Patent Publication Number: US-2019184214-A1

Title: Emergency egress system and anchor assembly therefor

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed toward systems for emergency egress from a structure. More particularly, it is directed toward anchors for such systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Occupancy of tall buildings is common for both residential and commercial purposes. Such buildings are typically constructed with provisions (fire escapes, emergency stairwells, etc.) for quick egress for use in emergencies. However, these provisions may not be suitable in every emergency, for example if they do not provide sufficient capacity for all occupants to exit the building in sufficient time, or if they become obstructed. 
     Controlled descent devices partially address this issue, as they provide additional capacity for evacuating people from a building. In addition, they may be portable, allowing safe egress from a building from one of several egress points in the building (e.g., windows), which allows their use even if some of the egress points become obstructed. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided an anchor assembly configured for receiving therein and gripping a wall, the anchor assembly comprising first and second anchor arms pivotable about at least one pivot axis by a pivoting arrangement between a collapsed, storage position and an open, operable position in which the anchor arms define therebetween a clamping area for receiving the wall therein; 
     each of the first and second anchor arms has a bent shape which is open, when the anchor assembly is in its operable position, toward the clamping area; 
     proximal ends of the anchor arms are pivotally connected to the pivoting arrangement to form therebetween, in the operable position, a pivot angle not exceeding a maximum pivot angle and facing the clamping area; 
     distal ends of each of the anchor arms comprise, respectively, first and second contact arrangements configured for bearing on the wall during use; 
     the first anchor arm comprises a coupling arrangement to facilitate coupling thereto an external cable assembly; 
     wherein the anchor assembly is configured such that, when in its operable position with the wall received within the clamping area and each of the contact arrangements bearing against an opposite face of the wall, a force applied to the anchor assembly and directed away from the clamping area biases each of the contact arrangements toward the wall. 
     Each of the first and second anchor arms may comprise, respectively, a first or second substantially linear support member rigidly connected at a proximal end thereof to a distal end of, respectively, a first or second articulation member thereof and forming, respectively, a first or second angle, facing the clamping area, therewith. 
     The second anchor arm may further comprise an auxiliary member rigidly connected between the second articulation and support members. The first angle may be larger than the second angle. The second articulation arm may be longer than the first articulation arm. 
     Each of the anchor arms may be formed as a unitary element. 
     The pivoting arrangement may facilitate pivoting of the first and second anchor arms directly to each other. 
     Each of the articulation members may comprise, at its proximal end, respective first or second extensions being curved toward the other of the articulation members and overlapping the other extension, the pivoting arrangement comprising an axle passing though the extensions. 
     Each of the extensions may comprise a restricting element projecting toward the other extension and configured for obstructing it during pivoting, thereby restricting the pivot angle to the maximum pivot angle. 
     The maximum pivot angle may be approximately 120°. The maximum pivot angle may be approximately 90°. 
     The height of the anchor arms in a direction parallel to the pivot axis may be at least twice the width thereof in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis. 
     Each of the contact arrangements may comprise a carrying element articulated to the distal end of its respective anchor arm to pivot about an axis parallel to the pivot axis, and a pad for the bearing on the wall, and configured to facilitate contact therewith. The pad may be made of an elastomeric material. 
     The coupling arrangement may comprise a substantially U-shaped element pivotally articulated to the first anchor arm. 
     According to another aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a system for facilitating egress from a structure, the system comprising an anchor assembly as described above for receiving therein and gripping a wall of the structure, and a cable assembly for being suspended from the anchor assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a system according to the presently disclosed subject matter, for facilitating emergency egress from a structure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an anchor assembly of the system illustrated in FIG. and 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the anchor assembly illustrated in  FIG. 2  in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there is provided a system, which is generally indicated at  10 , for facilitating emergency egress from a structure S via, e.g., an opening O such as a window providing access from the interior to the exterior of a building, typically from a great height, such as one from which it is unsafe to descend without external assistance. The structure comprises a cable assembly  12  and an anchor assembly  14 . The cable assembly  12  is coupled to the anchor assembly  14  for suspension therefrom and is configured for bearing a load (typically one or more people), and facilitating its suspension in midair and/or lowering it to the ground. The cable assembly may comprise any suitable arrangement, including, but not limited to a harness and/or brake, for example as described in one or more of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/624,856, Israel application no. 235049, and international applications no. PCT/IL2016/050191 and PCT/IL2015/050998, all to the present applicant, the full contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis. 
     The anchor assembly  14  is configured for being connected to and bearing the cable assembly  12 , and for gripping a wall or other suitable portion of the structure, thereby constituting a base of the system  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the anchor assembly  14  may have a generally C-shaped form, and comprises first and second anchor arms  16 ,  18  pivotally articulated to each other at proximal ends thereof, about a pivot axis X. A suitable pivoting arrangement (not illustrated for clarity), such as a hinge, pin, etc., is provided (e.g., at a location indicated by  20 ) to facilitate the articulation of the anchor arms  16 ,  18 . 
     The anchor arms  16 ,  18  define, when in an operable position of the anchor assembly  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a clamping area  22  therebetween. A pivot angle θ, open toward the clamping area  22 , is defined between the anchor arms  16 ,  18 . The maximum pivot angle θ may be limited to a maximum value, as described below. During use, the wall of the structure is received within the clamping area  22  for being gripped by the anchor assembly  14 . In addition, anchor arms  16 ,  18  may be pivoted fully toward one another in a storage position, for example to reduce the amount of space occupied by the anchor assembly  14  when not in use. 
     The anchor arms  16 ,  18  are each formed having a bent shape, open toward the clamping area  22  (in the operative position of the anchor assembly  14 ). The first anchor arm  16  comprises a first articulation member  24  rigidly coupled at a distal end thereof to an optionally shorter first support member  26  at a proximal end thereof, and forming an angle therewith, for example about 90° (open toward the clamping area). It further comprises an extension  28  at its proximal end, comprising a through-going aperture  30  for receiving therethrough the pivoting arrangement, and being curved toward the second anchor arm  18 . A first restricting element  32 , constituting a portion of a limiting arrangement  34 , projects therefrom toward the second anchor arm  18 , for example disposed at a proximal-most edge  36  thereof. 
     The second anchor arm  18  comprises a second articulation member  38  rigidly coupled at a distal end thereof to an optionally shorter second support member  40  at a proximal end thereof, and forming an angle α therewith, for example substantially less than 90° (open toward the clamping area), for example about 45°. The angle α may be larger for smaller maximum pivot angles θ, and larger for smaller maximum pivot angles θ. For example, the anchor assembly  14  may be provided such that the sum of the angle α and the maximum pivot angle θ does not exceed about 150°. According to some examples, the second articulation member  38  is longer than the first articulation member  24 . 
     An auxiliary member  42 , rigidly connected to and spanning between the second articulation and support members  38 ,  40 , may be provided. The auxiliary member  42  contributes toward a reduced overall size of the anchor assembly  14 , and in particular of the second anchor arm  18 , in view of the acute angle formed between the second articulation and support members  38 ,  40  (i.e., without the auxiliary member, the second articulation and support members would require longer lengths in order to form an angle significantly less than 90°, as described above). Accordingly, it will be appreciated that while the auxiliary member  42  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as a substantially linear element, it may be constituted by a curved portion spanning between the second articulation and support members  38 ,  40 , mutatis mutandis. 
     The second anchor arm  18  further comprises an extension  44  at its proximal end, comprising a through-going aperture  46  for receiving therethrough the pivoting arrangement, and being curved toward the first anchor arm  16  and overlapping the extension  28  thereof. A second restricting element  48 , constituting a second portion of the limiting arrangement  34 , projects therefrom toward the first anchor arm  16 , for example disposed at a proximal-most edge  50  thereof. 
     It will be appreciated that while each of the anchor arms  16 ,  18  is described herein as comprising several members, each may be formed as a unitary element, i.e., made of a single piece of material. Alternatively, one or both may be made of several members rigidly connected to one another. 
     The anchor arms  16 ,  18  may be provided such that they are substantially flat. Accordingly, the anchor assembly  14  may be more compact in its storage position. In particular, the height of each of the anchor arms  16 ,  18 , when considered in a direction which is parallel to the pivot axis X, is much larger than their widths, i.e., considered in a direction which is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The height may be at least twice the width, for example being at least three, at least four, at least five, or at least six times the width. 
     The limiting arrangement  34  functions to limit the pivot angle θ (which is measured between the articulation members  24 ,  38  of the anchor arms  16 ,  18 ) to a maximum value, e.g., about 90°. The first restricting element  32  is disposed such that when the maximum pivot angle θ is reached between the anchor arms  16 ,  18 , the second anchor arm  18  bears against it, and is thus obstructed thereby. Similarly, the second restricting element  48  is disposed such that when the maximum pivot angle θ is reached between the anchor arms  16 ,  18 , the first anchor arm  16  bears against it, and is thus obstructed thereby. It will be appreciated that while the limiting arrangement  34  may comprise only one of the restricting elements  32 ,  48 , the anchor assembly  14  may be provided with both to increase stability of the anchor assembly  14  in its operative position. 
     It will be appreciated that the limiting arrangement  42  may be configured so as to determine only the maximum pivot angle θ, without any arrangements which may be used to govern pivot angles θ below the maximum. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the maximum pivot angle θ is governed by the limiting arrangement  44 , and no other arrangement is present to arrest or limit the anchor arms  16 ,  18  at any other position. Accordingly, the anchor assembly  14  may be easily and quickly opened to its operable position, for example in the event of an emergency. 
     The anchor assembly  14  further comprises arrangements for increasing the contact area between the distal ends of the anchor arms  16 ,  18  and the wall of the structure when in use, thereby increasing the stability of the anchor assembly as a base of the system  10 . Accordingly, contact arrangements  52  are provided at the distal ends of the anchor arms  16 ,  18 . Each of the contact arrangements  52  comprises a contact surface  54  for bearing on the wall during use, and a hinge element (not illustrated), such as a pin, configured to facilitate pivoting of the contact arrangement about an axis parallel to the pivot axis X. In addition, a pad (not illustrated) may be provided on the contact surface  54 , for example  30  to protect the wall from damage caused by impact of the contact arrangement  52  therewith, to increase friction thereby facilitating a stronger “grip” of the anchor arrangement with the wall, etc. The pad may be made of an elastomeric or any other suitable material. 
     The anchor assembly  14  may further comprise a coupling arrangement  56  for facilitating coupling the cable assembly  12  thereto. It may have any suitable construction suitable for this purpose, and may be customized for the specific features of the cable assembly  12 . For example, it may define an opening for passing a corresponding element of the cable assembly  12  therethrough. According to one non-limiting design, the coupling arrangement  56  comprises a U-shaped element pivotally articulated at its open end to the first anchor arm  16 , for example through an aperture  58  formed therein, thereby defining an opening  60  therewithin. It will be appreciated that the coupling arrangement may be rigidly connected to the first anchor arm  16 , and may be integrated therewith (for example being constituted by an aperture formed in the first anchor arm) 
     In use, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the anchor  14  is placed over a wall (for example directly below a window) or other similar part of a structure, such that the wall is received within the clamping area  22 , and the contacting arrangement  52  connected to the second anchor arm  18  bears against the inside surface of the wall, and the connecting arrangement  52  connected to the first anchor arm  16  bears against the outside surface of the wall. The cable assembly  12  is free to hang down. The weight of the load borne by the cable assembly  12  exerts a downward force away from the clamping area, indicated by arrow A, on the coupling arrangement  56 . 
     This force creates a moment (indicated by arrow B) about the coupling arrangement  52  connected to the first anchor arm  16 , which causes the other coupling arrangement  52  to bear on the inside of the wall with a force indicated at arrow C. Similarly, the downward force exerted by the weight of the person creates a moment (indicated by arrow D) about the coupling arrangement  52  connected to the second anchor arm  18 , which causes the other coupling arrangement  52  to bear on the outside of the wall with a force indicated at arrow E. The forces which bear on the wall facilitate a tight gripping of the wall by the anchor assembly  14 . 
     It will be appreciated that the greater the weight of the person borne by the cable assembly  12 , i.e., the greater the force indicated at arrow A, the greater the forces (indicated by arrows C and E) which the anchor assembly bear on the wall, and the tighter the grip. Thus, the anchor assembly is configured to grip the wall with a greater force correspondingly with a necessity of a greater gripping force owing to an increased load. 
     Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter, mutatis mutandis.