WO2014204321A1

WO2014204321A1 - Restraint device

Info

Publication number: WO2014204321A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2013/000106
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stenfinn Tapio Vigulf OLIVECRONA; Simon Paul OGDEN; Andrew Keith STANDISH
Original assignee: Olivecrona Stenfinn Tapio Vigulf; Ogden Simon Paul; Standish Andrew Keith
Priority date: 2013-06-18
Filing date: 2013-06-18
Publication date: 2014-12-24
Also published as: AU2013392689B2; AU2013392689A1; NZ713837A

Abstract

A restraint device is provided comprising a first handle portion provided with a first engagement formation at a first end thereof, and a second handle portion comprising a second engagement formation, the engagement formations being arranged to engage as the handle portions are pushed together. Each handle portion has a bracelet member at an end thereof. The engagement formations are arranged to releasably, lockably engage, automatically on engagement. Thus no separate locking action such as turning a key may be required. A release mechanism is provided to release one engagement member from engaging the other to enable the handle portions to be separated.

Description

RESTRAINT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a restraint device such as a restraint device for restraining and controlling an individual. Background

Restraint devices are known in the form of conventional handcuffs comprising a restraint bracelet adapted to be secured around the wrist or ankle of an individual. Typically a pair of restraint bracelets are permanently connected together via a chain or hinge. The bracelet itself typically comprises an arcuate locking arm hinged to an arcuate bracelet stem and may be arranged to lock automatically when the bracelet is placed around an individual's wrist or ankle.

Such conventional restraint devices, whilst commonly used, can be difficult to use if the individual is moving or resisting restraint. It can be difficult to secure both bracelets to the individual, or to a fixed object.

New Zealand patent 532609 of Stephen Michael Olivecrona discloses an improved restraint device wherein a bracelet is mounted on an elongate handle or lever. The handle provides considerable leverage to assist in preventing unwanted movement of the individual to which the bracelet is secured, or to help move an individual. Also disclosed are a pair of bracelets mounted on respective ends of an elongate handle or lever.

Object of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a restraint device which improves that disclosed in New Zealand patent 532609, or to overcome or at least ameliorate one or more disadvantages of the prior art, or alternatively to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description. Summary of Invention

Accordingly the invention may broadly be said to consist in: a restraint device comprising a first handle portion provided with a first engagement formation and a first bracelet member, and

a second handle portion provided with a second engagement formation and a second bracelet member,

the engagement formations being arranged to engage as the first handle portion is pushed towards the second handle portion.

Preferably the first engagement formation is provided at or towards a first end of the first handle portion and the first bracelet member is provided at or towards a second end of the first handle portion, the second engagement formation being provided at or towards a first end of the second handle portion and the second bracelet member is provided at or towards a second end of the second handle portion.

Preferably the first handle portion is pushed onto or into the second handle portion.

When engaged the handle portions are preferably secured together such that the handle portions cannot, or cannot easily be separated.

Preferably the engagement formations are arranged to lockably engage.

Preferably the engagement formations are arranged to releasably lockably engage.

Preferably, the first and second engagement formations automatically lockably engage on engagement. Thus no separate locking action such as turning a key may be required.

Preferably a release mechanism is provided to release one engagement member from engaging the other to enable the handle portions to be separated. The release mechanism may comprise an aperture into which a key can be inserted, rotation of the key disengaging the engagement formations. In one example, the aperture is provided in one engagement formation, rotation of the key moving that engagement formation out of engagement with the other engagement formation. In one example rotation of the key rotates that engagement formation. In another example, movement of the key may move a release member that disengages an engagement formation from the other. In one example, the key may be a universal key used to disengage the engagement formations and to unlock the or each bracelet.

The first and/or second bracelet member may be removably mounted on and/or integral to the handle portion(s). Thus a bracelet member may be rigidly mounted on, or comprise part of, a handle portion.

It would be possible, in some circumstances, to retain one or both bracelet members on the wrist or ankle of an individual for example, and then secure the handle portions together when required to move or restrain the individual.

At least one handle portion may be elongate. At least one handle portion may be substantially rigid. In one example, a locking mechanism is provided arranged to lock the handle portions together, when the engagement formation engages the other engagement formation. The locking mechanism may be arranged to automatically lock the handle portions together, for example when or as the handle portions are pushed together. The engagement formations may comprise a ratchet mechanism arranged to allow the handle portions to be pushed together in a first direction, but prevent the handle portions from being pulled apart in an opposite direction.

One engagement formation of the ratchet mechanism(s) may comprise a pivotally mounted pawl on one handle portion and arranged to engage with the other engagement formation on the other handle portion. The pawl may comprise a biasing unit arranged to bias the pawl into engagement with the engagement formation. The biasing unit may comprise a resiliently deformable member such as a torsion spring for example. The other engagement formation preferably comprises a finger or cam or the like, one end of which comprises a lug which engages the pawl. The pawl may comprise a plurality of teeth arranged to sequentially engage the other engagement formation as the bracelet member is pushed onto the handle.

The first (and where applicable, second) end of the handle may comprise a slot, part of the bracelet member being received in the slot. Preferably the slot has opposed side walls that engage with the bracelet member to resist twisting of the bracelet member relative to the handle about the longitudinal axis of the device. Alternative embodiments provide for at least one degree of rotational and/or limited lateral freedom to provide some comfort to a wearer of the device. The handle portions may comprise a male handle portion arranged to be received in a female handle portion.

Preferably each handle portion is elongate and tapered in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

Each handle portion may be generally tubular or cylindrical.

One handle portion may be substantially hollow and comprise a tapered bore into which the other handle portion is received, the exterior of the other handle portion comprising a tapered outer wall which mates and/or engages with the tapered bore.

The handle portions may be arranged to be an interference fit such that the handle portions are secured together when one is pushed onto or into the other. In another aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a restraint device comprising a handle provided with a first engagement formation at a first end thereof, and a first bracelet member comprising a second engagement formation, the engagement formations being arranged to engage as the bracelet member is pushed towards the first end of the handle.

Thus, in this example, the handle may be of one or two piece construction, with at least one bracelet member removably mounted on an end of the handle. If two bracelet members are provided one or both may be removably mounted on the handle.

Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description.

Drawing Description

A number of embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a restraint device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded side view of the restraint device of Figure 1 , with some internal features in phantom;

Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the restraint device of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional side of the restraint device of Figures 1 to 3 in an assembled condition;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional side view of one end of the restraint device of Figures 1 to 4, in an engaged position; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional side view of one end of the restraint device of Figures 1 to 4, in a disengaged condition.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Throughout the description like reference numerals will be used to refer to like features in different embodiments.

Referring to the Figures, a restraint device 1 comprises an elongate, substantially rigid handle 3 having opposed outward ends 5. On each outward end 5 is provided a respective bracelet member 7. The or each bracelet member may be removably mounted. In this example, each bracelet member 7 includes some conventional features including a two part hoop, an arcuate locking part 9 being hinged to an arcuate stem part 11. The locking part 9 is provided with teeth 13 which engage with a ratchet in the stem part 11 to lock the locking part 9 to the stem part 11 when desired. A key may be provided to unlock the locking part 9 from the stem part 11. The elongate handle 3 is of two part, generally tubular form comprising a male handle portion 15 arranged to be received in a female handle portion 17. The male handle portion 15 is substantially hollow, and its exterior is tapered radially inwardly from its outward end 5 to its inward end 6. The female handle portion 17 is also substantially hollow, and defines an internal bore 19 which is tapered radially outwardly from its outward end 5 to its inward end 6. The male handle portion 15 is received in the internal bore 19, with the tapering surfaces of each handle portion 15, 17 mating.

