US3899105A - Chemical irritant spray device - Google Patents

Abstract

A chemical irritant spraying anti-burglary device is disclosed in which a chemical irritant such as tear gas is discharged into the area to be protected when an intruder opens a door or forces open a door to enter a private or unauthorized area with which the device is associated. The anti-burglary device employs a spring biased pressurized container for discharging a chemical irritant through a passageway and nozzle. A mechanical trigger for releaseably retaining a pressurized container in a cocked position and for releasing the pressurized container is described. In addition, a lock mechanism to place the mechanical trigger in a non-triggerable condition is also described.

Description

United States Patent [451 Aug. 12, 1975 Fegley et al.

CHEMICAL IRRITANT SPRAY DEVICE Filed: Feb. 20, 1974 Appl. No.: 443,981

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 555.233 l/l957 Italy 9/316 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner.lohn P. Shannon [5 7 ABSTRACT A chemical irritant spraying anti-burglary device is disclosed in which a chemical irritant such as tear gas [52] US. Cl. 222/5; 222/835; 222/153; is discharged into the area to be protected when an 2 6 222/180 intruder opens a door or forces open a door to enter a Cl- B private or unauthorized area the device is [58] held of g" 6"" l associated. The anti-burglary device employs a spring 8 1l l l 1 biased pressurized container for discharging a chemical irritant through a passageway and nozzle. A me- [56] References and chanical trigger for releaseably retaining a pressurized UNITED STATES PATENTS container in a cocked position and for releasing the 2,989,214 6/ 1961 Manheimer 222/180 pressurized container is described. In addition, a lock 3,147,885 9/1964 Sheridan 222/83 X mechanism to place the mechanical trigger in anoni gri 2/2238?) triggerable condition is also described. 3, 95,44 imer et a 3,757,371 9/1973 Martin 222/5 X 8 Claims, 17 ng gu M r k I I fl M W M '1 I 1l 4 l l {/8 \l l \\|4\\m 9 2 l \\l I I l l5 7 6l 1 l l l I ll l l l \n -|s 1p@ 7 -11 l I 3 l l I I I l l l l l l l I 3 4l l LPS 5 1' 1 1 l .2 {LT 2 l I I l -.z a- .5 -.u%-

PATENTEB AUG] 2 \975PATENTE mm 2 ms SHEET FIGURE 3 FIGURE 5PATENTEUAUE1 2 ms FIGURE 6 FIGURE 7 -ss z g/ FlGURE 8 PATENTEUAUUZIQYS FIGURE 10 SHEET PATENTEDAUBIZBYS ,899.1O5

saw 5 PATENTEU Ausi 21975 SHEET CHEMICAL IRRITANT SPRAY DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to an anti-burglary device and more particularly to an anti-burglary device which discharges a chemical irritant such as tear gas from a pressurized container, one type of which is an aerosol container, into a protected area upon activation by an unauthorized person, causing the protected area to be flooded with a chemical irritant and forcing evacuation of the protected area by the intruder; but the invention is not limited to the use of the aerosol type container.

Chemical weapons have been known in the art for many years. One type of chemical weapon is the conventional tear gas grenade in which the firing member is generally triggered manually and said grenade is manually hurled at a target area, causing the target area to be flooded with the chemical irritant.

In another type of chemical weapon, the chemical irritant is stored under pressure in an aerosol type container. The firing member is again generally triggered manually and the chemical irritant in the form of a spray is manually directed at a target.

A third type of chemical anti-burglary device discharges an explosive tear gas shell into the area but this type is both dangerous and very limited as to the amount of tear gas which is discharged into the area to be protected.

Thus what is needed is an anti-burglary device in the form of a chemical irritant dispenser which can be fired by a relatively small amount of mechanical force even though the chemical weapon employs a relatively heavy spring for actuating the pressurized chemical irritant container against the passageway with sufficient force to release the irritant from said container but which anti-burglary device is positively secured against accidental release until triggered by an intruder and which will then release a sufficient volume of chemical irritant into the protected area to force evacuation by the intruder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principle object of the present invention is to provide an anti-burglary device of the chemical irritant dispensing type which may be triggered directly by a small amount of mechanical movement, and yet is positively secured against accidental release by a lock mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide an antiburglary device of the chemical weapon type which is readily triggered by opening a door, window, or ceiling skylight by an intruder entering an unauthorized area.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means of spraying or discharging the chemical irritant into the protected area in a minimum amount of time in order to force the intruder from the protected area and to prevent the intruder from reentering the protected area for a reasonable amount of time.

A further object of the invention is to provide an antiburglary device having means for reloading the device and resetting the firing member of the weapon in its cocked position after the device has been triggered.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a directable emission of the irritant means, such as by means of rotatably adjustable spray head, so that the invention might be located on a door, and yet, when the door is opened, direct the chemical irritant into the protected area.

According to the principle aspect of the present invention there is provided an improved means for releasably retaining a spring biased pressurized chemical irritant container slidably mounted in a cavity containing a funnel seat and passageway leading to a rotatably adjustable spray head with nozzle. A self-camming latching-release lever retains the slidably mounted spring biased pressurized chemical irritant container in shouldered engagement, thereby retaining the pressurized chemical irritant container in its cocked position and requiring positive force for release. When the door or window associated with the device is opened by an unauthorized person or when the person enters the restricted area, the self-camming latching-release lever is removed from engagement with a latch plate which keeps the latter engaged; thereby, allowing the selfcamming latching-release lever to cam itself from and release the slidable mounted pressurized chemical irritant container. Thus permitting the container to be thrust toward the funnel seat and passageway by the force of the spring associated with said container and causing said container to discharge the chemical irritant through the passageway and rotatable spray head into the protected area.

Since the self-camming latching-release lever, which serves to retain the pressurized chemical irritant container in its cocked position is rotatable; a relatively small amount of force is required to hold the selfcamming latching-release lever in shouldered engagement with said container even though a relatively strong spring is employed for forcing said container into the funnel seat and passageway. As a consequence, the latch plate holding the self-camming latchingrelease lever will not allow triggering the chemical weapon. The resistance to movement of the, selfcamming latching-release lever on the latch plate is sufficiently low so as not to be detected by an intruder.

In order to retain the container safely in its cocked position against accidental release, a locking mechanism is used in releasable engagement with a selfcamming latching-release lever such that the locking mechanism retains the latching-release lever. The latching-release lever is shaped such as to be selfcamming from the pressure exerted on the latchingrelease lever by the spring biased pressurized chemical irritant container. When unlocked and an unauthorized person enters the protected area, the self-camming latching-release lever is released from the latch plate causing the spring biased container to be thrust toward the funnel seat and passageway, discharging the chemical irritant through the passageway and rotatable spray head into the protected area. When the device is locked, the self-camming latching-release lever is held in a non-releasable condition.

The self-camming latching-release lever is shaped so as to exert only a small amount of force on the locking lever. The locking lever nevertheless can retain the latching-release lever safely against accidental release from mechanical shock.

The anti-burglary device of the chemical weapon type of the present invention may be utilized in homes, factories, farms, office buildings by attaching the device to doors, windows, skylights, etc., and may be used in connection with vehicles such as boats, trucks, airplanes, etc. The device may also be employed for any other application wherein it is desired to prevent unauthorized persons from moving certain objects by placing the mounted device against any other wall or object to prevent the unlocked device from firing until unauthorized movement of the subject objects.

Once actuated, the spray cannot be turned off by the intruder and the entire amount of pressurized chemical irritant will be discharged into the protected area making it impossible for the intruder to remain in the protected area without having protective equipment.

Other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a wall of a room having one embodiment of the anti-burglar spraying device of the present invention secured to the door and a latch plate attached to the frame of the door.

FIG. 2 is an elevational similar to FIG. 1, but showing the door open and showing the device discharging its spray.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the anti-burglar spraying device.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the anti-burglar spraying device.

FIG. 5 is left side elevational view of the anti-burglar spraying device.

FIG/6 is a partial vertical section view similar to FIG. 4 taken along line EE of FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 is right side elevational view of the antiburglar spraying device taken along line FF FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken along line BB of 'FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a vertical section similar to FIG. 8 but showing the anti-burglar device in its released position.

FIG. 10 is a fragmented sectional view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the trigger element held from releasing by the latch plate mounted on the door frame.

FIG. 11 is partial section taken along line G-G of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a partial section taken along line CC of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a partial sectional taken along line DD of FIG. 3, when the device is mounted on a door hinged different then that in FIGS. 1 through 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmented partial vertical section of the device but showing a second embodiment of the antiburglar device containing a pressurized container of the aerosol type without a projecting spout.

FIG. 15 is a fragmented partial vertical section of the device but showing a third embodiment of the antiburglar device containing a pressurized container of the type with a sealed end and a means for piercing the seal.

. FIG. 16 is a fragmented partial vertical section of the device but showing a fourth embodiment of the antiburglar device containing a pressurized container of the type with a projecting dispensing cap.

FIG. 17 is a fragmented partial front elevational section of the device but showing a fourth embodiment of the anti-burglar device containing the projection dispensing cap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the various views, there is shown in FIGS. 1-13, one form of the chemical irritant spraying device, called device hereafter, of the chemical weapon type according to the present invention, generally designated 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2 thedevice 1 is shown secured to adoor 2 and against alatch plate 13 mounted ondoor frame 3 so that forceable opening of thedoor 2 by a burglar or intruder will move thedevice 1 away fromlatch plate 13 to be actuated to spray a chemical irritant 14 into the restrictedarea 7. Thedevice 1 can be placed into a non-actuatable condition by locking the device with key orcombination lock mechanism 16 external to the restricted area or by thelocking knob 17 mounted on the device.

The device whose front, top and left side are shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 comprises of a pressurized chemicalirritant container 55 subsequently shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 13 slidably mounted between aright housing half 33 and aleft housing half 34. Thehousing halves 33 and 34 when assembled provide two similar sides for mounting thedevice 1 to thedoor 2 on either right or left sides ofdoor 2 depending upon the location, left or right, of thedoor hinges 4.

The pressurized chemicalirritant container cavity 68 is formed when the symmetricallyopposite housing halves 33 and 34 are joined together as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 13. Similarly formed and coaxial with saidcontainer cavity 68 are thespring cavity 64, thepassageway 59 and thespray head seat 51.

One type of pressurized chemicalirritant container 55 that can be used is of the aerosol type, but the invention is not limited to this type of container.

The pressurized chemicalirritant container 55 hereafter referred to ascontainer 55, is slidably retained incavity 68 such thatspring 61 exerts force and thereby movescontainer 55 indirection 65 and causes spout 58 to seat intopassageway 59. The material used forspout 58 is relatively soft and therefore effects an adequate seal at thepassageway 59 to retain the fluid at the pressures normally used in thecontainer 55. Thecontainer 55 in the position illustrated in FIG. 9 is in its released position where thecontainer spout 58 is seated into thepassageway 59.

Thecontainer 55 in the position illustrated in FIG. 8 is in its cocked position where thespring 61 is compressed and thespout 58 is coaxial but loosely seated into thepassageway 59. Thecontainer 55 is releasably restrained in a cocked position by a self-camming latching-release lever 12. The self-camming latchingrelease lever 12 is generally a flat member and includes a shaped latch portion 52,pivot hole 21 and acatch 63 and is best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. The latching-release lever is rotatably mounted on apivot pin 20 which supported inholes 22 located inhousing halves 33 and 34 and is slidably contained inslot 54 formed by the body halves 33 and 34. The shaped latch portion 52 slidably engages therim 57 of thecontainer 55 when in the cocked position as shown in FIG. 8. Thespring 61 urgedcontainer 55 causes self-camming latchingrelease lever 12 to rotate counterclockwise by a camming action of latch portion 52 byrim 57 as shown in FIG. 8 aroundpivot pin 20 and therefore to be held against the latchingplate 13 thus .retainingthe con tainer 55 in its cocked position.

Thecontainer 55 may be locked in its cocked position and the self-camming latching-release lever 12 held in its set position as shownin FIG. 8 by means of a cam-operatedlocking lever 38 whosecatch notch 45 engagescatch portion 63 oflever 12. Thecamoperated locking lever 38 is generally a square crosssectioned member which includes thecatch notch 45,spring notch 46 andhole 40 and is best seen in FIGS. 7 through 12. The cam-operatedlocking lever 38 is rotatably mounted on apivot pin 39 which is supported inholes 50 inhousing halves 33 and 34 and is slidably contained in a slot formed by thehousing halves 33 and 34, housing half guides 41 andslot 54 formed by thehousing halves 33 and 34. The cam-operated locking lever is held against lockingcam 36 by thespring member 48 which is compressed between thespring notch 46 of lockinglever 38 and the cavity 47 formed byhousing halves 33 and 34 and which slidably contained by cavity 47 and thespring guide portions 49 formed by the housing halves as shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11.

In order to place thedevice 1 into an actuatable or unlocked condition against thelatch plate 13, with thedoor 2 rotably mounted onhinges 4 attached todoor frame 3 normally covered byaesthetic moldings 6 in a closed position as shown in FIG. 1, the cam-operatedlocking lever 38 must be rotated such that thecatch notch 45 disengages from thecatch 63 of self-camming latching-release lever 12 so that it is only held from rotatably releasing and discharging the spring biasedirritant container 55 bylatch plate 13. This unlocking is accomplished by rotation of the lockingcam 36 shown in FIG. 8 in a clockwise direction for 90 so that cam flat 37 allows lockinglever 38 to move from engagement with self-camming latching-release lever 12 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, FIG. 10 showing the unlocked but unactuated position of latching-release lever 12 and lockinglever 38. The lockingcam 36 is rotatably mounted inholes 42 andcavities 44 ofhousing halves 33 and 34 in such a manner that it is fully contained and retained rotatably within the assembled housing. Thecavities 44 are shaped so that the locking cam surface is guided and arotation limiting protrusion 43 engages with similar rotation limiting portions ofcavities 42 so as to restrict rotation of the lockingcam 36 to 90.

The lockingcam 36 is rotated from the position shown in FIGv 8 to the position shown in FIG. 9 by inserting and rotating a key, not shown, 90 incylinder lock assembly 16 shown in FIG. 12. Thelock assemblys blade 23 located in the 90rotation allowing hole 18 hereafter designated ashole 18 can in its rotation againstlimit projection 19 rotate thecam 36, of which 18 and 19 are parts, 90 and yet permit a return of 90 by the lock assembly blade. This feature, common to many commercially available lock assemblies is necessary to permit removal of the key. Since most lock assemblies require a rotation in one direction to lock and the opposite to unlock from a key entry position and return to that position for key removal upon completion of the function desired it can readily be seen in FIG. 9 that the blade is now in position to perform the 3 as shown in FIG. 2.

Thelock assembly 16 is shown in FIG. 12 mounted ondoor 2 inhole 35 and is held in place by the lock mountingretainer plate 25 by use of lock assembly mounting screws 24. Thedevice 1 is mounted on thedoor 2 with thedevice mounting screws 31 so that thelocking cams hole 18 will slide over thelock assemblys blade 23 and permit ease of rotation of the locking cam.

Lockingknob 17 which is shaped to press fit into lockingcam 36hole 18 permits locking and unlocking of thedevice 1 from the restrictedarea 7. This feature is desirable when more than one door, window, etc., provide access to the restrictedarea 7 and exit from that area requires only use of one door.

A desirable feature of thedevice 1 is shown in FIGS. 3, 9, l0 and especially l2 and consists ofholes 28 inhousing halves 33 and 34 concentric and in-line withhole 26 indoor 2.Hole 26 is located from theholes 28 in thehousing halves 33 and 34 during mounting of thedevice 1 ondoor 2 and the mounting oflatch plate 13 ondoor frame 3 with mountingscrews 32. The in-line hole can now be used to check the condition, actuated or not, of thedevice 1 by visual or mechanical means. If insufficient light is available a pin of specific length whose diameter is small enough to fitholes 26 and 28 may be used to probe the devices condition. As an additional desired embodiment a self-contained light source such as a light emitting diode, battery and camoperated lockinglever 38 actuated switch could be contained within the unused cavities formed by thehousing halves 33 and 34 ofdevice 1 with the light emitting diode located in the housing half furtherest from thedoor 2.

Thelock assembly 16 is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 12 is commercially available from manufacturers such as Chicago Lock Co., 4311 Belmont Ave., Chicago, 111. 60641 (Model 4031 Eaton Corp., Yale Lock and Hardware Division, Rye, NY. 10580.

Thedevice 1 is not limited to use of the lock assembly type shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 12 and may be used with other types of lock assemblies such as thecombination lock assembly 66 anddial knob 67 are shown in FIG. 13 which also shows an alternate mounting and assembly ofdevice 1 ondoor 2. A push-button lock assembly such as manufactured by the Simplex Security Systems Company, 10 Front St., Collinsville, Conn. 06022 could also be effectively utilized to actuate anddeactuate device 1.

In the unlocked, actuatable condition shown by FIGS. 1 and 10, the device protects the restrictedarea 7 from entry from accessable area 8 even though thedoor 2, generally secured to frame 3 byhinges 4 and the doors normal knob andlatch mechanism 10 and latch plate recessed inframe 3. Upon unauthorized entry to restrictedarea 7 by forcingopen door 2, rotatably mounted onhinges 4, breaking out the doors regular latch plate as shown by the 'broken frame section 11 as shown in FIG. 2 thedevice 1 is actuated. As thedoor 2 rotatably moves into the restrictedarea 7 such as a home. apartment or office, etc., thedevice 1 slidably moves away fromlatch plate 13 as shown in FIGS. 2, 9 and 11. As soon as the self-camming latching-release lever 12 slides from its engagement withlatch plate 13 it is free to be cammed out of itscontainer 55 retaining position by the force ofspring 61 slidably movingcontainer 55 incontainer cavity 58 indirection 65, therim 57 of thecontainer 55 slidably forcing the shaped latch I plate 13.

12 in such manner as to movelever 12 out ofslot 54.

The container -55 continues to move indirection 65 toseat container spout 58 firmly inpassageway 59 and de- I press spout 58 intocontainer 55 causing the pressurized irritant 14 to be discharged through thedevice 1spray head 15,passageways 59 andnozzle 60 into restrictedarea 7 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9.

After the device has been fired in the manner described herein above, the housing halves can be separated to replace thecontainer 55, after restoring latchingrelease lever 12 to its cocked position as depicted in FIG. 8 if screws and nuts are used to assemble thehousing halves 33 and 34 instead of therivets 30 shown in FIGS. 3, 8, 9 and 11.

Yet another important feature is that the spray head is rotatable insocket hole 51 through a large angle up to 360 so that the chemical irritant spray 14 may be directed into any area relative to the triggering object such as when it is desired to spray into the area after an unauthorized person moves a triggering object or entryway at a comer of the area to be protected.

Another important feature is that thespring 61 be of substantial force so that thecontainer spout 58 will seat in thepassageway 59 withsufficient force to release the pressurized chemical irritant through thepassageway 59 and out thenozzle 60.

When the restrictedarea 7 is not violated by unauthorized entry the device may be returned to a locked, unactuatable condition by operating thelock assembly 16 or the lockingknob 17 so that the lockingcam 36 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 8 causing lockinglever 38 to rotate to engagecatch 63 of the selfcamming latching-release lever 12 withcatch notch 45 which lockslever 12 in place so thatdevice 1 no longer can be actuated when slidably moved away from latch A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 14. In this embodiment the basic structure is previously described and like numbers are increased 200 to indicate like or corresponding parts.

In this embodiment, the pressurized chemicalirritant container 55, shown in FIG. 8 having a projectingspout 58, is replaced with a pressurized chemicalirritant container 255, shown in FIG. 14, having a recessed valve. Pressurized containers of the aerosol type with recessed dispensing valves are well known in the trade. In addition, thespray head 15 and recessedpassageway 59 of the first embodiment 'shown in FIG. 8 is replaced with aspray head 215 having aprojection 258 and afluid passageway 259 all which are shown in FIG. 14.

In this embodiment all elements function as described in the first embodiment with the following difference. The pressurized container when released is discharged by the action of thespray head 215projection 258 engaging with and depressing the recessed valve of thepressurized container 255. The chemical irritant is then discharged through the valve of the pressurized container, through thepassageway 259 and out theorifice 260, then into the area to be protected.

A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 15. In this embodiment the basic structure is as previously described in the first embodiment and like numbers are increased by 300 to indicate like or corresponding parts.

In this embodiment, the pressurized chemicalirritant container 55, shownin FIG. 8 of the first embodiment and having a projectingspout 58, is replaced with a I pressurized chemicalirritant container 355, shown in FIG. 15, having a pierceable seal '373. Pressurized containers having pierceable seals are Well known in the trade. In addition, thespray head 15 and recessedpassageway 59 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is replaced with aspray head 315 having a projection 358 shaped to pierceseal 373 and a means for making a fluid seal capable of withstanding the pressure required for effectively discharging the chemical irritant into the restricted area.

Now referring to FIG. 15; FIG. 15 is an inverted embodiment of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment in which all elements function as described in the first embodiment with the following exceptions. Thepressurized container 355 when released by the latching-release lever 312 is forced into pierceable engagement with the sprayhead projection 358 by the action of a spring acting in a manner similar to the action ofspring 64 of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment. As thepierceable seal 373 is pierced by the action of the sprayhead projection 358; thepressurized container 355 continues to move by the urging of the spring acting in a manner similar tospring 64 of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment forming a seal by the action of the O-ring 374 and its retainingseat 351 and thepierceable seal 373 of thepressurized container 355. The chemical irritant is then discharged through thepierced seal 373 of thepressurized container 355, through thepassageway 359 and out theorifice 360, and then into the area to be protected.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. In the embodiment the basic structure is previously described in the first embodiment and like numbers are increased 100 to indicate like or corresponding parts.

In this embodiment, thepressurized container 55, shown in FIG. 8 having a projectingspout 58 is replaced with apressurized container 155 shown'in FIG. 16, having a projecting dispensing cap115. Pressurized containers of the aerosol type having-projecting dispensing caps are well known in the trade. In addition,

thespray head 15 and recessedpassageway 59 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 8 are replaced withapertures 171 and 172 ofhousing halves 133 and 134 through either of which the spray is discharged depending upon which housing valve is against the mounting surface.

In this embodiment all elements function as described in the first embodiment with the following difference. The projecting dispensing cap of the pressurized container is forced upward into engagement with the internal top ofhousing halves 133 and 134 by the action of a spring acting in a manner similar to theaction spring 64 of FIG. 8- of the first embodiment The action of the spring urged slidably mountedpressurized container 155 causes the projectingdispensing cap 115 to be depressed when released by the latching-release lever 112, causing the entire contents of thepressurized container 155 to be discharged through the orifice of then outaperture 171 oraperture 172 into the area to be protected. 7

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, thehousing halves 133 and 134containa hole 169 in the top of the housing halves l33'and 134 through which a slot in the projectingdispensing cap 115 may be engaged so that the projectingdispensing cap 115 may be rotated to align theorifice 160 with eitheraperture 171 or 172 depending upon the mounting of the device.

FIGS. 1 through 14 and FIGS. 16 and 17 show the chemical dispensing anti-burglar device in its preferred embodiment using a pressurized container of the aerosol type containing an internal tube from the valve to the bottom of the aerosol container. The anti-burglar device will work equally well inverted with aerosol containers of the type not having an internal flow tube. Both types of aerosol containers are well known in the industry but the invention is not limited to this type of pressurized container.

Although we have herein shown and described the invention in what we have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departure may be made therefrom within the scope of our invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent structures and devices.

We claim:

1. A chemical dispensing anti-burglar device comprising: a body member, a pressurized container, means for slidably supporting said container in said body member, a fluid passageway in said body member having an open entry section, means for discharging fluid from said container into said open entry section, a spring biasing said container toward said open entry section, means for releasably retaining said container in a cocked position away from said open entry section, said retaining means including a trigger element mounted for movement within said body member between an actuation position and a release position, said trigger element in the actuation position being in engagement with a surface of the container to retain the container in a cocked position, said trigger element in the release position allowing the container to be forced against the open entry section by the spring, whereby the means for discharging fluid causes discharge; means for locking said trigger element in engagement with said container, said locking means being mounted for movement within said body member between a locked position and a release position, said locking means in said locked position securing said trigger element in engagement with said surface of the container, and said locking means in its release position permitting the trigger element to move to its release position; and means external to the body member for releasably retaining the trigger element in its actuation position, said external retaining means including a latching plate mounted separate from the body member, the body member being movable between a first position in which the external retaining means retains the trigger element in its actuation position, and a second position in which the external retaining means allows the trigger element to move to its release position.

2. The device ofclaim 1 in which the pressurized container comprises a pierceable section, means to provide a seal between the pierceable section and said open entry section, and means for puncturing said pierceable section, whereby fluid may be discharged.

3. The device ofclaim 2 in which said means for puncturing comprises a projecting spout.

4. The device ofclaim 2 in which the locking means comprises a combination lock assembly.

5. The device ofclaim 1 in which the locking means comprises a cylinder lock assembly.

6. The device ofclaim 1 wherein said pressurized container includes a valve, said valve discharging fluid upon depression.

7. The device ofclaim 6, wherein said valved pressurized container contains a projecting dispensing spout, said dispensing spout discharging fluid upon depression; said open entry section being funnel shaped for receiving said projecting dispensing spout on said container.

8. The device ofclaim 6 wherein said valved pressurized container includes a recessed valve, said body member includes a projection in said open entry section extending beyond said open entry section toward said container to engage said recessed valve, said recessed valve activated upon depression to emit fluid.

Claims (8)

1. A chemical dispensing anti-burglar device comprising: a body member, a pressurized container, means for slidably supporting said container in said body member, a fluid passageway in said body member having an open entry section, means for discharging fluid from said container into said open entry section, a spring biasing said container toward said open entry section, means for releasably retaining said container in a cocked position away from said open entry section, said retaining means including a trigger element mounted for movement within said body member between an actuation position and a release position, said trigger element in the actuation position being in engagement with a surface of the container to retain the container in a cocked position, said trigger element in the release position allowing the container to be forced against the open entry section by the spring, whereby the means for discharging fluid causes discharge; means for locking said trigger element in engagement with said container, said locking means being mounted for movement within said body member between a locked position and a release position, said locking means in said locked position securing said trigger element in engagement with said surface of the container, and said locking means in its release position permitting the trigger element to move to its release position; and means external to the body member for releasably retaining the trigger element in its actuation position, said external retaining means including a latching plate mounted separate from the body member, the body member being movable between a first position in which the external retaining means retains the trigger element in its actuation position, and a second position in which the external retaining means allows the trigger element to move to its release position.

2. The device of claim 1 in which the pressurized container comprises a pierceable section, means to provide a seal between the pierceable section and said open entry section, and means for puncturing said pierceable section, whereby fluid may be discharged.

3. The device of claim 2 in which said means for puncturing comprises a projecting spout.

4. The device of claim 2 in which the locking means comprises a combination lock assembly.

5. The device of claim 1 in which the locking means comprises a cylinder lock assembly.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said pressurized container includes a valve, said valve discharging fluid upon depression.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said valved pressurized container contains a projEcting dispensing spout, said dispensing spout discharging fluid upon depression; said open entry section being funnel shaped for receiving said projecting dispensing spout on said container.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said valved pressurized container includes a recessed valve, said body member includes a projection in said open entry section extending beyond said open entry section toward said container to engage said recessed valve, said recessed valve activated upon depression to emit fluid.

Images