Handgun storage stack

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a free-standing handgun stack for storing multiple handguns in a single column vertical stacking arrangement. In another embodiment the invention provides a handgun stack for storing multiple handguns in a single column vertical stacking arrangement wherein the handgun stack is retrofitable or inserted for permanent or removable attachment to the inside of a gun safe. In one aspect of this embodiment, the gun stack is configured to a height and width that takes up about the same amount of space as a long gun if such long gun were disposed or secured in a vertical position in the same space within the gun safe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There has been an ongoing search for the convenient storage of handguns including but not limited to pistols and revolvers. Often, handguns are stored on their sides either in drawers or on shelves. Handguns take up significant space when stored in this manner. This is particularly troublesome for individuals who collect handguns and have limited storage space. This dilemma is compounded by the laws of some states and jurisdictions that require guns to be stored in locked enclosures such as gun safes, to prevent unauthorized use of guns by third parties. Most gun safes manufactured today do not provide a convenient means for storing multiple handguns within the safe in a space-saving manner. Space is a premium in a safe and the storage of multiple handguns quickly takes up available space in the safe. A convenient means for storing multiple handguns in any location and particularly in an enclosure having limited space such as a gun safe is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a free-standing handgun stack for storing multiple handguns in a single column vertical stacking arrangement.

In another embodiment the invention provides a handgun stack for storing multiple handguns in a single column vertical stacking arrangement wherein the handgun stack is retrofitable for permanent or removable attachment to the inside of a gun safe. In one aspect of this embodiment, the gun stack is configured to a height and width that takes up about the same amount of space as a long gun if such long gun were disposed or secured in a vertical position in the same space within the gun safe.

In accordance with the invention, the handgun stack of the invention is suitable for holding at least two handguns in a single column vertical stacking arrangement wherein each handgun comprises a grip and a barrel, wherein the handgun stack comprises:

a pair of opposing vertical side walls; and

at least two slots vertically arranged one on top of the other disposed between the pair of side walls and supported by the side walls, wherein each slot has a top surface and a bottom surface extending at a downward angle from a front access opening through the slot to a rear exit opening, wherein each slot is separately accessible through the front access opening, wherein each slot is separately adapted to receive a handgun through the front access portion; each slot providing the bottom surface upon which the handgun rests in an upright position, wherein upon placing the handgun in the slot through the front access opening, the barrel of the handgun is preferably angled downward and away from the front access opening and extends toward or through the rear exit opening and the grip of the handgun is angled upward and extends out of the front access portion of each slot.

In one embodiment, the individual slots of the handgun storage stack are not angled down, but are instead configured at 90° to the side walls and parallel to the floor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIG. 1, the handgun stack of the invention is shown generally at10comprising a pair of opposing side walls12; optionally, a top14and optionally a base16. At least two handgun storage and receiving slots18are vertically arranged one on top of the other and disposed between the pair of side walls12and having interior sides36defined by the side walls12, wherein each slot has a top surface20and a bottom surface22. In one embodiment, the handgun stack10of the invention is free standing and is supported on and by the base16.

Turning now toFIG. 2, each slot18extends at a downward angle from a front access opening24through the slot to a rear exit opening26, wherein each slot18is separately accessible through the front access opening24, wherein each slot is separately adapted to receive a handgun28through the front access opening24; each slot providing the bottom surface30upon which the handgun28rests in a generally upright position, wherein upon placing the handgun28in the slot18through the front access opening24, the barrel32of the handgun28is angled downward and away from the front access opening24and extends toward or through the rear exit opening26and the grip34of the handgun28is angled upward and extends out of the front access portion24of each slot18.

In one embodiment, the total width of handgun stack10is only slightly larger than the width of most standard long guns resting in an upright position thereby facilitating space saving. The total length of the handgun stack10can be of any convenient size or height. In a preferred embodiment, the width and length of the handgun stack of the invention are about the same as the width and length of the space in a gun safe designated for the securing and holding of one long gun such as a rifle, scoped rifle, shotgun or scoped shotgun as will be discussed in more detail below with respect toFIG. 3, thereby facilitating retrofitting, inserting, or otherwise installing of the handgun stack into a gun safe wherein the handgun stack takes up about the same amount of space as a long gun in the safe.

The slots18of the handgun stack of the invention can be adapted to fit a handgun of almost any size, including handguns with long barrels or custom stocks or scopes. As shown inFIG. 2, the bottom surface22of the slot may include a step up38against which the trigger guard46of the handgun28rests for further security in the slot18. It is another benefit that the gun stack of the invention presents a gun to a user in a safe manner oriented and positioned exactly where the user can easily grip it, but with the barrel facing away from the user for added safety.

Referring again toFIG. 1, the top surface20, the bottom surface22, and the sides36of slots18may be lined with a non-abrasive material including but not limited to felt, cotton, or other soft synthetic material such as polyester or rayon to prevent scratching of the gun surface. In one embodiment, the top surface20, the bottom surface22, and the sides36slots18may be partially or fully padded with foam or the like, such as to render the gun generally immobile against the padding once the gun is placed in the slot.

The handgun stack of the invention may be made of any suitable material that is strong enough to support the weight of a plurality of handguns that may be stored in the handgun stack. Such materials include but are not limited to wood, plastics, metals or other composite lightweight materials.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the handgun stack10of the invention may be conveniently retrofitted to a gun safe40. In one embodiment, the handgun stack10of the invention is configured to have a width and length that occupies about the same space as a long gun42when stored in the safe40. The actual length may vary depending on the size of the gun safe, but the width can be determined based on the average width of the most popular types of long guns. In one embodiment, the total width of the handgun stack of the invention may range from about 1.5″ to about 4″. In one embodiment the width of the interior of a slot may range from about 1.0″ to about 3.9″. In one embodiment, the width of the gun stack is 2.25 inches wide. In one embodiment the depth of the gun stack is 6 inches. In one embodiment the height of the gun stack is 45 inches. The handgun stack of the invention may be removably or permanently retrofitted to the interior of a safe. For permanent attachment, many safes are manufactured with brackets and bracket extenders offset from one of the interior walls, usually the back wall of the safe for receiving or securing long guns. The handgun stack of the invention may be suitably designed to include cut outs or holes through which a bolt can be inserted into the preexisting bracket of the gun safe thereby securing the handgun stack to an interior surface of the gun safe. This arrangement is particularly convenient as the offset of the bracket from the back wall of the gun safe also offsets the rear opening of the gun stack from the back wall thereby leaving room for any gun barrels protruding through the rear opening26of the gun stack as shown inFIG. 2.

In another embodiment, the handgun stack of the invention may be removably secured within a gun safe using a hook and loop arrangement such as VELCRO®. In this embodiment, an interior rear surface of a gun safe for example is capable of receiving and mating with a corresponding hook and loop surface that is attached to the exterior rear portion of the gun stack of the invention.

In an another embodiment the handgun stack may be removably secured within the gun safe using a system of straps, such as bungee cords, which can be simply wrapped around the gun stack of the invention and hooked on one or more interior surfaces or brackets located in the interior of the gun safe. In yet another embodiment, an exterior surface (e.g. the rear exterior surface) of the gun stack of the present invention may include one or more elements that are configured and sized to mate with one or more corresponding elements in the gun safe adapted to hold a long gun.FIG. 4Ashows a configuration of a first gun safe interior surface element48.FIG. 4Bshows a first interlocking element50on the exterior surface of the handgun stack10that is configured to mate with the first gun safe interior surface element48ofFIG. 4A. Likewise,FIG. 4Calso shows a configuration of a second gun safe interior surface element52. A second interlocking element54on the exterior surface of the handgun stack10is shown inFIG. 4Dand is configured to mate with the second gun safe interior surface element52ofFIG. 4C.

FIG. 5shows another embodiment for removably securing the handgun stack within a gun safe. In this embodiment, the rear exterior surface105of the handgun stack100is fitted with opposing parallel shafts110that extend longitudinally along the rear surface105of the handgun stack100. The shafts110are capable of receiving the head120of the T-shaped key115which in turn can be slid up and down the shafts110. The stem125of the T-shaped key115is capable of fitting into an opening130(e.g. such as a slot) of the plate135. The plate135is in turn adapted to be secured onto an interior surface of a gun safe such as is shown inFIG. 6.

An alternative embodiment ofFIG. 5is shown inFIG. 7where instead of using the plate130, the plate130is substituted with a ring140shown inFIG. 7wherein the stem125of the T-shaped key115shown inFIG. 5is capable of being received by the ring140ofFIG. 7.

The embodiments ofFIGS. 5,6and7show that the plate135ofFIG. 5or the ring140ofFIG. 7is secured to the interior surface145of a gun safe such as an interior element155of the gun safe which may be curved and configured to hold a long gun all as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. In operation, the head120of the T-shaped key115as shown inFIG. 5is inserted into the shafts110on the rear of the handgun stack100as shown inFIG. 5. In turn the stem125of the T-shaped key115is then slid along the shafts110and inserted into the opening130of the plate135ofFIGS. 5 and 6. Alternatively, the stem125of the T-shaped key as shown inFIG. 5is inserted into the ring140ofFIG. 7. For each embodiment said respective ring140ofFIG. 7or plate135ofFIG. 6have been previously secured by the user to the interior surface element155of a gun safe145as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7.

It is understood that the gun stack of the invention may be fitted to, installed in or otherwise optionally secured in any enclosed space such as a closet, or armoire or display case.

The gun stack may also be conveniently placed in a locker or even a firearms safe room such as that a police department may have for convenient access to firearms. The gun stack may remain free standing in any such place or may be removably or permanently secured in any such enclosed space or safe room as described herein.