Abstract: A work cradle comprising a work platform suspended by ropes from a building. Two guide ropes extend downwardly on either side of the platform and are secured to the building. The work platform is attached to the guide ropes by two further ropes which are slidable along the guide ropes by means of releasable hooks. The ropes pass over respective pulleys attached to an extension projecting from the platform in a direction away from the building. A winch is provided for each rope to apply tension to the ropes by means of which the platform may be prevented from swinging away from the building, and/or may be moved to a different lateral position, at a given suspension height.Also disclosed is a beam clamp which may be used with the above-described work cradle.

Abstract: A generally triangular hook-on scaffolding support is formed by the alignment of a horizontal elongated top member over an angled brace and a vertical brace. A short section of serrated angle iron affixed transversely to one end of the top member abuts to inside surfaces of an opened stud wall and in conjunction with a wedge bracket and wedge board provides a strong pressure fitting for securing the scaffold in a stable position outside or by reverse attachment inside a building under construction. Another short angle iron section affixed to the distal end of the angled brace is adapted as a brace foot to engage the lengthwise edge of a horizontal board, either the bottom sole plate of the wall frame or a board nailed between studs, to provide base support for the scaffold. The scaffold can therefore be positioned at any height along the opened framed wall without the use of ground level support, nailing the hook-on scaffolding support to the framed wall, or assemblage of accessory parts.

Abstract: A perimeter debris net lifting system employs a plurality of lifting units which support a debris net for a high rise-type construction structure. The lifting units comprise a pair of frame assemblies which are slidably coupled and essentially scale the structure to raise the debris net as construction progresses. Each of the frame assemblies are independently mountable to two floors of the structure. Each lifting unit is vertically displaced by disengaging one of the frame assemblies from its mounting engagement and lifting the frame assembly while the other frame assembly remains securely fixed to the structure. The debris net remains fully extended and functional during the vertical lifting process.

Abstract: An emergency escape/fire fighting and building maintenance system including columns mounted to the exterior of a building for guiding either an escape slider or a fireman or maintenance lift. Each column has an inner and outer face which either assists in controlling the rate of descent of the escape slider or provides a means for allowing a fireman's lift or maintenance lift to climb the columns. The slider includes a harness and a body member which is engageable with and slidable down the column. The body member includes brake pad surfaces to provide an automatic braking system in the event the user is unable to maintain the desired escape posture and control his descending speed. Manual braking system is added to the alternate slider designs. The slider is intended to be used by able bodied persons since its descending speed is in part to be controlled by the user himself.

Abstract: A portable conveyor system comprises an extensible and retractable boom assembly mounted on a transportable stationary support. The boom assembly comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced rungs defining a series of supporting surfaces for a primary load carrier of the type described in applicant's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 75,410, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,437. The improvements described herein include a vertically adjustable hitch mounted forwardly on a frame of the primary load carrier. The hitch is adapted for attachment to the end of the cable of a winch assembly to move the endless tracks of the carrier in full contact along the supporting surfaces of the rungs. Other improvements include modified boom and overhead bracket assemblies, a resilient suspension system for the primary load carrier and a platform assembly attachable to either end of the boom assembly to alternately function as a loading or unloading platform.

Abstract: A debris barrier for a high rise construction structure comprises a woven flexible mesh netting. A cord longitudinally extends along the top of the netting to form a reinforced border. The top of the netting is clipped to a safety cable so as to vertically suspend a portion of the netting. An anchoring strip is fastened to the netting. The netting is anchored to the floor slab by driving fasteners through the anchoring strip.

Abstract: An external elevator system piggy backs a first rail car on a second rail car to permit simple and rapid transfer of the first rail car to an upper setback section of a high-rise building. Each rail car is equipped with pinion drives that engage racks fixed to vertical rails that are attached to the faces of the base section and setback section of the buildings. The cars also have motor driven wheels that allow the car to drive on horizontal surfaces.

Abstract: A safety net arrangement for and a method of protecting workmen and passersby from injury during the construction of a multi-floor building includes the raising and lowering of a fully deployed safety net along a plurality of upright guide rails attached to the building.

Abstract: A scaffolding attachment and method of using the same during construction of an outer wall next to an inner wall. Each attachment consists of a beam adjustably secured to a support post and a bracket element fixed to the inner wall at the same height as the beam. A flat link member is rigidly, permanently secured to the bracket and detachably attached to the beam. The rear portion of the link member is made frangible. The flat link member and flat plate part of the bracket are adapted to be embedded in the mortar between the next-to-highest and the highest building unit at each desired level. Once the mortar has set, the scaffolding beam is detached and the frangible portion of the link member is removed. The outer wall then remains secured to the inner wall thereat and the work platform of the scaffolding may be raised.

Abstract: A safety net is raised during construction of a multi-floor building without the use of tracks vertically attached to the outer building face. A pair of support structures hold the net in a fully deployed condition adjacent the outer building face. Each support structure is held in place by a plurality of holders. A positive locking device is provided on each holder and support structure.

Abstract: Individual rail segments of a deployable exterior elevator rail structure are stored horizontally on each floor of a high-rise building. When actuated from a ground level control panel, closure panels swing aside to provide access openings through which linear actuators translate and rotate the rail segments to a vertical deployed position. Motor driven threaded bolts automatically secure the ends of adjacent rail segments together, and the linear actuators rigidly brace the deployed rail structure in front of the face of the building.

Abstract: An emergency escape/fire fighting and building maintenance system including columns mounted to the exterior of a building for guiding either an escape slider or a fireman or maintenance lift. Each column has an inner and outer face which either assists in controlling the rate of descent of the escape slider or provides a means for allowing a fireman's lift or maintenance lift to climb the columns. The slider includes a harness and a body member which is engageable with and slidable down the column. The body member includes brake pad surfaces to provide an automatic braking system in the event the user is unable to maintain the desired escape posture and control his descending speed. Manual braking system is added to the alternate slider designs. The slider is intended to be used by able bodied persons since its descending speed is in part to be controlled by the user himself.

Abstract: A bracket forms the base for a scaffolding post and includes a rectangular receiving box with an open top face for receiving and holding a vertically extending scaffolding post. The receiving box pivots about a horizontal axis established by a pin held in a base member of the bracket. This base member includes a flat nailing plate which can be used to secure the bracket to a pitched roof. The pin allows a free pivoting of the receiving box with respect to the angle of the pitched roof to which the nailing plate is attached.

Abstract: A debris barrier for a high rise construction structure comprises a woven flexible mesh netting. A cord longitudinally extends along the top of the netting to form a reinforced border. The top of the netting is clipped to a safety cable so as to vertically suspend a portion of the netting. An anchoring strip is fastened to the netting. The netting is anchored to the floor slab by driving fasteners through the anchoring strip.

Abstract: Inclined telescopic booms actuated and regulated from the ground with detachable rungs forming a level track between the telescopic booms. A two-stacked load carrier, both stages on crawler type endless tracks, wherein the lower stage of the load carrier spans multiple rungs and is supported by the rungs, and is operable independent of the rungs. The chassis on the lower load carrier is comprised of two sections which are adjustable horizontally. The upper stage of the load carrier upon which cargo is hauled operates so that it can move independently on the ground, ride peggyback on the lower stage and then move independently through a window or similar opening on into the interior of a building. The load carrier and the telescopic booms are raised and lowered by a cable which is guided and supported by an overhead clamp which can be attached to the window frame of a building, to a construction platform, or to a shelf such as in a wharehouse.

Abstract: The disclosure herein describes a safety fence assembly for mounting to a oor of a building under construction; it comprises guard rail structures, each formed of at least an upper rail and of a pair of uprights. Hinge elements are mounted to the opposite ends of the upper rail, at least one of the hinge elements being slidably mounted to one end of the rail. Each hinge element comprises a vertically extending pivot member which is adapted to be pivotally mounted to a post and a horizontally extending support member which includes an opening therethrough to receive the pivot member of an adjacently disposed guard rail structure. In one form of the invention, both hinge elements are movable along the upper rail while, in another form, one hinge element is fixed while the other is movable.

Abstract: A safety system for a multi-story building under construction includes parallel, vertical stationary guide channels or tracks secured to the side of the building. Vertically moveable slide rails are slidably mounted within the guide channels. Cantilever struts extend diagonally upwardly and outwardly from connections with the slide rails. A safety net extends along the building with its outer edge anchored at the outer ends of the struts and with its inner edge anchored on the moveable slide rails. Vertical chains or cables are connected between the slide rails and a construction crane at the top of the building to lift the slide rails and net while in an extended condition to a new working position. Brakes acting between the slide rails and guide channels automatically release to enable upward movement and automatically lock to hold the net in the new working position.

Abstract: A highrise fire escape device gravity operated and particularly adaptable for use in highrise building and modern skyscraper structures as an escape apparatus from any floor of a building for use in the rescue of an occupant who may be trapped and prevented from using the conventional stairways or elevator due to a natural or man-made disaster such as fire, electrical or power failure, building collapse or personal injury of the occupants, etc.The apparatus or device comprises the combination of a vertical skid track member attached to the wall of a building with a skid which is inserted into a guide channel located in the track. The skid track is designed to be attached to either a new or existing building with access to the skid track being available at the outside of the building at predetermined locations, such as, building corners or a plurality of locations intermediate to the corners between the building windows so as not to impede the architecture design of the building.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lowering a plurality of evacuees in a single descent using a movable rope system is provided. An anchor is equipped with expansion means for wedging the anchor between a floor and ceiling. An arm extends outward from the anchor and is supported by a leg extending to the floor. The leg is braced to the expandable floor-to-ceiling member to resist tilting of the anchor. A friction drum is provided to control the descent of evacuees and also to provide for braking of the rope in order to attach harnesses for use by evacuees. A first evacuee is attached to an end of the rope and lowered a distance whereupon the rope is braked. A second evacuee is then attached and lowered and the rope is again braked. In this manner, a plurality of evacuees are attached to the first end of the rope which is then lowered to the destination point.

Abstract: A mobile remote manipulator system 10 is disclosed for assembly, repair and logistics transport on, around and about a space station square bay truss structure. The vehicle is supported by a square track arrangement supported by guide pins integral with the space station truss structure 12 and located at each truss node 40. Propulsion is provided by a central push-pull drive mechanism 20 that extends out from the vehicle one full structural bay over the truss and locks drive rods 38 into the guide pins 30. The draw bar is now retracted and the mobile remote manipulator system is pulled onto the next adjacent structural bay. Thus, translation of the vehicle is "inchworm" style. The drive bar can be locked onto two (2) guide pins while the extendable draw bar is within the vehicle and then push the vehicle away one bay providing bi-directional push-pull drive.

Abstract: An adjustable roof scaffold jack means for mounting on a pitched roof that includes adjustment means coupled to a support member adapted to be leveled to the horizontal for receiving a platform for workman to use in working on a vertical or angular surface adjacent to said pitched roof. The means include a base for mounting on the roof and a hinged support member with the adjustment means extending therebetween. The jack means when used with additional jack means forming a base for receiving platforms and conventional scaffold means which are tied together to present a safe area for receiving platforms for workmen to stand on.

Abstract: A foldable scaffold which can be erected to the side of a scaffold anchor having a horizontal member pivotally mounted at one end to the scaffold anchor and a support member pivotally mounted at one end to the horizontal member and the other end releasably mounted on the support anchor. A pin is provided for selectively holding the horizontal member in a first horizontal position and for releasing the horizontal member from that first horizontal position to allow the horizontal member and the support member to pivot to a second position in which the horizontal and support members are closely approximated with the scaffold anchor. If, for instance, the scaffold anchor is a gangform, the disassembly, storage, transport and re-assembly of the gangform is greatly facilitated by the fact that the scaffold is folded and re-erected by merely inserting two pins into the horizontal member and support member.

