Clamp, clamping means, and method of clamping

Details Clamp, clamping means, and method of clamping Clamp, clamping means, and method of clamping

1999-01-12

2003-09-09

Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)

Supports

Pipe or cable

Brackets

C248S074300, C070S016000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06616107

ABSTRACT:

This application relates to a clamp, and a clamping means incorporating the clamp. This application also relates to a method of clamping, in particular, a method of clamping an object, person, or animal to a desired point or surface.
The invention utilises securing ties. In this application the term “securing tie” is used as a generic description for ties, typically made of plastics (such as nylons) or stainless steel, used widely in industry (for example, cable ties, hose ties, identification ties, binding or bundling straps or pull-tight (security) seals), but equally capable of being made from other materials, such as twine, wire, leather or cloth. However any similar securing means may be used.
Securing ties have previously been used inter alia to encircle bundles of wires, cables, pipes, tubes, hoses and suchlike in order to fasten such bundles together and for sealing bags or containers. In particular, several securing ties may be used at intervals over the length of the bundle to ensure that the bundle is kept together over its whole length.
In general, but not exclusively, a securing tie is formed of a long thin strip of flexible material such as plastic. At one end of the securing tie may be formed a head housing having an opening formed therein which is dimensioned so that the strip may be threaded through it.
Securing ties are generally arranged such that when the strip is threaded through the head housing, a locking part in the head housing acts so that the size of the resulting loop may only be reduced. One known means for achieving this is to form on one side of the plastic strip a plurality of ridges arranged perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction of the securing tie. The head housing is arranged to have a locking part protruding into the opening such that, when the strip is threaded through the opening, the protruding part interacts with the ridges on the strip so as to allow movement of the strip through the head in one direction, but to prevent or to substantially restrict movement of the strip through the head in the opposite direction.
Some previously available securing ties are provided with loosening mechanisms within the head housing which, when operated, enable the strip and head housing to move relative to each other so as to increase the size of the loop.
Furthermore, it is known that securing ties can be designed to be smooth on both sides, or to be provided with various combinations of smooth, ridged or serrated surfaces. In each case, the locking part is chosen accordingly.
A first application of the invention relates to a clamp, and a clamping means incorporating the clamp suitable for temporarily restraining people. This first application of the invention is particularly suitable for use by law enforcement officers or medical staff in temporarily restraining people.
In law enforcement work there is a need for an effective restraining means for restraining a person in order to prevent escape of that person or to minimise the possibility of that person endangering police officers, members of the public, or themselves. Previously, metal handcuffs have been used to handcuff such persons to a police officer, or to handcuff together the hands of the person.
While in an open or unsecure environment, such as on a street or in a private home, a temporary restraint is needed to enable the person to be taken into custody by the police in order that a controlled transfer to a secure environment, such as a police car or police station, can be made.
An example of a temporary restrainer is shown in FIG.
1
. This restrainer is formed from first and second portions
1
,
2
which are securely joined together by a bridging portion
3
. First and second portions
1
,
2
have respective head ends
4
a
,
4
b
and tail ends
5
a
,
5
b
. In this restrainer the first and second portions are formed from readily available securing ties.
The restrainer shown in
FIG. 1
comprises two securing ties which form the first and second portions, where the head housing of the securing tie respectively forms the head end of the first and second portions
1
,
2
. The other end of the securing tie, forming the tail end of the first and second portions
1
,
2
, is threaded through the respective head housing at the head ends,
4
a
,
4
b
, to form a loop in such a way that the protruding part in the head housing at the head ends
4
a
,
4
b
and the ridges on the respective strips act together so that the head ends
4
a
,
4
b
can move relative to the first and second strip portions
1
,
2
so that the size of the loop may be reduced, but may not easily be increased.
A method of restraining people, which might be used in situations in which a person is to be taken into custody by the police, in which the restrainer shown in
FIG. 1
is used, will now be described.
Any situation in which a person is being taken into custody by the police involves a certain element of risk especially in an ‘open’ situation such as the street. An example of such a situation is where a person suspected of a crime has been chased by the police and is surrendering. Potentially, in such situations the person to be taken into custody is armed, or appears to be armed. A procedure which may be used to take somebody into custody, involves instructing the person to lie on the ground with their hands visible, whereupon a police officer is able to approach the person to be taken into custody and restrain them using the temporary restrainer described above with reference to FIG.
1
. To achieve this restraint, the loops formed by first and second portions
1
,
2
are slipped over the hands of the person to be taken into custody, and the head ends
4
a
,
4
b
are moved relative to the first and second portion until the loops tighten sufficiently that the loops cannot be slipped off the person's wrists. At this time the person is effectively restrained by this restrainer, and can then be taken into custody by the police in a controlled manner.
However, the procedure outlined above can expose the police officer to risk, since it is necessary for a police officer with the restrainer to approach the person to be taken into custody in order to place the restrainer over the wrists. The police officer is particularly vulnerable at this time, and may be shot at or attacked with a knife as he approaches the suspect if the suspect is concealing a knife or gun.
If it is necessary to take a number of people into custody simultaneously it is difficult to restrain one if the others do not wish to be taken into custody.
The present invention seeks to provide a new method of securing a person, and a new clamp and clamping means to secure a person to a surface or a fixed point.
A second application of the invention relates to a method and means of securing an object to a fixed point or surface.
Previously, mounting bases for use with cable ties have been provided. The prior art mounting bases are mounted on a surface by means of screws or have been provided with a self-adhesive base. In order to secure an object to a surface by means of the prior art mounting base, the cable tie is passed underneath the mounting base and around the object to be secured. The tail end of the cable tie is passed through the head housing and tightened so as to secure the object.
A third application of the invention relates to a method and means of securing an animal to a fixed point.
According to the present invention, there is provided a clamp having means for attachment to a surface, and means adapted for receiving and locking a securing tie means therein.
The means adapted for receiving and locking a securing tie means therein preferably comprises means for receiving and locking a securing tie or cable tie therein.
According to the present invention, there is provided a clamping means comprising: a securing tie means; and a separate clamp having means for attachment to a surface, and means adapted for receiving and locking the securing tie means therein.
According to the present invention, there is provided a clamping means for cl

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