Patent Application
20120222457
The present inventions relate to restraint systems, devices and methods.
Police, military and security personnel are tasked with protecting the public while placing themselves at risk. Handcuffs are used to control suspects and those that may pose a danger. Metal handcuffs provide secure restraints. Plastic handcuffs are also used. Examples of such handcuffs can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,193,254; 5,463,884; 5,680,781; 5,099,662; 7,284,399; 6,978,644; 6,615,622; 6,334,444; and 6,240,602, each of which is incorporated herein by reference for any purpose. However, if there is a conflict between the present disclosure and the incorporated documents, then the present document controls interpretation.
All Figures are illustrated for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements for various applications will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Where used in various Figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts.
The figures generally illustrate exemplary embodiments of the restraint system or components thereof. Also illustrated are methods for implementing aspects of the restraint system. These illustrated embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of coverage but, instead, to assist in understanding the context of the language used in this specification and in the appended claims. Accordingly, the appended claims may encompass variations of restraint system and methods for using the restraint system that differ from the exact language of the illustrated embodiments.
It will be understood that directional terms refer to the orientations to the drawings or are relative to other components of the structure being described. This convention is adopted for ease of understanding.
The remote control device 107 can communicate with either the support 102 or the restraint base unit 105 by a bidirectional data communication link which transmits coded data between the remote control device and at least one of the support 102 or the restraint base unit 105. The coded data can be generated by a symmetrical coding method using secret coding information stored in the remote control device 107 or in the electronics of the support or in electronics of the base restraint unit 105. The remote control device can have a secret coding information learn mode. When this learn mode is activated in the remote, the remote control device 107 emits a learn mode reporting signal. Either the support 102 or the restraint unit base 105 upon the receipt of the learn mode reporting signal from the remote device 107, a learn mode acknowledgment signal is sent. Once the learn mode acknowledgment signal is received by the remote control device, it activates the coding algorithm stored in its memory, e.g., a symmetrical coding method, as a function of secret coding information previously stored in memory of the remote control device. The algorithm determines new secret coding information and sends the new secret coding information to either the support or the restraint unit base, or both. The restraint base or the vehicle of both, after the receipt of the new secret coding information, replaces the previously stored secret coding information with the new one. An update successful signal is then sent to the remote control device. Thereafter, the remote control device replaces the previously stored secret coding information with the new secret coding information. The remote control device 107 can control at least one vehicle-side function unit other than the restraining function of the restrain unit. Vehicle-side functions may include such operations as starting or shutting off a vehicle, operating door locks, controlling light bar or vehicle lights, etc. Each function of the remote control device 107 can use separate secret coding information for each function. Each of these separate functions can communicate via a different secret coding information specifically assigned to respective communication frequency channels. Such secret coding information is desirable in the security field to prevent a suspect or cohort from operating the restraint system improperly.
The support 102, such as a vehicle, can send lockout signals to the restraint unit and render the restraint unit 105 unusable if certain dangerous conditions exist. For example, if the transmission of the vehicle 102 is not in park, then vehicle sends a lockout signal to the restraint unit 105. Other signals that can lockout the restraint unit 105 from use include starting the engine, a security code to prevent theft of the vehicle, etc.
The restraint unit 105 further includes an accelerometer that senses movement of the restraint base unit 105. The accelerometer measures proper acceleration it experiences relative to freefall. The accelerometer can measure acceleration in a single-axis or in a multi-axis frame. The accelerometer can further detect magnitude and direction of the acceleration. In an example, the accelerometer is a micro-machined electro-mechanical (MEMs) accelerometers. One example is a cantilevered beam MEMs accelerometer, which includes a proof mass on the cantilever. Under the influence of external accelerations the proof mass deflects from its neutral position. This deflection can be measured in an analog or digital manner. In an example, capacitance between a set of fixed beams and a set of beams attached to the proof mass is measured. In another example, piezoresistors can be integrated in the springs to detect spring deformation. If the measured acceleration is outside a safe measurement, then the accelerometer issues a signal to the processor or directly to a safety module that releases the restraint from the restraint base unit.
In operation, a support 102 arrives at an incident where a suspect needs to be restrained. The security officer instructs the suspect to approach the restraint unit 105. The security officer instructs the suspect to place their arms into restraints (embodiments are described in greater detail hereafter) that are on the restraint unit 105. The security officer uses the remote control device 107 to instruct the restraint unit to activate the restraints. The suspect would then be restrained to the restraint unit 105, which can be fixed to the support 102. At this time, it is safer for the security officer to approach the restrained suspect to conduct a body search (sometimes referred to as a frisk or a patdown), for example, for weapons, drugs and stolen property. Other methods as described herein can be included in this methodology.
