Subterranean emergency shelter

Abstract

In one embodiment, a shelter includes a base with an interior chamber defined by a bottom wall, a sidewall, and an open upper end. A closure is joined to the base to enclose the chamber. A passageway through the closure facilitates entry into the chamber and exit from the chamber. Rungs disposed in the chamber extend through the passageway to define a stairway. The shelter may also include a door coupled to the passageway. The door can be moved from a closed position covering the passageway to an open position away from the passageway.

1 . A subterranean shelter, comprising:
 a base including a chamber defined by a bottom wall, at least one chamber sidewall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, and an open upper end;   a closure joined to said open upper end of said base to thereby enclose said chamber;   a passageway through said closure adapted to facilitate entry into said chamber or exit from said chamber;   pairs of oppositely disposed notches in said chamber and said passageway through said closure, said pairs of notches spaced in a vertical direction and extending through said passageway; and   rungs supported by said respective pairs of notches to define a stairway extending from said chamber through said passage.   
   
   
       2 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising a door coupled to said passageway, said door having a closed position covering said passageway, and an open position to permit entry into said chamber or exit from said chamber through said passageway. 
   
   
       3 . The shelter of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one rung on said door and cooperating with said rungs supported by said notches in said chamber and said passageway such that said stairway is extended outwardly of said passageway when said door is in said open position.   
   
   
       4 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said base has an exterior surface comprising a first portion with a generally frustoconical shape that widens in a direction from said open upper end of said base toward a lower end of said base proximate said bottom wall, and a second portion extending radially outwardly from said first portion, said second portion having the shape of an oblique rectangular prism extending from said lower end of said base to said closure. 
   
   
       5 . The shelter of  claim 4 , further comprising a plurality of ribs formed on said exterior surface. 
   
   
       6 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said passageway is defined by upper sidewalls extending vertically upwardly from said closure. 
   
   
       7 . The shelter of  claim 1 , wherein said base is rotationally molded from polymeric material. 
   
   
       8 . The shelter of  claim 7 , wherein said closure is rotationally molded from polymeric material. 
   
   
       9 . The shelter of  claim 8 , wherein said notches are integrally molded into said base and said closure 
   
   
       10 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising a seat in said chamber and integrally formed with said chamber sidewall. 
   
   
       11 . The shelter of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one vent through said closure and communicating with said chamber. 
   
   
       12 . The shelter of  claim 11 , further comprising a fan associated with said at least one vent. 
   
   
       13 . A subterranean shelter, comprising:
 a base including a chamber defined by a bottom wall, at least one sidewall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, and an open upper end;   a closure joined to said open upper end of said base to thereby enclose said chamber;   a passageway through said closure adapted to facilitate entry into said chamber or exit from said chamber;   said base having a double-wall construction comprising an outer wall and an inner wall separated by an interior cavity; and   fluid ballast material disposed in said interior cavity.   
   
   
       14 . The shelter of  claim 13 , wherein said fluid ballast material is water. 
   
   
       15 . A subterranean shelter, comprising:
 a base including a chamber defined by a bottom wall, at least one sidewall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, and an open upper end;   a closure joined to said open upper end of said base to thereby enclose said chamber;   a passageway through said closure adapted to facilitate entry into said chamber or exit from said chamber;   said base having a double-wall construction comprising an outer wall and an inner wall separated by an interior cavity; and   a faucet within said chamber and communicating with said interior cavity, said faucet operative to facilitate the withdrawal of fluid material stored in said interior cavity.