Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 1st Feb., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1889
RESERVE
I. CHARLES TATAM, of No. 3, Ramsgate, Louth, Lincolnshire, “Builder" do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
The fire escape constructed according to this Invention consists of an Iron Cylinder
within which is placed an iron drum of such a diameter as to leave a space all round,
and around this inside drum works a wire ladder, capable of carrying a considerable
weight. The rounds of the Ladder are made of half inch steel. This appliance can
be fixed at a Bed Room window for throwing into the street in case of fire or
emergency.
Inside the iron drum is placed an alarum which no one can interfere with without
putting it into action—and it rings a Bell for a time which is sufficient to call the
attention of the inmates of any House, Hotel or any other Building.

page_text: I CHARLES TATAM of No. 3 Ramsgate Louth Lincolnshire Builder 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 fire escape constructed according to my Invention consists of a cylinder casing
or container (preferably. of iron) within which is mounted a drum or spindle (also
preferably of iron) of such a diameter as to leave a considerable space all round
between itself and the interior of the cylinder casing or container and around
this inside drum or spindle is coiled a ladder capable of carrying a considerable
weight. This ladder is most conveniently made of two steel wire ropes which support
between them at suitable intervals "rounds" or cross bars preferably of steel. The
inner or upper ends of the wire ropes are secured to the drum or spindle and when
the ladder is coiled up on the said drum or spindle within the cylindler or casing its
outer or lower ends protrude through a slot or opening in the cylinder or casing.
The cylinder or casing can be fixed at a bedroom window or other place and the
ladder be unwound and thrown into the street or to the ground or other place of safety
to allow of descent by it in case of fire or emergency.
The accompanying drawing shews in cross section in Figure 1 in plan with the top
removed in Figure 2 and in perspective in Figure 3 an apparatus made according to
my Invention in what I consider the most convenient way although I do not limit
myself to the precise details shewn. A is the outer casing or cylinder con-
sisting of the lower part a with a base a² for fixing it outside a window or in other
suitable place, and of an upper part a³ the lower and upper parts being removeably
secured together by screwed bolts passing through the lugs at formed on both the
parts of the casing A. B is a drum mounted axially in the casing A and provided at
one end with an external handle C for turning the drum B. Firmly secured to the
drum B are the inward ends of the ropes D which carry the rounds d so that it
constitutes a ladder.
The outward ends of this ladder pass through a slot or opening a³ at least the
length of the width of the ladder. Normally or when the apparatus is not in use
the ladder is coiled up upon the drum B occupying the space between it and the
interior of the casing A the end of the ladder protruding from the slot a. When the
apparatus is to be used the ladder is unwound from the drum and descends to the ground

page_text: or other place of safety. Loops are shewn at the lower end of the ladder for holding
or securing it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
A fire escape consisting of the combination of a drum or spindle carried in a
casing or container and having a ladder capable of being coiled upon it and of
being uncoiled therefrom substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.