Abstract:
Apparatus for escaping from a building through a window, comprises a plurality of rungs having first and second ends. A first side support is coupled to the first ends of the rungs. The first side support has an upper end. A second side support is coupled to the second ends of the rungs. The first side support has an upper end. A securement assembly is coupled to the wall of a building adjacent a window for providing egress. A first securement secures the upper end of the first side support to the securement member. A second securement secures the upper end of the second side support to the securement member. A plurality of first arms are each positioned proximate the first ends of a respective one of the rungs and are each moveably mounted to go from a retracted position to an extended position. A plurality of first arms are each positioned proximate the first ends of a respective one of the rungs and are each moveably mounted to go from a retracted position to an extended position.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to apparatus and methods for providing a readily accessible fire escape ladder in the context of new construction and replacement window installations, including hidden and external locker retrofits. 
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0002]    (Not applicable) 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    (Not applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Today, externally applied fire exits are used to escape from large buildings. Most homes, however, do not have a means of escape, particularly from the second or higher floors. People located, for example, on the second floor of a private wood frame home, in the event of a fire in the house are left with the choice of attempting to face unknown dangers and obstacles in navigating an escape through the home or escaping by jumping through a window. This leaves a need for a safe, sturdy, easy to use escape device to allow for an easy exit from a second floor or higher window. It is also desirable to have a device that is not permanently exposed, like a conventional fire escape, as fire escapes typically have a substantial adverse impact on the aesthetic appearance of a home. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In accordance with the invention, a fire escape ladder device that can be anchored to a window, or permanently installed under a window and concealed within a wall cavity for quick and reliable deployment comprises a series of rigid rungs. The rungs are supported between a pair of flexible and bendable side supports. The rungs are provided with spring-loaded extendable arms. Alternatively, a spring hinge or other similar self opening mechanism may be used. The rungs can be treated with anti-slip tape, ribbed applications, or abrasive type paint or other material to prevent slipping. The arms are held proximate to their respective rung by locking pins, which are slidably mounted in holes in the rung and arms. The extendable arms may be coated, or capped with a PVC type material, or rubber type coating that protects the house from scratching or marring the house. The pins are connected to a common line secured to an anchor. The line is shorter than the corresponding portion of the flexible and bendable side supports. 
         [0006]    Alternatively a stiff wire may be used in place of the pins. If such a stiff wire is used, it may be quite short, for example approximately the height of the box containing the fire escape ladder system. Alternatively a flexible wire which is perhaps twice the height of the box may be used. 
         [0007]    When the fire escape ladder is tossed out the window during an emergency situation, the line pulls the pins from the holes in the rungs and arms. Removal of the locking pins releases the arms allowing the springs to cause them to extend from the rungs, leaving the rungs supported by flexible and bendable side supports. The arms may also be held proximate to their respective rung by stiff/rigid wire supports that extend upward from the bottom of the storage box through the corresponding holes in the rungs. In contrast, the flexible and bendable side supports are affixed to both sides of the rungs via metal clamps in such a fashion that the rungs remain in a fixed position with respect to the side supports. Accordingly, the rungs remain secure for a person to descend while being supported away from the side of the house to improve the ease and safety of climbing. 
         [0008]    In use, due to the nature of the flexible and bendable side supports, the fire escape ladder can be rolled bunched up or stacked for compact storage and for easy unrolling out of a window and rapid deployment. As the fire escape ladder is being deployed out of a window, a the anchor line pulls the locking pins as the rungs fall to positions further from the anchor point than the length of the corresponding portion of the line. This pulls the locking pins from the holes and releases the arms to be moved by their respective springs, thus opening the extendable arms, or in the case of the stiff/rigid wire supports, once the rung is lifted off the wire support the extendable arms are released by their respective springs, thus opening the extendable arms. Due to the need of a rapid, safe escape from a burning home, the Fire Escape ladder overcomes the flaws of a traditional rope ladder due to the added safety of being supported away from the side of the home, thus allowing a faster and safer descent. 
