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Title:
RESTRAINT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2017/037433
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Described herein is a restraint for positioning around the wrists of an individual. The restraint comprises an elongate piece of material (1) comprising a first length (2a) of material for positioning around a first wrist and a second length (2b) of material for positioning around a second wrist of an individual. The restraint comprises a joint (5, 6) between the first and second lengths of material, and first and second retainers (4a, 4b). A first loop (14a) of the elongate material is formed between the first retainer (4a) and the joint when the first length of material (2a) is threaded through the first retainer and a second loop (14b) of the elongate material is formed between the second retainer (4b) and the joint when the second length of material (2b) is threaded through the second retainer. The second length of material (2b) is longer than the first length of material (2a) and at least an excess portion of the first length of material (2a), which does not form the first loop (14a), is releasably securable to the outside surface of the first loop. At least an excess portion of the second length of material (2b), which does not form the second loop (14b), is releasably securable to the outside surface of the second loop and is also configured to overlap with and be releasably securable to the excess portion of the first length of material (2a) on the outside surface of the first loop (14a) and to overlap with and be releasably securable to a portion of itself on the outside surface of the second loop(14b). Also described is a method for manufacturing the restraint.

Inventors:
LACKEY ARAN (GB)
HYAMS GEOFFREY (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2016/052656
Publication Date:
March 09, 2017
Filing Date:
August 26, 2016
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
NSI (HQ) LTD (GB)
International Classes:
E05B75/00
Domestic Patent References:
WO2003031289A22003-04-17
WO2000044298A12000-08-03
Foreign References:
US3947927A1976-04-06
US5797404A1998-08-25
US5802888A1998-09-08
US20030121525A12003-07-03
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
SWEETINBURGH, Mark et al. (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A restraint for positioning around the wrists of an individual, the restraint comprising an elongate piece of material comprising a first length of material for positioning around a first wrist and a second length of material for positioning around a second wrist of an individual,

wherein the restraint comprises a joint between the first and second lengths of material,

wherein the restraint comprises first and second retainers,

wherein a first loop of the elongate material is formed between the first retainer and the joint when the first length of material is threaded through the first retainer and a second loop of the elongate material is formed between the second retainer and the joint when the second length of material is threaded through the second retainer,

wherein the second length of material is longer than the first length of material,

wherein at least an excess portion of the first length of material, which does not form the first loop, is releasably securable to the outside surface of the first loop,

wherein at least an excess portion of the second length of material, which does not form the second loop, is releasably securable to the outside surface of the second loop and is also configured to overlap with and be releasably securable to the excess portion of the first length of material on the outside surface of the first loop and to overlap with and be releasably securable to a portion of itself on the outside surface of the second loop.

2. A restraint according to claim 1, wherein the restraint comprises a joint loop formed between the first and second lengths of material by the joint.

3. A restraint according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the restraint comprises a lock for restricting movement of the second length of material out of an overlapping configuration with the first length of material.

4. A restraint according to claim 3, wherein the lock is for positioning around the second length of material .

5. A restraint according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the lock is provided at or near the joint.

6. A restraint according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the lock is provided between the first and second lengths of material.

7. A restraint according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the lock is fixed to the elongate piece of material .

8. A restraint according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the first and second retainers are provided on the joint loop.

9. A restraint according to any of claims 3 or 8, wherein the lock is provided on the joint loop.

10. A restraint according to any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the lock is secured to the joint loop.

11. A restraint according to any of claims 3 to 10, wherein the lock comprises an elastic material .

12. A restraint according to any of claims 3 to 11, wherein the lock comprises a connector for connecting the ends of the lock together.

13. A restraint according to any preceding claim, wherein the restraint comprises a hook and loop material for securing parts of the restraint together.

14. A restraint according to claim 13, wherein the hook and loop material comprises hooks and loops on the same surface.

15. A restraint according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the restraint is configured such that when it is positioned around the wrists of an individual the parts of the restraint which make contact with a wearer comprise a smooth surface.

16. A restraint according to any preceding claim, wherein the ends of the first and second lengths of material are colour coded for indicating to a user the order in which parts are to be secured around the wrist of an individual.

17. A restraint according to any preceding claim, wherein the lock is colour coded.

18. A restraint according to any preceding claim, wherein the restraint comprises an elongate piece of material with upper and lower faces, wherein the elongate piece of material is folded and opposing surfaces of the lower face are joined together to form : -

(i) a joint between the opposing surfaces;

(ii) a joint loop projecting from the upper face; and

(iii) first and second lengths of material either side of the joint, the first length of material being shorter than the second length of material,

wherein the joint loop comprises first and second retainers for accommodating the first and second lengths of material when inserted therethrough.

