Modular Emergency Shelter

Abstract

A modular shelter and anchoring system for anchoring to an immovable object such as the ground, a concrete slab or a wall. The container includes a steel reinforced container body and door, and a connection structure for anchoring the container body on the immovable object.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A modular shelter for anchoring to an immovable object, said shelter comprising a steel reinforced container body having an interior volume defined by side walls extending upwardly from a floor and joining a roof, and a lockable door in one of the walls, said shelter further comprising a connection structure including anchoring system for anchoring the container body to the immovable object. 
     
     
         2 . The shelter according to  claim 1 , said connection structure comprising at least one mounting block affixed to the container body, said mounting block defining a vertical bore through which an elongate fastener extends for engagement with the immovable object. 
     
     
         3 . The shelter according to  claim 1 , said connection structure comprising at least one mounting block affixed to the container body, and a connector defining at least one horizontal bore through which an elongate fastener extends for engagement with said mounting block and defining at least one vertical bore through which an elongate fastener extends for engagement with the immovable object. 
     
     
         4 . The shelter according to  claim 3 , wherein the connector comprises a first wing-plate and a second wing-plate affixed thereto essentially perpendicularly, the first wing-plate adapted for connecting with the container body, and the second wing-plate adapted for connecting with the immovable object. 
     
     
         5 . The shelter according to  claim 1 , said connection structure comprising at least one holding structure outstanding from the container body, through which an elongate coupler extends to a first position for engagement with the immovable object, and through which the coupler is withdrawn to a second position for disengagement from the immovable object. 
     
     
         6 . The shelter according  claim 5 , said connection structure further comprising at least one first-position stop outstanding from the container body, for maintaining the coupler in said first position. 
     
     
         7 . The shelter according to  claim 5 , said connection structure further comprising at least one second-position stop outstanding from the container body, for maintaining the coupler in said second position. 
     
     
         8 . The shelter according to  claim 1 , said connection structure further comprises a bracket adjacent the immovable object. 
     
     
         9 . The shelter according to  claim 8  for use when the immovable object is a concrete slab having a plurality of bores, said anchoring system comprising:
 (a) a container body further comprising a plurality of external mounting blocks, each block including a plurality of threaded apertures; 
 (b) a corresponding plurality of connection structures, each including a vertical connection plate including a corresponding plurality of apertures aligned with the threaded apertures of an adjacent mounting block for accepting a mounting bolt to connect said connection structure to the mounting block, said connection structure also including a horizontal anchor plate including a plurality of apertures from which the slab bores were positioned; and 
 (c) an anchor rod having a slab insertion end adapted to prevent extraction from the slab bore into which it is inserted, and an exterior threaded end accepting a nut for tightening. 
 
     
     
         10 . The shelter according to  claim 9 , further comprising adhesive filing for the slab bores for preventing extraction of the slab insertion end of the anchor rod. 
     
     
         11 . A modular shelter and anchoring system for anchoring to an immovable object, said shelter comprising:
 (a) a container body having an interior volume defined by side walls extending upwardly from a floor and joining a roof, and a lockable door in one of the walls, said container further comprising a plurality of external mounting blocks, each block including a plurality of threaded apertures; and   (b) a corresponding plurality of connection structures, each including a vertical connection plate including a corresponding plurality of apertures aligned with the threaded apertures of an adjacent mounting block, for accepting a mounting bolt to connect said connection structure to the mounting block, said connection structure also including a horizontal anchor plate including a plurality of apertures;   (c) said anchoring system comprising a concrete slab including a corresponding plurality of bores aligned with the anchor plate apertures, said bores filled with epoxy before insertion of an anchor rod having a slab insertion end adapted to prevent extraction and an exterior threaded end accepting a nut for tightening.   
     
     
         12 . A modular shelter according to  claim 11 , said container body interior comprising a plurality of steel ribs reinforcing each wall, and a plurality of steel ribs reinforcing the roof. 
     
     
         13 . A modular shelter according to  claim 11 , said container body further comprising insulation adjacent each wall and the roof, and metal paneling adjacent said insulation. 
     
     
         14 . A modular shelter according to  claim 11 , said container body further comprising interior lighting and electrical receptacles. 
     
     
         15 . A modular shelter according to  claim 11 , said container body further comprising a plurality ventilation ducts in opposite walls. 
     
     
         16 . A modular shelter according to  claim 11 , said container body further comprising slip-resistant flooring. 
     
     
         17 . The shelter according to  claim 11 , further comprising a container-door retaining structure for maintaining the container door closed. 
     
     
         18 . The shelter according to  claim 17 , wherein the container-door retaining structure comprises a locking pin and a locking groove, the locking pin being adapted for inserting into the locking groove so as to lock closed the container door. 
     
     
         19 . The shelter according to  claim 14 , wherein the container-door retaining structure further comprises a stopping block standing against the locking pin when the locking pin is inserted into the locking groove. 
     
     
         20 . The shelter according to  claim 1 , wherein said steel reinforced container body is rated to withstand forces of an EF-5 tornado.