GB2078513A - Escape equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A travelling clamp 10 comprises a frame 11 carrying a pair of jaws 12 and guide means 13 for guiding a radially resilient hose 19 between the jaws. By movement of handles 16, the jaws are moveable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, a hose 19 can be introduced between the jaws 12, while in the closed position the jaws 12 secure the travelling clamp 10 to the line. When in the closed position, the jaws 12 of the travelling clamp 10 compress the line to an extent such that the weight of the clamp alone is not sufficient to let the clamp travel down the line. On the other hand, with the extra weight of a human being, the gap between the jaws is sufficient to allow the hose to pass up between the jaws, the clamp thus travelling gradually down the hose with progressive radial compression and relaxation of the hose or line. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION escape equipment The present invention relates to escape equipment, and in particularto escape equipment which can be used to aid escape from multi-storey buildings.

According to the present equipment there is provided escape equipment comprising a radially resilient hose, cable, rope or the like elongate line, a travelling clamp releasably securable to the line, and a harness for securing a human being to the travelling clamp, the travelling clamp having jaws which compress the line to an extent such that the weight of the clamp alone does not cause the clamp to travel down the line but the weight of the clamp plus human being causes the clamp to travel gradually down the line with progressive radial compression and relaxation of the line.

The travelling clamp will usually be stored in a building adjacent a window, and in order to effect an escape the clamp is secured to the line. The jaws of the clamp compress the line and the clamp remains in position. The harness, usually stored also with the travelling clamp, is then attached to the human being and to the clamp. After the human being has eased himself out of the window his weight is taken by the clamp and causes the clamp to travel gradually down the line.

Although the line can be fixed permanently in position, it is preferred to employ a releasably coiled line secured to one end above the position or positions from which escape may need to be effected. In a particular preferred embodiment of the invention the radially resilient line takes the form of a water-filled hose. The hose can be a lay-flat hose which may be coiled empty of water but connected to a water supply, eg. a headertank. For convenience the lay-flat hose or its equivalent may be secured within a container having a trap-door: release of the trap-door causes the line to drop in to position.

The present invention further provides travelling clamps for use with the escape equipment of the invention. Such clamps can suitably comprise a frame carrying a pair of jaws and guide means for guiding a radially resilient hose or other line between the jaws, the jaws being moveable between an open position in which the line can be introduced between them and a closed position in which they secure the travelling clamp to the line in the manner required and the jaws, when moving between the open and closed positions, passing through an intermediate position in which they grip the hose more securely than when in the said closed position.

The existence of the intermediate positions act as a safety feature, in that the jaws can only move out of the closed position to the open position by first gripping the line more securely: the tendency is therefore for the jaws to revert back to the said closed position rather than attain and pass through the intermediate position.

The guide means carried by the frame for guiding the line between the jaws preferably includes one or more open-section members for receiving the hose, with the device further including closing means for closing the open section of at least one of the members. In order to ensure operation of the closing means, the closing means can be one or more closure plates associated with the jaws and which assume the required closing position as the jaws are moved towards their closed position.

Generally speaking, the clamp is suitable for a weight range of 70 to 300 pounds.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a travelling clamp according to the present invention, the clamp being shown with its jaws in the open position; and Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the travelling clamp of Figure 1, the jaws of the clamp being in the closed position.

As shown in the Figures, a travelling clamp 10 comprises a frame 11 carrying a pair of jaws 12 and guide means 13forguiding a radially resilient hose 19 between the jaws. Each jaw comprises a rotatable roller carried on a plate 14 which is pivotally secured to a respective shaft 15 of the frame 11 and which has a handle 16. By movement of the handles 16, the jaws are moveable between the open position of Figure 1 and the closed position of Figure 2. In the open position, a hose can be introduced between the jaws 12, while in the closed position the jaws 12 secure the travelling clamp 10 to the line. When in the closed position, the jaws 12 of the travelling clamp 10 compress the line to an extent such that the weight of the clamp alone is not sufficient to let the clamp travel down the line.On the other hand, with the extra weight of a human being, the gap between the jaws is sufficient to allow the hose to pass up between the jaws, the clamp thus travelling gradually down the hose with progressive radial compression and relaxation of the hose.

In passing between the open and closed positions, the jaws 12 pass through an intermediate position (not shown) in which they grip the hose more securely than when in the said closed position. The intermediate position is attained when the axis of the two shafts 15 and the two rollers of the jaws 12 all lie on a straight line. The closed position for the jaws then is an over dead-centre position.

The guide means 13 comprises two stirrup-like members. Closure plates 17 are associated with the jaws 12 and close the lower of the two stirrup-like members when the jaws are in the closed position of Figure 2.

The travelling clamp shown in the drawings is employed with a water-filled hose 19. Prior to use, the hose, which is a lay-flat hose, is releasably coiled within a container connected to a water supply and having a trap-door. Upon release of the trap-door, the hose drops in to position and fills with water. In order to facilitate recoiling of the hose, it can have a release valve at its bottom end.

In order to effect an escape using the travelling clamp 10, the clamp is picked up in the open position of Figure 1 and presented to the hose, whereby the hose is received by the stirrup-like members and passes between the open jaws 12. The handles 16 are then brought together to attain the closed position for the jaws shown in Figure 2. In this way, the travelling clamp is secured onto the hose. A harness stored with the travelling clamp is then affixed onto hooks 18 affixed to the rear of the handles 16 of the clamp 10 and around the human being making the escape. The human being gradually lets his weight be taken by the travelling clamp 10, and thereupon the clamp travels gradually down the hose 19. To prevent the clamp opening up, a hook 20 is pivotably attached to one of the closure plates 17. The hook 20 can be pivoted around to engage one ofthe two shafts 15 on the other closure plate 17.

Although the present invention has been described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures, it will be appreciated that variations are possible.

Claims (10)

1. Escape equipment comprising a radially resilient hose, cable, rope or the like elongate line, a travelling clamp releasably securably to the line, and a harness for securing a human being to the travelling clamp, the travelling clamp having jaws which compress the line to an extent such that the weight of the clamp alone does not cause the clamp to travel down the line, but the weight of the clamp plus human being causes the clamp to travel gradually down the line with progressive radial compression and relaxation of the line.

2. Escape equipment as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the radially resilient line is a water-filled hose.

3. Escape equipment as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the hose is a lay-flat hose which is coiled empty of water but connected to a water supply.

4. Escape equipment as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the water supply is a header tank.

5. Escape equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lay-flat hose or its equivalent is secured within a container having a trap-door, release of the trap-door causing the line to drop into position.

6. Escape equipment substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

7. Travelling clamps for use with escape equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein such clamps suitably comprise a frame carrying a pair of jaws and guide means for guiding a radially resilient hose or other line between the jaws, the jaws being moveable between an open position in which the line can be introduced between them and a closed position in which they secure the travelling clamp to the line in the manner required and the jaws, when moving between the open and closed positions, passing through an intermediate position in which they grip the hose more securely than when in the said closed position.

8. Travelling clamps as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the guide means include one or more open-section members for receiving the hose, with the device further including closing means for clos ing the open section of at least one of the members.

9. Travelling clamps as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the closing means are one or more closure plates associated with the jaws and which assume the required closing position as the jaws are moved towards their closed positon.

10. Travelling clamps substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.