Modular personal security device

• US 4,716,402 A
• Filed: 11/12/1985
• Issued: 12/29/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Francis, Paul S.
• Original Assignee: Francis, Paul S.
• Inventors: Francis, Paul S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowland, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tumm, Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US06/796,991
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 340/693, 340/546, 340/573, 340/574, 340/321, 42/1.09, 42/1.13, 109/20
• US Class Current: 340/546
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0297 Robbery alarms, e.g. hold-up alarms, bag snatching alarms

Abstract

A personal security device having modular components that can be assembled in various configurations and combinations to perform a wide variety of security functions. A battery powered main alarm unit can be carried on the person and includes a pull out pin for activating a flashing light and audible alarm siren in the event of an assault, a slide switch may be activated for a flashlight mode. A chemical spray component attaches to the alarm unit and can be used with it or alone. A mounting unit which can be connected to the alarm unit with or without other components mounts on a door or wall and activates the alarm unit when a break in occurs. Other components include a smoke detector and a motion detector which activate the alarm unit in the event of fire or motion indicative of an intrusion. The modular construction provides the versatility necessary to meet whatever security needs are expected, and it also allows all components to use the battery and the audible and visible alarms in the main alarm unit.

Claims

1. A security device for carrying on the person, said device comprising:

a housing having a size to be held in the hand;

a flashlight bulb in said housing for emitting light when energized to provide illumination of the area into which the light from the bulb is directed;

a buzzer in said housing for emitting an audible alarm signal when energized;

a battery in said housing for supplying power to said bulb and buzzer to energize same;

a switch on said housing having an off condition wherein said bulb is deenergized and an on condition wherein said bulb is energized steadily;

a socket in said housing;

a pin in said socket, said pin being removable from said socket and being accessible to be pulled out of the socket and detached from the housing;

means for successively energizing and deenergizing said bulb to emit a flashing alarm light in a response to removal of said pin from said socket;

means for successively energizing and deenergizing said buzzer to emit a series of said audible alarm signals in succession in response to removal of said pin from said socket;

a mounting unit for said housing having first and second ends, said first end of the mounting unit having means for securing same to a supporting surface and said second end being adapted for detachable physical and electrical connection to said housing in a manner to receive power from said battery;

intrusion detecting means associated with said mounting unit and powered by said battery for detecting an intrustion and applying an electrical intrusion signal to said second end when an intrusion is detected; and

means for steadily energizing said bulb and successively energizing and deenergizing said buzzer when said electrical intrusion signal is applied to said housing through said second end of the mounting unit.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, including a ring on said pin accessible when the pin is inserted in said socket.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, including:

a flexible cover having a size to fit around said housing without covering said bulb, said cover being applicable to said housing and being removable therefrom; and

releaseable means for securing said cover on said housing.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3, including a clip on said cover for clipping said housing to a garment or accessory carried on the person.

5. A device as set forth in claim 3, including means on said cover for attachment of a key chain.

6. A device as set forth in claim 3, including:

a ring on said pin accessible when the pin is inserted in said socket and said cover is applied to the housing; and

a releaseable safety on said cover engageable with said ring in a manner to prevent pulling of said pin from the socket until the safety is released.

7. A device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said housing includes a first end to which said second end of the mounting unit is adapted for physical and electrical connection; and

said housing includes a second end on which said bulb is located.

8. A device as set forth in claim 7, including:

a fire detecting unit having first and second ends electrically connected with one another, said fire detecting unit having means for detecting fire and applying an electrical fire signal to said second end of the fire detecting unit when fire is detected;

said fire detecting unit being adapted for detachable connection between said housing and said mounting unit with said second end of the fire detecting unit electrically and physically connected to said first end of the housing and said first end of the fire detecting unit physically and electrically connected to said second end of the mounting unit; and

means for steadily energizing said bulb and successively energizing and deenergizing said buzzer when said fire signal is applied to said housing.

9. A device as set forth in claim 8, including:

a motion detecting unit having first and second ends electrically connected with one another, said motion detecting unit having means for detecting motion and applying an electrical motion signal to said second end of the motion detecting unit when motion is detected;

said motion detecting unit being adapted for detachable physical and electrical connection between said housing and said mounting unit in a manner to transmit electrical signals therethrough to the housing and to apply said motion signal to the housing; and

means for steadily energizing said bulb and successively energizing and deenergizing said buzzer when said motion signal is applied to said housing.

