Survival and Rescue Capsule

Abstract

A survival and rescue capsule for protecting an occupant encountering a natural crisis includes a body member having an ellipsoidal outer wall assembly that includes bottom and top wall sections and that accommodates a person. A ballast weight is positioned adjacent the bottom wall section to enhance upright stability of the body member. A seat is positioned in the interior area, the seat having a seat bottom and springs mounted beneath the seat bottom to cushion a person from impact forces. The wall assembly defines a main ventilation channel having a lower end in communication with ambient air outside the interior area and an upper end in communication with ambient air inside the interior area, the lower end being lower than the upper end relative to the top wall section of the wall assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to protection and survival shelters and, more particularly, to a survival and rescue capsule that can preserve the life and well being of an occupant through both natural weather events like an earthquake or hurricane as well as criminal events like a home invasion.

Under normal circumstances, a person's residence or dwelling provides adequate protection from harsh weather events such as thunderstorms. However, some weather events are much more extreme and call for extraordinary protection. For instance, some houses are now built with a cement storm shelter. In other cases, residents simply rely on evacuation orders when a hurricane is forming nearby. However, other natural disasters cannot be anticipated or effectively planned for, such as an earthquake or a home invasion. Hurricanes and floods also bring the risk of drowning in addition to the destruction of property.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a survival and rescue capsule into which a person can enter rapidly upon the onset of a natural weather event and close a sealed door that can be locked if desired. Further, it would be desirable that is durable to protect an occupant against falling debris that may be caused by high winds characteristic of a tornado or hurricane or caused by the shaking or vibration of an earthquake. In addition, it would be desirable to have a survival and rescue capsule that includes a ventilation channel that allows ambient air into an interior area but is configured to resist entry of water therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A survival and rescue capsule for protecting an occupant encountering a natural crisis according to the present invention includes a body member having an ellipsoidal outer wall assembly that includes bottom and top wall sections and that accommodates a person. A ballast weight is positioned adjacent the bottom wall section to enhance upright stability of the body member. A seat is positioned in the interior area, the seat having a seat bottom and springs mounted beneath the seat bottom to cushion a person from impact forces. The wall assembly defines a main ventilation channel having a lower end in communication with ambient air outside the interior area and an upper end in communication with ambient air inside the interior area, the lower end being lower than the upper end relative to the top wall section of the wall assembly.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a survival and rescue capsule that provides a durable structure to enhance the survival and wellbeing of an occupant therein from falling debris characteristic of an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a survival and rescue capsule, as aforesaid, into which a person can enter quickly and close lockable doors that can be opened by the both the person inside and the rescuers from the outside.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a survival and rescue capsule, as aforesaid, that can provide safety from a criminal even like a home invasion.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a survival and rescue capsule, as aforesaid, that includes an outer shape configuration and an inner ballast weight designed to enhance the upright stability of the capsule which may experience external forces that seek to capsize the capsule.

A further object of this invention is to provide a survival and rescue capsule, as aforesaid, that includes a ventilation channel in which an end that opens to the exterior ambient environment is lower than an end that opens into an interior area of the capsule so as to allow air to flow inward but that resists the flow of water into the interior area.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a survival and rescue capsule, as aforesaid, in which entry doors may be configured to only be opened by rescuers or law enforcement personnel.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a survival and rescue capsule according to one embodiment of the present invention illustrated with access doors in closed configurations;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from another angle of the survival and rescue capsule as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the survival and rescue capsule as in FIG. 1 illustrated with the access doors in open configurations;

FIG. 4a is a top view of the survival and rescue capsule as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4b is a sectional view taken along line 4a-4a of FIG. 4b;

FIG. 4c is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 4b;

FIG. 5 is an isolated exploded view of a battery box according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the survival and rescue capsule as in FIG. 1 taken from another angle;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view as in FIG. 4b according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a survival and rescue capsule according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a survival and rescue capsule with inflatable device deployed;

FIG. 10a is a top view of the survival and rescue capsule as in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10b is a sectional view of an interior of the survival and rescue capsule as in FIG. 10a;

FIG. 11 is an isolated view on an enlarged scale of a vent regulation member as in FIG. 4c;

FIG. 12 is sectional view as in FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a survival and rescue capsule according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view from another angle of the survival and rescue capsule as in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15a is a top view of the survival and rescue capsule as in FIG. 14; and

FIG. 15b is a sectional view taken along line 15b-15b from FIG. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A survival and rescue capsule according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15 of the accompanying drawings. The survival and rescue capsule 10 includes a body member 20 having an outer wall assembly 22, a ventilation channel 44, at least a main door 40, a seat 34, and a ballast weight 30.

In one embodiment, the body member 20 includes an outer wall assembly 22 that includes a bottom wall section 24, a top wall section 26, and a continuous side wall section 28 extending between the bottom wall section 24 and top wall section 26. The outer wall assembly 22 may be constructed of metal that is reinforced to withstand strong impact forces such as may be experienced in an earthquake, hurricane, or the like. Preferably, the bottom wall section 24 includes a dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of the top wall section 26. In an embodiment, the body member 20 may have an ellipsoidal or egg-shape configuration, in which case a diameter would be the appropriate dimension to consider. For example, the bottom wall section 24 may include a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the top wall section 26 so as to enhance the balance of the body member 20 if or when the body member 20 is situated on a ground surface during an earthquake or buoyant in a body of water in the case of a hurricane or flood.

In the ellipsoidal embodiment, the top wall section 26 is rounded or beveled in transition to the side wall section 28. Similarly, the bottom wall section 24 is rounded or beveled in transition to the side wall section 28 (FIG. 2).

In another embodiment, the bottom wall section 24 is generally planar and not rounded in its connection to the side wall section 28. In this embodiment, the relevant dimension may still be a diameter of the bottom wall section 24 in comparison to the diameter of the top wall section 26. However, in other embodiments not having an ellipsoid configuration, dimensions such as length or width may be compared—again to provide stability when the bottom wall section 24 is resting on a ground surface.

The outer wall assembly 22 defines an interior area 29 that is large enough to accommodate at least one person therein along with other articles and components of the rescue capsule 10 as will be described later. In some embodiments, the body member 20 may be constructed much larger so as to accommodate multiple persons.

A ballast weight 30 may be situated in the interior area 29 adjacent the bottom wall section 24 (FIG. 4b), the ballast weight 30 being configured and positioned so as to enhance an upright stability of the body member 20, especially if the body member 20 finds itself lodged on uneven ground or floating in a body of water. As shown in FIG. 4b a platform 32 having a generally planar configuration is positioned within a lower portion of the interior area 29 of the body member 20. More particularly, the platform 32 may be displaced but proximate the bottom wall section 24 of the outer wall assembly 22 such that the platform 32 and bottom wall section 24 together define a compartment 33 (FIG. 4b). The ballast weight 30 may be situated in the compartment 33.

A seat 34 may be mounted in the interior area 29 of the body member 20 to provide a more comfortable place for an occupant of the rescue capsule 10. Specifically, the seat 34 may include a seat bottom 36 and one or more springs 38 coupled to the bottom of the seat bottom 36 to support the seat bottom 36. In an embodiment, the springs 38 may be coupled to the platform 32 described above so that the seat bottom 36 is held level within the interior area 29 of the body member 20. The springs 38 also provide cushioning of a person sitting on the seat bottom 36 such as from impact forces that would be experienced in an earthquake or if the body member 20 is being battered by hurricane force winds or being swept along in raging waters of a flood. Being situated atop the platform 32 also ensures that the seat 34 is oriented in a generally upright configuration. The seat 34 may also include a seat back 39 and even foot rest portions for added comfort.

A main door 40 is pivotally coupled to the top wall section 26 that provides selective access to the interior area 29 of the body member 20. The main door 40 is movable between a closed configuration that prevents access to the interior area 29 of the body member 20 and an open configuration that allows access to the interior area 29 of the body member. It is understood that the main door 40 when closed may be locked in a manner that can only be opened from the outside by authorized personnel—such as the police or other rescue workers or from the inside by the occupant. This feature is important in that the survival and rescue capsule 10 can be used by an occupant not only for safety from natural disasters but also to hide or escape from a home invasion or the like.

Similarly, an auxiliary door 42 may be pivotally coupled to the side wall section 28 of the outer wall assembly 22 and movable between a closed configuration that prevents access to the interior area 29 of the body member 20 and an open configuration that allows access to the interior area 29 of the body member 20. The auxiliary door 42 may be locked in a manner similar to that described above regarding the main door 40.

The outer wall assembly 22 defines at least one ventilation channel 44. Preferably, the outer wall assembly 22 defines two or more spaced apart ventilation channels 44 configured to bring ambient air into the interior area 29 from outside of the capsule 10. It is understood, of course, that air may flow both in and out of the ventilation channel 44. The ventilation channel 44 includes a lower end 46 displaced from an upper end 48 by a main transfer conduit 50 that extends therebetween. The lower end 46 is in communication with ambient air outside of the interior area 29 of the body member 20 whereas the upper 48 is in communication with the interior area 29 of the body member 20 (FIG. 4c).

It is critical that the lower end 46 be located lower than the upper 48 of the ventilation channel 44 relative to the top wall section 26. The main transfer conduit 50 extends upwardly and, in normal circumstances, substantially vertically from the lower end 46 to the upper 48. In this manner, moisture from rain that may be pouring outside the body member 20 will flow past the lower end 46 but will not flow uphill through the upwardly extending main transfer conduit 50 to the upper 48 and into the interior area 29 of the body member 20. Ambient air, however, is not likewise hindered in passing into the interior area 29 from outside the body member 20.

In addition, the side wall section 28 of the outer wall assembly 22 defines a plurality of vent openings 52 in communication with the open lower end 46 of the ventilation channel 44 through which ambient air is selectively received into or expelled from the ventilation channel 44. As shown in the figures, the plurality of vent openings 52 may be arranged in a generally circular or rotary pattern (FIG. 2).

Further, a vent regulation member 54 having a rod 56 is rotatably coupled to the side wall section 28 proximate and adjacent to the lower end of the ventilation channel 44 and the plurality of vent openings 52 (FIG. 4b). The rod 56 includes a vent plate 58 at a distal end thereof. Preferably, the vent plate 58 includes a generally circular configuration defining a plurality of apertures 59 corresponding to the shape and arrangement of the plurality of vent openings 52 defined by the side wall section 28 of the outer wall assembly 22. Rotating in concert with the rod 56, the vent plate 58 is movable between a closed configuration preventing ambient air from entering the lower end of the ventilation channel 44 and an open configuration allowing air to enter the lower end of the ventilation channel 44. In other words, respective apertures 59 and vent openings 52 are aligned with one another at the open configuration and are not aligned with one another at the closed configuration. It is understood that additional components to ensure an airtight or watertight seal at the closed configuration may also be included (not shown). In use, an occupant of the rescue capsule 10 may rotate the rod 56 of the vent regulation member 54 in order to regulate how much ambient air is allowed into the interior area 29 of the body member 20.

The survival and rescue capsule 10 may include various electrical items, such as lights, communications equipment, global position satellite (GPS) component, wireless computer technology, and the like. A control box 60 may be positioned inside the interior area 29 of the body member 20 (FIG. 4b). Specifically, a battery 62 may be contained within the control box 60 and may be electrically connected to an internal light source 64 mounted in the interior area 29 (FIG. 5). The light source 64 is configured to emit light when energized by current from the battery 62. An air tank 66 may also be situated in the control box 60 for to enhance breathing or other functions as will be described later.

In one embodiment, an external light 23 may be mounted to an exterior surface of the outer wall assembly 22 and electrically connected to the battery 62 so as to enhance efforts by rescuers searching for the rescue capsule 10. Similarly, a fluorescent marker may be mounted to an exterior surface of the outer wall assembly 22.

In another aspect of the invention, the outer wall assembly 22 may include a multi-layer construction that provides additional safety benefits. Specifically, the outer wall assembly 22 may include an inner layer 70 defining the interior area 29 that is constructed of a spongy material (FIG. 10b). The spongy material is effective to reduce the risk of injury to an occupant who may be jostled or even thrown about within the interior area when experiencing the affects of a natural disaster or extreme weather event such as a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or the like.

Further, the outer wall assembly 22 may include an outer layer 72 that is on the exterior of the interior area 29 of the body member 20 (FIG. 10b). The outer layer 72 may include a buoyant material that is configured to enhance the flotation ability of the body member 20 in a water environment. Alternatively, an inflatable bladder 74 or a plurality of spaced apart inflatable devices (situated behind doors 75 of FIG. 8) may be mounted to an outer surface of the outer wall assembly 22. When inflated, the bladder 74 enhances the flotation of the body member 20. To facilitate this embodiment, the air tank 66 or air compressor may be utilized to inflate the bladders 74 and manually activated by an occupant. Or, the bladders deployed through doors 75 may be actuated when corresponding sensors determine that a flood environment has occurred and flotation needs to be enhanced.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 15b, the side wall 28 of the body member 20 may define a plurality of spaced apart windows 80 covered by a transparent plastic material such as PlexiGlass® so that an occupant within the interior area 29 can see outside the body member 20, rescuers can see the interior area 29, and to allow natural light inside the interior area 29. The main door 40 may also define a window 80. The windows 80 may also be referred to as “peep holes.”

In addition, a plurality of hook members 82 may be spaced apart and coupled to the side wall 28 of the body member 20 (FIGS. 13 and 14). Respective hook members 82 may be coupled to the top wall 26 of the body member 20. Each hook member 82 is configured so that a rescue crew can hoist the rescue capsule 10 upwardly using a crane, winch, or the like such as out of the water, mud, rubble, or the like.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 15 may also include another feature, such as a feces collector and compactor 84. The feces collector and compactor 84 enables waste from a person who may need to “live” inside the body member 20 for several days to collect feces in a sanitary manner. In addition, the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 may include a global positioning system (“GPS”) system 90 to enhance a person's ability to identify his own position and is configured to communication that position to outside entities such as police and rescue authorities.

In use, a person who senses the start of a violent act of nature or even a violent act of crime may enter the interior area 29 of the body member 20 of the rescue capsule 10 and close and lock the main door 40 and auxiliary door 42. The occupant may be comfortably seated on the seat 34 and breathe normally as ambient air is allowed to enter through the ventilation channel 44 as described above. Even if heavy rains are experienced, water is not allowed to enter the interior area 29 due to the specific configuration of the ventilation channel 44. The ballast weight 30 in the bottom of the body member 20 maintains the body member 20 in a generally vertical and upright orientation. If unable to open the doors following cessation of the crisis event, he need only wait on a rescuer to open the doors from the outside.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A survival and rescue capsule for protecting an occupant encountering a natural crisis, comprising: a body member having a generally ellipsoidal outer wall assembly that includes a bottom wall section having a dimension that is larger than a corresponding dimension of a top wall section so as to enhance balance of said body member, said body member defining an interior area large enough to accommodate at least one person;a ballast weight situated in said interior area adjacent said bottom wall section configured to enhance an upright stability of said body member on unlevel ground or when floating; anda seat positioned in said interior area, said seat having a seat bottom and springs mounted beneath said seat bottom to cushion a person from impact forces;wherein said wall assembly defines a main ventilation channel having a lower end in communication with ambient air outside said interior area and an upper end in communication with ambient air inside said interior area, said lower end being lower than said upper end relative to said top wall section of said wall assembly.

2. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 1, wherein said ventilation channel includes a main transfer conduit extending generally vertically between said lower end and said upper end thereof that is configured to direct air therebetween.

3. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 2, wherein said main transfer conduit is configured to allow air to flow freely from said lower end to said upper end of said ventilation channel but inhibits moisture from flowing upwardly from said lower end to said upper end of said ventilation channel.

4. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 1, wherein said main outer wall assembly includes a continuous side wall section extending between said top wall section and said bottom wall section, said side wall section defining a plurality of vent openings in communication with said lower end of said ventilation channel through which ambient air is selectively received into or expelled from said ventilation channel.

5. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 4, comprising a vent regulation member having a rod rotatably coupled to said side wall section proximate said lower end of said ventilation channel, said vent regulation member having a vent plate at a distal end of said rod situated adjacent said plurality of vent openings defined by said side wall section, said vent plate defining a plurality of apertures complementary in configuration to said plurality of vent openings, said vent regulation member being rotatably movable between a closed configuration preventing ambient air from entering said lower end of said ventilation channel and an open configuration allowing air to enter said lower end of said ventilation channel.

6. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 5, comprising: a battery positioned in said interior area of said body member;a light situated in said interior area and electrically connected to said battery, said light configured to emit light when energized by current from said battery.

7. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 1, comprising: a battery positioned in said interior area of said body member;a light situated in said interior area and electrically connected to said battery, said light configured to emit light when energized by current from said battery.

8. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 5, wherein said bottom wall section of said main wall assembly includes a generally planar configuration to enhance the stability of said body member when positioned atop a land surface.

9. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 1, wherein said bottom wall section of said main wall assembly includes a generally planar configuration to enhance the stability of said body member when positioned atop a land surface.

10. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 5, wherein said top wall section includes a main door that is pivotally movable between a closed configuration that prevents access to said interior area of said body member and an open configuration that allows access to said interior area of said body member.

11. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 1, wherein said top wall section includes a main door that is pivotally movable between a closed configuration that prevents access to said interior area of said body member and an open configuration that allows access to said interior area of said body member.

12. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 10, comprising an auxiliary door pivotally coupled to said side wall section of said wall assembly and movable between a closed configuration that prevents access to said interior area of said body member and an open configuration that allows access to said interior area of said body member.

13. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 5, comprising a platform situated in said interior area of said body member that is displaced from said bottom wall section of said wall assembly, said bottom wall section and said platform defining a compartment therebetween in which said ballast weight is situated.

14. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 13, wherein said platform has a generally planar configuration, said seat being supported atop said platform by said springs.

15. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 1, comprising a fluorescent marker mounted to an outer surface of said wall assembly of said body member that is configured to enhance visibility of said body member to a rescuer.

16. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 1, wherein said wall assembly includes: an inner layer adjacent said interior area that is constructed of a spongy material that enhances the safety of the occupant when impact forces are encountered; andan outer layer outside of said interior space that is constructed of a buoyant material that enhances the flotation ability of said body member in a water environment.

17. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 1, comprising: an inflatable bladder mounted to an outer surface of said wall assembly of said body member; andan air tank situated in said interior area of said body member that is in operative fluid communication with said inflatable bladder and configured to selectively inflate said bladder when actuated.

18. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 4, wherein said side wall defines a plurality of spaced apart windows through which an area outside said body member is selectively viewed from within said interior area of said body portion.

19. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 1, comprising a plurality of hook members spaced apart and coupled to an outside surface of said outer wall assembly, each hook member being configured to be hoisted upwardly by a rescue hoist.

20. The survival and rescue capsule as in claim 6, further comprising a global positioning system (“GPS”) electrically connected to said battery, said GPS being configured to determine a global position and to transmit said determined position to rescue authorities