HAND AND ARM STRENGTH TESTING APPARATUS TO BE USED IN A CONSTABLE SELECTION PROCESS

APPAREIL POUR TESTER LA FORCE DES BRAS ET DES MAINS LORS DU RECRUTEMENT DE POLICIERS

English Abstract

A hand grip and arm strength testing apparatus is
used as part of a pursuit and restraint circuit in a
constable selection process. The apparatus which simulates
the action required to move an uncooperative individual's
arms to a handcuffing position comprises a support
structure with a pair of moveable arms each of which is
biased to a widespread position relative to the other arm.
Each of the arms has a handle with a lock which is biased
to a locking position and which locks against movement of
the arm on which the handle is provided. The lock is
moveable to an unlocking position by hand grip pressure
sufficient to overcome the bias on the handle lock whereby
the arm is then swingable inwardly from its widespread
position when sufficient arm strength is applied to, and
overcomes, the bias on the arm.

French Abstract

Un appareil pour contrôler la capacité de serrage de la main et la force du bras est utilisé dans un circuit de poursuite et de maîtrise dans le cadre d'un processus de sélection d'agents de police. L'appareil qui permet de simuler l'action nécessaire pour amener les bras d'un individu non coopératif en position de menottage comprend une structure de support dotée d'une paire de bras mobiles, lesquels sont poussés en position d'écartement l'un par rapport à l'autre. Chacun des bras a une poignée avec un dispositif de blocage qui se met en position de blocage pour empêcher le bras de bouger. Le dispositif de blocage peut être mis en position de déblocage par une pression de serrage de la main suffisante pour vaincre le blocage de la poignée, ce qui fait qu'il est alors possible de faire pivoter le bras vers l'intérieur quand on applique une force de bras suffisante pour vaincre la poussée d'écartement qui est exercée sur le bras mécanique.

Claims

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THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1 A hand grip and arm strength testing apparatus
comprising a support structure with a pair of moveable arms
each of which is biased to a widespread position relative
to the other arm, each of said arms having a handle with
locking means which is biased to a locking position and
which locks against movement of the arm on which the handle
is provided, said locking means being moveable to an
unlocking position by hand grip pressure sufficient to
overcome the bias on said locking means, and each arm being
swingable inwardly from its widespread position only when
said locking means is in the unlocking position and when
sufficient arm strength is applied to, and overcomes,the
bias on the arm.

2. A hand grip and arm strength testing apparatus as
claimed in Claim 1 wherein each arm is locked against
swinging as soon as the locking means of the handle on the
arm is allowed to move to the locking position.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each arm is
biased toward the widespread position by weight means.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said arms
are both attached to said weight means by a cable and
pulley arrangement, said arms being swingable in a
horizontal plane towards one another to lift said weight
means when the locking means on said handles are in the
unlocking position.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each of
said handles comprises a fixed portion and a moveable
portion pivotally secured at one end to the fixed position,
the moveable portion comprising a lever biased by spring
pressure to project outwardly to one side of the fixed
portion and being pullable inwardly relative to the fixed

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portion by grip strength sufficient to overcome the spring
pressure.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein each arm is
pivotally secured to said support structure and pivots
relative to a notched member having a series of notches
therein on said support structure, each moveable portion on
each handle controlling a rod which is driven into any one
of the notches when said handle is in the locked position
providing the locking of the arm and which is pulled away
from the notches when the moveable portion of the handle is
pulled to the unlocking position enabling movement of the
arm when sufficient arm strength is applied to the arm.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said weight
means is adjustable in weight to vary resistance to inward
swinging of said arms.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the spring
pressure is adjustable to vary resistance to inward pulling
of the lever to the unlocking position.

9. Apparatus for simulating arm movement of an
uncooperative individual to a handcuffing position, said
apparatus comprising a support structure having a pair of
arms swingable between a widespread and a narrow set
position, biasing means biasing said arms to the widespread
position, handles on said arms, locking members which are
biased to a locking position where said arms are locked
against movement, hand grip pressure operated members on
said handles which, when pulled with sufficient hand grip
strength, move said locking members to an unlocking
position enabling inward swinging of said arms to the
narrow set position when sufficient arm strength is used to
overcome said biasing means biasing said arms toward the
widespread position.

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10. A testing circuit to test pursuit and restraint
abilities of individuals in a constable selection process,
said testing circuit comprising a track with height
clearing obstacles on said track, a push and pull strength
testing device, a human body simulating member to be moved
in a specified manner within said testing circuit and a
hand cuff positioning simulator which has a pair of arms
swingably mounted to a support structure, said arms being
biased to swing outwardly away from one another, handles on
said arms, lock members which lock against movement of said
arms, lock controlling members on said handles, said lock
controlling members being moveable by grip strength to pull
said lock members to an unlocking position which enables
inward swinging of said arms when sufficient arm strength
is applied to said arms to overcome the bias on said arms.

Description

SJ-9571CA/US 2 1 86668
TITLE
HAND AND ARM STRENGTH TESTING APPARATUS TO BE USED IN A
CONSTABLE SELECTION PROCESS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hand grip and
arm strength testing apparatus which stimulates a
handcuffing motion used in a pursuit and restraint circuit
of a constable selection process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order for an individual to be selected as a
constable in a police force that individual must
demonstrate the physical attributes required to perform
certain tasks required in the line of duty. Accordingly,
the candidates for the constable position must pass certain
tests including a required performance in a pursuit and
restraint testing circuit.

Such testing circuits have been used by different
police forces in the past. These circuits may vary from
one police force to another. However, they are all
consistent from the standpoint that they have some
cardiovascular performance requirements and some strength
testing requirements.

A situation which occurs on a relatively regular
basis to constables in the field is resistance to arrest
where the person being arrested will resist putting his or
her hands in a handcuffing position.

A handcuff position simulator has been part of the
prior art pursuit and restraint circuits. This simulator
only tested for arm strength and did not require any hand
grip strength for its operation. However, hand grip

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SJ-9571CA/US -2-

strength is a requirement for holding an individual's arms
while they are being moved by arm strength to the
handcuffing position.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hand grip and
arm strength testing apparatus which can be used as a
handcuff positioning simulator in a pursuit and restraint
circuit. The apparatus itself comprises a support
structure with a pair of moveable arms each of which is
biased to a widespread position relative to the other arm.
Each of the arms has a handle with locking means which is
biased to a locking position and which locks against
movement of the arm on which the handle is provided when in
the locking position. The locking means is moveable to an
unlocking position by hand grip pressure sufficient to
overcome the bias on the locking means. Each arm is
swingable inwardly from its widespread position only when
the locking means is in the unlocking position and when
sufficient arm strength is applied to, and overcomes, the
bias on the arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above as well as other advantages and features
of the present invention will be described in greater
detail according to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a pursuit and
restraint circuit in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a hand grip and
arm strength testing apparatus forming part of the circuit
of figure 1.

SJ-9571CA/US -3- 21 8 6 6 68

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the upper end of
the apparatus of figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the arms
of the apparatus of figure 2.

Figure 5 is a top view of the arms of the apparatus
of figure 1 showing movement of the arms from a widespread
to a narrow set position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION ACCORDING TO THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a pursuit and restraint circuit
generally indicated at 1 used in a constable selection
program according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The circuit must be completed in a specified
time in order to receive a passing grade.

A number of stations are used in forming the
circuit. These stations include a running track having
different legs 3, 5 and 7. According to one testing
program, the candidates must complete four rotations of the
track which comprises the pursuit part of the circuit. In
the first and third trips around the track the individual
must start from Point A moving along leg 3 to Point B and
then back along leg 7 returning to Point A. A series of
stairs 11 are provided along leg 7 and these stairs must be
climbed and descended in all passes along leg 7.

In the second and fourth turns around the track,
the candidate must proceed from Point A along leg 5 to
Point B once again returning to Point A along leg 7. A
four foot fence 9 must be cleared in order to complete leg
5 of the circuit.

After completing the pursuit part of the circuit,
the candidate moves to a body control simulator 13. This

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SJ-9571CA/US -4- 2 1 8 6 6 6 8

simulator has both push and pull features which must be
properly controlled and carried out while moving the
simulator in a specified manner in order to properly
complete this part of the circuit. From here the
individual moves to an arm restraining device 17 which will
be described later in detail.


In order to complete the circuit the candidate must
move a human body simulator 15 in what is referred to as a
victim relocation test. Body simulator 15 must be handled
with the same care as one would handle a living person.

As noted above, an arm restraint device 17 forms
part of the overall circuit 1. This arm restraint device
is best seen having reference to figures 2 through 5 of the
drawings.

The arm restraint device requires both grip and arm
strength and is used to simulate the actions required in
overcoming an uncooperative individual resisting his or her
arms and hands being moved to a handcuffing position.

