Patent Publication Number: US-6907956-B2

Title: Device for rescuing persons, objects and the like from buildings

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention concerns a device to rescue people, objects and the like from buildings comprising at least one rescue element pursuant. 
   For rescuing people from buildings, inflatable chutes are known as rescue elements, on which people can be rescued from a building e.g. in case of a fire. Such inflatable chutes are however unsafe as of the second floor. Jumping sheets are also known as rescue elements, which are however unsafe as of the third floor. For rescuing people from major heights turntable ladders are known, which normally have a climbing height of 30 m and reach maximum overall heights of 52 m. The evacuation of especially elderly, wounded, unconscious or shocked people from buildings by such ladders can only occur individually and is therefore time consuming. Since the ladders sway at the top more or less depending on the wind force, the rescuing is also dangerous. 
   To rescue several people simultaneously, hinge platforms were developed, which however need a lot of space to deviate, and this space is not always provided. Fire escape stairs on the exteriors of buildings are only available on low buildings. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the invention is to form the device according to this category in such a manner that a major amount of people, objects or the like can be evacuated from the risk zone within the shortest period of time in case of an emergency. 
   This task will be solved by the device according to this category in compliance with this invention in that the rescue element is a rescue rope, to which a retaining element of a rescue device can be attached and which can be anchored on the ground. 
   By the device in compliance with this invention a rescue rope is used as a rescue element, which can be let down from the roof of a building and anchored on the ground. The people who shall be rescued can hook into the rescue rope, which runs over the top of the building, with the retaining element of their rescue device, especially a rescue belt. This way, people can be evacuated from the building with the rescue rope within the shortest period of time. The term “rescue rope” may mean ropes but also e.g. chains. 
   Advantageously, the rescue device is placed on the roof of the building. In case of an emergency, an alarm can be activated by hand or automatically, so that the rescue device is actuated. In this case, the rescue rope is let down to the ground and anchored there. The rescue rope can be moved towards the ground due to its self-weight. The rescue rope is advantageously formed to circulate unendingly. In this case a deflection unit is advantageously attached to the rescue rope, which can be lowered to the ground and anchored there. This can be done by the firemen or other rescuers. It is however also possible to anchor this deflection unit firmly to the ground and connect it with the rescue rope for a rescue operation. If the rescue rope is formed to circulate unendingly it will be rotary driven. For this, a power equipment can be positioned on the ground, with which the rescue rope, which is let down to the ground, is rotary driven. The people, who are hooked into the rescue rope, are rescued reliably and within the shortest period of time this way. The forwarding velocity can be controlled by mechanical, fluidic or electrical brakes. The circulation velocity of the rescue rope is chosen in such a manner that the people who are to be rescued can be let down to the ground reliably without any risk for injuries. 
   The device in compliance with this invention is splendidly applicable for skyscrapers, but can naturally also be used for lower buildings such as apartment houses, towers and the like. With this rescue device preferably people are rescued, however also objects can be transported to the ground with the rescue rope. 

   
     Further characteristics of the invention arise from the further claims, the description and the drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is specified by the illustrated embodiments presented in the drawings. They show: 
       FIG. 1  in schematic illustration a rescue device in compliance with the invention in drawn-in position of rest, 
       FIG. 2  the rescue device according to  FIG. 1  in reeled-out operating position, 
       FIG. 3  a flexible rescue rope of the rescue device in compliance with the invention, 
       FIG. 4  different phases of winding up the rescue rope according to  FIG. 3  on a winding drum, 
       FIG. 5  lateral view of a deflection unit of the rescue device in compliance with the invention, 
       FIG. 6  a view in the direction of the arrow VI in  FIG. 5 , 
       FIG. 7  a deflection pulley for the flexible traction element, 
       FIG. 8  a rescue belt to hook into the flexible rescue rope of the rescue device, 
       FIG. 9  in an illustration according to  FIG. 1  a second embodiment of a rescue device in compliance with the invention, 
       FIG. 10  in longitudinal section an upper part of a facade of a building, 
       FIG. 11  a section along the line XI—XI in  FIG. 10 , 
       FIG. 12  a third embodiment of a rescue device in compliance with the invention in initial position, 
       FIG. 13  rescue device according to  FIG. 12  in a partly lowered position, 
       FIG. 14  in schematic illustration and in lateral view a further embodiment of a rescue device in compliance with the invention, 
       FIG. 15  illustration in larger scale and in section of a person who is to be rescued, and who is hooked into the rescue device, 
       FIG. 16  a section along the line XVI—XVI in  FIG. 15 , 
       FIG. 17  a longitudinal section through the wall of a building, in which a part of the rescue device is placed, 
       FIG. 18  partly in view and partly in section the in  FIG. 17  illustrated area of the rescue device, 
       FIG. 19  in schematic illustration a discharging area at the lower end of the rescue device. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The rescue device serves to rescue people quickly and reliably in case of an emergency. e.g. at a fire in a building. The building  1  has a roof  2 , on which the rescue device is placed. It has a carrier  3 , which is mounted on the roof  2  and on which a drive unit  4  to wind up the rescue rope  7  is supported. It can be displaced from the rest position illustrated in  FIG. 1  to the operating position illustrated in  FIG. 2  on the carrier  3 . It has advantageously a guide way  5  which runs inclined downwards, along which the drive unit  4  can be relocated. In the drive unit  4  a drive (not illustrated) is designated, with which the drive unit  4  can be moved along the guide way  5  in the respective direction. The carrier  3  can have racks, in which the drive unit  4  engages with corresponding gears. Naturally, other drives are also possible in order to move the drive unit  4  along the guide way  5 . Since the drive unit  4  runs inclined, the own weight of the drive unit  4  can be used for moving. Thereby, the drive unit  4  can be loaded through a spring device, so that it moves downwards along the guide way  5  after release. 
   Differing from the illustrated embodiment the guide way  5  can also run horizontally. In this case a drive is necessary to operate the drive unit  4 . 
   On the drive unit  4  there is a winding device  6  for the rescue rope  7 . The winding device  6  will be driven in a way yet to describe in order to wind up or unwind the rescue rope. It is favourable if the rescue rope  7  is unwound because of its self-weight. Then there is no need for the winding device  6  to have an own drive in order to unwind the rescue rope. For the rescue rope  7  guide pulleys  8  are provided, between which the rescue rope  7  runs and which redirect the rescue rope at an angle of 90° downwards. The guide pulleys  8  are connected with the drive unit  4 . The guide pulleys  8  can be connected with the drive unit  4  in the known manner. 
   On the free end of the rescue rope  7  a deflection unit  9  is provided, with which the rescue rope  7  is redirected at the end, which is turned away from the winding device  6 . The rescue rope  7  is formed unendingly and will be redirected at the deflection unit  9  as well as at the winding device  6 . 
   The winding device  6  has a vertical driving shaft  10 , which surmounts above the drive unit  4  and is circulating with a (not illustrated) drive, which is positioned in the drive unit  4 . On the driving shaft  10  a guide  11  for the rescue rope  7  is fixedly attached. The guide  11  consists of two plates  12 ,  13  which are positioned with distance opposite of each other, and between which the rescue rope  7  runs. 
   With distance to the driving shaft  10  the drive unit  4  is provided with an axle  14 , which runs parallel to the driving shaft  10  and is connected with the driving shaft  10  at the upper end by a cross bar  15 . If the driving shaft  10  is turned around its axis, the axle  14  is picked up by the cross bar so that it circulates around the driving shaft  10 . 
   As  FIG. 4  shows, the rescue rope  7  is redirected by 180° at the driving shaft  10 . If the driving shaft  10  is redirected counterclockwise in arrow direction  17 , the axle  14  goes around the axis of the driving shaft  10  in the circulating direction  17 , until it hits the rescue rope  7  (middle illustration in FIG.  4 ). When the circulation continues, the axle  14  picks up the two strands of the rescue rope  7 , which thereby is wound up. Advantageously, the two strands of the rescue rope  7  are guided through two vertical guide pulleys  18 ,  19  with distance from a base plate  16  of the winding device  16 , so that the rescue rope  7  can be reliably wound up on the winding device  6 . 
   It is possible not to drive the driving shaft  10  directly, but to drive the circular base plate  16 . In this case the driving shaft  10  and the axle  14  are fixed on the base plate  16  and are picked up by it when it is circulating around its axis. 
   In the starting position the drive unit  4  is withdrawn to its initial position illustrated in FIG.  1 . The rescue rope  7  is completely wound up on the winding device  6 . Only the deflection unit  9  is positioned in the area in front of the facade  20  of the building  1 . 
   The deflection unit  9  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) has a support plate  21  through which the two strands of the rescue rope  7  surmount. In the passage area of the rescue rope  7 , sleeves  22 ,  23  stick out from the upper side of the support plate  21 , through which the two strands of the rescue rope  7  run and whose inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the rescue rope  7 . 
   In the area between the two sleeves  22 ,  23 , two arms  24  surmount through the support plate  21 , which carry a horizontal axle  25  at their lower end. The rescue rope  7  is redirected by 180° at the axle  25 . 
   On the axle  25  a gear  26  is fixedly attached, which can be engaged with a gear  27 . The gear  27  is positioned on a driving shaft  28  of a power equipment  29 , which is positioned on the ground  30 . 
   Since the deflection unit  9  is held only by the rescue rope  7 , a clutch  31  is provided to properly transfer the torque from the power equipment  29  to the gear  26 . The clutch  31  is formed for example by at least one pivot arm, whose one end is mounted turnable on the driving shaft  28 , and whose free end is attached to the axle  25 . This way the two gears  26 ,  27  are reliably kept engaged. Thereby an oscillation of the deflection unit  9  is prevented. 
   As  FIG. 6  shows, the gear  26  is positioned directly beside one of the arms  24 . On the axle  25  two plates  32 ,  33  are fixedly attached in the area between the two arms  24 , between which the rescue rope  7  is properly positioned at its direction change. 
   At the upper end of the two parallel positioned and equally formed arms  24  a u-bolt  24  is pivoted, which carries a tension pulley  35  for the rescue rope  7 . It is positioned free pivoted on an axle  36 , whose ends are connected to the free ends of the parallel shanks  37 ,  38  of the u-bolt  34 . The u-bolt  34  is pivoted by a cross bar  39  connecting the shanks  37 ,  38  at the free ends of the arms  24  with a catch or (spring-) force tension. The tension pulley  35  is positioned freely rotatable on the axle  36  and is provided with a circumferential groove  40 , through which the rescue rope  7  runs. 
   On the support plate  21  a carrier  41  is fixed upwardly, which carries a free pivoted deflection pulley  42  for the rescue rope  7  at its free end. 
   As  FIG. 5  shows, one of the strands of the rescue rope  7  is deflected by up to 90° at the tension pulley  35  towards the deflection pulley  42 . At the deflection pulley  42  the strands is deflected by 90° downwards in the sleeve  23 . At the axle  25 , which is distant positioned underneath the support plate  21 , the rescue rope  7  is redirected by 180° upwards in a way that it runs upwards through the sleeve  22  towards the winding device  6 . 
   Since the rescue rope  7  is formed to circulate unendingly, people can be rescued with it in the operating position of the rescue device from building  1  in a way yet to be described, whereas the number of people who are to be rescued is not limited to the length of the rescue rope  7 . 
