Earthquake protective sleep structure

Abstract

A protective sleep structure is provided which is adapted to protect occupants of a bed placed thereunder during an earthquake and the like. The structure includes an arched roof extending to a rectangular base supported by a plurality of truss panels formed as unitary structures. A canopy layer formed of solid material covering the arched roof provides additional structural rigidity as well as a shield against debris falling through the arched roof toward occupants below.

Claims

1. An earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus, comprising: an arched roof, said arched roof having a plurality of adjacent arched members, each said arched member having two ends engaged with a rectangular base; said rectangular base supported upon a plurality of truss panels; said plurality of truss panels including a first pair of truss panels running parallel and extending between respective first ends, each of which is engaged to a respective upper end of one of a respective first pair of poles, to respective second ends each of which engaged to a respective upper end of one of a respective second pair of poles; said plurality of truss panels including a second pair of truss panels, a first truss panel of said second pair extending between engagements of opposing ends thereof with said first pair of poles, a second truss panel of said second pair extending between engagements of opposing ends thereof with said second pair of poles, and running parallel to said first truss panel of said second pair; each of said first pair of poles and said second pair of poles having a respective lower end opposite a respective said upper end, each said lower end configured for positioning on a floor and each said truss panel being held elevated above said floor; and said arched roof while held elevated above said floor supported at said upper ends of said plurality of poles, in an elevated position, defines a protected area where debris falling from above said roof is prevented from entering, said protected area extending from a perimeter of said rectangular base to said floor.

2. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: a canopy layer formed of stiff material; said canopy layer in a respective engagement with each of said plurality of adjacent arched members; said respective engagement of said canopy layer with each of said plurality of adjacent arched members forming a brace between each of said plurality of adjacent arched members to fix a spacing therebetween; and said canopy layer forming an upper surface of said arched roof.

3. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising: each of said truss panels in said plurality of truss panels formed by a pair of parallel longitudinal members having a gap therebetween, each of said longitudinal members extending to said opposing ends; a plurality of stiffening members extending across said gap and engaged at opposite ends with a respective one of said longitudinal members; and said stiffening members extending at an angle across said gap of between 40-50 degrees relative to said pair of parallel longitudinal members.

4. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 2, additionally comprising: each of said truss panels in said plurality of truss panels formed by a pair of parallel longitudinal members having a gap therebetween, each of said longitudinal members extending to said opposing ends; a plurality of stiffening members extending across said gap and engaged at opposite ends with a respective one of said longitudinal members; and said stiffening members extending at an angle across said gap of between 40-50 degrees relative to said pair of parallel longitudinal members.

5. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: said angle of said stiffening members across said gap being 45 degrees.

6. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: said angle of said stiffening members across said gap being 45 degrees.

7. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 3, additionally comprising: each of said truss panels formed with said longitudinal members and said stiffening members in a unitary structure comprised of fiber-reinforced plastics.

8. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 4, additionally comprising: each of said truss panels formed with said longitudinal members and said stiffening members in a unitary structure comprised of fiber-reinforced plastics.

9. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 5, additionally comprising: each of said truss panels formed with said longitudinal members and said stiffening members in a unitary structure comprised of fiber-reinforced plastics.

10. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 6, additionally comprising: each of said truss panels formed with said longitudinal members and said stiffening members in a unitary structure comprised of fiber-reinforced plastics.

11. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 9 additionally comprising: a viscoelastic base in a sandwiched position between each said lower end of each said pole and said floor.

12. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising: a viscoelastic base in a sandwiched position between each said lower end of each said pole and said floor.

13. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising: said protective sleep structure having a pair of said arched roofs posited adjacent each other.

14. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 6 additionally comprising: said protective sleep structure having a pair of said arched roofs posited adjacent each other.

15. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 10 additionally comprising: said protective sleep structure having a pair of said arched roofs posited adjacent each other.

16. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 12 additionally comprising: said protective sleep structure having a pair of said arched roofs posited adjacent each other.

17. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 8 wherein said formed truss panels formed to a unitary structure comprised of fiber-reinforced plastics are formed as a Hat-Shaped Stiffened Beam along an entire length of each said truss panel.

18. The earthquake protective sleep structure apparatus of claim 9 wherein said formed truss panels formed to a unitary structure comprised of fiber-reinforced plastics are formed as a Hat-Shaped Stiffened Beam along an entire length of each said truss panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the invention. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 a mode of the bed frame herein configured for protection of the bed of a single sleeper such as a twin, or queen bed or similar bed in an international standard size, or a crib.

(4) FIG. 2 depicts the device in a configuration adapted for protection of a bed for multiple occupants, such as those known in the United States as a king-size bed or a similar size by international standards showing a double arched roof and central uprights.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

Embodiments of the Invention

(5) In this description, any directional prepositions if employed, such as up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, first, second, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms referring to the device or depictions as such may be oriented, are describing it such as it appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only. Such terms of direction and location are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device herein has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

(6) Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-2, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 a preferred mode of the bed frame device 10 showing a preferred configuration which is adapted to hold and cover a mattress 12, which is sized for occupancy by a single user. As noted, there are various U.S. and international standards for the rectangular size, but all such mattresses are generally adapted for a single occupant.

