Patent Publication Number: US-9888771-B2

Title: Safes having interior storage panels

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/514,173, filed Oct. 14, 2014 and titled “SAFE STORAGE PANELS,” which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/891,321, filed Oct. 15, 2013 and titled “SAFE STORAGE PANELS.” The contents of both of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a safe comprising an interior storage panel according to one embodiment. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial, cross-sectional view of an interior storage panel and an accompanying set of hinges according to another embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a safe comprising an interior storage panel according to still another embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of another safe comprising an alternative interior storage panel. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a safe comprising another alternative interior storage panel. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of another safe comprising still another alternative interior storage panel. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a safe comprising yet another alternative interior storage panel. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a safe comprising another embodiment of an interior storage panel. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a safe comprising still another embodiment of an interior storage panel. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a safe comprising yet another embodiment of an interior storage panel. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of another safe comprising an alternative interior storage panel. 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view depicting an interior of a gun safe comprising an interior storage panel according to another embodiment. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view depicting a gun safe comprising an interior storage panel according to yet another embodiment. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view depicting certain components of an embodiment of an interior storage panel. 
       FIG. 16  is a partial, perspective view depicting certain components of another embodiment of an interior storage panel. 
       FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view depicting an interior of a gun safe comprising an interior storage panel according to yet another embodiment. 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of an interior storage panel configured for use within a safe. 
       FIG. 19  is an exploded view of the interior storage panel of  FIG. 18 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided below. It will be readily understood that the components of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, while numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, some embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these details. Moreover, for the purpose of clarity, certain technical materials, structures, or operations that are known in the related art have not been shown or described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. 
     Various embodiments are disclosed herein of safes comprising one or more movable interior storage panels. In some embodiments, the safes may be specifically configured for storing guns or other weapons. As discussed in greater detail below, in some embodiments, the interior storage panels may be configured to provide for storing items, such as guns, ammunitions, gun accessories, and the like. In some embodiments, the interior storage panels may be pivotably movable from a stored or closed position in which the storage panel is entirely positioned within the interior of the safe to allow the safe door to be closed to an exterior position in which at least some of the storage panel is positioned outside of the safe to allow for easier access to the items stored on the panel and/or maximize storage area within the safe. In some embodiments, the panel(s) may be configured such that, in the exterior position, the panel(s) is wholly positioned outside of the safe. 
     Certain embodiments of safes incorporating such panels will now be discussed in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a safe  100  incorporating a storage panel  110 . Storage panel  110  is shown in the figure in an open position. As described in greater detail below, this position may be reached by first opening safe door  150  and then rotating/swinging panel  110  outside of safe  100 . Thus, panel  110  is configured to be completely stored within safe  100  when safe door  150  is closed and then swung open such that panel  110  is at least substantially positioned outside of safe  100  when safe door  150  has been opened and panel  110  has been swung open. 
     Safe door  150  may comprise a plurality of pockets, pouches, straps, drawers, shelves, or other storage means. In the depicted embodiment, for example, safe door  150  comprises a plurality of storage pockets  153  and a strap  154 . Because safe  100  comprises a gun safe, these means for storing comprise means for storing guns and/or gun accessories. For example, storage pockets  153  may be used to hold ammunition, pistols, holsters, sights, and the like. 
     Panel  110  may also comprise a plurality of pockets  153  or other storage means. For example, panel  110  also comprises a shelf  112 . One or more such shelves may be extendable, collapsible, rotatable, or otherwise configured to be positioned in a first condensed configuration and a second expanded configuration to allow for accommodation of other storage items and/or interior space constraints within safe  100 , such as clearing rifle barrels stored within safe  100 . For example, in some embodiments, one or more shelves  112  may be telescoping or otherwise extendable, as shown in  FIG. 1 , to allow for resizing such shelves as desired. In other embodiments, one or more shelves  112  may be rotatable/pivotable to allow for storage in a collapsed position, such as against panel  110 , and then rotated/pivoted to a position perpendicular to panel  110  once panel  110  has been positioned outside of the interior space of safe  100 . One or more shelves  112  may also, or alternatively, be adjustable in position and/or height, such as adjustable between shelves to adjust the spacing therebetween. One or more shelves  112  may also, if desired, be placed within the interior space of safe  100 , as also depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     Storage panel  110  may further comprise a vertical gun rack  115 , which may be positioned on either or both sides of panel  110 . Other embodiments are contemplated in which panel  110  may comprise more than two sides. For example, in some embodiments, panel  110  may have a rectangular or other polygonal cross-sectional shape. Thus, one or more gun racks or other storage means may be placed on any side/surface of panel  110  as desired. 
