WO2009052388A9

WO2009052388A9 - Removable safe for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2009052388A9
Application number: PCT/US2008/080320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kim Sherman
Original assignee: Kim Sherman
Priority date: 2007-10-17
Filing date: 2008-10-17
Publication date: 2009-08-13
Also published as: WO2009052388A3; WO2009052388A2

Abstract

A removable vehicle safe assembly includes a docking bracket that is secured to the vehicle using a first fastener, and has a side wall with an integrally formed latch receptacle. A safe is removably positionable in the docking bracket, and the safe includes a housing. The housing includes a cavity aligned with the docking bracket latch receptacle and a latch assembly disposed therein. The latch assembly includes a link having a first end secured to a counter member and a second end secured to a shaft. A latch actuator connected to the link positions the shaft so that a free end of the shaft is located within the docking bracket latch receptacle to lock the safe to the docking bracket, and positions the free end of the shaft out of the docking bracket latch receptacle to unlock the safe and remove from the docking bracket.

Description

REMOVABLE SAFE FOR A VEHICLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a safe, more specifically, to a removable safe for use in a vehicle.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0002] Vehicles, and in particular motor vehicles, are utilized for both personal and business reasons. With such dynamic use, it may be necessary at times to store an item of value in the vehicle, such as a computer or the like. The safety of the item may be of concern, and so the item may be stored in an enclosed area of the vehicle, such as a trunk, a glove compartment, a pocket or bin, or the like. While, these compartments work well, they are susceptible to a forced entry, due to their visibility and the structural integrity of any associated locking mechanism. Although alarm systems are available to provide notification, such systems do not offer sufficient protection from a forced entry into the vehicle, such as by smashing the window or prying open a lock.

[0003] The use of a safe provides additional protection for storing a valuable item, since the item is out of plain view and the safe is difficult to open. However, to be more effective, the safe needs to be secured to the vehicle, so that it is not easily removable by a thief. At the same time, the safe requires the flexibility to be easily removable by the owner. [0004J Thus, there is a need in the art for a vehicle safe that is secure, lockable, structurally sound and is easily removable by an intended user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention is a removable safe assembly for a vehicle having a docking bracket with a generally planar base member, opposed side walls projecting from a side edge of the base member and a rear wall projecting from a rear edge of the base member. The docking bracket includes a plurality of apertures for securing the docking bracket to the vehicle using a first fastener, and each of the opposed side walls includes an integrally formed latch receptacle. A safe is removably positionable in the docking bracket, and the safe includes a housing having a cavity aligned with the docking bracket latch receptacle. A latch assembly is disposed in the safe housing cavity. The latch assembly includes a link having a first end secured to a counter member and a second end secured to a shaft. A latch actuator is operatively connected to the link that positions the shaft so that a free end of the shaft is located within the docking bracket latch receptacle to lock the safe to the docking bracket, and positions the free end of the shaft out of the docking bracket latch receptacle to unlock the safe from the docking bracket for removal of the safe.

[0006] One advantage of the present invention is that a removable safe for a vehicle is provided that offers protection to a valuable item stored therein. Another advantage of the present invention is that the safe includes an automated door for accessing the item stored in the safe. A further advantage of the present invention is that the safe is removable from the vehicle by an authorized user and not an unintended thief. Still a further advantage of the present invention is that the safe may be integrated within the vehicle so that it is not viewable by a casual observer, but still accessible by the authorized user.

[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a removable safe assembly for a vehicle, according to the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view of the safe assembly of FIG. 1 in a docked position, according to the present invention.

[00010] FIG. 3 is a side view of the safe assembly of FIG. 1 in the docked position, according to the present invention.

[00011] FIG. 4 is a top view of the safe assembly of FIG. 1 in the docked position, according to the present invention.

[00012] FIG. 5 is a front view of the safe assembly of FIG. with the latch access door open, according to the present invention.

[00013] FIG. 6 is a top view of the safe assembly of FIG. 1 showing a cut-away view of the latch assembly, according to the present invention.

[00014] FIG. 7 is a side view of the safe assembly of FIG. 1 with the latch access door open, according to the present invention.

[00015] FIG 8 is an enlarged front view of the latch assembly of FIG. 5, according to the present invention.