(7) The bed frame device 10 in this single-occupant mode of FIG. 1, has a roof 14 formed in a semicircular arch. The roof 14 includes a plurality of adjacent parallel arched members 16 which are positioned in parallel planes, and extend in this spaced relationship from a first end 18 to an opposite or second end 20 of the roof 14. A plurality of longitudinal support members 30 are engaged to each arched member 16 and extend perpendicular to the plane occupied by each arched member 16. These longitudinal support members 30 maintain each of the arched support members 16 perpendicular to both the support members 30 and the rectangular base 32 of the roof 14.

(8) The rectangular base 32 of the arch shaped roof 14, is supported atop four truss panels 34, each of which engages at opposite ends with upright posts 36 in this single occupant mode of the device 10. All four truss panels 34 are formed of parallel longitudinal members 38, each of which extends to operative engagements with the upright posts 36.

(9) Engaged between each pair of the parallel longitudinal members 38, in the FRP formed unitary truss panel 34, is positioned a plurality of stiffening members 40, each of which has one end engaged to one of the longitudinal members 38 running at an angle to each of between 40-50 degrees. A favored angle of the stiffening members 40 in the formed truss panels 34 is a uniform 45 degree angle of each, relative to the line running along each of the parallel longitudinal members 38 on opposing sides along the length of each unitary truss panel 34.

(10) As also can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, preferably each of the upright posts 36, is supported upon a shock absorbing base 42. Each base 42 as noted, is preferably formed of a viscoelastic material such as sorbothane. This provides a means to separate the movement of floor translation during an earthquake, from a communication to the posts 36.

(11) Also in all preferred modes of the device 10 the arched roof 14, has a solid substantially puncture-resistant canopy layer 44 engaged with the arched members 16. This canopy layer 44 may also extend to cover the exterior surfaces of the truss panels 34 defining the rectangular base 32. The canopy layer 44 is formed of material which will deflect falling debris from landing on the bed occupants. Further, the canopy layer 44 will not fold and will maintain a planar configuration.

(12) Particularly preferred for the canopy layer 44, is formation in a unitary structure of thermoset fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) such as fiberglass or carbon fiber suspended in vinylester or epoxy. The formation of the canopy layer 44 may be in thin but flexible sheets of thermoset FRP forming a puncture-resistant and strong layer. This forms sheets which will maintain their shape, and will not fold or buckle. The sheets forming the canopy layer 44 may be affixed to the curved arched roof by bending the sheets forming the canopy layer 44, and engaging them with the arched members 16 of the formed arched roof 14 using mating fasteners between the two, such as screws, clips, or similar complimentary fasteners.

(13) In all modes of the device 10, the canopy layer is formed of stiff material. By stiff is meant that the canopy layer, while bendable to conform to the arch of the arched roof 14, is not compressible and will not elongate. By using a canopy layer 44 which is formed of stiff material, the canopy layer 44, when engaged to each of the plurality of arched members 16, forms a brace to maintain their relative positioning. Thus, the brace formed by this engagement will prevent any bending or movement of the arched members 16 from their spacing or their spaced positioning relative to each other.

(14) This canopy layer 44 as shown, may also be extended to cover the outward facing surfaces of the truss panels 34, to provide added protection from debris and to reinforce the underlying truss panels 34. The canopy layer 44 is preferably formed of thermoset FRP, but if formed of other material such as metal mesh or KEVLAR or the like, it should be resistant to puncturing and tearing to thereby define an overhead shield to the bed occupant and prevent debris from falling through the arched roof 14.

(15) The device 10 in all modes, is adapted to operatively engage and surround a mattress 12 in a manner to hold it elevated above the underlying surface or floor, and underneath the roof 14. A planar mesh, or similar mattress support 48 may be removably engaged to the frame using screws, clips, or other fasteners. So positioned, the mattress support 48 is thereby elevated above the floor, and adapted to operatively hold the mattress 12 thereon and elevated above the floor. However, as noted because it is removably engageable, the mattress support 48, can be removed or eliminated in some configurations of the device 10 at the option of the user. This will allow for positioning of a crib under the roof 14 of protective device 10 herein.

(16) Guardrails 46 which are preferably padded, are operatively engaged with the posts 36 and a support rail 49 and configured to surround mattress 12 as a means to maintain the bed occupant within the confines of the structure. Openings 50, formed in-between the guardrails 46 may be positioned on both sides of the device 10. These openings 50, so positioned, provide for ingress and egress on either side of the assembled device 10 to accommodate room arrangement and the positioning of the assembled device 10 in various locations within the room.

(17) In all modes of the device 10, the various components are provided for assembly once within the room of choice to allow for movement of the device 10 through narrow hallways and doors. Fittings such as first fitting 52, second fitting 54, and third fitting 56, are configured to slidably engage with the tubing employed to construct the device herein. Such fittings preferably employ a set screw 58 type of engagement with the tubing inserted therein, to secure it.

(18) As shown, the first fitting 52, is configured to support the opposing ends of each employed truss panel 34 herein, at the corners of the assembled device 10. A pair of perpendicular slots 60 are configured in this first fitting 52, to frictionally engage both sides of each truss panel 34 when inserted therein, whereafter the set screw 58 or other means for locking the inserted truss panel 34 into engagement is used. Also shown is the second fitting 54, which is configured to slidably engage upon a central area of each post 36, and to slidably engage and hold the horizontally disposed distal ends of the guardrails 46 to the assembled frame of the device 10. Vertically disposed ends of the guardrails 46 are engaged to the underlying support rails 49, by the third fitting 56, which is configured to allow a central area of the support rail to slide therethrough and to engage and lock to a vertically disposed end of the guardrails 46.

(19) Of course, the fittings employed to hold the tubing and the components forming the device 10 can change, should bends and positioning of respective tubing, rails, and uprights change, and such is anticipated. Consequently, any fitting configured to slidably engage the tubing of the device 10 and hold components such as the truss panels 34, roof 14, and posts 36, in operative locked engagement without forming holes, is anticipated within the scope of this patent.

(20) Additionally shown in FIG. 1, but also positionable in the mode of the device of FIG. 2, one or a plurality of drawers 61, may be secured under the mattress supports on rails engaged to the frame underneath the plane occupied by the mattress support 48.

(21) This positioning of the drawer 61, will render it easily found in a crisis situation, and protect the contents, such as flashlights, cell phone, radio, extra batteries, water, food, blankets, first aid kits, air filter masks, fire extinguishers, whistles, medications, bedpan, toilet paper, eyeglasses, and other emergency supplies from being crushed. Supports to hold the sliding drawer 61 or drawers, can be engaged with the support rails 49 in multiple positions, which will allow the user to choose the positioning of the drawer 61 depending on the room arrangement and desire for one or additional drawers.

(22) Shown in FIG. 2, is a mode of the device 10 which is configured to cover a double-occupancy sized mattress 12 (see FIG. 1). The underlying planar mattress support 48 is removably engaged to the assembled frame within the perimeter of the support rails 49. The formed device 10 as shown in FIG. 2, employs two frames as depicted in FIG. 1, which are positioned to abut each other. However, the multiple bed occupant mode of FIG. 2 may also be formed as a single structure which may eliminate poles 36 at the mid section, or employ a single pole 36 in that position and operatively connect the pole 36 and truss panels 34 using a T-fitting 52b, or forming other fittings to support the truss panels 34 as used, upon pole 36.

(23) The device 10 as in FIG. 2, is especially well adapted to protect multiple occupants positioned underneath the pair of adjacent roofs 14. Each of the roofs 14 is configured in the same manner as noted above, and each is supported about a perimeter of a base 32, by underlying truss panels 34 operatively connected to upright posts 36, such as with first fittings 52 at the corners.

(24) Truss panels 34 at the interior of the adjoined units may not be affixed, so as to allow less confinement of interior space.

(25) In this mode of the device 10, the slots 60 in the first fitting 52 may be reconfigured to a single slot 60, such as shown as 52a or 52b in FIG. 2, which may be used for engagement at the central portion of the device 10 where one, or preferably two poles 36, support the corners of the roofs 14. Where two poles 36 are employed for a significant increase in strength of the multi occupant mode of the device 10, each of the two poles 36, will have a slotted fitting such as 52a with a locking mechanism such as the set screws 58. Alternatively, a multi directional fitting 52b may be employed to engage one or a pair of truss panels 34 positioned at the head and foot of the formed device 10, and to operatively engage a truss panel 34 communicating between a centrally located pole 36.

(26) Additionally, where two centrally located poles 36 are employed, which is preferred, two centrally positioned truss panels 34 would extend between each opposing pairs of poles 36. Where one pole 36 is employed in this central area of the structure, a single truss panel 34 would support both the head and end portions of the rectangular base 32 of the two arched roofs 14. Fitting 52b can accommodate any of these configurations, or variations thereon. A shock-absorbing base 42 adapted for positioning of two abutting poles 36 thereon, may be employed in configurations using two centrally located poles 36. Where support rails 49 abut, and a single centrally located pole 36 is employed, fitting 56 having a vertical passage running completely therethrough in-between the rails 49, can be employed to terminate the rails 49 to a single pole 36, and an adapted fitting 54 having a horizontal aligned engagement for rails 49, rather than the perpendicular engagement of longitudinal members 46 as shown, may be employed.

(27) The remainder of the modular components used for connecting the various components of the device 10, such as releasable connectors shown as fittings 52-56, or other fittings which are adapted to the task, may be removably locked to the respective components they connect, using a locking mechanism such as the disclosed set screw 58. Also shown in FIG. 2, is the planar mattress support 48 which, as noted, is preferably removably engageable to the formed frame of the device 10, such as to the support rail 49. This removable engagement will allow the mattress support 48 to be removed so other types of beds such as cribs, or other furniture may be positioned underneath the protective roofs 14.

(28) While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the protective bed covering system herein have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that upon reading this disclosure and becoming aware of the disclosed novel and useful device and system herein disclosed, that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may occur to and be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications, variations, and substitutions, as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.