US20130160342A1

US20130160342A1 - Forcible entry device

Info

Publication number: US20130160342A1
Application number: US13/336,532
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph L. Melton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-12-23
Filing date: 2011-12-23
Publication date: 2013-06-27

Abstract

A forcible entry device or door breaching device for attachment to the muzzle of a rifle or shotgun. The device includes a ram which is driven into the door by the explosive gases discharged from a blank cartridge or shell.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a forcible entry device or a door breaching device which may be selectively attached to the muzzle of a weapon such as a rifle or shotgun.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many types of forcible entry devices or door breaching devices have been previously provided to enable law enforcement personnel or military personnel to quickly gain access into a building, dwelling, etc. having a doorway which is closed by a door. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,765 discloses a rifle grenade for blasting an object at a short range. The rifle grenade of the '765 Patent is not designed to be placed directly against the door. Further, the device of the 765 Patent requires a special grenade. U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,228 discloses a portable hand-held forcible entry device which drives a striker having a tool bit attached thereto. The '228 Patent requires that the barrel of the firing weapon be removed.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,788 discloses a device which is attached to the barrel of a shotgun. The device of the '788 Patent requires that the extension thereof be manually driven through the wall or door. U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,723 requires a special apparatus and cannot be selectively attached to the muzzle of a rifle or shotgun.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
A forcible entry device or door breaching device is disclosed for use with a weapon such as a rifle or shotgun which is capable of discharging a blank cartridge or shell so that the explosive gases therefrom are discharged from the muzzle of the barrel thereof into the forcible entry device. The forcible entry device includes an elongated tube having rearward and forward ends with each of the rearward and forward ends of the tube having openings formed therein. The tube includes a chamber formed therein which extends between the openings in the rearward and forward ends thereof. The rearward end of the tube is adapted to be selectively secured to the muzzle of the barrel of the weapon so that the explosive gases being discharged from the muzzle, upon the firing of the cartridge or shell, will pass through the opening in the rearward end thereof into the chamber. An elongated piston, having rearward and forward ends, is movably mounted between first and second positions in the chamber. The forward end of the piston extends outwardly from the chamber through the opening in the forward end of the tube.
A ram plate is secured to the forward end of the piston so as to be positioned outwardly of the forward end of the tube. The ram plate is movable with the piston between first and second positions. A guide collar slidably embraces the tube. The device also includes first and second elongated guide rods having rearward and forward ends. The rearward ends of the guide rods are secured to the guide collar with the forward ends of the guide rods being secured to the ram plate. A stand-off member is provided which includes a base plate with first and second spaced-apart leg portions extending forwardly therefrom. The base plate has an opening formed therein. The base plate is secured to the forward end of the tube so that the opening in the base plate registers with the opening in the forward end of the tube so that the piston extends to pass through the opening in the base plate. An elongated return spring is also provided which has rearward and forward ends. The rearward end of the return spring is secured to the tube adjacent the rearward end thereof. The forward end of the return spring is secured to the ram plate.
The discharge of a blank cartridge or shell by the weapon causes the explosive gases therefrom to drive the piston from its first position towards its second position thereby causing the ram plate to be driven from its first position to its second position forwardly outwardly from the stand-off member into the door thereby breaching the same. The tube has a gas vent opening formed therein which extends from the chamber outwardly through the tube. The gas vent opening is positioned in the tube whereby the explosive gases in the chamber will be vented from the tube after the rearward end of the piston has passed thereby and reached its second position. The return spring returns the ram plate from its second position to its first position after the door has been breached.
It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved forcible entry device or door breaching device.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described which is adapted to be selectively secured to the muzzle of the barrel of a rifle or shotgun.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described which is safe and convenient to use.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a rifle having the flash arrester removed therefrom so that the device of this invention may be attached to the muzzle of the rifle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the forcible entry device of this invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the forcible entry device of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the forcible entry device of this invention mounted on the muzzle of the rifle;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional and elevational view illustrating the forcible entry device of this invention placed against the exterior surface of a door; and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 except that the weapon has been discharged to force the ram of the device through the door thereby breaching the same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
The numeral 10 refers to a weapon such as a rifle which may be an AR-15, AK-47, etc. A shotgun could be used in place of the rifle 10 if so desired. Rifle 10 includes a barrel 12 having an externally threaded muzzle 14 which is adapted to have a device 16 secured thereto. Device 16 is sometimes termed a muzzle brake, flash arrestor, flash hider or compensator. The numeral 18 refers to a blank cartridge which is crimpled at 20 to maintain the powder therein.
The numeral 22 refers to the forced entry device or door breaching device of this invention. Device 22 includes an elongated tube 24 having a rearward end 26 and a forward end 28. Tube 24 is hollow so as to define an internal chamber or bore 30. Tube 24 is provided with an internally threaded portion 32 at end 26 which is adapted to threadably receive the externally threaded muzzle 14 of rifle 10 as seen in FIG. 4. Tube 24 has a gas discharge vent 34 formed therein which communicates with chamber 30 as seen in FIG. 4.
An elongated piston 36 is slidably mounted in chamber 30 and includes a rearward end 38 and a forward end 40. A rectangular flat ram or ram plate 42 is welded to the forward end 40 of piston 36 as seen in FIG. 4. Bracket or ear 44 is welded to ram 42 and extends rearwardly therefrom. The forward end of a return spring 46 is secured to bracket 44. The rearward end of return spring 46 is secured to a bracket or ear 48 which is welded to tube 24 so as to extend laterally therefrom. Return spring 46 may be a metal spring or an elastic cord such as a bungee cord to yieldably return the ram 42 to the position of FIG. 4. Return spring 46 may be enclosed within a tube if so desired.
The numeral 50 refers to an elongated guide rod having a rearward end 52 and a forward end 54. The forward end 54 of guide rod extends through an opening 56 in ram 42 and is welded to ram 42. The numeral 58 refers to an elongated guide rod having a rearward end 60 and a forward end 62. The forward end 62 of guide rod 58 extends through an opening 64 formed in ram 42 and is welded to ram 42. The rearward ends of guide rods 50 and 58 are welded to a guide collar 66 which slidably embraces tube 24. If so desired, the guide rods 50 and 58 and the guide collar 66 could be omitted.
A stand-off 68 is welded to the forward end of tube 24 as will now be described. The stand-off 68 includes a generally U-shaped or channel-shaped body 70 including a base portion 72 and spaced- apart legs 74 and 76 which extend forwardly from base portion 72. The forward ends of legs 74 and 76 have laterally extending tapered tips 78 and 80 thereon respectively. Base portion 72 has a central opening 82 formed therein which slidably receives piston 36. Collar or sleeve 84 is fixed to tube 24 by a pin or the like. Collar 84 is welded to the rearward side of base portion 72. Base portion 72 has semi-circular openings 86 and 88 formed therein which slidably receive guide rods 50 and 58 respectively.
The forcible entry device 22 is used as follows to breach a door 90 including a lock 92. The device 16 is threadably removed from the muzzle 14 of the weapon 10. Device 22 is threadably secured to muzzle 14 as previously described. One or more blank cartridges 18 are inserted into the magazine or clip of the weapon with one of the cartridges 18 being chambered.
The stand-off 68 is then positioned relative to the door 90 so that the tapered tips 78 and 80 are positioned against the exterior surface of the door 90 on opposite sides of the lock 92. If desired, one of the tapered tips 78 or 80 could be inserted between the side edge of the door and the molding extending therearound. The weapon is then fired. The explosive gases from the cartridge are driven into chamber 30 which drives the piston 36 and ram 42 from the position of FIGS. 4 and 5 to the position of FIG. 6 with the ram 42 driving the lock 92 from the door to breach the door. The explosive gases in chamber 30 are vented therefrom through vent opening 34 after the rearward end of piston 36 has passed forwardly of vent opening 34. Upon the venting of the gases from chamber 30, the return spring 46 returns the ram 42 from the position of FIG. 6 to the position of FIG. 4. If the door 90 hasn't been successfully breached during the first attempt, a second cartridge may be fired to further demolish the door 90 to allow it to be opened.
Thus it can be seen that a truly unique forcible entry device has been provided which is convenient and safe to use and which may be quickly and easily attached to the muzzle of a weapon such as a rifle or shotgun.
Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

I claim:

1. A door breaching device for use with a weapon capable of discharging a blank shell or cartridge so that the explosive gases therefrom are discharged from the muzzle of the barrel thereof, comprising:

an elongated tube having rearward and forward ends;

said rearward end of said tube having an opening formed therein;

said forward end of said tube having an opening formed therein;

said tube having a chamber formed therein which extends between the openings in said rearward and forward ends thereof;

said rearward end of said tube being adapted to be selectively secured to the muzzle of the barrel of the weapon so that the explosive gases being discharged from the muzzle will pass through said opening in said rearward end thereof into said chamber;

an elongated piston, having rearward and forward ends, movably mounted between first and second positions in said chamber;

said forward end of said piston extending outwardly from said chamber through said opening in said forward end of said tube;

a ram secured to said forward end of said piston so as to be positioned outwardly of said forward end of said tube;

said ram being movable with said piston between first and second positions;

a stand-off member including a base plate and first and second spaced-apart leg portions extending forwardly from said base plate;

said base plate having an opening formed therein;

said base plate being secured to said forward end of said tube so that said opening in said base plate registers with said opening in said forward end of said tube to enable said piston to movably extend through said opening in said base plate;

an elongated return spring having rearward and forward ends;

said rearward end of said return spring being operatively secured to said tube adjacent said rearward end thereof;

said forward end of said return spring being secured to said ram;

the discharge of a blank shell or cartridge by the weapon causing the explosive gases therefrom to drive said piston from said first position towards said second position thereby causing said ram to be driven from said first position to said second position forwardly outwardly from said stand-off member into the door thereby breaching the same;

said tube having a gas vent opening formed therein which extends from said chamber outwardly through said tube;

said gas vent opening being positioned in said tube whereby the explosive gases in said chamber will be vented from said tube after said rearward end of said piston has passed thereby and reached said second position;

said return spring returning said ram from said second position to said first position.

2. The door breaching device of claim 1 wherein each of said leg portions of said stand-off member have a tip portion extending laterally therefrom.

3. The door breaching device of claim 2 wherein each of said tip portions are tapered.

4. The door breaching device of claim 1 further includes a guide collar which slidably embraces said tube, first and second elongated guide rods having rearward and forward ends, said rearward ends of said guide rods being secured to said guide collar, said forward ends of said guide rods being secured to said ram.

5. In combination:

a rifle capable of discharging a blank cartridge so that the explosive gases therefrom are discharged from the muzzle of the barrel thereof;

and a forcible entry device selectively removably secured to the muzzle of the rifle.

6. In combination:

a shotgun capable of discharging a blank shell so that the explosive gases therefrom are discharged from the muzzle of the barrel thereof;