Handheld Protective Shield Entrapment Device

Abstract

A protective shield entrapment device having a first shield member and a second shield member joined by a vertical hinge member, and further having one or more elastic closure members extending between the shield members, whereby the shield members can be closed about an individual to be subdued.

Description

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/319,540, filed Jan. 8, 2009, claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/010,323, filed Jan. 8, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of handheld shields used by law enforcement personnel, the military and the like for personal protection during hazardous situations where firearms, projectiles or other instruments of bodily harm, as well as physical attacks, may be directed at the personnel. The invention also relates generally to the field of handheld entrapment devices used to capture or ensnare a violent individual while simultaneously protecting the law enforcement personnel.

Law enforcement and military personnel, to be referred to herein generally as police officers, are often required to subdue, restrain and capture combative, uncooperative and sometimes armed individuals. A typical police shield comprises a large surface area protective member composed of a strong and generally rigid material and one or more handles or grips mounted on the rear of the shielding member offers protection to the police officer, the shield is of little benefit when the police officer must subdue and restrain a violent individual. Many times the only way to capture the individual is to release the shield so that the officer can use both hands in the altercation. This obviously exposes the officer to injury during the capture.

Examples of handheld protective shields used solely for protective purposes can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,887 to O'Donnell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,495 to Sankar, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,649,996 to Toth. An example of a ground-based portable shield is found in U.S. Pat. No. 1,273,371 to Hudziak. The Toth and Hudziak devices are folding shields comprising two shield members joined by a central elongated vertical hinge, whereby the shields open into a generally V-shaped configuration. The two shield members of Toth are planar, while the shield members of Hudziak present a convex outer surface. Each is provided with an opening positioned on the hinge axis to allow the barrel of a firearm to be inserted so that shots can fired by the officer without the need for the shield user to expose himself or herself.

It is an object of this invention to provide an effective way of entrapping and restraining combative individuals while simultaneously providing protection to the officers making the capture. It is a further object to provide a protective shield for operation by one or two police officers, wherein the protective shield functions to restrain and subdue the individual. It is a further object of this invention to provide a protective shield having elastic members to assist in closing and retaining the shield in the closed position. Other objects not expressly set forth here will be apparent after examination of the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the invention is a handheld protective shield entrapment device comprising a first shield member and a second shield member joined together in side-by-side disposition by a vertical hinge member, whereby the two shield members can be folded together in the forward direction away from the police officer or officers using the device. At least one handle is provided on the rear of each shield member, although the provision of two handles on each shield member is preferable. Preferably the shield members are formed substantially entirely of a transparent and bullet-resistant material, although alternatively a transparent window portion may be provided in non-transparent shield members. The shield members are transversely curved with the concave side of the shield members being the front or outer surface and the convex side of the shield members being the rear or inner surface. One or more restraining members, such as releasable fabric straps and/or a netting or mesh member is connected to or adjacent the outer vertical edges of the shield members. A flexible overhead restraining member, such as a fabric, netting or mesh member, may also be connected to the upper edges of the shield members, such that the netting extends in a generally horizontal manner across the top of the device when the shield members are held apart. Preferably a groin-restraining strap is also provided that can be brought between the legs of the person being restrained.

The protective shield entrapment device is preferably used by two officers, with each officer holding the handles of one of the shield members and with the shield members spread open wide such that the officers are protected by the shield members as they approach the individual to be subdued. Upon reaching the individual, the officers close the shield members about the individual. With the individual caught between the closed shield members, one or more restraint straps connected to one of the shield members are brought around the individual across the gap between the two shield members and joined to the other shield member, thereby temporarily securing the individual in a clam-like manner. With the individual so restrained, the officers can now easily disarm the individual if necessary and apply handcuffs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the handheld protective shield entrapment device, shown from the rear, with the shield members spread apart in the protective position and with the restraint members in the stored or pre-capture disposition.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the device of FIG. 1, shown from the rear, with the shield members closed in the entrapment position and with the restraint members in the active or capture disposition.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the handheld protective shield entrapment device, showing the outside view.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3, showing the inside view.

