Patent Application
20190212102
The apparatus of the present application relates generally portable safety devices. More particularly the apparatus of the present application relates to wearable portable safety devices for runners and cyclists.
Personal safety devices have long been employed in a variety of situation where the user may be at risk. Motorists changing a tire at night bear the risk of being hit by an oncoming vehicle due to low visibility. Hikers in remote areas run the risk of getting lost and losing navigation and communication when the batteries on their personal electronic communication devices are drained of power. Runners, bicycle riders, and walkers face potential harm from low visibility, from attack, from dead batteries in personal electronic devices, and from the loss of keys and other valuable. Multiple devices are currently needed to meet the needs of users in various risky situations.
The present application discloses a personal safety device capable of use in self-defense as a baton and which produces an audible alarm. The device also possesses a strap which permits it to be worn over the shoulder or across the back so that it may be carried hands-free. The device possesses a plurality of battery powered lamps along the length of the baton body and the strap to provide increased visibility of the wearer or user from both in front and from behind the wearer. Each lamp is battery powered and may be a light emitting diode (LED). In a further embodiment, the device possesses a programmable control system to control the power to lamps to sequence the emittance of light. A battery is housed within the body to power the lamps. The battery may be a rechargeable battery.
In a further embodiment, the battery system housed within the body may be of the type used to charge portable electronic devices. The device may possess an integrated micro-USB, LIGHTENING, and/or proprietary charging port.
In yet another embodiment, the body possesses a storage compartment for the holding of keys and other valuables for the convenience of the user. The storage compartment may be located on one end of the body and sealed with a cap that is affixed by the engagement of threads or by a friction fit arrangement.
One embodiment of the device utilizes a stored, pressurized chemical irritant canister and a triggering mechanism to spray the chemical irritant out of the far end of the body at an attacker.
Another embodiment of the device implements a registerable unique identifier so that, in the case of an emergency, the user can be identified, emergency contacts notified, and a critically important medical information can be provided to first responders.
The present apparatus recognizes and addresses the previously-mentioned long-felt needs and provides utility in meeting those needs in its various possible embodiments. To one of skill in this art who has the benefits of this disclosure's teachings, other and further objects and advantages will be clear, as well as others inherent therein. The disclosures herein are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, merely to provide context with which to understand the patent claims.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the personal safety device 100 of the present invention. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the device of the present application, several embodiments will be discussed as used for providing a personal safety device 100, i.e. safety baton, that can be utilized privately, by security personnel, or by others in environments where visibility is important and may need to be combined with self-defense features. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered limiting in any respect. The written descriptions of various embodiments of the device, including embodiments labeled as preferred, are not intended to limit the device by specifically requiring the presence of those embodiments and are merely intended to demonstrate various commercial configurations that employ the spirit of the invention without limiting what is claims to any specific embodiment. The use of the word “preferred” when discussing the embodiments is not intended to specifically identify the preferred embodiment of the invention under patent law, only to indicate non-limiting preferences among numerous potential embodiments.
Referring to
The baton 100 is intended to be useful as a self-defense weapon when swung at predators, animal and human. Ideally, the body 10 is manufactured from metal or a similarly hard substance to not only avoid damage to the baton 100 but also to inflict damage if necessary by striking an assailant or object. The baton 100 may also be used keep assailants at a safe distance by extending the reach of the user.
Nighttime visibility is an important safety consideration addressed by the baton 100. Referring to
In one embodiment, referring to
The lamps 21 are powered by direct current (DC) using at least one battery 40 housed within the body 10. Preferably, the battery 40 is rechargeable and the body 10 possesses a recharging port 43 to which a charging cord 45 may be connected. A lithium-ion rechargeable battery 40 is the preferred chemistry, but other rechargeable battery chemistries are envisioned to be useful. Battery 40 selection for various embodiments would be based on numerous variables including, but not limited to, specific energy, internal resistance, cycle life, overcharge tolerance, and dissipation rate, coulombic efficiency, toxicity, and cost. In an alternative embodiment, the battery 40 is removable and replaceable.
The illumination provided by the wearable safety baton 100 improves safety for riders, runners, and walkers at night by improving visibility to drivers and others of the presence of a person on a sidewalk or roadway and, when participating as a group, it also enables the riders, runners, and walkers to keep each other in sight from the front and the rear for safety considerations. The device 100 is also useful in other activities where people can become separated or otherwise need to be found, such as hiking, camping, skiing, and boating.
