Abstract: A fire escape device having an elongated flexible element terminating in an end anchorable to a building structure and having a length sufficient to reach a lower, safe support level. Detachably mounted on the flexible element for longitudinal movement therealong is a slide and sling assembly including a clamp arranged for clampingly engaging the flexible element in such a manner as to form a loop therein. By this arrangement, the rate of descent of a person using the device can be controlled not only by tightening and untightening the clamp itself, but also by pressure applied to the loose end of the flexible element by the user or by any other person below.

Abstract: A fire escape in the form of an elongated flexible member anchored at its upper end to a building structure or stationary device associated with the building structure with the flexible member being of sufficient length to reach the ground or some other lower level by which a person may safely escape from a fire in the building. An attachable and detachable slide is mounted on the flexible member for longitudinal sliding movement in relation thereto with the rate of descent being manually controlled by a person supported therefrom by a belt type sling. The slide includes a pair of hingedly attached members having partial grooves in their facing surfaces for engaging the flexible member and a screw-threaded bolt and nut assembly connecting the hingedly connected members for moving the facing surfaces toward and away from each other for varying the frictional engagement between the slide and the flexible member.