Abstract

A portable storm shelter is disclosed. The shelter includes a thin plastic tank surrounded by a horizontal frame that includes anchor legs. The shell and frame are covered with a protective layer such as fiber-filled concrete. Two ventilation conduits extend through the protective layer and into the tank. A window is attached over apertures in the protective layer and the tank. A door is attached to the protective layer and situated over an aperture in the tank and in the concrete layer. A battery provides power to a fan disposed in fluid communication with one of the ventilation conduits. A solar cell is attached to the outer surface of the concrete layer and provides a charging signal to the battery. A fluid basin attached to a fluid drain conduit is also provided. The fluid drain conduit extends through the tank and concrete layer. In a second embodiment, a tank is surrounded by a horizontal rectangular frame. Attached to the frame are a plurality of vertical rods having lifting eyes. A protective layer is formed over the tank, frame and rods with the lifting eyes exposed. An inclined enclosed chute is attached to the protective layer over an aperture in the protective layer and tank. Ventilation and drainage conduits extend through the protective layer into the interior of the tank. A battery, electric lights and ventilation fans are disposed within the tank. Another embodiment includes vertical support ribs molded into the side walls of the enclosure and reinforcement rods inserted horizontally through apertures in the vertical ribs to provide enhanced structural support.