INTERCHANGEABLE FACE PLATE

Cross Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent

Application No. 60/699,199, filed July 14, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an interchangeable face plate and more specifically to an interchangeable face plate suitable for a safe.

Background of the Invention

[0003] Safes are used in commercial and residential environments to secure items against theft, fire and other damaging elements. Despite being used in a variety of settings and room decors, safes are not typically designed and marketed in customized styles. Limitations on safe customization include the relatively high cost of replacing or modifying a safe, and the materials used to construct a safe, many of which require fire proof and tamper proof properties.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a customizing fascia or face plate may be selectively attached to a door of a safe to alter the appearance of the safe. In one embodiment, a safe is provided with an enclosure, a door, and a face plate. The enclosure includes a front portion having an opening. The door includes front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, a hinged portion, and a locking portion. The hinged portion is hingedly mounted to the enclosure for movement between closed and open positions. The locking portion is adapted to lockingly engage the enclosure to cover the front portion opening when the door is in the closed position. The face plate includes a front ornamental surface, a rear door-engaging surface, and at least one mating feature adapted to engage a corresponding mating feature on the door to selectively attach the face plate to the door.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0006] Figure 1 is a side view of a safe assembly;

[0007] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the safe assembly of Figure 1 with several exemplary face plates;

[0008] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the safe assembly of

Figure 1, showing a safe enclosure, a safe door and several exemplary face plates;

[0009] Figure 4 is an exploded side view of a safe assembly;

[0010] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the safe door and face plate of Figure 4;

[0011] Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of the face plate of Figure 4;

[0012] Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the safe door of Figure 4;

[0013] Figure 8 is a side oriented perspective view, partially in section, of a connection between the safe door and face plate of Figure 4;

[0014] Figure 9 is an exploded side view of a safe assembly;

[0015] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the safe door and face plate of Figure 9;

[0016] Figure 11 is a rear perspective view of the face plate of Figure 9;

[0017] Figure 12 is a front perspective view of the safe door of Figure 9; and

[0018] Figure 13 is a side oriented view, partially in section, of a connection between the safe door and face plate of Figure 9.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0019] This Detailed Description of the Invention merely describes embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as described is broader than and unlimited by the preferred embodiments, and the terms used have their full ordinary meaning. [0020] According to an aspect of the present application, a customizable door for an enclosure, such as, for example, a safe, may be provided, allowing a user to change the appearance of the structure without replacing the door, or modifying or replacing the structure. As one example, a fascia or face plate may be provided for selective attachment with the door, wherein the face plate alters the appearance of the

door. The face plate may, but need not, be attached to the door in such a way that it does not interfere with operation of the door. To facilitate attachment of the face plate to the door, one or more corresponding mating features may be provided on each of the face plate and the door, with the mating features of the face plate engaging the corresponding mating features of the door to attach the face plate to the door. [0021] The exemplary embodiments of the customizable safe offer several benefits, including, for example, increased flexibility and reduced costs. By limiting customization to a primarily cosmetic external component, such as a face plate, less expensive materials, such as plastic, may be used, as their use will not compromise the structural integrity or temperature ratings of the safe door and enclosure. The adaptability of a selectively attachable face plate allows for quick, simple, and inexpensive customization by the manufacturer, retailer, or end user, to accommodate style preferences or conformity with the aesthetics of other items in proximity with the safe.

[0022] Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate side, front perspective, and exploded front perspective views of an exemplary safe assembly 10. The assembly 10 includes an enclosure 20, a door 30, and a selectively attachable face plate 40. As illustrated, the door 30 may, but need not, completely cover a front portion of the enclosure 20 when the door 30 is closed, such that the closed door 30 covers an opening in the front portion through which items may be deposited into and retrieved from the safe enclosure. The exemplary door 30 includes a hinge portion 30a that is hinge mounted to a side portion of the enclosure 20; however, the door 30 may be mounted to other locations of the enclosure and through the use of other mounting mechanisms. The door 30 also includes a locking portion 30b that is adapted to lockingly engage the enclosure when the door 30 is closed. While the illustrated embodiment shows a combination lock and locking bolt type locking mechanism, many different locking mechanisms may be used. Alternatively, in the case of a fireproof safe or enclosure intending only to store or protect items, without preventing access to the items, the safe or other such assembly may be provided without a locking mechanism. [0023] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the safe 10 may be provided with one or more face plates 40, 40a, 40b for selective attachment to the door 30. The face plate 40 may be provided with an ornamental front surface 42 and a door-engaging rear surface, examples of which are shown in the embodiments of Figures 4-13. The front surface 42 may be provided with a wide variety and degree of ornamentation, which

may include, for example, a wide variety of colors, textures, patterns, artwork, contours, and genuine or imitation materials. While the illustrated face plates 40, 40a, 40b are primarily ornamental in nature, face plates according to other exemplary embodiments (not shown) may also be provided with functional aspects, including, for example, writing surfaces, instructional or identification labels, storage pockets, or light sources, such as light emitting diodes. By selecting and attaching a desired face plate, a preferred ornamentation and/or functionality may be provided without replacing the safe 10 or safe door 30.

[0024] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the face plates 40, 40a, 40b may be provided with one or more openings that align with features projecting from the front surface of the door, such as lock interface features including handles, combination dials, and/or key holes, to accommodate access to these features. In the illustrated embodiments, openings 46, 47 align with the handle 36 and combination dial 37 of the door 30 to allow access to the handle 36 and dial 37, while still allowing the face plate 40 to substantially cover the front surface of the door. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to provide a face plate that covers or conceals certain features of the door to obscure visibility of these features. For example, the face plate may be made to resemble a blank panel, painting, wall surface, or other such item to conceal the presence of the safe when the door is closed.

[0025] A face plate may be selectively attached to the front of a door, such as a safe door, by many different mechanisms or configurations. In one embodiment, the face plate may be permanently attached to the safe door. In other embodiments, the face plate may be detachable from the door for access to the front surface of the door, for cleaning, repair or modification of the face plate, or for replacement of the face plate with a different face plate to be attached to the door.

[0026] According to an aspect of the present application, the face plate may be provided with one or more mating features that engage corresponding mating features on the door to attach the face plate to the door. Many different mating features may be used to provide temporary or permanent attachment of the face plate to the door. In one embodiment, one or more locking tabs may be provided on the face plate and corresponding slots may be provided in the door. The locking tabs may be flexible, allowing the tabs to snap into engagement with the slots. Figures 4-8 illustrate one such example embodiment of a safe door and face plate attachment arrangement. [0027] In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 4-8, a safe assembly 100

includes a face plate 140 provided with upper and lower locking tabs 145a, 145b that extend from a door-engaging surface 144 of the face plate 140. While the illustrated example includes one locking tab 145a on an upper edge of the face plate 140 and one locking tab 145b on a lower edge of the face plate 140, any number and position of locking tabs and corresponding slots may be utilized. The locking tabs 145a, 145b are positioned to align with corresponding slots 135a, 135b in a front surface 134 of the door 130. The locking tabs 145a, 145b may be made of a flexible material, such as plastic, which may allow the tabs 145a, 145b to flex and snap into engagement with the slots 135a, 135b. Further, the locking tabs 145a, 145b maybe provided with one or more lateral projections 148a, 148b adapted to snap into engagement with corresponding recesses 138a, 138b in the slots 135a, 135b to attach the face plate 140 to the door 130. As best shown in Figure 8, the recesses 138a, 138b may extend to outer surfaces of the door 130, such as, for example, the upper and lower edges of the door 130. In such an embodiment, a user may access the projections 148a, 148b to depress them out of engagement with the recesses 138a, 138b for separation of the face plate 140 from the door 130.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present application, one or more alignment features may be provided on the face plate and/or on the door to facilitate attachment of the face plate to the door. Many different types of alignment features may be provided, including, for example, a lip or lips on the face plate that align with an edge or edges of the door, or one or more alignment stakes on one of the face plate and the door that align with corresponding alignment holes on the other of the face plate and the door. In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 4-8, the face plate 140 is provided with alignment stakes 143 that extend from the door-engaging surface 144 of the face plate 140. While the illustrated example includes one alignment stake 143 on each side edge of the face plate 140, any number and position of alignment stakes and corresponding holes may be utilized. The alignment stakes 143 are positioned to align with corresponding alignment holes 133 in the front surface 134 of the door 130. As shown, the ends of the stakes 143 maybe contoured to guide the stakes 143 into alignment with the holes 133. hi addition to providing an alignment feature, the stakes 143 and holes 133 may, but need not, provide supplemental attachment of the face plate 140 to the door 130. hi the illustrated example, this may assist in providing a flush attachment between the side edges of the face pate 140 and the door 130, which, in this exemplary embodiment, are not provided with locking tab and slot

features.

[0029] In another embodiment, a face plate may be provided with one or more radially compressible stakes that align with and are received in corresponding holes in a front surface of a safe door. The stakes may be made radially compressible by a variety of mechanisms or configurations, such as, for example, making the stakes from a plastic material and/or providing slotted or hollow portions in the stakes. The stakes and holes may be provided with an interference fit to secure the face plate to the door when the stakes are inserted in the holes. Further, the holes may be provided with wider portions that allow portions of the compressed stakes to expand upon alignment with the wider portions, causing the stakes to lock into engagement with the holes. Figures 9-13 illustrate one such example embodiment of a safe door and face plate attachment arrangement.

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 9-13, a safe assembly 200 includes a face plate 240 provided with radially compressible stakes 245 that extend from a door-engaging surface 244 of the face plate 240. While the illustrated embodiment uses five compressible stakes 245, with one stake at each corner of the door-engaging surface 244 and one stake at a central region of the door-engaging surface 244, any number of stakes in any number of locations may be provided. The stakes 245 are positioned to align with corresponding receiving holes 235 in a front surface 234 of the door 230. The stakes 245 may be made of a flexible material, such as plastic, to allow the stakes 245 to radially compress when inserted into the holes 235. As best shown in Figure 13, the stakes 245 may also be provided with slotted portions 249, which allow the stakes 245 to compress when squeezed into the holes 235. Further, as shown in Figure 13, the stakes 245 may be provided with enlarged ends 248 which align with wider portions 238 of the holes 235 when the face plate 240 is attached to the door 230. Upon alignment of the enlarged ends 248 with the wider portions 238 of the holes 235, the compressed ends 248 are allowed to expand, locking the stakes 245 into engagement with the holes 235.

[0031] In some embodiments, the stakes 245 and holes 235 may be contoured to allow the stakes to re-compress and disengage from the holes when the face plate 240 is pried away from the door, allowing the face plate to be re-attached to the door 230 or to a different safe door. In other embodiments, destructive removal of the face plate may be necessary, in which the stakes 245 remain deformed or plastically compressed, or are severed from the face plate 240 when the face plate 240 is pried

off of the door 230. The availability of inexpensive replacement face plates makes this type of destructive removal a reasonable option for modifying the appearance of the safe.

[0032] In customizing a safe according to an aspect of the present application, a safe is provided with an enclosure including a front portion having an opening, and a door including front and rear surfaces, upper and lower edges, a hinged portion, and a locking portion. The hinged portion is hingedly mounted to the enclosure for movement between closed and open positions. The locking portion is adapted to lockingly engage the enclosure to cover the front portion opening when the door is in the closed position. A face plate is selectively attached to the door to substantially cover the front surface of the door. In one embodiment, attaching a face plate to the door includes engaging at least one mating feature on the face plate with a corresponding mating feature on the door. In one such exemplary embodiment, engaging at least one mating feature on the face plate with a corresponding mating feature on the door is accomplished by inserting a locking tab on the face plate into a complementary shaped slot in the door, for example, as described in the embodiment of Figures 4-8. hi another exemplary embodiment, engaging at least one mating feature on the face plate with a corresponding mating feature on the door is accomplished by pressing a radially compressible stake on the face plate into a complementary shaped hole in the door, for example, as described in the embodiment of Figures 9-13.

[0033] While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions— such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, software, hardware, control logic, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on— may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects,

concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions maybe described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention, the inventions instead being set forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.