Jeffrey H Mitchell

US Patent:

20020036117, Mar 28, 2002

Filed:

Sep 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/951318

Inventors:

Michael Rickman - Wyandotte MI, US
Jeffrey Mitchell - Wyandotte MI, US
Kevin Hood - Lincoln Park MI, US

International Classification:

A62B001/06
E06C001/52

US Classification:

182/070000, 182/198000

Abstract:

A device for use for quickly and safely exiting a structure, such as a burning building. The device of the invention comprises a generally rectangular body that is hollow and fits inside the stud spacing of a structure. The body is positioned below a window and secured to the structure. A flexible ladder is secured through the body to the studs of the structure with the flexible ladder being stored within the body. The ladder can be fabricated from chain, rope or other flexible material and has cross bars for ladder rungs. Spacers behind the rungs keep the rungs spaced out from the wall. A cover plate overlays most of the rectangular body leaving an opening in the rectangular body for the ladder to be moved from a storage position within the body to a use position. A trim cover closes the opening when the device is in the storage position. The trim cover is removed from the opening to access the ladder with the trim cover weighting the bottom of the ladder for rapid deployment of the ladder out of an open window.