Concealed valuable-storage box

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is entitled to the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/791,016 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a valuable-storage box that deceptively resembles a conventional light-switch plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Because most people store valuables in a jewelry box that is concealed within a drawer or closet, burglars usually search such locations immediately. Once located, the jewelry box is easily emptied of its contents; even if a jewelry box contains a lock, it can be easily transported to another location and dismantled. Though safes and similar, larger vaults are not typically transportable, they are easy to locate and their locking systems can be compromised by sophisticated thieves.

Accordingly, there is currently a need for a device that more securely conceals valuables. The present invention addresses this need by providing a storage box that resembles an operable, wall-mounted light switch so as to be completely inconspicuous to a burglar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a valuable-storage box comprising a hollow housing embedded within a wall having a plurality of sidewalls and an open face in communication with an interior storage chamber. A cover plate securable over the open face includes at least one simulated toggle switch on the front surface that resembles a conventional, operable light switch. Accordingly, when valuables are placed within the storage chamber and the cover plate is fastened, the storage box deceptively resembles an operable light switch.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage box for valuables that is inconspicuously concealed behind a wall.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage box for valuables that deceptively resembles an operable light switch.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the storage box according to the present invention installed within a wall.

FIG. 2 is a side, exploded view of the storage box offset from an associated wall.

FIG. 3 is an isolated, front view of the housing.

FIG. 4 is an isolated, side view of the housing.

FIG. 5 is an isolated, rear view of the cover plate.

FIG. 6 is an isolated view of the actuating mechanism for extending and retracting the latches.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a slightly different embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a valuable-storage box comprising a hollow housing 1 having a plurality of sidewalls 2 and an open face 3 in communication with an interior storage chamber 35. Integrally molded within the inner surface of two opposing sidewalls are slots 4 dimensioned and configured to receive locking latches 5, which are described in more detail below. Surrounding the open face is a peripheral lip 6 having apertures 7 thereon that receive fasteners to secure the housing to a wall.

The device also includes a cover plate 8 having a front surface, a rear surface and multiple peripheral edges. On the front surface is at least one simulated toggle switch 9 that is pivotal upwardly and downwardly similar to a conventional, operable light switch. On the rear surface of the plate are one or more locking modules 10, each including a casing 11 with a latch 5 extending from each of two sides. An actuating screw 13 on the front surface of the cover plate, when rotated, either extends or retracts the latch relative to the casing.

Now referring specifically to FIG. 6, the actuating screw 13 pivots a shaft 20 received within a cavity 21 on a first one of the latches 5. An inner end 22 of the latch includes a serrated surface 40 that engages a drive gear 23. The opposing latch includes an L-shaped arm 24 having a geared surface 25 that engages an opposing portion of the drive gear. Accordingly, when the screw is rotated in a first direction, the shaft 20 pushes the first latch inwardly, which rotates the drive gear to cause retraction of the opposing latch. Similarly, rotating the screw in an opposite direction extends the two latches.

To install the storage box, a user first cuts a hole in a desired location on an interior wall 30. The hole is dimensioned so that the peripheral lip on the housing engages the surrounding sheet rock to allow fasteners to be inserted through the apertures 7 and anchored to the wall. Alternatively, the hole may be formed adjacent to a stud so that the housing can be fastened thereto. Valuables are placed within the interior storage chamber and the cover plate is superimposed on the open face. The actuating screws are rotated in a first direction to extend the latches into their respective slots to secure the cover plate over the stored valuables. To remove the valuables, the user rotates the actuating screw in an opposite direction to release the cover plate. Accordingly, when the valuables are stored and the cover plate is properly secured, the storage box deceptively resembles an operable light switch.

The above-described device is not limited to the exact details of construction and enumeration of parts provided herein. For example, though the cover plate depicted resembles that of a 2-gang switch, it can be configured to resemble a 1, 3 or 4-gang switch. In addition, the cover plate can also be configured to resemble a blank, an electrical-outlet cover plate, a cable or satellite TV jack, vents, smoke detectors, thermostats, clocks, pictures or any other similar wall-mounted item without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The cover plate may also include grooves 50 that slidably engage mating rails 51 on the peripheral lip to secure the plate to the housing in lieu of the locking modules, as depicted in FIG. 7. Furthermore, the size, shape and materials of construction of the various components can be varied.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.