CONCEALED, WALL-MOUNTED LOCKING CABINET

Abstract

A flat, rectangular, concealed wall-mounted locking cabinet which can be securely fastened through the outside surface of a wall and into supporting studs without requiring significant modification to the wall is described. The cabinet is completely concealed by a nesting cover that simultaneously functions as a picture frame or other artistic work. The cover and the door of the cabinet both may open in a downward manner, thereby permitting the cabinet to be made in a variety of sizes whereby handguns and long guns, such as shotguns and rifles, as well as other articles, may be accommodated.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wall safes and, more particularly, to a concealed, locking cabinet mounted on the exterior surface of a wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is sometimes advantageous to have firearms available for immediate use by the firearms owner, or other authorized users, in living quarters, without having plainly visible, unsightly gun safes or locked gun storage boxes for protecting the weapons from children or from thieves. Disguised, wall-mounted locking cabinets are generally adapted to be mounted in a recess in a wall, for example, between two studs. However, such installation requires significant modification to the wallboard to achieve sturdy mounting to the studs. Shallow cabinets attachable to the surface of a wall, resembling a framed picture when closed, and suitable for storing small objects have been used for hiding money, jewelry and other valuables, as has the combination of a picture frame and a repository in which one of the frame members is movable to provide access to a secret inner storage compartment. However, in order to preserve their concealment function such cabinets and repositories are too shallow to enable handguns to be stored, do not provide locking capability, and cannot store long guns such as rifles and shotguns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet adapted for storing articles which does not require significant modification to the wallboard for mounting.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet adapted for storing handguns which does not require significant modification to the wallboard for mounting.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet adapted for storing rifles and shotguns which does not require significant modification to the wallboard for mounting.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the concealed, wall-mounted cabinet, hereof, includes in combination: a flat rectangular cabinet for mounting in a vertical orientation on a mounting wall, including a back wall, a first wall and a second opposing wall, and a door rotatably attached to the first wall; means for mounting the back wall of the cabinet against a flat, unrecessed surface of the mounting wall; a cover including a front wall having an outside surface having a first chosen area, said cover being rotatably attached to the first wall of the cabinet, such that when the cover is rotated to a position covering the cabinet with the front wall of the cover disposed parallel to the back wall of the cabinet, the cover conceals the cabinet; and means for reversibly holding the cover such that the front wall of the cover is parallel to the back wall of the cabinet.

In another aspect of the present invention and in accordance with its objects and purposes, the concealed, wall-mounted cabinet, hereof, includes in combination: a flat rectangular cabinet for mounting in a vertical orientation on a mounting wall, including a back wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, and a door rotatably attached to the lower wall of the cabinet such that the door opens downward; means for mounting the back wall of the cabinet against a flat, unrecessed surface of the mounting wall; a cover including a front wall having an outside surface having a first area, two side walls, an upper wall, and a lower wall, forming thereby a rectangular frame adapted to surround the cabinet and disposed between the front wall and the cabinet, the rectangular frame having a second chosen area, the rectangular cover being rotatably attached to the lower wall of the cabinet, such that when the cover is rotated upward over the cabinet with the front wall of the cover disposed parallel to the back wall of the cabinet, the cover conceals the cabinet; and means for reversibly holding the cover to the upper wall of the cabinet when the front wall of the cover is parallel to the back wall of the cabinet.

In yet another aspect of the present invention and in accordance with its objects and purposes, the concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet, hereof, includes in combination: a flat rectangular container comprising a back wall, two side walls, an upper wall, a lower wall having an outer edge, an inner edge and an exterior surface, forming a rectangular open container; a rectangular door having an upper edge, and a lower edge rotatably attached in the vicinity of the lower edge thereof to the outer edge of the lower wall of the container, thereby forming a cabinet, wherein the door opens from the upper edge thereof, for mounting in a vertical orientation on a mounting wall; means for locking the door to the cabinet to the upper wall of the cabinet; means for mounting the back wall of the cabinet against a flat, unrecessed surface of the mounting wall; a rectangular cover comprising a front wall having an outside surface having a first area, and a frame having a second area comprising two side walls, an upper wall, and a lower wall having an outer edge, adapted for fitting over the cabinet in a nesting manner such that when the front wall of the cover is rotated parallel to the back wall of the cabinet, the cabinet is hidden by the cover, the rectangular cover being rotatably attached to the exterior surface in the vicinity of the inner edge of the lower wall of the cabinet, wherein the cover rotates downward from the cabinet from the upper wall of the cabinet; and means for reversibly holding the cover to the upper wall of the cabinet such that the front wall of the cover is parallel to the back wall of the cabinet.

Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing a concealed wall-mounted locking cabinet or safe which does not require significant modification to the surface of a wall for installation thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the front view of an embodiment of the locking cabinet of the present invention showing the cover serving a dual function as a picture frame.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a side view of the locking cabinet hereof illustrating both the cover shown in FIG. 1 hereof and the locking cabinet concealed thereby in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the front view of an embodiment of the locking cabinet of the present invention showing the cover and the locking cabinet illustrated in FIG. 2 hereof both deployed in their open positions, thereby permitting access to the locking cabinet.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a side view of an embodiment of the locking cabinet of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 hereof, illustrating the cover frame and the locking cabinet both deployed in their open positions.

FIG. 5A is a schematic representation of a side view of an embodiment of a locking device effective for securing the locking cabinet in a closed condition, while FIG. 5B is a schematic representation of as side view of the locking device shown in FIG. 5A hereof in an open condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention includes a flat, rectangular, concealed wall-mounted cabinet which can be securely fastened through the outside surface of a wall and into supporting studs without requiring significant modification to the wall. The present cabinet is completely concealed by a nesting cover simultaneously functioning as a picture frame or other artistic work. The cover and the door of the cabinet both may open in a downward vertical manner, thereby permitting the cabinet to be constructed in a variety of sizes whereby it may accommodate handguns and long guns, such as shotguns and rifles, as examples, and other articles. For some cabinets, the cover and the door of the cabinet may open from the side in a horizontal manner. The cover may be constructed from wood, metal or plastic depending on the type of art to be carried, and be of any shape as long as the underlying cabinet can be covered. Typical frame depths may be between about 1.5″ and about 2.5″. The cabinet may be made from sturdy metal.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the Figures, similar structure will be identified using identical reference characters. Turning now to FIG. 1, a schematic representation of the front view of an embodiment of the concealed, locking cabinet, 10, of the present invention is shown, illustrating cover, 12, being used conceal the locking cabinet, the front surface, 14, of cover 12 framing a picture.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a side view of concealed locking cabinet 10 hereof illustrating both cover 12 and locking cabinet, 16, disposed in the closed position. Back wall, 18, of cabinet 16 may be securely fastened to vertical stud, 20, using fasteners such as wood screws or lag bolts, 22a and 22b, which pass through wallboard, 24, as examples. If front surface 14 of cover 12 is made large relative to the size of locking cabinet 16, the protrusion of cover 12 from the wall to which cabinet 16 is mounted may be better concealed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the front view of an embodiment of concealed locking cabinet 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 hereof, showing cover 12 and locking cabinet 16 both deployed in their open positions, thereby permitting access to the locking cabinet. Cover retaining devices, 26a and 26b, are mounted to cabinet 16 and to cover 12 to reversibly hold cover frame 12 in an approximately perpendicular orientation relative to cabinet 16 when deployed in its open position. If frame 12 is sufficiently light, the lower portion thereof may be supported by the wallboard (shown as reference character 24 in FIG. 2 hereof) behind locking cabinet 16.

Holes 28a and 28b in rear wall 18 of cabinet 16 facilitate mounting thereof onto a supporting wall. Appropriate soft materials and hangers may be provided (not shown in the FIGURES) for positioning, retaining and protecting firearms stored in cabinet 16, while permitting the firearms to be easily and quickly retrieved once the cabinet door is opened.

Latch 30, mounted on upper side 32 of cabinet 16 is shown having spring-loaded ball, 34, adapted to be reversibly captured by a matching detent, 36, in the inside surface of the upper side, 38, of cover 12, thereby permitting frame 12 to be reversibly held in its closed position until access to cabinet 16 is desired. This may be achieved by simply pulling the top portion of frame 12. Clearly, many designs for latching apparatus 30 may be envisioned, and more than one latching apparatus may be employed depending on the length of concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet 10 and/or the weight of cover 12.

Battery compartment, 40, suitable for powering lamps 42a-42c, which may be LED lamps, as an example, is shown in FIG. 3. Lamps 42a-42c are adapted to be activated when the door of cabinet 16 is opened. Also shown is keypad, 44, for operating locking mechanism, 46, one embodiment of which is described hereinbelow. A battery for operating keypad 44 may be located in the keypad itself (not shown in FIG. 3) for straightforward replacement thereof. Keypad 44 is concealed by frame 12 when the frame is deployed in its closed position.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a side view of an embodiment of concealed locking cabinet 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 hereof, illustrating cover frame 12 and locking cabinet 16 deployed in the open position. Locking metal door, 48, for cabinet 16 rotates on member, 50, which may be a pivot or a hinge, as examples, and mounted near the front of lower side, 52, of cabinet 16. Door 48 is shown resting on the rear surfaces of cover frame 12 which may be supported by retaining devices 26a and 26b. Member 50 may include a spring (not shown in FIG. 4) to open locking metal door 48 without the need for a handle after it is unlocked. Other apparatus to achieve this function is envisioned. Frame 12 is shown as rotating on member, 54, mounted outside, 56, of cabinet 16 near the rear of lower side 52 thereof and near the rearward portion of the lower side of frame 12. Member 54 may be a hinge or a pivot, as examples. As stated hereinabove, some embodiments of concealed, wall-mounted cabinet 16 hereof may open from either side in a horizontal fashion, as may cover frame 12.

FIG. 5A is a schematic representation of a side view of an embodiment of a locking device 46 effective for securing locking cabinet 16 in a closed condition, while FIG. 5B is a schematic representation of a side view of the locking device shown in FIG. 5A hereof in an open condition. Movable bar, 58, bearing hooks, 60a-60d, may be slidably operated by locking device 46 under control of keypad 44 and slidably supported by carrier, 62, on the inside surface near the front of upper wall 32 of cabinet 16, while bar, 64, bearing loops, 66a-66d, adapted to be engaged by hooks 60a-60d, may be fixed near the upper portion of the inside of door 48 of cabinet 16 (see FIG. 4).

Locking cabinet 16 is intended to be of sufficiently sturdy construction that in the event that an unauthorized party detaches the cabinet from the wall, it will be most difficult to break into the cabinet to retrieve the firearms.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A concealed, wall-mounted cabinet comprising in combination:

a flat rectangular cabinet for mounting in a vertical orientation on a mounting wall, comprising a back wall, a first wall and a second opposing wall, and a door rotatably attached to said first wall;

means for mounting said back wall of said cabinet against a flat, unrecessed surface of said mounting wall;

a cover comprising a front wall having an outside surface having a first chosen area, said cover being rotatably attached to said first wall of said cabinet, such that when said cover is rotated to a position covering said cabinet with said front wall of said cover disposed parallel to said back wall of said cabinet, said cover conceals said cabinet; and

means for reversibly holding said cover such that said front wall of said cover is parallel to said back wall of said cabinet.

2. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 1, wherein said cover further comprises four walls forming a rectangular frame adapted to surround said cabinet between said front wall and said cabinet, said rectangular frame having a second chosen area.

3. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 2, wherein the first chosen area is larger than the second chosen area.

4. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 1, wherein said means for reversibly holding said cover such that said front wall thereof is parallel to said back wall of said cabinet comprises latching means for holding said cover to said second wall of said cabinet.

5. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 1, further comprising retaining means for holding said cover in an approximately horizontal position when said front wall of said cover is rotated to an approximately perpendicular disposition to said back wall of said cabinet.

6. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 1, wherein the outside surface of said front wall of said cover is a solid ornamental panel.

7. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 1, wherein said cover is adapted to hold flat artwork.

8. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 1, further including means for locking said door to said rectangular cabinet.

9. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 8, wherein said locking means is adapted to lock said door to said second wall of said cabinet.

10. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 1, wherein said cover opens in a downward direction.

11. A concealed, wall-mounted cabinet comprising in combination:

a flat rectangular cabinet for mounting in a vertical orientation on a wall, comprising a back wall, an upper wall and a lower wall determining the depth of said cabinet, and a door rotatably attached to the lower wall of said cabinet such that said door opens downward;

means for mounting the back wall of said cabinet against a flat, unrecessed surface of a mounting wall;

a cover comprising a front wall having an outside surface having a first area, two side walls, an upper wall, and a lower wall, forming thereby a rectangular frame adapted to surround said cabinet and disposed between said front wall and said cabinet, said rectangular frame having a second chosen area, said rectangular cover being rotatably attached to said lower wall of said cabinet, such that when said cover is rotated upward over said cabinet with said front wall of said cover disposed parallel to said back wall of said cabinet, said cover conceals said cabinet; and

means for reversibly holding said cover to said upper wall of said cabinet when said front wall of said cover is parallel to said back wall of said cabinet.

12. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 11, wherein said means for reversibly holding said cover to said upper wall of said cabinet such that said front wall thereof is parallel to said back wall of said cabinet comprises latching means.

13. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 11, further comprising retaining means for holding said cover in an approximately horizontal position when said front wall of said cover is rotated to an approximately perpendicular disposition to said back wall of said cabinet.

14. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 11, wherein the outside surface of said front wall of said cover is a solid ornamental panel.

15. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 11, wherein said cover is adapted to hold flat artwork.

16. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 11, wherein the first chosen area is larger than the second chosen area.

17. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 11, further comprising means for locking said door to said rectangular cabinet.

18. The concealed, wall-mounted cabinet of claim 17, wherein said locking means is adapted to lock said door to said upper wall of said cabinet.

19. A concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet comprising in combination:

a flat rectangular container comprising a back wall, two side walls, an upper wall, a lower wall having an outer edge, an inner edge and an exterior surface, forming a rectangular open container;

a rectangular door having an upper edge, and a lower edge rotatably attached in the vicinity of the lower edge thereof to the outer edge of said lower wall of said container, thereby forming a cabinet, wherein said door opens from the upper edge thereof, for mounting in a vertical orientation on a mounting wall;

means for locking said door to said cabinet to said upper wall of said cabinet;

means for mounting said back wall of said cabinet against a flat, unrecessed surface of said mounting wall;

a rectangular cover comprising a front wall having an outside surface having a first area, and a frame having a second area comprising two side walls, an upper wall, and a lower wall having an outer edge, adapted for fitting over said cabinet in a nesting manner such that when said front wall of said cover is rotated parallel to said back wall of said cabinet, said cabinet is hidden by said cover, said rectangular cover being rotatably attached to the exterior surface in the vicinity of the inner edge of said lower wall of said cabinet, wherein said cover rotates downward from said cabinet from said upper wall of said cabinet; and

means for reversibly holding said cover to said upper wall of said cabinet such that the front wall of said cover is parallel to said back wall of said cabinet.

20. The concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet of claim 19, wherein said means for reversibly holding said cover such that said front wall thereof is parallel to said back wall of said cabinet comprises latching means.

21. The concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet of claim 19, further comprising retaining means for holding said cover in an approximately horizontal position when said front wall of said cover is rotated to an approximately perpendicular disposition to said back wall of said cabinet.

22. The concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet of claim 19, wherein the outside surface of said front wall of said cover is a solid ornamental panel.

23. The concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet of claim 19, wherein said front wall of said cover is adapted to hold flat artwork.

24. The concealed, wall-mounted locking cabinet of claim 19, wherein the first area is larger than the second area.