Abstract: An apparatus for escaping the area of an accident on a drilling rig platform or the like is disclosed. A frame defines an interior space sized to accommodate a worker. A locking system includes a locking mechanism and also a foot-actuated disengager that is located at least proximate to the bottom of the frame. The locking mechanism is adapted to interlock with a mating portion on the platform to prevent the frame from travel away from the platform when the locking mechanism engages the mating portion. The disengager is connected to the locking mechanism and has a foot receiving surface region upon which force can be applied to displace the disengager between a first, engaged position and a second position to disengage the locking mechanism from the mating portion. The frame will travel away from the platform to the terminal location under gravity when the locking mechanism is disengaged.

Abstract: A housing, having at least a top wall and a spaced parallel bottom wall, has aligned openings in the top and bottom walls and a path extending between the aligned openings. The housing is mounted over a well bore so that the openings are aligned with the well bore. In the housing are a pair of blocks which are pivotable from an open position, in which the path is cleared, to a closed position, in which the blocks extend across the path. Wire line tools are mounted through the housing into the bore and thence into the well. When the tools are raised from the well, the blocks are in their closed position whereby to prevent the tools from falling back into the well should the wire break.