WO2010059054A2

WO2010059054A2 - Anti-theft device for hand luggage

Info

Publication number: WO2010059054A2
Application number: PCT/NL2009/050706
Authority: WO
Inventors: Monique Antoinette Ansink
Original assignee: Excellent Products B.V.
Priority date: 2008-11-20
Filing date: 2009-11-20
Publication date: 2010-05-27
Also published as: WO2010059054A3; NL2002229C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for hand luggage, such as a handbag or laptop, comprising a first fastening means for fastening the device to the hand luggage and a second fastening means connected to the first fastening means for fastening the device to a body part or an object, wherein the connection between the first fastening means and the second fastening means is at least partially elastic.

Description

Anti-theft device for hand luggage

The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for hand luggage, such as handbags and laptops. Carriers of such hand luggage feel themselves increasingly threatened by thieves who attempt to steal hand luggage as they pass by. It is not unusual here for the carrier of the hand luggage, in their alarm, to cling firmly to their luggage, whereby dangerous situations and injury can occur, particularly if the carrier is dragged along with his or her hand luggage by the thief.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which helps to prevent such thefts, or helps to alleviate the dangerous situations and/or injury resulting from (attempts at) such theft.

The invention provides for this purpose an anti-theft device for hand luggage such as a handbag or laptop, comprising a first fastening means for fastening the device to the hand luggage, a second fastening means connected to the first fastening means for fastening the device to a body part or an object.

Because the hand luggage can be connected to a body part or an object, it is made more difficult for the thief to snatch away the hand luggage. The attachment, not expected by the thief, can already result here in him or her immediately releasing the hand luggage again, whereby the theft is prevented.

In an advantageous embodiment the connection between the first fastening means and the second fastening means is at least partially elastic.

If the thief does not let go of the hand luggage in the first instance, the at least partially elastic connection will ensure that the carrier of the hand luggage is not immediately dragged along, and so is not exposed to a tugging force on the body part to which the second fastening means is connected. In the case the second fastening means is connected to an object, the at least partially elastic connection likewise reduces the tugging force, which in this case prevents damage to the object. In both cases the thief will tend to let go of the hand luggage as soon as he or she realises that it is connected to a carrier or object. A second advantage of the elastic connection is that the device does not thereby impede the carrier of the hand luggage in his/her freedom of movement. This is particularly advantageous when the hand luggage comprises a handbag and the second fastening means is secured to the wrist of the carrier.

The at least partial elastic connection can preferably be formed by an elastic band, wherein the first fastening means and the second fastening means are each provided on an outer end of the band. This results in a device which is simple and can therefore be manufactured economically. A suitable and durable material for such a band is for instance a rubber wrapped with polyester. The connection can however comprise a link chain provided with a spring. The link chain need not then be elastic per se, but the spring in that case provides for an at least partial elasticity of the connection. In another embodiment of the present invention the connection comprises a belt manufactured from textile or leather, and likewise provided with a spring.

The choice for a determined embodiment can be made here on the basis of different considerations. When economic considerations take precedence, for instance because the device according to the present invention is presented as a gadget, optionally provided with advertising, a rubber wrapped with polyester may be preferred. The device can here also be provided with a bright colour so as to thus produce a preventive effect on a thief, who can thus observe beforehand that the hand luggage is secured to the carrier or to an object.

A link chain can for instance be applied when there is an increased risk of the thief anticipating the presence of the device according to the present invention, and he or she could contemplate cutting through the connection with a knife or other cutting means.

A belt manufactured from textile or leather can for instance be applied when, conversely, the carrier of the hand luggage opts not to draw attention to the presence of the device, so as not to create the impression that the hand luggage could be valuable. A textile or leather corresponding to or matching the textile or leather from which the hand luggage is made is in that case chosen. There can of course also be other (nontechnical or less technical) reasons for a determined choice in addition to those stated. In a further advantageous embodiment the connection is length-adjustable. It is hereby possible to ensure that the connection causes no obstruction during carrying of the hand luggage, or during connecting of the hand luggage to an object, for instance connecting a laptop to a car seat.

In a non-stretched state the connection preferably has a length of between 10 and 30 cm, and in particular around 20 cm. It has been found that at this length a carrier of a shoulder bag has sufficient freedom of movement and that the device, and particularly the connection thereof, has no excess length whereby the carrier could snag on to something and thus be inconvenienced by the device. In a maximum stretched state the device has a length of between 75 and 150 cm, and in particular around 100 cm. It has been found that the stretch which this length makes possible also provides sufficient damping for the force which a thief exerts on the hand luggage.

