Portable weapon safe with mounting module and access controller providing rapid access to a weapon

• US 8,186,188 B1
• Filed: 01/14/2011
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dennis Brown
• Original Assignee: Dennis Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sosnowski, David E
• Application Number:
  US13/006,756
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 70/63, 70 85- 88, 109/45, 109/47, 206/514, 220/23.89, 220/23.87, 220/810, 42/700.8, 42/700.1, 42/701.1, 224/911, 224/912, 224/913, 312/311, 312/215, 312/222, 312/319.2, 312/327, 312/328, 211/4, 211/64, 248/551
• US Class Current: 70/63
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/005 Portable strong boxes, e.g. which may be fixed to a wall or the like E05G1/08, E05G1/14 take precedence; devices to prevent theft or loss of bags, trunks, baskets, or the like A45C13/18; coin boxes for coin freed apparatus G07F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/06 Containers for carrying smallarms, e.g. safety boxes, gun cases F41C33/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5128 Drawer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5133 Dead bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5137 Till
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5142 Combination

Abstract

A system for securely storing a weapon. The system includes a tray for containing a weapon. The tray has an opening for accessing a weapon. The system also includes a portable safe having an interior space sized and shaped for retaining the tray and the contained weapon. In addition, the system includes a mounting module attachable to a fixed surface. The mounting module includes an interior space for holding the portable safe and an access control system for locking the portable safe within the interior space of the mounting module. The access control system allows access by an authorized user and denies access of the weapon within the portable safe to an unauthorized user. The weapon is contained in the tray, the tray is retained in the portable safe and the portable safe is held in the interior space of the mounting module.

Claims

1. A system for securely storing a weapon, the system comprising:

a tray for containing the weapon, the tray having an opening for accessing the weapon;

a portable safe having an interior space sized and shaped for retaining the tray and the contained weapon, wherein the portable safe includes a door for accessing the interior space; and

a mounting module having means for affixing the mounting module to a fixed surface, the mounting module having;

an interior space for holding the portable safe; and

an access control system for locking the portable safe within the interior space of the mounting module, the access control system having means for allowing access by an authorized user and denying access of the weapon within the portable safe to an unauthorized user;

wherein the access control system is a control mechanism for locking and opening the door of the portable safe;

wherein the weapon is contained in the tray, the tray is retained in the portable safe and the portable safe is locked in the interior space of the mounting module with the door of the portable safe being exposed outside of the mounting module;

whereby the authorized user accesses the access control system to open the door of the portable safe and access the weapon in the tray.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the portable safe is an enclosure and the door is spring-loaded to an open position.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the portable safe may be removed from the mounting module and transported to another location while securely retaining the weapon.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein the door includes a key lock for manually locking the door to a closed position, thereby preventing access to the retained weapon.

5. The system according to claim 2 wherein:

the portable safe includes a locking rod for securing the door in a closed configuration, the locking rod being coupled to the access control system; and

means for opening the door automatically upon moving the locking rod.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the tray includes means for automatically extending outside the portable safe when the door is opened.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the system includes a light for illuminating an area near the system, when the tray extends outside the portable safe.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the tray includes a covered portion to guard a trigger of the retained weapon, thereby preventing inadvertent handling of the trigger of the weapon when removing the weapon from the tray.

9. The system according to claim 1 wherein the access control system includes an electronic controller.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein the electronic controller includes a biometric system for identifying a specified person, the biometric system providing access to the portable safe upon positively identifying the specified person accessing the access control system.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein the tray includes an insert for retaining the weapon in the tray.

12. The system according to claim 1 wherein the access control system includes a remote wireless unit communicating with the access control system, the remote wireless unit having means for authenticating an authorized user and means for communicating with the access control system upon authenticating the authorized user.

13. The system according to claim 12 wherein the wireless unit is a mobile phone having an application for authenticating the authenticated user.

14. The system according to claim 1 wherein the tray is adjustable for accommodating both right-handed and left-handed authorized users.

15. The system according to claim 1 wherein the access control system includes a mechanical controller.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the mechanical controller includes a push button array and control knob coupled to the locking rod, whereby the user selects a specified code on the push button array and moves the control knob to move the locking rod.