Deployable ballistic shield bag and method of using same

Abstract

A deployable ballistic shield bag (100), comprising front and rear walls (104 and 106) secured to each other through a hinge (108), the front and rear walls (104 and 106) being bulletproof, the deployable ballistic shield bag (100) being configurable between bag retracted and deployed configurations, wherein, in the bag retracted configuration, the front and rear walls (104 and 106) face each other and the deployable ballistic shield bag (100) defines an enclosure (111) therebetween, and, in the bag deployed configuration (100), the front and rear walls (104 and 106) are acutely angled relative to each other; and a closure (130) operable for selectively locking the deployable ballistic shield bag (100) in the bag retracted configuration. Opening the closure (130) allows the deployable ballistic shield bag (100) to achieve the bag deployed configuration.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTIONDEPLOYABLE BALLISTIC SHIELD BAG AND METHOD OF USING SAMEFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of personal protection devices and, more particularly, to a deployable ballistic shield bag, and a method of using same.BACKGROUND

[0002] Portable protection shields, including ballistic protection shields capable of sustaining bullet impacts, are known in the art of portable protection equipment, for example, in the police force or military. In some instances, these known portable protection shields include deployable panels that provide the user with a significantly greater degree of protection when compared to the undeployed device. While these known portable protection shields includes deployable panels can generally fulfill the main objective of providing a user with a grater degree of protection than ordinary, non-deployable protection shields, they also generally include one or more of the following disadvantages.

[0003] For example, known portable protection shields with deployable panels are often relatively large and cumbersome to carry. Furthermore, known portable protection shields with deployable panels generally require the user to execute a series of manipulations before the panels finally end up fully deployed, leaving the user exposed to potential lethal threats or the possibility of being severely wounded by one or more bullets. Also, many such protection shield are conspicuous, and having a shield that is less attention attracting would bedesirable in some instances.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for improved personal protection devices. An objective of the present invention is to provide a such protection devices.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In a broad aspect, there is provided a deployable ballistic shield bag, comprising front and rear walls secured to each other through a hinge, the front and rear walls being bulletproof, the deployable ballistic shield bag being configurable between bag retracted and deployed configurations, wherein, in the bag retracted configuration, the front and rear walls face each other and the deployable ballistic shield bag defines an enclosure therebetween, and, in the bag deployed configuration, the front and rear walls are acutely angled relative to each other; and a closure operable for selectively maintaining the deployable ballistic shield bag in the bag retracted configuration; wherein opening the closure allows the deployable ballistic shield bag to achieve the bag deployed configuration.

[0006] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the closure includes a pair of elongated closure strip arrangements extending between the front and rear walls in the bag retracted configuration, the closure strip arrangements extending away from the hinge at opposed sides of the front and rear walls.

[0007] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the closure strip arrangements each include a zipper, the zipper including a slider.

[0008] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag further comprising an actuator operatively coupled to the slider of both zippers and operable for opening simultaneously and jointly both zippers when actuated.

[0009] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the actuator includes a strap extending between the sliders.

[0010] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the deployable ballistic shield bag defines opposed upper and lower ends and opposed sides extending therebetween, the hinge being provided at the lower end.

[0011] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the closure is operable for separating the front and rear walls at the sides by opening in a direction leading from the upper end towards the lower end.

[0012] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the closure is operable for separating the front and rear walls at the sides by opening in a direction leading from the lower end towards the upper end.

[0013] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the front and rear walls each include a wall panel.

[0014] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the hinge includes a bottom wall extending between the front and rear walls, the front and rear walls being each hinged to the bottom wall.

[0015] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag furthercomprising an auxiliary panel mounted to one of the front and rear walls and selectively movable between panel retracted and deployed positions, wherein, in the panel retracted position, the auxiliary panel is retracted in register with the one of the front and rear walls, and in the panel deployed position, the auxiliary panel protrudes from the one of the front and rear walls.

[0016] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the auxiliary panel is biased towards the panel deployed position, the deployable ballistic shield bag further comprising a panel lock for selectively locking the auxiliary panel in the panel retracted position, the panel lock being selectively unlockable to allow the auxiliary panel to move to the panel deployed position.

[0017] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the panel lock is operatively coupled to the closures for being automatically unlocked when the closures are opened.

[0018] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the auxiliary panel is provided with a mirror.

[0019] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the auxiliary panel is provided with a suction cup.

[0020] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag further comprising a shield lock for selectively locking the deployable ballistic shield bag in the bag deployed configuration.