Device 17 comprises a support structure 19 which is
either heavy enough on its own to resist movement or in the
alternative may be secured to the floor on which it is
seated. A pair of arms 21 project outwardly to one side of
the machine. In the embodiment shown, these arms lie in
the same plane and are swingable between a widespread
position WS and a narrow set position NS shown respectively
in dotted and solid lines in figure 5 of the drawings. The
widespread position typifies the arm position of an
uncooperative individual while the narrow set position is
the position required for handcuffing purposes.

As mentioned above arms 21 are swingable on the
support structure 19. Each of the arms swings around its

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mounting post 22 which is rotatably secured to the support
structure 19.

Provided at the outer end of each arm 21 is a
handle 23. This handle 23 comprises a fixed portion 28 and
a moveable portion 29. The moveable portion is pivotally
secured at its upper end 31 to the fixed portion 28 of the
handle 23 as best seen in figure 3 of the drawings.

As also seen in figure 3 of the drawings, the
moveable portion 29 which is in the form of an elongated
lever normally projects, particularly at its lower end,
outwardly from the fixed portion 28 of the handle. This
occurs through the bias provided on the lever 29 by a
spring loaded rod 41 having an inner end plate 43 against
the interior surface of the lever 29. Rod 41 is provided
with a fixed collar 47 attached through a spring 45 to a
plate 49 attached to the arm 21. Rod 41 is fitted through
an opening in plate 49 as can well be seen in both figures
3 and 4 of the drawings.

Spring 45 is attached to plate 49 by a screw 46
which can be threaded in or out relative to the plate to
adjust the tension on the spring.

Lever 29 normally sits in the figure 3 position
which is a locking position preventing any swinging of the
arm to which it is mounted through the handle 23.

This locking position is better understood having
reference to figure 4 of the drawings. Here will be seen
that the mounting post 22 of the arm 21 sits directly
behind a plate 37 having a notched outer surface 39. Rod
41 which as described above is slideable through plate 49
sits in any one of the notches on the outer curved surface
of plate 37. When lever 29 is in a locking position the
rod therefore prevents any swinging movement of the arm
when engaged with the notched surface 39 of plate 37.

SJ-9571CA/US -6- 2 1 8 6 6 68

Lever 29 can however be used to pull the rod 41
away from plate 37. This is accomplished by the candidate
placing his or her hand on the fixed portion 28 of the
handle 23 and squeezing the lever 29 inwardly in the
direction of arrow 30 with sufficient grip strength to
overcome the bias of spring 45. The rod 41 is then pulled
by its rear plate 43 away from notched surface 39 of plate
37 to enable swinging movement of the arm.

It is to be understood that if the candidate is
unable to maintain sufficient grip strength on the lever 29
at any time during the arm swinging movement rod 41 will
move back into engagement with the notched surface 39
making any further movement of the arm 21 impossible. This
provides two features; firstly, it shows that the candidate
does not have sufficient prolonged grip strength and
secondly, it provides a safety feature as described
immediately below in detail.

Each of the arms 21 without the locking feature
would swing out to the widespread position WS of figure 5.
They are biased to this position by a weight 25 slideable
vertically of the support structure 25. This weight is
connected through a cable and pulley arrangement generally
indicated at 27 in figure 4 to a plate 33 secured to the
mounting post 22 of the arm 21. Specifically, the cable
end 27 is secured by an attachment member 35 to the outside
edge of plate 33. With this setup,weight 25 wants to pull
the cable 27(a) and the plate 33 inwardly towards the
center of the structure. The arm 21, which is on the
opposite side of the mounting post 22 from the plate 23,
therefore, wants to swing outwardly to its widespread
position. This however will not occur if the candidate
releases lever 29 whereby rod 41 returns to the locking
position locking the arm against swinging outwardly.

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SJ-957lCA/US -7-

As will be appreciated, the amount of weight or
bias on the arms to the widespread position can be varied
simply by increasing or decreasing the weight 25.

In order for the candidate to properly pass the arm
restraint portion of the circuit, he or she must be able to
apply sufficient arm strength to the arms 21 to swing them
inwardly to the narrow set position NS overcoming the bias
of weight 25. Again this can only be achieved when rod 41
has been moved and continuously held by sufficient grip
pressure on the handle to the unlocking position. Also,
the arms 21 with their respective locking handles must be
controlled individually to swing them both to the narrow
set position.

It will now be seen that both grip and arm strength
are simultaneously required in order to operate the arm
restraint device 17 simulating the control and strength
requirements of a constable in the field.

Although various preferred embodiments of the
present invention have been described herein in detail, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that
variations may be made thereto without departing from the
spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended
claims.

Representative Drawing