HAND RESTRAINT GLOVES

Abstract

A finger restraint glove prevents restrained individuals from using their hands and fingers in undesired ways, with the gloves completely limiting the ability of restrained individuals to use their hands and fingers by encapsulating their hands. The gloves contain straps and fastening elements, and can be used in conjunction with handcuffs and other wrist restraint devices.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to a pending non-provisional patent application, U.S. Ser. No. 14/734,197, filed Jun. 9, 2015, entitled “Hand Restraint Gloves”, by Lee A. Reed, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application further claims priority to a provisional patent application, U.S. Ser. No. 62/009,381, filed Jun. 9, 2014, entitled “Hand Restraint Gloves”, by Lee A. Reed, now expired, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a hand restraint device and in particular to hand restraint gloves. Personnel who work in the military, law enforcement, and the medical field may be required to restrain individuals with handcuffs and other wrist restraint device, for example while transporting prisoners, detainees, and medical patients. However, handcuffs and other wrist restraint device do not prevent restrained individuals from using their hands and fingers in undesired ways. Gloves are needed to prevent restrained individuals from picking up contraband, grabbing weapons, escaping out of their handcuffs or other wrist restraint device, or using their hands and fingers in other undesired ways. The hand restraint glove would resolve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a hand restraint glove for preventing restrained individuals from using their hands and fingers in undesired ways. The gloves completely limit the ability of restrained individuals to use their hands and fingers by encapsulating their hands. The gloves contain straps and fastening elements, and can be used in conjunction with handcuffs and other wrist restraint devices.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the back of the first exemplary embodiment in an open configuration, displaying the left glove 10, the right glove 11, first horizontal strap 12, the first horizontal strap loop 12A, the first horizontal strap fastener 12B, the second horizontal strap 13, the second horizontal strap loop 13A, the second horizontal strap fastener 13B, the third horizontal strap 14, the top vertical strap 15, the top vertical strap clip 16, the glove opening 19, the back of the glove 20, and the glove wrist 22.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the front of the first exemplary embodiment in an open configuration, displaying the left glove 10, the right glove 11, first horizontal strap 12, the first horizontal strap loop 12A, the second horizontal strap 13, the second horizontal strap loop 13A, the top vertical strap 15, the top vertical strap clip 16, the bottom vertical strap 17, the bottom vertical strap clip 18, the glove opening 19, the front of the glove 21, and a finger end 23.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the front of the first exemplary embodiment in a closed configuration, displaying the right glove 11, first horizontal strap 12, the first horizontal strap loop 12A, the second horizontal strap 13, the second horizontal strap loop 13A, the third horizontal strap 14, the top vertical strap 15, the top vertical strap clip 16, the bottom vertical strap 17, the bottom vertical strap clip 18, and the glove opening 19.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the back of the first exemplary embodiment in a closed configuration, displaying the right glove 11, first horizontal strap 12, the first horizontal strap loop 12A, the first horizontal strap fastener 12B, the second horizontal strap 13, the second horizontal strap loop 12A, the second horizontal strap fastener 12B, and the glove opening 19.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the back of another exemplary embodiment of the glove, having a side opening 30 and side opening fasteners 32.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is a hand restraint glove for preventing restrained individuals from using their hands and fingers in undesired ways. The left glove 10 and right glove 11 are comprised of a vertical strap, plurality of horizontal straps, and a plurality of fasteners and clips.

In the first exemplary embodiment, there are three horizontal straps. The first horizontal strap 12 is permanently attached to the back of the glove 20. The first horizontal strap 12 wraps around to the front of the glove 21 through the first horizontal strap loop 12A and back to the back of the glove 20 where it attaches to the first horizontal strap fastener 12B. The first horizontal strap fastener 12B is a slide fastener but any strap fastener is contemplated, including hook and loop fasteners. The second horizontal strap 13 is permanently attached to the back of the glove 20 below the first horizontal strap 12. The second horizontal strap 13 wraps around to the front of the glove 21 through the second horizontal strap loop 13A and back to the back of the glove 20 where it attaches to the second horizontal strap fastener 13B. The second horizontal strap fastener 13B is a slide fastener but any strap fastener is contemplated, including hook and loop fasteners. The third horizontal strap 14 is permanently attached to the back of the glove 20 at the wrist of the glove 22. The third horizontal strap 14 wraps around to the front of the glove 21 and back to the back of the glove 20 where it attaches to the third horizontal strap 14 using hook and loop fasteners. The three horizontal straps are made of a flexible tear resistant material, such as nylon. Alternative embodiments may feature more or fewer horizontal straps and fastening elements.

