Abstract:
A vehicle has a restraint mounted to an exterior area. The restraint includes two openings for receiving there through a portion of an arm of a person, and is operable to restrain the arm from withdrawing from the opening. The vehicle includes a power source for powering of the restraint in restraining the arm. The power source includes an electrical source or a compressed fluid source. The restraint may be remotely operated. A method for securing a suspect to a vehicle by a person of authority includes the steps of mounting a restraint to a vehicle such that the arms of the suspect standing adjacent the vehicle may be engaged by the restraint, and remotely activating the restraint to engage the arms. The person of authority remotely activates the restraint from at least an arms-length distance from the first person. Activation of the restraint may be witlessly initiated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application serial number 60/496,217, filed Aug. 18, 2003, which provisional patent application is incorporated by reference herein. The present application also incorporates herein by reference Disclosure Document No. 525155 received by the OIPE of the USPTO on Jan. 31, 2003, which document has been referenced in the present file history by the applicant. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT STATEMENT  
       [0002]     All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and of other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent &amp; Trademark Office file or records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Occasionally it is necessary to restrain a person, especially one or more appendages such as the hands, in order for protection of the person or for insuring the security of another person. Handcuffs used by law enforcement agents is a well known appendage restraint device for the protection of the agents. Other similar restraint devices are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,854,138 and 5,398,383, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Military personnel also utilize appendage restraint devices for their protection when detaining persons of interest, especially when operating in foreign countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.  
         [0004]     Several safety concerns arise both for the person restrained and the person doing the restraining. In the context of law enforcement and military use, appendage restraint devices must be manually operated by the law enforcement agent or military personnel (hereinafter “Agent”) in restraining an individual (hereinafter “Suspect”). This often requires that the Agent commit one or both hands to the task of restraining the Suspect and possibly requiring that the Agent shoulder a weapon or make some other security compromise. Such a compromise becomes of greater concern when there are more than one Suspect to be restrained, especially when there is only one Agent.  
         [0005]     A appendage restraint device of the prior art is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,169 to Plymale, which disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference herein. In this disclosure, a base member is attachable to the surface of a police vehicle or any other stationary surface, and includes a plurality of arm members defining wrist openings for restraining the wrists of a criminal suspect while a search is performed. Tangs are included in the openings to make it more difficult for a criminal suspect to withdraw his hands without injuring his hands on the resistant tangs.  
         [0006]     Unfortunately, the restraint devices of these patents have several disadvantages. For example, none of the restraints devices shown in these patents include the ability to initiate the restraining function by the Agent remotely; each requires that some security compromise be made by Agent, either in requiring the use of both hands of the Agent in restraining a Suspect and/or in requiring that the Agent come within arms-length to properly restrain, and insure restraint of, a Suspect.  
         [0007]     With particular regard to the safety of the Suspect, the appendage restraint device of Plymale does not appear to include any safeguards for the safety of the Suspect, especially in view of the possibility that the policy vehicle, to which the Suspect is secured, could move or undergo an impact from another vehicle. Obviously, this would cause severe injury to the Suspect. The Suspect also readily may injure his hands by forcibly pulling against the tangs, especially if the Suspect is irrational or under the influence of a drug or alcohol, irrespective of whether the vehicle moves.  
         [0008]     In view of the foregoing, it is clear that a need continues to exist for improvements in appendage restraint devices. This, and other needs, are addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of the military and law enforcement use, the present invention is not limited to use only in military and law enforcement applications, as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and preferred embodiments of the present invention. Thus, for example, the present invention may be utilized in healthcare services, especially in cases where a patient needs to be restrained.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to an appendage restraint system. The restraint system preferably is for restraining a person&#39;s arm and, in particular, for restraining an area proximate the wrist of the person.  
         [0011]     In accordance with this aspect, an exemplary system includes a clamp assembly and an electromagnet capable of being selectively activated for restraint. The clamp assembly includes a base portion and a restraint structure opposing the base portion. The restraint structure defines an opening for receiving an appendage between the base portion and the restraint structure. When the electromagnet is activated for restraint, the clamp assembly restrains an appendage extending in the opening.  
         [0012]     Another exemplary system in accordance with this aspect includes an inflatable bladder arrangement selectively activated to inflate to a first state and to deflate to a second state. When in the first state, the bladder arrangement defines an opening for passing of an appendage there through; however, when in the second state, the bladder arrangement defines an opening that precludes withdrawal of an appendage extending there through.  
         [0013]     Another aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle having a restraint system. for restraining a person adjacent an exterior area of the vehicle. Preferably, the restraint is mounted to an exterior of the vehicle. Furthermore, the restraint preferably includes two openings each for receiving there through a portion of an arm of a person, and each is operable to restrain an arm from withdrawing from the opening. The restraint of an arm preferably is independent of the restraint of the other arm, so that one arm can be restrained or released in controlled steps.  
         [0014]     The vehicle includes a power source for powering of the restraint. The power source preferably includes an electrical source or a compressed fluid source.  
         [0015]     In a feature of the aforementioned aspects of the invention, the restraint preferably is remotely operated. A remote control may be provided as a key chain, similar to well-known devices for unlocking and locking the doors of a car. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for securing a suspect to a vehicle by a person of authority includes the steps of mounting a restraint to a vehicle such that the arms of the suspect standing adjacent the vehicle may be engaged by the restraint, and remotely activating the restraint to engage the arms. The person of authority remotely activates the restraint from at least an arms-length distance from the first person. Activation of the restraint may be witlessly initiated.  
         [0016]     In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it will be noted that the present invention further includes all combinations of such aspects and features. Such additional aspects and features will be apparent from detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, as now described below. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     Aspects of the present invention, in conjunction with preferred embodiments, will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, and wherein,  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of an appendage restraint system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an appendage restraint system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIGS. 3-5  are illustrations of another preferred embodiment of an appendage restraint system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a military vehicle having appendage restraint systems in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7 a  perspective view of a law enforcement vehicle having appendage restraint systems in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates a preferred embodiment of an appendage restraint system including an electric stun feature in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates another preferred embodiment of a double appendage restraint system having dual control in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application in view of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. Furthermore, many embodiments as well as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the preferred embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The disclosure herein is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.  
         [0026]     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a preferred embodiment of an appendage restraint system  100  of the present invention is illustrated. The restraint system  100  includes wrist restraint  102 , power source  104 , transmitter  106 , and receiver  108 . The wrist restraint  102  is shown in the closed position and defines two openings  110 , 112  through which a person&#39;s arms, if extended therein when the wrist restraint  102  was closed, would be restrained at the wrists.  
         [0027]     The wrist restraint is powered by power source  104 . As described in further detail herein, power source  104  may comprise an electrical power source, such as a battery/alternator of a motor vehicle, or a compressed fluid source, such as a compressed fluid reservoir.  
         [0028]     Activation of the wrist restraint  102  to the closed position and to the open position is controlled by receiver  108 , which controls the application of the power through cabling  114  to the wrist restraint  102  from the power source  104 . Receiver  108  includes antennae  116  for receiving control signals  118  from a wireless transmitter  106  via port  120 . Transmitter  106  further includes a lockout button  122 , which, when in the locked position, prevents the accidental transmission of a control signal  118 , receiver  108 , and an array of buttons  124  which is shown as forming part of a keychain with a keyring or receiver for a lanyard and the like (not shown). Transmitter  106  includes an array of buttons  124 , with actuation of a button on the upper row causing a wrist restraint to activate to an open position, and with actuation of a button on the lower row causing a wrist restraint to activate to a closed position. As will be evident, transmitter  106  includes the capability to control three separate restraints, such as the restraints  702 , 704 , 706  that are shown as part of the law enforcement vehicle in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0029]     Another preferred embodiment of an appendage restraint system  200  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . This restraint system is shown in exploded view and, as shown, includes a base portion  202  and a restraint structure  204  that, together, define a clamp assembly  206 . The restraint structure  204  opposes the base portion  202  and defines openings  208 , 210  each for receiving a wrist between the base portion  202  and the restraint structure  204 . An electromagnet  212 , when activated, provides a magnetic field that forcibly biases the restraint structure  204  toward the base portion  202  to restrain any wrist disposed within the openings  208 , 210 . The electromagnet  212  is powered by way of cabling  214 , which preferably connects with an electrical power source. The electromagnet preferably provides up to thirteen-hundred pounds of force, thereby effectively precluding a person from pulling the restraint structure  204  away from the base portion  202  when the electromagnet is activated for restraint.  
         [0030]     The restraint system  200  also includes elastic elements, illustrated as metallic coil springs  216 , though other examples of suitable elastic elements are within the scope of the invention. These elastic elements  216  bias the restraint structure  204  away from the base portion  202  to allow the clamp assembly  206  to receive and release an appendage. Again, though, when the electromagnet  212  is activated for restraint, it provides a magnetic force that exceeds the spring force provided by the elastic elements  216  such that any received appendage is restrained by the downward pressure of the restraint structure  204  driven by the electromagnet  212 .  
         [0031]     As will be appreciated from examination of the exploded view, the restraint structure  204  is movable between a position proximal the base portion  202  for restraint of a person&#39;s arms preferably at the wrists, and a position distal the base portion  202  for passage of a person&#39;s hands through openings  208 , 210 . In this regard, each of the openings  208 , 210  is minimized to restrain an appendage when the restraint structure  204  is in the proximal position and is maximized to receive and release an appendage when the restraint structure  204  is in the distal position. In moving between these positions, the restraint structure  204  is guided along posts  218 , 220  that are fixed to the base portion  202 . When activated for restraint, the electromagnet preferably applies thirteen-hundred pounds of holding force.  
         [0032]     Yet another preferred embodiment of a restraint system  300  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 . The restraint system  300  includes an arrangement of one or more inflatable bladder members  302 , 304 . A mounting structure  306  houses the bladder arrangement and defines openings  308 , 310  for passage therethrough of an appendage such as a hand. In  FIG. 3 , the bladder members are deflated to a state defining openings  312 , 314  for receiving and releasing an appendage. The openings  312 , 314  are dimensioned to allow passage of a hand therethrough according to the illustrated embodiment of a wrist and arm restraint system  300  though other embodiments of restraint systems for other joints and appendages are within the scope of the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , the bladder members are selectively activated to inflation at a state defining openings  316 , 318  for restraining an appendage from being withdrawn. The openings  316 , 318  are illustrated as diminished in size compared to openings  312 , 314  due to inflation of the bladder members  302 , 304 . Thus, with placement of a wrist or a portion of an arm through the openings of the housing  308 , 310 , withdrawal is allowed in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 4 , however, withdrawal of the arm is prevented due to restraining forces applied to the wrist or arm by the inflated bladders. As the restraining forces are derived from the pressures within the bladders, an arm is restrained forcibly but safely. As restraining forces vary in part with the product of the pressure within a bladder member (pounds per squared inch) and the total area (squared inches) of contact between an appendage and the bladder member, a detainee of relatively large stature and likely considerable strength experiences elevated restraining forces due to elevated contact area of the pressurized bladder with relatively large appendages. Thus an established operating pressure for inflation and restraint safely but forcibly restrains appendages and detainees of various sizes and strength.  
         [0033]     Bladder members are preferably of pliable, durable, puncture resistant and fluid-tight constructions. For example a multi-layer construction having a durable tear-resistant outer layer of woven fabric and an inner layer of stretchable air tight material such as rubber or vinyl supported by the outer layer is suitable. A woven fabric outer layer utilizing commercially available carbon fiber textile provides strength and a frictional surface conforming the shape of an appendage for gripping the appendage when the bladder member is inflated.  
         [0034]     A controller for remotely controlling the state of the bladder members, preferably a wireless transmitter  320 , is utilized by a user of the restraint system such as a law enforcement or military officer. In  FIG. 3 , upon actuation of a release button  322 , a control signal  324  is sent by the controller to the restraint system  300 . In the illustrated embodiment, a control mechanism  326  receives the signal  324  by way of an antenna  328  or other signal sensitive device. The wireless control signal  324  can be a radio-frequency (RF) signal or infra-red (IR) signal within the illustrated embodiment of the invention. In other embodiments, a controller sends a signal to a control mechanism by way of a cabled connection.  
         [0035]     Upon receipt of the control signal  324 , the control mechanism  326  actuates a release valve  330  to allow escape of gas or fluid from the bladder members to deflate to the state of  FIG. 3 . The gas or fluid from the bladder members are either released to the environment or recycled by the restraint system through a closed network of lines and valves or any suitable manifold (not illustrated). The release valve  300  optionally automatically vents fluid from the bladder members if a threshold pressure is exceeded in order to prevent injury to a restrained appendage.  
         [0036]     In  FIG. 4 , upon actuation of a restrain button  332 , a control signal  334  is sent by the controller to the restraint system  300 . Upon receipt of the control signal  334 , the control mechanism  326  closes the release valve  330  and actuates a supply valve  336  that controls the supply of pressurized fluid from a compressed fluid container  338  through a supply line  340 . Thus, a user activates the bladder arrangement to inflate to a state as illustrated in  FIG. 4  to restrain an appendage. for example that of a detainee, by depressing the restrain button  332 . In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a motorized compressor  342  is coupled to the compressed fluid container  338  and automatically maintains fluid pressure therein. The fluid within the container  338  and utilized to inflate the bladder members is optionally a gas or liquid such as air or hydraulic oil within the scope of the invention.  
         [0037]     In an alternative embodiment of a restraint system  346 , an alternative compressed fluid container  348  is utilized to inflate the bladder members  350 , 352 . A disposable one-time use compressed fluid cartridge  348  is disposed within a housing  350 . The cartridge  348  is coupled to the bladder members through a supply valve  354  actuated to inflate the members for restraint of an appendage. The members are deflated by actuation of the release valve  356 . Suitable controlling elements, such as control mechanism  326  and controller  320  of  FIGS. 3-4 , for controlling the valves  354 , 356  are within the scope of the restraint system  346 .  
         [0038]     One embodiment of a restraint system utilizes multiple compressed fluid cartridges within housing for activating multiple restraint units for restraining multiple detainees. In another embodiment of a restraint system, multiple compressed fluid cartridges are utilized to repeatedly using a single restraint unit.  
         [0039]     The restraint system in accordance with an aspect of the present invention can be mounted to a vehicle. In this aspect of the present invention, the restraint can be mounted in strategic areas of the vehicle, such as the hood, trunk, roof, or fender. This insures that a Suspect cannot flee from an Agent, as can be done if only handcuffs, for example, are utilized.  FIG. 6  illustrates the mounting of four restraints  600  to the fenders of a HUM-V military vehicle, such as those used in Afghanistan and Iraq.  FIG. 7  illustrates the mounting of three restraints  700  to the fenders and roof of a law enforcement vehicle, such as a police vehicle. As will be appreciated, a transmitter used, for example, in conjunction with the vehicle of  FIG. 7 , preferably includes three sets of buttons, each set being for selective operation of a particular one of the restraints.  
         [0040]     In order to address the safety of a Suspect secured to a vehicle in accordance with this aspect of the present invention, and avoid possible liability resulting from injury to the Suspect, one or more safeguards preferably are included that lessen the risk that a Suspect will be secured to the vehicle during movement of the vehicle.  
         [0041]     Thus, for example, in various features of preferred embodiments, a restraint is (or becomes) inoperable while the motor is running; a restraint is (or becomes) inoperable if the emergency brake of the vehicle is not engaged; and/or a restraint is (or becomes) inoperable if the vehicle is in gear. Additionally, while a preferred embodiment of a clamp assembly of the restraint system of  FIG. 2  may secured to a surface by bolting, as suggested by  FIG. 2 , it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that a preferred restraint be secured in a removable manner for automated, quick release in the event that the vehicle undergoes motion or impact. In this regard, sensors are well-known that detect impacts and immediately deploy airbags; preferably such a sensor is used in this aspect of the present invention to provide a failsafe that immediately dismount the restraint to which a Suspect is engaged upon the movement of the vehicle. The mounting in such case may be through electromagnets that secure the base assembly to the vehicle&#39;s surface; or through any automatic, quick-release mechanical coupling. In any event, the time for effecting release should be only a fraction of a second upon the detection of vehicular movement by the sensor.  
