EP0676516B1 - Device forming underground shelter for protecting people as well as method for realizing such a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The shelter is made from two identical rigid panels (1, 2) made from a corrugated fibreglass-based sheet material, which join together to form a tunnel shape. The panels are connected by lower cross-pieces (4) and upper mechanical components (17) inside a trench which is first dug for the purpose. Once they have been assembled they are covered over with earth or sandbags to give protection for one or more persons from nearby explosive weapons. The cross-pieces (4) are designed to connect lower lengthwise members on the panels and when not in use they are raised and lie between corrugations. The upper mechanical components are in an I-shape. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a device forming underground shelter for protecting people, as well as the method of producing such a device.

It is aimed in particular at such a buried device providing protection for soldiers against the explosion of a shell falling near the device.

GB-A-2 111 555 describes a device forming an underground protective shelter comprising the Characteristics of the preamble of claim 1.

However, this known device is relatively bulky when transported to the site landfill since it requires not only two rigid panels forming the tunnel protection, but also a separate chassis support of the two panels.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above drawback of the known device.

To this end, the invention provides a device forming an underground protective shelter comprising the characteristics of the characterizing part of the claim 1.

The fixing end of each element crosspiece includes a tapered, engaging tip in a frustoconical orifice combined with a part reported at the bottom of the panel corresponding, the frustoconical end being firmly held in its corresponding hole by force transverse thrust of the covering earth.

Advantageously, the insert comprises a part forming a stop cooperating with an integral collar of the tapered end behind it for immobilize the cross member relative to the corresponding panel.

The patch is approximately in the shape of cube hollowed out to allow the introduction of the end of the cross member in the room over it and the stopper part is made in the back wall of the cube of the room reported by extending perpendicularly between the side walls of this cube transverse to the panel corresponding, while the frustoconical orifice is made in the end wall of the cube and adjacent to the sign.

Each cross member is movable in a plane perpendicular to that of the panel to which it is hinged and folds down on this panel in one inactive transport position.

The cross member is held in position inactive by approximately two elastic tabs Ω-shaped, fixed to the panel, for example by a rivet, and receiving the tapered end of the cross member.

The end of each cross member is articulated to the corresponding panel through of a screed piece attached to this panel.

The lower parts of the two panels are fixed respectively in two beams in profiles with cross-section in U constituting, with the cross members fixed between the panels, a support frame for these.

The aforementioned attachments are fixed, by example by welding, in the beams which include U-shaped cuts made in the two walls side facing the side members to allow the fixing of the elements forming sleepers between the panels substantially in the same perpendicular plane to the panels.

The aforementioned mechanical interlocking means include at least one beam with two grooves opposite sides, preferably defined by two identical U-shaped profiles joined together by their bases, at least one end portion of the part top of a panel being fixed in one of the two grooves of the beam and at least a portion end of the upper arch part of the other panel fitting into the other groove of the beam.

The mechanical interlocking means comprise two identical beams fixed respectively to the portions upper ends of the two panels in spanning half the length of the panel way that the free upper end portion of a panel fits into the beam of the other panel and vice versa.

The two panels are fitted one inside the other in transport position by a person instead landfill and the two interlocking panels are transported via a harness.

The aforementioned harness is arranged to both maintain the two panels fitted into each other during the transport and allow their transport in one position maintained slightly inclined relative to the body of the person.

According to one embodiment, the harness comprises two laces for fixing the two nested panels which are connected together at the top with a clip joint removably attached to the panel beam outside and fixed at their two lower ends spaced apart from the side panel spar; a strap upper fastened between the two laces; and a handful lower handling also fixed between two laces at a distance from the strap so that the nobody can transport the two fitted panels by grasping the carrying handle with the strap housed under his arm.

Advantageously, the upper part of the arch of each panel is in the form of a half-arch giving the roof of the tunnel forms a cylindrical cap.

Each panel has undulations in the manner of corrugated sheet and is made of a material based on fiberglass, while beams, stringers, cross members and parts reported are made of a light material, such as aluminum.

• transporter par une personne les deux panneaux emboítés à un endroit où l'abri doit être enfoui ;
• creuser une excavation d'enfouissement de l'abri ;
• séparer les deux panneaux emboítés ;
• introduire les deux panneaux séparés dans l'excavation en une position sensiblement verticale ;
• fixer les éléments formant traverses entre les deux panneaux en les rabattant vers le bas et introduisant leurs extrémités de fixation dans les pièces rapportées correspondantes de façon que les embouts tronconiques soient engagés respectivement dans les orifices tronconiques de ces pièces rapportées ;
• joindre les deux panneaux en partie supérieure par emboítement dans chaque poutre correspondante ; et
• recouvrir l'abri ainsi formé de terre et, le cas échéant, de sacs de protection au-dessus de l'abri.

The invention also proposes a method for producing an underground protection shelter using the device defined above and which is characterized in that it consists in:

• transport by a person the two panels fitted to a place where the shelter must be buried;
• dig a shelter burial excavation;
• separate the two fitted panels;
• introduce the two separate panels into the excavation in a substantially vertical position;
• fix the elements forming sleepers between the two panels by folding them down and introducing their fixing ends into the corresponding inserts so that the frustoconical ends are engaged respectively in the frustoconical orifices of these inserts;
• join the two panels in the upper part by fitting into each corresponding beam; and
• cover the shelter thus formed with earth and, if necessary, protective bags above the shelter.

The invention will be better understood and other aims, features, details and benefits of it will appear more clearly during the description explanatory which will follow made with reference to attached schematic drawings given only as a example illustrating an embodiment of the invention and in which.

Figure 1 shows in perspective the device forming a protective shelter according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged perspective view a panel of the device of the invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the circled portion in III of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the support frame of the device of the invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the circled portion in V of figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the circled portion in VI of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 4.

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a attachment part of the device the invention.

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a other patch also part of device of the invention.

Figure 10 shows a cross member of the device of the invention.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of two panels fitted one inside the other of the the invention.

Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view along the line XII-XII of figure 11.

Figures 13 to 18 show the phases of transport and construction of the shelter device underground of the invention.

The device of the invention, which is intended to form an underground shelter for protecting people, understands, as is clear in particular from the Figure 1, two substantially identical rigid panels 1 and 2 assembled together in a configuration of removable tunnel with parallel side walls and arch configured as a cylindrical cap.

For this purpose, each panel 1, 2, which is defined by a succession of parallel ripples 3 in the way of corrugated iron and located in vertical planes in the assembled position of the two panels, includes two cross members 4 of the same length, having each one of their ends fixed so hinged to the lower part of panel 1, 2 of so as to be able to pivot in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane containing the side wall of the panel 1, 2 between an inactive storage position in the hollow defined between two successive undulations and a folded position for fixing them two lower parts of the panels 1, 2 to which the elements forming sleepers are located in the same plan forming the support base of the shelter.

Specifically, the hinged end of each cross member 4 includes a tip 5 forming articulated leg fixed, for example by a press fitting into the tubular body of element 4, and mounted pivoting about a fixed axis 6 in a stirrup piece forming a yoke 7 attached to the lower part of the corresponding panel 1, 2. The bits 5, instead of being force-fitted, can also be welded or mechanically bonded. Each piece in stirrup 7 is fixed, for example by welding, between two parallel walls 8a, 8b of a U-shaped profile defining a beam 8 in which is fixed by example by rivets, the lower part of the panel corresponding 1, 2. Each side wall 8a of a spar 8 has a U-shaped cutout 8a1 located at look of the piece in stirrup 7 so as to allow the pivoting of the cross member 4 at the fixing position of the two panels 1, 2 at which element 4 is substantially perpendicular to the spar 8. The opposite end of each element forming a crosspiece 4 comprises a nozzle 9, fixed by example by force fitting into the body tubular of element 4, and ending with a frustoconical part 10 engaging in a recess frustoconical conjugate 11 produced in a part 12 which is attached to the lower part of the panel corresponding 1, 2. As shown in particular in Figure 8, the part 12 has an approximate shape of a cube hollowed out to allow passage from above of the nozzle 9 in the part 12 during the pivoting of cross member 4 in the fixing position of the two panels 1, 2. The part 12 has a wall stop 13 made in the bottom wall of the part 12 between the two side walls 12a, 12b of the part 12 perpendicular to them. The stop wall 13 cooperates with a flange 14 located behind the frustoconical part 10 of the nozzle 9, so as to prevent withdrawal of the end of the forming element crosspiece 4 of part 12 when an accidental force is applied to element 4 in a direction tending to move the end piece 9 away from the part 12. The latter is also fixed, for example by welding, in the corresponding spar 8, including the side wall 8a has a U-shaped cut 8a2 opposite the part recess corresponding to U-shaped cross section of the room 12 so as to allow the free passage of the nozzle 9 in the part 12 over the latter for place the frusto-conical part 10 in its orifice corresponding 11. Each cross member 4 is maintained in inactive position in two legs elastic 15 defining approximately a shape in Ω and fixed to the bottom of a hollow between two corrugations successive 3 for example by a rivet 16. Both legs 15 receive the corresponding tip 9 in deviating elastically from each other and then closing to ensure the maintenance of element 4 at the inactive position.

The figures show that the device comprises four elements forming sleepers, but it is understood that it is possible to predict more or less. Moreover, two of the elements 4 are hingedly attached to one of the side members 8 while the other two elements 4 are hingedly attached to each other side member 8. It is also possible to fix alternately articulated elements 4 to two spars or just to fix it so articulated all the elements 4 to the same spar 8.

Figure 4 shows that the parallel beams 8 and the elements forming crosspieces 4 assembled between the spars perpendicular to these form a rigid chassis supporting the two panels 1, 2.

To allow the assembly of the upper parts in half-arch shape of the two panels 1, 2, each panel includes a beam 17 with two grooves opposite sides 18 preferably defined by two identical U-shaped profiles joined together by their bases for example by welding. The upper end of the half-arch of each panel is fixed on a portion of its length in one of the grooves 18 of the beam 17 for example by riveting. Preferably, the beam 17 extends over half of the total length of the corresponding panel 1, 2. The other groove 18 of the beam 17 of a panel is intended to receive the part corresponding upper end of the other sign. The beam 17 of this last panel receives also in its corresponding groove 18 the portion upper free end of the first panel. In assembled position of the two panels, the two beams 17 are joined together.

The two panels 1, 2 can be nested one above on the other as shown in Figure 11 for allow their transport by a person to the place where the shelter is to be buried. In the nested position of these two panels, the beam 17 of the outer panel 1 rests on the beam 17 of the internal panel 2 while the spar 8 of the panel 1 is supported on the spar 8 of panel 2. Panels 1, 2 are held in position fitted by a harness 19 also serving means of transport of the nested panels 1, 2. The harness 19 includes two laces of flexible material 20, 21 connected together at the top with one leg flexible joint fastener 22 removably attached to the beam 17 of the outer panel 1 and attached to their two lower ends spaced from spar 8 of external panel 1. The fixing of the tab 22 can take place via a small axis 23 secured to the beam 17 of the panel 1 and a hole through the tab 22 in which the axis is engaged 23. Attachment of the two ends of the laces 20, 21 the spar 8 can be made by rivets. The harness 19 also includes a strap of material flexible 24 located in the upper part thereof and a handling handle 25 fixed between the two laces 20, 21 in the lower part thereof through a strap 26. The strap 24 and the handle 25 are located at a distance from each other so that a person can carry the two panels fitted by the handle 25 having the strap 24 placed under his arm. The strap 24 allows avoid tipping outside the body of the person, around handle 25, panels nested and transport the panels to a position slightly inclined relative to the body of the no one.

So that the assembled panels 1, 2 are light, the cross members 4, the side members 8, the beams 17 and the added parts 7, 12 are produced preferably aluminum.

The realization of the device forming an underground shelter already results from the description which was made above and will now be explained with reference to Figures 13 to 18.

