Patent Application
20220408905
The present invention relates to the security industry, particularly the development of a “Ballistic Protection Device with built-in multifunctional load”, which provides personal protection to the user, is multifunctional, portable and allows the storage of objects.
Terrorist attacks and shootings in public places are a constant threat to the general public. This situation has generated a with high demand need, on personal protection against bullets, which was initially planned only for the military industry (Abramsky, 2016).
Current bullet protection systems include mainly bulletproof suits and vests. However, these systems are not comfortable to be used during daily activities, nor are they accessible to the general population. Accordingly, a comfortable, easily accessible and compatible protection element is necessary for the general population.
Currently, the market offers bulletproof suitcases with two independent compartments that when separated by a zipper can be used as a vest. These products are the first approach to a portable everyday item with bulletproof protection. However, these suitcases do not offer side protection and its complex functioning (e.g., opening of a zipper, placing on the head as a vest and fastening by straps), generates in times of crisis, an increase in activation time and therefore higher risk of damage to the system or zipper. This makes the suitcases less suitable for children.
Bags and backpacks are a commonly used accessory for their storage capacity and high portability. Given their versatility, they are indispensable elements in activities such as travel, study, work, outdoor activities and entertainment. Their designs are also very variable, but they have a basic structure consisting of a storage space and at least one shoulder strap. Due to these characteristics, suitcases and backpacks are an ideal candidate to contain the necessary elements for personal protection against bullets.
Some examples of bags, storages and backpacks with bulletproof protection include inventions such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,738A, US2019174903A1 and CN207411760U. These inventions provide alternative solutions for personal bullet protection. However, these systems require activation and opening of compartments, which increases activation time, which can make it difficult to use in times of crisis. Additionally, panels being stored inside the suitcase may suffer damage to the material or system by use, deformation of the material or pressure with whatever elements are stored. Further, the protective panels may reduce the storage space for other items that the user needs/wants to carry.
The state of the art in its entirety does not provide us with a “Ballistic Protection Device with built-in multifunctional load”, which meets the needs of full dorsal (side) protection, with fast and simple activation, that is accessible and allows the storage of high volumes without affecting the protection system.
The present invention provides a solution to the above needs and problems. It corresponds to a ballistic protection device with built-in multifunctional load, which meets the needs of complete upper body protection, quick to activate, accessible and that allows storage of substantial volume.
The ballistic protection device comprises adjacent panels with ballistic protection, a main sac and at least one shoulder strap or shoulder straps, conforming a single body, which comprises an opposite and longitudinal panel to a main sac with ballistics protection, so that such single body conforms a single ballistic panel with front, rear and side protection.
The adjacent panels with ballistic protection are joined by mechanical and/or magnetic elements at their distal end.
In its inactive position such panels are attached at the front, surrounding the main sac. These adjacent panels are activated by uncoupling of the mechanical elements, magnetic elements or a combination thereof. In active position the panels are fastened at the back of the device, surrounding the user's body and offering rear, side and front ballistic protection. At least one of the adjacent panels contains a section that extends from a rear or back section of the panel and makes the ballistic protection adjustable for different sizes of users.
The ballistically protected panels are located on the outside of the single body, are independent of an inner storage compartment and its closure system, and are unfolded frontally.
The main sac of the single body has at least one compartment that allows internal storage of elements, the opening of the compartment(s) is located at the top of the bag. The compartment(s) are independent of the built-in ballistic protector and this main sac is connected to at least one shoulder strap to carry the device.
The device is composed on its interior of bullet resistance materials including, but not limited to, aramid or woven or unidirectional para-aramid, polyolefins, polyparaphenylene terephthalamide, polyethylene and polyamide fibers, protein fibers, cellulosic fibers, materials composed of carbon fibers, steel or titanium fibers, plastic fibers, biodegradable fibers, polycarbonates, metal meshes, ceramics, thickening liquids, among others, and in the outside by waterproof materials composed of fabrics, polymeric and/or organic materials.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures showing illustrative embodiments of the invention, in which:
Throughout the figures, the same reference numbers, and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like elements, components, portions or features of the illustrated embodiments. The subject invention will be described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in view of the illustrative embodiments.
The ballistic protection device with built-in multifunctional load (1) comprising a ballistic protector (4), a main sac (2) with at least one compartment and at least one shoulder strap or shoulder strap(s) (3), conforming a single body from which adjacent panels (4a, 4b) with ballistic protection are deployed frontally, which are joined together by mechanical and/or magnetic elements (5) at their distal end; the device of the invention conforms a single body that shapes an opposite panel and longitudinal to the main sac (2) with ballistic protection, so that this single body forms a single ballistic panel (4) with front, rear and side ballistic protection. At least one of the adjacent panels contains a section (6) that extends from a rear or back section of the panel and makes the ballistic panel (4) adjustable for different sizes of users.
In one embodiment, the ballistic protector (4) is located on the outside of the single body, is independent of the inner storage compartment and its closing system. In addition, it comprises adjacent side panels (4a, 4b) with ballistic protection, which are deployed from the front of the device to the rear. This arrangement avoids the stress of the ballistic material, does not reduce the storage space of the compartments, does not generate folding or segmenting of the ballistic panel, reduces its activation time and facilitates the handling of the device by any user, even children.
In the same embodiment, adjacent side panels (4a, 4b) with ballistic protection are joined by magnetic and/or by mechanical elements (5). The distal ends of each panel, may contain magnetic or mechanical assemblies that interact together to hold the panels together in a closed configuration. Moreover, the panels with mechanical assemblies, such as clamping means or hook and loop fasteners, among others, are designed to achieve a closed configuration by a single-step move, without the need of additional manipulation. In another configuration, those distal ends of each panel may contain magnetic cooperating elements, designed to achieve a closed configuration by themselves without the need of any additional manipulation. Thus, in operation, a distal end of the first panel (4a) is removably coupled to a distal end of the second panel (4b).
In the same embodiment, at least one of the adjacent side panels with ballistic protection (4a), contains a section (6) that extends from a rear or back section of the panel and makes the ballistic protection adjustable for different sizes of users.
In their inactive position the panels (4a) and (4b) including section (6) are abutted against each other and attached to the front of the main sac (2), so they do not affect the use of the bag compartment(s) and are not affected by the capacity or load of the bag. Adjacent side panels (4a, 4b) are activated by uncoupling of mechanical and/or magnetic elements (5). In an active position, the panels are secured at the back of the device, surrounding the user's body and offering rear, side and front ballistic protection. Thus, as can be appreciated from the Figures, a first panel (4a) made from a ballistic protection material extends from a side of the main sac (2) and a second panel (4b) also made from a ballistic protection material extends from another side of the main sac (2).
In this same embodiment, the clamping means (5) can be mechanical, for example, with hook-type coupling mechanisms, where hooks are located along the edge at the outer end of a ballistic protection panel (4). These hooks are attached to the panel (4), at the outer end, which comprises rings or loops compatible with the clamping hooks. In this way, by moving in the opposite direction, up and down, it is possible to uncouple and couple the ballistic protection panels (4a, 4b), on the front of the device, in an inactive state, and on the back, in an active state. In this same aspect, the clamping elements (5) can be magnetic and are located on the outer end of the ballistically protected panels (4a, 4b). These elements are coupled by magnetic action and keep the panels attached, in the active or inactive state.
In the same general aspect of the invention, the main sac (2) comprises at least one compartment that allows internal storage of elements, the opening of the compartment(s) is located at the top of the sac. The compartment(s) are independent of the ballistic protector (4), which prevents interference when the bag is full or with a high load, and does not generate pressure on the ballistic protector (4). The main sac (2) is coupled to at least one shoulder strap (3) to carry the device, which are located at the back of the sac (2). It is also envisioned, that the at least one shoulder strap (3) can be replaced by at least one handle or both, the at least one shoulder strap (3) and the at least one handle can be coupled to the main sac (2).
While according to a preferred embodiment of the invention the main sac (2) is a carrying backpack with at least one shoulder strap, it is to be understood that the ballistic protector (4) can be implemented in a daypack, a belt/waist bag, a hand bag, a purse, a duffel bag, a briefcase, a luggage, a suitcase or any other product configured to be carried by a user.
In this same embodiment of the invention, the device is made of materials with bullet resistance characteristics that include, but are not limited to woven or unidirectional aramid, polyparaphenylene terephthalamide, polyethylene fiber and polyamide, among others, and on the outside by waterproof materials such as but not limited to fabrics, polymeric and/or organic materials. Any material such as Aramid, or any of its derivatives are known for its strength and lightness, and hence could be considered for this invention. The elements (2-5) of the ballistic protection device with built-in multifunctional load (1), can be sewn, heat-sealed, glued or joined according to current or to be developed techniques for the assembly or manufacture of a conventional backpack.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ballistic protection device with built-in multifunctional load comprises at least one compartment in the main sac and two shoulder straps to carry the device. The material of the ballistic protector inside is woven aramid and on the outside a natural or synthetic fiber, resistant and/or flexible and/or waterproof and/or decorative.
In another embodiment of the invention, the ballistic protection device with built-in multifunctional load comprises at least one compartment in the main sac and contains a crossbody strap to carry the device. The material of the ballistic protector inside is woven aramid and on the outside a waterproof synthetic fabric.
In other embodiments, the ballistic protection device with built-in multifunctional load comprises some of the above configurations, and is composed in its interior of materials with ballistic protection and on the outside by waterproof materials. Particularly, adjacent panels with ballistic protection are joined through magnetic securing means.
In other embodiments, the ballistic protection device with built-in multifunctional load comprises some of the above configurations, and is composed on its interior of materials with ballistic protection and on the outside by waterproof materials. Particularly, adjacent panels with ballistic protection are joined through mechanical clamping means. These mechanical clamping means can be hook type, where the end of one of the panels contains hooks that attach to the end of the other panel, using coupling rings or loops.
The activation time of the device of the invention was tested in one of its embodiments in two individuals. Individual 1 was a man 183 cm tall with a weight of 65 Kg and the Individual 2 was a woman of 159 cm tall with a weight of 53 Kg. The activation time was recorded for both individuals in different trials.
The present invention has been illustrated by the description of an exemplary processes and system components and while the various processes and components have been described in considerable detail, it has not been the intention of the presentation in any way as to limit the scope of the invention to such details as to preclude any additional advantages and modifications which may also readily appear to those ordinarily skilled in the art. The invention in its broadest aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, implementations, or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept
