SOFT ARMOR SHIELD METHODS AND APPARATUS

Abstract

Methods and apparatus allow a user to easily deploy and position an assembled shield, both independent of a backpack and when attached to the backpack.

Claims

1. A bag comprising: a storage portion configured to hold at least one item; and a ballistic shield removably coupled to said storage portion.

2. A bag in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one forearm strap operationally coupled to said ballistic shield.

3. A bag in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least two forearm straps operationally coupled to said ballistic shield on a first side.

4. A bag in accordance with claim 1 further comprising at least one shoulder strap operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling a user having a back to carry the bag on their back as a backpack.

5. A bag in accordance with claim 3 further comprising at least one shoulder strap operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling a user having a back to carry the bag on their back as a backpack.

6. A bag in accordance with claim 3 further comprising at least one handgrip operationally coupled to said ballistic shield on said first side.

7. A bag in accordance with claim 5 further comprising at least one handgrip operationally coupled to said ballistic shield on said first side.

8. A backpack comprising: a storage portion; at least one shoulder strap operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling a user having a back to carry said backpack on their back; and at least one forearm strap operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling the user to use a forearm to support at least a portion of the backpack via said forearm strap.

9. A backpack in accordance with claim 8 wherein the backpack further comprises at least one ballistic shield portion operationally coupled to said storage portion and wherein at least one forearm strap is operationally coupled to said storage portion via said ballistic shield portion.

10. A backpack in accordance with claim 9 wherein the ballistic shield portion is removably coupled to said storage portion, and the forearm strap enables the user to support the ballistic shield portion independent of the storage portion.

11. A backpack in accordance with claim 9 further comprising at least two forearm straps operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling the user to use a forearm to support at least a portion of the backpack via said forearm straps.

12. A backpack in accordance with claim 8 further comprising at least two forearm straps operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling the user to use a forearm to support at least a portion of the backpack via said forearm straps.

13. A backpack in accordance with claim 8 further comprising at least one handgrip operationally coupled to said storage portion.

14. A backpack in accordance with claim 10 further comprising at least one handgrip operationally coupled to the ballistic shield portion.

15. A backpack in accordance with claim 14 wherein said at least one handgrip operationally coupled to the ballistic shield portion perpendicular to said forearm straps.

16. A backpack in accordance with claim 14 wherein said at least one handgrip operationally coupled to the ballistic shield portion parallel to said forearm straps.

17. A method comprising: receiving from a customer an indication of at least one backpack dimension; and sizing a ballistic shield based at least partially upon the received dimension.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising providing a cover for the ballistic shield wherein the cover includes at least one forearm strap attached to the cover.

19. A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising: providing a cover for the ballistic shield wherein the cover includes at least one forearm strap attached to the cover; placing the ballistic shield inside the cover; and attaching the cover to a backpack having the received dimension.

20. A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said attaching comprises removably attaching the cover to a backpack having the received dimension.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled shield including a shield body and a plurality of forearm straps.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates the assembled shield attach to a backpack via a plurality of attachment members.

[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates that a user may insert his forearm within the forearm straps and use the shield as armor.

[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates that the shield can be assembled by folding an outer cover over an armored panel.

[0012] FIG. 5 also illustrates that the shield can be assembled by folding an outer cover over an armored panel.

[0013] FIG. 6 also illustrates that the shield can be assembled by folding an outer cover over an armored panel.

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a cutaway view showing a user holding a backpack with the assembled shield via a plurality of forearm straps.

[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates an assembled shield that includes a handgrip.

[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates that the armor panel can be shaped specific to an individual backpack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an assembled shield apparatus 100 including a shield ballistic portion 102 and a plurality of forearm straps 104a and 104b. The forearm straps 104a and 104b allow a user to conveniently hold and position shield apparatus 100 when desired. FIG. 2 illustrates assembled shield apparatus 100 attach to a backpack 150 via a plurality of attachment members 152. A plurality of shoulder straps 108a and 108b (collectively straps 108) are provided for a user to carry the book bag or backpack 150, which can be used to store items because the area defined by the walls of the backpack forms a storage portion. The attachment members 152 can be any known means of attachment such as attachment stitches 154, a running (continuous) attachment stitch 156, rivets (or snaps) 158, a button 157, and/or a hook and loop like apparatus (not shown). The attachment stitches 154 provide attachment even if some stitches 154 should fail or break. While continuous stitch 156 allows for an easier removal of shield 100 from backpack 150 if desired.

[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a user 159 may insert his forearm within forearm straps 104a and 104b and use shield apparatus 100 (also referred to herein as shield 100) as armor. The shield 100 may be used as an armor or as a shield while attached to backpack 150 or in an unattached state. The armor 100 (shield) is also referred herein as a ballistic shield portion. Notably and as illustrated best in FIG. 2, book bag 150 includes both shoulder straps and forearm straps, in one embodiment. The shoulder straps allow the user to carry the book bag, while the forearm straps allow the user to easily use the shield 100 as a shield.

[0019] As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 the shield can be assembled by folding an outer cover 160 over an armored panel 170 in accordance with one embodiment. Typically, the armored panel 170 is relatively soft and flexible and is cut to size to allow a border 190 to be used for the attachment of the cover 160 to itself. In other words, border 190 acts as an attachment area. The forearm straps 104a and 104b are attached to the outer cover via a plurality of strap attachment members 180a, 180b, 180c, and 180d (collectively 180). Typically the strap attachment members 180 are end portions of the straps 104 wherein the outer cover 160 has openings in which the end portions pass through to an interior side 182 and are attached thereto. The assembled shield 100 can be attached to the backpack 150 via attachment members 152 in a permanent fashion (or manner) or in a temporary fashion (or manner). Additionally, the forearm straps 104 can be directly attached to backpack 150 and not to or via shield 100. For example, in one embodiment, straps 104 are installed on a backpack and then shield 100 may be placed inside the backpack totally independent of the straps 104. Of course, in this embodiment, while the shield 100 may be user removable, shield 100 typically would not have forearm straps. However, it is possible for both the backpack and the shield to both have forearm straps.

[0020] By temporary, it is meant that a user can detach the shield from the backpack. By permanent fashion, it is meant that the shield is not user detachable. Referring again to FIGS. 4-6, the armored panel 170 can be sewn into a fabric outer cover or it may be fastened with a zipper or other means in order to allow for the panel to be removed or replaced. It is contemplated that panels of different ballistic stopping strengths may be employed. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has defined Ballistic Levels so that different levels correspond to different stopping capabilities. Moreover, in one embodiment the herein described methods and apparatus provide for the customization of protection levels. This customization is both in a factory setting and by the end user in a home or school environment and the like (i.e., a non-factory setting). The armored panel 170 can be sealed in the cover 160 with a zipper and the cover 16 can be attached to the backpack also with a zipper. Additionally, the armored panel 170 and cover 160 can be permanently attached to the backpack while leaving access to the zipper of cover 160 which allows for the replacement of one panel 170 with another panel 170 by the user.

[0021] For example, a consumer may purchase an assembled shield or a book bag with an assembled shield attached thereto and at a later date want to upgrade their purchased shield with a stronger more expensive armor panel then the armor panel that came with their original purchase. Therefore, one embodiment has a user removable armor panel 170. However, other embodiments do not have a user replaceable panel 170.

[0022] Additionally, an armor panel 170 can be installed as a retrofit option. In other words, an already purchased backpack or other apparatus for which an armor panel may be desired to be included therein can be fitted with an armor panel. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a customer can bring their already obtained book-bag type backpack (or any other type backpack or portable object) to a place (storefront, kiosk inside a store or a shopping center such as but not limited to a mall) where an armor panel can be cut to fit on the spot and installed to allow that customer the benefits of the invention. This way, all brands of backpacks can be improved upon by including an armor panel as herein described. The retrofitted assembly may be such that the user can remove the armor panel or it may be fixed such that the user utilizes the entire backpack as an armored backpack.

[0023] Referring now to one embodiment of the invention in more detail, there is herein shown and described that the soft body armor panel is cut to size for a sample backpack. The panel is shaped to meet the contours of that particular backpack. The panel is then covered in material that will enable the panel to be attached to the backpack in a way that does not draw attention to the shield. The fabric can be any material which will not interfere with the function of the shield. It is assumed that the fabric will be determined at the time of assembly based on customer requirements and personal desire. The shield also has a forearm attachment apparatus or mechanism that is built into the cover, which will allow the user to remove the backpack, slide an arm into the sling formed by one or more forearm straps, and utilize the backpack as a shield for personal protection. For best results, the attachment apparatus is soft and flexible such that a wearer of the backpack does not appreciably feel the soft forearm straps. The completed shield is attached to the backpack via a variety of means, again depending on customer requirements and personal choice. The shield does not have to be sewn into the backpack, but can be if so desired.

[0024] Additionally the shield may be sewn using a plurality of individual stitches (154 in FIG. 2) or may be sewn using a single continuous stitch (156 in FIG. 2) which in one embodiment is made to allow to user to pull on the stitch 156 and remove the stitch 156 easily allowing the shield to be easily removed from the backpack and used independent from the back pack. A zipper attachment also allows for easy consumer separation of the shield from the backpack. As does a loop and hook attachment. However, the shield being attached to the backpack in conjunction with the forearm straps allows a user to wield the backpack better as a bludgeon like weapon than without the forearm straps. In other words, the forearm straps in addition to allowing the user to better position the shield for defense against a ballistic attack, the forearm straps also allow for better control of the backpack overall and especially when it may be desirable to hit a person with the backpack.

[0025] Additionally as explained below, some embodiments include a handgrip either perpendicular or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the forearm straps and the handgrip also aides in positioning the shield alone or in combination with the backpack. Although shown with two forearm straps, it is contemplated that the benefits of the invention accrue to embodiments with only one forearm strap. And that the forearm strap can be relatively wide forming a tunnel or sling for which the user's forearm is inserted therein. By forearm strap, it is meant that the strap is sized to accommodate a user's forearm in such a manner that the user can position the shield utilizing the user's forearm and the forearm strap. As opposed to forearm straps, shoulder straps are too large to accommodate a user's forearm in such a manner that the user cannot similarly position the shield utilizing the user's forearm and the shoulder strap. Additionally, shoulder straps are at the top of the backpack while forearm straps are typically more centered in the backpack. However, it is contemplated that the forearm straps can be positioned anywhere on the shield and accordingly anywhere on the backpack. As long as a user can at least partially support the shield or backpack using his forearm, then the forearm strap is appropriately sized and placed.

[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates a partial cutaway view showing the user 159 holding the backpack 150 with the assembled shield 100 via a plurality of forearm straps 104a and 104b. FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate that that as opposed to the armor panel being rectangle as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the armor panel can be rounded on one or both ends as shown in FIGS. 4-6. In different Ecommerce examples, a customer may order the armored paneled precut to a desired shape. Alternatively, the panel comes in different sizes and the user will trim it to fit his or her particular backpack. Typically, the outer cover is a soft material such as a fabric that easy as easily bendable and storable such that the panel itself is more of defining the size and shape of the assembled shield rather than the size of the outer cover. In other words the panel is sized approximately the size of the backpack while the outer panel can be quite a bit larger because the outer cover material is so flexible to be folded out of the way. The panel can be embedded or attached through any known means. The panel could be sewn in. The panel could be attached using a hook and loop means. The panel could be glued in. The panel can be stapled in. As stated earlier, the panel could be permanently installed or user removably installed.

[0027] FIG. 8 illustrates assembled shield 100 including a handgrip 192. Handgrip 192 can be operationally coupled in a parallel configuration with respect to forearm straps 104 as shown in the upper half of FIG. 8 or in a perpendicular orientation with respect to straps 104 as illustrated in the bottom portion of FIG. 8. In other words, each element 104a, 104b, and 192 all inherently have a longitudinal axis and the axes can be aligned (in parallel) as shown on top of FIG. 8 or element 192 can be perpendicular to 104a and 104b as shown in the bottom of FIG. 8. It should be appreciated that while forearm straps 104 add a substantial ability to easily and accurately position shield 100 with or without backpack 150, the presence of a handgrip in addition to the forearm straps can aid further in the ease and accuracy of handling of the shield 100.

[0028] FIG. 9 illustrates that the armor panel 170 can be shaped specific to an individual backpack. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the armor panel is tapered from top to bottom. Also illustrated in FIG. 9 is a rotatable attachment means 194 for the handgrip 192 allowing for the user to rotate the handgrip 192 from one orientation (parallel or perpendicular) to another orientation (perpendicular or parallel).

[0029] Exemplary embodiments are described above in detail. The assemblies and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of each assembly and/or method may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein.

[0030] While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.