Abstract:
A portable multi-use self-defense device. The portable multi-use self-defense device can include a trigger; a housing; two or more canisters, said canisters containing at least one of gas and liquids; and an engagement mechanism coupled to said trigger and to said canisters, said engagement mechanism being capable of actuating the discharge of the at least one of gas and liquids from the two or more canisters substantially simultaneously.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/790,125, filed Mar. 15, 2013 and entitled PORTABLE MULTI-USE SELF-DEFENSE DEVICE, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Conventional self-defense devices use a single system or combination of systems to deter potential assailants. The systems utilizing a combination of systems have different mechanisms for activating each system. Valuable time may be wasted in preparing to use one of the systems on a device. For example, a user may have to push multiple buttons on different ends a device to enable both systems at once. The elimination of this wasted time may mean the difference between safely avoiding a dangerous situation. Therefore, a device that incorporates time-saving features is needed to provide a safer self-defense device. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    A portable multi-use self-defense device. The portable multi-use self-defense device can include a trigger; a housing; two or more canisters, said canisters containing at least one of gas and liquids; and an engagement mechanism coupled to said trigger and to said canisters, said engagement mechanism being capable of actuating the discharge of the at least one of gas and liquids from the two or more canisters substantially simultaneously. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0004]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a multi-use device. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1   b  is a side elevation of a multi-use device. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1   c  is a front elevation of a multi-use device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1   d  is a rear elevation of a multi-use device. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1   e  is a top elevation of a multi-use device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view of the interior of a multi-use device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2   b  is a side elevation of the interior of a multi-use device 
           [0011]      FIG. 2   c  is a front elevation of the interior of a multi-use device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   d  is a rear elevation of the interior of a multi-use device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   e  is a top elevation of the interior of a multi-use device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a multi-use device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary cutaway view of a multi-use device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary cutaway view of a multi-use device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary cutaway view of a multi-use device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary cutaway view of a multi-use device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary cutaway view of a multi-use device. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary cutaway view of a multi-use device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  provides exemplary profile and front views of a multi-use device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and related figures directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
         [0023]    As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
         [0024]    Generally referring to the accompanying drawings, the device may be formed in any of a variety of manners and may be used in any of a variety of situations. An exemplary embodiment may appear similar to device  100 , although other forms and designs are envisioned. An exemplary situation where the device might be used is as a defensive measure in a threatening situation from an assailant. The use of the device may not be limited to humans, but could also be used to defend against attacks by animals or any other form of attack or situation, as desired. 
         [0025]    As shown in exemplary  FIG. 1   a - e , device  100  may include a trigger  110 , a barrel  120 , a light system  130 , and a housing  140 . These and other portions of device  100  can be further shown and described in the following figures. 
         [0026]    Device  100  may include a trigger  110 . Trigger  110  may be shaped to be used by a user&#39;s finger, or in any other fashion, as desired. Moreover, trigger  110  may be a polymer, metal, or any other suitable material. Trigger  110  may include a sliding bar  112 . Sliding bar  112  may be shaped to substantially fit into trigger slot  148  in housing  140 . Trigger slot  148  may be aligned so as to allow trigger  110  to move in substantially a front-back direction. 
         [0027]    Barrel  120  may be located above trigger  110  and below light system  130 , with the exit of barrel  120  facing distally from the user. Barrel  120  may be made of a metal or any other suitable material as desired and may be substantially cylindrical. Also, barrel  120  may be substantially hollow. The radius of barrel  120  may, starting from the proximate end and moving distally, gradually increase in diameter, for example in a fluted fashion. Barrel  120  may include one or more nozzles located on the distal end. Referring to  FIG. 3 , in one exemplary embodiment barrel  120  may include a barrel cap  122 . 
         [0028]    Light system  130  may be located on the top of device  100 . As shown, light system  130  may be partially encased within housing  140  of device  100 . Additionally, light system  130  may be substantially wholly encased with housing  140 . Lamp  132  of light system  130  may be directed distally, while a control switch  134  of light system  130  may be located proximately. Light system  130  may be substantially cylindrical in shape or any other shape as desired. Furthermore, the distal end of light system  130  may extend approximately to the end of the distal end of device  100 . The bottom side of light system  130  may be housed within a portion of barrel  120  formed as a substantially identical crescent shape to match and receive the curvature of light system  130 . Control switch  134  may extend partially out from housing  140 , allowing a user to activate light system  130  by, but not limited to, depression of control switch  134  or rotation of control switch  134 . Control switch  134  may include the ability to check the operability of light system  130 , including but not limited to, the energizing source, such as a battery, and lamp  132 . Alternatively, light system  130  may be activated by depressing trigger  110 . In addition, lamp  132  may be removable and there may be an opaque or transparent piece of impact resistant material such as but not limited to a polymer in front of lamp  132  for protection. Activation of light system  130  may include, but is not limited to, emitting a substantially bright and blinding light from lamp  132  powerful enough to disorient an assailant. Additionally, light system  130  may include the potential to draw attention to the user to aid in rescue efforts. 
         [0029]    Within the housing of light system  130  may be situated an energizing source, such as a battery, for lamp  132  of light system  130 . This energizing source may function and be connected in any known manner. In one embodiment, the energizing source may be connected to one end of control switch  134  through a conducting wire. A second conducting wire may extend between lamp  132  and control switch  134 . Upon activation of control switch  134 , the two conducting wires may sufficiently come into contact with each other to complete an electrical circuit between the energizing source and lamp  132 . Furthermore, the energizing source may be removable or fixed into the housing  140  or light system  130  and may be rechargeable or single-use, as desired. 
         [0030]    Housing  140  may be made of any material or combination of materials as desired, for example individualized pieces of molded, machined or otherwise formed plastic. However, the components or pieces may also be formed of metal or other suitable material. Housing  140  may have a left side  142  and a right side  144 . These two sides may be fastened by any known manner including, but not limited to, adhesives, screws, or bolts. Housing  140  may also include a grip  146 . Grip  146  may be located behind or below trigger  110  and may be shaped to fit the palm of a hand, for example to be ergonomically comfortable, or in any other fashion, as desired. Additionally grip  146  may be a polymer or any other suitable material. Referring to exemplary  FIG. 3 , housing  140  may include a plurality of ribs  141  which may be shaped to substantially fit a cylindrical canister. Further, left side  142  of housing  140  may include one or more anchoring pins  143 . Anchoring pins  143  may be fastened in any manner known in the art, including but not limited to, welding or an adhesive. Anchoring pins  143  may assist in the combination or fastening of left side  142  and right side  144 . Anchoring pins  143  may further provide load bearing support for device  100 . 
         [0031]    Referring to exemplary  FIG. 2   a - e  and  FIG. 3 , device  100  may include a plurality of canisters  150 ,  151  filled with, but not limited to, liquid or air. These canisters  150 ,  151  may be substantially cylindrical and may taper as they move longitudinally from a base to a seal. Furthermore, the base of canisters  150 ,  151  may be flat or formed in any desired shape. Additionally, canisters  150 ,  151  may be any known off-the-shelf or commonly available canister used for pepper spray or air horns. In a non-limiting example, these canisters  150 ,  151  may be pressurized such that their contents could be expelled from barrel  120  with such force as to reach an advancing assailant, similar to that of known compressed air or pepper spray devices. In an additional non-limiting example, the contents of at least one of canisters  150 ,  151  may include pepper spray that is dyed orange. 
         [0032]    Device  100  may also include an engagement mechanism  160 . Components of engagement mechanism  160  may be metal, rigid plastic, or any other suitable material. Engagement mechanism may further be comprised of a plate  162  and pull up  166 . Trigger  110  may functionally engage with canisters  150 ,  151  through engagement mechanism  160 . Trigger may include slide pin  114  which is shaped to substantially fit into slide slot  164  of plate  162 . Slide slot  164  may be on a diagonal angle such that when trigger  110  is moved back, slide pin  114  moving through slide slot  164  causes plate  162  to move in a substantially upward motion. Plate  162  may further be coupled to pull up  166 . Pull up  166  may be shaped to substantially fit and couple to canisters  150  in such a way that when plate  162  moves in a substantially upward motion, thereby causing pull up  166  to move in a substantially upward motion, it also causes canisters  150 ,  151  housed therein to move in a substantially upward motion. 
         [0033]    Referring generally to both the figures described above, as well as  FIGS. 4-6 , canister  150  may include valve  152 . Valve  152  may facilitate the release of the contents of canister  150  upon compression facilitated by pull up  166 . Valve  152  may be received by intake feed  124 , which may be located substantially on the near side of the bottom of barrel  120 . Intake feed  124  may be substantially hollow, allowing contents of canister  150  to flow into barrel  120 . Further, canister  151  may include valve  153 . Valve  153  may facilitate the release of the contents of canister  151  upon compression facilitated by pull up  166 . Valve  153  may be received by expulsion line  126 , which may be located on the bottom of barrel  120 . Expulsion line  126  may be substantially hollow allowing contents of canister  151  to flow through barrel  120  and expelled distally. The distance between intake feed  124  and expulsion line  126  may be sufficient to accommodate canisters  150 ,  151 . Valves  152 ,  153  may function such that when not compressed by pull up  166 , valves  152 ,  153  substantially seal canisters  150 ,  151  such that the contents may not be expelled. 
         [0034]    In one exemplary embodiment, referring generally to both the figures already described above as well as exemplary  FIG. 7 , device  100  may include trigger slide  170 . Trigger slide may be metal or any other suitable material. Trigger slide may be rigidly coupled to the bottom of barrel  120 . Trigger side  170  may further include slot  172 . Slot  172  may be oriented substantially horizontally and may be sized to properly fit slide pin  114 . Further, slot  172  may be substantially parallel to trigger slot  148  to facilitate a substantially back-and-forth range of motion for trigger  110 . When trigger  110  is depressed, slide pin  114  may move within slot  172  and slide slot  164  substantially simultaneously, thereby causing engagement mechanism  160  to move substantially vertically relative to trigger slide  170 . 
         [0035]    In a further exemplary embodiment, referring to  FIG. 8 , engagement mechanism  160  may include cross-bar  168 , coupled to the top of pull up  166 . Further, light button  136  may be coupled to the underside of barrel  120 . Light button  136  may be located in such a fashion so that when pull up  166  moves vertically, cross bar  168  pushes against and activates light button  136 . Further, light button  136  may be configured so that when it is activated, it may send a signal to light system  130 , activating lamp  132 . 
         [0036]    In the use of device  100 , it is envisioned that a user may aim the far end of barrel  120  at an assailant and depress trigger  110 . Engagement mechanism  160  may then engage with trigger  110  to move canisters  150 ,  151  in a substantially upward motion, causing valves  152 ,  153  to release the contents of canisters  150 ,  151 , which may then flow through barrel  120  toward the assailant. At substantially the same time, user may activate light system  130  which may shine a substantially bright or blinding light toward the assailant. 
         [0037]    Further exemplary embodiments may relate to both the figures described above, as well as exemplary  FIGS. 9-10 . Such examples can include any of a variety of the following features. 
         [0038]    A safety button may be located anywhere on device  100 . The safety button may be shaped in any desired fashion, and maybe a polymer or any other suitable material. Further, the safety button may be depressed with the palm of a hand or with a finger or in any other fashion, deactivating the safety system allowing trigger  110  to be depressed. 
         [0039]    In further exemplary embodiments, an intake bracket may be situated below the intakes and above canisters  150 ,  151 . The intake bracket may be made of metal or any other suitable material and may be shaped to substantially conform to the shape of device  100 . The intake bracket may have intakes located on top of the intake bracket. The intakes may act as dispersing conduits for canisters  150 ,  151 . Each intake may connect to an inlet. Further, the intakes may be substantially hollow to allow sufficient passage of non-limiting examples such as, pressurized liquid and air. Additionally, there may be non-impeding activating pins located in the openings of the intakes located below the intake bracket and adjacent to canisters  150 ,  151 . The activating pins may be made of metal or any other suitable material, and may be substantially sharp or pointed, so as to be able to puncture a thin strip of metal. 
         [0040]    Canisters  150 ,  151  may have a seal that contains the pressurized contents until discharge. Upon discharge, the contents of the pressurized canisters may pass through the intake feeds and into a barrel of the device directed away from the user. 
         [0041]    In one example, there may be a can housing located at the base of the canisters. The can housing may be a polymer or any other suitable material. This can housing may be flat on the bottom, with a plurality of cavities that may be substantially shaped like a base portion of canisters. These cavities may be formed through a raised lip surrounding the perimeter and extending longitudinally from the bottom of the can housing. The width of the bottom and the lip of the can housing may be sufficient to provide support and conformity to canisters. 
         [0042]    Additionally, there may be a can flap located beneath the can housing. The can flap may be substantially rectangular with an can engaging section and a trigger stick section. The can flap may be a polymer, metal or any other suitable material. These two portions may make up substantially half each of can flap. Furthermore, there may be two cylindrical pegs in the middle that may act as fulcrum to the can flap lever. Additionally, trigger stick section may have a substantially depressed cavity located at the distal end and may have dimensions similar to the bottom of trigger stick. 
         [0043]    Also, the trigger stick may be located adjacent to the canister, below the trigger, and within the depressed cavity of the can flap. The trigger stick may be substantially rectangular until the top, which may end in a cylindrical trigger pin. Moreover, the trigger stick may be a metal, polymer, or any other suitable material. Upon depression of the trigger, trigger pin may be engaged by the trigger driving the trigger stick downwards, which may push the trigger stick section of the can flap down causing the can engaging section to push up on the bottom of the can housing. 
         [0044]    The top of the trigger may have a cylindrical empty space that may allow the trigger to couple with a cylindrical rotation pin. A rotation pin may allow the trigger to be depressed with the force of human finger. 
         [0045]    The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
         [0046]    Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.