US3927734A

US3927734A - Skyscraper escaper

Info

Publication number: US3927734A
Application number: US517751A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eugene J Brunette; Nathaniel D Trosclair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-10-24
Filing date: 1974-10-24
Publication date: 1975-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1992-12-23

Abstract

The present invention provides an emergency descent device for descending from an elevated location. The device, which is adapted to receive and slide down on a metal cable, comprises an elongated U-shaped member which fits over the cable. A seat is provided on the bottom of the U-shaped member upon which the operator of the device is seated. The device further includes a spring loaded descent control handle which is operably connected to a cable clamp positioned at the top of the U-shaped member whereby the operator controls his rate of descent by releasing and re-applying the clamping force supplied to the cable.

Description

United States Patent 1 Brunette et al.

[ SKYSCRAPER ESCAPER [76] inventors: Eugene J. Brunette, 237 Christiana Drive, Marrero, La. 70072; Nathaniel D. Trosclair, I I5] Avenue D, Westwego, La. 70094 22 Filed: Oct.24, 1974 21 Appl. NO.I 517,751

1,766,566 6/1930 Tucker 182/7 Dec. 23, 1975 Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado Attorney, Agent, or FirmCalvin J. Laiche [57] ABSTRACT The present invention provides an emergency descent device for descending from an elevated location. The device, which is adapted to receive and slide down on a metal cable, comprises an elongated U-shaped member which fits over the cable. A seat is provided on the bottom of the U-shaped member upon which the operator of the device is seated. The device further includes a spring loaded descent control handle which is operably connected to a cable clamp positioned at the top of the U-shaped member whereby the operator controls his rate of descent by releasing and reapplying the clamping force supplied to the cable.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 SKYSCRAPER ESCAPER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with emergency descent devices. more particularly to an emergency descent device adaptable for use with a descent cable. the pres ent device being operably attached thereto and upon which it is allowed to slide downwards at a rate controlled by the operator.

Emergency escape devices utilizing a mechanical device in cooperation with a strand of webbing or similar material under the control of the escaping person is old and well known in the arts, for example. see US. Pat. No. 3.799.287. These prior art devices are generally characterizcd as being somewhat complex in their mechanical design, as well as difficult to use by the operator.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency escape device for use of descending from dangerous locations, such as a burning high rise apartment or office building. Among the many advantages and features of the present invention is the fact that it is simply constructed and very easy to maintain and operate. Moreover. it is relatively inexpensive and a building could be equipped with a multitude of the present devices at a relatively low initial investment. The above together with other features and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the details of construction and operation of the present emergency descent device as shown in the draw ng and described in the ensuing detailed disclosure of its preferred embodiment which is particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention. reference should be had to the following drawing. taken in conjunction with the detailed description thereof. In the drawing, synonomous reference numerals are employed throughout in the various views to refer to identical components.

FIG. 1 in the drawing represents an isometric view of the present skyscraper escaper showing it from its back side.

FIG. 2 in the drawing represents a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 depicts a partial cut away side elevational view of the present emergency descent apparatus showing the relationship of its various components in a descent operation.

FIG. 4 of the drawing depicts a partial cut away side clevational view of the present emergency descent apparatus showing the relationship of various of its components in a stop position.

FIG. 5 of the drawing represents a partial cut away view of the braking components of the present emergency descent apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Referring to FIG. I of the drawing. the present emergency descent device I0 comprises the U-shaped or channel member 11 which is positioned in an essentially vertical position during use as shown in the drawing. The member II can be constructed of any suitable rigid material, preferably steel. capable of withstanding the normal forces imposed thereon as a factor of the load created by its human passenger. While the member II can actually be of any suitable cross sectional design capable of withstanding the tension and torsional forces involved. it is preferably open on at least one side so as to readily allow the cable 12 to be threaded therein. The member II also serves to protect its human passenger from any injury due to abrasion or heat of friction by contract with the cable 12.

The seat I3 is provided upon which a human operator positions himself. The seat 13 is operably connected to the main support member II by virtue of the hinge or swivel 14, one half of the hinge 14 being rigidly affixed to the seat 13 and the other half being rigidly affixed to the member ll, being pivotly connected to each other by virtue of the pin connector 15. By such structure, the seat 13 is allowed to pivot about the pin 15 whereby the seat I3 can be collapsed upward against the main support member I I for ease of storage and handling. The seat 13 is provided with the stop member 16 which is rigidly fastened to the underside of the seat 13 and butts against the inside surface of the main support member 11 when the seat 13 is in a down or operable position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing.

As also shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the present emergency descent device I0 further comprises the braking mechanism comprising the curved elongated hinge brake handle 17. The top end of the handle 17 is rigidly affixed to the brake hinge member 18 which in turn is pivotly connected to the left hand L-shaped rail extension [9 of the main support member II. The member l8 has a bottom leg portion which is ofa width sufficient to nestle within the inside confines of the U-shaped member 11. By such an arrangement. the cable 12 is held in confinement once the member 18 is closed down upon it. The handle and

binge assembly

17 and 18 is pivotly connected to the extended brake portion [9 of the member II by virtue of the high tensile strength bolt or pin means 20. The brake hinge member 18 is generally fabricated of a rigid high strength material such as steel which is readily weldable for reasons brought out hereinafter. The handle 17 is made of a flexible tough resilient material such as a glass reinforced plastic material since it must be able to flex during operation as explained in detail below. Referring specifically to FIG. 5 in the drawing, the braking mechanism includes the

braking surfaces

21, 22 and 23 which are extremely hard surfaces provided at the main points of wear. The surfaces 2], 22 and 23 are generally welded onto the respective base members ll and I8, for example, utilizing a high strength carbide welding rod or similar material having an extremely high Brinell or Rockwell hardness number. As can be appreelated from the arrangement depicted in FIG. 5 of the drawing, as the handle 17 is shoved inwards, that is, in a clockwise direction. the brake hinge member 18 is caused to rotate inwards also whereby the

surfaces

23 and 22 are brought together to thereby impose a clamping action on the cable 12. The position of the surface 23 is slightly lower or beneath that of the surface 22 to thereby jam the cable 12 between those surfaces. In such manner. the cable 12 actually serpentines across the surfaces to insure a greater degree of frictional contact and restrainment. This operable relationship is further shown in FIG. 4 of the drawing which depicts the present descent device in a stopped or nondescent condition. The rail extension portion 19 of the main support member I I is provided with the hardened 3 surface 21 so as to prevent undue wearing of the inner leg portion 24 of the portion 19. Thus, the cable 12 contacts only these various hardened surfaces at its various points of high frictional contact with the present descent device.

Referring together to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the lower portion of the flexible handle 17 is provided with the spring loaded retaining mechanism 25 which serves to retain the handle 17 in its operable position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. I of the drawing illustrates the handle 17 in a detached position preparatory to inserting the cable 12 within the upright main support channel member I]. This is accomplished by raising the handle 17 upwards in a counterclockwise direction till such time that the brake hinge member 18 clears the confines of the channel member II whereby the cable 12 can be threaded through the opening 26, beneath the hinge member 18 and extended downwards within the U-shaped channel member ll. After so installing the present device upon the cable 12, the handle I7 is rotated arcuately downwards in a clockwise direction and the locking mechanism 25 snapped into place, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing. In FIG. 2, the channel member II is provided with the elongated slots positioned in its side walls extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the channel member I]. The

slots

27 and 28 are provided for receiving the restraining

members

29 and 30 respectively. The

members

29 and 30 upon being compressed toward each other are thereupon allowed to slide within the channel member ll and upon attaining the depth of the

grooves

27 and 28, spring outward thereby restraining the handle 17 within the channel 11. The

members

29 and 30 are constantly urged outward by virtue of the compression spring means 31 operably positioned between said members. The

members

29 and 30 are restrained within the handle 13 by virtue of the restraining sleeve 32 which is provided with the lip portion 33. Conversely, the

members

29 and 30 are provided with the enlarged portions 34 which are of a diameter greater than the diameter of the lip 33 of the sleeve 32. By such an arrangement, the

members

29 and 30 are allowed to become compressed inwards thereby fitting within the channel member 11, however, upon reaching the depth of the

slots

27 and 28, spring outwards to thus confine the handle 17 within the channel 11 for the reasons brought out below. The sleeve 32 is generally fabricated of a metal, as well as the

pins

29 and 30. The channel member 11 in the vicinity of the

slots

27 and 28 is swaged open slightly, that is, the top edge of its extended leg portions are rolled outwards, so as to provide a slanted or converging housing whereby upon compressing the handle 17 within the channel ll, the

pins

29 and 30 are thereupon automatically shoved inwards by virtue of the slanted

portion

35 and 36.

By way of operation, a building would normally be equipped with various cables 12 which could be strategically connected to the exterior of a building hidden from view by virtue of some convenient architectural design, or, the cable can be maintained on a reel and paid out of a particular storage device located on the roof of the building or out ofa window. In any event, an operator of the present emergency descent device would first string the cable 12 through the channel member 11 in the manner discussed in detail above. Thereupon, he would depress the handle 17 downward until the locking mechanism 25 snaps into place within the slots or

grooves

27 and 28. This is conveniently LII performed by the operator grabbing the handle 37 which is rigidly affixed to the flexible member 17 and pulling it inwards. FIG. 4 illustrates the normal position of the handle 17 relative to the main support member 11. As can be appreciated from FIG. 4, the handle 17 is bowed only sulTicient enough to allow the locking mechanism 27 to snap within the lower portion of the

slots

27 and 28. In such position, the handle 17 causes the brake hinge member 18 to jam the cable I2 within the braking surfaces 22 and 23 whereby the present descent device 10 is frictionally restrained on the cable 12. In such position, the operator can then take his position upon the device by sitting upon the seat 13 and holding on to the handle 37. The operator is thus now in a position to descend. This is accomplished by the operator shoving the handle 37 away from the member 11, that is, away from his person, whereby the flexible handle 17 is caused to bend outwards as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing. This action in turn causes the brake hinge member 18 to arcuately rotate outwards which in turn releases the frictional gripping action applied to the cable 12 between the braking surfaces 22 and 23. The device then slides downward along the cable 12 due to gravity. It can thus be appreciated that the extent of slippage of the cable 12 between the

surfaces

22 and 23 can be conveniently controlled by the operator whereby his rate of descent is so governed. As the operator shoves outwards on the handle 17, the locking mechanism 25 slides within the

grooves

27 and 28, the handle 17 being restrained from being shoved outwards to too great ofa distance by virtue of the locking mechanism 25, being restrained within the upper portion of the

slots

27 and 28 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing, In other words, the length of the

slots

27 and 28 are determined such that the handle 17 can only be shoved outwards sufficient so as to allow the cable 12 to just barely pass between the braking surfaces 22 and 23. This prevents the operator from greatly fluctuating his rate of descent, that is, from descending in a pattern of extremely fast intervals followed by spasmodic violent jerking stops which would tend to alarm the operator. Rather, it is intended that the handle may be shoved outwards thereby allowing more or less a gradual sliding action consisting at most of a series of minor spasmodic jerking actions. This mode of operation is especially desirable in light of the fact that the operator due to fear of height, would be scared to greatly shove the handle 17 outwards, but rather, would invariably prefer to move downwards in slight increments with a small resulting jerking action rather than at large intervals followed by violent stops. This mode of operation also minimizes the frictional wear and tear between the various components of the present device and is additionally preferred fro that reason.

It would be apparent to one skilled in the art that there are changes and modifications that can be made in the above device as well as in its mode of operation without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, the various materials of construction can be varied considerably without affecting the primary intent and purpose of the present invention. The member 11 can be fabricated of various well known rigid materials, generally metals. such as steel, so as to insure a high strength compact product material would be appropriate. Moreover, the particular dimensions of the various components of the present emergency descent apparatus are not critical as long as their size and shape are determined and fixed relative to each other so as to provide the above described mode of operation. Additionally, as explained above, the braking components of the present device must be arranged relative to each other so as to allow the cable 12 to be threaded within the channel member ll, while also providing the proper spacing of the braking surfaces 22 and 23. Additionally, the extent of how provided in the handle member 17 relative to the position and dimensions of the

slots

27 and 28 are to be determined as a function of the relative dimensions of the positioning of the brake flange 18 relative to the opening 26 together with the positioning and spacing of the braking surfaces 22 and 23. Conversely, the external shape and size of the main support member ll, together with its related appurtenances, is to be de signed so that it can conveniently receive an average size human being, the seat 13 and handle 37 being operably spaced relative to each other so as to accomodate the average human operator.

In light of the above details, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that among the many features and advantages of the instant invention is the fact that more than one of the present emergency descent device can be utilized on any given descent cable at a particular time, unlike the prior art device of US. Pat. No. 3,799,287 which provides for only one device to be utilized per descent cable or webbing. Thus, the pres ent escape device allows faster emergency evacuation of a building for the same number of descent cables.

In light of the above, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of our inven tive concept as disclosed herein, and accordingly, since many such modifications may be made in our embodiment as disclosed in detail herein in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details of our inventive concept are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Therefore, what we intend to encompass within the ambit of our invention is that as set forth and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

What we claim as our invention is:

l. Skyscraper Escaper means comprising:

a. an elongated member shaped to house cable means which extends therethrough along its longitudinal axis and provided with a slot along its length through which the cable means passes;

b. elongated bowed hand brake means pivotally connected at one of its ends to said elongated brake member in a spaced apart relationship adjacent to said slot provided therein so as to provide a clamping action upon the cable means passing there- 6 through and its other end being operably attached to said elongated member during a descending operation whereby pressure upon said elongated bowed hand brake means releases the clamping 5 action exerted upon the cable means; and

c. seat means operably attached to said elongated member. 2. The skyscraper escaper means of claim I further characterized in that:

said hand brake means comprises a handle portion fabricated of a resilient material. 3. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 2 further characterized in that:

said elongated member is provided with slots in its sides extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member positioned toward its bottom portion; and said handle of said hand brake means is provided with retaining means adapted to fit within the slots of said elongated member. 4. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 3 further characterized in that:

said retaining means of said hand brake means comprises a pair of spring loaded restraining members operably positioned within the end of the handle of said hand brake means whereby said restraining members may be compressed inwards within said handle for insertion within said elongated member upon compression of the same and subsequently released within the slots provided in said elongated member to thereby restrain the handle of said hand brake means within said elongated member. 5. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 4 further characterized in that:

the portion of said elongated member and the brake hinge member of said hand brake means which contacts the cable means are provided with hardened surfaces to thereby minimize the effect of wear between said members. 6. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 5 further characterized in that:

said handle is fabricated of a fiber-glass reinforced resilient resinous material. 7. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 6 further characterized in that:

the handle of said hand brake means is provided with transversely extending handle bars to facilitate gripping by an operator. 8. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 7 further characterized in that:

said elongated member is U-shaped; and said seat means is hingedly attached to said U-shaped member so as to allow said seat means to be folded upwards for convenient storage of the assembly when not in use.

Claims

1. Skyscraper Escaper means comprising: a. an elongated member shaped to house cable means which extends therethrough along its longitudinal axis and provided with a slot along its length through which the cable means passes; b. elongated bowed hand brake means pivotally connected at one of its ends to said elongated brake member in a spaced apart relationship adjacent to said slot provided therein so as to provide a clamping action upon the cable means passing therethrough and its other end being operably attached to said elongated member during a descending operation whereby pressure upon said elongated bowed hand brake means releases the clamping action exerted upon the cable means; and c. seat means operably attached to said elongated member.

2. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 1 further characterized in that: said hand brake means comprises a handle portion fabricated of a resilient material.

3. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 2 further characterized in that: said elongated member is provided with slots in its sides extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said member positioned toward its bottom portion; and said handle of said hand brake means is provided with retaining means adapted to fit within the slots of said elongated member.

4. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 3 further characterized in that: said retaining means of said hand brake means comprises a pair of spring loaded restraining members operably positioned within the end of the handle of said hand brake means whereby said restraining members may be compressed inwards within said handle for insertion within said elongated member upon compression of the same and subsequently released within the slots provided in said elongated member to thereby restrain the handle of said hand brake means within said elongated member.

5. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 4 further characterized in that: the portion of said elongated member and the brake hinge member of said hand brake means which contacts the cable means are provided with hardened surfaces to thereby minimize the effect of wear between said members.

6. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 5 further characterized in that: said handle is fabricated of a fiber-glass reinforced resilient resinous material.

7. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 6 further characterized in that: the handle of said hand brake means is provided with transversely extending handle bars to facilitate gripping by an operator.

8. The skyscraper escaper means of claim 7 further characterIzed in that: said elongated member is U-shaped; and said seat means is hingedly attached to said U-shaped member so as to allow said seat means to be folded upwards for convenient storage of the assembly when not in use.