         [0009]    Furthermore the inventive system can be completely concealed within a wall cavity and extended upward through an opening in the window or the interior wood window sill, thus allowing furniture or other items to be used under the window overcoming the flaws of other permanently installed interior permanent fire escape ladders. Another benefit of the fire escape ladder is by using a U-channel rung to house the arm or standoff, a longer extendable arm is used thus providing a greater distance from the house to the rung allowing more room for hand and foot holds providing a safer decent down the ladder. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a ladder rung with a rigid aluminum, steel, rigid PVC or other material for the rung and stepping surface. The rung houses two extendable arms attached on either end to respective flexible and bendable side supports provides a climbing system. The flexible and bendable side supports allow for a small storage space and rapid deployment as the device is released out of a window. As the locking pins are pulled by the cord, automatically a series of extendable arms, driven by springs (or arms made off a springy material which are oriented to want to extend out), swing outward to support the ladder away from the exterior wall of a house, thus allowing a quick, safe decent from a second floor or higher window or in the case of the stiff/rigid wire supports, once the rung is lifted off the wire support the extendable arms are released by their respective springs, thus opening the extendable standoffs. Each device is balanced and mounted to the flexible and bendable side supports such that when the expandable arms are in their open position, the top of the rigid aluminum stepping surface will be perpendicular to the side supports. The stepping surface on the rungs is preferably flat, thus aligning the arms to extend substantially to the ladder and maximize the separation between the flexible and bendable side supports and the outer wall of the home or other building. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The operation of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a rear isometric view of the fire escape ladder device in its closed position with the locking pin in place; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1   a  is an isometric view of a securement for the inventive fire escape ladder; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a rear isometric view of the fire escape ladder device in its open position with the locking pin removed; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front exploded isometric view of the fire escape ladder device in its closed position with a detailed view of the internal components; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   a  is a front exploded isometric view of an alternative fire escape ladder device with an alternative chain link engaging loop structure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a rear isometric view of a partial fire escape ladder Assembly detailing how a series of fire escape ladder Devices are attached in sequence; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates the complete fire escape ladder assembly in its final open deployment with all expandable arms in their open positions 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a schematic plan view of a new construction window incorporating the fire escape ladder of the present invention in its stowed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an alternative schematic plan view of an inventive fire escape ladder in its stowed position in the context of an existing window that has been provided with a ladder hidden in a wall underneath an existing window; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is an alternative schematic plan view of an inventive fire escape ladder in its stowed position in the context of an external installation retrofit; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is an alternative schematic plan view of an inventive fire escape ladder in its stowed position similar to  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of another alternative implementation of the inventive system; and 
           [0024]      FIGS. 11-12  illustrate an alternative new construction window incorporating a fire escape ladder in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 1   a , the inventive fire escape ladder device  10  comprises a plurality of rungs  12 , one of which is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Rungs may be ribbed, or may have an anti-slip tape, or abrasive paint applied to the top of the rung to prevent slipping of the rung. Rungs  12  are each supported at their ends by a pair of chains or other supports as described below. Rungs  12  are generally rectangular-shaped in cross-section and made of a rigid metal, such as aluminum or steel car which PVC, or other appropriate material. Each rung  12  is provided with two extendable arms  14  and  16 , which are long enough to serve as standoffs for maintaining a gap between the ladder  10  and the side of a building after deployment of the ladder  10 . Arms  14  and  16  have holes  15  drilled therein. The extendable arms may have a rubberized coating or pvc caps applied to the ends to prevent damage to the house. Arms  14  and  16  are rotatably mounted on pins  18  and  20 . Pins  18  and  20  are friction fitted in holes proximate the ends of rungs  12  as more fully appears below. Extendable arms  14  and  16  have holes, which are slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of pins  18  and  20 , thus allowing extendable arms  14  and  16  to freely rotate on pins  18  and  20 , as illustrated by arrows  15  and  17 . 
         [0026]    In the stowage position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , extendable arms  14  and  16  are contained inside their respective rung  12 . Extendable arms  14  and  16  are locked in place by a locking pin assembly  22 , or in the case of the stiff/rigid wire support  22 , would be locked in place by the wire support as illustrated in the alternative embodiments below. In the position corresponding to the deployed ladder  10 , extendable arms  14  and  16  take the position illustrated in  FIG. 2 , after movement in the direction of arrows  15  and  17 . 
