US3745938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compactible protective shield
Assignee: R F Inc
•
Filing: 1971-08-03
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A protective shield for personnel use is provided that can be rolled into a relatively small, light weight and unobtrusive cylinder, but can be inflated to serve as a unitary shock absorbing and object deflecting shield. The inflatable structure has a generally rectangular outline, and substantially parallel front and rear broad faces of impregnated pile fabric that are relatively pliant when uninflated but substantially flat as well as stiff when inflated. A manually actuable gas cartridge device and handles are attached to the rear face of the shield, which also may include a viewing aperture covered by a foraminous member. The inflated shield provides differential distortion between the front and rear faces under impacting objects, sufficient to protect a person behind the shield by absorbing, distributing or redirecting the force of impact without significant deformation or collapse.
Inventors
- 👤 Connor K O
- 👤 B Hathaway
- 👤 E Huffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:13
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41H; F41H5/00; F41H5/06; F41H5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A compactible shield comprising: an inflatable body of flexible, gas impervious material, said material comprising elastomeric impregnated fabric, said body when inflated having a front face member substantially parallel to a rear face member, and including internal members joining said front face member and said rear face member, said front face member having a covering of at least one layer of flexible impact and puncture resistant material; inflating means mounted on said rear face member of said body and operatively coupled to the interior of said body, said internal members being nonobstructive to the flow of an inflating gas in said bag for inflating the regions between said front and rear face members on opposite sides of said internal members; and holding means mounted on said rear face member for manually holding and manipulating the shield.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A compactible shield comprising: an inflatable body of flexible, gas impervious material, said material comprising elastomeric impregnated fabric, said body when inflated having a front face member substantially parallel to a rear face member, and including internal members joining said front face member and said rear face member, said front face member having a covering of at least one layer of flexible impact and puncture resistant material; inflating means mounted on said rear face member of said body and operatively coupled to the interior of said body, said internal members being nonobstructive to the flow of an inflating gas in said bag for inflating the regions between said front and rear face members on opposite sides of said internal members; and holding means mounted on said rear face member for manually holding and manipulating the shield.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein said covering comprises at least two layers of elastomer impregnated fabric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 above, wherein said covering comprises three layers of neoprene coated nylon fabric, and adhesive means joining said layers, and further comprises cover layer means of ripstop nylon fabric coated on both sides with neoprene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 above, including in addition binder strap means secured to at least one end thereof, and spaced apart detachable coupling means for the free end of said binder strap means attached to at least one of the face members of said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
The invention as set forth in claim 11 above, wherein said binder strap means comprises a pair of spaced apart straps attached in the region of one end of said body, and said detachable coupling means comprises a pair of pads on each of the front and rear face members at regions spaced from the attachment points of said straps for detachably securing the free ends of the straps when the body is compacted and deployed respectively, the detachable couplings comprising coacting fasteners of the Velcro type.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
A compactible protective shield comprising: an inflatable body of flexible, gas impervious material, said material comprising pile fabric and having a substantially rectangular outline when inflated, said body when inflated having a front face member substantially parallel to a rear face member, and including a mass of pile fibres joining said front and rear face members, said body further including an interior margin joining said front and rear face members; inflating means mounted on said rear face member of said body and operatively coupled to the interior of said body; and handle means mounted on said rear face member of said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
A compactible protective shield comprising: an inflatable body of flexible, gas impervious material, said material comprising pile fabric and having a substantially rectangular outline when inflated, said body when inflated having a front face member substantially parallel to a rear face member, and including a mass of pile fibres joining said front and rear face members, said body further including an interior margin joining said front and rear face members; inflating means mounted on said rear face member of said body and operatively coupled to the interior of said body; and handle means mounted on said rear face member of said body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |