Abstract:
A storage system having a locking storage container which can be secured to a mounting surface, such as an automobile interior, for transporting, protecting and storing valuable property. The storage system is primarily intended for firearms, tools and similarly heavy items. At least one drawer is received within an interior chamber of the locking container, each drawer supported from below by several rollers housed within a container base pan. Each drawer can be independently locked with primary and redundant locks, including a remote-controlled self-arming lock that secures the back of each drawer in a location inaccessible to an unauthorized user. Anchor mounts are affixed on a mounting surface and engage the base pan in concealed locations under the container to minimize the risk of possible theft. An authorized user can unlock the drawer and remove it to access and disengage the anchor mounts, thereby removing and transporting storage container.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/762,645 entitled Tactical Storage System, filed Jan. 27, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a storage system for transporting, protecting and storing valuable property. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a transportable locking storage system, which can be secured to an automobile, for protecting firearms and other valuable items.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Handguns, rifles, ammunition and other valuable and/or fragile property, as typically used by hunters, law enforcement and military personnel, are commonly transported by some form of automobile. For example, hunters and other recreational sportsmen and women transport guns and ammunition when traveling to and from a hunting site or firing range where their sport is to be conducted. Law enforcement and military personnel routinely carry guns and other tactical gear in their patrol cars and military vehicles.  
         [0004]     The nature of most handguns, rifles and other tactical gear is that they can be extremely dangerous, particularly in the hands of unauthorized users. In addition to obvious safety concerns, firearms are oftentimes very expensive, and can represent a considerable loss to the owner should they be stolen or damaged. Responsible owners of firearms, and any other valuable property to be transported, usually take any available precautionary measures to help assure that their valuable property remains safely secured when not in use. This is particularly true when the valuable property is to be left unattended in an automobile or other vehicle.  
         [0005]     Absent some way to secure their valuable property, owners sometimes simply locate it loosely in an automobile. For example, valuable property is often placed in a glove compartment or consol, or is located under the driver or passenger seat of the automobile in an attempt to conceal it. Glove compartments and consoles offer only a modest level of security, if they are capable of being locked at all, in that a determined thief needs only to defeat a first or second level of security to gain access to the contents within. Loose items may otherwise be a risk to the operator or other passengers in the automobile when the automobile is in motion. Furthermore, most states have enacted legislation requiring firearms to be encased during transport within an automobile.  
         [0006]     Another concern for firearms, as well as for tools, equipment, ammunition and other valuable property, is that they can be considerably heavy. The weight of these items becomes an important consideration when an owner decides on an appropriate location to place them within an automobile. Despite their weight, such valuable property can also be fragile or otherwise susceptible to damage, misalignment or miscalibration if allowed to move about during transportation. This is particularly true of gun sights and scopes for firearms, especially when these items are transported within an automobile traveling over rough terrain or undergoing extreme maneuvering.  
         [0007]     A wide variety of vehicle storage systems have been developed for providing storage for property including firearms, supplies and equipment. A system commonly known in industry is a container having one or more lockable compartments with sliding or hinged door panels for accessing the storage compartments.  
         [0008]     Other systems use sliding drawer units adapted to fit within the rear storage area of a sport utility vehicle, or that attach to the bed of a pickup truck. Commonly known drawer guide systems have a complex system of drawer side pull-out rails at each side of a drawer with load-transmitting rollers mounted on the rails. A problem with these drawer units is that side-supporting drawer guide systems are subject to wear and breakage with excessive use, particularly when the drawers are used to support heavy firearms, supplies or other equipment. The motion of a moving vehicle will additionally cause the drawer guides to flex and bend, resulting in failure or unsatisfactory performance.  
         [0009]     Some of these storage systems provide a mounting structure that enables the storage container to be secured to a surface within an automobile, such as with mounting plates affixed to the automobile which engage and lock into the body of the container. A common problem with storage systems of this type is that if the mounting system is readily detectable, it can be defeated by prying at the mounting locations. It is desirable to have a mount for a storage system that resists detection and being defeated by a would-be thief.  
