IMPROVE- MENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES, AND IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE PERSONS EMPLOYED IN CHIMNEY WINDOWs
Year: 1848

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
BROWNE, of Osnaburgh Street, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eleventh day of
November, One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, in the twelfth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said John Browne, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, Her especial' licence,
full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said John Browne, my
exors, admiors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Browne,
my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed;
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES, AND IN APPARATUS TO FACILITATE PERSONS EMPLOYED IN
CHIMNEY WINDOWs;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that
I, the said Johu Browne, should cause a particular description of the nature
of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by
an instrument in writing under my hand and seal; to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in

page_text: and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Browne, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described and
ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon,
that is to say:-
The Invention for facilitating the means of painting and cleaning windows
is denominated the balconlieu, as representing and affording the conveniences
that may be derived from a balcony either for painting or cleaning windows,
or as affording an opportunity for attaching a fire escape thereto, which would
carry the person descending several feet beyond the walls of the house, out of
the reach of the flames.
not new.
My fire escape consists of a knotted rope, the knots about one foot asunder,
which in case of necessity is attached to the balconlieu, but which separately is
In forming the balconlieu its essential qualities were to combine
lightness, convenience, and strength, to embrace the great object of allowing
persons to go outside the window and do their work in comparative safety, with
the advantage of the machine being so light and manageable as to be carried
or wheeled about.
A platform of wood (it may be made of other materials) round which is a
railing to represent a balcony to prevent persons from falling; to this platform
is attached two beams or arms, these beams or arms are perforated with holes
to receive the ring pins, which ring pins should be made strong as they have
to bear a great weight, having to keep together the supporting and perforated
bar, and the perforated arms or beams of the balconlieu when put out of the
window, and is resting upon the window. This cross bar so attached will
prevent the balconlieu from falling out of the window, added to which there
are ring safety pinnacles like skewers, likewise to put into holes in the arms
of the balconlieu that support the balconlieu from falling; by way of strengthen-
ing these holes a plate of iron is attached with corresponding holes, the
pinnacles going through both and receiving the pressure of the balconlieu;
there are bearers and screws attached to the arms of the balconlieu meant to
divide the weight and pressure made upon the arms of the balconlieu, likewise
to take off the weight from the arms of the balconlieu and counteract the
tendency to fall outwards. There is a drop plank or step which can move up
or down, so that when putting the balconlieu out of the window, the drop
plank is up, but as soon as it passes beyond the stone window ledge it drops down,

page_text: then its destination is to press against the wall bearing the weight and pressure
of the balconlieu with persons in it, therefore from its construction it must be
made to afford great resistance. The points looked to for bearing great
pressure are both ends of the drop plank, the arms of the balconlieu, the long
cross bar, and the ring pins, and ring pinnacles; various means may be
adopted for facilitating the fall and rise of the drop plank. Rope, string, or
chains, or iron bars may be used, but the principle I prefer is an oblong iron
frame that passes through both the platform and drop plank, with iron
support or barriers, so that a freedom of play is allowed to the iron oblong
frame, at the same time affording great security. The drop plank may be
held up in various ways; I have adopted a wood or metal button that turns,
holding up or letting down at pleasure. There is a bar running across the
platform to answer for a seat. There are likewise handles or branches at
the wheel end of the balconlieu, to be used when it is desirable to carry
the balconlieu instead of wheeling it. There is likewise a step board on each
side of the platform for the purpose of standing on to afford a higher reach to
the balcon boys or others. Likewise, to secure the balcon boys or others,"
when in the balconlieu from the rain, or heat, and glare of the sun, there is
a testor or canopy that can be put on or taken off when required, the rails
affording means for holding the uprights, wands, or pillars, which support the
testor or canopy. This novelty is particularly desirable, as there are incon-
veniences attached to cleaning or painting windows during rainy weather or
when the sun is shining on the windows.
The balconlieu saddle is formed as if two wide ladders or steps were put
together, wider at bottom, and attached at the top, as with binges or as
fixtures, the top part may be stuffed to represent a saddle to sit upon.
There
is on each side a step or stirrup to rest the feet upon, besides a mounting bar
to give the balcon boys or others a higher reach. This bar can be heightened
or lowered at pleasure. There are likewise balance cans to hold the ingredients
necessary for window cleaning; it can conveniently be carried by being put
over the bar, and it balances itself.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents the balconlieu; Figure 2, the balconlieu and tester or
canopy; and Figure 3, the saddle or step saddle. A, the platform; B, the
perforated arms; C, the standing step; D, the support; E, the balcon rails;
F, the tester rods; G, the tester or canopy; H, the supporter with screw;
J, the balconlieu side boards; K, the balance cans; L, the ring pinnacles;
M. the ring uins: N. the dronning plank or step: O. the plank or step

page_text: holder; P, one or more wheels; Q, the handles or supporters. ;-S, the bar
or seat; T, the balconlieu saddle; V, the stirrup part with step; W, the
roving step; Y, the wheel or wheels; X, the can bar; and Z, the seat of the
saddle.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Browne, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-nine.