US3677366A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-storing fire escape ladder
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-02
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1991-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A concealed storage fire escape ladder of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,226, and having structural refinements affording greater strength during use and improved convenience in assembly. Retractable means including a nylon rope affords a shock-absorbing function when the ladder is dropped into position for use. The individual step elements of the ladder are nestable, and utilization of space within a lowermost tread when the device is stored within a storage cabinet permits storage of a chain interconnecting the ladder with the storage cabinet to be stored within said space.
Inventors
- 👤 Emil Loeffel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:15
CPC Classifications
E; E06; E06C; E06C9/00; E06C9/06; E06C9/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A self-storing collapsible fire escape ladder comprising in combination, a plurality of step plate elements, each including a planar tread member, and a pair of side flanges interconnected to said tread member along the longitudinal edges thereof in diverging relation, whereby said step plate elements may be placed in nesting relation, a plurality of pairs of elongated link elements interconnecting said step plate elements to lie in mutually parallel relation when said ladder is in extended condition; means for storing said step plate elements in nested condition including a bracket element having a vertically disposed base wall having means for attaching the same to a wall surface of a building, a pair of side walls extending laterally from the plane of said base wall, and having means adjacent a lower horizontal edge thereof for supporting a plurality of nested step plate elements, and a cover element having a vertically disposed front wall, and upper and lower walls slidably engaged upon said bracket element; and means flexibly interconnecting the uppermost of said step plate elements to said base wall of said bracket element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A self-storing collapsible fire escape ladder comprising in combination, a plurality of step plate elements, each including a planar tread member, and a pair of side flanges interconnected to said tread member along the longitudinal edges thereof in diverging relation, whereby said step plate elements may be placed in nesting relation, a plurality of pairs of elongated link elements interconnecting said step plate elements to lie in mutually parallel relation when said ladder is in extended condition; means for storing said step plate elements in nested condition including a bracket element having a vertically disposed base wall having means for attaching the same to a wall surface of a building, a pair of side walls extending laterally from the plane of said base wall, and having means adjacent a lower horizontal edge thereof for supporting a plurality of nested step plate elements, and a cover element having a vertically disposed front wall, and upper and lower walls slidably engaged upon said bracket element; and means flexibly interconnecting the uppermost of said step plate elements to said base wall of said bracket element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Structure in accordance with claim 1, said last mentioned means including a pair of flexible chains, removal of said cover element from engagement with said bracket element exposing an interstice between said said side walls thereof for the passage of said pair of chains.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
Structure in accordance with claim 2, said plurality of step plate elements in nested condition defining a recess; said chains, in inactive position being stored in said recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
Structure in accordance with claim 1, including nylon rope retrieval means, said step plate elements each having a substantially centrally disposed opening therein, a first end of said rope retrieval means being secured to said bracket element, and passing through said opening in each of said step plate elements, and having an effective length in unstressed condition slightly less than the effective length of said ladder in extended condition, whereby rapid extension of said ladder under the force of gravity is cushioned as the ladder reaches full length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Structure in accordance with claim 4, said bracket element having means for storing said rope means on an inwardly disposed surface thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a plurality of interconnected step plate elements, an articulate linkage for interconnecting said step plate elements for use as a collapsible fire escape ladder, the improvement comprising: said step plate elements each including a planar tread member and a pair of side flanges interconnected to said tread member along the longitudinal edges thereof, each of said tread members having at an end portion thereof at least one opening extending through the plane thereof of predetermined dimensions, through which a terminal of said linkage may pass; and reinforcing plate means adapted to partially overlie said opening and reduce the effective size of said opening, whereby to pivotally captivate said terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
In a plurality of interconnected step plate elements, an articulate linkage for interconnecting said step plate elements for use as a collapsible fire escape ladder, the improvement comprising: said step plate elements each including a planar tread member and a pair of side flanges interconnected to said tread member along the longitudinal edges thereof, each of said tread members having at an end portion thereof at least one opening extending through the plane thereof of predetermined dimensions, through which a terminal of said linkage may pass; and reinforcing plate means adapted to partially overlie said opening and reduce the effective size of said opening, whereby to pivotally captivate said terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
Structure in accordance with claim 6, further characterized in said plate having an elongated opening, said tread member having a bendable tab engageable within said opening to captivate said plate in position against a planar surface of said tread member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |