Abstract:
A building escape railing system for mounting on a building and facilitating the rescue of persons and the access of emergency personnel and supplies to the building is disclosed. The building escape railing system includes at least one platform tracking for engaging the building and a vehicle engaging the at least one track for vertically transversing the at least one track. In one embodiment, the vehicle is a lift unit. In another embodiment, the vehicle is a rescue platform. In still another embodiment, the vehicle is a remote fire hose platform carrying a fire hose. In yet another embodiment, the vehicle is a brake mechanism that facilitates the gravity-assisted escape of persons from the building.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the priority of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/640,919, filed on Dec. 30, 2004, by the same inventor. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to systems that facilitate rescue or escape of persons from a building during an emergency. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel building escape railing system which includes tracks that can be attached to the exterior of a building to facilitate the vertical travel of escape platforms, scaffolding, traveling fire hoses and the like, on the building during a fire or other emergency.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
       [0003]     High-rise buildings such as apartments, office buildings and the like are equipped with fire escape stairways having an access on each floor for persons to escape the building in the event of a fire or other emergency. To escape from the building, occupants typically must leave their rooms or apartments and traverse a hallway at the end of which is a door leading to the fire escape stairway. However, if the fire has progressed into the hallway, some of the occupants, unable to pass beyond the location of the fire, may become trapped in their rooms or apartments. Such persons frequently must wait for firefighting personnel to arrive in order to escape from the building.  
         [0004]     As firefighting personnel arrive at the location of a burning building, a ladder can be extended from the fire truck and placed at the openings of windows to enable building occupants to escape from the building through the windows. While firefighters have improved life-saving techniques over the years, it may be difficult for firefighting personnel to place a ladder at every window in the building through which persons need to escape the building. Moreover, in the saving of persons trapped in a burning building, time is critical since, depending on the severity of the fire, some persons in the building may perish due to the fire or smoke inhalation if such persons are not quickly provided a means of escape from the building.  
         [0005]     As firefighting personnel attempt to rescue persons from a burning building, fire hoses are used to direct pressurized water against the fire in an effort to extinguish the fire. In some situations, it may be difficult for the personnel to properly place or position the fire hose into close proximity to the fire, particularly if a large portion of the fire is on the interior of the building. In such instances, heat from the fire may render it difficult for personnel to sufficiently approach the fire through the building interior to extinguish the fire.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, there is a need for a building escape railing system which includes platform tracks that are provided on the exterior of a building and platforms or scaffolding which travel vertically on the platform tracks to facilitate the timely rescue or escape of persons from the building, the lifting of firefighting or other emergency personnel and/or supplies to selected levels on the building and the remote positioning of a fire hose into proximity with a fire in order to extinguish the fire.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The invention is directed to a building escape railing system which can be mounted to the exterior of a building to facilitate the expedited or timely escape or rescue of persons from the building in the case of a fire, gas leak, chemical spill or other emergency. The building escape railing system includes multiple platform tracks mounted to the exterior surface of the building. A rescue scaffold is mounted for vertical travel on one or a pair of the platform tracks. A lift platform may additionally be mounted on one of the platform tracks. A remote fire hose platform may be mounted for vertical travel on another of the platform tracks. Accordingly, the rescue scaffold can be used to facilitate the expeditious escape of persons from the building through a window or other opening in the building during the fire or other emergency and/or to deliver firefighting personnel and/or supplies from the ground to a selected level of the building through a window or opening, for example. Additionally, the remote fire hose platform may be used to raise a fire hose to a selected level on the building in order to spray water on an interior fire through a window or opening in the building. Moreover, the lift platform may be used to facilitate the lifting of firefighting personnel and/or supplies to selected levels on the building. The invention may further include a brake mechanism, which is mounted on a platform track and facilitates the gravity-assisted escape of persons from the building.  
         [0008]     In one general aspect of the present invention, a building escape railing system is provided for facilitating the expeditious or timely escape or rescue of persons from a building during an emergency. The system comprises:  
         [0009]     at least one platform track mounted on the exterior of the building; and  
         [0010]     an escape scaffold mounted for vertical travel on the at least one platform track in such a manner that the escape scaffold can be vertically positioned adjacent to a window or other opening in the building to enable a person or persons in the building to crawl through the window or opening and onto the escape platform or scaffold, after which the escape platform or scaffold can be lowered to the ground.  
         [0011]     In a further aspect of the present invention, the escape scaffold is fitted with a lift unit which includes a motor that operably engages the at least one platform track to selectively raise and lower the escape scaffold on the at least one platform track.  
         [0012]     In yet another aspect of the present invention, a lift platform engages one of the platform tracks to facilitate the lifting of firefighting personnel and/or supplies to selected heights on the building. The platform may also be used to install a platform track on the building typically in track segments, starting at the bottom and progressing up the building with successive installation of the track segments.  
