Patent Publication Number: US-8522581-B2

Title: Safety shield and double-lock leg cuffs

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a cover or shield cooperable with prisoner leg cuffs for making the leg cuffs safer and more tamper-proof and, more particularly, to a safety shield for use with double-lock leg cuffs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Leg cuffs used by police and law enforcement officers worldwide for prisoner restraint are basically standardized in construction and operation. Typically, the leg cuffs comprise a pair of leglets either hingedly connected or, more frequently, joined together by a short link chain. Each leglet has a single strand or ratchet bar which automatically engages the teeth in a double strand and is thus pivotal or rotatable through the double strand in only one direction. Once applied to the legs of a prisoner, the ratchet bar can be released or disengaged only with a key insertable into a keyhole or first lock on the leglet. 
     While on the legs of a prisoner, the ratchet bar is still squeezable or rotatable inwardly through the double strand to make the encircling circumference progressively smaller. This capability could of course cause injury to the prisoner. To prevent such injury, standard leg cuffs are provided with a second lock for fixing the leglet circumference preset by the officer on the prisoner&#39;s leg. The second lock typically comprises a recessed rod within a small hole that can be actuated by a projection or pin on the key carried by the officer. Use of the key to open the first lock can also open or disengage the second lock so that the leg cuffs are ready for further use. 
     Use of the leg cuffs with chain-connected leglets can frequently place arresting officers in dangerous and even life threatening situations. Since the connection between the leglets is flexible and rotatable, the manacled prisoner is able to manipulate his legs with a large degree of freedom. Picking of the locks is a possibility. Also, when applying the leg cuffs, the officer is standing close to the prisoner and is in physical jeopardy if the prisoner is violent or struggling. If the leg cuffs are applied to only one leg at a time, the physical danger is in no way reduced because the rotatable and pivotal connection between the two leglets affords the officer scant leverage even over the leg that is manacled. 
     Efforts have been made to improve the safety aspects of conventional handcuffs. Thus, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,665 shows a shield that was passed over the handcuff chain to cover the key openings and maintain the chain in a taut condition. U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,977 shows a hinged cover assembly that was applied over the wristlets and connecting chain to rigidify the connection between the prisoner&#39;s wrists and also encase the key openings. Both of the identified prior structures were characterized by a disadvantageous feature in that they made no provision for actuation of the second or double lock. The handcuffs thus needed first to be applied to the prisoner&#39;s wrists and the second lock then actuated to fix the setting of the wristlets. Only after this dangerous operation was completed was the shield or cover applied to the handcuffs. The officer thus was subjected to the kinds of dangers described above during the handcuffing operation. Furthermore, none of these prior efforts function with leg cuffs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,257 discloses a safety shield for double-lock handcuffs, which is a lockable box that encompasses the mechanisms of both bracelets, and the connecting chain. This is unsuitable for use to secure the lock mechanisms of leg cuffs, even if one were employed on each leglet, because each box would be free to slide along the chain away from the leglet, exposing the mechanism. 
     There thus exists a need for further improving the safety aspects of leg cuff use and, particularly the need exists for a means to provide greater protection for the arresting officer during the initial leg cuffing operation as well as subsequent thereto. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a shield for leg cuffs which substantially eliminates the dangers and problems described. The inventive shields can be applied to the leg cuffs before the prisoner is leg cuffed to greatly improve the officer&#39;s advantage. The invention nonetheless permits the leg cuffs to be double locked as required. 
     Briefly, the invention comprises an improvement over the type of handcuff cover shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,257 by making the cover compatible with a new form of leg cuffs. The invention thus comprises two hinged, box-like assemblies adapted to be locked over the leg cuff chain and leglets and the keyholes of the first locks. The shields are modified by the addition of circular recesses that receive an enlarged ring portion of the leg cuff chain. The shields comprise additionally access means in a wall thereof aligned with the second locks when the cover is operationally positioned and closed over a leglet of a pair of leg cuffs. The access means permits access to the second locks with a portion of the key carried by the officer. As a result, the leg cuffs may be operationally locked within the shields prior to the time that their use in shackling a prisoner is required. Once the leg cuffs are applied to the prisoner&#39;s legs, the officer may easily actuate the second locks to securely double-lock the leg cuffs. A single shield can still be used with a standard pair of handcuffs. 
     Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing the shield of the invention in the open, inoperative position; 
         FIG. 2  is a similar view with the hinged sections of the shield body closed; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a set of conventional double-lock leg cuffs and associated key; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the safety shields operationally locked over the leg cuffs prior to application to the legs of prisoner; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view with the shields in the open, inoperative position with the leg cuffs received therein; and 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view with the shields in the open, inoperative position with an improved or conventional set of double-lock handcuffs received therein. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT 
     Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the reference numeral  10  indicates generally a safety shield embodying the principles of the invention. Safety shield  10  comprises a box-like body  12  having a pair of plate-like members  14  and  16  hingedly connected along a sidewall by a hinge rod  18 . The members  14  and  16  are substantial mirror images of each other, comprising an outer face  20 , an inner face  22 , and a sidewall  24  opposite the hinged connection. 
     Each inner face  22  comprises a pair of raised sections  26  and  28  shaped to define a chain-receiving channel  30  therebetween and a pair of cuff-receiving recessed areas  32 ,  32 , opening to the opposite ends of the face  22 . The flat floor of each recessed area  32  defines a circular recess  74 . The raised sections  26  and  28  are also shaped to define two recesses each  66 ,  68  and  70 ,  72 . 
     When the members  14  and  16  are operationally closed and brought into face-to-face contact, the recessed areas  32  provide a cavity  34  as seen in  FIG. 2 . Similarly, the recessed areas  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and  72  form a generally flat circular ring-receiving cavity when the members  14  and  16  are operationally closed and brought into face-to-face contact. The ring-receiving cavity is at a midpoint of the chain-receiving channel  30 . The portions of the channel  30  on either side of the ring-receiving cavity areas  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and  72  are considered channel constrictions  31 ,  33  that are substantially narrower than the diameter of the ring-receiving cavity. Thus, as will be discussed below, a chain having a ring element with a diameter sized to be closely received in the cavity will be captured by the closed safety shield, so that the shield may not be pulled away from a cuff residing in the recessed area  32 . The constrictions  31 ,  33  immediately separate the ring receiving cavity from the cuff-receiving areas  32 . 
     The use of two constrictions is not necessary, but is preferred to provide a shield that may be attached in either orientation, and is also versatile for use with typical short-chain handcuffs. In alternative embodiments, only one constriction is needed between the ring and cuff, to maintain the shield over the mechanism of the cuff. The circular recesses  74  enable the shield to accept a particular security handcuff locking mechanism that protrudes from the body of the handcuff and surrounds the key hole. 
     The sidewall  24  is formed with openings  36 ,  36 , adjacent the opposite ends thereof which communicate with their respective recessed areas  32 . In the embodiment illustrated, the openings  36  are formed by vertical cut-outs or slots and, as seen  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , the mated slots of the operationally closed body  12  provide access means to the cavities  34  for reasons which will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
     A continuous recess or groove  38  is formed in and extends around the outer face  20  and sidewall  24  of each of the body members  14  and  16 , and the raised sections  26  comprise oblong slots  40  opening to their respective outer faces. A U-shaped retainer member  42  formed as an articulated planar body is slidably receivable in the continuous groove  38  of the closed body  12 , and the legs of the retainer member have oblong slots  44 ,  44 , of complementary configuration and adapted to align with the slots  40 . The aligned slots  40  and  44  are adapted to receive a zip-tie, padlock, or clip means (not shown) for locking the shields  10  in the secure closed condition shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a set of double-lock leg cuffs  45  comprising a pair of leglets  46 ,  46 , pivotally and rotatably connected by a long link chain  48  with enlarged ring portions  76  on either end. The ring  76  is sized with a diameter to be closely received in the cavity formed by ring-receiving recesses  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 . The ring is separated from the cuff body by a swivel link  77 . The swivel  77  has a diameter smaller than that of the ring  76 , and provides a spacing between the ring  76  and cuff body. The swivel fits closely within the constriction  31 ,  33  of channel  30 . 
     Each leglet  46  comprises a ratchet bar  50  pivotally connected to a double strand leglet body  52  having internal teeth (not shown) which permit rotation of the ratchet bar only inwardly therethrough, but automatically prevent withdrawal in the opposite direction. Leglet body  52  comprises an enlarged head portion  54  carrying first lock means  56  in the form of a keyhole in a planar face thereof. Head portion  54  comprises further a second lock means  58  in the form of a small recessed rod engageable through a small hole in a side edge of the head portion. 
     A conventional key  60  cooperates with the leg cuffs  45 . Key  60  comprises at one end a finger  62  insertable into the first lock means keyhole  56 . At its opposite end, the key  60  comprises a projection or pin  64  which is insertable into the opening in the side edge of the leglet head  54  for actuating the second lock means  58 . 
     Operation of the safety shields  10  may now be best appreciated by referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Preparatory to shackling a prisoner, the officer can insert leg cuffs  45  in the body  12  with the chain  48  in the channel  30 , with the enlarged ring portions  76  seated in the cylindrical cavities formed by recessed areas  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and  72 , and with the leglet heads  54  in the cavities  34 . The officer may then close the body, slide the retainer member  42  to encompass the body in a closed position, and securely lock the retainer onto the body with a zip-tie, padlock, or the like. 
     The cylindrical cavities capture the enlarged ring portions and hold the shields up against the leglets  46 , preventing them from sliding along the chain to expose the leglet mechanism. The leglets may be in the open and disengaged condition. The officer can now apply the leg cuffs to the legs of a prisoner, set the leglets to the desired encircling dimension, and then actuate the second lock means  58  by pushing the key pin  64  through the access openings  36 . When the leg cuffs require removal, the finger  62  of the key  60  is inserted into the keyhole  56  to reset the second lock means and unlock the first lock means. 
     The shield parts may be conveniently molded of suitable plastics or metal, and it will be appreciated that the invention enables the officer to carry the leg cuffs operationally secured in the safety shields at all times if desired. Even in dangerous situations where the officer is able to manacle only one leg, the rigid assembly affords substantial leverage for subduing the prisoner. If desired, or when conditions permit, the shields may of course be attached after the leg cuffs have been applied to a prisoner&#39;s legs. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated an improved set of double-lock handcuffs  145  comprising a pair of wristlets  146 ,  146 , pivotally and rotatably connected by an enlarged ring portion  176 . The ring  176  is sized with a diameter to be closely received in the cavity formed by ring-receiving recesses  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 . The ring is separated from the cuff body by a swivel link  177 . The swivel  177  has a diameter smaller than that of the ring  176 , and provides a spacing between the ring  176  and cuff body. The swivel fits closely within the constriction  31 ,  33  of channel  30 . Alternatively, a conventional set of double-lock handcuffs comprising a pair of wristlets pivotally and rotatably connected by a short link chain  148  instead of the enlarged ring portion  176  may be used. 
     Each wristlet  146  comprises a ratchet bar  150  pivotally connected to a double strand wristlet body  152  having internal teeth (not shown) which permit rotation of the ratchet bar only inwardly therethrough, but automatically prevent withdrawal in the opposite direction. Wristlet body  152  comprises an enlarged head portion  154  carrying first lock means  156  in the form of a keyhole in a planar face thereof. Head portion  154  comprises further a second lock means (not shown) in the form of a small recessed rod engageable through a small hole in a side edge of the head portion. 
     A conventional key  60  cooperates with the handcuffs  145 . Key  60  comprises at one end a finger  62  insertable into the first lock means keyhole  156 . At its opposite end, the key  60  comprises a projection or pin  64  which is insertable into the opening in the side edge of the wristlet head  154  for actuating the second lock means. 
     Preparatory to shackling a prisoner, the officer can insert improved handcuffs  145  in the body  12  with the enlarged ring portion  176  seated in the cylindrical cavities formed by recessed areas  66 ,  68 ,  70 , and  72  and the wristlet heads  154  in the cavities  34 , close the body, apply the retainer member  42 , and securely lock the rigid assembly with a padlock or the like. The cylindrical cavities capture the enlarged ring portion and hold the shield up against the wristlets  46 , preventing them from sliding to expose the wristlet mechanism. If a conventional set of double-lock handcuffs is used, the chain  148  is placed in the channel  30 . The wristlets  146  may be in the open and disengaged condition. The officer can now apply the handcuffs to the wrists of a prisoner, set the wristlets to the desired encircling dimension, and then actuate the second lock means by pushing the key pin  64  through the access openings  36 . When the handcuffs require removal, the finger  62  of the key  60  is inserted into the keyhole  156  to reset the second lock means and unlock the first lock means. 
     It will be appreciated that the invention enables the officer to carry the handcuffs operationally secured in the safety shield at all times if desired. Even in dangerous situations where the officer is able to manacle only one wrist, the rigid assembly affords substantial leverage for subduing the prisoner. If desired, or when conditions permit, the shield may of course be attached after the handcuffs have been applied to a prisoner&#39;s wrists. It should also be appreciated that the language and expressions used herein are for purposes of description only and changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.