Fire escape

Abstract

Fire escape apparatus for egress from a multi-storied building structure from an upper level thereof is provided. The apparatus includes an upper, supporting entry ring member detachably anchored to the structure at an exit location such as on the roof. The entry ring member has attached to it one end of an elongate mesh tube, the mesh tube being substantially longer than the structure height from which escape is required, and sufficiently long to enable extension of the tube downwardly from the exit location to the ground. The mesh tube has a lower, exit-opening support ring member attached thereto at its other end. The building structure has permanently attached thereto, adjacent the upper exit location, one end of a guide wire or cable extending from this upper location on the structure at a desired angle to the ground. The elongate mesh tube has affixed thereto, at spaced-apart intervals along its length, a plurality of supporting blocks-and-pulleys engaging and riding upon the guide wire or cable. When escape is required, the mesh tube is deployed from the upper level exit location downwardly such that the exit-opening ring member extends to ground level and the entry ring member affords entry therethrough into the tube at the upper exit location of the building, thereby permitting escape to ground level through said tube by persons entering the tube from the upper level. Each block-and-pulley means preferably includes a block and dual pulleys. The mesh tube is preferably constructed of cords intertwined to form a square mesh, and the openings in the mesh tube are large enough to permit finger insertion therein but small enough to prevent foot insertion therethrough. The cords of the mesh tube are of a fire resistant material such as fire resistant nylon.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.