Patent Publication Number: US-2023152064-A1

Title: Deterrent and electrical pulse-applying glove device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     See Application Data Sheet. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
    
    
     THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM (EFS-WEB) 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a deterrent and electrical pulse-applying glove device of the type generally used in personal protection and safety applications. 
     2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 And 37 CFR 1.98. 
     In the security field, devices of the taser type are known, making it possible, for personal safety, to apply electrical pulses to assailants or individuals deemed to be dangerous with a view to neutralizing them. 
     Unfortunately, this type of device generally applies uncontrolled electrical pulses, which can lead to accidents on the wearer or on the neutralized person. 
     Already known from document CN205037814U is a safety device in the form of a glove comprising two electrical conductors on a front face corresponding to the palm side of the hand, one of which electrical conductors extends from the base of the palm to the end of the thumb, middle finger and little finger, while the other conductor connects the ring finger to the index finger, passing through the palm. A power controller connects these conductors to a rechargeable battery. 
     Also known from document CN204924055U is a high-voltage electric shock glove of the order of 10,000 volts comprising, at the palm, two types of conductive fabric electrodes connected to an adequate power supply. These electrodes are covered with a first layer in the form of an insulating fabric and a second enveloping insulating layer made of polyester. 
     Similarly, document WO2019086820 discloses an electrical pulse-applying glove comprising an electrical energy source to which first application contacts arranged substantially at the ends of at least three glove fingers are connected through a control unit. The latter also comprises second application contacts arranged on the palm side of the glove, through which a greater electrical pulse can be applied than that which is applicable through the first application contacts at the fingertips. The control unit comprises selection means through which it is possible to activate, depending on the case, the contacts of the fingers or those of the palm of the glove. These contacts are still covered with a polyurethane safety coating to significantly reduce incidents of electric shock, but also to hide them so that they are not visible from the outside and to make the taser function more discreet. 
     While a glove device according to this state of the art makes it possible to easily modulate the intensity of the electric pulse according to the situation to be controlled, by activating the contacts at the fingers for a lesser discharge in comparison with what is possible through the contacts at the palm of the glove, it can be considered that the discharge produced by the contacts at the fingers essentially has a dissuasive purpose. However, for this dissuasive nature to be perceived by a threatening third party, physical contact must be established between the wearer of the glove and this third party. 
     Furthermore, the wearer of the glove must be able to make the contacts active according to the degree of risk with which he is faced. However, this risk is very difficult to change during a confrontation, not to mention that it can change very quickly, without there being sufficient time to modify the selection of active contacts. 
     Moreover, if, in an initial approach of a third party that is a priori aggressive, one may be tempted to activate the contacts in the fingers, the wearer of the glove must keep his fingers away from any part of his own body at all times to avoid getting shocked. 
     Also known from document US2004/0154071 is an electrical pulse-applying glove comprising a source of electrical energy to which two contacts are connected on the palm side, one of which is at the little finger of the glove and the another of which is at the thumb. More particularly, these contacts are capable of being powered by the electrical energy source through a contactor consisting of a first contact at the end of the glove finger corresponding to the index finger, on the back side of the glove, and a second contact at the end of the glove finger corresponding to the middle finger, on the palm side. 
     In short, to impart an electrical pulse to an assailant through the two contacts respectively on the little finger and the thumb, the wearer of the glove must at the same time make the contacts on the index and middle fingers coincide by bringing the latter above the former. Suffice to say that it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to successfully impart the electrical pulse in an intense altercation with an assailant. 
     This glove device according to this document US2004/015071 can also provide a deterrent effect by establishing an electric arc by bringing the contacts of the little finger and the index finger closer together. Obviously, apart from a power supply suitable for obtaining this electric arc, it is necessary, here again, for the contact to be established by bringing the contact of the middle finger onto that of the index finger. 
     This is a manipulation that is not natural and requires a certain dexterity. It is also more difficult to carry out instinctively and very quickly in the face of imminent danger. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It was within the framework of a first inventive step that a glove device was conceived comprising, on the palm side, at least two contacts arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in order, in contact with an assailant and with a suitable power supply, to impart an electrical pulse to this assailant with a view to controlling him or, out of contact, to establishing a deterrent electric arc. 
     In a second inventive step, it has been conceived that the glove comprises a contactor for supplying electrical energy to the contacts that is designed to be active from the interior side of the glove. 
     Very particularly advantageously, this contactor is designed to be activated by powering up by extension of the body of the glove, preferably the palm side, and/or at least one glove finger. 
     The advantages of the present invention consist in the fact that the single natural gesture to be performed when faced with a threatening third party whom one wishes to keep at a distance, a gesture consisting in bringing the arm forward and opening the hand, results in the extension of the body of the glove, or even of the fingers of the glove, and the activation from inside this glove of the contactor for the electrical supply of the contacts and the establishment of the electric arc between them. 
     This natural gesture immediately generates a dissuasive signal through the glove according to the invention making it possible to keep said third party at a distance. In the event of an attack, the actuation of the contactor from inside the glove occurs just as naturally by contact of the wearer’s hand on the assailant. 
     Thus, the invention relates to a deterrent and electrical pulse-applying glove device, comprising a palm side and a back-of-the-hand side with an external face and an internal face respectively external and internal to the glove device, the external face of the palm side having at least two application contacts installed thereon that are designed to be connected, by means of electrical connection means comprising at least one contactor, to an electrical power source, characterized in that two application contacts are installed on the external face on the palm side at a distance from one another that is determined so as to allow the establishment of an electric arc between them when they are connected to the electric power source through the contactor designed to be actuated from the internal side of the glove device. 
     According to a feature of the invention, an application contact comprises an electrode head projecting at the external face on the palm side. 
     Otherwise, yet another feature of the invention, the glove device may comprise a glove body provided or not provided with at least one glove finger, the two application contacts and tries a planter on the palm side at the glove body or a glove finger. 
     According to yet another feature of the invention, said electrical connection means comprise at least one high-voltage generator designed to deliver, from a low-voltage power supply delivered by the electric power source to the application contacts, a high-voltage power supply, between 220 and 5,000 ,000 volts. 
     Advantageously, the high-voltage generator is designed to deliver a high-voltage power supply, preferably greater than 5,000 volts, more particularly on the order of 20,000 volts. 
     Preferably, the contactor is of the impulse type installed on the internal face of the palm side of the glove device and designed to be actuated by the hand of the wearer of the glove. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other particularities of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which relates to an embodiment that is given only by way of indicative and non-limiting example. 
       The understanding of this description will be facilitated by referring to the appended figures. 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic view, on the palm side, of a glove device according to the invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic view similar to  FIG.  1   , showing the glove device seen from the back-of-the-hand side. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic view similar to  FIG.  1    showing the location of the application contacts at a finger of the glove device. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic sectional view of the glove device at the application contacts showing the contactor in the inactive position. 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic sectional view similar to  FIG.  4    showing the contactor in the active position for supplying the application contacts. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a deterrent and electrical pulse-applying glove device  1 . 
     This type of glove device  1  is generally used in personal protection and safety applications. It is in particular a dissuasive device, and at the same time defensive device, that can make it possible to stun an assailant. 
     Its use can be intended for law enforcement, security personnel, or even for hospital personnel to control and contain a dangerous patient or one showing signs of aggression. 
     As illustrated in the appended figures, this glove device  1  comprises a palm side  2 , or anterior face, and a back-of-the-hand side  3 , or posterior face, each time with an external face  4  and an internal face  5 . 
     It should be noted that the palm side defines the side of the glove device  1  corresponding to that of the palm of the hand of a wearer of this glove device. It extends over the entire anterior face of a wearer’s hand, from the end of any fingers that the glove device comprises, to its opposite end at the wrist, or even beyond. 
     In the remainder of the description and to facilitate understanding, the expressions “palm side” and “back-of-the-hand side” will be used exclusively. 
     It essentially comprises a glove body  6  that may or may not be equipped with one or more glove fingers  7 . In short, this glove device  1  can take the form of a mitten or that of a glove with glove fingers, the number of which can be between one and five. 
     At its end  8  comprising the opening  9  for engagement on the hand of a wearer of the glove device  1 , the glove body  6  can be provided with closure means  10  to keep it closed and tightened on the wrist of this wearer. It can also be extended by a sleeve (not shown). 
     According to the invention, on the external face  4  of the palm side  3  of the glove device  1 , at least two application contacts  11 ,  12  are installed that are designed to be connected to an electric power source  13 . 
     Thus, these application contacts  11 ,  12  can be installed on the external face  4  of the palm side  3 , either at the glove body  6  as shown in  FIG.  1   , or along a glove finger  7  as shown in  FIG.  3    if the glove device  1  is equipped therewith. 
     It should be noted that this  FIG.  3    only illustrates a non-limiting example of this installation of the contacts at one of the fingers  7 . 
     Preferably, the electric power source  13  is of the autonomous type and defined by at least one battery  14 . This may be of the 3.7 V and 500 mAh lithium type, for example. 
     Advantageously, the glove device  1  comprises a receiving housing  15 , in particular in the form of a pouch capable of being closed, to house this or these batteries therein. This receiving housing can be provided on the palm side  2  or on the back-of-the-hand side  3 , preferably in the end part  16  intended to extend to the wrist of the wearer of the glove device  1 . 
     The latter also comprises electrical connection means  17  for connecting the application contacts  11 ,  12  to such an electric power source  13 . Substantially, such electrical connection means  17  comprise insulated electrical conductors (not shown) extending at least from the receiving housing  15  of the electric power source  13  to the application contacts  11 ,  12 . 
     More particularly, these electrical conductors may extend internally to the glove device  1 , advantageously between the latter and an internal lining  18 . 
     Said electrical connection means  17  comprise at least one high-voltage generator designed to deliver, from a low-voltage power supply delivered by the electric power source  13  to the application contacts  11 ,  12 , a high-voltage power supply, comprised between 220 and 5,000 ,000 volts. 
     Advantageously, the high-voltage generator is designed to deliver a high-voltage power supply, preferably greater than 5,000 volts, more particularly on the order of 20,000 volts. 
     At least the glove device  1  is made of a non-conductive insulating material to prevent the transmission of an electric pulse to the wearer. When an internal lining  18  is present, this is also made of non-conductive insulating material. 
     Furthermore, at least the glove body  6  and possibly the glove finger(s)  7  are made of a woven or non-woven material to resist cuts and/or fireproof to avoid the risk of burns. 
     This material can be based on carbon fibers, for example poly(p phenyleneterephthalamide), (PPD-T or KEVLAR™). The present invention cannot be interpreted in a limiting manner with respect to such a material. 
     According to the invention, two application contacts  11 ,  12  are installed on the external face  4  of the palm side  3  of the glove device  1 , at a distance D from one another that is determined so as to allow the establishment of an electric arc between them when they are connected to the electric power source  13  through said electrical connection means  17 . 
     According to the invention, the glove device  1  is capable of being provided with several pairs of contacts corresponding to this feature. 
     According to another feature of the invention, these electrical connection means  17  comprise at least one contactor  19  to ensure the supply of electrical energy to the application contacts  11 ,  12  by the power source  13 . This contactor  19  is designed to be actuated from the internal side  20  of the glove device  1 . 
     In particular, this contactor  19  is designed to be activated by powering up by extension of the glove body  6 , preferably on its palm side  2 , and/or at least one glove finger  7 . 
     According to one embodiment, this contactor  19  is of the pulse type and comprises a push button  21  pushed back, by elastic return means, inside the glove device  1  into an inactive power cutoff position  22 . Conversely, pressure in the opposite direction in an active position  23 , against the elastic return means, results in establishing the supply of the contacts  11 ,  12 . 
     By installing, for example, the application contacts  11 ,  12  at the external face  4  of the glove body  6 , the contactor  19  can be arranged at the rear of these application contacts  11 ,  12 , at the internal face  5  of this glove body  6 . Thus, in a deterrent application of the glove device  1  and as visible in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , stretching the palm side  2  of the glove device  1 , simply consisting for the wearer in opening his hand, results in a tensioning of the palm side  3  of this glove body  6 . This is pressed, at its internal face  5 , against the palm of the wearer’s hand, which pushes the push button  21  for supplying the contacts  11 ,  12  back into the active position  23 . 
