GB631984A - Improvements in portable fire escapes - Google Patents

Abstract

631,984. Rope grips. WILEY, E. T. July 11, 1947, No. 18527. Convention date, Feb. 17, 1943. [Class 78 (ii)] A reversible portable fire escape comprises a length of tape or of webbing with a suspension hook at either end and a frame sliding thereon having a number of transverse bars between which the tape or webbing is threaded sinuously, and a brake lever pivotally mounted on the frame and having two brake bars for alternative engagement with the webbing to press it against one of the transverse bars on the frame when the lever is actuated by a passenger carried by body harness attached to the frame. A webbing 5 has an anchor hook 7 at each end. A rectangular brake frame 10 slidable on the webbing has horizontal sides 11, 12 and vertical end bars 18, 14 with intermediate end bars 15. A centre transverse bar 17 connects between the bars 15 and cross brake bars 18, 19, one on either side of the central bar. The webbing sinuously extends between these bars. A brake lever 24 comprising a pair of side arms 29 has a cross bar 33 for the attachment of a hand strap 34. The arms 29 are pivotally mounted on a pin 26 extending between parts 25 connected to the bars 15. Brake bars 32 extend between opposite extensions 31 on the arms 29 which co-operate with brake bars of the brake frame. A body harness 20 has a strap with fastener elements 22 engaging with the brake frame between the end bars and bars 15. Either end of the webbing may be anchored and the speed of descent regulated by manual operation of the lever.