GB2426429A

GB2426429A - A hand and finger restraint

Info

Publication number: GB2426429A
Application number: GB0520894A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alex James Daniels
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-25
Filing date: 2005-10-14
Publication date: 2006-11-29
Also published as: GB0520894D0; GB0510645D0

Abstract

A hand and finger restraint that prevents the thumb and forefinger from connecting, thereby minimises the danger to the wearer and others arising from uncontrolled or deliberate self harm by preventing the user from manipulating items to produce a ligature, holding an item such as a razor blade or from gasping other people. The restraint may be in the form of fixed tubular sleeves 2, 6 that are placed over the thumb and forefinger of the user which are joined at the base of the forefinger and thumb 4 and secured to the user's wrist by an adjustable tie 7. The restraints may be connected to each other and used as a handcuffing technique and may be used with traditional and plastic cuffs. The restraint preferably allows the remaining fingers to be unsecured to allow the user to be capable of normal requirements such as eating, drinking and using toilet facilities. The restraint may be provided in different colours to denote the nature of concern for the behaviour of the person wearing them.

Description

HAND AND FINGER RESTRAINT The invention relates to a method of restraining the movement between the index finger and thumb of a detained person by means of securing the invention around the wrist for use in any custody area. The invention prevents the ability of the forefinger connecting directly with the thumb thus preventing a detainee from:- a) constructing a noose for hanging himself b) using any smuggled item such as a concealed razor blade c) striking any person such as staff other detainees or others in the custody area The object of this invention is to fit it temporarily on any detainee brought into the custody area or detained in a cell or whilst being transported where such detainee is unsupervised for a period of time and is known to have a propensity to self harm or violence and that the invention is easy to apply and remove and is disposable for hygiene purposes and that it causes the minimum of discomfort or distress to the detainee because it follows a natural positioning for the hand and it provides security for the welfare of the detainee and others. The device does not prevent the detainee from being capable of his or her normal requirements such as eating drinking using toilet facilities writing nor changing apparel when necessary Accordingly the essential features of this invention are that it has a tubular sleeve which comprises a fixed tube for the forefinger which is open at the tip and a fixed tube for the thumb where the said tube for the thumb is open at the tip of the thumb and is open at such of the base of the outer part of the thumb as is necessary for comfort and which invention prevents the thumb and forefinger from meeting by a section in between the web part of the thumb and forefinger and that the invention continues down the front of the palm and the same at the back of the hand and is secured around the wrist by an adjustable tie cuff (similar to the plastic cuffs already in use)or alternatively the style of cuff which cannot be tightened or retracted once secured and in either case to accommodate the various wrist sizes of detainees such cuff to be removable by cutting the same and finally disposing of the device The device can also be used as a handcuffing technique by linking the two finger restraints at the wrist by a single (additional) plastic cuff of the type or types mentioned above. The device does not restrict the use of ordinary handcuff techniques (whether rigid or transport type) The device will be made from plastic or carbon fibre or other non allergenic material. This can be manufactured in coded colours to denote with some discretion the degree or nature of the concern for the likely behaviour of the detainee. The area that covers the forefinger should be solid tubular with a natural curve for the joints in the finger so that it should not cause discomfort and the area covering the thumb should be tubular in shape again with a natural curve at the joint areas. The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Figure 1 shows a view of the invention from the back of the hand Figure 2 shows a view from the palm side of the hand Figure 3 shows a view of the invention from above Figure 4 shows a view of the side of the hand from the forefinger and thumb As shown in Figure 1 the invention shows the tubular sleeve 2 that covers the forefinger with curved corners at the tip 1 Then 2.continues down to the curved area 3 wide enough to allow the forefinger through which leads on to the join 4 which encases the thumb 6 leaving the tip open 8 again incorporating the curve 5, which continues down to the open section of the tube at the outer wrist 9 as in Figure 1 and Figure 2 the whole device being unbroken and inseparable and joined around the wrist The securing feature which prevents the interaction between 2 & 6, namely the forefinger and thumb is shown by 4 as in Figure 3 For comfort of the thumb and forefinger Figure 4 shows the side view of the invention looking at the tubes for encasing the thumb and forefinger which again shows the curved area 3 for the forefinger and the open tip of the tube area for the thumb 8 and the open base area of the tube for the thumb 9 which is accommodated by the rigidity of the tubular sleeve 6. This extends down towards the cuff which is joined around the wrist 7

Claims

1. A hand and finger restraint which prevents the thumb and forefinger from connecting in order that they may be prevented from manipulating items to produce a ligature or to hold an item such as a razor leading to self harm or clenching the fist to strike or grasp other persons

2. A restraint which does not prevent mobility of the arms generally or other unsecured fingers or to an extent the restrained fingers for toiletries or eating drinking or writing purposes

3. A restraint which can be used simultaneously with traditional (rigid or transport) handcuffs and further or instead can be used as part of existing methods of plastic cuffs which when linked to each other restrain independent hand movement

4. The invention is disposable made from plastic or carbon fibre or other non allergenic material which is also recyclable

5. The invention permits the wearer to rest the hand in a natural comfortable position and the restraint is not greater than is essential to fulfil the claim in Claim 1 and to that end part of the tube on the thumb and the tip of the tube on the forefinger are open and not closed and this also facilitates different sizes and shapes of forefingers and thumbs

6. The invention is quickly and simply applied to the detainee by any person with responsibility for the detainee

7. The invention can be manufactured in coded colours to denote with some discretion the degree or nature of concern for the likely behaviour of the detainee

8. The invention is not intended to replace the necessary welfare checks on detained persons but to augment the same