         [0010]     There are many known locking systems for securing storage containers. Keyed locks and combination locks are widely used. Most locking systems are located on the front or top of a storage container to provide ready access to a user. A problem is that the corresponding latch members for these types of locks is at or near the key hole or combination face. A thief would have similarly ready access to defeat a locking system that is located on the front of top of a storage container. Another problem exists in that a user could forget to lock the storage container after using it. The contents would be unsecured unless the user remembers to lock the container after each use.  
         [0011]     Larger storage containers can be susceptible to flexing and otherwise distorting their shape under heavy load or due to the motion of a moving automobile, resulting in compromised structural integrity of the container, and compromised security for the contents stored within. Containers using drawer systems are particularly susceptible to failure if the container becomes sufficiently distorted as to bind or otherwise prevent the drawer from sliding freely. This problem can result simply by placing heavy items on top of the storage container, which in turn presses down onto a drawer within, preventing it from opening and closing properly. There is a need for a reinforced storage container that will retain its structural integrity under a heavy load or when subjected to motion.  
         [0012]     It is also desirable to have a mounting structure for a storage system that enables an authorized user to easily remove the storage container from the automobile surface. A user may wish to remove the container from an automobile and use the container to transport valuable property from one location to another. For example, hunters or law enforcement agents may need to move their firearms, supplies and ammunition from their automobile to a hunting location or firing range. A user may also wish to relocate a storage container from one automobile to another. A problem with releasable mounting structures for commonly known storage systems is that they provide insufficient security once a primary locking system is defeated.  
         [0013]     Many conventional storage systems are designed and marketed for installation and use in a particular model or type of vehicle, having dimensions that enable a proper fit within only that particular model or vehicle type. A user is typically prevented from transferring the storage system intended for one vehicle to another vehicle of differing dimensions, thus limiting the usefulness of the system.  
         [0014]     In an increasingly competitive market for storage systems and devices, it is important that manufacturers of these systems and devices increase profitability and competitive advantage through optimization of value to buyers and reduction of manufacturing costs. It is desirable to produce storage systems and devices that offer an improvement over those currently available, providing an extended operating life, improved performance throughout their operating life with minimal wear and breakage, and storage systems and devices that can be economically constructed with a minimum of parts and construction costs to produce a high-quality product.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     The above-described problems are solved and a technical advance achieved by the present storage system for transporting, protecting and storing valuable property in an automobile. Providing a storage system with improved features enabling transportability and protection of valuable property, including firearms and similarly heavy items, offers numerous advantages over traditional storage systems. The advantages stem mostly from simplification of construction using common materials and design features that minimize the number of working parts and extend the useful life of the storage system, which greatly contribute to performance and value to a user.  
         [0016]     A storage system is disclosed having a locking storage container which can be secured to a mounting surface, such as an automobile interior, for transporting, protecting and storing valuable property. The storage system is primarily intended for firearms, tools and similarly heavy items. At least one drawer is received within an interior chamber of the locking container, each drawer being supported from below by several high-strength rollers housed within a low-profile base pan. The simplicity of construction, minimization of wear and breakage of moving parts, and improved capacity for supporting heavy drawer loads, particularly when the storage system is subjected to motion in a moving automobile, offer significant advances over the prior art. Alternate embodiments of the present invention provide for storage cases having at least two drawers, the two or more drawers being arranged in a side-by-side configuration, a stacked configuration with one drawer on top of another, or combination of side-by-side and stacked drawers.  
         [0017]     Each drawer can be independently locked with primary and redundant locks, including a remote-controlled self-arming lock that secures the back of each drawer in a location inaccessible to an unauthorized user. Independent locks, in a system having multiple drawers, provides redundant levels of security—unauthorized access to one drawer will not enable access into the other drawer(s). Key-accessible locks, combination locks, and cargo paddle locks are examples of possible locks for this system, but the invention is not limited to these examples.  
