Secure latch

Abstract

A secure latch having a lid that includes a panel and a plurality of walls extending from the edges of the panel forming a skirt, the skirt having a cut out portion. A latch handle is pivotably mounted to an underside of the lid proximate the cut out portion. The latch handle is partially shielded from accidental contact by the skirt.

1 . A secure latch comprising: 
 a lid having a panel and a plurality of walls extending from the edges of the panel forming a skirt, the skirt having a cut out portion;    a latch handle pivotably mounted to an underside of the lid proximate the cut out portion;    wherein the latch handle is accessible through the cut out portion and wherein the skirt at least partially surrounds the latch handle, the latch handle being recessed from a plane of the skirt.    
   
   
       2 . The secure latch of  claim 1 , wherein the latch handle comprises an attachment portion and a grasping portion.  
   
   
       3 . The secure latch of  claim 2 , wherein the grasping portion terminates in a ledge.  
   
   
       4 . The secure latch of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment portion includes two posts extending laterally outward therefrom and lying in substantially the same plane with the attachment portion.  
   
   
       5 . The secure latch of  claim 4 , wherein the posts are mounted in receivers formed in the underside of the lid.  
   
   
       6 . The secure latch of  claim 1 , wherein the latch engages a shelf disposed on a storage bin when the lid is in a closed position.  
   
   
       7 . The secure latch of  claim 1 , wherein the latch handle is protected on at least three sides by the skirt.  
   
   
       8 . The secure latch of  claim 1 , wherein the skirt extends outwardly, beyond the handle portion of the latch, when the latch is in a closed and secured position.  
   
   
       9 . The secure latch of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion is shielded by the skirt.  
   
   
       10 . A secure storage bin comprising: 
 a lid having a panel and a plurality of walls extending from the edges of the panel forming a skirt, the skirt having a cut out portion;    a latch handle pivotably mounted to an underside of the lid proximate the cut out portion; and    a bin having a base panel, a plurality of walls extending from the edges of the base panel, and a lip extending from the distal edges of the four walls,    wherein the latch handle is accessible through the cut out portion and wherein the skirt at least partially surrounds the latch handle, the latch handle being recessed from a plane of the skirt, and    wherein one of the walls of the bin includes a recessed portion generally aligned with the cut out portion of the lid when the lid is in a closed position.    
   
   
       11 . The secure latch of  claim 10 , wherein the latch engages a shelf disposed on the storage bin when the lid is in a closed position.  
   
   
       12 . The secure latch of  claim 10 , wherein the latch handle is protected on at least three sides by the skirt.  
   
   
       13 . The secure latch of  claim 10 , wherein the skirt extends outwardly, beyond the handle portion of the latch, when the latch is in a closed and secured position.  
   
   
       14 . The secure latch of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment portion is shielded by the skirt.