Vertically movable emergency egress system
OwnerE. Kevin Keegan, Peter J. Hanrahaninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An emergency escape elevator features a release device for releasing the elevator from its tethering cable, allowing the elevator to descend under the force of gravity. A vertical descent control apparatus controls the rate of descent of the elevator by measuring the rate of descent of the elevator and applying a brake to keep the elevator falling at a desired safe rate. The elevator guiderails are tapered inward at the bottom of the elevator shaft to apply friction to the elevator to slow it down. The elevator shaft can turn at the bottom and become horizontal to aid in slowing and stopping the elevator.
Claims19
An emergency escape apparatus for transporting passengers to a lower elevation in the event of an emergency situation, said apparatus comprising:
- an enclosure for holding said passengers, said enclosure being vertically movable upwardly and downwardly by a driving mechanism;
- and
- a release mechanism for releasing said enclosure from the control of the driving mechanism to allow said enclosure to descend under the force of gravity.
An emergency escape apparatus for transporting passengers to a lower elevation in the event of an emergency situation, said apparatus comprising:
- an enclosure for holding said passengers, said enclosure being vertically movable by a driving mechanism;
- a release mechanism for releasing said enclosure from the control of the driving mechanism to allow said enclosure to descend under the force of gravity;
- and
- a descent Control mechanism for controlling the rate of descent of said enclosure after said release mechanism has released said enclosure from the driving mechanism;
- wherein said enclosure is freely vertically movable along a guiding beam and wherein said descent control mechanism comprises a brake that engages said guiding beam.
An emergency escape apparatus for transporting passengers to a lower elevation in the event of an emergency situation, said apparatus comprising:
- an enclosure for holding said passengers, said enclosure being vertically movable by a driving mechanism;
- and
- a release mechanism for releasing said enclosure from the control of the driving mechanism to allow said enclosure to descend under the force of gravity;
- wherein said driving mechanism comprises a cable attached to said enclosure and a motor for raising and lowering said cable to thereby raise and lower said enclosure.
An emergency escape apparatus for transporting passengers to a lower elevation in the event of an emergency situation, said apparatus comprising:
- an enclosure for holding said passengers, said enclosure being vertically movable by a driving mechanism;
- and
- a release mechanism for releasing said enclosure from the control of the driving mechanism to allow said enclosure to descend under the force of gravity;
- wherein said enclosure is freely vertically movable along a guiding beam, said guiding beam restricting horizontal movement of said enclosure.
An emergency escape apparatus for transporting passengers to a lower elevation in the event of an emergency situation, said apparatus comprising:
- an enclosure for holding said passengers;
- a driving mechanism including a motor for vertically moving said enclosure, said driving mechanism comprising a cable having a first end attached to said enclosure and a second end attached to a counterweight, said driving mechanism operative to move said cable;
- and
- a release mechanism for releasing said enclosure from the control of said driving mechanism by detaching said first end of said cable from said enclosure to allow said enclosure to descend under the force of gravity.
An emergency escape elevator for lowering passengers in a multistory building to an escape floor in the event of an emergency situation, said elevator comprising:
- an elevator cab for holding the passengers;
- a cable having a first end attached to said cab and a second end attached to a counterweight;
- a driving mechanism including a motor for vertically moving said cab by raising and lowering said cable;
- and
- a release mechanism for releasing said cab from said cable to allow said enclosure to descend under the force of gravity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.