     Gun rack  115  may comprise a stock rest  114  and a barrel rest  116  comprising a plurality of slots each configured to receive a portion of a rifle barrel. In some embodiments, stock rest  114  may similarly be configured with a corresponding plurality of inserts configured to receive the stock of a rifle. One or more similar gun racks, such as gun rack  105 , may be positioned within an interior space of safe  100 . Gun rack  105  lacks a stock rest because such gun stocks may be positioned adjacent to a bottom floor/wall of safe  100 . However, in other embodiments, a stock rest, such as a stock rest similar to stock rest  114 , may be provided for gun rack  105  as well. 
     In the depicted embodiment, panel  110  further comprises a cutout region  118 . Cutout region  118  may be configured to accommodate the stock of a rifle stored within the interior space of safe  100 , so as to maximize the available space within safe  100 . For example, with reference to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , another gun rack  105  or array of racks may be positioned within safe  100 , such as along a rear surface and or side surface of safe  100 . Depending upon the dimensions of safe  100  and/or storage panel  110 , without providing cutout region  118 , stock rest  114  and/or the stock of one or more guns  10  stored on panel  110  may interfere with the stock of one or more guns  15  or other items stored within and/or used as storage means for safe  100 . In other embodiments, instead of or in addition to providing such a cutout region  118 , panel  110  may be tapered and/or curved from top to bottom, either continuously or in steps, such that, unlike panel  110 , the storage panel may not comprise a rectangular shape. 
     In the embodiment of panel  110  depicted in  FIG. 1 , a movable section  111  is also provided. Movable section  111  may be removable, slideable, hinged, telescoping or otherwise movable. In addition, although section  111  is shown positioned laterally with respect to panel  110 , one or more such panels may be alternatively, or additionally, positioned on upper and/or lower portions of panel  110 . In some embodiments, movable section  111  may be modular such that a base storage panel  110  may be used in connection with a number of different safes having differed shapes and/or sizes. One or more modular sections  111  may then be attached to panel  110  to provide further storage area as needed and/or to more suitably fit within a safe of various different sizes. In embodiments in which modular sections are provided, they may be coupled with a storage panel by way of, for example, bolts, screws, pins, slots, or the like. In some embodiments, panel  111  need not be slidable but may still be considered modular. In other words, one or more such modular sections may be added to a relatively small interior storage panel such that the same panel may be used with larger safes by adding on one or more modular sections. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial, cross-sectional view depicting one example of a means for articulating an interior safe storage panel. As shown in this figure, panel  210  comprises a plurality of hinges  230 . Of course, in alternative embodiments, a single hinge  230  or other pivotable coupling means may be provided instead. Hinges  230  are attached to a first panel member  232  at one end and to a portion of safe door frame  252  at the other end. Panel  210  may further comprise a second panel member  234  coupled with first panel member  232 . In the depicted embodiment, first panel member  232  extends at an angle with respect to second panel member  234  that is at least substantially perpendicular. In this manner, as depicted in  FIG. 2  (which depicts panel  210  in a closed position within safe  200 ), when stored within an interior space of safe  200 , panel  210  may be positioned such that first panel member  232  extends at least substantially parallel to a sidewall  202  of safe  200 . In the depicted embodiment, panel  210  is also configured such that, in the stored position, second panel member  234  extends at least substantially parallel to a rear wall  204  of safe  200 . Of course, other embodiments are contemplated in which this need not be the case. 
     Panel  210  further comprises a base  236 , which may be used to further facilitate storage of items such as guns, gun accessories, and the like. For example, the stock of one or more rifles may be rested against base  236 . In the depicted embodiment of  FIG. 2 , base  236  extends at least substantially perpendicular to both first panel member  232  and second panel member  234 . 
     Some embodiments may comprise more than two panel members. In some embodiments, one or more of the panel members may be retractable/extendable. In this manner a storage panel may be configured to be customizable so as to maximize the available space within a space. For example, if guns or other items are positioned against a rear wall of a safe, such as rear wall  204  of safe  200 , a panel member, such as first panel member  232 , may be shortened to accommodate such items. Similarly, if there are no items stored immediately adjacent to rear wall  204 , first panel member  232  may be lengthened to, for example, accommodate items in between safe panel  210  and the safe door (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) while safe  200  is locked. In some such embodiments, one or more of the panel members may be telescoping or otherwise configured to accommodate such extending/retracting, using any such means available to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in some embodiments, first panel member  232  may be coupled with second panel member  234  using an adjustable coupling means, such as an extendable post, telescoping coupling mechanism, slotted holes, etc. 
     First panel member  232  comprises a cut-out section  232   a . Cut-out section  232   a  may be provided so as to accommodate one or more locking bolts (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) that may be configured to extend through a portion of safe door frame  252  or another portion of the safe. Without providing this cut-out section  232   a , first panel member  232  may block such locking bolt(s). 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a safe  300  comprising a storage panel (not shown in  FIG. 3 ).  FIG. 3  depicts safe  300  in a closed position.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of safe  300  taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 . As shown in this figure, storage panel  310  is positioned within an internal space of safe  300  when safe door  350  is closed. Panel  310  comprises a first panel member  332  and a second panel member  334 . Of course, as those of ordinary skill will appreciate after having reviewed this disclosure in its entirety, some embodiments may comprise a single panel member, or more than two panel members. First panel member  332  extends at an angle with respect to second panel member  334  that is at least substantially perpendicular. In addition, in the closed configuration, first panel member  332  extends at least substantially parallel to a sidewall  302  of safe  300  and at least substantially perpendicular to rear wall  304 . Similarly, panel  310  is configured such that, in the closed configuration, second panel member  334  extends at least substantially parallel to rear wall  304 , and at least substantially perpendicular to sidewall  302 . 
     However, several alternative embodiments are contemplated. For example, in some embodiments, panel  310 , or at least one panel member of panel  310 , may extend parallel to an inner surface of upper wall ( 308  in  FIG. 3 ) or floor of safe  300  when in a closed configuration. In this manner, particularly for large/tall safes, the space within a safe near the top of the safe, which may otherwise not be easily reachable, may be occupied by one or more panels. 
     Panel  310  also comprises one or more hinges  330 . Hinge  330  is coupled to first panel member  332  at one end and to a portion of safe door frame  352  at the other end. Of course, in other embodiments, hinge  330 , or another similar coupling means, may be coupled instead to another portion of the safe body, such as sidewall  302 . Hinge  330  may allow for panel  310  to swing open after door  350  has been opened, as previously described. Hinges  230  and  330  are both examples of means for pivotably moving an internal safe storage panel from an interior portion of a safe to an exterior portion of a safe. 
     Panel  310  also comprises a gun storage rack  315 , which may be used to hold or otherwise store one or more guns. Other similar storage mechanisms may be provided in other areas of safe  300 . For example, a rack  370  or array of such racks may be positioned around one or more interior surfaces of safe  300 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , rack  370  extends around the interior surface of rear wall  304  and opposing sidewalls  302  and  306 . One or more shelves  375  may also be positioned within safe  300 . 
     One or more means for storing firearms and/or firearms accessories, such as ammunition, scopes, sights, gun cleaning accessories, and the like, may be positioned within or along one or more portions/elements of safe  300 . For example, an interior surface of safe door  350  may comprise one or more pockets  353 , as previously described. 
       FIGS. 5-13  depict cross-sectional views of a number of alternative embodiments of safe storage panels. Each of the safe storage panels depicted in these figures is configured to be stored entirely within a locked safe in a closed configuration and completely removed from the interior space of the safe in an open configuration. However, still other alternative embodiments are contemplated in which such panels may be only partially removed from the interior space in the open configuration. Each of these alternative embodiments also comprises a plurality of joints/pivot points interconnected by one or more link arms. These embodiments thereby provide added flexibility in the positioning of the storage panels, both within their respective safes when closed and outside, or at least partially outside, of their respective safes when the doors to such safes are open. Although for simplicity,  FIGS. 5-13  do not depict safe doors, it is expected that each of these embodiments will comprise a separate safe door and that the depicted storage panels may be completely inserted within their respective safes, and the respective safe doors closed and locked, in a storage/locked position. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a safe  500  comprising a storage panel  510 . Storage panel  510  comprises a gun rack  515 , which may be similar to those previously described. However, storage panel  510  differs from the previously-described panels in that panel  510  is configured to pivot about two joints—joints  540  and  542 —which are interconnected by a link arm  541 . Joints  540  and  542 , along with any of the other joints described herein, may comprise, for example, ball and socket joints, hinges, and the like. In some embodiments, these joints may be configured to provide for rotation within only one axis. However, other embodiments are contemplated in which the joints may be configured to provide for pivoting/rotation within more than one axis. The combination of joints and link arms disclosed herein are additional examples of means for pivotably moving an internal safe storage panel from an interior portion of a safe to an exterior portion of a safe. 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the link arms or other link members, such as link arm  541 , and/or one or more of the panel members, may be adjustable. For example, in some embodiments, the length, shape, and/or another dimension of one or more of the link arms may be adjustable. This may be accomplished, for example, by providing a telescoping mechanism. In some embodiments, one or more of the link arms may comprise one or more springs and/or pistons. In some such embodiments, one or more link arms may be supported by a gas spring that may be coupled at one end to the link arm(s) and coupled at the opposite end to a joint and/or a coupling mechanism configured to join the spring to the joint. In some embodiments, the link arm(s) may comprise an at least partially hollow axis to accommodate a piston or spring, which may, in turn, be coupled to the joint. 
