Patent Publication Number: US-9850694-B2

Title: Locking mechanisms for security containers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/660,134, filed Mar. 17, 2015 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/954,078 filed on Mar. 17, 2014, both entitled “Locking Mechanisms for Security Containers.” The entire disclosure of both references is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application generally relates to security containers, more particularly locking security containers and locking mechanisms for locking security containers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Locking security containers are used by end-users who need to secure items with a high degree of confidence. Conventional locking security containers may be utilized by end-users in satisfaction of certain specification including, for example, Federal Specification AA-F-358, which is directed to un-insulated filing cabinets that are designated to meet filing and storage criteria. Such locking security containers are resistant to covert and surreptitious entry. 
     Conventional locking security containers do not provide a visual indication as to whether the security container itself is locked or unlocked when latched. Accordingly, alternative locking security containers may be desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a locking mechanism includes a door with an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface, a handle assembly with a handle that is selectively repositionable between a locked handle position and an unlocked and latched handle position, an engagement bolt coupled to the handle assembly and slidably mounted to the interior facing surface of the door, a biasing member coupled to the engagement bolt, wherein the biasing member applies a force to the engagement bolt biasing the engagement bolt in an inward direction, and a lock comprising a lock housing and a locking bolt that is selectively repositionable between a locked position to inhibit translation of the engagement bolt and an unlocked position to allow translation of the engagement bolt. The handle is biased toward the unlocked and latched handle position with the locking bolt in the unlocked position. 
     In another embodiment, a locking cabinet includes a frame, a door slidably coupled to the frame, the door having an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface, a locking mechanism having a handle assembly comprising a handle that is selectively repositionable between a locked handle position, an unlocked and latched handle position, and an unlocked and unlatched handle position, a first engagement bolt coupled to the handle assembly and slidably mounted to the interior facing surface of the door. The first engagement bolt is selectively engaged with the frame. A second engagement bolt is coupled to the handle assembly and slidably mounted to the interior facing surface of the door. The second engagement bolt is selectively engaged with the frame. A biasing member is coupled to the first engagement bolt, such that the biasing member applies a force to the first engagement bolt biasing the first engagement bolt in an inward direction, and a lock comprising a lock housing and a locking bolt is selectively repositionable between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking bolt is in the unlocked position, the biasing member applies the force to the first engagement bolt, biasing the handle into the unlocked and latched handle position. 
     These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  schematically depicts a locking cabinet with a locking mechanism according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 2A  schematically depicts an outward facing surface of a door and a locking mechanism in a locked position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 2B  schematically depicts an inward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 2A  in the locked position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 2C  schematically depicts a perspective view of the inward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 2A  in the locked position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 3A  schematically depicts the outward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 2A  in an unlocked and latched position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 3B  schematically depicts the inward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 3A  in the unlocked and latched position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 3C  schematically depicts a perspective view of the inward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 3A  in the unlocked and latched position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 4A  schematically depicts the outward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 2A  in an unlocked and unlatched position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 4B  schematically depicts the inward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 4A  in the unlocked and unlatched position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 4C  schematically depicts a perspective view of the inward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 4A  in the unlocked and unlatched position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 4D  schematically depicts a perspective view of the inward facing surface of the door, a latch, and a locking mechanism in the unlocked and unlatched position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 5A  schematically depicts the inward facing surface of the door and a locking mechanism in a locked position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 5B  schematically depicts the inward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 5A  in an unlocked and unlatched position according to one or more embodiment shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 6A  schematically depicts the inward facing surface of the door and a locking mechanism in a locked position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; 
