CA2837943A1

CA2837943A1 - Emergency descent device

Info

Publication number: CA2837943A1
Application number: CA 2837943
Authority: CA
Inventors: Wolf D. Seufert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-12-18
Filing date: 2013-12-18
Publication date: 2014-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-18
Also published as: CA2837943C

Abstract

The present invention relates to an emergency descent device, typically used in buildings. Known descent devices require special skills to operate and the rate of descent cannot be controlled by the user, which drawbacks are solved by the present device. It has a carrier with a parallelogram having two rope guiding wheels and a third wheel in the center of the parallelogram. In operation, the parallelogram is configured to move between an open and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, two springs on either side of the double parallelogram hold the parallelogram in the closed position such that the third wheel contacts one or more brake shoes. In the open position, when a handle, which is operatively connected to the parallelogram, is pulled down, the brake shoes are detached from the third wheel and the parallelogram is able to move freely down the descent rope.

Description

EMERGENCY DESCENT DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to emergency escape systems, more specifically to a device used for rapid and timely escape from a building in an emergency situation such as in case of a fire.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In case of emergency situations such as a fire breaking out in a high-rise building, people can be trapped on floors above the range of the fire department rescue equipment, which can also lead to deaths. In such instances, there is a need for a device to lower a person from the upper floors on the outside of the building to the ground. The device should be simple so that it may be learned in an emergency, should allow rapid and timely exit, should be safe to use, and also accommodate varying ranges of weights apart from meeting many other criterions.

[0003] However, existing means of exit in all high-rise buildings built to current standards give only a small number of occupants the chance for a rapid and timely escape in an emergency situation. In case of a fire, elevators are closed immediately and therefore the only way out of the building is a long descent in dark or dimly lit overcrowded staircases, which are, in case of a fire, mostly filled with smoke and noxious fumes. Outside help is also limited as fire trucks cannot typically provide rescue from heights above the 7th Floor, and helicopters cannot, in most cases, approach a burning building because of the reduced visibility and of the turbulence generated by the heat.

[0004] To solve the above problem, a variety of escape devices have been designed to provide help in emergency situations, some of which include sliding tubes, motorized platforms, pulley systems, and parachutes. In operation, a sliding tube such as a reinforced polymer tube is to be unfurled from a permanent window installation and the user is expected to slide down this tube from great heights. Use of the tube requires anchoring one end of the tube to the ground, which is a time-consuming procedure even if enough space is available. Further, the sliding tubes do not allow a controlled descent and therefore it is not possible to reduce the speed of descent before reaching the ground. Also the speed of descent is not consistent across tubes and the price too, of such a tube, is very high, making it a non-economical solution.

[0005] A motorized platform of about 6x6 m and powered by four turbo engines directed downward is also available as an emergency exit solution, and is expected to develop enough thrust to fly from the ground up the face of a building and then bring about 10 persons down per trip. However, a disadvantage of such a motorized system is that the device has to be brought to the site/building and can rescue only a small number of people at a time.
The platform is also very difficult to maneuver as the thrusts of the four engines in the four corners have to be equalized in order to prevent it from dropping on one side and then start turning for aerodynamic reasons. Also, this mechanism has a very high price.

[0006] Belay and rappel devices, although available, are typically used in sport climbing for controlling a loaded rope by creating friction when the rope is threaded through the device. These devices are designed for use with alpinism ropes and require special skills. For users having no experience in using such devices, their use is dangerous and not recommended.

[0007] Also, pulley systems such as one provided by DoublExit of Ashkelon, Israel, are available. However, such systems are designed for permanent installation and the rate of descent is typically constant at about m/sec and cannot be controlled by the user using the device.

[0008] As regards parachutes, even 'base jumpers', the most experienced parachutists, warn seriously not to use parachutes to escape from a building since the chute's canopy can easily discharge the air trapped in it, for instance on contact with the building's wall, and collapse.

[0009] Due to the problems faced by these known devices, there is a need of a device that allows a rapid and timely escape in an emergency situation. The device should permit to descend on the outside of a building from any height, and also allow the rate of descent to be controlled by the user using it. The device should be easy to transport and deploy, and should also have fire resistant parts, which should not be difficult to assemble and use.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[00010] It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide a device for emergency descent and rapid and timely escape from a building in a situation such as in case of fire.

[00011] It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a device which descends on the outside of a building from any height.

[00012] It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a building descent device, all parts of which are fire resistant.

[00013] It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a building descent device which is easy to transport and deploy.

[00014] It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a building descent device for which a user does not require any help in the deployment thereof or during the use of the device.

[00015] It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a device that safely accommodates individuals weighing up to 150 kg.

[00016] It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a building descent device that does not require any training for and during the descent and is easy to use.

