Long Gun Storage Container with Composite Door and Electronic Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage solutions for long guns lack portability and security, as lightweight safes are easily moved but not secure against theft or fire, while heavy safes are non-portable and difficult to transport, and existing latch mechanisms can be prone to unauthorized opening.
Innovation Solution
A lockable storage container with a reinforced latch mechanism using U-shaped channels and resilient latches, combined with an electronic control system for secure locking and unlocking, allowing manual or electronic operation and integration with a tether for secure placement in vehicles or buildings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If lightweight safes are used for long gun storage, then portability is improved, but security against theft and prying attacks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The safe door is constructed using composite materials including a foam core layer sandwiched between metal skin layers. This composite structure provides both lightweight properties for portability and enhanced strength for security against prying attacks, resolving the contradiction between weight and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The door features localized reinforcement through U-shaped channels embedded in the foam core and protruding reinforcement elements at critical stress points. These localized strong regions provide anti-pry security where needed while maintaining overall lightweight construction, addressing the security weakness of lightweight safes.
2Strength
If heavy gauge metal is used to prevent prying, then security is improved, but portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using heavy gauge solid metal throughout, the patent employs a composite structure with foam core and metal skins that achieves comparable or superior security against prying while maintaining lightweight properties, directly resolving this contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
Heavy reinforcement is applied only where structurally necessary - through U-shaped channels and protruding elements at door edges and latch points - rather than uniformly throughout the entire door, providing security where needed without excessive weight.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple latch mechanisms are used in lightweight safes, then ease of manufacture is improved, but vulnerability to unauthorized opening increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism incorporates localized reinforcement elements including U-shaped channels and protruding features at critical latch points, providing enhanced security against forced entry while maintaining a relatively simple overall latch design that remains easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The door's composite construction with foam core and metal channels provides structural support that reinforces the latch mechanism, allowing the use of a simpler latch design that is nevertheless secure due to the strengthened door structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A long gun storage container. The container includes a housing having a storage compartment and an opening providing access to the compartment. A door is hingedly mounted to the housing and is operable to selectively close the opening. A latch mechanism is provided to selectively lock the door in its closed position and provide multiple axis securement. A control system is provided to allow for electronic unlocking of the latch mechanism.