The present invention relates to battering rams, such as are used by SWAT teams and drug raid teams to break down doors.
Battering rams are often used by SWAT teams to break down doors when forced entry is necessary, such as during a drug raid. However, different doors and different situations require different battering rams. For example, sometimes a battering ram with a larger surface impact area and increased weight is desired, while other times a smaller surface impact area is desired in order to generate a more focused “punch” on the door's deadbolt and locks. Still further, sometimes a pointed wedge-shaped tool is desired for creating piercing/prying forces. A problem is that SWAT teams cannot carry (nor purchase and inventory) multiple battering rams, since they are relatively heavy pieces of equipment, they take up space, and they are not inexpensive tools due to their mass and size.
In one aspect of the present invention, a battering ram includes an elongated tubular body with at least one open end and a pair of laterally-extending handles that can be grasped for swinging the body against a door. The battering ram further includes a replaceable impact head with an elongated male section fit into the open end of the body, a flange abutting the end when the male section is in the body, and an operative end configured to generate a desired impact against the door. A retainer releasably secures the head to the body, but with the flange transferring energy from the impact against the door and not transferring substantial energy to the retainer.
In a narrower aspect, the operative end of the impact head defines an impacting surface at least as large as a transverse cross section of the body.
In a narrower aspect, the operative end of the impact head defines an impacting surface smaller than a transverse cross section of the body.
In a narrower aspect, the operative end of the impact head defines an impacting tip that forms a narrow wedge.
In a narrower aspect, the impact head has a first weight, and includes a second head having a second weight and shape different than the first-mentioned impact head.
In a narrower aspect, the retainer includes a threaded screw that threads through the body and has a tip engaging a mating recess in the head.
In another aspect of the present invention, a battering ram system includes an elongated tubular body with at least one open end and a pair of laterally-extending handles that can be grasped for swinging the body against a door. A plurality of interchangeable impact heads are provided, each having an elongated male section fit into the open end of the body, a flange abutting the end when the male section is in the body, and an operative end configured to generate a desired impact against the door. A retainer retaining the head to the body, but with the flange transferring energy from the impact against the door and not transferring substantial energy to the retainer. The plurality of impact heads are particularly shaped for specific different tasks, and include a first impact head where the operative end of the impact head defines an impacting surface at least as large as a transverse cross section of the body, a second impact head where the operative end of the impact head defines an impacting surface smaller than a transverse cross section of the body, and a third impact head where the operative end of the impact head defines an impacting tip that forms a narrow wedge.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of constructing a battering ram system comprises steps of providing an elongated tubular body with an open end and a pair of laterally-extending handles that can be grasped for swinging the body against a door, and providing a plurality of interchangeable impact heads each having an elongated male section adapted to fit into the open end of the body, a flange abutting the end when the male section is in the body, and an operative end configured to generate a desired impact against the door. The method further includes selecting one of the impact heads for a particular task, and retaining the selected one head to the body using a retainer on the body, but with the flange being constructed to transfer energy from the impact against the door and not transferring substantial energy to the retainer; whereby the plurality of impact heads can be selectively replaced for specific needs.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
A battering ram 20 (
The illustrated components of ram 20 are made of metal and make up a total weight of between about 35 to 65 pounds, depending on which head is attached and depending on a weight preference of the purchaser/user. In one form, the body 21 is cut from square tubular stock, such as 2″ square metal stock frame with internal cavity of 1½″×1½″ size. L-shaped handles 22/23 (or looped handles) are welded onto sides of the body 21 at locations spaced from the ends of the body 21 and at a spacing convenient for gripping and swinging the battering ram 20. The head 25 (and head 26) includes a male section 30 with square cross section of about 1½″×1½″ that is configured to fit matably into the internal cavity of the body 21, with the flange 31 abutting one of the ends of the body 21. A weld nut 37 (
In one form, a weighted member 28 (
In member 28, the inner solid bar shaft 41 has a round cross section and is welded into the outer tube 40 at a desired longitudinal location on outer tube 40. If desired, a flange 31 (see
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61/142,460, filed Jan. 5, 2009, entitled BATTERING RAM WITH REPLACEABLE HEADS, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61142460 | Jan 2009 | US |