# US 2019/0169833 A1 · Blast resistant shelter and method of assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0169833 A1 - Document ID: US20190169833A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/269,169 - Filed: 2019-02-06 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-12 - Assignees: Southern Comfort Shelters, L.L.C. - Applicants: Southern Comfort Shelters, Inc. - Inventors: Robert C. Dixon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190169833A1 ## CPC - E04B 1/3448: {with rotating shell-forming segments} - E04B 1/19: Three-dimensional [3D] framework structures - E04B 1/24: the supporting parts consisting of metal - E04B 1/3205: {Structures with a longitudinal horizontal axis, e.g. cylindrical or prismatic structures} - E04B 1/342: Structures covering a large free area, whether open-sided or not, e.g. hangars, halls (roof trusses E04C3/00; non-structural features for specified purposes, see the relevant groups of E04H) - E04B 1/92: Protection against other undesired influences or dangers (buildings providing protection against external dangers E04H9/00; shielding against dangerous radiation G21F) - E04B 1/98: against vibrations or shocks (on foundations E02D31/08); against mechanical destruction, e.g. by air-raids (against incendiary damage only E04B1/94; finishing work therefor E04F; buildings withstanding earthquake or the like, shelters, arrangements of splintercatching walls E04H9/00) - E04H 9/04: against air-raid or other war-like actions - E04H 9/10: Independent shelters; Arrangement of independent splinter-proof walls - E04B 2001/199: {Details of roofs, floors or walls supported by the framework} - E04B 2001/3252: {Covering details} - E04F 13/002: {made of webs, e.g. of fabrics, or wallpaper, used as coverings or linings (of a number of similar elements carried by a common web E04F13/0862; paperhanging, tapestry work B44C7/00)} - Y02A 50/00: in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) - E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D) - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) - Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ## Abstract A method and apparatus according to which a blast resistant shelter is assembled. The blast resistant shelter includes first and second structural members, a third structural member coupled to the first and second structural members, a first airway adjacent the third structural member, and a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member and adapted to pivot thereabout in response to a blast wave. In a first configuration, the first blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel obstructs air flow through the first airway. In a second configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member to permit air flow through the first airway. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A blast resistant shelter, comprising: a frame comprising first, second, third, and fourth structural members, the third and fourth structural members being coupled to, and extending between, the first and second structural members so that first and second airways are defined adjacent the third and fourth structural members, respectively, and between the first and second structural members; a first blast panel pivotably mounted to the third structural member so that the first blast panel is adapted to pivot about the third structural member in response to a blast wave; and a second blast panel pivotably mounted to the fourth structural member so that the second blast panel is adapted to pivot about the fourth structural member in response to the blast wave; and wherein the blast resistant shelter is actuable between: a first configuration in which: the first blast panel is detachably connected via a first fastener to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the third structural member so that the first blast panel prevents, or at least reduces, air flow through the first airway; and the second blast panel is detachably connected via a second fastener to a second portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the fourth structural member so that the second blast panel prevents, or at least reduces, air flow through the second airway; and a second configuration in which, in response to the blast wave: the first blast panel is detached via disconnection of the first fastener from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the third structural member so that air flow is permitted through the first airway; and the second blast panel is detached via disconnection of the second fastener from the second portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the fourth structural member so that air flow is permitted through the second airway. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The blast resistant shelter of claim 1, wherein the disconnection of the first fastener and thus the pivoting of the first blast panel about the third structural member is independent of the disconnection of the second fastener and thus the pivoting of the second blast panel about the fourth structural member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The blast resistant shelter of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises fifth, sixth, and seventh structural members, the sixth and seventh structural members being coupled to, and extending between, the second and fifth structural members so that third and fourth airways are defined adjacent the sixth and seventh structural members, respectively, and between the second and fifth structural members; wherein the blast resistant shelter further comprises: a third blast panel pivotably mounted to the sixth structural member so that the third blast panel is adapted to pivot about the sixth structural member in response to the blast wave; and a fourth blast panel pivotably mounted to the seventh structural member so that the fourth blast panel is adapted to pivot about the seventh structural member in response to the blast wave; wherein, in the first configuration of the blast resistant shelter: the third blast panel is detachably connected via a third fastener to a third portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the sixth structural member so that the third blast panel prevents, or at least reduces, air flow through the third airway; and the fourth blast panel is detachably connected via a fourth fastener to a fourth portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the seventh structural member so that the fourth blast panel prevents, or at least reduces, air flow through the fourth airway; and wherein, in the second configuration of the blast resistant shelter: the third blast panel is detached via disconnection of the third fastener from the third portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the sixth structural member so that air flow is permitted through the third airway; and the fourth blast panel is detached via disconnection of the fourth fastener from the fourth portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the seventh structural member so that air flow is permitted through the fourth airway. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The blast resistant shelter of claim 3, wherein the disconnections of the first, second, third, and fourth fasteners and thus the pivoting of the first, second, third, and fourth blast panels about the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh structural members, respectively, are independent of each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The blast resistant shelter of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the blast resistant shelter to which the first blast panel is detachably connected via the first fastener in the first configuration comprises the second blast panel and/or the third blast panel; and wherein the third portion of the blast resistant shelter to which the third blast panel is detachably connected via the third fastener in the first configuration comprises the first blast panel and/or the fourth blast panel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The blast resistant shelter of claim 5, wherein the second portion of the blast resistant shelter to which the second blast panel is detachably connected via the second fastener in the first configuration comprises the fourth blast panel; and wherein the fourth portion of the blast resistant shelter to which the fourth blast panel is detachably connected via the fourth fastener in the first configuration comprises the second blast panel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The blast resistant shelter of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth structural members, the seventh and eighth structural members being coupled to, and extending between, the fifth and sixth structural members so that third and fourth airways are defined adjacent the seventh and eighth structural members, respectively, and between the fifth and sixth structural members; wherein the blast resistant shelter further comprises a gable, the gable comprising: a third blast panel pivotably mounted to the seventh structural member so that the third blast panel is adapted to pivot about the seventh structural member in response to the blast wave; and a fourth blast panel pivotably mounted to the eighth structural member so that the fourth blast panel is adapted to pivot about the eighth structural member in response to the blast wave; wherein, in the first configuration of the blast resistant shelter: the third blast panel is detachably connected via a third fastener to a third portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the seventh structural member so that the third blast panel prevents, or at least reduces, air flow through the third airway; and the fourth blast panel is detachably connected via a fourth fastener to a fourth portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the eighth structural member so that the fourth blast panel prevents, or at least reduces, air flow through the fourth airway and wherein, in the second configuration of the blast resistant shelter: the third blast panel is detached via disconnection of the third fastener from the third portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the seventh structural member so that air flow is permitted through the third airway; and the fourth blast panel is detached via disconnection of the fourth fastener from the fourth portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to pivot about the eighth structural member so that air flow is permitted through the fourth airway. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The blast resistant shelter of claim 7, wherein the disconnections of the first, second, third, and fourth fasteners and thus the pivoting of the first, second, third, and fourth blast panels about the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth structural members, respectively, are independent of each other. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The blast resistant shelter of claim 7, wherein the first portion of the blast resistant shelter to which the first blast panel is detachably connected via the first fastener in the first configuration comprises the second blast panel; and wherein the third portion of the blast resistant shelter to which the third blast panel is detachably connected via the third fastener in the first configuration comprises the fourth blast panel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The blast resistant shelter of claim 1, wherein the first blast panel is a first nonrigid blast panel; and wherein the second blast panel is a second nonrigid blast panel. ### Claim 11 A blast resistant shelter, comprising: first and second structural members; a third structural member coupled to, and extending between, the first and second structural members; a first airway defined adjacent the third structural member and between the first and second structural members; and a first nonrigid blast panel mounted to the third structural member; wherein the first nonrigid blast panel, and the mounting of the first nonrigid blast panel to the third structural member, are configured so that: the first nonrigid blast panel is permitted to flap open in response to a blast wave; and the first nonrigid blast panel remains mounted to the third structural member as the first nonrigid blast panel flaps open in response to the blast wave. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The blast resistant shelter of claim 11, wherein: in a first operational configuration, the first nonrigid blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from flapping open so that the first nonrigid blast panel prevents, or at least reduces, air flow through the first airway; and in a second operational configuration, in response to the blast wave, the first nonrigid blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to flap open so that air flow is permitted through the first airway. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The blast resistant shelter of claim 12, wherein the first portion of the blast resistant shelter comprises one or more of: the first structural member and the second structural member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The blast resistant shelter of claim 12, further comprising a fourth structural member to which the first and second structural members are coupled; wherein the first portion of the blast resistant shelter comprises one or more of: the fourth structural member, the first structural member, and the second structural member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The blast resistant shelter of claim 14, wherein either: the first and second structural members are trusses, the third structural member is a wall girt, and the fourth structural member is a base beam; or the third structural member is a truss. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The blast resistant shelter of claim 12, further comprising: a fourth structural member coupled to, and extending between, the first and second structural members; a second airway defined adjacent the fourth structural member and between the first and second structural members; and a second nonrigid blast panel mounted to the fourth structural member; wherein the first portion of the blast resistant shelter comprises one or more of: the second nonrigid blast panel, the fourth structural member, the first structural member, and the second structural member; and wherein the second nonrigid blast panel, and the mounting of the second nonrigid blast panel to the fourth structural member, are configured so that: the second nonrigid blast panel is permitted to flap open in response to the blast wave; and the second nonrigid blast panel remains mounted to the fourth structural member as the second nonrigid blast panel flaps open in response to the blast wave. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The blast resistant shelter of claim 16, wherein either: the first and second structural members are trusses, and the third and fourth structural members are wall girts; or the third structural member is a truss. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The blast resistant shelter of claim 11, further comprising: a fourth structural member; a fifth structural member coupled to, and extending between, the second and fourth structural members; a second airway defined adjacent the fifth structural member and between the second and fourth structural members; and a second nonrigid blast panel mounted to the fifth structural member; wherein the second nonrigid blast panel, and the mounting of the second nonrigid blast panel to the fifth structural member, are configured so that: the second nonrigid blast panel is permitted to flap open in response to a blast wave; and the second nonrigid blast panel remains mounted to the fifth structural member as the second nonrigid blast panel flaps open in response to the blast wave. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The blast resistant shelter of claim 18, wherein: in a first operational configuration: the first nonrigid blast panel is detachably connected to a first portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from flapping open so that the first nonrigid blast panel prevents, or at least reduces, air flow through the first airway; and the second nonrigid blast panel is detachably connected to a second portion of the blast resistant shelter and prevented from pivoting about the fifth structural member so that the second nonrigid blast panel prevents, or at least reduces, air flow through the second airway; and in a second operational configuration, in response to the blast wave: the first nonrigid blast panel is detached from the first portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to flap open so that air flow is permitted through the first airway; and the second nonrigid blast panel is detached from the second portion of the blast resistant shelter and permitted to flap open so that air flow is permitted through the second airway. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The blast resistant shelter of claim 19, wherein: the first portion of the blast resistant shelter comprises one or more of: the second nonrigid blast panel, the first structural member, and the second structural member; and the second portion of the blast resistant shelter comprises one or more of: the first nonrigid blast panel, the second structural member, and the fourth structural member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The blast resistant shelter of claim 20, wherein either: the first, second, and fourth structural members are trusses, and the third and fifth structural members are wall girts; or the third and fifth structural members form a truss. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The blast resistant shelter of claim 19, further comprising a sixth structural member to which the first, second, and fourth structural members are coupled; wherein the first portion of the blast resistant shelter comprises one or more of: the sixth structural member, the second nonrigid blast panel, the first structural member, and the second structural member; and wherein the second portion of the blast resistant shelter comprises one or more of: the sixth structural member, the first nonrigid blast panel, the second structural member, and the fourth structural member. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The blast resistant shelter of claim 22, wherein either: the first, second, and fourth structural members are trusses, the third and fifth structural members are wall girts, and the sixth structural member is a base beam; or the third and fifth structural members form a truss. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The blast resistant shelter of claim 19, further comprising: a sixth structural member coupled to, and extending between, the first and second structural members; a seventh structural member coupled to, and extending between, the second and fourth structural members; a third airway defined adjacent the sixth structural member and between the first and second structural members; a fourth airway defined adjacent the seventh structural member and between the second and fourth structural members; a third nonrigid blast panel pivotably mounted to the sixth structural member and adapted to flap open in response to the blast wave; and a fourth nonrigid blast panel pivotably mounted to the seventh structural member and adapted to flap open in response to the blast wave; wherein the first portion of the blast resistant shelter comprises one or more of: the third nonrigid blast panel, the sixth structural member, the second nonrigid blast panel, the first structural member, and the second structural member; and wherein the second portion of the blast resistant shelter comprises one or more of: the fourth nonrigid blast panel, the seventh structural member, the first nonrigid blast panel, the second structural member, and the fourth structural member. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The blast resistant shelter of claim 24, wherein either: the first, second, and fourth structural members are trusses and the third, fifth, sixth, and seventh structural members are wall girts; or the third and fifth structural members form a truss, and the sixth and seventh structural members form a truss. ### Claim 26 (depends on 11) The blast resistant shelter of claim 11, wherein the first nonrigid blast panel is pivotably mounted to the third structural member. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The blast resistant shelter of claim 26, wherein the first nonrigid blast panel includes a first sleeve in which the third structural member is sheathed to pivotably mount the first blast panel to the third structural member.