초록 ▼

An alarm ready portable case is provided in which to secure a firearm or other protectable. The case includes sensors, a lock and, in several embodiments, structure to support the article to be protected. The case is adaptable to become part of a pre-existing facility security system of any of a pl

An alarm ready portable case is provided in which to secure a firearm or other protectable. The case includes sensors, a lock and, in several embodiments, structure to support the article to be protected. The case is adaptable to become part of a pre-existing facility security system of any of a plurality of manufacturers by being configured to receive any of several connectivity elements that are compatible with at least one of the security systems. For example, wireless transmitters that are compatible with different alarm systems may be connected. Terminals may also be directly wired into a hardwired zone of a security alarm panel. Transmitter receiving structure may be provided in the case for holding any such transmitter. Terminals are provided to connect to external wiring. Slots may be provided for communication interface cards, such as ethernet cards, wireless telecommunications cards, or other connectivity hardware. Internal conductors are provided in the case to connect the sensors to the transmitter, external wiring or other connectivity devices. The sensors may be normally closed switches that are opened when the lid or the lock of the case are opened, motion detectors that actuate when the case is moved, or other detection devices that generate a signal when the case is otherwise tampered with. The case provides an efficient way of retrofitting an existing facility alarm or security system to specifically protect a firearm or other protectable item.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An alarm ready case for securing articles in the interior thereof comprising: a base having an openable lid enclosing an interior space; a lock having interacting structure on the base and the lid for locking the lid in a closed position on the base; at least one sensor moun

What is claimed is: 1. An alarm ready case for securing articles in the interior thereof comprising: a base having an openable lid enclosing an interior space; a lock having interacting structure on the base and the lid for locking the lid in a closed position on the base; at least one sensor mounted to the case and operable to detect at least one alarm condition arising from a breach of security of contents of the interior space; receiving structure configured to receive and support on the case a wireless transmitter of a plurality of different facility security systems; and circuitry on the case, the circuitry being configured to connect the at least one sensor to a wireless transmitter supported by the receiving structure, and to communicate the alarm condition from the at least one sensor to the transmitter in response to a breach of security of the interior space. 2. The case of claim 1 for securing a firearm in the interior thereof wherein: the base has an opening and the lid is moveable relative to the base between a closed position that closes the opening and encloses an interior space within the case and an open position that permits the inserting and removal of a firearm into and from the interior space; the receiving structure includes an article support in the interior space configured to support a firearm; the at least one sensor includes at least one sensor operable to detect at least one alarm condition arising from a breach of security of the interior space, the alarm condition being from the group of conditions consisting of opening of the case, tampering with the case, movement of the case, removal of a firearm from the article rest, and penetration of the case. 3. The case of claim 1 wherein: the lock is a mechanical lock having interacting structure on the base and the lid for locking the lid in the closed position; the at least one sensor includes a plurality of passive sensors each operable to detect a different alarm condition associated with a breach of security of the case, each of the sensors presenting a normally closed circuit in the absence of the respective alarm condition and an open circuit in the presence of the respective alarm condition. 4. A facility security system comprising the case of claim 1 and further comprising: a wireless transmitter supported in the receiving structure and connected to the circuitry thereof so as to respond to an alarm condition sensed by a sensor thereof and transmit a signal; and a facility alarm system having a receiver operative to receive a signal transmitted by the transmitter and to signal an alarm in response thereto. 5. A method of securing an article comprising the steps of: providing each of a plurality of cases with: a space therein for placement of an article to be protected, at least one sensor mounted to the enclosure and operable to detect at least one alarm condition arising from a breach of security of contents of the interior space; and connectivity structure configured to connect the at least one sensor to means compatible with at least one of a plurality of different security systems for communicating thereto a condition detected by the at least one sensor; and allocating least two cases of the plurality, each for use with a different one of a plurality of different security systems, the allocated cases being allocated without connectivity structure connected to a security system. 6. A method of securing a firearm according to the method of claim 5 further comprising: placing a firearm in the interior space of the case; locking the case; connecting the connectivity structure to means compatible with a security system operable to receive a signal to the security system indicating a condition detected by the at least one sensor. 7. The method of claim 5 wherein: the connectivity structure includes receiving structure configured to support a wireless transmitter compatible with at least one of the plurality of security systems and conductors for connecting the wireless transmitter to the at least one sensor. 8. The method of claim 5 wherein: the connectivity structure includes terminals configured to connect the at least one sensor to at least one of the plurality of security systems. 9. The method of claim 5 wherein: the connectivity structure includes a connector configured to receive an interface card and to connect the at least one sensor thereto, the card being compatible with at least one of the plurality of security systems for communicating thereto a condition detected by the at least one sensor. 10. A case for securing articles in the interior thereof for protection by any of a plurality of security systems, the case comprising: an openable enclosure having an interior space; a lock on the enclosure for locking the enclosure with the interior space enclosed therein; at least one sensor mounted to the enclosure and operable to detect at least one alarm condition arising from a breach of security of contents of the interior space; and connectivity structure on the enclosure configured to connect the at least one sensor to at least two different means compatible with at least one of the plurality of security systems for communicating thereto a condition detected by the at least one sensor. 11. The case of claim 10 for securing a firearm in the interior thereof wherein: the enclosure has a base having an opening and a lid for closing the opening, the lid being moveable relative to the base between a closed position that closes the opening and encloses an interior space within the case and an open position that permits the inserting and removal of a firearm into and from the interior space; the enclosure has receiving structure in the interior space configured to support a firearm; the at least one sensor includes at least one sensor operable to detect at least one alarm condition arising from a breach of security of the interior space, the alarm condition being from the group of conditions consisting of opening of the case, tampering with the case, movement of the case, removal of a firearm from the article rest, and penetration of the case. 12. The case of claim 10 wherein: the lock is a mechanical lock; and the at least one sensor includes a plurality of passive sensors each operable to detect a different alarm condition associated with a breach of security of the case, each of the sensors presenting a normally closed circuit in the absence of the respective alarm condition and an open circuit in the presence of the respective alarm condition. 13. The case of claim 10 wherein: the connectivity structure includes conductors configured to connect the at least one sensor to a wireless transmitter compatible with at least one of the plurality of security systems for communicating thereto a condition detected by the at least one sensor. 14. The case of claim 10 wherein: the connectivity structure includes conductors configured to connect the at least one sensor to conductors extending to a central panel of a facility security system for communicating thereto a condition detected by the at least one sensor. 15. The case of claim 10 wherein: the connectivity structure includes a connector configured to receive an interface card and to connect the at least one sensor thereto, the card being compatible with at least one of the plurality of security systems for communicating thereto a condition detected by the at least one sensor. 16. The case of claim 10 wherein: the connectivity structure includes a connector configured to receive an ethernet card and to connect the at least one sensor thereto, the card being compatible with at least one of the plurality of security systems for communicating thereto a condition detected by the at least one sensor. 17. The case of claim 10 wherein: the connectivity structure includes a connector configured to receive a cellular telecommunications card and to connect the at least one sensor thereto, the card being compatible with at least one of the plurality of security systems for communicating thereto a condition detected by the at least one sensor. 18. The case of claim 10 wherein: the connectivity structure includes means for communicating information regarding the detecting condition to at least one of the plurality of security systems. 19. The case of claim 10 wherein: the connectivity structure includes means for communicating information regarding the location of the case to at least one of the plurality of security systems. 20. A facility security system comprising the case of claim 10 and further comprising: connectivity hardware supported in the receiving structure and connected to the circuitry thereof so as to respond to an alarm condition sensed by a sensor thereof and transmit a signal; and a facility alarm system having a receiver operative to receive a signal transmitted by the connectivity hardware and to signal an alarm in response thereto. 21. A case for securing articles in the interior thereof for protection by a security system, the case comprising: an openable enclosure having an interior space; a lock on the enclosure for locking the enclosure with the interior space enclosed therein; at least one sensor mounted to the enclosure and operable to detect at least one alarm condition arising from a breach of security of contents of the interior space; and means on the enclosure for connecting the at least one sensor to a plurality of different facility security systems for communicating thereto a condition detected by the at least one sensor.