Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to vehicle safes and more particularly to a gun safe that is portable and can be flexibly mounted in a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Recent and ongoing changes to concealed carry laws have created situations where persons carrying a firearm are not able to bring it with them when visiting certain establishments, for example, schools and restaurants. In this situation, they must be able to leave the firearm in a vehicle while safely secured. In addition, firearm owners occasionally travel from their home to another location via an airplane. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented rules for transporting firearms in luggage that require unloaded firearms to be placed in a locked, hard-sided container as checked baggage. Certain types of ammunition may be carried in the same hard-sided case as the firearm as long as the ammunition is securely packed in containers designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. 
     Current methods of locking firearms in a vehicle are limited to devices that severely restrict accessibility of the locked firearm in the transportation vehicle. They are bulky and can only be mounted in certain vehicles that have a large enough space to both mount the safe and open the door to access the contents, which is typically not concealed unless it is placed in the trunk. Installing a gun safe that is visible to someone outside the vehicle provides an incentive to break into the vehicle. Unfortunately, it is seldom possible to install existing gun safes in a concealed location, for example, under a seat, because the doors open in a way that makes such an installation impossible. Due to size and accessibility issues, prior art gun safes also cannot be mounted in a concealed way unless they are in a trunk of a vehicle. However, leaving a vehicle to lock a firearm up in a trunk can potentially reveal to anyone who may be watching that a firearm will be left in an untended vehicle, increasing chances for theft. 
     Thus, a need exists for a vehicle safe that can be flexibly mounted in a concealed location within the passenger area of a wide variety of vehicles. There is a further need for a vehicle safe that can be concealed under a seat or in a console of a vehicle while still providing convenient and discrete access to the contents of the safe without revealing the presence of the firearm to persons outside the vehicle. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention in one implementation encompasses a vehicle safe that can be mounted in the passenger compartment of a vehicle in any orientation while still providing convenient access to the contents of the safe. A generally rectangular body of the safe features a door that is mounted at an angle so that the safe can be mounted both vertically and horizontally. In particular, the vehicle safe can be mounted in a concealed location, for example, under a seat or in a console or glove box of a vehicle while still allowing easy and discreet access from inside the vehicle. Although the invention is shown and described in connection with storing a firearm, the vehicle safe can be used to store any desired item or items. 
     In an embodiment, the invention is a a portable vehicle safe having a rectangular body having a length and width substantially greater than its height, a first surface of said body and a second surface of said body opposite each other and having the same width and different lengths, the second surface length greater than the first surface length, said body having one or more mounting holes; a door having a first edge hinged to said rectangular body along a width of the second surface and a second edge contacting a width of the first surface wherein said door, when in a closed position, forms and angle with the second surface of between 25° and 75°; locking mechanism for securing the door to the rectangular body; and a mounting mechanism for flexibly and securely attaching the main body to an integral part of a vehicle. 
     In another embodiment, the invention is a portable vehicle safe for securely storing a firearm having a rectangular body having a length and width substantially greater than its height, a first surface of said body and a second surface of said body opposite each other and having the same width and different lengths, the second surface length greater than the first surface length, said body having one or more mounting holes; a door having a first edge hinged to said rectangular body along a width of the second surface and a second edge contacting a width of the first surface wherein said door, when in a closed position, forms and angle with the second surface of between 25° and 75°; locking mechanism for securing the door to the rectangular body; and flexible steel cable securely attaching the main body to an integral part of a vehicle in a concealed location within the passenger compartment, said flexible steel cable passing through a hole in said body and ending in a quick-release cable connection. 
     In a further embodiment, the invention is a method for easily installing a portable safe in a vehicle, said method having the steps of installing the portable safe in a concealed location within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, said portable safe further having a rectangular body having a length and width substantially greater than its height, a first surface of said body and a second surface of said body opposite each other and having the same width and different lengths, the second surface length greater than the first surface length, said body having one or more mounting holes; a door having a first edge hinged to said rectangular body along a width of the second surface and a second edge contacting a width of the first surface wherein said door, when in a closed position, forms and angle with the second surface of between 25° and 75°; and locking mechanism for securing the door to the rectangular body; said method having additional steps of installing one end of a tamper-proof cable around an integral portion of said vehicle in the proximity of the safe and inserting the other end of the tamper-proof cable through one or more mounting holes in the safe and securing it with a quick-release cable connection. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features of example implementations of the invention will become apparent from the description, the claims, and the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  depicts a perspective view of a vehicle safe with closed door. 
         FIG. 1B  depicts the vehicle safe of  FIG. 1A  with an open door. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the vehicle safe of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a top and front view of the vehicle safe of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 4A  depicts the vehicle safe of  FIG. 1A  installed under the seat of a vehicle with the door closed. 
         FIG. 4B  depicts the vehicle safe of  FIG. 1A  installed under the seat of a vehicle with the door open. 
         FIG. 5  depicts the vehicle safe of  FIG. 1A  with the door open installed in a console of a vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This invention relates to vehicle safes in general and an apparatus for safely securing a firearm in particular. With the increasing enactment of concealed carry laws, there is a need for secure storage of a firearm in a vehicle when the firearm owner is visiting a facility that does not allow firearms, for example, a school or restaurant. Current vehicle safes are large and bulky and can only be mounted in a few exposed areas in vehicles that are large enough to accommodate them, or in a trunk of a vehicle. In particular, current vehicle safes cannot be mounted in a concealed location in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, for example, under the seat or in a console or glove box. A vehicle safe in the trunk is not considered a concealed location since the firearm is visible when the owner exits the vehicle to place the firearm in the safe. 
     Another need for secure firearm storage has to do with airplanes. New laws regarding the Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDO) program allow pilots and other cockpit personnel to carry firearms on an airplane. However, these regulations only allow the pilots to carry a firearm on the plane itself, not in the airport. Thus, FFDOs need a way to either secure a firearm in the cockpit when they are away from the plane, or to transport it through the airport when traveling to and from the plane. Due to FAA laws, there is a further need for a safe that can be attached in a cockpit securely, but in a non-permanent way. 
     The inventive vehicle safe can be universally mounted in many different locations in a wide variety of vehicles. The angled door of the vehicle safe allows both vertical and horizontal mounting, as well as any other orientation, while maintaining convenient access to the contents of the safe. 
     If used and unless otherwise stated, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “over,” “under,” and similar such terms are not to be construed as limiting the invention to a particular orientation. Instead, these terms are used only on a relative basis. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1A , a vehicle safe  100  in one embodiment has a body  102  and a door  104 . Body  102  is rectangular in shape, having a length and width that are substantially greater than the height of the body. The length of upper surface  106  is somewhat shorter than that of lower surface  108 . Thus, when closed, door  104  is at an angle. In an embodiment, the angle between door  104  and lower surface  108  is between 25° and 75°. This allows for a truly universal installation and provides convenient access to the contents of safe  100  whether it is mounted vertically, horizontally or in any other orientation. Door  104  is flush mounted and recessed inside body  102  to minimize tampering. Further security is provided by multi-point latch  112  described in more detail in connection with  FIG. 2 . 
     In an embodiment, safe  100  has a width of approximately 5.5 to 7.5 inches, an upper surface length of approximately 5.5 to 7.5 inches, a lower surface length of approximately 7 to 9 inches and a height of approximately 1.5 to 3.5 inches. Although dimensions within approximately 1″-2″ of these dimensions provide the most universality, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other dimensions could be used depending on the desired installation and end use of safe  100 . 
       FIG. 1B  depicts safe  100  of  FIG. 1A  with door  104  in an open position. In  FIG. 1B , hinge  110  is shown attaching door  104  to body  102 . In an embodiment, hinge  110  is spring loaded to ease opening the safe when used in a tight location. A lining material  114 , for example, auto/marine grade polyester carpet or closed cell foam, is provided inside vehicle safe  100  to protect items stored inside. 
     A side view of safe  100  is shown in  FIG. 2 . Door  104  is attached to lower surface  108  by hinge  110 . Door  104  is flush mounted inside body  102  and includes an extended edge  120  extending perpendicularly from the entire length of the edge of door  104  opposite hinge  110 . Upper surface  106  includes a receiving pocket  122  integrally formed from upper surface  106  and extending into body  102 . Pocket  122  receives extended edge  120  to provide multi-point latching. Locking mechanism  112  includes face  124  on the outside of door  104  for receiving a key. Inside safe  102 , locking mechanism  112  extends inward from face  124  and attaches to locking arm  128 . Turning a key in face  124  results in turning locking arm  128  so that it engages with slots  126  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) in extended edge  120  and both sides of receiving pocket  122  resulting in multiple securing points. 
     Although locking mechanism  112  has been shown in an embodiment using a key, a biometric, keypad of any other type of lock could be used. 
     A top and front view of vehicle safe  100  is shown in  FIG. 3 . In an embodiment, the corners of door  104  and lengthwise edges of body  102  are rounded with up to a 0.5″ radius. 
       FIG. 4A  depicts a safe  100  installed under the seat  140  of a vehicle. Safe  100  has one or more integrated mounting holes and optional mounting brackets (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, safe  100  is installed using hook and loop tape, for example, Velcro®. Angled door  104  provides convenient access to the contents of safe  100  as shown in  FIG. 4B , which depicts safe  100  of  FIG. 4A  with door  104  in the open position. The use of an angled door  104  instead of a door that is perpendicular to the sides of safe  100  allows a person sitting in seat  140  to conveniently and discreetly access safe  100  while still in the vehicle. 
     In an alternative embodiment,  FIG. 5  shows vehicle safe  100  installed in a console of a vehicle. Similarly to the under seat installation of  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the use of an angled door allows convenient access to the contents of safe  100 . In any of the installations of  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  5 , safe  100  has integrated mounting holes  142  (shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ). Although shown in one side of safe  100 , mounting holes can be located in any location of body  102  to allow for flexible installation in a vehicle. Safe  100  can be secured with a variety of suitable fastening devices, for example, brackets, either alone or in combination with a tamper proof steel cable. If used, a steel cable would attach to vehicle seat frame or any other permanent fixture of the vehicle, pass through one or more of the mounting holes in the safe then end with a quick release cable connection. The use of a steel cable allows easy installation of vehicle safe by a firearm owner without requiring professional installation. In addition, use of a steel cable with a quick-release cable connection allows the firearm owner to easily remove safe  100  from the vehicle and use it to securely transport the contents to a home or another mode of transportation, for example, an airplane. 
     Vehicle safe  100  can be provided with a handle (not shown) for convenient transportation when the safe is removed from a vehicle. As an alternative, case made of, for example, neoprene, is used hold and carry safe  100  when it is been used outside of a vehicle. 
     Numerous alternative implementations of the present invention exist. For example, the dimensions provided above are just an example of a particular embodiment. The specific measurements used for the vehicle safe could be varied according to various factors as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The lining inside the box could be molded to fit a specific firearm. A variety of handles and carry case options could be used, as well as various high security locking devices. 
     The safe  100  in one example comprises any (e.g., horizontal, oblique, or vertical) orientation, with the description and figures herein illustrating one example orientation of the safe  100 , for explanatory purposes. 
     Although example implementations of the invention have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Technology Category: 4