US2792794A - Bomb shelter - Google Patents

Description

May 21, 1957 w. H. MILLER BOMB SHELTER Filed May 26, 1955 INVENTOR. WILLIAM H. MILLER BY ATTORNEY United States Patent BOMB SHELTER William H. Miller, St. Louis, Mo.

Application May 26, 1955, Serial No. 511,230

Claims. (Cl. 109-1) [This invention relates in general to building structures and, more particularly, to certain new and useful improvements in bomb shelters.

An object of the present invention is to present a bomb shelter which may be built in residential yards, being designed primarily for family usage, and which is so constructed as to provide reliable protection against attack by nuclear bombs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bomb shelter which is equipped with a movable roofforming closure made of materials capable of resisting the intense heat and radio-active radiation developed by nuclear bombs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bomb shelter which may be economically constructed; which is highly durable and protective; and which is equipped to comfortably contain a number of individuals, such as a family unit, during periods of attack.

These and other detailed objects are obtained by the structures illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a top plan view of a bomb shelter constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation view.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the closure in dotted lines in open position.

Referring now by reference characters to the drawing which illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A generally designates a bomb shelter comprising a floor 1 .and a cylindrically shaped upstanding side wall 2; both being constructed, preferably, of reinforced concrete, with floor 1 being located spaced-1y below ground level. Side wall 2 is of increased thickness at its base, and tapers upwardly and inwardly toward its upper end, the extremity of which projects slightly above ground level. Thus, floor 1 and side wall 2 cooperate to provide a pit-like chamber b.

Integrally formed with floor 1, and extending downwardly below the central portion thereof, is a well-like reinforced concrete extension 3. Embedded in said extension 3 is the lower end of a vertically presented cylinder 4, on the outer surface of which is welded a plurality of spaced reinforcing ribs 4. Cylinder 4 projects upwardly through chamber b and extends above the upper end of side wall 2. At a point above tloor level cylinder 4 is internally provided with a plate 5 for dividing same into .a lower chamber 6 and an upper chamber 7. Chamber 6 constitutes a fluid reservoir, while disposed in upper chamber 7 for slideable, fluidresponsive movement therein is a piston 8, having provided adjacent its lower end a series of sealing rings 9. The upper end of piston 8 is externally threaded for engagement with the interior threads of a collar 10, having .a plurality of radially spaced, drilled openings 11 or receiving bolts 12, which secure to collar a domeshaped or generally hemispherically-shaped roof or closure 13. The heads of bolts 12 are disposed Within 2,792,794 Patented May 21, 1957 'ice an annular opening 14 formed in the base portion of closure 13. Roof or closure 13 is formed of a relatively thick steel base or shell 15, having a maximum inner diameter equal to the distance between diametrically opposed portions of the upper end of side wall 2. Coveringly disposed over steel shell 15 is a layer of lead 16 for rendering closure 13 resistant to radio-active penetration. The outer portion or surface of closure 13 consists of a layer of thermo-insulating material 17, such as, preferably asbestos, to make bomb shelter A resistant to the intense heat generated by nuclear bomb explosions. The thermo-insulating layer 17 extends beyond the lower edge of the lead-covered steel shell 15 to form a skirt portion 18, which when closure 13 is in closed position will project downwardly below the upper edge of side wall 2 'for presentation of its inner inclined face 19 in tight joint formation against a complementary inclined surface 20 formed on the outer portion of the upper end of side wall 2. The bottom edge of the lead covered steel shell 15 has suitably applied there-to a thickness of heat-resistant material 21, as asbestos, to provide :a tireproof seal, with the top surface of side wall 2, upon which closure 13 is received when in closed position.

Extending into reservoir 6 is "a conduit 22, which leads to a pump 23 located within chamber b. Provided on the opposite side of pump 23 is a conduit 24, which communicates with the lower end of chamber 7 of cylinder 4 to serve both as a fluid inlet :and fluid. outlet therefor. Pump 23 is driven by motor 25, which may be started by an electrical switch 26, conveniently located on the inner face of side wall 2 and in circuit with a remote source of electrical power. Pump 23 is also provided with a hand-operated lever 27 for emergency operation of said pump 23, in case of failure of electrical power.

Upon operation of pump 23, with closure 13 in closed or lowered position, fluid will be transferred from reservoir 6 to upper chamber 7 for driving piston 8 upwardly to elevate closure 13 into theposition indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3. In said position individuals may leave shelter A by climbing through the opening created between the raised closure 13 and side wall 2. Correspondingly, such opening permits of entry into shelter A, and, once inside the shelter, the occupants may operate switch 26 to cause fluid to be returned to reservoir 6 with consequent lowering of closure 13 until the same is snugly received upon the upper end of side wall 2. It is, of course, obvious that the operation of pump 23 may be efiected through a switch located outside shelter A, such as in ones home or at a point near shelter A, so that if shelter A is closed individuals progressing thereto, as from a house, may easily cause the opening thereof. The heat-resistant covering 17 and the inner lead-lining 16 screen the shelter occupants against the high temperatures and radio-activity, respectively, developing from bomb explosions. The tight seal made between the thermoinsulated portions 18 and 21 of closure 13, and the cooperating sections of side wall 2 prevent any untoward transfer of heat or radiation through the joint. I

Interiorly bomb shelter A is provided with an arcuate or annular transom or bench 28 having a movable top which permits access to a storage chamber 29, within which may be retained first aid kits, water, food, a radio, batteries and the like. Opening into floor is a drain or sewer pipe 3! Thus, the shelter occupants are provided with all the necessities to make their stay in shelter A comfortable. If additional air is required, oxygen may be supplied from tanks carried in storage compartment 29. It would not be expected that the occupants would be required to remain in shelter A longer than a few hours at most.

It is to be noted that when closure 13 is in closed position, substantially the only part of shelter A which is exposed is closure 13, and as may best be seen in Figure 2, so that only a rounded surface is presented which will effectively deflect any concussive waves. The wall and floor portions of chamber 1) are fully supported by the surrounding ground to protect the shelter ccupants against any shock waves.

It will thus be seen that the bomb shelter of the present invention is adapted forusage in residential neighborhoods, and can effectively accommodate a family unit during any nuclear bomb attack. Bomb shelter A can be built at a most reasonable cost, and is most reliable, having a simplicity of parts which will not require expensive maintenance.

It should be understood that changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the bomb shelter may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A bomb shelter comprising a reinforced concrete floor below ground level, a reinforced concrete cylindrically-shaped side wall upstanding from said floor, cylindrically-shaped side wall upstanding from said floor, said side wall projecting in its upper portion above ground level, and having its upper edge comprising a flat inner portion and an outer downwardly and outwardly inclined portion, a generally dome-shaped roof-forming closure provided above said side wall for disposition upon the upper edge of said side wall when in closed position, said closure having an inner flat bottom edge portion and an outer depending skirt portion for surface-wise abutment respectively against the inner and outer upper edge portions of said side wall to form a secure joint when said closure is in closed position, a vertically disposed fluid cylinder provided in said shelter, a piston disposed in said cylinder for slideable, fluid-responsive movement therein, said closure being engaged to said piston for elevation and lowering thereby.

2. A bomb shelter comprising a reinforced concrete floor below ground level, a reinforced concrete cylindricaily-shaped side wall upstanding from said floor, said side wall projecting in its upper portion above ground level, and having its upper edge comprising a flat inner portion and an outer downwardly and outwardly inclined portion, a generally dome-shaped roof-forming closure provided above said side wall for disposition upon the upper edge of said side wall when in closed position, said closure having an inner shell portion with a planar bottom edge for abutment against the inner fiat upper edge of said side wall, said closure further having an outer layer of merino-insulating material projecting at its bottom edge beyond that of the shell to define a skirt, said skirt having its inner face complementarily inclined to the outer upper edge portion of said side wall for cooperating therewith to define a snug joint, a vertically disposed fluid cylinder provided in said shelter, a piston disposed in said cylinder for slideable, fluid-responsive movement therein, said closure being engaged to said piston for elevation and lowering thereby.

3. A bomb shelter as defined in claim 2 wherein a heat-resistant member is applied to the planar bottom edge of the closure shell.

4. A bomb shelter for family use comprising a door below ground level, an upstanding cylindrical side wall projecting at its upper end above ground level, there being a well-like chamber extending downwardly from said floor, a cylinder-forming member fixed at its lower end in said well-like extension and projecting at its upper end beyond the upper edge of said wall, said cylinder being internally divided into upper and lower compartments, a piston disposed in said upper compartment for vertical siideable movement therein, said lower compartment defining a fluid reservoir, pump means for transferring fluid from said lower compartment to said upper compartment for effecting movement of said piston, a dome-shaped roof-forming member secured to the upper end of said piston for joint-forming relationship with the upper edge of said side wall when said piston is in lowered position and for spaced disposition from said upper edge of said side wall when said piston is in elevated position for permitting egress from and admission into said shelter.

5. A bomb shelter for family use comprising a floor below ground'level, an upstanding cylindrical side wall projecting at its upper end above ground level, and having its upper edge comprising a fiat inner portion and an outer downwardly and outwardly inclined portion, there being a well-like chamber extending downwardly from said floor, a cylinder-forming member fixed at its lower end in said well-like extension and projecting at its upper end beyond the upper edge of said side wall, said cylinder being internally divided into upper and lower compartments, a piston disposed in said upper compartment for vertical slideable movement therein, said lower compartment defining a fluid reservoir, pump means for transferring fluid from said lower compartment to said upper compartment for effecting movement of said piston, a domeshaped roof-forming member secured to the upper end of said piston for joint-forming relationship with the upper edge of said side wall when said piston is in lowered position and for spaced disposition from said upper edge of said side wall when said piston is in elevated position for permitting egress from and admission into said shelter,

a said dorne-shaped roof-forming member having an inner References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 592,190 Bond Oct. 19, 1897 1,296,688 Noah Mar. 11, 1919 2,189,486 DAmico Feb. 6, 1940 2,346,196 Starret Apr. 11, 1944 2,704,983 Van Dronkelaar Mar. 29, 1955

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