U.S. patent application number 12/817990 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-09 for training door.
Invention is credited to David Bassett, Kyle Bateman, Thomas Marshall, Addison Sovine, James Sovine, Tom Wright.
Application Number | 20100311015 12/817990 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37187373 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100311015 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sovine; Addison ; et
al. |
December 9, 2010 |
TRAINING DOOR
Abstract
A reusable ballistic door for use in the training of individuals
such as police officers and military personnel. The door may be
formed to have different weak spots, requiring different techniques
to enter the door. The door may be quickly and inexpensively
rebuilt for subsequent training. A reusable training door may also
be used inside of a shoot house to provide realistic training
scenarios.
Inventors: |
Sovine; Addison; (Orem,
UT) ; Bateman; Kyle; (Provo, UT) ; Bassett;
David; (Provo, UT) ; Sovine; James; (Orem,
UT) ; Wright; Tom; (Highland, UT) ; Marshall;
Thomas; (Provo, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BATEMAN IP LAW GROUP
P.O. BOX 1319
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84110
US
|
Family ID: |
37187373 |
Appl. No.: |
12/817990 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11321738 |
Dec 29, 2005 |
7789666 |
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12817990 |
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|
60640484 |
Dec 30, 2004 |
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60651587 |
Feb 10, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
434/11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 9/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/11 |
International
Class: |
F41A 33/00 20060101
F41A033/00 |
Claims
1. A forced entry training door comprising: a generally bullet
proof plate defining the door; at least one opening formed in the
generally bullet proof plate; and a material for covering the at
least one opening which is destructible by bullets, explosives,
ramming, kicking, prying, or the like.
2. The training door of claim 1, wherein the door is opened by
destroying the destructible material.
3. The training door of claim 1, wherein the destructible material
is selected from the group consisting of plywood, sheetrock, wood,
acoustic tile, and plastic.
4. The training door of claim 1, wherein the door further comprises
a hinge, latch, or closure mechanism attached to the destructible
material such that destroying the material separates the hinge,
latch, or closure mechanism from the door.
5. The training door of claim 1, wherein entry is achieved by
destroying the destructible material and passing through an
opening.
6. The training door of claim 1, further comprising a bullet
containment frame.
7. The training door of claim 6, wherein the bullet containment
frame comprises a sheet of bullet penetrable material attached to
the door.
8. The training door of claim 7, wherein the sheet is attached to
the door so as to form a space between the bullet proof plate and
the sheet.
9. The training door of claim 7, wherein the sheet is attached to
the door via wood strips.
10. The training door of claim 1, further comprising a door
frame.
11. The training door of claim 10, wherein the door is attached to
the door frame via hinges.
12. The training door of claim 11, wherein the hinges comprise a
pin and a socket, and wherein the door may be lifted off of the
door frame without tools.
13. The training door of claim 10, wherein the door frame is formed
from plate steel.
14. The training door of claim 10, wherein the door frame is
configured for modular attachment to a shoot house.
15. The training door of claim 14, wherein the outer edge of the
door frame is plate steel, and wherein the frame is attachable to a
shoot house by placement adjacent a steel panel of the shoot house
so as to form a joint and by securing the joint with a facing
strip, backing means, and bolts.
16. The training door of claim 10, comprising a frame latch bracket
disposed on the door frame and a door latch bracket disposed on the
door, wherein the door is secured by connecting the door latch
bracket and frame latch bracket with a breakable connector.
17. The training door of claim 16, wherein the breakable connector
is selected from the group consisting of bolts, dowels, wire,
plastic rods, plastic, cable ties, and wire ties.
18. The training door of claim 10, wherein the door comprises a
latch mechanism for holding the door shut which is reusable without
replacement of any parts.
19. The training door of claim 18, wherein the latch mechanism
comprises a lever and a catch plate.
20. The training door of claim 19, wherein the lever is biased
against the catch plate, and wherein application of sufficient
force to the door causes the lever to release from the catch plate
and causes the door to open.
21. The training door of claim 10, wherein the door frame comprises
a bullet containment frame.
22. The training door of claim 21, wherein the bullet containment
frame comprises a sheet of bullet penetrable material generally
covering and spaced apart from the door frame.
23. The training door of claim 1, wherein the door further
comprises: a closure mechanism which is reusable without
replacement of consumable materials configured for holding the door
closed until the door is opened by at least one technique selected
from the group consisting of kicking, ramming, impacting, shooting,
blasting, and prying.
24. The training door of claim 23, wherein the closure mechanism
comprises: a latch member; a catch member; and a biasing element
for urging the latch member into engagement with the catch member
and holding the door closed.
25. A training door for use in a ballistic environment comprising:
a door; a door frame; a first closure mechanism comprising: a lever
attached to the door; a catch plate; a biasing element attached to
the lever and configured for applying force to the lever to bias
the lever against the catch plate and thereby hold the door closed;
and wherein the door may be opened by applying sufficient force to
the door to thereby remove the lever from engagement with the catch
plate a second closure mechanism comprising: a breakable member
connecting the door to the door frame.
26. A forced entry training door comprising: a door frame; a door
formed from bullet resistant plate steel and attached to the door
frame with hinges; a first closure mechanism comprising: a latch
member movably attached to the door; a catch member; and a biasing
element configured for urging the latch member into engagement with
the catch member so as to hold the door closed a second closure
mechanism comprising: a breakable member connecting the door to the
door frame.
27.-77. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Related Applications
[0002] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/640,484, filed Dec. 30, 2004,
expressly incorporated herein, and U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/651,587, filed Feb. 10, 2005, expressly incorporated herein.
[0003] 2. The Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a door for use in shoot
houses and ballistic training. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a modular training door for forced entry which
may be quickly and cost effectively replaced.
[0005] 3. State of the Art
[0006] In conducting training for individuals such as police
officers, military personnel, etc. it is desirable to duplicate the
conditions which the individual will encounter while working. Thus,
training should simulate job activities, with the goal of making
the training as realistic as is practical.
[0007] It is desirable for individuals such as police officers and
military personnel to participate in training scenarios such as
entering buildings or rooms, or sweeping areas. In actual working
scenarios, these tasks often involve breaking down doors.
Therefore, it is ideal for training scenarios intended to simulate
these working conditions to also involve breaking down doors.
[0008] Traditionally, a conventional door is installed into the
training area, and the trainees enter the door and complete the
exercise. The common methods for entering a closed or locked door
include: kicking in the door, using a battering ram to break in the
door, using a shotgun to blast away the door latch or hinges, and
using explosives to blast through the door. Thus, the door is
typically destroyed during the exercise.
[0009] Ordinary doors are somewhat expensive, typically up to a few
hundred dollars depending on the type of door. Additionally, some
time and work is required to install a new door after the previous
door has been used.
[0010] The expenses in performing training where individuals break
through doors are significant because the door is often destroyed
during every training exercise. Where multiple doors may be used
inside of a training building, there is considerable time and
expense to replace all of the doors prior to the next training
session.
[0011] A reusable training door has been made which is designed to
be kicked or smashed open without destroying the door. The door is
attached to a specialized door frame with a number of pegs having a
star shaped cross section. The door is then opened by hitting or
kicking the door with sufficient force to break the pegs. The
specialized pegs are, however, fairly expensive, making the door
less practical for repeated use. Additionally, the door may not be
opened in a variety of methods commonly used, including shooting
the door open or blasting the door open, without destroying the
door.
[0012] Training doors, such as those discussed above, are not known
in a shoot house. Training doors have been built to allow limited
types of entry techniques to be practiced, such as forcing a door
open, but the training doors known are simply placed in a door
jamb, placed vertical, braced to remain vertical when hit, and
broken open. They are not used in combination with a larger
training environment such as a shoot house. As such, the training
doors have limited training benefit as the door is simply broken
open, and is not used in the context of a training scenario.
[0013] There is thus a need for a door which is cheaper and easier
to use than a conventional door in training individuals such as
police and military personnel in breaking through doorways. There
is also a need for a reusable door which is not destroyed during
the training exercise, which uses inexpensive and readily available
replacement parts if necessary, and which may be opened by a
variety of methods commonly used by police and military personnel.
There is also a need for a training door which may be mounted
inside of a shoot house so as to provide a realistic environment in
which to use the training door.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved door for use in training police officers, military
personnel, and the like.
[0015] According to some aspects of the present invention, the door
is reusable. Additionally, the door may be constructed to have some
parts which are bullet proof and some parts which may be destroyed
in training and replaced. A door may be constructed of steel plate
and may use some destructible materials such as wood to allow for
breaking through the door. Alternatively, the door may use a
variety of catches which allow the door to open once sufficient
force is applied.
[0016] According to other aspects of the invention, the door is
easily repaired and placed for subsequent training. Where
necessary, various parts of the door may be replaced after being
broken during training. These parts of the door may be made from
commonly available material such as wood, wire, plastic, etc.
[0017] According to other aspects of the present invention, the
door or a replaceable portion thereof is inexpensive. A portion of
the door may be constructed from steel and bullet proof steel
plate, using conventional construction methods, making the door
durable. Other portions of the door may be made from a relatively
inexpensive and destructible material, such that small and
inexpensive portions of the door are replaced after training
exercises.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and
described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a door according aspects of to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 shows another door according to aspects of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 shows another door according to aspects of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a door frame according to aspects of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a method of removably attaching steel plates
known in the prior art;
[0024] FIGS. 6a-6c show a hinge according to aspects of the present
invention;
[0025] FIGS. 7a-7d show a hinge according to aspects of the present
invention;
[0026] FIGS. 8a-8c show a hinge according to aspects of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 9a shows a hinge according to aspects of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 9b shows a hinge pin according to the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 10 shows a latch bracket according to aspects of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 11a-c shows a latch bracket according to aspects of the
present invention;
[0031] FIG. 12a-d shows a latch bracket according to aspects of the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 13 shows a door with a bullet containment frame
according to aspects of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 14 shows a bullet containment frame according to the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 15 shows another door according to the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 16 shows door latch mechanism according to the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 17a-17e show catch plates according to the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 18a shows a breakable latch mechanism according to the
present invention;
[0038] FIG. 18b shows another door having multiple latch mechanisms
according to the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 19 shows a door according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 20 shows a door latch mechanism according to the
present invention;
[0041] FIG. 21 shows a catch mechanism according to the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 22 shows a top view of a shoot house utilizing training
doors according to the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 23 shows a top view of a magnetic training door
according to the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 24 shows a top view of another magnetic training door
according to the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 25 shows a top view of a suction actuated training door
according to the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 26 shows a top view of a piston latch training door
according to the present invention; and
[0047] FIG. 27 shows a top view of the latch mechanism of the
training door of FIG. 26.
[0048] It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative
and not limiting of the invention, and that the various embodiments
shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] The drawings will now be discussed in reference to the
numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to
practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are
exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended
to narrow the scope of the appended claims.
[0050] Turning to FIG. 1, a door according to aspects of the
present invention is shown. The door 10 is constructed from a piece
of plate steel, and is formed with a number of hinges 14 and a
bracket 18, which simulates the door latch.
[0051] Typically, the door 10 will be mounted in a bullet proof
training environment, such as a shoot house, which has been
designed for the appropriate training scenario. Typically, these
scenarios include raiding a building or room, clearing areas of
hidden dangers or enemies, a drug bust, etc.
[0052] The shoot house will thus have a location for mounting the
door 10, including a place to mount hinges and a bracket which
correspond to the hinges 14 and bracket 18 on the door. It will be
appreciated that the door will be used in an environment which
includes bullets, small explosives, and the use of force.
Accordingly, the door 10 and associated hinges 14 and bracket 18
are preferably constructed so as to be both durable and bullet
resistant.
[0053] The specific design of the door hinges 14 and bracket 18
will depend upon the desired method of opening the door for a
specific training scenario. Where an all steel construction is used
for a particular structure, the structure will be generally
impervious to bullets, explosives, and force. Thus, certain parts
of the door 10 are preferably made to be breakable. The door of
FIG. 1 may be formed with any or all of the devices shown in the
remaining figures and should be read as such.
[0054] In discussing the present invention, it will be appreciated
that the various aspects and subassemblies (such as hinges,
catches, openings, etc.) shown in the drawings may be combined in
an almost endless number of possibilities to form a desired
training door. It will be appreciated that it is thus not possible
to discuss every possible training door which may be formed
according to the present invention in a concise manner. Thus, the
invention is discussed by presenting a number of different types of
training doors or door styles, and also by presenting details of
the various hinge styles, door catches or latch mechanisms,
destructible portions of the door, etc. The various subassemblies
and mechanisms of the doors are discussed separately to allow for
greater detail in the discussion thereof. Thus, the discussion of
each style or type of door should be read as including the various
hinge designs, catch mechanisms, etc. which are shown and described
separately.
[0055] Turning to FIG. 2, another door 22 according to the present
invention is shown. The door 22 is shown with cutout portions 26 in
the place of hinges or a closing latch or bracket. The cutout
portions 26 may be surrounded by a number of holes 30. Holes 30 may
used for attaching a piece of a destructible material, such as
wood, sheetrock, acoustic tile, ceiling tile, foam, plastic, or the
like over the cutout portion 26. Typically, nuts and bolts may be
used to attach the destructible material to the door.
Alternatively, threaded studs may be attached to the door 22,
screws may pass through the holes 30 and inserted into the
destructible material, or other fasteners may be used. A hinge or
bracket may then be attached to the destructible material. This
allows a trainee to break or shoot through the material to open the
door. It will be appreciated that destructible as used herein means
that the material may be broken, damaged, or otherwise consumed in
response to kicking, battering, shooting, or the use of explosives.
Additionally, it will be appreciated that a large number of
materials may be used, with varying sizes of material used to
provide varying resistance to breaking the material and opening the
door. Materials are typically selected by their mechanical
properties such as breaking, their cost, and their ease of
replacement.
[0056] It will be appreciated that not all of the hinges or
brackets need be attached to a piece of destructible material.
Thus, a door may be constructed with a generally bullet proof
bracket (simulating the door latch) and hinges which are attached
to destructible material. This simulates a door with a bullet proof
plate covering the latch but with unprotected hinges. Additionally,
the bracket may be attached to the destructible material and the
hinges made generally bullet proof, simulating a door which may be
entered by breaking or shooting the latch.
[0057] It will be appreciated that the door design shown may be
used with any or all of the hinge, catch, and other mechanisms
shown, and that the remaining figures show features which may be
regarded as part of the door of FIG. 2.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, another door 34 is shown. The door 34
is shown with steel hinges 38 and a steel bracket 42 which are
attached or formed integral with the steel door. Additionally, the
door 34 has a center opening 46, which is a hole cut or otherwise
formed in the center of the door. For training, the hole is
typically covered with a destructible material such as plywood,
sheetrock, etc. The material may be attached with any variety of
means including nuts and bolts, screws, or other fasteners. For
this particular door, a trainee may enter by shooting out the
center portion or removing the center portion with explosives.
[0059] It will be appreciated that the aspects shown in each
embodiment of the training door may be combined, thus, a door may
be formed which includes the center opening of FIG. 3 and the
destructible hinge and catch areas of FIG. 2.
[0060] It will be appreciated in viewing FIGS. 1-3 that a variety
of different doors may be made by combining different door panels,
hinge designs, and latch brackets. By using different combinations
of brackets, hinges, and door panels, doors may be made which
require the trainee to kick the door in, use a battering ram, shoot
certain locations of the door, or use explosives on the door. Thus,
the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3 are understood to include all of
the various assemblies and mechanisms shown in the remaining
figures.
