Abstract:
A door breach training system comprising a first restraint assembly connecting a door to a frame. The door is attached to a lock jamb of the frame with a first restraint assembly that exposes a shear joint to impact from a projectile, such as shotgun round. Another embodiment further comprises attachment of the door to the hinge jamb with at least one second restraint assembly that functionally simulates a typical door hinge and exposes a shear joint to impact from a ballistic round. The preferred embodiment includes replaceable lock panels and hinge panels that are designed to break in a known manner in order to replicate those same failure modes for both door locks and door hinges in typical residential and commercial construction environments.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This original nonprovisional application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/028,959, filed Feb. 15, 2008 and entitled “Door Breach Training System,” which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to training devices for public-safety and military personnel. More specifically, the present invention is a door breach training system that allows such personnel to quickly and efficiently train for forced-entry scenarios requiring ballistic breaching. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Both public-safety and military personnel are often faced with the need to perform a forced entry into structures. A forced entry can be, and often is, a life-threatening scenario during which every second counts. Shaving seconds from the operation can mean the difference between life-saving tactical surprise and life-ending ambush. Knowledge of and training with the variations in door-breaching techniques, however slight, as well as practice and conditioning for the door breaching operation, are vital to a tactical situation. 
     A ballistic door breach relies upon a projectile that is fired from a breaching device, such as a shotgun. The projectile transfers energy into the lock-and-latch mechanism and/or hinges of a door in order to dislodge them or defeat their ability to fix the door to the frame. Although the military sometimes utilizes specialty weapons for this purpose, the majority of ballistic breaches are preformed with a normal shotgun using buckshot, birdshot, or special rounds designed for breaching that are very similar to a single slug. These types of rounds have increased energy compared to rounds more typically utilized for hunting or target shooting. 
     Presently, forced-entry training is performed using conventional doors and frames. While this certainly provides realistic training opportunities, such an approach is quite costly, not only because of the expense of constantly replenishing door supplies, but also because of the installation costs. In fact, while few would admit to trading life-saving training for savings in door costs, many training facilities limit door breach training to a practical minimum, simply because of the present cost implications. 
     Accordingly, a realistic and lower cost door breach training system would well serve those who perform emergency or law enforcement-related door breaching operations. Such a system would also benefit civilians whose lives often depend on such operations (e.g., entrapped victims and hostages) by providing a cost-effective, quickly-repeatable alternative means of training for door breach operations. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention replicates those scenarios trainees encounter when performing a ballistic door breach in a cost-effective manner. The system solves the two major problems associated with ballistic door breach training: the expense of supplying actual doors (which are destroyed after each breach) and requiring the trainee to properly place the shots to effectively defeat both the lock-and-latch mechanisms and/or hinges that attach the door to a frame. 
     The system allows for repeated use of a shotgun (or other ballistic device) to defeat the simulated locks and simulated hinges of a door during military and law enforcement breaching operations. This type of action is highly destructive by nature and also requires the proper placement of the breaching round in order to be successful. 
     The present invention comprises a frame having a lock jamb and a hinge jamb, a door attached to the hinge jamb, and a first restraint assembly that simulates a typical lock-and-latch mechanism used in inward opening doors. The first restraint assembly exposes a shear joint to impact from a shot originating on the outward side of the door. In the preferred embodiment, the system additionally includes at least one second shear restraint having a shear joint that may be similarly defeated. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first restraint assembly comprises at least one defeatable lock panel made of high-density polyethylene. The second restraint assembly preferably comprises a defeatable hinge panel made of high-impact polystyrene. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric assembly view of the first restraint assembly of the preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  are isometric views of a lock panel of the preferred embodiment in the intact and defeated states, respectively. 
         FIG. 5A  is an isometric assembly view of the second restraint assembly of the preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 5B  is an isometric partial sectional view of the second restraint assembly. 
         FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are isometric views of a hinge panel of the preferred embodiment in the intact and defeated states, respectively. 
         FIG. 7  is a front isometric view of the preferred embodiment wherein the first restraint assembly and second restraint assemblies have been defeated and the door system has been breached. 
