Inflatable security device

• US 6,373,384 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2000
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Branko Palcic, Ferguson, Gary William
• Original Assignee: Branko Palcic, Ferguson, Gary William
• Inventors: Ferguson, Gary William, Palcic, Branko
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/551,308
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/573.1, 340/574, 340/691.1, 340/691.7, 340/693.5, 340/321, 116/210, 116/DIG.7, 116/DIG.8, 116/DIG.9
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1033 Inflation devices or methods for inflating balloons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 15/02 with smoke, gas, or coloured or odorous powder or liquid
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/002 Distress signalling devices, e.g. rescue balloons vehicle optical signalling for indicating emergencies B60Q1/52

Abstract

A deterrent device comprises a portable container having a cavity disposed therein and an actuator mechanism disposed within the cavity. An inflatable deterrent extends outwardly from the actuator mechanism, the inflatable deterrent is substantially contained within the cavity in a non-operative configuration. The actuator mechanism is activated by an operator to attain an operative configuration in which the actuator mechanism inflates the inflatable deterrent outwardly from the container, an assailant being deterred by the inflated inflatable deterrent.

Claims

1. A deterrent device, comprising:

a) a portable unitary container having a cavity disposed therein and an opening at a first end;

b) an actuator mechanism within the cavity;

c) an inflatable deterrent connected to the actuator mechanism and extendable outwardly from the actuator mechanism, the inflatable deterrent being contained within the cavity in a non-operative configuration;

d) a trigger in communication with the actuator mechanism via a delay timer and positioned within a recess so as to reduce the risk of accidental activation by the operator, the trigger being activatable to inflate the inflatable deterrent outwardly from the container into an operable configuration to deter an assailant;

e) a moveable cover to cover the opening in the non-operative configuration, the cover opening automatically due to the inflation of the inflatable deterrent.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 in which the moveable cover is a lid hingeably mounted adjacent the opening.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 in which the actuator mechanism is mounted to a container wall, the actuator mechanism being located to provide an unobstructed path of inflation for the inflatable deterrent.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1 in which the actuator mechanism comprises a compressed gas source in communication with the inflatable deterrent, the compressed gas being released upon activation of the trigger to inflate the inflatable deterrent.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1 in which the trigger is activated remotely by the operator.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a source of chemical repellent in communication with the actuator mechanism, the chemical repellent being released during activation of the actuator mechanism by the operator, and dispersed so as to coat the inflatable deterrent.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6 in which the source of chemical repellent is in communication with the inside of the inflatable deterrent, the chemical repellent being released into the inflatable deterrent upon activation of the actuator mechanism by the operator so as to substantially fill the inflatable deterrent, the chemical repellent being released outwardly when the assailant penetrates the inflatable deterrent.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1 in which a noise maker is connected to the actuator mechanism, the noise maker being activated when the operator activates the actuator mechanism and the noise maker being capable of generating a noise of sufficient loudness to further deter the assailant.

9. The device as claimed in claim 1 in which an operator feedback is configured with the delay timer, the operator feedback being capable of generating a signal to alert the operator that the delay timer has been activated.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9 in which the signal is a beeper or a flashing light.