Safe box for vehicle headrest

Abstract

The invention discloses a safe box for a vehicle headrest. The safe box is used in combination with a seat of an automobile. The headrest safe includes an outer housing having a front surface, a rear surface, a left side surface, a right side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The outer housing contains a pivoting door. The headrest safe also includes a hollow metal container positioned inside the outer housing. The container has a main portion and a container door. The container also has a reciprocating firearm tray directly coupled to the container door. The outer housing door has a biometric lock.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] Applicant claims the benefit of U.S. patent application serial number 17 / 224,570, filed on April 7, 2021, and entitled “Automobile Headrest Safe,” which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial number 63 / 157,173, filed on March 5, 2021, and entitled “Automobile Headrest Safe.”

[0003] STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0004] not applicable.

[0005] Names of the parties to the joint research agreement

[0006] not applicable. Technical Field

[0007] The present disclosure relates to safes, and more particularly, to gun safes found in cars or other types of vehicles. Background Art

[0008] Safes have been used for decades to allow for the storage of items such as guns while preventing unauthorized access to the guns inside. Many safes use a metal enclosure with a lock. The lock can be in the form of a combination lock, a key lock, or a more modern biometric lock that is accessed by, for example, a person's fingerprint.

[0009] To protect occupants, firearms are often transported or stored inside automobiles. While firearms can be stored in a car's console or glove box, these are not considered gun safes because they lack the necessary locks and tamper resistance. As shown in Korean patent application KR19980001253, automotive storage compartments have also been designed to be contained within seat headrests. However, here again, headrest storage compartments lack locks or tamper resistance to prevent access to the firearms contained therein. Furthermore, access to the interior of the storage compartment is difficult for the driver.

[0010] Some gun safes have been adapted for use in automobiles (or cars). These gun safes can take the form of metal boxes that are simply fixed to the car, such as the metal box shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,996,865. Gun safes have also been designed to be incorporated into the glove box or console of a car, as shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 20190102963. Gun safes have also been designed to be incorporated into the structure of a car's sun visor, as shown in U.S. Patent No. 10,232,790. While these gun safes provide a secure structure for the safe storage of guns, they require the use of multiple hands to operate and do not provide the most direct access to the guns inside the safe. In addition, because they are stored in a fixed location, people must reach into the gun safe to remove the guns inside.

[0011] Thus, it can be seen that there remains a need for a gun safe that can be incorporated into an automobile or vehicle for secure storage but easy access to the firearms therein. Accordingly, the present invention is primarily directed to providing such a gun safe. Summary of the Invention

[0012] A safe adapted for mounting to a vehicle seat includes an outer shell contoured to resemble a car headrest. The outer shell has a front surface oriented relative to a front surface of the vehicle seat, a rear surface disposed opposite the front surface, two oppositely disposed side surfaces extending between the front and rear surfaces, a top surface extending between the front and rear surfaces, and a bottom surface extending between the front and rear surfaces. One of the side surfaces has a pivoting door portion configured to reciprocate between a closed position and an open position. The safe also includes a container mounted within the outer shell. The container has a main portion and a container door pivotally mounted to the main portion for reciprocating movement between a locked position and an unlocked position. A lock is coupled to the container door to prevent the container door from opening when in the locked position and to allow the container door to open when in the unlocked position. The safe also includes a removable entertainment tray coupled to the container door for reciprocating movement between a retracted position constrained within the container and an extended position extending at least partially outward from the container. The container door is movable with the reciprocating movement of the removable gun tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In order to better understand the present invention, certain descriptions, diagrams and / or flow charts are attached. However, it should be noted that the drawings only illustrate selected embodiments of the present invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting the scope, as the present invention may allow other equally effective embodiments and applications.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle headrest safe embodying the principles of the present invention in a preferred form.

[0015] Figures 2 to 4 is displayed with a firearm positioned therein Figure 1 A series of perspective views of an opening of a vehicle headrest safe.

[0016] Figure 5 is shown with selected portions removed or in phantom and is shown with a firearm positioned therein Figure 1 A perspective view of a vehicle headrest safe.

[0017] Figure 6 is displayed with a firearm positioned therein Figure 1 End view of a vehicle headrest safe.

[0018] Figures 7 to 9 is a series of perspective views of a vehicle headrest safe embodying the principles of the invention in another preferred form showing the vehicle headrest safe opened with a firearm positioned therein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring now to the drawings, a preferred form of the present invention, a headrest safe 10 for automobiles, is shown, although it can be coupled to a seat in any type of vehicle. The headrest safe 10 is used in conjunction with a seat S in an automobile and is preferably aesthetically designed to replace the standard headrest in the automobile, providing a uniform appearance to the interior of the automobile. The headrest safe 10 is coupled to the standard seat via a link or component 11, which is configured similarly to the standard mounting components of a standard headrest.

[0020] The headrest safe 10 includes an outer shell 12 made of a soft material and shaped to conform to or resemble the standard stock headrest for the particular vehicle. The outer shell 12 includes a front surface 16 facing forward relative to the vehicle, a rear surface 18 facing rearward, a left side surface 20, a right side surface 22, a top surface 24, and a bottom surface 26. The left and right side surfaces 20 and 22 face laterally relative to the vehicle, with one side facing the driver when installed on the passenger seat, or facing the passenger when installed on the driver's seat. The outer shell 12 has a pivoting outer door, door portion, or cover 28 and may include a cushion or padding material 30 beneath an outer cover 29.

[0021] A hollow metal inner enclosure, shell, box or container 34 is positioned inside the outer shell 12. The container 34 includes a tubular main or body portion 36 having an open end or opening 37 and a pivoting reciprocating side door 38 having a spring 40 that pulls the side door 38 from the outer shell 12. Figure 2 The closed position of the closed body portion opening 37 shown in FIG. Figure 33. The main portion 36 is shown in an open position allowing access to the interior of the container 34 through the opening 37. The main portion 36 has a bottom wall 44, a top wall 46, two side walls 48 and an end wall 50 disposed opposite the container side door 38.

[0022] The pivoting side door 38 includes a lock or locking device 56 that prevents unauthorized opening of the side door 38. The lock 56 is preferably a biometric lock with a fingerprint reader 58. The lock 56 includes a latch 60 that engages a catch 62 mounted to the container 34. The lock 56 maintains the side door 38 in its closed or locked position. The lock 56 may also include an optional cylinder lock 63 that can override the biometric lock for selected access.

[0023] A reciprocating gun slide, holder or tray 70 is mounted inside the container 34 for Figure 3 The retracted or stowed position shown in Figure 4 . The tray 70 includes a bottom plate 72, an end lip or finger flange 74, and two side walls 76 forming a gun channel 78 therebetween. The tray 70 is sized and shaped to accommodate a pistol or gun G on the tray 70 and within the gun channel 78. The side edges 80 of the tray are configured to be received within grooves 82 extending into the container 34 to form a tongue-and-groove type arrangement to allow reciprocating sliding of the tray 70. A resilient pad or compressible layer 86 may be mounted to the inside or inner surface of the side walls 76 to provide a soft but snug support or retention of the gun G within the gun channel 78 to prevent unwanted movement of the gun G when stored, but maintain an upright positioning of the gun G for easy removal from the tray 70. As Figure 5 As shown in FIG, the sidewall 76 may include or be in the form of a plurality of flexible fingers 80 mounted within a liner 86.

[0024] The outer door 28 is configured to overlap the container side door 38. Assuming a left-hand driver's seat position, the outer door 28 and the lower door 38 are preferably positioned on the left side surface 20 of the passenger seat, such that the side door portion 66 faces the driver of the vehicle. Of course, if the headrest safe is mounted to the driver's seat, the outer door 28 and the lower container side door 38 should be positioned on the right side surface 22 facing the passenger seated on the passenger seat. The outer door 28 moves independently of the container side door 38 between a closed or locked position and an open position. The outer door 28 can be maintained in the closed position by any conventionally known latch or catch (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, snap fasteners, a press fit of the outer door 28 into the surrounding headrest 12, a drawstring, etc.).

[0025] The headrest safe 10 can be coupled to the vehicle seat by any conventionally known mounting method, and preferably by the same method as the original manufactured vehicle seat headrest. For example, the headrest 10 can be coupled to the seat by a single mounting post, dual mounting posts, etc. The mounting method should be sufficiently secure to prevent the headrest safe from being stolen by forcefully removing it from the seat.

[0026] In use, the headrest safe 10 is coupled to the vehicle's seat S in the same position as the original manufacturer's headrest. Because the headrest safe is primarily configured to be accessible by the vehicle driver, the headrest safe 10 is shown mounted to the vehicle's passenger seat in a left-hand driver's vehicle. Thus, the headrest outer door 28 and the lower container side door 38 are on the driver-facing left side of the headrest, although, again assuming a left-hand drive vehicle, the reverse configuration could be employed if the headrest safe 10 were mounted to the driver's seat for passenger use and access.

