Abstract: A shelter for individuals or groups of people caught in the open in inclement weather especially when there is a danger of lightning. The shelter includes an elongate electrically-conductive member for supporting a canopy, the elongate electrically-conductive member being configured as a lightning conductor; an electrically-conducting floor; and a coupling member for electrically connecting the elongate electrically-conductive member to the electrically-conducting floor. The coupling member includes a flange extending laterally away from the elongate electrically-conducting member, over the electrically-conductive flooring, to provide an enlarged footprint of engagement with the electrically-conducting floor.

Abstract: A shelter for individuals or groups of people caught in the open in inclement weather especially when there is a danger of lightning. The shelter comprises an elongate electrically-conductive member for supporting a canopy, the elongate electrically-conductive member being configured as a lightning conductor; an electrically-conducting floor; and a coupling member for electrically connecting the elongate electrically-conductive member to the electrically-conducting floor. The coupling member includes a flange extending laterally away from the elongate electrically-conducting member, over the electrically-conductive flooring, to provide an enlarged footprint of engagement with the electrically-conducting floor.

Abstract: A lightning shelter for people is formed from a plurality of elongate electrically conductive members first ends of which are held conjoined between a pair of metal plates. Each member extends away from and depends from its first end to define a frame and the second end of each member has an electrically conductive spike drivable into the ground on which the shelter stands. The outer surface of each elongate member is electrically insulated e.g. with a layer of polyethylene. A further electrically conductive member is removably mountable on the frame on the plates to extend normally away from said frame. In moving from its first to its second end each elongate member extend firstly through a curved portion (quarter circle) and then through a generally straight portion.

Abstract: A sealant comprises a matrix of flexible (preferably, elastomeric polymer or copolymer) material embedded in which are frangible elements inert to the matrix material. The matrix material is selected from the group comprising acrylonitrile copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyurethanes, silicones and acrylonitrile-butiedene-styrene terpolymer. The frangible elements may be hollow bodies--glass spheres--with a diameter of between 20 and 200 microns (advantageously, substantially equal to 75 microns) and a density in the range 0.1 to 2.4 g/cc (advantageously, substantially equal to 0.12 g/cc). A described sealant comprises 15 parts w/w of a solvent free acrylic matrix material to which is added two parts w/w of hollow glass spheres. In addition to the frangible elements, particles of other materials having relatively high thermal conductivity may be included in the matrix material.