Wearable Personal Defense Device

Abstract

The present invention provides a personal defense device that is suitable for use by untrained and/or handicapped individuals when attacked. The device may be used by law enforcement personnel with a reduced chance of accidental discharge of a firearm. A strap is provided that fits around the wrist or another limb of the wearer. A controller is mounted to the main body along with an actuator and a pressurized gas reservoir. A housing is mounted to the main body to protect the components and may be removable. The device may be motion activated by an accelerometer connected to a circuit or other computer that recognizes a preprogrammed set of movements. The device may be voice activated or physically triggered by the user. The controller may provide at least one data function such as time stamping, geolocation, emergency texting, cell service, web access and Bluetooth compatibility.

1 . A personal defense device comprising:
 (a) a case to which a cartridge is removably mounted, the cartridge containing contents that repel humans and/or animals;   (b) a strap mounted to the case and configured for attachment to a human limb;   (c) at least one actuator having at least one component drivingly linked to the cartridge for displacing the cartridge to contact a structure and eject at least some of the contents through a discharge orifice formed through at least one of the main body and the housing;   (d) a wireless charging apparatus mounted to the strap; and   (e) photovoltaic cells mounted to the strap and electrically connected to the wireless charging apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the wireless charging apparatus is mounted to the strap adjacent the case. 
     
     
         3 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) a microphone;   (b) a computer connected to the microphone and programmed to recognize at least one pre-programmed set of vocal patterns and produce a signal; and   (c) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer.   
     
     
         4 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) an accelerometer;   (b) a computer connected to the accelerometer and programmed to recognize at least one preprogrammed set of movements and produce a signal; and   (c) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer.   
     
     
         5 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) a first actuator including a manual button drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon displacement of the button; and   (b) a second actuator including:
 (i) a microphone; 
 (ii) a computer connected to the microphone and programmed to recognize at least one pre-programmed set of vocal patterns and produce a signal; and 
 (iii) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer. 
   
     
     
         6 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) a first actuator including a manual button drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon displacement of the button; and   (b) a second actuator including:
 (i) an accelerometer; 
 (ii) a computer connected to the accelerometer and programmed to recognize at least one preprogrammed set of movements and produce a signal; and 
 (iii) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer. 
   
     
     
         7 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) a first actuator including a manual button drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon displacement of the button;   (b) a second actuator including:
 (i) a microphone; 
 (ii) a computer connected to the microphone and programmed to recognize at least one pre-programmed set of vocal patterns and produce a signal; and 
 (iii) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer; and 
   (c) a third actuator including:
 (i) an accelerometer; 
 (ii) a computer connected to the accelerometer and programmed to recognize at least one preprogrammed set of movements and produce a signal; and 
 (iii) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer. 
   
     
     
         8 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the computer provides at least one data function, selected from the group consisting of: time stamping, geolocation, emergency texting, cell service, web access and Bluetooth compatibility. 
     
     
         9 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the discharge orifice includes a spray nozzle. 
     
     
         10 . A personal defense device comprising:
 (a) a case containing a cartridge with contents that repel humans and/or animals;   (b) a glove to which the case is mounted, the glove configured for attachment over a human hand; and   (c) at least one actuator having at least one component drivingly linked to the cartridge for displacing the cartridge to contact a structure and eject at least some of the contents through a discharge orifice formed through the case.   
     
     
         11 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising a bracket from which a plurality of spaced prongs extend through slits in the glove, whereby the glove is disposed between a portion of the bracket and the case in an operable position. 
     
     
         12 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the manual button is integrated into the cartridge. 
     
     
         13 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) a microphone;   (b) a computer connected to the microphone and programmed to recognize at least one pre-programmed set of vocal patterns and produce a signal; and   (c) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer.   
     
     
         14 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) an accelerometer;   (b) a computer connected to the accelerometer and programmed to recognize at least one preprogrammed set of movements and produce a signal; and   (c) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer.   
     
     
         15 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) a first actuator including a manual button drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon displacement of the button;   (b) a second actuator including:
 (i) a microphone; 
 (ii) a computer connected to the microphone and programmed to recognize at least one pre-programmed set of vocal patterns and produce a signal; and 
 (iii) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer; and 
   (c) a third actuator including:
 (i) an accelerometer; 
 (ii) a computer connected to the accelerometer and programmed to recognize at least one preprogrammed set of movements and produce a signal; and 
 (iii) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer. 
   
     
     
         16 . A personal defense device comprising:
 (a) a case containing a cartridge with contents that repel humans and/or animals, the case including a base enclosing a chamber and a portion pivotable to the base;   (b) at least one actuator having at least one component drivingly linked to the cartridge for displacing the cartridge to contact a structure and eject at least some of the contents through a discharge orifice formed through the case;   (c) a human wrist-mountable device with at least a portion thereof disposed between the pivotable portion and the base.   
     
     
         17 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) a microphone;   (b) a computer connected to the microphone and programmed to recognize at least one pre-programmed set of vocal patterns and produce a signal; and   (c) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer.   
     
     
         18 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) an accelerometer;   (b) a computer connected to the accelerometer and programmed to recognize at least one preprogrammed set of movements and produce a signal; and   (c) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer.   
     
     
         19 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) a first actuator including a manual button drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon displacement of the button; and   (b) a second actuator including:
 (i) a microphone; 
 (ii) a computer connected to the microphone and programmed to recognize at least one pre-programmed set of vocal patterns and produce a signal; and 
 (iii) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer. 
   
     
     
         20 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) a first actuator including a manual button drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon displacement of the button; and   (b) a second actuator including:
 (i) an accelerometer; 
 (ii) a computer connected to the accelerometer and programmed to recognize at least one preprogrammed set of movements and produce a signal; and 
 (iii) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer. 
   
     
     
         21 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises:
 (a) a first actuator including a manual button drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon displacement of the button;   (b) a second actuator including:
 (i) a microphone; 
 (ii) a computer connected to the microphone and programmed to recognize at least one pre-programmed set of vocal patterns and produce a signal; and 
 (iii) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer; and 
   (c) a third actuator including:
 (i) an accelerometer; 
 (ii) a computer connected to the accelerometer and programmed to recognize at least one preprogrammed set of movements and produce a signal; and 
 (iii) a prime mover connected to the computer and drivingly linked to the cartridge and configured to displace the cartridge upon receipt of the signal from the computer. 
   
     
     
         22 . The personal defense device in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the computer provides at least one data function, selected from the group consisting of: time stamping, geolocation, emergency texting, cell service, web access and Bluetooth compatibility.