Life protector enclosure for mines

An enclosure for use in underground mines to provide protection to miners in advance of, or after initiation of, dangerous conditions in said mines, which comprises:

• a frame;
• a substantially air tight envelope, for safely housing said miners, attached to said frame, said enclosure having an external surface characterized by being resistant to environmental conditions external to said envelope, and an internal surface characterized by removing heat from an interior of said envelope, said internal and external surfaces at least partially separated by thermal insulation, said envelope provided with at least one closeable opening for ingress and egress by said miners and a door to selectively cover said opening;
• means attached to a lower portion of said frame adapted for periodic movement of said enclosure whereby said enclosure is positioned within reach by said miners when said dangerous conditions are eminent or occur;
• and
• means contained within said envelope to sustain liveable conditions for said miners for a selected time period.

An enclosure for use in underground mines to provide protection to miners in advance of, or after initiation of, dangerous conditions in said mines, which comprises:

• a frame;
• a substantially air tight envelope, for safely housing said miners, attached to said frame, said envelope defined by wall members, a roof member and a floor member, said envelope having an external sheet metal surface characterized by being resistant to environmental conditions external to said envelope, and an internal surface, said internal and external surfaces separated in at least said wall members by thermal insulation, said envelope provided with at least one closeable opening in a wall member for ingress and egress by said miners, and a door to selectively cover said opening, said door provided with peripheral sealing means, a glazed window and with a latch means operable by said miners, said latch means preventing unintentional opening of said door;
• wheel means attached to a lower portion of said frame, said wheel means supporting said frame and said envelope above a floor of said mine;
• pivotal tongue means attached to said frame, said tongue means adapted for releasable attachment to a vehicle for periodic movement of said enclosure whereby said enclosure is positioned with reach by said miners when said dangerous conditions are eminent or occur;
• air circulation means within said envelope;
• unidirectional valve means communicating between said envelope and surrounding environment for venting excessive pressure from said envelope without infiltration of atmosphere external said envelope;
• and
• means within said envelope to sustain liveable conditions for said miners for a selected time period, said means including regulated sources of oxygen-containing gas, sources of drinking water and means for thermal protection of said miners.