Abstract: A collapsible ladder assembly suitable for installation on high-rise buildings and capable of modification to be architecturally unobstrusive and compatible with a variety of architectural designs is described. The ladder assembly comprises a frame member, two or more telescoping stile pair sections and a plurality of rung members. In the normal storage position the ladder is disposed entirely within the frame member with the telescoping stile members in the retracted position. The entire unit is adapted to fit within a window opening. In a emergency the ladder can be released to the extended position for use from inside a window whereby it falls on hinged arms down and away from the building at a distance sufficient to permit passage of a person between the building and the ladder. Release of one ladder actuates a release mechanism on the similarly mounted ladder on the floor below and so on, allowing an escape passage to a safe level or, if necessary, to the ground.

Abstract: A collapsible ladder suitable for installation on high-rise buildings and capable of modification to be architecturally unobstrusive and compatible with a variety of architectural designs is described. The ladder comprises two or more telescoping stile pair sections in which the upper stile section has an attached upper rung and the lower stile section has an attached lower rung. The intermediate rungs are slidably mounted in the telescoping stile members which are made of channel stock. In the normal position covering a window the telescoping stile pairs are retracted and the rungs are stacked one over the other adjacent to the attached upper rung. In an emergency the ladder can be released to the extended position for use from inside a window whereby it falls on pivot arms down and away from the building at a distance sufficient to permit passage of a person between the building and the ladder, the lower stile section extends, and the rungs fall into spaced position held by spacer arms between them.