Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-05
2001-01-30
Mullen, Thomas (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S539230, C340S568700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181246
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a theft preventive device, and more particularly an alarm for a travel bag or backpack, that emits an audible alarm if an unauthorized person tampers with the bag zipper.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A wide variety of theft prevention devices exist in the prior art for purses, backpacks, and suitcases. One such example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,456, issued to Staehle which discloses a keypad attached to the outer surface of a purse. When the purse is shut, an individual must enter a predetermined numerical code into the keypad, at which the time the keypad will transmit an access signal for a predetermined period of time, allowing the purse to be opened. Control circuitry within the purse will activate an alarm if an unauthorized individual attempts to open the purse. The purse also contains an external “panic button” for manually activating the alarm.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,768, issued to Mann, discusses an adjustable strap for wrapping around a piece of luggage. The strap includes an alarm in communication with an electrically conductive element whereby an alarm is emitted if the strap is cut.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,274, issued to Long relates to an alarm configured to resemble a golf club head and is supported on an elongated support stanchion that is placed within the golf bag. The alarm assembly detects movement of the bag and sounds an alarm alerting a user of an attempted theft.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,706, issued to Chen, relates to an alarm device for briefcases and handbags. More specifically, the alarm device is a proximity alarm integral with an attachment strap securable to the handbag or briefcase. When activated, the alarm will detect a person or other creature within the detection range thereby emitting an audible signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,150, issued to White et al, discloses a compact security alarm for a portable container comprising a power unit, an alarm unit, a switch unit, and a sensor unit connected in series. If sudden movement or change of position of the portable container occurs, the sensor unit will activate the alarm unit. The invention also contains a hidden switch on the container whereby the owner can discreetly manipulate the alarm.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,719, issued to DeSorbo, discloses a remotely armed alarm system including a motion sensitive alarm disposed in an article that an individual wishes to protect. The alarm is armed in response to a first RF signal from a remote transmitter/controller and disarmed in response to a second RF signal from the transmitter/controller. The alarm produces a continuous or discontinuous sound when the article is moved. The alarm is activated for a predetermined duration after each movement of the article.
Although various theft preventive devices for luggage exist in the prior art, they are activated by motion. Such devices are not practical, however, when the user wishes to check the luggage with a passenger service such as an airline since any movement will activate the alarm. The present invention relates to a device which may be coupled with a valise zipper to audibly alert a remote user upon an unauthorized person tampering with the zipper. Accordingly, incidental or authorized movement of the bag will not activate the alarm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an alarm for a travel bag including an alarm unit that is attached to the bag and a remote unit that is carried by an individual. The alarm unit includes a zipper tongue receptacle into which the zipper tongue is inserted. A key lock on the alarm unit operates an internal latch lever to secure the zipper tongue within the receptacle while simultaneously activating the alarm. If the zipper tongue is removed from the receptacle, an internal alarm circuit is closed thereby emitting an audible alarm. Further, the alarm unit transmits a radio wave signal to a remote unit, emitting a second alarm thereon. The alarms in both units will continue indefinitely until a deactivation button on the remote unit is depressed, thereby opening the alarm circuit.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provided a new and improved alarm for a valise.
Is another object of this invention to provide an alarm for a valise that is activated upon the zipper being opened.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an alarm for a valise which can locally or remotely notify a user that the valise has been opened by an unauthorized user.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an alarm for a valise in two-way communication with a remote unit, whereby the alarm may be activated or deactivated remotely.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4080595 (1978-03-01), Rosen
patent: 4755802 (1988-07-01), Urbanczyk
patent: 4804943 (1989-02-01), Soleimani
patent: 5043702 (1991-08-01), Kuo
patent: 5126719 (1992-06-01), DeSorbo
patent: 5148150 (1992-09-01), White et al.
patent: 5164706 (1992-11-01), Chen
patent: 5493274 (1996-02-01), Long
patent: 5510768 (1996-04-01), Mann
patent: 5661456 (1997-08-01), Staehle, Jr.
patent: 5790028 (1998-08-01), Lee
patent: 5977876 (1999-11-01), Coleman
Ewing Priscilla L.
Ewing William A.
Mullen Thomas
Tolar Kenneth L.
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