LOCK SYSTEM FOR A HORIZONTAL LOCKING BOX

A lock system (22) for a horizontal tool box wherein the latching mechanism for the lid (26) may be operated from the proximal end of the toolbox and locking is achieved by means of a single padlock (50) which is likewise located at the proximal end (46) of the toolbox. An elongated latch rod (80) is slidably disposed adjacent a front wall of either the body or lid components of the box. Latching portions of the latch rod (80) 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 latc h rod (80) being slidably disposed to engage or disengage each locking point substantially simultaneously. The padlock (50) and the elongated latch rod (80) are disposed such that the padlock body (52) blocks the longitudinal movement of the proximal end of the latch rod (80) and maintains the latch r od (80) in the latched position when the body components are in the closed position and the padlock (50) is locked, but the proximal end of the latch r od (80) passes between the shackle and the padlock body (52) to move the latch rod (80) to the release position when the padlock (50) is unlocked.