GB2263135A

GB2263135A - Anti-theft security device for hand luggage

Info

Publication number: GB2263135A
Application number: GB9224806A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Thomas Hardy Cooke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-01-07
Filing date: 1992-11-26
Publication date: 1993-07-14
Also published as: GB9224806D0; GB9200180D0

Abstract

An anti-theft security device for hand luggage is in the form of a fastener 16 attached to one end of a chain so that a loop can be formed with ring 12 to pass round the handle of the luggage and a remote body, for example a person or bicycle, shopping trolley or chair leg. In a preferred embodiment a subsidiary chain 18 and fastener 20 is attached to the chain at the same end as the first- mentioned fastener. The subsidiary fastener may be attached to the bag closure device, such as the zip fastener, to prevent unlawful opening. <IMAGE>

Description

ANTI-THEFT SECURITY DEVICE FOR HAND LUGGAGE The present invention relates to a security clasp for hand luggage as an anti-theft device.

Hand luggage is at great risk of theft whether it be a hand-bag or a piece of travelling luggage. In London alone it has been established that 1.5 - 2 % of all crime since 1987 has been the theft of hand bags and brief cases. The situation in the West End of London is worse where bag theft is nearer 11.5% of all reported crime.

The bag is most often stolen from the floor beside the victim or from the back of a chair or table top.

In addition to these-total bag crimes, there is increasing evidence of bags being opened and the contents pilfered.

It is therefore the object of the invention to mitigate the problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a security device comprising a strap of flexible material at least strong enough to withstand manual breaking, means associated with the strap for creating a loop, and a fastener attached to the strap.

In one embodiment the strap has attached thereto a first ring to which the fastener may be connected to create a loop. The fastener may be fitted to a second ring and optionally one of the rings may be dimensioned to fit through the other ring.

Advantageously the security device also comprises a subsidiary strap and subsidiary fastener, the strap being optionally connected to one of the rings.

The strap may be located inside an outer aesthetic material sleeve.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sketch of a security device according to the present invention, and Figure 2 illustrates the strap and rings of the security device of Figure 1 in a sleeve.

The security device illustrated in the drawings comprises a strap 11 formed from a chain having at least sufficient strength to prevent it from being broken manually. The chain length would usually need to be approximately in the region 25cm to 40cm long. At one end the chain has fitted to it a 2.5cm ring 12. At the other end of the chain is fitted a 2cm ring 14 which can pass through the ring 12 when both are fitted to the chain.

A fastener in the form of a clasp or clip 16 is fitted to the ring 14, in this case to slide loosely on the ring 14. A subsidiary chain strap 18 is also fitted to the ring 14 to slide loosely on the ring. This strap is of a shorter length than the strap 11 and has fitted to the free end a subsidiary fastener in the form of a clasp or clip 20.

Either strap or both straps can be sleeved in a fashion or aesthetic material such as a woven fabric or leather or suede for example, or in a plastics material.

The security device can be used in a number of different ways. In most cases the subsidiary strap will enable the clip 20 to be connected to a zip fastener of a piece of hand luggage. The clip 16 can be clipped directly to the hand luggage, or can clip onto the chain 11 or round the chain 11 or onto the ring 12 to create a loop by which the hand luggage can be temporarily fastened either to a person or to an object such asla table or chair leg, a post or a shopping trolley.

It is possible to create two loops so that one can pass round the handles of the bag and the other round the person or other object by passing the smaller ring and clip 16 through the bigger ring 12 and then clipping the clip 16 onto the bigger ring 12.

For aesthetic purposes, or to prevent the chain from cutting into to flesh or furniture, any of the chains may be covered in a flexible material sleeve 22.

Leather is considered a suitable choice.

In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the clip 16 is connected to the ring 14 by a further subsidiary strap. In this way the clip 16 and further subsidiary strap can pass round the handles and attach to the ring 14 thus enabling a smaller clip to be used or broader handles to be catered for.

It is also possible to replace the ring 12 with a clip, which, when fastened to the ring 14 will form a loop which can loop round furniture. The advantage of having a ring 12 at the end remote from the fastener is that the size of the loop formed by passing the smaller ring through the bigger ring, or by looping the chain back through the ring 12, is adjustable in size.

Either (or both) of the rings may be replaced by a split ring or have a split ring attached thereto. A split ring can be attached to a metal ring or D-ring on a piece of hand luggage and thus the device will be readily available for use, needing only to be attached for security to a person or object as before.

The form and nature of the straps 11 and 18 can be chosen as required. It will be appreciated that it could include-a cord, thong, or line and that the strap can be straight or coiled.

Claims

1. A security device comprising a strap of flexible material at least strong enough to withstand manual breaking, means associated with the strap for creating a loop, and a fastener attached to the strap.

2. A security device according to claim 1 wherein the strap has attached thereto a first ring to which the fastener may be connected to create a loop.

3. A security device according to claim 2 wherein the fastener is fitted to a second ring and one of the rings is dimensioned to fit through the other ring.

4. A security device according to any of the preceding claims additionally comprising a subsidiary strap and subsidiary fastener.

5. A security device according to claim 5 as appendant to claim 3 wherein the subsidiary strap is connected to one of the rings.

6. A security device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the strap is fitted inside an outer material sleeve.

7. A security device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the fastener is a clip.

8. A security device according to claim 4 wherein the subsidiary fastener is a clip.

9. A security device according to claim 2 or 3 or to any claim as appendant to claim 2 or 3 wherein the ring is a split ring.

10. A security device substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompany drawings.