US3820294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interlocking modules for rapid construction of shelters and barriers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-23
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1993-07-23
Abstract
Abstract This is a modular construction system for rapid assembly and disassembly of shelters and barriers which provides protection from natural or man-made environments. The shelters are constructed from three types of modules which permit a wide variety of covered structures or walls which may be quickly erected to protect occupants and equipment. The three modules are end panels or spacers which are slotted, side wall or roof panels which have asymmetric slots on either end and a groove along one edge and a rectangular roof beam having vertical hook-like connectors spaced along the outside wall of the beam. When the spacers are interlocked with two of the side wall panels, a cavity is formed which can be filled with sand to provide a more rigid and solid shelter. For overhead cover, two or more beams span the walls and the panels interlock with the hook-like connectors along the outside of the beams to form the roof. The panels interlock horizontally by the grooves and overlap at the hook. Sand or sandbags can be piled on the roof to give additional protection.
Inventors
- 👤 C Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:36
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04H; E04H9/00; E04H9/04; E04H9/10; E04B; E04B1/00; E04B1/343; E04B1/34315; E04B2/00; E04B2/02; E04B2/28; E04B2/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A protective shelter constructed from interlocking modules comprising: a fillable wall structure comprised of: a plurality of fillable, rectangular box units connected in series horizontally and stacked and interlocked vertically; said fillable box units comprised of spaced apart, side wall panels having asymmetric slots on each end and a groove along a portion of one edge, interlocked with spaCer panels having asymmetric slots engaging the asymmetric slots of the side wall panel; vertical interlocking being provided by the edge of one side panel being engaged with the groove of the vertically adjacent side panel and horizontal, in series, connection being provided by overlapping horizontally adjacent side panels and interlocking the asymmetric slots of each with a spacer panel; a plurality of fillable, square corner units interlocked horizontally at the outermost opposite ends of the series connected fillable, rectangular box units; said corner units being comprised of four interlocked spacer panels; horizontal interlocking being provided by overlapping two of the spacer panels of the corner unit with the ends of the horizontally adjacent side wall panels and interlocking the asymmetric slots of each with a spacer panel; a roof structure comprised of: a plurality of parallel spaced box beams, spanning the wall structure, having a plurality of equally spaced, vertical hook-like connectors and a plurality of side wall panels lying between the box beams with the asymmetric slots engaging the hook-like connectors and the groove of one panel engaging the edge adjacent panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
242 words
A protective shelter constructed from interlocking modules comprising: a fillable wall structure comprised of: a plurality of fillable, rectangular box units connected in series horizontally and stacked and interlocked vertically; said fillable box units comprised of spaced apart, side wall panels having asymmetric slots on each end and a groove along a portion of one edge, interlocked with spaCer panels having asymmetric slots engaging the asymmetric slots of the side wall panel; vertical interlocking being provided by the edge of one side panel being engaged with the groove of the vertically adjacent side panel and horizontal, in series, connection being provided by overlapping horizontally adjacent side panels and interlocking the asymmetric slots of each with a spacer panel; a plurality of fillable, square corner units interlocked horizontally at the outermost opposite ends of the series connected fillable, rectangular box units; said corner units being comprised of four interlocked spacer panels; horizontal interlocking being provided by overlapping two of the spacer panels of the corner unit with the ends of the horizontally adjacent side wall panels and interlocking the asymmetric slots of each with a spacer panel; a roof structure comprised of: a plurality of parallel spaced box beams, spanning the wall structure, having a plurality of equally spaced, vertical hook-like connectors and a plurality of side wall panels lying between the box beams with the asymmetric slots engaging the hook-like connectors and the groove of one panel engaging the edge adjacent panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The protective shelter as recited in claim 1 wherein the hook-like connectors on the box beams have a rearward projection and the side panels have short slots on the opposite side, parallel and in line with the asymmetric slots; said short slots engaging the rearward projection of the hook-like projection for aligning the panels to form the roof structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective shelter as recited in claim 2 wherein the fillable wall structure is filled with sand.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The protective shelter of claim 3 wherein the side panels and spacer panels are comprised of fiberglass/plastic woven roving material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The protective shelter of claim 4 wherein the box beam is comprised of rectangular, hollow, fiberglass tubing having fiberglass hook-like connectors attached along one side.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The protective shelter of claim 5 wherein the side panel grooves are formed by attaching strips of fiberglass/plastic woven roving material along one edge of the panels between the asymmetric slots.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The protective shelter of claim 6 wherein the slots in the side panels and spacer panels are slightly wider than twice the thickness of the panels whereby the panels overlap when interlocked with a spacer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The protective shelter of claim 7 wherein the slots are reinforced with metal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The protective shelter of claim 2 wherein the fillable wall structure is filled with a foamed-in-place polyurethane mix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective shelter of claim 9 wherein the side panels and spacer panels are comprised of plywood.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |