Abstract:
A portable forced door entry training apparatus configurable to simulate a wide variety of locked or barricaded door entry conditions, and which can be utilized in conjunction with a wide variety of convention forced-entry tools for repeated forced entry training purposes. The training apparatus consists of a base plate, upon which is secured a rigid upright door frame structure having a pair of vertical side jambs, coupled at the top by a header. A conventional door is secured within the rigid frame structure by two or more hinge brackets affixed to a side jamb member of the rigid frame structure. One or more holding brackets are affixed to the rigid frame structure on the opposite side jamb member. Each holding bracket is affixed to the rigid frame structure with a replaceable frangible connection, and is positioned to resist opening of the door about the pivot axis of the hinge brackets.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates to training apparatus and simulators used by law enforcement, emergency medical response, or firefighting personnel, and in particular, to a portable forced door entry training apparatus which is configurable to simulate a variety of forced door entry conditions which may be encountered by such personnel.  
         [0004]     In many emergency or law enforcement situations, it is necessary for responding personnel, such as firefighters or EMS crews, to gain access to the interior spaces of a building or structure in a rapid and efficient manner. For example, a firefighter might need to access the interior spaces of a burning structure to first ensure that no individuals are trapped inside, and secondarily, to facilitate extinguishing the fire. Similarly, law enforcement personnel may need to access the interior spaces of a structure during the execution of a search warrant or during the pursuit of a felon. Often, responding personnel are blocked from accessing some of all interior spaces of structures by locked doors.  
         [0005]     A wide variety of techniques and tools are commonly utilized for “force” or open locked doors during structure entry. The specific techniques and tools utilized are dependant upon a number of conditions, including the type of door which is being forced, i.e., a steel-reinforced entry door or a fiberboard interior door, and upon the type of hardware supporting and securing the door. Tools which are commonly utilized to force entry through locked doors include rams, crowbars, and specialized “Haligan” tools. Each type of tool utilized is most efficient if used correctly against the locked door or associated door hardware.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a forced door entry training apparatus which may be configured to simulate a wide variety of locked or barricaded door conditions, and which can be utilized in conjunction with a wide variety of convention forced-entry tools for repeated training purposes.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Briefly stated, the present invention provides a portable forced door entry training apparatus which may be configured to simulate a wide variety of locked or barricaded door conditions, and which can be utilized in conjunction with a wide variety of convention forced-entry tools for repeated training purposes. The training apparatus consists of a base plate, upon which is secured a rigid upright door frame structure having a pair of vertical side jambs, coupled at the top by a header. A conventional door is secured within the rigid frame structure by two or more hinge brackets affixed to a side jamb member of the rigid frame structure. One or more holding brackets are affixed to the rigid frame structure on the opposite side jamb member. Each holding bracket is affixed to the rigid frame structure with a frangible connection, and is positioned to resist opening of the door about the pivot axis of the hinge brackets.  
         [0008]     A method of the present invention for simulating a forced door entry in an assembled portable door frame structure includes the steps of securing a door to a pair of hinge brackets using frangible connectors. The door is positioned in the closed configuration within the portable door frame structure, and at least one holding bracket is secured to the portable door frame structure on an opposite member from the hinge brackets. Each holding bracket is secured to the portable door frame structure with frangible connectors, and overlaps a portion of the door face. Additional frangible connectors secure the door face to the holding bracket. To simulate the forced door entry, the door is approached from the side opposite the hinge brackets and holding brackets. An entry tool is inserted between the door and the door frame structure, approximately level with either one of the holding brackets or hinges, and a leverage force applied thereto to sever one or more of the frangible connectors, freeing the door to open. Upon replacement of the frangible connectors, and door if required, the process may be repeated indefinitely.  
         [0009]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention as well as presently preferred embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the forced door entry training apparatus of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the forced door entry training apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the forced door entry training apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the forced door entry training apparatus of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of a hinge bracket of the present invention secured to a door;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of a holding bracket of the present invention preventing opening of a door; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of alternate connectors utilized with the present invention to secure a door. 
     
    
       [0018]     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]     The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention.  
         [0020]     Turning to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4 , a preferred embodiment of the forcible door entry training simulator of the present invention is shown generally at  100 . The training simulator  100  comprises a base plate  102 , and a door frame  104  secured to the base plate  102 . The base plate  102  is preferably constructed from a heavy gauge steel or metal, and has sufficient weight and dimensions to prevent tipping of the door frame  104  when forces are exerted against it during a forcible door entry training simulation, yet remains portable without mechanical assistance. Optionally, handles  106  may be secured about the edges of the base plate  102  to facilitate lifting and transportation.  
         [0021]     The door frame  104  consists of three components, a left vertical jamb  108 , a right vertical jamb,  110 , and a header  112 . Each vertical jamb  108 ,  110  is removably secured to the base plate  102  in an upright configuration and spaced apart to receive a conventional door  114  there between. Preferably, an angle bracket  116  is bolted to the base plate  102  and to each of the vertical jambs  108 ,  110  to provide attachment and support. The header  112  is secured between the top edges of the vertical jambs  108 ,  110 , defining a standard height door opening. The header  112  may either be permanently secured to the top edges of the vertical jambs  108 ,  110 , such as by welding or other suitable attachment means, or may be removably secured with a pair of angle brackets  118  and removable bolts, thereby facilitating disassembly and transport of the forcible door entry training simulator  100 .  
         [0022]     Preferably, each of the vertical jambs  108 ,  110 , and the header  112  is a unitary segment of channel steel, of sufficient gauge to withstand repeated stresses from forces exerted against it during a forcible door entry training simulation. Each of the angle brackets  116 ,  118  is similarly constructed from a suitable gauge metal. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any of a variety of materials may be utilized in the construction of the door frame  104 , provided that sufficient strength is maintained to withstand repeated stresses from forces exerted against the door frame  104  during a forcible door entry training simulation, and provided that the weight of the individual components  108 ,  110 , and  112  is sufficient to prevent transportation or to unbalance the forcible door entry training simulator  100  when assembled.  
         [0023]     To secure the conventional door  114  to the door frame  104 , at least one hinge bracket  120  is secured to one of the vertical jambs  108 ,  110  by removable bolts  121 . Preferably, a pair of hinge brackets  120  are utilized, displaced vertically from each other and positioned approximately at conventional door hinge heights on the associated vertical jamb, however, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the door hinge bracket may be in the form of a single elongated piano-type hinge, or that more than two hinge brackets may be utilized. To facilitate placement of the hinge brackets  120  in alternate locations, additional receiving locations  123  are provided for the bolts  121  in the frame members. The hinge brackets  120  are preferably formed from metal of sufficient gauge to withstand repeated stresses from forces exerted against them during a forcible door entry training simulation. The selection of the number and type of hinge brackets  120  utilized may be varied depending upon the type of forcible door entry simulation desired.  
         [0024]     Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 5 , each hinge bracket  120  consists of a jamb plate  122 , which is secured to the associated jamb, and a door plate  124 , which is removably secured to a face of the conventional door  114  by removable connectors  125 . Alternatively, the door plate  124  may be removably secured to an edge of the standard door  114  by the removable connectors  125 . The jamb plate  122  and hinge plate  124  for each hinge bracket  120  are coupled via a pivoting connection to form a conventional hinge coupling.  
         [0025]     On the opposite jamb from the hinge brackets  120 , one or more holding brackets  126  are removably secured to the respective jamb with one or more frangible connectors  128 . Preferably, as best seen in  FIG. 6 , at least two holding brackets are secured to the respective jamb in a vertically spaced relationship approximately corresponding to the vertical locations of a door knob and/or deadbolt lockset bores  127 . Each holding bracket  126  is preferably constructed from metal of sufficient gauge to withstand repeated stresses from forces exerted against them during a forcible door entry training simulation. Each holding bracket  126  extends past the inner edge of the respective jamb, blocking the conventional door  114  from opening about the hinge couplings provided by the hinge brackets  120  unless sufficient force is exerted to break the frangible connectors  128  or the door  114 . Preferably, the frangible connectors  128  have predetermined holding strength which permits each holding bracket  126  to resist opening of the door  114  with approximately the same force as a conventional door knob or deadbolt lock mechanism.  
         [0026]     Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the number and placement of the holding brackets  126  may be varied to simulate a variety of forcible door entry conditions, ranging from a single standard locked doorknob to a locked security door having multiple locking points. To facilitate placement at different locations about the door frame  104 , multiple sets of connector receiving locations  129  are provided in the frame members. Furthermore, the placement of the holding brackets  126  is not limited to the jamb opposite the hinge brackets  120 , and may include the header  112  or the same jamb on which the hinge brackets  120  are placed, simulating doors locked at the top edge, or having cross-face locking mechanisms.  
         [0027]     During use, it is intended that the base plate  102 , the door frame  104 , the hinge brackets  120 , and the holding brackets  126  be reused for each forcible door entry training simulation. However, it is intended that the frangible connectors  128  be replaced after each use, and that the conventional door  114  be a consumable product to be replaced as required due to damage suffered during a forcible door entry training simulation. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that since the conventional door  114  is not held in the door frame  104  with conventional hardware in the knob or lockset bores  127 , it may be reversed and/or inverted during attachment to the hinge brackets  120  as required to provide new attachment points for the hinge brackets  120  as required.  
         [0028]     Optionally, either the removable bolts  121  or removable connectors  125  utilized to secure the hinge brackets  120  to the respective jamb and door surface may be replaced with frangible connectors having a predetermined holding strength, permitting a simulation of the forces required to forcibly detach the conventional door  114  from a hinge or frame during a forcible entry.  
         [0029]     In a further option, shown in  FIG. 7 , each of the vertical jambs  108 ,  110 , and header  112  may include one or more openings  130  through an inner surface, aligned with one or more perimeter edges of the conventional door  114  when it is in a closed position within the door frame  104 . One or more removable bolts, screws, or frangible connectors  131  may optionally be passed through these openings  130  and engaged with the perimeter edges of the conventional door  114  to provide additional holding forces between the door frame  104  and conventional door  114  against which a forcible door entry may be simulated. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that if removable bolts or screws are utilized, the conventional door  114  will break during the forcible entry simulation. Alternatively, if frangible connectors are utilized, the conventional door  114  will be more likely to remain intact during the forcible entry simulation, permitting reuse during a subsequent simulation after replacement of any broken frangible connectors.  
         [0030]     During use, the forcible door entry training simulator  100  is transported in a disassembled manner to the location at which it will be used. Initially, the base plate  102  is placed in the intended location, and the door frame  104  secured thereto using the angle brackets  116 . If not previously assembled, the header  112  is secured to the left and right vertical jambs  108 ,  110 . Next, the number and location of the hinge brackets  120  is selected, based upon the desired forcible door entry simulation. Each of the selected hinge brackets  120  is then secured to a selected vertical jamb at a jamb bracket with either removable bolts or frangible connectors. Correspondingly, a standard door  114  is secured to the door plates  124  of the hinge brackets with either removable bolts or frangible connectors.  
         [0031]     With the standard door  114  in a closed configuration with the door frame  104 , the number and location of the holding brackets  124  is selected, based upon the desired forcible door entry simulation. Each of the selected holding brackets  124  is then secured to a selected vertical jamb  108 ,  110 , or the header  112 , with one or more frangible connectors. Optionally, to further increase the holding force securing the standard door  114  within the door frame  104 , one or more removable bolts, screws, or frangible connectors are passed through openings in the inner surface of the door frame  104  to engage a perimeter edge of the standard door  114 .  
         [0032]     Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the selection and placement of the removable bolts and frangible connectors used to secure the standard door  114  within the door frame  104 , or to hold either the hinge brackets  120  or holding brackets  124  in place is dependant upon the desired characteristics of the forcible entry simulation. At one extreme, a minimal number of frangible connectors is utilized, permitting the standard door  114  to be forcibly opened upon the exertion of a minimal force. At the other extreme, a large number of either frangible connectors or removable bolts is utilized, resulting in the need for a significantly greater force to open the standard door  114  within the frame  104 . It is entirely possible that the selected connectors and placement of the holding brackets  104  results in a configuration wherein it is necessary to damage or destroy the standard door  114  during the forcible entry simulation. Accordingly, it is intended that the standard door  114  be a consumable item in the context of the present invention.  
         [0033]     Once the forcible door entry training simulator  100  is assembled with a standard door  114  in place, the simulator is ready for personnel practicing a forcible door entry. Forcible door entries which may be simulated on the training simulator  100  include entries with the use of rams, pry bars, Haligan tools, and non-conventional techniques. The placement and location of the frangible connectors are selected to provide a simulated resistance to opening of the door  114  with the frame  104  which corresponds approximately to the resistance encountered in an emergency situation. The frangible connectors are intended to break or detach from the door  114  and vertical jambs  108 ,  110  upon correct application of a sufficient force, thereby simulating forced entry through a locked door.  
         [0034]     Upon completion of a forcible entry training simulation, the standard door  114  is returned to the closed configuration within the door frame  104 , and any broken frangible connectors replaced, resetting the training simulator  100  for a subsequent simulation. If the door  114  is damaged and an adequate attachment to either the hinge brackets  120  or door frame  104  is not possible, the standard door  114  may be inverted and/or reversed to provide expose new attachment points. Alternatively, if the standard door  114  is sufficiently damaged, it is replaced.  
         [0035]     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results are obtained. As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.