Abstract:
Modular, firearm support cradles, an assembled rack and means for securing the cradles and rack to a variety of vehicle configurations. The rack includes a longitudinal frame member and from which project multiple padded cradles. Strap fasteners and lock means respectively restrain firearms and sundry paraphernalia to the cradles and rack. A telescoping expander bar assembly and mating extension arms permit a vehicle ceiling mount and/or roll bar mount of the rack. Cradles having sleeves which mate to the expander bar assembly facilitate user tailored mountings. A clamp plate assembly and mating extension arms permit a vertical divider mount of the rack.

Description:
RELATED US APPLICATION DATA 
     This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/963,505, filed on Nov. 3, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,870; application Ser. No. 08/673336 filed Jun. 28, 1996, now abandoned; application Ser. No. 08/312,413, filed on Sep. 26, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,368; application Ser. No. 08/004,982, filed on Jan. 15, 1993, U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,094; and application Ser. No. 29/000,115, filed on Oct. 1, 1992, U.S. Pat. No. DES. 356,541. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to vehicle mounted firearm storage devices and, in particular, to a horizontal mounting storage rack and modular cradles which are mountable to a vehicle ceiling, roll bar or vertical divider, such as found in law enforcement vehicles. 
     Varieties of firearm storage devices have been developed over the years for storing, displaying and containing firearms such as hand guns, rifles or shotguns. Many such assemblies have been developed to contain long barrelled firearms such as shotguns and rifles to a vehicle. Most typically, these assemblies vertically contain the firearm to a law enforcement vehicles. The firearm is restrained to either the vehicle dashboard or drive train tunnel, or an accessory equipment storage rack used to contain radios and the like. Examples of such equipment racks can be found at U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,550,001; 3,727,813; and 3,964,612. A traditional vertical dashboard mount and an inclined mount to the drive train tunnel of a law enforcement vehicle are disclosed at U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,499. 
     Varieties of sewn fabric assemblies also exist which serve as scabbards to support a firearm to a vehicle seat or to the back compartment wall of pickup trucks. Other supports are also available from Applicant which horizontally cradle a firearm, which mount directly to the ceiling or trunk lid of a vehicle and which provide a padlocked cable retention strap. 
     A deficiency of many known devices is an inability to lock the firearm to the support rack. A further shortcoming is an inability to secure the support rack to accessible portions of a broad range of vehicles in a fashion which prevents loosening of the support rack over time, due to vehicle vibrations and firearm weight. Additionally, most available support racks do not accommodate mountings to vehicle roll bars or vertical security screens or shields, which divide the driver and passenger compartments of law enforcement vehicles. Nor do available supports permit the user to tailor the number and positioning of support cradles to the application. 
     With the foregoing deficiencies and shortcomings in mind, the present invention provides an improved support rack which accommodates wide varieties of vehicle mountings and supported appliances. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It accordingly is a primary object of the present invention to provide a vehicle mounted firearm or accessory support which horizontally contains a firearm or other paraphernalia to the vehicle. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a firearm support which includes padded cradles and one or more restraint straps. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a firearm support which includes a locking restraint which latches manually or remotely. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a firearm support which mounts to a vehicle ceiling or roll bar. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a firearm support which mounts to a walled divider that separates passenger and driver compartments of a vehicle. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a firearm support which mounts to a telescoping support that, in turn, mounts to a vehicle ceiling. 
     It is a still further object to provide a support assembly wherein the cradles may be selectively arranged along the telescoping support. 
     Various of the foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention are obtained in one presently preferred construction which provides a framework that includes a longitudinal frame member and a pair of transverse, fixed position foam padded cradles which receive and support a long barrelled firearm. Strap fasteners are trained about each cradle to retain the firearm thereto. 
     A remote and/or manually actuated lock assembly mounts between the cradles to lock the firearm to the rack. The frame accommodates alternative extension pieces which are adaptable to mountings with a vertical security screen or compartment divider, with a telescoping mounting assembly which spans between side framing members and with a vehicle roll bar. 
     In an alternative construction, padded cradles are provided which include sleeves that mate to the telescoping support. The number, spacing and type of support cradles can be tailored to the vehicle and user. 
     Still other objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention are described in greater detail below. To the extent various modifications and improvements have been considered, they are described as appropriate. The invention should not be interpreted in strict limitation to the following description, but rather should be interpreted within the scope of the farther appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing showing a ceiling mounted, locking firearm support of the invention having fixed position cradles. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing shown in exploded assembly of the firearm support of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of the manual or remotely actuated firearm latch assembly. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of a vertical divider mounted firearm support showing alternative window and screen mountings. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of a modular support assembly wherein sleeve segments of each cradles mount along a telescoping support. 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly drawing of various of the modular components of the assembly of FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, isometric views are shown of a firearm  1  which is contained to a firearm support rack  2 . The rack is secured to an expander bar or telescoping vehicle support assembly  3  and which support rack  2  and assembly  3  are secured to a vehicle frame, i.e. the ceiling  5 . 
     The support rack  2  comprises a framework  4  which is constructed of a number of frame members and which are formed of tubular metal. The frame  4  provides a fixed length longitudinal frame member  6  that is mounted parallel to the vehicle support  3  and to the left and right ends of which are attached identical firearm cradles  8 ,  10  and  11 . Each cradle  8 ,  10  includes an arm  12 ,  13  which is formed from a length of square tube stock. Each arm  12 ,  13  extends from one of the ends of the longitudinal member  6 . Depending from each cradle  8 ,  10  is an angular support arm  14 ,  15  which is formed of a metal flat stock and which is welded at one end to the transverse arms  12 ,  13 . Inner and outer surfaces of the arms  14 ,  15  are covered with a high density foam material  9  that is adhesively bonded to the arms  14 ,  15 . When viewed in side elevation, each of the cradles  8  and  10  provides a shaped recess or cavity  17  which receives and supports a portion of the supported firearm  1 . Depending upon the type of firearm, one of the cradles may support the firearm receiver or stock, while the other supports the barrel and/or forearm of the firearm such as in the case of the shotgun depicted. The rack  2  finds particular advantage with long barrelled weapons or other accessories of relatively long length versus handguns. The shape of the cradle cavity  17  can be varied to the supported firearm or other contained appliance. 
     Separately mounted to the frame member  6 , intermediate the cradles  8  and  10 , is a third cradle  11 . The cradle  11  is substantially similar to the cradles  8 ,  10  and provides a foam covered metal core. A strap restraint  20  is secured to encircle the cradle  11 . The strap  20  is constructed from a woven nylon web and mating portions  18 ,  19  of a VELCRO type of fastener material are secured to mating ends of the strap  20 . The strap  20  permits the cinching of the firearm to the rack  2  to prevent undesired release, except possibly during an accident when the strap  20  may release with a surging of the firearm  1  against the strap  20 . Additional straps  20  can be mounted to the cradles  8  and  10  as desired. 
     Mounted adjacent to the cradle  11  is a lock assembly  26 . The lock assembly  26  is secured to the frame  4  via a bracket plate  22  which is fastened to the frame member  6  with suitable bolts/nut fasteners  24 . The lock assembly  26  finds particular advantage in law enforcement vehicles where a firearm is a permanent fixture of the vehicle, and where it is necessary to restrain the firearm securely and unobtrusively to the vehicle to prevent undesired access from unauthorized occupants or passersby. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the lock assembly  26  includes a cast metal body  28  and to which a clamp arm  30  is pivotally secured via a hinge pin  32  to define a clamp space  32 . The clamp arm  30  and an internal keyed lock assembly  33  cooperate to permit a locking of the arm  30  about the firearm  1  and retention of the firearm within the clamp space  31 . The firearm  1  may thus be locked to the rack  2  and vehicle to prevent undesired release, even in case of an accident or severe road conditions. 
     Also included with the lock assembly  26  is a wound coil, solenoid actuator  34  (shown at the cutaway portion of FIG. 3) which cooperates with the lock  33  to permit remote operation of the lock, such as from a dash mounted push button  36 . A delay timer  38  may also be wired to the power supply circuit of the solenoid  34  to provide a timed delay between actuation of the push button  36 . 
     In a ceiling mount construction, the rack  2  is secured to the vehicle via a pair of plates  40 ,  41  that are fastened to the tops of the arms  12 ,  13 . A number of holes  42  are let into the plates  40 ,  41  to receive fasteners  43  which secure the plates  40 ,  41  to the rack  2  and to adjoining portions of the vehicle framing or rack. That is, others of the holes  42  can align with various extension arms  50  and  52 , reference FIGS. 2 and 4, which enable additional attachment points of the rack  2  to the vehicle. 
     The extension arm  50  particularly provides a right angled member  54  having a number of apertures  56  which are positioned to mate with selected ones of the fasteners  43 . An arcuate collar  60  is secured to an end of the member  54 . The curvature of the collar  60  is shaped and sized to mate with either a roll bar, such as found in many types of law enforcement vehicles, or the telescoping expander bar assembly  3  of FIG.  1 . Presently, the collar is sized to mount to a roll bar or expander bar  3  having a nominal inside diameter approximately 1⅝ inches; although the size may be varied as necessary. 
     The collar  60  is secured to the roll bar or expander bar assembly  3  upon drilling holes which align with the holes  62  of the collar  60  and securing bolt/nut fasteners  64  therebetween. The rack  2  may thus be restrained not only to the vehicle at the ceiling plates  40 , but also to a separately provided roll bar or expander bar assembly  3 . For a conventional roll bar mounting, the roll bar is typically welded to the vehicle chassi and the collars  60  are merely bolted to the curved roll bar, which roll bar may also be padded. Normal road vibration and other vehicle movements are thereby distributed over a number of fastening points. 
     A typical expander bar mounting is shown at FIG.  2  and also at FIG.  1 . The expander bar assembly  3  comprises a pair of tubular extension pieces  72  and  74  which slide mount inside each other and are length adjustable to span the interior width of most pickup trucks and automobiles. The extension pieces  72 ,  74  may be formed from suitably sized round or square tube stock. Mounted to each end of the bars  72 ,  74  are separate vehicle retainers  76 . 
     Each retainer  76  includes a pivot arm  78  which is welded to an end of one of the arms  72 ,  74 . A pivot fastener  80  extends through apertures formed in the pivot arm  78  and a mating yoke arm  82  that projects from a mounting plate  84 . A number of holes  86  are provided in each plate  84  to mount the plate  84  to interior of the vehicle. Upon appropriately pivoting the retainer  76 , the expander bar assembly may be restrained to the ceiling  5  or vehicle sidewalls, such as above the windows or doors. 
     With additional attention to FIG. 4, a perspective view is shown in exploded assembly of alternative mountings of the rack assembly  2  via the extension arm  52  to typical screen or window divider assemblies  90  and  91 , such as are used to divide the passenger and driver compartments of a law enforcement vehicle. Only portions of each of the alternative assemblies  90  and  91  are shown; normally, only one or the other is provided. 
     Instead of including an arcuate collar  60 , each arm  52  provides a transverse, flat end plate  92  which includes a number of apertures  94 . A pair of flat clamp plates  96  and  98  mount to opposite sides of the screen assembly  90  or shield assembly  91 . Each clamp plate includes holes  100  which align with the holes  94  and receive fasteners  102 . The rack assembly  2  may thus be restrained to either a screen or window divider. The rack  2 , in turn, is secured to the brackets  52  at the plates  40 ,  41 . Preferably and as with the extension arms  50 , the rack  2  is also secured to the vehicle ceiling. 
     In combination, the modular configuration of the firearm support rack  2  taken with the extension arms  50 ,  52 , expander bar assembly  3  and clamp plates  96 ,  98  accommodate essentially all types of law enforcement vehicles. An unobtrusive firearm mount within the head space of the vehicle is obtained and the firearm is not readily visible to passersby. Potential theft is thereby reduced. The firearm is also safely removed from the vehicle occupant. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, yet another modular firearm or accessory support  110  is shown which allows the user to tailor the type and arrangement of a plurality of cradles  112  and  114  to the telescoping extension bars or pieces  116 ,  118 . The depicted cradles particularly support a firearm  1  and a pair of binoculars  120 , which are shown in phantom line. The extension bars of the assembly  110  utilize rectangular or square tube stock in lieu of round stock as for the expander bar assembly  3 . Pivoting retainer bracket assemblies  122  are mounted to each of the exposed ends of the extension bars  116 ,  118 . 
     Each retainer bracket includes a multi-apertured mounting plate  124  and from which a pair of bored yoke arms  126  project. A fastener  128  extends through aligned holes at each arm  126  and an end of one of the bars  116 ,  118  to pivotally restrain each retainer assembly  122  to the respective bar  116 ,  118 . As before the retainers  112  are appropriately pivoted to mate with the vehicle as the bars  116 ,  118  extend or retract to accommodate the necessary mounting spacing. 
     More of the details of the construction of the component assembly of the support  110  can be seen at FIG.  6 . Especially apparent at FIG. 6 is the construction of the support cradles  112  and  114 . With attention first to the cradle assembly  112 , the assembly includes a tubular extension piece  130  and to which a flat stock arm  132  is welded approximately mid-length of the arm  130 . An elastomer or foam liner  134  is shaped to mount about the arm  132 . A nylon strap  136  extends from the outermost end of the arm  130 . Secured to the strap  136  and arm  132  are mating VELCRO fastener portions  18 ,  19 . Welded along the length of the arm  130  is a sleeve  138  which is sized to mount over the bar  116 . The sleeve allows the selective positioning of the cradle  112  along the bar  116 . Once positioned, a set screw  140  which mounts to a threaded aperture  142  fixes the cradle  112  to the support  110 . 
     In contrast to the cradle  112 , the cradle assembly  114  provides a flat-stock extension piece  144  and to which a cradle arm  132  and strap  136  are attached. A foam liner  135  which is shaped to receive the binoculars  120  is contained by the arm  132 . The shape of the liner  135  may be varied as desired to accommodate the supported accessory. A sleeve segment  146  is also secured to the extension piece  144 , but against the arm  132 . A threaded aperture  142  and set screw  140  permit a selective mounting of the cradle along the bar  116 . 
     Depending upon the ceiling space of a vehicle, one or more of each of the cradles  112  and  114  may be arranged along the length of the expander bars  116 ,  118  to selectively receive one or more firearms or accessory paraphernalia such as binoculars, flashlights, bow and arrows, etc.. Depending upon the positioning of the arms  132  along the extension pieces  130  and  144 , the lateral spacing of the supported equipment can be varied with respect to the expansion bars  116 ,  118 . Thus, multiple firearms  1  may be mounted in side-by-side relation to one another along one side of the assembly  110 , while other accessory equipment may project from the opposite side. Alternatively, separate firearms  1  may be supported to either side of the bars  116 ,  118  with appropriate selection of the cradles  112  or  114 . 
     While the invention has been described with respect to its presently preferred constructions, it is to be appreciated still other constructions may be suggested to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the following claims should be interpreted to include all those equivalent embodiments within the spirit and scope thereof.