Breaching apparatus for use with explosive charges

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for breaching structures, and more particularly to a flexible, fillable, and/or inflatable bag for use with explosive charges for breaching locked or barricaded doors, walls, roofs and ceilings.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] Special weapons and tactic (SWAT) teams or other police and military personnel frequently use breaching apparatus to gain entry into locked and barricaded buildings, where criminals, terrorists, hostages, drug caches and the like are located. SWAT teams routinely breach doors quickly by using battering rams, shotguns, and/or explosive charges. These devices can be employed singly or in combination to break the lock or hinges, or even to demolish the door frame itself.

[0005] It is known to use explosives to breach doors, but it is challenging to fashion a charge sufficient to blow open a door without causing injury to building occupants and while minimizing damage to property. Explosive charges can be shaped and the blast wave concentrated by reinforcing certain areas surrounding the charge. A shaped charge, by design, focuses its energy into a narrow blast trajectory, making it very accurate and controllable. When size is added to that accuracy, the effect can be dramatic. Shaped charges were first developed after World War I to penetrate tanks and other armored equipment. Their most extensive use today is in the oil and gas industry, where they are used to open rock around drilled wells.

[0006] In the case of doors and windows, it is desirable to concentrate a blast wave to impact a region roughly two to three feet in diameter directly on the structure. Additionally, it is important to eliminate potentially injurious back blast. Accordingly, a number of interacting factors must be carefully calculated, including the type, size and focus of the explosive charge, the stand-off distance with which the charge is placed, and the kind (if any) of casing or jacketing to shape, disperse, and direct the blast wave.

[0007] In recent years law enforcement agencies have discovered that it is possible to shape a suitable charge through the combination of detonating cord and conventional intravenous bags, plastic soda bottles, or similar containers. To avoid the inconsistencies occasioned by such use, a flexible and/or foldable and easily portable apparatus was designed and has been successfully been employed as a jacketing material for door breach charges. The present invention, hereafter referred to as a “breach bag,” is an apparatus that can be adapted to many different situations which necessitate the controlled penetration of a locked entryway, wall or armored surface. Essentially, the breach bag incorporates one or more bladders that can be filled with water (or another non-compressible fluid) or sand or with various metals in various shapes and sizes. By changing the configuration of the breach bag, a directed blast wave or a shaped charge projectile can be provided, the particular blast characteristics depending largely on the bladder configuration and contents. Few prior art references are known, the most notable among them including the following United States patents.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 3,658,006 to Nistler, et al., describes an explosively actuated egress and ingress device having a case formed of relatively light-weight material with an outer surface, and having a linear-shaped explosive positioned within the case adjacent to the outer surface. The case includes a resilient backing material. A pliable gathering material may also be provided within the case to the rear of the linear-shaped explosive charge. The device is designed to cut large holes.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,430 to Gibb, et al., discloses a small and lightweight breaching apparatus that provides sufficient energy to breach a wall. The apparatus consists of a number of panels, each including a material matrix and a linear shaped charge embedded in the matrix. Each end of the charge is located adjacent an edge of the panel. The panels are configured to be assembled edge to edge in an open condition with the linear shaped charges arranged end to end, or face to face in a closed condition, with charges on the inside of the assembly. The apparatus may be collapsed for storage and transport and assembled in its open condition to produce a linear charge of fixed shape.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,708 to Palley, et al., describes a blast resistant and blast-directing container assembly for receiving explosive articles and preventing or minimizing damage in the event of an explosion. The container assembly includes an opening covered by a band of blast resistant material with at least one slit in the band and possibly blast mitigating material disposed in the container. The container can be collapsible for storage when empty.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,545 to Sansolo, teaches a breaching apparatus including a housing constructed of a material and an explosive charge placed in the housing. When detonated, the housing disintegrates in the explosion without giving off significant material fragments.

[0012] The foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which the present inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, these patents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged duty of candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to the examination of claims to the present invention. However, it is respectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patents disclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, either singly or when considered in combination, the invention described and claimed herein.

[0013] The present invention is a flexible and/or foldable container with at least one fillable bladder which is employed in conjunction with an explosive charge for use in breaching locked or barricaded doors or penetrating surfaces. It is therefore usefully described as a “breach bag.” It comprises a planar body and at least one bladder structure for containing fluid or solid materials. The breach bag can be utilized to focus an explosive shock wave, create a concussive force, or create an explosively formed projectile, depending upon the configuration of the fillable bladder(s) and the nature of the fill material used to fill the bladder(s).

