Patent Publication Number: US-9833069-B1

Title: Concealed valuable storage box

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of utility application Ser. No. 14/198,747 filed on Mar. 6, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,260,904, which claimed the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/791,016 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the specifications of which are both incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a valuable storage box that deceptively resembles a conventional light-switch plate, electrical receptacle or similar functional wall plate. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Because most people store valuables in a jewelry box that is concealed within a drawer or closet, burglars usually search such locations immediately. Once located, the jewelry box is easily emptied of its contents; even if a jewelry box contains a lock, it can be easily transported to another location and dismantled. Though safes and similar, larger vaults are not typically transportable, they are easy to locate and their locking systems can be compromised by sophisticated thieves. 
     Accordingly, there is currently a need for a device that more securely conceals valuables. The present invention addresses this need by providing a storage box that resembles an operable light switch, electrical receptacle or similar wall plate so as to be completely inconspicuous to a burglar. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a valuable storage box including a hollow housing embedded within a wall having a plurality of sidewalls and an open face in communication with an interior storage chamber. A cover plate securable over the open face includes at least one faux electrical component thereon, such as a simulated light switch or electrical receptacle. Accordingly, when valuables are placed within the storage chamber and the cover plate is fastened, the storage box deceptively resembles an operable wall-mounted electrical plate. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage box for valuables that is inconspicuously concealed behind a wall. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage box for valuables that deceptively resembles an operable light switch. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of the storage box according to the present invention installed within a wall, wherein the faceplate resembles an operable light switch. 
         FIG. 2  is a front, plan view of the storage box. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the storage box taken along A-A of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the storage box. 
         FIG. 5  is a front, plan view of the cover plate. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the cover plate taken along B-B of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front, plan view of an exemplary insert. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention relates to a valuable storage box comprising a hollow housing  1  having a plurality of sidewalls  2  and an open face  3  in communication with an interior storage chamber  35 . Surrounding the open face is a peripheral lip  6  having apertures  7  thereon that receive fasteners to secure the housing to a wall. The peripheral lip further includes a plurality of spaced cavities  9  that each receive a magnet  15  having a predetermined polarity. 
     The device also includes a cover plate  8  having a front surface, a rear surface, multiple peripheral edges  50  and at least one window  10 . Each peripheral edge includes spaced pockets  13  that each receive a magnet  14  having an opposite polarity than the predetermined polarity of the magnets on the housing rim. The pockets are spaced and positioned to align with a designated magnet on the housing when the cover plate is properly superimposed thereon. 
     Immediately above and below each window  10  is a bore  15  that receives a threaded fastener  40  to secure an interchangeable insert  16  to the cover plate that resembles a functioning electrical component on a conventional wall plate. For example, now referring to  FIG. 7 , the insert may resemble a conventional electrical receptacle  19  having a flange  18  extending from both an upper and lower end. Each flange includes an aperture  29  for aligning with the bore  15  on the cover plate when the insert is properly positioned on the rear surface. The faux functioning component of the insert seats within the window of the cover plate. For example, the receptacle may align with a circular window  17  on the cover plate as depicted in  FIG. 7 . If the insert resembles a rocker or toggle  60  switch, it seats within a rectangular window  22  as depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
     To install the storage box, a user first cuts a hole in a desired location on an interior wall  30 . The hole is dimensioned so that the peripheral lip on the housing engages the surrounding sheet rock to allow fasteners to be inserted through the apertures  7  and anchored to the wall. Alternatively, the hole may be formed adjacent to a stud so that the housing can be fastened thereto. Valuables are placed within the interior storage chamber and the insert is fastened to the rear surface of the cover plate, which is then superimposed on the open face. The oppositely polarized, aligned magnets cling to firmly secure the cover plate to the housing. To remove the valuables, the user simply pulls the cover plate away from the housing. Accordingly, when the valuables are stored and the cover plate is properly secured, the storage box deceptively resembles an operable light switch, electrical receptacle or other wall-mounted electrical component. 
     The above-described device is not limited to the exact details of construction and enumeration of parts provided herein. For example, though the cover plate insert depicted in the drawings resembles an electrical receptacle, it can also resemble a 1, 2, 3 or 4-gang light switch. In addition, the insert can also be configured to resemble a blank, a cable or satellite TV jack, a vent, a smoke detector, a thermostat, a clock, a picture, a door bell or any other similar wall-mounted item without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also, the various components could be pre-treated with a deodorizing material and the cover plate and insert could include a phosphorescent material to glow in the dark. Larger housings could be equipped with removable shelves to organize stored items. Furthermore, the magnetic fasteners could be replaced with hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps or similar mechanisms that easily secure the plate to the housing. Finally, the size, shape and materials of construction of the various components can be varied. 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.