Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
MODULAR SECURITY CABINET SYSTEM FOR
STORING FIREARMS OR THE LIKE
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a storage cabinet, and more particularly to various
aspects of a storage cabinet that facilitate storage of weapons such as
rifles, pistols and other
firearms, as well as related equipment and accessories.
The present divisional application is divided out of parent application
Serial Number 2,514,702 filed on March 25, 2004.
In certain military, police and other environments, there is a need to safely
and
securely store firearms and related equipment in a manner such that the
firearms and related
equipment are quickly and easily accessible when necessary. There is a further
need to ensure
that firearm storage occupies a minimal amount of space, especially when open,
since it is
frequently the case that personnel must quickly gain access to the firearms
and related
equipment and move to an exit area of a room or facility in which the firearms
and related
equipment are stored. This need is especially keen in a naval environment,
since available
space is at a premium on naval vessels. In addition, there is a need for a
firearm and related
equipment storage system which can be tailored according to specific user
requirements or
applications, either at the time of manufacture or in a retrofit manner.
According to the present divisional application there is provided a
storage cabinet assembly, comprising: a cabinet defining an interior; a
folding door
arrangement mounted to the cabinet, wherein the folding door arrangement
includes a
pair of folding door sections, each of which includes an inner door member and
at
least one outer door member, wherein the folding door sections are movable
between
a closed position in which the folding door sections cooperate to prevent
access to the
cabinet interior, and an open position in which the folding door sections are
positioned to provide access to the cabinet interior, wherein the inner door
members
of the folding door sections are located adjacent each other when the folding
door
sections are in the closed position; and a locking arrangement associated with
the
folding door arrangement, wherein the locking arrangement includes a latch
member
carried by each of the folding door sections, wherein each latch member is
movable
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
between an engaged position and a release position, wherein each latch member
in the
engaged position maintains its associated door section in the closed position
and
wherein each latch member in the release position enables movement of its
associated
door section between the closed position and the open position, and wherein
the
locking arrangement further includes a movable control member carried by each
door
section, wherein each control member is interconnected with one of the latch
members and wherein each control member is movable between a first position in
which the control member places its associated latch member in the engaged
position,
and a second position in which the control member places its associated latch
member
in the release position, wherein the control members in the first position
overlie the
inner door members and are adapted to be secured together to maintain the door
sections in the closed position.
The present invention contemplates a storage cabinet assembly that is well
suited for use in storing firearms and related equipment. In accordance with
one aspect of the
invention, a storage cabinet system includes a cabinet defining an interior
and including a
door arrangement movable between an open position providing access to the
cabinet interior
and a closed position preventing access to the cabinet interior. The storage
cabinet system
further includes a series of differently configured storage components or
modules that are
adapted to be mounted within the cabinet interior. Certain of the storage
components or
modules are in the form of firearm storage components or modules that are
configured to
support and store firearms within the cabinet interior. The firearm storage
components
include one or more stock rests, one or more barrel rests, and one or more
pistol supports.
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
The stock rests are adapted to be mounted to the cabinet so as to be located
in a
lower area of the cabinet interior. Each stock rest includes an upwardly
facing stock support
surface that is configured so as to accommoda.te the stock of a certain type
of firearm. The
stock support surfaces are configured to engage the butt end of a stock of a
firearm, and to
position the firearm such that the firearm leans toward the back wall of the
storage cabinet.
The one or more barrel rests are adapted to be secured within the cabinet
interior at a location above the stock rests. Each barrel rest includes a
recess configured to
receive and engage a firearm barrel at a location above the stock rest, so as
to position the
firearm in an upright orientation within the cabinet interior. The orientation
and position of
the barrel rests is such that each barrel rest prevents the upper end of the
firearm from
contacting the rear wall of the cabinet. Each barrel rest includes a mounting
section for use
in mounting the barrel rest within the cabinet interior, and a barrel rest
section that extends
outwardly from the mounting section and is configured to receive and engage
the barrel of a
certain type of firearm adapted to be supported by the stock rest located
below the barrel rest.
" The stock rests and barrel rests function to support the firearm from below
and to cradle the
upper end of the firearm, so that the firearm can be quickly and easily
grasped and removed
from. the support components when needed.
Each pistol support also includes a mounting section for use in mounting the
pistol support within the cabinet interior, and a pistol support section that
extends outwardly
from the mounting section. The pistol support section is in the form of an
elongated finger
or rod oriented at an upwardly extending angle, which is adapted to be
received within the
barrel of a pistol for supporting the pistol within the cabinet interior. The
pistol support is
configured such that the pistol handle faces outwardly when the pistol barrel
is engaged with
the finger or rod, so that the pistol can be easily and quickly grasped and
removed from the
pistol support when necessary.
The barrel rests and the pistol supports are secured within the cabinet
interior
via a mounting member that is configured to engage and support the barrel
rests and the
pistol supports. In one form, the mounting member is engaged with and extends
between a
pair of vertical support members forming a part of the cabinet. The mounting
member and
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
the vertical support members include engagement structure which enables the
mounting
member to be secured within the cabinet interior at different elevations, so
as to provide
flexibility in the height of the barrel rests and pistol supports relative to
the stock rest. The
mounting member and the mounting sections of the barrel rests and pistol
supports include
engagement structure which enables the barrel rests and pistol supports to be
placed in a
variety of different positions on the mounting member, to provide additional
flexibility in the
configuration of the components within the cabinet interior.
In addition to the firearm support components described above, the present
invention further contemplates shelf or bin-type storage components or modules
that may be'
positioned within the cabinet interior so as to store firearm related
equipment and
accessories. The shelf or bin-type storage components may be mounted in the
cabinet
interior along with the firearm storage components as described, or may be
mounted within
the cabinet interior in place of the firearm storage components.
The present, invention further contemplates a door and lock system for a
storage cabinet, which is particularly well suited for use in storing firearms
and related
equipment,within the cabinet. In accordance with this aspect of the invention,
a storage
cabinet assembly includes a cabinet defining an interior, in combination with
a folding door
arrangement mounted to the cabinet. The folding door arrangement includes a
pair of
folding bifold door sections, each of which includes an inner door member and
an outer door
member. The folding door sections are movable between a closed position in
which the
folding door sections prevent access to the cabinet interior, and an open
position in which the
folding door sections provide access to the cabinet interior. The inner door
members of the
folding door sections are located adjacent each other when the folding door
sections are in
the closed position.
A locking arrangement is associated with the folding door arrangement, for
selectively preventing movement of the folding door sections away from the
closed position.
The locking arrangement includes a locking or latch member carried by each of
the folding
door sections, with each latch member being movable between an engaged
position and a
disengaged position. Each latch member in its engaged position maintains its
associated
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
door section in the closed position, and in the disengaged position enables
movement of the
door section between the closed position and the open position. The locking
arrangement
further includes a movable control member carried by each door section. Each
control
member is interconnected with one of the latch members, and the control
members are
movable between a first, locking position in which the control members place
the latch
members in the engaged position, and a second, release position in which the
control
members place the latch members in the disengaged position. The control
members in the
first, locking position overlie the inner door members, and are adapted to be
secured together
to maintain the door sections in the closed position. In this manner, the
control members
provide a single'point locking mechanism for selectively preventing access to
the interior of
the cabinet. In a preferred form, the control members define inner ends that
are located
adjacent each other when the control members are in the first, locking
position. The inner
ends of the control members include openings, and a lock is engageable through
the
openings so as to selectively maintain the control members in the first
position.
In accordance with another aspect of the inventioh, a storage cabinet assembly
includes a cabinet defining an interior, in combination with a folding door
arrangement
including a pair of folding door sections, as described above. The inner and
outer door
members of each door section are movable together when the door section is in
the open
position. The cabinet defines a recess in alignment with the folded door
members when the
door sections ate in the open position. An extension and retraction mechanism
is
interconnected with each door section, to enable each door section to be moved
into one of
the recesses when the door section is in the open position. In this manner,
the doors can be
recessed when opened, to prevent the doors from interfering with personnel
gaining access to
the items contained within the cabinet.
The invention also contemplates a method of configuring a storage cabinet,
substantially in accordance with the foregoing summary.
The various features and aspects of the present invention may be utilized
separately or in various subcombinations, and each provides advantages in
construction,
assembly or operation of a storage cabinet, particularly suitable for use in
storing firearms
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
and related equipment. In a preferred form, the various features and aspects
of the invention
are utilized in combination so as to provide a storage cabinet, as well as a
method of
constructing and configuring a storage cabinet, that are particularly
advantageous in storing
of firearms and related equipment and accessories.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made
apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out
the invention.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a storage cabinet constructed in accordance
with
the present invention, which is particularly well suited for use in storing
firearms and related
equipment, in which the doors of the storage cabinet are shown in a closed
position;
Fig. 2 is a front elevation view of the storage cabinet of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the storage cabinet of Fig. 1, showing movement
of the storage cabinet doors toward an open position;
Fig. 4 is an isometric view similar to Figs. 1 and 3, showing the storage
cabinet
doors in the open position and moved to a retracted position, to provide
access to the
contents of the storage cabinet;
Fig. 5 is a front elevation view of the storage cabinet of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a section view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5, showing one of the
doors
of the storage cabinet prior to movement of the door to the retracted
position;
Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, with reference to line 7-7 of Fig. 5,
showing
the door in the retracted position;
Fig. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 9 is a section view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 10 is a partial isometric view showing an upper portion of the storage
cabinet of Fig. 1 including an underside defined by a top wall of the storage
cabinet, and
showing the storage cabinet doors in the open and retracted position;
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
Fig. 11 is an end elevation view of one of the door sections incorporated in
the
storage cabinet assembly of Fig. 1, showing the door members of the door
section folded
together as in Figs. 6 and 7;
Fig. 12 is a partial section view taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 is a partial elevation view showing components of a latch or lock
arrangement incorporated into the door section of Figs. 11 and 12, showing the
components
of the latch or lock arrangement in an extended, locking position;
Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13, showing the components of the latch or
lock arrangement in a retracted, release position;
Fig. 15 is a partial section view along line 15-15 of Fig. 2, showing a lower
area of the storage cabinet and an end portion of one of the latch members
incorporated in
the latch arrangement of Figs. 13 and 14;
Fig. 16 is a section view taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 17 is a partial isometric view showing a lower area of a shelf or bin
component contained within the cabinet interior, as shown in Fig. 16, as well
as a portion of
a stock rest mounted within the lower area of the cabinet interior;
Fig. 18 is a partial section view taken along line 18-18 of Fig. 17;
Fig. 19 is a partial section view taken along line 19-19 of Fig. 17;
Fig. 20 is a partial section view taken along line 20-20 of Fig. 17;
Fig. 21 is a partial elevation view of a mounting member positioned within the
interior of the cabinet of Fig. 1, for use in mounting storage components
within the interior
of the cabinet; '
Fig. 22 is a partial elevation view showing a portion of the mounting member
of Fig. 21 as well as barrel rest and pistol support components engaged with
the mounting
member;
Fig. 23 is an enlarged partial isometric view showing certain of the barrel
rest
and pistol support components secured to the mounting member as in Fig. 22;
Fig. 24 is a partial section view taken along line 24-24 of Fig. 23;
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
. = .
Fig. 25 is a parhal elevation view showing the manner in which firearms `such
as rifles and pistols are supported within the interior of the storage cabinet
of Fig. 1;
Figs. 26-29 are top plan views of differently configured barrel rests adapted
for
use in the cabinet assembly of Fig. 1;
Fig. 30 is a top plan view of a lower wall defining the lower extent of the
interior of the storage cabinet assembly of Fig. 1;
Fig. 31 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a stock rest module or
component adapted to be positioned within a lower area of the storage cabinet
assembly of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 32 is an elevation view of the stock rest of Fig. 31;
Figs. 33 and 34 are top plan and elevation views, respectively, of another
embodiment of a stock rest component or module adapted to be positioned within
a lower
area of the interior of the storage cabinet assembly of Fig. 1;
Figs. 35 and 36 are tbp plan and elevation views, respectively, of another
embodiment of a stock rest component or module adapted to be positioned within
a lower
area of the interior of the storage cabinet assembly of Fig. 1;
Figs. 37 and 38 are top plan pd elevation views, respectively, of another
embodiment of a stock rest component or module adapted to be positioned within
a lower
area of the interior of the storage cabinet assembly of Fig. 1;
Figs. 39 and 40 are top plan and elevation views, respectively, of another
embodiment of a stock rest component or module adapted to be positioned within
a lower
area of the interior of the storage cabinet assembly of Fig. 1; and
Figs. 41-55 are isometric views showing different configurations of
components, modules and accessories adapted to be mounted within the interior
of the
storage cabinet assembly of Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figs. 1-4, a storage cabinet assembly 60 includes a storage
cabinet
62 having a base 64, a top 66, a pair of side walls 68 and a back wa1170.
