U.S. patent application number 12/157422 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for reinforced structure apparatus.
Invention is credited to David M. Dooley, Fred J. Gossen.
Application Number | 20080244998 12/157422 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36179279 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080244998 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dooley; David M. ; et
al. |
October 9, 2008 |
Reinforced structure apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus for manufacturing reinforced structures wherein a
hardened steel shell is constructed to desired specifications and
anchored to a structure's foundation. The remainder of the
structure is constructed around the hardened steel shell, thereby
incorporating the steel shell as an integrated room or section of
the structure.
Inventors: |
Dooley; David M.;
(Lafayette, LA) ; Gossen; Fred J.; (Rayne,
LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ted M. Anthony
P.O. Box 3408
Lafayette
LA
70502
US
|
Family ID: |
36179279 |
Appl. No.: |
12/157422 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10967878 |
Oct 18, 2004 |
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12157422 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 50/14 20180101;
E04H 9/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/203 |
International
Class: |
E04H 9/14 20060101
E04H009/14 |
Claims
1. A reinforced structure comprising: a) a foundation; b) a
building, having a plurality of rooms, attached to said foundation;
and c) a steel shell structure having an internal space and at
least one opening extending into said internal space, wherein said
steel shell structure is anchored to said foundation and is
substantially coincident with at least one room of said
building.
2. The reinforced structure of claim 1, wherein said steel shell
structure comprises a tubular steel frame.
3. The reinforced structure of claim 2, wherein said steel shell
structure further comprises a plurality of steel plates attached to
said tubular steel frame.
4. The reinforced structure of claim 1, further comprising at least
one wall covering material on at least one internal surface of said
steel shell structure.
5. The reinforced structure of claim 4, wherein said at least one
wall covering material comprises sheet rock.
6. The reinforced structure of claim 1, further comprising at least
one finish material to at least one external surface of said steel
shell structure.
7. The reinforced structure of claim 6, wherein said at least one
finish material is brick.
8. A reinforced structure comprising: a) a foundation; b) a
building, having a plurality of rooms, attached to said foundation;
c) a steel shell structure having an internal space and at least
one opening extending into said internal space, wherein said steel
shell structure is anchored to said foundation and is substantially
coincident with at least one room of said building; and d) an
electrical generator wired to at least one electrical outlet
disposed in said steel shell structure.
9. The reinforced structure of claim 9, wherein said electrical
generator is disposed within a steel case attached to said steel
shell structure.
10. The reinforced structure of claim 8, wherein said electrical
generator is fueled by natural gas.
11. The reinforced structure of claim 8, wherein said steel shell
structure comprises a tubular steel frame.
12. The. reinforced structure of claim 9, wherein said steel shell
structure further comprises a plurality of steel plates attached to
said tubular steel frame.
13. The reinforced structure of claim 8, further comprising at
least one wall covering material on at least one internal surface
of said steel shell structure.
14. The reinforced structure of claim 11, wherein said at least one
wall covering material is sheet rock.
15. The reinforced structure of claim 8, further comprising at
least one finish material to at least one external surface of said
steel shell structure.
16. The reinforced structure of claim 13, wherein said at least one
finish material is brick.
17. The reinforced structure of claim 8, wherein said steel shell
structure further comprises at least one window opening.
18. The reinforced structure of claim 17, further comprising at
least one window having blast resistant glass in said at least one
window opening.
19. The reinforced structure of claim 8, wherein said steel shell
structure further comprises at least one doorway opening.
20. The reinforced structure of claim 17, further comprising at
least one reinforced door in said at least one at least one doorway
opening.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] THIS APPLICATION IS A CONTINUATION OF NON-PROVISIONAL PATENT
APPLICATION SER. NO. 10/967,878, FILED OCT. 18, 2004, CURRENTLY
PENDING.
STATEMENTS AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY
SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
[0002] NONE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a reinforced structure.
More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus
for manufacturing reinforced components of dwellings and other
buildings. More particularly still, the present invention relates
to an apparatus for reinforcing rooms and/or areas of dwellings and
other buildings capable of withstanding hurricanes, tornadoes,
earthquakes and other threats.
