GB2101783A

GB2101783A - Anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: GB2101783A
Application number: GB08217637A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Maurice Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-06-24
Filing date: 1982-06-18
Publication date: 1983-01-19

Abstract

An anti-theft device adapted to be secured within a bag, comprising an alarm device 2, a power source 1, and a switch 3 operable to supply power from the power source to actuate the alarm device. The alarm device may be an electric horn powered by a battery. The switch is controlled by a link 8 that is breakable or detachable from the anti-theft device, breakage or detachment of the link causing the switch to actuate the alarm device. Thus if a bag in which the alarm device is secured is snatched from a person holding the link, the alarm device is actuated. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Anti-theft device The present invention relates to an anti-theft device and in particular to an anti-theft device adapted to protect hand bags or similar articles which are normally carried in the hand or over the shoulder.

The crime of "bag snatching", that is the crime of snatching a hand bag from its owner in the street, is becoming increasingly widespread. Older people are particularly vulnerable as the thieves know that such people are not able to struggle effectively and are frightened of being seriously injured by falling if they do not release their bag. In addition the detection rate is low as the victim often does not see the thief's face and once the thief is a few yards away from his victim the bag will be concealed, making identification of the thief very difficult.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft device which is useful in the above circumstances.

According to the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device adapted to be secured within a bag, comprising an alarm device, a power source, and a switch operable to supply power from the power source to actuate the alarm device, characterised in that the switch is controlled by a link that is breakable or detachable from the anti-theft device, breakage or detachment of the link causing the switch to actuate the alarm device, whereby if a bag in which the alarm device is secured is snatched from a person holding the link, the alarm device is actuated.

Preferably the alarm device is a horn powered by a battery. Any suitable alternative powering arrangement may be used however, for example the alarm device may be powered by a pressurised gas container or a clockwork mechanism.

The link may comprise a strap secured to a plug normally inserted in a switch to disable the alarm device. Snatching of the bag causes the plug to be pulled out, activating the alarm device. Alternatively the link may comprise a breakable strap incorporating electrical conductors which when broken enable the alarm device.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand bag in which an anti-theft device according to the invention is inserted; Figure 2 illustrates in detail the anti-theft device incorporated in the handbag of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 shows the handbag being carried with the anti-theft device in operation.

The illustrated anti-theft device comprises a battery 1, a horn 2, a switch 3 and wires 4 interconnecting the battery, horn and switch.

The switch comprises a base 5 and a head portion 6 into which a plug 7 is inserted. The plug 7 is secured to a strap 8. When the plug 7 is inserted it opens contacts (not shown) to disconnect the horn from the battery. Removal of the plug 7 causes the contacts to close, energising the horn which produces a shrili warning noise. The head portion 6 of the switch protrudes through a rectangular aperture in the bag. The base of the switch, the wires, horn and battery, are all concealed in the bag.

When the bag is carried, as shown in Fig.

3, its handle 9 is used in the normal way but a loop 10 at the end of the strap 8 is slipped over the owners wrist. If the bag is snatched, the loop 10 remains securely located on the wrist. As the thief pulls the bag away, the strap 8 is jerked tight, pulling out the plug 7 and thereby turning on the horn. The thief thus has to run off with the bag as the horn sounds an alarm from within the bag, or stop to try and silence the horn, or drop the bag to escape empty-handed.

The switch 3 may be located entirely in the bag, providing that it can be ensured that the strap 8 is not trapped at the point at which it enters the bag so that it can run freely out of the bag to pull out the plug 7. It is also necessary to ensure that either the plug 7 can be easily pulled out of the bag or the cord 8 breaks when pulled very hard to ensure that a person holding the ring loop 10 is not hurt if the cord 8 is jerked very hard.

In the illustrated arrangement, a potential thief would be able to see that an anti-theft device was in use. This may not be thought desirable and accordingly the separate strap 8 could be dispensed with and the switch which causes the alarm to be energised could be incorporated in the normal carrying handle or strap. For example the strap could be made in two sections intended to be joined end to end, one section incorporating two wires leading to a socket operating in the same way as the socket 3 of the drawings and the other supporting a plug normally received by the socket. In the event of the bag being snatched the handle would break at the plug/socket joint, causing the alarm to sound. Alternatively the strap could incorporate a conductor linked to appropriate circuitry intended to monitor the continuity of the conductor and to sound the alarm in the event of the conductor being broken. If the bag were snatched the conductor would break and the alarm would be energised.

It will be appreciated that the anti-theft device could be supplied for fitting into existing bags or as a component of a new bag.

1. An anti-theft device adapted to be se

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Anti-theft device The present invention relates to an anti-theft device and in particular to an anti-theft device adapted to protect hand bags or similar articles which are normally carried in the hand or over the shoulder. The crime of "bag snatching", that is the crime of snatching a hand bag from its owner in the street, is becoming increasingly widespread. Older people are particularly vulnerable as the thieves know that such people are not able to struggle effectively and are frightened of being seriously injured by falling if they do not release their bag. In addition the detection rate is low as the victim often does not see the thief's face and once the thief is a few yards away from his victim the bag will be concealed, making identification of the thief very difficult. It is an object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft device which is useful in the above circumstances. According to the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device adapted to be secured within a bag, comprising an alarm device, a power source, and a switch operable to supply power from the power source to actuate the alarm device, characterised in that the switch is controlled by a link that is breakable or detachable from the anti-theft device, breakage or detachment of the link causing the switch to actuate the alarm device, whereby if a bag in which the alarm device is secured is snatched from a person holding the link, the alarm device is actuated. Preferably the alarm device is a horn powered by a battery. Any suitable alternative powering arrangement may be used however, for example the alarm device may be powered by a pressurised gas container or a clockwork mechanism. The link may comprise a strap secured to a plug normally inserted in a switch to disable the alarm device. Snatching of the bag causes the plug to be pulled out, activating the alarm device. Alternatively the link may comprise a breakable strap incorporating electrical conductors which when broken enable the alarm device. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hand bag in which an anti-theft device according to the invention is inserted; Figure 2 illustrates in detail the anti-theft device incorporated in the handbag of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 shows the handbag being carried with the anti-theft device in operation. The illustrated anti-theft device comprises a battery 1, a horn 2, a switch 3 and wires 4 interconnecting the battery, horn and switch. The switch comprises a base 5 and a head portion 6 into which a plug 7 is inserted. The plug 7 is secured to a strap 8. When the plug 7 is inserted it opens contacts (not shown) to disconnect the horn from the battery. Removal of the plug 7 causes the contacts to close, energising the horn which produces a shrili warning noise. The head portion 6 of the switch protrudes through a rectangular aperture in the bag. The base of the switch, the wires, horn and battery, are all concealed in the bag. When the bag is carried, as shown in Fig. 3, its handle 9 is used in the normal way but a loop 10 at the end of the strap 8 is slipped over the owners wrist. If the bag is snatched, the loop 10 remains securely located on the wrist. As the thief pulls the bag away, the strap 8 is jerked tight, pulling out the plug 7 and thereby turning on the horn. The thief thus has to run off with the bag as the horn sounds an alarm from within the bag, or stop to try and silence the horn, or drop the bag to escape empty-handed. The switch 3 may be located entirely in the bag, providing that it can be ensured that the strap 8 is not trapped at the point at which it enters the bag so that it can run freely out of the bag to pull out the plug 7. It is also necessary to ensure that either the plug 7 can be easily pulled out of the bag or the cord 8 breaks when pulled very hard to ensure that a person holding the ring loop 10 is not hurt if the cord 8 is jerked very hard. In the illustrated arrangement, a potential thief would be able to see that an anti-theft device was in use. This may not be thought desirable and accordingly the separate strap 8 could be dispensed with and the switch which causes the alarm to be energised could be incorporated in the normal carrying handle or strap. For example the strap could be made in two sections intended to be joined end to end, one section incorporating two wires leading to a socket operating in the same way as the socket 3 of the drawings and the other supporting a plug normally received by the socket. In the event of the bag being snatched the handle would break at the plug/socket joint, causing the alarm to sound.Alternatively the strap could incorporate a conductor linked to appropriate circuitry intended to monitor the continuity of the conductor and to sound the alarm in the event of the conductor being broken. If the bag were snatched the conductor would break and the alarm would be energised. It will be appreciated that the anti-theft device could be supplied for fitting into existing bags or as a component of a new bag. CLAIMS

1. An anti-theft device adapted to be se cured within a bag, comprising an alarm device, a power source, and a switch operable to supply power from the power source to actuate the alarm device, characterised in that the switch is controlled by a link that is breakable or detachable from the anti-theft device, breakage or detachment of the link causing the switch to actuate the alarm device, whereby if a bag in which the alarm device is secured is snatched from a person holding the link, the alarm device is actuated.

2. An anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm device is powered by a battery.

3. An anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm device is powered by a pressurised gas container.

4. An anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm device is powered by a clockwork mechanism.

5. An anti-theft device according to any preceding claim, wherein the link comprises a strap secured to a plug normally inserted in a switch to disable the alarm device.

6. An anti-theft device according to claim 2, wherein the link comprises a breakable strap incorporating at least one electrical conductor which when broken enables the alarm device.

7. An anti-theft device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.