US Patent 7703576 Fire escape apparatus

Fire escape apparatus comprising a main elongated hollow tubular member with an elongated slot and a relatively short auxiliary tubular member of similar construction. The main member is mounted on an exterior building wall and the auxiliary member extends therefrom to a building opening such as a door or window. A spherical member at the end of a flexible connecting line running to a building occupant is entered in the auxiliary tubular member and is controlled in its descent by frictional engagement with gradually arcuate spring-like members.