GB2319285A - Fire escape ladder - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable escape ladder comprises a series of rigid treads that are joined together along a pair of flexible straps. A tread is attached to a strap by initially passing the strap through a slot located at the end of the tread. The strap is then secured by being passed around a 'T' shape restraining member and back through the slot in the tread. A clip can be fitted to holes in the tread to keep the 'T' shape restraining member in place. This method of attaching the treads to the flexible straps allows the collapsible ladder to be lightweight, compact and therefore portable.

Description

A COMPACT AND PORTABLE ESCAPE LADDER AND ANCHORAGE Escape ladders are available and are collapsible, however their size does notlend them to the degree of portability that is ideal. Something as handy as a fold-up umbrella with a simple non-permanent method of anchoring, is useful to a shifting or vacationing population in foreign hotels and, most importantly, in bedsitter accomodation.

According to the present invention their is provided a ladder with such fine detail of manufacture and construction as to make it both lightweight and compact. The portable nature of the rolled up ladder together with a simple but special method of non-permanent anchorage are key attributes.

A specific embodiment of the invention and method of anchorage were described in patent application GB 2286622 A, published 23 August 1995. A new description follows which may be taken to replace figures 3, 4 and 5 of the above patent application.

Fig 1. The Tread Fig 2. The Insert Tee Piece Fig 3. The Clip Fig 4. Exploded View Fig 5. Assembled View Fig 6. Compact Assembly View Fig 1 shows a single tread with two slots and four holes.

Fig 2 this is the tee piece which is used to insert into each slot and so restrain the flexible stringer that links each tread.

Fig 3 this shows a clip used to keep in place the tee piece and which occupies the circular holes in each tread.

Fig 4 this is an exploded view of how the tee piece is positioned during assembly. One end of tread shown.

Fig 5 a cross section through the tread with retaining clip in place. One end of tread shown.

Fig 6 a cross section showing the compact nature of the assembled treads.

Claims (2)

1. A collapsible and portable ladder as described in patent application GB 2286622 A but with figures 2, 3 and 4 therein replaced with fig 1 to 6 herein.

2. Fine detail in manufacture allows for a compact parcel for transporting in a briefcase whilst travelling.