Abstract:
An alarm system for protecting an occupant of an outdoor tent, warning the occupant of an approaching animal and serving as a defensive weapon against the animal. The alarm system comprises a plurality of individual alarms for positioning about a perimeter of the outdoor tent, each alarm being situated in a stand or a section of ground near the outdoor tent. Each individual alarm comprises a support post onto which a detector component is situated, said detector component including a motion sensor element, a sound speaker for playing a recorded alarm upon activation, a battery powered light element, and an on-off switch that connects to a remote control unit for the alarm.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This is a perfection of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/157,122, filed on May 5, 2015, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an alarm system for protecting outdoor campers. More particularly, it relates to a system of various tent alarms for placing about the perimeter of a campground. The invention consists of five distinct models which can be used interchangeably . . . each can be situated at the four corners of a campsite with a fifth as a spare near the tent&#39;s main entrance. Or, the same model (one of the five) can be located at each of the four corners. Alternately, they can be arranged in pairs or various other sets of two, three or four. 
         [0003]    The Tent Alarm™ of this invention may save a life by alerting campers when people or animals come around their tent or camping area. It is sufficiently loud so as to cause an attacker (human or animal) to retreat. A user merely hammers the various models (one of the five) at or near the four main corners of the tent exterior/campsite with a fifth unit either inside the tent proper or immediately outside the tent&#39;s opening. And, when needed in the event of an emergency, any one of these models can be rapidly pulled from the ground and swung about for protection. In another alternative embodiment, the corner post alarm unit can either resemble, or merely serve to operate as, the ancient weapon known as a flail for grabbing by the elongate handle and swinging about with an upper pointed stick or ball component. 
         [0004]    When people or animals approach the secured tent alarm perimeter, the alarm&#39;s sound sensor and/or light (strobe or full on) will go off alerting those within the tent of potential human or animal intruders. 
         [0005]    Every lightweight model of this tent alarm will be waterproof and have a motion-activated light, a sound alarm that resembles a shotgun blast, a siren, a wild animal noise (like the roar of a wildcat, bear, etc.), an airhorn and/or loud car horn. 
         [0006]    Each model will be battery-powered by one or more battery units stored inside. These battery units will be rapidly rechargeable and, ideally, carry enough back up power for lasting through the night. With extra charging capabilities, each unit can be optionally fitted with a slight taser-like contacting post for use when an intruder gets too close to one&#39;s personal space. 
         [0007]    Each model of tent alarm is on a hammerable stake that, when duly installed, will rest at about knee height or no more than 18-24 inches above ground. Optional models would include a height-extendable version that, when locked into place, could raise (or lower) the overall height of each stake unit another 6 to 18 inches. The top to said stakes can be driven into the ground adjacent the camp tent with a hammer, mallet or possibly by using a hammer-like end to one of the other alarm posts. Alternately, each of the respective alarm units may be held in place using a wooden log (or stone) alarm holder placed, and well anchored, at the respective corners of one&#39;s campground. 
         [0008]    Unlike the tent alarm system of Chinese Patent No. 203239041, each model of this Tent Alarm can be quickly pulled from the ground to further serve as a defense weapon . . . in a “pinch”. With its upper head handle, any model can be pulled out and swung about for scaring away animals. When people approach (or wild animals wander too close), the lights of an alarm will come on and the sounds for that alarm go off. 
         [0009]    The respective alarms can be wired to individual remote controls, or to one common remote control that can turn the whole system on or off from within the tent proper. In addition, preferred embodiments would include a timer mechanism (for the universal remote, OR for each individual alarm model). That timer would allow its user to set the system&#39;s alarm and then return to the centralized tent, or leave the campground (temporarily, perhaps for hunting/hiking, etc.), before eventually returning to the secured area. Such a timer could be set at staggered intervals, such as 1, 2 or 5 minutes, or possibly even longer (as needed). 
         [0010]    The respective models will be lightweight, yet able to be used for defensive purposes as well. An optional variation would include a built in, replaceable spray canister in which can be stored an easily directed stream of mace, pepper spray or other irritant. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is shown: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the four main models of tent alarms at the four corners surrounding a camp tent; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing use of just the main, hammer alarm situated at the four corners of an erected camp tent; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view showing the dual hammerhead model of tent alarm with its taser trigger, extendible post, sound and light warning components, on-off switch and timer; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front plan view showing the spiked ball and chain model of tent alarm with its extendible post, sound and light warning components, on-off switch and timer; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  a front plan view showing the spiked club model of tent alarm with its taser trigger, extendible post, sound and light warning components, on-off switch and timer; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  a front plan view showing the dual axe head model of tent alarm with its taser trigger, extendible post, sound and light warning components, on-off switch and timer; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  a front plan view showing the sword-shaped model of tent alarm with its sound and light warning components, on-off switch and timer. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    The types of wildlife animals this invention is designed to protect campers from include: bears, raccoons, opossum, skunks, porcupines, etc. It may also ward off surprise visits from wandering humans. It is motion activated and meant to provide its users with some advance warning of an approaching, potential predator or mammal that might otherwise inflict harm on the tent occupants. 
         [0020]    Ideally, each alarm model of this invention would further include refillable, reloadable canisters of safety spray protections, such as mace or hot pepper spray, that can be directed and launched at a target from a safe enough distance. 
         [0021]    Preferred materials for the main alarm components are lightweight steels and/or aluminum . . . or perhaps a hard enough plastic/composite for accepting numerous hammerings into the ground of a tent/campsite yet serve as a viable weapon for striking at an animal in an emergency. 
         [0022]    Referring now to the FIGS., there is shown a first embodiment of the system of this invention that employs around a representative camping tent T one of each of the four main alarms at the four corners surrounding tent T. Particularly, there is a hammer style alarm  10  at the lower left quadrant/corner of the campground for tent T, a spiked ball and chain model alarm  20  in the upper left corner, a spiked club alarm  30  in the lower right corner and a fourth model, the representative dual axe head alarm  40  above spiked club alarm  30  and in the rear of tent T. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows an alternate arrangement in which four units of the same alarm model, in this case hammer style model  10  are positioned about the perimeter points of that tent T. It is to be understood, however, that the alarms are to be sold for individual uses, all in one common alarm set or in sets with multiple combinations of units. 
         [0024]    Common elements in the respective detailed views of each main alarm model are commonly numbered in remaining views,  FIGS. 3 through 6  (for the four models shown in  FIG. 1 ). Yet another variation of sword-like alarm model has been separately shown in accompanying  FIG. 7 . 
         [0025]    The first preferred model of tent alarm, element  10  in  FIG. 3 , consists of a dual headed hammer  11 , with rubber mallet end caps  12 . A central support post  13  extends midway between hammer-heads  11 . Note, that it preferably contains an internal extension component  14  that locks into place via button  15  before terminating in a lower spike tip  16 . At the opposite end of support post  14 , there is shown a pull out handle  17 , in this case shaped as a rectangular pull. The latter protects an upper hammer cap  18  for use during installation of the alarm unit  10  by hammering into the ground. 
         [0026]    Like all other alarm models, each unit minimally includes a sound speaker S on one side of hammerhead  11  for model  10  of  FIG. 3  with an LED, bright light L (strobe, optional) adjacent sound speaker S. In this instance, the bright light L and speaker S are separated by support post  13 . Also, each alarm model will have its own On/Off Switch O nearest a central power unit, battery pack, etc. (not shown). Near to the On/Off Switch O, there should be located a timer adjustment A for allowing a controlled to set each alarm before exiting the area (either going into the tent T for the evening or leaving the campsite for a possible nearby activity such as hunting, fishing or hiking) On some models, there is further included a taser activation button B which, when duly charged, can be used as a last resort to “zap” or shock a predator (human or animal). The latter unit will require greater power charging capabilities and should further alert its user WHEN a sufficient upcharge has been achieved, either by sound, light notification or both. 
         [0027]    Yet another alternative/option would be the inclusion in the body proper of alarm  10 , a canister of mace, pepper spray or other liquid/gaseous irritant in a replaceable/refillable container. While its canister is not visible in  FIG. 3  as shown, the pull trigger P for activating such spray dispensing is near the top region of support post  13 , closest to hammer cap  18 . 
         [0028]    The first alternate alarm embodiment at  FIG. 4 , generally element  20 , shows a large central ball  21  having a plurality of spikes  22  extending from one or more sides. As shown, six representative spikes extend, three from each hemisphere of ball  21  with the latter being connected to a collar  23  on support post  13  via swinging chain  24 .  FIG. 4  also differs in general appearance from the dual hammer configuration at  FIG. 3  in that a representative triangular shaped pull handle  17  has been substituted for the initial rectangular variation. Needless to say, any of the models of tent alarms for this invention should be easily fitted with one (or more) of the various pull handle configurations depicted herein. 
         [0029]    The second alternative variation of tent alarm  30 , per  FIG. 5 , includes a centralized club or clubface component  31  (as compared to the spiked ball section of  FIG. 4 ). A plurality of spikes  32  (six are shown) extends from opposed sides of club  31 . Though not visible in this view, additional rows or sections of spikes may further protrude from a rear face of club  31 . In addition to the different defensive weaponry depicted, second alarm  30  differs from its two predecessor models with the inclusion of an oval-shaped handle  17  atop its central support post  13 . 
         [0030]    The dual axe head alarm  40  of  FIG. 6  includes on either end of central portion  41  a curved axe-face  41 . Ideally, the outer edge to axe-face  41  is not unduly sharpened so as to possibly injure innocently passing by humans and/or pets but could still inflict injury in a defensive posture when pulled from the ground and swung about in case of an emergency. Note that for this third alternative alarm design, yet another pull handle top  17  is depicted. In this case, top  17  is an enlarged, hammerable knob with a plurality of grooved, finger-shaped gripper point thereunder from which a user could position his/her hand for yanking the alarm up and out of the ground: (a) in the event of an emergency; and/or (b) when breaking camp and getting ready to leave the campsite for a return trip home. 
         [0031]    The fourth alternative tent alarm depicted, but not shown in earlier  FIG. 1  is the sword-like variation of  FIG. 7 , generally element  50 . It includes a long central blade  53  (rather than a singular support post) with a fully operational pull handle  17  extending thereabove. The base to that pull handle  17 , especially when made as a single unit, can extend substantially perpendicular to the main blade element of this sword-like alarm model alternative. And the unit, as a whole, can be hammered into the ground (or other alarm support) by simply hammering onto the top of hammer cap  18 . 
         [0032]    For the installation of these various alarm units, regions about the camp&#39;s tent T can be identified and, using a mallet/hammer or possibly a hammerable end cap to another alarm unit, the respective alarm units can be hammered into place into the ground proper (or, alternatively, into a separate set of wooden log or stone set holders. In some instances, it may prove beneficial to further extend the lengths of various center support posts to create a longer reach, higher resting alarm post and then locking that extension in place through the manipulation of each respective lock button. 
         [0033]    When the alarm units are all installed and in place, a common remote programmed for all of the models, or the remote for each of the installed alarms can then be touch activated to turn them all “ON”. Alternately, the ON/OFF button for each fully charged alarm unit can be manually activated at or near the respective model handles. If need be, a timer can be preset to allow for a convenience “escape” time before full PROTECTION mode commences. This timed delay would let the tent occupiers enter their premises for the evening without fear of self-activation by their movements outside the tent proper. 
         [0034]    Once fully armed, the movement of any intruder near a particular alarm model should trigger its sound and/or lights to go off with the corresponding noises (see the various settings considered above) scaring away the unwanted “guest”, man OR beast. The bright lights should also serve as means for alighting a safe field for scaring away a non-human intruder and/or letting the system&#39;s owner quickly determine the “situation” for reacting accordingly. Should there be a need to take a defensive posture against any such animal, the user can quickly yank on the top handle to the nearest alarm, pull it out of the ground and proceed to swing it about in defense of the tent and its authorized occupants. 
         [0035]    Should the optional features be needed, the same user could pull a trigger activating a mace or pepper spray from within the alarm handle to aim at and inflict on the intruding beast. Should they be already near enough for physical contacting, the taser button can be held, charging up the whole unit and then used to zap (or otherwise shock) away the undesired camp “visitors”. 
         [0036]    The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Modifications to these exemplary embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention.