GB2274867A - The automatic foldaway fire escape - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic fire escape comprises an extension ladder housed in a housing in the wall of a building, the housing having a door hinged out of plumb to swing open under its own weight to automatically release the ladder. The ladder has handrails 15, which also come into position automatically and are intended to assist the elderly and/or children to descend safely. The descent of the ladder is checked by chain attached to a spring plunger. Any effect by wind on the outer door is obviated by the fact that in addition to the door being hung in a way that its own weight carries it open, the fall of the Escape ensures the door remains open and acts as a buffer. <IMAGE>

Description

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO AN AUTOMATIC FOLDAWAY FIRE ESCAPE Contrary to the traditional Fire Escape which is expensive and can only be installed where land room is available, the Foldaway is comparatively cheap to manufacture and install, can be incorporated in the planning of any building, uses no building land room and is totally burglar proof.

The Foldaway enables those trapped upstairs by fire to make an immediate escape, avoiding the time wasted awaiting rescue, the critical period when those who perish are overcome by smoke, fumes and finally fire. It also gives quick and easy access to the building by potential rescuers.

This Fire Escape consists of an aluminium extending ladder, housed in an aluminium sheet cupboard, set in the thickness of the double wall, with a conventional door on the inside and an aluminium door on the outside, hinged out of plum, causing it to swing open by its own weight when released by actuating a lever after opening the inner door.

This in turn sets the inverted ladder on a downward path, its descent being controlled by springs housed in two vertical slotted handrails, the plunger on top of the springs being joined to the main section of the ladder by chains.

When the main body of the ladder reaches a position approximately at a 700 angle to the wall below, the extension section of the ladder slides out under its own volition, and is checked by a stop at the required length, the additional weight of the extension piece being extended putting the required extra weight and pressure on the steadying springs to carry the foot of the ladder to ground level.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIG.1 Shows the five sections of the aluminium Fire Escape housing.

FIG.2 Shows front view of housing and Escape, assembled.

FIG.3 Shows side view of housing with positions of vertical and horizontal tubes.

FIG.4 Shows front view of housing with positions and fixings of vertical and horizontal tubes.

FIG.5 Shows side view of Escape Ladder set in housing with handrails in closed position.

FIG.6 Shows side and end view of Spring Plunger.

Referring to the drawings which comprise an automatic foldaway Fire Escape, parts numbered 1-2-3-4-5 Are five aluminium sections which make up the housing.

6. Three hinges fixing aluminium door to side of housing.

7. Spring loaded outside door lock released by control lever.

8. Shows the spring plunger of which there are two, one at the top of each spring which are housed in two vertical tubes.

9. Shows fourteen lock nuts which fix and lock two vertical and two horizontal tubes to top and sides of housing.

10. Shows two tube end ,tops which retain springs at bottom ends of the two vertical tubes - 11.

11. Shows two slotted tubes, spring loaded for lowering Escape Ladder. These two tubes also serve as handrails.

12. Shows top horizontal ladder stop tube.

13. Shows fixing holes for two horizontal tubes.

20 & 14 Shows fixing holes for ends of chain which operates ladder handrail from closed to open position.

15. Shows handrail in closed position of which there are two, one on either side of main ladder.

16. Shows main body of Escape Ladder 17. Shows fixing hole for chain which leads to one of the variable adjustment positions - 18 19. Shows two short lengths of ladder section bolted to main body of escape, which fitted to bottom horizontal cross tube acts as hinge for the Escape Ladder.

21. Shows angle for securing escape housing to brick or blockwork wall.

22. Shows the door lock catch release bar.

Claims (8)

1. THE AUTOMATIC FIRE ESCAPE 1. An Automatic foldaway Fire Escape, comprising an extension ladder with handrails contained in an aluminium cupboard shaped housing which is built into the brickwork of first floor. The Escape Ladder is released and falls into use position by means of operating a lever on the inside of the building.
2. 2. An Automatic foldaway Fire Escape as claimed in Claim 1. The power to operate the automatic escape is supplied from the weight of the ladder as it descends.
3. 3. An Automatic foldaway Fire Escape as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the fall of the Escape Ladder is checked by means of two chains attached to the body of the ladder with the other end attached to a plunger on top of spring in slotted vertical tubes.
4. 4. An Automatic foldaway Fire Escape as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the two handrails are pulled from 'closed' to a useable position by two lightweight chains connected from end of handrails to side of housing.
5. 5. An Automatic foldaway Fire Escape as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the catches to lock the two halves of extending ladder are positioned to the distance required to reach from housing to ground at correct angle.
6. 6. An Automatic foldaway Fire Escape as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein two vertical tubes situate in aluminium housing are dual purpose A. They house two springs which control the lowering of Escape Ladder.

   B. They act as handhold assistance to the escapee while manoeuvering from housing onto ladder and handrails.
7. 7. An Automatic foldaway Fire Escape as claimed in any preceeding Claim, wherein the whole of the Escape being housed in the upper wall of a building uses up no land room.
8. 8. An Automatic foldaway Fire Escape as claimed in any preceeding Claim, wherein the Escape is totally burglarproof as distinct from conventional Fire Escapes.