Patent ID: 12239858

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1-37depict embodiments of glass-breaking devices and components thereof. As shown, the glass-breaking device includes an impact head10and a baton50.

The Impact Head10includes a conical or partially conical section12, a threaded opening14, a plurality of planar projection support surfaces15, a cylindrical mass section16, a threaded adapter opening18having an axis that is colinear with the longitudinal axis of the impact head10, and a glass rake portion20that includes a rake extension20rand a rake scallop20s. When safety glass breaks, it is held together by a thin film of plastic or resin that helps to keep the pieces in place. This means that in order to escape through a broken window, it may be necessary to push the pieces of glass away rather than simply breaking through them. The peripheral rake portion20rof the impact heads10,110can be used to push and rake away broken auto glass. Because the tool is symmetrical, it is optimized to help safely remove the broken glass and create an opening free of shards of glass and large enough for a person to escape through.

A plurality of projections80are provided on the impact head10. The projections preferably each include a carbide tip82, planar hex surfaces84and a threaded extension88for attachment to the impact head. As detailed in the drawings, projections are arranged around the periphery of the impact head to optimize glass-breaking performance. A carbide tip82is provided at the apex of of the conical shape of the impact head80either directly or by providing another projection80at the tip of the impact head80. In either instance, the carbide tip extends along the longitudinal axis of the impact head10.

Carbide is a very hard and durable material that can withstand high levels of wear and tear. This makes it a good choice for the tip of a glass-breaking device, as it will be able to withstand the impact and pressure of breaking through a glass surface without dulling or breaking. Additionally, carbide is also resistant to corrosion, so it will not rust or deteriorate over time. This makes it a long-lasting and reliable option for use in a glass-breaking device.

An adapter30allows for attachment of the impact head10to various standard batons50with different thread sizes. The adapter30includes a central nut portion32, a first threaded portion34have a first thread size for attachment to the impact head10. The adapter30includes another threaded portion for attachment to the baton50and that other portion may be a threaded portion having a second thread size36or a threaded portion having a third thread size37.

The baton50may be a solid stick of rubber or other viscoelastic material or, alternatively, may include a plurality of telescoping sections. Embodiments are shown a first telescoping section52, a second telescoping section53, a third telescoping section54, a fourth telescoping section55and a fifth telescoping section55. The smallest of the telescoping sections includes structure to attach an impact head10. The structure may be in the form of a threaded opening60for receiving the adapter30, a thread57or a quick connect fitting/button58, The bottom of the baton includes a seat belt cutter64and a cap62covering the seat belt cutter.

The baton50may include a quick connect fitting58that snaps into a complementary fitting in a threaded adapter as shown inFIGS.32and33or directly into an impact head. Quick connection fittings allow for the rapid and secure connection and disconnection of an impact head, rubber ball or other implements to the baton50. The quick connect fitting includes a male and female component, each with a circular fitting that can be locked together by spring detents. The male fitting has a protruding stem that fits into the female fitting, and the detents holds the two fittings in place by compressing the stem. To release the connection, the latch can be easily opened by mechanical action to allow the detents to retract, allowing the two fittings to be separated quickly and easily. Quick connection fittings are particularly useful in situations where various implements need to be connected and disconnected frequently.

The seat belt cutter64is a small tool that is designed to quickly and easily cut through a seat belt in the event of an emergency. It comprises a sharp blade or set of blades mounted on the end of the baton50, allowing a person to grip the tool and use it to cut through the seat belt. Seat belt cutters are often carried by emergency responders, such as firefighters and paramedics, as well as by motorists in case of an accident.

The drawings depict specific design features that optimize performance of the glass-breaking device as described hereinafter.

To begin with, the peripheral projections80are preferably aligned on a common plane and equally spaced around the axis3so they are evenly distributed on either side of the axis3such that a circle circumscribed to include the tips as six equally spaced points around the axis. Thus, the peripheral projections are arranged such that all of the peripheral projections80are disposed on a cross-section taken along the longitudinal axis3of the impact head. The tips82are evenly distributed at regular intervals around the circle. In combination with the carbide tip82at the conical tip of the impact head10, this arrangement optimizes breaking force on contact by either apply a broad simultaneous force (three tips) or creating snap action (two tips) that enhances impact force.FIG.33Aprovides a schematic representation showing the spatial relationship of the glass-breaking carbide tips82and adjustable baton50.

Important aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein include the novel rake construction, the carbide-tipped projections (spikes) arrangement on a single plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the impact head and the smooth cylindrical periphery of the impact head.

Variations of the glass-breaking head are depicted, but each embodiment of glass-breaking impact head10includes three sections: a truncated conical (frustum) projection support section12that tapers toward a conical apex coincident with the longitudinal axis3, a force enhancing cylindrical mass section16and a symmetrical glass extraction section20.

The central mass in the force enhancing cylindrical mass section16increases the force applied at the carbide tips82and also enhances the ability of the tool to move past the broken glass easily so that the extraction rake20rcan be used. It is advantageous if the axial dimension of the cylindrical mass section16(FIG.9) is about the same or greater than that of the conical section12to ensure that sufficient mass is provided. Importantly, the cylindrical mass section16also provides a broad face for secondary impact to enhance glass breakage. As noted, the carbide-tipped projections will contact the glass first, but the cylindrical mass section16will make a secondary impact along a broad face to apply additional glass-breaking force.

The scalloped glass extraction portion20should not have radial dimension that exceeds the dimension of the cylindrical mass section to avoid interference with the head passing through the glass.

The novel rake construction combines a smooth cylindrical peripheral surface16of the impact head allows the head10,110to easily pass through broken safety glass without snagging on glass and the evenly spaced rake portions20r,120rdefined by the scalloped sections20s,120sand provide a balanced grip to pull glass away evenly. The weighted impact head with rake extensions20rcan be dragged along broken glass to rake shards away from an opening.

The peripheral rake portion20rof the impact heads10,110can be used to push, pull and scrape or rake away broken glass, whether laminated or tempered glass. Because the tool is symmetrical, it is optimized to help remove the broken glass safely and create an opening large enough for a person to escape through. Thus, the rake20ris useful for clearing both types of laminated and safety glass after breaking.

The conical or partially conical (truncated) core section12that provides a base and support for an array of glass-breaking peripheral projections80positioned such that the projections are disposed on a common cross-section taken along the central lengthwise axis of the core. A carbide tip is provided on each projection. Collectively the carbide tips lie on a common plane and are equally spaced in a circular layout with each tip angled at an acute angle from the axis3. The spatial arrangement of the peripheral carbide tips82and axial carbide tip is illustrated in FIB.33A. As illustrated inFIG.33A, the baton50also has a length1that may be adjusted with optional telescoping sections as described herein.

If the core section is truncated to form a frustum shape as inFIGS.1-10, an additional projection80is provided at or near the apex of the cone and a carbide tip82is provided on the projection80as shown inFIG.1, for example. Alternatively, the conical section may have a carbide tip82located directly at the tip of the conical section as shown inFIGS.15-22. This carbide tip extends colinearly with the axis3of the core section. This axial carbide tip82together any two peripheral tips82form a triangle and ensure that no more than three carbide tips will make initial contact with glass. When impacting glass, if one or two of the three tips82in a triangle contact the glass surface, the device will have a natural pivot or snap movement as the first two tips82make contact increasing head speed of the third tip so the force applied by the tips is enhanced. In the rare instance where all three tips82strike simultaneously an evenly distributed force will be applied in opposing directions. In all instances, breaking force is enhanced.

Notably, the smooth cylindrical mass section16of the impact head16also provides a broad face for secondary impact to enhance glass breakage. As noted, the carbide-tipped projections will contact the glass first, but the cylindrical mass section16will make a secondary impact along a broad face to apply additional glass-breaking force. A glass-breaking tool with a broad cylindrical face will provide superior performance compared to a tool with a cylindrical collar because the broad face allows for more surface area to be in contact with the glass. This increased surface area allows for more force to be applied to the glass, making it easier to break.

The cylindrical collar, on the other hand, has a much smaller surface area in contact with the glass, so less force can be applied. As a result, it may take more hits or require more force to break the glass using a tool with a cylindrical collar. Additionally, a tool with a broad cylindrical face is less likely to slip or slide when striking the glass, as there is more surface area in contact with the glass. This provides greater control and accuracy when breaking the glass. Overall, a glass-breaking tool with a broad cylindrical face is generally more effective and easier to use than a tool with a cylindrical collar because of the increased surface area and better grip.

When encountering safety glass that has shattered, the glass-breaking tool rake is designed to safely and effectively remove broken glass shards from a surface after a window or other type of glass has been broken. The user would hold the handle of the tool and carefully slide the rake potions20r,120racross the surface of the broken glass. The rake portion a move across the surface, the rake portions will catch on the shards of glass and lift them up, allowing the user to easily remove them from the surface.

The projection base portion12,112includes an array of planar projection supports15,115arranged, preferably evenly spaced, around the conical portion12,112so as to provide a planar support for the projections80. A threaded opening14,114is preferably perpendicular to and extends into the planar support15,115. As shown inFIG.14, for example, the projections80have a flat base that conforms to the planar support15,115. A washer may be provided to ensure a tight fit.

As noted, impact tools use kinetic energy to break glass. Translational kinetic energy of a body is equal to one-half the product of its mass, m, and the square of its velocity, v, or ½mv2. As such, it is advantageous to optimize mass and velocity to achieve the greatest kinetic energy.

Optimizing the impact head10speed and swing weight in a glass-breaking device is important for ensuring that the device is able to effectively break through glass. The head speed refers to the speed at which the device strikes the glass, while the swing weight refers to the weight of the device as it swings towards the glass. To optimize the head speed, it is important to strike a balance between having enough speed to effectively break through the glass, while not being so fast that the device becomes difficult to control. One way to achieve this balance is to use materials with a high tensile strength in the construction of the device to reduce the amount of energy that is lost during the impact, allowing for a faster head speed.

In terms of optimizing the swing weight, the goal is to find a weight that is heavy enough to effectively break through the glass, but not so heavy that the device is difficult to swing. One way to achieve this is to use materials that are dense and have a high mass, such as metals, in the construction of the device. This can provide the necessary weight without adding too much bulk. Additionally, using a well-balanced design can help to distribute the weight evenly, making it easier to swing the device and improve its effectiveness.

Overall, optimizing the head speed and swing weight in a glass-breaking device requires finding a balance between these two factors using dense materials in the construction of the device, and employing a well-balanced design, it is possible to create a glass-breaking device that is both effective and easy to control.

The impact of a carbide protection tip imparts kinetic energy from the tool to the glass. So, all else being equal, a heavier head would have more kinetic energy and the impact would transfer more of that energy to the glass. However, kinetic energy is mass multiplied with velocity squared. So any increase in mass only helps so much, while any increase in head speed helps so much squared.

The kinetic energy in the impact head must be produced by the human swinging it. If you want such human to swing a heavier tool, there is a point of diminishing returns where the user will probably not be able to swing it as quickly. In addition, the heavier impact head of the tool on the far end of a shaft that acts as a lever, so a heavier head can feel heavier still, when held parallel to the ground (swing weight). Thus, it is important to optimize head speed, instead of weight. Since impact tools are designed for use by a range of human beings and driven by body action and because head speed is a more significant factor than mass, the mass should be optimized for the least powerful person likely to use the tool—or a range of impact heads of different mass could be used.

While mass and distance are factors that influence the ability to generate head speed, aerodynamic drag on the tool head is another factor to be considered. The smooth cylindrical surface of the cylindrical mass section and glass rake portion reduces aerodynamic drag.

In addition, swing weight is a measurement of how heavy a tool feels when swinging to hit a glass surface. Swing weight is a function of static weight combined with the balance or distribution of weight. Unbalanced weights are more difficult to swing. The balanced arrangement of projections along a single plane and smooth exterior surfaces improve performance. The balanced arrangement of the projections80and glass retraction rake portion20raround the longitudinal axis of the tool is especially evident inFIGS.7,8,19and20.

Laminated glass and safety glass are two types of glass that are designed to provide enhanced strength and safety in different ways.

Laminated glass often used in the windshield of autos glass, is a type of glass that is made by sandwiching a layer of plastic between two layers of glass. When laminated glass is struck with a force, the plastic layer helps to absorb the energy of the impact and prevent the glass from breaking. As a result, laminated glass is less likely to shatter and can provide better protection against impacts and intrusions.

Safety glass, on the other hand, is a type of glass that is designed to shatter into small, relatively harmless pieces when it is broken. Safety glass is used on the side and rear windows of autos. This can help to reduce the risk of injury from broken glass and make the glass safer to use in certain applications. There are several types of safety glass, including tempered glass, which is heat-treated to increase its strength and shatter resistance, and wired glass, which is made by embedding a wire mesh in the glass to hold the pieces in place if it breaks.

In general, laminated glass is more resistant to breaking than safety glass, but safety glass is designed to shatter in a safer manner if it does break. Both types of glass can be used in a variety of applications, depending on the specific needs and requirements of the situation.

The peripheral rake portion20rof the impact heads10,110can be used to push and pull away broken laminated glass. Because the tool is symmetrical, it is optimized to help safely remove the broken glass and create an opening large enough for a person to escape through. The rake portion is also useful to drag along the edge of a shattered safety glass enclosure to remove shards of glass remaining in the frame of the enclosure. Thus, the rake20ris useful for clearing both types of laminated and safety glass after breaking.

All things being equal, a tools swing weight will increase as the tool's weight is shifted toward the head of the tool. If the weight shifts toward the handle, the swing weight will decrease. Therefore, a tool with a baton having additional telescoping sections is advantageous in that it allows for adjustable length to accommodate variations in user strength.FIG.31shows a baton50with five distinct sections (52-56) telescoping to enhance adjustability. Each section has an independent friction lock such that all, none or any number of the sections may be locked into an extended position.FIG.33shows a baton with two sections54,53extended and one section52retracted. While the adjustable length feature provided by telescoping sections is often advantageous, the impacts heads10,110described herein may used on a fixed length rubber handle or a fixed length baton.

Another factor to consider in optimizing the design of the impact head10is the direction of the reaction force applied by the carbide tips82tool on impact. Force on the tip82is transmitted through the projections80and impact head10to the narrow tip of the baton50. It is advantageous to apply the force at an angle of about 35-55 degrees to the axis3of the tool to reduce the shearing force on the tool and resolve much of the force as a torsional force. B As shown by arrows inFIGS.10and22, because of the angle of the planar surfaces15,115the impact force on the projections80is transmitted to the threaded connector at a location that minimizes torsional force on the baton because the forced is applied on the base of the threaded portion.

Embodiments of the invention provides an attachment that transforms an ordinary police baton into a swingable glass-breaking tool that allows application of much greater force (impact energy) than known designs. As shown inFIGS.32and33, a button adapter is designed to attach to a button of the type often provided at extended end of an ordinary police baton. Police batons (for instance ASP and Monadnock are common police batons) commonly include a bulbous button at the tip, one example of which is shown inFIG.34. Police generally cannot breach glass on the first hit and usually take multiple hard hits ultimately to break through glass because force must be applied along the length of the baton (longitudinally).

As shown inFIGS.32and33, the button adapter slides over the extended end of a police baton. A compression sleeve is advantageous for this purpose. The impact head attached (such as by snapping) into place over the bulbous baton ball at the end of the baton50, while the shaft of the Scepter holds the device more securely to the shaft of the baton, helping to stabilize the piece onto the baton as it strikes glass.

The button adapter head snaps over the baton ball, and the shaft provides greater holding strength to the baton because it is firmly attached to the baton shaft. There are numerous alternative methods to hold the impact head to the baton including the following exemplary embodiments. The first method utilizes a wing-nut screw to secure the sleeve to the baton shaft. The second method utilizes a curved latch that clamps tightly around the baton shaft. The third method utilizes a shaft that twists closed over an underlying threaded tube, which clamps onto the baton tightly. The internal surface of the shaft can hold a rubberized material which will help secure the device to the baton shaft to prevent slipping. A fourth method utilizes a hinge on the Impact head adapter shaft, which allows the sleeve to open in a perpendicular position from the baton shaft, allowing the Impact head adapter head to be snapped over the baton head, then the Impact head adapter shaft (sleeve) is closed down over the baton and snapped and secured into a closed position over the baton shaft. A fifth method requires the end button on the police baton to be removed. The Impact head adapter head has a threaded screw protruding down from the under side of the head, which will screw directly into the open threads inside the end of the police baton. The Impact head adapter would also have a shaft that slides over the open baton shaft to provide stability, and may or may not require any type of clamping to the baton shaft.

The entire product can be made either from steel, other hardened metal, ceramic or a composite material hard enough to withstand blows onto glass and hard enough to hold the spikes.

Other structures may be used to secure the sleeve to the baton including a quick release over center clamp, compression fittings such as those that include an inner sleeve with fingers compressed inwardly by an outer sleeve threaded on moved longitudinally relative to the inner sleeve.

From the foregoing, the significance of the design features detailed in the drawings will be evident.FIG.1andFIG.2show perspective views of an impact head10with six peripheral projections80and an axial projection. As shown, the peripheral projections are all secured to planar surfaces15provided on the impact head10and the axial projection is secured to the planar surfaced of the truncated conical portion of the impact head10. The peripheral surface of the impact head below the conical portion is a smooth cylindrical surface that extends to equally spaced rake portions20rformed by scalloped cuts20sin the cylindrical surface. The impact head includes an axially aligned threaded opening18for receiving a threaded connection to an adapter or baton.

FIG.3andFIG.4show perspective views of an impact head without projections80. As shown, threaded openings14are provided to receive the threaded portion88of the projections80. The projections have a hex nut surfaces84that allow the projections80to be tightened into or loosed from the impact head80with a wrench. The six equally spaced planar surfaces15are each provided as a planar section through the conical portion12of the impact head10. As shown inFIG.3the resulting planar surfaces15have hyperbolic upper edges. The planar surfaces15are tilted downward from the conical surface of portion12so that projections mounted on the planar surfaces15extend at a greater interior angle than the angle of the conical surface of portion12.

FIGS.5and6show side views of the impact head10.FIG.5illustrates the demarcation between the conical section12, the cylindrical central mass16and the scalloped rake portion20. The angle of the conical surface β and angle α of the planar surfaces are also indicated. In the example shown, the exterior angle of the conical surface β is about 45° and exterior angle α is about 35°

FIG.7shows a bottom view of an impact head andFIG.8shows a top view of an impact head. In these views the balanced alignment of the threaded openings14that receive projections80and rake portions is evident. As shown, the openings14are centered at an angle Θ from each other—in this example, theta is 60°.

FIGS.9and10show sectional side views of an impact head10.FIG.9again illustrates the demarcation between the conical section12, the cylindrical central mass16and the scalloped rake portion20. The angles of the conical surface β and angle α of the planar surfaces are also indicated. In the example shown, the angle of the conical surface β is 45° and angle α is 55°. The angle E is supplementary to angle β (i.e., ε=180°−β). As shown, the planar surfaces15are tilted downward from the conical surface of portion12so that projections mounted on the planar surfaces15extend at a greater included interior angle than the angle of the conical surface of portion12. The angle α should be greater than 45° and less than 90° preferably 55-75° to ensure optimal impact.

FIGS.11-14show various views of a threaded projection80that includes a carbide tip82. The thread88in openings14in the impact head10. Above the threaded portion88, the projection in generally conical, but flat hex surfaces84are provided at the base of the projection80so that a socket wrench or similar tool can be used to tighten or loosen; the projection80from the impact head10.

FIGS.15-22show various views of an alternative impact head110with projections80. The impact head110is nearly identical to the impact head10with similar features labeled with the same reference numeral or the same reference numeral preceded by 1. The difference between impact head110and impact head10is that instead of an axial projection80, the conical portion112tof impact head110extends to the apex of the cone (i.e., the cone is not truncated) and the axial carbide tip82is provided directly into the tip of the impact head110. As shown inFIGS.17and18, the conical portion is angled at an angle Π that is preferably 45°). As shown, the planar surfaces115are tilted downward from the conical surface of portion112so that projections mounted on the planar surfaces115extend at a greater interior angle than the angle of the conical surface of portion112.FIG.117illustrates the demarcation between the conical section112, the cylindrical central mass116and the scalloped rake portion120.

FIGS.23-25show various views of a baton50with three telescoping sections52,53,54. The sections of the baton may be made of metal or a non-metallic material such as rubber or plastic. The sections have tapered ends to provide a friction lock that allows any section to be locked into an extended position or pushed into a retracted position. The baton includes a seat belt cutter64covered by a cap62. The distal section54includes an external thread57to allow attachment with an impact head10,110. An alternative design has an internal thread that receives a threaded adapter30. As shown inFIG.24, the distal end54is solid. Such a solid section may be used by itself as a short handle according to an embodiment of the invention. The solid handle54may be formed of impact absorbing rubber or plastic, or metal.

A rubber or plastic handle54can absorb impact force better than a metal handle due to the ability of rubber and certain plastics to deform upon impact. Deformation allows the handle to absorb some of the energy from the impact, reducing the amount of force that is transmitted to the user's hand. In contrast, a metal handle does not have this ability to deform and therefore transmits more of the impact force to the user's hand. Additionally, the rubber or plastic handle may have some additional shock-absorbing properties, such as a higher level of friction, which can further reduce the amount of force transmitted to the user's hand.

The impact heads10,110described herein can be a standalone unit that can be quickly screwed onto the end of a standard police baton, such as an ASP baton, using a quick release/attachment device or threaded adapter30.

Details of the threaded adapter30are illustrated inFIGS.26A-27B. The threaded adapter30is a device that is used to connect a baton50and impact head10,110when the parts have different thread sizes or types. The threaded adapter30consists of two threaded sections34and36or37that are separated by a nut32. The first threaded section34is designed to fit onto the standard opening18of the impact head10,110, while the second threaded section36or37is designed to fit into the internal thread of a baton. The nut32serves to secure the two parts together by applying pressure to the threads of both sections.

The purpose of a threaded adapter30is to allow for a secure connection between two parts that would otherwise not be compatible due to differences in their threading. To use a threaded adapter, one simply needs to attach it to the first part10,110by screwing it on to the appropriate threading, and then attach the second part50to the adapter by screwing it onto the second threaded section. The nut can then be tightened to secure the connection and ensure that the two parts are held together firmly.

FIG.28is an exploded perspective view of a glass breaking tool that includes a multi-section baton, a threaded adapter30and an impact head10.FIG.29is a detail perspective view of the tip of a baton and adapter30.FIG.30is a side perspective of a baton with a threaded opening for receiving an adapter.

FIG.31is a perspective of a five-section baton with a threaded opening for receiving an adapter, The five sections52,53,54,55,56are each independently retractable and friction lockable into an expanded position. The effective length of the baton can be readily modified by retracting any, all or none of the sections. The most distal section—here56—includes a threaded section (internal or external) to allow connection to an impact head.10,110.

FIGS.32and33are partial sectional side views of a glass-breaking device that includes retractable lockable baton sections52,53,54, an impact head10and a button adapter to connect to the distal button type quick connect fitting58of a police baton.FIGS.34-37depict details of components of the glass-breaking device shown inFIGS.32and33.

FIG.34is a detail view of the button construction at the tip of a baton or handle that is made of rubber, plastic or metal. The baton or handle detail may be used in a standalone handle or on the distal end of a telescoping baton.

As shown, the baton50button is in the form of a quick connect fitting58that snaps into a complementary fitting in a threaded adapter or directly into an impact head. The quick connect fitting includes a male and female component, each with a circular fitting that can be locked together by spring detents. The male fitting has a protruding stem that fits into the female fitting, and the detents holds the two fittings in place by compressing the stem. To release the connection, the latch can be easily opened by mechanical action to allow the detents to retract, allowing the two fittings to be separated quickly and easily.

Various Reference Numerals have been used in this description and in the drawings, for quick reference, these are:10Impact Head;12Conical or partially conical section;14Threaded Opening;15Planar Projection support surface;16Cylindrical Mass Section;18Threaded Adapter opening;20Glass Rake Portion;20rRake extension;20sRake scallop;30Adapter;32Central nut portion;34First threaded Portion;36Second Threaded Portion;37Third Threaded portions;50Baton;52First telescoping section;53Second telescoping section;54Third telescoping section;55Fourth telescoping section;56Fifth telescoping section;57Thread;58Button/Quick Connect;60Threaded opening;62Cap;64Seat belt Cutter;80projection;82carbide tip;84planar hex surfaces;88threaded extension. InFIG.9-16—A different embodiment with solid conical tip instead of projection:110Impact Head;112Conical or partially conical section;112tconical tip with carbide tip82;114Threaded Opening;115Planar Projection support surface;116Cylindrical Mass Section;118Threaded Adapter opening;120Glass Rake Portion;120rRake extension and120sRake scallop.