[00016] FIG. 9 is a top view of the latch assembly of FIG. 1 in a locked position, according to the present invention.

[00017] FIG. 10 is a side view of the latch assembly of FIG. 1 in a locked position, according to the present invention.

[00018] FIG. 11 is a top view of the latch assembly of FIG. 1 in an unlocked position, according to the present invention. [00019] FIG. 12 is a side view of the latch assembly of FIG. 1 in an unlocked position, according to the present invention.

[00020] FIG. 13 is a top view of the docking bracket for the safe assembly of FIG. 1, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

|00021] Referring to FIGS. 1-13, a removable safe assembly 10 is illustrated. The safe assembly 10 is located in a vehicle, and in particular a motor vehicle 12. The safe assembly 10 may be integrated with the vehicle 12, such as within an interior compartment, within a seat, or a frame portion or a floor portion, or within the engine compartment, or in the trunk, or the like. The safe assembly 10 is secured to the vehicle 12 in a manner to be described. [00022] The safe assembly 10 includes a safe portion 14 and a docking bracket 16. The safe portion 14 is removable secured to the docking bracket 16, and the docking bracket 16 is fixedly secured to the vehicle 12.

[00023] Referring to FIGS. 13, the docking bracket 16 includes a generally planar base member 18, opposed side walls 20 projecting upwardly from an outer side edge of the base member 18, and a rear wall 22 projecting upwardly from an outer rear edge of the base member 18 and extending between the side walls 20. The docking bracket 16 may also include a front wall that is opposite the rear wall 22. The docking bracket 16 includes a plurality of apertures 24 for receiving a first fastener 26 to secure the docking bracket 16 to the vehicle 12. An example of a first fastener 26 is a screw, such as the "L" shaped screw illustrated in FIG. 14. Another example of a first fastener 26 is a bolt or the like for fixedly retaining the docking bracket 16 to the vehicle 12. In this example, the base member 18 is secured to the floor portion of the vehicle 12 located within the trunk as shown at 28. It is contemplated that the docking bracket 16 can be fixedly secured to other portions of the vehicle 12, such as the frame or a side wall or a roof or the like. The docking bracket 16 also includes a plurality of locking pins 30 projecting inwardly. The locking pins 30 can be located in any of the walls of the docking bracket 16. The locking pins 30 are received in a corresponding receptacle in the safe 14, and assist in positioning and retaining the safe 14 within the docking bracket 16. The docking bracket 16 further includes a recessed portion forming a latch receptacle in the side wall 20 into which the latch shaft 66 extends when the safe 14 is in a retained position, to prevent unintentional removal of the safe, in a manner to be described.

100024] The safe 14 includes a safe housing 32 having an upper wall 32a, a lower wall 32b, front wall 32c, rear wall 32d and side walls 32e extending therebetween, to form a predetermined shape. In this example, the safe housing 32 has a box-like shape, although other shapes are considered. The safe walls 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, 32e may be of a laminate construction. The front wall 32a includes an access opening 34 that provides access to the interior portion of the safe. The access opening 34 is covered by a safe door 36. When the safe door 36 is in a closed and locked position, an item located within the interior of the safe 14 is not accessible. The safe housing 32 may also include an integrally formed recessed portion that provides a locking pin retainer 56 for receiving a corresponding 30 locking pin when the safe 14 is docked in the docking bracket 16 in a manner to be described. The safe housing 32 is sized to fit in the docking bracket 16 with a minimal clearance therebetween.

[00025] In another example, an inner drawer (not shown) is slidingly received within the access opening 34. When the inner drawer is positioned within the safe housing in a closed and locked position, an item located within the inner drawer is not accessible.

[00026] The safe housing 32 is fabricated from a suitable material, such as steel or a heavy plastic, or a composite material or the like. The material used in the safe housing 32 preferable maintains the structural integrity of the safe housing 32. For example, the material may be able to withstand a predetermined temperature, such as to protect the contents from a fire or a predetermined force.

[00027] The safe 14 includes a locking mechanism 38 that enables the safe door 36 to be opened and to provide access to the interior of the safe 14. Various styles of locking mechanisms 38 are contemplated, and the selection is nonlimiting. An example of a locking mechanism 38 is a lock having pins, wheels or tumblers that operatively actuate a bolt in response to a predetermined sequence of operations. The locking mechanism 38 is operatively actuated by a lock actuator 40 for locking and unlocking the locking mechanism 38. The lock actuator 40 may be any type of identification device. The lock actuator 40 may be password protected. For example, the lock actuator 40 may be a keypad for receiving a corresponding security code to activate the locking mechanism 38. Another example of a lock actuator 40 may be a rotary dial, a key, a keypad, a remote controlled digital key, a bioidentifier that relies on a physical identifying characteristic of the user, such as a fingerprint or an eye scan or a voice or the like. [00028] As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the lower wall 32b of the safe housing includes an inner wall 32f forming a stepped portion that provides a cavity 42 for receiving a latch assembly 44 in a manner to be described. The cavity 42 for receiving the latch assembly 44 extends longitudinally a predetermined distance along the lower front edge of the safe 14. The safe housing side wall includes an aperture that is adjacent the cavity 42. hi this example, there are two cavities 42 each adjacent the side wall of the safe housing, and the latch assembly 44 is disposed within each cavity. The latch assembly 44 may be fixedly secured to the safe housing 32 within the cavity 42, such as by using a fastener.

[00029] Referring to FIG. 5-12, a latch assembly 44 for releasing the safe 14 from the docking bracket 16 or retaining the safe 14 in the docking bracket 16 is provided. In this example, the latch assembly 44 is disposed in the cavity 42 formed by the lower wall of the housing, and there is a latch assembly 44 located adjacent each side wall of the safe housing 32. The latch assembly 44 is accessible through an access opening in the lower floor of the safe housing as shown at 46. The access opening 46 is covered by a latch door 48 to limit access to the latch assembly 44. In an example, the latch door 48 is hmgeably attached to the safe housing 32 and pivotally opens and closes. In another example, the latch door is retained by a tab and groove within the safe housing 32.

[00030] The latch assembly 44 is illustrated in a locked condition in FIGS. 9 and 10. The latch assembly includes a housing 50 forming a box-like shape using a plurality of interconnected walls, including a lower wall 50a, opposed side walls 50b and an upper wall 50c. An interior area of the latch housing 50 includes an inner wall 52 disposed between the sidewalls and having an aperture 54 for a purpose to be described. In this example, there is a first and second spaced apart inner wall 52. The latch assembly 44 also includes a link 58 movably supported between the housing inner walls 52. A first end of the link 58a is fixedly secured to a counter member 60. For example, the link first end 58a may be secured to the counter member 60 using a second fastener 62, such as a screw, or a nut or a bolt or the like. The counter member 60 is movably supported between the latch housing inner wall 52 and latch housing outer wall 50, and a free end 60a may extend through a corresponding aperture in the latch housing 50 in a manner to be described. In this example, the counter member is a rod. The latch assembly 44 also includes a first spring member 64 disposed over the counter member 60 for operatively positioning the link 58 in a manner to be described.

[00031] The link second end 58b is fixedly attached to a shaft 66. For example, the link second end 58b may be secured to the shaft 66 using the second fastener 62, such as a screw or a nut or a bolt or the like. The shaft 66 is supported by the latch housing inner wall 52 and the latch housing 50, and a free end 66a extends through a corresponding aperture in the latch housing 50 and safe housing 32 and into a latch receptacle 84 of the docking bracket side wall 20 when the safe 14 is in a locked position as shown at 68, to retain the safe 14 in the docking bracket 16. The shaft 66 is a generally rectangular bar, and is made from a rigid material, such as steel or brass. The first spring member 64 controls the relative positioning of the link 58, counter member 60 and shaft 66, which move together as a unit.

