Earthquake Safety Protection Device

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. An earthquake safety protection device within an egress door to a habitable space having a ceiling and a floor, the device comprises: a reinforced frame about an outer edge of the interior door to the habitable space, the reinforced frame being coupled to one or more earthquake support poles anchored within ground outside of the inhabitable space; a reinforced inner frame about an opening in the egress door; an inner egress door within the egress door secured within the reinforced inner frame and an in-ground anchor coupled to the one or more earthquake support poles, the in-ground anchor comprises a plurality of anchor arms radiating out from a center location; wherein each of the plurality of anchor arms include a plurality of energy absorbing cross-members, all of which are within a central layer.

2. The earthquake safety protection device according to claim 1, wherein the inner egress door comprises: a swinging door component; and a locking handle for securing the swinging door component to the reinforced inner frame.

3. The earthquake safety protection device according to claim 2, wherein the swinging door component is coupled to the reinforced inner frame by one or more hinges opposite the locking handle.

4. The earthquake safety protection device according to claim 2, wherein the swinging door component is coupled to the reinforced inner frame by coupling tabs opposite the locking handle permitting the removal of the swinging door component from the reinforced inner frame.

5. The earthquake safety protection device according to claim 4, wherein the earthquake support pole further energy absorbing material between the earthquake support pole and the building foundation and anchoring material.

6. The earthquake safety protection device according to claim 4, wherein the energy absorbing material comprises a compressible material configured to dissipate the energy of the movement of the earthquake support pole relative to the building foundation and anchoring material.

7. The earthquake safety protection device according to claim 5, wherein the earthquake support pole further energy absorbing material between the earthquake support pole and the building foundation and anchoring material and between the earthquake support pole and the corner of the building in which the earthquake support pole is installed.

8. The earthquake safety protection device according to claim 5, wherein the multiple earthquake support poles are positioned at different locations within the building.

9. The earthquake safety protection device according to claim 8, wherein the multiple earthquake support poles are located on a plurality of floors of the building.

10. The earthquake safety protection device according to claim 9, wherein the multiple earthquake support poles on upper floors of the building are anchored into structural elements within the building.

11. The earthquake safety protection device according to claim 10, wherein the structural elements comprise steel beams within the building.

12. The earthquake safety protection device vice according to claim 10, wherein one or more earthquake support poles being located outside of buildings about outside walls.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

[0022] FIGS. 1 illustrate one potential embodiment of an article of manufacture for an earthquake safety protection device (ESPD) according to the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates yet another potential embodiment of an article of manufacture for an ESPD according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a potential embodiment of an in-ground anchor used in an article of manufacture for an ESPD according to the present invention.

[0025] FIGS. 4a-b illustrate an example embodiment of a door frame based ESPD in a building according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates another example embodiment of a door frame based ESPD in a building according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the one or more horizontal structural support members according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for an earthquake safety protection device (ESPD).

[0029] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

[0030] In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a needle includes reference to one or more of such needles and etching includes one or more of such steps. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0031] It further will be understood that the terms comprises, comprising, includes, and including specify the presence of stated features, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

[0032] As used herein, the term about means that dimensions, sizes, formulations, parameters, shapes and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact but may be approximated and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like and other factors known to those of skill. Further, unless otherwise stated, the term about shall expressly include exactly.

[0033] The terms user and victim refer to an entity, e.g., a human, who is protected by an earthquake safety protection device (ESPD) according to the present invention. In a particular case, the user is one that is located within a building or other built space during an earthquake. For such a user, the terms user and victim may be used herein interchangeably.

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates one potential embodiment of an article of manufacture for an earthquake safety protection device (ESPD) according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a front view of a living or working space 100 in a building that uses the ESPD according to the present invention. An earthquake support pole 102 is placed between a floor 112 and a ceiling structure 111 to create survivable space 100 within a building. The earthquake support pole 102 is coupled to a plurality of support members 101a-n at the top end of the support pole. These plurality of support members 101a-n are also coupled to the ceiling structure 111.

[0035] The earthquake support pole 102 typically has dimensions that are long enough to run from a ceiling structure 111 to the floor 112. The plurality of support members 101a-d may be coupled to the pole mechanically using fasteners such as nuts and bolts, a weld if the plurality of support members 101a-d and the earthquake support pole 102 are made of weldable metal, and other coupling techniques such as forging the pole and support members into a single structure. The plurality of support members 101a-d and the earthquake support pole 102 may be made of steel or other metals, wood, or other synthetic materials that provide sufficient strength to maintain space around the support pole when an earthquake has caused damage to the building.

[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates yet another potential embodiment of an article of manufacture for an ESPD according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an earthquake escape structure 200 is constructed within an interior door within a building. The earthquake escape structure 200 comprises an inner egress door 310 located within a reinforced inner frame 203. The reinforced inner frame 203 may be constructed of metal or wood and has a thickness to increase the likelihood that the frame will remain intact even when the interior egress door 201 and the reinforced frame 220 forming a door jamb and/or hinges 202a-b are damaged in an earthquake.

[0037] Should the space within the building around the door 201 be damaged, the interior egress door may not safely open. If victims are located within living space behind the damaged interior egress door, these victims may be trapped in the building until they can be rescued. When the interior egress door 201 contains an earthquake escape structure 300, individuals may open the inner egress door 210 and pass through the inner reinforced frame 203. The inner egress door 210 may be coupled to the reinforced inner frame 203 using hinges 212a-b and accessed by rotating a locking handle 211 within the inner door 210. In alternate embodiments, the inner door 210 may be secured within coupling tabs in place of hinges that permit the entire inner door 210 to be removed from the reinforced frame 203 once the locking handle 211 is disengaged.

[0038] The interior egress door 201 may also be enclosed in a solid steel reinforced frame 210 in order to reinforce the space containing the door 201 as well as the inner door 310 and its inner reinforced frame 203. The inner reinforced frame may be coupled to the reinforced frame 210 when the interior egress door 201 is closed by one or more cross members 221a-b.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a potential embodiment of an in-ground anchor 300 used in an article of manufacture for an ESPD according to the present invention, This in-ground anchor 300 may be utilized with the ESPD disclosed herein in reference to FIGS. 1-2 while having a more complex anchor structure 310c in the ground. The complex anchor structure 330 comprises a plurality of anchor arms 331a-b radiating out from a center location 335, each of which has a plurality of energy absorbing cross-members 332a-b, all of which are within a central layer 333. The energy absorbing cross-members 332a-b works with along with the central layer 333 to dissipate the shaking energy of the building 330. The central layer 333 may be an air filled cavity or alternatively a cavity filled with a thick material having a semi-fluid consistency to slow down the motion of the energy absorbing cross-members 332a-b. The entire complex anchor structure 330 may be encased within concrete 334 to form the base of the structure. Alternate example embodiments for in-ground anchors are disclosed in detail in the commonly owned and currently pending related U.S. patent applications referenced above.

[0040] FIGS. 4a-b illustrate an example embodiment of a door frame based ESPD in a building according to the present invention. The ESPD devices of FIGS. 1-2 provide differing approaches to providing reinforcement of internal space of a building to create a survival cavity from earthquake caused building damage. The embodiment of FIG. 1 attempts to create a larger survival cavity for supporting individuals within this space when an earthquake occurs. The embodiment of FIG. 2 provides larger amounts of structural reinforcement to the creation of the survival cavity by utilizing door frames existing within buildings to create multiple structural reinforcement members between a ceiling and a floor.

[0041] The example embodiment of the ESPD device 400, shown in both FIGS. 4a-b, combines these components into a single ESPD device 400. The ESPD device 400 comprises one or more top structural support members 101a-n coupled to a door frame 411 about an existing door 410 and a pair of vertical structural support members 402a-b coupled to each side of the door frame 401. The multiple vertical support members 402a-b combine with the one or more top structural support members 101a-n to create the survival cavity about the space of the door frame 401.

[0042] The pair of vertical structural support members 402a-b are anchored into the ground surface using a corresponding in-ground anchor 403a-b. These anchors 403a-b secure the vertical structural support members 402a-b in place allowing the one or more top structural support members 101a-n to be coupled in between creating the survival cavity in between. These anchors 403a-b may include any anchoring mechanism as disclosed herein and within the commonly owned and pending patent applications referenced above.

[0043] FIG. 4a shows the single ESPD device 400 using just the door frame 401 to support the creation of the survival cavity. FIG. 4b shows the single ESPD device 400 with an addition of a second horizontal structural support member 501 as disclosed below in reference to FIG. 5.

[0044] FIG. 5 illustrates another example embodiment of a door frame-based ESPD in a building according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a second horizontal structural support member 501 coupled to a pair of vertical connecting members 502a-b coupled to a top side of the top structural support member 401. The second horizontal structural support member 501 is separated from the top structural support member 401 attached to the door frame 411 by the pair of the pair of vertical structural support members 402a-b creating a crushing zone of absorbing damages falling from above that will lessen the forces applied to the top structural support member 401 that is over the survival cavity.

[0045] The horizontal structural support member 501 may also include one or more horizontal structural support member being separated by a pair of vertical connecting members creating a stacked structure. In a preferred embodiment, the top structural connecting member and the second horizontal support members are used. Inclusion of additional one or more structural support members 601a-h as disclosed in reference to FIG. 6 below may be coupled on top of the ESPD device 400, 500 as desired.

[0046] Additionally, the particular opening may comprise an entranceway or similar opening in a wall between rooms that does not include a door. In this example embodiment, a wider opening is shown having the pair of vertical structural support members 402a-b and the horizontal structural support member 501 coupled to a pair of vertical connecting members 502a-b coupled to a top side of the top structural support member 401. The opening also may be of varying widths with the survival cavity being formed within the opening in the wall as discussed above with reference to FIG. 4.

[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the one or more horizontal structural support members according to the present invention. The prior embodiments of FIGS. 4-5 are shown as a front view of the ESPD device 400, 500 in which the top structural support member 401 is shown being positioned across the top of the door frame 411 and parallel to the door-door frame 410-411. The top structural support member 401 may comprise one or more structural support members 601a-h arranged in a pattern that is centered upon the door frame 411 and extending outward. These additional one or more structural support members 601a-h assist in enlarging the survival cavity outward from under the door frame 411. Other materials such as metal plates may be coupled on top of the one or more structural support members 601a-h to prevent debris from falling into the survival cavity underneath. The one or more structural support members 601a-h may be arranged in various patters that extend from either or both sides of the door frame 411 as needed depending upon the arrangement of space about the door 410 and door frame 411.

[0048] It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain embodiments of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from embodiments of the invention encompassed by the following claims.

[0049] In this specification including any claims, the term each may be used to refer to one or more specified characteristics of a plurality of previously recited elements or steps. When used with the open-ended term comprising, the recitation of the term each does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or steps. Thus, it will be understood that an apparatus may have additional, unrecited elements and a method may have additional, unrecited steps, where the additional, unrecited elements or steps do not have the one or more specified characteristics.