Kenneth E Jenkins

US Patent:

57948445, Aug 18, 1998

Filed:

Jan 7, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/779821

Inventors:

Kenneth W. Jenkins - Auburndale FL

Assignee:

Cutler Manufacturing Corporation - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

B65D 9100

US Classification:

232 25

Abstract:

The invention comprises a multiple point latching system for use with postal box clusters. In particular, the multiple point latching system comprises a latch bar, a track member, a plunger assembly and a plurality of latch plates. The latch bar is slidably coupled relative to a center partition in the postal box and includes a plurality of latches thereon. The latch bar slides in a vertical movement within a track member which is coupled to the center partition of the postal box. The plurality of latches on the latch bar present a plurality of latch points which aggregate to achieve the securement of the postal box cluster. The multiple point latching system further comprises a plunger assembly which is coupled to the center partition and which supplies a force that acts upon at least one master door to thereby force at least one master door open upon an unlatching of the latches. Hence, a single lock having multiple latch points is used to access and subsequently secure the entire postal box cluster.