GUN CASE WITH ENHANCED GUN SECUREMENT MEANS

Abstract

A gun carrying case that comprises a pair of side panels that define a gun receiving compartment with one side of the panels defining an opening to the gun receiving compartment. The gun case includes a first locking device for locking a closure zipper in a closed condition, and a second locking device in the form of a metal cable trained in serpentine fashion between the side panels below the zipper for redundantly locking the side panels in a closed condition notwithstanding unauthorized opening or tampering with the zipper. The bottom of the gun receiving compartment is defined in part by a U-shaped bullet penetration resistant layer, and a gun is securable within the case with a muzzle pointed downwardly into the U-shaped layer for retaining any errant discharge that might occur from the gun while in the case.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to gun cases, and more particularly, to a gun case adapted for enhanced securement of a gun within the case during storage or transport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Policemen, law enforcement officers, and other gun users often must store their handgun within a secured gun case when the gun is out of their possession. Air marshals on commercial airlines, for example, typically carry a handgun. When disembarking from an international flight, regulations require that airport security physically transport the handgun in a gun case off the airplane for passage through security. Gun cases commonly have a satchel or carrying case appearance with a zipper for closing an upper access end of the gun case and a small padlock or other locking device used for locking the zipper in its closed position. Nevertheless, it has been found that such lockable zipper closures for gun cases can be easily compromised by a ball point pen or other sharp instrument that pries apart the interlocking teeth of the zipper, enabling relatively quick and easy access to the interior of the gun case. Other means for attempting to more securely lock the gun case have been cumbersome and detracted from the streamlined appearance and handling of the gun case when in a locked condition. While it is desirable that gun cases also facilitate safe handling of the gun prior to and after storage in the gun case, it further is desirable that the gun case protectively contain the gun within the case in such manner that if a round should be inadvertently discharged from the gun while within the case it would be protectively contained within gun case.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a gun storage and transport case that is adapted for more securely containing a gun within the case during transport, handling or storage of the gun.

[0004] Another object is to provide a gun case as characterized above which is less susceptible to compromise by individuals attempting unauthorized access to the contained gun.

[0005] A further object is to provide a gun case of the above kind which includes both primary and secondary securement devices while maintaining a streamlined satchel appearance for easy handling and transport.

[0006] Still another object is to provide such a gun case in which the securement means is relatively simple and economical in construction.

[0007] Yet a further object is to provide a gun case of the foregoing type which not only facilitates safe handling of the gun before and after storage within the case, but also protectively contains the gun within the case such that any inadvertent discharge of the gun is contained.

[0008] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective of an illustrative gun carrying case embodying the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective of the gun case shown in FIG. 1 with the top cover flap in an opened position, showing the gun case in a redundantly locked condition;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective, similar to FIG. 2, showing the first or zipper locking device with the key inserted for unlocking;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective, similar to FIG. 3, with the zipper locking device in an unlocked condition;

[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective of the zipper locking device of the illustrated gun carrying case;

[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective of the illustrated gun case with both the first zipper lock and a second redundant locking device in disengaged condition permitting access to the gun carrying compartment of the case;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective of an alternative embodiment of the gun case in accordance with the invention; and

[0016] FIG. 8 is a vertical transverse section of the gun case taken in the plane of line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

[0017] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrative embodiment thereof has been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown an illustrative hand gun storage and carrying case 10 in accordance with the invention. The illustrated hand gun case 10 includes front and rear sides wall panels 11, 12 which are fixedly secured along bottom and side juncture areas 14, 15, respectively, to define an upwardly opening gun receiving compartment 16 therebetween.

[0019] One or both of the side panels 11, 12 may include a ballistic resistant layer of material, such as described in application Ser. No. 11/110,064, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, adapted for impeding and/or containing an errant round from a gun directed into the gun case should an unintentional discharge of the gun occur during handling of the gun while aimed at a side of the gun case 10, either prior to placement in the gun case or following removal. To facilitate and encourage safe handling of the gun after removal from the case, or following loading or checking of the shell chamber, an emblem 18 in the form of a target indicia is centrally located on the outer side surface of the front gun case panel 11, as also described in the above referenced application. With the target emblem 18 on the outside of the gun case and one or more of the side panels appropriately reinforced with a ballistic resistant layer, the user is constantly reminded to point the gun at the reinforced side panels, as well as other necessary safe handling procedures for the gun.

[0020] For releasably securing the side panels 11, 12 along an upper perimeter of the compartment 16 for containing a gun within the compartment, a zipper 20 is provided. The zipper 20 may be of a conventional type, comprising strips 21 of interlockable teeth secured to the respective side panels 11, 12 adjacent top sides of the panels and a slidable interlock head 22 having a pull tab 24 that is movable along the length of the strips 21 in one direction for interlocking the teeth of the zipper strips 21 and in an opposite direction for unlocking the interlocking teeth of the zipper strips 21.

[0021] In accordance with the invention, the gun case has a redundant locking system adapted for more secure containment of a gun within the gun case. To this end, in the illustrated embodiment, the gun case includes a first locking device for locking the zipper in a compartment closing condition, and a second locking device for both further securing the gun containing compartment in a closed condition and preventing easy access or compromise to the zipper locking device.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, a zipper locking device 25 is provided adjacent the end of the zipper where the interlock head 22 is located when the zipper is in a closed condition. The zipper locking device 25, which may be of a type known in the art, includes a housing 26 inconspicuously disposed between front and rear panels 11, 12 and extending in depending relation to the level of the zipper strips 21, the housing 26 is formed with an upwardly opening zipper locking head receiving cavity 28 having a pair of upstanding tabs 29 adjacent ends of the zipper strips 21. A stem 30 having a cantilevered locking head 31 is mounted for relative vertical movement within the housing 26, being biased toward a raised position by an appropriate biasing spring or the like acting on an underside of the stem. The zipper locking device 25 further includes a key operated multiple pin plunger of a conventional type for automatically engaging an locking the stem 30 and cantilevered locking head 31 when pushed against the force of the resilient spring to a lowered locking position. Rotation of the tumbler by a key 35 releases the stem 30 causing the locking head 31 to be biased upwardly to the unlocked condition.

[0023] It will be seen that when the zipper 20 is closed, the slidable interlock head 22 of the zipper is located above the cavity 28 of the locking device housing 26. Forcing the stem 30 downwardly to its locked position causes the cantilevered locking head 31 of the stem 30 to force the zipper interlock head 22 into the cavity 28 and retain it behind the upstanding lugs 29, locking it in its zipped or closed condition. Rotation of the tumbler by the key 35 releases the lock automatically raising the stem 30 and locking head 31 for permitting removal of the zipper interlock head 22 from the cavity 28 and movement of the zipper interlock head 22 to a compartment opening position

[0024] In keeping with the invention, the gun case has a redundant or second locking device 40 for further securing the gun containing compartment 16 in a closed condition and for impeding access or compromise to the zipper locking device 25. The redundant locking device 40 in this case includes a serpentine steel cable 41 for securing the upper perimeters of the front and rear panels 11, 12 together below the zipper strips 21 which is trained through a plurality of metal reinforcing grommets 42a-42d and 44a-44c in the front and rear panels 11, 12, respectively. The front panel 11 in this case includes four laterally spaced grommets 42a-42d, and the rear panel 12 includes three grommets 44a-44c in aligned relation with the grommets 44b-44d of the front panel 11.

[0025] One end of the cable 41 is fixedly secured to the housing 26 of the zipper locking device 25, such that the free end which in this case is formed with a locking loop 45 can be trained through the grommets 42a in the front panel 11 and then in serpentine fashion through the aligned grommets 42b, 44a and 42c, 44b and 42d, 44c in the front and rear panels 11, 12 with the free looped end of the cable 41 extending outwardly of the third double set of grommets 42d, 44c. The cable 41 maintains the upper perimeters of the panels 11, 12 in close relation to each other, and a conventional padlock 46 may be secured to the loop 45 at the free protruding end above the cable 41 for redundantly maintaining the compartment in closed condition.

[0026] In keeping with the invention, the gun case has a fold over closure flap 50 that overlies the zipper 20 and the secondary serpentine locking cable 41 for giving the gun case a streamlined low profile, satchel like appearance. The fold over panel 50 in this case is defined by a flap portion 51 secured to the rear side panel 15, which is foldable over the top of the gun compartment 16 into overlying relation to a front side of the front panel 11. The flap portion 51 in this instance has a grommet 53 in aligned relation to the grommet 42d and 44c in the front and rear side panels, through which the cable loop 45 protrudes for locking. The flap portion 51 preferably covers the rear side of the rear panel grommets 44a and 44b. Respective Velcro strips 54, 55 are provided along the perimeter of the foldable flap portion 51 and the front panel 11, respectively, for releasable securing the flap portion 51 in its folded down closed position. The side panels 11, 12 in this case each have a respective handle strap 56 fixed along a respective side thereof to facilitate carrying of the gun case. One of the holding straps 56 has a handle and retention flap 58 which is foldable about the other holding strap 56 for retaining the holding straps 56 together and providing a comfortable handle for transporting the case. The handle and retention flap 58 has matable Velcro strips which enable releasable securement of the flap 58 in its strap retaining condition.

[0027] To open the gun case, it can be seen that the holding straps 56 may be separated by unfolding of the retention flap 58, and the closure flap 50 may be opened. By use of the key 35, the zipper locking device 25 may be unlocked, causing the stem 30 and locking lug 31 of the lock to be automatically raised to a position which enables removal of the zipper interlock head 22 from the cavity 28 of the zipper lock housing 26, permitting sliding movement of the interlock head 22 to open the zipper 20. Unlocking of the pad lock 40 permits removal of the serpentine cable 41 from the grommets 42, and opening of the gun case compartment for removal of the gun, which during loading or other handling may be directed to the safe direction target 18 on the reinforced gun case panel.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the gun case in accordance with the invention wherein items similar to those described above have been given similar reference numerals. The gun case 10 in this instance has an internal gun support and retention arrangement for securing a hand gun within the case such that any accidental discharge of the gun while within the case is protectively contained within the gun case. To this end, the gun receiving compartment 16 includes a pocket 60 for receiving and supporting a muzzle 61 of a gun 62 in a downwardly directed fashion and at least one retention strap 64 for securing the gun 62 within the pocket 60. The muzzle receiving pocket 60 in this case is upwardly opening, defined by a transverse strip 65 of fabric material secured on opposite vertical sides to an interior wall 66 of the gun receiving compartment 16. A retention strap 68 also is fixedly secured at one end, such as by stapling or sewing, to the transverse strip 65 and has a free end 68a that may be wrapped about a handle of the gun 62 and releasably secured, by means of Velcro fasteners or the like, to the opposite wall of the open receiving compartment 16. It will be understood that the gun 62 may be positioned into the gun case in either a holstered or unholstered condition, with the muzzle 61 disposed in the pocket 60 in downwardly directed fashion and with the retention strip 68 securing the gun in such position during containment.

[0029] In carrying out this aspect of the invention, the gun case 10 has a U-shaped lining material comprising a ballistic resistant layer 70 with the bottom of the U defining a bottom of the gun case to which the muzzle of a gun 62 supported in the case is pointed for protectively containing an errant round that might be accidentally discharged from the gun. In the illustrated embodiment, the ballistic resistant layer 70 may be a bullet penetration resistant layer made of a material commercially available from DuPont Corporation under the name Kevlar. This layer 70 preferably comprises a plurality of individual adjacent layers of Kevlar material designed to resist penetration and passage of a bullet discharging from the gun. The number of layers of Kevlar can be designed for the caliber of the bullet for which the composite layer is to resist passage. To minimize material usage and cost, the bullet penetrating layer 70 may have a J-configured shape with a long leg 70a of the J overlying and encompassing a front side of the gun containing compartment 16 and the opposite shorter leg 70b of the J extending upwardly about half the height of the back side of the compartment 16.

[0030] To facilitate safe handling of the gun, consistent with the afore-referenced application, a bullet diffusing layer 71 is provided in overlying relation to the penetration resistant layer 70 for diffusing and spreading out the impact trauma of a bullet that might be directed into the side of the gun case during handling of the gun before storage or after removal of the gun, such as during loading, unloading, chamber checking, or the like. The force diffusing layer 71 may be made of a polyurethane material, such as is commercially available from Gallagher Corporation, Gurnee, Ill., under the designation GC 493. The force diffusing layer 71 preferably takes the form of a single layer of such polyurethane compound that can be molded, poured, or injected into a suitable flexible plate-like form between about 1/8'' and 1/2'' in thickness. Such material has characteristics that diffuse and spread out impact energy from a bullet so as to reduce the impact trauma thereof on a side opposite that which is impacted by the bullet. Hence, it can be seen that the ballistic resistant layers 70, 71 both facilitate safe handling of the gun before or after loading in the case, as well as protectively contain any errant discharge from the muzzle of the gun while contained within the case.

[0031] For purposes herein, and consistent with the afore-referenced application, the term "bullet penetration resistant layer" shall mean a layer of material that resists penetration and passage of a fired bullet while not necessarily preventing blunt force trauma or impact due to deformation. The term "bullet diffusing layer" shall mean a layer of material that diffuses and dampens the impact of force of a fired bullet by distributing the force over a larger area, while not necessarily preventing or substantially resisting penetration and passage of the bullet. The term "ballistic resistant layer" shall mean a layer which comprises either a bullet penetration resistant layer or a bullet diffusing layer.

[0032] From the foregoing, it can be seen that a gun storage and transport case is provided that is adapted for more securely containing a gun within the case during transport, handling, or storage of the gun. The gun case has redundant locking devices that are less susceptible to compromise by individuals attempting unauthorized access to the gun containing case. Yet, the gun case is relatively simple and economical in construction, and when in use, has a streamlined satchel appearance for easy handling and transport. The gun case further facilitates safe handling of the gun prior to and after removal from the case, as well as during storage.

Claims

1. A gun carrying case comprising: a pair of side panels that define a gun receiving compartment, one side of each of said side panels defining an opening to said gun receiving compartment, zipper strips along the sides of said side panels that define said opening, a zipper interlock slide slidable along said zipper strips in one direction for interlocking and closing said zipper strips and said opening of said gun receiving compartment and in an opposite direction for separating said zipper strips and opening said gun receiving compartment, a first locking device for locking said zipper interlock slide in position closing said gun containing compartment, a second locking device for redundantly locking the sides of said side panels that define said opening to said gun receiving compartment in a closed position, and said second redundant locking device being operable for maintaining the sides of said panels that define said opening to said gun compartment in a sufficiently closed condition for preventing removal of a gun from the compartment notwithstanding separation of the zipper strips by movement of the slide to a compartment opening position or unauthorized separation of the zipper strips.

2. The gun case of claim 1 in which said first and second locking devices each is key operated.

3. The gun case of claim 1 in which said second locking device is a metal cable trained between the sides of said panels that define the opening to said gun receiving compartment.

4. The gun case of claim 3 in which said metal cable is trained in serpentine fashion between the sides of said panels that define the opening to said gun receiving compartment.

5. The gun case of claim 4 in which the sides of said panels that define the opening to said gun receiving compartment are formed with a plurality of grommets, and said metal cable is trained in serpentine fashion through said grommets for retaining the ends of the panels in close relation to each other.

