Portable panic alarm

Abstract

A portable panic alarm assembly includes a housing and an audible alarm device mounted within the housing. The alarm device is electrically and operably interconnected between first and second alarm contacts. A battery mounted within the housing has a pair of oppositely charged electrodes. A first electrode is connected to the first alarm contact. An actuator switch is slidably mounted in the housing and includes an actuator contact. The actuator switch is operably alternated between an open state, wherein the second battery electrode is disconnected from the second alarm contact to deactivate the alarm and a closed state, wherein the second battery electrode is connected to the second alarm contact to activate and sound the alarm.

Claims

1. A portable panic alarm assembly comprising: a housing that holds an electrically operated audible alarm device, said alarm device being electrically and operably interconnected between first and second alarm contacts; a battery source mounted within said housing and including a pair of oppositely charged electrodes, a first one of said electrodes of said pair connected to said first alarm contact; and an actuator switch including a slide component mounted slidably in said housing and an actuator contact carried by said slide component, said actuator switch being selectively alternated between an open state wherein a second electrode of said pair is electrically disconnected from said second alarm contact to deactivate said alarm device and a closed state wherein said actuator contact electrically interconnects said second electrode and said second alarm contact to activate said alarm device; said slide component including an elongate slide carriage that is slidably received within a transverse passageway formed through said housing.

2. The assembly of claim 1 in which said first alarm contact is attached to said alarm device and extends across an upper surface thereof.

3. The assembly of claim 2 in which said alarm device includes a first wire lead that is electrically connected to said first alarm contact.

4. The assembly of claim 1 in which said first alarm contact includes a spring contact portion that extends upwardly from said first alarm contact for interengaging said first electrode of said battery.

5. The assembly of claim 1 in which said second alarm contact includes an elongate, electrically conductive contact portion that is received within a mounting slot formed interiorly within said housing.

6. The assembly of claim 5 in which said second alarm contact further includes an electrically conductive spring arm that extends upwardly from an upper end of said elongate electrically conductive contact portion at an angle thereto.

7. The assembly of claim 5 in which a lower end of said electrically conductive contact portion of said second alarm contact is electrically interconnected to a second wire lead of said alarm device.

8. The assembly of claim 1 in which an actuator button is attached integrally at an outer end of said carriage, said button being pressed by finger force to push said carriage transversely through said transverse passageway, said carriage being selectively pulled transversely outwardly through said passageway by pulling said actuator button outwardly from said housing.

9. The assembly of claim 1 in which said actuator contact includes a flat, electrically conductive plate and a pair of legs that are received in corresponding attachment slots formed in said carriage.

10. The assembly of claim 9 in which a retainer member is mounted to an upper surface of said carriage to hold said actuator contact in place with said flat conductive plate held flush against a bottom surface of said carriage.

11. The assembly of claim 1 in which said transverse passageway includes a pair of carried retention notches formed in a lower surface of said passageway proximate an inner end thereof.

12. The assembly of claim 11 in which said slide component includes a corresponding conformably shaped detent formed on a bottom surface of said slide carriage, said detent being received in an outermost said retention notch when said slidecomponent is pulled outwardly of said transverse passageway such that said actuator switch is held in place in an open state until actuating finger pressure is applied to push said actuator switch forwardly through said transverse passageway, which pressure causes said detent to slide out of said outermost notch and drives said carriage and said detent inwardly through said transverse passageway until said detent engages said second, innermost notch, whereby said actuator switch is held in place with said actuator contact operably interconnecting said second electrode to said second alarm contact such that said audible alarm remains activated until a user pulls said slide component outwardly by reengaging and pulling said actuator button outwardly of said transverse passageway.

13. The assembly of claim 12 in which said slide component is pulled outwardly by pulling said actuator button outwardly of said transverse passageway to pull said detent out of said innermost notch and drive said slide component slidably outwardly until said detent reengages said outermost notch, whereby said switch actuator is held in an open condition wherein said actuator contact disengages said second electrode of said battery and said alarm device is deactivated.

14. The assembly of claim 12 in which at least one of said second alarm contact and said housing is adapted to restrict removal of said detent from said transverse passageway and said housing, whereby said slide component and said switch actuator are restricted from being disconnected from said housing.

15. The assembly of claim 12 in which said second alarm contact includes an elongate contact portion that is received within a mounting slot formed interiorly within said housing, said second alarm contact further including a spring arm that extends upwardly from an upper end of said elongate element at an angle thereto, said transverse passageway including an entry aperture for introducing a tool into said housing, which tool is used to depress said spring arm so that said slide carriage and said detent may be removed past the depressed spring arm and through said entry aperture to fully remove said switch actuator from said housing.

16. The assembly of claim 1 further including a battery cover for selectively concealing and providing access to said battery source so that said battery source may be replaced as needed, and in which said housing includes an upper transverse slot formed transversely to and above said transverse passageway for receiving said battery cover.

17. A portable panic alarm assembly comprising: a housing that holds an electrically operated audible alarm device, said alarm device being electrically and operably interconnected between first and second alarm contacts; a battery source mounted within said housing and including a pair of oppositely charged electrodes, a first one of said electrodes connected to said first alarm contact; and an actuator switch including a slide component mounted slidably in said housing and an actuator contact carried by said slide component, said actuator switch being selectively alternated between an open state wherein a second electrode is electrically disconnected from said second alarm contact to deactivate said alarm device and a closed state wherein said actuator contact electrically interconnects said second electrode and said second alarm contact to activate said alarm device; said first alarm contact being attached to said alarm device and extending across an upper surface thereof; said alarm device including a first wire lead that is electrically connected to said first alarm contact.

18. A portable panic alarm assembly comprising: a housing that holds an electrically operated audible alarm device, said alarm device being electrically and operably interconnected between first and second alarm contacts; a battery source mounted within said housing and including a pair of oppositely charged electrodes, a first one of said electrodes connected to said first alarm contact; and an actuator switch including a slide component mounted slidably in said housing and an actuator contact carried by said slide component, said actuator switch being selectively alternated between an open state wherein a second electrode is electrically disconnected from said second alarm contact to deactivate said alarm device and a closed state wherein said actuator contact electrically interconnects said second electrode and said second alarm contact to activate said alarm device; said second alarm contact including an elongate contact portion that is received within a mounting slot formed interiorly within said housing.

19. The assembly of claim 18 in which said second alarm contact further includes a spring arm that extends upwardly from an upper end of said elongate contact portion at an angle thereto.

20. The assembly of claim 19 in which said actuator contact is supported such that said actuator contact is slidably engageable across said upper second electrode of said battery and said spring arm formed at said upper end of said second alarm contact, said slide component of said actuator switch including an elongate slide carriage that is slidably received within a transverse passageway through said housing, an actuator button being attached to an outer end of said slide carriage, said button being pulled and said slide carriage slid outwardly from said housing whereby a conductive plate of said actuator contact disengages said second electrode of said battery to deactivate said alarm device, said button being pressed and said side element pushed fully into said housing whereby said actuator contact interengages said second electrode and said second alarm contact to activate said alarm device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other objects, features and advantages will occur from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable panic alarm assembly of this invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the portable panic alarm assembly;

(4) FIG. 3 is an elevational front view of the assembly;

(5) FIG. 4 is an elevational side view of the assembly;

(6) FIG. 5 is an elevational rear view of the assembly;

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembly with half sections of the housing separated to depict the interior of the assembly;

(8) FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of the assembly and particularly depicting the audible alarm device and the first and second alarm contacts, and indicating where these elements are supported in a half section of the housing;

(9) FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the actuator switch;

(10) FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a portion of the assembly and particularly depicting the actuator switch and battery cover as interengaged with the housing;

(11) FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a half section of the housing with the alarm device inserted therein and further showing the battery, actuator switch and battery cover;

(12) FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the interior of the alarm assembly;

(13) FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the assembly depicting a half section of the housing and the internal operating components of the assembly mounted therein;

(14) FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12; and

(15) FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the assembly as shown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(16) There is shown in FIGS. 1-5 a portable panic alarm assembly 10 in accordance with this invention. The panic alarm has a cylindrical shape and a fairly compact size which enables it to be conveniently carried by a person either in their clothing or in a handbag, suitcase, purse, backpack or other accessory or carrying item. Representative dimensions (in inches) are shown in FIG. 4, however these are exemplary only and may be varied within the scope of this invention.

(17) Assembly 10 includes a generally cylindrical housing 12 that may be composed of various lightweight and durable plastics. As better shown in FIG. 6, housing 12 typically comprises a pair of half sections 14 and 16 that may be joined by various manufacturing techniques. For example, housing half section 14 may include fastening pins 17, shown in FIG. 7, and half section 16 may include complementary pin receptacle slots (not shown). The half sections may be sonically welded, adhesively joined or otherwise fastened together in a number of acceptable ways within the scope of this invention.

