Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide a shelter with a ventilated storm window that can be affixed to an exterior wall of the shelter. The ventilated storm window can enable shelter occupants to safely view areas outside of the shelter. The ventilated storm window can also improve air circulation compared to roof-mounted ventilation schemes. Embodiments of the invention may also include a shelter with an improved hatch that can be mounted on a roof of the shelter. The hatch may be configured to withstand storm-force winds and torrential rains.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to building construction, and more particularly, but without limitation, to a storm shelter and components thereof. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Tropical cyclones (a/k/a hurricanes or typhoons), tornados, and other high-energy storms can produce or be associated with strong winds and heavy rain. Flying debris can be a secondary consequence of the strong winds. 
         [0005]    Shelters can provide a temporary refuge from damaging wind and rain. Known shelter designs have many shortcomings, however. For instance, conventional shelters typically employ roof-mounted ventilation. The roof-mounted ventilation is usually in either an inverted J pipe or mushroom head configuration. Such ventilation schemes may only provide for very limited air circulation inside the shelter, however. This is especially true where fans are not used in conjunction with such roof vents. Moreover, because of risk associated with flying debris, conventional shelters typically do not include windows. The absence of windows virtually eliminates the possibility of natural lighting. The lack of windows may also cause shelter occupants to feel enclosed and isolated. In addition, in conventional shelter design, human ingress and egress is typically through a steel pre-hung door or other wall-mounted door. But standard pedestrian doors may not be suited to in-ground, or partially in-ground, shelters. Hatches that might otherwise be useful for passage through a roof may not be suitably configured to operate in extreme wind and rain environments. 
         [0006]    For at least the foregoing reasons, there is a need for improved shelter design. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the invention seek to overcome one or more of the shortcomings described above with an improved shelter design. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a shelter with a ventilated storm window that can be affixed to an exterior wall of the shelter. The ventilated storm window can enable shelter occupants to safely view areas external to the shelter. The ventilated storm window can also improve air circulation compared to roof-mounted ventilation schemes. Embodiments of the invention may also include a shelter with an improved hatch that can be mounted on a roof of the shelter. The hatch may be configured to withstand storm-force winds and torrential rains. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of shelter, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded assembly view of the shelter in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of shelter, according to another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a ventilated storm window, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an exploded assembly view of the ventilated storm window in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the ventilated storm window in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a hatch in a closed position, according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the hatch in  FIG. 7  in an open position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the hatch in  FIG. 8  taken through line A-A; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the hatch in  FIG. 7  taken through line B-B; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the hatch in  FIG. 7  taken through line C-C in an unlatched condition; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the hatch in  FIG. 7  taken through line C-C in a latched condition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully with reference to  FIGS. 1-12 , in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the figures, reference designators may be duplicated for the same or similar features. Features are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of shelter, according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown therein, a shelter  105  may be configured as a porch and disposed adjacent to a building  135 . The shelter  105  may include an above-grade portion  110  disposed above the grade  115  and a below-grade portion  120  disposed below the grade  115 . The above-grade portion  110  and the below-grade portion  120  may be considered portions of the shell of the shelter  105 . The shelter  105  may also include a hatch  125  to provide ingress into and egress from the shelter  105 . The shelter  105  may further include a ventilated storm window  130 . The building  135  may be or include, for instance, a mobile or modular home. 
         [0023]    Variations to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  are possible. For instance, the shelter  105  also may include at least one additional window  130  to facilitate ventilation in an interior of the shelter  105 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded assembly view of the shelter in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the shelter  105  may include an upper portion  205 , and a lower portion  210 . The upper portion  205  and the lower portion  210  may be considered the shell of the shelter  105 . The upper portion  205  may include a top  220  and an opening  225  in the top  220 . The top  220  may be integrally formed with the upper portion  205 , for instance in a precasting operation. The opening  225  is configured to couple with the hatch  125 . The upper portion  205  may further include an opening  230  in a wall. The opening  230  is configured to communicate with the ventilated storm window  130 . The lower portion  210  may include a bottom  235 . The bottom  235  may be integrally formed with the lower portion  210 , for instance in a precasting operation. The bottom  235  may extend beyond side walls of the lower portion  210 , as illustrated. The upper portion  205  may be joined to the lower portion  210  with an adhesive and/or sealant (not shown). The upper portion  205  may also be joined to the lower portion  210  using horizontal stabilization plates  240 . Each of the horizontal stabilization plates  240  may be fastened to the upper portion  205  and the lower portion  210 , for example via masonry anchor bolts (not shown) or other fasteners. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the steps  215  may be rigidly attached to the upper portion  205  or another portion of the shelter  105 . Alternatively, the steps  215  may simply be placed adjacent to the upper portion  205  or another portion of the shelter  105 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a shelter, according to another embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the shelter  300  may include an upper portion  305 , and a lower portion  310 . The upper portion  305  and the lower portion  310  may be considered the shell of the shelter  300 . The upper portion  305  may include a top  315 . The top  315  may be integrally formed with the upper portion  305 , for instance in a precasting operation. The upper portion  305  includes two ventilated storm windows  130 . The lower portion  310  may include a bottom  320 . The bottom  320  may be integrally formed with the lower portion  310 , for instance in a precasting operation. The bottom  320  may extend beyond side walls of the lower portion  310 , as illustrated. The upper portion  305  may be joined to the lower portion  310  with an adhesive/sealant (not shown). The upper portion  305  may also be joined to the lower portion  310  using horizontal stabilization plates (not shown) as described above with reference to the shelter embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The shelter  300  also includes a pedestrian door  325 . 
         [0027]    Variations to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3  are possible. For instance, fewer or more ventilated storm windows  130  could be included in the shelter  300 , according to design choice. 
         [0028]    An embodiment of the ventilated storm window  130  introduced above is described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 4-6  below.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a ventilated storm window, according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5  is an exploded assembly view of the ventilated storm window in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a ventilated storm window  130  includes a frame  505 , a window pane  510  coupled to the frame  505 , and a perforated screen  515  coupled to the frame  505 . The frame  505  may be or include, for example, bent aluminum. The window pane  510  may be transparent and may be or include, for instance, a Lexan™ or other polymer sheet. The perforated screen  515  may be or include, for example, a single piece of perforated stainless steel. 
         [0030]    Fasteners (not shown), fastener holes  520 , and fastener holes  525  may be used to couple the window pane  510  to the frame  505 . Additional fasteners (not shown), fastener holes  530 , and fasteners holes  535  may be used to couple the perforated screen  535  to the frame  505 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view the ventilated storm window in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The perforated screen  515  may include a side surface  605  and a bottom surface  610 . The frame  505 , window pane  510  and perforated screen  515  define an interior  620  of the ventilated storm window  130 . The bottom surface  610  may advantageously prevent debris from entering the interior  620 . 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 6 , the ventilated storm window  130  is coupled to a wall  625 . The wall  625  may be a portion of the shelter  105  or  300 , for instance. There is an opening  630  in the wall  625 , and the ventilated storm window  130  communicates with the opening  630 . 
         [0033]    Airflow paths  610  illustrate that there is fluid (e.g., air) communication between an outside area  635 , the interior  620 , and the opening  630 . More specifically, there is fluid communication between the outside area  635  and the interior  620  of the ventilated storm window  130  via the bottom surface  610  of the perforated screen  515 . In addition, there is fluid communication between the interior  620  of the ventilated storm window  130  and the opening  630  in the wall  625  via the side surface  605  of the perforated screen  515 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  also illustrates an exemplary visual path  640  through the side surface  605  of the perforated screen  515  and the window pane  510 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  further illustrates a projectile  645  moving in a direction  650  and contacting the ventilated storm window  130 , as might occur during a tornado or other storm. One or more features of the ventilated storm window  130  may mitigate risks associated with the projectile  645 . For example, in embodiments of the invention, the window pane  510  may be constructed of an impact-resistant material such as Lexan™. In addition, the window pane  510  may be disposed at an angle  655  with respect to the wall  625  to facilitate deflection of the projectile  645 . Moreover, the side surface  605  of the perforated screen  515  may provide a secondary barrier to the projectile  645  if the projectile  645  breaches the window pane  510 . 
         [0036]    Variations to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6  are possible. For instance, in an alternative embodiment, the window pane  510  may be translucent rather than transparent. In alternative embodiments, the perforated screen  515  may be replaced with meshed wire or another functionally equivalent screen that is configured to filter particles from the air while still permitting ventilation. In alternative embodiments, the functionally equivalent screen could include a first ventilation screen that is disposed at an angle with respect to a second ventilation screen rather than being formed from a single piece of material. 
         [0037]    An embodiment of the hatch  125  introduced above is described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 7-12 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a hatch in a closed position, according to an embodiment of the invention. As therein, the hatch  125  includes a lid assembly  705  coupled to a frame assembly  710 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the hatch in  FIG. 7  in an open position. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the lid assembly  705  includes a lid  805 , a flange  810  coupled to the lid  805 , a mount  815  coupled to the flange  810 , and two spring latches  820  coupled to the mount  815 . The use of two spring latches  820  rather than one may be advantageous because there is safety in redundancy. Each component of the lid assembly  705  may be or include, for example, steel or aluminum. 
         [0039]    The frame assembly  710  includes an outer wall  830 , an inner wall  835 , and a floor (not shown). A gutter  840  is formed by the outer wall  830 , the inner wall  835  and the floor. A drain  845  is disposed in a portion of the outer wall  830 . 
         [0040]    The lid assembly  705  may be coupled to the frame assembly  710  via hinges  850 . In addition, a retention arm  855  is coupled to the inner wall  835  at pivot point  860  and movably coupled to a slot  825  in the flange  810 . In operation, the retention arm  855  may be used to hold the lid assembly  705  at an angle  865  with respect to the frame assembly  710 . 
         [0041]    Variations to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8  are possible. For instance, in an alternative embodiment, a single spring latch  820  may be used. Moreover, one or more latches other than a spring latch  820  may be used, according to design choice. In addition, the retention arm  855  and associated components could be eliminated. Alternatively, other hardware could be used to secure the lid assembly  705  in an open position. 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the hatch in  FIG. 8  taken through line A-A. As shown therein, the gutter  840  is defined by the inner wall  835 , outer wall  830  and floor  925 . A drain  845  may be formed, for instance, by disposing a pipe  905  in a portion of the outer wall  830 . The pipe  905  may optionally be secured by a collar  910 . A slot  920  may be disposed on a top edge of the inner wall  835  to accept a gasket  915 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the hatch in  FIG. 7  taken through line B-B. In  FIG. 10 , the hatch  125  is shown in a closed position. The lid  805  communicates with the gasket  915  to seal the lid assembly  705  to the frame assembly  710 . Even in this closed position, however, there exists a gap  1005  through which rain water (not shown) can enter into the gutter  840 . In operation, the gutter  840  will channel any such rain water and allow the rain water to empty from the gutter  840  via the drain  845 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the hatch in  FIG. 7  taken through line C-C in an unlatched condition. As shown therein, the spring latch  820  is coupled to the mount  815  via bolts  1105 . The mount  815  may be or include, for instance, a section of piping. A tab  1110  may be coupled to the mount  815 , for instance via a weld joint. The tab  1110  may be coupled to the flange  810  with the bolt  1115 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the hatch in  FIG. 7  taken through line C-C in a latched condition. As shown therein, the spring latch  820  is configured to engage with a riser  1120  in the latched condition. In operation, pressure must be applied to open the spring latch. A release of pressure locks the lid assembly  705  to the frame assembly  710 . 
         [0046]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, alternative features described herein could be combined in ways not explicitly illustrated or disclosed. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover any such modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.