Abstract:
The invention relates to a portable, personal alarm device. The device features a housing comfortably held within one hand of its user. The device provides emergency tools, particularly in the event of an automotive emergency such as a vehicle accident. These features include a mechanism to cut through the web material of vehicle&#39;s seatbelts, and a mechanism to break the vehicle&#39;s windows. Both such features providing emergency means of escape for the vehicle&#39;s occupants. The inventive device further includes electronic circuits providing a flashlight function, and an emergency flasher, and also an audible alarm function. The device is water resistant and also may be provided from materials which make it visible in the dark, prior to activation of any of its functions. The inventive device also serves the routine function of a key ring so that it will always be available to the user in the event of an automotive emergency.

Description:
This application claims priority from provisional application No. 60/763,382 filed Jan. 31, 2006 and incorporates such provisional application in its entirety herein. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to micro tools. More specifically, the present invention relates to a micro scale multifunction device for use in emergencies. It has particular application in automotive emergency situations. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A need has remained unfulfilled in the prior art for a compact, portable, personal emergency tool or device, particularly one with features for use in an emergency situation created by an automobile accident. A severe automobile accident can create the need for an emergency escape from the disabled vehicle. To ensure capability for an emergency escape, there is need for a way to sever the automobile&#39;s seatbelts in the event that the seatbelt mechanism is jammed or otherwise will not release one or more of the passengers. In the event of disabling damage to the door and/or lock mechanism, or submersion in water, there is need for a way to break the vehicle&#39;s windows to provide means of escape therethrough. It also is recognized that automobile accidents frequently occur in the evening or at night, and that therefore the accident victims maybe left without light. This creates the need for an emergency device that glows in the dark, that provides at least a flashlight function, and that also provides a way of signaling others to call attention to the fact that an emergency situation exists. 
   The prior art is seen as lacking a compact, hand held device or tool that satisfies these emergency escape and signaling requirements. Hence, a need has remained for a personal device that would provide these functions and would be accessible immediately in an emergency situation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is an advancement over the prior art in providing a portable, personal emergency device that will be on one&#39;s person and readily available in an emergency situation. The personal emergency device or tool is contemplated as serving as a key ring so that the device will always be at hand such as in a person&#39;s pocket or purse. Overall size is an important consideration for the present invention. It fits easily into the palm of the user&#39;s hand, with the user&#39;s keys depending therefrom. 
   The present invention has a housing that contains and protects several internal elements providing various emergency functions, and an external ring anchored to the housing to secure the user&#39;s keys. Preferably, the internal elements include a cutting blade that normally is covered by a friction fitting blade cover. When exposed, the blade provides a means for cutting through an automotive vehicle&#39;s seatbelt webbing in the event that the driver or passengers are incapable of unfastening the seatbelts. The housing of the invention is configured to have a main portion and a projecting portion which define a recess for receiving the seatbelt web material and guiding it to the blade for cutting. 
   Another emergency feature of the present invention is an internal mechanism providing capability to break tempered, unlaminated automobile side window glass. This mechanism relies upon a spring actuated pin with a sharp point that is driven into the glass to break it. This mechanism easily is operable, requiring only pushing force applied to the invention when it is placed in contact with the window glass. When sufficient force is applied, the contact pin is released and automatically driven into the glass. Releasing the pushing force automatically resets the pin for further use. This mechanism provides a means of escape through the windows in the event that vehicle doors are unpassable. 
   The present invention also includes electronics. This, of course, places requirements on housing that it be resistant to water and other fluids to prevent fluid contact with the electronics. Again, with the view to limiting the size of the device, all of the electronics are operated from the same power source, a single battery. The electronics provide a usual white-light flashlight function. They further provide an emergency flasher to alert of an emergency situation. Preferably, the flashlight and flasher functions are satisfied by white-light and red-light LEDs. The electronics controls two red LEDs to flash on and off in opposite sequences so that one is flashing ON while the other is flashing OFF. Further, the electronics provide an audible alarm means such as a high frequency piezoelectric speaker. Push buttons on the housing provide fingertip control of all electrical functions for the user. In addition to the lighting functions, the housing itself may be made visible by the fabrication of one or more portions of the housing from a photoluminescent material. In this way the device will be visible to the user in the dark, even before any function of the device is activated. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the personal emergency device in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of the device of  FIG. 1 , also showing the blade cover removed from the housing of the device; 
       FIG. 3(   a ) is a cut-away plan view showing the arrangement of internal elements of the device of  FIG. 1  when the device is in a state ready for use; 
       FIG. 3(   b ) also is a cut-away plan view showing the device of  FIG. 1  when the window glass breaking mechanism is deployed; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of electronics suitable for use in the device of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable, personal emergency device  10  in accordance with the present invention. Emergency device  10  is a hand-operated instrument. Its actual size is contemplated such that it will fit easily into one hand of the user. Depending upon the features provided with device  10 , the overall size of a commercial embodiment thereof is expected to measure on the order of 3 inches by 1.5 inches by 0.7 inches. As apparent from  FIG. 1 , device  10  provides the general function of a key ring as evident from ring  16  anchored at an end portion of the emergency device. 
   Reference now is made to  FIGS. 2 through 4  to discuss the several functions of emergency device  10 , and details of its internal construction. Emergency device  10  incorporates a housing  12  that preferably, is manufactured inexpensively by injection molding. In the exemplary, preferred embodiments shown, housing  12  basically has two parts, a front housing member  12   a  and a rear housing member  12   b . A translucent dome member  14  is mountable to one end of housing  12 . Previously mentioned above, the (key) ring  16  is provided to device  10  by way of a blade cover  18  with its through-hole  20 . In  FIG. 2 , blade cover  18  is depicted as withdrawn from housing  12 . Housing  12  is completed by an externally protruding guide piece  202 . Preferably, guide piece  202  also is manufactured by injection molding. Its purpose will be discussed in detail below. Housing  12  should be splash resistant to seal and protect internal elements. It particularly is important to eliminate access to circuit electronics by fluids. For a commercial embodiment, it is not considered necessary but, if desired, device  10  could be made completely waterproof. 
   In addition to its two halves  12   a  and  12   b , housing  12  also comprises what will be referred to as its main portion  22  and an upper, projecting portion  24 . Preferably, projecting portion  24  integrally is formed with the main portion  22  of housing  12 . So formed, projecting portion  24  and main portion  22  define a recess  26  therebetween. As appreciated from the figures, perhaps best from  FIG. 2 , recess  26  receives blade cover  18  therewithin. In the preferred embodiments, blade cover  18  secures within recess  26  by a friction fit. As is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, such a friction fit can be provided by a combination of detents and corresponding indents provided with these plastic components. Such a detent  28  and corresponding indent  30  are shown in  FIG. 4 . As also will be appreciated, the friction fit is sufficient to maintain blade cover  18  inserted into recess  26  in normal situations, but to permit the easy removal of blade cover  18  ( FIG. 2 ) by pulling on key ring  16  (and/or any keys held by ring  16 ), in order to free blade cover  18  from the remainder of emergency device  10 . 
   Blade cover  18  is an element of a cutting mechanism  100  feature of emergency device  10 . Where device  10  is contemplated as personal emergency equipment in connection with an automobile, cutting mechanism  100  is contemplated as providing capability to cut through automotive seatbelts in order to quickly free the occupants. To this end, cutting mechanism  100  includes cutting blade  102  mounted within the main portion  22  of housing  12  so as to project into and occupy a section of recess  26 . Blade  102  may be a razor type crafting blade. In manufacturing housing  12 , blade  102  is contemplated as insert-molded to ensure a proper and secure fit. Where blade  102  is insert molded, it will have little chance of dislodging or rattling. Projecting portion  24 , and specifically its lower guide wall  32 , together with upper guide wall  34  of housing main portion  22  guide the seatbelt to the inclined edge  104  of blade  102  to effect cutting. Blade  102  cuts the webbing material of an automotive seatbelt as the seatbelt material is received within a cutting wedge area defined by guide walls  32 ,  34 , and blade edge  104 . 
   The purpose of blade cover  18  now is clear. Cover  18  is received within recess  26  in order to protect against accidental injury by blade  102 . However, as appreciated, in emergency circumstances, cover  18  must be pulled away from housing  12  to expose blade  102 . This is the reason for the frictional fit of blade cover  18  within housing  12 . In the preferred embodiments, blade cover  18  is an injection molded member formed of a photoluminescent material so that it will be visible in the dark, should the need arise to disengage the cover from housing  12  and thereby unsheathe or expose blade  102  for use. Indeed, this “glow in the dark” property of blade cover  18  makes emergency device  10  itself visible in dark conditions. Hence, at least blade cover  18  is recommended as molded to include photoluminescent material. 
   A further emergency feature of device  10  is provided by a glass breaking mechanism referred to generally as mechanism  200 . Mechanism  200  includes the guide piece  202 , previously mentioned, as an externally visible element with housing  12 . Guide piece  202  serves as a guide for an assembly that is designed to break the glass of an automobile window, preferably a side window, in an emergency situation. Guide  202  itself is fashioned to be retractable within housing main portion  22 . By alternately retracting into or extending from housing  12 , piece  202  regulates movement of a pin guide  204  and a contact pin  206 . Pin guide  204  may be a separate component fixed to pin  206  as shown. Alternatively, pin  206  and pin guide  204  can be a unitary element. Pin  206  has a pointed end  208  that is driven into window glass, and a bulb end  209  that ultimately restrains the pin from separating from device  10 . 
   With particular reference now to  FIG. 3(   a ), pin  206  is shown in its loaded state, ready for deployment. Pin  206  is disposed to form an angle θ of about 5° with respect to the horizontal axis, X, through a cavity  230  defined by housing halves  12   a  and  12   b . A compression spring arrangement  212  coaxially surrounds pin  206  in cavity  230  and provides both the driving force for pin  206  and means for resetting the glass breaking mechanism  200 . When pin  206  is loaded, the rear end  214 R of its force spring  214  contacts a horizontal rib  250  at only a lower portion. Contact with rib  250  causes pin  206  and force spring  214  to pivot and reorient from horizontal axis X to along the inclined axis X′ as shown. In this orientation, the force spring&#39;s forward portion  214 F urges against pin guide  204 . In the preferred embodiment, spring forward portion  214 F is anchored in pin guide  204 . Pin  206  and force spring  214  also must be free to pivot back from inclined axis X′ to horizontal axis X within cavity  230 , and within a reset spring  216  of spring arrangement  212 . No such pivotable motion is necessary for reset spring  216 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, pin  206  and force spring  214  are maintained in their X′-axis orientation by guide piece  202 . Guide piece  202  generally is tubular (cylindrical in the preferred embodiment) with an upper open section  240  providing a first arcuate wall section  242  facing pin guide  204 . Wall section  242  acts as a stop for pin guide  204  when the pin guide abutts against the wall section as shown in  FIG. 3(   a ). To release pin guide  204  and pin  206  for deployment, cavity  230  has an upper wall  232  with a downwardly facing disengagement ramp  234 . As breaking mechanism  200  is operated by pressing guide piece  202  against glass, piece  202  retracts to within housing  12  and thereby, by means of arcuate wall section  242 , moves pin guide  204  rewardly into contact with ramp  234 . Ramp  234  acts to move guide  204  downwardly in order to align pin  206  with an opening  210  in guide piece  202 . As soon as pin  206  comes into alignment with opening  210 , force spring  214  becomes free to urge pin out of opening  210  and into the window glass. Pin  206  ejects forwardly until bulb end  209  reaches wall section  220 , to prevent the pin from actually leaving the emergency device. The deployed state of mechanism  200  is shown in  FIG. 3(   b ). In the deployed state, force spring  214  is fully extended, while reset spring  216  is fully compressed. 
   Once hand pressure on device  10  and specifically, on guide piece  202  is released, reset spring  216  automatically relaxes and urges guide piece  202  to return to its unretracted, forward, ready position. Rear end  216 R of reset spring  216  is anchored in cavity  230  and its forward end  216 F merely presses against a second rear wall section  244  of guide piece  202 . In the preferred embodiment, reset spring  216  does not extend into the guide piece or even need to be affixed thereto. As reset spring urges guide piece out to its forward position, contact between force spring  214  and horizontal rib  250  automatically orients pin  206  upwardly to the X′-axis whereupon pin guide  204  reengages arcuate wall section  242  to reset mechanism  200  for further use. As now is apparent, mechanism can be so operated and reset very quickly, as many times as necessary to knock out a vehicle window. As also now is apparent, those of ordinary skill in the art can substitute other mechanical driving and resetting arrangements for pin  206  within preferred glass breaking mechanism  200 . At the risk of complicating preferred emergency device  10 , electromechanical assemblies likewise could be used to provide the force to break window glass, as now likewise understood by those of ordinary skill. 
   Electronics  300  provides still further functions for preferred emergency device  10 . Specifically, in the preferred embodiments, device  10  has a flashlight function and also an emergency flasher function. The heart of electronics  300  is provided by a circuit board  302  which receives electrical power from battery  304  encased and held within the main portion  22  of housing  12 . Contacts  306  engage the terminals of battery  304  and provide electrical power to circuit board  302 . Mounted to circuit board  302  are three LEDs operating in the visible spectrum. A first LED  310  emits high intensity white light to provide the flashlight function. Two further LEDs  312  emit red light to indicate an emergency situation. Preferrably, LEDs  312  are made to activate intermittently, with one LED  312  going ON while the other turns OFF. In addition to emergency lights, electronics  300  includes an audible alarm means in the form of a piezoelectric speaker  314 . Electronics  300  is operated manually by push button switches  316  controlling the LEDs, and  318  controlling the piezoelectric speaker  314 . 
   Reference now also will be made to the circuit diagram of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  schematically shows circuit board  302  in connection with battery  304 . LEDs  310  and  312  are connected in a series circuit operational by push button  316 . As mentioned earlier, dome  14  is constructed of translucent or transparent material; this is in order that dome  14  will pass light therethrough from LEDs  310  and  312 . Piezoelectric speaker  314  is in a parallel circuit with the LED circuit, and is controlled by alert button  318  as shown. In the preferred electronic circuit arrangement  300 , piezoelectric alarm speaker  314  has a high-pitch, oscillating sound at approximately 120 to 140 db. Also in such preferred arrangement, the emergency alert alarm will continue until the alarm button  318  is depressed for three consecutive seconds. Further, in the preferred circuit arrangement, both the flashlight feature and the visual alarm will be activated by the same push button  316 . Specifically, preferred visual operation occurs in a three step process. A first depression of push button  316  activates the flashlight feature. The flashlight remains on until button  316  again is depressed. The second button press will turn OFF LED  310  extinguishing the flashlight, and will turn ON LEDs  312  activating the red flasher feature. LEDs  312  alternate ON and OFF rapidly in sequence, with the sequence of each being opposite to the other. A single 12 volt battery cell  304  supplies power for all of these electronic functions, the flashlight, the emergency flasher, and the audible alarm. The flashing alarm remains activated until button  316  is depressed a third time. 
   Battery  304  is replaceable. Access to battery  304  is provided by way of a door  40  in the rear housing member  12   b.    
   It is understood that there can be various changes and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein. However, all such changes and/or modifications which may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art, still would result in an apparatus well within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.