초록 ▼

Storm shelters are shown and described. In some embodiments, a storm shelter may include an elliptical-shaped enclosure configured to accommodate one or more persons during a weather event (e.g., a tornado, twister, hurricane, cyclone, typhoon, etc.). The shelter may also include one or more anchors

Storm shelters are shown and described. In some embodiments, a storm shelter may include an elliptical-shaped enclosure configured to accommodate one or more persons during a weather event (e.g., a tornado, twister, hurricane, cyclone, typhoon, etc.). The shelter may also include one or more anchors coupled to the enclosure, the anchors configured to attach a bottom portion of the enclosure to the ground while maintaining a top portion of the enclosure above the ground during the weather event. The storm shelter may further include a hatch coupled to the enclosure via one or more hinges, the hatch configured to allow the one or more persons to enter the enclosure and to shut the enclosure from its exterior during the weather event. In some implementations, the hatch may be coupled to the enclosure via joints or hinges that allow it to be decoupled from the enclosure from within the enclosure.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A shelter, comprising: an enclosure configured to accommodate one or more persons during a severe weather event, the enclosure having a first cylindrical-shaped portion and a second elliptical-shaped portion, the first cylindrical-shaped portion configured to be buried underground and the second

1. A shelter, comprising: an enclosure configured to accommodate one or more persons during a severe weather event, the enclosure having a first cylindrical-shaped portion and a second elliptical-shaped portion, the first cylindrical-shaped portion configured to be buried underground and the second elliptical-shaped portion configured to rest above ground; andan at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch coupled to the enclosure via one or more hinges, the one or more hinges configured to allow the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch to move along a surface of the enclosure to allow one or more persons to open or close the enclosure, the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch configured to allow the one or more persons to enter the enclosure and to shut the enclosure's interior from the enclosure's exterior during a severe weather event. 2. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the one or more hinges are further configured to decouple the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch from the enclosure from within the enclosure in response to the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch being blocked or damaged by debris resulting from the severe weather event. 3. The shelter of claim 2, the one or more hinges further comprising a pin or bolt configured to be pushed outwardly from within the enclosure by the one or more persons to decouple the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch from the enclosure. 4. The shelter of claim 2, the one or more hinges further comprising a pin or bolt configured to be pulled inwardly from within the enclosure by the one or more persons to decouple the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch from the enclosure. 5. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch is configured to move along an inside surface of the second elliptical-shaped portion. 6. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch is configured to move along an outside surface of the second elliptical-shaped portion. 7. The shelter of claim 1, further comprising: a cylindrical-shaped base portion coupled below the first cylindrical-shaped portion, the base portion having one or more rib segments on an outer surface. 8. The shelter of claim 7, wherein the one or more rib segments have a semi-circular cross-section, and wherein the one or more ribs fully encircle the base portion. 9. The shelter of claim 7, wherein the one or more rib segments are configured to resist a force tending to pull the shelter out of the ground. 10. The shelter of claim 1, further comprising: a cage structure positioned within the second elliptical-shaped portion. 11. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the first cylindrical-shaped portion and the second elliptical-shaped portion comprise a fiber-reinforced plastic. 12. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the second elliptical-shaped portion is configured to allow at least one or more persons to keep his or her head above the ground within the enclosure, the second elliptical-shaped portion having one or more transparent or translucent areas configured to allow external light to enter the enclosure. 13. The shelter of claim 1, further comprising: a fastener configured to latch the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch to the enclosure during the severe weather event. 14. The shelter of claim 1, the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped roll-top hatch further comprising a rubber trim or gasket configured to seal a shelter interior from an exterior during the severe weather event. 15. A shelter, comprising: an enclosure adapted to protect a person from a storm, the enclosure having a first at least partially cylindrical-shaped portion and a second elliptical-shaped portion, the first at least partially cylindrical-shaped portion configured to be buried underground and the second elliptical-shaped portion configured to rest above the ground, the second elliptical-shaped portion including at least one transparent or translucent area that allows external light to enter the enclosure;at least partially spherical-lune-shaped hatch coupled to the enclosure via one or more joints, the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped hatch having a surface configured to slide against an exterior surface of the enclosure when being opened or closed; anda cylindrical-shaped base portion coupled below the first cylindrical-shaped portion, the base portion having one or more rib segments on an outer surface. 16. The shelter of claim 14, wherein the one or more rib segments have a semi-circular cross-section, and wherein the one or more ribs fully encircle the base portion. 17. The shelter of claim 14, further comprising: a cage structure positioned within the second elliptical-shaped portion. 18. A shelter, comprising: an enclosure adapted to protect a person from a storm, the enclosure having a first at least partially cylindrical-shaped portion and a second elliptical-shaped portion, the first at least partially cylindrical-shaped portion configured to be buried in the ground and the second elliptical-shaped portion configured to rest above the ground;an at least partially spherical-lune-shaped hatch coupled to the enclosure via one or more mounts, the one or more mounts configured to be at least partially removed from within the enclosure to decouple the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped hatch from the enclosure in response to the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped hatch being blocked or damaged, the one or more mounts further comprising a pin or bolt configured to be pushed outwardly from within the enclosure by the person to decouple the at least partially spherical-lune-shaped hatch from the enclosure; anda cage structure positioned within the second elliptical-shaped portion. 19. The shelter of claim 17, further comprising: a cylindrical-shaped base portion coupled below the first cylindrical-shaped portion, the base portion having one or more rib segments on an outer surface. 20. The shelter of claim 18, wherein the one or more rib segments have a semi-circular cross-section, and wherein the one or more ribs fully encircle the base portion.