Diverse per se known types of a first fastening means can be applied for fastening the device to the hand luggage. A first fastening means, which is quick and easy to handle and which moreover cannot easily be pulled loose, is a karabiner or a snap hook. The first fastening means can here be a part connected by means of injection moulding to the connection. A neatly finished and robust attachment to the connection can thus be obtained. A simple first fastening means comprises a loop formed on or by means of the connecting means.

In an embodiment the second fastening means comprises a wrist band manufactured from polypropylene, preferably provided with means for adjusting the length thereof. Such a band is relatively soft, so is not intrusive during carrying and does not cause injury to the wrist of the carrier when it is pulled.

In another embodiment the second fastening means comprises a metal armband or a link chain, preferably provided with a closing means. Such fastening means are very robust and can in addition have a decorative function.

In yet another embodiment the wrist band comprises a leather or textile belt, preferably with a buckle closure. This embodiment can provide the advantage that the device is thereby less conspicuous, particularly when the belt or the textile are chosen such that they correspond to or match the hand luggage or the clothing of the carrier.

In a further embodiment the device is provided with an alarm device for generating an audio and/or visual signal if the connection is stretched more than a determined threshold value. The alarm has the purpose here of inducing the thief to immediately let go of the hand luggage.

In another further embodiment the item of hand luggage is integrally provided with a device as described above, wherein the first fastening means comprises a fastening means integrally connected to the item of hand luggage, such as a stitched fastening or a riveted fastening. In the case of a (shoulder) bag, the bag then comprises an at least partially elastic band which is attached to the bag and on which the second fastening means is situated, wherein the band is preferably manufactured at least partially from the material from which the bag is also made. Such a construction provides the additional advantage that the device is present at all times and can be attached when the hand luggage is carried. Should a universally applicable device be required which can be used in combination with diverse types of hand luggage, a device which is separate, i.e. not integrally connected to the hand luggage, is then recommended.

In order to prevent injuries, damage to the item of hand luggage, dangerous situations or other undesirable consequences of connecting the item of hand luggage to the carrier when a person of malicious intent exerts great force thereon, the device according to the invention can also be provided with means for breaking the connection between the hand luggage and the carrier. This is possible by embodying the first fastening means, the second fastening means or the connection therebetween such that they release a respective adjacent component of the device when a force applied thereto becomes too great.

The magnitude of the force can be predetermined, after which the respective component is dimensioned such that it opens at such a force. In the case of the first fastening means, the connection of the first fastening means to the hand luggage can here be broken, or that of the first fastening means to the connection with the second fastening means. The means for breaking the connection can likewise be incorporated in the connection itself, for instance when this is formed by an optionally elastic band. As a result of the specific choice of material such a band can be manufactured such that the band tears or breaks when a tensioning force is exerted thereon which lies above a predetermined threshold value. The band is then preferably formed such that the location at which the tear or break will occur is predetermined, and more preferably close to the connection to the second fastening means, so that when the band breaks loose the carrier of the hand luggage runs the smallest possible risk of being struck by a loose part of the (elastic) band.

In a further embodiment the means for breaking the connection are embodied as a separate component, such as a clip incorporated in the connection, a first part of which is situated on a side facing toward the first fastening means, and the second part of which is situated on a side facing toward the second fastening means, and wherein the first and second part can be mutually connected, for instance by means of snapping. The clip can then be opened again when the predetermined force on the parts in a direction away from each other is exceeded. The advantage of a separate element such as a clip is that it can in principle be used a number of times, at least if the person of malicious intent drops the hand luggage, for instance due to the unexpected snapping-loose movement.

Such a clip, also referred to as lock or closure, can particularly be adapted to enable adjustment thereon of a magnitude of the force at which the connection breaks. An adjusting member, optionally provided with an indication of the breaking force, can be arranged for this purpose on the clip. The adjusting member is for instance embodied as a slide button.

In addition, it is possible for the carrier to bring about manual unlocking or breaking of the connection. The clip can be provided for this purpose with a release, for instance a pushbutton, wherein pressing the pushbutton uncouples the first portion and the second portion.

The device according to the present invention can also be adapted to generate a warning signal, such as a light or sound signal, when a predetermined force on the connection is exceeded or when the hand luggage and the carrier are separated from each other. The invention will now be elucidated on the basis of the following non-limitative figures. Herein:

Figure 1 a shows a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

Figure 1 b shows the device of figure 1 a being used by a carrier of hand luggage;

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a device according to the present invention; and

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a device according to the present invention provided with means for breaking the connection.

Figure Ia shows an anti-theft device 10 comprising a first fastening means 1 for fastening device 10 to the hand luggage, and a second fastening means 2 four fastening the device to a body part, in particular a wrist, or to an object. The fastening means are connected to each other by an at least partially elastic connection 3 formed by a rubber wrapped with polyester. First fastening means 1 is attached thereto by means of injection moulded part 4, and second fastening means 2 is connected by means of a loop 5. Second fastening means 2 also comprises a buckle with which the length of the second fastening means can be modified to the wrist of a carrier.

Figure Ib shows device 10 of figure Ia, the first fastening means of which is formed by a karabiner 1 connected to hand luggage formed by a handbag 8, and second fastening means 2 is fastened round the wrist 9 of the carrier. Connection 3 is elastic such that it does not impede the user during carrying.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a device 20 according to the present invention. The first fastening means is now formed by a snap hook 21 and the second fastening means by an armband 22. Snap hook 21 and armband 22 are connected to each other by means of a link chain 23 which incorporates a spring 24 for the purpose of imparting elasticity. Figure 3 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein first fastening means 31 comprises a stitched connection with which the device is permanently connected to bag 36. Second fastening means 32, formed by a leather armband provided with buckle 35 to enable adjustment of the length thereof, is connected to first fastening means 31 by means of belt 33. Belt 33 is connected by means of spring 34 to ring 37, which has been placed through first fastening means 31.

Figure 4 shows a subsequent embodiment 40 of the present invention which is adapted to prevent injuries, damage to the item of hand luggage, dangerous situations or other undesirable consequences of connecting the item of hand luggage to the carrier when a person of malicious intent exerts a great force, the device according to the invention can also be provided the means for breaking the connection between the hand luggage and the carrier.

In the figure the first fastening means, formed by a karabiner or a snap hook 41 , is embodied such that the connection thereof comes apart above a determined tensile force so that the hand luggage and the carrier are separated from each other. Instead of or in combination with the modified first fastening means 41, a ring on which fastening means 41 engages can also be provided with a weakened portion 42 which breaks at the predetermined force so that the hand luggage and the carrier also separate from each other.

In addition or in combination with the foregoing measures, a device such as a clip 43 can be incorporated in the connection, for instance in the (elastic) band, the clip consisting of a first portion 44 and a second portion 45 which separate from each other when opposing forces 44' and 45' are exerted thereon. In a particular embodiment clip 43 has an adjusting member 46 which can be displaced 47 in order to enable adjustment of the force at which the connection is broken. A button 48 can also be provided with which the connection between portion 44 and 45 can be broken. Such a button can be arranged inconspicuously on the device so that a person of malicious intent does not grip the carrier at this button in order to break the connection. The inset B in figure 4 shows a possible inner construction of clip 43, wherein operation of adjusting member 46 results in a mutual displacement A of closing hooks 50 of portion 45 of clip 43 in which the barb 49 connected to portion 44 of clip 43 is received. The closer together the closing hooks 50, the greater the force required to break the connection.

Many other variants are possible in addition to the shown embodiments, all of which fall within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Anti-theft device for hand luggage, such as a handbag or laptop, comprising: a first fastening means for fastening the device to the hand luggage; a second fastening means connected to the first fastening means for fastening the device to a body part or an object, characterized in that the device is adapted to break the connection when a predetermined force on the connection is exceeded.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the connection comprises a material with such a predetermined tensile strength, that the material breaks or tears when the predetermined tensile strength is exceeded.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the predetermined force is adjustable by a carrier or user using an adjusting member.

4. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the connection comprises an operating member, such as a pushbutton, with which the connection can be immediately broken.

5. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the connection between the first fastening means and the second fastening means is at least partially elastic, such as an elastic band of a rubber wrapped with polyester.

6. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 1-4, characterized in that the connection comprises a link chain provided with a spring or a belt manufactured from textile or leather provided with a spring.

7. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the connection is length-adjustable.

8. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that in a non- stretched state the connection has a length of between 10 and 30 cm, and in particular around 20 cm.

9. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that in a maximum stretched state the connection has a length of between 75 and 150 cm, and in particular around 100 cm.

10. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the first fastening means comprises a karabiner or a snap hook.

11. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the first fastening means is connected by means of an injection moulded part to the connection.

12. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the second fastening means comprises a wrist band manufactured from polypropylene, preferably provided with means for adjusting the length thereof, or that the second fastening means comprises a metal armband or a link chain, preferably provided with a closing means.

13. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-12, characterized in that the wrist band comprises a leather belt, preferably with buckle closure.

14. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it is provided with an alarm device for generating an audio and/or visual signal if the connection is stretched more than a determined threshold value.

15. Item of hand luggage provided with a device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the first fastening means comprises a fastening means integrally connected to the item of hand luggage, such as a stitched fastening or a riveted fastening.