Evacuation space equipment, and desks and tables equipped with said evacuation space equipment.

Abstract

Traditional spaces such as under desks and tables are the closest to people's daily living routes, making them the most accessible spaces in emergencies. However, their low height makes them difficult to access, forcing people to wait for rescue in cramped positions. [Solution] This is an evacuation space equipment characterized by a double-layered leg structure in which the outer circumference of a leg 2, which is a straight-lined leg in the longitudinal direction and supports the frame, beam, and leg column capitals 1 that support the top plate of a desk or table, is surrounded by a cylindrical leg 3, which is a metal tube with a metal seat plate 6 at its lower end, and the outer circumference of the leg 2, which is a metal tube that supports the outer circumference of the leg 2, which is a straight-lined leg in the longitudinal direction and has a metal seat plate 6 at its lower end, and the leg 2 and cylindrical leg 3 have a small gap that allows them to slide up and down from each other, and when the top plate 1 is pulled up, the leg 2 connected to the top plate 1 is also pulled up, and the height position is automatically fixed at the position in which the length height between the floor and the top plate 1 is extended, due to the force of a spring provided on the leg receiving pin, the tip of the leg receiving pin provided on the leg 2 is inserted into the pin hole 7 of the cylindrical leg 3, and the leg 2 is automatically fixed to the cylindrical leg 3 at the raised position.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to evacuation space facilities in the event of building collapses due to earthquakes or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, evacuation measures inside buildings during disasters included strengthening or seismic retrofitting of buildings, or taking shelter under desks and tables and fleeing to a safe outdoor location after the earthquake or the like subsided.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Non - Patent Documents

[0004] Japanese Utility Model Application No. 2009 - 3003 Disaster Prevention Evacuation and Storage Table

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Currently, earthquakes are occurring frequently in the Tokara Islands of Kyushu. In a short period of time, there have been over a thousand earthquakes, too many to count. At this point, plate tectonics alone cannot provide an answer; it is likely that complex geological and rock formations are interfering. It is indeed a difficult problem. For a long time, it has been said that a major earthquake off the coast of Tonankai could occur at any time. On New Year's Day last year (2024), a major earthquake struck the northern part of the Noto Peninsula, my wife's hometown. Many two-story wooden houses with black tiled roofs had their first floors collapse, and many houses had their second floors reduced to first floors. The ground in the harbor rose by 4 meters, the sea receded far away, and fishing boats were left stranded on the dried-up land. According to reports, about 40% of the deaths were due to being crushed, and about 20% were due to respiratory failure, suggesting that many people were trapped under collapsed buildings. More than 10% of the deaths were due to hypothermia / freezing, which was caused by the cold. The fire on Wajima's morning market street, which occurred after the earthquake, destroyed even houses that had not collapsed. It brings to mind the manga "Barefoot Gen" and "Grave of the Fireflies," which depict Hiroshima after the atomic bombing, and more recently, the fire in Nagata Ward, Kobe, after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. How painful and agonizing it must have been. And in September, heavy rains caused by a linear rainband caused even greater damage than the earthquake. Why do gods and Buddhas inflict such suffering on people who are living such simple and honest lives? There is a proverb that says, "When the wind blows, the barrel maker profits." This means that the true cause of things is not always the direct cause, but that distant events also have an influence. In the current rule of law society, the law does not have the power to reach the distant cause. The laws of nature have repeatedly shown numerous signs against actions that continue to harm Mother Earth, such as the Minamata disease and other major pollution lawsuits from over 50 years ago. Yet, we continue to level mountains, dig holes in the earth, pollute rivers and seas, and bury vast amounts of garbage in the ground. It feels as though these clear signs are a cry for us to abandon our disposable civilization and reclaim a simpler way of life. This invention is the result of repeated thought and deliberation by the author, aiming to reduce such tragic human casualties as much as possible, and to provide a practical evacuation space that is not merely theoretical. Disaster prevention measures that are not used regularly, that interfere with daily life, take up space, or are expensive are rarely adopted. This applies to earthquake-resistant renovations of buildings and evacuation shelters.It's meaningless if it's not adopted. Therefore, I focused on the idea of ​​cleverly utilizing the space under desks and tables, which are the most commonly used items in daily life, as an evacuation space, and found it to be feasible. When I searched the patent gazette using FI search, A47B9 / 00 yielded 2914 results, but when I added the condition "evacuation," the number dropped to 5. This fact shows that few people are considering using desks and tables for evacuation. However, I believe that desks and tables are found in almost every home, are very familiar places that can be used to create an evacuation space, and are the closest to making it a reality. I can't think of any other place like that. In disaster prevention drills at schools and workplaces, the first thing adopted is to take cover underneath. However, that space is narrow and low in height. The space under my dining table is 68cm from the bottom edge of the tabletop to the floor. I am 175cm tall, and when I sit cross-legged, the distance from the floor to the top of my head is 93cm, so I have to bend my body by about 25cm. While this posture is tolerable temporarily, it is painful to maintain for extended periods, and it is difficult to keep up with such an uncomfortable position. I can't even imagine how difficult it would be for the entire family to be in this space. So I thought that making the table legs longer and raising the evacuation space would make it more comfortable, but that would require raising the chairs as well, and chairs with high seats are very inconvenient to use under normal circumstances. When searching for a table whose top can be raised only during an earthquake, I found that there are tables whose tops can be raised, but the methods vary. Some involve adding auxiliary legs, others have a pair of male and female screws at the joint that can be turned to raise the table, some combine double pipes with a tapered overlapping section and change the height by turning the top and bottom in different directions, some use a mechanism that adjusts the friction of a tapered cylinder to shorten or shorten the length, some are electrically operated using a motor, and others use air or gas to compress a gas and send it into an air chamber, using the pressure to move a piston and change the leg length. The electric type won't work without electricity, and it's unclear whether the gas compression method can withstand the load during an earthquake, or what the lifespan of the airtight chamber will be. Ultimately, there was nothing that could be raised and fixed at the required height only during an earthquake, nor could it withstand the impact of an extraordinarily large load, such as when the ceiling, beams, or roof fall, onto the tabletop.The crucial point was that, when necessary, there was nothing that could be used quickly and reliably to secure safer evacuation sites nearby than before, but the reality was that such a thing did not exist. In the end, there was nothing that could be used immediately in the time-sensitive emergency of an earthquake to create a safer evacuation space than before.

[0006] Patent No. 5712383 (Patent Document 1), a disaster prevention table, is designed to protect evacuees with a table body consisting of a leg frame structure and a tabletop, and a bottom plate that is movable and attached to the table body so as not to touch the floor under normal circumstances, but which touches the floor when the entire body weight of a person who has taken refuge under the tabletop is applied during an earthquake, and which is configured to press the leg frame structure against the floor. However, despite its complex mechanism and structure, it is not very effective and is not likely to be adopted. (Patent Document) Patent No. 5526325, an earthquake evacuation desk, has connecting bars on the left and right sides below the desk top, and the legs below these bars are adjusted in length using springs or gas pressure to raise the height of the top and increase the evacuation space. However, the mechanism is complex and does not seem capable of withstanding heavy loads, and the manufacturing costs are likely to be high, so it is unlikely to become widespread. (Patent Document) Patent No. 6178297, an evacuation shelter, is my invention. As in the Great East Japan Earthquake, even if houses are destroyed and swept away by a tsunami, as long as you stay inside the shelter, you will be easily rescued. It will also float even if you enter the water, and even if you are shaken violently, you can maintain your posture by gripping the net stretched over the cushioning material. Even if your body hits the walls inside the shelter, the impact will be less, creating an evacuation space that can protect your life. However, the fact that it cannot be placed without a suitable location, takes up space, and gets in the way of normal living space is unavoidable, so it was not something that was easily adopted. (Non-Patent Literature 1) Utility Model Application 2009-3003, a disaster evacuation and stockpiling table, has a main storage compartment 3 on the underside of a tabletop 2 held by rigid legs 1, and an auxiliary storage compartment 4 for bottles etc. between the legs 1, and the top of the main storage compartment 3 can be opened by moving the tabletop 2 upward, and the top of the main storage compartment 3 can be opened by moving the tabletop 2 upward. However, making rigid legs 1 is costly, and the main storage compartment 3 is provided on the underside of the tabletop 2 to store disaster relief supplies, so it is different in purpose from the present invention which is easy to adopt. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Therefore, I considered various methods to quickly increase the height, maintain that height, and withstand a large load on the tabletop, even when that load is also placed on the legs. After much trial and error, I finally arrived at a method that was easy to implement. This method involves enclosing the legs (2) that support the tabletop (1) with a sheath-like tube, making it double-layered, and then securing it with pins. Upon investigation, I found that pinning technology is abundant. For example, the mechanism that allows you to change the length of the poles of tents used in camping equipment. Also, the latch structure of a doorknob and door frame, where a pin moves in and out to stop or unlock the door, is used when opening and closing doors. Similar mechanisms and structures are ubiquitous in things that open and close, such as car doors and machinery. Why, then, is this simple mechanism not used in the legs (2) that support the tabletop (1) of desks and tables? Isn't the reason that few people are interested in raising the space under desks and tables to create evacuation areas during disasters? If you think about it seriously, even if you consider how to make it easy to use and realize an evacuation space, and even if you make efforts to adopt it and make it a viable business, I think the reason is that there was no one to appreciate it. Even a search of the patent information platform's FI search for A47B9 / 00 yields 2914 results, but when you add the condition "evacuation," it drops to just 5. This fact alone shows how few people are interested in evacuation. I thought that one of the reasons why there are few successful examples of something so simple that could save people's lives is that it should be made known to the world in order to bring it to public attention.

