Abstract: An improved lightweight armored vehicle and a cost effective method of retrofitting standard automobiles to make them lightweight armored vehicles. Metal edge channels and edge caps fit about laminated windows to protect the laminated edges for stress, moisture and atmosphere and fit within the standard automobile original window frames. Prefabricated formed lightweight composite armor is molded to closely fit within the standard automobile. Ballistic steel opaque armored elements are cut and sized to fit within the standard automobile. Both transparent and opaque armored elements are designed for cost effective, onsite manufacture of components to cost effective installation procedures to put in affordable lightweight armored vehicle.

Abstract: An armored vehicle having a stable, fast, relatively inexpensive retrofittable gun or weapon system including a retractable mounting platform which, in a lowered position, fits a weapon within the interior of the vehicle and, in a raised position, the gun or weapon above the roof of the vehicle, including a retractable platform and a remotely operated pan/tilt unit to control the position of a weapon into axes as the weapon is in a raised position above the roof of the car, which system includes a remote viewing system, a remote pan/tilt unit and a remote weapon activation system allowing the vehicle occupant to control the operation of the gun or weapon from within the vehicle while remotely aiming it.

Abstract: A lightweight armored vehicle and method of making the same is shown. The interior of a standard automobile to be equipped with lightweight armor is first stripped of its interior furnishings. Doors and window frames are rebuilt to rigidly mount a bulletproof transparent window therein. The passenger compartment is bulletproofed by placing lightweight woven polyester glass sheets about it to form a continuous protective layer. Where appropriate the sheets are rigidly formed with a resin-catalyst mixture. Additional bullet resistant strength may be provided by multiple layers of ballistic nylon, aromatic polyamide material, or by similar such materials woven together into composite units.

Abstract: Methods of installing bulletproof front and/or rear windshields of an armored automobile are disclosed. A first method involves rebuilding the window frame of the automobile, installing the bulletproof windshield, then recontouring the surface of the automobile adjacent the rebuilt window frame so the automobile again appears to an observer to be an ordinary automobile. A second method involves removing the standard windshields from an ordinary automobile, refitting the automobile with a mechanism having a lip of sufficient depth to retain a bulletproof windshield, inserting a bulletproof windshield and subsequently restoring the outer surface of the automobile adjacent the window frame to the profile of an ordinary automobile.

Abstract: A two section bulletproof window and method of making the same is shown. The outer section is multi-layered, the outer layer being safety plate glass. Inner layers of the outer section are composed of polycarbon laminate. The inner section is also composed of layers of polycarbon laminate and is separated from the outer section by a space containing dry nitrogen gas at about 2.5 pounds per square inch pressure. The space is necessary to allow for differential rates of expansion and contraction of the sections and layers without damaging the window. The positively pressured dry nitrogen gas is necessary to maintain a dust free and moisture free atmosphere within the space. An inexpensive pressurized nitrogen gas reservoir is utilized to guarantee long term maintenance of the positive nitrogen pressure within the space. The method of making the protective window involves continuous purging of the space with the dry nitrogen gas while the different sealants involved are curing.

Abstract: A lightweight armored vehicle and method of making the same is shown. The interior or a standard automobile to be equipped with lightweight armor is first stripped of its interior furnishings. Mechanisms to raise or lower the windows are removed. Doors and window frames are rebuilt to rigidly mount a bulletproof transparent window therein. Vertical walls of the automobile are bulletproofed by adding lightweight woven polyglass rigidly formed with a resin-catalyst mixture. Additional bullet resistant strength may be provided by multiple layers of ballistic nylon or Kevlar bonded to the rigid polyglass. For surfaces not normally subject to perpendicular penetration by bullets, only ballistic nylon or Kevlar is inserted. Upon reassembly of the automobile, including rebuilding portions of the exterior body around the doors and windows, options such as a tear gas dispersal system can be added. A steel screen between layers of the woven polyglass adds additional bullet resistant strength.