Abstract: An earthquake protection structure for an occupant of a piece of furniture has support members (12, 14) each having a base portion 20 movable on support surface (11), and opening (24) at least partly covered by protective flap (40). Suspensions 26 is provided between support members (12; 14) and bed (10) and has pivot pins (28);(30) extending between support members (12; 14) in parallel the support members. Linkage (46-66) is provided for holding base portions (22; 22) support members (12; 14) from moving over support surface (11). The protective structure has an actuator means for causing protective flaps (40) to turn with respect to support members (12; 14) outward with respect to the space defined between them. A release mechanism is provided for releasing linkage (46-66).

Abstract: A foldable earthquake protective bed comprises a support frame (10) and two moveable members (20 and 22) pivotally attached to the support frame (10) and capable of being pivoted between a folded position in which the moveable members are arranged as conventional parts of the bed and an unfolded position in which they form a rigid protective cover above the bed's occupant(s). The bed may have a power drive in the form of a pneumatic cylinder (42) with a piston (43) sliding inside the cylinder (42). A piston rod (44) of the piston (43) is pivotally attached by a link (46) to a bracket (30) of the pivotable member (20) and by a link (48) to a bracket (32) of the pivotable member (22). Compressed air can be admitted to the cylinder (42) from a pressure vessel (50) via a control valve (52). This valve can be activated either manually by pushing a pushbutton (62) built into the bed frame, or automatically from a seismic sensor (58) attached to the wall of the building.