GB2186621A

GB2186621A - Rope ladder device

Info

Publication number: GB2186621A
Application number: GB08603627A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony George Russell; Catherine Mary Simpson Russell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-02-14
Filing date: 1986-02-14
Publication date: 1987-08-19
Also published as: GB8603627D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a rope ladder device which can be used for escaping from a window of an upper storey of a building, the device consisting of a rope ladder 10 having one end secured to a framework 13 which has two spaced apart frames 14 interconnected by transverse bars 15, each frame 14 having divergent limbs 17, 18 and one limb 18 is extended downwardly by a portion 21 which terminates in an inwardly directed portion 22 which in use of the device holds the rope ladder 10 away from support structure, such as a wall of a building, and the framework 13 supports a plate 23 on which is placed a tray 24 in which the free part of the rope ladder 10 is stored. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rope ladder device This invention relates to a rope ladder device and particularly, but not exclusively, to a fire escape rope ladder device for use in escaping through a window of an upper storey of a building.

The term "rope ladder" used throughout this specification is intended to include ladders in which rungs are supported between lengths of chain.

A rope ladder device for escaping from a window of an upper storey of a building usually has one end of the ladder permanently fixed to a fixed structure of the building and in use of the ladder, the free end of the ladder is passed through the open window and is supended from the window sill. This results in the suspended part of the ladder lying close to the outside of the building and it is very difficult for a person to climb down the ladder because the rungs are close to the building, making it difficult to place a foot on a rung.

The ladder is usually permanently fixed to the floor or wall in the region of the window and therefore the ladder, when not in use, has to be stored at this location thus taking up useful floor space.

According to the present invention there is provided a rope ladder device comprising a rope ladder having one end fixed to a support framework which can be placed into contact with support structure, the support framework comprising two spaced apart frames interconnected by transversely extending bars, each frame consisting of an upper portion having downwardly extending divergent limbs, one of said limbs of each frame being extended downwardly and terminating in an inwardly directed portion which in use of the framework holds the suspended ladder away from the support structure.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rope ladder device according to the present invention in the storage condition; and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the rope ladder device in a position of use.

The rope ladder 10 consists of a rope ladder formed of two lengths of chain 11 interconnected by rungs 12. One end of each chain 11 is secured in any suitable manner to a support framework 13. The support framework 13 comprises two spaced apart frames 14 which are preferably parallel to each other and which are interconnected by transversely extending bars 15. It is to one of these bars 1 5 that the ends of the chains 11 are secured. Each frame 14 has an upper portion 16 having downwardly extending divergent limbs 17 and 18 interconnected by an end portion 19 and by a bar 20. The limb 18 of each frame 14 is extended downwardly by a portion 21 and terminates in an inwardly directed portion 22. The bars 20 have a plate 23 fixed to them which, in the storage condition shown in Fig. 1, supports a tray 24 in which the major part of the rope ladder 10 is stored.

The tray 24 may be formed of plastics material.

In the use of the rope ladder the support framework 13 is placed over support structure, such as the sill 25 of an open window, and the limbs 17 and 18 are jammed over the sill 25 as shown in Fig. 2. The portions 21 and 22 are disposed on the outside of the building and the inwardly directed portions 22 serve to hold the chains 11 away from the outside of the building. The tray 24, in which the major part of the ladder is stored, is thrown out of the open window and the ladder 10 is then suspended from the support framework 13. Because the chains are held away from the building, a person can more easily climb down the ladder 10 to safety.

The support framework 13 and the ladder 10, when not in use, can be stored in any convenient place close to a window and can be placed on a cupboard or shelf so as not to take up useful floor space.

The end portions 19 of the framework 14 also serve as hand grips.

Preferably the support framework 13 is formed from steel tubing.

The distance that the chains 11 are held away from the support structure 25 is preferably 10 inches.

It will be appreciated that the rungs 12 may be bars. It is also possible for the ladder 10 to comprise a conventional rope ladder.

A rope ladder device in accordance with the present invention can be used for purposes other than a fire escape device. For example, it can be used on board a ship to enable a person to climb up or down the side of the ship.

1. A rope ladder device, comprising a rope ladder having one end fixed to a support framework which can be placed into contact with support structure, the support framework comprising two spaced apart frames interconnected by transversely extending bars, each frame having downwardly extending divergent limbs, one of said limbs of each frame being extended further downwardly and terminating in an inwardly directed portion which in use of the framework holds the suspended ladder away from the support structure.

2. A rope ladder device as claimed in claim 1, in which the rope ladder is connected to one of the interconnecting bars.

3. A rope ladder device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the framework is pro

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Rope ladder device This invention relates to a rope ladder device and particularly, but not exclusively, to a fire escape rope ladder device for use in escaping through a window of an upper storey of a building. The term "rope ladder" used throughout this specification is intended to include ladders in which rungs are supported between lengths of chain. A rope ladder device for escaping from a window of an upper storey of a building usually has one end of the ladder permanently fixed to a fixed structure of the building and in use of the ladder, the free end of the ladder is passed through the open window and is supended from the window sill. This results in the suspended part of the ladder lying close to the outside of the building and it is very difficult for a person to climb down the ladder because the rungs are close to the building, making it difficult to place a foot on a rung. The ladder is usually permanently fixed to the floor or wall in the region of the window and therefore the ladder, when not in use, has to be stored at this location thus taking up useful floor space. According to the present invention there is provided a rope ladder device comprising a rope ladder having one end fixed to a support framework which can be placed into contact with support structure, the support framework comprising two spaced apart frames interconnected by transversely extending bars, each frame consisting of an upper portion having downwardly extending divergent limbs, one of said limbs of each frame being extended downwardly and terminating in an inwardly directed portion which in use of the framework holds the suspended ladder away from the support structure. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rope ladder device according to the present invention in the storage condition; and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the rope ladder device in a position of use. The rope ladder 10 consists of a rope ladder formed of two lengths of chain 11 interconnected by rungs 12. One end of each chain 11 is secured in any suitable manner to a support framework 13. The support framework 13 comprises two spaced apart frames 14 which are preferably parallel to each other and which are interconnected by transversely extending bars 15. It is to one of these bars 1 5 that the ends of the chains 11 are secured. Each frame 14 has an upper portion 16 having downwardly extending divergent limbs 17 and 18 interconnected by an end portion 19 and by a bar 20. The limb 18 of each frame 14 is extended downwardly by a portion 21 and terminates in an inwardly directed portion 22. The bars 20 have a plate 23 fixed to them which, in the storage condition shown in Fig. 1, supports a tray 24 in which the major part of the rope ladder 10 is stored. The tray 24 may be formed of plastics material. In the use of the rope ladder the support framework 13 is placed over support structure, such as the sill 25 of an open window, and the limbs 17 and 18 are jammed over the sill 25 as shown in Fig. 2. The portions 21 and 22 are disposed on the outside of the building and the inwardly directed portions 22 serve to hold the chains 11 away from the outside of the building. The tray 24, in which the major part of the ladder is stored, is thrown out of the open window and the ladder 10 is then suspended from the support framework 13. Because the chains are held away from the building, a person can more easily climb down the ladder 10 to safety. The support framework 13 and the ladder 10, when not in use, can be stored in any convenient place close to a window and can be placed on a cupboard or shelf so as not to take up useful floor space. The end portions 19 of the framework 14 also serve as hand grips. Preferably the support framework 13 is formed from steel tubing. The distance that the chains 11 are held away from the support structure 25 is preferably 10 inches. It will be appreciated that the rungs 12 may be bars. It is also possible for the ladder 10 to comprise a conventional rope ladder. A rope ladder device in accordance with the present invention can be used for purposes other than a fire escape device. For example, it can be used on board a ship to enable a person to climb up or down the side of the ship. CLAIMS

3. A rope ladder device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the framework is pro vided with a plate which is located between the frames and which supports a tray in which the major part of the rope ladder is stored.

4. A rope ladder device as claimed in claim 3, in which the tray is formed of a plastics material.

5. A rope ladder device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the rope ladder comprises two lengths of chain interconnected by rungs.

6. A rope ladder device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the upper end of the divergent limbs of each frame are interconnected by a portion which forms a hand grip.

7. A rope ladder device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.