GB2269250A - Occupant attack alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

An occupant alarm system which allows the victim in a vehicle or premises, to activate a pre-recorded announcement ( 'This is an emergency - I am being attacked - Please help - Call the Police'), which is amplified and continuously transmitted until reset, into the street or public place, (and separately into the premises or vehicle), for action by the general public in response to the appeal for help. The system is mains fail and anti-tamper protected to provide 'in house' indications. The system uses existing branded units for the message storage. <IMAGE>

Description

Occupant Attack Alarm This invention relates to an Occupant Attack Alarm, with particular reference to the occupants of mobile vehicles e.g.

cars, lorries, etc. and also the occupants of fixed premises e.g. shops, sub post offices and other commercial units houses, caravans etc. Its use is illustrated on page (6.

In general, fixed (as opposed to portable) alarms are for the protection of of property, vehicles etc, against burglary and theft. In some instances, personal attack buttons are included to operate the alarm in emergencies. When operated, these alarms energise a siren, bell or some other such attention seeking device. They do not however provide information or instructions. They are therefore ignored in the majority of cases and such attacks on persons are successful because the occupant has not been able to communicate with the general public. This invention dispels any doubts concerning the need for assistance.

With the increase in attacks, particularly on women drivers in their vehicles, and also the robbery of individual occupants of commercial and domestic premises at knife point, it is essential to communicate an attack to the general public whilst it is taking place, to make them aware and to request their help. In short, an emergency announcement.

This invention enables the victim (in either vehicle or premises), to activate a pre-recorded announcement: e.g. 'This is an emergency - I am being attacked - Please help - Call the police' This is then amplified and 'fed' to the general public in the main street, via horn speakers located at the front of the premises, or in the case of a vehicle, under the bonnet, for all to hear. The announcement would be repeated continuously, until reset with a dedicated key.

To activate the announcement, it is only necessary to press one of a number of buttons located discretely within the premises.

Methods other than pushbuttons can be used to activate the alarm e.g. pressure mats, reed switches and magnets which operate with the movement of an article, or the opening of a door or till etc, as long as a pair of contacts is 'made'.

With the above announcement blasting into the street, it is extremely likely that people would immediately either try to investigate, apprehend, observe or at least make others aware, including, as requested - the police. In addition, the potential attackers would also be made aware of the announcement by a second speaker located within the premises or vehicle, thus tending to cause them to abort the operation and make an attempt at escape.

Anti-tamper and mains fail warnings are provided from within the control box which give a local in-house warning. Local monitoring to ensure the operation of the system can also be achieved without causing alarm operation.

The detailed technical features are basically irrelevant to the concept of the application, as long as the object of the alarm can be achieved. i.e. to communicate audibly with the public, when under personal attack.

The particular equipment involved comprises: 4a Either i) A branded personal cassette tape player with auto reverse, external d.c. input and a pre-recorded message tape ('This is an emergency - etc').

Or ii) A branded annunciator with external d.c. input, which allows the foregoing message to be recorded and then played.

b) Monitoring facility to ensure that the message is available.

c) Attack buttons to actuate the system.

d) Mains and back-up battery supplies.

e) Audio power amplifier (10 - 20 Watts).

f) Horn loudspeakers one each located above the front of the shop in the public highway, and within the premises.

ç Strobe unit mounted with f) to identify the location.

h) Key reset facilities.

i) Mains fail and anti-tamper in-house alarm.

j) Simple control circuit.

Items a). b). d). e). h). i). and 1) Would be housed in a single protected metal clad box about 225 mm x 225 mm x 90 mm, or smaller, located away from the area normally accessible to the general public in commercial premises, or in the case of a vehicle, in a smaller rigid plastic box, away from the occupants either in the boot or under the bonnet.

Item c) Would be located for ready accessibility within the commercial premises, at the owners discretion.

Similarly, they would be placed at convenient access points within a vehicle. (i.e. accessible from both front, back and passenger seats and so designed as not to be inadvertently operated).

Items f) and g).

Commercial and domestic premises: Located above the front of the building and contained within a standard plastic type alarm box with the strobe external to the box if used, to be readily heard and seen by the general public.

Vehicles: Located under the bonnet. A strobe could be mounted on the vehicle at the discretion of the owner. Due to the availability of a large capacity d.c. supply from the car battery, the mains voltage requirements would be omitted and the circuitry simplified. A back-up battery would still be provided to overcome difficulties of a flat or disconnected battery.

The illustration shows the shopkeeper behind the counter being threatened by a knife attacker. The shopkeeper has set off the alarm using a button mounted just under the counter. Passers by are alerted and there is little escape for the attacker without being identified or even apprehended.

The vehicle passing in the street is also equipped with the alarm, but the driver is not under attack.

Claims (1)

1. Claims

   1) An Occupant Attack Alarm to provide an isolated occupant, particularly female, of a commercial or domestic premises, or vehicle, with the opportunity to make the general public fully aware of an attack, burglary, theft etc, and to request their help by means of a pre-recorded audio message transmitted onto the public highway or place.