Firearm storage device

• US 8,074,477 B1
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christopher R. Weiche
• Original Assignee: Christopher R. Weiche
• Inventors: Weiche, Christopher R.
• Primary Examiner(s): GALL, LLOYD A
• Application Number:
  US12/156,177
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 70/63, 70/57, 70 58- 62, 70159-162, 109 50- 52, 206/317, 224/912, 224/913, 248/176.1, 248/311.3, 248551-553, 550/31, 565/8, 211/4, 211/7, 211/64, 42/700.1, 42/701.1
• US Class Current: 70/14
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/06 Containers for carrying smallarms, e.g. safety boxes, gun cases F41C33/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/40 Portable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5027 Supporting stands
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5553 Dead bolt

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a firearm storage device adapted to store at least one object, including but not limited to a firearm. A housing of the present invention attaches to a support arm located upon a lower support surface. The housing includes a mounting shell wall and a locking shell wall that pivots away from the mounting shell wall to allow access to the contents of the housing. Inside the housing, a support finger engages the interior of the barrel of a firearm to orient the firearm in a manner that provides a user with access to the grip of the firearm. The housing also locks to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the contents of the housing. The housing also releases from the support arm to allow a user to utilize the housing as a secure device to transport an object.

Claims

1. A firearm retention apparatus for storing a firearm having a barrel in an oriented direction for ease of access wherein the apparatus is supported by a lower support surface and an upper support surface, the apparatus comprising:

a support arm for placement between the lower support surface and the upper support surface;

a housing attached to said support arm, said housing configured to store at least one object wherein said housing extends horizontally away from said support arm, wherein said housing adjustably attaches to said support arm;

a support finger inside said housing, said support finger adapted to secure the object wherein the support finger extends in an upward direction from the housing;

a support arm retention finger of said support arm;

a first housing retention finger of said housing;

said first housing retention finger configured to engage said support arm retention finger to adjustably attach said housing to said support arm;

a second housing retention finger of said housing;

said second housing retention finger configured to engage said support arm retention finger to adjustably attach said housing to said support arm;

said second housing retention finger located either above or below said first housing retention finger, said first housing retention finger adjustably attaches said housing to said support arm at a different height relative to said support arm than said second housing retention finger.

2. A firearm retention apparatus for storing a firearm having a barrel in an oriented direction for ease of access wherein the apparatus is supported by a support surface, the apparatus comprising:

a support arm for positioning a housing adjacent the support surface;

the housing attaches to said support arm, said housing configured to store the firearm;

a mounting shell wall of said housing, said mounting shell wall including a major surface which attaches to said support arm to attach said housing to said support arm;

a locking shell wall of said housing, said locking shell wall adapted to engage said mounting shell wall, said locking shell wall pivotally attached to said mounting shell wall; and

a support finger inside said housing, said support finger extending in at least a substantially upward direction from the housing wherein the support finger is configured to pass into the barrel of the firearm to orient the firearm in said housing to direct the barrel of the firearm in a substantially downward direction, wherein said support finger is adjustably attached to said mounting shell wall and extends substantially parallel to said major surface to adjustably attach said support finger at one of at least two positions within said housing.

3. A firearm retention apparatus for storing a firearm having a barrel in an oriented direction for ease of access wherein the apparatus is supported by a support surface, the apparatus comprising:

a support arm for securing a housing near the support surface;

the housing attaches to said support arm, said housing stores the firearm;

a mounting shell wall of said housing, said mounting shell wall including a major surface which attaches to said support arm to attach said housing to said support arm;

a locking shell wall of said housing, said locking shell wall pivotally attached to said mounting shell wall, said locking shell wall pivots in relation to the mounting shell wall to open and close said housing;

a support finger configured to orient the firearm inside said housing, said support finger extending in at least a substantially upward direction from the housing wherein the support finger is configured to pass into the barrel of the firearm to orient the firearm in said housing in a substantially downward direction, said support finger attaches to said mounting shell wall and extends substantially parallel to said major surface to secure said support finger in a relatively fixed position during pivoting of the locking shell wall.