Ballistic shield

Abstract

The ballistic shield includes a ballistic panel and a panel carrier, which internally supports the ballistic panel and secures the shield to the user's hand and forearm. The panel carrier includes a panel shell, which encases the ballistic panel, and is secured to a user's forearm by two cuffs and an integral glove that are sewn to the backside of the shell panel. The compact design of the shield enhances mobility, while still providing ballistic protection to the most vital and likely areas of potential injury. The use of an integral glove in combination with two cuffs provides a solid three point connection to securely position the shield on the user's arm. The ballistic shield is completely supported on one arm without having to be held or manually supported.

1 . A ballistic shield comprising:
 a ballistic panel formed at least in part of a ballistic material capable of stopping a firearm bullet or explosive shrapnel, the ballistic panel having a backside, a first end and a second end thereof; and a glove part integrally mounted to the ballistic panel backside for receiving a user's hand to support the shield over the user's forearm and hand such that the user's hand has substantially free range of movement when the shield is worn by the user's hand.   
     
     
         2 . The ballistic shield of  claim 1  wherein the ballistic panel also has a first end and a second end thereof, the shield also includes a cuff part integrally mounted to the ballistic panel adjacent the first panel end for securing the shield to the user's forearm at a first point. 
     
     
         3 . The ballistic shield of  claim 2  and a second cuff part integrally mounted to the ballistic panel between the first panel end and the second panel end for securing the shield to the user's forearm at a second point. 
     
     
         4 . The ballistic shield of  claim 1  wherein the glove part secures the shield to the user's arm at a third point. 
     
     
         6 . The ballistic shield of  claim 1  wherein the ballistic panel backside includes a padded area adjacent the glove part. 
     
     
         7 . A ballistic shield comprising:
 a ballistic panel formed at least in part of a ballistic material capable of stopping a firearm bullet or explosive shrapnel; and   a panel carrier adapted to support the ballistic panel and be to worn by a user so that the ballistic panel covers the user's forearm and hand, the panel carrier includes a panel shell for encasing the ballistic panel and a glove part integrally mounted to the panel shell for receiving a user's hand to secure such that the user's hand has substantially free range of movement when the shield is worn by the user's hand.   
     
     
         8 . The ballistic shield of  claim 7  wherein the panel shell has a first end and a second end thereof and the panel carrier also includes a first cuff part integrally mounted to the panel shell adjacent the first panel shell end for securing the shield to the user's forearm at one point, a second cuff part integrally mounted to the panel shell between the first panel shell end and the second panel shell end for securing the shield to the user's forearm at a second point. 
     
     
         9 . The ballistic shield of  claim 8  wherein the glove part is mounted to the panel shell between the second cuff part and the second panel shell end so that the glove part secures the shield to the user's arm at a third point. 
     
     
         10 . The ballistic shield of  claim 7  wherein the panel carrier includes a padded area adjacent the glove part. 
     
     
         11 . The ballistic shield of  claim 7  wherein the panel shell has an interior with an open end within which the ballistic panel is encased, the panel shell also includes a flap adapted to enclose the open end of the panel shell interior and means to secure the flap enclosing the open end of the panel shell interior. 
     
     
         12 . A ballistic shield comprising:
 a ballistic panel formed at least in part of a ballistic material capable of stopping a firearm bullet or explosive shrapnel, the ballistic panel having a first end and a second end thereof;   a first cuff part integrally mounted to the ballistic panel adjacent the first panel end for securing the shield to the user's forearm at one point, a second cuff part integrally mounted to the ballistic panel between the first panel end and the second panel end for securing the shield to the user's forearm at a second point, a glove part integrally mounted to the ballistic panel between the second cuff part and the second panel end for receiving a user's hand such that the user's hand has substantially free range of movement when the shield is worn by the user's hand and the glove part secures the shield to the user's arm at a third point.   
     
     
         13 . The ballistic shield of  claim 12  wherein the ballistic panel includes a padded area adjacent the glove part. 
     
     
         14 . The ballistic shield of  claim 12  wherein the panel shell has an interior with an open end within which the ballistic panel is encased, the panel shell also includes a flap adapted to enclose the open end of the panel shell interior and means to secure the flap enclosing the open end of the panel shell interior.