U.S. patent application number 14/563575 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-11 for pillow with firearm compartment.
The applicant listed for this patent is SafePillow, LLC. Invention is credited to Steve C. Collins, Ryan Jonathan Riddle.
Application Number | 20150157148 14/563575 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53269882 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150157148 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Collins; Steve C. ; et
al. |
June 11, 2015 |
PILLOW WITH FIREARM COMPARTMENT
Abstract
A pillow for holding a firearm comprising a pillow assembly and
a firearm compartment positioned inside the pillow assembly. The
firearm compartment is configured to define a grip portion, a
trigger guard portion, and a barrel portion. The firearm
compartment has an opening with a closure mechanism for selectively
closing the opening of the firearm compartment. A portion of the
opening is free of the closure mechanism so as to define a quick
access portion configured to allow a user to rapidly open the
closure mechanism.
Inventors: |
Collins; Steve C.; (Norman,
OK) ; Riddle; Ryan Jonathan; (Norman, OK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SafePillow, LLC |
Norman |
OK |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53269882 |
Appl. No.: |
14/563575 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61913557 |
Dec 9, 2013 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/639 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41A 21/30 20130101;
A47G 9/1045 20130101; F41C 33/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 9/10 20060101
A47G009/10 |
Claims
1. A pillow for holding a firearm, comprising: a pillow assembly
having at least a top panel and a bottom panel lined with one
another in a way to define at least one edge; and a firearm
compartment positioned inside the pillow assembly, the firearm
compartment comprising a top panel and a bottom joined with one
another in way to define: an opening positioned adjacent to the
edge; a hand portion adjacent to the opening and configured to
receive a user's hand therein; a grip portion adjacent to the hand
portion, the grip portion having a first width and a first depth
and being configured to receive a firearm grip therein when a
firearm is inserted into the firearm compartment and to allow
access to the firearm grip by a user's hand; a trigger guard
portion adjacent to the grip portion, the trigger guard portion
having a second width less than the first width and a second depth
less than the first depth and being configured to receive a trigger
guard of the firearm when the firearm is inserted into the firearm
compartment; and a barrel portion adjacent to the trigger guard
portion, the barrel portion having a third depth and a third width
less than the second width, and being configured to receive at
least a portion of a barrel of the firearm when the firearm is
inserted in the firearm compartment.
2. The pillow of claim 1, wherein the firearm compartment further
comprises a closure mechanism for selectively closing the opening
of the firearm compartment and wherein a portion of the opening is
free of the closure mechanism so as to define a quick access
portion configured to allow a user to rapidly open the closure
mechanism.
3. The pillow of claim 2, further comprising a tag extending from
the edge adjacent to and aligned with the quick assess portion.
4. The pillow of claim 1, further comprising at least one anchoring
strap having one end connected to the pillow assembly and one end
connected to the firearm compartment in a way to retain the firearm
compartment securely inside the pillow assembly when the firearm is
inserted into the firearm compartment and removed from the firearm
compartment.
5. The pillow of claim 4, wherein the firearm compartment further
comprises a closure mechanism for selectively closing the opening
of the firearm compartment and wherein a portion of the opening is
free of the closure mechanism so as to define a quick access
portion configured to allow a user to rapidly open the closure
mechanism.
6. The pillow of claim 5, further comprising a tag extending from
the edge adjacent to and aligned with the quick assess portion.
7. A pillow for holding a firearm, comprising: a pillow assembly
having at least a top panel and a bottom panel lined with one
another in a way to define at least one edge and a cushioning
material disposed between the top panel and the bottom panel; and a
firearm compartment positioned inside the pillow assembly, the
firearm compartment comprising a top panel and a bottom joined with
one another in way to define: an opening positioned adjacent to the
edge; a hand portion adjacent to the opening and configured to
receive a user's hand therein; a grip portion adjacent to the hand
portion, the grip portion having a first width and a first depth
and being configured to receive a firearm grip therein when a
firearm is inserted into the firearm compartment and to allow
access to the firearm grip by a user's hand; a trigger guard
portion adjacent to the grip portion, the trigger guard portion
having a second width less than the first width and a second depth
less than the first depth and being configured to receive a trigger
guard of the firearm when the firearm is inserted into the firearm
compartment; and a barrel portion adjacent to the trigger guard
portion, the barrel portion having a third depth and a third width
less than the second width, and being configured to receive at
least a portion of a barrel of the firearm when the firearm is
inserted in the firearm compartment.
8. The pillow of claim 7, wherein the firearm compartment further
comprises a closure mechanism for selectively closing the opening
of the firearm compartment and wherein a portion of the opening is
free of the closure mechanism so as to define a quick access
portion configured to allow a user to rapidly open the closure
mechanism.
9. The pillow of claim 8, further comprising a tag extending from
the edge adjacent to and aligned with the quick assess portion.
10. The pillow of claim 7, further comprising at least one
anchoring strap having one end connected to the pillow assembly and
one end connected to the firearm compartment in a way to retain the
firearm compartment securely inside the pillow assembly when the
firearm is inserted into the firearm compartment and removed from
the firearm compartment.
11. The pillow of claim 10, wherein the firearm compartment further
comprises a closure mechanism for selectively closing the opening
of the firearm compartment and wherein a portion of the opening is
free of the closure mechanism so as to define a quick access
portion configured to allow a user to rapidly open the closure
mechanism.
12. The pillow of claim 11, further comprising a tag extending from
the edge adjacent to and aligned with the quick assess portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 61/913,557, filed on Dec. 9, 2013, the entire
content of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Personal safety is, unfortunately, a growing concern in
modern society. While a person is travelling, working, or outside
of the person's home, they are typically aware of their
surroundings and avoid potentially dangerous areas, people, and
situations. However, concerns about personal safety also exist in
the person's home, such as in cases of burglaries, home invasions,
vandalism, or other situations where a person may be confronted by
one or more attackers inside the person's home.
[0003] To enhance a person's ability to defend themselves and to
provide for their own personal safety, as well as the personal
safety of family members, such as spouses or children, some
individuals choose to own a weapon. Examples of weapons include a
knife, a baseball bat, a taser, pepper spray or mace. Examples of
more lethal weapons include firearms, such as handguns, rifles, or
shotguns.
[0004] Once a person decides to purchase or own a firearm to aid in
protecting the person's safety, proper training in the maintenance,
storage, and use of the firearm is recommended by law enforcement
and a variety of governmental and private organizations and
associations. Generally, responsible firearm ownership entails
properly and securely storing the firearm so that it is
inaccessible to children, for example, while also ensuring that the
firearm is easily accessible in case of an emergency, such as a
home invasion.
[0005] Secure storage generally requires a gun safe or a security
cabinet, which are typically located in a closet, which is not
always located close to the user as the user moves about their
home. For example, when a person is asleep or laying in their bed,
the gun safe or security cabinet may be some distance away from the
person and may require the person to leave the room or move down a
hallway to retrieve their firearm. Further, in case the person is
asleep and an intruder gains access to the person's home or
bedroom, it may be too late for the person to even attempt to reach
the storage location of the firearm.
[0006] To address this potential issue, security-conscious
individuals and the market have attempted to store firearms closer
to the user's bed, such as via nightstand drawers, nightstand
firearm safes, bedside holsters, bedside firearm mounts, or other
similar devices or products. One of the drawbacks of such devices
is that these storage locations are obvious for a firearm, and
potential attackers would readily perceive that the user is
attempting to retrieve a firearm if the user reaches for a gun safe
or reaches into a nightstand drawer, for example.
[0007] In some cases individuals simply place a firearm under their
pillow when going to sleep, which is dangerous and unreliable as
the firearm may shift and become entangled in bedding, drop behind
mattresses and beds, or be accidentally discharged by virtue of the
movement. Accordingly, existing methods and devices have not solved
the problem of safely and reliably storing a firearm near a
sleeping user such that the firearm is safely retained in place and
is easily accessible to the user in a discreet manner such that the
user accessing a firearm is not immediately apparent to an attacker
or an intruder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Like reference numerals in the figures represent and refer
to the same or similar element or function. Implementations of the
inventive concepts disclosed herein may be better understood when
consideration is given to the following detailed description
thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed pictorial
illustrations, schematics, graphs, drawings, and appendices. In the
drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a pillow
with a firearm compartment constructed in accordance with the
inventive concepts disclosed herein.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway, plan view of the pillow of
FIG. 1 illustrating a firearm compartment.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an end view of pillow of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of
FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a firearm
compartment constructed in accordance the inventive concepts
disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive
concepts disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that
the inventive concepts are not limited in their application to the
details of construction and the arrangement of the components or
steps or methodologies set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The inventive concepts disclosed
herein are capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0015] In the following detailed description of embodiments of the
inventive concepts disclosed herein, numerous specific details are
set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the
inventive concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art that the inventive concepts disclosed herein may
be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,
well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid
unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.
[0016] As used herein the notation "a-n" appended to a reference
numeral is intended as merely convenient shorthand to reference
one, or more than one, and up to infinity, of the element or
feature identified by the respective reference numeral (e.g.,
100a-n). Similarly, a letter following a reference numeral is
intended to reference an embodiment of the feature or element that
may be similar, but not necessarily identical, to a previously
described element or feature bearing the same reference numeral
(e.g., 100, 100a, 100b, etc.). Such shorthand notations are used
for purposes of clarity and convenience only, and should not be
construed to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any
way, unless expressly stated to the contrary.
[0017] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For
example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a
list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements
but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless
expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or
and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is
satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B
is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is
true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
[0018] As used herein the qualifiers "about," "approximately," and
"substantially" are intended to include not only the exact value,
amount, degree, orientation, or other qualified characteristic or
value, but are intended to include some slight variations due to
measuring error or precision, manufacturing tolerances, stress
exerted on various parts or components, observer error, wear and
tear, and combinations thereof, for example.
[0019] Finally, as used herein any reference to "one embodiment" or
"an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances
of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are intended to
encompass any combinations, subcombinations, and permutations of
one or more of the features of the embodiments described
herein.
[0020] Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are
directed to pillows including one or more firearm compartments or
pockets which are shaped, sized, and configured to securely retain
a firearm therein and to allow for quick and safe access to the
firearm by users.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1-2 in
particular, shown therein is an embodiment of a pillow 100
according to embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed
herein. The pillow 100 includes a pillow assembly 102 and a firearm
compartment 104 positioned inside the pillow assembly 102.
[0022] The pillow assembly 102 has a top panel 106, a bottom panel
108, and cushioning material 110. The top panel 106 and the bottom
panel 108 are joined together at their periphery to define a
peripheral edge 112 around the pillow assembly 102. The top panel
106 and the bottom panel 108 and may be joined in any desired
manner, such as via stitching, seams, piping, decorative stitching,
bonding, adhesives, one or more strips, folds, or rolls of fabric
or other material, or combinations thereof. Further, in some
embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein, the top
panel 106 and the bottom panel 108 may be formed as a unitary
panel, which may be folded to define the peripheral edge 112. The
top panel 106 and the bottom panel 108 may be constructed of any
desired material, such as fabrics, cotton, polymers, natural fibers
or textile, manmade fibers or textiles, knitted fabrics, cloth or
fabric materials, braided cloth or fabric materials, leather, fur,
pelts, natural materials, manmade material, or combinations
thereof, for example.
[0023] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 where the pillow assembly 102
is shown as being substantially rectangular in shape, the
peripheral edge 112 may include a top edge 112a, a right side edge
112b, a bottom edge 112c, and a left side edge 112d. It is to be
understood that a pillow assembly 102 according to embodiments of
the inventive concepts disclosed herein may have any desired shape
such as substantially square, oval, circular, triangular,
polygonal, kidney-shaped, or combinations thereof.
[0024] As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the
art having the benefit of the instant disclosure, designations such
as top panel or edge, bottom panel or edge, left side, and right
side, are used herein solely for clarity and convenience to
designate portions of the pillow assembly 102 and relate only to
orientation of the portions or features relative to one another and
not necessarily relative to any external orientation or direction
or object.
[0025] The cushioning material 110 (FIG. 4) is enclosed between the
top panel 106 and the bottom panel 108 and can include cotton,
polyester, cotton polyester blends, silk, feathers, natural or
synthetic porous or fibrous materials, foams (open or closed-cell),
gel, down, memory foam, feathers, down, or any other suitable
cushioning materials, and combinations thereof. The cushioning
material 110 is configured to provide comfortable cushioning or
padding to a user's head or body, and may have one or more layers
with varying levels of thickness, firmness, or support, in some
embodiment of a pillow assembly 102 according to the inventive
concepts disclosed herein.
[0026] The firearm compartment 104 is positioned inside the pillow
assembly 102, and is configured to accommodate the specific shape
and dimensions of a firearm 113 while allowing a user to safely and
easily remove the firearm from the firearm compartment 104. For
example, the firearm compartment 104 may be generally
firearm-shaped and may be implemented in a variety of sizes, such
as small, medium, and large in some embodiments of the inventive
concepts disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the firearm
compartment 104 may have an overall depth between about 10 and
about 20 inches, and an overall width between about 5 inches and
about 11 inches as will be described below.
[0027] The firearm 113 may be a semiautomatic or automatic pistol,
a revolver, a derringer, or a taser gun or other electroshock
weapon shaped and sized similarly to a semiautomatic pistol, in
some embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The
firearm 113 may include one or more accessories attached to any
portion thereof (e.g., a grip, barrel, slide, or frame), such as
laser sights, flashlights, forward grips, night vision or fiber
optic sights, magnification sights, extended magazines or grips, or
combinations thereof, as will be appreciated by persons of ordinary
skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure. In
some embodiments, the firearm compartment 104 may be sized in three
potential sizes, such as small, medium, and large, for example to
accommodate firearms 113 having a small, medium, or large size,
irrespective or the type or manufacturer of the firearm 113. In
some embodiments where the firearm 113 is a revolver, the firearm
compartment 104 may be configured to accommodate a cylinder of the
firearm 113. Further, in some exemplary embodiments, the firearm
compartment 104 may be sized, dimensioned, and configured to
receive a particular, brand, model, model-type, or variant of a
firearm 113, as will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in
the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure.
[0028] The firearm compartment 104 includes a top panel 114 and a
bottom panel 116 joined together at an edge 118 and cooperating
with one another so as to define an opening 120, a hand portion 122
adjacent to the opening 120, a grip portion 124 adjacent to the
hand portion 122, a trigger guard portion 126 adjacent to the grip
portion 124, and a barrel portion 128 adjacent to the trigger guard
portion 126.
[0029] The firearm compartment 104 is positioned inside the pillow
assembly 102 so that the opening 120 substantially aligns with the
right side edge 112b, or is positioned adjacent to (e.g., formed in
the top panel 106 or in the bottom panel 108) the right side edge
112b such that the firearm compartment 104 extends substantially
centered in the pillow assembly 102 in a direction from the right
side edge 112b toward the left side edge 112d. It is to be
understood that in some embodiments, the firearm compartment 104
may be oriented at any desired angle inside the pillow assembly
102, and in some embodiments, the opening 120 may open at the top
edge 112a, bottom edge 112c, left side edge 112d, top panel 106, or
bottom panel 108.
[0030] The top panel 114 and the bottom panel 116 of the firearm
compartment 104 may be constructed of any desired materials such as
fabrics, polymers, fibrous materials, leather, para-aramid or other
synthetic fibers, fabric, cloth, suede, or other suitable
materials, and may be joined to one another in any desired manner
such as via stitching, seams, adhesives, bonding, piping,
ultrasonic welding, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments,
the top panel 114 and the bottom panel 116 may include a layer of
cushioning material 134 (FIG. 4) such as dense foam-type material
coupled therewith or incorporated therein such that the firearm 113
positioned inside the firearm compartment 104 is virtually
undetectable by a user using the pillow and does not cause any
discomfort to a user laying on the pillow assembly 102. The
cushioning material 134 may also provide rigidity and support to
the firearm compartment 104 so that the firearm 113 is prevented
from rotating or shifting once positioned inside the firearm
compartment 104, for example. In some exemplary embodiments, the
cushioning material 134 may include one or more layers of different
materials, while in some embodiments, the cushioning material 134
may be omitted.
[0031] The opening 120 may be substantially aligned with the left
side edge 112d, or may be formed in the top panel 106 or bottom
panel 108 adjacent to the left side edge 112d, for example. In the
embodiments where the opening 120 is substantially aligned with the
left side edge 112d, the opening 120 may be virtually undetectable
to a person unaware of the presence of the firearm compartment 104
inside the pillow assembly 102. Further, in some embodiments the
opening 120 may be aligned with the top edge 112a, and right side
edge 112b, or the bottom edge 112c.
[0032] The opening 120 includes a closure mechanism 136 configured
to selectively close or open the opening 120 so as to selectively
allow a user to insert the firearm 113 in the firearm compartment
104 when the closure mechanism 136 is open (FIG. 3), and to retain
the firearm 113 in the firearm compartment 104 when the closure
mechanism 136 is closed (FIG. 2). The closure mechanism 136 may be
implemented as a hook and loop fastener coupled with the opening
120, as a zipper coupled with the opening 120, magnetic closure
mechanism 136 including one or more magnets coupled with the
opening 120 and configured to close the opening 120, or may include
snaps, buttons, adhesive strips, pads, sections, or members, or
combinations thereof.
[0033] In some exemplary embodiment, the opening 120 and/or the
closure mechanism 136 may include a quick-access portion 138, which
may be configured to allow a user to quickly and reliably open the
closure mechanism 136, and may at the same time visually or
haptically indicate to a user the orientation of the firearm
compartment 104 in the pillow assembly 102 (e.g., which way the
grip of the firearm 113 is positioned inside the firearm
compartment 104) so as or allow the user to rapidly open the
closure mechanism and acquire a good firing grip on the firearm
113, for example.
[0034] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the quick-access portion
138 may be implemented as a relatively small portion of the closure
mechanism 136 configured to remain opened as the closure mechanism
136 is closed, so as to allow a user to insert a finger into the
quick-access portion 138 and slide the finger through the closure
mechanism 136 along the opening 120 so as to quickly and
consistently open the closure mechanism 136 and insert the user's
hand inside the hand portion 122 of the firearm compartment 104 at
the appropriate orientation. As will be appreciated by persons or
ordinary skill in the art, the quick-access portion 138 may be
positioned anywhere along the closure mechanism 136 and/or the
opening 120, such as at an end of the closure mechanism 136, or at
a middle of the closure mechanism 136, for example. In embodiments
of the inventive concepts herein where the quick-access portion 138
serves as an indicator of the orientation of the firearm
compartment 104 inside the pillow assembly 102, appropriate
instructions may be provided to the users of the pillow 100
indicative of the position of the quick-access portion 138 and the
corresponding orientation of the firearm compartment 104 inside the
pillow assembly 102. Further, in some embodiments, the quick-access
portion 138 may be omitted, or two or more quick-access portions
138 may be provided with the closure mechanism 136.
[0035] Further, in some embodiments any desired visual or haptic
markings may be provided with the opening 120 and/or with the
pillow assembly 102 to indicate the orientation of the firearm
compartment 104 and/or the location of the quick-access portion 138
to a user. For example, in one embodiment, the pillow assembly 102
may include a tag 139 extending from the left side edge 112d
adjacent to and aligned with the quick assess portion 138. Other
markings may include, for example, colored areas, roughened areas,
glow in the dark areas, different material areas, arrows, markings,
letters, words, logos, and combinations thereof, for example.