Figure 13 shows precisely the position of transport of the two nested panels 1, 2 by a person going to where the device should to be burried. Arrived at this place, the person separates the two panels 1, 2 by disconnecting the tab of attachment 22 of its axis of attachment 23 to the panel 1, as shown in figure 14. After digging a excavation 27 of appropriate dimensions, the person successively introduces the two panels 1, 2 into excavation 27 in a substantially vertical position and sets up the four cross members 4 by tilting them down clockwise of a watch as shown in Figures 15 and 16.

The tapered ends 10 of the elements forming sleepers 4 are then engaged in their orifices respective frustoconical 11. Then, as shown in figure 17, the upper parts in the shape of a half-arch panels 1, 2 are joined together by interlocking in their respective beams 17 for make the tunnel-shaped shelter. After making sure that the cross members are correctly locked in their patches the shelter is covered with earth and protective bags 28 as shown in FIG. 18.

The shape and structure of the panels 1, 2 and the cross members 4 are optimized for allow the shelter to withstand the lateral thrust of very unstable terrain and land push exercised in particular on the side walls of the panels 1, 2 of the buried shelter helps to keep it firmly the frustoconical ends of the elements forming sleepers 4 in their tapered orifices correspondents. In addition, the shape of the panels 1, 2, the nesting of their upper parts and lower links of these provide, under the action of the pressure of the earth on top and the sides of the panels, a self-locking device ensuring the complete safety of the personnel. The simplicity means used to assemble the shelter and the robustness of it allow many dismantling for successive uses of the shelter and the shape and length of this shelter are compatible with the use of small arms. The shelter allows easily accommodate two people and is easily transportable by one person since the weight panels fitted in the transport position is at about 17 kilograms maximum. Experiments of the shelter buried under a layer of soil of about 60 cm thick showed that the shelter resists attack by a 155 mm shell. These tests conclusive included an air explosion at dominant glow, a dominant air explosion pressure and a dominant land explosion seismic.

Claims (18)

1. Device forming an underground shelter for the protection of at least one person against external aggressions such for example as explosions, comprising two substantially identical rigid panels (1,2) which may be assembled together into a removable tunnel configuration ; first mechanical means fastened to the upper portion of each one of the two panels and arranged so as to permit a joined fitting into each other of both upper portions of both panels (1,2) defining the vault of the tunnel ; second mechanical means (4) with at least two elements forming cross-members having the same length, fastened to the lower portion of each one of the two panels (1,2) for providing a rigid connection between these two lower portions enabling the buried tunnel to withstand side or transverse forces applied upon the panels (1,2) and resulting from the thrust exerted by the layer of material covering the tunnel, the first and second mechanical means being arranged in a self-locked manner in the buried position of the tunnel ; characterized in that both elements forming cross members (4) have each one one (5) of their ends connected in a pivotal fashion to the lower portion of one of the panels (1,2) and their opposite end (9) removably fastened to the lower portion of the other panel (2,1) and shaped so as to be locked into one part with a complementary mating shape of the corresponding lower portion of the other panel by the said transverse forces.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening end of each element forming a cross-member (4) comprises a frusto-conical end part (10) engaging a complementary mating fiusto-conical opening (11) of a piece (12) fitted to the lower portion of the corresponding panel (1,2), the frusto-conical part (10) being firmly held within its corresponding opening (11) by the transverse thrust force of the covering earth.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforesaid fitted piece (12) comprises a stop-like portion (13) co-operating with a collar (14) made fast to the frusto-conical part (10) rearwards of the latter for holding the element forming a cross-member (4) against motion in relation to the corresponding panel (1,2).
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the fitted piece (12) is approximately in the shape of a cube recessed so as to permit the insertion of the end (9) of the element forming a cross-member (4) into the piece (12) over the latter and in that the stop-like portion (13) is provided in the bottom wall of the cube of the fitted piece (12) while extending in perpendicular relationship between the side walls (12a, 12b) of the cube transversely of the corresponding panel (1,2) whereas the frusto-conical opening (11) is provided in that end wall of the cube which is adjacent to the panel (1,2).
5. Device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that each cross-member-like element (4) is movable in a plane perpendicular to that of the panel (1,2) to which it is pivotally connected and is foldable down onto this panel into an inoperative transport position.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the cross-member-like element (4) is held in the inoperative position by two elastic lugs (15) approximately in the shape of an Ω, fastened to the panel (1, 2) and receiving the end (9) with a frusto-conical end part of the cross-member-like element (4).
7. Device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the end of each cross-member-like element (4) is pivotally connected to the corresponding panel (1, 2) through the medium of a clevis-shaped part (7) fitted to this panel.
8. Device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the lower portions of both panels (1, 2) are fastened into two stringers (8) made from bars with a channel-like cross section constituting with the cross-member-like elements (4) fastened between the panels (1, 2) a frame for supporting the panels.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the fitted pieces (7,12) are fastened for example by welding into the stringers (8) which comprise U-shaped cut outs (8a1, 8a2) provided in both mutually facing side walls (8a) of the stringers (8) to permit the fastening of the cross-member-like elements (4) between the panels (1,2) substantially in a same plane perpendicular to the panels (1,2).
10. Device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the aforesaid first mechanical means for fitting in comprise at least one beam (17) with two opposite side grooves (18) preferably defined by two substantially identical channel sections made fast together by their bases, at least one end portion of the upper vault portion of one panel (1;2) being fastened into one of the two grooves (18) of the beam (17) and at least one end portion of the upper vault portion of the other panel (2;1) fitting into the other groove (18) of the beam (17).
11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the aforesaid first mechanical means comprise two identical beams (17) fastened to the upper end portions, respectively, of both panels (1,2) while extending over one half of the length of the panel so that the free upper end portion of one panel (1;2) fits into the beam (17) of the other panel (2;1) and vice versa.
12. Device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that both panels (1,2) have a relatively low weight for being portable by one single person.
13. Device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that both panels (1,2) are fitted into each other in the transport position at the place of burying by one person and in that it in addition comprises a harness (19) for the transport of both fitted-in panels (1,2).
14. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that the aforesaid harness (19) is arranged in order at the same time to hold both panels (1,2) fitted into one another during the transport and for permitting their transport in a position kept slightly inclined with respect to the body of the person.
15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the harness (19) comprises two braces (20, 21) for the fastening of both fitted-in panels (1,2), connected together at the upper portion to a common fastening member (22) removably fastened to the beam (17) of the outer panel (1) and fastened with their two spaced lower ends to the stringer (8) of the outer panel (1); an upper strap (24) fastened between both braces (20, 21); and a lower handling grip (25) also fastened between both braces (20, 21) at some distance from the strap (24) so that the person may transport the fitted-in panels (1,2) by taking hold of the handling grip (25) with the strap (24) accommodated under his arm.
16. Device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the upper vault portion of each panel (1;2) is in the shape of one half-arch imparting to the vault of the tunnel the shape of a cylindrical cap.
17. Device according to claims 1,2,7,8 and 10, characterized in that each panel comprises undulations (3) in the manner of a corrugated metal sheet and is made from a glass fiber-based material and in that the beams (17), the stringers (8), the cross-member-like elements (4) and the fitted pieces (7, 12) are made from a light material such as aluminium.
18. Method of providing an underground shelter for the protection of at least one person, using the device defined in the claims 1,2,7 and 10, characterized in that it consists in :

    transporting by a person both fitted-in panels (1,2) to a place where the shelter should be buried ;

    digging out an excavation (27) for the burying of the shelter;

    separating both fitted-in panels (1; 2);

    inserting both separated panels (1,2) into the excavation (27) in a substantially vertical position;

    fastening the cross member-like elements (4) between both panels (1,2) by swinging them downwards and inserting their fastening ends (9,10) into the corresponding fitted pieces (7,12) so that the frusto-conical end parts (10) be inserted into the frusto-conical openings (11), respectively, of these fitted pieces ;

    joining both panels at the upper portion by fitting into each corresponding beam (17); and

    covering the shelter thus formed with earth and if need be with protective bags above the shelter.

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