# US 2013/0240293 A1 · Fire escape emergency descent system (eds) > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0240293 A1 - Document ID: US20130240293A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/773,561 - Filed: 2013-02-21 - Published: 2013-09-19 - Earliest claimed: 2012-02-21 - Inventors: Norman E. Wood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130240293A1 ## CPC - A62B 35/0018: {Full body harnesses covering at least shoulders and thighs} - A62B 1/14: with brakes sliding on the rope - A62B 35/0037: {Attachments for lifelines and lanyards (lifelines, lanyards A62B35/0043)} - A62B 35/0043: {Lifelines, lanyards, and anchors therefore (attachments A62B35/0037)} - A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The emergency descent system of claim 1 wherein the rope is fire resistant. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The emergency descent system of claim 1, which includes at least 50 feet of rope. ### Claim 4 (depends on 4) The emergency descent system of claim 4 wherein said rope may be stored in a packet until needed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The emergency descent system of claim 1, which includes markings for directing the individual through which straps to slip his/her arms and legs. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The emergency descent system of claim 1, which includes at least one frictional brake strap for allowing the individual to slow down or stop descent. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The emergency descent system of claim 1 wherein the integral rack is located in front of the individual's chest region. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The emergency descent system of claim 1, which is available in adult and teen sizes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The emergency descent system of claim 1, which may be used by an adult alone or an adult and child combination weighing up to 500 lbs. ### Claim 10 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The harness of claim 10 wherein said support line is made from fire resistant material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The harness of claim 10, which includes at least 50 feet of support line. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The harness of claim 10, wherein said support line may be stored in a packet until needed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The harness of claim 10, which includes markings for directing the wearer where to situate his/her arms. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The harness of claim 10, which includes at least one frictional brake strap for allowing its wearer to slow down or stop descent. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The harness of claim 10, which includes a plurality of straps and buckles for adjusting to better fit about its wearer. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the secure lower region is the ground. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the secure lower region is a rooftop from which further rescue may be planned. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the rope is fire resistant.