Vertical Flood Escape Structure
AssigneeThe Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Homeland Security
InventorJeffrey B. Barber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vertical escape structure comprises an escape housing disposed in a vertical orientation and mounted to a ground to maintain structural integrity in the vertical orientation against external flooding. The escape housing includes an interior which is sealed against water entry from exterior flooding and at least one of a staircase, a ladder, an elevator, or a lift disposed in the interior of the escape housing. The vertical escape structure further comprises a connecting walkway to connect the escape housing to a building. The escape housing has a smaller horizontal footprint than the building. The walkway is severable from the building by force without damaging the escape housing to cause water entry from the exterior flooding.
Claims30
A vertical escape structure comprising:
- an escape housing disposed in a vertical orientation and mounted to a ground to maintain structural integrity in the vertical orientation against external flooding, the escape housing including an interior which is sealed against water entry from exterior flooding and at least one of a staircase, a ladder, an elevator, or a lift disposed in the interior of the escape housing;
- and
- a connecting walkway to connect the escape housing to a building, the escape housing having a smaller horizontal footprint than the building, the connecting walkway being severable from the building by force without damaging the escape housing to cause water entry from the exterior flooding.
A method of providing escape from flooding, the method comprising:
- mounting an escape housing in a vertical orientation to a ground to maintain structural integrity in the vertical orientation against external flooding;
- sealing an interior of the escape housing against water entry from exterior flooding;
- providing at least one of a staircase, a ladder, an elevator, or a lift in the interior of the escape housing;
- and
- connecting a connecting walkway between the escape housing and a building, the escape housing having a smaller horizontal footprint than the building, the connecting walkway being severable from the building by force without damaging the escape housing to cause water entry from the external flooding.
A vertical escape structure comprising:
- an escape housing disposed in a vertical orientation and mounted to a ground to maintain structural integrity in the vertical orientation against external flooding, the escape housing including an interior which is sealed against water entry from exterior flooding and at least one of a staircase, a ladder, an elevator, or a lift disposed in the interior of the escape housing;
- and
- means for connecting a walkway between the escape housing and a building to render the walkway severable from the building by force without damaging the escape housing to cause water entry from the external flooding, the escape housing having a smaller horizontal footprint than the building.
A vertical escape structure comprising:
- an escape housing disposed in a vertical orientation and mounted to a ground to maintain structural integrity in the vertical orientation against external flooding, the escape housing including an interior which is sealed against water entry from exterior flooding and at least one of a staircase, a ladder, an elevator, or a lift disposed in the interior of the escape housing, the escape housing including a plurality of vertically stacked modules and a retractable roof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.