Fire escape – ladder – or scaffold – Torso harness – Strand-engaging – with descent retarder
Patent
1991-07-10
1992-04-28
Machado, Reinaldo
Fire escape, ladder, or scaffold
Torso harness
Strand-engaging, with descent retarder
188 654, A62B 120
Patent
active
051079569
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention concerns a device to enable personnel or other loads to descend from an elevated position at a controlled and variable speed.
Such a device may be used, for example, to permit rapid escape of personnel from installations such as offshore drilling platforms or other high-rise structures. The device may be operated and controlled by the user himself or by other personnel for lowering casualties or other loads in a controlled manner.
Many known devices for these purposes are uncontrollable to the extent that once the load is descending it does so at a constant speed with no means of stopping until it reaches a position of rest at a lower level. This may be unsuitable when escaping into the sea from a drilling platform where the user may wish to remain suspended part way down until rescue services arrive.
An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device which may be attached to any fixed point at an upper level, and which is so compact as to be stored in numbers sufficient for all personnel present at that level. The device must be made ready for use immediately and may be incorporated into a safety harness or a survival suit containing a harness.
According to the present invention, there is provided a descending device to enable personnel or other loads to decend from an elevated position at a controlled and variable speed, comprising a restraining member to which the load may be attached and having therein a series of apertures which frictionally contain a line such as a tape or rope which passes therethrough in alternate directions, one or more edges of each aperture defining a contact surface providing frictional engagement for the line as the load descends, a loop or hook for attachment of the line to a fixed point at said elevated position, a container for a store of the line sufficient to permit the required descent, and a restricted opening in the container to provide a frictional relationship between the line and the opening for the controlled pay-out of line therethrough.
Preferably, there is also included a harness to be worn by the user, which is adapted to be attached to the restraining member and to the container by one or more quick release shackles.
The harness may be of a so-called "nappy" type or may consist of a waist band and crotch straps with means for attachment of the restaining member to at least one loop at the front of the waist band, whilst the container is attached to the side region of the harness. Still further, the entire harness may be incorporated into a survival suit which may have provision for the container to be attached the suit about the wearer's knee or any other accessible position.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a general illustration of a descending device made in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a restraining member forming part of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a section taken on line III--III of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 illustrates a harness in a laid flat condition;
FIGS. 5a to 5d are respectively front side and rear elevations and a plan view of part of the device as illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 illustrates an accessory to be housed within and usuable with the device; and
FIG. 7 illustrates a spring-loaded hook forming part of the accessory illustrated in FIG. 6.
Referring now to the drawings, a descending device made in accordance with the invention comprises a spring-loaded hook 10 for attachment of the device to a fixed point at an elevated position from which as user is to descend. This may be, for example, a hand rail on the deck of an offshore drilling platform. Permanently fixed to the hook 10 is an upper looped end of a tape 11 which may be made from nylon or other synthetic material and should be designed to have a breaking strain in the region of 1000 Kg (straight load). The tape is preferably brightly coloured in two or more fluorescent colours so as to be readily se
REFERENCES:
patent: 284763 (1883-09-01), Scholl
patent: 3419236 (1968-12-01), Weber
patent: 4102431 (1978-07-01), Carroll
patent: 4508193 (1985-04-01), Forrest
patent: 4714135 (1987-12-01), Bell
Constantinis Daniel A.
Mortlock David M.
O'Donovan Roger
Engineering Management and Inspection (Safety Systems) Limited
Machado Reinaldo
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