Foldable shield

Abstract

A foldable shield transformable from an extended use position to a folded transport position and vice versa includes shield plates and spring loaded hinges connecting the shield plates. Restraint devices hold the shield to a user's forearm during use. A release device releases cooperating locks so that the hinge devices bring the shield plates from the transport position to the extended use position. The shield is brought to the transport position by folding of the first shield plate toward the second shield plate and folding of the third shield plate against the first shield plate. The first shield plate has a maximum width between the long sides that is less than corresponding widths of the other two shield plates for sufficient clearance for the folding of the third shield plate. When folded, the shield plates are located on top of each other in a substantially flat package.

1 . A foldable shield, reconfigurable from an unfolded use position to a folded transport position and vice versa, comprising:
 a first, a second and a third shield plate, each of which has an elongated shape, an inside surface, an outside surface, a first long side, a second long side, a first short side and a second short side,   a first spring-loaded hinge assembly connecting the second long side of the first shield plate to the first long side of the second shield plate,   a second spring-loaded hinge assembly connecting the second long side of the second shield plate to the first long side of the third shield plate, wherein said first and second spring-loaded hinge assemblies are arranged so that the shield can be reconfigured from the unfolded use position to the folded transport position by folding the first shield plate with its outside surface against the outside surface of the second shield plate and by subsequently folding the third shield plate with its outside surface against the inside surface of the already folded first shield plate.   handles disposed on the inside surface of the second shield plate for securing the shield to a forearm of a user when in use,   a release device placed within reach of the user from said handles and adapted, when actuated by the user, to release first and second cooperating locks that are adapted to keep the shield plates folded against each other in the folded transport position, against spring force from said first and second spring-loaded hinge assemblies, wherein said spring force upon release of the locks brings the shield plates from the folded transport position to the unfolded use position,   wherein the first shield plate is designed with a maximum width between its long sides that is smaller than a corresponding width of the second and of the third shield plates, respectively, so that a sufficient clearance for folding the third shield plate against the first shield plate is provided so as to allow the shield plates to be brought to rest on top of each other in the form of a substantially flat package in the folded transport position.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the maximum width of the first shield plate is no more than 90% of the corresponding width of the second and of the third shield plates, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second spring-loaded hinge assemblies each comprise a respective hinge joint, wherein the hinge joint of the first spring-loaded hinge assembly has an outer diameter that is smaller than the corresponding outer diameter of the hinge joint of the second spring-loaded hinge assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The foldable shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the shield, when in the unfolded use position, exhibits joint gaps formed between adjacent long sides of the two shield plates connected by the first and the second hinge assembly assemblies, respectively, and wherein the two spring-loaded hinge assemblies cover openings of the two joint gaps on the outside surface of the shield. 
     
     
         5 . The foldable shield according to  claim 4 , further comprising a protective plate, mounted on the inside surface of the shield, which covers the openings of the two joint gaps on the inside surface of the shield. 
     
     
         6 . The foldable shield according to  claim 1 , further comprising frame members, into which the respective shield plates are inserted and fixed in place, wherein said first and second spring-loaded hinge assemblies connect the shield plates via said frame members. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second spring-loaded hinge assemblies each comprise a respective hinge joint, wherein the shield, when in the unfolded use position, exhibits joint gaps formed between adjacent long sides of the two shield plates connected by the first and the second hinge assembly assemblies, respectively, wherein the adjacent long sides have a geometric shape such that each joint gap extends from an opening directly under its respective hinge joint on the outside surface of the shield to a second opening, displaced laterally relative to the hinge joint, on the inside surface of the shield. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable shield according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second spring-loaded hinge assemblies each comprise a respective hinge joint, wherein the shield, when in the unfolded use position, exhibits joint gaps formed between adjacent long sides of the two shield plates connected by the first and the second hinge assemblies, respectively, wherein the adjacent long sides have a geometric shape such that at least one of the joint gaps extends obliquely inwards or outwards from its hinge joint on the outside surface of the shield to the inside surface of the shield. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable shield according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second spring-loaded hinge assemblies each comprise a respective hinge joint, wherein the shield, when in the unfolded use position, exhibits joint gaps formed between adjacent long sides of the two shield plates connected by the first and the second hinge assemblies, respectively, wherein the adjacent long sides have a geometric shape such that at least one of the joint gaps extends in a step-like manner from its hinge joint on the outside surface of the shield to the inside surface of the shield. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable shield according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second spring-loaded hinge assemblies comprises a pair of first and second fixing plates articulately connected together by a respective hinge joint, wherein the first fixing plate of the second hinge assembly is fixed to the second shield plate, whereas its second fixing plate is fixed to the third shield plate, wherein the first fixing plate of the second hinge assembly exhibits a cutout adapted to the outline of the first shield plate so as to allow accommodation of at least a portion of the outline of the first shield plate into the cutout in the first fixing plate of the second hinge assembly when folding the first shield plate with its outside surface against the outside surface of the second shield plate, and wherein the second fixing plate of the second hinge assembly also exhibits a cutout adapted to the outline of the first shield plate so as to allow accommodation of at least a portion of the outline of the first shield plate into the cutout in the second fixing plate of the second hinge assembly when subsequently folding the third shield plate with its outside surface against the inside surface of the already folded first shield plate. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable shield according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second spring-loaded hinge assemblies comprises a plurality of first and a plurality of second pivot members pivotally connected together by a respective hinge joint, wherein the first and second pivot members are integrated parts of the adjacent long sides of the two shield plates connected together by the respective hinge joint. 
     
     
         12 . The foldable shield according to  claim 11 , wherein at least some of the first and second pivot members, respectively, are arranged alternately along and at least partially surrounding the circumference of a pivot pin being part of the respective hinge joint. 
     
     
         13 . The foldable shield according to  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and the second pivot members, respectively, projects from an edge of a long side of its respective shield plate, wherein said edge is provided with a chamfer so as to provide sufficient clearance for pivoting the pivot members of one shield plate relative to the pivot members of another shield plate when folding and unfolding the shield. 
     
     
         14 . The foldable shield according to  claim 11 , wherein said pivot members are cast or moulded in one piece with their respective shield plate in one and the same casting or moulding process, so that the pivot members and the shield plate consist of one and the same material.