US3871480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety and escape mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-04-17
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1994-04-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved safety and escape mechanism for enabling occupants of upper (second and third) floors of dwellings and other structures to make a quick exodus in case of fire or other emergency comprising bracket means for permanently or detachably securing a centering guide roller on a windowsill, an elongated rope substantially longer than the window to ground dimension, adapted to be passed over the windowsill and roller; basket means at one end of said rope of a size to receive infants, as well as children or adults in a kneeling or standing position, for lowering the same to the ground by an operator inside the window controlling the rate of feed of the rope; and co-operating means on the other end of said rope and on said roller for quickly coupling the same to provide escape means for said operator and other able bodied occupants. The co-operating means can suitably comprise a pair of short rope sections integrally joined to said other end of the rope having loops at the extremities thereof adapted to engage axial extensions at the ends of said roller forming a positive anchoring of said rope to the roller when tension is applied to said rope. Between said loops and rope juncture the short rope sections can be joined by a plurality of rungs to steady an escapee while climbing over the windowsill and preparing to slide down said rope. The basket suitably has a multi-point suspension arranged to minimize contact between the basket and building wall as the basket is being lowered, and a trip line extending from the inner, building, side of the basket to the window frame facilitating dumping of the basket contents when the basket has reached ground level.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Sauri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:22
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62B; A62B1/00; A62B1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A safety mechanism for escape from buildings via above ground windows comprising in combination a guide roller having bracket means for securing the same parallel to a windowsill in a manner to protrude outwardly therefrom, and a rope substantially longer than the windowsill to ground dimension, basket means at one end of said rope of a size to receive infants and small children in lying or seated position and larger individuals in a kneeling or standing position whereby an able-bodied operator within the building can quickly lower one or more individuals to ground level by controlling feed of said rope over the windowsill and roller, the other end of said rope terminating in a pair of integral rope extensions having loops at the extermities thereof, and said roller having axial extensions at opposed ends thereof adapted to be engaged by said loops with said engagement being enhanced by the application of tension to said rope, thereby providing a safe sliding escape means for said operator and other able-bodied individuals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A safety mechanism for escape from buildings via above ground windows comprising in combination a guide roller having bracket means for securing the same parallel to a windowsill in a manner to protrude outwardly therefrom, and a rope substantially longer than the windowsill to ground dimension, basket means at one end of said rope of a size to receive infants and small children in lying or seated position and larger individuals in a kneeling or standing position whereby an able-bodied operator within the building can quickly lower one or more individuals to ground level by controlling feed of said rope over the windowsill and roller, the other end of said rope terminating in a pair of integral rope extensions having loops at the extermities thereof, and said roller having axial extensions at opposed ends thereof adapted to be engaged by said loops with said engagement being enhanced by the application of tension to said rope, thereby providing a safe sliding escape means for said operator and other able-bodied individuals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A safety mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said roller extends a substantial distance along said windowsill and is smoothly curved from a relatively small diameter at its central portion to substantially larger diameter at the ends thereof, to thereby facilitate substantial centering of the tensioned, downwardly extending portion of said rope when in use in spite of possible transverse movement of the operator controlling feed of the rope over said roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A safety mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein the bracket means are adapted for permanent mounting to the windowsill by suitable fastening means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A safety mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein the bracket means have offset inner ends adapting the same to be detachably secured to the inner sill portion of a windown frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A safety mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said basket means is elongated in a direction parallel to the building wall and is supported by strand extensions to the upper corners thereof and so sized and positioned as to minimize contact of the basket with the building wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A safety mechanism as defined in claim 5, wherein the inner, building, side of said basket means is provided with a trip line of sufficient length to reach said window facilitating tilting of the basket to dump its contents when the basket has reached ground level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A safety mechanism as defined in claim 6, wherein the trip line carries at its free end quick engaging means for securing the same to an anchor member adjacent said window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
A safety mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said integral rope extensions are joined between said Rope and loops by a plurality of short rungs spaced apart about 12 inches providing means for an escapee to steady himself in climbing through and clear of the window and in preparing for a sliding descent down the rope.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A safety mechanism as deined in claim 8 wherein there are three of said short rungs each 5 to 6 inches long.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
A safety mechanism for escape of ablebodied individuals from a building via an above ground window, said mechanism comprising in combination bracket means having a pair of divergent lugs centrally and longitudinally spaced with respect to the outer sill of said window, and an elongated rope having a length greater than the window sill to ground dimension, one end of said rope terminating as two short rope sections having loop means at the extremities thereof for engaging said divergent lugs, said short rope sections being of equal length to position the suspended rope beneath a point substantially midway between said divergent lugs, whereby the weight of said rope, and any escapee using said rope, urges said loop means into firm supporting engagement with said divergent lugs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
126 words
A safety mechanism for escape of ablebodied individuals from a building via an above ground window, said mechanism comprising in combination bracket means having a pair of divergent lugs centrally and longitudinally spaced with respect to the outer sill of said window, and an elongated rope having a length greater than the window sill to ground dimension, one end of said rope terminating as two short rope sections having loop means at the extremities thereof for engaging said divergent lugs, said short rope sections being of equal length to position the suspended rope beneath a point substantially midway between said divergent lugs, whereby the weight of said rope, and any escapee using said rope, urges said loop means into firm supporting engagement with said divergent lugs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A safety mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said bracket means are adapted for permanent mounting on said windowsill.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A saftey mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said bracket means extends over both inner and outer sills of said window and is adapted for detachable engagement with said inner sill.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A safety mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said short rope sections, between said looped ends and the juncture with said rope, are joined by a plurality of short rungs for steadying an escapee while climbing over said windowsill and preparing to slide down said rope.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A safety mechanism as defined in claim 13 having three of said rungs, each about 5 to 6 inches long, which are spaced apart by about 12 inches.
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) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |