Patent Publication Number: US-11641937-B2

Title: Expandable modular rack for storing at least one magazine and at least one handgun

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
     The present patent document is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of, co-pending and co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/242,674 filed Apr. 28, 2021 and titled “Expandable Modular Rack for Storing at Least One Magazine and at Least One Handgun,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to a rack for handgun magazines and handguns, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an expandable modular rack for storing at least one handgun magazine and at least one handgun of any width and/or at least similarly configured items in their normal upright position or an inverted position. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Sportsmen who collect or use firearms, as a general rule, take particularly good care of the weapons they own including the cleaning and storage aspects of responsible ownership. With regard to handguns, most owners keep their small guns and associated accessories locked in a secure location, and often owners will have a commercial safe in their home for the sole purpose of securing their handguns. 
     Many individuals and organizations usually maintain and store firearms and accessories (e.g., magazines, ammunition) in some form of locking device to provide a certain amount of security for the weapon or weapons. These security requirements are to prevent unauthorized use or theft of the weapon or weapons. In particular, an unsecured weapon in a home leaves the home vulnerable to robbery and subsequent theft of any weapons, or the weapon could be used on the homeowner by the robber. While sometimes an owner will store firearms in a locking rack, such is generally made of wood and offers very little security for the contained weapon. Moreover, most gun racks are loosely attached to a wall or similar object, which means that the entire gun rack may be taken for later removal of the contained firearms. 
     One of the inconveniences of storing handguns is that it is convention to store a handgun by laying it on its side. In some situations, the gun is in the original case it was in when purchased, in other situations the gun is simply laid on a towel or blanket. Some magazines can be stored upright, but may easily be knocked over like dominos, making laying the magazines down a safer option. Unfortunately, space in an affordable safe is generally limited and therefore storing handguns and spare magazines quickly uses the available space, leaving the active owner in a state of consternation. 
     Numerous innovations for handgun storing devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described below. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they each differ in structure and/or operation and/or purpose from the present invention in that they do not teach an expandable modular rack for storing at least one magazine and at least one handgun of any width and/or at least similarly configured items (i.e., items having about the same shape and dimensions as a magazine and handgun) in their normal upright position or an inverted position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,466 issued to Cislo on Jan. 2, 1990 teaches an apparatus to lock a handgun within a compartment while the compartment is readily lockable to a stationary object using a detachable bracket. The compartment is only accessible by authorized persons selecting a particular code that unlocks a latch to open the compartment. The bracket can only be detached when the apparatus is in an open position. The latch can be lighted to allow the selecting of the proper code in darkness. The apparatus also serves to carry the handgun and can be subsequently used to so secure the handgun at another location. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,276 issued to Pierce on Apr. 2, 1996 teaches a stand for storing multiple handguns, including a base and a vertical panel perpendicular to the base. The vertical panel contains a number of slots with a follower behind the panel and studs extending through the panel to engage a threaded cavity in the follower. The stud and follower slide in the slot and are locked in place by a stop ring on the stud. The barrel of a handgun slides over the stud and the heel of the grip may rest on the base. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,291 issued to Graham on May 28, 1996 teaches a manner of locking firearms within a theft proof gun rack. The apparatus comes in two embodiments for use with long guns or pistols and utilizes a locking bar locking the firearm within a given partition within the gun rack. The long gun embodiment of the apparatus accepts various sized guns, either in or out of soft gun cases, by using an optional spacer to accept smaller guns within the rack. The apparatus is designed to be mounted to a wall or similar object, and once a firearm is in place and locked, the mounting bolts are unreachable. Protection of the finish of the firearm is afforded by a resilient covering on all parts of the rack that come in contact with the firearm. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,865 issued to Bissey on Dec. 7, 1999 teaches a container for securing a hand gun and ammunition in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The container is foam lined and has preformed contour receptacles for accommodating a particular style of hand gun and ammunition associated therewith. The container has a securable lid and a hinged flap along a lower edge for insertion between the passenger seat and the passenger seat back rest. The hinged flap has a securing apparatus for attachment once so inserted. The container further has hook and loop fasteners secured to the underside for alternatively securing the container to the front passenger floor of the passenger compartment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,070 issued to Kolpin on Apr. 15, 2003 teaches a handgun case for protecting and transporting a pistol or revolver, including a closable outer shell, an inner liner within the outer shell, a variety of accessories removably attachable to the inner liner at any point on the inner liner, for example by hook-and-loop fasteners, a closed-cell foam pad between the outer shell and the inner liner, and a number of resilient protective ribs on the outer shell. 
     It is apparent that numerous innovations for handgun storing devices have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, an expandable modular rack for storing at least one magazine and at least one handgun of any width and/or at least similarly configured items in their normal upright position or an inverted position. 
     SUMMARY 
     Thus, an object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an expandable modular rack for storing at least one magazine and at least one handgun of any width and/or at least similarly configured items in their normal upright position or an inverted position that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     Briefly stated, another object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an expandable modular rack for storing at least one magazine and at least one handgun of any width and/or at least similarly configured items. The expandable modular rack includes: a first member; a second member having a base and at least one protrusion extending from a medial portion of the base; and a means for joining a surface of the first member to a surface of the second member, wherein the first member is arranged to maintain the magazine in an upright position, and wherein the base of the second member is arranged to support a base of the magazine and the protrusion of the second member is arrangeable to maintain the magazine in the upright position. The rack can further include: a third member; and a means for joining the first member to the third member, wherein the third member and first member are arranged to support the handgun. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic of embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, as follows. 
         FIG.  1    is a diagrammatic perspective view of the expandable modular rack of an embodiment of the present invention storing at least one magazine and at least one handgun of any width and/or at least similarly configured items in their normal upright positions or inverted positions.  FIG.  1    includes the following elements:
           2  at least one box magazine of any width and/or at least one similarly configured item;     4  base of a at least one box magazine  2  of any width and/or at least one similarly configured item;     6  body of a at least one box magazine  2  of any width and/or at least one similarly configured item;     10  expandable modular rack according to an embodiment of the present invention for storing at least one magazine  2  and at least one handgun  12  of any width and/or at least similarly configured items in their normal upright positions or inverted positions;     12  at least one handgun of any width and/or at least one similarly configured item;     14  barrel of a handgun of at least one handgun  12  of any width and/or each similarly configured item;     16  grip of a handgun of at least one handgun  12  of any width and/or each similarly configured item; and     18  heel of grip  16  of a handgun of at least one handgun  12  of any width and/or each similarly configured item.       

         FIG.  2    is a diagrammatic perspective view of the expandable modular rack from  FIG.  1    according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  2    further includes the following elements:
           20  at least one pair of first members;     22  at least one second member;     24  at least one third member;     26  at least one row of magazine bays;     28  at least one handgun bay; and     30  at least one set of member joiner means.       

         FIG.  3 A  is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of a row of magazine bays  26  formed by a pair of first members  20  and at least one second member  22  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  3 B  is a side view of second member  22  according to an embodiment of the present invention fitted next to a first member  20 .  FIG.  3 A  and  FIG.  3 B  further include the following elements:
           32  a base portion of second member  22 ;     34 A-N one or more protrusions extending from a medial portion base  32 ;     36 A-N two or more magazine  2  base supporting areas;     38 A-N magazine bays;     40  back protrusion;     42  front protrusion; and     44  inner side wall of first member  20 .       

         FIGS.  4 A,  4 B,  4 C,  4 D,  4 E, and  4 F  show example embodiments of the second member within the scope of the present invention. These Figures further include the following elements:
           22 A a first variation of second member  22 ;     46 A-N magazine base supporting areas at tiered heights from one another;     48 A-N medial protrusions having tiered heights relative to one another;     22 B a second variation of second member  22 ;     50 A-N magazine base supporting areas at a same height relative to one another;     52 A-N medial protrusions having a same height relative to one another;     22 C a third variation of second member  22 ;     54 A-N medial protrusions having a height significantly shorter than that of magazine  2  they are intended to house;     22 D a fourth variation of second member  22 ;     56 A-N medial protrusions at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane;     22 E a fifth variation of second member  22 ;     58  a front and/or back protrusion having the same proportions as a medial protrusion  34 N;     22 F a sixth variation of second member  22 ; and     60  an area from which back protrusion  40  has been removed.       

         FIGS.  5 A,  5 B, and  5 C  show further examples of expandable modular racks  10  having second members  22  of various thicknesses.  FIGS.  5 A-C  further include the following elements:
           10 A expandable modular rack having one second member  22  forming a row of magazine bays  26 ;     62  type of second member  22  having a thickness sufficient to accommodate magazine  2  without the need for successive members;     10 B expandable modular rack having two second members  22  forming a row of magazine bays  26 ;     64  type of second member  22  having a thickness requiring multiple second members  22  to be place side-by-side to accommodate magazine  2 ;     10 C expandable modular rack having three second members  22  forming a row of magazine bays  26 ; and     66  type of second member  22  having a thickness requiring multiple second members  22  to be place side-by-side to accommodate magazine  2 .       

         FIG.  6    shows an expandable module rack  10  having multiple rows of magazine bays  26  according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  7    is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of a handgun bay  28  formed by a pair of first members  20  and at least one third member  24  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  7    includes the following elements:
           70  at least one pair of fourth members;     72  vertical portion of each bay of at least one handgun bay  28  for supporting barrel  14  of associated handgun  12  or associated similarly configured item;     74  horizontal portion of each bay of at least one handgun bay  28  for supporting heel  18  of grip  16  of associated handgun  12  or associated similarly configured item;     76  pair of partitions of each pair of first members of at least one pair of first members  20 ;     78  vertical portion of each partition of pair of partitions  76  of each first member of at least one pair of first members  20 ;     80  horizontal portion of each partition of pair of partitions  76  of each first member of at least one pair of first members  20  for separating associated handgun  12  or associated similarly configured item from other handguns  12  or magazines  2 ;     82  vertical portion of each fourth member of at least one pair of fourth members  70  for straddling barrel  14  of associated handgun  12  or associated similarly configured item;     84  horizontal portion of each fourth member of at least one pair of fourth members  70  for supporting heel  18  of grip  16  of associated handgun  12  or associated similarly configured item;     86  stop of horizontal portion of each fourth member of at least one pair of fourth members  70  for preventing heel  18  of grip  16  of associated handgun  12  or associated similarly configured item from moving back off horizontal portion  84  of associated pair of fourth members of at least one pair of fourth members  70 ;     88  vertical portion of each third member of at least one third member  24  for supporting barrel  14  of associated handgun  12  or associated similarly configured item;     90  horizontal portion of each third member of at least one third member  24  for supporting heel  18  of grip  16  of associated handgun  12  or associated similarly configured item;     92  stop of horizontal portion  90  of each third member of at least one third member  24  for preventing heel  18  of grip  16  of associated handgun  12  or associated similarly configured item from moving back off horizontal portion  90  of associated third member of at least one third member  24 ; and     94  relief in vertical portion  72  of each bay of at least one  26  for receiving barrel  14  of associated handgun  12  or associated similarly configured item.       

         FIG.  8 A  is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a row of magazine bays formed by a pair of first members  20 , at least one third member  24 , and a fourth member  122  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  8 B  shows an example embodiment of the fourth member  122  within the scope of the present invention.  FIG.  8 C  is a side view of fourth member  122  according to an embodiment of the present invention fitted next to a first member  20 .  FIG.  8 A ,  FIG.  8 B , and  FIG.  8 C  further include the following elements:
           122  at least one fourth member;     126  alternative embodiment of a row of magazine bays;     128  attachment notch of fourth member  122 ; and     132  a base portion of fourth member  122 .     134 A-N one or more protrusions extending from a medial portion base  132 ;     136 A-N two or more magazine  2  base supporting areas;     138 A-N magazine bays;     140  back protrusion; and     142  front protrusion.       

     
    
    
     The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merely representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting in scope. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Illustrative embodiments will now be described more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments are shown. It will be appreciated that this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
     Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms “a”, “an”, etc., do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, or “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , a diagrammatic perspective view is shown of expandable modular rack  10  of an embodiment of the present invention storing at least one magazine  2  and at least one handgun  12  of any width and/or at least similarly configured items in their normal upright position or inverted position. 
     According to some embodiments, magazine  2  can be a box magazine of any width, such as for a semi-automatic pistol. In some other embodiments, magazine  2  can be any similarly configured item (i.e., an item having about the same length, width, and depth as a typical box magazine, e.g., a battery for a hand-held cordless drill). Magazine  2  can have a base  4  and a body  6  of any length and/or width suitable for a box magazine. In some embodiments, body  6  can form an acute or right angle with base  4 . 
     According to some embodiments, handgun  12  can be any handgun, such as a semi-automatic pistol or a revolver. In some other embodiments, handgun  12  can be any similarly configured item (i.e., an item having about the same shape and dimensions as a handgun, e.g., a hand-held cordless drill). Handgun  12  can have a barrel  14  (i.e., a laterally projecting portion) and a grip  16  with a heel  18  (i.e., a base portion). In some embodiments, barrel  14  and grip  16  form an obtuse angle. 
