BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to cases for carrying a firearm, taser or other device(s) inter alia and, more specifically, to apparatus for covertly carrying a firearm, taser or other device(s) inter alia

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] With violent crimes on the rise, increasing numbers of citizens are acquiring firearms for self defense. Yet, openly displaying a firearm is not acceptable in most social and business settings. Nonetheless, in recent years, a number of states have made it lawful to carry a concealed firearm in public, and many more state legislators, as well as federal, are considering adopting similar statutes. Unfortunately, unless an individual is a uniformed law enforcement officer or security person, the market has not yet responded creatively to enable a person to covertly carry a firearm in public.

[0005] A person desiring to carry a concealed firearm or other device used for self defense was previously limited to five main options—a shoulder holster, a fanny pack, inside the pant holster, various containers similar to a daily planner or file folder made of leather, or the inside of the sock or boot. Some have proven satisfactory, however, many options are left open and the need for specific use concealed carry may require more adaptability to the purpose of the use or application of use. To be able to use a shoulder holster for concealing a firearm, one must wear an outer garment, such as a jacket. Even with a jacket or outer clothing covering the firearm there is a telltale bulge or “outlining” of the firearm or other device. A fanny pack is not acceptable in must formal settings. Hiding a firearm in a sock or a boot is both cumbersome and awkward. Further, in an emergency situation, it is not possible to remove the firearm quickly from a sock or boot. A daily planner style concealment system is available, however, somewhat limited to its use and again application of its use

[0006] Since there are many times the individual would like to carry concealed

[0007] into an environment that would allow for the carrying of a briefcase and the application of doing so would not arouse undue concern, the development of the concealed carry system using a briefcase seems to be another option for those involved in business, law enforcement, military and now more recently airline pilots after United States Congress granted them authority to carry in the FFDO Program.

[0008] It is, therefore, another option or category for those that need to carry firearms or other self defense objects and that includes now a hard shelled briefcase that will be acceptable for anyone to carry and not appear conspicuous. This provides a convenient and inconspicuous apparatus for use by both men and women in all types of environments to conceal a firearm,, taser or other device(s) inter alia in a manner acceptable in any business or social setting.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, it is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for carrying a concealed firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia.

[0010] It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus that is handy, inconspicuous and acceptable in any business or social situation.

[0011] It is yet another object of this invention to provide an apparatus that, when closed, resembles a briefcase and can unobtrusively conceal a firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia.

[0012] It is further object of this invention to provide an apparatus that has one compartment that houses a firearm taser, or other device(s) inter alia but allows for two separate and independently accessible means to the compartment. The accessibility by which the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia is gained depends on the use of the briefcase at the time. While walking or standing the design and functionality will allow for access from the external release springed panel or while in an office or vehicle setting, the release of the interior panel providing access to the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia would be applicable and an available method of use.

[0013] In addition to the actual funtionality of gaining immediate access to a firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia, the user will have the option to have installed a ballistic panel within the lid of the briefcase sandwiched between the outer metal shell and the inner sleeved folder/file/document holder. This will afford the user a safety shield from projectiles (i.e. bullets, knives, pellets or rocks) in different threat level protection and resistence levels depending on the NIJ Level (National Institute of Justice) desired by the user.

[0014] IN accordance with one embodiment of this invention, an apparatus for concealing and carrying a firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia is disclosed compromising, in combination, support means for supporting the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia, covering means for enclosing the support means and concealment, and fastening means means coupled to the covering means for closing the covering means to conceal the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia and for opening the covering means to remove the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia from the support means.

[0015] The briefcase allows the user to conceal, carry and access the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia rapidly and with the functionality of a normal appearing briefcase while not necessarily requiring the access to a firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia for self defense purposes. The briefcase is a fully, functioning, usable briefcase with attributes that enable the user to conceal self defense weapons within.

[0016] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawing (FIG. 1) a briefcase of acceptable size and shape

[0017] consistent with others is depicted. The briefcase has a leather or plastic handle for carrying with two combination lock assemblies on either side of the carrying handle. The lock assemblies may alternatively be chosen to have keyed entry rather than combination.

[0018] The briefcase possesses a panel door that can be released (used while in a walking or standing mode) from the main frame of the briefcase and protrudes out and away from the bottom of the briefcase (distance and angle dependent upon the size of the container). The panel is the same finish, color, gauge and thickness as the rest of the container and when closed is flush or even at the character lines making it difficult for anyone to discern a cut out panel is in existence. Near the carrying handle is a button release style lock that is depressed (pressed inward) by the user that releases the bottom panel (side panel when viewing it FIG. 1 FIG. 2). This external button lock assembly (or similar style release system) can be secured by the use of a key or combination preventing the external panel door from pening.

[0019] The external panel having been released (FIG. 2) is protrudes a reasonable distance

[0020] away from the main body of the container and allows for the user to access a fire arm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia that is housed within this cavity of the container. This is the first of two different methods of gaining access to the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia. The user will then remove the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia from the cavity. A patented foam insert designed for accepting a firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia of the shape and size of the object to be placed within it has the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia resting within it. The foam insert is held within this cavity by means of a Velcro strip glued to the back of the foam insert with corresponding Velcro glued to the interior compartment housing the foam insert (Ref. Patent D385,108/Tschudy) The user can access the firearm without the need to open the briefcase lid thus making the access to the firearm rapid and immediate while still maintaining some inconspicuousness to those around. The external panel door is held within the by a locking device and has an attached hinge/spring device at the bottom of the panel door that is securely attached to the base of the container. The interior hinge/spring device is adjustable for tension and speed of release for the user to choose. This requires being adjustable due to the varied size and weight of firearms, taser, or other device(s) inter alia as well as weight of the magazine or speed loaders that also

[0021] fit within the foam insert within a cavity specifically designed for that purpose. The external panel door also has attached to either side brackets that provide support and stability when the panel door is released so that a side to side movement of the panel door is not experienced. This provides additional support for the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia when the panel door is in the process of opening and upon completion of its movement outward, away from the main body of the container.

[0022] The opened position drawing (FIG. 3) displays the lid of the briefcase opened and the bottom resting on a stationary object (i.e. desk, credenza, vehicle car seat). The external panel is in the closed position facing downward (FIG. 1) and would not be in use or available for use in this particular environment setting. The opened contain er briefcase displays two compartments within the bottom of portion of the contain er briefcase; a right and a left. The right compartment's size is dependent upon the inventor's choice of firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia that will be chosen for insertion into the cavity accepting the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia. However, their are the two compartments with the closures (covering) panels being level with each other allowing the two panels, while in the closed or down position, to be used as a work surface for writing, lap top computer surface to work from, or

[0023] other use as determined by the user.

[0024] The right work surface panel also has a button locking device (FIG. 4) as is displayed in the closed position in this drawing and showing the left panel opening opened.

[0025] The left work surface panel is not spring loaded but is hinged to allow opening and closing the panel door to access items positioned within, whether it be extra ammunition, magazines holding extra cartridges, walkie-talkie, radio, camera, or cellular telephone. This panel is held closed by a magnet that securely holds the panel down when not wishing to access the contents. (FIG. 4)

[0026] The right panel (FIG. 3) is released by depressing a button lock assembly and the right panel moves upward and away from the companion work surface (FIG. 4) and remains in an up position that allows access to the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia by the user from within the cavity. This button lock assembly also has the same ability to be secured by means of a key, similar to the external button release lock that releases the exterior panel for access.

[0027] This is the second of two ways to access the same firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia from the same c mpartment within the briefcase, but using two different access techniques that are dependent upon the application f the briefcase by the

[0028] user at the time access is required.

[0029] The interior lid area is held open by two brackets designed to provide rigidity and stability to an opened, functional briefcase. (FIG. 3 FIG. 4 FIG. 5).

[0030] The interior lid area provides for a sleeved storage panel (FIG. 4) with sleeves, pockets and covered pockets for storage of documents, business cards, pen, pencil, calculator or other papers. This panel is removable and upon removal (FIG. 5) allows for the installation of a ballistic panel between the outer metal skin of the briefcase and the sleeved storage panel that stores documents, etc. (FIG. 5). The reinstallation of the sleeved panel inward, against the ballistic panel (sandwiched between the outer briefcase metal skin and the interior sleeved panel) results in a secure, bullet resistant barrier that provides safety and security for the user against different National Institute of Justice acceptable resistant threat levels for ballistic panels. The thickness of the ballistic panel depends upon the user's choice of threat level desired, manufacturer of the ballistic panel and thickness required to meet the NIJ recommended levels. Their are many different vendors that provide ballistic panels, however, different thickness panels are offered with the reinstallation of the sleeved panel back into the lid of the briefcase allows for acceptance of different thicknesses without reducing the quality of the product.

[0031] The sleeved document panel has a metal backing that provides rigidity to the panel and also allows for insertion of threaded screws into the interior lid area holding the inner sleeved panel tightly against the ballistic panel which is in turn held tightly against the interior surface of the briefcase's outer metal skin. The result is a sandwich like effect.

[0032] (FIG. 6) This collage of five drawings depict the five different functions available to the user. The collage drawings are numbered counter clockwise with 1A illustrative of the carrying mode; 2A illustrative of the carry mode with the exterior panel having been released for access to the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia; 3A illustrative of the office or vehicle setting environment with the briefcase resting on the bottom of the case with the lid opened and the right, springed interior panel having been released providing access to the firearm, taser, or other device(s) inter alia within the cavity; 4A illustrative of the interior sleeved panel having been removed and a ballistic panel installed for additional protection for the user; 5A illustrative of the left interior storage compartment's availability for storage and the panel in the raised position.

[0033] (FIG. 7) Again, a collage of four different drawings viewed counter clockwise by the viewer. (1A 2A 3A 4A) The functi nality of the four positions provide the viewer

[0034] with the four different applications of use of the invention.