A rigid substructure (12) tied to a restrained column (16) at different floors undergoes rigid body rotation due to lateral dynamic loading. Flexural members (18) that are connected to the substructure (12) and another anchor column (14) resist the rigid body rotation and undergo vertical deflections. Damped diagonals (20) connected to common nodes of the rigid substructure and flexural members, for one embodiment, receive amplified displacements and more effectively dissipate energy. Flexural members restore the structure to the unloaded position. The system does not require moment connections and can work with flexure induced in simply supported beams. The system is highly effective and may remain elastic under maximum considered earthquake ground motions.

A rigid substructure (12) tied to a restrained column (16) at different floors undergoes rigid body rotation due to lateral dynamic loading. Flexural members (18) that are connected to the substructure (12) and another anchor column (14) resist the rigid body rotation and undergo vertical deflections. Damped diagonals (20) connected to common nodes of the rigid substructure and flexural members, for one embodiment, receive amplified displacements and more effectively dissipate energy. Flexural members restore the structure to the unloaded position. The system does not require moment connections and can work with flexure induced in simply supported beams. The system is highly effective and may remain elastic under maximum considered earthquake ground motions.

A structure having at least one generally horizontal flexural member extending between a pair of spaced-apart, upright columns, is protected from seismic forces by connecting one end of an elongated damping member to a first structural node on one of the columns, and by connecting an opposite end to a nodal junction on the flexural member. An undamped, rigid body is connected to the nodal junction and to a second structural node on the other of the columns. In response to the seismic forces, the rigid body is turned about the second structural node, the flexural member is flexed, an amplified force is exerted, and the damping member is displaced along an amplified working stroke.

A protection device is provided, including a first fixed member, a second fixed member, a supporting member, a roller, an awning, an electromagnetic device, and a power supply unit. The supporting member connects to the first and second fixed members. The roller is movably disposed on the supporting member. The power supply unit provides electrical power to the electromagnetic device, so that the electromagnetic device attracts the roller, and the awning remains in a received state. When the power supply unit stops providing electrical power to the electromagnetic device, the roller moves along the supporting member, and the awning is expanded to cover the equipment.

The purpose of the invention is to reduce a cost and a construction period, secure measures for stability of the shelter main body against a tsunami, water pressure resistant performance against the tsunami generated by the Nankai Trough Great Earthquake, safety performance necessary for using the evacuation shelter, and good living comfort, and shorten evacuation time.

The shelter main body 3 is connected to the concrete foundation 2 and has a structure with the frame 3a of a columnar structure, the ceiling 3b, and the internal space 9 of a columnar structure. The inner hatch 5 is attached to the periphery of the opening 4 provided in the ceiling 3b by a hinge in an openable and closable manner. A rising portion 6 rises upward from the peripheral edge of the opening 4. The outer hatch 7 is connected to the upper surface of the rising portion 6 by a hinge 7a in an openable and closable manner. A pair of rails 8 is arranged in the vertical direction on the inner wall surface of the frame 3a of a columnar structure of the shelter main body 3. The movable floor 10 is capable of moving up and down inside the internal space 9 along the rails 8.

The present invention is a novel, disaster-resistant structure (such as a building, room, closet, enclosure, or wall) and a method for constructing or assembling the structure securely to a body of cast material such as a foundation, grade beam base, platform, slab or floor that incorporates flexible cables to resist the very high loads or impact of debris and other hazards that may occur due to high winds, tornadoes, earthquakes, or other severe storms. The structure is secured to the body of cast material by at least one flexible cable. The flexible cable can be comprised of any member from a group of cables, wires, ropes, strings, or threads. The flexible cable can also be made from a wide range of materials including steel, other metals, nylon, manila, polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene, Kevlar, Nomex or polyimides. Typical construction methods for a body of cast material include building a form work or frame that defines the shape and dimensions of the body of cast material. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one hollow tube is placed into the area defined by the form work or frame for the body of cast material. The tube is placed in a generally horizontal position, but the ends may be curved or turned upward. When the cast material is placed into the form work or frame and hardens, the tube is at least partially embedded. In the best mode, the tube is bent or curved so that the ends are not within the formwork or frame and are protruding from the body of cast material after it hardens. However the hollow tube could be straight, curved, or angled. The tube may also be woven between the conventional steel reinforcing of the body of cast material. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible cable is passed through the hollow tube so that it can be looped over the ceiling or portion of the ceiling after the structure is framed. Conventional construction methods for framing include the use of wood, metal or masonry. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible cable is looped around the structure in a substantially vertical plane, passed through the tube, traveling inside the walls and ceiling. The ends of the flexible cable are connected. They could be connected to the structure's framing or the body of cast material, but in the preferred embodiment, the ends are connected to each other. This can be accomplished by using a clamp, or clamps, sleeves, clips, crimps, turnbuckles, hooks, ball and strap fittings, strap forks, ball and shanks, threaded fittings, strap eyes, eyelet fittings, eye bolts, plugs, threaded plugs, ball end plugs, ties, welds or any other means for connecting cable ends. The flexible cables provide the stren

A student protection school board mainly comprises a main mobile outer frame of rectangular cross section which constitutes the front surface of the room, with shape of colored dye blackboard, a main fixed frame of rectangular cross section which constitutes the rear surface of the room, mounted on the wall of the classroom, two equally sized folding rectangular surfaces which constitute the side surfaces of the room, and two equally sized folding rectangular surfaces, reinforced with metal plates, which constitute the upper surface of the room.

Apparatus and method for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster. The apparatus has an interior sheet of flexible material and an exterior sheet of flexible material joined together to form an inflatable space between them, which when inflated also defines an interior cavity bounded by the interior sheet of flexible material, which interior cavity is provided for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster. The apparatus also includes a supply of compressed gas in fluid communication with the inflatable space for inflating the inflatable space. A tether is attached to the exterior sheet of flexible material for attachment of the inflated apparatus to a secure structure such as the frame of a motor home, the floor joist of a home, a secure anchor point of a building, a tree trunk or a utility pole.

An article of manufacture for an earthquake safety protection device (ESPD) according to the present invention is disclosed. The ESPD consists of an earthquake support pole and mating support members to create survivable space around the support pole should a room be damaged in an earthquake. The ESPD may also comprise a reinforced frame within an interior door of a building. The reinforced frame resists damage from an earthquake that may prevent the interior door from opening. Opening or removal of the inner door protected by the reinforced frame creates a means of safely exiting a room in spite of damage to the interior door and its corresponding door frame. The ESPD may also include a mechanism to prevent a mobile hospital bed from moving about a room during an earthquake.

An article of manufacture for an earthquake safety protection device (ESPD) according to the present invention is disclosed. The ESPD consists of an earthquake support pole and mating support members to create survivable space around the support pole should a room be damaged in an earthquake. The ESPD may also comprise a reinforced frame within an interior door of a building. The reinforced frame resists damage from an earthquake that may prevent the interior door from opening. Opening or removal of the inner door protected by the reinforced frame creates a means of safely exiting a room in spite of damage to the interior door and its corresponding door frame. The ESPD may also include a mechanism to prevent a mobile 10 hospital bed from moving about a room during an earthquake.