Patent Grant
10533363
Designing a gun safe requires compromise between three at least three competing considerations: security, accessibility, and aesthetics.
Maximizing security at the expense of accessibility and aesthetics will likely result in a gun safe that is large, ugly, and difficult or time-consuming to open. Although such a design may make it difficult for unauthorized parties (e.g., children and intruders) to access the contents of the gun safe, such a gun safe may be too large to place in a useful location, too ugly to place in a useful location, and/or may be too difficult to open when access is necessary (e.g., to oppose a burglar).
Maximizing accessibility at the expense of security and aesthetics will likely result in a gun safe that is so easy to open that it is not secure. Although the contents of such a gun safe may be easy to access when necessary (e.g., to oppose a burglar) the same accessibility may undermine security by making it too easy for unauthorized parties (e.g., children and intruders) to access the contents of the gun safe.
Maximizing aesthetics at the expense of security and accessibility will likely result in a gun safe that is not strong enough to be secure. Although such a gun safe may be conspicuously placed in a living room or other environment without contrasting or detracting from the surrounding décor, the gun safe may be too small, or may not be sufficiently strong tough to prevent unauthorized access (e.g., to children or intruders) and may compromise accessibility to authorized parties (e.g., the owner).
What is needed is a gun safe that minimizes or decreases the compromises between security, accessibility, and aesthetics.
An improved secure storage apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the disclosed apparatus may be a gun safe. Other embodiments may employ the same or similar principles and/or innovations for other applications of a secure storage apparatus or unit. The guns safe or secure storage apparatus disclosed herein includes improved features for security, accessibility, aesthetics, and usability.
In one embodiment, a gun safe may comprise one or more hinges mounted or secured to a spine. The hinges may support a left shell and a right that, when in a closed configuration, form a closed storage compartment.
The respective sides of the left shell and right shell that are opposite the sides that are secured to the hinges may include a locking mechanism, so that when the two shells swing on the hinges toward or into a closed configuration, the locking mechanism engages, thereby securing the gun safe in a closed position such that the contents of the gun safe are not accessible.
The hinges may be designed to be secured to the spine such that the bolts or other securement mechanism by which the hinges are secured to the spine are accessible only from the interior of the gun safe, and are therefore not accessible when the gun safe is in a closed configuration. The hinges and shells may further be designed so that the bolts or securement mechanisms by which the shells are secured to the hinges are accessible only from the interior of the gun safe, and are therefore not accessible when the gun safe is in a closed position.
In general, in the closed configuration, the edges of the two shells abut each other and form a tight seam. In one embodiment, the edges of the two shells may form a lap joint to increase security of the gun safe by making it more difficult to pry apart the two shells or similarly compromise the gun safe.
The spine may be oriented substantially vertically, but will be slightly angled so that the gun safe has the appearance of leaning or being tilted backwards, with the shells disposed on top of the spine. Because the spine is tilted in this manner, with the shells disposed on the top of the spine, when the lock is released the force of gravity results in the two shells separating and “falling” into an open configuration.
In one embodiment, a spring-loaded pin may be included in one of the shells, exerting a force to separate the two shells, such that when the lock is released, the spring loaded pin provides assistance, in addition to gravity, to push apart the two shells toward the open configuration.
The gun safe may include a signal permeable layer to allow for passage of electromagnetic signals to the gun safe's control system. Such electromagnetic signals may include, e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, RFID, and other signals and communication technologies known in the art. The signal permeable layer may be made of a material that is protective and as secure as possible but which still allows for signals to pass from the exterior of the gun safe to the gun safe's control system, which is housed within the shells comprising the gun safe.
The locking mechanism may comprise a shaft with a substantially conical head that may be inserted into a receiver, wherein the conically shaped head pushes apart spring-loaded semi-circle lock collars, which contract after the conical head has passed, thereby preventing withdrawal of the conical head. The locking mechanism may include a servo motor that, when actuated, turns the semi-circle lock collars such that they are not restricting withdrawal of the shaft and conical head. In this manner the gun safe may use the servo motor to unlock and allow opening of the gun safe.
The gun safe may include a sensor system for detecting environmental or other conditions relating to the gun safe. Sensors may include, but are not limited to, wireless signal sensors, biometric sensors, motion sensors, and other sensors known in the art. In one embodiment, the gun safe may include one or more gyroscopes, accelerometers, fingerprint sensors, thermal emission biometric sensors, and/or wireless signal sensors. The collected sensor signals and/or data may be passed to the control system, which may process the signals to identify credentials for opening, unlocking, or modifying the gun safe, or may determine that one or more events have occurred that should be logged or reported. For example, the sensor system may collect Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, or other signals that comprise credential information. The sensor system may transmit this signal data to the control system, which may determine whether the provided credentials are sufficient for opening or unlocking the gun safe.
Motion or movement data from sensors, e.g., from one or more gyroscopes, accelerometers, or GPS modules, may result in the necessity of communicating an alert or notification to a user or computer system regarding an event, e.g., unauthorized opening, movement, rotation, shaking, dropping, or striking. The gun safe may transmit an alert or notification to a phone, computer, server, router, or other device over Wi-Fi, Blutooth, or other communication technologies known in the art.
The gun safe may also include power management features, e.g., intermittently turning on Wi-Fi or other wireless communication technologies only intermittently instead of continuously, or enabling fingerprint sensor only when a button is pressed.
In one embodiment, the gun safe may include a sound device, e.g., a buzzer or alarm, to provide notifications or to provide a loud or otherwise conspicuous alert or sound when an unauthorized even occurs with the gun safe, e.g., movement or striking or other attempts to compromise.
The gun safe may also include one or more speakers, e.g., Bluetooth speakers, to add to the functionality of the gun safe.
In one embodiment, the gun safe may be configured to implement geofencing, whereby the gun safe detects movement, e.g., through accelerometers or a GPS module, provides an alert, notification, alarm, or other event if the gun safe is moved or relocated out of an allowable area.
The gun safe may be powered by a traditional electrical system, and/or USB port for power, and/or a rechargeable battery.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/702,743, titled Stand-Up Safe for Guns and Secure Storage, and filed Sep. 12, 2017, which is abandoned, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/106,684, titled Secure Storage Systems and Methods, and filed on Dec. 13, 2013, which has issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,797,680. This application claims priority to and the benefit of Patent Application Nos. 14/106,684 and 15/702,743, and incorporates by reference the contents thereof in their entirety.
Although the description herein references and focuses on a gun safe, the disclosure herein is applicable to any secure storage compartment, and may be used for many items other than guns or firearms.
Several reference numbers are used herein for ease of referencing the drawings in the associated text. The following table provides a listing of the reference numbers along with a short description of the associated items from the drawings:
An improved gun safe is disclosed with features for improved security, accessibility, aesthetics, and usability. Although the disclosed device is generally referred to herein as a “gun safe,” it may be used in any application for securely storing one or more items.
Gun safe 100 may be designed to securely store one or more articles such as handguns, shotguns, rifles, or other articles. Gun safe 100 may store one or more guns or other articles securely and may do so such that only authorized user(s) may open gun safe 100 and access its contents.
Basic Components
Gun safe 100 may have many shapes.
In one embodiment, as shown in
In general, the durability and security of the material for shells 110 and 120 may increase as the thickness of material increases. The weight of gun safe 100 may also increase as the thickness of the material for shells 110 and 120 increases. In one embodiment, shell 110 may be monolithic and/or shell 210 may be monolithic. In general, a monolithic shell may have improved security over a non-monolithic shell because of the absence of seams, which may be, in some designs, a vulnerability through which a gun safe may be compromised, e.g., by using a pry bar or other prying apparatus. If either of shells 110 and 120 is not monolithic, the panels or components comprising 110 and/or shell 120 may be secured to each other in any number of ways known in the art. In general, shells 110 and 120 may be more secure if the component panels are secured to each other using a securement mechanism, e.g., one or more screws, that are accessible only from the inside of gun safe 100.
In one embodiment, shells 110 and 120 may be made from aluminum or an aluminum composite and may be approximately 0.125 inches thick. Gun safe 100 may be shaped as shown in
Shells 110 and 120 may be made by casting or pressing or by any other process known in the art. A person of ordinary skill will appreciate that materials will have varying properties depending on how fabricated.
As shown in
In one embodiment, shells 110 and 120 may include complementary lap joints around some or all of their edges. A lap joint may increase the difficulty of inserting a pry bar or similar tool to gain unauthorized access to gun safe 100 when in a closed and locked configuration.
Shells 110 and 120 may be mechanically secured to each other by hinges 150 and 165. Shells 110 and 120 may, in some embodiments, be secured by only one hinge, or by more than two hinges.
Gun safe 100 may include base, or stand, 200. Base 200 may be made out of metal (e.g., aluminum, steel), a metal alloy, plastic, or any other material known in the art. Different components of base 200 may be made of different materials. A person of ordinary skill will appreciate that many materials are available, and that the selection of material may depend on one or more factors, including but not limited to cost, weight, durability, rigidity, security, or other factors. In one embodiment, base 200 may be made out of steel or a steel alloy and may comprise base plate 210 and base boot 220.
In one embodiment, base plate 210 may include holes that may be used to secure gun safe 100 to a surface.
Signal Permeable Layer
Because shells 110 and 120 may be formed of materials, such as metals, that may block, in whole or in part, wireless signals, gun safe 100 may include a signal permeable layer 170.
Signal permeable layer 170 may be made of materials that allow the passage of wireless signals. Many such materials are known in the art. Signal permeable layer 170 may act as a protective cover for one or more sensors, wireless receivers and/or transmitters, and similar electronics. Signal permeable layer 170 may be secured to shells 110 and 120.
