Breaching Apparatus for Use with Explosive Charges

Abstract

A collapsible, foldable breach bag with a planar body and a flexible fillable bladder for breaching locked or barricaded doors or penetrating surfaces with explosive charges. The breach bag is generally cylindrical and includes an interior wall and an exterior wall, joined at their respective upper and lower edges so as to form a tube with space apart interior and exterior sides. A flexible fill spout with a flexible material connection to an upper portion of the exterior wall enables detonation of the bag without producing a dangerous projectile. Material attributes and dimensions enable the bag to capture and secure a length of det cord disposed through the interior passage when the bag is filled with fluid. Air pockets may be urged out from the interior volume using the fill spout, and the fill spout may then be clamped or tied off and secured to a structural surface.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for breaching structures, and more particularly to a flexible, fillable and/or inflatable bag for use with explosive charges for breaching locked or barricaded doors, walls, roofs and ceilings.

Background Discussion

The present invention is a technical but substantial improvement on U.S. Pat. No. 8,215,235, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. As noted in the background section of that patent, special weapons and tactic (SWAT) teams or other police and military personnel frequently use breaching apparatus to gain entry into locked and barricaded buildings, where criminals, terrorists, hostages, drug caches and the like are located. SWAT teams routinely breach doors quickly by using battering rams, shotguns, and/or explosive charges. These devices can be employed singly or in combination to break the lock or hinges, or even to demolish the door frame itself

The device disclosed and claimed in the '235 patent was itself a substantial improvement over breach bags in the prior art, but its perfection awaited the improvements disclosed herein. Notably, the present invention addresses a few practical and one salient shortcoming in all prior art devices: specifically, known prior art devices frequently (most often) leave air pockets in either the fluid bladder or in the space immediately surrounding a detonation cord insert, which compromises an even distribution of blast forces and require that det cord installed in an interior space between fill pockets be affixed with tape or otherwise secured with an element or material additional to the breach bag itself Further, prior art devices lack structure for rapid filling, rapid emptying, and use of a fill spout as a connecting element to affix the breach bag to a structure. Still further, prior art devices invariably include a fill valve, generally constructed of a harder plastic than the breach bag bladder material, thereby creating a potentially dangerous projectile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resolves the shortcomings in the prior art. The present invention is a fully collapsible, flexible cylindrical container having a singular continuous tubular bladder with spaced apart flexible interior and exterior membrane sides, the interior side defining and surrounding a hollow interior portion into which an explosive charge, such as detonation cord (“det cord”), may be disposed. The bladder and the material dimensions of the bladder—specifically, the thickness of the flexible membrane in cooperation with the elasticity of the material and the cross-sectional dimension of the cylindrical interior space—allow for stretching and expansion such that when filled with water and/or water and a composition to create a gel (such as Cab-O-Sil and polymer), the interior membrane side of the fillable bladder completely and tightly surrounds det cord to eliminate air spaces, pockets, and gaps so as to grasp a length of det cord inserted through the cylindrical interior, thereby obviating the need for tape to secure the det cord.

From the foregoing it will be readily appreciated that it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved breach bag for use with explosive charges in breaching doors, walls, and ceilings.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved flexible and entirely collapsible and rollable bag that is a four-layered effectively flat bag which may remain in a flat configuration or rolled when not filled with fluid.

A further object or feature of the present invention is to provide a new and improved breach bag that may be selectively filled in a singular bladder through an integral fill spout that attaches to the bladder wall without the use of rigid valve material.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved breach bag having alternative spout configurations for sealing the bag when filled.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a breach bag having a bladder and spout configuration that enables the user to effectively “burp” the bag to eliminate air pockets so as to increase the control over the shape of the blast wave when explosive charges are disposed within the bag and detonated.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a breach bag that when filled surrounds and captures a length of det cord in an interior space so as to eliminate the need for independent means for attaching the det cord.

Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing are for illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are disclosed herein and will be identified with particularity in claims forming part of a non-provisional patent application claiming the benefit of the priority date of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention as well as its various objects and advantages will be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a first preferred embodiment of the breach bag in its unfilled and collapsed configuration, with detonation cord inserted through the cylindrical through hole or longitudinal passage;

FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front view in elevation thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing the breach bag being filled through its integral fill spout;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front view in elevation thereof, as taken along section line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view in elevation thereof, as taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional top end view thereof, taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is an upper front right perspective view showing the breach bag filled and readied for the fill spout to be tied off with a zip tie;

FIG. 8B is the same view showing the fill spout tied off; and

FIG. 9 is the same view showing the breach bag deployed and readied for use, secured by tape to the surface of a door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated a new and improved selectively fillable bag for use with explosives in breaching building structures such as doors, walls, ceilings, roofs, and the like. An embodiment of the inventive apparatus is generally denominated 10 herein.

FIG. 1 shows the inventive breach bag 10 in its collapsed and folded configuration. The breach bag includes a bladder portion 12 which includes an exterior wall or side 14 joined with a lap weld 15 to a contiguous panel forming an interior wall or side 16. The walls each comprise flexible material panels affixed or butt welded at their respective upper and lower edges, 18, 20, and 22, 24. The panels may be fabricated from polyvinylchloride or other comparable flexible, thermoplastic material, such as polycarbonate, vinyl, or other material suitable for thermoforming and thermoplastic welding using sonic, heat, and RF welding techniques. As noted, the panels are joined and lap welded at their respective sides in a lap weld 15.

In this configuration, the breach bag body 12 is tubular in form with a hollow wall functioning as a fluid bladder, the interior wall defining an interior passage 40.

A smaller tubular structure, namely, a fill spout 26 having an open upper end 28 is sealingly attached at its lower end 30 to the exterior side 14 and includes an opening 32 coincident with an opening in an upper portion 34 of the exterior wall so as to put the open end of the fill spout into fluid communication with the bladder interior space.

As seen in FIGS. 3-9, a length of detonation cord 36 may be inserted into the interior passage 40 defined by the cylindrical interior wall 16. The cord inserts easily through the passage when the bag is empty, but when the bag is filled, as shown in FIGS. 4-6 using a hose or spigot 38, the cord is captured and retained in place as the fluid 42 urges the surface of interior wall into a face-to-face approximation, such that there is essentially no through passage remaining, save for the space occupied by the det cord itself.

As seen in FIG. 6, once the breach bag is filled with fluid 42, there may remain an air space 44 in the fill spout. This is easily eliminated or “burped” out simply by squeezing or rolling the spout at and above the highest fluid level and closing it with a clamp or cable tie 46 at the resulting highest fluid level 48.

In the filled configuration, with det cord inserted and secured, the breach bag may be placed against a structure to be breached, such as a door 50. If necessary or advantageous, tape 52 may be employed to position and hold the bag in place.

Variations in the preferred embodiments include providing a fill spout with a funicular top, a flange at the top, or a stove pipe top. Straps or tabs may be affixed to the upper portion of the bag to enable hanging the bag against a wall or door.

In fabrication, the following method steps may be employed:

First, a main body panel is cut from a frost clear PVC panel, twice the finish size in width plus room for the lap weld on the side and double the finish size in length with extra material for a butt weld near the bottom edge.

Second, the location of the fill spout inlet hole is marked on the upper portion of the panel where the exterior wall of the bladder will be located when the fill spout hole is welded to the upper side of the bladder; otherwise it is marked dead center in the length dimension of the panel and slightly off center in the width dimension (i.e., the width less a lap seam allowance) when the fill spout inlet hold is welded directly to the material where it is folded in half.

Third, when making a flat fill spout, an elongated strip of material is cut at double the length needed to form the flat spout to be welded to the side wall of the bladder. It is lined up where appropriate on the main body and welded around the circular opening. The center is punched out to create the opening into the fill spout, and the flat sleeve is then folded over, bottom to top and butt welded at both sides in a closure.

For a tubed fill spout, a hole is punched in the main body of the bladder before welding the tubed fill spout. The location of the fill hole will be substantially exactly positioned at the middle of the main body less a seam allowance for the lap weld. The fill spout is fabricated at a length and diameter appropriate to the bladder and welded slightly to the outside of the fill hole using a round die.

Fourth, if manufacturing with handling straps, the straps are bar tacked to reinforced material to form “patches”, which can then be welded to the main body of the bladder in predetermined locations.

Fifth, the PVC main body panel is folded lengthwise and welded down the side to form an elongated tubular body.

Sixth, the elongated tubular main body is folded outside in keeping the spout or any patches/straps to the outside of the bladder with the flat fill spout slightly below the fold at the top of the tubular fill spout.

Seventh, when the main body is folded inward, the top edge of the main body will line up with the bottom edge of the main body and both layers of material are butt welded closed using a round die. This forms an elongate double walled tubular bladder with a longitudinal passage opening through its center.

The foregoing disclosure is sufficient to enable those with skill in the relevant art to practice the invention without undue experimentation. The disclosure further provides the best mode of practicing the invention now contemplated by the inventor. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the basic breach bag design may take on a multitude of configurations depending upon the desired application.

While the particular breach bag apparatus and method herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages stated herein, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended concerning the detail of construction or design shown other than as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass obvious modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.

Claims

9

What is claimed as invention is:

1. A breach bag, comprising a collapsible, flexible cylindrical container having a singular continuous tubular bladder with spaced apart flexible interior and exterior membrane sides, said interior side defining and surrounding a hollow interior portion into which an explosive charge, such as detonation cord may be disposed.

2. The breach bag of claim 1, wherein said bladder is configured to be filled with water and/or a water-based composition and when so filled said interior membrane side of said bladder forms an interior space sized to grasp and hold a length of det cord.

3. The breach bag of claim 2, wherein said bladder is fabricated from flexible thermoplastic material.

4. The breach bag of claim 1, wherein said breach bag is collapsible into a flat configuration including four layers of flexible material.

5. The breach bag of claim 1, further including an integral fill spout that attaches to a side of said bladder.

6. The breach bag of claim 5, wherein the attachment of said integral fill spout with said side of said bladder does not include rigid valve material.

7. The breach bag of claim 1, wherein said bladder has an exterior membrane side joined with a lap weld to a contiguous panel forming an interior membrane side.

8. The breach bag of claim 7, wherein said interior and exterior membrane sides each comprise flexible material panels affixed or butt welded at their respective upper and lower edges.

9. The breach bag of claim 8, wherein said panels are fabricated from thermoplastic material suitable for thermoforming and thermoplastic welding.

10. The breach bag of claim 1, further including a funicular fill spout integral with said exterior membrane side.

11. A breach bag, comprising a cylindrical and tubular bladder formed from spaced apart flexible interior and exterior membrane sides having a flat configuration in an unfilled configuration and when filled with fluid, a filled configuration wherein said interior membrane side defines a cylindrical interior wall with portions of the surface of said interior membrane side urged against one another such that a length of detonation cord may be disposed and secured in place.

12. The breach bag of claim 11, further including a fill spout configured for filling from a hose or spigot.

13. The breach bag of claim 11, wherein said membrane sides are made from thermoplastic material

14. The breach bag of claim 13, wherein said membrane sides are clear PVC.

15. A method of making a breach bag, comprising: (a) cutting a main body panel from a thermoplastic, sized approximately twice the finish size in width with room for a weld on a side of the panel and approximately double the finish size in length with extra material for a weld near a bottom edge;(b) locating and marking a fill spout inlet hole the upper portion of the main body panel;(c) making a fill spout from an elongated strip of material cut at double the length needed to form the flat spout to be welded to the side wall of the bladder;(d) making a hole in the main body of the bladder for the fill spout;(e) welding the fill spout to the main body;(f) folding the main body panel lengthwise and welding the side to form an elongated tubular body;(g) folding the elongated tubular main body outside while keeping the fill spout to the outside of the bladder with the fill spout slightly below a fold at the top of the tubular fill spout;(h) lining up the top edge of the main body will with the bottom edge of the main body; and(i) welding both layers of material closed to form an elongate double-walled tubular bladder with a longitudinal passage opening through a center.

16. The method of claim 15, further including tacking handling straps to reinforced material to form patches and welding the patches to the main body panel in predetermined locations.