Abstract:
An above-ground secure shelter comprise multiple modular walls of trapezoidal shape allowing dimensional variation of structure size, supported on base beams placed and anchored into the ground in the pattern defined by the shape of polygon chosen for the floor, a door with locking mechanism remaining securely closed from inside during a storm event and preventing lock-out when shelter is not in use, a multitude of structural inserts and plates connectively placed between adjacent walls, and a roof affixed thereto, resulting in a cost-effective portable shelter in the shape of polygonal pyramid frustum for use during inclement weather and/or during armed assault alike.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC. 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Technical Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    The disclosure generally relates to the shelter and more specifically to the portable shelter for use in distressed situation during inclement weather and/or armed assault. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0008]    Shelters built as part of a house structure or placed afterward in basements. The problem with this approach is that occupants of such structure became trapped inside the destroyed house. The other problem is that incorporating shelter in an existing structure is costly and requires specialized service to do it. Yet another problem is that houses mostly affected by hurricanes do not have basements. 
         [0009]    In other approach self-contained structures are build for underground placement. The problem with such approach is digging a hole in the ground for placement of the structure where not every location permits this operation due to rocky base or high level of groundwater. In addition, a shelter buried for some time in the ground often become unworthy of relocation. 
         [0010]    Yet another approach was to construct aboveground shelters from modular elements. The problem with such approach is that modules are assembled with use of steel parts, which increase the cost, and while left exposed to elements over time weaken the security of structure. The other problem with aboveground modular shelters is that vertical walls of rectangular shapes, are affected by inclement elements similarly to house walls. 
         [0011]    Another approach is to use conical shape apparatus made predominantly of steel. The problem with this approach is high cost of manufacturing, complicated machining, and protecting relatively small number of occupants. 
         [0012]    Yet another approach is to use portable or personal shelter in the form of half-pipe, dome, or polyhedral prism made of sheet metal or plastic. The problem with this approach is that it is either not strong enough to protect occupant from falling debris or is not comfortable to hide from the storm for prolonged period, and does not protect in the event of armed assault. 
         [0013]    Therefore, it is apparent that there is a need for a shelter, which is cost-effective and easy to manufacture, store, transport, install, and relocate, and can efficiently protect multiple occupants during storm, hurricane or armed assault. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present apparatus and methods described here in preferred embodiment meet the recognized need for a secure shelter, and provide transportable, modular structure for use in unfavorable situations like inclement weather and/or during armed assault. Trapezoidal walls assembled together form resulted shape of pyramid frustum. The apparatus has preferably base section, wall section, and the top. The base section comprise of beams anchored to the ground by stakes is placed on the ground in preordained configuration, and defines the shape and perimeter of the floor. The shelter in preferred embodiment described here comprise of eight walls assembled on the base beams laid on the ground in the octagonal shape. It will be recognized by those familiar with the art, that the base may have any number of beams and therefore number of walls. Lengths of the base beams and dimensions of the panels are limited by the size of application, and the associated structural strength of wall elements designed for anticipated conditions. The shelter is crowned by the top panel that provides the roof for the structure. 
         [0015]    Wall panels of trapezoidal shape in preferable embodiment are manufactured by pouring concrete mix into forming apparatus placed on flat smooth surface. Each modular part of the structure in preferred embodiment, contains rebar core embedded inside and represents structural properties of high strength concrete beams. At least one wall panel has an opening for a door hatch with walls of similar strength to the wall panel&#39;s. Glass blocks, preferably matching the wall panel thickness, are embedded at the narrower upper part of the walls and let light inside assembled shelter. In other preferable embodiment, glass blocks are replaced by secure shutters. Longitudinal connecting beams are placed between each adjacent pair of wall panels along the joints providing walls filament, and are held in place by the rectangular steel plates and fasteners from inside the shelter. In preferred shape of the shelter embodiment as the pyramid frustum, magnitude of outside forces resulted from the wind, flying debris or missiles, is reduced depending of angular relation of the structure elements, as it is known for those familiar with the art. In exemplary embodiment of disclosed apparatus, each wall is placed at 60 degrees with the ground in lean-in position. The alternative wall panels can be made from preferable strong material, as long as they retain trapezoidal shape with rectangular cross section, to represent all advantages of the polygonal pyramid frustum. 
