WO2002103149A1

WO2002103149A1 - Fire escape apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2002103149A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/002484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aubrey Eric Melville
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-16
Filing date: 2002-06-17
Publication date: 2002-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2003-12-16
Also published as: GB0114781D0

Abstract

An emergency escape apparatus (1) for enabling escape from a building or other structure comprises: support means (30) for attaching the escape apparatus (1) to the exterior of a building or other structure; a casing (3) for storing a linearly extendable ladder (8) in a retracted state, the ladder (8) being attached to the support means (30) and release means (7) adapted to release the ladder (8) from retention within the casing (3) to its extended state, the release means (7) comprising a hatch (5) provided in the bottom of the casing (3), the hatch (5) being openable to release the stored ladder (8). The ladder (8) comprises a plurality of rungs (13) connected together and supported by a pair of belts (11) extending between adjacent rungs (13), each at a connection point located towards the ends of the major axis of each rung (13).

Description

FIRE ESCAPE APPARATUS

The present invention relates to fire escape apparatus and in particular to fire escape ladders.

There are many different types of fire escape. In cases where it is desirable to provide an escape route from a building via a window, ladders are often provided for this purpose. For example, these can be provided by a rigid steel ladder fixed to the outside of the building having a retractable bottom- most section which is in its retracted position when not in use so as to prevent unauthorised access to the building via the fire escape. However, these ladders are bulky, unsightly and expensive to buy, fit and maintain. In addition, because it is only the bottom-most section that is retractable, unauthorised access to. the building is possible if the higher sections of the ladder can be reached.

An alternative solution to this problem is to mount a container on the outside of the building in which a rope ladder or other fold-away ladder can be stored. The containers can be opened when escape from the building is required. O0040831 and GB-B- 2222848 disclose fire escape apparatus of this type. O0040831 discloses a container housing a ladder in which the rungs of the ladder are connected by means of rigid connectors, each having a hinge to allow the ladder to be folded away such that the rungs fit on top of one another when the ladder is stored in the container. However, in use, it has been found that the hinged ladder did not always extend, due to stiffness in the hinges. GB-B-2222848 discloses a similar invention in which the ladder is a basic rope ladder falls down under its own weight once the container has been opened. However, this type of ladder can easily become tangled up in itself when put into the container.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an emergency escape apparatus for enabling escape from a building or other structure, the emergency escape apparatus comprising: support means for attaching the escape apparatus to the exterior of a building or other structure; a casing for storing a linearly extendable ladder in a retracted state, said ladder being attached to the support means; release means adapted to release the ladder from retention within the casing to its extended state, the release means comprising a hatch provided in the bottom of the casing, which hatch is openable to release the stored ladder said ladder comprising a plurality of rungs connected together and supported by a pair of belts extending between adjacent rungs, each at a connection point located towards the ends of the major axis of each rung.

Preferably, the connection point is configured to allow the belt to pass therethrough such that, in use, the belt is fixed at the connection point and is angled towards the centre of the rung along the major axis of the rung.

Preferably each belt is constructed of toughened plastic and is flexible along its length to allow the ladder to be extended easily.

Preferably, each belt is connected to a rung such that the width of the belt is parallel to the minor axis of the rung. One feature of the belt is that it is easier to fold it across its width rather than along its length or down its short side, therefore the belt can be folded easily in one direction and not in the other two directions. This lessens the likelihood that the belt will become entangled in itself, when the fire escape rungs are in their retracted position.

Preferably, said belt is constructed from a plastic material in which steel wire is embedded along the length of the belt. Preferably, the rung comprises a moulded plastic body containing a metal support frame located inside the moulded plastic body.

Preferably said moulded plastic body contains a recess in its top surface into which the belt folds away when the ladder is in its retracted position.

Preferably said moulded plastic body contains a recess in its bottom surface into which the top surface of the rung below can fit.

Preferably, the metal support frame consists of a first and second metal rod each of which extends along the major axis of the rung and which are connected together by means of at least one connecting rod.

Preferably, the connection point comprises a first pin and a second pin, one located above and one connected below a third pin asymmetrically, such that the belt is positionable in the gap between the pins, said belt having abutment means attached thereto in order to secure the belt in position.

Preferably, each of said rungs is provided with at least one projection, extending outwards from the surface of the ladder which surface, in use, will be facing the wall of the building or other structure. Preferably the release means comprises a switch adapted to open the hatch when operated. Preferably the switch is operable by a user. Preferably the release means further comprises one or more sensors adapted to operate the switch. The or each sensor may comprise one or more of smoke detectors or heat detectors or sound detectors. Preferably the apparatus further comprises an electronic control unit. Preferably the electronic control unit comprises the switch. The switch may be adapted to operate a plurality of emergency escape apparatus.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a rewind unit adapted to rewind the ladder from the extended to the retracted state. The rewind unit may be mechanically operated, such as using a handle or the like. Alternatively or in addition, the rewind unit may be electrically operated. The rewind unit may be mains powered. Alternatively or in addition, the rewind unit may be battery powered.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises an inertia reel device to decrease the acceleration of the ladder when it is released from the casing.

Preferably the apparatus further comprises a light unit to illuminate a portion of the ladder. Preferably the light unit is provided within the casing.

Preferably the casing includes a support handle for assisting the user to climb onto the ladder. The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention in which the ladder is extended from the fire escape;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the rungs of the ladder in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3a is a cross sectional view of the fire escape in accordance with the present invention, in which the ladder is retracted and Fig. 3b is a cross sectional end view of the same;

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of the support means for the fire escape of fig.l;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a rung of a ladder showing the connection means for connecting the belt to a rung of the ladder for the fire escape if fig.l;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a rung of a ladder in accordance with the present invention; and

Fig. 7 shows a belt in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a front view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 mounted on a building; and Fig. 9 is a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 mounted on a building.

Fig. 1 shows the top-most part of a fire escape apparatus 1 in accordance with the present invention. The fire escape apparatus 1 comprises a container 3 in which the ladder 8 is housed when not in use. The fire escape is seen attached to a wall 2 adjacent to a window 4. The container 3 has a hatch 5 having a hinge 9 which allows the ladder 8 to be released downwards when the fire escape apparatus 1 is required for use. The hatch 5 has a hatch release mechanism 7 which can be operated either manually or automatically.

The hatch release mechanism 7 can be operated by the user either remotely from inside the building, by use of a switch or button on the container 3 or by direct manipulation of the hatch release mechanism. For example, the hatch release mechanism 7 can be in communication with the inside of the building via cabling or the like which is passed through the eaves of a building. The hatch release mechanism 7 can also be provided with automatic activation means responsive to sensors such as fire alarms, smoke detectors, heat detectors or the like. An electronic control unit (not shown) can be provided in the building to receive and process the signals from the sensors, and also the operation of the switch by the user. A single electronic control unit may be adapted to operate a number of fire escape apparatus that are mounted at various locations on a building. The electronic control unit may also provide means to activate the building' s fire alarm system, sprinkler system and the like.

The apparatus includes a rewind unit (not shown) to rewind the ladder to a retracted state after use. A winding handle (not shown) is provided for this purpose. Also, the rewind unit is electrically operated and is mains powered. A battery (not shown) is also provided to power the rewind mechanism in the event of mains failure.

As is shown, the ladder 8 consists of a plurality of rungs 13 connected together by means of two belts 11 which are fed through the rungs 13 at the ends of the major axis of each rung 13. One or each of the belts may be connected to an inertia reel (not shown) to slow the descent of the ladder 8 when released.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show in greater detail, the mechanism by which the belt 11 is attached to the rungs. As is clear from Figs.2, 3 and 4, the belt 11 located on one side of a rung 13 is fed through the opening 27 in the rung 13 between the lower belt/support attachment pin 17, the upper belt/rung attachment pin 15 and the frame/rung connector 19. In addition, a profile 21 is welded onto the belt 11 at the position between the upper belt/support attachment pin 15 and the lower belt/support attachment pin 17 in order to secure the belt 11 in place between these pins. The belt 11 is fitted around the shape of the frame/rung connector 19.

The rung 13 is constructed in two parts, firstly, there is a moulded plastic rung 22. In this example, the moulded plastic rung 22 contains a first recess 25 located along the top of the rung and a second recess 26 in the bottom surface of the moulded plastic rung. When the ladder is retracted, the first and second rung recesses 25,26 fit together to create a space which contains the belt 11 when it is folded.

As can be seen in Fig.3b the rung is provided with a metal support which consists of two metal bars 24. The metal support 23 extends around the perimeter of the rung with the metal bars 24 extending along the length of the rung each being positioned at either side of the rung recess. The metal bars 24 are connected together to the moulded plastic rung 22 by means of the upper and lower belt/support pins 15, 17. The metal support is attached to the plastic rung 22 by means of the frame/rung connector. In this example, the plastic rung 22 is made from ABS plastic, the belt/support attachment pins are made from 3mm steel pins and the metal bars are steel.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the above described embodiment of the present invention. As is apparent from Fig.4, each rung 13 is provided with projections 33 which extend outwards from the main body of the rung 13. The projections 33 are designed to provide a space between the body of the rung 13, from which the projection 33 extends, and a wall. This space allows the foot of the user to be placed securely upon the rung 13 of the ladder 8.

Fig. 5 shows the belt used in the above described embodiment of the present invention. The belt 11 is made from polyester and has a number of strengthening wires made from steel 35 embedded in the polyester. The each belt 11 used in this embodiment of the present invention has a breaking strain of 1500 lbs (680Kgs) . The belt 11 is dimensioned such that it's width fits through the opening 27. The construction of the belt means that it can be easily bent about the X axis 37 across the width of the belt as shown in Fig. 5, but cannot be easily bent along the length of the belt or lengthwise about the X axis 37. Therefore, the use of a belt with these or similar properties means that the belt can only be bent with ease in a single direction. In this case, the direction in which the belt is to be folded when the ladder is retracted.

As the belt contains some inherent stiffness, bending the belt around the frame/rung connector pin 19 means that the belt 11 will be angled in towards the centre of the rung 13. Conveniently, this makes it easier to fold up the belt 11 into the rung recess 25.

Fig. 6 shows the ladder 8 in its retracted position having the rungs 13 nested on top of one another with the belt (not shown) folded away in the space between the rungs as described above. The container 3, ladder support 31 and shotbolt system 41 are also shown. The shotbolt system 41 allows rapid release of the hatch 5 on actuation by a user.

Fig.7 shows the back support 30 of the container 3 which is attached to the wall 2. Support arms 31 provide support for securing bolt holes which are connected to bolts (not shown) connected to the top of the ladder 7. Connection of the bolts to the bolt holes 29 securely connects the ladder to the back support of the container.

Fig. 8 shows the apparatus mounted to the wall of a building such as a conventional house 40. In use, a user may exit the house 40 from a window 42 by climbing on to the ladder 8. A support handle 46 is provided on the container 3 to aid the user in climbing on to the ladder 8. A light unit (not shown) is provided within the container 3 which directs light downwards and illuminates the rungs of the ladder 8.

To be unobtrusive, the apparatus 1 is mounted high on the wall 2 of the building. Fig. 9 shows the apparatus 1 is positioned directly under the eaves 48 of the house 40. The container 3 may be profiled to assist in this, and also to be more aesthetically pleasing. Such a profile is shown in Fig. 9. Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An emergency escape apparatus for enabling escape from a building or other structure, the emergency escape apparatus comprising: support means for attaching the escape apparatus to the exterior of a building or other structure; a casing for storing a linearly extendable ladder in a retracted state, said ladder being attached to the support means; and release means adapted to release the ladder from retention within the casing to its extended state, the release means comprising a hatch provided in the bottom of the casing, said hatch being openable to release the stored ladder, said ladder comprising a plurality of rungs connected together and supported by a pair of belts extending between adjacent rungs, each at a connection point located towards the ends of the major axis of each rung.

2. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the connection point is configured to allow the belt to pass therethrough such that, in use, the belt is fixed at the connection point and is angled towards the centre of the rung along the major axis of the rung.

3. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of each belt is constructed from toughened plastics.

4. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each belt is connected to a rung such that the width of the belt is parallel to the minor axis of the rung.

5. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said belt is constructed from a plastics material in which steel wire is embedded along the length of the belt.

6. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more rungs comprises a moulded plastics body containing a metal support frame located inside the moulded plastics body.

7. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said moulded plastics body contains a recess in its top surface into which the belt folds away when the ladder is in its retracted position.

8. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, wherein said moulded plastics body contains a recess in its bottom surface into which the top surface of the rung below can fit.

9. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the metal support frame consists of a first and second metal rod each of which extends along the major axis of the rung and which are connected together by means of at least one connecting rod.

10. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection point comprises a first pin and a second pin, one located above and one connected below a third pin asymmetrically, such that the belt is positionable in the gap between the pins, said belt having abutment means attached thereto in order to secure the belt in position.

11. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each of said rungs is provided with at least one projection, extending outwards from the surface of the ladder which surface, in use, will be facing the wall of the building or other structure.

12. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the release means comprises a switch adapted to open the hatch when operated.

13. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the release means further comprises one or more sensors adapted to operate the switch.

14. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the or each sensor comprises one or more of smoke detectors or heat detectors or sound detectors.

15. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 13 or 14, further comprising an electronic control unit adapted to operate the switch in response to at least the signal from the or each sensor.

16. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 15, wherein the switch is adapted to operate a plurality of emergency escape apparatus.

17. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a rewind unit adapted to rewind the ladder from the extended to the retracted state.

18. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an inertia reel device adapted to decrease the acceleration of the ladder when it is released from the casing.

19. An emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a light unit to illuminate a portion of the ladder.