U.S. patent application number 14/996010 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-12 for safety shelter.
The applicant listed for this patent is Armored Closet, LLC. Invention is credited to David Magiera.
Application Number | 20160130830 14/996010 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55911807 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160130830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Magiera; David |
May 12, 2016 |
Safety Shelter
Abstract
The present invention comprises a modular safety shelter
including one or more ceiling panels connected to one or sidewall
panels which are installed in an existing closet or enclosed space
in the interior of a home or other structure. The modular safety
shelter includes a safety flange coupled to a door of the shelter.
The safety flange allows a user positioned within the shelter to
grasp the safety flange and safely close the door without injuring
their fingers. The modular safety shelter further includes one or
more air vents, locking devices, and a light source for providing
light to the occupants within the shelter when the shelter is in
use. The modular safety structure is configured and built to
withstand severe storm winds, impacts from flying debris and
provides a safe enclosure for occupants during a home invasion or
burglary event.
Inventors: |
Magiera; David; (Arlington,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Armored Closet, LLC |
Arlington |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55911807 |
Appl. No.: |
14/996010 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14504889 |
Oct 2, 2014 |
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14996010 |
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61888347 |
Oct 8, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
109/1S |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 9/14 20130101; Y02A
50/14 20180101; Y02A 50/00 20180101; E06B 7/36 20130101; E04H 9/06
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04H 9/06 20060101
E04H009/06; E04H 9/14 20060101 E04H009/14 |
Claims
1. A shelter positioned within an enclosure, the shelter
comprising: at least two sidepanels and a ceiling panel secured
together; a door detachably secured to a sidepanel; a safety flange
secured to the door; the safety flange including an extension
portion extending outwardly from the door and a handle portion
coupled to the extension portion, the handle portion separated from
the door by a gap and extending beyond the edge of the door by a
distance.
2. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a lock attached to
the door.
3. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a fan attached to an
interior surface of the shelter.
4. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a latch bolt attached
to the door.
5. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a safe attached to a
sidepanel of the shelter.
6. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a light attached to
an interior surface of the shelter.
7. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a door latch/handle
guard attached to the door.
8. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a vent provided in
the door.
9. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a vent shield
attached to the interior of the door.
10. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a flange cover
positioned over at least one flange of the shelter.
11. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: an impact channel
attached to the door.
12. The shelter of claim 1 wherein at least one sidepanel is
secured to the existing floor of the enclosure.
13. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a hinge gap
plate.
14. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising: a door stop plate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/504,889, filed Oct. 2, 2014 and entitled
"Safety Shelter," which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/888,347, filed on Oct. 8, 2013 and
entitled "Safety Shelter," each of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to a safety shelter and,
more particularly, to a safety shelter for installation into
existing closet and other enclosed spaces in existing homes,
buildings and other occupied structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Tornadoes and severe storms cause millions of dollars in
damage every year to homes and other structures. Such catastrophic
weather events typically cause injury and death to the persons
occupying homes and other structures while seeking shelter from the
flying debris and high winds which accompany such weather events.
Likewise, a majority of such homes do not have a safe room in which
the occupants my stay and remain safe during events such as home
invasion burglaries and other violent crime where a breach of the
household has occurred. The majority of both old and new
construction homes do not include "safe" or "storm" rooms which are
designed to provide a safe refuge for individuals, families and
their pets during these types of events.
[0004] Prior to the development of the present invention, most
individuals and families had few choices in obtaining a safe
shelter in which to provide themselves with protection during a
severe weather or burglary event. For example, underground shelters
are expensive to build and maintain, and due to the infrequency of
such damaging storm and criminal events, result in a large cost and
expense being literally sunk in the ground. Other above ground
shelters required expensive fabrication and construction costs not
to mention the requirement of additional real estate or space in
which to construct the safety shelter. For existing homes,
apartments, condominiums and other limited space environments, the
costs of adding on to such structures is typically prohibitive and
in many situations impossible. As such, occupants in these types of
homes are extremely vulnerable to severe weather events and do not
have the option of building adequate storm shelters.
