Patent Publication Number: US-11384530-B2

Title: Vault for active shooters and tornadoes

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1) Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a protective enclosure to secure occupants against external threats, such as ballistic projectiles, blasts, or natural phenomena. 
     2) Description of Related Art 
     Prior attempts at devising ballistic shelters are known. For instance, U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2012/0090455, (“Duncan  3  455”), provides a lightweight, portable ballistic panel integrated into a shelter. In this structure, wall segments or panels of ballistic material are provided and hang from an interior or exterior frame associated with the structure. The panels may fold and may be comprised of a welded together combination of an outer shell and an inner ballistic-resistant material. (Abstract.)  FIG. 1  illustrates the Duncan &#39;455 invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,358 discloses emergency housing for short term and longer-term purposes. The shelter may be transported to a site and erected in less than an hour. The shelter may provide food, supplies, shelter and necessary essentials. (Abstract.) 
     U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2004/0206015 (“Greenbolm &#39;015”) discloses an above ground shelter that comprise a modular interface which includes a connecting element and a passageway for connection and passage to another above ground shelter. (Abstract.) 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,598 (“Clee &#39;598”) discloses a collapsible shelter with pleated wall, floor, and roof sections that will allow the shelter to collapse in an accordion style. (Abstract.)  FIG. 2  illustrates the Clee &#39;598 invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,228,369 (“Carberry &#39;369”) discloses a portable protection system that includes a selectively collapsible truss that supports a protection member. The truss may move between a collapsed and expanded position. The protection member includes at least one layer of ballistic armor material for disrupting a projectile. (Abstract.) The Carberry &#39;369 invention is essentially a ballistic shield placed in the path of a projectile to prevent damage to property and personnel. 
     U.S. Pat. Pub. 2015/0267396 (Cantin &#39;396) discloses a shelter having the approximate dimensions of a standard International Organization for Standardization (ISO) freight container. The shelter may be expanded by adding additional portions to the front and sides of the container. (Abstract.) 
     U.S. Pat. Pub. 2015/0345168 (Wirtz &#39;168) discloses an above ground storm shelter having sidewalls comprised of two panels, an outer panel and an inner panel. Sounds of articles striking the sidewalls during a storm are lessened by the double panel configuration. The double panel configuration also provides improved structural integrity compared to single panel structures. The sidewalls are modular and variable sized structures may be constructed using multiple panels. (Abstract.) 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,242 (Maggio &#39;242) discloses a collapsible portable shelter, or changing room, comprising a circular bellows like configuration. The bellows-like walls overlap vertically and integrally down the side around a large aperture in a spring-like manner from tension on the rib folds by manual downward pressure. The wall is accordion-like and, when fully collapsed, substantially fits within an optional carry case that may be fastened to a shelter floor. Releasing fasteners cause the bellows walls to spring upward from the case. The interior is sufficient in size to enclose a person for a toilet shelter or changing room. (Abstract.) 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,466 (Moriarty &#39;466) discloses a temporary portable shelter for use in hurricanes and tornadoes. The enclose consists of a case having six sides, a hinged door, and is constructed of polycarbonate thermoplastic. The enclosure may be bolted to a floor to secure it. (Abstract.) 
     While the above references disclose various types of shelters, what is needed in the art is a collapsible structure that may be quickly expanded with minimal effort to create a secure area impervious to attack and storm damage. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an expandable and collapsible shelter that may be quickly expanded to establish a protective enclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a protective shelter is provided. The shelter moves reversibly between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The shelter in the open configuration includes at least two side walls formed from at least two joined side wall sections, at least one roof formed from at least two joined roof sections; at least one floor formed from at least one floor section, at least one back panel, at least one front panel defining an entry access, and wherein weight of the at least one roof assists with opening the shelter. 
     In a further embodiment, the protective shelter includes at least one hydraulic damper to reduce an opening force associated with moving the protective shelter from the closed configuration to the open configuration. Still further, the protective shelter includes at least one spring assist device that applies forces to at least the front panel to assist the protective shelter moving from the closed configuration to the open configuration. Further yet, the protective shelter the at least the two side walls, back panel, and front panel are formed from ballistic material. Further yet still, at least one floor plate is affixed to a floor supporting the protective shelter and the at least one floor plate is affixed to the at least one back panel. Still further yet, the at least two joined side wall sections are joined via hinges. Even further, the at least two joined side wall sections extend and retract via movement of rollers or ball assemblies affixed to the joined wall sections. Furthermore, the rollers or ball assemblies move in an arcuate manner atop the at least one floor plate. Further still, a cabinet may be affixed to the at least one back panel. Even still further, the cabinet includes at least a communications console for allowing occupants of the protective shelter to communicate externally. Further even still, multiple shelters are conjoined to form a single, larger protective shelter. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a method of providing a protective shelter for occupants in a room is provided. The method includes releasing a latch mechanism located on the protective shelter, a spring assist mechanism then provides additional force against at least one front panel of the protective shelter to move the front panel away from at least one back panel, a pulling force is applied to the front panel of the protective shelter, at least one roof panel of the protective shelter supplies additional force to propel the front panel outward and to extend at least two side walls of the protective shelter, the protective shelter expands from a closed configuration to an open configuration wherein the at least one roof panel and the at least two side walls are fully extended and the at least one front panel is separated from the at least one back panel. 
     Further, the protective shelter includes an entry in the front panel, which is opened to allow occupants to enter the protective configuration in an open configuration. Further still, the protective shelter includes at least one hydraulic damper to reduce an opening force associated with moving the protective shelter from the closed configuration to the open configuration. Still further, at least the two side walls, the at least one back panel, and the at least one front panel are formed from ballistic material. Still yet further, the at least two side walls extend and retract via movement of rollers or ball assemblies affixed to the at least two side walls. Further yet, the rollers or ball assemblies move in an arcuate manner atop a floor plate. Still yet further, a cabinet may be affixed to the at least one back panel. Further yet still, the cabinet includes at least a communications console for allowing occupants of the protective shelter to communicate externally. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a prior art shelter. 
         FIG. 2  shows an additional prior art shelter. 
         FIG. 3  shows a shelter of the current disclosure in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 4  shows a shelter of the current disclosure in an expanded or open configuration. 
         FIG. 5  shows a side profile of a shelter of the current disclosure in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 6  shows a top down view of a shelter of the current disclosure in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 7  shows one embodiment of an interior of a door assembly and front panel of the current disclosure. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  show an exterior view ( 8 A) and interior view ( 8 B) of a modified side panel of the current disclosure that includes an egress door and a locking mechanism. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a transfer ball assembly that may be positioned on the bottom of side panels on a shelter of the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  shows a partially disassembled view of one embodiment of a shelter of the current disclosure with the front panel and door assembly removed to show the interior of the shelter. 
         FIG. 11  shows one embodiment of a shelter of the current disclosure in an extended configuration with a floor panel in a lowered position. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates one embodiment of a supply cabinet that may be contained in a shelter of the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  shows an alternative embodiment side view of a shelter of the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  shows one possible hinge configuration for shelters of the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  shows one embodiment of how rollers may be used to help extend and contract a shelter of the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  shows a photograph of an external view of a spring assist device of the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  shows and exploded view of spring assist device of the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  shows a top down view of a conjoined system using two shelters of the current disclosure. 
         FIG. 19  shows a further embodiment of the current disclosure where three shelters of the current disclosure are joined together. 
         FIG. 20  shows an alternative embodiment of the current disclosure having a square pyramid structure. 
         FIG. 21  shows a method of providing a protective shelter for occupants in a room. 
     
    
    
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can meet certain other objectives. Each objective may not apply equally, in all its respects, to every aspect of this invention. As such, the preceding objects can be viewed in the alternative with respect to any one aspect of this invention. These and other objects and features of the invention will become more fully apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures and examples. However, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are of a preferred embodiment and not restrictive of the invention or other alternate embodiments of the invention. In particular, while the invention is described herein with reference to a number of specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative of the invention and is not constructed as limiting of the invention. Various modifications and applications may occur to those who are skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as described by the appended claims. Likewise, other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from this summary and certain embodiments described below, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above in conjunction with the accompanying examples, data, figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, alone or with consideration of the references incorporated herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter belongs. Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, and materials are herein described. 
     Unless specifically stated, terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. 
     Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. 
