Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/706,451, filed Feb. 15, 2007, which in turn claims priority from U.S. provisional application Nos. 60/775,764 filed Feb. 15, 2006 and No. 60/775,405 filed Feb. 17, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a modular enclosure for providing a water-tight, controlled environment to work surfaces.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     For years, the weather has presented problems while working on outdoor surfaces. One example of this is when resurfacing or repairing ship decks. The weather causes problems that include, but are not limited to, oxidation, improper curing of the coating, and damage to a recently worked area.  
         [0004]     The prior art shows the use of enclosures to prevent the above weather-related problems. Some of the enclosures include tents attached to the surface of the work surface. Unfortunately, the known tents do not provide a weather-tight, controlled environment to the work surface and in many occasions, the work surface was damaged by the humidity without the application of sealants. The application of sealants creates unnecessary removal of said sealants which must be removed by manual or mechanical means from the perimeter seal area.  
         [0005]     In view of the disadvantages shown by the tents of the prior art, it was necessary to find a way of sealing the tent to the structure or work surface. The prior art shows in some embodiments the use of the tent in combination with a perimeter frame that require semi-fluid rubber or expandable foams or similar sealants to complete a water intrusion preventive means. Unfortunately, the use of semi-fluid rubber or other sealants requires the application of the fluid or other sealants to the perimeter base frame or structure surface under or adjacent to the base frame which is not semi flexible or to the work surface of the work area and also the removal of the semi-fluid rubber after the work is completed. The use of semi-fluid rubber or other foam or similar seals is messy, labor demanding (set up and removal of the semi-fluid rubber from the work surface), expensive, and cannot be reused. Furthermore, the fluid rubber contains ingredients that may damage the surface of the work area and must be mechanically removed from the surface. The removal of such may delay work progress.  
         [0006]     There is a necessity of providing a weather-tight, controlled environment to work surfaces that is simple to handle, non-messy, economical, reusable, and easy to set up and remove from the work area.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In one embodiment, a device for removably holding a structure to a work surface is disclosed including a base frame member, a first side of which interfaces with the structure and the second side of which has a water-tight base seal attached. At least one vacuum cell is formed in the water-tight base seal and each vacuum cell has at least one inlet port connected to a vacuum conduit for evacuating the at least one vacuum cell.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, a method of removably holding a structure to a work surface is disclosed including providing a device for holding the structure to the work surface with a base frame member, a first side of which interfaces with the structure and a water-tight base seal is attached to the second side. At least one vacuum cell is formed in the water-tight base seal and has at least one inlet port interfaced to each vacuum cell with a vacuum conduit interfaced to the inlet ports for evacuating the at least one vacuum cell. The structure is secured to the device for holding the structure to the work surface. The device for holding the structure onto the work surface is placed on the work surface and the at least one vacuum cell is evacuated through the at least one inlet port, thereby holding the structure to the work surface and providing a water-tight seal.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, a device for holding a structure to a work surface is disclosed including an apparatus for vacuum securing the structure to the work surface, the apparatus having an upper side and a lower side, the upper side interfaces with the structure. A water-tight vacuum seal is attached to the lower side of the apparatus forming at least one vacuum cell. A source of a vacuum is connected to each vacuum cell.  
         [0010]     An object of the present invention is to provide a water-tight, controlled environment to work surfaces.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a water-tight, controlled environment to work surfaces that is simple to handle, economical, and reusable.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a water-tight, controlled environment to work surfaces that is easy to set up and remove from the work area.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a water-tight, controlled environment to work surfaces that includes a seal that is chemically resistant.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a water-tight, controlled environment to work surfaces that leaves no residue from sealants.  
         [0015]     The present invention relates to a modular mobile or custom static enclosure for providing a water-tight, controlled environment for a work area. An enclosure using the disclosed water-tight mechanism of the present invention can be used on any hard surface, including surfaces such as decks, concrete, skip hulls, rough surfaces, and the like.  
         [0016]     In the present invention the work area will be described using, as an example, a ship deck. It is very important to point out that the present invention is not limited to the use of a ship deck as a work area. The present invention may be used with any work area that requires a water-tight, controlled environment.  
         [0017]     The present invention provides a continuous water-tight seal around the surface on which it is used. The interior of the work area can be climate-controlled with the use of dehumidification, air conditioning, any other desired means, or a combination thereof.  
         [0018]     The base rail of the present invention is semi-flexible and can conform to moderate variations of the surface on which it is installed. It also conforms to larger variations by custom cutting or forming sections of the seal with rigid or semi rigid components to aid in conforming to said larger variations or obstructions. Configurations of base frame bottom seals with vacuum cells provide a water tight seal on a work or structure surface where larger variation or obstruction or any non-moderate variations exist. The base frame with vacuum cells and vacuum seal is installed without permanently affixing it to the work surface. The custom seal section is inserted under the vacuum pliable seal to provide for a water-tight seal. In some embodiments, the enclosure resting upon the base frame has a modular interior base frame bracing and/or tension cable for strengthening the vertical enclosure upright frames and/or the roof trusses. In some embodiments, the enclosure is installed in modular sections and is affixed to the base frame to prevent racking of the enclosure while being moved or relocated. In addition, in some embodiments, the upright frames and roof trusses are designed to support the enclosure without any interior bracing or cable.  
         [0019]     In another embodiment of the present invention interior modular strengthening frames are provided. Thus, when work is required within the enclosure, the frame is up-pined, up-bolted, released by means of binders or any applicable means know to those skilled in the art, or by means of cables, ropes or similar means. In some embodiments, the enclosure is lifted into the overhead and secured to prevent interfering with the work area surface. In embodiments where the enclosure is required to be relocated, the bracing is unsecured, lowered and affixed to the base frame. In these embodiments, the base bracing is removed in modular components and removed from the enclosure, providing an unobstructed work area.  
         [0020]     In addition, some embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of work that are performed within the enclosure. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a pre-manufactured tent.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a plan view of the perimeter base frame seal and the movable interior rack preventing base bracing along with wheel positions.  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of the base frame seal and wheel assembly.  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows an elevation view of a vertical tent truss and one embodiment of displacing the interior base rack preventing base bracing.  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  shows the underside of the perimeter base frame and vacuum seal chambers.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  shows a close-up view of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows the vacuum conduit for the vacuum seal.  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  shows a close-up, detailed view of the primary embodiment of the vacuum conduit and valve system.  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  shows the wheel assembly.  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  shows the tent vertical truss and the connection means to the truss.  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  shows another embodiment of a wheel assembly and connecting means to the base frame and vertical truss.  
         [0033]      FIG. 12  shows a tension cable securing means during high winds.  
         [0034]      FIG. 13  shows a pad eye cover.  
         [0035]      FIG. 14  shows a cross-section of the pad eye and the pad eye cover. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. The term water-tight seal refers to the ability of the seal to reduce or prevent penetration by standing water, water vapor, high water, driven water and the like. This term is not absolute, in that, under certain circumstances, water is capable of penetrating the seal. Such circumstances are related to the pressure exerted by the water and to the surface on which the water-tight seal is installed.  
         [0037]     The disclosures in this application can be designed, implemented, combined or installed in all or in part to this inventor&#39;s patent applications, including the application entitled “Comprehensive Surface Treatment Methods and Emissions Control” filed Mar. 8, 2006; the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0038]      FIG. 1  shows a typical structure  1 / 4  such as a pre-manufactured tent frame  1 / 4  covered with a sheet material forming an enclosure having a weather-tight, climate-controlled atmosphere. Prior to the present invention, a method of securing the structure  1 / 4  to a flat or semi-flat surface such as a ship deck used tie-down cables  3 .  
         [0039]     The enclosure and the vacuum seal base frame  6  (see  FIG. 5 ), according to the present invention, may be produced of any material, size, or shape. A sheet material covering (not shown) may be of any desired material that can be installed or applied in an applicable manner known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the enclosure includes interior lighting.  
         [0040]     In some embodiments of the enclosure system, two or more enclosures are positioned as gable-end to gable-end at a distance equal to the spacing of the truss  30  and additional proper fitting sheet material is installed to cover the void. In some embodiments of the enclosure system, appendages or extensions of the enclosure are fabricated for the purpose of adjoining to a side wall of the enclosure and extending to provide additional work areas.  
         [0041]     Environmental controlled enclosure embodiments of the present invention include a vacuum sealed base frame. The vacuum sealed base frames, at either adjoining end, are removable to provide an un-obstructed work area throughout the complete interior area.  
         [0042]     In some embodiments, the enclosure includes wheels for moving the enclosure to the desired location.  
