Abstract:
An alarm ready portable case is provided in which to secure a firearm or other protectable. The case includes sensors, a lock and, in several embodiments, structure to support the article to be protected. The case is adaptable to become part of a pre-existing facility security system of any of a plurality of manufacturers by being configured to receive any of several connectivity elements that are compatible with at least one of the security systems. For example, wireless transmitters that are compatible with different alarm systems may be connected. Terminals may also be directly wired into a hardwired zone of a security alarm panel. Transmitter receiving structure may be provided in the case for holding any such transmitter. Terminals are provided to connect to external wiring. Slots may be provided for communication interface cards, such as ethernet cards, wireless telecommunications cards, or other connectivity hardware. Internal conductors are provided in the case to connect the sensors to the transmitter, external wiring or other connectivity devices. The sensors may be normally closed switches that are opened when the lid or the lock of the case are opened, motion detectors that actuate when the case is moved, or other detection devices that generate a signal when the case is otherwise tampered with. The case provides an efficient way of retrofitting an existing facility alarm or security system to specifically protect a firearm or other protectable item.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/417,045, filed Oct. 8, 2002, hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION:  
         [0002]    This invention relates to security and, more particularly, to a storage device for use in securing firearms or other valuables or protectables in an environment protected by an alarm system or other security or monitoring system.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Facility security systems are available from a variety of vendors and installers and can be provided with a variety of features and with various levels of sophistication. Most systems require elections to be made at the time of initial installation. Upgrades or modifications to these systems often involve reconfiguration of the system at added cost, and many of these are limited by vendor-specific accessories provided by or for the original system manufacturer. Typically, the need arises for owners and users of such systems to add zones, specific objects or enclosures to pre-existing installations. Accordingly, there is a need to provide for the extension of pre-existing systems with a maximum of flexibility and a minimum of cost.  
           [0004]    The addition of safes, vaults, displays and specific items of property to a secured or protected premises may call for the addition of additional sensors to an existing system and additional enclosures for certain valuable items, such as documents, jewelry, and particularly firearms. It might be desirable to allow such additions to be secured or monitored even when an overall premises alarm is disabled. Furthermore, the manufacture of accessories specially configured for protecting specific articles might not be cost justified where such accessories are compatible with only one manufacturer&#39;s security system.  
           [0005]    The need to safely secure firearms, for example, has produced a number of specialty products, including, for example, trigger locks, gun safes, gun drawers, gun cases, gun cables, barrel locks, locking gun racks, finger print identifiers, trigger pins and other devices. Each device is intended to make gun ownership safer, but many have undesired side effects that arise from their design or use. Furthermore, essentially all such devices are incapable of detecting unauthorized access to a firearm and alerting an outside authority when the weapon is compromised. Advancements in technology have not been effectively used to address gun safety, and particularly, to provide secure yet convenient gun storage.  
           [0006]    The use of alarm systems in securing firearms typically involves the installation of permanent hardware to the facility in which guns are kept. If such features are not included at the time of facility construction or security system installation, expensive retrofitting is required which deters the incorporation of firearm protection into existing facility security systems. Furthermore, providing alarm equipped portable or firearm specific enclosures is complex and costly, further posing an obstacle to those seeking safe gun storage.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,797,405; 5,416,826; 5,598,151 and 5,987,941, for example, are some that disclose security features. U.S. Pat. No. 2,797,405 to Stelter shows facility alarm systems that have been adapted to protect portable containers for valuables. U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,826 to Butler discloses a gun safe that is hard wired to a phone line to notify authorities when security is breached. It discloses detection of emergency and non-emergency conditions and the transmission of emergency and 911 signals over the phone lines. It acknowledges that an alarm signal has been transmitted in prior systems when a gun safe is breached without authorized entry. U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,151 to Torii discloses a firearm security system having the features of the Butler system and contemplating the use of wireless communications. U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,941 to Zocco discloses a wall safe for a firearm and lists a number of features in FIG. 7 that are not explained in detail in the written specification. None of these patents discloses a gun storage system or a system for protecting items in general that makes it easy to take advantage of the features of an existing alarm or security system.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved method and apparatus for securing firearms or other valuables or protectables in an alarm-protected facility or in an environment otherwise protected by a security or monitoring system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    An objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for securing firearms, valuables or other protectables. A particular objective of the invention is to provide a secure compartment or case that can be protected by an electronic alarm system or other security or monitoring system at low cost. A further objective of the invention is to provide a flexible and efficient method and apparatus that utilizes the protective features of a preexisting electronic facility security or monitoring system.  
           [0010]    A further objective of the present invention is to provide a case, compartment or other security accessory that can be used to supplement a security or monitoring system of a plurality of different system vendors. A more particular objective of the invention is to provide such an accessory having a capability for interfacing or communicating with components of a pre-existing or pre-installed premises security or monitoring system that is located on the premises or remote from the premises.  
           [0011]    According to the principles of the present invention, an alarm-ready security accessory, such as a securable case or compartment, is provided for protecting a firearm or other valuable or protectable item. The case is adaptable to a facility security or monitoring system having an alarm or other alerting or monitoring electronics. By “alarm-ready” is meant that the accessory is configured to detect and communicate some condition, but that it may require the addition of a component for specifically adapting the accessory to, or interfacing the accessory with, the system to which it is being added or is supplementing. The component is typically a hardware item or device but may also or alternatively include or be in the of software.  
           [0012]    According to an illustrated embodiment of the invention, a case is provided, having a lock and condition sensors configured to detect one or more events such as attempts to open, move, cut or otherwise tamper with the case. Structure and wiring in the case adapts the case to be connected into communication with a pre-existing facility security or monitoring system. In certain embodiments, such a case is adapted to receive any one of several types of wireless transmitters provided by various facility alarm system vendors to couple alarm signals from alarm condition sensors to their alarm systems. The case is adapted to be connected into any of such alarm systems by incorporating an element linking it to such pre-existing system. Such a case may be provided with structure to accommodate the wireless transmitter of, or compatible with, a security or monitoring system of a chosen system vendor, although connectivity hardware other than a wireless transmitter may be provided for integrating the case into a security system.  
           [0013]    The typical embodiments of the present invention supplement a hardware unit of a security system installed for premises protection. The facility system, in its most common form, is installed with sensors connected to its inputs, some hard wired and others using wireless transmitters. Some sensors that are provided detect intrusion while others may detect fire. The intrusion sensors can be armed and disarmed, depending on whether or not the premises are occupied. The system may include an alarm or other output device to annunciate the detection of an alarm condition on the premises, or may include a telephone, wireless or other communication link to a monitoring facility.  
           [0014]    The case according to the present invention is “alarm ready” but is packaged and marketed as such unconnected to a security system. The case is configured to receive connectivity hardware or software that will enable the case to communicate, to a security system or monitoring facility, the conditions detected by sensors contained by the case. The most common embodiments of the invention are adapted to receive and connect via a wireless transmitter with a security system panel, although provision for hard wired connections to such unit may be provided. The case may also or in the alternative be configured to communicate with an alarm monitoring facility or other outside or remote entity, and may be provided with other forms of connectivity for that purpose, using Ethernet, cellular telecommunications or other technologies that are or become available. Such cases may be configured to connect to an interface card or circuit to make such connections. In addition, GPS communication capability may be provided.  
           [0015]    According to certain features of the invention, the case per se is made available as an uninstalled case, without a transmitter, that can be used as a portable case for carrying a firearm or other protectable, and can be placed and used in a stationary location for securing the firearm or other protectable item. The case can be installed in an existing alarm protected facility by equipping it with a transmitter or other communication element that is suited for use with the facility security or monitoring system. This connection of the case, couples alarm condition sensors that are provided in the case to the facility alarm system and integrates the case to the secured facility. So integrated, the case is in communication with the facility alarm system. The case per se, with a wireless transmitter installed or other connection made, becomes functionally part of a facility security or monitoring system. The integration of the case into a facility alarm system, for example, provides a flexible and economic method both of protecting the contents of the case and of expanding the functions of the facility alarm system. The case, the system into which it is integrated and the method by which it is used, are particularly suitable for securing firearms.  
           [0016]    In the illustrated embodiment, the case is configured to receive any of several wireless transmitters for connection to a variety of existing alarm systems of different manufacturers. The case is provided with sensors and is configured to receive transmitters of different types for connection to the sensors. Typically, basic alarm sensors report alarm conditions by breaking a normally closed electrical circuit. Alarm system transmitters typically respond to an open circuit across a pair of terminals and, in response thereto, transmit an RF or other wireless signal to a receiver to report the detection of an alarm condition to the facility or premises alarm system control panel or to otherwise respond to the detection of a condition or event. Sensors and the transmitters may be made to respectively generate and respond to different detection signals to provide more sophisticated detection or to transmit information concerning the nature of the alarm condition or to communicate other information to the facility control panel or other monitoring equipment. The information may include, for example, GPS information, for example to track the case if stolen. When enabled, the transmitter can operate like any of several other sensors of a facility alarm system to signal various alarm conditions to the facility alarm system. The facility alarm system may, in turn, report to a remote central monitoring office and may also sound an alarm condition signal on the premises.  
           [0017]    In accordance with principles of the present invention, a selection of alarm ready long gun and handgun storage cases is provided that each can universally adapt to a variety of security systems as a wireless alarm sensor device. The case detects unauthorized access to its contents, such as a firearm stored within it, and, through a premises alarm system or other communication method, alerts authorities at a remote monitoring facility or other processing entity. It provides responsible gun owners with a way to prevent unauthorized access to their firearms while readily allowing access to the firearms for their authorized uses.  
           [0018]    The case is preferably equipped with a locking mechanism and a variety of different condition sensing devices that are mechanical and do not require an internal power source. A wireless transmitter that is used to integrate this devise with an alarm system is provided with its own internal power supply. Alternatively, the case may utilize an electronic locking mechanism and other internal electronic devices, in which situation an internal power supply for the electronics is provided.  
           [0019]    The case may be designed to detect access to its interior, either authorized or unauthorized, movement of the case from its secured position or otherwise relative to the facility, also authorized or unauthorized, and tampering. The case is also equipped to allow access to the firearm by an authorized user who is under duress or in emergency situations. The case may also be provided with a GPS transmitter to enable locating of the case if it is stolen from the premises.  
           [0020]    The case per se, according to certain features of the invention, includes a penetration resistant container having a base and an openable lid with a lock for locking the lid to the base to secure the contents. The interior of the case is configured with transmitter-receiving structure which, when fitted with a transmitter, operates as a wireless ancillary device with substantially any security system. The support structure is designed to accommodate substantially any of several wireless transmitters of the manufacturers of such systems. Wiring for internal alarm sensors of the case terminates proximate the receiving structure. The case, by being “alarm ready”, is fully functional as a security device when purchased, and only requires the addition of a transmitter or other connectivity hardware to integrate it into a security system.  
           [0021]    The use of wireless transmitters provides ease in retrofitting a facility security system and provides the flexibility in positioning a case at a variety of locations within the facility. While most security equipment manufacturers presently offer wireless security components, some do not, while others utilize older style wireless transmitters that may not conveniently fit in some versions of transmitting/receiving structure of the case of some embodiments of the invention. For such applications, components may be made available to universally adapt the case to use a transmitter compatible with a facility security system. Some transmitters have the ability to report multiple events, for example, by coding the signal differently in response to different detected alarm conditions. In addition to alarm signals from unauthorized access, wireless transmitters can signal weak battery life and tamper alerts to its control panel.  
           [0022]    In the illustrated embodiment, the transmitters are self-contained, battery-powered devices with hardwire input terminals capable of transmitting alarm data via radio frequency to a compatible receiving unit located in, or adjacent to, an electronic security system control panel. The sensors in the case operate to detect access through a magnetic switch on the moveable and stationary portions of the case. If a correct lock combination is entered prior to opening the lid, access is authorized, and a bypass prevents the transmitter from signaling an alarm condition. Alternatively, if access is unauthorized, the wireless transmitter is not bypassed, an alarm condition occurs, and a signal is sent to the control panel to alert authorities.  
           [0023]    Monitoring the case&#39;s fixed location allows a gun owner to leave their weapon unattended. When a case is moved, its movement is detected and the security system is signaled to sound an alarm. Structure in the base of the case may be provided which cooperates with a sensor to report this condition, which allows for simple attachment to a fixed surface, or, alternatively, a motion sensing device in the case may be provided.  
           [0024]    These and other objectives and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an alarm ready protective case according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a facility security system with the alarm ready case of FIG. 1 installed. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an alarm ready case  10 . The case  10  is illustrated as equipped for storage of a handgun  11 . An alternative configuration (not shown) of the gun case  10  is similarly adapted for storage of a long gun. The case  10  is further configured to universally adapt to any one of several different facility security systems  12 , an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 2, that are equipped with electronic alarms, so that the case can be integrated into such systems  12  as a wireless device component of the system  12 . This integration is achieved, in the illustrated embodiment, by equipping the case with structure  13  designed to accept a wireless alarm condition signal transmitter  14  of whatever type may be provided for use with any of a number of security systems  12  which the gun owner may have or be about to install.  
         [0028]    The case  10  is provided with one or more sensors  15 - 18 , which operate to detect attempted unauthorized access to, theft of or use of a firearm  11  contained within the case  10 . Through the facility alarm system  12 , detection can result in the activation of an alarm condition detection feature of the security system  12  and alerting of authorities in a monitoring facility  20 . This allows gun owners to prevent unauthorized access to their firearms while readily allowing access for their authorized use.  
         [0029]    More particularly, the gun case  10  is equipped with a lock or locking mechanism  19  and a variety of alarm condition sensors  15 - 18 . The lock and the sensors can be active devices that use electrical energy, for example as supplied by batteries. Advantages are realized instead, however, by the use of a passive mechanical locking mechanism and mechanical switch equipped sensors that do not require a power source. Switch  15  ( 15   a ,  15   b ) is provided to detect the opening of the box. Switch  16  is provided to detect the removal of the box from its resting place. Switch  18  is provided to detect tampering with the lock  19 , while switch  17  represents any of a number of other sensors that may be provided to detect vibrations, motion or other conditions.  
         [0030]    Wireless transmitter  14  is used to integrate this case  10  with an alarm system  12 . Transmitters  14  are typically provided as accessories by the vendors of security systems  12 . These transmitters  14  are equipped with electronics for sending an alarm signal to a receiver  21  which triggers the alarm system, in response to a received signal from the transmitter  14 , as it does with any of several other perimeter intrusion or motion detection sensors  22  that may be hard wired or otherwise connected to the system  12 . Transmitters  14  are typically provided with their own internal battery powered power supply. Terminals may also be provided for direct wiring of the case to a security system or other external device.  
         [0031]    The case  10  may be equipped with sensors  15 - 18  that are designed to detect access, either authorized, unauthorized or both, to the case  10 , movement of the case  10 , also either authorized, unauthorized or both, and tampering with the case  10  or the lock  19 . The case  10  may also be equipped with a panic button or to otherwise signal duress or other emergency situation. Wireless transmitters  14  may be selected that respond differently to different alarm conditions, and the system  12  may be provided with programming or other logic to recognize these different conditions and respond accordingly.  
         [0032]    The case  10  is furnished in an “alarm ready” state, so that it can be used with any of a plurality of systems  12  upon installation of a system compatible transmitter  14 . When fitted with a transmitter  14 , the case  10  operates as a wireless ancillary device with any such security system  12 . A portion of the interior of the case  10  is equipped with the structure  13  that is configured as a transmitter holder or to otherwise receive a transmitter. Such structure is dimensioned to accommodate wireless alarm condition transmitters  14  of types available from the manufacturers of, or compatible with, all of the security systems  12  with which the case  10  is intended to be useful. Wiring  24  for the internal alarm sensors  15 - 18  of the case  10  terminates in the transmitter holder. The “alarm ready” case  10  is fully functional as a security device when purchased, and only requires the addition of a transmitter  14  or other connectivity hardware to integrate the case  10  with a security system  12 .  
         [0033]    For ease in retrofitting a security system  12  and providing a high degree of flexibility in positioning a case  10 , transmitters  14  of the wireless type are preferred for alarm system integration. Most security equipment manufacturers offer wireless security components. For those that do not, or for those systems that utilize older style wireless transmitters that might not fit in transmitter receiving structure  13 , wireless components are available that will universally adapt to any system  12 . Most transmitters  14  have the ability to report multiple events. In addition to alarm signals from unauthorized access, wireless transmitters  14  can signal weak battery life and tamper alerts to a controller  25  of the security system  12 .  
         [0034]    Preferred requirements for transmitters  14  for the case  10  are that they be self-contained, battery-powered, have hard-wire input terminals  27 , and are capable of transmitting alarm data, typically via radio frequency, to a compatible receiving unit  21  located in, or adjacent to, an electronic security system controller  25 . In a simple form, the transmitter  14  interprets a low electrical impedance or normally-closed switch-condition across the terminals  27  as normal, with an opening of a circuit across the terminals  27  as an alarm condition. To achieve this in the simple form described, each of the sensors  15 - 18  is connected in series by the wiring  24  and presents a normally closed circuit, so that the opening of any one (a logical OR input) triggers an alarm condition, to which the transmitter  14  responds by sending an alarm signal to the security system  12 . As such, the wiring itself serves as a sensor in that, if cut or interrupted in any way will open the circuit and thereby detect an alarm condition.  
         [0035]    Opening the case  10 , for example, results in an opening of magnetic switch  15 , for which a switch portion  15   a  is located on one of either moveable or stationary portions,  31  and  32 , respectively, of the case  10 , with a magnet portion  15   b  being located on the other. When the two portions  31 , 32  are separated by opening the case  10 , an “open” condition of the switch  15   a  occurs. However, if a correct lock combination is entered via the lock mechanism  19  prior to opening the lid  31 , access is authorized, and a normally open bypass switch  35  is closed, which bypasses all of the sensor switches  15 - 18  and prevents the signaling of an alarm condition. In contrast, if access is unauthorized, then neither the switch  15  nor any of the other sensors is bypassed, an alarm condition occurs, which is detected as an open circuit across the terminals  27  of the transmitter  14 , which triggers the transmitter to send a signal to the controller  25 , which in turn may sound an alarm, send a signal to alert authorities or otherwise respond to the alarm condition.  
         [0036]    The case  10  may be configured to be mounted in a fixed location. In the illustrated embodiment, a sensor  16  is provided which, when the case  10  is moved, detects the motion and opens the circuit  24  causing the transmitter  14  to respond to an alarm condition. To this end, the case  10  may be manufactured to cooperate with a support surface. For example, pre-drilled mounting holes  41  in the bottom of the stationary portion  32  of the case  10  can be provided for simple attachment of the case  10  to a fixed surface. For convenience in certain installations, a separate base plate accessory  40  may be made available. The plate  40  may be provided with mounting posts  42  that align with the holes  41  when the case  10  is supported on the plate  40 . Once mounted on the plate  40  with the posts  42  in the holes  41 , the sensor  16  in the case  10  contains a switch, such as magnetic switch  16   a , that remains normally closed. Lifting or manipulation of the case  10  causes the switch of the sensor  16  to open, detecting the movement of the case  10  from its normal resting place. With a dedicated support such as the plate  40 , a magnet  16   b , or other cooperating component of the sensor  16 , precisely defines the normal resting position of the case  10 .  
         [0037]    Alternatively, a one-piece sensor  16  such as a simple mechanical switch may be used in the bottom of the case to detect when the case  10  is lifted from any supporting surface. Similarly, a mercury switch, an acoustic switch, an inertial switch or some other type of sensor may be incorporated within the base to detect any subtle movements of the case  10 . Other higher technology sensing devices may also be used.  
         [0038]    In an emergency situation, immediate access to a firearm may be critical. An authorized user can be provided with the ability to enter the case  10  within seconds and have the firearm in possession, ready to use. Since opening the case  10  with the correct combination bypasses the wireless transmitter and prevents an alarm, the weapon would be retrieved in silence. At this moment, after gaining control of the gun, some users may wish to manually trigger an alarm to alert authorities. For such a situation, a panic button  46  may be provided, which breaks the circuit  24  even if the bypass switch  35  has been closed. Alternatively, re-locking the case  10  with its lid  31  in the open position can be made an option, which would open the bypass switch  35  and initiate an alarm that would summon the police or otherwise signal the monitoring facility  20  without further distraction. The locking mechanism  19  may alternatively be an electronic locking mechanism, or may otherwise be made to offer secondary codes to automatically signal duress situations when unlocked.  
         [0039]    Unauthorized attempts to gain control of the firearm  11  through tampering with the the locking mechanism, by cutting away portions of the case to gain access to the interior, by prying off the cover, or through some other method of compromising a secured firearm may be attempted. To protect against such attempts, the case  10  may be designed with other safeguards. For example, a knob (not shown) may be provided for the locking mechanism that breaks off if excessive force is applied. The wiring  24  for the interior devices may be routed in a manner that will result in the circuit being broken if the case is cut, thereby effectively preventing cutting of the case without triggering the alarm. A saw blade or other cutting tool that penetrates a case  10  so wired, would then eventually sever one of the sensor wires, in turn activating the alarm. Further, the case itself may be made of a material that may itself be made part of the alarm circuit. Also, the prying open of the lid would separate the magnet switch  15   a  from its magnet  15   b  and cause the triggering of an alarm.  
         [0040]    Providing a non-locking case  10  for a firearm  11  would allow for immediate access to the firearm. With such a case, an alarm would be generated upon an opening of the case  10  without the entry of an access code, but the weapon would be in an unauthorized users control. A locked case  10  minimally slows authorized availability to the firearm  11  but more effectively prevents unauthorized users from obtaining the weapon. The balancing of the need for authorized access with the need for security and the need for simple operation with safety must be made. Accordingly, locking the case  10  is a much more preferable option, as long as entry of the access code is quick and simple. To this end, sophisticated systems of authorized user identification may be useful.  
         [0041]    Lock features and potential real life scenarios must be considered when selecting the most effective locking device. Access in dim or unlit environments, quiet functioning, keyless access, changeable combinations, tamper proof operation, proven performance in a multitude of applications, and ease of operation by the end user are a some key elements that would be advantageous. For a non-powered version of the case  10 , mechanical pushbutton lock may, for example, be utilized. Alternatively, if an electronic lock is used, it may contain a programmed feature for signaling an alarm condition when one or more failed attempts is made to enter a code or combination.  
         [0042]    A variety of combinations of sensors  15 - 18  or alternatives thereto may be utilized within the case  10  to detect alarm conditions. The combination may vary dependent on the type of contents the case  10  is designed to hold. Mechanical sensors, as illustrated, may be utilized, and are the simplest. Magnetic switches that include a magnet and a micro reed switch in combination are also simple, as described above for use to detect when the case  10  is opened or removed from the mounting plate  40 . Plunger switches that include spring-loaded plastic or metal pins that activate a signal when either compressed or expanded are also simple and particularly useful for an emergency panic button or on the mounting plate.  
         [0043]    Other bypass switches, such as bypass switch  35 , can be provided to maintain continuity in an alarm circuit to disengage any or all sensors and allow access or movement of the case  10  without causing an alarm.  
         [0044]    Optional mercury switches or other inertial movement detection devices, which upon the slightest movement, can cause the reporting of an alarm condition, can be used in the case  10 . Such sensors can be useful, particularly in installations having base plate  40 , or in other installations where unauthorized movement of the case  10  could occur.  
         [0045]    Wiring  24  of various gauges may be used to connect all the sensors in the case  10  to the wireless transmitter  14 . Such wiring  24  is part of the alarm circuit and may itself be considered a sensor, in that, if it is severed, it creates an open circuit and causes the transmitter  14  to signal an alarm condition.  
         [0046]    The built in structure  13  forms a designated compartment in which the sensor wiring  24  terminates. At the end of the sensor wiring  24  in this compartment, two wire leads of ample length are coiled to allow for an unencumbered, simple connection to a wireless transmitter  14  or other connectivity hardware.  
         [0047]    To complete the installation of a case  10 , an alarm vendor may install in the compartment structure  13  a transmitter  14  that is compatible with the users security equipment  12 , and determine optimal programming for the alarm controller  25 . The case  10  would then be ready to detect alarm conditions and transmit this information to monitoring facility  20  via the customers security system  12 .  
         [0048]    There are several installation methods that would accommodate varying needs. Horizontal surface installation of the case  10 , with a magnetic or plunger type switch, to protect the case against unauthorized movement, for example, is a common preference by users. The case  10  as illustrated with the pre-drilled holes  41  in its base portion  32  allow attachment to a suitable surface using a base plate  40 . Mounting locations must be evaluated for stability, and to ensure that the selected mounting surface is inherently stationary or cannot otherwise be removed with the case  10  attached. Vertical surface installation is also possible with a magnetic, plunger type or other type of switch used to detect removal of the case  10  from a hanging position on a vertical surface. The predrilled holes  41 , for example, in the base  32  can allow for installation to wall studs. Once so mounted, the sensor  16  in the base detects detachment from the wall. When mounting the case vertically, optional structure is desirable to hold the firearm or other contents.  
         [0049]    For both horizontal or vertical installations, some users may prefer to have the ability to remove the case  10  from its affixed position when accessing the firearm  11 . This can become cumbersome if the case is directly bolted to a surface through its base or otherwise where tools might be required to lift the case  10  from its installed position. In these situations, structure may be provided that would allow for easy removal and replacement. The case  10 , with such structure, would detach from structure that remains bolted in position. This may be achieved using a code entry device in a manner similar to the opening of the case  10 .  
         [0050]    For installations that do not permit secure, direct attachment of the case  10  to a fixed surface utilizing pre-drilled mounting holes or some other structure, threaded studs that align with the case&#39;s pre-drilled holes and thumb screws can be used to mount the case  10 . For horizontal surface mounting, a series of holes around the perimeter of mounting plate  40 , for example, may be provided to allow for maximum flexibility in positioning. For wall mounting, the location of a wall stud may limit flexibility in positioning the case while utilizing the pre-drilled holes in the base. But structure can be provided that allows the case  10  to be positioned in the desired location by utilizing alternative mounting structure.  
         [0051]    An “alarm-ready” case  10 , as described above, is particularly useful to store a handgun or long gun in a home or other structure. The case  10  is most useful for a person whose home or other structure in which the firearm or other valuable is to be stored is already protected by an alarm or security system  12 , and will be connected with the system as illustrated in FIG. 2.  
         [0052]    The alarm system  12  is typically of a type in which intrusion or fire or another event is detected by one or more sensors and which communicates the detection of such an alarm condition to some central office  20  that reports the event to fire or police departments or otherwise responds to the alarm signal. Such alarm systems  12  usually have perimeter sensors at doors and windows of the facility and motion detectors throughout the facility that are hard-wired to the alarm controller  25  of the system  12 . The system  12  also typically accepts sensors linked to the system through wireless transmitters, particularly in retrofitted situations where the installation of wiring is difficult. The alarm systems may be made by different manufacturers, and may use wireless transmitters that are not interchangeable with systems of other manufacturers.  
         [0053]    The case  10  of the present invention is called “alarm-ready” because it is equipped, not with an installed wireless transmitter  14 , but with a plurality of sensors, connectable to an alarm transmitter  14  or other communication capability, which it will accept of any of a number of varieties. The sensors include a sensor to detect that the case has been opened or tampered with, and a sensor to detect that the case has been moved from the location at which it has been set. It is also provided with mounting structure to support a wireless transmitter  14  of any of a number of different alarm systems  12  of different manufacturers and with wiring equipped to connect the sensors to any such transmitter  14 .  
         [0054]    The transmitter  14 , in its most common form, will be a small RF transmitter of a type usually used in a facility installed alarm system to generate an RF signal that is received by a receiver or detector on a panel on the premises. In the alternative or in addition to such a transmitter, a device can be provided for transmitting directly to a remote monitoring facility, to a computer system or network, or through a communication system. For example, the transmitter may include an ethernet card, a cellular phone system interface, a GPS transmitter or other wireless communication equipment, or may include terminals or circuitry providing a direct, hard-wired output connection.  
         [0055]    A lock on the case is provided that may be linked to a sensor to signal that the lock has been opened or tampered with. The lock may or may not be equipped to bypass the alarm sensors when the case is opened using an authorized key or code. The sensors can be magnetic or mechanical or of some other kind that activates when the case is lifted from or moved along the support surface, and a special base mounting plate may be provided with the case  10 . Other sensors to detect vibration, heat, smoke or other conditions, as well as a panic button, can be included in the case  10 .  
         [0056]    The lock on the case may be electronic, in which case batteries or another power source is provided with the case. With such a lock, an external connector on the case may be provided to furnish power to the lock to permit the authorized opening of the case in the event that the batteries or other source of power in the case has failed.  
         [0057]    While the case  10  is particularly useful for securing firearms and has been described in such an embodiment, the principles of the invention are useful in securing other items such as jewelry, currency, securities, drugs and other objects and substances, particularly those to which a user might want easy access and might want specifically protected by a facility alarm system.