Patent Application
20220301455
The present invention is an apparatus for emergency personnel/first responders, such as firefighters, to train and develop the skill sets required for entry of locked points of entry and egress.
For First Responders, firefighters for example, many circumstances arise in which entry must be made into a locked space. The space could be commercial or residential, occupied or vacant, high rise or single story or below grade. It could have wood doors, metal doors, or glass doors. It could be a front door, back door, side door, bulkhead door, garage door, roll up door, bedroom or closet door, a window, an elevator. These points of entry/egress often have some form of security hardware that range from basic locks and latches to high security electronic, magnetic, and even digital locking assemblies. There is a great range of emergencies in which first responders are called upon to gain entry into these spaces, including, for example, structure fires, trapped people or animals, water leaks, gas leaks, electrical conditions, lift assists, apartment lockouts with food on the stove, child or immobile person locked inside, smoke alarm activations, and so forth. Some emergencies threaten immediate life safety. In these emergencies, preserving life is of higher priority than preserving property, and any locking devices and barriers must be defeated and are damaged. In other emergencies, however, life or health of occupants is not in immediate danger, and competency in bypassing locking devices with minimal property damage is very important to the first responder. As such, in depth training of first responders to enter locked space with speed and efficiency, while minimizing property damage, is very useful. The present invention addresses these and other needs in the art.
In certain embodiments an apparatus is provided comprising a working section door prop, wherein the working section door prop comprises a door frame and a bracket rotatably attached to the door frame; a door panel, wherein the door panel is adapted to be mountably received by the bracket such that the door panel is secured by the bracket; and a lock assembly comprising a lock assembly secured in the door panel, wherein the door frame is adapted to accept a plurality of types of lock assembly at one or more discreet locations.
Frequently a rotation of the rotatably attached bracket is at least 30 degrees, at least 40 degrees, at least 50 degrees, at least 60 degrees, at least 70 degrees, at least 80 degrees, at least 90 degrees, at least 100 degrees, at least 110 degrees, at least 120 degrees, at least 130 degrees, at least 140 degrees, at least 150 degrees, at least 160 degrees, at least 170 degrees, or at least 180 degrees.
In certain embodiments the door panel is secured in a track formed by the bracket. The bracket forms a track is frequently adapted to removably receive the door panel.
In certain embodiments the door panel is attached to the bracket by an attachment mechanism.
Often the bracket is C-shaped such that when a square door panel is secured in the bracket, the door frame is contacting, connected with, or secured by at least a portion of three sides of the square door panel.
Also often the adaptation of the door frame to accept the plurality of types of lock assemblies comprises permitting reversibly securable closure and interface of the door panel with the door frame. The door panel is frequently secured by the bracket without additional hardware.
In frequent embodiments the working section door prop is mounted on a post or other mounting hardware. Often one or more additional working section door props are mounted on the post or other mounting hardware. Often, one or more working section is adapted to be removably attached to the mounting post. Often, two or more working sections are adapted to be removably attached to the mounting post. Often, three or more working sections are adapted to be removably attached to the mounting post. Also often, the post is adapted to be removably attached to one or more working sections, or two or more working sections.
A training system is also frequently provided, comprising the apparatus, one more additional door panel, and one or more additional lock assembly. Often the training system includes two more additional door panels and/or two or more additional lock assemblies.
These and other embodiments, features, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art when taken with reference to the following more detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The skilled person in the art will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustration purposes only.
For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of various embodiments is divided into certain subsections that follow.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of the ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, applications, published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this section prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.
As used herein, “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”
As used herein, the term “and/or” may mean “and,” it may mean “or,” it may mean “exclusive-or,” it may mean “one,” it may mean “some, but not all,” it may mean “neither,” and/or it may mean “both.”