Representatively,
storage cabinet 62 may have a conventional four post construction, in which
corner posts C 1,
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
C2, C3 and C4 extend vertically between the corners of base 64 and top 66, and
side walls 68
and back wall 70 are secured to and extend between the corner posts. It is
understood,
however, that the overall construction of storage cabinet 62 may take any
other satisfactory
form. In a manner to be explained, storage cabinet assembly 60 is especially
well suited for
use in a military or related application, for storing weapons such as
firearms, and related
equipment.
Storage cabinet 62 is constructed such that base 64, top 66, side walls 68 and
back wall 70 cooperate to defme an interior 72 that is accessible through an
open front. A
pair of bifold doors, shown generally at 74a, 74b, are configured to
selectively close the open
front of storage cabinet 62 and to selectively provide access to interior 72
of storage cabinet
62 through the open front. Bifold doors 74a, 74b are of mirror image
construction, and
include respective inner door sections 76a, 76b and outer door sections 78a,
78b. The facing
edges of inner door section 76a and outer door section 78a are connected
together via a
piano-type hinge, such as shown in Fig. 11 at 80, in a manner as is known. The
facing edges
of inner door section 76b and outer door section 78b are also connected
together via a similar
hinge. Bach of door sections 76a, 76b, 78a and 78b may be formed of a sheet
metal material
in a manner as is known.
Side walls 68 include a series of perforations 82, and back wall 70 includes a
series of perforations 84. In addition, door sections 76a, 76b, 78a, 78b
include perforations
86, which occupy substantially the full height of each door section and the
full width of each
door section, with the exception of the center area of the door section.
Perforations 82, 84
and 86 function to provide ventilation to interior 72 of storage cabinet 62.
In addition,
perforations 86 in door sections 76a, 76b, 78a and 78b provide visual access
to the entire
usable area of storage cabinet interior 72 when doors 74a, 74b are closed, to
allow a user to
inspect the contents of storage cabinet 62 without the need to move bifold
doors 74a, 74b to
the open position.
Figs. 1 and 2 show bifold doors 74a, 74b in a closed position, in which bifold
doors 74a, 74b prevent access to interior 72 of storage cabinet 62. Fig. 3
illustrates bifold
doors 74a, 74b in an intermediate position between the closed position of
Figs. 1 and 2 and
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
an open position, which provide access to interior 72 of storage cabinet 62.
Fig. 6 shows the
position of bifold door 74a when bifold door 74a is fully open, and Figs. 5
and 7 show bifold
door 74a in the fully open position and retracted into interior 72 of storage
cabinet 62 so as
not to obstruct access to items contained within storage cabinet interior 72.
Bifold door 74b
is similarly movable to an open and retracted position within storage cabinet
interior 72.
Referring to Figs. 6-8, bifold door 74a is mounted to a carriage member 88 via
a piano hinge 90, which is interconnected between an outer edge defined by
carriage member
88 and an adjacent outer edge defined by outer door seotion 78a of bifold door
74a. Carriage
member 88 extends generally vertically, and is movably mounted at its ends to
a pair of
guide rails 92. Guide rails92 extend in a forward-rearward direction within
cabinet interior
72, and are located adjacent one of side walls 68. In one embodiment, guide
rails 92 ma.y be
mounted to- corner posts C 1 and C3, although it is understood that guide
rails 92 may be
mounted in any other satisfactory manner within cabinet interior 72. In a
manner as is
known, carriage member 88 is mounted to upper and lower roller assemblies,
each of which
is engaged with one of guide rails 92 for movement along the guide rail 92.
With -this
construction, bifold door 74a is movable as a unit when in the open position,
between an
extended position as shown in Fig. 6, in which carriage member 88 is located
in a forward
position on guide rails 90, and a retracted position as shown in Fig. 7, in
which carriage
member 88 is moved to a rearward position on guide rails 92. When in the
retracted
position, bifold, door 74a is fully recessed into storage cabinet interior 72.
A similar set of guide rails 92 is located adjacent the opposite side wall 68
of
storage cabinet 62, to provide movement of bifold door 74b between an extended
position
and a retracted position when bifold door sections 76b and 78b of bifold door
74a are in the
open position, via a similar carriage member. In this manner, both bifold
doors 74a and 74b
can be recessed within storage cabinet interior 72 when bifold doors 74a and
74b are in the
open position.
Figs. 8 and 10 illustrate a bifold door guide arrangement for guiding movement
of bifold doors 74a and 74b between the closed position of Figs. 1 and 2 and
the open
position of Figs. 4 and 5. In the illustrated embodiment, storage cabinet top
66 defines a top
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
panel 96, the lower surface of which defines the upper extent of storage
cabinet interior 72.
In addition, storage cabinet top 66 defines a front wall 98 that extends
downwardly from the
lower surface of top panel 96, and along the width of the front of storage
cabinet 62. The
bifold door guide arrangement includes a generally U-shaped guide wa11100
secured to the
lower surface of top panel 96. Guide wall 100 includes an elongated transverse
front section
102 spaced rearwardly of front wa1198 of storage cabinet top 66, and a pair of
side sections
104, each of which is spaced inwardly from one of storage cabinet side walls
68. Front wall
98 and front section 102 of guide wa11100 cooperate to define a guide
channe1106, and side
sections 104 of guide wall 100 are spaced inwardly from storage cabinet side
walls 68 a
distance slightly greater than the width of the bifold doors 74a, 74b when in
the folded
position. The inner bifold door sections 76a, 76b each include a guide roller
108, which is
adapted to move within the space between one of side walls 68 and the adjacent
guide wall
side section 104 during movement of the bifold doors 74a, 74b between the
extended
position and the retracted position; and to move within guide channel 106
during movement
of the bifold doors 74a, 74b between the open and closed positions. Front
section 102 of
guide wal1100 includes a seFies of depending stop tabs 110, which engage the-
upper edges
of bifold door sections 76a, 76b and 78a, 78b, to position bifold doors 74a,
74b in the closed
position, in which the bifold door sections 76a, 76b, 78a and 78b are
generally coplanar.
Referring to Figs. 9 and 15, storage cabinet base 64 includes a horizontal
base
wall 112 that defines the lower extent of storage cabinet interior 72, and
a$ont wal1114 that
extends vertically above the upper surface of base wall 112. Base 64 further
includes a
transversely extending channel 116 secured to horizontal base wall 112 and
spaced
rearwardly from front wall 114. Channe1116 includes a lower wall 118 that
rests on and
engages horizontal base wall 112, in combination with an upwardly extending
rear wall 120
and a forward wall 122 spaced rearwardly from front wal1114 of base 64 so as
to define a
space 124 therebetween. The upper portion of front wall 122 defines a stop
section 126
located above the upper edge of front wall 114. Stop section 126 is configured
to engage the
lower edges of bifold door sections 76a, 76b, 78a and 78b when bifold doors
74a and 74b are
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
in the closed position, to maintain the bifold door sections in a coplanar
relationship along
with stop tabs 110.
Inner bifold door sections 76a, 76b each include a guide roller 128 that is
positioned within space 124, to provide a lower guide for movement of bifold
doors 74a, 74b
between the open and closed positions.
Bifold doors 74a, 74b include a single-point locking system to selectively
maintain bifold door sections 76a, 78a and 76b, 78b in the closed position, to
prevent access
to storage cabinet interior 72. The locking system includes a locking
mechanism
interconnected with each of bifold doors 74a, 74b. The locking mechanism of
bifold door
74a is shown in Figs. 12-14 at 130a, and it is understood that a similar
locking mechanism is
interconnected with bifold door 74b. The following description of locking
mechanism 130a
applies equally to the locking mechanism interconnected with bifold door 74b,
and like
reference characters will be used throughout the remainder of this disclosure,
with the
understan,ding that components of the locking mechanism interconnected with
bifold door
74b will be referred to using the subscript "b" in place of "a" as in the
following description.
As shown in Figs. 11-14, locking mechanism 130a includes a locldng hub 132a
pivotably mounted to the inside of inner door section 76a adjacent the hinge
joint between
inner door section 76a and outer door section 76b. A lower lock rod 134a
extends
downwardly from locking hub 132a, and an upper lock rod 136a extends upwardly
from
locking hub 132a. Lock rods 134a, 136a are mounted to opposite sides of
locking hub 132a
via respective pivot connections 138a, 140a. Locking hub 132a is pivotably
mounted to
inner door section 76a via an axle 142a, which has an irregular (e.g.
rectangular) cross
section and which extends through a mating opening in locking hub 132a. Lock
rod pivot
connections 138a, 140a are offset from the pivot axis defined by axle 142a.
The outer end of axle 142a is engaged with a control member 144a, In a
representative embodiment, control member 144a includes an opening configured
to receive
the irregular cross section of axle 142a. Alternatively, axle 142a may be
rigidly secured to
control member 144a, such as by welding or in any other satisfactory manner.
With this
construction, control member 144a is pivotable about a pivot axis defined by
axle 142, and
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
movement of control member 144a is operable to impart pivoting movement to
axle 142a. A
washer or bushing 146a is located between control member 144a and the outer
surface of
inner door section 76a, to facilitate movement of control member 144a. Control
member
144a includes an ear 148a in which an opening 150a is formed.
Lock rods 134a, 136a are configured so as to be movable between an extended,
engaged position and a retracted, disengaged position in response to rotation
of locking hub
132a, which in turn is caused by movement of control member 144a. Fig. 13
shows lock
rods 134a, 136a in the extended, engaged position, and Fig. 14 illustrates
lock rods 134a,
136a in the retracted, disengaged position. In the extended position, the end
of lower lock
rod 134a projects downwardly from the lower edge of inner door section 76a,
and extends
through an opening in the lower edge of inner door section 76a. Similarly, in
the extended
position, the end of upper lock rod 136a projects upwardly from the upper edge
of inner door
section 76a, and extends through an opening in the upper edge of inner door
section 76a. In
the retracted position, the ends of lock tods 134a,136a are positioned flush
with or slightly
recessed from the edge of inner door section-76a from which the respective
lock rod ends
extend when in the extended position.
Control member 144a is movable between a first raised, locking position and a
second lowered, release position. When in the locking position, control member
144a is
oriented generally horizontally, and extends across the width of inner door
section 76a.
Control member 144a is constructed such that, when in the locking position,
ear 150a is
located so as to be in alignment with the inner edge of inner door section
76a.
In operation, storage cabinet assembly 60 is locked by positioning control
members 144a, 144b in the locking position as shown in Fig. 1. In this
position, control
members 144a, 144b function to place lock mechanisms 130a, 130b, respectively,
in the
engaged position by positioning the respective locldng hubs 132a, 132b in the
locldng
position as shown in Fig. 13, in which the respective lock rods 134a, 136a and
134b, 136b
are extended. In the extended position, the ends of lower lock rods 134a, 134b
are
positioned within space 124 (Fig. 15), between front wall 114 and forward wall
122 of
channel 116. Similarly, upper lock rods 136a, 136b are positioned within guide
channel 106
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
between front wall 98 and front section 102 of guide wall 100. The positioning
of locking
mechanisms 130a, 130b adjacent the joints between the, sections of bifold
doors 74a, 74b is
such that, when bifold doors 74a, 74b are closed and control members 144a,
144b -are moved
to the locking position, lock rods 134a, 134b and 136a, 136b prevent movement
of bifold
doors 74a, 74b to the open position.
Ears 148a, 148b of respective control members 144a, 144b are located adjacent
each other when control members 144a, 144b are in the locking position, and
openings 150a,
150b in control member ears 144a, 144b, respectively, are in aligninent with
each other. A
lock 152, which may be a key or combination padlock or any other satisfactory
type of
loclcing mechanism, includes a locking member that extends through the aligned
openings
150a, 150b when control members 144a, 144b are in the locking position, to
prevent
movement of control members 144a, 144b away from the locking position. It can
thus be
appreciated that the construction of bifold doors 74a, 74b and locking
mechanisms 130a,
130b.provides a single-point locking arrangement for a bifold door
construction, to enable
quick and easy opening of bifold doors 74a, 74b when desired, in a manner that
exposes
substantially the entire open front of storage cabinet assembly 60.
Control members 144a, 144b are subjected to a gravity bias that tends to move
control members 144a, 144b away from the raised, locking position of Fig. I
toward the
lowered, release position of Fig. 3. In this manner, when an authorized user
removes lock
152 from within openings 150a, 150b of respective control member ears 144a,
144b, the
inner ends of control members 144a, 144b are pivoted away from each other
under the force
of gravity to the lowered, release position. Such movement of control members
144a, 144b
causes respective locking hubs 132a, 132b to pivot to the release position of
Fig. 14 so as to
place lock rods 134a, 134b and 116a, 136b in the retracted position. This
action functions to
automatically disengage locking mechanisms 130a, 130b when lock 152 is
removed, to
facilitate quick and easy opening of storage cabinet assembly 60 when desired.
In the retracted position, the ends of upper lock rods 136a, 136b are moved
vertically downwardly out of engagement within guide channel 106, and the ends
of lower
lock rods 134a, 134b are raised vertically upwardly out of engagement within
space 124. In
13
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
aiis manner, the joints between bifold door sections 76a, 78a and 76b, 78b can
move
outwardly when the user applies an opening force to bifold doors 74a, 74b, to
thereby enable
movement of bifold doors 74a, 74b to the open position.
Door sections 76a, 78a and 76b, 78b include respective vertically spaced,
vertically extending slots 154a, 156a and 154b, 156b, which are located
adjacent the
respective door section side edges. Slots 154a, 156a and 154b, 156b provide
the visual
access and ventilation functions as noted previously, along with perforations
86, and also
function as handgrip areas to facilitate movement of bifold doors 74a, 74b
between the open
and closed positions.
Various storage or support components or modules are adapted to be secured
withip storage cabinet interior 72, in order to support and store weapons,
firearms and related
equipment or accessories within storage cabinet assembly 60. Such components
include
differently configured stock rests and barrel supports for supporting firearms
such as rifles
and automatic or semi-automatic machine guns or the like in an upright
orientation within
storage cabinet interior 72, as well as pistol supports and shelf or bin-type
components. The
configuration and orientation of the storage or support components contained
within storage
cabinet interior 72 may vary according to the intended use of storage cabinet
assembly 60
and the equipment or accessories adapted to be stored within storage cabinet
assembly 60.
The storage or support components can be assembled in a predetermined
configuration
during initial manufacture, or may be subsequently assembled by a customer or
user using
supplied components. The positions of the components within storage cabinet
interior 72
may be adjusted and varied, again according to user requirements. The drawing
figures
illustrate a number of various storage or support components or modules that
may be
mounted within storage cabinet interior 72, and it is understood that other
storage or support
components may be mounted within storage cabinet interior 72.
Referring to Fig. 4, one configuration of the storage or support components
contained within storage cabinet interior 72 may include a stock rest 160, a
support rail or
mounting member 162 to which a series of barrel rests 164 and pistol supports
166 are
mounted, along with a shelf or bin assembly 168.
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CA 02594256 2008-04-28
Stock rest 160 is configured to receive and support the butt ends of a series
of
rifles or other weapons having a first configuration, in which the end of the
weapon stock has
a relatively narrow width, such as an M240 or M249 rifle, shown generally at
Gi in Figs. 5
and 25. Stock rest 160 includes a series of side-by-side upwardly facing
channels or troughs
defined by a series of lower walls 170 in combination with a spaced apart pair
of side walls
172. A divider 174 is located between each channel or trough defined by stock
rest 160.
Stock rest 160 is formed with a pair of end walls 176 (Fig. 20), which define
lower edges that rest on horizontal base wall 112. Each end wall 176 defines a
generally
trapezoidal shape such that, when stock rest 160 is positioned on horizontal
base wall 112, the
channels or troughs defined by lower walls 170 and side walls 172 are oriented
at an angle
toward back wall 70 of storage cabinet 62. In this manner, when a gun or other
weapon such
as G1 is positioned so that its stock is received within one of the channels
of stock rest 160,
the weapon GI is oriented so as to lean toward cabinet back wal170.
Fig. 30 is a plan view representation of horizontal base wall 112, which
includes a series of spaced apart front and rear openings 178 that extend
transversely
throughout the majority of the length of horizontal base wall 112. Each
opening 178 includes
an enlarged central area and a pair of restricted end areas. With this
construction, each
opening 178 is adapted to receive an elongated mounted member such as a screw
or other
fastener, or a tab-type mounting member, for use in securing components or
modules to base
wall 112. As shown in Fig. 31, stock rest 160 includes openings 180 in
dividers 174, which
are positioned so as to be in vertical alignment with selected ones of
horizontal base wall
openings 178 when stock rest 160 is positioned within storage cabinet interior
72. Fasteners,
such as threaded screws or the like, extend through the aligned openings 180
and 178, so as to
secure stock rest 160 in position on horizontal base wall 112. Alternatively,
each end wall
176 may include downwardly extending mounting tabs adapted to be engaged
within selected
openings 178, to secure stock rest to base wall 112.
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
Figs. 33 and 34 illustrate an alternative stock rest 182 which may be
positioned
within storage cabinet interior 72 in place of stock rest 160. Stock rest 182
has a similar
overall configuration as stock rest 160, including a series of upwardly facing
channels or
troughs defined by lower walls 184 in combination with side walls 186.
Dividers 188 are
located between side walls 186 of adjacent troughs or channels, and include
openings 190 for
use in mounting stock rest 182 to horizontal base wall 112. Stock rest 182
fiuther includes
trapezoidal end walls 192 configured similarly to end walls 176 of stock rest
160, to orient
stock rest 182 at an angle toward storage cabinet back wall 70. Stock rest 182
is configured
to receive and support the butt end of each of a series of guns or other
weapons having a
configuration in which the stock is relatively wide, such as an M16 or M4
machine gun.
Each lower wall 184 includes an opening 194 that is configured to receive the
lower end of a
weapon accessory, such as a scope or bayonet adapted for use with the weapon.
Figs. 35 and 36 illustrate another configuration of a stock rest 196, which is
constructed similarly to stock rest 182: Stock rest 196 is mounted within
storage cabinet
interior 72 in the same manner as noted previously, and is configured to
support yet another
type of weapon or other firearm in an upright orientation such that the weapon
or firearm
leans toward back wall 70 of storage cabinet 62. Figs. 37 and 38 a similarly
constructed
stock rest 198, which includes wider troughs or channels that are adapted to
support other
types of firearms. Stock rest 198 is also mounted within'storage cabinet
interior 72 in the
same manner as stock rests 160 and 182, so as to position the firearms in an
upright
orientation leaning toward storage cabinet back wall 70. Figs. 39 and 40
illustrate yet
another stock rest 200 which is configured similarly to the previously
described stock rests,
and is mounted within storage cabinet interior 72 in the same manner. Stock
rest 200
includes a central mounting section 202 in combination with a pair of side
mounting sections
204. Circular openings 206, 208 are formed in mounting sections 202, 204,
respectively, to
receive the butt end of a weapon having a round configuration, such as an M2
machine gun
or the like.
While certain stock rests 160, 182, 196, 198 and 200 are shown and described
as being engageable within storage cabinet interior, it is understood that
other stock rest
16
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
configurations are possible and are contemplated within the scope of the
present invention.
Generally speaking, each stock rest is configured so as to support a weapon or
other fireartn
in an upright orientation within storage cabinet interior 72, with the
inclination of the stock
end engagement area being such that the weapon is inclined toward cabinet back
wall 70.
Referring to Figs. 21-24, mounting member 162 defines a generally C-shaped
cross section, including a support wal1208, in combination with upper and
lower flanges
210, 212, respectively. Support wall 208 includes end extensions 214, which
includes a pair
of vertically spaced mounting studs or rivets 216, or any other satisfactory
type of headed
mounting members. Corner posts C3 and C4 of storage cabinet 62 include
vertically spaced
key hole openings 218, in accordance with conventional construction. Each key
hole
opening 218 includes an enlarged upper portion which is configured to receive
the mounting
studs 216 that extend rearwardly from extensions 214, which are then moved
downwardly
into engagement within a restricted lower portion of each key hole opening
218, so as to
secure mounting member 162 to and between corner posts C3 and C4. With this
arrangement, mounting member 162 can be placed at any desired elevation within
storage
cabinet interior 72, and the position of mounting member 162 can be adjusted
at any time
simply by removing mounting member 162 from one set of key hole openings 218
and
engaging mounting member 162 with another set of key hole openings 218 in a
desired
elevation.
It should also be understood that mounting member 162 may be mounted
within storage cabinet interior 72 in a fixed position, or altematively may be
adjustably
mounted within storage cabinet interior 72 by any satisfactory adjustable
mounting
arrangement other than that as shown and described.
Support wall 218 of mounting member 162 includes an upper row of square
openings 220 and a lower row of square openings 222. Openings 220 and 222 are
laterally
spaced at predetermined regular spacing, and extend throughout the majority of
the length of
mounting member 162. Small circular openings 224 and 226 are located
vertically below
upper rectangular openings 220 and lower rectangular openings 222,
respectively.
17
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
Mounting member 162 is employed to support barrel rests such as 164 in a
desired elevation within storage cabinet interior 72. As shown in Figs. 22-24,
each barrel
rest 164 includes a mounting section 230 and a barrel support section 232.
Mounting section
230 is formed with a pair of rearwardly extending engagement lances or tabs
224, which
have the same spacing as mounting openings 220, 222 in mounting member 162.
Tabs 234
may be formed in a stamping operation from the material of mounting section
230, such that
the material of each tab 234 is formed integrally with the material of
mounting section 230 at
the upper end of each tab 234. In this manner, a downwardly facing space is
defined
between the forwardly facing surface of each tab 234 and the rearwardly.facing
surface of
mounting section 230. However, it is understood that any other satisfactory
method of
forming tabs 234 may be employed. In addition, mounting section 230 includes a
retainer
opening 236 below each mounting tab 234.
Outwardly extending barrel support section 232 includes a body section 238
defining an outwardly facing support edge 240, in combination with a pair of
spaced apart
support arms 242 that extend outwardly from the opposite sides of support edge
240. The
outer area of barrel support section 232 is coated with a resilient material
so as- to prevent
barrel rest 164 from scratching the barrel of the gun that it supports. In
this manner, support
edge 240 and support arms 242 are coated with the resilient material, so as to
present
relatively soft surfaces that engage the firearm barrel. The resilient
material may be any
satisfactory plastic, rubber or other cushioning material, and may be applied
to body section
238 in a dipping process or the like.
Barrel rest 164 is engaged at a desired location along the length of mounting
member 162 by placing tabs 234 in alignment with a pair of adjacent openings
in mounting
member 162, such as a pair of lower openings 222. A downward force is then
applied to
barrel rest 164, such that each tab 234 is moved downwardly along the
rearwardly facing
surface of support wall 208 until the upper edge of each opening 222 is
brought into
engagement with the upper extent of tab 234 at its connection to the material
of mounting
section 230. Barrel rest 164 is disengaged from mounting member 162 by
reversing such
steps. In this manner, barrel rest 164 may be quickly and easily engaged with
and
18
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
disengaged from mounting member 162, to enable barrel rest 164 to be located
in a desired
position for use in supporting an upper area of a weapon or firearm. When
barrel rest 164 is
engaged with mounting member 162 in this manner, retainer openings 236 in
mounting
section 230 are in alignment with a pair of adjacent retainer openings 226 in
mounting
member 162. A fastener, such as a screw 244, is engaged within the aligned
openings 236,
226; so as to prevent inadvertent removal of barrel rest 164 and to maintain
barrel rest 164 in
engagement in the desired location on mounting member 162. The configuration
of support
edge 240 and support arms 242 is particularly designed to cradle the barrel of
a certain type
of weapon or other firearm that is supported at its lower end by one of the
previously
described stock rests, such as stock rest 160. Fig. 25 illustrates such
operation of stock rest
160 and barrel rest 164, in which barrel B of weapon G1 is engaged with
support edge 240
between support arms 242 so as to receive and support weapon barrel B above
stock rest
160. Alternatively, the specific configuration of support edge 240 is such
that barrel rest 164
may support a scope or bayonet that is separate from or engaged with the
firearm, such that
barrel rest 164 may be used to support a number of different items within the
storage cabinet
interior 72.
Figs. 26-29 illustrate differently configured barrel rests that can be engaged
with mounting member 162 so as to support the upper end of a weapon or
firearm, the lower
end of which is supported via engagement with one of the stock rests as
descnbed
previously. Fig. 26 illustrates the top plan view of barrel rest 164. Fig. 27
illustrates a barrel
rest 248 having elongated arms 250 and a body section defining a specially
configured
support edge 252, for receiving the upper area of a weapon or firearm having a
corresponding shape. Fig. 28 illustrates an alternative barrel rest 254, which
includes
relatively short, narrow anns 256 that cooperate with a support edge 258 to
define a recess
configured to receive the upper portion of a weapon or fireann having a
similar shape. Fig.
29 illustrates yet another barrel rest 260, which includes elongated arms 262
that cooperate
with a support edge 264 to define a long, narrow recess configured to receive
the upper
portion of a weapon or firearm having a similar shape.
19
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
It can be appreciated that the barrel rests illustrated in Figs. 26-29 are
illustrative of a wide variety of barrel rest configurations that are
possible, with each barrel
rest having a shape configured to receive and engage the upper end of a weapon
or firearm
having a similar shape. It can also be appreciated that rests similar to those
as illustrated
may be used to support elongated items or equipment bther than firearms. In
each case,
however, the rest includes a mounting section as described previously for
engagement with
mounting member 162, so as to secure the rest to mounting member 162 within
storage
cabinet interior 72 above the stock rest. In a preferred system, a barrel rest
and stock rest
combination are selected to be positioned within storage cabinet interior 72,
according to the
shape and other parameters of the firearms or weapons intended to be contained
within the
storage cabinet assembly 60.
Referring to Figs. 22-24, each pistol support 166 includes a mounting section
260 having a mounting lance or tab 262 that extends rearwardly from mounting
section 260,
and which is formed similarly to mounting tabs 234 of barrel rest mounting
section 230. In
addition, mounting section 260 includes a retainer opening 264 located
vertically below tab
262. Pistol support 166 further includes a support section 266 that extends
outwardly from
the upper end of mounting section 260, and which includes an angled support
plate 268. A
support finger 270 is secured at its inner end to support plate 268, and
extends outwardly
from support plate 268 at an upwardly extending angle. Finger 270 is
preferably oriented so
as to be perpendicular to support plate 268. A resilient coating 272, such as
a plastic, rdbber
or the like, is applied to fmger 270 and to support plate 268, e.g. in a
dipping process, to
present relatively soft, cushioned outer surfaces of support fmger 270 and
support plate 268.
Each pistol support 166 may be mounted in any desired location along the
length of mounting member 162, by engaging mounting tab 262 within any one of
openings
220, 222 in mounting member support wall 208. Each pistol support 166 is
secured to
mounting member 162 in a manner similar to that of barrel rest 164, by placing
the tab 262
within a selected opening and applying a downward force to the pistol support
166 so as to
slide mounting tab 262 downwardly along the rearwardly facing surface of
support wall 208,
until the lower edge of the opening engages the upper end of the mounting tab
262. A
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
rastener, such as a screw 274, is then engaged through retainer opening 264
and the aligned
retainer opening 224 or 226 in mounting member 162, to maintain pistol support
166 in
position and prevent its inadvertent removal.
In use, a pistol P (Fig. 25) is supported from pistol support 166 by engaging
support finger 270 within the barrel of pistol P. In this manner, pistol P is
supported such
that its butt end faces outwardly, which facilitates quick and easy removal of
pistol P from
pistol support 166. The resilient coatifig 272 applied to support finger 270
and support plate
268 prevents scratching or marring of the pistol barrel.
While the invention has been shown and described with respect to engagement
of barrel rests and pistol supports with mounting member 162, for use in
mounting weapons,
accessories and other equipment within the interior of storage cabinet
assembly 60, it is
understood that such components are illustrative of many different types of
support
components that may be employed in storage cabinet assembly 60. As to other
such
components, which may be used to support items of equipment within stoiage
cabinet
assembly 60, it is contemplated that the same type of removable engagement
system may be
employed to mount such components within storage cabinet interior 72, to
support any type
of weapon, accessory or related equipment.
Referring to Fig. 4, bin -assembly 168 may be mounted within storage cabinet
interior 72 for storing optics, flashlights, removable stocks or barrels,
bayonets, cases,
holders, supports or other weapon-related equipment or accessories. Bin
assembly 168
includes a pair of bin side walls 278, in combination with a fixed-position
bottom shelf 280
to which the lower ends of side walls 278 are secured. Bottom shelf 280
includes front and
rear depending support walls 282, 284 (Fig. 16), respectively, which extend
downwardly
from the front and rear edges, respectively, of bottom shelf 280. Support
walls 282, 284 are
spaced apart from each other a distance slightly greater than the depth of the
stock rests, such
as 160, and have a height slightly greater than that of the stock rests. In
this manner, bin
assembly 168 can be installed over any of the stock rests that may be mounted
within the
bottom of storage cabinet interior 72, such that support walls 282, 284 enable
bin assembly
168 to bridge over the underlying portion of the stock rest. Alternatively,
the stock rest may
21
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
be formed so as to have a length that extends only to the side of bin assembly
168, since the
portion of the stock rest located below the bin assembly 168 is unusable.
In a representative construction, each support wall 282, 284 may have a flange
at its lower end, with openings that are adapted to be positioned in alignment
with selected
ones of horizontal base wall openings 178. Screws or other satisfactory
fasteners may be
engaged within the aligned openings, to secure the lower end of bin assembly
168 in position
within storage unit interior 72. Alternatively, support walls 282, 284 may be
formed with
tabs that extend through the slotted portions of base wall openings 178. -
Referring to Fig. 8, the upper end of each bin side wall 278 is formed with a
flange 286, which is adapted to be positioned adjacent the downwardly facing
surface of top
panel 96. Flanges 286 have openings that are adapted to be placed into
alignment with
openings such as 288 in top panel 96, and screws or other satisfactory
fasteners are engaged
within the aligned openings to secure the upper end of bin assembly 168 in
position within
storage cabinet interior 72. It is understood that this mounting arrangement
is illustrative,
and that any other type of satisfactory mounting arrangement may be employed
for securing
the upper end of bin assembly 168 in position.
A series of shelves 290 are adapted to be engaged with and span between bin
assembly side walls 278 above bottom shelf 280. Preferably, the position of
each shelf 290
can be adjusted along the height of the side walls 278. To accomplish this,
each side wall
278 includes a series of vertically spaced front shelf mounting members 292
and a series of
vertically spaced rear shelf mounting members 294, as shown in Figs. 18 and
19.
Representatively, shelf mounting members 292, 294 may be formed in a stamping
operation
from an inwardly deformed portion of the material of side wal1278, with open
areas located
above and below each shelf mounting member. Each shelf 290 includes a front
mounting ear
296 on each of its sides and a rear mounting ear 298 on each of its sides. In
the illustrated
embodiment, each shelf 290 includes a pair of side flanges, and mounting ears
296, 298 are
formed from a portion of the material of each side flange 300. Mounting ears
296, 298 have
a configuration adapted to be engaged with front and rear shelf mounting
members 292, 294,
respectively. With this construction, each shelf 290 is engaged with bin
assembly side walls
22
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
278 by positioning mounting ears 296, 298 vertfcally above shelf mounting
members 292,
294, respectively, and applying a downward force to the shelf 290 so as to
engage the
mounting ears 296, 298 with the respective shelf mounting members 292, 294.
Any desired
number of shelves can be engaged with side walls 278 in any position along the
height of
side walls 278, according to the dimensions and configuration of the items
adapted to be
supported by the shelves 290.
Figs. 41-55 contain representations of various illustrative configurations of
components that can be mounted within storage cabinet interior 72, according
to the items
intended to be contained within the storage cabinet assembly 60. In Fig. 41,
storage cabinet
interior 72 is illustrated as being outfitted with a stock rest 160', which
has a configuration
somewhat similar to stock rest 160. An upper mounting member 162a is secured
between
corner posts C3 and C4 in an upper position within storage cabinet interior
72, and barrel
rests 164 are secured to mounting member 162a at desired locations along the
length of
mounting member 162a, to suppoit the barrels of firearms having stocks that
are supported
by stock rest 160'. An additional lower mounting member 162b is located below
the upper
mounting member 162a, and may be used to secure pistol supports or any other
storage
components within storage cabinet interior 72.
Fig. 42 illustrates a configuration in which horizontally extending,
vertically
spaced rows of pistol supports 166 are secured to each of a series of mounting
members
162a, 162b, 162c, 162d, 162e and 162f. In this embodiment, storage cabinet
assembly 60
includes stock rest 160, so as to enable the storage cabinet assembly to be
used to store rifles
or other firearms by removing certain of pistol supports 166 and installing
one or more barrel
rests in desired locations to one or more of mounting members 162a-162f.
Fig. 43 illustrates a configuration in which a series of bin assemblies 168
are
mounted side-by-side within storage cabinet interior 72, to occupy
substantially the entire
volume of storage cabinet interior 178.
Fig. 44 illustrates a configuration in which one bin assembly 168 is mounted
to
one side of storage cabinet interior 178. The remainder of the volume of
storage cabinet
interior 72 is occupied by a modified bin assembly 302, which consists of a
pair of shelf side
23
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
walls 278 and bottom shelves 280, secured within storage cabinet interior 72
in the same
manner as described previously. Modified elongated shelves 304 are secured
between the
shelf side walls 278, and are mounted to shelf side walls 278 in the same
manner as
described above.
Fig. 45 illustrates a configuration in which stock rest 196 is secured in the
bottom of storage cabinet interior 72. An upper mounting member 162a is
employed to
secure barrel rests 254, each of which is in alignment with one of the
channels or troughs
defined by stock rest 196. A lower mounting member 162b is mounted within
storage
cabinet interior 72 between stock rest 196 and upper mounting member 162a. A
series of
barrel rests 164 are mounted to lower mounting member 162b. In this
configuration, a
weapon such as a machine gun is supported by stock rest 196 in combination
with each of
barrel rests 254. A bayonet or scope associated with the weapon is engaged at
its lower end
with one of the openings in the stock rest channel or trough, and is supported
thereabove by
engagement within the recess defined by support edge 240 of barrel rest 164.
Fig. 46 illustrates a configuration in which stock rest 198 is mounted in the
bottom of storage cabinet interior 72. A mounting member 162 is utilized to
mount a series
of barrel rests 248, each of which is in alignment with one of the channels or
troughs defined
by stock rest 198.
Fig. 47 illustrates a configuration in which a pair of bin assemblies 168 are
mounted in each side of storage cabinet interior 72. An open space is defmed
between the
bin assemblies 168, so as to expose a portion of stock rest 160 that may be
utilized to store
rifles or other firearms between bin assemblies 168. Suitable barrel rests are
secured to
mounting member 162 between bin assemblies 168, so as to accommodate the
rifles or other
firearms.
Fig. 48 illustrates a configuration in which wide, open shelves are contained
within storage cabinet interior 72. In this configuration, bin assembly side
walls 278 are
mounted to opposite sides of storage cabinet interior 278, in the same manner
described
previously with respect to bin assembly 168. Three boitom shelves 280 are
mounted in the
bottom of storage cabinet interior 72. Modified elongated shelves 306 extend
between shelf
24
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
side walls 278, and are interconnected therewith in the same manner as
described previously
with respect to bin assembly 168.
Fig. 49 illustrates a configuration in which a portion of stock rest 160 is
exposed for use in supporting rifles or other elongated firearms, with the
remainder of the
stock rest 160 being covered by a bottom shelf 280. Upper shelves are
contained within the
top portion of storage cabinet 62. The upper shelves include vertical shelf
walls 308, which
are secured to top pane196 in the same manner described previously with
respect to shelf
side walls 278. Each shelf wall 308 includes a flange at its lower end, which
is secured to a
bottom shelf member such as 310, 312, which in turn are supported via a
mounting member
162 to which a series of shelf support brackets 318 (Fig. 51) are mounted.
Intermediate
shelves 314,316 are secured to shelf walls 308, in the same manner as
described previously
with respect to shelves 290 of bin assembly 168.
Fig. 50 illustrates a configuration similar to that of Fig. 49. In this
configuration, a series of shelf walls 308 support shelf members 314 in a side-
by-side
~
manner.
Fig. 51 illustrates a configuration similar to that of Fig. 50. In this
configuration, a single shelf module is contained in the upper portion of
storage cabinet
assembly 60. Lower shelf 310 is supported by a pair of mounting brackets 318,
which are
configured for engagement with mounting member 162 in the same manner as
described
previously. Shelf walls 308 are engaged with lower shelf 310, and intermediate
shelves 314
are engaged with shelf walls 308 above lower shelf 310.
Fig. 52 illustrates a configuration in which a shelf module as in Fig. 51 is
combined with a bin assembly 168', which is configured similarly to bin 168
but is mounted
at its upper end to shelf member 310 instead of being mounted to the underside
of top panel
96, as described previously.
I Fig. 53 illustrates a configuration in which an elongated lower shelf member
310' is engaged with shelf walls 308, which are secured to a mounting member
162 as
described previously via a bracket arrangement. Intermediate shelves 310' are
engaged with
shelf walls 308 above lower shelf 310'.
CA 02594256 2008-04-28
Fig. 54 illustrates a similar configuration, in which a pair of shelf modules,
similar to those illustrated in Fig. 51, are contained within the upper extent
of storage cabinet
interior 72.
Fig. 55 illustrates yet another alternative configuration, in which a shelf
arrangement as shown in Fig. 53 is combined with a series of barrel rests that
are secured to
a mounting member located below the shelf assembly, to support weapons or
other firearms
therebelow in combination with stock rest 160.
It can thus be appreciated that the present invention provides a shelf system
which can be uniquely configured and reconfigured according to user
requirements, simply '
by positioning or repositioning certain components within the storage cabinet
interior 72.
Such arrangement and rearrangement of the components may take place during
initial
manufacture, or on site or at any other location where it is desired to alter
the storage cabinet
configuration. The various components can be installed and removed using only
a
screwdriver, which facilitates quick and easy installation and removal.
Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the
scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly
claiming the subject
matter regarded as the invention.
26
