Abstract:
A shelter is capable of withstanding extreme winds. The shelter comprises a concrete foundation mechanically coupled to a lower continuous track by an anchor bolt. The lower continuous track is mechanically coupled to load bearing studs and second load bearing studs. The load bearing studs and second load bearing studs are mechanically coupled to an upper continuous track. The arrangement of studs secured between two tracks provides additional stability against variable wind loads that normally damage buildings. The load bearing studs are arranged with second load bearing studs to create walls, where the walls are covered by a first exterior layer and a second exterior layer. The first exterior layer plates provide protection against live force loads and the second external layer provides protection against vibration. The upper continuous track is mechanically coupled to roofing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to structures used to house individuals during inclimate weather. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Extreme weather has existed throughout recorded history. Storms that created 250 miles per hour (mph) wind loads such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and high velocity straight winds have historically caused massive damage to structures and escaped a meaningful solution. 
     Turning to the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,181 issued to Witten describes a shelter and construction method where two complementarily positioned shells would shield the inside of the shell from electromagnetic waves. Among other differences Witten uses corner caps instead of concrete feet. The lack of a secure footing would make Witten susceptible to damage in a storm. 
     Similar to Witten, U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,132 issued to Larsen contains a structure designed to be used indoors in the event of an earthquake. Larsen has an open construction which would evade implosion in a hurricane or tornado, however this pole construction would not handle a 125 psf live load, from a side. Larson would be able to protect a user&#39;s head, but that is about it. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,557 issued to McCalley teaches a protective structure. McCalley takes a slightly different approach that the present invention. The present invention utilizes tracks held into a footing with anchor bolts. McCalley teaches a large number of bolts linking a series of C-shaped studs. McCalley attempts to answer the same challenge as the disclosed invention, but does so ineffectively because the lack of vents and unknown doors do not protect the external structure from implosion or debris damage. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A shelter is capable of withstanding extreme winds. The shelter comprises a concrete foundation mechanically coupled to a lower continuous track by an anchor bolt. The lower continuous track is mechanically coupled to load bearing studs and second load bearing studs. The load bearing studs and second load bearing studs are mechanically coupled to an upper continuous track. The arrangement of studs secured between two tracks provides additional stability against variable wind loads that normally damage buildings. The load bearing studs are arranged with second load bearing studs to create walls, where the walls are covered by a first exterior layer and a second exterior layer. The steel plates provide protection against live force loads and the plywood provides protection against vibration. The upper continuous track is mechanically coupled to roofing. 
     In some embodiments, walls have an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface is perforated with an adjustable louvered vent. The exterior surface is perforated with a fixed louvered vent. This enables the shelter to rapidly adjust to changing pressure and avoid implosion. 
     Lintel tracks are mechanically coupled to the upper continuous track with a clip and straps. Each lintel track is mechanically coupled to a lintel stud which is further mechanically coupled to an unpunched stud lintel. The lintel stud is mechanically coupled to a door rated to withstand a category five hurricane. 
     The roofing further comprises the upper continuous track is mechanically coupled to a joist and a truss and the truss is covered by the first exterior layer and the second exterior layer such where the truss protect the shelter from vibrations and negative pressure caused by high winds. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective cut-away view of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic detail of the exterior steel stud wall footing. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic detail of the typical exterior wall lintel—in particular the typical lintel bearing. 
         FIG. 5  is a plain view of the typical interior door jamb connection to the foundation. 
         FIG. 6  is a plain view of the typical corner stud connection to foundations. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic detail of the typical exterior wall lintel—in particular the lintel section. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic detail of a roof joist connection to a bearing stud wall. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic detail of a roof joist connection to a second bearing stud wall. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic detail of a typical built-up jamb studs with track. 
         FIG. 11  is a section view of the vents in the stud wall. 
         FIG. 12  is an elevation view of a typical built-up truss. 
         FIG. 13  is a section view of a truss bearing at a stud wall. 
         FIG. 14  is a section view of a corner beam bearing at a stud wall. 
         FIG. 15  is a section view of a truss blocking at a stud wall. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention overcome many of the obstacles associated with creating a structure of sufficient strength to weather a severe storm, and now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings that show some, but not all embodiments of the claimed inventions. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the invention. Concrete footing  18  can support stitched stud  14  as shown in more detail in  FIG. 3 . Stitched stud  14  is a vertical member that travels upward from a bottom where concrete footing is located to a top where stitched stud  14  can be mechanically coupled to truss stud  16  for load bearing studs discussed below. A plurality of stitched studs can be covered with first exterior layer  12  and then second exterior layer  10  form an exterior wall. Likewise, a plurality of truss studs  16  can be covered with first exterior layer  12  and then second exterior layer  10  to form a first roof surface. 
     To build the shelter that is capable of withstanding strong winds, a user should first set up the frame, where the frame comprises the studs in the concrete footing and the truss as described below. Next, the frame is covered with first exterior layer  12 , second exterior layer  10  and a finished exterior layer such as a finished wall or roofing materials. 
       FIG. 2  shows a completed shelter that is capable of withstanding strong winds. The exemplary structure is  FIG. 2  has four walls in a parallelepiped arrangement with each side of the parallelepiped having a corner. In some embodiments, each corner can have trim  24 . The first roof surface is covered with asphalt shingles  20 . At least one side of shelter that is capable of withstanding strong winds further comprises fixed louvered vents  22  as shown in  FIG. 11.A  user can access the shelter that is capable of withstanding strong winds though door  26 . 
     Where a stitched stud  14  contacts concrete footing  18  there is an exterior steel stud wall footing which is shown in more detail in  FIG. 3  the wall footing for an exterior steel stud in a corner is shown in  FIG. 6 . Turning from the bottom of stitched stud  14  to the top of stitched stud  14 , where stitched stud  14  connects to a roof joist there are two different connections depending on whether stitched stud  14  is load bearing. A roof joist connection to a bearing stud wall is shown in  FIG. 8 . A roof joist connection to a second bearing stud wall is shown in  FIG. 9 . Over door  26  there is a lintel. The typical lintel bearing is shown in  FIG. 4 . The lintel section is shown in  FIG. 7 . On the side of the lintel there are built-up jamb studs with a track as shown in  5 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the fixed louvered vent is a 8 inch by 12 inch fixed louvered vent. Door  26  is a FEMA 320 Storm Door, if other doors are tested to be adequate to withstand a category five hurricane, those doors may also work. 
       FIG. 3  shows a detail section view of the exterior steel stud wall footing. Concrete footing  18  comprises rebar  100 . Concrete footing  18  further comprises welded wire fabric  96 . Concrete footing  18  is mechanically coupled to lower track  50  by a plurality of anchor bolts. A plurality of studs  52  slide into lower track  50  and are mechanically coupled to lower track  50  as shown in  FIG. 10 . Studs  50  are covered with first exterior layer  12  and then second exterior layer  10 . Concrete footing  18  is attached to exterior concrete slab  102 , which comprises finished grade  102 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, rebar  100  is 3 #4 continuous steel rebar. Lower track  50  is a 4 inch by 2 inch by 14 gauge steel track of a length determined by the user. Stud  52  is a 4 inch by 2 inch by 14 gauge steel track with #10 screws at 8 inch on center staggered. First exterior layer  12  is 12 gauge steel sheeting  78 . Second exterior layer  10  is ¾″ or ⅝″ plywood. The exterior wall can be made of any known material. 
       FIG. 4  shows a typical lintel bearing. Here, stitched stud  14  is lintel stud  60  that runs from the lower track  50  (not shown) to continuous top track  54  in lintel track  64 . A user can slide lintel stud  60  into lintel track  64  as shown in more detail in  FIG. 7 . Lintel track  64  is mechanically coupled to continuous top track  54  by clip  68  and straps  62 . Straps  62  hold continuous top track  54  into continuous top track  54 . Continuous top track  54  is mechanically coupled to double steel studs  56  with straps  62 . The top of the doorway is held in place by unpunched stud lintel  58 . Which rests on continuous upper track  54  between lintel stud  60  on both sides of the lintel. 
     In the preferred embodiment, straps  62  are Simpson cs16 straps, clips  68  is a Simpson A33 clip with 3 #10 screws on each leg. Unpunched stud lintel  58  is made of steel. 
       FIG. 5  shows the relationship of a door jamb to the foundation proximate door  40 . The edge of concrete slap  32  is mechanically coupled to housing  34 . Housing  34  holds horizontal studs  46  as necessary. Housing  34  is held into place by anchor bolt  30  and stud  46  is held in place by hold down  48 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, housing  34  comprises 4 inch by 2 inch 14 gauge Studs and a four inch by two inch by 14 gauge track at the corner. Anchor bolt  30  is a ½ inch Simpson Titan heavy duty anchor bolt. Hold down  48  is a Simpson s/htt14 hold down with a ⅝ inch hex head anchor bolt. 
       FIG. 6  shows a typical corner stud connection to a foundation. Edge of concrete  32  is mechanically coupled to floor stud track  44 . Housing  34  holds horizontal studs  46  as necessary as shown in  FIG. 5 . Housing  34  is held into place by anchor bolt  30  and stud  46  is held in place by hold down  42 . The exterior of stud track  44  along the wall is covered with plywood  36 . The build-up door jamb begins at point  38  and continues to door  40  as noted in  FIG. 5 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, hold down  42  is a Simpson s/htt14 hold down with a ⅝ inch hex head anchor bolt. 
       FIG. 7  shows an overhead detail of lintel track  64  mentioned above. Lintel track  64  is mechanically coupled to lintel  74  by two screws  72 . Similarly, lintel  74  is mechanically coupled to the wall of lintel stud  60  (shown here as stud wall  70 ) by two screws  72 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, lintel  74  is a 4 inch by two inch 14 gauge lintel. Screw  72  is a #10 steel screw. 
       FIG. 8  shows a schematic detail of a roof joist connection to a bearing stud wall. Truss stud  16  is shown here as load bearing stud  82 . Load bearing stud  82  is covered by first exterior layer  12  and second exterior layer  10  as noted above. Load bearing stud  82  is mechanically coupled to continuous upper track  44 . Continuous upper track  44  is covered by plywood  88  and roofing  76 . Continuous upper track  44  is mechanically coupled to joist track  106 . Joist  84  is mechanically coupled to joist track  106  and is mechanically coupled to load bearing stud  82  by stiffener  90 . Roofing  76  is shown in more detail in  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 , and  FIG. 15  below. As used here, roofing means simply where the roof begins as a point of reference. 
     In the preferred embodiment, load bearing stud  82  is a 4 inch by 2 inch 14 gauge stud every 16 inches on center. Joist  84  is a 6 inch by 2 inch by 14 gauge joist. Joist track  106  is a continuous 6 inch by two inch by 14 gauge track with 3 number 10 screws on each double stud. 
       FIG. 9  shows a roof joist connection to a second bearing stud wall. Truss stud  16  is shown here as second load bearing stud  82 . Second load bearing stud  82  is mechanically coupled to continuous upper track  50 . As used here, second load bearing stud  82  refers to a stud that is designed to be subjected to large uplift wind loads and horizontal wind loads. Continuous upper track  50  is mechanically coupled to joist track  106 . Joist  84  is mechanically coupled to joist track  106  and is mechanically coupled to second load bearing stud  82  by a series of screws. Joist  84  is covered by roofing  76  as noted above. 
       FIG. 10  shows built up jam with studs and track. Continuous lower track  50  is mechanically coupled to studs  52  by a series of screws. In the preferred embodiment, continuous track  50  is a 4 inch by 2 inch by 14 gauge track. Stud  52  is a 4 inch×2 inch×14 gauge with #10 screws at 8 inches on center staggered. 
       FIG. 11  shows a section view of the vents in the stud wall. Flooring  118  is mechanically coupled to truss stud  16  as indicated above. Between truss studs  16  there is a space covered by first exterior layer  12  and second exterior layer  10  on an exterior surface and interior wall  116  on an interior surface. Interior wall  116  is mechanically coupled to support plate  166 . Support plate  166  prevents penetration of windblown debris into the interior through fixed louvered vent  110 . An exterior surface is perforated by fixed louvered vent  110  closer to the flooring  118  and an interior surface is perforated by adjustable louvered vent  112  closer to the ceiling. One of the unique features of the present invention is the ability to resist implosion, the ability of the structure to rapidly adjust to external pressure substantially increases survivability in hurricanes, tornadoes and other low pressure storms. 
     In the preferred embodiment, support plate  166  is a 20 inch by 24 inch by 12 gauge steel plate affixed to interior wall  116  directly across from fixed louvered vent  110 . The bottom fixed louvered vent is preferably 8 inches by 12 inches. 
       FIG. 12  shows an elevation view of a typical built-up truss. Stud wall  70  is made of load bearing studs  82  as noted in  FIG. 8  above. Stud wall  70  is mechanically coupled to truss stud  16  and joist  84  by gusset  120  which can be strengthened by stiffener  126 . Joist  84  is mechanically coupled to wind brace  128  by gusset  132 . Hanging beam  130  supports wind brace  132 . Wind brace  132  is mechanically coupled to truss stud  16  atridge  164  with gusset  122 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, truss stud  16  is a 2 inch by 6 inch by 14 gauge top chord. Wind brace  128  is a 2 inch by 4 inch by 14 gauge steel beam. Stiffener  126  is a 14 gauge track chord. Gusset  120  is a 14 gauge gusset affixed to stud wall  70  with eight #10 screws and affixed to joist  84  with 8 #10 screws. Gusset  132  has two #10 screws in joist  84  and two #10 screws in wind brace  128 . Gusset  122  is a  122  has eight #10 screws in each truss studs  16  and two #10 screws in wind break  128 . Ridge  164  shown in more detail in  FIG. 14  below. 
       FIG. 13  shows a section view of a truss bearing at stud wall  70 . Here two load bearing studs  82  are immediately adjacent to each other. Load bearing studs  82  are mechanically coupled to continuous upper track  44  by clips  68 . Truss  16  is mechanically coupled to upper track  68  by twist straps  142 . The space between twist straps  142  creates bay  138 . Truss stud  16  is mechanically coupled to first exterior layer  12  and second exterior layer  10  by fastener  136 . Note that truss stud  16  comprises curved portion  150  which is also covered by first exterior layer  12  and second exterior layer  10  on a first side and first exterior layer  12  on a second side. 
     In the preferred embodiment, twist straps  142  are Simpson LTS 13 gauge twist straps. 
       FIG. 14  shows a section view of a corner beam bearing at stud wall  70 . At a corner of the shelter capable of withstanding extreme winds, load bearing studs  146  are mechanically coupled to truss stud  16  with twist straps  142  creating corner bay  154  as noted above. Load bearing studs  146  are enhanced in corners with track stiffener  156 . Truss stud  16  is mechanically coupled to ridge  164  with clip  158 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, ridge  164  a 4 inch by 4 inch by 14 gauge top chord and clip  158  is a 4 inch by 4 inch by 14 gauge long clip angle with four #10 screws on each leg. Track stiffener  156  is a 14 gauge track stiffener by 6 inches long at each outrigger. 
       FIG. 15  is a section view of a truss blocking at a stud wall. Load bearing stud  82  is mechanically coupled to continuous upper track  44  as noted in  FIG. 8  above and can be enhanced with stiffener  156 . Here, continuous upper track  144  is mechanically coupled to parallel track  160 . Parallel track  160  is blocking each bay  154 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, parallel track  170  is a 6 inch by 2 inch by 14 gauge track blocking each bay with two #10 screws to the top track.