         [0043]     In some embodiments, the enclosure is custom-designed and built to fit for the purpose required and the frame work is designed to strengthen the enclosure to prevent racking of the enclosure while it is being relocated to the next desired location.  
         [0044]     In some embodiments, an interior modular frame prevents racking.  
         [0045]      FIG. 2  shows the interior strengthening frame work  5 , which is detachably affixed to the perimeter base frame  6 , and has a seal as shown in  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments of this invention, the interior frame  5  has wheels  7  at all vertical support columns. In some embodiments, these wheel assemblies in all, or in part, either swivel or are adjustable in any desired position to direct the path in which the enclosure is to be moved. Any type of wheel assemblies known by a person skilled in the art is anticipated. In some embodiments, the wheel assemblies include a calibration disk at the top of the axle shaft.  
         [0046]     In some embodiments, the interior frame  5  includes additional strengthening cables  8  and  9 . Cables  8  are detachable from the base frame  6  in each end. Cables  9  are capable of being slackened or left tightened so the interior frame  5 , cables  8  and  9  and wheel assemblies  7  will detach from the frame  6  and elevate into the overhead thereby providing an unobstructed work area.  
         [0047]     Cables  9  include turnbuckles, ratchets, or any means known for tightening/loosening to those skilled in the art. The interior base strengthening members  5  or struts are dropped into sockets, custom designed holders, bolted, pins or detachably installed by any means known to those skilled in the art as well.  
         [0048]      FIG. 3  shows the base framing struts or strengthening framing  5  detachably affixed to the vertical truss  9  at the perimeter seal base frame  6 . In the preferred embodiment, strut  37  has a hinge  10  and the wheel assemblies  7   a  are installed to the swing away frame  11 ; so that when the interior detachable framing is elevated into the overhead as wheel assembly  12 , the wheel assemblies  7   a / 7   b  are pivoted back flush with strut  37  as shown at  11   a  to clear vertical upright  9 . The securing device  12  is a securing slot, hanger device (not shown), or any other means of securing the strut  5   a . The base frame  6  and seal are discussed later. The hinged swing away frame  11  is shown moved to the upper storage position with wheel assemblies  7   b  or  7   c . In some embodiments, the frame  11   a  is pivotal back against the brace or strut  37 .  
         [0049]     The modular interior frame means permits the entire interior of the enclosure to be free from any wheel assemblies and or supporting structures of said wheel assemblies.  
         [0050]     In one embodiment the wheel assembly  7  are fabricated inline with perimeter base frame  6  as shown in  FIG. 4 . In such, the wheels remain in position and the seal is formed or positioned around the wheels to complete the continuous seal. The adjacent vacuum cells draw down said seals around the wheels. The wheel assemblies are detachable affixed to vertical upright stanchions at  9   a  or  9   b . However, in the some embodiments, the wheel  7   a  is attached to the frame  11 . In some embodiments, two or more wheel assemblies have a lock-in direction  13  by means of a pivoting shaft  13   a  and have an optional dial gauged directional indicator, set in the desired direction and then locked in the desired position by set screws or any means known to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the shaft  13   a  has a directional indicator  14 , in which the shaft includes a means of locking into position and set and locked into the desired direction that the enclosure is to move and thereby guides the enclosure as it is pulled, pushed or motor-driven (not shown) to the next position.  
         [0051]     As indicated before, in some embodiments, two or more wheels are locking directional wheels. Any remaining wheel assemblies swivel by means of a vertical shaft penetrating or affixed by any known means to the base perimeter base frame  6  interior brace framing or struts  37  or the interior strengthening frame work. The directional wheel assemblies are rotated by any means known to those skilled in the art. The interior struts or frame work  5  is elevated after the enclosure is in position for work to be performed. The frame  5  is elevated in the preferred embodiment by means of a cable  16  or any known means affixed to the said frame by means of a winch  15  that may be located at  15  or  15   a . The frame  5  is detached by means of pins, bolts lifting out of receiving and stabilizing slots not shown.  
         [0052]      FIG. 4  depicts a plan view of a wheel assembly  7   a  positioned inline with the base frame  6  with the interior frame  5  detachably affixed to said wheel assembly. The wheel assembly  7   a  pivots or is directionally secured in the desired direction that the enclosure is required to move. The wheel assemblies that are required to provide the desired direction to move the enclosure are installed in any two or more wheel assembly locations.  
         [0053]      FIG. 5  shows the underside of base frame  6  and shows the water-tight seal  18  with vacuum seal cells  17 . The frame  6  is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as aluminum, plastic, steel or iron; enabling conformation to uneven work surfaces. The water-tight seal  18  is made from a soft, pliable material that conforms to lesser deviations in the work surfaces, thereby sealing the vacuum ports  17  and providing a water-tight seal to the overall base frame  6 . The water-tight seal  18  is made from a soft, pliable material such as neoprene, rubber and foam rubber.  
         [0054]      FIG. 6  is a close-up view of one vacuum port  17 . The vacuum inlet  19  is affixed to a vacuum conduit and valves (see  FIG. 8 ). When the frame  6  is placed on the work surfaces, such as a ship deck, a vacuum pump, not shown, draws air through vacuum inlet port  19  and thereby pulling the seal firmly to the work surface and creating a water-tight seal.  
         [0055]     Any configuration of vacuum cells is anticipated. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum cells are separated by dividers  20  so that each cell operates independently by its associated vacuum inlet port and valves. With such, if one or more seal cells fail or are positioned over an obstacle such as a pad eye on an aircraft carrier deck causing that vacuum cell  17  to lose vacuum, the adjacent cells will still maintain a satisfactory vacuum to secure the enclosure to the said surface. The vacuum is capable of securing the enclosure to the said surface in winds or bad weather conditions. The base frame sections  6  are, in the preferred embodiment, made of aluminum that is semi-flexible to conform to variable deviations in the work surfaces by bending of the base frame sections  6  and the strength of the vacuum pulling the base frame  6  tight to the said surface. In other embodiments, the base frame  6  is made of plastics, alloys or any material that conforms to such deviation in said surfaces.  
         [0056]     The base frame  6  is used in any configuration and on any applicable surface, such as ship decks with rough, non-skid coating, on ship hulls, on superstructures and in combination with one or more other vacuum seal means, any number, shape, size and characteristics of vacuum cells within any size, shape or configuration or combination of frame rails. In some embodiments, the base frame  6  has wheels. The base frame  6  is formed in any dimension, orientation, length, etc., to match any applicable enclosure. The enclosure is held in any desired formation, location, or aided in same by means of any applicable configuration, combination of brackets, tie backs, tension cable, or any means know to those skilled in the art.  
         [0057]     Multiple vacuum base frames  6  form a continuous water-tight seal along its length/width placement. Each is individually operated (locked or free) or delivered different vacuum pressures, to provide a frame and pliable seal. In some embodiments, a pliable seal (not shown) is custom-cut to install on the underside of the existing water-tight seal  18  to form a complete seal that fills large deviations in a surface. The base frame  6  conforms to deviations in a deck or similar surface without the use or any semi-liquid, liquid foam or any similar sealants.  
         [0058]     In some embodiments, the vacuum base frames are made from durable plastics with hinged sections and are semi-flexible or formed in any shape dimensions, configuration, or length. The base frames are configurable to be affixed to a frame of any applicable enclosure. The enclosure and covering is affixed to the frame rail  6  by clamps, tension cables, or any means known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0059]     Any number of base frames  6  are affixed to an enclosure frame, tension cables, or an enclosure that is air supported or by any means known to those skilled in the art, thereby enabling work to be performed or weather prevention to be performed within, can withstand strong winds without harm by means of the vacuum created and only requires to take up its own foot print without the need for guy cables, etc.  
         [0060]     In some embodiments, the sheet material that makes up the enclosure can be removed from the roof trussed by means of the uprights and truss components from manufactures. The sheet material is erected and stricken by means of channels formed in the roof trusses so that the edges of the sheet material is designed to slide in and out or the channels, and the side sheets may simply be slid off the vertical uprights by means of the design.  
         [0061]     In alternate embodiments, the base frame  6  has a vacuum seal (vacuum port  17 ) on one or more edges, sides, upper and lower edges, or any required configuration, to prevent water intrusion from those directions. In some embodiments, each vacuum cell is configured with a valve as known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0062]     The present invention utilizes internal framing, bracing, cabling, or any means that stabilizes the enclosure and the vacuum base frame rail. The water-tight seal  18  is made from any pliable material. If the water-tight seal  18  fails, replacement is performed by means of inserting the frame rail with the water-tight seal  18  affixed through a jig with a hot wire to cut off the failed water-tight seal  18  and a new water-tight seal  18  is affixed. Alternately, the water tight seal  18  is cut off by a custom made knife that, in some embodiments, is heated.  
         [0063]     The water-tight seal  18  is affixed to the base frame  6  by means of fasteners, glues or any mean known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0064]     In some embodiment the base frames  6  are made in  20  foot lengths, but there is no restriction on the length or width of the base frames  6 . In some embodiments, the base frames  6  are attachable or affixed between each vertical upright stanchion and truss  9 .  
         [0065]     The water-tight seal  18  is made of any suitable material such as rubber, foam rubber, neoprene, nylon, etc. The water-tight seal  18  is made of any desired thickness and of a material having the to conform to the surface to which it is applied.  
         [0066]     The water-tight seal  18  is replaceable by means of cutting it from the base frame  6  with a hot blade, fitted into slots, or by any means known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0067]      FIG. 7  shows a top view of one base frame section  6 . In this embodiment, the base frame  6  is a channel iron that provides room and protection of the vacuum conduit  22  (see  FIG. 8 ) and valve assemblies during operation of the enclosure and shipping. During shipment, the base frames  6  are stacked seal-to-seal and top edge of the channel in an alternating position and bolted to brackets (not shown) in groups for shipping.  
         [0068]     The base frame  6  is made of any rigid or semi-flexible material and in any applicable form. The present invention uses, in the preferred embodiment, a channel of any alloy or applicable material. The flanges or upright sides  35  of the channel permit protection of the valve assemblies.  
         [0069]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum conduits of each base frame  6  are connected one to another in series so the vacuum can be drawn from one or more locations and that each base frame  18  can communicate with one another by means of quick disconnects, detachably affixed conduit connectors or any means known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0070]      FIG. 8  is a close-up view of the vacuum conduit and valve system. Each base rail  6  has a main vacuum conduit line  22  which runs substantially the length of the base rail  6  and is connected to other base rails  6  by means of hoses or conduit (not shown) and to one or more vacuum pumps (not shown). The vacuum pumps are of any type known in the art, such as bubble stage rapid draw vacuum pump or pumps that create a rapid initial seal or a high pressure vacuum pump or pumps to pull the maximum vacuum compressing the seal to the work surface and will draw the seal into irregularities in the work surface. Some work surfaces have rough non-skid textures such as a ship flight deck, concrete and asphalt.  
         [0071]     In the preferred embodiment, a t-adapter  29  in the main vacuum line  22  connects to a valve assembly that connects with a vacuum cell or chamber  17  through a vacuum inlet port  19  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Each vacuum cell  17  is independently controlled by an optional valve  25 , an optional check valve  26  and an optional release valve  28 . The one-way check valve  26  prevents a vacuum leak should the vacuum pump or another vacuum cell  17  fail. Air is sucked in through the valve  25 , through the check valve  26  and in through the vacuum inlet port  19 . In some embodiments, a release valve  28  is provided to release the vacuum and is useful in situations where the base frames  6  needs to be relocated. The check valve  26  is an additional safety precaution to prevent the loss of vacuum in the main vacuum line  22  should there be a breach in the base seal  18  at that particular vacuum cell  17 . If a breach occurs in one or more particular vacuum cells  17 , all other vacuum cells  17  will still function by means closing control valve  25  for the failed vacuum cell  17 .  
         [0072]     When the seal is no longer required as in when the base frame  6  is to be moved, the vacuum needs to be releases to releasing the seal from the work surface as for the purpose of relocation of the enclosure. In this case, the release valve  28  is opened releasing the vacuum from the vacuum inlet port  19 . If vacuum is still needed in the main line  22 , the control valve  25  is closed. Control valve  25  is opened to allow for a vacuum to be created in its associated vacuum cell and closed when a water-tight seal fails or leaks, thereby preventing water or air from being drawn into the main line  22 .  
         [0073]      FIG. 9  shows one embodiment of an optional wheel assembly  11  that enables the enclosure to be lifted from the work surface. The wheel housing assembly  7  is connected to base rail frame  6 . A hydraulic jack  30  is coupled at one end to the wheels  45  and at the other end to the jack frame  24 . The hydraulic jack  30  is shown in the extended position, lifting the base rail  6  off the work surface. The ram  31  is hydraulically forced against the top of the jack frame  24 , and the base of the jack forced against the movable plate  33 , thereby pressing down on the wheel  45 . A fluid system (not shown) controls the hydraulic jack  30  and is coupled to the hydraulic jack  30  by hydraulic tubing  29 . The wheel lifting system of  FIG. 9  is an example and any jack, screw or other means known to those skilled in the art for lifting the base frame  6  and hence, the enclosure, is anticipated.  
         [0074]      FIG. 10  is an elevated view of a typical vertical upright stanchion  9 , which is detachably affixed to wheel assembly  11 . A securing receiver  36  is detachably affixed to base plate  37  that connects upright stanchion  9  to base rail  6 . In this example, base rails  6  are adjoining in contact with each other, end to end; thereby providing a seal  17  that is continuous, preventing water intrusion around the entire perimeter of the base frame  6 . Receiver  36  secures interior base framing  5  when the enclosure is in the movable mode (raised up on wheels  45 ).  
         [0075]      FIG. 11  shows an alternate embodiment with the pivoting wheel assembly  11  with wheel  7   a  which is, in turn, connected to the upright stanchion  9 . A female receiver  36  on the base frame connector  37  accepts the male receiver  26   a  on wheel assembly.  
         [0076]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of a means for securing or stabilizing the enclosure  1  to the deck of a ship or other work surface. Tension cable  38 / 39  is adjustably and detachably secured to pad eyes  40  or any placement of anchor installations by any means known to those skilled in the art. The enclosure  1  is moved along the tension cable  38 / 39  by means of snatch blocks  41  or any means known to those skilled in the art, for example, a ratchet system. In some embodiments (not shown), one end of the tension cable  38 / 39  is relocated to a distal set of pad eyes  40  to facilitate the non-linear movement of the enclosure  1 . Once the tension cable  38 / 39  is affixed to the distal set of pad eyes  40 , the tension cable  38 / 39  is tightened to shift the enclosure  1  to align with the new set of pad eyes  40 , then the enclosure  1  is pulled along the tension cable  38 / 39 .  
         [0077]     In some embodiments, the interior base structural framing is retractable into the overhead. In some embodiments, any required interior frame bracing is installed at the turn of the vertical upright stanchions and the trusses.  
         [0078]      FIG. 13  shows a disk  300  for sealing over a pad eye  400  on a flight deck of a ship. An aircraft carrier deck has thousands of pad eyes  400  that are approximately 5 inches in diameter. When the perimeter base frame  6  with its water-tight seal  18  is positioned over one or more pad eyes  400 , the vacuum will not function properly. To seal the pad eye  400 , a thin metal disk  100  with a rubber seal  200  affixed on a bottom surface is placed over the pad eye  400  creating a water-tight seal. The vacuum press down on the disk  100  and forms a seal over the pad eye  400  preventing loss of vacuum in the vacuum cells  17  situated over the pad eye  400 , thereby preventing water intrusion. In some embodiments, the disk  100  is reinforced with ribs  300 .  
         [0079]      FIG. 14  shows a cross-section showing the cupped form of the pad eye  400 . The disk  200  reduces water or air leakage into the enclosure or into the vacuum securing means. When an enclosure base frame  6  is positioned over or partially over a pad eyes  400 , the downward force of the enclosure  1  with stanchions  9  will assert pressure on the disk  100  forming a seal over the pad eye by means of a perimeter rubber seal  200  that forms the seal at the perimeter of the pad eye and the deck  110 . The rubber seal conforms to the peaks and valleys of the deck coating  70 .  
         [0080]     In some embodiments of the present invention, the enclosure includes clean room.  
         [0081]     In some embodiments of the present invention, additional means are deployed to secure and hold the base frame  6  to the work surface, assisting in preventing the base frame  6  from moving or sliding on the work surface. Examples of such are brackets, tension cables, and/or any other fastening means known by a person skilled in the art.  
         [0082]     In some embodiments, the enclosure comprises doors, windows, or any other means to allow a person to get in and out of the enclosure. One or more base frames  6  may be readily removed by means of unbolting, un-pining, or by any known means to enable heavy equipment for work inside of the enclosure to be performed.  
         [0083]     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.  
         [0084]     It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Technology Category: 7