Soft armor shield methods and apparatus

Abstract

Methods and apparatus allow a user to easily deploy and position an assembled shield, both independent of a backpack and when attached to the backpack.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bag comprising:
 a storage portion configured to hold at least one item; and   a ballistic shield removably coupled to said storage portion.   
     
     
         2 . A bag in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one forearm strap operationally coupled to said ballistic shield. 
     
     
         3 . A bag in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least two forearm straps operationally coupled to said ballistic shield on a first side. 
     
     
         4 . A bag in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising at least one shoulder strap operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling a user having a back to carry the bag on their back as a backpack. 
     
     
         5 . A bag in accordance with  claim 3  further comprising at least one shoulder strap operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling a user having a back to carry the bag on their back as a backpack. 
     
     
         6 . A bag in accordance with  claim 3  further comprising at least one handgrip operationally coupled to said ballistic shield on said first side. 
     
     
         7 . A bag in accordance with  claim 5  further comprising at least one handgrip operationally coupled to said ballistic shield on said first side. 
     
     
         8 . A backpack comprising:
 a storage portion;   at least one shoulder strap operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling a user having a back to carry said backpack on their back; and   at least one forearm strap operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling the user to use a forearm to support at least a portion of the backpack via said forearm strap.   
     
     
         9 . A backpack in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the backpack further comprises at least one ballistic shield portion operationally coupled to said storage portion and wherein at least one forearm strap is operationally coupled to said storage portion via said ballistic shield portion. 
     
     
         10 . A backpack in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the ballistic shield portion is removably coupled to said storage portion, and the forearm strap enables the user to support the ballistic shield portion independent of the storage portion. 
     
     
         11 . A backpack in accordance with  claim 9  further comprising at least two forearm straps operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling the user to use a forearm to support at least a portion of the backpack via said forearm straps. 
     
     
         12 . A backpack in accordance with  claim 8  further comprising at least two forearm straps operationally coupled to said storage portion enabling the user to use a forearm to support at least a portion of the backpack via said forearm straps. 
     
     
         13 . A backpack in accordance with  claim 8  further comprising at least one handgrip operationally coupled to said storage portion. 
     
     
         14 . A backpack in accordance with  claim 10  further comprising at least one handgrip operationally coupled to the ballistic shield portion. 
     
     
         15 . A backpack in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said at least one handgrip operationally coupled to the ballistic shield portion perpendicular to said forearm straps. 
     
     
         16 . A backpack in accordance with  claim 14  wherein said at least one handgrip operationally coupled to the ballistic shield portion parallel to said forearm straps. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 receiving from a customer an indication of at least one backpack dimension; and   sizing a ballistic shield based at least partially upon the received dimension.   
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  further comprising providing a cover for the ballistic shield wherein the cover includes at least one forearm strap attached to the cover. 
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  further comprising:
 providing a cover for the ballistic shield wherein the cover includes at least one forearm strap attached to the cover; 
 placing the ballistic shield inside the cover; and 
 attaching the cover to a backpack having the received dimension. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 19  wherein said attaching comprises removably attaching the cover to a backpack having the received dimension.