Window Escape Ladder

Abstract

A window frame assembly incorporating a structure for containing an emergency ladder, the ladder contained within a compartment in the lower portion of the window frame assembly. The ladder is connected directly to the structure of a building by a structural attachment, the structural attachment having connection points so that the weight of a user of the ladder is supported by the building structure. The compartment opens into the living or working area of a building, and has a removable cover. The window assembly is installed as a unit once the structural attachment is affixed to a building structural member in the bottom of the framed window opening.

Claims

1-26. (canceled)

27. A window frame assembly for installation in a structural opening, comprising: at least one structural attachment configured to be attached or coupled to a structural member of said structural opening, wherein said at least one structural attachment comprises a structural attachment plate, and wherein said structural attachment includes one or more fastening points; a compartment formed as a portion of said window frame assembly, wherein said compartment includes one or more openings formed therethrough, wherein one or more of said openings formed therethrough is/are formed so as to align with at least a portion of one of said one or more fastening points, and wherein at least a portion of one of said one or more fastening points is accessible through a corresponding one of said openings; and a ladder comprising a plurality of rungs attached or coupled at spaced apart locations along one or more straps, wherein said one or more straps extend from one or more terminal ends, wherein said one or more terminal ends are attached or coupled to said fastening points, and wherein said plurality of rungs and one or more straps are capable of being contained within said compartment.

28. The window frame assembly of claim 27, wherein said structural opening forms an opening for a window.

29. The window frame assembly of claim 27, wherein said compartment is formed within a bottom portion of said window frame assembly.

30. The window frame assembly of claim 27, wherein said compartment is formed in a portion of said window frame assembly.

31. The window frame assembly of claim 27, wherein said compartment is defined at least between a top portion, two side portions, and a base.

32. The window frame assembly of claim 27, wherein said compartment defines an open side.

33. The window frame assembly of claim 32, further comprising a cover, wherein said cover is formed so as to be removably attached or coupled to said open side of said compartment.

34. The window frame assembly of claim 27, wherein said compartment defines an open side, wherein said open side is positioned so as to face an interior of a building.

35. The window frame assembly of claim 27, wherein said one or more terminal ends are attached or coupled to said fastening points.

36. The window frame assembly of claim 27, wherein if said plurality of rungs and one or more straps are contained within said compartment, said plurality of rungs are stacked and held together by a restraining means.

37. A window frame assembly for installation in a structural opening, comprising: at least one structural attachment configured to be attached or coupled to a structural member of said structural opening, wherein said at least one structural attachment comprises a structural attachment plate, and wherein said structural attachment includes one or more fastening points attached or coupled to said structural attachment; a compartment formed as a portion of said window frame assembly and defining an open side, wherein said compartment includes one or more openings formed therethrough, wherein one or more of said openings formed therethrough is/are formed so as to align with at least a portion of one of said one or more fastening points, and wherein at least a portion of one of said one or more fastening points is accessible through a corresponding one of said openings; and a ladder, wherein at least a portion of said ladder is attached or coupled to at least one of said one or more fastening points, and wherein said ladder is capable of being contained within said compartment.

38. The window frame assembly of claim 37, wherein said open side is positioned so as to face an interior of a building.

39. The window frame assembly of claim 37, further comprising a cover, wherein said cover is formed so as to be removably attached or coupled to said open side of said compartment.

40. The window frame assembly of claim 37, wherein said structural opening forms an opening for a window.

41. The window frame assembly of claim 37, wherein said compartment is formed within a bottom portion of said window frame assembly.

42. A window frame assembly for installation in a structural opening, comprising: at least one structural attachment configured to be attached or coupled to a structural member of said structural opening, wherein said at least one structural attachment comprises a structural attachment plate, and wherein said structural attachment includes one or more fastening points; a compartment formed as a portion of said window frame assembly and defining an open side, wherein said compartment includes one or more openings formed therethrough, wherein one or more of said openings formed therethrough is/are formed so as to align with at least a portion of one of said one or more fastening points, and wherein at least a portion of at least one of said one or more fastening points is accessible through a corresponding one of said openings; and a ladder, wherein at least a portion of said ladder is attached or coupled to at least one of said one or more fastening points, and wherein said ladder is capable of being contained within said compartment.

43. The window frame assembly of claim 42, wherein said open side is positioned so as to face an interior of a building.

44. The window frame assembly of claim 42, further comprising a cover, wherein said cover is formed so as to be removably attached or coupled to said open side of said compartment.

45. The window frame assembly of claim 42, wherein said structural opening forms an opening for a window.

46. The window frame assembly of claim 42, wherein said compartment is formed within a bottom portion of said window frame assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the lower portion of the window assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the lower portion of the window assembly and the cover to the escape ladder storage open in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the window assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the lower portion of the window assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a structural attachment and structural support in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the exterior of a structure and the escape ladder of the present invention deployed for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, a bottom portion of a window 101 is shown. The stool 102 and the apron 103 are shown, as well as the inside casing 104, and the lower portion of the window 105, the rail 106, and the lower portions of the stiles 107. Also shown is a cover 108 with a knob 109. The cover 108, when removed, reveals a compartment located within the lower portion of the window 101. FIG. 1 and the remaining Figures herein show the invention as seen from the interior of a structure. The cover 108 can have lights, audible alarms, smoke and other detectors. It will also be understood that the cover 108 can be equipped with a removal alert system, allowing alerts (audible, text or other mobile alerts, etc.) to be sent when the cover 108 is removed, whether in an emergency or otherwise.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, the bottom portion of the window 101 is shown as in FIG. 1, but with the cover (FIG. 1, 108) removed from the window 101. A compartment 201 is contained within the bottom of the window 101 on top of the stool 102. Brackets 202 with retaining holes 203 are positioned at opposite ends 204 of the compartment 201, the retaining holes 203 within the brackets 202 correspond to retaining pins (not shown) located on the back portion of the cover 108. It will be understood that there are various fastening means available to hold the cover 108 in place, the pin and hole construction utilized herein are for ease of removal of the cover in emergencies but should not be construed to be limiting. Any retention means that holds the cover in place while allowing it to be easily removed with little effort may be utilized without deviating from the scope of the invention. Such retention means may include using one or more hinges such that the cover may be opened yet still remain attached to the window structure. It will be understood that the compartment has a single open side that is revealed by removing the cover. The compartment is otherwise enclosed with a top portion, two side portions, and a base. The open side is positioned to face the interior of a building and away from the exterior of a building.

[0030] The compartment 201 contains a ladder 205, consisting of rungs 206, straps 208 connecting the rungs 206 at the ends 209 of the rungs 206. The straps 208 pass through slots 210 in the rungs 206, such that the straps 208 are positioned under the rungs 206 when the ladder 205 is in use, providing weight-bearing support for the rungs 206. While contained within the compartment 201, the rungs 206 are stacked and held together as a bundle by a restraining means 207, such as hook-and-loop fastening (Velcro) or the like.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, the present invention is shown with the ladder 205 having been pulled out of the compartment 201. The straps 208 terminate in fasteners 302 that are attached to fastening points (FIG. 5, 502), the fastening points located at the base 301 of the compartment. As shown in FIG. 4, at the base 301 of the compartment 201 the fastening points (FIG. 5, 502) extend through openings 401 in the base of the compartment 201. It will be understood that the openings 401 may be of different shapes and sizes, only limited by the ability of the fastening points to extend through the openings 401. It will also be understood that the openings and fastening points may also be positioned on the sides of the compartment. The fastening points are physically incorporated into a structural attachment (FIG. 5, 501) further described below. The structural attachment 501 and additional structural supports (FIG. 5, 503) are shown in FIG. 4 through dotted lines, indicating their position underneath and to the side of the compartment assembly. When in use, the ladder is removed from the compartment 201, the restraining means 207 is removed from the rungs 206, and the ladder 205 is then moved through the open window and lowered down the outside of the structure.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 5, a portion of the structural opening into which the window 101 is mounted is shown. The structural attachment 501 incorporating fastening points 502 is mechanically affixed to the lower structural member 504 of the structural opening for the window 101. Additional structural supports 503 are mechanically affixed to the lower structural member 504 and the vertical structural members 505 of the structural opening. The structural attachment 501 and the additional structural supports 503 are installed prior to the window 101 being installed in the structural opening, with the window 101 being placed within the structural opening such that the fastening points 502 extend up through the openings (FIG. 4, 401) in the base (FIG. 4, 301) of the compartment (FIG. 4, 201). In this manner, when the ladder is being used, the weight of individuals on the ladder is being carried by the structural framing of the building itself, rather than relying upon the weaker structure of the window assembly. It will be understood that the structural attachment and additional structural supports may be of separate pieces as shown, or may be constructed of a single, adjustable apparatus such that any size window opening may be accommodated. The structural attachment 501 may comprise a single structure, or may comprise well-known attaching means such as mechanical fasteners including lag bolts, carriage bolts, hook eyes, eye-bolts, welded fasteners, and the like. The structural attachment 501 as shown herein will accommodate any size window opening.

[0033] FIG. 6 shows the exterior of a structure and the escape ladder of the present invention deployed for use.

[0034] The invention as described herein should not be construed as limiting, and there are modifications that would be obvious to one skilled in the art that fall within the scope of the invention. It will also be understood that the window as shown herein may be constructed of any proper material, including but not limited to wood, metal, or plastic. It will also be understood that, while the invention as described herein shows a ladder with rungs and straps, that should not be considered limiting. The present invention may be utilized with other escape means, such as ropes, rope ladders, cables, webbing, cargo nets, and other means of egress from a window to the outside of a structure without changing the scope and nature of the invention.