AU784046B2 - Rescue system for high-rise buildings - Google Patents

Description

2/597/1 1 I ~ri~a~ RESCUE SYSTEM FOR HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to rescue systems for evacuating individuals trapped in high-rise buildings in case of an emergency situation, typically fire.

More specifically the invention concerns fire escapes using chutes or tubes through which individuals glide down from the building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The first known attempts to tackle the problem at hand are disclosed in and by U.S. Patents Nos. 908,034 (Dec. 29, 1908) and 1,520,440 (Dec. 23, 1924), both to Frank Pyleck and entitled "Automatic Fire-Escape".

In the first Patent there was described a foldable chute normally stored in a box that is hingedly supported. In the standby position, the box is arrested against the outer wall of the building, at one side of a window. When needed, the box is released and allowed, under the bias of springs, to smash Into and break open the window. The chute becomes released and projects down. The ejection of the chute, as well as its support in a sloping down to ground level position, are sustained by a coil spring wound around the chute along its entire length, while the exit side is freely rested on the ground.

Further disclosed were a pair of cords passed along the chute by which the chute can be collapsed and folded back into the storage box.

In the second, later Patent, the inventor proposed to substitute the supporting coil spring by a solid track or rail permanently mounted to the building wall above the window and Inclining down parallel to the path of the unfolded chute. The chute, after being deployed will be suspended from the rail by a series of wheeled hangers running along the rail.

Quite obviously, these solutions might have been of some merit at the beginning of the past century with regard to buildings of, say, four or five stories at the most, but out of the question for modern hi-rise buildings. Hence, and only quite recently, other solutions have been proposed cf. U.S. Patents Nos.

4,099,596 (1978); 4,240,520 (1980); 4,398,621 (1983), and 4,580,659 (1986), each one pointing in a different direction and none of them known to have gained commercially successful implementation.

It is therefore desirable to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art chute-gliding fire-escape systems.

It is further desirable to empty a tension cable as the only supporting means of the sliding sleeve.

SIt is still further desirable to provide delimiting stretches of cables, associated with the same tension cable for forming knee-like sections along the sleeve for locally moderating the inclination angle thereof.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but 20 not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, oooo integers or steps.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of :2 .providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an S: 25 admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for the evacuation of individuals trapped in multiple storey buildings by gliding down a rescue sleeve, comprising: m:\specifications\100000\111613res2reo.doc a tubular sleeve capable of being folded into a compact package in a standby position and unfolded into a chute configuration in the operative position thereof; a top tension cable threaded along the sleeve at the top generatrix thereof; a bottom cable threaded along the sleeve at the bottom generatrix thereof; means for tying the unfolded sleeve to at least one stationary object at the ground level; the sleeve being made of a sheet material strengthened by circumferential rigid support members; spring operated means for selectively ejecting and unfolding the sleeve down to ground level; and respective winch systems for winding the top tension cable and the bottom cable into a dedicated location at the building storey from which rescue is requested, so that the sleeve becomes folded into the standby position.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a oeooo system for the evacuation of individuals from an elevated level of a building, comprising: a flexible sleeve capable of being folded into a compact form for storage, or unfolded into an extended operative form for guiding the descent of an individual therethrough; said flexible sleeve having an entry end to be secured with respect to the 25 building at said elevated level, and an exit end to be secured to a stable object at a lower level in the extended operative form of the flexible sleeve; S* an upper tension cable and a lower cable coupled to the upper and lower portions of said flexible sleeve for supporting the flexible sleeve at downward sloping direction in the extended operative form of the flexible sleeve; m:\specifications\l 00000\111613clmreo .doc a compartment for storing said flexible sleeve when the flexible sleeve is in the compact form; first and second winches in said compartment coupled to said upper and lower cables for drawing said flexible sleeve into said compartment; a backing plate linearly displaceable within said compartment coupled to the entry end of said flexible sleeve and having an opening to permit entry by an individual in the extended operative form of the flexible sleeve; a compression spring urging said backing plate in the direction of ejecting said flexible sleeve from said compartment; and a normally-closed door holding said flexible sleeve in the compact storage form within said compartment against the action of said compression spring.

:•"Further novel features and other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion, and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the emergency rescue system o 20 in the operative position thereof; •Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the down-stream end of the rescue sleeve; •Fig. 2a is a side view, showing the end side of the sleeve; *Figs. 3a-3d are details of construction relating to the rings interposed between successive sections of the sleeve; Fig. 4a illustrates the connection between adjacent sleeve sections; Fig. 4b is a partial side view of Fig. 4a; Fig. 5 shows a knee-forming arrangement; Fig. 6 is a detail of construction relating to the attachment of auxiliary cables; Fig. 7 is a partly sectional side view of the sleeve-storing compartment, taken along line VII-VII of Fig. 8; Fig. 8 is a view taken along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7; m :\specifications\100000\111613res2reo.doc a 2/597/1 4 Fig. 9 Is a view taken along line DX-IX of Fg. 7; Fig. 9a is a detail of construction relating to Rg. 9; Fig. 10 is a view taken along line X-X of Fig. 7; Fig. 11 is a view taken along line XI-XI of Fig. 7; Fig. 12 Is a view taken along line XII-XII of Rg. 8; Fig. 13 is a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 7, following the ejection of the sleeve from the standby position; and Fig. 14 shows the system in the sleeve deployed position prior to the anchoring as depicted in Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated a multiple story building 10 (residential or hotel) where a fire has started.

is Rescue sleeve or chute 12 has been ejected as will be described in greater detail below. The exit side of the sleeve 12 is brought by a specially trained rescue team) to a convenient evacuation point, namely that is as far from the building as allowed by the length the sleeve on the one hand and by the surrounding topography (nearby buildings or other obstacles) on the other hand. As already mentioned, the sleeve Is self-supported by anchoring the exit side of the sleeve, e.g. by cables 14 and 15 connected to at least tension cable 27 (see below) to any kind of stable objects such as nearby parked vehicles, trees, street lamp posts and the like, schematically represented by poles 16 and 17. Preferably though, for the sake of better support and greater safety, a 2/5971 number of auxiliary anchor cables 18 should be available and used as shown and will be described further below.

It will be further noted (see Fig. 2) that the sleeve 12 Is mostly made of tapeworm-like structure, namely a chain of sections 20, which are made of strong sheet material such as nylon, canvas fabric and the like, sewn to each other and strengthened by rigid rings generally denoted 22 (see Fig. 4).

At the lowermost portion, however, the structure of the sleeve 12 can be half-open (sections 20') and provided with preferably self-inflated cushions 24, Intended to brake and absorb the gliding movement of the rescued persons (shown in phantom lines) using the sleeve.

in addition there are provided a pair of tension cables 26, 27, running all along the sleeve 12. Cable 26 runs at the bottom side, threaded through eyelets 28 mounted to every mn one of the rings 22. Every eyelet is preferably pivotally connected (Figs. 3a-3d) via a U-shaped bracket 30 which Is 1s welded to the respective ring 22.

A plug 26a Is affixed to) the end of the cable 26.

The same arrangement exists with respect to the top running cable 27, which Is threaded through eyelets 28 in a staggered fashion relative to cable 26.

Yet another detail of construction Is shown In Figs. 4a and 4b. This relates to the manner the sleeve sections 20 are sewn to each other and to the rings 22. Hence, the margins of each section are bent radially outwards, folded about themselves and fastened by stitches Si and S2, leaving an extended portion bBmAlltY~kD LR 2/597/1 6 directed backwards. The ring 22 Is then assembled by a circular wrapping 32 of doth which envelops the ring and is fastened to the said extended portions by stitches S3 and S4.

The brackets 30 for the eyelets 28 will of course penetrate outwards of s the envelope 32 (Fig. 4b).

The arrangement of Fg. 5 may be adopted in order to form locally bulging sections that will serve to moderate the speed of the free gliding persons by constituting successive stretches of less-steep angles. When in the folded state (see below), several stretches of an additional delimiting cable 34 are tied, at certain intervals between distanced eyelets of the top cable 27, restricting the distance between the respective rings at their upper points to a pre-set length.

This will cause the sleeve 12 to form bulging, knee-like sections 12a when unfolded. The number of such bulging sections 12a will be determined according to the overall height of the sleeve the respective building story) and the amount of the final desired curvature of the sleeve as a whole.