[0027] A person can place a handgun or firearm G within the headrest safe 10 by opening the exterior door 28 and activating the unlocking of the container side door 38 by placing an identified, pre-programmed finger on the fingerprint reader 58 to unlock the lock 56. Authorization or identification of the fingerprint on the fingerprint reader 58 activates the lock 56, causing the latch 60 to release the catch 62, which allows the biasing force of the spring 40 to move the side door 38 from its closed position to its open position. The sliding tray 70 can be moved to Figure 4 70 and the gun passage 78. The tray 70 is then slid back into its stowed position. The side door 38 can then be moved to a closed or locked position to secure the gun G within the headrest safe 10. The outer door 28 is then moved to its closed position.

[0028] The side walls 76 may be configured with internally mounted flexible inwardly biasing members 77 that provide a spring biasing aspect to the side walls 76 in directions toward each other to provide releasable support or retention of a firearm G mounted therebetween.

[0029] If quick access to the firearm G contained within the headrest safe 10 is required, the driver simply reaches out, opens the exterior door 28, and places a finger on the fingerprint reader 58 of the container side door 38. The reading of the driver's fingerprint activates the lock 56, which releases the catch 62 from the latch 60, causing the side door 38 to automatically open due to the bias of the spring 40. With the container side door 38 now open, the driver can reach into the container 34 through the opening 37 and, by pulling on the finger flange 74, pull out the tray 70, thereby exposing the firearm G. The coordinated upright positioning of the side wall 76 and the gun channel 78 provides direct access to the firearm G in a natural position where a person's finger can be placed proximate to the trigger of the firearm.

[0030] It should also be noted that the positioning of the exterior door 28 and the container side door 38 on the side of the headrest allows for direct access relative to the person seated in the seat. This is a significant advantage over the prior art, in which the doors are positioned on the rear portion of the headrest, facing the rear of the vehicle. This rearward-facing door does not allow for quick access to the interior of the headrest container and the firearm therein.

[0031] Finally, it should also be noted that the spring loading of the side door 38 is an option, but provides for quick and reliable opening of the side door with minimal effort. Likewise, this allows for quick access to the interior of the headrest container and the firearm therein.

[0032] Next reference Figures 7 to 9 , a vehicle headrest safe 10 is shown in a preferred form of the present invention, although it can be coupled to the seat of any type of vehicle and is not limited to car seats. The headrest safe 10 is used in conjunction with a seat S and is preferably aesthetically designed to replace the vehicle's standard seat headrest, providing a unified look for the vehicle interior. The headrest safe 10 is coupled to the standard seat via a link or component 11, which is configured similarly to the standard mounting components of a standard headrest.

[0033] The headrest safe 10 includes an outer shell 12 made of a soft material and shaped to conform to or resemble the standard stock headrest for the particular vehicle. The outer shell 12 includes a front surface 16 facing forward relative to the vehicle, a rear surface 18 facing rearward, a left side surface 20, a right side surface 22, a top surface 24, and a bottom surface 26. The left and right side surfaces 20 and 22 face laterally relative to the vehicle, with one side facing the driver when installed on the passenger seat, or facing the passenger when installed on the driver's seat. The outer shell 12 has a pivoting outer door, door portion, or cover 28 and may include a cushion or padding material 30 beneath an outer cover 29.

[0034] A hollow metal inner enclosure, shell, box, or container 34 is positioned inside the outer shell 12. The container 34 includes a tubular main or body portion 36 having an open end or opening 37 and a pivoting reciprocating side door 38. The main portion 36 has a bottom wall 44, a top wall 46, two side walls 48, and an end wall (not shown) disposed opposite the container side door 38.

[0035] The pivoting side door 38 includes a lock or locking device 56 that prevents unauthorized opening of the side door 38. The lock 56 is preferably a biometric lock with a fingerprint reader 58. The lock 56 includes a latch 60 that engages a catch mounted to the container 34. The lock 56 maintains the side door 38 in its closed or locked position. The lock 56 may also include an optional key or cylinder lock 63 that can override the biometric lock for selected access.

[0036] A reciprocating gun slide, holder or tray 70 is mounted inside the container 34 for Figure 8 The retracted or stowed position shown in Figure 9 The tray 70 includes a bottom plate 72 and two side walls 76 forming a gun channel 78 therebetween. The tray 70 is sized and shaped to accommodate a pistol or gun G on the tray 70 and within the gun channel 78. The gun tray 70 includes a two-piece slide system 80 to allow for reciprocating sliding movement of the tray 70. A resilient pad or compressible layer 86 may be mounted to the inside or inner surface of the side walls 76 to provide soft but conforming support or retention for the gun G within the gun channel 78, preventing undesirable movement of the gun G when stored while maintaining an upright position for easy removal from the tray 70.

[0037] The outboard end of the gun tray 70 is directly coupled to the container side door 38 via a hinge 90. When the container side door 38 is in the fully open position, the hinge 90 allows the container side door 38 to be generally longitudinally aligned with the gun tray 70. This positioning allows the gun tray to be manually pulled from the retracted position to the extended position by manually pulling the container side door 38. Thus, the gun tray 70 moves laterally with the lateral movement of the container side door 38.

[0038] The outer door 28 is configured to overlap the container side door 38. Assuming a left-hand driver's seat position, the outer door 28 and the lower door 38 are preferably positioned on the left side surface 20 of the passenger seat, such that the side door portion 66 faces the driver of the vehicle. Of course, if the headrest safe is mounted to the driver's seat, the outer door 28 and the lower container side door 38 should be positioned on the right side surface 22 facing the passenger seated on the passenger seat. The outer door 28 moves independently of the container side door 38 between a closed or locked position and an open position. The outer door 28 can be maintained in the closed position by any conventionally known latch or catch (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners, magnetic fasteners, snap fasteners, a press fit of the outer door 28 into the surrounding headrest 12, a drawstring, etc.).

[0039] The headrest safe 10 can be coupled to the vehicle seat by any conventionally known mounting method, and preferably by the same method as the original manufactured vehicle seat headrest. For example, the headrest 10 can be coupled to the seat by a single mounting post, dual mounting posts, etc. The mounting method should be sufficiently secure to prevent the headrest safe from being stolen by forcefully removing it from the seat.

[0040] In use, the headrest safe 10 is coupled to the vehicle's seat S in the same position as the original manufacturer's headrest. Because the headrest safe is primarily configured to be accessible by the vehicle driver, the headrest safe 10 is shown mounted to the vehicle's passenger seat in a left-hand driver's vehicle. Thus, the headrest outer door 28 and the lower container side door 38 are on the driver-facing left side of the headrest, although, again assuming a left-hand drive vehicle, the reverse configuration could be employed if the headrest safe 10 were mounted to the driver's seat for passenger use and access.

[0041] A person can place a handgun or firearm G inside the headrest safe 10 by opening the exterior door 28 and activating the unlocking of the container side door 38 by placing a recognized, pre-programmed finger on the fingerprint reader 58 or actuating the manual locking mechanism to unlock the lock 56. Authorization or recognition of the fingerprint on the fingerprint reader 58 activates the lock 56, causing the latch 60 to release the catch 62 to move the side door 38 from its closed position to its open position. The sliding tray 70 can be moved to Figure 9 70 and the gun passage 78. The tray 70 is then slid back into its stowed position. The side door 38 can then be pivoted to a closed or locked position to secure the gun G within the headrest safe 10. The outer side door 28 is then moved to its closed position.

[0042] The side walls 76 may be configured with internally mounted flexible inwardly biasing members 77 that provide a spring biasing aspect to the side walls 76 in directions toward each other to provide releasable support or retention of a firearm G mounted therebetween.

[0043] If quick access to the firearm G contained within the headrest safe 10 is required, the driver simply reaches out, opens the exterior door 28, and places a finger on the fingerprint reader 58 of the container side door 38. The reading of the driver's fingerprint activates the lock 56, which releases the catch 62 from the latch 60, allowing the side door 38 to open. With the container side door 38 now open, the driver can grasp the open side door 38 and pull the gun tray 70 outward to its extended position, thereby exposing the firearm G. The coordinated upright positioning of the side wall 76 and the gun channel 78 provides direct access to the firearm G in a natural position where a person's finger can be placed proximate to the trigger of the firearm.

[0044] It should also be noted that the positioning of the exterior door 28 and the container side door 38 on the side of the headrest allows for direct access relative to the person seated in the seat. This is a significant advantage over the prior art, in which the doors are positioned on the rear portion of the headrest, facing the rear of the vehicle. This rearward-facing door does not allow for quick access to the interior of the headrest container and the firearm therein.

[0045] It should also be noted that, as previously described, spring loading of the side door 38 is an option. Again, this can allow for quick access to the interior of the headrest receptacle and the firearm therein.

[0046] Variations of the headrest safe are within the spirit of the claims below.It will be understood that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation, and alteration without departing from its spirit.

Claims

1. A safe adapted to be mounted on a vehicle seat, the safe comprising: an outer shell contoured to resemble an automotive headrest, the outer shell having a front surface oriented relative to a front surface of the vehicle seat, a rear surface disposed opposite the front surface, two oppositely disposed side surfaces extending between the front and rear surfaces, a top surface extending between the front and rear surfaces, and a bottom surface extending between the front and rear surfaces, one of the side surfaces having a pivoting door portion for reciprocating movement between a closed position and an open position; a container mounted within the outer shell, the container having a main portion with an end opening and a container door pivotally mounted for reciprocal movement between a locked position covering the end opening and an unlocked position uncovering the end opening; a lock coupled to the container door to prevent the container door from opening when in a locked position and to allow the container door to open when in an unlocked position, and a movable gun tray coupled to the container door for reciprocating lateral movement between a retracted position within the container and an extended position extending at least partially outwardly from the container, the container door moving laterally with the reciprocating lateral movement of the movable gun tray.

2. The safe of claim 1 , wherein the gun tray includes a bottom plate and side walls extending from the bottom plate, the side walls being spaced apart from each other to define a gun holding space therebetween.

3. The safe of claim 2, wherein the side walls are spring biased toward each other.

4. The safe of claim 2, wherein each of the side walls includes a compressible layer facing the other side wall.

5. The safe of claim 1 , wherein the gun tray includes a hinge, wherein the hinge is also coupled to the container door.

6. The safe of claim 2, wherein the gun tray includes a rail system coupling the removable gun tray to the container.

7. The safe of claim 1, further comprising a mounting member extending from the outer housing for coupling the safe to the vehicle seat.

8. The safe of claim 1 , wherein the container door is longitudinally aligned with the gun tray when the container door is in the fully unlocked position.

9. A gun safe adapted to be mounted to a vehicle seat, the gun safe comprising: a housing having peripheral walls, one of said housing walls being a pivoting door; a gun tray positioned within the housing for restricted movement between a retracted position within the housing and an extended position at least partially extended from the housing, the gun tray being coupled to the pivoting door such that the gun tray is selectively movable between the retracted and extended positions by lateral movement of the pivoting door, and A lock is coupled to the housing pivoting door to prevent the housing pivoting door from opening when in the locked position.

10. The gun safe of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises an outer housing and an inner housing mounted within the outer housing.

11. The gun safe of claim 10, wherein the pivoting door is mounted to the gun tray, and wherein the gun safe further comprises an exterior door pivotally mounted to the exterior housing.

12. The safe of claim 9, wherein the gun tray includes a floor and sidewalls extending from the floor, the sidewalls being spaced apart from one another to define a gun holding space therebetween.

13. The safe of claim 12, wherein the side walls are spring biased toward each other.

14. The safe of claim 12, wherein each of the side walls includes a compressible layer facing the other side wall.

15. The safe of claim 9, further comprising a mounting member extending from the housing for coupling the safe to the vehicle seat.

16. The safe of claim 9, wherein the pivoting door is longitudinally aligned with the gun tray when the pivoting door is in the fully unlocked position.

17. A vehicle seat safe comprising: a seat having a backrest portion and a seat portion forward of the backrest portion, the backrest portion including a headrest, the headrest including a headrest door; an inner shell mounted in the headrest, the inner shell having a tubular body portion with an opening therein and an inner shell door for closing the opening, the headrest door overlapping the inner shell door, a reciprocating firearm retainer mounted within the inner housing for constrained reciprocating movement between a retracted position within the inner housing and an extended position at least partially extended from the inner housing, the inner housing door being directly pivotally coupled to the reciprocating firearm retainer such that lateral movement of the inner housing door causes lateral movement of the reciprocating firearm retainer, and A lock is coupled to the inner housing door to prevent the inner housing door from opening when in the locked position and to allow the inner housing door to open when in the unlocked position.

18. The safe of claim 17, wherein the inner housing door is longitudinally aligned with the gun holder when the inner housing door is in the fully unlocked position.

19. The safe of claim 18, wherein the gun holder includes a rail system coupling the movable gun holder to the inner housing.

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