TUBULAR FIRE ESCAPE SLIDE

Abstract: An escape apparatus is provided comprising a movable cart (12) for storing and, when needed, moving an escape assembly into position for deployment out of an opening (3) in a building, the escape assembly having an upper, supporting entry ring member (4) and a mesh tube (6) attached to this upper support member, the mesh tube being substantially longer than the building height from which escape is necessary, and a lower, exit-opening support ring member (8) attached to the lower end of the mesh tube. During storage, the escape assembly is folded into the cart. The building is provided with at least one opening through which the escape assembly is to be deployed. A guide wire (22) which extends from the opening at a desired angle to the ground where it is permanently affixed to a rigid anchorage (38) on the ground.

Description: This invention relates generally to escape apparatus for an individual's use in evacuating a multi-storey building. Conventional fire escapes have disadvantages. They are generally finite in number, e.g. one or two per floor in a given building, if provided at all, and fixed in place so that, if smoke and flame approach a lower part of such fire escape, it is useless to persons on floors above that lower part. As was apparent in the fires at the MGM Grant Hotel in 1980 and the Las Vegas Hilton hotel in 1981, presently available fire escapes are inadequate. In the MGM fire, at least 84 persons died. In the Hilton fire, 8 persons died. In both, helicopters having rescue seats suspended by cables from the aircraft were used to rescue persons from the roofs of the buildings and, in some instances, from balconies and windows. While these rescue efforts saved some lives, this method is very time consuming and terrifying to the inexperienced person being rescued. More recently, 79 people died in a hospital fire in Buenos Aires, Argentina, because the building was not equipped with fire escapes. Many prior art apparatus are known which relate to chutes or tubes for use in escaping high-rise buildings in the event of a fire. Exemplary of such devices are those shown in US-A-4 240 520 and US-A-4 099 596. US-A-4 240 520 discloses a fire escape tunnel for use in exiting high-rise buildings. The tunnel includes an extendable, accordian pleated tubing made of nylon or canvas fabric padded on its inner side, a ring at its upper end attachable to an escape opening of a building, a lower end of the tubing having a soft landing pad, and an exit doorway so a person sliding or being lowered down the tunnel can step out onto the ground at the exit. US-A-4 099 596 discloses apparatus including a normally-folded flexible tube with a landing pad at its lower end that unfolds to a vertical chute condition, the interior of the tube being slippery to provide against snagging and the like, the unfolded tube being formed with elastic restrictions at successive vertical levels that snub the descent of a person descending inside from free fall to an alleged safe speed. US-A-3 580 358 discloses a safety escape chute having a series of pliant tubular columns connected by resilient portions made of spiral mesh so that when a first escaper is in the chute his weight so deforms the spiral mesh resilient portions downwardly that a second escaper cannot pass therethrough and thus cannot collide with the first escaper at the bottom of the chute. The fire escape tube utilized in apparatus embodying this invention is basically as described and claimed in my prior US-A-4 398 621. US-A-4 398 621 discloses a fire escape apparatus for exiting a building through an opening in the building. The escape apparatus comprises an upper support entry ring member, a mesh tube attached at its upper end to the upper support entry ring member, and a lower exit-opening support ring member attached to the lower end of the mesh tube. A leash line, attached to the lower exit-opening support ring, can be anchored to the ground. GB-A-1 361 178 describes a fire escape apparatus comprising an elongate flexible chute having several rings attached at spaced intervals along the side edges thereof. The rings are supported on, and freely slidable on guide cables which are fixed at one end to the building and anchored at the other end to the ground. According to the present invention, there is provided in combination escape apparatus and a building, said apparatus serving for exiting the building through an opening in said building and including an upper, support entry ring member, a mesh tube attached at its upper end to the upper support entry ring member, and a lower, exit-opening support ring member attached to the lower end of said mesh tube, said lower exit-opening support ring member having a leash attached at one end thereto characterised by a snap-on hook affixed to said leash at its end opposite the end attached to said lower, exit-opening support ring member, a generally semi-circular spacer bar attached to said upper, support entry ring member and inter-twined among the meshes of said mesh tube in such orientation that upon deployment of said tube said spacer bar is oriented at approximately 45° to the vertical, thereby assisting in providing an easily accessible entrance opening for said user, and in that said building has permanently attached thereto adjacent said opening one end of an elongate flexible member extending from said building to the ground, said flexible member being permanently secured at its other end to ground anchor means. The upper and lower support rings and attached mesh tube and leash with snap-on hook are preferably contained in a movable cart, and the upper support ring is preferably permanently attached to this movable cart. The apparatus preferably has a cushioning pad affixed to the cart to cushion the exit of the user from the building opening. The ground anchor means preferably has affixed thereto, adjacent the cable connection, a spring loaded grasping latch means which grasps and holds the leash upon descent of the leash and lower support ring to the ground. The grasping latch means preferably has external grooves which can retain the leash in the event that the leash misses the grasping mechanism of the grasping latch upon deployment of the tube and support. The openings in the mesh tube may be large enough to permit finger insertion therein but small enough to prevent foot insertion therethrough, and preferably have a maximum dimension of about 5 cm. The mesh tube preferably has an inside diameter sufficiently large so as not to restrict passage of a person escaping therethrough, so that an escaping person can control his rate of descent by grasping the mesh anywhere within the tube. The mesh tube preferably has an inside diameter in the range of about 90cm to about 120cm. The upper supporting entry member has a maximum outside dimension D and, when in use, the mesh tube extends through the opening of the building and downward to the ground, the opening having a maximum dimension d, wherein D is greater than d, the tube thereby being supported to permit a person do descend therethrough. The upper supporting entry member preferably is a metal ring having diameter D. The apparatus perferably has an opaque shield encircling at least a part of the upper portion thereof so as to prevent a person using the escape from seeing through the mesh upon entry into the escape. The mesh tube is preferably made of fire resistant nylon cord or fire resistant, elastic bungi cord. Escape apparatus embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an upper portion of apparatus according to this invention showing the user beginning to deploy the escape apparatus; Figure 2 is a rear elevation of movable cart means on which is stored an upper support ring and a lower support ring attached to a mesh tube of the apparatus of Figure 1, including a semi-circular spacer bar which maintains the entrance open, details of the mesh tube being omitted from this Figure for convenience; Figure 3 is an elevational view showing the user snapping a snap-on hook onto a guide wire prior to further deployment of the apparatus; Figure 4 and 5 show sequentially a further stage and the full deployment of the apparatus; Figure 6 is a side elevation, partly in cross-section, showing ground anchoring latch means and spring-loaded grasping latch means for catching and retaining the lower support ring upon deployment of the apparatus; Figure 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the spring-loaded grasping latch means for catching and retaining the lower support means; and Figure 8 is a pictorial view of ground anchor means from which a person exits the apparatus. Escape apparatus is provided comprising a movable cart for storing and, when needed, moving the apparatus into position for deployment out of a building, the fire escape having an upper, supporting entry ring member and a mesh tube attached to this upper support member, the mesh tube being substantially longer that the building height from which escape is necessary, and a lower, exit-opening support ring member attached to the lower end of the mesh tube. During storage, the fire escape is folded into the cart. The building is provided with at least one opening through which the fire escape is to be deployed. To the building near this opening is permanently attached a guide wire which extends from the opening at a desired angle to the ground where it is permanently affixed to a rigid support on the ground. To the lower ring support member, one end of a leash means is attached, the leash means having a snap-on mechanism removably engageable to the guide wire attached to the other end. When escape is necessary, the cart is moved to the opening, the lower support member is attached to the guide wire by means of the snap-on leash, the lower support member then slides down the guide wire and the fire escape tube is deployed. Preferably there is a latch mechanism affixed to the rigid ground support which is capable of receiving and latching the snap-on mechanism and affixing it to the ground support when the lower support member descends to the ground. Once deployed, the fire escape tube can be descended by a person or persons to escape a fire in said building. A detailed description of the preferred embodiment is best provided with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 shows the components of the upper portion of the apparatus according to the invention located in and on the building 2 having window-like opening 3. The components of the apparatus shown include the upper, larger entry support ring 4, preferably affixed by attachment means 18 to the frame 16 mounted on a movable cart 12 having wheels 14. Prior to use, this apparatus can be stored in a closet for convenience. Attached to upper ring 4 is mesh tube 6, the details of which are not shown for clarity, attached at its other end to lower support ring 8. The lower ring has lanyard or leash 28 attached thereto as shown having a snap-on hook means 30 attached to its other end. Cushion 26 is preferably affixed to upper support ring 4 to help prevent scrapes and injuries to persons escaping as a result of hitting the building 2. The mesh tube 6 has semi-circular spacer bar 20 woven through it at the longitudinal distance downwardly of said tube from said upper support ring such that, in use as shown, the spacer bar 20 pivots to an approximately 45° angle to the vertical formed with upper support ring 4 to provide a convenient, held-upon entrance for users. The attachment means 18 includes means for pivotally attaching the semi-circular spacer bar 20 to upper support ring 4. Guide wire or cable 22 is shown attached to the building 2 adjacent the opening 3 by permanent attachment means 24. As depicted in Fig. 1, the user has wheeled the cart 12 containing the fire escape chute apparatus to a position in front of building opening 3 and has set the cushion 26 in place and pivoted the spacer bar 20 into position as indicated by the arrow. Fig. 2 shows a rear elevation of cart 12 and support rings 4 and 8 and semi-circular spacer bar 20. Ring 4 and spacer bar 20 are affixed to frame 16 by means 18. Also shown are cushion 26 and leash 28 having attached snap-on hook 30 attached to ring 8 as shown. Details of netting 6 are omitted for clarity of presentation. Figs. 3-5 show the sequence of steps in deployment of the apparatus. In Fig. 3, the user is shown drawing the smaller, lower support ring 8 through the larger upper support ring 4 and under spacer bar 20. Snap-on hook 30, similar to the hook commonly found on pet leashes, is snapped onto cable 22 and is thereby firmly attached thereto. Deployment of the chute is now ready to proceed. Fig. 4 shows the initial stage of descent of lower