FIG. 5 is a partial exposed illustration of the elastic closure member having a single elastic body member.

FIG. 6 is a partial exposed illustration of the elastic closure member having plural elastic body members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, the handheld protective shield entrapment device will now be described in detail with regard for the best mode and the preferred embodiment. In this disclosure, the front or forward direction shall be taken to mean the side and direction away from the officer or officers holding the device, and the rear shall be taken to be side and direction toward the officer or officers. The term “officer” is used herein to represent any individual or individuals utilizing the device in the capture and entrapment of another individual. In the figures, structural features visible through the transparent shield members are drawn using dashed lines.

The invention is a protective shield entrapment device 10 comprising a first shield member 11 and a second shield member 12 joined together in side-by-side disposition by a generally elongated vertical hinge member 13, or by multiple hinge members 13, such that the two shield members 11/12 can be folded together in the forward direction away from the police officer or officers wielding the device 10. The hinge members 13 may comprise any suitable material, such as metal, rubber, polymer, fabric, webbing, etc. The shield members 11/12 are substantially rigid yet relatively lightweight, and preferably bullet-resistant, and preferably the shield members 11/12 have at least a portion that is transparent, such as by providing a window in each shield member 11/12 composed of a bullet-resistant material. Most preferably the shield members 11/12 are composed substantially entirely of a transparent, bullet-resistant, polymer material. The shield members 11/12 are transversely curved in horizontal cross-section. The concave side of the shield members 11/12 forms the front of the device 10 and the convex side of the shield members 11/12 forms the rear of the device 10, such that the two shield members 11/12 close in the forward direction in a clam-like manner.

At least one grip or handle member 14, and most preferably two handles 14, is provided on the rear of each shield member 11/12. The handles 14 preferably serve two purposes, the first being to provide a means for the officer or officers to carry the device 10 in a protective position while advancing on the individual to be captured, and the second being to provide a means for leveraging the device closed about the captured individual, as will be explained in more detail below. Preferably, the handles 14 are vertically oriented cylindrical or tubular members having short legs and a relatively extended gripping portion, thereby defining an open area such that a restraint member 18 can be passed through the open area and back around the handle 14, as shown in FIG. 2.

Means for securing the shield members 11/12 in a closed configuration about an entrapped individual are provided, the means preferably comprising restraint strap members 18 that are affixed to the rear or along the edge of one of said shield members 11/12, preferably in a permanent manner such as by utilizing a mounting brace member 15 mechanically fastened or bonded to one of the shield members 11/12. Alternatively, the means for securing the shield members 11/12 about an entrapped individual may comprise other flexible materials that are not straps, such as cords, ropes, netting, cables, chains, etc. Preferably, the restraint strap members 18 are provided with grip members 16 on their free ends for easier handling. While one restraint strap member 18 may be sufficient, it is preferable that multiple restraint strap members 18 be provided, and in the embodiment shown in the figures three restraint strap members 18 are utilized—two relatively broad restraint strap members 18 with a narrower leveraging restraint strap member 18′ located in between. The restraint strap members 18 are of sufficient length to allow them to span the forward gap between the two shield members 11/12 when an individual is entrapped and to allow the restraint strap members 18 to be secured to the opposite shield member 11/12.

While mechanical fastening means, such as for example buckles, hooks and eyelets, etc., may be utilized as means for fastening the straps 18 to the shield members 11/12, most preferably the strap fastening means are fastening members 19 comprises one half of well known hook-and-loop fastening systems, commonly referred to under the brand name VELCRO, with the restraint strap members 18 being composed of material having the appropriate characteristics of the opposing half of the hook-and-loop fastening system. For example, strap fastening members 19 may comprise the segments of the hook portion that are mounted onto the rear of the shield member 11/12 opposite from the shield member 11/12 to which the restraint strap members 18 are affixed. In this manner, the restraint members 18 can be brought across the forward gap and secured such that the shield members 11/12 cannot be opened, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably means for storing the restraint strap members 18 in a non-active position are also provided, such as strap storing members 21 comprising segments of the hook portion of the hook-and-loop fastening system mounted to the shield 11/12 opposite that of the strap fastening members 18, as shown in FIG. 1.

In a more preferred embodiment, a leveraging strap restraint member 18′ is provided such that the leveraging strap member 18′ may be brought across the forward gap, passed through one of the handles 14 and then pulled tightly back across the gap, thereby allowing a large amount of force to be applied to closing the gap about the entrapped individual. Preferably, a portion of the leveraging strap member 18′near its free end is provided with segments of the hook portion of the hook-and-loop fastening system, such that it may be secured onto itself as shown in FIG. 2. Alternative securing means could also be utilized.

In one alternative embodiment, means for blocking the upper portion of the closed device is provided, such as a fabric, polymer sheet, netting or mesh member 17 mounted between the upper parts of the shield members 11/12, such that the netting 17 extends in a generally horizontal manner across the top of the device 10 when the shield members 11/12 are held apart, as shown in FIG. 2. The material of composition of the netting 17 should be relatively strong, so that it will not tear or cut easily. The netting 17 may be elastic or non-elastic. The netting 17 may be mounted on the shield members 11/12 using brackets or other suitable means. A perimeter bungee cord-type member 22 may be utilized to provide additional supportive structure across the gap and along the front surface of the shield members 11/12, and to allow for better conformity from a non-elastic netting member 17. The presence of the netting 17 prevents the captured individual from reaching over the shield members 11/12.

The protective shield entrapment device 10 is preferably used by two officers, with each officer holding the handles 14 of one of the shield members 11/12 and with the shield members 11/12 spread open in somewhat parallel manner, as in FIG. 1, such that the officers are to the rear and protected by the shield members 11/12 as they approach the individual to be subdued. Upon reaching the individual, the officers close the shield members 11/12 about the individual. With the individual enveloped between the closed shield members 11/12, the leveraging restraint strap member 18′ is brought across the gap, passed through the handle 14, pulled tight and secured. The additional restraint straps 18 secured to one of the shield members 11/12 are then brought across the gap and attached to the other shield member 11/12, thereby temporarily securing the individual in a clam-like manner. With the individual so restrained, the officers can now easily disarm the individual if necessary and apply handcuffs.

In still another alternate embodiment, the device 10 is provided with a depending groin restraint strap member 25 mounted to the front of one of the shield members 11/12. In the non-active position, the groin restraint strap 25 is brought under the shields 11/12 and secured to a strap storing member 21 mounted on the rear of one of the shields 11/12. A groin strap positioning member 23, such as an elastic cord, may be connected between the shield members 11/12 to support the groin strap member 25 in a more accessible manner. After an individual is entrapped, the groin restraint strap member 25 may be released and brought up between the legs of the individual and secured to the upper portion of the shields 11/12, preferably using a hook-and-loop fastener system.

In a further alternative embodiment, a generally vertically oriented elastic netting or mesh member may be disposed across the gap between the two shield members 11/12, such that the individual becomes entrapped within the vertically disposed netting during the capture process.

A further alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this embodiment the device 10 is shown to further comprise horizontally disposed arm loop members 31 mounted to the outside of the device 10. In use an officer can insert an arm through one of the arm loop members 31 and then grasp a handle 14, thereby providing for secure attachment to the officer. The arm loop members 31 are preferably composed of a strap material, and the arm loop members 31 may also be used to carry the device when not in use for protection or entrapment. Hinge reinforcement members 32 may also be provided, the hinge reinforcement members 32 being short strap members or the like that reduce stress on the hinge member 13.

