U.S. patent application number 11/836348 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-12 for locking case.
Invention is credited to Joseph L. Pomerantz.
Application Number | 20090038901 11/836348 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40345427 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090038901 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pomerantz; Joseph L. |
February 12, 2009 |
LOCKING CASE
Abstract
A locking case includes a lightweight plastic shell covered by a
soft fabric, such as a woven nylon. A case hardened wire grid is
fitted into each side of the plastic shell, and a foam pad, such as
urethane, is fitted into the wire grid. A metal tab extends out of
the case from each side of the shell. A zipper assembly has two
zipper tabs with holes, such that when the case is closed, a lock
can be inserted through both zipper tabs and both tabs. A security
or metal cable is securely attached to the case, such as to the
wire grid, where the metal cable has a loop that can be extended
outside the case, wrapped around a fixed object, and locked to the
four tabs by a padlock. One or more metal plates can be plated
along interior sides of the shell for added protection.
Inventors: |
Pomerantz; Joseph L.;
(Moorpark, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MACPHERSON KWOK CHEN & HEID LLP
2033 GATEWAY PLACE, SUITE 400
SAN JOSE
CA
95110
US
|
Family ID: |
40345427 |
Appl. No.: |
11/836348 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/121 ;
206/523 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/02 20130101;
A45C 13/103 20130101; A45C 2005/037 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/121 ;
206/523 |
International
Class: |
A45C 13/00 20060101
A45C013/00; A45C 13/06 20060101 A45C013/06; A45C 5/00 20060101
A45C005/00; A45C 13/02 20060101 A45C013/02; B65D 81/107 20060101
B65D081/107 |
Claims
1. A locking case, comprising: a non-metal shell with two rotatable
pieces; a metal wire grid fitted into each of the two pieces; and a
foam pad fitted into each of the wire grids.
2. The case of claim 1, wherein the shell is plastic.
3. The case of claim 1, wherein the wire grid comprises an array of
intersecting case hardened wires.
4. The case of claim 1, wherein the foam pads comprise
urethane.
5. The case of claim 1, wherein the foam pads are smooth.
6. The case of claim 5, wherein the foam pads compress into each
other when the case is closed.
7. The case of claim 1, further comprising a soft fabric covering
the non-metal shell.
8. The case of claim 7, wherein the soft fabric comprises
nylon.
9. The case of claim 1, further comprising a zipper assembly around
at least three sides of the shell.
10. The case of claim 9, wherein the zipper assembly comprises two
zipper tabs, wherein each zipper tab has an opening configured to
accept a lock.
11. The case of claim 1, further comprising a tab with an opening
extending outside each piece of the shell and configured to accept
a lock.
12. The case of claim 10, further comprising a tab with an opening
extending outside each piece of the shell, wherein the tabs and the
zipper tabs align when the case is closed to accept the lock.
13. The case of claim 1, further comprising a security cable
attached to the shell and extendable outside the shell.
14. The case of claim 13, wherein the security cable has a loop
extendable outside the case and configured to accept a lock.
15. The case of claim 1, further comprising at least one plate
located along an interior side of the shell.
16. The case of claim 15, comprising two metal plates located on
opposing sides of the shell.
17. A locking case comprising: a non-metallic shell having two half
pieces rotatable along one edge; a wire grid within each of the
half pieces; a foam pad within each of the wire grids; a zipper
along at least three sides of the shell and having two zipper tabs,
each zipper tab having an opening to accept a lock; a tab with an
opening attached to each of the wire grids, wherein the tabs and
zipper tabs are adjacent each other when the case is closed; and a
cable attached to the shell and having a loop extendable outside
the case.
18. The case of claim 17, wherein the shell is plastic.
19. The case of claim 17, wherein the grid comprises an
intersecting array of case hardened wires.
20. The case of claim 17, further comprising a fabric cover over
the shell.
21. The case of claim 17, wherein the foam pad comprises a smooth
urethane foam.
22. The case of claim 21, wherein the foam pads compress into each
other when the case is closed.
23. The case of claim 17, further comprising at least one plate
located along an interior side of the shell.
24. The case of claim 23, comprising two metal plates located on
opposing sides of the shell.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to hand-carried
cases, and in particular to locking hand-carried cases.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Hand-carried cases for securing items, such as guns,
electronic components, and other valuable and/or fragile items, are
typically categorized as hard cases or soft cases. Each type has
its advantages and disadvantages. For example, hard cases are
typically more secure, but less visually appealing, than soft
cases.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a locking case that overcomes
the disadvantages of conventional cases discussed above.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a hand-carried
locking case has a shell made of a lightweight molded plastic
having a case hardened wire shell or grid is secured to the
interior of the shell, which makes it very difficult or impossible
to cut through the case. The exterior of the shell is covered with
a soft material, such as a woven nylon fabric. This soft material
increases the aesthetics of the case.
[0007] A block piece of foam is secured to both interior sides of
the case. In one embodiment, the foam has a planar surface such
that when the case is closed, the planar surfaces of both pieces of
foam contact and depress the opposing piece. A soft fabric can be
used to cover the foam. The foam, which can be a "memory" type foam
such as urethane, can be used so that items placed between the two
foam pieces are molded into the foam for secure retention. Once the
item is removed, the foam can be re-molded with a different item
placed between the foam pieces.
[0008] The locking case can be zippered shut, with two zippers.
Both zippers have a relatively large metal tab with a hole. In
typical use, the tabs are brought together at the handle of the
case. A lock or padlock can then be used to secure the two tabs
together, thereby locking the case. In one embodiment, the padlock
can be used to secure two additional tabs to the two zipper tabs.
The other two tabs are part of the wire grid, with each tab
extending out of the case from the grid. With this arrangement, a
padlock can be used to secure all four tabs for increased
security.
[0009] In another embodiment, a flexible metal cable is attached to
the inside of the case, such as to the wire grid. The other end of
the cable has a loop which can be used to secure the case to a
fixed object, such as a car steering wheel. The metal cable is
sufficiently long to enable the user to wrap the cable around
objects before securing the loop to the tabs with a padlock. When
not in use, the cable can be conveniently stored inside the case,
such as between the two opposing foam pieces, between the outer
periphery of one foam piece and the inside of the case, or snapped
into grooves on the wire grid.
[0010] For even more security, one or more plates, such as sheet
metal, can be placed along one or more interior side surfaces of
the case. The plates can be secured in any suitable fashion, such
as with bolts to the grid or glued to the plastic shell. The plates
prevent intruders from cutting into the case from the side(s).
[0011] Thus, the locking case has desirable features of both soft
cases (aesthetics) and hard cases (security), along with features
unique to both.
[0012] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be more readily apparent from the detailed
description of the preferred embodiments set forth below taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a locking case according to
one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a zipper tab that is part of
the locking case of FIG. 1.
[0015] Embodiments of the present invention and their advantages
are best understood by referring to the detailed description that
follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are
used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the
figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a locking case 100 according
to one embodiment of the present invention. Locking case 100
includes a hard plastic shell 102, such as a lightweight molded
plastic, covered by a fabric 104. Fabric 104 can be a woven nylon
material or any suitable material, depending on the target market.
Examples of material include cloth, leather, and rubber. Fabric 104
may be permanently secured to shell 102 or it may be removable such
that fabric 104 can be replaced, repaired, or washed as needed.
Methods of removably attaching the fabric to the shell can be by
any conventional means and are known to those skilled in the
art.
[0017] Locking case 100 has a handle 106 attached to each side of
shell 102, although only one handle or no handles may also be
suitable. Handles 106 may be flexible, such as the same material as
fabric 104, or rigid. A zipper 108 is attached to fabric 104, which
enables the user to open and close locking case 100. Shell 102 has
two sides attached by hinges (not shown), which can be secured
together by zipper 108. Within each side of shell 102 is a wire
shell or grid 110. Grid 110 is comprised of intersecting lines of
wire, which can be case hardened, to make it more difficult for
someone to cut through the case, i.e., the outer fabric (e.g.,
nylon), plastic shell, and case hardened metal wire all have to be
cut through to get into the case.
[0018] A foam pad 112 is placed into each grid 102. Foam pad 112
can be a "memory" type foam, such as urethane. "Memory" foams
conform to the shape of items placed into the foam, but then
conform to a different shape when a different item is placed within
the foam. In one embodiment, the thickness of foam pads 112 is such
that when the case is closed, the opposing sides of foam pads 112
compress against each other. This allows small or thin items to be
secured tightly within foam pads 112. Foam pads 112 may also be
covered by fabric, such as a velour or other smooth fabric to
prevent snags. In one embodiment, foam pads 112 are secured to the
case, such as with ties. In another embodiment, the foam pads are
simply compressed into the case, which makes them relatively secure
within the case, but also enables the user to easily remove them
for cleaning, repair, or replacement. In this embodiment, foam pads
112 are smooth, e.g., they do not have a corrugated surface, such
as egg-crate type foams. Smooth foam pads hold items more securely
than egg-crate type foam pads, and "memory" type foams do not
require cut-outs as with Styrofoam type pads.
[0019] Once zipped up, case 100 can be locked using a zipper tab
200, shown in FIG. 2. Zipper 108 has two zipper tabs 200, which
when the case is completely open, are near the hinges of the case.
When case 100 is completely zipped up or closed, zipper tabs 200
are typically near the center of handle 106. Referring to FIG. 2,
zipper tab 200, typically made of steel, has a relatively large tab
portion 202 with an opening 204. In one embodiment, the tab portion
is approximately 1 1/2 inches or more, and the opening is at least
approximately 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide. The large tab portion
202 enables the user to easily zip the case open or shut, while the
large opening enables padlocks to be easily inserted through the
opening 204. Once zipped up, the two zipper tabs 200 are brought
together. At this time, a padlock (not shown) can be inserted
through opening 204 of each zipper tab to lock the case.
[0020] Case 100 may also have additional security features. In one
embodiment, a metal tab 114 is secured to each one of grid 110 and
extends beyond the outer surface of shell 102 near the center of
handle 106. Thus, when case 100 is closed, both metal tabs 114 are
adjacent each other, with their respective openings aligned. Metal
tabs 114 can be integral with the wires or separately secured to
the grid. With the case closed, both metal tabs 114 and both zipper
tabs 200 are located near the center of handle 106. A padlock or
other type of lock can then be easily inserted through the holes of
all four tabs to lock the case. Note that with this embodiment, the
case can be locked even without using the zipper tabs, i.e., a
padlock can be locked through only the openings of metal tabs
114.
[0021] Another security feature is a cable 116, preferably metal,
that is attached to the case at one end. Cable 116 has a first
looped end 118, which can be permanently secured to the case, such
as to wire grid 110. Cable 116 may also be user-removable if
desired. A second looped end 120 can be used to secure the case to
various objects. For example, once case 100 is closed, but not yet
locked, most of cable 116 extends outside the closed case through
an opening of zipper 108 near the center of handle 106. Cable 116
can then be wrapped around an object, such as a car steering wheel
or other fixed object with an opening. Second looped end 120 can
then be brought adjacent to metal tabs 114 and/or zipper tabs 200,
where a padlock is inserted into looped second end 120 and openings
in metal tabs 114 and/or zipper tabs 200. As a result, case 100 can
be securely attached and locked to numerous objects. When not in
use, cable 116 can be conveniently stored inside case 100, such as
wrapped along the outer edge of foam pad 112 or pressed into snaps
(not shown) located along the top of wire grid 110.
[0022] For increased security, one or more plates can be placed in
the interior of the case, along one or more sides. The plates (not
shown) can be sheet metal or any other suitable material that is
resistant to cutting. The plates can be attached to the case by any
suitable means, such as glue, rivets, or bolts. In one embodiment,
a sheet metal plate is attached to each opposing side of the case
(not the side of the hinge or handle). This prevents an intruder
from cutting into the case from the sides where the plates are
located.
[0023] Thus, case 100 has desirable features of both soft cases and
hard cases, as well as additional features not found in either.
Case 100 can be in a variety of sizes for a number of different
uses. For example if marketed as a handgun case, the case will be
smaller and more square than a case marketed as a shotgun or rifle
case. In addition to fire arms, the case of the present invention
can accommodate anything of value or that needs security or safe
storing and transportation.
[0024] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are
merely meant to be illustrative and not limiting. It will thus be
obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and
modifications may be made without departing from this invention in
its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all
such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and
scope of this invention.
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