         [0042]     In accordance with yet an additional feature of the present invention, an appendage restraint system includes the capability to subdue or stun a person who is restrained with pulses of high voltage electricity. The electric shock is supplied from a separate power source of high voltage current to electrical contacts exposed for abutting engagement with restrained appendages.  FIG. 8  illustrates this feature, wherein high voltage power source  800  supplies a high voltage electrical current to electrical contacts  802 . The electric shock is triggered when button  804  on the wireless transmitter is depressed, causing control signal  806  to be transmitted to control mechanism  808  controlling high voltage power source  800 .  
         [0043]     An embodiment of a double appendage restraint system having dual independent control capability according to one or more aspects of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 9 . A double appendage restraint system  900  includes an arrangement of separately inflatable bladder members  902 , 904  for allowing and restricting passage of an appendage through respective openings  906 , 908  defined in a mounting structure  910 . A controller  912  for remotely and separately controlling the state of each bladder member communicates wirelessly with a control mechanism (not illustrated in  FIG. 9 ) within the housing of the mounting structure. The controller includes both a release button and a restrain button for each of left bladder member  902  and right bladder member  904  for separately controlling the states of the bladder members  902 , 904 .  
         [0044]     Upon actuation of the restrain button  914 , the left bladder member  902  is inflated to a state to restrain an appendage by way of the opening of the supply valve  916  and the closing of the release valve  918  each dedicated to regulating the state of inflation of the left bladder member. A diminished opening  920  is defined by the state of the left bladder member for restraining an appendage extended through the opening  906 . A fluid line manifold  930  delivers pressurized fluid from a compressed fluid container  932  to the supply valves  916 , 924 .  
         [0045]     Upon actuation of the release button  922 , the right bladder member  904  is deflated to a state to allow the passage and release of an appendage through the opening  908 . The right bladder member is deflated by way of the closing of a supply valve  924  and the opening of the release valve  926  each dedicated to regulating the state of inflation of the right bladder member. An unobstructed opening  928  is defined by the right bladder member  904  that allows the passage and release of an appendage such as a hand, wrist, or arm.  
         [0046]     Thus the system  900 , with the bladder members  902 ,  904  inflated to respective states as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , is capable of restraining a first appendage, such as the left arm of a detainee, in the left opening  906  while a second appendage, such as the right arm of the detainee, can be freely extended through and released from the opening  908 . This advantage of dual independent control capability with regard to restraining multiple appendages or detainees provides a degree of safety to a user of the system such as a law enforcement or military officer.  
         [0047]     In an exemplary scenario utilizing the system  900  of  FIG. 9 , a detainee is instructed by the officer to face the restraint system and place left and right hands through respective openings in the mounting structure of the system. Once the detainee has complied with the order, the officer actuates a left restrain button and a right restrain button restraining each of the detainees arms. This is accomplished while the officer is positioned at a safe distance from the detainee. The officer then steps closer to the back of the restrained detainee and performs a search of the person and effects of the detainee. The officer then actuates the right release button to release the right arm of the detainee and instructs the detainee to extend rearward the released arm and places a conventional handcuff on the wrist of the released arm. The officer then actuates the left release button, instructs the detainee, and places the left arm in a handcuff. An otherwise dangerous and awkward operation of searching and handcuffing a suspect is completed by a single officer who securely and safely controls the detainee utilizing the restraint system. The advantage is both very real and perceived. A potentially violent detainee, who might otherwise choose to assault the officer or attempt escape as the officer concentrates on searching, does not perceive a moment of opportunity for action and is thereby discouraged from any attempt at escape or attacking the officer. Similarly, an officer dispatched to an ongoing crime situation can quickly and safely arrest a first detainee by utilizing the restraint system and then proceed to other nearby activities related to the ongoing situation confident that the first detainee is restrained and cannot re-enter a fray.  
         [0048]     The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Furthermore, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes described herein are those considered to be the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Thus, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes may be shown and described as being in a preferred sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent a specific indication of such to achieve a particular intended result. Indeed, the steps in such processes generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description.  
         [0049]     Thus, for example, it should be appreciated that, within the scope of the present invention, a appendage restraint system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention may include only a single wrist restraint, and that two such restraints may be provided for restraining both hands of a Suspect. Moreover, the remote release of a restrained appendage by an Agent may be performed for two appendages in parallel (simultaneously) or in series (one-after-the-other) in order to maintain better control of the situation by the Agent.