U.S. patent application number 09/814733 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-08 for portable bullet resistant screen.
Invention is credited to Euler, Karl.
Application Number | 20020104429 09/814733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4168279 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020104429 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Euler, Karl |
August 8, 2002 |
Portable bullet resistant screen
Abstract
A portable bullet resistant screen is disclosed. The screen
consists of a flexible sheet made of a bullet resistant material
such as kevlar, or ballistic nylon. The flexible sheet has a width,
a length and an opposite first and second ends. A first member is
rigidly attached to the first end of the sheet and a second member
is rigidly attached to the second end of the sheet. The first and
second members are each adapted and configured to support the sheet
in a substantially upright position. The first member is also
adapted and configured to gather the sheet for storage. Preferably
the first and second members are elongated and span substantially
the entire width of the sheet. The first member is preferably
dimensioned and configured to permit the sheet to be rolled onto
the first member in a scroll-like fashion. Both the first and
second members each have handle portions which are adapted to
permit a user to comfortably hold the screen by the handle
portions. Also, the first and second members each have a
collapsible leg member adapted and configured to support the first
and second members in the upright position.
Inventors: |
Euler, Karl; (Pickering,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ELIAS C. BORGES
10 Kingsbridge Garden Circle
Suite 704
Mississauga
ON
L5R3K6
CA
|
Family ID: |
4168279 |
Appl. No.: |
09/814733 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
89/36.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41H 5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
89/36.02 |
International
Class: |
F41H 005/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 2, 2001 |
CA |
2,334,086 |
Claims
Therefore, what is claimed is:
1. A portable bullet resistant screen comprising; (a) a flexible
sheet having a length, a width and opposite first and second ends,
the sheet being made of a bullet resistant material, (b) a fist
support member rigidly attached to the first end of the sheet and a
second support member rigidly attached to the second end of the
sheet, the first and second members each adapted and configured to
support the sheet in a substantially upright position, the first
member being further adapted and configured to gather the sheet for
storage.
2. A portable bullet resistant screen as defined in claim 1 wherein
the first and second support members are elongated and span the
width of the sheet.
3. A portable bullet resistant screen as defined in claim 2 wherein
the first support member is dimensioned and configured to permit
the sheet to be rolled onto the first support member.
4. A portable bullet resistant screen as defined in claim 3 wherein
the first support member has a handle portion.
5. A portable bullet resistant screen as defined in claim 4 wherein
the first and second support members each have a collapsible leg
member, each leg member adapted and configured to support the first
and second support members in the upright position.
6. A portable bullet resistant screen as defined in claim 5 wherein
the first and second support members each have an elongated slot,
each elongated slot dimensioned and configured to receive the
collapsible leg member.
7. A portable bullet resistant screen as defined in claim 6 wherein
each leg member comprises a first elongated leg having opposite
first and second ends, the first end of each leg being pivotally
attached to its respective support member, each leg member further
comprising a brace member having opposite first and second ends,
the first end of the brace member being attached to the leg and the
second end of the brace member being attached to the legs
respective support member.
8. A portable bullet resistant screen as defined in claim 1 wherein
the sheet has opposite top and bottom edges, the sheet forming a
first elongated envelope extending the length of said sheet and
adjacent one of said edges, said envelope dimensioned and
configured to receive an elongated spar.
9. A portable bullet resistant screen as defined in claim 1 wherein
the sheet has opposite top and bottom edges, the sheet forming a
first elongated envelope extending the length of said sheet and
adjacent the top edge, the sheet also forming a second elongated
envelope extending the length of said sheet and adjacent the bottom
edge, said envelopes each dimensioned and configured to receive an
elongated spar.
10. A portable bullet resistant screen as defined in claim 1
wherein the sheet has opposite top and bottom edges, the sheet
having at least one opening adjacent the top edge, said opening
configure to permit a user to look through the opening.
11. A portable bullet resistant screen as defined in claim 4
wherein in the second support member has a handle portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to portable bullet resistant
screens.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Bullet proof shields are well known. Generally they consist
of a rigid shield behind which a person may hide if faced with
gunfire. These rigid shields generally have handles to permit the
user to grasp the shield. Since the shields are generally designed
as rigid structures they tend to be cumbersome and heavy.
[0003] Over the years, lightweight shields have been produced from
bullet resistant materials such as Lexan.TM., Kevlar.TM. and
Ballistic Nylon. While these lighter weight materials have resulted
in lighter weight shields, the rigid designs of existing bullet
proof shields still limit their use. A portable bullet resistant
screening shield device able to protect a number of different
people and which is portable and easily assembled in the field
would be of great benefit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with the present invention, a portable bullet
resistant screen is disclosed. The bullet resistant screen includes
a flexible sheet having a length, a width and opposite first and
second ends. The flexible sheet is made of a bullet resistant
material. The portable screen also consists of a first member
rigidly attached to the first end of the sheet and a second member
rigidly attached to the second end of the sheet. The first and
second members are each adapted and configured to support the sheet
in a substantially upright position. The first member is also
adapted and configured to gather the sheet for storage.
[0005] With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will
become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention
relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein
described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part
hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical
embodiment of the principles of the present invention, in
which:
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1. Is a perspective view of the present invention in
it's rolled up configuration.
[0007] FIG. 2. Is a perspective view of the present invention in
it's deployed configuration.
[0008] In the drawings like characters of reference indicate
corresponding parts in the different figures.
[0009] FIG. 3. Is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the present invention in its deployed configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Referring firstly to FIG. 2, a bullet resistant screen made
in accordance with the present invention is shown generally as item
10 and consists of a flexible sheet 12 having opposite ends 18 and
20 mounted to elongated support members 14 and 16, respectively.
Elongated support 20 members 14 and 16 are provided with
collapsible legs 22 and 24 and member 16 has handle portion 28,
respectively. Elongated members 14 and 16 are rigidly mounted to
the opposite ends of sheet 12 and span the entire width of the
sheet between top edge 30 and bottom edge 32.
[0011] Flexible sheet 12 is made of a flexible bullet resistant
material such as Kevlar.TM. or Ballistic Nylon. The sheet must be
sufficiently bullet resistant such that bullets fired from small
caliber rifles or handguns impacting on sheet 12 will cause sheet
12 to deform without actually penetrating the sheet. Preferably
sheet 12 will consist of multiple layers of bullet resistant
sheeting material. Suitable bullet resistant sheeting material is
generally available on the marketplace under a variety of brand
names.
[0012] Elongated member 14 is rigidly attached to end 18 of sheet
12 along it's entire width between edges 30 and 32. Elongated
member number 14 is provided with collapsible leg 22 having
opposite ends 38 and 40. End 38 of leg 22 is preferably pivotally
attached to elongated member number 14. Member 14 has slot 46 which
is dimensioned to receive collapsible leg 22. Collapsible leg 22 is
also supported by brace member 34 which holds leg 22 at a set angle
relative to elongated member 14. Brace 34 may comprise an elongated
member having opposite ends 50 and 52 movably attached to elongated
member 14 and leg member 22, respectively. Alternatively, brace 34
may comprise a strong cable. Elongated member 16 is also provided
with collapsible leg 24 having opposite ends 42 and 44. End 42 is
pivotally attached to elongated member 16. Elongated member 16 has
slot 48 which is dimensioned to receive collapsible leg 24, such
that the leg can be folded into the slot. Brace 36 helps to
position leg 24 against elongated member 16. Legs 22 and 24 are
dimensioned and configured such that they can support members 14
and 16, respectively, when the legs are fully deployed.
[0013] Elongated member 16 is provided with handle 28. Handle 28
permits a user to grab the elongated member and position the screen
as required. When screen 10 is to be stored, collapsible legs 22
and 24 are first folded in towards elongated members 14 and 16
respectively. Elongated member 14 may then be used to roll up sheet
12 as shown in FIG. 1. The device is then more compact and
portable. In an emergency situation where the unit is to be
deployed quickly, a user may simply grab elongated member 16 via
handle portion 28 and then unroll sheet 12 from elongated member
14. Collapsible legs 22 and 24 may then be deployed in order to
stand the screen up to form a shield.
[0014] Referring again to FIG. 1, top edge 30 of screen 12 has
elongated envelope 60 having a slit like opening 71. Elongated
envelope 60 is dimensioned such that foldable spar 26 can unfolded
and then inserted into the envelope through opening 71 to stiffen
top edge 30. Likewise, bottom edge 32 has elongated envelope 62
having opening 72 which is also dimensioned to receive another spar
26. Spar 26 is preferably made from a plurality of hollow rigid
spar elements 25 which are linked together by an elastic cord.
Suitable foldable spars are available on the market. When folded
out and inserted into both envelopes 60 and 62, spar 26 stiffens
both upper edge 30 and lower edge 32.
[0015] Referring back to FIG. 2, elongated members 14 and 16 are
provided with bottom ends 54 and 56 respectively. Bottom ends 54
and 56 are preferably configured to firmly secure the ends to the
ground. Preferably ends 54 and 56 are provided with high friction
rubber pads which are adapted to make good frictional contact with
the ground. Likewise, ends 40 and 44 of collapsible legs 22 and 24
are also provided with high friction rubber pads permitting the
unit to be stood up in substantially an upright position. Since
upper and lower edges 30 and 32 are stiffened by spars located in
envelopes 60 and 62, respectively, screen 10 has sufficient
rigidify to stand upright.
[0016] Sheet 12 also has portals 64 and 66 adjacent top edge 30 and
adjacent elongated members 16 and 14, respectively. These portals
permit a user to look through the portals when positioning screen
10.
[0017] When screen 10 is fully deployed, sheet 12 acts as a bullet
resistant shield. People hiding behind sheet 12 will be relatively
safe from gunfire. Bullets striking sheet 12 will cause the sheet
to deform and pull against elongated members 14 and 16. The energy
of the bullets will be displaced by sheet 12 from the impact point
to elongated members 14 and 16 and then through legs 22 and 24,
respectively. If ends 54, 40, 56 and 44 are firmly attached to the
ground, then elongated members 14 and 16 will be able to absorb the
energy of the impacting bullet while maintaining screen 12 in a
substantially upright position. The spars stiffening edges 30 and
32 also help transmit the energy of the impacting bullet towards
elongated members 14 and 16.
[0018] The present invention can be made available in a variety of
different grades of bullet resistant material, depending on the
type of gun fire a user may be faced with. If the user is likely to
face only small handgun fire, then sheet 12 forming screen 10 may
be made of a relatively light weight gauge of bullet resistant
material. However, if the user is likely to face fire from higher
velocity weapons such as larger caliber rifles, then sheet 12 may
be made more robust. Since sheet 12 may be made from a plurality of
sheets of bullet resistant fabric such as Kevlar.TM., it is
relatively simple to produce screens intended to protect against
higher caliber fire simply by increasing the number of bullet
resistant fabric sheets forming sheet 12.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 3 an alternate embodiment of the
present invention is shown as item 100 and consists of elongated
member 102 and 104 securely attached to flexible sheet 106.
Flexible sheet 106 is also made of a flexible bullet resistant
material as in the previous embodiment. Also as in the previous
embodiment, sheet 106 is provided with elongated envelopes 110 and
112 which are adapt to receive a collapsible reinforcing spar (not
shown). As in the previous embodiment, elongated member 104 and 102
are configured to permit sheet 106 to be rolled on to the elongated
members for storage. Elongated member 102 is provided with a handle
114 and elongated member 104 is provided with handle 116. Since
both members 104 and 102 are provided with handles, the entire
screen mechanism 100 can be manipulated by two individual officers,
120 and 122. Officer 120 can grasp handle 116 in order to maneuver
member 104 such that sheet 106 partially covers the officer.
Likewise, officer 122 can grasp on to handle 114 in order to
manipulate and 102 such that he is protected by sheet 106. In this
way, both officers 120 and 122 can enter a zone of fire while being
protected by screen 106. If both members 102 and 104 were not
provided with handle members, then it would be very awkward for
both officers to manipulate screen 106 while ensuring that the
screen covers both officers.
[0020] A specific embodiment of the present invention has been
disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment
could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to
be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *