Abstract:
A firearm storage apparatus comprising a base including a first groove, a first storage panel removeably supported within the first groove, the first storage panel including a plurality of slots that traverse a face of the first storage panel and a plurality of adjustable straps, each strap mated to the first storage panel through two of the slots and adjustable in position along the first storage panel and adjustable in degree of tightness to secure a firearm to the first storage panel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to a firearm storage and transport. More specifically, the present invention relates to a space efficient firearm storage and transport apparatus. 
     Firearms are an indelible part of American society. While controversial to some, firearms are pervasive throughout the United States and one topic most, if not all, can agree on is the need for firearms to be stored and transported in a safe manner. Currently, the methods for gun storage involve either storing or carrying the weapon inside or outside of a case. Depending on local laws, the carry of firearms outside of a case in public may be prohibited and most gun safety experts agree the safest way to carry and store a firearm is unloaded and locked in a case. When purchased from a manufacturer, some guns come with a case, but when buying a gun secondhand or when a gun is sold without a case by the manufacturer, there arises a need for gun cases which can accommodate and securely transport firearms of any make or model. 
     Presently, firearm cases most typically consist of hard-bodied cases with foam padding on the interior for smaller weapons like handguns, with larger weapons either being accommodated by a similarly built large hard-bodied cases or padded soft-bodied cases. These soft-bodied cases exist for the sake convenience and ease of transportation which are not pressing concerns when storing or transporting a single weapon, but when storing and transporting multiple weapons, the logistical challenge of accommodating multiple hard-bodied cases becomes quite difficult. Each hard-bodied handgun case is typically designed to be carried with one hand and have the approximate dimensions of 12″×8″×4″ (inches). This means a gun owner can likely carry only two guns in separate cases comfortably at one time and must also find room to store the cases. Given the statistic that the average gun owner in the US owns around eight guns, the current method of utilizing individual hard-bodied or soft-bodied cases hampers the ability of most gun owners to safely carry and store their firearms. 
     Some firearm cases do allow the storage of multiple guns in one case but almost all of them are an extension of the hard-bodied case with foam padding design. These multi-gun storage cases, while more convenient to carry than multiple separate hard-bodied cases, are themselves larger than a single weapon storage case and do not provide an efficient use of space when storing or transporting the guns. Gun case manufacturers are clearly aware of the need for multi-gun storage but there is currently no existing art which teaches a method for storing multiple firearms in a way which minimizes the space required to, in turn, store the firearms case. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus adapted to store and transport multiple firearms safely and in a space efficient manner. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides an apparatus adapted to store and transport multiple firearms safely and in a space efficient manner. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus consists of a storage base, storage panels, and storage case. The storage base may be a rectangular piece of hard material approximately two inches in height with a series of grooves cut into the top side of the base. The grooves may be set, at a minimum, the width of a handgun apart from each other and are themselves cut to a width that allows a storage panel to slide and sit in the groove. The grooves may travel the entire length of the base, which is a length equal to or less than that of the storage panels. On the bottom of the storage base, the side opposite to the grooves, there may be rubber feet attached to the base which prevents the base from sliding. The storage panels may also be constructed of hard material and may be rectangular in shape, but are much thinner in width than the base at one fourth of an inch. The panels may also be much taller than the base, with dimensions of approximately twelve inches high and fourteen inches long. As mentioned previously, the panels may be adapted to slide in and out of the grooves in the base and when placed into the base will stand upright with the faces of the panels being perpendicular to the top side of the base. 
     In this embodiment, the storage panels may also be designed to accommodate two handguns a piece strapped to them. This is accomplished by the use of horizontal and vertical slots which may be cut through the one fourth of an inch wide panel. The slots allow a user to strap two handguns to the storage panel with the use of cinch straps and spacers which fit through the slots and securely fasten the guns to the panel. The storage case may be a soft bodied bag designed to be carried over the shoulder. For example, the storage case may feature a zip top and shoulder strap. On the inside of the bag there may be rows of foam padding with space in-between the rows forming compartments which can accommodate one storage panel per space. 
     In another embodiment of the gun storage apparatus, the storage panels and base from the previously discussed handgun storage embodiment may be enlarged to accommodate and store both handguns and long guns. In this physically larger embodiment, the base and panels may have the same relative proportions as the smaller handgun embodiment. In contrast to the handgun panel however, both handguns and long guns may be strapped securely to the storage panel by use of cinch straps and spacers. This is accomplished by the use of horizontal and vertical slots which may be cut through the broad face of the panel, also seen in the handgun sized panel. This larger embodiment may feature many more slots cut into the panel when compared to the handgun panel. These extra slots allow for the storage of various sizes of guns with differing types of barrels, stocks, receivers, magazines, and grips. The larger panel may range in size from approximately sixteen inches tall and twenty five inches long to sixteen inches tall and fifty one inches long with the corresponding storage base being scaled to accommodate these proportions. Additionally, in this embodiment of the gun storage apparatus, the gun storage case may be scaled up from the handgun embodiment to accommodate both the larger panels and smaller panels. 
     Yet other embodiments of the invention exist including a firearm storage apparatus comprising a base including a first groove, a first storage panel removeably supported within the first groove, the first storage panel including a plurality of slots that traverse a face of the first storage panel, and a plurality of adjustable straps, each strap mated to the first storage panel through two of the slots and adjustable in position along the first storage panel and adjustable in degree of tightness to secure a firearm to the first storage panel. 
     This embodiment may also include a second storage panel removeably supported within a second groove in the base, the second storage panel including a plurality of slots that traverse a face of the second storage panel; one or more spacers removeably and adjustably secured to the panel to further support the firearm secured to the first storage panel; and rectangular storage panels. This embodiment may yes also include a soft-bodied or hard-bodied case for the base and/or a carrying case including compartments sized to receive the first storage panel when removed from the base. 
     Another embodiment features a firearm storage system comprising a base including a first groove, a first storage panel removeably supported within the first groove, the first storage panel including a plurality of adjustable straps mated to the first storage panel and adjustable to secure a firearm to the first storage panel, and a carrying case including a first compartment sized to receive the first storage panel when removed from the base. 
     This embodiment may also feature adjustable straps which comprise a holster, adjustable straps which are cinch straps including a releasable closure, and each strap mated to the first storage panel through two of a plurality of slots located in the face of the first storage panel and adjustable in position along the first storage panel. Spacers which are removeably and adjustably secured to the panel to further support the firearm secured to the first storage panel, a second storage panel removeably supported within a second groove in the base, the second storage panel including a plurality of slots that traverse a face of the second storage panel, each strap mated to the first storage panel through two of a plurality of slots located in the face of the first storage panel and adjustable in position along the first storage panel, and spacers which are removeably and adjustably secured to the panel to further support the firearm secured to the first storage panel may also be included in this embodiment. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the problem of safely storing and transporting a large number of firearms in a space efficient manner. With guns being a popular part of American culture and the average gun owner owning multiple guns, there is a need for gun owners to be able to carry and store their firearms in an efficient, safe, and subtle manner. 
     An advantage of the invention is that it provides users with a space efficient apparatus which can store a multitude of firearms in a compact space compared to traditional gun cases and gun racks. This makes safe gun ownership easier to accommodate and gun owners more likely to practice safe storage methods. 
     Another advantage of the invention is that is provides convenience for storing and transporting guns. Normally, a gun owner with several different firearms would have to open and close many different weapon cases and reorganize them when they wished to use different guns. Additionally the owner would have to keep track of where each weapon was located, but with this invention the user may freely swap out which guns they wish to carry and can easily take inventory of where each of their guns are located. 
     Yet another advantage of the invention is that it allows for gun storage and transport in a clandestine manner. A gun owner need not store and carry several bulky gun cases with him when using this invention. The use of a compact carrying case for several guns allows the gun owner to not draw attention to themselves in public and also to not disturb the public by carrying large, and what some may find as threatening, firearm cases. 
     Still yet another advantage of the invention is that the user no longer has to purchase multiple firearm cases. The design of the invention allows it to be expanded so a user can safely store and transport any new guns they acquire without having to purchase or otherwise acquire a case for their new firearm. 
     Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the storage panel sitting in the storage base. 
         FIG. 2A  is an alternative perspective view of the storage base. 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the storage base. 
         FIG. 2C  is a diagram that highlights the various features of the storage base. 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of an unoccupied storage panel. 
         FIG. 3B  is a front prospective view of a fully occupied storage panel. 
         FIG. 3C  is a diagram that highlights the various features of the storage panel. 
         FIG. 3D  front view of an occupied storage panel featuring a holster. 
         FIG. 3E  is a front view of a magazine storage cuff. 
         FIG. 3F  is a perspective view of the magazine storage cuff rolled upon itself. 
         FIG. 4A  is a front view of the exterior of the storage case. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the exterior of the storage case. 
         FIG. 4C  is a top view of the interior of the storage case. 
         FIG. 4D  is a tope view of the storage case. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram of a larger gun storage panel. 
         FIG. 6A  is a diagram of a larger gun storage panel with a different slot configuration. 
         FIG. 6B  is a diagram of the exterior of a larger gun storage case. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a perspective view of the storage panel  200  sitting in the storage base  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the storage panel  200  may sit in grooves  110  of the storage base  100 . Further shown in  FIG. 1 , two pistols may be strapped to the storage panel  200  via cinch straps  220  which fit through slots  210  cut in the panel  200 . The pistols may be further secured by moveable spacers  230  which may be positioned in the slots  210 . 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates an alternative prospective view of the storage base  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the base  100  may include a series of parallel grooves  110  cut along the entire length of the top side of base  100  that may be spaced, at minimum, the width of a handgun apart. In the non-limiting example shown, the series of grooves  110  amounts to five grooves  110  in total cut into the base  100 . 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the storage base  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , the grooves  110  may be cut to a depth of approximately one half the height of the storage base  100 . Also shown in  FIG. 2B , rubber feet  120  may be attached to the bottom of the base  100 . The rubber feet  120  permit the base  100  to potentially be placed securely on a smooth surface such as a shelf in a gun locker. 
       FIG. 2C  is a diagram which highlights the features of the storage base  100 . As shown in the diagram, the base may include grooves  110  cut into the top side of the base  100  and rubber feet  120  attached to the bottom of the base  100 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a front view of the storage panel  200 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , a handle hole  240  may be cut approximately one inch from the end of the panel  200 . The handle hole  240  may be rectangular in shape with beveled corners and approximately two inches wide by five inches long. The handle hole  240  may be positioned towards the middle of the length of the panel  200 . Further shown in  FIG. 3A , there are also slots  210  cut into the storage panel  200 . The slots  210  may come in two varieties, vertical slots  211  and horizontal slots  212 . The vertical slots  211  may be approximately three inches in length by one eight of an inch wide and positioned towards the middle of the length of the panel  200  similar to the hand hole  240 . There may be two sets vertical slots  211  equating to four individual vertical slots  211  in total, with space between the two slots  211  in each set to potentially accommodate a pistol handle being strapped between the two slots  211 . There may also be two sets of horizontal slots  212  amounting to four individual horizontal slots  212 . The horizontal slots  212  may be approximately nine inches wide by one eight of an inch in length. The sets of horizontal slots  212  may be positioned above and below the vertical slots  211  and potentially set wide enough apart to accommodate a pistol barrel being strapped between the two slots  212  in each set. The horizontal  212  and vertical  211  slots may be positioned on the panel  200  relative to each other, beginning about a half inch down from the hand hole  240 . The positioning of the slots  210  is done so that two pistols may be strapped onto the panel  200  at the same time forming a rough square. This may be accomplished by an approximately three inch gap between the two sets of vertical slots  211 , allowing two pistol handles to sit within the two sets of slots  211 , with one of the pistol barrels strapped in the horizontal slots  212  located above the vertical slots  211  and the other pistol barrel to be strapped in the horizontal slots  212  located below the vertical slots  211 . Still further shown in  FIG. 3A , cinch straps  220  may fit through the slots  210  and spacers  230  may sit in the vertical slots  212 . 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a front prospective view of a fully occupied storage panel  200 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , the handle hole  240  may accommodate the hand of an adult human. Further shown in  FIG. 3B , the storage panel  200  may securely hold two pistols utilizing cinch straps  220  and spacers  230 . The cinch straps may be fed through the slots  210  and the spacers  230  may be positioned along the horizontal slots  212 . One spacer  230  may be positioned within the trigger guard of the pistol while the other spacer  230  may sit above the barrel. The cinch strap  220  may be adjustable via one or more hook and loop fastener, snap buttons, adjustable clasps, etc. It should also be noted the cinch straps  220  are show as rectangular straps of flexible material in this embodiment, but firearms may be attached to the panel  200  by any adjustable means of attachment of a firearm to the panel  200  which is not permanent including holsters (as shown in  FIG. 3D , etc.). 
       FIG. 3C  is a diagram that highlights the various features of the storage panel  200 . The relative size of the handle hole  240  and the two types of slots  210 : vertical  211  and horizontal  212 , are shown. Additionally shown in  FIG. 3C  is a breakdown of the potential components of the spacer  230 . The spacer  230  may consist of a screw  231 , hollow spacer  232 , and nut  233 . The screw  231  may fit through the slots  210  in the panel  200 . When placed into a slot  210 , the head of the screw  231  may rest against the back side of the panel  200  while the threaded portion of the screw  231  may extend from the front side of the panel  200 . The threaded portion of the screw  231  may fit within the cylindrical hollow spacer  232  with some of the threaded portion still being exposed. This exposed threaded portion of the screw  231  may fit into complimentary threads on the nut  233 , allowing the component parts of the spacer  230  to be tightened securely to the panel  200 . 
       FIG. 3D  is a front view of an occupied storage panel  200  featuring a holster  290 . As shown in  FIG. 3D , there are other embodiments of the storage panel  200  discussed in  FIGS. 3A-3C . In this embodiment, firearms are secured to the panel  200  via a holster  290 . The holster  290  may be integral with the panel  200 , secured to the panel  200  via slots  210  (shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ) and the use of cinch straps  220  (also shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C ), or secured to the panel  200  by another means which secures the holster in place for transport and storage. The holster  290  may feature a holster safety strap  291  which holds a firearm securely in the holster  290 . The panel  200  shown in  FIG. 3D  also features hook and loop fastener strips  280  integral with or secured upon the panel  200  at various points on the face of the panel  200  in order to enable a magazine storage cuff  250  (illustrated in  FIGS. 3E-3F ) or other accessories to be affixed to the panel  200 . 
       FIG. 3E  is a front view of a magazine storage cuff  250 . As shown in  FIG. 3E , a magazine storage cuff  250  matches up to the length of the storage panel  200  featuring hook and loop fastener discussed in  FIG. 3D . The equal lengths of the panel  200  and cuff  250  allow the hook and loop fastener strips  280  on the panel  200  to align with complementary placed hook and loop fastener strips  281  so that the strips  280 ,  281  enable the cuff  250  to be affixed to the panel  200  (e.g., one of the strips  280  or  281  ifs the “hook” side of the hook and loop fastener while the other side has the fabric side which receives the hooks). The cuff  250  features a series of elastic bands  252  upon one of its faces which can each accommodate firearms magazines, accessories, or other equipment. Piping  254  encloses the perimeter of the cuff  250  holding the hook and loop fastener  281 , bands  252 , and cuff  250  securely together. 
       FIG. 3F  is a perspective view of the magazine storage cuff  250  rolled upon itself. As shown in  FIG. 3F , the magazine storage cuff  250  may be constructed of flexible materials (e.g., nylon) which enable it to be secured to the panel  200  (discussed in  FIGS. 3D-3E ) and also rolled upon itself (partially or fully) for ease of transport and handling when not affixed to the panel  200 . One of the hook and loop fastener strips  281  of the cuff  250  may be used to secure the cuff  250  in its rolled state. 
       FIG. 4A  is a front view of the exterior of the storage case  300 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , the soft bodied case (or bag)  300  may include a carry handle  350  to allow for easier transportation of the case  300 . The exterior of the case  300  may also feature a number of pouches  360  for additional storage. The pouches  360  may be secured by a closure  361  (hook and loop fastener, snap buttons, etc.) and the face of one or more of the pouches  360  or bag  300  itself may feature a badge  362  used to brand the case  300 , identify its owner, etc. The interior of the case  300  may be accessible via a zip top lid  340 —opened and closed by one of more zippers  341 . 
       FIG. 4B  is a side view of the exterior of the storage case  300 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , each side of the exterior of the case  300  may feature a portion of a shoulder strap  330  attached to allow for easier transportation of the case. The shoulder strap  330  of this embodiment features a leather shoulder pad  33  for added comfort when carrying the case  300 . This view of the exterior of the case  300  also highlights the pouches  360  (which may be held closed by a secure closure  361 ; either hook and loop fastener, snap buttons, or any other closure securing functionality as shown in  FIG. 4A ), and also demonstrates the potential positioning of the rigid feet  370  from a side view. 
