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WO1992008032A1 - A collapsible escape ladder - Google Patents

A collapsible escape ladder Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1992008032A1
WO1992008032A1 PCT/GB1990/001657 GB9001657W WO9208032A1 WO 1992008032 A1 WO1992008032 A1 WO 1992008032A1 GB 9001657 W GB9001657 W GB 9001657W WO 9208032 A1 WO9208032 A1 WO 9208032A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rungs
escape ladder
webbing
collapsible
ladder according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1990/001657
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
John Nall
Original Assignee
John Nall
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by John Nall filed Critical John Nall
Publication of WO1992008032A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992008032A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06CLADDERS
    • E06C1/00Ladders in general
    • E06C1/52Ladders in general with non-rigid longitudinal members
    • E06C1/525Ladders in general with non-rigid longitudinal members made of a continuous strip of material
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06CLADDERS
    • E06C1/00Ladders in general
    • E06C1/52Ladders in general with non-rigid longitudinal members
    • E06C1/56Rope or chain ladders
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06CLADDERS
    • E06C9/00Ladders characterised by being permanently attached to fixed structures, e.g. fire escapes
    • E06C9/06Ladders characterised by being permanently attached to fixed structures, e.g. fire escapes movably mounted
    • E06C9/14Ladders characterised by being permanently attached to fixed structures, e.g. fire escapes movably mounted with non-rigid longitudinal members, e.g. rope or chain ladders, ladders of the lazy-tongs type

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION concerns a collapsible escape ladder of the kind which may be folded into a compact form for storage and which may be released to be suspended from, for example, a window opening to permit escape from an upper floor of a building or other elevated position.
  • Conventional rope ladders in which a series of rigid rungs are attached at spaced intervals along a pair of ropes, may be rolled for storage but they still remain bulky, and require a hook or anchor rope at the upper end for attachment to a fixed point when extended for use.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible escape ladder which may be closed up for storage in a very compact form, and including means whereby the ladder may be instantly and removably located against, for example, the sides of a window opening with simultaneous release of the ladder to an extended condition.
  • a collapsible escape ladder comprises a series of rigid rungs with their end regions attached at spaced positions along a pair of foldable longitudinal members such that the rungs may be closed together in parallel relationship for storage, or separated for use by permitting the longitudinal members to assume an unfolded condition, characterised by at least one retaining member adapted to engage and maintain the rungs in the closed condition and at least one anchor member at the top of the ladder, movable to extend outwardly beyond the sides of the ladder to be disposed generally horizontally for location against the sides of, for example, an upper floor window opening, to enable the ladder to be suspended therefrom.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible escape ladder made in accordance with the invention, in a folded or storage condition;
  • Fig. 2a is a perspective view of an upper part of the ladder shown in a partly unfolded condition
  • Figs. 2b & 2c are cross-section and
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the upper region of the ladder in an open condition ready for use
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view taken from the inside of a window opening, and showing the top of the ladder anchored thereat.
  • a set of such rungs 12 are attached together at spaced positions along a pair of vertical webbing strips 13.
  • each webbing strip 13 passes through a slot 14 in the upper end region of each rung 12, and immediately beneath the slot the webbing is formed into a loop 15 as can be seen from Fig. 2c through which passes a retaining rod 16 contained within the channel on the underside of the rung.
  • the rod 16 is prevented from dislodgement by the
  • the inturned edges of the channel sectioned rungs may be upturned in the end regions, as illustrated at 17 in Fig. 2b.
  • webbing 13 may be provided as two separate parallel strips each passing down one side of the ladder, ' it may instead be a single strip which passes under the lowermost rung 12.
  • a pair of channel sectioned arms 18 of aluminium Pivotally attached to the end regions of the top member 10 are a pair of channel sectioned arms 18 of aluminium. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the arms 18, when pivoted downwardly, partially enclose the end regions of the rungs 12 in their folded condition.
  • Pivotally attached to the end regions of the bottom rung 12 are a pair of channel sectioned extension arms 19 one at each side of the ladder, which together with arms 18, retain the rungs 12 in their folded or collapsed condition. Pins (not shown) or other similar means may be used to retain arms 18 and 19 attached until the ladder is required for use.
  • Bracket 20 Extending upwardly at right angles from top member 10 is a bracket 20 to which is adjustably bolted a hook-like member 21 for a purpose to be described.
  • a ladder of some 6 metres or more may be reduced to a compact height of less than one metre, and so may be stowed in a cupboard ready for use.
  • extension arms 19 and arms 18 are separated and arms 18 are pivoted outwardly to be generally aligned with and extending transversely from top member 10 as illustrated at the top of Fig.
  • the rungs 12 may be passed outwardly through the opening and dropped away to assume a fully open and operative condition with the webbing 13 fully extended and the entire ladder suspended on the cables
  • cables 1 1 may be replaced by an extended length of the webbing 1 3
  • arms 1 8 may be sufficiently long to extend to the bottom of the folded ladder .
  • I t is however preferable to split the arms with extensions 1 9 so that, as can be seen in Fig. 3 , the arms may be short enough to be accommodated close to the edge of a window recess .
  • the continuous or semi-continuous webbing 13 forming the longitudinal side members of the ladder may be replaced by a series of hinged aluminium strips pivotally attached to each rung and adapted to fold inwardly between the rungs when the ladder is collapsed .
  • the entire structure may be retained in a folded condition by a webbing strap or straps which pass around at least a part of the folde structure and are removably held together and or attached to the ladder by a quick release catch .
  • the anchor members or arms 1 8 may be

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ladders (AREA)

Abstract

A collapsible escape ladder comprising a series of rigid rungs (12) which are joined together at spaced positions along a pair of outer vertical webbing strips (13), the rungs being connected to the strips by a series of spaced rods (16) located within webbing loops (15) in the end regions of the rungs (12). The webbing (13) passes through slots (14) in the end regions of the rungs. The assembly is retained in a folded condition by pivoted arms (18) with extension arms (19), and the arms (18) may be pivoted outwardly for location against the sides of an upper floor window opening to enable the latter to be suspended therefrom. A top member (10) is further retained by an adjustable hook-like member (21) which locates over the inner edge of an interior window sill.

Description

A C -LAPSI-aLE ESCAPE -LADDER
THIS INVENTION concerns a collapsible escape ladder of the kind which may be folded into a compact form for storage and which may be released to be suspended from, for example, a window opening to permit escape from an upper floor of a building or other elevated position.
Conventional rope ladders in which a series of rigid rungs are attached at spaced intervals along a pair of ropes, may be rolled for storage but they still remain bulky, and require a hook or anchor rope at the upper end for attachment to a fixed point when extended for use.
An object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible escape ladder which may be closed up for storage in a very compact form, and including means whereby the ladder may be instantly and removably located against, for example, the sides of a window opening with simultaneous release of the ladder to an extended condition.
According to the present invention a collapsible escape ladder comprises a series of rigid rungs with their end regions attached at spaced positions along a pair of foldable longitudinal members such that the rungs may be closed together in parallel relationship for storage, or separated for use by permitting the longitudinal members to assume an unfolded condition, characterised by at least one retaining member adapted to engage and maintain the rungs in the closed condition and at least one anchor member at the top of the ladder, movable to extend outwardly beyond the sides of the ladder to be disposed generally horizontally for location against the sides of, for example, an upper floor window opening, to enable the ladder to be suspended therefrom.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible escape ladder made in accordance with the invention, in a folded or storage condition;
Fig. 2a is a perspective view of an upper part of the ladder shown in a partly unfolded condition;
Figs. 2b & 2c are cross-section and
SUBSTITUTE SHEET perspective views respectively of the end region construction of the latter rungs;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the upper region of the ladder in an open condition ready for use;
and Fig. 4 is a perspective view taken from the inside of a window opening, and showing the top of the ladder anchored thereat.
Referring now to the drawings, a collapsible escape ladder made in accordance with the invention comprises a rigid top member 10 which may be of channel sectioned aluminium, to which is attached a pair of steel cables 11. To the other end of cables 11 is attached a first (top) rung 12 also of channel sectioned aluminium.
A set of such rungs 12 are attached together at spaced positions along a pair of vertical webbing strips 13. As can be seen from Figs. 2a to 2c each webbing strip 13 passes through a slot 14 in the upper end region of each rung 12, and immediately beneath the slot the webbing is formed into a loop 15 as can be seen from Fig. 2c through which passes a retaining rod 16 contained within the channel on the underside of the rung. The rod 16 is prevented from dislodgement by the
