WO2003044314A1

WO2003044314A1 - An emergency ladder using a handrail of a balcony

Info

Publication number: WO2003044314A1
Application number: PCT/KR2002/001744
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong Soo Han
Original assignee: Yong Soo Han
Priority date: 2001-11-20
Filing date: 2002-09-17
Publication date: 2003-05-30
Also published as: AU2002341433A1

Abstract

An emergency ladder which is installed on a balcony handrail is disclosed. The ladder includes the following elements. That is, an opening path is sufficiently large to allow people to pass through it, and the ladder is installed on both sides of the opening path. A locking part is for locking the ladder of a folded state to a balcony handrail. The ladder is foldable, and therefore, the number of the ladder parts can be arbitrarily varied depending on the needs. Further, a plurality of safety loops are installed on the ladder at certain intervals in the lengthwise direction to protect users, and the safety loops do not come in the way of folding the ladder parts. The ladder is secured by means of the locking part in a folded state to serve as a handrail at the normal times, and if the folded ladder is unfolded at an emergency to make the multiply connected ladder parts reach the balcony of the downstairs or the ground, a safe escape is possible even without other emergency escaping kits at an emergency.

Description

AN EMERGENCY LADDER USING A HANDRAIL OF A

BALCONY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an emergency ladder. Particularly, the present invention relates to an emergency ladder which is installed on a balcony handrail so as to serve as a handrail at the normal times, and so as to serve as an escaping ladder at an emergency by being unfolded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, a large building has to have an emergency exit and an emergency escaping kit as a measure for emergency situations. However, the ordinary houses and small buildings are not equipped with such as emergency exit and an emergency escaping kit.

Accordingly, if an emergency situation such as a fire accident occurs at a small shopping building or an apartment building, then human life can be sacrificed because there is no emergency escaping means.

Particularly, in the case of an apartment building which is a collective residing place, there is no emergency escaping means although it is required under the firefighting law, and therefore, if a fire accident occurs, there are accompanied serious problems. Further, even with the high firefighting ladder, the high floors of the apartment building cannot be reached. Further, in a large building such as a hotel, although there are equipped with the emergency exit and the emergency escaping means, the method of the use of such emergency escaping means is not widely known. Further, the emergency exit is positioned at a hidden corner to make it difficult to find it, and therefore, it cannot be effectively used, with the result that serious disasters can occur. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to overcome the above described disadvantages of the conventional practice.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency ladder which can be conveniently and effectively used at an emergency situation such as a fire accident, and can be installed at a low cost as well as being simple in its use.

In achieving the above object, the emergency ladder according to the present invention includes: an opening path sufficiently large to allow people to pass through it; a ladder unfoldably installed on both sides of the opening path; and a locking part for locking the ladder of a folded state to a balcony handrail, whereby the ladder serves as a handrail during a non-use of the ladder, and the ladder is used as an escaping means during an emergency situation. Further, the ladder is foldably formed, and its length and its folding points are arbitrarily varied so as to make the length of the ladder variable depending on the installation places.

Further, a plurality of safety loops can be installed in a lengthwise direction of the ladder at certain intervals so as to protect people when they escape.

In this emergency ladder constituted as described above, the ladder is secured by means of the locking part in a folded state to serve as a handrail at the normal times, and if the folded ladder is unfolded at an emergency to make the multiply connected ladder parts reach the ground, a safe escape is possible even without other emergency escaping kits at an emergency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above object and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIGs. 1 to 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the emergency ladder according to the present invention;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the emergency ladder which is installed on a balcony according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the emergency ladder installed on a balcony handrail in a folded state according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the emergency ladder of the present invention, separated from the balcony handrail;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the portion which is hinge-secured to the balcony handrail according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment showing the unfolded emergency ladder contacted to the balcony handrail and installed on a sidewall of the building according to the present invention;

FIGs. 6 and 7 illustrate a third embodiment of the emergency ladder according to the present invention; FIG. 6 is a frontal view showing the third embodiment of the unfolded emergency ladder of the present invention secured to the balcony handrail;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the unfolded emergency ladder of the third embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the emergency ladder of the present invention

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of the emergency ladder of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view showing the engagement between upper and lower ladder parts of the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11a illustrates another embodiment of the locking part of the emergency ladder according to the present invention; and

FIG. lib is a sectional view showing the actuation of the ladder of FIG. 11a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail referring to the attached drawings.

FIGs. 1 to 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the emergency ladder according to the present invention. As shown in these drawings, the emergency ladder according to the present invention includes: an opening path 3 formed on a handrail 2 of a balcony 1 of a building and sufficiently large to allow people to pass through it; a ladder 5 (pivotal around a pair of supporting shafts 4) installed on two posts 3a and 3b of both sides of the opening path 3; and a locking part 6 for locking the ladder 5 of a folded state to the balcony handrail 2.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the opening path 3 is formed by removing a part of the handrail 2 up to its whole height.

Further, the unfolding manner of the ladder 5 can be varied depending on the connection status between the handrail 2 and the ladder

5. That is, as shown in FIGs. 1 to 4, the ladder 5 can be installed pivotally around the lower ends of the posts 3a and 3b of the opening path 3 in such a manner that the ladder 5 can be pivoted up and down.

Or as shown in FIG 5, the ladder 5 can be pivotally installed on a pipe 4a and a vertical post member 2b separated from the handrail 2, so that the ladder 5 can be pivoted sideward to an angle different from the arrangement direction of the handrail 2.

That is, in the structure of FIGs. 1 to 4, each of the supporting shafts 4 is pin-shaped, and passes through each of the lower ends of the posts 3a and 3b and each of the upper ends of the ladder 5.

However, in the structure of FIG. 5, the supporting shaft 4 consists of the vertical post member 2b and the pipe 4a, both of which are disposed separated from the handrail 2, and the ladder 5 is connected to a side of the pipe 4a so that the ladder 5 can be pivoted sideward. Meanwhile, as shown in FIGs. 1 to 3, the ladder 5 consists of two or more ladder parts 5a and 5b and they are hinge-coupled together by using a hinge shaft 7 in such a manner that they can be folded up. The connection structure of the upper and lower ladder parts 5a and 5b can be variable depending on the connection status between the upper ladder part 5a and the handrail 2.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper ladder part 5a is provided with an engaging part 10 for being engaged to a projected end of the balcony 1, and thus, when the ladder 5 is unfolded, the engaging part 10 is engaged to the balcony 1 as shown in FIG. 4.

In this structure as shown in FIG. 3, the lower ladder part 5b is disposed lower than the upper ladder part 5a, and therefore, when the upper and lower ladder parts 5a and 5b are folded up, they can be simply and compactly coupled to the handrail 2.

Thus if the ladder 5 is to be supported in a state with the upper ladder parts 5a disposed higher than the lower ladder part 5b, then as shown in FIG. 3, a bracket 8 is installed on the upper ladder part 5a, and the hinge shaft 7 is installed in the bracket 8 in such a manner that the lower ladder part 5b can be pivoted relative to the upper ladder part 5a.

That is, the upper and lower ladder parts 5a and 5b are connected together through the bracket 8 and the hinge shaft 7, and the connection point of the hinge shaft 7 is preferably positioned above the lowermost treading member 9 of the upper ladder part 5a.

As shown in FIGs. 1 and 3, when the upper and lower ladder parts 5a and 5b are unfolded, the lowermost treading member 9 of the upper ladder member 5a is contacted to and supported by a pair of longitudinal members 5bl and 5b2, so that the unfolded ladder parts 5a and 5b can be supported by each other. Thus, when people escape at an emergency, the lower ladder part 5b can firmly support them.

Meanwhile, a pair of rectangularly bent engaging parts 10 are formed on the upper ends of the ladder 5, and thus, when the ladder 5 is unfolded, the engaging parts 10 are engaged to the handrail 2 of the balcony 1 to support the ladder 5.

This is for the following purpose. That is, when the ladder 5 is installed, it is usually installed at the center of the edge of the balcony 1, and therefore, when the ladder 5 is unfolded, the ladder is not impeded by the edge of the balcony 1, while the strength of the engaging structure of the ladder 5 is strong.

Further, the number of the foldable ladder parts 5a and 5b can be varied depending on the need. That is, the number of them is decided by considering the height of the balcony 1 and the length down to the ground.

In the case where the emergency ladder of the present invention as described above is installed on a multi-story building, one ladder 5 reaches only the handrail 2 of the balcony of the downstairs, and the ladder 5 of the downstairs reaches only another ladder 5 of the next downstairs, and so on, until the ground is reached.

As described above, either a plurality of the ladder parts 5a and 5b are connected to each other, or the ladder 5 consists of a single ladder part. When the ladder 5 is not used, the ladder 5 or the ladder parts 5a and 5b are folded up pivotally around the supporting shaft 4, or the ladder 5 is turned inward to make the ladder 5 or the folded ladder parts unitized with the handrail 2, thereby closing the opening path 3.

In this status, the folded ladder 5 is locked by manipulating the locking part 6, so that the emergency ladder 5 can be used as a part of the handrail 2.

As shown in FIGs. 1 and 2, the locking part 6 includes: a pair of stoppers 12 for supporting the folded ladder 5 not to be fallen inward from the handrail 2; and a pair of locking pins 13 for securing the folded ladder 5 to the posts of the handrail 2. Accordingly, if the ladder 5 is folded up and is made supported by the stoppers 12, and if the folded ladder 5 is locked with the locking pins 13, then the folded ladder 5 is settled and secured as a part of the handrail 2 as shown in FIG. 2.

Accordingly, at an emergency such as a fire accident, if the locking pins are released, or if a locking bar 21 is turned to release the locked state of the ladder 5, than the folded ladder 5 can be unfolded downward, so that people can escape from the danger. Meanwhile, in the case where a plurality of the ladders 5 are installed in a multi-story building to be inter- connectively used, a plurality of safety loops 14 can be installed on the ladder 5 at certain intervals in the lengthwise direction of the ladder 5, the safety loops 14 being large enough to sufficiently allow the passing of people.

The plurality of the safety loops 14 should be connected to the ladder 5 preferably through hinges 15, so that the safety loops 14 can be folded when folding the ladder parts 5a and 5b.

Further, in the structure of the ladder 5, a pair of protruding members 16 protrude perpendicularly from the lower ladder part 5b.

These protruding members 16 are for breaking the window glass of the balcony of downstairs, so that the emergency ladder 5 of upstairs can be smoothly connected to the emergency ladder 5 of the downstairs.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the emergency ladder according to the present invention. In this second embodiment, as described above, the pipe 4a is fitted to the outside of the vertical post member 2b, and the ladder 5 is connected to a side of the pipe 4a in the vertical posture.

In this type of the emergency ladder as shown in FIG. 5, the ladder 5 is opened/closed in the sideward direction unlike the first embodiment.

This embodiment has the advantage that people can escape from the fire flames along a sidewall of the building where flames cannot reach.

In this emergency ladder 5, people can escape at a fire accident through the downstairs or directly to the ground by using the emergency ladder 5. Therefore, the emergency ladder 5 can be used not only as a means of escaping from the danger at an accident, but also can be used as a part of the handrail 2 at the normal times.

FIGs. 6 and 7 illustrate a third embodiment of the emergency ladder according to the present invention. In the first embodiment of the emergency ladder 5, a part of the handrail 2 was cut away to install the ladder 5 as shown in FIG. 1. In this third embodiment, however, an upper frame 2a of the handrail 2 is left intact, and an opening is formed under the upper frame 2a, so that people can pass through the opening under the upper frame 2a.

The safety loops 14 are hinge-coupled to the insides of the upper and lower ladder parts 5a and 5b of the ladder 5, and each of the safety loops 14 is provided with a pair of pivotal limiting protuberances 14a for limiting the pivoting of the safety loops 14.

Thus the upper frame 2a of the handrail 2 is left intact, and an opening just large enough to allow people to pass through is formed, so that the total structure can be maintained strong. In the structure of this embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, a pair of connecting brackets 20 are installed at the lower ends of two posts 3a and

3b of the handrail 2, which form the opening path 3. Then the upper ladder part 5a is connected to the leading ends of the connecting brackets

20. Meanwhile, in this structure where the connecting brackets 20 are installed on the handrail 2, and where the emergency ladder 5 is connected to the connecting brackets 20, the lower ladder part 5b is made to come outside the upper ladder part 5a, and thus, the upper and lower ladder parts 5a and 5b can be folded together. Thus even in the case where the lower ladder part 5b is disposed outside the upper ladder part 5a, the detailed connection structures can be made same as the first embodiment, and other portions can also be made same.

Further, the locking part 6 for locking the folded ladder 5 to the handrail 2 may be constituted such that the ladder 5 is connected to the upper frame 2a of the handrail 2 through the pins 21 and a locking bar 22, the locking bar 22 freely pivoting around the pin 21.

The ladder 5 is folded to the handrail 2, and then, the locking bar

22 is turned to a lateral position, so that the ladder 5 would be engaged to the locking bar 22, thereby securing the ladder 5 to a folded status.

FIGs. 8 to 10 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the emergency ladder 5 according to the present invention. In this fourth embodiment, the upper and lower ladder parts 5a and 5b are slidedly folded. For example, the upper ladder part 5a is provided with a pair of guide channels 5c, so that the lower ladder part 5b can slide along the guide channels 5c.

Of course, in the fourth embodiment also, the upper ladder part 5a is pivotally installed to the handrail 2 through the brackets 20 and the like.

Thus the ladder 5 can be folded to the handrail 2 at the normal times, while at an emergency, the ladder can be unfolded downward.

Meanwhile, when the lower ladder part 5b slides down in the fourth embodiment, in order to stop the sliding of the lower ladder part 5b at a certain position of the upper ladder part 5a, the following measure is provided.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, engaging protuberances 5d are formed near the upper and lower ends of the guide channels 5c, while as shown in

FIG. 10, engaging step 5e are formed on the lower ladder part 5b. Thus the lower ladder part 5b can move only within the limits of the engaging protuberances.

FIGs. 11a and lib illustrate another embodiment of the locking part of the emergency ladder according to the present invention. Here, a control box 30 is provided for locking and releasing the upper ladder part 5a to and from the upper frame 2a of the handrail 2.

This control box 30 includes: an upper case 30a made of glass, and a lower case 30b made of steel. The lower case 30b of the control box 30 includes: a pushbutton part 34 projected from the lower case 30b toward the upper case 30a, for releasing the locked status of the ladder 5 to unfold it; and a rectangularly bent engagement releasing part 36 hinge-connected to the pushbutton part 34 through a hinge 38, for releasing the locking of the ladder 5 upon pressing the pushbutton part 34.

In this structure, the user forcibly breaks the upper case 30a of the control box 30, and then, presses the pushbutton part 34 to release the locked status of the ladder 5 under the function of the lock releasing part

36, resulting in that the ladder 5 is unfolded downward.

According to the present invention as described above, the following effects can be obtained. That is, an opening path is formed in the handrail of a balcony, and a ladder is installed in the opening path with a supporting shaft. Thus, the emergency ladder is folded up to the handrail to make it serve as a part of the handrail. However, the ladder is unfolded downward to be used as a means of escaping from the danger.

Particularly, a plurality of ladder parts are connected together in a foldable form, and therefore, the emergency ladder of the present invention can be used in the general houses, but also can be used in large buildings. In the case of multi-story large buildings, the ladder is installed at the balcony of each floor, and therefore, the ladder can be used as an effective emergency escaping means.

Above all, the emergency ladder of the present invention is a part of the building and not just as an emergency escaping kit. Therefore, if the ladder of the present invention is installed, the provision problem of the emergency escaping means is completely solved. At an emergency, people do not have to wander around looking for an emergency escaping means, but can use the ladder of the present invention in a convenient and safe manner.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An emergency ladder utilizing a handrail of balcony, comprising: an opening path 3 formed on a handrail 2 of a balcony 1 of a building and sufficiently large to allow people to pass through it; a ladder 5 installed on two posts 3a and 3b of both sides of the opening path 3, pivotally around a pair of supporting shafts 4; and a locking part 6 for locking the ladder 5 of a folded state to the balcony handrail 2 to unitize the ladder 5 to the handrail 2.

2. The emergency ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening path 3 has a completely open form formed by cutting out a part of the handrail 2.

3. The emergency ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening path 3 is formed by leaving an upper frame 2a of the handrail 2 intact, other portions being removed.

4. The emergency ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ladder 5 consists of a plurality of ladder parts 5a and 5b; and the ladder parts 5a and 5b (upper and lower ladder parts) can be folded together through a pair of hinge shafts 7.

5. The emergency ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ladder 5 comprises an upper ladder part 5a and a lower ladder part 5b; and one of the ladder parts 5a and 5b is provided with a pair of guide channels 5c so as to allow the other ladder part to slide along the guide channel 5c.

6. The emergency ladder as claimed in any one of claims 1, 4 and 5, wherein the ladder 5 is provided with a plurality of safety loops 12, the safety loops 12 being secured to the ladder 5 through hinges 13.

7. The emergency ladder as claimed in claim 4, wherein the upper and lower ladder parts 5a and 5b are connected together through a pair of brackets 8 and a pair of hinge shaft 7; and a connection point of the hinge shaft 7 is supported by a lowermost treading member 9 of the upper ladder part 5a.

8. The emergency ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pair of the supporting shafts 4 connect the ladder 5 pivotally to a lower end of the handrail 2 so as to make the ladder 5 pivotal upward and downward.

9. The emergency ladder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting shaft 4 consists of a vertical post member 2b and a pipe 4a fitted to an outside of the vertical post member 2b; and the ladder 5 is connected to a side of the pipe 4a so as to make it possible to open and close the ladder 5 sideward.