As used herein, the term “C-shaped” or “C System” are intended to refer to a bracket concept rather than requiring a specific bracket shape. As such C-shaped and C System encompass brackets that are in the shape of the letter “C” in any form, whether straight edges are included or if portions of the, or the entire, shape of the bracket is curved. Other shaped brackets are contemplated and the depicted and described embodiments are merely for purposes of describing and illustrating the concept. In this regard the C System embodiments described herein encompass L-shaped, V-shaped, W-shaped, and/or I-shaped brackets, among a variety other shapes contemplated without limitation. Moreover, a collection of two or more brackets operating in tandem with a door panel may be combined in a single embodiment of the C System of the present disclosure.
As used herein “working section” refers to an apparatus of the present disclosure including a bracket, frame, panel, and hardware.
As used herein, “lock assembly” refers to any door hardware used to open/close and/or lock/secure residential and/or commercial doors. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the scope of the term “assembly” in this regard such that its meaning is not appropriately limited to embodiments specifically depicted and described herein.
In an emergency with no immediate life danger, first responders often resort to forcible entry techniques that cause significant property damage, if they are not equipped with sufficient training. The firefighter, for example, will use the irons (e.g., flat head axe paired with halligan bar) to form a gap between the door locking assembly and door frame, drive the halligan bar through the gap by striking it with the flat head axe. Then, using the doorframe for leverage, force the door open by pushing or pulling the halligan bar. This sequence is an example of forcible entry techniques that causes significant damage to the door, doorframe, as well as the locking assembly. The result is a significant burden for the property owner to replace or repair the damage and restore security.
Sufficient training can reduce or prevent this property damage. Using the apparatus described herein, first responders can learn to defeat entry point locks and, gain entry/egress, with any damage being isolated to the lock assembly itself. This significantly decreases the financial burden on the property owners and does not inhibit the speed with which first responders perform their duties. In some cases, defeating the lock can be done in such a way that the lock assemblies maintain the appearance of being secure.
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include an optionally portable and reusable through-the-lock training prop adapted to simulate locked doors. All embodiments contemplate both inward and outward swinging doors with one or the other described for exemplary purposes only. The present apparatus also permits users to train through-the-lock skills on numerous types of doors and door frames (e.g., wood, metal, glass, composite, fiberglass, plastic, etc.) having any variety of types of lock assemblies, including residential and commercial. As such, the presently described systems feature versatile and adaptable, permitting a user to switch out different components such as doors, door frames and lock assemblies in a single system.
The presently provided apparatus and systems provide realistic presentation and in certain embodiments scale as well. For example, as depicted in
The door panel (105), with locking assembly hardware installed (113), is positioned in operable connection with the bracket (107). The bracket, in turn, is attached to the frame (104A, 104B). This attachment of the bracket with the frame is most frequently provided with a hinge (106) that permits the bracket to be rotated in one or more direction (e.g., to simulate the operation of a door). See, e.g.,
As depicted in
As depicted in
As depicted in
The door panel (105), as depicted in the embodiments of
In kits of the present systems, one or more door panels and/or one or more options for opening/closing and/or lock assembly hardware are included. Often, in presently contemplated kits two or more door panels and/or one or more options for opening/closing and/or lock assembly hardware are included. As described herein in connection with specific embodiments, the door panels of such kits are removably positionable in the one or more bracket of the working section of the kit. Further, the door panels (105) of the present disclosure may be comprised of any of a variety of types of materials and shapes and door construction, e.g., wood, metal, plastic, composite, or glass door panels.
In frequent embodiments the locking assembly hardware is installed in the door panel in a break-away manner. According to certain of such embodiments, the locking assembly hardware is installed in the door panel in a manner that permits the locking assembly hardware, including certain portions thereof, to break-away from the door panel under force without harming the door panel. Such embodiments typically utilize a metal door panel. In such embodiments the door panel is adapted to accept the locking assembly hardware in a manner that holds the hardware in the panel in a manner that withstands external forces equivalent to if the locking assembly had been installed in a wood (for example) door frame. Such external forces are such that when provided at a duration, nature and/or character that would cause the integrity of the securement of the locking assembly hardware to fail in a wood (for example) door frame. Such embodiments may be referred to herein as hybrid door panels. Such hybrid door panels permit the use of one material for the door frame and another material for holding the locking assembly hardware, thereby permitting preservation of the integrity of the door frame while accurately providing a lock hardware microenvironment that requires the same techniques, procedures and force to bypass as if the lock hardware was present in an entire door frame holding the locking assembly hardware. Such hybrid door panels are often used with the C-System described herein. According to these embodiments the locking assembly hardware (or portions thereof) are secured or otherwise provided in a mounting assembly, which mounting assembly is secured or otherwise provided in a door panel. This door panel is often mounted in the C-System described herein. The mounting assembly is provided using a mechanism and/or materials that provide a realistic representation of a predetermined door frame material as it relates to the actions and forces imparted to the hardware and door frame in a bypass procedure. This is regardless of the material used for the door frame supporting the mounting assembly. Such mounting assemblies therefore act/react as if the entire door frame was composed of the material that the mounting assembly is provided to mimic during a bypass procedure. Therefore, in such embodiments the door frame is often composed of a much more durable material (e.g., metal) than the mounting assembly (e.g., wood) that holds the locking assembly hardware.
In embodiments provided on a post (102) such as in
Alternatively, embodiments of the presently contemplated systems may be provided on a post (102) as contemplated herein and described above, though without a base. In such embodiments the post (102) is often mounted to another structure (e.g., floor, wall, desk, bench, vehicle, etc.). One or more working sections, such as those depicted in any of
The present disclosure further contemplates training procedures to be used with the apparatus and systems of the present disclosure. For example, with the door panel of an exemplary apparatus closed and the lock assemblies in the locked position, the user conducts a multi-step reasoning process, which guides the use of the apparatus and procedures available to bypass the lock assemblies. This reasoning process may include purpose related questions such as: Why am I here?; What is the emergency?; What is the type of door construction, door frame components, and locking components?; What tools do I have at my disposal? If through-the-lock entry is the appropriate action, the user proceeds to utilize available tools to defeat the lock assemblies and open the door successfully.
In embodiments with two or more working sections (103), two or more users can work with the systems simultaneously.
To work on different locking assemblies, the user opens the door panel (see, e.g.,
When the door panel is inserted or otherwise connected with the bracket, it is securely held by the bracket. While not intending to be bound by any specific theory of operation, the bracket and the door panel of each of the presently contemplated embodiments are configured to securely interface with one another such that the door panel is removably positionable in connection with the bracket. In certain embodiments the door panel is slid into the bracket and a friction fit is provided. In other embodiments the bracket and door panel are secured using friction fit, gravity, one or more latch, one or more clip, adhesive, tape, deformable closure, shaped interface, one or more magnetic connection, etc. A kit will often include two or more replaceable door panels adapted to be securely positioned in connection with the bracket.
The system door panels can accommodate any of a variety of residential and/or commercial lock assemblies, making it a versatile prop for developing through-the-lock skills. In certain embodiments, a single door panel includes two or more lock assemblies. In certain embodiments the door panel is reversible, with one or more locking assembly on one side and one or more locking assembly on the other side. Depending on how the door panel is placed in the bracket, the locking assembly on either side may be operable for the methods contemplated herein.
The present disclosure contemplates kits for use in preparing and using the apparatus and systems described herein. One exemplary kit includes, for example, a base, a post, one or more working section door props featuring the system door panel bracket, one or more replacement system door panels, one or more residential lock assemblies, and one or more commercial lock assemblies. Another exemplary kit includes, for example, a base, a post, one or more working section door props featuring the system door panel bracket, two or more replacement system door panels, and two or more residential and/or commercial lock assemblies. Another exemplary kit includes, for example, a base, a post, two or more working section door props featuring the system door panel bracket, two or more replacement system door panels, and three or more residential and/or commercial lock assemblies. Embodiments of replacement kits often include one or more replacement system door panels, one or more residential lock assemblies, and/or one or more commercial lock assemblies.
The above examples are included for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Many variations to those methods, systems, and devices described above are possible. Since modifications and variations to the examples described above will be apparent to those of skill in this art, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the presently disclosed methods, systems and devices based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the presently disclosed methods, systems and devices are not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/162,735, filed Mar. 18, 2021, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63162735 | Mar 2021 | US |
