Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Preassembled subenclosure or substructure section of unit or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-06
2002-07-09
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Preassembled subenclosure or substructure section of unit or...
C052S167100, C052S169600, C052S270000, C052S653100, C052S792100, C292S138000, C292S139000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06415558
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention is directed to safe rooms or tornado shelters conforming to the “National Performance Criteria for Tornado Shelters,” 1
st
Edition, May 8, 1999, published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Booklet #320 entitled “Taking Shelter From The Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your House,” 2
nd
Edition, August 1999 also published by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The criteria of these publication requires, among other things, that the shelter and components withstand forces imposed by 250 mph ground-level wind speeds and prevent perforation by a 15 lb. 2×4 board traveling at a speed of 100 miles per hour. More particularly, this invention is directed to the problems of design and installation of a storm shelter meeting FEMA criteria and simultaneously being capable of efficient installation within an existing building with minimum costs of components and assembly.
This invention includes a unique door construction for completion of the shelter that is wheel chair accessible, swings inwardly to avoid being blocked by debris and has a simple actuator for a three bolt lock that facilitates operation by children. This door also meets the FEMA criteria of withstanding forces imposed by a 250 mph ground level wind and perforation by a 15 lb. 2×4 board traveling at a speed of 100 miles per hour.
RELATED ART
The problems of installing a vault or safe room facility within an existing building have been previously noted in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,174 (Waller) recognized that such units often could not be installed without demolishing a major part of a building. For this reason, he disclosed a unit that could be shipped in a compact packaging unit for installation in a building without major modifications to the existing structure. While his concepts have merit, they do require special pre-fabricated “connector sleeves” and “welded plate connectors” which must be welded to connection members. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,174 teaches a “light-weight” steel structure and does not disclose a door structure. Importantly, since the door structure has a substantial surface area, its design, in a manner capable of meeting the FEMA guidelines, presents a challenge.
Accordingly, the present invention seeks to eliminate the need for any special pre-fabricated connectors or connections, to use heavy, 10 gauge steel, to utilize standard, off the shelf connectors and to provide a door design that will meet the standards of FEMA.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Tis invention comprises a tornado shelter that will meet the performance criteria of FEMA and withstand forces imposed by a 250 mph ground level wind as well as perforation by a 15 lb. 2×4 board traveling at a speed of 100 miles per hour. It includes C-shaped channel members formed of steel and bolted together to define square or rectangular building having a door that is also capable of withstanding the same forces. Importantly, the unit is wheelchair accessible. In addition, its door locking structure reduces the risk of children locking themselves within the structure.
Accordingly, the objectives of this invention are to provide, among other things,
1) A low cost tornado shelter that requires no special prefabricated parts and may be assembled by a home owner within a room of his existing home;
2) A low cost tornado shelter having surface panel members formed to have integral interconnection capabilities and a very high substantial, integral strength;
3) A low cost tornado shelter having a wide, high strength door and assembly that does not impede wheelchair entry, opens inwardly to prevent blockage by storm debris, has a simplistic locking device and is sufficiently strong to meet FEMA criteria;
4) Surface panel members for tornado shelters formed of C-shaped construction providing ease of assembly;
5) A low cost tornado shelter that can be assembled from the inside, i.e., easily assembled within a closet of a home;
6) A low cost tornado shelter that can be disassembled from the inside so as to permit an emergency egress by disassembling any of the individual wall panels;
7) A low cost tornado shelter that does not require a separate, integrated frame structure; and
8) A door and simplified lock system that also meets the FEMA standards and is prefabricated in a manner to facilitate construction of the shelter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4012871 (1977-03-01), Netto
patent: 4126972 (1978-11-01), Silen
patent: 4258511 (1981-03-01), Strian
patent: 4429495 (1984-02-01), Aoki
patent: 4592175 (1986-06-01), Werner
patent: 4754584 (1988-07-01), Newton, II
patent: 5177914 (1993-01-01), Hilmer
patent: 5472247 (1995-12-01), Monson
patent: 5481837 (1996-01-01), Minks, Jr.
patent: 5588269 (1996-12-01), Wagner
patent: 5595408 (1997-01-01), Jeche
patent: 5603234 (1997-02-01), Lozier et al.
patent: 5813174 (1998-09-01), Waller
patent: 5956907 (1999-09-01), Martin
patent: 5983578 (1999-11-01), Huttie et al.
National Performance Criteria for Tornado Shelters, 1stEd., May 8, 1999 FEMA.
Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe room Inside Your House, 2ndEd, Aug. 1999.
Autoquip Corporation
Glessner Brian E.
Stephan Beth A.
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