Patent ID: 12196531

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention may be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

Descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted to enhance clarity and conciseness. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present 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. does not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denotes the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The use of the terms “first”, “second”, and the like does not imply any particular order, but they are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. does not denote any order of importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. 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.

Although some features may be described with respect to individual exemplary embodiments, aspects need not be limited thereto such that features from one or more exemplary embodiments may be combinable with other features from one or more exemplary embodiments.

Unless otherwise indicated, all dimensions shown in the attached drawings are exemplary only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to those specific dimensions.

FIG.1shows a front perspective view andFIG.2shows a rear perspective view of a cabinet100, such as a bookshelf, in accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention. Cabinet100includes a bottom wall defining cabinet floor102extending from a front edge102(a) facing the interior of the space that is to be protected, to a back edge102(b) facing the point of ingress/egress of the space, such as a door, a window, or such other opening as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Cabinet100likewise includes a cabinet top wall104and cabinet side walls106. A plurality of preferably variably positionable shelves108may be provided and may rest on moveable pins positioned on the interior of cabinet side walls106in a traditional shelf-mounting configuration, such as when cabinet100is to serve as a bookcase. In certain configurations, shelves108may be attached to the interior of cabinet100via welding. In other configurations, shelves108may be slid into place and held on a shelf support, such as a peg extending outward from the interior side of each side wall106. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the decorative or aesthetic aspects of the cabinet100may readily be modified to fit a particular environment, such as by providing decorative or ornate shelving and/or doors for use of cabinet100in private homes, or for use as (by way of non-limiting example) cubbies in elementary classrooms, or such other cabinet or large furniture item needs as will occur to those skilled in the art.

Cabinet100also includes an intermediate wall (shown generally at110) having a front side110(a) facing shelves108and serving as a back wall for those shelves108, and having a back side110(b) facing the point of ingress/egress of that space. Intermediate wall110extends upward from a position between front edge102(a) and back edge102(b) of cabinet floor102, such that the back side110(b) of intermediate wall110is inset from back edge102(b). This configuration defines an open, generally rectangular space defined by back side110(b) of intermediate wall110, side walls106on either side, cabinet floor102on the bottom, and cabinet top104at the top. That open space allows cabinet100to be positioned directly in front of a door or other structure that may include a handle (with the handle extending into such open space defined on the back side of the cabinet), thus still allowing the rear perimeter of cabinet100to sit flush against the wall, and more particularly with side walls106positioned outside of a frame (e.g., a door frame) of the point of ingress/egress, and with top wall104positioned above the frame, thus exposing only the interior of open space on the back side of the cabinet to the point of ingress/egress, and thus to any potential assailant. Such configuration may be helpful in preventing a would-be shooter or assailant from either shooting through any gap that might otherwise result between the wall of the cabinet, or from using breaching mechanisms (e.g., crowbars or the like) to pry the cabinet away from the door opening. Preferably and as discussed in greater detail below, the back side110(b) of intermediate wall110includes a reflective surface, such as a mirrored surface, a reflective paint, a message or image configured to dissuade violence, or the like, as discussed in greater detail below.

Next and with reference toFIGS.3-8, intermediate wall110of cabinet100includes a hardened panel frame (shown generally at200) that extends around the interior perimeter of cabinet100, which in accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention and as discussed in further detail below is configured to hold a sheet of hardened, protective material, such as ballistic material that is capable of stopping weapons fire. In an exemplary embodiment, such hardened, protective material may comprise fiberglass, although other ballistic or bullet-proofing materials may likewise be used, such as KEVLAR or similarly configured materials. Hardened panel frame200includes a hardened panel top frame member202(shown inFIGS.3and4and removed inFIGS.5and6) that is affixed to the underside of cabinet top104, hardened panel side frame members204that are each affixed to the interior face of cabinet side walls106, and hardened panel bottom frame member206affixed to the top face of cabinet floor102. Hardened panel frame200creates a first gap (shown general at220inFIGS.7and8) between such hardened panel frame200and the back face of intermediate wall110. The back face of intermediate wall110is formed by a back cabinet panel113having a first back cabinet panel face113(a) extending across nearly the entire width of cabinet100, and side back panel faces113(b) extending from first panel face113(a) towards the back edge of the cabinet100. With this configuration, a sheet of hardened protective material300may be inserted into gap220between hardened panel frame200and first back cabinet panel face113(a). Similarly, side back panel faces113(b) form a gap (shown generally at222) between side back panel faces113(b) and the interior face of cabinet side wall106, which gap222may likewise receive a sheet of hardened protective material300.

In accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment, and with particular reference toFIG.6, sheets of protective material300may be inserted, accessed (e.g., for servicing), and removed from cabinet100through removal of cabinet top104from the rest of cabinet100, thus allowing access to the gaps220and222. Further, the portion of protective material300that faces the front of cabinet100may itself optionally be covered with a sheet of cover material310, such as sheet metal, decorative fabric, or any other material, or may itself be painted to match the appearance of the front portion of cabinet100.

As best viewed inFIG.3, a bottom panel103is optionally provided at the bottom exterior of cabinet100, and forms an open space between the flat, planar portion of bottom panel103and the flat, planar portion of cabinet floor102. Wheel assemblies (not shown), such as omni-directional wheels or casters, the construction of which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and thus are not further detailed here, are mounted within the open space between bottom panel103and cabinet floor102. Bottom panel103preferably includes corner cutouts103(a) that allow such wheels to engage the floor while still allowing the bottom-most edge of cabinet100to remain immediately adjacent to the floor. While it is important that protective cabinet100be movable from a first position in which it is usable as a furniture item, such as a bookcase, to a protective position blocking a point of ingress/egress, those skilled in the art will recognize that other mechanisms for rendering cabinet100moveable from place to place, such as by way of non-limiting example a rail system, may similarly be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Next, and with reference toFIGS.9and10, cabinet100preferably includes a locking mechanism for locking the cabinet100in a fixed position to block the point of ingress or egress into the space that is to be protected. In accordance with an exemplary configuration, such a locking mechanism may include latch arms400that are affixed to and extend horizontally outward from each side wall106of cabinet100. A latch500that is configured to removably receive latch arm400may likewise be affixed to a wall surface immediately adjacent the ingress/egress point of the room that is to be blocked with cabinet100. For example, if it is intended to use cabinet100to block a door entrance410into a room, latches500may be provided on opposite sides of the vertical portions of the door jamb412. Such latches are configured to hold cabinet100in place blocking the ingress/egress point, and are positioned outside of the perimeter of the door jamb412so that the structure holding the cabinet100in place is not dependent upon the strength of the door jamb412or other frame of the ingress/egress point. While latch500as shown inFIG.5is in the form of a simple latch as may be found on a gate, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other temporary latching assemblies may likewise be implemented to removably hold latch arms400without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, latch500may comprise an electronic or magnetic latch that may optionally be remotely operated from outside of the room in which cabinet100is located in order to allow an authorized person outside of the room (e.g., other school personnel, first responders, etc.) to gain access if necessary.

In another exemplary configuration and with particular reference toFIGS.11and12, a handle600may be rigidly affixed to each side wall106of cabinet100, which handle may both aid a user in moving cabinet100from place to place, and may serve as the locking arm that engages latch500. More particularly, handle600may include horizontal arms602that extend horizontally outward from a plate604that is affixed to each side wall106of cabinet100. A vertical arm606extends between horizontal arms602and serves as a grip to aid in manipulating cabinet100into the desired position. The upper horizontal arm602is positioned to align with latch500such that as the top horizontal arm602is pushed into latch500, it automatically engages and becomes locked into latch500until latch500is intentionally opened. Such placement and ease of operation will aid in rapid placement of cabinet100over the point of ingress/egress that is to be protected, even in a high stress situation. In accordance with certain aspects of an embodiment of the invention, plate604is affixed to side wall106via fasteners (not shown) at connection points605, such as by way of example via bolts or screws, that extend through plate604and into side wall106at a location that is forward of intermediate wall110(shown in phantom inFIGS.11and12). As a result, access to the mounting assembly for handle600may be protected even from gun fire from an assailant on the opposite side of protective cabinet100by hardened barrier material300positioned within intermediate wall110.

With continued reference toFIGS.11and12, latch500may also include a rounded outer shell and a low profile extending outward from the wall on which latch500is mounted. Such rounded configuration of the outer shell, and the generally small profile, help to ensure the safety of individuals inside of the room that might accidentally fall into or rub against the latch500during everyday movement around the room.

With particular reference toFIG.12, latch500may include an actuator (shown generally at510) that extends through the wall to which latch500is attached, thus allowing operation by a person outside of the room. More particularly, latch500may be attached to an actuator rod512that extends through the wall to which latch500is attached and out through the opposite side of the wall, where it attaches to an actuator handle514that may be accessed on that exterior side of the wall. Optionally, actuator handle514may be disguised or hidden, or require controlled (e.g., keyed) access, to ensure that only authorized persons are able to access actuator handle514and thus unlatch cabinet100from its locked position blocking the point of ingress/egress that is to be protected.

As noted above, the rear-facing side of intermediate wall110preferably includes a psychological deterrent facing outward from the back side of the protective cabinet, which psychological deterrent is configured to at least temporarily deter an assailant from attempting to attack through the protective cabinet. In an exemplary configuration, such psychological deterrent may comprise a reflective surface, such as a mirrored surface, a reflective paint, or the like. Thus, when cabinet100is positioned to block an ingress/egress point into a room, the reflective surface faces such ingress/egress point. In that position, the reflective surface on rear-facing side of intermediate wall110provides a psychological deterrent to an assailant that is attempting to enter a room. More particularly, as an assailant arrives at the ingress/egress point of the room, such as a doorway, they are forced to see themselves in real time. It is believed that when faced with their own reflection, an assailant will typically at least temporarily pause in a moment of reflection. Such a delay in action on the part of the assailant may provide first responders additional time to engage the assailant. To provide such a psychological deterrent, the reflective surface may be configured in a variety of ways, including by way of non-limiting example by providing a mirror attached to the rear-facing side, forming the rear-facing side of mirror material, providing a reflective glass on the rear-facing side, painting the rear-facing side with a high gloss paint, forming the rear-facing side of high gloss steel, or any other manner as will occur to those skilled in the art for creating a reflection of someone standing adjacent to the rear-facing side of intermediate wall110. Additionally or even in place of a reflective surface, the rear-facing side of intermediate wall110may include messaging, such as statements, posters, signs or the like that include positive messages that a would-be assailant will view when standing adjacent to the rear-facing side of intermediate wall110.

Next,FIG.13provides a front perspective view, andFIG.14an exploded view, of protective cabinet100in accordance with still further aspects of an embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIGS.13and14, the locking mechanism may comprise a bracket700that may be affixed to the wall adjacent to the ingress/egress opening that is to be blocked by protective cabinet100, with a latch assembly (shown generally at750) rigidly mounted to side wall106of cabinet100. Bracket700includes a locking bar702that engages latch lock752on latch assembly750, such that when latch bar702is pushed into latch lock752, latch bar702becomes locked inside of latch lock752until a release bar754is manually engaged to mechanically release latch lock752. Preferably and with particular reference toFIGS.15and16, a key-actuated release bar actuator758is positioned to engage release bar754when a key is inserted into key lock assembly760and turned, thus providing an additional means of releasing locking bar702from latch lock752. The key hole of key lock assembly760may be mounted on the interior of side back panel face113(b) to enable keyed access to authorized persons. Thus when an authorized person uses such a key to turn key-actuated release bar actuator758, release bar actuator758engages release bar754, in turn causing release bar754to mechanically release latch lock752.

The internal assemblies of such latch lock assemblies are well known to those skilled in the art, and thus are not further detailed here. However, the position of latch lock752on mounting bracket756, and its position with respect to key lock assembly760, provide additional important security features. More particularly and with reference toFIG.17, mounting bracket756is first mounted to side wall106of protective cabinet100at a position that is forward of intermediate wall110, which as discussed above further protects the mounting assembly of latch assembly750from being accessed or damaged, even by gun fire, by an assailant on the opposite side of protective cabinet100. Further, mounting bracket756includes mounting blocks757(FIGS.15and16) that in a preferred configuration are formed of a rigid material, such as steel, that are welded to and thus permanently affixed to mounting bracket756. Mounting blocks757not only serve to mount latch lock752, but likewise are positioned between the internal locking mechanism of latch lock752and multiple layers of protection—namely, mounting bracket756itself, side wall106, and any layer of protective material300that is positioned between side wall106and side back panel face113(b) of back cabinet panel113—to further protect the internal locking mechanism of latch lock752from damage or disablement from an assailant on the opposite side of protective cabinet100. Even further, to any extent that key lock assembly760might provide a potential point of weakness (e.g., if an assailant were to fire their weapon directly into key lock assembly760), as it is out of alignment with the entirety of latch assembly750(including bracket756), the structural integrity of the latch assembly will be maintained. Thus, even complete destruction of such key lock assembly will not enable an intruder to overcome the lock assembly to move protective cabinet away from the point of ingress/egress.

Optionally in exemplary configurations and with particular reference to the close-up view of bracket700ofFIG.18, locking bar702may be mounted to flanges703that extend outward from the face of bracket700and hold locking bar702at opposite ends of locking bar702. Flanges703are thus positioned with respect to locking bar702to further aid in protecting locking bar702against ballistic attack, such as from the sides of bracket700.

Optionally in exemplary configurations and with particular reference toFIG.19, similarly configured brackets having at least a similarly configured locking bar702(and optionally flanges703) may be attached to a fixed structure, such as a classroom wall, away from the point of ingress/egress and simply to provide an anti-tipping safety device when cabinet100is used in such room as a furniture item, such as a bookcase. In those positions, bracket700may have a smaller profile than when used for anchoring cabinet100next to a point of egress.

Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein.