Pilfer and vandalism resistant hasp locking mechanism

An apparatus for securing a first component to a second component, the first and second components forming an enclosure when engaged, the apparatus comprising:

• a hasp having a hasp key aperture, the hasp operable to couple to the first component;
• a flange having a lock hole, the flange operable to couple to the second component such that when the first and second components are engaged the flange is disposed proximate the hasp key aperture;
• a mounting bracket operably coupled to the flange, the mounting bracket operable to couple the flange to the enclosure;
• a spacer plate operably coupled to the mounting bracket;
• a hasp key having an engagement mechanism and a lock hole, the hasp key operable to pass through a hasp key opening in the enclosure thereby enabling the engagement mechanism to engage the hasp key aperture and the lock holes to generally align with one another such that a lock may be fixed thereto, securing the enclosure;
• a cover plate having a T-handle aperture and a flange with a lock hole disposed therein, the cover plate operable to engage the spacer plate;
• and
• a T-handle cover having a flange and a lock hole therein, the T-handle cover operable to engage the T-handle aperture such that the respective lock holes generally align.

An apparatus for securing a first component to a second component, the first and second components forming an enclosure when engaged, the apparatus comprising:

• a hasp having a hasp key aperture, the hasp operable to couple to the first component;
• a flange having a lock hole, the flange operable to couple to the second component such that when the first and second components are engaged the flange is disposed proximate the hasp key aperture;
• a hasp key having an engagement mechanism and a lock hole, the hasp key operable to pass through a hasp key opening in the enclosure thereby enabling the engagement mechanism to engage the hasp key aperture and the lock holes to generally align with one another such that a lock may be fixed thereto, securing the enclosure;
• a hinge plate having a pivot post;
• and
• a pivot aperture disposed on the hasp, the pivot aperture operably coupled to the pivot post such that the hasp is operable to pivot between a safety position and an operating position.

A vending machine comprising:

• a cabinet having an opening enabling access to an internal compartment of the cabinet;
• a door operably coupled to the cabinet, the door operable to cover at least a portion of the opening;
• and
• a first locking mechanism operable to secure the door and cabinet in a closed position, the locking mechanism including:
• an inner hasp mounted internal to the vending machine, the inner hasp having a hasp key aperture;
• a mounting bracket operably coupled to the vending machine, the mounting bracket coupled such that when the door engages the cabinet the mounting bracket is disposed proximate the inner hasp;
• a flange having a lock hole, the flange coupled to the mounting bracket such that the flange is disposed proximate the hasp key aperture of the inner hasp when the door engages the cabinet;
• and
• a hasp key having a lock hole therein, the hasp key operable to engage the hasp key aperture on the inner hasp such that the lock hole on the hasp key generally aligns with the lock hole on the flange, enabling the door and the cabinet to be locked in the closed position.

A vending machine comprising:

• a cabinet having an opening enabling access to an internal compartment of the cabinet;
• a door operably coupled to the cabinet, the door operable to cover at least a portion of the opening;
• a first locking mechanism operable to secure the door and cabinet in a closed position, the locking mechanism including:
• an inner hasp mounted internal to the vending machine, the inner hasp having a hasp key aperture;
• a mounting bracket operably coupled to the vending machine, the mounting bracket coupled such that when the door engages the cabinet the mounting bracket is disposed proximate the inner hasp;
• a flange having a lock hole, the flange coupled to the mounting bracket such that the flange is disposed proximate the hasp key aperture of the inner hasp when the door engages the cabinet;
• and
• a hasp key having a lock hole therein, the hasp key operable to engage the hasp key aperture on the inner hasp such that the lock hole on the hasp key generally aligns with the lock hole on the flange, enabling the door and the cabinet to be locked in the closed position;
• a cover plate operably coupled to the vending machine proximate a currency collection point, the cover plate having a T-handle access aperture, a flange and a lock hole in the flange;
• a T-handle cover having a flange and lock hole in the flange;
• and
• the T-handle cover operable to engage the T-handle access aperture such that the respective lock holes generally align, enabling a lock to be secured thereto.

A vending machine comprising:

• a cabinet having an opening enabling access to an internal compartment of the cabinet;
• a door operably coupled to the cabinet, the door operable to cover at least a portion of the opening;
• a first locking mechanism operable to secure the door and cabinet in a closed position, the locking mechanism including:
• an inner hasp mounted internal to the vending machine, the inner hasp having a hasp key aperture;
• a mounting bracket operably coupled to the vending machine, the mounting bracket coupled such that when the door engages the cabinet the mounting bracket is disposed proximate the inner hasp;
• a flange having a lock hole, the flange coupled to the mounting bracket such that the flange is disposed proximate the hasp key aperture of the inner hasp when the door engages the cabinet;
• and
• a hasp key having a lock hole therein, the hasp key operable to engage the hasp key aperture on the inner hasp such that the lock hole on the hasp key generally aligns with the lock hole on the flange, enabling the door and the cabinet to be locked in the closed position;
• a hinge plate having a pivot post disposed thereon, the hinge plate operably coupled internal to the vending machine;
• and
• a pivot aperture disposed in the inner hasp, the pivot aperture operable to engage the pivot post such that the inner hasp may assume at least a safety position and an operating position.

A method for securing an enclosure comprising:

• passing a hasp key through a hasp key opening in the enclosure, the hasp key having an engagement mechanism and a lock hole;
• engaging the engagement mechanism with a hasp key aperture on a hasp operably coupled to the enclosure, the hasp being disposed internally of the enclosure;
• and
• aligning the lock hole on the hasp key with a lock hole on a flange operably coupled to the enclosure.

A method for securing an enclosure comprising:

• passing a hasp key through a hasp key opening in the enclosure, the hasp key having an engagement mechanism and a lock hole;
• engaging the engagement mechanism with a hasp key aperture on a hasp operably coupled to the enclosure;
• aligning the lock hole on the hasp key with a lock hole on a flange operably coupled to the enclosure;
• disposing a T-handle cover proximate a T-handle aperture on a cover plate operably coupled to the enclosure such that a lock hole on the T-handle cover and a lock hole on the cover plate are generally aligned;
• and
• coupling a lock through the generally aligned lock holes.