Law enforcement vehicular suspect restraint device and associated method of use

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicular suspect restraint device for use in a law enforcement vehicle. The vehicular suspect restraint device includes a first strap portion comprising a substantially-flexible material and a second strap portion comprising a substantially-flexible material. The vehicular suspect restraint device also includes a buckle assembly attached to a first end portion of the first strap portion and a first end portion of the second strap portion, wherein the buckle assembly is operable for selectively adjusting the length of at least one of the first strap portion and the second strap portion. The vehicular suspect restraint device further includes a first fastening mechanism movably attached to a second end portion of the first strap portion, wherein the first fastening mechanism is operable for selectively engaging and holding a personal suspect restraint device associated with a suspect. Optionally, the vehicular suspect restraint device still further includes a second fastening mechanism movably attached to a second end portion of the second strap portion, wherein the second fastening mechanism is operable for selectively engaging and holding a point of attachment associated with a law enforcement vehicle.

1 . A vehicular suspect restraint device for use in a law enforcement vehicle, the vehicular suspect restraint device comprising: 
 a first strap portion comprising a substantially-flexible material;    a second strap portion comprising a substantially-flexible material;    a buckle assembly attached to a first end portion of the first strap portion and a first end portion of the second strap portion, wherein the buckle assembly is operable for selectively adjusting the length of at least one of the first strap portion and the second strap portion; and    a first fastening mechanism movably attached to a second end portion of the first strap portion, wherein the first fastening mechanism is operable for selectively engaging and holding a personal suspect restraint device associated with a suspect.    
   
   
       2 . The vehicular suspect restraint device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second fastening mechanism movably attached to a second end portion of the second strap portion, wherein the second fastening mechanism is operable for selectively engaging and holding a point of attachment associated with a law enforcement vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The vehicular suspect restraint device of  claim 1 , wherein the first strap portion and the second strap portion are integrally formed.  
   
   
       4 . A method for restraining a suspect within the interior of a law enforcement vehicle, the method comprising: 
 providing a vehicular suspect restraint device, the vehicular suspect restraint device comprising: 
 a first strap portion comprising a substantially-flexible material;  
 a second strap portion comprising a substantially-flexible material;  
 a buckle assembly attached to a first end portion of the first strap portion and a first end portion of the second strap portion, wherein the buckle assembly is operable for selectively adjusting the length of at least one of the first strap portion and the second strap portion; and  
 a first fastening mechanism movably attached to a second end portion of the first strap portion, wherein the first fastening mechanism is operable for selectively engaging and holding a personal suspect restraint device associated with a suspect;  
   fastening the first fastening mechanism to the personal suspect restraint device associated with the suspect;    fastening the second strap portion to a point of attachment associated with the law enforcement vehicle; and    selectively adjusting the length of the at least one of the first strap portion and the second strap portion to secure the suspect.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 providing the vehicular suspect restraint device, the vehicular suspect restraint device comprising: 
 a second fastening mechanism movably attached to a second end portion of the second strap portion, wherein the second fastening mechanism is operable for selectively engaging and holding a point of attachment associated with a law enforcement vehicle.  
   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising fastening the second fastening mechanism to the point of attachment associated with the law enforcement vehicle.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first strap portion and the second strap portion are integrally formed.