Patent Publication Number: US-10330436-B2

Title: Handgun storage safe

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     In accordance with 37 C.F.R 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/383,164, filed Sep. 2, 2016, entitled, “Handgun Storage Safe”, the contents of the above referenced application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for securely storing handguns and, in particular, a lightweight storage safe that allows for secure storage, restricted operation, and release of a stored handgun along with automated movement of a released gun from a stored position to an access position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Owning firearms for protection is popular for many around the world. Many handgun owners and collectors would like to keep a handgun at a convenient location and ready to use in case of need. However, this would typically have the handgun located where an unauthorized person could access the gun. It also results in a handgun being available for young and/or inexperienced people who might discharge the firearm accidentally. 
     Handgun safety devices are known, and include such things as trigger locks, cable locks, lock boxes and the like. While effective for preventing accidental use or misuse, they all preclude the immediate availability of a handgun in a time of need. 
     Single and multiple gun safes (sometimes called vaults) are known. They are designed for placement on a table or in a drawer in a convenient location. Storage devices are also available for vehicles. They are often constructed in the form of a box with a lid or door. They include a lock device, such as a digital lock or key lock, which provides security to the contents of the safe by preventing the lid or drawer from opening. While effective in limiting access to the contents, they also impede access to the contents if needed in an emergency. They may not store the gun in a consistent position inside. All prior art devices either preclude fast access to the stored gun or do not effectively secure the stored gun. Thus, storage security comes at the expense of fast access. 
     Another problem with firearm storage devices is that, although a firearm is readily accessible from storage to an owner, it is also readily accessible to small children. The lack of an encasing or safety locks makes for an attractive nuisance to young children. Thus, there exists a need for a way to safely and securely store firearms, and in particular handguns without the disadvantages described above. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     StackOn, GunVault, Sentry Safe and Ivation are brands of handgun safes. Some use digital locks, some use key locks, and some use biometric information for security. All have the problem of not having fast gun access with storage security; and to date, none pass an ASTM test regarding gun retention ability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A handgun safe for storing handguns is provided. The safe is comprised of an interior compartment which is defined by a plurality of walls, such as a bottom wall, a top wall, and a plurality of sidewalls. One of the walls may be a lockable door assembly. The door assembly may be a sidewall or top wall. The door assembly may be provided with any suitable lock arrangement including, but not limited to, radio frequency identification, lock and hasp, biometrics, combination, etc., that is suitable for selectively restricting access to the interior of the safe. The lock system also includes a retainer mechanism that stores the handgun in a locked retracted position and is operable to, upon activation, automatically move the handgun to a ready extended position. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a handgun safe that allows a handgun to be stored in a secure non-use condition. 
     It is another objective of the present invention to provide a gun safe that is compact, and which securely stores a handgun in a secure retracted position while allowing easy access to the handgun in an extended access position. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a gun safe that uses an electronically operated retainer mechanism that selectively secures a handgun in a secure retracted position. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a gun safe that will selectively move a handgun from its retained position to an extended position. 
     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view of a gun safe with portions broken away to show interior components and other portions not shown for clarity; 
         FIG. 2  is a fragmentary top plan view of a handgun retainer; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the retainer seen in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear end elevation view of the retainer seen in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the retainer seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a gun safe utilizing a different shroud and a gun in a retained position. 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6  but with the gun removed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A gun safe, designated generally  10 , is provided. It includes a shroud, designated generally  11 , as an outer component to shield at least a portion of a handgun  12  from view and access. The safe  10  also includes an ejector mechanism, designated generally  14 , operable upon activation to move the handgun  12  from a stored position to a ready access position for a user to grip a portion of the handgun and remove it from the shroud  11 . The safe  10  is also provided with a retainer mechanism, designated generally  15 , which is operable to selectively secure the handgun  12  in the shroud  11 . The safe  10  is also provided with an activator mechanism, designated generally  16 , that is operable to selectively activate portions of the retainer mechanism to allow it to move to a handgun release configuration. 
     In the illustrated structure, the shroud  11  includes a plurality of wall sections designated  17 A,  17 B,  17 C,  17 D,  17 E and  17 F. They are joined together in a manner to form an interior  18  for receipt of the handgun  12 , the ejector mechanism  14 , the retainer mechanism  15 , and the activator mechanism  16 . In a preferred embodiment, the shroud  11  is designed for use in a motorized vehicle, such as a car or truck, and does not need to have one end closed; for example, the wall  17 C can be eliminated. In another embodiment, the shroud  11  can be in the form of a closed container by having an end wall  17 C connected to the walls  17 B,  17 D,  17 E and  17 F. The wall  17 A is movably mounted to one of the other walls  17 , for example wall  17 B, so as to be selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. A suitable latch mechanism  105 , described below and shown schematically in  FIG. 1 , can be mounted to either the wall  17 A or one of the other walls  17  to selectively maintain the wall  17 A in its closed position, while allowing it to be moved to an open position either manually or automatically. If need be, the wall  17 A can be associated with means to effect assisted opening, as for example a spring (not shown). Means may also be provided cooperating with the shroud  11  to effect mounting in a car or truck, or to a piece of furniture in a building. The walls  17  can be made out of any suitable material, such as a metal alloy and/or polymeric material. Preferably, for a polymeric material, a thermoset material or a high melting temperature thermoplastic is used. 
     In the illustrated structure, means is provided to associate the ejector mechanism  14 , the activator mechanism  16  and the retainer mechanism  15  generally in fixed relationship to one another as described below. The illustrated means includes a plate  20  that is mounted to one of the walls  17  and, as shown, wall  17 B, fixing the position of the plate  20  and the components mounted thereto in position inside the shroud  11 . This can be accomplished as, for example, with threaded fasteners  21  and nuts or threaded holes in the wall to which the plate  20  is mounted. As shown, the wall  17 B to which the plate  20  is mounted can have a riser  22  on which the grip  30  of the handgun  12  is mounted to facilitate the fingers of a user gripping the grip. 
     The ejector mechanism  14  is best seen in  FIG. 2 . The ejector mechanism  14  provides means for pushing the gun  12  in a direction from the muzzle of the gun to the grip of the gun, which would be from right to left in  FIG. 2 . In the illustrated structure, the ejector mechanism  14  is mounted to the wall  17 B, as is the plate  20 . The ejector mechanism  14  can also be mounted to the plate  20 . The mounting can be accomplished by threaded fasteners  24  threaded into the wall  17 B and through a base  25  of the ejector mechanism  14 . A guide plate  26  can be provided to engage the trigger guard  27  of the handgun  12  to help maintain alignment of the handgun  12  within the shroud  11  and its position relative to the walls  17  and the plate  20 . A plunger  28  is mounted for axial movement in a support  29 , and is positioned for movement in a direction generally parallel to the barrel  32  of the handgun  12 . The end of the plunger  28  is positioned for engagement, in a preferred embodiment, with the handgun grip  30  at a position adjacent the bottom of the trigger guard  27 . The plunger  28  is spring loaded using a spring  31  that is under compression when the handgun  12  is retained in the safe  10 . The plunger  28  is preferably movably mounted inside the spring  31 . A preferred spring  31  is a coil compression spring. The guide plate  26  can be utilized to assist in moving the handgun  12  to its retained position by a person inserting the handgun  12  into the safe  10 . The plunger  28 , in the illustrated embodiment, is not connected to the retainer mechanism  15  or the activator mechanism  16 , and operates independently thereof. It is also, preferably, solely a mechanical device. 
     The retainer mechanism  15  is operable to releasably retain the handgun  12  in the safe  10  and, upon activation by the activator mechanism  16 , to release the handgun  12  from retention, whereupon the ejector mechanism  14  will move the handgun to a non-retained position for easy access by a person. In the illustrated structure, the retainer mechanism  15  includes a pivotally mounted arm  41 , as best seen in  FIG. 3 . The arm  41  is mounted on a pivot pin  42  that in turn is mounted on a stand  43  that is mounted to the plate  20  as with threaded fasteners  44 . The arm  41  is positioned generally parallel to the plate  20  and is spaced therefrom a distance to have the handgun  12  fit between opposed surfaces, including the surface  46  of the arm  41  and surface  45  of the plate  20 , thereby capturing the handgun  12 . A projection  47 , such as a finger, is mounted on the arm  41  and extends toward the surface  45  of the plate  20 , and is positioned and adapted to be received inside the trigger guard  27  to selectively prevent movement of the handgun  12  from its retained position to a non-retained position. The retainer mechanism  15  also includes a leg  48  which depends from the arm  41  and is positioned for selective engagement with the front surface of the trigger guard  27 . The leg  48  depends below the pivot pin  42 , whereby, when the arm  41  is up and in its non-retaining position, movement of the leg  48  will move the arm  41  to its down or retained position. This movement can be accomplished by a person moving the handgun  12  from its non-retained position to its retained position, allowing the trigger guard  27  to move the leg  48  generally toward the stand  43 , which in turn moves the arm  41  downwardly to its retaining position. The handgun  12  is captured between the finger  47  and leg  48 . Means is also provided to cooperate with the arm  41  and leg  48  to selectively move the arm  41  to its up or non-retaining position, which allows the finger  47  to move out of the trigger guard  27  to release the handgun  12  from the selective retention. This can be accomplished through the use of a resiliently deformable member such as a two-legged torsion spring  51  (while the usual name is torsion spring, this is a misnomer, the spring portions are subject to bending stress, its application of force can cause a torque). The spring  51  is shown exploded for clarity. The spring  51  can be mounted to the stand  43 , as by being positioned over a free end of the pivot pin  42  or mounted on the pin  42  between the arm  41  and a portion of the stand  43  as seen in  FIG. 2 , and positioned where bending stress in the coils of the spring  51  is partially released when the arm  41  is released for movement to the release position of the arm  41 , wherein the spring  51  moves the arm  41  from its retaining position to its non-retaining position. In the illustrated structure, insertion of a handgun  12  into the safe  10  moves the front portion of the trigger guard  27  into engagement with the leg  48 , effecting pivoting movement of the arm  41  from its non-retaining position to its retaining position with the finger  47  inside the trigger guard  27 . It is to be understood that the spring  51  can be any form of resiliently deformable member such as a coil spring, a leaf spring or the like, that can apply force to the arm  41  to effect its movement to the release position from the retaining position. The arm  41 , and hence the leg  48 , which is preferably integral with the arm  41 , are maintained in the gun retaining position, capturing the gun  12  within the safe  10  by use of means that positively locks the arm  41  in its retaining position until it is released. The ejector mechanism  14  is configured to act independently of the retainer mechanism  15  and in particular independent of movement of the arm  41  and projection  47 . 
     Portions of the safe  10  in contact with the handgun, for example the arm  41 , leg  48 , finger  47 , plate  20 , riser  22  and wall  17 B can be coated with a material to reduce marring or wearing off of the finish on the handgun  12 . The material may also be of a type to reduce noise from handgun movement in the safe  10 . Further, the arm  41  can have an end portion extend past the finger  47  positioned over the trigger  49  to preclude someone from pulling the trigger when the handgun is retained. 
     The retainer mechanism  15  cooperates with the activator mechanism  16  to positively mechanically lock the arm  41  in its gun retaining position, as seen in  FIG. 3 . That is, the arm  41  cannot be easily released, except for perhaps damaging components of the retainer mechanism  15 . In the illustrated embodiment, the activator mechanism  16  includes a locking member  60  that includes a sear  61  that is in engagement with a latch  62  that is part of the retainer mechanism  15 . The sear  61  is pivotally mounted to the stand  43 , as with a pivot pin  63 , which can be in the form of a shoulder bolt. The sear  61  moves in a plane generally perpendicular to the movement of the arm  41 . The latch  62  selectively maintains its engagement with the sear  61  under the influence of torque provided by the torsion spring  51 . As shown, the latch  62  is part of the leg  48 . 
     The locking member  60  includes a leg  65  that is on the opposite side of the pivot pin  63  from the side where the sear  61  engages the latch  62 , although other configurations could be used. Means is provided to bias the sear  61  to its position for engaging the latch  62 , and engagement with a stop member  66  that limits pivoting movement of the sear  61  about the pivot pin  63 . As shown, this means includes a coil tension spring  67  having one end fastened to the leg  65  and another end fastened to a bracket  68  suitably secured to the plate  20 . Tension in the spring  67  biases the locking member  60  into engagement with a stop member  66 , and in position under the latch  62 . Thus, the sear  61  and leg  65  can be positively held in engagement, preventing the finger  47  from accidentally moving out of the trigger guard  27  as more fully described below. 
     The activator mechanism  16  includes means to selectively effect movement of the sear  61  out of engagement with the latch  62  to allow the arm  41  to move to its non-handgun retaining position. Preferably, this means is an electrically driven device and, as shown, includes a motor  81  that is electrically connected to a source  79  of electricity, such as a battery pack, house wiring or a vehicle electrical system. This connection can be via wires  82 . The motor  81  is suitably mounted on the plate  20  as with threaded fasteners  83 . The output rotary shaft of the motor  81  has a cam member  85  mounted thereon and is rotatable therewith, see  FIG. 1 . The cam  85  is an eccentric, best seen in  FIG. 2 , whereby, during one rotation of the cam  85 , a follower  87 , which is secured to and preferably integral with the leg  65 , is forced to move. When the follower  87  is forced to move, it forces the leg  65  and sear  61  to rotate about the pivot  63 , which effects movement of the sear  61  out of engagement with the latch  62 . This then allows the arm  41  to pivot about the pivot pin  42 , and the finger  47  to move out of its retention position in the trigger guard  27 . The sear  61  is now in contact with a side of the latch retaining the sear  61 , leg  65  and follower  87  in their rotated position. Preferably, the sizing of the cam  85  is such that it prevents any appreciable movement of the leg  65  and sear  61  unless the cam is rotating. This locks the sear  61  in positive mechanical engagement with the latch  62 , preventing accidental release of the handgun  12  from retention in the safe  10 . 
