This invention concerns tools for forced entry of a building, primarily for forcing open doors and windows, the tools typically being used by law enforcement and military tactical teams, search and rescue teams and fire fighters.
Breaching tools are known, including those produced by Sweden Entry Tools of Malmo, Sweden. The tools are usually at least several feet long and are heavy enough to act as levers to pry open a door or other entry using a short head or prying end which is generally at right angles to the length of the tool. Sometimes the tools have been formed into a chisel shape at the other end, and opposite the tool head, with some curvature to the chisel, also for prying purposes.
The current invention improves on the prior tools by providing features which make the entry tools more efficient, versatile and quickly used in breaching a door. These improvements include an improved tail end on the tool, where the chisel is combined with a nail puller, as well as other improvements. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, considered along with the accompanying drawings.
The breaching tool 10 of
The breaching tool 10 is designed so that the tool can open both inward and outward swinging doors. The tool is particularly advantageous with metal and security doors.
The tool head 12 is made from a high strength steel and is of a special design. For outward swinging doors (wood, security and metal doors), the head has a specific curving wedge shape, so that when the tool is pressed between a door and frame, the door and frame are pressed apart so that the lock cylinders are accessible. For this reason the breaking force to open the door is reduced, as the tool itself separates the door and its frame regardless of the lock system. The tool head can be driven into the space between the door and frame so that sharp edge of the wedge penetrates the space, along the edge of the door. The curve in the head 12 allows that as the tool is pressed inward between the door and the frame, the head follows the door's edge and works its way behind the door, rather than simply being engaging into the door's frame.
Further, as seen in the drawings, the front and back sides 21 and 22 of the tool's head are knurled, preferably with parallel grooves as shown, to stabilize the tool as it is being inserted, so that the tool does not slip out while being struck to drive it between the door and the frame. Once the head is fully inserted, the tool 10 can be used to pry the door outwardly. As the breaching tool is used, the looping bar handle 18, which will be extending to one side during the breaching operation, can be used to hold the tool in a horizontal position as another person strikes the head to drive it inwardly. Also, the handle 18 strengthens the tool and offers protection from pinching or crushing injuries on the hand as the tool is used.
The width of the tool head 12 preferably is about 2.4 inches, i.e. about 60 mm. The weight of the tool is preferably in the range of about eight to ten pounds, and may be about nine pounds.
Another preferred feature is that the tool shaft 16 and the loop handle 18 preferably have knurled surfaces, as indicated, for better gripping. The knurling is present preferably at least in the forward region of the shaft 16 and on the loop handle 18.
In a preferred embodiment the tool head 12 is formed separately from the shaft 16 and is welded securely to the forward end of the shaft, in the position shown. Preferably the L-shaped head 12 is welded to the main portion of the tool at several locations for maximum strength: at the forward end of the shaft or main handle 16, as well as where a striking plate 24 of the head meets the shaft 16 and at the rear of the plate 24, which preferably is curved as shown at 25 to accommodate welding of the plate 24 to the loop handle 18 and/or to the shaft 16.
The tail end 14 of the tool is formed as a chisel as discussed above. The chisel end preferably is curved as shown, and an important feature about the tip of the chisel is fashioned into a claw 26. The curve in the chisel end 14 is useful especially in prying open inwardly swinging doors. The claw end 26 does not inhibit use of the chisel end but additionally allows the tool to be used to pull nails, screws or other fasteners as needed.
The tool head 12 is an important feature of the breaching tool 10. Its striking plate 24 at the top side is strongly dimensioned and preferably of high strength steel. This striking plate presents a surface which is easy to hit when striking the tool with a sledge hammer or similar tool, to drive the wedge end of the head between the door or window and a frame. The thickness of the head, above the wedge end, is kept at minimum, using high strength steel, to allow the head to penetrate more easily between the door and frame. Preferably the head thickness above the wedge end or tip 28 tapers up to a maximum of about 20 mm (⅞ inch), or no more than about 24 mm.
Once the tool head has been engaged between the door and the frame of an inwardly-swinging door, as shown in
The lighter-duty breaching tool 30 is light and small enough to be conveniently carried in a patrol car, and is useful for virtually all kinds of doors including both ingoing and outgoing wood and steel doors. With the tool 30 one cannot breach a door as quickly and forcefully as with the heavy duty tool 10, but this tool does have advantages in its weight and size; it is easier and lighter to bring along to the place where needed. It also has the features of a curving wedge on the head and preferably includes grooved or knurled surfaces at front and back of the wedge, as in the larger tool, and a claw at the tail end of the tool. Note also, the lighter tool 30 can be used along with the heavier tool 10. The heavy tool can be used to open a gap between the door and the frame large enough for the tail end of the lighter tool to be inserted in and around the frame to assist with the breaching of ingoing doors. The two tools can comprise a breaching tool kit.
The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to these preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
This application claims benefit from provisional patent application No. 61/402,741, filed Sep. 3, 2010.
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Number | Date | Country |
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000840681-000 1 | Dec 2007 | EM |
000840681-000 2 | Dec 2007 | EM |
000840681-000 3 | Dec 2007 | EM |
000840681-000 4 | Dec 2007 | EM |
WO 2009089913 | Jul 2009 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61402741 | Sep 2010 | US |