Personal and portable alarm apparatus

A personal alarm apparatus for preventing or stopping attackers from attacking women. The alarm apparatus having a attachment system for affixing to the front middle strap of a bra and having a shock sensing mechanism that is triggered when the women is attacked. The apparatus is also activated by voice recognition and manual override. Additionally, when the alarm is activated, a transmitter sends a signal to the victim's car alarm system to activate the car alarm for additional attention. The personal device is to be worn and attached onto the bra of the female and concealed under the garment she is wearing.

BACKGROUND 
1. Field of the Invention 
Generally, this invention is directed towards an alarm system for deterring 
criminals and attackers. More specifically, this invention relates to a 
personal and portable alarm system that affixes to a woman's bra, emits an 
audio signal, and is activated via shock sensor, voice recognition and 
manual override. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Today, with the increase of attacks on individuals, particularly women, 
alarms systems have become the norm for personal protection. In U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,333,203, "A cylindrical personal protection device is disclosed 
having an aerosol cylinder with a nozzle, a light and a removable safety 
cap. In an embodiment with dual cylinders, the cylinders contain a 
deterrent spray and a glowing liquid. A trigger proximate the cylinders 
expels the contents of the cylinders where they are mixed prior to 
expulsion. A body section has a battery receiving area and an alarm. The 
electronics connect the battery receiving area, trigger, alarm and light. 
The electronics activates the light and alarm, in response to activation 
of the trigger, causing them to pulse simultaneously. The cylinders and 
the body portion are removably connected to one another. A safety lid 
prevents activation of the trigger." 
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,698, "A key chain alarm and light is disclosed that 
overcomes the problems associated with prior art personal alarms. The 
invention combines the functionality of a key chain, flashlight and an 
alarm into a unitary assembly. The invention is physically diminutive in 
size and ergonomically shaped to facilitate its handling. However, it 
produces an audible alarm significantly louder than other prior art 
devices. The invention utilizes a unique speaker assembly to produce an 
extremely loud alarm signal. A piezoelectric transducer provides the 
vibratory medium. The vibrations produced by the transducer are 
acoustically focused and harmoniously amplified by an acoustic chamber 
before passing into a reverberation chamber. The reverberation chamber 
also increases the amplitude of the sound waves before selectively 
releasing them to produce the alarm signal. This signal immediately draws 
attention to the user in emergency situations. The alarm is easily 
activated by simply moving a switch to activate the alarm. The alarm can 
also be easily deactivated by reversing the switch. The switch also 
cooperatively activates the light. A push button on the exterior of the 
casing of the key chain alarm and light must also be depressed to activate 
the light." 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,180, "A cylindrical personal protection device is 
disclosed having an ampule section containing a flexible, multi-chamber 
ampule with a nozzle, a light and a removable safety cap. The ampule 
contains a deterrent spray and a glowing liquid. At least a portion of the 
ampule portion is removable allowing access to the ampule. A trigger 
proximate the ampule extends beyond the periphery of the ampule section. A 
body section has a battery receiving area and an alarm. The electronics 
connect the battery receiving area, trigger, alarm and light. The 
electronics activates the light and alarm, in response to activation of 
the trigger, causing them to pulse simultaneously. The ampule portion and 
the body portion are removably connected to one another. At least a pair 
of protective bumpers prevent damage. A safety pin prevents the trigger 
from contacting the ampule and partial removal of the safety pin allows 
the trigger to contact the ampule, expelling the contents of the ampule, 
and activating the alarm and light." 
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,881, an "Alarm apparatus which generates a 
repetitive sound wave having at least two pulses of predetermined 
frequencies within a predetermined interval of time. A resonator generates 
the clock frequency therefor. The resonator may have a low tolerance of 
less than about 0.1 percent so that at least two pulses may be detected by 
a receiver having a similarly low tolerance so that false triggering of 
the receiver by other transmitters or background noise may be prevented. A 
plug is inserted into the alarm housing to maintain circuitry for 
initiating operation thereof open. Pulling of the plug from the housing 
allows the circuitry to close to initiate operation of the alarm. A push 
button is provided on the end of the plug to close the circuitry for 
initiating operation of the alarm while the plug is inserted into the 
apparatus. Once the alarm has been initiated, the circuitry is such that 
the alarm cannot be inactivated except by removal of the internal power 
source." 
While some of the prior art may contain some similarities relating to the 
present invention, none of them teach, suggest or include all of the 
advantages and unique features of a personal alarm system that attaches to 
the bra of a female and is activated by either shock or voice recognition. 
SUMMARY 
The present invention is directed towards a personal alarm system that 
would prevent or stop an attacker from assaulting a victim. The system is 
design to be activated with either a shock sensor or voice activating from 
the victim. A manual activation button is also incorporated. Additionally, 
when the alarm is activated, a transmitter sends a signal to the victim's 
car alarm system to activate the car alarm for additional attention. The 
personal device is intended to be worn and attached onto the bra of the 
female and concealed under the garment she is wearing. 
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a personal alarm 
system that can be attached to a bra of a female and concealed under the 
clothing being worn. 
Another object of this invention to provide a personal alarm system that 
will emit an audio signal when activated. 
Still another object of this invention to provide a personal alarm system 
that will be activated by a shock sensor. When and if the victim wearing 
the device is attacked, the device will automatically emit an audio 
transmission. 
A further object of this invention is to provide a personal alarm system 
that will be activated by voice activation. When and if the victim wearing 
the device is attacked, the victim simply says or yells a key word such 
as, "Help", and the personal alarm will be activated. 
Still a further object of this invention is to provide a personal alarm 
system that will be activated by a manual button. When and if the victim 
wearing the device is attacked, the victim simply presses the activation 
button to activate the alarm system. 
Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will become 
apparent from reading the following detailed description of a preferred 
embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

LIST OF ELEMENTS 
1. Personal alarm apparatus 
2. Central processor 
3. Memory chip 
4. Power supply 
5. Transmitter 
6. Upper bra strap 
7. Microphone 
8. Shock sensor 
9. Manual activation 
10. Speaker 
11. Side of apparatus 
12. Top supporting member 
13. Affixing hook 
14. Middle bra strap 
15. Speaker holes 
16. Bra 
17. Audio signal 
18. Infrared signal 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, starting with FIG. 1, we see a personal alarm 
apparatus 1 affixed to the front middle strap 14 of a typical women's bra. 
The alarm apparatus 1 is shown in an active mode emitting an audio signal 
17 to scare away would be attackers and to get the attention of 
surrounding people. The apparatus 1 is affixed to the strap 14 of the bra 
via hook 13. 
FIG. 2 shows a block flow diagram of the primary components used in the 
personal alarm apparatus 1. Typically, a battery or power supply 4 
supplies power to a central processor 2 or circuit board whereby the 
central processor is used to control and activate the components of the 
apparatus 1. A speaker 10 is used to transmit audio signals 17 outward 
from the apparatus via holes 15 to scare away attackers and attract would 
be helpers. Depending upon the type of speaker 10 used, an ultra high 
frequency, ultra high decibel signal 17 is emitted from the speaker 10. 
Verbal audio messages can be integrated into the audio signal 17 to 
transmit specific messages. 
The microphone 7 shown in FIG. 2 is used primarily for the voice-activated 
version of the apparatus 1. Initially, the apparatus is programmed to be 
activated by a key word such as, "Help." The user first states the key 
word into the microphone 7 using her own voice. Voice recognition software 
from the memory storage 3 scans and records the person's specific voice 
signature back into the memory storage 3. The microphone 7 continuously 
scans for the key audio signal "Help" from the user's specific voice 
signature. Once the key audio signal has been detected and matches with 
the specific voice signature from the user, the alarm apparatus 1 is 
activated and the speaker 10 is turned on thereby transmitting an audio 
signal. 
Many times a user can be shocked by an attacker and attacked before any 
defensive action can be taken. If the user or victim in this case is 
struck anywhere in close proximity to the apparatus, a built-in shock 
sensor 8 senses this shock and activates the alarm apparatus. A shock 
sensor 8 is added to the personal alarm apparatus 1 to activate the alarm 
system when the user is attacked or hit by an attacker in close proximity 
to the device 1. The shock sensor 8 works in a similar manner as with the 
shock sensors used in automobile alarm and toys. When the apparatus 1 is 
jolted suddenly the shock sensor senses this movement and activates the 
alarm. 
In addition to the shock sensor and voice activation is a manual activation 
button 9 that can be manually pressed to activate the personal alarm 
apparatus. If for some reason the automated triggers of the voice 
recognition and shock sensor fail to work, a manual button 9 is provided 
to allow the user to manual activate the alarm apparatus 1. 
Many victims are attacked in parking lots in close proximity to their 
vehicles. In addition, many people today have automobile alarms installed 
in their vehicle that can be activated via an infrared signal form their 
key-chain remote. Another unique feature of this invention is the built-in 
transmitter 5 incorporated into the apparatus 1. When the personal alarm 
is activated via shock sensor, voice recognition, or manual, the built-in 
transmitter 5 sends a signal to the user's vehicle to activate the alarm 
system of the vehicle. The alarm system ads further attention-grabbing 
noise to the vicinity of the attack. 
FIGS. 3-5 shows a simple attachment means in which a hook 13 fits over most 
bra strap 14 in the middle front portion. To install the apparatus 1, the 
user simply slides the hook or snap hook over the top portion of the strap 
14. Gravity and the snug fit from the hook maintain the apparatus 1 in the 
proper position. 
Since minor changes and modifications varied to fit particular operating 
requirements and environment will be understood by those skilled in the 
art, the invention is not considered limited to the specific examples 
chosen for purposes of illustration, and includes all changes and 
modifications which do not constitute a departure from the true spirit and 
scope of this invention as claimed in the following claims and reasonable 
equivalents to the claimed elements.