     The activator mechanism  16  includes an operation controller. The operation controller  90 , seen schematically in  FIG. 1 , includes a switch  91  suitably mounted to the plate  20  by a pair of brackets  93 . The switch  91  can be in the form of a micro limit switch having an actuator  95  that engages the cam  85  to open and close the switch  91  during one rotation of the cam  85 . This arrangement allows the motor  81  to effect one rotation of the cam  85  during one cycle of operation. The cam  85  also effects terminating rotation of the motor  81 . The switch  91  is also operably connected to a controller module  97  by wires  98 . The controller module  97  is preferably one that provides secure operation only upon receiving a signal from a remote transmitter  99  that the safe  10  can be opened and the gun  12  released. This can be effected by the use of biometrics, using a suitable biometric sensor such as an eye scan, a fingerprint, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, a sensor  100  is operably connected to the module  97  by wires  101 , and can be an RFID sensor that, when a coded RFID chip, for example located in the transmitter  99 , is sensed as being within its range, the module  97  will send a signal to the switch  91  to effect operation of the motor  81  and release of the handgun from retention by allowing the finger  47  to move out of the trigger guard  27 , wherein the ejector mechanism  14  effects outward movement of the handgun  12 . The controller module  97  can also be operable to control a latch  105  operably associated with the wall  17 A. The latch  105  is operably connected to the module  97  via wires  106  to allow the wall  17 A to move to its open position upon operation of the latch. 
     While a motor  81  is shown as the electrically driven device, it is to be understood that other electrically driven devices can be used to move the sear  61 . One such device is a solenoid. 
     The gun  12 , after release, can be easily returned to the safe  10  for retention by simply moving the gun into the safe, using the guide plate  26  for positioning. Movement into the safe  10  puts the front of the trigger guard  27  into contact with the leg  48 , urging the arm  41  to pivot and the finger  47  to move into the trigger guard. The sear  61  can then move under the latch  62  under influence of force from the spring  67 , pivotally moving the sear  61  and leg  65  about the pivot  63 . The follower  87  moves back into position for contact with the cam  85 . The retainer mechanism  15  and activator mechanism  16  are thus reset for a subsequent operation. Movement of the gun  12  into the safe  10  also compresses the spring  31 . The sear  61  now engages the latch  62  and locks the components into their gun retention configuration. 
       FIGS. 6, 7  illustrate another form of the shroud  11 , shroud  91 . The shroud  91  uses the same components described above for retaining and releasing the handgun as does the shroud  11 . The shroud  91  is shown in the shape of a holster, leaving the grip  30  exposed and other portions of the handgun  12  partially exposed. The shroud  91  can be constructed for mounting in a vehicle or the like as described above for the shroud  11 . The shroud  91  can also be provided with means for mounting it for carry on a belt or the like, as well known in the art. As shown, the shroud  91  has a plurality of connected walls including front and back walls  93 ,  95  and side walls  97 ,  98 . The shroud  91  includes a bottom wall  101  and top wall  103 . The wall  93  can be provided with a door  105  that can be selectively opened and closed, as on a hinge, and secured in a closed configuration as with a key lock  107 . The opening closed by the door  105  will provide access to the interior components, including a power source  79  as described above. The shroud  91  encloses a portion of the ejector mechanism  14 , the retainer mechanism  15 , and the activator mechanism  16  as described above. As shown, the ejector mechanism  14  has a portion extending through the wall  103  to engage the grip  30 , but could be positioned internally to engage a forward portion of the trigger guard  27  when it is retained in the shroud  91 . 
     The shroud  91  can be of molded construction using a polymer such as glass filled nylon. It can be molded in multiple pieces and joined together such as with snap lock connectors. The shroud  91  could also be molded in two major components, e.g., the wall  93  as part of one component and the wall  95  being part of another component; and these two major components being hingedly connected together and held together in a closed configuration by the lock  97 , thus eliminating the need for the door  105 . 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.