SECURE ENCLOSURE FOR THE STORAGE AND RAPID RETRIEVAL OF SELF-DEFENSE WEAPONS
A storage enclosure of ample size to contain common firearms within, comprising a box with a door attached to the top of the box with articulating hinges, that latches at the bottom of the box. A latch release mechanism at the bottom of the box, with a release bar on the exterior of the bottom of the box, which when pressed inward, releases the latches and allows the door to open unassisted by the user via the force of compression springs. Within the interior of the storage enclosure are slatted attachment structures—both on the interior of the box and the interior of the door—to which a vast array of self-defense weapons can be mounted with retaining devices of various type (hooks, pegs, etc.). To the storage enclosure assembly is attached cladding elements—legs, panels, fascia—to make a bed headboard.
The present invention relates structures that provide an enclosure with adequate interior volume to store most common long guns and smaller weapons, the interior of which contain attachment structures to which most types of personal weapons can be mounted securely, having a door which opens, unassisted by the user, by the simple pushing action of a release mechanism. Upon the opening of the structure, the user then has available within arm's reach a weapon of choice for defensive purposes, which the user has previously placed in a convenient position of their choosing. The illustrated structure is a bed headboard with an enclosure therein, but it is contemplated that that the present innovation is not limited to only headboards or furniture. Instead, the present innovation can be incorporated into any vertical structure wherein a person can activate the release mechanism and quickly access the contents.
Responsible gun owners want to store their guns in a secure yet easily accessible location, for example so that their defensive weapon is quickly available for home and personal defense. One example is where a person may want to access their weapon during the hours they are sleeping in their bed, to defend themselves against an intruder in their house. However, in addition to the darkness of the nighttime environment, and the anxiety and stress placed upon the person awakened by an intruder, it is very difficult to traverse quickly to the location of a stored weapon, remove it from its secure location, and make it ready for use, all without alerting the intruder to their presence and location.
A nearby enclosure is desired for the secure storage and rapid retrieval of defense weapons without the need to change locations, an enclosure that is specifically configured for the secure storage and rapid retrieval of most types of personal weapons.
SUMMARYIn one aspect of the present invention, a storage enclosure specifically configured to securely store weapons, having a door which opens unassisted by means of compression springs upon the activation of a latch release mechanism by a release bar, which places a weapon within arm's reach of the user, which is positioned in a way that makes retrieval ergonomically comfortable and expedient.
In a narrower aspect, the present invention includes providing elements to make a headboard which conceals the enclosure defined above, and having the means to attach to it a bed frame and mattress. The storage enclosure and release mechanism is positioned in such a way that a person lying on the mattress is able to reach up and push on the release bar without significantly changing their position, allowing the door to move to the open position, allowing access to a weapon comfortably within arm's reach.
In another aspect of the present invention, a storage enclosure provides hidden storage of an article but quick access to the article. The storage enclosure comprises a box defining a hidden storage compartment, a small volume of which is occupied by a latch release mechanism, all of which is covered with a door. The exterior of the door clad with a mirror, painting, sign, graphic artwork, or photograph. The release mechanism concealed by the door releases the door by mechanical, electro-mechanical, or electrical means. Upon the unassisted opening of the door by spring action, the hidden compartment is accessible from which to retrieve the desired article.
An object of the present invention is to provide a safe and secure storage location that does not detract from a room's appearance and aesthetics.
An object of the present invention is to provide a storage location that is difficult for an intruder or other unauthorized person to find unless they are familiar with the storage location, and furthermore to make it very difficult to access even if the location is discovered.
An object of the present invention is to provide hidden storage for self-defense weapons or where the weapon is quickly and immediately available to a person sleeping or lying on a bed, or standing next to the hidden storage enclosure.
These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specifications, claims, and drawings.
In the best mode, the present apparatus 50 (
Attachment structures 61 (
It is contemplated that the storage enclosure assembly 50 can be modified to different dimensions and utilized in different arrangements and configurations. For example, the storage enclosure assembly 50 can be mounted within a wall recess rather than having cladding, and the panel affixed to the door 64 can be comprised from an element of the group comprising a mirror, photograph, graphic artwork, sign, or painting. The door 64 can be opened remotely by electrical means when the release bar 57 is not used in this configuration.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1. A storage enclosure of ample size to contain common firearms within, comprising:
- a box comprising a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a back, and a front, the front comprising a door attached to the top of the box by at least one hinge and removably attached to the bottom of the box by a latch for securing the door in a closed position, wherein the box has an interior and an exterior;
- a latch release mechanism attached to the interior of the bottom of the box, wherein the latch release mechanism comprises a release bar on the exterior of the bottom of the box;
- at least one lock;
- at least one compression spring attached between the door and the box;
- a first attachment structure affixed to the door at the interior of the box; and
- a second attachment structure affixed to the back at the interior of the box.
2. The storage enclosure in claim 1, wherein the first and second attachment structures are each comprised of slats.
3. The storage enclosure in claim 2, wherein the slats include perforations.
4. The storage enclosure in claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining device selected from the group comprising: hook, peg, strap, cord, loop, holster, scabbard, pouch, bag, shelve and zip tie, the at least one retaining device attached to the first attachment structure.
5. The storage enclosure in claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining device selected from the group comprising: hook, peg, retention hook, strap, cord, loop, holster, scabbard, pouch, bag, shelve and zip tie, the at least one retaining device attached to the second attachment structure.
6. The storage enclosure in claim 1, wherein the latch release mechanism further comprises an internal electrical solenoid, cable, lever, shaft, chain or gears.
7. The storage enclosure of claim 1, wherein the storage enclosure further comprises at least one separate element clad onto the exterior of the box, thus concealing the storage enclosure.
8. The storage enclosure of claim 7, wherein the separate elements are selected from the group comprising panels, legs and fascia.
9. The storage enclosure of claim 7, wherein the separate elements are comprised of
- a leg attached to the left side of the box on the exterior of the box,
- a leg attached to the right side of the box on the exterior of the box,
- a decorative panel attached to the door on the exterior of the box,
- a decorative panel attached to the release bar, and
- a decorative fascia attached to the top on the exterior of the box.
10. The storage enclosure of claim 1, wherein the door comprises at least one high-intensity light.
11. The storage enclosure of claim 8, wherein the separate elements are comprised of materials selected from the group comprising wood, wood composites, plastic, metal, fabric, and leather.
12. The storage enclosure defined in claim 7, wherein the enclosure and cladding elements in their totality form a bed headboard assembly.
13. The headboard assembly in claim 7, wherein the headboard assembly is attached to a bed frame, upon which at least one mattress is placed.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 1, 2017
Publication Date: Feb 7, 2019
Inventor: Scott Warren Coons (Rio Rancho, NM)
Application Number: 15/666,233