     In some embodiments, the joint may be ratcheted or otherwise stepped so as to result in a discrete number of adjustment positions. In other embodiments, the number of adjustment positions may be infinite, or at least indefinite. In other words, in such embodiments, the storage panel may be positioned at any number of different positions within a particular range between a stored position in which the panel is positioned within the safe and one or more exterior positions in which the panel is positioned wholly or partially outside of the safe. 
     In some embodiments, the means for pivotably moving an internal safe storage panel from an interior portion of a safe to an exterior portion of a safe may be automated. For example, in some embodiments, upon opening the door of a safe, the storage panel may be configured to automatically move from an interior storage position to an exterior position in which the panel is positioned wholly or partially outside of the safe to allow for easier access to the weapons or other items stored within or on the storage panel. In some such embodiments, a sensor may be positioned on or adjacent to the safe door such that opening the door triggers the sensor, which actuates the mechanism to move the storage panel between two positions. In other embodiments, a control panel or other such control means may be provided to allow for manual actuation of the storage panel as desired. 
     In some embodiments, a pin, magnet, hold-in, or other locking mechanism may be used to temporarily lock or hold the storage panel within position, either inside or outside of the safe. For example, after swinging storage panel  510  to a position outside of safe  500 , a pin may be placed in joint  540  and/or joint  542  to lock storage panel  510  in place. These pins may then be removed as desired in order to allow for rotating storage panel  510  to a storage position within safe  500 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a safe  600  comprising an alternative embodiment of a storage panel  610 . Storage panel  610  comprises a gun rack  615 , which may be similar to those previously described. However, safe  600  comprises an alternative means for pivotably moving an internal safe storage panel  610  from an interior portion of safe  600  to an exterior portion of safe  600 . More particularly, safe  600  comprises two link arms, namely, link arms  641  and  643 , which are interconnected by three pivots joints  640 ,  642 , and  644 . By providing additional pivot joints and link arms, the embodiment of  FIG. 6  provides additional flexibility for the positions in which panel  610  can be positioned, both within safe  600  and outside of safe  600 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a safe  700  comprising another embodiment of a storage panel  710  comprising an alternative means for pivotably moving an internal safe storage panel from an interior portion of a safe to an exterior portion of a safe, and further comprising a gun rack  715 . The means for pivotably moving internal safe storage panel  710  from an interior portion of safe  700  to an exterior portion of safe  700  comprises three link arms, namely, link arms  741 ,  743 , and  745 , which are interconnected by three pivots joints  740 ,  744 , and  746 . As shown in the figure, link arms  741  and  743  are not interconnected by a joint. This may provide for a more rigid positioning within safe  700  to accommodate a particular internal space design, while still providing some flexibility in positioning storage panel  710  outside of safe  700 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts a safe  800  comprising an embodiment of a storage panel  810  comprising still another alternative means for pivotably moving an internal safe storage panel from an interior portion of a safe to an exterior portion of a safe, and further comprising a gun rack  815 . The means for pivotably moving internal safe storage panel  810  from an interior portion of safe  800  to an exterior portion of safe  800  comprises seven link arms, namely, link arms  841 ,  843 ,  845 ,  847 ,  849 ,  851 , and  853 , which are interconnected by five pivot joints  840 ,  842 ,  844 ,  846 , and  848 . As shown in the figure, link arms  841  and  843  are not interconnected by a joint. However, each of the other link arms is coupled to an adjacent link arm with a joint. In addition, the structure made up of link arms  845 ,  847 ,  849 , and  851 , and joints  842 ,  844 ,  846 , and  848 , may be used to provide additional stability and strength to allow for accommodation of a panel  810  and/or guns or other items stored thereon having a greater overall weight. In some embodiments, the lengths of the link arms and spacing of the joints in this structure may be configured such that the structure can collapse to at least approximately a linear shape. 
       FIG. 9  depicts yet another alternative embodiment of a safe  900  comprising a storage panel  910  having a gun rack  915 . Safe  900  comprises means for pivotably moving internal safe storage panel  910  from an interior portion of safe  900  to an exterior portion of safe  900 . This pivotable moving means comprises six link arms, namely, link arms  941 ,  943 ,  945 ,  947 ,  949 , and  951 , which are interconnected by six pivots joints  940 ,  942 ,  944 ,  946 ,  948 , and  950 . Like storage panel  810 , storage panel  910  comprises a collapsible structure comprising four link arms  943 ,  945 ,  947 , and  949  and four joints  942 ,  944 ,  946 , and  948 , which may be used to provide additional stability and strength. 
     However, unlike storage panel  810  and its accompanying means for pivotably moving an internal safe storage panel from an interior portion of a safe to an exterior portion of a safe, storage panel  910  and its accompanying means for pivotably moving an internal safe storage panel from an interior portion of a safe to an exterior portion of a safe are provided with greater positioning flexibility. This is because a joint  950  is positioned immediately adjacent to storage panel  910 , and because the number of joints is greater than the number of link arms. As such, storage panel  910  is configured to be positionable in a greater number of positions/configurations, both within and outside of safe  900 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts yet another alternative embodiment of a safe  1000  comprising storage panel  1010 , which comprises gun rack  1015 . Like the means for pivotably moving an internal safe storage panel from an interior portion of a safe to an exterior portion of a safe storage panel associated with storage panel  710 , the means for pivotably moving internal safe storage panel  1010  from an interior portion of safe  1000  to an exterior portion of safe  1000  comprises three link arms, namely, link arms  1041 ,  1043 , and  1045 , which are interconnected by three pivots joints  1040 ,  1044 , and  1046 . As shown in the figure, link arms  1041  and  1043  are not interconnected by a joint. However, link arm  1043  comprises an adjustable link arm in which the length of the link arm  1043  may be adjusted to further provide for adjustment of the position of storage panel  1010  within and/or outside of safe  1000 . In some embodiments, adjustable link arm  1043  may comprise two telescoping portions, one of which may be slidably received in the other to provide for such adjustment. Alternatively, link arm  1043 , or another similar link member, may be made adjustable by providing overlapping plates with slots configured to be slidably received in the slots. 
       FIG. 11  depicts yet another alternative embodiment of a safe  1100 . Safe  1100  comprises storage panel  1110 , which comprises a gun rack  1115  and further comprises a means for pivotably moving internal safe storage panel  1110  from an interior portion of safe  1100  to an exterior portion of safe  1100 . The pivotably moving means of storage panel  1110  comprises four link arms, namely, link arms  1141 ,  1143 ,  1145 , and  1147 , which are interconnected by five pivot joints  1140 ,  1142 ,  1144 ,  1146 , and  1148 . However, one of the pivot joints—namely, pivot joint  1144 —is configured to pivot in a direction and/or along an axis that differs from that of the other pivot joints. In some embodiments, this pivot joint may be at least substantially perpendicular to that of the other pivot joints. For example, pivot joint  1144  may be configured to pivot in a vertical axis and the other pivot joints may be configured to pivot in horizontal axes. Of course, any combination of vertical and/or horizontal pivot joints may be used, as desired. Or, as mentioned above, in some embodiments, one or more pivot joints may be configured to pivot about more than one axis. 
     For example, in safe  1200  of  FIG. 12 , pivot joints  1244  and  1248  may be configured to pivot along one or more axes that differ from the one or more axes along which one or more of the other pivot joints  1240 ,  1242 ,  1246 , and  1250  are configured to pivot. This may allow for still greater flexibility in maneuvering and/or positioning of storage panel  1210 . As with several of the other embodiments previously described, a number of link arms  1241 ,  1243 ,  1245 ,  1247 , and  1249  may be used to interconnect the various pivot joints. 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a gun safe  1300 . Safe  1300  comprises a storage panel  1310  that is shown positioned within an internal space of safe  1300  when safe door  1350  is closed. Panel  1310  comprises a panel coupling member  1332   a  that is configured to couple panel  1310  to an interior portion of safe  1300 . In the depicted embodiment, panel coupling member  1332   a  is configured to couple panel  1310  to door frame  1352  via hinge  1330 . Hinge  1330  may allow for panel  1310  to swing open after door  1350  has been opened, as previously described. Hinge  1330  is another example of a means for pivotably moving an internal safe storage panel from an interior portion of a safe to an exterior portion of a safe. 
     However, other embodiments are contemplated in which panel  1310  may be coupled to other portions of the interior of safe  1300 , such as to a floor, sidewall surface, such as sidewall  1302 , sidewall  1306 , or rear wall  1304 , or to a ceiling wall, for example. 
     Panel coupling member  1332   a  may be welded or otherwise attached to panel  1310  with one or more fasteners, such as screws, rivets, bolts, and the like. Alternatively, panel coupling member  1332   a  may be integrally formed with panel  1310 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , panel coupling member  1332   a  is configured such that, in a closed configuration, panel  1310  extends at least substantially parallel to rear wall  1304 . 
     Panel  1310  also comprises a gun storage rack  1315 , which may be used to hold or otherwise store one or more guns. Other similar storage mechanisms may be provided in other areas of safe  1300 . For example, a rack  1370  may be positioned around one or more interior surfaces of safe  1300 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 13 , rack  1370  extends around the interior surface of rear wall  1304  and sidewall  1306 . Also, it can be seen that the portion of rack  1370  that extends along sidewall  1306  is configured to store firearms in a slanted configuration relative to the sidewall  1306 , whereas the portion of rack  1370  that extends along rear wall  1304  is configured to store firearms in at least a substantially perpendicular direction relative to rear wall  1304 , which may further assist in avoiding contact between panel  1310  and/or one or more items stored thereon or otherwise facilitate maximizing space within safe  1300 . 
     One or more means for storing firearms and/or firearms accessories, such as ammunition, scopes, sights, gun cleaning accessories, and the like, may be positioned within or along one or more portions/elements of safe  1300 . For example, an interior surface of safe door  1350  may comprise one or more pockets  1353 , as previously described. One or more pockets or other storage means may also, or alternatively, be positioned on one or both surfaces of panel  1310  in order to further maximize use of available storage space. 
     For example, a front surface (opposite from the surface on which rack  1315  is positioned) of panel  1310  also may comprise one or more pockets  1353   a . In this manner, certain items may be immediately accessible upon opening door  1350 . For example, a safe owner may wish to store important papers or documents, such as passports, titles, insurance records, etc., in one or more pockets  1353   a . In order to protect items in pockets  1353  and/or  1353   a , in some embodiments, the rear surface of panel  1310  (on which pockets  1353   a  are mounted) and/or the rear surface of door  1350  (on which pockets  1353  are mounted) may comprise one or more layer of cushioning material. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view depicting another embodiment of a gun safe  1400 . Gun safe  1400  comprises an interior storage panel  1410  that is coupled to door frame  1452  of safe  1400  by way of two U-shaped panel coupling members  1432   a  and  1432   b . More particularly, panel coupling members  1432   a  and  1432   b  are coupled to panel  1410  and are further coupled to door frame  1452  by hinges  1430 . Panel coupling members  1432   a  and  1432   b  may be coupled with panel  1410  by any number of ways. For example, in embodiments in which storage panel  1410  and coupling members  1432   a  and  1432   b  are made up of a metal, they may be welded together. Alternatively, they may be coupled with one or more fasteners, such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc., or some sort of adhesive. 
     Of course, a variety of alternative embodiments are contemplated. For example, in some embodiments, only a single panel coupling member may be used. In some such embodiments, the panel coupling member may be coupled with the storage panel at a central location, rather than on upper and lower portions of the panel member as depicted in  FIG. 14 . In addition, although U-shaped panel coupling members  1432   a  and  1432   b  both comprise shapes in which one leg of the “U” shape is longer than the other, this need not be the case in all embodiments. In other embodiments, the coupling member(s) need not be U-shaped. For example, the panel coupling member(s) may be curved. It should also be understood that, although a door is not shown on safe  1400  in  FIG. 14  for ease of illustration, it is contemplated that safe  1400  would comprise such a door. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of interior storage panel  1510  along with panel coupling members  1532   a  and  1532   b . Storage panel  1510  comprises a series of spaced slots  1517  and panel coupling members  1532   a  and  1532   b  each comprise a corresponding series of spaced slots  1519 . Slots  1517  and  1519  may be used to facilitate adjustably coupling panel coupling members  1532   a  and  1532   b  with panel  1510 . This may be useful, for example, to allow for use of a storage panel  1510  with a single size/shape to be used with safes having different sizes. It is contemplated that, upon aligning one or more slots  1517  with one or more slots  1519 , one or more fasteners would be inserted through slots  1517  and  1519  to affix the panel coupling member(s) to the interior storage panel. It can also be seen in  FIG. 15  that slots  1517  are vertical slots and slots  1519  are horizontal slots. However, in other embodiments, the direction of these slots may be reversed. It should also be understood that the shapes, sizes, locations, and number of slots may be varied as desired. 
     In some embodiments, the interior storage panel may be removable from a panel coupling member. For example, one or more screws, buttons, or other protruding members may be positioned on a rear surface of the storage panel, which may be configured to be received within one or more slots having a widened receiving area formed on one or more of the panel coupling members. In this manner, the panel may be lifted and removed from the panel coupling member(s) and repositioned as desired. In some embodiments, the interior storage panel may be rotatably adjustable relative to the panel coupling members and/or safe door. In this manner, storage panels may be used that are taller and/or wider than the safe door opening but that may be removed from the safe by, for example, positioning the storage panel in a diagonal direction relative to the door opening. 
       FIG. 16  is a partial, perspective view depicting certain components of another embodiment of an interior storage panel  1610  and accompanying panel coupling member  1632   a . Panel  1610  comprises a plurality of fastener openings  1619  arranged in a grid. Similarly, panel coupling member  1632   a  also comprises a plurality of fastener openings  1617  arranged in a grid. As such, the positioning of panel coupling member  1632   a  relative to panel  1610  may be adjusted by aligning one or more openings  1617  with one or more openings  1619  and fastening a fastener therethrough. Of course, one or more other grids may be used and the spacing, size, number, and positioning of the fastener openings on one or both of panel  1610  and panel coupling member  1632   a  may vary as desired. 
       FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view depicting yet another embodiment of a safe  1700 . Safe  1700  comprises a U-shaped panel coupling member  1732   a  that is coupled with an interior storage panel  1710 . Safe  1700  is depicted in a closed position with safe door  1750  closed. Safe  1700  also comprises a shelf  1713  positioned in between opposing legs of U-shaped panel coupling member  1732   a . Any number of shelves/racks, etc., may be positioned in this location in order to further maximize usable storage space within safe  1700 . 
       FIG. 18  depicts still another embodiment of an interior storage panel  1810  configured for use within a safe (not shown), such as a gun safe. Storage panel  1810  may be configured to be coupled with a door frame of such a safe by way of two panel coupling members  1832   a  and  1832   b . Panel coupling members  1832   a  and  1832   b  comprise L-shaped coupling members. However, other coupling member shapes may be used, such as U-shaped coupling members, as described above, or other shapes as desired. 
     Panel coupling members  1832   a  and  1832   b  may be coupled to panel  1810  and to a safe (such as at the door frame, for example) by way of hinges  1830 . As described above, this coupling may be accomplished by any means available to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as by way of welding, screws, bolts, rivets, adhesives, and/or other fasteners or techniques. 
     Interior storage panel  1810  differs from several of the particular embodiments discussed above in several respects. For example, instead of comprising a flat panel, storage panel  1810  comprises an open structure comprising a frame defined by a plurality of frame members. More particularly, this frame  1860  comprises a first frame member  1862  comprising a series of frame member elements defining a rectangular shape (as best seen in the exploded view of  FIG. 19 ) and a second frame member  1864  comprising a bar or tube to provide structure to the frame  1860 . 
     The use of arrays of slots, holes, or other adjustably coupling means, such as those described above in connection with  FIGS. 15 and 16 , may be provided in panel coupling member  1832   a , panel coupling member  1832   b , first frame member  1862 , and/or second frame member  1864  to facilitate adjustably coupling panel coupling members  1832   a  and/or  1832   b  with storage panel  1860 . This may be useful, for example, to allow for use of a storage panel  1810  with a single size/shape to be used with various safes having different sizes. 
     Some embodiments may also, or alternatively, comprise storage panels that are adjustable in height and/or width. For example, some embodiments may comprise storage panels having telescoping tubes or indexed bolt/screw holes or the like, to accommodate different sizes of safes. Such features may also allow one or both of the upper and lower panel members, which are discussed below, to adjust a barrel and/or buttstock rest to be adjusted to match a desired barrel length. 
     Of course, other embodiments are contemplated having differing numbers frame members and/or different types of frame structures. For example, instead of comprising a rectangular shape, first frame member  1862  may be defined by two separate frame member elements each extending on an opposite end of the storage panel  1810 . Similarly, in some embodiments, additional frame members or other similar elements may be used to define frame  1860 . Frame members  1862  and  1864  may be coupled to panel coupling members  1832   a  and  1832   b  by, for example, welding, adhesives, or any of the various fasteners referenced above. Frame members  1862  and  1864  are preferably made up of a rigid and strong material, such as steel or certain other metals, wood, certain strong plastics, and the like. 
     Upper and/or lower panel members may be used to further define storage panel  1810 . For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , an upper panel member  1870  and a lower panel member  1880  may be provided. Upper panel member  1870  comprises a series of openings  1872 , which may be configured to receive the barrels of rifles or other firearms. Openings  1872  may comprise slots  1873 , which may facilitate inserting such barrels into the respective openings  1872 . In certain preferred embodiments, upper panel member  1870  may therefore be made up of a flexible and/or resiliently deformable/compressible material, such as foam, rubber, certain plastics, and the like. In alternative embodiments, upper panel member  1870  may comprise a plurality of depressions or grooves for receiving such barrels. 
     Lower panel member  1880  may comprise a plate  1882  and a cushion  1884  that may be coupled with (on top of) plate  1882 . Cushion  1884  may comprise one or more grooves  1885 , each of which may be configured to receive the buttstock of a rifle or other firearm. Thus, preferably the number of grooves  1885  is equal to the number of openings  1872 . Cushion  1884  preferably comprises a soft and/or resiliently deformable/compressible material, such as foam, rubber, certain plastics, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, the upper and lower panel members described above may be reversed. In other words, the upper panel members may comprise grooves, slots, and/or openings for the firearm buttstocks and the lower panel members may comprise a cushion or pad, such as a hard rubber mat, with or without depressions, openings, and/or slots, to receive the firearm barrels. 
     Alternatively, some embodiments may comprise a storage panel having different subsets of the upper and lower panel members described above. For example, some embodiments may comprise a storage panel having one side configured to receive rifles or other firearms with barrels down and the other side of the panel with barrels up. Such configurations may allow the panel to be shallower front to back, thereby providing giving more space behind the panel when in the closed position, which may increase space and/or gun capacity. As yet another alternative, some embodiments may be configured such that the storage panel is configured to each receive adjacent firearm in an opposite configuration. In other words, a first slot/groove/space may be configured to receive a rifle with the barrel up, the second to receive an adjacent rifle with the barrel down, and so on. 
