J-style gun rack for a safe

Abstract

A gun rack including a gun barrel support and a lower support for retaining a gun in an upright position is provided. The gun barrel support has a retaining recess defined therein for retaining a barrel of the gun, wherein the retaining recess is J-shaped. Further, the gun barrel support has a front wall portion, a back wall portion and at least two side wall portions. The retaining recess includes an access portion, an intermediate portion and a receiving portion. The access portion extends from the front wall portion toward the back wall portion. The intermediate portion extends from the access portion toward one of the side wall portions. The receiving portion extends from the intermediate portion toward the front wall portion. Further, the receiving portion includes a rest area to retain the barrel of the gun. The lower support includes a recess for retaining the stock of the gun.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/516,332, filed on Oct. 31, 2003.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rack for holding guns located within an enclosure, safe or storage cabinet. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a gun barrel support having a J-shaped retaining recess that holds a firearm in position within the enclosure. Further, the present invention is directed to a gun barrel support having a J-shaped retaining recess that is used in conjunction with a lower support to hold the firearm in a generally upright position within the enclosure.

Many types of gun racks for rifles, shotguns and other long firearms are well known in the art. In fact, some gun racks are configured to hold one or more guns within an enclosure or safe. Typically, these gun racks are mounted on the side wall of the safe and have a U-shaped groove adapted to hold the barrel of the gun. In, particular, the gun barrel is placed within the U-shaped groove, and the remaining portion of the gun is positioned at an angle so that the gun stock rests near the center of the floor of the safe.

While prior gun racks adapted for use inside a safe are capable of retaining a plurality of guns, these gun racks have a number of drawbacks and deficiencies. For instance, the placement of the gun stocks near the center of the floor occupies valuable storage space within the safe. Angling the gun barrel toward the side wall with the stock near the center of the floor makes the gun stock susceptible to sliding thereby causing the gun barrel to be unintentionally removed from the gun rack. If the gun stock were to be slid toward the sidewall of the safe, the gun barrel has a tendency to tip over, or otherwise be removed from the U-shaped groove.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a gun rack that adequately holds a gun in an upright position within an enclosure. There is a further need in the art for a gun rack that adequately holds a plurality of guns while maximizing space within an enclosure. The present invention fills these needs as well as other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the above stated problems and limitations there is provided a gun rack for retaining at least one gun in a generally upright position within an enclosure, wherein the gun has a barrel and a stock portion. The gun rack includes a gun barrel support and a lower support.

The gun barrel support includes a front wall portion, a back wall portion and at least two side wall portions, wherein a J-shaped retaining recess is defined in the gun barrel support for selectively retaining the gun barrel. The retaining recess includes an access portion, an intermediate portion and a receiving portion. The access portion extends from the front wall portion toward the back wall portion. The intermediate portion extends from the access portion toward one of the side wall portions. Further, the receiving portion extends from the intermediate portion toward the front wall portion, wherein the receiving portion includes a rest area for the gun barrel. The lower support has a support base and at least one recess formed therein to selectively receive the gun stock portion of the gun.

The gun rack of the present invention may also include a stand that is pivotally coupled with the support base. The stand includes a support foot and an adjustment mechanism that is adapted to adjust the position of the support foot relative to the support base. The stand provides additional support to the lower support when the gun rack is mounted to the door of the enclosure.

The use of the J-shaped gun barrel support and lower support allow the guns to be positioned in an upright position within the enclosure thereby maximizing the amount of available storage space within the enclosure. Further, the use of the J-shaped gun barrel support and lower support securely position the guns within the enclosure, which reduces the chance that the guns will slide and be inadvertently removed from the gun rack.

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

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and be better understood by reference to the following description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a gun rack in accordance with the present invention mounted to a door of a safe;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the gun rack shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the gun rack shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the gun rack shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the gun rack shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a stand shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the stand in a horizontal position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly FIGS. 1-3, reference numeral 8 generally designates a gun rack for holding one or more guns 9 in a generally upright position in accordance with the present invention. Gun rack 8 may include a gun barrel support 10 and a lower support 12. Gun barrel support 10 and lower support 12 may be mounted to the surface of an interior wall 14 or the inside surface of a door 16 of an enclosure 18, such as a gun safe, to store a plurality of guns while maximizing space within the enclosure. In general, gun barrel support 10 has at least one J-shaped retaining recess defined therein to hold a gun barrel portion 20 of gun 9, and lower support 12 that is adapted to hold a stock portion 22 of gun 9.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, gun barrel support 10 includes a front wall portion 24, a back wall portion 26, a pair of side wall portions 28, 30, a top surface 32, and a bottom surface 33. Back wall portion 26 may be fixedly or removably coupled with door 16, as best seen in FIG. 1, or interior wall 14 of enclosure 18. Retaining recess 34 is formed or defined in gun barrel support 10 for holding gun barrel 20 in an upright position.

Specifically, retaining recess 34 includes an access portion 36, an intermediate portion 38, a receiving portion 39, and a rest area 40 adapted to receive gun barrel 20. It will be understood that retaining recess 34 has a width that allows a gun barrel to be slid and retained therein. Access portion 36 generally extends from front wall portion 24 toward back wall portion 26 to a point in between front and back wall portions 24, 26. Intermediate portion 38 generally curves from the end of access portion 36, or otherwise extends in a straight manner, toward one of side wall portions 28, 30. Receiving portion 39 generally extends from intermediate portion 38 toward front wall portion 24, but preferably ends before extending all the way to front wall portion 24. As such, retaining recess 34 may be J-shaped as defined in top surface 32 of gun barrel support 10.

Further, rest area 40 is a surface located in retaining recess 34 that the gun barrel 20 rests on to prevent the gun barrel 20 from tipping over toward the central portion of the enclosure 18. Resting gun barrel 20 on rest area 40 allows for stock portion 22 of the gun to be positioned closer to the enclosure door 16 or wall 14, thereby occupying less of the available storage space within the enclosure.

The configuration of access portion 36, intermediate portion 38 and receiving portion 39 results in the formation of an extension member 41, a connecting member 43, and a retention lip 45 formed in gun barrel support 10 that prevents gun barrel 20 from being removed from retaining recess 34. In particular, extension member 41 extends outwardly from a base 47 of the gun barrel support 10, preferably at a generally perpendicular angle from base 47. Connecting member 43 extends from extension member 41 in a direction that is generally perpendicular to extension member 41, wherein an interior surface of connecting member defines at least a portion of rest area 40. Connecting member 43 may also extend generally parallel to base 47. Further, retention lip 45 extends from connection member 43 toward base 47, preferably, but not necessarily, in a direction that is generally perpendicular to connection member 43, and generally parallel with extension member 41. However, retention lip 45 does not extend to base 47 so that gun barrel 20 may be selectively retained within retaining recess 34.

It will be understood and appreciated that retaining recess 34 may shaped in other configurations so long as the relative positions of access portion 36, intermediate portion 38, receiving portion 39, and rest area 40 are formed in accordance with the description provided above. Further, it is within the scope of the present invention to form access portion 36a in one of side wall portions as best illustrated by the retaining recess located closest to side wall portion 28 in FIG. 3.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, lower support 12 may be coupled with the door 16 of enclosure 18, or with wall 14 of enclosure 18 (not shown). In particular, lower support 12 includes a support base 48 having one or more recesses 50 defined therein that are adapted to receive gun stock 22. Recesses 50 may extend at an angle relative door 16 or wall 14 as best seen in FIG. 1. Furthermore, recesses 50 are of a depth that will retain stock portion 22 within the confines of lower support 12. The retention of the stock portion 22 within recess 50 prevents stock portion 22 from slipping out of recess 50 and moving into a center portion of enclosure 18. The retention of the stock portion 22 in conjunction with the retention of the gun barrel portion 20 in the gun barrel support 10, as described above, allows the gun to be stored in an upright position and reduces the amount of space necessary to store the gun within an enclosure.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, lower support 12 mounted to door 16 may include a stand 52 to provide support to lower support 12. Stand 52 includes a housing 54, an adjustment mechanism 56 and a support foot 58. Housing 54 is either fixedly or pivotally coupled with support base 48 and may be configured to be positioned horizontally so that door 16 may be closed, as best seen in FIG. 8. Housing 54 is a tube-like member or sleeve that may have threads located within its bore. Support foot 58 is adjustably coupled to housing 54 so that it may be extended and retracted with respect to housing 54 using adjustment mechanism 56. The adjustable nature of support foot allows stand 52 to be positioned in contact with an external support surface 60 to stabilize lower support 12. Adjustment mechanism 56 may include a threaded rod 62 threadably received within the bore of housing 54 and a fly nut 64 positioned on the end of threaded rod 62 to allow for the extension and retraction of support foot 58 by rotation of the threaded rod 62 with respect to housing 54.

As best seen in FIGS. 4-6, an alternative gun rack 8′ including an alternative gun barrel support 42 and lower support 66 is also within the scope of the present invention. Gun barrel support 42 includes a configuration where two retaining recesses 34a, 34b are combined with one another to share a common access portion 36. However, retaining recess 34a, 34b provide separate intermediate portions 38a, 38b that extend from common access portion 36 toward opposite side wall portions 28, 30. In addition, receiving portions 39a, 39b extend from intermediate portions 38a, 38b toward front wall portion 24 to form rest areas 40a, 40b as described above. The configuration of retaining recesses 34a, 34b in gun barrel support 42 results in two J-shaped recess positioned adjacent to one other. Further, a pair of an extension members, connecting members and retaining lips are formed in accordance with the discussion set forth above so that they are mirror images of each other to form a portion of gun barrel support 42 that may hold two or more gun barrels 20.

It will be understood and appreciated that one or more single retaining recesses 34 may be used alone or in conjunction with one or more combined retaining recesses 34a, 34b on the same gun barrel rack 10 as best seen in FIG. 5. In addition, as best seen in FIG. 4, lower support 66 may include one or more legs 46 that allow lower support 66 to be placed on the floor 44 of enclosure 18 rather than be mounted to wall 14 or door 16. Further, as best seen in FIG. 6, one or more recesses 68 may extend at a perpendicular angle relative to door 16 or wall 14 of enclosure 18.

In use, the door 16 is opened to allow access to the interior compartment of enclosure 18. If a user desires to place one or more guns 9 in gun rack 8, 8′ that is mounted on door 16, as seen in FIG. 2, then stand 52 may be pivoted to a vertical position relative to support base 48 as best seen in FIG. 7. Adjustment mechanism 56 may then be manipulated until support foot 58 is in contact with external surface 60. This will provide support for lower support 12, 66 while door 16 is in the open position.

Once stand 52 is in place, gun stock 22 may be positioned in recess 50, 68 formed in lower support 12, 66. The gun barrel 20 is then inserted into retaining recess 34, 34a, 34b. Specifically, gun barrel 20 is inserted through access portion 36 and moved toward back wall portion 26. Gun barrel 20 is then moved through intermediate portion 38, 38a, 38b toward one of the side wall portions 28, 30 depending on which direction the retaining recess is formed, and then is moved toward front wall portion 24 through receiving portion 39, 39a, 39b until gun barrel 20 is placed in contact with rest area 40, 40a, 40b. At this point, gun 9 is securely positioned within gun rack 8, 8′ in a generally upright position. It will be understood that more guns may be placed in gun rack 8, 8′ using similar methodology. Further, the gun may be removed from retaining recess 34, 34a, 34b by reversing the procedure set forth above.

Once the one or more guns are positioned in gun rack 8, 8′, door 16 may be closed. Before closing door 16, adjustment mechanism 56 may be rotated until support foot 58 is no longer in contact with external support surface 60. In particular, as best seen in FIG. 8, stand 52 is rotated to a generally horizontal position relative to support surface 60 so that door 16 may be closed.

The present invention overcomes and ameliorates the drawbacks and deficiencies in the prior art. Specifically, the use of the J-shaped gun barrel support and lower support allow the guns to be positioned in an upright position within the enclosure thereby maximizing the amount of available storage space within the enclosure. Further, the use of the J-shaped gun barrel support and lower support securely position the guns within the enclosure, which reduces the chance that the guns will slide and be inadvertently removed from the gun rack.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Claims

1. A gun rack for retaining at least one gun in a generally upright position, the gun having a barrel and a stock portion, said gun rack comprising:

a gun barrel support having a first retaining recess defined therein for selectively retaining the gun barrel, wherein said first retaining recess is J-shaped.

2. The gun rack as recited in claim 1, wherein said gun barrel support has a front wall portion, a back wall portion and at least two side wall portions.

3. The gun rack as recited in claim 2, wherein said first retaining recess includes:

a first access portion that extends from said front wall portion toward said back wall portion;

a first intermediate portion that extends from said first access portion toward one of said side wall portions; and

a first receiving portion that extends from said first intermediate portion toward said front wall portion, wherein said first receiving portion includes a first rest area.

4. The gun rack as recited in claim 3, further comprising a second retaining recess, wherein said retaining recess includes:

a second access portion that extends from said front wall portion toward said back wall portion;

a second intermediate portion that extends from said second access portion toward the other of said side wall portions; and

a second receiving portion that extends from said second intermediate portion toward said front wall portion, wherein said second receiving portion includes a second rest area.

