Self-supporting shield system for portable blast/ballistic protection

Abstract

A self-supporting shield system for portable blast and ballistic protection includes at least two large shields pivotally joined together at the top, or two rigid frames pivotally joined together at the top, each framed fitted with a number of armor plates. The two shields or two frames can be separated apart by pivoting around the joint to form triangular shape that is self-supporting and free standing. The shield system not only provides the self-supporting function under dynamic loading, but also increases energy dissipation of the projectile and enhance the reliability and survivability of the shield system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-supporting and portable shield system for protection against blast and ballistic, comprising:
 a first plate shaped shield;   a second plate shaped shield;   a joint configured to pivotally join the first and second shields to each other at an edge of the first shield and an edge of the second shield; and   a connection bar configured to detachably connect the first and second shields to each other at locations different from locations of the joint;   wherein each shield is made of materials having blast and/or ballistic resistance properties, and   wherein each shield has a height of 1.7 to 2.0 meters and a width of up to 0.4 meter.   
     
     
         2 . The shield system of  claim 1 , wherein the joint is removably attached to either or both of the first and second shields, or the joint includes two parts are assembled together. 
     
     
         3 . The shield system of  claim 1 , wherein the connection bar is configured to maintain a separation angle between the first and second shields of 10° to 90°. 
     
     
         4 . The shield system of  claim 1 , wherein the connection bar is configured to maintain a separation angle between the first and second shields of 50° to 70°. 
     
     
         5 . A self-supporting and portable shield system for protection against blast and ballistic, comprising:
 a first rigid support frame;   one or more armor plates mounted in the first support frame;   a second rigid support frame;   one or more armor plates mounted in the second support frame;   a joint configured to pivotally join the first and second support frames to each other at an edge of the first support frame and an edge of the second support frame; and   a connection bar configured to detachably connect the first and second support frames to each other at locations different from locations of the joint;   wherein each armor plate is made of materials having blast and/or ballistic resistance properties, and   wherein each support frame has a height of 1.7 to 2.0 meters and a width of up to 0.4 meter.   
     
     
         6 . The shield system of  claim 5 , wherein the joint is removably attached to either or both of the first and second support frames, or the joint includes two parts are assembled together. 
     
     
         7 . The shield system of  claim 5 , wherein the connection bar is configured to maintain a separation angle between the first and second support frames of 10° to 90°. 
     
     
         8 . The shield system of  claim 5 , wherein the connection bar is configured to maintain a separation angle between the first and second support frames of 50° to 70°. 
     
     
         9 . The shield system of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second support frames includes one or more horizontal rungs that divide the frame into two or more sections, and each armor plate is located in one of the sections. 
     
     
         10 . The shield system of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first and second support frames includes a horizontal rung near a lower end of the frame.