19. A restraint according to any of claims 2 to 18, wherein the joint loop is offset from a position half way along the length of the elongate piece of material.

20. A restraint according to any of claims 2 to 19, wherein the joint loop is positioned up to about 45% along the length of the piece of elongate material.

21. A restraint according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio between the length of the first length of material and the length of the second length of material is between about 1 : 1.2 and about 1 : 2.2.

22. A restraint according to any preceding claim, wherein the second length of material is at least about 1.2 times the length of the first length of material .

23. A restraint for positioning around the wrists of an individual, the restraint comprising an elongate piece of material with upper and lower faces, wherein the elongate piece of material is folded and opposing surfaces of the lower face are joined together to form : -

(i) a joint between the opposing surfaces;

(ii) a joint loop projecting from the upper face; and

(iii) first and second lengths of material either side of the joint, the first length of material being shorter than the second length of material,

wherein the joint loop comprises first and second retainers for accommodating the first and second lengths of material when inserted therethrough.

24. A method for manufacturing a restraint according to any preceding claim, the method comprising : -

(a) passing first and second retainers along an elongate piece of material with upper and lower faces; and

(b) folding the elongate piece of material and joining opposing surfaces of the lower face to form : -

(i) a joint between the opposing surfaces;

(ii) a joint loop projecting from the upper face; and

(iii) first and second lengths of material either side of the joint, the first length of material being shorter than the second length of material, wherein the joint loop comprises the first and second retainers and the retainers are for accommodating the first and second lengths of material when inserted therethrough.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the method comprises passing the first and second retainers along the elongate piece of material to a folding position which is offset from a position half way along the length of the elongate piece of material and folding the elongate piece of material at the folding position such that opposing surfaces of the lower face are touching and the first and second retainers are provided in a joint loop formed between the touching surfaces of the lower face.

26. A restraint produced by a method according to claim 24 or 25.

27. A restraint substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures.

28. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Figures.

Description:
RESTRAINT

The present invention relates to a restraint for positioning around the wrists of an individual, in particular to a restraint comprising a flexible material .

Various wrist or arm restraints are known and are traditionally referred to as "cuffs" or "hand-cuffs". For example, law enforcement has relied on the use of rigid hand-cuffs for many years and these have routinely been provided in the form of a pair of metal cuffs, the cuffs being joined together by a chain or rigid joining piece and each cuff being shaped for positioning and securing around a wrist.

However, rigid cuffs suffer from a number of drawbacks. These include the risk that the wearer will injure their wrists or arms through struggling, or injure themselves elsewhere, be this intentional or accidental.

Rigid cuffs are also generally difficult to apply and there is a risk of injury to the carrier of rigid cuffs.

Whilst flexible hand-cuffs are known they also suffer from drawbacks. For example, they can also be difficult to apply and, due to the use of Velcro (RTM), can still cause injury to a wearer.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to seek to alleviate the above identified problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a restraint for positioning around the wrists of an individual, the restraint comprising an elongate piece of material comprising a first length of material for positioning around a first wrist and a second length of material for positioning around a second wrist of an individual, wherein the restraint comprises a joint between the first and second lengths of material,

wherein the restraint comprises first and second retainers,

wherein a first loop of the elongate material is formed between the first retainer and the joint when the first length of material is threaded through the first retainer and a second loop of the elongate material is formed between the second retainer and the joint when the second length of material is threaded through the second retainer,

wherein the second length of material is longer than the first length of material,

wherein at least an excess portion of the first length of material, which does not form the first loop, is releasably securable to the outside surface of the first loop,

wherein at least an excess portion of the second length of material, which does not form the second loop, is releasably securable to the outside surface of the second loop and is also configured to overlap with and be releasably securable to the excess portion of the first length of material on the outside surface of the first loop and to overlap with and be releasably securable to a portion of itself on the outside surface of the second loop.

Remarkably, the restraint of the present invention is much easier to use than existing restraints. The provision of a longer second length of material means that, not only can a user easily identify that it is the shorter first length of material which should be secured first, but that when the longer second length of material is secured around both the second and first loops, the end of the first length of material is hidden and largely inaccessible underneath the overlapping second length of material. This is aided further by the second length of material being positioned around the entirety of the first loop and then back onto itself around at least a part of the second loop. This makes it even more difficult for a wearer to release themselves from the restraint whilst, remarkably, at the same time making it easier and more straightforward for a user to apply the restraint. Preferably, the restraint comprises a lock for restricting movement of the second length of material out of an overlapping configuration with the first length of material.

