Every year during the monsoon season in Asia, many people drown – often because the water rises so quickly they have no time to reach safety.

This invention is a module in the shape of a boat hull (or pontoon) which, when inverted acts as a roof to a home.  When needed in an emergency it can be released from the walls by pulling out wooden (or metal) pins from either inside or outside the home.  The module is turned over and becomes a floating lifesaver.

The A.M.O.R will be custom made by the house owner so it fits on the home base walls of the dwelling.  There can be more than one or two A.M.O.R’s if needed.  For example, there are additions to the family.

The modules can be constructed of wood, reed or other, materials including reed, rope or recycled news print.  The latter is very strong when properly laminated with suitable adhesives, ideally from plant grown locally.  Each module would have at least three large buoyancy chambers as an integral part of the construction.  These ensure that the module will stay afloat even if full of water, this internal water can be bailed out later.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and reference to the accompanying drawings.

• Figure One – An overview of the completed construction still in the earth mould.

• Figure Two – This is a longitudinal cross section.

• Figure Three – This is a typical cross section.

• Figure Four – This shows the module in place as a roof and the release mechanism, a pull pin release.

• Figure Five – An overview of the module in emergency use.

Figure One – A module hole is dug in the ground (ideally near receiving dwelling), this forms the exact outside shape of the module; the sides finished with a surface of clay or plastic sheet to give a smooth surface.  This hole is essentially the mould to form the module in.
Construction is as follows – A rope is made of hemp or other material e.g. reeds from local source, this is used from the outline and cross members. 3
Newsprint is soaked over night and layered over the clay then coated with an adhesive, followed by many subsequent layers or laminations.  The paper is formed around the rope so it becomes part of the whole structure.
The loops are for attaching the A.M.O.R to the roof, as many as needed can be formed. 1
The box like chambers are constructed by adding cardboard using the cross member ropes as the main attachments. 2.  These buoyancy chambers are given as many laminations as the main hull/module.
Other materials can be used, alloy tubing, wood, bamboo but, recycled newsprint may be the most cost effective.
At least twenty laminations are needed.  (The number will only be established by testing, related to module size, the floor ribs. 4. Strengthen the bottom and are laminated into the main structure.
The inside, when laminated, is given many coats of waterproof varnish (and ideally fireproof).
The whole structure is allowed to dry and then removed from the ground mould; the outside is given many coats of varnish and then attached upside down on the dwelling base.

Figure Two – This is a length way cross section.  Ribs 1.  Buoyancy chambers 2. Rope outline member 3.

Figure Three – This is a typical cross section rope outline member. 1. Main hull form. 2. Floor rib strengtheners. 3.

Figure Four – This shows the A.M.O.R is situ 1 loop over wall pin 2 walls of dwelling 3 the ground mould can be used to laminate other modules or filled in with sand.

Figure 4X – The roof moulding 1 is retained by looping 4 and tying module loops around pins 2. These pins go thought the dwelling wall and can be pulled out from inside as well as outside.

Figure Five – This depicts the A.M.O.R in emergency mode with people 2 in module.  Food, water and medical supplies attached to floor 3.

Claims – The invention A.M.O.R.A8 is to save lives in flood emergencies by acting as a roof of a dwelling and quick conversion to boat form.

The advantage is no time is lost in that the device is immediately available with instant access to the release pins on the inside.

In flood warning circumstances all occupants can attach themselves to the A.M.O.R so if a flood enters in the night they are at a ropes length from the module.

It is designed to stay afloat even if full of water or still upside down.

Abstract – A dual purpose module which acts as a roof under normal conditions and a hull/boat to save people from drowning under high risk flood conditions.