Locks – Portable – Fetters
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-29
2001-11-06
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Locks
Portable
Fetters
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311529
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates generally to handcuffs. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved locking mechanism for handcuffs.
2. The Background Art.
It is sometimes necessary to restrain people. Such a situation frequently occurs in law enforcement, in which police or officials must restrain a criminal or suspect for protection of the police, the criminal and/or the general public. Law enforcement officials commonly restrain a person using a pair of handcuffs.
Typical handcuffs commonly include a pair of handcuffs chained or hinged together. Each handcuff typically includes a cheek or main body, and a secondary body or jaw pivotally coupled to the cheek. The cheek typically includes a lock which engages teeth formed on the jaw.
Typical handcuff locks commonly include a pawl member, movably disposed to engage the teeth of the jaw. A spring member forces the pawl against the jaw.
One disadvantage with many typical handcuff locks is their susceptibility to tampering and unauthorized release. For example, a gap may exist between the teeth of the jaw member and the cheek member in which a foreign object may be inserted, displacing the pawl and moving it away from the teeth of the jaw, thus releasing the handcuffs. The gap may be required for clearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a handcuff and/or handcuff locking mechanism which resists tampering and/or unauthorized release. In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a handcuff and/or handcuff locking mechanism which resists insertion of foreign objects to interfere with critical parts of the locking mechanism. In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a handcuff and/or handcuff locking mechanism that resists displacement of critical parts of the locking mechanism.
The invention provides a handcuff with a locking mechanism that resists unauthorized tampering and release. The handcuff includes cheek and jaw members pivotally secured and movable between open and closed positions. Teeth are formed on the jaw member. The locking mechanism is carried by the cheek member and includes a plurality of gears, at least one of which has a plurality of teeth that engage the teeth of the jaw member in the closed position and rotate as the cheek and jaw members pivot. The lock mechanism also includes a latch that pivots to engage at least one of the gears to prevent the gears from rotating, and thus to prevent the cheek and jaw members from moving to the open position. The latch may pivot between (i) a lock position in which the latch prevents rotation of the pair of gears, and thus prevents pivoting of the cheek and jaw members to the open position, and (ii) an unlock position in which the latch allows rotation of the pair of gears, and thus allows pivoting of the cheek and jaw members to the open position.
In accordance with one more detailed aspect of the present invention, the locking mechanism may include primary and secondary gears secured together and rotatable together. The latch may pivot to releasably engage the secondary gear.
In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the jaw member and primary gear may be disposed in a planar layer, while the latch and secondary gear may be disposed outside the planar layer to resist tampering.
In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the locking mechanism may include a pair of spaced-apart gears. The latch may be disposed between the pair of spaced-apart gears to prevent tampering.
In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the locking mechanism may include first and second, spaced-apart gear assemblies, each having primary and secondary gears. The primary gears may engage the jaw member in the closed position and rotate as the cheek and jaw members pivot. The secondary gears may be secured to and rotatable with the respective primary gears. The latch may engage both of the secondary gears, to prevent the secondary and primary gears from rotating, and to prevent the cheek and jaw members from moving to the open position.
Preferably, pivotal movement of the cheek and jaw members may be away from one another in an open direction, and may exert a force tending to cause the gear assemblies to rotate in a release direction. Preferably, the latch is oriented with respect to the gear assemblies such that any rotation of the gear assemblies in the release direction exerts a force on the latch tending to cause the latch to pivot towards a lock position.
In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, a spring member may engage the latch to force the latch to engage at least one of the gears.
In accordance with another more detailed aspect of the present invention, a stop member may be selectively movable between (i) a first stop position abutting to the latch to prevent the latch from pivoting, and (ii) a second free position to allow the latch to pivot.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which together illustrate by way of example, the features of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1456846 (1923-05-01), Gamwell
patent: 1579333 (1926-04-01), Neal
patent: 1856427 (1932-05-01), Pratt
patent: 1890748 (1932-12-01), Pratt
patent: 2516878 (1950-08-01), Howe
patent: 4138867 (1979-02-01), Tompkins
patent: 5138852 (1992-08-01), Corcoran
patent: 5613381 (1997-03-01), Savage
patent: 5687593 (1997-11-01), Cross
patent: 741000 (1955-11-01), None
patent: 07301041 (1995-11-01), None
Barrett Suzanne Dino
Thorpe North & Western
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