Each handle portion 15, 17 is provided, at or adjacent its end 5 with an engagement formation arranged to engage a corresponding engagement formation on the other handle portion 15, 17 to releasably secure the handle portions 15, 17 together. Each handle end 5 is provided with two spaced apart flanges 21 between which is defined a slot 23 arranged to receive, or be integral with, a bracelet member 7. In this example, each bracelet member 7 is provided with a mount 24 which extends axially from the stem 11 and projects into end 5 of each handle portion 15, 17. The mount 24 is used to secure each bracelet member 7 to the respective handle portion 15, 17, for example, by way of a pin 26 or other fixing which extends through flanges 21 and through the mount 24.

In this example, the engagement formation on one handle portion 15 comprises an axially extending finger 25, the end of which comprises a radially outwardly projecting lug 27. The finger 25 and lug 27 are provided on a plug 29 arranged to be received inside the outward end 5 of the handle portion 15, 17. Further axial movement of each plug 29 is prevented, for example, by the plug 29 abutting a ridge or lug in the handle portion 15, or simply by the taper of the inside of the handle portion 15 becoming sufficiently narrow to prevent further axial movement of the plug 29.

In this example, the other handle portion 17 is provided with an engagement member in the form of a respective pawl 31 pivotally mounted 33 inside the handle portion 17 on mount 24 which extends axially into bore 19. The mount 24 includes a transverse bore on which the pawl 31 is pivotally mounted 33. The pawl 31 comprises a locking aperture 35 adjacent the pivot 33, and a plurality of teeth 37 on a limb 39 projecting from the main body of the pawl 31. Biasing means such as a torsion spring or the like (not shown) may be provided to rotationally bias the pawl 31 relative to the handle portion 15, 17.

In use, the handle portions 15, 17 are secured together by pushing one handle portion 15, 17 towards the other, and in this example by sliding the male handle portion 15 inside the female handle portion 17. As the male handle portion 15 is pushed axially into the female handle portion 17, the lug 27 of the axially extending finger 25 engages with the first tooth 37 of pawl 31 , pawl 31 rotating about pivot 33 to accommodate the lug 27. As the handle portions 15, 17 are fully pushed together subsequent teeth 37 of the pawl 31 engage the lug 27, as the pawl 31 rotates, and lock the handle portions 15, 17 together. The teeth 37 on the pawl 31 are arranged such that if an opposite axial force is applied, for example to a bracelet member 7, to try to pull the handle portions 15, 17 apart, the teeth 37 of the pawl 31 lockably engage the lug 27. The pawl 31 , finger 25 and lug 27 therefore comprise a ratchet mechanism allowing the handle portions 15, 17 to be pushed together in a first axial direction, but not pulled apart in the opposite axial direction.

To release the pawl 31 from engagement with the lug 27, a tool or key may be inserted in locking aperture 35 to counter rotate the pawl 31 to bring the teeth 37 out of contact with lug 27. The handle portions 15, 17 may then be pulled apart.

It will be appreciated in this example that handle portions 15, 17 are automatically retained and locked together, as they are pushed together. This ensures that mounting of the bracelet members 7 together is relatively quick and easy.

The tapering construction of the handle portions 15, 17 enables relatively simple and rapid assembly of the handle portions 15, 17, and also enables these components to be injection moulded, for example in a plastic or plastic based material if required, the tapering structure allowing the parts to be relatively easily ejected from the moulds.

The handle 3 is preferably rigid along its length, but may be flexible, or include at least one flexible region, for example at one or both ends 5 of the handle 3, or midway between its ends 5.

It will be appreciated that at least one bracelet member 7 may be permanently mounted to one end of the handle 3, or may be integral with the handle 3. One or both ends 5 of the handle 3 may be provided with a releasably, lockably engageable bracelet member 7 that can be removed from the handle 3 if required. Engagement formations as described above may be provided for this purpose if required. It is envisaged that bracelet members from standard hand cuffs may be mounted on handle portions 15, 17, by locating the stem portion 11 of each bracelet member 7 in a respective slot 23 of a handle portion 15, 17. The bracelet members 7 may be secured to the handle portions 15, 17 by any suitable securing device, such as, for example, a pin inserted through and across the slot 23, through mount 24, and through part of the bracelet member 7.

An additional or alternative locking mechanism may be provided as required to lock the handle portions 15, 17 together. For example, a locking mechanism separate from the ratchet mechanism may be provided. The key to any locking mechanism provided may be a universal key as also used to unlock the locking part of the bracelet member from the stem part.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features. Furthermore, where reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Claims

1. A restraint device comprising:

a first handle portion provided with a first engagement formation and a first bracelet member, and

2. The restraint device of claim 1 , wherein the first engagement formation is provided at or towards a first end of the first handle portion and the first bracelet member is provided at or towards a second end of the first handle portion, the second engagement formation is provided at or towards a first end of the second handle portion and the second bracelet member is provided at or towards a second end of the second handle portion.

3. The restraint device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first handle portion is pushed onto or into the second handle portion.

4. The restraint device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagement formations are arranged to lockably engage.

5. The restraint device of claim 4 wherein the engagement formations are arranged to releasably lockably engage.

6. The restraint device of any one of the preceding claims wherein, the first and second engagement formations automatically lockably engage on engagement.

7. The restraint device of any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein a release mechanism is provided to release one engagement member from engaging the other to enable the handle portions to be separated.

8. The restraint device of claim 7 wherein the release mechanism comprises an aperture into which a key can be inserted, rotation of the key disengaging the engagement formations.

9. The restraint device of claim 8 wherein the aperture is provided in one engagement formation, rotation of the key moving that engagement formation out of engagement with the other engagement formation.

10. The restraint device of claim 9 wherein rotation of the key rotates that engagement formation.

11. The restraint device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the first or second bracelet member is integral to the handle.

12. The restraint device of any one of the claims 1 to 10 wherein the first or second bracelet member is removably mounted on the handle.

13. The restraint device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle is elongate.

14. The restraint device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle is substantially rigid.

15. The restraint device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagement formations comprise a ratchet mechanism arranged to allow the handle portions to be pushed together in a first direction, but to prevent the handle portions from being pulled apart in an opposite direction.

16. The restraint device of claim 15 wherein one engagement formation of the ratchet mechanism(s) comprises a pivotally mounted pawl on one handle portion, and arranged to engage with the other engagement formation on the other handle portion.

17. The restraint device of claim 16 wherein the pawl comprises a biasing unit arranged to bias the pawl into engagement with the engagement formation.

18. The restraint device of claim 16 wherein the other engagement formation comprises a finger or cam one end of which comprises a lug which engages the pawl.

19. The restraint device of any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the pawl comprises a plurality of teeth arranged to sequentially engage the other engagement formation as the handle portions are pushed together.

20. The restraint device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the first (and where applicable, second) end of the handle comprises a slot, part of the bracelet member being received in the slot.

21. The restraint device of claim 20 wherein the slot has opposed side walls that engage with the bracelet member to resist twisting of the bracelet member relative to the handle about the longitudinal axis of the device.

22. The restraint device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle is of two piece construction, comprising a male handle portion arranged to be received in a female handle portion.

23. The restraint device of claim 22 wherein each handle portion is elongate and tapered in a radial direction away from the longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

24. The restraint device of claim 22 or 23 wherein each handle portion is generally tubular or cylindrical.

25. The restraint device of any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein one handle portion is substantially hollow and comprise a tapered bore into which the other handle portion is received, the exterior of the other handle portion comprising a tapered outer wall which mates and/or engages with the tapered bore.

26. A restraint device comprising a handle provided with a first engagement formation at a first end thereof, and a first bracelet member comprising a second engagement formation, the engagement formations being arranged to engage as the bracelet member is pushed towards the first end of the handle.