Abstract: A rung wall ascender including a support frame and a rung ladder transport mechanism positioned at a variable angle relative to the support frame. The rung ladder transport mechanism includes a chain arranged as a loop with rung ladders attached to the chain so as to maintain a ladder-like configuration that rotates downward as the user climbs so as to achieve a continuous climbing experience. A hydraulic cylinder is positioned between the rung ladder transport mechanism and the support frame that adjusts an angle of the rung ladder transport mechanism with respect to the ground. A control for the hydraulic cylinder is positioned proximate to the user. A braking system regulates the speed of the rung ladder transport mechanism while the user is climbing.

Abstract: An extensible, vehicle-mounted ladder with movable rungs is used to aid in raising and lowering in rescue operations. The ladder includes a rotatable base having storage space to hold extra rungs supporting the variable extended positions of the ladder. The ladder includes a plurality of ladder units or extensible booms. Each ladder unit includes four C-rails. A first ladder unit is attached to the rotatable base and the others extensible therefrom. The ladder includes rungs that slidably engage within two of the C-rails. A drive cable connects the rungs in a closed loop and is powered to enable rung rotation in a closed loop around the ladder units within the C-rails.

Abstract: A method for regulating the traction in a line (13) of a ladder climbing assistance device, in which method any movement of the line (13) is sensed and in dependence of the sensed movement either increasing the traction in the line to a predetermined high level (L1), maintaining the traction at a predetermined high level (L1), or decreasing the traction to a predetermined low level (L0). Furthermore, a ladder climbing assistance device comprising a line (13) that is movable along the ladder (1) and a motor (8) with a power outlet arranged to provide an essentially constant traction in the line (13). The ladder climbing assistance device comprises sensing means (25) for sensing any movement of the line (13), which sensing means is connected to controlling means (26) for controlling the power outlet from the motor (8) in response to signals from the sensing means in the above-described manner.

Abstract: An elevated location descent apparatus comprising a descending device, a braking device and a power transmitting device; the descending device comprising sprockets positioned in a vertical plane, a suspension chain positioned around the sprockets and a payload-suspending means attached to the suspension chain, the braking device comprising a fluid pump converting the rotational movement of a crankshaft into the reciprocal movement of pistons, which reciprocal movement causes the fluid pump to receive a fluid from an inlet and discharge the fluid through an outlet, a fluid circulating conduit connecting the outlet of the fluid pump with the inlet of the fluid pump wherein the fluid discharged from the fluid pump circulates, a flow-restricting valve adjusting the amount of the fluid passing through the outlet of the fluid pump to generate the fluid resistance, and a rotational governor controlling the flow-restricting valve based on the rotational speed of the sprocket; the power transmitting device comprising

Abstract: A fire escape device for escaping a building through a widow during a fire includes a platform having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge and a fourth edge wherein the first and second edges are opposite edges. A coupling member is attached to the first edge for coupling the platform to a window frame. An elongated member has a first end and a second end. The elongated member has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls such that the elongated member generally has U-shape cross-section taken transversely to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member. The first end of the elongated member is attached to the second edge of the platform. The platform forms an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The side walls extend upwardly and the elongated member extends at a downward angle when the platform is at a generally horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A carrying track for a building, which includes a building including a plurality of floors, a track extending from a lower floor of the building to a floor above the lower floor, the track structurally forming part of the floors and part of an outside surface of the building, wherein the track includes two vertical halves with a gap formed between, the gap being exposed to the outside surface of the building and extending inwards from the outside surface.

Abstract: A cable pulley arrangement including a pulley on which a cable is wound. The pulley is held by a lock device. When the lock device is released, the cable is unwound by a weight is hung on the ends thereof. The cable is so arranged that, when the cable is wound on the pulley, both ends of the cable are at one side of the pulley, while when the cable is unwound the ends hang down at both sides of the pulley.

