U.S. patent application number 10/715241 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-08 for gun safe with configurable interior.
Invention is credited to Beattie, Patrick J., Cleveland, Terri P., Kingston, Ronald J., Lynch, Peter F., Matijas, Daniel A., Osiecki, Scott W., Pallo, R. David, Paris, Chad P., Rhode, Torsten, Wildman, Kelvin H..
Application Number | 20040130250 10/715241 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32176765 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040130250 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cleveland, Terri P. ; et
al. |
July 8, 2004 |
Gun safe with configurable interior
Abstract
A configurable safe module for storing firearms is provided. The
configurable safe module includes a bracket and at least one barrel
receiving module. The bracket is adapted to be positioned on an
interior surface of the safe. The barrel receiving module has at
least one barrel receiving cradle for receiving a barrel of a gun
and a clip for movably mounting the barrel receiving module to the
bracket. The configurable safe module may also include an extension
member to further separate a gun placed in the receiving module
from an interior wall of a storage compartment.
Inventors: |
Cleveland, Terri P.;
(Holley, NY) ; Beattie, Patrick J.; (Rush, NY)
; Pallo, R. David; (Fairport, NY) ; Rhode,
Torsten; (Canandaigua, NY) ; Wildman, Kelvin H.;
(Honeoye Falls, NY) ; Lynch, Peter F.;
(Skaneateles, NY) ; Osiecki, Scott W.;
(Skaneateles, NY) ; Kingston, Ronald J.;
(Syracuse, NY) ; Paris, Chad P.; (Coram, NY)
; Matijas, Daniel A.; (Weedsport, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAECKLE FLEISCHMANN & MUGEL, LLP
Suite 200
39 State Street
Rochester
NY
14614-1310
US
|
Family ID: |
32176765 |
Appl. No.: |
10/715241 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60427200 |
Nov 18, 2002 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/409 ;
312/351 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/067 20130101;
A47B 81/005 20130101; A47B 97/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/409 ;
312/351 |
International
Class: |
A47B 095/00 |
Claims
1. A configurable safe for storing firearms comprising: a bracket
adapted to be positioned on an interior surface of the safe; and at
least one barrel receiving module having at least one barrel
receiving cradle for receiving a barrel of a gun and a clip for
movably mounting the barrel receiving module to the bracket.
2. The configurable safe of claim 1, wherein said barrel receiving
module includes a rear wall, wherein said clip extends from said
rear wall.
3. The configurable safe of claim 1, wherein said clip extends
generally parallel to said rear wall.
4. The configurable safe of claim 1, wherein said barrel receiving
module further comprises an extension module.
5. The configurable safe of claim 4, wherein said extension module
includes a coupling end, wherein said coupling end is adapted to be
received in said barrel receiving cradle.
6. The configurable safe of claim 4, wherein said extension module
includes first and second sides, wherein a first extension clip
extends from said first side, and wherein a second extension clip
extends from said second side.
7. The configurable safe of claim 6, wherein at least one of said
first and second extension clips extends generally parallel to its
respective side of said extension member.
8. The configurable safe of claim 7, wherein said first and second
extension clips extend in opposite directions relative to each
other.
9. The configurable safe of claim 1, wherein said bracket includes
first and second legs, wherein said first leg is offset from said
second leg.
10. The configurable safe of claim 9, wherein said bracket includes
a transition member that offsets said first leg from said second
leg.
11. The configurable safe of claim 9, wherein said first and second
legs are parallel with one another.
12. The configurable safe of claim 1, further comprising a corner
module having at least one barrel receiving cradle.
13. The configurable safe of claim 1, wherein said interior of said
safe further comprises three interior walls.
14. The configurable safe of claim 1, further comprising: a door
with an internal surface, said internal surface of said door having
one or more knobs attached thereto for retaining a bungee cord; and
a lip extending outward from said internal surface of said door for
further supporting articles held by said bungee cord.
15. The configurable safe of claim 14, further comprising: a
combination nameplate and hook panel attached to said internal
surface of said door, said combination nameplate and hook panel
having a series of hooks mounted thereto.
16. The configurable safe of claim 1, further comprising: a bottom
storage compartment including at least one removable panel for
concealing contents stored in said bottom storage compartment.
17. The configurable safe of claim 1, wherein said barrel receiving
module is L-shaped.
18. The configurable gun safe of claim 1, wherein said gun barrel
receiving module further includes a secondary clip for movably
mounting the barrel receiving module to said bracket.
19. A gun rack module comprising: at least one barrel receiving
cradle for receiving a barrel of a gun; and at least one a clip
extending from a rear wall of the module, wherein said at least one
clip extends from said rear wall.
20. The gun rack module of claim 19, wherein said at least on clip
extends generally parallel to said rear wall.
21. The gun rack module of claim 19, wherein a second clip extends
from a short side of the module, wherein the clip is generally
parallel with the short side.
22. The gun rack module of claim 19, wherein the module includes
two portions that are angled relative to one another.
23. The gun rack module of claim 22, wherein said module is
L-shaped.
24. The gun rack module of claim 19, further including a secondary
clip for movably mounting the barrel receiving module to said
bracket.
25. A configurable storage compartment having a door with an
internal surface, the storage compartment comprising: one or more
knobs attached to the internal surface of the door for retaining a
bungee cord.
26. The configurable storage compartment of claim 25, further
comprising: a lip extending outwardly from the internal surface of
the door for further supporting articles held by said bungee
cord.
27. The configurable storage compartment of claim 26, further
comprising: a combination nameplate and hook panel attached to the
internal surface of the door, said combination nameplate and hook
panel having a series of hooks mounted thereto.
28. A storage compartment comprising: a main housing having an
access opening and a bottom floor, wherein said bottom floor is
recessed relative to a lower edge of said access opening; a door
pivotally coupled with said main housing and adapted to occupy said
opening in said main housing; and one or more cover panels
positioned over at least a portion of said bottom floor of said
main housing to define a storage compartment between said bottom
floor and said at least one cover panel, wherein said cover panel
is generally flush with said lower edge of said access opening.
29. The storage compartment of claim 28, further comprising: a
locking mechanism associated with said cover plate to secure the
second storage compartment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from a U.S. Provisional
Application having Serial No. 60/427,200, filed on Nov. 18,
2002.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a gun safe with a
configurable interior. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a gun safe having a unique modular gun rack, a versatile
interior door storage system, and removable floor/storage
compartment.
[0004] When procuring a gun safe it is important to select a safe
with a configuration that best serves the needs of the user. The
results of utilizing a safe that is not configured to meet the
specific requirements of its user can vary from poorly secured and
mislaid valuables to excessive effort and time expended in storing
and retrieving items. Moreover, inefficient spacing and difficulty
in accessing and retrieving stored firearms can result in damage to
the firearms caused by nicking or striking against each other or
against the interior of the safe. Furthermore, even if the
requirements of the user are satisfied at the time of acquisition,
as the needs of the user change, very little can be done to alter
the interior configuration of the safe in the present art.
[0005] To keep long guns arranged in an orderly row, conventional
firearm safes provide non-movable firearm racks rigidly attached to
the three interior walls of the safe. The firearm racks consist of
a predetermined number of barrel receiving portions that protrude
from the three interior walls into the safe. The racks define the
number of long-arm guns that can be aligned against each wall and
thereby, define and restrict utilization of the interior of the
safe not occupied by the guns or occupied by guns having a peculiar
shape. Additionally, it is desirable to store peripheral items,
such as scopes, barrels, pistols, cleaning equipment and paperwork
in the safe. Also, while conventional firearm safes sometimes
provide fixed shelves where these peripheral items can be placed,
stacking these items on the shelves prohibits easy access,
resulting in excessive time expended to locate these items.
Furthermore, the floor of conventional fire arm safes is below, and
not flush with the door opening, thereby forming a lower lip. When
removing guns from the safe having such a floor design, the butt
portion often collides with this lower lip, thereby damaging the
gun.
