GB2384182A

GB2384182A - Emergency escape apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2384182A
Application number: GB0200983A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Campbell Lyle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-01-17
Filing date: 2002-01-17
Publication date: 2003-07-23
Also published as: GB0200983D0

Abstract

A self-contained emergency escape apparatus utilising an easily deployable column such as a rope. Attached to the upper end of the column are a pre determined number of friction based delay mechanisms (FBDM) with harness attachments. The friction based delay mechanism manipulates the path of the column to the extent that a body/bodies which are allowed to naturally fall will be slowed by the mechanism to a rate considerably less than that of gravity. The internal parts of the friction based delay mechanism may be adjusted depending upon the weight of the escapee, and further FBDMs may be fitted to the upper end of the column after deployment should the need arise.

Description

EMERGENCY ESCAPE APPARATUS DESCRIPTION The invention relates to an emergency escape unit, more particularly to an emergency escape device, which when connected to a support such as a rope would slow the downward speed of a person/persons connected to it to an acceptable rate from a high place such as although not exclusively a building.

For those who live in tall buildings the threat of fire is ever present. In many of these buildings the only means of escape is via an internal fire escape column or similar. Many fires occur at night and spread quickly The result of this is that the route to the fire escape may be blocked or obscured to the escapee. In addition to this the lift system may be turned off requiring the need for an alternative method of escape.

In the past inventors have addressed this area with the result that a number of solutions have already been designed. One such relates to a reel that feeds out wire, thus lowering an escapee. With this method difficulty can be encountered in regulating the speed of descent.

It may also be slow in providing escape for more than one person/descent, this being particularly true from high buildings. Whilst the principle is sound this method has shown itself to be relatively bulky and uneconomical. It is therefore considered that the mechanism for descent should preferably not be stationary on the building or high place itself.

In other manifestations a belt has been used as a column and an escapee has been attached to the belt via a device with a bar that can be used to slow or stop descent. It is considered that the belt itself as well as the mechanism is bulky and that the descent control method presents hazards of its own. Namely that in a position of extreme stress and disorientation a person told to hold a bar is likely to tense. The effects of this are potentially disasterous, not just for the escapee who find themselves stationary but also for anyone else wishing to use that means of escape who may still be above.

Other devices have been devised which avoid the problems set out above. Most of these use mechanisms with moving internal parts to slow the descent of the escapee. It is my assertion that, as demonstrated by military absail techniques, friction alone is adequate to slow descent (with my device replacing the skills of the absailer with a simple mechanism) to an acceptable rate. Secondly, it is important that the unit need the minimum of preparation when it is desired for use.

Accordingly the invention contained in this document simplifies matters by providing a small easily installable unit which can be deployed and used quickly by those with little or no previous instruction, and limited physical ability. There is provided a housing through which rope (or similar) may be passed in such a way that if a weight were attached to the housing and allowed to fall then the friction caused by the path of the rope would create enough resistance to slow the descent of the body to considerably less than that of gravity.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example, with references made to the attached diagrams.

Fig 1 The internal workings of the friction based delay mechanism (FBDM).

Fig 2 The housing of the friction descent mechanism unhinged.

Fig 3 Fully operational unit, pre deployment. View from inside a room looking towards and through a window.

Fig 4 Fully operational unit-in use. Side view.

Referring to the diagrams the friction based delay mechanism (FBDM) comprises a casing (fig-1) made of a suitably durable material. In one preferred embodiment the casing would be hinged into two or more parts (fig2-5) in order to allow the attachment of further FBDMs by escapees. The casing could be closed once the rope had been threaded and would lock into place. In another embodiment the housing would be in two or more detachable parts which could be connected together. Inside the casing are a number of fixed points around which the'rope'must be passed (fig-6, 7,8, 9). In these diagrams four have been included although there could be more, or even less. One or more of these may be moveable or swivel so that it could be locked into an alternative position (Illustrated by fig 1-7, 8) depending upon the rate of descent required or the weight of the body attached. There may be additional pieces included to separate the rope (fig-10) and these like all other parts may be lubricated to prevent the friction from heating up the rope to unacceptable levels. Somewhere on the housing there would be a point where a harness-type apparatus could be attached to the housing (fig-11). This could be done by threading the harness itself or may utilise an inbuilt clip of some sort.

The system would be contained and preferably pre secured (fig3-12, 14) either near an opening or external to one such as a window (internal fitting, fig 3). Upon the need the user could tip, or otherwise deploy the rope housing causing it to unravel. The'rope'would be a compromise between being small enough to store reasonably, and thick enough to inspire confidence in the user. It is also considered that the rope may have been treated in such a way as to render it to some degree fire resistant. Already attached at the top of the rope before deployment would be the desired number of housings and harnesses (fig4). It would therefore simply be a case of the user attaching him/herself inside the harness and allowing themselves to fall, thus descending on this mechanism. In one embodiment of the harness there is a sack type apparatus, possibly with a hood in which the escapee stands which would provide some protection from flames and or impact. There may also be the capability for the addition of extra FBDMs by the building in of areas of'slack'at the upper end of the descent column/rope (fig4-20). In one form there may exist a means for providing some distance between the escapee and the'building' (one such method, fig 4, 21).