Shield kits for projectile protection

Abstract

A shield kit for projectile protection and associated systems and methods. A portable shield kit is disclosed including a flexible shield configured to be fastened to a bar armor frame which is maintained a predetermined standoff distance from a structure, such as a vehicle. The shield kit can be deployed in the field to cover a portion of the vehicle. The shield is configured to prevent a projectile, such as a shaped charge, from detonating as designed.

1 . A shield kit for protection against explosive projectiles, the shield kit comprising:
 a flexible shield including a plurality of attachment points extending at least partially around a periphery of thereof; and   a plurality of fasteners configured to engage the attachment points and engage a frame member mounted to a vehicle to hold the shield to the frame member, wherein the frame is spaced apart from an exterior surface of the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The shield kit of  claim 1  wherein the shield comprises a net. 
     
     
         3 . The shield kit of  claim 1  wherein the frame member is spaced apart from the exterior surface of the vehicle by a standoff distance, and wherein the fasteners are configured to fasten the shield to the frame member with sufficient strength to prevent the shield from deflecting more than the standoff distance. 
     
     
         4 . The shield kit of  claim 1  wherein the shield comprises a textile shield. 
     
     
         5 . The shield kit of  claim 4  wherein the shield comprises strands connected with a knotless intersection. 
     
     
         6 . The shield kit of  claim 4  wherein the textile shield comprises interlocking warp strands and weft strands. 
     
     
         7 . The shield kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable configured to span between opposing portions of the frame and engage the shield to maintain tension in the shield. 
     
     
         8 . The shield kit of  claim 1  wherein the shield is a first shield, and wherein the shield kit further comprises a second shield and a cable configured to span between opposing portions of the frame and engage the first shield and the second shield to maintain tension in the first shield and second shield. 
     
     
         9 . The shield kit of  claim 1  wherein the fasteners comprise cable ties. 
     
     
         10 . The shield kit of  claim 1  wherein the shield and the fasteners are configured to be contained within a portable package. 
     
     
         11 . A shield kit for replacing portions of a bar armor system to protect a vehicle against explosive projectiles, the shield kit comprising:
 a first flexible shield comprising a plurality of interwoven flexible strands with openings between the strands from about one inch to about four inches;   a second flexible shield;   means for fastening the first flexible shield and the second flexible shield to a frame, wherein the frame is attached to the structure and spaced apart from the structure by a standoff distance;   a first cable configured to attach to a first point on the frame and engage the first flexible shield and the second flexible shield;   a second cable configured to attach to a second point of the frame opposite the first point and to engage the first flexible shield and the second flexible shield; and   a cable joiner configured to receive the first cable and the second cable and maintain tension in the first cable and second cable.   
     
     
         12 . The shield kit of  claim 11  wherein the cable joiner is configured to maintain sufficient tension to cause an incoming explosive projectile to detonate before reaching the structure. 
     
     
         13 . The shield kit of  claim 11  wherein the first shield, the second shield, the means for fastening, the first cable, the second cable, and the cable joiner together weigh less than approximately one pound. 
     
     
         14 . The shield kit of  claim 11  wherein the cable joiner comprises a gripple. 
     
     
         15 . The shield kit of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the first and second shields comprises a textile shield. 
     
     
         16 . A flexible shield for use with a bar armor frame attached to a vehicle, the bar armor frame being positioned apart from the vehicle by a standoff distance, the shield comprising:
 a plurality of interwoven flexible strands forming a net; and   a plurality of loop fasteners configured to engage the net and the bar armor frame and hold the net to the bar armor frame, wherein the net is sufficiently strong to deform an incoming explosive projectile before or during detonation.   
     
     
         17 . The flexible shield of  claim 16 , further comprising a cable configured to engage opposing portions of the bar armor frame and engage the net to maintain tension in the net. 
     
     
         18 . The flexible shield of  claim 17  wherein the cable comprises a first cable, the flexible shield further comprising a second cable and a cable joiner configured to maintain tension between the first cable and the second cable. 
     
     
         19 . The flexible shield of  claim 16  wherein the shield, the fasteners and the cable are packaged in a portable kit. 
     
     
         20 . A method for protecting a vehicle against explosive projectiles, the method comprising:
 carrying a kit containing a flexible shield and a plurality of fasteners;   positioning the shield over a damaged portion of a bar armor system on the vehicle; and   fastening the shield to a frame of the bar armor system by installing the fasteners through openings in the shield and around portions of the frame and securing the fasteners, wherein the frame positions the flexible shield system away from the vehicle by a standoff distance.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 attaching a first cable to a first portion of the frame;   attaching a second cable to a second portion of the frame opposite the first portion of the frame;   engaging the shield with at least one of the first and second cables; and   tensioning the first cable and the second cable using a cable joiner.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising testing the tension in the shield by pressing against the shield and ensuring that the shield does not deflect by more than the standoff distance.