Fabricated sealed room

Abstract

The present invention relates to prefabricated rooms and the construction thereof. More particularly, the present invention, relates to prefabricated sealed rooms that serve as a room for daily use and protects from weapons of mass destructions such as nuclear fallout, biological or chemical weapons, and natural disasters.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to provisional application No. 60/837,131 filed on Aug. 11, 2006.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to prefabricated rooms and the construction thereof. More particularly the present invention relates to prefabricated sealed rooms that serve as a spare room and protects from weapons of mass destructions such as nuclear fallout, biological or chemical weapons, and natural disasters. Prefabricated rooms and rooms used for protection against weapons of mass destruction or natural disasters are widely known in the construction industry. However, prefabricated rooms that provide protection from weapons of mass destruction and also serve as normal living space that can be used on a daily basis have not been created.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,417 to Zachry discloses concrete rooms, each having an integrally cast top segment, consisting of a top panel and three sidewalls, and a precast floor segment secured to the top segment during its integral casting, are stacked on top of one another to form a rigid structure of multiple floors. While Zachry discloses precast rooms that are stackable, the precast rooms disclosed in Zachry fails to provide the protection necessary in the event of an attack by weapons of mass destruction.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,899 to Janitzky discloses an underground protective shelter installation with several protective cells connected to one another, the cells being assembled of prefinished steel reinforced concrete components which are hermetically sealed to one another and braced by clamping. Unlike the present invention, the invention in Janitzky does not provide the ability for the room to be used for every day purposes as the underground protective shelter are built underground without additions that would make it usable daily.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,233 to Fukutomi et al. discloses a concrete prefabricated basement having a number of underground units, each of which includes a bottom plate portion having a generally rectangular shape and a side plate portion, to form a rectangular box structure with an open top. The differences in Fukutomi as compared to the present invention is that Fukutomi does not provide protection against weapons of mass destruction and is limited to underground usage.

US 20010037615 to Reich discloses a prefabricatable enclosure which includes a unitary solid enclosure having entry means and an open bottom, the enclosure is made of materials having sufficient strength to withstand tornado and hurricane forced winds. The shortcomings of the following prior art is that it does not provide protection against weapons of mass destruction and the open bottom allows for the entrance of contaminate materials.

FR 255881 to Klein is a French patent that disclosed a device for protecting the occupant from nuclear, biological, and chemical fallout. It consists of a sealed casing with access doors, an armored shutter, and a filtration and ventilation system. However, like the other inventions above, Klein has several shortcomings, namely, that Klein cannot be used as a dual purpose room because of the manner of construction.

Therefore, the present invention provides both a prefabricated sealed room that provides protection from weapons of mass destruction and natural disasters, and also a room that could be utilized as an additional room that could be lived in on a daily basis. By providing a dual purpose prefabricated sealed room, the present invention provides a room that protects the occupants and is an inexpensive, usable addition to a dwelling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to prefabricated rooms and the construction thereof. More particularly, the present invention, relates to prefabricated sealed rooms that serve as a spare room and protects from weapons of mass destructions such as nuclear fallout, biological, or chemical weapons as well as natural disasters. The prefabricated sealed room is made of reinforced concrete and synchronized corners. The usage of reinforced concrete protects the prefabricated sealed room from shocks caused by weapons of mass destruction or natural calamities. The prefabricated sealed room can also be integrated into the production process of a building. Each prefabricated sealed room can be substantially sealed from the external environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a sectional top view of the prefabricated sealed room in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional front view of the prefabricated sealed room along A-A in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the prefabricated sealed room along B-B in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the prefabricated sealed room along C-C in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the prefabricated sealed room along D-D in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 6 through 9 are different perspective views of the prefabricated sealed room in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURES

Reference Numerals

• 10 . . . Prefabricated Room
• 12 . . . Front Wall
• 14 . . . Rear wall
• 16 . . . First Sidewall
• 18 . . . Second Sidewall
• 20 . . . First Front Corner
• 22 . . . Second Front Corner
• 24 . . . First Back Corner
• 26 . . . Second Back Corner
• 28 . . . Partition Wall
• 30 . . . Stairs
• 32 . . . First chamber
• 34 . . . First Wall
• 36 . . . Second Wall
• 38 . . . Bottom Portion of the Second Chamber
• 40 . . . Top Portion of the Second Chamber
• 42 . . . Circumferential Wall of the Top Portion
• 44 . . . Lockable Grate
• 46 . . . Top Slab
• 48 . . . Awning
• 50 . . . Sealing Door
• 52 . . . Sealing Window
• 54 . . . Rung
• 56 . . . Sliding Window
• 58 . . . Ventilation and Filtration System

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9. The present invention is a prefabricated sealed room 10 that protects from nuclear fallout, biological and chemical contaminates, and natural disasters, which may be used as an extra room or the like, on a daily basis but also provide protection in cases of emergency. The prefabricated sealed room 10 is a unitary element and is preferably made of reinforced concrete.

