# US 4,876,833 A · Accessible areaway system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,876,833 A - Document ID: US4876833A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/323,351 - Filed: 1989-03-14 - Granted: 1989-10-31 - Earliest claimed: 1989-03-14 - Assignees: RM Base Company - Inventors: James A. Gefroh; Fredric J. Hattman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4876833A ## CPC - E04F 17/06: Light shafts, e.g. for cellars - E04F: FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B) ## Abstract An areaway allowing for escape or for ingress and egress in emergency situations is disclosed. A unitary body is designed for attachement to the exterior of a foundation wall. This unitary body includes steps to facilitate escape and may include openings to access the earth below the areaway and for planting. In such fashion both maintenance of the areaway and its aesthetic appeal are enhanced. Additional features allow for improved access for escape and improved drainage of the areaway. The unitary design may be molded and may include a cover, integral lights, or even simply a vertical retaining wall with molded steps to accommodate existing designs. The areaway allows aesthetic use of the space within it. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An open areaway escape system for a building having: a basement window having a top and a bottom, and a foundation, said areaway escape system comprising: a. a unitary body comprising: (1) a wall member having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a foundation face edge; (2) an uncovered upper opening adjacent to the top edge of said wall member; (3) an upper flange between said uncovered upper opening and said wall member along said top edge; (4) a vertical opening adjacent to the foundation face edge of said wall member; and (5) a floor opening adjacent to the bottom edge of said wall member. b. a positive means for escaping; c. a means along said vertical opening for attaching said unitary body to the exterior of the foundation of said building adjacent to said basement window without significantly altering said foundation; and d. a means for draining the areaway. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An open areaway escape system as described in claim 1 wherein said means for attaching to the foundation utilizes existing mounting systems. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An open areaway escape system as described in claim 2 wherein said wall member and said means for escaping comprise: a. a retaining element which is substantially vertical; and b. a plurality of definite steps integral to said retaining element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An open areaway escape system as described in claim 1 wherein said wall member and said means for escaping comprise: a. a plurality of substantially vertical back elements; b. a plurality of substantially horizontal back elements; and c. a plurality of substantially vertical side members. ### Claim 5 An areaway escape system for a building having a basement window having a top and a bottom and a foundation, said areaway escape system comprising: a. a unitary body comprising: (1) a wall member having a top edge; a bottom edge; and a foundation face edge; (2) an upper opening adjacent to the top edge of said wall member; (3) an upper flange between said upper opening and said wall member along said top edge; (4) a vertical opening adjacent to the foundation face edge of said wall member; and (5) a floor opening adjacent to the bottom edge of said wall member; b. a positive means for escaping; c. a means for attaching said unitary body to the exterior of the foundation of said building adjacent to said basement window without significantly altering said foundation; d. a means for draining the areaway; and e. a means for accessing the earth below said unitary body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An areaway escape system as described in claim 5 and further comprising a means for planting in the earth below said areaway. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) An areaway escape system as described in claim 5 wherein said means for accessing comprises an open aperture in said wall member and wherein said open aperture encompasses more than an insignificant amount of area relative to the area of said wall member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) An areaway escape system as described in claim 4 and further comprising an open aperture in at least one horizontal back element of said wall member and wherein said open aperture encompasses a substantial portion of the area of said horizontal back element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) An areaway escape system as described in claim 5 wherein said means for escaping comprises a plurality of steps and wherein said means for draining comprises at least one drain on each step. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An areaway escape system as described in claim 9 and further comprising a means for planting in the areaway. ### Claim 11 (depends on 3, 6, 10) An areaway escape system as described in claims 3, 6 or 10 and further comprising a cover openability connected to said upper flange and over said upper opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3, 10) An areaway escape system as described in claims 3 or 10 wherein said upper flange is designed to accommodate a cover. ### Claim 13 (depends on 3, 7) An areaway escape system as described in claims 3 or 7 and further comprising a means for connecting a plurality of unitary bodies in series. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An areaway escape system as described in claim 13 wherein said means for connecting comprises an angular connector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 3, 6, 8, 10) An areaway escape system as described in claims 3, 6, 8 or 10 and further comprising integral lights. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) An areaway escape system as described in claim 15 wherein said integral lights are located on said wall member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 3, 6, 8, 10) An areaway escape system as described in claims 3, 6, 8 or 10 and further comprising a railing mounted through said upper flange. ### Claim 18 (depends on 3, 6, 8, 10) An areaway escape system as described in claims 3, 6, 8 or 10 and further comprising mounting holes in said upper flange for a railing and mounting guides for railing on the exterior of said wall member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 6, 8, 10) An areaway escape system as described in claims 6, 8 or 10 wherein at least one of said vertical side members comprises a plurality of substantially vertical side elements and a plurality of substantially horizontal side elements. ### Claim 20 (depends on 8) An areaway escape system as described in claim 8 wherein said horizontal back element closest to the bottom edge of said wall member is lower than the bottom of said basement window. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1, 3) An areaway escape system as described in claims 1, 3, or 10 and further comprising a means for nesting said areaways when stored prior to installation. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) An areaway escape system as described in claim 21 wherein said means for stacking comprises a taper on said wall member. ### Claim 23 (depends on 3, 10) An areaway escape system as described in claims 3 or 10 wherein said means for escaping further comprises at least one handle attached to said wall member. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) An areaway escape system as described in claim 23 wherein said means for escaping further comprises a ladder. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) An areaway escape system as described in claim 24 wherein said ladder is detachable and wherein said means for escaping further comprises a means for connecting said ladder to said areaway, said means for connecting being integral to said areaway. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) An areaway escape system as described in claim 24 wherein said ladder is a rope ladder and wherein said means for escaping further comprises a compartment for storing said ladder, said compartment being integral to said wall member.