[0061] Using destructible materials in any portion of the door
allows a trainee to break through that portion of the door to
enter. Destructible hinges or latch brackets allow the trainee to
shoot through the hinges or latch. The latch bracket may formed so
as to not be destructible, but the door may be held closed with a
breakable material so that a trainee may kick through the door.
[0062] Turning to FIG. 4, a door frame 50 is shown. Often, the
doors used in training are part of a larger shoot house or
ballistic training area. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a
door which will fit into the training facility without significant
modification of the facility. Some ballistic training facilities
use modular steel panels joined together to form a building.
Accordingly, the door frame 50 may be formed from a steel panel
which is the same size as the modular steel wall panels and which
fits into an existing shoot house. By using a standard sized steel
panel for making a door frame 50, the frame 50 may be placed in a
number of different locations in the shoot house, providing for
maximum flexibility in designing the training area.
[0063] The door frame 50 will typically have a cutout area
indicated at 54 which is somewhat larger than a door which would be
mounted into the frame 50. The frame may also have a number of
hinges 58, and a bracket 62 for mounting the door and securing the
door in a closed position. It will be appreciated that the number,
type, and location of hinges 58 and brackets 62 may be altered
according to the type of door hung and other training needs. For
example, a security vault door or armored door may have more hinges
or latch brackets than a conventional house or building door.
Alternatively, the door frame may provide mounting locations placed
around the door opening to thereby attach hinges, brackets,
latches, etc. to the door frame and thereby secure the door to the
door frame. Thus, a user may mount the type of bracket or latches
that are desired to simulate a particular type of door.
[0064] Additionally, the door frame 50 may be formed with a lower
support piece 66 which supports and strengthens the bottom of the
door frame 50 and maintains the bottom of the door frame 50 at the
proper width. The lower support piece 66 should not protrude
upwardly enough to present a hazard to those passing through the
door. The support piece 66 may be formed integrally with the door
frame by cutting out an enclosed center portion 54 which leaves a
support piece 66. The support piece 66 may also be cut to be an
inch wide or so and then twisted 90 degrees to lay flat against the
floor.
[0065] Additionally, the support piece 66 may be formed from a
separate piece which is attached to the door frame 50 by welding,
bolting, etc. It will be appreciated that the door frame 50 should
be bullet proof, and that welding may weaken the metal and may thus
be less desirable than other attachment methods. If the support
piece 66 is bolted or other wise attached to the door frame 50 the
attachment method should not leave unprotected areas where bullets
may easily pass through.
[0066] It will be appreciated that the door frame shown in FIG. 4
may be formed with any of the various types of doors shown, and may
be formed with any of the types of hinge and latch mechanisms
shown. Thus, the structures shown in the various figures are part
of FIG. 4.
[0067] If the door and door frame 50 shown in FIG. 4 are to be
modular, leaving maximum flexibility in placing the door and
establishing different training scenarios, the frame 50 should
attach to the modular shoot house in the same manner as the other
panels and have the same exterior dimensions as a shoot house
panel. FIG. 5 shows a modular shoot house joint as used to attach a
door frame to a shoot house wall. The door frame 50 may be attached
to another bullet proof panel 70 by placing edge of the door frame
50 adjacent the edge of the other panel 70, and then using a facing
strip 74 to cover the joint, a backing means 78 such as a backing
strip or washers to cover the back of the joint, and a number of
nuts 82 and bolts 86 to hold the facing strips and backing means
tightly against the joint between the panel edges. Additionally,
the facing strip 74 and backing means 78 may be bent lengthwise
into an angle or formed from material with a generally L-shaped
cross-section to place the door frame 50 adjacent a corner in the
shoot house.
[0068] It will be appreciated that one of the significant
advantages of using a ballistic door according to the present
invention is the low cost of rebuilding the destructible parts of
the door as compared to buying a conventional door. Additionally,
the ballistic door may be designed such that rebuilding and
re-hanging the door is quick and easy. The cost and ease of
rebuilding the destructible parts of the door depend largely on the
design of the hinges and latch brackets. Additionally, the hinges
and latch brackets should not be quickly damaged when subjected to
the demands of ballistic training. Thus, it is advantageous for the
hinges and brackets to be formed from plate steel.
[0069] Turning now to FIGS. 6a-6c, a hinge design is shown. Turning
to FIG. 6a, a tab 90 may be cut when forming a door frame 94. The
tab 90 may then be rolled into a tube 98, as shown in FIG. 6b,
which is a top view of the hinge. When the tab 90 is rolled into a
tube 98, the tube 98 is adjacent the door frame 94. Referring to
FIG. 6c, a side view of the hinge is shown. The door frame 94 and
tube 98 are shown. Also shown is a door 102. The door 102 may be
formed with an L-shaped bracket 106 which is inserted into the tube
98, forming the completed hinge. The bracket 106 is made
sufficiently thick to withstand the weight of the door 102 and the
rigors of training. It will be appreciated that the hinge design
shown may be used with any of the door types shown and described in
the figures.
[0070] Turning to FIGS. 7a-7d, another hinge design is shown.
Similar to the hinge of FIG. 6, a tab 110 is formed when cutting a
door frame or hinge plate 114, as shown in FIG. 6a. Referring to
FIG. 7b, the door frame 114 is shown with the tab rolled into a
tube 118. The hinge may be formed as shown in FIG. 7c, which is
advantageous because the hinge tab 110 has been rolled so that the
hole 122 formed is inside of the edge 126 of the door frame 114.
FIG. 7c is a top view of the rolled hinge tube 118, showing how the
hole 122 is inside of the edge 126 of the door frame 114. FIG. 7d
shows a door 130 mounted to the hinge. The door 130 has a bracket
134 which is inserted into the hinge tube 118. The hinge shown
leaves a smaller gap 138 between the door 130 and the door frame
114, which may reduce the risk of bullets passing through the gap.
It will be appreciated that the hinge shown in FIGS. 7a-7d may be
used in combination with any of the doors and door frames shown,
and are thus part of those embodiments.
[0071] Turning to FIG. 8a, a hinge is shown which uses multiple
tabs 142 attached to the door frame 146. The tabs have holes 150,
which may be punched, cut, drilled, or otherwise formed. FIG. 8b is
a top view of the frame, showing how a tab 142 is twisted 90
degrees relative to the frame 146. FIG. 8c is a side view of the
hinge, showing how a pair of tabs 142 form a hinge. The door 154
has a bracket 158 which is inserted into the holes formed in the
tabs.
[0072] The hinge of FIG. 8 may be used with any of the doors shown,
and should be regarded as part of those embodiments.
[0073] Additionally, the hinges shown in FIGS. 6-8 may be formed as
separate pieces or attached to a strip of metal instead of being
formed as part of a door frame. Thus, the hinges may be made to
attach to a large variety of shoot houses and training facilities,
increasing the compatibility of the door.
[0074] Using hinges such as the type shown in FIGS. 6-8, the door
may be simply lifted out of the door frame to rebuild the door for
a future training exercise. The ability to lift the door out of the
door frame simplifies the rebuilding process and allows for faster
replacement of the door. For example, multiple doors may be
prepared for a training exercise. After each successful opening of
the door, the used and damaged door may be removed and a new door
installed in a matter of seconds. The doors may be rebuilt during
rather than between exercises, minimizing delays.
[0075] Turning to FIG. 9a, an example hinge attachment to a door is
shown. The door 162 has a cutout portion 166. Typically, the cutout
portion 166 is covered with a piece of a destructible material 170,
shown in dashed lines attached to the back side of the door 162.
The destructible material may be bolted or screwed to the door 162
using holes 174.
[0076] A hinge pin 178 is mounted to the destructible material 170.
