US 8,336,345 B2 · Remote lock mechanism for handcuffs and other security devices

Abstract

A remote lock mechanism for a handcuff allows the unlocking of the handcuff by insertion of the key in the remote lock mechanism. The remote lock mechanism is located adjacent the pivot connecting the movable jaw of the handcuff to the fixed jaw and, thus, can be operated when the handcuffs are used to restrain a person without the officer's hands being placed between the wrists of the person being restrained. The motion corresponding to the rotation of the key in the remote lock mechanism is transferred to the handcuff lock mechanism to retract the ratchet pawl away from the movable jaw of the handcuff. In one embodiment, the remote lock mechanism utilizes a tumbler that causes opposing rotation of the conventional lock mechanism to first release the double lock mechanism and then retract the ratchet pawl with opposing rotations of the key in the remote lock mechanism.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A handcuff comprising:

a fixed portion carrying a pivot end and a lock housing at an opposing end remote from said pivot end;
a movable portion pivotally connected to said pivot and including a ratchet end remote from said pivot, said movable portion being configured to insert said ratchet end into said lock housing;
a lock apparatus located within said lock housing and being operable to engage said ratchet end of said movable portion to lock said ratchet end within said housing, said lock apparatus including a ratchet member movable between a lock position engaged with said ratchet end of said movable portion and an unlock position in which said movable portion is free to move without restriction from said ratchet member;
and
a remote unlock mechanism mounted on said fixed portion at a location spaced from said lock housing toward said pivot end, said remote unlock mechanism having a secondary keyhole that is operable to receive a handcuff key that selectively causes a motion transfer mechanism housed within said fixed portion to interconnect said secondary keyhole and said ratchet member to move said ratchet member in said lock housing into said unlock position.

2 more elements

A remote unlock mechanism for a handcuff having a fixed jaw carrying a pivot at one end and a lock housing at an opposing end;

a movable jaw pivotally connected to said pivot and including a ratchet end remote from said pivot, said movable jaw being configured to insert said ratchet end into said lock housing;
and a lock apparatus located within said lock housing and being operable to engage said ratchet end of said movable jaw to lock said ratchet end within said housing, said lock apparatus including a ratchet member movable between a lock position engaged with said ratchet end of said movable jaw and an unlock position in which said movable jaw is free to move without restriction from said ratchet member, comprising:
a secondary keyhole positioned on said fixed jaw outside of said lock housing for communication with a handcuff key, said secondary keyhole being spaced from said lock housing toward said pivot end;
a motion transfer mechanism operably associated with said secondary keyhole to transfer rotational movement of said handcuff key positioned within said secondary keyhole to operate said ratchet member located within said lock housing to selectively cause said ratchet member to move into said unlock position.

1 more element

In a handcuff having a fixed jaw carrying a pivot at one end and a lock housing at an opposing end;

a movable jaw pivotally connected to said pivot and including a ratchet end remote from said pivot, said movable jaw being configured to insert said ratchet end into said housing;
and a lock apparatus located within said lock housing and being operable to engage said ratchet end of said movable jaw to lock said ratchet end within said housing, said lock apparatus including a ratchet member movable between a lock position engaged with said ratchet end of said movable jaw and an unlock position in which said movable jaw is free to move without restriction from said ratchet member, and a spring clip movable between an interfering position in which said ratchet member is prevented from moving into said unlock position and a non-interfering position in which said ratchet member is allowed to move into said unlock position, the improvement comprising:
a first push rod supported on one side of said lock housing and being engagable with a pivoted toggle within said lock housing to move said spring clip into said interfering position when said push rod is moved into said lock housing;
and
a second push rod on an opposing side of said lock housing to engage said spring clip directly for movement thereof to said interfering position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Remote lock mechanism for handcuffs and other security devices

Life of this patent

Remote lock mechanism for handcuffs and other security devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18