Patent ID: 6098747
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: A62B

Abstract:
An improved apparatus for use in escaping from emergency situations where an individual or individuals may be evacuated from a structure where the rate of descent is determined by said individual or individuals comprising:a frame means;said frame means being capable of supporting a vertically extending chute with individuals within said vertically extending chute;said chute vertically extending securedly affixed to said frame means;said vertically extending chute comprising a knit-woven fire retardant fabric having elastic properties in a weft direction and providing tensile strength in a warp direction of the fabric, and having a plurality of horizontally knit fibers and a plurality of vertically woven fibers whereby said horizontally knit fibers and said vertically woven fibers are different materials;said horizontal fibers are knit and said vertical fibers are interwoven with said horizontal knit fibers and forming a cylindrical shape to be substantially smaller than the size of an average individual so that in an emergency situation said individual or individuals descend to safety by entering said chute and stretching said chute as said individual or individuals descend to the ground, wherein said horizontal knit fibers are elastic polyester fibers, and said vertical woven fibers are fire retardant polyamide fibers providing the tensile strength and fire retardant properties of the fabric.