Capture Shield for Disarming Gunman
A method and apparatus for disarming an armed intruder by using a capture shield of a type comprising a bullet resistant shield having a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a front and a back and at least one hook operatively attached to the front of the shield for engaging and holding the shield to an armed intruder when the shield is pushed against such intruder. The method for using the capture shield comprises (a) grasping the capture shield, (b) positioning the capture shield between a user and an armed intruder with the front of the capture shield having the at least one hook thereon facing the armed intruder; (c) moving towards the armed intruder while holding the capture shield to minimize the possibility of being shot by the intruder; and (d) pushing the capture shield against the armed intruder to cause the at least one hook to engage the intruder and/or the intruder's clothing.
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for disarming a gunman and more particularly to such a method and apparatus which does not involve the use of firearms in order to accomplish such task.
BACKGROUNDIn the United States in recent years, there have been several instances deranged individuals have entered public places such as schools, theaters, shopping malls or the like for the purpose of shooting and killing innocent people. In the case of at least one school shooting, un-armed teachers tried to disarm a shooter but were killed by the gunman in the process.
Various proposals have been put forward by law abiding citizens to protect innocent children and teachers in schools, such as providing armed guards or certification of certain teachers or administrative staff to carry guns to provide security to discourage such deranged gunmen and/or to disarm or kill them if they do enter a school and start shooting innocent people. While there are many people in favor of such possible solution to the problem, there are many people who do not favor armed guards or armed teachers as a solution to the problem.
One solution suggested to solve the problem has been for teachers to have bullet proof shields. The problem is that while such shields may offer temporary protection, a person with a shield cannot disarm a shooter and the closer the person with the shield is to the shooter the more likely they are to be shot by an armed intruder.
Accordingly there is a need for a workable solution to the problem that will be an acceptable alternative to those people who do not want armed guards/teachers in schools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA method and apparatus for disarming an armed intruder by using a capture shield of a type comprising a bullet resistant shield having a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a front and a back and at least one hook operatively attached to the front of the shield for engaging and holding the shield to an armed intruder when the shield is pushed against such intruder. The method for using the capture shield comprises (a) grasping the capture shield, (b) positioning the capture shield between a user and an armed intruder with the front of the capture shield having the at least one hook thereon facing the armed intruder; (c) moving towards the armed intruder while holding the capture shield to minimize the possibility of being shot by the intruder; and (d) pushing the capture shield against the armed intruder to cause the at least one hook to engage the intruder and/or the intruder's clothing. A user would then securely hold the capture shield to minimize escape of the armed intruder from the grasp of the at least one hook attached to the armed intruder, thereby making it difficult for the armed intruder to use a weapon against the user of the shield or against others in close proximity to the intruder.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
The capture shield 10 is constructed of the layers shown in
Another cloth layer 13 is sewn to the bullet resistant fabric layer 12 by stitches 14 as shown in
Looking now to
Looking to
If an armed intruder were to enter the school containing a classroom like that shown in
position the capture shield 10 between a user on the left side of
Referring now to the alternate pivoting hook embodiment shown in
Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
Claims
1. A capture shield comprising:
- (a) a bullet resistant shield having a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a front and a back; and
- (b) at least one hook operatively attached to the front of the shield for engaging and holding the shield to an armed intruder when the shield is pushed against such intruder.
2. The capture shield of claim 1 wherein the hook has at least one barb thereon for inhibiting removal of the hook from whatever it becomes attached to.
3. The capture shield of claim 1 wherein there are multiple hooks operatively attached to the front of the shield.
4. The capture shield of claim 1 wherein the hook is a treble hook of the type commonly used for fishing.
5. The capture shield of claim 4 wherein there are multiple hooks operatively attached to the front of the shield.
6. The capture shield of claim 1 wherein the shield is comprised of the material that is marketed under the trademark of KEVLAR®.
7. The capture shield of claim 6 wherein the shield has a first solid layer of the material that is marketed under the trademark of KEVLAR® covered in the front thereof by a layer of cloth material of the type that is also marketed under the trademark of KEVLAR®.
8. The capture shield of claim 7 wherein the cloth material is disposed between the first solid layer of material that is marketed under the trademark of KEVLAR® and a second cloth covering that has the at least one hook attached thereto.
9. The capture shield of claim 8 second cloth covering is sewn to the layer of cloth material of the type that is also marketed under the trademark of KEVLAR®.
10. The capture shield of claim 1 disposed in a security case which can be opened only by persons with authority to do so.
11. The capture shield of claim 10 wherein the security case is attached to a wall.
12. The capture shield of claim 11 wherein the security case has a bulletin board of the type used in schools on an access door.
13. The capture shield of claim 1 further comprising handles operatively attached to the capture shield and accessible to a user adjacent the rear of the capture shield.
14. The capture shield of claim 1 further comprising a window in the capture shield so that a user can cover the user's head and still see the intruder.
15. A method of using a capture shield of a type comprising a bullet resistant shield having a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a front and a back and at least one hook operatively attached to the front of the shield for engaging and holding the shield to an armed intruder when the shield is pushed against such intruder, said method comprising:
- (a) grasping the capture shield;
- (b) positioning the capture shield between a user and an armed intruder with the front of the capture shield having the at least one hook thereon facing the armed intruder;
- (c) moving towards the armed intruder while holding the capture shield to minimize the possibility of being shot by the intruder; and
- (d) pushing the capture shield against the armed intruder to cause the at least one hook to engage the intruder and/or the intruder's clothing.
16. The method of claim 15 including securely holding the capture shield to minimize escape of the armed intruder from the grasp of the at least one hook attached to the armed intruder, thereby making it difficult for the armed intruder to use a weapon against the user of the shield or against others in close proximity to the intruder.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 14, 2013
Publication Date: Aug 14, 2014
Inventor: Gregory A. Chandler (Chariton, IA)
Application Number: 13/766,986