Personal defense device

Abstract

A non-lethal personal defense device is disclosed comprising a deterrent compound contained within a breakable outer body. The deterrent compound includes at least one of the following features: an unpleasant odor, the ability to induce nausea or vomiting, staining properties for skin and clothing, and skin and/or eye irritation or burning. The outer body has at least one hollow component designed to hold the deterrent compound and is formed from a material that is easily breakable by hand. The device is attachable to a body part or clothing of the user, or accessory such as a purse, mobile phone, keychain, or the like, allowing the deterrent compound to be released upon breaking the hollow body, thereby providing a method of personal defense without causing permanent harm.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A non-lethal personal defense device comprising:
 a deterrent compound, wherein the deterrent compound comprises a component that has at least one of an unpleasant odor, induces nausea or vomiting in a person or animal, stains skin and clothing, and causes skin and/or eyes to be irritated or burned; and   an outer body having a hollow component, wherein the deterrent compound is stored within the hollow component and a user may break the hollow component, causing the deterrent compound to be released;   wherein the hollow component is formed of a material that is readily breakable by hand, and wherein the outer body is attachable to a body part or clothing of a user.   
     
     
         2 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer body is configured to be worn on a belt loop of a pants or shorts, a bra, a bikini strap, and or underwear strap. 
     
     
         3 . The non-lethal personal defense of  claim 1 , wherein the outer body comprises a loop and is configured to be worn on a person's finger. 
     
     
         4 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer body connects with a wrist strap and wherein the wrist strap is configured to be worn on a person's wrist. 
     
     
         5 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer body comprises a necklace attached thereto, and wherein the necklace is configured to be worn around a person's neck. 
     
     
         6 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer body comprises a clasp, pin, clip, magnet, or hook and loop connector, configured to attach the outer body to an article of clothing. 
     
     
         7 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1 , wherein the deterrent compound comprises skunk spray. 
     
     
         8 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1 , wherein the deterrent compound comprises a compound that adheres to a person's skin or clothing. 
     
     
         9 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 8 , wherein the deterrent compound comprises an ink or dye that stains skin or clothing. 
     
     
         10 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 8 , wherein the ink or dye is fluorescent. 
     
     
         11 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 8 , wherein the ink or dye is not visible to a naked eye under visible lighting conditions. 
     
     
         12 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1  further comprising a second hollow component, the second hollow component formed of a material that is readily breakable by hand, a quantity of a protective compound stored within the second hollow component, the protective compound being a compound that reacts with the deterrent compound. 
     
     
         13 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1  wherein the outer body is formed in a spiral shape. 
     
     
         14 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 13  wherein the outer body has at least one flexible portion. 
     
     
         15 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1  wherein the hollow component is on an outside of the outer body. 
     
     
         16 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1  wherein the hollow component is detachable from the outer body. 
     
     
         17 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 1  wherein the outer body is formed as a jewelry item, and wherein the hollow component is formed as a decorative portion of the jewelry item, and wherein the hollow component is detachable from the jewelry item. 
     
     
         18 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 17  wherein the hollow component is detachable from the jewelry item by a twist lock structure. 
     
     
         19 . The non-lethal personal defense device of  claim 18  further comprising a second hollow component, the second hollow component formed of a material that is readily breakable by hand, a quantity of a protective compound stored within the second hollow component, the protective compound being a compound that reacts with the deterrent compound. 
     
     
         20 . A method of non-lethal personal defense comprising:
 providing a personal defense device having an outer body and a deterrent compound stored within a hollow cavity of the outer body, wherein the deterrent compound comprises a component that has at least one of an unpleasant odor, induces nausea or vomiting in a person, stains the person's skin and clothing, and causes the person's skin and/or eyes to be irritated or burned;   wherein the hollow component is formed of a material that is readily breakable by hand, and wherein the outer body is attachable to a body part or clothing of a user;   attaching the personal defense device to a body part, a clothing, or an accessory; and   breaking the hollow component when an individual is threatened by a person or an animal, wherein the step of breaking the hollow component causes release of the deterrent compound.