SHEET - A -
webbing 13 passing through slot 14 and by the closed loop 15 of the webbing. However, to provide further assurance that the rod 16 cannot escape from the end of the rung, particularly when the ladder is folded, the inturned edges of the channel sectioned rungs may be upturned in the end regions, as illustrated at 17 in Fig. 2b.
Whilst the webbing 13 may be provided as two separate parallel strips each passing down one side of the ladder,' it may instead be a single strip which passes under the lowermost rung 12.
Pivotally attached to the end regions of the top member 10 are a pair of channel sectioned arms 18 of aluminium. As can be seen from Fig. 1, the arms 18, when pivoted downwardly, partially enclose the end regions of the rungs 12 in their folded condition.
Pivotally attached to the end regions of the bottom rung 12 are a pair of channel sectioned extension arms 19 one at each side of the ladder, which together with arms 18, retain the rungs 12 in their folded or collapsed condition. Pins (not shown) or other similar means may be used to retain arms 18 and 19 attached until the ladder is required for use.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET Extending upwardly at right angles from top member 10 is a bracket 20 to which is adjustably bolted a hook-like member 21 for a purpose to be described.
In the stowed or folded condition as illustrated in Fig. 1 a ladder of some 6 metres or more may be reduced to a compact height of less than one metre, and so may be stowed in a cupboard ready for use.
When required for use, extension arms 19 and arms 18 are separated and arms 18 are pivoted outwardly to be generally aligned with and extending transversely from top member 10 as illustrated at the top of Fig.
2a. As can be seen from Figs. 3 and 4, the top member
10 can then be located at the edge of an open window with the arms 18 extending outwardly inside the window frame thus preventing the member 10 from passing outwardly through the opening, and with the hook-like member 21 extending over the inner edge of the interior window sill. Thus the arms 18 and hook member 21 serve together to prevent the top member 10 from passing outwardly through the window opening. As can be seen from Fig. 4, with the top member 10 anchored to the window frame, the rungs 12 may be passed outwardly through the opening and dropped away to assume a fully open and operative condition with the webbing 13 fully extended and the entire ladder suspended on the cables
HEET 1 1
In this condition, there is provided a secure escape ladder which may be re-folded to its collapsed condition after use .
It is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only. For example, cables 1 1 may be replaced by an extended length of the webbing 1 3 , whilst arms 1 8 may be sufficiently long to extend to the bottom of the folded ladder . I t is however preferable to split the arms with extensions 1 9 so that, as can be seen in Fig. 3 , the arms may be short enough to be accommodated close to the edge of a window recess . Furthermore, the continuous or semi-continuous webbing 13 forming the longitudinal side members of the ladder may be replaced by a series of hinged aluminium strips pivotally attached to each rung and adapted to fold inwardly between the rungs when the ladder is collapsed .
Furthermore , the entire structure may be retained in a folded condition by a webbing strap or straps which pass around at least a part of the folde structure and are removably held together and or attached to the ladder by a quick release catch . In this case , the anchor members or arms 1 8 may be
SUBSTITUTE SHEET telescopically or otherwise extendible from the top member 10.
It will be appreciated that the adjustable attachment of hook-like member 21 enables it to be adjusted to fit the depth of the interior window sill.

