Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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r .
FURNITURE FOR MITIGATING THE EFFECTS OF A DISASTER
Technical Field
This invention relates generally to furniture and more particularly to
furniture to mitigate
adverse effects of the furniture or a surrounding structure during a disaster,
the disaster
being, for example, an explosion, blast, earthquake, hurricane, tornado, etc.
Background of the Invention
During a disaster, such as an explosion, blast, earthquake, hurncane or
tornado, furniture
can become a danger to the occupants of buildings. The energy and force of
such disasters
can move furniture into occupant areas and against occupants therein to create
personal
injury and in some situations, the energy and force of a disaster may break
furniture apart
to thereby transform the furniture into shrapnel. During a disaster the
surrounding
structure of a building may also create a risk to occupants.
As such, it may be desirable to create furniture that to some degree mitigates
the harmful
effects that furniture or the surrounding structure may cause in a disaster.
Summary
In accordance with a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a piece of
furniture comprising a first part including a first outer surface, a second
part including a
second outer surface, a seam formed at an interface of the first part and the
second part,
and a polymer coating adhered to the first outer surface and to the second
outer surface
and extending over the seam.
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In accordance with another broad aspect of the invention, there is provided a
piece of
furniture comprising a work surface including an upper surface and an
underside and
defining a plane, the work surface supportable at a work level forming a space
at the
underside of the work surface and a panel positionable in the space at the
underside of the
work surface, the panel including a curved outer surface and a wall selected
to be resistant
to passage therethrough of flying debris and a substructure to support the
wall.
In accordance with another broad aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a piece
of furniture comprising a work surface including an upper surface and an item
securing
system including a retainer engaged to the work surface to releasably secure
an office
object thereto.
Brief Description of the Invention
The furniture of the present invention can be built to mitigate the effects of
a disaster and
minimize damage and injury to occupants from movement of the furniture or from
flying
debris or parts resulting from the furniture. Alternately or in addition,
the~furniture of the
present invention may be formed to act as a protective shelter if the
surrounding building
structure creates a risk to the well being of occupants during a disaster. A
disaster can be,
for example, an explosion, a blast, an earthqualce, a hurricane, a tornado,
etc. that creates a
short term or longer term force, shock or energy wave.
The invention provides various aspects that may be applied singularly or in
various
combinations to furniture. The selection of any of the various aspects may be
made with
consideration as to the form of disaster that is to be addressed, for example,
whether it be
an earthquake or a blast, and the degree of threat of the possible disaster.
2
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In one aspect, furniture is disclosed that can be securely held in place
and/or together. For
example, furniture of the present invention can include anchoring mechanisms
such that
the furniture can be secured to larger structural members such as a floor or
wall of a room
in which they are placed. Anchors may also be used to secure the parts of a
unit and/or
separate units together to construct an individual unit or an assembly of
individual units.
Alternately or in addition, the furniture ~ can include a substructure, which
can be, for
example, a frame that can be used to reinforce the piece of furniture or to
secure individual
furniture units together.
In another aspect, the furniture can be formed to reduce its ability to
contain blast energy,
thereby diverting it or releasing it rather than being adversely acted upon by
the blast
energy. To reduce the furniture's ability to contain blasts, the furniture can
comprise
rounded edges and/or vents. To achieve this, curved or rounded forms may be
used for
example on the edges of the furniture, on legs, and/or on wall panels. The
furniture can,
alternately or in addition, include actual or formable vents that can help
hold the furniture
together in shock situations.
Alternately or in addition, an item securing system can be provided such that
items or
objects associated with furniture units, such as for example computers,
computer
equipment, telephones or office supplies, can be secured to the furniture
using retainers
such as locks, latches, catches, netting, braces or any other type of securing
apparatus,
mechanism, device or technology. Retainers can be firmly secured to the
furniture unit so
that the secure items can be held against movement during the disaster.
3
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Furthermore, the furniture can include, alone or together with any of the
other aspects,
non-protruding hardware, such hardware including for example, handles, locks,
latches,
catches, etc. Alternately or in addition, the furniture of the present
invention rnay include
an automatic positive latching system such that drawers and/or doors, which
may fly open
in a blast, are firmly secured and automatically releasably locked when in a
closed
position.
It can be useful to eliminate gables and large conventional, usually
vertically oriented, flat
panels that can be moved or fragmented in shock situations. Instead, open
areas, flexible
panels and/or panels that can be resistant to flying debris can be used, if
desired.
In another aspect of the invention, the furniture can contain a locator device
that can be
manually or automatically set off in the event of a blast, explosion or other
disaster. The
locator device and its methods for employment can depend on technologies, such
as
coding or triangulation, and can function to signal the, location of an
occupant or a position
of interest to rescuers.
The furniture can be fabricated from or include various materials including
those that are
heat-, fire-, and/or fragmentation-resistant, those that are resistant to
passage therethrough
of flying debris (i.e. anti-ballistic) andlor that can withstand the force of
a disaster such as
a blast without deteriorating in a manner that will cause serious injury or
damage. In one
embodiment, the furniture, for example along its edges, are formed or fitted
with a
cushioning material, such as a polymer, to reduce any impact effect.
The furniture of the present invention can include independent units intended
to be used
separately or in combination or multiple units that can be secured together,
as in a modular
4
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r ~ununr~ ~ cvtrr G
concept. The furniture can include that for offices, hotels, schools,
residential or other
applications.
In spite of all of the technical aspects providing an ability to mitigate the
adverse effects of
furniture in a disaster, it is useful that the furniture of the present
invention has the
aesthetic appearance and functionality similar to conventional furniture.
Brief Descriution of the Drawings
The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation,
may best be
understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction
with the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the
several
views, and, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of furniture able to mitigate the effects of a
blast according
to this invention. Only one of many possible configurations is shown.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the furniture of Figure 1, showing one of many
possible
configurations of a desk unit.
Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the underside of a plurality of work surface
units
showing a frame mounted thereon.
Figure 4 is a sectional view through an edge of a desktop useful on furniture
according to
this invention.
Figure 5A is a perspective view of a desk unit.
Figure 5B is a top plan view of the desk unit of Figure 5A.
5
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Figure 6A is a perspective view of a cabinet.
Figure 6B is a perspective view of a lateral cabinet.
Figure 6C is a perspective view of a wardrobe.
Figure 7 is a top view of a desk bridge unit.
Figure 8A is a top view of a cage according to this invention.
Figure 8B is a perspective view of the cage of Figure 8A, with inner layer 37a
removed.
Figure 8C is a perspective view of another cage.
Figure 8D is a top plan view of the cage of Figure 8C.
Figure 8E is a sectional view through a substructure member useful in a cage
of the
presentinvention.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a desk with overhead unit of the present
invention.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of a stackable lateral cabinet
according to this
invention.
Figure 11A is a top view of a possible configuration of a modesty panel, which
may lead
to the force of the blast being caught by furniture.
Figure 11B is a top view of a possible configuration of a modesty panel
according to this
invention to deflect the force of a blast.
Descrit~tion of Various Embodiments
6
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Some of the many possible embodiments of furniture pieces of the present
invention are
illustrated in a perspective view in Figure 1. While an office arrangement is
shown, it will
be appreciated that the principles disclosed herein can be applied to
furniture for other
uses such as bedrooms, eating areas, classrooms, hotel rooms, etc. In Figure 1
a typical
layout of furniture is shown, but it is to be understood that other layouts
can be used.
Furthermore, although furniture of example dimensions is shown, it is to be
understood
that dimensions and other features can be modified.
Furniture of the illustrated embodiments includes work surface units, storage
units and
combinations thereof. For example, illustrated work surface units include, for
example, a
desk unit 2, a bridge unit 3 and a desk return unit 4. Work surface units may
include a
work surface such as desktops 25, 30 or 39, each including an upper surface
and an
underside. The work surface may be, as will be appreciated, generally planar
defining a
plane. The work surface may be supportable at a work level forming a space at
the
underside of the work surface. The work surface can be supported in various
ways, as by
one or more legs 19, as shown, or one or more pedestals, support frames,
mounting
brackets, panels, support drawers, etc. The work surface may be generally
horizontal or
may be tilted or tiltable, as would be useful in, for example, a drafting
table.
Illustrated storage units include, for example, an overhead cabinet 40, a
wardrobe 5, a
filing cabinet 6 and a lateral cabinet 7. A storage unit may include at least
one outer wall
24, 24a, an inner space 50 (Figure 6C) defined by the at least one outer wall,
an opening
52 through the outer wall to access the inner space and a closure panel, such
as a door 42
or drawer front 27, in the opening that is openable to access the inner space.
7
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- ' '~ ~- W ;
As noted previously, the various aspects of the invention can be applied alone
or in
combination to furniture units to mitigate adverse effects by the furniture or
the
surrounding structure of a building during a disaster. Various aspects of the
invention may
be applied as is desired depending on, for example, the degree and nature of
the disaster
threat.
In energy shock situations, furniture has been known to blow apart. To help
mitigate this
occurrence, unitized construction can be used to assemble the parts of
individual units and
to assemble a plurality of units. In one embodiment, for example, the parts of
individual
units such as adjacent wall panels, legs to a desktop, etc. may be secured
together using
fasteners 43 (Figure 4) engaged in durable threaded inserts 44, such as of
metal or durable
polymers, installed in the material of the parts. Such inserts may be
installed to engage
threaded fasteners, such that threaded engagement can be improved over that of
a fastener
directly into a wooden component. A fastening system including a metal-
fasteners-to-
metal-inserts arrangement throughout has been found to be useful. Washers 46
can also be
used to reinforce fasteners 43, to further enhance engagement between the
parts of the
unit.
Alternately or in addition, furniture units can be coated with a polymer
coating 48 that can
be applied over at least some seams 47, such as joints, interfaces and gaps
between parts in
the assembled unit or assembled units to help hold the components together. In
one
embodiment, a polymer coating is applied and adhered to furniture surfaces to
coat at least
a portion of the furniture surfaces and to extend over at least some of the
seam area
between components. Seams/joints can, for example, be those between side, top
and/or
rear panels of cabinetry, between horizontal members (for example a desktop)
and vertical
8
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members (for example legs 19 or leg fastening plates 22 or frame. 8), between
the work
surface and work surface mounted components (for example uprights such as
support
columns 55), etc. In order to hold furniture unit parts together, a polymer
may be
particularly useful that exhibits some elastomeric properties, rather than
being overly
brittle. For example, although not meant to be limiting, some possible polymer
coatings
may include urethanes and/or ureas, such as polyurethane, polyureas or blends
thereof. If
desired, various surfaces may be left uncoated. Such surfaces may include
unitary surface
areas, such as leg and desktop surfaces. The coating may be applied over inner
and/or
outer surfaces can be coated for fragmentation resistance. Coating of inner
surfaces (i.e.
defining storage areas in a cabinet) has been found to counteract the
reflective pressures
that may occur in enclosed areas. Coating substantially continuously over
outer surfaces
may enhance visual uniformity, for aesthetic purposes. In addition or
alternately, the
polymer coating may be colored to also act as paint. Polymer coating may be
applied
using various methods including dipping, spraying, brushing, etc. Polymer
coating 48
may also serve other purposes as will be described herein below.
In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, a frame 8 can be used to provide
structural
integrity and reinforcement in an individual unit or between units. In the
illustrated
embodiment, frame 8 acts to secure desk unit 2, bridge unit 3 and desk return
unit 4
together. Frame 8 can be formed of materials that can resist fragmentation in
a shock
situation such as steel, such as rod, bar, or tube forms, or durable
polymerics such as for
example, fiber reinforced polymers including fiberglass. In one embodiment of
this
invention, frame 8 can be made of steel and can include a number of members
that can be
fastened together using a variety of different methods such as molding,
welding, etc.
9
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Figure 3 illustrates one of the many possible configurations for a frame and
includes a
main panel reinforcing connector bar 9 connected to the underside of a
plurality of
furniture units and extending continuously across a panel of at least one
furniture unit.
Frame 8 may further include auxiliary connector bars 10, 12 also connected to
the
underside of a plurality of furniture units and cross members 11, 13 and 14,
extending
between the connector bars. Frame 8 can be installed using a variety of
devices or
methods including the use of fasteners 43, anchors, etc. as for example
described
hereinbefore.
In addition to reinforcing a piece of furniture or securing individual
furniture pieces
together, frame 8 can serve other various functions such as providing a
reinforcing cage to
support a panel, such as desktop 30, such that the panel can withstand a cave-
in
substantially without fracturing. Frame 8 and desktop 30 thereby form a
protected space
therebelow for an occupant during a cave-in. Alternately or in addition, frame
8 can act as
an anchor to secure item securing systems, such as to secure computer
equipment, or to
secure other furniture components such as an under-desk panel, for example, a
modesty
panel 23 or a cage 31, both of which will be described in greater detail
hereinbelow.
Frame 8 can also include a helmet hanger 15, such as, for example, a hook, a
magnet, a
hook and loop fastener or a strap, and one possible embodiment is illustrated
in Figure 3.
Helmet hanger 15 can be used to conveniently hang, out of sight below a
desktop, a
helmet that can be quickly retrieved by an occupant in case of a disaster.
It is useful to take measures to hold the furniture against easily moving
around during a
disaster. The furniture of the present invention may therefore include anchors
for
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anchoring the units to the surrounding structure, such as a wall or floor. For
example,
furniture legs 19 can be secured, using various approaches such as screws,
bolts, pins,
floor embedded channels, retainers, etc. to an existing floor 20 or wall of
the room in
which the furniture is used. The anchors can be secured to the floor in
various ways. For
example, the anchors can be imbedded or inserted, for example by drilling or
driving, into
the floor. FIGS. 1 and 2 show one possible embodiment wherein furniture unit
legs 19 are
secured to anchor plates 21, which are mountable to existing floor 20
structures using
fasteners 58 engagable through apertures formed through the plate and
securable in the
floor. Fasteners 58 may be formed of durable materials such as steel, for
example,
including stainless steel.
In another aspect, furniture of the present invention may include
substantially rounded
curved surfaces, such as panel or desktop edges, as indicated at 16 in Figure
4, outer
facing surfaces 19a on the legs, some cabinet walls, as indicated on wall 54
of cabinet 6,
and/or under-desk panel members, such as modesty panel 23 or protective cage
31.
Substantially rounded, curved surfaces can be useful for reducing the
possibility of the
force of a blast shock being captured by the furniture unit, such that the
force of the blast
is deflected to minimize damage to furniture and to minimize impact injury to
and create a
shield for an occupant adjacent the furniture. In some embodiments, it may be
useful to
position the furniture unit with its rounded surface facing away from an
occupant area.
Polymer coating 48, as described above, can also help eliminate any gaps,
seams, or
spaces between components that may catch the effects of a blast. As noted
above seams
can, for example, be those between side, rear and top panels of cabinetry,
between
horizontal and vertical members, between a surface and surface mounted
components, etc.
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The characteristics of polymer coating 4.8 may be selected depending on the
purpose it is
intended to serve. For example, if polymer coating 48 is intended to be used
to fill gaps to
reduce areas that catch the effects of a blast, then it may not need to
exhibit elastomeric
properties. Also, the thickness of the coating may be selected depending on
the intended
purpose of the polymer coating. For example, where the coating is applied only
to mask
gaps, it may be applied in a thinner layer than if the coating is intended to
hold furniture
parts together. In one embodiment, a coating intended to resist fragmentation
of furniture
parts may be applied in a coating of 1/32" (0.5mm) or more and in another
embodiment a
coating thickness of 1/8" (3mm) may be used. A coating intended to span gaps
for
reducing the blast catching properties may have a thinner application than
that, if desired.
Furniture can be constructed entirely or in part of a material that is
fragmentation-, fire-
and/or heat-resistant such as steel, aluminum or other metals, a polymer such
as, for
example, urethanes, ureas or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or fiberboard coated
with a
polymer. Polymers with elastomeric qualities can also be used to provide
cushioning for
impact reduction. Cushioning polymers may for example be particularly useful
for edging
materials or vertical panels that are more easily moved in a blast situation.
In one
embodiment of this invention, a construction material can include of a medium
density
fiberboard (MDF) core 17 that has polymer coating 18, for example of urethane.
The
presence of coating 18 can serve several different functions such as providing
fire, heat
and fragmentation resistance to coated pieces and some cushioning. Coating 18
and
coating 48 can each be used alone or in combination.
In one embodiment of this invention, aluminum extrusions can be used for legs,
support
columns, uprights, cabinet frames, etc. Aluminum exhibits good flex with
significant
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materials strength. Interfitting elongate extrusions may be useful for forming
elongate
forms with an axially sectioned construction, since such forms have been found
to enhance
the flexibility of a part by sliding movement between the axially extending
sections. In
one embodiment, for example, elongate aluminum forms such as legs 19 may be
formed
of a first elongate extrusion forming an outer surface 19a, which is curved in
this
embodiment, and a back cap extrusion 19b, that covers the open channel of the
first
extrusion. Other materials of use may be anti-ballistic materials such as a
sheet material
of, for example, polyaramid, carbon fiber, nanotube, etc.
In a disaster where an energy shock wave is generated, injury can occur by
objects caught
up in the energy shock wave. Sometimes those items can be simply furniture
doors and
drawers that are rapidly opened by the force of the shock wave. Thus, in one
embodiment
of the invention, an automatic positive latchiilg system 60a - 60c may be
provided for use
with furniture storage area closures such as doors, for example door 42,
drawers 2~,
drawer trays, etc. An automatic positive latching system provides that a
storage area
closure, once closed, automatically and positively locks in the closed
position, but can be
unlocked to permit storage area closure to be opened. An automatic positive
latching
system may include a catch 60a that automatically locks against a stop 60b and
a release
actuator 60c operable to release the catch from its locked position against
stop 60b. In one
embodiment, the catch can be, for example, spring biased, and release
actuation can be
operated by, for example, by a button or handle to overcome the biasing force
of the
spring.
Other injuries have been known to occur when common smaller office equipment
is
carned by the shock energy. Thus, in yet another embodiment, the furniture can
include
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or support an item securing system that is attachable to the furniture unit
and can include a
wide array of various locks, catches, straps, netting or latches or other
locking or clamping
mechanisms. The securing system can be used to secure smaller office equipment
such as
telephones, computers, keyboards, computer monitors or other equipment to the
furniture
unit, for example onto a desktop, such that this equipment is prevented from
moving in a
shock situation and causing serious injury to an occupant.
Various embodiments of work surface units will now be described in greater
detail. As
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and 7 to 9 work surface units such as desk unit 2,
bridge unit 3
and desk return unit 4 can each include a desktop as a work surface. In units
2 and 4, the
desktops 25 and 39, respectively, are each supported at a work level above a
floor by
plurality of legs 19. Desk unit 2 can be anchored to existing floor 20 through
anchors 21
which are secured to legs 19. Legs 19 are then secured to desk unit desktop 25
through
fastening plates 22. In one embodiment, lock washers can also be used to
reinforce
fasteners. Legs 19 can also be secured to the underside of desktop, such as of
desk unit 2
and desk return unit 4, using fastening plates 22, as shown in Figure 2. The
fastening
plates can be made out of a variety of different materials such as steel. The
legs can be
fastened with fastening plates to the underside of desks using various
fastening
approaches. In one embodiment, washers can also be used to reinforce
fasteners.
Bridge unit 3 is supported at a work level by frame 8 connected to integrate
desk unit 2,
bridge unit 3 and desk return unit 4.
To mitigate the adverse effects of a disaster, it may be useful to reduce, as
much as
possible, vertical flat surfaces that may act to capture, rather than deflect
the shock of a
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blast, many large panels have been removed from the furniture units of the
present
invention. However, it may remain desirable to provide a panel for
installation in usually
a substantially vertical position below the desktop of a work surface unit for
modesty/privacy purposes: Thus in one embodiment, a modified blast-resistant
under-
desktop panel may be provided. Under-desktop panels may have generally
rounded,
curved shapes that tend not to contain a blast but rather work to deflect
debris and shock
about the furniture to protect an occupant area positioned therebehind. The
panel can be
curved in a horizontal direction from side to side such that force deflection
occurs around
the two sides of the panel. The panel may also be formed of blast dampening or
resistant
materials. Because the under-desktop panel may provide an element of occupant
protection, a panel may be useful even where modesty/privacy is not an issue.
Two of the
many possible forms of under-desktop panels are shown including a modesty
panel 23 and
a cage 31.
Modesty panel 23 can serve to protect the legs of an occupant and can be
located beneath a
desktop surface to span substantially between the floor and the desktop in a
position to act
in the same way as other conventional modesty panels. The panel can be
positioned
between the floor and the desktop surface. Modesty panel 23 may be light-
weight or more
substantial and can include substructure that does not easily fragment in a
shock situation
for example of a fiberboard (i.e. cardboard), a foam, a foam-fill and/or a
steel or polymeric
frame. The substructure may be covered with a sheet material or paint for
aesthetic
purposes. Alternately, the covering may be selected for blast- or fire-
resistance or its anti-
ballistic properties. One covering that may be used includes at least one of a
polyaramid,
carbon fiber, nanotube, (NomexTM or KevlarTM), etc. construction.
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Modesty panel 23 can act as a blast curtain or cushion in a shock situation
and can protect
the legs of an occupant of the unit. The outwardly curved (convex) side can be
positioned
facing away from the occupant and horizontally-curved shape of modesty panel
23 can
deflect the force of a blast, thereby protecting an occupant area from flying
debris. If
modesty panel is foam filled or includes flexible portions and the force of a
blast pushes
modesty panel 23 onto the legs of an occupant, its lightweight soft core
should result in
little or no injury and may even act as a shield to protect the occupant from
flying debris.
To prevent the panel from being knocked over, the panel can be secured to the
desk by
straps or other loose securing means.
Where the modesty panel includes a frame or rigid substructure, the frame may
be secured
between the desktop and the floor, such that it doesn't move. In such an
embodiment, it
may be useful to position a covering on the side of the frame facing away from
the
occupant. Thus, in the event of a blast, the covering may be driven against
the frame and
supported thereby. The covering can be secured to the frame in various ways
with
consideration as to the force it may be required to withstand.
Another under-desktop panel may be formed as a protection cage 31, as shown in
Figures
1, 2, ~A and ~B. Protective cage 31 can be used by an occupant as a shelter
during a
disaster such as a blast or explosion, and alone, or together with the
desktop, etc., can
provide a shelter or support against cave-ins creating a void where an
occupant can await
rescue. Cage 31 can serve as a shelter for an occupant during a blast and may
provide a
protective area supported against the collapse of a surrounding structure. As
such, cage 31
can be selected to provide a desired resistance against vertical crushing of
its structure. In
one embodiment of this invention, cage 31 can include a frame that includes at
least some
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rods 36 that act against vertical compression. In another embodiment, cage 31
can also
comprise secondary rods 36a that create a triangulated frame construction or
can extend
diagonally between vertical rods 36. The rods of the frame can be constructed
from
materials with significant axial strength in compression and with resistance
to
fragmentation, for example steel or structural polymerics, which may, for
example,
include fiber reinforcements.
Again, forming the cage in a curved manner provides for deflection of the
blast and the
cage can be positioned to divert the force of a blast away from an occupant
area. Cage 31
may also be formed to shield an occupant area against shrapnel and/or the
force of a blast.
For example, the rods can be selected to be resistant to breaking under
lateral loads and a
wall can be supported between and/or about rods 36, 36a. Sheet materials 37
secured to
the rods can form the wall. Sheet materials 37 may be formed of metal,
flexible materials
including polyaramid, carbon fiber and/or nanotubes, etc. that have anti-
ballistic and/or
shock-, fire- or blast- resistant capabilities. Other materials such as
cushioning layer 37a
of foam, foam-fill or fabric can also be used. The sheet materials can be
fastened to rods
36, 36a using fasteners 43 or other fastening technologies. In one embodiment,
reinforcements such as washers 46 can be used about the fasteners. The cage
can also be
positioned to act as a modesty panel, as was described hereinbefore, or
whenever there is a
desire to protect an occupant area.
Cage 31 can be integrated to a frame 8 and/or to a floor to increase its
strength, if desired.
For example, in the illustrated embodiment, frame 8 and desktop 30 create a
roof for cage
31 and firm engagement can be formed between rods 36 of the cage and frame 8
to act
against lateral movement of the cage relative to the desktop/frame.
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In another embodiment of this invention, cage 31 can also include a locator
38, as shown
in Figure l, to aid in the rescue of occupants in the event of a disaster.
Locator 38 may be
automatically or manually set off to create a positional signal, such as a
radio or audible
signal during a blast or explosion. Many locator transponder technologies will
be apparent
to the skilled workman. In another embodiment, cage can also or alternately
include
survival or first aid kit including, for example, any of survival
instructions, first aid
equipment, a flashlight, bottled water or nutrition bars.
Another cage 70 is illustrated in Figures 8C to 8E. Cage 70 can include a
frame formed of
rods 36b that act against vertical compression and lateral bending and upper
and lower
webs 36c that connect between and hold rods 36b in a stabilized vertical
orientation.
Upper and lower return flanges 36d provide anchor points for installation
between a floor
and the underside of a work surface. Apertures 72 can be spaced along flanges
36d
through which fasteners may be installed.
The frame components of the cage can be formed from steel, or other durable
materials. In
one embodiment, rods 36b of the frame can be constructed from a mufti-walled
tube
arrangement wherein a first tube 74 is installed in an outer tube 76. If
desired, a shock
absorbing, stabilizing filler material, such as sand 78, cement or other
materials, may be
introduced to fill the space within and about inner tube. This provides a tube
with
considerable significant strength in compression and against lateral bending
and with
resistance to fragmentation. Forming upper and lower webs 36c and upper and
lower
return flanges 36d of at least 1/8" (3mm) or 1/a" (6) steel plate further
strengthens the cage
form.
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Again, forming the cage with an outer surface 80 that is curved from side to
side provides
for deflection of a blast so that the cage can be positioned to divert the
force of a blast
around an occupant area.
Cage 70 may also be formed to shield an occupant area against shrapnel and/or
the force
of a blast by providing a wall 82 formed of sheet metal. If enhanced anti-
ballistic
properties were required, further sheet materials 37 for example including
polyaramid,
carbon fiber and/or nanotube technologies may be layered on top of or behind
the metal
wall. Of course, other materials such as a cushioning layer or decorative
outer layer may
be used.
Cage 70 can be integrated to a frame 8 and/or to a floor to increase its
strength, if desired.
For example, frame 8 and desktop 30 can create a roof for cage 70 and firm
engagement,
as by fasteners 43, can be formed between upper flange member 36d and frame 8.
In the illustrated embodiment, a further top plate 86 may be added to create a
roof for the
cage. Gussets 88 can be secured between top plate 86 and rods 36b to support
the plate.
Of course, although shown in the illustrated embodiment, a cage need not
include both a
top plate and a upper return 36d, if it is desired to reduce materials.
In one embodiment, under-desktop panels can be positioned in such a way as to
direct the
force away from moveable components or components such as furniture doors,
drawers,
etc., that, if caught up in the blast, may cause injury to an occupant. As
illustrated in
Figure 1 1A, and using modesty panel 23 as an example, the panel can be spaced
in front of
or in line with the location of drawers fronts 27. Tn such a position, the
force of a blast,
shown as arrow Fl, may catch drawers 28 and pull them out into the occupant
area, which
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may cause damage and injury. In another position, which is not meant to be
limiting and
is illustrated in Figure 118, modesty panel 23 can be offset from lateral
cabinet 7 in such a
way that an outer side edge of the modesty panel overlaps, when viewed from
the side,
with the location of drawer fronts 27 to prevent drawers 28 from catching the
force of a
blast shown as arrow F2 and from being pulled out into the occupant area.
Fasteners, such
as welding, bolts, screws, straps, etc. may be used to secure the under-
desktop panels in a
selected position.
Worlc surface units can include drawers and trays, as will be appreciated, for
storage of
office supplies, computer input devices, etc. For example, in the illustrated
embodiment
desk unit desktop 25 includes a tray 27 that can be used to hold a plurality
of items such as
pens and pencils or other supplies. Tray 27 can be secured to the underside of
a desktop,
such as desktop 25 or another desktop and can be pulled out by an occupant. As
another
example, a key board tray 39 may be mounted under a desktop, for example to
the
underside of bridge unit desktop 30. Trays and drawers can take various forms
including
single level arrangements or full or partial banks and can be secured or
positioned at the
underside of a desktop using various configurations. Trays and drawers can, if
desired,
include a positive locking system that automatically locks a drawer upon
closing of same
and can be released to open the drawer.
The desktops 25, 30, 39 of work surface units can have substantially rounded
and
cushioned edges to help deflect the force of a blast and protect an occupant.
The corners
of the desktops can also be substantially rounded to diminish the risk of
injury and damage
during a disaster such as a blast.
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An item securing system is illustrated in Figures l, 2 and 7. While the item
securing
system is shown on bridge unit deslctop 30, it is to be understood that it, if
desired, could
be installed on any supporting surface such as a work surface, a drawer tray
or a shelf. An
item securing system may include a plurality of retainers firmly secured to
the furniture
unit. Retainers may include, for example, clamps, straps, netting, etc. and
may be secured
by fasteners, looping engagement, etc. In the illustrated ernbodirnent, the
item securing
system includes slots 32, 33 to accept retainers and to permit the retainers
to be mounted
below the desktop such that the desktop need not be marred and, for example,
in the
illustrated embodiment, such that securing of the retainers may be through the
frame,
rather than relying only on the weaker material of the desktop itself. Slots
32 permit
installation therethrough of straps 62 or netting for anchoring to secure
desktop items 61
such as a computer monitor or keyboard, a telephone, etc. Straps 62 or netting
that can be
inserted through slots 32 for anchoring therebelow. Straps and/or netting can
be made of
nylon or other similar materials that cannot be easily cut or broken. As shown
in Figure 2,
the slots 32 can be positioned adjacent frame 8 components to provide an
accessible
anchor point or reinforcement for the straps or netting inserted into slots
32.
Clamp slots 33 can be used to insert a clamp 34. The clamp can be made of a
variety of
materials that can resist fragmentation in a shock situation such , as steel,
polymerics or
reinforced polymerics such as fiberglass. Clamp 34 can be used to secure an
object such
as a portable computer to a desktop, such as bridge unit desktop 30. Clamp 34
can take
various forms and may include a base that installs through one of the slots 33
and is
secured at the underside of the desktop on which the slot is formed.
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Of course, although not shown, slots 32 or 33 could be formed in other ways
and could be
formed on other desktops such as desktops 25 or 39, if desired, and retainers
other than
straps and clamps can be used.
Pieces of furniture according to the present invention may also provide for
storage. To
minimize the risk of injury to an occupant during a disaster, storage units
can be
substantially free of any protruding handles or other hardware that protrude
from their
outer surfaces. Storage units can alternately or in addition, include vents
that permit
pressure equalization in their enclosed areas, thereby preventing implosion or
explosion
from a sudden pressure change, occurring during a blast or explosion.
The storage units can take various forms, sizes and configurations including
for example,
with reference to Figures 1, 2, 6, 9 and 10, those of a wardrobe 5, an under-
desk filing
cabinet 6, an overhead cabinet 40, a lateral cabinet 7, a stackable lateral
cabinet 41 and
many others. Storage units can include openings, as in opening 52, through
which access
is achieved to inner spaces defined within the outer wall panels, as in panel
24, upper and
lower panels 24a, 24b, and rear panels, as in panel 54. The openings may be
closable by
doors 42 or drawer fronts 27 or may remain open. A storage unit may include a
shelf, as
in shelf 43, and other structures, as desired and as will be appreciated.
As discussed hereinbefore, disaster mitigating properties may be obtained by
providing
rounded or curved surfaces to deflect, rather than catch, the force of a
blast. Thus, the
corners of some cabinets may be rounded, as by use of a corner frame component
69 with
rounded front portions 70. As will be appreciated, corner frame component 69
can be
used in cabinet construction and can include channels to accept and retain
wall panels 24d.
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If desired, corner frame component 69 can be formed as an aluminum extrusion
in a form
similar or identical to legs 19 and columns 55.
In one embodiment, wall panels on a cabinet may also be curved to deflect the
force of a
blast. For example, with reference to cabinet 6 back wall panel 54 can be
formed
arcuately from side to side, or in other words curved in a direction
substantially
perpendicular to an axis X passing through top and bottom panels 24b, 24c of
the cabinet.
This curved panel 54 provides a surface to be faced away from an occupant area
to help in
deflecting the effects of a blast from accessing the occupant area.
The panels of enclosed areas, such as, side panels 24, 24a, doors 42 and/or
drawer fronts
27 can contain vents 26 that can act to prevent adverse pressure differentials
from
developing in enclosed areas in the event of a disaster such as a blast. In
one embodiment,
slots 26 can take the form of elongate slots. However, the slots can take many
different
forms such as holes, meshed areas, pop out plugs, weakened areas, etc. Shelves
43 or
partitions can also comprise vents to reduce the effect of pressure thereon.
For example,
shelf 43 of wardrobe 5 is shown including a pop-out plug 26a, which under a
pressure
differential condition may open to form a vent.
Handles 29 of storage units can be selected to be substantially flush mount
such that they
do not protrude significantly from the outer surface of the cabinet and cause
injury to an
occupant in the event they hit an occupant during a disaster. Handles 29 may
be formed as
finger catch areas on the planar surface, as in handle 60c on wardrobe 5, or
along the
edges of doors 42 and drawers 2~, as shown by handles 29, which are formed as
finger
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catch ledges along the edges of the closure panels. In one embodiment, vents
can be
formed and positioned to act as handles.
To prevent the drawers from flying open in the event of a blast, the cabinet
doors and
drawers can be fitted with a positive locking system as described above with
respect to
system 60a to 60c. This permits a closure panel once closed to automatically
latch and to
require unlatching to be opened. The release portion of the automatic positive
latching
system may be integrated to the handle as shown at 60c on wardrobe 5 in Figure
1.
Storage units may be installed in various ways. The bottom panels or legs of
stackable
lateral cabinets can be anchored to the floor or side or back panels can be
anchored to a
wall to provide greater stability. Stackable lateral cabinet 41 can be stacked
as in Figure
lOB to any desired height and configuration.
While the invention has been described with respect to the disclosed
embodiments, it will
be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to these
embodiments. On
the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications
and equivalents,
which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Various
modifications
will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic
principles of the
present invention have been defined herein specifically to describe furniture
developed to
be able to mitigate the effects of a blast.
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