LOCKING MECHANISM FOR RESTRAINTS WITH IMPROVED RESILIENCE

Abstract

A restraint locking mechanism provides a double-radiused, double-rounded spring for biasing the bolt toward the jaw, and for resisting movement of the stop when the stop is in the double lock position. The resistance provided by the double-radiused, double-rounded spring to movement of the stop increases to a maximum level of resistance as the stop is moved toward the single lock position, and then decreases, as contrasted with providing maximum resistance at the beginning of the stop's movement, and no resistance thereafter. The double-radiused, double-rounded spring design provides for improved fatugue resistance in the spring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a handcuff according to the present invention, with one of the two side plates removed for clarity, showing the components of the lock in the single locked position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a handcuff according to the present invention, with one of the two side plates removed for clarity, showing the components of the locking mechanism in the double locked position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a handcuff according to the present invention, with one of the two side plates removed for clarity, showing the components of the handcuff in the unlocked position.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a spring formed in accordance with the present invention.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for restraints, said restraints comprising a pair of side plates securing a pivotally mounted jaw therebetween, the jaw having a plurality of ratchet teeth, said side plates further defining a lock housing, said locking mechanism comprising: a bolt having at least one ratchet tooth dimensioned and configured to releasably engage the ratchet teeth of said jaw to permit tightening ratcheting movement of the jaw, and to resist outward, loosening movement of the jaw, said bolt moving between a locked position wherein said ratchet teeth of said bolt engage said ratchet teeth of said jaw, and an unlocked position wherein said ratchet teeth of said bolt are disengaged from said ratchet teeth of said jaw,a stop dimensioned and configured for movement between a single locked position wherein said stop permits movement of said bolt between the locked and unlocked positions of the bolt, and a double locked position wherein said stop resists movement of said bolt from said locked position, anda double-rounded spring including a pair of opposed and spaced-apart radiused ends, one of said radiused ends having a first curved section including a first arm that extends outwardly from a tangent to said first curved section so as to be configured to engage said bolt, the other of said radiused ends having a second curved section including a second arm that extends outwardly from a tangent to said second curved section, so as to thereby engage said lock housing in said single locked position, the spring being dimensioned and configured to bias said bolt towards said locked position, and to resist movement of said stop from said double locked position with increasing force until a maximum resisting force is reached, said maximum resisting force occurring after said stop has moved from said double locked position.

2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said spring comprises a rectangular cross-section including a flat outer surface and a flat inner surface with a continuously curved first end that is spaced from a continuously curved second end.

3. The locking mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said spring is oriented at an acute angle from said stop.

4. The locking mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said spring is made from a metal selected from the group consisting of high carbon steel, stainless steel, and titanium.

5. A restraint having at least one bracelet, said bracelet comprising: a pair of side plates securing a pivotally mounted jaw therebetween, said jaw having a plurality of ratchet teeth, said side plates further defining a lock housing; anda locking mechanism within said lock housing, said locking mechanism comprising:a bolt having at least one ratchet tooth dimensioned and configured to releasably engage the ratchet teeth of said jaw to permit tightening ratcheting movement of the jaw, and to resist outward, loosening movement of the jaw, said bolt moving between a locked position wherein said ratchet teeth of said bolt engage said ratchet teeth of said jaw, and an unlocked position wherein said ratchet teeth of said bolt are disengaged from said ratchet teeth of said jaw;a stop dimensioned and configured for movement between a single locked position wherein said stop permits movement of said bolt between the locked and unlocked positions of the bolt, and a double locked position wherein said stop resists movement of said bolt from said locked position; anda spring including a pair of spaced-apart rounded and radiused ends, one of said radiused ends having a first curved section that is formed at about a 0.042 inch radius, and including a first arm that extends outwardly from a tangent to said first curved section by about 0.145 inches so as to be configured to engage said bolt, the other of said radiused ends having a second curved section that is formed at a less than 0.042 inch radius, and including a second arm that extends outwardly from a tangent to said second curved section so as to be configured to engage said stop when said stop is in said double locked position, and to engage said lock housing in said single locked position, the spring being thus dimensioned and configured to bias said bolt towards said locked position, and to resist movement of said stop from said double locked position with increasing force until a maximum resisting force is reached, said maximum resisting force occurring after said stop has moved from said double locked position.

6. The restraint according to claim 5 wherein said spring is a flat spring.

7. The restraint according to claim 6 wherein said spring is oriented at an acute angle from said stop.

8. The restraint according to claim 7 wherein said restraint is a handcuff.

9. The restraint according to claim 8 wherein said restraint is a leg iron.

10. The restraint according to claim 9 wherein said restraint is a belly chain.

11. The restraint according to claim 10 wherein said restraint is a shackle.

12. The restraint according to claim 11 wherein said spring is made from a metal selected from the group consisting of high carbon steel, stainless steel, and titanium.