US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Brunswick Corporation

John Carta

Robert D Anderson

John D Estes

Gilbert J Page

A lightweight, free-standing, expandable shelter (10) providing protection against chemical and biological agents and against nuclear fallout. The shelter (10) has a frame comprising a series of U-shaped ribs (12) spaced and held parallel by a series of reinforcing members (16) connecting each adjacent pair of ribs (12) on each side of the shelter (10). A cover (11) made of flexible material which is resistant to chemical and biological agents is attached to the frame. An airtight floor (18) is attached to the cover material (11) so that the shelter (10) can be pressurized to a pressure of about one inch water gauge above ambient pressure, to prevent reverse air flow of contaminated air into the shelter (10). A blower (20) for pressurizing the shelter (10) and a filter (22) capable of filtering out chemical and biological agents are connected to the shelter (10). The shelter (10) incorporates an internal chamber (26) which serves as a protective air lock entrance and purge chamber and contains an indicator (30) showing when the air lock (26) has been purged and it is safe to enter main chamber (28) of the shelter (10). Air lock (26) is pressurized to one-half inch water gauge above ambient pressure to prevent air flow for air lock (26) into main chamber. The main chamber (28) is equipped with a pressure sensing device (52) and indicator lights (54, 56, 58) indicating either high, correct, or low pressure in the shelter (10) and an audible warning device (60) to warn of dangerously low pressure within the shelter (10).

Expandable shelter system providing collective protection

A snap slit door having at least one panel and a flat closure means used to reate tension in the door panel or panels, such tension acting as the closure force generated by the closure means for the door panel or panels. The flat closure means may be adjustable such that the tension and resulting resistance to opening is variable. Said door panel or panels may be of any pliable material to enable use of the panel or panels without hinges, and further to render the flat closure means operational. The panel or panels may be held in the closed position by any means which will self-release upon the exertion of a requisite pressure differential between the inside and outside of the panel or panels, effectively relieving the pressure differential. One such effective self-releasing closure means is a hook and pile patch arrangement.

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Maitland, FL, United States of America

John Carta