Abstract:
An emergency shelter to be used under the floor of a residential or commercial structure. In the preferred embodiment, a prefabricated acrylic shelter is sized to accommodate at least one individual in a crouching or sitting position. The shelter is placed prior to the pouring of a slab foundation or the building of the floor in a pier and beam foundation. The unit is sealed to prevent moisture infiltration and provides the benefits of a relatively pleasant surface without the accumulation of moisture. Additional advantages are the relative lower expense, light weight, and ease of installation of the prefabricated shelter. Other uses of the shelter include security and storage.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to prefabricated storm shelters. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Underground storm shelters have proven to be effective shelters for tornados in many parts of the country. Buried or partially buried storm shelters have been used for many years. The difficulties of incorporating buried storm shelters in residential constructions and neighborhoods include the expense, the lack of space associated with the standard lot, and the presence of shallow bedrock in many areas. The fabrication of traditional storm shelters is also relatively expensive. 
     The recommended procedure for tornado alerts in many parts of the country is for the residents to move to the center part of their house, such as an interior bathroom or closet. While this strategy is generally effective, there are cases of extremely high winds where residents are not safe in any part of the house and where the only practical effective shelter is one that is below the foundation of the home or buried in the vicinity of the home. 
     The most common material of construction of existing storm shelters is concrete, which may either be prefabricated in one or more sections for site assembly; or poured in place structures. Although the concrete shelters are strong, there are several disadvantages to that material including difficulty and expense of installation, weight, long-term water resistance, and interior moisture condensation. 
     An object of the current invention is to provide a storm shelter to be installed below the floor level of a home for use in an emergency. Another object of the invention is to provide a shelter that can be installed without limitations of lot size or easement restrictions. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shelter that requires limited excavation. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a shelter in a relatively inexpensive prefabricated form. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a material of construction which is water resistant, which will minimize condensation on the interior of the shelter, and which will provide a shelter that is relatively impervious to water seepage from the outside. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shelter with interior surfaces which are smooth, sturdy, corrosion-free, and pleasant. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide an underground emergency shelter system that accomplishes all or some of the above objects in combination. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a prefabricated shelter of a material which is lighter and easier to install than precast concrete. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shelter which can be built into new construction in a manner which permits entry from the interior of the home. In the current invention it is desirable to place the unit below the floor lever for maximum safety and security. 
     It is an object of the preferred embodiment of the invention to provide a lightweight underground emergency shelter system and may be anchored by a house foundation without requiring a separate and elaborate anchoring apparatus. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a prefabricated shelter which can be constructed with materials such as acrylic which is used in conventional tubs and spas, and which can be fabricated by vendors such as tub and spa vendors. It is a further object of the present invention to provide prefabricated units which can be handled without special equipment such as cranes. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a pleasant interior surface in a single unit without requiring an exterior support frame. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a smaller and more affordable emergency shelter which does not require elaborate anchoring. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,166 for a “Tornado underground shelter” issued on Sep. 11, 1990 to Steve M. Qualline and Louis R. Dunnam describes a large, generally spherical tornado shelter with a seat member is attached to the sidewall and floor which forms a structural member that strengthens the globe. The patent describes disadvantages of concrete structures shrinkage, cracking, and becoming saturated with moisture such that the interior is unsuitable for habitation or storage. The shelter provides standing headroom for its occupants. The &#39;166 patent references a second embodiment of incorporating the large spherical structure into the floor of a home with the entrance above the floor level of the home. The patent also references placing the structure under a patio with the stairway extending at least three steps above the top surface of the patio, thereby precluding someone inadvertently falling through the open door thereof. An object of the present invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive prefabricated structure of more practical size that can be incorporated more readily into conventional home designs without increasing the foundation size of home. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a prefabricated storm shelter with a top entrance of approximately 28 inches square is installed below the foundation or floor of a residence. Fabrication of the unit is preferably in a top section and a bottom section with the unit sealed along its side surfaces to prevent moisture intrusion. The unit is typically composed of a material such as acrylic upon a reinforced fiberglass to provide structural integrity and a relatively pleasant interior finish. The shelter is designed to be placed so that the entrance way is at the floor level of first floor of a residential or commercial structure having a concrete slab foundation. Alternately, the unit may be placed so that the hatch is at the floor level of a pier and beam foundation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are set forth below and further made clear by reference to the drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of the shelter. 
     FIG. 2A is an exploded side view of the shelter. 
     FIG. 2B is an exploded side view of the shelter with a vertical extension section. 
     FIG. 3 is a detailed side view of the installation of the shelter in a typical slab foundation. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view with slight separation of the top and bottom shelter sections. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of illustrating the removal of a lid from the molded upper section. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the shelter lid. 