[00017] It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a building descent device, the rate of descent of which can be controlled by the user using it.

[00018] It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a building descent device that is available for several or multiple descents.

[00019] It is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a building descent device which has a long service life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00020] According to the present invention, there is provided an emergency building descent device that allows rapid and timely escape in an emergency situation such as in case of fire. The descent device comprises a carrier with a lower-body harness and is equipped with a brake which permits a controlled descent down a strong fire-proof rope.

[00021] Preferably, the carrier comprises of a double parallelogram having two rope guiding wheels that are positioned geometrically opposite to each other. The parallelogram further comprises of a third wheel, which is in the center of the parallelogram. The descent rope is disposed around these three freely rotating wheels. In operation, the parallelogram is configured in an open and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, two springs on either side of the double parallelogram hold the parallelogram in the said position such that the third wheel contacts one or more brake shoes braking the rope's movement through the device. In the open position, when a handle, which is operatively connected to the parallelogram, is pulled down, the brake shoes are detached from the third wheel and the parallelogram is able to move freely down the descent rope. When the handle is released, the springs pull the parallelogram back into the closed position, thus braking the descent.

[00022] On delivery of the descent apparatus, the free end of the descent rope holding a snap hook is sticking out of the top of the carrier/parallelogram device. It is to be wound around an object that serves as an anchor, such as a piece of furniture, that is sturdy, heavy enough or securely attached to the floor of the building, then clamped to the upper pole of the parallelogram via the snap hook. The piece serving as an anchor should be larger than the egress window opening. The other end of the descent rope protruding from the lowest articulation of the parallelogram and wound on a spindle is thrown out of the window and the rope unrolls. The user on her/his way out of the building then steps into a lower-body. harness hanging off and operatively connected with the carrier/parallelogram, secures it, climbs over the window sill facing the wall, and actuates the handle. As the descent rope passes freely through the carrier, the descent speed is at all times controlled by changing the position of the handle. The brake permits the reduction of the descent speed on approaching the ground and it allows stopping and getting off the device at any opportune moment. As soon as the first occupant safely arrives on the ground and the tension on the upper end of the rope is felt to be reduced, its upper end is taken off the hook, threaded through a second carrier/parallelogram, secured to the departure site again, and the second person descends as described above.

== [00023] The invention as well as its numerous advantages and features will be better understood by reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments made in reference to the appending drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00024] In the appended drawings where like elements are referenced by like reference numerals and in which:
[00025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier descent device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a parallelogram through which a descent rope is threaded and where the parallelogram is held in closed position by two retaining springs;
[00026] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of some of the parts of the carrier of Fig. 1, showing the disposition of the descent rope around guide wheels when the parallelogram is in closed position; and [00027] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of some of the parts of the carrier of Fig. 1, showing the disposition of the descent rope around guide wheels when the parallelogram is in open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00028] The present invention is illustrated in further detail by the following non-limiting examples.
[00029] Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, there is shown a carrier 100 in the form of a double parallelogram operatively coupled to a handle 8 and a descent rope 10. Fig. 1 shows an exterior view of the carrier 100, whereas Fig. 2 shows an interior view of the carrier 100. In an embodiment, the parallelogram is made of articulated steel braces, which hold two rope guiding wheels 1 and 2 that are geometrically opposed to each other. The parallelogram also holds a third guide wheel 3 close to the parallelogram's center. The descent rope 10 is disposed around these three freely rotating wheels 1, 2, and 3 in the manner as shown in the Fig. 2. Two springs 9, as shown in Fig. 1, attached via pins 13 on either side of the double parallelogram hold or bias the parallelogram in a closed position such that the guide wheel 3 contacts brake shoes 4 and 5 for braking the rope's movement through the carrier 100. The articulated braces include at least four articulated arms 20, 21, 22, 23 that define the parallelogram-like configuration.
[00030] In an embodiment, derailing guards 6 and 7, shown in Fig. 2, prevent the descent rope 10 from jumping off the upper and lower guide wheels 1 and 2 respectively. In a preferred embodiment, two small metal pieces or guide leaves (not shown) can be configured to extend laterally beyond the rim of the guide wheel 3 to keep the rope 10 from derailing from the wheel 3. These two guide leaves and/or metal pieces can be attached to horizontal brace or fifth articulated arm 11 in the parallelogram's center, for instance, in a fixed position 15 degrees off the vertical so as not to block contact to the brake shoes 4 and 5. All other possible combinations or configurations to avoid derailing of the rope 10 from the wheel 3 can also be incorporated and would be covered in the scope of the present disclosure.
[00031] Fig. 2 illustrates the parallelogram in a closed position and shows the interior aspects of the carrier 100. As can be clearly seen, the guide wheel 3 and the rope 10 are arrested by brake shoes 4 and 5. One free end of the descent rope 10 first passes around the first guide wheel 1, and then moves onto the third guide wheel 3 in a direction as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, and finally after being wrapped around the third guide wheel 3 moves onto the second guide wheel 2 to give the other free end of the rope 10. The fifth articulated arm 11 has a first end with a slot that is slidably and pivotally mounted on the carrier 100. The third guide wheel 3 is pivotally mounted on a second end of the fifth articulated arm 11 between the first and second guide wheels 1 and 2 for guiding the rope 10. A sixth and seventh articulated arms 24 and 25 are pivotally mounted between the second end of the fifth articulated arm 11 and the opposite ends of the carrier 100. In use, the fifth articulated arm 11 and third guide wheel 3 both move horizontally within the horizontal distance defined by the slot of the fifth articulated arm 11, as the carrier 100 moves between the open and closed positions.
[00032] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the parallelogram in an open position. In this position, the handle 8 is pulled down, because of which force plus the person's weight the springs 9 expand and as a result, the brake shoes 4 and 5 do not contact the guide wheel 3 any longer and the parallelogram is able to move freely down the descent rope 10. When the handle 8 is released, the springs 9 pull the parallelogram back into the closed position of Fig. 2, thus braking the descent. In an embodiment, the speed of descent can be controlled by changing the position of the handle 8, wherein based on the position of the handle 8, the brake shoes 4 and 5 get in touch with the guide wheel 3, which enables increase or decrease in the speed of descent. Further, in another embodiment, in order to obtain a more gradual brake action, the brake shoes 4 and 5 can be installed on convex leaf springs so as to retain a pressure on the guide wheel 3, where the pressure is inversely proportional to the distance of these the leaf springs.
[00033] In an embodiment of the present invention, a standard lower-body harness (not shown) is attached to the carrier 100 at the lowest articulation of the parallelogram. The springs 9 on the parallelogram are chosen such that they hold the parallelogram in the closed position under the weight of the user. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, only when the handle 8 is pulled with a force not exceeding 20 kp (= kilogram-force), do the springs 9 extend sufficiently to open the parallelogram, initiating downward slide. The force threshold for downward movement can be changed at any time by replacing the springs with suitable ones. In another embodiment, an extension (not shown) can also be provided to the handle 8 to add leverage and reduce the pulling force required to open the parallelogram. The springs 9 could be replaced by any suitable biasing device or means for achieving the same function as the springs 9, as persons skilled in the art will understand.
[00034] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the descent rope 10 can be braided from strands of an immensely strong synthetic fiber (polyphthalamide) that is commercially available under the brand name Technora (manufacturer: Teijin Co., Osaka, Japan). Any other rope which preferably possesses the following properties can also be used. Tensile strength of the rope 10 should be around 350 kg/mm2 of its cross-sectional area and thus eight times higher that that of steel. The rope 10 should have a diameter of 4.8 mm and will break only under a load of about 6,000 kg. The rope 10 can be covered with a thin layer of poly-urethane, a coat that protects the rope 10 against abrasion and ultraviolet radiation. The rope should be flexible and stretchable under 10% of its maximum load only by 0.63%. The rope 10 should have high thermal decomposition threshold of 500 C. The rope 10 should not melt or burn but rather enter into an amorphous state beyond this temperature. Fatigue rating of the rope 10 should be very low, meaning that its qualities do not significantly change under long-term loads.
The rope 10 should be very light i.e. 1 m of rope 10 should weigh only about 18 g. 400 m of the rope 10 to descend from a height of 400 m or approximately 100 stories will thus have a total weight of a little more than kg.
[00035] During the operation of descent from a building, the carrier 100 is supplied with a rope 10 having a length enough to descend safely from the height for which it is intended, wherein the rope 10 is threaded through the parallelogram. In an implementation, the upper free end of the rope 10 is wound on a securely installed anchor such as a piece of furniture, e.g. a desk large enough not to pass through the egress window, and it is then attached to the highest articulation of the parallelogram via the snap hook. The end of the rope wound on a spindle is thrown out of the window. A user on her/his way out of the window towards the ground, then steps into the lower-body harness (not shown) hanging off the parallelogram, secures it, climbs over the window sill facing the wall and actuates the handle 8 on the carrier 100.
[00036] In an embodiment, in case the parallelogram does not open under the force applied at the handle 8, the handle's extension, as discussed above, can be pulled out, thereby increasing the mechanical advantage.
[00037] The descent rope 10 passes freely through the carrier 100. In an embodiment of the invention, the descent speed can, at all times, be controlled by changing the position of the handle 8. The brakes 4 and 5 permit the reduction of the descent speed on approaching the ground and allow stopping and getting off the carrier/ lower-body harness at any opportune moment.
[00038] Several users can use the device and the carrier system. As soon as the first user has safely arrived on the ground and the tension on the descent rope 10 upstairs is felt to be reduced, its upper end can be taken off the hook, threaded through a second parallelogram, and secured again through the hook, which enables a second user to descend as described above.
[00039] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A descent device comprising a parallelogram and a descent rope, the parallelogram holding a plurality of guide wheels on which said rope is disposed, wherein at least one of the guide wheels is operatively connected to one or more brake shoes, and wherein a handle operatively connected to the parallelogram controls descent of a user by changing positions of the parallelogram between open and closed positions.

2. The descent device of claim 1, wherein in the closed position of the parallelogram, the at least one guide wheel contacts the one or more brake shoes through one or more springs.

3. The descent device of claim 2, wherein in the open position of the parallelogram, the handle is pressed such that the one or more springs expand and the at least one guide wheel is detached from the one or more brake shoes allowing descent of the user.

4. The descent device of claim 1, wherein there are three guide wheels and two brake shoes, further wherein two of the guide wheels are configured at opposite ends of the parallelogram, and the third guide wheel is positioned at the center of the parallelogram and contacts the two brake shoes in the closed position.

5. The descent device of claim 1, wherein when the handle is pulled, the parallelogram is in the open position, springs connected to the parallelogram are expanded and allow descent of the user on the rope, and when the handle is released, the parallelogram is in the closed position, the springs contract to original position making the at least one of the guide wheels contact the one or more brake shoes, which stops any further descent on the rope.

6. The descent device of claim 1, further comprising one or more derailing guards operatively coupled to the at least one of the guide wheels for preventing the rope from getting disengaged from the at least one of the guide wheels.

7. The descent device of claim 1, wherein a lower-body harness carrying the user is attached to the descent device and holds the parallelogram in closed position until the handle is pressed with a force above a predefined threshold.

8. The descent device of claim 1, wherein the descent rope is made of a strong synthetic fiber comprising polyphthalamide based fiber.

9. The descent device of claim 1, wherein descent speed of the user can be changed and controlled by changing position of the handle.

10. A carrier for an emergency descent from a building comprising a parallelogram, the parallelogram holding a first guide wheel, a second guide wheel, and a third guide wheel, on each of which is disposed a descent rope, wherein the third guide wheel contacts two brake shoes when the parallelogram is in closed position and does not contact the two brake shoes when the parallelogram is in open position, wherein a handle operatively connected to the parallelogram controls the descent of a user by changing positions of the parallelogram between the open and closed positions.

11. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the parallelogram is held in the closed position through a spring in non-expanded position, wherein the spring makes the third guide wheel contact the two brake shoes.

12. The carrier of claim 11, wherein the parallelogram is held in open position when the spring is in expanded position, which detaches the third guide wheel from the two brake shoes.

13. The carrier of claim 12, wherein when the handle is pulled, the spring expands and detaches the third guide wheel from the two brake shoes and allows descent of the user, and when the handle is released, the spring contracts back to original position and makes the third guide wheel contact the two brake shoes stopping the descent of the user.

14. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel are positioned at opposite ends of the parallelogram and the third guide wheel is positioned in center of the parallelogram.

15. The carrier of claim 10, further comprising derailing guards for each of the first guide wheel and the second guide wheel.

16. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the carrier is operatively coupled to a lower-body harness carrying the user and holds the parallelogram in closed position until the handle is pulled by the user with a force above a predefined threshold.

17. The carrier of claim 10, wherein upper end of the rope is hooked at the starting point of descent and lower end of the rope, after being disposed through the first guide wheel, the second guide wheel, and the third guide wheel, is thrown out of the building towards the ground.

18. A descent device comprising:
first, second, third and fourth articulated arms assembled in a parallelogram-like configuration and defining a carrier movable between open and closed positions;
a biasing device for biasing the carrier in the closed position;
first and second guide wheels mounted at opposite ends of the carrier for guiding a rope;
one or more brake shoes mounted on said carrier;
a fifth articulated arm having a first end slidably and pivotally mounted on the carrier;
a third guide wheel pivotally mounted on a second end of the fifth articulated arm between the first and second guide wheels for guiding the rope; and a handle operatively connected to the carrier for controlling descent of a user by changing positions of the carrier between the open and closed positions, wherein at least one of the one or more brake shoes is operatively connectable to one of the guide wheels in the closed position for braking the rope.

19. The descent device of claim 18, wherein the biasing device comprises a spring attached between two opposed articulations of the articulated arms.

20. The descent device of claim 18, wherein the carrier comprises sixth and seventh articulated arms pivotally mounted between the second end of the fifth articulated arm and the opposite ends of the carrier.