A bullet-resistant defensive device is disclosed made up of layers of bullet resistant material layered together and connected along their peripheral edge on a frame to form a planar shield. The shield so formed works such that a bullet striking the shield causes the layered bullet resistant material to flex thereby dissipating the force of the bullet, the material when it stretches transfers the force of the bullet from a shear mode to a tensile mode. One preferred embodiment incorporates the invention into a clipboard box for use by police officers for protecting against head, neck and hand wounds from handguns fired at close range from vehicles. The hand-held, bullet resistant clipboard box holds documents and writing implements, and the bullet-resistant material is located within the clipboard box interior cavity and configured for catching a fired bullet before it can pass through the entire clipboard.

In the various FIGS. in a number of instances identical elements and features are given the same reference numbers; inFIGS. 10-15elements and 30 features similar to those shown inFIGS. 1-7are given the same reference numbers followed by an “a” and inFIGS. 16 and 17elements and features similar to those shown inFIGS. 1-7are given the same reference numbers followed by a “b”.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the accompanying figures, it will be seen that a typical scenario where the present invention may be advantageously employed is illustrated inFIG. 1. As shown therein, a law enforcement officer2has approached the driver (or other occupant)4of a stopped vehicle6, such as for the purpose of issuing a summons to appear before a magistrate or other judicial officer, due to an alleged traffic violation. Officer2may be wearing a bulletproof vest, although the present invention may be utilized even if no such vest is being worn. Unexpectedly, the driver4deploys a firearm8(for example, a handgun) pointed in the direction of the officer and specifically at the officer's upper body region and especially his neck or head.

At this point, officer2, who is carrying a head and neck shield in the form of a protective shield10, configured in accordance with the present invention, places that shield in front of his face so that it is interposed between the likely path of the bullet fired by the firearm8and the critical target areas of his face, neck and head. In so doing, officer2prevents grave and potentially critical injury to his more vulnerable upper body region from the bullet fired by driver4.

In addition, shield10gives officer2the opportunity to back away from vehicle6where he has the ability to secure protection against further firing of firearm8and to deploy his own weapon to overcome and arrest driver4.

Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 3in particular, it will be seen that the head and neck shield10comprises a clipboard box12having a front portion or panel14including an exterior planar writing surface19and a back portion or panel16.

Clipboard box12can be any one of a variety of devices which provide an interior compartment for storage, as well as an exterior flat surface for writing purposes, and a clip device18shown inFIG. 2. The present invention may, by way of example with no limitations being intended or implied, be constructed from a Rubbermaid model 1076-45 storage clipboard. Although that particular Rubbermaid model clipboard box may be used, it is preferable to substitute a shatterproof material, such as Dupont Hi-Trel resin material or polycarbonate which is more resistant to shattering in response to the impact of a bullet than is the plastic material currently employed in the aforementioned Rubbermaid storage clipboard.

As seen inFIG. 3, clipboard box12is provided with a bullet-resistant material20adhesively connected by an adhesive bead22along its edge within the interior of the box cavity9and more particularly against the lower interior surface13of back portion16. Box cavity9is defined by an upper interior surface11, lower interior surface13, and the connecting sidewalls17. The edges of the bullet resistant material can be connected in a variety of other ways including a pressure fit. In one variation a ledge could stick out from the interior surface of the enclosure and hold the edges of the material. In another variation the edges of the material could be force fitted into a grove within the interior edge.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, bullet-resistant material20comprises a plurality of distinct layers of commercial grade KEVLAR, such as at least twenty separate plies of grade 710-29 KEVLAR, preferably stitched together by suitable KEVLAR thread in the manner shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, as will be discussed hereinafter.

As seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown herein, various plies or layers25of KEVLAR fabric are stitched together in approximately 1-inch squares by thread24. An important aspect of the present invention is that layers25of KEVLAR bulletproof material20, not be overly secured to one another.

More specifically, it has been found advantageous by the present inventor to permit layers25of material20to be somewhat independent of one another in movement induced by the force (F) of an impacting bullet26, whereby the bullet-resistant material layers are distorted in a manner with respect to time (t) which more slowly and efficiently dissipates the kinetic energy (KE) of the bullet. For this purpose, it is also important that the material20not be secured to lower interior surface13of bottom portion16along the entire engaging surface thereof, but only along the edge thereof, by a heat-activated adhesive22. In fact, it has been found advantageous to permit the fabric to respond to the impact force of bullet26by the fabric moving away from the interior surface13of the back portion16in a manner which can best be understood by reference toFIGS. 6 and 7.

As shown inFIG. 6, when bullet26impacts the head and neck shield10and makes an aperture, into box hollow interior cavity9, such as back portion hole28, layers25of material20, despite being sewn together by the KEVLAR thread24, begin to displace and stretch distort material portion32immediately in front of the bullet into box interior force dissipation space15.

As seen inFIG. 7, this stretching distortion and relative movement of layers25of bullet-resistant material20continues as bullet26traverses the interior gap expanse (force dissipation space)15of clipboard box12. Material20forms a displaced and distorted configuration32immediately in front of bullet26and thus severely limits and impedes the bullet's travel so that it does not leave clipboard box12and does not penetrate the KEVLAR layers25. Nevertheless, a front portion hole30may be formed by the impact of the combination of bullet-resistant material20and bullet26.

As shown inFIG. 8, the fabric layers by being secured to the lower interior surfaces of the box cavity only along the edges of said layers and the box cavity have sufficient cavity interior depth to provide for a force dissipation space defined between the upper layer of said bullet-resistant fabric and the box cavity upper interior surface, thereby allowing the fabric fibers to elongate from their shear 14,521 psi max. mode into their tensile 424,000 psi max. mode condition for dissipating kinetic energy over distance space and time when the box is struck by a fired bullet.

In the prior art as shown inFIG. 9a, bullet penetration of a constrained ARAMID fiber fabric exhibits a bullet force (F1) vs. time (t1) curve where the kinetic energy (KE) is equal to A1, the area under the F1vs. t1curve which is equal to, and thus the same as, the area A2as shown inFIG. 9b.

The important and distinctive difference betweenFIG. 9aandFIG. 9b, is that the peak force (F1) inFIG. 9ais a relatively high peak force which may exceed the shear/tensile strength of the ARAMID fabric, while the lower force (F2) inFIG. 9bis a time attenuated peak force, and thus in most cases substantially less than the breaking shear/tensile force of the ARAMID fabric.

The box force dissipation space15provided behind the bullet-resistant material as shown inFIG. 7, allows the material to distort and respectively move with the bullet26through the force dissipation space15. This air space absorbing provision is unique over the prior art in that this time absorbing space allows the fabric material to effectively absorb and help defeat the forceful (F2) penetration of the bullet26in that manner as shown inFIG. 9b.

As the ARAMID fabric armor layer moves through the force dissipation space15, the bullet's kinetic energy is dissipated over a longer time base than if the fabric were restrained, thus more effectively stopping the bullet26.

Bullet26energy dissipated over a short time base generates high peak force (F1) vectors, while energy dissipated over a longer time base generates lower peak force (F2) vectors even though the total kinetic energy (KE) under theFIG. 9aandFIG. 9b(F) vs. (t) curves are the same. By providing the force dissipation space behind the armor, and allowing the armor to move through this force dissipation space15when the bullet26is pushing against the armor, decelerates the bullet over space and time thereby lowering the peak force (F2).

It is thus evident that the force dissipation space allows the peak force (F2) to be lower, so that more strands of the armor are protected from the critical shear force (14,521 psi) mode that tends to break the fibers.

The force dissipation space15allows the armor to distort in such a manner that the fibers form a pocket around the bullet to place the fibers in a tensile strength (424,000 psi) mode, and thus in their strongest orientation position. A bullet stretching the pocket tends to elongate the fibers in an area where they are the strongest. Traditional armor methods place the fibers at a right angle to the bullet26when the bullet force (F1) hits the strands of armor on their side and in shear. The force dissipation space15permits more of the armor strands to be placed in tension (high strength) rather than shear (low strength), thereby increasing the bullet penetration resisting capability by as much as the ratio of 424,000 psi:14,521 psi or 29.2:1.

Thus, the combination of the force dissipation space15, the freedom of the armor to move in that space15, the layers25and adhesive attachment tend to allow the fabric to distort with freedom and give within the disclosed system, creating more effective energy dissipation over the prior art.

In practice, it has been found advantageous by the present-inventor to employ a box12which is at least ten inches in length and at least six inches in width and which has a maximum depth of less than four inches. The preferred clipboard box12shown herein is about thirteen inches in length, about ten inches in width and has a maximum depth of about three inches.

It is preferable to limit the depth to something easily accommodated by a police officer's hands and to provide sufficient length and width to shield at least the head and neck of the officer. Bullet-resistant material20should therefore occupy at least one-half and most preferably most of the surface area of writing surface or exterior surface21of front portion14.

In the preferred embodiment, the construction of bullet-resistant material20is as follows:a) KEVLAR ARAMID S710 using 1500 Denier (gm/9000 m) fibers.b) Each fiber has 1000 individual filaments.c) The woven fabric is Plain Weave, 24 fibers per inch in both the X and Y (i.e., the warp and woof weaving) directions.d) 22 plies of this fabric are stitched together using a 1.25 inch “box stitch” pattern having four stitches per inch.e) Dupont manufactures the fiber, other fabricators, such as Second Chance, weave the fibers into fabric sheets, cut them to size and stitch multiple plies of the fabric sheets together.

Thus it will be understood that the present invention comprises a clipboard box12uniquely configured to serve also as a hand-held bullet-resistant shield10, which may be employed by police officers and the like to protect parts of the body not otherwise protected, such as by bullet-proof vest or the like.

First Variation of FIGS. 10-15:

There is shown inFIGS. 10-15a variation defensive shield10aprincipally for use by law enforcement personnel. This variation defensive shield10a, which corresponds generally to above-described shield10, comprises a variation clipboard box12awhich except as specifically described below, is identical with above-described clipboard box12.

As will become apparent from the following description, clipboard box12adiffers from clipboard box12in that clipboard box12aincludes various devices which provide for defense of the user and for enabling identification of the individual against whom the user is defending himself or herself.

As shown inFIG. 11, there is installed in front portion14aof clipboard box12a. in upper regions thereof, a mini-video camera40and a pressurized container42containing a chemical agent, such as tear gas, MACE, pepper spray or a liquid dye for discoloring a suspects body and clothes for subsequent identification purposes. Where available, container42may contain a mixture of two or more chemical agents of the type mentioned.

A battery44is provided in front portion14aadjacent video camera40and pressurized container42and is electrically connected for the actuation thereof by a user of clipboard box12a(as described inFIG. 10for the pressurized container).

A steel plate46is installed over video camera40and pressurized container42to provide protection for such devices since they are not protected by the above-described bullet-resistant material20.

As further shown inFIG. 11, a lens portion50of video camera40is aligned with an aperture52in protective plate46and a corresponding aperture54in box front portion14a.

As also shown inFIG. 11, video camera40includes a transmitting antenna56which, when the video camera is operating, transmits the received image (in digitized format) to a remote recording device58(shown in dashed lines) which may, for example, be located in the user's patrol vehicle.

In a like manner, pressurized container42has a dispensing nozzle60that is aligned with an aperture62in plate46and a corresponding aperture64in box front portion14a.

A small electrical or electronic control box66is mounted in front portion14aadjacent battery44to enable controlling of video camera40and pressurized container42through respective electrical conduits68and70. Push-button switches72and74extend through respective apertures76and78in box back portion16afor operation of video camera40and pressurized container42, respectively. A hinged push-button cover80is mounted on box back portion16aover pushbuttons switches72and74to prevent their unintentional operation.

FIG. 12depicts one manner in which pressurized container542is operated by battery44to spray contents of the container toward a threatening individual4(FIG. 1). Battery44is electrically connected, by conduit70, to a solenoid82which is actuated by the closing of push-button switch74. When so actuated, solenoid82causes the depressing of an actuating switch84on container42.

There is illustrated inFIGS. 13a,13b, and13cother possible defensive devices that may be used in conjunction with clipboard box12a, and which are installed in a portion90at the top of the box. As shown inFIG. 13a, there is installed in portion90first and second lights92and94which are powered by a common battery96.

First light92preferably comprises a conventional flashlight bulb95which is aligned with an aperture98in portion90and which provided “normal” illumination, for example, of driver4(FIG. 1) when actuated by switch100.

Second light preferably includes a high intensity bulb and reflector assembly102and provides a burst of high intensity light which is intended to temporarily blind and/or disorient driver4when activated by switch104. Lights92and94are connected to battery by conduits106and108respectively and are conventionally operated by switches100and104respectively.

As an alternative to the installation of lights92and94in box portion90, there may be installed a TASER110(FIG. 13B). As is well known, a TASER (like TASER110) is operative for firing a pair of darts, which are connected to the TASER body by thin electrical wires. The darts penetrate an individual's clothing or skin and incapacitate the individual by the high voltage provided to the darts by the connecting wires. TASER110may be fired by operation of a switch112.

As another alternative depicted inFIG. 13C, a miniature voice transmitter120is installed in clipboard portion90for providing preestablished, prerecorded emergency message from the individual carrying clipboard box12a. An emergency message, such as “officer needs help” or “Officer down,” may be prerecorded in transmitter and may be sent to the user's headquarters or to a designated receiver by the user by pressing a button122or by the force generated by bullet penetration. A battery124is provided in portion for operating transmitter120and transmitter120is provided with a hidden antenna126.

As seen fromFIG. 1, hands of officer2are exposed when holding onto edges of clipboard box12. In such case, the officer's hands may be seriously injured by a shot or shots fired by driver4, particularly when officer2is holding the clipboard box in a defensive position to protect his head and neck, as shown inFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 14to provide protection for the user's hands, clipboard box12ais provided with a laterally spaced-apart first and second hand straps or brackets130and132which are attached by rivets134to a rear surface136of back portion16a.

Hands holding clipboard box12aby straps130and132with forward writing surface15facing driver4are protected by ballistic material20retained in back portion16a. However, additional protection of the user's hands is provided by a steel back-up plate140that is installed by rivets134inside of back portion in front of straps130and132.

Second Variation of FIGS. 16 and 17:

There is shown inFIGS. 16 and 17a second variation protective shield10b, which is similar to above-described shields10and10aassociated withFIGS. 1-13. Making up shield10bis a clipboard box12bhaving a back16bwhich may be constructed of a layer150bullet-resistant material such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,880 as “Spectra Shield”, a trademarked material available from Allied Chemical Company. Layer150may, for example, be between about ¼ and ½ inch in thickness and may be used in combination with a plurality of KEVLAR bullet-resistant material20(FIG. 15).

As shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, left and right hand hold recesses152and154, respectively are formed in respective side edges156and158of clipboard box12bto enable the box to be gripped in a manner providing the protection of bullet-resistant layer150(and KEVLAR material20, if used) for the user's hands from a bullet26traveling in the direction of Arrow “B” toward layer150of box12b.

With respect to above-described shields10,10aand10bwhich make up respective clipboard boxes12,12aand12b, it is to be understood that any particular shield and clipboard box provided for use by peace officers may advantageously combine features of two or all of the clipboard boxes. That is, for example, one or more of video camera40, pressurized chemical agent container42, lights92and94, TASER110and transmitter120described relative to shield10aand clipboard box12amay advantageously be installed in clipboard boxes12or12b, and that not necessarily are such devices are installed in any of boxes12,12aor12b.

Furthermore, the type of hand recesses152and154described above relative to clipboard box12bmay also be used in clipboard boxes12or12a.

Thus the two variations described above are not necessarily meant to constitute different clipboard boxes per se, but to illustrate what features any particular clipboard box of the present invention may be constructed to have.

Another Variation of the Clipboard

As noted above the clipboard can be configured in a number of different ways. Another variation of the clipboard131could be a two part or bifurcated133and134clipboard,FIGS. 18 and 19.FIG. 18is a side view of clipboard131that shows the two parts133and134of the clipboard.FIG. 19is a view of the front of the clipboard with the front section133visible. Also, visible are handholds137A and137B on the front of the board. As can be seen the handholds are recessed to thereby protect the hands of the officer holding the board with the officers placed into cavity173.

As discussed and depicted above and below the sheets of bullet resistant material are held within the board in a planar orientation that is parallel to front surface133of clipboard131depicted inFIG. 19and perpendicular to plan of the drawings sheet ofFIG. 18. As noted elsewhere herein the multiple sheets of bullet resistant material are held at their edges that are at or near the interior edges of clipboard in section134and sufficient distance from the surface133to allow the bullet resistant material to flex and catch the bullet that might impact surface134of clipboard131.

The two sections of the clipboard would be hinged at one end of the board with a clip at the opposite end for connecting the two sections in detachable fashion.FIG. 20provides a partial side view of a hinging mechanism139that could be used to connect two parts141and142of a bifurcated or two-part clipboard143. The mechanism consists of inter-digital projections145that project out of the end of the clipboard143,FIG. 21. As depicted in a side view inFIG. 20they end in disk shaped members147. They are on both adjacent edges of side141and142. They interleave between each other and are connected by a shaft149that passes through holes in the center of the disks.

FIG. 22provides a view of the clipping mechanism151and152that might be at the opposite adjacent edges of side or lid141and case142of clipboard131. Any number of other different types of secure but detachable clipping mechanisms can be used. For instance another mechanism, not shown could be a Velcro™ strap type of mechanism, not shown.

Other Embodiments of Invention

One of the keys to the present invention is providing a barrier made up of multiple flexible sheet of bullets resistant material. The barrier of multiple flexible sheets161is held in a typically planar configuration131,FIGS. 23 and 24, are held in place by a frame163. This lets the sheets of bullet resistant material161flex when impacted by a bullet. The edges165can be connected to frame163in any number of ways. They can fit into a clamping grove on frame163, mated groves on a two part frame that sandwiches the edges between them or be glued to the frame with appropriate glue as discussed above. The important aspect of the connection at the edge is that it be permanent and capable of withstanding the substantial force that will be exerted on the connection to the frame when a bullet impacts the bullet resistant material and flexes the multiple sheets161.

The general concept discussed above has many applications beyond use in a clipboard. One variation that uses it in a tray171is depicted inFIGS. 25 and 26.FIG. 25is a top view of tray171andFIG. 26is an end view along line26. Tray171has recessed handholds173at its top. Recessed hand holds173protect the hands of the person holding tray171. Tray171would have a hollow interior, not shown that would have a multiple sheets of flexible bullet proof material as depicted inFIGS. 23 and 24stretched across the interior in a plane parallel to the top surface175of tray171and a sufficient distance from top surface175to allow the bullet proof or resistant material to flex and catch a bullet that might impact the front, of tray171.

The concept of the sheet of multiple layers of a bullet proof or resistant material can be employed in any number of situations where there are available hollow spaces. Inside the paneling of vehicles, such as the doors, roof or trunk are examples. They could also be incorporated into seat backs in vehicles. The sheet of multiple layers of a bullet proof or resistant material can be employed in the bottom of a helicopter to protect occupants from bullets fired from below, as well as in the side paneling of the helicopter.

There have been described above variations of the invention for purposes of illustrating the manner in which the present invention may be used to advantage. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto but includes all variations and modifications which may occur to those skilled in the art without violating the scope and spirit of the claims as appended hereto.