[0008] As shown in Figure 1, the legs (2) that support the tabletop (1) of a desk or table are surrounded by cylindrical legs (3), which are metal sheath tubes with a seat plate (6) at the lower end. The legs (2) and cylindrical legs (3) have a double structure that allows them to slide up and down relative to each other. By lifting the tabletop (1), the legs (2) connected to the tabletop (1) also lift up, allowing the length (height) between the floor and the tabletop (1) to be changed. A mechanism is provided to automatically fix the height of the leg (2) to the cylindrical leg (3) when it is pulled up to extend its length (height). This mechanism involves attaching a metal round bar with a hemispherical tip, a leg support pin (4), perpendicular to the leg (2) and the cylindrical leg (3), which are standing almost vertically, in a nearly horizontal position, and inserting the leg (2) and the cylindrical leg (3), which are sheath tubes, into each other with the leg support pin (4). Specifically, the metal leg support pin (4) is moved by the force of a spring (5) through a pin hole (7) in both legs, which are sheath tubes, and supports the vertical load applied to the tabletop (1). The problem can be solved with just one leg support pin (4), but the strength increases with more pins, so one is sufficient, but it goes without saying that multiple pins are stronger.

[0009] The solution involves a nearly horizontal leg support pin (4) being inserted into a pin hole (7) provided in the nearly vertical leg (2) and the cylindrical leg (3), which is a sheath tube, and the lower straight portion of the leg support pin (4) (Figure 2-L1) supporting the vertical load applied to the tabletop (1). The load applied to the leg (2) passes through the pin hole (7) and a large load is placed on the leg support pin (4) that enters the cylindrical leg (3) from the leg (2). One reinforcement measure is to increase the thickness of the tube around the pin hole (7) of the cylindrical leg (3) to transmit, receive, and support this load.

[0010] Figure (1) shows an existing table or desk with legs (2) that are rectangular prisms and of a uniform thickness. The same method can be used for cylindrical legs, however, as shown in Figure 13B, there are cases where the thickness (diameter) of the legs (2) increases towards the top. In this case, it is possible to address this by modifying the legs (2) and cylindrical legs (3) (explained in paragraph 0016), but considering the tools, work processes, labor costs, etc., this would be expensive and impractical. Therefore, for legs (2) with excessively large diameters or special shapes, it would be cheaper and more efficient to separately manufacture new legs (2) and (3) with the same diameter along their entire length, install them in the position supporting the tabletop (1), and replace them. In this case as well, steel pipes are strong and suitable.

[0011] If the leg (2) has a large diameter, two leg support pins (4) can be placed opposite each other in a straight line as shown in Figure (3). However, if the leg (2) has a small diameter, it is possible to place the pins in parallel by shifting the position of the holes, either planarly or in height, as shown in Figure (7).

[0012] Under normal conditions, the spring (5) exerts a force that pushes the cylindrical leg support pin (4) forward due to its spring force, and the tip of the leg support pin (4) presses against the inner surface of the cylindrical leg (3), keeping it stationary. However, during an earthquake, when evacuees move the top plate (1) upward against gravity, the leg (2) connected to the top plate (1) also moves upward, and when the positions of the leg support pin (4) and the pin hole (7) of the cylindrical leg (3) align, the leg support pin (4) penetrates and inserts into the pin hole (7), which has a diameter slightly larger than the leg support pin (4), and supports the leg (2). Therefore, even if a large load is applied to the top plate (1) during an earthquake, the force supported by the straight lower part of the leg support pin (4) (Figure 2, part L1) is large. The reason is that in the pin structure used for the poles of leisure tents shown in Figure (10), the pin is directly attached to one end of a U-shaped bent leaf spring. In this case, the pin is inserted where the inner and outer surfaces of the double cylinder are in contact, and it is supported by the shear stress of the pin. When the load is large, the pin is supported by the small wall thickness area of ​​the double cylinder. With this support method, small loads can be supported, but when a large load such as during an earthquake is applied, it will tilt the pin, tearing apart the spot welds that bond the pin and the leaf spring, and causing it to break. Therefore, the present invention, which is a support method closer to a simple beam support structure supported at both ends or a cantilever-like support method with a reaction force, is more advantageous than a support method with a small reaction force. This difference allows it to withstand larger loads than the example described above. The load applied to the leg support pin (4) is transmitted to the cylindrical leg (3), and its lower end rests on the large surface area of ​​the seat plate (6), so the load per unit area on the floor is also distributed, making the floor less likely to break. With this, even if a large load is applied to the top plate, the load is transmitted to the leg (2), leg support pin (4), cylindrical leg (3), and seat plate (6), providing support and preventing it from sagging, maintaining the elevated evacuation space, and creating an evacuation space where evacuees can stay in a comfortable posture. In the event of an emergency such as an earthquake, if two people standing opposite each other lift the edge of the top plate (1), the four legs will lift up in an instant, and when they release their hands, the leg (2), which is supported by the cylindrical leg (3) by the leg support pin (4), will rest on it, so the leg (2) will stop at a position raised by (H2) as shown in Figure 1, creating an evacuation space where evacuees can stay in a comfortable posture.Given my size, if the clearance under the tabletop is about 1 meter, I can sit comfortably even while wearing a helmet with a headlamp.

[0013] If two people perform this lifting motion for the tabletop (1), one person can handle both legs, so it can be done in one go. However, if you are alone and cannot finish in time, you can lift just two legs on one side and move them under the table, and then lift the remaining legs from below with your back, or by lying on your back on the floor and lifting them with the soles of your feet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] What is the most important thing during an earthquake? It is the reality that there is a safe space to evacuate to very close by. No matter how impressive the building or equipment, if it's not easily accessible, it's just a pipe dream and useless. If you can use a desk, table, or other readily available, everyday furniture that's close by and part of your daily routine as an evacuation space, you can get to the evacuation site immediately. This fact is very significant in that it makes the evacuation site a reality. And because it's easy to enter and you can stay inside without having to assume an awkward posture, it's also easier to endure for extended periods. Even when using the wooden legs (2) of an existing table, surrounding them with cylindrical legs (3) made of steel pipe or a type of metal tube makes the long columns shorter, making them less prone to buckling, increasing the compressive stress of the legs (2), improving safety, increasing the survival rate of evacuees, and reducing the risk of injury. This is because the legs of existing tables and desks, which are often made of wood, are enclosed by cylindrical legs (3) made of steel or other materials, making them less prone to buckling. In this way, existing tables and desks can be used, so there is no waste. If new tables are to be made, I think a table with six legs and a large tabletop surface area, within an acceptable range, would also be effective. To reduce the bulk of the product in distribution, making the tabletop and legs detachable and reassembled later, as shown in Figure 3, would reduce the bulk, lower distribution costs, and promote wider adoption.

[0015] Furthermore, by providing cushioning material (8) between the seat plate (6) and the lower end of the cylindrical leg (3) main column, the impact force can be further reduced. Even if a large load is applied, the cushioning material (8) will soften it, reducing the degree to which the pin holes (7) that support the leg support pins (4) are damaged. As a result, the impact is absorbed, and a safer evacuation space is created.

[0016] Furthermore, although outside the scope of this invention, adding a roll-up sheet to the outer perimeter, as found in existing inventions, would make it more comfortable during cold winter nights by allowing it to be lowered during evacuation. Adding a space for a small light, water bottles, or a mesh shelf would make it even more convenient. Additionally, some existing inventions include a board around the perimeter to prevent debris from entering the evacuation space. Adding these features would increase safety.

[0017] Claim 2 is the evacuation space equipment according to Claim 1, wherein, as shown in Figure 2, a reinforcing plate (11) is provided around the pin hole (7) on the outer surface of the cylindrical leg (3) by welding or other adhesive method to increase the thickness and strength. The pressure-receiving area of ​​the pin hole (7) of the cylindrical leg (3) that receives the load of the leg support pin (4) is the pressure-receiving area obtained by multiplying the thickness of the material of the cylindrical leg (3) by the circumference and length in contact with the leg support pin (4). Therefore, the load of the leg support pin (4) is received by a small area. If a thick, strong steel pipe is used, the weight of all four cylindrical legs (3) will be heavy. Therefore, by increasing the strength near the pin hole (7), which is the beginning of the failure element, and preventing failure, the overall weight will decrease and the equipment will be easier to handle. Thus, by welding, for example, a steel plate with a hole through which the leg support pin (4) passes to the outer surface of the cylindrical leg (3), the strength resistance of the part where failure begins is increased.

[0018] According to claim 3, the load placed on the top plate (1) is transmitted to the floor of the building in the order of legs (2), leg support pins (4), cylindrical legs (3), and seat plate (6). By providing a cushioning material (8) between the lower end of the main column of the cylindrical leg (3) and the lower seat plate (6) in the transmission members that transmit the load, the impact is softened, the floor is less likely to break, and the level of safety is increased.

[0019] It is not known how large the load acting on the ceiling during an earthquake is. There are light objects such as lighting fixtures falling, and also large objects such as beams and roofs falling. During the Great Hanshin Earthquake, there were cases where the floors themselves of concrete buildings were crushed. Although this invention cannot handle cases where the entire concrete floor falls, disasters such as the case of my acquaintance who was killed while serving as a cushion under a fallen wardrobe can be reduced. There will also be many forces that this invention cannot withstand. The cushion material (8) refers to things like rubber, hard rubber, cork, springs, etc., which can mitigate impact force. For example, if a person falls from the 5th floor of an apartment building and the landing point is concrete, they are almost certain to die. However, there are also cases where people survived because the landing point was vegetation or a pool with a depth of about 30 cm. The water mitigated the impact. Because a cushion material (8) is inserted somewhere between the ceiling (1) where the impact occurs and the seat plate (6), the evacuation space facility of this invention can be maintained without being damaged, reducing the harm to evacuees. Therefore, in this invention, a cushion material (8) is provided between the lower end of the cylindrical leg (3) of the main column and the lower seat plate (6) in the middle of the transmission member through which the load is transmitted. The installation method can use countless existing technologies such as fitting, adhesion, screwing, etc.

[0020] In FIG. 9, the cushion material (8) is made into three layers and provided under the cylindrical leg (3). The hardness of the rubber is made strong, medium, and weak in order from the top in three steps. Because of this, even if the load acting on the ceiling (1) is weak or strong, the amount of descent of the ceiling is adjusted with a reaction force that best matches the load as much as possible, and we want to protect the evacuees as safely as possible. Installation methods such as fitting, screwing, and adhesion to the cylindrical leg (3) can be used.

[0021] In the present invention, Figure 2 shows a diagram in which a lower box (9) is provided at the lower end of the leg (2). The lower box (9) is a box for fixing a metal guide cylinder (12) inside a steel box. It is a case for fixing the metal guide cylinder (12) to the metal box by welding, or fixing the end of the spring (12) by adhesion, welding, or screwing and fixing it at the required position. The lower box (9) is provided by screwing it to the leg (2), or by making a sheath tube part above and fitting the leg (2) into it. When there is a cushion material (8) on the leg (2), the impact on the leg receiving pin (4) is also reduced, the load on the cylindrical leg (3) becomes smaller, and the safety level of the evacuee is also increased. When the cushion material (8) is made of rubber and a large vertical load is applied to it, the rubber will deform and spread horizontally. The spread part hits the inner surface of the cylindrical leg (3), and when rubbed, the vertical load can be reduced by the frictional force, and the force that breaks the leg receiving pin (4) can be attenuated. Refer to the rubber deformation line in the upper part of the longitudinal sectional view of Figure 5.

[0022] Since the cylindrical leg (3) is also attached with a seat plate (6), the concentrated load on the floor is also dispersed, the floor is less likely to break, and secondary damage caused by that can be prevented. When pulling up the top plate (1), usually due to the weight below the cylindrical leg (3), the cylindrical leg (3) is left and pulled up. However, if it slides, or either one is bent or damaged, the seat plate (6) may also come up with the top plate and be pulled up. In that case, step on the seat plate (6) with your foot and pull up the top plate (1) with your hand, then the top plate (1) can be pulled up leaving the cylindrical leg (3). Also, by using a steel plate of about 3 mm for the seat plate (6), it will not interfere with the normal movement in and out of the chair or the operation of the vacuum cleaner. It is better to chamfer the outer corner.

[0023] In the previous paragraph (0026), it is stated that in the present invention, if there is a cushioning material (8) on the lower box (9) of the leg (2), the impact on the leg support pin (4) is reduced, the load on the cylindrical leg (3) is also reduced, and the safety of evacuees is increased. The lower box is a steel box, which is a box for fixing the position of the spring guide cylinder (12). Rather than making a box and putting the guide cylinder (12) inside and fixing it by welding, it may be cheaper and easier to make the box out of a metal block and drill a hole in it on a lathe to serve as the guide cylinder (12). This is something that those skilled in the art should decide. The external planar size of the lower box (9) is made slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical leg (3) in order to allow sliding. Even for legs (2) that are tapered towards the bottom, the size is made larger than the external dimensions of the leg (2) to match the inner diameter of the cylindrical leg (3). The purpose of inserting the body wrap (15) is to enhance the effect of reducing buckling and preventing wobbling of the tapered shape when the leg (2) is lifted.

[0024] It is unknown how large the load on the top plate will be when a building collapses during an earthquake. There may be forces that even this invention cannot withstand. The cushioning material (8) refers to something that reduces impact force, such as rubber, hard rubber, cork, or springs. For example, if a person falls from the 5th floor of an apartment building and the landing spot is concrete, they will almost certainly die. However, there have been cases where people have survived because the landing spot was a flowerbed or a pond about 30 cm deep. The water softened the impact. By this principle, if there is cushioning material (8) on top of the lower box (9) of the leg (2), the impact on the leg support pin (4) will be reduced, the load on the cylindrical leg (3) will also be reduced, and the safety of evacuees will increase. If the cushioning material (8) is made of rubber, and a large vertical load is applied to it, the rubber will deform and spread out horizontally. When the spread-out part comes into contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical leg (3) and rubs against it, the frictional force reduces the vertical load and dampens the force that could break the leg support pin (4). Refer to the rubber deformation line in the upper left of the longitudinal section in Figure 5. The cylindrical legs (3) also have a seat plate (6), so concentrated loads on the floor are distributed, making the floor less likely to break and preventing secondary damage caused by such damage.

[0025] Refugees waiting for rescue are more comfortable if they are not immediately rescued because their posture is less bent. Fewer casualties make it easier to extinguish fires after an earthquake, thus reducing the damage caused by fires that have resulted in many deaths. How different will it be for bereaved families to have the will to live after a disaster when they lose only their house compared to when they lose their house along with their parents, spouse, children, and other family members? Can people who have lost parents or children, or those who are physically vulnerable, have any hope of living? Human resources are priceless, the most important thing, and are their lives and assets. Being able to protect oneself using familiar objects (desks and tables) makes it very easy to adopt. This ease of adoption is very important, because an idea that is not adopted is useless. Even though the inventor has proposed disaster prevention solutions to many companies and government agencies, proposals for individual inventions to companies and government agencies are basically rejected everywhere. Most places ignore or turn away calls. Even when a reply is received, if you try to elaborate, you're met with a polite refusal and that's the end of it. Whether it's an earthquake or a fire, a house, which contains everything necessary for life, is the basic base of one's life, something that can only be acquired after a lifetime of wages. Losing one's home or life is a great loss and disaster for both the country and the individual, leaving a heavy burden and debt on the lives of those affected afterward. I know someone who lost their father when a chest of drawers fell on them during the Great Hanshin Earthquake. This person is now an adult and married, but I know that life was very difficult without their father, who was the breadwinner. Even in towns that appear to have recovered on the surface, the effects linger long after you go inside. The Nagata district was later hit by a fire. Even without a disaster, the source of a fire is not liable for compensation. Even if your home is destroyed by a fire that spreads to someone else, you have no recourse. Similar fire incidents have occurred since the Itoigawa Great Fire and on the morning market street in Wajima City on the Noto Peninsula. Whenever an incident or accident occurs, it becomes a topic of discussion, and the tragedy and the grief of the bereaved families are widely publicized, but very few people discuss concrete solutions. Scholars talk about complex plate tectonics theories, and politicians seeking to assert their presence discuss costly debates, but without implementation, they remain mere theoretical speculation, empty promises. They are of no use whatsoever.The Noto Peninsula earthquake caused a ground uplift of 4 meters, vividly demonstrating the power of nature. Japan is a country prone to natural disasters, with mountainous areas making up 70% of its land area. Most people live on the small flat areas near water. It has become clear that these flat areas are exposed to tsunamis, forest fires, and torrential rains. This leaves the country and its people with great losses and debt, weakens national strength and vitality, and increases the enormous amount of disaster waste, which is a huge burden on the future, and also gives rise to another challenge: environmental problems. It is said that all houses that do not meet the new seismic standards of the 1981 Building Standards Act are at risk, but the main reason why people cannot rebuild their houses is a lack of financial resources, and it is perfectly natural that they cannot rebuild houses that are still usable. There are many such places even in the urban areas of Kyoto. Various reasons are given for why firefighting efforts were impossible, such as the area not being bombed during the last war, or because the roads were too narrow for fire trucks to enter. However, if you really think about it, I wonder if the building guidance department and the fire department have ever discussed how to treat roads designated as Article 2 of the Building Standards Act. While the site for houses is set back 2 meters from the centerline of existing roads less than 4 meters wide, which are supposed to allow fire trucks to enter, it is common to see no such setback in the case of parking lots or coin-operated parking lots where no houses are built. Isn't this because the relevant administrative body has failed to recognize the loophole in the law? If we are to proactively consider the purpose of Article 2 roads, then unless the spirit of the law is applied to the land on which houses have been demolished, Article 2 roads will never be completed even after 100 years. We hear stories that fire trucks couldn't enter because of this, and that fires after earthquakes couldn't be extinguished, but it sounds hollow. My invention (Patent No. 7064200, Indoor Fire Hydrant System) is a practical solution that can overcome these contradictions and solve the problems, but even when I send materials to companies and government agencies, I receive no replies, and I'm constantly turned away. This is the reality of society. Government agencies are divided by their respective duties, but there is no distinction in individual lives, and policies from all different government agencies are involved. Even if the two-lane roads are not completed after 75 years, if we can reduce the number of fires and extinguish them in their early stages, fires can be contained and the damage can be kept to a minimum. There are many things that can be solved by having people present at the scene, where the circumstances are complex and varied.Even if a fire occurs due to an earthquake-sensitive circuit breaker, if the earthquake happens in the middle of the night, the power will go out, and what should be a familiar home will become a chaotic mess. Chests of drawers and cupboards will topple over, glass shards will be scattered across the floor, and walking barefoot on them, you might get injured, causing panic and disorientation. You won't know which way is north, south, east, or west, or where the stairs or front door are. For this reason, light is necessary, and I believe that earthquake-sensitive circuit breakers should be designed to turn off when you leave the house. For this reason, people must survive. The fact that the responsibility for this is divided among different administrative bodies means that a solution is far from being found. For this reason, I believe that this invention, which allows healthy people who are not affected by earthquakes to survive, is beneficial. [Industrial applicability]

[0026] If this invention is put into practice and used in many homes and schools, the chances of survivors and able-bodied people safely overcoming disasters such as houses collapsing due to disasters, accidents, or wars will increase. In particular, in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, even if the rubble of buildings is cleared through publicly funded demolition, the original residents have scattered, resulting in fewer customers and making it difficult for industries and businesses to survive. History shows that places without industry decline. If this invention is implemented as an industry in these disaster-stricken areas, it will sell even at a high price, people will naturally gather, and it will become a thriving local industry. If this can be realized, it will bring hope to disaster-stricken areas and revitalize aging societies, which would be wonderful. Also, recently, there have been increasing instances of sudden heavy rains due to linear rainbands, causing flooding all over the country. In such times, valuables that must not be submerged, such as computers, televisions, and securities, can be placed on shelves and then on raised desks or tables, so there are many advantages. For those who feel that metal cylindrical legs (3) don't suit existing wooden products, there are plenty of wood-grain stickers and painting techniques available today, so you can simply use those. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] In Example 1, the author considered various methods to quickly extend and fix the height, and to withstand a large load on the tabletop, even if that load was placed on the legs. After much trial and error, the author finally arrived at a satisfactory method. As shown in Figure 2, a lower box (9) is provided at the lower end of the legs (2) that support the tabletop (1) of a desk or table. Inside this box is a guide tube (12) made of steel pipe through which a cylindrical metal leg support pin (4) passes. Behind the leg support pin (4) is a spring (5) that pushes the leg support pin (4) forward. The front of the spring (5) is connected to the leg support pin (4), and the back is connected to the lower box (9) by welding or other means. The inner diameter of the guide tube (12) and the pin hole (7) is large enough for the outer diameter of the leg support pin (4) to fit and slide. The length of the leg support pin (4), excluding the hemispherical R-shaped part at the tip (L1), must be the same as the length from the outer surface of the cylindrical leg (3) to the leg (2) that it supports. In this case, one leg support pin (4) can only fit into one pin hole (7). Considering the possibility of large loads being placed on the top plate (1), such as during an earthquake collapse, it is better to have more leg support pins (4). Therefore, Figure 6 shows an example where the lower box (9) is a solid metal block, the pin hole (7) is drilled along the entire length of the metal block (9), the center of the spring is screwed to the metal block, and the leg support pins (4) protrude to the left and right. In this case, the pin hole (7) alone forms a cylinder, so the guide tube (12) is unnecessary. However, it may be impossible to fit two leg support pins (4) into a single pin hole (7) within the limited depth of the hole. Therefore, if multiple pin holes (7) (two or more) are made in the metal block (9), the number of leg support pins (4) will also be increased accordingly, and the load capacity will increase. The position can be shifted in the plane or in the height, and the number of pin holes (7) in the cylindrical leg (3) can be increased to match the position. If the cylindrical leg (3) is a square pipe, pins can also be provided on the remaining perpendicular surfaces, so that the leg (2) can be supported by three surfaces. Under normal conditions, the spring (5) pushes the back of the leg support pin (4) forward due to its spring force, and the tip of the leg support pin (4) pushes the inner surface of the cylindrical leg (3), keeping it stationary.However, during an earthquake, if evacuees move the top plate (1) upward against gravity, the legs (2) connected to the top plate (1) will also move upward. When the position of the pin hole (7) and the leg support pin (4) align, there will be nothing at the end of the leg support pin (4), so the leg support pin (4) will penetrate into the pin hole (7) of the cylindrical leg (3) and extend between the leg (2) and the cylindrical leg (3). As a result, even if a large load is placed on the top plate, the leg (2) will be supported by the leg support pin (4) and will not sag, maintaining the elevated evacuation space and creating an evacuation space where evacuees can stay in a comfortable posture. If two people stand facing each other and lift the edge of the tabletop (1), all four legs will lift up in an instant, and the legs (2) will rest on the leg support pins (4). The legs (2) will then stop at a height of (H2) as shown in Figure 4, and once you release the hands that were holding them up, you can move into a safe space where you can stay in a comfortable position. If two people do this, one person can hold two legs and do it all at once, but if you are alone and don't have enough time, you can lift only one side at a time, take refuge under the table, and then lift it up from below with your back or lie on your back on the floor and lift it with the soles of your feet.

[0028] In Example 2, Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention attached to two legs (2), but this is applied to all four legs (2). Figure 4 is a perspective view of one leg showing the increased height, but this is also applied to all four legs. In this figure, (H2) was said to be about 25 cm in the problem that the invention aims to solve, but since there are people who are taller, it may be made to be about 40 cm to allow for some leeway. Then the remaining 28 cm is the length of the leg (2) that protrudes from the cylindrical leg (3), which is short and less prone to buckling, and below that is the cylindrical leg (3), which is a sturdy metal cylinder such as steel, so both the compressive stress and buckling stress are high, making the evacuation space on the top plate (1) a highly safe evacuation space. Also, although the drawing shows a rectangular prism, if it were a cylinder, it would rotate horizontally, and when the leg (2) is pulled up, it would rotate slightly horizontally, and it is expected that the horizontal position of the leg support pin (4) and pin hole (7) of the leg (2) and cylindrical leg (3) would be misaligned. However, when the base plate (6) of the cylindrical leg (3) is stepped on with the foot and pulled up, the leg (2) is fixed by the top plate (1), so I don't think there will be any misalignment in the horizontal position. However, if accuracy is to be improved, the misalignment can be eliminated by providing a guide rail groove and rail or projection between the leg (2) and the cylindrical leg (3). This can be easily done with extruded aluminum material. In such cases, it is convenient to engrave the positions of the leg support pin (4) and pin hole (7) on the base plate (6).

[0029] Figures 14 and 15 show countermeasures for the case where the leg (2) has a tapered shape and its outer diameter is not constant, while the inner diameter of the cylindrical leg (3) is constant. Under normal conditions, the lower ends of the leg (2) and cylindrical leg (3) are at their lowest point, touching the floor, and the outer dimensions of the leg support pin (4) attached to the guide tube (12) located inside the lower part of the leg (2) are contained within the inner diameter of the cylindrical leg (3). At that time, the outer diameter of the body wrap (15) attached to the leg (2) is made slightly thinner than the outer diameter of the body wrap (15) of the cylindrical leg (2) at approximately the upper end of the cylindrical leg (3), when the leg support pin (4) is inserted into the pin hole (7) of the cylindrical leg (3), which is close to the point where the leg (2) is pulled up, approximately (H2). This reduces the clearance between the inner surface of the cylindrical leg (3) and the leg (2) when the leg is pulled up (the inner diameter of the cylindrical leg (3) minus the outer diameter of the body wrap (15) wrapped around the leg (2)). As a result, there is less wobble, and the buckling element of the total leg length, which is the sum of leg (2) and cylindrical leg (3), is small. If it is attached at a higher position, it becomes thicker, and leg (2) cannot be lowered all the way to the bottom. This is because the inner diameter of the cylindrical leg (3) is the same throughout its entire length, and the outer diameter of leg (2) changes depending on the height position, so the pipes overlap. This reduces the gap at both ends, prevents both legs from wobbling, and increases the buckling stress.

[0030] Figure 5 shows one embodiment in which the spring 5 is attached to the bottom of the leg (2), and has the advantage of being able to increase the travel distance (stroke) of the leg support pin (4).

[0031] These days, even in traditional Japanese inns with tatami flooring, meals are often served at dining tables. In such cases, a larger surface area at the bottom of the legs is better to avoid damaging the tatami or carpet. Therefore, many tables use long seat boards, connecting two legs to form a single seat board. Connecting the legs (2) along the shorter side of the table with a single (6) board would also be effective. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] A perspective view illustrating an overview of the present invention. [Figure 2] An enlarged, perspective view illustrating the main points of the present invention for easier understanding. [Figure 3] An example of a case where the leg support pin (4) protrudes in two directions, shown in plan, side, and front views. [Figure 4] An illustrative diagram showing how the height changes using the leg support pins. [Figure 5] A diagram of one embodiment in which a spring (5) is provided under the cushioning material (8). [Figure 6] A perspective view showing the case where the lower box is made of a solid metal block. [Figure 7] Plan view and longitudinal section view of an embodiment in which the leg support pins (4) protrude from two locations. [Figure 8] A perspective view showing the case where the lower box is made of a solid metal block. [Figure 9] A vertical cross-sectional view showing a cushioning material (8) provided at the lower end of the cylindrical leg main column. [Figure 10] An explanatory diagram showing how a tent pole, which cannot withstand a large load, breaks due to its pin structure. [Figure 11] Enlarged view, detailed diagram of the area around the leg support pin. [Figure 12] A diagram showing the combination when the legs (2) and cylindrical legs (3) have rounded corners. [Figure 13] The general shape of a table. [Figure 14] An example diagram showing the case where the legs (2) have a tapered shape. [Figure 15] Enlarged and detailed view of Figure 14. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1. Tabletop 2, legs 3. Cylindrical legs 4. Foot support pin 5. Spring 6, Seat board 7. Pinhole 8. Cushioning material 9. Lower box (metal block) 10. Bis 11. Reinforcement plate 12. Guide tube 13. Bolts and nuts 14. Spring winding retaining shaft 15. Body wrap 16. Play Dimensions H, dimensions under the tabletop H1, Leg base thickness dimension H2, extended dimensions RH, recessed part at the tip of the leg support pin D1, Leg support pin tip retainer. SH, protrusion that presses RH at the tip of the leg support pin L1, lower straight section of leg support pin (4)

Claims

[Claim 1] The legs (2) that support the tabletop (including the frame, beams, and column caps that support the tabletop) (1) of a desk or table are surrounded by cylindrical legs (3) that are cylindrical tubes with a metal seat plate (6) at the lower end. The legs (2) and cylindrical legs (3) are double cylinders that can slide up and down relative to each other. When the tabletop (1) is pulled up, the legs (2) connected to the tabletop (1) are also pulled up, and the height is automatically fixed at the position where the length (height) between the floor and the tabletop (1) is extended. This double-structured leg is designed to allow the tabletop (1) to slide up and down relative to each other. An evacuation space facility characterized in that, when the plate (1) is pulled up to extend its length (height), the height of the leg support pin (4) provided on the leg (2) and the pin hole (7) provided on the cylindrical leg (3) coincide, the leg support pin (4) is pushed out by the force of the spring (5) and enters the pin hole (7) of the cylindrical leg (3), and in this state, the straight portion of the lower side of the leg support pin (4) spans both inside the steel guide cylinder (12) and the pin hole (7) of the cylindrical leg (3), allowing it to support the vertical load of the leg (2).

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