     Embodiments of the present invention can be used, among other things, for the storage, organization, and indexing of handguns and magazines. For example, an owner of several handguns can use one or more expandable modular racks  10  to sort his/her handguns by various features, such as caliber (e.g., 0.22, 9 mm, 0.40), type (e.g., semi-automatic pistol, revolver), and make (e.g., Smith and Wesson, Colt&#39;s). He/she can place handguns of a particular make and caliber together with associated magazines of said make having ammunition of said caliber. This makes finding a particular handgun and matching magazine far easier in a gun safe. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2    in addition to  FIG.  1   , a diagrammatic perspective view of expandable modular rack  10  from  FIG.  1    is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, expandable modular rack  10  can comprise at least one pair of first members  20 , at least one second member  22 , and at least one third member  24 . The at least one second member  22  and/or the at least one third member  24  can be sandwiched between the at least one pair of first members  20  to form at least one row of magazine bays  26  or at least one handgun bay  28 , respectively. It is understood that a plurality of first members  20 , second members  22 , and third members  24  can be interchangeably attached to each other, side-by-side, so as to form as many magazine bay rows  26  and handgun bays  28  as desired. It is also to be understood that a plurality of second members  22  can be sandwiched between a pair of first members  20  to form a magazine bay row  26  of any desired width. Similarly, multiple third members  24  can be sandwiched between a pair of first members  20  to form a handgun bay  28  of any desired width. 
     According to embodiments of the present invention, members  20 ,  22 , and  24  forming expandable modular rack  10  can be attached to one another, side-by-side, by any member joiner means  30  now known or later developed. Such member joiner means can include, but is not limited to elongated members (e.g., rods) and a plurality of end securing devices (e.g., clips), a threadable material (e.g., rope) with secured and/or knotted ends, hook and loop fabric, dual lock tape, ultrasonic bonding, a set of snaps, an adhesive substance, a synthetic setae material, a screw, a bolt, a nail, and a dowel. 
     For example, in once embodiment, members of expandable modular rack  10  are held together by a plurality of sturdy elongated members (e.g., rods) and a plurality of end securing devices (e.g., clips). The plurality of sturdy elongated members can extend laterally through a plurality of holes in each member of at least one row of magazine bays  26  and/or handgun bay  28  and originate and terminate in the plurality of end securing devices, respectively, so as to hold the at least one pair of first members  20 , the at least one second member  22 , and the at least one third member  24  interchangeably attached to each other, side-by-side. It is to be understood that in such an embodiment, each elongated member can be threadably telescopic or mechanically alterable through other means to be length adjustable to adjust to the full lateral length of any combination of first members  20 , second members  22 , and third members  24 . Alternatively, each elongated member can be of a predetermined length (e.g., corresponding to the lateral length of a predetermined number of bays) and thereby requiring interchanging thereof to adjust for a particular number of the at least one pair of first members  20  and the at least one second member  22  and/or the at least one third member  24 , and/or to adjust for a particular number of rows of magazine bays  26  or handgun bays  28 , or any combination thereof. 
     In another embodiment, members of expandable modular rack  10  are held together by flexible, threadable material (e.g., a set of taut ropes) threaded laterally through a plurality of holes in each member of the at least one row of magazine bays  26  and/or handgun bay  28  and held in place by a plurality of clips, knots, or similar end structures. In this embodiment, it is understood that a length of threadable material and a plurality of members  20 ,  22 , and  24  can be assembled into expandable modular rack  10 , with the threadable material being cut and tied off at a desired length corresponding to a number of desired bays. 
     In still another embodiment, hook and loop fabric (better known under the tradename Velcro) can be adhered to at least a portion of the longitudinal face of members  20 ,  22 , and  24 , with hooks on a left side of each member and loops on a right side of each member, or vice versa, allowing a series of members  20 ,  22 , and  24  to be removably attached to one another along their side-by-side faces. Alternatively, dual lock tape can be used in place of hook and loop fabric. 
     In yet another embodiment, each member  20 ,  22 , and  24  can be made of a substance, such as plastic, and joined together along their side-by-side faces in a desired sequence using ultrasonic bonding (also known as sonic welding). 
     Similarly, in another embodiment, each member  20 ,  22 , and  24  can have a set of female snaps on a left longitudinal face at specific positions and a set of male snaps on a right longitudinal face at corresponding specific positions, or vice versa, allowing a series of members  20 ,  22 , and  24  to be removably attached to one another along their side-by-side faces where the male and female snaps join. 
     In still another embodiment, an adhesive substance, such as glue, may be applied to at least a portion of the longitudinal faces of members  20 ,  22 , and/or  24 , allowing a series of members  20 ,  22 , and  24  to be permanently attached to one another along their side-by-side faces. 
     In yet another embodiment, a synthetic setae material, such as one using carbon nanotube technology, sometimes called nonotape, carbon nanotubes, “magic” tape, or “gecko” tape, may be applied to at least a portion of the longitudinal faces of members  20 ,  22 , and/or  24 , allowing a series of members  20 ,  22 , and  24  to be removably attached to one another along their side-by-side faces. 