[00032] The latch assembly 44 also includes a first latch actuator 70, such as a button, operatively connected to the link 58. A second spring member 74 may be disposed over the first latch actuator 70 to operatively control the movement of the first latch actuator 70 between a unlocked to a locked position. The first latch actuator 70 extends through an opening aperture in the upper wall of the latch housing, as shown at 72 when the latch assembly 44 is unlocked. The opening 72 has a predetermined shape to direct the travel of the first latch actuator 70 in locking and unlocking the latch assembly 44. The first latch actuator 70 is held in a raised position when the latch assembly 44 is unlocked so that is it accessible to the user, and is retained in a lowered position when the latch assembly 44 is locked. The latch assembly 44 includes a second actuator 76, such as a handle, that is operatively attached to the link 58. The second latch actuator 76 is accessible through the access opening 34 in the safe housing 32 and provides the user with a handle to operatively control the latch assembly 44 between a locked to an unlocked position.

[00033] In operation, the safe 14 is placed onto the docking bracket 16 so that each locking pin 30 is positioned within the corresponding locking pin retainer 56. The latch assembly 44 is initially in an unlocked state. The safe door 48 is opened using the door actuator 40. In an unlocked state, the shaft 66 is completely disposed within the latch housing 50 as shown at 86, and the opposed counter member 60 extends out of the latch housing 50, as shown at 88. In this position, the first spring member 64 is compressed. The user accesses the latch assembly 44 by opening the latch door 48. The user fixedly retains the safe in the docking bracket 16 by actuating the first latch actuator or button 70, such as by pressing the button in a downwardly direction. The motion of the first latch actuator 70 is transferred to the link 58, and the motion of the link 58 on the first spring member 64 forces the shaft 66 out of the safe housing 32 a predetermined distance and into the latch receptacle 84 of the docking bracket 16 to thus place the latch assembly 44 in a locked position as shown at 92. The counter member 60 is concurrently shifted into the latch housing as shown at 90. The first latch actuator 70 is held in this lowered position while the latch assembly 44 is in a locked position. For example a stop in the housing retains the first latch actuator as shown at 82. The user may them place an item in the safe, and close and lock the safe door 36 using the safe lock actuator 40. The safe assembly 10 is thus fixedly retained in the vehicle 12.

[00034] In order to remove the safe 14 from the vehicle 12, the operations are reversed. That is, the user opens the safe door 36 and the latch door 48 as previously described. The user then actuates the second latch actuator 76 to disengage the shaft 66 from the latch receptacle 84 of the docking bracket 16, such as by moving the shaft 66 away from the docking bracket side wall 20. In this example, the user moves the second latch actuator 76 towards the center of the safe 14 to place the latch assembly 44 in an unlocked position. The shaft 66 is now disposed within the latch housing 50 as shown at 86. The counter member 60 is concurrently shifted out of the latch housing 50 towards the center of the safe as shown at 88. At the same time, the first latch actuator 70 is displaced from the stop 82 and resumes its unlocked position. The user may then close the safe door 36 and remove the safe 14 from the docking bracket 16 and the vehicle 12. [00035] The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

[00036] Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A removable safe assembly for a vehicle comprising: a docking bracket having a generally planar base member, opposed side walls projecting from a side edge of the base member and a rear wall projecting from a rear edge of the base member, wherein the docking bracket includes a plurality of apertures for securing the docking bracket to the vehicle using a first fastener, and each of the opposed side walls includes an integrally formed latch receptacle; a safe removably positionable in the docking bracket, wherein the safe includes a housing having a cavity aligned with the docking bracket latch receptacle; a latch assembly disposed in the safe housing cavity, wherein the latch assembly includes a link having a first end secured to a counter member and a second end secured to a shaft, and a latch actuator operatively connected to the link that positions a free end of the shaft within the docking bracket latch receptacle to lock the safe to the docking bracket, and operatively positions the free end of the shaft out of the docking bracket latch receptacle to unlock the safe from the docking bracket for removal of the safe.

2. The removable safe assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of locking pins projecting from the rear wall of the docking bracket; and a locking pin receptacle integrally formed in the safe for receiving the corresponding docket bracket locking pin when the safe is docked in the docking bracket.

3. The removable safe assembly of claim 1 wherein the first fastener is an "L" shaped screw.

4. The removable safe assembly of claim 1 wherein the safe housing includes an upper wall, a lower wall, a front wall and side wall extending therebetween, and the lower wall includes an access door into the safe housing cavity.

5. The removable safe assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the safe door using a lock actuator.

6. The removable safe assembly of claim 1 wherein the latch assembly includes a housing having spaced apart inner walls, and the link is operatively supported between the spaced apart inner walls.

7. The removable safe assembly of claim 6 wherein the latch assembly includes a spring member disposed around the counter member.

8. The removable safe assembly of claim 7 wherein the latch actuator includes a first latch actuator that operatively moves the link to position the free end of the shaft within the docket bracket receptacle and a second latch actuator that operatively moves the link to remove the free end of the shaft from the docket bracket receptacle.

9. The removable safe assembly of claim 1 further comprising two latch assemblies each located adjacent a side wall of the docking bracket.

10. A removable safe assembly for a vehicle comprising: a docking bracket having a generally planar base member, opposed side walls projecting from a side edge of the base member and a rear wall projecting from a rear edge of the base member, wherein the docking bracket includes a plurality of apertures for securing the docking bracket to the vehicle using a first fastener, and each of the opposed side walls includes an integrally formed latch receptacle; a plurality of locking pins projecting from the rear wall of the docking bracket; a safe removably positionable in the docking bracket, wherein the safe includes a housing having a cavity aligned with the docking bracket latch receptacle, and a locking pin receptacle integrally formed in the housing for receiving the corresponding docket bracket locking pin when the safe is docked in the docking bracket; a latch assembly disposed in the safe housing cavity, wherein the latch assembly includes a housing having spaced apart inner walls, a link having a first end secured to a counter member and a second end secured to a shaft and the link is supported between the spaced apart inner walls, and a latch actuator operatively connected to the link that positions the shaft so that a free end of the shaft is located within the docking bracket latch receptacle to lock the safe to the docking bracket, and positions the free end of the shaft out of the docking bracket latch receptacle to unlock the safe from the docking bracket to remove the safe.

11. The removable safe assembly of claim 10 wherein the first fastener is an "L" shaped screw.

12. The removable safe assembly of claim 10 wherein the safe housing includes an upper wall, a lower wall, a front wall and side wall extending therebetween, and the lower wall includes an access door into the cavity in the housing.

13. The removable safe assembly of claim 10 further comprising: a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the safe door using a lock actuator.

14. The removable safe assembly of claim 10 wherein the latch assembly includes a spring member disposed around the counter member.

15. The removable safe assembly of claim 10 wherein the latch actuator includes a first latch actuator that operatively moves the link to position the free end of the shaft within the docket bracket receptacle and a second latch actuator that operatively moves the link to remove the free end of the shaft from the docket bracket receptacle.

16. The removable safe assembly of claim 10 further comprising two latch assemblies each located adjacent a side wall of the docking bracket.

17. A removable safe assembly for a vehicle comprising: a docking bracket having a generally planar base member, opposed side walls projecting from a side edge of the base member and a rear wall projecting from a rear edge of the base member, wherein the docking bracket includes a plurality of apertures for securing the docking bracket to the vehicle using a first fastener, and each of the opposed side walls includes an integrally formed latch receptacle; a plurality of locking pins projecting from the rear wall of the docking bracket; a safe removably positionable in the docking bracket having a housing with an upper wall, a lower wall, a front wall and side wall extending therebetween, and the lower wall includes an access door into a cavity within the lower wall, and a locking pin receptacle integrally formed in the housing for receiving the corresponding docket bracket locking pin when the safe is docked in the docking bracket, wherein the cavity is aligned with the docking bracket latch receptacle; two latch assemblies each located adjacent a side wall of the docking bracket and disposed in the safe housing cavity, wherein each latch assembly includes a housing having spaced apart inner walls, a link having a first end secured to a counter member and a second end secured to a shaft such that the link is supported between the spaced apart inner walls, and a first latch actuator that operatively moves the link to position the free end of the shaft within the docket bracket receptacle to lock the safe to the docking bracket and a second latch actuator that operatively moves the link to remove the free end of the shaft from the docket bracket receptacle to unlock the safe from the docking bracket for removal of the safe .

18. The removable safe assembly of claim 17 wherein the first fastener is an "L" shaped screw.

19. The removable safe assembly of claim 17 further comprising: a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the safe door using a lock actuator.

20. The removable safe assembly of claim 17 wherein the latch assembly includes a spring member disposed around the counter member.