Patent Publication Number: US-5293807-A

Title: Bullet proof shield assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The field of invention relates to shield structure, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved bullet proof shield assembly wherein the same is arranged for portability for ease of use. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various bullet proof shields have been available in the prior art as exemplified by the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,674,394; 4,948,673; 3,858,242; and 4,633,756. 
     Accordingly, it may be appreciated that the shield structure of the prior art has typically been of a unitary type configuration to accommodate projection relative to individual body parts, wherein the instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by providing for a shield that is arranged for ease of assembly and mounting for use in affording protection from a firing position and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of bullet proof shield structure now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a bullet proof shield assembly wherein the same is arranged to provide for a plurality of bullet proof plates arranged for hinged construction relative to one another for ease of erecting the plates relative to one another for use as a shielding structure to afford protection rearwardly of the shield structure. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to provide a new and improved bullet proof shield assembly which has all the advantages of the prior art shield apparatus and none of the disadvantages. 
     To attain this, the present invention provides a bullet proof shield including a first plate hingedly mounted to a second plate, with the first plate and second plate defining a slot, with the slot having a slot first abutment edge and second abutment edge that are coplanar to provide support for a firearm to direct fire through the slot. The shield is arranged to accommodate hingedly directing the first plate to the second plate, having first and second handle slots at equal orientations below coplanar top edges of the first and second plates to permit ease of transport and storage of the shield construction. Spike members projecting downwardly of the plates permit ease of positioning of the plates with an underlying ground surface. 
     My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved bullet proof shield assembly which has all the advantages of the prior art shield assembly and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved bullet proof shield assembly which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved bullet proof shield assembly which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bullet proof shield assembly which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such bullet proof shield assemblies economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved bullet proof shield assembly which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of the instant invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric illustration of the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an orthographic view of the first shield plate relative to the second shield plate. 
     FIG. 4 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 4--4 of FIG. 3 in the direction indicated by the arrows. 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric illustration of the invention in a collapsed configuration for ease of transport. 
     FIG. 6 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 6--6 of FIG. 5 in the direction indicated by the arrows. 
     FIG. 7 is an orthographic view, taken in elevation, of a modified spike member. 
     FIG. 8 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 8--8 of FIG. 7 in the direction indicated by the arrows. 
     FIG. 9 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 9--9 of FIG. 7 in the direction indicated by the arrows. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 9 thereof, a view and improved bullet proof shield assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. 
     More specifically, the bullet proof shield assembly 10 of the instant invention essentially comprises a first rigid armor plate 11 hingedly mounted relative to a second rigid armor plate 12. The armor plates may be formed of any commercially available armor material or such material as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,756 incorporated herein by reference. 
     The first plate 11 includes a first plate top edge 13 spaced from and parallel a bottom edge 14, with a first plate first side edge 15 spaced from and parallel a second side edge 16. A first side edge projection plate 17 coplanar with the first plate 11 projects beyond the first plate first side edge 15 mounted to a hinge 23. The second plate 12 includes a second plate top edge 18, a second plate bottom edge 19 parallel to the second plate top edge 18. A second plate first side edge 20 is oriented parallel relative to the second plate second side edge 21. A second plate first side edge projection plate 22 coplanar with the second plate 12 projects beyond the first side edge 20 and is coextensive with the first plate first side projection plate 17 and mounted to the hinge 23. The first plate first side projection plate 17 includes a first abutment edge 25 parallel to and oriented below the first plate top edge 13, with a second abutment edge 26 at a top edge of the second plate first side edge projection plate 22 formed with the second abutment edge 26 coplanar with the first abutment edge 25 and parallel to and below the second plate top edge 18. A slot 24 is accordingly defined between the first plate first side edge 15 and the second plate first side edge 20 and above the first abutment edge 25 and the second abutment edge 26. 
     A first spike 27 is fixedly mounted to and orthogonally directed below the first plate bottom edge 14. Similarly, a second spike 28 is orthogonally mounted to and projecting below the second plate bottom edge 19. The spikes permit securement of the shield assembly 10 with an underlying ground surface in use. 
     A first handle slot 29 spaced parallel to and below the first plate top edge 13 is oriented above the first abutment edge 25 and spaced below the first plate top edge 13 a predetermined spacing, with a second handle slot 30 spaced below the second plate top edge 18 said predetermined spacing and is substantially oriented to permit simultaneous grasping of the first and second handle slots 29 and 30 when the first and second plates are pivoted to a folded confronting relationship relative to one another, as indicated in the FIG. 5. Further to this end, a first aperture 31 directed through the first plate is oriented adjacent an intersection of the first plate top edge and the first plate second side edge. A second aperture 32 positioned adjacent an intersection of the second plate top edge and the second plate second side edge is provided. A capture clip 33 having a first loop 34 is constructed with the first loop 34 pivotally mounted through the first aperture 31. The capture clip 33 includes a second loop 35 having a slide bar 36 in sliding relationship relative to the second loop to permit access of the second loop 35 through the second aperture 32 upon displacement of the slide bar 36 relative to the second loop. 
     If required, the hinge construction 33 may be formed with discontinuous hinge legs 37 mounted to a first hinge plate (see FIGS. 3 and 4) cooperative with a hinge axle 38 mounted to a second hinge plate mounted to the second plate first side edge projection plate 22. 
     The FIGS. 7-9 indicate a modified spike member 39 utilized for the first and second spike members 27 and 28. As the spikes are of identical construction, only one such spike member 39 will be described, wherein it is understood that a second spike member mounted to the second plate is of identical construction. The spike member 39 includes a first spike plate 40 spaced from and parallel to a second spike plate 41. The first spike plate 40 includes a first plate beveled projection 42 parallel to and spaced relative to a second spike plate second beveled projection 43. A semi-cylindrical spike body 44 includes a spike body first end edge 45 captured between the first plate beveled projection 42 and the first plate 11. The spike body 44 includes a spike body second end edge 46 parallel to the first end edge 45, with the second end edge 46 slidably captured between the second beveled projection 43 and the first plate 11. To permit removal of the semi-cylindrical spike body 44 to minimize dangerous projections mounted relative to the plates 11 and 12 during transport, a first stop flange 47 is mounted to the plate 11 cooperative with a second stop flange 48 mounted to the spike body 44. The first and second stop flanges 47 and 48 are arranged for abutment relative to one another, with the second stop flange 48 positioned above the first stop flange 47. In this manner, downward projection of the spike body 44 relative to the spike plate is afforded, wherein upon transport of the organization, the spike body 44 is merely lifted and accordingly, the spike body first and second end edges 45 and 46 slide between the first and second spike plates 40 and 41 respectively to permit removal of the spike body 44 relative to each armor plate. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention shall be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.