Controlled impact rescue tool impact element

A breaching apparatus, comprising:

• a housing defining a tunnel and including a piston head movable through the tunnel between a loaded position and a fired position and a biasing unit configured to bias the piston head to remain in the loaded position;
• a firing mechanism configured to overcome the bias to move the piston head toward the fired position;
• and
• a single body impact element drivable by the movement of the piston head into an external element and including:
• a head and a shaft having a first end integrally coupled to the head, a second end opposite the first end, which is operatively connectable with the piston head to define a joint located remotely from the head, and a central portion interposed between the first and second ends, the central portion of the shaft being narrower than a rear of the head, and the first end of the shaft having a taper.

A breaching apparatus, comprising:

• a housing defining a tunnel and including a piston head movable through the tunnel between a loaded position and a fired position and a biasing unit configured to bias the piston head to remain in the loaded position;
• a firing mechanism configured to overcome the bias to move the piston head toward the fired position;
• and
• a single body impact element drivable by the movement of the piston head into an external element and including a head and a shaft having a first end integrally coupled to the head, a second end operatively connectable with the piston head to define a joint located remotely from the head and a central portion interposed between the first and second ends.