         FIG. 6B  schematically depicts the inward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 6A  in an unlocked and latched position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein; and 
         FIG. 6C  schematically depicts the inward facing surface of the door and the locking mechanism of  FIG. 6A  in an unlocked and unlatched position according to one or more embodiments shown or described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various security containers, for example filing cabinets, are used to store sensitive documents and/or materials for personal, commercial, and government applications. The security containers include a locking mechanism that may selectively be locked or unlocked to allow selectively restricted access to the security cabinet. Conventional designs of locking mechanisms for security containers do not provide indication of whether a security cabinet is locked or unlocked. Such convention designs of locking mechanisms therefore require periodic manual inspection to verify the locked/unlocked status of the locking mechanism. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to locking mechanisms for security cabinets, and in particular to locking mechanisms for security cabinets that provide a visual indication of whether the security cabinet is locked or unlocked. The security containers include a handle assembly that is coupled to the locking mechanism. The handle assembly may be positioned in at least three positions corresponding to the security container being locked and latched; being unlocked and latched; and being unlocked and unlatched. Because the handle assembly is positioned in these plurality of positions that correspond to the lock and latch status of the locking mechanism, indication of the lock and latch status of the locking mechanism may be readily understood by visual inspection. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a locking cabinet  90  includes a locking mechanism  100 , a door  101 , and a frame  102 . The door  101  and the locking mechanism may be included as part of a drawer of the locking cabinet  90 . The door  101  is slidably coupled to the frame  102  such that the door is selectively positionable within the frame  102 . The locking cabinet  90  may be utilized to store documents and/or valuables and the locking mechanism  100  provides selective access to the locking cabinet  90 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the locking mechanism  100  includes a lock  103  and a handle assembly  104  including a handle  105  positioned on an exterior facing surface  106  of the door  101 . A user may selectively position the handle assembly  104  to obtain access to an interior of the locking cabinet  90  ( FIG. 1 ), as will be described in greater detail herein. Through selective positioning of the handle assembly  104 , the locking mechanism  100  has at least a locked handle position, an unlocked and latched handle position, and an unlocked and unlatched handle position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , the locking mechanism  100  includes an engagement bolt and a lock. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes a first engagement bolt  107 , a second engagement bolt  108 , and a lock  103 . The first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  are pivotally coupled to a cam  118  of the handle assembly  104 . The first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  are selectively positioned to engage the frame  102 , and are maintained in an engaged position by the lock  103 . In the depicted embodiments, the lock  103  of the locking mechanism  100  includes a dial  109  ( FIG. 2A ), a lock housing  110 , and a locking bolt  111 . The dial  109  ( FIG. 2A ) of the lock  103  is positioned on the exterior facing surface  106  of the door  101  and the lock housing  110  and the locking bolt  111  of the lock  103  are positioned on an interior facing surface  112  of the door  101  opposite of the exterior facing surface  106 . 
     The locking bolt  111  of the lock  103  selectively extends outward from the lock housing  110  to a locked position, as shown in  FIG. 2B , and may be selectively retracted at least partially into the lock housing  110  to an unlocked position. 
     The dial  109  ( FIG. 2A ) of the lock  103  may be manipulated by a user. To change the locking bolt  111  from the locked position to the unlocked position, a user inputs a rotational sequence using the dial  109 . The rotational sequence of the dial  109  is communicated to a tumbler (not depicted) of the lock  103 . If the user inputs the correct sequence to the tumbler using the dial  109 , the locking bolt  111  retracts from the locked position to the unlocked position. If the user does not input the correct sequence using the dial  109 , the locking bolt  111  remains in the locked position, as shown in  FIG. 2B . In one embodiment the lock  103  is an electro-mechanical lock that meets United States General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Standard FF-L-2740. In another embodiment, the lock  103  may be a mechanical lock that meets United States GSA Federal Standard FF-L-2937. In other embodiments, the locking bolt  111  changes from the locked position to the unlocked position when so-selected by a key inserted into the lock  103 , by the input of a sequence using a keypad (not depicted), by the input of biometric information, or by other inputs known in the art. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2B , the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  are slidably mounted on the door  101 . The first engagement bolt  107  selectively extends outward from the door  101  in an outward direction  113 . Similarly, the second engagement bolt  108  selectively extends outward from the door  101  in an outward direction  114 . 
     The locking mechanism includes an engagement leg that is pivotally coupled to the cam  118  and at least one of the first engagement leg  115  and the second engagement leg  116 . A first engagement leg  115  and a second engagement leg  116  are coupled to the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108 , respectively. The first engagement leg  115  and the second engagement leg  116  are pivotally coupled to the cam  118  of the handle assembly  104 , thereby coupling the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  to the cam  118 . The first engagement leg  115  and the second engagement leg  116  may be generally rigid bodies that transfer force to reposition the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  without deformation. 
     The locking mechanism  100  includes a biasing member. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism  100  includes a first biasing member  117 . The first biasing member  117  is positioned towards the interior facing surface  112  of the door  101 . The first biasing member  117  is coupled to the door  101  and to the first engagement leg  115 , which is coupled to the first engagement bolt  107 . The first biasing member  117  applies a force to the first engagement leg  115  that biases the first engagement leg  115  in an inward direction  121 . The first biasing member  117  applies a force to the first engagement bolt  107  through the first engagement leg  115  that biases the first engagement bolt  107  in the inward direction  121  (i.e., in a direction away from engagement with the frame  102 ). In embodiments, the first biasing member  117  is a tension spring. In alternative embodiments, the first biasing member  117  may be a torsion spring or a compression spring, acting to bias the first engagement leg  115 , and thus the first engagement bolt  107 , in the inward direction  121 . 
     As described above, the locking mechanism  100  includes the handle assembly  104 , a portion of which is positioned towards the interior facing surface  112  of the door  101  and a portion of which is positioned towards the exterior facing surface  106  ( FIG. 2A ) of the door  101 . Referring to  FIG. 2A , the handle assembly  104  includes a handle  105  positioned on the exterior facing surface  106  of the door  101 . The handle  105  may have a generally elongated shape that may be gripped by a user&#39;s hand. In the depicted embodiment, the handle  105  pivots in direction  123 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , the handle assembly  104  further includes the cam  118  coupled to the handle  105  and positioned towards the interior facing surface  112  of the door  101 . Referring collectively to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the cam  118  is coupled to the handle  105  such that when the handle  105  pivots towards direction  123 , the cam  118  pivots in direction  124 . Likewise, when the cam  118  pivots in direction  124 , the handle  105  pivots in direction  123 . As depicted in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , direction  123  is shown as the clockwise direction and direction  124  is shown as the counter-clockwise direction. However it should be understood that direction  123  and direction  124  depict the same direction of rotation with different frames of reference with respect to door  101 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2B , the cam  118  is pivotally coupled to the first engagement leg  115  and the second engagement leg  116 . As the cam  118  pivots in direction  124 , the first engagement leg  115  and the second engagement leg  116  are repositioned following the direction of movement of the cam  118 . As the cam  118  pivots in direction  124 , the first engagement leg  115  is repositioned in the inward direction  121 . As the first engagement leg  115  is repositioned in the inward direction  121 , the first engagement bolt  107  is repositioned in the inward direction  121 . Similarly, as the cam  118  pivots in direction  124 , the second engagement leg  116  is repositioned in the inward direction  122 . As the second engagement leg  116  is repositioned in the inward direction  122 , the second engagement bolt  108  is repositioned in the inward direction  122 . 
     In embodiments, the locking cabinet  90  further includes a second biasing member  119  mounted towards the interior facing surface  112  of the door  101 . In  FIGS. 2B-4C , the second biasing member  119  is a plunger spring assembly having a spring-loaded plunger  132  that extends outwards of a housing  130 . In alternative embodiments, the second biasing member  119  may be a torsion spring or a tension spring. The second biasing member  119  is positioned to engage a surface  120  of the cam  118  as the cam  118  pivots in direction  124 . While the surface  120  of the cam  118  is depicted as a faceted surface, it should be understood that the surface  120  having a variety of shapes may be incorporated into the locking mechanism  100 , including surfaces having a generally cylindrical configuration, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The second biasing member  119  is positioned such that the second biasing member  119  does not contact the surface  120  of the cam  118  when the locking mechanism  100  is in the locked position, as shown in  FIG. 2B . When the locking mechanism  100  is outside of the locked position (i.e., when the handle assembly  104  is moving towards the unlocked and unlatched position), the second biasing member  119  contacts the surface  120  of the cam  118 . 
     The second biasing member  119  may be mounted on the interior facing surface  112  of the door  101  by a pair of jam nuts  140  that engage threads on the second biasing member  119 . By mounting the second biasing member  119  using the pair of jam nuts  140 , the linear position of the second biasing member  119  may be adjusted in the inward direction  122  or the outward direction  114  to adjust the position of the second biasing member  119  in relation to the cam  118 , thereby accommodating various positions of the cam  118 . The second biasing member  119  may be positioned such that the second biasing member  119  is free from contact with the cam  118  when the handle assembly  104  is positioned in the locked handle position ( FIG. 2B ) and/or the unlocked and latched handle position ( FIG. 3B ). When the handle assembly  104  is repositioned away from the unlocked and latched handle position ( FIG. 3B ) towards the unlocked and unlatched handle position ( FIG. 4B ), the cam  118  will come into contact with the second biasing member  119 . Therefore, when the handle assembly  104  is positioned outside of the unlocked and latched handle position towards the unlocked and unlatched handle position, the second biasing member  119  will apply a biasing force to the cam  118  in a direction that tends to return the cam  118  to the unlocked and latched handle position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4D , the locking mechanism may also include a latch  125 . The latch  125  is coupled to the door  101  and is positioned towards the interior facing surface  112  of the door  101 . In the depicted embodiment, the latch  125  is positioned proximate to the second engagement bolt  108 . The latch  125  is configured to engage the second engagement bolt  108  when the locking mechanism  100  is in the unlocked and unlatched position. In the depicted embodiments, the latch  125  is biased in direction  126  toward the exterior facing surface  106  of the door  101 , and the latch  125  engages a recess  128  in the second engagement bolt  108 . As the latch  125  engages the second engagement bolt  108  when the locking mechanism  100  is in the unlocked and unlatched position, the latch  125  retains the second engagement bolt  108  in the unlocked and latched position. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2B , the latch  125  includes a tab  127  that extends outward from the door  101 . When the door  101  is returned to a closed state in the locking cabinet  90 , the tab  127  contacts the frame  102  of the locking cabinet  90 . As the tab  127  contacts the frame  102  of the locking cabinet  90 , the frame  102  applies a force to the tab  127  that deflects the latch  125 . The deflection of the tab  127  by the frame  102  overcomes the biasing force of the latch  125  relies on to engage the second engagement bolt  108 , thereby causing the latch  125  to disengage the second engagement bolt  108 , and allowing the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  to return to an unlocked and latched state. 
     The operation of the locking mechanism  100  transitioning between the locked position, the unlocked and latched position, and the unlocked and unlatched position will now be described. As depicted in  FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C , the locking mechanism  100  is in the locked position. The first engagement bolt  107  extends outward from the door  101  and engages the frame  102  of the locking cabinet  90 . The second engagement bolt  108  extends outward from the door  101  and engages the frame  102  of the locking cabinet  90 . With the first engagement bolt  107  engaged with the frame  102 , and the second engagement bolt  108  engaged with the frame  102 , the door  101  of the locking mechanism  100  is retained in place. Further, the locking bolt  111  is extended from the lock housing  110 , preventing translation of the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108 , and thereby preventing access to an interior portion of the locking cabinet  90 . While the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2B and 2C  depict the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  engaging the frame  102  by extending behind the frame  102 , other embodiments of retaining the door  101  in place are contemplated. For example, the frame  102  may include a first aperture (not depicted) and a second aperture (not depicted). The first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  may be extended within the first aperture and the second aperture of the frame  102 , respectively. 
     In an additional embodiment, the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  may engage a first vertical bar (not depicted) and a second vertical bar (not depicted) within the frame  102 , where the first vertical bar and the second vertical bar control access to other doors of the locking cabinet  90  (see  FIG. 1 ). Accordingly, the locking mechanism  100  may be used to control access to multiple doors of a locking cabinet  90 . 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 2A , when the locking mechanism  100  is in the locked position, the handle  105  of the handle assembly  104  is in a locked handle position. In particular, in the locked handle position, the handle  105  is oriented in a first rotational position, which may be in a horizontal direction or a near horizontal direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C , the locking mechanism  100  is depicted in the unlocked and latched position. In the unlocked and latched position, the locking bolt  111  of the lock  103  is retracted and maintained in an unlocked position, in which the locking bolt  111  of the lock  103  is retracted away from the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108 . With the locking bolt  111  in the unlocked position, the first biasing member  117  draws the first engagement leg  115  in the inward direction  121 . As the first biasing member  117  draws the first engagement leg  115  in inward direction  121 , the first engagement leg  115  draws the first engagement bolt  107  in inward direction  121 . As the first engagement bolt  107  is drawn in inward direction  121 , the first engagement bolt  107  is at least partially withdrawn from the frame  102 . 
     The repositioning of the first engagement leg  115  by the first biasing member  117  also causes the cam  118  to pivot in direction  124  as the cam  118  is pivotally coupled to the first engagement leg  115 . As the cam  118  pivots, the cam  118  draws the second engagement leg  116  in the inward direction  122 . As the second engagement leg  116  is drawn in the inward direction  122 , the second engagement bolt  108  is at least partially retracted from the frame  102 . 
     As the cam  118  pivots, a surface  120  of the cam  118  may be brought into contact with the second biasing member  119 . The second biasing member  119  exerts a force on the surface  120  of the cam  118  opposing the rotation of the cam  118  in direction  124 . As the surface  120  of the cam  118  is brought into contact with the second biasing member  119 , the second biasing member  119  applies a force to the cam  118  in a direction in opposition to the force exerted on the cam  118  from the first biasing member  117  through the first engagement leg  115 . The opposing biases of the first biasing member  117  and the second biasing member  119  maintain the position of the cam  118  such that the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  are maintained in a partially retracted position from the frame  102 . 
     While the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  are partially retracted from the frame  102 , the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  remain at least partially engaged with the frame  102 , thereby latching the door  101  to the frame  102 . 
     As the cam  118  is rotated by the first biasing member  117  through the first engagement leg  115 , the cam  118  pivots the handle  105  of the handle assembly  104  about the cam  118 . As the cam  118  pivots the handle  105 , the handle  105  pivots in direction  123  from the position of the handle  105  in the locked handle position, such that the handle  105  is no longer oriented in the first rotational position and is instead oriented in a second rotational position in the unlocked and latched handle position. Accordingly, based on the position of the handle  105 , the status of the locking mechanism  100  as being outside of the locked handle position is readily visible to an observer. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D , one embodiment of the locking mechanism  100  is depicted in the unlocked and unlatched position. The locking bolt  111  of the lock  103  is maintained in the unlocked position, and the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  are fully retracted from the frame  102 , allowing the door  101  to be disengaged from the frame  102  so that an interior of the locking cabinet  90  may be accessed. 
     To retract the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  from the frame  102 , a user may manipulate the handle  105  of the handle assembly  104  to pivot in direction  123  from the unlocked and latched position. As the handle  105  pivots about the cam  118 , the handle  105  causes the cam  118  to pivot in direction  124 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 4A , in the unlocked and unlatched handle position, the handle  105  is oriented in a third rotational position. 
     To unlatch the locking cabinet  90 , enough force must be applied to the handle  105  to overcome the biasing force of the second biasing member  119  on the cam  118 . As the cam  118  is rotated into the unlatched position by the handle  105 , the cam  118  repositions the first engagement leg  115  in the inward direction  121 , and the second engagement leg  116  in the inward direction  122 . The cam  118  repositions the first engagement leg  115  in the inward direction  121 , and the first engagement leg  115  consequently repositions the first engagement bolt  107  in the inward direction  121 . Similarly, the cam  118  repositions the second engagement leg  116  in the inward direction  122 , and the second engagement leg  116  consequently repositions the second engagement bolt  108  in the inward direction  122 . 
     In the unlocked and unlatched position, the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  are fully withdrawn within the door  101 . As the second engagement bolt  108  is drawn in the inward direction  122 , the latch  125  engages the second engagement bolt  108 . As the latch  125  engages the second engagement bolt  108 , the latch  125  maintains the position of the second engagement bolt  108  as being retracted within the door  101 , thereby maintaining the second engagement bolt  108  in the unlocked and unlatched position. By maintaining the position of the second engagement bolt  108 , the latch  125  opposes the biasing force of the second biasing member  119 . 
     As the latch  125  retains the position of the second engagement bolt  108 , the latch  125  maintains the position of the cam  118  in the unlocked and unlatched position through the second engagement leg  116 . As the cam  118  is maintained in position, the cam  118  maintains the position of the first engagement leg  115  in a retracted position. As the position of the first engagement leg  115  is maintained in the unlocked and unlatched position by the cam  118 , the first engagement leg  115  maintains the position of the first engagement bolt  107  in the unlocked and unlatched position, with the first engagement bolt  107  fully withdrawn within the door  101 . Accordingly, the latch  125  acts to maintain the positions of the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  in the unlocked and unlatched position. 
     With the first engagement bolt  107  and the second engagement bolt  108  fully withdrawn within the door  101 , the interior of the locking cabinet  90  may be accessed by pulling the door  101  away from the frame  102 . 
     When the door  101  is pushed back into the frame  102  in the unlocked and unlatched position, the tab  127  of the latch  125  engages the frame  102 . As the tab  127  engages the frame  102 , the tab  127  of the latch  125  causes the latch  125  to disengage from the second engagement bolt  108 . As the latch  125  disengages from the second engagement bolt  108 , the second biasing member  119  causes the cam  118  to pivot in direction  129  opposite of direction  124 . As the cam  118  is pivoted in direction  129 , the cam  118  returns the locking mechanism  100  to the unlocked and latched position, as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , in another embodiment, the locking mechanism  200  includes a second biasing member  219  that is pivotally coupled to a cam  220  of a handle assembly  204 . As described above with respect to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the locking mechanism  200  includes the first engagement bolt  107  coupled to the first engagement leg  115  and the second engagement bolt  108  coupled to the second engagement leg  116 . The first engagement leg  115  and the second engagement leg  116  are pivotally coupled to the cam  220 . In this embodiment, the second biasing member  219  is coupled to the cam  220 . 
     The second biasing member  219  positioned on a guide  230  that is pivotally coupled to the cam  220  and is slidably inserted into a bracket  231  that is coupled to the door  101 . In embodiments, the second biasing member  219  may include a compression spring. The bracket  231  includes a surface  232  that is positioned proximate to the second biasing member  219 . The second biasing member  219  is positioned to engage the surface  232  of the bracket  231  as the cam  220  pivots in direction  124 . The second biasing member  219  is positioned such that the second biasing member  219  does not contact the surface of the bracket  231  when the locking mechanism  100  is in the locked position, as shown in  FIG. 5A . When the locking mechanism  200  is outside of the locked position (i.e., when the handle assembly  204  is moving towards the unlocked and unlatched position), the second biasing member  219  contacts the surface  232  of the bracket  231 . 
     In operation, similar to the embodiment described above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-4D , the handle  105  of the locking mechanism  200  is selectively positioned between the locked handle position, the unlocked and latched handle position, and the unlocked an unlatched handle position, in which the handle  105  is oriented in the first rotational position, the second rotational position, and the third rotational position, respectively. In particular, as the locking bolt  111  of the lock retracts into the lock housing  110  of the lock  103 , the first biasing member  117 , which is coupled to the first engagement bolt  107  through the first engagement leg  115 , causes the first engagement bolt  107  to translate in the inward direction  121 . Translation of the first engagement leg  115  in the inward direction  121  causes the cam  220  to rotate in the direction  124 , thereby causing the second engagement leg  116  and the second engagement bolt to translate in the inward direction  122 . Rotation of the cam  220  in direction  124  causes the guide  230  and the second biasing member  219  to translate and contact and engage the surface  232  of the bracket  231 . 
     Upon contact with the bracket  231 , the second biasing member  219  applies a force to the cam  220  that opposes the first biasing member  117 . In this way, the second biasing member  219  acts to maintain the locking mechanism in the unlocked and latched position, as describe above with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C . By rotating the handle  205  ( FIG. 4A ), a user may reposition the locking mechanism  200  into the unlocked and latched position, as described above with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4D . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A , in another embodiment, the locking mechanism  300  includes a first biasing member  317  that is coupled to a cam  320  of the handle assembly  304 . As described above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-4C , the locking mechanism  300  includes the first engagement bolt  107  coupled to the first engagement leg  115  and the second engagement bolt  108  coupled to the second engagement leg  116 . Similarly, the first engagement leg  115  and the second engagement leg  116  are pivotally coupled to the cam  320 . The locking mechanism  300  includes the second biasing member  319  coupled to the cam  320  and positioned on the guide  330  that is slidably inserted into the bracket  331 . In this embodiment, the first biasing member  317  is coupled to the cam  320  and the door  101 . 
     The first biasing member  317  is coupled to the cam  320  and the bracket  331  of the door  101  and applies a rotational force to the cam  320  biasing the cam  320  to a rotational position. In embodiments, the first biasing member  317  may include a torsion spring coupled to the cam  320  and the bracket  331 . In particular, the first biasing member  317  may bias the cam  320  to rotate in direction  124  such that the first engagement leg  115  and thus the first engagement bolt  107  translate inward in the inward direction  121 . Similarly, the first biasing member may bias the cam  320  to rotate such that the second engagement leg  116  and thus the second engagement bolt  108  translates inward in the inward direction  122 . 
     In operation, similar to the embodiment described above with respect to  FIGS. 2A-4D , the handle  105  of the locking mechanism  300  is selectively positioned between the locked handle position, the unlocked and latched handle position, and the unlocked an unlatched handle position, in which the handle  105  is oriented in the first rotational position, the second rotational position, and the third rotational position, respectively. Referring to  FIG. 6B , as the locking bolt  111  of the lock retracts into the lock housing  110  of the lock  103 , the first biasing member  317  causes the cam  320  to rotate in direction  124 . As the first engagement bolt  107  is coupled to the cam  320  through the first engagement leg  115 , the first biasing member  317  causes the first engagement bolt  107  to translate in the inward direction  121 . Similarly, through rotation of the cam  320  in the direction  124 , the first biasing member  317  causes the second engagement leg  116  and the second engagement bolt to translate in the inward direction  122 . Rotation of the cam  320  in direction  124  causes the guide  330  and the second biasing member  319  to translate and contact and engage the surface  332  of the bracket  331 . 
     Upon contact with the bracket  331 , the second biasing member  319  applies a force to the cam  320  that opposes the first biasing member  317 . In this way, the second biasing member  319  acts to maintain the locking mechanism in the unlocked and latched position, as describe above with respect to  FIGS. 3A-3C . Referring to  FIG. 6C , by rotating the handle  205  ( FIG. 4A ), a user may reposition the locking mechanism  300  into the unlocked and latched position, as described above with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4D . 
     It should now be understood that security containers according to the present disclosure include a locking mechanism that provides a visual indication of whether the security cabinet is locked or unlocked. The security containers include a handle assembly that is coupled to the locking mechanism. The handle assembly may be positioned in at least three positions corresponding to the security container being locked and latched; being unlocked and latched; and being unlocked and unlatched. The handle assembly may include a first and a second spring that selectively position the handle assembly between the plurality of positions through selective contact with the components of the lock mechanism. Because the handle assembly is positioned in these plurality of positions that correspond to the lock and latch status of the locking mechanism, indication of the lock and latch status of the locking mechanism may be understood by visual inspection. 
     It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.