Concealed net throwing device

Abstract

A net throwing device is disguised as a security camera and includes a casing including a front chamber, inclined tubes around the front chamber, a rear inner tube having an aperture member, and a rear outer tube having an aperture element; an air canister fastened in the inner tube; a spring biased piercing member slidably disposed between the front chamber and the air canister; a spring biased lock pin in the piercing member and having an end disposed in the aperture member to lock the piercing member in a locked position; a spring biased rod member through the aperture element; a cam member engaging the rod member; an external antenna; a receiver; a processor electrically connected to the receiver; an electric motor electrically connected to the processor; and a net received in the front chamber and including edge weights in the tubes respectively.

Claims

1. A net throwing device comprising: a casing including a front chamber, a plurality of inclined tubes disposed around a front end of the front chamber, an inner tube disposed rearward of the front chamber and having an aperture member, an outer tube disposed rearward of the front chamber with the inner tube disposed therein, the outer tube having an aperture element, and a rear cap threadedly secured to a rear end of the outer tube; an air canister for containing compressed air fastened in the inner tube; a spring biased piercing member slidably disposed between the front chamber and the air canister; a spring biased lock pin disposed in the piercing member and having an end disposed in the aperture member to lock the piercing member; a spring biased rod member disposed through the aperture element; a cam member engaging the rod member; an antenna disposed externally of the casing; a receiver disposed in the casing and connected to the antenna; a processor electrically connected to the receiver; an electric motor electrically connected to the processor; and a net received in the front chamber and including a plurality of weights at an edge, the weights being disposed in the inclined tubes respectively; wherein in response to receiving infrared (IR) light pulses by the receiver via the antenna, and receiving a digital signal representing the IR light pulses by the processor, the processor activates the electric motor which in turn rotates the cam member, the rod member is depressed by the cam member, the lock pin is pressed by the rod member to clear the aperture member, the piercing member is unlocked to push toward and pierce the air canister, the pierced air canister is configured to release compressed air, and the compressed air flows to the inclined tubes to push the weights out of the tubes, thereby launching the net.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a concealed net throwing device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the intermediate portion of FIG. 2 where the launching mechanism is not operated;

(4) FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the launching mechanism being operated;

(5) FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a net having been launched by activating the launching mechanism;

(6) FIG. 6 schematically depicts a robber to be snarled by the net launched from the net throwing device after being activated by a shop employee using a remote control;

(7) FIG. 7 schematically depicts a robber to be snarled by the net launched from the net throwing device after being activated by a security personnel operating a console in a control room;

(8) FIG. 8 schematically depicts a robber to be snarled by the net launched from the net throwing device after being activated by a shop employee who also informs nearby police in a police car using a telephone; and

(9) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a concealed net throwing device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, a net throwing device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown as a wall mounted, swiveled one and disguised as a security camera. The net throwing device comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.

(11) A casing 1 comprises a launching mechanism 2 including a barrel member 20 having a front section 21 and a rear section 22 threadedly secured to the front section 21. A chamber 23 is provided in the front section 21 for receipt of a net 3. A plurality of inclined tubes 24 are formed around the mouth of the front section 21. A plurality of weights 30 are disposed in the tubes 24 respectively. The weight 30 is connected to the net 3 by a plurality of threads at the edge of the net 3. The rear section 22 is formed as an outer tube 26 with an inner tube 25 disposed therein. A rear cap 27 is threadedly secured to a rear end of the outer tube 26. An air canister 31 is fastened in the inner tube 25 and has a rear end urging against a blind bottom of the rear cap 27. A front portion of the inner tube 25 is formed as a space 28 in front of the mouth of the air canister 31. A spring biased piercing member 29 is slidably provided at a front end of the space 28 and has its pointed end facing the mouth of the air canister 31. A receptacle 32 is provided in the piercing member 29. A spring biased lock pin 33 is provided in the receptacle 32 and has an end disposed in an aperture 34 through the inner tube 25 in a locked position, i.e., the piercing member 29 being locked. A spring biased rod member 36 is disposed through an aperture 35 which is through the outer tube 26. A cam member 40 is provided to press the rod member 36. A receiver 38 is provided in the casing 1 and externally of the barrel member 20. An antenna 10 is provided externally of the casing 1 and connected to the receiver 38. A processor 37 is electrically connected to the receiver 38 and an electric motor 39 respectively. In response to receiving infrared (IR) light pulses by the receiver 38 via the antenna 10 and receiving a digital signal representing the IR light pulses by the processor 37, the processor 37 activates the electric motor 39 which in turn rotates the cam member 40. Next, the rod member 36 is depressed by the cam member 40. And in turn, the lock pin 33 is pressed to clear the aperture 34. Thus, the piercing member 29 is unlocked. The piercing member 29 is pushed toward the mouth of the air canister 31 due to exertion of its elastic force. Next, the mouth of the air canister 31 is pierced to release compressed air therefrom. The compressed air flows to the tubes 24 via the barrel member 20. And in turn, the weights 30 are pushed out of the tubes 24. Finally, the net 3 is launched from the launching mechanism 2. A theft or robber can be suddenly snarled by the net 3.

(12) As shown in FIG. 6 specifically, a shop employee presses a button on a remote control 7 to activate the net throwing device by transmitting IR light pulses to the receiver 38 via the antenna 10. Finally, the net 3 is launched to snarl a robber.

(13) As shown in FIG. 7 specifically, an employee in a control room 8 presses a key to activate the net throwing device which in turn launches the net 3 to snarl a robber.

(14) As shown in FIG. 8 specifically, a home owner may activate the net throwing device which in turn launches the net 3 to snarl a theft and inform a police officer in a police car at the same time. Thus, the police may quickly arrive at the scene to catch the theft.

(15) As shown in FIG. 1 specifically, a digital camera 6 and an IR sensor 4 are provided adjacent to the launching mechanism 2. The digital camera 6 aims at disguising the net throwing device as a security camera and the IR sensor 4 can sense the presence of any unlawful individuals within a predetermined distance.

(16) Referring to FIG. 9, a concealed net throwing device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are substantially the same as that of the first preferred embodiment except the following: The IR detector is replaced by an alarm 5.

(17) While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.