A security and escape apparatus for use with a window mounted in a wall at a position spaced above a support surface is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention track members of a first bar section are S-shaped in cross-section so as to carry a second bar section thereon and thereby allowing the bar members of the bar sections to be uniform in length. According to another aspect a release mechanism comprises an abutting portion which is positioned beneath the bar sections to retain the sections across a window opening. The abutting portion is positioned horizontally outwardly of the bar sections such that the bar sections can extend to form a ladder beneath the window opening. According to another aspect the apparatus includes a window frame mounting arrangement cooperative with the obstructing position for resisting dismantling of the apparatus.

A security and escape apparatus for use with a window mounted in a wall at a position spaced above a support surface is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention track members of a first bar section are S-shaped in cross-section so as to carry a second bar section thereon and thereby allowing the bar members of the bar sections to be uniform in length. According to another aspect a release mechanism comprises an abutting portion which is positioned beneath the bar sections to retain the sections across a window opening. The abutting portion is positioned horizontally outwardly of the bar sections such that the bar sections can extend to form a ladder beneath the window opening. According to another aspect the apparatus includes a window frame mounting arrangement cooperative with the obstructing position for resisting dismantling of the apparatus.

A ladder assembly is described. The ladder assembly includes a frame, a door, a ladder and a cord manipulation assembly. The frame at least partially surrounds a first opening. The door is movably connected to the frame. The door is configured to cover at least a portion of the first opening of the frame, the door defines a second opening. The ladder is connected to at least one of the frame and the door. The ladder has a first side rail, a second side rail spaced a distance apart laterally from the first side rail, and a plurality of rungs extending between the first and second side rails. The ladder is configured to be at least partially positioned within the first opening of the frame. The cord manipulation assembly is connected to the door. The cord manipulation assembly has a power source connector, a reel adapted to support a cord, a motor operatively connected to the reel and the power source connector, and a remote control transceiver assembly operatively connected to the motor and the power source connector.

A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

A ladder assembly is described. The ladder assembly includes a frame, a door, a ladder and a cord manipulation assembly. The frame at least partially surrounds a first opening. The door is movably connected to the frame. The door is configured to cover at least a portion of the first opening of the frame, the door defines a second opening. The ladder is connected to at least one of the frame and the door. The ladder has a first side rail, a second side rail spaced a distance apart laterally from the first side rail, and a plurality of rungs extending between the first and second side rails. The ladder is configured to be at least partially positioned within the first opening of the frame. The cord manipulation assembly is positioned between a pair of adjacently disposed rungs of the ladder. The cord manipulation assembly has a power source connector, a reel adapted to support a cord, a motor operatively connected to the reel and the power source connector, and a remote control transceiver assembly operatively connected to the motor and the power source connector.

A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

A folding staircase for use in a door opening having a threshold. The folding staircase has a pair of stringers that have an upper end and a lower end that is adapted for contacting a ground surface. The stringers are spanned by at least one tread. A hinge is connected to a floor near the door opening and a threshold plate pivotally connected thereto is movable between a use position and a stowed position. The staircase may be provided with a lifting mechanism that biases the staircase and threshold plate toward their stowed positions. The lifting device provides a variable force that provides more rotational force when the staircase would require a user to bear more of its weight and less force when less of the weight of the staircase would be borne by a user.

A system is provided for safe access to a roof through an opening in a roof of a structure having a fixed ladder leading upward to the opening. The system includes a mechanism to drive a set of pushrods to raise a hatch covering the opening. The system may include a section of ladder secured to the underside of the hatch. The system may have an extendable ladder driven by the drive mechanism to slide along the fixed ladder and extend through the opening in the roof when the hatch is raised. The system may include a safety pole driven by the drive mechanism to extend through the opening in the roof when the hatch is raised. The system allows someone who needs to access the roof for inspection or maintenance to safely open the hatch, climb up through the opening in the roof, and safely step onto the roof.