Abstract:
A device and method for rapid deployment of snow shelters are disclosed forthwith. The device includes an elongated sleeve with an open end and a closed end with an optional weight compartment preferably disposed of at the closed end. 
     The device is quickly inflated by use of wind or movement of the user, closed to form a cylindrical tube and then covered in snow. An opening in the snow is dug out and the device is deflated. Once the device is removed from the snow cover, the inner space where the device was becomes a snow shelter capable of insulating the user from the harsh environment outside the shelter.

Description:
REFERENCE TO CROSS-RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/179,388, filed on May 19, 2009, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to devices for building of snow shelters, more particularly, to devices for rapid deployment of snow shelters. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Snow shelters are used to protect people such as back country hunters, cross country skiers, mountain climbers and downed pilots from the harsh environment and below freezing temperatures associated with snowy conditions. Exposure to very low temperatures combined with high winds cause hypothermia within a short time. 
         [0004]    Inside a snow cave or a snow trench the temperature is kept at a steady level of zero degrees centigrade due to the isolating properties of the snow, even when the temperature outside the snow cave is minus 30 degrees centigrade. A human&#39;s body heat or a small candle can heat the inside of the snow cave to a relatively comfortable temperature. 
         [0005]    Building a snow cave is a long and hard process involving lying in the snow and digging to form the cave. This process usually ends up with the digger&#39;s clothes getting soaked with water, which is very dangerous in freezing temperatures. 
         [0006]    Inflatable devices used for building snow shelters, such as quinzees, are known in the prior art. An inflatable device is inflated, typically to the full device volume and then sealed, typically by a valve. Snow is then piled over and around the inflatable device. As the snow structure embracing the inflatable device hardens, the valve is exposed out of the snow and then opened; the inflatable device is deflated and pulled out of the snow structure which can then be used as a snow shelter. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,181, of Ellsworth, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein, discloses an apparatus for fabricating igloo and like structures, including an inflatable form of a flexible air-impervious plastic having a base component, a roof component, and cylindrically shaped side walls with associated valve to inflate and deflate the form. The apparatus was developed for the purpose of the deploying of igloos more efficiently, conveniently and quickly through an inflatable form and a pump. 
         [0008]    However, devices such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,181, of Ellsworth require the use of air blowers or having a person blow into the relatively large inflatable device. Effective air blowers are typically heavy and smaller air blowers are usually inefficient and require a long time to inflate the inflatable device. This is particularly important in survival situations where the survivor has little time to find shelter. Mouth air blowing is also time-consuming, as well as difficult to perform in cold weather and survival situations. 
         [0009]    Therefore, there is a need and it would be advantageous to have an inflatable device for rapid deployment of a snow shelter, including rapid inflating of the inflatable device, without a need for an air blower. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The background art does not teach or suggest an inflatable device for a rapid deployment of a snow shelter, including rapid inflating of the inflatable device, without a need for an air blower. 
         [0011]    The present invention overcomes these deficiencies of the background art by providing an inflatable device for rapid deployment of a snow shelter without a need for an air blower and a method for deploying the snow shelter. 
         [0012]    An embodiment of the present invention is described herein below in which an inflatable device includes an elongated sleeve, preferably a weight compartment and optionally a valve. The elongated sleeve includes a closed end and an open end, wherein the weight compartment is typically disposed at the closed end of the elongated sleeve. The valve is used to add or remove air from the inflatable device. In the case where the user is injured and cannot stand up in order to wave the inflatable device, the valve can be used to blow air into the inflatable device using a pump, compressed air tank, the user&#39;s mouth etc. The open end is preferably a wide opening, typically, as wide as the dimensions of the elongated sleeve. 
