Abstract:
The invention is a defense spray with a wind indicator. The defense spray comprises a pressurized irritant contained within a canister having a ribbon dangling therefrom. The ribbon is configured and constructed to visibly react to moving ambient air.

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention is a defense spray with a wind indicator. Defense sprays, such as pepper sprays, tear gas, and mace are commonly known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,565 to Stanzel (which is incorporated herein by reference) U.S. Pat. No. 1,885,126 (which is incorporated herein by reference) each disclose pertinent defense sprays.  
         [0002]     Because these devices expel airborne irritants, wind can often cause one to miss the intended target. Even worse, wind can misdirect the irritant so that an unintended target—or even the operator—is affected by the spray.  
         [0003]     The invention includes a container filled with pressurized or aerosolized defense spray, such as orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile, chloroacetophenone, dibenz(b,f)-1,4-oxazepin, or oleoresin capsicum. Airborne versions of these compositions will irritate (and preferably temporarily disable) an assailant, allowing a targeted person time to escape the assailant. Also, the irritation created by these formulae is usually temporary and commonly erodes in less than an hour, depending on the sensitivity of the assailant&#39;s mucous membranes.  
         [0004]     The current invention includes an attachment to a common defense spray. Generally, the invention includes a canister of pressurized irritant, which is usually in a container that is approximately palm-sized. The invention will also include a weighted ribbon or tether attached to the container. As one removes the container from its holster (or pocket, or purse), the weighted ribbon will dangle downwardly. As the operator points the spray in the direction of the intended target, the operator will be able to discern wind direction by observing the movement of the ribbon.  
         [0005]     Several embodiments of the invention are shown. The ribbon may be attached to the container by any known method, such as common adhesive, a hook position on a bottom face of the container, a snap-like connector, or a hook-and-loop fastener type connection. The ribbon, cord, or tether may also be looped around the container.  
         [0006]     Any known weight may be used, such as a lightweight key, washer, common pendant or tag. In a preferred embodiment, the ribbon bears a snap or button adjacent its terminal end. In this embodiment, the button or snap will not only act to provide weight to the terminal end of the ribbon, the snap may also be used to position or anchor the canister to a selected location (such as the interior portion of a purse or handbag) in order to make the canister easy to locate and access in an emergency or distress.  
         [0007]     Alternatively, the material may be weighted at its bottom. Although not required, it is preferred that a light weight of some kind be used, but it is important that the weighted end be light enough so a breeze will create a discernable movement of the ribbon. Indeed, if the terminal end of the ribbon is too heavy, it will not be an effective wind indicator as only stronger gusts will cause a discernable change in position.  
         [0008]     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the inventive defense spray with wind indicator, according to the principles of the invention.  
         [0010]      FIGS. 2-6  show perspective views of alternate embodiments of the defense spray with wind indicator.  
         [0011]      FIG. 7  shows four comparative plan views that isolate the bottom of the canister of the defense spray with wind indicator, according to the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of the inventive device  8 , which is a defense spray with wind indicator, according to the principles of the invention. The device  8  includes a canister  10  that contains pressurized irritant therein. The irritant may include mace, tear gas, or pepper spray such as orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile, chloroacetophenone, dibenz(b,f)-1,4-oxazepin, or oleoresin capsicum.  
         [0013]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the device  8  will have an outlet  12  positioned at a first end of the canister  12 , and a connector  14  attaching a ribbon  16  adjacent the second end of the canister  10 . The ribbon  16  is attached to the canister  14  at its first end, and its free end is free to dangle downwardly from the canister  10 . In the embodiment shown, a light weight  18  is positioned near the terminus of the ribbon  16 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a second preferred embodiment of the device  8 . As shown, the connector  14  may include a fastener  14  that is rotatably connected to the canister  10  adjacent its second end; of course, the spray outlet  12  is positioned adjacent the first end of the canister  10 . This connector  14  forms a closed loop from which the ribbon  16  is allowed to dangle freely.  
         [0015]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the ribbon  16  may comprise a cloth that broadens distal the canister  10  (and connector  14 ), thereby giving increased weight to the terminus of the ribbon  16 , which in turn encourages the ribbon  16  to dangle downwardly, yet freely. The free end of the ribbon  16  is free to engage the wind and provide visual clues as to the direction of any movement of the ambient air.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows another preferred embodiment of the device  8 , according to the principles of the invention. The device  8  depicted in  FIG. 3  includes a canister  10  having an outlet  12  configured to expel irritant therefrom. A connector  14  is positioned distal the outlet, and connects the ribbon  16  to the canister  10 .  
         [0017]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the connector  14  may comprise a snap  14  (or known connector) that can mate with a connector (not viewable in  FIG. 3 , but described aft) positioned on a bottom surface of the canister.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  shows yet another embodiment of the device  8 . A connector  14  positioned adjacent the bottom of the canister connects a ribbon or tether  16  to a pendant  18 . As with other embodiments, it is important that the ribbon or tether  16  and pendant  18  be selected to be light enough to catch a breeze and provide visual clues as to the direction and/or movement of ambient air. Indeed, in any embodiment, if the pendant  18  is too heavy to allow a relatively free response to ambient air movement, then the wind indicator will be ineffective.  
         [0019]     In  FIG. 5 , the connector  14  comprises a hook-and-loop fastener positioned adjacent the bottom of the canister  10 . The ribbon  16  connects a washer  18  to the canister, and provides weight to the terminus of the ribbon  16 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  shows an alternate method of conneting the ribbon  16  to the canister  10 . In this embodiment, the connector  14  comprises a loop at the first end of the ribbon  16 ; this loop envelopes the canister  12  near its bottom. The terminus of the ribbon  16  is weighted by a tag, such as an id tag, or a tag bearing indicia of the content of the irritant within the canister  10 .  
         [0021]      FIGS. 7A-7D  show various alternate embodiments for connectors  14  that are positioned adjacent the bottom end of the canister. Specifically,  FIG. 7A  shows a hook-and-loop connector  14  positioned on the bottom of the canister  10 .  FIG. 7B , however, shows a snap-type connector  14  positioned an the bottom surface of the canister.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7C , however, shows a fastener  14  that is rotatably connected to the canister  10  adjacent its second end. To clarify,  FIG. 7C  isolates the fastener  14  that is more completely shown in  FIG. 2 . Moreover,  FIG. 7D  shows a connector  14  that could be engaged by a hook or loop affixed to a ribbon or tether, such as the embodiment more completely shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0023]     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, these descriptions and drawings are for illustration and example only, and are not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention are to be limited only by the appended claims.