[0036] The hand portion 122 has a width 140 and a depth 142
configured to allow the user to insert the firearm 113 in the
firearm compartment 104 and to have sufficient space for a user's
hand to be inserted into the firearm compartment 104 such that the
uses is able to acquire a firing grip (e.g., firmly and securely
grasp the firearm in a grip allowing the user to operate and/or
fire the firearm) on the firearm 113 when the firearm 113 is
positioned inside the firearm compartment 104 without removing the
firearm 113 from the firearm compartment 104. The width 140 may be
substantially equal to or slightly larger than a width of the
firearm 113 for which the firearm compartment 104 is configured.
For example, the width 140 may be between about 6 inches and about
10 inches (e.g., about 6 inches where the firearm compartment 104
is configured for a small firearm 113, and about 10 inches where
the firearm compartment 104 is configured for a medium or large
firearm 113), and the depth 142 may be configured based on a
typical or average size of an adult human hand such as being about
4 inches in some exemplary embodiments.
[0037] The grip portion 124 is positioned adjacent to the hand
portion 122 and has a width 144 and a depth 146 and is configured
to snugly receive a grip 148 (FIG. 2) of the firearm 113 therein
and to allow a user's hand to be at least partially positioned
around the grip 148 when the grip 148 is positioned in the grip
portion 124. In some embodiments, the grip portion 124 may be
sized, dimensioned, and configured such that a portion of the
user's hand (e.g., a trigger finger, for example, may at least
partially extend past the grip portion 124 and into the trigger
guard portion 126 and/or the barrel portion 128 as will be
appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art having the
benefit of the instant disclosure.
[0038] The width 144 of the grip portion 124 may be substantially
equal to, or at least as large as the width 140 of the hand portion
122 (e.g., between about 6 inches and about 10 inches) such that
the firearm 113 may be inserted and extracted through the hand
portion 122 and the grip portion 124 without snagging as will be
appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art.
[0039] Similarly, the depth 146 of the grip portion 124 may vary
between about 3 inches and about 8 inches in some exemplary
embodiments, For example, the depth 146 may be about 3.75 inches
where the firearm compartment 104 is configured for a small firearm
113, about 5.25 inches where the firearm compartment is configured
for a medium firearm 113, and about 7.25 inches where the firearm
compartment is configured for a large firearm 113.
[0040] It is to be understood that in some embodiments, the hand
portion 122 and the grip portion 124 may be formed as a unitary
portion of the firearm compartment 104. Further, in some
embodiments where the firearm 113 is a pistol, the grip portion 124
may be dimensioned and configured to receive a portion of the slide
and frame of the firearm 113, and in some embodiments where the
firearm 113 is a revolver the grip portion 124 may be dimensioned
and configured to receive a portion of the frame, cylinder, and/or
hammer of the firearm 113.
[0041] The trigger guard portion 126 is positioned adjacent to the
grip portion 124 and has a width 150 and a depth 152. The trigger
guard portion 126 is configured to receive a trigger guard 154 of
the firearm 113 and/or a portion of the barrel 156 of the firearm
113. In some embodiments, the trigger guard portion 126 is sized
and dimensioned so as to allow a user's trigger finger to extend at
least partially into the trigger guard portion 126 or past the
trigger guard portion 126 and/or to allow the user's trigger finger
to be inserted into the trigger guard so as to operate the trigger
158 of the firearm 113. The width 150 may vary between about 3
inches and about 8 inches, for example, the width 150 may be about
3.75 inches where the firearm compartment 104 is configured for a
small firearm 113, about 6.25 inches where the firearm compartment
104 is configured for a medium firearm 113, and about 7.25 inches
where the firearm compartment 104 is configured for a large firearm
113. Similarly, the width 150 may vary between about 2 inches and
about 3 inches, such as by being about 2.25 inches where the
firearm compartment 104 is configured for a small firearm 113, and
about 2.5 inches where the firearm compartment 104 is configured
for a medium or large firearm 113.