5. The gun rack as recited in claim 4, wherein said first and second access portions are a common access location.

6. The gun rack as recited in claim 1, further comprising a lower support having a support base and at least one recess formed in said support base, wherein said recess is adapted to selectively receive the gun stock portion.

7. The gun rack as recited in claim 6, further comprising a stand that is coupled with said support base.

8. The gun rack as recited in claim 7, wherein said stand is pivotally coupled with said support base.

9. The gun rack as recited in claim 7, wherein said stand includes a support foot and an adjustment mechanism, wherein said adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the position of said support foot relative to said support base.

10. A gun rack for retaining at least one gun in a generally upright position, the gun having a barrel and a stock portion, said gun rack comprising:

a gun barrel support having a base, an extension member, a connecting member, and a retention lip, wherein said extension member extends outwardly from said base, wherein said connection member extends in a direction that is generally perpendicular to said extension member, and wherein said retention lip extends toward said base thereby forming a retaining recess for selectively retaining the gun barrel.

11. The gun rack as recited in claim 10, wherein said extension member extends in a direction that is perpendicular to said base.

12. The gun rack as recited in claim 10, wherein said connecting member extends parallel to said base.

13. The gun rack as recited in claim 10, wherein said retention lip is perpendicular to at least one of said connection member and said base.

14. The gun rack as recited in claim 10, wherein said retention lip is parallel with said extension member.

15. The gun rack as recited in claim 10, wherein said retaining recess is J-shaped.

16. The gun rack as recited in claim 10, wherein said gun barrel support has a front wall portion, a back wall portion and at least two side wall portions, wherein said retaining recess includes:

an access portion that extends from said front wall portion toward said back wall portion;

an intermediate portion that extends from said access portion toward one of said side wall portions; and

a receiving portion that extends from said intermediate portion toward said front wall portion, wherein said receiving portion includes a rest area.

17. The gun rack as recited in claim 10, further comprising a lower support having a support base and at least one recess formed in said support base, wherein said recess is adapted to selectively receive the gun stock portion.

18. The gun rack as recited in claim 17, further comprising a stand that is coupled with said support base.

19. A gun rack for retaining at least one gun in a generally upright position, the gun having a barrel and a stock portion, said gun rack comprising:

a gun barrel support having a front wall portion, a back wall portion and at least two side wall portions, said gun barrel support having a first retaining recess defined therein for selectively retaining the gun barrel, wherein said first retaining recess includes: a first access portion that extends from said front wall portion toward said back wall portion; a first intermediate portion that extends from said first access portion toward one of said side wall portions; and a first receiving portion that extends from said first intermediate portion toward said front wall portion, wherein said first receiving portion includes a first rest area.

20. The gun rack as recited in claim 19, wherein said first retaining recess is J-shaped.

21. The gun rack as recited in claim 19, further comprising a second retaining recess, wherein said retaining recess includes:

a second access portion that extends from said front wall portion toward said back wall portion;

a second intermediate portion that extends from said second access portion toward the other of said side wall portions; and

a second receiving portion that extends from said second intermediate portion toward said front wall portion, wherein said second receiving portion includes a second rest area.

22. The gun rack as recited in claim 21, wherein said first and second access portions are a common access location.

23. The gun rack as recited in claim 19, further comprising a lower support having a support base and at least one recess formed in said support base, wherein said recess is adapted to selectively receive the gun stock portion.

24. The gun rack as recited in claim 23, further comprising a stand that is coupled with said support base.

25. The gun rack as recited in claim 24, wherein said stand is pivotally coupled with said support base.

26. The gun rack as recited in claim 24, wherein said stand includes a support foot and an adjustment mechanism, wherein said adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the position of said support foot relative to said support base.

27. A gun rack for retaining at least one gun in a generally upright position, the gun having a barrel and a stock portion, said gun rack comprising:

a gun barrel support having a front wall portion, a back wall portion and at least two side wall portions, wherein a retaining recess is defined in said gun barrel support for selectively retaining the gun barrel, and wherein said retaining recess includes: an access portion that extends from said front wall portion toward said back wall portion; an intermediate portion that extends from said access portion toward one of said side wall portions; and a receiving portion that extends from said intermediate portion toward said front wall portion, wherein said receiving portion includes a rest area;

a lower support having a support base and at least one recess formed therein, wherein said recess is adapted to selectively receive the gun stock portion; and

a stand pivotally coupled with said support base, and wherein said stand includes a support foot and an adjustment mechanism, wherein said adjustment mechanism is adapted to adjust the position of said support foot relative to said support base.

28. The gun rack recited in claim 27, wherein said retaining recess is J- shaped.