Patent ID: 8601838

Claim:
A locking mechanism for use in a storage container, the storage container including a center post, the locking mechanism comprising: an actuator coupled to the center post, the actuator being capable of moving the locking mechanism from a locked position where access to the storage container is prevented to an unlocked position in which access to the storage container is allowed; a sled disposed on the center post and operatively coupled to the actuator; a connecting mechanism for connecting the actuator to the sled; a lock positioned on the center post, the lock capable of being locked and unlocked; and a sled arresting mechanism operatively coupled to the sled and allowing movement of the sled on the center post when the lock is unlocked; wherein when the lock is unlocked and the actuator is moved in a vertical direction, the sled moves in the same direction as the actuator, thereby moving the sled arresting mechanism in a horizontal direction toward the lock, which causes the latch rod to unlock the storage container.