If you live in an earthquake hotspot you may be able to sleep a little sounder, thanks to concept designs for an earthquake-proof bed.An animated video showcases a series of designs for a bed that protects its slumbering occupants during a quake - but it may not be the bed of choice for the claustrophobic.Resembling a cross between a strong box and a Venus flytrap, the mattress drops into a chamber covered with a protective lid when sensors feel the ground shaking.A video showcases a series of designs for a bed that protects sleepers during an quake - but it may not be the bed of choice for the claustrophobic. Resembling a cross between a strong box and a Venus flytrap, the mattress drops into a chamber covered with a hard cover when sensors feel the ground shaking (animated) The earthquake-proof bed is designed to seal in the sleeper in the event of a serious quake (pictured). When tremors start, the mattress drops inside the bed's frame The occupant inside would then wait out the quake in the strong box until help arrived, or the quake subsided.
Chinese inventor Wang Wenxi was granted a patent for the initial quake-proof bed in 2010 and has since updated the designs. The original design shows the bed consisting of a large metallic box with a mattress on top.When the earthquake hits, this mattress is seen being dropped by a hinged mechanism, while the lid of the box closes above it, sealing the occupant inside. The second design, instead, drops the user through what resembles a trap door. The hinge is in the centre of the bed, rather than the side, so the mattress drops flat to the bottom of the box, rather than tipping the sleeper out.However, the precise details and specifications of each design are lacking and MailOnline has contacted the video maker for more information.It is assumed that the box can be opened from the inside, as well as the outside. There are also no details about where the exit would be, in the event of a large piece of debris landing on the lid and locking it shut. The original 2010 design shows the bed consisting of a large metallic box with a mattress on top.
In the event of an earthquake the mattress (left) drops inside the bed frame and a protective hard cover (right) seals the person inside to protect them from falling debris The animation shows that during a serious earthquake, the bed would be able to protect people by sealing them in a strong box with supplies until help arrives. Stock footage of a quake is picturedThe animation shows that the beds would even have space for supplies, including water, food, medical kits and even tools, but how you might access any of this is unclear.There is no word yet on whether any of the designs will make it past the initial concept phase, or when you might be able to buy one.But judging by their size and sturdy construction, you may need to enlist the help of a few friends to help you get them up the stairs.Elsewhere, the designs show that the beds would also have space for supplies, including water, food, medical kits and even tools, but how you might access any of this is unclear (animated)
Supplies would be stored underneath the bed (pictured). The animation shows enough space for water, food, medical supplies and even gas masks and canisters of oxygen Scientists use seismometers (pictured) to measure tremors. But one of the first devices was invented in China almost 2000 years ago China has a long history with earthquakes, so it’s to be expected that the thoughts of some of its citizens, such as Wang Wenxi, dwell on protective measures.The region has been hit by a number of significant quakes in its long history. In recent years, one of the biggest quakes to hit China was in 2008, in which more than 68,000 people are believed to have been killed as a result of landslides and building collapses.The enormous country straddles two giant colliding tectonic plates – the Indian and the Eurasian plates. As these two masses shift under the earth they release massive amounts energy in the form of seismic tremors - from small shakes to devastating earthquakes. One of the very first devices to detect tremors is was created in China nearly 2,000 years ago.
Invented in AD 132 by Zhang Heng, it incorporated a large bronze urn with ornamental dragons on its sides. When the pot was disturbed by tremors from underground, the dragons’ mouths opened, releasing a ball into a pot below, indicating the direction the tremor came from. Ghana has a new coffee option! This is great news because the usual suspects in coffee have been: Nescafe instant (actually, not that bad) Imported Starbucks (in someone’s luggage and hoarded) Brazilian coffee via Lebanon (terrible) Brazilian coffee via South Africa (ok, but stale) And now a new company, Upcountry Coffee Company, has started distributing Ghana grown and fresh roasted in coffee [see their Facebook page]. Available at Shoprite at the Accra Mall, Upcountry comes in half pound (250g) air pack packaging. Roasted on Sunday, September 21, 2014, bought on October 2; there was a twelve days lag time. Cost about six dollars (19 GHC). I really like the packaging and logo, it is a fun, smiling, happy coffee bean with halftone sun in the background.
[Smiling coffee bean logo] So how good was it? It was good, much better than instant or really any of the other local options. No, its Robusta, and sold ground. It is vastly superior to the Lebanese and Syrian Robusta coffees that often as not come with an overpowering amount of cardamom. [Lebanese and Syrian Coffee – yuck] Robusta is one of two primary varieties of commercial coffee beans grown around the world, the other is Arabica. Arabica beans have a softer, sweeter taste than Robusta, and less caffeine. This Robusta was harsh, woody, and packed with caffeine. It gave quite a buzz. Unfortunately, the product came ground, and pre-ground coffee goes stale quickly. It wasn’t the religious coffee experience I was hoping for but I really do like that their beans are grown locally in the Volta region, and roasted in Accra. If I could only buy the whole beans, instead of ground, I would switch and make Upcountry my primary source of local coffee.