     In some embodiments, cushion  1884  may be larger than plate  1882  and/or positioned offset from plate  1882  such that at least a portion of cushion  1884  overhangs plate  1882 , which may allow for an overhanging portion of cushion  1884  to act as a bumper or cushion for storage panel  1810  as it is rotated into and out of a safe. 
     Upper and lower panel members  1870  and  1880  may be coupled with frame members  1862  and  1864  by, for example, welding, adhesives, or any of the various fasteners referenced above. Alternatively, one or more of the frame members may be configured to be pressed onto or snap into a portion of the upper and/or lower panel members. Similarly, plate  1882  may be coupled with cushion  1884  by any means available to one of ordinary skill in the art, including adhesives, fasteners, and the like. 
     As with several embodiments discussed above, storage panel  1810  may be configured to be positioned in a closed position within a safe such that the safe door may be closed with storage panel  1810  entirely within the safe, and may be further configured to be rotate/swing/pivot storage panel  1810  to an open position at least partially outside of the safe. In some embodiments, storage panel  1810  may be configured to be rotated open such that panel  1810  is at least substantially positioned outside of the safe when the safe door has been opened and panel  1810  has been rotated open. In some such embodiments, storage panel  1810  may be configured to be rotated open such that panel  1810  is fully positioned outside of the safe when the safe door has been opened and panel  1810  has been rotated open. 
     In other words, with regard to storage panel  1810 , panel coupling members  1832   a  and  1832   b  may be sized, dimensioned, and configured to allow for the entire panel  1810  and all of the items being stored therein, to be positioned outside of the safe when in the open position. This may be useful, particularly for certain large safes, to both improve ease of access to firearms or other items being stored on panel  1810 , and also make more efficient use of the space within the safe. 
     In some embodiments, the storage panel may be configured to be repositioned between the storage and open positions by simply rotating the storage panel, rather than requiring a sequence of steps, such as pulling and/or sliding and then rotating, etc. Moreover, any of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be configured to extend all of the way, or at least substantially all of the way, between bottom and top internal surfaces of the safe or, alternatively, may be configured to extend only partially between these surfaces. For example, storage panel  1810  may be configured, depending upon the size of panel  1810  and the size of the firearms or other items being stored on panel  1810 , to only extend from or near the floor (or ceiling) of the safe to a mid-portion of the safe. Alternatively, panel  1810  may be positioned to extend along a mid-portion of the safe without extending adjacent to either the floor or the ceiling of the safe. 
     Any of the various embodiments disclosed herein may be configured such that the storage panel extends parallel to, or at least substantially parallel to, the door of the safe when the door is closed. In this manner, other areas of the safe, such as the interior walls of the safe, may be left unoccupied to allow for storage of other firearms and/or other items and may also allow for the central portion of the safe and/or the portion of the safe immediately behind the door (when closed), which often contains extra space, to be used, or at least used more efficiently. 
     Thus, some of the embodiments disclosed herein may be configured such that the storage panel sits adjacent to the safe door, but not immediately adjacent to any, or at least two, of the interior walls of the safe, once the panel has been closed and the safe door closed. In other words, the panel may be particularly configured to leave space in between the rear interior wall and one or both of the opposing interior side walls of the safe when the panel is in a closed position so as to allow for placement of firearms, accessories, or other items along each of these walls. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the panel may extend perpendicularly, or at least substantially perpendicularly, from one interior sidewall (left side from the perspective of this view) such that the other two walls have space for storing items. More particularly, in this particular embodiment, firearms may be along the entire rear interior wall and the entire right interior wall, if desired. Since only a portion of the left interior sidewall is occupied, items could be stored there as well. Thus, by extending the storage panel into or towards the center, or towards approximately the center and/or a central region, of an interior compartment of the safe, additional opportunities for maximizing efficient use of space with the safe may be provided. 
     As seen in the drawings, some embodiments may be configured such that the swinging/rotating panel opens in a direction opposite from the safe door. Thus, a user may have three separate storage areas upon opening the safe door and the panel (one on the panel, one inside the safe, and one on the inside of the safe door, as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example. 
     Some preferred embodiments may also, or alternatively, be configured such that the storage panel is configured to be repositioned between the open position and the closed position solely by rotating the interior storage panel about a pivot axis. In other words, some embodiments may be configured such that additional actions, such as pulling or otherwise sliding the panel along a track, are not required in order to reposition the panel between these two configurations. 
     Throughout this specification, any reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles set forth herein. Accordingly, this disclosure is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope thereof. Likewise, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to various embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, a required, or an essential feature or element.