Patent Application
20160286910
The present disclosure generally relates to self-defense devices, more particularly, the self-defense device is directed towards a piece of wearable jewelry, such as a ring comprising a blade.
Securing the personal safety of one's self, family, friends and/or property is an ever mindful consideration. To that end, many choose various ways to protect themselves from exploitation by others, where such exploitation may be a physical attack, mugging, rape, unwanted detainment, burglary, etc. However, the many ways that a person may choose to protect themselves often has many disadvantages. For example, a person may rely upon a firearm, pepper spray, knife or other deterrents in an attempt to protect themselves. During an attack though, a user rarely has the opportunity to retrieve and operate such items from whatever manner they are carrying or storing the item; e.g., from a purse, a storage case, a bag, a safe, a glove box, etc. Moreover, circumstances may dictate that at times the person may not even have the means to transport their self-defense item. For example, a person may be exercising by hiking, jogging, running, and the like, which does not lend itself to carrying such self-defense items.
What is needed and disclosed is a self-defense device configured to operate as an effective deterrent, is readily accessible, and can be easily transported.
Among various representative embodiments, a self-defense device generally comprises a wearable piece of jewelry, such as a ring, that comprises an integrated and/or suitably coupled blade. The ring comprises an inner diameter and/or opening sized to accommodate the finger size of a user, but in other embodiments the ring may be configured to receive an insert that effectively reduces the inner diameter and/or opening of the ring so as to accommodate the finger size of the user.
Among various representative embodiments, the self-defense device may comprise various blades having various configurations such as serrated edges, barbs, hooks, and the like, as well as comprise various shapes, such as a contoured blade to conform to the curved shape of the user's finger. The blade may be integrated with the ring to provide a one-piece configuration or may be removable so as to provide for interchangeability among a variety of blade types, or other defense items.
Among various representative embodiments, the self-defense device may further comprise a sheath to secure the blade during non-use. The blade may comprise supports to provide for greater rigidity of the blade. The blade may be hinged and/or pivotable to accommodate various detent angles for various attacking modes. The blade may also be retractable.
Among various representative embodiments, a self-defense device may comprise multiple rings to provide for a multi-blade configuration, and the device may be configured to receive a coupling mechanism to secure the multiple rings together.
Finally, among various representative embodiments, a self-defense device may comprise a method for manufacturing, packaging, marketing, distributing, and/or selling the self-defense device.
A more complete understanding of a self-defense device may be derived by referring to the following detailed description and appended claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative Figs. In the following Figs., like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the Figs.
Elements and/or any steps in the Figs. are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular assembly and/or sequence of operation. For example, any method steps may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the Figs. to help improve an understanding of exemplary embodiments of a self-defense device. Similarly, illustrated components may be assembled and/or constructed in various configurations using shown or comparable elements to help also improve an understanding of exemplary embodiments of a self-defense device.
A self-defense device may be described herein by terms of various functional system elements and/or various method steps. Such functional elements may be realized by any number of hardware components configured to perform specified functions and achieve various results. For example, a self-defense device may employ and/or engage various blades, sheathes, rings, fittings, supports, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the self-defense device may be practiced in conjunction with any variety of self-defense applications, whether traveling, commuting, exercising, for sport, etc.; and any devices described are merely exemplary applications. The self-defense device described and claimed herein may also be applied to other wearable items, such as bracelets, anklets, necklaces, arm bands, belts, and the like. Further, the self-defense device may employ any number of conventional techniques for manufacturing, packaging, marketing, distributing, and/or selling the self-defense device.
Referring now to
Continuing with the exemplary embodiment, ring portion 101 comprises an opening, such as an inner diameter 102, having a size to accommodate the finger size of a user. Ring portion 101 further comprises an outer diameter 103, and the distance between inner diameter 102 and outer diameter 103 defines a thickness 104 of ring portion 101. In general, inner diameter 102 and outer diameter 103 are consistent along a width 105 of ring portion 101 such that thickness 104 is likewise consistent along width 105, but in some embodiments, outer diameter 103 and maybe even inner diameter 102 may vary along width 105 such that thickness 104 may likewise vary. Such a varying diameter and thickness configuration may be beneficial depending on the desired configuration and/or design of ring portion 101. As disclosed, ring portion 101 comprises inner diameter 102 having a size to accommodate the finger size of a user, however, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that ring portion 101 may be altered to accommodate the finger size of the user in an alternate fashion. Rather than directly sizing ring portion 101 to accommodate the user's finger size, ring portion 101 may be configured to receive a size insert to effectively reduce the opening and/or inner diameter 102 of ring portion 101 so as to accommodate the user's finger size. For example, and with reference to
It should be noted that an inner diameter and an outer diameter referred to throughout the specification may vary about a respective inner and outer circumference of any of the embodiments disclosed, and those skilled in the art understand that such variations do not detract from the overall scope and spirit of the self-defense device. For example, because sizing insert 220 shown spans only partly about an inner circumferential portion of ring portion 201, insert 220 may alter an inner diameter of ring portion 201 in only that area, thus it may not alter an inner diameter in another part. Whereas a sizing insert that spans the entire inner circumference of ring portion 201 would alter the entirety of ring portion 201's inner diameter. Thus, when a sizing insert is referenced and discussed how it may reduce the effective inner diameter of ring portion 201, it should be understood that such insert similarly reduces the inner circumference and/or overall ring size opening of ring 200 so as to accommodate the size of a user's finger.
Continuing with exemplary embodiments shown by the
In accordance with the present embodiment, blade 310 is depicted as an integral element of ring portion 301, but in other embodiments a blade may be detachable from ring portion 301. For example, some embodiments may provide for interchangeable self-defense elements and/or other blade configurations or types. Moreover, blade 310 may not comprise a static position, i.e., the extended normal configuration with respect to distal circumferential perimeter 307, but rather may be affixed at varying angles, or may be hinged to accommodate setting the blade at various discrete detent positions, and the like.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any ring portion may comprise any ring type known in the jewelry arts. Any ring portion may comprise any of a variety of shape/design configurations and comprise various types of materials, whether natural or synthetic. For example, any ring portion may comprise gold, silver, platinum, aluminum, steel and any other metallic type material, and such metallic materials may be alloyed. Moreover, any ring portion may comprise synthetic materials, for example, various types of thermoplastics, but preferably a thermo-set type plastic. Any ring portion may comprise various types of wood materials, glass, etc.
Similarly, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any blade portion may comprise any blade type known in the blade arts. Any blade portion may comprise any of a variety of shape/design configurations and comprise various types of materials, whether natural or synthetic. For example, any blade portion may comprise steel, iron, aluminum, titanium, and any other metallic type material, and such metallic materials may be alloyed. Moreover, any blade portion may comprise synthetic materials, for example, various types of thermoplastics, but also preferably a thermo-set type plastic. Any blade portion may comprise various types of wood materials, glass, etc.
In accordance with an embodiment of the self-defense device, and with continuing reference to
Continuing with the exemplary embodiment, and depicted by
Continuing with an exemplary embodiment, self-defense device 300 may comprise a support 340 that is integral with and extends along at least a top side portion of a length of blade 310. Support 340 is configured to provide additional support, stability, and/or rigidity of blade 310. As mentioned, it may extend along at least a top side portion of a length of blade 310, but in other embodiments support 340 may extend onto ring portion 301 as well. Support 340 may also extend along any side portions of blade 310 or underneath blade 310, and perhaps extend into the inner portion of ring portion 301. Support 340 may comprise various geometric configurations and comprise various materials. Support 340 may also be removable and/or interchangeable.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, and with reference to
With reference to
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method for manufacturing a self-defense device may comprise; providing a ring configured to fit upon a finger of a user, wherein the ring may comprise, an inner diameter and an outer diameter, and a proximate circumferential perimeter and a distal circumferential perimeter, and affixing a blade to and extending from at least a portion of the distal circumferential perimeter of the ring. The method may further comprise, wherein affixing the blade comprises affixing the blade comprising serrated edges. The method may comprise providing a sheath to overlay at least a portion of the blade, a size insert for the ring to effectively reduce the opening, i.e., inner diameter of the ring so as to accommodate a size of the user's finger, and/or providing a support along at least a top side portion of a length of the blade to provide for greater rigidity of the blade. The method of manufacturing the self-defense device may comprise providing a slot to accept a clip to couple multiple self-defense devices, and it may also comprise hinging the blade to the ring to facilitate setting various angles of the blade.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art the a method for manufacturing the self-defense device may comprise not only elements detailed in the steps listed above, but may comprise manufacturing the device to comprise some, all, and various permutations of the physical elements detailed throughout this disclosure. Moreover, any methods may further comprise steps for packaging, marketing, distributing, and/or selling the self-defense device as well.
Clearly those skilled in the art will understand that the various self-defense device embodiments shown and described are merely exemplary embodiments and various other configurations may be used to carry out the function of a self-defense device.
In the foregoing specification, a self-defense device has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the self-defense device as set forth in the following claims. The specification and Figs. are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the self-defense device. Accordingly, the scope of the self-defense device should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the exemplary embodiments described.
For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may be executed in any order and are not limited to the specific order presented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any device claims may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the claims.
Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit, advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or components of any or all the claims.
As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”, “includes” “is” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, device, composition, system, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, device, composition, system, or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the self-defense device, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