         FIG. 8  is a front isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention that comprises a portable base member to support the system in a free-standing configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a door breach training system that replicates the scenarios encountered when performing an actual ballistic door breach. The system addresses the two major problems associated with breach training: first, the expense involved in supplying realistic doors that are destroyed after each breach, and second, forcing a trainee to properly place shots to effectively defeat the lock mechanisms and/or hinge mechanisms that attach the door to the frame. As used herein, “inward side” and “inward direction” refer to the side of the system and direction into which the door would open were it functional as an actual door. Similarly, “outward side” and “outward direction” refer to the side of the system and direction toward which the simulated breach is being conducted by the trainee. 
       FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the door breach training system  20 . The system  20  comprises a frame  22  adapted to support a door  24 . The door  24  is connected to a lock jamb  28  and hinge jamb  30  of the frame  22  at a number of restraint points  32  with a first restraint assembly  34  and a plurality of second restraint assemblies  36 . The first restraint assembly  34  functionally emulates a lock-and-latch mechanism (e.g., a deadbolt lock) that might be found in a typical residential door, but allows for quick resetting and provides for minimum damage to the system  20  during a simulated breach. The first restraint assembly  34  defines an opening  66  through which a ballistic round may be targeted to defeat the assembly and detach the door  24  from the frame  22 . Similarly, the second restraint assemblies  36  functionally simulate typical inward-opening hinges—that is, hinges that would be positioned on the inward side of the system  20 —that would be found in a typical exterior door system. Each second restraint assemblies  36  functions as a shear restraint such that, when sheared, the door  24  is detached from the hinge jamb  30  at the corresponding restraint point  32 . After a simulated breach, the defeated components of the first restraint assembly  34  and second restraint assemblies  36  are quickly replaceable to minimize downtime between simulated breaches. 
     Multiple frame ears  38  and leg mounts  40  provide attachment points for the frame  22  to be quickly connected to a framing system of an existing structure, such as a vacant building used for tactical exercises, using conventional fastening techniques, such as wood screws and/or bolts and nuts. According to the preferred embodiment, the frame  22  and door  24  are constructed from 16-gauge steel to provide for longevity and damage tolerance as compared to less rugged materials as well as to approximate the weight of typical exterior doors, although alternative materials may be used. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the system  20 . The door  24  is defined by two exterior vertical beams  42 ,  44  and two exterior horizontal beams  46 ,  48 , to which a door surface  50  is attached. A number of interior horizontal beams  52  and interior vertical beams  54  provide additional support for the door  24  as well as fastening points for the door surface  50 . Three hinges  56  connect the lower exterior horizontal beam  48  to a lower frame member  58  to allow the door  24  to rotate with respect to the frame  22 . 
     The first restraint assembly  34  described with respect to  FIG. 1  further comprises a rectangular mounting plate  60  fixedly attached to two of the interior horizontal beams  52 , which mounting plate  60  has multiple screw holes  62  disposed therethrough for fastening to the other components of the first restraint assembly  34 . A steel shot deflector  64  having an open end  65  is positioned inwardly of each second restraint assembly  36  (see  FIG. 1 ) to redirect shot and debris resulting from a ballistic breach attempt in a downward (i.e., safe) direction. In the preferred embodiment, each shot deflector  64  is fastened or otherwise connected to the hinge jamb  30 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front isometric assembly view of the first restraint assembly  34  that connects the lock jamb  28  to the door  24 . Components of the system not part of the first restraint assembly  34  are shown as dashed lines for clarity. As noted with reference to  FIG. 2 , the first restraint assembly  34  of the preferred embodiment comprises a rectangular mounting plate  60  attached to two interior horizontal beams  52  of the door using conventional attachment techniques such as welding or fasteners. Three lock panels  68  having shear joints  70  at the intersection of tabbed portions  72  and a central body portion  73  are fastened to the mounting plate using bolts  69  and nuts  71 . As used herein, a shear joint is a specifically designed joint fracturable upon application of a predetermined amount of force, which in the present invention is applied by the impact of one or more ballistic rounds. When impacted by a ballistic round, the shear joints  70  fracture to detach the corresponding tabbed portion  72  from the corresponding body portion  73 , thereby detaching the door  24  from the lock jamb  28 . Although the preferred embodiment of the system contemplates three lock panels  68  representing three separate lock-and-latch mechanisms of a typical door, in alternative embodiments, more or less lock panels  68  may be used to represent different door configurations. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the first restraint assembly  34  further comprises a rectangular jamb guard  74  fastened to the outward surface  76  of the lock jamb  28  and having an overhanging portion  78  extending interiorly toward the door  24 . A rectangular steel blast guard  80  is secured to the interior surface  82  of the lock jamb  28  at substantially the same height as the mounting plate  60  is mounted on the door  24 . Because the body portion  73  of each lock panel  68  is fastened to the mounting plate  60 , each lock panel  68  is aligned so that one tab thereof is overlapped by the overhanging portion  78  of the jamb guard  74 , which impedes movement of the door  24  in the outward direction. Similarly, inward movement of the door  24  is impeded by contact of the tabbed portion  72  of the lock panels  68  with the inward surface  84  of the blast guard  80 . In addition to impeding movement of the lock panels  68 —and thus the door  24 —relative to the lock jamb  28 , the blast guard  80  and jamb guard  74  provide additional protection against shot from the breaching device and debris. 
     To provide a more realistic training scenario, a knob plate  86  is fixed to the outward side of the door  24  and has dummy cylinders  88  and a dummy knob  90  laterally aligned with the shear joints  70  of the lock panels  68 . Thus, a trainee may practice proper aiming at the simulated lock-and-latch mechanisms—i.e., the shear joints  70  of the lock panels  68 —by using the dummy cylinders  88  and dummy knob  90  as points of reference. 
     The position of the knob plate  86  relative to the jamb guard  74  defines the opening  66  (see  FIG. 1 ) through which a round may be targeted to impact the exposed shear joints  70 . Two vertical rails  92  border the opening  66  and provide a contact point for the breaching device. For example, should the trainee use a combat shotgun for a simulated breach, the muzzle of the shotgun may contact the rails  92  to help acquaint the trainee with the optimal distance for muzzle placement during a breach. The interior surfaces  94  of the rails  92  are angled relative to the outward surfaces of the jamb guard  74  and knob plate  86  to help direct stray projectiles inward. 
       FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  depict a lock panel  68  of the preferred embodiment in the intact and defeated (i.e., fractured) states, respectively. As noted herein with reference to  FIG. 3 , the lock panel  68  has tabbed portions  72  adjacent a central body portion  73  that has mounting holes  75  disposed therethrough for fastening to the mounting plate  60  (see  FIG. 3 ). The attachment points between the tabbed portions  72  and body portion  73  form shear joints  70  that fracture when impacted by a high-velocity shot. Because outward movement of the lock panel  68  is impeded by the blast guard  80  on one side and the lock panel  68  is fastened to the mounting plate  60  on the other side (see  FIG. 3 ), when impacted by a projectile at the shear joint  70 , the lock panel  68  is fractured, as shown in  FIG. 4B , thus detaching the door  24  from the frame  22  at that restraint point. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each lock panel  68  may be used twice. After one shear joint  70  has been defeated, the lock panel  68  may be removed from the assembly  34 , rotated 180-degrees, and reinserted into the first restraint assembly  34  so that another shear joint  70  is exposed to impact with a projectile. According to the preferred embodiment, each lock panel  68  is made from high-density polyethylene, although any number of alternative materials may be used. 
       FIG. 5A  shows an assembly view of a second restraint assembly  36  of the preferred embodiment.  FIG. 5B  shows an isometric partial sectional view of the second shear restraint that details the connection of the door  24  to the frame  22 . A U-mount  96  having inner and outer arms  98 ,  100  extending from a base portion  102 , is mounted to the hinge jamb  30  along the outer arm  100  using conventional fastening techniques. A ledge  104  is integrally formed in the U-mount  96  adjacent the outer arm  100  and base  102 . Two rail members  107 ,  109  approximately equal in length to the inner and outer arms  98 ,  100  are attached thereto. 
