Abstract:
A ballistic shield may include a first ballistic plate that includes a ballistic material. A second ballistic plate may also include the ballistic material. The second ballistic plate may be connected to a side of the first ballistic plate so that the first ballistic plate and the second ballistic plate may fold together to substantially overlap. A gap may exist between the first ballistic plate and the second ballistic plate when not folded together. An overlapping ballistic section may include the ballistic material. The overlapping ballistic section may be connected to the first ballistic plate and/or the second ballistic plate so that the overlapping ballistic section covers the gap between the first ballistic plate and the second ballistic plate.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of two provisional applications, Ser. Nos. 60/379,390 and 60/379,771, filed May 13, 2002 and May 14, 2002 respectively both now abandoned, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to portable shields, and more particularly, to portable ballistic shields. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Portable shields may be employed for personal protection by law enforcement, military, security, and other personnel. Such portable shields may be typically carried and employed by one person, although the shield may be placed to shelter additional persons behind it. 
     Ballistic shields are one type of portable shield that are designed to provide additional protection against ballistic projectiles (e.g., bullets fired from a gun). As used herein, a “ballistic” shield or material may be defined as having the property of stopping, or severely retarding the progress of, a projectile such as a bullet. As used herein, “ballistic” may be used interchangeably with “bulletproof,” though ballistic material may not be completely impenetrable to all types of bullets and other projectiles under all situations. 
     Ballistic shields, although portable, are typically of unitary construction (i.e., one continuous piece), necessitating their storage and transportation in a somewhat large space, such as a van. In an emergency situation (e.g., where shots have been fired, hostages taken, etc.), the so-called “first responder” may be the security personnel or other authority that is physically closest to the situation. This first responder may not have access to a needed ballistic shield, because the space requirements of a unitary, personal ballistic shield do not permit everyday transport and storage of such shields by typical first responders. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a personal ballistic shield that may be compactly stored and rapidly deployed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Apparatuses consistent with the principles of the invention address this and other needs by providing a number of foldably connected ballistic plates that may be extended to form an integral shield. Overlapping ballistic sections may be affixed to cover seams or gaps between adjacent ones of the connected plates. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a ballistic shield may include a first ballistic plate including a ballistic material. A second ballistic plate may also include the ballistic material. The second ballistic plate may be connected to a side of the first ballistic plate so that the first ballistic plate and the second ballistic plate may fold together to substantially overlap. A gap may exist between the first ballistic plate and the second ballistic plate when not folded together. An overlapping ballistic section may include the ballistic material. The first overlapping ballistic section may be connected to one of the first ballistic plate and the second ballistic plate so that the overlapping ballistic section covers the gap between the first ballistic plate and the second ballistic plate. 
     In another implementation consistent with principles of the invention, a foldable ballistic shield may include a number of foldably connected ballistic portions. Each of the ballistic portions may include a panel of ballistic material. At least one overlapping ballistic section may be moveably connected to at least one of the number of foldably connected ballistic portions to overlap at least one seam between adjacent ones of the number of foldably connected ballistic portions. Each of the at least one overlapping ballistic sections may include a section of ballistic material. 
     In a further implementation consistent with principles of the invention, a ballistic shield may include a first ballistic plate including a ballistic material. A second ballistic plate may include the ballistic material and may be connected to a side of the first ballistic plate. The first ballistic plate and the second ballistic plate may fold together to substantially overlap. A fabric may cover the first ballistic plate and the second ballistic plate. The fabric may connect the first ballistic plate and the second ballistic plate. 
     In still another implementation consistent with principles of the invention, a ballistic shield may include a first ballistic panel including a transparent ballistic section. A second ballistic panel may be rotatably connected to the first ballistic panel. A third ballistic panel may be rotatably connected to the second ballistic panel. A first ballistic section may be moveably connected to one of the first and second ballistic panels to overlap a gap between the first and second ballistic panels. A second ballistic section may be moveably connected to one of the second and third ballistic panels to overlap a gap between the second and third ballistic panels. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, explain the invention. In the drawings, 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a front view of an exemplary ballistic shield according to an implementation consistent with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a front view of a portion of the ballistic shield of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a side view of the ballistic panel of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a side view of the exemplary ballistic shield of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a collapsed side view of the exemplary ballistic shield of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a rear view of the exemplary ballistic shield of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a front view of another exemplary ballistic shield according to another implementation consistent with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a collapsed side view of the exemplary ballistic shield of FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers may be used in different drawings to identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and equivalents. 
     Exemplary Three Portion Shield 
     FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a front view of an exemplary ballistic shield  100  according to an implementation consistent with the present invention. Shield  100  may include a top portion  110 , a middle portion  120 , a bottom portion  130 , a top overlapping panel  140 , and a bottom overlapping panel  150 . Top portion  110 , middle portion  120 , and bottom portion  130  may be flexibly connected so that these three portions  110 - 130  may fold (e.g., in a “Z” manner) to overlap one another. The flexible connections between top portion  110  and middle portion  120 , and between middle portion  120  and bottom portion  130 , are illustrated as dashed lines in FIG.  1 . 
     Top portion  110  may include a window portion  105 . Window portion  105  maybe referred to as a “ballistic view port.” The window portion  105  may also be constructed of a ballistic material, such as ballistic polycarbonate or a similar material. The ballistic material in the window portion  105  may be designed to provide a similar level of ballistic protection to ballistic material  310 . Window portion  105  may be transparent enough to allow a user of the shield  100  to see through to the other side of the shield. 
     Top overlapping panel  140  may be flexibly connected to either the top portion  110  or middle portion  120 , and bottom overlapping panel  150  may be flexibly connected to either the middle portion  120  or bottom portion  130 . For example, top overlapping panel  140  may be flexibly connected to middle portion  120  by a flexible connector  142 , and bottom overlapping panel  150  also may be flexibly connected to middle portion  120  by a flexible connector  152 . In one implementation consistent with the principles of the invention, flexible connectors  142  and  152  may permanently affix the respective top overlapping panel  140  and bottom overlapping panel  150  to middle portion  120 . 
     Top overlapping panel  140  may be removably connected to top portion  110  by a connecting mechanism  144 , and bottom overlapping panel  150  may be removably connected to bottom portion  130  by connecting mechanism  154 . The connecting mechanisms  144 / 154  may include various types of fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO® brand fasteners), buttons, snaps, zippers, or similar removable connectors. 
     Top and bottom overlapping panels  140  and  150  may respectively be oriented to overlap any seams or gaps between the middle portion  120  and the top portion  110  or the bottom portion  130 . The seams or gaps are illustrated as dotted lines in FIG. 1, which are covered from the front by top and bottom overlapping panels  140  and  150 . These seams or gaps allow the portions  110 - 130  to fold, but may be an area of ballistic weakness in shield  100  in the absence of overlapping panels  140  and  150 . 
     In one implementation consistent with the principles of the invention, portions  110 - 130  and overlapping panels  140  and  150  may be connected by a fabric (e.g., CORDURA® brand textured nylon or a similar toughened material, possibly including a ballistic fabric) that serves as an external covering for these portions and panels. The flexible connections between top portion  110 , middle portion  120 , and bottom portion  130  may be, for example, one or more layers of the fabric that allow folding of the portions  110 - 130 . The flexible connectors  142  and  152  may be implemented by sewing, stitching, or otherwise attaching the fabric covering the respective overlapping panels  140  and  150  to the fabric covering the middle portion  120 . The fabric material itself may provide the flexibility in the flexible connectors  142  and  152 . Other ways of flexibly connecting portions  110 - 130  and overlapping panels  140  and  150  will be apparent to those skilled in the mechanical arts, such as hinges, locking hinges, and connecting via flexible ballistic material within the portions and panels. 
     Other features of the fabric covering may include different external colors for the shield, such as black, yellow, “camouflage” brown/green patterns, and so forth. Fabric may also be amenable to painting (or attaching hook and loop fasteners for) logos or word(s) on the front of shield  100 . Such words may include, for example, “Police,” “SWAT,” “Safety Behind Me,” and so on. A fabric covering (or portions thereof) may also be relatively easily replaced in the event of damage or excessive wear. 
     FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a front view of a portion of the ballistic shield  100 . The portion shown may be structurally representative of any one of top portion  110 , middle portion  120 , bottom portion  130 , top overlapping panel  140 , and bottom overlapping panel  150 . The portion  110 / 120 / 130 / 140 / 150  may include a covering material  210 , a fastener  220 , and a ballistic panel  230 . 
     Covering material  210  may include a fabric, such as nylon or a ballistic fabric. Covering material  210  may be arranged in a bag-like or pocket configuration so that it has an interior space. In a typical configuration, all sides of the covering material  210  may be closed to prevent access to, or escape from, the interior space. Covering material  210  may completely enclose its interior space, with the possible exception of upper portion  110 , in which covering material may contain front and rear openings for a transparent view port (e.g.,  105  in FIG.  1 ). 
     At least one side of the covering material  210  may be reclosably fastened by fastener  220 . It is possible that two or three sides of the covering material  210  may include fasteners  220 . Examples of suitable fasteners  220  may include hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers, or similar reclosable fasteners. Fastener  220  may allow temporary access to the interior space in the covering material  210 , but may close the interior space when fastened. 
     Ballistic panel  230  may be configured to fit within the interior space of the covering material  210 . Ballistic panel  230  may be either flexible or rigid, depending on its materials and construction. Ballistic panel  230  may have a different shape and size, depending in which one of portions  110 / 120 / 130 / 140 / 150  it resides. 
     FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a side view of the ballistic panel  230 . Ballistic panel  230  may include a ballistic material  310  and one or more stiffening members  320 . In the implementation shown in FIG. 3, ballistic panel  230  may be made rigid through the use of two stiffening members  320  above and below the ballistic material  310 . In other implementations where the ballistic panel  230  is not designed to be as rigid, however, one or both of the stiffening members  320  may be eliminated. 
     Ballistic material  310  may include one or more layers of woven ballistic fabric or a bi-directional composite ballistic structure. The ballistic material  310  may have been compressed during manufacture to provide more protection for a given cross-sectional width of material. Examples of possible ballistic materials include KEVLAR® brand ballistic material, SPECTRA® brand ballistic material, SPECTRA SHIELD® brand ballistic material, and other types of manufactured ballistic materials known to those skilled in the ballistic shield and armor arts. The ballistic material  310  may be made in different configurations (e.g., thicknesses, weights) to provide different levels of ballistic protection (e.g., National Institute of Justice (NIJ) ballistic threat level  3 A and others). 
     Stiffening members  320  may be formed of a polymer material, such as plastic. Although stiffening members  320  may provide some additional ballistic protection over that provided by the ballistic material  310 , they are primarily intended to provide structural rigidity to the ballistic panel  230 . 
     Returning to FIG. 2, covering material  210  may attach the top, bottom, or top and bottom of the portion shown to other portions  110 / 120 / 130 / 140 / 150  as described with respect to FIG.  1 . 
     Returning to FIG. 1, when fully assembled, shield  100  may give similar protection against projectiles to a conventional unitary ballistic shield. Shield  100  may be, in one implementation consistent with the principles of the invention, 24 inches wide by 48 inches high when fully extended. In this implementation, the window portion  105  may be 10 inches wide by two inches high. When folded into thirds, shield  100  may be 24 inches wide by 15 inches high. Other sizes are possible for shield  100 . 
     FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a side view of the exemplary ballistic shield  100  of FIG.  1 . In addition to the elements  105 - 154  described with respect to FIG. 1, shield  100  when assembled may include one or more stiffening rods  410  and one or more handles  420 . 
     Stiffening rod(s)  410  may be constructed of a light but rigid material, such as aluminum. Stiffening rods  410  may be collapsible (i.e., two or more pieces joinable into a single stiffening rod  410 ). It should be noted that stiffening rods  410  are but one possible implementation for providing structural support and rigidity to shield  100 . In other implementations, the shield  100  may be made rigid via: pipes, tubes, sliding latches or similar hardware used to brace the portions  110 - 130  into one rigid unit. In still other implementations consistent with the principles of the invention, locking hinges or other types of hinges, possibly in conjunction with securing mechanisms, may be used to add rigidity to the shield  100 . In another implementation, the shield  100  may remain somewhat flexible when fully deployed (even in implementations without the overlapping plates  140 / 150 ), and stiffening rod(s)  410  may not be needed. 
     One or more handles  420  may aid an operator in holding the shield  100 . Handle  420  may be attached to the top portion  110  and/or the middle portion  120 . In one implementation, one of handles  420  may be a rigid tube attached to one of portions  110 / 120 . In another implementation, one of handles  420  may be non-rigid, fabric handles (not shown in FIG. 4) attached to the covering material  210 . Handles  420  may be oriented in different directions (e.g., vertically, horizontally, diagonally, etc.) to allow a user flexibility in holding and orienting the shield  100 . 
     FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a side view of the exemplary ballistic shield  100  in a folded configuration. When folded, shield  100  may be roughly one third the height of the fully assembled shield  100 . In other words, shield  100  may be folded to a compact size (i.e., the dimensions of one of portions  110 / 120 / 130 ) relative to its fully assembled dimensions. In this folded configuration, shield  100  may be stowed in a carrying case or bag (not shown), which may also make the shield  100  water resistant. 
     In addition to the elements described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4, shield  100  may include one or more retaining straps  510  and one or more flexible handles  520 . Retaining straps  510  may be formed of a fabric or similar material, and may be used to store the pieces of stiffening rods  410  when not in use. 
     Flexible handles  520  may also be formed of a fabric or similar material, and may be used to hold the shield  100  similar to, or instead of, the rigid handle  420 . As shown in FIG. 5, one or more flexible handles  520  may be oriented horizontally (i.e., across the width of shield  100 ), and one or more flexible handles  520  may be oriented vertically (i.e., along the length of shield  100 ). Such different orientations of handles  520  allow a user of the shield  100  to comfortably hold it in multiple positions. 
     FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a rear view of the exemplary ballistic shield  100 . FIG. 6 provides an operator&#39;s view of the shield  100 . In addition to the elements described above with respect to FIGS. 1-5, shield  100  may include one or more sheaths  610  and one or more pockets  620 . 
     Sheaths  610  may be formed from material, such as fabric, and may be configured to retain stiffening rods  410 . For example, sheaths  610  may be sewn or otherwise attached to the covering material  210  of portions  110 - 130 , and stiffening rods  410  may be inserted and removed from the tops of sheaths  610 . The tops of sheaths  610  may include reclosable fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners, for retaining stiffening rods  410 . 
     Pockets  620  may also be formed of fabric material, and may be attached to one or more of portions  110 - 130 . The pockets  620  may include reclosable fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners, for retaining items in the pockets. Such items may include pepper spray, ammunition, first aid materials, or any other articles that may typically be used in conjunction with shield  100 . 
     Exemplary Two Portion Shield 
     FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a front view of an exemplary ballistic shield  700  according to another implementation consistent with the present invention. Shield  700  may include a top portion  710 , a bottom portion  720 , and a flexible connector  730 . Top portion  110  portion  710  and bottom portion  720  may be flexibly connected by flexible connector  730  so that they may fold (e.g., in a “V” manner) to overlap one another. 
     Top portion  710  may include a window portion  705  that is similar in function and construction to the previously-described window portion  105 . The remainder of top portion  710  may include a ballistic panel similar in function and construction to the previously-described ballistic panel  230 . In one implementation consistent with the principles of the invention, top portion  710  may not include any covering, such as covering material  210 . In such an implementation, the outer surface of top portion  710  may be the stiffening material of the ballistic panel (e.g., stiffening members  320 ). In another implementation consistent with the principles of the invention, however, the top portion  710  may include a covering, such as covering material  210 . 
     Bottom portion  720  may include a ballistic panel similar in function and construction to the previously-described ballistic panel  230 . As described above with respect to top portion  710 , the bottom portion  720  may, or may not, be covered with a covering material (e.g., covering material  210 ) such as a fabric. 
     Flexible connector  730  may serve to flexibly connect top portion  710  and bottom portion  720 . In one implementation consistent with the principles of the invention, flexible connector  730  may also serve to make shield  700  rigid when opened. In such an implementation, flexible connector  730  may include a locking hinge or similar device that tends to hold top portion  710  and bottom portion  720  in a planar orientation when the hinge is opened. In other implementations consistent with the principles of the invention, flexible connector  730  may not enhance the rigidity of shield, in which case stiffening rods (not shown) similar to rods  410  may be used. 
     In one implementation consistent with the principles of the invention, flexible connector  730  may include only a hinge or other flexible connector joining a separate top portion  710  and bottom portion  720 . In such an implementation, top portion  710  and bottom portion  720  may closely abut to minimize any gap between them. Alternately, top portion  710  and bottom portion  720  may have an adjoining structure (e.g., complementary tongue and groove) so that no gap exists between the portions. The tongue (i.e., the material that extends into the opposite portion) in such a configuration may be made of ballistic material  310 . 
     In another implementation consistent with the principles of the invention, flexible connector  730  may be formed of ballistic material  310 . In such an implementation, the ballistic material  310  may be a continuous sheet from top portion  710  to bottom portion  720 . The stiffening members  320  may be removed in the region corresponding to flexible connector  730 . Hence, the ballistic material  310  between top portion  710  and bottom portion  720  may connect these portions and flex sufficiently to permit shield  700  to fold. 
     In still another implementation, flexible connector  730  may be a covering material (e.g., covering material  210 ) such as a fabric. Such an implementation may include an overlapping panel, such as overlapping panel  140 / 150  (not shown), to cover any gap between top portion  710  and bottom portion  720 . 
     When fully assembled, shield  700  may give similar protection against projectiles to a conventional unitary ballistic shield. Shield  700  may be, in one implementation consistent with the principles of the invention, 19 inches wide by 34 inches high when fully extended. In this implementation, the window portion  105  may be about 10 inches wide by two inches high, or slightly smaller. When folded in half, shield  700  may be 19 inches wide by about 16 inches high. Other sizes are possible for the two-portion shield  700 . For example, the width of the shield  700  may vary from about 15 inches to about 30 inches, and the height of the fully extended shield may vary from about 30 inches to about 55 inches long. The height of the folded shield may depend on its extended/overall length and the number of folding portions (e.g., 2, 3, 4, etc.). 
     FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a side view of the exemplary ballistic shield  700  in a folded configuration. When folded, shield  700  may be roughly one half the height of the fully assembled shield  700 . In other words, shield  700  may be folded to a compact size (i.e., the dimensions of one of portions  710 / 720 ) relative to its fully assembled dimensions. In this folded configuration, shield  700  may be stowed in a carrying case or bag (not shown), which may also make the stowed shield  700  water resistant. 
     In addition to the elements described above with respect to FIG. 7, shield  700  may include one or more handles  810 . Handles  810  may be formed of a fabric, plastic, or similar material, and may be used to hold the shield  700 . As shown in FIG. 8, one or more handles  810  may be oriented horizontally (i.e., across the width of shield  700 ), and one or more handles  810  may be oriented vertically (i.e., along the length of shield  700 ). Such different orientations of handles  810  allow a user of the shield  700  to comfortably hold it in multiple positions. Handles  810  may be attached to portions  710  and/or  720  of shield  700  by stitches, rivets, screws, or other suitable fasteners. 
     Exemplary Shield Assembly 
     Several acts may be performed to assemble the shield  100 / 700  from a collapsed state to an extended state. The shield  100 / 700  may be removed from any case in which it is stored. The shield  100 / 700  may be unfolded, or otherwise fully extended. The overlapping panels  140 / 150  (perhaps embodied as flaps attachable on one side by hook and loop fasteners) may be closed to overlap scams between the portions  110 / 120 / 130  or  710 / 720 . 
     In one implementation, at least one of the overlapping panels (e.g., panel  140 ) may be rotated into place by a cable or strap (not shown) attached to a front side of the panel. As the shield  100 / 700  is allowed to fall open in a downward direction, the cable/strap may rotate one or more of the overlapping panels upward into place, where they are attached by, for example, hook and loop fasteners. Other overlapping panels may rotate downward into place by the force of gravity. In such a manner, the overlapping panels  140 / 150  may be rapidly deployed. 
     The stiffening rods  410 , if used, may be assembled from two or more portions per rod. The rods  410  may be inserted into sheaths  610  to stiffen the shield  100 / 700 . Shield  100 / 700  may be deployed in less than a minute, even when performing all possible assembly acts. As noted above, several of the acts (e.g., pulling from the case and connecting/inserting stiffening rods  410 ) may be unnecessary. Thus, implementations of the shields described herein may facilitate a rapid response to an emergency situation by first responders. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Consistent with the principles of the present invention, a ballistic shield may include a number of foldably connected ballistic plates that may be extended to form an integral shield. Overlapping ballistic sections may be affixed to cover seams or gaps between adjacent ones of the connected plates. 
     The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. 
     Other implementations are possible and contemplated. For example, overlapping panels  140 / 150  may separate pieces from the shield  100  (e.g., both of connectors  142  and  144  may be removable connectors, such as hook and loop connectors). Further, although two and three shield portions (i.e.,  710 / 720  and  110 / 120 / 130 ) have been shown, more portions may be used. Similarly, one or more shield handles may be used. Also, fewer or more than two stiffening rods  410  may be used. 
     Further, although portions  110 / 120 / 130  are shown as being rectangular in shape, other shapes are possible for certain portions (e.g., triangular, trapezoidal, hexagonal, irregularly shaped). Also, although ballistic panels  230  have been described as rigid, stiffening members  320  may be removed to allow, for example, rolling up of the shield  100 / 700  into a roll or bundle. Moreover, shield  100 / 700  may include one or more side portions (not shown) that provide some side protection. These side portions may fold inward to overlap the shield  100 / 700  at their attachment points, and may also include gaps mirroring the horizontal gaps in shield  100 / 700 . 
     Shield  100 / 700  should not be seen as limited to the exemplary implementations shown in FIGS. 1-8. Shield  100 / 700  may be manufactured with or without a ballistic view port. Shield  100 / 700  may be manufactured with or without overlapping panels to cover seams between folding portions. Shield  100 / 700  may be manufactured with or without stiffening rods  410  or other stiffening devices such as locking devices. Shield  100 / 700  may be manufactured with or without fabric covering material. Various variations and combinations of features will be understood by those skilled in the ballistic shield art upon reading the description herein. 
     No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.