     In still yet another embodiment, a screw, a bolt, a nail, a dowel, or similar item can be driven laterally through a series of members  20 ,  22 , and  24  configured into rows of magazine bays  26  and/or handgun bays  28 , securing the members side-by-side. 
     According to some embodiments of the present invention, each of the at least one pair of first members  20 , the at least one second member  22 , and the at least one third member  24  can be made of a closed cell polymer, such as ethyl vinyl acetate, for preventing easy absorption of oil or grease from handgun  12  and/or magazine  2  and for preventing harming of the finish of handgun  12  and/or magazine  2 . In some other embodiments of the present invention, members  20 ,  22 , and  24  can be made of any material capable of supporting at least one handgun  12  and at least one magazine  6 . For example, in some embodiments, members  20 ,  22 , and  24  can be made of plastic, polymers, wood, metal, or composites thereof. Furthermore, each of members  20 ,  22 , and  24  need not be made of the same material. For example, second member  22  and third member  24  could be made of a cushioning polymer, while first members  20  are made of stiffer wood or metal. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3 A , an exploded diagrammatic perspective view is shown of a row of magazine bays  26  formed by a pair of first members  20  and at least one second member  22  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now also to  FIG.  3 B , a side view of second member  22  according to an embodiment of the present invention is also shown fitted next to a first member  20 . According to some embodiments of the present invention, second member  22  includes at least a base portion  32  and at least one upright protrusion  34 A extending from a medial or middle portion of base  32 . 
     Some members  22  can have a plurality of upright protrusions  34 A-N. The distance between successive upright protrusions  34 A-N along a longitudinal axis of second member  22  is generally suitable for encompassing the width of a typical magazine  2 . In some embodiments, this distance is about 10 to 30 mm. Each upright protrusion  34 A-N can have a width along the longitudinal axis of second member  22  which, based on a strength and/or rigidity of the material from which expandable modular rack  10  is made, is suitable for supporting a typical magazine  2  in an upright position. In some embodiments, the width of an upright protrusion  34 A-N along the longitudinal axis of second member  22  is about 1 to 20 mm. 
     According to some embodiments, distal ends of base  32  may also have back protrusion  40  and front protrusion  42 , although such features need not appear in all embodiments of the present invention. Back protrusion  40  may be of a same height as the tallest portion of first member  20  and may have a width along the longitudinal axis of second member  22  equal to the width of the tallest portion of first member  20  along the longitudinal axis of first member  20 . Front protrusion  42  may have a height equal to or lower than the shortest protrusion of upright protrusions  34 A-N and a thickness at least as thick as that of an upright protrusion  34 A-N. 
     Between upright protrusions  34 A-N, along a top of base portion  32  of second member  22 , are a plurality of magazine base supporting areas  36 A-N. Base  4  of a magazine  2  may rest upon this area, while body  6  of the magazine  2  is supported in an upright or inverted position by inner side walls  44  of a pair of first members  20  and by a pair of upright protrusions  34 A-N (or, in the case of the first or last supporting area  36 A or  36 N, by one upright protrusion  34 A or N and back protrusion  40  or front protrusion  42 , respectively). The inner side walls  44  of a pair of first members  20  and each pair of upright protrusions  34 A-N form magazine bays  38 A-N. As mentioned above the longitudinal distance between upright protrusions  34 A-N is about 10 to 30 mm, making each magazine bay  38 A-N about 10 to 30 mm wide along the longitudinal axis of second member  22 . A magazine  2  may be deposited into each magazine bay  38 A-N when expandable modular rack  10  is in use. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  4 A- 4 E , several examples of various embodiments of second member  22  are shown. It is understood that second member  22  can be modified in both the manners shown herein as well as other manners which will occur to those trained in the art. Furthermore, second member  22  can be modified using any combination of the various modifications shown herein. All such modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     A first variation  22 A of second member  22  is shown in  FIG.  4 A . In this variation, the second member has magazine base supporting areas  46 A-N at tiered heights from one another, as well as medial protrusions  48 A-N also at tiered heights relative to one another. In first variation  22 A, medial protrusions  48 A-N are between 30 and 150 mm tall relative to the magazine base supporting area  46 A-N directly proceeding them. 
     A second variation  22 B of second member  22  is shown in  FIG.  4 B . In this variation, the second member has magazine base supporting areas  50 A-N at a same height relative to one another, as well as medial protrusions  52 A-N also at a same height relative to one another. In second variation  22 B, medial protrusions  52 A-N are between 30 and 150 mm tall relative to the magazine base supporting areas  50 A-N. 
     A third variation  22 C of second member  22  is shown in  FIG.  4 C . In this variation, the second member has medial protrusions  54 A-N having a height significantly shorter than that of magazine  2  they are intended to house between themselves. In third variation  22 C, medial protrusions  54 A-N define “depressions” in which base  4  of magazine  2  are to sit. In this variation  22 C, medial protrusions  54 A-N are between 0 and 30 mm tall relative to the magazine base supporting area  46 A-N directly proceeding them. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, second member  22  does not have medial protrusions  34 A-N and, instead, is merely a tiered series of magazine base supporting areas  36 A-N. 
     A fourth variation  22 D of second member  22  is shown in  FIG.  4 D . In this variation, the second member has medial protrusions  56 A-N having an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane. As some types of box magazines  2  have a body  6  that forms an acute angle with base  4  of magazine  2 , the angle of medial protrusions  56 A-N can be customized to accommodate a box magazine  2  slanted at a particular angle. In this variation, the angle of medial protrusions  56 A-N is between 30 and 90 degrees relative to a horizontal plane. 
     A fifth variation  22 E of second member  22  is shown in  FIG.  4 E . In this variation, the second member has a front protrusion  58  and back protrusion  58  having the same proportions as a medial protrusion  34 N. 
     A sixth variation  22 F of second member  22  is shown in  FIG.  4 F . In this variation, the second member has an area open  60  from which back protrusion  40  has been removed. Alternatively or additionally, front protrusion  42  can be removed from second member  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C , expandable modular racks  10  having second members  22  of various thicknesses are shown. It should be understood that multiple second members  22  can be place successively next to one another to form magazine bays of a desired width. Furthermore, in some embodiments, such as expandable modular rack  10 A shown in  FIG.  5 A , second member  62  (a type of second member  22 ) can be of a thickness sufficiently wide (e.g., about 37.5 mm) to accommodate magazine  2  without the need for successive members to build row of magazine bays  26  to a desired width. In such an embodiment, second member  62  can be about 25 to 50 mm wide (lateral thickness). 
     In still other embodiments, second member  22  can be about 1 to 25 mm in width (lateral thickness). For example, as shown in  FIG.  5 B , expandable modular rack  10 B has a pair of second members  64  about 18.75 mm in width. In another example, as shown in  FIG.  5 C , expandable modular rack  10 C has a trio of second members  66  about 12.5 mm in width. Accordingly, although these examples show one or more second members having a cumulative width of about 37.5 mm, any number of second members of any width can be matched side-by-side to form magazine bays  26  of any desired width. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , it is also to be understood that, although expandable modular rack  10  has generally been shown herein containing one row of magazine bays  26  and five handgun bays  28 , an expandable modular rack  10  can have as many rows of magazine bays  26  and as many handgun bays  28  as desired. For example, as shown in  FIG.  6   , expandable modular rack  10 D has two row of magazine bays  26 . As is also seen, one or more handgun bays  28  can be between magazine bays  26 . Furthermore, expandable modular rack  10  can have as many total magazine bays  26  and handgun bays  28  as desired, not merely the six total generally shown in the Figures. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , an exploded diagrammatic perspective view is shown of a handgun bay  28  formed by a pair of first members  20  and at least one third member  24  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, handgun bay  28  can also include an optional pair of fourth members  70  for added support. 
     According to some embodiments, each handgun bay  28  is defined by a vertical portion  72  and a horizontal portion  74 . The vertical portion  72  of each handgun bay  28  is for supporting the barrel  14  of an associated handgun  12  or an associated similarly configured item, the horizontal portion  74  of each handgun bay  28  is for supporting the heel  18  of the grip  16  of the associated handgun  12  or the associated similarly configured item, and each handgun bay  28  is of varying width, thereby allowing each handgun bay  28  to store an associated handgun  12  of any width or an associated similarly configured item in its normal upright position or inverted position. 
     Each pair of first members  20  form a pair of partitions  76 . Each pair of partitions  76  define an associated handgun bay  28 , with one partition  76  being common for each adjacent of handgun bay  28  or row of magazine bays  26 . 
     Each partition  76  has a vertical portion  78  and a horizontal portion  80 . The vertical portion  78  of each partition  76  forms a part of the vertical portion  72  of an associated handgun bay  28 . The horizontal portion  80  of each partition  76  partitions adjacent handgun bays  28  or row of magazine bays  26  from each other for separating adjacent handguns  12 , magazines  2 , and/or adjacent similarly configured items from each other. 
     Each of the pair of optional fourth members  70  is generally L-shaped and has a vertical portion  82  and a horizontal portion  84 . The vertical portion  82  of each of the pair of fourth members  70  form a part of the vertical portion  72  of an associated handgun bay  28  and are for straddling the barrel  14  of an associated handgun  12  or an associated similarly configured item. The horizontal portion  84  of each of the pair of fourth members  70  form a part of the horizontal portion  74  of the associated handgun bay  28 , terminate in stops  86 , and are for supporting the heel  18  of the grip  16  of the associated handgun  12  or the associated similarly configured item. 
     The stops  86  of the horizontal portion  84  of each of the pair of fourth members  70  are for preventing the heel  18  of the grip  16  of an associated handgun  12  or an associated similarly configured item from moving back off the horizontal portion  84  of an associated pair of fourth members  70 . 
     The at least one third member  24  is generally L-shaped, is intimately straddled by the pair of fourth members  70 , and has a vertical portion  88  and a horizontal portion  90 . The vertical portion  80  of the at least one third member  24  forms a part of the vertical portion  72  of an associated handgun bay  28 , is intimately straddled by the vertical portions  82  of an adjacent pair of fourth members  70 , and is for supporting the barrel  14  of an associated handgun  12  or an associated similarly configured item. The horizontal portion  90  of the at least one third member  24  forms a part of the horizontal portion  74  of the associated handgun bay  28 , terminates in a stop  92 , is intimately straddled by the horizontal portions  84  of an adjacent pair of fourth members  70 , and is for supporting the heel  18  of the grip  16  of the associated handgun  12  or the associated similarly configured item. 
     The stop  92  of the horizontal portion  90  of the at least one third member  24  is for preventing the heel  18  of the grip  16  of an associated handgun  12  or an associated similarly configured item from moving back off the horizontal portion  90  of an associated third member  24 . 
     The vertical portion  88  of the at least one third member  24  is lower than the vertical portions  82  of a straddling pair of fourth members  70  so as to form a relief  94  therebetween. The relief  94  in the vertical portion  72  of each handgun bay  28  is for receiving the barrel  14  of an associated handgun  12  or an associated similarly configured item. 
     According to some embodiments, the at least one third member  24  can be more than one for a handgun bay  28  having a handgun  12  with a wider than normal barrel  14 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8 A , an exploded diagrammatic perspective view is shown of an alternative embodiment of a row of magazine bays formed by a pair of first members  20 , at least one third member  24 , and a fourth member  122  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Additional views of fourth member  122  are also shown in  FIG.  8 B , which shows an example embodiment of the fourth member  122  within the scope of the present invention, and  FIG.  8 C , which shows a side view of fourth member  122  according to an embodiment of the present invention fitted next to a first member  20 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more handgun bays  28  can be modified with one or more fourth member(s)  122  to form a row of magazine bays  126 . As shown in  FIG.  8 A , fourth member  122  is inserted on top of horizontal portion  90  of third member  24 , against vertical portion  88  of third member  24 , and between inner side walls  44  of a pair of first members  20 . This modifies handgun bays  28  so that it can be used to store one or more magazines  2 . According to some embodiments of the present invention, fourth member  122  includes at least a base portion  132  and at least one upright protrusion  134 A extending from a medial or middle portion of base  132 . 
     Some members  122  can have a plurality of upright protrusions  134 A-N. The distance between successive upright protrusions  134 A-N along a longitudinal axis of fourth member  122  is generally suitable for encompassing the width of a typical magazine  2 . In some embodiments, this distance is about 10 to 30 mm. Each upright protrusion  134 A-N can have a width along the longitudinal axis of fourth member  122  which, based on a strength and/or rigidity of the material from which expandable modular rack  10  is made, is suitable for supporting a typical magazine  2  in an upright or inverted position. In some embodiments, the width of an upright protrusion  134 A-N along the longitudinal axis of fourth member  122  is about 1 to 20 mm. 
     According to some embodiments, distal ends of base  132  may also have back protrusion  140 , which lays against vertical portion  88  of third member  24 , and front protrusion  142 , although such features need not appear in all embodiments of the present invention. Back protrusion  140  may be of a same, greater, or lessor height as the tallest portion of first member  20 . Front protrusion  142  may have a height equal to or lower than the shortest protrusion of upright protrusions  34 A-N and a thickness at least as thick as that of an upright protrusion  134 A-N. 
