Abstract:
A self defense spray device comprising a spray unit having a spray canister with an irritant spray, a nozzle operable to release the irritant spray, and a first connector attached to the spray canister. The device further includes a holder having a second connector adapted to releasably engage the first connector to releasably connect the spray unit to the holder, and a safety mechanism that prevents the nozzle from releasing the spray when the spray unit is connected to the holder, thus disarming the device. Once the spray unit is removed from the holder, the safety no longer blocks the nozzle thus arming the device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to systems and devices used for personal defense, specifically to compact, non-lethal irritant or chemical spray devices. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Prior art defensive spray devices, particularly personal self defense sprays using chemical irritant sprays (including pepper or mace sprays) to ward off attacks from animals or other assailants, typically comprise a spray canister containing a pressurized irritant spray such as a chemical repellent. The spray canister is typically carried on the person in a purse or handbag, backpack or other carry bag. To use the spray, the user must first find it among all other items in the bag in which the spray is carried, remove the device from the bag and insure that the nozzle is pointing towards the threat. Then the user must remove some form of safety, which typically consist of a cap or trigger locking wedge or pin. A problem with such deployment is that too much time elapses from the time the user becomes aware of the threat to the time that the device is ready to be effectively used. This is further exacerbated by stress arising from the user being startled. There is often very little time in which to react and deploy the self defense spray device. The user will have very little time to reach for, locate, extricate, orient the spray canister and release the safety mechanism. Even in situations where a user has kept the device in a conventional holder at the user&#39;s side on a belt, the user must still remove the device from the holder and orient the device to insure that the nozzle is pointing towards the threat. This is because the typical self defense spray canister is freely rotatable within the conventional holders. Then the user must release the safety. With many of the prior art devices, these steps are often time consuming and necessitate the use of both hands. During an encounter with an aggressive assailant (person or animal), the events can unfold so rapidly that fractions of a second lost in both time and attention on account of locating and deploying the device can mean the difference between successfully repelling the attack and being injured by it. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a personal self defense spray device that may be comfortably carried on lanyard or string hung around one&#39;s neck, clipped to an article of clothing such as a belt at the user&#39;s side, or otherwise mounted within reach of the user, and which enables an irritant spray to be rapidly deployed with minimal effort and attention on the part of the user, and using only one hand thereby freeing the other hand for balance or striking. 
     In some embodiments, the personal self defense device of the present invention comprises a spray subassembly comprising a spray canister containing a pressurized irritant spray and having a valve therein capable of being actuated to release the irritant spray, a nozzle in fluid communication with the valve and operable to actuate the valve to release the irritant spray via the nozzle, and a first connector attached to the spray canister; a holder comprising a second connector adapted to releasably engage with the first connector to releasably connect the spray subassembly to the holder, a safety mechanism that cooperates with the spray subassembly to interfere with the actuation of the valve by the nozzle when the spray subassembly is connected to the holder thereby disarming the spray subassembly and to not interfere with the actuation of the valve by the nozzle when the spray subassembly is not connected to the holder thereby arming the spray subassembly. Some embodiments may be provided with an attachment means for releasably attaching the holder to another item. 
     In some embodiments the device may including a spray housing adapted to receive at least a portion of the spray canister and wherein the first connector is a part of the spray housing. In some embodiments the holder comprises a holder housing adapted to receive the first connector. 
     In some embodiments the first connector may comprises a horizontal member extending from the spray housing and includes a keeper portion, and the second connector comprises a latch member that is moveable by the user to selectively engage and disengage the keeper portion to effect the latching and unlatching of the spray subassembly to the holder. 
     In some embodiments the latch member is moveable in a sideways direction and is adapted to engage and disengage the keeper portion as a result of the latch member being so moved. In some embodiments the latch member is biased towards a position in which the latch member engages the keeper portion. In some embodiments the latch member includes a cam following element and the keeper portion includes a cam element that cooperates with the cam following element to displace the latch member against the bias as the horizontal member is brought into initial contact with the latch member, and which releases the cam following element once the keeper portion moves beyond the cam following element such that the latch member returns to the position in which it engages the keeper portion. 
     Some embodiments the holder may include a connector cover moveable between a first position in which it allows access by a user to the latch member, and a second position in which it prevents access by the user to the latch member, thereby minimizing accidental disengagement of the spray subassembly from the holder. 
     In some embodiments the safety mechanism comprises at least one projection that interferes with the movement of the nozzle only when the spray subassembly is connected to the holder to prevent the nozzle from actuating the valve. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention may include a light source mounted in the spray subassembly, a first source of electrical power connected to the light source, a first electrical circuit connecting the first source of power to the light source, a first electrical switch connected to the first electrical circuit and configured to complete the first electrical circuit when the spray subassembly is disconnected from the holder thereby providing illumination, and to break the first electrical circuit when the spray subassembly is connected to the holder thereby terminating illumination. In some embodiments, the light source may be a strobe light. 
     In some embodiments, the spray subassembly may be provided with a high intensity LED or other light that is oriented to shine a bright beam of light in the direction of the spray. Preferably, the light has a switch that is activated to turn on the light as soon as the spray subassembly is removed from the holder. The bright light provides a targeting means for the spray nozzle and also provides illumination under very low light conditions. And at night, the high intensity light shining in the assailant&#39;s or animal&#39;s eyes may be enough to ward off an attack. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention may include an electrical sound generator mounted on the holder, a second source of electrical power connected to the sound generator, a second electrical circuit connecting the second source of power to the sound generator, a second electrical switch connected to the second electrical circuit and configured to complete the second electrical circuit when the spray subassembly is disconnected from the holder thereby providing an audible alarm, and to break the second electrical circuit when the spray subassembly is connected to the holder thereby terminating the audible alarm. 
     In some embodiments, the holder may be provided with a high decibel audible alarm with a switch mechanism that is activated as soon as the spray subassembly is removed from the holder. The addition of an audible alarm advantageously provides a warning to the attacker and it may on its own be sufficient to ward off an attack, thereby obviating the need to use the spray canister. The audible alarm also provides warning to other people in the vicinity that an encounter is taking place so that they can act accordingly in either calling for or rendering additional assistance to the person being attacked. Once the danger is over and the spray canister may be replaced into the holder, the alarm&#39;s switch deactivates the alarm. The alarm in preferred embodiments can only be deactivated when the canister is put back on the holder. 
     To deploy the device, the user reaches over to the device with one hand and in one motion slides the safety mechanism cover downward to expose the latch mechanism, depresses the release lever on the latch mechanism to release the spray subassembly, and then withdraws the spray subassembly from the holder. Once the spray canister is removed from the holder, the trigger button is free and ready to be depressed to release the repellent spray. Advantageously, since the spray canister was retained on the holder portion facing in a forward orientation relative to the user&#39;s hand, the nozzle of the spray device is already pointing forward in the user&#39;s hand and the user&#39;s attention need not be diverted toward orienting the spray nozzle. In one relatively smooth motion, the spray canister is ready to be used in self defense. Once the danger has passed, the spray canister is replaced into the holder subassembly and the latch mechanism is reengaged to secure the spray subassembly to the holder, while at the same time the safety mechanism is reengaged to prevent the inadvertent release of spray. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a personal defense device comprising a holder subassembly (shown on the left) to which is releasably connected a spray subassembly (shown on the right), hence the devices in the storage configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment in  FIG. 1  in which the latch mechanism cover has been slid down to reveal the latching mechanism; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the of the embodiment in  FIG. 1  in the armed configuration in which the holder subassembly and the spray subassembly are disconnected from each other; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view from the front left of the spray subassembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view from the front left of the spray subassembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view from the rear left of the spray subassembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view from the rear left of the holder subassembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view from their front right of the holder subassembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be understood that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention. Directional references such a up, down, fore, aft, left, right, rearward and the like refer to the device in the orientation in which it would be normally held by a user, specifically with canister portion held in the user&#39;s hand such that the outlet of the spray points away from the user in a forward direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an embodiment of a personal defense spray device of the present invention is shown generally by reference number  10 . Personal defense spray device  10  comprises a spray subassembly  12  that is removably connected to a holder such as holder subassembly  14  by a latch mechanism shown generally by number  16 . The term “subassembly” as used herein is in accordance with its ordinary dictionary meaning of a unit assembled separately but designed to fit with other units in a manufactured device. 
     The spray subassembly  12  comprises an aerosol spray canister  20  of the kind known in the prior art and typically contains a pressurized irritant spray comprising a propellant and an irritant such as mace, pepper or other suitable chemical irritant. The spray subassembly  12  includes a spray housing  18  that comprises a rear housing portion  22  adapted to receive the spray canister  20 , and a forward housing portion  24  (shown in  FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 ). A nozzle  26  is also provided and is in fluid communication with the valve in the spray canister  20 . The nozzle  26  is depressible to actuate the valve to release the irritant spray via the nozzle  26 . 
     The holder subassembly  14  comprises a holder housing  28  that includes a safety mechanism which may comprise at least one projection such as rearward extending lateral tabs  30 . The holder housing  28  includes the latch mechanism  16  that cooperates with the spray subassembly  12  to selectively latch or unlatch the spray subassembly  12  from the holder subassembly  14 . The holder housing  28  also includes a latch mechanism cover  32  that is slidably connected to the holder housing  28 . The latch mechanism cover  32  functions as a connector cover that is moveable between a first position and a second position and is operable to respectively expose or cover the latch mechanism  16 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the spray subassembly  12  is shown connected to the holder subassembly  14  and therefore the personal defense spray device  10  is in a storage configuration in which the safety mechanism or rearward extending lateral tabs  30  interfere with the nozzle  26  to prevent it from being depressed, thereby preventing the spray from being released. Whereas in  FIG. 2 , the spray subassembly  12  and the holder subassembly  14  are shown disconnected and apart from each other and therefore the personal defense spray device  10  is in an armed configuration in which the nozzle  26  may be depressed to release the spray from the spray canister. Accordingly, it will be understood that the safety mechanism (the rearward extending tabs  30  in the illustrated embodiment) cooperates with the spray subassembly to interfere with the actuation of the valve in the spray canister  20  by the nozzle (identified as item  26  in the illustrated embodiment). 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show an exploded view of the spray subassembly  12 . As is known in the art, spray canister  20  is a pressurized vessel having an internal release valve (not shown) which is operably connected to a delivery tube  34  and cooperates therewith such that the act of depressing the delivery tube  34  into the canister causes the valve to release the pressurized contents from within the canister via the delivery tube. Typically, the internal release valve is biased towards the closed position such that the act of releasing the delivery tube allows a valve to close, thereby stopping the flow of the pressurized contents from the spray canister  20 . At the top of the spray canister  20 , surrounding the delivery tube  34 , is a canister head  36  by which the spray canister may be attached to the spray head subassembly  18 . These kinds of spray canisters are common in the field of art of chemical irritant sprays. 
     The rear housing portion  22  of the spray housing  18  comprises a cylindrical member  38  that defines a central bore adapted to closely receive the body of the spray canister  20 . The cylindrical member  38  is provided with a forward facing opening that defines vertical edges  40  and horizontal bottom edge  42 . The upper end of the cylindrical member  38  defines a seat portion  44  that is adapted to receive nozzle  26 , and a bracket portion  45  fore of the seat portion  44 . A first connector such as a horizontal member or platform  46  extends forward from a point adjacent to the horizontal bottom edge  42  of the cylindrical member  38 , and includes a keeper portion such as a transverse ridge  48  on the upper surface of the platform  46  at its terminal end. The ridge  48  includes a cam element such as sloped and concavely curved front wall  50  and a vertical back wall  52 . 
     A high intensity light source  53  is included comprising of a circuit board  55 , batteries  57 , an LED light  59 , a capacitor  61 , and an associated electrical contact or switch (not shown). In some embodiments, a high intensity strobe light may be preferred. 
     The forward housing portion  24  of the spray subassembly  12  comprises a vertically oriented semi-cylindrical member  54  that defines vertical side edges  56  and horizontal bottom edge  58  and top edge  60 . The semi-cylindrical member  54  is complementary to the cutaway opening in the cylindrical member  38  that defines the edges  40  and  42  such that the vertical side edges  56  abut the vertical edges  40  when the two members are brought together. From the top edge  60  of the semi cylindrical member  54  extends a forward facing horizontal platform  64  on which is provided a housing  68  for the nozzle extension tube  72  and the light source  53 . The housing  68  includes a front wall in which is provided a spray discharge port  70  for receiving the forward end of the nozzle extension tube  72  and a light port  74  for receiving the LED light  59 . 
     The bottom edge  58  of the semi cylindrical member  54  includes a tab  76  that is adapted to be received in a complementary slot  78  in the horizontal platform  46  adjacent the edge  40 . Accordingly, the forward housing portion  24  may be removably connected to the rear housing portion  22  by means of screws  82  that connect the forward housing portion  24  to the bracket portion  45  such that the semi cylindrical member  54  abuts that part of the cylindrical member  38  having the cutaway opening to close that opening (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). The inside surface of the cylindrical member  38  near the seat portion  44  includes a circumferential flange  49  that cooperates with a similar circumferential flange  43  on the inside surface of the semi-cylindrical member  54  to engage the canister head  36  for retaining the spray canister  20  within the spray head subassembly  18 . Above these are collar flanges (shown as  45  on the semi cylindrical member  54  but not shown on the cylindrical member  38 ) which cooperate to define a collar for locating the delivery tube  34  within the rear housing portion  22 . 
     The nozzle  26  includes a lower conduit  86  that is in fluid communication with a forward facing upper conduit  88 . The lower conduit  86  is adapted to receive the delivery tube  34  of the spray canister  20  and the upper conduit  88  is adapted to receive nozzle extension tube  72 . Once released from the spray canister, the irritant spray flows from the delivery tube  34 , through the lower conduit  86 , upper conduit  88 , and out through the nozzle extension tube  72 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the holder subassembly  14  comprises holder housing  28  having a front wall  92 , sidewalls  94 , a top wall  96  and a bottom wall  98 , which together define a back edge  100  of the housing. The sidewalls  94  each include a forwardly extending cutaway portion  102 , and the rearward extending lateral tabs  30  that are each complimentary to recess  104  in the side walls of the nozzle  26 . On the inside of the housing near the bottom edge defined by the cutaway portion  102  is provided a horizontal platform  108  that extends between the sidewalls  94  and the front wall  92 . This platform and the bottom wall  98  define a cavity within which an audible alarm subassembly is mounted. The audible alarm subassembly comprises of a circuit board  110 , batteries  112 , sound chamber cover  114 , piezo element  116  which are held in place by a retaining bracket  118  that is connected to the housing by means of screws  120  driven in two corresponding threaded protrusions  122  on the holder housing  28 . 
     A second connector or latch member such as release lever  124 , which is part of the latch mechanism  16 , is mounted for hinged horizontal movement on the inside surface of the front wall  92  at a location adjacent to the opening defined by the cutaway portion  102 . The release lever  124  includes an upwardly protruding tab  126  having small horizontal projections  128  on each side, and a downwardly protruding hook portion  130  having a cam following element such as a sloped backward facing edge  132 , and a vertical forward facing edge  134 . The release lever  124  is biased towards a central position in line with a medial plane of the holder housing  28 , in which the lever is generally parallel to the sidewalls  94 , by a biasing member  138  comprising of a semicircular plate  140  made of a semi rigid material and having inwardly facing cylindrical portions  142  at each end that define a central gap  144 . The biasing member  138  is mounted to the inside surface of the front wall  92  at a position such that the tab  126  of the release lever  124  fits closely within the central gap  144  whereby the horizontal projections  128  fit within the cylindrical portions  142 . The resistance of the semicircular plate to straightening acts on the cylindrical portions  142  tending to bring them together and narrowing the central gap  144 , and this force is transmitted to the tab  126  to bias the release lever  124  towards the central position. Of course, other ways of biasing the release lever  124  are possible. 
     The latch mechanism cover  32  comprises a front wall  146  and two sidewalls  148  wherein the latch mechanism cover  32  is adapted to fit closely over the front wall  92  and sidewalls  94  of the holder housing  28 . On the inside surface of the latch mechanism cover  32  are provided parallel vertical ridges  150  that are dimensioned to be slidably received within corresponding and complementary vertical grooves  152  on the outside surface of the holder housing  28 . Thereby, the latch mechanism cover  32  is slidable vertically on the housing such that the sidewalls  148  selectively cover and uncover the opening defined by the cutaway  102  on the housing to expose or cover the latch mechanism  16  therein. 
     The bottom wall  98  of the housing and  90  includes a battery access opening (not shown) to enable the user to replace the batteries  112  for the audible alarm. A removable battery access cover  113  closes this opening and is held in place by a screw  115 . 
     The outer surface of top wall  96  is provided with a lanyard loop  156  for ease of carrying of the device. In addition, the front wall  92  of the holder housing  28 , adjacent to top wall  96  and the sidewalls  94 , includes a pair of holes  158  that are each invaded by a horizontal slot  160  extending along the side walls  94 . A belt clip  164  is provided comprising of a clip portion  166  connected to a vertical plate member  168  from which extends a horizontal transverse tab  170  that terminates in a cylindrical end portion  172 . The cylindrical end portion  172  is dimensioned to be able to slide into one of the holes  158  such that the transverse tab  170  slides into a corresponding horizontal slot  160 , thereby enabling the holder housing  28  to be removably mounted onto the belt clip  164  for ease of carrying of the device. Alternatively or in addition, a mounting bracket  176  is provided which includes a pair of parallel rods extending from the mounting bracket  176  whereby the rods are dimensioned to simultaneously slide into the holes  158  to enable the holder housing  28  to be removably mounted upon the bracket  176 . The bracket itself may be mounted to a wall, the interior of the vehicle, or any other suitable object on which it may be desirable to removably mount the personal defense spray device  10 . Accordingly, the lanyard loop  156 , the belt clip  164  and the mounting bracket  176  each function as an attachment means for releasably attaching the holder subassembly  14  to another item. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the spray subassembly  12  and the holder subassembly  14  are shown apart but aligned. This orientation represents either the position just after they have been separated or just prior to them being reconnected. Advantageously, the forward housing portion  24  of the spray subassembly  12  is dimension to fit within the top portion of the holder housing  28  on the holder subassembly  14 , above the cutaway  102 , and when the nozzle portion is received within the housing, the rearward extending lateral tabs  30  are positioned so as to cooperate with the corresponding recesses  104  on the nozzle  26  to act as a safety mechanism for preventing the button from being inadvertently depressed and accidentally release the irritant spray. Furthermore, the horizontal platform  46  on the spray subassembly is adapted to being inserted into the holder housing  28  at a position just above the horizontal platform  108  on the housing. The release lever  124  is dimensioned and positioned such that the hook portion  130  is able to engage the transverse ridge  48  on the horizontal platform  46  when said platform is inserted into the holder housing  28 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the personal defense spray device  10  is shown in the storage configuration in which the spray subassembly  12  is located and held within the holder subassembly  14  by the latch mechanism  16 . The latch mechanism cover  32  is shown in a position in which its sidewalls  148  enclose the latch mechanism from access. To remove the spray subassembly  12  from the holder subassembly  14 , the latch mechanism cover  32  is first slid downward to expose the latch mechanism  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . While the personal defense spray device  10  is in the storage configuration the release lever  124  is biased towards the medial plane of the housing such that the front wall  134  of the hook portion  130  on the release lever  124  engages the vertical back wall  52  of the transverse ridge  48  on the horizontal platform  46 , thereby latching the spray subassembly  12  to the holder subassembly  14 . To effect the unlatch of the spray subassembly from the holder subassembly, a user inserts a digit in to the holder housing  28  via and opening defined by the cutaway  102  in the side wall  94  to access the release lever  124  and move the release lever laterally (i.e. sideways) so that the hook portion  130  disengages from the transverse ridge  48 . With the device unlatched, the user is able to remove the spray subassembly  12  from the holder subassembly  14 . Once the two assemblies are separated from each other, the device is in an armed configuration in which the irritant spray may be discharged from the spray subassembly by depressing nozzle  26 . Advantageously, the configuration of the personal defense spray device  10  is such that a user can affect the unlatching and removal of the spray subassembly  12  from the holder subassembly  14  with one hand and in one fluid motion simply by moving a hand towards the spray subassembly as if to grasp it and inserting a middle finger into the holder housing  28  via an opening defined by the cutaway  102  to effect the unlatching of the spray subassembly, and then continuing the motion to grasp and remove the spray subassembly  12  from the holder subassembly  14 . Once this motion is complete the spray subassembly will be properly positioned within the user&#39;s hand to enable the user to quickly discharge the spray towards the point to danger—i.e. the nozzle of the device will be pointing away from the user and the user&#39;s thumb will be positioned above the nozzle  26 . 
     In order to return the personal defense spray device  10  to the storage configuration, the user aligns the spray subassembly  12  with the holder subassembly  14  as shown in  FIG. 3  and inserts the spray subassembly into the holder subassembly  14 . As the horizontal platform  46  is inserted into the holder housing  28 , the sloped and curved front wall  50  of the transverse ridge  48  engages the sloped backward facing edge  132  of the hook portion  130  of the release lever  124  causing the release lever to be displaced laterally, thereby enabling the transverse ridge  48  to clear the hook portion  130 . Once the spray subassembly is fully inserted into the holder subassembly, and the transverse ridge is clear of the hook portion, the biasing member  138  returns to release lever to its resting position aligned with the medial plane of the housing and  90 , thereby latching the spray subassembly to the holder subassembly. The user then slides the latch mechanism cover  32  upward to enclose the latch mechanism  16  to prevent the accidental unlatching of the spray subassembly. 
     Two sets of electrical switches or contacts are provided (not shown): one in the spray subassembly  12  for activating the light circuit and one in the holder subassembly  14  for activating the audible alarm circuit. Each electrical switch is positioned and configured to open its respective electrical circuit when the personal defense spray device  10  is in the storage configuration and to close their respective electrical circuit as soon as the spray subassembly is removed from the holder subassembly thereby causing the device to simultaneously emit both a loud and shrill audible alarm to warn other persons nearby of an attack, and a bright light to stun the assailant and/or illuminate the target at which the spray is aimed. While the described and illustrated embodiment of the personal defense device is shown with both an audible alarm and a light, other embodiments of the present invention may include one or the other of these features, or omit both altogether. 
     While the above description and illustrations constitute preferred or alternate embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that numerous variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the embodiments described and illustrated herein should not be considered to limit the invention as construed in accordance with the accompanying claims.