Emergency abseiling device for buildings

Abstract

Emergency abseiling device (2, 2') for structures, comprising a support arm (5, 5'), a winch device with a rope (9, 9') that can be wound onto and unwound from the winch device, an automated braking device cooperating with the winch device and / or the rope (9, 9'), and a conveying device arranged at the rope end opposite the winch device, wherein the support arm (5, 5') is formed from several segments (13, 14, 15, 13', 14', 15', 16) that can be pivoted and / or displaced relative to each other and is movable or adjustable between a parking position, an entry position, and an abseiling position, and wherein the winch device or a deflection means for the rope is arranged on an end segment (15, 16) of the support arm (5, 5'), characterized in that the support arm (5, 5') is equipped with an electric drive and the Emergency abseiling device (2,2') is equipped with an accumulator device and that an initial segment (13, 13') of the support arm (5, 5') has one or more anchoring means for anchoring in the interior of a structure and the support arm (5, 5') is designed to reach through an opening of a structure when moving from the entry position to the abseiling position until the transport device is completely located outside the structure,

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an emergency abseiling device for buildings. State of the art

[0002] In tall buildings where large numbers of people are typically present on a permanent basis, there is a risk that, due to spatial and technical limitations, timely evacuation cannot be guaranteed under all circumstances or for every person affected in emergency situations. Elevators have limited capacity and are unusable in the event of a power outage. Descending via the stairwell is lengthy and physically demanding; in the event of a fire, the escape route through the stairwell may be practically blocked by smoke. Rescues via extendable ladders, manual rappelling, or rescue nets are also subject to significant capacity limitations, require a high level of physical fitness, and are only possible up to very limited maximum heights.

[0003] Documents DE 10 2011 050 630 A1 and DE 20 2010 002 467 U1 disclose rescue devices that enable the manual, single-person rappelling of individuals from a descent rope using braking devices and harnesses. These evacuation devices also require a high level of physical fitness for successful use.

[0004] German patent DE 27 37 175 A1 discloses a rescue device comprising a rope drum, a band brake, and a mesh bag. This device is retrieved from a storage location when needed and anchored to the floor near a window using wing nuts. Among other things, the rescue device requires the permanent installation of a deflection device on the exterior of the building to ensure safe rappelling. This deflection device is permanently exposed to the elements, which either necessitates extensive maintenance or can lead to malfunction due to weather-related damage. Furthermore, the person being rescued must enter the mesh bag, which is only possible for individuals with sufficient physical fitness. Finally, the mesh bag with the person being rescued must be manually lifted out of the window opening, requiring assistance and posing a risk of injury to all involved.

[0005] German patent DE 195 11 117 A1 discloses an automatic abseiling device for rescuing persons, which uses a scaffolding structure installed on the outside of the building. This scaffolding is permanently exposed to the elements, requiring either extensive maintenance or potentially leading to malfunctions due to weather-related damage. Furthermore, the rescue operation requires the person to be rescued to either enter the basket-like abseiling container already located on the outside, which is dangerous and only feasible for sufficiently physically fit and fearless individuals, or to enter from inside the building. In the latter case, the abseiling container with the person to be rescued must be manually lifted out of the window opening, requiring assistance and posing a risk of injury to all involved.

[0006] WO 2003 / 037 435 A1 discloses a device for rescuing persons from structures, comprising a boom rigidly connected to the structure and pivotally mounted to it. A rope is attached to the boom, or can be attached to it, and a descent device can be manually engaged and disengaged from the rope using a quick-release mechanism. The requirement for manual engagement and disengagement of quick-release mechanisms is prone to errors, particularly in emergencies. To engage the device, the person being rescued must access a platform outside the building, which is impossible for people with severe acrophobia.

[0007] WO 2007 / 004934 A1 discloses a system for rescuing people from buildings, in which cable sections are anchored to the ground. This requires a suitable space outside the building to be evacuated, which is often not available, especially in buildings located in city centers. The other ends of the cable sections are anchored on the roof of the building, from where people to be rescued can be lowered down the cable sections. If the people to be rescued cannot reach the roof of the building, for example, due to heavy smoke inside the building or due to physical infirmity, rescue is not possible.

[0008] DE 10 2017 011 083 A1 discloses a personnel rescue system for buildings with a rescue basket, where access is from outside the building. People must first leave the building to be able to board the rescue basket. DE 102019 122 703 A1 discloses a control unit and method for operating a conveying device. Disclosure of the invention

[0009] The invention is based on the objective of providing an emergency abseiling device for structures that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it aims to provide an emergency abseiling device for structures that enables a safe abseiling process, can also be used by physically frail persons, and whose installation requires only a relatively low level of construction effort.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved by an emergency abseiling device for structures according to claim 1, by a structure according to dependent claim 8, and by a method for the emergency abseiling of persons from structures using an emergency abseiling device for structures according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] The core of the invention comprises an emergency abseiling device for structures, comprising a support arm, a winch device with a rope that can be wound onto and unwound from the winch device, an automated braking device cooperating with the winch device and / or the rope, and a conveying device arranged at the rope end opposite the winch device, wherein the support arm is formed from several segments or links that can be pivoted and / or moved relative to each other and is movable or adjustable between a parking position, an entry position and an abseiling position, and wherein the winch device or a deflection means for the rope is arranged on an end segment of the support arm.The shape, dimensions, and number of segments of the support arm and the movable connection of the segments to each other (rotatable or slidable) are selected depending on a defined mounting position within a building such that it can be moved into the most compact possible parking position for storage, enables the most convenient possible entry of persons into the transport device inside the building in the entry position, and the transport device is arranged outside the building in the abseiling position, with the support arm extending through an opening in the building (e.g., a window or a balcony door) with at least one end segment, and the winch device or a deflection device for the rope can be brought into a projection with a sufficient distance to the outer wall of the building, which ensures abseiling of the transport device.The transport device according to the invention, due to its suitability for installation inside a building and the ability to move or adjust the support arm into an entry position inside the building, enables its use even by physically frail persons. At the same time, the transport device according to the invention ensures a safe abseiling process by allowing the support arm to be moved or adjusted into an abseiling position outside the building. The transport device according to the invention can be easily adapted to different application scenarios (desired load capacity, number of persons to be transported simultaneously, installation and building height) by changing the dimensions of its individual components.

[0012] Reliable motorized operation of the emergency descent device is ensured by equipping the support arm and / or the winch assembly and / or the braking system with at least one electric drive and by equipping the emergency descent device with a battery system. To guarantee the reliable operation of the emergency descent device, a charging device for the battery system, preferably connected to the household electrical grid, is provided at the installation site.

[0013] To automate the operation of the emergency abseiling device, a digital control unit is provided which interacts with the electric drive or electric drives.

[0014] To take the load into account during control operations, a weight sensor is provided to detect a load picked up by the transport device, which interacts with the control device.

[0015] To maintain a desired abseiling speed, the control device is designed to control the braking device, taking into account the detected load.

[0016] To increase the safety of the rappelling process, a distance sensor is provided to detect the distance of the transport device from the ground, which interacts with the control unit. Preferably, the control unit is configured to automatically stop the rappelling process when a definable distance between the transport device and the ground is reached.

[0017] For installation, an initial segment of the support arm has one or more anchoring means for anchoring in the interior of a building.

[0018] For stationary storage, the initial segment of the support arm is arranged in a container, from which the support arm with the transport device is completely received in the parked position.

[0019] The ease of use of the emergency abseiling device is ensured by placing it next to or above a window or balcony opening, with the support arm passing through the window or balcony opening when moving from the entry position to the abseiling position, and the transport device being completely outside the building when the abseiling position is reached.

[0020] A further core of the invention comprises a method for the emergency abseiling of persons from structures using an emergency abseiling device for structures, comprising a support arm formed from several segments that can be pivoted and / or displaced relative to one another, a winch device with a rope that can be wound onto and unwound from the winch device, an automated braking device cooperating with the winch device and / or the rope, and a conveying device arranged at the rope end opposite the winch device, wherein the support arm is arranged in the interior of a structure next to or above a window or balcony opening and is anchored to a part of the structure with an initial segment, comprising the steps a. Procedure of the support arm within the interior from a parking position to an entry position, b. Admission of persons to the transport facility, c. Method of moving the support arm from the entry position to a lowering position, wherein the support arm extends through the window or balcony opening with at least one end segment and the transport device is arranged completely outside the structure when the lowering position is reached, d. Rappelling of the transport device, whereby the rappelling speed is controlled or regulated by means of the braking device.

[0021] Further advantages of the invention are illustrated below, together with a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 A perspective partial section view of the interior of a residential building with an emergency abseiling device with a closed cover. Fig. 2 a perspective partial sectional view of a residential building with the emergency abseiling device according to Fig. 1 in park position with cover open. Fig. 3 a perspective partial sectional view of the interior of a residential building with the emergency abseiling device according to Fig. 1 in entry position. Fig. 4 a perspective partial section view of the exterior of a residential building with the emergency abseiling device according to Fig. 1 in abseiling position. Fig. 5 a perspective section view of the emergency abseiling device according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 in park position. Fig. 6 a perspective section view of the emergency abseiling device according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 during the procedure from the entry position to the abseiling position. Fig. 7 a perspective section view of the emergency abseiling device according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 in the abseiling position. Fig. 8 a perspective section view of an alternative design of an emergency abseiling device 4 in park position. Fig. 9 a perspective section view of the emergency abseiling device according to Fig. 5 in the starting position. Fig. 10 a perspective section view of the emergency abseiling device according to Fig. 5 during the procedure from the entry position to the abseiling position. Fig. 11 a perspective section view of the emergency abseiling device according to Fig. 5 in the abseiling position.

[0022] The Fig. 1 to Fig. Figure 4 shows the residential building 1, which comprises several residential units. One of the residential units is equipped with an emergency abseiling device 2, which is located inside next to the window 3. Fig. Figure 1 shows an interior view of the residential unit with the emergency abseiling device 2 in a storage position, in which the emergency abseiling device 2 is concealed under a cover 4. Fig. Figure 2 shows the emergency abseiling device 2 with the cover 4 removed. The emergency abseiling device 2 is in its parked position, in which the multi-section (= consisting of several segments) support arm 5 is fully retracted and the transport basket 6 is folded. The transport basket 6 is of lightweight construction and consists of a thin aluminum plate as a seat and several aluminum tubes connected by wire ropes. The winch 7 is located on the free end segment of the support arm 5. The support arm 5 is anchored to the wall of the residential unit by the anchoring plate 8 on the opposite end segment. Fig. In the illustration, the emergency abseiling device 2 is in its entry position. The support arm 5 is partially extended, and the transport basket 6, located at the end of the rope 9 opposite the winch 7, is unfolded, making it accessible to people. The adult 10 and the child 11 have entered the transport basket 6. Fig. 4 The emergency abseiling device 2 is in its abseiling position. The support arm 5 extends completely through the opening of the window 3 with an end segment, so that the winch 7 is positioned at a sufficient distance from the outer wall in a projection outside residential building 1.

[0023] For motorized operation, the emergency lowering device 2 is equipped with several electric drives for moving the support arm and for driving the winch 7. To ensure reliability, power is supplied by a battery system, and the emergency lowering device 2 preferably also includes a charging device for the battery system connected to the household electrical network of the residential unit. For automated control, the emergency lowering device 2 is equipped with a digital control unit, a load sensor for detecting the load picked up by the transport basket 6, and a distance sensor located below the seat of the transport basket 6 and wirelessly connected to the digital control unit.The digital control unit is programmed such that, after the cover 4 is removed and the unit is switched on, the support arm 5, which is in the parked position, automatically moves into the entry position. The entry of persons 10 and 11 is registered by the digital control unit via the load sensor. Either after a time interval has elapsed or upon further manual control input, the support arm 5 moves into the lowering position, with the second segment extending through the opening of the window 3 and the third segment, on which the winch 7 is located, extending telescopically from the second segment. The second segment surrounds the third segment in a U-shape and is open at the bottom. If necessary due to the window depth, the transport basket 6 is pulled in slightly by the winch 7 to allow it to pass through the opening of the window 3.Once the abseiling position is reached, where the transport basket 6 is positioned outside the residential building 1 at a sufficient distance from its outer wall, the abseiling process begins. During the abseiling process, the digital control unit regulates the abseiling speed by taking into account the load detected by the load sensor when the winch 7 is operated via the electric drive. This ensures that the abseiling process occurs at a defined and adjustable safe speed, independent of the load being carried by the transport basket 6. Once a defined distance to the ground, registered by the distance sensor, is reached, the abseiling process stops, allowing persons 10 and 11 to exit the transport basket 6. Immediately afterwards, the transport basket 6 is retrieved by the winch, and the support arm is moved into the entry position to transport further persons.To save time, the unoccupied transport basket 6 can be retrieved at maximum speed.

[0024] The mounting position of the support arm 5, the shape, dimensions and number of its segments and the movable connection of the segments to one another (rotatable or slidable) are selected such that it can be moved into the most compact possible parking position for storage, in the entry position enables the most convenient possible entry of persons into the transport device inside the building, and the transport device is arranged outside the building in the abseiling position, wherein the support arm with at least one end segment extends through an opening in the building (e.g. a window or a balcony door) and the winch device or a deflection device for the rope can be brought into a projection with a sufficient distance to the outer wall of the building, which ensures abseiling of the transport device.For a single-sash window, mounting is preferably carried out to the side of the window on the side opposite the window sash hinges. The support arm 3 can then be designed with a simple three-part construction, wherein the first two segments are designed to pivot horizontally and the third segment is designed to be telescopically slidable relative to the second segment. For a double-sash window, mounting is preferably carried out above the window. In this design, the first segment of the support arm is, for example, designed to pivot vertically downwards and additionally to pivot horizontally to the side (e.g.,(by means of two combined rotary joints or a ball joint), the second segment is pivotally attached to this horizontally, allowing it to be pivoted through the window opening, and the third segment is either also pivotally attached to this horizontally or is designed to be telescopically displaceable relative to it.

[0025] The Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows the emergency abseiling device 2 in an enlarged perspective detail view. Fig. Figure 5 shows the emergency abseiling device 2 in the parked position. Fig. Figure 6 shows the emergency abseiling device 2 during the transition from the entry position to the abseiling position, before the support arm 3 extends through the opening of the window 3. Fig. Figure 7 shows the emergency abseiling device 2 in the abseiling position, in which the support arm 3 extends through the opening of the window 3. The support arm 5 is formed by three segments 13, 14, and 15, wherein the first segment 13 is horizontally pivotable and connected to the anchoring plate 8, the second segment 14 is horizontally pivotable and hinged to the first segment 13, and the third segment 15 is telescopically slidable from the second segment 14. In the entry position, the first two segments 13 and 14 are pivoted such that the transport basket 6 is positioned at a distance from the wall, with the second segment 14 being aligned parallel to the wall, thus enabling convenient entry into the transport basket 6. The exact positions of the segments 13 and 14 relative to the wall and to each other depend essentially on the length of the first segment 13. In the illustration according to the Fig. For example, the first segment 13 forms an angle of approximately 45° with the wall, and the second segment 14 also forms an angle of approximately 45° with the first segment 13, so that the second segment 14 is aligned parallel to the wall. The third segment 15 is retracted in this position, i.e., completely enclosed by the second segment 14. The transport basket 6 unfolds automatically when the support arm 5 moves from the parked position to the entry position, as soon as it leaves the frame 12 and is no longer held in the folded position by it. If necessary due to the installation height, the transport basket 6 is lowered slightly by the winch 7 to assume the entry position until a defined distance to the floor of the living unit is reached. Fig. Figure 6 shows the emergency abseiling device 2 during the movement from the entry position to the abseiling position, before the support arm 5 extends through the opening of the window 3. At this point, the third segment 15 is already fully extended from the second segment 14. The second segment 14 surrounds the third segment 15 in a U-shape and is open at the bottom, allowing the third segment 15 to be moved telescopically relative to the second segment. The winch 7 is also arranged linearly on the third segment 15. In the parked position according to Fig. In section 5, the third segment 15 is fully retracted into the second segment 14. The winch 7 has advanced approximately to the middle of segment 15. (See diagram below.) Fig. 6, the winch 7 has already moved to the outer end of the third segment 15. The outer end here refers to the end of the third segment 15 opposite the attachment of the support arm 5 with the anchoring plate 8 and the first two segments 13 and 14. Fig. Figure 7 shows the emergency abseiling device 2 in the abseiling position, in which the support arm 3 extends through the opening of the window 3, before the support arm 5 extends through the opening of the window 3. The winch 7 remains in this position, moved to the outer end of the third segment 15.

[0026] The Fig. 8 to Fig. Figure 11 shows the alternative embodiment of the emergency abseiling device 2' with a four-section support arm 5', each in an enlarged perspective detail view. Fig. Figure 8 shows the emergency abseiling device 2' in the parked position. Fig. Figure 9 shows the emergency abseiling device 2' in the entry position. Fig. Figure 10 shows the emergency abseiling device 2' during the procedure from the entry position to the abseiling position. Fig. Figure 11 shows the emergency abseiling device 2' in the abseiling position. The emergency abseiling device 2' is arranged above the double-leaf window 3'. The support arm 3' is formed by four segments 13', 14', 15' and 16, wherein the first segment 13' is connected to the anchoring plate 8' so as to pivot vertically and horizontally, the second segment 14' is pivotally connected to the first segment 13' so as to pivot horizontally, the third segment 15' is also pivotally connected to the second segment 14' so as to pivot horizontally, and the fourth segment 16 is telescopically slidable from the third segment 15'. In the entry position according to Fig. The first segment 13' forms a vertical angle of approximately 45° with the wall, the second segment 14' a horizontal extension of the first segment 13' at a 0° angle to it, and the third segment 15' a horizontal angle of 90° with the second segment 14', oriented approximately parallel to the wall, and the transport basket 6' is positioned at a distance from the wall. The transport basket 6' unfolds automatically when the support arm 5' moves from the parked position to the boarding position as soon as it leaves the frame 12' and is no longer held in the folded position by it. Fig. Figure 10 shows the emergency abseiling device 2' during the movement from the entry position to the abseiling position. In this position, the first segment 13' is additionally moved horizontally by 90° and aligned parallel to the wall. In this position, the second segment 14' forms a 90° horizontal angle with the first segment 13', and the third segment 15' is an extension of the second segment 13' at a horizontal angle of 0° to it. The support arm 5' extends through the opening of the window 3' with segments 14' and 15'. Fig. Figure 11 shows the emergency abseiling device 2' in the abseiling position. In this position, the fourth segment 16 is additionally extended out of the third segment 15'. Furthermore, in this position, the winch 7' is moved to the outer end of the fourth segment 16. Reference symbol list 1 residential building 2. 2' Emergency abseiling device 3.3' windows 4 Cover 5.5' support arm 6 transport baskets 7.7' winch 8, 8' Anchoring plate 9.9' rope 10 adults 11 children 12, 12' frame 13, 14, 15, 13', 14', 15', 16 segment

Claims

[1] Emergency abseiling device (2, 2') for structures, comprising a support arm (5, 5'), a winch device with a rope (9, 9') that can be wound onto and unwound from the winch device, an automated braking device cooperating with the winch device and / or the rope (9, 9'), and a conveying device arranged at the rope end opposite the winch device, wherein the support arm (5, 5') is formed from several segments (13, 14, 15, 13', 14', 15', 16) that can be pivoted and / or displaced relative to each other and is movable or adjustable between a parking position, an entry position, and an abseiling position, and wherein the winch device or a deflection means for the rope is arranged on an end segment (15, 16) of the support arm (5, 5'), characterized by, that the support arm (5, 5') is equipped with an electric drive and the emergency abseiling device (2, 2') is equipped with an accumulator device and that an initial segment (13, 13') of the support arm (5, 5') has one or more anchoring means for anchoring in the interior of a structure and the support arm (5, 5') is designed to reach through an opening of a structure when moving from the entry position to the abseiling position until the transport device is completely outside the structure [2] Emergency abseiling device (2, 2') according to claim 1, characterized by that the winch system and / or the braking system is or are equipped with at least one electric drive. [3] Emergency abseiling device (2, 2') according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a digital control device is provided which interacts with the electric drive or electric drives. [4] Emergency abseiling device (2, 2') according to claim 3, characterized by , that a weight sensor is provided to detect a load picked up by the conveying device, which interacts with the control device. [5] Emergency abseiling device (2, 2') according to claim 4, characterized by that the control device for controlling the braking device is set up taking into account the detected load. [6] Emergency abseiling device (2, 2') according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by , that a distance sensor is provided to detect the distance of the conveying device from the ground, which interacts with the control device. [7] Emergency abseiling device (2, 2') according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the initial segment (13, 13') of the support arm (5, 5') is arranged in a container, from which the support arm (5, 5') with the conveying device is fully received in the parked position. [8] Structure with an emergency abseiling device (2, 2') according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the emergency abseiling device (2, 2') is arranged next to or above a window or balcony opening, wherein the support arm (5, 5') extends through the window or balcony opening when moving from the entry position to the abseiling position and the transport device is arranged completely outside the structure when the abseiling position is reached. [9] Method for the emergency abseiling of persons from structures with an emergency abseiling device (2, 2') for structures, comprising a support arm (5, 5') formed from several mutually pivotable and / or displaceable segments (13, 14, 15, 13', 14', 15', 16), a winch device with a rope (9, 9') that can be wound onto and unwound from the winch device, an automated braking device cooperating with the winch device and / or the rope, and a conveying device arranged at the rope end opposite the winch device, wherein the support arm (5, 5') is arranged in the interior of a structure next to or above a window or balcony opening and is anchored to a part of the structure with an initial segment (13, 13'), characterized by the steps a. Moving or adjusting the support arm (5, 5') within the interior from a parking position to an entry position, b. Admission of persons to the transport facility, c. Moving or adjusting the support arm (5, 5') from the entry position to a rappel position, wherein the support arm extends through the window or balcony opening with at least one end segment (15, 16) and the transport device is arranged completely outside the structure when the rappel position is reached, d. Rappelling of the transport device, whereby the rappelling speed is controlled or regulated by means of the braking device.

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