Hinges
Shells 110 and 120 may be mechanically coupled together via one or more hinges or joints 150 and 165 that may permit shells 110 and 120 to move relative to each other and to move, in general, between a closed configuration and an open configuration.
As shown in
One of first rotating cap component 151a and second rotating cap component 151b may be secured to right shell adapter 154a, and the other rotating cap component 151b may be secured to left shell adapter 153a.
A hinge pin 155 (not visible in
As shown in
As shown in
Lower hinge 165 may be secured to support tube 130, left shell 110, and right shell 120 in a manner similar to securement of upper hinge 150.
A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand that, as described herein, components may be secured to each other in many different ways, using many different types of hardware, using different numbers of screws, bolts, and other hardware, and well as other approaches to securing components known in the art.
Usage of multiple hinges, e.g., upper hinge 150 and lower hinge 165, is optional. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that only a single hinge may be used to enable the desired relative motion between first shell member 110 and second shell member 120.
Locking Mechanisms
Upper lock assembly 320 may comprise a shaft 325 terminating in a substantially conical head 326. Shaft 325 and conical head 326 may protrude from lock assembly 320 as shown in
Shaft 325 may be held in place by being screwed or bolted into a receiver in lock assembly housing 320, or by being secured to shell 120, or by any one of many solutions or approaches known in the art for securing a part or piece of hardware to another component.
Shaft 325 may additionally comprise a guide collar 327 for maintaining the position of shaft 325 relative to aperture 329 in face 328 of lock assembly, i.e., avoiding potential displacement resulting from flexing or other characteristics of lock assembly 320 or of securement point for securing shaft 325 to lock assembly 328 or to shell 120.
Upper lock assembly 320 may be secured to shell 120 by, e.g., one or more screws originating from outside shell 120 and going into one or more threaded receivers in upper lock assembly 320. For example, screw 321 may be inserted from outside of shell 120, through a hole in shell 120, and into a threaded receiver in upper lock assembly 320. It should be appreciated that many different means known in the art may be used to secure upper lock assembly 320 to shell 120. Lock assembly may be secured in place, and/or to outside shell 120, in many other ways as will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art
Clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b may be secured to or in contact with a springs 336a and 336b or similar components in lock receiver assembly 330, which exert a force on clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b to push them toward each other such that they substantially form a circle. In one embodiment, clasping semi-circles may be positioned and secured to sit behind aperture 332. Aperture 332 may be a hole with a diameter that is the same as or greater than the diameter of the base of conical head 326, such that conical head 326 on shaft 325 may be inserted into aperture 332. The radius of clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b may be substantially the same as, but in no case less than, the radius of shaft 325.
When shaft 325 and conical head 326 are inserted into aperture 332, the conical shape of conical head 326 forces apart clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b. When the entirety of conical head 325 has been pushed through clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b, then the springs 336a and 336b associated with clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b force clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b to contract and tighten into a substantially circular shape around shaft 325, as shown in
To release the locking mechanism, rotating motor 334, which may be a servo motor, turns to push apart clasping semicircles 335a and 335b. When clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b have been pushed apart sufficiently, then conical head 326 is able to pass, base-first, through clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b and out of aperture 332. When clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b have been pushed apart, shaft 325 and conical head 326 may be removed from upper lock receiver assembly 330 and aperture 332 by applying a force to pull or otherwise move apart shells 110 and 120. In one embodiment, as described herein, spring-loaded pin 322 may apply a force to push apart shells 110 and 120. As will be appreciated, many different mechanisms other than a traditional spring may be used to apply force to push apart shells 110 and 120.
Servo motor 334 may be configured to turn sufficiently to release conical head 326 on shaft 325 and then automatically turn back (or forward in some configurations of clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b) to a closed position, i.e., such that clasping semi-circles 335a and 335b are contracted around.
Lower lock assembly 340 and lower lock receiver assembly 350 comprise components similar to components in upper lock assembly 320 and upper lock assembly 330, and function in a substantially similar manner, and are therefore not distinctly described herein.
Although the embodiment described herein and shown in the associated figures includes two lock assemblies (upper lock assembly and receiver 320 and 330; lower lock assembly and receiver 340 and 350), a different number of lock assemblies may be used depending on the characteristics of a particular gun safe or of a different application for a secured compartment or enclosure. The number of lock assemblies, and the placement of such lock assemblies, may depend on at least length of the seam between the shells, the shape of the shells, the size and placement of the hinges, the manufacturing tolerances of the shells, flexibility, of the shells, and other characteristics of the shells.
In one embodiment, one or more dampeners and/or other motion slowing devices may be incorporated into shells 110 and 120 to control the speed at which shells 110 and 120 move to the open configuration.
