Self-adjusting lock assembly

A self-adjusting lock assembly for securely affixing a first movable member to a second fixed member, said lock assembly comprising:

• A. a latching stud assembly comprising
• a. a holding bracket mounted to one of said members and comprising an enlarged aperture formed therein,
• b. a latch-engaging, keeper stud co-operatively engaged with the holding bracket for secure retained engagement therewith and comprising
• 1. an enlarged head portion comprising a diameter greater than the diameter of the enlarged aperture of the holding bracket and an elongated body portion extending from the head portion comprising a substantially cylindrical shape having a diameter which is substantially smaller than the diameter of the aperture formed in-the holding bracket, and
• 2. incorporating a plurality of radially extending teeth formed on the body portion thereof, whereby the keeper stud is capable of lateral movement within the aperture of the holding bracket, while being incapable of longitudinal movement therethrough;
• and
• B. a latch assembly comprising
• a. a first jaw plate incorporating
• 1. an arcuately curved stud-engaging jaw portion formed thereon and constructed for partially encircling the body portion of the keeper stud and being retainingly engaged between two adjacent radially extending teeth thereof, and
• 2. a movement control arm integrally formed thereon and constructed for enabling longitudinal movement of the first jaw plate in its entirety,
• b. a second jaw plate incorporating
• 1. an arcuately curved stud-engaging jaw portion formed thereon and constructed for partially encircling the body portion of the keeper stud and being retainingly engaged between two adjacent radially extending teeth thereof, in cooperating relationship with the stud engaging jaw portion of the first jaw plate, whereby the body portion of the keeper stud is substantially encircled by said jaw portions, and
• 2. a movement control arm integrally formed thereon and constructed for enabling longitudinal movement of the second jaw plate in its entirety,
• C. a first holding plate cooperatively aligned with the first jaw plate and the second jaw plate and incorporating a support arm integrally attached thereto and co-operatively associated with a control member for enabling the control member to arcuately pivot and controllably move the first jaw plate and second jaw plate in opposite longitudinal directions;
• and
• D. a control member
• a. co-operatively engaged with the control arm of the first jaw plate and the control arm of the second jaw plate and constructed for causing simultaneous, longitudinal movement of the first jaw plate and the second jaw plate when activated, and
• b. comprising an elongated arm affixed at one end to the movement control arm of the first jaw plate for controlled movement thereof, affixed at its opposed end to the movement control arm of the second jaw plate for controlled motion thereof, and pivotally mounted substantially midway along its length to the support arm of the first holding plate, whereby said control arm is capable of arcuately pivoting substantially about its midpoint for simultaneously controlling the longitudinal movement of the first jaw plate and the second jaw plate in opposite directions;
• whereby a lock assembly is achieved which provides a controlled secure affixation of the stud assembly with the latch assembly by peripherally surrounding and engaging the radially extending teeth of the body portion of the keeper stud regardless of position or orientation.

A self-adjusting lock assembly for securely affixing a keeper stud with a latch assembly, said latch assembly comprising:

• A. a first jaw plate incorporating
• a. an arcuately curved stud-engaging jaw portion formed thereon and constructed for partially encircling the body portion of the keeper stud and being retainingly engaged between two adjacent radially extending teeth thereof, and
• b. a movement control arm integrally formed thereon and constructed for enabling longitudinal movement of the first jaw plate in its entirety,
• B. a second jaw plate incorporating
• a. an arcuately curved stud-engaging jaw portion formed thereon and constructed for partially encircling the body portion of the keeper stud and being retainingly engaged between two adjacent radially extending teeth thereof, in cooperating relationship with the stud engaging jaw portion of the first jaw plate, whereby the body portion of the keeper stud is substantially encircled by said jaw portions, and
• b. a movement control arm integrally formed thereon and constructed for enabling longitudinal movement of the second jaw plate in its entirety, and
• C. a control member co-operatively engaged with the control arm of the first jaw plate and the control arm of the second jaw plate and constructed for causing simultaneous, longitudinal movement of the first jaw plate and the second jaw plate when activated.

A self-adjusting locking system for securely affixing a storage box/tool box cover to a storage base, said locking system comprising:

• A. a first lock assembly comprising:
• a. a first latching stud assembly comprising
• 1. a first holding bracket mounted to said cover and comprising an enlarged aperture formed therein,
• 2. a first latch-engaging, keeper stud co-operatively engaged with the holding bracket for secure retained engagement therewith and comprising an enlarged head portion and an elongated body portion extending from the head portion, and incorporating a plurality of radially extending teeth formed on the body portion thereof;
• and
• b. a first latch assembly securely affixed to the storage base and comprising
• 1. a first jaw plate incorporating
• a. a stud-engaging jaw portion formed thereon and constructed for co-operative locking engagement with at least a first portion of the teeth formed on the body portion of the first keeper stud, and
• b. a first movement control arm integrally formed thereon and constructed for enabling longitudinal movement of the first jaw plate in its entirety,
• 2. a second jaw plate incorporating
• a. a second stud-engaging jaw portion formed thereon and constructed for cooperative locking engagement with at least a second portion of the teeth formed on the body portion of the first keeper stud, and
• b. a second movement control arm integrally formed thereon and constructed for enabling longitudinal movement of the second jaw plate in its entirety, and
• 3. a first control member co-operatively engaged with the first control arm of the first jaw plate and the second control arm of the second jaw plate and constructed for causing simultaneous, longitudinal movement of the first jaw plate and the second jaw plate when activated;
• B. a second lock assembly comprising:
• a. a second latching stud assembly comprising
• 1. a second holding bracket mounted to one of said members and comprising an enlarged aperture formed therein,
• 2. a second latch-engaging, keeper stud co-operatively engaged with the holding bracket for secure retained engagement therewith and comprising an enlarged head portion and an elongated body portion extending from the head portion, and incorporating a plurality of radially extending teeth formed on the body portion thereof;
• and
• b. a second latch assembly comprising
• 1. a second jaw plate incorporating
• a. a third stud-engaging jaw portion formed thereon and constructed for co-operative locking engagement with at least a first portion of the teeth formed on the body portion of the second keeper stud, and
• b. a third movement control arm integrally formed thereon and constructed for enabling longitudinal movement of the first jaw plate in its entirety,
• 2. a fourth jaw plate incorporating
• a. a fourth stud-engaging jaw portion formed thereon and constructed for cooperative locking engagement with at least a second portion of the teeth formed on the body portion of the second keeper stud, and
• b. a fourth movement control arm integrally formed thereon and constructed for enabling longitudinal movement of the second jaw plate in its entirety, and
• 3. a second control member co-operatively engaged with the third control arm of the second jaw plate and the fourth control arm of the fourth jaw plate and constructed for causing simultaneous, longitudinal movement of the third jaw plate and the fourth jaw plate when activated;
• C. an elongated connecting rod securely affixed to one end thereof to the second movement control arm of the second jaw plate of the first latch assembly and securely affixed at its opposed end to a portion of the third jaw plate of the second latch assembly whereby movement of the second jaw plate causes the third jaw plate to move simultaneously therewith resulting in both the first latch assembly and the second latch assembly to open and close simultaneously;
• D. a first actuating rod connector at one end to a portion of the first jaw plate of the first latch assembly with the opposed end extending to the edge of the storage box for controlled axial movement by the user;
• and
• E. a second activating rod connected at one end to the fourth movement control arm of the fourth jaw plate of the second latch assembly, with the opposed end extending to the edge of the storage box for responsive controlled axial movement by the user;
• whereby a locking system is attained which allows both latch assemblies to operate simultaneously in response to user activation at either end of the storage box.