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the inventive breach bag, the apparatus utilizes an annular bladder integrally connected to a planar body material and structure. A capped fill port is used to selectively introduce a non-compressible material such as water into the bladder. Detonating cord (also known as “detcord”, “detonation cord”, “detacord,” “det cord,” “primer cord”, “primacord”, and “cordtex”), sheet explosive, or another explosive charge, is attached to the annular bladder by adhesives, tape, or other attachment means, and then sandwiched between the bladder and the structure (wall, roof, door, and the like) to be penetrated. The breach bag is brought into contact with the surface of the structure using a static pole fitted into a boot on the planar body of the breach bag, or alternatively by hanging the breach bag from a line connected to a nail or other structure located above the breach bag and tied to grommets disposed on the perimeter of the planar body structure of the bag. When the explosive material is detonated, the blast wave is focused into the structure according to the annular shape of the filled bladder. The result is a ring-shaped breach in the structure corresponding to the shape of the bladder. In effect, this creates an open port into the structure. Such an opening may function as a man way or urgent ingress into, or egress from, the building, or as a gun port, when such uses are called for.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment of the breach bag, the bag has a generally planar body structure in a substantially rectangular shape. At least one rectangular bladder with at least one capped fill port is defined within the perimeter of the planar body. Grommets are disposed on and about the perimeter of the planar body material. Detonation cord, sheet explosive, or another explosive substance is attached to the bladder in the manner described above, and the breach bag is then attached to the structure, also in the manner described above. When the explosive material is detonated, the blast wave is partly confined and contained by the mass of the filled bladder into a relatively small region of high explosive energy, thus providing ample force to blow through a wall, door, roof, or other building structures. This embodiment may also be folded lengthwise and held in that conformation by hook and loop material on the edges of the planar body. This conformation creates an essentially hollow space within which an explosive material may be inserted. Upon detonation with an initiating device to the explosive material used, there is a concussive force shaped, confined, and directed into the building structure by the bladder.

[0016] In yet another embodiment, the breach bag includes two or more bladders, each with individual capped fill ports. In one such configuration, two bladders are disposed in a generally parallel orientation along a spine defined by seams that separate the bladders within the perimeter of the planar material body. The breach bag may thus be folded along the spine and secured in a folded configuration by a hook and loop material disposed on outer seams of the planar material body. This folded configuration creates an essentially hollow sleeve within which explosive material may be inserted. The segregated bladders may be filled with materials of different densities or compressibility to tailor the blast wave to the circumstances at hand. When the explosive material is detonated, the blast forces the more compressible material away from the less compressible material, creating a plume or a projectile that can penetrate even an armored surface.

[0017] From the foregoing it will be readily appreciated that it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved breach bag for use with explosive charges in breaching locked and/or barricaded doors.

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved flexible and fillable breach bag that is effectively flat, or planar, when not filled with fluid.

[0019] A further object or feature of the present invention is to provide a new and improved breach bag that may be selectively filled in one or more segregated bladders.

[0020] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved breach bag having alternative filling means.

[0021] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a breach bag with two or more fillable bladders that may be filled with different materials of varying compressibility, and that provides a highly predictable, standardized blast wave when explosive charges are disposed within the bag and detonated.

[0022] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a novel breach bag that may be combined and deployed in a serial or linear array with other breach bags to provide an expanded blast wave.

[0023] Other novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this disclosure. The invention resides not in any one of these features taken alone, but rather in the particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 19, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated a new and improved selectively fillable bag for use with explosives in breaching building structures such as doors, walls, ceilings, roofs, and the like. A first preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus is generally denominated 100 herein.

[0046] FIGS. 1-4 show that the breach bag 100 can be placed against a wall or door 110 or other generally vertical surface with a static support or positioning pole 120. In this first preferred embodiment, the breach bag 100 includes a unitary, flexible, and substantially rectangular and planar material sheet or panel 130, having a fold 132 generally at a midline of the panel (and shown here as a top edge) so as to form front and back sides, 134, 136, respectively, and a bottom edge, which may comprise free panel ends 138, though the ends may be married with a weld or seam. An annular bladder 140 is defined in an interior portion of the panel and within the perimeter of the folded panel 130 by concentric, spaced apart inner and outer seams 300, 310, or material welds, which join the front and back sides of the material sheet to form a closed ring having a void suitable for filling with a selected fill material. The annular bladder surrounds a substantially circular, interior planar portion of material that is not in fluid communication with the annular bladder. While the interior planar portion of material comprises two layers of material sheets that could be employed as a second bladder, in the first preferred embodiment, the annular ring is exclusively employed for the introduction of fill material for use as tamp or water percussion control of a blast. In most instances the substance used to fill the bladder will be water, as it is readily available, may be dispensed through nozzles suitable for the easy and rapid introduction of the water into the bladder, and because it is non-flammable and non-toxic. However, the use of numerous other materials is contemplated in order to tailor blast characteristics to the needs at hand. Such alternative fill materials may include sand, other particulate material of small size, such as metal pellets, or solid larger diameter materials,

[0047] For use in a wall or door breaching application, such as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the static support or positioning pole 120 is inserted into a pole boot 150 located in the upper portion of the interior planar portion 130 of the material panel as defined by the inner circumference of the annular bladder 140. A pole foot 125 may be employed to secure the positioning pole. Detonating cord 400, or primer cord as it is sometimes called, or another selected explosive material such as C2 or C4, is placed onto the annular bladder 140, typically at the apex or outermost point on the bulging surface of the annular bladder, the bulging being created by the volume of fill material within the annular bladder. The detonating cord is affixed to the annular bladder surface with an adhesive, such as tape, and when the breach bag is propped up against the building structure, the detonating cord is interposed between the breach bag and the target surface, in this instance a wall 410. Rapid, nearly instantaneous detonation of the explosive can be achieved with an initiating device, such as a switched electric current or by triggering a primer or other blasting cap operatively connected to an exposed end of the detonating cord. The mass and relative incompressibility of the fill material within the annular bladder 140 directs the blast wave through the surface to be penetrated, creating a hole suitable for a manhole or gun port.

[0048] The preferred material for the planar panel from which the breach bag of the first preferred embodiment is made is 30 mil PVC plastic. Various weights, densities, and material thicknesses may be employed according to the intended use.

[0049] FIGS. 2 and 3 show that the top edge of the planar panel 130 includes one or more grommets 200 used as an alternative attachment means for securing the breach bag against a structure. The grommets allow the bag to be hung with line tied to a nail or other secure structure above the breach bag. So disposed, the bag effectively hangs against a vertical wall or door.

[0050] FIGS. 5, 9-10, and 11, collectively show a second preferred embodiment 500 of the breach bag configured as an elongate rectangle. FIG. 5 shows this embodiment deployed proximate door hinges by stringing a line 505 through one or more grommets 200 and hanging it on a static positioning pole 120, or other structure suitable for holding the weight of the water-filled apparatus. Alternatively, the bag can be secured against a wall or door with a strong and instantly effective adhesive, such as the glues employed in rodent glue traps and trays. In this embodiment, the inventive apparatus is a four-ply elongate sleeve having a top opening 502 at the bag top 900 and a bottom opening 504 at the bag bottom 910 and a tube portion 950 running therebetween so as to form a hollow sleeve into which detonating cord 400 may be inserted. The sleeve is defined by two segregated bladders, including a front bladder 510 and a rear bladder 520, each having a dedicated capped fill port 220. The segregated bladders are defined by seams, preferably comprising RF welded portions of the bag panel material, including substantially parallel first and second side seams 525, which are shared by the bladders, and substantially parallel front and back bottom seams 530 and front and back top seams 535, respectively, which completely seal and segregate the front and rear bladders from one another. As can be seen, the fluid inlets are disposed on the same (front) side of the bag, with the rear port being elevated relative to the front port. When the bladders are filled, they are effectively “inflated” and bulge outwardly so as to generally approximate the interior sides of the bladders; i.e., to bring them into sufficiently close proximity to enable a length of detonation cord 400 to be captured within the sleeve formed by the folded device, and having a segment of the detonating cord exposed outside the bag for detonation. As will be readily appreciated, different fill materials having different densities or compressive properties may be introduced into the respective bladders, thus tailoring the blast wave to the demands of the situation.

[0051] Referring next to FIGS. 6-8, there is shown a third preferred embodiment 600 of the inventive breach bag. In this embodiment, also shown in an elongate rectangular configuration, the bag includes a single and continuous bladder 605. As will be readily appreciated, the shape of the bag can be altered significantly without altering or eliminating any of the novel features and structural characteristics of the apparatus. Thus, the shape may be square, slightly rectangular, or substantially elongate, depending, again, on the intended use. (Indeed, such a design variation is shown in FIGS. 16-19.) In this third embodiment, the breach bag bladder 605 is filled with a desired volume of water through the fluid inlet or capped fill port 220, according to the force, shape, and size of the desired blast wave. The bladder 605 is defined by welds or seams, shown here as a single side seam 630, top seams 640, and bottom seams 650. The top and bottom seams are shown here each as comprising spaced-apart and generally parallel “double” seams so as to define flat portion through which a plurality of upper grommets 200 and lower grommets 202 may be disposed. The grommets serve as attachment points for rope, string or nails to affix the breach bag to a surface. The breach bag is folded on itself at a fold 670 so as to form front and rear bladder portions and a generally hollow tube or sleeve with a seam edge 660 outside of the single side seam 630. The bag includes openings at the top and bottom ends 610 and 620. Hook and loop material 625, 635 may be disposed on opposing interior sides proximate the respective top and bottom ends and between the top and bottom double seams so as to provide means to create a partial closure at the ends 610 and 620. When the bladder is filled, it bulges to bring the interior side of the panel into general approximation and to provide force sufficient to capture and retain a length of detonating cord 400.

[0052] FIGS. 12-15 show a fourth preferred embodiment 1200 of the breach bag of the present invention. In this embodiment, the breach bag includes a first bladder 1205 and second bladder 1210. Each bladder has an individual re-sealable fluid inlet or capped fill port 220 A medial spine portion 1220 is defined by spine seams 1225 and 1230 running longitudinally substantially or entirely the length of the bag. The bladders are defined by the spine seams as well as an upper seam 1235 and a lower seam 1237, the latter spaced slightly from the edge of bag material so as to form integral strips. The medial spine portion 1220 does not include a bladder space for filling with fluid and thus provides an easily foldable linear border for folding the panel material. Upper integral strip 1240 and lower integral strip 1245, each include a plurality of grommets 200, 202, for tying lines when deploying the bag. A first fastening edge 1250 and a second fastening edge 1260, preferably include complementary hook and loop fastener material or other closure means and may therefore be approximated to close the breach bag on itself to create an essentially hollow tube between first bladder 1200 and second bladder 1210 within which an explosive charge such as sheet explosive, primer cord, or C4, may be inserted to create the explosive force. The left terminal edge 1264 and right terminal edge 1265 also utilize hook and loop fastener material system 1270 to provide means to close the bag in a stable folded configuration.

[0053] FIGS. 16-19, illustrates a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 16 and 19 show this embodiment filled, folded and closed to capture and retain a length of detonating cord, while FIGS. 17 and 18 show the bag emptied and in an open, generally planar configuration. This embodiment includes first and second bladders 1610, 1620, defined by top seam 1612, bottom seam 1614, a first side seam 1616, and a second seam 1618. The bladders are in fluid communication with one another through a hollow passageway 1630. A spine portion 1640 defined by side spine seams 1650, 1660, and upper and lower spine seams 1670, which do not include a hollow for filling with fluid, provides partial separation of the bladders and an easily foldable portion of material. The top and bottom seams are spaced apart from the upper and lower bladder edges to create flat upper and lower integral strips 1680, 1690, each having a plurality of grommets 200, 202, respectively, for tying lines for deployment. The sides of the bag include first and second fastening edges 1710, 1720, which preferably include hook and loop fastener material or other closure means, and which may therefore be approximated to close the breach bag on itself to form a closed sleeve with a through hole for insertion of an explosive charge. As with all embodiments, the bag is provided with a fluid inlet and cap 220, for the introduction of water or other fluids. In a simple alternative to the fifth preferred embodiment, upper spine seam 1670 may be removed so that spine 1640 is in fluid communication with passageway 1630, such that it, too, may be filled with water concurrently with the filling of bladders 1610, 1620. The open and fillable portion of spine 1640 can be seen in FIG. 18.

[0054] As with the earlier described embodiments, the fifth preferred embodiment of the inventive breach bag may be deployed on vertical or horizontal building structures, while it is especially well suited for use in breaching a door. This is accomplished by filling the breach bag with the desired volume of water, sand, or other material, or a combination of materials, according to the force, shape, and size of the desired blast wave. The bag is then folded on itself to form a generally hollow tube with openings at the upper and lower ends 1680/1690 and a closure at the sides 1710, 1720. When closed in such a fashion, the interior sides of the water-filled bladders are pushed against one another so as to provide force sufficient to capture and retain a length of detonation cord 400 inserted through the tube. This provides the explosive charge. The bag is then positioned against a door by stringing a line through one or more of the grommets and hanging the filled bag on a hook, nail, or other structure immediately above the door.

[0055] As will be clear from the foregoing, the preferred embodiments of the breach bag of the present invention are all fabricated from two panels or layers of flexible material, preferably two discrete thin sheets of PVC or a single sheet folded onto itself to create two layers. 30 mil PVC has been shown to be effective for use in breaching most structures encountered in conventional law enforcement. However, material choice and thickness is a matter of design choice. When panels of PVC or other RF excitable thermoplastic materials are used (including various polyurethane materials), seams defining the fillable bladders are created using Radio Frequency welding (also known as RF, Dielectric or High Frequency welding). Similarly, the fluid inlet is installed using RF welding. As is well known, RF welding is a process of fusing materials together by focusing radio frequency energy on the region to be joined, and it creates seams in the present invention that are essentially as strong as the parent material. Other materials that may be employed include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, and some ABS resins. However, these materials may require special preheated welding bars in addition to RF power. When other, non-RF excitable materials are employed, such as polyethylene, either a hot welding process or adhesives may be employed to create the seams.

[0056] Accordingly, fabrication is relatively simple and entails providing a panel of suitable flexible material for the bag. In the case of the first, third, and fifth preferred embodiments, a fluid inlet valve is installed on a portion of the panel, and the panel is cut or folded to create front and back layers of substantially the same size. When RF welding is employed, the layers are placed onto a planar bed plate, where die tooling in an RF welding system is brought into close proximity with the material in a pattern of the seams to be created. The welds are rapidly completed and excess material is removed from any perimeter seams where welding was effected.

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, in the third preferred embodiment, after the bladder is formed by welding, the bag is then folded and the material at the unfolded edge 660 is welded. In the case of the fifth preferred embodiment (FIGS. 16-19), after the bladders are formed by seam welding, the free ends of the unfolded edges are provided with closure structure 1710, 1720, to provide means for selective closure of the bag around an explosive charge.

[0058] In the case of the second preferred embodiment, FIGS. 5 and 9-11, after fluid inlets are installed on the panels, the bladders are fabricated independently with side seams and top and bottom seams so as to place the two bladders in a generally a side-by-side configuration. The material region defined by the side seams separating the two bladders is then employed as a folding portion wherein the bag can be folded so as to place the two bladders into a front and back orientation and to leave a portion of material on the edge of the bag opposite the folding portion. A weld is then made between the edges of material opposite the fold to form a permanent closure around the hollow tube portion 950.

[0059] As with the second preferred embodiment, the fourth preferred embodiment requires the installation of two fluid inlet ports, and fabrication follows along the lines of the second preferred embodiment. However, rather than forming a permanent weld to effect the closure at the unfolded edge, selectively closeable means are disposed on the outside edges 1264, 1265 of the bag so that it can be closed at the option of the user.

[0060] In each of the preferred embodiments the breach bag is lightweight, foldable, flexible, compact, easily stored and transported, and rapidly prepared for use in the field. It is ideal, therefore, for military and law enforcement applications. In any of the embodiments with segregated front and back bladders, the back side of the bag may be filled with fill material, or, alternatively, it may be left empty. When filled the bag functions to create a fluid impulse charge, whereas when left empty, the material tend to confine or “tamp” the explosive charge.

[0061] The foregoing disclosure is sufficient to enable those with skill in the relevant art to practice the invention without undue experimentation. The disclosure further provides the best mode of practicing the invention now contemplated by the inventor. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the basic breach bag design may take on a multitude of configurations depending upon the desired application.

[0062] While the particular breach bag apparatus and method herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages stated herein, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended concerning the detail of construction or design shown other than as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass obvious modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.