     In one embodiment, the current disclosure provides a reversibly collapsible active shooter ballistic protection unit or a safe area from natural phenomena such as tornadoes. The unit may offer protection up to and exceeding the Underwriter&#39;s Laboratory Standard 752 Level 8, National Institute of Justice Standard 0108.01 Level 3 and F-5 Tornado protection from FEMA P-361 specifications. The size of the unit may be customized to accommodate specific rooms, such as a school room, open areas, historic rooms where protection is needed without demolishing the existing structure, etc. To wit, the unit may be sized, or multiple units conjoined or used separately, to allow the maximum occupancy of a room to seek shelter in case of an event. Operation of the unit may, in one embodiment, include unlatching the unit, pulling it open, and entering the unit. 
       FIG. 3  shows a shelter  100  of the current disclosure in a closed configuration  101 . In closed configuration  101 , shelter  100  may be stored against a wall or alcove in a room, for purposes of example only and not intended to be limiting, a class room. Shelter  100  may in include a top panel front section  102  and a top panel back section  104 . Panels  102  and  104  may be constructed from materials including but not limited to composite ballistic material, carbon fiber, Kevlar, metal plates (steel, aluminum, boron, titanium, blended metal, centered metal), alloys, concrete, man-made synthetic fibers and epoxy, Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, Monolithic based hard armor panels, and/or ceramics. In one embodiment, all panels of shelter  100  may be formed from composite ballistic materials as known to those of skill in the art. Shelter  100  may expand from closed configuration  101  via the weight of top panels  104  and  102 , which may weigh multiple hundreds of pounds, propelling front panel  122  outward from bookcase  110 . Given the amount of weight perched atop shelter  100 , dampener  108 , such as a hydraulic dampener, tie rod, or welded cylinders, may serve as an extension damper to prevent top panels  104  and  102  from slamming down into place when shelter  100  opens by dampener  108  exerting rearward pressure on top panel  104  to slow its descent from atop unit  100 . Other means of extending open unit  100  include hydraulic methods, air compression electrical/mechanical methods, worm screws, mechanical levers, solenoid, leaf or coil springs, counterweights, etc., as known to those of skill in the art. Dampener  108  may be affixed to a dampener bracket  106  to provide leverage for dampener  108  to slow opening of shelter  100  by slowing the extension of front panel  122  (and first side panels  125  and second side panels  126 , see  FIG. 4 ) away from bookcase  110  in a controlled manner via the restraining force of dampener  108  pulling upon top panel back section  104 . 
     Top panel back section  104  is hinged to top panel front section  102  via top hinges  103 , and pushes top panel front section  102  away from bookcase  110 . Lift bars  120  may serve to guide shelter  100  into its extended configuration  123  (see  FIG. 4 ) as well may influences front panel  122  forward via lift bars  120  acting upon frame attachments  121  to propel front panel  122 . Front panel  122  may be formed from steel and composite ballistic material. Lift bars  120  are used to close or collapse shelter  100  from extended configuration  123  (see  FIG. 4 ) via fulcrum lift attachments  121  that serve as fulcrums for lift bars  120 . Lift bars  120  may serve as levers to help lift the top panel sections  102  and  104  into the closed configuration as well as propel front panel  122  from the open position to the closed position. In one embodiment, lift bars  120  do not extend to floor plate  114 . Floor plate  114  may be attached to bookcase  110  and allows front panel  122  to glide across its upper surface  115 . Floor plate  114  may also be affixed to the floor of the room by screws and anchors before the bookcase is installed. When installing the bookcase, anchors may pass through the inside upper surface of the bookcase through the floor plate  114  into the subfloor area for anchoring. Floor plate  114  may be formed from stainless steel, which will not rust and will provide a smooth surfacing for opening shelter  100  as well as shows the size of the extended configuration  123 , even when shelter  100  is in closed configuration  101 . Front panel  122  may include a door assembly  116  for entering the interior of shelter  100  as well as an access ramp  118 , secured by ramp latch  117 , to ease the transition from the room floor into shelter  100 , as well as to accommodate wheel chairs or persons with limited mobility. The direction of the swing of door assembly  116  should be as required by the applicable building code for the normal occupancy of the space and the egress door(s) should be operable from the inside without the use of keys or special knowledge or effort, door assembly  116  may be configured to only swing outward as an exit door to meet National Building Code Standards. 
     Activation of dampener  108  may be affected by simply unlatching latch  112  (an opposing latch, not shown, may be positioned on opposing side  113 ), a slight continuous tug on front panel  122  may provide torque to start to overcome the coefficient of friction to move top panels  102  and  104  away from bookcase  110  until the top panels  102  and  104  “topple” forward based on gravity, once passing the balance point of the combined weight. Unlatching latch  112  allows the weight of top panels  102  and  104 , offset by dampener  108  as explained supra, to propel forward front plate  122  via the top panels acting on forward plate  122 . Multiple dampeners  108  may be affixed to top  109  of shelter  100  to increase the force used to restrain opening shelter  100 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a shelter  100  of the current disclosure in an expanded or open configuration  123 . In open configuration  123  shelter  100  is fully extended from bookcase  110 . First side panel  125  and second side panel  126  (with opposing first side panel  125  and second side panel  126 , not shown, positioned on opposing side  113  of shelter  100 ) are now extended. First and second side panels  125  and  126  made be made from composite ballistic material, carbon fiber, Kevlar, metal plates (steel, aluminum, boron, titanium, blended metal, centered metal), concrete, alloys, man-made synthetic fibers and epoxy, Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, Monolithic based hard armor panels, ceramics, etc. While only two panels are shown on first side  129 , first side  129  and opposing side  113  may be formed from more or less panels, such as 1, 3, 4, 5, etc., and the current disclosure should not be read as limited to the sides being formed from only two side panels. First and second panels  125  and  126  may be secured to one another via hinges or other means known to those of skill in the art. Side panels  125  and  126  may also be hinged to front frame  127  and bookcase  110  in order to allow the doors to fold inward when shelter  100  is collapsing into closed configuration  101 . In one embodiment, given the respective weight of the panels, vault or vertical hinges may be employed wherein a female hinge pin sits atop a male hinge pin. 
     In extended configuration  123 , shelter  100  forms an impervious structure that may safeguard multiple individuals, such as a school classroom of children, who may access shelter  100  via ramp  118  and door assembly  116 . Door assembly  116 , may be hinged to front panel  122  to allow the door to swing open and closed. In the extended configuration  123 , top panel back section  104  and top panel front section  102  are now fully extended via movement upon panel hinges  119 . As part of its security suite, shelter  100  may include a speaker  124  to allow the occupants to communicate outside shelter  100 . Further, a camera  111  may be incorporated to allow the occupants of shelter  100  to view external situations while inside shelter  100 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a side profile  130  of shelter  100  in closed configuration  101 .  FIG. 6  shows a top down view of shelter  100  in a closed configuration  101 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the interior of door assembly  116  and front panel  122  including vertical latch  130  and horizontal latches  132  and roller supports  134 . While only one vertical latch  130  and two horizontal latches  132  are shown, more or less latches are considered within the scope of this disclosure. These latches may be located within shelter  100  pursuant IAW ADA height requirements so they are operable for persons in a wheelchair. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  show an exterior view ( 8 A) and interior view ( 8 B) of a modified side panel  140  that includes egress door  142  and a locking mechanism  144  on the interior of modified side panel  140  to secure egress door  142 . An egress door  142  may be added in addition to door assembly  116  and positioned on a side panel of shelter  100 . In this way, an additional means of exiting shelter  100  is provided and may be positioned such that it is not visible while looking at door assembly  116 , such as placing egress door  142  on first side panel  125  or second side panel  126  on opposing side  113  of shelter  100 . In one embodiment, egress door  142  may be placed on the second side panel opposite door assembly  116 . Egress door  142  may either open outward or inward based on local codes and/or the owner&#39;s preference. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a transfer ball assembly  160  that in one embodiment may be positioned on the bottom  162  of side panels  125  and  126  in order to allow panels  125  and  126  to roll or “glide” open when configuring shelter  100  in the extended configuration  123  or returning same to closed configuration  101 . This movement may be accomplished in one embodiment via use of bearing assemblies  164  that contain balls or bearings  166  that roll to allow the panels to move into and out of position on floor plate  114  in order to speed deployment time of shelter  100 . Ball assembly  160  may be positioned on the bottom of side panels  125  and  126  and may travel/move omni-directionally, as opposing to uni-directionally, for improved deployment of shelter  100 . Further, when shelter  100  is opening or closing, transfer ball assemblies may move in an arcuate manner pattern atop floor plate  114 , carrying most of the weight of side panels  125  and  126 . In a further embodiment, ball assembly  160  may be replaced with disk rollers. The disk rollers may comprise multiple thin ball bearing wheels that are placed on an axle with a washer separating each wheel. In a further embodiment, the disk rollers are located on the front bottom corner of both left and right rear side panels. As the shelter opens or closed, these panels take a 90 degree arc and each ball bearing wheel will rotate and track at its own speed, separate from the other wheels. 
       FIG. 10  shows a partially disassembled view of shelter  100  with front panel  122  and door assembly  116  removed to show the interior  180  of shelter  100 . In this configuration, floor panel  182  is in an upright position  184  and has not yet been laid down upon floor plate  114 . Floor panel  182  may be one piece or multiple pieces and may be hinged in order to fold up and down within shelter  100 . In one embodiment, floor panel  182  may be comprised of a cushioned material to provide comfort and sound dampening effects for those within shelter  100 . Floor panel  122  may be made from wood, plastic, steel, aluminum, engineering foam and combinations thereof, as known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, floor panel  122  when deployed in lowered position  190 , see  FIG. 11 , keeps side panels  125  and  126  “locked” in position. 
       FIG. 11  shows shelter  100  in extended configuration  123  with floor panel  182  in lowered position  190 . Further, shelter  100  may include a supply center  192  that may contain first aid, weapons, survival supplies, water, radios, ear plugs, dust masks, bullet stops for ventilation access ports, etc. 
       FIG. 12  shows a cabinet  200  that may be included in shelter  100 . Cabinet  200  may include an intake fan  202 , and accompanying wiring for same, not shown, a fire extinguisher  204 , a shelf  206  for storing materials, a drawer  208 , an informational display  210 , which may control the on-board electronics of shelter  100 . In one embodiment, information display  210  may communicate via wi-fi, or other means known in the art, to deliver timed diagnostic reports while shelter  100  is in closed configuration  101 , an electrical outlet  212 , and supplies  214 . A camera  216  may be included in order to allow maintenance checks on the fill level of extinguisher  204  while shelter  100  is in closed condition  101 . Camera  216  may be stationary and angled for the best view of the interior or it may be a movable camera capable of panning along the interior. 
     In a further embodiment, multiple shelters  100  may be combined by removing the respective side panels forming the “common wall” between the two shelters  100  in order to for a larger unit, with more interior space and higher occupancy, to be formed. 
       FIG. 13  shows an alternative embodiment side view of a shelter  400 . In this embodiment, a slam reduction damper  402  may be placed on a side  404  of the shelter in order to reduce the noise associated with deploying shelter  400  as well as the shock loading during deployment. In one embodiment, the slam reduction damper  402  may be placed on rear side panel  406  before front side panel  408  in order to aid in reducing the “slam” noise and force that occurs when one activates shelter  400  and it expands outward from bookcase  410  in order to extend anti-ballistic barrier  412  forward and into place. Potential dampers suitable for slam reduction damper  402  include rubber dampers, dashpot and spring dampers using pneumatic and/or hydraulic systems. In a preferred embodiment, a hydraulic damper may be used. In use, damper  402  reduces the impact of the roof panels, not shown, striking the rear side panels  406  and front side panels  408 . In one further embodiment, damper  402  provides a resistive load during the entire extension of shelter  400 . In a further embodiment, damper  402  provides a load during substantially most of the extension but serves as a slam protection device at the end of the stroke. 
       FIG. 14  shows one possible hinge configuration  414  for connecting bookcase  410  to rear side panel  406 , front side panel  408 , and antiballistic barrier  412 . In this configuration, at least one set of pin hinges  416  are mounted to bookshelf  410  and at least one set of receiver (hole) hinges  418  are mounted to rear side panel  406 . Rear side panel  406  may then be connected to front side panel  408  via, at least one, a pin hinge  416  welded to rear side panel  406  and, at least one, a receiver hinge  418 . Front side panel  408  is then connected to antiballistic barrier  412  via, at least one, pin hinge  416  welded to antiballistic barrier  412  and, at least one, receiver hinge  418  welded to front side panel  408 . This configuration provides that side panels  406  and  408  do not support any weight of the antiballistic barrier  412 , as well as the roof panel (not shown), and enables front side panel  408  to act as a floating panel, which will minimize the load through the front side panel  408  and antiballistic barrier  412 . 
     In a further embodiment, in order to reduce the opening force of shelter  400 , springs, such as torsional springs or compression spring plungers may be used. As shown by  FIG. 14 , a spring  420  may be mounted on bookcase  410  in order to provide additional force for opening shelter  400  that to does not have to be supplied by the user. Spring  420  may be mounted on both sides of bookcase  410  positioned along the height  422  of bookcase  410 . In a preferred embodiment, spring  420  may be located below the halfway point of height  422  in order to help the rollers overcome the coefficient of friction. If spring  420  is placed too high, the rollers will remain stationary, similar to towing a vehicle by attaching at a low point and not to the roof of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, spring  420  is placed near the top of bookcase  410 . When closed, spring  420  is compressed, at opening, spring  420  extends and acts on antiballistic barrier  412  to force the barrier forward and aid in opening shelter  400 . In alternative embodiments, spring  420  may be placed within shelter  400  in order to prevent access or tampering with the spring. In still further embodiments, spring  420  may be enclosed in a sheath  424  to prevent access to spring  420 . Further, at full compression, the spring should exert less than the maximum pulling load to open shelter  400 . In a further embodiment, a plunger rod may be associated with spring  420 . 
       FIG. 15  shows one embodiment of how rollers may be used to help extend and contract shelter  400 . As  FIG. 15  shows, omni-directional rollers  430 , such as the Keitek K 0140 , may be used to assist rear side panel  406  and front side panel  408  to move between collapsed and extended configurations. In addition, antiballistic barrier  412  may be fitted with a cylindrical roller  432 . In a further embodiment, omni-directional rollers  430  may be replaced with other rollers, such as cylindrical roller  432 . In a further embodiment, omni-directional, or other, rollers  430  positioned on rear side panel  406  may be affixed substantially below slam reduction damper  402 . While four omni-directional rollers  430  are shown, more or less rollers are considered feasible for this construct. 
       FIG. 16  shows a photograph of an external view of a spring assist device  440  of the current disclosure. Spring assist device  440  will help provide the initial pulling force needed to open the shelter.  FIG. 17  shows and exploded view of spring assist device  440 . This may include a spring assist housing  442 , which has a front cap  444  at the proximal end of spring assist housing  442 , affixed via front cap spanner screws  446 . Spring  448  resides on spring guide rod  450 , which is contained in spring guide tube  452 . Spring guide tube  452  has a rubber push pad  454 , which serves as the proximal end of spring assist device  440  and ensures spring assist device  440  does not mar or damage the surface against which sprint assist device  440  applies force via spring  448  extending. Stop coupler  456  is affixed around the distal end of spring guide tube  452  and prevents spring guide tube  452  from completely protruding from spring assist housing  442 . Spring guide rod inner housing  458  is affixed within spring assist housing  440  via a guide rod anchor bolt  460  extending through guide rod inner housing  458  as well as opposing walls of spring assist housing  442  via spacers  462  and nut  464 . Spring guide rod inner housing  458  allows spring  448  to rest on guide rod anchor bolt  460  and assists with compressing spring  448  when force is applied to spring guide tube  452 . Front tube spacer  468  determines the amount of strength placed on the spring, front tube spacer  468  fits over spring guide rod  450  and inside spring guide tube  452 . One may make spring  448  stiffer, higher PSI resistance, by making front tube spacer  468  longer or make spring  448  less resistant by shortening front tube spacer  468 . 
     In addition, the current disclosure also provides for size-scalability of a shelter of the current disclosure. For instance,  FIG. 18  shows a top down view of a conjoined system where two shelters  500 A and  500 B are joined via removing the ballistic material on the left side of shelter  500 A and the ballistic material at the left side of shelter  500 B. While either or both shelters may have a door, in this embodiment, shelter  500 A has a door  502 . A connector  504 , shown by line C-C, such as a 2-4″ plate, beam, or other structure, may conjoin the two units so that they open simultaneously when activated. In other embodiments, multiple connectors  504  may be employed, such as joining together bookcases  506  or antiballistic barriers  508  via bolting or other means as known to those of skill in the art. In a further embodiment, roof plate  510 A may extend over line C-C to cover a portion of roof plate  510 B. Connector  504  maintains the current hinge design and ensures simultaneous opening of multiple shelters  500  do not bind/conflict/hit one another during opening. 
       FIG. 19  shows a further embodiment of the current disclosure where three shelters,  600 A,  600 B, and  600 D are joined by connectors  602 . In this embodiment, shelter  600 A has a door  604 , however, all three or just two of the shelters may have doors as well. In this 3-piece construct, ballistic materials on the left side of shelter  600 A has been removed, the left and right side ballistic material has been removed from shelter  600 B, and the right side ballistic material is removed from shelter  600 D. Passageways may be constructed throughout the structure via modification of the front side panels, both on  600 B, the left front side panel on  600 A and the right front side panel on  600 D. Connectors  602  will connect the three shelters at their common joints as shown by line C-C. The roof panels of shelters  600 D and  600 A will overlap onto the roof panels of shelter  500 B and cover the joined areas shown by lines C-C. 
     In one embodiment, to use the shelter and open it: the first step is to unlatch the shelter on the left and right side or from a central latch in the center front of the shelter. The second step is to pull on the pull handle and gain assistance from the spring assists, the shelter then starts to move/roll straight forward. After about 10 inches of spring assist, the roof panels start to push the shelter forward with their weight assisted by gravity. At this time, any electronics within the unit could be made to automatically boot up and to turn on lights and fans so the entry is not a dark unlit place. Next, the shelter will fully open, roof panels slam down and the floor slams into place, locking the sides, front and roof panels into place. The next step is to remove the door retaining pin, let it drop and open the door wide enough for quick entry. At this time, the door may be used as a shield by the person in charge. Once everyone has entered, the door is pulled shut, and the door bolt is slid into place. The other door bolts are also slid into place for added protection. 
     After use, one may close the VAST 6 . The first step is to lift the floor upright toward the bookcase and latch the floor into the floor latch retaining mechanism. Second step is to close the door with the door retaining pin. Third step is to place the lift bars into position where the notched end of each lift bar fits into the lift bar lift points and the edge of the lift bars are resting of the lift bar fulcrums on the front edge of the front panel. The next step is downward pressure is placed on each lift bar, sufficient to lift the roof panels up 1 to 3 inches; immediately the center of the side panels are pushed inward while the lift bars are pulled down and additional force may be applied by pushing the front panel toward the bookcase. Once the shelter is completely collapsed, the latches are fastened to hold the shelter into place. The final step is to remove the lift bars from the shelter and store in designated location. 
     While the shelters of the current disclosure are shown as cubed in shape, the current disclosure should to be so limited as shape does not restrict this disclosure nor limit the possible configurations of a collapsible structure as described herein. Indeed, polyhedron, prism, cone, n-orthotope, pyramids, oblong prisms, less-than-complete cubes, where the shelter would use at least one wall in an existing room to form at least one wall of the shelter, parallelograms, and other shapes are considered within the scope of this disclosure. Non-traditional shapes such as angled cylinders, cubes with a peaked roof, rectangular prisms with a peaked roof, octagon with a peaked roof, etc., are also considered within the scope of this disclosure. As  FIG. 20  shows, a square pyramid structure  700 , such as an angled tepee shape, is within the scope of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 21  shows a method  700  of providing a protective shelter for occupants in a room. At step  702 , a user releases a latch mechanism located on the protective shelter. At step  704 , a spring assist mechanism provides additional force against a front panel of the protective shelter to move the at least one front panel away from the at least one back panel. At step  706 , a pulling force is applied to the at least one front panel of the protective shelter. In one embodiment, this pulling force may be provided by a user but in other embodiments, an external force may be applied by placing or keeping the front panel under tension or by otherwise exerting a pulling force on the front panel as known to those of skill in the art. At step  708 , at least one roof panel of the protective shelter supplies additional force to propel the at least one front panel outward and to extend at least two side wall panels of the protective shelter. At step  710 , the protective shelter expands from a closed configuration to an open configuration with the at least one roof panel and the at least two side walls fully extended and the at least one front panel separated from the at least one back panel. 
     While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific exemplary embodiments and methods thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art using the teachings disclosed herein.