PREFABRICATED TEMPORARY SHELTER

Abstract

A temporary prefabricated shelter for providing a temporary shelter which can be deployed quickly and in mass and secured through a central, internal anchor. The temporary prefabricated shelter comprises an underlying frame apparatus having disposed thereon a shell structure. The frame apparatus includes a first elongated rigid structural member and a second elongated rigid structural member fastened together at an anchor point. The structural members are identical and each have bent endpoints configured to contact a ground surface. An eyehook fastened to a ground surface provides a fixed point to which the frame apparatus can be attached and anchored to the ground surface through an adjustable strap. The shell structure is a rigid body contoured to fit to over the frame apparatus and be fastened thereto. The body of the shell structure additionally includes two windows, an air vent, a door, an electrical input box, and a light.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to a shelter apparatus and, more particularly, to an anchored, prefabricated structure for use as a temporary shelter.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In cases where a natural disasters strike an area, it is not uncommon for many individuals and families to lose access and the ability to use their homes. Finding shelter for those displaced by calamities such as tornadoes or wildfires often presents an incredible logistical challenge for those affected by such calamities and for authorities tasked with administrating a recovery. Adding to this challenge is the fact that the construction of permanent replacement shelter for a plurality of displaced individuals and families inevitably takes time.

[0005] In addition, it is well known that in many rural areas and third world countries there is a chronic shortage of usable shelter available to the population. In either scenario, a problem which still exists is when a population loses access to in use, destroyed permanent shelter or generally lacks access to permanent shelter, many in that population may be forced to live without shelter for a period of time while awaiting the construction of replacement shelter. Thus, there remains a need for a prefabricated structure which would provide a temporary, immediately available shelter. It would be helpful if such a temporary prefabricated shelter was constructed to be anchored to the ground to provide stability. It would be additionally desirable for such a temporary prefabricated shelter to include electrical wiring so as to provide access to electrical power when available.

[0006] The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a prefabricated structure adapted to provide a temporary shelter which may be deployed immediately in mass to provide shelter to a displaced or otherwise shelter-less populace. The primary components of Applicant's temporary prefabricated shelter are a frame, a dome, and a anchor. When in operation, the temporary prefabricated shelter allows temporary shelter to be quickly provided on a mass scale to serve members of a populace who lack permanent shelter. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by prior art are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A temporary prefabricated shelter for providing a temporary shelter which can be deployed quickly and in mass and secured through a central, internal anchor. The temporary prefabricated shelter comprises an underlying frame apparatus having disposed thereon a shell structure. The frame apparatus includes a first elongated rigid structural member and a second elongated rigid structural member fastened together at an anchor point. The structural members are identical and each have bent endpoints configured to contact a ground surface. An eyehook fastened to a ground surface provides a fixed point to which the frame apparatus can be attached and anchored to the ground surface through an adjustable strap.

[0008] The shell structure is a rigid body contoured to fit to over the frame apparatus and be fastened thereto The body of the shell structure additionally includes two windows, an air vent, a door, an electrical input box, and a light.

[0009] It is an object of this invention to provide a prefabricated structure which would provide a temporary, immediately available shelter.

[0010] It is another object of this invention to provide a temporary prefabricated shelter constructed to be anchored to the ground to provide stability.

[0011] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a temporary prefabricated shelter which includes electrical wiring so as to provide access to electrical power when available.

[0012] These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the frame and anchor of a temporary prefabricated shelter built in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross section of a side elevational view of a temporary prefabricated shelter built in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, a frame apparatus 10 of a temporary prefabricated shelter is shown having a first structural member 11 and a second structural member 12 fastened together at an anchor point 13. The first structural member 11 and the second structural member 12 are identical elongated rigid members having bent endpoints and which intersect at the anchor point 13 to form an "X" shaped structure. The bent endpoints are configured to contact a ground surface 14 and provide a surface which enable the combined "X" shaped structure to stand.

[0016] An eyehook 15 is fastened to the ground surface 14 and provides a fixed point to which the frame apparatus 10 can be attached and anchored to the ground surface 14. The frame apparatus 10 is attached and anchored to the eyehook 15 through a strap 16 having a securing buckle 17 disposed thereon and a securing hook 18 at the end opposite of where the strap 16 is attached to the anchor point 13. The strap 16 is adjustable in length by way of the securing buckle 17 so that the strap 16 can be lengthened to allow the securing hook 18 to be engaged to the eyehook 15, and the shortened once the securing hook 18 is attached to remove any slack, enabling the strap 16 to provide a firm anchor of the frame apparatus 10.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the strap 16 utilizes a ratchet to allow it to be selectively shortened and lengthened.

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, an assembled temporary prefabricated shelter 20 is shown with an underlying frame apparatus 21 having disposed thereon a shell structure 22. The shell structure 22 is a rigid body contoured to fit to over the frame apparatus 21 and be fastened thereto by a plurality of shell fasteners 23. The shell fasteners 23 are embodied in the preferred embodiment as hooks which can be placed over the body of the frame apparatus 21. In this regard, when an individual wants to leave or enter the prefabricated shelter 20, the shell fasteners 23 are unhooked, enabling the shell structure to be lifted off the ground surface 24 while the frame apparatus 21 remains in anchored in place.

[0019] The body of the shell structure 22 additionally includes two windows 25, an air vent 26, a door 27, an electrical input box 28, and a light 29. The windows 25 allow light to be allowed into the prefabricated shelter 20 and also fresh air to enter. In one embodiment, the windows 25 are motorized and are opened and closed using electrical power. The air vent 26 allows for ongoing ventilation and is shaped to prevent rain or other elements which may be present from entering the prefabricated shelter 20 despite its location on top of the shell structure 22. The door 27 allows individuals to enter and exit the prefabricated shelter 20 without unhooking the shell fasteners 23 and lifting the shell structure 22. The electrical input box 28 allows electrical power to be provided to the prefabricated shelter 20 by way of a conventional electrical input cord (not shown). Once electrical power is supplied to the electrical input box 28, the light 29 can be selectively operated. The entire shell structure 22 is wired to provide electricity to the light 29 as well as a plurality of electrical boxes 29a.

[0020] Prefabricated shelters 20 built in accordance with the present invention can be transported as a plurality of shell structures 22 placed upside down and stacked on one another and the unassembled components of the frame apparatus 21 set inside the stacked shell structures 22. Once it is desired to assemble the prefabricated shelter 20, the frame apparatus 21 is first assembled and anchored, the shell structure 22 is placed on top of the assembled frame apparatus 21, and the shell structure 22 is locked onto the frame apparatus 21.

[0021] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A prefabricated shelter, comprising: a frame apparatus defined by an elongated, rigid first structural member and an elongated, rigid second structural member fastened together at a single anchor point formed by the intersection of a central section of the elongated first structural member and a central section of the elongated second structural member, thereby creating an "X" shaped structure; a rigid shell structure configured to fit on top of said frame apparatus and be fastened to said frame apparatus, enabling it to cover substantially all of said frame apparatus sufficient to form an enclosed housing; and a strap adapted to attach to said anchor point, enabling said frame apparatus to be fastened to a ground surface, wherein said strap is configured to be adjustable in length.

2. The prefabricated shelter of claim 1, wherein said first structural member and said second structural member are identical and are fastened together in a perpendicular orientation.

3. The prefabricated shelter of claim 1, wherein: said first structural member and said second structural member each include a first end and a second end; and said first end and said second end are defined by bent endpoints.

4. (canceled)

5. The prefabricated shelter of claim 1, wherein said shell structure includes at least one shell fastener.

6. The prefabricated shelter of claim 1, wherein said shell structure includes at least one window, an air vent, a door, an electrical input box, and a light.

7. (canceled)

8. The prefabricated shelter of claim 1, wherein said strap is configured to be adjustable in length by way of a buckle apparatus.

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