Purse theft alarm

Claim 2

A theft alarm device adapted to be utilized with a lady's purse having a strap assoicated therewith, said device comprising: a whistle; a housing means connected to said whistle; a valve mounted within said housing means; an aerosol container connected to an operatable by said valve; coupling means connected to said device for securing same between said purse and said purse strap; and, activating means operatively assoicated with said coupling means and said container so as to obtain a release of said valve such that the aerosol gas activates said whistle to produce said audible sound when a predetermined force is applied to said lady's purse, said activating means including: at least one restraining means for engaging said valve and restraining same in the normally closed position thereof, said restraining member being connected to one of said coupling means; and, shear means for releasing said restraining means in response to said predetermined force.

Claim 3

A theft alarm device adapted to be utilized with a lady's purse having a strap associated therewith, said device comprising: a. housing means including a whistle forming a part thereof; b. an aerosol container having a valve at one end thereof and mounted within said housing means in alignment with said whistle such that when said valve is opened, pressurized gas released from said container will activate said whistle to produce an audible sound therefrom, said housing means further including an elongated body element having an axial bore at one end thereof for receiving said aerosol container, said body element including a valve seat in substantial axial alignment with said bore to receive said valve therein, said valve being movable between a normally closed position to an open position to allow gas to be released therethrough; c. coupling means associated with each end of said housing means for securing same between said strap and said lady's purse; and, d. activating means operatively connected with said coupling means and said container so as to obtain a release of said valve such that the gas activates said whistle to produce said audible sound when a predetermined force is applied to said lady's purse, said activating means including: at least one restraining member extending through said body element and having one end thereof engaging said valve to retain same in the closed position thereof; said other end of said restraining member connected to said coupling means at one end of said housing means; and, shear means interposed between the respective ends of said restraining member and including a protrusion embedded in said body element to provide a locking engagement to prevent axial movement of said restraining member relative to said body element.

Claim 4

A theft alarm device adapted to be utilized with a lady's purse having a strap associated therewith, said device comprising: a. housing means including a whistle forming a part thereof; b. an aerosol container having a valve at one end thereof and mounted within said housing means in alignment with said whistle such that when said valve is opened, pressurized gas released from said container will activate said whistle to produce an audible sound therefrom, said housing means further including an elongated body element having an axial bore at one end thereof for receiving said aerosol container, said body element including a valve seat in substantial axial alignment with said bore to receive said valve therein, said valve being movable between a normally closed position to an open position to allow gas to be released therethrough; c. coupling means associated with each end of said housing means for securing same between said strap and said lady's purse; and, d. activating means operatively connected with said coupling means and said container so as to obtain a release of said valve such that the gas activates said whistle to produce said audible sound when a predetermined force is applied to said lady's purse, said activating means including: at least one restraining member extending through said body element and having one end thereof engaging said valve to retain same in the closed position thereof; said other end of said restraining member connected to said coupling means at one end of said housing means; and, shear means interposed between the respective ends of said restraining member and including a protrusion embedded in said body element to provide a locking engagement to prevent axial movement of said restraining member relative to said body element.

Claim 5

A device as in claim 2, wherein said protrusion includes a rear end and an inclined front end relative thereto.

Claim 6

A device as in claim 2, wherein a pair of said restraining members are provided, each having said protrusion thereon, and said restraining members being in spaced apart relationship to each other.

Claim 7

A device as in claim 2, wherein said restraining members are integrally formed with said coupling means at one end thereof to form a ring adapted to be secured to the lady's purse or the strap.

Claim 8

A device as in claim 2, wherein said whistle extends outwardly from one end of said housing means and includes a cavity in said body element in axial alignment with said seat for receiving the flow of gas therethrough to produce an audible alarm.

Claim 9

A device as in claim 2, wherein said container in said body element is replaceable.