6. The gun case of claim 5 including a selectively disengageable cable retaining lock for preventing removal of said cable from a trained position through said grommets.

7. The gun case of claim 6 in which said cable is formed with a loop at a free end thereof, and said cable retaining lock is a padlock size larger than said grommets that is engageable with an end loop of the cable for preventing removal of the cable from the grommets, and said padlock is selectively disengageable and removable from the cable loop for enabling withdrawal of the cable from a trained position through said grommets and opening of the sides of said panels that define said end receiving compartment.

8. The gun case of claim 5 in which one of said panels has a closure flap foldable over an outer side of the other panel for concealing said zipper locking device and the grommets on one of said side panels.

9. The gun case of claim 1 in which said second locking device secures the top sides of said side panels together at a location below said zipper strips.

10. The gun case of claim 1 in which at least one of said side panels is formed with a ballistic-resistant layer of material effective for impeding and containing an errant round from a gun discharge into the side panel of the gun case.

11. The gun case of claim 10 in which an outer face of one of said panels has a target indicia.

12. A gun carrying case comprising: a pair of side panels that define a gun receiving compartment, one side of each of said side panels defining an opening to said gun receiving compartment, a releasable closure device along the sides of said side panels that defines said opening for releasably securing the gun receiving compartment in a closed condition, a first locking device for releasably locking the closure device in a gun compartment closing condition, a second locking device for redundantly locking the sides of said side panels that define said opening to said gun receiving compartment in a closed position, and said second redundant locking device being operable for maintaining the sides of said panels that define said opening to said gun compartment in a sufficiently closed condition for preventing removal of a gun from the compartment notwithstanding unauthorized opening of said releasable closure device.

13. The gun case of claim 12 in which said metal cable is trained in serpentine fashion between the sides of said panels that define the opening to said gun receiving compartment.

14. The gun case of claim 13 in which the sides of said panels that define the opening to said gun receiving compartment are formed with a plurality of grommets, said metal cable is trained in serpentine fashion through said grommets for retaining the ends of the panels in close relation to each other, and a selectively disengageable cable retaining lock for preventing removal of said cable from a trained position through said grommets.

15. The gun case of claim 12 in which said second locking device secures the top sides of said side panels together at a location below said zipper strips.

16. The gun case of claim 12 in which at least one of said side panels is formed with a ballistic-resistant layer of material effective for impeding and containing an errant round from a gun discharge into the side panel of the gun case, and an outer face of one of said panels has a target indicia.

17. A gun carrying case comprising: a pair of side panels that define a gun receiving compartment, an upper side of each of said side panels defining an opening to said gun receiving compartment, said gun receiving compartment having an internal gun support and retention arrangement for supporting the gun with a muzzle of the gun pointed to a bottom of the gun receiving compartment, said support and retention arrangement including a retention strap for securing about the gun to retain it with the muzzle pointed downwardly into said gun receiving compartment, and said gun receiving compartment having a U-shaped layer of a bullet penetration resistant material for containing an errant discharge of the gun while in the gun case.

18. The gun carrying case of claim 17 in which said gun support and retention arrangement includes a separate upwardly opening pocket formed in said gun receiving compartment for receiving and supporting the muzzle of a gun positioned in the compartment in a downwardly pointed direction.

19. The gun carrying case of claim 18 in which said retention strap is affixed at one end to a side wall of the compartment and has a free end for positioning about a handle of a gun within the gun receiving compartment, and said free end having a releasable fastener for securing the strap within the compartment in a gun retaining condition.

20. The gun carrying case of claim 17 in which said bullet penetration resistant layer has a J-shaped cross sectional configuration with a front leg extending upwardly and encompassing a front side of said gun receiving compartment and a rear leg extending upwardly a lesser distance than said front leg and encompassing a part of a rear side of said compartment.

21. The gun carrying case of claim 17 including a bullet diffusing layer of material disposed in adjacent overlying relation to the front leg of said U-shaped bullet penetration resistant layer.

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