This invention relates to fire escape apparatus, and in particular to such apparatus intended to assist the escape from a building in an emergency, for example should the building be on fire and the normal exit from that building be impassable.

Many low-rise buildings (by which term is meant a building having not more than three floors, including the ground floor) have only one staircase. Should there be a fire on that staircase, then people on the first or second floors of the building may not be able to leave the building by the normal route, down the staircase. Fire regulations require the provision of alternative exit routes, but normally only when a building is occupied by more than a certain number of people; such regulations do not always apply to two or three-storey domestic dwellings or small offices.

When fire regulations require there to be an alternative means of escape, a common practice is to provide a rope-ladder which may be lowered from a second or third storey window. However, use of a rope ladder by inexperienced people and under emergency conditions is highly hazardous. It is safer to provide of an external fixed staircase, but either planning

< constraints or lack of space may prohibit the use of this option. In addition, an external fixed staircase gives rise to a security risk, in that it enables easy unauthorised access to the interior of the building, through an upper window.

It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide fire escape apparatus which may be installed relatively easily on a building to allow relatively safe escape from the building under emergency conditions, whilst at the same time not significantly

prejudicing security of the building under ordinary conditions.

According to the. present invention, there is provided fire escape apparatus comprising a first elongate member, means to mount the first elongate member on a wall of a building with the member extending generally vertically and spaced from the wall, a second elongate member mounted on the first said member for sliding movement along the length thereof, and release means arranged, when in use, to hold the second elongate member in a raised position clear of the ground until released, whereafter the second elongate member drops to the ground.

It will be appreciated that the fire escape apparatus of the present invention is intended to be installed on an external wall of a low-rise building (as defined above) with the first elongate member extending generally vertically and immediately adjacent a window on the first or second floor. The second elongate member is arranged for downward sliding movement with respect to the first member, but is normally held in a raised position by said release means. When installed, the lower end of the second elongate member should be adjacent the lower end of the first elongate member and typically said lower ends should be disposed in the region of the floor level for the first storey. In this way, access to the fire escape apparatus by a person outside the building and standing on the ground will be difficult and so such a person may not easily be able to ascend the apparatus, to reach a first floor window.

When the fire escape apparatus of this invention is to be used, the release means is operated to allow the second elongate member to move under gravity towards the ground. Then, a person wishing to escape from the building may climb out of a window adjacent

the apparatus and may slither downwardly, initially on the first elongate member and then on the second member. The means to mount the first elongate member on the side of the building may provide convenient hand-holds and/or foot-rests, especially when the apparatus is used on a three-storey building, so as to allow that person to make a controlled, slow and safe descent.

Although intended for use on a low-rise building, the apparatus of this invention could in fact be used on buildings having many more storeys - perhaps having 5, 6 or even more. The apparatus could provide an adequate means of escape, though there could be psychological problems in persuading people to use it, from the upper floors of relatively high buildings.

Preferably, the first elongate member is tubular, and the second elongate member is mounted within the first elongate member, for sliding movement with respect thereto. The first and second members may be of circular cross-sectional shape, and so arranged with the second member telescoping within the first member.

The mounting means for the first elongate member may comprise at least two arras spaced along the length of that first member and each of which is secured at one end to the first member. The other end of each arm may be provided with a mounting flange whereby the arm may be screwed or bolted to a wall, with the fixings passing through openings in the flange. The length of at least one of the arms may be adjustable, so as to facilitate mounting of the apparatus on the wall with the first member extending generally vertically.

Preferably, the release means comprises a pin mounted on and extending through a wall of the first elongate member and engageable with the second elongate member to block the movement thereof. The pin may be rotatable and be provided with a handle to facilitate

the rotation thereof, the pin being arranged to co-act with a cam surface on the first tubular member, whereby rotation of the pin causes axial movement thereof. Rotation in the correct sense may then move the pin to free its blocking action. In an alternative arrangement, the release means may include a foot plate on a support for the first member, whereby the release means is automatically operated by sufficient pressure on the foot plate. Preferably, means are provided to limit the rate of descent under gravity of the second elongate member when released to move downwardly. For example, a friction arrangement could be provided between the first and second members. Alternatively, and when the first and second members are tubular and arranged with the second member telescoping within the first member, the first member may be closed apart from its lower end where the second member slides therewithin and the second member may be formed as a piston whereby the rate of descent is limited by the rate at which air may enter the space between the piston and the interior of the first elongate member.

At least the second elongate member may be formed of a plastics material tube, so as to have a relatively light weight. In the alternative, if formed of a metal, a spring may be arranged between the first and second elongate members, which spring is extended as the second elongate member moves downwardly away from the first said member. Such a spring will serve to limit the rate of descent of the second member and moreover will assist the raising of the second member back to its initial position, when not required for use.

The external surface of at least the first elongate member may be provided with ribs or other projections so as to assist a person using the escape

to maintain a firm grip on the first elongate member. For example, resilient rings which may be formed of a hard rubber material may be mounted at spaced intervals along the length of the first elongate member. It will be appreciated that some buildings have a second or third storey constructed within a roof space furnished with dormer windows or roof lights, and that an emergency exit from such a window may be particularly difficult since a part of the exit route will extend over a part of the roof lying at an acute angle to the horizontal. For such circumstances, an upper part of the first elongate member of the fire escape apparatus of the present invention may be arranged to lie parallel to but spaced from the roof, whereby a person escaping from the roof space may more safely move along the inclined roof whilst grasping the upper part of the first elongate member. On reaching the eaves of the roof, that person may then continue the emergency descent along the generally vertical part of the first elongate member.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sketch showing the embodiment of apparatus mounted on the wall of a building, when the apparatus is in a first setting;

Figure 2 is a sketch similar to that of Figure 1, but with the apparatus in a lowered setting, ready for use;

Figure 3 is a detailed view on an enlarged scale of part of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 but with the apparatus in its lowered setting; Figure 5 shows an alternative mounting arm for the apparatus;

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Figures 6 and 7 show an alternative release mechanism, respectively in locked and released positions.

Figures 8 and 9 show two other release mechanisms; Figures 10 and 11 are detail views of two alternative stop arrangements;

Figure 12 shows a telescopic assembly; and Figure 13 shows a hand-hold welded to the apparatus to facilitate the use thereof. There is shown in Figures 1 and 2 part of a conventional two-storey dwelling house 10, having a ground floor window 11 and a first floor window 12. Mounted adjacent both a corner 13 of the house 10 and the first floor window 12 is an embodiment of fire escape apparatus 14 of this invention. This apparatus comprises a first elongate tubular member 15 secured to the wall of the house and slidably mounted within that member 15 is a second elongate tubular member 16. In the "normal" setting of the apparatus, the lower ends of the first and second members 15 and 16 are in the region of the floor level of the second storey.

When the apparatus is to be used to provide an emergency escape route from the first storey, the second member 16 is freed to descend so that its lower end 17 is in contact with the ground. Then, a person may climb out of the first floor window 13 and down the first and second elongate members, to reach the safety of the ground.

Figures 3 and 4 show in more detail the fire escape apparatus 14 described above. The first elongate member 15 is provided with at least two spaced apart arms 20, each of which is secured at one end to that member 15 and is provided at its other end with a mounting flange 21. Wall bolts (not shown) pass through holes formed in the flange 21 so as securely to mount the member 15 on the wall of the dwelling, at a

suitable position adjacent the first floor window 12.

The second member 16 is a close sliding fit within the first member 15 and is locked in the raised position shown in Figure 3 by means of a screw-threaded pin 22, threaded into a bush 23 secured to the member 15. The pin 22 is provided with a handle 24 to assist the rotation thereof and the inner end of the pin extends into an opening in the second member 16. At its lower end, the second member 16 is furnished with an enlarged foot 25. The screw thread should be relatively coarse to minimise the likelihood of seizure if not operated for some long period. Alternatively, a simple cam mechanism could be provided.

The bush 23 should be provided on the first member 15 at such a position that it is conveniently accessible through the window 12, by a person still within the building. Rotation of the pin 22 in a counter-clockwise direction frees the second member 16 and so allows that member to drop under gravity until the foot 25 contacts the ground.

Figure 5 shows a modified form of arm 20, which is adjustable to allow easier mounting of the first member 15 so as to extend generally vertically. The arm illustrated in Figure 5 is telescopic and comprises a first arm part 30 within which is slidably received a second arm part 31. Diametral holes 32 and 33 are formed through both arm parts and when a pair of holes of the two arm parts are in registration, a locking bolt (not shown) may be passed through those holes. Arm part 30 carries a sleeve 34 through which the first elongate member 15 passes, fixing bolts 35 being threaded into that sleeve 34 so as to allow the secure fastening of the sleeve to the member 15 at a desired position. Arm part 31 carries flange 21, whereby that arm part may be secured to a wall.

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Both or all the arms used to secure member 15 to a wall may be of the construction illustrated in Figure 5. Alternatively, and in the case of where only two arms are provided, one of those arms may be adjustable and the other arm may be generally similar, but having a fixed strut extending between the mounting flange 21 and a sleeve 34.

