Abstract:
A method of training a user to swing a battering ram where the user is positioned at the forward end of a training device. The training device comprises a support frame, a piston rod slidably mounted to the support frame, and a striking plate affixed to the piston rod. The striking plate is positioned at a forward end of the training device when the piston rod is in a pre-impact position. The resistance of a secured door is replicated in the training device by biasing the piston rod toward the forward end of the training device. The piston rod slidably moves rearward upon each impact of the battering ram and then returns to its pre-impact position in time to receive the next impact of the battering ram. The user repeatedly swings the battering ram impacting the training device without stopping or pausing between swings to hone proper technique, mechanics and timing of the swings.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates to training devices for law enforcement and public safety workers and, more particularly, to a battering ram usage training device which includes a support frame and a ram impact-receiving device mounted on the support frame, the device including at least one piston rod support collar mounted on the support frame, a main piston rod slidably mounted within the support collar, a striking plate mounted on the forward end of the main piston rod, one or more biasing springs which bias the main piston rod forwards within the support collar, and a piston rod stop mounted on the support frame rearwards of the piston rod, the ram impact-receiving device operative to receive an impact from a battering ram on the striking plate, which moves the main piston rod rearwards within the support collar, however, the biasing springs slow, stop and reverse the rearward motion of the main piston rod to return the main piston rod generally to its pre-impact position so that the ram impact-receiving device is once again for impact from a battering ram or the like. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Being a police officer or firefighter often involves putting oneself in dangerous situations in which the person must rely on his or her training to properly respond and get out of the situation. Therefore, beyond just properly performing one&#39;s duties as a police officer or firefighter, a secondary and perhaps no less important element of the job is undertaking the necessary training to ensure that one performs the job activities in a safe and effective manner. There are many different training devices which have been designed for police officers and firefighters such as various types of hand-to-hand combat training devices, various types of target shooting and gun safety practice devices and various types of simulation weapons which are used during training for the purposes of replicating actual weapons which may be used by assailants or criminals. However, there are several activities, such as breaking down doors, which are inherently difficult to train for, yet which actually may be some of the most dangerous activities performed in the course of the job. 
   An example of such a dangerous activity is when a locked or closed door stands between the police officer or firefighters and their quarry. Obviously, being unable to discern the location and readiness of potential assailants and potential hazards beyond the locked or closed door is a very dangerous situation, and it is critical in such a situation that the locked or closed door be battered down as quickly and efficiently as possible to preserve the elements of surprise and safety, elements which are lost when removal of the door takes relatively long time. To remove doors, several devices have been invented, but the most efficient and reliable device currently available is the simple battering ram which can be used to impact the door and knock the door down or open. In general, a battering ram includes a heavy main bar having an impact plate mounted on the front end thereof and one or more handles which are fixed to the main bar to provide gripping locations for the individual using the battering ram. The operator, upon reaching a locked or closed door which needs to be opened, would draw the battering ram back and swing it forward using the momentum of the battering ram to impact the closed or locked door to force it open or knock it down in as few swings as possible. It is important to note, however, that proper use of the battering ram is not a simple task, as it is quite heavy and unwieldy and requires proper technique and mechanics to swing the battering ram to impact the door in the correct location to force it open with a minimum number of impacts. It should be further noted that this skill is a particularly important one for urban police officers and urban combat personnel to learn, as they are the individuals that most often encounter closed or locked doors in room to room and building to building combat and chase scenarios. 
   Unfortunately, however, it is the rare instance where practice of the proper technique for swinging the battering ram is available, due to the significant problem that use of the battering ram damages or destroys the door being impacted. Because of this, it is only when buildings which have been abandoned or are scheduled for demolition become available to police officers that the opportunity to practice the proper technique of the use of the battering ram become available. As these situations arise only infrequently, it is very rare that police officers, firefighters or urban combat soldiers receive sufficient training to develop the proper technique and mechanics for swinging the battering ram. Even more importantly, it is one thing to develop the proper technique and mechanics for swinging the battering ram, but one must also develop the proper rhythm for swinging the ram properly, as it is uncommon that the door will give after a single blow from the battering ram. The goal, of course, is to break down the door as quickly as possible, and therefore development of the proper rhythm and timing of the swing is equally important as developing proper mechanics and technique for swinging the battering ram. It is clear that there will never be enough doors available for an entire troop to practice their battering ram technique, and therefore there is a need for a training device with which persons can train in the proper use of a battering ram and can do so in a safe and effective manner. 
   Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battering ram usage training device which will permit the user to hone the proper technique and rhythm used in use of a battering ram. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a battering ram usage training device which includes a support frame and a ram impact-receiving device mounted on the support frame, the device including at least one piston rod support collar mounted on the support frame and a main piston rod slidably mounted within the support collar, the piston rod including the striking plate on one end thereof and biasing springs connected thereto to bias the rod forwards within the support collar such that upon the battering ram being used to impact the impact-receiving device, the main piston rod is slidably moved rearwards within the support collar via the impact, and the biasing springs bias the main piston rod to slow, stop and reverse the rearward motion of the main piston rod and return it to its pre-impact position in a very short period of time so that the ram impact-receiving device is again ready to receive a battering ram impact. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a battering ram usage training device which will permit multiple impacts of the battering ram with the device in a relatively short period of time in order to provide for the development of not only proper mechanics and technique but also the proper rhythm for swinging the battering ram. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a battering ram usage training device in which the force applied by the biasing springs may be increased or decreased in order to provide appropriate biasing force to the piston rod thereby accommodating persons of greater or lesser strength who are training with the present invention. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a battering ram usage training device which can be used not only for strict training purposes, but also may be used in connection with other activities such as an obstacle course or the like in which real-life situations are replicated by the elements of the obstacle course thereby adding a level of realism or difficulty not presently available. 
   Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a battering ram usage training device which is relatively simple and durable in construction and is safe, efficient and effective in use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a battering ram usage training device which includes a support frame having forward and rearward ends and a ram impact-receiving device mounted on the support frame having at least one piston rod support collar mounted on the support frame and a main piston rod having a forward end and a rearward end, the main piston rod slidably mounted in the at least one piston rod support collar. A striking plate is mounted on the forward end of the main piston rod and at least one biasing spring is connected to the main piston rod from the piston rod support collar for biasing the main piston rod forwards within the at least one piston rod support collar. A piston rod stop is mounted on the support frame rearwards of the at least one piston rod support collar and the main piston rod and is operative to restrict rearward motion of the main piston rod. Finally, the ram impact-receiving device is operative to receive an impact from a battering ram on the striking plate, the main piston rod being slidably moved rearwards within the at least one piston rod support collar via the impact, the biasing springs biasing the main piston rod to slow, stop and reverse the rearward motion of the main piston rod to return the main piston rod generally to its pre-impact position within the at least one piston rod support collar whereby the ram impact-receiving device is again ready to receive an impact. 
   The battering ram usage training device of the present invention as thus described provides a substantial advantage over other training devices found in the prior art. For example, because the present invention permits a user to swing the battering ram multiple times over a short period of time without requiring resetting or rebuilding of the door being battered, development of proper technique and rhythm occurs in a far shorter period of time than would be available were the present invention not available. Furthermore, because there are only a limited number of doors available to be broken down, it is highly unlikely that each and every member of the police force would be able to receive sufficient training in the use of the battering ram, whereas with the present invention, each person who uses the invention may quickly and easily obtain the requisite amount and degree of training in the proper use of the battering ram. Finally, because the biasing force utilized with the main piston may be modified or changed, the present invention may be used by persons of all abilities and all strengths who desire training in the proper use of a battering ram or the like. It is thus seen that the present invention provides a substantial improvement over those training devices found in the prior art. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the battering ram usage training device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the device; 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the present invention; and 
       FIGS. 4-6  are detailed side elevational views of the present invention showing the sequence of operation when a battering ram is used to impact the battering ram usage training device of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The battering ram usage training device  10  of the present invention is shown best in  FIGS. 1-3  as including a generally rectangular box support frame  12  on which is mounted the ram impact-receiving device  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the support frame  12  would be constructed of sturdy steel tubing and have dimensions of approximately thirty to thirty-six inches in height, thirty-six to sixty inches in length, and eighteen to thirty inches in width. The generally rectangular base frame  14  would have four upwardly-extending legs  16   a,    16   b,    16   c  and  16   d  mounted thereon which supports a similar generally rectangular upper support frame  18 , with the entire structure being welded or bolted together to ensure a sturdy and rigid platform for support of the ram impact-receiving device  30 . Finally, mounted on top of the upper support frame  18  is a steel plate  20  which provides a further degree of support for the ram impact-receiving device  30 , the top plate  20  being secured on upper support frame  18  by a plurality of bolts or by being welded thereon. Of course, the precise size, shape and dimensions of the support frame  12  are not critical to the present invention so long as the intended functional characteristic of providing a sturdy and rigid support base for the ram impact-receiving device  30  is maintained. 
