Personal self-defense device

Abstract

An arming assembly for a personal self-defense device includes a substantially closed-ended cylindrical member having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical member having an interior chamber. At least one opening being formed within the first end for the inserting and exiting of a porcupine quill. A translatable piston includes a spring and a disc being disposed within the interior chamber. At least one arm being attached to the spring in order to compress and release the spring and translate the disc toward the second end. At least one quill is inserted into the opening formed within the first end and sits in an associated indentation formed within the disc. Once the arm is released, the quill is projected forward and exits through the opening formed within the first end, which is aimed at a would-be attacker. The arming assembly may be double-acting by having conjoined opposed similar components.

Claims

1. An arming assembly for a personal self-defense device comprising: (a) a substantially closed-ended member having a first end and a second end, the member having an interior chamber, at least one opening formed within the first end for the inserting and exiting of a projectile, at least one slot formed along a side of the member; (b) a translatable piston disposed within the interior chamber, the piston including means for biasing and a disc, the disc being attached to the means for biasing, the disc having at least one indentation for receiving an end of the projectile, the at least one indentation being in registry with the at least one opening; (c) at least one tube extending inwardly from the at least one opening toward the second end, the at least one tube defining a stabilizer for the projectile; and (d) at least one arm attached to the means for biasing and extending outwardly from the member through the at least one slot, the means for biasing being compressed when the at least one arm is actuated in a first direction and the means for biasing being released when the at least one arm is actuated in a second direction.

2. The arming assembly of claim 1 wherein the projectile is a porcupine quill.

3. The arming assembly of claim 2 wherein the first end of the closed-ended member includes a plurality of openings formed therein.

4. The arming assembly of claim 3 wherein the disc includes a plurality of indentations, each of the plurality of indentations being in registry with an associated one of the plurality of openings.

5. The arming assembly of claim 4 further comprising: a plurality of tubes, each of the plurality of tubes extending inwardly from an associated one of the plurality of openings toward an associated one of the plurality of indentations.

6. The arming assembly of claim 2 further comprising: a pair of slots formed along opposite sides of the member.

7. The arming assembly of claim 6 further comprising: a pair of arms, each arm connected to the means for biasing and extending outwardly from the interior chamber through an associated one of the pair of slots.

8. The arming assembly of claim 7 further comprising: a cut-out formed within and normal to each one of the pair of slots, each arm being locked in place as it retracts and is positioned within a respective cut-out.

9. The arming assembly of claim 2 wherein the means for biasing is a spring.

10. The arming assembly of claim 2 further comprising: a removable cap, the cap being removably fitted over the first end of the member in order to retain the projectile in position until released.

11. The arming assembly of claim 2 further comprising: a second of such arming assembly disposed with and in opposed relation with the arming assembly, each arming assembly being identical in structure.

12. The arming assembly of claim 11 wherein each closed-ended member includes a plurality of openings formed therein.

13. The arming assembly of claim 12 wherein each disc includes a plurality of indentations, each of the plurality of indentations being in registry with an associated one of the plurality of openings.

14. The arming assembly of claim 13 further comprising: a plurality of tubes, each of the plurality of tubes extending inwardly from an associated one of the plurality of openings toward an associated one of the plurality of indentations.

15. The arming assembly of claim 11 further comprising: a pair of slots formed along opposite sides of each closed-ended member.

16. The arming assembly of claim 15 further comprising: a plurality of arms, each one of the plurality of arms being connected to an associated means for biasing and extending outwardly from an associated interior chamber through an associated one of the pair of slots.

17. A personal self-defense device comprising: (a) at least one projectile; (b) a substantially closed-ended member having a first end and a second end, the member having an interior chamber, at least one opening formed within the first end for the inserting and exiting of the at least one projectile, at least one slot formed along a side of the member; (c) a translatable piston disposed within the interior chamber, the piston including means for biasing and a disc, the disc being attached to the means for biasing, the disc having at least one indentation for receiving an end of the at least one projectile, the at least one indentation being in registry with the at least one opening; (d) at least one tube extending inwardly from the at least one opening toward the second end, the at least one tube defining a stabilizer for the at least one projectile; (e) at least one arm attached to the means for biasing and extending outwardly from the member through the at least one slot, the means for biasing being compressed when the at least one arm is actuated in a first direction and the means for biasing being released when the at least one arm is actuated in a second direction; and wherein the device defines a first personal self-defense device.

18. The first personal self-defense device of claim 17 wherein the at least one projectile is a porcupine quill.

19. The first personal self-defense device of claim 18 further comprising: a second personal self-defense device integral with and in opposed relation with the first personal self-defense device, each personal self-defense device being identical in structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device hereof;

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the device hereof taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device hereof;

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the device hereof taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of a barbed porcupine quill to be used in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) The present invention provides, in a first aspect, an arming assembly for a personal self-defense device and, in a second aspect, the present invention provides a personal self-defense device employing the arming assembly and comprising at least one projectile. As noted below, once at least one projectile is loaded into the arming assembly, the arming assembly in combination with the projectile defines the self-defense device.

(7) Now, and with reference to the drawing and, in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, the second aspect of the present invention provides the personal self-defense device, denoted at 10, generally, comprising a substantially closed-ended cylindrical member 12 having a first end 14 and an opposed second end 16. The first end 14 has an interior side or surface 15 and an exterior side or surface 17. The cylindrical member 12 has an interior chamber 20.

(8) A series of openings 18 is formed in the first end 14 which defines access openings for projectiles, as discussed below.

(9) At least one and, preferably, a plurality of cylindrical tubes 19 (only one of which is shown) is disposed on the interior side 15 of the first end 14. Each tube 19 is in registry with an associated opening 18. The tubes 19 extend into the interior chamber 20 of the cylindrical member 12 and define stabilizers for the projectiles, as described below.

(10) Each tube 19 has a first end 19 fixedly secured about the perimeter of its associated opening 18, depending on the material of construction, such as by welding, sonic welding, bonding, or the like.

(11) As shown, a piston or plunger 28 is disposed within the interior chamber 20 of the cylindrical member 12 and comprises a disc 30 and means for biasing, such as a spring 32 connected thereto.

(12) The disc 30 is slidable or translatable within the interior chamber 20. The disc 30 includes a front surface 31 and a rear surface 33.

(13) The front surface 31 of the disc 30 preferably has a plurality of indentations or seats 35, which define projectile seats.

(14) Optionally, a shaft 21 may extend laterally outwardly from the rear surface 31 of the disc 30 toward the second end 16.

(15) The spring 32 is disposed between the second end 16 and the disc 30 and normally urges the disc 30 toward the first end 14. The spring 32 is connected to the rear surface 31 of the disc 30 such that movement of the disc 30 and spring 32 toward the rear end 16 compresses the spring 32.

(16) As shown, the cylindrical member 12, also, includes a first slot 22 formed along the extent thereof. A first cut-out 24 is formed normal to the first slot 22 in the cylindrical member 12. Opposite the first slot 22, a second slot 22 is formed along the extent of the cylindrical member 12 similar to that of the first slot 22. A complementary second cut-out 24 similar to cut-out 24 is provided normal to the second slot 22.

(17) A first arm 26 is secured to the spring 32 and defines means for arming the device 10. The first arm 26 extends through the first slot 22. A second arm 26 extends through the second slot 22 and is affixed to the spring 32 as discussed below. When armed, both arms 26, 26 are seated in their respective cut-outs 24, 24 in diametric opposition thereto.

(18) The arm(s) 26, 26 are used to compress the spring 32 and retract the disc 30 by drawing the arm(s) 26, 26 back, in a first direction, toward the second end 16 along the first slot 22 and the second slot 22, respectively. The arm(s) 26, 26 is/are then seated in their respective cut-out(s) 24, 24 once the spring 32 is compressed.

(19) At least one and, preferably, a plurality of projectiles, such as porcupine quills 34, (only one of which is depicted) is housed and stored within the interior chamber 20 of the cylindrical member 12. As noted above, prior to the insertion of the projectile, the present invention merely defines an arming assembly.

(20) Each quill 34 has a first end 36 seated on the disc 30, within an associated indentation 35, and extends proximate to an associated opening 18 within an associated tube 19.

(21) In loading the present device 10, the quills 34 are inserted through an associated opening 18 and through the opening's allied or associated tube 19. Each quill 34 is substantially terminus with its associated opening 18 when the piston 28 is armed.

(22) As shown in FIG. 5, the utilization of porcupine quills 34, which can be either natural porcupine quills or synthetically manufactured, is critical to the practice hereto. As is known to those familiar with the biology of porcupine quills, porcupine quills 34 have a plurality of circumferential rearward facing barbs 38 which prevent an assailant or attacker from pulling the quill 34 out of his, her, or its body. Additionally, porcupine quills 34 have a pointed tip 40 for easy entry into the body of an assailant as well as loading into the device 10. This structure serves two purposes. First, they stabilize the quills 34 when in flight toward the attacker and, second, once they penetrate the skin of any object, they are hard to pull out. In fact, this will cause excessive pain should one want to pull them out. Thus, the attacker becomes immobilized.

(23) To deploy the present device 10, the spring 32 is armed and, thereafter, a plurality of porcupine quills 34 is inserted into the interior chamber 20 of the cylindrical device 12 via their associated openings 18 and tubes 19, and seated in respective seats or indentations 35. Because the size of each of the quills 34 is substantially equal in length and diameter to the openings 18 when the spring 32 is compressed, the quills 34 are retained within their tubes 19 and do not become dislodged.

(24) Additionally, a removable cap 25, may be fitted over the first end 14 to retain the quills 34 in position until released.

(25) In the event of an attack, the user removes the cap 25, if present, and urges the arm(s) 26, 26 out of its/their respective cut-out 24, 24 thereby releasing the arm(s) 26, 26 forward in a second direction. The spring 32 is released and the expelled force urges the disc 30 toward the front end 14, thereby ejecting and shooting the quills 34 at any would-be attacker. Typically, the quills 34 may travel a distance of from about nine (9) feet to about twenty (20) feet to define a stop zone. Such a stop zone ordinarily provides a sufficient safe perimeter for the user to escape the attacker.

(26) As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, there is depicted an alternate or second embodiment herein, wherein the device is a double-acting device, generally, denoted at 110. Here, the device 110 has a pair of opposed cylindrical members 112, 114, each including means for biasing 116, 118, a disc 130, 130, and tubes 122 (only one of which is shown) for stabilizing an associated quill 120. The double action enables a potential victim to turn the device 110 around for a second use if the first shooting fails to stop an attacker.

(27) A dividing wall 123 separates or divides the device 110 into separate projectors. Arms 124, 124, cut-outs 126, 126, slots 128, 128, etc. operate in substantially the same way as discussed above with regards to the first embodiment. While only two arms 124, 124, cut-outs 126, 126, and slots 128, 128 are shown, one on each cylindrical member 112, 114, a pair of each may be provided on each cylindrical member 112, 114.

(28) In fabricating the device, preferably, it is fabricated from any light weight metal, such as aluminum or the like, or molded from a suitable plastic, and is dimensioned to fit in the palm of the user. It may be brightly colored to make it readily visible to both the user and to act as a warning to any would-be assailant.

(29) When made of plastic, the tubes can be molded with or sonically welded or bonded to the first end, which can then be press fitted to the cylindrical member as a unitary assembly. When made of metal, the tubes can be welded to the cylindrical member.

(30) In addition, the device, which can be carried on a purse, key chain, or the like, may have accessories associated therewith, such as a knife which can be disposed in a carrying case, pocket, or the like via eyelets or similar loops affixed to the exterior of the cylindrical member.

(31) From the above it is apparent that the present invention provides a device that can readily repel and/or deter a would-be attacker.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(32) 10 Self-defense device

(33) 12 Cylindrical member

(34) 14 First end of cylindrical member

(35) 15 Interior side of first end

(36) 16 Second end of cylindrical member

(37) 17 Exterior side of first end

(38) 18 Openings

(39) 19 Cylindrical tubes

(40) 19 First end of cylindrical tube

(41) 20 Interior chamber of cylindrical member

(42) 21 Shaft

(43) 22 First slot of cylindrical member

(44) 22 Second slot of cylindrical member

(45) 24 First cut-out

(46) 24 Second cut-out

(47) 25 Removable cap

(48) 26 First arm

(49) 26 Second arm

(50) 28 Piston

(51) 30 Disc

(52) 31 Front surface of disc

(53) 32 Spring

(54) 33 Rear surface of disc

(55) 34 Quill

(56) 35 Indentations of disc

(57) 36 First end of quill

(58) 38 Barbs of quill

(59) 40 Pointed tip of quill

(60) 110 Double-acting device

(61) 112 Cylindrical member

(62) 114 Cylindrical member

(63) 116 Means for biasing

(64) 118 Means for biasing

(65) 120 Quills

(66) 122 Tubes

(67) 123 Dividing wall

(68) 124 Arm

(69) 124 Arm

(70) 126 Cut-out

(71) 126 Cut-out

(72) 128 Slot

(73) 128 Slot

(74) 130 Disc

(75) 130 Disc