Personal security alarm

• US 4,587,516 A
• Filed: 01/18/1985
• Issued: 05/06/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toshiro K. Hiraki
• Original Assignee: Toshiro K. Hiraki
• Inventors: Hiraki, Toshiro K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mullen, Jr., Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US06/692,676
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 340/574, 340/539, 340/573, 200/DIG. 2, 128/381, 128/782, 128/903
• US Class Current: 340/539.11
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0216 Alarm cancellation after generation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/02 Body attached switches

Abstract

A personal security alarm characterized by a hand unit transmitter and a torso unit receiver/alarm. The transmitter of the hand unit is actuated by a button positioned at the palm of the user. As the user either voluntarily or involuntarily clutches his or her fist, the actuator button is depressed to energize the transmitter and cause the torso unit to emit a loud, penetrating alarm. The torso unit can only be turned off with a hidden switch.

Claims

1. A security alarm for an individual comprising:

a hand unit including transmitter means, actuating means operative to cause said transmitter means to produce a radio-frequency signal, and first attachment means for positioning said actuating means proximate the palm of a hand of said individual such that when said individual clenches said hand transmitter means is activated;

3. A security alarm as recited in claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a power supply, and switch means for coupling said power supply to said transmitter means.

5. A security alarm as recited in claim 3 wherein said housing is contoured to fit said individual'"'"'s palm.

7. A security alarm as recited in claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a mechanical-to-electrical transducer.

13. A security alarm as recited in claim 1 wherein said torso unit further includes latching means responsive to said receiver means and operative to activate said alarm means.

15. A security alarm as recited in claim 13 wherein said torso unit includes a housing, and wherein said reset means is activated by extending an elongated member through an aperture provided in said housing to contact a switch located within said housing.

2. a torso unit including receiver means, alarm means responsive to said receiver means and operative to produce an audible alarm, and second attachment means for positioning said torso unit proximate the torso of said individual.

4. A security alarm as recited in claim 2 wherein said hand unit further includes a housing for said transmitter means, switch means, and power supply, and wherein said first attachment means includes a strap attached to said housing adapted to encircle said individual'"'"'s hand and hold said housing against said individual'"'"'s palm.

6. A security alarm as recited in claim 4 wherein said switch means includes an actuator button which extends substantially the entire length of said housing.

8. A security alarm as recited in claim 6 wherein said mechanical-to-electrical transducer includes generator means having a permanent magnet and a coil.

9. A security alarm as recited in claim 6 wherein said mechanical-to-electrical transducer includes a piezoelectric device.

10. A security alarm as recited in claim 6 wherein said hand unit further includes a housing for said transmitter means, switch means, and power supply, and wherein said first attachment means includes a strap attached to said housing adapted to encircle said individual'"'"'s hand and hold said housing against said individual'"'"'s palm.

11. A security alarm as recited in claim 9 wherein said housing is contoured to fit said individual'"'"'s palm.

12. A security alarm as recited in claim 10 wherein said switch means includes an actuator button which extends substantially the entire length of said housing.

14. A security alarm as recited in claim 12 wherein said latching means includes reset means operative to disable said latching means.

16. A security alarm as recite in claim 14 wherein said second attachment means includes means for attaching said housing proximate to the waist of said individual.

18. A personal security alarm as recited in claim 16 wherein said actuator means includes a power supply and a switch.

19. A personal security alarm as recited in claim 16 wherein said actuator means includes a mechanical-to-electrical transducer.

20. A personal security alarm as recited in claim 16 wherein said reset signal is developed by a hidden switch.

17. A personal security alarm comprising:

short range transmitter means responsive to an actuating signal and operative to produce a radio frequency signal;

actuator means adapted to be strapped to a user'"'"'s hand, said actuator means being operative to produce said actuating signal in response to mechanical pressure exerted by said hand;

short range receiver means responsive to said radio frequency signal and operative to produce a detection signal;

latch means responsive to said detection signal and a reset signal and operative to produce a latched signal; and

alarm means responsive to said latched signal and operative to produce an audible alarm signal, said alarm means being adapted to attach proximate the torso of said user.