Patent ID: 8881866
Filing Date: 2014-11-11
Classification: E06C

Abstract:
1. A rescue device comprising: an escape ladder movable between an open position and a closed position, the escape ladder having a starting end and a terminal end respectively positioned at opposite ends of a major longitudinal axis of the escape ladder, one or more steps positioned between stiles of the escape ladder and positioned between the starting end and the terminal end of the escape ladder, first wheels placed at the starting end and second wheels placed at the terminal end of the escape ladder, and a locking guide connected to the escape ladder; a base having a major vertical surface substantially orthogonal to a major horizontal surface to support the escape ladder in the closed position or the open position, the base having a major length of at least one vertical channel in the major vertical surface substantially extending orthogonally to a major length of at least one horizontal channel in the major horizontal surface, the first wheels configured to travel in the at least one horizontal channel simultaneously as the second wheels travel in the at least one vertical channel when the escape ladder moves between the open and closed positions; a retracting mechanism having a spring attached between the major vertical surface and the escape ladder, the spring configured to bias the escape ladder from the open position to the closed position; a locking mechanism having a clasp configured to engage the locking guide which maintains the escape ladder in the open position; and a release mechanism having an actuator connected to the clasp, the release mechanism configured to open the clasp and release the locking guide from the clasp to directly cause the spring to move the escape ladder from the open position to the closed position; wherein the major longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the major vertical surface when the escape ladder is in the closed position, and the major longitudinal axis is positioned at an angle with respect to the major vertical surface and the major horizontal surface when the escape ladder is in the open position to allow a user to ascend the escape ladder.