Abstract: A tether system for a safety line has an elongate guide track and stay elements arranged to move along the guide track and be carried at spaced positions along the length of a tether line. The system is typically employed in a fall arrest or protection system mounted to a structure, having an ascent/descent ladder fixed to the structure, the system including a self-retracting safety line device including a safety line, mounted at height.

Abstract: A tether system for a safety line has an elongate guide track and stay elements arranged to move along the guide track and be carried at spaced positions along the length of a tether line. The system is typically employed in a fall arrest or protection system mounted to a structure, having an ascent/descent ladder fixed to the structure, the system including a self-retracting safety line device including a safety line, mounted at height.

Abstract: A ladder climbing apparatus is provided for use with a ladder having a plurality of rungs. The ladder climbing apparatus includes a frame, a prime mover mounted to the frame and a power supply electrically connected to the prime mover. A pulley system is mounted to the frame, and is mechanically connected to the prime mover. At least two drive belts are configured so that each of the drive belts pass around the pulley system, and the drive belts are connected to the prime mover by the pulley system. A plurality of gripper elements are attached to each of the drive belts. The ladder climbing apparatus is configured so that a portion of the plurality of gripper elements are in contact with at least four rungs of the ladder during an ascent or descent, so that weight is distributed over the at least four rungs of the ladder.

Abstract: A ladder climbing apparatus is provided for use with a ladder having a plurality of rungs. The ladder climbing apparatus includes a frame, a prime mover mounted to the frame and a power supply electrically connected to the prime mover. A pulley system is mounted to the frame, and is mechanically connected to the prime mover. At least two drive belts are configured so that each of the drive belts pass around the pulley system, and the drive belts are connected to the prime mover by the pulley system. A plurality of gripper elements are attached to each of the drive belts. The ladder climbing apparatus is configured so that a portion of the plurality of gripper elements are in contact with at least four rungs of the ladder during an ascent or descent, so that weight is distributed over the at least four rungs of the ladder.

Abstract: A warning system for use with a climbing wall and an automatic belay apparatus for belaying a climber, the warning system providing a warning that a climber is not protected by the auto-belay apparatus. The warning system includes a sensor positioned to sense that a lower end of the climbing rope is secured to the climbing wall and the climber is not attached to the auto-belay system which indicates a dangerous situation, and a height sensor for sensing when the climber has reached a selected height on the climbing wall. A processor receives signals from the sensors and compares the signals to determine if the climber has reached the selected height with the lower end of the climbing wall still secured to the wall, and if so, then actuates a warning alarm.

Abstract: An escape system for a building, including a belting ladder formed by an endless band of a flat flexible reinforced belting material with a plurality of longitudinally-spaced apertures each with a substantially transverse edge portion forming rung-like features therealong for human engagement, and a control apparatus having (a) a support structure mountable to the building, the support structure having a central shaft and a rotatable pulley member secured thereto with the endless band therearound, (b) a speed limiter mounted with respect to the main shaft for restraining rotation of the pulley member during human descent by belt movement. In some embodiments, the control apparatus also includes a winder device adjacent to the pulley member and having at least one winder rod engageable with the belt and orbitable with an engaged portion thereof about the pulley member.

Abstract: An extensible, vehicle-mounted ladder with movable rungs is used to aid in raising and lowering in rescue operations. The ladder includes a rotatable base having storage space to hold extra rungs supporting the variable extended positions of the ladder. The ladder includes a plurality of ladder units or extensible booms. Each ladder unit includes four C-rails. A first ladder unit is attached to the rotatable base and the others extensible therefrom. The ladder includes rungs that slidably engage within two of the C-rails. A drive cable connects the rungs in a closed loop and is powered to enable rung rotation in a closed loop around the ladder units within the C-rails.

Abstract: A device (70) for evacuating people from a building is provided with a rescue member via which people can be brought from an upper storey of the building (2) to ground level (28). The rescue member has at least one rope (20), belt or similar, which is let down from the upper storey of the building (2) along the building wall to ground level (28). At specified intervals on this rope (20), support members (31) are arranged with which, in each of the storeys, a carrying element (32) can be connected, on which at least one person is held. The carrying elements (32) are automatically detachable in an area close to ground level (28). This device (7?) enables people to be evacuated safely and easily.

Abstract: The invention relates to a climbing aid for ladders or the like, comprising an endless traction means running between guide pulleys, from which a person may optionally hang by means of a suspension device, with a drive device (20) comprising a drive motor (21), by means of which one of the guide pulleys may be driven as the drive disc (12) for the drive means (13), with a traction force limitation device and with a device for switching the drive device on/off, which can be actuated by the endless traction means (13).

