Ballistic Shield Integrated with Vehicle Partition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ballistic shields used by law enforcement are often too heavy, bulky, and expensive for widespread use, and they do not fit within the limited space of patrol cars, posing a challenge for quick deployment in hostile situations.
Innovation Solution
A portable, self-supporting ballistic shield integrated with a vehicle partition that can be quickly deployed and stowed, featuring a handle and engagement/disengagement mechanisms for easy mounting and dismounting, allowing it to function as both a partition barrier and a personal shield, with optional designs for use on various vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ballistic shields are used, then personal protection is improved, but weight and bulk increase making them unsuitable for patrol cars
Solution Approach 1:
The ballistic shield is segmented into multiple functional layers including a polycarbonate transparent panel for ballistic protection, a fabric panel with aramid fibers for additional protection, and a frame structure. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute specifically to protection while keeping individual components lighter and more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film materials including polycarbonate sheets and aramid fiber fabrics to provide ballistic protection. These thin films achieve protective functionality without the bulk and weight of traditional solid armor, allowing the shield to be portable yet effective.
2Reliability
If conventional ballistic shields are used, then personal protection is improved, but space requirements increase making them incompatible with patrol car interiors
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is divided into separate panels (polycarbonate panel, fabric panel, frame components) that can be collapsed or folded when not in use. This segmentation enables compact storage within patrol car interiors while maintaining full protective capability during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield components are designed to nest within each other when collapsed - the fabric panel can be folded against the polycarbonate panel, and the frame structure collapses to minimize volume. This nesting allows the shield to fit within limited patrol car storage spaces.
3Reliability
If conventional ballistic shields are used, then protection capability is improved, but cost increases making widespread use impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film materials like polycarbonate and aramid fabrics that can be manufactured through established industrial processes. These materials provide ballistic protection at lower cost compared to traditional solid armor, enabling widespread deployment among patrol officers.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield combines multiple materials (polycarbonate, aramid fibers, fabric) in a composite structure where each material contributes specific protective properties. This composite approach achieves effective protection while optimizing material costs and manufacturing feasibility.
4Ease of operation
If the shield is made portable and removable, then space efficiency and deployment speed are improved, but structural stability during use may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shield incorporates pre-positioned mounting features including engagement protrusions on the frame that interface with corresponding receptacles in the vehicle partition. These preliminary structural preparations enable rapid attachment and detachment while ensuring structural stability when mounted.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield transitions from a static mounted state to a dynamic portable state. When mounted, the frame structure provides rigid stability; when removed, the same structure collapses to a compact form for portability. This dynamic design allows the shield to maintain stability during use while enabling rapid deployment and storage.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an integrated vehicle and personal ballistic protection system providing a combination of space utilization, portability and increased personal safety. Also disclosed are kits for up-fitting the shield to an existing installed partition, and a kit for the trunk. The embodiment s depicted and suggested include a vehicle partition integrated with a hand-carry, quickly deployable, self-supporting, ballistic shield including a handle, and shaped to cooperate with a vehicle security partition and is part of the partition when temporarily stowed. An additional optional design feature of the shield is a shape that cooperates with removable mounting hardware for stowing on the underside of the trunk lid, under the rear deck, or on the trunk floor. A benefit of unitary construction, is that governmental safety forces can issue the same shield for cruisers and unmarked detective vehicles.