US20150101262A1

US20150101262A1 - Tornado Protection Shelter

Info

Publication number: US20150101262A1
Application number: US14/574,316
Authority: US
Inventors: Oliver Groves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-17
Filing date: 2014-12-17
Publication date: 2015-04-16

Abstract

A weather protection system designed to protect people and buildings during meteorological events such as a tornado by retracting and securing a building into the ground.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of shelters. More particularly, the present invention relates to in-ground shelters which either can be installed in new construction or can be retrofit and would provide substantially more protection for people, possessions, and homes from disasters, such as tornados, than current available options.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tornados are dangerous meteorological events that can occur anywhere in North America and have been observed on all continents, except Antarctica. These storms can be devastating to life and property. While efforts have been made to improve detection, nothing like the detection systems available for hurricanes, which allow people to evacuate dangerous areas, exists. Often people have merely minutes of warning. This means that when a tornado, or other wind storm, occurs, people must utilize the structures available to them. This is especially true in the so-called Tornado Alley of the United States where about 8 tornados occur every 10,000 square miles each year.
Current protection relies primarily on use of basements or interior rooms without windows. Tornado shelters, which are typically windowless shelters built into the ground, can be built on people's property or in conjunction with their house. Many of the current options involve improvements to entrances to shelters such as how they open and reducing the vertical components. Shelters of this type can be difficult or even unsafe to leave after a tornado depending on how the shelter opens and how debris has fallen. These shelters need to be stocked regularly with up to date food, water, and medical supplies. These shelters do nothing to protect property, except for items that individuals may bring with them. Due to the limited use, many of these do not have utilities such as lighting, running water, plumbing, or electricity. Furthermore, if the entrance to a shelter is outside of the house, people will need to risk going outside to reach the shelter
Some above ground shelters have been designed primarily to work with the wind patterns by having dome shaped buildings and reducing vertical sides. These structures do not allow for freedom of style in architecture, create issues regarding internal space, and most furniture is not designed with curved walls in mind, especially curved walls with a non-standard degree of curvature.
Tornados are exceptionally dangerous to life, but they are also dangerous to real property, personal property, and items with sentimental value. Settling insurance claims can be a lengthy process while individuals are left without shelter.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

There is therefore a need for tornado protection home design that allows for maximal protection of lives and property.
The present invention relates to a tornado protection home design that can be implemented with new homes, or potentially retrofitted for older homes.
In an embodiment of the invention, a home is lowered into the ground during a tornado warning such that the edge of the roof becomes flush with the ground. A lower concrete structure of walls and floor is constructed beneath the building with an interior open volume sufficient for the building to retract into. Additional vertical space may be needed, depending on the embodiment, if the user intends to store controls or other elements beneath the building at all times. In this substructure are telescopic jack assemblies that allow control the lowering and raising of the structure. The substructure may contain the jack controls, electrical controls, stairway, generator and access to the emergency exit.
The aforementioned staircase provides ingress and egress from the substructure. In a preferred embodiment it is a spiral, which can be purchased or designed. When the building is raised it provides access to the substructure. When the building is lowered around it, it provides access to an escape hatch. Surrounding the stairway may be a clear Plexiglas tube that is open below in two places.
Utility hookups can be designed to travel with the building structure.
A tornado warning system may be included.
This protects the structure of the building, the property inside, and the people. Also the people can remain safe while in the comfort of their home during a storm. Up to date food, water, and medical supplies are more likely to be in supply already. Electricity, running water, and plumbing will be available so long as it would be generally available. Dangers from debris are also averted. Debris will not fall into an open door and the chance of being trapped is far less significant. If the building does need to remain lowered for any significant time period, not only will the people inside have access to the complete interior of their home, but it will be much easier for rescuers to see a lowered building than a covered shelter entrance.
Because the roof is the only portion of the building exposed it is the only portion that needs to be configured to specifically withstand the winds. This differs from a typical above ground structure that requires the entire surface area to be able to withstand the winds by combing heavy materials, exceptionally strong materials, and specially shaped materials. Although there are many options for the roofing materials, a recommended embodiment uses materials and designs similar to the exterior of an airplane.
Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments of the invention. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the invention and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

Some of the figures included herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention from different viewing angles. Although the accompanying descriptive text may refer to such views as “top,” “bottom” or “side” views, such references are merely descriptive and do not imply or require that the invention be implemented or used in a particular spatial orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 is front view of an extended embodiment of the invention with the interior visible.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of an extended embodiment of the invention with the interior visible.

FIG. 3 is side view of an extended embodiment of the invention with the interior visible.

FIG. 4 is front view of an extended embodiment of the invention with the interior visible.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the locking mechanisms.

FIG. 6 is front view of a retracted embodiment of the invention with the interior visible.

FIG. 7 is front view of a retracted embodiment of the invention with the interior visible.

FIG. 8 is perspective view of a retracted embodiment of the invention with the interior visible.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12 are close up schematics of the down spout, electrical box, pressure switch, and shield respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms of example environments. Description in terms of these environments is provided to allow the various features and embodiments of the invention to be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. After reading this description, it will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative environments.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in applications, published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this document prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.
FIG. 1 is front view of an extended embodiment of the invention with the interior visible and FIG. 2 is perspective view of an extended embodiment of the invention with the interior visible. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the raised building and substructure assembly 100. The building 110 has a roof 130. The roof 130 in this embodiment is low and tapered. A roof 130 may have a conical shape.
The substructure 120 has support walls 140 that in this embodiment are made of concrete. In the substructure 120 are the jack assemblies 150. In this embodiment the jack assemblies are telescopic and electromagnetic. The jack assemblies are capable of lifting up to 40 kips (40,000 lbs) each in unison. They are also electrically driven limiting the need for hydraulic or pneumatic hardware to operate them. The electromagnetic drives operate by magnetic forces that are held in place when the electric current is turned off. The exact number of jack assemblies 150 will differ depending on the load of the building 110. Though not required, it is suggested that each jack assembly 150 have a rated capacity of two (2) times the working load.
Around the upper edge of the substructure 120, and surrounding the building 110 at ground level is a rubber seal 220.
Optional placement of dowel rods may be fitted into sockets 122 located such that the dowels would extend out from the walls at the lowest point that building 110 will reach within the substructure 120.
In this embodiment of the invention the building 110 has locking mechanism 190 at the corners. It also has a channel 162 that allows a user to travel via a spiral staircase 160 to the substructure 120. In the substructure are electric controls 200, jack controls 210, and an exit door 172 that leads to a ladder 170 and exit hatch 180. Another exit hatch 180 is located on the roof 130 for use via the spiral staircase 160 when the building 110 is retracted into the substructure 120.
FIG. 3 is side view of an extended embodiment of the invention with the interior visible. From this view the standard utility hookups 300 can be seen. In this embodiment a stand 310 is used to festoon the length of the hookups 300. When the building 110 is lowered, the remaining length of the hookups 300 between the stand 310 and the building 110, will be lowered as well without the lower festoon 312 remaining in place. In other embodiments reels or pulleys may be used. The standard hookups 30 include fluid lines and can be connected to a septic system and pump.
FIG. 4 is front view of an extended embodiment of the invention with the interior visible. In this embodiment of the raised building and substructure assembly 100 there are removable drain spouts 400 near the ground 430. These are useful when it rains during normal inclement weather and the lowering features are not in effect. In one embodiment the drain spouts 400 are removable, while in another the drain spouts 400 are attached with a spring structure that allows the drain spouts 400 the mobility to rotate as the building 110 is lowered into the substructure 120. This mobility is further explored in FIG. 9. Drain spouts 400 may have built on screens.
In an embodiment the downspouts leading to the drain spouts 400 are internal to the building 110. The drain spouts 400 may rotate and shut off this opening. When this opening is blocked by any means, the water is forced up to the surface and flows over the upper surface ground 430. The rotation functions as a valve and is cylindrical similar to a faucet valve. PTFT seals may be used inside and outside of the rotation point on the downspouts and drain spouts 400.
In another embodiment the drain spouts 400, being removable, have the openings covered by a locking mechanism as described in FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the locking mechanisms. When the building 110 is raised on the jack assemblies 150 above ground level, locking mechanisms 190, which can be magnetic lids, may be detached from the building 110 to the top of the concrete walls 140 to allow the drain spouts 400 to be put in place. In one embodiment the magnetic lids are made of durable plastic with magnetic portions. The magnetic lids can protect the rubber seal 220, optionally formed from neoprene rubber, from the sun light and other debris that could impede the sealing of the house from water entering.
FIG. 6 is front view of a retracted embodiment of the invention with the interior visible. This is an embodiment of the lowered building and substructure assembly 102. The jack assemblies 150 can be seen telescopically retracted. The roof 130 rests on the rubber seal 220 in the cavity 222 at ground 430 level. The spiral staircase 160 extends through the channel 162. An audio and visual warning system can be in place.
This embodiment also shows how the remaining space in the substructure 120 allows room for the retracted jack assemblies 150, a back-up generator 450, electric controls 200, jack controls 210, and an exit door 172 that leads to both a ladder 170 and electric box 420. The roof may house jack pressure switches 440 as a feedback mechanism. The load cells for the jack assemblies 150 are not visible, but are located within the jack assemblies 150 between the portion attached to the bottom of the substructure and the lower top plate of the jack assemblies 150.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are front and perspective views of a retracted embodiment of the invention with the interior visible. These embodiments are of the lowered building and substructure assembly 102. The jack assemblies 150 can be seen telescopically retracted. The roof 130 rests on the rubber seal 220 in the cavity 222. The spiral staircase 160 extends through the channel 162.
FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12 are close up schematics of the locking mechanism, electrical box, pressure switch 440, and shield respectively.
In one embodiment the locking mechanism 190 are attached with a spring structure that allows the locking mechanism 190 the mobility to rotate as the building 110 is lowered into the substructure.
The electric box 420 and ladder 170 are behind an exit door 172 such that individuals may still ingress or egress while the structure is lowered.
The pressure switch 440 in this embodiment is mounted inside a threaded housing, which allows for adjustment. Tubing 442 runs from the pressure switch 440 to the jack assemblies 150. In this embodiment the wiring runs through the concrete wall of the substructure 120.
A locking mechanism 190 may rotate. FIG. 9 and FIG. 12 show more about this. FIG. 9 shows how the locking mechanism may rotate between many positions including 190 a and 190 b, while FIG. 12 shows a shield 410 the may help enable rotation of the locking mechanism 190.
In various embodiments of the invention additional elements add additional protections. Roller stabilizer assemblies may be included at each corner of the substructure. These help protect the walls of the building as it lowers, provides stability, and provides shock protection from any variety of natural disasters. At the ground level (or top) of the substructure there can be a rubber seal that the roof affixes to when lowered. This would prevent water or wind from entering the gap.
A shock isolation system around and attached to the substructure 120 may be made of foam blocks. The weight of the blocks will depend on the location site for earthquakes.
A one-story house has been used in these drawings, but the above ground structure could be any type of building or shelter.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations can be implemented to implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein can be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.
Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.
The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in a single package or separately maintained and can further be distributed across multiple locations.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.
Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. The device, method, and process as described in the specification.