Fire escape emergency descent system (eds)
OwnerNorman E. Woodinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An emergency descent system for use by an individual to effect escape from a building or other elevated structure. The system comprises: an upper vest component for securing about the individual's chest, said vest component including an integral rack; a lower component for securing about both upper legs of the individual; and an elongate section of rope for securing at one end to a fixture on the structure from which the individual can effect gradual descent along said rope as it frictionally engages with the integral rack of the upper vest component. A method of use is also disclosed.
Claims20
An emergency descent system for use by an individual, said system comprising:
- an upper vest component for securing about a chest region of the individual, said vest component including an integral rack;
- a lower component for securing about both upper legs of the individual;
- and
- an elongate section of rope for securing at one end to a fixture from which the individual can effect gradual descent along an opposite end as said rope frictionally engages with the integral rack of the upper vest component.
The emergency descent system of claim 4 wherein said rope may be stored in a packet until needed.
A harness for supporting its wearer during a controlled descent along a support line running through the harness from a higher to lower elevation, said harness comprising:
- means for fastening around the upper chest and over the shoulders of its wearer, a front region of said fastening means including an integral rack;
- means for fastening about both upper thighs of its wearer;
- and
- an elongate section of support line for securing at one end to a fixture in the higher elevation and from which the wearer can effect gradual descent along an opposite end as said support line frictionally engages with the integral rack.
A method for using a harness to escape from a building, said method comprising:
- (a) providing a harness that comprises:
- means for fastening around the chest and over the shoulders of its wearer, a front region of said fastening means including an integral rack;
- means for fastening about both upper thighs of its wearer;
- an elongate section of rope for securing at one end to a fixture in the higher elevation and from which the wearer can effect gradual descent along an opposite end as said rope frictionally engages with the integral rack;
- and
- at least one frictional brake strap for allowing the wearer to slow down or stop descent,
- (b) situating the wearer's arms and legs in the harness and adjusting it to fit securely about the wearer's chest and upper thighs;
- (c) securing one end of said rope to a fixture in said building which should be capable of supporting the wearer's weight for at least a limited amount of escape time;
- (d) locating an opposite end of said rope to a secure lower region;
- and
- (e) positioning one or both hands of the wearer in the frictional brake strap for controlling the rate of descent along the rope until reaching the secure lower region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.