Systems and methods for spraying an aerosol

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

a. a trigger switch operative in sequence from a first position, through a second position, through a third position, and to a fourth position;

b. a first spring coupled to the trigger switch to oppose operation of the trigger switch, opposition being greater at the fourth position than at the first position;

c. a second spring not coupled to the trigger switch until the second position and coupled to the trigger switch from the second position through the third position and to the fourth position;

d. circuitry for providing a deterrent to aggression by the attacker;

e. a position sensor that senses the position of the trigger switch, the position sensor enables the circuitry to provide the deterrent after the trigger switch is operated beyond the first position and before the second position; and

f. a canister containing an aerosol; wherein

g. from the second position to the third position, the first spring and the second spring oppose operation of the trigger switch without release of the aerosol; and

h. from the third position to the fourth position, the first spring and the second spring oppose operation of the trigger switch with release of the aerosol for spraying in self-defense.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

a. the system further comprises a shuttle operative when coupled to the trigger switch to open the canister to release the aerosol; and

b. before attaining the second position, the shuttle is not coupled to move in response to the trigger switch.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the second spring is coupled to the shuttle to oppose movement of the shuttle.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

a. the system further comprises a shuttle that supports the canister, the shuttle operative to open the canister to release the aerosol;

b. before attaining the second position, the trigger switch does not abut the shuttle to move the shuttle in response to the trigger switch; and

c. after the attaining the second position, the trigger switch abuts the shuttle to move the shuttle in response to the trigger switch.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein a portion of the trigger switch passes through an opening of the shuttle before the trigger switch abuts the shuttle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the trigger switch comprises:

a. a mount that accepts the first spring to oppose operation of the trigger switch; and

b. a surface mechanically coupled to the canister to release the aerosol from the canister.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the position sensor comprises a magnet.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein:

a. the system further comprises a shuttle that supports the canister, the shuttle operative when coupled to the trigger switch, to open the canister to release the aerosol; and

b. before the trigger switch attains the tactile feedback position, the shuttle is not coupled to move in response to the trigger switch.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein a spring is coupled to the shuttle to oppose movement of the shuttle.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein:

a. the system further comprises a shuttle that supports the canister, the shuttle operative to open the canister to release the aerosol;

b. before the trigger switch attains the tactile feedback position, the trigger switch does not abut the shuttle to move the shuttle in response to the trigger switch; and

c. after the trigger switch attains the tactile feedback position, the trigger switch abuts the shuttle to move the shuttle in response to the trigger switch.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein a portion of the trigger switch passes through an opening of the shuttle before the trigger switch abuts the shuttle.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the trigger switch comprises:

a. a mount that accepts a first spring to oppose operation of the trigger switch; and

b. a surface mechanically coupled to the canister to release the aerosol from the canister.

15. The system of claim 8 wherein the position sensor comprises a magnet.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein before the trigger switch attains the second position, the shuttle is not coupled to move in response to the trigger switch.

17. The system of claim 9 wherein a spring is coupled to the shuttle to oppose movement of the shuttle.

18. The system of claim 9 wherein:

a. before the trigger switch attains the tactile feedback position, the trigger switch does not abut the shuttle to move the shuttle in response to the trigger switch; and

b. after the trigger switch attains the tactile feedback position, the trigger switch abuts the shuttle to move the shuttle in response to the trigger switch.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein a portion of the trigger switch passes through an opening of the shuttle before the trigger switch abuts the shuttle.

20. The system of claim 9 wherein the trigger switch comprises:

a. a mount that accepts a first spring to oppose operation of the trigger switch; and

b. a surface mechanically coupled to the canister to release the aerosol from the canister.

21. The system of claim 9 wherein the position sensor comprises a magnet.

22. 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.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

proportionally increasing release of the aerosol as the trigger is operated beyond the fourth position.