Forcible entry training door system

Abstract

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 band opening, steel jam or wood jams).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A forcible entry door training apparatus, comprising:
 a base plate;   a door frame mounted to the base plate, the door frame comprising a first side jamb, a second side jamb and a header jamb coupled between upper ends of the first and second side jambs; and   a door having a first side edge and a second side edge;   a plurality of hinges attaching the first side edge of the door to the first side jamb of the door frame for hingedly mounting the door within the door frame,   wherein the hinges are mounted to the first side jamb for slidable motion to and way from an inner surface of the first side jamb and wherein the hinges include springs that bias the slidable hinges away from the inner surface of the first side jamb and which resist compression with sufficient force to simulate forces that are encountered when attempting to wedge a pry tool between the second side edge of the door and the second side jamb.   
     
     
         2 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hinges are U-shaped brackets comprising a front plate that is disposed adjacent the inner surface of the first side jamb, and side plates that are disposed on each side of the first side jamb. 
     
     
         3 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the side plates of the U-shaped brackets are slidably disposed between guide rails on the side surfaces of the first side jamb. 
     
     
         4 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hinges are adapted to hingedly mount at least two doors within the door frame. 
     
     
         5 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable jamb plate including a door stop attached to the second side jamb. 
     
     
         6 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the removable jamb plate is adjustable to change a spacing between the second side edge of the door and the jamb plate. 
     
     
         7 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a wood block removably inserted in a recess formed in the second side jamb. 
     
     
         8 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first retaining bracket disposed on the door and a second retaining bracket disposed on the second side jamb, aligned to the first retaining bracket, wherein the first and second retaining brackets insertably receive an elongated resistance member to simulate resistive forces of a locking device to keep the door from opening. 
     
     
         9 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising an elongated resistance member extending through the first and second retaining brackets. 
     
     
         10 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the elongated resistance member is a length of wood. 
     
     
         11 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the door comprises an elongated steel bar mounted to a surface of the door. 
     
     
         12 . A forcible entry door training apparatus, comprising:
 a door frame comprising a first side jamb and a second side jamb;   a door having a first side edge and a second side edge; and   spring-loaded hinges that connect the first side edge of the door to the first side jamb of the door frame, wherein the spring-loaded hinges are biased to maintain a first gap between the first side edge of door and the first side jamb of the door frame, and wherein the spring-loaded hinges are compressed to decrease the first gap in response to a spreading force applied between the second side edge of the door and the second side jamb.   
     
     
         13 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the spring-loaded hinges are adapted to hingedly mount at least two doors within the door frame. 
     
     
         14 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus simulates forcible entry on a right hand inward opening door, a left hand inward opening door, a right hand outward opening door and a left hand outward opening door. 
     
     
         15 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a first retaining bracket disposed on the door and a second retaining bracket disposed on the second side jamb, aligned to the first retaining bracket, wherein the first and second retaining brackets insertably receive an elongated member to simulate a locking device to keep the door from opening. 
     
     
         16 . The forcible entry door training apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the door comprises an elongated steel bar mounted to a surface of the door. 
     
     
         17 . A method for simulating forcible entry of a locked door, comprising:
 wedging a tool between a door frame and a first side of a door, said door having a second side, opposite the first side, which is hingedly connected to the door frame by spring-loaded hinges;   compressing springs of the spring-loaded hinges in response to a spreading force caused by the wedging; and   allowing the first side of the door to be spread away from the door frame in response to the compressing.