(18) As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lower end of housing 12 includes slots 20 for emitting a loud and piercing panic alarm sound produced by the audible alarm device accommodated within housing 12. The alarm device is described more fully below. At the opposite upper end of housing 12, an actuator switch is operably mounted for selectively activating and deactivating the audible alarm device. Again, this component is described more fully below. A belt clip 24 is molded unitarily with the half sections of housing 12. A transverse hole 26 may be formed through belt clip 24 for accommodating a lanyard or strap that allows the panic alarm to be conveniently secured to a user's belt, handbag or other clothing item or accessory.

(19) As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, housing 12 comprises the pair of molded half sections 14 and 16. As best represented in FIG. 7, each half section includes the interior chamber 18 for accommodating the various internal components of the panic alarm assembly. After the operating components of the assembly are installed within chamber 18, half sections 14 and 16 are snap fitted or otherwise secured together as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and as previously described.

(20) As further shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, chamber 18 of housing 12 accommodates an audible alarm device, which may comprise a conventional piezo-electric siren 30 or other form of audible alarm that produces a piercing alarm signal appropriate for emergency situations. Other forms of sirens and audible alarms may be utilized. Siren 30 includes a positive wire lead 32 and a negative wire lead 34 that are electrically connected across the siren in such a manner that the siren may be operated by applying a voltage to the wire leads. Siren 30 has a generally cylindrical shape and fits snugly within a lower end of housing chamber 18 directly above the sound emitting slots 20 of housing 12.

(21) A first alarm contact 35 is mounted on the upper surface of siren 30. More particularly, alarm contact 35 is held in place by a circular retainer ring 36 that is attached to siren 30 by an integral clip 38. This clip engages a side of siren 30 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. Contact 35 engages the top surface of siren 30 and is held in place by the retainer ring 36, which extends circumferentially about alarm contact 35. The first alarm contact includes a central slot 40 through which wire leads 32 and 34 of siren 30 extend when contact 35 is mounted on the top of siren 30. A spring contact arm 42 formed from a portion of alarm contact 35 is cut and raised upwardly from the remainder of contact 35 to effectively form slot 40. Wire lead 34 of the siren extends through slot 40 and is electrically connected to alarm contact 35 by solder 46.

(22) When battery 60 is installed in housing 12, the lower or negative end of the battery engages the spring arm 42 of first alarm contact 35. The first alarm contact is thereby established as the negative contact for alarm device 30, which is connected thereto through wire lead 34.

(23) Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, 11 and 13, a second alarm contact 48 is mounted within chamber 18 of housing 12 and electrically connected to siren 30. More particularly, second alarm contact 48 again includes an electrically conductive metal and specifically features an elongate contact portion 50 that is received within a thin mounting slot 54 (FIG. 7) formed in housing 12. One half of slot 54 is depicted in FIG. 7. It should be understood that a similarly configured thin slot is likewise formed in the other half section 16 of housing 12 for accommodating contact portion 50. Second alarm contact 50 also includes an angled lower end 52 that is electrically connected to wire lead 32 of siren 30. The opposite upper end second alarm of contact 48 is defined by a spring contact arm 56 that is unitarily connected to elongate portion 50 and extends upwardly at an angle relative thereto. Second alarm contact 48 is composed of an electrically conductive metal and the upper spring arm 56 may be resiliently compressed downwardly relative to elongate vertical contact portion 50.

(24) The power source for panic alarm assembly 10 comprises a generally cylindrical battery 60 shown in FIGS. 6 and 10-13. This may comprise a 12-volt, 23 AMP battery or an alternative battery having other electrical capacities. Battery 60 includes a conventional pair of oppositely charged electrodes, namely a positive electrode 64 formed at the upper end of the battery and a negative electrode 66 formed at the opposite lower end thereof.

(25) Actuator switch 22, which is shown alone in FIG. 8, includes a plastic actuator slide component 70 comprising an elongate carriage 72 and an actuator button 74 that is unitarily connected to an outer end of carriage 72. An actuator contact 76 composed of an electrically conductive metal plate is fastened to and supported by carriage 72. In particular, the carriage includes a pair of attachment slots 78 that receive respective L-shaped legs 80 of actuator contact 76. The legs 80 are snap-fit into slots 78 and actuator contact is thereby supported generally flush against a bottom surface of carriage 72. A retainer member 82 is then sonically welded to an upper surface of carriage 72 between an opposing pair of runners 84. This traps the legs of the actuator contact in place and thereby fastens the actuator contact securely to slide component 70.

