Fire rescue ladder
View Patent ↗A rescue ladder includes a first ladder portion having a plurality of cross members forming steps, a second ladder portion having a plurality of cross members forming steps, and a central portion connected between the first ladder portion and the second ladder portion. A slide is coupled to the central portion of the ladder. The rescue ladder is configured to permit a rescuer to straddle the slide while helping the pilot or passenger egress from the aircraft via the slide.
1 . A rescue ladder comprising:
a first ladder portion having a plurality of cross members intermittently positioned along a length thereof;
a second ladder portion having a plurality of cross members intermittently positioned along a length thereof;
a central portion connected between the first ladder portion and the second ladder portion;
wherein the central portion includes a central rail positioned between the first ladder portion and the second ladder portion that extends from a bottom cross member to a top cross member; and
a slide member coupled to the central portion.
2 . The rescue ladder of claim 1 , wherein the first ladder portion extends at a first obtuse angle from the central portion.
3 . The rescue ladder of claim 2 , wherein the second ladder portion extends at a second obtuse angle from the central portion.
4 . The rescue ladder of claim 3 , wherein the first and second obtuse angles are different from one another.
5 . The rescue ladder of claim 3 , wherein the first and second obtuse angles are the same.
6 . The rescue ladder of claim 1 , wherein the bottom cross member and the top cross member are connected to the first ladder portion and to the second ladder portion.
7 . The rescue ladder of claim 1 , wherein the slide member engages with the central rail.
8 . The rescue ladder of claim 1 , wherein the first ladder portion, second ladder portion and central portion form a ladder section that includes a connecting end and a receiving end on opposing ends thereof.
9 . The rescue ladder of claim 8 , wherein the connecting end of one ladder section is connected to a receiving end of another ladder section to extend a length thereof.
10 . The rescue ladder of claim 1 , wherein a width of the slide is sized to permit a rescuer to straddle and simultaneously step on the first ladder portion and the second ladder portion during a rescue extraction.
11 . An aircraft rescue ladder comprising:
a first rail and a second rail spaced apart and connected together with a plurality of first cross members;
a third rail and a fourth rail spaced apart and connected together with a plurality of second cross members;
a central rail positioned between the second rail and the third rail and extended between a central top cross member and a central bottom cross member;
wherein the central top cross member and the central bottom cross member are connected to the second rail and to the third rail; and
a slide engaged with the central rail and extending between the second and third rails.
12 . The aircraft rescue ladder of claim 11 , wherein the first and second cross members extend at an angle away from the top and bottom cross members.
13 . The aircraft rescue ladder of claim 12 , wherein the angle of the first cross members is different from the angle of the second cross members.
14 . The aircraft rescue ladder of claim 12 , wherein the angle of the first cross members is the same as the same angle of the second cross members.
15 . The aircraft rescue ladder of claim 12 , wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth rails form a ladder segment with a connecting end opposite of a receiving end.
16 . The aircraft rescue ladder of claim 15 , wherein a connecting end of one ladder segment is connected to a receiving end of another ladder segment to increase an overall length thereof.
17 . The aircraft rescue ladder of claim 11 , wherein a width of the slide is sized to permit a rescuer to straddle and simultaneously step on one of the first cross members and one of the second cross members while sliding an aircraft occupant on the slide.
18 . A rescue ladder comprising:
a first ladder portion having a plurality of cross members intermittently positioned along a length thereof;
a second ladder portion having a plurality of cross members intermittently positioned along a length thereof;
a central portion connected between the first ladder portion and the second ladder portion;
wherein the first ladder portion, second ladder portion and central portion form a ladder section that includes a connecting end and a receiving end on opposing ends thereof; and
a slide member coupled to the central portion.
19 . The rescue ladder of claim 18 , wherein the connecting end of one ladder section is connected to a receiving end of another ladder section to extend a length thereof.