Portable personal security system

A battery powered portable personal alarm system is contained within a bag having a carrying theft-resistant strap to avoid theft of the alarm system while being carried. The bag houses a siren and a visual signal generator located proximate openings therein for generating a loud distinguishable noise and a visual signal. An arming switch and panic switch allow simultaneously activation of the siren and the visual signal. The visual signal generator can be a spark flare and ignitor contained within a removable fire resistant chamber mounted on a base plate disposed within the bag. Installation of the fire resistant chamber simultaneously establishes the electrical connection of the fire resistant chamber, allowing convenient and fail-safe replacement of the spark flare and ignitor after use. The visual signal can also be a high intensity strobe lamp which emits a high-intensity and high frequency light signal through a visual window. The visual signal can also include a smoke generator for producing visible smoke. The panic switch can be a rotatable key lock switch, a key fob coupled with a activation receiver or an external panic button on exterior of the bag.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a device for providing personal security. 
More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable personal 
security device having an audio and visual alarm for attracting attention 
to an emergency situation and being capable of being camouflaged as an 
ordinary accessory, such as a handbag or gym bag. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In modern America and other places in the world, crime has reached epidemic 
proportions. Newspaper headlines daily chronicle this wave of violence 
against innocent citizens. This is no more so the case than in urban 
areas. One facet of these phenomena, among many, is the inability of 
law-abiding citizens to attract attention to themselves when confronted by 
a criminal intent on committing a violent act. This arises from the 
relative anonymity prevailing in today's society and the fact that many 
people are unknown to others. 
Various strategies attempt to address the foregoing problem of 
inconspicuous crimes against persons, at least at the primary crime scene. 
For example, providing and remaining in well-lit areas and among crowds 
generally is considered a successful method of avoiding opportunistic 
criminals. However, it is not always possible to do so. Accordingly, 
various devices have been developed to decrease the inconspicuousness of 
persons away from their homes. 
One such device reflecting a passive approach, taught by U.S. Pat. No. 
3,881,534, includes a handbag provided with an detachable inner purse 
secured to a chain attached to the user. When a purse-snatcher attempts to 
forcibly steal the purse, the detachable inner purse holding the user's 
valuables remains attached to the user and defeats the objectives of the 
criminal. Although possibility contributing to "creating a scene" during 
the criminal event, such devices do not actively do so and accordingly do 
not effectively draw attention to the criminal act so that help can be 
summoned from other citizens or the police. 
Another device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,290 as an audible alarm 
coupled between a woman's purse and purse handle. A sudden force exerted 
on the purse handle activates the audio alarm, such as during a purse 
snatching event. However, the device is only operable during a purse 
snatching event and would be useless as a means of attracting attention 
for other, often more serious, crimes. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,309 
discloses a hand-held audio alarm unit fueled by compressed gas that 
automatically activates when released, for example, through the sudden 
reaction of a crime victim. A drawback of this approach is that the 
automatic activation feature tends to promote false alarms and depletion 
of the compressed gas, possibly rendering it inoperative when needed. 
Another approach is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,804. There, a triggering 
mechanism for providing effective and fail-safe activation is combined 
with a flashlight, a compressed gas source and a noise generator, 
dispersed dye and/or an odoriferous spray. The major shortcoming of this 
approach, as with each of the foregoing examples of the personal alarms of 
the prior art, is that each device relies on only sound as the means to 
attract attention to the crime scene. Especially in noisy or congested 
areas, sound alone would not immediately attract attention to the crime 
scene, especially at a distance. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the foregoing drawbacks associated with the state of the 
art prior as compared to the present invention, it is an object of the 
present invention to provide women and men with a means of portable 
personal security while away from home. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable 
personal security system that will simultaneously emit audio and visual 
distress signals when activated. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable 
personal security system which, once activated, will continue to function 
despite a criminal's attempt to shut the unit off. 
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide men and 
women with with the ability to carrying everyday items in a compartment of 
a personal security system. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide users with a bag 
that contains a personal, multi-alarm distress system that can be seen and 
heard for over great distances. 
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a portable 
personal security system provided with an anti-theft strap, such that the 
anti-theft strap prevents the personal security system from easily being 
taken from the user when activated. 
These and additional objects of the present invention may be determined 
from a review of the instant disclosure, disclosing a portable personal 
security system having multiple distress signals for attracting attention 
to a crime scene. The system is powered by a battery pack and is contained 
within the body of a carrying bag having a carrying strap, an interior 
component compartment and a space for holding personal items. A siren and 
a visual signal generator are disposed within the component compartment 
proximate openings for generating a loud distinguishable noise and a 
visual signal. An arming switch is first placed in an "armed" position, 
such that a panic switch simultaneously activates the siren and the visual 
signal. 