Sensor System
As shown in
Sensor system 400 may include one or more sensors of a wide variety of types, including but not limited to wireless sensors that detect wireless signals, biometric sensors that detect one or more characteristics of a user, motion sensors that detect motion or movement of the gun safe 100, combinations thereof, and/or any other sensor type known in the art. Wireless sensors may detect signals such as electromagnetic radiation at one or more positions on the electromagnetic spectrum (including but not limited to radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared, and visible light), air pressure variance such as that created by sound or motion, and/or any other known wireless signal type. Biometric sensors may detect biological data such as the patterns on a person's fingertips, hands, feet, or eyes; the thermal emissions of a person; the unique sound of a person's voice; and/or other biological data known in the art. Motion sensors may detect linear displacement, linear acceleration, rotational displacement, rotational acceleration, and any/or other motion characteristics. Sensor system 400 may include one or more sensors of any of these types and/or any other types known in the art.
Sensor system 400 may be located within shells 110 and 120. As shown in
Gravity-Assisted Open
In one embodiment, gun safe 100 may employ gravity powered, or gravity assisted, opening. As shown in
As described herein regarding the locking mechanism, the respective fronts of shells 110 and 120 are secured together in a closed position via locking mechanism 300. When locking mechanism 300 is released, shells 110 and 120 are free to turn on hinges 150 and 165. Because gun safe 100 and support tube 130 are angled at the top toward the rear 104 of gun safe 100, shells 110 and 120 will, as a result of gravity and the respective center of gravity of each of shells 110 and 120, rotate or turn toward an open configuration as shown in
In one embodiment, as a result of friction in hinges 150 and 165, as well as imperfect manufacturing tolerances and other real-world imperfections, shells 110 and 120 may not automatically move toward an open position when locking mechanism 300 is released, or may move more slowly than desired toward an open configuration. To assist or provide a small boost to move shells 110 and 120 from a closed configuration to an open configuration when locking mechanism 300 is released, gun safe 100 may include springs or a similar mechanism to apply a force to push apart shells 110 and 120.
In one embodiment, shells 110 and 120 may include spring-loaded pins 322 and 342. Although spring-loaded pins 322 and 342 are shown as part of lock assemblies 320 and 340 in
When spring-loaded pins 322 and 342 contact strike locations 323 and 343, the respective springs in spring-loaded pins 322 and 342 are pushed back, or recessed, into receiving cavities in lock assemblies 320 and 340. When spring-loaded pins 322 and 342 are pushed into, or recessed, into receiving cavities in lock assemblies 320 and 340, the respective springs are compressed. When gun safe 100 is maintained in a locked configuration, or in a configuration such that fronts of shells 110 and 120 are close enough together such that one or more of spring-loaded pins 322 and 342 are in contact with strike locations 343 and 350, the respective springs may be in a compressed state.
Because the springs for spring-loaded pins 322 and 342 are in a compressed state, when gun safe 100 is in a closed state, as lock assemblies 320 and 340 are released, the compressed springs apply a force against strike locations 323 and 343, thereby pushing shells 110 and 120 apart. Because of the angled orientation of gun safe 100 relative to base 200, once force from spring-loaded pins 322 and 342 has been applied, shells 110 and 120 move apart, assisted by the force and by gravity, into an open configuration as shown in
Shells 110 and 120 finally arrive at a resting open state when their respective gravity-powered motion is restricted by the design of hinges 150 and 165. A person of ordinary skill will appreciate that hinges 150 and 165 may be designed to limit, restrict, or stop movement of shells 110 and 120 at any point in the turning, travel, or outward rotation of shells 110 and 120.
Several parameters may be adjusted or tuned based on particular applications. For example, the angle at which support tube 130 is oriented relative to base 200 may be increased or decreased to increase or decrease the speed, or ease, at which shells 110 and 120 open, or move to an open configuration, or to increase or decrease the accessibility of the contents of gun safe 100. Spring-loaded pins 322 and 342 may be adjusted, such as: by using a stronger or weaker spring; increasing the circumference or length of the springs; pre-compressing or pre-stretching the springs; or any other adjustment known in the art, which may increase or decrease the force exerted by spring-loaded pins 322 and 342 increase or decrease the rotational length over which force is exerted by spring-loaded pins 322 and 342 exerted, increase or decrease the time duration over which force is exerted by spring-loaded pins 322 and 342, or alter the function of force over time or rotational length exerted by spring loaded pins 322 and 342.
Power Management
Referring to
Gun safe 100 may have an internal battery (not shown) which may be rechargeable, and may be charged when charging/power interface 230 is connected to an external power source. It may be desirable to disconnect gun safe 100 from the external power source, for example, to transport gun safe 100. Using switch 570 to engage the power-saving mode may help to extend the life of the internal battery in such situations. If desired, the power-saving mode may also disable GPS receiver 430 or shift GPS receiver 430 into a power-saving mode with less frequent location scanning.
Electronics, Control System, and Sensor System
Control system 500 may further include communication modules, e.g., a GPS communication module, a Wi-Fi communication module, a Bluetooth communication module, and RFID communication module, an NFC communication module, and/or any other type of communication module that may be known in the art.
These communication modules may be positioned behind signal permeable layer 170, so that the metal in shells 110 and 120 does not interfere with reception and transmission of wireless signals. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the closer the communication modules, including the associated receivers and antennas, are to being flush with signal permeable layer 170 the better reception of wireless signals will be. This results because signals arriving at an angle that deviates from being perpendicular to signal permeable layer 170 will be less likely to be obstructed by shell 110. For similar reasons, as communication modules, including associated receivers and antennas, are recessed deeper into gun safe 100, i.e., behind signal permeable layer 170, the greater the likelihood that wireless signals approaching from an angle deviating from perpendicular to signal permeable layer 170 will be obstructed or partially obstructed by the metal or other materials in shells 110 and 120.
Gun safe 100 may further include a biometric sensor. In one embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
Gun safe 100 may further include a communication module with a receiver for receiving signals to indicate the location of gun safe 100, e.g., a GPS receiver 430. GPS receiver 430 may receive GPS signals from GPS satellites that may enable GPS receiver 430 and/or control system 500 to determine the location coordinates (for example, latitude, longitude, and/or elevation) of gun safe 100. GPS receiver 430 may thus provide sensor data including the location of gun safe 100.
In one embodiment, one or more circuit boards comprising the components of control system 500, including, e.g., communication modules as described herein, may be secured to signal permeable layer assembly 175. To minimize the possibility that a person may be able to compromise gun safe 100 through signal permeable layer 170, signal permeable layer 170 and/or signal permeable layer assembly 175 may be made out of a durable material, e.g., a rugged polymer such as nylon.
Signal permeable layer assembly 175 may be secured to shell 110 by adapter 176, as shown in
Although the disclosure herein describes a signal permeable layer assembly 175 secured to shell 110, in other embodiments shell layer 110 may include one or more apertures designed, sized, and tuned for receiving and transmitting wireless signals to and from communication modules. In other words, instead of, or in addition to, a signal permeable layer assembly 175, shell 110 may simply extend across what is shown as signal permeable layer assembly 175, with apertures for wireless signals, and perform essentially the same functions as signal permeable layer 175: protecting and securing the interior of gun safe 100 while allowing wireless signals to pass to and from the communication modules.
Because fingerprint reader 410 is exposed on the exterior of gun safe 100, any aperture or signal permeable layer for fingerprint functionality may be relatively small, i.e., just large enough to expose fingerprint reader 410.
In one embodiment, fingerprint sensor 412 may be activated by pressure from a digit (finger or thumb) so that, when the user puts a finger or thumb on fingerprint sensor 412, fingerprint sensor 412 automatically emits light and reads the reflected light from the finger or thumb. Fingerprint sensor 412 may also have a circuit board 510 which controls the operation of fingerprint sensor 412, processes sensor data from fingerprint sensor 412, and/or conveys sensor data, such as fingerprint data or other data, to one or more other components of gun safe 100, such as to control system 500.
In one embodiment, control system 500 may include a pressure switch 540 that can be accessed when gun safe 100 is in the open configuration. Pressure switch 540 may be used to enable the user to activate various settings of control system 500, as will be detailed subsequently.
Sensor system 400 may also include an accelerometer 440, which may be located on the one or more circuit boards as described herein, or on a separate circuit board or chip. Accelerometer 440 may detect acceleration of gun safe 100. Thus, accelerometer 440 may provide sensor data that indicates when gun safe 100 is in motion, such as a person opening up, picking up, shaking, striking, rotating, flipping over, hitting, or carrying gun safe 100.
Accelerometer 440 may thus provide an indication of ordinary use, tampering, and/or theft of gun safe 100. Accelerometer 440 and/or control system 500 may have a sensitivity level that matches the type of events that should be reported to the authorized user. For example, if the authorized user wants to receive notification whenever gun safe 100 is opened or undergoes any motion, accelerometer 440 may be set to a very sensitive level. However, if the authorized user wants to receive notification only if gun safe 100 is impacted, as may occur if gun safe 100 is dropped or struck in an attempt to gain entry, accelerometer 440 may be set to a less sensitive level.
Accelerometer 440 may measure linear acceleration, angular acceleration, or both linear and angular acceleration. In the event accelerometer 440 detects more than one type of motion, control system 500 may be designed to trigger alarms based on thresholds that are specific to each type of motion. Such thresholds may be based on linear and/or angular acceleration, velocity, and/or position. Velocity and position may be determined by integrating, or otherwise extrapolating, acceleration data.
According to one example, the threshold linear acceleration may be a multiple of the gravitational constant (9.81 m/s2). If the threshold linear acceleration is equal to or just below the gravitational constant, accelerometer 440 may not trigger any alarms or notifications unless gun safe 100 is falling. Thus, it may be desirable to set the threshold linear acceleration at a lower level, such as 5 m/s2, 2 m/s2, 1 m/s2, 0.5 m/s2, or 0.25 m/s2.
As mentioned previously, velocity or position may be used in addition to or in the alternative to acceleration. In the context of angular position, the threshold angular position may be set at a certain tilt angle that will indicate tampering, or deliberate motion, of gun safe 100 are occurring. For example, the threshold angular position change may be 1°, 2°, 5°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, or even 90°. Any of the threshold angular positions applicable to accelerometer 440 may be user-configurable, if desired.
Gun safe 100 may also have a wireless transmitter 550. As mentioned previously, gun safe 100 may communicate wirelessly via a wide range of technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Smart, near-field communications (NFC), cellular, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), and the like. Wireless transmitter 550 may be designed to communicate along any of these protocols, or on any other type of wireless technology or network technology known in the art.
According to certain embodiments of the invention, wireless transmitter 550 may be designed to connect to a Wi-Fi system such as those found in many homes. Wireless transmitter 550 may thus transmit notifications and/or other information to the Wi-Fi system, which may convey the information to an electronic device, which may be near the authorized user, via the Internet. This electronic device may be a computer, tablet, phone, smart phone, or the like. The notification may take the form of a text message, e-mail message, automated phone call, or the like.
Transmitting the notification to the electronic device near the authorized user may entail transmitting the information to a server, which may be maintained by the manufacturer of gun safe 100. The server may store user-specific data regarding gun safe 100 owned by the user, such as the identity of the authorized user; the authorized user's preferred mode of receiving notifications; the applicable IP address, mobile phone, MAC address, or other identifier of the electronic device with which the authorized user wishes to receive notifications; the location of gun safe 100, and/or other information.
In some embodiments, the server may store only enough information to properly route the notification to the electronic device near the authorized user. In such embodiments, the location of gun safe 100, the identity of the authorized user, and/or other personal information may be omitted from the server in order to satisfy privacy or other concerns.
In addition to, or alternatively, wireless transmitter 550, gun safe 100 may include sound device 560 such as a speaker, buzzer, and/or any other sound-producing device. Sound device 560 may be incorporated into the circuit boards as described herein, or may be a separate element.
Sound device 560 may be used to provide notification to the user of tampering, theft, or other aspects of the status of gun safe 100 via an audible alarm or tone. This may be done in addition to, or in the alternative to, the transmission of a wireless notification to the electronic device. According to some embodiments, the type of status change may determine the type of notification provided to the authorized user. For example, detection by accelerometer 440 of excessive acceleration may result in an audible notification, while detection by GPS receiver 430 that gun safe 100 has moved beyond an acceptable range, may result in transmission of an electronic notification.
In one embodiment, control system 500 may, based on a determination that proper credentials have been presented, trigger motor 334 (shown in
Credentials for opening gun safe 100 may include an RFID identification number or code, credentials transmitted via Wi-Fi, credentials transmitted via Bluetooth, an NFC key, a verbal command, a proximity verification of distance from user to gun safe 100, or any other credentials, or method, for verifying the identity and/or authorization of a person known in the art.
In one embodiment, control system 500 may continuously scan for wireless signals, e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, or other technologies. When control system 500 detects a signal, control system 500 may process the received data to determine when the received data comprises credentials for accessing and/or opening gun safe 100. Upon a determination that received data comprises valid credentials, control system 500 may trigger motors in lock receiver assemblies to release locking mechanism and thereby open gun safe 100.
In another embodiment, control system 500 may save power by scanning for wireless signals only when activated, e.g., through the pressing of a button. For example, fingerprint reader 410 may comprise a button that, when pressed, causes control system 500 to scan, for a limited amount of time, e.g., 3.0 seconds, for a wireless signal comprising credentials for opening gun safe 100. Upon a determination that received data comprises valid credentials, control system 500 may trigger motors in lock receiver assemblies to release locking mechanism and thereby open gun safe 100.
Credentials for opening gun safe 100 may be configurable. For example, detection of the property fingerprint with fingerprint reader 410 may itself be sufficient, or detection of the proper RFID key may itself be sufficient, or detection of the proper a Wi-Fi key or code, or detection of a Bluetooth key or code may itself be sufficient to open gun safe 100. Alternatively, control system 500 may be configured so that proper credentials include both a proper fingerprint and an RFID key, or some other combination of credentials. Credentials may be configured using pressure switch 540, or through a control app or interface that may communicate with gun safe 100 through control system 500 and using one or more of the wireless communication modules and/or technologies disclosed herein.
As will be understood and appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the electronics for gun safe 100 may be located and configured in many different ways. In one embodiment, base boot cavity 222 may house a circuit board or similar electronics including charging/power interface 230. For example, electronics in base boot cavity 222 may include electronics for charging/power interface 230, and may also include rechargeable battery 240. The circuit board and/or electronics in base boot cavity 222 may originate two power wires: a wire 252 that is continually powered from rechargeable battery 240 and a wire 254 that is powered only when an external power source is connected to charging/power interface 230.
In one embodiment, power wires 252 and 254 may be routed through hollow support tube 130 up to an exit aperture in support tube 130 near the electronics for control system 500.
Accessory wire 254 may be used to power one or more accessories. In one embodiment, gun safe 100 may include Bluetooth speakers 270 and 272, which may be powered by an accessory wire or wires 254, and may be controlled via Bluetooth interface, e.g., through a smartphone app or other Bluetooth interface. Other accessories may also be added to gun safe 100 as may be desirable or to improve the functionality of gun safe 100.
Geofencing
According to one example, when gun safe 100 is first configured, the authorized user may provide input to control system 500 in gun safe 100 to indicate that gun safe 100 is positioned at the center of approved geographic zone 615, i.e., the center of perimeter 610. This may be done through the use of a button or other interface on or in gun safe 100. For example, a user may open gun safe 100 to access a button and then hold down the button down for a predetermined period of time to record the location of gun safe 100. The location may be recorded in control system 500. Control system 500 may then record the location of gun safe 100 as the center of approved geographic zone 615, and determine perimeter 610 based on the location of the center.
This may be done, for example, by establishing perimeter 610 as a radius around the center such that perimeter 610 is generally circular, or spherical, in shape. This may provide approved geographic zone 615 with the same circular or spherical shape. In alternative embodiments, approved geographic zone 615 may have any known two-dimensional or three-dimensional shape, including any combination of flat and/or curved sides. If desired, stepped flat sides may be used to approximate a curved shape such as a circle or sphere.
Control system 500 may be programmed to receive sensor data including location of gun safe 100 from GPS receiver 430, which may periodically receive GPS signals to determine the location of gun safe 100, as known in the art. The location may include location coordinates, such as latitude, longitude, and/or elevation. Control system 500 may further be configured to notify the authorized user if control system 500 moves outside approved geographic zone 615 and into an unapproved geographic zone 617 positioned outside of perimeter 610.
Referring to
Method 1300 may begin 1310 with step 1320 in which gun safe 100 detects acceleration and GPS signals. More specifically, accelerometer 440 may continuously and/or intermittently detect the acceleration level of gun safe 100 and transmit sensor data containing the acceleration level to control system 500. Similarly, GPS receiver 430 may continuously or intermittently receive GPS signals to detect the location of gun safe 100, and may transmit sensor data containing the location, e.g., the location coordinates, of gun safe 100 to control system 500.
Step 1320 may be carried out continuously or intermittently so that control system 500 receives continuous or period sensor data with the acceleration level and/or location of gun safe 100. Each time such sensor data is received, control system 500 may determine, in a determination 1330, whether the acceleration level of gun safe 100 exceeds the predetermined threshold, which may be an approved acceleration level. As mentioned previously, this approved acceleration level may be tuned to the type of events for which the authorized user desires notification, e.g., ordinary use, or only impact events.
If the acceleration of gun safe 100, as measured by accelerometer 440, has exceeded the approved acceleration level, method 1300 may proceed to a step 1340 in which control system 500 initiates the transmittal of a notification to the authorized user. The notification may be transmitted wirelessly to an electronic device, may be audible, or may take other forms, as desired. The notification may be a type designed for immediate receipt by the authorized user.
In alternative embodiments, the notification may not be received by the authorized user until later. For example, a light or other indicator in or on gun safe 100 may be activated to notify the authorized user, next time he or she opens or looks at gun safe 100, that an attempt at tampering or theft has occurred.
In some embodiments, the notification may be perceptible to those in the vicinity of gun safe 100. For example, an audible alarm may serve to scare away a person attempting to tamper with or steal gun safe 100. In alternative embodiments, the notification may be imperceptible to the person attempting to steal or tamper with gun safe 100. An electronic notification to the electronic device held by the authorized user may not be perceived by the person who took the actions that prompted the transmission of the notification. Thus, the person may be kept unaware that the authorized user knows of the tampering or attempted theft.
According to certain embodiments, the notification transmitted in the step 1340 may not include location data for gun safe 100. In the context of transmission of the notification via the Internet, the location data may be omitted for privacy reasons. The authorized user may not want other individuals to obtain access to the location of his or her firearms or valuables. If desired, the notification may include an indication of the acceleration level experienced by gun safe 100, the probable event that caused the acceleration, and/or other information that may help the authorized user to assess the level of risk to gun safe 100.
If, in the determination 1330 the acceleration of gun safe 100 has not exceeded the approved acceleration level, method 1300 may proceed to a step 1350 in which the location of gun safe 100 is determined based on the GPS signals received by GPS receiver 430. This may entail triangulation of the location coordinates of gun safe 100 based on the locations of the GPS satellites that transmit the GPS signals, as known in the art.
Once the location of gun safe 100 has been determined, method 1300 may proceed to a determination 1360 in which gun safe 100, for example, in control system 500, determines whether gun safe 100 is outside approved geographic zone 615. If gun safe 100 is still within approved geographic zone 615, control system 500 may conclude that gun safe 100 is not being stolen or tampered with, and may thus proceed back to step 1320 to continue gathering sensor data until an abnormal condition is found.
If the location of gun safe 100 is outside approved geographic zone 615, or if the location of gun safe 100 is within unapproved geographic zone 617, method 1300 may proceed to a determination 1370. In determination 1370, gun safe 100 determines, for example, in control system 500, whether gun safe 100 is moving. This determination may be made with acceleration data from accelerometer 440 and/or with location data from GPS receiver 430.
According to some examples, the current sensor data may be compared with previously obtained and/or processed sensor data to determine whether gun safe 100 is moving. For example, the current location of gun safe 100 may be compared with location data from the recent past. If the two are significantly different, it may be concluded that gun safe 100 is in motion. Sustained and/or repeated acceleration of gun safe 100 may similarly indicate that gun safe 100 is moving.
If the gun safe 100 is not deemed to be moving, method 1300 may proceed to step 1380 in which a notification is transmitted to the authorized user, again without location data. Like step 1340, step 1380 may entail transmission of an audible notification, an electronic notification, or any other notification type. The notification may be immediate or delayed, and may be perceptible or imperceptible to the person whose actions caused the notification to be sent.
If gun safe 100 is moving, method 1300 may proceed to a step 1390 in which the notification is transmitted to the authorized user with the location data. Like step 1340 and step 1380, this notification may take any of the forms mentioned previously. If gun safe 100 is moving, it may be assumed that privacy concerns are outweighed by the need to locate and recover gun safe 100; this may justify the inclusion of the location data in the notification.
After step 1340, step 1380, or step 1390 has been carried out, method 1300 may terminate with step 1398. If desired, no detection and/or notification steps may be undertaken until the authorized user performs an action to reset control system 500, for example, by presenting the proper credentials to gun safe 100. Alternatively, method 1300 may continue to iterate even after notification has been carried out in step 1340, step 1380, and/or step 1390. Sensor data may advantageously be logged for subsequent review by the authorized user regardless of whether a condition exists that warrants transmission of a notification. Thus, the authorized user can gain helpful information regarding the conditions to which gun safe 100 has been subjected.
Method 1300 is only one of many different implementations of the invention. Sensor system 400 may include any of a wide variety of sensor types, and the sensor data provided by sensor system 400 may be used to make notification decisions according to a wide variety of methods different from that of method 1300. Such methods will be envisioned by a person of skill in the art with the aid of the present disclosure.
Sneakers
In one embodiment, gun safe 100 may include speakers, e.g., Bluetooth speakers. In one embodiment, the Bluetooth speakers may powered only when gun safe 100 is plugged in. Other accessories, other than Bluetooth speakers, may be added to improve the usefulness and/or functionality of gun safe 100.
USB and Power Interface
In one embodiment, gun safe 100 may include one or more communication/power interfaces, e.g., a USB interface. For example, a USB port may be located on the rear of base foot 220. It should be appreciated that a USB, or other communication interface, may be integrated into gun safe 100 in many ways, and/or located in many different places on gun safe 100.
As shown in
Charging/power interface 230 may be of any type known in the art. For example, charging/power interface 230 may be universal serial bus (USB) ports connectable to a wide variety of devices. Charging/power interface 230 may be used to provide electrical power to such devices and/or enable wired communication of gun safe 100 with such devices. In some embodiments, notifications, status reports, sensor data, and/or other information may be conveyed to such devices through charging/power port 230. Additionally or alternatively, such information may be conveyed wirelessly via any known protocol including but not limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Smart, near-field communications (NFC), cellular, radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), and the like.
Gun Support
In one embodiment, gun safe 100 may include components and/or features for placement and/or support of a gun or other item that may be placed or stored inside gun safe 100. For example, support tube 130 may include a cut-out slot 704. Gun support 702 may be shaped as shown in
Although the disclosure herein highlights use of gun safe 100 for storage of guns and other firearms, the gun safe discloses herein may, without alteration, or at least without alteration outside the scope of a person of ordinary skill, be used for secure storage of items other than guns and/or firearms.
Although the description and associated drawings highlight one particular size and shape for gun safe 100, the scope of the disclosure herein extends to gun safes or secure storage compartments of different shapes and different sizes, which are within the spirit of the disclosure herein.
In general, many modifications and alterations may be made to the disclosure described herein without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180163456 A1 | Jun 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15702743 | Sep 2017 | US |
| Child | 15821293 | US | |
| Parent | 14106684 | Dec 2013 | US |
| Child | 15702743 | US |
