GB2379475A

GB2379475A - A portable emergency escape apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2379475A
Application number: GB0121509A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Margaret Judith Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-06
Filing date: 2001-09-06
Publication date: 2003-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-06
Also published as: GB2379475B; GB0121509D0

Abstract

A apparatus comprises a flexible ladder (2) and means (4) for suspending the ladder from a window opening. The suspending means extend horizontally through the window opening and include a portion (20, 22) for engaging an interior sill of a window, at least one strut (34) for engaging an exterior wall and props (24, 26) for engaging an interior surface on either side of the window. The sill engaging portion and the props are preferably adjustable to accommodate different depths and widths of window respectively. The apparatus may further comprise a platform (8) having grip parts (12) formed from apertures in the platform and have adjustable feet (44, Figure 9) which rest on the window sill. The apparatus allows the ladder to be suspended away from the exterior surface of the building and the rungs (46) may be equipped with spacers (48, Figure 12) to maintain the space between the ladder and the wall.

Description

Escape Apparatus The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in escaping from a building, for example in the event of a fire within the building.

In the event of a fire or other emergency, it is sometimes necessary for a person to escape through an open window of a building. However, if the window is situated high above ground level, the person may sustain injuries as he falls to the ground.

I have now devised an arrangement which overcomes this problem.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable emergency escape apparatus comprising a flexible ladder and means for suspending the ladder from an open window of a building, the suspending means being arranged to be mounted so as to extend substantially horizontally through the window opening and comprising a portion for engaging an interior sill of the window, at least one strut for engaging the exterior surface of the building below the window, and respective props for engaging an interior surface of the building on either side of the window.

In the event of a fire or other emergency, the apparatus may thus be fitted within a window opening of a building to allow a person to climb to safety down the outside of the building.

Preferably, the position of each prop is independently adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the window. Thus, each prop may be adjusted to engage either the interior surface of a wall surrounding the window or, for example where the platform is fitted within a window opening of a double window, the frame of the window.

Preferably the position of each prop is independently adjustable is a direction parallel to the plane of the window to accommodate different widths of window aperture.

Preferably said portion for engaging an interior sill

of the window comprises at least one hooked portion.

Preferably the position of the or each hooked portion is independently adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the window to accommodate different depths of widow aperture and sill.

Preferably said at least one strut comprises a pair of struts.

Preferably the suspending means comprise a substantially rectangular platform.

Preferably the platform is provided on opposite sides of its rearward edge with respective feet for supporting the rear of the platform upon the interior sill of the window.

Preferably the height of each foot is adjustable to correspond with the height of the portion of the window frame upon which the platform rests.

Preferably the platform is formed with a non-slip upper surface.

Preferably the platform extends between a pair of side rails and is preferably formed with at least one aperture or cut-out on each side which exposes a portion of side-rail so that the side-rail may be gripped.

Preferably at least one aperture or cut-out is formed at the front and/or rear of the platform, exposing a portion of a front and/or rear rail so that the rail (s) may be gripped.

Preferably the apparatus is arranged such that the ladder is suspended away from the exterior surface of the building.

Preferably at least one rung of the ladder is provided with means for propping the rung against and away from an adjacent wall surface.

Preferably the apparatus is formed from fire retardant materials.

Preferably the apparatus is arranged such that the flexible ladder may be formed into a roll for storage or transportation.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 8 are respectively a rear perspective view from above and to one side, a front perspective view from above and to the opposite side, a rear perspective view from below and to said one side, a top plan view, a bottom plan view, a front elevation, a side elevation from said opposite side and a rear elevation of a first embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figures 9 to 11 are respectively a rear perspective view from above and to one side, a rear perspective view from above and to the opposite side and a rear perspective view from below and to said opposite side of a second embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of a rung arrangement in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings, a portable emergency escape apparatus is shown comprising a ladder 2, the top of which is fastened to a crossbar 3 at the front of a support frame 4. The sides 6 of the ladder 2 are flexible so that the ladder may be rolled against the underside of a platform 8 fitted to the top of the support frame 4 for storage or transportation.

The platform 8 extends between parallel tubular siderails 10 of the support frame 4 and is formed with a pair of cut-outs 12 on either side, which allow exposed portions of the side-rails 10 to be gripped. The platform 8 is also formed with further cut-outs 14 at its front and rear to allow exposed portions of a front rail 16 and tubular rear rail 18 of the support frame 4 to be similarly gripped.

The upper surface of the platform 8 is formed from a non-slip material to improve safety.

For securing the apparatus in place within a window opening of a building, so that the ladder 2 may be extended

down the outside of the building, the support frame 4 is provided on opposite sides of its rearward edge with respective hooked portions 20,22 for engaging an interior sill of the window and on opposite sides with a pair of laterally projecting arms 24,26 for engaging respective interior surfaces of the building.

Each of the arms 24,26 comprises an elongate member 28 having a plate 30 at one end, the elongate member 28 being slidably mounted within the tubular end portion 32 of a bracket slidably inserted into one end of the tubular rear rail 18.

The position of each plate 30 may thus be independently adjusted both along and away from the side of the platform 4 to accommodate different widths and depths of window aperture.

Similarly, the proximal ends of each of the hooked portions 20,22 are slidably inserted into the ends of the tubular side-rails 10, such that the position of each hooked portion 20,22 may be independently adjusted in a direction perpendicular to the plane of a window, to accommodate different depths of window aperture and sill.

To stabilise the front of the frame 4, the forward end of each side rail 10 is formed into a respective strut 34 which extends downwardly and rearwardly from the forward edge of the platform 4 to engage the exterior surface of a building below a window.

Respective toggle clamps 36,38 are provided for fixing the arms and hooked portions in position.

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 11, the toggle clamps 36,38 of Figures 1 to 8 are replaced by respective screw clamps 40,42, and a pair of feet 44 depend from the underside of the frame 4 on opposite sides of its rear rail 18, for supporting the rear of the frame upon the interior sill of a window. The height of each foot 44 is adjustable to correspond with the height of the window frame upon which the frame is to be rested.

In each of the embodiments described above, and as

shown in Figure 12, the or each rung 46 of the ladder 2 is preferably provided with a spacer 48 for separating the rung from an adjacent wall surface, thus making the deployed ladder easier to descend.

The apparatus thus described provide safe means by which a person may escape from a building in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Claims

Claims 1) A portable emergency escape apparatus comprising a flexible ladder and means for suspending the ladder from an open window of a building, the suspending means being arranged to be mounted so as to extend substantially horizontally through the window opening and comprising a portion for engaging an interior sill of the window, at least one strut for engaging the exterior surface of the building below the window, and respective props for engaging an interior surface of the building on either side of the window.
2) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claims in Claim 1, wherein the position of each prop is independently adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the window.
3) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the position of each prop is independently adjustable is a direction parallel to the plane of the window to accommodate different widths of window aperture.
4) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said portion for engaging an interior sill of the window comprises at least one hooked portion.
5) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the position of the or each hooked portion is independently adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the window to accommodate different depths of window aperture and sill.
6) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said at least one strut comprises a pair of struts.

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7) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the suspending means comprise a substantially rectangular platform.
8) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the platform is provided on opposite sides of its rearward edge with respective feet for supporting the rear of the platform upon the interior sill of the window.

Preferably the height of each foot is adjustable to correspond with the height of the portion of the window frame upon which the platform rests.
9) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the platform is formed with a nonslip upper surface.
10) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the platform extends between a pair of side rails and is preferably formed with at least one aperture or cut-out on each side which exposes a portion of side-rail so that the side-rail may be gripped.
11) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein at least one aperture or cut-out is formed at the front and/or rear of the platform, exposing a portion of a front and/or rear rail so that the rail (s) may be gripped.
12) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged such that the ladder is suspended away from the exterior surface of the building.
13) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one rung of the ladder is provided with means for propping the rung against and away from an adjacent wall surface.
14) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any

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preceding claim, formed from fire retardant materials.
15) A portable emergency escape apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged such that the flexible ladder may be formed into a roll for storage or transportation.
16) A portable emergency escape apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.