Locks – Portable – Fetters
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-09
2002-02-26
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Portable
Fetters
C070SDIG006
Reexamination Certificate
active
06349574
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a handcuff accessory having an improved locking mechanism. More particularly, the invention relates to a handcuff accessory having a lock, preferably a cylinder lock, that is formed and positioned in a manner such that it is more difficult to pick by a prisoner or another individual. The accessory, preferably provided in the form of a retrofit kit, which can be installed onto existing handcuffs and leg irons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Handcuffs and leg irons are generally formed with a lock body housing having planar, parallel cheek plates and a C-shaped extension to which a locking arm is pivotally connected. The locking arm typically has a free end with a series of ratchet teeth that interlock with teeth on a pawl located between the cheeks of the lock body housing. A locking mechanism is provided for locking the pawl, thereby locking the arm once engaged in between the cheeks.
Most handcuffs and leg irons have more than one locking position. The first locking position may be referred to as the “ready to lock” position. In this position, the locking arm is permitted to continue to tighten around the prisoner's wrist or ankle in one direction only and cannot be loosened. This is because the pawl, in the “ready to lock” position is being kept under pressure by a spring, causing the pawl to snap back down as the locking arm is cycled through the cheeks from tooth to tooth. This produces an opposing and interlocking connection between the teeth on both the pawl and the locking arm of the handcuffs and leg irons. In the “ready to lock” position, the locking arm is never permitted to move backwards in or from the housing so as to loosen the handcuffs or leg irons.
The second locking position on handcuffs and leg irons may be referred to as the “double lock” position. In this position, the handcuff locking arm cannot be moved forward or backward because the pawl is securely engaged with the locking arm and cannot be moved at all.
Prior art handcuffs usually have a locking device that uses a key. The key basically is a piece of metal that is used to move the pawl in order to disengage the locking arm. A paper clip, or similar piece, often can be formed to accomplish the same task. The lock of prior art handcuffs also has a keyway that is relatively easy for the prisoner to access. The keys used on most handcuffs are generally manufactured as “universal” keys. That is, one key will operate a number of handcuffs or leg irons. Such universal keys are widely available from many sources and there is no restriction as to whom they are sold. Accordingly, a prisoner and/or accomplice possibly can obtain or make a key, thereby facilitating the possibility of an escape.
An exception to the above is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,284 to Lurie. Here, the locking device is a high security cylinder, and there is restricted access to the keys and a keyway that is moved to above the plane of the handcuffs.
In order to prevent escapes facilitated by the use of a “universal” key, handcuffs also have been designed with cylinder locks having multiple tumblers, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,554 to Williamson. The key that opens-such a lock must be specifically designed for that lock. Accordingly, a standard, “universal” key will not open such a lock, making procurement of a key to unlock the handcuffs or leg irons more difficult. However, once the original key is obtained by an unauthorized person, duplicates can be made. In addition, such locks are positioned and oriented in the handcuffs and leg irons in such a way that it is easy for the prisoner to obtain access to the keyway.
The first and second locking mechanisms of the double locking mechanism of the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,554 are each engaged in a similar manner (i.e., by insertion of the same key into the same keyway). It is not difficult to engage the two locking mechanisms of the double locking mechanism of this patent. Thus, it has the disadvantage of being too easy to activate. Specifically, the first and second locking positions are engaged by rotating a lock plug without the need for inserting a key into the lock plug. Accordingly, it is not difficult for the lock to inadvertently slip into the double lock position.
The double locking mechanisms such as shown in above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,600 and also in U.S. Pat. No. 1,845,511 to Neal, generally use a “universal” key. These prior art handcuffs with such double locking mechanisms have the disadvantage that a key can be easily obtained, formed and/or copied.
Other prior art handcuffs and leg irons achieve the second double lock mechanism through the use of a separate auxiliary locking mechanism. This separate auxiliary mechanism is typically engaged via a slot or hole either on the side of the handcuff locking body, or on the cheek plate. This makes it somewhat inconvenient for the police officer or other user to use the handcuffs. U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,600 to Moffett shows an auxiliary mechanism on the reverse side of, or at least spaced apart from, the keyway for engaging the first locking position. In this patent, one end of the key is inserted into the keyway for engaging the first locking position, and the other end of the key is inserted into the slot or hole of the auxiliary mechanism for engaging the second locking position. It is believed to be somewhat cumbersome to engage the double locking mechanism of this patent.
Thompson U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,257 shows a device that attaches to a set of chain-linked handcuffs to block access to the original key hole as manufactured as well as to provide protection and rigidity to the chain via a hinged box that sandwiches the handcuff chain and a portion of the body. Although this device is an accessory that attaches to the handcuffs, it does not alter the key in any way. It merely covers the keyhole from access. In addition, it also provides a slot for a chain to feed through and then be pad-locked in order to maintain the prisoner's wrist close to his waist.
Rosenthal U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,665 is similar to that of Thompson U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,257. The significant difference is that Rosenthal allows access to the original manufacturer's keyhole and Thompson does not. Although this is an accessory to handcuffs and leg irons, neither Thompson's nor Rosenthal's devices alters the original key.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a high security-restricted key device that can be attached to handcuffs and leg irons. The accessory (hereafter “Retrofit Kit”), after it is attached, converts the existing keys used on the existing device to a different key.
The Retrofit Kit attaches to an existing set of handcuffs and leg irons by means of a front and back plate that creates a sandwich in which the body lock-housing portion of a handcuff and leg iron is captured between the front and back plates.
Attached to the front plate of the Retrofit Kit is a multiple tumbler lock cylinder capable of many key combinations and which also utilizes a restricted access key. This cylinder is connected to an altered form of the original key. This altered form of the original key serves as a driver for the existing lock mechanism of the handcuff. Once the Retrofit Kit is attached to the handcuffs or leg irons the original key, whether unique to the set or a universal key, will no longer be capable of being inserted into the handcuffs or leg irons for use in opening them. Only the new, restricted access key for the tumbler lock can be used to open the handcuffs and leg irons.
The Retrofit Kit illustratively is made from plastic, metal or any other suitable material. Once seated, the front and back plates of the Retrofit Kit are secured together using screws, rivets, adhesives or any other material or process, such as welding, designed for connecting one component to another, thereby creating one complete integral unit.
The double lock portion of the handcuff or leg iron is accessed via a hole in the side or a slot in the rear of the
Darby & Darby
Gall Lloyd A.
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