     Connecting the hinge jamb  30  to the door  24  is accomplished with a J-hook  106  having a vertically-positionable slot  108 . The J-hook  106  is attached to the outer surface  110  of the door  24  such that the hook portion  112  protrudes outwardly and the slot  108  is accessible from the outward side of the system  20 . When the system is “loaded”—that is, ready for simulated breaching—a hinge panel  114  having a centrally-positioned shear joint  116  rests with a first side  118  supported by the ledge  104  and a second side  120  positioned in the slot  108 . The hinge panel  114  is positioned so that the shear joint  116  is parallel to and is approximately equidistant from the rail members  107 ,  109 . 
     Inward and outward movement of the door  24  relative to the frame  22  at the point of restraint is impeded by placement of the hinge panel  114  within the slot  108  of the J-hook  106 . If inwardly-directed force is exerted on the outward side of the door  24 , the J-hook  106  will exert an inward force on the outward side of the hinge panel  114 , which will, in turn, cause the hinge panel  114  to contact the inwardly-positioned shot deflector  64  and/or hinge jamb  30  and prevent further inward movement. Movement in the outward direction is impeded by contact of the outward surface of the hinge panel  114  against the rail members  107 ,  109 . Depending on whether the remaining shear restraints (e.g., the first restraint assembly  34 ) have been defeated and the precise location of the inwardly-directed force applied to the door  24 , the door  24  might also tend to rotate about the hinge panel  114  and out of the frame  22 , in which case the outward surface of the first side  118  may rotate forward to contact the outer rail member  109 , which contact prevents further rotational movement and holds the door  24  stationary relative to the frame  22 . 
       FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  depict a hinge panel  114  of the preferred embodiment in intact and defeated states, respectively. As noted hereinabove, each hinge panel  114  comprises first and second sides  118 ,  120  adjacent to an outward shear joint  116  that is fracturable upon impact by a projectile discharged from a breaching device. Fracturing each installed hinge panel  114  detaches the door  24  from the frame  22  and allows the door  24  to be moved outwardly or inwardly relative thereto, as described with reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B . 
     In the preferred embodiment, each hinge panel  114  is fabricated from high-impact polystyrene. Each hinge panel  114  may be either a “one shot” or “two shot” panel, thus allowing a trainee to train for more difficult breaches. As shown in  FIG. 6A , which depicts a “one shot” panel  114 , a datto cut  122  is disposed parallel to and inward of the shear joint  116 , which weakens the shear joint  116 . As a result, generally only one shot from a breaching device is required to fracture the shear joint  116 . “Two shot” hinge panels are fabricated identically as “one shot” panels, but do not have a datto cut  122 —that is, the inward surface is regular with no depressions or cuts disposed therein. “Two shot” panels generally require two shots from a breaching device to fracture the hinge panel  114 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , by using “two shot” panels in each of the second shear restraints, the trainee will be typically required to fire six rounds to breach all three second restraint assemblies  36 , which empties a typical six-round combat shotgun frequently used for ballistic breaching. This forces the trainee to practice reloading prior to defeating the first restraint assembly  34  (if it has not been yet been breached) or entering the structure. Moreover, by randomly selecting “one shot” and “two shot” panels for the second restraint assemblies  36 , conditions can be created wherein the trainee, not known whether one-shot or two-shot hinge panels or both have been used, must verify that each second restraint assembly  36  has been defeated before moving on to the next. By interjecting this degree of uncertainty into the process, more realistic training scenarios are created. 
       FIG. 3  and  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are referred to in order to describe how the system may be used to simulate a door breach. Use of the system  20  is initiated by ensuring that the first restraint assembly  34  and any second restraint assemblies  36  are “loaded.” As described with reference to  FIG. 3 , to load the first restraint assembly  34 , the desired number of lock panels  68  are oriented such that a tabbed portion  72  of each is positioned between the jamb guard  74  and blast guard  80 . The lock panels  68  are then fastened to the mounting plate  60  through a mounting hole  75  with bolts  69  and nuts  71 . Similarly, as shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , any second restraint assemblies  36  are loaded by inserting hinge panels  114  into the slot  108  of the J-hook  106  while resting the first side  118  of the hinge panel  114  on the on the ledge  104  of the U-mount  96 . 
     When loaded, there is preferably no movement of the door  24  in the inward or outward directions. At the first restraint assembly  34 , movement in the inward direction is impeded by contact of the tabbed portions  72  of the lock panels  68  with the blast guard  80 , while movement in the outward direction is impeded by contact of the tabbed portions  72  with the protruding portion  78  of the jamb guard  74 . Similarly, at each second restraint assembly  36 , movement of the door  24  in the inward direction will be impeded by contact of the inward surface of the hinge panel  114  with the outward surface of the frame  22 , as described with reference to  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B . Movement in the outward direction is impeded by contact of the outward surface of hinge panel  114  against the rail members  107 , also as described with reference to  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B . 
     After the system  20  is loaded, a trainee may perform a simulated breach by defeating the first restraint assembly  34  and second restraint assemblies  36 . In order to defeat the first restraint assembly  34 , as described with reference to  FIG. 3 , the trainee executes a proper shot at the shear joint  70  of each lock panel  68  by placing the breaching device (e.g., a shotgun) proximal to the shear joint  70  and aimed in a direction normal to the outer surface. Dummy cylinders  88  and a dummy knob  90  may be used by the trainee for aiming the shot. Should the trainee shoot at the body portion  73 , the shear joint  70  will not fracture to sever the tabbed portion  72 , and the door  24  will remain fixed to the lock jamb  28 . 
     In order to defeat each second restraint assemblies  36 , as described with reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the trainee executes a proper shot at the shear joint  116  of the corresponding hinge panel  114 . A properly executed shot will separate the first side  118  from the second side  120  by fracturing the shear joint  116 , allowing the hinge panel  114  to fall from the corresponding second shear restraint assembly  36 . This detaches the door  24  from the frame  22  at the corresponding restraint point and allows the door  24  to be moved relative to the frame  22 . Once the door  24  is disconnected from the frame  22  at all restraint points  32  (see  FIG. 1 ), the trainee may exert manual force on the door  24  (e.g., kicking the door inward) to complete the breach and simulate entering a structure by passing through the frame  22 . 
     After concluding a simulated breach, the system  20  may be quickly reloaded for reuse. Reloading of the device for the next simulated breach is accomplish by removing any remaining broken hinge panels  114 , lifting the door  24  to the original, “unbreached” position, and reloading the three second restraint assemblies  36  with new hinge panels  114 . The first restraint assembly  34  may be reloaded by either (1) removing the defeated lock panel  68 , rotating it 180-degrees, and reinserting the lock panel  68  with an unsheared tabbed portion  72  positioned between the jamb guard  74  and blast guard  80 , or (2) by replacing the defeated lock panel  68  with a new lock panel. 
       FIG. 7  depicts the system  20  after a simulated breach has been successfully conducted. After the first restraint assembly  34  and second restraint assemblies  36  have been defeated, the door  24  may be forced inward by the trainee. Attachment of the door  24  to the lower beam member  58  of the frame  22  using hinges  56  restricts the door  24  to a rotationally-downward movement relative to the frame  22 . This restriction prevents unpredicted (and potentially unsafe) movement of the door  24  after breach and lessens the effort and time required by a trainee to reset the door  24  in the frame  22  in preparation of the next simulated breach. The body portions  73  remain fastened to the mounting plate  60  (not shown) until removed in preparation for the next simulated breach, although the sheared portions may be scattered proximally to the system  20  as a result of the exercise. During most simulated breaches, the hinge panels  114  will fall out of the second restraint assemblies  36  or will be directed through the shot deflectors  64  in a downward direction, although portions of the hinge panels  114  may remain in the second restraint assemblies  36  until manually removed. The J-hooks  106  remain attached to the door  24  after the hinge panels  114  have been defeated and the door  24  has been breached. 
       FIG. 8  depicts an alternative embodiment of the present invention that includes a steel base member  130  connected to the lower beam member  58  as well as connected to the hinge jamb  30  and lock jamb  28  using brace members  132  fastened to the leg mounts  40 . Rather than installing the system  20  into an existing structure, this alternative embodiment allows free-standing use of the system  20  and thus training in better-suited areas for the discharge of breaching tools, such as open fields and the like. 
     The present invention is described in terms of a preferred illustrative embodiment of a specifically described door breach training system and alternative embodiment thereof. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative constructions of such a system can be used in carrying out the present invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be obtained from a study of this disclosure and the drawings, along with the appended claims.