WO2004090462A1

WO2004090462A1 - Protective frame

Info

Publication number: WO2004090462A1
Application number: PCT/SE2004/000552
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel CLAUSÉN
Original assignee: Clausen Daniel
Priority date: 2003-04-08
Filing date: 2004-04-07
Publication date: 2004-10-21
Also published as: SE0301059L; SE525072C2; SE0301059D0

Abstract

The present invention bears upon a hand protective arrangement (10) intended to be used at a baton. The hand protective arrangement comprises a supporting device (12) and at least one protective frame (14) supported by the supporting device (12), whereby the protective frame (14) is movable arranged with respect to the supporting device (12), between a first non-operative position and a second operative position. Furthermore, the invention bears upon a baton (32) comprising the hand protective arrangement (10) according to the invention.

Description

Title

Protective Frame

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention bears upon a hand protective arrangement intended to be used on a baton, a club or similar. The hand protective arrangement comprises a support device and at least one protective frame. The supporting device is intended to support the protective frame. Furthermore, the invention bears upon a baton, a club or similar comprising the hand protective arrangement according to the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The baton has for a long time served as one of the means for assistance within the police force. A baton can be used both as an offensive means for assistance in neutralizing a suspect and as a defensive means for protection against hitting and kicking etc. As a first option the police always try to communicate with a suspect criminal. However, if this is unsuccessful or if a person becomes violent, the police may utilize gentle physical methods and thereafter progress to forceful physical methods. If not even this gives the desired result the police may use different means of assistance, such as a baton, handcuffs and police dog. As a last alternative the police may use weapons, such as chemical mace and firearms.

Since June 1999 the police force in Sweden is allowed to use expandable telescopic batons as a complement to the traditional baton. The advantages of the expandable baton are that it is light, flexible and not bulky. When it is to be used the officer may deploy it with a snap of the wrist.

US-A-6,261,188 describes an expandable baton, which is characterized in that it can be arranged with a stop element at the outer end of the baton handle. The stop element is arranged to prevent the user from slipping out of his grip and lose the baton. The stop element can be arranged on different expandable batons of standard model. The baton is easy to use, but gives the user no protection from e.g. hits or other violence against the hand that holds the baton. US-A-5,041,951 describes an universal baton with which the user may give electrical shocks, direct traffic, disperse tear gas and provide warning signals. The baton is expandable and comprises an electricity supplying element that is connected to a battery and a transformer. The battery and the transformer are arranged within a finger protection. The finger protection comprises a universal u-shape that is fixedly arranged on the handle of the baton. The baton further comprises a container intended for tear gas, a nozzle through which the tear gas is sprayed out and a lamp holder. The baton is large, heavy and awkward. Moreover, the finger protection is fixedly arranged on the handle of the baton and it can therefore be a hindrance in certain situations.

A problem in using a baton is that the person holding the baton is very unprotected, in particularly the persons hand holding the baton. It is common that a policeman receives kicks, hits and other violence against the baton holding hand. None of the above mentioned documents describes a hand protective arrangement that is adapted to be used in connection with a baton, and which provides the user with a satisfactory hand protection that is flexible and secure to use.

THE PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a purpose of the invention to provide a hand protective arrangement and a baton according to claims 1 and 14. This will result in a flexible and affordable hand protective arrangement, which can be used as complement and can be arranged on several popular baton models. The hand protective arrangement may also be arranged directly on a baton during manufacturing. The hand protective arrangement according to the invention may in this way be arranged detachable, as well as fixedly arranged according to the whishes of the user.

Further embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be described in more detail by means of a number of embodiments and with reference to enclosed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic outline of a hand protective arrangement intended to be arranged on a baton according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 2 shows a schematic outline of the hand protective arrangement according to Fig. 1, in a first position according to the invention,

Fig, 3 shows a schematic outline of the hand protective arrangement according to Fig. 1, in a second position according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows a schematic outline of the hand protective arrangement according to a modification of the first embodiment in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 shows a schematic outline of a hand protective arrangement intended to be arranged on a baton according to a second embodiment,

Fig. 6 shows a schematic outline wherein the hand protective arrangement according to the invention is integrated with a baton according to a third embodiment,

Fig. 7 shows a schematic outline of a hand protective arrangement intended to be arranged on a baton according to a fourth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following a number of embodiments of the present invention and also some modifications thereof will be described in detail with reference to the enclosed drawings. Examples of further possible embodiments will also be described.

Fig. 1 shows a hand protective arrangement, denoted 10 in the drawing, which comprises a supporting device 12 and at least one protective frame 14. The protective frame 14 is supported by the supporting device 12. The supporting device 12 comprises a barrel 16 and an end fitting 18. The barrel 16 is provided with a recess 20 arranged to receive the protective frame 14. The barrel 16 and the end fitting 18 are held together by at least one fastening means 22. In a first embodiment of the invention the end fitting 18 is provided with screw holes 23 and the fastening means 22 preferably consist of a pair of screws, plugs, bolts, pins or similar, see Fig. 1.

The protective frame 14 comprises a substantially elongated part 24. According to a first embodiment of the invention the substantially elongated part 24 is bent at an angle, such that one part of the elongated part 24 constitutes a protective part that works as a hand protection, also denoted 24 in the drawing. The other part, a fastening member 28, is arranged in the supporting device 12. The protective frame 14 is slidably movable with respect to the supporting device 12. The protective frame 14 is kept in place in the recess 20 by the end fitting 18.

The protective frame 14 can be manufactured from different kind of materials, preferably a rigid material, such that the protective frame 14 without breaking may receive hits and kicks that are thrown with force against the frame. The protective frame may advantageously be manufactured from hard plastic materials that have some elasticity, steel or some other metal, different composites mixed with carbon fiber and similar materials.

The elongated part 24 is between 5-20 cm in length, preferably between 10-15 cm in length. Moreover, the elongated part 24 is between 1-10 cm wide, preferably 1,5-3,5 cm wide and between 0,2-1 cm thick, preferably 0,2-0,5 cm thick. The fastening member 28 is between 2- 15 cm in length, preferably 5-10 cm in length and preferably as wide as the width of the elongated part 24. However, the fastening member 28 may be somewhat thicker that the elongated part 24, i.e. between 0,5-2 cm thick, preferably 0,5-1 cm thick. The hand protective arrangement 10 according to the invention is intended to be used on a baton 32. The barrel 16 is provided with means 30 so that the supporting device 12 is adapted to be detachably arranged at a handle 31 of the baton 32. The outermost end of the handle 31 is provided with corresponding means 33, so that it can be put together with the means 30. Preferably the means 30 consists of threads, though it may consist of a snap-on attachment, a bayonet attachment or similar. The means 30 is adapted to fit different kind of batons of a standard model, both traditional and expandable. A tightening and shock dampening washer 34 is arranged between the baton 32 and the supporting device 12.

The baton 32 according to the invention has a longitudinal axis 36 and a circumference 38. The elongated part 24 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 36 when the hand protective arrangement 10 is arranged on the baton 32. The elongated part 24 is slightly rounded to fit the circumference 38 and thereby lies closely towards the handle 31 in a first non-operative position, see Fig. 2. In this way the elongated part 24 forms a part of the circumference 38 of the handle 31. In a second operative position the fastening means 28 is slid a distance out from the supporting device 12, preferably 3-5 cm, see Fig. 3. The elongated part 24 is simultaneous slid the same distance from the baton 32 and a space is formed intended for the fingers of the user. The protective frame 14 is movable with respect to the supporting device 12, sliding between the first non-operative position where the protective frame 14 is not used as a hand protection and the second position where the protective frame 14 protects the hand of the user from e.g. hits, kicks and other violence.

In the first embodiment of the invention the fastening member 28 is provided with a stop element 40, preferably arranged at the outer end of the fastening member 28. In a first non- operative position, see Fig. 2, the elongated part 24 lies close towards the baton 32 and the fastening member 28 protrudes a distance from the supporting device 12, preferably between 3-5 cm. The fastening member 28 may in this first position function as an anti-slip protector, so that the user does not lose the baton 32. In a second operative position, see Fig. 3, the stop element 40 prevents the protective frame 14 from falling out from the supporting device 12. A locking arrangement (not shown) arranged in the barrel 16 locks the protective frame 14 in the first and second position respectively. The locking arrangement is preferably composed of an eccentric lock, a snap lock, a pawl and/or similar commercially available locking devices that are available on the market. Fig. 4 shows a modification of the first embodiment wherein the supporting device 12 is a unit that is provided with an aperture 42. The aperture 42 is arranged to receive the fastening member 28. In the aperture 42 the protective frame 14 is arranged slidable with respect to the supporting device 12. The aperture is preferably a through hole. According to this modification of the first embodiment the fastening member 28 is not provided with any stop element. Instead the protective frame 14 stops in its first and second position respectively with assistance of a locking device (not shown) inside the supporting device 12, for example a snap lock, eccentric lock, expanding lock or similar.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the invention, wherein the supporting device 12 is one unit. The fastening member 28 is an integral part of the supporting device 12. The expression "integral part" according to the invention should be understood as a part that is not intended to be removed. The elongated part 24 of the protective frame 14 is pivotally movable with respect to supporting device 12.

Fig. 6 shows a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the supporting device 12 is one unit constituting an integral part of the baton 32. The expression "integral part" according to the invention should be understood as a part that is not intended to be removed from the baton 32. The protective frame 14 is movable slidable and/or pivotally with respect to the supporting device 12, which in this embodiment is fixedly arranged on the baton 32.

Consequently, according to this embodiment the baton 32 is manufactured with the protective arrangement 10 fixedly arranged. The handle 31 of the baton 32 may also be provided with an recess 26, corresponding to the thickness and length of the elongated part 24, wherein the elongated part may be fit so that it forms a part of the handle 31 of the baton 32.

Fig. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the protective frame 14 has been provided with a fastening member 28, which can be pulled out and pushed together in a telescopic manner. In a folded telescoped position the fastening member is preferably fully contained by the recess 20 in the barrel 16. Then the fastening member 28 does not protrude at the other side of the barrel 16, i.e. on the opposite side of the elongated part 24 of the frame. This is an advantage in many situations, since a protruding fastening member 28 may be of hindrance when the baton 32 is carried in a holster.

A fastening member 28 that is arranged in said telescopically manner preferably comprises at least two elongated parts that are arranged so that a first larger part receives a second smaller part, which may be wholly or partly pushed into the larger part. In some embodiments said second part may in the same manner receive a third part, which in some embodiments may receive a fourth part, etc. The telescopic fastening member 28 is shown in Fig. 7, having the smallest part arranged in connection with the elongated part 24 of the protective frame 14. However, nothing prevents the telescopic fastening member 28 in the opposite way, i.e. having the smallest telescopic part arranged in connection with the baton 32 and/or its handle 31. The fastening part 28 may also comprise other kind of sliding telescopic arrangements without departing from the present invention. As shown in Fig. 7, said elongated telescopic parts are preferably formed with a rectangular cross section. However, said parts may have wide range of different cross sections, e.g. a triangular, a rectangular, a circular or oval cross section, or some other suitable cross section.

The length of the separate parts are preferably adapted so that they, in a folded telescoped position, are fully or partly are contained in the barrel 16, and in a pulled out position together provides enough length to the fastening member 28 so that a space large enough for the fingers of the user is formed between the elongated part 24 of the protective frame 14 and the handle 31 of the baton 32.

In the same way as shown in Fig. 1 regarding the first embodiment the fourth embodiment according to Fig. 7 may also be provided with a stop element 40 arranged on the fastening member 28. Moreover, the protective frame 14 may be locked by means of a locking arrangement (not shown) that is preferably arranged within the barrel 16. However, nothing prevents the locking arrangement from being arranged wholly or partly outside the barrel 16. The telescopic part of the protective frame 14 may be spring-biased. If the frame 14 is provided with a biasing spring it preferably biases the telescopic part to a substantially pulled out position. The spring is preferably placed inside the telescopic part.

In yet another embodiment (not shown) the protective frame 14 comprises an elongated part 24 and two fastening members 28. Together the two fastening members 28 form the handle 31 of the baton 32. This entails that the whole handle 31 is detachably arranged on the baton 32. Together the protective frame 14 and the handle 31 of the baton 32 then form an undivided arch. The protective frame 14 can be arranged slidably and/or pivotally in the supporting devices 12. The protective frame 14 could also be fastened in the supporting device 12 in two points of attachment.

In a further embodiment (not shown) the protective frame 14 is arranged so that the fastening member 28 is pivotally arranged in the attachment of the supporting device 12. In a first non-operative position the elongated part 24 is turned so that it constitutes an extension of the baton 32. In a second operative position the elongated part 24 is turned back so that it becomes substantially parallel with the baton 32.

In a further embodiment (not shown) the supporting device 12 constitutes one unit. According to the modified first embodiment in Fig. 4 the supporting device 12 is provided with an aperture 42. The aperture 42 is preferably a through hole and is arranged in the longitudinal direction, the same direction as the direction of the longitudinal axis 36 of the baton 32. The elongated part 24 may be slid up and down between a first non-operative position and a second operative position in a longitudinal direction.

The present invention has now been described by means of a few different embodiments and modifications thereof. However, the invention is not restricted by the embodiment shown and it should be understood that different modifications and supplementations may be done within the framework of the invention, as it has been defined in the appended claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS

Hand Protective Arrangement 10

Supporting Device 12

Protective Frame 14

Barrel 16

End Fitting 18

Recess 20

Fastening Means 22

Screw Holes 23

Elongated Part 24

Recess 26

Fastening Member 28

Means 30

Handle 31

Baton 32

Corresponding Means 33

Washer 34

Longitudinal Axis 36

Circumference 38

Stop Element 40

Aperture 42

Claims

1. A hand protective arrangement (10) intended to be used at a baton (32), comprising a supporting device (12), and at least one protective frame (14) supported by said supporting frame (12), characterized in that said at least one protective frame (14) is movable arranged with respect to said supporting device (12), between a first non-operative position and a second operative position.

2. The hand protective arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective frame (14) is slidably movable with respect to said supporting device (12).

3. The hand protective arrangement according to claims 1-2, characterized in that said supporting device (12) compπses a barrel (16), and a end fitting (18), and that said barrel (16) and said end fitting (18) are held together by at least one fastening means (22).

4. The hand protective arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that said barrel (16) is provided with a recess (20), which recess (20) is arranged to receive said protective frame (14), said protective frame (14) is slidably movable with respect to said recess (20).

5. The hand protective arrangement according to claims 1-2, characterized in that said supporting device (12) is arranged with a aperture (42), which aperture (42) is arranged to receive said protective frame (14), said protective frame (14) is slidably arranged with respect to said aperture (42).

6. The hand protective arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective frame (14) is pivotally movable with respect to said supporting device (12).

7. The hand protective arrangement according to claims 1-6, characterized in that said protective frame (14) can be locked in said first position and said second position by means of a locking arrangement.

8. The hand protective arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that said locking arrangement is an eccentric lock, an expanding lock, a snap lock, a stop and/or a pin.

9. The hand protective arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting device (12) is provided with means (30) that makes said supporting device (12) adapted to be detachably arranged at the baton (32).

10. The hand protective arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that said means (30) consists of threads.

11. The hand protective arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that said means (30) consists of a snap-on attachment or a bayonet attachment.

12. The hand protective arrangement according to claims 1-8, characterized in that said supporting device (12) consists of an integral part of the baton (32).

13. The hand protective arrangement according one or several of the claims 1-12, characterized in that said protective frame (12) comprises an substantially elongated part (24).

14. A baton (32) comprising a hand protective arrangement (10) according one or several of the claims 1-13, characterized in that said baton (32) has an longitudinal axis (36) and a circumference (38), and that said elongated part (24) is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (36) when said hand protective arrangement (10) is arranged on said baton (32).

15. The baton according to claim 14, characterized in that said elongated part (24), in said first position, constitutes a part of the circumference (38) of said baton (32).

16. The hand protective arrangement according one or several of the claim 1-12, characterized in that said protective frame (14) has a telescopic fastening member (28), which can be pulled out and pushed together in a telescopic manner.