Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus for one person to use in effecting an escape from a tall building or the like under emergency conditions, such apparatus including a novel load-lowering device in the form of a small cylindrical drum having generally teardrop-shaped apertured endplates on both ends thereof and an eye projecting therebeneath for attachment of a load-carrying sling. The elongate portions of the teardrop-shaped endplates are vertically aligned and project beyond the surface of the drum, such projections containing the apertures. A rope is threaded onto the load-lowering device by first being passed up and in through the aperture in the lower endplate, then wrapped three or four turns around the drum before finally being passed up and out through the aperture in the upper one or vice versa.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multiperson emergency evacuation system characterized by a first rope used for the initial descent down the outside of the building, a combination anchoring and descent control fixture mountable adjacent the escape opening used to both anchor the upper end of a ground or rooftop-anchored fixed rope and for belaying with a second rope the personnel riding the fixed rope down by means of a friction drum mounted thereon, a body harness and a special connection for detachably fastening each individual escapee at spaced points intermediate the ends of the movable belay rope. The invention also encompasses the novel method of evacuating more than one person from the upper floors of a multistory building which comprises first erecting a fixture adjacent the escape opening having a drum-type friction belay feature, and then, assuming no one is on the ground to catch and anchor the fixed rope, sending one or more persons down to receive and anchor it while belaying them from above.