GB2498971A

GB2498971A - Automated fire escape

Info

Publication number: GB2498971A
Application number: GB1201730.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Anthony Fernando Constable
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-02-01
Filing date: 2012-02-01
Publication date: 2013-08-07
Also published as: GB201201730D0

Abstract

A fire escape device has automatic deployment means. The escape device may be a ladder 3 and is preferably deployed using pressurised gas and solenoid activated latches. The fire escape device may be key activated. The ladder may be LED illuminated.

Description

1

Mechanical Description

An example of the invention [a fire escape system] will now be described by referring to the attached drawings:

Figure 1 page 1/11 1 is the top of the window frame, 2 is the sill of the window frame, 3 are twin devices for assisting window access during a fire emergency. Part 4 is a device for unlatching the centre window, 5 is a device that releases a wire ladder from the window's edge.

Figure 2 page 1/11 6 is a side elevation of the window. Figure 3 page 1/11 7 is a top view of the window frame showing the relative position of the fire escape device.

Figure 1 page 2/11 1 is a solenoid coil, that when energized drives 2 plastic coated steel strikers that push the centre window out. This shows one of a pair. 3, shows the solenoid and striker partly positioned. 4 shows the solenoid 1 and striker 2 fully mated and assembled.

Figure 1 page 3/11 1 shows the top half of a solenoid operated window latch, 2 is the lower section of the same latch. 3 is a part of the latch that mates into 2. 4 threads through component 5 a spring that forces 3 into 2 [latching the centre window], 6 is a solenoid that, when energized pulls 3 & 4 up against the latch spring 5 and releases the window, which is of the opening out type. 7 shows the centre window latch fully assembled ready for window operation.

Figure 1 page 4/11 1 shows an additional view the shell and cavity minus the latching device for diagram clarity, 2 & 3 again show the latch but in exploded view for clarity[dotted lines for hidden views] 4 are fixing holes for attaching the latch to the window frame proper.

2

Figure 1 page 5/11 1 is a plate for pushing a wire ladder pack, 2 are roller/castors that run along a guide Figure 2 3, rollers of which 2 rotate about their axis on axel bars 4. 5 are under plates for fixing a support plate 7, that pivots about 8 Figure 3 and can turn through 180° to release the wire ladder pay load.

The ladder pack is ejected by 6 Figure 2 a pneumatic telescopic piston that forces plate 1 Figure 1 forward, deploying the ejectile ladder.

Figure 1 page 6/11 1 shows one of the roller castor runs in close profile for clarity.

Figure 2, 1 shows in large profile, a side elevation of the castor run, 2 is the wheel and axel which also acts as a pivot mentioned above. 3 shows the inner guide for the castors motion.

Figure 3, 4 is a cross sectional area of the runner 1 figure 1 showing cavity for the rollers/castors.

Figure 4, 5 in large profile plan elevation of the roller castor, 6 is the under plate for attaching or welding the support plate 7 figure 2 into position. Component 7 is the roller/castor axel outer sheath in which the axel freely rotates.

Figure 1 page 7/11 1 is a hand grip for the fire escape device for descent down the wire ladder. 2 is a cavity space for the wire ladder pack, 3 is a cavity for the mains supply/battery supply and alarm electronics package.

Figure 2, 4 are 2 compressed air tanks that converge and pressurize through a solenoid operated gas valve assembly 5, this in turn drives a piston mentioned above that will eject the ladder pack through the centre window.

3

Figure 3 page 7/11 continued: 1 is the gas valve for the piston 6 Figure 2 page 5/11, 2 are hand grip fixing holes for attachment to the main casing, 3 is a side profile of the same hand grip mentioned above.

Figure 1 page 8/11 1 shows a isometric view for clarity from south east of the fire escape device.

Figure 2, 2 shows an isometric view for clarity of the push plate, support plate on its roller/castors within the runners which are fixed to the inner casing above.

Figure 1 page 9/1, 1 is a solenoid, 2 is a spring that forces 3 down through 4 and fixing block 5 which is stationary, sealing valve cavity 8, that intersect air pipe work 6 & 7, through gas pressure inlet 9 to the gas piston. When 1 energizes 3 is pulled up against spring pressure 2 and opening the pressure seal at 8 thus allowing operation of the gas piston mentioned above.

Figure 2, 8 shows the solenoid gas valve fully mated together ready for operation.

Figure 3, 9 again shows a clarified view gas valve assembly with outer shell casing. This assembly can be welded to the push plate through a hole.

Figure 1 page 10/11, Is a scaled view of pressure tank, solenoid gas valve and piston assembly. 1 are two pressurized gas containers, 2 are gas tank pre outlet and valve assembly.

Figure 2, 3 is the gas inlet and gas transmission pipe, which pressurizes and causes extension of the gas piston 4.

4

Figure 1 page 11/11, 1 shows an south east isometric view of the window, with the fire escape device positioned and aligned with the midpoint of the centre window which is closed.

Figure 2, 2 shows a north eastern isometric view of the window, with wire ladder deployed 3 and centre window 4 open and in the down position on internal hinges. This window will have insulated power and sensor cable runs to 17th edition BS7671:2008 wiring regulations, be impervious to liquids and be mechanically protected with cable sheath armoring where required.

5

Electrical Description

Figure 1 page 1/1, FS1/FS2 are fuses that take primary and secondary winding currents respectively. Wp is the primary of a step-down transformer winding with incoming mains supply. Ws is the secondary side of the transformer which reduces the mains voltage to the required level, which is the regulated by LM1-4, C1-C4 are smoothing capacitors to remove volt spikes D1-D4 are rectifier diodes that convert the transformed a.c to d.c. based supply. Resistors R1 and R2 form potential dividers whose supply voltage will be supply time the ratio of the potential dividers, this provides positive and negative rail voltage for the opamp's.

Figure 2 page 1/1, When alarm key S1 is closed voltage is placed on Schmitt trigger SC1 which produces clock pulses, output is fed back through feedback resistor Rf and grounded through capacitor C5. OP1 and OP2 take their non inverting inputs from smoke and fire sensors, when there is a change in sensor status or change in voltage levels the opamp's output is connected to an OR gate input N1, its output is combined with the Schmitt SC1 output causes an AND gate to high logic 1. This output goes to junction box 1 JB1 and biases the transistor Q2 which turns on and energizes S03 a solenoid that raises the window latch. Normally open Limit switch LSIcloses contact and puts supply on Q1 through micro solenoid switch S2 and Rb, which then starts conduction energizing solenoid coils S01/S02 which operate strikers that force the centre window out.

When the centre window is fully opened and down limit switch LS2 operates through micro solenoid switch S3 and Rb of Q3 base starting collector current that energizes S04, this causes a steel or iron former with a seal to move upward against the solenoid return spring releasing compressed gases that cause a telescopic gas piston to move forward deploying a wire ladder. A1 is amplifier, oscillator and LED/speaker [LE1/SP1]driver Q4 biased by resistor Rb that gives visual and audible alarm signals.

END OF DESCRIPTION

6

Claims

1. The proposed fire escape device is compact and easy to operate using Key activation.

2. The proposed device mentioned in claim 1, uses a LED illuminated ladder for quick location and descent in dark or smoke obscured environments as well as an visual/audio alarm.

3. The proposed device is battery backed for power loss conditions during an emergency when required.

4. The invention is reusable and uses non toxic materials that do not impact on the environment.

5. The proposed invention that according to claim 4 uses non toxic materials that do not corrode or oxidize,