GB2449903A

GB2449903A - Emergency escape ladder

Info

Publication number: GB2449903A
Application number: GB0710945A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Lee Waddington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-07
Filing date: 2007-06-07
Publication date: 2008-12-10
Also published as: GB0710945D0

Abstract

An emergency escape apparatus 1 comprises a container 10 and a flexible ladder 20 fixedly connected at a first end 25 to the container. The emergency escape apparatus is adapted to be fixedly retained and substantially concealed within an internal surface of a room. Preferably the container may be concealed by plastering. The ladder may comprise an identification means configured to inform a user that the ladder has been fully deployed. The container may include a separator (17, Fig 3) for confining the sequential rungs into alternate channels.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO EMERGENCY ESCAPES

The invention relates to apparatus for use as emergency escapes.

In most buildings, rooms that are two-storeys above the ground are accessed via a single internal staircase.

In case of an emergency, such as a fire in the building or an intruder in the building, it is possible that people in that room will be prevented from using the internal staircase to gain access to the lower floors.

To address this problem, emergency escape windows through which a person can climb are usually provided in the room. However, such rooms are usually over two-storeys above the ground making it unsafe for the person to jump to safety. Therefore, it is known to provide a flexible ladder to be used to escape the emergency. The flexible ladder is usually stored in a wardrobe or under a bed to be deployed if needed. The problem with such a ladder is that it has to be fixed and secured at a secure location, for example an eye bolt, or it comprises hooks that need to be secured to an underside of a windowsill, before it can he thrown out of a window and used to escape.

Other means of escape include providing a staircase/ladder fixed to an external wall of a building.

The problem with the staircase is that it presents a security risk as it provides external access to upper floors of a building.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to address problems associated with emergency escapes, whether identified herein or otherwise.

According to a first aspect of the present invention There is provided an emergency escape apparatus comprising: a container; and a flexible ladder fixedly connected at a first end to the container; wherein the container is adapted to be fixedly retained and substantially concealed within an internal surface of a room.

Suitably, the apparatus further comprises a plurality of installation apertures adapted to receive an installation means for fixing the apparatus within the internal surface. Suitably, the installation apertures are provided on a first and a second installation member, the member extending from the container. Suitably, each member is positioned on the container to allow the installation apertures to be located adjacent to a fixing point.

The fixing point is one of a selection of joists, brickwork, stud work and other suitable fixing point. The fixing point is a supporting structure into which the installation means is fixedly attached to prevent the container from being removed from its position when acted upon by a user.

Suitably, the container further comprises a projection defining an opening into the container. Suitably, the ladder further comprises a deployer arranged to close the opening. Suitably, the projection is configured to ensure that the deployer is flush with the interior surface after the container is concealed. Suitably, the container is concealed by plastering.

Suitably, the ladder comprises at least one flexible member, and a plurality of rungs are disposed on the flexible member, wherein the rungs are positioned to allow a user to climb down the ladder. Suitably, a rung of the ladder comprises an identification means configured to inform a user that a certain amount of the ladder has been extended. Suitably, the identification means is configured to inform a user that the ladder has been completely extended. Suitably, the identification means is an embossed section, raised section or a ribbed section provided on a rung of the ladder.

Suitably, the container comprises an anchor point, and the ladder comprises a connection point, wherein the connection point is fixedly connected to the anchor point.

Suitably, the container comprises at least one separator configured to separate odd and even rungs into alternate channels.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a second position; Figure 2 is a sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a first position; Figure 3 is a sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention being moved between a first and a second position.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention being moved between a first and a second position; and Figure 5 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a first position.

Figure 1 shows an emergency escape apparatus 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The emergency escape apparatus 1 is adapted to be concealed in a wall, and provided to be discrete when not in use, but easily deployable in case of an emergency.

Emergencies are situations such as a fire occurring in a building, an intruder in a house, burglaries and other similar situations.

The emergency escape apparatus 1 is arranged to be installed in a suitable position in the vicinity of a window; the window intended to be used as a emergency escape window. Suitable positions include above, below and to the side of the window, and a space is provided in that position to receive the emergency escape apparatus 1.

The space can be provided in the stud work, brickwork or any other suitable location, the space being dimensioned to correspond to the external dimensions of the emergency escape apparatus 1. The space can be included at the design stage of a loft conversion.

The apparatus 1 is installed by being located and secured in the space using an installation means. The installation means is inserted through each of a plurality of installation apertures 12 provided on a container 10 of the apparatus 1. The installation apertures are provided on installation members 19, which are plates extending from either side of the container 10. The members 19 are located on the container to correspond with joists or other suitable fixing points for the apparatus 1 To fix the apparatus 1 in position, the installation means are securely fixed through the installation apertures 12 into the supporting structures including stud work, joists, walls and roof timbers. Suitable installation means include bolts, screws, cavity ties or any other suitable means. The apparatus 1 is securely fixed to ensure that it will support the weight of at least one person, and not be removed from its position during use. After installation, the apparatus 1 is plastered over to substantially conceal the container.

The emergency escape apparatus 1 comprises a container and a flexible ladder 20 deployably stowed in the container 10. The container 10 further comprises at least one anchor point 11, a first wall 13 and a second wall 14 connected to each other by first and second edge regions.

The first wall 13 comprises the anchor point 11 to which the flexible ladder 20 is fixedly connected. The second wall 14 comprises an opening 15 through which the flexible ladder 20 is pulled from the container 10. The opening 15 is defined by a lip 16 running around its perimeter. The container 10 is formed from a fire-resistant material, or is coated with a fire-resistant coating, to minimise the effect a fire has on the flexible ladder 20 in this type of emergency. The container 10 further comprises installation apertures 12 provided on installation members 19.

The flexible ladder 20 comprises a connection point 21, a plurality of rungs 22, at least one flexible member 23 to which each of the rungs 22 is connected and a deployer 24. The connection point 21 is located at a first end 25 of the flexible ladder 20 and is arranged to be securely connected to the anchor point 11. The deployer 24 is located at a second end 26 of the ladder 20, and is arranged to close the opening 15.

The ladder is used to escape an emergency situation occurring in lower floors. In use, the ladder 20 is moveable between a first and a second position. In the first position the ladder 20 is arranged to be stored in the container. In the second position, the ladder 20 is arranged to extend from the anchor point 11 through a suitable window to allow access to the ground or other safe area. Figure 1 shows the ladder in the second position.

The ladder 20 is configured to be at least one storey, or three metres in length. The ladder can, of course, be any suitable length, and is deployable and adaptable for use in any building of any height. Other suitable lengths of ladder are in the range of three to twenty five metres.

The flexible member 23 is a suitable length of flexible material including steel wire, cutting-resistant or fire-resistant rope or any other similar materials.

The flexible member 23 is dimensioned to be the length of the flexible ladder 20. The rungs 22 are provided on the flexible member to allow a user to climb down the ladder 20.

In a preferred embodiment, first and second flexible members are provided and the rungs 22 are disposed to extend from the first flexible member to the second flexible member. In this embodiment, the container comprises first and second anchor points 11 connected to first and second connection points 21 provided on the first and second flexible members, respectively. The second end of each of the flexible members is connected to the deployer 24 at opposed edges.

Figure 2 shows the ladder 20 in the first position, i.e., when the ladder 20 is stored in the container 10.

The ladder 20 is integrally formed with the walls of the converted loft room. When the ladder 20 is stored in the container 10, a user can only see the deployer 24. This results in an apparatus that is concealed but is always configured to be used, cannot be misplaced, and is discrete and space efficient when not in use.

The deployer 24 enables the ladder 20 to be deployed for use. The deployer 24 resembles a drawer with a handle and is configured to allow a user to pull the ladder 20 from the container 10.

Figure 3 shows the container 10 further comprising at least one separator 17 configured to separate odd 22A, 22C, 22E and even 22B, 22D, 22F rungs 22 from each other, i.e., the odd and even rungs are alternately disposed to be adjacent to either a front surface or rear surface of the container 10. The rungs 22 are alternately arranged to minimise the risk of the rungs snagging, being caught or self knotting in the container 10. The separator 17 improves the ease with which the ladder 20 can be deployed.

In use, a user pulls the deployer 24 to move the ladder 20 from the first position to the second position.

When a sufficient amount of the ladder 20 has been removed from the container 10, the deployer 24 is thrown out of a window and the user continues to extend the ladder 20 to the ground by pulling successive rungs from the container 10. The last rung is provided with identification means indicating to a user that the ladder 20 has been fully extended. The identification means minimises the risk of a user incorrectly using the emergency escape, i.e., when it has not been completely deployed. Suitable identification means include embossed sections, raised studs and ribs.

Figure 4 shows the container 10 comprising a first separator l7A and a second separator 17B. The first and second separators 17A, 173 are provided to ensure that the odd and even rungs do not interfere with each other during deployment of the ladder 20. The separators 17A, 17B are raised sections that extend from substantially near to the top of the container 10 to the base of the container 10 defining first and second channels 18A, 18B into which the rungs 22 are alternately located. The separators 17A, 17E extend from opposed side edges of the container 10. The separators 17A, 17B extend into the container by a depth sufficient to prevent a rung 22 from moving between channels 18A, 18B. Sufficient depths are in the range of lcm-l0cms.

Figure 5 shows a view of the apparatus 1 when the apparatus 1 is fixed in position in a wall. After the apparatus 1 is fixed in position, the apparatus 1 is plastered over to minimise the visibility of the apparatus 1 to a user. The lip 16 is configured to minimise the amount of plaster that may enter the opening 15 during installation. The lip 16 is also provided so that a rear side of the deployer 24 is flush with the plastered wall.

The apparatus 1 is arranged to be fitted integrally with a wall. The deployer 24 is the only feature of the apparatus 1 visible to a user when installed. The apparatus 1 configured in this manner is discrete and is provided in a position that is easily accessible to a user in case of an emergency, i.e., the user does not have to find a ladder and extend that from a window.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus 1 is configured to be used only once. That is, the ladder 20 once moved from the first position to the second position is not re-stowable.

It is of course possible to provide an emergency escape apparatus 1 which can be re-stowed. For example, the container 10 can be adapted to allow the rungs to be reinserted into the alternate channels of the container 10. The container 10 can be adapted to be openable, for example, by comprising a first and a second section hinged at the base of the container 10. The hinge allows the container 10 to be opened allowing a user to manually restow the ladder 20.

In an embodiment of the apparatus 1, the apparatus 1 is provided with means to prevent inadvertent deployment of the ladder 20. In this embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises a security device (not shown) that links the deployer 24 to the container 10. The security device ensures that the ladder 20 only deploys when the deployer 24 is forcibly removed from the opening 15. Such means include a ball and socket joint, materials that tear when a certain force is applied, and other suitable means.

In another embodiment of the apparatus 1 (not shown), the apparatus 1 may also comprise at least one locator.

The locator is anything suitable for aiding a user's ability to locate the apparatus 1 in, for example, a smoky room. Suitable locaters include LED5, light bulbs, florescent strips and any other suitable boaters.

The emergency escape apparatus 1 provides a means for a user to escape an emergency in a building. The means is discrete and easily accessible. Additionally, the means is not unsightly or difficult to deploy as it is concealed in a convenient position. The apparatus 1 minimises the risk of a user incorrectly deploying an emergency escape apparatus resulting in injury or death.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification

(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

Claims 1. An emergency escape apparatus comprising: a container; and a

flexible ladder fixedly connected at a first end to the container; wherein the container is adapted to be fixedly retained and substantially concealed within an internal surface of a room.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of installation apertures adapted to receive an installation means for fixing the apparatus within the internal surface.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, the installation apertures are provided on a first and a second installation member, the member extending from the container.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each member is positioned on the container to allow the installation apertures to be located adjacent to a fixing point.
5. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the container further comprises a projection defining an opening into the container.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ladder further comprises a deployer arranged to close the opening.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the projection is configured to ensure that the deployer is flush with the interior surface after the container is concealed.
8. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is concealed by plastering.
9. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the ladder comprises at least one flexible member, and a plurality of rungs are disposed on the flexible member, wherein the rungs are positioned to allow a user to climb down the ladder.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least one rung of the ladder comprises an identification means configured to inform a user that a certain amount of the ladder has been extended.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the identification means is configured to inform a user that the ladder has been completely extended.
12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the identification means is an embossed section, raised section or a ribbed section provided on at least one rung of the ladder.
13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the container comprises an anchor pofnt, and the ladder comprises a connection point, wherein the connection point is fixedly connected to the anchor point.
14. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, the container comprises at least one separator configured to separate odd and even rungs into alternate channels.
15. An apparatus substantially as herein described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.