Ballistic Shield System and Methods

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for a ballistic shield system that enables a shooter to very accurately fire a handgun or a rifle while remaining well protected by the ballistic shield and looking through a bullet resistant viewing window comprising the ballistic shield. A high visibility green laser sight/high output white light illumination system may be mounted onto the firearm for aiming and illumination, with the firearm being precisely but removably mounted to the side of the shield at a location where the firearm's grip can be ergonomically grasped in the shooter's dominant hand, both for operating the firearm and for controlling the position and orientation of the ballistic shield for aiming purposes. An interface that enables the firearm to be precisely but removably mounted to the shield may comprise a quick-draw holster that is mounted directly onto the ballistic shield.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a ballistic shield system, comprising: a shield for protecting the upper body and the head of a shooter; a handle for supporting the shield; a bullet resistant window for viewing in front of the shield; and a mount for precisely but removably coupling a firearm with the shield.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a high visibility green laser sight and/or a high output white light illumination system that is mounted directly on the shield.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shield is configured to accommodate a high visibility green laser sight and/or a high output white light illumination system that is mounted directly on the firearm.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the bullet resistant window includes an optical filter that is configured to enhance the visibility of the green laser sight in high ambient light conditions.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shield is configured to accommodate any of a suppressor, a flash hider, or a muzzle brake mounted that may be mounted onto the firearm.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mount is configured to precisely but removably attach the firearm to a side of the shield at a location where a grip of the firearm can be ergonomically grasped by the shooter's dominant hand.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mount comprising a holster portion that is configured to precisely but removably attach the firearm to a side of the shield at a location where a grip of the firearm can be ergonomically grasped by the shooter's dominant hand.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the holster portion is configured to allow the firearm to be precisely but removably secured to the shield by way of an illumination system that is coupled with the firearm.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle is configured and positioned on the shield to enable the shooter to support the ballistic shield system by way of a nondominant hand while grasping a grip of the firearm by way of a dominant hand.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the handle and the grip of the firearm are configured to enable the shooter to move and orient the ballistic shield system for the purpose of aiming the firearm.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a monopod configured to contact the ground so as to support the ballistic shield system such that the bullet resistant window is positioned at about same height as eyes of the shooter.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the monopod includes a spring that extends a piston having a bottom end that contacts the ground for supporting the ballistic shield system.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the monopod is vertically adjustable on the shield to position the center of the bullet resistant window at about same height as the eyes of the shooter when the monopod is fully supporting the ballistic shield system.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a mobility system that includes wheels whereby the ballistic shield system can be rolled around.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the mobility system and the monopod are configured to be used interchangeably to support the ballistic shield system.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the monopod is configured to be extended so as to fully support the ballistic shield system; and wherein the monopod is configured to be retracted so as to allow the mobility system to fully support the ballistic shield system.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a red dot sight is incorporated into the bullet resistant window and sighted into the firearm to operate as an alternate or in addition to a green laser sight mounted directly on the firearm.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a sighting-in distance ranges between about 25 meters and about 50 meters.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein one or more additional lasers are incorporated into the ballistic shield system and in communication with one or more processors configured to substantially eliminate an influence due to a horizontal offset and a vertical offset between the positions of the red dot sight and the green laser sight of the firearm.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the red dot sight is moveable with respect to the shield for the purpose of sighting-in the firearm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a ballistic shield system with a handgun precisely but removably mounted onto the shield;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a ballistic shield system with a rifle precisely but removably mounted onto the shield;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates the ballistic shield system of FIG. 2, having an interface configured to precisely but removably mount the rifle onto the shield;

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary-use environment wherein a shooter uses the ballistic shield system of FIG. 2 to accurately operate the rifle while remaining protected behind the shield and viewing targets through a ballistically protected viewport;

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary-use environment wherein a shooter uses the ballistic shield system of FIG. 2 supported by way of a monopod to accurately operate the rifle while remaining protected behind the shield and viewing targets through the ballistically protected viewport, in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a back view of an exemplary embodiment of a ballistic shield system that includes a red dot sight and a monopod, according to the present disclosure; and

[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the ballistic shield system of FIG. 6, according to the present disclosure.

