Abstract:
A safe includes a safe body that has an opening. A door is movably interfaced to the safe body such that the door selectively occludes the opening, thereby, selectively permitting access to the opening in one position and precluding access to the opening in a second position. A locking mechanism engages between the door and the safe body when the door occludes the opening. When provided with a key, the locking mechanism disengages between the door and the safe body, permitting access to the opening. An insert is positioned within the safe body. The insert has an opening formation configured to support at least one specific weapon, which is arranged to be accessed from the opening.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/288,750, filed May 28, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,770,116 issued Jul. 8, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,534,206 issued Sep. 17, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. 8,327,777, issued Dec. 11, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 8,201,426, issued Jun. 19, 2012, the disclosures of both are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of security and more particularly to a system, method and apparatus for securing valuables such as guns. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is well known in the art to provide secure storage for valuables such as jewelry, guns, currency, and the like. Lock boxes, safes, gun safes, etc, are well known for such purposes. Often, these safes or lock boxes or locked cabinets have key locks, combination locks and/or biometric locks (e.g. fingerprint readers). Depending upon the security level required, such devices are sometimes made out of very heavy, thick steel, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to the contents while, due to the weight, reducing the risk of the entire device being removed. Also, or in addition, sometimes these devices are hidden and/or secured in place. For example, it is well known to screw a safe into a wall, and then hide the safe behind a painting or other ornament. 
     In general, these devices have several features in common. They have a box-like construction, sealed on five sides; they have a door that is connected to the box-like portion by hinges and they have a locking device that prevents the door from opening without the proper access key (physical key, password, biometric match, combination, etc). 
     Several problems exist in the prior art. Depending upon the thickness of the safe/box and door and the gap between the door and the box, it is possible to pry open some such devices by inserting a lever between the box and the door, Another problem in some installations is that there isn&#39;t enough room for a door to swing open such as when the safe is attached to a bed frame between the bed and furniture or bed and wall. In some situations, quick and ready access to the contents of the safe are required such as when an intruder alarm sounds when the occupant sleeps. In some situations, due to the size and low weight of the safe, it is desired to attach the safe to a larger, heavier object. Many of these problems are not addressed in the prior art as well as other limitations that will be obvious in the following description. 
     What is needed is a system, method, and apparatus for securing valuables, and in particular, for securing weapons in an upright, easy to find and grasp position. 
     SUMMARY 
     A safe or strong box attachment mechanism is disclosed. The safe (or strong box) has a rotatable door that, when a proper code/combination/biometric is provided, rotatably opens to expose the contents. The safe/strong-box optionally attaches to a bed system by a plate that has barbs. The barbed plate readily inserts between a box spring and a mattress, but due to the barbs, is difficult to remove without lifting the mattress from the box spring making it at least difficult to remove by, for example, children in the home. 
     In one embodiment, a safe is disclosed having a safe body that has an opening. A door is movably interfaced to the safe body such that the door selectively occludes the opening, thereby, selectively permitting access to the opening in one position and precluding access to the opening in a second position. A locking mechanism engages between the door and the safe body when the door occludes the opening. When provided with a key, the locking mechanism disengages between the door and the safe body, permitting access to the opening. An insert is positioned within the safe body. The insert has an opening formation configured to support at least one specific weapon, which is arranged to be accessed from the opening. 
     In another embodiment, a method of providing quick access to a protected weapon is disclosed. The method includes providing a safe that has a body and the safe body has an opening. A door is movably interfaced to the safe body such that the door selectively occludes the opening, thereby, the door permitting access to the opening in one position and precluding access to the opening in a second position. A locking mechanism engages between the door and the safe body when the door occludes the opening. When provided with a key, the locking mechanism disengages between the door and the safe body, permitting access to the opening. The method includes providing the key to unlock the locking mechanism and thereby opening the door. Next, a first insert is installed into the safe body through the opening. The first insert has a cavity formed to accept a first weapon. Next, the first weapon is placed within the first cavity such that a portion of the first weapon extends from the first cavity for fast access and the door is closed and locked. To open, the key to the locking mechanism is provided and the locking mechanism releases the door responsive to the key, thereby providing access to the first weapon. Now, for example when changing to a different weapon, the first weapon is removed from the first cavity and the first insert is removed from the safe body. A second, different insert is installed into the safe body through the opening. The second insert has a second cavity formed to accept a second weapon; the second weapon being of a different size and/or shape than the first weapon. Now, the second weapon is placed within the second cavity such that a portion of the second weapon extends from the second cavity for fast access and the door is closed and locked. Later, the key to the locking mechanism is provided and the locking mechanism releases the door responsive to the key, thereby providing access to the second weapon. 
     In another embodiment, a safe is disclosed including a body that has an opening for receiving and holding an object. A door is rotatably interfaced to the safe body by a pin. The door has a curved outer surface, a curved inner surface, and side surfaces covering a portion of each side of the door. The door obstructs the opening in a first position of rotation, and provides access to the safe body through the opening when the door is in a second position of rotation. A locking mechanism engages between the door and the safe body when the door is rotated to the first position of rotation thereby holding the door in the first position of rotation until the locking mechanism is released. Upon releasing by the locking mechanism, the door is free to rotate towards the second position of rotation. An insert is located within the safe body. The insert has a cavity that is open towards the opening and is form fit to a weapon such that when a weapon is inserted into the cavity, a portion of the weapon extends from the cavity for quick and easy grasping by a user. The door rotates to be at least partially contained within the safe body in the second position of rotation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus for securing valuables in a closed/locked position. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus for securing valuables in an open position. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus for securing valuables in a closed/locked position secured to a bed. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus for securing valuables interfaced to a detachable/adjustable bed interface system. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a sectional view of an embodiment of the apparatus for securing valuables in a closed/locked position. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a sectional view of the embodiment of the apparatus for securing valuables in an open position. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a sectional view of another embodiment of the apparatus for securing valuables in a closed/locked position. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrates a sectional view of the other embodiment of the apparatus for securing valuables in an open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. Throughout the description, the term safe is used to represent any such device such as a vault, safe, strong box, gun safe, locked cabinet, locked drawer, etc., that is used to store items and reduce the possibility of loss of the items to theft, fire, etc. The possibility of loss is reduced by making the safe difficult to remove, heavy, sturdy, tamper resistant, affixed to a larger item, affixed to a structure, fire resistant, etc. 
     Safes, vaults, strong boxes, gun safes, etc. of the prior art generally have a hinged door that swings outwardly and locks when in the closed position. Generally, the door is often almost as wide and high as the actual storage portion of the, e.g., safe. The size of the door requires sufficient space in front of the safe for the door to open wide enough as to access its contents. Furthermore, for some safe systems, the gap between the door and the body or box portion of the safe provides an opening in which a thief is able to pry open some safe doors, reducing security of the safe. In some circumstances, it is imperative to readily and quickly access a content of the safe, for example, to access a ready hand gun when an intruder is present in an individual&#39;s home. With conventional safes, once the door is opened, the contents have to be reached for within the safe body. Speed of access, ease of finding the weapon and silence are several important features helpful the survival of the individual under such exemplary circumstances. 
     To overcome the limitations of existing technology as cited above and others, the safe  10  of  FIG. 1  has a rotating door  14  that, after entering the proper code on a combination lock  16  or presenting a known biometric parameter (e.g. fingerprint, voice print) on a biometric sensor  18 , the rotating door  14  rotates into an open position as shown in  FIG. 2 . By operating the rotating door  14 , the contents (e.g. gun  20  as in  FIG. 2 , pepper spray or other weapon) are readily and immediately accessible without undue searching (as required within a cavity of prior safes). As discussed previously, the operation of the rotating door  14  requires minimal clearance with other objects such as headboards, night stands, etc. and, in some embodiments, is noise dampened so as to not alert an intruder of its operation. Furthermore, the sides of the rotating door  14 , in some embodiments, extend into the base  12  when the rotating door  14  is closed, thereby reducing risk of a theft or access from prying open the rotating door  14 . 
     The safe  10  has a base  12  that contains the items to be protected such as a gun  20  and an insertion place  30  as will be described later. 
     Any known locking system is anticipated including a combination lock  16  with a grid or linear set of keys  17 , a biometric device  18  such as a finger print scanner  18  with finger print detection pad  19 , a key access (not shown), electronic security card (not shown), smart card (not shown), electronic key fob (not shown), etc. All such devices are known in the art and included here within. For example, in one embodiment, the locking system has a sensor that senses the proximity of a key fob (as used with some newer vehicles), and when the key fob is proximal (e.g. on the nightstand, near the safe  10 ), the lock is energized to open, quickly, with the operation of a simple button or latch, etc. 
     The locking system  16 / 18  mechanically operates a locking mechanism such as one or more locking pins  8 . When locked, the rotating door  14  is in the closed position and the locking mechanism (e.g. locking pins  8 ) are extended into mating receptacles  5  of the locking end  6  of the rotating door  14 , thereby preventing access to the contents of the safe  10 . After the correct code, combination, key, biometric object, etc, is presented to the locking system  16 / 18 , the locking mechanism (e.g. locking pins  8 ) retract and permit opening of the rotating door  14 . In some embodiments, after the locking mechanism (e.g. locking pins  8 ) retracts, the user pushes on the rotating door  14  to turn it and obtain access to the contents. In a preferred embodiment, the rotating door  14  is spring loaded (see  FIG. 5 / 5 A) and, upon retraction of the locking mechanism (e.g. locking pins  8 ), the loaded spring  52  (see  FIG. 5 / 5 A) unloads, automatically opening the rotating door  14 . Any type of spring/energy storage mechanism is anticipated including expansion springs, compression springs, torsion springs, coil springs, opposing same poles of magnets, gas springs, etc. 
     It is anticipated that the safe  10  be made of any sturdy material such as steel, heavy plastic, wood, aluminum, etc, depending upon the level of security needed. For example, some existing gun racks are made of wood with glass windows. In as such, these gun racks lock to reduce access by youngsters, but a thief with a hammer is able to easily break the glass and takes the guns. It is also anticipated that the safe  10  be made to any size as needed for the weapon, valuables, etc that are to be protected. 
     In some embodiments, the safe  10  is anticipated to be just large enough to hold a hand gun  20 . Since this embodiment and others are relatively small, it is difficult to prevent removal of such a safe  10  since it is not to large nor heavy to carry by most people, including some youngsters. To make it more difficult to remove such embodiments of the safe  10 , the safe  10  is coupled to a plate  30  that has barbs  32  on one or both sides. The barbs  32  point in towards the base  12  of the safe  10  such that when inserted between two objects such as a mattress  62  and box spring  64  (see  FIG. 3 ), it is difficult to pull the plate  30  out from between the objects. This provides resistance to being removed by a person who is not capable of lifting the top object (e.g. mattress  62 ) while disengaging the barbs  32 . Performance of such a removal would be impossible for a young child and difficult for some older children and even difficult for many adults. This deters many family members from removing the safe  10  from, for example, between the mattress  62  and bed spring  64 , especially since after removal that family member would still be unable to open the rotating door  14 . It is even more difficult to remove the safe  10  that is coupled to the plate  30  when located between a bed  60  (see  FIG. 3 ) and a wall (not shown). 
     Although the plate  30  is shown interfaced or connected to the safe  10 , it is anticipated that the plate  30  is used with any other type/style of safe/strong-box such as a safe or strong-box with a typical linear hinge opening arrangement. The plate  30  provides additional security to such devices. In such, the plate  30  is attached, screwed, glued, welded to, or is part of the safe/strong-box. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the apparatus for securing valuables (e.g. the safe  10 ) shown interfaced to, for example, a bed system  60  in a closed/locked position. It is anticipated that the safe  10  be interfaced to any suitable object such as the bed system  60  as shown, for example, a night stand, dresser, wall, etc. In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the insertion plate  30  (not visible) has been pushed in between the mattress  62  and the box spring  64 . Once the plate  30  is inserted between the mattress  62  and the box spring  64 , it is difficult to remove by way of the barbs  32  that point towards the safe  10 . If one tries to pull the plate  30  out from between the mattress  62  and the box spring  64 , the barbs  32  dig into the mattress  62  and/or the box spring  64 , making it difficult or impossible to remove by the ordinary person. Remove is accomplished by lifting the mattress  62  and disengaging the barbs  32  from the mattress  62  and/or the box spring  64 . Most mattresses  62  are heavy and difficult for many single adults to lift, let alone hold suspended above the box spring  64  while working to disengage the barbs  32 . The plate  30 /barb  32  holding mechanism as shown is anticipated to deter most younger members of a household from removing the safe  10 , even though once they removed the safe  10  from the bed system  60 , it is difficult to gain access to the safe  10  without the key, combination, code, biometric match, etc. Of course, a seasoned thief will be able to remove the safe  10  from the bed system  60 , but most conceivable mounting mechanisms of any safe to a bed system  60  are able to be defeated by a thief having the appropriate tools. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of the apparatus for securing valuables is shown interfaced to a detachable/adjustable plate. It is anticipated that the safe  10  of the present invention be used with or without the plate  30  and barbs  32 . For example, in some uses, the safe  10 , without the plate  30  and barbs  32 , is screwed into a heavy, large object such as a bed frame (not shown) a dresser (not shown), etc. 
