Tornado storm shelter

Abstract

Affordable tornado shelter that is an 8 foot by 20 foot by 8 foot standard steel overseas-container with one 3 foot wide door in the rear. The container is converted into a completely self-contained shelter building. The shelter is fully equipped with lavatory and sink, kitchen and sleeping quarters. It has its own gas/electric and water supply. The shelter is designed so that it can even be used as a living space when there is no emergency. The container-shelter is affordable also.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention of a tornado storm shelter presents a super-strong and affordable storm shelter. The shelter is self-contained with all necessary lavatory and kitchen needs, as well as utility supplies—water, gas and electricity. The structure of the shelter is steel, consisting of a fully intact overseas shipping container having the typical dimensions of 8 foot by 20 foot by 8 foot.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

There are many shelter designs on the market. Most are “on-site” structures, like underground shelters built with masonry (brick). Above ground shelters are constructed utilizing heavy lumber and steel braces, or with steel frames combined with steel plates. Other such buildings, marketed as shelters, are formed using reinforced concrete or they are constructed with building blocks. Such shelters, however, do not offer living space, as they have no lavatory or sinks, kitchen, nor water or other utilities.

Pre-fabrication (prefab) shelters are manufactured in concrete, steel, and fiberglass (for underground structures). Some of these are patented. Therefore, a strong shelter can be rather costly, and in most cases, does not offer living space for the shelter occupants.

Furthermore, concrete shelters need a stronger, more expensive foundation to carry the load. Underground shelters are only practical if the groundwater level is low enough. Existing underground shelters do not have ease of access, prohibiting the safe and expeditious entry by the elderly and handicapped.

In summary, a strong yet affordable shelter that doubles as living space, if necessary, is not readily available at the present time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention consists of a standard 20 foot long by 8 foot wide by either 8 foot or 9 foot, 6 inches high, steel container, commonly used for the purpose of shipping products overseas, and converting it into an extremely strong and affordable tornado storm shelter.

This tornado storm shelter can be used in both existing and new houses, as an addition to existing houses, and also as a detached or separate building. It can also be placed on an existing slab foundation of a building previously destroyed by a hurricane or tornado.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a detailed understanding of the tornado storm shelter and its advantages the invention is described with the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the tornado shelter with the entrance door.

FIG. 2 displays a view of the recommended floor plan of the tornado storm shelter.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a concrete slab foundation with several toilet connections, i.e. it could represent a typical slab after a tornado or hurricane has leveled a house.

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the concrete slab foundation (FIG. 3) and the shelter (FIG. 1) set in place on top of toilet connection No. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the concrete slab foundation (FIG. 3) and the tornado storm shelter (FIG. 1) set in place on top of existing toilet connection No 11.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional house on a concrete slab “A”, and an opening for the tornado storm shelter “C” placement. The tornado storm shelter can be placed in the house so that the toilet connection of the storm shelter matches the existing toilet connection.

FIG. 7 shows a conventional house with two possibilities of attaching shelters. C1 is an attached flat roof shelter, while C2 is an attached shelter that matches the existing roof.

FIG. 8 is a view of the shelter on top of a concrete slab foundation.

FIG. 9 shows an elevated tornado storm shelter.

FIG. 10 shows a typical floor plan with the following emergency equipment and furniture.

• • 1. Sink
  • 2. E-power generator (under sink in separate compartment with access from outside).
  • 3. Gas tank for cooking and heating (under sink in separate compartment with access from outside)
  • 4. Electric vent
  • 5. Toilet
  • 6. Shower with enclosure
  • 7. Chemical toilet
  • 8. Kitchen sink
  • 9. Cook-top
  • 10. Refrigerator
  • 11. Sofa bed
  • 12. Bunk bed
  • 13. LED lights
  • 14. Water tank (below ceiling)
  • 15. Air conditioning unit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention consists of a standard 20 foot long by 8 feet wide by 8 foot high, steel container, usually used in trans-ocean shipment, and converting it into an extremely strong and affordable tornado storm shelter.

This tornado shelter can also serve a dual purpose: it could be used as everyday living space.

On storm-damaged or destroyed homes that were built on a slab foundation, the shelter can be installed in such a way that the toilet outlet sits on the existing sewer pipe connection (FIGS. 3, 4+5).

The new framing for the existing or damaged house can be connected directly to the bolted down storm shelter. The resulting new building will have much more structural strength.

The tornado storm shelter can also be integrated into existing homes built on concrete slabs (see FIG. 6). The tornado storm shelter is situated over the existing toilet connections. After a bathroom has been designated, and part of the exterior wall and soffit, if necessary, are opened/removed, the shelter is installed over the toilet drain connection (FIGS. 3, 4+5).

Another way the tornado storm shelter can be integrated to an existing home is by first installing a new, heavy-concrete slab foundation. The tornado storm shelter can then serve as an extra living space (FIG. 7, C1 and C2). In flood-prone areas, the shelter can easily be elevated (FIG. 9).

The placement of the tornado shelter in the structure has a social benefit in that it is convenient to access in the event of an emergency, when not only minutes but seconds can mean life or death. In fact, the 3 foot wide entrance door makes it easy for the elderly and the handicapped to enter the tornado shelter as rapidly as possible.

With the use of this tornado storm shelter for living space, it is possible to have a home addition for a little more than the cost of a small kitchen and bath. Another advantage of the shelter is the relative ease in moving it, using standard equipment, since the containers conform to standard measurements used in the trucking and shipping industry.

The tornado storm shelter is designed with a separate full bath, living space and kitchenette. A sleeper sofa, bunk bed or futon and the addition of a desk or table can make the tornado storm shelter more comfortable, since it will serve as extra living space first, and as a shelter only during an emergency.

Claims

1: Tornado storm shelter is a conversion of an existing standard steel shipping container 8 ft×20 ft or larger with a ten (10) inch round opening on the floor for a toilet drain connection

2: Tornado storm shelter comprises one or more extra strong (heavy duty) exterior door(s) with a bullet proof glass window for natural light.

3: Tornado storm shelter comprise of a toilet, shower stall, and sink

4: Tornado storm shelter comprises of an emergency water tank which is connected to the existing water supply system or otherwise.

5: Tornado storm shelter comprises of a waterless chemical toilet for extreme situations when water supply is interrupted.

6: Tornado storm shelter comprises of a toilet or sewer connection that fits at the sewer drain on an existing concrete foundation slab where the damaged or destroyed house frame was connected previously.

7: Tornado storm shelter comprises of an electric generator with a battery backup system for all-time electric power.

8: Tornado storm shelter comprises of a functional kitchen with water and gas supply for cooking

9: Tornado storm shelter is bolted to an existing (or new) concrete slab foundation which results in a stronger building structure by connecting the shelter to the existing wood-frame structure