Preferably, the lock is for positioning around the second length of material. Preferably, the lock comprises a flexible material . Preferably, the lock is provided at or near the joint.

This is particularly advantageous because it means that the lock is positioned between the first and second loops and so greatly reduces the ability of a user to remove the second length of material from an overlapping configuration with the first length of material positioned around the first loop if a user initially removes the second length of material from an overlapping configuration with itself around the second loop. In embodiments wherein the lock is wrapped around the second length of material, this is additionally advantageous because the lock does not need to wrap around both the first length of material and second length of material of the restraint. This makes it easier to apply the lock and also makes the lock more secure.

Preferably, the lock is provided between the first and second lengths of material.

Preferably, the lock is fixed to the elongate piece of material. This is advantageous, because it means the position of the lock cannot be changed by a user and is predetermined.

Preferably, the restraint comprises a joint loop formed between the first and second lengths of material by the joint.

Preferably, the first and second retainers are provided on the joint loop. Preferably, the lock is provided on the joint loop. Preferably, the lock is secured to the joint loop.

Embodiments of the invention wherein the lock is provided on or secured to the joint loop are particularly advantageous because the lock is then configured for restricting movement of the second length of material away from the joint loop. Because the joint loop is positioned between the first and second loops this has similar advantages as embodiments wherein the lock is provided at or near the joint. In addition, due to the configuration of the restraint, the outermost second length of material (i.e. that which passes around the first length of material and then secures to the portion of the second length of material secured to the second loop) is positioned adjacent the joint loop which makes it very easy and straightforward for a user to apply the lock once the restraint has been positioned around the wrists of an individual .

Preferably, the lock comprises an elastic material. This is particularly advantageous because it makes it easier for a user to wrap the lock around the restraint and secure the ends together.

Preferably, the lock comprises a connector for connecting the ends of the lock together.

Preferably, the restraint comprises a hook and loop material for securing parts of the restraint together.

Preferably, the hook and loop material comprises hooks and loops on the same surface. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the hook and loop material comprises a 50/50 hook and loop material. A suitable material is marketed as Snag Free Velcro (RTM) which incorporates hook and loop on the same surface with the soft loops buffering the hooks to reduce snagging.

A particular advantage of a hook and loop material comprising hooks and loops on the same surface is that such a material is less abrasive than traditional hook and loop material wherein hooks are provided on one surface and loops are provided on a second opposing surface. With such traditional hook and loop material, the hook surface can irritate skin significantly causing discomfort.

A further advantage of a hook and loop material comprising hooks and loops on the same surface is that the restraint is suitable for use in relation to any size of wrist. For example, there is not a first area of hooks which must align with a second area of loops.

A further advantage of the use of a hook and loop material comprising hooks and loops on the same surface is that opposing surfaces comprising the material are easier to pull apart. Surprisingly, this is particularly advantageous in relation to the present invention because, whilst the overlapping surfaces of the restraint can still be secured together sufficiently to prevent them sliding along each other, the restraint can be easily removed in an emergency.

Preferably, the restraint is configured such that when it is positioned around the wrists of an individual the parts of the restraint which make contact with a wearer comprise a smooth surface.

Put another way, in embodiments comprising a hook and loop material, the restraint is preferably configured such that when it is positioned around the wrists of an individual the hook and loop material does not make contact with the skin of a wearer.

Preferably, the restraint is configured such that when positioned around the wrists of an individual, the inside surface of the first and second loops is substantially smooth.

Preferably, the restraint is configured such that when positioned around the wrists of an individual, the inside surface of the first and second loops does not comprise a hook and loop material. Preferably, the retainers are rings, for example d-rings, preferably rectangular d- rings.

Preferably, the ends of the first and second lengths of material are colour coded for indicating to a user the order in which parts are to be secured around the wrist of an individual.

Preferably, the end of the first length of material is colour coded green and the end of the second length of material is colour coded yellow.

Preferably, the lock is colour coded. Preferably, the lock is colour coded red.

Preferably, in embodiments comprising a lock, the end of the first length of material is colour coded green, the end of the second length of material is colour coded yellow and the lock is colour coded red.

Preferably, the restraint comprises an elongate piece of material with upper and lower faces, wherein the elongate piece of material is folded and opposing surfaces of the lower face are joined together to form : -

(i) a joint between the opposing surfaces;

(ii) a joint loop projecting from the upper face; and

(iii) first and second lengths of material either side of the joint, the first length of material being shorter than the second length of material,

wherein the joint loop comprises first and second retainers for accommodating the first and second lengths of material when inserted therethrough.

Preferably, the joint loop comprises a lock for holding the second length of material in close proximity to the joint loop when the second length of material is positioned over the joint loop.

Preferably, the joint loop is offset from a position half way along the length of the elongate piece of material . Preferably, the joint loop is positioned up to about 45% along the length of the piece of elongate material, preferably up to about 40%, most preferably up to about 38%.

Preferably, the joint loop is positioned between about 30% and about 45% along the length of the piece of elongate material, preferably between about 35% and about 40%, most preferably about 38%.

Preferably, the ratio between the length of the first length of material and the length of the second length of material is between about 1 : 1.2 and about 1 : 2.2, preferably between about 1 : 1.3 and about 1 : 2.1, preferably between about 1 : 1.4 and about 1 : 2.0, preferably between about 1 : 1.5 and about 1 : 1.9, preferably between about 1 : 1.6 and about 1 : 1.8, preferably about 1 : 1.7.

Preferably, the second length of material is at least about 1.2 times the length of the first length of material, preferably at least about 1.3 times the length, preferably at least about 1.4 times the length, preferably at least about 1.5 times the length, preferably at least about 1.6 times the length, most preferably at least about 1.7 times the length.

Preferably, the length of the first length of material is between about 31cm and about 41cm, preferably between about 32cm and about 40cm, preferably between about 33cm and about 39cm, preferably between about 34cm and about 38cm, preferably between about 35cm and about 37cm, preferably about 36cm .

Preferably, the length of the second length of material is between about 56cm and about 66cm, preferably between about 57cm and about 65cm, preferably between about 58cm and about 64cm, preferably between about 59cm and about 63cm, preferably between about 60cm and about 62cm, preferably about 61cm. Preferably, the length of the elongate piece of material is between about 97cm and about 117cm, preferably between about 99cm and about 115cm, preferably between about 101cm and about 113cm, preferably between about 103cm and about 111cm, preferably between about 105cm and about 109cm, preferably about 107cm.

Preferably, the elongate piece of material comprises polyester webbing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a restraint for positioning around the wrists of an individual, the restraint comprising an elongate piece of material with upper and lower faces, wherein the elongate piece of material is folded and opposing surfaces of the lower face are joined together to form : -

(i) a joint between the opposing surfaces;

(ii) a joint loop projecting from the upper face; and

(iii) first and second lengths of material either side of the joint, the first length of material being shorter than the second length of material,

wherein the joint loop comprises first and second retainers for accommodating the first and second lengths of material when inserted therethrough.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a restraint as described herein, the method comprising : -

(a) passing first and second retainers along an elongate piece of material with upper and lower faces; and

(b) folding the elongate piece of material and joining opposing surfaces of the lower face to form : -

(i) a joint between the opposing surfaces;

(ii) a joint loop projecting from the upper face; and

(iii) first and second lengths of material either side of the joint, the first length of material being shorter than the second length of material, wherein the joint loop comprises the first and second retainers and the retainers are for accommodating the first and second lengths of material when inserted therethrough.

Preferably, the method comprises passing the first and second retainers along the elongate piece of material to a folding position which is offset from a position half way along the length of the elongate piece of material and folding the elongate piece of material at the folding position such that opposing surfaces of the lower face are touching and the first and second retainers are provided in a joint loop formed between the touching surfaces of the lower face.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a restraint produced by a method as described herein.

Within this specification embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise specification to be written, but it is intended and will be appreciated that embodiments may be variously combined or separated without parting from the invention. For example, it will be appreciated that all preferred features described herein are applicable to all aspects of the invention described herein and vice versa.

Whilst the restraint of the present invention has been described with reference to a restraint for positioning around the wrists of an individual, it will be appreciated that the restraint could also be positioned around the ankles of an individual, if sized appropriately.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which Figures 1A and IB show views of the upper (Figure 1A) and lower (Figure IB) faces of an elongate piece of material for forming a restraint of the present invention;

Figures 2A to 2E show side views of a restraint of the present invention in a non- restraining configuration (Figure 2A), in a form for positioning over an individual's wrists (Figure 2B) and the subsequent steps of securing the restraint into a restraining configuration (Figures 2C to 2E); and

Figure 3 shows a view of the lock positioned over the second length of material.

The present invention relates to a flexible restraint for positioning around the wrists of an individual.

Within this specification, the term "about" means plus or minus 20%, more preferably plus or minus 10%, even more preferably plus or minus 5%, most preferably plus or minus 2%.

With reference to Figures 1A and IB there are shown plan views from above of the upper face (Figure 1A) and from below of the lower face (Figure 2B) of a length of polyester webbing 1 for forming into a restraint 11 of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 1A, the upper face la of the webbing 1 includes two areas of Snag Free Velcro (RTM) 2a, 2b positioned either side of joining areas 3a, 3b. Each area of Snag Free Velcro (RTM) includes two lengths of Snag Free Velcro (RTM) positioned side-by-side. Rectangular d-rings 4a, 4b are positioned for being provided in a joint loop 5 (see Figure 2A) when the webbing is folded and joining areas 3a, 3b are secured together by stitching 6. A length of elastic material 7 is stitched to the upper face of the webbing 1 between the joining areas 3a, 3b. The length of elastic 7 has a male and female part of a press buckle 8a, 8b attached to either end and forms a lock 9, as described in further detail below. The male and female parts of the press buckle 8a, 8b are coloured red. The elastic material 7 is 14.5 cm long and 12mm wide.

The webbing 1 has an overall length of 107cm, the first area of Velcro 2a is 35.9cm long and the second area of Velcro 2b is 60.9cm long.

The distance from the proximal edge of the first joining area 3a to the first end 12a of the webbing is 36cm . This represents a first length of material 10a of the restraint 11. The distance from the proximal edge of the second joining area 3b to the second end 12b of the webbing is 61cm. This represents a second length of material 10b of the restraint 11.

With reference to Figure IB, the lower face lb of the webbing 1 also includes two areas of Snag Free Velcro (RTM) 2c, 2d. Each area of Snag Free Velcro (RTM) includes two lengths of Snag Free Velcro (RTM) positioned side-by-side. The first area of Velcro 2c is 19cm long and is positioned adjacent the first end 12a of the webbing 1. The second area of Velcro 2d is 9cm long and is positioned 35cm from the second end 12b of the webbing 1. Both areas of Velcro 2c, 2d are positioned 22 cm from a position on the lower face corresponding to the centre of the elastic material 7.

The size and positioning of the components of the restraint mean that the restraint can be used effectively with any size of wrist.

At the first end 12a of the webbing 1, a green tag 13a is provided. At the second end 12b of the webbing 1, a yellow tag 13b is provided.

In order to form a restraint 11 of the present invention, the webbing 1 is folded so that the first joining area 3a faces the second joining area 3b. The joining areas 3a, 3b are then stitched together to form the joint loop 5, as shown in Figure 2A, with the elastic material 7 and d-rings 4a, 4b positioned within the joint loop 5. With reference to Figure 2B, the green tab 13a is inserted through the first d- ring 4a and about half of the first length of material 10a, including the Velcro 2c, is pulled through the first d-ring 4a to form a first loop 14a. The yellow tab 13b is inserted through the second d-ring 4b and the second length of material 10b is pulled through the second d-ring 4b until the Velcro 2d has passed through the d-ring and a second loop 14b of similar in size to the first loop 14a has been formed. As will be evident from Figure 2b, the inside surface of each loop 14a, 14b is Velcro free.

Once the loops 14a, 14b have been formed, the loops can be passed over the hands of an individual (not shown) and into a position such that the first loop 14a is around a first wrist of the individual and the second loop 14b is around a second wrist of the individual.

With reference to Figure 2C, the first length of material 10a is tightened around an individual's wrist by pulling the first length of material 10a through the first d-ring 4a. The position of the first length of material 10a is held in place by folding the excess portion, i.e. the portion that has passed through the d-ring 4a, against the outer surface of the first loop 14a. The excess portion is held in position by Velcro 2a folded against itself.

With reference to Figure 2D, the second length of material 10b is tightened around the other wrist of the individual by pulling the second length of material 10b through the second d-ring 4b. The position of the second length of material 10b is held in place by folding the excess portion, i.e. the portion that has passed through the d-ring 4b, against the outer surface of the second loop 14b and in overlapping arrangement with the excess portion of the first length of material 10a previously folded against the outer surface of the first loop 14a. The excess portion is held in position by Velcro 2b folded against itself on the outer surface of the second loop 14b and by Velcro 2b folded against Velcro 2c around the first loop 14a. With reference to Figure 2E, the excess portion of the second length of material 10b is then folded over the joint loop 5 and held in place against the portion of the second length of material 2b already secured to the second loop 14b by Velcro 2b folded against Velcro 2d. The excess portion of the second length of material 10b is then held in position by the lock 9.

As shown in Figure 3, the elastic material 7 is positioned around the excess portion of the second length of material 10b and the buckle 8 is fastened.

In order to remove the restraint, the buckle 8 is unfastened, and the excess portions of the first and second lengths of material 10a, 10b are returned to the position shown in Figure 2B. This allows the wrists of an individual to be removed from the restraint.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications are covered by the appended claims.