[0005] As such, there is a need in the art for providing a shelter
that is capable of being installed in existing homes and buildings
that does not require additional space or construction to
accommodate the shelter. There is a need for a safety shelter which
can be easily assembled in modular fashion with existing building
materials and easily be adapted to accommodate a variety of
existing spaces in the home or building in which it is to be
installed. There is a need in the art for a safety shelter that
does not require the individual and/or family members to leave
their home, building or premises in which to gain access to the
safety shelter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect, the present invention comprises a
modular safety shelter including one or ceiling panels connected to
one or multiple sidewall panels that are installed in an existing
closet or space inside of an existing structure, which may
generally be referred to herein as an "enclosure." A door is
connected to a sidewall panel with hinges, which allow the door to
open and close as desired by the user. The door may include a door
handle a vent with a vent shield attached to the interior surface
of the door and latching means as well as deadbolt locking
mechanisms and latch bolts for additional security. The sidewall
panels and ceiling panel include flange sections, which allow the
panels to mate together and secured together to form the safety
enclosure. The sidewall panels and ceiling panels may also be
connected to existing wall studs or wall cement masonry units (CMU)
blocks depending on the existing space construction into which the
safety shelter is installed.
[0007] According to another aspect, the modular safety shelter
includes one or more air vents and a light source for providing
light to the occupants within the shelter when the shelter is in
use. A fan may also be included within the safety shelter to
provide air circulation within the shelter as well as to propagate
air transfer through the shelter vent(s) and the outside
environment. According to another aspect, a safe is integrated into
at least one sidewall panel, which allows the user to securely
store items in the safe attached directly to the safety
shelter.
[0008] It is a primary objective of the invention to provide
individuals with safe and versatile shelter that may be installed
in existing homes and dwellings without requiring additional space
or construction for installation. It is a primary objective of the
invention to provide individuals with a structurally safe enclosure
for protection from storm airborne storm debris, tornadoes and
severe weather events, and as a safe room from intruders.
[0009] In this respect, before explaining the invention in detail,
it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its
application to the details of construction or to the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.
Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology
employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should
not be regarded as limiting. To the accomplishment of the above and
related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to
the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and
that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated
and described within the scope of this application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of
the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the safety
shelter invention disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a frontal view depicting the interior of the
safety shelter according to an embodiment of the invention
disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the safety shelter
installed in an existing space within existing construction
according to one embodiment of the invention disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the safety shelter with a light
source, a fan and a safe integrated with the safety shelter
according to one embodiment of the invention disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the interior side of the door
to the safety shelter with a vent cover, latch bolts and door
handle lever guard according to one embodiment of the invention
disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side plan view of a partially closed safety
shelter door with a user grasping a safety flange coupled to the
door according to one embodiment of the invention disclosed
herein;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side plan view of a fully closed safety shelter
door with a user grasping a safety flange coupled to the door
according to one embodiment of the invention disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective, partial cutaway view of a safety
shelter with a user standing inside and grasping a safety flange
coupled to a partially closed door of the shelter according to one
embodiment of the invention disclosed herein; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective, partial cutaway view of a safety
shelter with a user standing inside and grasping a safety flange
coupled to a fully closed door of the shelter according to one
embodiment of the invention disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Turning to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a safety shelter 10
which is comprised of sidewall panels 12, a ceiling panel 14, and a
door 18. The sidewall panels 12 and ceiling panel 14 include
flanges 32 which are utilized to provide connection points between
the panels. In the disclosed embodiment, the flanges are
substantially straight, angled, bent or otherwise positioned, as
appropriate, for mating with another ceiling and/or sidewall panel
and include dimensionally spaced holes through which connectors 34
are utilized to connection the sidewall panels 12 and ceiling
panel(s) 14 securely together. Connectors 34 may include bolts,
nuts, pins, and/or other threaded connector devices as known in the
art. In some embodiments, sidewall panels 12 and one or more
ceiling panels 14 are connected by welding the flanges together or
by other connector means as known in the art. The number and size
of sidewall panels 12 and ceiling panels 14 required for
installation and construction of the shelter 10 is determined by
the size of the shelter 10 desired by the user and/or the
dimensional limitations of the existing closet or space within
which the shelter 10 is to be assembled.
[0021] Door 18 is attached to a sidewall panel 14 by hinges 22.
Door latch/handle 20 is provided with typical latching hardware to
enable the user to open and shut door 18. Locks 24 may also be
utilized to provide additional security for the occupant while the
shelter 10 is being used. Vent 26 is depicted with a vent in a
sidewall panel 12 and the door 18. One or more vents 26 may be
installed and located as desired by the user or as dictated by the
installation environment. Light source 28 is shown attached to
ceiling panel 14. One or more lights sources 28 may be attached
permanently or semi-permanently by magnetic or other detachably
securable means and located anywhere within the interior of shelter
10 as desired the user or as dictated by the construction
environment.
[0022] In the disclosed embodiment, the sidewalls 12 may be
attached to existing floor 16 by connectors such as bolts, nails,
screws or other attachment means as known in the art. Likewise
sidewall panels 12 and ceiling panel 14 may be attached to the
existing structure surrounding the shelter 10 such as an interior
closed or other similar space in an existing home by connectors
such as bolts, nails, screws or other attachment means as is known
in the art. In this manner, the shelter is easily installed within
existing structural space of a home, dwelling or other structural
enclosure thereby strengthening the overall integrity of the space
while providing an armored interior shelter 10 for the user.
[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a frontal view of the shelter 10 with door 18
in the open position. In the depicted embodiment, a safe 30 is
shown integrated into sidewall panel 12 opposite the door 18. Safe
30 provides a secure storage space for important documents and
other valuables. The integration of safe 30 into a portion of
shelter 10 provides an additional layer of protection from theft as
any would be burglar would have to break into the shelter 10 before
access to safe 30 would be possible. As such, shelter 10 also acts
to provide an additional deterrent to a burglar or other person
without permission to access safe 30. Hinge gap plate 19 and door
stop plate 21 are depicted and serve two main functions, namely to
provide a secure covering for the door hinges and door latch plate
so as to prevent or inhibit access to the hinges and door latch
plate by persons outside of the shelter 10 and to provide an
improved aesthetic appearance which acts to blend the shelter's
appearance with the existing closet or other enclosure in which the
shelter 10 has been installed. Integrated and formed with door stop
plate 21 are dimensionally spaced slots into which the door handle
20 bolt and security dead bolts 24 are inserted when the door is
closed by a user and the bolts (not shown) are actuated to secure
the door 18 in a closed position.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the shelter 10 is
shown while in use by a user 2. In this depiction, the shelter 10
is shown installed in an existing closet or interior space formed
by walls 36. As previously described herein, an embodiment of the
shelter 10 may be connected or otherwise attached to existing floor
12 and walls 36 to provide additional structural support to the
shelter 10 as well as existing walls 36. In one embodiment, the
shelter 10 is secured to floor 12 or other foundation element in
the existing construction by anchor bolts or other means as known
in the art. In one embodiment, the shelter 10 is assembled together
as previously described herein and is not other wise connected or
attached to the existing walls 36 or other existing structure
surrounding the shelter 10 as the shelter 10 is capable of self
support as designed and constructed.
[0025] A user 2 is shown sitting on the floor 12 in shelter 10
while weathering a storm or burglary event. After entry, the user
may secure the door by actuating locks 24 and any locking mechanism
that is integrated with the door latch/handle/lever 20. After the
event transpires, the user 2 may simply unlock the locks 24 actuate
the door latch/handle 20 and exit the shelter 10. Vent 26 provides
for airflow and circulation in and out of the shelter and provides
a point for the user to safely observe any activity occurring
outside of the shelter 10 as well as a point by which the user may
safely speak with personnel outside of the shelter 10. Light source
28 provides lighting to the user 2 while he/she awaits the weather
or intrusion event to transpire and the arrival of emergency/police
personnel. Vent 26 also provides for the transmission and reception
of electronic wireless signals allowing the user 2 to communicate
by electronic means with emergency/police personnel while the user
2 is inside of the shelter 10.
[0026] In one embodiment, the sidewall panels 12, ceiling panel 14
and door 18 are constructed of 3/16 inch steel plate which in
testing withstood and deflected both .45 caliber and 9 mm handgun
full metal jacket rounds fired at such an embodiment at point blank
range four feet from the panel. The shelter meets FEMA F-5
projectile and multi-occupancy standards including debris impact
protection from high winds and safety ventilation for occupants
while the shelter 10 is in use. In an embodiment, door 18 may be
sized to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements to
accommodate a wheel chair and other assistive equipment for the
user 2.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a depiction of a frontal view of an embodiment of
the present invention with a fan 38 shown installed into a sidewall
panel 12 opposite the door 18. Fan 38 provides improved forced air
circulation within the shelter 10 interior as well as enhanced
fresh air exchange with the outside environment via vents 26. Fan
38 may be detachably secured by the user to any location within the
shelter 10 as desired. In one embodiment, fan 38 is positioned over
vent 26 to improve airflow between the interior of the shelter 10
with the outside environment. In the depicted embodiment, one or
more flange covers 40 is shown inside the shelter 10 which acts to
cover the exposed flanges 32 and provide a more pleasing aesthetic
appearance to the user 2. Flange covers 40 may be utilized anywhere
within the interior of the shelter 10 to cover exposed flanges 32
and connectors 34. Flange covers 40 may be attached to the exposed
flanges 32 or connectors 34 by such connection means as known in
the art including, but not limited to, hooks, screws, nails,
rivets, welding, threaded type connectors, hook and loop, and/or
magnets.
[0028] Turning to FIG. 5, an embodiment depicting a plan view of
the interior side of door 18 is shown. In this embodiment, latch
bolts 52 are welded or otherwise secured to the door 18 increasing
the security and strength of door 18 to withstand wind, flying
objects striking the exterior of door 18 during severe storm, wind
and tornado events. Latch bolts 52 are easily moved into a locked
configuration by the occupant of the shelter 10 by sliding the bolt
through a corresponding hole or latch orifice preformed in or on
the interior surface of door stop plate 21. In the event deadbolts
24 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are compromised or otherwise rendered
not operational, latch bolts 52 allow the occupant 2 to easily and
quickly secure the door from the interior of the shelter 10 until
assistance arrives from law enforcement or other security
personnel.
[0029] A door latch/handle guard 54 is also depicted in FIG. 5.
Door latch/handle guard 54 is welded or otherwise securely attached
to the interior surface of door 18 and surrounds a portion of the
door latch/handle 18 and acts to protect the occupant 2 from the
door latch/handle being dislodged and propelled into the interior
of the shelter 10 during a storm or home invasion event. If debris
strikes, or a home invader attempts to dislodge, the corresponding
door latch/handle 20 located on the exterior of door 18 the door
latch/handle guard 54 acts to substantially prevent the interior
door latch/handle from becoming dislodged and propelled into the
interior of the shelter 10 thereby posing a risk of injury to the
occupant 2 located inside the shelter 10. In the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 5, the door 18 also includes a vent shield 58
secured to the interior surface of the door 18 and which extends
away from and substantially covers vent 26. Vent shield 58 allows
air to circulate into and out of the shelter 10 via vent 26 while
substantially blocking the ability of a person standing outside of
the shelter 10 from peering into or sighting the occupant of the
shelter 10 while the shelter 10 is in use. Vent shield 58 also
provides additional protection from flying debris or other
materials which may impact or be inserted through the vent 26 from
striking an occupant 2 inside the shelter 10 as vent shield 58
would deflect any such debris or object in the vertical direction
towards the floor 16. Also depicted in FIG. 5 are impact channels
56 which are welded to or otherwise secured or formed into door 18.
Impact channels 56 act to provide additional structural strength to
door 18 in resisting debris and other impact forces applied to door
18 during weather or home invasion events.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, in an embodiment, the safety
shelter 10 also includes a safety flange 60 coupled to the interior
surface of the door 18. In various embodiments, the safety flange
60 may be coupled to the door 18 by welding or by connectors such
as bolts, nails, screws or other attachment means as known in the
art. The safety flange 60 allows a user 2 positioned within the
shelter 10 to grasp the safety flange 60 and safely close the door
18 without injuring their fingers.
[0031] In the disclosed embodiment, the safety flange 60 has a
generally L-shaped configuration and comprises an extension portion
62 and a handle portion 64. The extension portion 62 couples
between the door 18 and the handle portion 64. The extension
portion 62 extends approximately perpendicular to the door 18,
thereby creating a gap 66 between the handle portion 64 and the
door 18. The handle portion 64 extends approximately perpendicular
to the extension portion 62 and approximately parallel to the door
18, overlapping and extending a distance 68 beyond the doorjamb
70.
[0032] In the disclosed embodiment, the gap 66 and the distance 68
are sufficient to allow a user 2 within the shelter 10 to grasp the
handle portion 64 of the safety flange 60 and move the door 18 from
a partially closed position, shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, to a fully
closed position, shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, without pinching their
fingers between the door 18 and the doorjamb 70. In an embodiment,
the gap 66 is approximately 5/8 inches and the distance 68 is
approximately 21/2 inches. Once the door 18 is safely closed into
the doorjamb 70, the user 2 may actuate the deadbolts 24 and/or
latchbolts 52.
[0033] Although the interior-mounted safety flange 60 is depicted
as L-shaped, it may also be formed in a C-shaped configuration, or
any other configuration that provides protection from finger injury
while not interfering with the integrity of the door locking
hardware.
[0034] The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set
forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations of the
clamp assembly are possible within the spirit and scope of the
invention in which all terms are meant in their broadest,
reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. The description and
utilization of the clamp assembly set forth herein is not meant to
be limited to any particular industry or use, and those of skill in
the art will recognize the disclosed invention may be applied in
other industrial arts such as the medical arts, mechanical arts and
technological arts. Any headings utilized within the description
are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
Additional disclosure in the form of brochures and construction
drawings with dimensions are included and hereby incorporated into
the specification by reference as if fully set forth at length
herein.
* * * * *