Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1886-01-28
A HOME INVENTION.
A PORTABLE AND STATIONARY
ERE ESCAPE
Patented by Samuel T. Mickey of talem--
Valuable Inven-

ton.
The SENTINEL. doesn't know certainly,
but it has every reason for believing that
more letters patent have been awarded resi-
dents in Winston-Salem than in any other
town in North Carolina, and at an early
day it is our intention to treat in detail of
the inventors and inventions in our midst.
1t present it is the purpose of this article
to speak of valuable invention which Mr.
S. I. Mickey has patented, and which more
completely fills want long felt, than any
thing we know of. 1t is portable, sta
tionary, automatic, burglar proof, fire escape,
illustrations of which are shown on our first
page.
The great need of such an invention has
long been felt, and every few weeks it is
emphasized by the recurrence Of some new
horror, The repeated instances of loss of
life by the cruel choice being forced upon
men, women, and even little children of
death in the flames, by being crushed
into shapeless mass by leaping from the
windows has led to many attempts TO pro-
duce an escape which shall he free from those
objection which has hitherto rendered worth
less nearly every device constructed for this
purpose.
The invention consists of series of tele-
scoping conlpa, tments sections mounted
upon suitable wheeled platform and pro-
vided with suitable but simple mechanism
whereby it can be quickly projected to any
desired height. Within the Vertical Tower
which is formed in this manner is suspend
ed double ladder or other suitable means
of escape and the exterior of the telescoping
sections is metal lined to protect the struct-
ure from the heat or the flames, when it is
drawn close to burning building. Access
from the building to the escape is provided
by means of drop door formed in each sec
ton, which is operated from the foot of the
structure substantially in the manner of a
drawbridge, and of such length to bridge
the span between the escape and the build
ing. As these drop doors operate independ
emily of each other, it is evident that one,
two or more of them may be used at the same
time, and exit from the burning building
may therefore be effected from all the floors
simultaneously. The escape ladder is sus-
pended within the teiescoping structure, is
raised by the upper sections thereof, and thus
the escape may be used upon building of
any height. The ladder is of such width
that several persons can descend side by side
and is double az illustrated in the cut Ba.-
kets or cars for invalids children or valuable
merchandise can be flstended to the rounds
f.l. L. I I -.
the facilities for escape equal to all possible
emergencies.
The stationary Burglar Proof Escape
is Automatic, and is held firmly in posi-
ton by the falling yokes, that are hing
ed against the building. These yokes have
reel bridge at every window, and, as the
Jokes drop in their position the Tower
raises, this bridge unwinds, and runs out to
the Fire Escape, and when the fire tower is
drawn back the yokes and bridge return to
their proper position. These yokes can be
placed opposite one another and can be made
with extension on this or former patent
to enable persons where q panic occurs
where many persons are in building to
cross the street or be taken to center of the
street to any Portable Tower or elevated
Railway. The Double Ladder is preferred
to single ladder fireman can be carried
up quicker to the top ola building than they
can climb up an ordinary ladder 1t will
readily be seen that this Escape requires lit
tie or nc exercise of presence of mind upon
the part of those who benefit by it. More
over, it permits any number of persons to
ascend and enter the building which is be-
Ing consumed, to rescue helpless persons or
children
This tower can be raised by steam, hydrau-
lie. or bv any other power, and for small
towns the ladder can be hoisted by horses
that are hitched SO the wagon and is raised
without the Tower, and the ladder can be
used by masons to hoist brick, mortar, &c, &c.
This is clearly the most effective, simple,
safe, and easily operated Fire Esca pc yet in
vented. 1t merits the attention of the Of
iicials of all large cities, as being not only
excellent in the respects named, but above
all other considerations as alfording & means
OF speedy ant! safe escape, which does not
require any special instruction or presence
OF mind on the part of those using it. The
latter quality alone is more than sufficient
to entitle it to success