US 5,329,685 A · Pneumatically-powered battering ram

Abstract

A pneumatically-powered battering ram for striking objects quickly and effectively with an initial high striking velocity resulting in an increased peak force effective in breaking the target object. The battering ram includes an elongated hollow housing containing a mass to be propelled, preferably a piston, and a supply of compressed gas, preferably carbon dioxide disposed within the housing. A valve mechanism releases a portion of the compressed gas into a charge cavity located between the piston and the supply of compressed gas. A sear mechanism holds the piston in place against the pressure of the compressed gas in the charge cavity. When the battering ram is swung at an object such as a door, a trigger mechanism releases the sear mechanism which in turn releases the piston. The piston is then accelerated forward by the compressed gas charge. Consequently, as the ram reaches the door, so does the piston which is traveling at a much higher velocity than could be obtained solely by manual swinging. As a result, the peak force initially imparted upon the door is greater and the door is broken down in a quick and efficient manner.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A pneumatically-powered battering ram for striking objects, said battering ram comprising:

a hollow elongated housing having a first object-striking end, a second opposed end, an outer surface, and an internal compartment having a first portion proximate the object-striking end, and a second portion proximate the second opposed end;
a mass disposed within the first portion of said housing;
a charge cavity disposed between said mass and the second portion of said housing;
a compressed gas disposed and sealed within the second portion of said housing;
a valve means associated with said second portion of said housing to regulate the flow of said compressed gas from said second portion of said housing into said charge cavity;
and
a trigger mechanism affixed to said object-striking end of said housing, said trigger mechanism having a first end which protrudes past the object-striking end and a second end releasably attached to said mass, said trigger mechanism being responsive to contact with the object stricken whereby when the trigger mechanism is activated, said mass is propelled through the object-striking end of said housing to strike said object.

4 more elements

A pneumatically-powered battering ram for striking objects, said battering ram comprising:

a hollow elongated housing having a first object-striking end, a second opposed end, an outer surface, and an internal compartment having a first portion proximate the object-striking end, and a second portion proximate the second opposed end;
a first bulkhead disposed within the first portion of said internal compartment and a second bulkhead disposed within the internal compartment between said first portion and said second portion;
a piston having a head and a base, said piston being disposed within the first portion of said housing such that said head of said piston is between said first bulkhead and said object-striking end of said housing;
a charge cavity disposed between the base of said piston and said second bulkhead;
a tank filled with a compressed gas disposed within the second portion of said housing between said second bulkhead and said second opposed end of said housing, said tank having a valve means associated with said second portion of said housing to regulate the flow of said compressed gas from said second portion of said housing into said charge cavity;
and
a trigger mechanism having a first end affixed to said object-striking end of said housing and a second end having a sear mechanism releasably engaging the base of said piston and retaining said piston in said housing whereby when the first end of said trigger mechanism strikes an object, said sear mechanism releases the base of said piston, causing said piston to be propelled through the object-striking end of said housing to strike the object.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pneumatically-powered battering ram

Life of this patent

Pneumatically-powered battering ram

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16