CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the priority of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/640,919, filed on Dec. 30, 2004, by the same inventor.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to systems that facilitate rescue or escape of persons from a building during an emergency. More particularly, the present invention relates to a novel building escape railing system which includes tracks that can be attached to the exterior of a building to facilitate the vertical travel of escape platforms, scaffolding, traveling fire hoses and the like, on the building during a fire or other emergency.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART High-rise buildings such as apartments, office buildings and the like are equipped with fire escape stairways having an access on each floor for persons to escape the building in the event of a fire or other emergency. To escape from the building, occupants typically must leave their rooms or apartments and traverse a hallway at the end of which is a door leading to the fire escape stairway. However, if the fire has progressed into the hallway, some of the occupants, unable to pass beyond the location of the fire, may become trapped in their rooms or apartments. Such persons frequently must wait for firefighting personnel to arrive in order to escape from the building.
As firefighting personnel arrive at the location of a burning building, a ladder can be extended from the fire truck and placed at the openings of windows to enable building occupants to escape from the building through the windows. While firefighters have improved life-saving techniques over the years, it may be difficult for firefighting personnel to place a ladder at every window in the building through which persons need to escape the building. Moreover, in the saving of persons trapped in a burning building, time is critical since, depending on the severity of the fire, some persons in the building may perish due to the fire or smoke inhalation if such persons are not quickly provided a means of escape from the building.
As firefighting personnel attempt to rescue persons from a burning building, fire hoses are used to direct pressurized water against the fire in an effort to extinguish the fire. In some situations, it may be difficult for the personnel to properly place or position the fire hose into close proximity to the fire, particularly if a large portion of the fire is on the interior of the building. In such instances, heat from the fire may render it difficult for personnel to sufficiently approach the fire through the building interior to extinguish the fire.
Accordingly, there is a need for a building escape railing system which includes platform tracks that are provided on the exterior of a building and platforms or scaffolding which travel vertically on the platform tracks to facilitate the timely rescue or escape of persons from the building, the lifting of firefighting or other emergency personnel and/or supplies to selected levels on the building and the remote positioning of a fire hose into proximity with a fire in order to extinguish the fire.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a building escape railing system which can be mounted to the exterior of a building to facilitate the expedited or timely escape or rescue of persons from the building in the case of a fire, gas leak, chemical spill or other emergency. The building escape railing system includes multiple platform tracks mounted to the exterior surface of the building. A rescue scaffold is mounted for vertical travel on one or a pair of the platform tracks. A lift platform may additionally be mounted on one of the platform tracks. A remote fire hose platform may be mounted for vertical travel on another of the platform tracks. Accordingly, the rescue scaffold can be used to facilitate the expeditious escape of persons from the building through a window or other opening in the building during the fire or other emergency and/or to deliver firefighting personnel and/or supplies from the ground to a selected level of the building through a window or opening, for example. Additionally, the remote fire hose platform may be used to raise a fire hose to a selected level on the building in order to spray water on an interior fire through a window or opening in the building. Moreover, the lift platform may be used to facilitate the lifting of firefighting personnel and/or supplies to selected levels on the building. The invention may further include a brake mechanism, which is mounted on a platform track and facilitates the gravity-assisted escape of persons from the building.
In one general aspect of the present invention, a building escape railing system is provided for facilitating the expeditious or timely escape or rescue of persons from a building during an emergency. The system comprises:
at least one platform track mounted on the exterior of the building; and
an escape scaffold mounted for vertical travel on the at least one platform track in such a manner that the escape scaffold can be vertically positioned adjacent to a window or other opening in the building to enable a person or persons in the building to crawl through the window or opening and onto the escape platform or scaffold, after which the escape platform or scaffold can be lowered to the ground.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the escape scaffold is fitted with a lift unit which includes a motor that operably engages the at least one platform track to selectively raise and lower the escape scaffold on the at least one platform track.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a lift platform engages one of the platform tracks to facilitate the lifting of firefighting personnel and/or supplies to selected heights on the building. The platform may also be used to install a platform track on the building typically in track segments, starting at the bottom and progressing up the building with successive installation of the track segments.
In another aspect of the present invention, a remote fire hose platform is mounted on one of the platform tracks to facilitate the mounting of a fire hose on the platform and remote spraying of a fire on the interior of the building through a window or other opening at a selected height on the building. The platform may also be fitted with other surveillance equipment to aid in search and recovery or rescue efforts or for security purposes.
