GB2334801A

GB2334801A - Alarm device for use with a golf bag

Info

Publication number: GB2334801A
Application number: GB9804069A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Howard Gazeley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-02-27
Filing date: 1998-02-27
Publication date: 1999-09-01
Also published as: GB9804069D0; GB2334801A8

Abstract

An alarm device for a golf bag includes attachment means 4 for attaching the device to a golf bag, a motion sensor 18, an audible sounder 12 and control means 8, such as a numeric keypad, for arming and disarming the alarm. The alarm device is arranged to generate an audible alarm signal when motion is sensed while the alarm device is armed. The device is arranged such that it provides a warning signal when movement is first detected and goes on to provide a full alarm signal if further movement is detected within a predetermined period. The device may also be provided with a panic button which can be used to activate the alarm regardless of whether the device is armed.

Description

ALARM DEVICE The present invention relates to an alarm device and particularly, but not exclusively, to an alarm device for a golf bag.

Good quality golf equipment is very expensive and is frequently the target of thieves.

Unfortunately, golfers often find it necessary to leave their golf bags unattended in a vulnerable position, for example while they go into the clubhouse to change their clothes. It is then a very simple matter for a thief to make off with the golf bag and its contents, or with one or more of the clubs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an alarm device that helps guard against the theft of golf bags and equipment.

According to the present invention there is provided an alarm device having one or more of the features described herein.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided an alarm device for a golf bag, the alarm device including a motion sensor, an audible sounder and means for arming/disarming the alarm, for example a keypad. The alarm device may also include means for restraining the golf clubs, for example a cable loop, which may be arranged to activate the alarm device if cut or removed. Optionally, the alarm device may include means for attaching the device to a golf bag, for example a clip, a visual warning device and a panic button.

The alarm device may be arranged to provide a warning signal when movement is first detected and a full alarm only if further movement is detected within a predetermined period thereafter. The alarm device may further be arranged to arm the alarm only after a predetermined delay from when the alarm is set.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, of which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an alarm device.

An alarm device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the Fig. 1 and includes a substantially cuboidal casing 1 having dimensions of approximately 75mm x 100mm x 25mm. The casing is made, for example, from a plastics material and has a sturdy bag clip 4 attached to its rear face (the clip 4 is shown detached from the casing 2, purely for the sake of clarity).

On the front face 6 of the casing 2 there is provided a keypad 8 consisting of four numbered keys, a warning light 10, for example a 3000mcd 10mum LED, and a piezoelectric sounder device 12, capable of providing an 85db output at 10cm. A releasable cable loop 14 is attached to the casing 2, for example by means of an electrical plug (not shown). Optionally, a larger "panic" button (not shown) may also be provided.

The casing 2 contains an electronic circuit board 16, which is not shown in detail but includes inter alia a movement sensor (or "trembler") 18, and a compartment for a battery 20. The electronic circuit carried by the circuit board 16 is entirely conventional and so will not be described in detail, only its operation being described herein. The battery may, for example, be a small 5V battery, that is capable of continuous operation for approximately 120hrs. This is expected to give a life, in normal usage, of about 2-3 months.

The alarm device may be armed and disarmed by entering a code sequence, which may be determined by the end user, on the numeric keypad 8 (possibly including the "panic" button, if fitted). Upon entering the "arm" code, the device provides a short delay of, for example, four seconds and then enters the "armed" state. This is indicated by the LED 10, which flashes slowly, for example at a rate of one flash per second. During the delay period, the condition of the battery is checked and if it is found to be nearly exhausted, an audible signal (e.g. a double "beep") is provided.

If movement is sensed by the motion sensor 18, the device first emits an audible warning signal, which is followed by an alarm tone if further movement is sensed within a predetermined time period. The device may be disarmed and the alarm may be cancelled by entering a "disarm" code on the keypad 8.

The cable loop 14 may be wrapped around the clubs to prevent them being removed from the bag. The cable loop 14 plugs into the casing 2 and either activates a switch or completes an electrical circuit, this being monitored by the alarm circuit 16. If the cable loop 14 is unplugged or, in the case of a cable loop that forms part of an electrical circuit, if the cable is cut while the alarm device is armed, this will also activate the alarm.

The alarm may also be activated by pressing the panic button (if fitted). This allows an alarm signal to be provided, for example if the user is attacked or is unwell. The alarm device may be set up so that the panic button will activate the alarm regardless of whether it is armed or disarmed.

Various modifications of the device are possible, some of which are described below.

The device may include an inductive sensor, including for example a permanent magnet and a sensor coil, to detect the removal of a club from the bag. The alarm device may be linked to some other form of physical restraint, such as an apertured plate secured over the mouth of the bag, that prevents the clubs being removed from the bag without activating the alarm. A switch, which may be built into the clip 4 or mounted on the rear face of the casing 2, may be provided for sensing removal of the alarm device from a golf bag. The switch may be arranged either to activate the alarm if the device is removed from the bag, or to switch the alarm on automatically when it is attached to the bag. The switch would not however over-ride the panic button, which may be still be used in case of an emergency.

Claims

Claims 1. An alarm device for a golf bag, the alarm device including attachment means for attaching the device to a golf bag, a motion sensor, an audible sounder and control means for arming and disarming the alarm, the alarm device being arranged to generate an audible alarm signal when motion is sensed while the alarm device is armed.
2. An alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm device is arranged to provide a warning signal when movement is first detected and a full alarm signal only if further movement is detected within a predetermined period thereafter.
3. An alarm device according to claim 1 or claim 2, the alarm device being arranged to arm the device only after a predetermined delay from when the alarm is set.
4. An alarm device according to any one of the preceding claims, including means for activating an alarm signal, regardless of whether the device is armed.
5. An alarm device according to any one of the preceding claims, including releasable restraining means for restraining the golf clubs, said restraining means being arranged to activate the alarm device if it is released while the alarm is armed.
6. An alarm device according to claim 5, wherein said restraining means is arranged to activate the alarm device if it is damaged while the alarm is armed.
7. An alarm device according to any one of the preceding claims, including means for sensing removal of a golf club from the bag, said sensing means being arranged to activate the alarm device if removal of a golf club is sensed.
8. An alarm device according to any one of the preceding claims, including attachment sensing means for sensing attachment of the device to a golf bag, said attachment sensing means being arranged to activate the alarm device if removal of the device from the golf bag is sensed.
9. An alarm device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said control means comprises a keypad.
10. An alarm device according to any one of the preceding claims, including a visual indicator for indicating the armed/disarmed state of the alarm device.
11. An alarm device for a golf bag, the alarm device being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.