BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
[0001] This invention relates to a conveyer apparatus, particularly to a collapsible conveyer
apparatus accommodated on the windowsill of a building which serves as a window grille
in a collapsed state and can be unfolded in an emergency state such as fire accident
for evacuating personnel or commodities along the outer wall of the building.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Generally, a building is provided with windowsills or balconies for good lighting,
ventilation or good landscape purpose. For security reason, a iron grille for burglar
proof is often attached in each window and thus is apt to becomes an obstacle for
escaping in an emergency condition. Thus, this may incur significant loss in life
and properties.
[0003] In order to estimate the defect of retardation on escaping caused by the iron grille
in traditional building, a transport equipment has been proposed as shown in Figures24a
and 24b for delivering personnel or commodities, in an emergency case, along the outer
wall (10") of a building (1") having at least one windowsill (11"). The transport
equipment comprises: a carrier (20") accommodated on the windowsill (11"), which has
a pair of suspension cables (21") provided on the top portion and a pair of pulleys
(22") arranged at least on the outside of the bottom portion; a slowly descending
mechanism (30") fixed above the carrier (20"), which has a pair of swinging arms (40")
capable of pivoting outward and a pulley (41") pivotally provided at the end of each
swinging arm (40"); a pair of winches (50") for winding a pair of cables (51") one
ends of which are fixed on each winch (50") and the other ends of which are wound
around the pulleys (41") and extended downward to coupled with the suspension cables
(21"); at least one reduction mechanism (60") used to activate the pair of winches
(50") to rotate at a predetermined speed; a pair of guide rails (12") arranged vertically
on the outer wall (10") of the building (1"); and a pair of push rods (70") used to
push the swinging arms (40") outward and to force the pair of pulleys (22") of the
carrier to engage on the pair of guide rails (12"). Thus, the swinging arms are controlled
to push the carrier out of the windowsill, and the carrier can be moved up and down
along the outer wall of the building for delivering personnel and commodities in the
emergency state.
[0004] Basically, this conventional technology can solve the defect of retardation on escaping
caused by additional attachment of the iron grille to the window of a building. However,
the carrier is in a cage shape which takes very large space in a normal condition.
Furthermore, if the provision of the guide rails is restricted by the building, the
carrier might have a problem of unstable running when descending vertically from a
high position. Accordingly, improvement on such a conventional technology or on application
is expected.
[0005] Further, as shown in Figures 25a, 25b and 25c, a transport equipment" is used to
transport personnel and commodities, in the emergency condition, along the outer wall
(10") of a building (1") having at least one windowsill (11"). The transport equipment
comprises: a carrier (20") accommodated on the windowsill (11"), which has a pair
of drive gears (23") provided symmetrically on the upper end of both sides; at least
one reduction mechanism (60") fixed on the carrier (20") for acting the pair of the
drive gears (23") to rotate at a predetermined speed; a pair of guide rails (12")
arranged vertically along the outer wall (10") of the building (1") and provided with
teeth (123"), and with at least one guiding portion (122") in horizontal direction
with respect to the pair of rails (12") so as to accommodate the drive gears (23");
and a pair of push rods (70") for pushing the swinging arm (40") outward and for engaging
the pair of pulleys (22") with the pair of rails (12"). The carrier (20") is pushed
out of the windowsill (11") so that each drive gear (23") engages with the teeth (123")
of each guide rail (12").
[0006] The carrier (20") is formed by a first face structure (20a"), a second face structure
(20b") and a third face structure (20c"). On each literal faces, the carrier (20")
has a plurality of telescopic tubes (202") disposed between the first face structure
(20a") and the second face structure (20b"), one end of the each tube (202") being
connected on the first face structure (20a"), the other end passing through the second
face structure (20b") so that the second face structure (20b") is allowed to slide
along the telescopic tube (202"), the third face structure (20c") being disposed at
the bottom between the first face structure (20a") and the second face structure (20b")
and being capable of folding onto the first face structure (20a"). A plurality of
elongated receiving grooves (111") corresponding to the telescopic tubes (202) are
provided on the floor (110") of the windowsill (11") such that the telescopic tubes
(202") of the carrier (20) in a collapsed state are received within the elongated
receiving grooves (111"). In this manner, the carrier can be pushed out of the windowsill
to be unfolded in the emergency state and ascends or descends along the guide rails
on the outer wall of the building so as to transport personnel or commodities.
[0007] In the later one discussed above, the carrier can be collapsed to a small volume
for storage in the normal state, but the improvement on the configuration for collapsing
and unfolding is to be expected.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The main object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible conveyer apparatus
by which the defect of space-occupation in the windowsill by the cage type carrier
can be eliminated by a collapsible carrier.
[0009] In order to achieve above and other objects, the present invention provides a collapsible
conveyer apparatus installed on a building having at least one windowsill, comprising:
a pair of guiding rails vertically arranged on an outer wall corresponding to both
lateral sides of the windowsill, the guiding rails being provided with teeth; a carrier
configured as a collapsible frame-type structure which is accommodated on the windowsill
in a collapsed state; at least one first drive mechanism fixed above the windowsill
for extending or retracting a pair of push rod devices so as to unfold or collapse
the carrier; at least one second drive mechanism installed on the carrier for driving
a pair of drive gears engaged with the teeth so that the carrier ascends or descends
along the guide rails.
[0010] In this manner, the carrier accommodated on the windowsill serves as a window grille
in the collapsed state. In the event of a fire accident, the carrier is unfolded by
the push rod devices and driven by the second drive mechanism to ascend and descend
slowly along the guide rails so as to evacuate personnel or precious commodities immediately.
[0011] Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible conveyer apparatus which
is a solution to the problem found in the prior art that if the provision of the rails
is restricted by the building, the carrier descending vertically from a high position
may unstably run, thus improving the suspension way of the carrier.
[0012] To achieve the above and other objects, this invention provides a collapsible conveyer
apparatus installed on a building having at least one windowsill, comprising: a carrier
configured as a collapsible frame-type structure which is accommodated on the windowsill
in a collapsed state, each of the corners of the carrier being provided with a lower
pulley; at least one drive mechanism fixed above the windowsill, capable of driving
one end of of each of a pair of push rod devices for the other end thereof to extend
or retract, and a steering pulley set with a plurality of steering pulleys being provided
pivotally on the push rod device ; and at least one winding gear fixed on the windowsill
to activate a pair of winding drums around each of which one end of a cable is wound,
the other end, that is fixed end, of the cable being wound past the steering pulley
set and the lower pulley of the carrier and terminating at a fixed point where it
is anchored; when the push rod is stretched, the carrier is stretched at the same
time and pushed out of the windowsill.
[0013] Thus, such pair of cables are wound past the pulley on both sides of the bottom port
ion of the carrier with one end anchored and the other end trailed by the wind gear
whereby even in case of no guidance by rail, a stable and slow vertical descending
or ascending is possible with the result that in case of fire, personnel or precious
commodities can be evacuated immediately.
[0014] Still another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible conveyer apparatus
which is a solution to the problem found in the prior art that if the provision of
the rails is restricted by the building and obstacles are present at the lower portion
of the outer wall of the building, the carrier cannot be smoothly descended to the
ground.
[0015] To achieve the above and other objects, this invention provides a collapsible conveyer
apparatus installed on a building having at least one windowsill, comprising: a carrier
configured as a collapsible frame-type structure which is accommodated on the windowsill
in a collapsed state, each of the corners of the carrier being provided with a lower
pulley; a pair of radial arms with one end as a fixed end fixed on the carrier and
the other end as a free end capable of swinging, each of the radial arms being provided
with many pulley sets; at least one winding gear fixed on the windowsill to activate
a pair of winding drums around each of which one end of a cable is wound, the other
end, that is fixed end, of the cable being wound past the steering pulley set and
the lower pulley of the carrier and terminating at a fixed point where it is anchored;
and at least one drive mechanism fixed above the windowsill, capable of driving one
end of of each of a pair of push rod devices for the other end thereof to extend or
retract when the push rod is stretched; upon stretching, the radial arms is activated
at the same time to freely swing for the carrier to be stretched and pushed out of
the windowsill.