The prefabricated sealed room 10 can be installed below ground, at ground level, or above ground. The prefabricated sealed room 10, when installed below ground level, offers substantial protection against shocks caused by blasts or natural calamities. However, the prefabricated sealed room 10 can also be annexed to a main building, separate from a building, placed below a building or multiple prefabricated rooms could be made and stacked one above another. The prefabricated sealed room 10, as it is sealed, prevents the penetration of unwanted biological and/or chemical agents, water and etc. The circulation of fresh and clean air can be facilitated by a ventilation and filtration system 58 installed within the prefabricated sealed room 10. Further, the prefabricated sealed room 10 can be connected with electricity and communication sources. The prefabricated sealed room 10 is produced at a low cost and can be installed quickly and easily.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, the prefabricated sealed room 10 is defined by a floor slab which may be rectangular, a plurality of load-bearing walls extending from the four edges of the floor slab, and a ceiling on top of the load bearing walls. The plurality of load bearing walls are classified into a front wall 12, a rear wall 14, a first sidewall 16, and a second sidewall 18. Also, four corners are formed as the four load bearing walls are joined together; the corners are classified as a first front corner 20, a second front corner 22, a first back corner 24, and a second back corner 26 at the intersections of the front wall 12 and the first sidewall 16, front wall 12 and the second sidewall 18, rear wall 14 and the first sidewall 16, and the rear wall 14 and the second sidewall 18 respectively. The different components of the prefabricated sealed room 10 should also be synchronized, meaning that the components are put together so well that unwanted contaminates cannot penetrate the room, through the connection points, even if sealing materials are not used.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, the prefabricated sealed room 10 may further comprise a partition wall 28 being parallel to the first and the second sidewalls, 16 & 18. The partition wall 28 vertically extends to the ceiling. Stairs 30 may be located between the partition wall 28 and the first sidewall 16 depending on where the prefabricated sealed room 10 will be located. A portion of the front wall 12 and the first sidewall 16 at the first front corner 20 are substantially thinner compared to the rest of the portion of the same walls.

The prefabricated sealed room 10 may be further divided into two portions, namely, a hallway portion and a room portion. The hallway portion of the prefabricated sealed room 10 is defined by the partition wall 28, first sidewall 16, a portion of the front wall 12 near the first front corner 20, and a portion of the rear wall 14 near the first back corner 24. The hallway portion of the prefabricated sealed room 10 may include stairs 30 depending on where the prefabricated sealed room 10 is located. The rest of the portion of the prefabricated sealed room 10 is termed as the room portion.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the prefabricated sealed room 10 further comprises a first chamber 32 located at the second front corner 22, and a second chamber located on top of the first chamber 32. The first chamber 32 is defined by a second front corner-portion of the floor slab, front wall 12, and the second sidewall 18, and a portion of a first wall 34 that is parallel to the front wall 12, a portion of the second wall 36 that is parallel to the second sidewall 18, and an intermediate slab being parallel to the second front corner-portion of the floor slab and connecting the four circumferential walls. The first and the second walls, 34 and 36, vertically extend to the ceiling.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4 and FIG. 8, the second chamber can be divided into a bottom portion 38 and a top portion 40. The combined height of the first chamber 32 and the bottom portion 38 of the second chamber equals the height of the prefabricated sealed room 10 and therefore the top portion 40 of the second chamber is located above the ceiling. The bottom portion 38 of the second chamber is defined by the intermediate slab as its floor, a portion of the front wall 12, a portion of the second sidewall 18, a portion of the first wall 34, a portion of the second wall 36, and a portion of the ceiling covering the first wall 34, and partially covering the second wall 36 and the second sidewall 18 so as to form an opening on top of the bottom portion 38 of the second chamber.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4 and FIGS. 6 through 9, the top portion 40 of the second chamber is defined by four circumferential walls 42 vertically extending over four edges of the opening, and a top slab 46 located above the four circumferential walls 42 as a ceiling. A lockable grate 44 is included in circumferential wall 42, which is located over the second sidewall 18. An awning 48 is supported over the grate 44 so as to prevent the unwanted admission of rainwater, and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, the entrance into the room portion of the prefabricated sealed room 10 is facilitated through a sealing door 50 in the partition wall 28, the door 50 is protected by the oppositely located first sidewall 16. The door 50 is preferably made of a light material that is blast proof and can seal the room from unwanted contaminates. Heights of the thin walls near the stairs 30 could be adjusted as necessary for the stairs 30 depending on the construction of the stairs 30. The thin walls exist so the compaction of the soil could be completed if the prefabricated sealed room 10 is installed underground.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, and FIG. 8, the second chamber is accessible through a sealing window 52 located in that portion of the second wall 36, which pertains to the bottom portion 38 of the second chamber. The sealing window 52 is preferably made of blast proof materials but can be utilized like a regular window. Rungs 54 are provided on the first chamber 32 and located directly below the sealing window 52 so as to facilitate ingress and egress into the second chamber. A sliding window 56 is located within the second wall 36 such that it can be closed over the sealing window 52. The sliding window 56 is for protecting the sealing window 52 and is preferably made of steel. Normally, the sliding window 56 is kept open in non-emergency situation.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the grate 44 also serves as an emergency exit. A rung 54 is provided within the bottom portion 38 of the second chamber on the second sidewall 18 and located directly below the grate 44. The rung 54 facilitates ingress/egress through the grate 44.

The sealing window 52, and the door 50 includes outer frames along each of their four sides. The outer frame includes sealing materials such as rubber or a similar material so that when the door 50 and/or the window 52 are closed, the sealing material is compressed between the door 50 and its frame, or window 52 and its frame, thereby sealing the room portion air tight.

The electrical and communication systems are concealed in the walls of the prefabricated sealed room 10 and may include sealants to further insulate the prefabricated sealed room 10 from outside contaminates. The prefabricated sealed room 10 is also provided with an anchor assembly (not shown) so as to add portability feature to it. The prefabricated room 10 includes an insulation and waterproof system.

In an alternative embodiment, the prefabricated sealed room 10 is built and divided in sections for ease of transportation to the construction site. Once at the construction site, the sections of the prefabricated sealed room 10 are reassembled and the connecting joints are sealed with sealing materials.

To assemble the prefabricated sealed room 10 on-site, if the room is to be located underground, the ground needs to be excavated followed by its compaction and compression. Further, depending on the type of soil, the ground bed needs to be filled and the foundations need to be leveled. Thus, once the site is ready, the prefabricated sealed room 10 is to be placed therein as aided by the anchor system. Subsequently, the insulation and waterproof system needs to be installed. Back filling the perimeter including compressing in layers. Further, the grate 44, the awning 48, the windows, 52 & 56, and the door 50, the downward staircase 30, the filtration system 58, and etc, may be installed into the prefabricated sealed room 10 during manufacture or after installation of the prefabricated sealed room 10. Finally, the interior of the prefabricated sealed room 10 needs to be painted, floored, and so on, thereby completing the assemblage of the prefabricated sealed room 10 on-site. These assemblages may be added during the initial manufacture of the prefabricated sealed room 10 or after the prefabricated sealed room 10 has been installed at the site.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

While specific systems and methods have been disclosed in the preceding description, it should be understood that these specifics have been given for the purpose of disclosing the principles of the present invention and that many variations thereof will become apparent to those who are versed in the art.

Claims

1. A prefabricated sealed room defined by a floor slab, four load bearing walls, namely, a front wall, a rear wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a ceiling; the room comprising:

a sealing window;

a frame surrounding the sealing window such that when the sealing window is closed, the sealing window and frame forms an impenetrable seal;

a sealing door surrounded by a frame such that when the door is closed, the sealing door and frame forms an impenetrable seal.

2. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a downward staircase located at a corner,

(b) a partition wall abutting the downward staircase while being parallel to the first and second sidewalls;

(c) a chamber located in a corner, which is linearly opposite to the threshold of the downward staircase, the chamber also provides for an emergency exit, the chamber can be sealed by the sealing window;

(d) an entrance provided through the sealing door in the partition wall, the door can substantially seal the room airtight.

3. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, wherein the floor slab, four load bearing walls, and ceiling are made of reinforced concrete.

4. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, further comprising a lockable grate on at least one of the four load bearing walls.

5. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 4, further comprising an awning over the lockable grate.

6. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 4, further comprising a ladder rung near the lockable grate.

7. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, wherein the sealing window is made of blast proof materials.

8. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, wherein the sealing window further comprises a sliding window for protecting the sealing window.

9. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 8, wherein the sliding window is made of blast proof materials.

10. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, further comprising an electrical system.

11. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, further comprising a communication system.

12. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, wherein the sealing door is a blast proof door.

13. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, further comprising insulation and waterproofing materials.

14. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, wherein the prefabricated sealed room is constructed in sectional pieces.

15. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, further comprising an anchor assembly.

16. The prefabricated sealed room of claim 1, further comprising a ventilation and filtration system for obtaining fresh and clean air.

17. A method for installing a prefabricated sealed room of the present invention, comprising:

(a) Excavating, compacting, and compressing ground area in which the prefabricated sealed room is installed;

(b) Leveling the foundations of the ground;

(c) Placing the prefabricated sealed room inside the excavated ground;

(d) Installing the insulation and waterproof systems;

(e) Back filling the perimeter around and over the prefabricated sealed room.

18. A method of installing the prefabricated sealed room of claim 17, further comprising the installation of a grate, awning, windows, doors, staircase, and filtration and ventilation system.

19. A method of installing the prefabricated sealed room of claim 18, further comprising painting the prefabricated sealed room and flooring the floor.

20. A method for installing a prefabricated sealed room of the present invention comprising:

(a) Excavating, compacting, and compressing a ground in which the prefabricated sealed room is installed;

(b) Leveling the foundations of the ground;

(c) Placing divided parts of the prefabricated sealed room inside the excavated ground;

(d) Sealing the connecting joints of the divided parts of the prefabricated sealed room with insulation and waterproof systems;

(e) Installing the insulation and waterproof systems around the remainder of the prefabricated sealed room;

(f) Back filling the perimeter around and over the prefabricated sealed room.