Abstract:
A personal protection device comprising a shield having two planar sides, oppositely disposed to one another, wherein the shield is fabricated of a ballistic resistant material, a window interconnected in the shield, an access port disposed on the shield, two handles, each disposed on a planar side, wherein the two handles allow a user to hold the shield in either the right or left hand without extension across the user&#39;s body while maintaining the position of the shield in front of the user&#39;s body.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/916,067 filed May 4, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to personal protection devices, and, more particularly, to such personal protection devices with ballistic resistant properties that can be hand-held in order to provide ballistic resistant protection to an individual behind the device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    There are many locations and situations where law enforcement, security personnel, or others, such as workers in financial institutions and the like, may be placed in harm&#39;s way. If these individuals are located in the same station or location everyday, that location may be equipped with ballistic resistant capabilities to protect the individual, which should be appreciated by those skilled in the art and need not be repeated herein. 
         [0006]    In situations where these locations may not be permanent or a threat may develop suddenly, however, it would be useful and desirable to have a ballistic resistant device that could be utilized quickly. In addition, it would be useful and desirable for such a device to be implemented quickly and to provide ballistic resistant coverage to an individual user&#39;s center of mass while at the same time allowing observation and the ability to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the individual user. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,101 discloses a ballistic protection apparatus capable of stopping a bullet. The apparatus includes a shield onto which a long gun can be mounted, wherein the gun is positioned at the top of the shield. U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,524 is directed to a guardsman shield for opposably parrying a hostile assailant. The shield contains two handles or grasps on the same side of the shield. 
         [0008]    It is a primary object of the invention to provide a portable protective device that may be used to protect a person&#39;s center of mass. It is a another object of the invention to provide a versatile protective device that may be used to protect a person&#39;s face and head, while providing a view of an assailant. It is yet another object of the invention to provide a versatile protective device that may be used by a right-handed or left-handed person equally. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    These and other objects and advantages are accomplished by personal protection devices having ballistic resistant properties. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a personal protection device, and, more a particularly, personal protection device with ballistic resistant properties that can be hand-held in order to provide ballistic resistant protection to an individual behind the device, is provided. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a personal protection device with ballistic resistant properties that can be hand-held, such as a hand-held ballistic resistant shield, is provided. 
         [0011]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a ballistic resistant personal protection device is provided that is able to be implemented quickly, e.g., in dangerous situations. 
         [0012]    In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, a ballistic resistant personal protection device is provided that affords ballistic resistant protection to the center of mass of the individual user (or other part of an individual&#39;s body). 
         [0013]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a ballistic resistant personal protection device is provided that can be wielded by either the left or right hand of the user, while simultaneously supporting a defensive device (or weapon) in the same hand. 
         [0014]    In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the present invention, a ballistic resistant personal protection device is provided that can be broken down for ease of transport and maintenance. 
         [0015]    In accordance with still a further embodiment of the present invention, a personal protection device comprising a base unit composed of a ballistic resistant material, such as metal, plastic, ceramic or a composite material, and a window interconnected to the base unit composed of a ballistic resistant transparent armor, such as a bullet resistant plastic and/or glass, which provides protective observation, is provided. The base unit comprises an access port through which a defensive device or weapon (e.g., a pistol or stun gun) can be utilized. Use of this port provides additional protection to the user, and allows the user to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the user. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the base unit further comprises a support handle on both sides of the base unit to allow the user to wield the personal protection device with either hand. 
         [0017]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the proximity of the handles to the access port allows the same hand of the user to support the personal protection device and engage the threat using the defensive device or weapon. This allows the user&#39;s other hand to be free to perform other tasks. 
         [0018]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the handles of the personal protection device are hinged or flexible in order to allow them to collapse for storage. The handles also conform to the grip of the defensive device or weapon being held. 
         [0019]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, the base unit further comprises a support strap handle on both sides of the base unit to allow the user to wield the personal protection device with the opposite hand (opposite the hand holding the support handle and/or defensive device or weapon). 
         [0020]    In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, an individual may protect herself from ballistics by holding the personal protection device between the individual&#39;s center of mass (or other part of the individual&#39;s body) and the oncoming ballistic. The individual user may provide herself with additional protection (or with the ability to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the user), by use of a defensive device or weapon through the access port of the personal protection device. 
