BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention generally relates to security systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to automobile security systems comprising a self defense spray.

Background Art

Automobile security continues to be a major concern for most people today. Most of the solutions to the problem thus far have focussed on anti-theft devices and theft deterrent systems such as alarms, tracking devices and locking mechanisms. These systems, which have had varying amounts of success, are primarily aimed at preventing auto theft during periods when the auto is unoccupied. Recently however, the criminal element has discovered that an automobile can be readily stolen by threatening or assaulting a driver while the auto is being operated. This new form of auto theft is often referred to as car-jacking. The typical car-jacker will approach an automobile while it is temporarily stopped, such as at a red light or stop sign. The car-jacker will

then, through the use or threat of violence, force the driver and passengers out of the automobile, get in and drive away.

Car-jacking allows the thief to easily circumvent traditional auto theft devices since most devices are not designed to be turned on while the car is operating. Furthermore, traditional anti- theft devices are passive do nothing to protect against the violence which accompanies car-jacking. Typically, the car-jacker will utilize physical force or a some weapon, such as a knife or gun, to force the driver out of the car. Injury or death may result from these attacks. Aside from carrying a weapon in the car, few options exist for automobile drivers to protect themselves or more importantly, to discourage such attacks.

Thus, a need exists for an aggressive self defense system, capable of protecting the individuals inside an automobile, from the hostile criminal element seeking to forcibly assault the passengers and steal the automobile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention satisfies the need for a self defense system capable of protecting an automobile operator and passengers from attack by a criminal attempting to steal the automobile.

In accordance with the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automobile security system capable of preventing theft or hijacking while the automobile is occupied.

It is also an object of the present invention to prevent car-jacking by providing a self defense mechanism to the car driver and passengers. It is also an object of the present invention to

eliminate the need to carry a weapon in the automobile for self protection.

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a vehicle security system. The system includes a reservoir for retaining a noxious substance with at least one conduit attached thereto, one nozzle for each attached conduit singularly attached to a discharge point of each conduit, and an actuator capable of forcing or releasing the noxious substance from the reservoir, through the conduit[s] and out of the nozzle[s].

The reservoir may comprise a metal canister and may be located on the firewall of an automobile. Examples of the noxious substance contained within the canister include pepper gas or other types of self defense sprays. The conduit may be comprised of a flexible tubing and connectors which allow pieces of the tubing to be fit together and remain intact when pressurized. Possible discharge points for the noxious substance may be located on or within a side view mirror, within a door or door frame and/or on a steering column. The system may be set up such that the actuator can be triggered by a switch on the dashboard, behind the steering wheel or on the floor of the automobile.

The present invention provides, in a second aspect, an automobile which comprises a security system similar to that described with respect to the first aspect. The present invention provides, in a third aspect, a vehicle which comprises a security system similar to that described with respect to the first aspect.

These, and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent

fro the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts the components of an automobile security system in accordance with present invention; Figure 2 depicts a noxious spray being released into the air from the automobile security system in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 depicts an automobile equipped with the security system in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 depicts an isometric view of a driver's side door with conduit and attached nozzle running therein in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 depicts a top view of side view mirror with conduit and attached nozzle running therein in accordance with the present invention; Figure 6 depicts a cross sectional view of an automobile door with conduit and attached nozzle running therein in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 depicts a top view of a steering column with conduit and attached nozzle running therein in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 depicts a roofless top view of an automobile with conduits and attached nozzles running therein in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 9 depicts an electrical system of an automobile security system, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 1, components of one

embodiment of the automobile security system are shown. The system includes a reservoir 10 filled with a noxious substance such as pepper gas or some other type of self defense spray. One such source for these self defense sprays is Mace Security

International, Inc. of Bennington, Vermont. One type of reservoir envisioned in the present invention is a pressurized metal canister. However, any type of container with a pumping mechanism or a pressurized container capable of extracting the noxious substance at a relatively high flow rate would also suffice. Actuator unit 12 controls the release of the noxious substance from reservoir 10. Shown in Figure 1 is an electrical circuit 22, which, when completed, will trigger a solenoid type switch within actuator unit 12 and release the noxious substance from the reservoir. It is understood that although the current description utilizes an electrically triggered actuator unit, a mechanically based system may also suffice, and the invention is not limited to any one particular actuator.

In Figure 1, circuit 22 must be completed in order to activate the system. Circuit 22 comprises wire 30, which connects actuator unit 12 to voltage source 28; ignition switch 24, which must be turned on in order to enable the system; and control or safety switches 26, which must be closed in order to activate the system. Figure 1 illustrates one of many possible electrical circuit designs which could be used to enable and trigger the system. For instance, the system could be set up so that it is always enabled or is enabled by unlocking the doors or by triggering pressure sensors in a seat.

When circuit 22 is complete and the system is activated, the noxious substance will exit reservoir

10, pass through control valve 14 and flow through tubing 16. (Tubing 16 is shown "broken" to indicate that the actual length of the tubing depends upon the particular application and the vehicle) . Control valve 14 can be set to precisely regulate the flow rate of the noxious substance exiting from canister 10. Figure 1 shows connectors 18 which are used to create a system of tubing that will allow the noxious substance to flow to several different dispersion points 22. In the preferred embodiment, tubing 16 is a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, capable of bending without breaking or kinking.

Although an electrical actuator is depicted in paragraph 12, other types of actuators such as a mechanical actuator may also be used. For example, a mechanically operable valve may be contained within the canister of noxious gas to allow the gas to flow through the tubing. If the gas is contained within the canister under pressure actuating a single mechanical valve may allow the gas to be flowed through the tubing. Deactivating the system may be accomplished by closing the mechanical valve. The mechanical valve may be operated from a button having a linkage directly to the mechanical actuator, the button being accessible by the driver of a vehicle. When the system is activated, the noxious substance flows toward the dispersion points 22 and exits the system through nozzles 20 in the form of a spray. Nozzles 20 produce a controlled spray 32 (Figure 2) which allows the noxious substance to be carefully aimed toward a potential target. Thus, anyone in the path of the spray will be temporarily neutralized by the noxious substance.

Referring now to Figure 3, an automobile 34 having a security system in accordance with the

principles of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 illustrates one example of how reservoir 40 and tubing 44 of the security system depicted in Figure 1 can be physically located within automobile 34. Reservoir 40 may be located on the outside firewall 42. Tubing 44 may run from reservoir 40 to several discharge points.46 located throughout automobile 34. Discharge points 46 may be located at the side view mirrors 38, front doors 36 and steering column 48. In addition, other discharge points, although not shown, may be located at various other positions within the automobile.

Referring now to Figures 4-8, various nozzle configurations within an automobile are shown. In Figure 4, a three-quarter view of a driver's side door 52 is shown with tubing 54 and nozzle 56 positioned at the top of the window frame. This configuration could be used to spray someone approaching or standing near the window. A similar nozzle position could be achieved by running the conduit through the door frame rather than the window frame such that a dispersion point was at or near the rain gutter. Additionally, the tubing and nozzle could be moved into the car and placed in the roof panel pointed toward the window. This configuration, however, may require the window or door to be open in order to operate.

In Figure 5, a top view of a side view mirror housing 58 is shown with tubing 60 running through the housing and nozzle 62 attached thereto. This configuration may be used to direct the spray back past a side window to hit anyone leaning close to the window. The same result, with an easier installation, could be achieved by attaching the tubing and nozzle to the mirror externally.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the driver's side door 64. Tubing 66 is shown with nozzle 68 directed out away from the car. This configuration may be used to direct the spray toward someone approaching or standing near the door of the automobile.

Figure 7 shows a top-view of a steering wheel column 70. Tubing 72 and nozzle 74 are shown. Nozzle 74 is directed toward the driver's side window. This configuration may be used to neutralize someone leaning in the driver's side window or someone who has already opened the door and is attempting to enter the automobile. The system could be configured to actuate the actuator by opening the car door. In this case, the driver would lean towards the passenger side to avoid the discharge of noxious gas.

Figure 8 shows a (roof-less) top-view of automobile 76. Tubing 78 and nozzles 80 are shown. Nozzles 80 are directed into the rear passenger compartments. This configuration may be desirable for use in taxi-cabs.

It is understood that the configurations shown in Figures 4-8 are only meant to serve as possible examples of how the security system of Figure 1 can be configured within an automobile. FIGS. 4-8 are not meant to describe all possible implementations.

Referring now to Figure 9, a graphic illustration of the electrical system is shown. As previously noted, the noxious substance will be released from its reservoir 82 when an electrical current is passed through the actuator 94. The system shown uses car battery 92 as its source of electricity. Therefore, actuator 94 may be designed for use with 12 volt DC batteries typically found in

automobiles.

Figure 9 shows a system where three switches must be turned on in order for the system to be activated. Hand activation switch 86 may be located on the dashboard or on steering column 90 and may be activated by flipping a control switch or pressing a control button. Foot activation switch 88 is on the driver's side floor and is likewise activated by stepping on a control switch or control button. Ignition switch 84 is also part of the circuit.

Thus, in the configuration as shown, not only must both hand activation switch 86 and foot activation switch 88 be closed in order for the system to be activated, but the car must also be turned on. The system may be set up so that deactivation of the system would require a second flip of a control switch or press of a control button. It is understood that many electrical switch configurations exist for use with the present invention and Figure 9 only demonstrates one possibility. Furthermore, it is possible to implement a manual (non-electrical) system whereby the spray, which is kept in a pressurized container, could be released manually by opening a valve. Variations of the system may be made. For example, the system may be activated, i.e., capable of being used, when a door is unlocked, when the ignition is turned on, when a pressure sensor in the driver seat reaches a certain level, or permanently activated. Additionally, nozzles may be attached to a bar secured to the top of windows, attached below windows on the door pointing upward, attached to the rain gutter above a door, attached to the outside view mirrors, attached to the inside to be directed towards the rear seat of the car, and/or attached on

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the steering column to spray an intruder who tries to get into a car.

In one embodiment of the invention, the system may be constructed to allow the delayed release of the noxious substance from the reservoir 10 to one or more nozzles located within the vehicle and, preferably, a nozzle located at the driver side of the vehicle. In this situation, the system can be activated, the driver then has time to allow a car¬ jacker to enter the vehicle and sit behind the driver's wheel when shortly thereafter the noxious substance is then discharged into the car-jacker's face.

In general, the invention as described above provides protection to automobile drivers and passengers by neutralizing potential attackers with a noxious spray. Should an attacker approach the automobile, the driver can activate the security system which will release the noxious substance from the reservoir, through the tubing, and into the air at various dispersion points. The noxious substance, which enters the air in the form of a spray, will cause the attacker substantial discomfort, allowing the driver and passengers time to escape. The reservoir of noxious substance, which may take the form of a metal canister, would typically be replaceable such that the system would be reusable. The tubing, which carries the noxious substance, could be either installed during the vehicle assembly process or later retrofitted into the vehicle to create a permanent security system. Furthermore, the entire system could be factory installed and sold as a standard item on the automobile.

While several aspects of the present invention have been described and depicted herein, alternative

aspects may be effected by those skilled in the art to accomplish the same objectives. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such alternative aspects as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.