10. A device as set forth in claim 1, including:

a chemical spray unit adapted for detachable connection to said housing, said chemical spray unit having a container for holding a supply of chemical and a nozzle for discharging said chemical in a spray when activated; and

a button on said container for activating said nozzle upon depression of the button.

11. A device as set forth in claim 10, including a flexible sleeve applicable to said spray unit to cover said container without obstructing access to said button, said sleeve being removable from said spray unit.

12. A device as set forth in claim 11, including:

a safety strap on said sleeve having an engaged position wherein said strap covers said button to prevent depression thereof and a release position wherein the button is accessible for depression thereof; and

releasable means for holding said safety strap in the engaged position.

13. A device as set forth in claim 11, including a clip on said sleeve for clipping said spray unit to a garment or accessory carried on the person.

14. A security device comprising:

an alarm unit having a housing, a flashlight bulb in the housing for emitting light to illuminate the surrounding area when energized, a buzzer in the housing for emitting an audible alarm signal when energized, a battery in the housing for supplying power for energizing the bulb and buzzer, and manually operated means on said housing for activating said alarm unit to energize said bulb and buzzer, said housing having a first end to which power is available from the battery;

a mounting unit separable from said alarm unit and having a housing and means for detecting an intrusion and generating an electrical intrusion signal when an intrusion is detected, said housing of the mounting unit having first and second ends with said second end being electrically connected with said detecting means to receive said electrical intrusion signal;

means on said first end of the housing of said mounting unit for securing same to a supporting surface;

said second end of the mounting unit housing being adapted for detachable physical and electrical connection to said first end of the alarm unit housing to make the battery available to supply power to the mounting unit and to apply said electrical intrusion signal to the alarm unit when the mounting unit is connected thereto; and

means for energizing said bulb and buzzer to provide alarm signals in response to generation of said electrical signal when said alarm and mounting units are connected.

15. A device as set forth in claim 14, including:

a switch on said alarm unit housing having on and off positions; and

means for energizing said bulb in the on position of the switch and deenergizing said bulb in the off position of the switch.

16. A device as set forth in claim 14, wherein said manually operated means comprises:

a socket in said housing of the alarm unit;

a pin in said socket, said pin being removable from the socket and being accessible to be manually pulled out of the socket; and

means for energizing said bulb in a flashing alarm mode and simultaneously energizing said buzzer when said pin is removed from the socket.

17. A device as set forth in claim 16, including:

a switch on said alarm unit housing having on and off positions; and

means for energizing said bulb in the on position of the switch and deenergizing said bulb in the off position of the switch, said means for energizing said bulb in a flashing alarm mode being operable in the off position of the switch.

18. In a modular security device, the combination of:

an alarm unit having a housing, a bulb in the housing for emitting light when energized, a buzzer in the housing for emitting an audible alarm signal when energized, a battery in the housing for supplying power to energize said bulb and buzzer, switch means for energizing said bulb steadily to illuminate the surrounding area and manually operated means for activating said bulb and buzzer in an alarm mode, said housing having a first end to which power from the battery is available;

a mounting unit separable from said alarm unit and having a housing presenting one end and a second end opposite said one end, said one end of the mounting unit housing having means for securing said mounting unit to a supporting surface;

intrusion detecting means associated with said mounting unit for detecting an intrusion and applying an electrical intrusion signal to said second end when an intrusion is detected, said intrusion detecting means being powered by said battery;

a fire detecting unit separable from said alarm and mounting unit and having a housing presenting first and second ends electrically connected with one another, said housing of the fire detecting unit having fire detecting means for detecting fire and applying an electrical fire signal to said second end of the fire detecting unit housing when fire is detected, said fire detecting means being powered by said battery;

said first end of each housing being adapted for detachable physical and electrical connection to the second end of th eother housings to make battery power available to each unit connected to the alarm unit and to apply to the alarm unit all electrical signals generated by units connected to the alarm unit; and

means for energizing said bulb and buzzer to provide alarm signals in response to application of any of said electrical signals to said alarm units.

19. The combination of claim 18, including:

a motion detecting unit having a housing presenting first and second ends electrically connected with one another and motion detecting means for detecting motion and applying an electrical motion signal to said second end of the motion detecting unit housing when motion is detected, said motion detection means being powered by said battery;

said first end of the motion detecting unit housing being adapted for physical and electrical connection to the second end of the, other housings and said second end of the motion detecting unit housing being adapted for physical and electrical connection to the first end of all other housings to make battery power available to said motion signal to said alarm unit; and

means for energizing said bulb and buzzer to provide an alarm signal in response to application of said motion signal to the alarm unit.