EMERGENCY SHELTER
An emergency shelter including a support frame and an outer covering. The covering includes an upper panel positioned on top of the frame, and a side panel wrapped around the frame. The upper panel has at least one downwardly extending flap with one or more fasteners. The side panel has an upper edge portion with one or more fasteners removably fastened to the fastener(s) of the at least one downwardly extending flap. Optionally, a lower panel having at least one upwardly extending flap with one or more fasteners is positioned under the frame. The side panel may have a lower edge portion with one or more fasteners removably fastened to the fastener(s) of the at least one upwardly extending flap of the lower panel. One or more packs configured to change a temperature inside the shelter relative to a temperature outside the shelter may be placed inside the shelter.
Latest Shields Products Inc. Patents:
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to temporary shelters used in emergency situations, such as natural disasters.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many situations, such as natural disasters, like floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes, result in power outages. Often, power outages leave homes intact but without electricity to run heaters and/or air conditioners. If the temperature in the area is sufficiently hot or sufficiently cold, residents may be unable to stay in their homes. The power outage may last for days or even weeks. Often, this results in a need for temporary and/or emergency housing.
Unfortunately, physical space is needed for such temporary and/or emergency housing. This can be difficult when the power outage was caused by an event that devastated a large area. Conventional solutions for providing temporary and/or emergency housing can be expensive to deploy. Further, vacating homes leaves them vulnerable to looters.
In addition to unplanned power outages, some people may wish to reduce their power consumption voluntarily by reducing the temperature in their homes in cold weather, and/or increasing the temperature in their homes in hot weather. However, if the house is too hot or too cold, it may be difficult to sleep.
Therefore, a need exists for devices that help people to stay in their homes even when those homes are uncomfortably hot or cold, particularly for sleeping. The present application provides this and other advantages as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures.
Referring to
The shelter 100 may also be used to help voluntarily reduce power consumption. For example, the person 102 may wish to conserve power by reducing the temperature inside the person's home in cold weather, and/or increasing the temperature in the home in hot weather. Whenever, the temperature inside the home is uncomfortable for sleeping, the person 102 (and optionally, one or more other people) may sleep inside the shelter 100.
Referring to
Whenever desired, the shelter 100 may be assembled to provide a warm or cool place in which to sleep. After the shelter 100 is assembled, the person 102 may get inside the shelter 100, and activate (if necessary) the one or more packs 134 (see
Referring to
In the embodiment illustrated, the outer covering 120 (see
In the embodiment illustrated, the upper panel 140 is substantially identical to the lower panel 142. For ease of illustration, only the upper panel 140 will be described in detail.
Turning to
In the embodiment illustrated, the central insulated portion 150U has a substantially rectangular shape and the peripheral portion 152U includes edges UE1-UE4, and corners UC1-UC4. By way of non-limiting examples, the edges UE1-UE3 may each be about four feet (or about 1.22 meters) long, and the edges UE2-UE4 may each be about six feet (or about 1.83 meters) long.
One or more fasteners (e.g., Velcro strips 154, snaps, buttons, buttonholes, hooks, eyes, zipper portions, and the like) are positioned on each of the flaps UF1-UF4. By way of a non-limiting example, the Velcro strips 154 may be sewn on the flaps UF1-UF4. In some embodiments, the flaps UF1-UF4 may be constructed entirely of Velcro. However, this is not a requirement.
As shown in
As mentioned above, the lower panel 142 is substantially identical to the upper panel 140. Thus, the lower panel 142 includes a central insulated portion 150L substantially identical to the central insulated portion 150U of the upper panel 140. The lower panel 142 also includes one or more flaps (e.g., flaps LF1-LF4) substantially identical to the one or more flaps (e.g., the flaps UF1-UF4) of the upper panel 140. Further, the flaps LF1-LF4 are attached to and fold along edges LE1-LE4 that are substantially identical to the edges UE1-UE4 of the upper panel 140. The lower panel 142 also includes corners LC1-LC4 substantially identical to the corners UC1-UC4 of the upper panel 140.
One or more fasteners (e.g., the Velcro strips 154, snaps, buttons, buttonholes, hooks, eyes, zipper portions, and the like) are positioned on each of the flaps LF1-LF4. In some embodiments, the flaps LF1-LF4 may be constructed entirely of Velcro. However, this is not a requirement. The flaps LF1-LF4 fold along edges LE1-LE4, respectively, so that the Velcro strips 154 face outwardly and extend upwardly from the central insulated portion 150L. Optionally, the flaps LF1 and LF2 may be attached to one another at the corner LC1, the flaps LF2 and LF3 may be attached to one another at the corner LC2, the flaps LF3 and LF4 may be attached to one another at the corner LC3, and the flaps LF4 and LF1 may be attached to one another at the corner LC4. When the flaps LF1-LF4 are attached to one another in this manner, the flaps LF1-LF4 may extend outwardly at approximately a right angle with respect to the central insulated portion 150L. In such embodiments, the flaps LF1-LF4 may be substantially orthogonal to the central insulated portion 150L.
Turning to
One or more fasteners (e.g., Velcro strips 176, snaps, buttons, buttonholes, hooks, eyes, zipper portions, and the like) are positioned on each of the first and second edge portions 164 and 166. In the embodiment illustrated, each of the first and second edge portions 164 and 166 includes a single one of the Velcro strips 176. The Velcro strip 176 on the first edge portion 164 is positioned to engage the Velcro strip 176 on the second edge portion 166 when the shelter 100 is assembled.
The side panel 144 wraps around the support frame 110 (as illustrated in
All or portions of the outer covering 120 may be constructed from two or more layers of material.
The inner material 182 is configured to help retain heat or cold inside the shelter 100. Thus, the inner material 182 may be characterized as being thermal insulation. Thermal insulation provides a region in which thermal conduction is reduced and/or thermal radiation is reflected rather than absorbed. The inner material 182 helps prevent and/or limit heat transfer between the interior 130 (see
The inner material 182 may include reflective insulation. Reflective insulation has one or more reflective surfaces that reduce a rate of radiant heat transfer across air spaces. By way of a non-limiting example, the inner material 182 may be a reflective aluminum foil bubble insulation material that provides insulation from outside temperatures while also acting as a conduit to further promote heating or cooling provided by the packs 134 (see
In
The structure of the reflective aluminum foil bubble insulation material illustrated in
Aluminum foil bubble insulation of the type illustrated in
It may be desirable for the inner material 182 to have one or more of the following properties:
-
- 1. Odor free;
- 2. Non-toxic (e.g., environmentally-friendly);
- 3. Light weight, durable, soft, dust free, fire retardant, and/or easy to install;
- 4. Class A/class 1 fire rating;
- 5. R-value ranging from R-3.7 to R-21;
- 6. Provides heat reflection, heat insulation, sound insulation, heat preservation, energy savings, and/or shielding;
- 7. Vapor and radon retarder;
- 8. Anti-radiation, and/or anti-vibration;
- 9. Provides a moisture barrier;
- 10. Aides in controlling mold and mildew;
- 11. Unaffected by moisture or humidity;
- 12. Inhibits condensation;
- 13. Does not promote nesting for rodents and pests;
- 14. Sun-proof and/or waterproof; and
- 15. Has good sealing properties.
The outer material 186 may help provide support for the inner material 182. Depending upon the implementation details, the outer material 186 may be more durable than the inner material 182 and may help protect the inner material 182. By way of a non-limiting example, the outer material 186 may be a woven fabric, such as a conventional tent fabric (e.g., standard polyester tent fabric), canvas, and the like. For example, the outer material 186 may be tent material 210d or 150d. The designations “210d” and “150d” each identify a particular yarn count or density. An exemplary suitable tent material may be 100% Polyester, about 60 inches (or about 1.5 meters) wide to about 71 inches (or about 1.8 meters) wide, and coated with polyacrylate (“PA”), polyurethane (“PU”), polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), and/or ULY.
The Velcro strips 154, 174, and 176 (see
By way of a non-limiting example, each of the upright support members 201-204 may have a height of approximately four feet (or about 1.22 meters). The upright support members 201 and 204 may be spaced apart from the upright support members 202 and 203, respectively, by about six feet (or about 1.83 meters). The upright support members 201 and 202 may be spaced apart from the upright support members 204 and 203, respectively, by about four feet (or about 1.22 meters). Each of the diagonal members 210 and 212 may have a length of approximately eight feet and five inches (or about 2.57 meters). Thus, the shelter 100 may be approximately four feet (or about 1.22 meters) tall, approximately four feet (or about 1.22 meters) wide, and approximately six feet (or about 1.83 meters) long. However, this is not a requirement. As is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the dimensions of the shelter 100 may be determined at least in part based on its desired use.
Each of the upright support members 201-204 has an upper end portion 230 opposite a lower end portion 232. Each of the diagonal members 210 and 212 has a first end portion 234 opposite a second end portion 236. The first fitting 221 connects the first end portion 234 of the diagonal member 210 with the upper end portion 230 of the upright support member 201, and the third fitting 223 connects the second end portion 236 of the diagonal member 210 with the upper end portion 230 of the upright support member 203. The second fitting 222 connects the first end portion 234 of the diagonal member 212 with the upper end portion 230 of the upright support member 202, and the fourth fitting 224 connects the second end portion 236 of the diagonal member 212 with the upper end portion 230 of the upright support member 204.
Referring to
As is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, each of the upright support members 201-204 may be constructed from one or more members like the first and second elongated members 240 and 242. The number of members like the first and second elongated members 240 and 242 used to construct the upright support members 201-204 may be determined at least in part by a desired height of the shelter 100.
In the embodiment illustrated, each of the diagonal members 210 and 212 is constructed from four elongated members 250-253 connected together in series. The first elongated member 250 has a first end portion 256 configured to be received inside one of the fittings 221-224. Similarly, the fourth elongated member 253 has a first end portion 258 configured to be received inside one of the fittings 221-224.
The elongated members 250-253 may be connected together in series by a fitting (not shown) or connector. Alternatively, a second end portion 260 of the first elongated member 250 may be configured to receive a first end portion 262 of the second elongated member 251, a second end portion 264 of the second elongated member 251 may be configured to be received inside a first end portion 266 of the third elongated member 252, and a second end portion 268 of the third elongated member 252 may be configured to be received inside a second end portion 270 of the fourth elongated member 253. In such embodiments, the elongated members 250, 252, and 253 may be substantially identical to one another.
As is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, each of the diagonal members 210 and 212 may be constructed from one or more members like the elongated members 250-253. The number of elongated members (like the elongated members 250-253) used to construct the diagonal members 210 and 212 may be determined based at least in part a desired length and/or a desired width of the shelter 100.
By way of a non-limiting example, the elongated members 240, 242, and 250-253 and the fittings 221-224 may be constructed from PVC, fiberglass, metal, plastic, carbon fiber, and the like. Each of the elongated members 240, 242, and 250-253 may be generally rectilinear and have a cross-sectional shape that is circular, oval, rectangular, square, triangular, hexagonal, irregular, and the like. By way of a non-limiting example, each of the elongated members 240, 242, and 250-253 may have a circular cross-sectional shape with a diameter of about ⅜ inches (or about 9.5 millimeters) to about ½ inch (or about 12.7 millimeters).
While the fittings 221-224 have been described as attaching the diagonal members 210 and 212 to the upright support members 201-204, in alternate embodiments, the diagonal members 210 and 212 may be configured to attach directly to the upright support members 201-204. In such embodiments, the fittings 221-224 may be omitted.
Next, in
Then, in
Next, in
As may be seen in
After the shelter 100 is assembled, referring to
The shelter 100 may be disassembled by reversing the assembly process described above with respect to
In alternate embodiments, the lower panel 142 may be omitted. In such embodiments, the Velcro strip(s) 174 of the lower edge portion 162 of the side panel 144 may also be omitted.
Referring to
Referring to
The support frame 110 has been described and illustrated as being detached from the outer covering 120. However, this is not a requirement. In alternate embodiments, the outer covering 120 may be attached to the support frame 110.
Referring to
The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A shelter comprising:
- a support frame;
- an upper panel positioned on top of the support frame, the upper panel having at least one downwardly extending flap with one or more fasteners; and
- a side panel wrapped around the support frame, the side panel comprising an upper edge portion having one or more fasteners, the one or more fasteners of the upper edge portion removably fastening the side panel to the one or more fasteners of the at least one downwardly extending flap of the upper panel, together portions of the upper and side panels defining an interior.
2. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the upper panel is generally rectangular, and
- the at least one downwardly extending flap comprises four downwardly extending flaps.
3. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the portions of the upper and side panels defining the interior are constructed from a material having a first layer adjacent the interior, and a different second layer opposite the first layer, the first layer comprising a thermal insulation material.
4. The shelter of claim 3, wherein the second layer is a woven fabric.
5. The shelter of claim 3, wherein the first layer is a reflective insulation.
6. The shelter of claim 5, wherein the reflective insulation comprises an aluminum foil bubble insulation material.
7. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the upper panel is separate and different from the side panel.
8. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the side panel comprises one or more vents through which air may flow into and out of the interior.
9. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the one or more fasteners of the at least one downwardly extending flap comprise a Velcro strip, and
- the one or more fasteners of the upper edge portion comprise a Velcro strip attached to the Velcro strip of the one or more fasteners of the at least one downwardly extending flap.
10. The shelter of claim 1, further comprising:
- one or more activatable heating packs positioned inside the interior, the one or more heating packs generating heat when activated.
11. The shelter of claim 10, further comprising:
- one or more bags hanging from the support frame holding the one or more activatable heating packs.
12. The shelter of claim 1, further comprising:
- one or more cooling packs positioned inside the interior, the one or more cooling packs being configured to lower an interior temperature inside the shelter relative to an environmental temperature outside the shelter.
13. The shelter of claim 12, further comprising:
- one or more bags hanging from the support frame holding the one or more cooling packs.
14. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the side panel comprises a lower edge portion having one or more fasteners, and the shelter further comprises:
- a lower panel positioned under the support frame, the lower panel having at least one upwardly extending flap with one or more fasteners, the one or more fasteners of the lower edge portion removably fastening the side panel to the one or more fasteners the at least one upwardly extending flap of the lower panel.
15. The shelter of claim 14, wherein the portions of the upper and side panels defining the interior are constructed from a material having a first layer adjacent the interior, and a different second layer opposite the first layer, the first layer comprising a thermal insulation material, and
- at least a portion of the lower panel adjacent the interior is constructed from the material.
16. The shelter of claim 14, wherein the one or more fasteners of the at least one upwardly extending flap comprise a Velcro strip, and
- the one or more fasteners of the lower edge portion comprise a Velcro strip attached to the Velcro strip of the one or more fasteners of the at least one upwardly extending flap.
17. The shelter of claim 14, wherein the lower panel is generally rectangular, and
- the at least one upwardly extending flap comprises four upwardly extending flaps.
18. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the side panel comprises a first side edge portion opposite a second side edge portion,
- the upper edge portion extends between the first and second side edge portions;
- the first side edge portion has one or more fasteners,
- the second side edge portion has one or more fasteners, and
- the one or more fasteners of the first side edge portion are removably fastenable to the one or more fasteners of the second side edge portion to thereby removably fasten the first side edge portion to the second side edge portion.
19. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises:
- a first upright member having a first upper portion;
- a second upright member having a second upper portion;
- a third upright member having a third upper portion;
- a fourth upright member having a fourth upper portion;
- a first diagonal member having a first end portion connected to the first upper portion of the first upright member, and a second end portion connected to the third upper portion of the third upright member; and
- a second diagonal member having a first end portion connected to the second upper portion of the second upright member, and a second end portion connected to the fourth upper portion of the fourth upright member, the second diagonal member crossing over the first diagonal member.
20. The shelter of claim 19, wherein the support frame comprises:
- a first fitting connecting the first end portion of the first diagonal member to the first upper portion of the first upright member;
- a second fitting connecting the first end portion of the second diagonal member to the second upper portion of the second upright member;
- a third fitting connecting the second end portion of the first diagonal member to the third upper portion of the third upright member; and
- a fourth fitting connecting the second end portion of the second diagonal member to the fourth upper portion of the fourth upright member.
21. A kit for constructing a shelter, the kit comprising:
- a plurality of elongated members that when assembled form a support frame;
- an upper panel positionable on top of the support frame, the upper panel having at least one downwardly extending flap with one or more fasteners; and
- a side panel configured to wrap around the support frame, the side panel comprising an upper edge portion having one or more fasteners, the one or more fasteners of the upper edge portion removably fastening the side panel to the one or more fasteners of the at least one downwardly extending flap of the upper panel, together portions of the upper and side panels defining an interior.
22. The kit of claim 21, wherein the portions of the upper and side panels defining the interior are constructed from a material having a first layer adjacent the interior, and a different second layer opposite the first layer, the first layer comprising a thermal insulation material.
23. The kit of claim 21, further comprising:
- one or more packs positionable inside the interior, the one or more packs being configured to change an interior temperature inside the shelter relative to an environmental temperature outside the shelter.
24. The kit of claim 23, further comprising:
- one or more bags configured to be hung from the support frame and hold the one or more packs.
25. The kit of claim 21, wherein the side panel comprises a lower edge portion having one or more fasteners, and the kit further comprises:
- a lower panel positionable under the support frame, the lower panel having at least one upwardly extending flap with one or more fasteners, the one or more fasteners of the lower edge portion removably fastening the side panel to the one or more fasteners the at least one upwardly extending flap of the lower panel.
26. The kit of claim 25, wherein the portions of the upper and side panels defining the interior are constructed from a material having a first layer adjacent the interior, and a different second layer opposite the first layer, the first layer comprising a thermal insulation material, and
- at least a portion of the lower panel adjacent the interior is constructed from the material.
27. The kit of claim 21, wherein the side panel comprises a first side edge portion opposite a second side edge portion,
- the upper edge portion extends between the first and second side edge portions;
- the first side edge portion has one or more fasteners,
- the second side edge portion has one or more fasteners, and
- the one or more fasteners of the first side edge portion are removably fastenable to the one or more fasteners of the second side edge portion to thereby removably fasten the first side edge portion to the second side edge portion.
28. The kit of claim 21, wherein the plurality of elongated members are divisible into first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth subsets, each of the subsets comprising two or more of the plurality of elongated members, each of the plurality of elongated members belonging to at most one of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth subsets,
- the elongated members of the first subset are configured to be assembled to form a first upright member having a first upper portion,
- the elongated members of the second subset are configured to be assembled to form a second upright member having a second upper portion,
- the elongated members of the third subset are configured to be assembled to form a third upright member having a third upper portion,
- the elongated members of the fourth subset are configured to be assembled to form a fourth upright member having a fourth upper portion,
- the elongated members of the fifth subset are configured to be assembled to form a first diagonal member having a first end portion opposite a second end portion,
- the elongated members of the sixth subset are configured to be assembled to form a second diagonal member having a first end portion opposite a second end portion,
- the kit further comprises first, second, third, and fourth fittings,
- the first fitting is configured to connect the first end portion of the first diagonal member to the first upper portion of the first upright member,
- the second fitting is configured to connect the first end portion of the second diagonal member to the second upper portion of the second upright member,
- the third fitting is configured to connect the second end portion of the first diagonal member to the third upper portion of the third upright member, and
- the fourth fitting is configured to connect the second end portion of the second diagonal member to the fourth upper portion of the fourth upright member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 23, 2013
Publication Date: Jan 29, 2015
Applicant: Shields Products Inc. (Port Angeles, WA)
Inventor: Richard Lee Thompson (Port Townsend, WA)
Application Number: 13/948,999
International Classification: E04H 9/16 (20060101);