       FIG. 4C  is a top view of the interior of the storage case  300 . As shown in  FIG. 4C , the interior of the storage case  300  may consist of panel compartments  310  and padded dividers  320 . The space between padded dividers  320  may create the compartments  310 , the dimensions of these compartments being adequate to accommodate one or more storage panel  200  each. Along with the padded dividers  320 , all other surfaces of the interior of the case  300  may be padded via peripheral padding  321  to protect and secure transported firearms. 
       FIG. 4D  is a tope view of the storage case  300 . As shown in  FIG. 4D , the case  300  is topped with a zippered lid  340  which spans the length and width of the case  300 . Pouches  360  adorn three sides of the case  300 , with one of the longer sides of the case  300  without any exterior pouches  360  to allow this side of the case  300  to be held comfortably against the human (or animal) body when carried. The carry handles  350  are shown positioned beneath the shoulder strap  330  and its shoulder pad  331 . 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram of a larger gun storage panel  500 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the larger gun storage panel  500  may be a scaled up version of the handgun panel  200 . The larger panel  500  may feature both vertical slots  211  and horizontal slots  212  similar to the slots  210  of the handgun panel  200 . The larger panel  500  may however feature more slots  210  than the handgun panel  200 , which may include six horizontal  212  and eleven vertical  211  slots. The slots  210  are positioned relative to each other like the handgun panel  200  to allow guns to be strapped to the panel  500 . The vertical slots  211  may be cut along the midline of the panel  500 , with the horizontal slots  212  positioned above and below the vertical slots  211  in sets of three. The top most slot  512  in the top set and bottom most slot  513  in the bottom set of horizontal slots  212  may be spaced apart from the other two horizontal slots  514  in each set with enough distance to allow the multitude of different barrels and/or stocks found on long guns to be securely strapped to the panel  500  in this space. The other two horizontal slots  514  in each set may be placed relative to the vertical slots  211  to allow handguns to be strapped to the panel  500  with the barrel of the pistol resting between the sets of horizontal slots  514  and the handle between the vertical slots  211 . Also shown in  FIG. 5 , the larger panel  500  may have a series of handle holes  540  cut near the top of the panel to allow the panel  500  to be picked up with one hand or two. 
       FIG. 6A  is a diagram of a larger gun storage panel  500  with a different slot  210  configuration. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the larger gun storage panel  500  may feature an arrangement of slots  210  which can accommodate long guns with different types of stocks or grips. This may be achieved by using sets of long horizontal slots  212 , vertical slots  211 , and short horizontal slots  515 . The long horizontal slots  212  may be cut in sets of two and positioned above and below the midline of the panel  500 . The long slots  212  are cut relative to the vertical slots  211  and short horizontal slots  515  in a way that allows a long gun barrel to be strapped between the long slots  212  while the gun&#39;s grip or shoulder stock is secured by cinch straps fed through the vertical slots  211  and/or short horizontal slots  515 . The vertical slots  211  and short horizontal slots  515  may be cut in sets of two and positioned along the midline of the panel  500 . The vertical slots  211  and short horizontal slots  515  may be cut relative to each other to form a square, with a set of the short vertical slots  515  being two sides of the square and a set of vertical slots  211  forming the other two sides. One of these squares of slots (vertical slots  211  and short horizontal slots  515 ) may be placed towards each end of the length of the panel  500  along its midline allowing various types of long guns to be securely stored and carried. Also shown in  FIG. 6A , the larger panel  500  may have a series of handle holes  540  cut near the top of the panel to allow the panel  500  to be picked up. 
       FIG. 6B  is a diagram of a larger gun storage case  600 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , a larger gun storage case  600  may be roughly the shape of a large rectangular food cooler. This large rectangular shape may allow the case  600  to store both handgun  200  and long gun  500  storage panels. On the outside of the case  600 , on each side, there may be a carry handle  610  to aid in transport of the case  600 . On the bottom of the case  600 , there may be rubberized feet  620  to ensure the case  600  can be securely positioned during transport and use. Also shown in  FIG. 6B , the inside of the case  600  may be accessed via a zipper  341  which runs around the top of the case  600  securing the case lid  640 . Pouches  360  may also adorn the outside of the case  600  and be secured by any number of secure closures  361  (hook and loop fastener, snap buttons, etc.). 
     It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.