SECURITY BOX FOR USE WITH WEAPONS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

Abstract

A storage box for articles that includes a base defining a chamber therein and a door that engages the base and is movable between an open position where the chamber can be accessed and a closed position where access is prevented. A locking mechanism prevents unauthorized opening of the door. A securement assembly is provided on an interior wall of the base to retain articles in predetermined positions. The assembly includes a first member that is fixedly secured to the interior wall and one or more second members that are each releasably engageable with the first member. The second members include various types of article engaging mechanisms so as to retain different types of articles and are able to be moved on the first member to create different article storing configurations within the box.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/348,780, filed May 27, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for storing weapons. More particularly, the apparatus and methods relate to storing weapons in a cabinet that preferably is mounted to a wall or other surface either vertically or horizontally. Specifically, the apparatus and methods of the present invention involve a storage cabinet with a rail assembly for mounting a variety of articles including rifles, handguns, shotguns, knives and other weapons and accessories therefore such as ammunition.

2. Background Information

There is a recent trend towards increased gun ownership for home protection and an increase in the number of concealed carry weapon permits that are issued. There are new initiatives and laws, for example in California, which suggest or require for the secure storage of guns for safety reasons such as preventing children from accessing them. Often, new gun owners are unprepared for the responsibility of securely storing guns in a way that makes accessing them easy when they are needed.

Existing gun storage cabinets are often large heavy safes, tall metal boxes that stand on the floor with one or fewer shelves in which rifles or shotguns rest on their stocks, or may include one more small boxes intended for one or two handguns. Safes are expensive, difficult to access, take up considerable space, and are easy to identify as containing valuables to a potential thief. It is also relatively difficult to neatly place articles such as weapons inside safes.

The typical gun storage cabinet is optimized for the rapid presentation and rapid deployment of weapons to quickly respond to a situation. Many are designed for and function primarily as storage devices and are even rated and advertised in terms of the number of rifles they can hold. Boxes that are designed for handguns are often too small and not configured to hold common defense articles such as pepper spray, knives and flashlights. Wall mounted gun storage cabinets often require cutting a hole in the wall and those capable of holding rifles or shotguns need to be mounted vertically. Therefore, improved weapons storage methods and devices are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a storage box for articles and a method of using the same. The storage box includes a base defining a chamber therein and a door that engages the base and is movable between an open position where the chamber can be accessed and a closed position where access is prevented. A locking mechanism prevents unauthorized opening of the door. A securement assembly is provided on an interior wall of the base to retain articles in predetermined positions. The assembly includes a first member that is fixedly secured to the interior wall and one or more second members that are each releasably engageable with the first member. The second members include various types of article engaging mechanisms so as to retain different types of articles and are able to be moved on the first member to create different article storing configurations within the box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments that illustrate the best mode(s) are set forth in the drawings and in the following description. The appended claims particularly and distinctly point out and set forth the invention.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various exemplary methods and other embodiments of various aspects of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element is designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements is designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element is implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective front view of a storage box for weapons in accordance with the present invention shown mounted on a wall and in a closed position.

FIG. 2 illustrates a left side view of the storage box shown mounted on the wall and in an open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front interior view of the storage box taken through line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the door of the storage box when in an open position and taken through line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the storage box lid taken through line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of the storage box taken through line 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing the locking mechanism in an unlocked position;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a magnet support that is used in the storage box to magnetically support articles therein;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the magnet support of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear view of a clip used to support articles in the storage box;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the clip of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a handgun support used to support a portion of a handgun in the storage box;

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a bracket support used to support articles in the storage box;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a tension support used to support elongated articles in the storage box;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of a clamp style clip support used to support articles in the storage box;

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of a J-hook support used to support rifles and shotguns or other articles in the storage box;

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a shelf support used to support articles in the storage box;

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of a stopper clip used to support articles in the storage box;

FIG. 18 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the stopper clip of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the clip of FIG. 10 as it is being attached to a rail in the interior of the storage box;

FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of the clip attached to the rail;

FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of the stopper clip of FIG. 17 before it is tightened to the rail in the interior of the storage box;

FIG. 22 illustrates a side view of the stopper clip of FIG. 21 after it is tightened to the rail;

FIG. 23 illustrates an interior front view of the storage box showing a number of weapons and other articles engaged with a variety of different clips and stored within the storage box;

FIG. 24 illustrates a left side view of the storage box after the door is moved to the closed position;

FIG. 25 illustrates a front view of the storage box showing the door handle being moved to the locked position;

FIG. 26 illustrates the rear view of the door of the storage box showing the locking mechanism moved to the locked position;

FIG. 27 illustrates an interior front view of the storage box showing a rifle engaged with a plurality of clips and being stored within the storage box;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention showing a storage box having two doors engaged with the base;

FIG. 29 illustrates an interior front view of a third embodiment of the invention and shows a storage box that includes a lip in the base that is useful for storing articles such as ammunition clips or projectiles;

FIG. 30 illustrates a cross-section of the third embodiment of the invention absent the storage clips and weapons and illustrating the lip in the base; and

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing an exemplary method of storing weapons and other articles in the storage box of the present invention.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a storage box in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated at 1. Storage box 1 is shown horizontally mounted on a wall 2 that includes a drywall layer 3 secured to studs 4. Screws (not shown) pass through a portion of storage box 1 into wall studs 4. Storage box 1 can alternatively be mounted vertically onto wall 2 or is mounted in any other desired configuration.

