GB2156888A - Quick descending fire escape - Google Patents

Abstract

A lightweight quick release foldaway fire escape ladder in three variant design-styles, for commercial and especially domestic usage, which can be fitted or built into the inside wall of any building below an appropriate window. The ladder is either permanently secured by mounting blocks, plates, bolts, central bar and other attachments as required, or from a single bar temporarily placed adjacent to the bottom of an open window and secured with sliding fixing bolts. The ladder is run or played out over the adjacent window ledge, descending 12 metres or according to length specified. The whole is housed in an appropriate steel box or false cupboard, as required. After use, the ladder can easily be drawn up and replaced for future use. The three designs embodied here whilst the same in principle differ in installation according to situation requirements. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Quick descending fire escape This invention relates to a lightweight quick release descending fire escape ladder.

Traditional fire escape facilities for domestic and commercial usage have been of the heavy duty metal variety, attached to the rearor outside of a building.

The pattern is usually one of an outside staircase, hand-raiiinged at either side.

This type of fire escape, however, is expensive to install, as well as taking up valuable space. Moreover, it is generally only to be found outside large municipal, professional or commercial buildings.

According to the present invention, there is provided a quick release descending fire escape ladder, comprising, dependent on the manner of design hereinafter indicated: housing, securing locks and fixing bars with the means of attaching the ladder thereto; the ladder being of a lightweight concertina orfoldawaytype design, and descending, from an inside wall, 12 metres orto length required, through an adjacent window, towards ground level below.

A specific embodiment of the invention, in three variant designs, will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying draw ings in which: fig. 1-Integral built-in foldaway fire escape, Design A, Showing: steel compartment (1) built into brick work, with foursecuring fixture bars (2); within are housed the steel central fixing bar (3) and the foldaway ladder (4) which is attached to it; doorto steel compartment (5).

fig. 2-Design A Foldawayfire escape ladder extended for use.

fig. 3 -- Installed concealed foldaway fire escape, Design B, Showing: steel plates (1 ) attached to inside and outside brickwork and connected by securing rods (2) and other attachments as required; steel central fixing bar (3) adjacent to inside wall below window and secured to (2); foldaway ladder (4) attached to (3) and housed with (1, 2 & ) in false cupboard or box seats below window, optional.

fig. 4-Design B. concealed foldawayfire escape ladder extended for use.

fig. 5 -- Portable single bar foldaway fire escape, Design C, Showing: portable central fixing bar (1) to which foldawayfire escape ladder (2) is attached; two keyadjustable sliding fixing arms (3) securable to fit any standard sash-style window opening.

fig. 6-Design C. Portable single barfoldaway fire escape ladder extended for use.

1. An integral built-in foldaway fire escape (Design A) comprising compartment, securing fixtures, central bar and attached lightweight concertina orfoldaway style ladder.

2. An instaled concealed foldaway fire escape, (Design B) comprising steel plates, securing rods and other attachments; central bar and attached lightweight concertina orfoldaway style ladder; the whole housed in false cupboard or box seat.

3. A portable single barfoldawayfire escape, (Design C) comprising portable central bar and attached lightweight concertina orfoldaway style ladder and kay -- adjustable sliding fixing arms.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Quick descending fire escape This invention relates to a lightweight quick release descending fire escape ladder. Traditional fire escape facilities for domestic and commercial usage have been of the heavy duty metal variety, attached to the rearor outside of a building. The pattern is usually one of an outside staircase, hand-raiiinged at either side. This type of fire escape, however, is expensive to install, as well as taking up valuable space. Moreover, it is generally only to be found outside large municipal, professional or commercial buildings. According to the present invention, there is provided a quick release descending fire escape ladder, comprising, dependent on the manner of design hereinafter indicated: housing, securing locks and fixing bars with the means of attaching the ladder thereto; the ladder being of a lightweight concertina orfoldawaytype design, and descending, from an inside wall, 12 metres orto length required, through an adjacent window, towards ground level below. A specific embodiment of the invention, in three variant designs, will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying draw ings in which: fig. 1-Integral built-in foldaway fire escape, Design A, Showing: steel compartment (1) built into brick work, with foursecuring fixture bars (2); within are housed the steel central fixing bar (3) and the foldaway ladder (4) which is attached to it; doorto steel compartment (5). fig. 2-Design A Foldawayfire escape ladder extended for use. fig. 3 -- Installed concealed foldaway fire escape, Design B, Showing: steel plates (1 ) attached to inside and outside brickwork and connected by securing rods (2) and other attachments as required; steel central fixing bar (3) adjacent to inside wall below window and secured to (2); foldaway ladder (4) attached to (3) and housed with (1, 2 & ) in false cupboard or box seats below window, optional. fig. 4-Design B. concealed foldawayfire escape ladder extended for use. fig. 5 -- Portable single bar foldaway fire escape, Design C, Showing: portable central fixing bar (1) to which foldawayfire escape ladder (2) is attached; two keyadjustable sliding fixing arms (3) securable to fit any standard sash-style window opening. fig. 6-Design C. Portable single barfoldaway fire escape ladder extended for use. CLAIMS

1. An integral built-in foldaway fire escape (Design A) comprising compartment, securing fixtures, central bar and attached lightweight concertina orfoldaway style ladder.

2. An instaled concealed foldaway fire escape, (Design B) comprising steel plates, securing rods and other attachments; central bar and attached lightweight concertina orfoldaway style ladder; the whole housed in false cupboard or box seat.

3. A portable single barfoldawayfire escape, (Design C) comprising portable central bar and attached lightweight concertina orfoldaway style ladder and kay -- adjustable sliding fixing arms.