Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/834,962 entitled “Storm Shelters and Methods,” filed Jun. 14, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A storm shelter is often used at a residence to protect occupants in the storm shelter from the dangers of severe weather, including storms exhibiting strong, violent winds and/or tornadic activity. In storms exhibiting strong, violent winds and/or tornadic activity, debris that is thrown about is dangerous, and sometimes deadly, and storm shelters are configured to protect individuals from the debris. 
         [0003]    Most storm shelters are installed near the residence, and most are installed underground. A typical storm shelter has a hatch that enables individuals to enter the storm shelter prior to the storm and exit the storm shelter once the dangers associated with the storm have passed. 
         [0004]    During a storm, debris that has been thrown about by the winds may land on the hatch that allows egress from the safety of the storm shelter. In light of this, some storm shelters have angled hatches that allow debris to be blown such that it does not block the occupants&#39; ability to open the hatch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an exemplary storm shelter in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  is a cutaway side view of the storm shelter depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the storm shelter depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an exemplary hatch depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view of a coupler depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a cutaway end view of the storm shelter in  FIG. 1  showing an exemplary hatch end of the storm shelter. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a cutaway top view of the storm shelter depicted in  FIG. 1  when a slidable door is opened for entering. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a latch for a slidable door of the storm shelter depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of a ratchet stop of the storm shelter depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 8B  is a side view of the ratchet stop depicted in  FIG. 8A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8C  is another side view of the ratchet stop depicted in  FIG. 8C . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a hydraulic cylinder of the storm shelter depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a latch of the storm shelter depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to storm shelters. A storm shelter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to allow efficient entrance into and exit from the safety of an interior cavity of the storm shelter. The storm shelter comprises a hydraulic lift system that is configured to actuate a hatch once a storm has passed so that occupants in the storm shelter can exit easily if there is debris covering the hatch that would otherwise not allow the occupants to exit via a manually actuated hatch. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a storm shelter  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The storm shelter  10  comprises a housing  11 , a sliding door  60 , and a hatch  12 . 
         [0021]    The housing  11  comprises four side walls  56 - 59  and a floor  63  ( FIG. 1B ). The exemplary housing  11  depicted in  FIG. 1A  is a rectangular prism. However, other shapes are possible in other embodiments. For example, the housing  11  may be, for example, a spherical housing or a cubical housing. Note that the exemplary housing  11  comprises the four side walls  56 - 59 ; however, in the embodiment wherein the housing is spherical, there is one contiguous side wall. Thus, in accordance with the disclosure, there may be only one side wall. In this regard, the shape of the housing  11  is for exemplary purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the housing  11  is made of 11-gague steel. However, other materials and thicknesses may be used in other embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0023]    Note that the housing  11  protects an interior chamber  40 , which is described further herein. In this regard, an occupant may enter the interior cavity  40  through the sliding door  60  and exit from the interior chamber  40  through either the hatch  12  or the sliding door  60 . 
         [0024]    Note that  FIG. 1A  shows the hatch  12  and the sliding door  50  in open positions. However, when in use the occupants close the sliding door  60  and the hatch  12  to closed positions, which is shown in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0025]    In this regard, the hatch  12  and the sliding door  60  protect the interior cavity  40  by covering an opening  66  of the storm shelter  11 . The hatch  12  covers a portion of an opening  66  to the interior cavity  40 , and the sliding door  60  covers another separate portion of the opening  66 . In one embodiment, the sliding door  60  and the hatch  12  may overlap at side centers of the storm shelter  11 . 
         [0026]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A , the hatch  12  covers roughly half of the opening  66 , and the sliding door  60  covers the other half of the opening  66 . Note that in other embodiments of the disclosure the hatch  12  may cover a greater or lesser portion of the opening  66 , and the sliding door  60  may cover a lesser or greater portion, respectively, of the opening  66 . For example, the hatch  12  may cover roughly three-quarters of the opening  66 , while the sliding door  60  may cover one-quarter of the opening  66 . 
         [0027]    Notably, the hatch  12  and sliding door  60  operate independently from one another. In this regard, the hatch  12  is pivotally and liftably coupled to the housing  11 , and can be opened when the sliding door  60  is closed. Also, when the hatch  12  is in a closed position, the sliding door  60  can be opened. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, a coupled end  15  of the hatch  12  is hingedly and/or rotatably coupled to side centers of a frame  16  of the housing  11 . Furthermore, a free end  17  of the hatch  12  is pivotally coupled to two ends of pistons  13 ,  14 , which is described further herein. The pistons  13 ,  14  are further coupled at an opposing end to respective hydraulic cylinders  42 ,  43 , and the hydraulic cylinders  42 ,  43  are coupled to the interior cavity  40  of the storm shelter  11 , which is described further herein. 
