GB2314144A

GB2314144A - Protective surface

Info

Publication number: GB2314144A
Application number: GB9612152A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Young
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-11
Filing date: 1996-06-11
Publication date: 1997-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2016-06-11
Also published as: GB9612152D0; GB2314144B

Abstract

The protective surface (6) comprises a plurality of protective elements (2) which overlie each other in the closed position, thereby forming a compact unit which can be easily carried on the person at any time. In the event of an attack from missiles and/or hand held weapons, the protective surface (6) can be deployed by opening out the protective elements (2) until they form a rigid protective surface (6). Since the protective surface (6) is lightweight and is connected to the person, it can therefore easily be manoeuvred during an attack, in order that it is most effective.

Description

Protective Surface This invention relates to a protective surface which is to be used to protect a person.

Protective surfaces are often used by the police and similar professions when policing especially volatile communities, in order to protect themselves from missiles and hand held weapons.

Current protective surfaces are made of lightweight rigid plastic materials.

These surfaces are extremely useful in preventing injury to the person from alien bodies. However, their rigidity does mean that they are awkward to use, and are really only suitable in riotous and similar situations, whereby they can be specially transported to the scene.

Due to this, these protective surfaces are not used by the police in their everyday policing, even though injuries from violent crimes are constantly sustained.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a protective surface which is lightweight and which can be easily carried along during normal policing thereby decreasing the likelihood of physical injury to the person when dealing with everyday situations.

According to the present invention there is provided a protective surface comprising a plurality of linked protective elements which are moveable relative to each other between a closed position in which the protective elements overlie each other and an open position in which said protective elements lie substantially adjacent to each other, whereby said protective surface is defined.

In the closed position the protective elements may be folded up in concertina fashion, so as to lie flat.

In a preferred embodiment the protective elements may all be attached together by means of a pin, bolt or other similar means which may be situated at the narrower end of the protective elements. In this way the pin or bolt may act as a central pivot point.

Once the protective surface is required the protective elements may be opened out. This may be done around the central pivot point. In this way the protective elements would all be moveable around this central pivot point, until the protective surface is deployed The protective surface may also be achieved in a longitudinal manner as opposed to circumventing a central pivot point. In this way a rectangular, square or similar shaped protective surface may be achieved.

In a preferred embodiment the protective elements may all be interconnected by webbing or similar arrangements so that as one protective element is opened out, the next immediately follows in a similar manner.

The webbing which may be used to interconnect the protective elements may be a strong durable elastic material which opposes deformation, or it may be a strong non-elastic thread such as nylon.

It may be preferable with the strong non-elastic thread to correctly measure out each strand individually. In this way, at maximum extension the strong nonelastic thread would allow the protective elements to fully open out so that they fully circumvent the central pivot point and overlap each other slightly. It is also preferable if the inner part of the protective surface becomes concave shaped once it has been fully opened out, so as to increase its rigidity.

In one embodiment the protective elements may all be interlocking, so that once said protective elements are fully extended they all lock together to form a continuous rigid protective surface.

The protective elements interlock due to them having a groove at one end with the other end shaped to correspond with the groove of an adjacent protective element in the manner of a tenon to fit a mortise.

In an embodiment in which the protective elements are withdrawn around a central point, it may be preferable once the first withdrawn protective element has been fully opened out, for it to be connected by means of a clip or similar device to the final protective element, in order to prevent the protective elements withdrawing back into the closed position.

The protective surface may be opened out either manually or automatically by pressing a button which releases a spring based mechanism, such as a torsion spring, or similar type mechanism.

The protective elements may be retained in place in the closed position by being covered by one or more pieces of material, which are fixed at one end to an inner surface attached to the arm, and which can be pulled over the top protective element and attached to the other side of the inner surface. Attachment may be made by clips, press studs, velcro, or any similar means. Release of the protective elements from the closed position may also be achieved by removing this piece or pieces of material.

In a preferred embodiment the protective elements each have a respective gradual spiralling track to follow, which is situated in the central pivot. These tracks ensure that when the protective surface is completely opened out all the protective elements will lie in the same plane.

The protective surface may be attached to the body by a retaining means.

The retaining means, may be a glove, velcro, tie strings, plastic hoops, an elastic sleeve type arrangement or any similar means of maintaining the protective surface on the body of a person.

Connection of the retaining means to the protective surface can be achieved by a connecting bolt, staples, a strong glue or any similar means of maintaining these parts together.

In one embodiment in which the retaining means is a glove, the closed protective surface may be maintained rigidly against the glove due to a strap. The strap is fixed at one end to the inner surface with the other end free, thereby allowing it to be pulled around the fingers and attached to the other side of the inner surface. This therefore prevents rotation of the closed protective surface about the central pivot point. Attachment may be made by clips, press studs, velcro, or any similar means.

In one embodiment in which the retaining means is a glove the closed protective surface can be rotated around the central pivot point. By doing this the bottom protective element no longer lies against the glove, but instead lies against the forearm of the user. Once in this position it may be retained by wrapping the strap around the forearm.

It is preferable that when deploying the protective surface attached to the glove, that the protective elements are first rotated 1800 around the pivot bolt so that they initially lie over the forearm. Attachment may then be effected by wrapping the strap around the forearm, thereby holding the elements firmly in place.

The inner surface which is attached to the users arm and which the protective elements lie upon while in the closed position may be moulded so as to provide a good fit for the user. It may be preferable for the inner surface to be separate from the protective elements. In this way the inner surface may have a receiving groove down its outer surface and the bottom protective element may have a male section along its length, so that the protective elements can be attached to the inner surface when required. The male section may also have a locking catch, so that once the protective elements are slid onto the inner surface they will be fixedly attached to it. The catch may be such that it can be released manually be pressing a release mechanism of the locking catch.

The protective elements that combine to provide the protective surface are preferably made of an impact resistant lightweight material. A material having such properties may be kevlar or any other similar strong synthetic woven fibre.

Alternatively, it may also be comprised of a rigid plastics material, such as polycarbonate. The protective elements of the same protective surface may also be made of differing materials, so that some protective elements may be made of synthetic woven fibre, whereas the others may be made of rigid plastic.

The protective elements do not necessarily have to be of the same lengths for the same protective surface. They may differ, so that different shapes may be formed, such as oval or rectangular shaped protective surfaces.

It may be preferable to include finger grips on the reverse side of some of the protective elements, in order to give additional support to the person using the protective surface.

In one embodiment it may be preferable for the protective elements to be transparent or translucent in order that the person using the protective surface may be able to observe the actions or motions of either the attacker or the alien object for which the protective surface is protecting the user.

The protective elements may also be colour matched to the colour of the uniform of the user. By doing this it allows easy recognition of the profession for which the protective surface is intended, therefore preventing others outside that profession using the protective surface for unauthorised purposes. Colour matching also helps to make the entire uniform look more aesthetically pleasing.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 a is a side view of the protective elements in their closed position; Figure 1 b is a plan view of the protective elements in their closed position; Figure 1 c is a diagrammatic view of the protective elements in their open position, thereby defining the protective surface; Figure Id is a diagrammatic view of the protective surface in the closed position on the arm of a person; Figure le is a view similar to Figure ld, but with the protective surface in the open position; Figure 2a is a view similar to Figure 1a, but with differing length protective elements; Figure 2b is a plan view of the protective elements in their closed position; Figure 2c is a diagrammatic view of the protective elements in their open position, thereby defining the oval protective surface; Figure 2d is similar to Figure 1d; Figure 2e is similar to Figure 1 e, but for an oval shaped protective surface in the open position; Figure 3a is a view similar to Figure la and 2a; Figure 3b is a plan view of the protective elements in the closed position; Figure 3c is a side view of the protective elements in the closed position attached to a users arm; Figure 3d is a diagrammatic view of the protective elements in the open position thereby defining the protective surface; Figure 3e is a cross sectional view of the joint between each protective element; Figure 3f is a view similar to Figure 1d and 2d; Figure 39 is a diagrammatic view of the protective surface in the open position on the users arm; Figure 4a is a diagrammatic view of the protective elements in the closed position on a glove; Figure 4b is a view similar to 4a, but with the glove on the hand of the user; Figure 4c is a diagrammatic view of the closed protective elements having been rotated about the central pivot point so that they now lie against the forearm of the user.

In the description of the separate embodiments of this invention, the user will be regarded as being a policeman. However, this invention is not confined to use by policemen, it may be used by security guards, nightclub doormen, and any other persons who may be subjected to attack by another.

Figure la shows the protective elements 2 in their closed form, the velcro straps 4 required to retain the protective elements 2 in position on to the arm of a policeman. The protective elements may also be retained on the arm by an elastic sleeve that fits closely over the policemans arm. This elastic sleeve can be in addition to, or without the assistance of the velcro straps 4.

Figure 1 b illustrates the protective surface 6 in the closed position as would be observed on the body of a policeman. The only visible protective element 2 is the top one which would be the only protective element 2 to completely circumvent the central pivotal point 8.

The protective surface 6 is placed on the arm as shown in Figure 1d. In order to retain the closed protective surface 6 on the arm the velcro straps 4 which are placed at intervals along the bottom protective element 2, are wrapped around the arm and subsequently attached together. In this position the user may go about his daily business easily without any discomfort.

The protective elements 2 may also be removed from the inner surface which is attached to the arm. This could be done when driving a vehicle, giving a talk in a school, or during any time when deployment of the protective surface 6 would be extremely unlikely.

Attachment of the protective elements 2 onto the inner surface is achievable since the bottom protective element has a male section along its length, that can be fitted into an adjacent female receiving section on the outer side of the inner surface. The protective elements 2 are retained in position due to a catch which firmly locks them onto the inner surface once the male section on the protective elements 2 has been fully inserted. Removal of the protective elements can also be easily achieved by pressing a catch, which then allows the protective elements 2 to be withdrawn from the female section.

In the event of an incident occurring which requires the protection of a shield the protective surface 6 can be opened as illustrated in Figure 1 e. This is achieved, by firstly removing a press stud 10 which is attached to a strap and subsequently affixed to the inner surface attached to the arm. This press stud 10 maintains the protective elements in the closed position. The protective elements 2 could then be released and drawn out around the pivotal point in order to produce the protective surface 6.

The drawing out of the protective elements 2 around the central pivot point 8 is achieved by a spring based mechanism. This mechanism is located in the central pivot point 8 and is attached at one end to the first protective element 2, and at the other to the fixed last protective element 2. Once contact has been made between the first protective element 2 and the last protective element 2 on the arm, then connection can be made by means of a catch which is located on the first protective element 2. The other part of the catch is located on the last protective element 2, attachment being made by clipping the part on the first protective element 2 over its mating end on the last protective element 2. By doing this, the first protective element 2 is thereby prevented from retracting back to the closed position.

As each protective element 2 is released from its closed position the adjacent protective element 2 is then also released due to a webbing which links the protective elements 2 together. In this way withdrawal of the first protective element 2 will result in all the protective elements 2 being withdrawn and then producing the desired protective surface 6.

In order to ensure that all the protective elements lie under each other in a way which forms an impenetrable surface, there are gradual spiralling tracks for each protective element 2. These tracks are located in the central pivotal point 8 and ensure that when the protective surface 6 is fully opened out all the protective elements 2 lie exactly in the same plane as each other.

Once the protective surface 6 has been fully drawn out the policeman may then push his fingers through finger grips provided on the reverse side of the protective surface. This then provides additional stability behind the protective surface 6, as well as giving the policeman more control over its movement.

After use the protective surface 6 is withdrawn back to its closed position.

This is done manually by retracting the protective elements 2 against the action of the spring mechanism. Once the first protective element 2 is again returned to its position on top of the other protective elements 2 they are then prevented from unnecessarily opening out by attaching the piece of material from the fixed last protective element 2, to the first protective element 2. Attachment is made by the catch 10 which is fixed on the free end of the piece of material and which simply clips onto its mating end which is attached to the front surface of the first protective element 2.

An additional way of retaining the protective elements 2 in the closed position is by an elasticated cover. This is fixed to one side of the inner surface which is attached to the arm. The cover is then wrapped over the protective elements, retaining them in position while also concealing their presence. The cover is held in position by stretching over the protective elements and then subsequently fixing the free end to either press studs, velcro, or any similar attachment.

Figure 2a shows an oval shaped protective surface 6 in its closed form. In order to produce this shape the protective elements 2 are shorter in certain positions giving rise to a saw-tooth configuration at one end when in this closed position. The velcro straps 4 are required to retain the protective surface 6 in position on the arm of a policeman.

This second embodiment operates in exactly the same manner as the first embodiment which describes a spherical protective surface 6. The only difference between the first and second embodiment being that the protective elements 2 in the first embodiment are all exactly the same length, whereas in the second embodiment of the oval shaped protective surface 6 the lengths of the protective elements 2 must differ in order to alter the shape. All other operations however are identical.

Fig. 3a shows the protective elements 2 in their closed form. The protective elements 2 in this case all having the same dimensions.

The velcro straps 4 for this protective surface as shown in Fig 3b do not attach to other straps, as in previous embodiments. Instead, the straps attach to a plastic plate 12 on which the other part of the velcro attachment lies.

The plastic plate 12 as shown in Fig. 3b and 3c is attached to the central protective element 14 and ensures that a good fit is constantly maintained, even once the protective elements 2 are opened out to form the protective surface 6.

Without this plastic plate 12 the protective elements 2 would rest directly upon the policemans arm 16. This would not only prevent easy removal, but also prevent a good fit being maintained between the policemans arm 16 and the protective surface 6 upon releasing the protective elements 2 to form said protective surface 6.

As illustrated in Fig. 3c the protective elements 2 are arranged either side of the central protective element 14. In this way the protective elements 2 in the front side of the central protective element 14 open upwards, while the protective elements 2 on the reverse side of the central protective elements 14 open downwards, to form the protective surface 6 shown in Fig. 3d and 39.

Opening out the protective surface 6 is achieved by firstly pulling up the first protective element 2 on the front side of the central protective element 1 4. As this is withdrawn all other adjacent protective elements 2 are also subsequently withdrawn due to webbing in between each protective element 2.

Each protective element 2, has a groove 18 at one end and the other end is shaped to correspond with the groove of an adjacent protective element in the manner of a tenon 20 to fit into a mortise as shown in Fig. 3e. Due to the shape of these connections, the webbing between the protective elements 2 must be sufficiently elastic to prevent large extensions, thereby ensuring that the protective elements 2 are held rigidly in place in respect of each other. Supporting bars can also be placed on the reverse side of the protective surface 6 to add greater rigidity if necessary to the protective surface 6. These bars are optional and can be slid between two retaining grooves if necessary.

The lower section of the protective surface 6 is achieved by unlocking a hinged bar 22 which lies below the protective elements 2 while in their closed position. The hinged bar 22 is unlocked by pressing a retaining catch 24, thereby releasing said retaining catch 24 and allowing the hinged bar 22 to open.

Once the hinged bar 22 opens, the protective elements 2 fall out under the influence of gravity. They can then be fitted into their respective grooves 1 8 by simple elongation of the webbing between the protective elements 2. This is achieved by pulling the bottom protective element 2, which will subsequently elongate all the webbings which are of identical material. Once all the webbings have been extended all the protective elements 2 will align themselves directly below each other, so that when the extending force is removed the tenon-like section 20 of the protective elements 2 will sit in their respective grooves 18.

Again, if desired a bar may be introduced onto the reverse side of the protective surface 6 in order to increase the rigidity of the protective surface 6. This would be achieved in the same way as was described for the above part of the protective surface 6.

Withdrawal of the protective surface 6 is effected by extending the section below the central protective element 14. Once the tenon-like sections 20 are then misaligned with the grooves 18 the extending force is removed so that the webbings contract preventing the protective elements 2 fitting into each other.

The protective elements 2 are then folded up concertina fashion and placed between the reverse side of the central protective element 1 4 and the plastic plate 12. The hinged bar 22 is then pushed upwards until it is approximately at right angles to the plastic plate 1 2. Once in this position the restraining catch 24 should operate, thereby preventing the hinged bar 22 being opened without releasing said restraining catch 24.

The portion of the protective surface 6 above the central protective element 14 is withdrawn, by extending the webbing. This is achieved by applying an external force to the uppermost first protective element 2 which thereby extends the webbing. Once extension of the webbing has been achieved the tenon-like sections 20 of the protective elements 2 which insert into the grooves 18 of adjacent protective elements 2 are misaligned so that the protective elements 2 overlap each other. The protective elements 2 are then folded concertina fashion and placed next to the face of the central protective element 14.

Retention in this position is maintained by inserting the mating part of a press stud 26 which is attached to the uppermost first protective element 2, into the receiving part of said press stud 26 which is fixed to a strap 28 and which is subsequently attached to said central protective element.

Fig. 4a shows the protective elements 2 in the closed position on the backhand section of a glove 30. The protective elements are prevented from individually opening out due to the piece of material and they are prevented from rotating about the central pivot point 8 while in the closed position by the strap 4.

In this way the arrangement can be kept compact and so be easily transported if not worn. However, if it is preferred the glove can be easily slipped over the hand as shown in Fig.4b.

If the protective surface is required the closed protective elements may be rotated approximately 180 " about the central pivot point. This can be achieved by releasing the strap 4 and then by manually rotating the closed protective elements until they lie adjacent the forearm. Retention in this position can then be effected by wrapping the strap 4 around the forearm.

Once the closed protective elements are adjacent the forearm as shown in Fig. 4c, then the shield is ready for deployment.

The invention is not limited to the above described embodiments and many variations and modifications can be made.

Claims

1. A protective surface comprising a plurality of linked protective elements which are moveable relative to each other between a closed position in which the protective elements overlie each other and an open position in which said protective elements lie substantially adjacent to each other, whereby said protective surface is defined.

2. A protective surface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protective elements are folded up in concertina fashion, so as to be flat.

3. A protective surface as claimed in claim 2, wherein the protective elements are all attached together by a pin which acts as a central pivot point.

4. A protective surface as claimed in claim 3, wherein the protective elements are moveable around a central pivot point, in order that they can be opened out to deploy the protective surface.

5. A protective surface as claimed in claim 2, wherein the protective surface may be longitudinal and may have protective elements connected to adjacent protective elements at substantially the corners of each protective element.

6. A protective surface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protective elements are all interconnected by webbing, so that as one protective element is opened out, the next protective element follows.

7. A protective surface as claimed in claim 6, wherein the inner part of the protective surface is concave shaped once it has been fully opened out.

8. A protective surface as claimed in claim 7, wherein the protective elements interlock due to them having a groove at one end with the other end shaped to correspond with the groove of an adjacent protective element in the manner of a tenon to fit a mortise so that when the protective elements have been fully opened out they all lock together to form a continuous rigid surface.

9. A protective surface as claimed in claim 8, wherein the protective surface is opened out manually.

10. A protective surface as claimed in claim 8, wherein the protective surface is opened out mechanically, due to a spring based mechanism, such as a torsion spring.

11. A protective surface as claimed in claim 4, wherein the protective elements each have a gradual spiralling track, which is located in the central pivot and which ensure that when the protective surface is opened out all the protective elements lie in the same place.

12. A protective surface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protective surface is attached to the body by a retaining means.

13. A protective surface as claimed in claim 12, wherein the retaining means is a glove and is connected to the protective surface by a connecting bolt.

14. A protective surface as claimed in claim 13, wherein the closed protective surface may be maintained rigidly against the glove by a strap, which is fixed at one end to an inner surface, with the other end free, so that the strap can be pulled around the fingers and attached by a clip to the other side of the inner surface.

15. A protective surface as claimed in claim 14, wherein the inner surface which is attached to the users arm and which the protective elements lie upon, is moulded so as to provide a good fit.

16. A protective surface as claimed in claim 15, wherein the inner surface and protective elements are separated relative to each other, but are attachable due to a receiving groove on the outer surface of the inner surface and a male section along the length of the bottom protective element, said male section being insertable into the groove and having a locking catch thereby ensuring that the protective elements are securely connected to the inner surface.

17. A protective surface as claimed in claim 16, wherein the protective elements are made of an impact resistant lightweight material.

18. A protective surface as claimed in claim 17, wherein the protective elements comprise a strong synthetic woven fibre, such as kevlar.

19. A protective surface as claimed in claim 17, wherein the protective elements comprise a rigid plastics material, such as polycarbonate.

20. A protective surface as claimed in claim 17, wherein the protective surface comprises protective elements of different materials, so that some of the protective elements of a particular protective surface may comprise a strong synthetic woven fibre, while other protective elements may comprise a rigid plastics material.

21. A protective surface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the protective elements are all substantially the same length.

22. A protective surface as claimed in claims 18, 19 and 20, wherein the protective elements may all differ in length, thereby enabling different shaped protective surfaces to be formed.

23. A protective surface as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein finger grips are provided on the reverse side of the protective elements.

24. A protective surface as claimed in claim 23, wherein the protective elements are transparent.

25. A protective surface as claimed in claim 24, wherein the protective elements are colour matched.

26. A protective surface substantially as hereinbefore described.