         [0021]    In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a personal protection device is provided comprising a shield having two planar sides, oppositely disposed to one another, with a thin peripheral edge extending between the two planar sides, wherein the shield is fabricated of a ballistic resistant material, a window interconnected in the shield, an access port disposed on the shield, two handles, each disposed on a planar side, wherein the two handles allow a user to hold the shield in either the right or left hand without extension of an arm across the user&#39;s body while maintaining the position of the shield in front of the user&#39;s body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view that illustrates a personal protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view that illustrates a personal protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view that illustrates a personal protection device in use by an individual user according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    As will be appreciated, a versatile personal protection device is provided. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a personal protection device, more particularly, personal protection devices with ballistic resistant properties that can be hand-held in order to provide ballistic resistant protection to an individual behind the device, are provided. A personal protection device of an embodiment of the present invention comprises a personal protection device with ballistic resistant properties that can be hand-held, such as a hand-held ballistic resistant shield. 
         [0027]    A personal protection device of an embodiment of the present invention affords ballistic resistant protection to the center of mass of the user (or other part of an individual&#39;s body), can be implemented quickly (e.g., in dangerous situations), can be wielded by either the left or right hand of the user while simultaneously supporting a defensive device (or weapon) in the same hand, and can be broken down for ease of transport and maintenance. 
         [0028]    Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a personal protection device  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment shows a personal protection device  10  comprising a base unit  11  composed of a ballistic resistant material, such as metal, plastic, ceramic or a composite material, and a window  12  interconnected to the base unit  11  composed of a ballistic resistant transparent armor, such as a bullet resistant plastic and/or glass (which provides protective observation). Examples of ballistic resistant materials include, but are not limited to, Spectra Shield™ composite, Spectra™ fiber, Kevlar® material, and Dyneema® material. The thickness of the shield may range from about 0.1 inch to about 1 inch and preferably from about 0.25 inch to about 0.375 inch. Base unit  11  is shown in the form of a rectangular shape, although any shape may be used as desired. Examples of other shapes include, but are not limited to, a polygonal, circular and oval shapes. Examples of polygonal shapes include, but are not limited to, a rectangular, square, hexagonal or octagonal. 
         [0029]    The addition of window  12  provides versatility for the user, allowing the user to shield not only the center of mass of the user, but also the user&#39;s face and head, while still allowing the user a view of his assailant or attacker. Although window  12  may be located in any section of base unit  11 , it is preferable that window  12  is positioned proximate the top edge of base unit  11  or flush with the edge of base unit  11  to provide a clear view should the user shield his face with personal protection device  10 . 
         [0030]    The base unit  11  comprises an access port  13  through which a defensive device or weapon (e.g., a pistol or stun gun, not shown) can be utilized. Use of this port  13  provides additional protection to the user, and allows the user to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the user. The base unit  11  further comprises a support handle  14  on both sides of the base unit  11  (only one side shown) to allow the user to wield the personal protection device  10  with either hand. 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , the personal protection device  10  (as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 ) is shown in use by an individual user  16  according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a personal protection device  10  comprising a base unit  11  composed of a ballistic resistant material, such as metal, plastic, ceramic or a composite material, and a window  12  interconnected to the base unit  11  composed of a ballistic resistant transparent armor, such as a bullet resistant plastic and/or glass (which provides protective observation). The base unit  11  comprises an access port  13  through which a defensive device or weapon  15  (e.g., a pistol or stun gun) can be utilized. Use of this port  13  provides additional protection to the user  16 , and allows the user  16  to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the user  16 . The base unit  11  further comprises a support handle  14  on both sides of the base unit  11  (only one side shown) to allow the user  16  to wield the personal protection device  10  with either hand. The handle  14  conforms to the grip of the defensive device or weapon  15  being held. Also, the handles  14  of the personal protection device  10  are hinged or flexible in order to allow them to collapse for storage. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , it is preferable that the location of the handles  14  (only one handle shown) be proximate to the access port  13  to allow the same hand of the user to support the personal protection device  10  and engage the threat using a defensive device or weapon  15 . It is preferable that handles  14  are located below access port  13  to allow easy access to a weapon while holding onto a handle  14 . This allows the user&#39;s other hand  17  to be free to perform other tasks. 
         [0033]    Also, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the base unit  11  further comprises a support strap handle  18  (see also  FIGS. 1-2 ) on both sides of the base unit  11  to allow the user  16  to wield the personal protection device  10  with the opposite hand  17  (opposite the hand holding the support handle  14  and/or defensive device or weapon  15 ). Strap handle  18  may also be used to fit around the user&#39;s arm or leg, allowing freedom of the user&#39;s hand. 
         [0034]    An individual  16  may protect herself from ballistics by holding the personal protection device  10  between the individual&#39;s  16  center of mass (or other part of the individual&#39;s body) and an oncoming ballistic. As noted supra, the individual user  16  may provide herself with additional protection (or with the ability to engage the threat without increasing exposure to the user  16 ), by use of a defensive device or weapon  15  through the access port  13  of the personal protection device  10 . 
         [0035]    While various descriptions of the present invention are described above, it should be understood that the various features can be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the specifically preferred embodiments depicted herein. 
         [0036]    Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.