Patent ID: 7043945

Claim:
A handcuff key having a grip useful with gloved hands, comprising: a universal shank having front and rear ends and defining a centerline; a lock engaging paddle proximate said front end and depending therefrom; a shank extension and generally circular grip or bow having flat opposed surfaces; said shank extension being attached to said universal shank rear end and extending rearward therefrom along said centerline; said grip or bow extending rearward and outward from said shank extension and having a rear edge portion defined at said centerline; first opposed finger holds extending outward from said shank to opposed points defining the forward portion of said grip or bow; and a double-lock stem extending radially from said rear edge portion at a point defined by an angle of about 60 degrees from said centerline at said rear portion of said grip or bow; wherein a user with a heavily gloved hand may maintain a firm grip on said grip or bow by engaging said first opposed finger holds with adjacent gloved fingers and pressing said rear portion of said grip or bow against the gloved heel of the hand of the user; whereby the user may easily acquire and maintain a grip on said grip or bow and align and engage the key slot and operate the locking mechanism of a handcuff while wearing a heavy glove, thereby avoiding frostbite resulting from removing the glove in frigid temperatures to operate said universal shank and paddle of said handcuff key.