GB2284698A

GB2284698A - Handbag/wallet security device

Info

Publication number: GB2284698A
Application number: GB9424075A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alan Beynon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-08
Filing date: 1994-11-29
Publication date: 1995-06-14
Also published as: GB9424075D0

Abstract

A handbag security device using an inductive proximity detector 1 positioned within the bag and as close as possible to a body of metal 11 (probably aluminium foil) secured to the flap of the bag. When this flap, together with the metal foil, is moved away from the detector an alarm is sounded. The security device may be altered slightly to accommodate its use in bags which use a standard plastic zip fastening (Fig. 6). The owner of the bag has an isolating switch 7 secreted in the soft sides of the bag which, when squeezed, will allow access into the bag and so to the main on/off switch. When used in a wallet (2, Figs. 7 and 8) the device is contained in a thin rear compartment of that wallet. Sewn or attached in some way to the bottom of the desired pocket is a thin strip (3) of metal foil. The wallet naturally falls against this metal foil. Once the device has been activated by its owner, should a unlawful attempt be made to remove the wallet an alarm will sound. <IMAGE>

Description

A handbaz/ wallet security alarm system This invention relates to a security alarm system for fitting inside all types of hand bags and can also be fitted into the back of a wallet. In the case of a handbag, if an attempt is made to unlawfully open the bag an alarm is sounded. When used in a wallet, should an unlawful attempt be made to remove the wallet from its pocket in someone's clothing an alarm will sound. The alarm can be fitted to shoulder bags with a fold-over flap, to hand bags with zip and other fastenings of a non-metallic material, and also to sports type bags.

Shoulder bags, particularly ladies bags, are particularly vulnerable to pilfering by pickpockets in crowded areas. It was felt that some alarm system attached to the purse inside the bag would be sufficient but after research it was felt that a warning of a possible theft should be given at the earliest possible opportunity. It was therefore decided that movement of the flap itself should activate the alarm. In applying this principle to other types of bags, the parting ofthe zip to establish an opening should be sufficient to activate the alarm.

The back trouser pocket in particular is frequently used by men for carrying their money-wallet. These pockets are particularly vulnerable to petty thieves and pickpockets. In developing the handbag alarm it was realised that a very small movement of the flap of the bag was sufficient to sound the alarm and that is could be applied to a wallet so that the alarm will sound when the wallet has only been moved a very small amount. (say 5-6mm) According to the present invention there an inductive proximity detector positioned inside a handbag, and as close as possible to a body of metal securely fastened to the inside of the flap of the bag. In the case of the wallet, the proximity detector is placed in the wallet and the metal foil is attached to the bottom seam of the pocket This metal can be in the form of foil, sheet or block.When the body of metal is moved away from the search coil ofthe detector an alarm is sounded. Conversely when the coil of the detector is moved away from the body of metal an alarm is sounded. The presence of a metal object near the search coil alters the pattern of the magnetic field around the coil. This change is detected by a standard integrated circuit (CS209). After the circuit has been initially adjusted, should the metal be moved away an alarm will be caused to sound. Note that the actual electronic circuit is not part of this application as this is readily available on the commercial market. It is the uses to which this circuit has been applied that forms the basis of this application.

The small case containing the search coil, circuit, battery and sounder, is placed in a fixed position inside the bag and adjacent to the outer-side against which the flap of the bag will lie.

A sheet or film of metal is secured on the inner surface of the flap so as to come, as centrally as possible, close to the search coil inside the bag. The case contains an on/off switch and a socket for the 'personal 'off switch'. This 'personal 'off switch' is attached at the top of the inner side of the bag and by a thin wire to the socket in the case. The purpose of this 'personal' switch is so the owner of the bag can very easily deactivate the alarm inside to give momentary access to the case and to the main on/off switch. This is done by squeezing the edge of the bag thus pressing the 'press-to-break' switch.

In the case of the wallet the above principle applies except the case containing the search coil, circuit, battery and sounder is placed in a pocket. It naturally falls to the base of that pocket and along the base seam of the pocket is secured a small sheet of metal foil. The wallet contains a small 'personal' off switch so the owner has easy access to the wallet.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings in panels A, B and C.