     Between upright protrusions  134 A-N, along a top of base portion  132  of fourth member  122 , are a plurality of magazine base supporting areas  136 A-N. Base  4  of a magazine  2  may rest upon this area, while body  6  of the magazine  2  is supported in an upright position by inner side walls  44  of a pair of first members  20  and by a pair of upright protrusions  134 A-N (or, in the case of the first or last supporting area  136 A or  136 N, by one upright protrusion  134 A or N and back protrusion  140  or front protrusion  142 , respectively). The inner side walls  44  of a pair of first members  20  and each pair of upright protrusions  134 A-N form magazine bays  138 A-N. As mentioned above the longitudinal distance between upright protrusions  134 A-N is about 10 to 30 mm, making each magazine bay  138 A-N about 10 to 30 mm wide along the longitudinal axis of fourth member  122 . A magazine  2  may be deposited into each magazine bay  138 A-N when expandable modular rack  10  is in use. 
     It is understood that fourth member  122  can be modified in any manners shown herein with respect to second member  22 , as well as other manners which will occur to those trained in the art. Such modifications include, but are not limited to: upright protrusions  134 A-N and/or supporting areas  136 A-N of different, tiered heights (See  FIG.  4 A ); upright protrusions  134 A-N and/or supporting areas  136 A-N of same heights (See  FIG.  4 B ); upright protrusions  134 A-N only a little shorter than typical magazines  2  (See  FIG.  4 A ); upright protrusions  134 A-N significantly shorter than typical magazines  2  (See  FIG.  4 C ); upright protrusions  134 A-N forming a non-right angle with supporting areas  136 A-N(See  FIG.  4 D ); back protrusion  140  or front protrusion  142  of a same longitudinal width as upright protrusions  134 A-N(See  FIG.  4 E ); back protrusion  140  or front protrusion  142  non-existent (See  FIG.  4 F ); upright protrusions  134 A-N non-existent, the fourth member having only tiered supporting areas  136 A-N; and/or upright protrusions  134 A-N and/or supporting areas  136 A-N having differing longitudinal widths from their fellows. Furthermore, fourth member  122  can be modified using any combination of the various modifications shown herein with respect to second member  22 . All such modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
     Furthermore, it is also to be understood that fourth member  122  can be of various lateral thicknesses, similar to second member  22  as shown in  FIGS.  5 A-C . Furthermore, as many fourth member  122  as needed or desired can be stacked together to form a row of magazine bays  126  on top of a handgun bay  28  that collectively have the same width as that handgun bay  28 . As such, in some embodiments, fourth member  122  can be about 1 to 50 mm wide (lateral thickness). Moreover, there is no limit to the number of handgun bays  28  that can each be modified with at least one fourth member  122  to form rows of magazine bays  126 . 
     According to some embodiments, fourth member  122  can be held in place by friction on top of horizontal portion  90  of third member  24 , against vertical portion  88  of third member  24 , and/or between inner side walls  44  of a pair of first members  20 . Additionally or in the alternative, fourth member  122  can have an attachment notch  128  on an underside of base portion  132  near or at an end of base portion  132 . This attachment notch  128  can receive stop, lip or edge  92  of horizontal portion  90  of third member  24 . In some embodiments, base portion  132  can extend longitudinally beyond stop/edge  92  of horizontal portion  90  of third member  24 , as shown in  FIG.  8 C . In still other embodiments, base portion  132  can be even with stop/edge  92  of horizontal portion  90  of third member  24 . In still other embodiments, base portion  132  can be longitudinally shorter than stop/edge  92  of horizontal portion  90  of third member  24 , allowing stop/edge  92  to hold fourth member  122  in place. 
     Additionally or in the alternative, fourth member  122  be attached to horizontal portion  90  of third member  24 , vertical portion  88  of third member  24 , and/or inner side walls  44  of a pair of first members  20  by any member joiner means now known or later developed. Such member joiner means can include, but is not limited to hook and loop fabric, dual lock tape, ultrasonic bonding, a set of snaps, an adhesive substance, a synthetic setae material, a screw, a bolt, a nail, and a dowel, similar to those discussed in more detail above. For example, a snap could be placed on a back of back protrusion  140  of fourth member  122  and a complimentary snap could be placed on a front of vertical portion  88  of third member  24 , allowing fourth member  122  to be joined to third member  24  by joining the complimentary snaps. As will be apparent to those trained in the art, hook and loop fabric, dual lock tape, ultrasonic bonding, an adhesive substance, and a synthetic setae material could all be used in a similar manner. In another example, a nail could be driven thorough base portion  132  of fourth member  122  to and through at least part of horizontal portion  90  of third member  24 , thereby attaching the two members to one another. As will be apparent to those trained in the art, a screw, a bolt, and a dowel, could all be used in a similar manner. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an expandable modular rack for storing at least one magazine and at least one handgun of any width and/or at least similarly configured items in their normal upright position or inverted position, however, the present invention is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the essence of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the invention.