Abstract:
A carrying case for storing and carrying items of high value and/or potentially dangerous items such as firearms, which has an improved, latching mechanism and a reinforced case construction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates to a carrying case, and more particularly to a carrying case of the type that incorporates an improved locking mechanism and case construction to provide a more secure case.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Carrying cases that provide improved security, as well as easy access and protection for high value and/or potentially dangerous items such as firearms, are much desired. Such cases are often subjected to severe service by being dropped and thrown around, particularly when loaded and unloaded onto airplanes and trucks. The cases must be resistant to these forces as well as providing a case that is highly resistant to access by thieves and other opportunists. In addition the weight of the case must be minimized consistent with the level of security desired.  
           [0005]    Various carrying cases have been proposed, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 16,643; 1,022,817; 2,729,088; 4,792,026; and 5,172,575, but none of them is wholly satisfactory.  
           [0006]    This invention is directed to a carrying case of improved construction, with a reinforced top and bottom, a full-length hinge, a latching mechanism that is of improved construction, and which provides easy access, and visual confirmation that the case is secured.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    This invention relates to a carrying case for high value items that is of improved construction, with an improved latching mechanism that is easy to access, and provides visual confirmation of the security of the case.  
           [0008]    The principal object of the invention is to provide a carrying case which has an improved latching mechanism.  
           [0009]    A further object of the invention is to provide a carrying case that is of sturdy construction.  
           [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide a carrying case that can be used with a variety of items.  
           [0011]    A further object of the invention is to provide a carrying case that will safely store one or more items of high value and/or of potential danger.  
           [0012]    A further object of the invention is to provide a carrying case that provides visual indication of the case being secured.  
           [0013]    Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.  
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in which:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a carrying case incorporating the elements of the invention, in closed condition,  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating another embodiment of the carrying case of the invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the case of FIG. 1 in open condition;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view, enlarged, taken approximately on the line  4 - 4  of FIG. 1, and;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the case of FIG. 1. 
     
    
       [0020]    It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]    When referring to the preferred embodiments, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Use of such terminology is intended to encompass not only the described embodiments, but also technical equivalents which operate and function in substantially the same way to bring about the same result.  
         [0022]    Referring now more particularly to the drawings and FIGS. 1 and 3- 5  thereof, a carrying case  10  in accordance with the invention is therein illustrated.  
         [0023]    The case  10  has a top or lid  11 , and a bottom  12 . The bottom  12  has a front panel  14 , side panels  15  and  16 , a rear panel  17 , and a bottom panel  18 . The top or lid  11  has a top panel  21 , a front panel  22 , side panels  23  and  24 , and a rear panel  25 . The top  11 , and bottom  12  are constructed of aluminum or stainless steel, with the described panels  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  and  18 , and panels  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  and  25 , fastened together by welding in well known manner  
         [0024]    The top  11  and bottom  12  are secured together at the rear panels  17  and  25  by a full length piano hinge  26 , of well known type, and preferably of aluminum or stainless steel, which is attached to panels  17 , and  25  by flush mounted threaded studs  27 , which extend through the hinge  26 , and have lock washers  28  and locking nuts  29  thereon.  
         [0025]    The bottom  12  has a resilient lining  30  thereon, between panels  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  and  18 , which may have a cut-out  35  therein, suitable to receive a pistol (not shown). The lining  30  may be of any suitable material, with any closed cell dense foam being suitable, and which is preferably glued to the bottom  12  by any well known suitable adhesive.  
         [0026]    The top  11  is also provided with a resilient lining  36  which is also preferably a closed cell dense foam and adhesively secured to panel  21 .  
         [0027]    The top  11  is provided with a die cut watertight gasket  38 , which extends around the top  11  on panels  22 ,  23 ,  24  and  25 , which is in contact with panels  14 ,  15 ,  16  and  17  when the case  10  is in closed condition.  
         [0028]    The bottom  12  has a carrying handle  40  of well known type (attached) to front panel  22  by screws  41 , which extend through front panel  22 .  
         [0029]    The front panel  22  is also provided with a plurality of latch assemblies  45 , which are fastened to the panel by flush mounted threaded studs  46  extending therethrough, with lock washers  47  and locking nuts  48  thereon.  
         [0030]    The latch assemblies  45  are preferably Model K3-2403-07 available from South Co., and include a hasp  48  pivotally mounted to an anchor plate  49 , which has the studs  46  extending therethrough.  
         [0031]    The hasp  48  has a curved end  50 , which can engage a keeper  51 , of top  11  in closed condition, which keeper is attached to front panel  22  with a loop  52  from plate  49  extending through a slot  53  in hasp  48  in closed condition.  
         [0032]    A locking rod  60  is provided, preferably of stainless steel, which has a curved end  61 , a straight center  62  and a flat end  63 . The flat end  63  has a hole (not shown) therein, which is adapted to receive a padlock  65  of well known type, to retain rod  60  in loops  52  of latch assemblies  45  and secure the case  10  in closed condition. As shown in FIG. 5 a plurality of feet or bumpers  55  are provided, four being preferred and attached to bottom panel  18  of bottom  12 .  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIG. 2, a case  100  is therein illustrated, which has a bottom  110 , and a lid or top  111 , secured together by a piano hinge (not shown) similar to hinge  26  of case  10 . Case  100  is of the same construction as case  10 , but is of greater length to accommodate a rifle (not shown) or other lengthy item. Case  100  is also provided with a greater number of latch assemblies  45 , four being illustrated and with a longer locking rod  116 .  
         [0034]    In use the hasps  48  are disengaged from the keepers  51 , and the top  10  or  111  raised. The gun or other item (not shown) is placed on the bottom resilient lining  30  and the top  10  or  111  closed. The hasps  48  are engaged with keepers  51 , and locking rod  60  or  116  is engaged in loops  52 , and the padlock  65  engaged with the locking rod. The case  10  or  100  is now suitable for carrying or storage of the items therein until it is desired to open the case, whereby the operation is repeated.  
         [0035]    It will thus be seen that structure has been provided with which the objects of the invention are achieved.