[0021] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag furthercomprising straps, or handles, or both straps and handles, mounted to one of the front and rear walls configured and sized to allow an intended user to hold the deployable ballistic shield bag through the straps and handles in the bag deployed configuration.

[0022] There may also be provided a deployable ballistic shield bag wherein the hinge is configured to allow selective detachment of the front and rear walls from each other.

[0023] In another broad aspect, there is provided a method of transforming a bag into a ballistic shield, the method comprising: providing the bag, the bag defining opposed bag upper and lower ends and opposed bag sides extending there between, the bag having front and rear walls hinged to each other at the bag lower end and secured to each other at the bag sides by elongated closures to define a bag enclosure between the bag front and rear walls; opening the closures; and pivoting the bag rear and front walls relative to each other about the hinge to form the ballistic shield.

[0024] There may also be provided a method wherein the closures are opened simultaneously and jointly using a single hand.

[0025] There may also be provided a method further comprising locking the hinge after the ballistic shield has been deployed.

[0026] Advantageously, in some embodiments, the proposed bag can be converted to a ballistic shield relatively quickly. Also, the proposed bag may be used to carry items, either related or unrelated to personal protection. Forexample, the proposed bag may be used to carry a gun and ammunition.

[0027] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present patent application claims priority from UK Request for a Patent GB2405325.8 filed April 15, 2024, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 in a perspective view, illustrates an embodiment of a deployable ballistic shield bag, according to the present invention, here shown in a bag retracted configuration;

[0029] Figure 2, in an alternative perspective view, illustrates the bag shown in FIG. 1 ;

[0030] Figure 3, in a perspective view, illustrates another embodiment of a deployable ballistic shield bag having a similar exterior appearance as the one in FIG. 1 , here shown in a bag retracted configuration.

[0031] Figure 4, in a perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag shown in FIG. 3, here shown in a bag retracted configuration and having a front panel thereof removed

[0032] Figure 5, in a perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shieldbag shown in FIG. 3, here shown and in a bag deployed configuration achieved by pulling "down" on a deployment pull strap;

[0033] Figure 6, in a perspective view, illustrates another embodiment of a deployable ballistic shield bag having a similar exterior appearance as the one in FIGS. 1 and 3, here shown in a bag retracted configuration;

[0034] Figure 7, in a perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag shown in FIG. 6, here shown in a bag retracted configuration and having a front panel thereof removed;

[0035] Figure 8, in a perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag shown in FIG. 6, here shown and in a bag deployed configuration achieved by pulling "up" on a deployment pull strap;

[0036] Figure 9, in a perspective view, illustrates another embodiment of a deployable ballistic shield bag having a similar exterior appearance as the one in FIGS. 1 , 3 and 6, here shown in a bag retracted configuration;

[0037] Figure 10, in a perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag shown in FIG. 9, here shown in a bag retracted configuration and having a front panel thereof removed;

[0038] Figure 11 , in a perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag shown in FIG. 9, here shown and in a bag deployed configuration;

[0039] Figure 12, in a front elevational view, illustrates the deployable ballisticshield bag shown in FIG. 9 in a bag deployed configuration;

[0040] Figure 13, in a rear elevational view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag shown in FIG. 9 in the bag deployed configuration;

[0041] Figure 14, in a partial perspective view, illustrates a safety lock member engaged to panel locking apertures, both part of the deployable ballistic shield bag of FIG. 9;

[0042] Figure 15, in a partial perspective view, illustrates the safety lock member disengaged from the panel locking apertures;

[0043] Figure 16, in a partial perspective view, illustrates a panel lock part of the deployable ballistic shield bag of FIG. 9, here shown in a locked position;

[0044] Figure 17, in a partial perspective view, illustrates the panel lock, here shown in an unlocked position;

[0045] Figure 18, in a front perspective view, illustrates yet another embodiment of a deployable ballistic shield bag in the bag deployed configuration and provided with detachable, superposed bag panels;

[0046] Figure 19, in a side cut away view, illustrates side-by-side deployable panels part of the deployable ballistic shield bag of FIG. 9 provided with suction cups, wherein the suction cups are prevented from engaging one another via separator sheets;

[0047] Figure 20, in perspective view, illustrate the deployable ballistic shield bag of FIG. 9 in the bag retracted configuration, as worn by an intended user;

[0048] Figure 21 , in perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag of FIG. 9 in the bag deployed configuration, as held by a user;

[0049] Figure 22, in a perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag being held for protection in a first manner by an intended user;

[0050] Figure 23, in a perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag being held stably for protection in a second manner by the intended user;

[0051] Figure 24, in a perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag being held stably for protection in a third manner by the intended user;

[0052] Figure 25, in an alternative perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag being held stably for protection in the third manner by the intended user;

[0053] Figure 26, in a perspective view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag being worn stably for protection in a fourth manner by the intended user; and

[0054] Figure 27, in a side elevation view, illustrates the deployable ballistic shield bag being worn stably for protection in a fifth manner by the intended user.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Referring collectively to FIGS. 1 to 11 , there are shown various aspects of embodiments of a deployable ballistic shield bags usable for personal bulletproof ballistic shield protection. For the purpose of this document, the term bulletproof means that the object referred to can prevent penetration by bullets of at least some calibres. The present document shows various embodiments of the ballistic shield bag, denoted by reference numerals 100 (embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2), 100a (embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 5), 100b (embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8), 100c (embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 17 and 19 to 27) and 100d (embodiment of FIG. 27). When describing features that are common to all embodiments, the generic reference numeral 100 will be used to refer to all reference numerals 100 to 100d.

[0056] The deployable ballistic shield bag 100 is movable between a bag retracted (or normal / bag) configuration, as exemplified, for example, in FIGS. 1 , 2, 3 and 6, and a bag deployed configuration as exemplified, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 8 respectively.

[0057] Referring, for example, to FIGS. 1 , 2 and 5, the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 comprises a bag 102. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the bag 102 has a substantially rectangular prism shape and includes bag front panel 104, back panel 106, bottom panel 108, opposed side panels 110, and closing panel assembly 112 respectively. The bag front panel 104 defines a front wall of the bag 102, and the bag back panel 106 forms a rear wall of the bag 102. Typically, the bag front panel 104, back panel 106, bottom panel 108, side panels 110, and closing panel assembly 112 are made of substantially rigid materials that preserve the shape of the bag 102 when external forces are exerted thereonto and define an enclosure thereinto in which objects can be carried. The enclosure extends between the bag front and back panels 104 and 106, which face each other in the bag retracted configuration. In other embodiments, the bag side panels 110 areomitted, and the bag front and back panels 104 and 106 are directly attached to each other. In the bag deployed configuration, the bag front and back panels 104 and 106 are acutely angled relative to each other, for example, and non-limitingly, at an angle of about 180 degrees. While bag front panel 104, back panel 106, bottom panel 108, side panels 110 are shown as being flat and the closing panel assembly 112 is shown as made of two articulated flat elements, in alternative embodiments, one or more of the bag front panel 104, back panel 106, bottom panel 108, side panels 110, and closing panel assembly 112 is non-flat, for example concave or convex, among other possibilities.

[0058] The bag 102 further typically includes a conventional bag handle 114 connected along a top centered portion of the bag closing panel assembly 112, and an optional bag adjustable shoulder strap 116 having distally opposed ends thereof removably attached to upper respective portions of the bag side panels 110. The closing panel assembly 112 is typically provided with a quick-release locking means (not shown in the figures) that is user selectively engageable with the bag front panel 104. The quick-release locking means may be any known quick-release closing locking used in the bag manufacturing industry such as, for example, a magnetic closure means, a Velcro® closure means, a push-button closure means, or the likes.

[0059] In some embodiments, the bag front, back, and bottom panels 104, 106, and 108 respectively, each have a substantially planar plate-like configuration made of a substantially rigid bulletproof material or combination of materials. The other panels of the bag 102, namely the bag side panels 108 and closing panel assembly 112, are made of any material or combination of materials commonly used in the bag manufacturing industry. In some alternate embodiments of the bag 102, the bag side panels 110 and closing panel assembly 112 are also made ofrigid bulletproof material(s).

[0060] The bag front, bottom, back and closing panels 104, 106, 108, and 112 are each connected to one another in series along their respective adjacent parallel edges using any suitable known manufacturing means or method in the bag manufacturing industry, in order to form a substantially flexible or hinged connection between the adjacent edges. Known manufacturing means and methods are, none limitatively, molding, stitching, glue, a mechanical hinge structure, or the likes. These hinged connection of the bag front, back and bottom panels 104, 106 and 108 also create a hinge between the bag front and back panels, with the bag bottom panel 108 part of this hinge.

[0061] Furthermore, as seen for example in FIG. 3, when the bag 102 is in the bag retracted configuration, each one of the bag side panels 110 includes bag side panel front and back lateral edges 120 and 122, and bag side panel top and bottom edges 124 and 126. The bag side panel front and back lateral edges 120 and 122 are connected parallelly along a correspondingly adjacent lateral edge of the bag front and back panels 104 and 106 respectively. Furthermore, the bag side panel top and bottom edges 124 and 126 each typically extend substantially parallelly proximally the bag closing panel assembly 112, when the bag 102 is in a closed position, and the bag bottom panel 108 respectively, without a connection with the latter's, or any other parts of the bag 102.

[0062] As exemplified throughout the figures attached, the bag 102 is illustrated as a relatively small bag meant to be easily carried around substantially unnoticed such as a handbag, a briefcase, a document folder with handle, a shoulder bag, or the likes. It is to be understood that larger types of portable bags are also possiblesuch as, but not limited to, a backpack, a duffle bag, or similar portable bag. Furthermore, the bag front, back, and bottom panels 104, 106, and 108 being substantially planar and rigid panels, the lower edge 126 of each bag side panel 110 extends parallelly proximally in register with a respective lateral side edge of the bag bottom panel 108, so as to substantially prevent items contained in the bag 102 to fall off. It is contemplated that a relatively short flexible sheet of material with embedded magnets extends along the lower edge of each bag side panel 110, so as to extend parallelly inwardly along the top surface of the bag bottom panel 108 and, thus, substantially prevent items contained in the bag 102 to slip out between the bag side and bottom panels 110 and 108 respectively.

[0063] The bag 102 also includes a closure operable for selectively locking the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 in the bag retracted configuration. Opening the closure allows the deployable ballistic shield bag to achieve the bag deployed configuration. In some embodiments, the closure includes or takes the form of a pair of substantially elongated closure strip arrangements 130, as seen for example in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8. Each one in the pair of closure strip arrangements 130 extends longitudinally between the parallelly extending bag side panel front and back lateral edges 120 and 122 of a respective one of the bag side panels 110. Thus, the closure strip arrangements 130 extend between the front and rear walls in the bag retracted configuration, the closure strip arrangements 130 extending away from the hinge at opposed sides of the front and rear walls.

[0064] In some embodiments, the closure strip arrangements 130 take the form of a zipper including a closure strip slider 132, also sometimes simply called a “slider”. Each one in the pair of closure strip arrangements 130 is oriented so as to close or open their respective pair of closure strip edges when the closure strip sliders 132 are both moved in a same direction relative to the deployable ballisticshield bag 100.

[0065] Furthermore, when both closure strip sliders 132 are moved towards the direction to open their respective pair of closure strip edges, and eventually reach their respective opposed end, each bag side panel 110 separates longitudinally in two distinct portions which, consequently, allows the bag front and back panels 104 and 106 to pivot away relative to one another and about the bag bottom panel 108 to which they remain connected. Thus, with one of the bag front or back panel 104 or 106 held up by a user, the other one of the bag front or back panel 104 or 106 pivots naturally downwardly by gravity, thus creating a substantially vertically extending bulletproof ballistic shield representing the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 in its bag deployed configuration, as exemplified for example, in FIGS. 5 and 8.

[0066] The pair of closure strip arrangements 130 may be typically represented by conventional metal zipper strip arrangements, as illustrated throughout the figures. It is to be understood that other equivalent elongated closure strip arrangements 130 commonly used in the bag manufacturing industry are also possible such as, for example, pressed side-sealed edge with slider closure, or the like.

[0067] The deployable ballistic shield bag 100 further comprises a deployable bag trigger arrangement 140, or actuator. The deployable bag trigger arrangement 140 is operatively connected to at least each one in the pair closure strip sliders 132, and is suitably configured so as to allow the user to selectively actuate with only one hand the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 from the bag retracted configuration to the bag deployed configuration. The deployable bag trigger arrangement 140 is operatively coupled to the closure strip slider 132 of bothzippers and operable for opening simultaneously both zippers when actuated.

[0068] In some embodiments of the invention, the deployable bag trigger arrangement 140 includes a deployment pull strap 142 extending between the closure strip sliders 132. The deployment pull strap 142 has an elongated configuration, and defines a pair of oppositely distally extending deployment strap ends attached to a respective one of the closure strip slidesr 132. Thus, by suitably handling the deployment pull strap 142, both closure strip sliders 132 may be moved upwardly or downwardly relative to the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 with a single hand. In some embodiments of the invention, as best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pair of closure strip sliders 132 are suitably configured such that the deployment pull strap 142 is attached to the latter's inside of the bag 102 and, thus, allowing the deployment pull strap 142 to be conveniently concealed inside the latter when the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 is in the bag retracted, or normal state.