In a still further aspect of the present invention, a brake mechanism is provided on one of the platform tracks to facilitate gravity-assisted escape of a person or persons from the building.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, an escape platform is mounted on a pair of parallel platform tracks, a lift platform is mounted on one of the platform tracks, a remote fire hose platform is mounted on another of the platform tracks, and a brake mechanism is mounted on still another of the platform tracks to facilitate multiple tasks in the rescue or escape of persons from and/or the extinguishing of a fire in a building.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view (partially in section) of a high-rise building, illustrating multiple platform tracks mounted on the exterior of the building and a lift platform, a rescue scaffold, a remote fire hose platform and a brake mechanism of the present invention mounted on the platform tracks;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a suitable hydraulic brake unit of a brake mechanism of the building escape railing system according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an exploded front perspective view of the hydraulic brake unit;
FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the hydraulic brake unit;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a platform track element of the invention, illustrating an illustrative technique for attaching a lower track segment to an upper track segment;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the platform track of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the platform track of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a platform track element of the invention, illustrating an alternative technique for attaching a lower track segment to an upper track segment;
FIG. 9 is a front view of the platform track of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the platform track of FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a front view of another embodiment of the platform track;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a double-track configuration of the platform track in another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example of a suitable lift platform of the building escape railing system of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view, partially in section, of an example of a suitable lift unit mounted on the lift platform of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a top view, partially in section, of the lift platform of FIG. 13;
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a pair of adjacent frame members for a rescue scaffold of the building escape railing system of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the rescue scaffold, mounted on a pair of platform rails;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an example of a suitable remote fire hose platform of the building escape railing system of the present invention, with a fire hose mounted on the remote fire hose platform;
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an exemplary fire hose, shown in section, which is suitable for implementation of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a coupling end portion of a fire hose segment;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a pair of attached or coupled segments of the fire hose;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an example of a suitable control box for the remote fire hose platform and fire hose;
FIG. 23 is a side view of a suitable slip clutch assembly, partially in section, of the brake mechanism of the building escape railing system of the present invention;
FIG. 24 is a top view of the brake mechanism engaging a platform track;
FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the brake mechanism engaging the platform track;
FIG. 26 is a side view of the brake mechanism mounted on a platform track; and
FIG. 27 is a side view of the brake mechanism, illustrating interior components of the brake mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Shown throughout the Figures, the present invention is generally directed to a building escape railing system which can be mounted to the exterior of a building to facilitate the expedited or timely escape or rescue of persons from the building in the case of a fire, gas leak, chemical spill or other emergency, as well as to lift firefighting or other rescue personnel and/or supplies to a selected vertical level on the building. Although the system of the present invention is described throughout the application in the context of emergency escape from a building, it should be understood that the system is useful for any of a number of non-emergency, non-escape type situations. For example, the various features of the system, such as the scaffolding, are particularly useful for performing a variety of building maintenance type operations. In another example, landmark buildings that become high-risk targets for terrorists could be adorned with surveillance and defensive equipment that may be remotely operated.
Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the building escape railing system of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 1. The building escape railing system 1 is designed for mounting on the exterior of a high-rise building 2, such as an apartment or office building, for example. For purposes of illustration and discussion herein, the building 2 includes a building front 3, a building side 4, a building side 5, a building back 6, in which windows (not illustrated) are typically provided, and a building top 7. The building escape railing system 1 typically includes at least one lift platform 28 which is mounted for selective vertical travel on a platform track 10, at least one rescue scaffold 52 for selective vertical travel on a pair of parallel platform tracks 10, a remote fire hose platform 66 for selective vertical travel on a platform track 10, and a brake mechanism 129 mounted on a platform track 10. It is to be understood that the building escape railing system 1 may incorporate any of these features individually or in combination with any, some or all of the others. In the example in FIG. 1, the platform track 10 on which the lift platform 28 is removably mounted is attached to the building side 4, whereas the platform tracks 10 which mount the rescue scaffold 52, the remote fire hose platform 66 and the brake mechanism 129 are removably attached to the building front 3. However, it is understood that the platform tracks 10 for each of the lift platform 28, the rescue scaffold 52, the remote fire hose platform 66 and the brake mechanism 129 may be mounted on any of the exterior surfaces of the building 2, typically in close proximity to windows (not illustrated) to facilitate the various purposes of the invention, as will be hereinafter further described. Typically, only the platform tracks 10, without the lift platform 28, rescue scaffold 52, remote fire hose platform 66 and/or brake mechanism 129 mounted thereon, are on the building when the building is not being engaged by fire/rescue personnel or for maintenance purposes.
Referring next to FIGS. 8-10 of the drawings, each platform track 10 typically includes multiple track segments, illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 as a lower receiving track segment 11 and an upper track segment 12, which are joined to each other in end-to-end relationship. The platform track 10 is typically channel-shaped in cross-section, as is partially illustrated in FIG. 10. Accordingly, the platform track 10 includes a pair of interfacing track lips 13 and multiple, adjacent track pins 14 which span the interior of the platform track 10. The track pins 14 typically extend through respective pairs of pin openings 14a provided in the respective sides of the platform track 10 and are welded in place. A mounting plate 15 is welded or otherwise attached to the rear surface of the platform track 10 and includes a pair of spaced-apart fastener openings 16 which facilitate attachment of the platform track 10 to the building 2 (FIG. 1) with currently approved fasteners.
A holding pin 14b having protruding ends extends through aligned holding pin openings (not illustrated) provided in the respective sides of the upper track segment 12. A pair of attach pin openings 25a extends through each side of the upper track segment 12, beneath the respective protruding ends of the holding pin 14b.
A pair of spaced-apart, adjacent alignment tabs 17 extends upwardly from respective sides of the upper end of the lower receiving track segment 11. A holding notch 22 is provided near the upper end of each alignment tab 17. A pair of attachment pin openings 23 extends through each alignment tab 17, beneath the holding notch 22. Track pins 14c (FIG. 9) which extend through openings (not illustrated) provided in the lower receiving track segment 11 also extend through respective track pin openings (not illustrated) provided in each alignment tab 17, beneath the attach pin openings 23, to mount each alignment tab 17 on the corresponding side of the lower receiving track segment 11.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the lower receiving track segment 11 is attached to the upper track segment 12 by initially causing engagement of the holding notches 22 in the respective alignment tabs 17 with the respective protruding ends of the holding pin 14b. An attach pin 24 is then extended through the upper pair of attach pin openings 23 in the respective alignment tabs 17 and through the registering upper pair of attach pin openings 25a in the upper track segment 12. In like manner, an attach pin 25 is extended through the lower pair of attach pin openings 23 in the respective alignment tabs 17 and through the registering lower pair of attach pin openings 25a in the upper track segment 12. The platform track 10 is mounted to the building 2 (FIG. 1) typically by extending fasteners (not illustrated) through the respective fastener openings 16 of each mounting plate 15 and engaging the building 2. Fastener selection is suited to the exterior construction of the building in which track 10 is to be installed. When track 10 is installed in an emergency on a building not already equipped, temporary fasteners may be used and later replaced with permanent suitable fasteners.
Referring next to FIGS. 5-7 of the drawings, in another embodiment of the invention, the platform track 10a includes multiple track segments, here shown as a lower track segment 11a and an upper track segment 12a, using an alternative mechanism to that heretofore described with respect to FIGS. 8-10. Accordingly, a pair of alignment tabs 17a extends downwardly from the lower end of the upper track segment 12a. Alignment notches 19 are provided in the lower ends of the respective alignment tabs 17a. A pair of shoulder bolt openings 18 is provided in each alignment tab 17a, above the alignment notch 19. Aligned pairs of shoulder bolt openings 14d extend through the upper end portion of the lower track segment 11a. A holding pin 14b having protruding ends extends through aligned openings (not illustrated) provided in the lower track segment 11a, beneath the shoulder bolt openings 14d. Accordingly, the upper track segment 12a is attached to the lower track segment 11a by initially causing engagement of the alignment notches 19 in the lower ends of the alignment tabs 17a with the respective protruding ends of the holding pin 14b. A shoulder bolt 20 is then extended through each aligned pair of shoulder bolt openings 18 in the respective alignment tabs 17a and through each registering pair of aligned shoulder bolt openings 14d in the upper end portion of the lower track segment 11a. A securing nut 21 is threaded on each shoulder bolt 20. Alternately during an emergency installation attachment pins 25 and 24, instead of the shoulder bolts 20 and securing nuts 21, may be used as in FIG. 10, to join the tracks together, thus expediting the installation. Subsequently, pins 25 and 24 can be replaced with shoulder bolts 20 and nuts 21.
Referring next to FIG. 11 of the drawings, in still another embodiment of the invention the platform track is indicated by reference numeral 10b. In the platform track 10b, the track pins 14 protrude from opposite sides of the respective track lips 13 of the platform track 10b.
Referring next to FIG. 12 of the drawings, in still another embodiment of the invention the platform track is indicated by reference numeral 10c. The platform track 10c includes a pair of adjacent platform tracks 10 heretofore described with respect to FIG. 8-10, which are welded or otherwise attached to each other in side-by-side relationship to each other. The platform track 10c is characterized by enhanced strength and rigidity as compared to the platform tracks 10, 10a and 10b heretofore described. It should be noted that additional alignment tabs or pins (not shown) may be used in conjunction with any track embodiment, according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art, as deemed necessary to facilitate precise alignment of the track components with each other depending on alignment precision requirements.
Referring next to FIGS. 13-15 of the drawings, an example of a lift platform 28, which is suitable for implementation of the building escape railing system 1, includes a cart frame 42 that typically includes a base portion 42a and a frame portion 42b that extends from the base portion 42a. A retractable platform 43 is provided typically on the base portion 42a of the cart frame 42. A pair of platform supports 44 may extend between the base portion 42a of the cart frame 42 and the retractable platform 43 for stabilizing purposes. A lift unit 29 is mounted on the cart frame 42. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the lift unit 29 includes a drive motor mount bracket 31, which is mounted on the frame portion 42b of the cart frame 42. A drive motor 30 is mounted on the drive motor mount bracket 31. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the drive motor 30 engages a driven sprocket 32, having sprocket teeth 33, through a drive shaft 38. The drive shaft 38 is rotatably mounted in at least one pillow block 37, which is mounted on the frame portion 42b of the cart frame 42. It should be noted that more than one drive motor 30 may be used as needed to suit load requirements, and may be located on the cart frame 42 in various locations as needed. Omitted from FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 is a protective cover that may be fitted to the cart frame 42 to protect persons from contact with the sprocket 32, and safety barriers that may be provided around the perimeter of the platform 43.
As illustrated in FIG. 14, a guide bracket 35 extends rearwardly from the cart frame 42. Multiple guide brackets 35 may extend from the cart frame 42 at multiple locations as needed to suit load requirements. Multiple alignment rollers 36 are rotatably mounted on each side of the guide bracket 35. A roller support 34 is provided on the cart frame 42 and extends on each side of the guide bracket 35. An alignment roller 36a is rotatably mounted on the roller support 34 on each side of the platform track 10. Each alignment roller 36a is disposed in substantially perpendicular relationship to the alignment rollers 36. Accordingly, as further illustrated in FIG. 14, when the lift platform 28 is mounted on a platform track 10, the guide bracket 35 is slidably mounted in the platform track 10 between the adjacent track lips 13 (FIG. 10). As illustrated in FIG. 15, one pair of the alignment rollers 36 is positioned inside the platform track 10 and engages the respective track lips 13, whereas the other pair of alignment rollers 36 engages the exterior surface of the platform track 10. The alignment rollers 36a engage the respective exterior side surfaces of the platform track 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the sprocket teeth 33 of the driven sprocket 32 on the lift unit 29 engage the track pins 14 of the platform track 10. Therefore, by operation of the drive motor 30, the driven sprocket 32 is rotated and the sprocket teeth 33 progressively engage the track pins 14 to selectively raise or lower the lift unit 29 on the platform track 10. Directional controls 48 for the lift unit 29 may be provided in any accessible location on the lift platform 28. As illustrated in FIG. 13, an engine 50, which is one example of a power source for providing hydraulic power for the drive motor 30, may be supported typically by the base portion 42a of the cart frame 42. Although not shown in FIG. 13, a hydraulic fluid reservoir for engine 50 and a length of hosing connecting the engine 50 to the motor 30, are provided.
The lift platform 28 is typically configured to detachably engage the platform track 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 15, four spaced-apart wheel support frames 45 extend downwardly from the base portion 42a of the cart frame 42. Dolly wheels 46 are rotatably mounted to the respective wheel support frames 45 via wheel axles 47. The dolly wheels 46 engage the ground (not illustrated) when the lift platform 28 engages the lower track segment 11 of the platform track 10, thus allowing the lift platform 28 to be wheeled by hand to and from needed locations when the lift platform 28 is detached from the platform track 10. Although not illustrated, the retractable platform section 43 is provided disposed in a retracted configuration, and the cart frame 42 is provided disposed in a folded, storage or transport configuration.
Referring next to FIGS. 16 and 17 of the drawings, the rescue scaffold 52 typically includes a pair of spaced-apart platform motor brackets 58, each of which mounts a corresponding lift unit 29 that engages one of a pair of adjacent platform tracks 10 attached to the building 2, typically in the same manner as the lift unit 29 described above with respect to the lift platform 28. A top platform support 53 extends horizontally from each corresponding platform motor bracket 58. A leg angle support 54 angles between the extending end of each top platform support 53 and the lower end of the corresponding platform motor bracket 58. The ends of the leg angle support 54 may be removably attached to the top platform support 53 and platform motor bracket 58, respectively, by safety hitch pins 55. A safety hitch pin 55 may, in like manner, be used to attach the proximal end of each top platform support 53 to the corresponding platform motor bracket 58. Accordingly, by concerted operation of the respective lift units 29, the rescue scaffold 52 can be selectively raised and lowered on the platform tracks 10 to facilitate lowering persons from the building 2 (FIG. 1) onto the ground and/or raising firefighting personnel from the ground to a selected height on the building 2. Directional controls (not illustrated) for the respective lift units 29 may be provided at any accessible location on the rescue scaffold 52. It should be noted that any number of platform tracks 10 and platform brackets 58 may be used to create a longer scaffold 52 as needed.
