Patent Publication Number: US-10330443-B2

Title: Anti-ballistic chair

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/092,550, filed on Apr. 6, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,759,526 B2, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/554,846, filed on Nov. 26, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,335,128 B2, which claims benefit of priority from Provisional U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 61/909,911, filed Nov. 27, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates to a construction of Chairs, more particularly chairs having portions with Anti-Ballistic properties. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bulletproofing is the process of making something capable of stopping a bullet or similar high velocity projectiles e.g. shrapnel. The term bullet resistance is often preferred because few, if any, practical materials provide complete protection against all types of bullets, or multiple hits in the same location. Bullet designs vary widely, not only according to the particular firearm used (e.g. a 9×19 mm Parabellum caliber hollow point handgun cartridge will have inferior penetration power compared to a 7.62×39 mm assault rifle cartridge), but also within individual cartridge designs. As a result, while some so-called “bullet-proof” panels may successfully prevent penetration by standard 7.62×39 mm bullets containing lead cores, the same panels may easily be defeated by 7.62×39 mm armor piercing bullets containing hardened steel penetrators. 
     Bullet-resistant materials, also called ballistic materials or, equivalently, Anti-Ballistic materials, are usually rigid, but may be supple. They may be complex, such as KEVLAR® LEXAN®, and carbon fiber composite materials, or they may be basic and simple, such as steel or titanium. Bullet resistant materials are often used in law enforcement and military applications, to protect personnel from death or serious injuries. 
     There is a growing need for methods of self-protection in an increasingly wide variety of locations. In the modem world, crimes and attacks committed by persons with guns are an ever more common occurrence. In the past, police personnel and military personnel have been the primary targets of gunfire which has been directed toward them during work or duty. Because of this continual risk of harm, bullet resistant vests and shields have been developed which may be deployed or worn on the user&#39;s body as a protective component of their work attire. Such devices, when employed for protection against weapons fire have worked fairly well in preventing a high velocity bullet or shell from penetrating the wearer&#39;s body since the velocity is slowed considerably. 
     It has been made evident by recent shootings, such as Fort Hood, there may be a need for additional means of self-protection. This mass shooting took place on Nov. 5, 2009, at Fort Hood, the most populous U.S. military installation in the world, located just outside Killeen, Tex. In the course of the shooting, a single gunman killed 13 people and wounded 29 others. According to witnesses, some individuals attempted to stop the shooter, either by charging him or throwing a chair at him, but were mortally wounded in the process. 
     It was additionally made evident at Columbine High School in Colorado in 1999 that similar occurrences may also occur in other locations where civilians, including children may be affected and there is an increased need for self-protection. If an Anti-Ballistic chair which can blend into a conventional room&#39;s appearance where people gather such as meeting rooms, classrooms, libraries or cafeterias and avoid rooms where people gather for social or educational purposes taking on the appearance of military bunkers. 
     New materials and improvements of manufacturing processes may allow items such ballistic-proof chairs to become a practical item. Previously, bullet-proof vests have been constructed by applying multiple layers of fabric woven from an aramid fiber together, which is sold by Du Pont under the Trademark KEVLAR. It can be used in a flexible state or laminated in a more rigid configuration. The success of the product is attained by multiple layers of the semi-impregnable flexible structure. This material combines high penetration resistance with lightness and flexibility but no one has endeavored to manufacture items like chairs using this material. 
     As should be understood that embodiments of the present application are not limited to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components or the steps set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The various alternatives or combinations of the features shown or described herein may be incorporated into other embodiments and practiced and carried out in various ways, which might be apparent to those skilled in the an once the information herein is reviewed. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description, and should not be regarded as limiting in any fashion. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other furniture type ballistic shields for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device and method. It is important, therefore, that the embodiments, objects and claims herein, be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of an implementation of the present application may include a high-back chair having an internal core formed with at least one Anti-Ballistic panel. The Anti-Ballistic panel may be formed from at least a first layer having high strength synthetic fibers extending in a first direction and a second layer having high strength synthetic fibers extending in a second direction, different from the first direction. The at least one Anti-Ballistic panel may positioned within a back portion of the chair. 
     In another aspect of an implementation, the at least the first layer and the at least a second layer may each be formed from a sheet of Anti-Ballistic fabric. 
     In another aspect of an implementation of the present application, the Anti-Ballistic panel may include a frame and the at least a first layer may be formed by wrapping the high strength synthetic fibers around the frame in the first direction, and the at least a second layer may be formed by wrapping the high strength synthetic fibers around the frame in the second direction. 
     In another aspect of an implementation of the present application the Anti-Ballistic panels may be integrated into internal core of the chair. In such an implementation, the Anti-Ballistic panel may be formed by wrapping high-strength synthetic fibers around an internal frame of the chair in two different directions. 
     In another aspect of an implementation of the present application the Anti-Ballistic panels may be formed to be separate from the internal core of the chair. In such an implementation, a pocket or pouch may be provided proximate to the internal core of the chair and the Anti-Ballistic panel may be inserted into the pocket or pouch and held substantially parallel to the internal core. 
     In another aspect of an implementation of the present application, the chair may also include a compartment within which to store a firearm. The compartment may be disposed on a bottom surface of the seat portion of the chair. 
     In another aspect of an implementation of the present application, the compartment may include a locking mechanism configured secure the compartment and prevent unauthorized access. For example, the locking mechanism may include a push button lock requiring a specific key sequence, or a biometric lock requiring specific biometric information to allow access. 
     In another aspect of an implementation of the present application, a skirt may be provided to extend downward from the seat portion of the chair. 
     In another aspect of an implantation of the present application, the skirt may be hinged to fold up onto the seat portion of the chair. 
     In another aspect of an implementation of the present application, additional Anti-Ballistic panels may also be positioned in the seat portion or a skirt portion formed on the front, lower portion of the chair. 
     Additionally, the Anti-Ballistic core portions of the Anti-Ballistic Chairs may be fabricated using not only Aramid fibers and KEVLAR® from DuPont, but also polyethylene fibers and GOLD SHIELD®, which is a KEVLAR® based material, and SPECTRA SHIELD®, which is polyethylene based material, both available commercially from Honeywell. GOLD SHIELD® and SPECTRA SHIELD® are high strength synthetic fibers impregnated in partially cured resin for use in ballistic material. 
     Moreover, both of the Honeywell materials can be used as layered soft armor as well as hard alnior when they are autoclaved or compression molded into Anti-Ballistic components for construction of the Anti-Ballistic Chairs. Other similar materials of like purpose and function are also anticipated by this disclosure. 
     Other aspects of implementations of the present application may be discussed or may become apparent in view of the following description of embodiments of the present application and the figures enclosed with this application. In this respect, it is to be understood that the design is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     While the description of the Anti-Ballistic Chairs has been made herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated that in some instance some features of the design will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the Anti-Ballistic Chairs and together with the description, serve to explain the aspects of this application. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a first perspective view of an Anti-Ballistic Chair constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a front view of the Anti-Ballistic Chair constructed in accordance with the embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a second perspective view of an Anti-Ballistic Chair constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    depicts partial cut away views of the back panel and skirt panel respectively constructed in accordance an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a cross section through a segment of an Anti-Ballistic Panel illustrating two rigid members attached together over a tubular framework of the panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a cross section through a segment of an Anti-Ballistic Panel illustrating the two rigid aramid members attached together centrally located in the tubular frame work with a foam cushion and decorative fabric covering attached to the panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a cross section through a segment of an Anti-Ballistic panel illustrating two sheets of flexible fabric woven from the aramid fiber wrapped around the frame of the panel constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
     
    
    
     For a fuller understanding of the nature of the Anti-Ballistic Chairs, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and from a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the design and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  depicts a first perspective view of an Anti-Ballistic Chair  100  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. Further,  FIG. 2  depicts a front view of the Anti-Ballistic Chair  100  constructed in accordance with the embodiment of the present application.  FIG. 3  depicts a second perspective view of an Anti-Ballistic Chair  100  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. 
     As illustrated, the Anti-Ballistic chair  100  is a high back executive swivel chair as may be found in many offices and government agencies. The Anti-Ballistic chair  100  shown includes a back portion  105 , a seat portion  110 , and a front skirt  115  extending downward from the seat portion  110 . The Anti-Ballistic chair may also include a head rest  120  positioned at an upper part of the back portion  105  and a pair of arm rests  125 , each located on one side of the seat portion  110 . The Anti-Ballistic chair illustrated also includes a storage compartment  130  disposed beneath the seat member  110  that can be accessed by a user of the chair. The Anti-Ballistic chair may also include a low friction swivel mechanism to allow the chair to be rotated quickly in response to a recognized danger and a wheel assembly  140  allowing the chair to be rolled across a floor surface. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the back portion  105  and the seat portion  110  are positioned at angles to one another to provide a sitting area for a user. Additionally, in this embodiment, the front skirt  115  is connected to the seat portion  110  by a hinged portion  145  that allows the skirt portion  115  to be folded up to sit parallel to the seat portion  110  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) and be folded down (as shown in  FIG. 2  and FIG. 3 ) to sit behind and provide shielding to the user&#39;s leas. 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, the skirt portion  115  may also include a locking mechanism configured to hold the skirt portion  115  in the folded down position. The locking mechanism may prevent the skirt portion  115  from moving upward and potentially injuring a user of the chair  100  when struck by a bullet. By providing a locking mechanism to hold the skirt portion  115  in the folded down position, a ballistic trajectory of an incoming bullet may be better stopped or deflected. 
     In the above discussed embodiments, a skirt portion is provided. However, embodiments of the present application need not have a skirt portion and embodiments of the present application are not required to have a skirt portion. 
     As discussed in greater detail below with respect to  FIGS. 4-7 , at least one of the back portion  105 , seat portion  110 , and skirt portion  115  may be formed with an Anti-Ballistic panel incorporated therein. In some embodiments, the Anti-Ballistic panel may be incorporated into the core of any one of the back portion  105 , seat portion  110 , and skirt portion  115 . For example, the back portion  105  may be formed with an internal frame and the Anti-Ballistic panel may be formed by wrapping high strength synthetic fibers such as aramid around the frame in at least two different directions. Additionally, as discussed in greater detail below, padding may be provided between the Anti-Ballistic panel and a covering surrounding back panel  105 . 
     Further, the seat portion  110  may also be formed with an internal frame and the Anti-Ballistic panel may be formed by wrapping high strength synthetic fibers such as aramid around the frame in at least two different directions. Additionally, padding may be provided between the Anti-Ballistic panel and a covering surrounding seat panel  110 . 
     Further, the skirt portion  115  may also be formed with an internal frame and the Anti-Ballistic panel may be formed by wrapping high strength synthetic fibers such as aramid around the frame in at least two different directions. Additionally, padding may be provided between the Anti-Ballistic panel and a covering surrounding skirt panel  115 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, the Anti-Ballistic panel may be independent from the core of the back panel  105 . In this embodiment, the back panel  105  may be formed with a pocket or pouch that can receive Anti-Ballistic panel between the core and the cover of the back panel  105  and hold the Anti-Ballistic panel substantially parallel to the core. In such an embodiment, a slot or opening may be provided in the covering to allow insertion and removal of such an Anti-Ballistic panel, such as the slot  160 . The Anti-Ballistic panel may be inserted into the pouch or pocket by being inserted into the slot or opening  160  in a portion of the back panel. The specific configuration of the pouch or pocket and the placement of the opening are not particularly limited as should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the seat portions  110 , and skirt portions  115  may be formed with constructions similar to the back panel  105 . 
     Further, in this embodiment, a storage compartment  130  is disposed beneath the seat member  110  and is configured to be accessible by the chair user. Specifically, the storage compartment  130  may be designed to hold a fire arm, such as a small semi-automatic pistol or revolver. Thus, in the event of a shooting, the user can draw the fire arm and return fire while still using the Anti-Ballistic panels of the chair to provide shielding. The compartment  130  may be accessible from either a side of the chair  100 , or may be accessible from the front or rear of the chair  100 , or some combination of the sides, front or rear. Further, the storage compartment  130  may also include a locking mechanism  165  next to the storage compartment. The locking mechanism  165  may be designed to hold the storage compartment  130  in a locked position until an authorized user open the compartment. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism  165  may be a push button lock requiring the user push a combination of buttons in sequence, or simultaneously to allow the compartment  130  to be opened and the fire arm accessed. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the locking mechanism  165  may be a biometric lock requiring verification of biometric information of the user to open the compartment  130 . For example, a finger print, retinal scan, or other piece of biometric information may be used to open release the locking mechanism  150  and allow the compartment  130  to be opened. 
     Sometimes, the chair may be used in a situation where the user first hides or takes shelter behind the back portion  105 , seat portion  110 , and skirt portion  115  and then returns fire. Therefore, the compartment  130  for the firearm may be located in a place which a person hiding from fire behind the chair  100  is able to reach the firearm without exposing any part of his/her body to the fire. In such a situation, the person hiding behind the chair  100  has to move their left had out of the safe position in order to access a storage compartment  130  located under the seat portion  110  or in the arm rest  125 . Thus, the storage compartment  130  may also be placed in the skirt portion  115  or in the seating portion  110 , which may be reachable from the safe position behind the chair. 
     As illustrated, the Anti-Ballistic chair  100  also includes a swivel mechanism  135  connecting the seat member  110  to a wheel portion  140 . The swivel mechanism  135  may include a low friction bearing  135  to allow the chair  100  to be quickly rotated around a full 360° range of motion with minimal resistance so that a user can quickly turn the Anti-Ballistic portion toward a threat. Further, the wheel portion  140  includes a plurality of wheels at the end of a support base designed to support the chair and allow it to be quickly rolled about for mobile shield protection. 
       FIG. 4 a    depicts a rear view of the Anti-Ballistic Chair  100  with the back portion  105  having a portion of the decorative outer covering and cushioning material removed exposing the Anti-Ballistic panel  150  that is disposed within the back portion  105 . As illustrated, the Anti-Ballistic panel  150  is formed with a tubular metal frame  36  with aramid fiber protective material wrapped around the frame in at least two different directions. For example, in this embodiment, aramid fiber protective material is wrapped around the frame  36  in a horizontal direction the horizontal layers  32  of the aramid fiber protective material. Further, the aramid fiber protective material is also wrapped around the frame  36  in a vertical direction to form the vertical layers  34  of the aramid fiber protective material. As illustrated the horizontal layers  32  and vertical layers  34  cross at a substantially 90° angles, but embodiments of this application need not have the layers  32 ,  34  cross at substantially 90° angles, but could instead cross at angles less than or greater than 90°. 
     In some embodiments, the frame  36  of the Anti-Ballistic panel  150  may also be the support frame of the back portion  105 . In other embodiments, the frame  36  of the Anti-Ballistic panel  150  may be a separate panel independent from the support frame of the back portion  105 . 
       FIG. 4 b    depicts a front view of the Anti-Ballistic Chair  100  having a portion of the conventional decorative outer covering and cushioning material removed from the from skirt portion  115  exposing the Anti-Ballistic panel  155  disposed within the skirt portion  115 . As illustrated, the Anti-Ballistic panel  155  includes a tubular metal frame  70  with aramid fiber protective material wrapped around the frame in at least two different directions. For example, in this embodiment, aramid fiber protective material is wrapped around the frame  70  in a horizontal direction the horizontal layers  38  of the aramid fiber protective material. Further, the aramid fiber protective material is also wrapped around the frame  70  in a vertical direction to form the vertical layers  40  of the aramid fiber protective material. As illustrated the horizontal layers  38  and vertical layers  40  cross at a substantially 90° angles, but embodiments of this application need not have the layers  38 ,  40  cross at substantially 90° angles, but could instead cross at angles less than or greater than 90°. 
     In some embodiments, the frame  70  of the Anti-Ballistic panel  155  may also be the support frame of the skirt portion  115 . In other embodiments, the frame  52  of the Anti-Ballistic panel  150  may be a separate panel independent from the support frame of the back skirt portion  115 . Additionally, the seat portion of the Anti-Ballistic chair  100  may be made in a similar fashion with additional padding for comfort. 
     It must be fully understood at this time that different Anti-Ballistic materials can be used for the purpose of constructing the Anti-Ballistic Chair  100  including a variety of soft materials along with hard surfaced resin impregnated laminated Anti-Ballistic materials some of which are sold by Du Pont under the registered trademark KEVLAR® and will still remain within the scope of this application. 
     Additionally, the Anti-Ballistic portions of the Anti-Ballistic chairs may be fabricated using not only aramid fibers and KEVLAR® from DuPont, but also polyethylene fibers and GOLD SHIELD®, which is a KEVLAR® based material, and SPECTRA SHIELD®, which is polyethylene based material, both available commercially from Honeywell. GOLD SHIELD® and SPECTRA SHIELD® are high strength synthetic fibers impregnated in partially cured resin for use in ballistic material. 
     Moreover, both of the Honeywell materials can be used as layered soft armor as well as hard armor when they are autoclaved or compression molded into Anti-Ballistic components for construction of the Anti-Ballistic chairs, as shown and described. Other similar materials of like purpose and function are also anticipated by this disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a cross section through a segment of the frame  70  of an alternative embodiment of an Anti-Ballistic panel  555  that could be incorporated into any one of the back portion  105 , seat portion  110 , or skirt portion  115 . As illustrated, the Anti-Ballistic panel  555  is configured to be incorporated into the seat portion  110 . In this embodiment, the Anti-Ballistic panel  555  includes a upper rigid aramid panel  72  and a lower rigid aramid panel  74  attached together by the means of conventional fasteners (such as screws, nails, bolts, rivets, etc.)  92  and a bonding agent  90  (such as adhesive, epoxy, glue, etc.) over the tubular frame  70  of the ant-ballistic panel  555 . Each of these rigid panels  72 ,  74  is formed from aramid fibers and the upper rigid panel  72  is oriented so that the fibers run in a first direction and the lower rigid panel  74  is oriented so that fibers run in a second direction, different from the first direction. Similar Anti-Ballistic panels could be incorporated into the back portion  105  or skirt portion  115 . Alternatively, the Anti-Ballistic panel may incorporated as part of the core of any one of the back portion  105 , seat portion  110 , and/or skirt portion  115  as shown, for example in  FIG. 6  below. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a cross section of through a segment of the frame  70  of the Anti-Ballistic panel  655  incorporated in to the core of a seat portion  610 . In this embodiment,  655  includes an upper rigid aramid panel  106  and a lower rigid aramid panel  108  attached together by the means of conventional fasteners (such as screws, nails, bolts, rivets, etc.)  92  and a bonding agent  90  (such as adhesive, epoxy, glue, etc.) over the tubular frame  70  of the Anti-Ballistic panel  655 . Each of these rigid panels  106 ,  108  is formed from aramid fibers and the upper rigid panel  106  is oriented so that the fibers run in a first direction and the lower rigid panel  108  is oriented so that fibers run in a second direction, different from the first direction. Additionally, in this embodiment, decorative fabric covering  112  is provided over the seat portion  610  and a foam cushion  110  is provided between the fabric covering  112  and the Anti-Ballistic panel  655 . A bracket  80  may also be connected to the seat portion  610  by fasteners  92 . The bracket  80  may connect the seat portion  610  to a lower pivot mechanism (not shown). The back portion  105  and/or skirt portion  115  may have similar constructions to the seat portion  610  in similar embodiments. 
       FIG. 7  depicts a cross section through a segment of an Anti-Ballistic panel  755  that could be incorporated into any one of the back portion  105 , seat portion  110 , or skirt portion  115 . As illustrated, the Anti-Ballistic panel  755  is configured to be incorporated into the seat portion  110 . In this embodiment, the Anti-Ballistic panel  755  includes a first sheet  38  of aramid fibers wrapped around the frame  70  in a first direction and a second sheet  40  of aramid fibers wrapped around the frame  70  in a second direction. Similar Anti-Ballistic panels could be incorporated into the back portion  105  or skirt portion  115 . Alternatively, the Anti-Ballistic panel may incorporated as part of the core of any one of the back portion  105 , seat portion  110 , and/or skirt portion  115  as shown, for example in  FIG. 6  above. 
     Again, as previously described, the Anti-Ballistic portions of the Anti-Ballistic panels may be fabricated using not only aramid fibers and KEVLAR® from DuPont, but also polyethylene fibers and GOLD SHIELD,® which is a KEVLAR® based material, and SPECTRA SHIELD®, which is polyethylene based material both available commercially from Honeywell. GOLD SHIELD® and SPECTRA SHIELD® are high strength synthetic fibers impregnated in partially cured resin for use in ballistic material. Moreover, both of the Honeywell materials can be used as layered soft and/or as well as hard armor when they are autoclaved or compression molded into Anti-Ballistic components for construction of the Anti-Ballistic folding chairs, as shown and described. Other similar materials of like purpose and function are also anticipated by this disclosure. Additionally, in some embodiments an Anti-Ballistic panel in the rear portion may be a hard armor panel and an Anti-Ballistic panel in the seat portion or the skirt portion may be a soft armor panel. Conversely, an Anti-Ballistic panel in the seat portion or the skirt portion may be a hard armor panel and the Anti-Ballistic in the rear portion may be a soft armor panel, or any other combination as may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The Anti-Ballistic Chairs and components shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present application. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements Anti-Ballistic Chairs in accordance with the spirit of this thereof other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing disclosure, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this design as broadly defined in the appended claims. 
     The abstract and any summaries provided herein are not intended to limit the scope of the present application, which is measured by the claims.