US1914889A

US1914889A - Escape apparatus

Info

Publication number: US1914889A
Application number: US618895A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lugara Domenico
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1932-06-23
Filing date: 1932-06-23
Publication date: 1933-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 1950-06-20

Description

June 20, 1933. LUGARA 1,914,889

ESCAPE APPARATUS Filed June 23, 1932 INVENTOR /M4JJZ )MWMI ATTOR Y panying drawing in which Figure 1 is a Patented June 20, 1933 UNITED STATES isiassa) DOMENICO LUGARA, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY ESCAPE APPARATUS Application filed June 23,

This invention relates to a safety device for lowering persons and also a device whereby persons may lower themselves from the windows of buildings. The apparatus is particularly adapted for use as a fire escape.

The advantages of the construction are quick availability when needed, quick adj ustment to the person to be lowered, simplicity of construction, compactness when not in use, adaptability for use by persons on the ground who may aid the one to be rescued and also for use by the one to be lowered without any aid, and economy in cost.

The invention is illustrated in the accomview showing the apparatus ready for use. Figure 2 is a section of the apparatus stowed in a receptacle. Figure 3 is a top view of the receptacle shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a detail view showing the life belt and foot support on an enlarged scale. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing how the belt and support are used. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a sling used to carry children by one who is descending by means of the apparatus.

The rope used as a lowering medium is preferably placed in a receptacle situated in the ceiling of a room above a window. In Figure 1, 10 is the wall of a building, 11 the floor of a room and 12 the ceiling of the room. In the ceiling is placed areceptacle 13 which is storage place for the rope and its accessories when not in use.

The receptacle 13 is provided with a suitable opening in the bottom which is closed by a lid 14. The opening is situated to provide an inconspicuous feature in the room but is large enough to allow the free passage of the rope and other articles stored on the bottom of the receptacle. Near the top of the receptacle and over the opening is a pulley 15. This pulley revolves freely and is mounted on a bar 16 which also acts as a brace for the sides of the receptacle. A second bar 17 is installed below the pulley and has a loop 18 which acts as a stop for one end of the rope 19. The rope 19 has an enlarged end such as a knot 20 and a washer 21 which is 1932. Serial No. 618,895.

provided with a small chain or cord 22 normally coiled and resting on the lid 14.

The rope 19 is coiled in the receptacle and its end is looped as at 23, the rope passing through the loop to form a noose 24. The noose passes around a belt 25 which is preferably made of canvas and has strips 26 under which the rope passes. This construc tion requires no fastening on the belt and is adapted for quick attachment around the waist of a person by passing it over the head and drawing it taut around the waist. The coiled rope is installed to cause the belt 25 to incline toward the opening in the bottom of the receptacle so that the belt comes out endwise and the rope emerges easily and descends as needed.

The lid 14 is provided with a pull chain 27 which is placed within reach of a person of ordinary height or it can edge of a window frame or a location where it will be out of the way and at the same time accessible.

In order to provide a means for pulling the belt down from the receptacle I provide a chain or the like which can also be used as a foot rest. The form shown comprises a chain 28 provided with a fastening such as a snap hook 29 which is hooxed over the noose 24 near the front of the belt 25. The chain 28 has a stirrup 30 at the bottom; I usually make this rigid and I illustrate one made of iron pipe 31 through which the chain is looped. The pipe may have cover 32 of rubber or the-like. The manner ofuse of these articles is clearly shown in Figure 5.

When the device is to be used the person operating the apparatus pulls on the chain 27 which releases the lid 14'and both the pull chain 22 and the chain 28 of the foot rest which rested on the lid. The chain 28 is pulled which causes the belt 25 and the rope 19 to drop into the room. A sturdy person can use the rope to descend on it hand over hand as the end 20 is This method makes no use of the belt 25.

An alternative and more probable use by timid persons or when at a considerable height is to draw down on the pull chain or cord 22 and draw the rope over the pulley 15 be looped over the .70

held in the loop 18.

and drop it out of the window as shown in Figure 1. The person then puts the belt on and may also use the foot rest 30. By using the reach a of the rope by hand over hand descent as in Figure 5 the person can lower himself or herself without much effort as the rope is passed at the top over the pulley 15. Persons on the ground can lower the one in the belt by means of the rope, as will be evident.

If desired the sling 33 can be used to carry children in descending without interfering with the use of the hands. The sling has a central hole 34 which enables the sling to be passed over the head. The front and rear aprons have pockets 35 with leg openings 36 in which pockets children can be seated and easily supported by one descending on the rope.

Various changes can be made in the form and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

I claim 1. An escape apparatus comprising a receptacle having a pulley mounted therein, a rope coiled in the receptacle and with one end over the pulley, means for holding said end against movement toward the pulley, a lid closing the bottom of the receptacle, and pull chains resting on the lid and providing means for selectively drawing the ends of the rope when the lid is opened.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1, in which one of'said pull chains is secured at one end to the rope and has means at the other end forming a foot support.

3. An escape apparatus comprising a receptacle, a rope in the receptacle, a pulley in the receptacle over which the rope is passed, a lid in the bottom of the receptacle, pull chains resting on the lid and attached to the rope, and means in the receptacle for limiting the movement of the rope in one direction.

4. The combination of a storage receptacle having a lid in the bottom, a pulley in the receptacle, a rope in the receptacle and resting on the pulley, means for limiting one end of the rope in its movement toward the pulley, and a pull chain secured to the rope andnormally resting on the lid.

5. The combination of a storage receptacle having a lid in the bottom, apulley in the receptacle, a rope in the receptacle and resting on the pulley, means for limiting one end of the rope in its movement toward the pulley, a belt, the other end ofthe rope being formed into a noose and secured to the belt.

In testimony whereof he aflixes his signav ture.

DOMENICO LUGARA.-