Resource Container And Positioning Method And Apparatus

• US 20070214729A1
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Barrett H. Moore
• Original Assignee: Barrett H. Moore
• Inventors: Moore, Barrett H.
• Application Number:
  US11/535,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20070214729A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/3
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 9/14 against other dangerous influences, e.g. tornadoes, floods
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/00 in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather

Abstract

A transportable container is provided with at least one resource wherein the transportable container is positioned and secured at a predetermined location prior to an occurrence of a civilly-catastrophic event. Consideration-based private civil security subscriptions from subscribers are accepted with respect to providing civilly-catastrophic event-based access to the transportable container. The container may be secured at the predetermined location and is configured such that the container remains operative to provide the civilly-catastrophic event-based access relative to the predetermined location after the transportable container experiences a civilly-catastrophic event.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a transportable container with at least one resource;

accepting consideration-based private civil security subscriptions from subscribers with respect to providing civilly-catastrophic event-based access to the transportable container;

positioning the transportable container at a predetermined location prior to an occurrence of a civilly-catastrophic event; and

securing the transportable container at the predetermined location such that the container remains operative to provide the civilly-catastrophic event-based access relative to the predetermined location after the transportable container experiences a civilly-catastrophic event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a transportable container comprises providing a transportable container having a structure arranged and configured to remain operative to provide the civilly-catastrophic event-based access after the transportable container experiences a civilly-catastrophic event.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transportable container comprises a reinforcement arrangement.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the transportable container comprises environmental protection.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the environmental protection comprises a substantially water-proof seal.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the environmental protection comprises a substantially air-tight seal.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the environmental protection comprises an insulation layer.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein environmental protection comprises a positive air pressure capability to discourage airborne contaminants from entering the transportable container.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the environmental protection comprises a radiation-blocking barrier.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein the environmental protection comprises a climate control mechanism to control at least one:

temperature, humidity, pressure.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the transportable container comprises a substantially positive buoyant configuration such that the transportable container will float on a liquid.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein the transportable container has a shape comprising at least one of:

rectangular;

cylinder;

cone;

sphere.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the transportable container has a point of access to provide access to the at least one resource by an authorized beneficiary.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the point of access is configured to be locked through a locking mechanism.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein providing a transportable container includes providing a plurality of transportable containers, each of the plurality of transportable containers having a point of access with a distinct locking mechanism.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein providing civilly-catastrophic event-based access further comprises unlocking a locked point of access from a location remote therefrom.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the transportable container includes a plurality of compartments and each of the plurality of compartments including a distinct locking mechanism.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising confirming an identity of an authorized beneficiary in order to unlock one of the plurality of compartments.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the distinct locking mechanisms are unlocked remotely therefrom.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising confirming an identity of an authorized beneficiary prior to providing the access to the transportable container.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the identity of the authorized beneficiary is confirmed by at least one of:

biometrics;

an identification card;

a still image;

visual confirmation;

an admission card;

a password;

a pass code;

voice print;

words.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing one of the pass code, the password, or the words to an authorized beneficiary through a transmission including at least one of:

an Internet transmission, a wireless transmission, a radio transmission, a television transmission, an audible transmission, a visual transmission, a microwave transmission, a cellular transmission, a digital transmission.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the transmission is scrambled.

24. The method of claim 20, further comprising upon confirmation of the authorized beneficiary'"'"'s identity, automatically notifying at least one designated contact person upon the subscriber'"'"'s entry into the transportable container.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising upon confirmation of the authorized beneficiary'"'"'s identity, automatically documenting the identity of the access.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising documenting unauthorized attempts at access.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the transportable container has a size and weight configured to be moved by a transport.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the transport comprises at least one of:

truck, car, railcar, airplane, airship, blimp, ship, boat, hovercraft, hydrofoil, hydroplane, beast of burden, submarine, motorcycle, amphibious craft; and

combinations thereof.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the transportable container comprises one of:

truck, car, railcar, airplane, airship, blimp, ship, boat, barge, hovercraft, hydrofoil, hydroplane, submarine.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a transportable container comprises providing a transportable container mislabeled as to its contents such that a non-subscriber is unaware of the at least one resource therein.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a transportable container comprises providing a transportable container including an indicia on at least a portion of an outer surface thereof rending the container highly visible.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource comprises a life-sustaining necessity.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the life sustaining necessity comprises at least one of:

hydration, nourishment, shelter, security;

environmentally borne threat abatement, medical supplies, environmental control equipment, weapons.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the life-sustaining necessity comprises at least one of:

a consumable necessity of human life;

a non-consumable necessity of human life.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes a water purification apparatus.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource comprises water.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes a fluid pump.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource comprises a non-necessity of human life.

39. The method of claim 38, where the non-necessity of human life comprises at least one of:

a luxury consumable item;

a luxury non-consumable item;

non-human nourishment;

non-essential clothing;

barter medium;

an entertainment apparatus;

an educational tool;

physical conditioning, exercise, and maintenance training and equipment;

crafts supplies and training;

sports equipment and facilities;

a comfort food item.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource comprises a consumable resource including at least one of:

food supplies, potable water;

finite air supplies, batteries, hygiene supplies, sanitation supplies.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource comprises a non-consumable resource including at least one of:

clothing items, personal protection items, bed linens, beds, food preparation items, repair and maintenance equipment, evacuation tools, navigation equipment, rescue tools and supplies, shelter items.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes medical facilities and supplies associated therewith.

43. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes living quarters.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the living quarters includes at least one of:

sleeping accommodations;

food preparation facilities, personal hygiene facilities;

sitting accommodations;

sanitation facilities.

45. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes a transport vehicle.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the at least one resource includes a transport vehicle fuel storage tank.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes an inventory of spare parts.

48. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes a power source.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the power source includes at least one of:

a wind-based power generator;

a photonically-based power generator;

a fluid-based power generator;

thermo-electric power generator;

stored-energy power generator.

50. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes an apparatus to provide refrigeration.

51. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes communication equipment.

52. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource include a surveillance device.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the surveillance device comprises a closed circuit television.

54. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes a transmitter.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the transmitter permits remote access to the transportable container.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the transmitter permits remote surveillance of transportable container.

57. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes a plurality of subdivided units sized and configured for a plurality of subscriber'"'"'s previously provided personal resource.

58. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one resource includes a locating signal comprising at least one of flare, beacon, tracer, flag, illumination source, an Internet transmission, an audible transmission, a wireless transmission, a visual transmission, a microwave transmission, code, strobe, a radio transmission, a television transmission, a cellular transmission, a digital transmission.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the locating signal is triggered automatically when the container is moved.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the locating signal is triggered manual in a location remote from the container.

61. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the transportable container comprises providing a plurality of transportable containers.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the plurality of transportable containers are arranged together.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the plurality of transportable containers are stacked.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein the plurality of transportable containers are locked together.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein positioning the transportable container comprises positioning each of the plurality of transportable containers at one of a plurality of distinct predetermined locations.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein each distinct predetermined location is spaced a predetermined distance from another distinct predetermined location.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the predetermined distance is about 5 to about 10 miles.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein each of the plurality of transportable containers are located proximal to a populated area.

69. The method of claim 65, wherein positioning each of the plurality of transportable containers comprises:

staging the plurality of transportable containers at an initial position; and

transporting the plurality of transportable containers from the initial position to the plurality of predetermined locations in anticipation of the occurrence of a civilly-catastrophic event.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein staging the plurality of transportable containers at an initial position comprises staging a portion of the plurality of transportable containers at one of a plurality of initial positions.

71. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a transportable container comprises providing a transportable container configured to be subdivided into a plurality of smaller transportable containers.

72. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined location is proximate to the subscriber.

73. The method of claim 1, further comprising repositioning the transportable container from the predetermined location to a second predetermined location and securing the transportable container at the second predetermined location such that the container remains operative to provide the civilly-catastrophic event-based access relative to the second predetermined location after the transportable container experiences a civilly-catastrophic event.

74. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the transportable container includes the application of at least one of:

bolts, screws, chains, cement, anchors, nails, adhesive, bands, straps, cables, caissons, rebar, stakes, tether.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein securing the transportable container comprises attaching a first end of the tether to the container, driving an anchor into a surface, and attaching a second end of the tether to the anchor.

76. The container of claim 75, wherein the container has a positive buoyancy and the tether has a length sufficient to permit the container to float on a body of water.

77. The method of claim 74, wherein providing a transportable container comprises providing a transportable container with a mechanism for securing the transportable container included therewith.

78. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the transportable container comprises securing the transportable container to a pre-existing structure.

79. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the transportable container comprises at least partially burying the transportable container in the ground.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein securing the transportable container comprises fully burying the transportable container underground.

81. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the at least one resource pending a need to permit subscription-based access to the transportable container.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein maintaining the at least resource comprises monitoring an inventory status of the at least one resource.

83. The method of claim 82, further comprising communicating a low inventory status of the at least one resource.

84. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing guidance to the secured transportable container for the subscriber.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein the guidance includes at least one of:

globally positioning system (GPS) coordinates, an Internet communication or broadcast, a verbal communication, a written communication, a wireless communication, a visual communication, a microwave transmission.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the visual communication includes at least one of:

a beacon, a flag, a code, flare, strobe, illumination source.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the code includes at least one of:

a color code, an alphanumeric code.

