Abstract: A portable slow-descending device is provided in which a lifeline in the form of a tape is selectively dispensed from a reel around which the lifeline is wound. A planetary gear mechanism and a centrifugal brake mechanism are housed within a cylinder portion of the reel and a manual control member may be provided in connection therewith for locking the centrifugal brake mechanism during descent of the device. All operable elements of the device are within reach of and descend with a victim so that the victim may personally ensure his safe, controlled descent. The lifeline is preferably formed of aramid fibers which may be formed into a tape of at least 100 m in length and is resistant to elemental fatigue. Heat transfer from the centrifugal brake to the gear mechanism may be reduced by projecting the centrifugal brake from one side of the device and appearance thereof may be streamlined by encapsulating the device within a unitary housing.

Abstract: An emergency descending device comprising a rotary wheel and a cam mounted between a pair of side plates, with a main rope passing between the rotary wheel and the cam. The rotation of the rotary wheel caused by the main rope generates a centrifugal force on a brake shoe, and the brake shoe tends to rotate a brake drum. The rotation of the brake drum rotates the cam toward the rotary wheel thereby clamping the main rope therebetween, and suitable descending speed can be obtained.

Abstract: The slow-descending device of this invention is so small and light that anybody can easily carry it in a traveling bag, or the like. Therefore, it is useful as an emergency evacuation device which enables him to escape from a fire in a hotel, apartment house, office building, etc., or from a disaster in a high level road or highway, etc.

Abstract: A lowering device for assisting persons to escape from multi-storied buildings in an emergency situation, and adapted to engage a cable or rope of twisted configuration. The device includes an inner rotatable sleeve surrounding and engaging the cable to follow the twist therein and rotate about the cable as it descends down the cable. The inner sleeve is contained within an outer housing which, in turn, supports a person, and the speed of rotation of the inner sleeve and thus the rate of descent of the device down the cable is controlled by a centrifugal brake having bell cranks carried by the inner sleeve and each pivotal against tension springs under centrifugal force to cause eccentrics on the ends of the cranks to act on brake shoes which engage a brake surface on part of the outer housing.

Abstract: A fall arresting device attached to a climber's safety harness having an open-sided elongated housing joined together near its center by a spindle, a drum rotatably mounted on the spindle, a clove hitch knot formed in a safety rope and tied around the drum, and a centrifugal clutch assembly on one end of the drum to halt rotation of the drum with respect to the housing plates if the rotation of the drum exceeds a predetermined rate. The housing is comprised of two housing plates which may be counterrotated about the spindle to "open" the device and allow the clove hitch knot to be tied around the drum. When the housing is "closed", by realigning the housing plates, and attached to a climbers harness via carabiners, the clove hitch knot may not be removed from the drum. When the climber pulls the device against the anchored rope at slow speeds, the clove hitch knot slips on the rotation drum and the device travels freely along the rope.

Abstract: A fire escaping apparatus being of a small bulk, requiring no energy source and capable of continuously transporting escaping persons is provided. The apparatus includes a housing attached to a place from where relevant persons can escape a fire, a hollow active shaft rotatably mounting therein a following shaft and securing thereon a driving member, an escaping loop rope positively circulating on the periphery of the driving member, a speed-increasing mechansim mounted between the active and following shafts, and a speed-limiting mechanism mounted on the following shaft so that the escaping person grasping on the rope can be rapidly and safely transported from the place to a ground surface.

Abstract: A device for raising and lowering a load has a braking device, brake indicator, and a one-way pulley. The braking device uses a wedge-shaped braking element to stop the advancement of a cord. The brake indicator indicates when the braking device is enabled. The one-way pulley allows the load to be lowered at a steady rate and uses a braking element positioned between a stop pin and a braking surface.

Abstract: A self-braking apparatus is provided for cases of emergency in which a rapid descent of persons threatened by fire or danger is required on the outside of buildings or the like. The apparatus can be secured to a fixed point from which the descent is to be made and comprises a rotor on which a rope is wound which is mounted coaxially and inwardly of a drum. A heat-resistant handle and a brake which can be actuated by the user are secured to the drum by brackets. The rotor is provided with a plurality of radial holes each containing a spring urging a brake pad outwardly against the inner surface of the drum. The brake which can be actuated by the user is formed by a pair of levers pivotally connected to each other and acting with one of their ends on rods having an inclined plane in turn acting on brake pads urged against the lateral surface of the drum by the rods.

Abstract: This specification describes a portable manually operated rescue and lowering device. It consists of a coaster-brake bicycle hub with its flanges extended enough to form a drum to accommodate about 40 meters of fine aircraft cable. To permit hand operation a novel brake securing and releasing lever replaces the standard bicycle sprocket. This modified assembly is mounted into a rigid frame so that the free end of the cable proceeds up away from the hub to be secured to a building part or object within the building. A fastener for hooking onto a sling is hung from the frame by means of a cable--the length of which is correct for holding a user within easy reach of the brake securing and releasing lever. With this lever, the operator can cause the cable to unwind quickly or slowly or to brake to a complete halt. To prevent the cable from accidentally unwinding constant counterclockwise tension is provided to the lever by two springs.

Abstract: The window escape descent control device for emergency use from upper windows of tall buildings comprises a body harness supported on the end of a rope wound around a flanged spool. The spool, when turned by the unwinding rope pulled by the weight of an escaper in the body harness, turns the shaft and an electrical generator operatively mounted thereon. The shaft also carries, and is controlled by, an electromagnetic brake and a speed control governor, which may be either centrifugally or optically operated and which, when a predetermined rate of shaft rotation is reached, causes energy to be released from the generator to actuate and apply the brake to the shaft; thus the rate off all of the escaper cannot exceed a pre-selected maximum.The mechanism is mounted on a frame support structure straddling and depending from the escape window ledge. The frame strucutre provides hand and foot support to aid the escaper in climbing out the window and in getting into position for descent.

Abstract: A controlled descent apparatus for lowering a person from an elevated place includes a cable which is wound on a drum and is unwound from the drum by the weight of the person to effect the descent. To limit the rate of descent, the drum turns as the cable is unwound and drives a positive displacement pump the output of which is through a flow control valve. The latter is set to permit a preselected maximum rate of flow so that the drum turns at a correlated maximum speed and thus limits the rate at which the cable is paid out during the descent. In the unlikely event that the valve fails to limit the speed of the drum, a centrifugally operated brake is automatically energized at a somewhat higher speed of the drum whereby the descent continues at a faster but still a safe rate.

Abstract: An escape device uses multiple discardable cable spools. The escape device casing is fitted to a window ledge by front and rear locking feet. A person attempting to escape uses hand grips to position himself below the roller spool for the cable and at a position spaced from the outside wall of the building. As he descends, his rate of descent is controlled by friction brakes within the casing. Upon reaching the ground, a door in the casing can be opened and the cable spool removed and replaced with a fresh cable spool, thus eliminating the necessity for rewinding the old cable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new and improved design associated with the fabrication and construction of a portable escape device wherein a cable is wound around a drum physically encased therein, said drum being mechanically interrelated with two separate and distinct brake mechanisms through a series of interrelated gears, the brake mechanisms capable of being automatically and/or manually actuated independent of each other or in combination therewith so as to control the rate of movement of said drum and thus regulate the rate of release of said cable wound around said drum. Furthermore, one of the brake mechanisms is air cooled and operates upon centrifugal force principals to achieve braking.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a fire escape for the lowering of a plurality of escapees to the ground. Included in the present structure is a shaft, a spool journalled upon the shaft, a cable having a first and second end, the first end secured to the journal of the spool, in which the cable has a length generally equal to the distance of the spool above the ground. Also provided are body securement means affixed to the second end of the cable for use by the escapee. Further provided is a flywheel which is rotationally coupled to the spool; the flywheel constitutes a means for acquiring and storing angular momentum developed therein during descent of the cable to the ground. Also included in the present inventive fire escape are means for rotationally transferring the angular momentum from the flywheel back to the spool to thereby effectuate the rewinding of the cable so that the body securement means can thereby be used by the next escapee. Further provided are descent and ascent angular velocity limit means.

Abstract: A fire escape descender capable of controlling the descending speed, thereby ensuring that the escaper can escape from the burning building at a desired speed, wherein the speed controlling is effected either manually or automatically.

Abstract: A fire escape device having a housing and cable drum rotatable therein with a cable connected thereto and extending from the housing for connection with a supporting structure with the housing being connected to a person descending from an upper floor of a building or the like during an emergency situation such as a fire with an automatic brake mechanism controlling the rate of descent of such a person by applying a braking force to a rotatable component geared to the cable drum for controlling unreeling movement of the cable.

Abstract: A fall arrester and emergency retrieval apparatus and a support tripod therefor, wherein an emergency retrieval assembly is operably associated with a clutch-brake type cable drum to enable cable dispensed from the cable drum and supporting a worker, subsequent to a fall to be selectively drawn in or extended from the assembly. The invention may comprise actuation assembly designed to hamper disengagement of the emergency retrieval assembly from the cable drum by unauthorized personnel subsequent to engagement and use of the emergency retrieval assembly. A specially adapted tripod assembly is described for anchoring the fall arrester and emergency retrieval apparatus which allows the apparatus to be mounted on a leg portion thereof or suspended from a central portion thereof, for facilitating use of the fall arrester and emergency retrieval apparatus in confined entry applications.

Abstract: A safety system which permits the free movement of the user, assists the ascent of the user and provides a reduced, controlled rate of descent in the event of an emergency descent or a fall, includes a cable attachable at one end to the user and secured at the other end to a moveable counterweight assembly. Intermediate its ends the cable passes over a pulley in a controlled descent device which also includes a centrifugally-actuated clutch coupling the pulley to a speed-multiplying gearing system and a centrifugally-operated braking assembly. Under normal-use conditions, the pulley is rotated at sufficiently low speeds to preclude engagement of the clutch, and the user has free movement, with a component of the counterweight assisting the ascent of the user. In the event of a rapid rate of descent, the increased rotational speed of the pulley is coupled to and actuates the braking assembly to reduce the rotation of the pulley and slow the descent to a lower, controlled rate.

Abstract: A drum hoist or winch in which at least one circular cam lobe mounted eccentrically on an axle overlapping the axle is interconnected with a like circular cam lobe mounted on a second axle by inboard linkage whereby rotation of one axle will rotate the other axle in unison. A hoist drum mounted concentrically with at least one of the axles can thus be rotated in unison with the other axle to wind or unwind one or more cables thereon.A preferred embodiment has three circular cam lobes mounted eccentrically on each axle 120.degree. angularly out of phase with each other with an inboard link plate interconnecting a cam lobe on each axle in rotatable relation.A brake mechanism mounted on an axle has components normally frictionally engaged which rotate as a unit. Sliding frictional motion to slow down and positively brake the hoist to a stop is provided only when rotary speed of the axle exceeds a predetermined speed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for letting a person down from a substantial height. The invention includes: a rotatably mounted reel for retaining an elongate extension member adapted to be connected to the person to be let down; a brake for reducing the rate of rotation of the reel, the brake including a brake drum and a pair of brake shoes mounted to rotate with the reel; a governor including a pair of radially inwardly articulated flyweights extending between the brake shoes, the articulation permitting the flyweights to be displaced radially outwardly as the rate of rotation of the brake shoes and the reel increase, to displace the brake shoes radially outwardly whereby the pressure of the brake shoes against the brake drum and the resulting brake is increased as the rate of rotation of the reel increases; and a crank mounted to the apparatus for permitting the reel to be rewound onto the reel.

Abstract: An apparatus for emergency evacuation of people from tall buildings having a sliding descent device for removably coupling to a vertical guide column fixed to an exterior wall of the building, a speed of descent regulating device, and a support beam for attaching to and supporting a person.

Abstract: A novel controlled descent device is disclosed which not only aids in the ascent of a human being from a lower elevation to an upper elevation but also provides for the safe descent of a human being from the upper level to the lower level. The apparatus comprises a round cable, a counterweight, a controlled descent pulley having a ratchet and pawl brake system and a conventional pulley; all operating conjunctly dependently on the position and situation of the human being. The controlled descent pulley and conventional pulley are held in a plate structure which is secured to the upper elevation. The counterweight is raised and lowered from the upper elevation to the lower elevation and vice-versa by means of a guy wire which is anchored and held in relatively taught position between said upper elevation and said lower elevation.

Abstract: A device for lowering a person from a building by dispensing a cable that is anchored on one end to the building. The cable is played out of the device by unwinding the cable from a spool. In one embodiment, the spool rotates on a shaft that has a planetary gear linkage on one end and a centrifugal brake on the opposite end of the shaft. In a manual embodiment a dual disc brake is adapted to engage the ends of the spool for controlling the rate at which the cable is unwound from the spool. In both embodiments the brake is spring biased into engagement to prevent unwinding the cable when no load is placed on the device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for escaping from buildings in case of fires or other emergencies. The device enables persons to be rescued to leave the building by descending vertically along the external building walls. The device is made up of a closed casing provided with a hook to hook the same to an anchorage provided therefor near the upper windows or openings of the building. Inside the closed casing is a steel cable coiled on a reel that is connected, through an overgear, to a dynamic brake. A harness or safety belt is provided for being hooked to the free end of the steel cable that projects outwardly from the closed casing, and by means of this harness or safety belt the persons to be rescued leave the building by descending vertically.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained device for use in safely lowering filled beer kegs from the bed of a delivery truck to the ground. The device includes a hollow drum rotatably carried within a sealed housing which can be removably interconnected to a rigid support in the load bay of the truck. A length of cable is wound about the drum and the free end thereof is connected to the keg chimes by means of a unique harness assembly. When the keg is pushed from the truck the cable is uniformly paid out from the drum against the urging of a rewind spring. The rate of descent of the keg to the ground is precisely controlled through a speed increaser housed within the drum which drives a novel centrifugal brake at high speeds producing a predetermined amount of drag on the drum. Upon disconnecting the harness assembly the cable is automatically rewound on the drum by the rewind spring.

Abstract: A fire escape having a cable-carrying drum mounted for rotation on a fixed shaft supported by a frame wherein the speed of rotation on the drum when the cable is laid out is governed by a centrifugally-operated braking device, one braking element of which is fixed rigidly to the shaft and the other element of which is slidably and rotatably mounted on the rigid shaft and provided with a gear connection to the drum, movement of the rotating brake element into frictional engagement with the fixed braking element by a centrifugal governor rotatably mounted on the shaft and rotated by virtue of geared connection to the drum.