Device and method for escaping fire and smoke in high-rise buildings

Claim 1

A life saving device for use in a high rise building to escape the smoke and heat of a fire, comprising: a telescoping pole comprising: a first tube; and a second tube having a diameter smaller than said first tube to permit said second tube to telecope in said first tube; means for preventing said second tube from sliding out of said first tube when said telescoping pole is fully extended; means, permanently, rigidly mounted near an opening in a habitable portion of said building, for cantilever supporting said telescoping pole, said pole and said support means having a use configuration in which said second tube is telescopingly extended relative to said first tube to place said pole in an outwardly oriented, horizontal position, which extends away from the side of said building, and having a storage configuration in which said second tube is nested within said first tube for compactness to permit said pole to be stored within said habitable portion of said building to protect it from the weather, while providing ready access thereto, said supporting means comprising a sleeve, connected to a support member, and sized to permit said first tube of said telescoping pole to telescopingly slide therein, said first tube having a stop member which cooperates with said sleeve in said use configuration to prevent said first tube from sliding completely through said sleeve; a seat for supporting a user; a trolley mechanism, detachably connected to said seat, and mounted on said pole, for supporting said user from said pole and permitting said user to travel outwardly along said pole, away from said building; and means, connected to said pole, for restricting travel of said trolley mechanism when said user reaches the outward end of said pole.