         [0018]     Anchor mounts are affixed on a mounting surface and engage the base pan in concealed locations along inside lower portions of the base pan under the container. A possible risk of theft is reduced in that the system of mounting is not visible from the outside once the storage container is secured to a mounting surface and the drawer is installed. An authorized user can unlock the drawer and remove it to access and disengage the anchor mounts, thereby removing and transporting storage container. The storage container and its contents can then be transported to another location and, if desired, mounted to another surface.  
         [0019]     The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a storage system of the present invention having two drawers, shown mounted within an automobile.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a storage system of the present invention having one drawer, showing the front of a storage container.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3 a  perspective view of a storage system of the present invention, showing the rear of a storage container.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a top-front perspective view of a storage system of the present invention, showing the drawer withdrawn from the container mainframe.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away front perspective view of a storage container mainframe of the present invention, showing details of internal elements.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a storage system of the present invention, showing a drawer partially withdrawn from the container mainframe.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a partial side elevation view of a storage system of the present invention, showing details of drawer and roller interrelation.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a partial front elevation view of a storage system of the present invention, showing details of drawer and roller interrelation.  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a partial front perspective view of a base pan of the present invention, showing details of a drawer roller and an anchor mount.  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a partial plan view showing details of a rear drawer lock of the present invention, unlatched.  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is a partial plan view showing details of a rear drawer lock of the present invention, latched.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]      FIG. 1  shows a storage system of the present invention within the back of an automobile  5  affixed to a mounting surface  7 . A mounting surface can be any surface with dimensions sufficient to accommodate the base area of the storage container  20 .  FIG. 1  shows an example of the present invention having a storage container  20  with a base pan  70  and two drawers  100  arranged side-by-side, each drawer  100  having a handle  210  and a front drawer lock  180 . For purposes of illustration, the drawer  100  on the right side of  FIG. 1  is shown with combination lock  310 , of a touch-key combination type commonly know in industry, as an alternate example of a front drawer lock  180 . It is preferable that a storage container  20  having multiple drawers  100  has a similar drawer lock  180  for each drawer  100 . The drawers  100  are withdrawn outward from the rear of the automobile  5 .  
         [0033]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show perspective views of a storage system  10  of the present invention.  FIG. 2  shows a front perspective view of the storage system  10  comprising a storage container  20 , a single drawer  100  having a drawer handle  210 , and a base pan  70 .  FIG. 3  shows a rear perspective view of the storage system  10  with the storage container  20  and base pan  70  as shown in  FIG. 2 , further comprising a paddle lock  260 , as is commonly known in industry, and a power adapter  290  and power adapter cable  300  for supplying electrical power to an optional remote-controlled lock assembly (not shown). A cargo tie-down bracket  320 , as is commonly known in industry, is shown mounted on the side and the rear of the storage container  20  for providing a means of redundantly or temporarily securing the storage container  20  to a mounting surface  7  by using rope, straps or cables, for example, to tie onto the tie-down bracket  320  and a secure location.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is a top-front perspective view of a storage system of the present invention, showing a storage container  20  with a drawer  100  withdrawn from a container mainframe  30 . The container mainframe  30  has a top member  31 , a rear member  32 , a pair of sidewall members  33 , and a floor, which comprises a base pan  70 , the combination of elements joined to each other to form an interior chamber. The container mainframe  30  can be made of any suitably hard material that resists wear and breakage, and is capable of being machined, molded, or otherwise fabricated to form a container that will receive a drawer  100 . The storage system shown in FIG.  4  illustrates an example of the relationships of the various elements in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The container mainframe  30  is shown with two vertical supports  40  on each sidewall member  33  and two horizontal supports  50  affixed to the inside of the top member  31 , to provide strength and structural rigidity to the container mainframe  30 . Two upper drawer supports  117  are aligned with the direction of drawer  100  travel and are affixed to the underside of the top member  31  of the container mainframe  30  at locations on the undersides of the horizontal supports  50 .  