Of particular importance in this embodiment are the elastic closure members 33 extending between the concave sides of shield members 11 and 12 on the interior side of the device 10, as shown in FIG. 4. The elastic closure members 33 comprise at least one relatively strong elastic body member 35 such as for example a strap or cord (as shown in FIG. 5), or multiple straps or cords (as shown in FIG. 6), that are encased within a non-elastic cover or sleeve 36, which may be composed of a vinyl or similar material. The elastic closure members 33 provide a closure force such that when an individual is captured within the device 10, the elastic closure members 33 assist the officer in maintaining the shield members 11 and 12 in the closed and entrapping position. The material composing the non-elastic covers or sleeves 36 of the elastic closure members 33 prevents the shield members 11 and 12 from opening beyond the length of the non-elastic cover members 36, thereby preventing the shield members 11 and 12 from collapsing backwards when in use. For example, the elastic closure members 33 may have a non-elastic outer sleeve 36 sized to prevent opening the shield members 11 and 12 more than 36 inches apart at the forward gap. The elastic body members 35 are chosen and structured such that the biasing or retentive force in the neutral or non-tensioned condition is sufficient to maintain the shield members 11 and 12 in the closed position, and such that tensile force must be applied to the elastic closure members 33 in order to open the shield members 11 and 12. The elastic closure members 33 are affixed a relative short distance from said hinge member 13 so as not to interfere with the capture of an individual.

Another feature shown is FIG. 4 is the occluding padding members 34. These members serve the dual purpose occluding the vision of the individual once captured within the device 10, as well as providing some cushioning to limit injury to the captured individual. The occluding padding members 34 may be an adhesive-backed sheet material composed of a polymer foam, for example.

Some or all of the structural elements illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be provided on the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

It is contemplated that equivalents and substitutions for certain elements described above may be obvious to hose of ordinary skill in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A handheld protective shield entrapment device comprising

a first shield member and a second shield joined by a vertical hinge member;

said shield members each being curved in transverse horizontal cross-section such that each said shield member has a concave front side and a convex rear side;

at least one handle mounted on the convex side of each said shield member; and

at least one elastic closure member extending between said concave front sides of said shield member, said elastic closure member having a biasing force such that in the non-tensioned position said elastic closure member maintains said shield members in a closed position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said elastic closure member comprises at least one elastic body member encased within a non-elastic cover sleeve, whereby said shield members cannot be opened to extend said elastic body member beyond the length of said non-elastic cover sleeve.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising occluding padding members affixed to the concave side of said shield members.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one restraint strap member mounted on said convex side of one of said shield members and at least one strap fastening member mounted on said convex side of the other of said shield members, whereby with said at least one restraint strap member extended between said shield members and fastened to said at least one strap fastening member, said shield members are restrained in a closed configuration.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one restraint strap member comprises a leveraging restraint strap member that provides a closing force in combination with one of said handle members.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a generally horizontal netting mounted to and extending between said shield members.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a groin restraint strap member mounted to the concave side of one of said shield members.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said shield members are transparent.

9. The device of claim 2, further comprising occluding padding members affixed to the concave side of said shield members.

10. The device of claim 2, further comprising at least one restraint strap member mounted on said convex side of one of said shield members and at least one strap fastening member mounted on said convex side of the other of said shield members, whereby with said at least one restraint strap member extended between said shield members and fastened to said at least one strap fastening member, said shield members are restrained in a closed configuration.

11. The device of claim 2, wherein said at least one restraint strap member comprises a leveraging restraint strap member that provides a closing force in combination with one of said handle members.

12. The device of claim 2, further comprising a generally horizontal netting mounted to and extending between said shield members.

13. The device of claim 2, further comprising a groin restraint strap member mounted to the concave side of one of said shield members.

14. The device of claim 2, wherein said shield members are transparent.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said elastic closure member comprises a plurality of elastic body members.

16. The device of claim 2, wherein said elastic closure member comprises a plurality of elastic body members.