WO2000066861A1 - Rapidly deployable cuff device - Google Patents

Abstract

A cuff device (10) comprising an elongated body (28), a flexible strap (16) within the body, a loop extraction system (12, 14) for extracting a loop of the strap from an end of the elongated body large enough to fit over an extremity of a suspect, and a loop retraction system (12, 14) for retracting the loop to fit snugly over the extremity. A second strap (16') is preferred, with one strap deployed from each end of the elongated body, preferably a PR-24 form factor baton. The invention also comprises a restraint system (30) useful in conjunction with the double loop cuff device (10), the system comprising a frame (32) having one or more slots (34, 34') into which the elongated body (28) can be secured.

Description

RAPIDLY DEPLOYABLE CUFF DEVICE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/132,555, entitled "Personnel Immobilization Devices", filed on May 5, 1999, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention (Technical Field):

The present invention relates to cuff devices for immobilizing personnel.

Background Art: The current, commonly deployed handcuff design has gone essentially unchanged for more than 150 years. They are difficult to apply to a combative suspect because of their small cuff size. If a suspect is able to keep his hands in motion, it often takes several officers to secure the handcuffs. Furthermore, many suspects and prisoners know how to defeat traditional handcuffs, through the use of keys or by simply breaking the handcuffs in two at its weakest link. Additionally, injuries are not uncommon with traditional handcuffs.

The present invention provides a cuff device that is easily deployed but not easy to defeat. It also doubles as a baton weapon so that officers can carry one item rather than both handcuffs and a baton.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION) The present invention is of a cuff device comprising: an elongated body; a flexible strap within the body; a loop extraction system for extracting a loop of the strap from an end of the elongated body large enough to fit over an extremity of a suspect; and a loop retraction system for retracting the loop to fit snugly over the extremity. In the preferred embodiment, the device additionally comprises: a second flexible strap within the body; a loop extraction system for extracting a second loop of the second strap from an end of the elongated body large enough to fit over a second extremity of a suspect; and a loop retraction system for retracting the second loop to fit snugly over the second extremity. The elongated body is preferably a baton, most preferably a PR-24 form factor baton. A handle is attached perpendicularly to the elongated body, having a ratchet system for preventing movement of the loop when retracted over the extremity. The strap is preferably a feeler gauge steel strap coated in plastic and having a pattern of perforations functioning in conjunction with the ratchet system. A lock or locks is employed to prevent, when engaged, extraction of the strap. The retraction system preferably includes a power system, such as springs or pneumatics, most preferably pneumatics powered by a carbon dioxide cylinder. In a device of the invention having two loops, a 24 inch long body will keep the suspect's wrists apart by over approximately 24 inches when the loops are retracted over the wrists, and a 12 inch long body will keep the suspect's ankles apart by over approximately 12 inches when the loops are retracted over the ankles.

The invention also comprises a restraint system useful in conjunction with a double loop cuff device of the invention additionally comprising a frame having one or more slots into which the elongated body can be secured. In the preferred embodiment, the restraint system additionally comprises a stop or latch to prevent the suspect from removing the elongated body from the slots.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a cuff device that is easily deployed but not easy to defeat.

Primary advantages of the present invention are that it is also useful as a baton and to permit a single officer to readily control a cuffed suspect.

Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

Figs. 1-18 are a series of drawings illustrating use of the invention to control a suspect;

Fig. 20 is a top view of the invention with both straps extended;

Fig. 21 is a side view of the invention with both straps extended;

Fig. 22 is an end view of the invention; and

Fig. 23 is a front view of a restraint system for law enforcement vehicles useful in conjunction with the cuff device of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION) The present invention is a flexible cuff device combined with a baton-configuration dispenser. Preferably two straps in a loop configuration are dispensed, one from each end, that fit individually over the two wrists of a suspect. Once the straps have been placed over a wrist, they can be retracted to create a very snug fit. The device can then be locked to prevent unauthorized removal. Alternatively, a single strap can be dispensed to simultaneously fit over both wrists of a suspect. With a button located on top of the baton / dispenser, the cuff straps pop out on each end of the baton. The straps fit over each wrist. Once one strap has been placed over a suspect's wrist, the cuff can be immediately retracted with the touch of another button on the baton / dispenser to snugly isolate the suspect's wrist on the end of the baton. This gives the operator excellent leverage over a combative suspect. The suspect can be quickly pulled to the ground or, by twisting the baton / dispenser, the suspect's arm can be bent into an uncomfortable position, thus taking the fight out of the suspect. Then the suspect's second wrist can be easily secured. The baton / dispenser has the added advantage of being used as a defensive device by the officer.

The present invention renders it much more difficult to physically overwhelm the restrains because the design forces the suspect's arms far apart, thus reducing leverage, and the cuff material preferably has a tensile strength of approximately 600 pounds or more.

The tactical baton / handcuff system of the invention is preferably deployed in a PR-24 form factor model, which is the form factor for the baton most commonly in use in the United States of America today. The straps are preferably two 24" long, 0.5" wide tempered and ground-finish steel straps (preferably feeler gauge) coated with a compliant coating (preferably plastic). The straps can also be made from other materials, such as woven Kevlar™ or polyester web with two tempered steel wires coated with a flame-resistant polyurethane coating. The straps are preferably perforated with a specific hole pattern corresponding to the ratchet mechanism within the baton / dispenser. Alternatively, a friction-based, "Chinese finger cuff' system can be used to maintain retraction of the straps once engaged on the suspect. The main body tubing is preferably made by dual-extrusion of a black, rigid PVC, ABS, Kevlar™ or nylon with a straightness accuracy of approximately +/- 0.020" over each 24" length. A key-lock is preferably included, most preferably via two standard multi- tumbler key locks installed into the base of the handle.

While the straps can be driven by springs, gas-cylinder (preferably carbon dioxide) power is preferred in conjunction with O-rings to ensure long-term reliable sealing and retention of the pressurized gas within the distribution plenum. O-rings are preferably applied to the extraction / retraction pistons. Leather and/or denyldram seals are preferably applied to the strap openings in the end-caps. As will be readily understood by those of skill in the art, a variety of pneumatic, electrical, and mechanical power means can be employed, and the baton / dispenser can be made retractable. Furthermore, the cuff device of the invention can be deployed within a unit that is shorter than a standard police baton and used as a leg hobbler.

Referring to Figs. 1-18, these figures illustrate the use of the preferred embodiment of the invention to restrain a suspect. In Fig. 1 , the officer (left) is approached by a confrontational man (right). The officer swings the invention at the suspect's right knee to knock him off balance. In Fig. 2, as the suspect loses balance, the officer grabs his left arm. In Fig. 3, the officer uses the invention as leverage to spin the suspect around. In Figs. 4-5, the officer continues to turn the suspect away from him and uses the invention to help twist the suspect's left arm behind him. In Figs. 6-7, the officer now places the invention in the small of the suspect's back to further immobilize him. In Figs. 8-9, the officer extracts the straps from the two ends of the baton / dispenser by pressing a button on top of the baton's handle. In Fig. 10, the officer places the suspect's left hand in the cuff strap while still using the baton's location in the suspect's small of the back to immobilize him. In Fig. 11 , the officer now presses a button on the left side of the baton handle in order to retract the left cuff. Notice that the baton is still pressed in the suspect's small of the back and that the suspect is completely immobilized and that his left hand and arm are now under control. In Fig. 12, while still pressing the baton in the suspect's small of the back, the officer now switches his grip on the baton handle in order to put the suspect's right hand in the second cuff. In Figs. 13-14, the officer now grabs the suspect's right wrist to begin bringing it back to be placed in the right cuff strap. The suspect is still immobilized. Note that the officer would be able to achieve the same position even without the presence of a wall or vehicle by pulling the suspect to the ground. In Fig. 15, the officer presses the button on the right side of the baton handle to immediately retract the cuff strap on the suspect's right wrist. In Figs. 16-17, the suspect is now completely secured. The entire operation can take less than four seconds. If the suspect continues to resist, the officer can easily control the suspect by a simple twist of the baton to pull him off balance. The officer can also rotate the handle of the baton by about 10 degrees in order to torque the suspect's back and keep him off balance. The suspect is now ready to be placed in a law enforcement vehicle. Referring to Figs. 19-21 , the cuff device 10 of the invention preferably comprises power system 12, central area 14 used for the strap extractor / retractor mechanisms, straps 16,16', handle 18, ratcheted strap-locking knob 20, ratcheted strap-locking connecting rod 22, opposing eccentric strap-locking cams 24 actuated by the ratcheted locking knob 20, and baton body 28 comprising walls 26. Extraction and retraction buttons and key-lock devices (not shown) can be deployed at various points on the baton body 28.

Referring to Fig. 22, the cuff device of the invention can be used in conjunction with restraint system 30. This system is designed to fit in the back seats of police patrol cars and prisoner transportation vans. It is preferably made of molded plastic 32 secured to the floor of the vehicle. The system has one or more sets of slots 34,34' into which the baton / dispenser of the invention fit. Caps (not shown) can then be engaged over the slots to prevent removal of the baton / dispenser by the suspect. Alternatively, the slots can be horizontal within the back of the system with semi-circular clamps securing the baton / dispenser in the slots.

The restraint system of the invention completely immobilizes the prisoner while allowing the prisoner's arms to rest comfortably behind him. The prisoner cannot, however, swing his legs around or try to kick without putting severe pressure on his arms. The prisoner is also unable to move his arms under his legs in order to transfer the cuff device from the back to the front, as some prisoners can do with standard handcuffs. The prisoner can make no attempts to pick the lock device of the baton / dispenser.

Again, the present invention provides a cuff system that is easier to deploy than standard cuffs, can be better used to control a suspect, and is less likely to injure a struggling suspect.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A cuff device comprising: an elongated body; a flexible strap within said body; means for extracting a loop of said strap from an end of said elongated body large enough to fit over an extremity of a suspect; and means for retracting said loop to fit snugly over the extremity.

2. The cuff device of claim 1 additionally comprising: a second flexible strap within said body; means for extracting a second loop of said second strap from an end of said elongated body large enough to fit over a second extremity of a suspect; and means for retracting said second loop to fit snugly over the second extremity.

3. The cuff device of claim 1 wherein said elongated body is comprised by a baton, preferably a PR-24 form factor baton.

4. The cuff device of claim 1 additionally comprising a handle attached perpendiculariy to said elongated body, preferably wherein said handle comprises ratchet means for preventing movement of said loop when retracted over the extremity.

5. The cuff device of claim 1 wherein said strap comprises a feeler gauge steel strap, preferably wherein said strap comprises a plastic coating and a pattern of perforations.

6. The cuff device of claim 1 additionally comprising locking means to prevent, when engaged, extraction of said strap.

7. The cuff device of claim 1 wherein said retraction means comprises means for powering said retraction, preferably springs or pneumatic means, most preferably pneumatic means comprising a carbon dioxide cylinder.

8. The cuff device of claim 2 wherein said elongated body has a length of approximately 24 inches, thereby keeping the suspect's wrists apart by over approximately 24 inches when said loops are retracted over the wrists.

9. The cuff device of claim 2 wherein said elongated body has a length of approximately

12 inches, thereby keeping the suspect's ankles apart by over approximately 12 inches when said loops are retracted over the ankles.

10. A restraint system comprising the cuff device of claim 2 and additionally comprising a frame having one or more slots into which said elongated body can be secured, and preferably additionally comprising means for preventing the suspect from removing said elongated body from said slots.