A restraint assembly 220 is connected to the base 210 and is operatable by the parts in the base 210. Restraint assembly 220 includes a base 221 and restraint 222 connected to the base. The base 221 connects to the housing. The restraint 222 forms loops 223, 224 into which the suspect respectively inserts their limb so that either the wrist or ankle is generally aligned with the loops 223, 224. Grips 225 extend upwardly from the base 210 and are aligned with the apertures defined by the restraint 222. In use, the suspect reaches through the loops 223, 224, which define apertures, and grips the respective grip 225. In an embodiment, the grips 225 include an activation switch that activates the restraint unit when the suspects hold the grips 225. Such a switch can assist in preventing unwanted activation of the restraint system. Once the suspect holds the grips 225 with their hand and their arm extending through the loops 223, 224, the security person can activate the restraint system to tighten the loops 223, 224 around the wrist or arm of the suspect. The loops 223, 224 are connected together through a rigid base 230 to form a dual handcuff. If the present restraint to be used on the ankles of a suspect, then the base 230 can include links or is flexible to allow a user to walk.
In an example, the second communication device 807 can provide interaction with the restraint unit and/or the security officer using the restraint device. Devices in a vehicle or that can communicate with the restraint unit 105 device can include a computer having a display device, such as a touch screen, for displaying information to the user, a keyboard, a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user may provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices may be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user may be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. The second communication system 807 can send signals to and from the video recording system in a security vehicle. The methods and apparatus described and contemplated herein can communicate with a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes a front-end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user may interact with an implementation of the subject matter), or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and the Internet. The computing system may include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.
The controller 801, when executing instructions that are stored in its memory, is to control operation of a motor 809 that is connected to the reels 611, 612 or to springs through gears 811. In an example, the motor is directly connected to one of the reels 611, 612 and the other reel is driven by the first reel. The controller 801 receives an activation signal from the remote control device 107 through the first communication system 806. The controller 801, if there are no overriding stop signals or flags stored in the controller or memory 803, activates the motor 809. The motor 809 turns the reels 611, 612, which in turn, pulls the free ends of the restraint strap to close the loops around the suspect's wrists. In an example, the reels 611, 612 rely on friction to engage the strap. In an example, apertures are in the strap and the reels include teeth that engage the strap apertures to shrink the loops in the restraint strap. In an example, the restraint assembly 220 is attached to the restraint unit 105, which is attached to the support 102, when the suspect is restrained in the restraint unit 105.
The coupling 901 includes an outer body 905, an inner body 910, a plate 925, and an outer cover 940. The outer body 905 has a box shape and includes a rear wall 911, a left end wall 912, a right end wall 913, a top wall 914 and a bottom wall 915. Each of these walls can be integrally formed from a polymer of sufficient strength to resist attempted damage by a person being restrained. The straps 903, 904 can also be integrally formed with the coupling 901, as shown extending from the left and right end walls 912, 913, respectively. At least for walls are solid to provide for a secure coupling. In an example, at least two walls are essentially solid. Solid and essentially solid are defined to be of sufficient strength to prevent a person from damaging the coupling to such an extent that the restraint would fail. A front wall 917 of the coupling 901 is essentially open except near the left and right end walls 912, 913. The walls 911-915 essentially define an open sided rectangular prism. In a further example, the end walls 912, 913 are formed to a greater thickness than the other walls. Recesses 918 are formed in these ends walls 912, 913. Slots 920 are formed in the top wall 914 and the bottom wall 915. Slots 920 in the top wall 914 are vertically aligned with slots 920 in the bottom wall 913. The walls 911-915 define an open interior 922.
The straps 903, 904 are elongate and extend from respective ends of the coupling 901. The straps 903, 904 extend outwardly from the coupling 901. In an example, the straps 903, 904 are cantilevered from the left and right sides 912, 913 of the coupling 901. In the illustrated example, the straps extend from adjacent the top wall 914. In an example, the straps have a length in a range of about 26 inches to about 36 inches and a width in a range of about ¼ inch to about ¾ inch. In an example, the each strap 903, 904 can have a length of about 30 inches and a width of about ½ inch. The strap 903, 904 can be formed from nylon and have a tensile strength of at least 400 lbs. The edges of the straps 903, 904 are beveled for comfort of use, e.g., gripping by an assembler, use by a security person, and wear by a secured person, and to reduce likelihood of damage to the strap 903 or 904 or the coupling 901. The straps 903, 904 are looped from the coupling such that the flat sides of the straps are on the inside loop. The straps 903, 904 thread through an aligned pair of the slots 920 so that the straps create loops that can receive a suspect's limbs, respectively. The left strap 903 creates a left loop that extends through the vertically aligned left slots 920 in the top and bottom walls. A handle 933, 934 is at the free end of each of the strap 903, 904, respectively. Handles 933, 934 can be gripped by a person's hand to tighten the strap loops. The handles 933, 934 further act as stops to prevent the strap 903 or 904 from being removed from the coupling 901. Portions of the straps 903, 904 include ratchets or detents. In an example, the ratchets are positioned on the strap side interior to the loop. In an example, the straps 903, 904 include apertures in addition to or in place of the ratchets or detents.
Inner body 910 defines a rectangle prism that includes a rear wall 941, a left end wall 942, a right end wall 943, and a front wall 945. A center structure 950 extends from the rear wall 941 and defines part of the front wall 945. The center structure 950 includes a left side wall 951, a right side wall 952, and a front wall 953. The top and bottom of the center structure 950 are open. The left side wall 951 is generally aligned an inner edge of the left slot 922 in the outer body 905. The right side wall 952 is generally aligned an inner edge of the right slot 922 in the outer body 905. The walls 941, 942, 943, and 945 have a height less than the height of the inner volume 922 of the outer body 905. In an example, the entire inner body 910 has a height less than the height of the inner volume 922 of the outer body 905. Open slots 958 are in the front wall of the inner body 910. The slots 958 run the entire height of the inner body and have a width about the same as the width of the strap 903, 904. In an example, the slot 958 has a width slightly larger than the width of the strap 903, 904. Within the volume defined by the left side wall 942, rear wall 941, and front wall 945, a left latch is provided. The left latch can be a pawl to engage the ratchet of the strap 903. Within the volume defined by the right side wall 942, rear wall 941, and front wall 945, a right latch is provided. The right latch can be a pawl to engage the ratchet of the strap 903. In an example, the left and right latches are mirror images of each other. The latches can flex when the strap moves downwardly in the coupling and does not flex if the strap attempts to move upwardly in the coupling.
Plate 925 has dimensions equal to the inner body 910 to cover the front wall thereof and close the slots 958. In an example, a protrusion 955 extends from the plate 925 and is received in a detent or recess 957 in the center structure so that the plate is fixed to the inner body.
The outer cover 940 is essentially sized the same as the outer body 905 to cover the open front of the outer body 905. A plurality of locking legs 965 extend rearwardly from the main body of the outer cover. In an example, legs 965 are positioned are each corner of the cover 940. The locking legs 965 include caps 970 that are tapered from to rear so that they can be inserted into recesses 975 in the front wall of the outer body 905. Once the caps 970 are inserted into the recesses 975, the legs 965 and, hence the outer cover 940 cannot be removed from the outer body 905.
Assembly of the restraint 900 will not be described. The inner body 910 is slid into the hollow, interior space in the outer body 905 with the inner body slots 952 aligned with the outer body slots 920. The left strap 903 is then folded back toward the center of the coupling 901 such that a loop is above the outer body 905. A portion of the left strap 903 is inserted into the left side slots 920, 952. The handle 933 is positioned beneath the outer body 905. The right side strap 904 is assembled similar to the left side strap but in the right side slots, 920, 952. The plate 925 is connected to the inner body 910 to hold the straps 903, 904 in the respectively slots 920, 952. The cover 940 is then fixed to the outer body 905 such that the straps 903, 904 and inner body 910 cannot be removed from inside the outer body 905.
In operation, an individual's hands are inserted through the loops created by the straps 903, 904. The handles 933, 934 are engaged to draw the straps downwardly through the coupling 901. The inner body 910 moves downwardly to rest on the bottom wall 915 of the outer body 905. The latches or pawls in the inner body allow the straps 903, 904 to move downwardly and do not allow the straps to move upwardly. Accordingly, the loops of the straps 904, 904 become small but cannot become larger. Once tightened on the individual's wrists, the loops cannot become larger to such an extent that an individual can remove their hands back through the loops. The inner body 910 can move within the interior of the outer body without releasing the straps. Accordingly, the strap loops around the individual wrists can loosen slightly, e.g., an eighth to a quarter inch. Accordingly, the chance of overtightening the loops on an individual is reduced.
When the present restraint 900 is used with the system described above with regard to
In general, restraints that can be used in the present systems comprise two individual engaging parts, linked together by a coupling, which can be rigid. Such a restraint prevents a restrained individual from moving their wrists more than a few centimeters/inches apart or in the case of a rigid coupling, the wrist are bound a few inches/centimeters from each other. This restricts the restrained individual from increasing severity of confrontations, allow the security to evaluate or control a situation and increase the safety of all involved.
Locking mechanism 1500 can be the center structure 950 as described above. The center structure 950 extends from the rear wall 941 and defines part of the front wall 945. The center structure 950 includes a left side wall 951, a right side wall 952, and a front wall 953. The top and bottom of the center structure 950 are open. The center structure 950 is sized and positioned in another structure such that it can slide in a direction that the straps can move or are inserted into the locking mechanism but do not move laterally. An outer structure around the center structure 950 prevents access to the latches 1510. Open slots 958 are in the front wall of the center structure 950. The slots 958 run the entire height of the center structure and have a width about the same as the width of the strap. In an example, the slot 958 has a width slightly larger than the width of the strap 903, 904. Within the volume defined by the left side wall 952, rear wall 951, and front wall 953, a left latch 1521 is provided. The left latch 1521 can be at least one pawl to engage the ratchet of the strap 903. Within the volume defined by the right side wall 952, rear wall 951, and front wall 953, a right latch 1522 is provided. The right latch 1522 can be a pawl to engage the ratchet of the strap 903. In an example, the left and right latches are mirror images of each other. The latches 1521, 1522 can flex when the strap moves downwardly in the coupling and does not flex if the strap attempts to move upwardly in the coupling. Each of the latches 1521, 1522 can include a solid web from a respective side wall 951, 952 that angles downwardly in the direction of strap insertion into the locking mechanism. The positioning of the web allows the pawls to deflect to such an extent to allow the strap ratchets to move past the latches 1521, 1522 in only one direction. The webs do not allow the ratchets to move past the pawls in the other direction. Accordingly, once the straps are moved in the loop tightening direction, the straps cannot be loosened.
The example computer system 1700 includes a processor 1702 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU) or both), a main memory 1704 and a static memory 1706, which communicate with each other via a bus 1708. The computer system 1700 can further include a video display unit 1710 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 1700 also includes an alphanumeric input device 1712 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 1714 (e.g., a mouse), a drive unit 1716, a signal generation device 1718 (e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 1720.
The drive unit 1716 includes a machine-readable medium 1722 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 1724) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The software 1724 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 1704 and/or within the processor 1702 during execution thereof by the computer system 1700, the main memory 1704 and the processor 1702 also constituting machine-readable media. The software 1724 may further be transmitted or received over a network 1726 via the network interface device 1720.
The lock housing includes an aperture 1920. The bolt 1910 is moved from the undouble-locked position to the double-locked position by the security person or by the restraint base unit, who or what can insert the projection on a key end or other “pushing object” into hole 1920 to engage the pusher 1932 to push the bolt 1910 from the undoubled-locked to the double-locked position. A key is inserted into keyhole 1922, then first rotated clockwise to engage ledge 1924 to slide the bolt into the undoable-locked position upon rotation of the key, and the direction of rotation of the key is then reversed to engage ledge 1926 of the latch member to lift the pawl from the ratchet, thereby unlocking the handcuff 1901. In accordance with the present invention, a triple locking arrangement can be provided, wherein the lock is automatically triple locked upon being double locked.
Various implementations of the subject matter of the method and apparatus described above may be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.
These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and may be implemented in a high-level procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks, memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor.
To provide for interaction with a user, the method and apparatus described above may be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as a touch screen, for displaying information to the user. Other input devices, such as a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) by which the user may provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices may be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback); and input from the user may be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.
The methods and apparatus described and contemplated above may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., as a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an application server), or that includes a front-end component (e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user may interact with an implementation of the subject matter), or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components of the system may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., a communication network). Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), and the Internet.
The computing system may include clients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.
While the above description of the operation of the restraint system 100 and at times in particular to restraint unit 105 and restraints 220, addresses restraining the arms of a suspect by attaching restraints to the wrists, it is within the scope of the presently described examples to use the restraints 220 on a suspects ankles as leg shackles.
Flexible restraints can include plastic restraints, also known as wrist ties, riot cuffs, plasticuffs, flexicuffs, flex-cuffs, tri-fold cuffs, zapstraps, or zip-strips. Such flexible restraints could be adapted to be used in the present system 100 as alternate embodiments of restraints. In these example embodiments, the restraints are lightweight and disposable plastic strips. The restraints can be carried in large quantities by security personnel for large scale use, e.g., at large-scale protests and riots. The present drawings further show a double loop restraint that individually secures a limb of a suspect. However, it will be appreciated that the present devices, systems, and methods can be used with a single loop restraint. In an embodiment, a single loop restraint received both limbs, i.e., both arms or both legs, and is tightened to secure the limbs together and allow the security person to control the suspect.
The use of the restraint base and the remote control device allow a security officer to maintain an area of separation from the suspect until the restraint is secured to the suspect.
Although a few variations have been described and illustrated in detail above, it should be understood that other modifications are possible. In addition it should be understood that the logic flow depicted in the accompanying figures and described herein do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/420,963, filed Dec. 8, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61420963 | Dec 2010 | US |
