Soft fire safe

Abstract

A soft fire safe includes a storage compartment, insulating layer, outside cover, and insulating plug. The storage compartment preferably includes a storage tube, end plate, and removable end cap. The end plate is attached to one end of the storage tube. The removable end cap is removably attached to the other end of the storage tube. The insulating layer includes a lengthwise insulating layer a stationary end insulating layer, and a movable end insulating layer. The lengthwise insulating layer is wrapped around the storage tube. The insulating layer and storage tube are encapsulated in the outside cover. An opening is formed through one end of the outside cover, adjacent the removable end cap. The insulating plug is sized to be received by the opening. The movable end insulating layer is contained within the insulating plug. An item to be stored is inserted into the storage tube. The removable end cap is attached to the storage tube and the insulating plug is inserted into the soft fire safe behind the removable end cap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Cross-References to Related Applications

[0002] This is a utility application, taking priority from U.S. Provisional Pat. App. Ser. No. 60/253,859 filed on Nov. 29, 2000.

[0003] 2. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to fire safes and more specifically to a soft fire safe which protects items placed therein from heat damage due to fire better than that of the prior art.

[0005] 3. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0006] The prior art contains numerous fire safes. Most of these fire safes maintain an internal temperature of 350-450 degrees fahrenheit while experiencing an external temperature of up to 1,700 degrees fahrenheit. The internal temperature range of 350-450 degrees fahrenheit will result in charred documents. However, there are media fire safes which have an internal temperature of 125 degrees fahrenheit. The media fire safes do not provide security against theft, but they do provide security against heat damage. However, these media fire safes are very expensive and not transportable.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a soft safe which is transportable and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a soft fire safe which may be used to transport paper documents or valuables. The soft fire safe includes a storage compartment, insulating layer, outside cover, and insulating plug. The storage compartment preferably includes a storage tube, end plate, and removable end cap. The end plate is attached to one end of the storage tube. The other end of the storage tube preferably has internal threads to receive external threads formed on the removable end cap. The insulating layer includes a lengthwise insulating layer, a stationary end insulating layer, and a movable end insulating layer. The lengthwise insulating layer is wrapped around the storage tube. The lengthwise insulating layer is long enough to overlap both end insulating layers. At least two steel bands are preferably cinched around the perimeter of the lengthwise insulating layer.

[0009] The outside cover includes an outside lengthwise portion, outside end portion, and outside removable end portion. The outside removable end portion is attached to one end of the outside lengthwise portion. The lengthwise insulating layer is preferably compressed and inserted into the open end of the outside lengthwise portion. The outside removable end portion includes a stationary portion and a removable portion formed inside the stationary portion. The stationary portion is attached to an open end of the outside lengthwise portion. The removable portion is attached to an outside end of the moveable end insulating layer to form the insulating plug.

[0010] The soft safe is preferably used in the following manner. An item to be stored is inserted into the storage tube. The removable end cap is screwed on to the tube and the insulating plug is inserted into the soft fire safe behind the removable end cap.

[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a soft fire safe which has a weight light enough to be easily transportable by a single person.

[0012] Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a soft fire safe which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

[0013] These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a soft fire safe in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a soft fire safe in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an insulating plug of a soft fire safe in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perimeter cross sectional view of a soft fire safe in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a front end view of a soft fire safe in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section of the removable cap above a storage tube of a soft fire safe in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a front view of a removable cap of a soft fire safe in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a partially exploded perspective view of a soft fire safe 1. With reference to FIGS. 2 - 7, the soft fire safe 1 includes a storage compartment 10, insulating layer 12, inside cover 14, outside cover 16, and insulating plug 19. The storage compartment 10 preferably includes a storage tube 18, end plate 20, and removable end cap 22. The end plate 20 is attached to one end of the storage tube 18 with any suitable assembly method. The other end of the storage tube 18 preferably has internal threads 23 which are sized to receive external threads 25 formed on the removable end cap 22. The storage tube 18 is shown with a round shape, however other shapes may also be used which do not have sharp corners. The round shape of the storage tube 18 has been found to work satisfactorily. Shapes with sharp corners compress the insulating layer in a way that results in a degradation of heat resisting properties.

[0022] Preferably, at least one bore 27 is formed in a front of the removable end cap 22. The at least one bore 27 allows the removable end cap 22 to be screwed and unscrewed from the storage tube 18. Other designs or methods may also be used to screw and unscrew the removable end cap 22 besides the at least one bore 27. The storage tube 18, end plate 20, and removable end cap 22 are preferably fabricated from a phenolic plastic, a thermal set plastic, or any other suitable material that has a high heat resistance.

[0023] The inside cover 14 includes an inside lengthwise portion 24 and an inside end portion 26. The inside end portion 26 is attached to one end of the inside lengthwise portion 24 to form the inside cover 14. The inside perimeter of the inside cover 14 is sized to receive the storage compartment 10. The inside lengthwise portion 24 and the inside end portion 26 are preferably fabricated from denim fabric, but any other material may also be used.

[0024] The insulating layer 12 includes a lengthwise insulating layer 28, a stationary end insulating layer 30, and a movable end insulating layer 32. After the storage container 10 is inserted into the inside cover 14, a single sheet of the lengthwise insulating layer 28 is wrapped around the inside cover 14 at least once. Wrapping the lengthwise insulating layer 28 around the inside cover 14, three times provides a temperature of no more than 125 degrees fahrenheit inside the storage container 10, while the outside cover 16 is exposed to a temperature of up to 1,700 degrees fahrenheit.

[0025] The perimeter of the end insulating layers are slightly larger than the perimeter of the storage tube 18. The lengthwise insulating layer 24 is long enough to overlap both end insulating layers. The stationary end insulating layer 30 and the movable end insulating layer 32 are preferably at least one layer thick. Three layers of the stationary end and movable end insulating layers are used when the lengthwise insulating layer 28 is wrapped around the inside cover 14, three times. The lengthwise insulating layer 28, the stationary end insulating layer 30, and the movable end insulating layer 32 are preferably fabricated from Kaowool ceramic fiber, or any other suitable material. Kaowool is a trademark of Thermal Ceramics located in Augusta, Ga. At least two steel bands 34 are preferably cinched around the perimeter of the lengthwise insulating layer 28.

[0026] The outside cover 16 includes an outside lengthwise portion 36, outside end portion 38, and outside removable end portion 40. The outside end portion 38 is attached to one end of the outside lengthwise portion 36. The lengthwise insulating layer 28 is preferably compressed and inserted into an open end of the outside lengthwise portion 36. The removable end portion 40 includes a stationary portion 44 and a removable portion 46 formed inside the stationary portion 44. The stationary portion 44 is attached to the open end of the outside lengthwise portion 36. A cover strap 45 is preferably attached along the outside lengthwise portion 36.

[0027] The insulating plug 19 includes the removable portion 46, the movable end insulating layer 32, and a plug cover 48. The plug cover 48 includes a lengthwise plug portion 50 and an end plug portion 52. The end plug portion 52 is attached to one end of the lengthwise plug portion 50 to form the plug cover 48. The moveable end insulating layer 32 is inserted into an open end of the plug cover 48 and the removable portion 46 is attached to the open end of the plug cover 48. The lengthwise plug portion 50 and an end plug portion 52 are preferably fabricated from denim fabric, but other suitable materials may also be used. A plug strap 54 is preferably attached to the removable portion 46.

[0028] The soft fire safe 1 is used in the following manner. An item to be stored is inserted into the storage tube 18. The removable end cap is 22 screwed on to the tube 18 and the insulating plug 19 is inserted into the soft fire safe 1 behind the removable end cap

[0029] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A soft fire safe comprising:

a storage compartment having a removable cap, said storage compartment being fabricated from a high heat resistant material;

an insulating layer covering a length and an end opposite said removable cap, said insulating layer being fabricated from a high heat resistant material;

an outside cover encapsulating said insulating layer, an opening being formed in said outside cover at an end adjacent said removable cap; and

an insulating plug being inserted into said opening.

2. A soft fire safe of claim 1, further comprising:

at least two steel bands being cinched around the perimeter of said insulating layer.

3. A soft fire safe of claim 1, further comprising:

said storage compartment including a storage tube, an end plate, and said removable cap, said end cap being attached to one end of said storage tube, said removable cap being removably attachable to the open end of said storage tube.

4. A soft fire safe of claim 1, further comprising:

said insulating layer including a lengthwise insulating layer, a stationary end insulating layer, and a movable end insulating layer, said lengthwise insulating layer being longer than the length of said storage compartment such that said stationary end insulating layers are overlapped, said movable end insulating layer being contained within said insulating plug.

5. A soft fire safe of claim 1, further comprising:

said outside cover including an outside lengthwise portion, an outside end portion, and an outside removable end portion, said outside end portion being attached to one end of said outside cover, said outside removable portion including a stationary portion and a removable portion, said stationary portion being attached to the open end of said lengthwise portion.

6. A soft fire safe of claim 5, further comprising:

said insulating plug including said removable portion, said movable end insulating layer, and a plug cover, said movable end insulating layer being inserted into said plug cover, said removable portion being attached to an open end of said plug cover.

7. A soft fire safe of claim 5, further comprising:

said storage compartment being inserted into an inside cover, an open end of said inside cover being attached to said stationary portion.