Forcible entry training door system

#The present invention relates generally to apparatus for training the art of forcible door entry for emergency personnel such as firefighters and, in particular, a reusable forcible entry door training prop adapted to simulate a locked door and allow individuals to conduct training in forcible entry techniques for different door types and mounting configurations (e.g., opening inward or outward, left hand opening or right hand opening, steel jam or wood jams).

#In emergency situations, police, firefighters, and other first responders may need to forcibly enter a building or dwelling to gain access in order to save lives. One common method of forcible entry involves forcibly opening a locked door. To master the skill of forcible door entry, one should have a basic knowledge of the types and doors and security devices that may be encountered, as well as knowledge training in the types of tools that may be used for forcible door entry.

#Emergency Services typically rely on a number of different devices to force entry to a building or vehicle. Prying tools, such as “Halligan” tools and crowbars are common tools used to breach doors and windows. A Halligan is a special tool commonly used by firefighters for prying, twisting, punching, or striking. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a conventional “Halligan” tool that is commonly used by firefighters for forcible door entry. The tool (10) includes a claw (or fork) (11), a blade (wedge) (12) (what is commonly referred to as an ADZ end), and a tapered pick (13), which is especially useful in quickly forcing open many types of locked doors. Either the ADZ end or fork end of the tool can be used to break through the latch of a swinging door by forcing the tool between the door and door jamb and prying the two apart, striking it with a flat-head axe, for example.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional Halligan forcible entry tool.

#FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of components of a forcible entry door training apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

#FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are schematic plane views of a forcible entry door training apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

#Exemplary embodiments of reusable forcible entry training devices which are adapted to simulate a locked door and allow individuals to conduct training in forcible entry techniques, will now be discussed in further detail with initial reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3A˜3D. FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic perspective views of a frame structure and door, respectively, of an exemplary training device (100) As shown in FIG. 2A, an exemplary forcible entry training device (100) includes a base plate (101) and a frame structure (102) mounted to the base plate (101). The frame (102) comprises a first side jamb (103) (or door stop jamb), a header jamb (104), and a second side jamb (105) (or hinge jamb), wherein the header jamb (104) is coupled between upper ends of the first and second side jambs (103) and (105). The bottom of the side jambs (103) and (105) are removably mounted to the base (101) by mounting elements (106). The various frame elements are preferably made of steel or other suitable material, wherein the side jambs are preferably made of tubular steel.

#FIG. 2B illustrates a first removable door (140) that may be mounted to the frame (102). FIG. 3A is a schematic front plane view of the exemplary training device (100) showing a second removable door (150) mounted to the frame (102). FIG. 3B is a schematic side view taken along line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A showing an inner side surface, of the door stop jamb (103). FIG. 3C is a schematic side view taken along line 3C-3C in FIG. 3A showing an outside surface of the hinge jamb (105) and FIG. 3D is a schematic top view taken along line 3D-3D in FIG. 3A showing first and second doors (140) and (150) mounted between the jambs (105) and (103).

#Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3D collectively, the frame (102) includes various components including a removable jamb plate (120) including a door stop (121), a wood block (108) that is removably disposed in a recessed portion (107) of the door stop jamb (103), a plurality of spring-loaded hinges (110a) that are slideably mounted on the hinge jamb (105) within a channel formed by retaining rails (109), a plurality of retaining brackets (130) and (131) that are disposed on opposing sides of the door stop jamb (103).