         [0013]    One of several possible methods, of inflating the inflatable device for rapid deployment of a snow shelter and rapid deployment of a snow shelter, according to the present invention, includes the following stages: 
         [0014]    a) grabbing the edges of the open end of the elongated sleeve, preferably by two hands at opposing locations on the edges of the open end; 
         [0015]    b) taking some steps while swinging the elongated sleeve, wherein the open end moves away from the body of the elongated sleeve. As a result of the swinging of the elongated sleeve, air flows into the elongated sleeve. Since the closed end is sealed, the in flowing air is trapped inside the elongated sleeve and thereby, inflates the elongated sleeve; 
         [0016]    c) twisting and folding the open end of the elongated sleeve, thereby sealing the open end, and thereby tightly trapping the air inside the elongated sleeve; 
         [0017]    d) preferably tying the folded open end of the elongated sleeve; 
         [0018]    e) filling the weight compartment, typically with snow, to stabilize the inflated inflatable device when laid alone on the ground, such that the inflated inflatable device resist wind forces, and other external forces; 
         [0019]    f) placing the inflated inflatable device at a location where the snow shelter is to be built; 
         [0020]    g) piling snow over and around the inflated inflatable device, thereby covering the inflated inflatable device with a thick layer of snow; 
         [0021]    h) allowing thick layer of snow covering the inflated inflatable device to harden for several minutes; 
         [0022]    i) digging an opening in the hardened snow covering, preferably towards the folded end of the elongated sleeve; 
         [0023]    j) untying and unfolding the folded end of the elongated sleeve, thereby deflating the inflatable device for rapid deployment of a snow shelter; 
         [0024]    k) pulling out the deflated inflatable device through the opening in the hardened snow covering, the opening being the entrance of the now ready to use snow shelter; and 
         [0025]    Optionally, the pulled out deflated inflatable device is used to enclose/seal the entrance to the snow shelter. 
         [0026]    An aspect of the present invention is to provide an inflatable device having an insulating layer, such as an aluminized based layer. Thereby, when in use, the aluminum reflects back the heat radiated from the user to keep up his/her warmth. The present invention is not limited to an aluminum coating and any other flexible heat reflecting coating can be used. Optionally, the pulled out deflated inflatable device, having a layer of an insulating material, is used as a thermal/emergency blanket. 
         [0027]    The insulating layer can be external or internal to the inflatable device; likewise the inflatable device can have two insulated layers, one internal and one external. 
         [0028]    According to the teaching of the present invention there is provided an inflatable device for rapid deployment of snow shelters, the inflatable device includes: (a) an elongated sleeve, the elongated sleeve having an open end and a closed end; 
         [0029]    According to the teaching of the present invention the inflatable device further includes: (b) a weight compartment, disposed on the elongated sleeve at the closed end, wherein the weight compartment has at least one weight compartment opening. 
         [0030]    According to the teaching of the present invention the elongated sleeve has an inflatable device inner surface coated with a thermal isolator layer. 
         [0031]    According to another features of the present invention the elongated sleeve has an inflatable device outer surface coated with a thermal isolator layer. 
         [0032]    According to another features of the present invention the elongated sleeve has an inflatable device inner surface coated with a thermal isolator layer and an inflatable device outer surface coated with a thermal isolator layer. 
         [0033]    According to the teaching of the present invention the inflatable device further includes: (c) a valve disposed on the elongated sleeve. 
         [0034]    According to the teaching of the present invention the inflatable device has a folded state, a spread out state, an inflated state, and a sealed state. 
         [0035]    According to the teaching of the present invention there is provided a method of rapid deployment of snow shelters, the method includes the stages of: (a) filling an inflatable device with air wherein the stage of filling an inflatable device with air includes the sub stage of: (i) grabbing edges of an open end of an elongated sleeve; (b) twisting and folding the open end of the elongated sleeve; (c) placing the inflated inflatable device at a location where the snow shelter is to be built; and (d) piling snow over and around the inflated inflatable device. 
         [0036]    According to the teaching of the present invention the method of rapid deployment of snow shelters further includes the stages of: (e) allowing thick layer of snow covering the inflated inflatable device to harden; (f) digging an opening in the hardened snow covering; (g) deflating the inflatable device; and (h) pulling out the deflated inflatable device through an opening in the hardened snow covering. 
         [0037]    According to the teaching of the present invention the method of rapid deployment of snow shelters further includes the stages of: (i) closing an entrance to the snow shelter by using the deflated inflatable device. 
         [0038]    According to the teaching of the present invention the stage of twisting and folding the open end of the elongated sleeve includes the sub stage of: (i) tying the folded open end of the elongated sleeve. 
         [0039]    According to the teaching of the present invention the stage of placing the inflated inflatable device at a location wherein the snow shelter is to be built includes the sub stage of: (i) filling a weight compartment of the inflatable device with snow. 
         [0040]    According to another features of the present invention, the method of rapid deployment of snow shelters further comprises the stage of placing at least one more inflated inflatable device adjacent to the inflated inflatable device wherein the stage is performed before the piling snow over and around the inflated inflatable device stage. 
         [0041]    The at least one more inflatable device may be placed alongside the first inflatable device forming a wider shelter or in series, forming an elongated shelter. The cylindrical structure provides two main advantages: 
         [0042]    1) Structural strength, allowing extra weight to be added on top of the shelter without collapsing (for example; during a snow storm, more snow would fall on top of the shelter). 
         [0043]    2) The size of the shelter can be controlled by the amount of air blown into the inflatable device, thereby creating a smaller space which requires less energy for heating. 
         [0044]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0045]    The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0046]      FIG. 1   a  is a top view of a folded inflatable device for rapid deployment of a snow shelter, according to the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 1   b  is a top perspective view of an inflatable device for rapid deployment of a snow shelter, according to the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of inflating the inflatable device, according to the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of folding the open end of the inflatable device, thereby trapping the air inside the inflatable device, according to the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of locking the folded end of the inflatable device, thereby locking the air inside the inflatable device, according to the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of tying the inflatable device for the deployment of a snow shelter, according to the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of filling the weight compartment of the inflatable device, according to the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of covering the inflated inflatable device, the covering being in an intermediate state, according to the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of covering the inflated inflatable device, the covering being almost complete, but still in an intermediate state, according to the present invention. 
           [0055]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of digging an opening towards the inflated inflatable device, according to the present invention. 
           [0056]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of pulling out, through the opening, of the deflated inflatable device upon which a section plane a-a is marked, according to the present invention. 
           [0057]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view a-a of the formed snow shelter, according to the present invention. 
           [0058]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart schematically illustrating a method for rapid deployment of a snow shelter, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0059]    The present invention is of a device and method for rapid deployment of snow shelters. 
         [0060]    The principles and operation of a device and method for rapid deployment of snow shelters according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 
         [0061]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0062]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, dimensions, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. 
         [0063]    The following list is a legend of the numbering of the application illustrations: 
         [0064]      15  inward direction 
         [0065]      20  hand 
         [0066]      25  outward direction 
         [0067]      30  shovel 
         [0068]      40  cable binder 
         [0069]      50  snow 
         [0070]      52  snow shelter 
         [0071]      100  inflatable device 
         [0072]      110  elongated sleeve 
         [0073]      112  open end 
         [0074]      114  closed end 
         [0075]      115  twisting direction 
         [0076]      116  folded end 
         [0077]      120  weight compartment 
         [0078]      122  weight compartment opening 
         [0079]      130  valve 
         [0080]      154  snow shelter opening 
         [0081]      160  inflatable device inner surface coated with thermal isolator layer 
         [0082]      162  inflatable device outer surface coated with thermal isolator layer 
         [0083]      170  snow shelter inner space 
         [0084]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1   a  is a top view of a folded inflatable device  100  for rapid deployment of a snow shelter, according to the present invention. 
         [0085]    In its folded state, the inflatable device  100  takes very little space and weight which is beneficial for backpackers and survivalists who try to limit the overall weight of their gear. The inflatable device  100  also includes an elongated sleeve  110 , which, in the configuration shown in the present illustration, is externally coated with a thermal insulation layer. Likewise, the inflatable device  100  shown in the present illustration also includes a valve  130 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 1   b  is a top perspective view of an inflatable device for rapid deployment of a snow shelter, according to the present invention. 
         [0087]    The Inflatable device  100  is shown in the present illustration in a spread out state. 