Abstract: A transportable conveyer is provided for simultaneous rescue of multiple persons and objects. The conveyer is capable of being stored and transported in a compact folded position. The preferred embodiment is an endless conveyer with three elements: a belt equipped with a plurality of eyes for a hook along the circumferential surface of the belt; a vehicle to transport the belt to a site where rescue is required; and a motor for rotating the belt to raise or lower a load secured to the load affixing means. The belt may be deployed manually or by a powered boom. Hooks, harnesses and bags are used to attach one or more objects of rescue to the belt.

Abstract: An emergency escape device includes a hollow frame body adapted to be mounted on an uppermost floor of a building, and having first, second and third chain shafts mounted rotatably thereon. A transmission unit couples the first chain shaft to a motor unit. A ladder unit includes right and left endless chains, each of which has an upper chain portion extending into the frame body and a lower chain portion disposed downwardly and outwardly of the frame body. The upper chain portions of the right and left endless chains are trained in sequence on first, third and second chain wheels mounted respectively on the first, third and second chain shafts. Linking bars are spacedly disposed to interconnect the right and left endless chains.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the safety equipment of a circulatable ladder. The device requires no automatic power and can be operated for heavy loading capacity. The device includes a track set, a circulatable chain mounted along the track set, a securing device secured to a building for securing thereon the track set and a decelerator mounted on the securing device for slowing down the circulating speed of the circulatable chain.

Abstract: A rope braking device is formed from a steel rod defining a substantially rectangular frame about which a rope may be entwined for the purpose of braking the passage of the rope through the rope braking device for the controlled lowering of an object secured to one end of the rope. The rod may be a single one-piece rod bent into the rectangular frame configuration with the opposite ends of the rod being bent into two upstanding hooks for supporting the rope braking device on a fixed support. When the rope braking device is used for lowering kegs from a truck, a keg hooking device is used which includes a pair of hook members, each having a hook engageable in a rim aperture of a keg and a loop secured to an oval ring adjacent the center of the keg wherein the loop and hook of each hook member are disposed orthagonally to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that can be used for hoisting and rescue purposes at significant elevations such as in high rise buildings.

Abstract: A moving staircase escape-way from offshore platforms, which consists of two pairs of parallel wire ropes that pass through the ends of a plurality of rolls spaced equally apart. Selected rolls, belonging to the first pair of steel ropes lying substantially parallel to rolls belonging to the second pair of wire ropes, are connected to one another by pairs of non-skid rungs, spaced equally apart. The space between the pairs of rungs being about the same as the average height of a man. The moving staircase is fitted onto pulleys on the edge of a cylindrical drum, shafts of which fit into a support on the offshore platform.

Abstract: A device for ascending and descending following a vertically disposed rope comprises a handle assembly including a pair of handles, a stirrup asssembly including a pair of foot-holds and a harness depending from the handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly attached to the rope in a sliding relationship grabs the rope when the pair of handles are pulled down and the stirrup assembly attached to the rope in a sliding relationship grabs the rope when the pair of foot-holds are stepped on; whereby a person wearing the harness climbs the rope by repeating the movements of pulling up the stirrup assembly by bending the knees while pulling down the pair of handles and then pushing up the handle assembly while standing up on the pair of foot-holds, or slides down on the rope at a controlled speed by exerting a required amount of braking applied by means of the handle assembly and/or the stirrup assembly.

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 fast-lowering hydraulic equipment is described, fully automatic (10) which includes a box (11) with two chambers (12, 13) separated by a partition wall (14) where a central supporting shaft (19) is arranged. A chain (42), rope (71) or steel cable (66) with safety belt (80, 85) working on a pulley (30 or 72) or spool (65), drives a gear device (34, 35, 39, 40), amplifying the rotation at the central shaft (19) which, in its opposite end presents a propeller with blades (24) submerged in the oil chamber (12), retarding thus the lowering speed.The hydraulic equipment in reference is adequate to be used in rescuing, maintenance or other jobs at any height, at the facade of buildings or similar situations, and may be stored in a sealed deposit box (140) for equipment protection, attached to the wall at strategic sites, propitiating higher safety in tall buildings and constructions.

Abstract: This invention discloses a self-sufficient device enabling a person to descend and ascend with ease, which device includes a closed loop of cord depending from a frictionally controlled cord release apparatus that exerts braking on the looping movement of the closed loop of cord in one direction releasing the first member and taking up the second member thereof, while it allows substantially free looping movements in the other direction releasing the second member and taking up the first member of the closed loop of the cord, wherein the first member of the closed loop of cord includes a harness securely affixed thereto and the second member includes a handle and a stirrup slidably secured thereto, which handle and stirrup freely slide on the second member of the closed loop of cord when no load is exerted thereon, while the handle and stirrup grabs the second member of the closed loop of cord when a load is exerted thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lowering a plurality of evacuees in a single descent using a movable rope system is provided. An anchor is equipped with expansion means for wedging the anchor between a floor and ceiling. An arm extends outward from the anchor and is supported by a leg extending to the floor. The leg is braced to the expandable floor-to-ceiling member to resist tilting of the anchor. A friction drum is provided to control the descent of evacuees and also to provide for braking of the rope in order to attach harnesses for use by evacuees. A first evacuee is attached to an end of the rope and lowered a distance whereupon the rope is braked. A second evacuee is then attached and lowered and the rope is again braked. In this manner, a plurality of evacuees are attached to the first end of the rope which is then lowered to the destination point.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for transporting a person or persons vertically that comprises a closed loop of cord depending from a cylindrical roller with frictional braking means on which roller the cord is wound over a plurality of laps wherein the speed of the lowering motion of one member of the closed loop of cord depending from the cylindrical roller is effortlessly controlled by a small amount of tension exerted on the other member of the closed loop of cord depending from the cylindrical roller as the small amount of tension exerted on the other member of the closed loop of cord controls the magnitude of the frictional braking on the cylindrical roller. Consequently, a person secured to the one member of the closed loop of cord is able to lower oneself at a safe speed with ease by exerting a small amount of pull on the other member of the closed loop of cord.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-sufficient device enabling a person to descend and ascend with ease, which device includes a closed loop of cord depending from a frictionally controlled cord release device wherein a person secured to one member of the closed loop of cord depending from the frictionally controlled cord release device by means of a harness is able to controll one's descending speed by exerting a small amount of tension on the other member of the closed loop of cord in the descending process. In the ascending process, a person secured to one member of the closed loop of cord by a harness is able to elevate oneself by using a stirrup slidably secured to the other member of the closed loop of cord 1 which stirrup includes a locking means that grabs the other member of the closed loop of cord when one stands on the stirrup applying a weight thereon, while the stirrup slides substantially freely on the other member of the closed loop of cord when no weight is applied thereon.

Abstract: This invention relates to an emergency escape system for escape from elevated structures such as sky-scrapers, high-rise apartment or office buildings, etc., which system enables one to lower oneself from any level of a high-rise building to ground level all by oneself without requiring any help from rescue crews wherein, with the minimum amount of physical effort, the descending motion and speed is completely controlled by the descending person. The sky-ride emergency system comprises a closed loop of rope or cable wound on a friction drum over a number of complete laps in a substantially tight relationship. The cylindrical surface of the friction drum nonrotatably secured to an elevated level has a high friction coefficient. The closed loop of rope depending from the friction drum includes at least one securing means such as a hook or ring affixed to the rope. The lower extremity of the closed loop of rope depending from the friction drum reaches down to a lower level such as ground level.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self-contained and self-sufficient device for lowering and raising oneself vertically without relying on any mechanical power, or any man power external to the system wherein the direction and speed in the vertical movement of a person is fully controlled with ease by that person himself or herself. The sky-ride vertical mobiity system of the present invention comprises a frictionally controlled rope release device secured to an upper level and a closed loop of rope depending from the frictionally controlled rope release device that is wrapped around a friction drum included in the frictionally controlled rope release device. Exertion of a pull of very small magnitude on one member of the closed loop of rope depending from the frictionally controlled rope release device creates a frictional braking of very large magnitude that is capable of suspending a heavy object secured to the other member of the closed loop of rope motionlessly in midair or lower it at a safe speed.

Abstract: Support structure is provided for support in elevated position above a support surface upon which a user may be disposed. An elongated section of flexible tension member is mounted from the support structure by guide structure mounted thereon and the tension member includes releasably joined opposite ends. The tension member is supported from the guide structure for longitudinal shifting relative thereto and with a closed loop of the tension member depending downwardly from the support structure. The guide structure includes adjustable friction brake structure for yieldingly braking the tension member against longitudinal shifting relative to the guide structure With the brake structure adjustably applied, the reach of the tension member furthest from the support structure may be used by a climber and the friction braking on the tension member may be adjusted to effect a friction drag against longitudinal shifting of the tension member which is equivalent to less than the weight of the user.

Abstract: A safety chute for enabling people to escape from a building during an emergency which consists of a tube, a water tank located at the bottom of the tube, and a parachute inside the tube for controlling the velocity of the descending person. By raising the water level above the tube exit, air is trapped between the water and the parachute, thereby providing the upward pressure on the parachute during the descent.

Abstract: An escape device for use in tall buildings wherein an endless ladder-type chain driven around a plurality of chain sprockets is mounted on a movable platform and lowered over the side of a building to enable escape to ground level from a burning building. The endless ladder chain is compactly stored when not in use in a housing which includes a pair of inclined rod-like support members by which the endless chain under the force of gravity is slidingly dispensed from the chain housing to the sprocket assembly.