A system for providing securement of a plurality of secure portable encasements including one or more encasements each configured to engage, and subsequently disengage, inseparable interaction with a common docking unit; and one or more common docking units, wherein the one or more encasements each has a multi-point locking system.

BACKGROUND

This application discloses an invention which is related, generally and in various embodiments, to a conveniently enabled securement system including a portable encasement that is capable of providing secure storage and that is capable of strongly securely interacting with a common docking unit.

There is a need for a conveniently enabled portable securement system. In particular there is a need for a portable secure encasement for transporting goods from place to place while ensuring their security throughout, while having a simple and efficient means for securing the contents within the encasement and for securing the encasement itself at each location travelled to. There is a further need for an encasement with a multi-point locking system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.

FIGS. 1aand 1bare perspective views of various embodiments of a conveniently enabled securement system10and10′ including a hard portable secure encasement100and a hard portable secure encasement100′ adapted for storing long items which may be for example a rifle or other firearm. The hard portable secure encasements100and100′ according to various embodiments may be a safe, a strongbox, a safe-deposit box, a coffer, a money box, a cashbox, a cash register drawer, a gun ease or any similar type of container into which one may put valuable goods, objects or documents. The hard portable secure encasements100and100′ according to various embodiments are capable of providing secure storage, and capable of inseparably interacting with a common docking unit200when the hard portable secure encasements100or100′ are received by the common docking unit200and a user engages the system's10and10′ conveniently enabled securement functionality. As will be appreciated by the following description encasement100is capable of operating in system10′, and encasement100′ is similarly capable of operating in system10, by virtue of the common docking unit.

The hard portable secure encasements100and100′ and common docking unit200of the various embodiments depicted inFIGS. 1aand 1bare configured with dimensional tolerances sufficient to allow a common docking unit200to flushly receive the hard portable secure encasements100and100′ such that the common docking unit200is entirely subsumed within the underside of the casing135or135′ of the hard portable secure encasements100and100′ without any play or excess space between the common docking unit200and the underside of the casing135or135′ of the hard portable secure encasement100or100′.

To facilitate the receiving of the hard portable secure encasement100or100′ onto a common docking unit200the underside of the casing135,135′ of the hard portable secure encasements100,100′ in the embodiments depicted are formed with a recessed portion of substantially the same dimensions of the common docking unit200; and, to enable the inseparable interaction between the hard portable secure encasement100or100′ and a common docking unit200each hard portable secure encasements100and100′ includes, in the embodiments depicted, a male securement mechanism105(for example seeFIGS. 10 and 11) arranged on the periphery of the recessed portion of a hard portable secure encasement for interacting with the female securement mechanism210of the common docking unit200.

In practice, the common docking unit200is strongly and securely mounted to a fixed object (for example seeFIGS. 10 and 11) using the strongly secure mounting mechanisms220. It will be appreciated that the strongly secure mounting mechanism220may for example be a bolt, or alternatively may be a weld, or an epoxy, or any other suitable means of strongly securing the common docking unit200to a fixed, and preferably immovable, surface, or in another preferred embodiment a mobile fixed surface such as in an automobile. A hard portable secure encasement100,100′ may be dimensionally configured such that when it is received by the common docking unit200, which is strongly mounted to a fixed mounting structure, the casing of the hard portable secure encasement100may be substantially, and preferably completely, flush with the mounting structure, thereby preventing access to the common docking unit200, the male mechanism105(for example seeFIGS. 10 and 11) and female mechanisms210, which mechanisms105,210when engaged cause the hard portable secure encasement100and the common docking unit200to inseparably interact with each other until disengaged.

Various additional features are depicted that further enable the convenient operation of the conveniently enabled securement system10. According to various embodiments, the system10may include for example an opening system comprising a top door110,110′. The top door110,110′ may be secured with an internal securement mechanism125(an example of which is illustrated atFIG. 7), which may be, for example, in various embodiments retractable steel bolts which are received by the internal strong structure of the hard secure portable encasement100or100′. It will be appreciated that the internal securement mechanism125can be of any suitable type, for example in various embodiments the internal securement mechanism125may be two steel bolts having a diameter of 15 mm, but it will be appreciated that such bolts serving as the internal securement mechanism may be of any suitable size so long as they are capable of providing a desired level of security. The system10may alternatively include a two-stage opening system including a side door112,112′ in addition to top door110,110′. When closed, top door110,110′ secures side door112,112′. Additionally, the system10may include a carrying handle130or130′ for ease of transport; a remote receiver (not shown) which may be identified by an icon150or150′ on the surface of the hard portable secure encasement100or100′; and, a machine-to-human feedback mechanism160or160′, which for example, may be an array of LEDS configured to illuminate in certain configurations in order to convey information to a human user. One will appreciate that any suitable feedback mechanism will suffice, for example the feedback mechanism could be a digital display, and LCD display or an audible sound. In another embodiment, the feedback mechanism is a vibration in the body of the case that can be felt by the user.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of various embodiments of a hard portable secure encasement100that is capable of providing secure storage. The casing body of the hard portable secure encasement100(and similarly100′ illustrated inFIG. 1b), including top door110(or110′), is formed from any suitable material that prevents a determined attacker from readily gaining access to the contents (not shown) of the hard portable secure encasement100(or100′). For example, the casing body is formed from a suitable material such as, but not limited to, structural plastic, reinforced thermoplastic acrylic, glass filled nylon, fiberglass, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), structural foam, carbon fiber, other polymer materials, other woven fibrous material, other woven fibrous polymers, aluminum, steel, other suitable metals, etc., or any combination of such suitable materials. It will also be appreciated that the hard portable secure encasement can be formed into any suitable shape, symmetrical or asymmetrical, and for example may be adapted for the storage of long firearms as depicted inFIG. 1b. As will be appreciated the casing body may also be adapted to house small arm firearms, such as a pistol.

In various embodiments, for example, the hard portable secure encasement, for example100, is constructed in a box shape having substantially rectangular sides and dimensions of 350 mm tall by 430 mm long by 170 mm deep. It will be further appreciated that the dimensions of the components of the system (for example a hard portable secure encasement100, a soft portable secure encasement600and the common docking unit200) are not restricted by anything other than the practicality of use of the intended system by a user and the contents intended for securement within a respective encasement, for example100or100′. It will also be appreciated that the edges where the various sides meet may be square or beveled, and that any hinging mechanisms allowing top door110or110′ to hingeably open are entirely contained within the hard portable secure encasement100at100′ when the top door110or110′ is closed and secured, thereby preventing any tampering with such hinges by a would be intruder or thief. The various embodiments depicted inFIG. 2additionally include an integral retractable cable170or170′ and retracting cable mating receptacle180or180′. The combination of the integral retractable cable170(or170′) and the retractable cable mating receptacle180(or180′) allow a user to strongly secure the hard portable secure encasement100(or100′) or alternatively soft portable secure encasement600, such as a backpack, (an example of which is illustrated atFIGS. 15a, 15b) when a common docking unit is not readily available.

FIG. 3depicts a schematic view300of various orientations in which a common docking unit200may be strongly securely mounted within the trunk or boot of an automobile. It will be appreciated that the common docking unit200may in various embodiments be strongly securely mounted to any suitable fixed, or mobile, structure. Preferably when secured to a mobile structure the mobile structure is otherwise securable, for example an automobile trunk. Preferably when secured to a fixed structure, such a structure itself is immovable. Other examples (not shown) of mounting structures are concrete slabs which are configured to accept mounting screws (not shown), the bed of a truck, the floor of a house, a fixed steel beam, or any structure suitable for securely mounting structures thereto, by for example a bolt, or a weld, or any suitable means.

FIG. 4depicts a common docking unit200that is capable of receiving a hard portable secure encasement100,101′ (FIG. 1a, 1b) or a sort portable secure encasement600(an example of which is illustrated atFIG. 15a) such that the respective encasement and the common docking unit200are capable of inseparably interacting. The common docking unit200of the various embodiments depicted includes a common docking unit body240having a female securement mechanism210, preferably two female securement mechanisms210arranged opposite of or distally from each other, and is preferably strongly securely mounted using to a fixed object or mobile object (not shown) using the strongly secure mounting mechanisms220. Here, the strongly secure mounting mechanisms220are shown as through-holes capable of receiving a bolt or screw, but it will be appreciated that any strongly secure mounting mechanism or means will suffice (for example a metal to metal weld, or a strong epoxy, or a glue, or a clamp). It will be appreciated that the common docking unit body240may be singularly formed as a molded object of any suitable material, or it may be comprised of a body housing (not shown) containing various internal workings (not shown) of the common docking unit. For example, in various embodiments the body may be formed of a body housing in which resides a steel plate, in which case the body is formed to assist proper reception of a portable secure encasement while the steel plate provides the strong securement mountable functionality. In other embodiments, the common docking unit may be shaped metal, die cast, or an extruded metal body, and subjected to various cutting, drilling, taping machining operations. It will be appreciated that the common docking unit may be formed or assembled from any suitable materials and in any configuration that allows for strongly secure mounting and inseparable interaction with a portable secure encasement, for example100.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that the common docking unit may be configured with either a male securement mechanism, a female securement mechanism210as depicted or any other suitable securement mechanism, and that the remote securement mechanism actuation mechanism may reside in either the portable secure encasement100,100′,600, or in the common docking unit200(in which case the system10,10′ may be configured such that the respective secure encasements instead have a passive securement mechanism). It will be further appreciated that the common docking unit200may have any suitable dimensional configuration, so long as the receiving portion of the attendant secure encasements is suitably shaped. In one embodiment for example the common docking unit has a length of 250 mm a height of 27 mm and a width of 75 mm, while in another embodiment the common docking unit may be cylindrical in shape with a radius of approximately 200 mm and a height of 30 mm. In any case, it will be appreciated that the size and shape of the common docking unit is necessarily derived in relation to the design, shape and size of a corresponding secure portable encasement while also taking into consideration the intended contents of such a secure portable encasement and the level of security deemed necessary. It will be further appreciated that the dimensions of the components of the system (for example a hard portable secure encasement100, a soft portable secure encasement600and the common docking unit200) are not restricted by anything other than the practicality of use of the intended system by a user and the contents intended for securement within a respective encasement.

FIG. 5illustrates various embodiments of a remote interaction device190for interacting with a hard portable secure encasement100. In the embodiments depicted inFIG. 5a user using RFID based embodiment of remote interaction device190may, for example, interact with the hard portable secure encasement100(or100′) in order to engage the docking securement mechanism of the hard portable secure encasement100such that the hard portable secure encasement100inseparably interacts with a common docking unit200. Alternatively, for example, a user may use the remote interaction device190in order to disengage the internal securement mechanism125of the portable secure encasement thereby allowing it user to open the top door110(or110′). For example, the user may hold the RFID chip within a certain proximity of a logo or other indicia150,150′ which identities the location of a remote receiver (not shown) within the hard portable secure encasement100,101′ for less than one second to disengage the internal securement mechanism125(illustrated inFIG. 7) and for two or more seconds to disengage the male securement mechanism105from the female securement mechanism210of the common docking unit200.

