BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a Roman Shield Trike (RST), a tactical device used for moderate to high-risk building entries and searches. Particularly, the RST is a fully enclosed tactical shield integrated into a ballistic-paneled vehicle with at least three wheels which assists an operator, such as an officer or a soldier, in hostile environments while mitigating harm to personnel and enhancing /retaining offensive capabilities.

2. Background Art

The Roman Shield (RS) (TM pending), Roman Shield Cycle (RSC) (TM pending), Roman Shield Trike (RST) (TM pending), and Roman Shield Armored Vehicle (RSAV) (TM pending) are dedicated to Oakland Police Sergeant Ervin Romans and to our brothers and sisters whose lives were taken in the line of duty. In 2009, Sergeant Romans, a SWAT member, was conducting a high-risk building entry when he was killed by a lone assailant lying in wait inside a residence with a high-powered rifle. If Sergeant Romans had access to the RST, the outcome may have been different. Sergeant Romans' valor and heroism will not be forgotten and we dedicate the Roman Shield inventions in his honor. The RST enhances law enforcement officers', military soldiers', and other first responders' safety during moderate to high risk tactical and/or life preserving/saving operations.

A dangerous aspect of an officer's job is to enter a building when it is occupied by armed individual(s). Often, after breaching a door, an officer is subject to physical and assaults from deadly weapons. Generally, an officer enters a room with minimal protection, wearing a tactical vest, and maybe utilizing a hand carried shield which places the officer in a tactical disadvantage because one arm is occupied, thus reducing his response to deadly threats. In addition, the hand carried tactical shield is heavy, uni-dimensional, and provides limited coverage.

Further, although other multi-role armored vehicles are available, they are inadequate to enter buildings, especially in residential or urban neighborhoods, without causing significant structural damages primarily due to their large, cumbersome, and generally destructive nature when they breach a building.

Thus, the Roman Shield inventions can mitigate injuries to law enforcement officers or soldiers during entry into buildings and through doorways, while retaining defensive and offensive capabilities.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the Roman Shield inventions are armored vehicles comprising a shield capable of partially (RS) or fully enclosing (RSC, RST and RSAV) a person(s), and a vehicle, wherein the RST and RSAV vehicles have additional ballistic panels. The RS and RSC are able to fit through Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) compliant standard single doors and passenger elevators. The RST and RSAV are able to fit through Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) compliant double doors and service/freight elevators. The RS and the RSC incorporate bullet resistant glass that meet or exceed Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) ratings that also meet U.S. military standards. The RST and the RSAV incorporate bullet resistant glass and ballistic panels that meet or exceed Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) ratings that also meet U S military standards. Another embodiment allows passage through freight elevators.

The Roman Shield inventions comprise of motorized life preserving/saving tactical shields for use in moderate to high-risk building entries, searches, evacuations, and other moderate to high risk situations requiring enhanced protection. The Roman Shield inventions can also be used as high visibility deterrents to potential terrorist attacks, such as the 2013 Boston Marathon attacks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows an oblique view of the RST.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the RST.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the RST.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the RST.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Further common elements for each of disclosures: RS, RSC, RST and RSAV could be credited to the other disclosures. Other applications for RS, RSC and RSAV filed concurrently by the applicants are incorporated herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The RST 18 is a mechanically-operated vehicle with a fully enclosed bullet resistant glass tactical shield 6 that is designed to be operated by trained law enforcement or military personnel (therein referred to as â€œoperatorâ€ ) during high-risk entries into a building or residence. The RST will allow operators to maneuver the RST from a single hand control, and once the shield has been tactically positioned, allows the operator to retain both hands to utilize on board tools/weapons if a threat is encountered. Particularly, the RST provides a shielded, three wheeled motorized platform which transports an operator into hostile environments. The wheels are motorized and allow easier entry into buildings.

Another embodiment is a RST that supplements and enhances existing law enforcement tools. The RST is a seated motorized fully-enclosed tactical shield made with industry standard bullet resistant glass 6 and is on at least three wheels 15 which provide mobility while allowing instrumentation on the shield.

In addition to the bullet resistant glass tactical shield, the RST has a ballistic-panel 23. Another embodiment is a RST that integrates ballistic panels 23 whereby all three wheels are protected from weapons or projectile threats.

The RST supplements and enhances existing law enforcement tools, namely the hand-carried tactical shield. Currently, law enforcement personnel use a hand-carried tactical shield, which requires the officer to carry a twenty-five (25) pound (11.3 kg) tactical shield with one arm which places them at a tactical disadvantage if harm or deadly threats are encountered. In addition, the hand-carried tactical shield is uni-dimensional and armor is lightweight and susceptible to penetration by larger caliber bullets.

A mechanically-operated vehicle 18 that has a fully enclosed upper bullet-resistant shield comprised of bullet resistant glass 6 that allow for enclosure of a person on all sides and top 13, three wheels 15, a single hand-controlled apparatus 8 that controls the vehicle, and the vehicle can fit through an ADA compliant double sized door. The dimensions for an ADA compliant double doorway are 48â€³ wide (121.9 cm)Ã—80â€³ (203.2 cm) tall. Moreover, it can fit through and maneuver in a 4000-lb (1814.3 kg) DELAWARE (2210 Allen Drive, Salisbury, Md. 21801) Class A general freight loading elevator, which has an entrance width of 68â€³ (172.7 cm) and entrance height of 96â€³ (243.8 cm). Once inside, this elevator has an inside clearance of 68â€³ (172.7 cm)Ã—89Â½â€² (227.3 cm) with a depth of 120â€³ (304.8 cm). The dimension of RST allows operators to enter civilian areas with no or minimal damages to infrastructure.

Another embodiment is that the RST can maneuver with an ADA compliant building. In terms of maneuverability within an ADA compliant building, the RST can make a U-turn around a pathway with width of at least 42â€³ (106.7 cm) on the approaches and 48â€³ (121.9 cm) in the turn. In another embodiment, the RSAV can enter through an ADA compliant double door and can maneuver within an ADA compliant building. An ADA compliant building has aisles with width of at least 36â€³ (91.4 cm), and accordingly, an embodiment of the RST has a width of less than 36â€³ (91.4 cm), such as about 34â€³ (86.4 cm) and provides a seating arrangement to permit one to two passengers to sit behind the operator in an oblique formation at about 45Â° from center. More passengers may sit in the same angular formation behind the first set of passengers. This angular seating arrangement will allow two occupants to sit inside the vehicle while allowing for minimal width of the vehicle. Specifically, the angular seating position will allow the shoulders and legs of the passengers to be angular from center of the vehicle, thus allowing the vehicle to be of minimal width. In a preferred embodiment, the occupant sitting on the left side of the vehicle is sitting facing off center towards the left, while the occupant sitting on the right side of the vehicle is sitting facing off center towards right. Accordingly, the RST will have sufficient room to maneuver in life-saving operations inside the aforementioned ADA compliant buildings or complexes while mitigating harm to the operator.

The RST is quickly deployable and can be used by trained operators to respond to mass shootings at shopping malls, school, universities, or businesses. The RST will be suitable to enter buildings or structures that are compliant to the ADA. Accordingly, the RST will have sufficient room to maneuver in life-saving operations inside the aforementioned buildings or complexes while mitigating harm to the operator. Moreover, the RST can be transported via a trailer pulled by a standard size vehicle. The RST's dimensions allow entry into and exit from ADA compliant service/freight elevators and ADA compliant double doors. A preferred embodiment is that the vehicle is compliant to ADA standards for entry, maneuverability within, and withdrawal from buildings or other structures.

Another embodiment provides a transparent top enclosure 13 made of the same bullet resistant glass as the protective shield, which provides protection for the operator from threats above without hindering operator visibility.

Another embodiment is the RST will be equipped with a secured rear door 16 consisting of an industry standard bullet resistant armored glass 6.

An embodiment of the RST has a self-contained ventilation system 4 that utilizes independent oxygen. A preferred embodiment will have capacity of at least up to 3 hours. A preferred embodiment is a self-contained ventilation system 4.

The RST will be equipped with a rechargeable electric motor 17 which is cost effective, quiet, has no emissions, powered by lithium or NiCad battery packs that hold charges for about six (6) hours or about twenty-four (24) miles of operation use, with a top speed of at least about 13-15 mph. The rechargeable electric motor allows field swappable power modules. The RST can recharge using wall outlets or outlets accessible from the mobile command center. RST has at least about 5 inch (12.7 cm) ground clearance.

Another preferred embodiment is that the RST has at least three heavy duty wheels 15 that are easily adaptable for various terrains i.e. grass, rock, shrubbery, sand, ice, or snow.

An embodiment of the RST is a bullet resistant armored paneled vehicle 18 with an integrated bullet resistant glass 6 and ballistic panels 23, similar to standard UL protection level rating 8, that provide fully-enclosed protection and enhances the officer's safety if ambushed from several directions. Thus after a successful entry into a building or residence, the RST will continue to enhance officer safety as it can be strategically situated inside a room during the operation to locate suspects and/or to serve as a tactical shield during the recovery of citizens or injured law enforcement personnel. A collapsible seat 19 will enable the operator to efficiently operate the RST.

An embodiment of the RST has LED (light-emitting diode) lights 2, i.e. two (2) in front, two (2) on the right side and two (2) on the left side, installed at the top of the shield for entries made under low lighting or darkness.

An embodiment of the RST are police alarm lights, which are normally comprised of a solid red or solid blue light or red and blue strobe lights 20 (depending on the state) that identifies the vehicle as an emergency law enforcement vehicle.

An embodiment of the RST has additional auxiliary lights i.e. HID (high intensity discharge) lights 21, i.e. two (2) in front, two (2) on the right side and two (2) on the left sides, installed at the top of the shield for entries made under low lighting or darkness. In addition, the very bright HID lights can also temporarily confuse and disable potential assailant(s) who may be lying in wait inside the home.

Another embodiment discloses the RST can be equipped with night vision capability. A preferred embodiment is that the RST can be equipped with night vision viewers.

An embodiment of the RST also employs a flash bang feature 9 from the front of the shield to temporarily confuse or disable potential assailant(s) who may pose an immediate threat.

An embodiment of the RST also employs a taser gun feature 11 from the front of the shield to temporarily confuse or disable potential assailants who may pose an immediate threat. A preferred embodiment enhances offensive capabilities with a strategically placed port 11 where taser gun capabilities can be deployed.

An embodiment of the RST has one shotgun or rifle port 7 so the operator can engage with deadly force if the operator encounters a life threatening situation while operating the device. A preferred embodiment provides a firearm port 7 so that personnel can utilize deadly force while operating the vehicle.

An embodiment of the RST has a maneuverable robotic claw 10 that can be used to pick up items, pull items, open doors, and subdue suspects until they can be properly handcuffed or secured. A preferred embodiment is that the RST has a strategically placed maneuverable grasping robotic claw apparatus 10.

Another preferred embodiment of the RST is operated using an onboard biometrics (e.g., thumb/iris) fingerprint reader attached to the operating controller 8. If the primary operator becomes injured or loses control while operating the RST, a security shut off feature will terminate power to the RST, preventing the assailant(s) from gaining control of the device. Backup operators can immediately resume operating the RST provided that their biometric data are also stored inside the reader. The biometrics data can quickly be updated so multiple operators' biometrics are programmed for use at any given time by an administrator. An onboard manual override keypad is also available so an administrator can operate the machine should the biometric reader fail. In addition to the biometric reader, additional security for activation of the RST may require entry of a PIN number and/or ignition key.

Another preferred embodiment is that the RST can be transported by a trailer pulled by a standard automobile. The RST can be transported by a trailer that is equipped with a standard ball hitch apparatus that can be attached and transported by a standard automobile with a standard ball hitch system.

Another preferred embodiment is that the RST possesses a siren 22. Another preferred embodiment is that the RST can be equipped with an audio enhancer 3 and digital recorder for video and/or audio 5. Another preferred embodiment is that the RSC has reflective law enforcement or military logos 12, reflective strips 14, a siren 22 and a solid red or blue emergency light (depending on the state) 20 so potential violators and the general public can quickly identify the RST as an official law enforcement/military vehicle.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present disclosure are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure belongs. Although any methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or teaching of the present disclosure, the preferred methods and materials are described above. Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present disclosure can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.