GB1457280A - Extensible passage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1457280 Fire escapes in buildings H NAKA 5 Dec 1973 [5 Dec 1972 1 Aug 1973 22 Oct 1973 (2)] 56406/73 Headings E1A and E1S [Also in Division B7] An internal fire escape comprises an extensible passage or ladder which is stored in the depth of the floor, or between the top surface of one floor and a false ceiling below, with a cover at the upper and lower ends, the passage incorporating steps, rungs, a chute or merely an escape rope. In the embodiment of Fig. 1A, a spiral staircase is formed by plates 65 extending in from cylindrical segments 61 which are released from their telescoped, nested position by raising cover 52, thereby allowing a rod 72 to be forced up tube 70 by spring 73, thus releasing a catch 74 pivoted to the lower end of tube 70, which in turn allows cover 54 to pivot, and the segments 61 to drop. The upper and lower edges of the segments are formed to interengage with each other, (Fig. 2, not shown). Other embodiments (Figs. 3, 4, not shown) have different catch mechanisms. A rewind mechanism, involving a winch, is illustrated in Fig. 5 (not shown). A further embodiment, Figs. 6-8 (not shown), the rungs (123) extending alternately on opposite sides of cylindrical segments (122). In the embodiment of Fig. 9, cylindrical segments 131 extend to form the stiles of a ladder. In the embodiment of Figs. 10-12 a chute is formed by plates 143 pivotally mounted on cylindrical segments 141, a central telescopic tube 149 providing a guide for a rewind chain 146. In the embodiment of Fig. 13 a flexible tube includes rigid rings 163 carrying treads 165 alternating with resilient rings 164 which are pulled out to a greater diameter by the weight of the tube when released. In the embodiment of Fig. 14 (not shown) rigid rings (172) carry treads (176) and are attached via pivotal linkwork (173) to adjacent rings, to form a foldable spiral staircase.