Emergency aerosol retainer: rapid, secure access for crowd control, fire suppressant, wildlife deterrent, and other safety sprays

Abstract

The invention described herein relates to an emergency aerosol retainer, designed to securely hold the aerosol canister while providing quick access in emergency situations. The aerosol retainer features a durable and lightweight construction with an ergonomic design which allows for easy attachment to belts, backpacks, vehicles, or structures. The aerosol retainer facilitates rapid deployment in emergency situations by minimizing interference when deploying the aerosol spray. This invention offers enhanced safety and convenience for hikers, campers, motorists, law enforcement, firefighters, and others by ensuring that emergency aerosol sprays are always within reach. The primary initial application for this invention is for wildlife deterrent spray, such as bear spray.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] Patent Center No. 64 / 107,564 Application No. 63 / 616,225STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not ApplicableINCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A READ-ONLY OPTICAL DISC, AS A TEXT FILE OR AN XML FILE VIA THE PATENT ELECTRONIC SYSTEM

[0004] Not Applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

[0005] Not Applicable.Background of the InventionField of the InventionClass 239 (Fluid sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing), particularly Subclasses 152, 171, 172, covering body-, aircraft-, or vehicle-carried spraying devices.

[0007] Class 224 (Package and article carriers), especially Subclass 152.1+ for body-attached article holders and Subclass 153 for holders specifically for containers having dispensing means.

[0008] Class 222 (Dispensing), for any features facilitating dispensing from an attached container.

[0009] Class 169 (Fire extinguishers), as the retainer can be adapted for holding portable fire-suppression canisters.

[0010] Class 206 (Special receptacle or package), for aspects of specialized containment or packaging of aerosol sprays.Description of Related Art

[0011] In outdoor environments, such as hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping, individuals often encounter dangerous wildlife including bears, mountain lions, coyotes, moose, wolves, and elk. Pepper spray is a widely recognized non-lethal deterrent for such aggressive wildlife. Aerosol spray's effectiveness in first-responder emergency situations such as fire suppressant, crowd control, and methamphetamine suppression relies heavily on the immediate availability and accessibility of the spray for professionals who work in these dangerous environments. Existing methods for carrying and deploying emergency aerosol sprays are cumbersome, uncomfortable, and have limitations that inhibit rapid deployment such as:

[0012] 1. The use of retention straps or devices requires an extra step to deploy the spray

[0013] 2. Attachment design causes the device to shift around, requiring time to re-establish where the device is before use.

[0014] 3. Sleeve style designs require the user to pull straight up, requiring additional time due to poor ergonomics.CURRENT METHODS AND PRIOR ART

[0015] The prior art includes methods such as clipping aerosols to backpack straps with a carabiner, using elastic sleeves attached to waist belts, and employing plastic slide-in sleeves to retain the spray. Each of these methods has its drawbacks:

[0016] 1. Carabiner hook to backpack strap: The can is left dangling from the strap which bounces, and swings around, hitting the user with every step taken and potentially releasing the safety mechanism.

[0017] 2. Belt Clips: While convenient, clips often place the aerosol spray in a position that is difficult, even impossible to access quickly. In a high-pressure situation, such as an imminent wildlife encounter, the delay in retrieving the spray can be life threatening.

[0018] 3. Elastic Sleeves on Waist Belts: These sleeves can make the aerosol spray less accessible and may not secure the spray adequately, leading to potential difficulties in retrieving or reinserting the canister; often needing two hands to complete reinsertion.

[0019] 4. Plastic Slide-In Sleeves: These offer a secure fit but can be cumbersome and frustrating to use. The need to remove and reinsert the spray canister, especially under stress, may result in delays and decreased effectiveness.Problems with the Prior Art

[0020] The current state of the art fails to address several critical issues:

[0021] 1. Accessibility: The design of existing carry methods often hampers quick access to the aerosol spray, potentially increasing the risk of harm during urgent situations when rapid deployment is essential.

[0022] 2. Ease of Use: The processes of removing and reinserting the spray into the holster can be cumbersome and prone to errors, particularly under duress.

[0023] 3. Protection from Environmental Factors: The safety mechanism on the can's trigger is susceptible to being dislodged, potentially causing the trigger to be pressed unintentionally.

[0024] 4. Safety and Preparedness: The inadequacies of current methods increase the risk of harm by compromising both the accessibility and functionality of the aerosol spray during critical moments.Need for Improvement

[0025] There is a pressing need for an improved solution that combines convenience, security, and protection. An ideal retainer clip system would ensure easy access and rapid deployment of the aerosol spray while also providing protection from environmental factors such as branches or brush. Such a solution would significantly enhance safety and preparedness for individuals exposed to potentially dangerous wildlife and other risks, ultimately reducing the risk of harm in various use cases.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention provides an innovative aerosol spray retainer system designed to enhance accessibility and security for users in emergency situations. The system features a versatile retainer that securely retains the canister by grasping the spray head of the pepper spray can. Unlike traditional methods that rely on straps or snaps, this retainer mechanism ensures that the aerosol spray is always readily available without the need for additional fasteners.

[0027] Constructed from durable materials, the retainer is adaptable for various mounting applications. It can be easily attached to a wide range of apertures, including backpack straps, bicycle frames, side-by-side all-terrain vehicles, utility belts, vests, camping gear, boating equipment, campers, and both residential and commercial building walls. The retainer mechanism allows for secure placement while maintaining easy access, enabling swift deployment of the aerosol spray.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] A clear understanding of the key features of the invention summarized above may be had by reference to the patent drawings, which illustrate the method and system of the invention. It should be understood that these drawings depict preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting its scope with regard to other embodiments the invention may contemplate. Accordingly:

[0029] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the can assembly comprising and delineating between the canister and a spray head, as well as key components of the retainer.

[0030] FIG. 2 presents a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the aerosol spray retaining apparatus.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of the retainer and how it interacts with the neck of the spray head.

[0032] FIG. 4 depicts the retainer mechanism attached to a backpack strap.TABLE 1Reference numbers for patent figuresSpray Head1Neck of Spray Head2Canister3Upper Horizontal Support4Upper Cutout5Lower Horizontal Support6Lower Cutout7Knife Edge8Inferior Surface of Spray Head9Vertical Support10Superior Surface of the Spray Head11Spray Head Retainer12Mounting Apparatus13DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The invention herein is an improved method of carrying aerosol spray on the body, a bicycle, or a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV). The particular method of securing the can assembly is focused on the spray head (1) portion of the aerosol assembly rather than the canister (2) like the prior art. The illustrated embodiment of this emergency aerosol retainer secures and retains the spray head by supporting the inferior surface (8) of the spray head on the lower horizontal support platform (5). The lower support platform (5) has a c-shaped cutout (6) that is slightly smaller in circumference than the diameter of the canister and has surfacing to fit into the junction where the spray head and canister meet. Being slightly undersized, there is enough material of the spray head overlapping the platform that the can assembly does not fall though. The can is retained in both the vertical and horizontal directions because the cutout has a smaller opening than its largest circumference which pinches the canister (2) once it's inserted into the lower cutout (6). The upper horizontal support platform (3) that sits parallel to the lower support platform and sits just above the superior surface of the neck of the spray head which constrains lateral movement of the can. The support platforms are connected to each other via a vertical support (10) that increases the rigidity between the two platforms.

[0034] The spray head retainer (12) is joined to a mounting apparatus (13) that allows the retainer to be mounted on various structures. The mounting apparatus (13) would be designed to accommodate the shape of the particular structure it will be mounted to. The mounting apparatus anchors the spray head retainer (12) to structures using bolts, screws, straps, pressure, or even adhesives. And the mounting apparatus may be inline, concentric, perpendicular or adjacent to the spray head retainer depending on what you are connecting to. FIG. 4) shows the spray head retainer connected to a perpendicular structure called the strap clip (13) which, for example, is how one would attach the aerosol retainer to a backpack.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securely retaining an emergency aerosol canister, comprising:a framework configured to engage the spray head of the canister assembly, the framework shaped and dimensioned to securely hold the spray head in place while allowing for rapid deployment.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the framework includes an armature shaped to conform to the exterior contours of the spray head.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the framework includes a support structure that engages only the neck or nozzle components of the spray head.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a retaining feature, such as but not limited to live hinges, springs, cams, tension clasps, or locking pins, to secure the canister within the framework.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the framework is made of durable materials such as but not limited to nylon, metal, ceramic, or composite materials.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a secondary attachment mechanism adaptable for mounting to a variety of structures, including but not limited to backpack straps, bicycle frames, utility belts, vests, camping gear, boating equipment, and vehicles.

7. A method for securely positioning a bear spray canister for rapid deployment, comprising:providing an apparatus as recited in claim 1;inserting the spray head of the canister into the framework by engaging specific structures of the spray head;wherein the canister is held securely in place without the need for additional straps, fasteners, or collars; andwherein the canister can be rapidly removed from the framework in emergency situations.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the framework includes an upper horizontal support containing a cutout shaped to engage the superior surface of the cylindrical neck of the spray head body, a lower horizontal support containing a cutout shaped to engage the inferior surface of the spray head, and a vertical support connecting the upper and lower horizontal supports to stabilize the assembly.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cutouts conform to the shape of the canister and range in size from ½ inch to 2 inches in diameter to allow insertion and removal of the canister without additional straps or fasteners.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising mounting the apparatus to a structure using a secondary attachment mechanism adaptable for mounting to a variety of structures, including but not limited to backpack straps, strollers, bicycle frames, utility belts, camping gear, boating equipment, vehicles, walls or door frames.

11. A system for retaining and mounting a bear spray canister, comprising:a retention apparatus configured to engage the spray head of the canister as recited in claim 1;a mounting assembly operatively connected to the retention apparatus, the mounting assembly configured for attachment to soft or rigid structures.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the mounting assembly includes adjustable mounting brackets or adapters, such as but not limited to pivot joints, sliding tracks, or straps, to secure the apparatus in place.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the mounting assembly allows for adjustment of the orientation of the canister relative to the mounting structure.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the retention apparatus and the mounting assembly are made of durable materials such as but not limited to nylon, metal, ceramic, or composite materials.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the system allows for insertion and removal of the canister by movement in a single direction without the need to manipulate retention mechanisms.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the mounting assembly is adaptable for mounting to structures including but not limited to backpack straps, Molle, webbing, bicycle frames, utility belts, camping gear, boating equipment, vehicles, and interior or exterior walls of buildings.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the mounting assembly is adaptable for adding electronics such as, but not limited to lighting.

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