As illustrated in FIG. 17, an extendable scaffold platform 59 is mounted on the spaced-apart top platform supports 53 and attached by standard means. Multiple elongated safety rope supports 57 extend upwardly from the upper surface of the extendable scaffold platform 59, adjacent to the outer and side edges thereof. The safety rope supports 57 may be fixedly or removably mounted on the extendable scaffold platform 59. A safety rope 56 extends between the respective safety rope supports 57, typically adjacent to the upper ends thereof.
Referring next to FIGS. 18-21 of the drawings, a remote fire hose platform 66 of the building escape railing system 1 includes a platform motor bracket 77 on which is mounted a lift unit 29 that engages a platform track 10 typically in the same manner as heretofore described with respect to the lift platform 28. Accordingly, by operation of the lift unit 29, the remote fire hose platform 66 can be raised and lowered on the platform track 10 to position a fire hose 80 at a selected vertical proximity to a fire in the building 2. A top platform support 78 extends horizontally from the upper end of the platform motor bracket 77, and a leg angle support 67 extends between the extending end of the top platform support 78 and the lower end of the platform motor bracket 77.
An elongated Y-axis lead screw housing 68 is mounted on the top platform support 78. A Y-axis motor 69 is provided on the Y-axis lead screw housing 68. An X-axis housing 70 is mounted for traversal along the Y-axis lead screw housing 68, and is disposed in transverse relationship thereto, and an X-axis motor 71 is provided on the X-axis housing 70. An accessory platform 72 is mounted for traversal along the X-axis housing 70. The Y-axis motor 69 engages the X-axis housing 70 through a lead screw (not illustrated). The X-axis motor 71 likewise engages the accessory platform 72 through a lead screw (not illustrated). The fire hose 80 is adapted to be removably mounted on the accessory platform 72. The fire hose 80 is typically fitted with a nozzle X-axis swivel motor 73, a nozzle Z-axis swivel motor 74, a nozzle 75 and a shutoff valve motor 76. Additionally other control motors may be employed to control the nozzle spray pattern.
Referring again to FIG. 18 and to FIGS. 19-21, the fire hose 80 typically includes multiple hose segments 92 which are removably connected to each other through swivel connectors 90 that are secured by clamp halves 82, 83. Each swivel connector 90 typically includes a male NPT end 90a on one hose segment 92 which engages a female NPT end 90b on the adjacent hose segment 92. As illustrated in FIG. 20, a pair of wire rope terminal eyes 89 is typically provided on the end of each hose segment 92. The wire rope functions to remove weight loading from the hose material, and is transferred to the cables which are typically slightly shorter than the hose. Each hose segment 92 is typically constructed of a standard flat fire hose 86 which is covered by a fire-proof jacket 84, typically by stitching 85. Each hose segment 92 is typically fitted with a power and control cable 87 that is removably attached to the power and control cable 87 of the adjacent hose segment 92 through a disconnect connector 88. The power and control cable 87 typically extends through a wire rope support 91 that extends beneath the fireproof jacket 84.
Referring next to FIG. 22, a conventional control box 94 for the remote fire hose platform 66 and the remote fire hose 80 is provided, including a lid 95 hingedly attached to a control box bottom 105. The control box bottom 105 is fitted with various controls for operation of the remote fire hose 80 as well as operation of the various components of the remote fire hose platform 66 including the Y-axis motor 69, the X-axis motor 71, the nozzle X-axis swivel motor 73, and the nozzle Z-axis swivel motor 74. The control box 94 may include, for example, a source power selection knob 96; a control selection knob 97; sweep pattern collection buttons 98; a sweep pattern speed knob 99; a nozzle axis joystick 100; an X-axis control switch 101; a Z-axis control switch 102; a Z-axis move button 103; a Z-axis direction selection switch 104; a nozzle stream control joystick 106; a camera pan/tilt joystick 107; and a glass break actuator button 108. A control/power connector 109 is provided typically in the control box bottom 105, and an input power supply connector (not shown) is provided typically in the box bottom 105. The control box 94 may also include controls which facilitate bi-directional operation of the lift unit 29 (FIG. 18) of the remote fire hose platform 66 in order to facilitate positioning of the nozzle 75 of the fire hose 80 at a selected vertical position with respect to the ground for extinguishing a fire in the building 2 (FIG. 1). Additionally, by operation of the control box 94, the Y-axis motor 69 of the remote fire hose platform 66 (FIG. 18) can be actuated to move the X-axis housing 70 along the Y-axis lead screw housing 68 and the accessory platform 72 along the X-axis housing 70 in order to facilitate desired X-axis and Y-axis positioning, respectively, of the nozzle 75 on the fire hose 80 with respect to the fire in the building 2. Attached to the inside lid 95 is a monitor 110 for viewing image data from a camera mounted on the accessory platform 72. This aids the direction of a stream of water directed toward burning objects in target range of said nozzle 75 in building 2. Control box 94 is typically controlled by means of a micro controller or other programmable method, which enables the overall functions to be modified as needed and to grow with this developing technology.
Referring next to FIGS. 23-27 of the drawings, the brake mechanism 129 (FIG. 1) includes a housing 150 through which extends an elongated slot 151 (FIG. 26) that accommodates a carabeaner 152. As illustrated in FIG. 27, a machined gear pocket 165 extends from a front edge of the housing 150 and accommodates a sprocket 167 rotatably mounted on an axle 166. The sprocket 167 includes sprocket teeth 167a that engages the track pins 14 of the platform track 10 on which the brake mechanism 129 is mounted, as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25. Adjacent to the sprocket and fixedly attached to it is a spur gear, which rotates with the sprocket 167.
Actuator levers 153 are mounted on the respective sides of the housing 150. Each actuator lever 153 preferably includes a lip (not illustrated) to facilitate gripping with a user's fingertips. Each actuator lever 153 is normally maintained in a locked position by a safety release 154. Upon depression of the safety release 154, the actuator lever 153 can be drawn backwards toward the slot 151. Each actuator lever 153 is linked to a rotating sleeve 172 through a cross pin 155 which connects both actuator levers 153 to each other and passes through a helical slot 156, restraining slot 157, and a safety dowel 158. A rotating sleeve 172 is retained in the housing 150 by retaining dowels 162, which engage grooves 159 cut around the circumference of the rotating sleeve 172. The retaining dowels 162 are press-fit in the housing 150 and slip-fit with the groove 159. This allows the sleeve 172 to be retained in the housing 150 and allows only rotational movement of the sleeve. Rotating sleeves 172 are inset in a counter bore machined into the housing 150, and a counter bore 163 of smaller diameter than the rotating sleeves is provided to allow the safety dowel 158 to be displaced into the housing 150 upon actuation. When the actuator lever 153 is pulled, the actuator cross pins 155 can only move within the restraining slot 157, which creates movement up the helical groove 156, as the cross pins 155 exit the straight locking section and contact the helix portion of the groove 159, the sleeve 172 is forced to rotate. As the cross pins 155 continue to move, they act on the a return spring 160, which is located inside the rotating sleeve 172 and coils around the safety dowel 158, by compressing the return spring 160 between the housing 150 and the cross pin 155. As the safety dowel 158 moves, it passes a cross opening for safety pin 161 and continues into the housing 150. A ball lock pin 164 is provided on the exterior of the housing 150. In the event that the ball lock pin 164 is inserted through the cross opening for safety pin 161, the ball lock pin 164 would prevent movement of the safety dowel 158 beyond the safety pin 161, and thus, prevent accidental actuation of the rotating sleeves 172.
Inside track rollers 169 are retained on the end of the rotating sleeve 172 by an axle pin 170. When the actuator lever 153 is actuated, the inside track rollers 169 are displaced 90 degrees from their locked or functional position. This positional displacement allows the inside track rollers 169 to enter the platform track 10. When the inside track rollers 169 are located inside the platform track 10, the actuator levers 153 are released such that the return spring 160 acts on the actuator cross pins 155, pushing them back down the helical groove 156 and returning the rotating sleeve back into the original position. This action returns the inside track rollers 169 to their functional position in which they engage the track lips 13 of the platform track 10, as illustrated in FIG. 25. Once in position, outside track rollers 171 provided on respective sides of the housing 150 engage the exterior surfaces of the platform track 10, as further illustrated in FIG. 25. At that point, the ball lock pin 164 (FIG. 27) can be inserted in the cross opening for safety pin 161 to prevent accidental actuation of the actuation lever 153.
When the brake mechanism 129 is mounted on the platform track 10 in the manner heretofore described, the teeth 167a of the sprocket 167 mesh with the track pins 14 of the platform track 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25. A harness (not illustrated) suitable for holding a person (not illustrated) can be attached to the brake mechanism 129 to facilitate gravity-assisted escape of the person from the building 2 (FIG. 1) during an emergency. Accordingly, when the person (not illustrated) is retained in the harness (not illustrated) and bearing his or her weight on the brake mechanism 129, the brake mechanism 129 has a tendency to move down the platform track 10 under the influence of gravity. Because the sprocket 167 meshes with the track pins 14, the sprocket 167 rotates and the sprocket teeth 167a progressively engage the track pins 14. As further illustrated in FIG. 27, a compound gear 168 is rotatably mounted inside the housing 150 and meshes with the spur gear attached to sprocket 167. The compound gear 168 establishes a gear reduction that reduces the braking force that required to be applied against the platform track 10 by the brake mechanism 129. The last gear (not illustrated) meshing with compound gear 168 is coupled to both a hydraulic brake unit 130 (the details of which will be hereinafter described) and a manual brake unit 149 which are mounted on opposite sides of the housing 150, as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25. The restricted flow of hydraulic fluid (not illustrated) contained in the hydraulic brake unit 130 controls the speed of rotation of the last gear (not illustrated) meshed with compound gear 168. This, in turn, controls the rate of descent of the person retained in the harness (not illustrated). The manual brake unit 149 serves as an initial parking brake that must be released by the person to initiate descent of the brake mechanism 129 on the platform track 10. The manual brake unit 149 also enables the person to selectively halt descent of the brake mechanism 129 on the platform track 10 at any point during the descent. Furthermore, the initial parked state of the brake mechanism 129, facilitated by the manual brake unit 149, allows a person in a wheelchair (not illustrated) to be hoisted out a window (not illustrated) in the building 2 (FIG. 1) by means of a snatch block (not illustrated) and then descend the building 2 on the brake mechanism 129.
Referring next to FIGS. 2-4 of the drawings, the hydraulic brake unit 130 of the brake mechanism 129 typically includes a housing 133 to respective ends of which are attached a chamber cover 132 and a chamber cover 134, respectively, typically using multiple cover screws 131 and long screws 123. As illustrated in FIG. 3, multiple tapped cover screw openings 140 are provided in respective surfaces of the housing 133 and multiple long screw openings 141 extend through the housing 133 for accommodating the cover screws 131 and the long screws 123, respectively. A plate 148 provided inside the housing 133 separates the interior of the housing 133 into a reservoir chamber 143 (FIG. 3) and a hydraulic chamber 147 (FIG. 4). As illustrated in FIG. 3, a pair of ball check valves 142 is provided on the surface of the plate 148 interfacing with the reservoir chamber 143. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a pair of hydraulic ports 138 is provided in the opposite surface of the plate 148 interfacing with the hydraulic chamber 147 of the housing 133. A large orifice opening 145, each of which communicates with the corresponding ball check valve 142, is provided in each hydraulic port 138 and extends through the plate 148. A small orifice opening 144 also extends through the plate 148, adjacent to each large orifice opening 145. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the chamber cover 134 closes the reservoir chamber 143, whereas the chamber cover 132 closes the hydraulic chamber 147. In the assembled hydraulic brake unit 130, hydraulic fluid (not illustrated) is contained in the hydraulic chamber 147. A reserve of hydraulic fluid contained in the reservoir chamber 143 may be distributed into the hydraulic chamber 147 through the ball check valves 142 and retuned through small orifice 144, which creates the restricted hydraulic flow needed to control rotational speed. Check valves 142 are oriented in opposite directions, thus allowing bi-directional restricted rotation.
As further illustrated in FIG. 4, an outer gerator gear 135, having a central gear opening 135a, is mounted in the hydraulic chamber 147. An inner rotor gear 136 mounted on a gear shaft 136a is configured to fit inside the gear opening 135a of the outer gerator gear 135. The gear shaft 136a is adapted to extend through a central plate opening 148a in the plate 148 and through a central bearing or bushing 137 provided in the chamber covers 132, 134, respectively. O-rings 146 are typically provided on the gear shaft 136a to provide a fluid-tight seal of the gear shaft 136a with the plate opening 148a and chamber covers 132, 134. A keyway cutout 139 is provided in the end of the gear shaft 136a, extending to the exterior of the assembled hydraulic brake unit 130, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
In the brake mechanism 129 heretofore described with respect to FIGS. 24-27, the last gear that meshes with compound gear 168 (FIG. 27) engages the gear shaft 136a of the hydraulic brake unit 130, typically through the keyway cutout 139. Accordingly, as the brake mechanism 129 descends on the platform track 10 under the influence of gravity, the teeth 167a of the sprocket 167 progressively engage the track pins 14 of the platform track 10 as the sprocket 167 rotates in the machined gear pocket 165. Simultaneously, the sprocket 167 rotates the gears of the compound gear 168, the last gear of which rotates the gear shaft 136a of the hydraulic brake unit 130. The gear shaft 136a, in turn, rotates the inner rotor gear 136, which engages and rotates the outer gerator gear 135 through the gear opening 135a thereof. The hydraulic fluid (not illustrated) inside the hydraulic chamber 147 exerts friction against the outer gerator gear 135, such that this friction is transmitted as rotational resistance to the sprocket 167 through the compound gear 168. This rotational resistance slows the rate of descent of the brake mechanism 129 on the platform track 10, as heretofore described.
Referring next to FIG. 23, a slip clutch assembly 116 for the hydraulic brake unit 130 is shown. The slip clutch assembly 116 includes an inner clutch cap 117 and an outer clutch cap 118 which are spanned by a slip clutch housing 122. Multiple clutch plates 119 are provided between the inner clutch cap 117 and the outer clutch cap 118 for attachment to the gear shaft 136a (FIG. 2) of the hydraulic brake unit 130. A pressure spring 120 is interposed between the clutch plates 119 and the outer clutch cap 118. Friction discs 121 are provided in alternating relationship to the clutch plates 119. A clutch shaft 124 is rotatably mounted in the inner clutch cap 117 and the outer clutch cap 118 and is attached to the clutch plates 119. The slip clutch assembly 116 is mounted to the hydraulic brake unit 130 typically through the long screws 123 heretofore described with respect to FIGS. 2-4 and illustrated in FIG. 23. The long screws 123 typically extend through respective long screw openings (not illustrated) provided in the inner clutch cap 117 and outer clutch cap 118. The clutch shaft 124 of the slip clutch assembly 116 is connected to the gear shaft 136a (FIG. 2) of the hydraulic brake unit 130.
Referring again to FIG. 1 of the drawings, in use of the building escape railing system 1, one or multiple lift platforms 28, rescue scaffolds 52, remote fire hose platforms 66, and/or brake mechanisms 129 can be mounted on the high-rise building 2 to facilitate the expedited and timely escape of building occupants from the building 2, as well as the ingress and egress of firefighting or other emergency personnel and/or equipment into and out of the building 2, during an emergency such as a fire, gas leak or chemical spill, for example, in the building 2. Accordingly, the platform rails 10 for the lift platform(s) 28, rescue scaffold(s) 52, remote fire hose platform(s) 66 and/or brake mechanism(s) 129 are installed on the exterior of the building 2, typically adjacent to windows (not illustrated) or other openings in the building 2. This is accomplished typically by, for example, extending mounting bolts (not illustrated) through the fastener openings 16 (FIGS. 8-10) of each of the multiple mounting plates 15 provided on the platform track 10 and threading the mounting bolts into registering bolt openings (not illustrated) provided in the exterior of the building 2. Each lift platform 28, rescue scaffold 52, remote fire hose platform 66 and/or brake mechanism 129 is then mounted on the corresponding platform track 10 or pair of adjacent platform tracks 10 (in the case of the rescue scaffold 52) for vertical traversal of the platform tracks 10.
During the fire or other emergency situation, the lift platform 28 is typically used to hoist supplies (not illustrated) or emergency personnel (not illustrated), for example, from the ground to selected levels on the building 2, typically through a window or other opening in the building 2. The supplies or emergency personnel are supported by the retractable platform 24 during ascending of the lift platform 28 on the platform track 10. Alternatively, the lift platform 28 may be used to lower persons from the building 2 safely onto the ground as the persons are supported by the retractable platform 24. The rescue scaffold 52 is typically used to lower multiple persons from the building 2 safely onto the ground, although the rescue scaffold 52 could alternatively or additionally be used to transport emergency personnel and/or supplies between the ground and selected levels on the building 2 as the persons, emergency personnel and/or supplies are supported by the extendable scaffold platform 59. The remote fire hose platform 66 is used to vertically and horizontally position the fire hose 80 into proximity with a fire in the building 2, typically through a window or other opening in the building 2. The brake mechanism 129 is typically used as a means of gravity-assisted escape of persons from the building 2. Accordingly, a person in the building can place himself in a harness (not illustrated) which is attached to the brake mechanism 129 and ride the brake mechanism 129 down the platform rail 10 to safety on the ground, as was heretofore described.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
