt assembly for the magazine doors of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 6A-6C depict the key and key housing used to unlock the internal locking device comprising the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a rear view of the internal locking device comprising the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a detail schematic, in section, of the internal locking device comprising the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 depicts a shutter plate which engages a normally open alarm activation switch for an alarm system used in conjunction with the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 depicts the electrical for the alarm system used in conjunction with the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a view in partial section which depicts a key lock cylinder mounted in the housing of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 12-15 are views in partial section which depict the housing, clutch, output shaft and lock cylinder for the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 illustrates a single locking bolt arrangement which engages and prevents rotation of the output shaft until the operator dis-engages the locking bolt from the output shaft using a single key; 
     FIG. 16 illustrates a dual locking bolt arrangement which engages and prevents rotation of the output shaft until the operator dis-engages the locking bolts from the output shaft using a pair of keys; and 
     FIGS. 17-20 illustrate the operation of the internal locking device of the present invention when the operator uses a pair of keys to open the magazine doors for the weapons storage facility. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring first to FIG. 1, an internal locking device  20  is mounted on the inside surface of a magazine door  22 . A plurality of welds  23  are used to secure the internal locking device  20  to the inside surface of magazine door  22 . The internal locking device  20  is very useful in preventing entry into a high security facility such as weapons storage facility. The internal locking device  22  is specifically designed to improve forced entry resistance delaying entry into a secured facility over five times the forced entry time required when a high security padlock and hasp are used to secure the facility. In addition, the internal locking device  22  is also designed to shelter device  22  from hostile environmental conditions. This, in turn, results in a high security locking system that is very resistant to wind driven sand, dust, rain and ice, corrosive salt spray, extreme heat and cold and freeze-thaw conditions. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the secured facility has a second magazine door  24  which is secured to magazine door  22  by the internal locking device  20 . Device  20  comprises a lever arm subassembly, designated generally by the reference numeral  25 , which has a handle  26  attached to a handle extension  28 . Handle  26  is secured to handle extension  28  by a plurality of hex head screws  30 . Handle extension  28  passes through an opening  32  in magazine door  22 . Opening  32  has a brass bearing or other type of bearing  33  mounted therein which allows for substantially frictionless rotational movement of handle extension  28  within magazine door  22 . 
     Referring to FIGS.  1  and  6 A- 6 C, magazine door  22  includes pair of cylindrical shaped openings  34  and  36  which are adapted to receive the high security key assemblies  38  of the type illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C. Each cylindrical shaped opening  34  and  36  has a guide slot  40  which receives the key guide  42  for key  44 . The key guide  42  for each key  44  insures quick, fluid key insertion and substantially reduces the chances of key breakage when the key is inserted into the lock cylinder  92 . As shown in FIG. 6A, the key  44  is fully extended from the key housing  46  and locked into a recess  48  within the key housing  46 . The key housing  46  is cylindrical shaped and sized to fit within cylindrical shaped openings  34  and  36  within door  22 . 
     This allows the user to insert key  44  into the lock cylinder  92  and then open the weapons storage magazine doors  22  and  24 . Since the door  22  has slots in each of its cylindrical shaped opening  34  and  36  to guide the key into the lock cylinder  92 , it is almost impossible to break the key. If the key is broken, the key can be removed from the lock cylinder  92  by pushing the broken portion of the key through the lock cylinder  92  using another key. 
     The key illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C is designed such that the key can not be turned until the key is fully inserted into the key cylinder as shown in FIG.  11 . This prevents breakage of the key which was a significant in high security locks utilized in the past. 
     At this time, it should be noted that the shutter plate  74  provides a limited seal to keep dirt and dust out of the key cylinder for the lock cylinder  92  since the shutter plate makes direct with locking device housing  78 . 
     As shown in FIG. 6B, the key  44  is fully retracted and locked into a recess  52  within the key&#39;s housing  46  which prevents damage to key  44  when key  44  is not in use. A slot  53  within housing  46  connects recess  50  to recess  48 . 
     It should be noted that keys are often difficult and subject to breakage when inserted in padlocks with shrouded hasp which are typically used on the magazines doors of weapons storage facilities. The novel approach utilized by device  20  tends to prevent this breakage and allows for easy removal of a key in the event a key breaks within the lock cylinder  92 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-5 and  8 ,  9  and  10 , an output shaft  56  extends from the back plate  58  of internal locking device  20 . A cam arm  60  is connected to the end of output shaft  56  which extends from internal locking device  20 . A locking screw  62  is used to secure cam arm to output shaft  56 . Rotation of output shaft  56  rotates cam arm  60  in clockwise direction when a user desires to unlock magazine doors  22  and  24  and a clockwise direction when a user desires to lock magazine doors  22  and  24 . 
     A door locking bolt  64  is operatively connected to the cam arm  60  by a nut and bolt assembly  65  which is best depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4. Nut and bolt assembly  65  includes a plurality of washers  67  which allow the nut and bolt assembly  65  to rotate freely within the a vertically positioned slot  70  disposed at one end of cam arm  64  as shown in FIG.  4 . When output shaft  56  rotates in a clockwise direction, cam arm  60  also rotates in clockwise direction causing door locking bolt  64  to withdraw from locking bolt receiver  68  which is attached to magazine door  24  by welds (not illustrated). This allows a user to open the magazine doors  22  and  24  and gain access to weapons and the like stored within the weapons storage facility. Alignment of the door locking bolt  64  is maintained by a locking bolt receiver  66  when the magazine doors  22  and  24  are unlocked and open. Locking bolt receiver  64  is attached to magazine door  22  by welds (not illustrated). 
     When output shaft  56  rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, cam arm  60  also rotates in counter-clockwise direction causing door locking bolt  64  to engage and slide through locking bolt receiver  68  securing and locking magazines doors  22  and  24 . 
     Positioned on the top of internal locking device  20  is a wire conduit  72  which includes the wire for an electronic monitoring and control system. When the user rotates the handle  26  in the clockwise direction positioning a shutter plate  74  in vertical position as depicted in FIG. 8, the bottom end of the shutter plate  74  engages a normally open alarm activation switch  76  as depicted in FIG.  9 . When a security alarm  77  (FIG. 10) is active and an unauthorized user attempts to turn the handle  26  to gain access to the weapons storage facility, the shutter plate  74  engages the alarm activation switch  76  which activates the alarm  77  alerting the appropriate individuals as to the presence of intruder at the weapons storage facility. 
     As shown in FIG. 10, a circuit to activate the security alarm may include a battery  79  having its output connected to a push button switch  81 . Push button switch  81  is normally closed and may only be opened by an authorized user who needs to gain access to the weapons storage facility. When an individual, not authorized to access the weapons storage facility, attempts to access the facility the alarm is activated by rotating the shutter plate  74  which completes the electrical current flow path for the circuit of FIG.  4 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  8 A and  8 B, a partial sectional view of the internal locking device  20 . The internal locking, device  20  includes a internal locking device housing  78 . A back plate  80  is secured to housing  78  by means of a plurality of set screws  82 . Removal of the back plate  80  allows a user to access the internal components of internal locking device  20 . 
     Shutter plate  74  is attached to a shutter plate hub  84 . A pin  86  extending from a cam shaft or lock shaft  88  and secured thereto is recessed within a slot or groove  90  on the backside of shutter plate hub  84 . The shutter plate hub  84  and the shutter plate  74  comprise the shutter plate subassembly for internal locking device  20 . The groove allows the shutter plate  74  to engage and dis-engage shaft  88 . For example, when the handle is pushed inward in the direction indicted by arrow  156  (FIG.  19 ), the pin  86  is removed from groove  90  which dis-engages the shutter plate  74  from the shaft  88 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  8 ,  11  and  15 , the housing  78  has a lock cylinder  92 , which is depicted in FIG.  11 . When there is a requirement for two keys to open the magazine doors  22  and  24  (as shown in FIG.  11 ), the housing  78  would have an additional lock cylinder  92  of the type illustrated in FIG.  11 . High security lock cylinders of the type used in the present invention are commercially available from Medeco Security Locks, Inc. of Salem, Va. Such locks, which are virtually pick proof, are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,302. 
     The lock cylinder  92  includes a rotatably mounted plug or cylinder. When the key  44  is inserted in the lock cylinder  92 , the lower segments of a plurality of pin tumblers are raised by exactly the correct amount to bring their tops flush with the outer surface of the cylinder. As the lower and upper surfaces of the pin tumblers are separated, that is not interconnected, the plug or cylinder is free to rotate when the key housing  46  is rotated by the user. 
     The lock cylinder  92  is positioned within housing  78  by a cylinder plug  98  which aligns lock cylinder  92  with key  44  and allows the key  44  to be removed from housing through an opening  101  in the back plate  58  of internal locking device housing  78 . The cylinder plug  98  is secured to the housing  78  by a plurality of screws  100 . Positioned at the rear of opening  101  is a plastic plug  102 . 
     The cylinder plug  98  allows the user to remove the lock cylinder  92  and replace it with a different lock cylinder without removing the internal locking device  20  from the inside surface of a magazine door  22 . In the past, security locks have required removal of the entire lock from the magazine door to change the key cylinder. 
     As depicted in FIG. 13, there is a dust seal  83  positioned between the lock body or locking device housing  78  and the shutter plate  74 . The dust seal  83  assist in preventing dust from entering lock cylinder  92  which could render the lock cylinder inoperable. 
     It should be noted that the clearance between cylinder plug  98  and the locking device housing  78  is excessive (in the order of several thousandths of inch). This clearance feature allows the lock cylinder  92  to float within the locking device housing  78  providing means whereby the lock cylinder  92  and cam  94  align with the openings in the back of cover plate  80 . 
     For an internal locking device  20  which requires the use of one key to open magazine doors  22  and  24 , the plug or cylinder of lock cylinder  92  is in rotatable engagement with an eccentric cam shaft/lock cylinder cam  94 . An eccentric cam shaft  95  is attached to the cylinder for lock cylinder  92 . The lock cylinder cam  94  is mounted on shaft  95  such that rotation of the shaft  95  rotates the cam  94 . 
     After the user inserts the key  44  into the lock cylinder  92 , the user turns the key  44  housing  46  counter-clockwise rotating the key  44  which rotates the lock cylinder cam  94 . The lock cylinder cam  94  rotatably engages a locking bolt/locking plate  96  slidably mounted within the internal locking device housing  78 . The locking bolt  96  has a U shaped slot  120  in which the lock cylinder cam  94  rotates when the operator turns the key  44 . The locking bolt  96  includes a trio of horizontally positioned slots  122 ,  124  and  126 . Affixed to a front portion of internal locking device housing  78  and removable therefrom are a trio of set screw  128 ,  130  and  132 . As depicted in FIG. 15 set screw  128  is positioned within slot  122  and in slidable engagement therewith, set screw  130  is positioned within slot  124  and in slidable engagement therewith and set screw  132  is positioned within slot  126  and slidable engagement therewith. 
     The output shaft  56  has a generally circular shaped plate  134  affixed thereto. Rotation of the output shaft  56  rotates plate  134 . Plate  134  includes a semi-circular indent  136  formed on its outer edge which engages a set screw  138  bolted to locking plate  96 . Locking bolt  96  also has semi-circular indents  137  and  141  formed on its outer edge which respectively engage locking pins  139  and  143  affixed to internal locking device housing  78 . Set screw  137  and locking pins  139  and  143  prevent rotational movement of output shaft  56  until an operator dis-engages set screw  138  from indent  136  within plate  134 , locking pin  139  from indent  137  and locking pin  143  from indent  141  by rotating key  44  counter-clockwise which moves locking bolt  96  in the direction indicated by arrow  140 . 
     When an operator turns the key  44  counter-clockwise, the lock cylinder cam  94  rotates in a clockwise direction which moves the locking plate  96  away from plate  134  in the direction indicated by arrow  140 . Movement of the locking plate  96  in the direction indicted by arrow  140  dis-engages set screw  138  from indent  136 , locking pin  139  from indent  137  and locking pin  143  from indent  141  which allows for rotational movement of the output shaft  56 . To lock the output shaft  56  in a fixed positioned, the cam  94  is rotated in a clockwise direction which causes locking bolt  96  to move to plate  134  which locks plate  134  in a fixed position with respect to locking bolt  96  in the manner illustrated in FIG.  15 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  8 ,  11  and  16 , a two key locking device  20  which requires the use of two keys to open (such as shown in FIGS. 17-20) has two lock cylinders  92  of the type illustrated in FIG.  11 . Each of the two lock cylinders  92  are mounted in the housing  78  for internal locking device  20  by using a cylinder plug  98 . 
     As is best depicted in FIG. 16, there are two locking bolts/locking plates  160  and  162  slidably mounted in housing  78 . The locking bolt  160  has a U shaped slot  161  in which a lock cylinder cam  161  rotates when the operator turns one of the two keys. An eccentric cam shaft  171  is attached to the cylinder for one of the two lock cylinders  92  of device  20 . The lock cylinder cam  161  is mounted on shaft  171  such that rotation of the shaft  171  rotates the cam  161 . 
     The locking bolt  160  includes a pair of horizontally positioned slots  164  and  166 . Affixed to a front portion of internal locking device housing  78  and removable therefrom are a pair of set screw  168  and  170 . As depicted in FIG. 15 set screw  168  is positioned within slot  164  and in slidable engagement therewith and set screw  170  is positioned within slot  166  and in slidable engagement therewith. 
     Similarly, the locking bolt  162  has a U shaped slot  165  in which a lock cylinder cam  167  rotates when the operator turns the second of the two keys. An eccentric cam shaft  173  is attached to the cylinder for the other of the two lock cylinders  92  of device  20 . The lock cylinder cam  167  is mounted on shaft  173  such that rotation of the shaft  173  rotates the cam  167 . 
     The locking bolt  162  includes a pair of horizontally positioned slots  172  and  174 . Affixed to a front portion of internal locking device housing  78  and removable therefrom are a pair of set screws  176  and  178 . As depicted in FIG. 15 set screw  176  is positioned within slot  172  and in slidable engagement therewith and set screw  178  is positioned within slot  174  and in slidable engagement therewith. 
     Internal locking device  20  uses an aluminum body and lock bolt construction to reduce cost and provide predetermined failure points rather than to resist attacks. This allows the lock to break at identified points. For example, one failure point is depicted in FIG. 15. A mounting shoulder  146  which is fabricated from very thin circular shaped aluminum rim is used in combination with a mounting bolt to the secure the housing  78  for device  20  to a mounting plate on the magazine door  22 . As depicted in FIG. 15, there are four mounting shoulders and their associated mounting bolts required to mount the internal locking device to the magazine door. In addition, to allowing the locking device to break loose, the mounting shoulders and mounting bolts provide a means for mounting device  20  in two directions. 
     As shown in FIG. 16, the internal locking device  20  includes a second failure point which consist of the use of aluminum lock bolts  160  and  162  and shoulder/set screws  168 ,  170 ,  176  and  178 . When the weapons storage facility is attacked, the second failure point causes the lock bolts to fail to retract which makes it impossible for the output shaft  56  to rotate. Failure of the output shaft  56  to rotate results in attacker not being able to open the magazine doors  22  and  24  for the weapons storage facility. 
     It should be noted at this time that a Teflon anodized coating on an aluminum body, that is the internal locking device housing and its associated components and the locking bolts. The use of Teflon on the elements of internal locking device  20  makes device  20  maintenance free. 
     For the embodiment of device  20  which uses two keys to open the magazine doors  22  and  24 , The output shaft  56  has a generally circular shaped plate  182  affixed thereto. Rotation of the output shaft  56  rotates plate  182 . Plate  182  includes a semi-circular indent  184  formed on its outer edge which engages a set screw  186  bolted to locking plate  160 . 
     Locking bolt  160  also has a semi-circular indent  188  formed on its outer edge which engages a locking pin  190  affixed to internal locking device housing  78 . Similarly, locking bolt  162  has a semi-circular indent  192  formed on its outer edge which engages a locking pin  194  affixed to internal locking device housing  78 . 
     Set screw  186  and locking pins  190  and  194  prevent rotational movement of output shaft  56  until an operator dis-engages set screw  186  from indent  184 , locking pin  190  from indent  188  and locking pin  194  from indent  192  by rotating the keys counter-clockwise which moves locking bolts  160  and  162  in the direction indicated by arrow  196 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, handle extension  28  is affixed to one end of cam shaft  88  by set screw  89  and a keeper ring  91  positioned around the periphery of handle  28 . The opposite end of cam shaft  88  is attached to the clutch sleeve  103  for a clutch  104 . Attached to a forward portion of clutch  104  and extending therefrom in a forward direction (toward to the output shaft  56 ) is an shaft engagement pin  105 . The clutch  104  is a spring loaded clutch utilizing a spring  106  centrally located within a rear portion housing  78  between the clutch  104  and the output shaft  56 . The spring  106  maintains the clutch  104  in a fixed positioned relative to the output shaft  56  separating the clutch  104  from output shaft  56  until the operator desires to unlock the magazine doors  22  and  24 . 
     When the operator desires to unlock the magazine doors  22  and  24 , the operator pushes the handle  26  and handle extension  28  forward such that the output shaft engagement pin  108  will pass through an opening  108  and engage a spring loaded detent  110 . When pin  108  engages the detent  110 , the operator can turn handle  26  ninety degrees in a counterclockwise direction. The detent  110  insures that the handle  26 , clutch  104 , clutch sleeve  103  and output shaft  56  are synchronized when the handle  26  is turned. The detent  110  also prevents the shaft  56  from being turned prior to depressing the handle  26 . 
     At this time it should be noted that internal locking device  20  is a true dual locking system since the shutter plate  74  is not controlled or locked in position by a key. The shutter plate  74  is used to activate the alarm system illustrated in FIG.  10  and as a dust cover to prevent damage to the internal components of the internal locking device  20 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 17-20, the unlocking procedure for the magazine doors  22  and  24  when there is a requirement to use two keys  150  and  152  to unlock the magazine doors  22  and  24  is depicted in FIGS. 17-20. The operator first pushes the keys  150  and  152  forwarded and latches the keys  150  and  152  into an extended position as shown in FIG.  6 A. The operator next rotates the handle  26  ninety degrees counter-clockwise to allow access to the internal locking device  20  two lock cylinders. The keys  150  and  152  are inserted into cylindrical shaped openings  34  and  36  within magazine door  22  which are adapted to receive the high security keys  150  and  152 . The guide slots  40  for each opening  34  and  36  insures that each key  150  and  152  is in the correct positioned for insertion into the lock cylinders for internal locking device  20 . 
     The operator next rotates the keys  150  and  152  counter-clockwise 180 degrees as is best indicated by arrow  154  (FIG.  19 ). The operator pushes the handle  26  inward until the handle  26  stops (as indicated by arrow  156 ) and rotates the handle  26  ninety degrees counter-clockwise (as indicated by arrow  158 ). The magazine doors  22  and  24  are now unlocked and may be opened by the operator. 
     The dual key locking procedure for the internal locking device  20  requires the operator to first rotate handle  26  ninety degrees clockwise, rotate the keys  150  and  152  one hundred eighty degrees clockwise and then remove the keys  150  and  152  from the magazine door  22 . The handle  26  is rotating an additional ninety degrees and the keys are retracted into the key housings as depicted in FIG.  6 B. 
     For a single lock, the unlocking and locking procedures are almost identical. To unlock device  20 , the operator rotates the operating handle 90 degrees counter clockwise to allow access to the lock cylinder, inserts key into the lock cylinder and rotates the key 180 degrees. The operator the handle inward until the handle stops and rotates the handle ninety degrees counter-clockwise which allows the operator to open the magazine doors and access the weapons storage facility. To lock device  20 , the operator rotates the handle ninety degrees clockwise, rotates the key 180 degrees counterclockwise, removes the key and then rotates the handle an additional ninety degrees clockwise. 
     From the foregoing it may readily be seen that the present invention comprises a new, unique and exceedingly useful internal locking device for use with the magazine doors of a weapons storage facility which constitutes a considerable improvement over the known prior art. Obviously, many modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.