Systems and methods for spraying an aerosol

A system for self-defense against an attacker, the system comprising:

• a. a canister containing an aerosol;
• b. a circuit;
• c. a trigger switch;
• and
• d. a position sensor that senses the position of the trigger switch;
• wherein:
• e. the trigger switch provides a force as a function of position of the trigger switch, the force opposing operation of the trigger switch by a user;
• f. the force increases at a first average rate throughout a first range from a rest position of the trigger switch to a tactile feedback position of the trigger switch;
• g. the force increases at a second average rate greater than the first average rate throughout a second range from the tactile feedback position to a maximum position of the trigger switch;
• h. the circuit is enabled by the position sensor to output an audio deterrent to aggression by the attacker at a position of the trigger switch that is within the first range spaced respectively from each extreme of the first range;
• and
• i. the canister is opened to release the aerosol for spraying in self-defense in a portion of the second range beginning beyond the tactile feedback position, wherein a volume of aerosol releasing increases as the force increases throughout the portion of the second range.

A system for self-defense against an attacker, the system comprising:

• a. a circuit for providing a deterrent to aggression by the attacker;
• b. a shuttle that supports a provided canister containing an aerosol;
• c. a trigger switch;
• and
• d. a position sensor that senses the position of the trigger switch;
• wherein
• e. the trigger switch provides a force as a function of position of the trigger switch, the force opposing operation of the trigger switch by a user;
• f. the force increases at a first average rate throughout a first range from a rest position of the trigger switch to a tactile feedback position of the trigger switch;
• g. the force increases at a second average rate greater than the first average rate throughout a second range from the tactile feedback position to a maximum position of the trigger switch;
• h. the trigger switch moves the shuttle to open the canister to release the aerosol for spraying in self-defense in a portion of the second range beginning beyond the tactile feedback position, wherein a volume of aerosol releasing increases as the force increases throughout the portion of the second range
• i. the position sensor enables the circuit to provide the deterrent after the trigger switch is operated beyond the rest position and before the tactile feedback position.

A method performed by a hand-held system for deterring an attacker, the system including a trigger for operation by a user, the method comprising in order:

• opposing the user's operation of the trigger with force that increases at a first rate from a first position of the trigger at rest to a second position;
• activating a first deterrent for deterring the attacker, activating including enabling a circuit in response to a sensor of the position of the trigger to provide the first deterrent after the trigger is operated beyond the first position and before the second position;
• opposing the user's operation of the trigger with force that increases at the first rate until the trigger attains a third position;
• opposing the user's operation of the trigger with force that increases at a second rate until the trigger attains a fourth position, wherein the second rate is greater than the first rate;
• and
• activating a second deterrent for deterring the attacker after the trigger attains the fourth position, the second deterrent comprising an aerosol.