GB2201187A

GB2201187A - Fire escape ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2201187A
Application number: GB08803484A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malachy John Molloy; Ruby Taggart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-02-13
Filing date: 1988-02-15
Publication date: 1988-08-24
Also published as: GB8803484D0

Abstract

An escape ladder collapsible when not in use and extendible for use comprises a set of steps (10), each of rectangular shape and formed of sheet metal and provided with a surrounding flange (12) extending downwardly in use. The steps (10) are held in spaced apart relationship on side pieces of flexible non-inflammable material, such as two wire ropes (14) united at the end intended to be uppermost in use. The four ropes (14) pass through the steps (10), one adjacent to each corner thereof. Fastening means are provided to hold the steps (10) and side pieces at the desired spacing. The space under the tread portion of each step (10) and the depth of the flange (12) serve as a recess to accommodate said side pieces when the ladder is collapsed. Securing means in the form of a strap (26) pass around the collapsed steps (10) to be released by a quick-release catch (30). Anchoring means are provided for use in attaching the ladder prior to use and extension. <IMAGE>

Description

LADDERS This invention relates to ladders, and particularly to ladders of the type to be used for escape from an upstairs location in a structure, for example a first floor window of a house, hostel, hotel or office. Such type of ladders may be kept in a collapsed state and extended for use, and heretofore comprise, for example a rope ladder or an extendible ladder haviny several riyid lenyth sections. A disadvantage of rope ladders is that while they are relatively easily extended by a child or adult, they are of inflammahle materials, such as wood or plastic rungs or steps and natural or synthetic plastics rope, and by their nature have no stability in use.Further disadvantayes of extendible ladders include storage problems due to their relatively bulky nature when collapsed and, when they have to be used, a time delay in the operation by a healthy adult in extending and manoeuvring the extended ladder into position for use, an operation normally beyond the capabilities of a child or an incapacitated adult.

An essential factor in the use of escape ladders is their ready availability at the location of use when required and quickness in bringing them into use hy a healthy or weak adult or child.

An object of the present invention is to provide an escape ladder of collapsed size suitable for storage adjacent to a location for use, and of a carrying weight and construction conducive to relative ease and quickness in bringing the ladder into a use position, and when in position it is capable of being used by escapees without hesitation.

In accordance with the present invention an escape ladder collapsible when not in use and extendible for use comprises a set of steps, each of rectangular shape or substantially so and formed of metal or other non inflammable rigid material, the steps being held in spaced apart relationship on side pieces of flexible non-inflammable material, fasteniny means to hold the steps and side pieces at the desired spacing, and anchoring means being provided at the upper ends of the side pieces for use in attaching the ladder prior to use and extension.

Preferably, the side pieces are formed each of two ropes united at the end intended to be uppermost in use, the four ropes passing through the steps, one adjacent to each corner thereof.

Preferably also, the steps are similar and each formed having a recess thereunder to accommodate said side pieces when the ladder is collapsed. The steps are preferably each formed of sheet material and provided with a surrounding flange extendiny downwardly in use, the space under the tread portion and the depth of the flange serving as the recess.

Preferably further, in its collapsed state, the set of steps sit one on top of each other with the parts of the ropes between each two adjacent steps being housed in the space under the suprajacent step, securing means being provided to hold the ladder in its collapsed state. The united side pieces are preferably brought toyether to form a handle for carrying the steps when collapsed and secured.

The anchoring means is a bracket having a first portion to overlie the window frame and outside ledge with on one side a hook to attach under an inside window ledge or board and on an opposite side a second portion to depend on the outside down from the window opening, the united side pieces being secured or securable to the second portion. The bracket may preferably and conveniently constitute part of a box in which the collapsed ladder can be kept, the first and second portions being rectangular members to serve respectively as a top and as a front of the box with the hook being located inside the box, the bracket being secured to the remainder of the box by quick-release fastenings.

The securing means is preferably a strap to pass around the collapsed steps with both ends securable by a quick-release catch. The fastening means each preferably comprise a U-bolt clamp fastening.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawing, in which:- Fix;. 1 is a side view of an escape ladder accordiny to the present invention shown in a collapsed state; Fig. 2 is a side view, to a smaller scale than Fiy. 1, of the ladder when extended shown secured inside the upper window of at two storey house; Fig. 3 is a perspective view, to a larger scale than Fig. 1, of one step of the ladder when extended; and Fig. 4 is a side view, to the same scale as Fig.

2, of the ladder when extended shown secured inside the upper window with a different type of anchoriny means.

Referring to the drawiny, an escape ladder comprises a set of steps 10 each of rectangular shape and formed of sheet metal. Each step 10 is provided with a surrounding flange 12 extending downwardly in use. Each step has a non-slip surface over at least the tread portion. The steps 10 are held in spaced relationship on side pieces of flexible non-inflammable material. In this embodiment, the side pieces are each formed of two wire ropes 14 (Figs. 2 and 3) united with a metal eyehole 16 (Fig. 1) at the end intended to be uppermost in use. The four ropes 14 pass through holes in the tread of the steps 10, one adjacent to each corner thereof as shown in Fig. 3.Fastening means are provided to hold the steps 10 on the ropes 14 at the desired spacing, the fastening means being, in this embodiment, U-bolt clamps 18, one for each rope 14, shown in broken line in Fig. 3. Anchoring means is provided at the upper united ends of the side pieces for use in attaching the ladder prior to use and extension, the means comprising, as shown in Fig. 2, a rod 20 securable in wall-mounted brackets (not shown) fixed to the inside wall of the house 22 below the window ledge 24, the rod 20 being threaded through the eyeholes 16.

To hold the ladder in a collapsed state, securing means in the form of a strap 26 is provided as shown in Fig. 1, the strap 26 being secured around the steps and held in position by a quick-release catch 30 shown in broken line in Fig. 4.

In a collapsed state, the set of steps 10 sit one on topof each other as shown in Fig. 1 with the parts of the ropes 14 between each two adjacent steps 10 being housed in the space under the suprajacent step. For carrying purposes, the united side pieces can be brought together to form a handle for carrying the steps when collapsed, or a handle may be provided to clip into or onto the eyeholes 16.

The steps are preferably made of aluminium.

In use, the collapsed ladder is lifted onto the window ledge, the rod 20 threaded through the eyeholes 16 and rod 20 secured, the window opened, strap 26 released by operating the quick-release catch, and the ladder dropped on the outside of the window under gravity. In the extended position, the ladder is as shown in Fig. 2 with the respective side of each step in full contact with the wall giving stability to the ladder particularly when being used. Also, the treads are of a size to have at least majority foot contact for adults and full foot contact for children.

In an example of a ladder of the present invention, it may weigh thirteen pounds weight, be of nine inches collapsed height and fourteen feet extended height with eight steps each at fourteen inches spacing: each step being approximately eight inches by twelve inches in dimension.

Alternatively, the anchoring means is as shown in Fig. 4 comprising a bracket 28. The bracket 28 has a first portion 34 to overlie the window frame and outside ledge 24 with on one side a hook 30 to attach under an inside window ledge or board 32 and on an opposite side a second portion 36 to depend on the outside down from the window openiny, the united side pieces being secured or securable to the second portion 36.The bracket may conveniently constitute part of a box 38 as shown in Fi. 4 in which the collapsed ladder can he kept, the first and second portions 34,36 being rectangular frame members sheeted over on one side to serve respectively as a top and as a front of the box 38 with the hook 30, formed in two parts one on each lateral side of the frame members, beiny located inside the box 38, the bracket 28 being secured to the remainder of the box by cduick-release fastenings.

In a modification, the steps may be made of open mesh or expanded metal, or of other non-inflammable rigid material. Also, the stes may be made of other than sheet material with a downturned flange, provided that a recess is provided under the tread to acconunodate said side pieces when the ladder is collapsed. The shape of the tread of the steps may be substantially rectangular, for example the side opposite to the side to abut against the wall, may he convexed outwardly, and the two other sides may be concaved or convexed providing the ropes are position rectangularly on the steps. Fastening means other than U-bolt clamps can be used.

Other modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An escape ladder, collapsible when not in use and extendible for use, comprises a set of steps, each of rectangular shape or substantially so and formed of non-inflamnlable rigid material, the steps being held in spaced apart relationship on side pieces of flexible non-inflammable material, fastening means to hold the steps d side pieces at the desired spacing, and anchoring means being provided at the upper ends of the side pieces for use in attaching the ladder prior to use and extension.

2. An escape ladder as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the side pieces are formed each of two ropes united at the end intended to be uppermost in use, the four ropes passing through the steps, one adjacent to each corner thereof.

3.- An escape ladder as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the steps are similar and each formed having a recess thereunder to accommodate said side pieces when the ladder is collapsed.

4. An escape ladder as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the steps are each formed of sheet material and provided with a surrounding flange extendiny downwardly in use, the space under the tread portions and the deptb of the flange serving as the recess.

5. An escape ladder as claimed in Claim 2,3 or 4, wherein in its collapsed state, the set of steps sit one on top of each other with the parts of the ropes between each two adjacent steps being housed in the space under the suprajacent step, securing means being provided to hold the ladder in its collapsed state.

6. An escape ladder as claimed in Claim 2,3,4 or 5, wherein the united sidle pieces are brought together to form a handle for carrying the steps when collapsed and secured.

7. An escape ladder as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the anchoriny means is a bracket having a first portion to overlie a window frame and outside eye with on one side a hook to attach under an inside window ledge or board and on an opposite side a second portion to depend on the outside down from the window opening, the united side pieces being secured or securable to the second portion.

8. An escape ladder as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the bracket constitutes part of a box in which the collapsed ladder can be kept.

9. An escape ladder as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the first and second portions are rectangular members to serve respectively as a top and as a front of the box with the hook being located inside the box.

10. An escape ladder as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the bracket is secured to the remainder of the box by quickrelease fastenings.

11. An escape ladder as claimed in any one of Claims 5 to 10, wherein the securing means is á strap to pass around the collapsed steps with hoth ends securable by a quick-release catch.

12. An escape ladder as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means each comprise a U-holt clamp fastener.

13. An escape ladder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1,2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

14. An escape ladder-substantially as hereinhefore described with reference to Figs. 1,3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.