GB2388320A

GB2388320A - Fire escape equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2388320A
Application number: GB0310488A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman John Edge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-08
Filing date: 2003-05-07
Publication date: 2003-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2023-05-07
Also published as: GB0210506D0; GB2388320B; GB0310488D0

Abstract

A fire escape apparatus (2) comprises a collapsible ladder (6); a hammer (8), for breaking glass in a window; wadding (12) for blocking underneath a door; and a removable inner container (16). The apparatus is held within a container (18) adapted to have the appearance of a piece of furniture, e.g. a chest, of such construction and proportions that it may be stood on to form a platform for accessing a window. The inner container, for valuables and documents, may have a handle (30) so that it can be carried down the ladder. The outer container may have wheels (44) and a handle to enable it to be moved to a suitable position. The ladder may be provided with a strap or chain, attached to the container, and metal frame for anchoring the ladder over a window. A sling may also be provided for carrying a child. Instructions for use (74) can be provided on the lid of the container.

Description

1 2388320

APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING ESCAPE FROM

A BUILDING IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE

This invention relates to apparatus for facilitating escape from a building in the event of a fire.

Collapsible ladders such for example as chain or rope ladders are well known for use in facilitating escape from a building in the event of a fire.

Problems can arise in that the ladders are not stored in the correct place which is ideally near an escape window. Thus, in the event of a fire, it is conceivable that the storage place of the rope ladder is not known to a person wishing to escape, or is inaccessible because it is in a part of a room suffering from the effects of the fire. Even if the rope ladder is found, difficulty can be experienced in opening the chosen escape window, especially if the window is locked for security purposes. Fires in buildings can spread quickly. Persons trying to escape from buildings can panic.

Lives are sometimes needlessly lost due to there being no fire escape apparatus, or the fire escape apparatus being inadequate.

it is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for facilitating escape from a building in the event of a fire, which apparatus comprises a collapsible ladder, a breaking device for breaking glass in a window for enabling an escape through the

window, blocking material for blocking underneath a door in order to hinder the passage of air under the door and towards the fire when the glass in the window is broken or when the window is opened, an inner container which is removable, and an outer container for the ladder, breaking device, blocking material and inner container: the outer container being such that it comprises a body portion and a lid, the outer container being such that it is constructed to have the appearance of an article of furniture so that the apparatus is able to be in the building without being aesthetically obtrusive, and the apparatus being of such a height and construction that it is able to be stood on and form a platform from which the window is easily accessed.

The apparatus of the present invention thus provides in one place all the main items that are likely to be required for escaping from a building in the event of a fire. The building may be, for example, a one, two or three storey building. Because the apparatus is aesthetically pleasing, it can be left under a chosen escape window so that it is always ready for use. If desired, the apparatus may be used as a window seat.

The apparatus of the present invention may be one in which the outer i container is irks the form of an ottoman or a chest. Other aesthetically pleasing shapes for the outer container may be employed.

The outer container may be covered with an aesthetically attractive fabric. Thus, for example, the outer container may be covered with draylon cotton or a vinyl fabric. The outer covering can be padded If desired.

Preferably, the inner container is in the form of a tray with a lid. In this case, the inner container is preferably such that it rests in the outer

( 3 container above the ladder and such that the inner container covers the ladder. The inner container is able to be removed from the outer container so that the inner container can then be carried down the ladder and out of the building.

The inner container may be for valuables and/or first aid equipment.

When the inner container contains first aid equipment, then the apparatus of the present invention is available for becoming very useful for initial survival purposes after the escape from the building of a person or persons. For example, the inner container may contain the essentials that people would require after having escaped from the building and while waiting for assistance to arrive. If any of the escapees has received burns, an essential first treatment is to keep a cool wet cloth over the injured area. There may be no water or cloth to hand. Therefore the inner container may include a sealed container saline solution and gauze. For use, the gauze is soaked in the solution and applied to the injured area. Shock and hypothermia may also be a major problem, especially if the escape was made in the night in winter and only in night clothes. Both shock and hypothermia requires heat as a remedy. Therefore the inner container may include at least one, and preferably two, survival blankets of the type used by climbers in emergency situations. The inner container may also include a separate small strong box for valuables and an A4 folder for valuable papers.

Advantageously, the inner container has first carrying means for enabling the inner container to be carried down the ladder to safety. The

first carrying means is preferably a sling for going over a person's shoulder.

Other types of carrying means may however be employed.

The breaking device for breaking the window will usually be a hammer. The hammer may be of any suitable and appropriate design.

Other type of breaking device may be employed if desired.

Preferably, the breaking device and the blocking material are positioned on the underside of the lid. The breaking and the blocking material are then immediately visible and available for being used once the lid of the outer container is opened.

The blocking material is preferably wadding. Other materials may be employed for the blocking material. The blocking material may be in roll form, strip form or in any other suitable form which is appropriate for blocking the underneath of the door.

Preferably, the apparatus is one in which the outer container comprises at least one wheel at a first end of the outer container, at least one foot device at a second end of the outer container, and lifting means at the second end of the outer container for lifting the second end of the outer romaine, such Ma line foot device comes off the floor and the outer container is then able to be moved on the wheel. The outer container is thus such that it can easily be moved from place to place, for example for re-

siting at another window, or simply for cleaning purposes. Once the foot device is on the floor, it ensures that the outer container will not inadvertently move, for example whilst a person is climbing onto the outer container during an escape from a fire.

( 5 Preferably, there are two of the wheels, and two of the foot devices.

The wheels can be of any suitable and appropriate design including wheels with spokes and wheels in the form of castors. Where there are two or more feet, the feet can be separate feet or joined together.

The lifting means is preferably a handle. The handle may be a solid handle, or it may be a flexible handle such for example as a rope handle.

The apparatus of the invention may include attachment means which attaches the ladder to the outer container so that the ladder cannot be pushed out of the window and inadvertently dropped. The attachment means is thus advantageous in ensuring that a person in a panic due to a fire does not push the ladder out of the window without holding on to the ladder and preferably without having first secured one end of the ladder in the building.

The attachment means may be a cord, strap, chain or any other suitable and appropriate attachment means.

Preferably, the ladder is one which has anchor means for anchoring the ladder over the windowsill. The anchor means may be a metal frame for fitting over the windowsill. Generally, the anchor means should be such as to enable one end of the ladder to be firmly secured to the building so that persons making their escape down the ladder can do so in safety with the ladder being firmly held in position.

Advantageously, the ladder is provided with alarm means for attracting attention when the ladder is pushed out of the window. The alarm means is then able to direct attention to the fire, and also to the fact that a

person may need assistance in helping to escape down the ladder. The alarm means is preferably a visual and an audible alarm means although the alarm means may just be visual or just audible if required. A flashing light is preferred for giving a visual alarm. The audible alarm may be a siren. The alarm may be activated by pulling a cord or any other suitable and appropriate activation means. The alarm may be battery operated or gas operated. The ladder will usually be a chain ladder. Other types of ladder, for example a rope ladder, may however be employed.

The chain ladder may have steps with spacer means for spacing the steps from a wall underneath the window and thereby facilitating a decent down the ladder. The spacer means is preferably an open framework. Other types of spacer means may be employed if desired. The open framework may be made of a light metal such for example as aiuminium. The steps may be made of wood or a light metal such for example as aluminium.

The apparatus of the present invention may include second carrying means for carrying a baby down the ladder. The second carrying means may be a sling or any other suithie device such for example as a harness.

Where the second carrying means is a sling, then the sling is preferably a three cornered sling.

the apparatus of the present invention may also include instructions for use of the apparatus in the event of a fire. Advantageously, the instructions are provided on the underside of the lid of the outer container so that the instructions are immediately visible when the lid is lifted.

The inner and outer containers may be made of any suitable and appropriate materials Thus, for example, the outer container may be made of wood, shipboard or plywood appropriately covered by a fabric if desired.

The inner container may be made of metal, plywood, or a plastics material.

Hinges for the lids of the inner container and the outer container may be made of metal or a flexible fabric as may be desired.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for facilitating escape from a building in the event of a fire, the apparatus being open with an inner container partially removed for illustration; Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in an open condition but without anything having been removed; Figure 3 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in a closed condition; Figure 4 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 with a folding ladder being removed from an outer container forming part of the apparatus; Figure 5 shows how blocking material forming part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is able to block underneath a door in order to stop the passage of air underneath the door; Figure 6 shows how a person using the apparatus shown in Figure 1 may start to climb through an escape window; Figure 7 is like Figure 6 and shows the person having climbed through the window;

( 8 Figure 8 shows a person using carrying means in the form of a sling for holding a baby; Figure 9 shows the person in Figure 8 standing on the outer container l and starting to escape through the window; Figure 10 is a front view of a pair of feet on the bottom of the outer container; Figure 11 is a side view of the pair of feet as shown in Figure 10; Figure 12 shows a pair of wheels in the form of castors; and Figure 13 is a top plan view of one step of the rope ladder and shows the use of spacer means for spacing the step from a wall underneath the window Referring to the drawings' there is shown apparatus 2 for facilitating escape from a building 4 in the event of a fire. The apparatus 2 comprises a collapsible ladder 6, and a breaking device 8 for breaking glass in a window 10 for enabling an escape through the window 10.

The apparatus 2 further comprises blocking material 12 for blocking underneath a door 14 in order to hinder the passage of air under the door 14. I\4ore spPrificl'y, wine,, line glass in the window 10 is broken, or when the window 10 is simply opened, air from outside the building 4 may rush through the window, across the room from which the escape is being made, and underneath the door to the fire, thereby feeding the fire and causing the fire to spread more rapidly than it would otherwise have done.

An inner container 16 is provided for valuables and first aid equipment. An outer container 18 contains the ladder 6, the breaking device 8, the blocking material 12, and the inner container 16.

The outer container 18 is such that it comprises a body portion 20 and a lid 22. The outer container 20 is such that it is constructed to have the appearance of an article of furniture so that the apparatus 2 is able to be in a building without being aesthetically obtrusive. The outer container 18 is of such a height and construction that it is able to be stood on and form a platform from which the window 10 is easily accessed. As can be seen from the drawings, the outer container 18 is in the form of an ottoman. The outer container 16 is covered with an aesthetically attractive fabric such for example as draylon cotton or vinyl fabric.

As can be seen from the drawings, the inner container 16 is in the form of a tray 24 with a lid 26. The inner container 16 is such that it rests in the outer container 18 above the ladder 6 and such that the inner container 16 covers the ladder 6. Thus, as shown in Figure 2, when the lid 22 is opened, just the inner container 16 is shown. The lid 26 of the inner container 16 is provided with a handle 28 for facilitating opening of the lid 26, and also for facilitating lifting of the inner container 16 out of the outer container 18. The handle 28 may be a rigid handle 28 or a flexible handle 28. The inner container 16 is provided with first carrying means 30 for enabling the inner container 16 to be carried down the ladder 6 to safety.

The first carrying means 30 is in the form of a sling which goes over a shoulder of a person 32 as shown in Figure 6 and 7.

The breaking device 8 is a hammer. As shown in Figure 1, the hammer has a handle 34 and a head 36. The head 36 has a pointed end 38 for facilitating the breaking of the glass in the window 10.

The breaking device 8 and the blocking material 12 are positioned on the underside 40 of the lid 22. Thus the breaking device 8 and the blocking material 12 are immediately visible and available for use on opening the lid 22. The blocking material 12 is in the form of wadding and it is housed in an open ended tube 42, from which the blocking material 12 can easily be pulled. Figure 5 shows the blocking material 12 in use with the person 32 pushing the blocking material 12 underneath the door 14.

The outer container 18 comprises two wheels 44. As best shown in Figure 12, the wheels 44 are in the form of castors.

The outer container 18 also comprises two foot devices 46. As shown in Figure 10, the two foot devices 46 are formed by either ends of a single member 48.

As shown in, Figure 2, the outer container 18 also comprises lifting means 50. The wheels 44 are at a first end 52 of the outer container 18.

The foot devices 46 and the lifting means 50 are at a second end 54 of the outer container 18. The lifting means 50 enables the second end 54 of the outer container 18 to be lifted such that the foot devices 46 come off the floor, and the outer container 18 is then able to be moved on the wheels 44.

When the apparatus 2 is in a desired position, then the foot devices 46 can

( be allowed to rest back on the floor. The foot devices 46 will then securely maintain the outer container 18 in position so that it can be stood on without slipping, whilst the person escapes through the window 10, see Figure 9.

The lifting means 50 is in the form of a handle. The handle can be a solid handle or a flexible handle.

The apparatus 2 includes attachment means (not shown) which attaches the ladder 6 to the outer container 18 so that the ladder 6 cannot be pushed out of the window 10 and inadvertently dropped. The attachment means may be a cord, strap, chain or any other suitable and appropriate attachment means.

The ladder has anchor means 56 for anchoring the ladder 6 over a windowsill 58. As can be seen from Figures 4 and 6, the anchor means 56 is a metal frame which has a curved portion 16 for fitting over the windowsill 58, and some rungs 62 for extending immediately underneath the windowsill 58. Thus the ladder 6 is securely fastened to the windowsill 58 and the rungs 60 give the person 32 a good firm start for descending the ladder 36.

As shown in Figure 4, the ladder 6 is provided with alarm means 64 for attracting attention when the ladder 6 is pushed out of the window 10.

The alarm means 64 can be activated by pulling a cord (not shown) or it can be activated by any other suitable and appropriate means. The alarm means preferably gives both visual and audible alarm signals. The alarm means 64 can be battery operated or gas operated as may be desired.

As can be seen from the drawings, the ladder 6 is a chain ladder. As best seen from Figure 6 and 13, the ladder 6 has steps 64 and spacer

means 66 for the steps 64. The spacer means 66 are for spacing the steps 64 from a wall 68 underneath the window 10, and thereby facilitating a descent down the ladder 6 by the person 32. The spacer means 66 is in the form of a open framework. The spacer means 66 is preferably made of aluminium. The steps 64 may be made of wood or aiuminium.

Figures 8 and 9 show the person 32 using second carrying means 70 for carrying a baby 72 down the ladder 6. The second carrying means 70 is in the form of a three cornered sling.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the apparatus 2 includes instruction 74 for use of the apparatus 2. The instructions 74 are provided on the underside 40 of the lid 22. The instructions 74 are thus immediately visible when the lid 22 is lifted. The lid 22 is provided with a restraining device 76 as shown in Figure 1 for making sure that the lid 22 does not open too far.

As shown in Figure 4, the lid 22 is hinged to the body portion 20 by hinges 78. As shown in Figure 8' the breaking device 8 is able to be clipped in place by clips 80 It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the aGcvmpar,yiny drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the outer container 18 may be of a different shape than the illustrated ottoman shape. Similarly, the inner container 16 can be of a different shape to that shown. The inner container 16 may include a fixed or a separate small strong box for valuables, and a folder for valuable papers. The first

aid equipment in the inner container 16 may be a sealed container of saline solution, a gauze and any desired number of survival blankets.

The apparatus of the invention may be such that the inner container is provided with three box files. The inner container may be made of a rigid material, for example wood. If desired, the apparatus of the invention may be such that the inner container is made of a non-rigid material such for example as a fabric. The inner container can then be in the form of a soft bag. The inner container of the non-rigid material, for example the fabric, can be provided with closure means such for example as a zip. It can also still be provided with the three box files. Advantages of having the inner container in the form of a soft bag, as compared with a rigid inner container, included a saving in weight a saving in manufacturing time, and the avoidance of sharp corners on the inner container.

Claims

r CLAIMS

1 Apparatus for facilitating escape from a building in the event of a fire, which apparatus comprises a collapsible ladder, a breaking device for breaking glass in a window for enabling an escape through the window, blocking material for blocking underneath a door in order to hinder the passage of air under the door and towards the fire when the glass in the window is broken or when the window is opened, an inner container which is removable, and an outer container for the ladder, breaking device, blocking material and inner container: the outer container being such that it comprises a body portion and a lid, the outer container being such that it is constructed to have the appearance of an article of furniture so that the apparatus is able to be in the building without being aesthetically obtrusive, and the apparatus being of such a height and construction that it is able to be stood on and form a platform from which the window is easily accessed.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the outer container is in the form of an zoomer, Or a chest.

3 Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the outer container is covered with an aesthetically attractive fabric.

4 Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inner container is in the form of a tray with a lid.

5 Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the inner container is such that it rests in the outer container above the ladder and such that the inner container covers the ladder.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the inner container has first carrying means for enabling the inner container to be carried down the ladder to safety.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the first carrying means is a sling for going over a person's shoulder.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the breaking device for breaking the window is a hammer.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the breaking device and the blocking material are positioned on the underside of the lid.

10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the blocking material is wadding.

11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the outer container comprises at least one wheel at a first end of the outer

- container, at least one foot device at a second end of the outer container, and lifting means at the second end of the outer container for lifting the second end of the outer container such that the foot device comes off the floor and the outer container is then able to be moved on the wheel.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which there are two of the wheels, and hvo of the foot devices.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12 in which the lifting means is a handle.

14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including attachment means which attaches the ladder to the outer container so that the ladder cannot be pushed out of the window and inadvertently dropped.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 in which the attachment means is a cord, strap or chain.

16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the ladder has anchor means for anchoring the ladder over a windows)!!.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the anchor means is a metal frame for fitting over the windowsill.

18. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the ladder is provided with alarm means for attracting attention when the ladder is pushed out of the window.

19 Apparatus according to claim 18 in which the alarm means is visual and/or audible alarm means.

20. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the ladder is a chain ladder.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 in which the chain ladder has steps with spacer means for spacing the steps from a wall underneath the window and thereby facilitating a decent down the ladder.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 in which the spacer means is an open framework.

23. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including second carrying means for carrying a baby down the ladder.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23 in which the second carrying means is a sling.

25. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including instructions for use of the apparatus in the even of a fire.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 in which the instructions are provided on the underside of the lid of the outer container so that the instructions are immediately visible when the lid is lifted.

27. Apparatus for facilitating escape from a building in the event of a fire, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.