Backpack decontamination shower shelter

An apparatus including an inflatable tube assembly; a shower assembly; configured to be attached to the inflatable tube assembly when the inflatable tube assembly is in an inflated state; a canopy configured to cover the inflatable tube assembly, when the inflatable tube assembly is in the inflated state; a first bottle for inflating the inflatable tube assembly; and a backpack configured to hold the inflatable tube assembly in a deflated state, simultaneously the first bottle. The apparatus may further include a second bottle; wherein the backpack is configured to hold a second bottle, simultaneously with the first bottle and the inflatable tube assembly in the deflated state; and wherein the second bottle includes a decontamination material. The apparatus may further include a third bottle, wherein the third bottle is a water bottle; and wherein the water bottle is configured to supply water to the shower assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices used for shelter, such as tents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various known shelter devices known in the art, including various types of tents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising: an inflatable tube assembly; a shower assembly; configured to be attached to the inflatable tube assembly when the inflatable tube assembly is in an inflated state; a canopy configured to cover the inflatable tube assembly, when the inflatable tube assembly is in the inflated state; a first bottle for inflating the inflatable tube assembly; and a backpack configured to hold the inflatable tube assembly in a deflated state, simultaneously the first bottle.

The apparatus may further include a second bottle; wherein the backpack is configured to hold a second bottle, simultaneously with the first bottle and the inflatable tube assembly in the deflated state; and wherein the second bottle includes a decontamination material.

The apparatus may further include a third bottle, wherein the third bottle is a water bottle; and wherein the water bottle is configured to supply water to the shower assembly.

In at least one embodiment, the first bottle may be an air bottle and may be configured to force water from the third bottle to be supplied to the shower assembly.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an method is provided which may include inflating an inflatable tube assembly by using a first bottle; attaching a shower assembly to the inflatable tube assembly when the inflatable tube assembly is in the inflated state; and covering the inflatable tube assembly with a canopy, when the inflatable tube assembly is in the inflated state.

The method may further include removing the inflatable tube assembly from a backpack, when the inflatable tube assembly is in a deflated state, and prior to inflating the inflatable tube assembly.

The method may further include removing the first bottle from the backpack prior to inflating the inflatable tube assembly. The method may further include removing a second bottle from the backpack prior to inflating the inflatable tube assembly, and using the second bottle to supply water to the shower assembly after the shower assembly is attached to the inflatable tube assembly when the inflatable tube assembly is in the inflated state.

The method may further include removing the first bottle from the backpack prior to inflating and using the first bottle to force water from the second bottle to be supplied to the shower assembly after the shower assembly is attached to the inflatable tube assembly when the inflatable tube assembly is in the inflated state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG.1shows a top, front, and right perspective view of an apparatus1and a left side, rear, and top view of a backpack50for storing the apparatus1in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the apparatus1shown in an assembled state.

FIG.2shows a rear view of the backpack50for use with the apparatus1, with the backpack50shown transparent, with three bottles42,43,44, a simplified representation of a inner region50a, and part of a first hose30that are inside of the backpack50shown in dashed lines.

FIG.3shows a top view of the backpack50, and the hose30ofFIG.2, with the backpack shown50as transparent.

FIG.4shows a right side view of the backpack50, the inner region50a, and the hose30ofFIG.2, with the backpack50shown as transparent.

FIG.5shows a top, rear, and right side view of the backpack50and the hose30ofFIG.2, with the backpack50shown as transparent, with the three bottles42,43, and44, and the inner region50aofFIG.2visible in dashed lines;

FIG.6shows a top view of the apparatus1ofFIG.1in the assembled state, and a top view of the backpack50ofFIG.2.

FIG.7shows a front view of the apparatus1ofFIG.1in the assembled state, and a left side view of the backpack50ofFIG.2.

FIG.8shows a right side view of the apparatus1ofFIG.1in the assembled state, and a right rear view of the backpack50ofFIG.2;

FIG.9shows a top view of the apparatus1, in a transparent state, with an inflatable device or tube assembly100, in assembled form, in dashed lines.

FIG.10shows a top, front, and right perspective view of the inflatable device or tube assembly100in a fully inflated state for use with the apparatus1in the assembled state shown inFIG.1.

FIG.11shows a top view of the tube assembly100ofFIG.10in the fully inflated state.FIG.12shows a right side view of the tube assembly100ofFIG.10in the fully inflated state.FIG.13shows a rear view of the tube assembly100ofFIG.10in the fully inflated state.

FIG.12shows a right side view of the tube assembly100ofFIG.10in the fully inflated state.

FIG.13shows a rear view of the tube assembly100ofFIG.10in the fully inflated state.

Referring toFIG.1, the apparatus1includes a canopy2, a door4attached to a peripheral surrounding region and/or floor/base material5, a zipper6, a zipper track8, a plurality of ceiling vent holes14including hole14a, and a plurality of ceiling vent holes15, including hole15a.

The apparatus1further includes cords18,20,22, and24(cords18,20,22shown inFIG.1, and cord24shown inFIG.6). Each of the cords18,20,22, and24have a first end which is attached to the canopy2or the tube assembly100and have a second end which is connected to a sandbag. Second ends or loops18a,20a,22a, and24ashown inFIG.6, of cords18,20,22, and24are attached to sandbags. Loops or second ends18a,20a,22a, and24aare typically connected to sandbags as needed.

The apparatus1further includes sides21and23and cord or strap60with Velcro (trademarked) and/or loops portion60a, which also may include a label or name for the apparatus1, shown inFIG.1.

The canopy2includes portions2a,2b,2c,2e,2f,2g,2h,2i,2j, and2k, which are shown inFIG.1, except for portion2k, which is opposite the door4. When the door4is closed by zipper6via zipper track8, the canopy2provides a completely sealed or nearly completely sealed enclosed (via portions2a-2k, door4, and peripheral region or base material5, and a bottom floor surface5inFIG.1.

There is a side hose hole16through the portion2aof the canopy2.

The hose30provides both air inflation for the tube assembly100and water supply for a shower apparatus128, shown inFIG.10, by turning the valve31, which may be a two way ball valve, shown inFIG.1.

There is a second hose33, which is an air hose for inflation, leading from the backpack50shown inFIG.1.

The door4, in at least one embodiment, is configured to be the single entry exit into the inner chamber enclosed by the canopy2.

The loops18a,20a,22a, and24ashown inFIG.6are configured to be attached and/or integrated with the second ends of the cords18,20,22, and24, and then the loops or second ends18a,20a,22a, and24a, are connected to sandbags in order to hold the apparatus1to an outdoor ground surface to prevent the apparatus1, and inflatable device or tube assembly100from blowing away in the wind.

The backpack50is configured to be able to hold the rest of the entire apparatus1, as well as a water bottle42, dry decon (decontamination) bottle43, and air bottle44. The backpack50has straps51and52, for carrying the backpack50, which are connected to a housing54, in which the bottles42,43, and44are located. The backpack50includes a manifold/control41, shown inFIGS.2-3.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention water from the water bottle42is provided via the hose30(when valve31is in an open position), and then air is turned on from SCBA bottle44. Air from bottle44forces water from the water bottle42to the shower assembly128shown inFIG.10.

InFIGS.2and4the location or inner region50ain which the apparatus1may be stored (not including the backpack50), within the backpack50is shown. The apparatus1, to be stored in inner region50amay include canopy2, tube assembly or inflatable device100, shower assembly or hose128, and misting nozzles127a-d, clips117a-f, and clip122a.

In at least one embodiment, the bottle44is an SCBA air bottle; the bottle43is a dry decontamination bottle having 400.0 grams of pressure dry decontamination spray, to be used as a fast acting rapid solution for decontamination and absorption of toxic chemical vapors and liquids; and the bottle42is a water bottle. The enclosed housing54of the backpack50preferably is configured to contain the bottles42-44.

In at least one embodiment, the canopy2is preferably made of a urethane coated ripstop material, wherein “ripstop” means a nylon fabric woven so that a tear will not spread. Typically “ripstop” may have threads woven every one quarter inch or thereabouts.

The tube assembly or inflatable device100is preferably made of a urethane coated nylon material.

In accordance with a method and/or apparatus of at least one embodiment of the present invention, the canopy2and the door4(in a folded and/or compacted state) is pulled out of the backpack50and the canopy2and the integrated door4and base material5are unfolded. The hose33is hooked from bottle44at side hose hole16. Thereafter air is turned on by manifold control41, shown inFIG.2; and tube assembly100inflates in five seconds, which causes the canopy2, the door4, and base material5, to be properly assembled as inFIG.1.

Thereafter, water is activated by manifold41, air is turned on to push water to shower128from water bottle42to misting shower components127a,127b,127c, and127d. In at least one embodiment, five minutes of shower time is provided.

The plurality of ceiling vent holes14and15are used to prevent the apparatus1from lifting up due to wind.

The backpack50is preferably configured to house an SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) bottle44, a water bottle42, and a dry decontamination spray bottle43.

In at least one embodiment, the apparatus1has a depth, D1, shown inFIG.1, which may be about 54.7 5 inches, and a width W1(not including the portions21and23), shown inFIG.1, which may be about sixty nine inches. The apparatus1may have a height from the top of the canopy2to the bottom of base area5, which is attached to the door4, of about 97.5 inches.

The weight of the entire apparatus1, including the inflatable device or tube assembly100may be about twenty pounds.

The apparatus1may be described as an “inflatable backpack dry/shower decontamination shelter”. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus1provides a five feet (width-horizontally, parallel to ground surface, across base material5) by five feet (length-horizontally, parallel to ground surface across wall or portion2a) by nine feet (height, from top of canopy2to bottom of canopy2) shelter which is inflated using an SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) bottle44within five seconds.

The apparatus1offers both a dry decontamination spray and a wet shower option. In at least one embodiment, dry decontamination spray is picked up and manually sprayed from head to toe using an aerosol can. All bottles42-44are stored inside the backpack50and in at least one embodiment, are stored using laser cut foam which is installed in the bottom of the backpack50.

The inflatable shelter air beams of support structure or inflatable device100shown inFIGS.9-13, are preferably comprised of a urethane coated nylon. The outer shell or canopy2is preferably urethane coated ripstop (parachute material) which is lightweight, durable and flame resistant. The floor of the apparatus1(number of floor inFIG.1, or show diagram of floor5) is preferably comprised of eighteen ounce PVC (poly vinyl chloride) and serves as a containment area to prevent runoff. When folded, the shelter or apparatus1fits into the backpack50, making this the smallest decontamination shelter ever made.

The total package weight of the apparatus1, in at least one embodiment, is less than fifty-five pounds.

The apparatus1gives the end user the first ever inflatable backpack dry/shower decontamination shelter that can be used for a single person decontamination within seconds. This will save lives and prevent the spread of contaminants.

FIG.10shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a support structure or tube assembly or inflatable device100, which may be part of the apparatus1ofFIG.1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the support structure100shown a blown up or fully inflated state.

The support structure100may be comprised of a plurality of interconnected inflatable tubes, such as including vertical tubes106,108,110,120,122, and124, horizontal or floor tubes102and104, arc tubes112,114, and116, and cross tube118. In at least one embodiment, the support structure or inflatable device100may be inflated through air coming through hose33, and after the support structure100is inflated, the canopy2may be placed over the support structure100.

In at least one embodiment, the canopy2may be preinstalled on the support structure100.

FIG.10shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a tube assembly or support structure100in a fully inflated state for use with the apparatus1in the assembled state shown inFIG.1.

No power is needed for the assembly and operation of the apparatus1.

In operation, the apparatus1including the canopy2and the tube assembly100, typically in a completely deflated or nearly completely deflated state are pulled from region50aout of the interior or inner chamber within the housing54of the backpack50. The tube assembly100is not shown inFIG.1, but provides structure support for and is within the canopy2in the assembled state ofFIG.1.

A first end of the hose33is attached to the inflation valve or air valve31ashown inFIG.1. The air is turned on using the manifold41shown inFIG.2near top of bottles42-44inside of housing54of backpack50. Inflation of the tube assembly100due to air from bottle44(SCBA bottle) takes about five to seven seconds. A second end of the hose30opposing the first end31is connected to shower assembly128shown inFIG.10. Water is turned on using the manifold41shown inFIG.2. Air is turned on using the manifold41, air forces water from water bottle42to misting shower heads127a,127b,127c, and127dand the shower can be used for typically five minutes.

As shown inFIG.12, the arc tube116includes portions116a,116b,116c, and116d.FIG.12also shows hose or pipe128which is connected to valve31which is connected to hose or pipe30shown inFIG.1. Hose, pipe or shower device128, shown inFIG.12, is connected to misting nozzles127a,127b,127c, and127d. In operation, water or air from hose or pipe30, goes through valve31(when valve is in an open state), into hose or pipe128, and comes out misting nozzles127a-d.

FIG.12also shows clips117a,117b,117c,117d,117e,117f, and122a, for holding the pipe or hose128, and nozzles127a-d(which are connected to pipe or hose128) to the tube assembly100. More specifically, as shown byFIG.10, the pipe128is held by clip122ato portion or tube122, and the pipe is held by clips117a-fto central arc tube114.