US3860092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable hoisting and evacuation apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-19
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A portable emergency hoisting method and apparatus are described for use with ground level winching apparatus for moving equipment and personnel about and in rescue operations from the exterior of high rise buildings and the like. Light weight flexible cables are provided with quick release snap shackles for coupling to or about existing building structures, snatch pulleys and loads. A ladder and a cage are provided for hauling equipment and personnel to or from a roof or window on the face of a building. Additionally, anchor cables and snatch pulleys are provided for moving a load line and the cage, if necessary, to other parts of a building without requiring a significant modification or movement of an initial hook-up of anchoring cables and pulleys or ground located winching apparatus. The apparatus described may be deployed and placed in operation within a matter of minutes and moved as rapidly when circumstances require. All equipment and cables are provided with quick release safety coupling members eliminating the use of conventional clamps, nuts, bolts and tools which are easily dropped, lost or misplaced in the confusion of an emergency, and are time consuming to install.
Inventors
- 👤 William O Holmes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:35
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62B; A62B1/00; A62B1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A portable hoisting system comprising: an anchoring systemm adapted to be secured to a fixed portion above ground level of a fixed structure, said anchoring system including a first anchor line, a means for temporarily anchoring said first anchor line to said fixed portion, a first pulley, and a means for coupling said first pulley to said first anchor line, said means for coupling including first winch means for adjusting the position of said first pulley relative to said first anchor line; a load line including means for coupling to a load; a means for reeving said first pulley with said load line; and said winch means, load line and anchor line being tensioned to said fixed portion while said system is in use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A portable hoisting system comprising: an anchoring systemm adapted to be secured to a fixed portion above ground level of a fixed structure, said anchoring system including a first anchor line, a means for temporarily anchoring said first anchor line to said fixed portion, a first pulley, and a means for coupling said first pulley to said first anchor line, said means for coupling including first winch means for adjusting the position of said first pulley relative to said first anchor line; a load line including means for coupling to a load; a means for reeving said first pulley with said load line; and said winch means, load line and anchor line being tensioned to said fixed portion while said system is in use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said means for reeving said first pulley with said load line includes: a reel of trolling line, said reel including means for paying out and retrieving the trolling line; and a means for coupling said load line to a payed out length of said trolling line for permitting the fetching of said load line to said first pulley.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said load line has a first and a second end, said first end of said load line being coupled to a second winch means and further comprising: a second anchor line; a means for anchoring said second anchor line; and a second pulley coupled to said second anchor line; said second pulley including a means for reeving said load line between said second winch means and said first pulley.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system according to claim 3 further comprising: a means for restraining the movement of said second end of said load line relative to a portion of said load line between said first and said second pulleys for preventing the fouling of said load line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 4 wherein said first and said second anchor lines and said load line are flexible cables and said first and said second pulleys are snatch pulleys.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said means for restraining the movement of said second end of said load line is a lizard on the line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said anchor line is flexible, and said means for anchoring said first anchor line and said means for coupling said first pulley to said first anchor line include snap shackles for preventing involuntary and rapid voluntary coupling and decoupling of said first pulley and said first anchor line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 1 further comprising: a cage; a means for coupling said cage to said load line reeved in said first pulley; and means for spacing said cage from an adjacent structure for preventing fouling of said cage and said structure when said cage is coupled to said load line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said cage is collapsible.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said spacing means comprises: a bracket; and a means for removably anchoring said bracket to said structure, said bracket including means for supporting said load line coupled to said cage a distance from said structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system according to claim 10 wherein said bracket further includes means spaced from said load line supporting means for receiving and separating said load line to prevent fouling thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 8 further comprising: a ladder; and means for releasably securing said ladder to a side of said cage spaced from said adjacent structure, said cage including meanS for permitting entry of said cage from said ladder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system according to claim 12 further comprising: a means for anchoring one end of said ladder to said structure, said ladder further including means at its opposite end for adjusting the slope of said ladder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system according to claim 13 wherein said cage and said ladder include means for preventing involuntary visual observation of objects beyond the immediate vicinity of said cage and said ladder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
106 words
A system according to claim 13 wherein said means for anchoring said ladder includes means for temporarily anchoring the top portion of said ladder to said structure in a position permitting access to said ladder from said structure and further wherein said means for adjustng the slope of said ladder includes a member coupled to the base of said ladder and adapted to be put in contact with said structure and means near the top of said ladder and accessible from said structure for moving said member into contact with said structure for selectively adjusting the distance between the base of said ladder and said structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 12 wherein said ladder includes a platform extending from the bottom of said ladder, said platform serving to facilitate entry into said cage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said anchoring system includes a second anchor line; a means for anchoring said second anchor line at a distance from said first anchor line; a second pulley; means for reeving said second pulley with said load line; and a means for coupling said second pulley to said second anchor line for moving said load line including said means for coupling to a load from a first position corresponding to the position of said first pulley to a second position corresponding to the position of said second pulley.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 17 further comprising a means for coupling said load line to a winching apparatus and wherein said load line is led from said winching apparatus through said first pulley to said second pulley and through said second pulley to a load.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
A system according to claim 18 wherein said load includes: a cage, said cage including means for coupling said cage to said load line; and further comprising: a means for spacing said load line coupled to said cage from an an adjacent structure for preventing fouling of said cage and said structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system according to claim 19 further comprising: a ladder; and means for releasably securing said ladder to said cage, said cage further including means for permitting entry of said cage from said ladder.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 20 further comprising: a means for anchoring an end of said ladder to an adjacent structure, said ladder further including means selectively extendable from the base of said ladder for adjusting the distance between said base of said ladder and said structure.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of rigging a portable hoisting system comprising the steps of: temporarily securing a first flexible anchor line to a fixed portion above ground level of a fixed structure; thereafter coupling a first pulley to said first anchor line; fetching a relatively heavy load line from a distance to said anchored first pulley by connecting the load line to a relatively light line on a reel and reeling the light line and heavy line to the vicinity of the fixed structure; reeving said first pulley with said load line after said load line is brought to said first pulley; and adjusting the position of said first pulley relative to said first anchor line.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of rigging a portable hoisting system comprising the steps of: temporarily securing a first flexible anchor line to a fixed portion above ground level of a fixed structure; thereafter coupling a first pulley to said first anchor line; fetching a relatively heavy load line from a distance to said anchored first pulley by connecting the load line to a relatively light line on a reel and reeling the light line and heavy line to the vicinity of the fixed structure; reeving said first pulley with said load line after said load line is brought to said first pulley; and adjusting the position of said first pulley relative to said first anchor line.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method according to claim 22 further comprising the steps of: coupling one end of said load line to a winching apparatus; coupling a bracket and a cage to said load line, said bracket prededing said cage along said load line; winching said bracket and said cage to said first pulley; removing said bracket from said load line; and placing said bracket between said load line and said structure for spacing said load line from said structure for preventing the fouling of said cage and said structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
99 words
A method according to claim 23 further comprising the steps of: coupling a ladder to said load line, said ladder being coupled to said load line intermediate said bracket and said cage; winching said ladder to said first pulley with said bracket, said ladder and said cage arriving at said pulley in successive order; temporarily securing said ladder to said structure after placing said bracket between said load line and said structure; adjusting the slope of said ladder relative to said structure; and releasably securing said ladder to said cage for facilitating entry of said cage from said ladder.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method according to claim 22 further comprising the steps of: temporarily securing, at a distance removed from said first anchor line, a second flexible anchor line to a structure; reeving a second pulley with said load line; and coupling said second pulley to said second anchor line for moving said load line from a first position corresponding to the position of said first pulley to a second position a distance removed from said first pulley.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 25 further comprising the step of coupling a cage to said load line, and wherein said moving of said load line from said first position to said second position serves to move said cage from a first position to a second position relative to said first pulley.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of coupling said load line to a winching apparatus for raising and lowering said cage at said second position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
137 words
A portable hoisting system comprising: a first flexible anchor sling; means for releasably anchoring said sling to a fixed portion of a fixed structure at a first location above ground level; a first pulley for receiving a load line; a means for releasably coupling said first pulley to said first anchor sling; a reel means for fetching said load line from ground level to said first pulley; means for releasably coupling said fetching means to said anchor sling during fetching of said load line and for decoupling said fetching means from said anchor sling when said load line is reeved in said first pulley; a means for reeving said first pulley in a bight of said load line; and a means adapted to be coupled to said load line for overhauling said load line to ground level.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
137 words
A portable hoisting system comprising: a first flexible anchor sling; means for releasably anchoring said sling to a fixed portion of a fixed structure at a first location above ground level; a first pulley for receiving a load line; a means for releasably coupling said first pulley to said first anchor sling; a reel means for fetching said load line from ground level to said first pulley; means for releasably coupling said fetching means to said anchor sling during fetching of said load line and for decoupling said fetching means from said anchor sling when said load line is reeved in said first pulley; a means for reeving said first pulley in a bight of said load line; and a means adapted to be coupled to said load line for overhauling said load line to ground level.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
A portable hoisting system according to claim 28 wherein said means for releasably coupling said first pulley to said first anchor sling includes means for controllably adjusting the position of said first pulley relative to said structure.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
127 words
A portable hoisting system comprising: a first portable anchoring system adapted to be secured on a fixed portion above ground level of a fixed structure, said first anchoring system including a first anchor line terminated by a first snap shackle, said first snap shackle including means for releasably anchoring said first anchor line to the fixed portion using said snap shackle; a first pulley, said first pulley having a second snap shackle; a means for coupling said first pulley to said first anchor line using said snap shackles, said means for coupling including winch means for adjusting the position of said first pulley relative to said anchor line; and said winch means and anchor line being tensioned to said fixed portion while said system is in use.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
127 words
A portable hoisting system comprising: a first portable anchoring system adapted to be secured on a fixed portion above ground level of a fixed structure, said first anchoring system including a first anchor line terminated by a first snap shackle, said first snap shackle including means for releasably anchoring said first anchor line to the fixed portion using said snap shackle; a first pulley, said first pulley having a second snap shackle; a means for coupling said first pulley to said first anchor line using said snap shackles, said means for coupling including winch means for adjusting the position of said first pulley relative to said anchor line; and said winch means and anchor line being tensioned to said fixed portion while said system is in use.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
A portable hoisting system according to claim 30 further comprising: a load line and wherein said first pulley includes a means for reeving said first pulley with said load line intermediate the ends of said load line.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
99 words
A portable hoisting system according to claim 31 further comprising: a second portable anchoring system, said second anchoring including a second anchor line terminated by a snap shackle, said snap shAckle including means for releasably anchoring said second anchor line to a fixed object using said snap shackle; a second pulley, said second pulley including means for coupling said second pulley to said second anchor line; and a means for coupling said load line to a winching apparatus, said second pulley including means for reeving said second pulley with said load line intermediate the ends of said load line.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
58 words
A portable hoisting system according to claim 32 wherein said means for coupling said first pulley to said first anchor line includes a pig-tail and further comprising a means for receiving and supporting said pig-tail, said means including an arcuate member over which said pig-tail is caused to ride for preventing cutting of said pig-tail by sharp objects.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
53 words
A portable hoisting system according to claim 33 further comprising: a cage; a means for coupling said cage to said load line; and a bracket, said bracket including means for supporting said load line coupled to said cage a predetermined distance from adjacent objects for preventing fouling of said cage with said objects.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
64 words
A portable hoisting system according to claim 34 further comprising: a third pulley, said third pulley including means for reeving said load line coupled to said cage intermediate the ends of said load line; and a means for anchoring said third pulley and wherein said supporting means included in said bracket includes an arcuate member for receiving and supporting said third pulley anchoring means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
72 words
A portable hoisting system according to claim 35 wherein said bracket further includes means for deploying said bracket over said means for preventing the cutting of said pig-tail coupled to said first pulley and means for receiving said first and said third pulleys for fixing their position in space, said first and said third pulley when fixed in space serving as a spreader for said load line for preventing the fouling thereof.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
A portable hoisting system according to claim 36 further comprising: a ladder; a means for releasably securing said ladder to said cage; and a means for adjusting the slope of said ladder for facilitating entry of said cage therefrom.
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) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |