GB2318854A - Apparatus for use in escaping from buildings - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus comprises body means 16 for mounting to a building carrying brake means 34, 32R and a flexible elongate member 18. The brake means is actuable, in use, by a load applied to said elongate member by a body connected therewith whereby descent of such a body from a building is braked for providing a gradual descent. The load on the elongate member pivots, for example, brake member 32R so that portion 38R thereof squeezes the elongate member against wheel 30. The elongate member 18 can be provided with a respective harness at each end thereof. This allows the apparatus to be used continuously where a number of people need to escape from the same location in a building.

Description

APPARATUS FOR USE IN ESCAPING FROM BUILDINGS The invention relates to apparatus for use in escaping from an upper floor of a building particularly, but not exclusively, in the event of fire.

It is known to provide rope ladders for escaping from the upper floors of buildings. Such ladders can be rolled-up for storage when not in use but are nonetheless relatively bulky. Furthermore, a degree of skill is required when descending from a building by means of a rope ladder which can be difficult, if not impossible, for certain persons such as the old or the disabled. Additionally, it is not easy to make a rapid descent from a building by means of a rope ladder.

It is an object of the invention to at least partially overcome the above-described disadvantages.

The invention provides apparatus for use in escaping from buildings, the apparatus comprising body means for mounting to a building, brake means carried by said body means and a flexible elongate member moveable relative to said brake means, said brake means being actuable, in use, by a load applied to said elongate member by a body connected therewith whereby descent of such a body from a building is braked for providing a gradual descent.

Preferably, said elongate member is arranged such that, in use, when such a load is applied thereto said elongate member presses against said brake means for actuating same The brake means may comprise rotatable means and at least one brake member, said elongate member being arranged to pass between said rotatable means and the or each said brake member such that, in use, said elongate member can be pressed against said rotatable means by the or at least one said brake member.

The brake means may comprises rotatable means and two said brake members arranged in opposed spaced apart relationship, said rotatable means being disposed between said brake members and said elongate member being arranged to pass around said rotatable means, the arrangement being such that, in use, said brake members are separately actuable according to which end region of said elongate member the load is applied.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a respective harness means connected with each end region of said elongate member.

Preferably, the or each brake member is pivotally mounted so as to be pivotable to positions in which said elongate member is pressed against said rotatable member.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises biassing means for biassing the or each said brake member to a non-braking position.

The rotatable means may comprise gripping means for gripping said elongate member when, in use, said brake means is in a braking condition.

The rotatable means may comprise a plastics wheel.

The apparatus may further comprise rotatable guide means for at least partially guiding said elongate member.

Advantageously, the guide means comprises rolling bearing means cooperable with said brake means for guiding said elongate member.

The apparatus may further comprises clamp means for mounting said body means adjacent an opening in a building, said clamp means comprising frame means adapted for engaging said building inside of said opening and extending through said opening and gripping means pivotably connected with said frame means for grippingly engaging said building externally of said opening, the arrangement being such that when, in use, said body means is connected to said gripping means and a load is applied to said elongate member by a body connected therewith, said gripping means is pivoted so as to grippingly engage said building.

The frame manes may comprise two members disposed in parallel spaced apart relationship and each having a first portion for extending through such an opening and a second portion extending transversely of said first portion for engaging the building internally of the opening, and said gripping means is pivotably mounted between the free ends of said first portions.

In order that the invention may be well understood, an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an apparatus for escaping from a building in use; Figures 2a and 2b are sectioned views of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing different operating positions of the apparatus; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket for the apparatus; and Figure 4 shows the mounting bracket installed over a window sill.

Referring to Figure 1, an apparatus 10 for escaping from a building 12 is shown mounted over a window sill 14 of the building by means of a clamp arrangement which will be described in greater detail hereinbelow.

The apparatus 10 comprises a body 16 and a flexible elongate member in the form of a cord 18 which protrudes from the body. The cord 18 is arranged to pass through the body in a loop such that each end thereof protrudes from the body. A respective harness 20L and 20R, similar to those used in helicopter rescue work, is fitted to each end of the cord.

Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, the body 16 defines a generally centrally disposed cavity 22 and a through-passage 24 which extends between the cavity 22 and the exterior of the body.

A brake means comprising a rotatable member in the form of a plastics wheel 30 and two brake members 32L and 32R are housed in the cavity 22. The wheel 30 is mounted on an axle fixed to the body 16. The brake members 32L, 32R are each generally C-shaped and are pivotably mounted to the body on respective pivot pins 34. Each brake member is biassed to a non-braking position by means of a respective lock-type spring 36.

The brake members 32L, 32R are disposed in opposed spaced apart relationship, one on each side of the wheel 30. The cord 16 passes into the cavity 22 via the through-passage 24 and follows a path defined by the brake members 32L, 32R and a plurality of roller bearings 36. The cord which is moveable relative to the brake means contacts each brake member 32L, 32R at a pressure applying portion 38L, 38R and a load receiving portion 40L, 40R thereof. The arrangement is such that the cord forms a loop as it passes around the wheel 30 and between the wheel and each brake member 32L, 32R.

The apparatus 10 may be mounted to a building at various locations either on the inside or outside of the building as desired. This may be achieved by using a high strength eye bolt fitted permanently in position to which the apparatus can easily and quickly be fitted in case of emergency. Suitable positions for mounting the apparatus are above the window lintel or below the windowsill. Alternatively, a portable steel clamp 50 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be used.

The clamp 50 is made-up of two generally L-shaped members 52 disposed in parallel spaced apart relationship and interconnected at one end 54 thereof by a pivot pin which is not visible in the drawings.

A gripping member 56 is mounted on the pivot pin between the ends 54. The gripping member 56 comprises two generally oppositely directed limbs 56', 56'' and a central portion interconnecting those limbs. A through-hole 58 is provided at the free end of the outwardly directed limb 56' by means of which the body 16 can be connected with the clamp 50. The free end of the inwardly directed limb 56'' is provided with serrations 60 for gripping a wall.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, in use the clamp 50 is positioned over a window sill 14 with the gripping member 56 disposed outside of the building and the limb 56'' provided with the serrations 60 positioned to engage an exterior wall 62 of the building. The gripping member 56 can be pivoted so that the limb 56' moves upwardly, as viewed in Figure 4, to allow the clamp to be positioned over the window sill. It will be appreciated that when the body 16 is connected with the clamp and a load in the form of a person escaping from the building is suspended on the cord 18, the weight of the person acts to force the serrations into close engagement with the wall 62 by means of the pivoting action of the gripping member so that the clamp 50 will be firmly fixed in position whilst the apparatus 10 is in use. It will also be appreciated that the pivoting action of the gripping member is such that the clamp can be used with various thicknesses of wall.

Use of the apparatus 10 to escape from the upper floor of a building 12 will now be described with particular reference to Figures 1 and 2a. The body 16 is mounted just in front of the window sill 14 by means of the clamp 50 as described hereinabove. It will be appreciated that the mounting operation using the clamp is straightforward and can be achieved rapidly in an emergency situation without the use of tools.

In Figure 1, the righthand (as viewed in the drawing) harness 20R is shown in position ready for a person to escape from the building whilst the lefthand harness 20L is in a non-use position. In order to escape the building a person fits the harness 20R under the armpits or sits in the harness loop. The weight of the person applies a load to the cord 18.

This load causes the cord to press against the load receiving position 40R of the brake member 32R causing it to pivot to a braking position shown in Figure 2a.

In this braking position the pressure applying portion 38R of the braking member 32R presses the cord 18 against the wheel 30 providing a braking action and thereby slowing the running rate of the cord so that the person descends gradually from the building under his/her own weight. Whilst the brake member 32R is in a braking position, the brake member 32L is in a nonbraking position which allows the cord to pass freely between it and the wheel 30 whilst remaining in contact with the pressure applying portion 38L and load receiving portion 40R.

Once the person reaches the ground the harness 20R will essentially be in the position of the harness 20L in Figure 1 and the harness 20L will be located near to the body 16 under the window sill 14 ready for another person to escape the building. When the harness 20L is in use the relative positions of the braking members 32L, 32R are essentially reversed as shown in Figure 2b.

It will be appreciated that on either side of its centreline, the apparatus 10 is essentially identical in construction. This enables the apparatus to be used continuously when a number of persons need to escape from a building. As indicated above, while a person is descending from the window sill 14 supported in the harness 20R, the harness 20L is moving up to the window sill 14 ready for use.

It will be understood that the apparatus could be provided with only one braking member and that the twin braking member arrangement described in detail herein is merely a preferred embodiment.

The cord is preferably a plastics cord having a relatively high melting point. It will, however, be understood that other materials may be suitable and it is envisaged that the cord may, for example, take the form of a flexible steel wire.

It will be appreciated that the rotatable member 30 may alternatively be in the form of a metal wheel.

Furthermore the rotatable member may be provided with gripping means for gripping the elongate member. The gripping means may take the form of projections formed on the surface of the wheel, a textured coating applied to the wheel or an abrasive tape provided on the wheel. The projections could be mounted on a plastics wheel and cast, or alternatively take the form of knurls, on a metal wheel.

Claims (14)

CLAIMS:

1. Apparatus for use in escaping from buildings, the apparatus comprising body means for mounting to a building, brake means carried by said body means and a flexible elongate member moveable relative to said brake means, said brake means being actuable, in use, by a load applied to said elongate member by a body connected therewith whereby descent of such a body from a building is braked for providing a gradual descent.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate member is arranged such that, in use, when such a load is applied thereto said elongate member presses against said brake means for actuating same.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said brake means comprises rotatable means and at least one brake member, said elongate member being arranged to pass between said rotatable means and the or each said brake member such that, in use, said elongate member can be pressed against said rotatable means by the or at least one said brake member.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said brake means comprises rotatable means and two said brake members arranged in opposed spaced apart relationship, said rotatable means being disposed between said brake members and said elongate member being arranged to pass around said rotatable means, the arrangement being such that, in use, said brake members are separately actuable according to which end region of said elongate member the load is applied.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a respective harness means connected with each end region of said elongate member.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the or each brake member is pivotally mounted so as to be pivotable to positions in which said elongate member is pressed against said rotatable member.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, further comprising biassing means for biassing the or each said brake member to a non-braking position.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein said rotatable means comprises gripping means for gripping said elongate member when, in use, said brake means is in a braking condition.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein said rotatable means comprises a plastics wheel.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising rotatable guide means for at least partially guiding said elongate member.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said guide means comprises rolling bearing means cooperable with said brake means for guiding said elongate member.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising clamp means for mounting said body means adjacent an opening in a building, said clamp means comprising frame means adapted for engaging said building inside of said opening and extending through said opening and gripping means pivotably connected with said frame means for grippingly engaging said building externally of said opening, the arrangement being such that when, in use, said body means is connected to said gripping means and a load is applied to said elongate member by a body connected therewith, said gripping means is pivoted so as to grippingly engage said building.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said frame means comprises two members disposed in parallel spaced apart relationship and each having a first portion for extending through such an opening and a second portion extending transversely of said first portion for engaging the building internally of the opening, and said gripping means is pivotably mounted between the free ends of said first portions.

14. Apparatus for use in escaping from a building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.