Patent Application
20150107311
The field of the invention relates to restraining devices such as handcuffs and more particularly to plastic restraints.
Handcuffs are well known. Such devices are typically used by police and military to at least partially restrain people being held in custody.
A pair of handcuffs are constructed of first and second handcuffs connected by a chain. Each handcuff typically includes a bow and frame. The bow is curved to fit around the wrist of a prisoner. One end of the bow is attached to and pivots on the frame. The other end of the bow has a series of sloped teeth that engage a spring-loaded pawl within the frame. A key engages a lock within the frame in order to release the handcuffs from the wrists of a prisoner.
Because of the nature of use, handcuffs must be particularly robust. As such, at least the bow, the frame and most parts of the lock are constructed of metal.
Also because of the nature of use, handcuffs must be difficult to defeat. This is typically accomplished via close tolerances in the construction of the lock and between the bow and frame to resist release of the handcuff via insertion of a metal strip between the spring-loaded pawl and bow. Because of the materials needed for robustness and the tolerances need to defeat tampering, most handcuffs are expensive to produce.
Plastic restraint devices have been proposed as an alternative to handcuffs. However, the plastic locking mechanism of such devices has been found to be subject to damage when used with particularly strong prisoners. Accordingly, a need exists for better methods of producing such devices.
While embodiments can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles hereof, as well as the best mode of practicing same. No limitation to the specific embodiment illustrated is intended.
In this regard, the plastic restraining device includes a first strap assembly 12, a second strap assembly 14 and a handle 16.
As shown in
The first box structure also includes a first aperture 32 and a second aperture 34. The first and second apertures extend through opposing side walls (or opposing sides of the rectangular annulus) that defines the tube. The first and second apertures each extend through the first box structure in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first box structure.
Similarly, the second strap assembly includes a second box structure 24 integrally coupled to a second strap 26. The second box structure may be a modified box tube or peg that fits inside of the first box tube 18.
The second box structure may also include a first aperture 36 and a second aperture 38. The first and second apertures extend through opposing side walls (or opposing sides of the rectangular annulus) that defines the second box structure. The first and second apertures of the second box structure each extend through the second box structure in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first box structure 18. A center divider 40 extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the second box structure separates the first and second apertures.
Included within the second box structure is a pair of aims 42, 44 that are positioned directly adjacent a respective aperture 36, 38. Each of the arms extend from a lower sidewall 50, 52 towards up upper surface of the second box structure parallel to the direction of the respective aperture. A number of sloped teeth 46 (e.g., six) extend from the respective arms 42, 44 into the respective adjacent aperture 36, 38.
In this regard, an outside diameter 28 of the second box-like structure is slightly smaller (e.g., by a few tenths of a millimeter) than the inside diameter 30 of the first box-like structure. The smaller diameter allows the second box-like structure to slide inside of the first box-like structure
In order to assemble the first strap assembly to the second strap assembly, the longitudinal axis of the first and second box-like structures are aligned (i.e., the first and second box structures are coaxial) and the second box structure is urged inside the first box structure. Once full inserted, the first and second box structures are substantially concentric.
Once fully inserted, the first aperture 32 of the first strap assembly is aligned with the first aperture 36 of the second box structure. Similarly, the second aperture 34 of the first strap assembly is aligned with the second aperture 38 of the second box structure.
Next, the strap 20 is inserted through the aligned apertures 34, 38. Similarly, the strap 26 is inserted through aligned apertures 32, 36. A pair of opposing pegs on the lower end of the handle engage an aperture on a distal end each of the straps.
In this regard, the straps are each provided with a series of transverse, sloped teeth 56 that extend across the width of each of the straps (i.e., the teeth 56 extend across the straps in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the straps). It should be noted in this regard that the slope of the sloped teeth of the straps is opposite in direction to the slope of the teeth of the arms. As a result, as the straps are inserted through the respective apertures, the sloped teeth of the straps easily ride up and over the sloped teeth of the arms.
Once inserted through the apertures, the straps cannot be removed. This is the case because the non-sloped sides of the respective teeth on the arms and straps positively engage one another and cannot be released or otherwise disengaged. The net result is that the strap can only be pushed further into the box structures but the direction of movement cannot be reversed.
In general, the plastic restraints of
The device of
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
