Protective action system including a deployable system

• US 5,706,846 A
• Filed: 09/26/1996
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United Defense LP (BAE Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: United Defense LP (BAE Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Sutton, Debra Lynne
• Primary Examiner(s): COGGINS, WYNN WOOD
• Application Number:
  US08/721,404
• Time in Patent Office: 474 Days
• Field of Search: 135/95, 135/93, 135/91, 135/900, 135/97, 52/2.11, 52/2.16, 52/2.17, 52/2.19
• US Class Current: 135/128
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 13/00 Special devices for ventilating gasproof shelters ventilating in general F24F
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 31/00 Containers or portable cabins for affording breathing protection with devices for reconditioning the breathing air or for ventilating, in particular those that are suitable for invalids or small childrenventilation of gasproof shelters A62B13/00; protective clothes or coverings A62B17/00; treatment rooms for medical purposes A61G10/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 1/1277 Shelters for decontamination
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 9/16 against adverse conditions, e.g. extreme climate, pests
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 135/90 Worker or spectator shelter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 454/902 Air raid shelter ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 52/90 Hazardous material permeation prevention, e.g. radon

Abstract

A deployable flexible walled enclosure for housing people in the event of a serious air quality degradation is provided. A pressurized enclosure, either stored in a permanent location or transportable to a selected site, includes an air supply system for filtering and subsequently supplying clean air to the interior of the enclosure. The structure is compactly packaged when not in use and is capable of being deployable and/or activated from a remote control station in time of need. A small cache of life support elements are stored in the predeployed enclosure for use as needed upon deployment.

Claims

1. A deployable shelter for use in an existing building comprising:

a cabinet secured inside said building;

an open frame hinged to said cabinet and releaseably secured thereto;

a panel having a door opening hinged to said frame and releaseably secured thereto;

a door hinged to said panel to cover said opening and releaseably secured thereto;

a enclosed tent sealingly attached to said frame and said panel and foldable within said frame when said panel is secured thereto;

an air management system positioned in said cabinet for supplying air to said tent under pressure and free from toxic agents;

whereby said frame and said panel when secured together may be pivoted about the hinged connection of said frame to said cabinet to permit servicing of said air system and when said panel is released from said frame, while said frame remains secured to said cabinet, pivoting of said panel about its hinged connection to said frame will cause said tent to be unfolded from said frame.

2. The invention according to claim 1 further comprising:

supply storage shelves secured inside of said cabinet; and

a large mesh net secured to said cabinet side of said frame to retain said tent within said frame when said frame is pivoted away from said cabinet and which will allow access to said shelves for retrieval of supplies stored thereon when said shelter is deployed.

3. The invention according to claim 2 further comprising:

means for receiving a command signal calling for deployment of said shelter;

means for simultaneously releasing said panel from said frame and activating said air system in response to said signal,

whereby the air pressure from said air system will cause said panel to pivot away from said frame, pulling said tent from said frame, and will cause said tent to unfold and move toward its deployed position.