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the present application may make use of either of a remote interaction device190such as that depicted inFIG. 5, or a manual interaction mechanism, or any combination thereof. It will be further appreciated that any interaction mechanism or device internal or external to a secure encasement that is suitable for efficiently and conveniently enabling the securement mechanism, or otherwise providing human-to-machine interaction may be employed in embodiments of the invention without exceeding the scope of the inventions disclosed herein, for example a biometric sensor, keypad, swipe pad, optical transmitter, facial recognition mechanism, voice recognition mechanism, an app or other computer application capable of remotely communicating with a portable secure encasement (for example over Wifi, Bluetooth, or cellular network), or any combination thereof can be employed while remaining within the scope of the present invention. In other embodiments, remote interaction device190may itself have a machine-to-human feedback mechanism such that device190can provide a user feedback or information about for example the encasement100and its status, or other relevant information regarding the convenient securement system10.

FIG. 5also illustrates various embodiments having a machine-to-human feedback mechanism160. It will be appreciated that this machine-to-human feedback mechanism160or160′ can be of any suitable design, for example, as depicted inFIG. 5the machine-to-human feedback mechanism is a series of LEDs which are configured to light in particular combinations, with each combination being a specific message tailored in provide the user with information relevant to the current user interaction with the convenient securement system10, for example, one light may indicate that the male securement mechanism105is engaged with the female securement mechanism210of a common docking unit200yet the internal securement mechanism125is not engaged while five lights may mean that all securement mechanisms are engaged indicating the system is providing maximum security of the contents contained within a hard portable secure encasement100. The use of an icon150and LEDs160for indicating information to a user simplifies the interaction while overcoming language barriers. It will also be appreciated that any suitable icons may be used to convey relevant information to a user, and that any machine-to-human feedback mechanism internal or external to the secure encasement may be employed in concert with a portable secure encasement100,100′,600in order to convey information about the system10to a user.

It will be further appreciated that in various embodiments the common docking unit200may be configured with the circuitry (not shown) and mechanisms (not shown) necessary to enable human-to-machine and machine to human interaction. For example, while hereinabove the common docking unit200has been described as operating in a passive manner, it is within the scope and intention of this invention that the common docking unit may have active components for engaging securement mechanisms and thereby causing the common docking unit200and, for example, the hard portable secure encasement100to engage in inseparable interaction until the common docking unit200disengages the securement mechanisms. In these cases, a user may wish to remotely interact with the common docking unit200, for example in a situation where a user has a bank of common docking units200for storing a bank of portable secure encasements (for example as depicted inFIG. 14a) and has a need to be able to remotely disengage individual portable secure encasements on an as needed basis.

FIGS. 6 and 7illustrate the operation of an embodiment of the opening system.FIG. 6shows the closed top door110. A user opens the top door110by first disengaging the internal securement mechanism125using, for example, an RFID type remote interaction device190, and then by lifting an opening latch140, or the carrying handle130, the lop door110hingeably opens. It will be appreciated that the opening system may be designed, configured and operated in any suitable manner that does not interfere with either the strongly securing of casing of the hard portable secure encasement100,100′ or the inseparable interaction of the hard portable secure encasement100,100′ with a common docking unit200.FIG. 7illustrates various embodiments of the hard portable secure encasement unsecured and opened with internal securement mechanism125and pins126visible.

FIGS. 8a, 8b, 9a, 9band10, and11illustrate how various embodiments of the hard portable secure encasement100and100′ are received by the common docking unit200. The embodiments depicted inFIG. 8aillustrate that a hard portable secure encasement100is placed over and on a common docking unit200which is configured to receive the encasement100. The common docking unit200is strongly securely mounted to a fixed mounting surface260by bolts250(shown inFIG. 8b) received by the strong mounting mechanism220and embedded into fixed mounting surface260.FIG. 8billustrate a cutaway view of a hard portable secure encasement100that is received by a common docking unit200such that the encasement100and common docking unit200are engaging in inseparable interaction, with male securement mechanism105engaged with female securement mechanism210.FIG. 9ashows encasement101′ received by a common docking unit (not visible) such that the underside135′ of encasement101′ is substantially flush fixed mounting surface260.FIG. 9billustrate a cutaway view of a hard portable secure encasement100′ that is received by a common docking unit200such that the encasement100′ and common docking unit200are engaging in inseparable interaction, with male securement mechanism105′ engaged with female securement mechanism210.FIG. 9balso illustrates bolts250passing through strong mounting mechanism220to secure the common docking unit to the fixed mounting surface260.

FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate cut away cross sectional views of both the hard portable secure encasement100and the common docking unit200showing embodiments of the securement mechanisms105and210and illustrating how they engage to inseparably interact.

FIG. 10illustrates various embodiments of the male securement mechanism105and the female securement mechanism210. As illustrated the male securement mechanism105is a sprung pin having a beveled end which when the hard portable secure encasement100is properly placed over the common docking unit200aligns such that the beveled end106of the sprung pin interacts with a lip of the female securement mechanism210forcing the sprung pin of the male mechanism105first away from the female securement mechanism210against the tensions of one or more springs such that once the male mechanism105passes beneath the lip of the female securement mechanism210the spring107force pushes the end of male securement mechanism105into the female securement mechanism210. While in an unsecured slate only the beveled end of the male securement mechanism105resides within the female securement mechanism210, allowing a user to easily remove the hard portable secure encasement100from the common docking unit by lilting the hard portable secure encasement100causing the beveled end of the male securement mechanism to interact with the lip of the female securement mechanism again forcing the sprung pin to retract away from the lip and therefore pass out of the female securement mechanism.

In various embodiments, the female securement mechanism is merely a passive receptacle as illustrated inFIG. 10, however it would be appreciated that the female securement mechanism210can alternatively be any suitable securement mechanism configured to allow inseparable interaction with a mating securement mechanism of a portable securement encasement. Similarly, it will be appreciated that while in the various embodiments illustrated inFIG. 10the male securement mechanism105is depicted as a steel sprung bolt, it would be appreciated that the male securement mechanism105can be any suitable securement mechanism configured to allow inseparable interaction with a mating securement mechanism of a common docking unit.

FIG. 11depicts various embodiments of the male and female securement mechanisms105and210in a secured state such that the securement mechanisms105and210are inseparably interacting. In the embodiments illustrated, to place the system10into a secured state a motor108driven locking pin115engages the male securement mechanism105by forcing it to the maximum extent possible into the female securement mechanism thereby preventing removal of the hard portable securement encasement100from the common docking unit200. It will be appreciated that because the docking unit is preferably shaped to be flush with the body of the encasement100, there is no play or movement or shifting of the encasement in relation to the common docking unit, such that when the securement mechanisms105,210are engaged, the encasement100and the common docking unit are inseparable until the securement mechanisms105,210are disengaged. Also depicted inFIGS. 10 and 11, is the strongly securely mounting of the common docking unit200to a mounting surface260using strongly secure mounting mechanisms220, through which bolts250are passed and embedded in the fixed mounting surface260.

The various embodiments depicted inFIGS. 10 and 11illustrate the strongly secure mounting mechanisms220are receptacles comprising a narrow base receptacle below a wider up receptacle each of which are configured to receiving a mounting bolt250, having a diameter of the upper receptacle portion of mechanism220, through the mechanism220, which bolt250inseparably interacts with the mounting surface260by being threaded into the mounting surface260. The bolt having a wider head portion cannot pass through the narrow base receptacle and thereby allows for the application of a force to the narrow base receptacle as the mounting bolt250is threaded further into the mounting surface260. It will be appreciated, however, that the strongly secure mounting mechanisms220may be any suitable strongly secure mounting mechanism that will effectively and inseparably bind the common docking to the mounting surface without interfering with the inseparable interaction between the hard portable secure encasement100and the common docking unit200.FIG. 11furthermore illustrates that when properly seated and received onto the common docking unit200, the hard portable securement encasement100sits flush, or substantially flush, with the mounting surface260.

It will be appreciated that any of the male securement mechanism105, the female securement receptacle210, the sprung bolt105, the driving pin115and the secure mounting mechanisms220may be formed or constructed of any suitable material capable of providing the secure interactions between the various identified mechanisms.

FIG. 12ais a perspective view of various embodiments, with particular emphasis on various embodiments of an integral retractable cable170and corresponding retractable cable mating receptacle180.FIG. 12billustrates a cutaway view of encasement100. In the embodiments described inFIG. 12a, when a user is in a location where a common docking unit, for example200, is not available the user may secure the hard portable secure encasement using the retractable cable170. To do so, the user would extend the retractable cable170from the body of the secure portable encasement100wrap it around a fixed object (not shown), and insert the cable securement mechanism175into the retractable cable mating receptacle180. Once inserted the cable securement mechanism175engages with the cable mating receptacle180such that the two inseparably interact. Once engaged, the cable is effectively inseparably bound to the hard portable secure encasement at each end and around the fixed object and thus is secured to the fixed object.

The engagement of the cable securement mechanism175and the retractable cable mating receptacle180may occur automatically, or may require some human-to-machine interaction between a user and the portable secure encasement, for example by using remote interaction device190. To disengage the cable securement mechanism175from the retractable cable mating receptacle180, the user may disengage. For example with device190, the inseparable interaction between the two,175and180, thus releasing the retractable cable170allowing it to retract within the body of the hard secure portable encasement100, as illustrated inFIG. 12b, where it may be contained on a reel mechanism171. It will be appreciated that the retractable cable170, the cable securement mechanism175, the cable retaining reel mechanism171, and retractable cable mating receptacle180may be formed, assembled or constructed of any suitable materials. It will be further appreciated that whileFIGS. 12aand 12bdepicts the retractable cable170and retractable cable mating mechanism180within a hard portable secure encasement100, they can also be employed within a soft portable secure encasement600.

FIG. 13describes a schematic view of control components400for enabling the functionality of a conveniently enabled securement system, for example10. In the various embodiments described byFIG. 13the illustrated control components shown are housed within a hard portable secure encasement, for example200. Comprising the control components400are a microcontroller410, external securement mechanism motor controllers420and internal securement mechanism motor controllers430, external securement mechanism position sensors440and internal securement bolt sensors445, a battery450, a charging and battery management control circuit470, a machine-to-human feedback control circuit480, a human-to-machine interaction device receiver490, such as an RFID receiver, a BLUETOOTH™ receiver, a WIFI receiver, an optical receiver, or any other suitable remote receiver capable with interacting with a corresponding remote interaction device190. Also shown are an AC-DC power supply460, which may be internal or external to the encasement, as well as a remote interaction device190.

The motor control430provides the driving forces to engage or disengage the internal securement mechanisms, for example125, which secure the top door110,110′ to the casing of the hard portable secure encasement100, and motor control420provides the driving forces for engaging or disengaging the external securement mechanism, for example the male securement mechanism105, which inseparably interact with securement mechanisms of a common docking unit, for example200. The bolt position sensor440monitors and communicates the position of an external securement mechanism, for example a male securement mechanism105, while the bolt position sensor445monitors and communicates the position of an internal securement mechanism, for example125.

The battery450provides power to the various components illustrated in the schematic view of control components400, and may be one or more of any suitable battery having a long life, for example a Lithium ion button. The charging and battery management control circuit470may monitor and communicate the remaining charge of the battery450and when the portable secure encasement receives power from a source, for example an AC-DC power supply460, circuit470may control the recharging of the battery450. The machine-to-human feedback control circuit may receive information from various components directly or via the micro controller410and may convert that information to a human readable formal, for example lighting a series of LEDs in a particular sequence, or sending output to a display device.

The human-to-machine interaction device control circuit490receives input from an input device, for example a remote interaction device190or a manual input mechanism, and converts that input into a machine readable format and forwards that converted input to the microcontroller410which translates the converted input into a series of commands issued to the various components, for example upon receiving input from a remote interaction device190the human-to-machine interaction device control circuit converts the input into machine readable format and sends the converted input to microcontroller410which interprets the command as, for example, an instruction to engage the internal securement mechanism125, and thereafter the microcontroller410issues a command to the motor control430which provides driving force to the internal securement mechanism125thereby engaging, for example, steel bolts from the top door into the casing of the portable secure encasement100, subsequently the bolt position sensor445monitor the position of the engaging steel bolts of the internal securement mechanism125and when the engagement is complete the bolt position sensor445issues a communication in machine readable format to the microcontroller410to inform the microcontroller410that the internal securement mechanism has been engaged, thereafter, the microcontroller issues a command corresponding to the engagement of the internal securement mechanism125to the machine-to-human interaction control circuit480which receives the command and converts it to a human readable format by, for example lighting a particular sequence or series of LEDs.

Microcontroller410comprises a microcontroller and attendant memory415and processor416wherein the attendant memory415contains instructions which when executed by the attendant processor416cause the microcontroller to receive communications between the various components illustrated in the schematic view of control components400, translate those communications into corresponding commands, and then issue those commands to the designated component. For example, when the charging and battery management control circuit470senses that the battery charge is low, it issues a communication to the microcontroller which interprets the communication into a series of commands, for example a command to the machine-to-human interaction mechanism480and a command to the motor controllers420and430, subsequently the machine-to-human interaction mechanism480displays, for example a series of LEDs indicating that the battery has little charge and the motor controllers420and430interpret their respective command to, for example prohibit disengaging of the securement mechanisms.

It will be appreciated that the above examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and that in practice the communications issued and received by any component of the conveniently enabled securement system10may be any suitable communications. It will also be appreciated that in various embodiments of the system10there may be a desire for communications between a portable secure encasement, for example100, and a common docking unit, for example200, in which case the respective portable secure encasement and common docking unit will contain the necessary circuitry and mechanisms for providing a communications channel between the two and for relaying information between the two. Such a communication channel may be a wireless communication channel or a wired channel that is established when the securement mechanisms105and210are engaged.

FIGS. 14aand 14billustrate various embodiments of a rack500of common docking units520for storing a set510of hard portable secure encasements100.FIG. 14balso depicts an empty rack of common docking units capable of storing portable secure encasements100. It will be appreciated that the rack500can be adapted for storing any portable secure encasement100,100′ and600or otherwise so long as the encasement has a securement mechanism capable of securely interacting with the common docking units520. As shown inFIG. 14b, the common docking units520shown here are formed of two separate formed metal plates, which may be secured to the rack500by for example a weld.

FIGS. 15aand 15billustrates various embodiments of a soft portable secure encasement600. Contents reside within the soft portable secure encasement600and are so secured within the encasement600by, for example a combination lock constituting a locking mechanism660(shown inFIGS. 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, 16eand 16f) that secures a securable mouth opening625(shown inFIGS. 16a, 16band 16c) which as depicted inFIGS. 15aand 15bare hidden beneath soft top cover630.FIG. 15billustrates the encasement600secured to a common docking unit (not visible) that is secured to a fixed surface260, by bolts250, which are visible by virtue of a cutaway view of the surface260. The casing of the soft portable secure encasement may be formed from a cable webbing (not shown) running throughout the casing650, which is covered by a soft, aesthetically pleasing, shell, for example giving it the appearance of a knapsack or hook bag. Alternatively, the casing650of the soft portable secure encasement600may be a cut proof fabric material, in which case the cable webbing is not required.

Any suitable cut proof fabric material may be used to form the casing650, for example, Cut-Text® Pro, developed by PPSS Group of Whitfield Business Park, Knaresborough HG5 8BS, UK. In such a case the casing650formed of Cut-Text® Pro may be for example 1 mm thick, and is internally overlock stitched to protect the seams. In various embodiments, the cut proof fabric material may be sewn into a separate bag, which may be constructed like a standard backpack, but with no base. These two components, the cut proof material and the separate bag, are then sewn together to leave a tube of at least the cut proof fabric at the base. Into the tube of fabric, an inner plastic part is inserted inside the lube, and is clamped to an external strong plastic base668, thereby wedging the fabric tube in between the walls of the two plastic parts. This prevents the necessity of a seam at the junction between the fabric and the base of the bag, which may be a point of intrusion. As shown inFIG. 17d, the fabric tube is attached to plastic base668by screws.

When the soft top cover is closed over the mouth opening625it is secured using connector straps640. The soft portable secure encasement600may be carried via a carrying handle610or carrying straps620. It will be appreciated that the soft top cover630, carrying handle610, and carrying straps620may or may not also have a cable webbing running throughout depending on the level of security desired, or alternatively will also be made of cut proof fabric, in such away the carrying straps may be protected from a would be thief attempting to cut the straps620while the encasement600is being carried during transport.

FIGS. 16a, 16band 16cillustrate various embodiments of a soft portable secure encasement600with soft top cover630removed and so showing the securable mouth opening625and corresponding locking mechanism660, which may be, for example, a combination lock.FIG. 16aprovides a perspective view of the soft portable secure encasement600with the locking mechanism660(FIGS. 16d, 16eand 16f) disengaged from the securement cable665. Securement cable665may for example run through a seam in the mouth portion of the casing650such that two pins667are exposed which are capable of securely interacting with the locking mechanism660. Securement cable665may be double parallel cables to prevent the roll top from being accessed.FIG. 16billustrates various embodiments of encasement600with the pins667of the cable665engaged with the locking mechanism660. In order to secure the mouth opening625of the encasement600, the mouth opening portion of the easing650may be formed to have an excess length of cut proof fabric, or fabric lined with cable webbing, that extends away from the mouth in a tube like manner, which excess length would be closed and rolled over several times (as would be done with a standard roll top dry bag), and then the cable665would be cinched over the rolled excess fabric, and secured by the interaction of the pins667and the locking mechanism660thus preventing access to the internal compartment (not shown) of the soft portable secure encasement600.

FIG. 16cprovides another perspective view of various embodiments of the soft secure portable encasement600, and further demonstrating how the soft secure portable encasement600is capable of being secured when a common docking unit200is not available. Carrying straps620may comprise, for example, a steel cable622running through the length of the strap. Steel cable622may be adapted to have a loop portion at one end, and strap620may be adapted with a connector624which allows one end of strap620to be disengaged from the body of the encasement600. By disengaging connector624, cable622of strap620may be used to secure the soft secure portable encasement600to a fixed object by passing pin667through the loop end of cable622, and then securing pins667to the locking mechanism660.

Referring toFIGS. 16d, 16eand 16f, locking mechanism660is preferably a double sided combination lock having an internal mechanism with two independent and separately movable latches663allowing two separate pins667(FIG. 16c) locked into one combination lock. Pins667are preferably rectangular in cross-section (FIG. 16a) so that the mouth opening portion of the casing650cannot be unrolled providing access to the contents. Both latches663and pins667include hook portions663aand667a, respectively, which cooperate with one another to form a secure releasable locking arrangement. Locking mechanism660includes a combination lock mechanism664having individually rotatable locking rollers677for which a user may enter in a unique unlock code by rotating the rollers677to an unlock position. Referring toFIG. 16f, which shows pins667partially disengaged from latches663, locking mechanism660further includes a rear casing661and a front support plate671forming a housing for a latch mount release box662. Latch mount release box662includes the two independent latches663, a release button673and a locking spindle674. Latch mount release box662can slide vertically against a spring659within rear casing661. Latches663are each biased by a spring675. Locking spindle674engages with the lock rollers677of combination lock mechanism664. When release button673is pressed down, latch mount release box662slides down against spring659causing both latches663to move downwards to release hook portions663aand667aof latches663and pins667from one another. If the lock rollers677of combination lock mechanism664are in a lock position, spindle674prevents latch mount release box662from moving downward, thus preventing the hook portions663aand667aof latches663and pins667from releasing from one another. As shown inFIG. 16f, hook portions663aand667aof latches663and pins667are preferably rectangular to prevent the hook portions663aand667afrom turning in locking mechanism660. However, other non-rotatable shapes could be used. The independent and separately movable latches663allow for each end of cable665to be secured separately rather than at the same time.

FIGS. 17a, 17b, 17cand 17ddepict the internal mechanism allowing a user to engage and disengage the soft secure portable encasement600from a common docking unit. Soft portable secure encasement600is capable of inseparably interacting with the common docking unit200via an external securement mechanism, for example a male securement mechanism680which is shown inFIGS. 17aand 17bfrom an internal perspective passing through secure base668into a portion of the base adapted to receive a common docking unit669.FIG. 17aprovides a cutaway perspective view of a portion of a soft portable secure encasement600illustrating the external securement mechanism680and its male securement mechanism681and disengagement mechanism695which is actuated by pull tab670. Pull tab670preferably includes a plastic release bracket670a(FIG. 16a) to allow the user to use the release bracket as a trigger. The release bracket670amay include a two-way hoop and loop closure tab fastened over the release bracket670ato add extra protection against being able to release the release bracket670afrom outside of the encasement. In the embodiments depicted a male type external securement mechanism680inseparably interacts with a common docking unit's200female type securement mechanism210that is received into base portion669.

According to the various embodiments depicted and referring toFIGS. 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d, 18aand 18b, the external securement mechanism680includes a male securement mechanism681having a male engagement body681biased and telescopically engaged within a male engagement pin682by a spring683disposed within male engagement body681. Male engagement body681and male engagement pin includes aligned through slots681aand682a, respectively. Male engagement pin682includes a beveled or angled end682b. A lever685is attached to external securement mechanism680and includes a lever arm685awhich is insertable through aligned through slots681aand682ato retain male engagement pin682correctly aligned within male engagement body681. Lever685further includes a pivot685b. The male securement mechanism681engages with the common docking unit's200female type securement mechanism210, as with the hard secure portable encasement100or100′, by applying a downward force to the soft portable secure encasement600which causes the angled end682bof the male engagement pin682of securement mechanism680to push the external securement mechanism680away from the common docking unit against a lever685attached to securement mechanism680, which opposes an applied force provided by the male securement mechanism681, for example a spring683, such that once the external securement mechanism680passes into the level of the common docking unit's female type securement mechanism210the force provided by male securement mechanism681causes the external securement mechanism680to inseparably interact with the common docking unit200until the disengagement mechanism695is actuated. To disengage the soft portable secure encasement600from the common docking unit200, a user may pull on a draw tab670which conveys a force through the disengagement mechanism695, for example in the embodiments depicted a cable, to a lever685attached to securement mechanism680, causing lever685to pivot about pivot685band lever arm685ato move outwardly within aligned through slots681aand682awhich pulls the male engagement pin682against the applied spring683force thereby disengaging the external securement mechanism680from the common docking unit200. As will be appreciated any suitable mechanism may serve as the external securement mechanism680such that it enables inseparable interaction between the soft portable secure encasement600and the common docking unit200.

Referring toFIGS. 19a, 19b, 20a, 20b, 20cand21, an alternative embodiment of a hard portable secure encasement100″ is shown. According to the depicted embodiment, hard portable secure encasement100″ includes a top door or lid110″. A pair spaced apart of lid latches686are attached to and extend downwardly from a front portion of lid110″. A combination lock sub-assembly688is mounted to the exterior of front side wall690of the hard portable secure encasement100″. A baseplate690is attached to the interior of front side wall690. A pair spaced apart of spring loaded lid latches receivers692are attached to and extend upwardly from baseplate690. Spring loaded lid latches receivers692are attached to the baseplate690so that they can rotate and are spring loaded so that their normal position is vertical. A lid release rotating lever assembly698having a lid release rotating lever698aand a dock release rotating lever698bis mounted in the baseplate690and configured to rotate 90 degrees clockwise. Lid release rotating lever698aand dock release rotating lever698brotate in separate planes. The plane of dock release rotating lever698bis further away from baseplate690than lid release routing lever698a. Holes694in each of the lower end of the latch receivers692are connected via wire cables696to lid release rotating lever698a. Combination lock sub-assembly688and baseplate690are mounted so that the center of combination lock sub-assembly688is concentric with lid release rotating lever assembly698.

Combination lock sub-assembly688includes a spindle700having a square portion702on one end. Combination lock sub-assembly688can slide a short distance (5 mm) towards or away from the baseplate690in order to engage (via square702on the end of spindle700) with either the lid release rotating lever698a(when combination lock sub-assembly688is pulled out) or the dock release rotating lever698b(when combination lock sub-assembly688is pushed in).

When combination lock sub-assembly688is pushed in and rotated 90 degrees clockwise it engages dock release rotating lever698b(because the plane of dock release rotating lever698bis farther away from baseplate690than the plane of lid release rotating lever698a) which causes two male securement mechanisms located in the base of hard portable secure encasement100″ such as those shown in earlier figures to retract and release the hard portable secure encasement100″ from a common docking unit via dock release cables704operatively connected between the dock release rotating lever698band the two male securement mechanisms. Thus, the same combination lock sub-assembly688can be used to either open the encasement or undock the encasement depending on whether the lock is in the outward or inward position on the from of the encasement. There are four ball bearings located between the two release rotating levers to allow relative movement between the levers and these are housed in holes in the lid release rotating lever698abut free to rotate on the surface of the dock release totaling lever698b. Combination lock sub-assembly688further includes a casing706and runners708disposed on the casing. The runners708prevent the lock casing706from rotating while being pushed in or pulled out. Combination lock sub-assembly688further includes a combination dial710and reset button712.

This embodiment allows a combination lock that is capable of giving the user the option of unlocking the encasement or undocking the encasement by either pushing or pulling the combination lock sub-assembly. The user needs only one combination to open the combination lock sub-assembly and the combination lock sub-assembly will only rotate 90 degrees clockwise from its normal position so whichever function is required the motion is the same: turn the combination to the horizontal position and either pull or push before turning 90 degrees clockwise to operate both functions.

With reference toFIGS. 22-26, a hard encasement810includes a top door or lid812. There is a locking mechanism814having a baseplate816attached to the interior of the lid812. Baseplate816has multiple retractable arms818which are each pivotally attached to baseplate816by pivots820at a midpoint of the arm818. Each arm818has a groove822on a distal end of the arm818for releasable engagement with a knob824on the body of the encasement810. The proximal end818of each arm818is pivotally attached to a control arm, bar or horizontal wire826which is operatively connected to at least one solenoid828to control the position of the horizontal wire826which then causes the arms818to pivot to releasably engage knobs824. The at least one solenoid828includes a spring830which forces the arms818into a locked position (FIG. 23). When solenoid828is not energized, locking mechanism814is held in the locked position by the spring force of spring830. When compressed, spring830allows arms818to move to an unlocked position (FIG. 24). Once opened, a spring catch832(FIG. 25A) stops arms818from returning to the locked position while lid812is opened. When closed (FIG. 25C), spring catch832is released allowing arms818to move back into the locked position to secure lid812. Referring toFIG. 26, the length of the locking mechanism may be adjusted and the number of arms818may be increased to fit different sizes of encasements810.

Referring toFIG. 22, encasement810includes a digital lock834on a handle836disposed on lid812. Digital lock834is wired to two sets of solenoids in the base and in the lid through a selector switch in the handle836. When the switch is set to DOCK, entering the code and pressing OK releases encasement810from the dock (not shown) by energizing the solenoids in the base that pull the locking pins back against the springs (not shown). When the switch is set to LOCK, entering the code and pressing OK causes the solenoid828in the lid to pull the horizontal wire826and release the locking arms818simultaneously.

Solenoid828only receives momentary energy and once it is de-energized, the spring catch832stops the mechanism from returning to the locked position. In this way, encasement810remains open until the user deliberately locks it again. This obviates the need for the user to enter the unlocking code every time they open encasement810.

An embodiment in this application further includes an alternative system (not shown) for opening encasement810in the event of failure of solenoid828or if for some reason electric digital lock834fails. This backdoor system involves a mechanical operated cylinder in which a key turns the barrel in the lock and a lever attached to the barrel can push or pull arm826which is normally operated by solenoid828. This backdoor system may be hidden behind the label or under a breakaway piece of plastic so that it is not readily apparent. This has the beneficial application in case of failure of solenoid828and it is in, for example, a rental car. The rental car company could then remove the encasement810. A master key would only be made available to top management/security at companies including banks and other financial service corporations. Government agencies would likely require this for their own encasements and the key cylinders can be either standard or very expensive. The more expensive the harder to pick.

Solenoid828may be replaced by, for example, a stepper motor that moves the horizontal arm by a lead-screw or other such mechanism. Solenoid828may also be replaced with an electromagnet or other mechanical activator such as a cable system with a trigger in the handle.

Referring toFIGS. 27A to 38, an alternate embodiment of an encasement900with a multi-point locking system902is shown. As shown inFIG. 27A, the encasement includes an override lock cover904, and a handle906which includes an input locking mechanism such as an input pad908amounted on handle906(FIG. 28A) or input pad908bmounted on lid914for entering a code to activate a solenoid910or other actuator mechanism of the multi-point locking system902. As shown inFIG. 27B, the multi-point locking system902includes a solenoid910attached to a frame912mounted in the interior of the lid914of the encasement900. An elongated platform916having spaced through-holes918is mounted for relative movement with the frame912and lid914and spring-biased against a coiled spring920mounted to the frame912on one end of the platform916. The though-holes918releasably cooperate with spaced locking projections such as hook-shaped static tabs922(FIG. 29C) upwardly projecting from the front side wall of the encasement900. The hook-shaped static tabs922may be integral with a tab frame923which is mounted to the front side wall of the encasement900. A pulley924is mounted on the frame912such that a wound cord926is operatively connected between the frame912and the platform916by way of the pulley924.

When the solenoid910is activated, the cord926causes the platform916to move between a locked position (FIG. 27B) and an unlocked position (FIG. 28B).FIG. 27Bshows the multi-point locking system902in a locked position in which the coiled spring920is compressed when the solenoid910is neutral. The hooked portion928of the static tabs922hooks over the edge of the through-holes918on the platform916locking the lid914in place.

As shown inFIG. 28B, once the solenoid910is activated by entering the activation code on the encasement handle906, the solenoid910pulls the lock platform916to release the locked tabs922thereby stretching the coiled spring920. In this unlocked position shown inFIG. 28B, the hooked portion928of the static tabs922is free to move within the through-holes918on the platform916thereby unlocking the lid914.

Referring toFIGS. 29A to 29C, once the encasement900is opened and the static tabs922are no longer in the through-holes918, the solenoid910returns to the relaxed/neutral position and the coiled spring920returns to the compressed state.

As shown inFIG. 30A, the coiled spring920expands while the platform916slides to the right when closing by following the angle of the static tabs922. As shown inFIG. 30B, once the tabs922have entered the through-holes918, the platform916slides back to the resting position thereby locking the tabs922in place and locking the lid914while the coiled spring920compresses.

The alternative embodiment further includes an override system930. In the override system930, a key (not shown) opens the encasement900with an override lock932mounted within the lid914which will release and retract a second wound cord934operatively connected to the platform916around pulley924to expand the coiled spring920and release the static tabs922to allow the encasement900to be opened. The override lock932is accessed through the override lock cover904(FIG. 27A).

Referring toFIGS. 39A and 39B, an alternate embodiment of the override system936is shown. In this embodiment, the override lock938has a rotatable radial projection940which turns when the key (nor shown) is turned. When the key is turned, projection940engages a projection942on platform916to move platform916between a locked position (FIG. 39A) and an unlocked position (FIG. 39B) as discussed above.

Throughout the disclosed embodiments, the principal objective is foremost of providing the traveler with an overall security system, where he or she will be able to hand carry their traveling valuables, or he or she will be able to temporarily secure them to common docking units affixed to strongly mountable surfaces, all via the portable secure encasements disclosed, which always in its securement, conceals the contents carried by the traveler within the encasement. Such common docking units may be provided at and by the traveling facilities, i.e. the rental cars, hotel rooms, airports, parks, beaches, etc., so the traveler will be able to complete a trip without the danger of being successfully robbed by a thief or attacker, whose objective is to wrongfully obtain, money, jewelry, keys, cameras, lenses, credit cards, travelers' checks, airline tickets, etc. These security advantages may also be realized in and about a person's home, office, or business, and/or nearby daily undertakings, when such selected often used valuables may be secured from loss by local thieves.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments in this application, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of the teachings herein, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of, or exceeding the scope of, the described invention. Accordingly, it is understood that the drawings and the descriptions herein are proffered only to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof. Modifications and variations can be made to the present security assembly without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims or their equivalents. Hence, unless changes otherwise depart from the scope of the invention, the changes should be construed us being included herein.