         [0016]    The door body and door hatch are manufactured employing the same method as shelter&#39;s walls to assure uniform safety of the structure. Doorjamb being a part of the hatch is placed at inner opening to receive a door. Door assembly is mounted on hinges provided in the doorjamb opening, and comprises of metal frame with hinges matching the doorjamb hinges, doorplate, and locking bolt mechanism with security device preventing lockout while shelter is not populated. Door locking mechanism may be opened and closed only from inside the shelter securing uninterrupted ingress during emergency. 
         [0017]    The body of the top panel comprises two parts, upper with fringe encompassing and covering the upper parts of the wall panels assembly, and lower extending downward inside the shelter space, providing the support for upper parts of the walls leaning on it. Upper cylindrical part of top body is acting as a roof of the shelter. Fringe extending downward from top cylindrical upper body over the outside upper planar faces of the wall panels covers venting space between cylindrical face of the fringe body and the flat faces of the wall panels. Threaded insert at the center of the top planar face of the upper body is provided for lifting the top. Threaded inserts at the bottom planar face of the top&#39;s lower body, inside the secure space of the shelter, are provided for mounting steel brackets to prevent roof being lifted by external outside forces or malicious action by foe. 
         [0018]    Pattern of roof shingles scored on upper outside planar face of wall panels on one side in preferred embodiment, while painted accordingly, makes shelter appearance more pleasant, and better blending with environment. 
         [0019]    Preferable exemplary embodiment of secure shelter with wall panels disclosed herein made of concrete, due to the size and weight, can be transported from factory to destination site already assembled, and placed as a whole on the base beams laid-down on the ground in predefined pattern. 
         [0020]    The disclosed embodiment of the shelter provide safe space to accommodate eight people during hurricane as recommended by FEMA. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Descriptions of the drawings for the present exemplary secure shelter embodiment, provide consistent reference with numerals denoting similar elements throughout, including cross sections, and perspective views of fragments. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the secure shelter with two side walls removed to show inner works of the structure, and the relative space inside; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the wall panel with the door hatch and door with mechanism in preferred embodiment in open position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic partial top view of door at the hinge side to show passive lock concept, and it is included for illustration purposes only; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2B  is a detail A of the locking mechanism in closed position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective partial view of the walls that have rectangular cross section in the preferable embodiment of the shelter, assembled together using longitudinal connecting beams; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the upper part of the wall with the shutter opened; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4A  is a detail view B of the upper part of the wall with the shutter closed; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the exemplary singular base beam assembly; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5A  is a cross section A-A of the exemplary base beam; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a perspective bottom view of the top&#39;s assembly; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6A  is a cross section B-B of the top&#39;s assembly with structural parts; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the exemplary secure community shelter with dodecagonal shape of the floor; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the exemplary secure community shelter expanded with side walls inserts; 
       
    
    
       [0035]    Drawings are provided solely for the purpose of illustration and they are not intended to limit disclosure to any or all of the exact details of the construction shown, except being essential to explain structural functionality and claimed disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Use of actual terminology to describe exemplary and preferable embodiment of the present disclosure as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-8 , is not intended to exclude any, or other technical terminology or limit processes, or shapes, to describe similar products which may lead to the accomplishment of similar function, and is limited only by the listed claims. 
         [0037]    Characteristics of all wall panels are identical throughout the body of text in description of preferable embodiment in the present disclosure, and all are denoted with number  1 , while number  2  differentiate one wall panel  1  with door hatch attached. Wall panels denoted with numbers  17  and  18  disclosed in  FIG. 8  uniformly represent the same structural characteristics of all remaining wall panels, and only dimensionally are different to walls  1 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , example embodiment of secure shelter in perspective view with partially open door consists of plurality of trapezoidal walls  1  with one wall  2  with hatch  6  with the assembly of the door  8  placed on hinges attached to the door jamb  7  being a part of the door hatch. Door  8  encased within the doorframe  10  allows ingress and egress. Each wall panel  1 , including wall panel  2 , is positioned and supported at the bottom by the base beam  5  placed on the ground and anchored in pre-destined position by spikes  11 . Longitudinal connecting beams  3  placed between each pair of walls  1 , including wall panel  2 , conform to the shape of the adjacent walls, fill the angular space between edges of the walls, and allow to connect walls  1  including  2 , into one assembly, and also assure sidewise support for the wall panels. Plates  14  attached from inside of the shelter prevent walls  1  to cave-in, while longitudinal connecting beams prevent walls  1  being pulled-out from the secure shelter structure. Every wall panel  1  including  2  may have embedded glass block inserts  9 , which let light inside the shelter without compromising a safety of the structure. In preferable embodiment, the upper outside parts of walls have scored pattern of grooves  15  to imitate house roof by applying preferable color, while the lower, and not scored parts of the walls, may be coated with different preferable color, to make the structure better blending into a surrounding environment. Walls in the preferred embodiment, being reversible, can be placed in the structure either way, therefore the other side of walls without scored pattern facing now outside, like wall  2  on the  FIG. 1 , may be coated in camouflage pattern to blend into different surroundings. Cylindrical top  4  functioning as the roof, has an insert  13  in its outside planar face to attach lifting device to hold the top  4  in desired position during assembly process. For security reason insert  13  may be plugged at commencement of the shelter erection. Lower part of the top  4 , extended down and inward the shelter space, provides support for upper parts of all wall panels  1  and  2 , and allows to secure top  4  with the shelter structure to prevent the top being pulled-up. 5 feet 10 inches high mannequin P illustrates practical utilization of the shelter space. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 2 ,  2 A and  2 B show details of the door hatch  6 , doorjamb  7 , and the door assembly  8  with its locking mechanism disclosed in preferred embodiment that for those familiar with the art is the exemplary in nature and may be formulated in any other conceivable embodiment. Turning now to  FIG. 2 , doorjamb  7 , being an integral part of the hatch  6 , has two hinges  7 C, attached one at the top and the other at the bottom, and at the opposite side of the opening, the locking bar  7 A having number of openings  7 B to receive lug-bolts of the door locking mechanism.  FIG. 2A  illustrates passive lock of the hinge side of the door in open position. Passive locking device consisting of longitudinal rectangular element  7 D, being the integral part of the door jamb  7 , and similar longitudinal rectangular element  8 F, being the integral part of the frame  10  of the door  8 , by interacting while door is closed, secures the door  8  in safe closed position, even after hinges are damaged by outside impact. Operation of the active locking mechanism illustrates  FIG. 2  and detail A on  FIG. 2B . Fixed guide  8 A and shorter part  8 D made of steel in the u-shape with matching perforations provided along the side legs, have identical shapes, but different body length, and are facing each other in the way, where one leg of either shape is placed between both legs of the opposite shape. Lug-bolts  8 B inserted into aligned holes of both parts are then permanently attached to outside leg of shorter part  8 D, and while fixed with one part, provide secure and moveable connection of both parts through the lug-bolts placed in the perforations of the part  8 A, and working as a guides for sliding part  8 D. Changing relative position of both parts  8 A and  8 D causes contracting and expanding the reach of the lug-bolts  8 B from the body of part  8 A for a distance traveled by shorter part  8 D. placing part  8 A connectively with the inner face of the door  8 , with the lug-bolts aligned with the openings  7 B of the locking bar  7 A, commences the assembly of the locking mechanism. 
         [0040]    Locking mechanism of the door  8  disclosed in  FIG. 2  is equipped with drop-lock  8 E in preferable exemplary embodiment in the form of hinged plate with elongated weight attached along the edge opposite to the pivot, as illustrated with door in open position. Detail A in  FIG. 2B  illustrates locking mechanism with door in locked position. Drop-lock  8 E on  FIG. 2 , and detail A in  FIG. 2B , is working on principle of gravity, and occupies the space between outside leg of guide  8 A and inner leg of locking bar  8 D. The drop-lock  8 E always rests on the top of the locking bar  8 D, forced by gravity to fall into space created between outside leg of part  8 A and inner leg of locking bar  8 D, whenever locking bar  8 D is retracted into door open position, and thus preventing lock-out. Drop-lock  8 E cannot remain in neutral and vertical position, which is achieved by placing the plate&#39;s pivot in vertical misalignment with the plate&#39;s center of gravity. To lock the door, the drop-lock  8 E has to be lifted-up, and that can be done only from inside the secure shelter. Such provided feature assures ingress in emergency situation, always leaving door  8  unlocked even while the door  8  is physically closed. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  illustrates function of the connecting elements  3  and  3 A for the disclosed exemplary embodiment of the wall panels, all having trapezoidal shape. For connecting a trapezoidal walls having rectangular cross section, longitudinal connecting beam confirming to the angular relation between the sidewalls of adjacent panels is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In the wall panels disclosed herein, plates  14  support adjacent wall panels  1  and  2  from inside of the secure shelter. Rigidity and strength of the whole structure is acquired in the final stage of shelter assembly by tightening nuts  3 C of the plates  14 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 4 and 4A  disclose alternative exemplary embodiment of the wall&#39;s upper part with armored shutter  16  replacing glass block  9  in the wall panel in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0000]      FIG. 4  illustrates open shutter, and  FIG. 4A  in detail B—the closed shutter. Disclosed in  FIG. 4  exemplary embodiment of the shutter  16  comprises of frame  9 A embedded in the opening  9 , shutter plate  16 B with perforations  16 C, and locking element  16 A placed in far left side in the opening. Plate  16 B in upright position, stays safely closed when locking element  16 A, being activated only from inside the shelter, is moved from far side to the center of the opening. Perforation  16 C of the plate  16 B provides secure visual contact with outside environment, while shutter plate  16 B in open position provides support for defender&#39;s firearm. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  disclose embodiment of the base beam  5 , where  FIG. 5A  is a cross section A-A of the base beam  5  depicted in  FIG. 5 . The length of the base beam  5  is equal to the length of the bottom edge of each and every wall panel  1  and  2 , and their number depends of the quantity of walls in that structure. Embodiment of the exemplary structure of the secure shelter disclosed herein in  FIG. 1  contains eight base beams  5 , each secured to the ground by stakes  11 , and referring to  FIG. 5A , drawn through the provided openings  5 B with the tops of the stakes  11  fitting in the space  5 A for security reason. Angular face  5 C of the base beam  5  provides flat support and an exact placement of the lower part of the wall panels around the floor&#39;s area perimeter. The angle of the slope is tied with the angular tilt of wall panel. The panel&#39;s tilt of  60  angular degrees to the ground, in disclosed preferred embodiment, requires the slope of the angular face  5 C of 30 angular degrees. Vertical wall  5 D prevents wall panel from slipping off the base beam laid in the predefined shape of the floor and eventual collapsing of the structure. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 6 and 6A  illustrate the shape and method of connecting the top  4  with the wall panels  1  and  2 , where  FIG. 6  provides perspective view from the bottom, and  FIG. 6A  discloses cross section B-B of the top  4  in exemplary embodiment. Fastener  13 , placed in the threaded insert embedded in upper planar face of top  4 , allows to connect a lifting device to move, hold, and keep top  4  in desired position during initial stage of the assembly process. Number of angular brackets  12  are attached to the bottom planar face of the top  4  using the fasteners  12 A disclosed in  FIG. 6A . Face  4 C, extended downward remains in contact with top inner edge of each wall panel  1  and  2 , providing horizontal support for the wall panels  1  and  2  in tilted position during, and after assembly. Planar face  4 B covers the top edges of the walls in the assembly, and takes function of the roof. Fringe  4 A encompasses all upper outside planar faces of wall panels in the assembly. The ridges  4 D placed concentrically on the face  4 B, aligned with the inserts  12 A, separate the top edges of the walls and the face  4 B assuring circulation of the air as illustrated by the side sketch of interacting walls “ 1  or  2 ” in  FIG. 6A . Angular bracket  12 , having two planar faces of which one is attached by fastener  12 A to the bottom planar face of the top  4 , and the other face being tightly placed against the wall, and being parallel to the planar face of the wall panel  1  and  2 , is acting as an anchor for the top  4 . Exemplary assembly of the top  4  shows four angular brackets, but their quantity may vary as required by the application. 
         [0045]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the secure hurricane shelter with dodecagonal shape of the floor, which provides space for more than 40 occupants (following FEMA recommendations) and may be used for protection of small community. All elements used to construe earlier described octagonal structure follow the rules of angular dependency in governing method of building polygonal pyramid frustum, known to those familiar with the art. 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the exemplary secure hurricane shelter disclosed in  FIG. 7 , in elongated form. Such construed the secure shelter comprise of two halves of pyramid frustum placed in a distance and joined together by wall elements  17  and  18  leaning in prevailing angle and having matched base beams  5  placed at the bottoms of each walls  17  and  18 . The shelter with enlarged capacity requires four transitional wall panels  17  in the shape of the right angle trapezoid, and elective even number of rectangular wall panels  18  placed on each side between both right angle trapezoidal wall panels  17 . Top panel  13 A has to match the shape of the open space at the top of wall panels. All trapezoidal walls are supported the same way as in disclosed earlier exemplary octagonal structure, by using longitudinal connecting beams, while rectangular wall panels  18  require only that the seams between them be sealed. 
         [0047]    Assembly of the secure shelter in selected location on flat ground, begins from placing supporting beams  5  in predefined polygonal shape, which is an octagon in preferable embodiment of the disclosed herein structure, and securing beams  5  in predestined position on the ground by drawing spikes  11  through provided holes in the base beams  5 . The first panel to begin erection of the wall assembly is wall panel  2  with attached hatch  6  placed on the floor against the base beam  5  destined for door location inside the perimeter of the floor of the shelter. The flat bottom of the hatch  6  is placed on the ground, therefore the angular face of the hatch  6  provides in-place support for wall panel  2  in tilted position. Roof in the shape of top  4  is suspended from weight supporting apparatus in preferable embodiment, being held by attachment using the centrally embedded coupling  13 , and positioned in contact with the top inner edge of the wall panel  2 . Preferable way to assembly the structure is setting the wall panel  1  on the base of beam  5 , that is parallel to and is placed in opposite location of the wall panel  2 . Top of wall panel  1 , while rested against the top  4 , is counter levered by the top of panel  2  placed against the top  4  at opposite direction from wall  1 . The next two preferably erected wall panels  1  are set on the base beams  5  which are perpendicular to base beam  5  of wall  2  and first wall  1 . The upper parts of such paired walls rest on the opposite sides of the top  4 , and provide counter-balance for each other. The erection of next pair of wall panels  1  is carried the same way as the last pair of walls and therefore assures the balance of the structure. After erecting all walls, longitudinal connecting beams  3 , are inserted between each pair of walls  1 , including wall panel  2 . Final tightening of all fasteners for the connecting plates  14  assures rigidity and strength of the secure shelter assembly. Last step in secure shelter installation is fastening angular plates  12  at the bottom face of the top  4  to secure position of the roof with walls  1  and  2  of the structure in preferred embodiment.