[0042] As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the
art, while the trigger guard portion 126 is shown as being
substantially rectangular in shape, in some embodiments the trigger
guard portion 126 may have any desired shape configured to receive
a trigger guard 154 of the firearm 113 therein such as by being
oval, elliptical, circular, rounded-off, triangular, or
combinations thereof. Further, in some embodiments, the trigger
guard portion 126 may be dimensioned and configured to receive a
portion of the barrel 156, frame and slide of the firearm 113 where
the firearm 113 is a semiautomatic of automatic pistol, or may be
dimensioned and configured to receive a portion of the cylinder
and/or a portion of the barrel 156 where the firearm 113 is a
revolver and/or a derringer, for example.
[0043] The barrel portion 128 has a width 160 and a depth 162 and
is dimensioned and configured to receive the barrel 156 and/or the
slide of the firearm 113. In some embodiments the barrel portion
128 may be dimensioned and configured receive an accessory attached
to the barrel 156 of the firearm 113, such as a light, a laser, a
forward grip, and combinations thereof, for example. For example,
the width 160 may vary between about 2 inches and about 4 inches,
such that the width is about 2 inches where the firearm compartment
104 is configured for a small firearm 113, and about 4 inches where
the firearm compartment 104 is configured for a medium or large
firearm 113. Similarly, the depth 162 may vary between about 2
inches and about 7 inches, such that the depth 162 is about 2
inches where the firearm compartment 104 is configured for a small
firearm 113, and such that the depth 162 is about 7 inches where
the firearm compartment 104 is configured for a medium or large
firearm 113.
[0044] The grip portion 124, the trigger guard portion 126, and the
barrel portion 128 cooperate with one another to allow the firearm
113 to be inserted into the firearm compartment 104 and to securely
retain the firearm 113 in the firearm compartment 104 such that the
firearm 113 is prevented from rotating inside the firearm
compartment 104 and such that a user may obtain a firing grip on
the firearm 113 inside the firearm compartment 104. As will be
appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art having the
benefit of the instant disclosure, in an emergency the user may
fire the firearm 113 inside the firearm compartment 104, or the
user may withdraw, or otherwise remove the firearm 113 from the
firearm compartment 104 and fire the firearm 113 immediately as
warranted by the situation.
[0045] In some exemplary embodiments, the firearm compartment 104
may be anchored inside the pillow assembly 102 via one or more
anchor straps 170 coupled with the edge 118 and with the peripheral
edge 112 (e.g., the left side edge 112d, the top edge 112a, and/or
the bottom edge 112c) to prevent the firearm compartment 104 from
being pulled out or becoming turned inside out when a user is
removing a firearm 113 from the firearm compartment 104.
[0046] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, two anchor straps 170
are shown secured, attached to, or otherwise coupled with the
barrel portion 128 and with the left side edge 112d of the pillow
assembly 102. In some embodiments, however, any desired number of
anchor straps 170 may be coupled with one or more of or at an
intersection of the hand portion 122, the grip portion 124, the
trigger guard portion 126, the barrel portion 128, the top edge
112a, the bottom edge 112c, and the right side edge 112b. The
anchor straps 170 may have any desired size or shape (e.g., string
or rope-shaped, or band or strip shaped) and may be constructed of
any desired material such as cloth, fibrous material, ropes,
strings, braided strands of material, or combinations thereof, for
example.
[0047] The anchor straps 170 are configured to securely hold or
retain the firearm compartment 104 in place inside the pillow
assembly 102, ensuring maximum safety when inserting the firearm
113 in the firearm compartment 104, storing the firearm 113 in the
firearm compartment 104, and removing the firearm 113 from the
firearm compartment 104.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 5, shown therein is an embodiment of a
firearm compartment 104a. The firearm compartment 104a may be
implemented substantially similarly to the firearm compartment 104,
except that the firearm compartment 104a includes a trigger guard
portion 126a. The firearm compartment 104a may be configured to
receive a firearm 113a which is implemented as a large revolver in
this embodiment. The trigger guard portion 126a is shown as being
substantially triangular and configured to receive a trigger guard
of the firearm 113a, as will be appreciated by persons of ordinary
skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure.
[0049] In some embodiments, firearm compartment pillows 100
according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein may include
one or more of the following features: Kevlar-lined pillow assembly
102 and/or firearm compartment 104, body-armor panels of pillow
assembly 102, additional magazine, ammunition, or flashlight
pockets or compartments formed in the pillow assembly 102 and/or
positioned in the firearm compartment 104, pepper spray pockets or
compartments, taser pockets or compartments, or combinations
thereof, for example. In some embodiments, additional substantially
L-shaped or T-shaped pockets or compartments may be formed in the
pillow assembly 102 to allow for the secure insertion of an item
and for access to the item by a user's hand via the broader portion
of the T-shape or L-shape as will be appreciated by persons of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant
disclosure. Further, in some embodiments, such additional pockets
or compartments may be formed in the pillow assembly 102 adjacent
to the firearm compartment 104, aligned with the peripheral edge
112, or in the top panel 106 and/or bottom panel 105, and may be
closed with any desired closure mechanisms (e.g., implemented
similarly to the closure mechanism 136).
[0050] In operation, a method of using a firearm compartment pillow
such as the pillow 100 according to the inventive concepts
disclosed herein for self-defense or for defense of the user's
loved ones or home may be implemented as follows.
[0051] The user may use the pillow 100 as a conventional pillow by
placing the pillow 100 in a pillow case (not shown) for example,
with the opening 120 of the firearm compartment 104 positioned on
an open side of the pillow case for accessing the firearm
compartment 104.
[0052] The user may place any desired firearm such as the firearm
113 in the firearm compartment 104 (e.g., with a loaded magazine
inserted and a round chambered with the safety engaged, with a
loaded magazine inserted but no round chambered and the safety
either engaged or disengaged, with no magazine inserted and no
round chambered, with a full cylinder, with an empty cylinder, or
unloaded as desired). The user may use the pillow 100 as desired,
such as like a conventional pillow on which the user sleeps, a
couch pillow, a camping pillow, a vehicle pillow, a beach pillow,
or combinations thereof.
[0053] In an emergency situation where the user may have to resort
to using a firearm, such as the firearm 113, to defend themselves
or a loved one, the user may access the firearm compartment 104
such as by locating the rapid-access portion 138, rapidly opening
the closure mechanism 136 and acquiring a firing grip on the
firearm 113. Depending on the situation and the judgment of the
user, the user may fire the firearm 113 from inside the firearm
compartment 104 to engage the threat, or may remove the firearm 113
from the firearm compartment 104 and engage the threat.
[0054] In some embodiments, the an experienced and appropriately
trained user may maintain a firearm 113 inside the pillow 100 at
all times, while in some embodiments, the user may carry the
firearm 113 on their person or in an appropriate container, such as
a vehicle, purse, briefcase, or holster, and may insert the firearm
113 inside the pillow 100 when using the pillow to sleep, for
example. Further, in some embodiments, a security conscious user
may transfer the firearm 113 from a secure firearm storage location
to the pillow 100 as part of the user's bedtime routine and/or may
remove the firearm 113 from the pillow 100 and return the firearm
113 to the secure firearm storage location as part of the user's
waking morning routine.
[0055] Embodiments of firearm compartment pillows such as the
pillow 100 according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein are
discreet and inconspicuous, and an intruder or a person other than
the user may be unaware of the firearm compartment 104 and/or
firearm 113 positioned inside the pillow 100. Further, embodiments
of firearm compartment pillows 100 according to the inventive
concepts disclosed herein allow users to safely, securely, and
discreetly store a firearm where the firearm is always easily and
rapidly accessible by the user, and allow users to reliably and
quickly acquire a firing grip on the firearm 113 in an emergency
such as a home invasion or attack. With embodiments of firearm
compartment pillows 100 as described herein, users may be certain
as to the location, position, and orientation of the firearm 113 at
all times and may have the confidence and assurance that the
firearm 113 is accessible at all times should the need to use the
firearm 113 to defend the user or loved ones materializes.
[0056] From the above description, it is clear that the inventive
concepts disclosed herein are well adapted and configured to carry
out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as
well as those inherent in the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
While exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed
herein have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will
be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily
suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are
accomplished within the scope and coverage of the inventive
concepts disclosed and claimed herein.
* * * * *