(26) Actuator switch 22 is operably mounted to body 12 of alarm assembly 10 in the manner best shown in FIGS. 6, 9, 11 and 13. In particular, housing 12 includes a transverse passageway 90 formed proximate an upper end of housing 12. A pair of switch retention notches 92 and 94 are formed proximate an inner end of transverse passageway 90. Notch 92 is formed in the bottom of transverse passageway 90 at the very inner or distal end of the transverse passageway and notch 94 is formed in the bottom surface of transverse passageway 90 outwardly from notch 92.

(27) Carriage 72 of slide component 70 is received longitudinally through transverse passageway 90. As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 3, a distal end of carriage 72 includes a retention detent 96 depending therefrom. Detent 96 includes a generally tooth or triangular shape that corresponds to the shape of notches 92 and 94 such that the slide component is retained in a selected one of notches 92 and 94 during operation of the assembly as will be explained below.

(28) Transverse passageway 90 and actuator switch 22 are positioned in assembly 10 such that actuator contact 76 is operably interengageable between battery electrode 64 and spring arm 56 of second alarm contact 48. In particular, as is explained below, actuator switch 22 may be alternated between an open condition, wherein actuator contact 76 engages only second alarm contact 48, and a closed position, wherein actuator contact electrically interengages both electrode 64 and second alarm contact 48. This allows the panic alarm assembly to be selectively activated and deactivated as needed.

(29) The complementary sloped surfaces of detent 96 and notches 92, 94 facilitate selective engagement and disengagement of the detent and the notches. By the same token, the corresponding sloped shapes act to securely retain the detent in a selected notch so that the switch holds a corresponding open/closed state until the user decides to change the state of the switch by applying sufficient finger pressure to the actuator button to dislodge the detent from the notch.

(30) An access opening 99, best shown in FIGS. 5 and 11 is formed at an entry of slot 90. This allows insertion of a tool to depress spring arm 56 and facilitate removal of actuator switch 22 when desired. This operation is described more fully below.

(31) A battery cover 100, FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 9-14 is received in an upper transverse slot 102 in housing 12 that is generally perpendicular to transverse passageway 90. Upper transverse slot 102 is disposed above transverse passageway 90 such that when battery cover 100 is received through the upper transverse slot 102 it is disposed slightly above actuator switch 22. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 14, cover 100 may include longitudinal tracks 104 that interengage complementary ribs formed in housing 12. This locks the cover in place, yet facilitates sliding removal of the cover when needed to replace the batteries. Such removal is described below.

(32) As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6, slot 102 may terminate in thin openings 110, which are aligned and formed respectively in the half sections 14 and 16 of housing 12. These aligned openings facilitate removal of the cover by allowing insertion of a thin coin such as a dime, which can be used to push cover 100 outwardly through the upper transverse slot 102.

(33) In operation, alarm assembly 10 is carried conveniently and discreetly by the user in an article of clothing or in virtually any accessory. (e.g. handbag, luggage, carrying case). In the deactivated condition, actuator switch 22 is opened so that the siren remains off and silent. This condition is depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. Therein, actuator button 74 is pulled outwardly relative to housing 12 such that carriage 72 of slide component 70 is spaced apart from the inner end of transverse passageway 90. Detent 96 is thereby received in outer notch 94, which hold the actuator switch securely in an open and deactivated condition. In this condition, actuator contact 76 is disengaged from positive electrode 64. As a result, no power is provided to siren 30 through second alarm contact 48 and the siren remains silent.

(34) In the event of an attack, intrusion or other emergency, the panic alarm assembly may be operated conveniently, reliably and continuously. The user simply grasps the cylindrical assembly in his or her hand and presses firmly against push button 74 of actuator switch 22. This causes slide component 70 to slide inwardly through transverse passageway 90. Detent 96 is pushed out of outer notch 94 (the complementary sloped surfaces of detent 96 and notch 94 facilitates the disengagement) and the detent slides inwardly until it is securely received by distal notch 92 of transverse passageway 90. Actuator contact 76, FIG. 13, thereby slides into contact with positive electrode 64 of battery 60. When electrical interconnection is established between positive electrode 64 and second alarm contact 48, the second alarm contact is effectively established as the positive contact for siren 30. Electrical interconnection is thereby established between the battery and spring arm 56 of the second or positive alarm contact 48. The electrical circuit is complete and power is supplied through contact 48 and wire lead 32 to activate the siren 30. A piercing alarm signal is emitted through slots 17 of housing 12.

(35) When the panic alarm assembly is activated, it continues to sound until the actuator switch is opened. This must be accomplished by pulling actuator button 70 outwardly with enough pressure so that the actuator contact is disengaged from positive electrode 64. A firm, but not extreme finger pressure is required to perform this function. This will likely require some knowledge of the device and at least a brief amount of time to decipher. As a result, an attacker or intruder is apt to be frustrated from attempting to disable the battery and the emergency alarm. This improves the likelihood that an attack or intrusion will be thwarted.

(36) A particular advantage of the panic alarm assembly of this invention is its ability to continuously operate without requiring the actuator switch to be held in a closed condition. This is accomplished by the distinctive retention mechanism comprising the cooperating detent and spaced notches. The interengagement between the detent and the distal notch effectively hold the actuator switch in a closed condition without the user having to continue to press the actuator button. As a result, the panic alarm assembly continues to operate in an unbroken fashion even if it is dropped, which is likely to happen during an unexpected attack or other emergency. Because the alarm assembly continues to operate, help and/or rescue is more apt to be effectively summoned to the scene.

(37) The actuator switch construction serves as an improved reliable mechanical trigger for the panic alarm assembly. The notch and detent construction provide the user with readily defined and easy to discern open/ON and closed/OFF alarm states.

(38) The battery employed in the panic alarm assembly is effectively concealed and cannot readily be removed by an attacker to disable the device. For the owner or user of the device to replace the battery, he or she may remove cover 100 by inserting a coin through the end of thin upper transverse slot 102 and pushing the cover outwardly through the opposite open end of the slot. Actuator switch 22 may then be removed from housing 12 by pulling button 74 and sliding carrier 72 outwardly from transverse passageway 90. A small screwdriver or other tool may be inserted through opening 99 and used to depress spring contact 56. This provides sufficient clearance so that detent 96 of the switch actuator is able to pass over the depressed spring contact 56. As a result, the carrier 72 of slide component 70 may be removed completely from the housing. Battery 60 may then be replaced as needed. Following battery replacement, switch actuator 22 and cover 100 are reinserted trough their respective transverse passageway 90 and upper transverse slot 102.

(39) Panic alarm assembly 10 is compact and both quick and easy to operate. It remains activated without having to apply constant finger pressure. The assembly employs an uncomplicated and extremely reliable construction and serves effectively to produce a loud and continuous audible alarm during an attack or other emergency. The assembly is specifically designed to be conveniently portable and dependably operable for use in virtually any venue or for various emergency situations.

(40) The panic alarm may be carried and effectively used by any man, woman or child requiring a dependable device to draw immediate attention to various types of emergencies. These include, but are not limited to, crimes being committed, medical incidents, accidents, attempted child abductions and other crises. For example, a child walking to a bus stop in the morning or returning home at night can conveniently carry and operate the panic alarm in the event of an attack or attempted abduction. Construction workers, road crew workers, landscapers and others who experience or encounter a workplace injury will find the alarm assembly to be a potentially invaluable and life-saving piece of equipment. A hiker, biker, jogger, hunter, boater or other person engaged in outdoor activities can easily carry the panic alarm and effectively utilize that device in the event that person is hurt in an accident or becomes lost. In all of these situations and in other emergencies, help can be promptly and successfully summoned by activating the panic alarm. The alarm is designed to be conveniently carried by the belt clip, on a child's backpack, by a purse strap or by a string or chain worn around the neck or wrist of the user. The device can also be conveniently stowed in almost any pocket or otherwise carried by the user.

(41) It should be understood that various alternative electrical connections and polarity arrangements may be employed within the scope of this invention. Plastic and metal components of the type used in analogous devices may be employed although the particular materials of construction are not a limitation of this invention.

(42) From the foregoing it may be seen that the apparatus of this invention provides for a portable panic alarm assembly. While this detailed description has set forth particularly preferred embodiments of the apparatus of this invention, numerous modifications and variations of the structure of this invention, all within the scope of the invention, will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is understood that this description is illustrative only of the principles of the invention and is not limitative thereof.

(43) Although specific features of the invention are shown in some of the drawings and not others, this is for convenience only, as each feature may be combined with any and all of the other features in accordance with this invention.