Modular security cabinet system for storing firearms or the like

Abstract

A storage cabinet assembly for use in storing firearms or the like includes a cabinet with a recessed bifold door arrangement, to facilitate access to items contained within the cabinet assembly. The door arrangement includes a single-point locking system, which provides a secure arrangement for maintaining the doors in a closed position while providing ease in opening and closing the doors. Various support and storage modules or components are adapted to be contained within the interior of the cabinet, including stock rests for positioning in the bottom of the cabinet interior, as well as barrel rests and pistol supports that are secured to amounting member which may be adjustably positioned within the storage cabinet interior. A bin or shelf arrangement may also be positioned within the storage cabinet interior. The various support and storage modules or components may be used in various combinations, and may be moved to various positions within the storage cabinet interior.

1 . A storage cabinet system, comprising:
 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; and   a plurality of differently configured storage modules, wherein the storage modules are adapted to be mounted within the cabinet interior.   
     
     
         2 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 1 , wherein a set of storage modules are selected from the plurality of differently configured storage modules and are mounted to the cabinet within the cabinet interior. 
     
     
         3 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 2 , wherein at least selected ones of the storage modules comprise firearm storage modules that are configured to support and store firearms. 
     
     
         4 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 3 , wherein the firearm storage modules include one or more stock rests, one or more barrel rests, and one or more pistol supports. 
     
     
         5 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more stock rests include a series of spaced apart recesses, each of which is configured to received an end area defined by a stock of a firearm, and wherein each stock rest is configured for engagement with a lower wall defined by the cabinet and defining a lower extent of the cabinet interior. 
     
     
         6 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 4 , wherein the cabinet includes a mounting member configured to support the one or more barrel rests and the pistol support. 
     
     
         7 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 6 , wherein the storage cabinet includes at least a pair of spaced apart vertical support members, and wherein the mounting member is configured for engagement with the pair of vertical support members and to extend between the pair of vertical support members. 
     
     
         8 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 7 , wherein each vertical support member includes vertically spaced engagement structure, and wherein the mounting member includes a pair of end sections, each of which includes a mating engagement arrangement that is configured to engage the vertically spaced engagement structure of one of the vertical support members to control the elevation of the support member within the cabinet interior. 
     
     
         9 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 6 , wherein each of the barrel rests includes a mounting section adapted to engage the mounting member, and a recessed firearm barrel support section configured to receive and support a firearm barrel. 
     
     
         10 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 9 , wherein the mounting member includes a series of laterally spaced openings, and wherein the mounting section of each barrel rest is configured for engagement with at least a selected one of the openings to mount the barrel rest to the mounting member. 
     
     
         11 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 6 , wherein each of the pistol supports includes a mounting section configured for engagement with the mounting member, and an outwardly extending axial support member configured to be received within the barrel of a pistol. 
     
     
         12 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 11 , wherein the mounting member includes a series of laterally spaced openings, and wherein the mounting section of each pistol support is configured for engagement with at least a selected one of the openings to mount the pistol support to the mounting member. 
     
     
         13 . The storage cabinet system of  claim 1 , wherein the door arrangement comprises 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 further comprising a locking arrangement including a latch member carried by each of the folding door sections, wherein each latch member is movable 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 member and are adapted to be secured together to maintain the door sections in the closed position 
     
     
         14 . 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 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.   
     
     
         15 . The storage cabinet assembly of  claim 14 , wherein each latch member includes an upper section and a lower section, each of which is secured to a cam member carried by one of the door sections, wherein each control member is connected to one of the cam members and wherein movement of the control member is operable to actuate the cam member to move the upper section of the latch member upwardly and the lower section of the latch member downwardly to position the latch member in the engaged position. 
     
     
         16 . The storage cabinet assembly of  claim 15 , wherein each cam member is pivotably mounted to one of the door sections such that movement of the control member between the first and second positions causes pivoting movement of the cam member to move each latch member between the engaged and disengaged positions. 
     
     
         17 . The storage cabinet assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the control members are configured to define end areas that are located adjacent each other when the control members are in the first position, and wherein the end areas of the control members are adapted to be secured together to maintain the door sections in the closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The storage cabinet assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the end area of each control member defines an opening, wherein the openings in the end areas of the control members are located adjacent each other when the control members are in the first position, and further comprising a lock configured to extend through the control member openings, wherein the lock is adapted to prevent movement of the control members away from the first position and to thereby prevent movement of the door sections away from the closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The storage cabinet assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the cabinet and the door sections include a cooperating guide arrangement for guiding movement of the door sections between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         20 . The storage cabinet assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the cooperating guide arrangement includes a track arrangement associated with the cabinet and one or more rollers associated with each door section and engaged with the track arrangement. 
     
     
         21 . The storage cabinet assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the cabinet includes a pair of sidewalls, and wherein the door members of each door section are folded together when the door section is in the open position, and further comprising a slide arrangement interconnected with each door section for enabling movement of each door section to a recessed position adjacent one of the cabinet sidewalls when the door section is in the open position and the door sections are folded together. 
     
     
         22 . The storage cabinet assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of differently configured storage modules, wherein the storage modules are adapted to be mounted within the cabinet interior. 
     
     
         23 . The storage cabinet assembly of  claim 22 , wherein a set of storage modules are selected from the plurality of differently configured storage modules and are mounted to the cabinet within the cabinet interior, and wherein at least selected ones of the storage modules comprise firearm storage modules that are configured to support and store firearms. 
     
     
         24 . The storage cabinet assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the firearm storage modules include one or more stock rests, one or more barrel rests, and a pistol support. 
     
     
         25 . A method of configuring a storage cabinet, comprising the acts of:
 providing a storage cabinet defining an interior, wherein the storage cabinet includes a door arrangement movable between a closed position preventing access to the cabinet interior and an open position providing access to the cabinet interior;   providing a series of differently configured item storage modules; and   mounting selected ones of the item storage modules within the cabinet interior.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the act of providing a series of differently configured storage modules is carried out by providing at least some firearm storage modules that are configured to support firearms. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the act of providing firearm storage modules includes the act of providing one or more stock rests, one or more barrel supports, and a pistol support. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the act of mounting selected ones of the item storage modules within the cabinet interior includes the act of securing a stock rest to a lower area defined by the cabinet such that a rest area defined by the stock rest is faces upwardly so as to support an end area of a firearm stock placed on the stock rest. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the act of mounting selected ones of the item storage modules within the cabinet interior comprises securing a shelf module within the cabinet interior, wherein the shelf module includes a lower area defining a passage through which the stock rest extends when the shelf module is secured within the cabinet interior. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the act of mounting selected ones of the item storage modules within the cabinet interior includes the act of securing a mounting member to the cabinet and mounting the selected item storage module to the mounting member. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the act of mounting the selected item storage module to the mounting member is carried out by mounting one or more barrel supports and/or one or more pistol supports to the mounting member. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein each of the barrel supports and each of the pistol supports includes a mounting section and a support section that extends outwardly from the mounting section, and wherein the act of mounting the one or more barrel supports and/or the one or more pistol supports to the mounting member is carried out by securing the mounting section of the barrel supports and/or pistol supports to the mounting member. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the act of mounting the one or more barrel supports and/or the one or more pistol supports to the mounting member is carried out by mounting the one or more barrel supports and/or the one or more pistol supports to the mounting member in selected locations from a plurality of available locations. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the mounting member and the mounting section of each of the barrel supports and pistol supports include cooperative mounting structure to facilitate engagement of the mounting section with the mounting member. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the cooperative mounting structure includes a series of openings in the mounting member, and an engagement member associated with the mounting section of each of the barrel supports and the pistol supports, wherein the act of mounting the one or more barrel supports and/or the one or more pistol supports to the mounting member is carried out by securing the engagement member of each support within a selected one of the openings in the mounting member. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the act of mounting a folding door arrangement 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. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the act of securing a locking arrangement to 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 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. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising the act of securing the control members together in the first position to maintain the door sections in the closed position. 
     
     
         39 . A cabinet assembly for storing firearms, comprising:
 a cabinet defining an interior, and including a door arrangement movable between a closed position preventing access to the cabinet interior and an open position providing access to the cabinet interior; and   a firearm storage arrangement contained within the cabinet interior, wherein the firearm storage arrangement includes a set of firearm storage components selected from a series of differently configured firearm storage components, wherein the set of firearm storage components are secured to the cabinet within the cabinet interior.   
     
     
         40 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 39 , further comprising a shelf-type storage component secured within the cabinet interior along with the set of firearm storage components. 
     
     
         41 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the differently configured firearm storage components include one or more stock supports, one or more barrel supports, and one or more pistol supports. 
     
     
         42 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 41 , wherein the firearm storage arrangement includes a stock support secured to the cabinet so as to be located in a lower area defined by the cabinet interior, wherein the stock support includes an upwardly facing stock support surface. 
     
     
         43 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 42 , wherein the firearm storage arrangement further includes a plurality of barrel supports secured within the cabinet interior at a location above the upwardly facing stock support surface. 
     
     
         44 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the barrel supports are secured within the cabinet interior via engagement with a mounting member contained within the cabinet interior. 
     
     
         45 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 44 , wherein the cabinet includes a pair of spaced structural members, and wherein the mounting member extends between the spaced apart structural members. 
     
     
         46 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 45 , wherein the mounting member and the spaced apart structural members include an adjustable position engagement arrangement which enables adjustment in the elevation of the mounting member relative to the stock support member. 
     
     
         47 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 44 , wherein each barrel support includes a mounting section and a barrel support section that extends outwardly from the mounting section, and wherein the mounting section and the mounting member include cooperative engagement structure by which the barrel support mounting section is engaged with the mounting member. 
     
     
         48 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 47 , wherein the mounting member includes a series of openings, and wherein the mounting section of each barrel support includes an engagement member configured for engagement within a selected one of the openings to secure the barrel support in a desired position on the mounting member. 
     
     
         49 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 41 , wherein each pistol support is secured within the cabinet interior via engagement with a mounting member contained within the cabinet interior. 
     
     
         50 . The cabinet assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the door arrangement comprises 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 further comprising a locking arrangement including a latch member carried by each of the folding door sections, wherein each latch member is movable 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 member and are adapted to be secured together to maintain the door sections in the closed position