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 hospital bed from moving about a room during an earthquake.

1 . An article of manufacture for providing for an earthquake safety protection device within a habitable space having a ceiling and a floor, the device comprises:
 an earthquake support pole having a top end positioned about the habitable ceiling of a space and a bottom end;   a plurality of support members coupled to the top end of the earthquake support poles, the plurality of support members being perpendicular to the earthquake support pole and being adjacent to the ceiling; and   an anchoring mechanism coupling the bottom end of the earthquake support pole to the floor.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support members each have a pair of ends and a center point; and
 the plurality of support members are coupled to the earthquake support pole about the center point.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support members each have a pair of ends and a center point; and
 the plurality of support members are coupled to the earthquake support pole about the one of the ends of each support member.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the earthquake support pole is positioned within a corner of the habitable space. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the earthquake support pole further comprises a handle. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the earthquake support pole is positioned about a center of the habitable space. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the earthquake support pole is further coupled to a steel table having legs in contact with the floor of the habitable space. 
     
     
         8 . An article of manufacture for providing for 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;   a reinforced inner frame about an opening in the egress door; and   an inner egress door within the interior egress door secured within the reinforced inner frame.   
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the reinforced inner frame engages the reinforced frame using one or more cross members through the interior door when closed. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 8 , 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.   
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the swinging door component is coupled to the reinforced inner frame by one or more hinges opposite the locking handle. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 10 , 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. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein the earthquake support pole further energy absorbing material between the earthquake support pole and the building foundation and anchoring material. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , 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. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 14 , 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. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 14 , wherein the multiple earthquake support poles are positioned at different locations within the building. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein the multiple earthquake support poles are located on a plurality of floors of the building. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the multiple earthquake support poles on upper floors of the building are anchored into structural elements within the building. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein the structural elements comprise steel beams within the building. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein one or more earthquake support poles being located outside of buildings about outside walls.