         [0013]     In another aspect of the present invention, a remote fire hose platform is mounted on one of the platform tracks to facilitate the mounting of a fire hose on the platform and remote spraying of a fire on the interior of the building through a window or other opening at a selected height on the building. The platform may also be fitted with other surveillance equipment to aid in search and recovery or rescue efforts or for security purposes.  
         [0014]     In a still further aspect of the present invention, a brake mechanism is provided on one of the platform tracks to facilitate gravity-assisted escape of a person or persons from the building.  
         [0015]     In yet another aspect of the present invention, an escape platform is mounted on a pair of parallel platform tracks, a lift platform is mounted on one of the platform tracks, a remote fire hose platform is mounted on another of the platform tracks, and a brake mechanism is mounted on still another of the platform tracks to facilitate multiple tasks in the rescue or escape of persons from and/or the extinguishing of a fire in a building.  
         [0016]     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view (partially in section) of a high-rise building, illustrating multiple platform tracks mounted on the exterior of the building and a lift platform, a rescue scaffold, a remote fire hose platform and a brake mechanism of the present invention mounted on the platform tracks;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example of a suitable hydraulic brake unit of a brake mechanism of the building escape railing system according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is an exploded front perspective view of the hydraulic brake unit;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is an exploded rear perspective view of the hydraulic brake unit;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view, partially in section, of a platform track element of the invention, illustrating an illustrative technique for attaching a lower track segment to an upper track segment;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the platform track of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the platform track of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view, partially in section, of a platform track element of the invention, illustrating an alternative technique for attaching a lower track segment to an upper track segment;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the platform track of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the platform track of  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a front view of another embodiment of the platform track;  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a double-track configuration of the platform track in another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an example of a suitable lift platform of the building escape railing system of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view, partially in section, of an example of a suitable lift unit mounted on the lift platform of  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  is a top view, partially in section, of the lift platform of  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a pair of adjacent frame members for a rescue scaffold of the building escape railing system of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the rescue scaffold, mounted on a pair of platform rails;  
         [0035]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an example of a suitable remote fire hose platform of the building escape railing system of the present invention, with a fire hose mounted on the remote fire hose platform;  
         [0036]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an exemplary fire hose, shown in section, which is suitable for implementation of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a coupling end portion of a fire hose segment;  
         [0038]      FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a pair of attached or coupled segments of the fire hose;  
         [0039]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an example of a suitable control box for the remote fire hose platform and fire hose;  
         [0040]      FIG. 23  is a side view of a suitable slip clutch assembly, partially in section, of the brake mechanism of the building escape railing system of the present invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 24  is a top view of the brake mechanism engaging a platform track;  
         [0042]      FIG. 25  is a bottom view of the brake mechanism engaging the platform track;  
         [0043]      FIG. 26  is a side view of the brake mechanism mounted on a platform track; and  
         [0044]      FIG. 27  is a side view of the brake mechanism, illustrating interior components of the brake mechanism. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0045]     Shown throughout the Figures, the present invention is generally directed to a building escape railing system which can be mounted to the exterior of a building to facilitate the expedited or timely escape or rescue of persons from the building in the case of a fire, gas leak, chemical spill or other emergency, as well as to lift firefighting or other rescue personnel and/or supplies to a selected vertical level on the building. Although the system of the present invention is described throughout the application in the context of emergency escape from a building, it should be understood that the system is useful for any of a number of non-emergency, non-escape type situations. For example, the various features of the system, such as the scaffolding, are particularly useful for performing a variety of building maintenance type operations. In another example, landmark buildings that become high-risk targets for terrorists could be adorned with surveillance and defensive equipment that may be remotely operated.  
         [0046]     Referring initially to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the building escape railing system of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . The building escape railing system  1  is designed for mounting on the exterior of a high-rise building  2 , such as an apartment or office building, for example. For purposes of illustration and discussion herein, the building  2  includes a building front  3 , a building side  4 , a building side  5 , a building back  6 , in which windows (not illustrated) are typically provided, and a building top  7 . The building escape railing system  1  typically includes at least one lift platform  28  which is mounted for selective vertical travel on a platform track  10 , at least one rescue scaffold  52  for selective vertical travel on a pair of parallel platform tracks  10 , a remote fire hose platform  66  for selective vertical travel on a platform track  10 , and a brake mechanism  129  mounted on a platform track  10 . It is to be understood that the building escape railing system  1  may incorporate any of these features individually or in combination with any, some or all of the others. In the example in  FIG. 1 , the platform track  10  on which the lift platform  28  is removably mounted is attached to the building side  4 , whereas the platform tracks  10  which mount the rescue scaffold  52 , the remote fire hose platform  66  and the brake mechanism  129  are removably attached to the building front  3 . However, it is understood that the platform tracks  10  for each of the lift platform  28 , the rescue scaffold  52 , the remote fire hose platform  66  and the brake mechanism  129  may be mounted on any of the exterior surfaces of the building  2 , typically in close proximity to windows (not illustrated) to facilitate the various purposes of the invention, as will be hereinafter further described. Typically, only the platform tracks  10 , without the lift platform  28 , rescue scaffold  52 , remote fire hose platform  66  and/or brake mechanism  129  mounted thereon, are on the building when the building is not being engaged by fire/rescue personnel or for maintenance purposes.  
         [0047]     Referring next to  FIGS. 8-10  of the drawings, each platform track  10  typically includes multiple track segments, illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10  as a lower receiving track segment  11  and an upper track segment  12 , which are joined to each other in end-to-end relationship. The platform track  10  is typically channel-shaped in cross-section, as is partially illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Accordingly, the platform track  10  includes a pair of interfacing track lips  13  and multiple, adjacent track pins  14  which span the interior of the platform track  10 . The track pins  14  typically extend through respective pairs of pin openings  14   a  provided in the respective sides of the platform track  10  and are welded in place. A mounting plate  15  is welded or otherwise attached to the rear surface of the platform track  10  and includes a pair of spaced-apart fastener openings  16  which facilitate attachment of the platform track  10  to the building  2  ( FIG. 1 ) with currently approved fasteners.  
         [0048]     A holding pin  14   b  having protruding ends extends through aligned holding pin openings (not illustrated) provided in the respective sides of the upper track segment  12 . A pair of attach pin openings  25   a  extends through each side of the upper track segment  12 , beneath the respective protruding ends of the holding pin  14   b.    
         [0049]     A pair of spaced-apart, adjacent alignment tabs  17  extends upwardly from respective sides of the upper end of the lower receiving track segment  11 . A holding notch  22  is provided near the upper end of each alignment tab  17 . A pair of attachment pin openings  23  extends through each alignment tab  17 , beneath the holding notch  22 . Track pins  14   c  ( FIG. 9 ) which extend through openings (not illustrated) provided in the lower receiving track segment  11  also extend through respective track pin openings (not illustrated) provided in each alignment tab  17 , beneath the attach pin openings  23 , to mount each alignment tab  17  on the corresponding side of the lower receiving track segment  11 .  
         [0050]     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the lower receiving track segment  11  is attached to the upper track segment  12  by initially causing engagement of the holding notches  22  in the respective alignment tabs  17  with the respective protruding ends of the holding pin  14   b . An attach pin  24  is then extended through the upper pair of attach pin openings  23  in the respective alignment tabs  17  and through the registering upper pair of attach pin openings  25   a  in the upper track segment  12 . In like manner, an attach pin  25  is extended through the lower pair of attach pin openings  23  in the respective alignment tabs  17  and through the registering lower pair of attach pin openings  25   a  in the upper track segment  12 . The platform track  10  is mounted to the building  2  ( FIG. 1 ) typically by extending fasteners (not illustrated) through the respective fastener openings  16  of each mounting plate  15  and engaging the building  2 . Fastener selection is suited to the exterior construction of the building in which track  10  is to be installed. When track  10  is installed in an emergency on a building not already equipped, temporary fasteners may be used and later replaced with permanent suitable fasteners.  
         [0051]     Referring next to  FIGS. 5-7  of the drawings, in another embodiment of the invention, the platform track  10   a  includes multiple track segments, here shown as a lower track segment  11   a  and an upper track segment  12   a , using an alternative mechanism to that heretofore described with respect to  FIGS. 8-10 . Accordingly, a pair of alignment tabs  17   a  extends downwardly from the lower end of the upper track segment  12   a . Alignment notches  19  are provided in the lower ends of the respective alignment tabs  17   a . A pair of shoulder bolt openings  18  is provided in each alignment tab  17   a , above the alignment notch  19 . Aligned pairs of shoulder bolt openings  14   d  extend through the upper end portion of the lower track segment  11   a . A holding pin  14   b  having protruding ends extends through aligned openings (not illustrated) provided in the lower track segment  11   a , beneath the shoulder bolt openings  14   d . Accordingly, the upper track segment  12   a  is attached to the lower track segment  11   a  by initially causing engagement of the alignment notches  19  in the lower ends of the alignment tabs  17   a  with the respective protruding ends of the holding pin  14   b . A shoulder bolt  20  is then extended through each aligned pair of shoulder bolt openings  18  in the respective alignment tabs  17   a  and through each registering pair of aligned shoulder bolt openings  14   d  in the upper end portion of the lower track segment  11   a . A securing nut  21  is threaded on each shoulder bolt  20 . Alternately during an emergency installation attachment pins  25  and  24 , instead of the shoulder bolts  20  and securing nuts  21 , may be used as in  FIG. 10 , to join the tracks together, thus expediting the installation. Subsequently, pins  25  and  24  can be replaced with shoulder bolts  20  and nuts  21 .  
         [0052]     Referring next to  FIG. 11  of the drawings, in still another embodiment of the invention the platform track is indicated by reference numeral  10   b . In the platform track  10   b , the track pins  14  protrude from opposite sides of the respective track lips  13  of the platform track  10   b.    
         [0053]     Referring next to  FIG. 12  of the drawings, in still another embodiment of the invention the platform track is indicated by reference numeral  10   c . The platform track  10   c  includes a pair of adjacent platform tracks  10  heretofore described with respect to  FIG. 8-10 , which are welded or otherwise attached to each other in side-by-side relationship to each other. The platform track  10   c  is characterized by enhanced strength and rigidity as compared to the platform tracks  10 ,  10   a  and  10   b  heretofore described. It should be noted that additional alignment tabs or pins (not shown) may be used in conjunction with any track embodiment, according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art, as deemed necessary to facilitate precise alignment of the track components with each other depending on alignment precision requirements.  
         [0054]     Referring next to  FIGS. 13-15  of the drawings, an example of a lift platform  28 , which is suitable for implementation of the building escape railing system  1 , includes a cart frame  42  that typically includes a base portion  42   a  and a frame portion  42   b  that extends from the base portion  42   a . A retractable platform  43  is provided typically on the base portion  42   a  of the cart frame  42 . A pair of platform supports  44  may extend between the base portion  42   a  of the cart frame  42  and the retractable platform  43  for stabilizing purposes. A lift unit  29  is mounted on the cart frame  42 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the lift unit  29  includes a drive motor mount bracket  31 , which is mounted on the frame portion  42   b  of the cart frame  42 . A drive motor  30  is mounted on the drive motor mount bracket  31 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the drive motor  30  engages a driven sprocket  32 , having sprocket teeth  33 , through a drive shaft  38 . The drive shaft  38  is rotatably mounted in at least one pillow block  37 , which is mounted on the frame portion  42   b  of the cart frame  42 . It should be noted that more than one drive motor  30  may be used as needed to suit load requirements, and may be located on the cart frame  42  in various locations as needed. Omitted from  FIGS. 13, 14  and  15  is a protective cover that may be fitted to the cart frame  42  to protect persons from contact with the sprocket  32 , and safety barriers that may be provided around the perimeter of the platform  43 .  
         [0055]     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , a guide bracket  35  extends rearwardly from the cart frame  42 . Multiple guide brackets  35  may extend from the cart frame  42  at multiple locations as needed to suit load requirements. Multiple alignment rollers  36  are rotatably mounted on each side of the guide bracket  35 . A roller support  34  is provided on the cart frame  42  and extends on each side of the guide bracket  35 . An alignment roller  36   a  is rotatably mounted on the roller support  34  on each side of the platform track  10 . Each alignment roller  36   a  is disposed in substantially perpendicular relationship to the alignment rollers  36 . Accordingly, as further illustrated in  FIG. 14 , when the lift platform  28  is mounted on a platform track  10 , the guide bracket  35  is slidably mounted in the platform track  10  between the adjacent track lips  13  ( FIG. 10 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , one pair of the alignment rollers  36  is positioned inside the platform track  10  and engages the respective track lips  13 , whereas the other pair of alignment rollers  36  engages the exterior surface of the platform track  10 . The alignment rollers  36   a  engage the respective exterior side surfaces of the platform track  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the sprocket teeth  33  of the driven sprocket  32  on the lift unit  29  engage the track pins  14  of the platform track  10 . Therefore, by operation of the drive motor  30 , the driven sprocket  32  is rotated and the sprocket teeth  33  progressively engage the track pins  14  to selectively raise or lower the lift unit  29  on the platform track  10 . Directional controls  48  for the lift unit  29  may be provided in any accessible location on the lift platform  28 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , an engine  50 , which is one example of a power source for providing hydraulic power for the drive motor  30 , may be supported typically by the base portion  42   a  of the cart frame  42 . Although not shown in  FIG. 13 , a hydraulic fluid reservoir for engine  50  and a length of hosing connecting the engine  50  to the motor  30 , are provided.  
         [0056]     The lift platform  28  is typically configured to detachably engage the platform track  10 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 15 , four spaced-apart wheel support frames  45  extend downwardly from the base portion  42   a  of the cart frame  42 . Dolly wheels  46  are rotatably mounted to the respective wheel support frames  45  via wheel axles  47 . The dolly wheels  46  engage the ground (not illustrated) when the lift platform  28  engages the lower track segment  11  of the platform track  10 , thus allowing the lift platform  28  to be wheeled by hand to and from needed locations when the lift platform  28  is detached from the platform track  10 . Although not illustrated, the retractable platform section  43  is provided disposed in a retracted configuration, and the cart frame  42  is provided disposed in a folded, storage or transport configuration.  
