Patent Publication Number: US-8123027-B2

Title: Explosive deployment bag

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application 61/137,195 filed Jul. 28, 2008 titled “EXPLOSIVES DEPLOYMENT BAG”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Background and Relevant Art 
     The present invention relates to articles, such as bags, which can be used to carry explosives materials and which, in some embodiments, can be used for the deployment of the explosives materials. 
     Various types of bags and other carrying devices have been used in the deployment of explosives, in both open and covert breaching operations. However, there continues to be a general need for improved explosives deployment bags that can facilitate the overall convenience, speed and/or stealth at which the explosives can be deployed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes articles of manufacture, such as explosives deployment bags, which are specifically configured for carrying explosives breaching materials. The present invention also includes explosives deployment kits, including explosives deployment bags that are equipped with explosives deployment materials that are usable for explosive breaching activities, as described in more detail below. 
     In some instances, the explosives deployment bag of the present invention provides organizational capabilities for both securely stowing and providing ready and convenient access to various explosives deployment components. This is also accomplished, according to some embodiments, while also reducing the tendency for certain components to become entangled. In this manner, and as described throughout this paper, the present invention can be used to improve the overall convenience, speed and/or stealth at which the explosives can be deployed. 
     One exemplary explosives deployment bag includes a main body portion including a bottom and a surrounding sidewall. The bottom and sidewall define an internal first containment means (e.g. a chamber) configured in size and shape for containing and carrying at least one flexible and elongate material. The bag further includes passage means (e.g., a hole) disposed in the main body portion through which the flexible elongate material can be controllably passed into or out of the first containment means of the main body portion. The bag further includes enclosing means disposed at the top of the main body portion for selectively covering the top of the main body portion and first containment means. The enclosing means may include an enclosing material that is attached to the sidewall of the main body portion, and that includes an elastic cord that is securely attached or threaded through the enclosing material. In operation, as the elastic cord is tightened, the enclosing material is drawn with the cord, covering the top of the chamber. Such enclosing means is selectively adjustable is size so as to cover a selectable portion of the top of the main body portion and chamber. The enclosing means aids in inserting or removing the flexible material from the chamber of the main body in a controlled fashion. 
     These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary explosives deployment bag; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the explosives deployment bag of  FIG. 1  from a side perspective; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view into a top of the explosives deployment bag of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view similar to that of  FIG. 3 , but in which an elastic central ring and associated enclosing material are partially closed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention includes articles of manufacture, such as explosives deployment bags, which are specifically configured for carrying explosives breaching materials and in such a manner as to facilitate their use during explosive deployment activities. 
     The present invention also includes explosives deployment kits, including explosives deployment bags that are equipped with explosives deployment materials that are usable for explosive breaching activities, as described in more detail below. 
     The present invention also includes methods for using the explosives deployment bags and kits. 
     According to one embodiment, an inventive explosives deployment bag  100  includes a main body portion  102  comprising first containment means (e.g. a chamber  104 ) that is specifically configured for containing and carrying materials and products, such as, but not limited to flexible materials such as strings, cords, ropes, flexible wires, flexible optical fibers, and other flexible materials. 
     According to one preferred kit embodiment, the flexible elongate material contained within the main body portion  102  of the explosives deployment bag  100  is a flexible material that comprises a transfer means specifically configured for transferring a charge, current, light, chemical reaction or another type of reaction or energy manifestation from one end of the flexible material to another end of the flexible material in response to the detonation or activation of an initiator at one end of the flexible material. 
     In one embodiment, the flexible material or transfer means comprises No-Nail, a flexible material that is often used in explosives deployment for transferring energy or a reaction from a first end of a No-Nail cord to an opposing second end of the No-Nail cord. The reaction may occur in response to the detonation of one or more initiators at the first end, for example, such as, an M80 initiator and/or other initiators. Other types of reactions and energy transfer are also possible. Preferably, the reaction and/or the transfer of energy is sufficient to responsively detonate a blasting cap or other explosive&#39;s charge connected to the second end of the flexible material. 
