Personal, relocatable protective enclosure

Abstract

The application relates to a standalone portable protective enclosure that forms a complete envelope surrounding and protecting its contents from the extreme forces of nature and man. The invention can have other uses other than a protective enclosure and will not be out of place in a living room of a home. The invention pertains to a protective enclosure that is resistant to high velocity projectiles and massive blunt forces. More particularly, this invention relates to a protective enclosure that can be site assembled from matching parts and may be disassembled and relocated to different locations.

Claims

1. A protective enclosure comprised of: a. an enclosure top, enclosure bottom, and at least three enclosure side panels removably sealed together such that when constructed the enclosure top and enclosure bottom are substantially parallel and separated apart wherein at least one female interconnect opening equipped with a securable hatch is mounted in at least one of the enclosure top or enclosure bottom and at least one of the foregoing side panels; i. wherein the enclosure top, enclosure bottom, enclosure side panels, and securable hatches are constructed of at least two laminated engineered cementitious composite sheets with at least one interior elastomeric layer adhesively adhered in between them that controls the splay and spall created when a penetrating impact article impacts the enclosure top, enclosure bottom, or enclosure side panel; i. wherein at least one securable hatch is equipped with an air flow system; and b. one externally exposed grounding eye mounted at one corner of the enclosure bottom having attached a rope, strap or metal rod such that when the enclosure is installed and tethered from the exposed grounding eye to an earthen anchor point via the rope, strap or metal rod, and the enclosure is subsequently exposed to a lateral force from the wind, the corner where the exposed grounding eye is installed becomes aligned pointing into the wind and the linear force of the wind does not impinge perpendicularly on any side of the enclosure.

2. A protective enclosure of claim 1 further comprising a second secured hatch installed in at least one female interconnect.

3. A protective enclosure of claim 1 further comprising at least one translucent plastic panel sealed in an aperture interconnect.

4. A protective enclosure of claim 1 further comprising a mechanism for pulling a cord to remove a securable hatch.

5. A protective enclosure of claim 1 further comprising a mechanism for turning a handle to remove a securable hatch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a novel personal, relocatable protective enclosure. The enclosure is pictured such that the walls are partially transparent.

(2) FIG. 2 shows an isometric view showing an enclosure bottom tub, an enclosure top tub, hinged doors, and side panels showing a multiplicity of female interconnect openings.

(3) FIG. 3a shows a plan view of an escape hatch removed by pulling on a cord.

(4) FIG. 3b shows a plan view of an escape hatch removed by rotating a handle.

(5) FIG. 4a shows an elevation view of an escape hatch removed by pulling on a cord.

(6) FIG. 4b shows an elevation view of an escape hatch removed by rotating a handle.

(7) FIG. 5a shows a preassembly view of a section of engineered cementitious composite material before assembly.

(8) FIG. 5b shows an assembly view of a section of engineered cementitious composite material after assembly.

(9) FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention installed and ready for use in a house or other structure.

(10) FIG. 7 shows a plan view illustrating how the anchoring strap and one embodiment of the present invention rotates in an intense wind or in response to a massive blunt force such that the direction of the wind or blunt force does not impact the enclosure perpendicularly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(11) Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, and 5b a cut away view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Protective enclosure 30 is comprised of enclosure top tub 32 and enclosure bottom tub 34, at least one hinged door 46, and a multiplicity of enclosure side panels 36, 56, and 58.

(12) Enclosure top tub 32, enclosure bottom tub 34, hinged door 46, and multiplicity of enclosure side panels 36, 56, and 58 are all molded composite structures comprised of outside 127 and inside 126 layers of engineered cementitious composite interposed on both sides of an elastomeric panel 125. The panels are assembled by gluing outside 127 and inside 126 layers of engineered cementitious composite with elastomeric panel 125 interposed between them using epoxy/polyester cement 133 applied in a matrix of dots or point applications. It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that the epoxy/polyester cement 133 may also be applied laminarly. The resulting panels are cement based, yet slightly flexible and are molded in a production form. The resulting multi-layer structures can control the splay and spall created when the panel is struck with potentially penetrating impact articles. This improves the survivability of internally resident people and goods. Of course, it will be obvious to those having skill in the art that while the disclosed embodiment of the present invention exhibits two layers of engineered cementitious composite (outside 127 and inside 126) with an elastomeric panel 125 interposed between them that an unlimited number of additional layers of engineered cementitious composite and elastomeric material may be added when a panel is formed.

(13) Enclosure top tub 32, enclosure bottom tub 34, hinged door 46, and multiplicity of enclosure side panels 36, 56, and 58 possess an arbitrary number of secured hatches 38, 76, 89, 98, and 100 and translucent plastic panels 102 affixed into or glued into female interconnect openings 40, 42, 43, 91, 92, and 93. The hinged door 46, secured hatches 38, 76, 89, 98, and 100, and translucent plastic panels 102 are mounted to their respective enclosure top tub 32, enclosure bottom tub 34, and enclosure side panels 36, 56, and 58 using a stepped technique such that at least one ridge prevents the hinged door 46, secured hatches 38, 76, 89, 98, and 100, and translucent plastic panels 102 from being pushed or blown into protective enclosure 30.

(14) Enclosure top tub 32, enclosure bottom tub 34, hinged door 46, and multiplicity of enclosure side panels 36, 56, and 58 are assembled into the desired configuration and clipped together from the inside. Flat attachment clips 64 and corner attachment clips 66 and 68 are fitted into mating flat attachment clip female interconnect recesses 118 and corner attachment clip female interconnect recesses (not shown). Flat attachment clips 64 and corner attachment clips 66 and 68 are configured so that once installed the enclosure top tub 32, enclosure bottom tub 34, and side panels 36, 56, and 58 are securely and rigidly held together.

(15) Molded into enclosure bottom tub 34 is grounding eye 116. Grounding eye 116 is used to fasten the constructed protective enclosure 30 to the ground or other secure structure. Grounding eye 116 is affixed and externally exposed at a lower corner 117 of enclosure bottom tub 34. A cable or some other flexible, strong structure is connected between grounding eye 116 and a nearby secure structure affixed to the earth or some other structure affixed to the earth.

(16) Secured hatches 38, 76, 89, 98, and 100 are affixed into their associated female interconnect opening using one of two techniques:

(17) First, turning to FIGS. 3a and FIG. 4a, locking points 144 are affixed near the edge of secured hatch 76. After secured hatch 76 is installed in the female interconnect opening intended for it, secured hatch 76 is affixed by operating the buttons at the end of each clip shaft 142 thus forcing the end of the clip shaft through its respective locking point 144. This closes secured hatch 76. To open secured hatch 76, the user pulls cord 146. This causes the spring loaded ends of clip shafts 142 to be withdrawn from locking point 144 into which they are locked.

(18) Second, turning to FIGS. 3b and FIG. 4b an alternate method of locking secured hatch 89 into its associated female interconnect opening 40, 42, 43, 91, 92, and 93 is shown. After secured hatch 89 is installed in the female interconnect opening intended for it, secured hatch 89 is affixed by operating the buttons at the end of each shaft comprising each clip shaft 142 such that the end of the clip shaft through its respective locking point 144. This closes secured hatch 89. To open secured hatch 89, the user rotates handle 145. This causes the ends of clip shafts 142 to be withdrawn from locking point 144 into which they are locked.

(19) Returning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, translucent plastic panels 102 are permanently glued or otherwise sealed in their respective associated aperture interconnects 42 and 43.

(20) One or more secured hatches 38, 76, 89, and 98 are equipped with fresh air exchange system 96. Fresh air exchange system 96 comprises a battery, low speed fan, and switch capable of supplying air from the outside of protective enclosure 30 to the inside of protective enclosure 30.

(21) There may be an arbitrary number of secured hatches 38, 76, 89, 98, and 100. But, they are ordinarily equipped on enclosure top tub 32 and at least one side panel. By this means, the user may egress even if protective closure 30 has been forced on its side or top.

(22) Turning now to FIGS. 6 and 7, protective enclosure 30 is ordinarily affixed to an earthen anchor point 114 by a rope, strap, or metal rod 62 between grounding eye 116 and earthen anchor point 114. Grounding eye 116 is affixed and externally exposed at a lower corner 117 of enclosure bottom tub 34. This provides a solid earth ground for protective enclosure 30.

(23) Ordinarily, protective enclosure 30 moves away from (in the direction of) a strong wind or blunt force when it encounters such a force. In such cases, protective enclosure 30 orients itself in a free-flow setting such that the direction of force from the wind or the blunt force is not perpendicular to a side of protective enclosure 30. Protective enclosure 30 is anchored to earthen anchor point 114 by rope, strap, or metal rod 62 so physical movement in a storm or in response to a blunt force is a relatively minor concern.

(24) Returning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the location of hinged door 46 door is arbitrary, the number and location of the various female interconnect openings 40, 42, 43, 91, 92, 93 is arbitrary and the number and location of the escape hatches with quick release mechanisms 38, 76, 89, 98, and 100 is arbitrary. The mounting points 200 for interior and exterior cladding to suit ones needs is also arbitrary.

(25) Obviously, one may equip protective enclosure 30 with bench 94, etc. and other user appropriate items.