Ballistic Shield

Abstract

A ballistic shied comprising opposing front and rear sides, the rear side having one or more hand and/or arm engagement means fixedly attachable thereon. Wherein at least one hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable on the rear side such that, in use, the ballistic shield may be retained using a first hand and/or arm of a user, the first hand of said first hand and/or arm being free or engagable with the handle means, such that said first hand retains functionality permitting use thereof for other tasks.

1 . A ballistic shield comprising:
 opposing front and rear sides, the rear side having one or more hand and/or arm engagement means fixedly attachable thereon;   wherein at least one hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable on the rear side such that, in use, the ballistic shield may be retained using a first hand and/or arm of a user, the first hand of said first hand and/or arm being engagable with the at least one hand and/or arm engagement means such that said first hand at least partially retains functionality permitting use thereof for other tasks.   
     
     
         2 . The ballistic shield of  claim 1 , wherein the hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable proximal an edge of the rear side. 
     
     
         3 . The ballistic shield of  claim 2 , wherein the hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable proximal the upper edge of the rear side. 
     
     
         4 . The ballistic shield of  claim 3 , wherein the hand and/or arm engagement means is locatable less than 3 inches from the upper edge of the rear side, and most preferably approximately 1.5 inches from the upper edge of the rear side. 
     
     
         5 . The ballistic shield of  claim 1 , wherein the hand and/or arm engagement means comprises at least one handle or strap. 
     
     
         6 . The ballistic shield of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one handle or strap is configured to extend generally parallel to the upper edge of the rear side of the ballistic shield. 
     
     
         7 . The ballistic shield of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one handle or hand strap is configured to extend across the palm of a user only during use and does not engage with the remainder of said hand. 
     
     
         8 . The ballistic shield of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one handle or hand strap comprises a single handle or strap. 
     
     
         9 . The ballistic shield of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one handle or hand strap comprises two handles/hand straps. 
     
     
         10 . The ballistic shield of  claim 1 , comprising a ballistic element configured to prevent or inhibit travel of a ballistic from a first side thereof to a second side thereof, and a housing element configured to house the ballistic element. 
     
     
         11 . The ballistic shield of  claim 10 , wherein the housing element comprises a flexible enclosure into which the ballistic element may be removably inserted. 
     
     
         12 . The ballistic shield of  claim 11 , wherein the rear side of the ballistic shield is formed by the rear side of the flexible enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . The ballistic shield of  claim 12 , wherein the rear side comprises one or more attachment elements configured to facilitate attachment of the ballistic shield to the arm of a user. 
     
     
         14 . The ballistic shield of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more attachment elements comprise fabric elements attached to the rear side, the fabric elements being configured to form attachment loops. 
     
     
         15 . The ballistic shield of  claim 14 , wherein arm straps are passable through the attachment loops, around the arm of a user, and self attached to secure said arm to the ballistic shield. 
     
     
         16 . The ballistic shield of  claim 15 , where a plurality of attachment loops are provided between the top edge of the rear side and a bottom side thereof such that arm straps may be selectably attached at differing locations depending on use or the physical dimensions of the user. 
     
     
         17 . The ballistic shield of  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of arm straps are attachable via the plurality of loops such that attachment is provided to the arm of a user at a plurality of longitudinal locations along the forearm. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a ballistic shield comprising the steps of:
 forming an enclosure comprising opposing front and rear sides;   attaching one or more hand and/or arm engagement means on the rear side of said enclosure at a position such that, in use, the ballistic shield may be retained using a first hand and/or arm of a user, the first hand of said first hand and/or arm being free or engagable with the one or more hand and/or arm engagement means such that said first hand retains functionality permitting use thereof for other tasks;   and inserting into the enclosure a ballistic element.