Purse theft alarm

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.