US 9,284,754 B2 · Restraint device and method

Abstract

A restraint device and method for securing an individual in a vehicle is presented. The device increases the safety and security of the individual who is in custody. Further, the device increases the safety for the arresting or attending officer. The device is portable and can be used in a variety of vehicles and properly adapted modes of transportation. As presented the device comprises three belts which coordinate and are sized to secure the individual in a seated position. Once secured with the device, the seated individual who has his hands cuffed behind his back is unable to maneuver his hands to the front of his body. Further, the individual's movements are restricted so that the individual is maintained in a fixed, upright seated position. The connections presented in the device allow for flexibility and ease of use by the user while preventing tampering by the individual being restrained.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A portable prisoner restraint device for securing an individual in an upright seated position on a seat, comprising:

a locking attachment member;
a variable splitter interconnected with the locking attachment member, the variable splitter comprising:
a first plate pivotally connected with the locking attachment member at an upper end of the first plate;
a second plate hinged to and adjacent to the first plate;
and
a third plate hinged to the first plate and adjacent to the second plate;
and
being configured to:
have the first plate interconnect with a first end of a first belt;
have the second plate interconnect with a first end of a second belt;
and
have the third plate interconnect with a first end of a third belt;
a key latch assembly interconnected to a second end of the third belt;
a tongue assembly being configured to:
interconnect with the second belt;
move linearly along the second belt;
interlock with the key latch assembly;
secure to a fixed position on the second belt and prevent extension of the second belt when the tongue assembly is interlocked with the key latch assembly;
and
release from the key latch assembly;
and
a locking ring member configured to:
interconnect with a second end of the first belt;
and
link to handcuffs on the individual.

22 more elements

A method for a police officer to restrain an individual who is wearing a pair of handcuffs in a vehicle to prevent the individual from moving the pair of handcuffs from his back, underneath his legs, and to the front of his body, and to maintain the individual in a stationary seated position, comprising:

providing a portable prisoner restraint device comprising:
a locking attachment member;
a variable splitter interconnected with the locking attachment member, the variable splitter comprising:
a first plate pivotally connected with the locking attachment member at an upper end of the first plate;
a second plate hinged to and adjacent to the first plate;
and
a third plate hinged to the first plate and adjacent to the second plate;
and being configured to:
have the first plate interconnect with a first end of a first belt;
have the second plate interconnect with a first end of a second belt;
and
have the third plate interconnect with a first end of a third belt;
a key latch assembly interconnected to a second end of the third belt;
a tongue assembly being configured to:
interconnect with the second belt;
move linearly along the second belt;
interlock with the key latch assembly;
secure to a fixed position on the second belt and prevent extension of the second belt when the tongue assembly is interlocked with the key latch assembly;
and
release from the key latch assembly;
and
a locking ring member configured to:
interconnect with a second and of the first belt;
and
link to handcuffs on the individual;
securing the portable prisoner restraint device to an anchor in the vehicle with the locking attachment member,
while the individual is standing outside of the vehicle and while grasping the individual wearing handcuffs with one hand, with the other hand, connecting the locking ring member to handcuffs of the individual;
seating the individual on a back-seat of the vehicle where the locking ring member and the first belt remain behind the individual, wherein the first belt is sized to prevent the individual from maneuvering his hands underneath his legs to his front while in a seated position;
positioning the second belt under the seated individual's arms and across the seated individual's chest;
interlocking the tongue assembly of the second belt with the key latch assembly;
and
tightening the second belt and the tongue assembly so that the individual cannot lean forward or otherwise move from an upright seated position.

29 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Restraint device and method

Life of this patent

Restraint device and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16