88. The method of claim 85, wherein the wireless communication includes at least one of:

an analog transmission, a radio transmission, a television transmission, a cellular transmission, a digital transmission.

89. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing notification to a third party upon disturbance of the transportable container.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the disturbance comprises unauthorized access to the transportable container.

91. The method of claim 89, wherein the disturbance comprises unauthorized movement of the transportable container.

92. The method of claim 89, wherein the disturbance comprises at least one of:

submergence in a fluid, at least partially burying under debris, non-intentional movement.

93. A container configured to withstand a civilly-catastrophic event, the container comprising:

a support structure defining an interior space;

a reinforcing arrangement of the support structure arranged and configured such that the interior space remains accessible and operative after the container has experienced a civilly-catastrophic event;

a size and weight such that the container can be transported from a first location to a second location by a transport vehicle; and

a mechanical securing device arranged and configured to retain the container relative to the second location upon the container experiencing a civilly-catastrophic event such that the container remains operative to provide access to the interior space.

94. The container of claim 93, wherein the reinforcing arrangement comprises a water-proof seal.

95. The container of claim 93, wherein the reinforcing arrangement comprises an air-tight seal.

96. The container of claim 93, wherein the reinforcing arrangement comprises a support sufficient to retain the integrity of the interior space upon the container experiencing a civilly-catastrophic event.

97. The container of claim 93, wherein the reinforcing arrangement comprises a radiation-blocking barrier.

98. The container of claim 93, wherein the reinforcing arrangement comprises a positive air pressure within the interior space sufficient to discourage airborne containments from entering the interior space.

99. The container of claim 93, wherein the reinforcing arrangement comprises a climate control mechanism to control one of temperature, humidity, and pressure of the interior space.

100. The container of claim 93, wherein the support structure has a shape comprising at least one of:

rectangular;

cylinder;

cone;

sphere.

101. The container of claim 100, wherein the support structure is a rectangular shipping container about 20 to about 40 feet long.

102. The container of claim 93, wherein the container comprises one of:

boat, ship, barge, vehicle, aircraft, railcar, truck, car, airplane, airship, blimp, ship, hovercraft, hydrofoil, hydroplane, trailer, shed, crate.

103. The container of claim 93, further comprising a point of access positioned to provide access to the interior space after the container has experienced a civilly-catastrophic event.

104. The container of claim 103, wherein the point of access includes a locking mechanism.

105. The container of claim 104, wherein the locking mechanism is unlocked through at least one of:

biometrics;

an identification card;

a still image;

visual confirmation;

an admission card;

a password;

a pass code;

voice print;

words;

a transmission.

106. The container of claim 104, wherein the locking mechanism is unlocked from a location remote from the container using a wireless transmission.

107. The container of claim 93, wherein the mechanical securing device includes the application of at least one of:

bolts, screws, chains, cement, anchors, nails, adhesive, bands, straps, cables, caissons, rebar, stakes, tether, a combination thereof.

108. The container of claim 107, wherein the mechanical securing device include a first end of the tether attached to the container, an anchor driven into a ground surface, and a second end of the tether attached to the anchor.

109. The container of claim 108, wherein the container has a positive buoyancy and the tether has a length sufficient to permit the container to float on a body of water.

110. The container of claim 109, further comprising at least one deployment mechanism to apply the mechanical securing device in order to secure the container at the second location.

111. The container of claim 93, wherein the container is configured and arranged with positive buoyancy such that the container will float in a liquid.

112. The container of claim 93, wherein the container comprises fireproof material.

113. The container of claim 93, wherein the container is configured and arranged to be submergible.

114. The container of claim 93, wherein the container includes wheels upon which the container can be rolled.

115. The container of claim 114, wherein the wheels are arranged and configured to be removed from the container.

116. The container of claim 93, wherein the container comprising a power source.

117. The container of claim 116, wherein the power generator includes at least one of:

a wind-based power generator;

a photonically-based power generator;

a fluid-based power generator;

a thermo-electric power generator;

a stored-energy power generator.

118. The container of claim 93, wherein the interior space comprises a plurality of units for segregating items stored therein.

119. The container of claim 93, wherein the container includes a separation device such that the container can be divided into a plurality of containers.

120. The method of claim 93, wherein the interior space further comprises accommodations for one or more people including at least one of:

sleeping accommodations;

food preparation facilities, personal hygiene facilities;

sitting accommodations;

sanitation facilities.

121. The method of claim 93, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the container comprises an indicia rendering the container visible.