Tunnel Connector for an In-Ground Storm Shelter

Abstract

A tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter which allows inhabitants to enter the in-ground storm shelter from a trailer house without being exposed to external environmental factors. The tunnel connector includes a U-shaped enclosure wall, a staircase, a first lateral wall, and a second lateral wall. The first lateral wall and the second lateral wall are connected perpendicular to the staircase across each other to provide lateral protection. The U-shaped enclosure wall includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an interconnecting sidewall. The interconnecting sidewall is terminally connected in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The first lateral wall is adjacently connected to the first sidewall, opposite the interconnecting sidewall. Similarly, the second lateral wall is adjacently connected to the second sidewall, opposite the interconnecting sidewall. The tunnel connector is installed in between a floorboard of the trailer house and the in-ground storm shelter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter comprises:
 a U-shaped enclosure wall;   a staircase;   a first lateral wall;   a second lateral wall;   the U-shaped enclosure wall comprises a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and an interconnecting sidewall;   the first lateral wall being connected adjacent and perpendicular to the staircase;   the second lateral wall being connected adjacent and perpendicular to the staircase, opposite the first lateral wall;   the interconnecting sidewall being terminally connected in between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;   the first lateral wall being adjacently connected to the first sidewall, opposite the interconnecting sidewall;   the second lateral wall being adjacently connected to the second sidewall, opposite the interconnecting sidewall; and   a bottom edge of the first lateral wall, a bottom edge of the second lateral wall, and a bottom edge of the U-shaped enclosure wall being positioned coplanar with each other.   
     
     
         2 . The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 a first fastening mechanism; 
 a second fastening mechanism; 
 the first fastening mechanism being mechanically integrated in between the first lateral wall and the first sidewall; 
 the second fastening mechanism being mechanically integrated in between the second lateral wall and the second sidewall; and 
 the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall, and the U-shaped enclosure wall being hermetically sealed by the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism. 
 
     
     
         3 . The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first fastening mechanism and the second fastening mechanism are each an adhesive sealant. 
     
     
         4 . The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 a bottom plane being formed by the bottom edge of the first lateral wall and the bottom edge of the second lateral wall; and 
 an incline of the staircase being at an acute angle with the bottom plane. 
 
     
     
         5 . The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the acute angle is 45 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 an at least one guide rail; 
 the guide rail being positioned in between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall; 
 the guide rail being positioned parallel and offset from an incline of the staircase; and 
 the guide rail being mounted to the staircase. 
 
     
     
         7 . The tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall, and the U-shaped enclosure wall are each composed of fiberglass. 
     
     
         8 . A system for using a tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in  claim 1  comprises:
 an in-ground storm shelter; 
 a horizontal door of the in-ground storm shelter; 
 a trailer house; 
 a floorboard of the trailer house; 
 an entrance hole of the trailer house; 
 the in-ground storm shelter being positioned offset from the floorboard; 
 the entrance hole normally traversing through the floorboard, adjacent to the horizontal door; 
 the first lateral wall, the second lateral wall, the staircase, and the U-shaped enclosure wall being positioned in between the floorboard and the in-ground storm shelter; 
 a first hole being delineated by a top edge of the first lateral wall, a top edge of the second lateral wall, a top edge of the U-shaped enclosure wall, and a highest step of the staircase; 
 the first hole being positioned coincident with the entrance hole; 
 a second hole being delineated by the bottom edge of the first lateral wall, the bottom edge of the second lateral wall, the bottom edge of the U-shaped enclosure wall, and a lowest step of the staircase; and 
 the horizontal door being positioned coincident with the second hole, adjacent to the lowest step. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system for using a tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in  claim 8  comprises:
 a top mating flange; 
 the top mating flange being laterally connected to the top edge of the U-shaped enclosure wall, the top edge of the first lateral wall, and the top edge of the second lateral wall; 
 the top mating flange being positioned parallel to the floorboard; and 
 the top mating flange being attached adjacent to the floorboard. 
 
     
     
         10 . The system for using a tunnel connector for an in-ground storm shelter as claimed in  claim 8  comprises:
 a bottom mating flange; 
 the bottom mating flange being laterally connected to the bottom edge of the U-shaped enclosure wall, the bottom edge of the first lateral wall, and the bottom edge of the second lateral wall; 
 the bottom mating flange being positioned parallel to the horizontal door; and 
 the bottom mating flange being mounted adjacent to the in-ground storm shelter, about the horizontal door.