[0069] In some embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 inclusively, the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 is user selectively moved from the bag retracted configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to the bag deployed configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the deployment pull strap 142 and, thus, both closure strip sliders 132, are moved downwardly relative to the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 oriented in a conventional upright attitude. In some embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 inclusively, the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 is user selectively moved from the bag retracted configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 6, to the bag deployed configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when the deployment pull strap 142 and, thus, both closure strip sliders 132, are moved upwardly relative to the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 oriented in a conventional upright attitude.

[0070] In some embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7 and 10, when the deployment pull strap 142 is in the bag retracted configuration, a centered portion of the deployment pull strap 142 is user selectively and removably connected adjacently the upper edge of the bag front panel 104, and further along one of an inner or outer surface portion thereof. The centered portion of the deployment pull strap 142 is removably connected thereto through any known suitable means such as, but not limited to, paired magnet elements, paired Velcro® elements, open hook elements, or the likes.

[0071] Advantageously, the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 of the present invention is user selectively deployable as illustrated in sequence in FIGS. 20 to 21 (here shown further provided with deployable panels to be described below), using only one hand, thus allowing the other hand to be simultaneously used for another task.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 11 , 12 and 13, in some embodiments of the invention, the deployable ballistic shield bag 100c further comprises auxiliary panels mounted to one of the front and rear walls and selectively movable between panel retracted and deployed positions. In the panel retracted position, the auxiliary panel is retracted in register with the one of the front and rear walls. In the panel deployed position, the auxiliary panel protrudes from the one of the front and rear walls. For example, the auxiliary panels take the form of three pairs of laterally deployable panels 150. Each pair of laterally deployable panels 150 is operatively mounted parallel ly relatively to one another to a respective one of each one of the bag front, back and bottom panels 104, 106 and 108 respectively. Furthermore, each pair of laterally deployable panels 150 is movable between a lateral panel retracted position, wherein both laterally deployable panels 150 in the pair are parallelly in register relative to one another and to the respective bag front, backand bottom panels 104, 106 and 108, and a lateral panel extended position, wherein each laterally deployable panels 150 in the pair is at least partially laterally extending oppositely away relative to one another and relative to the respective bag front, back and bottom panels 104, 106 and 108.

[0073] Typically, the laterally deployable panels 150 are biased towards the panel deployed position. To that effect, each pair of laterally deployable panels 150 includes a lateral panel spring biased actuator operatively connected between each laterally deployable panel 150 in the pair and the respective bag front, back and bottom panels 104, 106 and 108. Furthermore, each pair of laterally deployable panels 150 is suitably sized and shaped such that, when in the lateral panel retracted state, the pair is substantially concealed within the bag 102. Still furthermore, when in the lateral panel extended position, each panel in each pair of laterally deployable panels 150 extends through elongated lateral slots 152 defined through lateral surface portions of the respective bag front, back and bottom panels 104, 106 and 108.

[0074] In some embodiments of the invention, the deployable ballistic shield bag 100c further comprises two longitudinally deployable panels 160. Each longitudinally deployable panel 160 is operatively mounted proximally parallelly along a respective one of the bag front and back panels 104 and 106. Furthermore, each longitudinally deployable panel 160 is movable between a longitudinal panel retracted position, wherein the panel is parallelly in register relative to the respective bag front or back panel 104 and 106, and a longitudinal panel extended position, wherein the panel is at least partially extending longitudinally distally away relative to the respective bag front or back panel 104 and 106. Furthermore, each longitudinally deployable panel 160 includes a longitudinal panel spring or elastomerically biased actuator operatively connectedbetween each longitudinally deployable panel 160 and the respective bag front or back panels 104 and 106, and is suitably configured to spring urge each longitudinally deployable panel 160 longitudinally distally away relative to the respective bag front or back panel 104 and 106, towards the longitudinal panel extended position. Each longitudinally deployable panel 160 is suitably sized and shaped such that, when in the longitudinal panel retracted state, the panel is substantially concealed within the bag 102. Furthermore, when in the longitudinal panel extended state, each longitudinally distally deployable panel 160 extends through slots 162 defined through distal end surface portions of the respective bag front or back panel 104 and 106. In some embodiments of the invention, as best illustrated for example in FIG. 11 , each longitudinally distally deployable panels 160 are made of bulletproof armored Plexiglas or equivalent bulletproof transparent material, so as to allow the user to have a safe and wide visibility toward any forward armed threat.

[0075] In some embodiments of the invention, likewise the other panels of the bag 102, each panel in the pairs of laterally deployable panels 150 and the longitudinally deployable panels 160 has a substantially planar plate-like configuration made of a substantially rigid bulletproof material or combination of materials commonly used in the manufacturing industry of relatively light weight bulletproof vests, wearable shields, and the likes.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, in some embodiments of the invention, the deployable bag trigger arrangement 140 includes at least one set of panel locking apertures 170. Each set of panel locking apertures 170 extends transversally and axially in register relative to one another, through each one of the laterally and longitudinally deployable panels 160 positioned in register relative to one another, when the bag 102 is in the bag retracted position. The deployable bag triggerarrangement 140 further includes safety lock members 172 in corresponding number with the at least one set of panel locking apertures 170. The safety lock members 172 and panel locking apertures 170 form a panel lock for selectively locking the auxiliary panels in the panel retracted position, the panel lock being selectively unlockable to allow the auxiliary panels to move to the panel deployed position.

[0077] Each safety lock member 172 is suitably shaped and sized for freely slidably engaging in a snug fit relation the respective set of panel locking apertures 170. Furthermore, each one of the safety lock members 172 is suitably operatively connected to the deployment pull strap 142 so as to be pull out of the respective set of panel locking aperture 170 when the user selectively actuate the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 from the bag retracted configuration to the bag deployed configuration. Thus, the panel lock is operatively coupled to the closures for being automatically unlocked when the closures are opened.

[0078] Referring collectively to FIGS. 14, 15, 20 and 21 , in some embodiments of the invention, the deployable bag trigger arrangement 140 includes a deployment pull strap 142 and a pair of closure strip arrangements 130 combination as described further above, that is configured to actuate the deployable ballistic shield bag 100c from the bag retracted configuration to the bag deployed configuration when the deployment pull strap 142 is pulled upwardly relative to the deployable ballistic shield bag 100. The deployable bag trigger arrangement 140 further includes two substantially T-shaped safety lock members 172 (only one of which is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15) made of a resiliently flexible material, such as a suitable polymeric material, a shape resilient metal spring wire, or the likes. The deployable bag trigger arrangement 140 further includes a group of three sets of panel locking apertures 170 located at each opposed bottom lateral ends of thebag 102 in the bag retracted position, namely the bag bottom, and opposed front and back panels 108, 104 and 106 respectively. Each one of the three distally extending ends of each one of the T-shaped safety lock members 172 is slidably engaged in a snug fit relation in a respective one of three adjacently located sets of panel locking apertures 170 at each opposed bottom lateral ends of the bag 102. Furthermore, each one of the two T-shaped safety lock members 172 is operatively connected through a link member 174 to an adjacent one of the closure strip slider 132. Thus, when the deployment pull strap 142 is pulled upwardly, each T-shaped safety lock members 172 slightly bends and is pulled out of its respective sets of panel locking apertures 170, thus allowing all the deployable panels to move to their extended position as the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 is simultaneously moved from the bag retracted (or normal) state to the bag deployed configuration.

[0079] In some embodiments of the invention, as exemplified in the figures, the laterally and longitudinally deployable panels 150 and 160 have a substantially rectangular or square shaped planar configuration, and are linearly slidably mounted to their respective bag front, back and bottom panels 104, 106, and 108, so as to be linearly slidably movable between their respective bag retracted position and bag extended position. In an alternate embodiment of the invention (not shown in the figures), each laterally deployable panel 150 mounted to the bag front and back panels 104 and 106 respectively, instead of having a rectangular or square shaped configuration, each has a substantially quarter circular shaped configuration, wherein their right angle pointed portion is located proximally adjacently the lateral edge corner of the bag bottom panel 108. Furthermore, each quarter circular shaped deployable panel is suitably pivotably mounted to its respective bag front and back panel 104 and 106 so as to pivot respective to a pivot axis located through their respective right angle pointed portion. Thus, whenthe quarter circular shaped deployable panels are deployed, each panel is spring- biased so as to be pivotably urged in a quarter rotation laterally outwardly and downwardly toward the simultaneously laterally extending deployable bottom panel 108. Once deployed, the quarter circular shaped deployable panels cooperatively form with the deployable bottom panels a substantially rounded square shaped protection shield.

[0080] Referring more particularly to FIGS. 16 and 17, in some embodiments of the invention, the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 further comprises a shield lock 180 for selectively locking the deployable ballistic shield bag 100c in the bag deployed configuration. The shield lock 180 is mounted to the bag 102, and is user selectively movable between a shield unlocked position, wherein at least the bag front, back and bottom panels 104, 106 and 108 are free to pivot relative to one another along their adjacent edges, and a shield locked position, wherein at least the bag front, back and bottom panels 104, 106 and 108 have their relative angular position substantially locked at respective predetermined angular position relative to one another.

[0081] In one embodiment of the invention, the shield lock 180 includes a locking plate member 182. The locking plate member 182 has a substantially elongated and planar configuration that is coplanarly and centrally rotably mounted along an inner surface portion of the bag bottom panel 108. The locking plate member 182 is suitably sized and shaped, and is provided with a suitable inner side handle 184, so as to be user selectively rotatable between the shield unlocked position, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 10, 11 , 12 and 18, and the shield locked position, as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 22. When the shield lock 180 is in the shield unlocked position, the locking plate member 182 is oriented along the bag bottom panel 108. When the locking plate member 182 is user selectively rotated aquarter turn left or right, relative to the shield unlocked position, the shield lock 180 achieves the shield locked position, and the locking plate member 182 is perpendicular to the bag bottom panel 108 and protrudes therefrom. When the shield lock 180 is in the shield locked position, opposed longitudinal end portions of the locking plate member 182 are engaged in respective storage space extending parallelly within each one of the bag front and back panels 104 and 106, which are normally occupied by the laterally and longitudinally deployable panels 150 and 160 when in the bag retracted configuration. Thus, the bag front, back and bottom panels 104, 106 and 108 are maintained in a substantially same coplanar alignment relative to one another, as best illustrated in side view in FIG 27.

[0082] In some embodiments of the invention, the shield lock 180 further includes a rotatable axis member (not shown in the figure). The rotatable axis member has one end connected centrally to the rear of the locking plate member 182, extends through the bag bottom panel 108, and is terminated along the other side thereof with a relatively compact external handle 186. Thus, a user facing the outer surface of the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 in the bag deployed configuration when actively seeking protection, may selectively lock the panels using the external handle 186.

[0083] Still referring to FIGS. 12, 13, 17 and 18, each laterally deployable panels 150 coplanarly mounted on the bag bottom panel 108 defines a suitably sized and shaped open slot 188 extending parallelly longitudinally relative thereof for freely slidably engaging there through the rotatable axis member of the shield lock 180 180, so as to allow a free lateral movement of the laterally deployable panels 150.

[0084] In some embodiments of the invention, as exemplified in FIGS. 12, 13, 21 and 25, at least selected ones of the laterally deployable panels 150 and longitudinally deployable panels 160 further includes one or more mirror plates 190 connected to selected inner and outer surface portions thereof. Thus, a user holding the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 in the bag deployed configuration, either facing the outer or inner surface of the bag 102, has access to multiple rear views relative to his or her position for an improved visual assessment of an emergency situation.

[0085] In some embodiments of the invention, as best exemplified in FIGS. 11 , 18 and 21 , at least selected ones, but typically each one of the laterally deployable panels 150 and longitudinally deployable panels 160 further includes one or more pairs of suction cups 192 having their rear ends connected along corresponding inner and outer surfaces portions of, and substantially proximally selected comers thereof. Thus, a user holding the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 in the bag deployed configuration, and either facing the inner or outer surfaces of the bag 102, has the option to connect selected edge suction cups 192 of laterally and / or longitudinally deployable panels 150 and 160, to smooth uniform surfaces portions of, for example, a partially open glass door of a street store, of a bank, or the likes, during an emergency event. When the laterally and longitudinally deployable panels 150 and 160 are parallelly in register relative to one another in the bag retracted configuration, as illustrated in a partial side elevation view in FIG. 19, the laterally and longitudinally deployable panels 150 and 160 may further include separator sheets 194 of material having non-stick or irregular surfaces, so as to prevent oppositely facing suction cups 192 to mutually stick to one another or impair their movement towards their respective deployed position.

