Abstract:
A security bag includes a body having an interior for receiving articles, a closure attached to or formed integrally with the body and openable to gain access to the body interior and a pair of catches closing the closure to the body. A security device co-operates with each catch to enable the closure to be opened without sounding an alarm but only when both catches are operated in unison or within a predetermined time of one another. The security device also alerts the user when the bag is not properly closed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to bag or case. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a handbag, satchel or briefcase having a pair of closing catches, each associated with an in-built security system. 
   Unfortunately, carrying a handbag or briefcase in public runs the risk of attracting unwanted attention from pickpockets and bag snatchers. One is particularly at risk in crowded public areas, on public transport and in restaurants. Bags might be snatched, or tampered with in a light-fingered manner unbeknownst to the owner while the bag is still in his or her possession. 
   Many handbags for example have a pair of closing catches. A light-fingered bag-tamperer might open, or at least attempted to open one catch without opening, or attempting to open the other catch to gain access to the bag&#39;s interior. Similarly, a bag snatcher after escaping from the crime scene with a bag having two catches might open, or attempt to open one catch somewhat prior to opening, or attempting to open the other. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a bag or case having a pair of closing catches wired to an internal alarm system which would sound an alarm, should one of the catches be opened and the other not opened within a predetermined time interval. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bag or case having a pair of closing catches co-operating with one another in such a manner that both catches must be manipulated simultaneously in order to open the bag or case. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to alert the user when the bag is not properly closed. 
   Definitions 
   As used henceforth herein, the word “bag” is intended to encompass all sorts of handbags, cases, briefcases, satchels, suitcases, document cases, boxes, money boxes and other receptacles within which personal, confidential or valuable articles for example might be carried. 
   As used herein, the word “catch” is intended to encompass clips, press-studs, magnetic button tabs, locks and any other devices suitable for closing a bag. 
   DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
   There is disclosed herein a bag comprising:
         a body having an interior for receiving articles,   a closure attached to or formed integrally with the body and openable to gain access to the body interior,   a pair of catches closing the closure to the body, and   security means co-operating with each catch enabling the closure to be opened without sounding an alarm but only when both catches are operated in unison or within a predetermined time of one another.       

   In one form of the invention the security means might comprise a control circuit connected electrically to each catch, and a siren for sounding an alarm. 
   In this embodiment each catch might comprise a body-mounted component connected electrically to the control circuit and a closure-mounted component connected electrically to the control circuit and wherein each body-mounted component is connected electrically with its respective closure-mounted component when the closure is closed. 
   Each body-mounted component might be attracted magnetically to its associated closure-mounted component. 
   Preferably the predetermined time is about three or four seconds or less. 
   Alternatively, each body-mounted component might be latched mechanically to its associated closure-mounted component. 
   In this form of the invention each catch can comprise a body-mounted component and a closure-mounted component and wherein one of those components comprises first and second movable members interacting with the other component. 
   Preferably the first movable member of one catch is connected to the second movable member of the other catch and the second movable member of said one catch is connected to the first movable member of said other catch. 
   The connections might be via Bowden cables. 
   The movable members are preferably spring-biased into contact with said other component. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective illustration of a bag in having its closure in a closed configuration, 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective illustration of the bag of  FIG. 1  having its closure in an open configuration and also showing components of an internal security alarm system, 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of the security alarm system of  FIG. 2 , 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective illustration of a catch used in an alternative security bag, 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional elevational view of two of the catches of  FIG. 4 , 
       FIGS. 6A  to  6 C are schematic plan views of the pair of catches of  FIG. 5  in various in-use configurations, 
       FIGS. 7A  to  7 C are schematic cross sectional elevational views of an alternative catch structure, and 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic circuit diagram of the control circuitry portion of the diagram of FIG.  3 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In  FIGS. 1  to  3  of the accompanying drawings there is depicted schematically the bag  10 . The bag  10  might be a document carrier or other bag as defined herein. It might be made of leather, fabric or synthetic material for example. 
   The bag  10  includes a body  11  having a closure  12  in the form of a soft flap, but this might alternatively be a rigid lid, depending upon the nature of the bag.  FIG. 1  shows a pair of catch components  13  and  14  attached to the closure  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , there are corresponding catch components  15  and  16  attached to the body  11 . Components  15  and  16  might be attracted magnetically or mechanically to the respective components  13  and  14 . No matter what actual form the catches take, there is intended to be an electrical interaction between them and therefore they ought to be metallic, or formed of other electrically conductive material, or at least have electrically conductive contact parts. 
   Wires  19  extent from each of the components  13 ,  14 ,  15  and  16  to a control circuit  17 A that is located together with battery  17 B in a pack  17 . The wires would be concealed within a lining of the bag. 
   An example of control circuitry is shown in FIG.  8  and will not be described in detail. The control circuitry  17 A of  FIG. 8  receives its power from the battery  17 B. The battery pack  17  has a power-indication light or LED  18  visible from the bag exterior. 
   In an alternative construction (not shown) the LED might be visible inside the bag only. The LED might provide an indication as to the charge state of the battery and the on/off status of the circuit. 
   There is a siren  20  connected electrically to the control is circuit  17 A by conductors. The siren  20  and its conductors would typically be concealed within the lining of the bag  10 . The siren might produce different sounds. For example one tone or sound sequence might indicate tampering, another might indicate that the closure is not properly closed. Another tone or sound sequence might indicate a low battery. Another might indicate that the temporary off switch S is activated and other sounds as sequences might indicate other statuses. 
   The control circuitry  17 A monitors for an opened electric circuit. That is, there is normally a closed electric circuit associated with each catch. 
   If one of the catch components  13  or  14  is lifted away from the body  11  and its associated body-mounted catch component, the control circuitry will commence a countdown, typically of three or four seconds. If the other catch is not opened before the countdown ends, the siren  20  will sound. Similarly, if one of the wire loops  19  is severed with scissors or a knife, the siren  20  will sound unless the other wire loop is severed or its associated catch opened within the predetermined time interval. When both circuits (cathces) are opened, the circuitry will commence another countdown for a predetermined period of time, say 60 seconds. When the predetermined period of time has expired and the control circuit is not reset, the alarm unit will be triggered to sound the siren in a different tone or sound sequence to alert the user that the closure of the bag is not properly closed. 
   The circuitry would stop monitoring for an opened circuit until both circuits are closed upon closing each catch. 
   Furthermore, the control circuitry can include a “temporarily off” switch S. Physically, the switch would be concealed behind the material from which the bag is made, but activatable by the application of finger pressure through that material. When the switch S is pressed, it will shut down the alarm system for a predetermined period of time, say 60 seconds. When this time has elapsed, the circuit will reset. This would assist the user to open the bag without triggering the alarm unit within the predetermined period of time. This “temporarily off” switch might be triggered by pressing it directly or by “opening and closing” either one of the catches one or more times. 
   According to the above, the alarm unit will not be triggered if one of the following occurs:
     1. The time duration between opening the two catches within the predetermined period of time (say three or four seconds), or   2. The “temporarily off” switch is pressed/activated, or   3. Either one of the catches is “opened and closed” one time or more within the predetermined period of time.   

   The alarm unit will be triggered to sound the siren by one of the following actions:
     1. The time duration between opening the two catches is longer than the predetermined period of time and the “temporarily off” switch is not activated.   2. One or both catches are not closed within the predetermined period of time, such as say 60 seconds, irrespective of the position of the “temporary off” switch.   

   The control circuit is reset and the alarm unit is silent when:
         1. Both catches are closed, or   2. when the “temporary off” switch is activated and the predetermined period of time has expired.       

   An alternative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 A, B and C. In this embodiment, there is no audible alarm, but there is nevertheless a security system co-operating with each catch. One catch is shown in  FIG. 4  to comprise a first catch component  15  which might be that attached to either the closure  12  or body  11 . Component  15  comprises an upward extending boss  29  having a mushroom-shaped helmet. There is a pair of plates  21  and  22  spring-biased by springs  25  and  26  toward the boss  29 . When either or both plates  21  and  22  are pressed against the boss  29 , the catch cannot be opened as the mushroom-shaped helmet extends over an edge of the respective plate. 
   There is a Bowden cable  23  attached to plate  21  and another Bowden cable  24  attached to the plate  22 . With reference to  FIGS. 6A  to  6 C, cables  23  and  24  are reverse-associated with corresponding plate components at the other catch of the bag. The plates  21  and  28  would be associated with block-activation buttons on the bag. These buttons would have to be individually moved away from one another to open the bag. If one such button is moved away from the other, the bag could not be opened unless the other button is simultaneously moved in the opposite direction. Moreover, if plate  21  is moved to the left both it and plate  27  will move away from the respective bosses  29 . However the other plates  22  and  28  will remain in contact with the respective bosses  29  unless they too a moved by manipulation of the other button (attached to plate  28 ). Someone intending to interfere with the bag in a light-fingered manner will not necessarily know this and therefore will not be able to open one of the catches separately. 
   In  FIGS. 7A  to  7 C alternative to what is shown in  FIGS. 6A  to  6 C is shown. In this alternative, instead of movable plates  21  and  22 , there are fingers  27  and  28 , each having a barb  30  received beneath a lip  31  of a box or a C-shaped catch component  16 . Springs  25  and  26  are shown schematically and will be anchored to the catch component  16 . In all other respects, functionality of the embodiment of  FIGS. 7A  to  7 C is the same as that of the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS. 6A  to  6 C. 
   It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of using Bowden cables in the second embodiment, any mechanical linkage or even an electrical linkage via wires and solenoids could be adopted. 
   Furthermore, in the electromechanical embodiment (FIGS.  1  through to  4 ), instead of having wires attached to each component of each catch, wiring could be reduced by having a pair of conductors extending to just one of the catch components—say the body-mounted component. The body-mounted component could have a switch activated upon interaction with the closure-mounted component.