   The ram impact-receiving device  30  is best shown in  FIGS. 1-3  as including a generally rectangular base plate  32  which extends almost the full length of top plate  20 , base plate  32  having dimensions of approximately thirty-six to sixty inches in length and six to ten inches in width, with a thickness of approximately one-half to one inch. Mounted on the base plate  32  are front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36  which, in the preferred embodiment, will be cylindrical steel collars having inner diameters of approximately three inches and outer diameters of approximately three and one half to four inches, depending on the thickness of the piston rod support collars  34  and  36 . The front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36  would be mounted on the base plate  32  in general concentric parallel alignment and, in the preferred embodiment, each will be constructed as two halves for each of the front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36  (i.e. top half and bottom half) to permit the piston rod support collars  34  and  36  to be opened for easy insertion and removal of the piston rod  40  as will be described later herein. Of course, the inclusion of such an arrangement is not particularly critical to the functionality of the present invention, although it has been found that the facilitation of assembly and disassembly of the battering ram usage training device  10  is preferable to include. 
   Slidably mounted within the front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36  is main piston rod  40 , as shown best in  FIGS. 1-3 . In the preferred embodiment, the main piston rod  40  would be constructed of a three inch diameter metal pipe having a length of approximately thirty to forty inches with the external diameter of the main piston rod  40  being slightly less than the internal diameter of the front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36 . In this manner, the main piston rod  40  is slidably mounted within the front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36  such that the main piston rod  40  may be moved forward and rearwards on the battering ram usage training device  10 . Mounted on the forward end of the main piston rod  40  is a striking plate  42  which preferably includes a high-impact rubber bumper  44  mounted thereon. In the preferred embodiment, the striking plate  42  would have dimensions of approximately 12 inches by 12 inches, with the rubber pad  44  having similar height and width dimensions. When the main piston rod  40  is in its pre-strike or pre-impact position, the striking plate  42  is supported approximately ten to twelve inches forwards of the front end of the support frame  12 , as shown best in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . This distance is only important in that it is preferred that the striking plate  42  not accidentally impact the forward portion of the support frame  12  when the main piston rod  40  travels rearwards within front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36 . 
   To prevent this from occurring, however, the present invention proposes inclusion of a piston rod stop  50  mounted rearwards of the main piston rod  40  on the base plate  32  of the ram impact-receiving device  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the piston rod stop  50  would include a section of angle iron  52  having a structural gusset  54  extending therewithin, with a rubber bumper  56  mounted on the forward portion of the angle iron  52 . Mounted on the rear end of the main piston rod  40  is a transverse piston rod stop impact plate  46  which is positioned approximately eight inches in front of the piston rod stop  50  when the main piston rod  40  is in its rest position. As the main piston rod  40  moves rearward, the piston rod stop impact plate  46  may contact the rubber bumper  56  of piston rod stop  50 , and if it does so, further rearward motion of the main piston rod  40  is prevented. To properly replicate the resistance of a door to the impact of the battering ram, however, it is necessary to include an additional functional element with the present invention. 
   Specifically, at least two biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  extend between the main piston rod  40  and the front piston rod support collar  34 , as shown best in  FIGS. 1-3 . These biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  are very powerful coil springs which bias the main piston rod  40  forwards relative to the front piston rod support collar  34 , and the biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  would preferably be mounted to the main piston rod  40  and front piston rod support collar  34  by a plurality of J-hooks  62   a,    62   b,    64   a  and  64   b,  although the exact means for connection of the biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  to the main piston rod  40  and front piston rod support collar  34  is not critical to the present invention so long as the biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  may be quickly removed and replaced on the ram impact-receiving device  30 . The biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  provide no forward bias to the main piston rod  40  when in their rest position, as shown best in  FIG. 1-3 . However, as the main piston rod  40  is moved rearwards within the front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36 , the biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  provide an increasing amount of forward biasing force to the main piston rod  40  to prevent the main piston rod  40  from continuing to move rearwards on the battering ram usage training device  10 . Because of the strength of the biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b,  the main piston rod  40  will generally move only six to eight inches rearwards in total before rebounding to move forwards within the front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36 , although the strength of the impact will generally determine the degree and amount of motion of the main piston rod  40 . It is an important feature of the present invention that the biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  be removable from the main piston rod  40  and the front piston rod support collar  34  in order to permit the substitution of biasing springs having stronger or weaker bias strengths to ensure proper coordination of the strength of the biasing springs with the strength of the individual using the present invention. Such coordination will generally be determined through experimentation, although it is expected that the initial biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  used in connection with the present invention will permit the main piston rod  40  to travel approximately six inches rearwards when impacted by a battering ram  90  wielded by a male police officer of average size and strength. 
   It should also be noted that the biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b,  although described with some particularity, may be replaced with many different types of biasing devices, such as hydraulic pistons, pneumatic pistons, compression springs or virtually any other type of biasing device. The key consideration for any such biasing device, however, is that it provide the same general functionality as the biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  in the present invention, and therefore substitution of such alternative biasing devices should be understood to be a part of this disclosure. 
   The battering ram usage training device  10  of the present invention would be used in the manner depicted in  FIGS. 4-6  wherein a battering ram  90  being wielded by an individual would be swung forward to impact the rubber pad  44  on striking plate  42 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the immediate pre-impact positioning of the main piston rod  40  on the ram impact-receiving device  30  and as the battering ram  90  impacts the rubber pad  44  on striking plate  42 , the main piston rod  40  is driven backwards relative to the support frame  12  as the main piston rod  40  slides within the front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36 . The biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  are thus extended and consequently exert a pull on the main piston rod  40  in the forward direction against the impact force of the battering ram  90  thereby counteracting the impact force. If the impact is very strong, the main piston rod  40  may actually move rearwards a sufficient distance to contact the piston rod stop  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , although it is preferred that the majority of impacts not result in contact between the main piston rod  40  and the piston rod stop  50 . Once the impact force from the battering ram  90  is absorbed by the biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b,  the biasing springs  60   a  and  60   b  act to return the main piston rod  40  to its pre-impact position, as they bias the main piston rod  40  forwards within the front and rear piston rod support collars  34  and  36 . This “resets” the ram impact-receiving device  30  in anticipation of the next impact from the battering ram  90 . 
   It is important to note that the time interval between impact and reset of the ram impact-receiving device  30  is extremely quick, on the order of one to three seconds, and therefore the present invention can be used to practice not only the correct technique for swinging the battering ram  90  but also to practice the proper rhythm of swinging of the battering ram  90 , which is one of the more difficult elements of proper battering ram use to learn given the lack of opportunity for multiple repetitions of the battering ram swinging motion. Following resetting of the ram impact-receiving device  30 , the battering ram usage training device  10  is thus once again ready for further impacts from the battering ram  90 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications and substitutions may be made to the battering ram usage training device  10  of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the appended claims. For example, the exact size, shape and construction materials used in connection with the present invention may be modified or changed so long as the functional and operational characteristics of the device are generally maintained. Furthermore, it is a preferred element of the present invention that the entire device be constructed in an easily assembled and disassembled configuration, so that the battering ram usage training device  10  of the present invention may be moved to a desired location and quickly erected for use at that location. This will broaden the opportunities for use of the present invention and therefore permit many more persons to use the present invention to hone their skills in using the battering ram  90 . Also, it may be beneficial to secure the support frame  12  to the ground surface on which the support frame  12  is resting by a plurality of spikes, stakes or other such ground-engaging devices, in order to secure the battering ram usage training device  10  in a specified location and prevent movement of the unit following impact. It is also entirely probable that a manufacturer or user of the present invention would desire to include some type of measuring device such as an impact force measuring device or one which calculates the PSI of the compression of the main piston rod  40  resulting from the impact of the battering ram  90  therewith. The inclusion and functionality of such measuring devices would be understood by one skilled in the art of the use of such measuring devices, and therefore their use with the battering ram usage training device  10  of the present invention should be understood to be a part of this disclosure. Finally, although the present invention has been described as being used primarily in connection with battering rams and the like, many other manually operated impact delivery devices such as sledgehammers, etc. may be used in connection with the present invention to hone the particular use skill associated with the use of that device. 
   There has therefore been shown and described a battering ram usage training device  10  which accomplishes at least all of its intended objectives.