Object restraining device and system

Abstract

The invention includes embodiments of a device and system for restraining an object proximally to a hand of a user. The device includes an arm member and at least one attachment member that is attachable to the arm member. The object is restrainable proximally to the hand by extending the at least one attachment member between one side of the hand and another side of the hand, with the object is positioned between the hand and the at least one attachment member. The invention also includes a system for restraining an object to a hand of a user. The system includes an object restraining device and an object that has at least one groove, wherein the at least one attachment member is retainable in the at least one groove. The invention also includes a groove member, which is attachable to an object. The invention further includes a stick training system. The system includes a practice stick and a device for attaching a practice stick to a hand of a user. The invention also includes a system for restraining a gun to the hand of a user. The invention also includes a device for restraining a living being proximally to an arm of a user. The device can be used for purposes including self-defense, the military and law enforcement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Object restraining devices and systems are known in the art. Specifically, an invention limited to a gun support glove is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,884, to Salvitti, which is incorporated herein as though set forth in full. However, none of the known art discloses the flexibility, ease of use and other benefits of the object restraining device and system of the current invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes embodiments of a device and system for restraining an object proximally to a hand or arm of a user.

The invention includes a device restraining an object proximally to a hand of a user. The device includes an arm member and at least one attachment member, and the at least one attachment member is attachable to the arm member. The object is restrainable proximally to the hand by extending the at least one attachment member between one side of the hand and another side of the hand, wherein the object is positioned between the hand and the at least one attachment member. The object can be an inanimate or a living being.

The at least one attachment member can have a first end, which can be removably attachable to the arm member. The at least one attachment member can be positioned around the arm member when the at least one attachment member is not extended around the object.

The device can further have a raised portion, and the at least one attachment member can be attachable to the raised portion.

The arm member can be attached to a glove or to a sleeve.

The object can be attachable to the hand by extending the at least one attachment member between the palm side and the outer side of the hand, whereby the object is positioned between the hand and the at least one attachment member. More specifically, the object can be positioned between the palm side of the hand and the at least one attachment member. The arm member can further have a pivoting portion, which pivots when the at least one attachment member is positioned around the object. In addition, the pivoting portion can have a memory member.

The object can be a gun.

The invention also includes a system for restraining an object to a hand of a user. The system can include an object restraining device, which has an arm member and at least one attachment member. The system further has an object that has at least one groove. The object is attachable to the hand by extending the at least one attachment member between one side of the hand to another side of the hand. The object is positioned between the hand and the at least one attachment member, wherein the at least one attachment member is retainable in the at least one groove.

The invention also includes a groove member, which is attachable to an object. The groove member includes a groove side and an attachment side. The groove side has a groove, and the attachment side is attachable to an object.

The invention further includes an attachment member for restraining an object proximally to a hand of a user. The attachment member includes at least one first end, at least one second end, and at least one intermediate portion located between the first end and the second end. The first end includes an attacher and the second end includes an attacher. The attacher can be a bracket.

The invention further includes a stick training system. The system includes a practice stick and a device for attaching a practice stick to a hand of a user. The device includes an arm member and at least one attachment member. The practice stick is attachable to the hand by extending the at least one attachment member between one side of the user's hand and another side of the user's hand, wherein the practice stick is attachable between the hand and the at least one attachment member.

The invention also includes a system for restraining a gun to the hand of a user, where the system includes an object restraining device and a gun. The device includes an arm member and at least one attachment member. The gun is restrainable to the hand by extending the at least one attachment member between one side of the hand and another side of the hand, wherein the gun is positioned between the palm side of the user's hand and the at least one attachment member. In addition, the gun can be releasable from being restrained by the device to the hand of the user when the user flicks his or her wrist. Also, the gun can be releasable from being restrained by the device to the hand of the user by restricting the movement of the barrel and by pulling the user's hand off the end of the handle. The gun can experience muzzle flip when fired, and the device can stabilize the gun in the hand of the user when muzzle flip occurs.

The invention also includes a device for restraining a living being proximally to an arm of a user. The device includes an arm member and at least one attachment member. The living being is restrainable to the user's arm by extending the at least one attachment member between one side of the arm and another side of the arm, wherein the living being is positioned between the arm and the at least one attachment member. The neck of the living being can be positioned between the arm and the at least one attachment member. The device can be used for purposes including self-defense, the military and law enforcement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial cut away perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11A is a front partial view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11B is a side partial perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a rear partial view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a rear partial view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19B is a cross section view taken at line 19B-19B of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19C is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

FIG. 20A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20C is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21A-21C are perspective views of an embodiment of the invention in use.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

FIG. 24A-24C are perspective views of an embodiment of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 24C thereof, embodiments of a new object restraining device 30 and system are described. As illustrated in these Figures, the invention includes a device 30 for restraining an object 50 proximally to a hand 42 or arm 56 of a user. The object 50 can be any kind of object 50 that a user might want to try to restrain. It is to be noted that while implements such as guns, knives, training sticks and tools are illustrated in the Figures, the illustrated objects are exemplary only, and not intended to be limiting. In addition, as will be described later, the object 50 could be a living being, such as a human or animal. The device 30 can restrain an object 50 to the hand or arm 56 of the user for a variety of purposes. As will be further described in more detail later, the extent to which the object 50 contacts the hand 42 or arm 56 of the user can vary.

As clearly illustrated in these Figures, the device 30 includes an arm member 32 and at least one attachment member 34. As further seen in these Figures, the user's hand 42 has more than one side. Among other sides, a user's hand 42 includes a palm side 44 and an outer side 46, and a user's arm 56 has corresponding sides, including a palm side 44 and outer side 46. An object 50 is attachable to the hand or arm 56 of a user by extending the at least one attachment member 34 between two sides of the user's hand 42. The Figures illustrate the at least one attachment member 34 extending between the palm side 44 and the outer side 46 of the hand, wherein the object 50 is positioned between the hand and the at least one attachment member 34. In these Figures, the object 50 is positioned between the palm side 44 of the user's hand 42 and the at least one attachment member 34; however, it would be possible to place the object 50 between the outer side 46, or other sides or portions, such as but not limited to the right side and the left side, of the user's hand 42 and the at least one attachment member 34. The object 50 also could be positioned between one of the sides of a user's arm 56 and the at least one attachment member 34.

In the embodiments illustrated, the arm member 32 is attached generally at the intersection of the hand and the arm of the user, which is the wrist 48. However, it is to be understood that the device 30 can be attached to the forearm, the hand, or other portions of the arm 56.

When the object 50 is positioned between the at least one attachment member 34 and the user's hand 42 or arm 56, the object 50 is pushed toward the user's hand 42 or arm 56 by the inward directed force of the attachment members 34 toward the user's hand 42 or arm 56. It is to be noted that attachment members 34 can me made from a variety of materials, and can have a variety of widths, lengths and densities. The inward force of the attachment members 34 will vary based upon variables including but not limited to the materials, widths, lengths and densities of the attachment members 34.

The amount of force exerted on the object 50 by the at least one attachment member 34 toward the hand of the user in conjunction with elements including, but not limited to, the weight, shape, and actions of the object 50 can have varying effects on the extent to which the device 30 restrains the object 50. The device 30 can restrain an object 50 to varying degrees on a continuum between maintaining proximity between the user and the object 50 and affixing the object 50 to the hand 52 or arm 56 of the user. When the force is great in relation to the weight, shape and action of the object 50, the device 30 can hold the object 50 to the hand 42 or arm 56 of the user. When the force is not as great in conjunction with the weight, size and action of the object 50, the device 30 may not be able to hold the object 50 to the hand 42 or arm 56 of the user; however, the device 30 could be used to stabilize the object 50 in the user's hand 42 or to assist in maintaining contact or proximity between the user's hand 42 or arm 56 and the object 50.

The materials from which made, and the width, length and density of an attachment member 34 also can vary. Varying these elements of the at least one attachment member 34 could be desirable in relation to a number of elements affecting the use of the device 30, including, but not limited to the varying sizes of the hand of the anticipated user, sizes of the anticipated object 50 with which the device 30 will be used, amounts of elasticity, and amounts of force that are desired to be asserted on the object 50 against the hand of the user.

The attachment members 34 can be made of any material that is pliable so that it will bend around the hand of the user. Materials with memories, such as elastic and rubber, can be beneficial in that they will stretch with varying hand and object 50 sizes and with varying movements by the user or the object 50. An attachment member 34 could be a strap commonly known as a bungee cord. However, non-stretchy materials also could be used, such as, but not limited to, leather, polyester, textiles, plastic, metals, papers and combinations thereof. In addition, the strengths of the various materials could vary.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 the length of the attachment member 34 can be adjustable.

The attachment members 34 could be made in any width and density to the extent that the portion that will be located between the fingers 58 or outer ends of the fingers 58 of the user will not be too wide or thick to prevent the user from using his or her fingers 58. In addition, the extent to which the width or density of the attachment members 34 will cause comfort, or discomfort or pain, to the user will be a consideration in determining the optimal width. In this regard, it is possible that attachment members 34 that are too wide or too thin could cause discomfort.

The device 30 can have any number of attachment members 34. By way of example and not intending to be limiting, between two and five attachment members 34 are illustrated. FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate an embodiment of the device 30 that has two attachment members 34. In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the attachment members 34 pass between the first finger and the second finger, and between the third finder and the fourth finger of the user. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment with three attachment members 34. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment with five attachment members 34. As seen in FIG. 6, the attachment members 34 can pass between each of the fingers 58 and on the outer ends of the first and fourth fingers 58.

It is to be understood that an attachment member 34 can pass between the fingers 58 or on the outer edges of the fingers 58 of the user in configurations other than those illustrated in the FIGS. 1 through 24C. The illustrated configurations of the attachment members 34 through the fingers 58 are exemplary. It is also to be understood that other numbers of attachment members 34 could be attached to the arm member 32. In addition, it is to be understood that the attachment members 34 could pass through any of the fingers 58, or along the outside ends of the fingers 58, as desired by the user. It would be possible to pass more than one attachment member 34 between two fingers 58 and/or on the outer edges of the fingers 58.

The arm member 32 can be made of any material that can bend around the arm 56 of the user. Materials include, but are not limited to textiles, leather, metals, plastics, polyesters, papers, combinations thereof, and the like.

Arm members 32 can be made of the hook and loop material commonly known under the trademark Velcro®. As will be described in more detail later, in such an embodiment, attachment member attachers 54 and arm member closures pieces 64 that are made of the complimentary hook and loop material can be directly connectable to the arm member 32. In addition, if the arm member 32 is made of a material that is not a hook and loop material, such as, but not limited to, leather, metals, plastics, polyesters, textiles and the like, at least one strip 62 of hook and loop material can be added to the arm member 32 to provide a surface for the attachment of the complimentary portion of the hook and loop material of an attacher 54 or closure piece 64. In these embodiments, generally, the arm member 32 will be made of the loop material and the attachers 54 and/or closures pieces 64 will be made of the hook material; however, the opposite arrangement would be possible.

It is to be noted that it would be possible to make an arm member 32 of a material that is not easily cut, such as, but not limited to leather, including suede, plastics, and metals. In such embodiments, the arm member could also serve as a gauntlet, in that it could protect the arm of the user from being cut. The duel use of the arm member 32 as a gauntlet would be useful in many situations, including but not limited to, when the object retaining device 30 is used with sharp objects, including but not limited to, knives, swords and the like.

The arm member 32 can be a wrist band that has two closure ends 66 that close around the arm 56 of the user by a variety of means currently known in the art or to be discovered. By way of example, and not intending to be limiting, the arm member 32 can be closed by hook and loop material, hooks, buttons, ties, zippers, bolts, rivets, screws, clamps, pins and the like. Optionally, the arm member 32 closure 66 could be easily separatable. In such an embodiment, the arm member 32 could be easily removed from the arm 56 of the user. This embodiment could be beneficial for reasons including, but not limited to, safety, and convenience.

As specifically illustrated in FIG. 4, another embodiment of the arm member 32 may not have a closure. Such an embodiment could be, but is not limited to, an arm member 32 that is made of a continuous band that could be pulled over the hand of the user. Optionally, in this embodiment, the arm member 32 can be made of a stretchy material.

In FIGS. 7 and 24A through 24C, the arm member 32 of the object restraining device 30 is part of a sleeve 124. Referring specifically to FIG. 8, an object restraining device 30 in which the arm member 32 is part of a glove 122 is illustrated. In these embodiments the device 30, as part of the glove 122 or the sleeve 124, functions similarly to the devices 30 in which the arm member 32 is a wristband. It is to be understood that a wristband arm member 32 can be attached integrally or non-integrally to a glove 122 or a sleeve 124.

The at least one attachment member 34 generally will have two ends 68 and an intermediate portion 40 between the two ends 68. However, alternatively, an attachment member 34 could be a single circular band that encircles the arm member 32.

When the attachment member 34 has two ends 68, each end may have an attacher 54 that either fixedly or removably attaches the end 68 to the arm member 32. One end 68 or both ends 68 of an attachment member 34 could be an attacher 54 that is a continuation of the material that comprises the intermediate portion 40 of the attachment member 34, and these ends 68 could be removably attachable or fixedly attached to the arm member 32. Alternatively, one or both ends 68 of an attachment member 34 be an attacher 54 that differs from the intermediate portion 40 of the attachment member 34, as will be described in more detail later.

Both ends 68 of the at least one attachment member 34 can be fixedly attached to the arm member 32. FIG. 4 illustrates a device 30 with two attachment members 34 that are fixedly attached to the arm member 32. As seen in FIG. 4, two ends 68 of the attachment members 34 are sewn onto the arm member 32. It is to be understood that, while not shown, the other ends 68 of the attachment members 34 could be similarly sewn.

Optionally, the ends 68 could be attached to the arm member 32 in an off-set attachment arrangement, similar to the off-set, rather than parallel, attachment arrangement, illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. It is to be noted that the off-set, and optionally diagonal, attachment arrangement enables the separate attachment members 34 to align with separate fingers 58, and to avoid crossing over one another when the attachment members 34 are extended from one side of the hand to the other side of the hand.

Optionally, the length of the intermediate portion 40 can be adjustable. The adjustment could be accomplished by any of the techniques and mechanisms currently known in the art or to be discovered. The clasp adjustment mechanism illustrated in FIG. 4 is well known in the art. However, it is to be understood that this mechanism is intended to be exemplary and not limiting. A fixedly attached attachment member 34 could be of other configurations known in the art or to be discovered.

In some embodiments, the two ends can be referred to as a first end 36 and a second end 38. The first end 36 is the end that is readily removable from and attachable to the arm member 32 and the end that the user predominately manipulates to extend the attachment member 34 from one side to the other side of the hand. The second end 38 is the end that the user usually does not move when the user is restraining the object 50 between the attachment member 34 and the hand. Generally the first end 36 terminates on the palm side 44 of the arm 56 or hand 42 and the second end 38 terminates at the outer side 46 of the arm 56 or hand when the device 30 is in use. However, it would also be possible to have the opposite configuration.

It also would be possible not to have an end that is predominately manipulated. In such a case, one end could be designated the first end 36 and the other end could be designated the second end 38 at random.

In FIGS. 1 through 3, 5 through 8, and 19C, more than one attachment member 34 is included in the devices 30. In the embodiments illustrated, the first ends 36 are removably attachable to the palm side 44 of the arm member 32. To use the device 30, each attachment member 34 can be extended from the outer side 46 of the hand through two fingers 58 or along the outer end of the first or fourth finger and then to the palm side 44 of the hand. In these Figures the attachment member 34 is attached in a manner whereby the first end 36 attacher 54 of each attachment member 34 is affixed on the palm side 44 of the arm member 32 with the object 50 positioned between the hand 42 and the attachment members 34. As illustrated in these Figures, since the second ends 38 are attached to the outer side 46 of the arm member 32, when the attacher 54 of the first end 36 is attached to the palm side 44 of the arm member 32, the attachment member 34 is securely extended between the outer side 46 and the palm side 44 of the hand with the object 50 positioned between each attachment member 34 and the hand 42 of the user.