         [0029]    The sliding door  60  is slidably coupled to the frame  16 , which is described further herein. In this regard, the sliding door  60  may be slidably moved in a +/−z direction as indicated by reference arrow  67 . When the sliding door  60  is in a closed position, a latching bar  71  releasably couples the sliding door  60  to the frame  16 . 
         [0030]    During operation or use, an individual(s) (not shown) enters the interior cavity  40  of the housing  11  via the opening  66 . In this regard, the individual may slide the sliding door  60  in the −z direction exposing a portion of the opening  66  and creating an ingress. 
         [0031]    Once the individual is situated in the interior cavity  40 , the individual slides the sliding door  60  in the +z direction to cover the portion of the opening exposed. Further, the individual couples the sliding door  60  closed via a latching bar  71 . Note that while  FIG. 1A  depicts the hatch  12  and sliding door  60  in open positions, during use when there is still risk of injury, the hatch  12  and the sliding door  60  are in closed positions and latched.  FIG. 1B  depict the hatch  12  and the sliding door  60  in closed positions. 
         [0032]    Once the risk of injury has passed, the individual within the interior cavity  40  can exit the through the opening  66  of the interior cavity  40  of the storm shelter  10  by opening the sliding door  60 . In this regard, from within the interior cavity, the individual slides the sliding door  60  in the −z direction and exits the storm shelter  11 . 
         [0033]    Notably, however, if debris (not shown) has fallen and is resting on top of the storm shelter  10 , it may be difficult, if not impossible, for individuals to actuate the sliding door  60 . Thus, the individual may also exit the interior cavity  40  through the portion of the opening  66  covered by the hatch  12 . In this regard, the individual actuates the hydraulic cylinders  43 ,  43 . The hydraulic cylinders  42 ,  43  operate to lift the hatch  12  by actuating the pistons  13 ,  14  that are coupled to the hatch  12 . The hatch  12  lifts and pivots about the side centers to which the hatch  12  is coupled. Once the pistons  13 ,  14  operate to lift the hatch  12 , the individual within the interior cavity  40  may exit via the portion of the opening  66  covered by the hatch  12 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 1B  is a side cutaway view of the storm shelter  10  depicted in  FIG. 1A  when the storm shelter  10  is installed. The storm shelter  10  shown in  FIG. 1B  is installed within ground  52  such that the storm shelter  10  is flush with a top surface  53  of the ground  52 . 
         [0035]    As described hereinabove, the individual enters the interior cavity  40  through the opening  66  by sliding the sliding door  60  thereby creating an entrance into the interior cavity  40 . The individual proceeds to the floor  63  of the storm shelter  10  by traversing downward a set of stairs  65 . Once the individual has closed the sliding door  60  and advanced to the floor  63 , the individual may sit on one or more benches  50 ,  51 . 
         [0036]    Note that in  FIG. 1B  the bench  50  is shown as extending adjacent side wall  59 , and the bench  51  is shown as extending adjacent side wall  58 . However, additional or fewer benches may be installed in other areas of the storm shelter  10  in other embodiments. For example, as will be described further herein, there may also be a bench extending adjacent side wall  57  ( FIG. 1A ). 
         [0037]    Note that  FIG. 1B  shows hydraulic cylinder  43  coupled to the piston  14 . Further, the hydraulic cylinder  43  is coupled to the side wall  58 . Note that while  FIG. 1B  does not specifically show hydraulic cylinder  42  ( FIG. 1A ) coupled to the piston  13 , the hydraulic cylinder  42  is also coupled to the side wall  58 . 
         [0038]    As noted hereinabove,  FIG. 1B  shows the hatch  12  and the sliding door  60  in closed positions. In this regard, the free end  17  is completely flush with a top edge of the frame  16 . Further, the sliding door  60  is closed such that the opening  66  is completely covered. 
         [0039]    The storm shelter  10  further comprises a set of bearings  62 . The sliding door  60  rests on the bearings  62 . The bearings  62  interface with a bottom surface of the sliding door  60  and effectuate the sliding movement of the sliding door  60 , as described with reference to  FIG. 1A . 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional cutaway view a hatch end of the storm shelter  10 . Note that the “hatch end” means that end of the storm shelter  10  that is covered by the hatch  12 . In  FIG. 2 , the hatch  12  is shown in the open position. 
         [0041]    As noted hereinabove, the free end  17  ( FIG. 1A ) of the hatch  12  angularly opens through rotation of the coupled end  15  (FIG. A) tilting upward from the housing  11  via actuation of the pistons  13 ,  14  by the hydraulic cylinders  42 ,  43 . When the hatch  12  is fully lifted, i.e., the pistons  13 ,  14  fully actuated, occupants within the interior cavity  40  of the housing  11  may exit the storm shelter  10 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of the free end  17  of the hatch  12 . As described hereinabove, the pistons  13 ,  14  are coupled to the free end  17  of the hatch  12 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the pistons  13 ,  14  are rotatably coupled to the hatch via couplers  20 ,  21 , respectively. Coupler  21  is described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 4 ; however, the couplers  20 ,  21  are substantially similar. 
         [0043]    With respect to  FIG. 3 , note that the housing  11 , including the hatch  12 , may comprise a plurality of openings  25  that enable air to enter the interior cavity  40  ( FIG. 1A ) of the storm shelter  10  when the hatch  12  and sliding door  60  ( FIG. 1A ) are closed. Further note that a vent cover  26  may be installed over the openings  25  to ensure that debris does not enter the interior cavity during hazardous conditions. 
         [0044]    Further, the housing  11  ( FIG. 1A ) may have other openings on other portions. When such openings are provided, other vents may also be used to interface with the other openings so as to prevent debris from undesirably entering the interior cavity of the storm shelter  10 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4  depicts a detailed cutaway view of one of the couplers  20 . With respect to  FIG. 4 , the piston  14  terminates with a forked connector  23 . In this regard, the piston  14  is either integral with or connected to the forked connector  23 . The forked connector  23  comprises two legs  30 ,  31 . Each of the legs  30 ,  31  comprises a bore (not shown). A base member  22  of the coupler  20  is fixedly coupled to an inside surface  33  of the hatch  12 . 
         [0046]    The coupler  20  further comprises a cylindrical rod  24  that is fixedly received via a bore (not shown) in the base member  22  and protrudes from either side of a base member  22 . The bores in the legs  30 ,  31  of the forked connecter  23  receive the protruding ends of the cylindrical rod  24  and are rotatably retained thereon. Thus, as the piston  14  is urged upward by its corresponding hydraulic cylinder  42  ( FIG. 1A ), the forked connector  23  rotates about the cylindrical rod  24  thereby allowing the hatch  12  to move upward by the force exerted by the piston  14 . 
         [0047]    As indicated hereinabove, the coupler  20  behaves substantially similar to the coupler  21 . Thus, as both pistons  13 ,  14  are urged upward, the hatch  12  is pushed open by the interaction of the pistons  13 ,  14  with the couplers  20 ,  21 , respectively. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  shows a cutaway view of the hatch end of the storm shelter  10 .  FIG. 5  as identified herein. The interior cavity  40  is a substantially enclosed space with an air venting and circulation system. Note that in the present embodiment, a fan  41  is used for air circulation in addition to the openings  25  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0049]    The storm shelter  10  comprises a hydraulic system comprising the hydraulic cylinders  42 ,  43  which couple to the pistons  13 ,  14 , respectively. Tanks (not shown) storing fluid interface with the hoses  46 ,  47  to deliver fluid to the hydraulic cylinders  42 ,  43 . 
         [0050]    The system further comprises a power button  48  that when depressed actuates the pistons  13 ,  14  through the hydraulic system thus raising the hatch  12 . When the hatch  12  is raised, occupants of the interior cavity  12  may exit the storm shelter  10 . 
         [0051]    Further, the storm shelter  10  within the interior cavity  40  comprises the plurality the benches  50 ,  51  and a bench  98 . Occupants of the storm shelter  10  may rest on the benches  50 ,  51 ,  98  during a storm from which the storm shelter  10  is protecting them. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  further shows the interior cavity  40  from the sliding door end of the storm shelter  10 . In this regard, the storm shelter  10  further comprises the sliding door  60  and the stairs  65 , as described hereinabove. The sliding door  60  that is retractable to an open position as is shown with reference to  FIG. 6 , as described hereinabove. When in the open position, individuals can enter through a portion of the opening  66  created in the housing  11  when the sliding door  60  is retracted and descend into the interior cavity  40  via the stairs  65 . 
         [0053]    Note that the housing  11  comprises a plurality of bearings  62  that interface with the sliding door  60 . In this regard, as one slides the door  60 , the bearings  62  facilitate movement from a closed position to the open position shown and vice versa. Further note that the sliding door  60  comprises the latch  71  that couples with an opening in the frame  16  in order to secure the sliding door  60  when it is in the closed position. 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  shows the latch  71 . In an exemplary embodiment, the latch  71  comprises a latch bar  61  and a spring  70 . To couple the latch  71  to the frame  16 , the occupant pushes upward on the latch bar  71  in a direction indicated by arrow  75  thereby depressing the spring  70 , inserts the latch bar  71  into an opening (not shown) or an edge (not shown) of the frame  16 , and releases. The downward force exerted by the spring  70  when the latch bar  61  is released retains the sliding door  60  in its closed position. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  8 C, and  9  show an additional safety feature relative to the piston  14  and the hydraulic cylinder  43 . In this regard, the following discussion is relative to piston  14  and hydraulic cylinder  43 ; however, a substantially similar safety mechanism could also be employed for piston  13  and hydraulic cylinder  23 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 8A  is an exemplary embodiment of a ratchet strap  80  that operates to ensure that the hatch  12  does not fall during use and injure an occupant of the interior chamber  40  ( FIG. 1A ). The ratchet strap  80  is installed on the hatch end of the storm shelter  10  ( FIG. 1A ). 
         [0057]    In this regard, a stop  82 , such as a bolt or screw, is attached to an inner wall  84  of the housing  11 . Further, the ratchet strap  80  is rotatably connected to the coupler  20  that is fixedly coupled to the free end  17  ( FIG. 1A ) of the hatch  12 . The ratchet strap  80  comprises a plurality of angled slots  81 . When the hatch  12  is in an open position, as shown, one of the slots  81  receives the stop  82 , thereby retaining the hatch  12  safely in the open position. 
         [0058]      FIG. 8B  shows a side view of the coupler  20  coupled to the ratchet strap  80 . In this regard, the ratchet strap  80  is rotatably coupled to the coupler  20  via a bolt  200 . Further, the ratchet stop  80  is coupled to the surface  33  of the hatch  12  via a spring  201 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 8C  depicts another side view of the coupler  20  coupled to the ratchet strap  80 . Notably, the ratchet strap  80  is integrally formed with a sleeve  203 . The sleeve  203  receives the cylindrical rod  24 . The cylindrical rod extends through a bore (not shown) in the ratchet strap  80  and is rotatably coupled to the ratchet strap  80  via the bolt  200  ( FIG. 8B ). 
         [0060]    During operation, the ratchet strap  80  is retained by the stop  82  so that the hatch remains in an open position. To lower the hatch  12 , an occupant (not shown) may apply an upward force on the hatch  12  so that the ratchet strap  80  is decoupled from the stop  82 . The spring  201  operates to apply a force in a direction shown by reference arrow  206  to urge the ratchet strap  80  in the direction indicated by the reference arrow  206 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 9  depicts the piston  14  coupled to the hatch  12  when the hatch  12  is in the open position. When in the open position, the hydraulic cylinder  43  may be at rest, i.e., no longer providing additional fluid, and therefore additional pressure, such as when the hatch  12  is being lifted. Note that  FIG. 9  depicts the ratchet strap  80  having its angled slots  81 , wherein one of the angled slots  81  receives stop  82 . Note that the ratchet strap  81  is positioned adjacent the piston  14  and is coupled to the coupler  20 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 10  is shows an exemplary latch  1202  that may be used with the storm shelter  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to retain either or both the hatch  12  and/or the sliding door  60  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0063]    In this regard, one or more retaining receptacles  1201  may be formed into the inner upper edge of the housing  11  adjacent the hatch  12  and/or the sliding door  60 . The number of receptacles  1201  and latches  1202  employed may vary in other embodiments. 
         [0064]    The latch  1202  comprises a main body  1205  that is integrally formed with a handle  1200 . The handle  1200  may be rotated and pressure applied thereto to move the main body  1205  of the latch out of the receptacle  1201 . One may apply pressure in an opposing direction and move the main body  1205  via the handle  1200  so that a portion of the main body  1205  is retained in the receptacle  1202 . Thus, when the hatch  12  and/or the sliding door  60  are closed, the latch  1200  may be used to retain the hatch  12  and/or the sliding door  60  in the closed position.

Technology Category: 4