Abstract: The method of human body suspension, that includes providing an upright door, and a support body clamped to the door; straddling the door by extending human legs generally transversely at opposite sides of the door; providing grips operatively connected to the support body to project outwardly at opposite sides of the door, and manually grasping the grips to exert force acting to suspend the human torso and legs which remain straddling the door and extending transversely during suspending of the torso and legs.

Abstract: A building escape system, method and apparatus employs a door as both the egress opening from the building, and as the structural member to support the escapee during descent.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in controlling vertical movement of a first weight, comprises a first element rotatable in one direction about an axis and blocked against rotation in the opposite rotary direction; a second element acting as a guide; a control weight; and lines supporting the first weight and control weight by the elements, and including a first line wrapping about the first element and a second line entraining the second element, whereby changes in force exertion on the control weight determine alternative existence of a first mode of operation wherein line slippage relative to the first element allows the first weight to descend, and a second mode of operation wherein line non-slippage relative to the first element thereby blocks descending of the first weight. In addition, the control weight is usable to exert force acting to remove slack from the second line, which is important for safety reasons, where the apparatus is used for climbing. Governor, hoist and other safety elements may be employed.

Abstract: The method of providing for escape from a building, that includes providing a safety door extending between a passage in the building, and the building exterior, the door extending upwardly from a location proximate the passage floor, supporting the door to open outwardly away from the passage, thereby opening the passage to the building exterior; and providing descent equipment including a cable or cables, for support by the door, and to move outwardly with the door so as to become located above the void below the opened door at the building exterior, whereby a person in the passage may access the descent equipment to be controllably lowered downwardly into the void at the building exterior while supported by the door.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in controlling vertical movement of a first weight, comprises a first element rotatable in one direction about an axis and blocked against rotation in the opposite rotary direction; a second element acting as a guide; a control weight; and lines supporting the first weight and control weight by the elements, and including a first line wrapping about the first element and a second line entraining the second element, whereby changes in force exertion on the control weight determine alternative existence of a first mode of operation wherein line slippage relative to the first element allows the first weight to descend, and a second mode of operation wherein line non-slippage relative to the first element thereby blocks descending of the first weight. In addition, the control weight is usable to exert force acting to remove slack from the second line, which is important for safety reasons, where the apparatus is used for climbing.