Securing system and method

• US 7,730,750 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2007
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hugh Victor
• Original Assignee: Hugh Victor
• Inventors: Victor, Hugh
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo; Peter M
• Assistant Examiner(s): FULTON, KRISTINA ROSE
• Application Number:
  US11/860,781
• Publication Number:
  US 20080245117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 70/58, 70/700.7, 224/912, 224/913, 206/317, 211/64
• US Class Current: 70/58
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 45/06 Electric alarm locks E05B45/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/02 Key-operated safeties F41A17/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/063 comprising a transponder
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/066 having means for recognizing biometric parameters, e.g. voice control, finger print or palm print control
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 17/54 Protecting-caps for trigger guards; Trigger locking pieces mounted on, or within, the trigger guard
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/50 Special application
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

A securing system and method including an article holder portion having at least two separable portions; a mount portion adapted for carrying at least one of the separable portions of the holder portion; and optionally at least one sensor for monitoring the article and providing an output signal indicative of article tampering.

Claims

1. An article securing device comprising:

a lock that includes a male portion with a projection and a female portion for receiving the male portion;

a mount portion independent of the lock that is attached with mounting hardware to a support structure and includes a wall structure that mounts to the support structure and defines a cavity for removably receiving the male portion or the female portion of the lock;

a removable holder portion that carries the male or the female portion of the lock, separable from the mount portion, and being securingly engaged to the mount portion for assisting in holding an article;

a sensor for monitoring the position of the removable holder portion with respect to the mount portion, and transmitting a signal if the removable holder portion and the mount portion become separated; and

a retainer member cover associated with at least one of the holder portion or the mount portion, and having an opening therethrough, the retainer member cover being configured for covering and enclosing the cavity of the mount portion, concealing the mounting hardware, and capturing and enclosing the male portion or the female portion of the lock that is received in the cavity beneath the retainer member cover;

wherein the projection of the male portion of the lock penetrates through the opening of the retainer member cover, and the male portion and the female portion of the lock are disposed on opposite sides of the retainer member cover and the article when securing the article, and wherein the male portion and the female portion of the lock is removable from the mount portion and, upon removal, functions to lock the article.

2. The article securing device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a wireless sensor that transmits a radiofrequency signal if the removable holder portion and the mount portion become separated.

5. The article securing device of claim 2, wherein the sensor is embedded within a component opposite the male portion.

6. The article securing device of claim 2, wherein the sensor is embedded entirely or at least partially within the female portion of the lock.

7. The article securing device of claim 2, wherein the sensor functions as a signal actuator when actuated by the male portion of the lock being inserted into the female portion of the lock.

8. The article securing device of claim 5, wherein the sensor is embedded entirely or at least partially within the female portion of the lock.

9. The article securing device of claim 5, wherein the sensor functions as a signal actuator when actuated by the male portion of the lock being inserted into the female portion of the lock.

3. A method for securing a gun with a trigger, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a gun lock device that includes a male portion and a female portion;

b) locating the male portion of the gun lock device in a position on a gun for blocking depression of a trigger of the gun and

c) lockingly engaging the male portion with the female portion;

d) mounting a securing device, independent of the gun lock device, the securing device having a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the gun lock device, to a support structure with at least one fastener that penetrates a wall structure defining the cavity;

e) locating at least one of the male portion or the female portion of the gun lock device within the cavity of the securing device;

f) securing the gun lock device with the gun thereon to the securing device;

g) monitoring the location of the gun lock device relative to the securing device with a sensor; and

h) transmitting a signal if the gun lock device becomes separated from the securing device

i) covering and enclosing the cavity of the securing device with a cover, thereby concealing any fastener employed for mounting to the support structure, the male portion of the gun lock device blocks depression of the trigger of the gun and penetrates through an opening of the cover, the male portion and the female portion of the lock device are disposed on opposite sides of the cover and the gun when securing the gun, and wherein the male portion and the female portion of the lock device is removable from the securing device and, upon removal, functions to lock the gun.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sensor is a wireless sensor that transmits a radiofrequency signal.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein the sensor is embedded within a component opposite the male portion.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein the sensor is embedded entirely or at least partially within the female portion of the lock.

12. The method of claim 4, wherein the sensor functions as a signal actuator when actuated by the male portion of the lock being inserted into the female portion of the lock.

13. The method of claim 3, wherein the sensor is embedded within a component opposite the male portion.

14. The method of claim 3, wherein the sensor is embedded entirely or at least partially within the female portion of the lock.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein the sensor functions as a signal actuator when actuated by the male portion of the lock being inserted into the female portion of the lock.