GB2084211A

GB2084211A - Shelter to provide protection from nuclear fallout and/or war gas

Info

Publication number: GB2084211A
Application number: GB8106485A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: NORTHGREAVES KENNETH ROY
Current assignee: NORTHGREAVES KENNETH ROY
Priority date: 1980-09-19
Filing date: 1981-03-02
Publication date: 1982-04-07

Abstract

A shelter to provide protection from nuclear fall-out and/or war gas has a flexible, inflatable envelope (1) containing its own life support system and being able to be stored in a collapsed condition until required. A sealable access (6) is provided and an over-pressure within the envelope can be maintained by means of a hand-operated air compressor (4) which draws in external air through an air inlet (5) and through a dust and war gas filter. The shelter can be divided into two chambers (7, 9) of which one can form an air-lock chamber between the access opening and the other chamber. Sanitary and decontamination equipment (11, 12) can be provided in the air-lock chamber. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shelter to provide protection from nuclear fallout and/or war gas In the event of a nuclear attack, there is a zone within which total destruction of buildr ings takes place and where the chances of human survival are small. However, in areas further from the point of explosion of the nuclear device, houses may be damaged but not demolished. Within this area it is possible for people to survive the initial blast of the explosion and, provided that they are pro tected from the effects of air-borne contamina tion for a period of several weeks, the chances of total survival are good. Many shelters, together with accessories such as filters, pumps, air-locks and effluent handling equip ment are available, but most are based upon complete structural enclosures of concrete, steel, etc.These shelters are necessarily ex pensive and often use space which cannot otherwise be usefully employed.

According to the present invention, there is provided a shelter to provide protection from nuclear fallout and/or war gas, the shelter comprising a flexible, inflatable envelope con taining its own life support system and being able to be stored in a collapsed condition until required, a sealable access being provided to the inside of the envelope.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying draw ing, in which the single Figure diagrammati cally shows a cross-section through a shelter according to the invention in its inflated state and ready for use inside a building.

Referring to the drawing, the shelter com prises a flexible, inflatable envelope 1 which contains its own life support system.

In the particular form of shelter shown, it is inflated in a room 2 of a domestic house 3.

Air pressure within the envelope is maintained at a positive increment over external air pres sure and this can be achieved by a hand operated air compressor 4 drawing external air through an air inlet 5 and through a dust and war gas filter associated with the com pressor.

A sealed access opening 6 is provided at one end of the envelope, this access opening being arranged to have a controlled air leak facility to allow for air flow through the envel ope. The access opening 6 opens into an air lock chamber 7 within the envelope, there being an inner wall 8 forming the inside wall of the air lock chamber 7 and providing a sealed access to a living chamber 9 which forms the main chamber of the shelter. As with the access opening 6, the sealed access in the wall 8 is provided with a controlled air leak facility so that air flow is from the air inlet 5, through the main chamber 9, through the air lock chamber 7 and out of the air leak facility associated with the access opening 6.

A collapsible lightweight frame 10 can be provided to give support to the envelope when inflated. Alternatively, it is possible for the envelope itself to have its own pneumatic supporting tubes incorporated therein. The supporting frame 10 is really only required to assist in erection of the shelter and a further possibility could be that the envelope is erected by suspending from hooks embedded in the ceiling of the room instead of or as well as providing a frame or supporting tubes.

As well as providing access to the chamber 9, the air lock chamber 7 can be used for the siting of sanitary equipment 11 and decontamination equipment 1 2. A means 1 3 would then be provided for discharging effluent.

A translucent panel 1 4 can be provided in one or more walls of the shelter.

It will be appreciated that the present shelter may be stored in a collapsed or folded condition, perhaps within a special case, until required and may then be transported to the selected room and inflated within it. Accordingly, a compact and comparatively inexpensive enclosure, incorporating the necessary equipment is provided, which may be quickly erected within a suitable room of a house, for example, in order to convert this to a sealed shelter to provide protection from nuclear fallout and/or war gas.

The shelter may be made in modular form so that the chamber 7 can be removed by self-closing sliding clasp fasteners and additional sections can be added at will.

1. A shelter to provide protection from nuclear fallout and/or war gas, the shelter comprising a flexibie, inflatable envelope containing its own life support system and being able to be stored in a collapsed condition until required, a sealable access being provided to the inside of the envelope.

2. A shelter as claimed in claim 1 and comprising means to maintain air pressure within the envelope, in use of the shelter, at a positive increment over external air pressure.

3. A shelter as claimed in claim 2, wherein said means comprises an air compressor within the envelope, an air inlet through which external air can be drawn and a dust and war gas filter to treat the air.

4. A shelter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said envelope is provided with a controlled air leak facility to allow air to escape from within the shelter.

5. A shelter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said envelope is divided by an internal wall into two chambers of which one forms an air lock chamber provided between said sealable access and the other chamber, said internal wall having its

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Shelter to provide protection from nuclear fallout and/or war gas In the event of a nuclear attack, there is a zone within which total destruction of buildr ings takes place and where the chances of human survival are small. However, in areas further from the point of explosion of the nuclear device, houses may be damaged but not demolished. Within this area it is possible for people to survive the initial blast of the explosion and, provided that they are pro tected from the effects of air-borne contamina tion for a period of several weeks, the chances of total survival are good. Many shelters, together with accessories such as filters, pumps, air-locks and effluent handling equip ment are available, but most are based upon complete structural enclosures of concrete, steel, etc.These shelters are necessarily ex pensive and often use space which cannot otherwise be usefully employed. According to the present invention, there is provided a shelter to provide protection from nuclear fallout and/or war gas, the shelter comprising a flexible, inflatable envelope con taining its own life support system and being able to be stored in a collapsed condition until required, a sealable access being provided to the inside of the envelope. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying draw ing, in which the single Figure diagrammati cally shows a cross-section through a shelter according to the invention in its inflated state and ready for use inside a building. Referring to the drawing, the shelter com prises a flexible, inflatable envelope 1 which contains its own life support system. In the particular form of shelter shown, it is inflated in a room 2 of a domestic house 3. Air pressure within the envelope is maintained at a positive increment over external air pres sure and this can be achieved by a hand operated air compressor 4 drawing external air through an air inlet 5 and through a dust and war gas filter associated with the com pressor. A sealed access opening 6 is provided at one end of the envelope, this access opening being arranged to have a controlled air leak facility to allow for air flow through the envel ope. The access opening 6 opens into an air lock chamber 7 within the envelope, there being an inner wall 8 forming the inside wall of the air lock chamber 7 and providing a sealed access to a living chamber 9 which forms the main chamber of the shelter. As with the access opening 6, the sealed access in the wall 8 is provided with a controlled air leak facility so that air flow is from the air inlet 5, through the main chamber 9, through the air lock chamber 7 and out of the air leak facility associated with the access opening 6. A collapsible lightweight frame 10 can be provided to give support to the envelope when inflated. Alternatively, it is possible for the envelope itself to have its own pneumatic supporting tubes incorporated therein. The supporting frame 10 is really only required to assist in erection of the shelter and a further possibility could be that the envelope is erected by suspending from hooks embedded in the ceiling of the room instead of or as well as providing a frame or supporting tubes. As well as providing access to the chamber 9, the air lock chamber 7 can be used for the siting of sanitary equipment 11 and decontamination equipment 1 2. A means 1 3 would then be provided for discharging effluent. A translucent panel 1 4 can be provided in one or more walls of the shelter. It will be appreciated that the present shelter may be stored in a collapsed or folded condition, perhaps within a special case, until required and may then be transported to the selected room and inflated within it. Accordingly, a compact and comparatively inexpensive enclosure, incorporating the necessary equipment is provided, which may be quickly erected within a suitable room of a house, for example, in order to convert this to a sealed shelter to provide protection from nuclear fallout and/or war gas. The shelter may be made in modular form so that the chamber 7 can be removed by self-closing sliding clasp fasteners and additional sections can be added at will. CLAIMS

5. A shelter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said envelope is divided by an internal wall into two chambers of which one forms an air lock chamber provided between said sealable access and the other chamber, said internal wall having its own sealed access to said other chamber.

6. A shelter as claimed in claim 5, wherein said one chamber is provided with sanitary equipment.

7. A shelter as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said one chamber is provided with decontamination equipment.

8. A shelter as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein means is provided for discharging effluent.

9. A shelter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a collapsible lightweight frame is provided to give support to the envelope during inflation.

10. A shelter as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said envelope is provided with pneumatic supporting tubes incorporated therein.

11. A shelter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said envelope has means to enable it to be suspended from a ceiling of a room.

1 2. A shelter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and being made in modular form to provide a plurality of chambers which can be removed from one another and added at will.

1 3. A shelter to provide protection from nuclear fallout and/or war gas, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.