Storage box 1 preferably is generally rectangular in shape and includes a base 5 and a door 15. Base 5 and door 15 preferably are manufactured out of a metal of sufficient thickness and strength to protect articles stored inside from thieves or from other unwanted access. Base 5 includes a back wall 6, a top wall 7, a bottom wall 8, a right side wall 9 and a left side wall 10. The top, bottom, right side and left side walls 7, 8, 9, 10 form a peripheral wall that extends outwardly away from back wall 6 and generally at right angles thereto. The back wall 6 and peripheral wall define and bound an interior chamber 11 within which articles are able to be stored. (It should be understood that the terms “back”, “front”, “top”, “bottom” and “side” are used herein simply to describe the orientation of the storage box 1 as specifically illustrated in the attached figures. The use of these terms shouldn't be interpreted as requiring that the storage box be mounted on a wall in this particular configuration only.)

Door 15 is engaged with base 5 to close off access to chamber 11. Door 15 includes a front door wall 16, a top door wall 17, a bottom door wall 18, a right side door wall 19 and a left side door wall 20. Top door wall 17, bottom door wall 18, right side door wall 19, and left side door wall 20 form a perimeter wall that extends outwardly away from front door wall 16 and generally at right angles thereto. Front door wall 16 and the perimeter wall bound and define a secondary chamber 11a (FIG. 2) that together with chamber 11 is able to hold the articles to be stored in storage box 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a top corner 24 of door 15 is gently curved where top door wall 17 meets front door wall 16. Similarly, a bottom corner 25 of door 15 is gently curved where bottom 18 door wall 17 meets front door wall 16. This curvature of corners 24, 25 reduces the possibility that a user could hurt himself or herself by contacting the corners of storage box 1.

Door 15 is attached to base 5 in such a manner that door 15 is able to be moved between an open position and a closed position. Preferably, door 15 is pivotally attached to base 5 by way of one or more hinges 22. Door 15 is moved from the open position shown in FIG. 2 to the closed position (FIG. 24) by rotating the door in the direction of arrow G as shown in FIG. 24. Door 15 is moved from the closed position to the open position by rotating it in the opposite direction to arrow G. When door 15 is in the closed position, right side door wall 19 at least partially overlaps right side wall 9 of base 5, and left side door wall 20 at least partially overlaps right side wall 9 of base 5. Furthermore, bottom door wall 18 at least partially overlaps bottom wall 8 of base and preferably overlaps the entire bottom wall 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the overlap is smallest proximate the top wall 7 and top door wall 17, and is greatest proximate the bottom wall 8 and bottom door wall 18. Additionally, bottom door wall 18 completely overlaps bottom wall 8 of base 5. These overlapped regions increase the security of box 1 in that they substantially prevent a would-be thief from inserting an implement between base 5 and door 15 to rotate door 15 about hinge 22 and into an open position and to thereby access the interior of storage box 1. The overlapped positions also enhance the security of box 1 by preventing a would-be-thief from inserting a implement into the hinged area of the locked security box 1 in order to try and force the top portion of door 15, i.e., the region around top wall 17, to rotate in the direction of arrow G (FIG. 24) so that they can gain access to chamber 11 from the top end of the box 1. This type of rotational motion is prevented because the overlapped portion of the bottom wall 18 of door 15 is disposed in abutting contact with the wall 2 upon which box 1 is mounted and this contact prevents movement of bottom wall 18 in the direction of arrow G.

A pneumatic piston 27 extends between base 5 and door 15 as shown in FIG. 2. Pneumatic piston 27 is attached to door 15 by mounting a door mounting bracket 28 to door 15 with one or more bolts 33 or another fastening device and connecting pneumatic piston 27 to door mounting bracket 28. Similarly, pneumatic piston 27 is attached to base 5 by way securing a mounting bracket 29 to base 5 with one or more bolts 33 or another fastening device and connecting pneumatic piston 27 to mounting bracket 29. Pneumatic piston 27 also aids in supporting door 5 in the open position and/or reduce the amount of force needed to open door 15. It will be understood that pneumatic piston 27 may be omitted from storage box 1.

Storage box 1 is provided with a locking mechanism to lock door 15 to base 5 when box 1 is in the closed position. The locking mechanism includes a handle 30 and a locking assembly 31. Handle 30 is mounted on a mounting plate 30a (FIG. 4) disposed on an exterior surface of bottom door wall 18. Handle 30 is provided with a keyhole 32 configured to receive a key (not shown) therein. Locking assembly 31 is provided on an interior surface of bottom door wall 18. Locking assembly 31 includes a lock mechanism 31a configured to be activated by the key. A shaft 35 extends outwardly from lock mechanism 31a and is generally disposed at right angles to the interior surface of bottom door wall 18. A guide 40 is secured to the interior surface of bottom door wall 18 in such a manner that a channel 40a (FIG. 5) is defined between guide 40 and the interior surface. Locking assembly 31 further includes a twist plate 34 which connects to shaft 35 as shown in FIGS. 5-6. Shaft 35 extends through an aperture (not shown) in guide 40. Twist plate 34 is secured to shaft 35 in such a manner that when shaft 35 rotates, twist plate 34 rotates in unison therewith. Two arms 36 are pivotally attached to twist plate 34 and extend outwardly from opposing ends of twist plate 34 and extend in opposite directions to each other. Arms extend through openings 37 in guide 40 and are pivotally attached to locking bars 38. Locking bars 38 are configured for reciprocal travel through channel 40a between guide 40 and the interior surface of bottom door wall 18. Fasteners 38a (FIG. 6) secure guide 40 to bottom door wall 15 and the shafts of each fastener 38a extends through a slot 38b in each locking bar 38.

Locking assembly 31 further includes a center locking arm 39 that is attached to shaft 35 and is disposed at an angle relative to twist plate 34. Locking arm 39 is secured to shaft 35 in such a manner that when shaft 35 rotates, locking arm 39 rotates in unison therewith. FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show the locking mechanism in the unlocked position. When in this position, a portion of handle 30 extends outwardly for a distance beyond front door wall 16. In order to lock door 15 to base 5, the locking mechanism has to be moved from the unlocked position (FIG. 6) to the locked position (FIG. 26) as will be described hereinafter.

Storage box 1 is provided with a securement assembly to retain a variety of different articles within set locations within chamber 11. The securement assembly utilized in storage box 1 comprises one or more rails 50 and one or more securement components 60 that are selectively engageable with rails 50. As shown in FIG. 3, at least one rail 50 is attached to back wall 6 by welding or by some other type of fastening mechanism, such as fasteners 52.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 19 and 20, rail 50 is an elongate member having a front surface 50a, a back surface 50b, a top edge 50c, a bottom edge 50d and left and right sides 50e, 50f (FIG. 3). The elongate member has a length as measured between left and right sides 50e, 50f, and a width that is measured between the top edge 50c and the bottom edge 50d. The elongate member further includes a longitudinal axis that extends between left and right sides 50e, 50f thereof. Back surface 50b is disposed in abutting contact with an interior surface of one of the walls that make up the base 5. As illustrated, back surface 50b is placed in abutting contact with the interior surface of back wall 6 of base 5. It should be understood, however, that the rail 50 could alternatively be secured to the interior surface of the top wall, bottom wall, left side wall or right side wall of the base 5 if the box configuration was suitable for this purpose. Rail 50 further includes a first flange 63 and a second flange 64. Each of the first and second flanges 63, 64 preferably is comprised of first and second legs represented respectively by the reference characters 63a, 63b and 64a, 64b. The first legs 63a, 64a of first and second flanges 63, 64 extend outwardly from front surface 50a of rail and at an angle relative thereto. Preferably that angle is ninety degrees but other angular configurations are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The second legs 63b, 64b extend outwardly from the ends of the first legs 63a, 64a and at an angle relative thereto. Again, preferably that angle is ninety degrees but other angular configurations are possible and are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. Preferably, the second legs 63b, 64b extend in opposite directions away from each other but they could alternatively extend in opposite directions toward each other. It will be understood that rail 50 is preferably permanently attached to an interior wall of the storage box 1 either by welding, an adhesive or by a plurality of fasteners.

Securement components 60 each comprise a rail clip 51 that is configured to engage rail 50 and an article engaging member that is secured to rail clip 51 and is configured to engage a specific article to be stored within storage box 1.

Rail clip 51 is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and includes a body 54 having a front side 130 and a back side 131. Back side 131 defines a rail-receiving space 132 therein. Body 54 defines a cavity 54a therein that extends from front side 130 to back side 131. A spring assembly 55 is seated within cavity 54a and includes one or more teeth 57 that constitute a lower end of receiving space 132. Springs 53 positioned within cavity 54a bias teeth 57 on spring assembly 55 toward a pair of tabs 56 that extend downwardly on back side 131 of body and toward teeth 57. Tabs 56 define an upper end of receiving space. Rail clip 51 defines a plurality of holes 58, 59 therein that extend from front side 130 through to back side 131 of body 54. Hole 58 preferably is threaded to receive threaded fasteners therethrough. Holes 59 are not necessarily threaded. Rail clip is configured to be secured to rail 50 as will be described later herein.

