Improvements in Fire Escapes, and Conveyances adapted to Carry them
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 19th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 29th Jan., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Escapes, and Conveyances adapted to Carry
them
I, LIONEL DE LAUTOUR WELLS, of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Head Quarters,
Southwark, Commander in the Royal Navy, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The objects of this invention are to simplify and strengthen the construction of
fire-escapes, to render them more easily manageable, and to facilitate their conveyance
from place to place. A fire-escape, according to this invention, can either be
conveyed on a vehicle adapted to carry it, or, being provided with shafts, can travel
on its own wheels, and be drawn by a draught animal (or animals) harnessed to it,
as circumstances may render the more convenient.
In order that an escape may be easily and quickly placed upon a vehicle for
conveyance from place to place, and readily removed from such vehicle, I adopt an
arrangement as follows:-
The vehicle, which in one arrangement is a horse tender adapted for carrying hose,
coals for steam fire-engines, and other necessary articles, is constructed with curved
or inclined rails or ways, of a gauge corresponding to that of anti-friction wheels or
rollers which are mounted on the axle (or some axle) of the fire-escape, the arrange-
ment being such that the escape, whose main wheels are of broader gauge than that
of the wheels of the carrying vehicle, can be wheeled into a position in which the
anti-friction wheels or rollers of the escape (which may have flanges) will be upon
the curved or inclined rails or ways of the carrying vehicle, at or near the lower ends
of such rails or ways. Upon another part of the carrying vehicle is or are mounted a
flanged guide roller or rollers, higher than the rails or ways, the arrangement being
such that when the anti-friction wheels or rollers of the escape are on the rails ör
ways, the escape can be tilted about the axis of its axle until a part of the lower:
ladder rests upon the flanged guide roller or rollers.
By means of a slip-line connected in a readily detachable way (for example, by
eyes and a pin or bolt) to the carriage frame of the escape, and also to a winch or one.
block of a set of tackle carried by the vehicle, the escape can be readily hauled up
the inclined rails or ways of the carrying vehicle, into a position in which the axle of
the fire escape will be over one of the axles of the carrying vehicle, where the escape
will be held safely in a suitable position for conveyance. To remove the escape from
the vehicle, the slip-line or tackle-line is gradually paid out to a sufficient extent to
allow the escape to descend by gravity along the rails or ways of the vehicle, until
the wheels of the escape reach the ground, whereupon, by withdrawing the pin or
bolt that connects the slip-line to the escape, the latter is released, or instead, of
adopting the method just described the pin or bolt may be withdrawn so as to
release the escape, and to allow it to run down the rails or ways of the carrying
vehicle.
With an arrangement such as described, it will be possible, in case of need, for one
man to get off its carrying vehicle any escape of suitable construction to which this
part of my invention is applied

page_text: The carrying vehicle to which my invention is applied, may, except in so far as
regards the peculiarities I have indicated; be of any convenient construction, and
adapted to serve any purpose (according to requirement) other than that of carrying
hose, coal and so forth, and may be drawn or propelled by any convenient or suitable
means.
444
In order to prevent swaying of the back portion of the carrying vehicle, the fore-
carriage, instead of being arranged to turn about a perch bolt, has substituted for
such a bolt, an arrangement of lugs or flanges such that the two wheel plates or rings
are kept concentric with one another, so that about their common axis one is free to
turn in relation to the other, and the lugs carried by the one wheel-plate or ring.
have projections or flanges or a retaining ring that over-lap or overlaps the other
wheel-plate or ring, so as to retain the two wheel-plates or rings in juxtaposition,
whilst allowing the necessary freedom of relative movement. Such a fore-carriage
arrangement may be employed in vehicles of various constructions.
At the respective sides of the carriage frame of the escape, bars are arranged with a
space between them resembling a slot, adapted to receive anti-friction wheels. or
rollers, carried by pins or axles secured to the side bars of the lower ladder, the
arrangement being such that the bars on which the anti-friction wheels or rollers rest
serve as ladder slide bars and that the longitudinal position of the lower ladder in
Telation to the carriage frame can be readily adjusted by causing the lower ladder to
travel-by its said rollers on the said slide bars...
