Tamperproof lock for vending machines

Apparatus for securely locking the cabinet of a vending machine to prevent unauthorized access to the coin box and/or product being vended. The cabinet comprises a box-like housing having an access door hinged along one edge to a side wall of the cabinet. The opposite side wall from the one carrying the hinge includes a plurality of spaced-apart tubular members either integrally formed with the side wall or welded thereto along a length dimension thereof. Likewise, the edge of the door panel opposite the hinge also has spaced-apart tubular members along its length. The spacing between the tubular members on the cabinet's side panel and the door edge are such that when the door is closed, the tubes are longitudinally aligned with one another. An aperture is formed in the bottom wall in general alignment with the tubular members on the side panel allowing a locking rod to be inserted upwards through the aperture and into the central openings of the aligned tubes utilizing a special tool. The locking rod is fully contained within the cabinet. A key operated lock is mounted in the bottom panel of the cabinet and has an L-shaped hardened steel plate attached to the lock whereby when the key is inserted and turned, the plate can be made to assume a blocking disposition relative to the aperture, precluding access to the locking rod except by authorized persons having a key.