Cloth and plastic mitten with elastic properties that restricts the movement of the fingers and the thumb from acting in concert or separately

Abstract

The present invention is a knitted cloth mitten for the hand(s) preferably comprised of nylon, polyester and Lycra that is closed on one end and open on the opposite end. The open end has a knitted collar around the mitten with a small cut or opening to allow for insertion of a releasable cable tie. A piece of plastic is adhered to the palm portion of the mitten, from the fingertips to the middle of the palm, to make the palm area rigid. A releasable cable tie is threaded through the collar and around the open part of the mitten. After an individual's hands are restrained using properly placed and properly secured handcuffs, the present invention will be slid over an individual's hands with the rigid (plastic) side of the mitten to the palm side of the hand. The mitten will be extended to stop just below the handcuffs. The releasable cable tie is then pulled taught around the wearer's wrist, so as to not allow removal by the wearer. The present invention will keep the wearer from using his/her fingers separately or in concert to be utilized as a weapon or destroy forensic evidence.

Description

The present invention is a cloth and plastic mitten with elastic properties that restricts the movement of the fingers and the thumb from acting in concert or separately.

The present invention is a secure mitten, which is made up of the following required elements: (A) a knitted cloth mitten with an open collar at one end and closed or shut on the opposite end; (B) a piece of plastic coated on the palm side; (C) a plastic releasable cable tie. These elements are connected as follows: (1) the mitten is knitted and rounded at the fingertips and closed shut at the fingertip. The mitten extends to just above the wrist bone. (2) there is a knitted collar at the open end or top of the mitten. There is a small incision in the collar. (3) the plastic is adhered to the palm side of the mitten, from the fingertip extending toward the open or opposite end (5) the plastic releasable cable tie is threaded through the incision in the collar and goes completely around the open end of the mitten. It should be further noted that the knitted cloth mitten is comprised of nylon and/or polyester and Lycra. The mitten extends from the tips of the fingers to above the wrist bone. It is preferred that the length of component (A) be approximately eight (8) inches in length and three and one-half (3½) inches wide/circumference of seven (7) inches, but Component (A) can range between six (6) inches and twelve (12) inches long and three (3) inches and six (6) inches wide, which would equate to six (6) inches in circumference to twelve (12) inches in circumference. The open collar of the mitten is preferably one-quarter (¼) inch wide, but could be one-quarter (¼) to one (1) inch wide. It is preferred that Component (B) which is a piece of plastic is preferably three (3) inches wide and five (5) inches long, but could be two (2) inches to five (5) inches wide and four (4) inches to eight (8) inches long. It is preferred that Component (B) a piece of plastic, is one and one half (1.5) millimeters thick, but Component (B) could be from one (1.0) millimeter thick to two and one-half (2.5) millimeters thick which is then adhered to the palm side of the mitten via the injection molding technique. Component (C) is a plastic or nylon releasable cable tie. It is preferred that the releasable cable tie measure fourteen (14) inches, but could measure from nine (9) inches to sixteen (16) inches. Further, this invention can also have one or more of the following, but not limited to: (1) it is preferred, but not required that the mitten is knitted from a combination of nylon, polyester and Lycra. The finished product resembles a mitten without a pocket for the thumb. It is preferred, but not required that the finished product is approximately eight (8) inches long and two and one half (2½) inches wide. It is preferred, but not required that the finished mitten product have a one-quarter (¼) inch to one (1) inch elastic collar at the open end. The second part of the product is the area that encompasses the palm of the hand and is preferred, but not required to be three and one-half (3½) inches long and three (3) inches wide. The third part of the product is preferred to, but not required to be three (3) inches long and two (2) inches wide. The fingertip portion or end of the mitten product is rounded and sewn together or otherwise fastened together to make a closure. This mitten product is preferred, but not required to be constructed of elastic materials which allows for the product to mold itself to the shape and curvature of an individuals fingers and hand. This product can be placed on an individual while the hand is open in a flat manner with fingers and thumb extended in a straight manner. This product can also be placed on the wearer if his/her hands are in a clenched position, such as a first. It is preferred, but not required, that the knitted material (nylon, polyester and Lycra) is knitted. The area that encompasses the thumb and four fingers is reinforced with Lycra. It is preferred, but not required that from the fingertip area of the product going back two (2) inches to six (6) inches towards the palm of the hand is also reinforced with extra Lycra. This product takes the shape much like that of a tube sock, only it has different expansion properties at different intervals of its design. This product can and does expand to mold itself to the contour of the wearer regardless of their size. All three components of this product work together to provide for the safe and effective restraint of the wearer's fingers and hands. This provides the law enforcement official and the general public with an added layer of security. It is in the shape of a mitten, without a separate pocket for the thumb.

When an individual is properly handcuffed or placed in other hand restraint devices, such as flexi-cuffs, per departmental policy, this product will slide over the outstretched hands of the individual. This product has enough elasticity to easily be put on an individual and yet confine the movement of the fingers, thumb and entire hand so as to not allow the individual to utilize their hands as a weapon. The wearer of this product will not be able to effectively pick up and handle any object that might cause harm to law enforcement officials, themselves or the general public. This product will also provide for the collection and preservation of various types of physical evidence that might be found on the wearer's hands. When removed from the wearer this mitten product will contain DNA of the individual who has worn the secure mitten product. It is also possible that DNA of an individual that the wearer of the mitten has come into contact with, such as but not limited to sexual assault or homicide, might also be found in the mitten. The mitten can be placed into an evidence container for forensic analysis at a later date. This mitten product, by restricting the movement of the fingers and hand, will not allow the wearer to discard concealed contraband, such as but not limited to drugs, weapons or other forensic evidence, that may be hidden on other parts of the wearer's person. This product will be constructed of nylon, polyester and Lycra knitted together. Other types of fabrics may be utilized in conjunction with another material that has elastic properties to accomplish the same task. The product will be produced in three different sizes, small, medium, and large. The product will be offered in several different colors that can be associated with a threat level. A red color mitten would indicate a high threat, violent subject. An amber color mitten would indicate a medium threat, a potentially violent subject. A blue color mitten would indicate a passive threat or a non-violent subject. A fluorescent colored collar on the mitten will be utilized to aid in the location of a subject at night. A GPS chip placed in the product will also aid in the tracking and capture of an individual who has escaped from custody.

This product has a primary function in that it will provide extra safety for law enforcement officials and the general public. A secondary use of the product will allow for the preservation and capture of physical evidence from an individuals hands. When the product is removed from an individual it can be preserved and analyzed for all types of forensic evidence such as DNA, hair fibers and gunshot residue. This product, while restricting the use of the fingers and hands, greatly reduces the wearer's opportunity to dispose of contraband that might be hidden on the wearer's person. A fluorescent color will be added to assist in the location of an individual during the nighttime, should an individual escape custody. A small GPS chip will be placed in the product that will allow for the tracking and capture of an individual from custody. While the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure, the drawings and claims.

It should be understood that it is within the scope of this invention to cover the base claim that the present invention will, Claim 1. A secure mitten comprising: a knitted cloth mitten with an open collar at the top: a piece of plastic: a releasable cable tie: wherein the palm side of the mitten is coated with plastic via the injection molding technique starting at the fingertip and extending toward the palm: wherein the cable tie is inserted into the collar and completely encircles the collar. 2. The invention of claim one is a knitted cloth mitten closed on one end and open on the opposite end with a collar. 3. The invention of claim 2 is a piece of plastic adhered to the cloth mitten. 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the plastic is adhered to the palm portion of the mitten with injection molding technique. When a law enforcement official is confronted with a situation in which an individual needs to be restrained, an arrest situation, a transport situation, court appearance, field interview, or officer/public safety situation the restraint method most commonly utilized is the placement of handcuffs on an individual. The vast majority of law enforcement agencies in the United States teach that the proper placement of handcuffs on an individual is that the hands are placed behind an individual's back and the handcuffs are placed around the wrist.

