Deployable Structure Shield

Abstract

A readily deployable shield for single family dwellings and other structures protects the structures from transient, temporary threats such as fire, hurricane, tornado or similar forces. The deployable structure shield is delivered to a structure site in an enclosed shield module. The enclosed shield module may be permanently or temporarily secured to the roof of the structure to be protected. The shield module includes the shield canopy, an energy generator, a compressor, control electronics, one or more deployment catapults, sandbags, lanyards, tie-down straps, and a manual deployment apparatus. Once secured to the roof of a structure, the shield canopy may be deployed manually with the manual deployment apparatus, or remotely using the control electronics and any suitable initiation apparatus such as a smartphone.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A structure shield for enclosing and shielding a structure with a perimeter comprising:
 a shield module having a plurality of doors enclosing a storage space;   a shield canopy secured to the shield module, the shield canopy having a perimeter, and sized to enclose the structure, the shield canopy folds to be stored within the storage space;   a plurality of deployment lines and securing straps attached to the perimeter of the shield canopy;   one or more means for deployment, the means for deployment projecting the deployment lines beyond the perimeter of the structure; and   a control module to monitor and deploy the shield canopy automatically.   
     
     
         2 . The structure shield of  claim 1  wherein the shield canopy is inflatable and the control module includes a suitable mechanism to inflate the shield canopy and controls inflation of the shield canopy. 
     
     
         3 . A method for enclosing and shielding a roofed structure comprising the steps:
 locating a shield module on the roof of the structure, the shield module having a plurality of doors enclosing a storage space with a shield canopy and a control module within;   opening the doors of the shield module;   extending a plurality of deployment lines connected to the shield canopy over the roof of the structure to extend to the ground;   using the deployment lines to extend the shield canopy to enclose the structure;   securing a plurality of securing straps to anchors surrounding the structure to secure the shield canopy around the structure.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step:
 inflating the shield canopy during the securing step. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step:
 inflating the shield canopy following the securing step.