     FIG. 7 is a top view of a latch mechanism. 
     FIG. 8A is a side view of a slab installation. 
     FIG. 8B is a top view of a slab installation. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the shelter is designed for installation below a concrete slab foundation of a residential structure. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 which is a top view of the preferred embodiment, and to FIG. 2, which is a side view of the preferred embodiment, the shelter  10  is approximately 6 feet in width and 6 feet in length and has a height of at least 36 inches. Greater lengths and widths may be used in cases where additional space is required. Greater heights may by used, and a height of 42 inches is an approximate height to permit a relatively convenient crouching or sitting for a temporary stay during an event such as a tornado or thunderstorm. These dimensions are smaller than a typical storm shelter in order to provide a practical and affordable emergency shelter. The dimensions permit the shelter to be installed within the foundation area of a home with low additional excavation costs. In addition to lower installation costs, the smaller dimensions permit the shelter cost to be lower than other types of larger shelters. The shelter is preferably composed of a top section  20  and a bottom section  30 . The top section has a lip  21  which is fastened to the bottom section lip  31  during assembly to create a single unit. The top section contains a hatch  40  which is typically located near a side wall so that a prefabricated step  101  may be used to assist a person in entering and exiting the shelter. The opening of the hatch is preferably at least 28 inches by 28 inches. The hatch includes a riser section  41  that is typically about 5″ above the top of the upper section. This height allows room for a layer of sand and the thickness of a typical concrete slab. 
     The unit is preferably assembled at the factory or dealer, but it can also be assembled on site as described in the alternate embodiment. 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the unit is preferably installed so the top of the hatch is located at the floor level of a slab. The floor  80  is poured level around the hatch  40 . This hatch is typically located in a closet near an exterior wall  90 . The reason for locating the hatch in a closet is for cosmetic purposes. One reason for locating the hatchway near an exterior wall is the ability to vent the unit through an exterior wall. An additional benefit to placing the unit near an exterior wall is to permit easier reference points for placing and aligning the unit within a foundation. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2 which is a cross section of the preferred embodiment, the shelter is preferably fabricated with a vacuum molding process similar to the process for fabricating tubs and spas. The bottom section is preferably fabricated in a female mold where a hot acrylic sheet with a thickness of approximately ⅛″ is placed over the mold, and a vacuum drawn on the mold to form the hot sheet to conform to the bottom section mold. The bottom edges are beveled  32  to avoid sharp comers and edges in order to support this vacuum forming process, to avoid stress points on the completed section, and to provide improved comfort within the shelter. Alternate resin materials may be used including ABS, PVC, polyethylene, and fiberglass reinforced gel coat. 
     The top section is preferably fabricated in a male mold where a hot acrylic sheet is placed over the mold, and a vacuum drawn on the mold to form the hot sheet to conform to the top section mold. The top edges are beveled  22  to avoid sharp corners and edges in order to support this vacuum forming process and to avoid stress points on the completed section. Both the top section and the bottom section can be fabricated in either a male mold or a female mold. 
     The vacuum forming process produces thin shells of the upper and lower shelter sections. These shells are reinforced by applying a fiberglass resin material to a thickness of about ¼″, with additional material provided at stress points. The preferred method of applying the fiberglass reinforcement is to spray a cut fiberglass/resin composition to the back side of the shells. The preferred composition is 18% glass, 1.5% catalyst, and 80.5% resin. Structural coring can be placed within the laminated fiberglass to add structural strength. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5 which is a side view of the top section showing the molded hatchway area, the top hatch is formed as a closed section approximately seven inches above the top of the upper section. In order to form the hatchway  40 , the hatched top is cut approximately two inches below this extension. Hinges  43  are used to mount this cut away section  45  so that it opens by swinging downward into the shelter. In the preferred embodiment, a step is formed on the bottom shell, and the hinges are mounted on the opposite side of the hatch from where the step is located so that the hatch can be fully opened without obstruction. There are several advantages to and inward opening door including resistance to suction and the ability to open the door if debris falls over the door opening. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6 which is a side view of the top section showing the installed hatch lid  45 , the lid is mounted with two hinges  43 . The lid is latched by spring loaded latch bolts  53  which extend into recesses in the hatch opening. The lid is recessed  51  for a diameter of about 4-5″ diameter and 1 to 1.5 inch deep for a handle  52 , which is preferably a garage door-type mechanism. The spring loaded latch bolts  53  are moved into a retracted position when the handle is turned, thereby permitting the hatch to be opened. A lock  54  is typically provided to restrict entry into the shelter. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, the preferred dimensions of the hatch opening is 28 inches by 28 inches. The hatch comers  48  are beveled to permit construction by the vacuum molding process. The top hatch extension is formed with a draft angle of approximately five degrees to permit the top lid section  45  to be removed from the mold. This draft angle causes the hatch to be slightly smaller in dimension than the hatch opening, and a gasket is provided for sealing the hatch. After the vacuum forming process, a foam or wood backing is placed for reinforcement upon the acrylic before the fiberglass application. This reinforcement adds strength to the Hatch lid so that the lid will withstand a static or dynamic load. The reinforcement also provides a depth that permits the handle to be recessed. Similar reinforcement may be placed at other portions of the upper and lower section. 
     The lid is typically placed under a cut away section of carpet with clear markings so that the occupants or residents can locate the shelter in a time of necessity. 
     Referring now to FIG. 8A and 8B, which are side and top views of the preferred installation, ventilation is provided through a vent pipe  60  and through an optional fan  62  which is vented through an external foundation wall  90 . In some embodiments, a battery will be provided which will supply temporary power for ventilation and lighting. The preferred embodiment includes a conduit  64  to route lines to a junction box  63  which contains cable, electrical, and telephone outlets. It is desirable to place rechargeable flashlights and other electrical devices in the shelter, and to have a ground fault interrupt receptacle in the shelter. In the typical installation, conduit is supplied into the chamber so that wiring may be performed to support electricity for television, a telephone line, and a panic button type of signal device. 
     For the preferred shelter dimensions of 6′ by 6′ by 42″ high, the foundation area is excavated to a depth of about 52″ for an area approximately 7.5′ square. The bottom of the excavation is then backfilled with about 5-6 inches of sand  71 . The sides of the excavations are typically 1 to 2 feet wider than the main unit, and the sides are backfilled with a sand and gravel mix  72 . Before the unit is place in the hole, the sand at the bottom of the pit is compacted and leveled. The grade is then taken to determine if sand should be added or removed to achieve the desired height and level of the bottom of the excavation pit. The grade will normally require at least 4 shots to determine consistency of the reading in order to verify that the bottom is level. Once the proper level and height have been obtained, the unit can be lowered into place. The preferred shelter dimensions result in a unit weight of about 300 to 350 pounds, and the unit can be positioned by 4 workmen without special equipment. After the unit is set, it is once again checked for level, and for the height of the hatch. Once the level is correct, the side fill is poured into place and compacted, and a layer of sand  71  up to ½″ in thickness is placed on top of the unit. This top layer of sand permits the concrete slab to move freely. The slab is reinforced per standard design with reinforcement rods or cables. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, the preferred method of attaching the upper and lower sections is to bolt the sections together with stainless steel bolts and nuts at a spacing of approximately a spacing approximately 18 inches apart. At least one bead of silicon caulk is placed upon the lower section lip prior to assembly. The preferred assembly technique is to temporarily clamp the sections together while drilling at least one hole on each side of the unit. After the bolts are installed in each hole, then the temporary clamps may be removed, and the remaining holes may be drilled. 
     When used as a storm shelter, the occupants of a residence or other structure will move to the shelter hatch, open the lid by rotating the handle 90 degrees, and climb into the shelter. A step integral to the lower section of the shelter is used during ingress and egress. The occupants move away from the hatch area to permit additional persons to enter. Some shelters may be equipped with power ventilation and emergency power for monitoring radio or television for weather updates, and a telephone. After the last person has entered the shelter, the lid may be closed and secured by rotating the handle 90 degrees or pushing up on the lid until the spring loaded latches snap into place. 
     After danger has passed, the occupants open the lid by rotating the handle 90 degrees and exit the chamber. 
     The unit may be used as a storm shelter for tornado, hurricanes, and other severe weather; a security shelter; as an isolation chamber; as a storage compartment with relatively constant temperature; as an earthquake shelter; and as a mobile home type shelter. 
     ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT—SECURITY SHELTER 
     The unit may also serve as a temporary security shelter. In some installations, the presence of the unit may not be noticed by intruders to a home. Occupants may seek short periods of safety in the shelter by locking the door from the inside of the shelter. In some installations, a telephone will be available inside the shelter, and the phone can be used to call for assistance. A panic button may also be provided to permit an audible alarm to be activated from within the shelter. 
     ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT—STORAGE 
     The unit may also serve partially as a storage unit for occasionally used items or for items such as wine that may require a relatively constant, cool temperature. 
     ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT—VERTICAL EXTENSION 
     Referring now to FIG. 2B, in cases were additional head room is desired, one or more vertical extension sections  102  may be provided. Each extension will typically be about 18″ high with a lip on the top and bottom which will mate with the lips on the upper and lower sections.