SELF-DEFENSE TIGER CLAW RING

Abstract

A self-defense ring having a single protrusion in the shape of a talon or claw to increase gripping strength and/or to increase open hand strike capability in case of attack by an assailant. The ring may be also worn during daily routines without causing injury to the user or to others.

Claims

1. A self-defense ring comprising: a generally annular structure defining an inner surface, an outer surface, a top surface and a bottom surface, said inner surface adapted to receive a wearer's finger or thumb; said outer surface having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said first side of said outer surface characterized by a semi-circular shape generally corresponding to a shape of a corresponding portion of said inner surface; said second side of said outer surface defining a single triangular protrusion integrally formed as an extension of an entire width of said outer surface, wherein top and bottom surfaces of said triangular protrusion curve downward with a corresponding radius of curvature; said outer surface defining a wedge shape at a distal vertex of said triangular protrusion, wherein said bottom surface of said triangular protrusion and a bottom edge of said wedge shape intersecting at a tip.

2. A self-defense ring according to claim 1, wherein said wedge shape terminates in a blunt edge.

3. A self-defense ring according to claim 1, wherein said tip is a blunt tip.

4. A self-defense ring according to claim 1, wherein said wedge shape terminates in a sharpened edge.

5. A self-defense ring according to claim 1, wherein said tip is a sharpened tip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a version of a prior art punching ring.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows another version of a prior art punching ring.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows several versions of prior art brass knuckles.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows prior art Kakute rings.

[0020] FIG. 5 shows a top/plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5.

[0022] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5.

[0023] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5.

[0024] FIG. 9 shows a side view of another embodiment of the invention, for ring size 10.5, with dimensions.

[0025] FIG. 10 shows top and side views of yet another embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 11 shows a user wearing an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The invention summarized above may be better understood by referring to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to practice an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the preferred embodiment, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. Further, it should be understood that the figures are not drawn to scale and in some instances details that are not necessary for the understanding of the present invention are omitted such as common methods of manufacturing.

[0028] The invention is a ring with a single talon or claw shape extending away from the center of the ring in only a single direction, as shown in FIGS. 5-8, and is most advantageously used when worn at the base of the index finger of a user's dominant hand, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5 through 8, a primary feature of the invention is the talon or claw, the tip of which is designated by reference numeral 1. This is the point at where all of a user's grip strength may be concentrated into a very small area, exponentially multiplying grip strength into an intimidating and possibly damaging force due to its location at the base of the finger. While the tip of the claw 1 is preferably not sharpened, so as to be suitable for use during routine daily activities, it preferably has a roughness or edge that if sufficient force is brought to bear on an assailants wrist, hand, or other body part during self-defense, it will collect and retain assailant DNA so as to assist law enforcement with finding the assailant. The size and curvature of the claw, together with its location at the base of a user's finger, further takes advantage of instinctive clawing defense tactics as would be intuitive to an untrained victim, including gripping and pulling away tactics, such as grabbing the hand or wrist of the assailant when they are holding onto the victim and pulling in the opposite direction of the body of the victim. In addition, the dimensions of the claw portion of the ring take into account the depths of the skeletal musculature structure of both the assailant and the victim, as well as the location of subcutaneous nerve endings, so as to cause non-lethal discomfort to the assailant without discomfort to the user; see FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0030] The inner diameter of the ring 2 is preferably sized to the user so that it can be worn comfortably during everyday activities, in which case, the claw may be tucked comfortably into the proximal palmar crease, hence increasing the versatility and enhancing the optional use state without injury to the wearer. According to a preferred embodiment, the ring may be sized one-half a size larger than the user's normal ring size to accommodate the width of the band as well as the natural taper of the finger. A larger width of the band gives stability and to prevent the creation of a dynamic fulcrum point on the user's finger.

[0031] Interior radius 3 of the claw or talon area preferably matches the proximal palmar crease of the palm to fold comfortably and naturally into the palm when not required.

[0032] Log-splitter or wedge on the front face of the claw 4 may be used for striking as well as spreading or wedging into vulnerable areas of an assailant, again without causing lethal damage.

[0033] Top surface of the claw 5 is preferably configured to fit smoothly against the palm side of the finger upon which the ring is worn when the user's hand is in a gripping configuration (half closed or nearly closed fist) in order to reinforce the user's grip on an assailant and add pressure as needed in its various functions of versatile defensive techniques. Top surface 5 is also a safe area that is utilized when not employing the clawed grip. No damage can occur to the person or object gripped when this area is used to lift or carry everyday objects, such as keys, grocery bags, boxes, or living things such as small children and pets. Indeed, when not in use as a self-defense device, the ring of the invention can be rotated slightly by a push of the thumb so that a side face of the claw rests comfortably against an adjacent finger, allowing activity such as a handshake to occur without injury or discomfort to either party. The invention is thus natural and non-inhibiting when doing natural actions such as reaching into a pocket to retrieve items. The lack of encumbrance is something no other self-defense ring offers.

[0034] The width of the ring band 6 is adapted for comfort and style.

[0035] Flattened areas 7 are likewise ornamental, but facilitate a firm grip on the ring when a user is executing an open hand strike with area 4 while using the open handed strike technique. Flattened area 7 also allows for the ring to mate with a matching surface on another ring according to the invention on an adjacent finger, should the user choose to wear more than one ring according to the invention. In this manner, two rings worn on adjacent fingers could work in conjunction with one-another for self-defense gripping and open-hand strikes.

[0036] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.