CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPUCATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/433,346, filed January 17, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a protective enclosure including a pry resistant door. In particular, the present invention is directed to a door including angled flanges that are positioned within a corresponding channel formed in a housing when the door is in a closed position.

[0003] It is common for individuals to store money, documents, firearms and other valuables within protective enclosures, such as safes, to restrict access to these items. Due to the nature of items stored in protective

enclosures, there are instances in which persons seek to gain access to the interior of the protective enclosures without permission. In most cases, these instances involve the use of physical methods to gain such access. One common method of unauthorized entry is where the door of the enclosure is pried open using a crowbar or other mechanical lever. The crowbar is first wedged between the gap formed between the door and the housing, and then a force is applied in an attempt to break the locking mechanism holding the door closed.

[0004] These types of pry attacks have been countered by modifying the protective enclosures to include mechanized bolts that actuate outwardly from the door and into the housing in a direction that is perpendicular to the long side of the door plate, opposite the hinged side. However, the inclusion of these types of mechanized bolts increases the quantity of complex moving parts that are required to manufacture this type of enclosure and thereby has an adverse affect on the cost of production. Moreover, this type of enclosure may still be vulnerable to a pry attack in a location between the mechanized bolts. [0005] As such, there is a need for system for a protective enclosure that effectively resists pry attacks. The present invention addresses this need as well as other needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In order to overcome the above stated problems and limitations, herein is provided a protective enclosure that resists pry attacks using a combination of angled flanges extending from a door of the enclosure positioned within channels formed in the housing when the door is in a closed position. These features and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

[0007] In general, the protective enclosure may include a housing including a base portion, a top portion and a sidewall extending between the base portion and the top portion. The base portion, the top portion and the sidewall define an interior storage space. The sidewall includes a first sidewall portion and a second sidewall portion, wherein the first sidewall portion is positioned adjacent to the second sidewall portion to form a door corner and is disposed at a 90 degree angle relative to the second sidewall portion. The first and second sidewall portions define a door receiving opening, and the second sidewall portion includes an external surface.

[0008] A door is configured for being selectively positioned in the door receiving opening when the door is in a closed position. The door includes a first door section and a second door section. The first door section is positioned adjacent to the second door section and is disposed at a 90 degree angle relative to the second door section. The first door section is positioned in a first plane and includes an opening end, wherein a first flange extends from the opening end and includes an opening edge. The first flange is angled relative to the first door section inwardly toward the interior storage space at about a 45 degree angle relative to the first plane so that the first door section and the first flange form an obtuse angle. The first sidewall portion and the first door section may be coplanar. The second door section is positioned in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane and includes a hinge end and an external surface. A second flange extends from the hinge end and includes a hinge edge that is parallel with the opening edge, the second flange being angled relative to the second door section inwardly toward the interior storage space at about a 45 degree angle relative to the second plane so that the second door section and the second flange form an obtuse angle. The second sidewall portion and the second door section may be coplanar.

[0009] A hinge pivotally mounts the second portion of the housing with the second door section. The hinge is coupled with the external surface of the second sidewall portion of the housing and the external surface of the second door section.

[0010] A locking mechanism includes a first actuating bolt and a second actuating bolt that are movably coupled to the door adjacent to the door comer along an axis that is substantially parallel to at least one of the opening edge and the hinge edge. The first and second actuating bolts may be moved to an extended position to place the door in a locked position relative to the housing when door is in the closed position, and the first and second actuating bolts may be moved to a retracted position to place the door in an unlocked position relative to the housing. At least one of the first and second sidewall portions includes a first retaining surface configured for engaging the first actuating bolt when in the extended position, and at least one of the first and second sidewall portions includes a second retaining surface configured for engaging the second actuating bolt when in the extended position. The housing may include a U-shaped channel disposed along at least a portion of the door receiving opening defined in the first portion and the second portion of the housing. At least a portion of the first and second flanges are disposed within the U-shaped channel when the door is positioned in the closed position relative to the housing to resist pry attacks on the protective enclosure.

[0011] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will in part become apparent to those in the practice of the invention, when considered with the attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, wherein like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views, and wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective enclosure including a door in a closed position;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protective enclosure shown in FIG. 1 in an opened position;

[0015] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the protective enclosure shown in FIG. 2; and

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Referring now to the drawings in detail, and specifically to FIGS. 1- 4, reference numeral 10 generally designates a protective enclosure in

accordance with the present invention. In general, protective enclosure 10 includes a housing 12, a door 14, and at least one hinge 16 pivotably mounting door 14 to housing 12. Door 14 may be selectively moved between an open position (FIGS. 2 and 3) to allow access to interior storage 18 space defined by housing 12, and a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 4) to restrict access to interior storage space 18. Protective enclosure 10 may further include a locking mechanism 20 that is mounted to door 14 and operates to selectively secure door 14 to housing 12 to restrict access to interior storage space 18. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, housing 12 includes at least one channel 22a, 22b formed in a door receiving opening 24 that is configured for receiving inwardly angled flanges 26a, 26b extending from door 14 to effectively resist pry attacks on protective enclosure 10. This aspect of the present invention, along with other aspects of the present invention, will be described in more detail below.

[0018] Housing 12 includes a base portion 28, a top portion 30, and a sidewall 32 extending between base portion 28 and top portion 30. Base portion 28, top portion 30 and sidewall 32 define interior storage space 18 which may be used to store documents, firearms and other valuables. Sidewall 32 includes a first sidewall portion 32a positioned adjacent to a second sidewall portion 32b, wherein first sidewall portion 32a may be disposed at an angle, for example, about 90 degrees, relative to second sidewall portion 32b. Door receiving opening 24 is defined by both first and second sidewall portions 32a, 32b and is configured for receiving door 14 when in the closed position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. As best seen in FIG. 2, door receiving opening 24 may wrap around a comer of housing 12.

[0019] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, door 14 is configured to be selectively positioned in door receiving opening 24 when door 14 is in a closed position. Door 14 may include a first door section 14a that is positioned adjacent to a second door section 14b, wherein first door portion 14a may be disposed at an angle, for example, about 90 degrees, relative to second door section 14b. More particularly, door 14 may be L-shaped wherein first and second door portions 14a, 14b are of similar size and shape. A door comer 34 may be formed at the juncture between first and second door portions 14a, 14b. Further, the angle formed between first and second sidewall portions 32a, 32b and the angle formed between first and second door portions 14a, 14b may be equal so that door 14 properly fits within door receiving opening 24.

[0020] As best seen in FIG. 4, first door section 14a may include an opening end 36 positioned opposite door comer 34, wherein flange 26a extends from opening end 36 and defines an opening edge 40. First door section 14a is disposed in a plane 42, and flange 26a is angled inwardly toward interior storage space 18 at an angle, for example, about 45 degrees, relative to plane 42 so that first door section 14a and flange 26a form an obtuse angle. As best seen in FIG. 4, first door section 14a and first sidewall portion 32a may be coplanar. While flange 26a is shown in FIG. 2 as extending along the entire length of opening end 36 of first door section 14a, it should be understood that flange 26a may extend along a portion of opening end 36.

[0021] As best seen in FIGS. 2-4, second door section 14b may include a hinge end 44 positioned opposite door comer 34, wherein flange 26b extends from hinge end 44 and defines a hinge edge 48. Second door section 14b is disposed in a plane 50, and flange 26b is angled inwardly toward interior storage space 18 at an angle, for example, about 45 degrees, relative to plane 50 so that second door section 14b and flange 26b form an obtuse angle. As best seen in FIG. 4, second door section 14b and second sidewall portion 32b may be coplanar. While flange 26b is shown in FIG. 1 as extending along the entire length of hinge end 44 of second door section 14b, it should be understood that flange 26b may extend along a portion of hinge end 44. Further, hinge edge 48 may extend in a direction that is parallel with opening edge 40.

[0022] Hinge 16 operates to pivotably coupled door 14 to housing 12 to allow door 14 to be selectively moved between opened and closed positions. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, hinge 16 may be located external to said housing 12, wherein hinge 16 is mounted to an external surface 52 of second sidewall portion 32b and an external surface 54 of second door section 14b. While protective enclosure 10 uses two hinges 16 to pivotally mount door 14 to housing 12, it should be understood that more or less hinges may be used herein.

[0023] Locking mechanism 20 may be mounted to door 14 to selectively secure door 14 to housing 12 to prevent unauthorized access to interior storage space 18. As best seen in FIGS. 1-4, locking mechanism 20 may include a locking handle 56, first and second linkage elements 58a, 58b operably connected to locking handle 56, and first and second actuating bolts 60a, 60b connected to first and second linkage elements 58a, 58b, respectively. Locking handle 56 is accessible by a user outside protective enclosure 10 and includes a shaft 62 that extends through door 14. Shaft 62 is in turn fixedly coupled to a plate 64 positioned in a location that is inaccessible from outside protective enclosure 10 when door 14 is closed. First linkage 58a is connected between plate 64 and first actuating bolt 60a, and second linkage 58b is connected between plate 64 and second actuating bolt 60b. First and second actuating bolts 60a, 60b are located adjacent to a bottom end 66 and a top end 68 of door 14, respectively, and are movably coupled to door 14 along an axis 70 that is substantially parallel to at least one of opening edge 40 and hinge edge 48. As best seen in FIG. 3, each of first and second actuating bolts 60a, 60b may be movably mounted to an interior surface 72 of door 14 using a pair of brackets 74. Each of brackets 74 may have a receiving aperture 76 defined therein that is configured for slidably receiving and guiding its respective actuating bolt along axis 70.

