US2966621A - Combined policeman's club and restraining device - Google Patents

Description

S. T. VOLL Dec. 27, 1960 COMBINED POLICEMANS CLUB AND RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed April 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 brill-..

Jamue/ l 0// Dec. 27, 1960 s. T. VOLL 2,966,621

COMBINED POLICEMANS CLUB AND RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed April 3, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 To HIGH TENSION 0F g fi' IGNITION SYSTEM United States Patent COMBINED POLICEMANS CLUB AND RESTRAIN- ING DEVICE Samuel T. Voll, Great Falls, Mont., assiguor of onetenth to Gadget-Of-The-Month Club, Inc., North Hollywood, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Apr. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 726,166

6 Claims. (Cl. 317-262) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in clubs or sticks for policemen, guards and other like individuals who are called upon from time to time to take persons into custody and/or to restrain the same from violent or otherwise undesirable movements.

The principal object of the invention is to enable such policemen or guards to easily and effectively retain such persons in a subdued state without the use of force or injurious weapons, this being achieved by providing the improved club with a hook adapted to be attached to the persons to be restrained, and means for delivering lowstrength, high tension current to the hook, whereby the persons in custody may be given non-injurious electric shocks of sufiicient effectiveness to discourage any attempts at resistance or violence on their part.

An important feature of the invention, therefore resides in the structural arrangement of the club and in the provision of means for electrically charging the hook thereof, such means being readily controlled by a switch With which the club is provided.

Another important feature of the invention resides in arranging the electric charge producing means within the club itself, so that the same is fully self-contained and does not require connection to an external source of current.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of illuminating means on the club, whereby the same may be also used for purposes of signalling or in the manner of a conventional flashlight.

Another feature of the invention, in a slightly modified form thereof, resides in providing a pull cord operatively connected at one end thereof to the aforementioned switch and adapted at its other end for attachment to a suitable stationary structure, so that when the club is applied to the person in custody the cord is normally slack, but when such person makes an undesirable movement the cord is tightened and the switch is automatically energized to restrain the person in custody by electric shock, as already mentioned. As such, this form of the invention may be effectively used in automobiles used for transporting arrested persons, without any danger of such persons attempting to overpower the driver.

Another feature of the invention in line with the embodiment just described involves the provision of means for energizing the hook of the club by an external source of current, such as for example, the high tension igni- 2,966,621 1 Patented Dec. 27, 1960 Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 3-3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational View of the club, showing the switch means thereon;

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of the electrical components used in the invention;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing a slightly modified form of the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the club in use as a restraining device;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of another modified form of the invention;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 9-9 in Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 10-10 in Figure 8.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, particularly to Figures 1-5 thereof, the policemans club is designated generally by the reference numeral 15 and embodies in its construction an elongated body 16 which is preferably formed from translucent, insulating material such as clear plastic, or the like.

The body 16 is tapered to provide a convenient handle 16a at one end portion thereof, and an elongated chamber exists in the body, in which is provided a tubular metallic insert 17, accommodating two or more dry batteries 18 and an induction coil 19 hereinafter more particularly described.

One end portion of the insert 17 is enlarged and internally screw-threaded to receive a screw-threaded portion 20 of an end cap 21, the parts 20, 21 also being formed from metal, so that they are grounded to the insert 17. A restraining hook 22 is mounted in the plug or cap 20, 21 but is electrically insulated therefrom by an insulating s eeve 23, the hook 22 being adapted for engagement with a person to be restrained, such as for example, by engaging the hook with the collar of such person, as illustrated in Figure 7.

A metallic tube 24 constitutes a continuation of the other end of the insert 17 and is enlarged at its outer end to form a socket 25 for an incandescent lamp 26 in a reflector 27 accommodated by the adjacent end portion of the handle 16a, as shown. A suitable screwthreaded retaining rim 28 is provided at the end of the handle to support a lease 29 on the reflector 27, as will be clearly apparent.

Switch means 30 are also provided in the handle 16a Y and include two separate switches 30a, 30b, which are tion system of an automobile, in instances where the de- A vice is intended to be used in such an environment.

Some of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity of construction, dependable operation, and in its adaptability to economical manufacture.

With the above more important objects and features in view and such other objects and features as may beadapted to be closed by actuation of suitable push buttons 31a, 31b, respectively, provided at the outside of the handle.

The body 16 is provided intermediate the ends thereof with a set of substantially annular cavities 32, best shown in Figure 2, which are filled with neon gas and are adapted to function as neon tubes for illuminating the translucent material of the body when the device is to be used for signalling purposes. The tubes 32 are spaced longitudinally of the body and the ends of each tube are spaced apart so that a pair of electrodes 33, 34 may be set therein to energize the neon gas in the tube.

The electrical connections of the various components will be apparent from Figure 5, wherein it will be noted that the electrodes 33 of the neon tubes 32 are grounded, this being achieved by connecting the same to the metallic insert 17. The aforementioned induction coil 19 is of any suitable conventional type, including a low tension winding 35, a high tension winding 36 and a suitable vibrator (not shown) for interrupting the circuitin the low tension winding so as to induce current in the high tension winding when the low tension winding is energized by direct current from the batteries 18. One side of the low tension winding 35 is grounded to a metallic case in which the coil 19 is enclosed, and is thus also grounded to the insert 17. Moreover, the metallic case of the coil 19 is provided with a stud 37 for grounding the batteries 18, it being noted that the stud 37 contacts the adjacent battery when the parts are assembled in the insert 17 as shown in Figure l.

The other side of the low tension winding 35 of the coil 19 is connected by a conductor 38 to the switch 3% which is connected in parallel with the switch 36a to a conductor 39 extending from the live side of the batteries 18 to the lamp 26. It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the switch 30a is closed, current will fiow from the batteries 18 to the lamp 26, returning to the batteries through the ground afiorded by the socket 25, tube 24 and insert 17. In this manner, the club may be effectively used in the nature of a conventional flashlight. The conductor 39 is contained in the tube 24 and is provided at its inner end with an enlarged head 40 to contact the batteries, as shown.

It will be also apparent that when the switch 30b is closed, current will flow from the batteries 18 through the conductor 38 to energize the low tension winding of the induction coil 19, .as well as the high tension winding 36 of the latter. One side of the high tension winding 36 is grounded to the metallic case of the coil 19 and the other side thereof is connected to an insulated stud 41 on the case, which stud is contacted by an enlarged head 42 at the inner end of the hook 22. Thus, high tension current is delivered to the hook and when the hook and the metallic cap 21 simultaneously come in contact with the body of the person to whom the hook is attached, electrical shock will result, which may be effectively utilized for subduing such a person.

It will be also noted that a conductor 43 extends from the stud 41 to the electrodes 34 of the neon tubes 32, so that the neon tubes are also energized when the switch 30b is closed. In this manner, the body of the club will become illuminated to permit use thereof for signalling purposes. Of course, if desired, separate switch means (not shown) may be provided to permit energization of the neon tubes independently of the hook 22.

The conductors 38, 43 are disposed in a suitable bore 44 formed longitudinally in the body 16 and extending between the spaced ends of the tubes so as not to interfere with the tubes themselves, as illustrated in Figure 2. Moreover, to facilitate replacement of the batteries 18 upon removal of the cap 21 and induction coil 19, the coil 19 is provided with a connector member 45 which separably engages a connector member 46 in the body 16 to effect the electrical connection between the conductor 43 and the winding 36, as well as the connection between the conductor 38 and the winding 35. The body '16 is formed with a slot 47, slidably receiving the connector 45 therein when the coil 19 is installed or removed from the insert 17.

The invention as thus described is fully self-contained and may be used for restraining, signalling or general illuminating purposes without any external source of electric current.

A slightly modified form of the invention is shown in Figures 6 and 7, wherein the club and its equipment are the same as already described, with the exception that another switch is added for use as an alternative for the switch 30b which, however, is also present so that the same may be used in a selective manner. The additional switch involves the provision of a contact 48 which is in circuit with the conductor 38 and is adapted to be engaged by a contact 49 at the end of a rod 50 which is slidable in the handle 16a. The :rod 50 is angulated to project outwardly from the handle and terminates in an eye 51 to which is attached one end of a pull cord 52.

The handle 16a is formed with a recess 53 accomodating a spring 54 on the rod 50, this spring bearing against a collar 55 on the rod so as to normally urge the switch contacts 48, 49 apart.

The other end of the pull cord 52 is adapted to be attached in any suitable manner to a stationary structure, such as for example, an eye 56 secured to the floor of an automobile, adjacent a seat 57 on which a person in custody is seated, as shown at 58.

When the club 15 is applied to the person as shown, the cord 52 is connected to the eye 56 with sufiicient slackness existing in the cord to permit the person in custody a limited amount of free movement. However, if the person moves excessively beyond desirable limits, the tightening of the cord 52 will cause sliding of the rod 50 and closing of the switch contacts 48, 49, whereby the hook 22 will be automatically energized to restrain any such further movement on the part of the prisoner. In this manner the driver of the vehicle will be safeguarded against any attempt by the prisoner to overpower him, this being of particular importance in view of the fact that many policemen are quite alone when arresting a person and transporting him to their station.

Figures 8-l0 illustrate another modified form of the invention wherein the club is designated generally by the reference numeral 60 and comprises a suitable housing 61, preferably of insulating material, having mounted longitudinally therein a pair of spaced parallel metallic rods 62 which project outwardly from one end of the housing and are joined together to provide a hook 63.

