Safe locking mechanism

Details Safe locking mechanism Safe locking mechanism

1999-07-13

2001-11-20

Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)

Locks

Special application

For portable articles

C070S278100, C070S33300A, C070S386000, C292S144000, C292S183000, C292S252000, C292S254000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06318134

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lockable enclosures, and, in particular, to lockable enclosures which have electronically operated locks. Specifically, the present invention relates to latch assemblies capable of preventing the electronically operated locks of lockable enclosures from an accidental release.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is difficult to imagine a modern life without lockable enclosures and, particularly, portable lockable enclosures. Such lockable enclosures including, for example, a briefcase, a suitcase, a portable safe and the like are typically used for storing and safe transportation of documents, jewelry, personal belongings and the like. Practically, all of these enclosures have latch assemblies of different types, some of which employ electronically operated locks that serve to prevent unauthorized access to an enclosure's interior. A reliable latch assembly for a lockable enclosure becomes even more important when the latter stores a firearm.
The art does supply a number of small portable safes, which may be easily carried by owners while they are travelling.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,826 to Butler discloses an electronically operated gun safe which has a drawer removably positioned with a housing to move to an open position to allow access to the contents of the drawer. This patent further describes an electronic code entry means and a processor means positioned in an interior and responsive the electronic code means for releasing a locking means to provide access to the drawer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,822 to Adkins discloses a spring loaded ejectable drawer containing a firearm and slidably mounted within a housing. The drawer bears against a closed door of the housing, so that, upon opening of the door, the ejectable drawer is forced outwardly to present the firearm for grasping.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,589 to Cordero discloses a storage body for receiving a firearm and formed with a door, a plurality of grooves inside the storage body surrounding the door to permit it to move inwardly to an opening position. This patent further describes a spring biasing means for holding the door tightly against the storage body that is releasable by a hidden latch mechanism accessible from outside the body and opening the door.
It has been noticed that some of the locking mechanisms tend to voluntary release its latches when the portable safes are accidentally dropped or even deliberately positioned on its rear portions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With a safe including a lockable enclosure that has an interior sized to receive valuables such as guns and the like and that is provided with an inventive latch assembly, some of the drawbacks of the prior art may be overcome. The latch assembly has a means for preventing accidental release of the latch assembly when the lockable enclosure is positioned on its rear portion.
According to another aspect of the invention, the lockable enclosure is provided with a cam mechanism positioned in an interior of the lockable enclosure and operated to controllably release the latch assembly.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the lockable enclosure has an electronic key assembly for permitting entry of a key code to enable the cam mechanism.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved lockable enclosure overcoming some of the disadvantages of the known prior art.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a lockable enclosure with a latch assembly that is secured against accidental release when the lockable enclosure is positioned on its rear portion.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lockable enclosure with a cam mechanism releasing the latch mechanism in response to a predetermined signal.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a lockable enclosure with an electronic key assembly enabling the cam mechanism.
The above and other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and accompanying drawings, which set forth an illustrative embodiment of the invention.


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