[0086] In some embodiments of the invention, as exemplified in FIGS. 11 and 12inclusively, and actively in use in FIGS. 22 to 27 inclusively, the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 further comprises a plurality of handles arrangements 200 and a pair of straps 202 connected along inner surfaces portions of the bag 102. The plurality of handles and the pair shoulder straps arrangements 200 and 202 are suitably sized, shaped and located so as to allow a user to substantially firmly hold and maintain the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 in the bag deployed configuration. For example, the user may hold and maintain the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 using both hands on a pair of spaced apart handles 200, as exemplified in FIGS. 24 and 25, or using only a forearm, as exemplified in FIGS. 22 and 23. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 27, the user may use the pair of straps 202 to support the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 in a similar fashion as a backpack. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 26, the user may hold and maintain the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 using the deployment pull strap 142 as a neck strap.

[0087] In some embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the bag bottom panel 108 is represented by two superposed bag bottom panels including a detachment means capable of allowing a user to selectively detach and separate the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 in its bag deployed configuration, into two distinct components thereof including respectively the bag front panel 104 and the bag back panel 106. Thus, two users actively protected by a same deployable ballistic shield bag 100 may decide to each use a respective one of the detachable components of the deployable ballistic shield bag 100 in order preserve at least a partial protection while they move away from one another during an emergency situation.

[0088] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The present invention can thus be modified without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS1. A deployable ballistic shield bag, comprising front and rear walls secured to each other through a hinge, the front and rear walls being bulletproof, the deployable ballistic shield bag being configurable between bag retracted and deployed configurations, wherein, in the bag retracted configuration, the front and rear walls face each other and the deployable ballistic shield bag defines an enclosure therebetween, and, in the bag deployed configuration, the front and rear walls are acutely angled relative to each other; and a closure operable for selectively maintaining the deployable ballistic shield bag in the bag retracted configuration; wherein opening the closure allows the deployable ballistic shield bag to achieve the bag deployed configuration.

2. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the closure includes a pair of elongated closure strip arrangements extending between the front and rear walls in the bag retracted configuration, the closure strip arrangements extending away from the hinge at opposed sides of the front and rear walls.

3. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in claim 2, wherein the closure strip arrangements each include a zipper, the zipper including a slider.

4. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in claim 3, further comprising an actuator operatively coupled to the slider of both zippers and operable for opening simultaneously and jointly both zippers when actuated.

5. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in claim 4, wherein the actuator includes a strap extending between the sliders.

6. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the deployable ballistic shield bag defines opposed upper and lower ends and opposed sides extending therebetween, the hinge being provided at the lower end.

7. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in claim 6, wherein the closure is operable for separating the front and rear walls at the sides by opening in a direction leading from the upper end towards the lower end.

8. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in claim 6, wherein the closure is operable for separating the front and rear walls at the sides by opening in a direction leading from the lower end towards the upper end.

9. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the front and rear walls each include a wall panel.

10. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in claim 9, wherein the hinge includes a bottom wall extending between the front and rear walls, the front and rear walls being each hinged to the bottom wall.

11. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in claim 9 or 10, further comprising an auxiliary panel mounted to one of the front and rear walls and selectively movable between panel retracted and deployed positions, wherein, in the panel retracted position, the auxiliary panel is retracted inregister with the one of the front and rear walls, and in the panel deployed position, the auxiliary panel protrudes from the one of the front and rear walls.

12. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in claim 11 , wherein the auxiliary panel is biased towards the panel deployed position, the deployable ballistic shield bag further comprising a panel lock for selectively locking the auxiliary panel in the panel retracted position, the panel lock being selectively unlockable to allow the auxiliary panel to move to the panel deployed position.

13. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in claim 12, wherein the panel lock is operatively coupled to the closures for being automatically unlocked when the closures are opened.

14. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the auxiliary panel is provided with a mirror.

15. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the auxiliary panel is provided with a suction cup.

16. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a shield lock for selectively locking the deployable ballistic shield bag in the bag deployed configuration.

17. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising straps, or handles, or both straps and handles, mounted to one of the front and rear walls configured and sized to allow anintended user to hold the deployable ballistic shield bag through the straps and handles in the bag deployed configuration.

18. The deployable ballistic shield bag as defined in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the hinge is configured to allow selective detachment of the front and rear walls from each other.

19. A method of transforming a bag into a ballistic shield, the method comprising:- providing the bag, the bag defining opposed bag upper and lower ends and opposed bag sides extending there between, the bag having front and rear walls hinged to each other at the bag lower end and secured to each other at the bag sides by elongated closures to define a bag enclosure between the bag front and rear walls; opening the closures; and- pivoting the bag rear and front walls relative to each other about the hinge to form the ballistic shield.

20. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein the closures are opened simultaneously and jointly using a single hand.

21. The method as defined in claim 20, further comprising locking the hinge after the ballistic shield has been deployed.

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