Handgun mini-vault
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A firearm storage device comprising:
- a box assembly having a plurality of side walls and an opening to a hollow inner cavity sized to contain a firearm;
a door assembly sized and shaped to cover said opening, said door assembly hingedly connected to said box assembly for movement between an open position and a closed position, said open position allowing access to said hollow inner cavity and said closed position preventing access to said hollow inner cavity, said door assembly having a latch assembly for retaining said door assembly in said closed position;
a radio frequency identification device for presentation in proximity to said box assembly;
a release assembly positioned within said box, said release assembly including an interrogator for wireless communication with said radio frequency identification device, said interrogator in electrical communication with an electric motor, said electric motor including an output shaft secured to an offset arm to cause rotation thereof through a predetermined path, said offset arm, including a follower pin, said follower pin in mechanical engagement with a release lever, said release lever in mechanical engagement with said latch assembly to cause movement of a portion of said latch assembly to release said latch assembly in response to passing said radio frequency identification device in proximity to said interrogator without requiring physical contact with said box assembly or said door assembly, whereby said door assembly is moved from said closed position to said open position providing access to said hollow inner cavity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for firearm storage; and more particularly, a safe and secure handgun mini-vault apparatus for a loaded handgun that allows an authorized user rapid, unobstructed and effortless access to the handgun. The handgun mini-vault system of the present invention not only provides for relative ease of assembly and aesthetically appealing appearance, it also permits access to the handgun without the need to manually manipulate a locking device. The locking system of the present invention utilizes RFID technology to allow authorized users to open the mini-vault by simply waiving an RFID chip in proximity to the mini-vault interrogator.
100 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A firearm storage device comprising:
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a box assembly having a plurality of side walls and an opening to a hollow inner cavity sized to contain a firearm; a door assembly sized and shaped to cover said opening, said door assembly hingedly connected to said box assembly for movement between an open position and a closed position, said open position allowing access to said hollow inner cavity and said closed position preventing access to said hollow inner cavity, said door assembly having a latch assembly for retaining said door assembly in said closed position; a radio frequency identification device for presentation in proximity to said box assembly; a release assembly positioned within said box, said release assembly including an interrogator for wireless communication with said radio frequency identification device, said interrogator in electrical communication with an electric motor, said electric motor including an output shaft secured to an offset arm to cause rotation thereof through a predetermined path, said offset arm, including a follower pin, said follower pin in mechanical engagement with a release lever, said release lever in mechanical engagement with said latch assembly to cause movement of a portion of said latch assembly to release said latch assembly in response to passing said radio frequency identification device in proximity to said interrogator without requiring physical contact with said box assembly or said door assembly, whereby said door assembly is moved from said closed position to said open position providing access to said hollow inner cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A firearm storage device comprising:
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a box assembly having a plurality of side walls and an opening to a hollow inner cavity sized to contain a firearm; a door assembly sized and shaped to cover said opening, said door assembly hingedly connected to said box assembly for movement between an open position and a closed position, said open position allowing access to said hollow inner cavity and said closed position preventing access to said hollow inner cavity, said door assembly having a latch assembly for retaining said door assembly in said closed position, said latch assembly including a frame member, said frame member providing a mounting structure for the components of said latch assembly that is easily secured to an inner surface of said door assembly, said latch assembly includes a cam member for moving at least one lock pin from a locked position to an unlocked position, said cam member rotatably secured to said frame member, said cam member including at least one cam slot, said at least one lock pin having a first end in cooperation with said at least one cam slot, whereby rotation of said cam produces linear movement of said at least one lock pin, said cam member includes a reset slot, said reset slot constructed and arranged to cooperate with a reset pin to retain said at least one lock pin in an unlocked position until said at least one lock pin passes a catch plate secured to said box assembly, whereby said at least one lock pin is released to said locked position securing said door assembly; a radio frequency identification device for presentation in proximity to said box assembly; a release assembly positioned within said box, said release assembly including an interrogator for wireless communication with said radio frequency identification device, said interrogator in electrical communication with an electric motor, said electric motor mechanically connected to said latch assembly to cause movement of a portion of said latch assembly to release said latch assembly in response to passing said radio frequency identification device in proximity to said interrogator without requiring physical contact with said box assembly or said door assembly, whereby said door assembly is moved from said closed position to said open position providing access to said hollow inner cavity. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification