JPH0556988B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an emergency evacuation device for persons in multi-story buildings, and more particularly to an emergency evacuation system for automatically transporting users to the ground along a trajectory along the walls of the building. Concerning emergency evacuation equipment that is slowly lowered.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In order to provide an emergency escape route for persons located above the scene of a fire within a multi-story building, one or more external escape stairs are provided in the walls of the building. However, such fire escape stairs are not preferred by architects for a number of reasons. First, evacuation stairs are unsightly and do not harmonize with modern architectural styles.
Second, escape stairs are expensive and require maintenance. Third, evacuation stairs can easily serve as an entrance for trespassers. Installing evacuation stairs in old buildings is not only difficult, but also almost impossible, and the installation is dangerous.

Many other evacuation devices have been provided to solve the problems associated with evacuation stairs. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,121,689 to Bombin and includes a vertically disposed power rail with racks. The suspension device is inserted into the rail and connected to the rack, and the person tied to the suspension device is slowly lowered. Powered lowering and raising devices using racks located on a beam are described in U.S. Pat.
It is disclosed in No. 3207263. Many other gravity descent devices have been disclosed, including Hatala's U.S. Pat.
No. 4,125,172 shows a device moving on a zigzag track, and Prather No. 3,715,011 shows a transporter having a brake that engages a vertical cylinder. A power-driven lowering device for lowering a moving seat that engages a roller chain or threaded screw is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,711 to Smith and to Smith et al.
Disclosed in No. 3944021.

Other types of conventional escape devices are those that engage cables or ropes. For example, the rope-supported descent mechanism shown in Tsuda U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,989 uses a hydraulic brake system to gently lower the user to the ground.
Other speed regulating devices for ropes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,497 to Tsuai and U.S. Pat.
It is disclosed in No. 4093186. No. 4,063,615 to Nepp discloses a rope or cable traversing evacuation device in which the cable is gradually unwound around a drum to lower the user to the ground.

Also, as a prior art, Swagger's US patent No.
There is a safety device shown in No. 3348632 that is used as a lifting aid. The safety device is used on the H-rail plate which is mounted near the ladder. This safety device is attached to the user and is free to move along the H-rail as the user moves up and down the ladder. When a user falls from a ladder, the sudden downward movement causes the safety device to
It is securely gripped by the rail and prevents the user from falling any further. Brown et al. U.S. Patent No.
No. 4,271,927 discloses a roller mechanism that engages a horizontal inverted T-rail to support a hanging platform. The roller mechanism has two pivot arms that are movable between an engaged or locked position and a central pivot position.

The evacuation devices described above have a number of drawbacks. For example, the tracks or rails used by some devices are extremely complex and expensive to manufacture. Additionally, some of these rails require special wall mounting equipment and special openings to access the lowering equipment. A disadvantage of rope or cable systems is that it is difficult to provide cables that can be used on all floors, and a large variety of cables that can be used on each floor are required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an emergency evacuation device that can be easily used by people on all floors of a multi-story building and can overcome the drawbacks of the prior art described above.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the invention, a long track is fixed to extend vertically at a distance from a wall of a multi-story building; a movable object moves on the long track; An emergency evacuation device comprising a speed control device for controlling the moving speed of the moving body and a sling connection device for connecting a sling for holding a user to the moving body, wherein the long track is has a pair of left and right inner surfaces facing the wall and an outer surface opposite to the wall, and a rack is provided at the center of the outer surface along the longitudinal direction of the track, and the movable body has a housing and a rack. , a pinion supported by the housing so as to be able to engage with the rack; and a pinion supported by the housing and capable of engaging with the inner surfaces of the pair of raceways so as to maintain the engaged state between the rack and the pinion. A pair of support members and a pivot shaft extending along the elongate track at a position farther from the wall than the elongate track pivotally couple the support member to the housing; a pivot device that is capable of engaging and disengaging from the inner surface of the raceway and applies an elastic force so that the support member comes into pressure contact with the inner surface of the raceway in an engaged state, and the speed control device controls the rotational speed of the pinion. The emergency evacuation device is configured to control the speed of the moving body by 2. The speed control device includes a hydraulic brake connected to the pinion, and 2. The speed control device includes a hydraulic brake connected to the pinion. (second invention).

Embodiment One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like elements in the drawings are provided with the same reference numerals. A preferred embodiment of the emergency evacuation system of the present invention is shown in FIG. The emergency evacuation device 10 comprises a mobile body 12 that moves along a specially designed track 14. The track 14 is located near an emergency escape exit from the inside of the multi-story building, such as a balcony 18. A storage box 20 for storing a plurality of moving objects 12 so as to be ready for immediate use is placed near an emergency escape exit such as a balcony 18. Both the balcony 18 and the storage box 20 are preferably kept locked and a remote switch is provided so that emergency personnel or evacuees can unlock the balcony 18 and the storage box 20 in the event of an emergency.

As shown in FIG. 1, a hanging cord connector 22 is attached to the movable body 12. A hanging cord 24 such as a parachute hanging cord is connected to the connecting tool 22 .
As shown, the user enters the suspension string 24 and suspends the mobile object 12 moving along the track 14.
It is lowered slowly by the

Details of the moving body 12 and the track 14 are shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. The track 14 is attached to the wall 16 by the anchor 30.
It has a T-shaped beam 28 fixedly attached to the T-beam 28. T
Fixed to the central leg of the shaped beam 28 is a specially designed beam 32 having a central elongated groove 34 and sloped surfaces 36a, 36b. A rack 38 is immovably arranged in the groove 34, and its teeth 4
0 is on the opposite side from wall 16. beam 32
has inner surfaces 42a, 42b and outer surfaces 44a, 44b.

The mobile body 12 has two symmetrical divided parts, each of which is indicated by the corresponding reference numeral with the suffix "a" or "b" according to the part to which it belongs. shall be. For convenience of explanation,
Although each element of one part or the other part will be described in detail, the corresponding elements of the other part will be
They will only be indicated by corresponding symbols and suffixes in the figures. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the vehicle 12 includes symmetrical housings 48a, 48b having handles 50a, 50b. The housings 48a, 48b have bolts 56a, 56
Spacers 5 for inserting b, 58a, 58b respectively
2,54. As shown in FIG.
It surrounds 0b.

A journal bearing 62b having a cylindrical opening 64b is arranged below the chamber 60b in the center of the housing 48b. As shown, the extension of the corresponding cylindrical opening 64b becomes an enlarged cylindrical opening 66a. A rotor 70a and an eccentric pump cartridge 7 are disposed within the cylindrical opening 66a.
Gerotor constant displacement (Gerotor) with 2a and
(fixed displacement) pump 68a is arranged. A space between the inner peripheral surface of the pump cartridge 72a and the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 70a is a pump chamber 74a.
is formed. Two openings 76a and 78a are provided on opposing surfaces of the cylindrical opening 64a, and connect the chamber 60a and the pump chamber 74a. The cylindrical opening 66a has a bolt 82
It is closed by a cover 80a held by a. A seal 84a is disposed around the cylindrical opening 66a between the cover 80a and the housing 48a.

The rotor 70a is provided with a central opening 86a and two small slots 88a, 90a. Axis 9
2 is a journal bearing 62a and a cylindrical opening 64;
a through opening 86a. The long axis end of shaft 92 is provided with slots 94a and 96a that align with slots 88a and 90a, respectively. Slot 88a and slot 94a form a cylindrical opening, so that by inserting key 98a therein, shaft 92 and rotor 70a rotate together. Similar keys (not shown) are also placed in paired slots 90a and 96a.

A pinion 100 is fixed to the shaft 92. The pinion 100 has teeth 1 that mesh with teeth 40 of the rack 38.
02. Pinion 100 is easy 38
It should be noted that when engaged with the pinion 100, the rotation of the pinion 100 operates the pumps 68a, 68b, as described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the grooves 104b,
106b are provided on the underside of housing 48b on either side of shaft 92. A suitable contact member, such as a slider 108b, 110b, is inserted into each of the grooves 104b, 106b. Slider 108b, 11
0b is adapted to engage and slide smoothly along the inner surface 42b of the beam 32. The sliders 108b, 110b have grooves 104b, 106
b, respectively, and are made of a suitable wear-resistant material.

Latches 114a and 114b as support members are rotatably attached to the housings 48a and 48b. As shown in FIG.
4b has arms 116 on both sides of the housing 48b.
b, 118b so as to be rotatable. Each of the arms 116b and 118b is
It is placed in the grooves 120b and 122b. As shown, each groove is provided with outer holes 124b, 126b and inner threaded holes (128b, 130b, respectively.The arms 116b, 118b are rotatably attached to the housing 48b by bolts 132b, 134b. The bolts are held in holes 136b, 138b in the ends of arms 116b, 118b, respectively.
A spring clip 140b is provided so that it can be rotated about and pressed against the track 14. As shown in FIG. 2, spring clip 104b is passed around bolt 134b such that its free end engages the top of groove 122b. Spring clip 14
The other end of 0b is pushed behind arm 118b and engages the surface of arm 118b furthest from track 14. In this way, the spring clip 14
The latch 114 is elastically pressed against the track 14 by the latch 0b.

Latch 114b also includes a base 142b extending between arms 116b and 118b. The base 142b has a flat surface 144b, to which a contact member such as a slider 146b is attached. As shown in FIG. 2, the slider 146b is attached near the arm 116b, and another slider 146b (not shown) is attached to the arm 116b.
is similarly attached near arm 118b. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the slider 146a,
146b each corresponds to the outer surface 44 of beam 32.
a, 44b and is positioned to slide along them. It should be noted that pivot axis 148a is closer to the plane perpendicular to wall 16 through the center of track 14 than any portion of slider 146b. The reason for this arrangement will be described later. The base 142b is provided with a slope 150b and a blunt end 152b.

When in use, the emergency evacuation device 10 operates as follows. In the event of an emergency, it is possible to evacuate from most floors of the building using stairs, etc. However, in many cases it is impossible to escape from one or more floors by normal means. In such cases, the emergency evacuation device 10 is used. The emergency evacuation device 10 can be used and controlled by evacuation personnel or evacuees. Conveniently located on the main floor and under the jurisdiction of the evacuation personnel, the switch is operated first and the storage located on the floor from which one must escape using the evacuation device 10. Box 20 is unlocked. Preferably, this switch also unlocks the balcony 18 or other evacuation exit near the storage box 20. Broadcasting equipment provided on each floor of the building provides instructions to those remaining on how to use the evacuation device 10 and the location of evacuation exits such as the balcony 18 and storage boxes 20.

A hanging string 24 is connected to the storage box 20 by a connecting tool 22.
A plurality of movable bodies 12 to which the movable bodies 12 can be attached are stored. Balcony 18 used as an evacuation exit
When instructed to come out, the user goes to balcony 1.
8 and attach the hanging cord 24 so that the evacuation device 10 can be used. Then, the moving body 12 is positioned on the track 14 by the user. Mobile object 1
2 is positioned on the track 14, the user moves away from the balcony 18 and allows his/her weight to be supported by the moving body 12. Due to the user's weight, the moving body 12 moves slowly along the track 14 in a safe downward direction.

When lowering the user, the moving body 12 operates as follows. First, the user presses the handle 50.
a, 50b, and bases 142a, 142b.
are substantially parallel to and close to each of the slopes 36a and 36b of the track 14. Mobile object 1
2 can be used with either end facing up, ``a''
Note that "b" and "b" are used only to distinguish between members. Moving body 12 is on trajectory 1
4, the user pushes the vehicle 12 onto the track 14. This causes latch 114
Slopes 150a, 150b of a, 114b contact slopes 36a, 36b, respectively. For this reason, latches 114a and 114b are connected to spring clip 140b.
It rotates against the force of the spring clips to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. End (152a, 152
When b passes slopes 36a and 36b, latch 1
14a, 114b are pressed into the position shown in FIG. In this position, sliders 108a, 10
8b, 110a, 110b are the outer surface 44 of the beam
a, 44b. Furthermore, pinion 100
The teeth 102 and the teeth 40 of the rack 38 are arranged to mesh with each other.

When the user leaves the balcony 18 after the moving body 12 is positioned on the track 14, the handles 50a, 50b are pulled downward by the user's weight. It depends on which side of the movable body 12 is on top. For example, if the side shown in FIG. 3 is on top, the slider 146a,
146b comes to be pressed against the inner surfaces 42a, 42b of the beam 32, while the slider 110
a, 110b are the outer surfaces 44a, 44b of the beam 32
be forced to. The distance provided between the sliders 110 and 146 is equal to the distance between the teeth 102 of the pinion 100.
must be small enough to remain engaged with the teeth 40 of the rack 38.

As slider 146b is pressed against inner surface 42b, a moment about pivot axis 148b of latch 114b is created. The direction of rotation of this moment is determined by the relative positions of the pivot shaft 148b and the slider 146b with respect to a plane perpendicular to the wall 16 of the engagement surface and passing through the center of the movable body 12. By designing the carriage 12 so that the pivot axes 148b are closer together, a moment will always act to force the latch 114b into the engaged position of the track 14. Therefore, when more weight is applied on the handles 50a, 50b, the latches 114a, 1
14b is pressed more strongly to maintain the engaged position on the track 14 and hold the movable body 12 on the track 14. Of course, when no weight is applied to the moving body 12, the positions of the latches 114a, 114b are held solely by spring clips such as spring clip 140b, making it easier to position the moving body 12 on the track 14. There is.

When the weight of the user is applied to the movable body 12, the sliders 110a, 110b, 146a, and 146b slide along the track 14, so the movable body 12 begins to move on the track 14. For this reason, the tooth 102 and the rack 38
Since the teeth 40 of the pinion 100 are in mesh with each other, the pinion 100
is rotated relative to the orbit 14. pinion 100
When the shaft 92 rotates, the shaft 92 rotates as well, so that the rotors 70a and 70a of the hydraulic pumps 68a and 68b rotate.
70b is rotated. It must be noted that before storing the vehicle, the chambers 60a, 60b must be filled with a suitable hydraulic medium that does not deteriorate over time. Therefore, as the rotor 70a rotates, the eccentrically mounted pump cartridge 72a rotates as well since the teeth are engaged. When the pump cartridge 72a rotates,
The hydraulic medium in chamber 60a is forced out recurrently through openings 76a, 78a by pump 68a. When pump 68a is operating, one of openings 76a, 78a is used as an inlet and the other is used as an outlet. Either opening 76a, 78a is used as an inlet, and the other is used as an outlet. Which of the openings 76a and 78a is used as the entrance is determined by the direction of movement of the moving body 12 on the track 14. In any case, the size of the smaller aperture (in this example aperture 78a) limits the amount of medium that can be conveyed therethrough, so that the pump 68a can therefore rotor 7
The rotational speed at which 0a operates is controlled. Therefore,
When the movable body 12 moves on the track 14 due to the user's weight, the movable body 12 moves at a predetermined speed, allowing the user to descend safely.

It should be noted that the hydraulic pumps 68a, 68b operate as preliminary brakes for the movement of the moving body 12. Normally, the pump 68a
and 68b both operate to delay movement of the mobile body 12. However, even if one of the pumps should fail, the movement of the moving body 12 along the trajectory 14 can be slowed down using only the other pump.

Although the hydraulic pumps 68a, 68b have been described as gerotor constant displacement pumps, poston gear or vane pumps may be used as well. It is important to use a constant displacement pump capable of discharging a predetermined amount of medium regulated by a flow control device.

The position of the storage box 20 on the balcony 18 can be determined as appropriate depending on the situation. If the evacuation device 10 is installed in an office building, a lockable central storage area with one mobile for each office worker may be provided. In the case of office buildings, especially those without balconies, it is appropriate to use windows that can be locked. In apartments and hotels, balconies in each room are usually not locked by a central control unit, but a lockable cupboard or other suitable device is provided in the room, with one portable unit for each person. The body can be stored. Of course, other storage locations or evacuation exits are also possible.

Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided an emergency evacuation device that eliminates the drawbacks of the prior art described above and that can be easily used by people on all floors of a multi-story building.

According to the present invention, a moving body that lowers a user to the ground can be easily and reliably installed on a vertically extending track, and furthermore, since the moving body is moved by gravity, external No power source is required.

The present invention also has the advantage that the storage space required for the lowering tool is small and the lowering tool can be used immediately.

Furthermore, since there is no need to operate or monitor the moving object while it is descending, there is also the advantage that an injured or unconscious person can be lowered without assistance.

In particular, the elongated track has a pair of left and right inner surfaces facing the wall, and the movable body includes a pair of support members that can engage with the pair of inner surfaces of the track, and a rotating body that rotates the support member. and a pivot device that can be supported and removable from the inner surface of the track. Therefore, if the moving object is normally removed from the long track and the support member is rotated during an emergency evacuation, it can be moved from any floor of the building to the continuous long track. The moving body can be easily and quickly attached. The device state is maintained by the pivot device elastically pressing the support member against the inner surface of the raceway.

Further, in the first aspect of the invention, the pivot shaft of the pivot device is disposed closer to a plane passing through the center of the track and perpendicular to the wall than to the engagement portion between the support member and the inner surface of the track. Therefore, when a force is applied to the movable body in a direction that causes it to move away from the wall, the force that acts on the pivot axis in the direction that causes it to move away from the wall, and the force that acts on the engagement portion of the support member and the inner surface of the track are Due to the force in the direction, the support member tries to rotate the engagement point so as to approach the plane passing through the center of the trajectory and perpendicular to the wall. In other words, the pair of support members try to rotate toward each other, thereby reliably maintaining engagement between the track and the support members. This holding action is caused by the force acting on the movable body in the wall separation direction, so the stronger the force, the stronger the holding action becomes. The engagement of the support member with the track is therefore maintained very reliably, even under high user loads.

Further, in the second invention, the speed control device includes:
It has a hydraulic brake connected to a pinion. The pinion is held in a state where it is engaged with the rack of the long track, and always rotates when the moving object descends.A hydraulic brake is applied to this pinion, and the speed of the moving object is reliably braked. This will ensure the safety of everyone.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is an exploded perspective view of the moving body used in the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the moving body of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front view of the moving body of FIG. 2. The main symbols in the figure are as follows (the subscripts "a" and "b" are added to distinguish between two symmetrical parts, and those not shown in the figure are shown in the figure. It means existing in symmetry with what is shown. 18...Balcony, 20...Storage box, 22...Hanging string connector, 24...Hanging string, 2
8...T-shaped beam, 30...Anchor, 32...
Beam, 34...Central long groove, 36a, 36b...
...Slope, 38...Rack, 40...Tooth, 42a,
41b...inner surface, 44a, 44b...outer surface, 48
a, 48b...housing, 50a, 50b...
Handle, 52, 54... Spacer, 56a, 5
6b, 58a, 58b... Bolt, 60a, 60
b...Chamber, 62a, 62b...Journal bearing, 64a, 64b...Cylindrical opening, 66a,
66b...Cylindrical opening, 68a, 68b...Gerotor constant displacement pump, 70a, 70b...Rotor, 72a, 72b...Eccentric pump cartridge, 74a, 74b...Pump, 80a, 80b
...Cover, 86a, 86b...Central opening, 88
a, 88b, 90a, 90b...Small slot, 9
2... Axis, 94a, 94b, 96a, 96b...
Slot, 98a...Key, 100...Pinion, 102...Teeth, 104a, 104b, 106
a, 106b...Groove, 108a, 108b, 11
0a, 110b...Slider, 114a, 114b
... Latch (support member), 116a, 116b,
118a, 118b...Arm, 132a, 13
2b, 134a, 134b... Bolt, 140
a, 140b... Spring clip, 142a, 14
2b...Base, 146a, 146b...Slider, 148a, 148b...Pivot axis, 150
a, 150b... slope.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A long track fixed to extend perpendicularly while being spaced from a wall of a multi-story building, a moving body moving on the long track, and a moving speed of the moving body. An emergency evacuation device comprising: a speed control device for controlling a user; and a sling connection device for connecting a sling for holding a user to the moving body, wherein the elongated track has left and right sides facing a wall. It has a pair of inner surfaces and an outer surface opposite to the wall, and a rack is provided at the center of the outer surface along the longitudinal direction of the track, and the movable body is engaged with the housing and the rack. a pinion supported by the housing so as to be able to engage with the inner surface of the pair of raceways so as to maintain the engaged state between the rack and the pinion; , the supporting member is rotatably coupled to the housing by a pivot shaft extending along the elongated track at a position farther from the wall than the elongated track, and the support member is rotatably coupled to and disengaged from the inner surface of the track by rotation. and a pivot device that applies an elastic force so that the support member comes into pressure contact with the inner surface of the raceway in an engaged state, and the speed control device controls the rotational speed of the pinion to control the speed of the movable body. The distance from the pivot axis of the pivot device to the center plane of the orbit perpendicular to the wall is the distance from the engagement point between the support member and the inner surface of the track to the center plane of the orbit. An emergency evacuation device characterized by being placed closer than the distance of 2. The emergency vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the support member has engagement points with the inner surface of the track on both sides of the pinion in the direction along the long track. Blame device. 3. The elongated track has a pair of side surfaces tapered from the inner surface toward the outer surface, and the pair of support members engage with the inner surface of the track from the outside. The emergency evacuation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the emergency evacuation device has an inclined inner surface so as to engage with the side surface and separate from each other when the emergency evacuation is caused. Device. 4. The emergency evacuation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the support member further includes a contact point with the outer surface of the elongated track. 5. The support member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support member has a wear-resistant contact at a contact point with the long track. Emergency evacuation device. 6. The emergency evacuation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the speed control device includes a hydraulic brake connected to the pinion. 7. Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the elongated track is trapezoidal, tapering from the inner surface toward the outer surface.
Emergency evacuation equipment as described in any of paragraphs. 8. A patent claim further comprising a lockable storage box for accommodating the movable object on each floor of the building, and a remote control device that unlocks the storage box by an activation switch operated by emergency personnel. An emergency evacuation device according to any one of items 1 to 7. 9. A control device having a lockable exit provided on each floor of the building adjacent to the long track, and a remote switch capable of unlocking the exit when the storage box on that floor is unlocked. The emergency evacuation device according to claim 8, further comprising: 10 A long track fixed to extend perpendicularly while being spaced from the wall of a multi-story building, a moving body moving on the long track, and a speed control device controlling the moving speed of the moving body and a sling connection device for connecting a sling for holding a user to the movable body, wherein the elongated track has a pair of left and right inner surfaces facing the wall and a wall. and a rack is provided at the center of the outer surface along the longitudinal direction of the track, and the movable body is connected to the housing so as to be engageable with the rack. a pinion supported by the housing; a pair of support members that are supported by the housing and capable of engaging with the inner surfaces of the pair of raceways so as to maintain the engaged state between the rack and the pinion; The supporting member is rotatably coupled to the housing by a pivot shaft extending along the elongated track at a position away from the wall, and the support member is rotatably coupled to and disengaged from the inner surface of the track, and is in an engaged state. and a pivot device that applies an elastic force so that the support member comes into pressure contact with the inner surface of the orbit, and the speed control device is configured to control the speed of the moving body by controlling the rotation speed of the pinion. An emergency evacuation device configured as described above, wherein the speed control device includes a hydraulic brake connected to the pinion.