     Conversely, by closing the wearer’s hand, the tension on the palm side  2  of the glove device  1  is released, allowing the push button  21  to return to its inactive position  22  via said elastic return means and the power supply application contacts  11 ,  12  to be cut off. 
     Consequently, when an assailant approaches, the wearer of the glove device  1  can open his hand in the direction of this assailant, resulting in the activation of the contactor  19 . Since the application contacts  11 ,  12  are supplied with power, they generate an electric arc between them that is visible to the assailant so as to dissuade him from approaching further, while informing him that he is likely to receive a high-intensity electric pulse in case of aggression. 
     In this regard, it is understood that in case of contact and application of the palm side  2  of the glove device  1  on the assailant, the internal face  4  of this palm side  2  comes to rest against the wearer’s hand. The push button  21  is then pushed back from its inactive position  22  into its active position  23 , resulting in the power supply of the application contacts  11 ,  12  and the automatic application of an electric pulse to the attacker. 
     The same result can be obtained by installing the two application contacts  11 ,  12  on the palm side  2  of a glove finger  7 . In this case, the contactor  19  can keep its location at the glove body  6 , as in the example below, or it can be positioned under the application contacts  11 ,  12  at this glove finger  7 , on the internal side  20  of the glove device  1 . Opening the wearer’s hand and/or finger has the same consequences. 
     To facilitate the control of the contactor  19  from the internal side  20  of the glove device  1 , in line with this push button  21 , the internal lining  20  can be equipped with a control plate  24  of section greater than that of this push button  21 . In this way, a pressure that would not necessarily be applied in line with this push button  21  by the palm of the wearer’s hand still has the consequence of pushing it back from its inactive position  22  to its active position  23 . 
     According to an advantageous embodiment, the application contacts  11 ,  12  are mounted on a support plate  25  to which the electrical connection means  17  lead. While this support plate  25  can be provided, by sewing, welding or the like, in a suitable opening on the palm side  2  of the glove device  1 , it is advantageously arranged at the internal face  5 , preferably between the latter and the internal lining  18 . Said application contacts  11 ,  12  in this case pass through the glove device  1  to be arranged on the external face  4 , on the palm side  2  thereof. 
     This support plate  25  can still be equipped with the contactor  19 , so that the push button  21  extends on the internal side  20  of the glove device  1 . 
     The support plate  25  can take the form of a printed circuit board. 
     An application contact  11 ,  12  advantageously comprises an electrode head  26  projecting at the external face  4  on the palm side  2  of the glove device  1 . 
     These electrode heads  26  are designed to define, in their projecting part  27 , a preferential path for establishing the electric arc between the application contacts  11 ,  12 . 
     Concretely, these electrode heads  26  of the application contacts  11 ,  12  define, at their projecting part  27 , the smallest distance  28  between the application contacts  11 ,  12 . 
     According to a preferred embodiment, these electrode heads  26  have a T or mushroom shape and have a larger section at their projecting end  29 . 
     Advantageously again, the glove device  1  comprises a control switch  30  to activate it or, on the contrary, to deactivate it, as required. 
     It can also be equipped with load control means  31  of the electrical energy source  13 . According to the invention, it also receives an operating indicator  32   
     The control switch  30  and/or the load control means  31  and/or the operating indicator  32  can be installed at a control panel  33  capable of being positioned on the palm side  2  or the back-of-the-hand side  3  of the glove device  1 , preferably at the end  8 , on the wearer’s wrist side. 
     According to the invention, the glove device  1  can receive additional equipment, such as at least one sensor of the state of health of the wearer of the glove device  1 , for example a voltage and/or pulse sensor. 
     In a more advanced design, the glove device  1  comprises remote transmission means, either directly or through a unit connected to an Internet or communication network, such as a mobile telephone, for example. 
     Such transmission means make it possible to transmit, periodically, continuously or occasionally, information transmitted by a sensor of the wearer’s state of health to a central unit. 
     The glove device  1  can receive an alert device allowing the wearer to emit a signal through the transmission means to call for help or reinforcement. 
     The glove device  1  can also be equipped with a GPS tracker making it possible to locate the glove wearer, as the case may be continuously or at the command of the glove wearer, for example through the alert device.