A yoke 64 of a substantially U-shaped configuration is provided at the ends thereof with a pair of tubular guides 65 which are slidable on the rods 62, and compression springs 66 are positioned on the rods between the guides 65 and shoulders 67 with which the rods are provided, whereby to urge the yoke 64 in the direction of a pair of stop collars 68 which the rods also carry.

A switch contact 69 is mounted in the housing 61 upon a suitable screw or post 70 and is adapted to be contacted by the bight portion of the yoke 64 when the yoke is pulled in the direction of the arrow 71 by a pull cord 72. The latter extends outwardly from the housing 61 through a suitable guide sleeve 73 and is adapted to be connected at its outer end to a suitable stationary structure, such as for example, the aforementioned eye 56. The inner end of the cord 72 is attached by a connector 74 to the yoke 64.

When this form of the invention is placed in use, the hook 63 is applied to the prisoner as already described and the cord 72 is attached to the eye 56 with sufilcient slackness to permit limited freedom of movement. However, in the presence of excessive movement on the part of the prisoner, the cord will become tightened and will slide the yoke 64 along the rods 62 until the yoke contacts the switch contact 69. A suitable conductor wire 75, connected to the post 76 and extended outwardly from the housing 61 is connected to a suitable source of high tension current, such as for example, the high tension ignition system of an automobile, whereby such current will be delivered to the hook 63 to shock the prisoner. In this regard it is to be noted that grounding of the club with the prisoners body is not absolutely necessary when a high tension charge is delivered to the hook, since the position of the prisoner in the metallic body of the vehicle may provide sufficient ground for a return path of the high tension circuit.

In order to securely attach the club to the prisoner, the other end of the housing 61 may be provided with a keeper member in the form of a second hook 76 formed at the outer end of a rod 77 which is siidable in a tubular casing 78 formed in the housing 61. The inner end of the rod 77 is equipped with a guide 79 slidable in the casing 78, and a compression spring 80 operatively engages the guide 79 whereby to urge the rod 77 and the hook 76 to a retracted position. However, the hook 76 may be drawn outwardly against the resiliency of the spring 80 and engaged with the prisoners clothing, such as for example, with his belt or suspenders, at a point remote from the hook 63, whereby to retain the entire device in position on the prisoners body. If desired or necessary, the hook 76 may be suitably grounded so as to provide a return path for the current delivered to the hook 63.

The housing 61 may be also equipped with illuminating means in the form of neon tubes and incandescent lamp as already described in connection with the club 15, these features being omitted from the showing in Figures 8-10 for sake of simplicity.

It will be also apparent that apart from its utilitarian features as herein disclosed, the invention may be also used as a weapon in the nature of a conventional policemans club, the general shape of the device as shown in Figures 1-7 being such as to make this possible.

While in the foregoing there have been shown and described the preferred embodiments of the invention, various modifications may become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the invention to this disclosure and various modifications may be resorted to, such as may lie within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A policemans club comprising an elongated body formed from translucent material and having an elongated chamber therein, an insulated electrically conductive hook provided at one end of said body, a neon tube embedded intermediate the ends of the body and at least partially encircling same and adapted to illuminate the same, an electric battery positioned in said chamber, an induction coil provided in said chamber in circuit with said battery, and switch means provided on the body in circuit with said induction coil, said hook and said neon tube for delivering high tension current thereto.

2. A combined policemans club and restraining device, comprising an elongated body formed from translucent material, an insulated electrically conductive hook provided at one end of said body and adapted to be attached to a person to be restrained, a plurality of neon tubes, spacedly embedded intermediate the ends of the body and each at least partially encircling same and adapted to illuminate same, means for delivering high tension current to said hook and said neon tubes, switch means on said body for controlling said last mentioned means, and a normally slack pull cord operatively connected to said switch means at one end thereof, the other end of said pull cord being adapted to be attached to a stationary structure, whereby said switch means may be energized when the pull cord is tightened.

3. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for delivering high tension current to said hook comprise a battery and an induction coil contained in said body.

4. The device as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for delivering high tension current to said hook comprise a conductor in circuit with said switch means and adapted to be connected to the high tension ignition system of an automobile.

5. The device as defined in claim 2 together with a spring-pressed keeper member provided at the other end of said body and adapted to be attached to a person to be restrained at a point remote from said book.

6. A policemans club comprising an elongated body formed from translucent material, an insulated electrically conductive hook provided at one end of said body, at least one neon tube embedded intermediate the ends of the body and at least partially encircling same and adapted to illuminate same, means for delivering high tension current to said hook and said neon tube, and switch means on said body for controlling said last mentioned means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,158,473 Floyd Nov. 2, 1915 2,208,852 Mongan July 23, 194.0 2,253,315 Andrus Aug. 19, 1941

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