Methods and apparatus for personal safety

A personal safety device for protection from a firearm attack includes a conventional accessory item adapted for use other than as a personal safety device and a bullet resistant panel that is integrated into the conventional accessory item. The conventional accessory item may take the form of a clipboard, a backpack or other item. Integration of the panel with the selected item is conducted in such a manner as to cause the panel to be placed in the path of fire when a person engages in natural defensive posturing. The clipboard is provided with a light, multiple spring clips and a suitably sized handle to encourage proper grasp of the clipboard for the intended purpose.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to personal safety. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and apparatus adapted for cooperation with a person's natural defensive instincts to provide readily available protection from a firearms attack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Notwithstanding the evolution of society, violent crime persists as a threat to virtually anyone at any time. In fact, with the passage of time, the manner and circumstances in and under which one may fall victim to violence have only increased. For example, firearms are now readily available to virtually any individual desiring to inflict violence and, in the age of instant broadcast of news of violent attacks, any “new” manner of inflicting violence is typically copied by others resulting in “waves” of attacks on law enforcement or security officers, school shootings and the like.

Because no amount of gun control or other preventive measures is likely to result in the unavailability of firearms to the elements of society who truly wish to do harm to others, it is left to the remainder of society to take precautions for personal safety. This fact of life is daily exemplified by the wearing by law enforcement officers of bullet resistant garments and the constant admonishment to children that they should avoid talking to strangers or taking a shortcut home through the proverbial “dark alley.”

Unfortunately, the foregoing longstanding measures continue to fall short—law enforcement and security officers are still killed or seriously wounded by gunfire and children or others are still not completely safe even in the most public places. Furthermore, because most people, including law enforcement and security officers, are not routinely the victims of firearms attacks, training in defensive tactics often fails under the stress of an actual attack.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to improve upon the personal safety devices presently available by providing personal safety devices that function in cooperation with a victim's natural defensive instincts for the delivery of protection. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide such devices that are also integrated into the daily routine of those who possess the devices in order that the devices are readily available if ever needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the foregoing objects, the present invention—a personal safety device for protection from a firearm attack generally comprises a conventional accessory item adapted for use other than as a personal safety device and a bullet resistant panel that is integrated into the conventional accessory item. In at least one implementation of the present invention, the conventional accessory item may comprise an item other than apparel or an apparel accessory that a user of the safety device may expect to ordinarily carry in the conduct of job related or other similar functions such as, for example, a clipboard as may be carried by a law enforcement or security officer. In at least one other implementation of the present invention, the conventional accessory item may comprise apparel or an apparel accessory item such as, for example, a backpack as may be worn or carried by a student.

Finally, many other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts, especially in light of the foregoing discussions and the following drawings, exemplary detailed description and appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize many alternative embodiments, especially in light of the illustrations provided herein, this detailed description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the scope of which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Referring now to the figures generally, the personal safety device10of the present invention generally comprises a conventional accessory item adapted for use other than as a personal safety device and a bullet resistant panel that is integrated into the conventional accessory item. In at least one implementation of the present invention, the conventional accessory item may comprise an item other than apparel or an apparel accessory that a user of the safety device10may expect to ordinarily carry in the conduct of job related or other similar functions such as, for example, a clipboard11as may be carried by a law enforcement or security officer34. In at least one other implementation of the present invention, the conventional accessory item may comprise apparel or an apparel accessory item such as, for example, a backpack26as may be worn or carried by a student.

In an implementation of the present invention comprising a clipboard11, the clipboard11is preferably formed of a substantially planar panel12, as particularly shown inFIG. 1, which panel12is manufactured from bullet resistant material and used in the ordinary course as a writing surface. As is conventional, the panel11is preferably provided with a document clip19and may also be provided with an additional clip20for use in holding an identification card or the like. Likewise, the panel12may be provided about its edges13with an aesthetic and/or protective edge treatment15as is known in the art. Although the edges13of the panel12may generally take any shape as may be desired in a particular implementation, at least a portion14of the edge13of the panel12should be substantially linear as will be better understood further herein.

As a critical aspect of this implementation of the present invention, the clipboard11must be provided with a handhold16adapted and positioned such that should the user34of the clipboard11come under a firearm attack the manner in which the user34is holding the clipboard11will cause the bullet resistant panel12to be interposed into the line of fire under the ordinary reaction of the user34. In particular, the handhold16is formed as an elongate orifice through the panel12substantially adjacent and parallel to the substantially linear portion14of the edge13of the panel12. As shown inFIG. 3, the described arrangement will naturally cause the user34of the clipboard11to hold the clipboard11by gripping (with his or her weak hand) the panel12with thumb up and fingers under and up through the elongate orifice through the panel12. In this manner, should the user34of the clipboard11come under an unexpected firearm attack while using the clipboard11, the user's natural instinct to defensively raise his or her weak hand will result in the placement of the bullet resistant panel12directly in the unprotected line of fire while leaving free the user's strong hand for offensive retaliation, as shown inFIG. 4.

In order to ensure that the user34maintains a secure grasp of the clipboard11under such a circumstance, the clipboard11is preferably provided with a grip17as particularly shown inFIG. 2. The grip17, which may comprise a semi-rigid rubber or plastics material, is preferably elongate for provision on the clipboard11in the area between the elongate orifice therethrough and the substantially linear portion14of the edge13thereof. As shown inFIG. 2, the grip17may comprise a plurality of appurtenances to the panel12, each of which is preferably generally semicircular in cross section in order to better conform to the user's grip. Although the preferred embodiment comprises such an arrangement, it is noted that the present invention may also be implemented with a single appurtenance or with a grip17integrally formed of the material of construction of the panel12.

In order to ensure that the user34of the clipboard11holds the clipboard11in the manner as has been described, it is preferable that the clipboard11also be provided with a lighting fixture21attached thereto. In this manner, the user34will not be tempted to adopt an alternative manner of holding the clipboard11in an attempt to also hold a flashlight. In such embodiments as may include this provision it is noted that the grip17may double as a battery compartment23or a battery compartment23may be otherwise implemented within the internal space18of a portion of the grip17. The light source22, which may comprise an energy efficient light emitting diode or any other light source, is in any case preferably affixed to the battery compartment23and batteries24therein through a flexible neck25. In this manner, the user may adjust the light cast from the lighting fixture21as desired, thereby doubly ensuring that the user34will naturally properly hold the clipboard11during ordinary tasks.

In an implementation of the present invention comprising a bullet resistant backpack26, an otherwise conventional backpack27is provided with a compartment29that is adapted to receive therein a bullet resistant panel33. The compartment is further preferably adapted to maintain the orientation of the panel33such that if a wearer of the backpack26is fleeing from an assailant the planar surface of the panel33will be generally perpendicular to the line of fire, thereby affording maximum protection to the wearer. The compartment29may be formed as a scabbard30into which the panel33may be slipped (as shown inFIG. 5), formed as a pocket31in which the panel33may be secreted (as shown inFIG. 6) or may be formed in any other substantially equivalent manner. In the case of a pocket31, a zipper32or other closure may be provided. Additionally, although for exemplification of the present invention the compartment29is shown on the outside of the bullet resistant backpack26, it should be noted that the compartment29may also be provided in the interior of the backpack26.

Still further, it is noted that the compartment29is shown to be provided adjacent the back side28of the backpack26. Although not critical to the implementation of the present invention, it is additionally noted that such implementation is preferred inasmuch as placement of the bullet resistant panel33such that the body of the backpack26and contents thereof are interposed the line of fire and the wearer's body allows the body of the backpack26and contents thereof to act as a cushion. This is especially important when the wearer of the backpack26is a child as all steps possible should be taken to disperse the very powerful force with which a bullet will impact the panel33.

While the foregoing description is exemplary of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize the many variations, alterations, modifications, substitutions and the like as are readily possible, especially in light of this description, the accompanying drawings and claims drawn thereto. In any case, because the scope of the present invention is much broader than any particular embodiment, the foregoing detailed description should not be construed as a limitation of the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims appended hereto.