IMPROVE- MENTS IN PRIVATE OR DOMESTIC FIRE ESCAPES
Year: 1884

page_text: .
I DAVID WOODWARD COURTNEY PIGGOTT of 59 Bishopsgate Street Without
London Tentmaker do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PRIVATE OR DOMESTIC FIRE ESCAPES to be as follows:-
The Improvements claimed in this invention aro as follows; To provide a Private
or Domestic Fire Escape that shall be so perfectly simple that when required,
a person with or without a previous knowledge can scarcely fail to understand its
working. In the second place its working is so rapid that a large number of
persons can descend in a very few minutes in perfect safety, either men, women or
children; and when not required can pack into a small case under the window
of a bedroom, The case also forming a step up to the entrance of Fire Escape
when ready for use.
The invention consists of a combination of a rope ladder with wood or metal
steps; to the sides of which are attached a long canvas shoot; the whole can be
rendered uninflamenble by being immersed in, or painted with chemical or other
preparation.
The apparatus is supported from the top by an iron frame which projects from
the window of the house using the Fire escape; the inner portion of the frame
being secured to the floor joists of the room, as shown in the accompanying
drawing.
When not in use the frame folds back inside the window, and the ladder and
shoot fold on the top of it, or the whole can be packed in a small box provided for
the purpose.
To use the Fire escape, open the lower window-sash, and throw the end of the
ladder which lies uppermost, out of the window and pay out until the whole is
expended; allowing the frame to follow, which will adjust itself into its proper
position by the chains which are attached to the floor joists.
If any persons in the street then hold out the bottom portion away from the
house, the shoot can be used to greatly facilitate the escape of the inmates; if not ;
the ladder is used to advantage, the persons coming down the ladder within the
shoot, the ladder has not the tendency to turn over, or twist, which is the great
disadvantage of ordinary Fire rope ladders.

page_text: The ladder is also useful for persons in the street to gain admission to the house
to render assistance to those within.
The claim in this invention is for the combination of the wood or metal and rope
ladder and shoot combined, in connection with the frame as described, and shown
in the drawing; and is not depending upon its being rendered uninflameable or
of its being packed in any particular box or covering.
17th of Navambar 188A
I DAVID WOODWARD COURTNEY PIGGOTT of 50 Bishopsgate Street Without
London Tentmaker do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PRIVATE OR DOMESTIC FIRE ESCAPES' and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by tho
following statement :—―
The improvements claimed in this invention are as follows. To provide a
Private or Domestic Fire Escape that shall be so perfectly simple that when
required, a person with or without a previous knowledge can scarcely fail to
understand its working. In the second place its working is so rapid that a large
number of persons can descend in a very few minutes in perfect safety, either men
women or children; and when not required can pack into a small case under the
window of a Bedroom, the case. also forming a step to the entrance of the Fire
Escape when ready for use.
My invention consists of a combination of a rope ladder with wood or metal
steps, to the sides of which are attached a long canvas shoot, the ladder forming
the front or upper portion of the shoot; the whole can be rendered uninflameable
by being immersed in, or painted with chemical or other preparation.
The apparatus is supported from the top by an iron frame which projects from
the window of the house using the Fire Escape; the inner portion of the frame
being secured to the floor joists of the room as shewn in the accompanying
drawing.
When not in use the frame folds back inside the window, and the ladder and
shoot folds on the top of it, or the whole can be packed in a small box provided
for the purpose.
To use the Fire Escape, open the lower window sash and throw the end of the
ladder which lies uppermost out of the window, and pay out until the whole is
expended; allowing the frame to follow, which will adjust itself into its proper
position by the chains which are attached to the floor joists.
If any persons in the street then hold out the bottom portion of the escape away
from the house, the shoot can be used to greatly facilitate the escape of the
inmates; if not, the ladder is used to advantage; the persons coming down the
ladder within the shoot the ladder has not the tendency to turn over or twist,
which is the great disadvantage of ordinary Fire rope ladders. The ladder is also

page_text: useful for persons in the street to gain admission to the house to render assistance
to those within.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is The combination of the wood or metal and rope ladder, and shoot
combined, in connection with the frame as described and shewn in the accom-.
panying drawing.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1884