Abstract:
A shield in combination with a plurality of high-brightness light sources used for riot, capture or other control of individuals. The light array utilizes a plurality of high-brightness light sources to provide a broad-area, high-intensity light for visual countermeasures. By providing a sudden burst of very bright light to surprise a subject and cause the subject to look away or close his or her eyes, the overseer, such as a police officer, can cause sufficient distraction to effectively capture or control the subject without harm.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application S. No. 60/135,231 filed May 21, 1999 entitled RIOT OR CAPTURE SHIELD WITH INTEGRATED BROAD-AREA, HIGH INTENSITY LIGHT ARRAY. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an apparatus for controlling individuals, and, more particularly, to a non-injurious method and apparatus for aiding in prison cell extraction or riot control through the use of a high-intensity light in conjunction with a standard riot or capture shield. 
     It has become increasingly common for law enforcement and corrections officers to be put into dangerous situations. On a daily basis corrections officers are faced with the task of extracting an uncooperative, and sometimes armed, inmate from his cell. This common practice often proves dangerous for both the officer and the inmate. Normal operations call for a team of several officers to go into the cell and use a “capture” shield in an attempt to pin the subject down. This capture shield consists simply of a curved piece of clear plastic with two handles. The plastic is curved outward to allow the officer to entrap the struggling subject against a wall or floor. It is common to use the capture shield in conjunction with gas, pepper spray or even high-voltage electricity to temporarily incapacitate the subject. Using these options can prove unsafe to not only the inmate, but to the corrections officer as well. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to increase the effectiveness of the standard riot or capture shield by providing a high-intensity, broad-area light source to deter, distract and disorient. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a high-intensity, broad-area light source that is capable of flickering on and off automatically. 
     It is still another object of this invention to utilize high-intensity, broad-area light sources made up of one or more different colors. 
     It is also an object of this invention to provide a system for protecting the light source and other associated components of the invention from stresses and strains of a shield undergoing deformation or puncture. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objects set forth above as well as further and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished by the embodiments of the invention described hereinbelow. 
     The present invention utilizes an array of a plurality of high-brightness light sources to provide a broad-area, high-intensity light for visual countermeasures. These arrays produce a sudden burst of very bright light to surprise the subject and cause him (refers to both sexes) to look away or close his eyes. This gives the officer the needed distraction to effectively capture the subject without harm. 
     High-brightness light sources such as Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or lasers offer a number of options to control dangerous situations. Light sources can be used as a non-lethal means of force and provide (1) a language-independent, unequivocal warning, (2) psychological impact such as distraction and fear, (3) temporary visual impairment, (4) physiological response such as disorientation and/or nausea, and (5) a reduction in the ability of subjects to perform violent acts. 
     The present invention is directed to a capture or riot shield in combination with these high brightness light sources, such as light emitting diodes or lasers in order to illuminate the area in the vicinity of an adversary and thus subject the adversary or adversaries to the effects of such light sources. The LED arrays or lasers operate in numerous modes. Although the invention as described using LEDs, it should be realized that lasers may also be acceptable under certain circumstances. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the LED array is placed in the back of the shield and is therefore protected by the shield itself while the user controls the operation of the LEDs by switches located on or near the handles of the shield. In the case of a capture shield, because of the uniquely designed mounting system, flexure of the shield does not disrupt the operation of the LEDs or damage them. In a further embodiment of the present invention, a series of LED arrays are utilized. A still further embodiment of the present invention provides, in kit form, components which can be easily mounted on a conventional capture or riot shield to aid in capture or crowd control. 
     In addition, the shield may be in the form of a smaller hand-held protective shield incorporating therein an LED array similar to its use with the larger capture or riot shield. Furthermore, the power source for actuating and operating the LED source may be removed from the shield and attached to the user&#39;s body in order to lighten the weight of the shield and make the shield more easily usable during confrontations. 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and detailed description and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is pictorial representation of a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3A is a sectioned top view representation of the housing and shield interface of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the shield at normal curvature; 
     FIG. 3B is an exploded pictorial view of some of the major components of the capture shield of this invention and as shown in FIG. 3A; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional top view of the housing and shield interface of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the shield undergoing flexure; 
     FIG. 5 is a pictorial representation of the light housing of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and other associated components; 
     FIG. 6 is a front view representation of the battery/electronics housing of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a front view representation of another embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of yet another embodiment of this invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a back view representation of another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of this invention in the form of a kit or modular form of this invention. 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B show both front and back views, respectively, of a further embodiment of this invention in the form of a smaller, more easily portable version of the invention; 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B shows both front and back views, respectively, of another embodiment of this invention in the form of a smaller, more easily portable version of the invention with a detached battery/electronics pack; 
     FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of the present invention having a detached battery/electronics pack; 
     FIG. 14 shows a further embodiment of the present invention used as a riot shield; and 
     FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of the present invention used as a riot shield and having a detached battery/electronics pack. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a conventional capture shield  10  is outfitted with an array  22  of preferably 200-2000 bright, light sources such as, for example, 1000 LEDs (preferably, but not limited to, red) to provide an instant, intense, broad-area light source. FIG. 1 shows this overall inventive concept. More specifically, the present invention is incorporated as part of a capture shield  10  or a standard riot shield which is more fully described in FIGS. 14 and 15. Shield  10  is preferably made of clear, durable plastic (e.g., clear polycarbonate or Lexan®) and is equipped with sturdy handles  12 . However, it should be realized that shield  10  may be made of any durable material which is transparent to the preselected wavelength(s) of the light sources. Making up this invention is a light housing  14  (more clearly described below) affixed and electrically connected to a battery/electronics housing or power supply housing  16  with a main power switch  17  shown more clearly in FIG. 6. A three position action switch  18  located on one of the handles  12  is normally in the central, “power off” position. When the action switch  18  is pressed in one direction, the LED array turns on with continuous light output. It should be noted that the exact location of the switches may vary within the scope of the invention. When action switch  18  is pressed in the opposite direction, the LED array flickers on and off at a rate between 4-40 times per second. The preferable rate is  18  flashes per second. If action switch  18  is positioned for either the continuous or flicker mode, then an instant bright light  20  is produced. This illumination  20  shines outward, away from the user, and is directed at the adversary. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the shield  10 . The light housing  14  contains an array  22  of a plurality of individually lensed LEDs  23  (such as Gilway Technical Lamp, E-184, Red LED). The LED array  22  is firmly mounted to the light housing  14 . The light housing  14  is mounted using any suitable fastening means such as mounting screws  24  (seen clearly in FIGS. 3A and 4) such that shield  10  is allowed to undergo normal flexure during use and mounting screws  24  will not loosen or damage shield  10 . The battery/electronics housing  16  is also securely fastened to the shield using suitable securing means such as mounting screws  25 . Note that the battery/electronics housing mounting screws  25  are preferably placed along the center vertical axis of the battery/electronics housing  16  as shown in FIG.  2 . The purpose for this specific placement of the battery housing mounting screws  25  is to allow firm attachment of the heavy battery housing  16  to the shield  10 , while preventing stress and strain on the battery housing  16  during flexure of the shield  10 . The battery housing  16  has a main power switch  17  located on the side. While the main power switch  17  is turned off, the LED array  22  cannot be turned on with the action switch  18 . 
     It is important to note that this system must be rugged in order to withstand the forces exerted upon it during actions such as cell extractions. The shield  10  flexes when force is placed on the handles and when “capturing” an inmate. The battery housing  16  is mounted in the center to accommodate such flexing in the shield  10 . FIG. 3A depicts a close-up, top view of the light housing  14  and shield  10  interface of the present invention with the shield  10  in an “unflexed” or naturally curved (concave on the exterior) position while FIG. 3B illustrates some of the major components of this invention in exploded fashion. The LED array  22  is preferably made up of 200-2000 individual LEDs  23  (but could vary further in number depending on brightness and cost limitations), however this number may vary within the scope of this invention. The LEDs  23  are mounted and electronically connected via a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)  34 . Note that all LEDs  23  may be the same color (for example, red) or they may be made up of individual LEDs  23  of different colors (for example, red and green). The different colored LEDs may be arranged randomly or in a fixed pattern. This concept is described in detail below. 
     The LED array  22  is secured to a mounting plate  40 . Between the LED array  22  and the mounting plate  40 , a thermally conductive foam  60  (such as Chomerics, #691220685A574) is used as a heatsink material to aid in cooling the array  22 . This “sandwich” arrangement (LED array  22 , thermally conductive foam  60 , and mounting plate  40 ) is then securely fastened to the mounting brackets  26  of light housing  14  using suitable fastening means such as mounting screws  32 . The light housing  14  is, in turn, attached with mounting screws  24  or other mounting system to shield  10  such that shield  10  is able to undergo normal flexure without being damaged. The light housing  14  is covered with a padding such as a thick neoprene style foam  44  or other suitable resilient padding in order to protect the user from the edges of the light housing  14 . Note that there is a significant gap  31  between the shield  10  and the lock-nut  33  when the shield  10  is in an “unflexed” or naturally curved state. In this natural position the curved front perimeter or edge  28  of the light housing  14  comes in contact with neoprene foam  30  or other similar padding, which is securely affixed to the shield  10 . In the “unflexed” position the distance between the shield  10  and the curved (concave on the exterior) front perimeter or edge  28  of the light housing  14  is very small, and the neoprene foam  30  is compressed. 
     FIG. 4 depicts a sectional, top view of the light housing  14  and shield  10  interface of the present invention with the shield  10  in a “flexed” or stressed position. Note that the size of the gap  31  between the lock-nut  33  and the shield  10  decreases significantly, thereby preventing stress and strain on the light housing  14  and its associated components when the shield  10  undergoes flexure. As the shield  10  flexes the present invention allows the distance between the shield  10  and the front perimeter  28  to increase in order to protect the LED array  22  from excessive bending forces. This method isolates the light array  22  from the flexing shield  10 . Neoprene foam  30  is used to keep the housing from directly contacting and damaging the shield  10 . During flexure of the shield  10 , as the distance between the curved front perimeter or edge  28  of the light housing  14  and the shield increases, the neoprene foam  30  is allowed to expand, and helps to maintain a seal between the shield  10  and the curved perimeter or edge  28  of the light housing  14 . Once again, the light housing  14  is covered with thick, neoprene style foam  44  in order to protect the user from the edges of the light housing  14 . 
     FIG. 5 is a front-on view of the front of the light housing  14  and some of its associated components. The light housing  14  preferably contains an array of approximately 200-2000 LEDs  23  (optimally approximately 1000 LEDs) mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)  34 . The size of each LED  23  is preferably approximately 5 mm in diameter. It should be noted that the above dimensions and sizes are illustrative of a preferred embodiment, however, these dimensions, sizes and exact type of LED holder may vary within the scope of this invention. The PCB  34  is firmly mounted to brackets  26  (shown in FIGS. 3A and 4) on the inside of the housing  14  using mounting screws  32 . A thick neoprene foam  30  lines the outside of the housing  14  to protect the shield  10  from scratches and breakage. 
     The LEDs  23  shown in FIG. 5 can be utilized in a variety of ways. A further embodiment of the present invention utilizes at least two colors of light to substantially improve the effectiveness of the device when used to produce physiological disorientation in the flashing mode. The incorporation within the device of standard electronic circuitry to sequentially flash first one color light source then another color light source in repeated cycles, enables the disorientation of an adversary to be significantly greater than that produced by a single-color on-off flashing light. 
     By limiting the output to a single color, the device becomes vulnerable to a relatively inexpensive countermeasure: the use of protective eyewear designed to filter out or reduce the brightness of a specific wavelength in use. Laser goggles for this purpose can be purchased from Edmund Scientific (catalog item #F38237 for green sources (normally lasers) and item #F38216 for red sources). Such a countermeasure is only possible, however, if the adversary knows the wavelength in advance. Although special purpose goggles could be developed to protect the adversary from two or more different color light sources, this will also block out most of the visible light, making it difficult for the adversary to see anything. The present invention is capable of emitting two or more colors of light; either selectably, simultaneously, or sequentially in a flashing mode; and will make the use of this countermeasure impractical. 