Figures 6 and 7 show an alternative release mechanism, to replace the screw-threaded pin 22 and bush 23 shown in Figures 3 and 4. Here, pin 40 is a plain cylindrical pin and projects from a boss 41 having an operating handle 42. The face of the boss 41 from which the pin projects is formed as a face cam 43 co-operable with a corresponding face cam 44 formed on bush 45 provided on member 15. The pitch of the face cams 43 and 44 is such that the pin 40 is sufficiently withdrawn from member 16 with one half of a turn of the handle, to release member 16 to fall under gravity as described above. A chain 46 links the handle 42 to the bush 45, to prevent the handle falling to earth in the event the pin is pulled free of the bush.

As compared to the arrangement of Figures 3 and 4, the release mechanism of Figures 6 and 7 is easier and quicker to operate, and also less likely to seize if not operated for an extended period of time.

Figure 8 shows an alternative, automatic release mechanism incorporated in the support arm 20. A release pin 50 is slidably mounted axially within the support arm 20 and carries a piston 51 urged by spring 52 towards the first member 15. As shown, the release pin 50 normally extends through an opening in the first member 15, to engage in a hole in second member 16. A foot plate 53 has a pair of mounting rods 54 which extend through the wall of the support arm 50 and are jointed by a link 55 within that arm. Springs 56 serve to urge the foot plate 53 away from the arm. The space

57 within the arm between piston 51 and a pair of sealing members 58 is filled with an hydraulic fluid. Pressure on the foot plate 53 to move the rods 54 into the arm will cause the hydraulic fluid to urge piston 51 to the right (in Figure 8) so withdrawing the release pin 50 from the second member 16. Thereafter, the apparatus operates and is used precisely as has been described above. This arrangement thus operates automatically, should a person climb out of a window and then tread on the foot plate 53.

In Figure 9, there is shown an alternative release arrangement, which is operable from within a dwelling. A mechanism 60, generally similar to that described with reference to Figures 6 and 7, is mounted on the inside wall 61 of a dwelling to which the escape apparatus 62 is attached by means of support arm 20. The mechanism 60 is contained within a housing 63 having a glass front 64 which may be broken when the apparatus is to be used. The lever 65 of the mechanism 60 is mounted on a release pin 66 extending through the wall 61 and axially along the support arm 20, to engage a hole in the second member 16. Breaking the glass front 64 and then turning the lever 65 releases the second member 16 whereafter the apparatus may be used in the manner described hereinbefore.

The lever release mechanism could be arranged to operate a warning light or alarm, when the mechanism is released. The mechanism could moreover be linked to a burglar alarm, so as deter unauthorised access by wrongly releasing the mechanism. Another possibility is for the mechanism 60 to be furnished immediately adjacent the first member 15, as in the arrangement of Figures 6 and 7, so that only the handle 42 is within the building. Figures 10 and 11 show stop arrangements for the second member 16, slidably mounted within the fixed

first member 15. In both arrangements, the second member 16 has a head 70 at the upper end thereof, which head is a sliding fit within the first member 15. In the arrangement of Figure 10, a bushing 71 is secured within the first member 15 at the lower end thereof, so that on releasing the second member 16, it may drop until the head 70 engages the bushing 71. In the arrangement of Figure 11, projections 72 are formed internally within the end portion of the first member 15. Such projections could comprise deposited weld metal, or rivets fastened to the first member 15. Again, the second member when released may drop until its head 70 engages the projections.

Figure 12 shows an arrangement having a third member 75 slidably mounted within the second member 16 which is itself slidably mounted within the first member 15. The release pin (for example pin 66 of Figure 9) must be long enough to engage aligned openings (not shown) in both the second member 16 and the third member 75 whereby when both members 16 and 75 are fully raised and so telescoped within first member 15, both members will be held by the release pin until the mechanism is operated. Then, both members 16 and

75 may drop under gravity, to bridge the gap between the lower end of the first member 15 and the ground.

In Figure 12, there is also shown a resilient foot

76 provided on the lower end of the third member 75. This resists movement of the third member 75 when engaged with the ground, to facilitate use of the apparatus. It also reduces the likelihood of injury to any person standing below the apparatus, should it be actuated. Such a foot may be provided on any of the other embodiments described above.

Figure 13 shows an arrangement similar to that of Figure 6 but illustrates the use of a hand-hold 78 of U-shaped form, welded to the side or outwardly-facing

part of the first member 15. Such hand-holds may be welded to the first member 15 at spaced intervals along the length thereof, in order to facilitate the use of the apparatus by a distressed person. Instead of or in addition to the U-shaped hand-holds, a series of horizontally extending bars may be secured to the first member 15 at spaced intervals therealong, so as to emulate ladder rungs and thus facilitate use of the apparatus. Conveniently, all such bars project in substantially the same direction from the first member 15, and preferably towards the wall against which the apparatus is mounted.