         [0035]     An example of a storage system of the present invention comprises a container mainframe  30  that is preferably constructed of 100% aluminum 0.080. The container mainframe  30  can be formed of any hardened material, including, but not limited to, metals, hard plastics, fiberglass, and carbon fiber composites. Outer surfaces of the container mainframe  30  and drawer  100  are preferably treated with a two coat powder coat finish, although the surfaces may be finished with any possible material that adheres to the construction material, or left unfinished. The sidewall members  33  of the container mainframe  30  are connected to the top member  31 , rear member  32  and base pan  70  using a plurality of rivets. The rivets are preferably closed end rivets.  
         [0036]     The vertical supports  40  and the horizontal supports  50  within the container mainframe  30  are preferably formed as interior supports called top hats. Top hats are a one-piece construction of aluminum material bent mechanically, forming a cross-sectional flattened C in appearance, so that they form extremely strong supports. Once formed, the top hat supports are then placed vertically and horizontally along the interior of the container mainframe  30  and attached with rivets or other fasteners. A result of the use of top hat supports on the interior of the container mainframe  30  is that a storage container  20  so constructed allows significant cargo weight to be placed on the top of the storage container  20  without interfering with drawer  100  operation.  
         [0037]     Also shown in  FIG. 4  is an preferred example of a container mainframe  30  having a plurality of rollers recessed within a base pan  70  for engaging the drawer  100 . The base pan  70  has four mounting apertures  75 , which are openings through the base pan  70 , that provide access to anchor mounts  80 , which are affixed to a mounting surface  7  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) using fasteners  85 . The anchor mounts  80  engage the base pan  70  along an edge of each mounting aperture  75 . The anchor mounts  80  are preferably formed of a hardened material such as steel, but may be formed of, without limitation, heavy-gauge aluminum, hard plastics, or any composite materials that will withstand deformation and breakage under heavy load, and have a flange edge that enables positioning of the base pan  70  over the anchor mounts  80  and sliding the base pan  70  so that the anchor mounts  80  engage the base pan  70  along an edge of each mounting aperture  75 . The container mainframe  30  and base pan  70  are preferably fabricated by punching, bending and welding to provide strength and durability. It should be obvious to one of skill in the art that a wide variety of fabrication means is possible, including, without limitation, cutting, molding, laminating, and the use of adhesives.  
         [0038]     The drawer assembly  100  shown in  FIG. 4  comprises a bottom panel  101  having a lower surface and an upper surface, a rear panel  102 , a pair of drawer sidewalls  103 , and a front panel  104 , which in combination are joined together to define a storage compartment. The drawer assembly  100  further comprises a drawer handle assembly  105 , which is preferably a spring-loaded steel drawer handle  210 . Affixed to the lower surface of the bottom panel  101  is a drawer guide  110  that slidably engages a corresponding drawer guide channel  115  affixed on the base pan  70  within the container mainframe  30  and maintains alignment of the drawer along its range of travel within the container mainframe  30 . Roller tracks  150  are shown affixed to lower surface of the bottom panel  101 , extending longitudinally in the direction of drawer travel, that engage the rollers  130 . Roller tracks  150  can be formed of any material having a low friction coefficient that will enable smooth travel of the drawer  100  over the rollers  130 . The drawer  100  further comprises a drawer release latch  170  mounted on the inside rear of the drawer rear panel  102 . The drawer release latch  170  preferably has a downwardly biased drawer release latch handle  175 , the latch engaging the drawer  100  and a drawer stop  160  on the container mainframe  30 , the drawer release latch  170  positionable in a first latching position, and in a second release position, whereby the drawer  100  is prevented from being fully withdrawn from the interior chamber with the drawer release latch  170  in the first latching position, and the drawer  100  is removable from the interior chamber with the drawer release latch  170  in the second release position. It is preferred that the drawer  100  is lined with a drawer liner (not shown) on the upper surface of the bottom panel  101  with a shock absorbing padded material, such as carpet material or a high-density foam commonly known in industry, and compartment dividers (not shown) for providing added protection to drawer contents.  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away front perspective view of a storage container mainframe  30  of the present invention, showing details of internal elements. The container mainframe  30  is shown having a base pan  70  supporting a plurality of rollers  130 , four mounting apertures  75  and an example corresponding anchor mount  80  with anchor mount flange  90 , drawer stops  160 , and a drawer guide channel  115 , along with vertical supports  40  affixed to a sidewall member  33  and horizontal supports  50  affixed to a top member  31  as previously described. Also shown is a rear door lock assembly  230  having a rear drawer lock latch  250  affixed to the inside rear member  32 . The rear drawer lock latch  250  engages a rear drawer lock catch  240  (as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 ) located in a corresponding location on the rear panel  102  of the drawer  100  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Also shown in  FIG. 5  is a remote-controlled lock actuator  270  affixed to the rear member  32  that communicates with the rear drawer lock assembly  230  by a lock linkage  280 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of a storage system of the present invention, showing a drawer  100  partially withdrawn from the container mainframe  30 . Rollers  130  are retained in roller housings  140  which are in turn affixed to the base pan  70 . The rollers  130  engage a roller track  150  affixed to the lower surface of the bottom panel  101  of the drawer  100 . An upper drawer support  117  is affixed to the upper inside of the container mainframe  30  on a lower surface of the top member  31  and engages the top edges of the drawer sidewalls and the top edge of the rear panel  102  to maintain a level horizontal position of the drawer  100  through its range of travel within the container mainframe  30 .  FIG. 6  shows a side view of a drawer  100  front panel  104  having a drawer handle assembly  105  and a front drawer lock assembly  180  having a corresponding front drawer latch  190 , which releasably engages a latch receiver (not shown). Also shown in  FIG. 6  is a drawer release latch  170  with a drawer release latch handle  175  affixed to the drawer rear panel  102  that is in contact with a drawer stop  160 , which is affixed to the base pan  70 . With the drawer release latch  170  in its normally downward position, accomplished by downward-biased spring element (not shown), the drawer release latch  170  contacts the drawer stop  160  preventing further outward travel of the drawer  100  until the drawer release latch  170  is raised, enabling it to bypass the drawer stop  160 . The rear door lock assembly  230  with a lock catch  240  is shown affixed to the rear panel  102  of the drawer  100  and is shown disengaged from the rear drawer lock latch  250  with the drawer  100  partially withdrawn from the container mainframe  30  in a first position, and with the rear door catch  240  engaged and retained by the rear drawer lock latch  250  with the drawer  100  in a fully closed position within the container mainframe  30 . A remote-controlled lock actuator  270  is located to communicate with the rear door lock assembly  230 , and is shown with a power adapter cable  300  at the container mainframe  30  rear member  32 . An example of the previously described top hat vertical members  40  and horizontal members  50 , shown in cross-section, are shown making up the structural supports for the container mainframe  30 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 7  shows a detailed side view of the drawer  100  and roller  130  engagement in an example of the present invention. A preferred roller assembly  120  for the present invention is manufactured by KieTek Intl., which provides a barrel-shaped steel roller rotatably retained within a roller housing  140 , each having a 450 pound weight capacity. Alternate rollers assemblies  120  can include ball rollers and single-roller structures that provide sufficiently smooth travel of a drawer  100 . While a single roller  130  element supporting the underside of a drawer  100  in conjunction with upper drawer supports  117  maintaining the drawer&#39;s horizontal positioning and a drawer guide  110  could provide a workable drawer, a preferred storage system is constructed using a plurality of rollers  130  arranged in locations along the base pan  70  corresponding to the location of roller tracks  150  running the length of each drawer. The roller assembly  120 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , is mounted within an opening formed in the base pan  70 . The drawer  100  is supported on the roller  130 , which engages a roller track  150  affixed to the lower surface of the drawer  100 . The base pan  70  has edges formed by bending aluminum sheet stock perpendicular to the surface of the base pan  70 , the edges providing sufficient clearance for the roller assemblies  120  between the base pan  70  and the mounting surface  7  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The rollers  130  of the present invention provide a more stable environment for the drawers  100  to move in and out of the container mainframe  30 . Further, the rollers  130  provide the advantage of fewer moving parts, which provides additional value to the longevity and performance of the storage system by minimizing wear, maintenance and breakage issues associated with drawer systems existing in the prior art. In addition, this use of the rollers  130  also facilitates more usable drawer space than currently known in the art by eliminating the added side bulk of existing side-mounted drawer roller guides.  
         [0042]      FIG. 8  shows a second detailed front view of the drawer  100  and roller  130  engagement in an example of the present invention as described previously.  FIG. 8  also shows the relative positions of a roller  130  with respect to an anchor mount  80  and anchor mount flange  90  engaged within a mounting aperture  75 , a drawer stop  160  affixed to the base pan  70 , and a partial cross-sectional view of the interrelationship of the drawer guide  110  affixed to the lower surface of the bottom panel  101  of the drawer  100  and the drawer guide channel  115  affixed to the base pan  70 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a section of a base pan  70  detailing a roller  130  and roller housing  140  mounted on the base pan  70  and the engagement of an anchor mount  80  with its mount flange  90  engaging an edge of a mounting aperture  75 .  
         [0044]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate a partial plan view showing details of a rear drawer lock of the present invention, unlatched and latched, respectively. A remote-controlled lock actuator  270  is mounted to the rear member  32  of the container mainframe  30  in proximity to the rear drawer lock assembly  230  and communicates with the a lock linkage  280  that mechanically withdraws and engages the lock latch  250  with the rear drawer lock catch  240 . An example of a remote-controlled lock actuator  270  is an electrically powered solenoid and associated electronic circuitry that responds to commands received by a radio-frequency transmitting remote control device to mechanically release the rear drawer lock catch  240  from the drawer lock latch  250 . A remote-controlled lock actuator  270  may be powered internally as with battery power, or is preferably powered by the battery of an automobile  5  in which the storage system is installed. The power adapter cable  300  and power adapter  290  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) are operationally connected between the remote-controlled lock actuator  270  and an external power source such as the battery of an automobile, for example. A timing circuit, as is commonly understood in the art of electronic lock actuators, is provided that automatically causes the remote-controlled lock actuator  270  to engage the lock latch  250  with the rear drawer lock catch  240  after a set time duration. Automatic arming of the locking system provides an added measure of security should a user of the storage system fail to manually lock the drawer  100 .  
         [0045]     In an optional embodiment of the present invention (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), there are at least two base pans affixed to the bottom of the container mainframe, thereby allowing for two or more drawers to be used in a side-by-side configuration. If at least two pans are used, there is an additional frame located between each drawer storage compartment. This framed construction protects valuable property located in a second drawer in the event that a first drawer&#39;s security is compromised. In an alternate configuration (not shown), at least one additional base pan is mounted to an upper surface of a lower container mainframe, thereby providing for at least two drawers stacked one on top of another.  
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY  
       [0046]     The present invention has applicability to the field of storage systems and devices, and more particularly to a storage system for transporting, protecting and storing valuable property in an automobile.  
         [0047]     In compliance with statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to storage systems and devices. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific means or features shown or described, since the means and features shown or described comprise preferred ways of putting the invention into effect.  
         [0048]     Additionally, while this invention is described in terms of being used for transporting, protecting and storing valuable property in an automobile, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention can be adapted to other uses for other forms of storage and security systems and devices as well, and therefore the invention should not be construed as being limited to storage systems as used in automobiles. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.