ESCAPE SYSTEM FOR TALL STRUCTURES

Abstract: A rescue system for tall structures, such as multi-story buildings comprises a series of platform units (16) adapted for travel along the outer faces of the structure. The platforms completely encircle the structure, and are controlled by a cable system (18) connected to ground-level draw works (20) located outside the structure. The platforms may be guided along the structure by a combination I-beam-roller system (22). The platforms also carry fire fighting and rescue apparatus.

Description: ESCAPE SYSTEM FOR TALL STRUCTURES The present invention relates to rescue systems for use in rescuing persons from multi-story buildings and the like and for providing fire fighting and other emergency equipment along the height of the building. In particular the invention relates to. an improved rescue system designed to be operable from the exterior of the building, and which provides a safe and efficient way to remove persons from the building and combat emergency conditions that may exist. The existence of an emergency condition within a multi-story building, and in particular tall buildings which are found in metropolitan areas, causes great panic to the building population and often makes combatting of the condition extremely difficult. Especially in the case where an emergency condition exists on the upper floors of the building, it is often difficult to get fire fighting and rescue equipment to the location of the damage within a reasonable amount of time. Further, as elevators become inoperative and emergency stairwells often become filled with smoke as well as persons being evacuated, the use of in-building passageways often becomes impractical. Accordingly, there have been attempts made to provide emergency rescue equipment which is located on the exterior of the building. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,355,699 of October 26, 1982 to C.P. Smith, Jr. discloses a rescue system in which a rescue gondola is suspended along the exterior face of a building by a suspension cable. Operating means are located on the roof of the building, and are mounted along a track so that the gondola can be moved about the exterior of the building as required. Such prior art apparatus require an operator upon the building roof, are prone to sway and wobble, and require repeated positioning about the sides of the building. In addition, they normally are unsuited for fire fighting activities. It is accordingly a purpose of the present invention to provide a building rescue apparatus which may be operable from a point removed from the building structure. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a rescue system which may also be utilized for fire fighting and emergency combat. A still further purpose of the present invention is to provide an emergency rescue system which has provision for simultaneous operation about all sides of a building. Still a further purpose of the present invention is to provide an emergency rescue system which is located on the exterior of the building and which is firmly affixed thereto to prevent swaying and instability during the rescue effort. In accordance with the above and other purposes of the invention, an emergency rescue system is provided comprising a plurality of individual platform units located about the periphery of the building. The building is provided with a plurality of vertical rails extending the height of the building, the rails being so dimensioned and located such that the platform units ride upon the rails. The individual platform units are joined to form a buildingencircling unit and are raised and lowered by means of a cable system which extends to the top of the rails and which is led to an underground vault located outside the building. Each platform is provided with fire fighting equipment, and includes safety net apparatus. Operating power for the fire fighting equipment is also led up the side of the building adjacent the lifting cable. A more full understanding of the present invention may be realized upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment of the present invention when taken in connection with the annexed Figures, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a typical structure encircled by the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a typical platform of the present invention shown mounted to the upper end of the building rail structure; FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the present invention taken from the exterior and from the outer end of the platform; FIG. 4 is a partial sectional plan view of the invention taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2, detailing the means by which a platform is mounted to the guide rails; and FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment for the drive system of the present invention. Referring initially to FIG. 1, typical high-rise building 10 having exterior walls 12 is provided with a series of vertically extending rails 14 which extend from the ground level to the top of the building. These rails provide the tracks upon which a platform structure 16r which extends completely about the circumference of the building, is mounted for travel along the height of the building. The platform unit 16 may be formed of smaller, individual platform units 16a, approximately 40 to 60 feet long, which are joined together to form a complete side unit. The platform units on each side are normally designed to be raised and lowered together by cables 18, which run from outboard, street level drawworks 20 along the sides of the building to the top thereof, and therefrom downward to support the platform units. As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, each platform unit 16a includes a frame 22 constructed of I-beams or solid bar steel so joined as to form a rigid yet resilient structure. Pinned bull pins are preferably utilized at joints to provide such rigidity and resiliency. The height of the frame is such that rescue personnel may stand therein. Diagonal reinforcement cables 24 are provided to provide additional strength and rigidity. The platform floor 26 is constructed of an appropriate fireproof material bolted to the frame. Such floor material may consist of 4 x 8 x 1 1/2 inch sheets of asbestos or asbestos cement (Transite) type material. Mounted above the passenger area of the platform are safety nets 28 and 30. As seen in FIG. 2, net 28 is supported by angled support beams 32 which extend between the inner and outer ends of the gondola. Movable net 30 is supported by beams 34, which are pivotable about pivot 36 in net support 32. When in the stowed position net 30 overlies fixed net 28, while in the operable position net 30 is swung outwardly so that it maintains the position illustrated in the Figures. The combination of the fixed and movable nets provide an additional rescue aid in the case of persons located in floors above the platform beam unable to await the arrival of the rescue apparatus. The safety nets provide a resilient landing area for such individuals and, when the platform is elevated to an intermediate position, provides a greatly reduced fall distance as compared to a drop to the ground. In addition, the angled position of movable net 30 tends to retain an individual within the netting area after contact, rather than allowing the individual to fall over the outer end of the net area. Spray nozzles 38 are mounted at locations along frame 22, and are directed towards the building such that they provide a cooling and fire fighting spray to the building exterior as the platforms are raised or lowered. Spray nozzles 38 are operated in conjunction with booster pump 40 which maintains adequate supply pressure as the platform is raised. Power for the pump, as well as spray water, oxygen for masks, and electrical communication wires are provided by flexible hose system 42. All controls are located at drawworks 20, such that operation of the platform assembly may be controlled from the ground. Hose system 42 may run directly to the ground or, alternatively, may be attached by appropriate swivel connectors to a standpipe apparatus located approximately one-half the distance up the side of the building. Cabinets 44 are provided for fire fighting and first aid equipment. In addition, two-way communication facilities between the platform and ground are provided. The platform system is mounted to the side of the building by the means detailed in FIG. 4. Extending outwardly from vertical framing I-beam 46 are transition support plates 48, which extend through building face 50. Welded to the exterior ends of transition plates 48 and extending the length of platform travel is platform guide I-beam 52. I-beam 52 supports platform guide assembly 54, which comprises U-shaped mount 56 welded or otherwise affixed to the platform frame. Axle 58 spans mount 56, and supports main idler wheel 60, which makes contact with outer surface 62 of guide I-beam 52. Short axle segments 64 are each mounted to the outboard end of the legs of mount 56, and each support secondary idler wheels 66, which ride upon the inner surface of guide I-beam 52. Idler wheels 60 and 66 thus maintain the platform in contact with I-beam 52 and consequently building 10 as the platform system travels up and down upon the building exterior. Vertical travel of the platform system is accomplished by drawworks 20, preferably located at ground level at an appropriate distance from building 10, with cable ducts being led underground to the building. Lift cables 18 are located at intervals about the building, and are led up the side of the building within the channel 68 defined by transition support pieces 48, building exterior wall 50, and guide I-beam 52. Mounted to the top of each I-beam 52 is head pulley 70, which directs the cables 18 back down to the platform units. Cable 18 is mounted to the platform unit by bridle assembly 72 which allows connection to the board and outboard ends of the platform. In use, the individual platform units are assembled into a unitary structure which extends entirely about the periphery of the building 10. The individual platform units which are located at the ends of the building sides may be provided with an addition triangular net sections 34 to allow the building to be fully encircled. In response to a building emergency, the platform assembly is raised by drawworks 20 such that it ascends the side of the building to a point opposite the highest level of windows or other exit passageways. Alternatively, the platform may be stowed at the top of the building to avoid the necessity for the intitial lifting. Pivoting nets 30 are extended outwardly and building personnel are evacuated through the windows into the platform, one floor at a time. When a floor is emptied the platform is lowered to the next floor level at which time evacuation of that floor is commenced. The platform may be lowered to the ground as required when capacity is reached If high heat or flames are present spray nozzles 38 may be activated to cool the building surface and help combat the flames. Rescue personnel located on the platform may be in contact with the ground by way of radio of two-way communication. As the platform assembly is lowered, entire floors may be evacuated. When the platform reaches the street level the evacuated personnel exit from the platform at which time additional emergency personnel, such as fire fighters, may board. The platform then may be raised as required, with booster pump 40 being utilized to help provide the water supply. In addition, oxygen and other emergency equipment may be utilized as required. In the event the emergency is localized to only a portion of the building periphery platform segments located on a given side may be disconnected from remaining sections. Thus, one segment may be raised and lowered while the remaining segments remain on the ground or, alternatively, the various side segments may be operated independently as required. In addition, instead of the I-beam track version illustrated in detail in FIG. 4, a system of rollers and treads, depicted schematically in FIG. 5, may be utilized. As illustrated in that Figure, the rollers 76 support an endless track 78 of approximately 4 feet in width. Such roller track assemblies are located at intervals along the platform assembly such that they direct the platform up the side of the building. The roller system may be utilized where it is uneconomical to include the I-beam structure, such as on existing buildings or glass-faced structures. It is to be recognized that modifications and adaptations of the invention as described herein may be achieved without departing from the true scope of the invention. Such scope is to be measured by the claims annexed herein.

Claims: I CLAIM: 1. A rescue apparatus to be used on multi-story structures, comprising: a series of vertical guideways affixed to the exterior of the structure; a series of platform units mounted on said guideways for vertical travel along the exterior of said structure; means operatively connected to said platforms to transport said platforms along said guideways; and means mounted on said platforms for performing fire fighting and rescue activity. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transport means comprise drawworks located at ground level displaced from said structure and cable means operatively connected to said drawworks and said platforms. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fire fighting and rescue means comprise safety net means mounted to the top of said platforms and directed outwardly from the exterior of said structure. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fire fighting and rescue means further comprise water spray means. 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said guideways comprise a series of I-beams mounted to said structure and said platforms include roller means engageable with said I-beam such that said platforms are retained in contact with said I-beam. 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said vertical guideways fully surround said structure. 7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said vertical guideways extend along the entire height of said structure. 8. A rescue apparatus to be used on multi-story structures, comprising: a series of platform units supported for vertical travel along the exterior of said structure, said platform units comprising a personnel-carrying area and fire fighting means and rescue means operatively mounted thereto and having guide means for directing the platform along the surface of said structure; and means operatively connected to said platform units to transport said platforms along said exterior. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said guide means comprise an endless belt supported by a series of rollers, said rollers being operatively mounted to said platform. 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said transport means comprise drawworks located at ground level displaced from said structure and cable means operatively connected to said drawworks and said platforms. 11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said fire fighting and rescue means comprise safety net means mounted to the top of said platforms and directed outwardly from the exterior of said structure. 12. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fire fighting and rescue means further comprise water spray means. 13. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said guide means comprises a series of I-beams mounted to said structure and roller means mounted to said platforms operatively engaged with said I-beams such that said platforms are maintained in contact with said I-beams and structure during platform travel. 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said I-beams fully surround said structure and extend along the entire height thereof.

Inventors: GILLELAND ROY B, GILLELAND, ROY, B.
Applicants: GILLELAND ROY B, GILLELAND, ROY, B.
Application year: 1984
Main classification: A62B1
IPC codes: A62B1