Abstract: An escape ladder assembly (20) for mounting adjacent a window opening (4) in a building is provided, the window opening comprising a substantially horizontal window sill (8), the escape ladder assembly comprising a housing (22) for mounting in the wall adjacent the window opening, the housing having an opening in the window sill; a foldable ladder (32); at least one wall engaging fastening means (30) for connecting an end of the foldable ladder to the wall; wherein the foldable ladder is removable from within the housing through the opening in the window sill.

Abstract: An improved safety ladder and safety window as well as a method for use are disclosed. The ladder is discrete and compact, for convenience. The ladder is stored in a hidden container that is an extension or an addition to a normal window, or made part of an existing window, for example by being housed in a box associated with the window. The inventive built-in safety ladder provides for an easy escape in the case of an emergency. The window may be employed in a double-hung window, casement window, awning, hopper, or any operating window which can be used for egress. The fire escape can be incorporated in wood, vinyl, aluminum, steel, and other types of windows. The box may also be used for housing other items such as emergency escape smoke hoods that are used as breathing apparatus, or as a hidden wall safe to store valuables and can be accessed using a security code.

Abstract: A fire escape ladder assembly adapted for mounting between wall support members in a building cavity of a building structure. The assembly includes a fire escape ladder enclosure mounted in the building cavity and a mounting structure passing through the enclosure and surrounding building support members to anchor the fire escape ladder directly to the building structure. The enclosure can include a portion for mounting within a wall cavity and can further include a portion for mounting within a building floor cavity. The mounting structure can include a threaded rod passing through apertures in adjacent wall studs and maintained in a centered position by lock nuts.

Abstract: Fire escape apparatus suitable for use in locations where escape requires a movement from a first level to a second lower level is described. The apparatus comprises a casing (40), a flexible ladder (14, 16), and a means for deploying said ladder (11, 22, 24). The casing (40) has a mouth and is of sufficient dimensions to contain the flexible ladder (14, 16) when not in use. The deployment means (11, 22, 24) includes a spacer means (22, 24) and one or more handle means (11). The deployment means may be reversibly reconfigured between a storage configuration and a deployed configuration. The casing may be built into the structure which is to be escaped from, and the ladder is protected, when not in use, by the casing.

Abstract: The present application provides a new emergency exit system. The system comprises an exit door controlled by an emergency detection system, which includes emergency detection sensors such as a smoke detector, a heat detector and/or a carbon monoxide detector functionally connected to the door. The exit door is pivotally mounted on a frame and equipped with a locking mechanism which is in communication with the emergency detection system through an alarm system. The door automatically opens and illuminates when an unsafe emergency situation is detected to provide a lighted escape route at the floor level of a room.

Abstract: An attic scuttle for providing a means of accessing the attic which is easily installed, fire-rated, and forms a tight, insulating seal. The attic scuttle includes a sleeve with a perimeter wall, and a hinged door positioned within the base portion of the sleeve for facilitating access to the attic from a room below.

Abstract: A fire escape system for providing an apparatus for escape from building structures. The fire escape system includes a container having an open front, a back wall, and a door hingedly attached to the container and closeable over the open front, and further includes a motor, a switch member connected to the motor, a battery connected to the switch member, a rotatable first shaft journaled inside the container and driven by the motor, a pair of elongate flexible members carried by the rotatable first shaft, a plurality of rungs having a plurality of stand-off members at the ends thereof and being securely attached to the elongate flexible members with the stand-off members being moveably received in tracks. As a second embodiment, a winch which includes a motor carries a flexible line which is carried about two pulleys and is connected to a lift member which is operated by remote control.

Abstract: An escape ladder and housing assembly adapted to be attached to the framework in the wall of a structure below an escape opening comprising a housing, a ladder construction adapted to be stowed within the housing, and a connection assembly mounted in the housing connected to the ladder construction so that, when the ladder construction is deployed through the escape opening, loads on the ladder are transmitted to the housing and the wall framework.

Abstract: An emergency escape system (16) for a window (13) of a building (10) includes an escape ladder (36) stored within a window frame (21). A sill part (23) covers a recess (32) containing the escape ladder and allows a window part (22) to form a normal seal with the sill as if no escape ladder system were present. In an emergency, the escape ladder can be quickly deployed to allow a person to exit the building safely through the window. Spacers (88) can be used to provide a more stable escape ladder. A removable cartridge (81) can also be used to easily replace the escape ladder system after the escape ladder has been used or damaged.

Abstract: An escape ladder stored in an interior wall of a building, beneath a window. The ladder is deployed by placement through a window with a storage container providing a step for ease in exiting. Ladder steps are secured by a flexible strap with each step including an integral spacer to maintain proper positioning of the steps upon deployment. The ladder is stored in a nest configuration pattern with the connecting strap folded between each step.

Abstract: A basement emergency exit assembly has a ladder for exiting from a basement window. The window is held within tracks mounted at the interior of the window frame. By moving the bottom of the ladder away from the wall, the window is permitted to slide down the track out of its frame and the ladder is positioned at an angle for easy egress. The window can either fall directly into a pocket within a wall, or, the tracks can be swung out as the ladder is moved thereby pulling the window out of frame and causing it to slide along the tracks until it is clear of the window opening.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a type of escape ladder structural improvement (1), comprising a housing, an inside ladder, an outside ladder, an outside cover and a gear transmission; the hollow interior of the housing comprising an escape channel; the inside ladder, the outside ladder and the outside cover being respectively installed on the rear and front openings of the hollow interior in the housing; said inside ladder can swing backwards to extend itself by way of its own gravitational weight when a handle is pulled, and via the gear transmission mechanism, it in turn drives the outside cover and the outside ladder to swing forwards to extend themselves, so that the escapee will be able to climb the inside ladder, to the hollow interior of the housing, then to the outside ladder, and escape from the scene by means of the escape device on the outside cover; said mechanism will enable easy operation to create a best escape channel without causing bad effects on the appearance of a building.

Abstract: A hidden ladder unit for mounting in the stern of a boat hull that includes a horizontally disposed housing affixed to the transom that has an open front wall and a solid back wall. The housing is equipped with a mounting flange that is fastened securely to the transom. A foldable ladder is secured in the back wall of the housing which, when folded, is fully contained within the housing, and when extended, hangs downwardly from the transom to the waterline of the hull. The opening formed in the front wall of the housing is closed by means of a door that is hingedly mounted in said housing.

Abstract: A window assembly including a storable fire escape ladder is described including a first frame mounted in the wall of the building and having a window support frame positioned therein with the window support frame being pivotally connected at its upper end to the first frame to enable the support frame to be pivotally moved from a closed position outwardly to an escape or open position. The first frame includes a storage compartment at its lower end in which the fire escape ladder is stored. A panel member extends downwardly from the window in the window support frame and normally closes or covers the open outer end of the storage compartment when the window support frame is in its closed position.

Abstract: A fire escape window system has a fixed outer, peripheral frame set permanently into a window opening of a wall. An inner frame carrying sash units, screens, storm glass, and the like is mounted in the outer frame on a hinge axis. The inner frame pivots from a position weather-sealed across the outer frame to an open position where the opening in the outer frame is unobstructed for emergency personal egress. A latch retains the inner frame in a closed, sealed position but is quickly releasable for swinging of the inner frame to the open position. A spring may be used to bias the inner frame to move automatically to the open position upon release of the latch. A safety alarm signals upon opening of the inner frame. The latch may be electrically operated and, if so, it may be connected for opening the inner frame selectively in conjunction with a smoke or other fire detector which is activated by an emergency condition.

Abstract: A turning type emergency escape is constituted by a rotary stowage box defining an evacuation passage therein, upper and lower covers pivoted to upper and lower portions of the inner side of the evacuation passage, a cover interlocking mechanism interlocking the upper and lower covers for simultaneously opening and closing movements, and a turning mechanism for rotating the stowage box between retracted and protruded positions. An extensible escape means is connected to the stowage box at the evacuation passage and is normally received in the evacuation way for extending out of the stowage box for escape. The extensible escape means has a plurality of telescopically connected pipe sections of different cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: This invention is an interlocking, segmented, ladder for use on high rise buildings and the like; wherein, the ladder is stored horizontally between floors of such building so as to not create an unpleasant or dangerous permanent exterior structure, and wherein the ladder may be automatically or manually actuated in the event of an emergency, in which case each section is extended from its horizontal position of storage within the building and is rearranged in a vertical position on the exterior of the building; and, appropriate safety footings are provided for inter-locking of the various elements; and, a series of safety devices are incorporated so that persons using the ladder will not fall from it and provisions are made for safe entrance onto the ladder.

Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating passengers from a passenger-carrying cabin having a floor suspended above the ground comprises upper and lower plates engageable over the upper and lower sides of a vertical hole through the floor. These plates are both secured tightly in place on the respective sides of the floor in a normal position and are released in an emergency position, with the lower plate dropping away from the car. A tubular life-saving chute is secured to the floor between the sides in the hole and is folded up between the plates in the normal position, but extends from the floor toward the ground in the emergency position to allow persons to be saved to slide down through this chute. A linkage normally rigidly interconnects the two plates together, but is operated in case of fire or the like to disconnect them.

Abstract: A flexible fire ladder is stowed in a housing mounted between a pair of projecting beams within a decorative overhang over a window of a building. The housing is either underside a pivotly mounted hopper, or is formed by a soffit below the roof overhang and includes a pivotly mounted door. In either event, the hopper or door is retained in place by a catch. A cable for articulating the catch passes within the building wall to a handle mounted near the window. The cable may be pulled either manually by the handle or by a solenoid responsive to a fire detector.