Back to results
US 11,795,722 B1Granted
Tornado shelter
OwnerRobert Hagemeisterinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tornado shelter apparatus includes a substantially unitary shell positionable at least partially below a ground surface. A cover is slidably movable over an opening of the shell. The cover has an arced shape with a substantial center point of the cover being positioned higher than a side edge of the cover. At least one lock is provided for removably locking the cover to the shell.
Claims13
A tornado shelter apparatus comprising:
- a substantially unitary shell positionable at least partially below a ground surface;
- a single cover slidably movable over an opening of the shell in a lateral direction, wherein the single cover is formed as a single, unitary structure without holes, gaps, or spaces therein, and has a shallow dome shape with a substantial center point of the single cover being positioned higher than all side edges of the single cover, wherein the shallow dome shape of the single cover provides a low angle of deflection for a tornado-driven object to deflect upwards and outwards from the single cover, and wherein the single cover covers an entirety of the opening when in a closed position;
- a track connected to an upper rim of the opening, the track guiding sliding movement of the single cover, wherein when the single cover is in the closed position, all terminating portions of the side edges of the single cover are positioned over the upper rim of the opening;
- and
- at least one lock, removably locking the single cover to the shell.
2 more elements
A system for providing a tornado shelter, the system comprising:
- a substantially unitary shell formed from a plastic or fiberglass material, the substantially unitary shell positionable at least partially below a ground surface, whereby a flange of the shell is positioned substantially flush with the ground surface, wherein the shell has an interior compartment and an opening to the interior compartment;
- a single cover slidably movable over the opening of the shell in a lateral direction, wherein the single cover is formed as a single, unitary structure without holes, gaps, or spaces therein, and has a shallow dome shape, whereby a substantial center point of the single cover is positioned higher than all side edges of the single cover, wherein the shallow dome shape of the single cover provides a low angle of deflection for a tornado-driven object to deflect upwards and outwards from the single cover, and wherein the single cover covers an entirety of the opening when in a closed position;
- a track system positioned along at least a portion of the flange of the shell at an upper rim of the opening, the track system guiding lateral slidable movement of the single cover, wherein when the cover is in the closed position, all terminating portions of the side edges of the single cover are positioned over the upper rim of the opening;
- and
- at least one removable locking fastener capable of being used by an individual within the interior compartment to removably lock the single cover to the shell.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.