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Crime Technology Idle

Ballistic Clipboard Holds Papers, Stops Bullets 161

Posted by samzenpus from the extreme-office-products dept.
Zothecula writes "Although police officers in most countries are issued bulletproof vests, they don't necessarily wear them at all times — would you want to heave one of those things around for an entire shift? What they do often carry, however, are clipboards. Taking the "every little bit helps" approach, Ohio's IMPACT Armor Technologies has put two and two together, and come up with something that should actually offer some protection — a Ballistic Clipboard."

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Ballistic Clipboard Holds Papers, Stops Bullets More

Ballistic Clipboard Holds Papers, Stops Bullets

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  • Ok, so it holds paper ... (Score:5, Funny)

    by Surt ( 22457 ) on Wednesday November 09, 2011 @03:04PM (#38002636) Homepage Journal

    And it stops bullets, which means it can probably stop rock too.

    But what about scissors?

  • http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/supplies/e769/?srp=1 [thinkgeek.com]

    Even if Thinkgeek wasn't already selling a similar product, how is this news?

  • Wonder if Captain America ever used his shield as clipboard (i think he actually did in the movie), if so we have prior art if they try to patent this.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by ackthpt ( 218170 )

      Wonder if Captain America ever used his shield as clipboard (i think he actually did in the movie), if so we have prior art if they try to patent this.

      I remember Politeness Man wielding similar devices, perhaps this would be the perfect device for Bureaucrat Man or Safety Inspector Man or any of dozens of new super heroes - the comic book biz really needs them, they've been beating to death the heroes they've got.

    • It's still innovative to make it functional. Sure, the concept of a bullet-proof clipboard may be obvious, but actually figuring out how to layer the materials so that it's a) flat, b) rigid enough to write on c) flexible enough not to shatter from a bullet, and d) light enough to carry easily could still easily be a patentable process.

      The way you're doing it, a company that invents a warp-drive wouldn't be able to patent it because Star Trek thought of it!

  • Slashvertisement?

    I knew you could! This one isn't even interesting.

    • Re:Can you say... (Score:4, Insightful)

      by Pope ( 17780 ) on Wednesday November 09, 2011 @03:15PM (#38002764)

      It's worse, IMO: a blog copied from a blog copied from a blog copied from a press release. The web is turning into nothing but content farms.

      • It's worse, IMO: a blog copied from a blog copied from a blog copied from a press release.

        I know who I am. I'm the dude playin' the dude, disguised as another dude!

        The web is turning into nothing but content farms.

        Everybody knows you never go full retard.

  • Bringing the census to rough neighborhoods just got a little safer.

  • been done before, using recycle body armour plates. Can't be exported to other geek filled countries, IIRC.

  • Its been done before... http://www.thinkgeek.com/interests/dads/e769/ [thinkgeek.com]

  • This is the second article I've seen recently about a product that has been on Thinkgeek.com for a while. First the caffeinated jerky and now this. The one on Thinkgeek seems to be different but the concept is the same, holds papers and stops bullets. It seems the Thinkgeek one doesn't stop .357 and .44 mag though.

  • 1) Law enforcement sees product, laughs at the idea.
    2) Manufacturer lobbies Congress to pass bill with massive federal grant for their new toy
    3) Law enforcement brass around the country buy these with federal funds
    4) Law enforcement rank-and-file take them home and give them to their kids
    5) Repeat

  • Unless Zothecula=Ben Coxworth (which one never knows nowadays) this looks very much like a copyright violation. It is a 1:1 copy of the first paragraph of the referenced article from Ben. And Ben at least took some effort to reformulate when he took it from http://www.ohgizmo.com/2011/11/08/this-clipboard-could-save-your-life/ [ohgizmo.com].

    But then, does crowdvertisement care about copyright?

    • It can be argued as fair use. Considering it's a news article, that only an excerpt was copied and that there's a link to the original work, and that damages to the original author seem hard to justify, it's not clear whether it's a copyright violation or not.

  • Proof Again (Score:4, Interesting)

    by TheCarp ( 96830 ) <sjc.carpanet@net> on Wednesday November 09, 2011 @03:23PM (#38002872) Homepage

    Once more proof that there is a real solution to every imaginary problem.

    As we have watched violent crime rates plummet, it makes perfect sense to be thinking about how to protect the ever increasing number of police on the streets, from all of the violent crime that would have endangered them 25 years ago when violent crime was a really serious issue, and the crack wars had bullets flying in the cities.

    Yes, yet another brilliant solution to a totally nonexistent problem. Now that we have a police force that primarily goes around directing traffic on details, pulling people over for the most minor infractions of the letter of the driving rules, and spending copious amounts of time sitting by the side of the road gabbing on their cell phones, or texting (the most common activities that I see cops working diligently at), its clear that we need such devices to protect them from the nearly infinite numbers of bullets which are not flying towards them.

  • I've worked in offices... (Score:4, Funny)

    by John Bresnahan ( 638668 ) on Wednesday November 09, 2011 @03:23PM (#38002878)
    ...where this would have come in handy. Some of my coworkers are, um, grumpy.

  • So.... (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Kjella ( 173770 ) on Wednesday November 09, 2011 @03:33PM (#38003006) Homepage

    If someone takes a shot at you, how likely is it that you'll be able to hold on to that clipboard in a position where it actually protects something? Better than just dropping the clipboard and running/diving for the nearest cover, exit or whatnot. The only way I can see you manage to keep this in a reasonable position is if you're standing still, in which case you'll look like Adam with the fig leaf because it's hardly a riot shield. What's next, a bullet proof donut box?

    • The idea is probably more that the cop is writing up something on the clipboard when the suspect or some other assailant pulls a gun and shoots at center mass. Since the cop is using the clip board actively it's probably already in center mass territory, intercepting the first bullet or two before the cop can respond. Since aim quickly deteriorates when firing repeatedly the first shot or two are probably the most likely to incapacitate the cop, so just improving the chance of preventing those from hittin
    • If you're wearing a bullet-proof vest, the clipboard can presumably protect your head, which the vest doesn't. This way all basic vital organs will have some protection. (Well, you still have to choose between your head and "down there", depending on which you think is more important...)

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by 517714 ( 762276 )
      Maybe you can get it for ANSI E (ISO A0) paper?
    • Police officers are already trained to cover their hearts with a hand in the event of a shooting. A clipboard may already be in-hand, it offers a larger surface-area, and if it catches bullets, the officer stands a better chance of surviving.

  • not even Cat like reflex's will help you since most handgun murders are within 5 meters. So with a 9mm traveling at 335mps you have about 2msec to get the clipboard into the bullet path and here is a hint, no ones limbs can move that fast. This wont help you against a pro since they will simply pop you in the melon from behind and you will never even know it happened. But hey if it makes you sleep better at night.

    • So with a 9mm traveling at 335mps you have about 2msec to get the clipboard into the bullet path and here is a hint, no ones limbs can move that fast.

      What about Neo? I sure wish they would have made more than one Matrix movie...

    • not even Cat like reflex's will help you since most handgun murders are within 5 meters. So with a 9mm traveling at 335mps you have about 2msec to get the clipboard into the bullet path and here is a hint, no ones limbs can move that fast. This wont help you against a pro since they will simply pop you in the melon from behind and you will never even know it happened. But hey if it makes you sleep better at night.

      True, but you figure when you're reading from a clipboard you're holding it around your center mass... which is where (A) most people aim for and (B) statistically the place you'd get shot since that's where so much of your mass is anyway.

      So if you're a cop on a call standing outside his/her squad-car reading a warrant, and some wacko decides to take a pot-shot at you from his house, there's at least a *chance* it will be in the way already..

      I'm not saying a great chance, and if you're serving a warrant you

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Surt ( 22457 )

      I'm pretty sure they're relying on chance, and having the clipboard already covering the area an amateur is likely to shoot at.

    • I think it's more aimed at something that's naturally between you and the shooter. No ballistic armor is going to keep them safe from a trained shooter with the correct weapon for the job in the correct location. They only rate it up to shotguns no rifles or big hand guns. That desert eagle that gang bangers are so fond of is going through. As to the 2ms that's from when it's leaving the barrel it takes a good deal of time to aim and fire suspect the intention is to get this between you and the weapon i

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by bws111 ( 1216812 )

      Which of these scenarios seems more likely to you: cop holding a clipboard gets shot in the back of the head by a pro, or cop holding a clipboard gets shot by a dirtbag in a vehicle during a routine traffic stop? In the likely case, the copy doesn't have to move the clipboard at all, it will already be between his chest and the shooter, greatly cutting down the available target area. And since the guy in the car is going to be moving very quickly, he is not going to be able to take the time to consider

    • I'm more worried about him capitalizing the C in "Cat like".

    • not even Cat like reflex's will help you since most handgun murders are within 5 meters. So with a 9mm traveling at 335mps you have about 2msec to get the clipboard into the bullet path and here is a hint, no ones limbs can move that fast.

      You're ignoring the perp's reflexes. You don't go from 0 to trigger pulled in an instant. In the time it takes the bad guy to get his gun aimed in your direction and pull the trigger you could very well have interposed the clipboard between you and the business end of the barrel. His reflexes are no better (or worse) than yours.

      Plan A is still "get the hell out of the way" but some protection is better than near certain death.

  • I'll get blasted for this but I hate when people suggest solutions for problems which are procedural.

    " I don't like wearing my vest because it's not comfortable"
      Knee Jerk Solution: let's make a bullet proof clipboard.
    Proper Solution: Get used to it, wear it for those who love you, until we come up with a better one.

    I here this same argument with motorcycle protective gear,
    "My jacket gets too hot"
    Knee Jerk: Lets design elbow and knee pads for motorcyclists.

    • I agree with you. Each time I think about riding without my full leather pants, I ask myself, "Is today the day I want to get road rash?"

      Yes, it's hot during the summer. Yes, it means an extra few minutes removing pants, boots, etc. when I arrive at my destination. On the other hand, I get the feeling that should I ever spill, the extra time will have been well spent.

      I understand that putting on an uncomfortable, heavy, and hot vest day after day is probably terribly inconvenient. On the other hand, so is g

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Pope ( 17780 )

        At least there's the option of perforated leather to get some air flow, or vented textiles w/armour if you'd rather go that route. Luckily there's tons of different gear for us two wheelers.

  • The first shot would likely break both your wrists. Good luck holding onto it for the other 8 rounds in the clip.

    • Don't worry. The gunman's wrists will also be broken by the first shot of the hand cannon, so you don't need to worry about the other 8 rounds.

    • And, if you are holding your clipboard at an approximate 45 degree angle while writing a ticket when someone suddenly pulls a gun on you and shoots, it will probably deflect the bullet down in a perfect angle to blow off your privates. Either way, a really bad day.

  • They had these 25 years ago.

  • If they get into the habit of bringing the clipboard up to the car they just pulled over, a natural reflex when confronted with a gun would likely be to shield themselves with whatever's in their hand -- the clipboard. So why not make it bulletproof?

    I can see this saving a few lives. Why not, unless there are other avenues where the money could save even more lives?

    On the other hand, did they test this against a standard backstop, or in a usage situation? If an officer is holding it at writing length and it

  • Some leaked memos (Score:3)

    by Provocateur ( 133110 ) <shedied@@@gmail...com> on Wednesday November 09, 2011 @04:27PM (#38003784) Homepage

    Possible next-gen products depending on the success of the clipboard in the market:

    1. Stickers for the clipboard: the word SHOOT on a green background, DON'T SHOOT on red, or the alternative white diagonal slash on top of the word SHOOT, each to be stuck on the appropriate clipboards, of course.

    2. Bullet shaped pens

    3. Angry bulletproof clipboards

  • Bulletproof clipboards have been around since the 70s.
    Most law enforcement agencies gave up on them as being of limited value.

  • I'm pretty sure the Engineer units from Civilization II carried these. Can't think of any other way they could repel mechanized infantry units so effectively...

    =Smidge=

    • Hey, if spearmen can defeat modern armored fighting vehicles, surely an engineer can plant a few explosives and take out the mech infantry.

  • The first shot from a 44 magnum knocks it out of your hand, then whatcha gunna do, Punk?

  • Is it really worth it? (Score:3)

    by hawguy ( 1600213 ) on Wednesday November 09, 2011 @05:02PM (#38004424)

    Is this really worth it? It covers about 25% of the front torso (and 0% of the back) assuming it's held perfectly vertical and not tipped over horizontally for reading. So there's still a 75% chance of getting shot in the torso (or a 89% chance if you include the possibility of being shot in the back).

    In comparison, a bullet proof vest gives nearly 100% coverage of the torso and back.

    If a cop is worried enough about being shot that he wants to carry this shield, why doesn't he just wear a vest and get much better protection (yes, I know a vest is heavy and uncomfortable, but getting shot is uncomfortable too)? Or carry a much bigger shield [scifiscoop.com] (with a notepad mount on the back) to give better protection?

    Sounds like it's just a way to get police departments to spend $150 on a clipboard instead of $4. I'm all for spending money to enhance safety, but this sounds like it's just going to provide a false sense of security and perhaps make it less likely that a cop will wear his vest since he has this clipboad.

  • Census (Score:2)

    by drwho ( 4190 )

    Appropriate for census workers. They have tons of paperwork, and often have to deal with unpleasant, suspicious, insane people.

  • Although police officers in most countries are issued bulletproof vests, they don't necessarily wear them at all times — would you want to heave one of those things around for an entire shift?

    Unless you are retarded, yes you wear a bulletproof vest anytime it's mandated. There's a reason for it, and no you won't have a warning to put it on before it's ~*~REALLY~*~ needed. Anyone who isn't wearing it while required is putting themselves at risk and also the people who will put themselves in harms way to save them when they get hit.

    I say this as a former Marine, and I can't think of a single time that I saw my squad members or even platoon members not wearing protective gear when required. If I

  • Mayor West: I should warn you, I have a tiny bullet proof shield the exact size of a bullet somewhere on my body, and if you hit it, I'll be unharmed, and your plan will be foiled. You'll be the laughing stock of me! ...

    I just had to rewatch the episode (4ACX28, Season 4 Episode 25) to find that quote!

  • This kind of thing has been around a long time in the diplomatic community. I'm familiar with one company in California that provides these in various styles to governments world-wide. The briefcases carried by most high profile State Dept. employees are armored and they are taught to cover their torso with them if a shooting incident unfolds. Clipboards are a great idea. Maybe we should give them also to teachers, convenience store clerks, etc. I'll wage that some OWS protestors in Oakland and elsewhere
  • Put the armor on the back of an iPad. Also works as an area light if turned around.

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