Inflatable frame for flexible ballistic shield with integrated alert and tracking systems

Abstract

A personal ballistic shield includes a flexible ballistic blanket and a pneumatic frame connected to and supporting the ballistic blanket. A handle assembly is attached to a back side of the ballistic blanket. A warning mechanism is incorporated in the shield and is adapted to detect a deployment of the pneumatic frame and transmit an alert signal reporting the deployment of the shield.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A personal ballistic shield comprising:
 a flexible ballistic blanket;   a pneumatic frame connected to and supporting the ballistic blanket;   a handle assembly attached to a back side of the ballistic blanket; and   a warning mechanism attached to the shield that is adapted to detect a deployment of the pneumatic frame and transmit an alert signal reporting the deployment of the shield.   
     
     
         2 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 1 , wherein the handle assembly comprises a compressed gas container that is operatively connected to the pneumatic frame, and the handle assembly further comprises a mechanical switch to release the compressed gas into the pneumatic frame. 
     
     
         3 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 2 , wherein the mechanical switch or other activation mechanism also actuates the warning system to transmit the alert signal. 
     
     
         4 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 3 , wherein the handle assembly comprises a location transceiver connected to the warning mechanism, wherein the alert signal that is transmitted includes location information identifying the location of the deployed shield. 
     
     
         5 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a self-defense weapon positioned on the opposite side of the ballistic blanket from the handle assembly. 
     
     
         6 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 5 , wherein the self-defense weapon is a sound emitter. 
     
     
         7 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 5 , wherein the self-defense weapon is a light emitter. 
     
     
         8 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 7 , wherein the light emitter is a strobe light. 
     
     
         9 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a recording device connected to the ballistic blanket and wherein the recording device comprises a transmitter for sending data recorded by the recording device. 
     
     
         10 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 9 , wherein the recording device is an audio recorder. 
     
     
         11 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 9 , wherein the recording device is a video recorder. 
     
     
         12 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a communication transceiver device for enabling two-way communication between a person who is proximate the shield and a third party. 
     
     
         13 . An emergency defense and warning system comprising:
 a personal ballistic shield comprising:   a flexible ballistic blanket;   a pneumatic frame connected to and supporting the ballistic blanket;   a handle assembly attached to a back side of the ballistic blanket;   a warning mechanism attached to the shield that is adapted to detect a deployment of the pneumatic frame and transmit an alert signal reporting the deployment of the shield; and   an external monitor comprising a receiver for receiving the alert signal from the deployment of the ballistic shield;   whereby the external monitor is able to activate a first responder in response to the alert signal.   
     
     
         14 . A personal ballistic shield as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a ballistic shield mount,
 wherein the ballistic shield is positioned in the mount, and further wherein the mount is connected to the warning mechanism of the shield and the removal of the ballistic shield from the mount triggers the transmission of the alert signal.