Abstract: A rigging system for retrieving a worker in the event of the collapse or tearing of a peripheral panel of an air-supported fabric roof employs one or more endless cables each entrained over pulleys located at the edge of the roof and inwardly therefrom. The worker is connected to one run of the cable by a safety line and harness. In the event of an accident, the cables are driven, for example by a detachable motor rotating one of the pulleys, to move the worker to the vicinity of the peripheral wall.

Abstract: An escape apparatus for lowering persons down a structure includes an upper pulley and a lower pulley, both of which are secured to the structure. An endless loop cable passes around the pulleys such that movement of the cable causes the lower pulley to rotate. A hydraulic speed control system is provided which includes a hydraulic reservoir containing hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic pump, and conduits for interconnecting the pump and the reservoir such that the pump removes hydraulic fluid from the reservoir and returns the fluid under pressure to the reservoir. The output of the pump is restricted by means of a valve, and the pump is driven by the lower pulley such that downward movement of the cable causes the lower pulley to rotate and therefore the pump to force fluid through the restricting valve. This flow restriction of hydraulic fluid pumped by the pump limits the speed of the pump and thereby the speed of the cable. A friction clamp for supporting a person on the cable is disclosed.

Abstract: An outside rescue elevator system is shown for use on a high-rise building. The elevator system can be installed on existing buildings, as well as being included in new construction. The system includes a dual compartment track mounted vertically on the outside of the building, and a wheeled truck operating within one of the track compartments, and a dual cable system is included with the truck for raising and lowering the truck within the track. A portable elevator cab is connected to the truck, and the cab includes a pair of stabilizing wheels, so that the cab actually rides on a smooth vertical roadbed that extends up the exterior wall of the building.

Abstract: A service elevator, designed to carry persons up or down along a building wall or other structure, comprises a ladder secured to that structure and a carriage on which an endless conveyor band is supported. The band has projecting dogs engaging the rungs of the ladder which are held between a first stringer of circular cross-section and a second stringer of rectangular cross-section. The band-supporting frame has sleeves slidably engaging the first stringer and roller pairs bracketing the second stringer. A second conveyor band, serving as a standby for the working band, corotates therewith and has dogs slightly offset from those of the latter for dropping onto the rungs when the working band fails.

Abstract: A fire escape having a roller chain carried in a slotted vertically extending tube and driven to cause controlled downwardly movement in the tube. The roller chain carries ears which support molded plastic balls connected through the tube's slot to harnesses for escaping persons. The controlled movement of the chain allows even an unconscious person to be lowered from the top of a building safely to the ground.

Abstract: The present invention provides an emergency fire escape system for decending from elevated buildings during a fire. The present system in its simplies embodiment comprises of a pair of vertically oriented spaced apart continuous cables positioned along side an elevated structure having natural openings positioned between the cables, that is, windows, fire escapes, exits, or the like. The top portion of each cable passes through an adjustable pulley member rigidly affixed to the respective top portion of the building at which an given cable is located. The bottom portion of each cable is operably connected to separate gear motors having a pulley upon which each respective cable passes. The individual gear motors are synchronized such that the respective cables travel in unison over the gear motor pulleys.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stair exercise device for simulating stair climbing, the device having a plurality of steps which are activated by the weight of a person walking up them. A stationary platform at the base of the stair exercise device sends a signal to a controller to bring the exercise device to a controlled stop when an operator steps onto the platform. The steps of the exercise device stop in a predetermined location when the exercise device comes to a controlled stop, ensuring proper step location to allow the operator to easily enter and exit the exercise device. Steps have a step platform of a different color than the risers between steps to aid in foot placement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stair exercise device for simulating stair climbing, the device having a plurality of steps which are activated by the weight of a person walking up them. A stationary platform at the base of the stair exercise device sends a signal to a controller to bring the exercise device to a controlled stop when an operator steps onto the platform. The steps of the exercise device stop in a predetermined location when the exercise device comes to a controlled stop, ensuring proper step location to allow the operator to easily enter and exit the exercise device. Steps have a step platform of a different color than the risers between steps to aid in foot placement.