U.S. patent application number 13/486417 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-17 for protective shelter.
The applicant listed for this patent is Scott Patrick HILL, Julian Stephen SHARPE. Invention is credited to Scott Patrick HILL, Julian Stephen SHARPE.
Application Number | 20130014791 13/486417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47518103 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130014791 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HILL; Scott Patrick ; et
al. |
January 17, 2013 |
PROTECTIVE SHELTER
Abstract
Protective shelters for enclosing one or more persons and/or
animals are described. A capsule can be a spherical or
substantially spherical, water-tight shell surrounding a frame and
forming an interior portion which accommodates the one or more
persons and/or animal; and at least one sealable entry door
configured to seal at least one opening formed in the shell.
Inventors: |
HILL; Scott Patrick;
(Monroe, WA) ; SHARPE; Julian Stephen; (Mukilteo,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HILL; Scott Patrick
SHARPE; Julian Stephen |
Monroe
Mukilteo |
WA
WA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47518103 |
Appl. No.: |
13/486417 |
Filed: |
June 1, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61506536 |
Jul 11, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
135/93 ; 135/123;
135/124; 135/91; 135/96; 135/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 10/30 20180101;
E04H 9/028 20130101; Y02A 10/39 20180101; E04H 9/145 20130101; Y02A
50/00 20180101; Y02A 50/14 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
135/93 ; 135/124;
135/99; 135/91; 135/123; 135/96 |
International
Class: |
E04H 9/00 20060101
E04H009/00; E04H 15/02 20060101 E04H015/02; E04H 15/10 20060101
E04H015/10; E04H 15/14 20060101 E04H015/14; E04H 15/36 20060101
E04H015/36; E04H 15/26 20060101 E04H015/26 |
Claims
1. A capsule for enclosing one or more persons, comprising: a
frame; a substantially spherical, substantially water-tight shell
surrounding the frame and forming an interior portion which
accommodates the one or more persons, the shell is formed to
include at least one opening; and at least one sealable door
configured over the at least one opening in the shell, the door is
configured to be opened and closed.
2. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising one or more ballasts
positioned in a floor area of the interior portion.
3. The capsule of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the frame
includes a plurality of rollers which movingly contacts an inner
surface of the shell to provide for movement of the frame and
interior portion relative to the shell.
4. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising a central support
post connecting opposite sections of the frame from the floor area
to a ceiling area.
5. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the interior portion includes
one or more seating areas for the one or more persons.
6. The capsule of claim 5, wherein the seating areas comprise
restraints for securing the one or more persons to the seating
areas.
7. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising at least one
attachment point formed on an outer surface of the shell, the at
least one attachment point is configured to receive a hook, a
connector, a restraining device, a tether, or an anchor.
8. The capsule of claim 7, wherein the attachment point receives a
cable secured to the ground which acts as a tether.
9. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising one or more light
beacons on the outer surface of the shell.
10. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the frame is a substantially
spherical frame which comprises a plurality of beams.
11. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the interior portion includes a
pressurized air supply which provides breathable air to the one or
more persons.
12. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising a one-way valve
formed in the shell to allow discharging air or liquid.
13. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising a viewing window
mounted in the shell.
14. The capsule of claim 1, further comprising a base structure
upon which the capsule rests in an upright position.
15. The capsule of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises an outer
layer and at least one other layer.
16. A protective shelter, comprising: a substantially spherical
shell coupled to a frame to form an enclosure for enclosing one or
more persons; and one or more doors providing access to the
enclosure through one or more openings formed in the spherical
shell.
17. The protective shelter of claim 16, wherein the frame is an
exterior frame with respect to the shell.
18. The protective shelter of claim 16, wherein the shell and the
one or more doors substantially form a water-tight protection.
19. The protective shelter of claim 18, further comprising at least
one one-way valve formed through the shell for expelling air or
water.
20. The protective shelter of claim 19, further comprising a water
pump for expelling water through the at least one one-way valve.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority and benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/506,536, filed on Jul. 11, 2011. The
entire contents of the abovementioned application are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The subject matter discussed herein relates generally to
shelter and, more particularly, to protective shelters.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Human shelters (e.g., houses) are designed for utility and
comfort with adequate protection against various weather-related
elements, such as wind, rain, sun, snow, sand storm, flood,
etc.
[0006] However, adequate protection in normal situations or
conditions may be inadequate in situations or conditions that are
not normal. For example, human shelters may not protect humans
and/or animals in an emergency (e.g., hurricane, earthquake,
tsunami, flood, etc.). Human shelters do not provide adequate
protection against a tsunami, even if these shelters are not
damaged by one or more earthquakes that may precede the tsunami.
Human shelters are not designed to protect humans and/or animals
against the forces and volume of water encountered during a tsunami
event.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for protective shelters that protect
humans and/or animals in abnormal circumstances, such during a
tsunami event.
SUMMARY
[0008] Protective shelters for enclosing one or more persons and/or
animals are described. The subject matter includes a capsule with a
spherical or substantially spherical, water-tight shell surrounding
a frame and forming an interior portion which accommodates the one
or more persons and/or animal. The capsule includes at least one
sealable entry door configured to seal at least one opening formed
in the shell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIGS. 1A-1C show different views of an example protective
shelter.
[0010] FIG. 1D shows a cross-section of the example protective
shelter of FIG. 1C.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows an example protective shelter and some of its
features.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows another example protective shelter.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows an example internal structure of an example
protective shelter.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows another example internal structure of an
example protective shelter.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows the inner structure of a protective shelter and
some of its features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The subject matter described herein is taught by way of
example embodiments. Various details have been omitted for the sake
of clarity and to avoid obscuring the subject matter. Examples
shown below are directed to structures and functions of protective
shelters. To avoid obstructing the features of the drawings, if
there is more than one of the same feature (e.g., three legs), not
all of the same features are identified or labeled with a reference
numeral (e.g., a reference numeral identifies only one or two of
the three legs).
[0017] FIGS. 1A-1C show different views of an example protective
shelter 100. FIG. 1A shows the side view of the example protective
shelter. FIG. 1B shows the isometric view of the example protective
shelter. FIG. 1C shows the top view of the example protective
shelter. A shelter (e.g., shelter 100) may be referred to as a
capsule, container, cabin, enclosure, or the like. Shelter 100
includes shell 110, one or more doors 120, and optional base stand
130. Base stand 130 may be any structure able to support shelter
100. Some models of base stand 130 may have three or more legs 132.
Legs 132 may have feet 135. Shelter 100 may include one or more
features visible externally, such as attachment points 140.
Attachment points 140 may be used, for example, to attach, hook, or
latch onto shelter 100 for anchoring shelter 100 in place or
hoisting or rescuing shelter 100 (e.g., from a debris field or the
ocean).
[0018] Shelter Shapes
[0019] Shelter 100 may be constructed according to targeted
specifications, protections, and/or risk levels. For example, one
set of specifications (e.g., specifications for protective shelters
in coastal areas) may be for providing shelters with higher
strength capability for lower amount of cost in materials and
manufacturing. For this set of example specifications that put
emphasis on strength, shelters may be constructed in a
spherical-looking shape to take advantage of the strength
capability of a sphere.
[0020] A sphere is an inherently strong shape able to withstand
high pressure (e.g., from a large body of water). The curved or
generally curved surfaces of a sphere provide deflection of, for
example, impacting objects, thus reducing the possibility of a
sharp object penetration occurrence. A sphere minimizes the initial
impacting force associated with a large body of water (e.g., caused
by a tsunami event). A spherical shaped capsule allows the capsule
to free itself from obstacles. For example should the capsule
become wedged in debris, mud, or sand; or forced below the surface
of a tsunami wave, it has the ability to self-free and rise to the
surface.
[0021] The term "sphere" or "spherical" is referred to a shape that
may be, but does not have to be, a mathematically-precise sphere.
For example, there may be straight or substantially straight lines
between two points on the sphere (e.g., the beams may be
constructed from of straight or substantially straight segments
and/or the shell of the sphere may be constructed from straight or
substantially straight panels, each may have a length about 1/6 or
less of the circumference of the sphere). A spherical shelter can
be substantially spherical or spherical looking.
[0022] A sphere and sphere-looking shape are illustrated in the
enclosed figures. However, protective shelters are not limited to
the shapes shown. For example, a shelter may be in a shape, a cross
section of which may be an oval. (e.g., an olive-shaped shelter,
egg-shaped shelter, saucer-shaped shelter, a tube-shaped shelter,
etc).
[0023] Protective shelters may be finished with a high visibility
surface finish (e.g., bright orange or red). During storage
protective shelters may be camouflaged with a colored cover.
[0024] In some situations, protective capsules may be anchored or
tethered to a stationary point or location. For example, a tether
system can be used to tie a capsule (e.g., to an attachment point
140) to an anchor to prevent the capsule from being washed out to
the sea. An example anchor may be a large concrete block, which may
be buried in the ground, located near the capsule. Mounted on the
block may be a steel cable winch system. As the capsule is engaged
by, for example, the initial wave of a tsunami, the cable is
deployed against an attenuation system within the winch. This helps
reduce initial impact. As the water recedes, the capsule comes to
rest in roughly the same location.
[0025] Shelter Uses
[0026] The tsunami event discussed above is only an example.
Protective shelters or capsules may be used in any event,
condition, environment, situation, etc. where and/or when
protection of humans and/or animals are needed. For example, in
natural disasters such as hurricanes tethered capsules, tornadoes
(tethered capsules), flooding (rivers, lakes, low coastal areas,
etc.), fires (with internal cooling), avalanches, landslides,
earthquakes, etc. Protective capsules or protective frames may be
used in sports, thrill rides, etc. (e.g., spinning, swinging,
bungee rides, and/or other events that benefit from or require
protective enclosures to protect the participants). Depending on
the intended uses, protective shelters may have water-tight and/or
air-tight shells or may not have water-tight shells. "Water-tight"
and "air-tight" may be approximately or substantially water tight
and air tight, respectively. For example, the shell, the door,
and/or the seal between the shell and the door may have small
openings or holes either purposely (e.g., valves or one-way valves)
or consequentially due to usage or age.
[0027] FIG. 1D shows a cross-section of the example protective
shelter of FIG. 1C. Shelter 100 is shown with a center post 150,
three or more vertical beams 152, zero or more horizontal beams 154
(intercostal beams), a floor 160, one or more ballasts 162, seats
164, seatbacks 166, and safety harness 168 (e.g., five-point
seatbelt system). Some shelters may include cushioned head
restraints (not shown) positioned above seatbacks 166 to provide
upper body support during, for example, the more dynamic initial
phase of the tsunami event.
[0028] The seats 164 and seatbacks 166 may provide storage space
(e.g., storing supplies, tools, food, water, beacon, transponder,
oxygen supply, radio, flashlight, batteries, first-aid kit, etc.).
Shelter 100 may include other features (not shown), such as one-way
venting valve(s), water pump and one-way water valve(s), viewing
port holes or windows, etc.
[0029] Shell 110 may include an outer skin 112 (outer layer), one
or more middle layers 114 (e.g., a thermal protection layer,
radiation protection layer, buoyancy layer, insulation layer,
etc.), and an inner skin 116 (inner layer). Some capsule designs
may have fewer layers (e.g., no inner skin and/or middle
layers).
[0030] Shelter 100 is an example of a capsule with an internal
frame (e.g., of vertical beams 152 and optional horizontal beams
154) and shell 100. In some designs, shelters may have external
frames (not shown). In other designs, shelters may have frames (not
shown) between the outer skin 112 and inner skin 116.
[0031] A protective capsule (e.g., shelter 100) provides protection
and shelter before, during, and after an extraordinary event (e.g.,
tsunami event). Each capsule may accommodate from one to many
persons (e.g., two, four, five, six, eight, 12, etc.). Capsules may
be constructed to accommodate even higher occupancy. FIG. 1D shows
an example capsule designed to house and/or protect six
persons.
[0032] Materials
[0033] Protective shelters may be constructed in any manner with
suitable materials based on specifications. For example, a set of
specifications for constructing tsunami capsules may call for
materials that are strong and light weight, which provide
protection against tsunami waves and debris field. For the tsunami
example, one or more materials, such as aluminum, stainless steel,
graphite composite, plastic, and the like may be used. For example,
outer skin 112 may be formed as an aluminum honeycomb sandwich core
with aluminum face sheets and aluminum honeycomb. Middle layers 114
may be, for example, a foam layer for thermal protection and or
buoyancy. The inner layer 116 may be a skin made with aluminum,
plastic, composite, etc.
[0034] Internal structure (e.g., center post 150, vertical beams
152, horizontal beams 154, floor 160, seats 164, and seatbacks 166)
may be formed using light-weight materials (e.g., plastics,
composite, and/or light-weight alloys). Vertical beams 152 and/or
horizontal beams 154 may be hollow beams, tubes, "I" beams, and the
like. There may be holes along the beams to reduce weight further.
A light-weight structure helps keep the overall weight down and
provide a low center of gravity to ensure a positive righting force
which controls the orientation and attitude of the capsule (e.g.,
self-right). A low external surface friction further helps on
self-righting.
[0035] The ballasts 162 may be constructed in any manner using any
material or combination of material. In some models of protective
shelters, ballasts 162 may be tanks (e.g., stainless steel tanks)
for containing liquid, solid, and a combination thereof. For
example, one tank may be designed for holding and providing
drinking water and another tank may be designed for holding bio
waste. In other models of protective shelters, one or more ballasts
162 may be solid weights or tanks with solid bottoms. For example,
one or more ballasts 162 or portion of ballasts 162 may be solid
concrete, metal (e.g., lead). Ballasts 162 help control the
position of the center of gravity to provide stability to some
models of protective shelters (e.g., the self-righting models or
models that may not be tied to an anchor).
[0036] FIG. 2 shows an example protective shelter and some of its
features. The example shelter 200 shows two doors 220, which may be
positions such as to minimize the event of both doors being blocked
from exiting. Doors 220 may be air tight and/or water tight. Doors
220 may be the same design (e.g., same size, design, functions,
etc) or different designs. For example, the size of the doors may
be different (e.g., one bigger than the other). The shape of the
doors may be different (e.g., one door may be somewhat rectangular
with curled corners). One door may be open inwards, and the other
door may be open outwards.
[0037] Each of doors 220 includes a latching mechanism (e.g., lock
wheel 224) for opening, closing, securing, and/or sealing the door.
Lock wheel 224 provides a secure manually operated lock mechanism
which engages restraints such as to eliminate door seal failure.
The latching mechanism may be removable in some models. For a
free-rolling shelter (e.g., one with roller balls, described below)
the door and latching mechanism are designed to allow the free
rolling of the internal structure. For example, the door and
latching mechanism may be flushed with the inner skin to form
continuous rolling curve lines.
[0038] A door may open inwards or outwards. One or more doors 220
may be open from the outside to allow, for example, rescuers to
rescue occupants in situations where the occupants may not be able
to open the door from the inside.
[0039] One or more attachment points 240 may be provided in
strategic locations on the capsule outer surface and coupled to the
center post 250 and/or internal beams (e.g., vertical beams 252 and
optional horizontal beams 254) for strength and support.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows another example protective shelter. Shelter 300
is an example of a four-person shelter and an example of a shelter
with no horizontal beams. This example shelter and other example
shelters described herein may include air supply (e.g., a
pressurized air supply) for providing breathable air.
[0041] FIG. 4 shows an example internal structure of an example
protective shelter. Internal structure 400 is an example of
self-righting internal structure of a shelter (the shell of the
structure is not shown). Roller balls 456 may be installed in
spaced-out positions of vertical beams 452. Roller balls 456 allow
the internal structure 400 to move (e.g., roll) freely in any
direction with respect to the shelter shell (not shown). Roller
balls 456 may be referred to as ball runners, ball bearings, or
bearings.
[0042] The free-rolling internal structure 400 and self-righting
features described above (e.g., occupants, light-weight materials,
and heavy bottom ballasts) make internal structure 400 self
righting. For example, during a tsunami event, a shelter with
internal structure 400 may be rolling down an embankment, rocking
on the ocean surface, or in another condition. Regardless of the
movement and direction of movement of the shelter, internal
structure 400 freely rotates about all three axes inside the shell
of a shelter (not shown) to self-adjust its position to maintain an
upright position of the occupants in the shelter.
[0043] Floor 460 may include numerous openings or holes to reduce
the weight of the floor and provide water drainage (e.g., spilled
drinking water or water splashed in when occupants enter the
shelter).
[0044] FIG. 5 shows another example internal structure of an
example protective shelter. Internal structure 500 is another
example of self-righting internal structure of a shelter (the shell
of the structure is not shown). Internal structure 500 includes
vertical beams 552, horizontal beams 554, and roller balls 556,
which are shown on vertical beams 552. In some examples, roller
balls 556 may be installed on horizontal beams 554, either
exclusively or in addition to some roller balls 556 installed on
the vertical beams 552. Roller balls 556 allow the internal
structure 500 to move (e.g., roll) freely in any direction with
respect to the shelter shell (not shown).
[0045] Internal structure 500 is shown sitting on (e.g., supported
by) a stand 530 with three or more legged base structure 535. Stand
530 may be, for example, a ring stand with three or more legs. In
some designs, internal structure 500 may be tethered to stand 530,
which in turn may be securely anchored in place (e.g., on the
ground or a heavy concrete block.).
[0046] FIG. 6 shows the inner structure of a free-rolling
protective shelter and some of its features. FIG. 6 shows outer
skin 612, middle layer(s) 614, inner skin 616, vertical beams 652,
horizontal beams 654, roller balls 656, seat 664, and safety
harness 668. The vertical beams 652 and horizontal beams 654 may be
connected, joined, or attached in any manner to form a rigid frame
structure or cage. The outer skin 612 provides protection against
outside elements. The inner skin 616 functions as a roller surface.
One or more middle layers 614 may be a thermal blanket, which
provides cold and heat protection (e.g., weather elements and/or
abnormal events, such as a debris field catches on fire).
[0047] Although a few example shelters and associated features have
been shown and described, these examples are provided to convey the
subject matter described herein to people who are familiar with
this field. It should be understood that the subject matter
described herein may be embodied in various forms without being
limited to the described examples. The subject matter described
herein can be practiced without those specifically defined or
described features or with other or different elements or features
not described. It will be appreciated by those familiar with this
field that changes may be made in these examples without departing
from the subject matter described herein as defined in the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *