Apparatus for use with a disrupter to disable explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a disrupter to disable explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices is described. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of the disrupter, wherein the sleeve has an opening of generally circular cross section and an aperture for holding a positioning rod; and a positioning rod connected to the sleeve through the aperture for positioning the disrupter in relation to the explosive ordnance or improvised explosive device. The use of the sleeve and positioning rod combination permits rapid determination of stand-off for the disrupter and the angle of impact of the charge the disrupter will fire. The device is particularly useful in disabling pipe bombs.

Claims

1. A method of disabling an explosive ordnance using a disrupter and a removable positioning apparatus, the method comprising placing the positioning apparatus over a barrel of the disrupter wherein the disrupter is a barrel-type propellant driven projectile firing disrupter and wherein the positioning apparatus comprises: a block shaped with at least one flat side containing a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of the disrupter wherein the block is configured to rest on a surface and the block is sized so that the at least one side of the block prevents the disrupter from rolling when that side is in contact with a surface, wherein the sleeve has an opening of generally circular cross section and an aperture for holding a positioning rod parallel to the disrupter barrel; and an adjustable positioning rod connected to the sleeve through the aperture for positioning the disrupter in relation to an explosive ordnance; positioning the disrupter in relation to the explosive ordnance by adjusting the positioning rod to determine the standoff distance between the disrupter and the ordnance; and adjusting the position of the disrupter to determine the angle of impact of the projectile; and disabling the ordnance by firing the disrupter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the explosive ordnance is an improvised explosive device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the explosive ordnance is a pipe bomb comprising a piece of pipe with two ends and wherein each end has an end cap attached to the pipe.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one end cap has at least one lip and wherein the disrupter is positioned so that it fires a projectile against the lip of an end cap.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the disrupter is positioned so that it fires a projectile against the body of the pipe.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning apparatus contains a screw adapted to tighten the apparatus around the barrel of the disrupter and a screw adapted to permit adjusting the positioning rod.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the explosive ordnance is an improvised explosive device.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the explosive ordnance is a pipe bomb comprising a piece of pipe with two ends and wherein each end has an end cap attached to the pipe.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one end cap has at least one lip and wherein the disrupter is positioned so that it fires a projectile against the lip of an end cap.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the disrupter is positioned so that it fires a projectile against the body of the pipe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a typical fuse-detonated pipe bomb;

(2) FIG. 2 is a bottom front perspective view of an embodiment described herein of a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of a disrupter;

(3) FIG. 3 is a top view of a positioning rod used in the embodiments described herein;

(4) FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment described herein of a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of a disrupter;

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment described herein of a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of a disrupter;

(6) FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an embodiment described herein of a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of a disrupter;

(7) FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an embodiment described herein of a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of a disrupter and a positioning rod;

(8) FIG. 8 is an additional perspective view of an embodiment described herein of a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of a disrupter and a positioning rod;

(9) FIG. 9 is an in-use view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 of a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of a disrupter and a positioning rod placed around the barrel of a disrupter and positioned against the lip of an end cap of a pipe bomb.

(10) FIG. 10 is an additional top view of a positioning rod used in the embodiments described herein with distance increments marked along the length of the rod.

(11) FIG. 11 is a front view of an alternative embodiment described herein of a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of a disrupter;

(12) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment using the sleeve shown in FIG. 11.

(13) FIG. 13 is another perspective view of an alternative embodiment using the sleeve shown in FIG. 11.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS DESCRIBED HEREIN

(14) It has been surprisingly found that disabling IEDs and explosive ordnance is greatly facilitated by the embodiments described herein.

(15) In one aspect, the embodiments shown relate to an apparatus for use in connection with a disrupter having a barrel for disabling an explosive ordnance or improvised explosive device, the apparatus comprising: a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of the disrupter, wherein the sleeve has an opening of generally circular cross section and an aperture for holding a positioning rod; and a positioning rod connected to the sleeve through the aperture for positioning the disrupter in relation to the explosive ordnance or improvised explosive device. In a preferred embodiment, the opening and the aperture are connected. In another preferred embodiment, the opening and aperture are separate.

(16) In another aspect, the positioning rod contains incremental measurements of distance. In a preferred embodiment, the incremental measurements of distance are in inches. However, metric units of measurement may also be used. In fact, any appropriate increment markings can be used.

(17) In another aspect, the sleeve is in the shape of a rectangular cube. In another aspect, the sleeve is in the shape of a square cube. In another embodiment, at least one outer surface of the sleeve is flat.

(18) In another aspect, the sleeve and positioning rod are made of non-spark producing metal. In another preferred embodiment, the sleeve and positioning rod are made of plastic.

(19) In another aspect, the embodiments described herein relate to a method of disabling an explosive ordnance using a disrupter and a positioning apparatus, the method comprising placing the positioning apparatus over a barrel of the disrupter wherein the positioning apparatus comprises: a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of the disrupter, wherein the sleeve has an opening of generally circular cross section and an aperture for holding a positioning rod; and a positioning rod connected to the sleeve through the aperture for positioning the disrupter in relation to an explosive ordnance; positioning the disrupter in relation to the explosive ordnance using the positioning rod to determine the distance between the disrupter and the ordnance; and disabling the ordnance by firing the disrupter. In another preferred embodiment, the explosive ordnance is an improvised explosive device. In an especially preferred embodiment, the improvised explosive device is a pipe bomb.

(20) In a preferred embodiment, the ordnance is a pipe bomb comprising a piece of pipe with two ends and wherein each end has an end cap attached to the pipe. In a further preferred embodiment, the disrupter is positioned so that it fires a projectile against the lip of an end cap. In still another preferred embodiment, the disrupter is positioned so that it fires a projectile against the body of the pipe.

(21) In another aspect, the embodiments shown relate to an apparatus for use in connection with a disrupter having a barrel for disabling an explosive ordnance or improvised explosive device, the apparatus comprising: a sleeve adapted to be fit around the barrel of the disrupter, wherein the sleeve has an opening of generally circular cross section and an aperture for holding a positioning rod wherein the aperture is separate from the opening by a distance sufficient to accommodate use of a projectile in the disrupter that has an end portion that exceeds the barrel size of the disrupter; and a positioning rod connected to the sleeve through the aperture for positioning the disrupter in relation to the explosive ordnance or improvised explosive device. In a preferred embodiment using this structure, the positioning rod is contacting against the end portion of the projectile and can be used to position the disrupter against the ordnance.

(22) The embodiments described herein can be used with a disrupter and a stand for holding the disrupter. In another preferred embodiment, the disrupter/sleeve/positioning rod combination described herein is used without a stand. It has been surprisingly found that use of a flat outer surface on one side of the sleeve prevents the disrupter from rolling. In addition, use of the combination levels the disrupter. These benefits are especially advantageous where a stand cannot be used due to the location of an IED.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS DESCRIBED HEREIN

(23) As required, detailed illustrative embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and some details may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details described herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein.

(24) With reference to FIG. 1, a typical metal pipe bomb (1) is shown. Pipe bomb (1) contains a piece of standard piping for the body (2) and two metal end caps (3). In the embodiment shown, pipe bomb (1) is detonated via fuse (4). Other methods of detonating explosives, however, are well-known in the art.

(25) With reference to FIG. 2, a sleeve (10) adapted to be fit around the barrel of a disrupter is shown. Sleeve (10) has opening (11) which is of generally circular cross section and adapted to fit around the barrel of a disrupter. Sleeve also has aperture (12) which is adapted to hold a positioning rod (not shown). In the embodiment shown, opening (11) and aperture (12) are connected (i.e., they are contiguous). It should be noted, however, that opening (11) and aperture (12) could be non-contiguous.

(26) Sleeve (10) can be made of any suitable metal. However, a non-spark producing metal is preferred. Aluminum is most especially preferred. However, other non-spark producing materials such as plastic, wood, or fiberglass could be used.

(27) In the embodiment shown, sleeve (10) is in the shape of a rectangular cube. However, other shapes such as a square cube or a triangular polyhedron can be used. In a preferred embodiment, at least one outer surface is flat. Use of a sleeve with one flat outer surface prevents the disrupter from rolling when it is used without a stand. This is especially advantageous when an IED is located in an area that does not permit use of stand.

(28) With reference to FIG. 3, positioning rod (20) is shown. Positioning rod (20) has incremental measurements of distance (21), along at least one side. In the embodiment shown, these increments are in inches. However, any suitable measurement of distance could be used. Also preferred are metric units of measurement.

(29) Positioning rod (20) is shaped in a rectangular cube. End (22) is most preferably square. The positioning rod can be made of any suitable metal. However, non-spark producing metal is preferred. Aluminum is most especially preferred. However, non-spark producing materials such as plastics or wood could be used.

(30) Positioning rod (20) can be in a variety of shapes. A rectangular cube shape is preferred. However, positioning rod (20) could be cylindrical. Positioning rod (20) could also be a triangular polyhedron.

(31) With reference to FIG. 4, a top view of sleeve (10) is shown. The sleeve and rod can be adjusted via tightening devices. A preferred embodiment is an Allen screw. These are shown in FIG. 4 as items (13) and (14). Screw (13) is used to adjust the tightness of the sleeve (10) around the barrel of a disrupter. Screw (14) is used to adjust the tightness of the sleeve (10) around a positioning rod. By tightening the screws, the sleeve and the positioning rod are held in place. By loosening the screws, the sleeve and the positioning rod can be moved relative to the disrupter and each other. For example, the positioning rod (not shown) can be adjusted to various increments of distance.

(32) With reference to FIG. 5, a side view of sleeve (10) is shown. With reference to FIG. 6, a bottom view of sleeve (10) is shown.

(33) With reference to FIG. 7, a side perspective view of the combination of a sleeve (10) and positioning rod (20) is shown. The positioning rod (20) protrudes from the front surface (15) of sleeve (10). In the embodiment shown, the positioning rod protrudes approximately 5 inches from the front of the sleeve. FIG. 8 shows an additional perspective view of the combination of a sleeve (10) and a positioning rod (20).

(34) With reference to FIG. 9, the use of the combination of a sleeve (10) and a positioning rod (20) is shown in use in connection with the barrel of a disrupter (30). A human operator (not shown) is positioning a disrupter against a standard metal pipe bomb (1). Disrupter (30) will fire a charge against a lip of end cap (3). In the most preferred embodiment, the flat surface of the end of positioning rod (20) nearest the muzzle of disruptor (30) rests against the top edge of the lip of end cap (3). This ensures a proper stand-off distance and the angle of impact for the disrupter charge.

(35) It should be understood that there are two known means for rendering metal pipe bombs safe. These methods are the direct impact method and the skip method. In the direct impact method, a disrupter fires a charge against the lip of an end cap of a pipe bomb. This charge is designed to dislodge the end cap from the body of the pipe bomb and thereby prevent detonation of the pipe bomb. In a preferred embodiment, the use of the positioning rod and sleeve combination gives proper stand-off and angle of impact between the end of the barrel and the end cap of the pipe bomb.

(36) With reference to FIG. 9, the rod (20) shown has a square cross section. When an operator aligns the bottom lip of positioning rod (20) against the top edge of the end cap (3) of a pipe bomb (1), this results in the proper angle of impact in the direct method. The proper stand-off is achieved via the incremental distance markers.

(37) In the skip method, the disrupter fires a projectile against a surface on the body of the pipe portion of the pipe bomb. This projectile deforms the body of the pipe bomb and skips along the body of the pipe portion and impacts an end cap with enough force to dislodge the end cap. The sleeve and positioning rod combination can be used with this method as well.

(38) A pipe bomb may also be made out of PVC piping. When disabling a pipe bomb of this type, a disrupter typically fires a water charge at an angle of impact perpendicular to the surface of the PVC pipe body. The embodiments described herein are useful in disabling PVC pipe bombs and facilitate determining the proper stand-off distance, the point of impact, and the angle of impact.

(39) With reference to FIG. 10, an additional view of a positioning rod is shown.

(40) With reference to FIG. 11, an alternative embodiment of positioning sleeve (10) is shown. In this embodiment, positioning sleeve has opening (11) which is of generally circular cross section and adapted to fit around the barrel of a disrupter. Sleeve also has aperture (12) which is adapted to hold a positioning rod (not shown). In the embodiment shown, opening (11) and aperture (12) are not contiguous. In addition, aperture (12) is separate from the opening (11) by a distance sufficient to accommodate use of a projectile in the disrupter that has an end portion that exceeds the barrel size of the disrupter.

(41) Such a structure is shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. In FIG. 12, chisel (40) is loaded into barrel of disrupter (30); and a positioning rod (20) connected to the sleeve through the aperture for positioning the disrupter in relation to the explosive ordnance or improvised explosive device. In a preferred embodiment using this structure, the positioning rod (20) is contacting against the end portion of the chisel (40) and can be used to position the disrupter (30) against the ordnance.

(42) While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.