In order to enable one man both to keep the escape in its upward position and to
adjust the positions of the ladders in relation to the carriage frame and to one
another, and also o enable the operator to see along the ladders whilst he is adjusting
them in their position, I mount, upon what are known as the folding levers, a frame-
work carrying two sets of drums, with worm gear for operating each set independently,
the worin shaft for operating one set being hollow, and a portion of the other worm
shaft extending through it. One set of drums operates the ropes or lines for adjusting:
the position of the ladders in relation to one another (ordinarily called the ladder
extending lines) and the other set of drums operates the ropes or lines whereby the
position of the lower ladder in relation to the carriage frame is adjusted.
The side bars, of the ladders are by preference made with projecting ribs or webs
at the inner sides of their upper edges, the depth of such ribs or webs being made to
vary in a manner such that when the ladders are fully extended the upper edges of
the combined ribs or webs will describe a curve and resemble a girder having its
greatest depth at some distance above the centre of its length, so as to be of increased
strength where the maximum strain has to be resisted. Also in constructing the
escape ladders I usually adopt an improvement for which I am making separate
application for Letters Patent, that is to say, at the inner side of each bar, a shoulder
is formed, adapted to receive and afford a bed or support for a slight flange or
projection formed on each of the ladder round socket pieces, the arrangement being
such as to take part of the shearing strain off the screws whereby the said socket
pieces are fastened to the side bars of the ladder.:
1
In order to enable the escape, when travelling on its own wheels, to be drawn by a
draught animal (or animals) shafts are provided which are arranged to slide
telescopically or in guides, so as to occupy an inward and out-of-the-way position
between the wheels and near the lower portion of the carriage.frame when not in use;
but to be capable of being drawn out and secured in their outward position when an
animal (or animals) is or are to be harnessed to the escape.
My present invention comprises several improvements as above indicated which
may be used conjointly or separately.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Escapes and Conveyances adapted to Carry
'them.
I, LIONEL DE LAUTOUR WELLS, of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade: Head Quarters,
Southwark, Commander in the Royal Navy, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The objects of this invention are to simplify and strengthen the construction of
fire-escapes, to render them more easily manageable, and to facilitate their convey:
ance from place to place. A fire-escape, according to this invention, can either be
conveyed on a vehicle adapted to carry it, or, being provided with shafts, can travel
ou its own wheels, and be drawn by a draught animal (or animals) harnessed to it, as
circumstances may render the inore convenient. .
Referring to the accompanying, drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an escape
(with one wheel removed for the sake of clearness) mounted on its vehicle ready for
conveyance from place to place in accordance with this invention.. Fig. 2 is a rear
end view of the vehicle, only the axle. and wheels of the escape being indicated in
dotted lines.
:
The vehicle 1, which in this arrangement is a horse tender adapted for carrying
hose, coals for steam fire-engines and other necessary articles, is constructed with
curved or inclined rails or ways 1ª of a gauge corresponding to that of anti-friction
wheels or rollers 2 which are mounted on the axle 3 of the fire-escape, the arrange-
iment being such that the escape, whose main wheels 4 are of broader gauge than that
of the wheels 5 of the carrying vehicle, can be wheeled into a position in which the.
anti-friction wheels of rollers 2 (which may have flanges as shown) will be upon the
curved or inclined rails or ways 1 at or near their lower ends. The wheels 5
of the vehicle are somewhat small and are mounted on an axle 5 located near
the extreine rear of the vehicle. Upon the fore part of the carrying vehicle 1 are
mounted flanged guide rollers 6 higher than the rails or ways 1ª the arrangement being
such that when the anti-friction wheels or rollers 2 are on the rails or ways..1", the
escape can be tilted about the axis of its axle 3 until a part of the lower ladder 7 rests
upon the flanged guide rollers 6.
.
By means of a set of tackle carried by the vehicle and the lower block 8 of which
is hooked or otherwise connected to the axle 3 of the escape, the escape can be
readily hauled up the inclined rails or ways 1, into a position in which its axle 3 will
be over the rear axle 5ª of the carrying vehicle, where the escape will be held safely
in a suitable position for conveyance. To remove the escape from the vehicle, the
tackle-line is gradually paid out to a sufficient extent to allow the escape to descend
by gravity along the rails or ways 1 until its wheels 4 reach the ground, whereupon
the tackle may be unhooked from the axle 3 of the escape which will then be free to
be used. In place of a hook connection, the axle and the lower tackle block may be
provided with eyes, so that on placing the said eyes in line and passing through
them a pin or bolt the tackle will be connected to the escape; by withdrawing the
pin, or bolt the escape is released. Instead of allowing the escape to descend
gradually, the pin or bolt, may be withdrawn so as to release the escape, and allow it
to run down the rails or ways 1" of the carrying vehicle.
In some cases I provide the lower block of the tackle with a slip hook constructed as
shown in Figs.. 3 and 4 with a pivoted upper jaw 9 against which the axle 3. bears
whilst the same is being held by the hook, and which is retained in its closed position
by a loop 10. This loop is hinged to the body of the slip hook and has attached to
it a line 10 by which it can be pulled clear of the nose 9 of the jaw 9; the hook
then falls clear of the axle and releases the escape.

page_text: In some cases instead of providing the axle 3 of the escape with antifriction
rollers 2, I mount upon each of the rails 1 a small carriage 11 which is provided
with a pair of antifriction rollers 2x and is so formed as to receive upon its upper part
the axle 3 of the escape as seen in Figs. 5 and 6 which show one of the carriages the
corresponding rail and adjacent parts in side and end elevation respectively. The
escape is hauled up the rails 1" on its carriages 11 by means of a tackle with slip hook
as just described. Each carriage 11 is formed with clips or lugs 12 that take under
the head of the rail on which it travels and a stop is provided at the lower ends of the
rail so as to keep the carriage on the rail after the escape is released. If desired the
two carriages 11 may be connected by a bar or the like.
With an arrangement of vehicle and escape such as hereinbefore described, it will
be possible, in case of need, for one man to get off its carrying vehicle any escape of
suitable construction to which this part of my invention is applied.
The carrying vehicle to which my invention is applied, may, except in so far as
regards the pecularities I have indicated, be of any convenient construction, and
adapted to serve any purpose (according to requirements) other than that of carrying
hose, coal and so forth, and may be drawn or propelled by any convenient or
suitable means.
.
At the respective sides of the carriage frame of the escape, bars. 13, 13ª (Fig. 1)
are arranged with a space 13b between them resembling a slot, adapted to
receive anti-friction wheels or rollers 14, carried by pins or axles 15 secured to
the side bars of the lower ladder 7 as shown in Fig. 7. The arrangement is such
that the bars 13 on which the anti-friction wheels or rollers rest serve as ladder slide
bars and that the longitudinal position of the lower ladder in relation to the carriage
frame can be readily adjusted by causing the lower ladder to travel by its rollers 14
on the slide bars 13. With such an arrangement the various parts can be easily got
at for the purpose of inspection, lubrication or otherwise.
In order to enable one man both to keep the escape in its upward position and to
adjust the positions of the ladders in relation to the carriage frame and to one
another, and also to enable the operator to see along the ladders whilst he is
adjusting them in their position, I mount, upon what are known as the folding
levers 16, a framework carrying two set of drums 17 and 18 (see Figs. 1 and 8), with
worm gears 19 and 20 for operating each set independently; the worm shaft 19* of
the gear 19 for operating the worm wheel connected to the set of drums 17 is hollow,
and a portion of the worin shaft 20 for operating the worm connected to the other
set of drums 18 extends through it. The set of drums 17 operates the ropes or
lines 17 for adjusting the position of the ladders in relation to one another
(ordinarily called the ladder extending lines). The ropes or lines 17ª pass round
guide pulleys 17 at the top and bottom of the lower ladder 7 and are made fast to
the lower end of the middle ladder 7*; the upper ladder 7b has attached to its lower 4
end the ropes or lines 17b which pass round pulleys 17e at the head of the middle
ladder.7* and are made fast to the head 7* of the lower ladder 7. Fig. 9 illustrates
the heads of the three ladders. The other set of drums 18 operates the ropes or lines 182
whereby the position of the lower ladder 7 in relation to the carriage frame is
adjusted. These ropes pass from the drums 18 round guide pulleys 18b and are made 4
fast to the forward end of the lower carriage as shown in Fig. 1; or, instead of being
made fast to the lower carriage, they may be passed round pulleys at the forward end
thereof and brought back to the heel board of the main ladder, if desired. The
drums, extension lines, and pulleys are in duplicate sets, one set being at each side
of the escape; in the event of either set being out of order, the other set is
capable of operating the ladders. The guide pulleys are all of comparatively large
diameter, say not less than six inches, so as to prevent the ropes or lines, which are
of wire, becoming kinked.
Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate in side elevation and plan a modified arrangement of
ladder extending and adjusting gear. In this arrangement the drums 17 and 18 5
are fixed upon cross shafts 17 and 18* respectively and the drums at one side are
provided with spur wheels 21, 22 and ratchet wheels 23 and 24 respectively.

page_text: 25 and 26 are cross shafts mounted in bearings attached to opposite sides of the
folding levers 16 and having projecting. squared ends, adapted to receive crank-
handles. Upon the shafts 25 and 26 are keyed pinions 27 and 28 that gear respec-
tively with the wheels 21 and 22 and loosely mounted on the skid shafts are
detents 29 and 30 that can be caused to engage with the ratchet wheels 23 and 24
when required and prevent them turning backward. As will be seen each; set of
drums is independent of the other and can be operated from either or both sides
of the escape.
i
The side bars of the ladders 7, 7 and 7b are by preference made with projecting ribs
or webs 31 (Figs. 12 and 13) at the inner sides of their upper edges, the depth. of
such ribs or webs being inade to vary in a manner such that, when the ladders are
fully extended, the upper edges of the combined ribs or webs will describe a curve
and resemble a girder having its greatest depth at some distance above the centre of
its length, so as to be of increased strength where the maximum strain. has to be
resisted. Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of such an escape fully extended. The ribs or
webs of the main or lower ladder may be of uniform depth and those of the middle
ladder may also be of uniform but of less depth than those of the former. The top
ladder, in this case, is made with ribs or webs that taper or gradually decrease in
depth towards the upper end.
In constructing the escape: ladders I usually adopt an improvement for which I
have made sèparate application for Letters Patent viz. No. 4571 dated 19 February
1897, that is to say, at the inner side of each bar, a shoulder 32 (Fig. 13) is formed,
adapted to receive and afford a bed or support for a slight flange or projection 33
formed on each of the ladder-round socket pieces 34, the arrangement being such as
to take part of the shearing strain off the screws whereby the said socket pieces are.
fastened to the side bars of the ladder.
Figs. 14 and 15 illustrate a construction of escape for enabling it when travelling
on its own wheels, to be drawn by a draught animal (or animals). For this purpose
the underframe of the carriage is provided with sockets 36 into which the end
portions of removable shafts 37 are inserted, the shafts being held in place by pins 38.
The position of the ladders on the slide bars 13 is so adjusted, when the escape is to be
drawn on its own wheels that they have a slight tendency to tip backward and the
fore part of the ladders is connected to the saddle or belly band of the horse or other
draught animal. Sockets such as those shown may be arranged centrally to receive a
pole, if it be desired to harness two animals to the escape.
Fig. 16 shows an arrangement for the same purpose in which the shafts 37 are
permanently attached to the escape and are in two or more parts arranged to
slide telescopically, or in guides one alongside the other, so as to occupy an inward
and out-of-the-way position between the wheels and near the lower portion of the
carriage frame when not in use, but to be capable of being drawn out and secured in
their outward position by means of pins or catches 38 when an animal (or
animals) is or are to be harnessed to the escape. The shafts may, if desired, be
hinged or jointed, sliding collars or other devices being provided for securing the
parts in their extended positions.
My present invention comprises several improvements as above explained which
may be used conjointly or separately.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that
what I claim is :-
1. The hereinbefore described improvements in fire escapes and their carrying
vehicles, whereby an escape can be readily hauled up on antifriction wheels or
rollers supporting its axle into a position in which the said axle will be over one
of the axles of the carrying vehicle, and, when required, can be readily removed from
such vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2,
and to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings annexed.

page_text: In a fire escape, providing the carriage frame with slotted slide bars adapted to
receive antifriction wheels or rollers secured to the side bars of the lower ladder,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. The arrangement on the folding levers of a fire escape of two sets of drums
adapted to be operated independently of each other for the purpose of adjusting
by means of ropes or lines the positions of the ladders in relation to one another
and the position of the lower ladder in relation to the carriage frame substan-
tially as hereinbefore described with reference to and shown in the drawings
annexed..
4. A fire escape the ladders of which have side bars with projecting ribs or webs at
-the-inner-sides of their upper edges the depth of said ribs or webs being made
to vary in the manner and for the purpose described with reference to and shown in
the drawings annexed.
5. A fire escape or ladder provided with wheels and having fitted to it telescopic,
jointed or removable shafts, substantially as described.
Dated this 19th day of November 1897.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.