[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] Generally, walls of dwellings and other similar buildings
are made from wood, bricks and/or hollow masonry blocks, while
roofs are made from wood. Frequently, wooden trusses, especially
nailed trusses, span the entire interior of such buildings.
Although such buildings can be very economical to construct, they
generally cannot withstand the effects of a hurricane, tornado,
earthquake or other disaster. In many instances, such structures
can be severely damaged, if not completely destroyed, by such a
disaster. Further, buildings in general, and houses in particular,
are typically not of fire resistant construction and are
susceptible to considerable damage due to fires.
[0007] In addition to threats from fires and natural disasters,
buildings and/or dwellings constructed using conventional methods
are also vulnerable to "man-made" threats. Such man-made threats
can include forced entry by intruder(s), as well as chemical,
biological or nuclear attacks.
[0008] Numerous attempts have been made to protect against such
threats. The concept of safe rooms, "panic rooms" and/or fallout
structures within buildings and other dwellings is previously
known. Generally, prior art safe rooms and the like comprise
separate rooms or attachments to buildings or other dwellings which
are made of fire, blast and/or break-in resistant construction.
However, such safe rooms generally are not an integral part of a
building itself, adding to its structural strength and integrity.
Further, such specialized rooms or shelters are rarely, if ever,
used unless a specific need arises.
[0009] In many areas, dwellings and other buildings can be
constructed with storm shelters and/or fallout'shelters in cellars
or other underground locations. However, in certain geographic
regions, such as in the vicinity of the Gulf of Mexico, buildings
(including residential dwellings)-are often constructed without
cellars because the ground water level is too high. As such,
buildings in these areas typically have only a concrete slab for a
foundation, and safe rooms, "panic rooms" and/or fallout shelters
cannot be constructed in cellars.
[0010] Thus, the need exists for a reinforced room or section of a
building or dwelling which can withstand high winds associated with
tornadoes and/or hurricanes, as well as blasts from other sources.
Similarly, such reinforced room or section should be fire
resistant, and should be able to withstand negative effects of
earthquakes. Such reinforced room or section should be an integral
part of said building or dwelling, and should be able to be capable
of being used and enjoyed even when not being utilized as a
disaster shelter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] As opposed to specialized fallout or storm shelters that are
rarely if ever used, a building incorporating the apparatus for the
present invention integrates the security benefits of such fallout
shelters, storm shelters and/or so-called "panic rooms" into fully
functional room(s) in such building. Buildings incorporating the
apparatus of the present invention offer full functionality, even
when the reinforced rooms and/or sections of such buildings are not
being specifically used as a shelter. Dwellings and other buildings
incorporating the apparatus for the present invention are
engineered to withstand tornadoes, hurricanes, forced entry by
intruders and automobile intrusion, fire, ballistic damage,
chemical or toxic releases, and tidal/storm surges.
[0012] Buildings incorporating the apparatus of the present
invention can be designed into virtually any new construction
project, or can be added into virtually any existing building or
dwelling. Alternatively, the apparatus for the present invention
can be used in the construction of stand-alone structures.
[0013] In the case of slab foundation buildings, a proprietary
anchor system is installed within such slab. Once the slab is
poured, steel room (or group of rooms) is constructed, typically at
an off-site location. Thereafter, such room(s) are delivered to the
construction site, set in place and mechanically fastened to such
slab using anchoring devices.
[0014] Room(s) incorporating the apparatus of the present invention
are equipped with their own electrical, HVAC, plumbing rough-ins
and sheet rock walls/ceilings. In the preferred embodiment, such
room(s) are designed to be totally self-contained, and are tied to
a generator (typically powered by natural gas) that will
automatically actuate when the building's standard source of power
is lost.
[0015] The building or other dwelling is then manufactured around
the room incorporating the apparatus for the present invention.
Roof joists can be affixed to the steel room or wing, making such
room immensely stronger and capable of withstanding higher wind
loads, fire, ballistic forces and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded perspective view of a steel
structure of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a steel structure of
the present invention being delivered to a construction site.
[0018] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a steel structure of
the present invention being installed at a construction site.
[0019] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional side view of a slab
foundation for a dwelling or other building.
