Abstract: Apparatus for establishing gaseous communication between a room of a building, wherein said room contains a toilet bowl, and a building conduit disposed within the building, said building conduit being in gaseous communication with the atmospheric gases outside of the building comprising: a toilet bowl having a water level forming a water trap, said toilet bowl including a flexible, water-impermeable, tubular member inserted completely through the water trap so that a first end of the flexible tubular member is disposed on a building conduit side of the water trap and a second end of the flexible tubular member is disposed on a room side of the water trap.

Abstract: A sliding descent device for controlling the movement of a user sliding down a rope includes a generally cylindrical housing containing a tubular channel member defining an axial rope path extending through the housing. The device can be installed on a medial segment of a rope without threading an end of the rope through the housing by opening a closure structure and admitting the rope to the axial rope path through a lateral rope entry path. The closure structure is moved to a closed position to capture the rope in the axial path. A brake member is mounted for movement relative to the housing into the axial rope path to apply a braking force to the rope. A first control member supports the weight of the user and moves the brake member to increase the braking force to halt the device. A second control member is manually operated to move the brake member and reduce the braking force for a sliding descent.

Abstract: There is claimed a descent control device which comprises a rope along which a person desires to descend from an elevated position; a housing substantially cylindrical in shape; attachment means to attach the person to the housing; a guide means mounted axially within the housing and providing an open channel between the two ends of the housing, and having the rope passing through the open channel thereby slidably attaching the housing to the rope; a crank which has a knuckle formed into a rotating shaft so that rotation of the crank urges the knuckle against the rope, thereby providing friction between the rope and the housing so as to provide a safe descent along the rope for the person; and a spring which urges the knuckle against the rope so as to make use of the device safe for an incapacitated person.