         [0088]    Inflatable device  100  includes elongated sleeve  110 , weight compartment  120  and optionally, valve  130 . Elongated sleeve  110  includes closed end  114  and open end  112 , wherein weight compartment  120  is typically disposed at the closed end  114  of elongated sleeve  110  and it includes one or more weight compartment openings  122 . Optional valve  130  is used to add or remove air from inflatable device  100 . Open end  112  is preferably a wide opening, typically, as wide as the dimensions of elongated sleeve  110 . 
         [0089]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of inflating the inflatable device  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0090]    The inflatable device  100  is shown in the present illustration in an inflated state. 
         [0091]    A person grabs the open end  112  of elongated sleeve  110 , preferably with both hands  20 , and generally at opposing locations on the edges of open end  112 . The person then swings elongated sleeve  110  in an outward direction  25 , thereby creating a flow of air, in inward direction  15 , through open end  112  and into elongated sleeve  110 . The swinging direction is such that open end  112  moves away from the closed end  114  of elongated sleeve  110 . Since closed end  114  is closed, the air inside elongated sleeve  110  is trapped inside the elongated sleeve  110 , thus inflating it. It should be noted, that if wind is blowing, the swinging direction should be against the wind direction. It should be further noted, that to enhance the swinging of inflatable device  100  when there is little or no wind, the person may take a few steps while swinging. 
         [0092]    If the force of the wind is sufficient, there is no need for any swinging motion. 
         [0093]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of folding the open end  112  of the inflatable device  100 , thereby trapping the air inside the inflatable device  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0094]    The inflatable device  100  is shown in the present illustration in a sealed state. 
         [0095]    When elongated sleeve  110  is in an inflated state, the person closes and seals the open end  112 . For example, the person may twist the margin of elongated sleeve  110  proximal to the edged of open end  112 , with respect to the rest of elongated sleeve  110 , for example in twisting direction  115 . Thereby, open end  112  is sealed closed and the air inside elongated sleeve  110  is tightly trapped. 
         [0096]    The size of the resultant snow shelter  52  is controlled by the amount of air filling the elongated sleeve  110 . Tightening of the open end  112  and compressing the air inside the inflatable device  100  forms a solid cylindrical shape which helps in forming a well shaped snow shelter  52 . 
         [0097]    Preferably, inflatable device  100  is made of thin, flexible, tear resistant and light weight materials, such as nylon. Furthermore, inflatable device  100  is made of material strong enough to withstand the pressure formed by the piling of snow  50  onto inflatable device  100 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of locking the folded end  116  of the inflatable device  100 , thereby locking the air inside the inflatable device  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0099]    In  FIG. 4 , folded end  116  is further folded towards the inflated elongated sleeve  110  to be tied later. 
         [0100]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of tying the inflatable device for the deployment of a snow shelter, according to the present invention. 
         [0101]    In  FIG. 5 , folded end  116  is securely tied by a cable binder  40 . The tying means can also be an elastic band or any other suitable means. 
         [0102]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of filling the weight compartment  120  of the inflatable device  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0103]    In order stabilize the inflated inflatable device  100 , inflatable device  100  preferably includes weight compartment  120  which is equipped with one or more weight compartment openings  122 . For example, the weight compartment  120  can be filled with snow  50  by using a shovel  30 . The snow  50  is put inside the weight compartment  120  through the one or more weight compartment openings  122 . 
         [0104]    For the sake of clarity, weight compartment  120  can be filled with any other material. It should be further noted that weight compartment  120  is optional, and inflatable device  100  can be affixed to the ground or surrounding snow by other means such as ropes and pegs. 
         [0105]    Inflatable device  100  is placed at a location where the snow shelter is to be built, whereas filed weight compartment  120  keeps inflatable device  100  from moving while snow is piled over and around inflatable device  100 , resisting wind forces, and other external forces. 
         [0106]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of covering the inflated inflatable device  100 , the covering being in an intermediate state, according to the present invention. 
         [0107]    In  FIG. 7 , the inflated inflatable device  100  is placed at a location where the snow shelter  52  is being built. 
         [0108]    The location can also be a shallow trench dug especially for this purpose. 
         [0109]    The covering over the inflatable device  100  is about half finished. 
         [0110]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of covering the inflated inflatable device  100 , the covering being almost complete, but still in an intermediate state, according to the present invention. 
         [0111]    Once the covering of inflated inflatable device  100  by snow is completed, the covered snow is left a few minutes to solidify . 
         [0112]    Prior to solidification of the snow, it can be packed tightly. 
         [0113]    After the covering snow is hardened, an opening is dug towards folded end  116  or towards closed end  114  (not shown in the present illustration), of elongated sleeve  110  preferably using a shovel  30 . 
         [0114]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of digging an opening towards the inflated inflatable device  100 , according to the present invention. 
         [0115]    A shovel  30  is preferably used to dig a snow shelter opening  154  in the hardened snow at one end of the unfinished snow shelter  52  towards the inflated inflatable device  100 . In case folded end  116  (not shown in the present illustration) of elongated sleeve  110  is reached, folded end  116  is untied and unfolded, and thereby inflatable device  100  is deflated. Another case is that the closed end  114  is reached. In this case, the valve  130  (not shown in the present illustration), is opened and the inflatable device  100  is deflated through the valve  130 . Once deflated, the deflated inflatable device  100  is pulled out through snow shelter opening  154 . 
         [0116]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective view illustration of the stage of pulling out, through the opening, the deflated inflatable device  100  upon which a section plane a-a is marked, according to the present invention. 
         [0117]    The present illustration shows hands  20  pulling an inflatable device  100  from within snow shelter  52  through a snow shelter opening  154 , while they are holding closed end  114 . 
         [0118]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view a-a of the formed snow shelter  52 , according to the present invention. 
         [0119]    The snow shelter  52  is formed by the snow  50  surrounding the snow shelter inner space  170 , which becomes the protective space. Typically, the dimensions of the snow shelter inner space  170  are predesigned to comfortably accommodate one or more persons. 
         [0120]    It should be noted that the thickness of the walls of snow shelter  52  should be large enough to insulate yet not to collapse when expected forces are applied to the walls, typically, with no limitation, larger than 30 cm. 
         [0121]    Moreover, the inflatable device inner surface  160  is preferably aluminized. Thereby, the deflated inflatable device  100  can be used as a thermal/emergency blanket, whereas the aluminum reflects back the heat radiated from the user to keep up the user&#39;s warmth. 
         [0122]    The present illustration shows a magnified detail in circle A, which shows that in the present case, the elongated sleeve  110  includes two layers of thermally isolating material, an inflatable device inner surface coated with thermal isolator layer  160  and an inflatable device outer surface coated with thermal isolator layer  162 . 
         [0123]    A snow shelter  52  can also be constructed using two or more inflatable devices  100 , positioned in immediate proximity to each other. 
         [0124]      FIG. 12  is a flow chart schematically illustrating a method for rapid deployment of a snow shelter  52 , according to the present invention, the method including the stages of: 
         [0125]    Stage  1 : filling the inflatable device with air by:
       (i) grabbing the edges of the open end of the elongated sleeve, preferably by two hands at opposing locations on the edges of the open end.   (ii) taking some steps while swinging the elongated sleeve, wherein the open end moves away from the closed end of the elongated sleeve.       
 
         [0128]    Stage  2 : twisting and folding the open end of the elongated sleeve. 
         [0129]    Stage  3 : preferably, tying the folded open end of the elongated sleeve. 
         [0130]    Stage  4 : optionally, filling the weight compartment. 
         [0131]    Stage  5 : placing the inflated inflatable device at a location where the snow shelter is to be built. 
         [0132]    Stage  6 : piling snow over and around the inflated inflatable device, thereby covering the inflated inflatable device with a thick layer of snow. 
         [0133]    Stage  7 : allowing the thick layer of snow covering the inflated inflatable device to harden. 
         [0134]    Stage  8 : digging an opening in the hardened snow covering, preferably towards the folded end of the elongated sleeve. 
         [0135]    Stage  9 : deflating the inflatable device for rapid deployment of a snow shelter. 
         [0136]    Stage  10 : pulling out the deflated inflatable device through the opening in the hardened snow covering, the opening becoming the entrance of the now ready to use snow shelter. 
         [0137]    Stage  11 : optionally, closing the entrance to the snow shelter by using the deflated inflatable device. 
         [0138]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.