         [0057]     Referring next to  FIGS. 16 and 17  of the drawings, the rescue scaffold  52  typically includes a pair of spaced-apart platform motor brackets  58 , each of which mounts a corresponding lift unit  29  that engages one of a pair of adjacent platform tracks  10  attached to the building  2 , typically in the same manner as the lift unit  29  described above with respect to the lift platform  28 . A top platform support  53  extends horizontally from each corresponding platform motor bracket  58 . A leg angle support  54  angles between the extending end of each top platform support  53  and the lower end of the corresponding platform motor bracket  58 . The ends of the leg angle support  54  may be removably attached to the top platform support  53  and platform motor bracket  58 , respectively, by safety hitch pins  55 . A safety hitch pin  55  may, in like manner, be used to attach the proximal end of each top platform support  53  to the corresponding platform motor bracket  58 . Accordingly, by concerted operation of the respective lift units  29 , the rescue scaffold  52  can be selectively raised and lowered on the platform tracks  10  to facilitate lowering persons from the building  2  ( FIG. 1 ) onto the ground and/or raising firefighting personnel from the ground to a selected height on the building  2 . Directional controls (not illustrated) for the respective lift units  29  may be provided at any accessible location on the rescue scaffold  52 . It should be noted that any number of platform tracks  10  and platform brackets  58  may be used to create a longer scaffold  52  as needed.  
         [0058]     As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , an extendable scaffold platform  59  is mounted on the spaced-apart top platform supports  53  and attached by standard means. Multiple elongated safety rope supports  57  extend upwardly from the upper surface of the extendable scaffold platform  59 , adjacent to the outer and side edges thereof. The safety rope supports  57  may be fixedly or removably mounted on the extendable scaffold platform  59 . A safety rope  56  extends between the respective safety rope supports  57 , typically adjacent to the upper ends thereof.  
         [0059]     Referring next to  FIGS. 18-21  of the drawings, a remote fire hose platform  66  of the building escape railing system  1  includes a platform motor bracket  77  on which is mounted a lift unit  29  that engages a platform track  10  typically in the same manner as heretofore described with respect to the lift platform  28 . Accordingly, by operation of the lift unit  29 , the remote fire hose platform  66  can be raised and lowered on the platform track  10  to position a fire hose  80  at a selected vertical proximity to a fire in the building  2 . A top platform support  78  extends horizontally from the upper end of the platform motor bracket  77 , and a leg angle support  67  extends between the extending end of the top platform support  78  and the lower end of the platform motor bracket  77 .  
         [0060]     An elongated Y-axis lead screw housing  68  is mounted on the top platform support  78 . A Y-axis motor  69  is provided on the Y-axis lead screw housing  68 . An X-axis housing  70  is mounted for traversal along the Y-axis lead screw housing  68 , and is disposed in transverse relationship thereto, and an X-axis motor  71  is provided on the X-axis housing  70 . An accessory platform  72  is mounted for traversal along the X-axis housing  70 . The Y-axis motor  69  engages the X-axis housing  70  through a lead screw (not illustrated). The X-axis motor  71  likewise engages the accessory platform  72  through a lead screw (not illustrated). The fire hose  80  is adapted to be removably mounted on the accessory platform  72 . The fire hose  80  is typically fitted with a nozzle X-axis swivel motor  73 , a nozzle Z-axis swivel motor  74 , a nozzle  75  and a shutoff valve motor  76 . Additionally other control motors may be employed to control the nozzle spray pattern.  
         [0061]     Referring again to  FIG. 18  and to  FIGS. 19-21 , the fire hose  80  typically includes multiple hose segments  92  which are removably connected to each other through swivel connectors  90  that are secured by clamp halves  82 ,  83 . Each swivel connector  90  typically includes a male NPT end  90   a  on one hose segment  92  which engages a female NPT end  90   b  on the adjacent hose segment  92 . As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , a pair of wire rope terminal eyes  89  is typically provided on the end of each hose segment  92 . The wire rope functions to remove weight loading from the hose material, and is transferred to the cables which are typically slightly shorter than the hose. Each hose segment  92  is typically constructed of a standard flat fire hose  86  which is covered by a fire-proof jacket  84 , typically by stitching  85 . Each hose segment  92  is typically fitted with a power and control cable  87  that is removably attached to the power and control cable  87  of the adjacent hose segment  92  through a disconnect connector  88 . The power and control cable  87  typically extends through a wire rope support  91  that extends beneath the fireproof jacket  84 .  
         [0062]     Referring next to  FIG. 22 , a conventional control box  94  for the remote fire hose platform  66  and the remote fire hose  80  is provided, including a lid  95  hingedly attached to a control box bottom  105 . The control box bottom  105  is fitted with various controls for operation of the remote fire hose  80  as well as operation of the various components of the remote fire hose platform  66  including the Y-axis motor  69 , the X-axis motor  71 , the nozzle X-axis swivel motor  73 , and the nozzle Z-axis swivel motor  74 . The control box  94  may include, for example, a source power selection knob  96 ; a control selection knob  97 ; sweep pattern collection buttons  98 ; a sweep pattern speed knob  99 ; a nozzle axis joystick  100 ; an X-axis control switch  101 ; a Z-axis control switch  102 ; a Z-axis move button  103 ; a Z-axis direction selection switch  104 ; a nozzle stream control joystick  106 ; a camera pan/tilt joystick  107 ; and a glass break actuator button  108 . A control/power connector  109  is provided typically in the control box bottom  105 , and an input power supply connector (not shown) is provided typically in the box bottom  105 . The control box  94  may also include controls which facilitate bi-directional operation of the lift unit  29  ( FIG. 18 ) of the remote fire hose platform  66  in order to facilitate positioning of the nozzle  75  of the fire hose  80  at a selected vertical position with respect to the ground for extinguishing a fire in the building  2  ( FIG. 1 ). Additionally, by operation of the control box  94 , the Y-axis motor  69  of the remote fire hose platform  66  (FIG.  18 ) can be actuated to move the X-axis housing  70  along the Y-axis lead screw housing  68  and the accessory platform  72  along the X-axis housing  70  in order to facilitate desired X-axis and Y-axis positioning, respectively, of the nozzle  75  on the fire hose  80  with respect to the fire in the building  2 . Attached to the inside lid  95  is a monitor  110  for viewing image data from a camera mounted on the accessory platform  72 . This aids the direction of a stream of water directed toward burning objects in target range of said nozzle  75  in building  2 . Control box  94  is typically controlled by means of a micro controller or other programmable method, which enables the overall functions to be modified as needed and to grow with this developing technology.  
         [0063]     Referring next to  FIGS. 23-27  of the drawings, the brake mechanism  129  ( FIG. 1 ) includes a housing  150  through which extends an elongated slot  151  ( FIG. 26 ) that accommodates a carabeaner  152 . As illustrated in  FIG. 27 , a machined gear pocket  165  extends from a front edge of the housing  150  and accommodates a sprocket  167  rotatably mounted on an axle  166 . The sprocket  167  includes sprocket teeth  167   a  that engages the track pins  14  of the platform track  10  on which the brake mechanism  129  is mounted, as illustrated in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . Adjacent to the sprocket and fixedly attached to it is a spur gear, which rotates with the sprocket  167 .  
         [0064]     Actuator levers  153  are mounted on the respective sides of the housing  150 . Each actuator lever  153  preferably includes a lip (not illustrated) to facilitate gripping with a user&#39;s fingertips. Each actuator lever  153  is normally maintained in a locked position by a safety release  154 . Upon depression of the safety release  154 , the actuator lever  153  can be drawn backwards toward the slot  151 . Each actuator lever  153  is linked to a rotating sleeve  172  through a cross pin  155  which connects both actuator levers  153  to each other and passes through a helical slot  156 , restraining slot  157 , and a safety dowel  158 . A rotating sleeve  172  is retained in the housing  150  by retaining dowels  162 , which engage grooves  159  cut around the circumference of the rotating sleeve  172 . The retaining dowels  162  are press-fit in the housing  150  and slip-fit with the groove  159 . This allows the sleeve  172  to be retained in the housing  150  and allows only rotational movement of the sleeve. Rotating sleeves  172  are inset in a counter bore machined into the housing  150 , and a counter bore  163  of smaller diameter than the rotating sleeves is provided to allow the safety dowel  158  to be displaced into the housing  150  upon actuation. When the actuator lever  153  is pulled, the actuator cross pins  155  can only move within the restraining slot  157 , which creates movement up the helical groove  156 , as the cross pins  155  exit the straight locking section and contact the helix portion of the groove  159 , the sleeve  172  is forced to rotate. As the cross pins  155  continue to move, they act on the a return spring  160 , which is located inside the rotating sleeve  172  and coils around the safety dowel  158 , by compressing the return spring  160  between the housing  150  and the cross pin  155 . As the safety dowel  158  moves, it passes a cross opening for safety pin  161  and continues into the housing  150 . A ball lock pin  164  is provided on the exterior of the housing  150 . In the event that the ball lock pin  164  is inserted through the cross opening for safety pin  161 , the ball lock pin  164  would prevent movement of the safety dowel  158  beyond the safety pin  161 , and thus, prevent accidental actuation of the rotating sleeves  172 .  
         [0065]     Inside track rollers  169  are retained on the end of the rotating sleeve  172  by an axle pin  170 . When the actuator lever  153  is actuated, the inside track rollers  169  are displaced 90 degrees from their locked or functional position. This positional displacement allows the inside track rollers  169  to enter the platform track  10 . When the inside track rollers  169  are located inside the platform track  10 , the actuator levers  153  are released such that the return spring  160  acts on the actuator cross pins  155 , pushing them back down the helical groove  156  and returning the rotating sleeve back into the original position. This action returns the inside track rollers  169  to their functional position in which they engage the track lips  13  of the platform track  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 25 . Once in position, outside track rollers  171  provided on respective sides of the housing  150  engage the exterior surfaces of the platform track  10 , as further illustrated in  FIG. 25 . At that point, the ball lock pin  164  ( FIG. 27 ) can be inserted in the cross opening for safety pin  161  to prevent accidental actuation of the actuation lever  153 .  
         [0066]     When the brake mechanism  129  is mounted on the platform track  10  in the manner heretofore described, the teeth  167   a  of the sprocket  167  mesh with the track pins  14  of the platform track  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . A harness (not illustrated) suitable for holding a person (not illustrated) can be attached to the brake mechanism  129  to facilitate gravity-assisted escape of the person from the building  2  ( FIG. 1 ) during an emergency. Accordingly, when the person (not illustrated) is retained in the harness (not illustrated) and bearing his or her weight on the brake mechanism  129 , the brake mechanism  129  has a tendency to move down the platform track  10  under the influence of gravity. Because the sprocket  167  meshes with the track pins  14 , the sprocket  167  rotates and the sprocket teeth  167   a  progressively engage the track pins  14 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 27 , a compound gear  168  is rotatably mounted inside the housing  150  and meshes with the spur gear attached to sprocket  167 . The compound gear  168  establishes a gear reduction that reduces the braking force that required to be applied against the platform track  10  by the brake mechanism  129 . The last gear (not illustrated) meshing with compound gear  168  is coupled to both a hydraulic brake unit  130  (the details of which will be hereinafter described) and a manual brake unit  149  which are mounted on opposite sides of the housing  150 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 24 and 25 . The restricted flow of hydraulic fluid (not illustrated) contained in the hydraulic brake unit  130  controls the speed of rotation of the last gear (not illustrated) meshed with compound gear  168 . This, in turn, controls the rate of descent of the person retained in the harness (not illustrated). The manual brake unit  149  serves as an initial parking brake that must be released by the person to initiate descent of the brake mechanism  129  on the platform track  10 . The manual brake unit  149  also enables the person to selectively halt descent of the brake mechanism  129  on the platform track  10  at any point during the descent. Furthermore, the initial parked state of the brake mechanism  129 , facilitated by the manual brake unit  149 , allows a person in a wheelchair (not illustrated) to be hoisted out a window (not illustrated) in the building  2  ( FIG. 1 ) by means of a snatch block (not illustrated) and then descend the building  2  on the brake mechanism  129 .  
         [0067]     Referring next to  FIGS. 2-4  of the drawings, the hydraulic brake unit  130  of the brake mechanism  129  typically includes a housing  133  to respective ends of which are attached a chamber cover  132  and a chamber cover  134 , respectively, typically using multiple cover screws  131  and long screws  123 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , multiple tapped cover screw openings  140  are provided in respective surfaces of the housing  133  and multiple long screw openings  141  extend through the housing  133  for accommodating the cover screws  131  and the long screws  123 , respectively. A plate  148  provided inside the housing  133  separates the interior of the housing  133  into a reservoir chamber  143  ( FIG. 3 ) and a hydraulic chamber  147  ( FIG. 4 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a pair of ball check valves  142  is provided on the surface of the plate  148  interfacing with the reservoir chamber  143 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a pair of hydraulic ports  138  is provided in the opposite surface of the plate  148  interfacing with the hydraulic chamber  147  of the housing  133 . A large orifice opening  145 , each of which communicates with the corresponding ball check valve  142 , is provided in each hydraulic port  138  and extends through the plate  148 . A small orifice opening  144  also extends through the plate  148 , adjacent to each large orifice opening  145 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the chamber cover  134  closes the reservoir chamber  143 , whereas the chamber cover  132  closes the hydraulic chamber  147 . In the assembled hydraulic brake unit  130 , hydraulic fluid (not illustrated) is contained in the hydraulic chamber  147 . A reserve of hydraulic fluid contained in the reservoir chamber  143  may be distributed into the hydraulic chamber  147  through the ball check valves  142  and retuned through small orifice  144 , which creates the restricted hydraulic flow needed to control rotational speed. Check valves  142  are oriented in opposite directions, thus allowing bi-directional restricted rotation.  
         [0068]     As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , an outer gerator gear  135 , having a central gear opening  135   a , is mounted in the hydraulic chamber  147 . An inner rotor gear  136  mounted on a gear shaft  136   a  is configured to fit inside the gear opening  135   a  of the outer gerator gear  135 . The gear shaft  136   a  is adapted to extend through a central plate opening  148   a  in the plate  148  and through a central bearing or bushing  137  provided in the chamber covers  132 ,  134 , respectively. O-rings  146  are typically provided on the gear shaft  136   a  to provide a fluid-tight seal of the gear shaft  136   a  with the plate opening  148   a  and chamber covers  132 ,  134 . A keyway cutout  139  is provided in the end of the gear shaft  136   a , extending to the exterior of the assembled hydraulic brake unit  130 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0069]     In the brake mechanism  129  heretofore described with respect to  FIGS. 24-27 , the last gear that meshes with compound gear  168  ( FIG. 27 ) engages the gear shaft  136   a  of the hydraulic brake unit  130 , typically through the keyway cutout  139 . Accordingly, as the brake mechanism  129  descends on the platform track  10  under the influence of gravity, the teeth  167   a  of the sprocket  167  progressively engage the track pins  14  of the platform track  10  as the sprocket  167  rotates in the machined gear pocket  165 . Simultaneously, the sprocket  167  rotates the gears of the compound gear  168 , the last gear of which rotates the gear shaft  136   a  of the hydraulic brake unit  130 . The gear shaft  136   a , in turn, rotates the inner rotor gear  136 , which engages and rotates the outer gerator gear  135  through the gear opening  135   a  thereof. The hydraulic fluid (not illustrated) inside the hydraulic chamber  147  exerts friction against the outer gerator gear  135 , such that this friction is transmitted as rotational resistance to the sprocket  167  through the compound gear  168 . This rotational resistance slows the rate of descent of the brake mechanism  129  on the platform track  10 , as heretofore described.  
         [0070]     Referring next to  FIG. 23 , a slip clutch assembly  116  for the hydraulic brake unit  130  is shown. The slip clutch assembly  116  includes an inner clutch cap  117  and an outer clutch cap  118  which are spanned by a slip clutch housing  122 . Multiple clutch plates  119  are provided between the inner clutch cap  117  and the outer clutch cap  118  for attachment to the gear shaft  136   a  ( FIG. 2 ) of the hydraulic brake unit  130 . A pressure spring  120  is interposed between the clutch plates  119  and the outer clutch cap  118 . Friction discs  121  are provided in alternating relationship to the clutch plates  119 . A clutch shaft  124  is rotatably mounted in the inner clutch cap  117  and the outer clutch cap  118  and is attached to the clutch plates  119 . The slip clutch assembly  116  is mounted to the hydraulic brake unit  130  typically through the long screws  123  heretofore described with respect to  FIGS. 2-4  and illustrated in  FIG. 23 . The long screws  123  typically extend through respective long screw openings (not illustrated) provided in the inner clutch cap  117  and outer clutch cap  118 . The clutch shaft  124  of the slip clutch assembly  116  is connected to the gear shaft  136   a  ( FIG. 2 ) of the hydraulic brake unit  130 .  
         [0071]     Referring again to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, in use of the building escape railing system  1 , one or multiple lift platforms  28 , rescue scaffolds  52 , remote fire hose platforms  66 , and/or brake mechanisms  129  can be mounted on the high-rise building  2  to facilitate the expedited and timely escape of building occupants from the building  2 , as well as the ingress and egress of firefighting or other emergency personnel and/or equipment into and out of the building  2 , during an emergency such as a fire, gas leak or chemical spill, for example, in the building  2 . Accordingly, the platform rails  10  for the lift platform(s)  28 , rescue scaffold(s)  52 , remote fire hose platform(s)  66  and/or brake mechanism(s)  129  are installed on the exterior of the building  2 , typically adjacent to windows (not illustrated) or other openings in the building  2 . This is accomplished typically by, for example, extending mounting bolts (not illustrated) through the fastener openings  16  ( FIGS. 8-10 ) of each of the multiple mounting plates  15  provided on the platform track  10  and threading the mounting bolts into registering bolt openings (not illustrated) provided in the exterior of the building  2 . Each lift platform  28 , rescue scaffold  52 , remote fire hose platform  66  and/or brake mechanism  129  is then mounted on the corresponding platform track  10  or pair of adjacent platform tracks  10  (in the case of the rescue scaffold  52 ) for vertical traversal of the platform tracks  10 .  
         [0072]     During the fire or other emergency situation, the lift platform  28  is typically used to hoist supplies (not illustrated) or emergency personnel (not illustrated), for example, from the ground to selected levels on the building  2 , typically through a window or other opening in the building  2 . The supplies or emergency personnel are supported by the retractable platform  24  during ascending of the lift platform  28  on the platform track  10 . Alternatively, the lift platform  28  may be used to lower persons from the building  2  safely onto the ground as the persons are supported by the retractable platform  24 . The rescue scaffold  52  is typically used to lower multiple persons from the building  2  safely onto the ground, although the rescue scaffold  52  could alternatively or additionally be used to transport emergency personnel and/or supplies between the ground and selected levels on the building  2  as the persons, emergency personnel and/or supplies are supported by the extendable scaffold platform  59 . The remote fire hose platform  66  is used to vertically and horizontally position the fire hose  80  into proximity with a fire in the building  2 , typically through a window or other opening in the building  2 . The brake mechanism  129  is typically used as a means of gravity-assisted escape of persons from the building  2 . Accordingly, a person in the building can place himself in a harness (not illustrated) which is attached to the brake mechanism  129  and ride the brake mechanism  129  down the platform rail  10  to safety on the ground, as was heretofore described.  
         [0073]     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.