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WO1992003189A1 - Appareil servant a controler la descente d'une personne ou d'un objet - Google Patents

Appareil servant a controler la descente d'une personne ou d'un objet Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1992003189A1
WO1992003189A1 PCT/GB1991/001430 GB9101430W WO9203189A1 WO 1992003189 A1 WO1992003189 A1 WO 1992003189A1 GB 9101430 W GB9101430 W GB 9101430W WO 9203189 A1 WO9203189 A1 WO 9203189A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tube
elastic
holes
flexible
tubes
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB1991/001430
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ghassan Nehaili
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of WO1992003189A1 publication Critical patent/WO1992003189A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B1/00—Devices for lowering persons from buildings or the like
    • A62B1/20—Devices for lowering persons from buildings or the like by making use of sliding-ropes, sliding-poles or chutes, e.g. hoses, pipes, sliding-grooves, sliding-sheets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatus for controlling a descent of a person or an object and in particular, though not exclusively, to such apparatus in the form of an escape chute through which one or more persons can descend safely from, for example, the upper floors of a high building in the event of fire or some other hazard.
  • One type of escape chute which is disclosed in British Patent No. 1269401, generally consists of a flexi ⁇ ble hose, which may itself be elasticated or it may be provided with a plurality of elastic constrictions at spaced intervals along its length in order to prevent free-fall of a person descending within the hose.
  • Such constrictions may be formed by elastic ties or tension springs extending around the outside of the hose which expand as a person passes through the constrictions and then contract after the person has passed.
  • Escape chutes which are in present use tend to be relatively complex in construction and thus expensive. They can also be cumbersome and generally require consider ⁇ able storage space. Consequently, they tend to be regarded as more specialised items of equipment which are kept and used by professional rescue services, such as the fire service, rather than being readily available and suitable for use by laymen.
  • the apparatus for controlling a descent of a person or an object, the apparatus comprising an elongate tube of flexi ⁇ ble material, through which the person or object is intend- ed to pass, surrounded by elastic means capable of expanding radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus and having a smaller diameter in its unex- panded state than the diameter of the tube of flexible material so as to constrict the cross-sectional area of the interior of the flexible tube, characterized in that the elastic means comprises an elongate elastic tube extending along the length of the flexible tube.
  • the elastic and flexible tubes are advantageously arranged so as to allow sliding movement of the elastic tube relative to the flexible tube during the passage of a person or object therethrough.
  • the elastic tube comprises an openwork structure of elastic material, which extends along the length of the tube, the openwork s ' gagture providing the required radial expandability and circumferential elastici ⁇ ty of the elastic tube.
  • the elastic tube comprises a tube of elastic sheet material, for example synthetic or natural rubber, having a plurality of holes formed therein.
  • the holes may extend in generally parallel spiral lines about the longitudinal axis of the elastic tube.
  • the holes may be arranged in parallel annular lines around the longitudinal axis. Additional holes of a different size may be formed in the elastic material between the first-mentioned holes.
  • the pattern of holes may be varied at one or more points along the length of the elastic tube so as to vary the elasticity thereof.
  • the pattern of holes may be varied at one end of the elastic tube, intended in use to be the entrance into the apparatus, to afford a less constrained entry, and optionally at other points, particularly at or near the other end intended to be the exit, to afford increased local resistance.
  • the apparatus preferably also includes a support for supporting the end of the flexible tube, which is intended to be the entrance, in an open position to enable a person or an object to enter the tube.
  • the end of the elastic tube adjacent the entrance end of the flexible tube is preferably supported either by connections to the support for the flexible tube or to the flexible tube itself.
  • the tubes may also be connected together at the other end intended as the exit.
  • the tubes may be connected together along one or more seams extending longitudinally along the tubes .
  • the seam or seams may be reinforced with load- bearing, substantially inextensible tape or webbing materi ⁇ al.
  • the tubes may be connected togeth ⁇ er at spaced apart points along their lengths, so as to inhibit substantial relative longitudinal movement between the tubes .
  • the flexible tube may be made from fabric which is substantially inextensible in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions with respect to the longitudinal axis.
  • the flexible tube may be made from a load-bearing material, such as a netting or stocking mate ⁇ rial, being more extensible in the circumferential direc ⁇ tion.
  • the apparatus preferably includes an outer protec ⁇ tive cover of flexible material which may extend partially or completely around the elastic tube.
  • the protective cover may be made, for example, of a material which is resistant to fire, water, etc.
  • the protective cover may be tubular with a diameter which is substantially the same as the diameter of the inner tube of flexible material.
  • Figure 1 shows schematically a side view of part of one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows schematically a side view of part of the embodiment in figure 1, when the invention is in use
  • Figure 3 shows schematically a section through I-I in Figure 1
  • Fi'gure 4 shows schematically an enlarged view along II-II in Figure 3.
  • an apparatus for controlling a descent of a person or an object includes a flexible tube in the form of a tubular lining 1 of flexible material which is preferably fire-resistant having a seam 2 along its length.
  • a tube 3 of elastic sheet material having a seam 4 along its length surrounds the tubular lining 1, with the seams 2 and 4 being connected together.
  • the cross-sectional periphery of the tubular lining 1 is approximately five times the cross-sectional periphery of the unexpanded elastic tube 3 , although it may be more or less than five times.
  • the diameter of the unstressed annular of the apparatus thereby formed when hanging freely is preferably about 170 mm, with the lining constricted into folds within the unexpanded elastic tube.
  • the elastic tube is made from natural or synthetic rubber or latex sheet having a regular array of circular holes 5, the area of the holes being about 40% of the total perforated area of the elastic sheet material .
  • the holes each preferably have a diameter of 15 mm.
  • the holes 5 are arranged in parallel lines extend ⁇ ing in a spiral formation around the longitudinal axis 6 of the tube, so as to form a staggered arrangement as shown in Figure 4.
  • the holes have two .effects .
  • the first is to provide a greater range of expansion from relaxed to fully expanded, with the material between the holes needing only elastic properties in one direction at once, in similar manner to a net, rather than two directions at once as with a continuous membrane.
  • the second is to enable anisotropic elastic properties to optimise the entire arrangement, for example by using greater elasticity circumferentially than longitudinally with respect to the longitudinal axis 6.
  • An annular or square support frame 7 is supplied to support the lining 1 and to hold the entrance to the lining 1 open to allow a person or object to enter the apparatus.
  • An outer protective sheath or cover (not shown) is provided over the elastic tube, the sheath or cover preferably being tubular and having substantially the same diameter as the inner lining 1.
  • the end of the elastic tube 3 adjacent the entrance end of the apparatus is supported by connection to the frame 7 by means of a plurality of support straps 8 con ⁇ nected at points around the circumference of the elastic tube.
  • the apparatus could be attached to fixed strong anchor points or hooks by any suitable attach ⁇ ment means which, with the frame 7, provide a funnel-shaped entry into the lining.
  • the point of entry is preferably covered with a canopy (not shown) in order to eliminate the psychological effect of heights.
  • the exit end of the lining could be anchored to the ground and away from the vertical line of the place of descent in order for the apparatus to be inclined so as to aid in reducing the speed or descent, or to move the apparatus gradually away from the building.
  • the inner lining 1 is preferably attached to the elastic tube 3 without affecting its expansion and so as to allow free sliding movement of the elastic tube over the lining, this sliding movement being important in order to provide stress relief and energy absorption by means of the friction between the elastic tube and lining.
  • the diameter of the lining 1 substantially corresponds to the maximum needed expansion of the elastic tube, and the lining could be made to any specification i.e. friction level, tensile strength, fire-retardation etc. and also from any required material.
  • the apparatus When a person enters the lining, the apparatus expands under the influence of the elastic tube, and allows the person to pass downwards, and indeed to accelerate.
  • the descender feels that the speed of descent is sufficient, he can raise his knees relative to this body so that his thighs move from approximately vertical towards the horizontal thereby increasing the effective cross- section dimension of the descender. This increases the force between the descender and the tube thereby increasing resistance to descent.
  • the descender's arms may be used in a similar way, and by the quite instinctive use of arms and/or legs, the speed of descent can easily be controlled. No effort is required to maintain the body in a braking posture with the knees partly raised, as the forces on the knees (via the lining) tend to raise them further towards the horizontal, thereby increasing the braking effect, so that the natural tendency is to slow down to rest.
  • the end of the inner lining may be gradually cush ⁇ ioned for a length of approximately 60 cms in order to facilitate the exit of the object or person by creating a separation between the lining and the elastic tube, thereby disengaging slowly the elastic tube and avoiding for exam ⁇ ple a person's feet from being entangled at the very end point where the restrictive properties of the elastic tube are terminated.
  • the functions of the lining and elastic tube are separated and optimised.
  • the lining is optimised for lightness, strength, frictional proper ⁇ ties, fire resistance, tear resistance, and other relevant properties (for example a limited ability to see and breath through it) while the elastic tube is optimised for expand ⁇ ability with adequate fire resistance (rubber has an inher ⁇ ent degree of fire resistance).
  • the elas ⁇ tic tube must combine adequate elastic constraining force with maximum expandability, while at the same time the lining presents an inner surface to the descender which is completely free of obstruction, to obviate the catching of limbs, protrusions from clothes and so on.
  • an openwork structure such as a net, web, or perforated sheet
  • elastic material in such an openwork structure is only required to stretch in one direction at once when the overall structure is stretched over an area (whereas a similar element of elastic material in a continuous mem ⁇ brane would have to stretch in two directions at once (at right angles).
  • a further advantage of an openwork struc ⁇ ture is that the pattern can be chosen and varied to achieve overall elastic properties of the structure which vary in chosen directions (for example, greater extensibil ⁇ ity circumferentially than longitudinally) .
  • a further important feature of the invention con ⁇ sisting of the two element lining/elastic tube combination is that, as a descender passes therethrough, there is both increased constraining force between the stretched elastic tube and the lining and considerable relative movement, the elastic material sliding back and forth over the lining material with the passage of the descender.
  • This relative slippage has two important effects. Firstly, it permits redistribution of stress (alleviating local stress concen ⁇ trations which occur round protruding limbs for example) . This confers an important advantage over the Prior Art where stress concentration and rupture can occur at attach ⁇ ment points between a lining and elastic containment (for example in GB 1269401 page 2 lines 61-65 and Fig. 5) .
  • the material from which the protective cover is made is preferably cheap and light-weight and may be flame-retardent, heat-resistant or water-proof depending on the circumstances in which the apparatus is to be used.
  • the apparatus in accordance with the present inven ⁇ tion is simple .in construction, and can therefore be made cheaply and easily. It is also light-weight and can be easily made compact by folding or rolling for storage or for carrying.
  • the apparatus has many applications, such as for escaping from high buildings, for descending from airborne helicopters, ships, oil rigs, etc. or even as a plaything at funfairs, swimming pools, etc. It is also intended to be readily available for purchase and storage in any building, such as domestic dwellings, offices or factories, as a fire precaution and it can be easily and reliably used by laymen. It can also be used for descend ⁇ ing sensitive or hazardous materials, or debris or other objects, for example on building sites.
  • the holes of the elastic tube may be of various shapes (triangular, square, rectangular, hexago ⁇ nal, round, elliptical, etc. ), sizes (up to about 30 mm maximum dimension), and arrangements (holes in line, stag ⁇ gered holes, smaller holes between larger holes, and so on) . Holes larger then 30 mm across are preferably not used as they can catch toes or other protrusions of the descending person or object.
  • the pattern can be varied over the area of the tube; for example an arrangement conferring greater circumferential elasticity can be used locally at the mouth of the tube to facilitate entry. Greater constrictions can be introduced along the length, or just before the exit, to increase the braking effect.
  • the openwork elastic tube may be made from elastic material in the form of a net, or web, or may be a woven, knitted or knotted matrix of elastic thread or strips.
  • the elastic tube could be designed to be a specific uniform diameter along its length, it could alternatively have different diameters at different intervals along its length to create an intermit ⁇ tent free-fall effect.
  • the lower end of the tube could also be narrowed in diameter in order to create a braking effect or could be enlarged to create an exit effect.
  • the inner lining 1 and elastic tube 3 may not be connected at all to each other, except preferably at or near the end intended to be the entrance to the apparatus, or they may be connected at points around the circumference at the end forming the entrance and maybe also at the other end forming the exit, or at intermittent locations along their length. Also, the lining 1 could be made from a translucent material in order to enable a person passing therethrough to see the holes in the elastic tube and thereby judge their speed of descent.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Lowering Means (AREA)

Abstract

Un appareil servant à contrôler la descente d'une personne ou d'un objet comprend un revêtement interne tubulaire (1) composé d'un matériau flexible à travers lequel la personne ou l'objet doit passer et qui est entouré sur sa longueur par un tube élastique (3), le revêtement et le tube étant reliés le long de lignes de couture (2, 4). Le tube élastique (3) présente une structure ajourée, comprenant de préférence un matériau élastique en feuille pourvu d'une multiplicité de trous (5) afin de permettre l'expansion radiale requise et l'élasticité de circonférence du tube élastique (3). Celui-ci (3) présente un diamètre inférieur, dans son état non élargi, au diamètre du revêtement intérieur (1) de manière à restreindre la surface de la coupe transversale de l'intérieur de l'appareil.
PCT/GB1991/001430 1990-08-24 1991-08-23 Appareil servant a controler la descente d'une personne ou d'un objet Ceased WO1992003189A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB909018649A GB9018649D0 (en) 1990-08-24 1990-08-24 Apparatus for controlling a descent of a person or an object
GB9018649.5 1990-08-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1992003189A1 true WO1992003189A1 (fr) 1992-03-05

Family

ID=10681196

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1991/001430 Ceased WO1992003189A1 (fr) 1990-08-24 1991-08-23 Appareil servant a controler la descente d'une personne ou d'un objet

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU8440791A (fr)
GB (1) GB9018649D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1992003189A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2291845A (en) * 1994-03-16 1996-02-07 Telescape Uk Ltd Escape chute
WO2005035064A1 (fr) * 2003-10-02 2005-04-21 Salvatore Catania Structure d'urgence externe modulaire utilisable notamment comme escalier de secours
WO2011060726A1 (fr) * 2009-11-20 2011-05-26 Cui Xuesong Canal de transport vertical et utilisations de celui-ci

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3580358A (en) * 1969-08-08 1971-05-25 Masatada Yamamoto Safety escape bag
GB1378561A (en) * 1972-04-27 1974-12-27 Uyeda H Escape equipment
US3977495A (en) * 1973-06-05 1976-08-31 Societe Soberal S.A. Rescue apparatus
US4164990A (en) * 1975-12-23 1979-08-21 Waggonfabrik Uerdingen Aktiengesellschaft Passenger evacuation apparatus
FR2533445A1 (fr) * 1982-09-24 1984-03-30 Marechal Jean Paul Manche modulaire pour systeme d'evacuation de personnes ou de charges

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3580358A (en) * 1969-08-08 1971-05-25 Masatada Yamamoto Safety escape bag
GB1378561A (en) * 1972-04-27 1974-12-27 Uyeda H Escape equipment
US3977495A (en) * 1973-06-05 1976-08-31 Societe Soberal S.A. Rescue apparatus
US4164990A (en) * 1975-12-23 1979-08-21 Waggonfabrik Uerdingen Aktiengesellschaft Passenger evacuation apparatus
FR2533445A1 (fr) * 1982-09-24 1984-03-30 Marechal Jean Paul Manche modulaire pour systeme d'evacuation de personnes ou de charges

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2291845A (en) * 1994-03-16 1996-02-07 Telescape Uk Ltd Escape chute
WO2005035064A1 (fr) * 2003-10-02 2005-04-21 Salvatore Catania Structure d'urgence externe modulaire utilisable notamment comme escalier de secours
WO2011060726A1 (fr) * 2009-11-20 2011-05-26 Cui Xuesong Canal de transport vertical et utilisations de celui-ci
US8944233B2 (en) 2009-11-20 2015-02-03 Xuesong Cui Vertical conveying channel and uses thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9018649D0 (en) 1990-10-10
AU8440791A (en) 1992-03-17

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