As indicated previously, storage box 1 includes a variety of securement components 60 that are each selectively positionable within the interior of box 1 and are engageable with one of rails 50. Each securement component comprises the rail clip 51 described above and one of a variety of article engaging members. Each securement component 60 is thus designed to engage a particular type of article to be stored within storage box 1 and to hold that article in a set location within the interior of the box. These securement components 60 are selectively movable within the interior of storage box 1 to allow for different storage configurations of different articles. A user is therefore able to customize the interior storage arrangement to suit the type and size of the articles that he or she wishes to retain within storage box 1. For example, storage box 1 may be configured to securely store several knives or several handguns or combinations of the same. Storage box 1 may alternatively be configured to store smaller articles related to the main weapon, such as ammunition, or to store shotguns or rifles or any other such weaponry. Examples of differently configured storage arrangements will be described later herein.

A wide variety of article engaging members are each engaged with a rail clip 51 to create a variety of support devices 60 that are then engaged on rails 50. The support device 60 selected is chosen according to the type of weapon that is to be stored and the nature of how best to support that weapon on the rail 50. FIGS. 7-8 show a first one of such support devices 60. In this instance, the support device is a magnetic support 70. Magnetic support 70 comprises a circular magnet 67 disposed in a housing 68 which is then engaged with rail clip 51. The magnet 67 and housing 68 are attached to rail clip 51 using a bolt 69 that is inserted through aligned holes (unnumbered) in magnet 67 and housing 68 and into hole 58 of rail clip as shown in FIG. 8. It will be understood that the shape of the magnet 67 and housing 68 used to create the magnetic support 70 is immaterial.

FIG. 11 illustrates a second style of securement component 60, in this instance, a handgun support 75. In order to manufacture handgun support 75 a metal bar 72 is bent into a shape as shown in this figure and is then welded or otherwise attached to a flat metal plate 73. Metal bar 72 is bent so that it forms a receiving space 129 with supports above and below that space. Plate 73 is attached to rail clip 51 using one or more screws 74 that are inserted into holes 58, 59 of rail clip 51.

FIG. 12 illustrates another version of a securement component 60 that is attachable to rail 50. In this instance, the securement component 60 is a bracket support 80. Bracket support is made from an angle bracket 78 which is welded or otherwise attached to a base plate 79. Base plate 79 is secured to rail clip 51 by way of fasteners (not shown) that are inserted into the holes 58, 59 in the rail clip 51. A variety of weapons or other articles may be engaged in the receiving space 78a between bracket 78 and plate 79 or the weapon or article may simply be hung on the bracket support 80 or attached thereto by fasteners that pass through holes 78b.

FIG. 13 illustrates yet another example of a securement component 60 that may be attached to rail 50. In particular, this securement component 60 is a tension support 84 that is formed by attaching one or more tension clips 82 to a rail clip 51 with fasteners 83 that are inserted through a hole in the tension clip and into holes 58 or 59 in rail clip 51.

FIG. 14 illustrates yet another form of securement component 60 that may be engaged with rail 50. In this instance, the securement component 60 is a clamp support 90. Clamp support 90 is formed by attaching a clamp bracket 92, a base 91 and a rail clip 51 together with bolts 93. Clamp support 90 is used to support the type of articles within storage box 1 that are best clamped or clipped into place.

FIG. 15 illustrates yet another securement component 60 in the form of a J-hook support 95. J-hook support 95 is formed by attaching a mounting bracket 96 to rail clip 51 with bolts 97. Mounting bracket 96 defines an elongated opening 99 into which a J-shaped bar 100 is slid. Bar 100 is slid into mounting bracket 96 so that a hole in the J-shaped bar 100 aligns with one of several holes 101 in mounting bracket 96. When bar 100 is adjusted to the desired height, a locking pin 104 is inserted through the aligned holes to lock bar 100 at the desired position relative to rail clip 51. Obviously, this position is adjusted by sliding bar 100 within opening 99 after removing locking pin 104 and then inserting pin 104 into a new set of aligned holes when bar 100 is at the desired position relative to rail clip 51. Preferably, bar 100 is at least partially covered with rubber 103 or another soft material so that it does not scratch an article to be stored on hook support 95.

FIG. 16 illustrates yet another example of a securement component 60 that is attachable to rail 50 by way of rail clip 51. In this instance, the securement component 60 is a shelf support 110 that is clipped to rail 50 to support ammunition or other small items. Shelf support 110 is formed with a bottom 111, a back side 112, a front side 113, a left side 114 and a right side 115 that form a receiving area 127. Articles are able to be placed in the receiving area 127 and onto the bottom 111 that forms a shelf for supporting those articles. FIG. 16 shows that the shelf support is secured to two spaced apart rail clips 51 using fasteners 116. It will be understood that a single rail clip 51 may be used to secure smaller shelf supports to rail 50 and two or more rail clips 51 may be used to secure larger shelf supports to rail 50. It will also be understood that the shelf support may also be provided with a lid-type structure so as to form a closable box into which articles may be inserted.

FIGS. 17-18, 21, and 22 illustrate a stopper clip 117 that is positionable at either end of rail 50 so that other rail clips 51 cannot be slid off rail 50. Stopper clip 117 includes a base 118 and a tightening bracket 119. Base 118 is C-shaped and includes tabs 120 at both upper and lower ends of a receiving space 107. Receiving space 107 is sized so that rail 50 is able to be received therein. Two slot openings 121 in base 118 allow the smaller C-shaped tightening bracket 119 to slide into base 118 so that legs 105 of bracket 119 extend through slots openings 121. When stopper base 118 and tightening bracket 119 are secured together, the ends 122 of legs 105 of bracket 119 press against rail 50, as shown in FIG. 22. This occurs when a bolt 123 is inserted through aligned holes 106a, 106b. Bolt 123 is screwed into a nut 124 disposed on the interior of base 118 or it is simply threaded into threads in hole 106b.

Rail clip 51 is attached to rail 50 in the manner shown in FIGS. 19-20 and described hereinafter. First, the teeth 57 on rail clip 51 are inserted under a first flange 63 of rail 50. Next, rail clip 51 is moved upwardly in the direction of arrow Q (FIG. 19). This upwardly movement causes springs 53 on rail clip 51 to become compressed and causes teeth 57 and member 55 to move downwardly away from tabs 56, as indicated by arrow R. This movement increases the distance between teeth 57 and tabs 56 to a degree sufficient to enable tabs 56 to clear second flange 64. The upper end of rail clip 41 is then rotated in the direction of arrow S (FIG. 20) and rail clip 51 is pressed inwardly toward rail 50 so that the distance between back side 131 and back wall 6 is reduced. Once tabs 56 have moved behind second flange 64, the pressure on rail clip 51 is released and springs 53 return to their original position, moving teeth 57 upwardly toward tabs 56. Thus, first flange 63 and second flange 64 are captured by teeth 57 and tabs 56, and rail clip 51 is securely engaged, with rail 50. It should be understood that if it is desired to remove rail clip 51 from rail, then rail clip is moved upwardly in the direction of arrow Q (FIG. 19) so that spring assembly is compressed once again and then the upper end of rail clip 51 is rotated in the opposite direction to arrow S (FIG. 20) to disengage tabs 56 from second flange 64.

Rail clips 51 are positioned at any desired location along the length of rail 50. Additionally, if more than one rail 50 is provided within storage box 1, any desired number of rail clips 51 can be located at desired positions on those multiple rails 50. It will be understood that each rail clip 51 may slide along rail 50 so that the clip can be positioned at any desired location along the rail's length. It will be understood that the securement components 60 that include rail clips 51 are installed and positioned on rails 50 in the same manner as rail clips 51, and are removed in the same manner as well.

FIG. 23 shows an example of how storage box 1 may be used to secure and store a variety of weaponry articles therein. Storage box 1 includes two spaced apart rails 50 onto which a plurality of securement components 60 are engaged after door 15 has been rotated to an open position. Securement components 60 to be utilized inside storage box 1 as illustrated include a handgun support 75, a tension support 84 and a magnetic support 70. (These supports are illustrated in FIG. 3 without the articles engaged therewith.) The user is able to engage each of the supports 75, 85 and 70 on either of the top or bottom rails 50 and is then able to slide the supports laterally along the selected rail 50 to position them in the desired locations. Alternatively, the user can simply disengage the rail clips 51 of any of the supports in the manner described previously and then move the support to a new desired location and reengage the rail clip 51 in the manner described previously. In FIGS. 3 and 23 all three of the supports 75, 85 and 70 have been engaged on the lower rail 50 and have then been spaced substantially equidistantly along rail 50. A handgun 76 is retained within the receiving space 129 of handgun support 75. A flashlight 88 is retained in the tension clips of tension support 84 and a knife 71 is magnetically retained on the magnet 67 of magnetic support 70.

Once all of the desired articles are retained by the appropriate securement component 60, door 15 is rotated in the direction of arrow G to close off access to the interior chamber 11. Once the door 15 is fully closed, the locking mechanism is engaged to lock door 15 to base 5. In order to engage the locking mechanism, handle 30 is rotated in the direction of arrow A (FIGS. 25 & 26). The locking mechanism may be designed so that the key (not shown) has to be inserted into keyhole 32 in handle 30 before handle can be rotated in the direction of arrow A. The rotation of handle 30 into alignment with plate 30a on bottom door wall 18 also causes shaft 35 to be rotated in the direction of arrow A. This in turn causes twist plate 34 to be rotated in the direction of arrow A from the position shown in phantom in FIG. 26 to the position shown in solid lines in that figure. The rotational movement of twist plate 34 in turn pushes bars 38 in opposite directions from each other (as indicated by arrows C and D in FIG. 26) and outwardly away from twist plate 34. The motion also causes locking arm 39 to be rotated in the direction of arrow A from the position shown in phantom in FIG. 26 to the position shown in solid lines in the same figure. This motion causes locking arm 39 to slide into overlapping engagement with a lock tab 43 (FIG. 24) as the free ends of locking bars 38 overlap lock flanges 44 (FIG. 26) which extend inward from the interior surface of door 15 and toward chamber 11. At this point, locking mechanism is in a locked position and the door 15 is prevented from being opened by the engagement of lock tab 43 with locking arm 38 and the engagement of locking bars 38 and lock flanges 44.

In order to move the locking mechanism from a locked position (FIG. 26) to an unlocked position (FIG. 6) the key (not shown) has to be inserted into keyhole 32 to disengage the lock member 31a. Once the lock member is disengaged, handle 30 may be rotated in the opposite direction to arrow A. The rotation of handle 30 causes shaft 35, twist plate 34 and locking bar 39 to rotate in the opposite direction to arrow A. This in turn causes bars 38 to be drawn inwardly toward twist plate and out of engagement with flanges 44. Additionally, locking bar 39 is rotated out of contact with tab 43. Door 15 may then be moved from the closed and unlocked position to the open position.

FIG. 27 shows a different version of the storage box in accordance with the present invention and generally indicated at 200. Storage box 200 is of a sufficient length that is able to be used to store a rifle 102 and therefore includes a longer cabinet base 205 and door 215 than those components of storage box 1. Storage box 200 is, again, provided with two vertically spaced apart rails 50. Two spaced-apart J-hook supports 95 are secured to the top rail 50 and the butt and barrel of rifle 102 are received within the receiving spaces 128 of the two supports 95. A support shelf 110 is also engaged with the top rail 50 and a plurality of ammunition boxes 108 are illustrated as being stored on support shelf 110. Storage box 200 will be closed an locked in substantially the same manner as storage box 1.

FIG. 28 shows an alternative embodiment of the storage box 301 that is substantially identical to the storage box 1 except that it is provided with a second door 315 that is disposed adjacent the door 15. Although not shown in this figure, it should be understood that each of doors 15, 315 may be provided with their own locking mechanisms or the locking mechanism described and illustrated in FIG. 5 may be used to simultaneously lock both doors 15, 315. Doors 15 and 315 preferably are separately openable and allow a user to access a portion of chamber 11 that is immediately behind the respective door. In other applications, the storage box could be used for storing larger articles such as armored vests and the doors could be secured to the base in such a manner that they open outwardly away from each other to gain access into the interior to remove the larger articles. In yet other applications, the doors could open in such a manner that they may be used as a weapon cleaning station. Still further, the interior surfaces of the doors may be provided with components that permit additional weapons or accessories to be stored on the doors themselves. It will also be understood that more than two doors may be provided on the storage box.

Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, there is illustrated a third embodiment of the storage box of the present invention, generally indicated at 401. Storage box 401 is substantially identical to storage box 1 except for the addition of an L-shaped lip 408 provided on base 5. Lip 408 includes a first leg 408a and a second leg 408b. First leg 408a extends outwardly from back wall 6 and substantially at right angles thereto. Second leg 408b extends upwardly away from first leg 408a and substantially at right angles thereto. Second leg 408b is substantially parallel to back wall 6. As such, a space 408c is defined between back wall 6 and second leg 408b of lip 408. Lip 408 is divided into two separate sections that are separated from each other by a gap in which lock tab 43 is situated. Accessories such as ammunition clips 409 or bullets 410 can be stored in space 408c as shown in FIG. 29.

Additionally, although not illustrated herein, it should be understood that the interior chamber 11 of the storage box in accordance with the present invention may also be divided into a plurality of separate individual chambers which are separated from each other by dividing walls. Each of the plurality of these separate chambers may also be provided with its own door and locking mechanism or the single door 15 (215) and single locking mechanism may close of access to all of the separate chambers at the same time.

An example of the method of using the storage box 1 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the flow diagram shown in FIG. 31. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the method is shown and described using a series of diagrammatic blocks to signify the steps of the method. It should be appreciated, however, that the method of use is not limited by the order of the blocks as shown, as some steps can occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other steps from that shown and described. Moreover, less than all the illustrated steps may be utilized to implement an example method of use. Furthermore, additional steps may also form part of the method of use of this storage box.

FIG. 31 illustrates a method 500 of storing articles in a storage box 1 in accordance with the present invention. The method 500 includes the first step 502 of opening the door of the storage box. As discussed earlier, the storage box is opened by first unlocking a key assembly in a handle in the door of the storage box. Next, the handle is rotated to move a pair locking bolts and a center locking arm way from tabs on the base of the storage box. After the door is unlocked, it is rotated into an open position where access to the interior chamber 11 is possible.

A second step 504 in the method of use of the storage box 1 is the attachment of a securement component to a rail in the interior of storage box.

A third step 506 in the method of use is the engagement of an article, such as a handgun with the securement component. As previously discussed, different securement components such as bracket supports, magnetic supports, tensions supports and shelf supports are attached to rail clips to store different types of weapons.

A fourth step 508 in the method of use is the closing of the storage box to prevent access to the interior chamber and therefore to the articles stored therein. A fifth step 510 in the method of use includes the engagement of the locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized opening of the door to the storage box.

Although not illustrated in the flow diagram, further possible steps in the method include the steps of disengaging the locking mechanism before the step 502 of opening the door. Additional possible steps include positioning of the securement components in appropriate locations to accommodate various articles, and wherein the step of positioning includes sliding the securement components along the rails. Still further, the steps of the method may include positioning stops at either ends of the rails to prevent the securement components from sliding off from the same and removing or adding securement components to accommodate storage of additional or fewer articles therein.

It is contemplated that the device of the present invention be sold in one of two forms. In a first form, the storage box including the rails and locking mechanism will be sold as a unit. The securement components 60 will be individually sold so that the buyer can select the type of securement components they need to store certain articles of weaponry and associated products. In a second form, the storage box and securement components will be sold as a kit, i.e. the storage box with attached rails will be sold with a combination of various securement components 60 such as two J-hook supports 95, two shelf supports 110, and two magnetic clips 70.

Additionally, it will be understood that while the rails 50 are shown as being mounted on the wall of the base 5 that is opposite the opening which is coverable by the door 15, the rail(s) could, instead, be secured to any desired region of the peripheral or bottom walls of the base without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, while it has been disclosed that the storage box 1 is designed to be mounted on a support structure such as a vertical, horizontal or angled wall surface, it should be understood that it is not necessary that the storage box 1 be mounted to any surface in order to function to retain articles in predetermined positions within the interior chamber of the box and to prevent unauthorized access to the same. Instead, the storage box may simply be placed on a flat surface, such as a shelf or table surface. In this latter instance, the storage box may also be provided with a plurality of legs on the exterior surface of the back wall so that the back wall will be slightly elevated off the flat surface upon which the storage box rests.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details, the representative embodiments, and illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. References to “the preferred embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation.

Claims

1. A storage box for one or more articles comprising:

a base having a back wall and a peripheral wall extending outwardly from the back wall;

a chamber defined and bounded by the back and peripheral walls; and wherein an opening to the chamber is provided adjacent an upper end of the peripheral wall;

a door engageable with the base, said door being movable to an open position to permit access to the chamber through the opening and movable to a closed position to prevent access to the chamber;

a locking mechanism for selectively locking the door and base together when the door is in the closed position; and

a securement assembly provided on one of the back wall and peripheral wall of the base; said securement assembly being adapted to retain the one or more articles in predetermined positions within the chamber.

2. The storage box as defined in claim 1, wherein the securement assembly comprises:

a first member that is fixedly secured to the one of the back wall and peripheral wall of the base; and

one or more second members that are each releasably engageable with the first member, wherein each second member is adapted to engage a portion of one of the articles.

3. The storage box as defined in claim 2, wherein the first member comprises a rail that is fixedly secured to the one of the back wall and the peripheral wall of the base.

4. The storage box as defined in claim 3, wherein each second member comprises:

a rail clip configured to be selectively releasably engaged with the rail; and

an article engaging member that is secured to the rail clip; and wherein the article engaging member is adapted to engage the portion of the one of the articles.

5. The storage box as defined in claim 4, wherein the rail comprises:

an elongate member having a front surface, a back surface, a top edge, a bottom edge and left and right sides; said elongate member further having a longitudinal axis that extends between the left and right sides thereof; and wherein the back surface is disposed in abutting contact with an interior surface of the one of the back wall and the peripheral wall of the base;

a first flange extends outwardly from the front surface and at a first angle to the longitudinal axis; and

a second flange extends outwardly from the front surface at a second angle to the longitudinal axis, and wherein said first and second flanges are spaced a distance apart from each other; and the rail clip is configured to releasably engage the first and second flanges.

6. The storage box as defined in claim 4, wherein the rail clip comprises:

a body having an interior surface and an exterior surface;

a recess defined in the interior surface of the body, said recess being at least as wide as a width of the rail;

a tab extending downwardly from the interior surface of the body adjacent a top end of the recess;

a tooth extending upwardly from the interior surface of the body adjacent a bottom end of the recess,

a gap is defined between the tab and the tooth, wherein the gap is smaller than the width of the rail; and

a movement mechanism is provided on the body and is operationally engaged with one of the tooth and the tab, said movement mechanism being moveable between an engaged position where it temporarily increases the size of the gap between the tooth and the tab to at least as wide as the width of the rail, and a disengaged position where the size of the gap between the tooth and the tab is less than the width of the rail.

7. The storage box as defined in claim 6, wherein the rail is receivable in the recess of the body of the rail clip when the movement mechanism is in the engaged position, and the rail is retained in the recess in the body by the tooth and the tab when the movement mechanism is released and returns to its disengaged position.

8. The storage box as defined in claim 7, wherein the movement mechanism includes a spring member provided on the body, and wherein said spring member biases the one of the tooth and the tab into a position where the gap between the tab and the tooth is smaller than the width of the rail; and wherein the spring member is compressible to increase the gap to at least as large as the width of the rail.

9. The storage box as defined in claim 4, wherein the rail clip is selectively slideable along the length of the rail.

10. The storage box as defined in claim 4, wherein the article engaging member comprises one of a magnet, a bracket, a tension clip, a clamp, a J-shaped hook, a shelf, and a length of metal bent to define a receiving space and a support for an article.

11. The storage box defined in claim 1, wherein the peripheral wall of the base comprises a top wall, a bottom wall, a right side wall and a left side wall; and the door includes a front door wall, a top door wall, a bottom door wall, a right side door wall and a left side door wall; and when the door is in the closed position, the bottom door wall at least partially overlaps the bottom wall of the base, the right side door wall at least partially overlaps the right side wall of the base, and the left side door wall at least partially overlaps the left side wall.

12. The storage box as defined in claim 11, wherein the bottom door wall substantially completely overlaps the bottom wall of the base, and the locking mechanism locks the bottom door wall to the bottom wall.

13. The storage box as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one additional door that is positioned adjacent the door and is selectively openable to permit access to only a portion of the chamber; and closeable to prevent access to the portion of the chamber.

14. In combination:

a storage box for one or more articles comprising:

a base having a back wall and a peripheral wall extending outwardly from the back wall;

a chamber defined and bounded by the back and peripheral walls; and wherein an opening to the chamber is provided adjacent an upper end of the peripheral wall;

a door engageable with the base, said door being movable to an open position to permit access to the chamber and movable to a closed position to prevent access to the chamber;

a locking mechanism for selectively locking the door and base together when the door is in the closed position; and

a securement assembly adapted to retain the one or more articles within the chamber in a desired configuration; and wherein the securement assembly comprises: a first member that is fixedly secured to one or both of the back wall and peripheral wall of the base; and a plurality of second members that are each releasably engageable with the first member and adapted to engage a portion of one of the articles; and wherein each second member is selectively positionable on the first member in order to retain the articles in the desired configuration.

15. The combination as defined in claim 14, wherein the first member is a rail and each second member comprises:

a rail clip configured to be selectively releasably engaged with the rail; and

an article engaging member that is secured to the rail clip; and wherein the article engaging member is adapted to engage the portion of the one of the articles.

16. The combination as defined in claim 15, wherein the article engaging member comprises one of a magnet, a bracket, a tension clip, a clamp, a J-shaped hook, a shelf, and a length of metal bent to define a receiving space and a support for an article.

17. A method of storing articles in a storage box comprising the steps of:

opening a door of a storage box;

attaching a first article engaging member to a rail that is permanently mounted to an interior wall of the storage box;

engaging an article with the first article engaging member to retain the article in a predetermined position within the storage box;

closing the door of the storage box; and

engaging a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized access to the article.

18. The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

attaching a second article engaging member to the rail a spaced distance from the first article engaging member;

engaging the article partially on the first article engaging member and partially on the second article engaging member.

19. The method as defined in claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

attaching a second article engaging member to the rail a spaced distance from the first article engaging member; and

engaging a second article with the second article engaging member.

20. The method as defined in claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

attaching one or more of a plurality of article engaging members to one of the rail and a second rail that is permanently fixed to the interior walls of the storage box;

sliding the first article engaging member and the one or more of the plurality of article engaging members along the respective rail or second rail to desired positions; and

engaging one or more of a plurality of the articles on the one or more of the plurality of article engaging members.

21. The method as defined in claim 20, further comprising the step of:

adjusting the position of the first article engaging member or the one or more of the plurality of article engaging members on the respective rail or second rail to ensure that the article and the one or more of the plurality of articles are stored within the storage box in a desired configuration.