Figure 1 shows a typical layout of the case, search coil, indicator, on/off switch, socket, battery and sounder.

Figure 2 shows the general view of the 'personal switch' and its connecting wire to the case.

Figure 3 shows a possible extension for the search coil so as to lift the coil up against the inside edge of a zip fastener.

Figure 4 shows details of the 'personal switch'.

Figure 5 shows a typical installation in a shoulder bag.

Figure 6 shows a typical installation in a bag closed by a zip fastener.

Figure 7 shows the wallet in a typical back pocket.

Figure 8 shows the typical layout ofthe wallet, showing the case, search coil, on/offswitch, circuit, sounder and battery.

Referring to drawings on Panel A the device consists ofthe following parts. Fig. 1 shows the case 5, containing the search coil 1, the circuit board 2, the sounder 3 and the battery 4. The 'personal switch' 7, shown in Fig.2, is connected to the circuit, via a wire and socket 6.

Fig.3 shows how the search coil 1 could be extended to be used in a bag closed by a plastic zip fastener.

Fig.4 gives details of the 'personal switch' 7. This switch causes temporary isolation of the circuit to allow the owner access to the main on/off switch 9. The indicator 8 shows the state ofthe main switch 9. The main part ofthe switch 15 houses a 'press-to-break' switch 12 and also a pivot 16. The moveable jaw 14 is held open by a spring 13. When this switch is in a suitable fixed position in the bag the switch is activated by pressure on the end as shown.

In Panel B Fig.5 shows the layout of the case 5 and the search coil 1. They are so placed so that when the flap is closed and held shut by the catch 17, the metal foil 11 comes into close proximity with the search coil 1. This proximity holds the circuit and sounder in an 'off state'.

Once the flap is brought away from the coil, without the 'personal switch' being used, the alarm (sounder) will be activated.

In Fig.6 the position ofthe extended search coil 1 is shown. In this form of bag a small, solid cylinder of metal 10 is used to affect the search coil 1. The position of the 'personal switch' can be decided by the owner.

In Panel C Fig 7 shows a typical use ofthe wallet (2) in a back pocket (1). The fixed strip of metal foil is indicated as 3. In Fig 8 the general layout of the casing for the components of the detector is shown. The money section 4 is as a normal leather wallet. The circuit 5 is housed in a separate case 10. This case also contains the coil 6, the battery 7 the 'personal' on/off switch 9 and the sounder 8.

Claims

1. A handbag security device using an inductive proximity detector positioned in the bag as close as possible to a body of metal (probably aluminium foil) secured to the flap of the bag. When this flap, along with the metal foil is moved away from the detector an alarm is sounded.

2. A handbag security device as in Claim 1, where the legal owner of the bag has a switch secretly positioned within the soft edges of the bag which when squeezed will isolated the alarm thus allowing access to the main On/Off switch.

3. A handbag security device as in Claim 2, where a small case containing a search coil circuit, battery and sounder is placed securely inside the bag to be protected, and adjacent to the outer side against which the flap of the bag will lie. A sheet or film of metal is secured on the inner surface of the flap so as to come as central as possible close to the search coil inside the bag.

4. A handbag security device as in Claim 3, where the case contains an on/off switch and a socket for the 'personal switch' which will deactivate the alarm prior to switch on or off from the main switch on the case.

5. A handbag security device as in Claim 4, wherein the 'personal switch' is positioned so that its use will appear to be a natural holding of the bag.

6. A handbag security device as in Claim 5, wherein when this device is used on standard zip fastening bags with a plastic zip fastening the device is varied to bring the search coil up against one side of the opening end of the fastener, whilst a round metal rod is secured up against the other side ifthe opening fastener.

7. The same proximity detector as in Claim 1 but also positioned the a thin rear compartment of a wallet so when placed in a pocket comes adjacent to a strip of metal foil. When the wallet is moved away from the metal foil an alarm is sounded.

8. A wallet device as in Claim 7, wherein the 'personal' switch is positioned in an unusual position known only to the owner and yet easy to use as he/she removes the wallet from the pocket.