     Furthermore, because some mattresses  62  (see  FIG. 3 ) are thicker than other mattresses  62  and it is desired to have the safe  10  open with ready access to the handle of the gun  20  or other weapon, for thicker mattresses  62 , the safe  10  is desired to be higher with respect to the bottom of the mattress  62 . To this means, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  includes a plate  30  with barbs  32  on one side or both sides of the plate  30 . The plate  30  has mounting brackets  40  on one or both sides for affixing the plate  30  to the safe  10  in any way known in the industry such as using screws  38  that pass through the brackets  40 , through walls of the safe  10  and are bolted from within the safe  10 , preferably with tamper resistant screws/bolts (e.g., locked with a cotter pin or the like). In this way, the safe  10  is capable of being positioned higher with respect to the plate  30  by using only the top two holes in the brackets  40  and the lower two holes in the wall of the safe  10 , etc. It is anticipated that any number of holes, slots, screws, fasteners etc are used for various mounting configurations. Furthermore, other mechanisms are known in the industry for mounting objects to each other, all of which are included here within. 
     In some embodiments, the safe  10  is affixed to the plate  30  and is removable from the plate  30  or other device after the door  14  is opened or by an external lock, for example, a pad lock. In such, the safe  10  is secured to an object such as the bed system  60  and, when traveling, is removed from the object or plate  30  and taken by the owner, for example, into a vehicle. In such, it is anticipated that the safe  10  be carried in the vehicle and optionally, mounted/locked to the vehicle for added theft deterrence. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a sectional view of the apparatus for securing valuables in a closed/locked position ( FIG. 5A ) and in an open position ( FIG. 5B ) are shown. In this view it is shown how the rotating door  14  rotates into the open position providing access to the contents of the safe  10 , in this example, providing access to the handle end of a gun  20 . 
     In  FIG. 5A , the safe  10  is in the closed position and access to the gun  20  is denied. In  FIG. 5B , an authorized user  55  has, for example, pressed the correct sequence of buttons  17  on the combination lock  16  and the door  14  has automatically rotated to the open position. 
     In one embodiment, the gun  20  or other weapon is supported in a form fitted material  22  such as foam rubber, Styrofoam, etc. In this way, the gun  20  or other weapon is held in a ready-to-use position for fast access during an emergency such as a home intrusion. This position provides additional safety from inadvertent firing of some weapons being that the gun  20  faces down when the, possibly frantic, owner reaches for the gun  20 . 
     In some embodiments, replaceable/interchangeable form fitted material  22  is provided with different opening formations to hold different sizes of guns  20  or other weapons. For example, in one embodiment, the form fitted material  22  has a cylindrical cavity sized to hold a can of pepper spray (not shown) while in other embodiments, the form fitted material  22  is cut to the shape of the gun  20  or other weapon and/or has sections that are easily removed to increase the size of the form opening, thereby holding larger guns  20  or other weapons. 
     In some embodiments, the rotating door  14  is supported by a bearing  50  and the bearing is affixed to a surface of the side walls  13  of the base  12 . Many arrangements of axles, partial axles, side stubs, etc. are known, all of which are included here within. In other embodiments, the rotating door  14  is rotatably interfaced to the base  12  in any of many known ways including various types of bearings and rotating interfaces. Still in other embodiments, the rotating door  14  is supported by (held within) a sleeve (not shown) on one side or both sides of the rotating door  14  within the base  12 . 
     In some embodiments, the rotating door  14  is spring loaded by, for example, a coil spring  52 . In this example, one end of the coil spring  52  is interfaced to the base  12  and the other end of the coil spring  52  is interfaced to the rotating door  14  so that when the rotating door  14  is closed (locked) as in  FIG. 5A , the coil spring  52  is tensioned and when the rotating door  14  is later released (unlocked), the coil spring  52  uncoils and pushes the rotating door  14  to the open position as in  FIG. 5B . 
     Because the safe  10  is often used in a situation where it is important that little or no audible noise is made during access, in some embodiments, dampers  54  softly stop the rotation of the rotating door  14 . The dampers  54  are designed to slowly stop the rotating door  14  when it approaches the full open position. In some embodiments, the dampers  54  are soft; cushion material such as rubber, resilient foam, etc. In some embodiments, the dampers  54  include springs or spring assemblies. In some embodiments, the dampers  54  are combinations of resilient material, springs or any other known damping mechanism. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , a sectional view of the apparatus for securing valuables in a closed/locked position ( FIG. 6A ) and in an open position ( FIG. 6B ) are shown. In this view it is shown how the rotating door  14  rotates into the open position providing access to the contents of the safe  10 , in this example, providing access to the handle end of a gun  20 . 
     In  FIG. 6A , the safe  10  is in the closed position and access to the gun  20  is denied. In  FIG. 6B , an authorized user  55  has, for example, pressed the correct sequence of buttons  17  on the combination lock  16  and the door  14  has automatically rotated to the open position. 
     In one embodiment, the gun  20  or other weapon is supported in a form fitted material  22  such as foam rubber, Styrofoam, etc. In this way, the gun  20  or other weapon is held in a ready-to-use position for fast access during an emergency such as a home intrusion. This position provides additional safety from inadvertent firing of some weapons being that the gun  20  faces down when the, possibly frantic, owner reaches for the gun  20 . 
     In some embodiments, replaceable/interchangeable form fitted material  22  is provided with different opening formations to hold different sizes of guns  20  or other weapons. For example, in one embodiment, the form fitted material  22  has a cylindrical cavity sized to hold a can of pepper spray (not shown) while in other embodiments, the form fitted material  22  is cut to the shape of the gun  20  or other weapon and/or has sections that are easily removed to increase the size of the form opening, thereby holding larger guns  20  or other weapons. 
     In some embodiments, the rotating door  14  has a curved outer and/or inner surface that is supported by a rotational interface. In some embodiments, the rotational interface is a series of guide pins  150  or a continuous guide sleeve (not shown). Each guide pin (or the sleeve) is affixed to a surface of a wall (e.g. the side walls  13 ) of the base  12 . In some embodiments, though not required, the door has side surfaces or partial side surfaces such as flat surfaces as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , to protect contents of the safe  10  from access. In such, the side surfaces cover all or part of the rotating door  14  that is exposed (e.g. outside of the base  12 ) when the rotating door  14  is rotated to the open position. 
     Many arrangements of pins  150  are anticipated, all of which are included here within. Although any suitably structurally supportive material is anticipated, in some embodiments, the pins  150  (or the sleeve) are made from a material having a low coefficient of friction such as hard plastic, polished steel, nylon, etc. In some embodiments, the pins  150  include bearings so that the pins  150  rotate as the door  14  rotates. In such, it is also anticipated that the pins  150  which rotate are made from a material having a low coefficient of friction such as hard plastic, polished steel, nylon, etc. Any of many pin  150  configurations is anticipated, including various types of bearings and rotating interfaces or combinations of pin  150  types. In some embodiments, the pins  150  are located both within and outside of the rotational arc of the door  14 ; while in other embodiments, the pins  150  are located either outside of the rotational arc of the door  14  or inside of the rotational arc of the door  14 . A minimum number of pins  150  are required to properly hold the door  14  and prevent forced removal of the door  14 . In this manner, the inside surface, outside surface, or both the inside and outside surface of the curved surface of the door  14  are slideably held in position to be ready to rotate (e.g. to an open position when the lock  16  is deactivated). 
     In some embodiments, the rotating door  14  is spring loaded by, for example, an expansion spring  152 . In this example, one end of the expansion spring  152  is interfaced to the base  12  at, for example, a spring interface  156  and the other end of the expansion spring  152  is interfaced to an end of the rotating door  14  at a second spring interface  154  so that when the rotating door  14  is closed (locked) as in  FIG. 6A , the expansion spring  152  is tensioned (stretched) and when the rotating door  14  is later released (unlocked), expansion spring  152  collapses and pulls the rotating door  14  to the open position as in  FIG. 6B . 
     Because the safe  10  is often used in a situation where it is important that little or no audible noise is made during access, in some embodiments, dampers  54  softly stop the rotation of the rotating door  14 , aided by the decrease in force from the expansion spring  152  as it reaches a collapsed state. The dampers  54  are designed to slowly stop the rotating door  14  when it approaches the full open position. In some embodiments, the dampers  54  are soft; cushion material such as rubber, resilient foam, etc. In some embodiments, the dampers  54  include springs or spring assemblies. In some embodiments, the dampers  54  are combinations of resilient material, springs or any other known damping mechanism. In some embodiments, the door is opened/close by operation of a motor (not shown) or other electrical device such as a solenoid, etc. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.