Beds – Bedsteads – Element or detail
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-21
2001-09-25
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Bedsteads
Element or detail
C005S931000, C005S503100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292960
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to the field of concealed safes. More specifically this invention relates to a concealed safe hidden under a bed, with the safe having lockable drawers for storage of firearms and other valuables.
2. Description of Related Art
Prior support frames for beds have provided internal compartments within the support frames for storage of items. Typical bed support frames are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,435, issued to Dufresne, which discloses a space saver platform, hiding bed assembly having rigid covers that open upwards to reveal multiple storage compartments. A bed mattress can be placed on the rigid covers but must be removed before the rigid covers can be opened upwards.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,566, issued to Russell, discloses a storage locker that can support a bed, the storage locker having side wall doors that pivot upwards for entry into the storage locker. The side wall doors of the storage locker can be opened a distance upwards that is limited by the amount of overhang of a bed mattress placed on top of the storage locker.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,082,435, issued to Philips et al., discloses an article of furniture that includes a top surface that can support couch cushions, bed mattresses, and/or additional furniture, and includes side wall drawers of generally light weight that open laterally outwards for storage of items within the drawers within the furniture.
Additional prior devices that relate to beds and safes are discussed in the following U.S. Patents that define beds and/or bed frames having internal, lockable containers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,650, issued to King, et al., discloses a furniture unit including a frame having at least one secure container within the frame. A door of the secure container is lockable in a closed position in the frame by a padlock positioned on the door. The secure container fits into a frame side that opposes a second frame side having drawers therein. The secure container includes means extending from the secure container into the frame to secure the container in a fixed position within the frame. The means extending includes a nut welded to the frame, and a bolt securing arrangement that is fixed to and within the frame. The secure container includes a quick access door separate from the lockable door, with the quick access door independently lockable within the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,315, issued to Wachenheim, discloses a waterbed pedestal for supporting a waterbed frame and mattress. The pedestal includes a plurality of panels defining a cavity in the pedestal, with a safe positioned within the cavity. The safe is secured within the cavity with an attaching means, such as fixed flanges, to position the safe in the cavity behind a removable panel that hides the cavity and the safe. An anti-theft means secures the safe in position by attaching the safe to one of the sides of the cavity. The removable panel includes a door hinged and mounted to the pedestal panel to hide the safe. The safe is not removable from a fixed position within the cavity unless the attaching means, hidden behind the safe, is disconnected.
The prior support frames are generally frames having an internal cavity into which drawers are positioned, with a lockable safe or secure container positioned permanently within the support frame. Therefore, a user must open one or more panels or doors, and reach into the safe or container to retrieve one or more generally small and/or light-weight items of value stored within the safe. There is a need for an improved, hidden safe containing sliding drawers that provide ease of access to articles of value having extended length, width, and/or heavy weight. There is also a need for a concealed safe that is positionable in an inconspicuous position in a home and that is quickly accessible to an owner.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved safe that replaces a bed box-springs to support a mattress of a bed.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a concealed safe of sufficient size and shape to be generally unmovable by an intruder, and to provide a reinforced interior cavity accessible to a user for lockable storage of articles of value.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a concealed safe that is sized and shaped to support a mattress of a bed, the safe having at least one lockable drawer slidably extendable from the interior of the safe, into which firearms and other sizable articles of value can be placed for safekeeping and concealment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a plurality of independently lockable storage compartments within a disguised safe supporting a mattress of a bed, with the storage compartments having drawers that are slidably movable into the safe for disguised storage of weapons and other articles of value.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Other objects and advantages will be accomplished by the present invention which includes an improved concealed safe being sized and shaped to replace a box-springs for a bed, the concealed safe including exterior walls having a top surface to support a mattress for a bed, a bottom surface to engage a supporting floor, a plurality of exterior side walls being connected between the top surface and the bottom surface, and exterior corners being sized and shaped to support the mattress. The concealed safe provides for secure storage of portable firearms and other articles of value having extended length and/or width. The concealed safe includes a plurality of interior walls being generally oriented parallel to each respective wall of the exterior walls, the interior walls having internal surfaces, the plurality of interior walls including a lower surface parallel to and interior of the bottom surface of the exterior walls of the safe. A storage cavity is formed within the safe and is bounded by the internal surfaces of the plurality of interior walls. An opening is provided through one of the plurality of exterior side walls of the concealed safe, the opening being extended through the respective interior wall into the storage cavity. A drawer is provided and is movable through the opening, the drawer being positionable in a concealed position by being inserted into the storage cavity, the drawer also being positionable in an exposed position by being extended outwards from the storage cavity through the opening, the drawer including an outwardly faced surface having at least one rolling means attached thereon. The drawer includes an end cover being oriented to cover the opening when the drawer is in the concealed position. The end cover includes a lock thereon, the drawer being lockable with the lock when in the concealed position. The interior walls of the storage cavity and/or portions of the outwardly faced surface of the drawer include at least one roller track on at least one of the interior walls, preferably on the lower floor of the storage cavity. The at least one roller track being aligned with the at least one rolling means attached on the drawer. The user of the concealed safe can position a mattress bed on top of the concealed safe, which replaces the box-springs, and can place the articles of value having extended length and/or width such as guns and/or rifles into the drawer when the drawer is positioned in the exposed position. The user can position the drawer to the concealed position by the rolling means being rolled along the at least one roller track until the drawer is concealed within the storage cavity. The drawer is lockable in the concealed position with the lock. A plurality of drawers having locks can be provided in the exterior side walls to provide space-efficient, secure storage in the concealed safe for firearms and other articles of value, with the concealed safe disguised as a replacement box-springs positioned underneath a mattress for a bed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3082435 (1963-03-01), Philips et al.
patent: 4490864 (1985-01-01), Wicker
patent: 4597122 (1986-07-01), Handl
Browne Lynne H.
Conley Fredrick
Pitts & Brittian P.C.
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