BACKGROUND

When a law enforcement official is confronted with a situation in which an individual needs to be restrained, either an arrest situation, a transport situation, court appearance, field interview or officer/public safety situation the restraint method most commonly utilized is the placement of handcuffs on an individual. The vast majority of law enforcement agencies in the United States teach that the proper placement of handcuffs on an individual be performed while the hands are placed behind an individual's back and the handcuffs are placed around the wrists. Only in rare instances is it advisable or permitted to handcuff an individual in the front of his/her person. Over the years numerous instances of serious injury and death to law enforcement officials and the general public have been documented through data compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and numerous local, county and state law enforcement agencies. These incidents occurred even though an individual's hands were restrained with handcuffs and proper handcuffing techniques were followed, such as handcuffing in the back of the individual. It has also been proven that handcuffed individuals have been able to dispose of contraband or other evidence while wearing a properly placed pair of handcuffs. Known solutions or known devices have not been utilized by law enforcement officials due to their bulkiness and/or their lack of cost effectiveness for law enforcement agencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a secure mitten, which is made up of the following required elements: (A) a knitted cloth mitten with an open collar at one end and closed or shut on the opposite end; (B) a piece of plastic adhered to the palm portion of the mitten via injection molding technique; (C) a plastic releasable cable tie. These elements are connected as follows: (1) the mitten is knitted and rounded at the fingertips and closed shut at the fingertip. The mitten extends to just above the wrist-bone. (2) There is a knitted collar at the open end or top of the mitten. There is a small incision in the collar. (3) The plastic is adhered to the palm side of the mitten, from the fingertip extending to the open or opposite end (4) the plastic releasable cable tie is threaded through the incision in the collar and goes completely around the open end of the mitten. It should be further noted that the knitted cloth mitten is comprised of nylon, polyester and Lycra. The mitten extends from the tips of the fingers to above the wrist bone. It is preferred that the length of component (A) be approximately eight (8) inches in length and three and one-half (3½) inches wide/circumference of seven (7) inches, but component (A) can range between six (6) inches and twelve (12) inches long and three (3) inches and six (6) inches wide, which would equate to six (6) inches in circumference to twelve (12) inches in circumference. The open collar of the mitten is preferably one-quarter (¼) inch wide, but could be one-quarter (¼) to one (1) inch wide. It is preferred that Component (B) which is a piece of plastic is preferably three (3) inches wide and five (5) inches long, but could be two (2) inches to five (5) inches wide and four (4) inches to eight (8) inches long. It is preferred that Component (B) a piece of plastic, is one and one half (1.5) millimeters thick, but Component (B) could be from one (1.0) millimeters thick to two and one half (2.5) millimeters thick which is then adhered to the palm side of the mitten via injection molding technique. Component (C) is a plastic or nylon releasable cable tie. It is preferred that the releasable cable tie measure fourteen (14) inches, but could measure from nine (9) inches to sixteen (16) inches. Further, this invention can also have one or more of the following, but not limited to: (1) it is preferred, but not required that the mitten is knitted from a combination of nylon, polyester and Lycra, knitted together. The finished product resembles a mitten without a pocket for the thumb. It is preferred, but not required that the finished product is approximately eight (8) inches long and two and one half (2½) inches wide. It is preferred, but not required that the finished mitten product have a one-quarter (¼) inch to one (1) inch elastic collar at the open end. The second part of the product is the area that encompasses the palm of the hand and is preferred, but not required to be three and one-half (3½) inches long and three (3) inches wide. The third part of the product is preferred to, but not required to be three (3) inches long and two (2) inches wide. The fingertip portion or end of the mitten product is rounded and sewn together or otherwise fastened together to make a closure. This mitten product is preferred, but not required to be constructed of elastic materials which allows for the product to mold itself to the shape and curvature of an individuals fingers and hand. This product can be placed on an individual while the hand is open in a flat manner with fingers and thumb extended in a straight manner. This product can also be placed on the wearer if his/her hands are in a clenched position, such as a first. It is preferred, but not required, that the knitted material nylon, polyester and Lycra material is knitted. The area that encompasses the thumb and four fingers is reinforced with Lycra. It is preferred, but not required that from the fingertip area of the product going back two (2) inches to six (6) inches towards the palm of the hand is also reinforced with extra Lycra. This product takes the shape much like that of a tube sock, only it has different expansion properties at different intervals of its design. This product can and does expand to mold itself to the contour of the wearer regardless of their size. All three components of this product work together to provide for the safe and effective restraint of the wearer's fingers and hands. This provides the law enforcement official and the general public an added layer of security. It is in the shape of a mitten, without a separate pocket for the thumb.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention, (10) a knitted cloth/plastic mitten with elastic properties, closed on one end, open on the opposite end, (20) a cloth material with elastic material knitted into the fabric to allow for expansion. (25) is a piece of plastic, (30) is a collar with a small incision to allow for insertion of a cable tie, (50) is a releasable cable tie threaded through and around the collar.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the invention shown on a person in handcuffs, (70) an individual who has been handcuffed behind the back and has had the present invention placed on their hands, (10) is a cloth/plastic mitten with elastic properties, placed over an individuals hands, with the portion of the mitt covered in plastic covering the palm area of the individual, (50) is a releasable cable tie threaded through the open end/collar of the mitt and activated, (60) is a pair of handcuffs properly placed on an individual who has their arms behind their back.

Two exemplary secure mittens made according to the present invention are as follows:

EXAMPLE 1

A knitted cloth mitten, (A) is knitted on a circular knitting machine with polyester yarn, 15 denier and Lycra yarn, 210 denier. The density of the knitted mitten is progressively tightened from open collar towards the closed finger tip. This progressive tightening of the knitted fabric enhances the installation of the mitten restriction of the finger portion of the hand at the finger tips.

The plastic, (B) bonded on the palm side of the secure mitten is formed by injection molding technique of polypropylene.

EXAMPLE 2

A knitted cloth mitten, (A) knitted with the same yarn components as example 1. The plastic, (B) is a precut plastic piece. This precut plastic piece is bonded onto the palm side of the knitted mitten, (A) using sonic welding technique to fuse the plastic onto the fabric surface. These and other embodiments will be within the scope of the following claims.

FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cloth mitten with a plastic palm that restricts movement of fingers; and

FIG. 2 is a back view of the invention shown on a person in handcuffs.

NUMBER DESCRIPTION LIST

10 is a cloth/plastic mitten.

20 is a cloth material with elastic properties.

25 is a piece of plastic.

30 is an opening for a cable tie.

50 is a releasable cable tie.

60 are handcuffs.

70 is a person in handcuffs.

Claims

1. A secure mitten comprising: a knitted cloth mitten sewn or otherwise closed at the fingertips, with an open collar at the top that has a small incision: a piece of plastic: a releasable cable tie: wherein one side of the piece of plastic is adhered to the palm side of the mitten starting at the fingertip area and extending toward the palm: wherein the cable tie is inserted into the collar through the incision in the collar and the cable tie completely encircles the collar.

2. The invention of claim 1 is a knitted cloth mitten closed on one end and open on the opposite end with a collar.

3. The invention of claim 2 is a piece of plastic adhered to the cloth mitten.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the plastic is adhered to the palm portion of the mitten with injection molding technique.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein a precut plastic piece is bonded to the palm portion of the mitten with sonic welding technique. When a law enforcement official is confronted with a situation in which an individual needs to be restrained, either an arrest situation, a transport situation, court appearance, field interview or officer/public safety situation the restraint method most commonly utilized is the placement of handcuffs on an individual. The vast majority of law enforcement agencies in the United States teach that the proper placement of handcuffs on an individual be performed while the hands are placed behind an individual's back and the handcuffs are placed around the wrists. Only in rare instances is it advisable or permitted to handcuff an individual in the front of his/her person. Over the years numerous instances of serious injury and death to law enforcement officials and the general public have been documented through data compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and numerous local, county and state law enforcement agencies. These incidents occurred even though some suspects hands were restrained with handcuffs and proper handcuffing techniques were followed, such as handcuffing in the back of the individual. The product is a cloth and elastic mitten that is slid individually over both hands. The cloth mitten is constructed preferably of polyester and Lycra, but can be constructed on nylon, cotton, spandex or various other natural or manmade fibers in a knitted pattern. The fingers and thumb are held in a restricted position, the piece of plastic is adhered to the palm portion of the mitten so as not to allow any movement, thereby, not making it feasible to grab, control and discharge a firearm at a police officer or innocent bystander. Potential physical evidence, such as but not limited to, DNA, that may be located on a subject's hands will be protected and/or preserved within the mitt itself to be collected as evidence of possible criminal activity. The product allows for the preservation of physical evidence that may be concealed on an individual's person that could be discarded if the fingers and hands are not under complete control. These types of physical evidence, would include, but not limited to, narcotics, contraband, weapons and any other items on an individual that could be discarded before a complete search of the individual's person.