The visual signal generator preferably includes a spark flare and an 
ignitor electrically mounted on a base plate disposed within the component 
compartment and connected with the battery pack. The spark flare and the 
ignitor are contained within a removable fire resistant chamber 
electrically connected to the battery pack and the switches, such that 
attachment of the fire resistant chamber to the base plate simultaneously 
establishes the electrical connection of the fire resistant chamber to the 
battery pack, allowing convenient and fail-safe replacement of the spark 
flare and ignitor after use. 
The visual signal can also comprise a high intensity strobe lamp 
electrically connected with the battery pack, whereupon actuation emits a 
high-intensity and high frequency light signal through the visual window. 
The visual signal can also include a smoke generator for producing visible 
smoke. 
The panic switch is preferably a rotatable key lock switch located on the 
inner front side of the external skin of the bag, having an "on" and "off" 
position operated by a removable key. The system is activated only upon 
turning the key to the "on" position and can be deactivated upon turning 
the key to the "off" position. Alternatively, the panic switch can include 
a key fob having a pressure sensitive switch coupled with a activation 
receiver disposed within the component compartment, such that the system 
is activated only upon depression of the pressure sensitive switch and 
deactivated only upon turning the arming switch to the "unarmed" position. 
The system is preferable provided with a strap having a thin cable screwed 
into frame of the bag to avoid theft of the portable personal security 
system while being carried. 
Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become 
apparent upon a consideration of the following detailed description, when 
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The following is a description of the best mode presently contemplated for 
carrying out the invention. Other modes of carrying out the invention, 
without departing from the scope of the invention, will become apparent to 
those skilled in the art as the description proceeds. 
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a leather bag 10 is shown for application 
of the present invention. Although sizes can vary, the preferably size is 
13 inches by 81/2 inches by 41/2 inches. Also, although a woman's handbag 
is herein disclosed, other bags, such as gym bags, backpacks, knapsacks 
and fanny belts, can beneficially accommodate the portable personal 
security system of the present invention. As best shown in FIG. 2, a hole 
12, preferably a circular opening, is provided in the bag 10 within which 
is situated a rotatable key lock panic switch 14 having an "on" and "off" 
position and a removable key. A distress signal window 16 is provided, 
also preferably as a small circular opening, in the back outer comer of 
the bag 10. A siren window 18, preferably a larger circular opening, is 
situated on the front of the bag 10 and is covered by a siren window 
screen 20, preferably fabricated of thin speaker cloth, covering the siren 
window 18. 
A component compartment 22, discussed herein below, is provided within the 
bag 10 and a zipper 24 is situated to close and fasten the top of the bag 
10 and the component compartment 22. A key-type zipper lock 26 is 
preferentially provided to allow locking of the component 22. A second 
carrying compartment 28 can be used to carry everyday personal items and 
is similarly fastened closed with a zipper 30. The size and placement of 
the second carrying compartment 28 can, of course, vary according to the 
nature and styling requirements of the bag 10. Front and back strap holes 
32 accept two screws (not shown) having steel hoops 38, 40 for fastening a 
strap 34 to the bag 10 at opposite ends for carrying the bag 10. The strap 
34 is preferentially provided with an internal wire cable 36. Exterior 
padding 42 around the anti-theft wire cable 36 increases the comfort of 
carrying the bag 10. 
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a 
fire resistant aluminum shield 37 lines the bottom of the component 
compartment 22 proximate the distress signal window 16, which as discussed 
below forms the base for a fire resistant compartment. As best seen in 
FIGS. 4 and 6, the component compartment 22 is provided with a base 46 
having a length and width roughly that of the bag 10. The base 46 is 
preferably fabricated of wood (for lower weight and combustion resistance) 
and is attached by screws at its bottom surface to a brace 48 manufactured 
from a formable metal strip shaped in a 90 degree angle. The brace 48 thus 
also extends vertically along the back side of the bag 10 (proximate the 
distress signal window 16) to form a back corner brace 50. A mounting 
brace 62 is attached to the back comer brace 50, to which is further 
attached a switch brace 52 as a horizontally orientated metal section 
attached by screws to and near the top of the back comer brace 50 and to 
the mounting brace 62. Corner brace extensions 54 comprise two 90 degree 
angled short metal sections likewise attached by screws both to the switch 
brace 52 and to the bottom of a switch base 56. The switch base 56 is a 
rectangular section supporting an arming switch 58 and a system power test 
button 60, as will be discussed below. The mounting brace 62 also include 
a tapped strap brace hole 64 aligned with the strap hole 32. 
Also attached by screws to the base 46 and the brace 48 are two key braces 
66, which are two 90 degree angled metal sections. A key base 68, a small 
rectangular section, is screwed to key braces 66 for supporting the 
activating rotatable key panic switch 14, which controls a 12 volts 
battery power pack 69 to power the audio and visual signals of the present 
invention, the system being activated only upon turning the key to the 
"on" position with the system armed and deactivated upon turning the key 
to the "off" position or placing the arming switch 58 to the "off" 
position. 
Battery braces 70 are fabricated from two vertical, formable metal sections 
screwed into the bottom of the base 46 and extend vertically upward to 
support a battery base 72. Battery base 72 is preferably a seven (7) inch 
long metal plate screwed to the battery braces 70. Two cases 74 each hold 
preferably four (4) AA 1.5 volt batteries and are each attached to the 
battery base 72. Thus eight (8) AA batteries 76, connected in series, are 
available to generate 12 volts of electricity for the system. 
A siren horn 78 is screwed to a front section of the base 46 and brace 48. 
The siren 78 is preferably an electric siren obtained from Tandy 
Corporation, located in Fort Worth, Tex., as Model No. 49-488f. As is 
known, applying electrical power to the siren via panic switch 14 provides 
the system with the audio signal according to the present invention, which 
is communicated to the outside world and the criminal via sound opening 
18. Alternatively, the siren horn 78 can be a compressed gas type with a 
suitable triggering mechanism. 
A visual effect cartridge 80 is a rectangular fire resistant compartment 
within which the visual signaling effects are placed. As a particularly 
beneficial aspect of the present invention, the cartridge 80 is removable, 
so that a spent cartridge 80 can be readily replaced. The cartridge 80 is 
provided with two cartridge connectors 82, one being a positive line 
connected to a positive terminal of an ignitor 86 and to a positive 
terminal of an effects cartridge power test button 88 and a second 
connector being a negative line connected to the negative terminals of 
each of the ignitor 86 and effects cartridge power test button 88. Two 
base connectors 84 are metal slots mounted to the base 46 and brace 48, 
and serve as inputs for the visual signal effect conductor connectors 82. 
One of the base connectors 84 is electrically connected to the positive 
terminal of the panic switch 14 and the other of the base connectors 84 is 
electrically connected to the negative terminal of the batteries 76. The 
cartridge connectors 82 are mounted on adjacent sides of the cartridge 80, 
and are shaped to provide tension, for a solid connection, when fitted 
onto two base connectors 84. Thus, the cartridge 80, during replacement, 
readily locks into position for a fail-safe installation. The effects 
cartridge power test button 88, mounted on the top of an aluminum 
fire-resistant lid 90, is used to indicate to the user that the cartridge 
80 is properly installed and connected. 
An effects brace 92, fabricated from a formable metal strip, secures a 
spark flare 94 to the cartridge 80. Optionally, a smoke effect source 96 
can be similarly mounted. The spark flare 94, and optionally the smoke 
effect source 96, are ignited by the ignitor 86 when the panic switch 14 
is placed in the "on" position, whereupon the spark flare 94 provides a 20 
second spark fountain shooting preferably between 8 and 12 feet from bag 
10 through the distress signal window 16. The optional smoke generator 96 
preferably provides a 5 to 10 second smoke signal. The spark flare 94, 
smoke effect source 96 and ignitor 86 are manufactured and/or distributed 
by Luna Tech, Inc. located in Owens Cross Road, Ala. The ignitor 86 is a 
covered electrical wire with an exposed "U" shaped wire tip fitting into 
the spark flare 94 and, if present, fitting into the smoke generator 86. 
When an electrical signal is received, the wire tip ignites the spark and 
smoke effects. 
Alternatively, the visual signal can be obtained through a high intensity 
strobe lamp similarly connected to the battery pack, whereupon actuation 
produces a high-intensity and high frequency light signal through the 
distress signal window 16. This visual signal can also include a smoke 
generator for producing visible smoke. 
An additional feature which may be included in the portable personal 
security system of the present invention, especially with a high intensity 
strobe lamp as the visual signal, can include one or more small cameras 
and, if necessary, camera flash units preferably located proximate the 
visual distress window 16. In addition to simultaneously activating the 
audio and visual distress signals, the system could also potentially 
provide the user with a photograph of the criminal for use as physical 
evidence at a later time. Alternatively, additional visual windows 16 can 
be provided as necessary, preferably on the front and exposed side 
surfaces of the bag 10, exposing the cameras and flash units to the 
maximum field of view possible. Flaps normally fixed closed by Velcro 
could be used to maintain the appearance of bag 10. 
A front strap brace 98 is formed from a formable metal section attached to 
the bottom of the battery base 72. A 90 degree front section of the front 
strap brace is similarly provided with tapped hole 64 for attaching the 
strap 36. The lid 90 of the cartridge 80 is held in place by screws 100. A 
battery cover 102, shown in FIG. 5, provides a thin rectangular cover for 
the batteries. It is preferably held in place by Velcro fasteners for 
ready replacement of the system batteries 76. 
Functionally, each distress signal device located in the bag has a positive 
lead and a negative lead. The positive lead from the batteries 76 are 
connected to the positive terminal of the arming switch 58 and the system 
power test button 60. The negative terminal of the arming switch 58 is 
then connected to the negative terminal of the panic switch 14. The 
positive terminal of panic switch 14 is split into two leads, one each to 
the positive terminals of the ignitor 86 and the siren 78. The negative 
terminals of each of the ignitor 86 and siren 78 are then connected to the 
battery's negative line, along with the negative terminals of the system 
power test button 60. 
In operation, the portable personal security system of the present 
invention is easy to operate with high effectiveness. Preferably, if 
incorporated into a woman's handbag, it is worn near the waist with the 
shoulder strap extending across the torso and over the shoulder opposite 
the side whereon the device is carried. This provides the user with easy 
excess to the panic turn key switch 14. Before using the alarm bag, the 
bag zipper 24 is unlocked and zipped open, exposing the component 
compartment 22 and the arming switch 58, the system power test button 60 
and the effects cartridge power test button 88. Depressing the system 
power test button 60 tests the charge of the batteries 76 and depressing 
the effects cartridge power test button 88 tests the electrical 
connections of the cartridge, whereupon, if all is satisfactory, 
preferably a red lamp in each is activated. To disable the power test 
circuits, the power test buttons 60, 88 are again depressed. Next, the 
arming switch 58 is placed in the "on" position. The portable personal 
security system of the present invention is now armed and ready for use. 
The bag 10 is then zipped closed. 
To use the now armed portable personal security system of the present 
invention, the user inserts a key into the panic switch 14. While in a 
potentially dangerous environment, one hand is kept on the key at all 
times. When the user feels threatened, the user simply turns the panic 
switch 14 clockwise, as quickly as possible, to close the circuit to the 
siren 78 and effects cartridge 80. The siren is activated and begins to 
emit a loud distinctive noise through the sound window 18, preferably at 
least about 105 decibels, while the ignitor 86 ignites the spark flare 94 
(and optional smoke generator 96) providing a signal visible from more 
than 200 yards away from the crime scene. After the alarm has been 
activated, the user removes the key, preventing the criminal from quickly 
turning off the siren. 
Alternatively, the rotatable key lock panic switch 14 can be replaced with 
a hand-held remote key fob having a pressure sensitive panic switch 
coupled with a activation receiver disposed within the component 
compartment 22 or simply a panic button on the exterior of the bag. The 
system is activated only upon depression of the pressure sensitive panic 
switch or the exterior panic button with the system armed and deactivated 
only upon turning the arming switch 58 to the "unarmed" position. 
After use of the preferred embodiment of the portable personal security 
system of the present invention described above, it is recommended that 
the user allow the effects cartridge 80 to cool. Later, in a well 
ventilated area, the user can remove the effects cartridge 80, place the 
spent effects cartridge 80 into an air tight bag for later processing and 
install a new effects cartridge 80 onto the base 46 and frame 48 through 
the connectors 82, 84. It is envisioned that the used effects cartridge 80 
be returned to a local retailer, whereupon the user may purchase a 
replacement effects cartridge as a spare. 
The portable personal security system of the present invention will 
increase the likelihood of women and men escaping violent crimes and 
reduce purse snatching, as well as deter criminals by providing users with 
several simultaneous distress alarm signals heard and seen from great 
distances from the crime scene. These signals will inform any and every 
person, preferably within a 200 yard radius, that the user is being 
threatened, therefore warding the perpetrator away from the scene and 
promoting assistance from fellow citizens or law enforcement officials. 
The objects and advantages of the invention have been shown to be attained 
in an economical, practical and facile manner. To wit, persons requiring 
effective personal security may now avail themselves of an immediately 
available audio and visual alarm device which may be conveniently carried 
and camouflaged as an ordinary accessory. 
While embodiments of the invention have been herein illustrated and 
described, it is to be appreciated that various changes, rearrangements 
and modifications may be made therein, without departing from the scope of 
the invention as defined by the appended claims.