Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
TITLE: FLEXIBLE NONVIOLENT INTERVENTION SHIELD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to restraining shields and more particularly it
pertains to restraining shields offering protection to both the interveners
and the person being confronted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Intervention shields are used in mental institutions, in prisons, or by riot
police officers to bring an aggressive person under submission. These
shields are often used with force. While the shields of the prior art have
handles on one side thereof for use by the interveners, the other surface
does not offer any handhold feature for use by the person being subdue, to
limit the extent of injuries to that person during a fall for example.
Examples of shields found in the prior art include the devices described in
the following publications:
US Patent 2,703,412, issued to D.J. Stone on March 08, 1955;
US Patent 2,766,751, issued to Peter Topa on October 16, 1956;
US Patent 3,399,670, issued to J.K. Veasey on September 03, 1968;
US Patent 3,476,107, issued to A.R. Matt Jr. Et al., on Nov. 04, 1969;
US Patent 4,186,453, issued to J.E. Burns on February 05, 1980;
US Patent 4,852,587, issued to Mark Share on August 01, 1989;
US Patent 5,111,850, isseud to M.I. Kunofsky on May 12, 1992;
US Patent 5,329,636, issued to Bruce K. Siddle on July 19, 1994;
US Patent 6,367,427, issued to Duane C. Canady on April 09, 2002;
US Patent 6,491,038, issued to A.A. McQueen on December 10, 2002;
1
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
CA Patent 2,275,452, issued to R. Widmont on May 09, 2000;
EP Patent Appl. 0 255 761 filed by E.N. Bauer on August 07, 1987;
EP Patent Appl. 2 037 207 filed on October 09, 2008 by E.B. Christensen.
In many cases of violent behaviour, the person being considered violent is
often a person depressed experiencing an episode of anxiety. Such
episodes are often caused by a recent crisis in his/her life. An abnormal
mental behaviour can also be caused by a vitamin deficiency, long-
enduring pain or other medical issue beyond the control of the person being
considered abnormal. Therefore, it is believed that an abnormal behaviour
is not a sufficient cause to treat a person with brutality.
It is also believed that there is a need in mental institutions and policing
tools for an intervention shield that can be used in a nonviolent manner to
subdue a person while protecting that person from injuries associated with
such interventions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, there is provided a nonviolent intervention shield
for restraining an agitated standing individual, while protecting that
individual from a fiery fall or similar shock associated with a restraining
intervention.
In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nonviolent
intervention shield comprising: a rectangular flexible cargo net; a central
body-height elongated cushion attached to the cargo net along a median of
the cargo net, and two body-height elongated side cushions attached to the
cargo net in a spaced-apart, parallel relationship with the central cushion,
2
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
one along each side of the central cushion. The present nonviolent
intervention shield also has meshes and strands offering handhold areas on
the cargo net bordering the central cushion.
During an intervention, the central cushion and the handhold areas are
brought first in contact with the individual to be restrained, so that the
individual can readily grab the cargo net and restrain himself/herself from
a fall.
In another aspect of the present invention, the central cushion has a
movable portion on an upper end thereof so that the central cushion is
brought with firmness against the torso of the individual to be restrained,
and with lightness against the face and head of that individual.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method
for restraining an agitated standing individual. This method comprises the
steps of:
- providing a flexible shield comprising a body-height central cushion and
two body-height side cushions attached to a cargo net in a spaced-
apart, parallel relationship from each other;
- mounting the central cushion along a median of the cargo net;
- mounting the side cushions along the cargo net in such a way as to
provide handhold areas on the cargo net on each side of the central
cushion;
- confronting the individual with all three cushions positioned side-by-side
close to each other and;
- moving the flexible shield toward the individual while deploying the
cargo net sideways for separating the cushions from each other and
exposing the handhold areas;
3
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
- moving the handhold areas against the hands of the individual while
moving the central cushion against the torso of the individual;
- wrapping the cargo net around the individual;
- moving the side cushions against the shoulders and back of the
individual, and
- pressing all three cushions against the torso, shoulders and back of the
individual, respectively.
This method offers handhold support to the individual to be restrained,
while protecting his/her face, head, shoulder and back from the jerks of a
fall or any other abrupt manipulation of the shield.
This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention
may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the
invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description
of the preferred embodiment thereof in connection with the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the nonviolent intervention shield according to
the present invention and method of use are described with the aid of the
accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like parts
throughout the several views, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nonviolent shield according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, being used by two
attendants to subdue a distressed patient;
4
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the preferred nonviolent shield with
the elongated cushions being used in an alternate configuration;
FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred positioning of the hands of an attendant for
manipulating the preferred nonviolent shield during an intervention;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred configuration of the preferred
nonviolent shield during a first step in an intervention;
FIG. 5 is the plan view of a preferred configuration of the preferred
nonviolent shield during a second step in an intervention;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a preferred configuration of the preferred
nonviolent shield during a third step in an intervention;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial plan view of a preferred configuration of the
preferred nonviolent shield during a fourth step in an intervention;
FIG. 8 illustrates a front elevation view of the preferred nonviolent shield;
FIG. 9 illustrates a rear elevation view of the preferred nonviolent shield;
FIG. 10 shows an aggregate view of the elements of the nonviolent shield
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates the preferred nonviolent shield in a stowed mode.
5
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. I, the nonviolent intervention shield 20, is made of three
vertically elongated, spaced-apart, body-height cushions 22, 24 and 26,
attached to a flexible cargo net 28. The expression "body-height" is used
herein to designate a sufficient height to cover an average-height individual
from head to feet. In a preferred embodiment the expression "body-height"
represents a height of about between 50 and 70 inches.
The central cushion 24 is attached to the cargo net 28 along a median of the
cargo net 28. Handle-like straps 30 are preferably attached to the cargo net
28 at convenient locations around the cargo net 28. These handle straps
30 are referred to herein as handles of a first type 30, or first-type handles
30. The preferred nonviolent shield 20 is preferably used by two attendants
32, 34 to encircled a person 36 in distress for example, and to bring this
person under control.
The preferred cargo net 28 is made of straps, but round ropes can also
work. The preferred cargo net 28 has a mesh size that allows for a person
to easily grab into the meshes of the cargo net and hold on to one or more
strands of the cargo net 28. For reference purposes, the cargo net 28 has
a preferred mesh size of about one inch openings. As can be appreciated,
some of the drawings are not to scale and were done this way for
convenience. The cargo net 28 has a preferred height of 46 inches, a
preferred width of about 69 inches, and a preferred spacing between the
cushions 22, 24, 26 is about 16 inches.
6
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
Although first-type handles 30 are illustrated and described, the nonviolent
shield can be used without such handles, by manipulating the nonviolent
shield by the meshes and strands of the cargo net.
The expression "cargo net" is used herein to designate the main element in
the preferred nonviolent shield 20. This cargo net is made of flat nylon or
fabric strands sewn together and forming square meshes. The cargo strap
can also be made of ropes tied to form square meshes, or diamond-shaped
meshes. These cargo net are used as crane-lifting bags for handling wood
crates, merchandise on pallets, grain bags, etc., when loading or unloading
a ship for example. These cargo nets are also used to transport camp
supplies by helicopter, or to cover a load of firewood in a truck box.
The body-height cushions 22, 24, 26 have durable leather-like casings
made of plastic or fabric. The casings are filled with foam of the type used
in upholstery or in mattresses. The preferred dimensions for the cushions
are a width of about 12 inches, a height of about 60 inches, as mentioned
before, and a thickness of about 2 inches.
The central cushion 24 has a removable upper segment 40. This removable
segment 40 is movable about a recess 42 in the cushion 24. This movable
segment 40 can be moved forward and back from the plane of the cushion
24, about the recess 42. The removable upper segment 40 is held to the
lower segment of the central cushion 24 by a strip of hook-and-loop
fasteners 44. The strip of hook-and-loop fasteners 44 constitutes a hinge.
The preferred dimensions for the movable segment 40 is 12 inch wide by
14 inch high.
7
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
Each body-height cushion 22, 24, or 26 is attached to the cargo net 28 by
means of a series of cushion straps 46 extending through the meshes of the
cargo net 28, and cushion buckles 48 on these cushion straps 46.
Preferably, each cushion 22, 24 or 26 is attached to the cargo net 28 by
means of four cushion straps 46 and cushion buckles 48. The cushion
straps are made of nylon or fabric.
It will be appreciated from the illustration of FIG. 1 that when a person is
being encircled by the preferred nonviolent shield 20, the central cushion
24 is brought directly in front of that person, while the side cushions 22, 26
are brought against the shoulders of that person. This
method, in
combination with the configuration of the preferred shield 20 allow the
person being subdue to grab the cargo net 28 on each sides of the central
cushion 24 and to hold him/herself to the cargo net 28 while being
immobilized for example. The ability to hold oneself to the cargo net 28
offers a certain degree of security wherein that person being confined
inside the shield 20 is not completely helpless in preventing an injury from
a fall to the ground for example.
Referring now to FIG. 2 the preferred nonviolent shield 20 is shown with
the central cushion 24 mounted to the cargo net 28 on the inside side of the
cargo net 28 , and the side cushions 22, 26 being mounted to the cargo net
28 on the outside side of the cargo net 28, facing the attendants 50, 52
handling the preferred nonviolent shield 20. Because the cushions 22, 24,
and 26 are mounted to the cargo net 28 with cushion straps 46 and cushion
buckles 48, and the straps 46 are relatively long, these cushions can be
mounted on either side of the cargo net 28, to offer protection to either the
attendants 50, 52 or to the person being subdue.
8
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
A preferred hand position by an attendant 54 holding the preferred
nonviolent shield is suggested in FIG. 3. As can be seen in most of the
accompanying drawings, the upper portion of each cushion has a handle
strap 56 there-across. These straps 56 are referred to herein as handles of
a second type 56, or second-type handles 56. In use, an attendant inserts
one arm into a first-type handle 30 closest to the upper portion of one of the
outside cushions, 26 for example as illustrated in FIG. 3 and grabs or
inserts his/her hand under one of the second-type handle 56 on that cushion
to acquire a good control over the movement of that cushion 26 during an
intervention. The other hand can be used in a same way to control the
movement of the central cushion, or to hold on to a first-type handle 30
near the center of the preferred nonviolent shield 20. It will be appreciated
that the preferred hand placement by the other attendant is a mirror image
of the illustration in FIG. 3.
FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate a preferred method for carrying an intervention on
a patient 60, using the preferred nonviolent shield 20 according to the
preferred embodiment ofthe present invention. An intervention is initiated
by confronting a patient 60 with the three cushions 22, 24 and 26 of the
preferred nonviolent shield 20 being held closed to each other, forming a
straight wall, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
As the patient 60 is approached, the two attendants 50, 52 quickly deploy
the preferred nonviolent shield 20 by expanding the cargo net 28, placing
the central cushion 24 against the torso of the patient 60, and positioning
the side cushions 22 and 26, as far apart from each other as possible, while
encircling the patient 60, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.
9
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
When referring to FIG. 6, an important feature of the preferred nonviolent
shield 20 can be seen. In this illustration, the person being restrained 60
has a first cushion 24 pressed against his/her torso, and two side cushions
22, 26 pressed against his/her shoulders and back. His/her hands, however
are held by the portions of cargo net 28 between the cushions. The person
being restrained 60 can hold himself/herself to the cargo net 28 during the
entire intervention. The width of cargo net 28 between the central cushion
24 and one of the side cushions 22, 26 is about 16 inches, providing
unobstructed handhold areas between the cushions, and sufficient distance
for encircling a person 60, as illustrated.
If ever the person to be restrained 60 falls during an intervention, the first
cushion 24 protects his/her face and torso; the second and third cushions
22, 26 protect his/her shoulders and back. This triangular configuration of
the preferred nonviolent shield 20 in use prevents, to a great extent,
injuries
to the person 60 to be restrained.
When the person 60 to be restrained is encircled by the preferred
nonviolent shield 20, as illustrated in FIG. 7, two or more first-type handles
30' on one side of the nonviolent shield 20 can be inserted into
corresponding first-type handles 30" on the other side of the nonviolent
shield 20 to lock the nonviolent shield 20 around the person 60 to be
restrained. That individual can then be lowered down to a stretcher and
sedated for example.
When the upper portion 40 of the central cushion 24 makes the person 60
being restrained uncomfortable, that upper portion 40 can be folded about
the hinge 44 away from the individual's face or removed altogether by
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
undoing the strip of hook and loop fastener 44. The mounting of the upper
portion 40 on hinge 44 provides flexibility in the central cushion 24.
Referring back to FIG. 5, it will be appreciated that when a person 60 to be
restrained is confronted as described earlier with the preferred nonviolent
shield 20, the natural instinct of that person causes him/her to grab the
cargo net 28 on each side of the central cushion 24. This natural movement
keeps the nonviolent shield 20 centered on that individual 60, facilitating
the wrapping movement of the side cushions 22, 26 by the attendants 50,
52. The symmetrical structure of the nonviolent shield 20 does not offer
any incentive to the person 60 to pull the shield sideway to escape the
intervention. The symmetrical structure of the preferred nonviolent shield
20, encourages the person 60 to be restrained to remain centered in the
nonviolent shield 20, facilitating the work of the attendants 50, 52.
FIG. 8 of the drawings illustrates a front view of the preferred nonviolent
shield as seen by the individual 60 to be restrained. As can be imagined,
the open-mesh portions "A" of the cargo net 28 represent, to that
individual, available handhold area "Al".
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the cushions 22, 24 and 26 have cushion
straps 46 and cushion buckles 48 permanently attached to them. These
cushion straps 46 are used to attach the cushions to the cargo net 28, on one
side of the cargo net 28 or the other. The cushions 22, 24, and 26 are
attached to the cargo net 28 so that the bottom ends of the cushions rest
below the lower edge of the cargo net 28, as illustrated in FIG. 9.
As it was previously explained, the central cushion 24 is attached to the
median of the cargo net 28, and the outside cushions 22, 26 are attached to
11
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
the vertical outside edges of the cargo net 28, in such a way as to leave an
open-mesh portion "A" of about 16 inches wide on each side of the central
cushion 24.
For convenience, each of the cushions 22, 24 and 26 has a zippered
opening 62 along the full height thereof to facilitate their manufacture.
The first-type handles 30 are preferably made of flexible flat nylon or
fabric straps of about 1 inch wide. Other strong material can also be used,
according to the preference of the manufacturer. These handles 30 are
formed in closed loops as illustrated in FIG. 10, and can be attached to the
cargo net 28 by a Cow Hitch TM knots, for example, anywhere to the cargo
net 28. Preferably, three first-type handles 30 are tied to each of the
vertical outside edges of the cargo net 28 and two first-type handles 30 are
attached to the upper edge of the cargo net 28, one on each side of the
central cushion 24.
FIG. 10 also illustrates a harness strap assembly 70, which is made of
harness straps 72 and harness buckles 74. This harness strap assembly 70
is used to tie the preferred nonviolent shield 20 in a compact form for
storage. The compact package as illustrated in FIG. 11, comprises all three
juxtaposed cushions 22, 24, and 26, with the cargo net 28 and first-type
handles 30 folded between the cushions.
The preferred nonviolent shield 20 is easily deployed for use by undoing
the harness buckles 74 and opening the nonviolent shield 20 as one would
open a book.
12
CA 02949404 2016-11-24
As to other details and manner of operation of the preferred nonviolent
shield 20, the same should be apparent from the above description and
drawings, and accordingly further discussion related to these aspects is
deemed unnecessary.
10
13