Claims

1. A collapsible escape ladder comprising a series of rigid rungs with their end regions attached at spaced positions along a pair of foldable longitudinal members such that the rungs may be closed 5 together in parallel relationship for storage, or separated for use by permitting the longitudinal members to assume an unfolded condition, characterised by at least one retaining member adapted to engage and maintain the rungs in the closed condition and at least 0 one anchor member at the top of the ladder, movable to extend outwardly beyond the sides of the ladder to be disposed generally horizontally for location against the sides of, for example, an upper floor window opening to enable the ladder to be suspended therefrom.
5 2. A collapsible escape ladder according to Claim 1 , wherein said foldable longitudinal members consist of a pair of lengths of flexible webbing arranged to fold inwardly between the rungs when they are closed together in a folded condition.
203. A collapsible escape ladder according to Claim 2, wherein the rungs are attached at said spaced positions along the webbing by a rod passed through a loop in the webbing at each end of each rung whereby the rung is supported by said rod, and wherein at each
SUBSTITUTESHEET end of each rung the webbing passes through a slot therein immediately above each supporting rod .
4. A collapsible escape ladder according to of Claim 2 or Claim 3 , wherein the webbing is of a fire resistant material .
5. A collaps ible escape ladder according to Claim 1 , wherein the rungs are attached to said at least one anchor member by fire resistant cables .
6. A collapsible escape ladder according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one retaining member is in the form of a pair of pivoted arms movable between positions in which they extend respectively parallel to and perpendicular to said rungs .
7. A collapsible escape ladder according to ciaim 6 , wherein said pivoted arms are of channel section and when perpendicular to said rungs serve to enclose the end regions thereof .
8. A collaps ible escape ladder according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 , including a pair of extension arms pivotally attached to a bottom rung of the ladder at the s ides thereof , and movable to a pos i tion of alignment with said pair of pivoted arms .
9 . A collapsible escape ladder according to any preceding claim, including a top member from which the rungs are suspended , s aid top member havi ng an upstanding bracket to which is adjustably attached a hook-like member capable of engaging the inner free edge of an interior window sill .
10. A collapsible escape ladder according to any preceding claim, wherein said rungs are formed from channel sectioned aluminium.
1 1 . A collapsible escape ladder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings .
SUBSTITUTE SHEET
PCT/GB1990/001657 1989-04-19 1990-10-30 A collapsible escape ladder WO1992008032A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB898908792A GB8908792D0 (en) 1989-04-19 1989-04-19 A collapsible escape ladder

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992008032A1 true WO1992008032A1 (en) 1992-05-14

Family

ID=10655264

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1990/001657 WO1992008032A1 (en) 1989-04-19 1990-10-30 A collapsible escape ladder

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB8908792D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1992008032A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8908792D0 (en) * 1989-04-19 1989-06-07 Nall John A collapsible escape ladder
GB9125120D0 (en) * 1991-11-26 1992-01-22 Bowman George H P A kit for assembly into a ladder
US5628380A (en) * 1995-05-26 1997-05-13 Matisi; Steve Portable fire escape
GB2319285A (en) * 1996-11-14 1998-05-20 John Edward Pritchard Fire escape ladder
US5971105A (en) * 1998-03-26 1999-10-26 Jacobson; Harold Escape ladder
US6279681B1 (en) 1998-05-11 2001-08-28 X-It Products, Llc Collapsible ladder having highly nesting rungs with integral stand-off projections
CN2368969Y (en) * 1998-05-11 2000-03-15 X-It产品责任有限公司 Folding life saving laddle
US6530455B1 (en) 2000-08-11 2003-03-11 Walter Kidde Portable Equipment, Inc. Escape ladder
GB0114781D0 (en) * 2001-06-16 2001-08-08 Melville Aubrey E Ladder
US8191681B2 (en) * 2008-08-19 2012-06-05 Confer Plastics, Inc. A-frame ladder with a tambour gate/barrier

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB719057A (en) * 1950-11-09 1954-11-24 John Patrick Booker Improvements in or relating to portable fire escape ladders
GB2015632A (en) * 1978-03-01 1979-09-12 Kiss A S Collapsible ladder
US4243121A (en) * 1979-09-11 1981-01-06 Kiss Alexander S Web ladder release mechanism
GB2201187A (en) * 1987-02-13 1988-08-24 Malachy John Molloy Fire escape ladder
GB2230813A (en) * 1989-04-19 1990-10-31 John Nall A collapsible escape ladder

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB324671A (en) * 1928-10-31 1930-01-31 William Victor Hutchinson Improvements in and relating to fire escape or general emergency ladders

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB719057A (en) * 1950-11-09 1954-11-24 John Patrick Booker Improvements in or relating to portable fire escape ladders
GB2015632A (en) * 1978-03-01 1979-09-12 Kiss A S Collapsible ladder
US4243121A (en) * 1979-09-11 1981-01-06 Kiss Alexander S Web ladder release mechanism
GB2201187A (en) * 1987-02-13 1988-08-24 Malachy John Molloy Fire escape ladder
GB2230813A (en) * 1989-04-19 1990-10-31 John Nall A collapsible escape ladder

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9008478D0 (en) 1990-06-13
GB2230813A (en) 1990-10-31
GB8908792D0 (en) 1989-06-07

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