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WO2007040508A2 - Shelter and associated method of assembly - Google Patents

Shelter and associated method of assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007040508A2
WO2007040508A2 PCT/US2005/034827 US2005034827W WO2007040508A2 WO 2007040508 A2 WO2007040508 A2 WO 2007040508A2 US 2005034827 W US2005034827 W US 2005034827W WO 2007040508 A2 WO2007040508 A2 WO 2007040508A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
panel
shelter
exterior
secured
interior
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2005/034827
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2007040508A3 (en
Inventor
Larry C. Dickinson
Gregory J. Solomon
Paul Willard Peterson, Jr.
Joe Seiter
Matt Sams
Grant Godwin
Thomas Goldberg
Original Assignee
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. filed Critical Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US2005/034827 priority Critical patent/WO2007040508A2/en
Publication of WO2007040508A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007040508A2/en
Publication of WO2007040508A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007040508A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04CSTRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
    • E04C2/00Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
    • E04C2/30Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure
    • E04C2/34Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure composed of two or more spaced sheet-like parts
    • E04C2/36Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the shape or structure composed of two or more spaced sheet-like parts spaced apart by transversely-placed strip material, e.g. honeycomb panels
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04BGENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/343Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
    • E04B1/34315Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport characterised by separable parts
    • E04B1/34321Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport characterised by separable parts mainly constituted by panels
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04HBUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H9/00Buildings, groups of buildings or shelters adapted to withstand or provide protection against abnormal external influences, e.g. war-like action, earthquake or extreme climate
    • E04H9/04Buildings, groups of buildings or shelters adapted to withstand or provide protection against abnormal external influences, e.g. war-like action, earthquake or extreme climate against air-raid or other war-like actions
    • E04H9/10Independent shelters; Arrangement of independent splinter-proof walls

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a shelter and a method of assembling the shelter.
  • Shelters are used to provide shelter for people, equipment, munitions, supplies, and other objects. Such shelters may be used to protect its occupants from weather and other external elements such as ballistic and blast events.
  • a shelter comprising a roof, a floor, and a plurality of side walls secured to the floor and the roof. At least one of the roof, the floor, and the side walls comprises an exterior panel, an interior panel, and an attachment device secured to the exterior panel and the interior panel.
  • One or both of the exterior and interior panels may be a composite.
  • the attachment device allows for relative movement of the exterior panel and the interior panel between collapsed and expanded positions.
  • the exterior panel and the interior panel are spaced farther apart from one another than in the collapsed position to define a cavity therebetween.
  • a filler material such as an energy dissipation material (e.g., sand) may be disposed in the cavity.
  • a method of assembling the shelter comprises the step of relatively moving the exterior and interior panels between the collapsed position and the expanded position and may comprises the step of disposing the filler material in the cavity.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure that is provided for use in a shelter and comprises a pair of panels and a plurality of attachment devices interconnecting the panels for movement of the panels relative to one another between a collapsed position shown in FIG. 2 and an expanded position shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 2 is an end elevation view showing the structure in the collapsed position
  • FIG. 3 is an end elevation view showing the structure in the expanded position
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a pair of structures secured to one another by a connector
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing structures of the shelter positioned in a folded position
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structures of the shelter positioned in an unfolded position
  • FIGS. 7-9 are perspective views showing assembly of the shelter with the structures
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the assembled shelter.
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing connectors used to connect adjacent structures.
  • FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing adjacent structures coupled to one another at a corner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • a structure 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided for use in a shelter 52 shown in FIG. 10.
  • the structure 10 comprises an exterior panel 12 and an interior panel 14 oppositely positioned from the panel 12.
  • a number of attachment devices 24 are secured to the panels 12, 14 for relative movement of the panels 12, 14 between a collapsed position (FIG. 2) for transportation and storage of the structure 10 and an expanded position (FIG. 3) for use of the structure 10 in the shelter 52.
  • the panels 12, 14 are spaced farther apart from one another than in the collapsed position to define a number of cavities 40 therebetween.
  • a filler material 42 may be disposed in the cavities 40.
  • each panel 12, 14 is a composite panel such as a fiber reinforced polymer panel (FRP panel).
  • FRP panel fiber reinforced polymer panel
  • Such an FRP panel may be formed of a polymer matrix composite material which includes a reinforcing element and a polymer resin.
  • the FRP panel may be embodied as any type of FRP structure. Examples of such structures include, but are not limited to, a solid laminate, a pultruded or vacuum-infused sandwich panel (e.g., a panel having outer and inner layers with a core therebetween), or a pultruded panel (e.g., a panel having upper and lower layers with vertical or diagonal webs therebetween).
  • the core type may include, but is not limited to, wood, foam and various types of honeycomb.
  • the matrix includes, for example, a thermosetting resin, although thermoplastic resins are also contemplated for use.
  • thermosetting resins which may be used include, but are not limited to, unsaturated polyesters, vinyl esters, polyurethanes, epoxies, phenolics, and mixtures and blends thereof.
  • the reinforcing element may include E-glass fibers, although other reinforcements such as S-glass, carbon, KEVLAR®, metal, high modulus organic fibers (e.g. aromatic polyamides, polybenzamidazoles, and aromatic polyimides), and other organic fibers (e.g. polyethylene and nylon) may be used. Blends and hybrids of such materials may be used for the reinforcing element. Other suitable composite materials may be used for the reinforcing element including whiskers and fibers such as boron, aluminum silicate, basalt, carbon nanofibers, and other nanofibers.
  • whiskers and fibers such as boron, aluminum silicate, basalt, carbon nanofibers, and other nanofibers.
  • the FRP panel may be embodied as any of the structures disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,794,402; 6,023,806; 6,044,607; 6,070,378; 6,081,955; 6,108,998; 6,467,118 B2; 6,645,333; 6,676,785, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. It should be appreciated that the structures disclosed in the above-identified patents may be sized, scaled, dimensioned, orientated, or otherwise configured in any desired manner to fit the needs of a given design of the FRP panel.
  • a cover may be secured to the inner and outer layers of the FRP panel.
  • Each cover may be embodied as any one or more of a variety of gels or other coating materials that provide, for example, weather protection.
  • the cover may also be embodied as other types of materials such as metal layers.
  • the cover may also be embodied as ballistic grade steel or other ballistic grade material.
  • Different types of covers may be used to cover the exterior or interior surfaces of the FRP panel. For example, an exterior cover may be finished in a predetermined, desired exterior color, a brick facade, or even a camouflaged pattern. Similarly, an interior cover may be finished in an interior surface appearance, a wood-grain surface, or any other desired surface finish.
  • the covers may be co-cured with other components of the FRP panel.
  • the covers may be an integral part of or attached to the FRP panel.
  • each panel 12, 14 is configured as a sandwich panel, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • Each panel 12, 14 comprises a plurality of fibers 16, an inner layer 18, an outer layer 20 generally parallel to the inner layer 18, and a core 22.
  • Each layer 18, 20 is made of a plurality of textile plies laminated together by use of resin.
  • the core 22 is positioned in a gap between the pair of layers 18, 20.
  • Each fiber 16 is inserted into the layers 18, 20 and the core 22 such that the fiber 16 is generally perpendicular to the layers 18, 20.
  • Fiber 16 may have a variety of cross-sectional configurations including, but not limited to, crosses, I- or C-shaped cylinders, ellipses, columns, squares, tubes, waves, solid blocks or combinations thereof.
  • the exterior panel 12 and the interior panel 14 may be a composite.
  • the panel 12 and/or 14 may be a gypsum board, a liner, or made of a ballistic- and/or blast-grade metal (e.g., steel, aluminum).
  • Each attachment device 24 is secured to the inner layers 18 of each panel 12, 14 for movement of the panels 12, 14 between the collapsed and expanded positions.
  • panels 12, 14 are generally parallel to one another.
  • imaginary central planes 70, 72 of the panels 12, 14 are generally parallel to one another in the collapsed and expanded positions (planes 70, 72 are perpendicular to and extend out of the page in FIGS. 2 and 3).
  • Attachment device 24 comprises a first portion 26 secured to the inner layer 18 of the panel 12 and a second portion 28 secured to the inner layer 18 of the panel 14.
  • a connecting portion 30 connects the first portion 26 and the second portion 28 for relative rotation between the connecting portion 30 and the first portion 26 about a first axis of rotation 32 and relative rotation between the connecting portion 30 and the second portion 28 about a second axis of rotation 34.
  • Such relative rotation about the axes 32, 34 facilitates movement of the panels 12, 14 between the collapsed and expanded positions.
  • Each portion 26, 28, 30 is configured, for example, as a plate.
  • plates 26, 30 are secured to one another by use of, for example, a pin or living hinge that establishes the axis 32 and plates 28, 30 are secured to one another by use of, for example, a pin or living hinge that establishes the axis 34.
  • the connecting plates 30 In the collapsed position, the connecting plates 30 is non-perpendicular to the panels 12, 14. In the expanded position, the connecting plate 30 is generally perpendicular to the plates 26, 28 and the panels 12, 14.
  • Each attachment device 24 is, for example, a hinge.
  • the filler material 42 may be disposed in the cavities 40.
  • the filler material 42 may be an energy dissipation material (e.g., sand) to dissipate kinetic energy imparted to the panel 12 due to impacts against the panel 12 caused by any of a wide variety of impact sources such as ballistic and blast forces.
  • the connecting plates 30 of a number of the attachment devices 24 may be formed to include holes 62 for communication of the filler material 42 between adjacent cavities 40 to facilitate introduction of the filler material 42 into the cavities 40 and removal of the filler material 42 from the cavities 40.
  • Structure 10 comprises a release 44 shown in FIG. 1.
  • Release 44 is configured to release the material 42 from one or more of cavities 40.
  • Such a release 44 may be secured to one or both of panels 12, 14. Further, there may be a release 44 for each cavity 40 or a single release 44 in communication with two or more of the cavities 40.
  • structure 10 has one release 44 which is secured to the exterior panel 12 and is configured, for example, as a valve that can be opened to allow flow of material 42 from the one or more cavities 40 through a hole in structure 10 and can be closed to block flow of material 42 from the one or more cavities 40 through the hole in structure 10.
  • a cover (not shown) to extend across the cavities 40 from panel 12 to panel 14 to enclose the cavities 40 and the material 42 disposed within the cavities 40.
  • the cover may include an opening to allow introduction of the material 42 into the cavities 40.
  • a pair of adjacent structures 10 may be secured to one another by use of a connector 48, as shown in FIG. 4.
  • Connector 48 is secured to panels 12, 14 along edges 46 of panels 12, 14.
  • the structures 10 cooperate to a provide a straight wall when connected by connector 48. It is within the scope of this disclosure for the structures 10 to be arranged to form a corner.
  • connector 48 A wide variety of connectors may be used as connector 48.
  • the connector 48 comprises tabs and tab-receiving spaces which connect adjacent structures 10. In such a case, the tabs and tab-receiving spaces may be formed in adjacent structures 10 during fabrication of the structures 10.
  • the connector 48 comprises joints such as, but not limited to, dovetail joints or other interlocking joints formed in adjacent structures 10.
  • the connector 48 comprises a mechanical fastener, a bonding material, and/or slots to connect adjacent structures 10.
  • a connector 148 may be used to connect adjacent and parallel structures 10.
  • a connector 248 may be used to connect adjacent and perpendicular structures 10 to provide a corner of the shelter 52.
  • FIG. 12 Another exemplary connector 348 is shown in FIG. 12.
  • the connector 348 is used to connect adjacent and perpendicular structures 10 to provide a corner of the shelter 52.
  • Connector 348 comprises tabs 350 of one structure 10 which fit into tab-receiving spaces 352 of an adjacent structure 10 to lock the two structures 10 together at a corner.
  • Structure 10 may be used as each of a floor 54, a roof 56, and a plurality of side walls 58 of the shelter 52.
  • each structure 54, 56, 58 Before assembly of shelter 52, each structure 54, 56, 58 can be moved to its collapsed position and two or more of structures 54, 56, 58 can be stacked on top of one another in a folded position to facilitate storage and transport thereof, as shown in FIG. 4.
  • each structure 54, 56, 58 is moved to its expanded position and the structures 54, 56, 58 are moved relative to one another to an unfolded position, as shown in FIG. 5. In the unfolded position, side walls 58 are secured to the floor 54.
  • Side walls 58 are then raised to a vertical position and adjacent side walls 58 are connected to one another, as shown in FIGS. 7-9. Edges 46 of side walls 58 may be received in slots 60 formed in one or more interior panels 14 to connect adjacent side walls 58.
  • Roof 56 is secured to two opposite side walls 58, as shown in FIG. 10. Slots 60 formed in interior panel 14 of roof 56 receive top edges 46 of the two opposite side walls 58.
  • the material 42 is introduced into cavities 40 to complete construction of the shelter 52.
  • One or more doors (not shown) and/or windows (not shown) may be formed in one or more of side walls 58. The shelter 52 may thus be readily assembled.
  • the shelter 52 Upon assembly of the shelter 52, the shelter 52 is configured to deflect or otherwise resist impact forces (e.g., ballistic and blast forces).
  • the exterior panels 12 are configured to resist the impact forces.
  • the material 42 When the material 42 is configured as an energy dissipation material, the material 42 may be used to absorb the kinetic energy imparted to the exterior panels 12 by the impact forces.
  • the interior panels 14 may be used to provide an additional impact-resistant layer.
  • each release 44 is activated to remove the material 42 from the cavities 40.
  • the structures 54, 56, 58 are detached from one another and moved to their collapsed and folded positions for transport and storage. The shelter 52 may thus be readily disassembled.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
  • Buildings Adapted To Withstand Abnormal External Influences (AREA)

Abstract

A shelter comprises a roof, a floor, and a plurality of side walls secured to the floor and the roof. At least one of the floor, the roof, and the plurality of side walls comprises an exterior panel, an interior panel, and an attachment device secured to the exterior panel and the interior panel for relative movement of the exterior panel and the interior panel between collapsed and expanded positions. An associated method of assembling the shelter is disclosed.

Description

SHELTER AND ASSOCIATED METHOD OF ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to a shelter and a method of assembling the shelter.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Shelters are used to provide shelter for people, equipment, munitions, supplies, and other objects. Such shelters may be used to protect its occupants from weather and other external elements such as ballistic and blast events.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a shelter. The shelter comprises a roof, a floor, and a plurality of side walls secured to the floor and the roof. At least one of the roof, the floor, and the side walls comprises an exterior panel, an interior panel, and an attachment device secured to the exterior panel and the interior panel. One or both of the exterior and interior panels may be a composite.
The attachment device allows for relative movement of the exterior panel and the interior panel between collapsed and expanded positions. In the expanded position, the exterior panel and the interior panel are spaced farther apart from one another than in the collapsed position to define a cavity therebetween. A filler material such as an energy dissipation material (e.g., sand) may be disposed in the cavity.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of assembling the shelter is provided. The method comprises the step of relatively moving the exterior and interior panels between the collapsed position and the expanded position and may comprises the step of disposing the filler material in the cavity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a structure that is provided for use in a shelter and comprises a pair of panels and a plurality of attachment devices interconnecting the panels for movement of the panels relative to one another between a collapsed position shown in FIG. 2 and an expanded position shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 2 is an end elevation view showing the structure in the collapsed position;
FIG. 3 is an end elevation view showing the structure in the expanded position;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a pair of structures secured to one another by a connector;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing structures of the shelter positioned in a folded position;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structures of the shelter positioned in an unfolded position;
FIGS. 7-9 are perspective views showing assembly of the shelter with the structures;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the assembled shelter.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing connectors used to connect adjacent structures; and
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing adjacent structures coupled to one another at a corner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives following within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
A structure 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided for use in a shelter 52 shown in FIG. 10. The structure 10 comprises an exterior panel 12 and an interior panel 14 oppositely positioned from the panel 12. A number of attachment devices 24 are secured to the panels 12, 14 for relative movement of the panels 12, 14 between a collapsed position (FIG. 2) for transportation and storage of the structure 10 and an expanded position (FIG. 3) for use of the structure 10 in the shelter 52. In the expanded position, the panels 12, 14 are spaced farther apart from one another than in the collapsed position to define a number of cavities 40 therebetween. A filler material 42 may be disposed in the cavities 40.
Exemplarily, each panel 12, 14 is a composite panel such as a fiber reinforced polymer panel (FRP panel). Such an FRP panel may be formed of a polymer matrix composite material which includes a reinforcing element and a polymer resin. The FRP panel may be embodied as any type of FRP structure. Examples of such structures include, but are not limited to, a solid laminate, a pultruded or vacuum-infused sandwich panel (e.g., a panel having outer and inner layers with a core therebetween), or a pultruded panel (e.g., a panel having upper and lower layers with vertical or diagonal webs therebetween). In the case of where the FRP panel is embodied as a sandwich panel, the core type may include, but is not limited to, wood, foam and various types of honeycomb.
The matrix includes, for example, a thermosetting resin, although thermoplastic resins are also contemplated for use. Examples of thermosetting resins which may be used include, but are not limited to, unsaturated polyesters, vinyl esters, polyurethanes, epoxies, phenolics, and mixtures and blends thereof. - A -
The reinforcing element may include E-glass fibers, although other reinforcements such as S-glass, carbon, KEVLAR®, metal, high modulus organic fibers (e.g. aromatic polyamides, polybenzamidazoles, and aromatic polyimides), and other organic fibers (e.g. polyethylene and nylon) may be used. Blends and hybrids of such materials may be used for the reinforcing element. Other suitable composite materials may be used for the reinforcing element including whiskers and fibers such as boron, aluminum silicate, basalt, carbon nanofibers, and other nanofibers.
The FRP panel may be embodied as any of the structures disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,794,402; 6,023,806; 6,044,607; 6,070,378; 6,081,955; 6,108,998; 6,467,118 B2; 6,645,333; 6,676,785, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. It should be appreciated that the structures disclosed in the above-identified patents may be sized, scaled, dimensioned, orientated, or otherwise configured in any desired manner to fit the needs of a given design of the FRP panel.
A cover may be secured to the inner and outer layers of the FRP panel. Each cover may be embodied as any one or more of a variety of gels or other coating materials that provide, for example, weather protection. The cover may also be embodied as other types of materials such as metal layers. The cover may also be embodied as ballistic grade steel or other ballistic grade material. Different types of covers may be used to cover the exterior or interior surfaces of the FRP panel. For example, an exterior cover may be finished in a predetermined, desired exterior color, a brick facade, or even a camouflaged pattern. Similarly, an interior cover may be finished in an interior surface appearance, a wood-grain surface, or any other desired surface finish. The covers may be co-cured with other components of the FRP panel. The covers may be an integral part of or attached to the FRP panel.
Illustratively, each panel 12, 14 is configured as a sandwich panel, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each panel 12, 14 comprises a plurality of fibers 16, an inner layer 18, an outer layer 20 generally parallel to the inner layer 18, and a core 22. Each layer 18, 20 is made of a plurality of textile plies laminated together by use of resin. The core 22 is positioned in a gap between the pair of layers 18, 20. Each fiber 16 is inserted into the layers 18, 20 and the core 22 such that the fiber 16 is generally perpendicular to the layers 18, 20. Fiber 16 may have a variety of cross-sectional configurations including, but not limited to, crosses, I- or C-shaped cylinders, ellipses, columns, squares, tubes, waves, solid blocks or combinations thereof.
It is within the scope of this disclosure for one or both of the exterior panel 12 and the interior panel 14 not to be a composite. In such a case, the panel 12 and/or 14 may be a gypsum board, a liner, or made of a ballistic- and/or blast-grade metal (e.g., steel, aluminum).
Each attachment device 24 is secured to the inner layers 18 of each panel 12, 14 for movement of the panels 12, 14 between the collapsed and expanded positions. In both the collapsed and expanded positions, panels 12, 14 are generally parallel to one another. In particular, imaginary central planes 70, 72 of the panels 12, 14 are generally parallel to one another in the collapsed and expanded positions (planes 70, 72 are perpendicular to and extend out of the page in FIGS. 2 and 3).
Attachment device 24 comprises a first portion 26 secured to the inner layer 18 of the panel 12 and a second portion 28 secured to the inner layer 18 of the panel 14. A connecting portion 30 connects the first portion 26 and the second portion 28 for relative rotation between the connecting portion 30 and the first portion 26 about a first axis of rotation 32 and relative rotation between the connecting portion 30 and the second portion 28 about a second axis of rotation 34. Such relative rotation about the axes 32, 34 facilitates movement of the panels 12, 14 between the collapsed and expanded positions.
Each portion 26, 28, 30 is configured, for example, as a plate. Exemplarily, plates 26, 30 are secured to one another by use of, for example, a pin or living hinge that establishes the axis 32 and plates 28, 30 are secured to one another by use of, for example, a pin or living hinge that establishes the axis 34. In the collapsed position, the connecting plates 30 is non-perpendicular to the panels 12, 14. In the expanded position, the connecting plate 30 is generally perpendicular to the plates 26, 28 and the panels 12, 14. Each attachment device 24 is, for example, a hinge.
The filler material 42 may be disposed in the cavities 40. The filler material 42 may be an energy dissipation material (e.g., sand) to dissipate kinetic energy imparted to the panel 12 due to impacts against the panel 12 caused by any of a wide variety of impact sources such as ballistic and blast forces. The connecting plates 30 of a number of the attachment devices 24 may be formed to include holes 62 for communication of the filler material 42 between adjacent cavities 40 to facilitate introduction of the filler material 42 into the cavities 40 and removal of the filler material 42 from the cavities 40.
Structure 10 comprises a release 44 shown in FIG. 1. Release 44 is configured to release the material 42 from one or more of cavities 40. Such a release 44 may be secured to one or both of panels 12, 14. Further, there may be a release 44 for each cavity 40 or a single release 44 in communication with two or more of the cavities 40. Illustratively, structure 10 has one release 44 which is secured to the exterior panel 12 and is configured, for example, as a valve that can be opened to allow flow of material 42 from the one or more cavities 40 through a hole in structure 10 and can be closed to block flow of material 42 from the one or more cavities 40 through the hole in structure 10.
It is within the scope of this disclosure for a cover (not shown) to extend across the cavities 40 from panel 12 to panel 14 to enclose the cavities 40 and the material 42 disposed within the cavities 40. The cover may include an opening to allow introduction of the material 42 into the cavities 40. A pair of adjacent structures 10 may be secured to one another by use of a connector 48, as shown in FIG. 4. Connector 48 is secured to panels 12, 14 along edges 46 of panels 12, 14. Illustratively, the structures 10 cooperate to a provide a straight wall when connected by connector 48. It is within the scope of this disclosure for the structures 10 to be arranged to form a corner.
A wide variety of connectors may be used as connector 48. In one example, the connector 48 comprises tabs and tab-receiving spaces which connect adjacent structures 10. In such a case, the tabs and tab-receiving spaces may be formed in adjacent structures 10 during fabrication of the structures 10. In another example, the connector 48 comprises joints such as, but not limited to, dovetail joints or other interlocking joints formed in adjacent structures 10. In yet another example, the connector 48 comprises a mechanical fastener, a bonding material, and/or slots to connect adjacent structures 10.
Two more exemplary connectors are shown in FIG. 11. For example, a connector 148 may be used to connect adjacent and parallel structures 10. In another example, a connector 248 may be used to connect adjacent and perpendicular structures 10 to provide a corner of the shelter 52.
Another exemplary connector 348 is shown in FIG. 12. The connector 348 is used to connect adjacent and perpendicular structures 10 to provide a corner of the shelter 52. Connector 348 comprises tabs 350 of one structure 10 which fit into tab-receiving spaces 352 of an adjacent structure 10 to lock the two structures 10 together at a corner.
Structure 10 may be used as each of a floor 54, a roof 56, and a plurality of side walls 58 of the shelter 52. Before assembly of shelter 52, each structure 54, 56, 58 can be moved to its collapsed position and two or more of structures 54, 56, 58 can be stacked on top of one another in a folded position to facilitate storage and transport thereof, as shown in FIG. 4. To begin assembly of the shelter 52, each structure 54, 56, 58 is moved to its expanded position and the structures 54, 56, 58 are moved relative to one another to an unfolded position, as shown in FIG. 5. In the unfolded position, side walls 58 are secured to the floor 54.
Side walls 58 are then raised to a vertical position and adjacent side walls 58 are connected to one another, as shown in FIGS. 7-9. Edges 46 of side walls 58 may be received in slots 60 formed in one or more interior panels 14 to connect adjacent side walls 58.
Roof 56 is secured to two opposite side walls 58, as shown in FIG. 10. Slots 60 formed in interior panel 14 of roof 56 receive top edges 46 of the two opposite side walls 58. The material 42 is introduced into cavities 40 to complete construction of the shelter 52. One or more doors (not shown) and/or windows (not shown) may be formed in one or more of side walls 58. The shelter 52 may thus be readily assembled.
Upon assembly of the shelter 52, the shelter 52 is configured to deflect or otherwise resist impact forces (e.g., ballistic and blast forces). The exterior panels 12 are configured to resist the impact forces. When the material 42 is configured as an energy dissipation material, the material 42 may be used to absorb the kinetic energy imparted to the exterior panels 12 by the impact forces. The interior panels 14 may be used to provide an additional impact-resistant layer.
To disassemble the shelter 52, each release 44 is activated to remove the material 42 from the cavities 40. The structures 54, 56, 58 are detached from one another and moved to their collapsed and folded positions for transport and storage. The shelter 52 may thus be readily disassembled.
While the concepts of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.
There are a plurality of advantages of the concepts of the present disclosure arising from the various features of the systems described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of each of the systems of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of a system that incorporate one or more of the features of the present disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. A shelter, comprising: a floor, a roof, and a plurality of side walls secured to the floor and the roof, wherein at least one of the floor, the roof, and the plurality of side walls comprises an exterior panel, an interior panel and an attachment device secured to the exterior panel and the interior panel for relative movement of the exterior panel and the interior panel between a collapsed position and an expanded position in which the exterior panel and the interior panel are spaced farther apart from one another than in the collapsed position to define a cavity therebetween.
2. The shelter of claim 1 , wherein each of the exterior panel and the interior panel comprises a fiber reinforced polymer.
3. The shelter of claim 1 , wherein the exterior panel comprises a first outer layer, a first inner layer, and a plurality of fibers interconnecting the first outer layer and the first inner layer.
4. The shelter of claim 3, wherein: the interior panel comprises a second outer layer, a second inner layer, and a plurality of fibers interconnecting the second outer layer and the second inner layer, and the cavity is defined between the first and second inner layers.
5. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the attachment device comprises a first portion secured to the exterior panel, a second portion secured to the interior panel, and a connecting portion secured to the first portion and the second portion for relative rotation between the connecting portion and the first portion about a first axis of rotation and for relative rotation between the connecting portion and the second portion about a second axis of rotation.
6. The shelter of claim 5, wherein: each of the exterior panel and the interior panel comprises an outer layer, an inner layer, and a plurality of fibers interconnecting the outer layer and the inner layer, the first portion is secured to the inner layer of the exterior panel, and the second portion is secured to the inner layer of the interior panel.
7. The shelter of claim 1 , wherein the exterior panel is a composite.
8. The shelter of claim 8, wherein the interior panel is not a composite.
9. The shelter of claim 1 , further comprising a filler material disposed in the cavity.
10. The shelter of claim 9, further comprising a release configured to release the filler material from the cavity.
11. The shelter of claim 1 , wherein each of the roof, the floor, and the plurality of side walls comprises a composite exterior panel, an interior panel, and an attachment device secured to the exterior panel and the interior panel for relative movement of the exterior panel and the interior panel between the collapsed and expanded positions.
12. The shelter of claim 1 , wherein: each of the exterior panel and the interior panel defines an imaginary plane, and the planes are generally parallel to one another in the collapsed and expanded positions.
13. A structure for use as a roof, a floor, or a side wall of a shelter, comprising: a first panel, a second panel, and an attachment device secured to the first panel and the second panel for relative movement of the first panel and the second panel between a collapsed position and an expanded position in which the exterior panel and the interior panel are spaced farther apart from one another than in the collapsed position to define a cavity therebetween.
14. The structure of claim 13, wherein the first panel is a composite comprising a first outer layer, a first inner layer, and a plurality of fibers interconnecting the first outer layer and the first inner layer.
15. The structure of claim 14, wherein: the second panel is a composite comprising a second outer layer, a second inner layer, and a plurality of fibers interconnecting the second outer layer and the second inner layer, and the cavity is defined between the first and second inner layers.
16. The structure of claim 13, wherein the attachment device comprises a first portion secured to the first panel, a second portion secured to the second panel, and a connecting portion secured to the first portion and the second portion for relative rotation between the connecting portion and the first portion about a first axis of rotation and for relative rotation between the connecting portion and the second portion about a second axis of rotation.
17. The structure of claim 16, wherein: each of the first panel and the second panel comprises an outer layer, an inner layer, and a plurality of fibers interconnecting the outer layer and the inner layer, the first portion is secured to the inner layer of the first panel, and the second portion is secured to the inner layer of the second panel.
18. A method of assembling a shelter comprising an exterior panel and an interior panel secured to the exterior panel, the method comprising the step of: relatively moving the exterior panel and the interior panel between a collapsed position and an expanded position in which the exterior panel and the interior panel are spaced farther apart from one another than in the collapsed position to define a cavity therebetween.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein: - the shelter comprises a roof, a floor, and a plurality of side walls, each of the roof, the floor, and the side walls comprises a composite exterior panel, an interior panel, and an attachment device secured to the exterior panel and the interior panel, the moving step comprises relatively moving the exterior and interior panels of each of the roof, the floor, and the side walls between the collapsed position and the expanded position to define a cavity between the exterior and interior panels, and further comprising disposing an energy dissipation material in each cavity.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein: each of the exterior panel and the interior panel defines an imaginary plane, and the moving step comprises causing the planes to be generally parallel to one another in the collapsed position and the expanded position.
PCT/US2005/034827 2005-09-29 2005-09-29 Shelter and associated method of assembly WO2007040508A2 (en)

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WO2007040508A3 WO2007040508A3 (en) 2007-12-06

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2489692A (en) * 2011-04-04 2012-10-10 Qusai Abdul Latif Jassim Alani On site filling of wall cavities of a prefabricated building
CN111997220A (en) * 2020-07-22 2020-11-27 广东定源建设工程有限公司 Green environment-friendly wallboard mounting structure and mounting method
LV15579A (en) * 2019-12-23 2021-07-20 Rīgas Tehniskā Universitāte Ballistic resistant wood frame external envelope panel with fresh air supply duct

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US6272805B1 (en) * 1993-06-02 2001-08-14 Evg Entwicklungs- U. Verwertungs- Gesellschaft M.B.H. Building element
US20030154679A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2003-08-21 Hunter Douglas Inc. Compressible structural panel
US6699575B1 (en) * 2000-02-25 2004-03-02 University Of Maine System Board Of Trustees Wood composite panels for disaster-resistant construction

Patent Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6272805B1 (en) * 1993-06-02 2001-08-14 Evg Entwicklungs- U. Verwertungs- Gesellschaft M.B.H. Building element
US6699575B1 (en) * 2000-02-25 2004-03-02 University Of Maine System Board Of Trustees Wood composite panels for disaster-resistant construction
US20030154679A1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2003-08-21 Hunter Douglas Inc. Compressible structural panel

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2489692A (en) * 2011-04-04 2012-10-10 Qusai Abdul Latif Jassim Alani On site filling of wall cavities of a prefabricated building
LV15579A (en) * 2019-12-23 2021-07-20 Rīgas Tehniskā Universitāte Ballistic resistant wood frame external envelope panel with fresh air supply duct
CN111997220A (en) * 2020-07-22 2020-11-27 广东定源建设工程有限公司 Green environment-friendly wallboard mounting structure and mounting method
CN111997220B (en) * 2020-07-22 2021-07-30 广东定源建设工程有限公司 Wallboard mounting structure and mounting method

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