         [0027]    Locking pin assembly  22  is roughly U-shaped to allow a cord to be tied or otherwise secured to the yoke portion  23 , thus allowing the locking pin to be removed with a single pull or automatically during ladder deployment, as more fully appears below. 
         [0028]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1   a , a bent rigid metal plate securement  24  is bolted, riveted, or welded onto, for example, to the outside of the stepping rung  12  and extending outwardly from the sides to act as a securement for securing rung  12  to flexible and bendable side supports, such as chains  54  and  56  as appears more fully below. Securement may be achieved by, for example, a sheet metal screw  25  (or weld) and a pair of spot welds  27  (or bolts and nuts). Identical securements  24  are employed at opposite ends of rungs  12 . 
         [0029]    Alternatively, securement may be achieved a piece of flat steel stock formed into a loop that goes through the chain rung at each of its ends and is attached to the back of the rung. As illustrated in  FIG. 3   a , each of the ends  24   a  wraps around and goes through a respective chain link and then slides into the U-channel which forms the rung. Screw bolts are attached through the flat stock on the back of the rung, through the rung and through the flat stock inside the U-channel portion of the rung. Welding may be used to reinforce the structure at appropriate points on the rung. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment of the invention, rigid metal plate securement  24  has a pair of holes  29  at each of its ends and follows a path parallel to front  31  of rung  12 , bends around the corner of rung  12  obliquely away from and then toward the end of rung  12  forming a V-shape (where it is spot welded at spot welds  27 ), after which it returns parallel to itself first in a V-shape and then around the corner of the back of the rung  12 . Accordingly, in the bent configuration described above, both holes  29  overlie each other. 
         [0031]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment, prior to the installation of screw  25  or, alternatively, welding, flexible and bendable side supports  54  and  56 , which comprise chains (or other flexible bendable material with sufficient structural integrity to hold the rung properly in place), may be secured by passing bent rigid metal plate  24  through a link of the chain, thus securing the chain to rung  12 . Once the chain has been put in position, screw  25  may be passed through holes  29  to secure the ends of metal plate  24  to rung  12  which is provided with a hole for receiving sheet metal screw  25 . Thus, chains  54  and  56  are reliably and securely held in position by metal plate  24  between sheet metal screw  25  and welds  27 . 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , other details of the components are illustrated. The outer casing of stepping rung  12 , is made from a single piece of aluminum or steel or rigid PVC or other suitable material which is extruded, bent or cast with, for example, a U-shaped cross-section. 
         [0033]    Holes  26 ,  28 ,  30 , and  32  are drilled proximate the outer ends of each rung  12 . Pins  18  and  20 , which may optionally have serrated ends, are friction fitted, welded or otherwise anchored in holes  28  and  30 , respectively. Alternatively, nuts and bolts, or pop-rivets or other suitable members may be used in place of the pins. At the same time, pins  18  and  20  are loosely fitted in holes  40  and  42 , respectively. Holes  40  and  42  in arms  14  and  16  are slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of pins  18  and  20 , allowing arms  14  and  16  to freely rotate thereon. 
         [0034]    Stop pins  34  and  36 , which may optionally have serrated ends (or other suitable anchoring structure), are mounted and friction fitted in holes  32  and  26 , respectively, and positioned to limit movement of arms  14  and  16  at a position which is substantially vertical to rung  12 , or, if more stability is desired to a position about 10 degrees beyond the vertical, whereby arms  14  and  16  extend out from rung  12 , to form a 90 degree or larger angle (e.g. 100 degrees). 
         [0035]    Because top surface  37  of rungs  12  is flat, the force of a foot resting on the rung will tend to cause the top surface  37  and the extended arms  14  and  16  to extend substantially parallel to the ground, thus achieving a good separation from the outside wall of the building. 
         [0036]    Two holes,  38 , are drilled in the central portion of surface  37  of rungs  12  in order to receive locking pin assembly  22  (or a stiff/rigid wire). The expandable arms,  14  and  16 , are made out of aluminum which is extruded, bent or cast with a roughly U-shaped cross-section. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the locking pin assemblies  22  associated with each of the rungs  12  are all connected to, for example, a single anchor line  39 , which pulls the pin assemblies out of all the rungs as the ladder  10  is deployed. In the case of the stiff/rigid wire, once the chain and rung assembly is pulled off the stiff/rigid wire, the expandable arms are released to their full open position to form a stand off from the building. 
         [0037]    In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, the locking pin assemblies  22  associated with each of the rungs  12  are all connected at points along anchor line  39  which are separated by a distance equal to or less than the distance between adjacent rungs  12 . This likely results in pulling the pin assemblies  22  out of the rungs one at a time as the ladder  10  is deployed, as a result of tossing or individual application of the feet to the rungs by the individual using the ladder. In connection with this, it is noted that the anchor line  39  is anchored to a point where the anchor line  39  restrains each respective pin assembly  22  from moving as low as its respective rung  12 , thus ensuring the removal of the pin assembly no later than when foot pressure is applied by the individual escaping using the ladder. 
         [0038]    Holes  44  and  46  are drilled into the ends of extendable arms  14  and  16  opposite holes  40  and  42 , respectively. Locking pin  22  passes through and holds the extendable arms  14  and  16  in the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 1  prior to deployment of ladder  12 . 
         [0039]    Conversely, metal springs  48  and  50  are mounted inside the extendable arms  14  and  16  on pins  18  and  20 , respectively. Metal springs  48  and  50  exert an outward force on the swing arms, and against the rigid metal plate  24  located inside the stepping rung  12 . Springs  48  and  50  are illustrated in the compressed position in the exploded perspective of  FIG. 3 . As alluded to above, springy living hinges, for example made of plastic, or other spring type mechanisms may be used in place of the springs to deploy the arms. 
         [0040]    When the locking pin  22  is removed along the path described by arrow  13 , the springs force out extendable arms  14  and  16 . Extendable arms  14  and  16  continue to move out along the path defined by arrows  15  and  17  until extendable arms  14  and  16  are stopped by pins  36  and  34 , respectively, and assume the position shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the fire escape ladder  10  is comprised of a series of rungs  12  attached to the flexible and bendable side supports  54  and  56 , crafted out of rope, chain, or other suitable material, using a series of clamps or welds, at locations  58  and  60 . The attachment is mounted centrally with respect to the width of the rungs such that the top surface of rung  12  will orient perpendicular to wall of the burning building, when the expandable arms,  14  and  16 , are in their open position. 
         [0042]    Turning to  FIGS. 1-5 , the use of the fire escape ladder  10  may be understood. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the fire escape ladder  10  will fully deploy with the extendable arms,  14  and  16 , in their open position after pin assemblies  22  are removed from rungs  12 . This happens when ladder  10  is lowered out of a window to allow a safe and easy climb down to the ground. Referring to  FIG. 5 , aluminum or steel hooks  62  and  64  located at the top ends of the flexible and bendable side supports,  52  and  56 , at locations  66  and  68 , respectively, and attached using clamps or welding, allow for the Fire Escape ladder Assembly  52  to be quickly attached to a window sill. Alternatively, a simple stiff or bendable metal wire may be used in place of the pin assemblies as detailed more fully below. 
         [0043]    An alternative embodiment of the present invention, constructed much like the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , in which the inventive ladder is built into a window  101  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . In accordance with this embodiment, the fire escape ladder portion of the original equipment window is hidden behind the sheetrock of the wall. Accordingly, it does not affect the aesthetics of the room and in many cases it may be possible to put objects or appropriate furniture in front of the window without impeding the functionality of the fire escape ladder. Anchor line  39  is secured by a fastener  80  which is welded to a plate  81 , which, in turn, is welded to a metal box  83 . A pair of metal plates  85  lend strength to box  83 . Fasteners  82  secure chains  54  and  56  to removable sill  87  which also serves as the bottom rung of the ladder. The other end of chains  54  and  56  are secured by fasteners  86  to metal plates  85 . Sheet rock screws  88  secure box  83  between vertical window support members. 
         [0044]    When it is desired to use the inventive ladder, the user opens the window and the sill  87  is removed from the remaining support portions  93  of the sill by grasping knobs  84  and pulling up. The ladder is then tossed out the window, pulling the pins from the rungs and deploying the standoff arms creating a gap between the ladder and the side of the building. 
         [0045]    A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention in the context of a retrofit is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The ladder assembly is similar to the earlier figures, except that a removable sill and lid  87  is created by sawing a gap  99  in the existing sill leaving support portions  93  in place. Alternatively, the entire portion of the stool under the window may be removed. The ladder assembly  210  is secured between studs in the wall after the wall has been opened up. After installation, the wall is repaired in conventional fashion. Box  83  is dimensioned for a tight fit between studs which are normally on 16 inch centers. It is noted that a portion of the 2×4 sill plate which normally underlies an existing window has been sawn away, as its support function is taken over by fire escape ladder assembly  210 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 8  illustrates another alternative, in which a ladder assembly  310  is secured over the wallboard  96  under window  94  and inside a room, leaving box  92  exposed to view. Alternatively, it is also possible to locate the box containing the fire escape ladder outside of the building. A yet further alternative is a possibility of mounting the lid  87  on the side of the box. 
         [0047]      FIG. 9  illustrates another alternative similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , except that the two tang pins are replaced by two sets of single pins  422  tied together by a pair of lines  439 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , yet another alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, fire escape device  510  is installed as shown after an existing window has been removed. The fire escape device  510  is secured in place by a pair of right angle brackets  501 , which are secured by sheet rock screws to existing studs  502 , jack stud  503  and a cripple  504 . A lid  505  is secured over an opening in box  506 . Overlying the opening in box  506  is a similar opening in the drywall. Lid  506  is secured in place to the drywall, for example by magnets, and weatherproofed by weather-stripping. Chains  507  are secured at their ends to lid  505 . 
         [0049]    The extendable arms of the embodiment of  FIG. 10  which is much like the embodiment of  FIG. 6  except for the differences noted and illustrated, are held in position by a pair of stiff wires  508  which pass through the holes in the rungs and extendable arms. Wires  508  are secured to plate  81 . In accordance with the embodiments of the invention illustrated, a large number of rungs, for example nine rungs, may be employed, however only three rungs are illustrated in the schematic view of  FIG. 10  and the other figures for purposes of simplicity of the illustration and clarity of understanding. 
         [0050]    When it is desired to use the inventive fire escape, lid  505  is pulled by knobs  509  from the wall to which it is mounted by any suitable means, for example magnets, thus pulling chains  507  and rungs  12  out from the system and deploying them outside the side of the building. This results in removing wires  508  from rungs  12 , after which the rungs that were tossed out the window forming an escape ladder. The window is typically positioned above fire escape assembly  510 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment, weather-stripping may be used along the periphery of lid  505  to prevent cold air from entering the room from the cavity of the wall, as noted above. 
         [0051]    Turning to  FIG. 11 , an original equipment window  610  for use in new construction is illustrated. Windows  610  includes wires  508  for releasing the extendable arms, whose construction, like the rest of the window illustrated in  FIG. 11  is similar to that of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  except for the differences discussed below. More particularly, in accordance with the invention, the bottom member of the wood framing is removed (leaving sill  707  at the bottom of the window portion of the unit) and replaced by a box  612  comprising the fire escape system of the present invention. A lid  705  overlies an opening  614  in box  612  and is shown in phantom lines to reveal the structure of the other components. 
         [0052]    Box  612  is secured to the wood framing  616  by straps  618  which are held in place by sheet rock screws or any suitable fastener. In this manner the manufacture of a conventional window may be easily modified to accept the box  612  of the inventive fire escape system. In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , wood framing  616  of the window may extend out from the exterior of a building, as illustrated in the cross-sectional schematic view of  FIG. 12 . This leaves plenty of room for lid  705 , as illustrated most clearly in  FIG. 12 . Because the inventive system uses an extendable arm which is contained within rungs  12 , the depth of box  612  is relatively shallow allowing the same to be contained within the external wall of the building between the drywall  618  and the external siding  620  with room to spare, allowing the introduction of insulation  622 . 
         [0053]    When it is desired to use the window of  FIG. 11  for escape, lid  705  is removed using knobs  84 . Thus, rungs  12 , together with chains  54  and  56  are removed, sliding the rungs off wires  508 , thus allowing deployment of the ladder with the deployed extendable arms out the window of the building. 
         [0054]    While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims.