ESCAPE AND SURVIVAL POD
The present invention is directed to an escape and survival capsule that provides protection to occupants from, e.g., cataclysmic natural events such as tsunamis, flooding, monsoon, typhoons, tornadoes, hurricanes, water spouts, earthquakes and mudslides. The capsule may be designed to be inflatable with durable and rugged materials providing protection against hazardous environmental factors during one or more of the preceding cataclysmic events. The capsule may be designed to be easily stowable, transportable and deployable so that it can serve its intended purpose within minutes after the occurrence of any of the preceding or other cataclysmic events.
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This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Prov. App. 61/795,666 filed Oct. 23, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for surviving catastrophic events including floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons and tsunamis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSevere natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons and tsunamis historically have caused catastrophic loss of life and property. Two recent examples (2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused by the magnitude 9.1-9.3 Richter scale Sumatra-Andaman earthquake centered off of the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia and the magnitude 9.0 Richter scale 2011 Tohoku earthquake/tsunami) illustrate the devastating impact these natural events have on life and property. The Indian Ocean tsunami alone was responsible for over 230,000 deaths in 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean. Tsunamis are generally induced by earthquakes, and inflict their damage in two ways: the destructive force of a wall of water traveling at high speed over low-lying populated areas, and the resultant devastation caused by the receding water as it carries the debris along with it. Similar extreme weather events such as typhoons, tornadoes, severe tropical storms and hurricanes can inflict severe damage to life and property from forces generated by moving water, wind and debris propelled by such forces.
Organizations have responded in various ways to the need to mitigate loss of life and property due to these catastrophic natural disaster events. With respect to saving lives, several concepts for personal survival in the event of a tsunami or other major waterborne disaster (for example, major flood event, tornado over water, severe tropical storm, typhoon or hurricane) have been put forward to meet this need. One concept is a version of a hard-bottomed life raft with significant protection capabilities designed to accommodate up to two dozen persons.
Another concept is an aluminum capsule with seating and restraint devices designed to carry up to and secure four persons. The aluminum capsule is not designed to be a free-floating pod; rather, it has a tethering system designed to prevent it from being carried away from the object to which it is secured. In such a design, it is not at all clear as to whether it can maintain the ability to float in the water, although the shape of the sphere and the air-filled internal cavity will allow for some buoyancy. Furthermore, the aluminum hull will provide its occupants with a certain degree of protection against free-floating debris or fixed objects (for example, buildings), it is not clear if the occupants would be able to absorb the impact forces generated by striking large objects at velocity without sustaining serious injury despite the occupants being restrained inside the sphere. Aluminum is not a material that is well suited for absorbing high-impact forces such as those to be encountered during a severe natural disaster event. Furthermore, this design, with its rigid aluminum body, is not capable of being transported efficiently, as it is large and heavy; moving it from place to place would require a lifting harness and fork truck to hoist the device, and a flatbed truck to transport it. Moreover, the fact that the design being discussed here has a capacity of four adults and is rigid in nature presents a significant challenge to efficient storage, particularly if it is intended for use by an individual family. These particular aspects of the design—lack of shock mitigation, difficulty in transporting, and inefficient storage—present serious challenges to widespread deployment to and use by individuals who require a means of protecting themselves against the life-threatening hazards of severe natural disaster events such as catastrophic weather and geological events.
Another similar capsule is available and is made from fiberglass, rather than aluminum. However, the same challenges and deficiencies apply except that fiberglass is even less likely to absorb high-impact forces typically encountered during severe natural disaster events as fiberglass is easily shattered when striking hard objects, which can lead to water ingress, injury to occupants including occupants that are otherwise adequately restrained within the capsule and potential sinking of the capsule leading to the drowning of those within.
Thus, there is a need for an escape and survival pod or capsule designed to be easily transported, stored, deployed and used by people in need thereof and that is sufficiently rugged to withstand the severe forces generated by catastrophic natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, tornadoes, typhoons, hurricanes and the like. The escape and survival capsule must be buoyant so that it will float in events of flooding, torrential rains such as monsoons, tsunamis, water spouts, tropical storms, hurricanes, typhoons and the like. The present invention provides such an escape and survival pod or capsule.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention addresses and overcomes the aforementioned limitations of currently available escape and survival pods or capsules for natural disasters by means of using new designs and materials as is described herein.
The present invention comprises a new design for an escape and survival pod, capsule or sphere that provides a means for persons to survive a natural disaster event including catastrophic water-related events such as tsunamis, floods, torrential rains such as monsoon, typhoons, hurricanes and tornadoes formed over water (i.e., water spouts). In one aspect, the survival capsule is buoyant (i.e., capable of floating while experiencing events of flooding, torrential rains such as monsoons, tsunamis, water spouts, tropical storms, hurricanes, typhoons and the like) and provides protection for up to four persons. The present invention is herein defined as an escape and survival capsule, survival capsule, escape and survival pod, survival pod, escape and survival sphere, survival sphere or simply as a capsule, pod or sphere and, in one embodiment, provides shock mitigation (i.e., protection against high-impact forces encountered by the capsule during a natural disaster event) and buoyancy (see, e.g.,
Furthermore, the present invention provides for an efficient transport and storage capability due to the nature of its construction, which is light and collapsible (see, e.g.,
In yet another aspect of the present invention, another means by which to join the drop-stitch panels may be used including the use of glue or other suitable adhesives well known to those in the art. In another embodiment of the present invention, the escape and survival pod may be constructed from more or less than 12 panels. In one embodiment of the present invention, 10 drop-stitch panels comprising the sides of the survival capsule are contemplated along with 2 rigid panels comprising a rigid bottom and rigid top base such that a dodecahedron or dodecagon shape is formed. In one aspect of the present invention, the survival capsule so formed may be inflatable while in another aspect, the survival capsule may not be inflatable but optionally assembled in component parts as a static structure.
In one embodiment, each drop-stitch panel is inflated with compressed air or an inert gas, to achieve a pressure of at least 8 pounds per square inch (psi). In another embodiment, the survival capsule is pressurized to a pressure of about 8 psi to about 12 psi (see, e.g.,
In other embodiments, alternative materials for the stitches may be used, e.g., polyethylene teraphthalate or other suitable natural or synthetic material well known in the art.
In one embodiment, the drop-stitch panel layers are comprised of polyurethane-coated woven nylon fabric. In other embodiments, other materials may be used, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or Kevlar.
In one embodiment of the present invention, each drop-stitch panel thickness is about 4 inches. In other embodiments, other thicknesses may be used (for example, about 6 inches or greater). In one embodiment, the panel layers may be coated with certain coatings such as polyurethane coatings, techthane or other specialized coatings well known in the art to enhance the durability, abrasion, and puncture resistance qualities of the chosen panel material.
In one embodiment, each panel is inflated with compressed air. Compressed air may be obtained or produced from any readily available source, e.g., a compressed air cylinders or air compressors, both of which are available from well-known commercial vendors or outlets. The compressed air is directed through a network of inflation hoses and valves, forming the inflation manifold system (see, e.g.,
In one embodiment, the panels are supported by a framework structure of inflatable drop-stitch beams, which are bonded to the interior sections of the panels (see, e.g.,
In another aspect of the present invention, 10 drop-stitch panels may be used, with the bottom panel being a drop-stitch panel of about 4 inches or greater thickness. In another embodiment of the present invention, a secondary floor may be installed, on which the seating assembly may be mounted (see, e.g.,
In one embodiment of the present invention, access to the interior of the survival pod is through a hatch. In one aspect, the hatch is affixed to the top panel, allowing for access from the top of the pod (see, e.g.,
In one embodiment of the present invention, the occupant seats may be comprised of drop-stitch material and take shape through inflation with compressed air, compressed CO2 or compressed helium or other inert gas (such as another of the so-called noble gases) using the same inflation assembly network used to inflate the panels and internal support structure (see, e.g.,
In another aspect of the present invention, a clear material, such as poly(vinyl chloride), plexiglass or aircraft-grade glass may be used for the layers of a given panel, providing a window for the occupants and a means for outside light to enter the interior of the survival sphere (see
In one embodiment of the present invention, the survival sphere may be collapsible. In one aspect, with the entry hatch on the top panel, the panels, when fully deflated, fold down on top of each other. The internal support structure and inflatable seats also collapse down, forming an efficient storage footprint (see
The panel sections 12 are shown fully inflated and bonded together. The method of bonding may be thermal welding or gluing of fabric strips that form an overlap joint between panel sections 12. In one aspect of the present invention, a rigid section forms the bottom of the sphere, as depicted in
The DWP can be set and regulated by the PRV, meaning that the specific PRV model selected in the design governs the amount of pressurized air, CO2, helium, etc., each chamber will hold. Therefore, the entire survival sphere can be inflated to the same DWP (e.g., 8 psi), and thus can be filled in its entirety from the central inflation port, to which the inflation cylinder is attached. In another embodiment, certain sections of the survival sphere can be filled to different pressures, which are dictated by the specifications of the PRV. For example, if the survival sphere panels and seating system is designed to be filled to 8 psi, but the internal beam support system is designed to be filled to 12 psi, then the survival sphere and internal supporting structure can be filled to the specified pressures based on the model of PRV attached to the chamber and the design of the inflation manifold system 70. Or, alternatively, the survival sphere panels, secondary floor, and seating structure can be filled automatically to the same pressure from the central inflation port, and the internal support beams can be filled separately, with each chamber being filled through an internal valve located in the baffle. In one embodiment, the inflation hoses 72 run between the panels through a fabric channel, entering each panel through an inflation port, according to a manifold design, using inlet and outlet valves to convey the pressurized air, CO2, helium, etc. In another embodiment, the inflation hoses 72 run along the internal beam sections and fill each chamber by bypassing the baffle through an inlet and outlet system that is outside the beam. In one embodiment, the individual beam chambers 60 are filled through a one way inflation valve system built into the baffle. In either embodiment, the individual chambers 60 are isolated from each other, meaning that pressurization failure of one chamber 60 does not result in pressurization failure in any other chamber 60. Likewise, each drop-stitch panel 12 may be isolated from other panels so that pressurization failure of one drop-stitch panel 12 does not result in pressurization failure to any other drop-stitch panel 12.
Each of the individual panels 12 may be comprised of drop-stitch materials as described herein. Moreover, other types of materials and attachment methods may be used to form the survival capsule. Such materials and attachment methods are commonly known in the art.
Each panel 12 may be individually inflatable and independent of the inflation of the other panels 12 such that failure of one panel 12 to inflate or the loss of inflation of one panel 12 will not cause the failure of inflation of any other panel 12 or result in the deflation of any other panel 12. In other embodiments, all inflatable components of the survival capsule including, e.g., each panel 12 and/or beam 60, may be inflated concurrently to increase the speed of inflation of the survival capsule.
In any of the panel designs and configurations, each panel 12 may be inflated by means of the inflation manifold system 70, as discussed supra, or each panel 12 may be inflated through a valve 100 individually by means of any number of commercially available pumps, e.g., air pumps.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the dimensions for each panel are about 90 inches wide, with each side being about 56 inches long. In other embodiments, other dimensions may be used based on the requirements of the design and the size of the survival sphere. In one embodiment of the present embodiment, each drop-stitch panel is about 4 inches thick. In other embodiments, drop-stitch panels thicker or thinner than 4 inches may be used based on the requirements of the design and the size of the sphere. In one aspect of the present invention, the drop-stitch panel may be made of two synthetic fabric layers, top and bottom, connected to each other by synthetic stitches designed for the application. In one embodiment, the stitches may be straight.
In another embodiment, the stitches may be crossed (‘X’ stitching). In one embodiment, the length of the stitches determines the thickness of the inflated panel. In one aspect, the number and configuration of the stitches determines the maximum pressure to which the panel can be inflated. In one embodiment, each panel section may have a section of fabric that extends beyond the inflated section, on all sides, to serve as an attachment flap, to a width of about 2 inches. In other embodiments, the width of the attachment flap may be greater than 2 inches. In other embodiments, the width of the attachment flap may be less than 2 inches. In one embodiment, each panel may be joined to the other panel through an overlap weld. In another embodiment, each panel may be joined to the other panel through a prayer weld. The panels are joined when the fabric attachment flap of one panel overlaps the adjoining panel by a certain amount (e.g., 1 inch—although other overlap distances may be used depending on the process), with one attachment flap placed over the other, being bonded together either through a thermal or friction welding process, or by gluing. The outer framework of the survival sphere is completed when all panels are bonded together, including the rigid bottom. The internal components of the craft are bonded to the appropriate places using the same method, that is, by use of attachment flaps that are separate from but attached to the inflatable chambers.
The Applicants have provided an improved escape and survival capsule for surviving waterborne disaster events such as tsunamis, water spouts, flooding, severe rains, monsoon, tropical storms, typhoons, hurricanes and the like. Furthermore, the Applicants have provided an improved escape and survival capsule for surviving terrestrial natural disasters and cataclysmic ecological events such as earthquakes, mudslides, high winds, tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons not involving heavy rains or flooding, and the like. Alternatively, the escape and survival capsule may be used for recreational purposes such as white water rafting-type activities or any other recreational pursuits.
The present invention provides numerous advantages to surviving such natural calamities some of which include, but are not limited to: (a) efficient storage of the survival sphere when deflated; (b) easily transportable in its deflated state; (c) comparatively inexpensive due to the relative simplicity of its design; (d) easily deployed in an emergency situation as the survival sphere can be carried and transported by 4 adults, inflated, set-up and ready within minutes; (e) it is rugged and durable, and easily repairable, meaning it can be used multiple times; (f) it is highly buoyant, and will maintain flotation even if one or more panel chambers are compromised or destroyed; and (g) due to the nature of the air-filled panels and fender system, or foam-filled fender system, impacts are absorbed effectively, generating much greater shock mitigation than an aluminum or fiberglass version of a survival capsule, and thus far less potential for occupant injury.
While the above description contains many specific embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but as exemplifications of some present embodiments. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings and disclosures herein. For example, materials may be changed for the main inflatable panels, and thin, rigid Kevlar panels may be bonded to the outside (or inside) of the main inflatable panels to provide extra puncture protection, etc. The internal beam structure may be designed in various orientations, whether in a uniform framework design as contemplated by some of the embodiments herein or in alternative configurations, such as circumferentially only. The fender system (for impact protection) may be made from a rigid thermoplastic material and applied in sections, rather than being an inflatable or foam filled fabric collar or sponson, as described in certain embodiments herein. The survival sphere may be used for recreational activities, such as white water rafting, rather than purely for a life-saving purpose in the event of an emergency.
Modification of the above-described assemblies and methods for carrying out the present invention, combinations between different variations as practicable, and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A survival capsule, comprising:
- a base section;
- a top section; and,
- a middle section between the base section and top section, wherein the middle section is comprised of one or more polygonal-shaped panels which are reconfigurable relative to one another from a collapsed state where the base and top sections are adjacent to one another to a deployed state which provides separation between the base and top sections.
2. The capsule of claim 1 wherein the base section is rigid.
3. The capsule of claim 1 wherein the base section is configured into a pentagon shape.
4. The capsule of claim 1 wherein the top section comprises an access hatch.
5. The capsule of claim 1 wherein the top section is rigid.
6. The capsule of claim 1 wherein the middle section is comprised of at least 2 panels.
7. The capsule of claim 6 wherein the panels are configured into pentagon shapes.
8. The capsule of claim 6 wherein the panels are comprised of a drop-stitch material.
9. The capsule of claim 1 further comprising a seating arrangement located within the capsule.
10. The capsule of claim 9 wherein the seating arrangement is attached to the base section.
11. The capsule of claim 9 wherein the seating arrangement is inflatable.
12. The capsule of claim 1 further comprising one or more beams which provide structural support to the capsule.
13. The capsule of claim 11 wherein the one or more beams are inflatable.
14. The capsule of claim 1 wherein the one or more polygonal-shaped panels are inflatable.
15. The capsule of claim 13 wherein the one or more polygonal-shaped panels are independently or concurrently inflatable.
16. The capsule of claim 1 further comprising a fender system.
17. The capsule of claim 16 wherein the fender system is inflatable.
18. The capsule of claim 4 further comprising a window located in the access hatch.
19. The capsule of claim 1 further comprising a window located in at least one of the polygonal-shaped panels.
20. The capsule of claim 1 further comprising a valve in at least one of the polygonal-shaped panels for inflating the panel.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 23, 2013
Publication Date: Aug 13, 2015
Applicants: IDS Global Inc. (Gig Harbor, WA), Woosung IB. Co. Ltd. (Incheon)
Inventors: Kenneth J. CARLSON (Eureka, CA), John R. NICOLINI (Arcata, CA), Michael KROEMER (Eureka, CA), Charles B. FARMER (Snohomish, WA), John D. SMITH (Washington, DC), Mark D. WRIGGLE (McKinleyville, CA)
Application Number: 14/433,511