Abstract: A vertically extended loading and unloading apparatus spans between the floors of a building. The apparatus includes a frame that is generally vertically positioned, the frame extending between at least two floors of a building so that articles to be loaded or unloaded between floors can be transported vertically using the frame. A carriage is movably mounted to the frame, the carriage having an interior and an upper planar load carrying horizontal surface and a plurality of inclined side walls that extend from the load carrying horizontal surface downwardly. A motor drive mounted inside the carriage interior engages a static belt that is wound upon the motor drive and anchored at the top and bottom of the frame. The cable extends horizontally to engage the motor drive and a gear provided on the motor drive within the carriage interior. Rotation of the gear in the opposite directions defines either upward or downward movement of the carriage.

Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car and a counterweight installed in parallel with an outer wall of a building. The system is mounted to a single wall and can be installed into preexisting, multi-floor structures which have been constructed without an elevator hoistway. To move the car between floors, a drive assembly is mounted to a structural beam attached to the outer wall. The structural beam extends from the outer wall and is at least partially supported by the elevator car guide rails.

Abstract: An exterior emergency escape system for use on a multi-storied building that includes an escape module for holding people escaping from the multi-storied building and for moving along the exterior of the multi-storied building, cables for suspending the escape module from the cornice of the roof, and apparatus for moving the escape module vertically along the exterior of the multi-storied building. In one embodiment, the apparatus is attached to the cornice of the building, and in another embodiment, the apparatus is attached to the escape module.

Abstract: A safety fence used in a field of a construction work includes a guide rail disposed parallel to an outer wall of a building being constructed. A fence frame is disposed to cover the outer wall and movable along the guide rail and an elevating device for moving the fence frame along the guide rail provided. A tent is disposed on the fence frame. A net for reinforcing the tent may be fixedly disposed on the fence frame. The fence frame includes a plurality of platforms that are vertically connected to each other in a multi-story structure. The platforms are connected to each other by braces.

Abstract: The autonomous tilting platform unit is for infrastructure work over a 0-90° slanted surface. It has a platform assembly pivotally connected to a carriage assembly provided with wheels for displacement over the surface. An autonomous motor unit is mounted on the carriage assembly through a pendulum assembly. The tilting angle of the platform assenbly with respect to the carriage assenbly is adjusted with a jack device powered by the motor unit. A pair of winches powered by the motor hoist the platform unit along the slanted surface. A control unit is mounted on the platform assembly, and operates the motor unit and controls the jack device and the winches.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting an elevator to an existing multistory building includes providing a preassembled elevator unit comprising an enclosure containing an elevator car and a drive mechanism for moving the car within the enclosure; forming a plurality of vertically aligned elevator access openings though the exterior of the building; positioning the preassembled elevator unit against the exterior of the building, in alignment with the plurality of vertically aligned elevator access openings; and securing the preassembled elevator unit against the exterior of the building, in alignment with the plurality of vertically aligned elevator access openings. The preassembled elevator unit preferably includes a self-supporting elevator shaftway enclosed on the sides and back, and having at least one access opening in the front of the shaftway; an elevator car mounted in the elevator shaftway for movement therein; and a driver inside the shaftway for moving the elevator car in the shaftway.

Abstract: An outside up-down elevator, designed to be smoothly and safely raised without an initial downward movement when the outside up-down elevator is restarted in an ascending direction after it is temporarily stopped during an operation, is disclosed. In the outside up-down elevator, a seat frame is moved upward or downward under the guide of two ropes, thereby allowing a worker to work safely and stably without having any intervention between the ropes and the worker. The outside up-down elevator also has a constant speed control means, thus stably and safely descending at a constant speed. Two side walls, respectively enclosing first and second control units, are hinged to both side edges of the seat frame and so the outside up-down elevator can be fully folded suitable for being transported by a user. It is also possible to manually adjust horizontality of the seat frame using two adjusting gears without disassembling the outside up-down elevator.

Abstract: Rescue apparatus including a track mounted vertically on an outside surface of a building, a pulley mounted on the building above the track, a non-rescue-grade guide cable arranged for moving along the track, an upper end of the guide cable engaging the pulley, and release apparatus for arresting downward movement of the upper end of the guide cable and for selectively releasing the upper end of the guide cable so as to permit downward movement of the upper end of the guide cable.

Abstract: A vacuum wall walking apparatus includes an annular body frame, a plurality of leg mechanisms extending downward from the body frame, and a plurality of suction cups attached to fore ends of the respective legs. The body frame is composed of a flexible member. The body frame thus constructed is bendable to conform to the profile of a curved surface when the vacuum wall walking apparatus is used with a wall having such curved surface. With this bending or deformation of the body frame, the suction cups are always able to retain an optimum posture to insure that the vacuum wall walking apparatus is stably held on the curved surface of the wall by a vacuum formed in the suction cups. The vacuum wall walking apparatus may include a surface treatment mechanism, in which instance a winch is provided to minimize or substantially eliminate the load exerted from the surface treatment mechanism to the vacuum wall walking apparatus.

Abstract: An appendable elevator for the transport of persons and goods can be attached to an outside surface (2) of a wall (16) of a building (1) and includes a self-driven car (5) which runs on a pair of vertically extending guide modules (10). The guide modules (10) are attached at lower ends to a foundation module (12) and at upper ends to a shaft head module (13) to form an inherently stiff and transportable frame. Counterweights (18) are mounted in the guide modules (10) and are attached to the car (5) by cables (19) which engage deflecting rollers (14) mounted on the shaft head module (13). Fastening modules (11) are attached to the guide modules (10) and telescopically mount shaft doors (22). Drive wheels (7), supporting wheels (8) and guide rollers (9) as well as wiring and control equipment are mounted in and on the car (5) to form a prefabricated elevator system which is attached by extending the fastening modules (11) into contact with the building (1).

Abstract: A particular elevator (1-9) is commandeered to transfer an emergency cab F to (or near) a floor where an alarm has been sounded. The commandeered car is brought to the floor FF where the emergency cab is parked. The fire cab is exchanged for the normal cab C on the commandeered car, and is then carried to (or near) the alarm floor for responding to the alarm. Passengers in the normal cab may exit through landing doorways (23). Emergency personnel have access to the alarm area through emergency hoistway doors (27). A rack and pinion horizontal motive means for moving the cabs is illustrated (FIG. 12 ).

Abstract: An emergency evacuation system uses three primary concepts--Retarded Free Fall, Temporary Structures and Energetics--to provide for rapid, safe rescue. An inflatable descent tube with entry ports is installed along the side of a structure or at the top of an elevator shaft. In emergency situations, a gas generator connected to the tube is activated and inflates the tube with gas. The interior surface of the tube includes energy absorption structures strategically positioned to retard the rate of fall. The structures absorb energy from falling bodies and translate some of the vertical force to horizontal force as the evacuee is temporarily deflected sideways in the tube. Friction strands cover the surfaces of the structures to further reduce velocities of falling evacuees. An inflatable exit ramp is positioned at the bottom of the tube to cushion the fall of the evacuee and lead the evacuee to safety.

Abstract: A portable crane operable between a first, extended position for lifting loads and a second collapsed position for transportation includes a handle having first and second ends. A boom having first and second ends is provided such that the first end is pivotally interconnected to the first end of the handle. The boom extends outwardly from the first end of the handle in the crane first position and is disposed parallel to the handle in the crane second position. Structure is provided for supporting the handle first end and extends in a direction opposite the boom in the crane second position. A pair of outriggers anchor guy cables on the first end of the handle. A cable extends between the handle second end and the boom second end for receiving a load, such that as the cable is retracted, a load is lifted toward the boom second end.

Abstract: A lift including a rectangular base frame moved between two parallel rails on the outside wall of a building, two supporting bars fastened to the base frame for holding the cargo, a lifting cable driven by a motor drive to lift the base frame along the parallel rails, wherein the supporting bars are hinged to a cross bottom bar on the base frame and turned between the collapsed position in which the supporting bars are longitudinally aligned and closely attached to said cross bottom bar, and the operative position in which the supporting bars are disposed in parallel with each other and perpendicular to the cross bottom rail for supporting the wheels of a cargo carriage upon its loading onto the lift, the supporting bars each having an upright guard rod at the end for stopping the cargo carriage in place.

Abstract: This invention is an exterior fire fighting and evacuation system for high rise buildings. A pair of parallelly disposed vertical trollies are attached to the side of the building on opposite sides of a plurality of emergency exits. Decorative panels are provided on either side of the trollies that are aesthetically pleasing and serve to hide high pressure water and/or foam lines. A chain drive system within each of the pair of trollies mounts a support arm assembly on which a fire proof cab is removably mounted. This cab has front and rear doors and a remote control for operating a motor which drives the chains within both of the trollies simultaneously. This motor can also be operated manually if necessary.

Abstract: A substantially straight rail assembly on which a carriage of a stationary inclined elevator is guided includes two track rails, each having two legs joined by a web having a plurality of holes. Box-shaped frames, each comprising two rails having holes and coupled together with transverse bars, are screwed to the track rails at arbitrary positions in the longitudinal direction of the track rails to couple the track rails together at a predetermined distance from each other. Splice frames connect additional pairs of track rails to the track rails. The box-shaped frames and splice frames are removably mounted to foundations positioned along a gradient surface to mount the rail assembly to the gradient surface at desired angles of inclination. A cable winch or revolving cable drive moves a carriage of the inclined elevator along the track rails.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for providing access to the floors of a building during an emergency such as a fire, the apparatus including a structural support positioned on the exterior of a building and a transport system to transport persons or materials between the floors of the building along such support. The transport system includes a drive system for moving an elevator platform vertically along the support structure. An independent power source and the elevator platform are initially contained within a protective enclosure prior to their desired use. Other embodiments are also disclosed, including an adaption of the apparatus to buildings equipped with setbacks.