WO2003044313A1

WO2003044313A1 - Escape apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2003044313A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/005178
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reginald Arthur Wilcox
Original assignee: Exedor Limited
Priority date: 2001-11-16
Filing date: 2002-11-15
Publication date: 2003-05-30
Also published as: GB2399590B; GB0127500D0; GB2399590A; AU2002339176A1; GB0409916D0

Abstract

Escape apparatus (10) comprising a housing (14) extending outwardly from the building (12). A telescopic ladder (24) is provided which is locatable in the housing (14) in a stored condition but automatically telescopically extends from the housing (14) in an in-use condition to permit escape.

Description

ESCAPE APPARATUS

This invention concerns improvements in or relating to escape apparatus.

In certain situations and particularly when a fire breaks out, it is necessary to make an emergency evacuation from an above ground floor location in a building. If no satisfactory escape apparatus is available then a person may be injured or killed by remaining at the location, or may perhaps be injured or killed in trying to make an escape which may involve jumping or alling a significant height.

According to the present invention there is provided escape apparatus, the apparatus comprising a housing mountable on a building such that access to the housing can be achieved from the building; a ladder, the apparatus being arranged such that the ladder is movable between a stored condition located substantially wholly within the housing, and an in-use condition extending downwardly from the housing to permit a person to escape from the building down the ladder.

The ladder may be automatically movable from the stored condition to the in-use condition, and may be automatically movable when the housing is accessed, for instance when an opening from the building to the housing is opened.

The ladder may comprise a plurality of sections which are preferably telescopically mounted together, and desirably so as to automatically extend generally vertically one from each other by gravity when free to do so.

The ladder may be arranged to automatically move when moving from the stored condition to the in-use condition, from within the housing to extend therefrom. The ladder may be pivotally mounted to the housing to first pivot outwardly therefrom when moving to the in-use condition. The ladder may be arranged to he substantially parallel to the building when in the in-use condition. The ladder preferably automatically moves when unrestrained to the in-use condition. The ladder may comprise an engagement part engageable against a downwardly and outwardly sloping surface in the housing, and the engagement part may comprise a wheel.

The ladder may comprise a foldable handrail. Escape line means may be provided which can be worn by a person descending the ladder.

The apparatus may comprise a platform means which extends generally vertically in the stored condition, and extends generally horizontally in the in- use condition to lead from the building to adjacent the top of the ladder. The apparatus is preferably arranged such that the platform means automatically moves to the in-use condition when the ladder moves to the in-use condition.

The apparatus preferably comprises a safety barrier arrangement movable between a stored condition located within the housing and an in-use condition spaced from the building to prevent a person accidentally falling off the apparatus. The apparatus is preferably arranged such that the safety barrier arrangement automatically moves to the in-use condition when the ladder moves to the in-use condition. The safety barrier arrangement preferably extends upwardly in the in-use condition adjacent the furthest edge of the platform means, and the platform means may retain the safety barrier arrangement in an in-use condition.

One or more external doors are preferably provided on the housing. The or each door preferably opens outwardly when the apparatus is moved to the in- use condition, and the or each door preferably automatically opens upon the apparatus moving to the in-use condition. The safety barrier arrangement may be mounted on the inside of the door or doors, and preferably to lie substantially flat thereagainst when in the stored condition.

The apparatus may be arranged such that upon opening of the external door or doors, the ladder will automatically urge the apparatus to an in-use condition.

An internal door may be provided between the housing and the building. The internal door may be linked to the external door or doors such that opening of the internal door automatically causes opening of the external door or doors.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a building fitted with a first apparatus according to the present invention in a stored condition;

Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1, but with the apparatus in an in-use condition;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic part cut-away perspective view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in an in-use condition;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a component of the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view from inside the building of Fig. 1 showing part of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in use;

Figs. 7A, 7B and 7C are respectively diagrammatic plan views of part of the apparatus of Fig. 1 moving from a stored condition to an in-use condition; and

Figs. 8A, 8B and 8C are respectively diagrammatic plan views of a further part of a second apparatus according to the invention, moving from a stored condition to an in-use condition.

Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings show escape apparatus 10 suitable for escaping from a first floor of a building 12 in the instance for example of a fire as shown in Fig. 2. The apparatus comprises a housing 14 (Fig. 5) which extends outwardly from the building 12. On the inner side of the housing 14 a conventional door (not shown) is provided. On the external side of the housing 14 a pair of external doors 16 are provided. A safety barrier arrangement 18 is provided on the inside of the doors 16, which when the doors 16 are opened (Fig. 7C) provide a barrier spaced from the building 12. The arrangement 18 comprises two side panels 20 pivotally mounted at one end each to a respective external door 16 on the inside thereof and adjacent the free end, and a mid panel 22 pivotally mounted between the side panels 20.

The apparatus 10 includes a ladder 24. As shown the ladder 24 comprises two telescopic parts 26A and B, with the lower part 26B slidably movable on the upper part 26 A. The top of the ladder 24 is mounted by a cantilever arm 28 to a vertically extending bar 30. The arm 28 is slidably and pivotally mounted on the bar 30. A wheel 32 is provided on the lower edge of a one of the stems of the telescopic part 26B, and is engageable against an inclined surface 34 located in the floor of the housing 14. The inclined surface 34 extends downwardly and outwardly. When stored the wheel 32 locates on the surface 34.

The apparatus 10 also comprises a platform 36. The platform 36 is pivotally mounted about a horizontal bar 38 located at the interior edge of the housing 14. In a stored condition the platform 36 extends generally vertically within the housing 14, but in an in-use condition the platform 36 extends horizontally across and outwardly from the housing 14 as shown in Fig. 6.

In use in the conventional stored condition, the platform 36 extends generally vertically and the ladder 24 is located within the housing 14 with the wheel 32 resting on the surface 34, with the arm 28 located on an upper part of the bar 30 and the two parts 26A and B telescoped together. To operate the apparatus 10 the internal door is opened which provides a connection via a linkage 40 to the external doors 16 to unlock them. Once the doors 16 are unlocked the ladder 24 will by virtue of gravity urge the doors 16 open as the wheel 32 travels down the inclined surface 34.

As the wheel 32 travels down the surface 34 the ladder 24 will pivot round to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and once the wheel 32 is clear of the surface 34 the arm 28 can drop down the bar 30, and the telescopic part 26B can drop from the part 26 A. With the external doors 16 open the safety barrier arrangement 18 will automatically move to the condition shown in Fig. 7C. The platform 36 will drop down to the position shown in Fig. 6, and in so doing so will support the arrangement 18 in an in-use condition. A person can then walk across the platform 36 and climb down the ladder 24, with the arrangement 18 preventing a person from ranning across the platform 36 and dropping off the end thereof.

Figs. 8A to 8C show a further escape apparatus 40, which is similar to the apparatus 10 except as indicated below. The apparatus 40 locates in a space in a wall 42 of the building. The apparatus 40 comprises a four part telescopic ladder 44. In this instance the inclined surface 34 is located closer to the vertically extending pivot bar 30. The wheel 32 is provided on the bottom of the ladder 44 at an appropriate position to run down the surface 34.

There is thus described safety apparatus which automatically moves to an in-use condition upon opening of the internal door. The apparatus is safe to use in that the safety barrier arrangement provides support for a user prior to climbing down the ladder. When not in use the apparatus is relatively compact and can be decorated to be unobtrusive. The apparatus is of relatively straightforward construction and only requires gravity to bring to an in-use condition. Accordingly, the apparatus can work effectively having been out of use for a considerable period. The apparatus can be inexpensively and robustly manufactured. Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the ladder may comprise more than two parts. The external doors could be arranged differently. A folding handrail could be provided on the ladder. Safety line means could be provided, perhaps with an inertia arrangement, to be worn by a person descending the apparatus.

A light may be provided in the housing, and which preferably automatically illuminates when the housing is accessed. A horn or other alarm may be provided which sounds automatically when the housing is accessed. A battery with a triple charge may be provided to ensure the light and/or alarm are powered even if the electricity supply is cut off.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. Escape apparatus, the apparatus comprising a housing moun table on a building such that access to the housing can be achieved from the building, and a ladder, the apparatus being arranged such that the ladder is movable between a stored condition located substantially wholly within the housing, and an in- use condition extending downwardly from the housing to permit a person to escape from the building down the ladder.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ladder is automatically movable from the stored condition to the in-use condition.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ladder is automatically movable from the stored condition to the in-use condition when the housing is accessed.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ladder is automatically movable from the stored condition to the in-use condition when the housing is accessed by an opening from the building to the housing being opened.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ladder comprises a plurality of sections.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ladder sections are telescopically mounted together.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the ladder sections are telescopically mounted together so as to automatically extend generally vertically one from each other by gravity when free to do so.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ladder is arranged to automatically move when moving from the stored condition to the in-use condition, from within the housing to extend therefrom.

9. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ladder is pivotally mounted to the housing to first pivot outwardly therefrom when moving to the in-use condition.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the ladder is arranged to lie substantially parallel to the building when in the in-use condition.

11. Apparatus according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the ladder automatically moves when unrestrained to the in-use condition.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the ladder comprises an engagement part engageable against a downwardly and outwardly sloping surface in the housing.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the engagement part comprises a wheel.

14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ladder comprises a f oldable handrail.

15. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which escape line means is provided which can be worn by a person descending the ladder.

16. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus comprises a platform means which extends generally vertically in the stored condition, and extends generally horizontally in the in-use condition to lead from the building to adjacent the top of the ladder.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the platform means automatically moves to the in-use condition when the ladder moves to the in-use condition.

18. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus comprises a safety barrier arrangement movable between a stored condition located within the housing and an in-use condition spaced from the building to prevent a person accidentally falling off the apparatus.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that the safety barrier arrangement automatically moves to the in-use condition when the ladder moves to the in-use condition.

20. Apparatus according to claims 18 or 19 when dependent on claims 16 or 17, wherein the safety barrier arrangement extends upwardly in the in-use condition adjacent the furthest edge of the platform means.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the platform means retains the safety barrier arrangement in an in-use condition.

22. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one or more external doors are provided on the housing.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the or each door opens outwardly when the apparatus is moved to the in-use condition.

24. Apparatus according to claims 22 or 23, wherein the or each door automatically opens upon the apparatus moving to the in-use condition.

25. Apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 24 when dependent on any of claims 18 to 21, wherein the safety barrier arrangement is mounted on the inside of the door or doors.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the safety barrier arrangement is mounted to he substantially flat against the door or doors when in the stored condition.

27. Apparatus according to any of claims 22 to 26, wherein the apparatus is arranged such that upon opening of the external door or doors, the ladder will automatically urge the apparatus to an in-use condition.

28. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an internal door is provided between the housing and the building.

29. Apparatus according to claim 28 when dependent on any of claims 22 to 27, wherein the internal door is linked to the external door or doors such that opening of the internal door automatically causes opening of the external door or doors.

30. Escape apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 - 7 of the accompanying drawings.

31. Escape apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings.

32. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.