Case for securing valuables

Claim 2

A case for securing valuables comprising a plurality of interconnected panels defining an interior space for placement of the valuables, a door providing access to said space, and a lock for said door, at least some of said panels supporting connectors on inside facing surfaces thereof, and cooperating connectors associated with the remaining panels, all of said connectors on said inside facing surfaces comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, inwardly extending studs attached to said inside facing surfaces and having no portions thereof on outside facing surfaces of said panels, said cooperating connectors comprising openings defined by the remaining panels dimensioned to receive said studs, said case being thereby free of any connectors for holding the panels together which are exposed on the exterior of the case, whereby, upon assembly of the respective panels, access to the connectors is available only from within said interior space.

Claim 3

A case in accordance with claim 1 wherein said panels are separately transportable by an individual, but wherein said case, when in the assembled condition, is not readily transportable by an individual.

Claim 4

A case in accordance with claim 1 wherein said studs comprise threaded members with bolts mounted on said studs for securing the panels together.

Claim 5

A case in accordance with claim 1 wherein said studs are welded to said inside facing surfaces.

Claim 6

A case in accordance with claim 1 wherein said panels include oppositely disposed side panels, said openings being defined along edges of said side panels, and additional panels defining respective top, bottom, front and rear surfaces positioned adjacent said edges of said side panels, said studs being supported on said top, bottom, front and rear surfaces.

Claim 7

A case in accordance with claim 5 including a pair of front corner posts defining a portion of said front surfaces, said corner posts defining the opposite side edges of the opening provided for receiving said door.

Claim 8

A case in accordance with claim 6 including a front panel defining an additional portion of the front surface, the top edge of said panel extending between said corner posts for defining the bottom edge of the opening receiving said door.

Claim 9

A case for securing valuables comprising a plurality of interconnected panels defining an interior space for placement of the valuables, a door providing access to said space, and a lock for said door, at least some of said panels supporting connectors on inside facing surfaces thereof, and cooperating connectors associated with other panels, said connectors on said inside facing surfaces comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, inwardly extending studs, said cooperating connectors comprising openings defined by the other panels dimensioned to receive said studs, said panels including oppositely disposed side panels, said openings being defined along edges of said side panels, and additional panels defining respective top, bottom, front and rear surfaces positioned adjacent said edges of said side panels, said studs being supported on said top, bottom, front and rear surfaces, and including a pair of front corner posts defining a portion of said front surfaces, said corner posts defining the opposite side edges of the opening provided for receiving said door, a front panel located adjacent the bottom of the case and defining an additional portion of the front surface, the top edge of said front panel extending between said corner posts for defining the bottom edge of the opening receiving said door, and including lips defined by the respective corner posts and by said front panel, said lips extending beyond said edges defining the opening of said door and being located behind said door when the door is closed to thereby prevent penetration of any implement beyond said door into said interior space, whereby, upon assembly of the respective panels, access to the connectors is available only from within said interior space.

Claim 10

A case for securing valuables comprising a plurality of interconnected panels defining an interior space for placement of the valuables, a door providing access to said space, and a lock for said door, at least some of said panels supporting connectors on inside facing surfaces thereof, and cooperating connectors associated with other panels, said connectors on said inside facing surfaces comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, inwardly extending studs, said cooperating connectors comprising openings defined by the other panels dimensioned to receive said studs, said panels including oppositely disposed side panels, said openings being defined along edges of said side panels, and additional panels defining respective top, bottom, front and rear surfaces positioned adjacent said edges of said side panels, said studs being supported on said top, bottom, front and rear surfaces, and including a pair of front corner posts defining a portion of said front surfaces, said corner posts defining the opposite side edges of the opening provided for receiving said door, a front panel located adjacent the bottom of the case and defining an additional portion of the front surface, the top edge of said front panel extending between said corner posts for defining the bottom edge of the opening receiving said door, and including lips defined by the respective corner posts and by said front panel, said lips extending beyond said edges defining the opening of said door and being located behind said door when the door is closed to thereby prevent penetration of any implement beyond said door into said interior space, whereby, upon assembly of the respective panels, access to the connectors is available only from within said interior space.

Claim 11

A case in accordance with claim 8 including a top panel defining a front edge which forms the top edge of the opening for said door, said top panel having a lip extending downwardly from said front edge and positioned behind said door when the door is closed to thereby prevent penetration of any implement beyond said door into said interior space.

Claim 12

A case for securing valuables comprising a plurality of interconnected sheet metal panels defining an interior space for placement of the valuables, a door providing access to said space, and a lock for said door, at least some of said panels supporting connectors on inside facing surfaces thereof, and cooperating connectors associated with other panels, said connectors on said inside facing surfaces comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, inwardly extending, threaded studs welded to said inside facing surfaces, said cooperating connectors comprising openings defined by said other panels, said openings being dimensioned to receive said studs, said sheet metal panels including a pair of front corner posts defining a portion of said front surfaces, said corner posts defining the opposite side edges of the opening provided for receiving said door, respective ones of said panels defining the top and bottom edges of the door opening, and including bends defined by the respective corner posts and by said panels defining the top and bottom edges of the door opening, said openings being defined by said bends and additional bends extending away from said first-mentioned bends and comprising lips extending beyond said edges defining the opening of said door, said lips being located behind said door when the door is closed to thereby prevent penetration of any implement beyond said door into said interior space, and whereby, upon assembly of the respective panels, access to the connectors is available only from within said interior space, and wherein said first-mentioned bends are formed along the side edges of the panels to provide strength and for interfitting with adjacent panels, said panels being separately transportable by an individual, but the case, when in the assembled condition, not being readily transportable by an individual.

Claim 13

A case for securing valuables comprising a plurality of interconnected sheet metal panels defining an interior space for placement of the valuables, a door providing access to said space, and a lock for said door, at least some of said panels supporting connectors on inside facing surfaces thereof, and cooperating connectors associated with other panels, said connectors on said inside facing surfaces comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, inwardly extending, threaded studs welded to said inside facing surfaces, said cooperating connectors comprising openings defined by said other panels, said openings being dimensioned to receive said studs, said sheet metal panels including a pair of front corner posts defining a portion of said front surfaces, said corner posts defining the opposite side edges of the opening provided for receiving said door, respective ones of said panels defining the top and bottom edges of the door opening, and including bends defined by the respective corner posts and by said panels defining the top and bottom edges of the door opening, said openings being defined by said bends and additional bends extending away from said first-mentioned bends and comprising lips extending beyond said edges defining the opening of said door, said lips being located behind said door when the door is closed to thereby prevent penetration of any implement beyond said door into said interior space, and whereby, upon assembly of the respective panels, access to the connectors is available only from within said interior space, and wherein said first-mentioned bends are formed along the side edges of the panels to provide strength and for interfitting with adjacent panels, said panels being separately transportable by an individual, but the case, when in the assembled condition, not being readily transportable by an individual.