     The present invention is capable of activating several modes of operation by incorporating a multi-position switch  48  (see FIG. 6) and switch  18  located on the handle. One mode of operation would allow continuous ON mode for one or more of the selected light sources. For example, red, green, or blue light sources would be emitted continuously from the device. Additionally, another mode of operation would allow for flickering (blinking) of one or more selected light emitting sources. For example, red, green or blue light sources flickering at the same time (in phase). Another mode would involve flickering selected light sources in an offset manner, perhaps completely out of phase from each other. For example, red and green light sources flickering at the same frequency such that the red source is ON while the green source is OFF, so that light emitted from the device alternates red, green, red, green, etc. Also, another mode of operation would comprise flickering selected light sources at different frequencies. For example, a red source flickers 8 times per second, a green source flickers 12 times per second and a blue source at 16 times per second. Finally, any number of modes comprising a combination of those just described. For example, a blue light emits continuously while red and green sources flicker (either at the same time, or offset, or at different frequencies). 
     FIG. 6 is an illustration of the components that reside in the battery/electronics housing  16 . A lead-acid gel cell battery  36  (such as Powersonic PS-1250 F2) or other comparable power source are connected in series to a power supply circuit  38  (such as PowerCube, PD301-024-12PI) and a standard electronic flicker circuit  42 . The characteristics of the power supply needed to drive the LED array  22  could vary depending on the number of LEDs used, on-time, brightness needed and other factors or specifications relevant to use. The electronic flicker circuit  42  may be made to turn all the LEDs on and off simultaneously, or it may be made to turn some LEDs off while others are on and vice versa. This may be useful in order to induce a further disorienting effect by flickering alternately-colored LEDs  23  at different frequencies, or with different phases (as described in detail above). For example, red LEDs may be turned on while green LEDs are turned off and vice versa. Or, for example, red LEDs may be flickered at 8.5 Hertz and green LEDs may be flickered at 7.5 Hertz. Or, for example, red LEDs may be on continuously while green LEDs flicker at a given frequency. Lead acid gel cell batteries  36  are preferably used with the invention because they deliver a large current at a relatively low cost, but any other suitable battery power source may suffice. The power supply circuit  38  is connected to the main power switch  17  located outside of the battery housing  16 . While the main power switch  17  is in the “ON” position, the position of the action switch  18  (shown in FIG. 1) determines the function of the light array  22  (off, constant on, or flickering on and off). 
     FIG. 7 is a second preferred embodiment of the present invention in which more than one LED array  14  is used on a single shield  10 . The LED arrays  14  could be of any size or shape and could use multi-colored LEDs for additional distraction or disorientation effects. 
     FIG. 8 is a third embodiment of the present invention in which the LED array  14  and/or battery/electronics housing (not shown) is affixed to the external portion of the shield  10  using mounting screws  24  which produces a high-intensity, broad-area light  20 . This embodiment is not recommended for close contact with an inmate or adversary, but could be used in situations such as crowd or riot control. 
     FIG. 9 is a fourth embodiment of the present invention in which a single housing  46  is used to contain all of the components of the system; the LED array  14 , the battery  36 , and power supply circuit  38 . Activation of the system is obtained via a switch  18  on one of the shield  10  handles  12 . It is desirable with this embodiment that the housing  46  be made from a molded, high-impact, durable plastic. It is also desirable that the housing  46  have smooth, round edges in order to be safe for the user. A protective foam (not shown, however, such as the thick, neoprene foam  44  shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) could be applied for added protection to the user. 
     A fifth embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings is a modular or “kit” version. This embodiment would include one or more light housings  14  with integrated array  22 , a battery housing  16 , and battery  36  to be installed to a shield  10  by the user. Many users already have shields that are in use, this embodiment would allow the user to retrofit shields of their choice with a high-intensity, broad-area light source, whereby saving them the cost of the shield included in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     Using a shield  10  currently in inventory, the user could modify the shield by drilling holes from a mounting template  50 . Next, the neoprene  30  can be placed to protect the shield  10  from light housing  14 . Once the holes are drilled, the light housing  14  (with LED array  22  already installed) can be installed using the provided mounting screws  24 . The battery housing  16  and ON/OFF switch  17  can be installed using the same method. Finally, a protective outer neoprene cover  44  can be applied to the outside of the light housing  14  to protect the user from harsh edges. 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B show a front and rear view of another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment incorporates a small, high-impact plastic shield  62  (preferably clear) and an LED array  22  (made up of approximately 250 LEDs) which can be placed on the forearm (for instance The Barrier™, Handheld Protective Shield Device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,820). The LED array  22  is made up of one or more colors incorporating a variety of modes as described previously. This embodiment provides quick, immediate visual countermeasure. The shield  62  is secured to the user&#39;s arm by holding the handle  12  and allowing the canvas strap  64  to go around the arm, near the elbow. The unit is activated using the switch  18  located on the handle  12 . Batteries and electronics are contained in the light housing  14 . This embodiment would also be acceptable in a variety of other options including, but not limited to, a traffic clipboard, riot headgear, or other correction or law enforcement supplemental equipment. 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B show an extension of the embodiment found in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B use a detached battery/electronics housing  16  that can be clipped or attached to the user using loops/clips  70 . The detached battery/electronics housing  16  incorporates the needed electronics and battery supply in a single unit. The main power switch  17  is located on the detached battery/electronics housing  16 . Using wires  68 , the detached battery/electronics housing is attached to the main light housing  14  and/or the action switch  18 . This further embodiment provides a lightweight, agile, robust, handheld visual countermeasure. The actual position of switches may vary within the scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the invention which incorporates therein the overall inventive concept as described with reference to FIG.  1 . More specifically, making up this embodiment of the invention is a light housing  14  affixed and electrically connected to a detached battery housing  16  with a main power switch  17 . The detached battery housing  16  can be attached to the user via securing means such as clips (not shown) or belt loops  70  located on the side of the housing  16 . The detached battery housing  16  is connected via electrical wires  68  to the main light housing  14  which is connected to the action switch  18  as in the embodiment of FIG.  1 . The action switch  18  located on one of the handles  12  is normally in the central, “power off” position. When the action switch  18  is pressed in one direction, the LED array turns on with continuous light output. It should be noted that the exact location of the switches may vary within the scope of the invention. The illumination  20  shines outward, away from the user, and is directed at the adversary. The main advantage to a detached battery/electronics housing is reduction in weight of the shield  10 , thereby making the device easier to use and handle effectively. 
     In the preferred embodiment (shown in FIG.  1 ), a standard capture shield  10  is outfitted with the high-brightness array of the present invention. It is important to note that a standard riot shield, which curves in toward the user (convex on the exterior), may also be used as an effective riot control device. FIG. 14 shows this overall inventive concept. More specifically, the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 incorporates therein a standard riot shield  66  which is made of preferably clear, durable plastic (e.g., Lexan®) and is equipped with a sturdy handle(s)  12  and a canvas strap  64 . Making up this embodiment is a light housing  14  affixed and electrically connected to a battery/electronics housing  16  with a main power switch  17  similar to that described with respect to FIG. 1. A three position action switch  18  located on one of the handles  12  is normally in the central, “power off” position. When the action switch  18  is pressed in one direction, the LED array turns on with continuous light output. When action switch  18  is pressed in the opposite direction, the LED array flickers on and off at a rate approximately between  4-40  times per second. The preferable rate is 18 flashes per second. If action switch  18  is positioned for either the continuous or flicker mode, then an instant bright light  20  is produced. The illumination  20  shines outward, away from the user, and is directed at the adversary. It should be noted that the exact location of the switch(es) may vary within the scope of the invention. Additionally, the type of switch may vary within the scope of the invention, for example, a single action switch could be used to produce only flicker mode or only continuous mode. 
     FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment which is an extension of the embodiment described above. In order to add versatility to the concept, the riot shield  66  can be equipped with the light array  14  and a detachable battery/electronics housing  16 . The detachable battery/electronics housing  16  incorporates the main power switch  17  along with securing means such as clips/loops  70  for attachment to the user. Wire(s)  68  are used to provide connection between the light housing  14  and the detached battery/electronics housing  17 . 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to various embodiments, it should be realized that this invention is also capable of a wide variety of further and other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.