Abstract:
A reusable personal defense spray gun and method which is easy to hold, aim, and actuate, and which includes an alarm for attracting assistance and/or stunning, disorienting, or disabling an attacker, especially in an emergency, includes a replaceable canister which is capable of dispensing fluid independent of its orientation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present United States Non-provisional Utility patent application is related to, and hereby claims priority to, and the benefit of, United States Provisional application entitled, “Personal Protection Apparatus,” having assigned Ser. No. 60/790,253, filed on behalf of Albert Beever III on 7 Apr. 2006, and United States Provisional Application entitled, “Personal Defense Spray Gun and Method,” having assigned Ser. No. 60/875,050, filed on behalf of Albert Beever III on 15 Dec. 2006. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to personal defense devices, and more specifically, to a personal defense spray gun. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Despite society&#39;s considerable efforts, violent crimes, such as robberies, car-jackings, kidnappings, rapes, and murders, remain a frequent occurrence in many cities, and pose a serious danger for citizens around the country. While governments struggle to find a solution to the violent crime problem, it is left to the individual to do his or her utmost to reduce the risk of becoming a victim. 
         [0006]    Historically, various techniques have been employed to reduce the chance of being attacked, most of which primarily concerned threat avoidance. These techniques included the use of chaperones, posting of guards, imposition of curfews, seclusion in gated-communities, use of the “buddy system”, and other similar methods of discouraging a would-be attacker. 
         [0007]    As time has shown, however, these techniques are sometimes impractical, and worse; sometimes ineffective. As a result, additional defensive techniques and devices have been implemented in order to repel an attacker when prevention techniques fail, ranging from hand-to-hand combat training to stun guns. One such defense that has proved effective at stopping an attacker has been pepper spray. When properly used, pepper spray can be an effective defensive weapon which is non-lethal and affordable. 
         [0008]    Conventional pepper sprays are sometimes ineffective, however, due to being difficult to use properly in an attack situation due to poor design. Specifically, conventional pepper sprays are packaged in a tubular aerosol sprayer with a nozzle on the top, which is difficult to grasp and use in an emergency situation. Furthermore, the nozzle is typically a right angle spray nozzle, actuated by being depressed with the user&#39;s finger. Unfortunately, the user&#39;s finger often impedes or deflects the spray, or rotates the nozzle such that the spray misses the intended target. Additionally, the aerosol sprayer must be oriented vertically with the nozzle at the highest point or the sprayer will not work properly because propellant will escape through the nozzle when the pepper spray fluid drains away from the nozzle opening near the bottom of the tubular sprayer. Thus, conventional pepper sprayers are ineffective, or less effective, when used when to spray vertically upward, such as would be required by a victim lying prone with an attacker on top of them. Furthermore, conventional pepper sprays only incapacitate the attacker and completely fail to attract attention to the victim, which may increase the chance of obtaining assistance. Finally, conventional sprayers create a mist as the propellant mixes with the pepper spray. The mist can accidentally affect third persons or even the user as the mist is carried on the wind or as the mist hangs in the air of a closed space. 
         [0009]    It is desirable, therefore, to provide a personal defense sprayer that is easy and comfortable to hold, aim, and operate, and that includes an alarm for attracting the attention of nearby persons for assistance. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a body, a canister removably housed in the body comprising a rigid peripheral wall structure defining a sealed cavity therein and a nozzle disposed in an opening in the rigid peripheral wall structure and operably connected thereto such that the nozzle selectively allows or prevents fluid flow from the sealed cavity to an environment outside the canister, and a trigger movably connected to the body and operably connected to the nozzle for selective operation thereof. 
         [0011]    According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a personal defense spray gun comprising a fluid canister including a nozzle. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the canister is removably housed in a hinged canister housing of the body. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the canister includes a flexible liner disposed within the canister and sealed around the nozzle for containing a fluid irritant, a caustic fluid, or an attractant fluid. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, a propellant is contained within the canister exterior to the flexible liner for propelling the fluid from the canister through the nozzle. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the nozzle is operably connected to, and actuated by, a trigger mounted on the body. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the nozzle allows fluid stored within the canister to spray out through the nozzle in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the canister. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the body further includes a means, such as an LED or laser, for projecting light in a direction of the spray. 
         [0018]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the body further includes means, such as a speaker, for creating an audible alarm signal. 
         [0019]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the canister housing includes a canister ejector for at least partially ejecting the canister when the canister housing is opened. 
         [0020]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the body further includes a power supply, such as a battery, operably connected to the light projection means and/or the alarm signal creating means. 
         [0021]    According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the body further includes a safety switch, operably connected to the trigger, for selectively preventing operation thereof, thereby preventing discharge of fluid from the canister. 
         [0022]    Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to accurately propel a stream of personal defense liquid or a hunting/fishing attractant. 
         [0023]    Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to facilitate aiming by mimicking the aiming mechanics of a firearm. 
         [0024]    Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is ability to provide a reusable personal defense sprayer. 
         [0025]    Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to attract the attention of nearby persons in an emergency situation. 
         [0026]    Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to cooperate with a canister of personal defense spray and propellant. 
         [0027]    Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to facilitate fast and easy removal and/or insertion of the canister. 
         [0028]    Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to eject a canister to further facilitate removal of the canister. 
         [0029]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in which: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  showing the canister housing in an open position. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the power supply. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the canister housing. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0036]    It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 
         [0038]    In that form of the preferred embodiment of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration,  FIG. 1  shows personal defense spray gun  100 , preferably comprising a pistol shaped body  101 . Preferably, body  101  comprises pistol grip portion  103 . The shape of pistol grip portion  103  is preferably selected such that personal defense spray gun  100  is easy to hold. Pistol grip portion  103  preferably includes handgrips  103   a  for providing a high-friction surface, or the like, such that pistol grip portion  103  may be securely grasped by a user. The shape of body  101  is further preferably selected such that body  101  mimics the shape of a firearm such that aiming personal defense spray gun  100  is aided by a user&#39;s pervious experience with such firearms (or toys, such as a water pistol that mimic the shape and aiming mechanics of such firearms) and/or aided by the intuitive and ergonomic shape of body  101 . 
         [0039]    Pistol grip portion  103  preferably further comprises an audible alarm generating means, such as speaker  121 , disposed therein. Speaker  121  is preferably configured to provide an audible alarm signal, and, thus, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the location or other specifics of the audible alarm generating means may be altered so long as an audible alarm signal is generated that is capable of attracting the attention of nearby persons and alerting them that assistance is needed, such as in an emergency situation, or that is capable of stunning or disorienting an attacker. Pistol grip portion  103  preferably further comprises removable cap  123  for providing access to a power supply, such as one or more batteries  310  ( FIG. 3 ). Batteries  310  ( FIG. 3 ) are preferably operably connected to speaker  121  to provide power thereto, and are preferably further operably connected to lighting means, such as LED  125  to provide power thereto. LED  125  may optionally be replaced with high-intensity LED, laser, incandescent, fluorescent, neon, or other lighting means suitable for illuminating a target and/or stunning, disorienting, or visually impairing an attacker. 
         [0040]    Body  101  preferably further comprises trigger  131  which is preferably operable by a user of personal defense spray gun  100  to discharge the personal defense spray as described in greater detail hereinbelow. Safety switch  133  is preferably operably connected to trigger  131  and is preferably movable between at least first safe position  133   a  and second fire position  133   b , wherein trigger  131  is inoperable, at least to discharge a spray, when safety switch  133  is in first safe position  133   a  and is operable to discharge the personal defense spray when safety switch  133  is in second fire position  133   b . It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the personal defense spray may be a pepper spray, such as oleoresin capsicum or the like, or may be any other suitable non-lethal defense spray, including gel materials. Likewise, other active sprays, such as animal repellants (e.g. bear repellant, shark repellant, citronella, or mosquito repellant), animal attractants (e.g. deer scents, fishing scents or chum), pest repellants, pest sprays, marking agents (e.g. dyes or paints), perfumes, deodorizers, fungicides, biocides, disinfectants, cleaning products, or other suitable liquid, gel, foam, or other agent or formula. 
         [0041]    As is also shown in  FIG. 1 , personal defense spray gun  100  preferably includes canister housing  141  for receiving a canister containing a personal defense spray, such as canister  600  ( FIG. 2 ). Body  101  preferably further includes biased (e.g. spring-biased) release button  143  operably connected to canister housing  141  for selectively retaining canister housing rear end  141   a  disposed proximate body  101 , such that canister  600  is operably connected to trigger  131 . Canister housing  141  is preferably hingedly attached to body  101  at canister housing front end  141   b  by a hinge element, such as pin  145 . In operation, canister housing  141  is released from engagement with release button  143  by movement of release button  143 . Upon such movement, canister housing rear end  141   a  is free to swing away from body  101  by rotating about pin  145 . 
         [0042]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , canister housing  141  is shown in an open position, wherein canister housing rear end  141   a  has been swung away from body  101  about pin  145 . Canister housing  141  preferably includes latch  147  protruding from a lower surface thereof configured for releasable operable engagement with release button  143  such that engagement of latch  147  with release button  143  ensures that canister housing  141  remains in a closed position, with canister housing rear end  141   a  disposed proximate body  101  and canister  600  operably connected to trigger  131 . When canister housing  141  is in the open position, canister  600  may preferably be removed from canister housing  141  and be replaced. For this purpose, slot  149  is preferably included in canister housing  141  to provide access to a portion of canister  600 , whereby a user can grip canister  600  and extract it from canister housing  141 . 
         [0043]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , personal defense spray gun  100  preferably includes a power supply, such as batteries  310  disposed in pistol grip portion  103 . According to a preferred embodiment, a plurality of batteries  310  are removably disposed in pistol grip portion  103  such that they are arranged in series connection and in electrical contact with leads of a circuit operably connected to speaker  121  and/or LED  125 . Batteries  310  are preferably retained in such electrical contact by cap  123  which preferably includes spring  127  for biasing batteries  310  within pistol grip portion  103  and in electrical contact with the leads and with each other. Cap  123  is preferably threadably, or otherwise, connected to pistol grip portion  103 , and is preferably removable therefrom in order to provide access to batteries  310  for replacement of batteries  310 . As will be understood by one skilled in the art, alternative types of batteries and alternative arrangements are possible, and are within the scope of the invention. 
         [0044]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , canister housing  141  is preferably comprises rigid hollow tube  401  with integral front wall  403  and rear opening  405 , and is preferably configured in size and shape to receive and securely retain canister  600  therein. Front wall  403  preferably includes opening  407  disposed centrally therethrough for allowing passage of a stream of spray, such as a personal defense spray, pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum spray, or other caustic or irritant fluid, from canister  600  to an environment outside canister housing  141 . Front wall  403  further optionally includes nozzle-receiver  409  for receiving and securely retaining nozzle  605  therein. Thus, when canister  600  is inserted into canister housing  141 , canister  600  is preferably securely retained centrally therein with nozzle  605  in secure engagement with nozzle-receiver  409  such that fluid passing through nozzle  605  preferably passes through opening  407 . 
         [0045]    Ejector  411  is preferably mounted at a location of body  101  proximate canister housing front end  141   b  and projects into canister housing  141  proximate front wall  403 . Ejector  411  preferably comprises a substantially resilient member and remains substantially stationary as canister housing  141  rotates about pin  145 . Thus, when canister housing is in the closed position, ejector  411  is disposed between front wall  403  and canister  600  and does not interfere with the engagement of nozzle  605  and nozzle-receiver  409 . As canister housing  141  is rotated about pin  145  to the open position, ejector  411  preferably engages canister  600  and preferably pushes canister  600  rearward through rear opening  405 . Additionally, when a canister  600  is inserted in canister housing  141  in the open position, ejector  411  preferably prevents accidental actuation of nozzle  605  by being depressed upon contacting front wall  403 . Finally, ejector  411  preferably biases canister  600  towards rear opening  405  such that when trigger  131  is not actuated, or when trigger  131  is released, nozzle  605  is not depressed and no spray leaves canister  600 . 
         [0046]    Now referring again to  FIG. 2 , canister  600  preferably comprises a sealed rigid peripheral wall structure including bottom  601 , sidewall  602 , and top  603  defining interior space  600   a  capable of containing fluid under pressure therein. Top  603  preferably includes opening  604  and nozzle  605  disposed therein and in sealed engagement therewith. Nozzle  605  is preferably selectively actuatable, by depressing nozzle  605 , to selectively release a fluid contained within canister  600  under pressure. Canister  600  optionally includes flexible liner  610  disposed in interior space  600   a  and in sealed engagement with nozzle  605 , such that a personal defense spray fluid may be hermetically contained within flexible liner  610 , isolated from bottom  601 , sidewall  602 , and top  603 , and isolated from a propellant fluid contained within interior space  600   a . Use of flexible liner  610  allows for operation of personal defense spray gun  100  in any orientation because the propellant is separated from nozzle  605  by flexible liner  610 , thereby preventing the propellant from escaping canister  600 . Since the propellant cannot escape canister  600 , personal defense spray fluid stored within flexible liner  610  will be forced out through nozzle  605  regardless of orientation. Additionally, flexible liner  610  preferably prevents mixing of the propellant fluid and the personal defense spray fluid such that when personal defense spray fluid is released through nozzle  605  misting is avoided. Preferably a liquid stream is propelled from canister  600  upon actuation of nozzle  605 . 
         [0047]    In operation, a user may preferably operate release button  143  thereby preferably disengaging canister housing  141  from body  101  at canister housing rear end  141   a . The user may then preferably rotate canister housing  141  about pin  145  such that an interior of canister housing  141  is accessible through rear opening  405 . The user may then preferably insert canister  600  into canister housing  141  with nozzle  605  disposed proximate opening  407  until top  603  engages ejector  411 . The user may then preferably rotate canister housing  141  about pin  145  until latch  147  engages and is retained by release button  143 . The user may then preferably move safety switch  133  from first safe position  133   a  to second fire position  133   b  and operate trigger  131 . Operation of trigger  131  preferably pushes on bottom  601 , thereby preferably causing nozzle  605  to be depressed, and, thus, activated, preferably releasing personal defense spray though nozzle  605  under pressure. When trigger  131  is released, ejector  411  preferably biases canister  600  toward rear opening  405  thereby allowing nozzle  605  to return to an inactive position. 
         [0048]    Operation of trigger  131  may optionally complete a circuit, thereby providing electrical power to speaker  121  and/or LED  125 . Alternatively, electrical power is supplied to speaker  121  and/or LED  125  only when trigger  131  is operated with safety switch  133  in first safe position  133   a.    
         [0049]    When canister  600  is empty of personal defense spray fluid, or when canister  600  is empty of propellant, canister  600  must be replaced. In order to replace canister  600 , a user may preferably operate release button  143  thereby preferably disengaging canister housing  141  from body  101  at canister housing rear end  141   a . The user may then preferably rotate canister housing  141  about pin  145  such that ejector  411  preferably pushes canister  600  rearward through rear opening  405 . The user may then preferably remove canister  600  from canister housing  141  and insert a new canister  600 . Once used, canister  600  may preferably be refilled with personal defense spray fluid, and reused. 
         [0050]    According to an alternative embodiment, a test canister, structurally similar to canister  600 , is provided. The test canister is preferably filled with water, optionally contained within a sealed liner similar to flexible liner  610 , and propellant fluid under pressure. The user may initially insert the test canister in canister housing  141  and operate all of the features of personal defense spray gun  100  in order to become familiar with the operation thereof without the risk of releasing any personal defense spray fluid, which may cause damage to nearby objects or harm to nearby individuals, including the user. When the user has completed a test of the features of personal defense spray gun  100 , the user may preferably then replace the test canister with canister  600  containing personal defense spray fluid. 
         [0051]    Having, thus, described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.