An Emergency Exit for Double-deckers
Page 52
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ASIMPLE form of emergency exit for the upper deck of double-saloon buses has been designed by Mr. Bentley, of 8, Haxby Road, Levenshulme Road, Sunnybrow Park, Manchester. Its construction is made clear by the accompanying illustration. On the off side of the vehicle there is a hinged panel which forms the exit, It is pivoted at the top and normally held in place by a spring-loaded bolt engaging in a socket in the floor of the upper saloon. The handle controlling the bolt is at waist-rail level and has to be lifted directly in order to free the inoving panel, which is 2 ft. 6. ins. wide,
To limit the action of the panel and to hold it in the open position, thus enabling passengers to get out of the upper saloon with both hands free, there are two stays attached to the pillars surrounding the opening; these stays carry pins at their free ends which engage in slots in plates attached to the opening panel. The pins run down the slots as the panel opens, finally locking it by means of their having turned acute corners and come to rest in the blind ends of the slots.
Immediately below the opening is a folding ladder, normally held against the side of the bus. The action of the c30 ladder is controlled by a pair of pivoted right-angle members, the free arms of which are held horizontal by the base of the panel when in its closed position. As the panel opens its base forces down the other arms of the right-angle members, bringing them from the vertical to the horizontal position, thus lowering and throwing outwards the side members of the folding ladder, which, in the " action " position, clear the side of the bus by some 6 ins. The ladder is positively supported at intervals, so that it is made as easy as possible to descend.
According to the details submitted to us, the effective opening is about 2 ft. 6 ins, wide and the base of the panel comes to rest some 2 ft. away from the side of the bus. These dimensions are, of course, quoted only to demonstrate the working of the deVice. The sizes can he varied according to requirements.
Normally, of course, the pivoted arms within the body space do not reduce the foot-room or cause obstructions. Recesses are cut in the floor to house the pair of horizontal arms, whilst the vertical arms are always outside the body. The maximum permissible width limit of 7 ft. 6 ins, might interfere with the installation of this device in some eases.