Hand Gun Bullet Proof Face Shield

Abstract

A protective face shield which consists of layers of high impact resilient plastic maintained in spaced relationship to each other by a metal frame so that a dead air space is provided between the layers incorporating various combinations of wall thickness and spacings employed to adapt the face guard to a specific application. The face shield is pivotally mounted in a unique manner on a rigid helmet and provides protection from .38 caliber and smaller bullets fired from hand guns at close range.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective face shield primarily for policemen who in the pursuit of their normal duties are confronted and fired upon often without warning at close range with small caliber hand guns. Heretofore, no face shields which can be readily attached and detached from a helmet have been developed to afford the wearer the degree of protection to the face and head as needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Bullet wounds to the face and head are extremely painful and are often fatal. In order to prevent such injuries a face shield must stop a lead bullet up to size .38 caliber when fired from a hand gun at a distance of one foot. The face shield must not shatter as flying fragments would be dangerous to the eyes and facial tissue. To be effective the face shield must also provide excellent visibility in various climatic conditions. In addition, such a face shield must be readily attachable to and detachable from the helmet.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a protective face shield that remains optically clear at all times, can be quickly attached to or detached from a helmet and most importantly will stop caliber bullets fired from hand guns at close range. The shield extends from the forehead portion of the helmet rearwardly to the side portions of the helmet, depends therefrom to a position adjacent the chin of the wearer, and consequently substantially completely covers the wearer's face.

It is another object of the invention to provide a means for pivoting the face shield upward to a position overlying the top portion of the helmet so that the face shield is out of the way when, for example, the wearer wishes to talk to another person.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a face shield which will withstand and deflect high impact blows from clubs, bricks, bottles and other similar objects often encountered by law enforcement officers during a riot.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial exploded view of one embodiment of the bullet proof shield assembly of this invention and a supporting helmet therefor;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the helmet of FIG. 1, illustrating the transparent bullet proof face shield in lowered operative position substantially completely covering the face of the wearer;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the helmet of FIG. 1, illustrating the bullet proof face shield in the raised position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed partial side elevation view of a portion of the face shield of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a detail of construction of the face shield of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial perspective view illustrating a modified form of the face shield of this invention, showing the shield in operative position on a helmet;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the helmet of FIG. 8 illustrating the face shield in lowered operative position;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the helmet of FIG. 8, illustrating the face shield in the raised position;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 11--11 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 12--12 of FIG. 8.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a helmet assembly 10 adapted to be worn by a motorcycle patrolman, foot patrolman or the like, although the invention is not limited thereto.

The helmet 10 per se does not form a part of the present invention, although it is desirable that it too be of bullet proof construction so as to further add to the protection of the wearer.

The transparent bullet proof face shield assembly, indicated generally at 14, is curved to conform to the general shape of the forehead portion 13 of the helmet 10. The bullet proof face shield consists of two transparent plastic panels 26 and 28 (FIG. 7) held in spaced relationship by a spacer 30 of the same material as the panels. The panels are preferably formed of a high impact resistant polycarbonate known as LEXAN. The panels and spacer are joined together with an adhesive so as to provide a liquid tight dead air space 27 between the panels. The preformed curved panels 26 and 28 are assembled in a metal mounting frame 24 which is of channel shape in cross section.

The dead air space 27 between the outer panel 26 and the inner panel 28 assures a fog free face shield during cold weather. However, the primary function of the spacer 30 is to provide a space between the panels into which the outer panel 26 can flex inwardly upon the initial impact of a bullet. The panel 26 can then flex back after the bullet has mushroomed upon impact with the inner panel 28 and thereby trap the spent bullet between the panels in the event the outer panel is pierced. Mounting brackets 16 are attached to each side of the bullet proof face shield near the aft top edges for engagement with corresponding fastening pins 18 mounted on opposite sides of the helmet 10.

In the lowered operative position of the shield 14, the edge frame 24 on the aft edges of the face shield 14 engage generally Z-shaped brackets 22 (FIGS. 4 and 7) attached to each side of the helmet 10 with friction action so as to remain engaged therewith until intentionally dislodged.

To position the bullet proof face shield 14 so as to remain in the raised position illustrated in FIG. 3, the face shield is grasped at the center lower edge, pivoted upward until the bracket 16 is in a horizontal position, and then pushed toward the helmet for brackets 16 to engage the end slots 42 therein with pins 40 which project from the helmet as shown in FIG. 6.

The face shield 14 is quickly removable from the helmet 10. Starting with the face shield in the raised position shown in FIG. 3, it is moved straight forward until the pins 18 are at the rear of the slots 44, and then lifting the face shield straight upward.

In the modified bullet proof face shield 14a, illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, the supporting frame for the spaced panels is comprised of a steel rod 48 covered with plastisol. Compound curved outer panel 56, inner panel 58 and spacer 60 are bonded together to form a liquid tight dead air space 59 between the panels. The transparent bullet proof face shield is positioned within the steel frame 48 and secured in place with a shaped thin metal moulding 50 that surrounds the frame 48.

Spring steel clips 52 attached to each side of the helmet retain the face shield when it is in the lowered operative position.

The modified face shield 14a is mounted on the helmet 10 like the shield 14 is mounted, as described above.

It is to be understood that while face shields 14 and 14a are shown with two panels each, it is within the purview of this invention to incorporate additional panels in the shields.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a protective helmet, a bullet proof face shield comprising a pair of inner and outer transparent panels formed of high impact resistant plastic and arranged in a face-to-face predetermined spaced relation, spacer means maintaining said panels in said spaced relation so that a dead air space is formed therebetween, said inner panel being substantially thicker than said outer panel, said outer panel being of reduced thickness relative to said inner panel to enable said outer panel to flex inwardly into said dead air space upon initial impact of a bullet with said outer panel, said dead air space also providing a space in between said panels into which a spent bullet passing through said outer panel is trapped, encircling frame means supporting said panels, and means movably supporting said frame means on said helmet, said panels and said dead air space cooperating to form a ballistic barrier capable of preventing the passage of small handgum bullets through said face shield.

2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein said frame means is of generally channel shape having said panels mounted therein.

3. The structure according to claim 1 wherein said frame means comprises a shaped rod.

4. The structure according to claim 1 wherein said means movably supporting said frame means comprises brackets on said frame means and coacting pin means on said helmet pivotally supporting said bracket means for movement of said face shield between lowered operative and raised inoperative positions, said brackets having slots in which said pin means are positioned, said slots being formed with an open end portion to enable detachment of said face shield from said helmet.

5. The structure according to claim 4 further including auxilliary coacting pin and slot means on said helmet and said brackets operable to retain said shield in a raised position on said helmet, said slot means having an open end portion to thereby enable said pin to engage with said slot means so that said face shield can be maintained in said raised inoperative position.