Foot alarm for runners

A personal alarm for runners includes a shoe-mounted sounding mechanism positionable out of the way in running but for actuation by a kick with either foot to depress a switch plunger against the off foot, or actuation by a kick against the ground, an attacker or other object; a key-shut-off provision insures prolongation of the alarm when sounded; an adjustable provision for mounting to a shoe of any size in optimum position and quick detachment/attachment includes a lace-mounted pad with hook-and-loop fabric attachment to the bottom of the case of the sounding mechanism; and the interior of the case displays indentifying indicia for the runner through a transparent dome which waterproofs the case and which shows precisely the location of the switch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to signalling systems generally and particularly to 
an audible alarm for use on the person. 
A problem faced by many runners at one time or another and especially by 
women joggers is the possibility of attack, particularly at night, which 
is the only time many people can run. 
When attacked, the victim may be within sight or sound of others until 
thrown down and when thrown down usually cannot reach freely to sound an 
alarm if one is carried on the person. 
Alarms which are or could be carried on the person are known, as evidenced 
in the prior art by the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 
4,121,160 to T. R. Cataldo, Oct. 17, 1978, discloses a miniature radio 
alarm transmitter which has a switch button; 
4,080,595 to L. J. Rosen, Mar. 21, 1978, discloses a miniature battery 
powered audible alarm which has a switch contact movable by a button; 
3,777,086 to O. Riedo, Dec. 5, 1972, discloses a shoe mounted alarm system 
in which the toe actuates the switch within the shoe, sounding an alarm at 
a remote location; 
3,702,999 to I. A. Grandisar, Nov. 14, 1972, discloses another form of shoe 
mounted warning system; this signals excess weight; 
3,614,763 to A. Yannuzzi, Oct. 19, 1971, discloses an electric audible 
alarm for personal use actuated when the wearer falls to the ground; 
3,248,723 to K. H. Miethe, Apr. 26, 1966, discloses a wearable flashlight 
type alarm sounder with mercury switch control; 
3,226,705 to P. Kaufman er al, Dec. 28, 1965, discloses a battery powered 
intruder alarm; 
568,532 to I. L. Hauser, Sept. 29, 1896, discloses a mechanical alarm of 
small size, and 
477,940 to J. F. Hurd, June 23, 1892, discloses an electric pickpocket 
alarm. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
However, none of these disclosures nor any other known is believed to 
provide all the advantages of the present invention according to the 
objects set out below. 
Principal objects of this invention are to provide an alarm system, 
particularly suited for runners, which can be set off by kicking and which 
gives visible evidence that the runner is wearing an alarm but is 
difficult for an attacker to foil. 
Another object is to provide an alarm with attachment adjustably locatable 
at a part of the foot which minimizes interference with running and which 
is optimally located for kicking. 
Further objects are to provide an audible alarm which has attachment which 
will adjust to any size lace-type shoes and which may be quickly detached 
and re-attached when desired, as when changing shoes. 
Still further objects are to provide an alarm as described which is 
difficult to set off accidentally, which is watertight, which provides 
means for identification of the wearer, which is distinctive and 
attractive in appearance, and which is not likely to be inadvertently 
forgotten and left behind by a runner. 
In brief summary given for cursive description purposes only and not as 
limitation the invention includes an audible alarm with means for kicking 
it to sound the alarm and attachment adjustable to fit on any size and 
type lace-secured show at a position of least interference with running.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 shows the invention or audible alarm 10 in use attached to the shoe 
S of a runner R, adjustably secured in position over the tarsal arch or 
bridge B of the foot where it interferes very little or not at all with 
running for most people. 
In this position, however, the audible alarm can conveniently and instantly 
be actuated by kicking downward on switch arm 20 with the off-foot, or 
kicking the switch arm against the off-foot, in case of need, either while 
running or on the ground. Further, when on the stomach the user can kick 
the switch against the ground to actuate the alarm. Kicking an attacker, 
while the user is standing or when on the ground can also actuate the 
switch. 
As will be seen, once the alarm is activated it continues to sound until 
stopped by key access to the interior, in an unobvious way and location, 
convenient, however, to the user. 
The highly visible location serves to forewarn attackers that the user is 
protected, and to further this the alarm preferably has an electric-blue 
color with the switch, which is visible, a bright yellow. 
FIG. 2 shows the face view of the alarm portion 10' of the invention. 
Housing or case 22 preferably is circular to prevent snagging of apparel 
and has a transparent dome-like circular top 24. The transparent circular 
top is of flexible clear plastic such as "Mylar" and may be for the 
purpose conventionally about ten one-thousandths of an inch (0.25 mm) 
thick. 
Switch arm 20 is centered under the top in position to be depressed (arrow) 
by a kick with either foot and actuate the alarm system through 
depressable switch 26 which is located for projecting the switch arm 
outwardly substantially perpendicular to the bridge of a runner's foot. 
To either side of the switch may be a sounder 28, 30 having connection 32 
for actuation through the switch to battery powered supply 34, 36. 
This showing is schematic and conventional. The type sounding means 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,080,595, which discloses battery and switch 
for connecting it with a buzzer alarm, or in U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,763 
discloses a switch-actuable electronic audio signal generator 
incorporating a miniature integrated circuit permitting the device to be 
housed within a small and inconspicuous package, may be used, for example. 
At the top of the face an identification plate 38, contains name, address 
and telephone number of the user and at the bottom tape 40 detachably 
secures a key 42 to shut off the sounding system when energized. 
FIG. 3 shows a sectional detail of the invention 10 adapted from 3--3, FIG. 
2. 
The dome on top 24 may have a circumferential bead 44 which makes a dust 
and water proof seal in a groove 46 around the housing 22. The dome can be 
removed for access to the portions visible through it. 
The switch arm 20 may have the form of a mushroom shaped cap closely 
fitted, and may connect to the switch stem 48 by a sleeve portion 50 and 
set-screw 52. The supplies 34, 36 may connect to the sounders by straps 54 
for securance. 
The sounders may have screw connection 56 to the top plate 58 of the 
housing and the switch 26 may have screw connection 60 to the bottom 62 of 
the housing. 
As noted, a feature of the invention is the latch-on nature of the 
signalling system preventing shutting off by hand manipulation and 
requiring the key for shutting off. This feature may be of any 
conventional design, integral with the switch or as shown here 
diagrammatically, a flat spring 64 secured to the bottom or base 62 of the 
housing, with an upward portion extending a downturned end forming a hook 
66 into the path of the switch arm, which may have a recess 68 engageable 
by the hook when the switch is depressed to hold it there. 
A key-hole 70 in the back permits a slender rod-shaped key to be thrust 
against the flat spring to release the hook. 
The housing 22 may be a unitary cup, sealed on the bottom by a double-face 
pressure sensitive adhesive tape layer 72 which also serves to attach 
permantently a layer of "Velcro" wool 74 to the bottom of the housing. 
The "Velcro" wool detachably secures to a piece of "Velcro" hook material 
76 carried as a pad held to the user's shoe by shoestrings threaded 
through the pad. 
FIG. 4 details the relation of the "Velcro" hook material 76, and 
attachment strings 80 threaded through it. The attachment strings 
preferably are shoestrings about 14 inches (35 cm) long, so that they can 
adjustably be threaded through the strings on the user's shoes. This 
provides up-and-down-the-foot adjustment. Side-to-side adjustment is 
provided by means of offsetting the engagement of the "Velcro" wool with 
the "Velcro" hooks. 
This invention is not to be construed as limited to the particular forms 
disclosed herein, since these are to be regarded as illustrative rather 
than restrictive. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention 
may be practiced within the scope of the claims otherwise than as 
specifically described.