The hinge pin 178 may be a U shaped bracket, with one leg of the U
forming a pin 182 which fits inside of the tube portion 186 of the
hinge and is sized to allow easy movement of the door. The hinge
pin 178 is sized to carry the weight of the door 162 and the forces
applied to the door 162 during training exercises. The hinge pin
178 is typically bolted to the destructible material 170 through
holes 190 formed in the door 162. As discussed earlier, the tube
186 is typically attached to a door frame 194. It will be
appreciated that the hinge pin may be attached to the door frame,
and the tube portion of the hinge may be attached to the door.
[0077] The cutout portion 166 is typically larger than the hinge
pin 178, allowing a trainee to shoot or blast away the destructible
material 170. Advantageously, the destructible material 170 may be
easily replaced by unbolting the material 170 from the door 162 and
the hinge pin 178, and bolting a new piece of destructible material
170 in its place. Holes may be easily drilled in the material 170
to match the holes in the door 162 and hinge pin 178. Thus, the
destructible material 170 may be replaced on site with only a drill
and a few wrenches.
[0078] Additionally, the size of the opening 166 in the door 162
may be adjusted to allow for proper clearance around the hinge pin
178 and to provide the desired size of destructible material 170
which is exposed.
[0079] It will also be appreciated that the hinge pin 178 may be
bolted directly to the plate steel which is used to form the door.
As such, a person may not blast away any destructible material to
open the door at the hinge, and must focus efforts on other areas
of the door such as the latch. Forming a hinge 178 which is
removably attached to the door may allow for more efficient use of
raw materials as compared to cutting the hinge pin integral to the
door, and allows for replacement of the hinge pin separate from the
door.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 9b, a fragmented view of a door 162b is
shown with a hinge bracket 178b formed as part of the door 162b.
The hinge bracket 178b has an elongate section 182b which is sized
to fit inside of a hinge tube or hole. A door hinge pin as shown
usually should not be shot or blasted to open the door, as it is
formed of plate steel. Thus, alternate methods are typically used
to open the door. Additionally, the hinge bracket 178b may be
formed separate from the door and welded or otherwise attached to
the door, but may not be as strong as a bracket which is formed
integrally with the door. It will be appreciated that the hinges
shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b may be used in combination with any of the
types of doors and door frames shown, and should be considered as
part of those embodiments.
[0081] Turning to FIG. 10, a portion of a door 198 and door frame
202 are shown. The door 198 has a cutout portion 206 which is
covered with a destructible material 210, shown in dashed lines on
the back side of the door. The destructible material 210 is
typically bolted or screwed to the door 198 using holes 214 formed
in the door 198.
[0082] An L-shaped latch bracket 218 is typically bolted or screwed
to the destructible material 210 using holes 222 formed in the
bracket 218. The latch bracket 218 is typically formed with a hole
226. A corresponding hole 230 is formed in a bracket 234 formed in
the door frame 202. The bracket 234 is typically formed in the door
frame 202 by cutting the door opening in the door frame 202 so as
to leave a tab, forming a hole in the tab, and bending the tab 90
degrees to form the bracket 234. Holes 226 and 230 are used to hold
the door closed, and simulate the door knob and latch. A piece of
wire 238, a wire tie, a plastic tie strip, or other materials may
be used to hold the door closed.
[0083] In forming a door and door frame, multiple latch brackets
may be used to simulate different types of doors. Security doors or
vault doors may have more latch brackets and hinges than a
conventional door, and may be more difficult to open.
[0084] In use, a police officer, soldier, etc. may open the door in
a variety of ways. The door can be kicked, battered, pryed, shot,
or blasted to cause either the wire 238 or the destructible
material 210 to fail. The destructible material 210, the wire 238,
or the entire door may then be replaced for subsequent training
exercises. It will be appreciated that the areas of the door
constructed with destructible material and the strength of the
destructible material may be altered to vary the methods which will
successfully open the door and the amount of force required to open
the door.
[0085] The latch bracket shown in FIG. 10 may be used in
combination with any of the door and door frame styles shown, and
should be considered as part of those embodiments. It will be
appreciated that, according to the present invention, a particular
training door may incorporate many different features such as
destructible portions, hinges, latch or catch mechanisms, etc. As
such these various features are shown individually for greater
clarity in showing the structure and in explaining the function of
the particular feature. Thus, the invention properly comprises a
training door with any of the various features shown in the
drawings.
[0086] Turning to FIGS. 11a-11b, door or door frame 242 is shown
with a tab 246 cut for a latch. The tab 246 has a hole 250 formed
in it. A slot 254 may be formed along the sides of the tab 246. The
slot allows the tab 246 to bend so that it does not extend past the
side of the door or door frame 242, as shown in FIG. 11c. The tab
shown may be used as part of a latch or catch mechanism with any of
the doors or door frames shown and should be considered as part of
those embodiments.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 12a, a door latch 258 and door frame latch
262 are shown with a dowel, plastic rod, or bolt 266 extending
between the holes formed in the latches (as shown in FIGS. 11a-c).
The dowel, plastic rod, or bolt 266 is used to hold the door shut.
Various sizes of dowels or plastic rods may be used to vary the
amount of force necessary to break the dowel or rod and open the
door. A nut and bolt may be used when the door is not intended to
open by kicking the door or by causing failure of the door at the
lock. Such a scenario might simulate a door with multiple dead
bolts or armor protecting the lock, or where the door is otherwise
more likely to fail at the hinges.
[0088] Turning to FIG. 12b, a door latch 270 and door frame latch
274 are shown. The latches have a piece of wire 278 which is placed
through the holes 282, 286 formed in the latches. The wire is used
to hold the door shut. The size of the wire 278 may be varied to
alter the force necessary to open the door. Additionally, wire ties
or plastic cable ties or the like may be used to provide a varying
resistance to opening the door. Accordingly, the door may be
customized to different training scenarios by altering the force
necessary to break through the door latch.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 12c, a door latch 270b and door frame
latch 274b are shown. A piece of wire 278b is placed through the
holes 282b, 286b which are formed in the latches. The wire 278b may
be attached to the door 275 using a nut 280 and/or bolt 276 to
thereby secure the wire to the door. Smaller pieces of wire 278b
may be used to secure the door, or a roll of wire 284 may be
attached to the door, so that wire may be pulled off of the roll as
needed to close and secure the door for training. It will also be
appreciated that the roll of wire and attachment nut or bolt may be
placed on the door frame instead of the door. The location of the
wire, nut, bolt, etc. may be chosen as best suits each particular
application.
[0090] Additionally, there are other means to secure the wire and
hold the door in a closed position. Cleats or binding posts may be
placed on the door, door frame, or both, allowing the wire to be
wrapped around the cleats or posts to attach the wire and secure
the door in a closed position. Referring to FIG. 12d, various
cleats or binding posts are shown. It will be appreciated that many
different styles of binding posts 288 may be used.
[0091] One or more of the binding posts 288 may be attached to the
door or door frame. For example, one or more binding posts may be
attached to either the door or door frame such that wire is passed
through the latch brackets on the door and door frame and the ends
of the wire are secured to the binding posts. Alternatively, one or
more binding posts may be attached to the door and one or more
binding posts may be attached to the door frame, such that wire is
wrapped between the binding posts on the door and the binding posts
on the door frame to secure the door. The latch mechanisms shown in
FIGS. 12a-12d may be used in combination with any of the door or
door frame styles shown, and should thus be considered as part of
those embodiments.
[0092] Turning to FIG. 13, a door is shown which has been covered
with a bullet containment frame. The door is formed from plate
steel 282 and has frame pieces 286 attached to the door. The frame
pieces 286 are typically wood, and may commonly be a one or two
inch square strip of wood as long as is needed to extend along the
edges or across the center of the steel plate 282. The strips 286
would typically be bolted or screwed to the steel plate 282, and
holes may be formed in the steel plate for that purpose.
[0093] A sheeting material 290, such as plywood, acoustic tile,
sheetrock, etc. is attached to the frame pieces 286 by bolting,
nailing, or the like. The sheeting material 290 will typically be
pierced by bullets which are stopped by the steel plate in the
door. The sheeting material 290 will contain bullets which may
ricochet off of the steel plate. Additionally, the sheeting
material makes the ballistic door 282 look more like a conventional
door. A door knob or similarly shaped object 294, such as a block,
may be attached to the door sheeting 290 to make the door look more
similar to a conventional door.
[0094] The frame and sheeting material makes the door look more
realistic to a trainee, hides the weak spot in the door which must
be exploited to enter the door, and makes the door safer by
containing bullets which may ricochet off of the steel plate in the
door.
[0095] A frame and sheeting material may be placed on the back of
the door if desired, or the back of the door may be left uncovered,
as a trainee would typically approach the door from a single side
and break the door open. It will be appreciated that the sheeting
material and a containment frame as shown may be used in
combination with any of the door and door frame styles shown, and
may be used with any of the latch and hinge mechanisms shown. Thus,
a door may be made which has a breakaway latch, destructible hinge
attachments, and/or an opening in the steel sheet to allow for
smashing through the door, and which utilizes the containment frame
as shown in increase the safety or realism of the door. The
containment frame and sheeting should thus be considered as part of
the aspects of the invention shown in the other figures.
[0096] Turning to FIG. 14, a cross section of a wall with a door
frame and door is shown. The steel plate door 298 is removably
attached to a door frame 302. The hinges and latch bracket
attaching the door to the two sides of the frame are not shown for
clarity, but are obviously part of the embodiment shown, as well as
any destructible openings or attachment locations as is desired.
The frame 302 is attached to adjacent bullet proof steel wall
panels 306 and 310 by facing strips 314 and 318, backing means 322
and 326, such as strips or washers, and nuts and bolts (not shown).
The nuts and bolts hold the facing strips and backing means against
the steel plates 306 and 310 and the door frame 302 and prevent
bullets from passing between the joint formed by the edges of the
door frame and steel plates.
[0097] Sheeting material 330 is attached to the steel plates 306,
310, steel plate door frame 302, and steel plate door 298 via
spacer strips 334. The spacer strips 334 and sheeting material 330
form a bullet containment frame which retains bullets which strike
the walls of the shoot house and prevent ricocheting bullets from
striking trainees, and also may increase the realism of the wall
and door. The bullet containment frame may be placed on one side of
the door as shown, or both sides of the door if desired. The spacer
strips 334 may be formed from wood, metal, plastic, etc. The
sheeting material 330 may be formed from plywood, hardboard,
sheetrock, etc. as is desired. It will be appreciated that the
frames and sheeting material shown, as well as the door frame and
attachment to a wall panel as shown may be used in combination with
any of the doors or door frames shown, and with any of the hinges
and latch mechanisms shown, and thus should be considered as part
of those embodiments.
[0098] Turning to FIG. 15, another door according to the present
invention is shown. The door 338 is designed to represent a door
which opens out. A door which opens out instead of opening into a
room must be pried outwardly to open the door, instead of being
forced inwardly. Accordingly, the door 238 may be constructed with
a piece of wood or other suitable material 242 covering the latch
area of the door. The door frame 246 may also have a piece of wood
or other material 250 which is sized to approximate a conventional
door jamb. Thus, in training, a individual may insert a pry bar
between spacers 242 and 250, and pry the door open.
[0099] Preferably, the construction of the door is made so that the
door and door frame appears similar to a door which a police
officer or other individual would encounter outside of training.
Thus, the wood or other consumable material would ideally extend
the length of the door. However, as shown in FIG. 15, smaller
pieces of wood or material may be used to minimize cost.
[0100] Typically, the door will have hinges and a latch bracket,
with the latch bracket placed on the side of the door opposite the
blocks 242, 250. As discussed previously, the force necessary to
open the door may be varied by varying the attachment at the latch
bracket, such as the thickness of wire used. The door shown in FIG.
15 is typically used with the desired hinge, latch, and sheeting
mechanisms shown in the remaining figures, and as such those
subassemblies shown in the other figures should be considered as
part of the present invention.
[0101] It will be appreciated from the preceding discussion that
numerous door configurations are possible using the present
invention. The number and type of hinges or latch brackets may be
varied to simulate many different types of doors. Sections of the
door may have openings in the steel plate which are covered with a
destructible material to allow trainees to shoot or blast through
the section of the door. The strength of the destructible material
or object used to hold the door closed may be varied to vary the
amount of force required to open the door. The door may be covered
with sheeting material to alter the look of the door and hide the
weak spots in the door. Thus, any number of different doors may be
produced for different training scenarios.
[0102] The door may be sized to fit existing openings in shoot
houses and training facilities with hinges or a strip of steel with
integral hinges formed to attach the door to the facility.
Alternatively, a door frame may be cut from a panel of steel which
is the same size as modular panels used to construct modular shoot
houses, allowing the door to be mounted in virtually any location
within a modular shoot house. Thus, maximum flexibility is provided
in creating different training scenarios within a shoot house or
training facility.
[0103] Once the door is used in training, the destructible sections
of the door, such as the destructible sections surrounding hinges
or latches and the bullet containment frame sheeting or frame
members, may be replaced quickly and easily using only simple tools
such as a saw, drill, hammer, and wrenches, allowing the door to
quickly be rebuilt for the next training scenario. The door may
even be rebuilt on site. Additionally, the destructible sections
may be replaced with readily available and inexpensive materials
such as wood, plywood, construction paneling, acoustic ceiling
tile, sheetrock, etc. Thus, the door may be rebuilt for very low
cost, significantly lower than the cost of replacing even an
inexpensive interior door.
[0104] Turning now to FIG. 16, a fragmented view of a closure or
latch mechanism on another door in accordance with the present
invention is shown. The door, indicated generally at 254, is formed
with a steel frame 258 and a plywood covering 262. The door frame,
indicated generally at 266, has been formed in a T shape, having a
flat plate 270 oriented parallel to the door and another plate 274
oriented perpendicular to the door. The door is held closed by a
latch mechanism which allows a person to apply force to the door,
such as by kicking the door, and thereby release the catch
mechanism. A catch lever 278 has been attached to the door 254 with
a bolt 282, which also functions as a pivot point for the catch
lever. A first end 286 of the catch lever 278 is attached to a
spring 290 for biasing the first end 286 of the lever 278 in a
downward position. The spring 290 is also attached to a chain 294
which is used to tension the spring. A cover 298 is used to protect
the spring 290, and a slot formed in the bottom of the cover is
used to lock the chain 294 in a particular location by sliding a
link of the chain into the slot. Pulling on the chain and then
sliding it into the slot enables the tension on the spring to be
increased. It will be appreciated that while a spring is shown, a
number of different biasing elements may be used including but not
limited to springs, rubber or elastic members, or even weights.
[0105] A rod 302 is attached to the first side 286 of the lever 278
and used as a handle to open the door 254 or close the door and set
the lever. The rod 302 is ideally mounted in a tube 306 which
allows the rod to be slid forwards or backwards, and allows the rod
to be slid through a slot 310 in the door 254 to quickly open the
door from the other side of the door if desired. A bracket 314 is
mounted over a second end 318 of the lever 278 and used to limit
the movement of the lever, both rotational movement as the lever is
used to open or close the door 254, and movement away from the door
as the door is forced open. It will be appreciated that the spring
290 biases the second end 318 of the lever 278 in an upward
position.
[0106] A hinge bracket 322 is attached to the door frame 266, the
hinge bracket being formed for receiving a tube 326 and a pin 330.
The tube 326 has a hinge plate 334 attached to the tube. The hinge
plate 334 is attached to a catch plate 338 which engages the second
end 318 of the lever 278. The surface of the catch plate 338 which
engages the lever 278 has a curved, angled, or stepped profile as
will be discussed in more detail below to vary the amount of force
required to open the door 254. Thus, to latch the door 254 closed,
the door is pulled closed, the first end 286 of the lever 278 is
lifted to lower the second end 318, the hinge plate 334 is rotated
against the door as shown, and the lever is released to engage the
catch plate 338. To open the door, the door must be manually opened
by lifting the rod 302 or pushed with sufficient force to cause the
hinge plate 334 to rotate away from the door, thereby causing the
second end 318 of the lever 278 to rotate down, against the force
of the spring 290, sufficiently to allow the catch plate 338 to
escape the lever 278. The movement of the opening door 254 pushes
against bolts 342 which are mounted in slots 346 in the hinge plate
334, thereby rotating the hinge plate. The bolts 342 may be moved
in the slots 346 to vary the amount of force required to open the
door. Moving the bolts 342 to the left increases the required
force, while moving the bolts to the right decreases the required
force.
[0107] It will be appreciated that the door of FIG. 16 may be
mounted in a shoot house in a variety of ways. The door frame may
be bolted or otherwise attached to the walls of the shoot house. If
the available opening is larger than the door frame, plate steel or
other suitable material may be used to cover the space left between
the opening and the door frame. Additionally, the door frame may be
constructed to be the same size as wall panels or other pieces of
the shoot house, allowing the door to easily fit inside of the
shoot house. The door frame may also be provided with brackets
which allow the door to be attached and secured to the floor,
walls, ceiling, etc. of a shoot house.
[0108] The latch mechanism and related components shown in FIG. 16
may be used in combination with any of the door and door frame
styles shown, and in combination with any of the hinges, sheeting,
or containment frames shown. Thus, the latch mechanism should be
considered as part of the other subassemblies and embodiments
shown.
[0109] A significant advantage of the door shown in FIG. 16, and
also of all of the doors shown and described in the present
invention is that the door may be assembled as either a left or a
right handed door. Such is not a significant concern where a
training door is used as a stand alone exercise, but becomes
important where a training door is used as part of a shoot house
according to the present invention. According to the layout of the
shoot house, or according to the specific desires of the persons in
charge of the training, it may be desirable or necessary to have a
door which opens outwardly or which opens inwardly, or which opens
to the right or to the left.
[0110] As the doors of the present invention may be constructed
with a piece of plate steel to which the desired hinges and latch
mechanisms and other mechanisms may be attached, such mechanisms
may be attached to either side of the door to form a left handed
door or a right handed door. Alternatively, a person who has
purchased a training door and desires a door which opens the
opposite direction may simply disassemble the door and reassemble
the door by placing the various parts on the opposite side of the
door. It will be appreciated that, although not necessary, the
ability to assemble a training door as a left or right handed door
is aided by forming the various pieces as symmetrical pieces. It
will be appreciated that the doors shown may each be assembled as a
left or a right handed door.
[0111] Turning now to FIG. 17a-17e, a number of catch plates are
shown as may be used with the latch mechanism shown in FIG. 16 (in
place of catch plate 338). FIG. 17a shows a catch plate 350, the
location of the second end of the lever 354 (similar to lever 278
of FIG. 16) in the latched position, and also shows where the catch
plate would typically be attached to the hinge plate, indicated by
dashed lines in area 358. As previously discussed, in releasing the
door the hinge plate/catch plate assembly is pushed away from the
door as indicated by arrow 360. As shown, this movement would move
catch plate 350 to the left, relative to the lever 354. Thus, the
lever 354 is slid along surface 362 of the catch plate 350 as
indicated by arrow 364 until the lever no longer contacts the catch
plate and the door is allowed to swing open. The spring attached to
the lever 354 (spring 290 of FIG. 16) biases the end of lever 354
in an upward position. Accordingly, the spring resists the downward
motion of the lever 354 which is necessary to release the catch
plate 350 from the lever 354. The gently sloped surface 362 acts as
a ramp, providing some resistance to opening the door, but a lesser
amount of resistance. This may simulate a door which is easier to
force open.
[0112] FIG. 17b shows another catch plate 366 and the position of
lever 370 in the latched position, similar to the catch plate of
FIG. 17a. It will be appreciated that as surface 374 is steeper,
more perpendicular to the direction of movement of the lever,
greater force is required to open a door having catch plate 366
than would be required to open a door having catch plate 350. Thus,
catch plate 366 may simulate a door which is relatively difficult
to open.
[0113] FIG. 17c shows another catch plate 378 and a lever 382 in a
latched position. Surface 386, along which the lever must slide to
release the catch plate 378 and lever 382, is a curved surface. The
curved surface 386 would initially require less force be applied to
the door to move the catch plate, but would require increasing
amounts of force as the lever reaches the steeper portion 390 of
the surface 386. Accordingly, catch plate 378 may be used to
represent a door which yields to some force by moving slightly, but
requires greater force to break open the door.
[0114] Turning to FIG. 17d, a catch plate 394 is shown with a lever
398 in a latched position. The catch plate 394 is formed with a
stepped surface across which the lever must slide to release the
catch plate and open the door. The stepped surface has a first
surface 402, a second surface 406, a third surface 410, and a
fourth surface 414, all of which are shown as relatively flat
surfaces. The first and third surfaces 402, 410 have shallow slopes
relative to the direction of movement of the catch plate 394 as the
door opens (which is to the left) and thus allow the catch plate to
move somewhat easily. The second and fourth surfaces 406, 414 have
steeper slopes than the first and third surfaces 402, 410 and
require greater force to slide the catch plate 394 relative across
the lever 398 to open the door. Accordingly, a light push might
move the lever 398 across the first surface 402 and to the second
surface 406. A harder push on the door might move the lever 398
from the position shown past the first surface 402, second surface
406, and third surface 410, and leave the lever at surface 414,
requiring another push to open the door. A very hard push might
move the lever past all of the individual surfaces and open the
door. Accordingly, a stepped catch plate 394 may be designed which
requires a user to kick or otherwise force a door twice or more
before it opens, simulating doors which are more difficult to open
or which have multiple locks.
[0115] Turning to FIG. 17e, another catch plate according to
aspects of the present invention is shown. The catch plate 400 is
shown with a lever 404 in a latched position. The catch plate 400
has a stepped surface 408 along which the lever 404 may slide,
similar to the stepped surface of catch plate 394 of FIG. 17d.
Catch plate 400, however, is shown with a second stepped surface
412 along which lever 404 may slide. The two surfaces 408, 412
along which the lever 404 may slide may be formed symmetrically as
shown, or may have differently shaped surfaces on each side. The
catch plate 400 may be formed with two surfaces 408, 412 along
which the lever 404 may slide to accommodate various different
configurations of the hinge plate, lever, catch plate, etc. For
different configurations of the door latch mechanism, the lever may
slide across either or both sides of the catch plate as the door is
opened. The catch plates shown may be used with a latch mechanism
such as is shown in FIG. 16, and as such should be considered as
part of the various door embodiments shown in other figures.
[0116] Turning now to FIG. 18, another door latch mechanism is
shown. A bracket 422 is attached to the door 418, by welding,
bolting, or any of many suitable methods. The bracket 422 has the
two ends bent roughly perpendicular to the middle section, and has
two holes 426 formed in the ends. The door jamb 430 has a bracket
434 with a hole 438 attached thereto. The hole 438 is in alignment
with holes 426 so that a dowel or other rod like member may be
placed through the three holes. The dowel or rod must then be
broken to open the door. The holes 426, 438 are approximately 3/4
inch in diameter, but are sized according to the breaking strength
of the dowel and may range from approximately 3/8 inch to
approximately 1 inch or more. A hole 442 is formed in the door
which allows a trainee to shoot the dowel and thereby open the
door. Dowels of sufficient thickness may be used such that the door
may not easily be open by kicking or applying force to the door,
and the dowel must be shot or otherwise broken, representing doors
which can not be kicked open and must be shot open. The catch
mechanism may be used with any of the doors shown in the other
figures, and should be considered as part of the various
embodiments of the invention.
[0117] Turning now to FIG. 18b, another door according to the
present invention is shown. The door, indicated generally at 254,
may be formed of a steel plate frame 258 with a covering 262, such
as plywood, or may be formed as a continuous steel plate with or
without a covering. The door 254 includes both the latch mechanism
shown in FIG. 16 and the latch mechanism shown in FIG. 18a, and
uses the same numbers accordingly. For a detailed description of
the various parts and operation of the latch mechanisms, refer back
to the discussion of FIG. 16 and FIG. 18a. FIG. 18b illustrates
how, according to aspects of the present invention, a training door
may comprise multiple latch mechanisms.
[0118] The use of multiple latch mechanisms on a single training
door provides various benefits. The door 254 provides greater
flexibility in operation, as either or both of the latch mechanisms
may be used for training. Thus, a door may be provided which
required a person to shoot or blast out one mechanism, and then
kick or smash open the door to overcome another latch mechanism,
simulating higher security doors. The door shown in FIG. 18b.
further illustrates the interchangeability of the various
subassemblies and mechanisms of the present invention to provide a
training door which is suited to the desired training
scenarios.
[0119] Turning now to FIG. 19, a view of a door is shown from the
perspective of a person opening the door. The door 446 has been
covered with plywood, which is visible to the person opening the
door. The person opening the door 446 is not able to see the latch
mechanisms which are holding the door closed, and can not determine
in advance how to best open the door. Several holes may be formed
in the door and plywood as desired. Hole 450 allows access to a rod
454 (similar to rod 302 of FIG. 16) which may be used to unlatch
the door without applying force to the door if such is necessary.
Hole 458 allows a person to place an elongate tool having a hooked
end through the hole to thereby close the hinge plate/catch plate
(334, 338 of FIG. 16) after closing the door. Thus, hole 458 allows
a person to close and latch a door 446 from either side of the
door. Hole 462 is similar to hole 442 of FIG. 18, through which a
trainee would shoot out a dowel which is holding a door shut if
required. In such a training exercise, a piece of plywood,
sheetrock, hardboard, etc. may be used to cover the hole. Covering
the hole would prevent a trainee from immediately recognizing what
is necessary to open the door, and may thus be desirable as the
training may be more realistic.
[0120] It will thus be appreciated that a door may have multiple
latch mechanisms built into the door. Having multiple latch
mechanisms adds flexibility to the door, allowing a door to be held
shut in a variety of different manners and requiring different
techniques to open the door. For example, a trainee might try to
kick open a door, discover that it will not open by kicking, shoot
out the dowel holding the door closed, and then kick open the door.
This would be similar to a real door which will not kick open,
requiring an officer to shoot the door around the lock to thereby
weaken the door and then kick in the door.
[0121] Turning now to FIG. 20, another door 466 and latch mechanism
according to aspects of the present invention is shown. A lever 470
is attached to the door 466 with a bolt 474, which forms a pivot
for the lever. The right end of the lever is attached to a spring
478 which is in turn attached to some chain 482. The spring 478 is
covered by a guard 486 which has a Z shaped cross section, allowing
it to be attached to the door and bend outwardly and around the
spring. The guard 486 also has a slot at the bottom for securing
the chain and holding tension in the spring 478. A link of the
chain 482 is simply placed into the slot. The spring 478 biases the
lever 470 to rotate to the right, raising the left side of the
lever. The left side of the lever 470 engages a catch mechanism 490
which is mounted to the door jamb 494.
[0122] The catch mechanism 490 (which may be integral to the door
frame) has a catch plate 498 which extends outwardly from the door
jamb 494, and may be attached to the catch mechanism, or may be
formed as a single piece with the catch mechanism. The catch plate
engages the lever 470 and inhibits movement of the lever 470. To
open the door, force may be applied to the door to force the lever
to slide out of engagement of the catch plate 498. A guide bracket
502 may be attached to the door 466, forming a channel around the
lever 470 and thereby preventing the lever from moving in a manner
which is not desired. Additionally, an arm 506 may be attached to
the lever 470 and extended at least partially through an opening
510 in the door 466 to allow a person to open the door without
forcing the door, if necessary.
[0123] Turning now to FIG. 21, a side view of the catch mechanism
490 of FIG. 20 is shown. The catch plate 498 extending from the
catch mechanism 490 is more clearly visible. The lever 470 is shown
in a latched position. To open the door, the lever must be forced
to the left, sliding across the lower surface 514 of the catch
plate 498. As the lever 470 slides to the left, it is forced to
rotate so that the end of the lever may move downwardly, which is
opposed by the spring (478 of FIG. 20). Accordingly, sufficient
force must be exerted to overcome the spring and open the door. It
will be appreciated that surface 514 may also be formed in a
similar manner to the catch plates shown in FIGS. 17a-17e with
similar advantages. The latch mechanism shown in FIGS. 20 and 21
may be used in combination with any of the doors shown, and thus
should be considered as part of those embodiments.
[0124] Turning to FIG. 22, a shoot house, indicated generally at
518 is shown. The shoot house 518 is constructed with a front door
522 which leads into the first room 526 of the shoot house. The
first room 526 is connected to a second room 530 via hallway 534. A
second door 538 opens into room 542. Similarly, doors 546, 554,
562, rooms 550, 558, 566, hallway 570, and exit door 574 are
arranged to form a completed shoot house.
[0125] According to the present invention any or all of the doors
may be replaced with training doors. The various training doors
used may be chosen so as to match the different types of doors
which would be found in a building, and the shoot house may thus be
used to simulate a particular type of building or a particular
scenario which the trainee would likely encounter outside of
training. The front door 520 may thus be a training door which
requires a trainee to both shoot out a lock or portion of the door
and then kick the door open, representing a strong exterior door or
security door. Inner doors 538, 546, 554, 562 may be training doors
which require the trainee to kick open the door, shoot and kick the
door, etc. as is desired for a particular training scenario. It may
be desirable to make some doors more difficult to enter than
others, simulating a higher security room. It may also be desirable
to make some doors which are easier to open, requiring little force
or effort, simulating rooms or lower importance or security, such
as closets.
[0126] Accordingly, a shoot house may be constructed to
realistically simulate a variety of scenarios. For example, the
shoot house may be configured to simulate a drug bust or raid.
Accordingly, trainees may be required to break through the various
doors and enter the various areas of the shoot house to check and
secure the area. Trainees may be required to perform certain
techniques, such as room clearing or securing techniques, in
combination with breaking into the room. For example, door 538
leads into a room 542 which is open on both sides, door 546 leads
into a room 550 which is open to the left and which has a small
hidden area 578, and door 554 opens into a room 588 which is open
to the right and which has a larger hidden area leading to another
door 562. Accordingly, trainees would be required to use different
techniques in breaking through doors 538, 546, and 552, and
securing rooms 542, 550, and 558,
[0127] The present invention thus provides a significant advantage
as a trainee or group of trainees practice techniques to break
through various different doors and secure different shapes and
sizes of rooms. As is known in the prior art, trainees practicing
door entry techniques may simply kick open a door which has been
erected independent of any related structure, such as an adjacent
room. The trainee is not immersed in a training scenario, but
simply kicks open a door and stops. For training scenarios when a
trainee or group of trainees is required to secure a room, the
trainees may simply enter a room having no door at all, move to the
appropriate locations in the room, and be finished with the
exercise.
[0128] It is easily appreciated how the present invention provides
a much more realistic and beneficial training environment. A
trainee is immersed in a training environment before encountering a
training door. The trainee may have encountered targets or other
devices which better simulate the training scenario. When trainees
must secure a room, they may be first required to break through the
door. The momentum of breaking through the door will make it more
challenging to quickly and properly secure the room and will more
realistically simulate a real scenario. Additionally, the trainees
may encounter smoke, targets, or other objects which are possible
inside of a shoot house. The present invention allows trainees to
practice training procedures in a more realistic environment and in
the context of a larger training scenario.
[0129] A shoot house may thus be used to simulate a variety of
situations. Trainees may be required to check and secure a building
while looking for hostages. According to the present invention, the
trainees may encounter training doors in the larger shoot house
environment which may include live ammunition, targets, moving
targets, smoke, a realistic building environment, etc. It will be
appreciated that any number of different scenarios may be
realistically simulated.
[0130] Training doors according to the present invention may be
accommodated to a large variety of different shoot house designs.
For shoot houses constructed with steel panels, the training door
may be made with a door jamb that is the same size as the steel
wall panels and thus fits easily into the shoot house structure. If
the opening in the shoot house is larger that the door jamb, a
plate may be provided which extends between the opening and the
jamb and covers the gap, preferably preventing any bullets from
passing through the plate. If the shoot house is formed from
concrete, gravel filled walls, etc. a bracket may be provided which
has a flange or surface configured for attachment to the shoot
house walls, typically by bolting, screwing, or otherwise fastening
the bracket. The bracket will also typically extend outwardly from
the shoot house wall sufficiently to attach to the door jamb/frame
and fill any gap between the door jamb and the shoot house wall,
and will have a surface for attachment to the door jamb. The
bracket may typically have holes formed therein for use in
attaching the bracket to the shoot house wall and to the door jamb,
and the door jamb may be formed with holes for attachment to the
bracket.
[0131] Thus, doors may be constructed according to any combination
of the aspects of the invention shown in the various figures and
drawings to adapt to a variety of shoot houses or training
scenarios, and to provide the desired type of door entry or level
of security.
[0132] Turning now to FIG. 23, a top view of another training door
according to the present invention is shown. The door 586 may be
formed from many materials such as steel, plywood, wood, plastic,
etc. or a combination of materials. On one side of the door 586,
the door has been attached to a door frame 590 via at least one
hinge 594. The hinge should allow the door to pivot freely, and
should be sufficiently strong to withstand the force of the forced
entry training procedure. The door frame or door jamb 590 is shown
as a T shaped member to add rigidity to the door frame. The T may
be formed by welding two flat pieces of steel together, or by
simply using T shaped material. It will be appreciated, however,
that many different shapes and types of material are suitable for
the door frame 590.
[0133] The free end 598 of the door 586 has been formed with a
magnetically interactive latch member 602 which is configured to
interact with a magnetic catch 606 on the door frame 610. Although
not necessary in all applications, the door frame 610 is shown with
flanges 614 which are used to strengthen the frame 610. Many
different configurations of magnetically interactive latch members
602 and catch members 606 are possible. For example, a permanent
magnet may be used for latch 602 and an electromagnet may be used
for catch 606. Alternatively, the combination may consist of two
permanent magnets, two electromagnets, or a magnet and a piece of
magnetically interactive metal such as iron. It is also possible to
form the door end 598 or door frame 610 out of a magnetically
interactive metal and use a magnet on the complementary surface.
The force necessary to open the door may be varied by varying the
strength of the magnet used in the magnetic catch system shown.
Additionally, if an electromagnetic is used in combination with
either a permanent magnet or magnetically interactive metal, the
force required to open the door may be adjusted at any time by
varying the current flowing through the electromagnet.
[0134] Turning now to FIG. 24, a top view of another door is shown.
The door 618 has a first end 622 attached to a door frame 626 via a
hinge 630. The second end 634 of the door 618 is formed with a
magnetically interactive latch 638. A corresponding magnetically
interactive catch 642 is formed on the door frame 646. The magnetic
catch mechanism of FIG. 23 uses the overlapping engagement of the
magnetic catch parts to close the door wherein the magnets must be
pulled directly away from each other, providing a strong magnetic
interaction. The magnetic catch mechanism of FIG. 24 does not pull
directly away, but each half of the mechanism slides sideways
relative to the other half of the mechanism, requiring stronger
magnetic force to provide the same resistance to opening the door.
Advantageously, the door of FIG. 24 may be opened in both
directions, while the door of FIG. 23 may only be opened in one
direction.
[0135] Turning now to FIG. 25, a top view of a door according to
the present invention is shown. The door 650 is attached to a door
frame 654 with a hinge 658. The free end 662 of the door 650 has a
suction cup 666. The door frame 670 adjacent the free end 662 of
the door 650 is formed with a surface 674 which is configured for
engaging the suction cup 666. The suction cup 666 and engaging
surface 674 are configured for holding the door 650 closed until
sufficient force is applied to the door. The force required to open
the door may be varied by varying the number and type of suction
cups.
[0136] The latch mechanisms shown in FIGS. 23-25 may be used in
combination with any of the doors shown, and should be considered
as part of those embodiments of the invention.
[0137] Turning now to FIG. 26, a top view of another door and latch
mechanism according to the present invention is shown. The door 678
is attached to a door frame 682 with a hinge 686. The free end 690
of the door 678 and the corresponding door frame 694 are fitted
with a piston type latch mechanism. The latch mechanism uses a
receiving member 698 and a piston 702 to hold the door closed. A
guide 706 limits the movement of the piston 702 and a biasing
element 710, such as a spring, urges the piston 702 against the
receiving member 698.
[0138] Turning to FIG. 27, a closer top view of the latch mechanism
of FIG. 26 is shown. The door 690 is shown in a closed position
relative to the door frame 694. Accordingly, the piston 702 is
shown in a position whereby the piston engages the receiving member
698 to maintain the door 690 in a closed position. Guide 706 is
used to substantially limit the motion of the piston to linear
movement in the direction of arrow 714. Accordingly, the guide 706
will preferably inhibit movement of the piston away from the door
and up and down along the surface of the door, limiting the
movement back and forth as indicated by arrow 714. A biasing
element 710 is used to bias the piston 702 against the receiving
member 698. The biasing element 710 may be a spring as shown, or
may be any number of different biasing elements such as an
elastomeric member.
[0139] In order to force the door 690 open, force is exerted on the
door 690 to move the door in the direction of arrow 718. The piston
702 resists the movement of the door 690 as the piston 702 must
move in the direction of arrow 714 to allow the door 690 to open.
Accordingly, the angle of sloped engaging surface 722 and
corresponding surface 726, and the force applied by biasing element
710 primarily determine how much force must be exerted to open the
door 690. The piston 702 may also be provided with projections 730
which may extend at least partially into slots 734, 738 formed into
the door 690 or guide 706. The projections 730 and slots 734, 738
allow a user to open the door without forcing the door or to close
the door and reset the mechanism for subsequent use from either
side of the door. The catch mechanism shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 may
be used with any of the door styles, and should be considered as
part of those embodiments.
[0140] In discussing the present invention, it will easily be
appreciated that many different types of training doors are
possible by varying the hinges, latches, destructible portions,
coverings or containment structures, etc. of the door, and by
varying the frame, if any, which is used with the door. Thus, a
training door of the present invention may be constructed with the
desired components so as to require a certain forced entry
technique or combination of forced entry techniques, and to require
a particular level of force. As such, the invention has been
described by describing the individual subassemblies of the
invention, such as latch or hinge mechanisms, containment chambers,
etc. Description of the various subassemblies of the invention
separately allows for greater clarity in discussing the
functionality of each subassembly. The invention encompasses all of
these subassemblies as they may be combined to form a desired type
of training door.
[0141] There is thus disclosed an improved door for ballistic
training. It will be appreciated that numerous modifications may be
made to the present invention without departing from the scope of
the invention. The preceding examples are illustrative of the
invention, and do not define the scope of the invention.
* * * * *