[0030] While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. The present disclosure should be understood to not be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the ballistic shield system and methods disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as first shield, may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the first shield is different than a second shield. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term coupled is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms about, approximately, or substantially for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

[0032] In general, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and methods for a ballistic shield system that enables a shooter to very accurately fire a handgun or a rifle while remaining well protected by the ballistic shield and looking through a bullet resistant viewing window comprising the ballistic shield. A high visibility green laser sight/high output white light illumination system may be mounted onto the firearm for aiming and illumination, with the firearm being precisely but removably mounted to the side of the shield at a location where the firearm's grip can be ergonomically grasped in the shooter's dominant hand, both for operating the firearm and for controlling the position and orientation of the ballistic shield for aiming purposes. An interface that enables the firearm to be precisely but removably mounted to the shield may comprise a quick-draw holster that is mounted directly onto the ballistic shield.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a ballistic shield system 100 with a handgun 104 precisely but removably mounted onto a shield 108. The ballistic shield system 100 enables an individual to very accurately fire the handgun 104 while remaining well protected behind the ballistic shield 108 and looking through a bullet resistant viewing window 112 coupled with the shield 108. In some embodiments, system 100 is configured to incorporate a high visibility green laser sight/high output white light illumination system 116 (see FIGS. 4-5) for aiming and illumination. In other embodiments, however, the illumination system 116 may be mounted directly on the handgun 104, without limitation. It is contemplated that in such embodiments, the ballistic shield system 100 is configured to accommodate the presence of the illumination system 116 on the handgun 104.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the ballistic shield system 100 includes a mount 120 that couples a holster portion 124 with the shield 108. The mount 120 and the holster portion 124 are configured to precisely but removably mount the handgun 104 to the side of the shield 108 at a location where a grip 128 of the handgun 104 can be ergonomically grasped by a shooter's dominant hand 130 (see FIGS. 4-5). It is contemplated that the shooter can use the dominant hand 130 both for firing the handgun 104 and for controlling the position and orientation of the shield 108 for aiming purposes. The holster portion 124 is configured to allow the handgun 104 to be precisely but removably mounted to the shield 108 by way of a female portion (not shown) that is built into the illumination system 116 being used. A male portion (not shown) may be built into a mount, similar to a Surefire Masterfire quick-draw holster, that is fastened directly to the shield 108.

[0035] The ballistic shield system 100 shown in FIG. 1 further comprises a handle 132 and an arm support 136. As will be appreciated, the handle 132 is configured and positioned on the shield 108 to enable the shooter to support the ballistic shield system 100 by way of the shooter's nondominant hand 134 (see FIGS. 4-5). The arm support 136 provides a supportive rest for the shield to lay against the shooter's nondominant arm 138. As such, during operating the ballistic shield system 100, the grip 128 of the handgun 104 is grasped in the shooter's dominant hand 130 while the handle 132 is grasped in the nondominant hand 134 and the arm support 136 rests against the nondominant arm 138. It is contemplated that the shooter may use both dominant and nondominant hands 130, 134 to position and orient the ballistic shield system 100 for the purpose of aiming the handgun 104.

[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a ballistic shield system 200 with a rifle 204 precisely but removably mounted onto a shield 208. The ballistic shield system 200 enables a shooter to very accurately fire the rifle 204 while remaining protected behind the ballistic shield 208 and looking through a bullet resistant viewing window 212 that can be coupled with the shield 208. As described herein, in some embodiments, system 200 may be configured to incorporate a high visibility green laser sight/high output white light illumination system 116 (see FIGS. 4-5) for aiming and illumination. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, however, the illumination system 116 is mounted directly on the rifle 204. As such, the ballistic shield system 200 shown in FIGS. 4-5 is configured to accommodate the presence of the illumination system 116 on the rifle 204. Further, the ballistic shield system 200 may be configured to accommodate the presence of a suppressor, a flash hider, or a muzzle brake, without limitation.

[0037] Turning, again, to FIG. 2, the ballistic shield system 200 includes a mount 216 that couples the rifle 204 with the shield 208. The mount 216 is configured to precisely but removably mount the rifle 204 to the side of the shield 208 at a location where a grip 220 of the rifle 204 (see FIG. 3) can be ergonomically grasped by the shooter's dominant hand 130, shown in FIGS. 4-5. It is contemplated that the shooter can use the dominant hand 130 both for firing the rifle 204 and for controlling the position and orientation of the shield 208 for aiming purposes. The mount 216 is configured to allow the rifle 204 to be precisely but removably attached to the shield 208. In some embodiments, the mount 216 may be configured to engage with a female portion (not shown) that is built into the illumination system 116 being used. Further, in some embodiments, a male portion (not shown) may be built into a mount, similar to a Surefire Masterfire quick-draw holster, that is fastened directly to the shield 208.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the ballistic shield system 200 further includes a handle 222 and an arm support 224. The handle 222 is configured and positioned on the shield 208 to enable the shooter to support the ballistic shield system 200 by way of the shooter's nondominant hand 134 as shown in FIGS. 4-5. The arm support 224 provides a supportive rest for the shield 208 to lay against the shooter's nondominant arm 138. As such, during operating the ballistic shield system 200, the grip 220 of rifle 204 is grasped in the shooter's dominant hand 130 while the handle 222 is grasped in the nondominant hand 134 and the arm support 224 rests against the nondominant arm 138. It is contemplated that the shooter can use both dominant 130 and nondominant hands 134 to position and orient the ballistic shield system 200 for the purpose of aiming the rifle 204.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a first exemplary-use environment 230 wherein a shooter 232 uses the ballistic shield system 200, shown in FIGS. 2-3, to accurately operate the rifle 204 while remaining protected behind the shield 208 and viewing targets through a ballistically protected viewport 212. FIG. 5 illustrates a second exemplary-use environment 234 wherein a shooter 236 uses the ballistic shield system 200, shown in FIGS. 2-3, to accurately operate the rifle 204 while remaining protected behind the shield 208 in accordance with the present disclosure. In both exemplary-use environments 230, 234, the shooter's dominant hand 130 is used to grasp the grip 220 of the rifle 204 while the nondominant hand 134 is used to grasp the handle 222 with the arm support 224 laying against the nondominant arm 138. As best shown in FIG. 5, the handle 222 and the arm support 224 enable the shooter 236 to support the weight of the shield 208 and thus to hold the ballistic shield system 200 in an optimal position aiming the rifle 204 while remaining protected by the shield 208.

[0040] As will be appreciated, the ballistic shield system 200 can be manually supported and oriented when being used for cover or when the shield 208 is relatively small and lightweight. In some embodiments, however, wherein the shield 208 is heavy, or if better support and shooting accuracy is desired, then the shield 208 may be supported by way of a spring action monopod that can be attached to the shield 208. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a ballistic shield system 240 that includes a monopod 244, according to the present disclosure. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the monopod 244 includes a spring 248 that extends a piston 252 having a bottom end 256 that contacts the ground when the monopod 244 is supporting the shield 208 (see FIG. 5). It is contemplated that the parameters of the spring 248 may be such that when the monopod 244 is fully supporting the shield 208 and everything that is attached to it, the spring 248 will be compressed to where the piston 252 is at a midpoint of its travel. In some embodiments, the midpoint of the piston's 252 travel is about 6 inches. Further, in some embodiments, the vertical location of the monopod's 244 placement on the shield 208 can be adjustable. Thus, the vertical location of the monopod 244 on the shield 208 may be adjusted such that when the monopod 244 is fully supporting the shield 208, the center of the viewing window 212 is positioned at about same height as the eyes of the shooter 236 using the shield 208.

[0041] In some embodiments, a mobility system 254 whereby the ballistic shield system 200 may be moved around on wheels 258 may be provided. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 6-7, the ballistic shield system 240 may be switched between being supported by the monopod 244 and fully resting on three wheels 258. It is contemplated that the shooter 236 can quickly and easily switch between having the shield 208 fully supported by the monopod 244 and retracting the monopod 244 such that the shield 208 is fully resting on the wheels 258. In some embodiments, the ballistic shield system 240 includes a DC linear actuator 260 configured to fully withdraw the monopod 244, which fully compresses the abovementioned spring 248, and allows the shield 208 to be supported by the wheels 258. As will be appreciated, the DC linear actuator 260 may also be used to allow the spring 248 to extend the monopod 248 downward to the ground, again, such that the shield 208 is fully supported by the abovementioned monopod 244. Further, it should be borne in mind, that the ballistic shield system 240 is not limited to monopods 244 that rely upon spring forces. For example, in some embodiments, the monopod 244 may be configured to use forces other than spring forces, such as, by way of non-limiting example, hydraulic forces, electromechanical forces, and the like.

[0042] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a preferred means for aiming a firearm, such as the handgun 104 of FIG. 1 and the rifle 204 of FIG. 2, comprises a high visibility green laser sight 264, as shown in FIG. 6, that is directly mounted on to the firearm, as described herein. In some embodiments, the ballistic shield system 240 may include an optical filter that can be applied to the window 212 and is configured to make the green laser sight 264 a lot more visible. It is contemplated that the optical filter can be positioned over the window 212 to better view the green laser sight 264 in high ambient light conditions.

[0043] In some embodiments, a red dot sight 268 may be incorporated into the window 212 and sighted into the firearm mounted to the shield 208 so as to operate as an alternate or in addition to the green laser sight 264. It is contemplated that the sighting-in distance would generally range between about 25 meters and about 50 meters, at which distance this method of aiming would be very accurate. As will be appreciated, at shorter or longer distances the shooter may have to compensate for a horizontal offset 272 and a vertical offset 276 between the positions of the red dot sight 268 and the green laser sight 264 mounted on the firearm.

[0044] It is contemplated, however, that in some embodiments, one or more additional lasers may be incorporated into the ballistic shield system 240 in the form of a laser distance measurement tool for the purpose of reducing the horizontal and vertical offsets 272, 276 between the positions of the red dot sight 268 and the green laser sight 264 of the firearm. For example, in some embodiments, the laser distance measurement tool can determine the distance between the firearm and an intended target. With the horizontal and vertical offsets 272, 276 between the red dot sight 268 and the green laser sight 264 of the firearm already known, one or more processors may be configured to use triangulation to substantially eliminate the offsets 272, 276 between the red dot sight 268 and the green laser sight 264 on the intended target. As will be appreciated, in such embodiments, the red dot sight 268 may be moveable with respect to the shield 208 by way, for example, one or more servos, without limitation.

[0045] As best shown in FIG. 6, the ballistic shield system 240 includes a substantial battery 280 attached to the shield 208 for powering the DC linear actuator 260 that drives the monopod 244, and for powering any additional lights. In some embodiments, the battery 280 can be used for powering a means for releasing the rifle 204 from the mount 216, such as in response to a switch ergonomically placed near to the shooter's 236 support hand would be when shooting.

[0046] In some embodiments, the shield 208 comprising the ballistic shield system 240 may have a width as large as 24 inches and a height as large as 48 inches, which should fully protect the shooter's 236 head and upper body. In some embodiments, however, a second shield, as large as 24 inches wide and 30 inches in height, may be provided for protecting the shooter's 236 legs. The second shield may be supported by dedicated wheels that are similar to the wheels 258 to facilitate the shooter 236 moving, remaining stationary, or actively engaging a target.

[0047] It is contemplated that the ballistic shield system 240 is to remain fully supported by the monopod 244, as described above, while the second shield is supported entirely by its own wheels. As such, the second shield can remain detached from the shield 208 to keep the ballistic shield system 240 lightweight enough to be easily moved and oriented to accurately aim the firearm mounted thereon. It is contemplated, however, that in some embodiments the second shield may be temporarily coupled with the ballistic shield system 240 for the purpose of moving when both the shield 208 and the second shield are supported by wheels.

[0048] While the ballistic shield system and methods have been described in terms of particular variations and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ballistic shield system is not limited to the variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the ballistic shield system. Additionally, certain of the steps may be performed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described above. To the extent there are variations of the ballistic shield system, which are within the spirit of the disclosure or equivalent to the ballistic shield system found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will cover those variations as well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by the specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.