WO2007037563A1

WO2007037563A1 - Descending device

Info

Publication number: WO2007037563A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003230
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daegon Nam
Original assignee: Daegon Nam
Priority date: 2005-09-29
Filing date: 2005-09-29
Publication date: 2007-04-05

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a descending device. The descending device includes a casing (110) having an 'S'-shaped rope guide pipe therein, a rope (130) passing through the rope guide pipe and lowered to a ground, with a hook means (132) provided at an upper end of the rope, a control means installed on each of left and right sides of the casing and controlling a rope lowering peed, a safety belt (150) coupled to the casing, and a streamlined spacing member (180) provided on a rear surface of the casing. The spacing member is wide at an upper portion thereof and narrow at a lower portion thereof. The descending device is easy to use and is simple in structure, thus reducing production costs of the descending device. Further, the descending device allows a user to easily and safely descend, even if an obstacle is present at a descent location.

Description

DESCENDING DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a descending device for helping persons escape when a fire occurs in a tall building and, more particularly, to a descending device, which is easy to use and simple in structure, thus reducing production costs of the descending device, in addition to controlling a descending speed.

Background Art

[2] As building-construction techniques have been developed and demand for residential or office space has increased, the height of apartments or business buildings has increased. Thus, interest in the safety of persons who live or work in tall buildings is growing.

[3] That is, when an emergency, such as a fire, occurs in a tall building, and a fire escape may be blocked or an elevator may be nonfunctional, it is impossible to use the fire escape or the elevator. In this case, inhabitants of tall buildings who face emergencies are rescued using a ladder truck or the like. However, the ladder truck is problematic in that the height of the ladder truck is limited, and the ladder truck may have a difficulty in approaching the buildings due to parked cars.

[4] In order to solve the problems, safety descending devices (hereinafter, referred to as descending device) for use in tall buildings have been proposed and used. The descending devices are designed such that a person or an object hangs and descends by a cable or a wire which is unwound from a reel controlled in speed thereof.

[5] The descending devices are typically classified into two types, that is, a fixed-type descending device and a movable-type descending device. The fixed-type descending device is fixed to a mounting post which is installed on an outer wall of a building. The movable-type descending device can change a location to descend, and descend together with a person's body.

[6] In the fixed-type descending device, the descending device is fixed to the mounting post installed on the outer wall of a building, so that a person may descend only at a position where the mounting post is installed. Thus, the fixed-type descending device is problematic in that it is impossible to use the descending device, if flames or smoke are present around the mounting post.

[7] In order to solve the problem, recently, the movable-type descending device has been developed. However, the movable-type descending device is problematic in that its structure is complicated, and it is difficult for the old and the weak to use. The movable-type descending device has another problem in that it may be caught in an obstacle, such as a window frame, so that it becomes difficult to descend, and a user's safety is threatened. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a descending device, which is easy to use and has a simple structure, thus reducing production costs of the descending device, and which is capable of controlling a descending speed. [9] Another object of this invention is to provide a descending device, which allows a user to easily and safely descend, even if an obstacle, such as a window frame, is present at a descent location.

Technical Solution [10] In order to accomplish the objects, the present invention provides a descending device, including a casing having an "S "-shaped rope guide pipe therein, a rope passing through the rope guide pipe and being lowered to a ground, with a hook means being provided at an upper end of the rope, a control means installed on each of left and right sides of the casing, and controlling a rope lowering speed, and a safety belt coupled to the casing. [11] According to this invention, the descending device has a simple structure, so that production costs of the descending device are low, and in addition, it is possible to control a descending speed. [12] The descending device further includes a streamlined spacing member provided on a rear surface of the casing, the spacing member being wide at an upper portion thereof and narrow at a lower portion thereof. [13] Such a construction allows a person to easily and safely descend, even if an obstacle, such as a window frame, is present at a descent location.

Advantageous Effects [14] As described above, the present invention provides a descending device, which is easy to use and is simple in structure, thus reducing production costs of the descending device, and in which it is possible to control a descending speed. [15] Further, this invention provides a descending device, which allows a user to easily and safely descend, even if an obstacle, such as a window frame, is present at a descent location.

Brief Description of the Drawings [16] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a descending device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [17] FlG. 2 is a perspective view of a hook means of the descending device, according to this invention;

[18] FlG. 3 is a perspective view of a descending device, according to another embodiment of this invention;

[19] FlG. 4 is a perspective view of a descending device, according to a further embodiment of this invention; and

[20] FlG. 5 is a view to show the use of the descending device, according to this invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[21] Hereinafter, a descending device according to the preferred embodiments of this invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[22] FlG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a descending device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FlG. 1, the descending device 100 of this invention includes casing parts 110a and 110b, a rope 130, a pair of left and right brake units 140, and a safety belt 150. The casing parts 110a and 110b accommodate an "S"-shaped rope guide pipe 120 that guides the rope 130. The rope 130 passes through the rope guide pipe 120, and is lowered to the ground, with a hook means 132 being provided at an upper end of the rope 130. The left and right brake units 140 serve to control the descending speed of the rope 130. The safety belt 150 is coupled to the casing parts 110a and 110b.

[23] The casing parts 110a and 110b comprise front and rear casing parts 110a and 110b, which are coupled to each other via one or more coupling members 118a and 118b. The coupling members 118a and 118b may comprise a protrusion and a protrusion insert part, respectively. Further, the casing parts 110a and 110b may be made of strong synthetic resin or metal, which is flame retardant or incombustible, without being limited to a specific material.

[24] The rope guide pipe 120 accommodated in the casing 110 has a shape which is similar to an "S", and provides a moving path for the rope 130 and reduces the lowering speed of the rope 130, when the descending device 100 moves downwards together with a person. The rope guide pipe 120 is provided with openings 122 at positions corresponding to the brake units 140. When the brake units 140 are actuated, the rope 130 is in direct contact with the brake units 140, thus controlling the lowering speed of the rope 130.

[25] Further, the bent degree of the rope guide pipe 120 may be adjusted, considering the interference of the rope 130 with the rope guide pipe 120 according to the material of the rope, when the rope 130 is lowered. That is, when the surface of the rope 130 is made of a soft material and the rope 130 passes through the rope guide pipe 120, the interference of the rope 130 with the rope guide pipe 120 is small. In this case, the bent degree of the rope guide pipe 120 is large, thus reducing the lowering speed of the rope 130. In the converse case, the bent degree of the rope guide pipe 120 is relatively small, thus preventing the rope lowering speed from being excessively slow.

[26] The rope 130 may be made of various materials. However, it is preferable that the rope 130 be made of a material having high strength for safety reason. Moreover, the rope 130 may be stored in a rope storage box 160 which is provided under the casing parts 110a and 110b and is coupled to the casing parts 110a and 110b. In this case, the rope 130 must be stored in the rope storage box 160 so that the rope 130 is easily unwound through a rope hole 162, when the rope storage box 160 is thrown to the ground so as to use the rope 130 of the descending device.

[27] The hook means 132 of the rope 130 serves to secure the descending device 100 to a building or a structure, when a person descends using the descending device 100. The hook means 132 may use a conventional firm hook means to ensure a safe descent, without being limited to a specific structure. FlG. 2 shows the hook means 132 of the descending device, according to the preferred embodiment of this invention. As shown in the drawing, the hook means 132 has a shape which is similar to a "7". One or more screws 134 pass through a first side of the hook means 132, with a knob 136 provided on each of the screws 134. An end plate 135 is secured to lower ends of the screws 134 which are positioned in the hook means 132, and is moved in conjunction with the screws 134. That is, the hook means 132 is configured to adjust the distance between the end plate 135 secured to the lower ends of the screws 134 and a second side of the hook means 132 by turning the knobs 136 of the screws 134. Such a construction is advantageous in that the hook means 132 is more firmly secured to a building, regardless of the thickness of the building to which the hook means 132 will be secured.

[28] The brake units 140 installed on the left and right sides of the casing parts 110a and

110b are configured to bring the rope 130 into close contact with brake pads 142, thus controlling the lowering speed of the rope 130. Each brake unit 140 includes the brake pad 142, an elastic support bar 144, and a handle part 146. The brake pad 142 has a semi-elliptical shape. When each brake unit 140 is not operated, the respective brake pad 142 is spaced apart from the opening 122 of the rope guide pipe 120 by a predetermined interval. Meanwhile, when each brake unit 140 is operated, the brake pad 142 contacts the rope 130, thus preventing the descent of the rope 130. Preferably, each brake pad 142 has excellent heat-resistance and abrasion-resistance, and has little variation in the coefficient of friction even at a high temperature.

[29] Further, the elastic support bar 144, laterally secured to each brake pad 142, sequentially passes through a locking part 145a, a return spring 145, and a support part 145b. The locking part 145a is provided with a bar insert hole such that the elastic support bar 144 is laterally movable, and is coupled to an end of the return spring 145. Further, the return spring 145 biases the support part 145b and the elastic support bar 144 supported by the support part 145b outwards relative to the descending device 100, thus elastically supporting the brake pad 142 coupled to the elastic support part 144 such that the brake pad 142 is spaced apart from the opening 122 of the rope guide pipe 120 by a predetermined interval. The tensile strength of the return spring 145 must be small enough to allow each brake pad 142 to immediately contact the rope 130 during a braking operation, and must be large enough to maintain a safe interval between the brake pad 142 and the rope 130 after the braking operation has been completed.

[30] Further, each handle part 146 is coupled to the corresponding elastic support bar

144, and has the shape of a 1/4 circle. The upper end of the handle part 146 is inserted into a handle insert hole 114 provided at a predetermined position on the casing 110. The handle part 146 is movably supported by handle support members 116a and 116b. Further, the lower end of the handle part 146 is used to operate each brake unit 140 with four fingers while a user's thumb is inserted into a finger hole 112 formed on the rear casing part 110b.

[31] The handle insert hole 114 formed on the sidewall of the casing 110 and a hole defined by the handle support members 116a and 116b are formed to be larger than the diameter of each handle part 146, thus allowing the handle part 146 to be movable up and down when each brake unit 140 is operated.

[32] The safety belt 150 may be any conventional safety belt without being limited to a specific structure, as long as the safety belt safely secures a user to the descending device.

[33] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a descending device, according to another embodiment of this invention. As shown in the drawing, one or more descending devices 100 are coupled to each other, thus allowing several persons to descend simultaneously. The descending devices 100 may be stored in a device storage box 170.

[34] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a descending device, according to a further embodiment of this invention. As shown in the drawing, one or more spacing members 180 may be provided on the rear surface of the casing part 110a. Each of the spacing members 180 has a streamline shape which is wide at an upper portion thereof and narrow at a lower portion thereof. The spacing members 180 function to maintain the interval between a building and the descending device during the descent, in addition to allowing a person to easily and safely descend even if an obstacle, such as a window frame, is present.

[35] As such, the descending device of this invention is easy to use and has a simple structure, thus reducing production costs in addition to appropriately controlling a descending speed.

[36] The operation of the descending device according to this invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FlG. 5 is a view to show the use of the descending device, according to this invention. At normal times, the descending device for private use or common use is provided as shown in FlG. 3, and is kept in a building. Meanwhile, in the occurrence of a fire, only the rope storage box 160 is thrown to the ground, so that the rope 130 unwinds.

[37] Afterwards, each descending device 100 is taken out from the device storage box

170, and the hook means 132 provided on the upper end of the rope 130 is hooked and secured to a building or structure. At this time, the knob 136 of each screw 134 passing through the first side of the hook means 132 is turned to adjust the distance between the end plate 135 secured to the lower end of each screw 134 and the second side of the hook means 132. Such a construction allows the hook means 132 to be more firmly secured to the building or structure, regardless of the thickness of the building or structure.

[38] Next, the descending device 100 is secured to a user's body using the safety belt 150 of the descending device 100. Subsequently, the user puts his or her thumbs into the finger holes 112 provided on the left and right sides of the casing 110b of the descending device 100, and holds the handle parts 146 of the brake units 100, installed on the left and right sides of the descending device 100, with the remaining four fingers. In such a state, the user starts to descend.

[39] Since the rope 130 passes through the "S"-shaped rope guide pipe 120, a person having average weight can descend at an appropriate speed. However, when an overweight person uses the descending device, the descending speed may be excessively fast under any circumstances. In this case, it is possible to reduce the lowering speed of the rope 130 by pulling the handle parts 146 provided on the left and right brake units 140 toward the center of the descending device 100. In a detailed description, when the handle parts 146 are pulled towards the center of the descending device 100, the elastic support bar 144 coupled to each handle part 146, the support part 145b secured to the elastic support bar 144, and the brake pad 142 overcome the elasticity of the associated return spring 145, and move in one direction together. Thereby, each brake pad 142 contacts the rope 130, thus reducing the descending speed of the descending device 100.

[40] Conversely, when it is required to increase the descending speed, due to violent flames or the like, the user releases the handle parts 146. At this time, due to the elasticity of the return springs 145, the support parts 145b, the elastic support bars 144, and the brake pads 142 are operated in conjunction with each other, thus moving leftwards and rightwards relative to the descending device 100. Thus, it is possible to control the descending speed of the descending device of this invention by a simple manipulation in the occurrence of a fire, thus allowing a person to safely and rapidly escape.

[41] Moreover, the streamlined spacing members 180 (see, FlG. 4) which are wide at upper portions thereof and are narrow at lower portions are provided on the rear surface of the descending device 100, thus maintaining an interval between a building and the descending device 100 during the descent, and allowing a person to easily and safely descend, even if an obstacle, such as a window frame, is present. Meanwhile, in the case where a plurality of descending devices 100 is stored in the device storage box 170, several persons can simultaneously descend, as shown in FlG. 5.

[42] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A descending device, comprising: a casing having an "S"-shaped rope guide pipe therein; a rope passing through the rope guide pipe and being lowered to a ground, with hook means being provided at an upper end of the rope; control means installed on each of left and right sides of the casing, and controlling a rope lowering speed; and a safety belt coupled to the casing. [2] The descending device according to claim 1, wherein the rope guide pipe comprises an opening corresponding to a brake pad, and the control means comprises: a brake pad; an elastic support bar laterally secured to the brake pad; a return spring fitted over the elastic support bar, and biasing the elastic support bar outwards relative to the casing, thus causing the brake pad to be spaced apart from the opening of the rope guide pipe; and a handle part secured to the elastic support bar, and overcoming elasticity of the return spring, thus moving the elastic support bar to a center of the casing. [3] The descending device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a streamlined spacing member provided on a rear surface of the casing, the spacing member being wide at an upper portion thereof and narrow at a lower portion thereof. [4] The descending device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hook means comprises: at least one screw passing through a side of the hook means, and having a knob; and an end plate mounted to a lower end of the screw positioned inside the hook means, and operated in conjunction with the screw.