[0024] When locking handle 56 is rotated in a first direction, linkage 58a, 58b operates to move first and second actuating bolts 60a, 60b along axis 70 to an extended locking position to place door 14 in a locked position when door 14 is closed. At least one of first and second sidewall portions 32a, 32b may include a lower retaining surface 78 that is in a position to engage first actuating bolt 60a when in the extended position, and an upper retaining surface 80 that is in a position for engaging second actuating bolt 60b when in the extended position to prevent door 14 from being opened when in the locked position. As best seen in FIG. 4, first and second actuating bolts 60a, 60b may be disposed adjacent to door comer 34 so that first and second sidewall portions 32a, 32b define upper and lower retaining surfaces 78, 80. Further, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, upper and lower retaining surfaces 78, 80 may include a lip 82 extending from door receiving opening 24 to provide additional surface area for engaging first and second actuating bolts 60a, 60b when door is in a closed position and locking mechanism 20 is locked.

[0025] When locking handle 56 is rotated in a second direction that is opposite of the first direction, linkage 58a, 58b operates to move first and second actuating bolts 60a, 60b along axis 70 to a retracted unlocking position to allow door 14 to be opened relative to housing 12 without first and second actuating bolts 60a, 60b engaging upper and lower retaining surfaces 78, 80 or lip 82. [0026] Housing 12 further includes at least one channel 22a, 22b disposed along at least a portion of door receiving opening 24. As best seen in FIGS. 2-4, channels 22a, 22b may be disposed adjacent to door receiving opening 24 in one or more locations that correspond to flanges 26a, 26b extending from opening end 36 and hinge end 44 of door 14 when door 14 is in the closed position. As best seen in FIG. 4, channels 22a, 22b may each have a U-shaped configuration. For example, each of channels 22a, 22b may be formed by using a stepped rail 86 and an inner surface 88a, 88b of first or second sidewall portions 32a, 32b of housing 12.

[0027] Stepped rail 86 may include a connecting portion 90, an offset leg 92 extending from connecting portion 90, and an extension leg 94 extending from offset leg 92. Each channel 22a, 22b may be defined by inner surface 88a, 88b of respective first or second sidewall portions 32a, 32b, offset leg 92 and extension leg 94, wherein connecting portion 90 may be used to couple stepped rail 86 to inner surface 88a, 88b of respective first or second sidewall portions 32a, 32b adjacent to door receiving opening 24. Offset leg 92 may extend inwardly toward interior storage space 18 and in a plane 96a, 96b that is perpendicular to the respective inner surface 88a, 88b that stepped rail 86 is mounted to. Specifically, offset leg 92 may extend inwardly a distance 98 that is greater than a distance 100 that flange 26a, 26b extends inwardly when measured along the respective plane 96a, 96b. Extension leg 94 may be disposed in a plane 102a, 102b that is parallel to inner surface 88a, 88b of the respective sidewall portion 32a, 32b that stepped rail 86 is mounted to. As best seen in FIG. 4, at least a portion of angled flanges 26a, 26b are disposed within corresponding channels 22a, 22b when door 14 is positioned in the closed position.

[0028] In operation, interior storage space 18 is accessible when door 14 is in an open position as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. When door 14 is moved to the closed position as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, first flange 26a is positioned within channel 22a, and second flange 26b is positioned within channel 22b. Locking mechanism 20 may then be manipulated to secure door 14 to housing 12 by rotating locking handle 56 so that actuating bolts 60a, 60b are moved to an extended position adjacent to lower and upper retaining surfaces 78, 80 and lip 82 on first and second sidewall portions 32a, 32b. Therefore, if someone attempts to open door 14 when in the locked position, actuating bolts 60a, 60b will come into contact with lower and upper retaining surfaces 78, 80 and lip 82 on first and second sidewall portions 32a, 32b and prevent door 14 from opening.

[0029] Protective enclosure 10 effectively resists pry attacks between door 14 and housing 12 due to the combination of channels 22a, 22b on the door receiving opening 24, and flanges 26a, 26b extending from opening end 36 and hinge end 44 of door 14 and into channels 22a, 22b. The combination of channels 22a, 22b and angled flanges 26a, 26b create a situation such that inserting a prying tool within either channel 22a, 22b and applying a force will cause either the outer portion of channel 22a, 22b (i.e., inner surface 88a, 88b) to flex, or cause flange 26a, 26b to flex into extension leg 94 of channel 22a, 22b, neither of which provide an opening into interior storage space 18 that would allow door 14 to be pried open. Furthermore, in the event that external door hinge 16 is removed during an attack on protective enclosure 10, door 14 cannot be removed from housing 12 because door 14 will simply pivot around the engaged actuating bolts 60a, 60b about axis 70, with such movement being limited by flanges 26a, 26b stopping on extension leg 94 of each channel 22a, 22b. As such, protective enclosure described herein provides for a number of advantages relative to existing protective enclosures.

[0030] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

[0031] All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.