It is to be understood that the opposite configuration would also be possible, in that the first end 36 could be removably attachable to the outer side 46 of the arm member 32, while the second end 38 could be attached to the palm side 44 of the arm member 32 in a non-readily removable manner. In such an embodiment, each attachment member 34 would be extended from the palm side 44 of the hand to the outer side 46 of the hand and affixed to the outer side 46 of the arm 56. In addition, in the Figures illustrated, the object 50 is positioned between the palm side 44 of the hand and the attachment members 34. However, it would be possible to position the object 50 between the outer side 46 or another side of the hand and the attachment member 34.

While not illustrated, it is to be understood that an attachment member 34 could start at the palm side 44, loop around the object 50 and then attach at the palm side 44. In such an embodiment, both the first end 36 and the second end 38 would terminate at the palm side 44 of the arm 56. The reverse embodiment could also be possible, with both the first end 36 or the second end 38 terminating on the outer side 46 of the arm 56 or another side of the arm 56.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 3 and 24A, when the attachment members 34 are not in use, they can be wrapped around the arm member 32. If the arm member 32 is made of hook and loop material, the hook and loop attacher 54 can simply attach to the arm member 32. If the arm member 32 is not made of hook and loop material, at least one piece 62 of hook and loop material can be attached to the arm member 32, to which the hook and loop attacher 54 can be attached. In addition, when not in use, the at least one attachment member 34 can be looped around and attached to the arm member 32 by other mechanisms and means of attachment currently known in the art or to be discovered. By way of example, and not intending to be limiting, and as will be described in more detail later, the attachment member can be attached to the arm member 32 by bracket attacher and attachment element, by rivet, by hook-like fastener and the like. Having the arm member 32 and the attachment members 34 wrapped around the user's wrist 48 or arm 56 enables the user to wear the device 30 without interference with the user's hands 42, while also having the device 30 available for use when needed. It is to be understood that other benefits can be gained from the device 30.

The first end 36 and second end 38 can have variety of combinations of attachability. As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10, the first end 36 can be removably attachable to the arm member 32, while the second end 38 is fixedly attached. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 5 and 6, the first end 36 can be removably attachable to the arm member 32, while the second end 38 is non-readily removably attached. When the second end 38 is non-readily removably attachable, it can be removed from the arm member 32, however, it is attachable to the arm member 32 in a manner that will require some effort to remove the second end 38. As illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 17, 18 and 21, the first end 36 can be removably attachable to the arm member 32, while the second end 38 is readily removably attachable. When the second end 38 is readily removably attachable, it can be removed with a quick movement by the user.

The first end 36 of an attachment member 34 can have a variety of types of attachers 54, mechanisms and/or treatments to removably attach the first end 36 to the arm member 32. In the FIGS. 1 through 3, 5 through 8, and 19C, the first ends 36 include a hook and loop tab 80 that is removably attachable to the arm member 32 by the hook and loop material commonly known under the trademark Velcro®. In FIGS. 1A, 1B, 6 and 7, the arm member 32 includes a hook and loop insert 62 onto which the first end 36 attacher tab 80 may be attached. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the arm member 32 itself is made of the hook and loop material. It is to be understood, however, that the illustrated hook and loop material tabs 80 are exemplary for the first end 36 attacher 54. Any other first end 36 attachers 54 could be used that are known or to be discovered in the art. By way of example, and not intending to be limiting, the attachers 54 could be hooks, pins, screws, bolts, rivets, buttons, ties, zippers, clamps, clips, snaps, tabs and the like, including those that will be described in more detail later in relation to joint attachers 54. In addition, it would be possible for a second end 38 attacher 54 to be a hook and loop material tab 80.

The second end 38 of the attachment member 34 could be fixedly attached to the arm member 32 by any manner or means currently known in the art or to be discovered that will keep the attacher 54 affixed to the arm member 32. By way of example, and not intending to be limiting, the attachers 54 could be sewn, glued, molded, fused, bolted, screwed or the like to the arm member 32. In addition, an attachment member 34 could simply be looped around a loop of some kind attached to the arm member 32, and the looped attachment member 34 thereafter attached to itself by a means the could include, but is not limited to, crimping, sewing, fusing, gluing, and the like.

In addition, the second ends 38 of the attachment members 34 can be removably attached by a variety of means and mechanisms currently known in the art or to be discovered. By way of example, and not intending to be limiting, the second ends 38 could be hooked into the arm member 32 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2, 5, and 6. In addition to the embodiments shown, and those to be described later in relationship to the other Figures, second end 38 attachers 54 could include, but are not limited to, hook and loop material, buttons, ties, zippers, bolts, rivets, screws, clamps, clips, snaps, tabs, pins, hooks and the like.

As seen in FIGS. 9, 11A, 11B, 12, 14, 15, 18, 21A, and 23, the ends of more than one attachment member 34 can be attachable to the arm member 32 by a single joint attacher 82. The joint attacher 82 could be any manner or mechanism illustrated in relation to any attacher 54 that can be used for a single intermediate portion 40 or any manner or mechanism known or to be discovered that would keep more than one intermediate portion 40 attached to the arm member 32 by a single attacher.

In FIGS. 9, 11A, 11B, 18, and 21A, a first end 36 joint attacher 82 is a hook 60. In FIG. 15, an attachment tab 80 is the first end 36 joint attacher 54. The tab 80 can be made of a hook and loop material, which is often known under the trademark VELCRO®. When hook and loop material is used, generally, the arm member 32 would be made of the loop material of the hook and loop material, and the tab 80 would be made of the hook material; however it is to be understood that the opposite arrangement would be possible. The embodiments illustrated in these Figures also include an optional ring 84 onto which the ends of the intermediate portions 40 attach and onto which the first end 36 joint attacher 54 in the form of a hook 60 or tab 80 attach.

As most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 12 through 14, and 21A through 23, the at least one attachment member 34 can be removable. In this embodiment, an attachment member 34 is removably attachable to the arm member 32 at both the first end 36 and the second end 38. It is to be noted that the removable attachment member 34 could be interchangeable within a device 30, so that more than one attachment member 34 could be used interchangeably with one arm member 32. Conversely, one removable attachment member 34 could be used interchangeably with more that one arm member 32. Accordingly, various attachment members 34 could vary in a number of ways. The attachment members 34 could vary in ways that could include, but would not be limited to, having different numbers of intermediate portions 40, sizes, densities of intermediate portions 40, materials, attachers 54, and the like.

The embodiment of an attachment member 34 illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a first end 36 bracket attacher 94 and a second end 38 bracket attacher 94 that are shaped brackets. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the bracket attacher 94 is a joint attacher 82. The bracket attachers 94 are attachable to the arm member 32 by looping around a protrusion 96 in the arm member 32. Any protrusion that will hold the bracket can be used. Protrusions that would hold a bracket attacher 94 to the arm member 32 include, but are not limited to, rivets, buttons, bolts, spikes, screws, nails, posts, and the like. As also illustrated in this embodiment, one or both of the bracket attachers 94 can have a pull tab 98, which can be pulled by the user to easily attach or release the attacher 54 to the arm member 32.

The bracket attacher 94 is an attacher 54 that had a somewhat firm shape. The bracket includes a fastening portion 102 and at least one side portion 104. Optionally, a bridge member 106 can be connected to the at least one side portion 104. An intermediate portion 40 can be attached to the side portion 104 and/or bridge portion 106. A bracket attacher 94 can have various types configurations. In FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 21A through 21C, and 24A through 14C, the bridge portion 106 is a cross piece onto which the at least one intermediate portion 40 is attached. Optionally, the bridge portion 106 can have at least one connector loop 108. FIG. 15 illustrates a bridge portion 106 that does not have connector loops 108. FIGS. 16, 17, 22 and 23 illustrate a side portion 104 that has a connector loop 108, but that does not include a bridge portion 106. The connector loops 108 can also serve the purpose of keeping the attachment members 34 separated from each other on the attacher 54 and on the hand of the user when the device 30 is in use.

Generally, the bracket attacher 94 will have a rather stiff shape. The bracket attacher 94 can me made of any material that will keep a stiff shape, including but not limited to, metals, woods, plastics, paper, stiffened textiles, and the like. It is to be noted that a bracket attacher 94 can attach one or more intermediate portions 40 to an arm member 32. By way of example, and not intending to be limiting, FIG. 12 illustrates three intermediate portions 40 and FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate two intermediate portions 40.

While the removable attachment members 34 illustrated in FIG. 21 include joint bracket attachers 94, it is to be understood that other attachers 54 could be utilized in a removable attachment member 34. The attachers 54 illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 3 illustrate removable attachment members 34 that include a hook 60 on the second end 38 and a hook and loop material tab 80 on the first end 36.

The attachers 54 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 include an end tab 72 on the second end 38 and a hook and loop material tab 80 on the first end 36. In this embodiment, the first end 36 and the intermediate portion 40 of the attachment member 34 can be passed through the arm member opening 70. An end tab 72 is attached to the first end 36 of the attachment member 34. The end tab 72 is larger in diameter or width than the arm member opening 70. As a result, the end tab 72 cannot pass through the opening 70; thereby holding the attachment member 34 to the arm member 32.

The attachers 54 in FIGS. 17, 18 and 21A through 21C illustrate a first end 36 joint attacher 82 that includes a hook-like fastener 126 and a second end 38 joint bracket attacher 82.

FIGS. 12 through 14, and 21A through 23 clearly illustrate an embodiment of an object restraining system 130 that includes a removable attachment member 34 and an arm member 32. In these embodiments, the removable attachment member 34 is attachable both at the first end 36 and the second end 38 by utilizing a rivet 128 and a joint bracket attacher 94. The bracket attachers 94 in these embodiments are looped around the head of the rivet 128 and the post portion 132 of the rivet, which is the portion that is lodged between the head of the rivet and the arm member 32. The attacher 54 is stopped by the post portion 132 of the rivet. In this manner, the attachment member 34 is rotatably attachable to the arm member 32, which creates a snug fit and mobility in response to different users' hands and objects 50 and their movements. It is to be understood that the combination of types of arm members 32 and removable attachment members 34 illustrated are exemplary. A variety of other kinds of removable attachment members 34, including those already described and to be described later, and a variety of other combinations of attachers 54 and intermediate portions 40 can be paired with an arm member 32 for other embodiments of the object restraining system 130. In addition, a variety of other types of arm members 32, including those already described and to be described later, can be paired with at least one removable attachment member 34 for other embodiments of an object restraining system 130.

In FIGS. 9 through 11B, 17 and 18, an embodiment is illustrated in which a raised portion 86 is added to the arm member 32. The raised portion 86 is included to enable a quick and secure attachment area on the arm member 32 for a hook-like fastener 126 attacher 54 to attach the attachment member 34 to the arm member 32. The raised portion 86 has a front side 88 and a back side 90. The back side 90 is the farthest side from the direction from which the attachment member 34 extends to meet the arm member 32. The raised portion 86 gives the teeth 134 of the hook-like fastener 126 a greater surface on which to attach, and creates an angled surface into which the hook-like fastener 126 may be affixed. The angle of the attachment of the teeth 134 in the raised portion 86 creates a stable attachment.

It is to be understood, however, that the hook-like fastener 126 could be attached to the arm member 32 without the benefit of the raised portion 86. In addition, while the illustrations show the raised portion 86 on the palm side 44 of the hand, it would be possible to include the raised portion 86 on the outer side 46 of the hand. In such a configuration, a first end 36 attacher 54 could be attached on an outer side 46 raised portion 86. Alternatively, the first end 36 attacher 54 could be pulled around the hand to a raised portion 86 on the outer side 46 of the hand, whereby both the first and second ends 38 terminate on the same side of the arm 56 or the hand.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 15 through 17, and 21A through 22, which illustrate an arm member 32 that has a pivoting portion 92. It is to be noted that FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the arm member 32 while looking at the inside side of the arm member 32. The inside side is the side that would be touching the hand 42 or arm 56 of the user when worn by the user. The pivoting portion 92 can pivot when the at least one attachment member 34 is positioned around the object 50. Generally, the pulling motion of the at least one attachment member 34 when it is positioned around the object 50 pulls on the attachment element 136 of the arm member 32. Thereby the pivoting portion 92 is pulled toward the fingertips of the user, which causes the pivoting portion 92 to pivot. The pivoting action of the pivoting portion 92 causes the arm member 32 to closely follow the contours of the hand of the user when the object 50 pulls on the attachment member 34. The pivoting action thereby causes a tight fit of the arm member 32 on the hand of the user when the object 50 causes the pull on the attachment element 136.

The pivoting portion 92 can be created by attaching two ends of the arm member 32 at the attachment element 136 in a manner that includes a diagonal portion 140 on the upper edge 146 of the two ends 146. The upper edge is the edge that is closest to the arm 56 and farthest from the fingertips. Any piece that can pull the two ends 146 toward the fingertips when the at least one attachment member 34 is positioned around the object can be an attachment element 136. By way of example and not intending to be limiting, the attachment element 136 can be a rivet that transects the two ends 142 of the arm member 32, and can hold them together. The attacher 54 of the attachment member 34 can attach to the arm member 32 by looping around the rivet 128 or the post 132 of the rivet. The pull on the attachment member 34 thereby pulls on the rivet 128, which in turn pulls the two ends 142 of the arm member 32 toward the fingers 58 of the user. The diagonal portion 140 on the upper edge 146 of the two ends of the arm member 32 in turn causes the pivot to occur.

Optionally, the pivoting portion 92 can further have a memory member 100. The memory member 100 could be any material that has a memory, such as but not limited to elastic, rubber and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the memory member 100 stretches when the pivoting portion 92 pivots. As illustrated in FIG. 16, when the attachment member 34 stops pulling the arm member 32, the memory member 100 returns to its at rest shape and assists the arm member 32 to fall flat on the arm 56 of the user and to no longer pivot.

As illustrated in FIGS. 21A through 21C, when the object 50 causes the attachment member 34 to pull on the attachment element 136, the pivoting portion 92 is caused to pivot. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 21C, when the object 50 no longer is located between the user's hand 42 the attachment member 34, the attachment member 34 is pulled with less force, and the pivoting portion 92 no longer pivots.

The pivoting portion 92 also can optionally have a covering piece 144. The covering piece 144 is a piece of material that covers the diagonal portion 140 at the upper edge 146 of the two ends of the arm member 32. It is to be understood that the covering piece 144 could have a memory or it could also be a material that does not have a memory. As seen in FIGS. 16 and 21C, the covering piece 144 creates a straight edge on the upper edge 146 of the arm member 32 when the pivoting portion 92 is not pivoting. When the pivoting occurs, the covering piece 144 may pucker, as seen in FIGS. 15, 17, 21A and 21B.

Referring now to FIGS. 19A through 20C, a system 148 for restraining an object 50 to a hand of a user 142 is illustrated. The system includes an object restraining device 30, and an object 50 having at least one groove 110. The at least one attachment member 34 is retainable in the at least one groove 110. The grooves 110 illustrated in FIGS. 19A through 19C, are integrally attached to the object 50. These Figures illustrate a handle 52 of a gun 150 into which two grooves 110 have been molded. It is to be understood that the grooves 110 could be integrally attached to the object 50 in other manners, such as, but not limited to, carving, cutting, bolting, burning and the like. In FIG. 19B, the grooves 110 are included on both sides of the handle 52. In this manner, a left-handed or a right-handed user could use the grooves 110.

FIGS. 20A through 20C illustrate an embodiment of the system 148 in which at least one groove member 112 is attachable to an object 50. FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate a groove member 112, that is attachable to an object 50. The groove member 112 includes a groove 110 and an object surface 114. The groove 110 has a concave shape, into which the attachment member 34 of the object restraining device 30 may be placed when in use. The object surface 114 is attachable to the object 50. The object surface 114 can attach to the object 50 in a variety of ways, which include, but are not limited to, adhesive, glue, hook and loop material, fusion, screws, and the like. In FIG. 20B, an adhesive 156 is located on the object surface 114. Optionally, a non-adhesive strip 116 may removably cover the adhesive 156 when the groove member 112 is not in use. In this embodiment, to attach the groove member 112 to the object 50, the non-adhesive strip 116 is pulled away, thereby exposing the adhesive. Thereafter, the object 50 surface can be affixed to the object 50.

It is to be understood that it is within the scope of the invention for the groove members 112 to be permanently affixable to the object 50 or removably affixable to the object 50. Various means of attachment currently known in the art or to be discovered could be used to attach the at least one groove member 112 to the object 50.

It is to be understood that the grooves 110 could be included on only one side of the handle 52. In such a case, the handle 52 could have a finger side, which would be the side of the handle 52 that would be opposite the palm side 44 of the hand 42 when in the preferred functioning position when in use. The grooves 110 could be attached to or imbedded in the finger side of the object 50. When the user does not have a preferred functioning position, such as when the object 50, such as a knife 76, does not have a specific front and back, the grooves could be placed on one side of the object 50 without regard to identifying a finger side.

Generally, the groove member 112 will be attachable and grooves 110 will be added to the handle 52 of the object 50. However, it would be possible to attach the at least one groove member 112 or groove 110 to other portions of an object 50, particularly if other portions are held by the user.

The embodiments of the object restraining devices 30 of the current invention can be used for a variety of purposes. The device 30 can help to keep the object 50 in contact with the hand 42 or arm 56 of the user. The device 30 can stabilize the device 30 in the hand 42 of the user, thereby augmenting the grip of the user. In addition, in some embodiments, the device 30 can hold or affix the object 50 to the user's hand 42 or arm 56, as specifically illustrated in FIGS. 10, 13, and 14. In some embodiments, the device 30 can merely keep the object 50 in proximity to the user's arm 56 or hand 42.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18, it can be seen in these Figures, as well as in other Figures, that to use the device 30, the first end 36 can be extended from one side of the hand 42 around the object 50 and attached to the arm member 32 on the other side of the hand 42, while the object 50 is gripped by the user. In addition, when the attacher 54 is a joint attacher 82, the user can extend the attachment member 34 from one side of the hand 42 to the other side of the hand 42 in one motion. When the object 50 is a gun 150, it can be seen that the user can keep the gun motionless, and therefore on target, while attaching the first end 36 to the arm member 32. Advantageously, when the object 50 is a gun 150, while extending the attachment member 34 from one side of the hand to the other side of the hand, the user can avoid passing his or her hand 42 in front of the barrel 118 of the gun.

As seen in FIG. 10, the invention can also be used as a stick training aid system 152. The training aid system 152 includes at least one practice stick 78 and an object restraining device 30 for connecting the practice stick 78 to a hand of a user. The practice stick 78 is attachable to the user's hand 42 by extending at least one attachment member 34 of the object restraining device between the palm side 44 and the outer side 46 of the hand of the user, wherein the practice stick 78 is positioned between the hand 42 and the at least one attachment member 34. As seen in FIG. 10, the object restraining device 30 keeps the practice stick 78 in contact with the hand of the user, even when the user's hand 42 is not clutching the practice stick 78. As a result, when a user is practicing various maneuvers with a practice stick 78, rather than with an actual, gun, knife, sword, etc., if the user looses his or her grip on the object 50, the object 50 will not fly out of the user's hand 42. This would be a beneficial system for training users in the use of various objects 50, because, among other reasons, during training, the guard of the user, bystanders and opponents may be down, and if the training stick were to fly out of the user's hand 42, someone could be inadvertently injured. In addition, this could be a beneficial system, because practice sticks 78 are often used by novices, and the object restraining device 30 would assist the user to hold, grip, stabilize and/or use the practice stick 78.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 17, 18, 21A, 21B and 21C. As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the device 30 can stabilize or hold the object 50 in the user's hand 42. When the user wants to release the object 50 without the assistance of a second hand, the user can slip his or her hand off the handle 52 of the object 50, as seen in FIGS. 21A, 21B and 21C, while still wearing the device 30. In order to slip the hand off the object 50 in this manner, the non-handle 52 portion of the object 50 should be restrained. In FIG. 21A the barrel 118 of a gun is restrained by a holster 120. However, it is to be noted that the non-handle 52 portion of the object 50, could be restrained by any number of ways. By way of example, and not intending to be exhaustive or limiting, the object 50 could be restrained by: placing the object 50 between the body of the user and the user's arm 56; the object 50, especially a knife 76, a hatchet 74 and the like could be inserted into another object, such as piece of wood; the object 50 could be placed under a heavy item such as a rock; or another person could hold the object 50.

As illustrated in FIG. 21B, once the object 50 is partially restrained, the hand can be slid off the bottom of the handle 52. Afterward, as illustrated in FIG. 21C, the user can release his or her hand from the object 50 while the device 30 remains attached to the hand 42 of the user.

Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 22, the object 50 can be released from the device 30 with a flick of the wrist 48 of the user. In this case, having weight on the non-handle portion of the object 50 would be helpful. However, the ease with which the object 50 could be released from the hand of the user with a flick of the wrist 48 would vary according to a number of variables, including, but not limited to, the force of the wrist flick, the degree to which the attachment members 34 are tightly attached, the width of the attachment members 34, and the weight and density of the various portions of the object 50.

Reference is now made to FIG. 23. This Figure illustrates the use of the device 30 to minimize muzzle flip when the gun 150 is fired. Muzzle flip occurs when the force of the firing of a gun 150 forces the barrel 118 upward and the handle 52 forward. In cases of extreme muzzle flip, the gun can be jolted out of the hand 42 of the user. The device 30 serves the purpose, among others, of stabilizing the gun 150 in the hand of the user and reducing the force of muzzle flip. As seen in this Figure, the backward force of the attachment members 34 directed toward the hand 42 of the user counters the forward force of the handle 52 when the gun is fired.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 24A through 24C. These illustrations show other embodiments of the device 30 in which the attachment members 34 could be used to restrain a body member of a living being 154. In these illustrations the device 30 is being used to choke a human.

It is to be noted that there are many law abiding instances in which a user of the device 30 might want to use it for choking or otherwise restraining a living being 154. Such uses include, but are not limited to, self-defense, law enforcement, combat, military uses and the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 24B, the user can wear the device 30 on one arm 56, hold a loose end of the at least one attachment member 34 with the other hand, and position the human or animal between the user's two hands and/or arms with the attachment member 34 pressing against the human or animal. While any body part of the living being could be pressed by the attachment member 34, for purposes of choking, the neck would be the area of the body pressed by the attachment member 34. It is further to be noted that the user can hold the actual loose end of the attachment member 34, or if the device 30 has one, the user can hold a single attacher 54 or a joint attacher 82.

As illustrated in FIG. 24C, the user could also pull the loose end of the at least one attachment member 34 to the arm member 32 and attach it thereto with the body part of the human or animal positioned between the at least one attachment member 34 and the user's hand 42 or arm 56.

It is further to be understood that the in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24C, the at least one attachment member 34 might extend between two sides of the user's hand 42 or arm 56. Alternatively, the both the first end 36 and the second end 38 might attach to the same side of the user's hand 42 or arm 56.

It is also to be noted that for these embodiments, the attachment members 34 could be of various lengths. It is possible that the at least one attachment member 34 could be long enough that when it is at rest on the arm 56 of the user, it could wrap fully around the wrist 48 one or more times.

Further, it is to be noted that the other elements of the object restraining device 30 that are previously described could be used also in relation to these embodiments.

Although the invention has been illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent, to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made which clearly fall within the scope of the invention. The invention is intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for restraining an object proximally to a hand of a user, the hand having more than one side, said device comprised of an arm member and at least one attachment member, said at least one attachment member being attachable to said arm member, said object being restrainable proximally to said hand by extending said at least one attachment member between one side of the hand and another side of the hand, wherein the object is positioned between the hand and said at least one attachment member.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said object is a living being.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one attachment member has a first end, said first end being removably attachable to said arm member.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said at least one attachment member can be positioned around said arm member when said at least one attachment member is not extended around said object.

5. The device of claim 1, said device further having a raised portion, said at least one attachment member being attachable to said raised portion.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said arm member is attached to a glove.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said arm member is attached to a sleeve.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the hand of a user has a palm side and an outer side, said object being attachable to said hand by extending said at least one attachment member between the palm side and the outer side of the hand, wherein the object is positioned between the hand and said at least one attachment member.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said object is positioned between the palm side of the hand and said at least one attachment member.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the object is a gun.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said arm member has a pivoting portion, said pivoting portion pivoting when said at least one attachment member is positioned around the object.

12. The device of claim 11, said pivoting portion further having a memory member.

13. A system for restraining an object to a hand of a user, the hand having at least two sides, said system comprising an object restraining device, said device having an arm member and at least one attachment member, said system further comprising an object, said object comprising at least one groove, said object being attachable to the hand by extending said at least one attachment member between one side of the hand to another side of the hand, wherein said object is positioned between the hand and said at least one attachment member, and wherein said at least one attachment member is retainable in said at least one groove.

14. A groove member, said groove member being attachable to an object, said groove member having a groove side and an attachment side, said groove side having a groove, said attachment side being attachable to an object.

15. An attachment member for restraining an object proximally to a hand of a user, said attachment member comprising at least one first end and at least one second end, said attachment member further comprising at least one intermediate portion, said at least one intermediate portion being located between said first end and said second end, said first end having an attacher and said second end having an attacher.

16. The attachment member of claim 15 wherein said attacher is a bracket.

17. A stick training system, said system comprised of a practice stick and a device for attaching a practice stick to a hand of a user, the hand having at least two sides, said device comprised of an arm member and at least one attachment member, said practice stick being attachable to said hand by extending said at least one attachment member between one side of the user's hand and another side of the user's hand, wherein said practice stick is attachable between the hand and said at least one attachment member.

18. A system for restraining a gun to the hand of a user, the hand having a palm side and at least one other side, said system comprised of an object restraining device and a gun, said device comprised of an arm member and at least one attachment member, said gun being restrainable to said hand by extending said at least one attachment member between one side of the hand and another side of the hand, wherein said gun is positioned between the palm side of the user's hand and said at least one attachment member.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the user's hand is connected to the user's wrist, and wherein said gun is releasable from being restrained by said device to the hand of the user when the user flicks his or her wrist.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the gun has a barrel and a handle, and wherein said gun is releasable from being restrained by said device to the hand of the user by restricting the movement of said barrel and by pulling the user's hand off the end of the handle.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the gun experiences muzzle flip when fired, and wherein said device stabilizes the gun in the hand of the user when muzzle flip occurs.

22. A device for restraining a living being proximally to an arm of a user, the arm having more than one side, said device comprised of an arm member and at least one attachment member, said living being restrainable to said arm by extending said at least one attachment member between one side of the arm and another side of the arm, wherein the living being is positioned between the arm and said at least one attachment member.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein the neck of the living being is positioned between the arm and said at least one attachment member.

24. The device of claim 22 wherein said device is use for self-defense.

25. The device of claim 22 wherein said device is used for military purposes.

26. The device of claim 22 wherein said device is used for law enforcement purposes.