Patent Grant
11547209
The present invention relates generally to the field of systems for safely storing guns, ammunition and related articles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a firearm storage unit that is integrated into the design of a headboard or cabinet for a bed, sofa or other unit of furniture that allows the user to conceal multiple firearms inside the unit, along with ammunition, magazines, and other items. The system of the present invention comprises an electronic lift that is controlled by a key fob or mobile app, and that is capable of raising a front panel or other surface of the headboard or other unit to reveal the items stored inside. The system further includes customizable and configurable shelves, drawers, and foam inserts for compartmentalization of the hidden items. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like systems, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, many people desire to keep a firearm or other weapon in the home to be able to protect themselves, others in the home, and their respective property. About one-third of U.S. homes with children contain at least one firearm, which may lead to serious injury or even death if a child or other unauthorized individual gets access to an unlocked and/or loaded firearm. Therefore, such firearms and other weapons need to be safely stored within the home, out of the reach of children, but remain readily accessible to the firearm owner in time of need.
Currently, most gun owners store their firearms in a heavy gun safe, which can be an eyesore and take up otherwise valuable space within the home. Further, when the owners of a gun safe move, they oftentimes do not take the safe with them as it is too heavy and/or expensive to move. In addition, many individuals prefer to have their firearm close to them at night for self-defense purposes. Having to access a gun safe in the dark in a different area of the house is inconvenient, time consuming, and potentially dangerous. Therefore, it has been historically difficult to effectively secure and conceal firearms and other weapons in a home, while still maintaining relatively easy access to the same by the firearm owner in time of need.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved system for securely storing firearms and other weapons in the home. There is also a long felt need in the art for a secure firearm hiding place that enables a user to store the firearms in a non-descript manner that is not in plain sight, and that blends normally with other furniture in the home. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a firearm storage system that prevents the theft or other unauthorized access of the firearms, but that allows for quick and relatively easy access to the firearms when needed or required. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a firearm storage system that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and both safe and easy to use.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a unique storage system for use with a bed and designed to store firearms, guns, weapons and other confidential and valuable items that a user wishes to conceal, but also have quick and easy access to in a time of need. The system is comprised of a cabinet, a motor and communication module, a light fixture and a corresponding power source. The cabinet comprises one or more internal vertical channels that move vertically upwards to reveal hidden drawers and shelves, wherein each drawer has at least one panel to hold a firearm or other weapon. The communication module is wirelessly connected with an electronic device, such as a motor, to reposition and otherwise control the various elements of the cabinet. The light fixture is provided in each drawer or shelf which automatically powers on when the headboard or cabinet face or cover is repositioned to an open position, and the power source provides power to the light fixtures and internal vertical channel controls, and a processor to control the movement of the drawers and internal vertical channels. The internal vertical channels raise the headboard or front surface or façade of the cabinet to a height of 30″.
In this manner, the novel firearm storage system of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a relatively safe, easy, convenient and cost-effective solution to securely storing firearms and other weapons in a concealed fashion and out of the plain sight of children, intruders and other unauthorized individuals. The firearm storage system of the present invention is also user friendly, inasmuch as it is less expensive than the alternatives, and provides the user with quick and easy access to his or her firearms in a time of need.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a unique headboard or cabinet for a bed designed to store firearms, guns, weapons and other confidential and valuable items that a user wishes to conceal. The headboard has internal vertical channels or panels that move vertically upwards to reveal hidden drawers and shelves. Each drawer has a panel to hold a firearm or other valuable item. A wireless communication module is provided to connect wirelessly with an electronic device to open the cabinet, and provide access to the drawers and shelves. A light fixture in each drawer and shelf automatically switches on when the headboard face, facade or surface moves vertically upwards. A power source (and a backup battery power source) is provided to power the light fixtures and internal vertical channels, and a processor is used to control the movement of the drawers and internal vertical channels or shelves. The internal vertical channels or shelves preferably raise the headboard or facade to a height of about 30.″ Nonetheless, different elevations and configurations are possible depending on the design of the furniture or cabinet. Further, the headboard or cabinet is configured to resemble a standard headboard or piece of furniture, and is manufactured to fit any size bed including, without limitation, twin, full, queen, king and California king. The cabinet or furniture piece may be placed anywhere in the living quarters of the individual, and is intended to be inconspicuous so as to not alert individuals to the contents of the cabinet or furniture piece.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a unique headboard or cabinet for hiding firearms, weapons and other items that an individual wishes to conceal is disclosed. The cabinet comprises a visible portion or façade which fits the décor of the bedroom or other room in which the device is positioned, and a hidden portion concealed behind the visible portion is used to store firearms, weapons and other valuables. The hidden portion contains a plurality of receptacles to store firearms, weapons and other valuables, with each receptacle having trays and panels to organize the contents of the receptacle. The headboard or cabinet façade preferably further comprises 30″ travel actuators to raise the front surface or facade of the headboard or cabinet face upwards approximately 30″ (or any other user specified distance) from its first or closed position to a second opened position. Once the surface or façade has been repositioned to the opened position, the hidden portion becomes visible to a user. The travel actuators are raised or activated upon receiving an input by a processor present within the housing of the hidden portion. The headboard or cabinet further comprises a wireless communication module, a light fixture to illuminate the receptacles when the actuators are raised, wherein an input to the processor to raise the actuators is provided via a wireless input or manually through a control button present on the side of (or elsewhere along) the headboard or cabinet.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a gun and firearm storage cabinet is disclosed and comprises a movable headboard surface or façade that is configured to be repositionable between an open state and a hidden state. The headboard reveals or shows the hidden guns, weapons and other valuables in the open state, and conceals the guns, weapons and other valuables in the hidden state. The headboard or cabinet transitions from the hidden state to the open state using vertical travel actuators to raise the front surface or façade of the headboard vertically upwards. A control box is also provided to control the movement of the façade or surface, wherein the cabinet could be customized to provide for whatever amount of movement is necessary to suit user need and/or preference. A power source is used to power the various components of the surface or façade, and LED lights are present in the various drawers and/or shelves of the cabinet to illuminate the contents of the same for the convenience of the user. The control box switches on the LED lights automatically when the façade is positioned in the open state, and the vertical travel actuators are controlled using at least one of a key fob, a mobile app or a manual control.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a gun and valuable storage receptacle is disclosed. The gun and valuable receptacle comprises a unique surface panel or façade that is removably attached to a bed and is made of finished, stainable plywood or hard wood, such as solid oak boards. The headboard surface panel or façade is movable between an open position allowing access to the contents and a closed position not allowing access to the contents. Two vertical channels along the longitudinal ends of the headboard or cabinet enables the transition of the surface panel or façade from the closed position to the open position. Drawers and panels used to store guns and other valuables are slid open to an open position. LED lights which are installed in the cabinet are turned on when the cabinet is in the open position. The vertical channels are controlled using at least one of a key fob, a mobile app and a manual control, and the headboard is locked in the closed position using at least one of a key fob, a mobile app and a manual control.
In one embodiment, in the closed position, the drawers which are meant to store usual or customary things, e.g. clothing, (also referred to as visible compartment) are visible and can be accessed by a user and the drawers or panels used to store guns and firearms (also referred to as hidden compartment) are hidden. The drawers and panels to store guns and other valuables are positioned below a partition that separates the drawers to store usual and customary things. In the closed position, only the drawers and panels to store guns and firearms are locked behind the surface or façade which then moves vertically upwards to allow the user to access guns, firearms and other valuables.
The drawers and panels used to store guns and firearms may comprise, for example, a set of rifle hangers, Velcro® pistol holsters, hidden locks and/or control circuitry, which can keep the headboard or cabinet locked during the day and unlocked at night for quick access to the contents. The lock for locking the headboard and the hidden compartment may further comprise RFID/NFC/Bluetooth capability that unlocks the compartment with a key fob or other control unit. The shelves may also be adjustable in each compartment, and can be operated using a key fob, mobile app, or manual control.
In yet still a further embodiment of the presently described invention, a method of securely hiding valuables such as handguns and other firearms is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of initially placing the contents that a user wants to conceal in a hidden compartment of a headboard or cabinet that has a plurality of drawers and shelves. Next, the user operates the mechanism contained within the headboard or cabinet by a key fob or mobile app to hide the hidden compartment, and only make the same visible to an authorized user. The hidden compartment is below the visible compartment, and both are connected through a rigid separator. When activated, the hidden compartment moves downwards via the vertical rail channels present at the ends of the hidden compartment.
The firearm storage system of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a valuable storage location integrated into the design of a headboard or cabinet and allows a user to conceal multiple firearms and other valuables inside the furniture piece, along with ammunition and other items. The hidden compartment can be electronically lifted to reveal the hidden items. The hidden compartment features customizable and configurable shelves, drawers, and foam inserts to accommodate various items.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
Referring initially to the drawings,
In a preferred embodiment, the key fob 106 has buttons which can be physical or touch buttons to operate the concealment cabinet or headboard 104. Alternatively, the control device 106 can be an application that is downloaded onto a smartphone or other smart device, such as a laptop or tablet, which is then connected to the cabinet or headboard 104 wirelessly as described herein. Exemplary controls include a vertically downward movement control button 1060 and a vertically upward movement control button 1062 (wherein, the vertical orientation is in reference to the horizontal floor on which the bed rests), and are used to reposition the façade, panel, headboard or cabinet 104 in a vertical downward direction (i.e., the closed position, such as shown in
The headboard or cabinet 104 of the present embodiment is further comprised of one or more concealed compartments. The drawers and panels of the concealed compartment(s) are not visible to a user when the cabinet 104 is in a locked or closed position. The key fob or wireless control 106 is a small security hardware device with built-in authentication software that is used to control and secure access to the headboard or cabinet 104. The authentication software can be voice recognition software, such as may be used with a smart phone, or fingerprint recognition that may be used with other smart devices, such as a tablet or computer. The headboard or cabinet unit 104 also has a wireless communication module with which the key fob or other smart device 106 establishes the wireless connection, and a control box that executes the instructions sent by the key fob or control device 106. Nonetheless, it is also contemplated that the repositionable headboard 104 could also include a pressure control switch.
The headboard or cabinet 104 of the present invention may be manufactured in various sizes, configurations or colors to correspond to other furniture or fixtures within the room or area in which it is to be used or placed. In one embodiment, the bed frame is integrated or attached to the legs of the headboard 104 via a tongue and groove or slotted mechanism. Alternatively, the bed frame can be attached to the headboard 104 using a mechanical fastening mechanism, such as a bolt or screw. The headboard or cabinet 104 is further comprised of an external frame unit 107, which houses the cabinet section 109. The external frame unit 107 is generally sized and configured so that the movable cabinet section 109 can be fully concealed in the external frame 107 when the headboard or cabinet 104 is in the closed position.
When the system 100 is in the open position, the vertical drawers 202, 203 are also visible to the user. Any of the drawers 202, 203, 204, 205, 206 can either be slid open manually by the user, or repositioned through a control on the key fob or remote device 106 to provide the user with access to the item stored therein, such as valuables, guns, firearms, clips, ammunition, accessories and the like. The hidden compartment 201 rises up using commercially available travel actuators, or an electronic lift that may be built into the headboard or cabinet 104. The actuators may be gear driven, use hydraulics or any other suitable mechanism to raise and lower the hidden compartment 201.
When the hidden compartment 201 rises up and is visible to the user, the control box automatically switches on a light source 210, such as Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights, which may be attached to the interior space of compartment 201 or embedded within the hidden drawers 204, 205, 206 and the vertical drawers 202, 203. Each of the shelves in the hidden drawers 204, 205, 206 and the vertical drawers 202, 203 are both customizable and adjustable. It should be appreciated that the size, shape, and number of the hidden drawers 204, 205, 206 and the vertical drawers 202, 203 can vary as per the needs and/or preferences of the user. A first set of drawers may be generally parallel to the top of the cabinet or headboard 104, and a second set of drawers may be generally perpendicular to the first set of drawers and the top of the cabinet or headboard. For extra security, a moveable surface panel or façade 211 may be provided such that if an unauthorized individual unintentionally raises the cabinet or headboard 104, the concealed drawers are not visible. A second step is then required in order to move the façade or surface panel 211 in order to reveal the concealed drawers 204, 205, 206. The façade or surface panel 211 may also be provided with indicia 213, designs, etc. to further accentuate the cabinet or headboard 104.
As previously stated, the travel actuators, electronic lift or any other mechanism (not shown) that is used to raise and lower the hidden compartment 201 may be positioned beneath the hidden compartment 201 and controlled by the key fob or remote control 106, or can be controlled and operated manually using a physical button or touch screen present at a secure location along the firearm storage system 100. The easily accessible hidden compartment 201 of the furniture piece 104 allows a user to quickly defend himself or herself during, for example, a home invasion. Each of the hidden drawers 204, 205, 206 and the vertical drawers 202, 203 may also have a spring-tensioned access door for additional security.
The drawer and shelves may be of any suitable shape and size, including but not limited to, rectangular, cubic or any other shape that allows valuables, firearms and ammunition of multiple sizes to be stored therein until needed. The headboard 104 and its components may be manufactured from one or more hardwoods, such as oak, cherry, walnut, maple, hickey, or soft woods such as pine and cedar or any other similar wood type. The furniture element of the firearm storage system 100 may also be made of particle board, plywood, composite materials, or synthetic materials (such as plastic) to provide a more inexpensive option as well as to create unique designs that may be molded from the plastics.
In a preferred embodiment, upon opening of either of the drawers 204, 205, LED lights or other illumination features 210 embedded in the drawers 204, 205 are switched on automatically by the control box of the headboard or cabinet 104. Alternatively, the lights 210 can be switched on by the user by giving a command on the key fob 106, a mobile application, or by simply flipping a switch, such as a toggle switch or pressure safety switch, positioned along the headboard 104.
In one embodiment, a biometric authentication 219 may be required to access the firearm storage system 100 of the present invention and/or any of its various compartments/drawers. Further, a touch-based PIN entry can be used for secure access to the stored firearms 400. More specifically, a keypad or other key entry device 217 may be attached to the cabinet or headboard 104, or communicatively coupled to the firearm storage system 100 to provide access to authorized individuals only.
The hidden compartment 610 of the present embodiment has one or more channels or panels 601 to safely place larger firearms 630, such as rifles or “long guns”, and a surface 640 to place smaller weapons, guns, ammunition, and the like. Additionally, the hidden compartment 610 may further comprise two integrated vertical drawers 606, 608, which may also be used to store gloves, magazines and other ammunition or accessories. In one embodiment, the drawers 606, 608 are covered by a door which can be opened manually, or through a remote command given by the user via, for example, the fob 106. Notwithstanding, it should be appreciated that the hidden compartment 610 may have any number of drawers, shelves and panels to store firearms and ammunition as desired by a user.
To make a transition from the closed position illustrated in
Additionally, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the valuables, guns, or other weapons may be supported by a form fitted material such as foam rubber, polyethylene, polystyrene, Styrofoam, etc. In this way, the valuable, gun, or other weapon is held in position and does not move around in the drawer during repositioning of the various components, and can be held in a ready-to-use position for fast access.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As may be used herein “gun and firearm safety headboard”, “concealment cabinet or furniture,” “gun safety headboard”, and “cabinet,” “furniture,” and “headboard” are interchangeable, and refer to the concealed firearm storage system of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the concealed firearm storage system of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the concealed firearm storage system as shown in the various FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the concealed firearm storage system are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the concealed firearm storage system and its various components are important design parameters for user convenience, the concealed firearm storage system and its various components may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences. For example, with respect to the frame housing the movable cabinet, the frame comprises a length in the transverse direction and a height in the longitudinal direction and the length is preferably greater than the height when the movable cabinet is in the closed position, as opposed to the open position.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/055,019, which was filed on Jul. 22, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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