In a further embodiment of the baton 100, referring to
In another embodiment of the baton 100 the battery 40 powers charging ports 70 integrated into the baton 100 for the electrical charging/powering of portable electronic devices such as smartphones. The prior art is replete with useful rechargeable battery and charging system technologies that would be applicable, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,229. Current technology would suggest the inclusion of at least a LIGHTENING and/or micro-USB ports configuration(s), but it is envisioned that one skilled in the art could readily integrate other proprietary port configurations without undue experimentation. The charging ports 70 are integrated into the body 10 at the first end 15. The charging ports 70 would preferably utilize means to seal the ports 72 to inhibit the introduction of moisture and other contaminants, e.g. sweat and dirt. Means to seal the ports 72 could include, but are not limited to covers and non-conductive plugs. In a useful embodiment, the charging ports 70 and battery 40 are capable of preferably delivering at least 1.0 amp of current and more preferably capable of delivering at least 2.0 amps of current. In a further preferred embodiment, the baton 100 is envisioned to be integrated with a proprietary quick charge technology, such as QUALCOMM QUICK CHARGE, to provide faster charging in emergency situations.
Given the ever-increasing reliance on smart phones for communication and safety, a dead cell phone can be a major inconvenience and even a dangerous problem riders, runners, walkers, and others. For example, hikers have been known to get lost in the wild for days, bike riders and have been known to have accidents that leave them undiscovered for extended periods of time, and even walkers are known to have had their cell phone batteries go dead while walking through dangerous neighborhoods. Having a portable power source 40 and charging port 70 integrated into a wearable, illuminated self-defense baton 100 would provide an additional element of protection to the user at critical times of need.
Referring to
One embodiment of a means to trigger the release of the contents of a pressurized canister 80 involves releasing a loaded spring 90 beneath the canister 80 to mechanically advance the canister 80 toward the cap 17 forcing the nozzle 82 into the canister to release the contents of the canister 80. The nozzle 82 possesses a nozzle stem 81 that passes through the 87 affixed to the cap 17. When the spring 90 is released, the canister 80 is advanced toward the cap 17 and forces the nozzle 82 into the canister 80 through a canister seal 86 thus releasing the pressurized contents. The spring 90 is housed within a spring sleeve 92 which is affixed to a spring trigger 94 by a connecting rod 96. The trigger 94 is a stop affixed to the connecting rod trigger end 93 which protrudes into the body wall 11 through a trigger orifice 16 which acts as a stop. The trigger 94 is accessible to the user through the trigger orifice 16. The loaded spring 90 is released and the contents of the pressurized canister 80 are dispersed by depressing the trigger 94 into the body 10 and past the body wall 11 which acts as a stop. The connecting rod 96 is tensioned, like a leaf spring, toward the trigger orifice 16. When the trigger 94 is depressed the connecting rod 96 is released and the spring 90 is then capable of expanding and acts as a piston, driving the canister 80 toward the cap 17 where the nozzle catch 84 engages the nozzle stop 85. The nozzle catch 84 engages the nozzle stop 85 before the canister is fully advanced, thus forcing the nozzle 82 into the canister 80 and through the seal 86 to release the pressurized contents. After each use, the spring 90 and trigger 94 must be reset by forcing the sleeve 92 and spring 90 down onto the spring stop 88 towards the first end 15 and a new canister 80 must be installed.
Referring to
In an alternative embodiment, the device 100 may possess a serial number 28 or other unique identifier and indicates at least one method of communication with a registry through which the identification and contact information of the owner may be obtained and emergency contact information can be provided. Alternatively, medical data could also be made securely available to verified first responders through such a system.
Referring now to
Non-confidential contact information can be as basic as the device owner's name and the name and telephone number of an emergency contact. Non-confidential medical information is likely to include blood type, serious allergies (e.g. latex, bee venom, penicillin), and critical ailments that others need to be aware of such as diabetes, epilepsy, and heart conditions. Confidential information provides more detailed information such as home address, family members and their contact information, medical insurance provider information, social security number, personal physician contact information, medical history, etc.