   To keep enough tension of the rescue rope  7 , the u-bolt  34  is advantageously burdened towards the tension position. It is also possible to fix the u-bolt  34  rigidly on the upper ends of the arms  24 , so that the u-bolt  34  can not pivot towards the arms  24 . In this case an adjustment of the tension force is not possible. 
   The length of the rescue rope  7  is chosen in a way that, in a completely unwound condition, it ranges from the winding device  6  so far towards the ground  30 , that the deflection unit  9  can be connected with the power equipment  29  in the described manner. 
   The rescue rope  7  consists of a fireproof and fail-safe material such as high-temperature steel and the like. The heat resistance of the rescue rope  7  is advantageous, when people are to be rescued from a building  1  on fire. It is then guaranteed that the rescue rope  7  can fulfil its function reliably. The rescue rope  7  is so flexible formed that it can be redirected on the different pulleys  8 ,  25 ,  42   35  and be wound up on the winding device  6 . It can also be formed as a chain. 
   As  FIG. 3  shows, the rescue rope  7  is provided with enlargements  43  throughout its length, advantageously in equal distance from each other. They are rigidly connected with the rescue rope  7  and serve as slipping protection for the people who are hooked into the rescue rope  7 . 
   The people who are to be rescued from the building  1  are provided with a safety belt  44  (FIG.  8 ), which is kept easily accessible for the people in the building  1  in case of an emergency. The rescue belt  44  is provided with a snap-hook  45 , which can be hooked into the rescue rope  7  in the area between two enlargements  43 . The snap-hook  45  has an extended insertion ending  46  so that the snap-hook  45  can be hooked into the rescue rope quickly and reliably also in case of an emergency. The safety catch  47  prevents that the snap-hook  45  is unintentionally loosened from the rescue rope  7  during a rescue operation. 
   The axle  25  is, as  FIG. 7  shows, provided with partly circular recesses  48  on the circumference in the area, in which it is entwined by the rescue rope  7 . The recesses  48  are adapted to the circumference form of the enlargements  43  of the rescue rope  7 . The rescue rope  7  thereby engages with the recesses  48  of the axle  25  when it is deflected at the axle  25 . This form fit between the axle  25  and the rescue rope  7  ensures that the rescue rope  7  is properly rotary driven. The other pulleys and shafts, through which the rescue rope  7  is guided, are also provided with corresponding intakes for the enlargements  43 . 
   If an emergency occurs in building  1 , e.g. a fire, the rescue device is advantageously put into operation automatically. Naturally, it is also possible to switch on the rescue device by hand. First of all the drive unit  4  runs out of its starting position according to  FIG. 1  along the guide way  5  into the operating position according to FIG.  2 . Since the guide way  5  runs inclined in the embodiment, it changes over to a horizontal section  5   a  at its lower end. Thereby is achieved that the drive unit  4  in the operating position is reliably supported on the carrier  3  according to FIG.  2 . The drive unit  4  surmounts above the exterior of the building  1  in the operating position according to  FIG. 2 , so that the rescue rope  7  can be reliably unwound. Advantageously, the driving shaft  10  is circulating in the winding-off direction by itself when the drive unit  4  has reached its operating position according to FIG.  2 . However, it is also possible to switch on the driving shaft  10  separately. The guide pulleys  8 , which are positioned along a circular arc, and between which the rescue rope  7  is led, ensure that the rescue rope  7  is distant enough from the facade  20  of the building  1 , when it is let down from the roof  2  of the building. Since the rescue rope  7  carries the deflection unit  9 , the rescue rope  7  can be unwound reliably. As soon as the deflection unit  9  is let down to the ground  30 , it is connected to the power equipment  29  placed there. From now on the rescue rope  7  can be driven by the drive unit  4  as well as by the power equipment  29 . The two drives are synchronized with each other so that the rescue rope is properly circulated. However, it is also possible to only unwind the rescue rope  7  initially with the drive unit  4  and to circulate it then. The power equipment  29  is at disposal as a substitution drive, in case the drive for the driving shaft  10  in the driving unit  4  should fail. It is also possible to operate the drive through the power equipment  29  alone. The power for the power equipment  29  can be supplied by an emergency backup generator, as they are at disposal in e.g. fire trucks. The rescue rope  7  is positioned with such a distance to the building facade  20  that people at risk in building  1  can comfortably reach the rescue rope  7  and can, after having put on the rescue belt  44 , hook into the rescue rope  7  with the snap-hook  45 . Thanks to the enlargements  43  in the rescue rope  7 , which are broader than the lead-through opening  50  ( FIG. 8 ) of the snap-hook  45 , it is ensured that the person hooked into the rescue rope  7  does not slip downwards along the rescue rope  7 , but remains between the enlargements  43  of the rescue rope  7 . Since the rescue rope is formed to circulate unendingly, the person who is to be rescued is reliably transported downwards. The endless circulation of the rescue rope  7  has above all the advantage that the people who are to be rescued can be hooked into the rescue rope  7  in the described manner. Thereby, a major amount of people can be reliably rescued from the building  1  within the shortest period of time. The people can reach the rescue rope  7  from each floor through the respective window and hook into it. 
   Thanks to the enlargements  43  it is prevented that the people hanging in the rescue rope  7  interfere with each other. The distance between the enlargements  43  is only so big that the persons who are to be rescued can hook the snap-hook  43  easily and quickly into the rescue rope  7 . Due to the respectively small distance between the enlargements  43  it is guaranteed that the persons who are to be rescued can hook into the rescue rope  7  at almost any spot, so that they can be rescued from the building through the rescue rope  7  within the shortest period of time. 
   Naturally, it is also possible to have several rescue devices positioned on the roof  2  of the building  1 , so that enough rescue devices and corresponding rescue ropes  7  are at disposal to rescue a major amount of people from the building  1  within the shortest period of time in case of an emergency. The rescue devices are positioned in such a manner that the people who are to be rescued can reach the rescue ropes  7  through the windows  49  of the building. 
     FIG. 9  shows an embodiment in which the drive unit  4  is stationary positioned on the roof  2  of the building. The guide pulleys  8  are connected with the drive unit  4  in such a manner that the rescue ropes  7  run in front of the windows  49  of the building with such distance that the people who are to be rescued can easily hook into the rescue rope  7  with the snap-hook  45  of their rescue belt  44 . In contrast to the previous embodiment the rescue rope  7  is wound up on a horizontal drum  51 , which can be rotary driven. In contrast to the previous embodiment the rescue rope  7  is not formed to circulate unendingly. During use, the rescue rope  7  is rather unwound so far away from the drum  51  that it ranges to the ground. At the lower end of the rescue rope  7  a weight can be fixed so that the rescue rope  7  can be unwound reliably. 
   In contrast to the previous embodiment the rescue rope  7  has not got any enlargements. Instead, the rescue belt  44  is provided with a (not illustrated) hook, with which the person who is to be rescued can hook into the rescue rope  7  in such a manner that the hook does not slip down along the rescue rope  7 . Such hooks are known e.g. for mountain climbing and are therefore not specified. These hooks have a rope brake which can be operated by the person who is to be rescued in order to slip downwards along the rescue rope  7  with a lower or also higher speed. 
   The  FIGS. 10 and 11  show the possibility to use the rescue device also for such buildings, which have a front building  52  in the front window area. To be able to unwind the rescue rope  7  downwards from the roof  2  of the building  1  also in this case, the two strands of the rescue rope  7  are guided in channels  53 ,  54 , which are placed directly beside the windows  49  in the wall  55  of the building. The channel  53  has a circular transverse section and can be formed through a pipe integrated in the wall  55  of the building. The other channel  54  is limited by a c-profile  56 , which is integrated in the wall  55  of the building and surmounts the top of the building  1 . The c-profile is positioned close to the window  49  and has got shanks  58 ,  59  in the exterior  57  of the wall  55  of the building, which are positioned aligned with each other, and between whose ends an inlet opening  60  limits, behind which the strands of the rescue rope  7  running downwards is situated. Above this inlet opening  60  the rescue belt  64  can be hooked into the rescue rope  7 . 
   In channel  54  there are positioning elements  61 ,  62 , which fit to the rescue rope  7  with the force of at least one pressure spring  63 ,  64 . Advantageously, several such positioning elements  61 ,  62  are provided throughout the height of the strands of the rescue rope  7  running downwards. It is possible to form this positioning device so that the contact pressure of the positioning elements  61 ,  62  can be adjusted. The power equipment  29  applies a braking force so that the rescue rope  7  does not move downwards too quickly. Thus, it is ensured that the rescue rope  7  is not displaced downwards too quickly in case of an emergency. 
   The inlet opening  60  is provided so close to the window  49  that the people who are to be rescued can comfortably hook the span-hook  45  of their rescue belt  44  into the strands running downwards of the rescue rope  7 . 
     FIGS. 12 and 13  show the possibility to design the rescue rope  7  as part of a block and tackle  65 , with which people who are hooked into the rescue rope  7  can be rescued from buildings with little effort. In the embodiment the block and tackle  65  has got two fixed pulleys  66 ,  67  as well as two loose pulleys  68  and  69 . Naturally, the block and tackle can also have another form. Such a form is appropriate for lower buildings. 
     FIGS. 14  to  19  show a rescue device whose rescue rope  7  is formed to circulate unendingly and is positioned on a level vertical to the exterior  80  of the wall  55  of the building. In the upper area of the building the rescue rope  7  is guided over a sheave  70 , which is provided with recesses  71  at the circumference. They are uniformly distributed throughout the circumference of the sheave  70  and adapted to the contour form of the enlargements  43  of the rescue rope  7 . When the rescue rope  7  is circulated, the enlargements  43  attain the recesses  71  so that the rescue rope  7  is reliably picked up at the upper deflection area of the sheave  70 . To prevent the enlargements  43  to fall out of the recesses  71  of the sheave  70  in the deflection area, the sheave is surrounded by a cover  72  at its upper half, whose distance from the sheave  70  is so big that the enlargements  43  can not be loosened from the recesses  71 . 
   In the area of the sheave  70  the rescue rope  7  is positioned in a guide  73 , which runs within the wall  55  of the building. The guide  73  is advantageously formed through a pipe, which is integrated in the wall  55  of the building. The guide  73  has an inner diameter, which corresponds to the outer diameter of the somewhat ball-shaped formed enlargement  43  (FIGS.  15  and  16 ). Consequently, the enlargements  43  do not only serve to fix the position of the hooked-in people who are to be rescued, but also to guide the rescue rope  7  at its circulation. The interior of the guide  73  and/or the enlargement  43  consist of a low-frictional material so that the circulation of the rescue rope  7  is reliably guaranteed. 
   Instead of using pipes to form the guide  73 , it is for example also possible to provide the inner wall  74  of the channel  53  in the wall  55  of the building with a corresponding low-frictional coating. 
   To enable the people who are to be rescued to hook into the rescue rope  7  with their rescue belt  44  (FIG.  15 ), an inlet port  75  ( FIG. 18 ) is provided in the area of each window of the building close to which the rescue rope  7  runs. The person who is to be rescued can therefore hook into the inlet port  75  inside the room after having put on the rescue belt  44 . The rescue belt  44  is for this reason designed with a stiff belt part  76 , on which free ends a retaining element  77  is positioned, which is ball-shaped formed in the embodiment. If the person who is to be rescued is, as for example illustrated in  FIG. 15 , hooked into the rescue rope  7 , the retaining element  77  bears on the enlargement  43  of the rescue rope  7  under the weight pressure of the person who is to be rescued. Since the diameter of the enlargement  43  corresponds to the inner diameter of the guide  73  it is prevented that the retaining element  77  can slip through downwards between the enlargement  43  and the inner wall of the guide  73 . Therefore, the person is hanging safely in the rescue rope  7  throughout the rescue operation. Though the belt part  76  is dimensionally stable, it can be bent elastically so that the retaining element  77  can simply be merged in via the inlet port  75  in a way yet to be described. Naturally, the belt part  76  can also be flexible formed, for example with a webbing part or the like. 
   The inlet area  75  ( FIGS. 17 and 18 ) has an inlet channel  78 , which is positioned inside of the room of the building and for example runs horizontally. In the room the people who are to be rescued can simply merge into the inlet channel  78  with their belt part  76 . It is open at its free end and provided with a slot  79  throughout its length, whose width is smaller than the diameter of the retaining element  77 . The rescue belt  44  is merged into the inlet channel  78  in such a manner that the retaining element  77  is positioned within the inlet channel  78  and the belt part  76 , which shall be connected to the retaining element  77 , surmounts outwards through the slot  79 . As soon as the person who is to be rescued has merged her rescue belt  44 , she is protected from detaching. The inlet channel  78  runs out of the room outwards through the window opening. The inlet channel  78  is bent off at the area close to the window opening in such a way that it connects to the exterior  80  of the wall  55  of the building. In the connection area of the inlet channel  78  a merging channel  81  running inclined downwards ends, which is positioned in the wall  55  of the building and leads to the vertical guide  73 . To enable the belt part  76  to always reach to the outside, the merging channel  81  as well as the guide  73  is provided with a continuous slot  82  along its respective length, which ranges to the exterior  80  of the wall  55  of the building and whose width is smaller than the diameter of the retaining element  77 . In the merging channel  81  running inclined downwards, the retaining element  77  slips into the guide  73  effortlessly. 
   Since the rescue device can be accessed inside the room of the building, the merging procedure can be effortlessly implemented by the people who are to be rescued also in case of an emergency. Since they are safely connected with the inlet channel  78  after the merging procedure, there is no risk that the person who is to be rescued can be unintentionally released from the merging channel  81 . 
   As  FIG. 15  schematic shows the person who is to be rescued can rest with the legs on the exterior  80  of the wall  55  of the building throughout the rescue operation. 
   As soon as the person who is to be rescued gets to a discharging area  83  (FIG.  19 ), the rescue belt  44  of this person is released automatically. The discharging area  83  is placed in the area of the lower direction change of the rescue rope  7 . In this area the direction change of the rescue rope takes place because the guide  73  has got a corresponding course. The discharging area  83  has a discharging channel  84 , which runs inclined downwards and ranges until the exterior  80  of the wall  55  of the building, and which has got such a transverse section that the retaining element  77  and the belt part  76  can slop to the outside. The transverse section of the discharging channel  84  is very small compared to the enlargement  43 , so there is no risk for the enlargement  43  to get stuck in the discharging channel  84 . The orifice of the discharging channel  84  is positioned near the ground so that the people can rest on the ground after being discharged. 
   The enlargements  43  have such a distance from each other along the rescue rope  7  ( FIG. 14 ) that the people hanging on the enlargements  43  do not interfere with each other. 
   It is possible, as  FIG. 14  shows, that several people are held at one enlargement  43  of the rescue rope  7 . In this case, the retaining elements  77  of the rescue belts  44  rest directly on each other, whereas the lowest retaining element  77  rests on the enlargement  43 . 
   The sheave  70  in the upper redirection area can be rotary driven so that the rescue rope  7  is circulating unendingly. It is also possible to form the rescue device in such a manner that the rescue rope  7  is displaced downwards under the weight of the people hanging on it. 
   The orifice of the discharging channel  84  does not have to be positioned at the ground area. It is offhand possible to position the discharging area  83  at the wall of the building, so that the people who are being discharged through the discharging area  83  get to for example a chute, on which they can slide downwards towards the ground.