1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of devices used for restraining a patient and is particularly directed toward the type of restraining device which incorporates provisions for facilitating expeditious release of the patient if and when such need arises.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heretofore, the typical restraining device incorporating structure for enabling rapid release of the patient from the restraining device was dependent upon a key and lock apparatus which required the medical practitioner to carry a key for releasing the patient. Often times, urgency dictated that the patient be released immediately and the necessary key, for some reason or another, was not available. This impediment necessitated that the medical practitioner resort to drastic measures in releasing the patient, i.e., severing the restraining device with scissors or the like, thus rendering the device unserviceable for future use.
Other restraining devices have been developed which incorporate a simple clasp fastener of the type usually found on inexpensive dog leashes and the like, see for example, a U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,068 issued to Stubbs in 1970. Certain of these prior restraining devices incorporate structure which acts like a noose on the wrist, i.e., the structure engaging the wrist tightens about the wrist as the patient applies a pulling force which, of course, results in reducing circulation or perhaps completely cutting off the circulation. Often times, the patient will be under the influence of medication and not realize what he is doing, thus the restraining device renders harm to the patient. The above mentioned Stubbs patent is an example of the noose type restraining device.
In addition, previous restraining devices were intended to simply be attached to the side rails of the bed, i.e., the bars that are often times used to prevent a patient from rolling out of bed. Thus, this arrangement, being in line with the upper surface of the mattress, permits the patient to have access to the restraint which often enables him to eventually be successful in releasing his restraint.
Other U.S. patents pertaining to similar devices as known by the applicant include the following: U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,026 granted to Van Pelt in 1967 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,829 granted to Spann in 1976. It should be noted that none of the above mentioned patents suggests or discloses applicant's device.
Therefore, it would appear that a need exists for a restraining device that may quickly be released (by the medical practitioners) without being severed when emergency conditions exist or to permit the patient to attend to normal biological functions when appropriate.