[0020] FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional cut-away view of a dwelling
constructed using the apparatus of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an exploded
perspective view of a shell having an internal space formed by
steel structure 1 of the present invention. Steel structure 1 can
be fabricated in any number of different configurations. In the
preferred embodiment, steel structure 1 is designed to fit the
design parameters of a dwelling or other building into which such
steel structure 1 is to be incorporated.
[0022] Although steel structure 1 can be configured any number of
different ways, in the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, said steel structure 1 has substantially horizontal
planar floor 2, a plurality of side walls 3 and substantially
horizontal planar ceiling 4. Said substantially horizontal planar
floor 2, side walls 3 and substantially horizontal planar ceiling 4
together form an enclosure defining interior space within steel
structure 1. It is to be observed that substantially horizontal
planar ceiling 4 is anchored to the upper portion of side walls 3;
however, said horizontal planar ceiling 4 is shown in exploded FIG.
1 to illustrate the interior space within steel structure 1.
[0023] In the preferred embodiment, steel structure 1 is initially
fabricated from a tubular steel frame. Thereafter, steel plates
having desired strength characteristics are welded to said frame in
order to form substantially horizontal planar floor 2, vertical
side walls 3 and substantially horizontal planar ceiling 4. Of
course, while the preferred embodiment of the present invention
describes use of steel, other materials such as composites having
desired characteristics could be employed in place of steel in
certain applications.
[0024] Still referring to FIG. 1, external doorway 5 is provided in
at least one vertical side wall 3. Depending upon the configuration
of steel structure 1, it may be desirable to incorporate more than
one doorway into the design of steel structure 1, but this will
typically depend on the desired layout of said steel structure 1.
Doorway 5 permits access to the internal space of steel structure 1
defined by substantially planar floor 2, vertical side walls 3 and
substantially horizontal planar ceiling 4. Similarly, optional
window openings 6 can be fabricated into vertical side walls 3.
[0025] At least one optional internal wall 7 having internal
doorway 3 can be constructed within the interior space of steel
structure 1. Although such internal wall(s) are not required, said
walls may be desirable to divide or configure the internal space
within steel structure 1. By way of example, but not limitation,
when steel structure 1 of the present invention is utilized as the
master suite of a dwelling, it is typically desirable to
incorporate one or more internal walls to define a master bath
area, closet space and the like. Although such internal walls can
be constructed of steel or other reinforcing material, in most
applications this is not necessary because vertical side walls 3 of
steel structure 1 provide desired strength characteristics for the
entire internal space defined within steel structure.
[0026] In the preferred embodiment, reinforced case 9 is provided.
Although reinforced case 9 can be situated in any number of
different locations, in most applications said reinforced case is
located on the upper surface of substantially planar horizontal
ceiling 4. Said reinforced case 9 can be used to house hot water
heater(s), HVAC equipment and/or other life support components.
[0027] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of steel structure 1 of
the present invention being delivered to an installation site.
Although it is possible that such steel structure 1 can be
manufactured at such installation site, in the preferred embodiment
said steel structures is manufactured at another site, such as a
remote fabrication facility, and then transported to an
installation site via truck 20.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, steel structure 1 is off-loaded from
truck 20 using crane 21. Said steel structure 1 is positioned on to
building foundation slab 30 using crane 21. Specifically, steel
structure 1 is positioned on a predetermined portion of building
foundation slab 30 which has been designed to receive said steel
structure 1. In the preferred embodiment, said building foundation
slab 30 includes a plurality of anchor bolts 31 which are implanted
or otherwise installed within said slab 30 and protrude vertically
upward out of building foundation slab 30. Similarly,
plumbing/utility stubs32 extend upward from said building
foundation slab 30.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts a detailed cross-sectional view of building
foundation slab 30. Said building foundation slab 30 has footers 33
which extend into ground 34. Said building foundation slab has
upper surface 35 and recessed area 36 partially defined by upper
surface 36a. Recessed area 36 is sized and configured to receive
steel structure 1, which rests upon recessed upper surface 36a of
building foundation slab 30. Anchor bolts 31 and plumbing/utility
stubs32 extend upward from building foundation slab 30 within
recessed area 36. Said anchor bolts 31 and plumbing/utility stubs
32 are spaced to be received within mating apertures within
substantially horizontal planar floor 2 of steel structure 1.
[0030] FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of a reinforced room
constructed in accordance with the present invention within
standard dwelling 50. Steel structure 1 of the present invention is
incorporated within such dwelling 50. Steel structure 1 can be
fabricated in any number of different configurations and typically
comprises substantially horizontal planar floor 2, plurality of
vertical side walls 3 and substantially horizontal planar ceiling
4. In the preferred embodiment, steel structure 1 is configured to
fit the design parameters of dwelling 50. In many cases, the steel
structure 1 will comprise and be coincident with the master suite
of dwelling 50, but it is to be observed that said steel structure
can be incorporated into in any number or other areas within
dwelling 50.
[0031] Building foundation slab 30 has footers 33 which extend into
ground 34. Said building foundation slab has upper surface 35 and
recessed area 36 partially defined by upper surface 36a. Recessed
area 36 is sized and configured to receive steel structure 1, which
rests upon recessed upper surface 36a of building foundation slab
30. Anchor bolts 31 extend upward from building foundation slab 30
within recessed area 36. Said anchor bolts 31 are spaced to be
received within mating apertures within substantially horizontal
planar floor 2 of steel structure 1. Steel structure 1 is
mechanically anchored to building foundation slab 30 using anchor
bolts 31. Although not shown in FIG. 5, plumbing and/or utility
fixtures (such as plumbing/utility stubs 32 in FIG. 4) are used to
bring plumbing and/or electricity into the area(s) within steel
structure 1.
[0032] Still referring to FIG. 5, external doorway 5 is provided in
at least one vertical side wall 3 of steel structure 1. In FIG. 5,
although said doorway 5 is situated along an external wall of steel
structure 1, said doorway is located internally within dwelling 50.
Depending upon the configuration of steel structure 1, it may be
desirable to incorporate more than one such doorway into the design
of steel structure 1, but this will typically depend on the desired
layout of said steel structure 1 and dwelling 50. Doorway 5 permits
access to the internal space of steel structure 1 defined by
substantially planar floor 2, vertical side walls 3 and
substantially horizontal planar ceiling 4 from other areas of
dwelling 50. Reinforced, heat resistant door 51 is mounted within
doorway 5. Similarly, windows manufactured from blast resistant
glass or other similar material(s) can be installed within the
window openings 6 in side walls 3 of steel structure 1.
[0033] At least one optional internal wall having an internal
doorway can be constructed within the interior space of steel
structure 1. Although such internal wall(s) are not required, said
walls may be desirable to divide or configure the internal space
within steel structure 1. By way of example, but not limitation,
when steel structure 1 of the present invention is utilized as the
master suite of a dwelling, it is typically desirable to
incorporate one or more internal walls to define a master bath
area, closet space and the like. Although such internal walls can
be constructed of steel or other reinforcing material, in most
applications this is not necessary because vertical side walls 3 of
steel structure 1 provide desired strength characteristics for the
entire internal space defined within steel structure 1.
[0034] Reinforced case 9 is provided on the upper surface of
substantially planar horizontal ceiling 4 of steel structure 1.
Said reinforced case 9 can be used to house generator 52, HVAC
equipment 53 and/or other life support components, such as a hot
water heater. Gas line 54 supplies fuel to generator 52.
[0035] After said steel structure 1 is installed on building
foundation slab 30, other portions of dwelling 50 can be
constructed. For example, joists 55 and truss members 56 can be
used to support roof 57. Where desired, external surfaces of
dwelling 50 can be equipped with desired finishes, such as brick
surfaces 58. Internal surfaces of steel structure can be equipped
with sheet rock 59 and flooring 60. In the preferred embodiment,
steel structure 1 blends seamlessly into dwelling 50 and is not
visible from the outside or inside living area of dwelling 50.
[0036] In certain applications, a room or other section of building
installed in accordance with the present invention can include a
positive pressure system. Such positive pressure system prevents
chemical, biological or other agents from entering the living space
defined by steel structure 1.
[0037] Whereas the invention is herein described with respect to a
preferred embodiment, it should be realized that various changes
may be made without departing from essential contributions to the
art made by the teachings hereof.
* * * * *