As already mentioned, auxiliary anchor cables 18 (Fig. 1) may be requested. For that purpose, a second series of swivable eyelets 40 are employed (Fig. diametrically located in a horizontal plane, deployed along the sleeve and mounted to several, distanced rings 22.

As further seen in Fig. 6, the eyelet configuration is advantageous, allowing the auxiliary anchor cables 18 be constituted by loops, the idea being that after use, the cables can be cut and completely removed from the sleeve.

This is important for facilitating a smooth folding back of the sleeve for re-use 2/597/1 a%'r Ij~i~~ 7 (see below), without needing to attend specially to the orderly collection of these cables.

The re-installment of the cables 18 will take place at a later stage, in the folded-back state of the sleeve, through a service opening (sliding doors 74 and 75), as will be described later on.

Reference shall now be made to Figs. 7-12. At every story of the building next to an external wall 10a, a compartment generally denoted 50 will be installed, associated with a dedicated preferably oval opening 10b with a funnel-like extension 10c (Fig. 13) The rescue sleeve 12 is shown in the folded, stand-by state, after the cables 26 and 27 have been fully rewound by respective electrically powered winch systems 52 and 54.

Cable 26 passes through a guiding tube 56, having for that purpose a somewhat flared opening portion 56a. The same applies with respect to tube is 58 for cable 27.

Coil springs 60 and 62 are Installed, both acting against a common backup plate 64 (see Fig. 9) defining the surface against which the sleeve 12 is folded, in an accordion-like fashion.

The backup plate 64 has an entering opening 64a, equal to or larger than the diameter of the sleeve 12.

Since the distance between the tubes 56 and 58 is greater than the diameter of sleeve 12, and in view of the alternate order of the eyelet 28 relative to the lower cable 26 and the upper cable 27, the sleeve sections t Ps p ESE ME 2/597/1 8 will become folded not overlapping each other, but in a staggered, zig-zag fashion, to save storing space.

The compartment 50 Is made of metal construction, and is provided with a first, weather-proof sliding door 70 (see Fig.10), a second sliding door 72, facing the interior of the building, and two pairs of third service sliding door systems 74a, 74b and 75a, 75b (see Figs. 8 and 12) at both sides of the compartment 50, serving to allow access from the side for re-connecting the auxiliary anchor cables 18 after the use of the rescue sleeve and the cable having been cut and removed to facilitate smooth and trouble-free folding-back o1 of the sleeve into its stand-by position.

The operation of the rescue-sleeve system is illustrated in Fg. 13. Hence, in case of emergency, the door 70 Is pulled aside (see Fig. 10) and the winch systems 52 and 54 released for free wheel rotation of their drums.

Consequently, under the force of the springs 60 and 62, the plate 64 will shoot is (to the left in Fig. 7) and cause the folded sleeve to become ejected out through the opening lOb and paid down over the funnel shaped section provided for that purpose.

Now, the position of Fg. 14 is reached, where the sleeve 12 freely hangs down, except for the knee section(s) 34 that start shaping the sleeve towards the operative position of Fg. 1.

The auxiliary cables 18 (having been attached and prepared in the folded position of the sleeve as already explained) hang freely down as shown, ready to be picked up by the rescue team and tied to any available stationary object.

;C?

2/597/1 'i0 71) ef~T~i~ The free end of the sleeve is tied by at-least the tension cable 27 as already explained with reference to Fig. 1 and the system Is ready for its life saving goal.

While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the Invention, but rather as exemplification of the preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other possible variations that are within its scope. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment Illustrated, but by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A system for the evacuation of individuals trapped in multiple storey buildings by gliding down a rescue sleeve, comprising: a tubular sleeve capable of being folded into a compact package in a standby position and unfolded into a chute configuration in the operative position thereof; a top tension cable threaded along the sleeve at the top generatrix thereof; a bottom cable threaded along the sleeve at the bottom generatrix thereof; means for tying the unfolded sleeve to at least one stationary object at the ground level; the sleeve being made of a sheet material strengthened by circumferential rigid support members; spring operated means for selectively ejecting and unfolding the sleeve down to ground level; and respective winch systems for winding the top tension cable and the bottom cable into a dedicated location at the building storey from which rescue is requested, so that the sleeve becomes folded into the standby position.

2. The system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the top tension cable and the bottom cable are threaded through eyelet means mounted to the support 25 members. o*oo oo

3. The system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the top and the bottom cables o are each wound through a guide tube.

4. The system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein coil springs are located in each guide tube around the respective top and bottom cables. m:\specifications\l 00000\111613clmreo.doc 11 The system as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein each of the winch systems comprises a drum around which the top tension cable and the bottom cable are wound.

6. The system as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the winch systems comprise means for releasing the respective drums of the winch systems to enable the said ejecting and unfolding of the sleeve.

7. The system as claimed in Claim 6 wherein a backup plate is provided against which the sleeve becomes folded upon winding of the top tension cable and the bottom cable.

8. The system as claimed in Claim 7 further comprising a slidable door adapted to close an opening in the building through which the sleeve is folded by the winch systems.

9. The system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the eyelet means are swivably mounted to the respective rigid support members. 20 10. The system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the top tension cable and the bottom cable are threaded through every second eyelet in a staggered order.

11. The system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the vertical distance between S 25 the guide tubes exceeds the distance between the top and the bottom eyelet means, so that the sleeve becomes folded in a zig-zag, space- saving order.

12. The system as claimed in Claim 1 further comprising means for forming at least one knee at the sleeve in the unfolded state thereof. m:\specifications\l 00000\111613clmreo.doc

13. The system as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the knee forming means comprises a stretch of cable tied between selected eyelets located at the top of the sleeve, the length of the cable being less than the distance between the respective eyelets when the sleeve is unfolded.

14. The system as claimed in Claim 1 further comprising auxiliary cables adapted to be anchored to a stationary object at ground level for stabilizing the sleeve in its unfolded state.

15. The system as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the auxiliary cables are connected to selected ones of the rigid support member, at two diametrically opposite sides thereof in a horizontal plane.

16. The system as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the auxiliary cables are constituted by loops passed through respective rings mounted to the rigid support member. o• S 17. A system for the evacuation of individuals from an elevated level of a building, comprising: a flexible sleeve capable of being folded into a compact form for storage, or unfolded into an extended operative form for guiding the descent of an individual therethrough; said flexible sleeve having an entry end to be secured with respect to the building at said elevated level, and an exit end to be secured to a stable 25 object at a lower level in the extended operative form of the flexible l*gO sleeve; an upper tension cable and a lower cable coupled to the upper and Slower portions of said flexible sleeve for supporting the flexible sleeve at downward sloping direction in the extended operative form of the flexible sleeve; a compartment for storing said flexible sleeve when the flexible sleeve is in the compact form; m:\specifications\l 00000\1 11613clmreo.doc 13 first and second winches in said compartment coupled to said upper and lower cables for drawing said flexible sleeve into said compartment; a backing plate linearly displaceable within said compartment coupled to the entry end of said flexible sleeve and having an opening to permit entry by an individual in the extended operative form of the flexible sleeve; a compression spring urging said backing plate in the direction of ejecting said flexible sleeve from said compartment; and a normally-closed door holding said flexible sleeve in the compact storage form within said compartment against the action of said compression spring.

18. The system according to Claim 17, wherein said compartment further includes a guide tube for each of said cables located between the respective winch and said backing plate. :19. The system according to Claim 18, wherein said flexible sleeve includes *i e 0 a plurality of annular sections interconnected together, each section being made of strong flexible sheet material attached to and supported by a rigid ring; said upper and lower tension cables passing through ~eyelets carried by the upper and lower portions of said rigid rings, respectively. A system for the evacuation of individuals trapped in multiple storey 25 buildings substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the 0 accompanying drawings. S* 21. A system for the evacuation of individuals from an elevated level of a building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. m:\specifications\1 00000\111613clmreo.doc 14 Dated this thirtieth day of September 2005 AES 2000 Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: FB RICE CO 0* SO S S S S **5555 *S OS S S S 4 4 *4S* 0* S S S C S "Sb. S S S .5 S S 5555 555~ S S ~S55 0U 59 S S S m:\specifications\1 OOOOO\1 1161 3clmreo.doc