support ring member 8 and mesh tube 6. The ring 8 slides down guide wire 22, held by means of snap-on ring 30, under the influence of gravity. As it descends, more and more mesh tube 6 is payed out from its folded condition in cart 12. Fig. 5 shows an overall elevation, partly broken away, of the fire escape apparatus in a partly deployed condition (phantom) and fully deployed with lower support ring 8 anchored to the ground. In the intermediate stage of descent, the lower support ring 8 and attached mesh tube 6 are descending rapidly as indicated by the arrow shown. In the fully deployed stage, the mesh tube 6 extends from opening 3, held there by upper support ring 4, downwardly as shown to the ground, being anchored there by means of ground anchor 32 which holds spring-loaded grasping latch means 42 which has received leash 28 and holds it fixedly in place. In such a fully deployed stage, users can now safely descend from the building 2 to the ground in the event of a fire. Fig. 6 shows a side elevation of a portion of the ground anchoring means showing guide wire 22 affixed to ground anchor cross member 36 by means of bolt and eye 32 secured by nut 34 which permanently anchor cable 22. Spring-loaded grasping latch means 42 is shown affixed to ground anchor cross member 36 by means of bolt 40. The descending fire escape chute is shown approaching and then being grasped and retained by spring-loaded latch means 42 (in phantom). Fig. 7 shows a bottom plan view of the spring-loaded latch means having fingers, both denoted 42, spring-biased to the closed position by spring 50 held by pin 48. As the leash 28 approaches the latch means, the fingers are spread apart as the leash enters the "V" formed by fingers 42 to accept the leash 28, after which the fingers 42 are closed by the spring bias 50 and they retain the leash 28 and the bottom support member 8 securely at ground level. If for some reason the leash 28 misses the "V" opening between fingers 42, e.g. due to wind, then external grooves 44 may catch the leash 28 and hold it at ground level. Fig. 8 shows a pictorial view of the lower end of the apparatus showing ground anchor bar 38 firmly and permanently mounted in foundation 46. Exit-opening support ring 8 is attached to the ground anchor by means of spring-loaded latch means grasping leash 28. Suitable materials of construction for the various components of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art. The various support and frame members for example can be made from structurally sound aluminium or steel tubing. The mesh netting is preferably made of fire resistant nylon cord or fire resistant elastic bungi cord.

Claims: In combination escape apparatus and a building, said apparatus serving for exiting the building through an opening (3) in said building (2) and including an upper, support entry ring member (4), a mesh tube (6) attached at its upper end to the upper support entry ring member (4), and a lower, exit-opening support ring member (8) attached to the lower end of said mesh tube (6), said lower exit-opening support ring member (8) having a leash (28) attached at one end thereto characterised by a snap-on hook (30) affixed to said leash (28) at its end opposite the end attached to said lower, exit-opening support ring member, a generally semi-circular spacer bar (20) attached to said upper, support entry ring member (4) and inter-twined among the meshes of said mesh tube (6) in such orientation that upon deployment of said tube said spacer bar (20) is oriented at approximately 45° to the vertical, thereby assisting in providing an easily accessible entrance opening for said user, and in that said building has permanently attached thereto adjacent said opening (3) one end of an elongate flexible member (22) extending from said building to the ground, said flexible member (22) being permanently secured at its other end to ground anchor means (38). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that said upper and lower support rings (4,8) and attached mesh tube (6) and leash (28) with snap-on hook (30) are contained in a movable cart (12) until they need to be deployed. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that said upper support ring (4) is permanently attached to said movable cart (12). Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised by a cushioning pad (26) affixed to said cart (12) to cushion the exit of the user from said building opening (3). Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said ground anchor means (38) has affixed thereto adjacent to where the elongate flexible member is secured, a spring-loaded grasping latch means (42) which grasps and holds said leash (28) upon descent of said leash and lower support ring (8) to the ground. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that said grasping latch means (42) has external grooves (44) which can retain said leash (28) in the event that said leash misses the grasping mechanism of said grasping latch upon deployment of said tube and support. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the openings in said mesh tube (6) have a maximum dimension of about 5 cm. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said tube (6) has an inside diameter between about 90cm and 120 cm. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said upper supporting entry member (4) has a maximum outside dimension D and said mesh tube extends through said opening of said building and downward to the ground, said opening having a maximum dimension d, where D is greater than d, the tube thereby being supported to permit a person to descend therethrough. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that said upper supporting entry member (4) is a metal ring having the diameter D. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised by an opaque shield encircling at least a part of the upper portion of the mesh tube (6) so as to prevent a person using the apparatus from seeing through said mesh upon entry into the escape. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that said mesh tube is made of fire resistance nylon cord. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that said mesh tube is made of fire resistance, elastic bungi cord.

Inventors: BAKER, RALPH T.
Applicants: BAKER, RALPH T.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: A62B1
IPC codes: A62B1