A top vertical straps 15 is permanently attached to the finger end 23 and is permanently attached to a top vertical strap clip 16. A bottom vertical strap 17 is permanently attached to the glove wrist 22 on the front of the glove 21. The bottom vertical strap is permanently attached to a bottom vertical strap clip 18. The top vertical strap clip 16 and bottom vertical strap clip 18 are preferably the male and female parts of a parachute buckle but other means of fastening are contemplated. The vertical straps are made of a flexible tear resistant material, such as nylon.

The left glove 10 and right glove 11 are preferably made from a flexible abrasion resistant material such as leather.

In one embodiment of the restraint gloves 10,11 of the present invention, each of the restraint gloves 10,11 further comprises a side opening 30. Said side opening 30 runs along a lateral side of the glove from a location proximate to the finger end of the glove to the opening 19 at the wrist of the glove. The side opening 30 allows a human hand to be placed into the glove therethrough. The side opening 30 may be closed by any appropriate fasteners known in the art, with the preferred fastener being a heavy duty hook and loop fastener 32 running along the edges of the glove forming the side opening. The incorporation of a side opening 30 allows for easier placement of the glove onto a human hand than by the typical means of placing a hand though the opening 19 of the glove located at the wrist of the glove. Ideally, the side opening 30 should be located on the side of the glove that is furthest from the thumb of the hand once the hand is placed into the glove. The ability of the wearer of the glove to force open the side opening 30 of the glove once it is fastened is thereby minimized, as the thumb contained within the glove will not be able to reach the fasteners 32 and the little finger of the hand lacks the strength and dexterity to force opened the fasteners 32 once the glove is fastened shut.

In another embodiment of the restraint gloves 10,11 of the present invention, either or both gloves are fitted with an electronic radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that is read by a radio frequency identification reader. The RFID tag is programmed with data specific to the wearer of the gloves, so that if the wearer of the gloves escapes custody information about the wearer can be ascertained by parties apprehending the wearer. The RFID tag is sewn into the substrate of the glove, or attached to the glove by inserting it into a pouch attached to the exterior of the glove. The pouch may be permanently sealed or may have an aperture suitable for accessing the interior of the pouch, with the aperture being closeable in a tamper-proof manner. Such configurations are well known in the art.

In yet another embodiment of the restraint gloves 10,11 of the present invention, either or both gloves are fitted with a GPS tracking device. The GPS tracking device is used to ascertain the location of the wearer of the gloves, so that if the wearer of the gloves escapes custody the location of the wearer can be ascertained. Such GPS tracking devices are well known in the art. The GPS tracking device is sewn into the substrate of the glove, or attached to the glove by inserting it into a pouch attached to the exterior of the glove, as described above.

In yet another embodiment of the restraint gloves 10,11 of the present invention, either or both gloves are fitted with a means of shocking the wearer of the gloves. When activated, shocking means may send a predetermined amount of electrical current through electrically conductive wires or strips attached to the interior surface of the gloves, applying a shock to the hands of the wearer of the gloves. In one embodiment the shocking means is a high capacity, high voltage capacitor. The capacitor may be placed into a pouch attached to the exterior of the glove, as described above. A power supply is included to provide the electrical current. The power supply can be any appropriate device known in the art, such as a rechargeable or replaceable battery. The shocking means may be controlled by a remote control unit, which sends a signal to the shocking means to activate and deactivate the shocking means. This allows custodial persons to safely administer shocks to the wearer of the gloves as needed. The remote control device may also track and record the amount of time that a shock is administered to the wearer of the gloves.

In yet another embodiment of the restraint gloves 10,11 of the present invention, a portion of the wrist portion of the gloves is configured to allow an opened handcuff bracelet to be attached thereto. This could be done by creating a sleeve along the hem of the wrist portion, and then threading one open end of the handcuff bracelet through the sleeve. Alternatively, clips, rings, or other devices can be attached to the glove, with the handcuff bracelet being attached to the glove by said devices. So configured, once the gloves 10,11 are placed onto the hands of the wearer and the integrated handcuffs are locked in place, the gloves 10,11 are prevented from being removed without first removing the handcuffs. Thus, confined persons who attempt to remove the gloves 10,11 from their hands, perhaps by using their teeth in an attempt to pull the gloves off, will be unsuccessful.

In yet another embodiment of the restraint gloves 10,11 of the present invention, the fasteners used to secure the first horizontal strap 12, the second horizontal strap 13, the third horizontal strap 14, and the vertical straps 15,16 can be lockable. This can be done by integrating a mechanical lock into each fastener, or an electronic key device that can be activated and deactivated remotely, by use of a remote control device. Closing the fasteners may also close an electric circuit to arm the shock feature described above.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A hand restraint glove comprising:

(a) a glove having a front of glove, a back of glove, a finger end, a wrist section, and an opening;

(b) a plurality of horizontal straps, each said horizontal strap having a fastener end and a free end, with one of said plurality of horizontal straps located at the wrist section of said glove;

(c) a plurality of horizontal strap loops attached to said glove;

(d) a plurality of horizontal strap fasteners, with each horizontal strap fastener associated with one horizontal strap and each horizontal strap associated with one horizontal strap fastener, and with each said horizontal strap fastener attached to the fastener end of its associated horizontal strap;

(e) a top vertical strap attached to the finger end of the glove;

(f) a top vertical strap clip attached to the top vertical strap;

(g) a bottom vertical strap attached to the wrist section of the glove; and

(h) a bottom vertical strap clip attached to the bottom vertical strap, said bottom vertical strap clip configured to engage with the top vertical strap clip;

wherein the top vertical strap and the bottom vertical strap are configured to cause the glove to fold such that the finger end of the glove comes into near proximity to the wrist section of the glove when the top vertical strap clip is engaged with the bottom vertical strap clip, resulting in a human hand having been previously placed within said glove being folded into a first configuration and said hand being retained in said first configuration when the top vertical strap clip is engaged with the bottom vertical strap clip.

2. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein said free end of each said horizontal strap wraps around said glove through one of said plurality of horizontal strap loops to said front of glove and back to said back of glove; and each said free end attaches to one of said plurality of horizontal strap fasteners.

3. The hand restraint glove of claim 2 wherein said plurality of horizontal straps are permanently attached to said back of glove.

4. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality of horizontal strap fasteners are slide fasteners.

5. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein one or more of said plurality of horizontal strap fasteners are hook and loop fasteners.

6. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein said top vertical strap clip is a male parachute clip; the bottom vertical strap clip is a female parachute clip; said male parachute clip being of size and shape to securely fasten within said female parachute clip.

7. Method of use of the hand restraint glove of claim 1 comprising putting a human hand through said opening into said glove, wrapping said plurality of horizontal straps through said plurality of horizontal strap loops and around said glove, securing said plurality of horizontal straps by attaching to said plurality of horizontal strap fasteners, and attaching said top vertical strap clip to said bottom vertical strap clip, thereby closing said hand into a fist.

8. Method of use of the hand restraint glove of claim 3 comprising putting a human hand through said opening into said glove, wrapping said plurality of horizontal straps through said plurality of horizontal strap loops and around said glove, securing said plurality of horizontal straps by attaching to said plurality of horizontal strap fasteners, and attaching said top vertical strap clip to said bottom vertical strap clip, thereby closing said hand into a fist.

9. Method of use of the hand restraint glove of claim 6 comprising putting a human hand through said opening into said glove, wrapping said plurality of horizontal straps through said plurality of horizontal strap loops and around said glove, securing said plurality of horizontal straps by attaching to said plurality of horizontal strap fasteners, and attaching said top vertical strap clip to said bottom vertical strap clip, thereby closing said hand into a fist.

10. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein said glove is made from a flexible, abrasion resistant material.

11. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of horizontal straps is made from a flexible, tear resistant material.

12. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein said vertical strap is made from a flexible, tear resistant material.

13. The hand restraint glove of claim 10 wherein the flexible, abrasion resistant material is leather.

14. The hand restraint glove of claim 11 wherein the flexible, tear resistant material is nylon.

15. The hand restraint glove of claim 12 wherein the flexible, tear resistant material is nylon.

16. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein said glove further comprises a side opening, said side opening located along a lateral side of said glove from a location proximate to the finger end of the glove to the opening, said side opening having a closing mechanism to allow the side opening to be either opened or closed;

whereby when the side opening is opened a human hand is placed into the glove through said side opening, and when said side opening is closed a human hand cannot be removed from said glove through said side opening.

17. The hand restraint glove of claim 16 wherein said closing mechanism of the side opening is comprised of a hook and loop fastener.

18. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein said glove further comprises an electronic radio frequency identification (RFID) tag capable of being read by a radio frequency identification reader, said RFID tag configured to be programmed with data specific to a wearer of said glove.

19. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein said glove further comprises a GPS tracking device, said GPS tracking device suitable for ascertaining where said glove is located.

20. The hand restraint glove of claim 1 wherein said glove further comprises a power supply and a shocking means, wherein when activated the shocking means sends a predetermined vamount of electrical current provided by said power supply through electrically conductive elements attached to an interior surface of said glove.

21. The hand restraint glove of claim 20 wherein said shocking means is a high capacity, high voltage capacitor.

22. The hand restraint glove of claim 20 wherein said shocking means is activated by use of a remote control unit.