     The main body portion  102  of the bag  100  includes a bottom  106  and a surrounding side wall  108 . The bottom  106  and surrounding sidewall  108  can be composed of two distinct structural elements that are fixedly attached (such as by an adhesive, threading or other fastening means). In some embodiments, the bottom  106  and surrounding sidewall  108  are configured as one integral piece of material. Depending on specific needs and preferences, the bottom  106  can be configured to comprise a substantially flat and rigid surface or, alternatively, a flexible surface. 
     The main body portion  102  or first containment means (e.g. chamber  104 ) also includes a hole  110  or other passage means through which the flexible material or transfer means can be controllably pulled or pushed through. The passage means or hole  110  is preferably, although not necessarily, centrally located within the bottom  106  of the main body portion  102 . The passage means can also be located at other areas in the bottom  106  or sidewall  108  of the main body portion  102 . 
     At least one structural element or supporting means for maintaining and supporting the hole  110  preferably surrounds the hole  110  to provide support and to maintain a desired hole diameter. The at least one structural element can include threading, extra material, a grommet  112 , and/or other structural elements. The diameter of the hole  110  is preferably larger than the thickness of the flexible material, so as to allow passage of the flexible material through the hole  110 , but not so large that more than one cord of the flexible material can freely traverse the hole  110  at any one time. In some instances, however, it is desired to pass at least two or more cords through the hole  110  at one time to provide desired redundancies/safety factors. Different types of cords may also be contained in the bag  100  and may need to pass through the hole  110  at the same time. In any of the foregoing circumstances, the hole  110  is preferably configured in size to allow passage of only two, three or any other desired number of cords, depending on different needs and preferences. 
     The surrounding side wall  108  is attached to the bottom  106  of the bag  100 , preferably around the entire perimeter of the bottom  106 , and extends up from the bottom  106  of the main body portion  102  all the way up to a top  114  of the main body portion  102 . 
     The top  114  of the main body portion  102  or first containment means (e.g. cavity  104 ) includes an enclosing means for covering or enclosing the top  114  of the main body portion  102 . The enclosing means includes an enclosing material  116  that is attached to the surrounding side wall  108  (preferably around the entire perimeter of the surrounding side wall  108 ) and that extends away from the surrounding side wall  108  to an enclosing central ring  118 . 
     The enclosing central ring  118  which is preferably configured to flexibly and/or elastically open and close in response to forces applied to the enclosing central ring  118 . In some instances, the enclosing central ring  118  is a defined feature of the enclosing material  116 . According to one embodiment, the central ring  118  includes a flexible cord  120 , such as a bungee cord that is securely attached to or threaded through at least a portion of the enclosing material  116 . According to another embodiment, the enclosing material  116  comprises a flexible/elastic type material that provides the desired flexibility or elasticity of the enclosing central ring  118 , independent of any other material (e.g. bungee cord). 
     Flexibility or elasticity of the enclosing central ring  118  is desirable, according to one preferred embodiment, for enabling the central ring  118  to flexibly expand and constrict in response to forces exerted on the central ring  118 , such as when a material or product is forcibly passed through the ring  118  while the ring  118  is in a closed position. For example, when the flexible material is being linearly extracted from the central ring  118 , it is possible for an entangled knot or clump of flexible material to forcibly pass through the central ring  118 , when an appropriate force is applied to cause the central ring  118  to expand, and so as to prevent the flexible material from becoming entrapped within the chamber  104  of the first containment means. Then, after the clump or knot is forcibly passed through the central ring  118  (during which the central ring  118  is temporarily expanded), the central ring  118  elastically constricts back into a closed position around the flexible material. 
     According to some embodiments, the enclosing ring  118  is configured to open large enough to easily and freely load the flexible material into the main body portion  102  through the ring  118 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the enclosing ring  118  can sometimes open to such a degree as to have a same diameter as a diameter of the main body portion  102  and as defined by the side wall(s)  108 . 
     The enclosing ring  118  is also configured to constrict or close to a diameter that is about as narrow as the thickness of the flexible material and such that only one cord (or any desired number of cords) of the flexible material can freely pass through the enclosing ring at one time and so as to prevent too much of the flexible material from escaping the main body portion  102  at any one time. In this manner, it is possible for the enclosing ring  118  to operate as a control means for controlling the manner in which the flexible material is extracted from the main body portion  102  (e.g. preferably in an untangled linear fashion). Notably, the enclosing ring  118  helps to shed and prevent tangles that might otherwise occur if the ring  118  were not present. In one embodiment, the ring  118  may close to a diameter approximately equal to that of hole  110 .  FIG. 4  illustrates ring  118  in a partially closed configuration. 
     A rim  122  or other supporting means that provides structural support to the top  114  of the main body portion  102  is also provided. Preferably, although not necessarily, the rim  122  circumferentially extends around the top  114  of the main body  102  near the seam between the sidewall  108  and the enclosing material  116 . The rim  122  or other supporting means provides structural support to the top  114  of the main body  102  and in such a manner as to help prevent the surrounding sidewall  108  (at least near the top  114  of the main body  102 ) from collapsing inwardly towards the central ring  118  when an object or weight (such as a blasting cap attached to one end of the flexible material) is placed on the enclosing material  116 . The rim  122  can include extra rigid material sewn into the sidewall  108  near the top  114  of the main body portion  102  (on the inside and/or the outside of the main body portion  102 ). 
     Rigidity of the sidewalls  108  can also help support the structural integrity of the main body portion  102  and can thereby help keep the main body  102  from collapsing when the objects are placed on the enclosing material  116 . Rigidity of the sidewalls  108  can be provided, for example, by selecting appropriate materials and thicknesses for constructing the sidewalls  108  and/or by providing additional structural support, such as extra rigid fabric wires or plastic that is attached to the sidewalls. The rim  122  or other supporting means described above can also provide support to the sidewalls  108 . 
     The explosives deployment bag  100  also includes a cap  124  including a second containment means (e.g. chamber  126 ) that is configured to securely envelop or engage the top  114  of main body portion  102  (i.e., the first containment means  104 ). The second containment means (e.g. chamber  126 ) is preferably configured in size and shape to be selectively and securely tightened in placed over the top  114  of the main body portion  102  as well as selectively removed from the top  114  of the main body portion  102  while still remaining attached to at least a portion of the main body  102  with a connection means  128  (such as fabric, a cord, a ring, Velcro, a zipper, or other connection means). 
     According to one embodiment, the cap  124  is configured in size and shape to securely engage the sidewall  108  of the main body portion  102  when the cap  124  is placed over the top  114  of the main body portion  102 . The cap  124  is also preferably sized in such a way as to provide a sufficient chamber  126  for securely containing a blasting cap or other object(s) placed within the cap  124  and/or on top of the enclosing material  116  of the main body portion  102  when the cap  124  is securely placed over the top  114  of the main body portion  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the cap  124  is also configured with fastening means for increasing the manner in which the cap is attached and securely fastened to the main body portion  102  when the cap  124  is placed over the top  114  of the main body portion  102 . The fastening means (not shown) can include Velcro, zippers, snaps, bungee cords, other cords or strings, and other types of fastening means that are placed around the perimeter (inside and/or outside) of cap  124 , such as, for example, around lip  125  of cap  124 . Corresponding fastening means can also be placed on sidewall  108  of main body  102 . 
     The explosives deployment bag  100  also includes securing means  130  for securing one or more initiators  131  ( FIG. 2 ) adjacent to the sidewall  108  of the bag  100 . The securing means  130  can include any securing means configured in size and shape to securely hold initiators  131  in place. According to one embodiment, the securing means  130  includes initiator holders made of elastic material sewn into the outside of the sidewall  108  of the main body portion  102 , as perhaps best seen in  FIG. 2 . The securing means  130  can be configured to securely hold one, two, three or more initiators  131 . The securing means can be configured to hold various quantities and sizes of initiators in both length and width. 
     Protection means  132  are also provided for protecting any initiator(s) held in place by the securing means  130 . According to one embodiment, the protection means  132  includes foldable protection material such as Velcro (e.g. hook and loop) material that folds around the securing means  130  and any initiator(s)  131  held therein. In this regard, the protection means  132  further helps to secure and protect the initiator(s)  131 . 
     In some instances, the protection means  132  is extended up to and connected to the cap  124  ( FIGS. 2-4 ) in such a way that placing the cap  124  on the main body portion  102  causes the protection means  132  to be protectively folded around the top of any initiator(s) secured by the securing means  130 . 
     The protection means  132  can also be configured in size and shape to further extend down and around the bottom  106  of the bag  100 , covering the hole  110  in the bottom  106  of the bag  100  and helping to protect and hold any of the flexible material  133  ( FIG. 2 ) in place that has been drawn out of the hole  110  to engage the initiator  131 , for example. Preferably, the protection means  132  is configured to be detachably attached to the bottom  106  of the bag  100  and to detachably enclose the securing means  130 . 
     The explosives deployment bag  100  also includes a fabric handle  134  or other handle means configured in size and shape for enabling a user to securely hold and handle the bag  100 . Preferably, although not necessarily, the fabric handle  134  or other handle means is positioned on the outside of the bag sidewall  108 . In some instances, this includes sewing a fabric handle  134  into the protection means  132 , which is also attached to the outside of the bag sidewall  108 . 
     The explosives deployment bag  100  also includes labeling structures  136  or other labeling means for labeling contents contained in the explosives deployment bag  100 , such as when the explosives deployment bag  100  is used in kits that are equipped with explosives deployment materials (e.g. No-Nail cords, initiators, blasting caps, and so forth). The labeling means  136  is configured in some embodiments, with specific prepared text and fields or check boxes that identify specific materials. The labeling means  136  can also include fields for identifying dates of assembly, names of the one or more parties involved in the assembly, as well as special instructions and/or rules for using the explosives materials and bag  100 . Preferably, the labeling means includes an interior chamber configured for holding a label and a transparent shield through which the label can be seen. The transparent shield is preferably attached in such a way to the bag as to hold the label in place. In other instances, the label  136  is a fabric label sewn directly onto the bag  100 . 
     Although the bag  100  can be manufactured out of camouflage patterned materials, it will be appreciated that various different types of patterns and solid materials can also be used. It will also be appreciated that the bag  100  can be manufactured out of various different types of materials, including waterproof materials. The shape of the bag  100 , while shown in a generally cylindrical shape, can also be manufactured into more spherical, rectangular or prismatic shapes. 
     In some embodiments, the invention includes obtaining a bag  100 , as shown and described above, and loading the bag  100  with a flexible material, such as No-Nail, into the main body portion  102 . A first end of the flexible material  133  is pulled through the hole  110  and attached to one or more initiators  131  that are secured by the securing means  130 . The protection means  132  is closed about the securing means  130  and the hole  110 , thereby holding the first end of the flexile material  133  in place and securing the initiators  131  in a protective state. A second end of the flexible material  133  is pulled through the enclosing ring  118  at the top  114  of the main body portion  102  and then the enclosing ring  118  is tightened around the flexible material  133 . The second end of the flexible material  133  is then attached to one or more blasting materials  135  that are set on the enclosing material  116  and then the bag cap  124  is placed over the blasting materials  135  and secured in place. Preferably, the labeling means  136  is labeled appropriately, identifying date of preparation, materials used, and the name(s) of the assembler(s). Then the bag  100  along with all of the explosives materials and any label(s) comprise an explosives deployment kit usable in explosives breaching activities. 
     Although not shown, the bag can also include locking means for locking the bag cap  124  over the main body portion  102  and/or for locking the protection means  132  around the initiators and so as to prevent use of the bag  100  in explosives breaching activities without first unlocking the locking means. The locking means can include tamper-proof locks, key locks, combination locks or any other types of locks, with or without the use of zippers, for example, that line the cap  124  and/or protection means  132 . 
     Although not described in extensive detail herein, the present invention also includes methods of using the above-described bags  100  and kits to perform explosives breaching activities, such as, for example, by carrying a bag to a detonation point, the bag containing explosives, an explosives transfer means, such as a No-Nail cord, and one or more initiator, as shown in  FIG. 2 . However, in some embodiments, it is not necessary that the transfer means is connected to one or more the initiator and explosives until after the explosives are placed in a desired destination for detonation. The method also includes extracting the explosives from the bag and placing the explosives at the intended detonation area and connecting the explosives to one end of the transfer means. The bag is then carried away from the detonation area to another area, at a preferably safe distance, while pulling necessary lengths of the transfer means out of the bottom of the bag. Next, if the initiator is not already connected to the other end of the transfer means, the initiator is exposed (by opening the protective covering on the bag, and connected to the transfer means. Then, the initiator is initiated to detonation of the explosive. 
     Finally, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.