GB2291525A - Portable container with alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

A container includes a motion sensor 12 and an alarm means 9, 10, 11, 5 which provides an alarm when the container is moved. The container may be releasably attached to a frame to which the motion sensor and alarm means are secured. Alternatively, the container may be in the form of a bag or the like to which the motion sensor and alarm means are attached. In a further embodiment the container may be in the form of a shell (1, Fig 1) to which the motion sensor and alarm means are attached and arranged to fit within or around a rucksack or bag. <IMAGE>

Description

PORTABLE CONTAINER The present invention relates to a container having a device aimed at deterring thieves.

There are some situations where belongings or a bag may need to be left in a non-secure place and without close supervision. One obvious situation where this may occur is on the beach where people at some stage will generally want to go into the sea. While not wanting to leave cameras and other valuables unattended on the beach, it is impractical to take them into the sea, and the only alternatives are usually either to leave them and take the risk, leave a member of the party to look after the valuables or ask a stranger to watch over them. None are satisfactory solutions, and it is an aim of the present invention to address this problem.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable container or bag, including a motion sensor, and an alarm means adapted to sound an alarm in response to a signal from the motion sensor indicating that the container has been moved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a frame adapted to fit to a portable container or bag, the frame including securing means for releasable attachment to the container or bag, a motion sensor, and an alarm means adapted to sound an alarm in response to a signal from the motion sensor indicating that the frame has been moved.

It is envisaged that the container is in the form of a bag, ranging in size from a small handbag or briefcase to, for example, a suitcase or large rucksack. Although the sensor and alarm may be fitted into a soft bag, it is more practical for the bag/container to be at least partially solid for both ease of fitting the electronics and also for minimising the likelihood of false alarms. This is obviously more likely with a soft bag since owing to weight considerations, such a bag is more likely to be affected by the wind.

In an alternative arrangement, the invention may comprise a conventional rucksack or bag having an existing at least partially rigid frame to which are attached the sensor and alarm means.

In a preferred arrangement, the invention comprises a solid shell including the electronics and alarm device, this shell being of such dimensions so as to fit wi th or attach around a conventional rucksack or bag. Ideally this should be entirely detachable so that the bag or rucksack may be used without the shell in situations where an alarm is not needed, or with the shell attached. It is envisaged that the shell should be insertable or attachable so that the conventional carrying means of the bag or rucksack may be used In use, the preferred arrangement comprising the shell is attached to the bag, either by insertion into the body of the bag so as to form a rigid lining or to the outside of the bag where it is secured by straps or other dedicated means such as a zip fastener.For deterrent purposes, it is preferable to have the shell visible, in particular with a warning emblazoned across it. For larger bags such as suitcases or large rucksacks, this may not be entirely practicable, and the shell may form a separate smaller container within the larger container or alternatively a secure element to be attached to the outside of the bag, optionally able to contain valuables as well as the sensor and alarm means.

The shell itself may be fully secure with a locking device attached so that depending on the application, either the bag and its contents, or just valuables may be secured within it. For this purpose the locking device may act to open the shell and/or release it from the main bag/container.

The sensor and/or alarm means are actuable preferably by a key, a coded access number or other identifying means so that the alarm may be primed or turned off only by an authorised operator. In use , it is envisaged that the bag including the shell is placed on the ground or any stable base so that movement of the bag sufficient to set off the alarm would have to be deliberate. Once positioned, the alarm may be primed, possibly with a time delay of a few seconds between turning of the key and the alarm actually being set, in order to allow for inadvertently disturbing the bag while setting the alarm.

A variety of sensors may be used, but mercury-tilt switches have been found to be particularly good for the application. Similarly the alarm may be provided in a number of forms including audible and visual alarm means. The latter may in one arrangement involve the release of a cloud of brightly coloured smoke.

For a better understanding of the invention, an embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1A and 1B show schematic views of the shell showing the location of the sensor and alarm components and the access point for actuating the alarm; and Figure 2 shows a circuit showing an embodiment of the sensor and alarm system.

In rigure 1A, an example of a shell in accordance with the present invention is shown. The shell, shown generally at 1 has a shape and dimensions corresponding to a small rucksack and is constructed of a lightweight but durable moulded plastics material. Advantageously the plastics material is brightly coloured both for aesthetic considerations and also to attract attention to the fact that the bag/rucksack is alarmed. The shell is essentially the shape of a dome cut in half along the central axis of the dome, and the shell is therefore able to hold as much material as a correspondingly dimensioned rucksack. Around the edge 2 of the shell are provided a means of attaching the fabric of the rucksack. In this case a zip-fastener is provided.

To the base 3 of shell 1 is attached a box 4 containing the components of the sensor and alarm system, and a siren 5 located adjacent box 4 in order to maximise the audibility of the alarm. In use, box 4 is positioned so that when the shell 1 is placed open end downwards, the box 4 and the base 3 of the shell 1 to which the box 4 is attached, is accessible. An actuating means 6, in this case operated by a key is provided on the outside of box 3 for priming and turning off the alarm system. Since the shell/bag is to be for use on the beach a cap is provided over the keyhole in order to prevent the hole becoming blocked by sand.

In Figure 2, a circuit diagram is shown, illustrating a simple and reliable sensor and alarm arrangement suitable for the present application. The circuit essentially comprises a supply battery 9 (in this case supplying 9 volts) across which are attached a key switch 10, relay 11, sensors 12 and the siren 5.

The sensors 12 are mercury tilt switches and switch when they are caused to pivot through more than approximately 10 . Two such sensors 12 are provided in order to minimise the likelihood of the alarm not being initiated owing to breakdown of the components. Also, through positioning of the sensors at different points, triggering is more likely to occur if the bag is only slightly disturbed.

Provided the key switch 10 has been actuated so that the unswitched sensors 12 are the only break in the circuit connecting the alarm siren 5 to the battery 9, triggering of either sensor 12 will cause the siren to be activated giving off in this case 110 dBs. The relay 11 is provided in the circuit so that once activated and the alarm is sounding, the alarm is effectively latched on and can only be deactivated by turning the key or should the battery be drained to such an extent that the siren 5 stops.

In order to determine whether the battery 9 has not become drained of power, a battery-test facility is also provided. This is provided as a pushbutton 8 on box 4 within the shell 1 and has two contacts 13 and 14 which when made, complete the circuit and connect the siren to the battery in order to test it. Releasing the button 8 breaks contacts 13 and 14 and terminates the test, turning off the siren 5.

In use, the shell including the bag is placed down on a stable surface. If necessary the battery may be tested to ensure that it is not run down. Once established that the system is working, the key is turned and the alarm activated. Should the bag be moved without first deactivating the alarm with the key, the siren 5 will sound and will continue to do so until turned off with the key.

Advantageously, the shell is provided with an indicating means (not shown) to indicate when the key has been turned. This may be a visual indicator showing that the key has been turned, or may include an LED for example. For practice purposes, the alarm may be provided with a delay so that perhaps 3 or 4 seconds elapse after disturbance of the bag before the alarm starts. This would allow the deactivation of the alarm without the inconvenience of setting off the siren in the process.

Clearly other modifications to the design of the safe container/bag may be made in addition to those illustrated while still falling within the scope of the patent.

Claims (15)

1. A portable container or bag, including a motion sensor, and an alarm means adapted to provide an alarm in response to a signal from the motion sensor indicating that the container has been moved.

2. A frame adapted to fit to a portable container or bag, the frame including securing means for releasable attachment to the container or bag, a motion sensor, and an alarm means adapted to provide an alarm in response to a signal from the motion sensor indicating that the frame has been moved.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the container is in the form of a handbag, a briefcase, a suitcase, or rucksack.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the bag is a soft bag.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the container or bag is at least partially solid.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame is at least partially rigid and the sensor and alarm means are attached to the rigid part.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motion sensor and the alarm means are included in a solid shell dimensioned so as to fit within or attach around a rucksack or bag.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the container or bag is releasably attached to the shell.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the shell has a locking device.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sensor and/or alarm means are actuable by a key or a coded access number.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sensor is a mercury-tilt switch.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the alarm means is an audible alarm means.

13. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the alarm means is a visual alarm means.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the visual alarm means involves the release of a cloud of brightly coloured smoke.

15. A device as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.