[0006] Accordingly, there exists a need for a configurable gun safe
that ameliorates the aforementioned drawbacks and deficiencies. The
present invention fills these needs as well as other needs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In order to overcome the above stated problems and
limitations there is provided a safe having a unique modular gun
rack, a versatile interior door storage system, and removable
floor/storage compartment.
[0008] The modular gun rack of the present invention includes one
or more individual barrel receiving modules secured to the internal
walls by a "Z" shaped bracket. This novel bracket provides
versatility in the lateral placement of the receiving modules and
allows for the secure mounting of the receiving modules to the
walls of the safe without the use of known retention methods such
as with screws or bolts. The receiving modules are also designed to
receive various shaped gun barrels and can accommodate guns with
scopes attached.
[0009] Additionally, the inside of the safe door includes bungee
cord elements and cinches. The length of bungee cord is held in
place by a series of knobs attached to the inside of the door. The
bungee cord and cinches hold peripheral items such as gun barrels,
scopes, and paperwork against the inside of the door. Storage bags
are also provided. Also, a unique floor is positioned flush with
the door opening and is removable. The removable floor can be
locked into place to provide an additional level of security for
articles stored within the safe.
[0010] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
present invention will be set forth in part in the description
which follows, and will in part become apparent to those in the
practice of the invention, when considered with the attached
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification
and are to be read in conjunction therewith, wherein like reference
numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views,
and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plurality of gun receiving
modules and a corner receiving module according to the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of a bracket that forms a part
of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 1c is a side elevational view of the bracket shown in
FIG. 1b and one of the gun receiving modules shown in FIG. 1a;
[0015] FIG. 2a is a front perspective view of one of the gun
receiving modules shown in FIG. 1a;
[0016] FIG. 2b is a rear perspective view of the gun receiving
module shown in FIG. 2a;
[0017] FIG. 2c is a side elevational view of the gun receiving
module shown in FIG. 2a;
[0018] FIG. 2d is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the gun receiving module shown in FIG. 2a;
[0019] FIG. 2e is a side elevational view of an extension
module;
[0020] FIG. 2f is a side elevational view of another embodiment of
a gun receiving module according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2g is a front perspective view of the gun receiving
module shown in FIG. 2f;
[0022] FIG. 2h is a front perspective view of yet another
embodiment of a gun receiving module in accordance with the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 2i is a front perspective view of yet another
embodiment of a gun receiving module in accordance with the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 2j is a front perspective view of the gun receive
module shown in FIG. 2i;
[0025] FIG. 2k is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
a gun receiving module in accordance with the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the corner receiving
module in accordance with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a safe showing the
inside surface of its door including bungee cord elements and
clinches in accordance with the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 4a is an enlarged view of the bottom portion of the
safe door showing a bungee cord element and clinches positioned
against the interior portion of a safe door;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing a plurality of
knobs for fastening storage compartment to a cover for a safe
door;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a safe cover having storage
bags coupled thereto;
[0031] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the inside of a safe door
showing a plurality of hook mounted thereto; and
[0032] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a removable safe floor in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1a, in one embodiment series shown, the
interior gun rack of the present invention has one or more
individual barrel receiving modules 10' and a corner receiving
module 18 secured to interior walls 11 on a "Z" shaped bracket 12.
Module 10' includes a clip 13 for attaching the module to wall 11
and a cradle 14' for receiving a gun barrel (not shown). FIGS. 2d
and 2f-2g show a series of second embodiments including arcuate
shaped barrel receiving modules 10'. FIGS. 2h-2k show yet other
shaped modules.
[0034] As best seen in FIG. 1c, attaching clip 13 on a back portion
of receiving module 10' securely attaches the module to bracket 12.
Clip 13 extends in a generally parallel direction relative to a
rear wall 70 of the receiving module 10'. As best seen in FIG. 2a,
cradle 14' is uniquely shaped to receive many different barrel
types. Barrel receiving modules 10' may also include optional
straps for securing the gun barrel against the cradle. Strap ends
are secured to the module while connecting means of straps, such as
for example, snaps or Velcro, are used to join the straps together
once the gun barrel is in place in a respective cradle.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 1b and 1c, substantially rigid
bracket 12 includes a first leg 45 and a second leg 46 connected by
transition member 47 to thereby position second leg 46 parallel to
but offset from first leg 45. First leg 45 of bracket 12 is secured
to wall 11 of the safe by conventional attaching means 49 such as,
for example, rivets, screw, bolts or welding. Second leg 46 of
bracket 12 protrudes upward spaced from the wall 11 by transition
member 47, forming a groove 48 between second leg 46 and wall 11.
As best seen in FIG. 1c, the novel method of securing the receiving
module to the safe wall is shown. Thickness 20 of clip 13 is sized
slightly less than thickness 26 of groove 48, while stock thickness
22 of bracket 12 is slightly less than gap 24 of clip 13. Thus,
barrel receiving module 10' is mounted to wall 11 by simply sliding
clip 13 of the barrel receiving module into the groove 48. This
mechanism allows the barrel receiving module to be secured firmly
against wall 11. However, unlike the means for securing the gun
modules to the walls of the safe as known in the art, the present
invention allows the receiving module to be positioned and
re-positioned anywhere laterally along bracket 12 and along the
walls of the safe to accommodate the number of guns stored and a
variety of gun barrel shapes and designs.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c, receiving module 10'
includes cradle 14' for receiving the barrel of a gun, and clip 13,
for securing the individual barrel receiving module to bracket 12.
As discussed above, bracket 12 is fixedly mounted on the internal
walls 11 of the safe and, in turn, individual barrel receiving
modules 10' are attached to bracket 12 by clip 13. As best shown in
FIG. 2a, cradle 14' includes a uniquely shaped concave recess to
accommodate barrels of various gun types such as, but not limited
to, double barrel, side-by-side, under and over, and the like.
Cradle 14' may have a soft contact surface such as, for example,
rubber to further protect the gun barrels from scratches or nicks.
This soft contact surface can be either a separate piece or
integrally attached or molded to the module 10'. While clip 13 is
shown with three prongs spaced across the full width of the module
in the above disclosed embodiments, it is contemplated that the
clip of the present invention can instead include a single prong
spaced across the width of the module.
[0037] When the guns are positioned "standing-on-end" as shown in
FIG. 4, the top surfaces of the gun barrels are in close proximity
to the safe walls. For guns with barrel mounted scopes, these
alignment clearances could pose a problem. To accommodate guns
outfitted with barrel mounted scopes, an extension is used to space
the barrels a greater distance from the wall. One particular
extension means is an extension module, having a coupling end and
an extension cradle similar in contour to cradle 14'. The coupling
end of the extension module is shaped to fit into the concave
recess of cradle 14'. The extension module can be attached to
receiving module 10' by a screw or screws, or by plastic spring
clips and recesses molded into the modules. When the extension
module attached to a receiving module, the cradle serves to
position a received gun barrel a greater distance from the wall of
the safe and thereby provides additional wall clearance for a
barrel mounted scope.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2e another embodiment for providing
additional wall clearance for a barrel mounted scope is shown.
Double clip extender 35 has a first extension clip 37 extending
from a first side 72 and a extension second clip 36 extending from
a second side 74. The first extension clip 37 is sized for
inserting into groove 48 of bracket 12 and the second extension
clip 36 is sized for receiving clip 13 of barrel receiving module
10'. Second extension clip 36 is a reverse or mirror image of first
extension clip 37 so that double extender 35 can be oriented in
either direction. Further, second extension clip 36 may also
include a recess portion that is adapted to be positioned adjacent
to clip 13 of receiving module 10' when clip extender 35 is coupled
with receiving module 10'. While in most cases, only one extender
clip will be needed to provide enough wall clearance for the scope,
two or more clip extenders can be piggy-backed together in this
fashion to provide event greater wall-to-barrel clearance, as
needed. It will be understood that another embodiment may be used
to providing additional wall clearance for a barrel mounted scope.
In particular, as best seen in FIG. 2d. receiving module 10" may
also be elongated so that the cradle 14' is positioned further away
from clip 13 compared to the receiving module 10' shown in FIG.
2a.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2f-2k various embodiments of reversible
module 38 are shown. Module 38 has a first cradle 40 for receiving
barrels without scopes and second cradle 39 for receiving barrels
with scopes. The module has a short side 41 and a long side 42
generally perpendicular to the short side. Short side 41 and long
side 42 each have a clip 43, 44, respectively, for attaching module
38 to bracket 12 as described above. When clip 44 is used to attach
module 38 to bracket 12, cradle 40 for receiving a gun barrel
without a scope is available for use. When clip 43 is used to
attach module 38 to bracket 12, cradle 39 for receiving a gun
barrel with a scope is available for use. Modules may have a
secondary clip 44' on long side 42 for adjusting the vertical
position of cradle 40.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 3, a unique corner barrel receiving module
18 contains two barrel receiving cradles 21, and may have a recess
on an upper surface of corner barrel receiving module 18. The clip
(not shown) is sized to be received by bracket 12 as described
above, for corner module 18 to be positioned at intersecting
corners of walls 11. In this manner, the corners of the safe can be
efficiently utilized for the storage of guns. The recess may be
suitable for holding aerosol cans or small objects that can be
easily misplaced. It will be understood that, while corner module
18 in FIG. 3 is shown as a flat module in FIG. 1a, corner module 18
can also be formed as an arcuate module as in FIG. 2a.
[0041] It should also be noted that hooks and other universal
hanging devices, having clips 13 as described above, can be easily
hung on bracket 12 making the design even more versatile.
[0042] As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 4a, the inside surface of the
safe door includes bungee cord elements and cinches for storing
peripheral items such as gun barrels, scopes, and paperwork against
the inside door panel. The inside of the safe door 31 has a length
of bungee cord 30, criss-crossed against the door surface and held
in place by a series of knobs 33. Cinch 29 is used to tighten the
bungee cord as needed to secure the peripheral items in place. A
lip 35 is formed in the bottom of the door surface to add
additional support for long items held by the bungee cord 30. As
best seen in FIG. 5, the knobs 33 can also serve as snaps or
buttons, for fastening bags 34, to provide additional storage
compartments. The knobs can also serve to hold the cover 32 on the
door surface. Additionally, cover 32 can be formed of Velcro
material for attaching pockets and other items equipped with Velcro
fasteners. Referring to FIG. 6, the cover 32 can hold storage bags
having Velcro fasteners 36. The combination of the Velcro and the
bungee cord provides a greater degree of support for items attached
to the inside of the door. Additionally, the inside of the door 31
has optional recesses for receiving recess pockets 37 (FIG. 5). In
this optional embodiment recess pockets 37 are mounted flush with
the door surface.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, panel 51, which in the
example shown also serves as a nameplate, includes a row of hooks
50, attached to the inside of door 31. This row of hooks 50
comprises hooks 52, rigidly mounted to panel 51. The hooks 52 may
be used to hold straps, buckles, or other items.
[0044] The floor, or false bottom of the safe may be removable, and
can be locked into place to provide an additional level of security
for articles stored within the safe. As best seen in FIG. 8, the
floor of the safe of the present invention has an additional
storage compartment 62 which lies between cover panels 63 (only one
shown), and the true bottom 65 of the safe. The cover panels (one
shown as 63a) form a bottom of the safe, which is flush with the
lower lip 64 of the door opening. Making the one or more cover
panels 63 flush with the bottom edge of the access opening in the
enclosure reduces the chance that a gun will catch on the lower lip
of the safe when a gun is removed from the safe. Cover panels 63
can be carpeted or rubberized and, when in place, serve to conceal
the contents stored below. A lock may also be provided to add
further security and protection for the contents stored below cover
panels 63.
[0045] While particular embodiments of the invention have been
shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not
limited thereto, since modifications may be made by those skilled
in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.
Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope
of the foregoing disclosure of the invention without departing from
the spirit of the invention.
* * * * *