Glove Adapted to Dispense Pulsed Electric Current to a Human's Skin

Abstract

A glove adapted to dispense pulsed electric current to a human's skin. Pulsed electric current dispensed by the glove can interfere temporarily with muscular locomotion of the human or take down an arrestee, prisoner or suspect.

Claims

1) A glove adapted to dispense pulsed electric current to a human's skin, wherein the dispensed pulsed electric current interferes temporarily with muscular locomotion of the human; the glove comprising: a) an inner cavity configured to receive a hand of a user, an outward layer and an insulator; b) the outward layer comprising a plurality of electrodes positioned on the palm side of the glove; the electrodes configured to cause the pulsed electric current to travel, without an electric arc via the skin's epidermis and dermis, between at least two of the plurality of electrodes, and wherein the pulsed electric current fails to penetrate clothing, hair or metal; c) a voltage source connected to the glove; d) an activation switch attached to the outward layer; and e) a controller connected to the voltage source and the activation/deactivation switch; the controller comprising: i) a microprocessor; ii) a memory; iii) a pulsed output electric current circuit adapted to carry pulsed electric current to one or more of the plurality of electrodes; and iv) a combination of a pulse oscillation circuit and a first booster circuit; the combination connected with the pulsed output electric current circuit such that when the microprocessor activates the combination, the pulsed output electric current circuit delivers pulsed electric current to one or more of the plurality of electrodes, wherein at the point of electrode contact with the skin, the delivered pulsed output electric current traveling through the epidermis and dermis generated by the combination includes the following ranges of from about: 210-380 volts, 0.5-1.5 amperes, charge levels of 84-125 microcoulombs and pulse durations between 105-115 microseconds.

2) The glove of claim 1, wherein the pulsed output electric current circuit delivers pulsed electric current at the rate of about 29 to about 31 pulses per second and comprises a duty cycle of from about 32 to about 35 percent.

3) The glove of claim 2, wherein the pulsed electric current induces neuro-peripheral interference by stimulating a portion of the peripheral nervous system contained in the skin's epidermis and dermis proximate the electrodes.

4) The glove of claim 3 comprising an information device, distinct from the glove and connectable to the microprocessor, adapted to supply programming information to the memory.

5) The glove of claim 4 comprising a compartment connected with the outward layer; the compartment adapted to contain the voltage source and the microprocessor, wherein the voltage source is rechargeable.

6) A glove adapted to dispense pulsed electric current to a human's skin, wherein the dispensed pulsed electric current interferes temporarily with muscular locomotion of the human; the glove comprising: a) an inner cavity configured to receive a hand of a user, an outward layer and an insulator; b) the outward layer comprising a plurality of electrodes positioned on the palm side of the glove; the electrodes configured to cause the pulsed electric current to travel, without an electric arc via the skin's epidermis and dermis, between at least two of the plurality of electrodes; c) a voltage source connected to the glove; d) an activation switch attached to the outward layer; and e) a controller connected to the voltage source and the activation/deactivation switch; the controller comprising: i) a microprocessor; ii) a memory; iii) a pulsed output electric current circuit adapted to carry pulsed electric current to one or more of the plurality of electrodes; and iv) a combination of a pulse oscillation circuit and a first booster circuit; the combination connected with the pulsed output electric current circuit such that when the microprocessor activates the combination, the pulsed output electric current circuit delivers pulsed electric current to one or more of the plurality of electrodes, wherein at the point of electrode contact with the skin, the delivered pulsed output electric current traveling through the epidermis and dermis generated by the combination includes the following ranges of from about: 210-380 volts, 0.5-1.5 amperes, charge levels of 84-125 microcoulombs and pulse durations between 105-115 microseconds.

7) The glove of claim 6, wherein the pulsed output electric current circuit delivers pulsed electric current at the rate of about 29 to about 31 pulses per second.

8) The glove of claim 7, wherein the pulsed electric current induces neuro-peripheral interference by stimulating a portion of the peripheral nervous system contained in the skin's epidermis and dermis proximate the electrodes.

9) The glove of claim 7 comprising an information device, distinct from the glove and connectable to the microprocessor, adapted to supply programming information to the memory.

10) The glove of claim 7 comprising a duty cycle of from about 32 to about 35 percent.

11) The glove of claim 8, wherein the pulsed electric current fails to penetrate a layer of clothing, hair or metal.

12) The glove of claim 11 comprising a compartment connected with the outward layer; the compartment adapted to contain the voltage source and the controller, wherein the voltage source is rechargeable.

13) A glove adapted to dispense pulsed electric current to a human's skin, wherein the dispensed pulsed electric current interferes temporarily with muscular locomotion of the human; the glove comprising: a) an inner cavity configured to receive a hand of a user and an outward layer including an insulator; b) the outward layer comprising a plurality of electrodes positioned on the palm side of the glove; the electrodes configured to cause the pulsed electric current to travel, without an electric arc via the skin's epidermis and dermis, between at least two of the plurality of electrodes; c) a voltage source connected to the glove; d) an activation switch attached to the outward layer; e) a pulsed output electric current circuit adapted to carry pulsed electric current to one or more of the plurality of electrodes; and f) a combination of a pulse oscillation circuit and a booster circuit; the combination connected with the pulsed output electric current circuit such that when the combination is activated, the pulsed output electric current circuit delivers pulsed electric current to one or more of the plurality of electrodes, wherein at the point of electrode contact with the skin, the delivered pulsed output electric current traveling through the epidermis and dermis generated by the combination induces neuro-peripheral interference by stimulating a portion of the peripheral nervous system contained in the skin's epidermis and dermis proximate the electrodes.

14) The glove of claim 13, wherein the pulsed output electric current circuit delivers pulsed electric current at the rate of about 29 to about 31 pulses per second.

15) The glove of claim 14, wherein at the point of electrode contact with the skin, the delivered pulsed output electric current traveling through the epidermis and dermis generated by the combination includes the following ranges of from about: 210-380 volts, 0.5-1.5 amperes, charge levels of 84-125 microcoulombs and pulse durations between 105-115 microseconds.

16) The glove of claim 15 comprising a controller connected to the voltage source and the activation/deactivation switch; the controller comprising: a microprocessor and a memory.

17) The glove of claim 16, wherein the pulsed electric current fails to penetrate a layer of clothing, hair or metal.

18) The glove of claim 17 comprising an information device, distinct from the glove and connectable to the microprocessor, adapted to supply programming information to the memory.

19) The glove of claim 18 comprising a duty cycle of from about 32 to about 35 percent.

20) The glove of claim 19 comprising a compartment connected with the outward layer; the compartment adapted to contain the voltage source and the microprocessor, wherein the voltage source is rechargeable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of the palm side (34) of glove (30) and skin (S) of a human limb (L).

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment the backside (38) of glove (30).

[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of controller (60) and information device (80) distinct from glove (30).

[0020] FIG. 4 is perspective of left handed and right handed gloves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the embodiments published herein merely exemplify the present invention.

[0022] The present invention is a glove adapted to dispense pulsed electric current to a human's skin. Applicant believes that the present glove is particularly useful for law enforcement entities and agencies. Meeting a long felt but unfilled need, among other things, the present glove allows law enforcement to minimize potential injury to an agitated arrestee, prisoner or suspect when circumstances require the “taking down” or temporary distraction of the agitated arrestee, prisoner or suspect.

[0023] It has been discovered that the present invention's dispensed pulsed electric current flowing through the skin's epidermis and dermis induces a neuro-peripheral interference in the section of the epidermis and dermis receiving the pulsed electric current. When used as instructed by the Applicant, it is believed that the pulsed electric current does not engage tissue beneath the dermis. After the central nervous system detects the neuro-peripheral interference, the neurological signals from the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system interfere temporarily with muscular locomotion which distracts the agitated arrestee, prisoner or suspect.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, skin (S) is portrayed as a portion of a human limb (L). Glove (30) is adapted to dispense pulsed electric current to a human's skin (S). Outward layer (32) of glove (30) supports a plurality of electrodes (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, etc.). The plurality of electrodes includes at least one cathode and one anode and the glove is functional with a single anode and cathode. Within the ambit of the present invention, electrodes (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d) can be positioned on palm side (34), backside (38) or at any other desired section of glove (30). A preferred location for electrodes (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d) is palm side (34) of glove (30). Electrodes (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d) are configured to cause the pulsed electric current to travel, without an electric arc via the skin's epidermis and dermis, between at least two of the plurality of electrodes.

[0025] It has been discovered that the present invention's dispensed pulsed electric current is effective in the taking down or temporary distraction of the arrestee, prisoner or suspect when administered to the skin (S) of the arrestee, prisoner or suspect. Within the scope of the present invention, the dispensed pulsed electric current will not penetrate clothing, hair or metal. It was also discovered that the dispensed pulsed electric current administered to skin (S) of the agitated arrestee, prisoner or suspect has no effect on another human contacting the agitated arrestee, prisoner or suspect when the dispensed pulsed electric current is administered.

[0026] Glove (30) includes inner cavity (40) for receiving a user's hand. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, outward layer (32) can be an insulator between the plurality of electrodes (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d) and the user's hand. Other preferred embodiments can include a distinct insulation layer (42) between the plurality of electrodes (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d) and the user's hand. Within the scope of the present invention, insulation layer (42) can include a flexible insulator incorporated into a fabric or any other flexible insulator acceptable in the art. A flexible insulator incorporated into a fabric is preferred because the fabric can reduce dampness inside glove (30).

[0027] FIG. 2 portrays the backside (38) of glove (30). Backside (38) of glove (30) includes an attached activation/deactivation switch (44). Backside (38) can also be provided with compartment (46) adapted to contain controller (60) and voltage source (50). Depressing switch (44) actives microprocessor (62) and depressing switch (44) for approximately three seconds deactivates microprocessor (62). Glove (30) can be engineered with any activation/deactivation switch acceptable in the art. Within the ambit of the current invention, the voltage source (50) can be a lithium ion battery or other direct current storage device acceptable in the art. Voltage source (50) can be rechargeable.

[0028] Among other things, controller (60) can be provided with a microprocessor (62), memory (64) and pulsed output electric current circuit (66) connected with one or more of the plurality of electrodes (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d). Pulsed output electric current circuit (66) is adapted to carry pulsed electric current to one or more of the plurality of electrodes (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d). Pulsed output electric current is generated by a combination (68, 72) of pulse oscillation circuit (68) connected with first booster circuit (72). The combination (68, 72) is connected with the pulsed output electric current circuit (66) and microprocessor (62) directs generated pulsed output electric current to pulsed output electric current circuit (66) for transmission to one or more of the plurality of electrodes (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d).

[0029] Within the scope of the present invention, at the point of contact with one or more electrodes (36a, 36b, 36c, 36d) with skin (S), it has been discovered that the delivered pulsed output electric current traveling through the epidermis and dermis of skin (S) generated by the combination includes the following ranges of from about: 210-380 volts, 0.5-1.5 amperes, charge levels of 84-125 microcoulombs and pulse durations between 105-115 microseconds. It has been discovered pulsed output electric current circuit (66) delivers pulsed electric current at the rate of about 29 to about 31 pulses per second. When activated, glove (30) has a duty cycle of from about 32 to about 35 percent.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a preferred embodiment of controller (60) and information device (80) distinct from glove (30). Glove (30) includes all necessary circuitry for interaction and operation of and communication between its electrical parts.

[0031] Controller (60) includes microprocessor (62), memory (64), a portion of pulsed output electric current circuit (66), pulse oscillation circuit (68), first booster circuit (72), voltage source (50) and junction (76) for interconnection with information device (80).

[0032] Among other things, each incident of activation or deactivation of glove (30) is stored in memory (64). Along with glove's (30) operational apps, memory (64) is adapted to store the following information such as serial number of the microprocessor, the year, the month and the day of activation or deactivation of glove (30). Within the scope of glove (30), information device (80) can be joined with junction (76) to deliver information that set the microprocessor's initial clock setting to the appropriate time zone.

[0033] Alterations in the electrical circuitry or glove (30) can achieve identical results. For example, the combination (68, 72) of pulse oscillation circuit (68) and first booster circuit (72) can connect either first booster circuit (72) or pulse oscillation (68) to voltage source (50). Select preferred embodiments of glove (30) can also include a second booster circuit (not shown in the Drawings).

[0034] Within the scope of the present invention, aramid fibers can be incorporated into one or more sections of outward layer (32) of glove (30).

[0035] FIG. 4 portrays a pair of right and left handed gloves (30L, 30R). Within the scope of the present invention, when distracting the agitated arrestee, prisoner or suspect, one or a pair of gloves can be utilized. The components of gloves (30L, 30R) are identical to glove (30).

[0036] Applicant has enabled, described and disclosed the invention as required by Title 35 of the United States Code and/or the Articles of the Patent Cooperation Treaty.