In-ground storm shelter

Abstract

An in-ground storm shelter for use near a structure having no basement, especially for use adjacent mobile homes or other slab-on grade dwellings. The in-ground storm shelter is a generally rectangular-shaped enclosure having a pair of generally vertical side walls and a pair of generally vertical end walls, an enclosed bottom and a hinged top. The shelter is made from a fiberglass reinforced product. The hinged top, also of fiberglass reinforced product, has a vent and an emergency exit hatch formed therein. Flexible lock is provided to lock the hinged top to the enclosed bottom. Safety chains are provided to prevent excessive deformation of the gas filled extension arms provided to ease use of the hinged top. The enclosure has vertical reinforcements formed in the walls thereof to prevent deformation by ground pressures. A ladder is incorporated in an end wall of the enclosure for permitting ingress and egress from the shelter, both through the hinged top and through the emergency hatch. The shelter also has seating formed in the side walls thereof and floor drains formed in the bottom of the enclosure. At least a pair of tie downs are provided as an anchors to prevent up heaving of the shelter from a position of use in-ground.

1 . An in-ground storm shelter, comprising; 
 a generally rectangular-shaped molded fiberglass enclosure, said enclosure having a closed bottom, two generally vertical side walls ands two generally vertical end wall, each wall extending upwardly from said closed bottom to define a shelter cavity;    a ladder provided in one of said end walls of said enclosure;    a plurality of vertical wall reinforcements;    a top hingedly positioned for use above said enclosure;    means for locking said top to said enclosure; and    means for supporting said top such that it maybe pivoted about said hinge, the weight of the top supported thereby during use.    
   
   
       2 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising an emergency exit hatch formed in said top.  
   
   
       3 . The shelter of  claim 2 , further comprising a grilled ventilation vent formed in said top.  
   
   
       4 . The shelter of  claim 3 , further comprising built-in benches formed in said side walls.  
   
   
       5 . The shelter of  claim 4 , further comprising a pair of hold downs as means for anchoring the shelter in its in-ground position of use.  
   
   
       6 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said means for locking said top to said enclosure further comprising flexible latches.  
   
   
       7 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said means for supporting said top such that it maybe pivoted about said hinge further comprise a pair of gas-filled extension arms.  
   
   
       8 . The shelter of  claim 7 , further comprising a pair of safety chains to deter wind forces from damaging said gas-filled extension arms.  
   
   
       9 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said means for locking said top to said enclosure further comprise a two-piece lock whereby one of said two pieces is positioned on said top and mates to a second of said two pieces positioned on said enclosure such that said top may be locked to said enclosure.  
   
   
       10 . The shelter of  claim 9 , wherein said means for locking further comprise a handle positioned inside the enclosure such that said top may locked and unlocked to said enclosure both from the inside and the outside the closed enclosure.  
   
   
       11 . An in-ground storm shelter, comprising; 
 a generally rectangular-shaped molded fiberglass enclosure said enclosure having a closed bottom, two generally vertical side walls ands two generally vertical end wall, each wall extending upwardly from said closed bottom to define a shelter cavity;    a ladder formed in one of said end walls of said enclosure;    a plurality of vertical wall reinforcements;    a top hingedly positioned for use above said enclosure;    means for locking said top to said enclosure;    means for supporting said top such that it maybe pivoted about said hinge, the weight of the top supported thereby during use; and    an emergency exit hatch formed in said top.    
   
   
       12 . The shelter of  claim 11 , further comprising a grilled ventilation vent formed in said top.  
   
   
       13 . The shelter of  claim 11 , further comprising a pair of hold downs as means for anchoring the shelter in its in-ground position of use.  
   
   
       14 . The shelter of  claim 11 , wherein said means for locking said top to said enclosure further comprising flexible latches.  
   
   
       15 . The shelter of  claim 11 , wherein said means for supporting said top such that it maybe pivoted about said hinge further comprise a pair of gas-filled extension arms.  
   
   
       16 . The shelter of  claim 11 , further comprising a pair of safety chains to deter wind forces from damaging said gas-filled extension arms.  
   
   
       17 . An in-ground storm shelter, comprising; 
 a generally rectangular-shaped molded fiberglass enclosure said enclosure having a closed bottom, two generally vertical side walls ands two generally vertical end wall, each wall extending upwardly from said closed bottom to define a shelter cavity;    a ladder formed in one of said end walls of said enclosure;    a plurality of vertical wall reinforcements;    a top hingedly positioned for use above said enclosure;    means for locking said top to said enclosure;    means for supporting said top such that it maybe pivoted about said hinge, the weight of the top supported thereby during use;    an emergency exit hatch formed in said top; and    a pair of hold downs as means for anchoring the shelter in its in-ground position of use.    
   
   
       18 . The shelter of  claim 17 , further comprising a grilled ventilation vent formed in said top.  
   
   
       19 . The shelter of  claim 18 , wherein said means for locking said top to said enclosure further comprising flexible latches.  
   
   
       20 . The shelter of  claim 18 , wherein said means for supporting said top such that it maybe pivoted about said hinge further comprise a pair of gas-filled extension arms.