Abstract: An escape system for buildings which is comprised of at least one vertically disposed runner positioned preferably on the exterior of a building adapted to engage and support a removable power driven platform carriage which moves from floor to floor receiving trapped persons and delivering the same to safety levels. The driving power can be mechanical, electrical, manual, or combinations of thereof.

Abstract: A portable balustrade and platform assembly for a structure, such as a recreational vehicle, is provided for stabilizing and assisting a person entering and exiting the structure via a door thereof.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a descent device including a roller having an annular groove about its contact surface, a support structure to which the roller is rotatably attached, a pinion gear rotatably attached to the support structure, a rotor disk directly coupled to the pinion gear, a braking device coupled to the support structure for controlling the speed of rotation of the rotor, a hand held actuator for activating the brake device, and a sling attached to the support structure capable of supporting a person who can control his or her descent by actuating the brake device, enabling a person to escape from a building during emergency conditions.The present invention also contemplates the combination of the above-described descent device and a vertically extending rail-like support track which is fixedly secured to the exterior of a building wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming poured concrete walls using crane-lifted type jump scaffolding optionally including associated wallforms, and particularly including a unique automatic safety lock system keyed to the lifting operation to anchor and secure the scaffolding to the previously poured shearwall. This latching system allows for safe and efficient placement of the scaffolding and eliminates the need to have workmen present on unlocked scaffolding, and especially removes the reason for workmen to be tempted to ride the scaffolding while it is being lifted.

Abstract: A scaffold to which form plates for forming a concrete wall can be fastened is suitable for circular constructions and includes a polygonal frame which is vertically adjustable along supports. The frame, is angularly adjustable at the corners, of plural straight frame portions, each of which is a separate part attached to the adjacent frame portions.

Abstract: A device for fighting fires in highrise buildings and towers is disclosed, whereby a pair of parallel arranged platforms are provided for alternative ascension up the side of the building in stepwise fashion. The upper platform is first released from fixed connection with the upper story to which it is attached and raised relatively to the lower platform still fixedly attached the story of the building below. After raising the upper platform to a higher story, it is fixedly attached to that story, whereupon the lower platform is released and raised toward the upper platform until it is positioned adjacent the story previously having the upper platform attached thereto. At this point, the lower platform is fixedly attached to that story. The process repeats a series of times to climb up the side of the building to the upper floors where a fire is burning to put out the fire and save lives. To descend, the process is simply reversed.

Abstract: A fire escape and extinction system is disclosed which can be used in the event of fire outbreak in high buildings, in particular in "skyscrapers," and comprises a transportable booth having a partition grid extending parallel to the booth floor and defining a lower chamber, which accommodates booth driving and locking means cooperating with a booth translating means, and an upper chamber which includes, in its portion remote from the partition grid, a space filled with a cooling fluid. The booth interior is further provided with at least one channel for topping up the cooling fluid contained in said jacket, and at least one communication ladder between the lower and upper chambers.

Abstract: A gallery for use as a means for supporting workmen and/or materials at levels above the ground has a platform, a balustrade extending upwardly from one longitudinal marginal portion of the platform, and a gate which is secured to the balustrade by one or more aligned hinges having a pintle defining for the gate a vertical pivot axis for movement between an open position in which one side of the gate is adjacent to the inner side of the balustrade and a closed position in which the lower portion of the gate abuts against a stop mounted on the platform and being spaced apart from the balustrade. In order to enable the gate to pivot beyond such closed position, the hinge or hinges allow the gate to be lifted to a level above the stop so that it can bypass the stop and move to a second open position in which its other side is adjacent to the inner side of the balustrade. The stop can define a vertical recess which can receive a portion of the gate so that the latter is locked in the closed position.

Abstract: An evacuation system for nonambulatory patients from a multistory hospital or the like. A trackway is secureable to a wall of a stairwell and includes a hanger rail support. A hanger is rotatably associable with the hanger rail support and has elongated elements suspended from same for securement to a wheelchair, stretcher, or the like. A brake system is associated with the hanger to normally brake rollers, wheels, or the like of same against movement. A brake release apparatus is operatively associated with the brake system from the hanger for actuation by a patient or attendant to permit the hanger to carry the patient along the trackway.

Abstract: A safety support and rescue clamp for use on building structures for supporting personnel and equipment on wall faces of buildings. The clamp is characterized in that it is receivable into an elongated vertical, channel-like slotted track of the type affixed in the wall of a high-rise building. A pivotal pawl of the clamp bridges between side walls of the slot and locks rotationally within the track to serve as positive anchor means for overcoming a weight-derived, downwardly-directed force vector impressed upon a lever attached to the pawl and extending outwardly from the track.

Abstract: A moveable walkway which can be raised or lowered by workmen on the walkway is provided. The walkway runs on rails affixed to the side of the structure and comprises a sliding member fitting within hollow rails, which sliding member is filled with wheels having projections thereon for interacting with perforations in said rails and locking devices for stabilizing the walkway at any given level.

Abstract: A safety device for securing a scaffold to the side of a building in order to prevent movement thereof is disclosed. Such securing of the scaffold is achieved by placing a lanyard, preferably an adjustable lanyard, around the rope supporting the scaffold and securing the lanyard to a stud on the side of a building through the use of a yoke.

Abstract: A device for detachably supporting a work stand to a wall surface (2) for example. This includes a supporting member (4) which originates from the securing surface and which can be hooked up, by means of a coupling device (3) fitted to the supporting member, in a holder element (1) fixed to the wall surface. This is formed like a plate-shaped body which comprises at least one supporting surface adapted to be fixed to the wall surface (2) and two hooking-up portions which are directed away from one another and each of which has its own bearing surface facing the wall surface (2). The coupling device (3) comprises two portions (11) which are provided with guide surfaces facing one another. Between them these form a gap adapted to receive the holder element. Situated in the gap are locked members (16, 22) which are each hooked up by their own hooking-up portions. A device (21) is able to be changed over between a locking position and a releasing position.

Abstract: An oil spill recovery method and apparatus is disclosed. The method of recovery involves the pumping of an oil/water mixture from a concentration area to the submerged portion of a vertically oriented cylinder, open at both ends, and the separation of the oil from the water in the cylinder. Oil floats to and accumulates on the surface of the water in the cylinder and uncontaminated water flows out through the lower open end of the cylinder. The apparatus includes a collection unit which defines the concentration area within three walls thereof, a recovery unit which follows the collection unit and mounts the cylinder therein, and a submerged pumping unit which carries an oil/water mixture from the concentration area in the collection unit to the cylinder in the recovery unit. There is very little emulsification of the oil in the cylinder and hence there is very efficient separation of the oil from the water.

Abstract: A gravity operated emergency system for a multi-story building is disclosed including an elongate track having a central rack which is disposed along an outside wall of the building. A traveller is provided which moves along the track and has a pinion which rotatably engages the rack. A pair of bearing members engage opposite sides of the track and these bearing members are pivotally attached to the traveller so that as the pinion is brought into contact with the rack the bearing members clear the respective sides of the track and when the pinion is fully engaged in the rack the bearing members are resiliently urged into contact with an inside face of the track. A velocity control mechanism is provided to control the rotational speed of the pinion in the rack, and hence the speed of the traveller relative to the track. During an emergency, the user is received in a harness which is connected to the traveller and the traveller slowly lowers the user to safety along the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for emergency evacuation of people from tall buildings having a sliding descent device for removably coupling to a vertical guide column fixed to an exterior wall of the building, a speed of descent regulating device, and a support beam for attaching to and supporting a person.

Abstract: The invention herein described is directed to an emergency escape system, such as for use in exiting from a high-rise building. Such system includes a personnel lowering device adapted to be clamped to a vertically mounted I-beam running the full height of the building from which a quick escape is desired. The lowering device, which controls the rate of descent of the user thereof through a contained braking system, includes a (1) spring-biased pivotal clamping mechanism, activated by contact with the outer face of the I-beam, and (2) knurled roller which rolls along said face and drives two drums enclosed in a viscous fluid, such as silicon oil having a viscosity of 300 SSU. As the rate of descent of the lowering device begins to increase through gravity and the weight of the descending personnel, drum RPM increases and fluid shear increases. In a short period of time after the descent begins the fluid shear forces on the roller driven drums are balanced such that the rate of descent is controlled.

Abstract: A safety device for securing a scaffold to the side of a building in order to prevent movement thereof is disclosed. Such securing of the scaffold is achieved by placing a lanyard around the rope supporting the scaffold and securing the lanyard to a stud on the side of a building through the use of a yoke.

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: This invention is directed to mechanical staging for use in the construction of a building.Normally, in the construction of a frame building, there is used staging and which staging is made from wood. This invention is directed to the use of mechanical supports for wooden cants and wooden planks.There is a stud gripper. The stud gripper can be placed on studs in a wall and a cant supported on the stud gripper. With two spaced apart walls and having stud grippers for supporting cants it is possible to place planks on the cants. A workman can stand on the planks and be supported for further work in the building.In conjunction with the stud gripper there can be used an adapter bracket. The adapter bracket is supported on the stud gripper. Cants can be supported on the adapter bracket. With spaced apart walls it is possible to have stud grippers and adapter brackets on the studs of the walls and to run cants between the stud grippers and the adapter brackets.

Abstract: A removable construction device for use in a building under construction is disclosed. The device is partially positioned inside the building and locked to the building and is partially cantilevered outside of the building. The device has a movable platform section that may be positioned inside or outside of the building on the device. Construction materials may thereby be moved into the building or may be removed from the building by use of the device associated with an outside lifting crane.

Abstract: Rescue apparatus is described for use in the rescue of persons from high rise and other buildings which includes an inflatable funnel of fabric carried by a bracket which is secured to an interior portion of a building, the funnel preferably being located below a window from which an escape is to be made, the funnel having a chute or conduit connected to its lower end through which the person jumping into the funnel slides to and through a window located below the funnel.

Abstract: A portable high-rise escape device for attachment to the windowsill of a tall building is disclosed comprising a telescoping length extendible boom, an actuable pneumatic driver for extending the boom, a detachable wall mounting bracket to securely connect the boom to a windowsill, a length of cable having a harness at one end, a winch to contain and release the cable at a predetermined rate, and cable guides to guide the cable from the winch to the end of the boom.

Abstract: A fire-proof rescue system for high-rise buildings comprises an upright rail fixed to a face of the building and a rescue cabin movable upwardly and downwardly of the building and having a gear engageable with the rail. The system further includes a gear transmission unit, a cable drum with a cable thereon, and a deflecting roller mounted above the rail and operative for taking up the cable from the cable drum.

Abstract: A clamping device for securing a pole within a U-shaped yoke having a plate member with a hook at one end and a tooth at the other end for respectively engaging opposing slots at the distal ends of the yoke to transversely position the plate across the yoke. A bolt threadingly passes through a hole in the plate to extend in a forward direction on the plate. A bearing plate is rotatably mounted on the forward end of the bolt for abutting the pole and clamping it within the yoke.

Abstract: In the event of fire, a telescoping pole is transported, by means of a hoist, from a stored location within a building to a sleeve permanently mounted on a balcony or near a window. The pole is inserted into the sleeve and telescoped to its full extended position. A trolley is mounted on this pole. The user straps himself in a seat, attaches the seat to the trolley, and suspends himself from the pole. Using a hand-over-hand motion, the user propels himself away from the building to the end of the pole where he may be rescued by firemen.In a second embodiment, the pole is telescopingly mounted and permanently stored in the sleeve, thereby eliminating the need to transport the pole. The sleeve is pivotally mounted on a stand for rotation about a vertical axis and the pole, when stored therein, is interior to the side of the building. In the event of fire, the user manipulates the pole by rotating it to a position which permits it to be telescopingly extended away from the side of the building.