Hidden latch security override system

A utility box with a security override system comprising:

• an outer door;
• a first hasp portion mounted within said box and extending through a first opening in said outer door;
• a second hasp portion connected to a bracket;
• said bracket slideably mounted within said box such that said second hasp portion extends through a second opening in said outer door, said sliding of said bracket being governed by a disguised hinge latch which is connected to said outer door and extends through said bracket and a third opening in said outer door and is movable between a holding position and a released position;
• said bracket being moveable between a closed position wherein said second hasp portion mates with said first hasp portion to form a padlock receiving portion for locking said outer door with a padlock and an open position wherein said second hasp portion does not mate with said first hasp portion;
• and
• wherein said outer door can be unlocked by moving said disguised latch to said released position so as to permit movement of said bracket into said open position for removing a locked padlock inserted in said padlock receiving section without first unlocking said padlock.

A method of overriding a security system for a locked box comprising the steps of:

• (a) moving a disguised latch connected to an outer door of said box from a holding position wherein said disguised latch extends through a slideable bracket and an opening in said outer door to a released position wherein said disguised latch is behind said outer door;
• (b) moving a second hasp portion connected to said bracket and extending through an opening in said outer door of said box from a closed position, wherein said second hasp portion mates with a first hasp portion fixedly connected to said box and extending through an opening in said outer door of said box to form a padlock receiving section, to an open position wherein said second hasp portion does not mate with said first hasp portion, said sliding of said bracket being governed by said disguised latch;
• and
• (c) removing a locked padlock inserted in said padlock receiving section without first unlocking said padlock and opening said outer door.

A security override system for a box with an outer door held shut by a locked padlock comprising:

• a fixed hasp portion adapted to be fixedly attached within a box and adapted to extend outside said box through an opening in said outer door;
• a slideable hasp portion adapted to be mounted to said outer door and movable between a closed position, wherein said slideable hasp portion mates with said fixed hasp portion to form an opening for an unlocked padlock to be passed therethrough, and an open position wherein there is a gap between said slideable hasp portion and said fixed hasp portion such that a locked padlock can pass therethrough;
• a disguised latch adapted to be mounted to said outer door and movable between a holding position and a released position;
• wherein said disguised latch prevents said slideable hasp portion from being moved from said closed position to said open position when said disguised latch is in said holding position;
• and
• wherein said slideable hasp portion is movable from said closed position to said open position when said disguised latch is in said released position such that said locked padlock can pass through said gap between said slideable hasp portion and said fixed hasp portion and said outer door can be opened without having to first unlock said locked padlock.