[0016] Thus, with such pair of radial arms, the carrier can be descended vertically to a
farther ground away from the building and obstacles at the lower portion of the outer
wall of the buildingare may be avioided whereby in case of fire, personnel or precious
commodities can be evacuated immediately.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017]
Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the collapsible conveyer apparatus of a first
embodiment of the present invention in operation when installed in a building;
Figure 2 is a sectional schematic view of the first embodiment according to the present
invention in which a carrier accommodated on the windowsill in a collapsed state is
shown;
Figure 2a shows a sectional view taken from the 2a-2a direction of Figure 2, in which
a partial schematic view of a holder device is shown;
Figure 3 is a partial perspective view showing the guide rails of the first embodiment
according to the present invention;
Figure 4 is schematic view showing the carrier in the collapsed state of the first
embodiment according to the present invention;
Figure 5 is a schematic view showing the carrier in the collapsed state;
Figure 6 shows a sectional view taken from the 6-6 direction of Figure 5, in which
a partial schematic view of the second drive mechanism arranged on the carrier is
shown;
Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the carrier of Figure 4 in the unfolded state;
Figure 8 is a sectional schematic view showing the using state of the first embodiment
according to the present invention, in which the carrier is shown to be unfolded to
ascend and descend along the outer wall of a building;
Figure 8a is a sectional view taken along 8a-8a direction of Figure 8, in which the
carrier is schematically shown to return to its original floor;
Figure 8b is a partial schematic view showing the matching relationship between the
guide rails of each floor and the drive gear of the carrier;
Fig. 9 is a sectional view according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
schematically showing the carrier in collapsed position to be accommodated on the
windowsill;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view according to the second embodiment of the present invention,
showing the carrier being partially in unfolded position;
Fig. 11 is a partially sectional view of the edge frame of the carrier according the
present invention;
Fig. 12 is a partially perspective view of the guide rails according to the second
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the second embodiment according to the present invention
in use, showing the carrier in unfolded position to be ascended and descended along
the outer wall of the building;
Fig. 14 is a sectional view according to a third embodiment of the present invention,
schematically showing the carrier in collapsed position to be accommodated on the
windowsill;
Figure 14a is a sectional view taken along 14a-14a direction of Figure 14, in which
holder device is schematically shown;
Fig. 15 is a perspective view according to the third embodiment of the present invention,
showing the carrier being partially in unfolded position;
Fig. 15a is a partially schematic view sowing a brake according to the present invention;
Fig. 16 is an imaginative guide rail to explain that the third embodiment of the present
invention can be implemented in connection with the guide rails.
Fig. 17 is a sectional view of the third embodiment according to the present invention
in use, showing the carrier in unfolded position to be ascended and descended along
the outer wall of the building;
Fig. 18 is a sectional view according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,
schematically showing the carrier in collapsed position to be accommodated on the
windowsill;
Fig. 19 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment according to the present invention
in use, showing the carrier in unfolded position to be ascended and descended along
the outer wall of the building;
Fig. 20 is a schematic view showing the conveyer in collapsed position according to
a first variation of the present invention;
Fig. 21 is a schematic view of the carrier of Fig. 20 in unfolded position;
Fig. 22 is a schematic view showing the conveyer in collapsed position according to
a second variation of the present incvention;
Fig. 23 is a schematic view of the carrier of Fig. 22 in unfolded position;
Figures 24a and 24b show a conventional transport equipment, being a schematic view
of Taiwan Invention Patent Application No.96117123 ; and
Figures 25a, 25b and 25c show another conventional transport equipment, being a schematic
view of US Serial No. 11/827, 150.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The technical contents of the present invention will become more apparent from the
detailed description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. It is noted that the preferred embodiments are purely for illustrative,
not for restrictive purpose.
[0019] Firstly, a general building basically has a windowsill or balcony provided on the
outer wall for good lighting, ventilation and landscape purpose. This invention utilizes
the windowsill of the building to accommodate the carrier of the conveyer apparatus
in such a way that the carrier serves as a window grille in a collapsed state. In
the emergency state such as a fire accident, the carrier can be unfolded so as to
evacuate personnel or commodities along the outer wall of the building. In conjunction
with Figures 1 to 8b, explanation to the operation of the collapsible conveyer apparatus
according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be made. According to
the present invention, the structure of the collapsible conveyer apparatus will be
described in detail.
[0020] A pair of guide rails 2, such as C type steel beams, are arranged on the outer wall
11 of the building 10. One inner side of each guide rail 2 is provided with teeth
21 or a rack. The windowsill 11 is associated with two opposite sidewalls 110. As
shown in Figures 1 and 3, a pair of horizontal upper guide rails 2a and a pair of
horizontal lower guide rails 2a' diverged from the pair of guide rails 2 respectively
are formed on the two sidewalls 110. The lower inner side of each of upper and lower
guide rails is provided with teeth 21' or a rack.
[0021] The carrier 3 is formed by collapsible frame bodies and is accommodated on the windowsill11
in the collapsed state for serving as a window grille. The carrier 3, as shown in
Figures 4, 5 and 7, comprises a plurality of face structures 3a, 3b at an outer side
(front side) and an inner side (rear side), a plurality of collapsible frame 3d at
literal sides and a collapsible base plate 3e a bottom side. Each frame 3d has, at
a middle location, a conventional ratchet joint J, the detailed description of which
is omitted, and both ends of each frame 3d are connected with the face structures
3a, 3b respectively by ratchet joints J such that each frame 3d is collapsible at
the middle location with respect to the face structures 3a, 3b. Further, the base
plate 3e has a conventional ratchet joint J in a central line parallel to the face
structures 3a, 3b, and an outer edge (front edge) and an inner edge (rear edge) of
the base plate 3e are connected with the face structures 3a, 3b respectively by ratchet
joints J. Therefore, the volume of the carrier 3 can be reduced by collapsing the
frames 3d and the base plate 3e. In addition, an openable door structure 3b' accessible
by passengers is contained in the face structure 3b of the carrier 3.
[0022] The first drive mechanism 4 containing an electric activation mechanism 45 and a
manual activation mechanism 46 is fixed above the windowsill 11 and controlled to
drive simultaneously the push rod devices 40 located at the left and right hand sides
respectively above the carrier 3 so as to unfold the carrier 3. Each push rod device
40 has a telescopic rod 41 one end of which is activated by a screw rod 42 so as to
extend the other end of the telescopic rod 41. The mechanical force generated from
the electric activation mechanism 45 or the manual activation mechanism 46 can be
transmitted to the screw rods 42 through, for example, a pair of coaxial bevel gears
44 so that the pair of telescopic rods 41 can be simultaneously activated.
[0023] The second drive mechanism 30 containing an electric activation mechanism 301 and
a manual activation mechanism 302 is provided on the carrier 3 and is controlled to
drive simultaneously a pair of drive gears 31. The transmission among the electric
activation mechanism 301, the manual activation mechanism 302 and the drive gears
31 is conducted by a bevel gear 300, as shown in Figure 6. A conventional type control
unit (not shown) is electrically connected with the first drive mechanism 4 and the
second drive mechanism 30.
[0024] Referring to Figure 2, the carrier 3 has a face structure 3a located at the outer
side and a face structure 3b located at the inner side. The pair of drive gears 31
are rotably provided at the lower end of the inner side face structure 3b of the carrier
3 corresponding to the position of the lower guide rails 2a'; and a pair of idler
gears 32 are rotably provided at the upper end of the inner side face structure 3b
of the carrier corresponding to the guide rails 2a. The pair of drive gears 31 and
the pair of idler gears 32 can engage respectively with the teeth 21 and the teeth
21' of the pair of guide rails 2 so that the carrier 3 can move automatically along
the guide rails 2. The push rod devices 40 are provided with a conventional type holder
device 43 corresponding to a parking position of the carrier 3 for holding the face
structure 3b at the inner side of the carrier 3 onto the windowsill, as shown in Figure
2a. The ends of the telescopic rods 41 are provided with two claws 411 corresponding
to the outer side face structure 3a of the carrier 3 respectively for holding the
left and the right hand sides. Therefore, the carrier 3 can be collapsed or unfolded
by means of the claws 411.
[0025] According to the present invention, as shown in Figure 8, the collapsible carrier
can be unfolded to convey personnel or commodities along the outer wall of building
in the emergency state. For example, in the event of a fire accident, the push rod
devices 40 actuate the telescopic rods 41 so as to unfold the carrier 3. After personnel
or commodities are accommodated in the fully unfolded carrier 3, the telescopic rods
41 keep extending and the second drive mechanism 30 starts to drive the carrier 3
such that the carrier 3 separates from the holder device 43 and engages the guide
rails 2 along the separated rails 2a, 2a'. Therefore, the carrier 3 can ascend or
descend slowly along the outer wall of building. On the other hand, the telescopic
rods 41 stop extending until the carrier 3 engages the guide rails 2. After elimination
of the fire accident, the carrier 3 ascends slowly so that the drive gears 31 and
idler gears 32 align with the horizontal guide rails 2a, 2a' respectively, and the
carrier 3 is captured by the claws 411 provided on the telescopic rods 41. Then, the
carrier 3 is drawn inwardly along the guide rails 2a, 2a'by the telescopic rods 41
. The carrier 3 is then holded by the holder device 43, and the ratchet joints J of
the carrier 3 are unlocked by conventional means such as solenoid, electromagnetic
valve or manual actuation device (not shown). The carrier 3 is then pressed to be
collapsed so as to be accommodated on the windowsill 11 in place. Additionally, the
control unit further has an uninterruptible power system (not shown) which services
as a spare power supply and is electrically connected with the electric activation
mechanism 45 of the first drive mechanism 4 and the electric activation mechanism
301 of the second drive mechanism 30 respectively. Thus, even in the case of power
failure caused by the fire accident, the carrier 3 can also be operated by uninterruptible
power system or be manually operated.
[0026] Further, the present invention is preferably implemented in a building having a plurality
of floors. Each floor may be provided with one or more windowsills 11. Each windowsill
11 is arranged with a respective carrier 3. A pair of guide rails 2 can serve the
plurality of floors. If the windowsills 11 are substantially vertically aligned with
each other, the pair of guide rails 2 can be commonly used among the floors. Figure
8a and Figure 8b show the matching relationship between the horizontal rails of each
floor and the drive gears of the carriers. As seen in Figure 8a and Figure 8b, the
horizontal rails on each floor are differently sized, and the drive gears of the carrier
disposed on each floor are also differently sized, correspondingly. According to the
present invention, the lower the carrier 3 is arranged, the smaller axial thickness
the drive gears 31 and idler gears 32 of the carrier 3 have. On the other hand, the
higher the carrier 3 is arranged, the larger axial thickness the drive gears 31 and
idler gears 32 of the carrier 3 have. In other word, if the horizontal upper and lower
guide rails 2a and 2a' are provided on a higher floor, the width (thickness) thereof
are set larger so that the carrier 3 serving the higher floor with the drive gears
31 of the larger axial thickness would not engage with the horizontal guide rails
arranged on the lower floor when passing the lower floor.
[0027] Figs. 9 to 13 illustrate a collapsible conveyer apparatus implemented on a building
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment
is different from the above embodiment in that the carrier 3 which is not of self
propelling type is driven by a winding gear. According to the present invention, the
collapsible conveyer apparatus primarily comprises a pair of guide rails 2 made of
C shaped steel in cross section and vertically installed on the outer wall 10 at both
sides of the windowsill 11. The windowsill 11 has two side walls 110 opposite to each
other, while each of the pair of guide rails 2 is formed with a pair of horizontal
rails including an upper rail 2a and a lower rail 2b spaced apart from each other
along both side walls 110 of the windowsill 11.
[0028] At least a carrier 3 is formed of a collapsible frame structure. In a collapsed state,
the carrier 3 is accommodated on the windowsill 11 as a window grille. As shown in
Fig. 10, the carrier 3 is formed by connecting a plurality of face structures 3a,
3b in the direction of length with a plurality of collapsible frames 3d in the direction
of width, while a plurality of base plate3e collapsible in the direction of width
is connected to the bottom end of the carrier 3. A conventional ratchet journal J
with one way pawl(for this element is prior art, no detailed description is given)
is provided at the middle portion of the frames 3d for both ends to be collapsible
relative to each other. The end portions at both ends are respectively connected with
the face structures 3a, 3b through a ratchet journal J so as to be collapsed relative
to each other. A ratchet journal J is provided at the middle portion of the base plate3e
for both ends to be collapsible relative to each other. The end portions at both ends
are respectively connected with the face structures 3a, 3b through a ratchet journal
J so as to be collapsed relative to each other. In this manner, the volume of the
carrier 3can be minimized. In the carrier 3, the face structures 33b of the windowsill
11 further comprises a door frame 3b'allowing to be opened relatively for the personnel
to be in and out. Additionally, several pulleys 34 are respectively provided at the
left and right inner sides of the carrier 3 facing the windowsill 11 which is guided
by the guide rails 2.
[0029] At least a drive mechanism 4 containing an electric activation mechanism 45 and a
manual activation mechanism 46 is fixed above the windowsill 11 and controlled to
drive simultaneously one end of each of a pair of push rod devices 40 for the other
end to extend and retract. The pair of push rod devices 40 are located at the left
and right hand sides respectively above the carrier 3 so as to unfold the carrier
3. Each push rod device 40 has a telescopic rod 41 one end of which is activated by
a screw rod 42 for the other end of the telescopic rod 41 to extend and retract..
The mechanical force generated from the electric activation mechanism 45 and the manual
activation mechanism 46 can be transmitted to the screw rods 42 through, for example,
a pair of coaxial bevel gears 44 so that the pair of telescopic rods 41 can be simultaneously
activated. And, several pulley sets 65a, 65b are pivotally provided on the push rod
device 40 respectively.
[0030] At least a winding gear 6 including an electric activation mechanism 63 and a manual
activation mechanism 64 is fixed above the windowsill 11 wherein the electric activation
mechanism 63 drives an oil cylinder with a conventional oil pump to converse into
a rotational movement for activating a pair of coaxial windlasses 62. Such pair of
windlasses 62 are respectively wound with one end of a cable 61, while the other end
of the cable is wound past the above mentioned pulley sets 65a, 65b with the end to
hang the carrier 3 to provide power to the carrier 3. And, a conventional control
unit (not shown) is connected electrically to the drive mechanism 4 and the winding
gear 6 respectively.
[0031] Again as shown in Fig. 9, on a position relative to the windowsill 11, this carrier
3 comprises an internal face structures 3b and an external face structures 3a. The
left and right side of the carrier 3 are suspended respectively on the end of the
cable 61of the winding gear 6 by a pair of suspension cable 61 a both ends of which
extends respectively in the internal face structures 3b and the external face structures
3a and respectively provide with an elastic element 35 for exerting a spring force
to draw the remaining length inside the frame (as shown in Fig 11). A pair of pulleys
34 are provided on the place where the upper outside of the internal face structures
3b corresponds to the upper rail 2a and a pair of pulleys 34 are provided on the place
where the lower outside corresponds to the lower rail 2a' whereby the carrier 3 can
slide horizontally along the separated rails 2a and 2a' and vertically move. On a
fixing point corresponding to the place where the above push rod 40 parks, the above
push rod devices 40 are provided with a conventional holder device 43 (see Fig. 2a)
which can hold the internal face structures 3b of the carrier 3 in position on the
windowsill 11 with a predetermined force. The ends of the pair of telescopic rod 41
each is provided with a claw 411 corresponding to the external face structures 3a
of the carrier 3. Claws 411 are respectively provided on the left and right side,
between which the carrier can be folded relatively or unfolded. Additionally, this
embodiment includes a pair of sliding block 48 which can slide along the telescopic
rod 41. A steering pulley 65b is pivotally provided on the sliding block 48 to pull
the cable 61, whereby as the carrier is unfolded, it depends on the shift of gravity
center of the carrier 3 to slide. Further, a pull rod 412 is provided on the end of
the telescopic rod 41. When the carrier 3 is unfolded, the sliding block 48 and the
telescopic rod 41 are driven to perform a link motion.
[0032] According to the present invention, as shown in Fig. 13, in a situation in need,
the conveyer is unfolded along the outer wall to covey personnel or commodities. For
example on fire, the push rod device 40 is driven for the telescopic rod 41 to extend
and the carrier 3 to unfold. At this time, the winding gear 6 is driven to simultaneously
release the cable 61. After the carrier 3 is completely unfolded for personnel or
commodities to get in, the telescopic rod 41 continues to extend for the carrier 3
to separate from the holder device 43. In the same time, as the gravity center of
the carrier 3 shifts, the sliding block 48 driven by the pull rod 412 slides. The
carrier 3 enters the main guide rails 2 along the separated rails 2a and 2a' so as
to slowly descend or ascend along the outer wall of the building. On the other hand,
after the carrier 3 is pushed into the main guide rails 2 by the telescopic rod 41,
the carrier 3 stays where it is. On the contrary, when the emergency of the fire is
released, the winding gear 6 is driven to pull the carrier 3 up to the level of the
separated rails 2a and 2a'. In the same time, the carrier 3 falls between the claws
411 of the telescopic rod 41. Afterwards, the telescopic rod 41 begins to retract
to push the carrier 3 into the separated rails 2a and 2a' and insert it in the holder
device 43. After the claws(not shown) of the ratchet joint J of the carrier 3 is released
manually or by conventional means such as electromagnetic valve, the carrier 3 begins
to be squeezed as well as folded and then accommodated in position on the windowsill
11.Besides, the control unit includes an uninterruptible power supply device(not shown)
which is electrically connected with the electric activation mechanism 45 of the drive
mechanism 4 and the drive mechanism 63 of the winding gear 6. Therefore, even the
power supply is interrupted during fire, the carrier 3 may be operated by spare power
or manually.
[0033] Figs. 14 to 17 illustrate a third embodiment of the collapsible conveyer apparatus
implemented on a building. The difference between this embodiment and the above embodiments
is that the suspension way is different. Even without guide rail, the carrier can
be smoothly and slowly ascended and descended. According to the present invention,
the main structure of the collapsible conveyer apparatus will be described in detail.
[0034] At least a carrier 3 is formed of a collapsible frame structure. In a collapsed state,
the carrier 3 is accommodated on the windowsill 11 as as a window grille. As shown
in Fig. 15, the carrier 3 is formed by connecting a plurality of face structures 3a,
3b in the direction of length with a plurality of collapsible frames 3d in the direction
of width, while a base plate3e collapsible in the direction of width is connected
to the bottom end of the carrier 3. A conventional ratchet journal J with one way
pawl (for this element is prior art, no detailed description is given) is provided
at the middle portion of the frames 3d for both ends to be collapsible relative to
each other. The end portions at both ends are respectively connected with the face
structures 3a, 3b through a ratchet journal J so as to be collapsed relative to each
other. A ratchet journal J is provided at the middle portion of the base plate3e for
both ends to be collapsible relative to each other. The end portions at both ends
are respectively connected with the face structures 3a, 3b through a ratchet journal
J so as to be collapsed relative to each other. In this manner, the volume of the
carrier 3can be minimized. In the carrier 3, the face structures 33b of the windowsill
11 further comprises a door frame 3b' allowing to be opened relatively for the personnel
to be in and out. Additionally, a lower pulley 36 is provided at the corners on the
bottom of the carrier 3.
[0035] At least a drive mechanism 4 containing an electric activation mechanism 45 and a
manual activation mechanism 46 is fixed above the windowsill 11 and controlled to
drive simultaneously one end of each of a pair of push rod devices 40 for the other
end to extend and retract. The pair of push rod devices 40 are located at the left
and right hand sides respectively above the carrier 3 so as to unfold the carrier
3. Each push rod device 40 has a telescopic rod 41 one end of which is activated by
a screw rod 42 for the other end of the telescopic rod 41 to extend and retract..
The mechanical force generated from the electric activation mechanism 45 and the manual
activation mechanism 46 can be transmitted to the screw rods 42 through, for example,
a pair of coaxial bevel gears 44 so that the pair of telescopic rods 41 can be simultaneously
activated. And, several pulley sets 65a, 65b are pivotally provided on the push rod
device 40 respectively.
[0036] At least a winding gear 6 including an electric activation mechanism 63 and a manual
activation mechanism 64 is fixed above the windowsill 11 wherein the electric activation
mechanism 63 drives an oil cylinder with a conventional oil pump to converse into
a rotational movement for activating a pair of coaxial windlasses 62. Such pair of
windlasses 62 are respectively wound with one end of a cable 61, while the other end
of the cable is wound past the above mentioned pulley sets 65a, 65b with the end to
hang the carrier 3 to provide power to the carrier 3. And, a conventional control
unit (not shown) is connected electrically to the drive mechanism 4 and the winding
gear 6 respectively.
[0037] Again as shown in Fig. 14, on a position relative to the windowsill 11, this carrier
3 comprises an internal face structures 3b and an external face structures 3a. The
lower pulleys 36 are respectively provided inside the lower end of the edge frame
of the internal face structures 3b and the external face structures 3a . And preferably,
the upper pulleys 36' are respectively provided inside the upper end of the edge frame
of the internal face structures 3b and the external face structures 3a to guide the
cable 61. On a fixing point of the windowsill 11 corresponding to the place where
the above push rod 40 parks, the above push rod devices 40 are provided with at least
a conventional holder device 11a which can hold the internal face structures 3b of
the carrier 3 in position on the windowsill 11 with a predetermined force. The above
push rod devices 40 are each provided with a pair of sliding block 48 one end of which
can slide along the telescopic rod 41, and the other end of which is provided with
a claw 481 corresponding to the internal face structures 3b of the carrier 3. The
end of the telescopic rod 41 is provided with a claw 411 corresponding to the external
face structures 3a of the carrier 3 to grip on left and right side, both of which
can put the carrier 3 into collapsed or unfolded position. A steering pulley 65b is
pivotally provided on the end of the telescopic rod 41. Each of the cable pair 61
is wound through the steering pulley 65b to vertically extend into the edge frame
of the external face structures 3a of the carrier 3, and subsequently wound through
the upper pulleys 36' and the lower pulleys 36, and then extended toward the edge
frame of the internal face structures 3b to be wound through the lower pulleys 36
and the upper pulleys 36' with the fixing end 611 to be anchored on the fixing point
of the sliding block 48 by means of a fixing piece 482. Further, a pull rod 412 is
provided on the end of the telescopic rod 41. When the carrier 3 is unfolded, the
sliding block 48 and the telescopic rod 41 are driven to perform a link motion.
[0038] According to the present invention, as shown in Fig. 17, in a situation in need,
the conveyer is unfolded along the outer wall to covey personnel or commodities. For
example on fire, the push rod device 40 is driven for the telescopic rod 41 to extend
and the carrier 3 to unfold simultaneously. At this time, the winding gear 6 is driven
to simultaneously release the cable 6. After the carrier 3 is completely unfolded
for personnel or commodities to get in, the telescopic rod 41 continues to extend
for the carrier 3 to separate from the holder device 43. In the same time, as the
gravity center of the carrier 3 shifts, the sliding block 48 driven by the pull rod
412 slides to push outside the windowsill 11 the carrier 3 which then slowly descends
or ascends along the outer wall of the building. On the other hand, After the carrier
3 is pushed outside the windowsill 11, the telescopic rod 41 and the sliding block
48 stay where they are. On the contrary, when the emergency of the fire is released,
the winding gear 6 is driven to pull the carrier 3 up to the descending point. The
external face structure 3a and the internal face structure 3b respectively fall into
the claws 411 of the end of the telescopic rod 41 and the claws 481 of the sliding
block 48. Afterwards, the telescopic rod 41 begins to retract to push the carrier
3 into the holder device 11 a. After the claws(not shown) of the ratchet joint J of
the carrier 3 is released manually or by conventional means such as electromagnetic
valve, the carrier 3 begins to be squeezed as well as folded and then accommodated
in position on the windowsill 11.Besides, the control unit includes an uninterruptible
power supply device(not shown) which is electrically connected with the electric activation
mechanism 45 of the drive mechanism 4 and the drive mechanism 63 of the winding gear
6. Therefore, even the power supply is interrupted during fire, the carrier 3 may
be operated by spare power or manually.
[0039] Furthermore, according to the present invention, as shown in Figs. 15 and 15a, one
end of the cable 61 wound by the winding gear 6 is winding end 612. A pair of brakes
38 for respectively braking the winding end 612 are provided on the carrier 3 so as
to avoid the risk that when the oil cylinder of the winding gear 6 leaks oil, the
carrier 3 will loose speed. The brakes 38 includes a fixing pulley 36', i.e., the
upper pulley 36'of the external face structures 3a of the carrier 3, and a movable
pulley 381 located beside the fixing pulley 36' and capable of relatively changing
the pitch. The winding end 612 of the cable 61 extends between the fixing pulley 36'and
the movable pulley 381. This embodiment further comprises a pair of cranks 382 one
end of which is pivoted on the carrier 3 through a shaft 383 and the other end of
which is a free end and stores the spring force of an elastic element 384. A grip
382a is provided between the free ends. Such movable pulleys pair 381 are pivotally
provided on both ends of the same shaft 381a which is pivotally provided on the middle
segment of the crank 382 to perform a link motion.A guiding groove 3a1 is provided
on the external face structures 3a of the carrier 3 particularly at the portion corresponding
to the shaft 381a. In this manner, once the carrier 3 looses speed due to the severe
oil leakage of the oil cylinder, an external force is exerted with the grip 382a to
brake. During braking, the distance between the movable pulleys 381 and the fixing
pulleys 36' is shortened and the movable pulleys 381 deflects. In the same time, the
winding end 612 of the cable 61 is pressed to brake and a pressure is exerted on the
grip 382a to achieve the slow descending.
[0040] In addition, as those skilled in the art may know, as shown by the imaginative line
in Figs. 14, 16 and 17, optionally, more preferable is that this embodiment vertically
provides a pair of guide rails 2 on the outer wall 10 at both sides of the windowsill
11 to guide the carrier 3 to attain a better stability. A second lower pulley 36a
coaxial with the lower pulley 36 is provided outside the lower end of the edge frame
of the internal face structures 3b of the carrier 3 while a second upper pulley 36a'
coaxial with the lower pulley 36 is provided outside the upper end of the edge frame.
Both pulleys are guided by such guide rails pair 2 to slide for ascending or descending.
Such guide rails pair 2 includes a pair of separated horizontal rails, i.e., a upper
rail 2a and a lower rail 2a' respectively on both side walls 110 of the windowsill
11 to guide the second upper pulley 36a' and the second lower pulley 36a of the carrier
3 for the carrier 3 to get on the windowsill 11 in position.
[0041] Figs.18 and 19 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the collapsible conveyer apparatus
implemented on a building. The difference between this embodiment and the above embodiments
is that the former can employ a pair of rotable arm for the carrier to vertically
descend to a farther ground away from the building so as to avoid the obstacle at
the lower portion of the building. According to the present invention, the main structure
of the collapsible conveyer apparatus will be described in detail.
[0042] At least a carrier 3 is formed of a collapsible frame structure. In a collapsed state,
the carrier 3 is accommodated on the windowsill 11 as a window grille. The carrier
3 (as shown in Fig. 15 )is formed by connecting a plurality of face structures 3a,
3b in the direction of length with a plurality of collapsible frames 3d in the direction
of width, while a base plate 3e collapsible in the direction of width is connected
to the bottom end of the carrier 3. A conventional ratchet journal J with one way
pawl(for this element is prior art, no detailed description is given) is provided
at the middle portion of the frames 3d for both ends to be collapsible relative to
each other. The end portions at both ends are respectively connected with the face
structures 3a, 3b through a ratchet journal J so as to be collapsed relative to each
other. A ratchet journal J is provided at the middle portion of the base plate 3e
for both ends to be collapsible relative to each other. The end portions at both ends
are respectively connected with the face structures 3a, 3b through a ratchet journal
J so as to be collapsed relative to each other. In this manner, the volume of the
carrier 3 can be minimized. In the carrier 3, the face structures 33b of the windowsill
11 further comprises a door frame 3b'allowing to be opened relatively for the personnel
to be in and out. Additionally, a lower pulley36 is provided at the corners on the
bottom of the carrier3.
[0043] At least a pair of radial arms 7 is arranged in such a manner that above the carrier
3, one end each of radial arms 7, i.e., a fixing end 71 is provided, while the other
end, i.e., a free end 72 can swing relatively. On each of the radial arms 7 is pivotally
provided with several pulleys 65a, 65b.
[0044] At least a winding gear 6 including an electric activation mechanism 63 and a manual
activation mechanism 64 is fixed above the windowsill 11 wherein the electric activation
mechanism 63 drives an oil cylinder with a conventional oil pump to converse into
a rotational movement for activating a pair of coaxial windlasses 62. Such pair of
windlasses 62 are respectively wound with one end of a cable 61, while the other end
of the cable is wound past the above mentioned pulley sets 65a, 65b with the end to
hang the carrier 3 to provide power to the carrier 3.
[0045] At least a drive mechanism 4 containing an electric activation mechanism 45 and a
manual activation mechanism 46 is fixed above the windowsill 11 and controlled to
drive simultaneously one end of each of a pair of push rod devices 40 for the other
end to extend and retract. The pair of push rod devices 40 are located at the left
and right hand sides respectively above the carrier 3 so as to unfold the carrier
3. Each push rod device 40 has a telescopic rod 41 one end of which is activated by
a screw rod 42 for the other end of the telescopic rod 41 to extend and retract..
The mechanical force generated from the electric activation mechanism 45 and the manual
activation mechanism 46 can be transmitted to the screw rods 42 through, for example,
a pair of coaxial bevel gears 44 so that the pair of telescopic rods 41 can be simultaneously
activated. And, when such telescopic rods pair 41 extend, the free end 72 of the radial
arms 7 are driven to swing to push the carrier 3 into an unfolded position and outside
the windowsill 11.
[0046] Again as shown in Fig. 18 on a position relative to the windowsill 11, this carrier
3 comprises an internal face structures 3b and an external face structures 3a. The
lower pulleys 36 are respectively provided inside the lower end of the edge frame
of the internal face structures 3b and the external face structures 3a . And preferably,
the upper pulleys 36' are respectively provided inside the upper end of the edge frame
of the internal face structures 3b and the external face structures 3a to guide the
cable 61. The fixing ends 71 and the free ends 72 of the above arms 7 are pivotally
connected through a shaft 71a on which a pulley 65c is pivotally provided to guide
the cable 61. An abutting portion 721 is formed on the end portion of the free ends
72 of the arms 7 to abut against the edge frame of the external face structures 3a
of the carrier 3. On a fixing point of the windowsill 11 corresponding to the place
where the above push rod 40 parks, the above push rod devices 40 are provided with
at least a conventional holder device 11a which can hold the internal face structures
3b of the carrier 3 in position on the windowsill 11 with a predetermined force(see
Fig. 14a). A steering pulley 65b is pivotally provided on the end portion of the free
end 72 of the radial arms 7. Each of the cable pair 61 is wound through the steering
pulley 65b to vertically extend into the edge frame of the external face structures
3a of the carrier 3, and subsequently wound through the upper pulleys 36' and the
lower pulleys 36, and then extended toward the edge frame of the internal face structures
3b to be wound through the lower pulleys 36 and the upper pulleys 36'with the fixing
end 611 to be vertically anchored on the fixing point of the sliding block 48 through
a fixing piece 73 whereby when the free end 72 of the radial arms 7 is swung, the
carrier 3 can be collapsed or unfolded relatively. In addition, an extending portion
74 is formed on the free end 72 of the radial arms 7. One end of the extending portion
74 is a starting end 74a, while the other end extends progressively toward the push
rod devices 40 to form an extending end 74b. The extending portion 74 is formed with
a guiding portion 741 from the starting end 74a to the extending end 74b.Correspondingly,
the external end of the telescopic rod 41 is provided with a sliding element 41a which
may be guided by the guiding portion 741 to slide. When the telescopic rod 41 extends,
the sliding element 41 a slides progressively from the starting end 74a toward the
extending end 74b to lengthen the head.
[0047] According to the present invention, as shown in Fig. 19, in a situation in need,
the conveyer is unfolded along the outer wall to covey personnel or commodities. For
example on fire, the push rod device 40 is driven for the telescopic rod 41 to extend
and the carrier 3 to unfold simultaneously. In the same time, the free end 72 of the
radial arms 7 swings outward. When the free end 72 of the radial arms 7 swings to
unfold the carrier 3, the winding gear 6 is driven to slowly release cable 61. After
the carrier 3 completely unfolds to let the personnel and commodities in, the free
end 72 of the radial arms 7continues to swing outward to separate the carrier 3 from
the holder device 11 a to push outside the windowsill 11 the carrier 3. In case that
there is an obstacle on the lower portion of the building, the radial arms 7 is controlled
to continue to raise outward for the carrier 3 to avoid the obstacle and descend vertically
to a farther spot away from the building. On the contrary, when the emergency of the
fire is released, the winding gear 6 is driven to pull the carrier 3 up to the descending
point. The telescopic rod 41 begins to retract and pull inward back the free end 72
of the radial arms 7 to simultaneously push inward back the carrier 3 inside the windowsill
11 and toward and into the holder device 11a. After the claws(not shown) of the ratchet
joint J of the carrier 3 is released manually or by conventional means such as electromagnetic
valve, the winding gear 6 continues to reel and the telescopic rod 41 continues to
retract and the free end 72 of the radial arms 7 begins to squeeze the carrier 3 to
accomplish the collapsing. Besides, the control unit includes an uninterruptible power
supply device(not shown) which is electrically connected with the electric activation
mechanism 45 of the drive mechanism 4 and the drive mechanism 63 of the winding gear
6. Therefore, even the power supply is interrupted during fire, the carrier 3 may
be operated by spare power or manually.
[0048] A pair of brakes 38 for respectively braking the winding end 612 are provided on
the carrier 3 so as to avoid the risk that when the oil cylinder of the winding gear
6 leaks oil, the carrier 3 will loose speed. The brakes 38 includes a fixing pulley
36', i.e., the upper pulley 36'of the external face structures 3a of the carrier 3,
and a movable pulley 381 located beside the fixing pulley 36' and capable of relatively
changing the pitch. The winding end 612 of the cable 61 extends between the fixing
pulley 36'and the movable pulley 381. This embodiment further comprises a pair of
cranks 382 one end of which is pivoted on the carrier 3 through a shaft 383 and the
other end of which is a free end and stores the spring force of an elastic element
384. A grip 382a is provided between the free ends. Such movable pulleys pair 381
are pivotally provided on both ends of the same shaft 381a which is pivotally provided
on the middle segment of the crank 382 to perform a link motion. A guiding groove
3a1 is provided on the external face structures 3a of the carrier 3 particularly at
the portion corresponding to the shaft 381a. In this manner, once the carrier 3 looses
speed due to the severe oil leakage of the oil cylinder, an external force is exerted
with the grip 382a to brake. During braking, the distance between the movable pulleys
381 and the fixing pulleys 36' is shortened and the movable pulleys 381 deflects.
In the same time, the winding end 612 of the cable 61 is pressed to brake and a pressure
is exerted on the grip 382a to achieve the slow descending.
[0049] In addition, according to the present invention, one end of the cable 61 to be wound
by the winding gear 6 is a winding end 612. A pair of brakes 38 for respectively braking
the winding end 612 (respectively see Figs. 15 and 15a)are provided on the carrier
3 so as to avoid the risk that when the oil cylinder of the winding gear 6 leaks oil,
the carrier 3 will loose speed. The brakes 38 includes a fixing pulley 36', i.e.,
the upper pulley 36'of the external face structures 3a of the carrier 3, and a movable
pulley 381 located beside the fixing pulley 36' and capable of relatively changing
the pitch. The winding end 612 of the cable 61 extends between the fixing pulley 36'and
the movable pulley 381. This embodiment further comprises a pair of cranks 382 one
end of which is pivoted on the carrier 3 through a shaft 383 and the other end of
which is a free end and stores the spring force of an elastic element 384. A grip
382a is provided between the free ends. Such movable pulleys pair 381 are pivotally
provided on both ends of the same shaft 381a which is pivotally provided on the middle
segment of the crank 382 to perform a link motion. A guiding groove 3a1 is provided
on the external face structures 3a of the carrier 3 particularly at the portion corresponding
to the shaft 381a. In this manner, once the carrier 3 looses speed due to the severe
oil leakage of the oil cylinder, an external force is exerted with the grip 382a to
brake. During braking, the distance between the movable pulleys 381 and the fixing
pulleys 36' is shortened and the movable pulleys 381 deflects. In the same time, the
winding end 612 of the cable 61 is pressed to brake and a pressure is exerted on the
grip 382a to achieve the slow descending.
[0050] In addition, as those skilled in the art may know, the embodiments according to the
present invention may be readily accomplished with variations and modifications. For
example, the embodiment as shown in Figs.20 and 21 is a first variation of the collapsible
conveyer according to the present invention. Fig. 20 shows the collapsed state of
the carrier 3' while Fig.21 shows the unfolded state of the carrier 3'. The basic
configuration of this embodiment is substantially the same as the above embodiments
except that the portion between the face structure 3a and 3b of the carrier 3 is constituted
of several frames 3d having multi-segments to be folded, while a base plate3e having
multi-segments to be folded is connected to the bottom end of the carrier 3. Each
frame 3d and the base plate3e are formed as multi-segments through several ratchet
joints J. In this manner, the carrier 3' in collapsed position may reduce the volume
and in the unfolded manner may enlarge to the greatest degree.
[0051] Furthermore, the embodiment as shown in Figs.22 and 23 is a second variation of the
collapsible conveyer according to the present invention. Fig. 22 shows the collapsed
state of the carrier 3" while Fig.21 shows the unfolded state of the carrier 3". As
illustrated, the frames 3d between the face structure 3a and the face structure 3b
of the carrier 3 is collapsed in a different way. The frames 3d intersect with each
other and are pivoted on each other to collapse. The object to minimize the volume
can also achieved by this embodiment.
A Brief Description of the Main Elements
[0052]
Reference Numbers |
Elements |
1 |
building |
10 |
outer wall |
11a |
windowsill |
2 |
guiding rail |
2a |
upper rail |
2a' |
lower rail |
21 |
teeth |
21' |
teeth |
3 |
carrier |
3a, 3b |
face structure |
3a1 |
guiding groove |
3b' |
door structure |
3d |
collapsible frame |
3e |
base plate |
J |
ratchet joint |
30 |
second drive mechanism |
300 |
bevel gear |
301 |
second drive mechanism |
302 |
manual activation mechanism |
31 |
drive gear |
32 |
idler gear |
34 |
pulley |
35 |
elastic element |
36 |
lower pulley |
36' |
upper pulley |
36a |
second lower pulley |
36a' |
second upper pulley |
38 |
brake |
381 |
movable pulley |
381a |
shaft |
382 |
crank |
382a |
grip |
383 |
shaft |
384 |
elastic element |
4 |
drive mechanism |
40 |
push rod |
41 |
telescopic rod |
41a |
sliding element |
411 |
claw |
412 |
pull rod |
42 |
screw rod |
43 |
holder device |
44 |
bevel gear |
45 |
electric activation mechanism |
46 |
manual activation mechanism |
48 |
sliding block |
481 |
claw |
482 |
fixing piece |
6 |
winding gear |
61 |
cable |
61a |
suspension cable |
611 |
fixing end |
612 |
winding end |
62 |
windlass |
63 |
electric activation mechanism |
64 |
manual activation mechanism |
65a, 65b |
steering pulley set |
65c |
pulley |
7 |
radial arm |
71 |
fixing end |
71a |
shaft |
72 |
free end |
721 |
abutting portion |
73 |
fixing piece |
74 |
extending portion |
74a |
starting end |
74b |
extending end |
741 |
guiding portion |
[0053] While the preferred embodiments have been described as above, it is noted that the
preferred embodiments are not restrictive to the scope of implementation of the present
invention. Modifications and variations may be made by a person skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the claims of the present invention.
1. A collapsible conveyer apparatus for conveying personnel or commodities along an outer
wall (10) of a building (1) provided with at least one windowsill (11) in an unfolded
state, said collapsible conveyer apparatus comprising:
a pair of guide rails (2) vertically arranged on the outer wall (10) corresponding
to lateral sides of the windowsill (11), each guide rail (2) being provided with teeth
(21);
at least one carrier (3) configured as a collapsible frame-type structure which is
accommodated on said windowsill (11) in a collapsed state;
at least one first drive mechanism (4) fixed above said windowsill (11) for extending
or retracting a pair of push rod devices (40) so as to unfold or collapse the carrier
(3);
at least one second drive mechanism (30) installed on said carrier (3) for driving
a pair of drive gears (31) for engaging with the teeth (21) so as to ascend or descend
the carrier (3) along said guide rails (2); and
a control unit electrically connected with said first drive mechanism (4) and said
second drive mechanism (30).
2. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said building (1)
is provided with a plurality of windowsill (11) corresponding to a plurality of floors,
each windowsill (11) being provided with one carrier (3), the pair of guide rails
(2) being commonly used.
3. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each windowsill (11)
is associated with two opposite sidewalls (110), and a pair of horizontal upper guide
rails (2a) and a pair of lower guide rails (2a') diverged from said pair of guide
rails (2) respectively are formed on said two sidewalls (110) and each provided with
teeth (21') for engaging with said drive gears (31) so as to guide and position said
carrier (3) on said windowsill (11).
4. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said carrier (3) comprises
a pair of idler gears (32), and wherein the lower said carrier (3) is arranged, the
smaller axial thickness the drive gears (31) and idler gears (32) have; on the other
hand, the higher said carrier (3) is arranged, the larger axial thickness the drive
gears (31) and idler gears (32) have.
5. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second drive
mechanism (2) includes an electrical activation mechanism (301) and a manual activation
mechanism (302).
6. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein mechanical force is
transmitted among said electrical activation mechanism (301), manual activation mechanism
(302) and said drive gears (31) through a bevel gear (300).
7. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said push
rod devices (40) has a telescopic rod (41) one end of which is actuated by a screw
rod (42) such that the other end can be extended or retracted.
8. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said drive mechanism
(4) includes an electrical activation mechanism (45) and a manual activation mechanism
(46).
9. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein mechanical force is
transmitted among said electrical activation mechanism (45), manual activation mechanism
(46) and said drive gears (42) through a bevel gear (44).
10. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in anyone of claim 5 to claim 8, wherein
said control unit further comprises an uninterruptible power system which is electrically
connected with said electric activation mechanism (45) of said first drive mechanism
(4) and said electric activation mechanism (301) of said second drive mechanism (30)
respectively.
11. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said carrier (3) comprises
a plurality of face structures (3a, 3b) at an outer side and an inner side and a plurality
of collapsible frames (3d) at lateral sides and a collapsible base plate (3e) at a
bottom side.
12. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said frames
(3d) has a ratchet joint (J) at a middle location so that said frames (3d) are capable
of being folded, and both ends of each frame (3d) are also connected with said face
structures (3a, 3b) respectively by ratchet joints (J) such that each frame (3d) is
collapsible at the middle location and pivotable with respect to the face structures
(3a, 3b).
13. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said base plate (3e)
has a ratchet joint (J) in a central line parallel to said face structures (3a, 3b),
and an outer edge and an inner edge of said base plate (3e) are also connected with
said face structures (3a, 3b) respectively by ratchet joints (J) such that said base
plate (3e) is collapsible along the central line and pivotable with respect to the
face structures (3a, 3b).
14. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said carrier (3)
has a face structure (3a) located at the outer face and a face structure (3b) located
at the inner face; each of said push rod devices (40) is provided with at least one
holder device (43) corresponding to said face structure (3b) at the inner side for
holding said carrier (3) onto said windowsill (11); and an outer end of said telescopic
rod (41) is provided with at least one claw (411) for catching the face structure
(3a) of the carrier (3) at the outer side so as to collapse or unfold said carrier
(3).
15. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said pair of drive
gears (31) are rotably provided at a lower end of the inner side face structure (3b)
with respect to the lower guide rail (2a'); and a pair of idler gears (32) are rotably
provided at an upper end of the inner side face structure (3b) with respect to the
upper guide rail (2a).
16. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said carrier (3)
is inside said internal face structure (3b) and comprises a door frame (3b') relatively
openable.
17. A collapsible conveyer apparatus for conveying personnel or commodities along an outer
wall (10) of a building (1) provided with at least one windowsill (11) in an unfolded
state, said collapsible conveyer apparatus comprising:
a pair of guide rails (2) vertically provided on an outer wall (10) on both sides
of the windowsill (11);
at least one carrier (3) configured as a collapsible frame-type structure which is
accommodated on said windowsill (11) in a collapsed state, and one end of said carrier
(3) being provided with several pulleys to be guided by said guide rails (2);
at least one drive mechanism (4) fixed above said windowsill (11) to drive one end
of a pair of push rod devices (40) for the other end thereof to extend or retract,
and respectively on said push rod devices (40) several steering pulley sets (65a,
65b) being provided;
at least one winding gear (6) fixed within said windowsill (11), said winding gear
(6) being driven to activate a pair of windlasses (62) on which one end of said cable
(61) is wound, the other end of said cable (61) being wound past said steering pulley
sets (65a, 65b) with the end to suspend said carrier (3), whereby when said push rod
devices (40) extends, said carrier (3) is unfolded; and
a control unit electrically connected with said first drive mechanism (4) and said
second drive mechanism (30) respectively.
18. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said windowsill (11)
comprises two opposite side walls (110), and said guide rails (2) is formed with a
pair of separated horizontal rails, i.e., an upper rail (2a) and a lower rail (2b)
respectively on said both side walls (110) of said windowsill (11)to guide said pulley
(34) on said carrier (3) for said carrier (3) to get into said windowsill (11) in
position.
19. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said push rod devices
(40) has a telescopic rod (41) one end of which is activated by a screw rod (42)for
the other end thereof to extend or retract.
20. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said drive mechanism
(4) comprises an electric activation mechanism (45) and a manual activation mechanism
(46).
21. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the force among said
electric activation mechanism (45), said manual activation mechanism (46) and said
screw rod (42) is transmitted through a bevel gear (44).
22. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said winding gear
(6) comprises an electric activation mechanism (63) and a manual activation mechanism
(64).
23. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said electric activation
mechanism (63) comprises an oil pump to drive an oil cylinder to converse into a rotational
movement to activate said windlass (62).
24. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 20 or 22, wherein said control
unit comprises an uninterruptible power supply device which is electrically connected
with said electric activation mechanism (45) of said drive mechanism (4) and said
drive mechanism (63) of said winding gear (6) respectively.
25. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said carrier (3)
is formed by connecting a plurality of face structures (3a, 3b) in the direction of
length with a plurality of collapsible frames (3d) in the direction of width, while
a base plate (3e ) collapsible in the direction of width is connected to the bottom
end of the carrier 3.
26. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the middle portion
of said frames (3d) comprises a ratchet journal (J) for both ends to be collapsible
relative to each other and the end portions at both ends are respectively connected
with said face structures (3a, 3b) through said ratchet journal (J) so as to be collapsed
relative to each other.
27. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the middle portion
of the base plate (3e) comprises a ratchet journal (J) for both ends to be collapsible
relative to each other and the end portions at both ends are respectively connected
with said face structures (3a, 3b) through a ratchet journal (J) so as to be collapsed
relative to each other.
28. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said carrier (3)
comprises an internal face structures (3b) and an external face structures (3a); at
least a holder device (43) is provided on a fixing point of said push rod devices
(40) corresponding to said internal face structures (3b) to hold said carrier (3)
on said windowsill (11)in position; at least a claw (411) is provided at the end of
said telescopic rod (41) corresponding to said external face structures (3a) to relatively
collapse or unfold said carrier (3).
29. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein a pair of pulleys
(34) are provided on the place where the upper outside of said internal face structures
(3b) corresponds to the upper rail (2a) and a pair of pulleys (34) are provided on
the place where the lower outside thereof corresponds to said lower rail (2a').
30. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said carrier (3)
further comprises a door frame (3b') relatively openable on said internal face structures
(3b).
31. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said carriers (3)
are suspended respectively on the end of said cable (61)of said winding gear (6) by
a pair of suspension cable (61a) both ends of which are respectively hung above said
internal face structures (3b) and said external face structures (3a).
32. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein both ends of said
cable (61) respectively extends in said internal face structures (3b) and said external
face structures (3a), and are respectively provided with an elastic element (35) for
exerting a spring force to draw the remaining length inside the frame.
33. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said push rod devices
(40) comprises a sliding block (48) which can slide along said telescopic rod (41)
and a steering pulley (65b) is pivotally provided on said sliding block (48) to pull
said cable (61), whereby as said carriers (3) is unfolded, it depends on the shift
of gravity center of the carrier 3 to slide.
34. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein a pull rod (412)
is further provided on the end of said telescopic rod (41) so that when said carrier
(3) is unfolded, said sliding block (48) and said telescopic rod (41) are driven to
perform a link motion.
35. A collapsible conveyer apparatus for conveying personnel or commodities along an outer
wall (10) of a building (1) provided with at least one windowsill (11) in an unfolded
state, said collapsible conveyer apparatus comprising:
at least one carrier (3) configured as a collapsible frame-type structure which is
accommodated on said windowsill (11) in a collapsed state, a lower pulley (36) being
pivotally provided on the bottom corners of said carrier(3);
at least one drive mechanism (4) fixed above said windowsill (11) to drive one end
of a pair of push rod devices (40) for the other end thereof to extend or retract,
and respectively on said push rod devices (40) several steering pulley sets (65a,
65b) being provided;
at least one winding gear (6) fixed within said windowsill (11) , said winding gear
(6) being driven to activate a pair of windlasses(62) on which one end of said cable
(61) is wound, the other end of said cable (61) being a fixing end (611) to be wound
past said steering pulley sets (65a, 65b) and said lower pulley (36) with the end
to be anchored on a fixing spot whereby when said push rod devices (40) extends, said
carrier (3) is unfolded pushed out of said windowsill (11) ; and
a control unit electrically connected with said first drive mechanism (4) and said
second drive mechanism (30) respectively.
36. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said push rod devices
(40) has a telescopic rod (41) one end of which is activated by a screw rod (42) for
the other end thereof to extend or retract.
37. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said drive mechanism
(4) comprises an electric activation mechanism (45) and a manual activation mechanism
(46).
38. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the force among said
electric activation mechanism (45), said manual activation mechanism (46) and said
screw rod (42) is transmitted through a bevel gear (44).
39. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said winding gear
(6) comprises an electric activation mechanism (63) and a manual activation mechanism
(64).
40. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said electric activation
mechanism (63) comprises an oil pump to drive an oil cylinder to converse into a rotational
movement to activate said windlass (62).
41. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 37 or 39, wherein said control
unit comprises an uninterruptible power supply device which is electrically connected
with said electric activation mechanism (45) of said drive mechanism (4) and said
drive mechanism (63)of said winding gear (6) respectively.
42. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said carrier (3)
is formed by connecting a plurality of face structures (3a, 3b) in the direction of
length with a plurality of collapsible frames (3d) in the direction of width, while
a base plate (3e ) collapsible in the direction of width is connected to the bottom
end of the carrier 3.
43. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 35,
wherein the middle portion of said frames (3d) comprises a ratchet journal (J) for
both ends to be collapsible relative to each other and the end portions at both ends
are respectively connected with said face structures (3a, 3b) through said ratchet
journal (J) so as to be collapsed relative to each other.
44. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the middle portion
of the base plate (3e) comprises a ratchet journal (J) for both ends to be collapsible
relative to each other and the end portions at both ends are respectively connected
with said face structures (3a, 3b) through a ratchet journal (J) so as to be collapsed
relative to each other.
45. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein said carrier (3)
comprises an internal face structures (3b) and an external face structures (3a); said
lower pulleys (36) are respectively pivotally provided inside the lower end of the
edge frame of said internal face structures (3b) and said external face structures
(3a); and preferably, said upper pulleys (36') are respectively provided inside the
upper end of the edge frame of said internal face structures (3b) and said external
face structures (3a) to guide said upper pulleys (36') of said cable (61).
46. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 45, wherein said carrier (3)
further comprises a door frame (3b') relatively openable on said internal face structures
(3b).
47. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 45,
wherein said push rod devices (40) further comprises a sliding block (48) one end
of which can slide along said telescopic rod (41) and the other end of which is provided
with a claw (481); the end of said telescopic rod (41) is provided with a claw (411)
corresponding to said external face structures (3a) of said carrier(3)to grip on left
and right side, both of which can put said carrier (3) into collapsed or unfolded
position.
48. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein a pull rod (412)
is further provided on the end of said telescopic rod (41) so that when said carrier
(3) is unfolded, said sliding block (48) and said telescopic rod (41) are driven to
perform a link motion.
49. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein a steering pulley
(65b) is provided on the end of said telescopic rod (41) for each of said cable (61)
to be vertically wound through said lower pulleys (36) of said carriers (3) and said
fixing end (611) to be anchored vertically on the fixing spot of said sliding block
(48).
50. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 49, wherein one end of said cable
(61) wound by said winding gear (6) is a winding end (612); a pair of brakes (38)
for respectively braking said winding end (612) are provided on said carrier (3).
51. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein said brakes (38)
includes a fixing pulley (36') and a movable pulley (381) capable of relatively changing
the pitch, said winding end (612) of said carriers (3) passing through both pulleys.
52. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 51, further comprising a pair
of cranks (382) one end of which is pivoted in position through a shaft (383)and the
other end of which is a free end provided with a grip (382) between the free ends;
said movable pulleys pair (381) are pivotally provided on the middle segment of said
crank (382) to perform a link motion whereby during braking, the distance between
said movable pulleys (381) and said fixing pulleys (36') is shortened and said movable
pulleys (381) deflects and in the same time, said winding end (612) of said cable
(61) is braked.
53. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein a pair of guiding
rails (2) are vertically provided on said outer walls (10) on both sides of said windowsill
(11)optionally.
54. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 53, wherein a second lower pulley
(36a) coaxial with said lower pulley (36) is provided outside the lower end of the
edge frame of said internal face structures (3b) of said carrier (3) while a second
upper pulley (36a') coaxial with said lower pulley (36)is provided outside the upper
end of the edge frame, both pulleys capable being guided by said guide rails pair
(2) to slide to descend or ascend.
55. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 54, wherein said guide rails
pair (2) includes a pair of separated horizontal rails, i.e., a upper rail (2a) and
a lower rail (2a') respectively on both side walls (110) of said windowsill (11) to
guide said second upper pulley (36a') and said second lower pulley (36a) of said carrier
(3) for said carrier (3) to get on said windowsill (11) in position.
56. A collapsible conveyer apparatus for conveying personnel or commodities along an outer
wall (10) of a building (1) provided with at least one windowsill (11) in an unfolded
state, said collapsible conveyer apparatus comprising:
at least one carrier (3) configured as a collapsible frame-type structure which is
accommodated on said windowsill (11) in a collapsed state, a lower pulley (36) being
pivotally provided on the bottom corners of said carrier (3);
At least a pair of radial arms (7) arranged in such a manner that above said carrier
(3), one end each of said radial arms 7, i.e., a fixing end (71) is provided, while
the other end, i.e., a free end (72) can swing relatively, on each of said radial
arms (7) being pivotally provided with several pulleys (65a, 65b);
at least one winding gear (6) fixed within said windowsill (11), said winding gear
(6) being driven to activate a pair of windlasses(62) on which one end of said cable
(61) is wound, the other end of said cable (61) being a fixing end (611) to be wound
past said steering pulley sets (65a, 65b) and said lower pulley (36) with the end
to be anchored on a fixing spot ;
at least one drive mechanism (4) fixed above said windowsill (11) to drive one end
of a pair of push rod devices (40) for the other end to extend and retract whereby
when said push rod devices (40) extends, said free end (72) of said radial arm swing
to unfold said carrier (3) and pushed the same out of said windowsill (11); and
a control unit electrically connected with said first drive mechanism (4) and said
second drive mechanism (30) respectively.
57. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein said push rod devices
(40) has a telescopic rod (41) one end of which is activated by a screw rod (42) for
the other end thereof to extend or retract.
58. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 57, wherein said drive mechanism
(4) comprises an electric activation mechanism (45) and a manual activation mechanism
(46).
59. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 58, wherein the force among said
electric activation mechanism (45), said manual activation mechanism (46) and said
screw rod (42) is transmitted through a bevel gear (44).
60. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein said winding gear
(6) comprises an electric activation mechanism (63) and a manual activation mechanism
(64).
61. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 60, wherein said electric activation
mechanism (63) comprises an oil pump to drive an oil cylinder to converse into a rotational
movement to activate said windlass (62).
62. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 58 or 60, wherein said control
unit comprises an uninterruptible power supply device which is electrically connected
with said electric activation mechanism (45) of said drive mechanism (4) and said
drive mechanism (63) of said winding gear (6) respectively.
63. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein said carrier (3)
is formed by connecting a plurality of face structures (3a, 3b) in the direction of
length with a plurality of collapsible frames (3d) in the direction of width, while
a base plate (3e) collapsible in the direction of width is connected to the bottom
end of the carrier 3.
64. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein the middle portion
of said frames (3d) comprises a ratchet journal (J) for both ends to be collapsible
relative to each other and the end portions at both ends are respectively connected
with said face structures (3a, 3b) through said ratchet journal (J) so as to be collapsed
relative to each other.
65. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein the middle portion
of the base plate (3e) comprises a ratchet journal (J) for both ends to be collapsible
relative to each other and the end portions at both ends are respectively connected
with said face structures (3a, 3b) through a ratchet journal (J) so as to be collapsed
relative to each other.
66. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 63, wherein said carrier (3)
comprises an internal face structures (3b) and an external face structures (3a); said
lower pulleys (36) are respectively pivotally provided inside the lower end of the
edge frame of said internal face structures (3b) and said external face structures
(3a) ; and preferably, the upper pulleys (36') are respectively provided inside the
upper end of the edge frame of said internal face structures (3b) and said external
face structures (3a) to guide said cable (61).
67. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 66, wherein said carrier (3)
further comprises a door frame (3b') relatively openable on said internal face structures
(3b).
68. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 56, wherein said fixing ends
(71) and said free ends (72)of said arms (7) are pivotally connected through a shaft
(71a) on which a pulley (65c) is pivotally provided to guide said pulley (65c) of
said cable (61).
69. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 68, wherein an extending portion
(74) is formed on said free end (72) of said radial arms (7), one end of said extending
portion 74 being a starting end (74a), the other end extending progressively toward
said push rod devices (40) to form an extending end (74b).
70. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 69, wherein said extending portion
(74) is formed with a guiding portion (741) from said starting end 74a to said extending
end (74b); the external end of said telescopic rod (41) is provided with a sliding
element (41a) which may be guided by said guiding portion (741) to slide whereby when
said telescopic rod (41) extends, said sliding element (41a) slides progressively
from said starting end (74a) toward said extending end (74b).
71. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 70, wherein an abutting portion
(721) is formed on said free end (72) of said radial arms (7) to abut against the
edge frame of said external face structures (3a) of said carrier (3); at least a holder
device (11a) is provided on a position corresponding to the edge frame of said internal
face structures (3b) of said carrier (3) to hold said carrier (3) on said windowsill
(11) in position, both collapsing or unfolding said carrier (3).
72. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 71, wherein a steering pulley
(65b) is pivotally provided on the end portion of said free end (72) of said radial
arms (7) to guide said cable (61) smoothly through said upper pulleys (36') and said
lower pulley (36) of said carrier (3) to anchor said fixing point (611) of said cable
(61) on the fixing point of said radial arms (7) through a fixing piece (73).
73. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 72, wherein one end of said cable
(61) wound by said winding gear (6) is a winding end (612); a pair of brakes (38)
for respectively braking said winding end (612) are provided on said carrier (3).
74. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 73, wherein said brakes (38)
includes a fixing pulley (36') and a movable pulley (381) capable of relatively changing
the pitch, said winding end (612) of said carriers (3) passing through both pulleys.
75. A collapsible conveyer apparatus as claimed in claim 74, further comprising a pair
of cranks (382) one end of which is pivoted in position through a shaft (383) and
the other end of which is a free end provided with a grip (382a) between the free
ends; said movable pulleys pair (381) are pivotally provided on the middle segment
of said crank (382) to perform a link motion whereby during braking, the distance
between said movable pulleys (381) and said fixing pulleys (36') is shortened and
said movable pulleys (381) deflects and in the same time, said winding end (612) of
said cable (61) is braked.