Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 30th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 31st Dec., 1888
GEORGE RICHARD TASKER.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Roof Ventilator and Smoke Escape for Theatres and other
Buildings.
GEORGE RICHARD TASKER of No. 3 Cumberland Terrace Lloyd Square W.C. in
the County of Middlesex, Surveyor, 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 :-
My said invention relates to the construction of a shutter A or blind B or both so
arranged on the roof over stage to Theatres Music Halls, Public or other Buildings
that it can be quickly opened for ventilation and in case of fire allowing smoke to
escape, they are connected with a shaft C running through centre of roof to any.
length required and so arranged that in a few seconds the whole or part of roof may
be uncovered, if only half the roof is to be opened two shutters may be used, but if
the whole of the roof is required to be opened two roller blinds must be used either
will make no difference in the invention in opening either part or the whole of the
roof as both will be worked by the same shaft, the large drum in centre to be
regulated in size according to the materials used and size of Shutter and Blind the
small drum at side of last mentioned drum to be so arranged in size for counterweight
to balance the shutter or blind so that they may be easily worked see drawing the
large drum D will be connected with line E to a small working barrel 6 inches in
diameter with ratchet at end or single purchase crab fixed on the level of floor
secured to wall at a convenient height and so arranged that by removing the pawl the
shutter and blind is released and allowed to open all or any portion of roof, the same
may be quickly closed by winding up the barrel or crab in the ordinary way with
crank handle and when up its required height to be secured by the pawl.
To carry out my invention, Shutters or blinds may be used and may be made
wholly of wood or iron covered with paper canvas or metal or any other material
if shutters are used it will be necessary to fix bearers about 12 feet apart with
wrot iron rails securely fixed. on top of same and as a guide for grooved gun
metal wheels, the size and number to be regulated by the size of the shutter or
opening required in roof, strong chains as checks to be securely fixed to each
bearer, when shutter is up in position the chains to hang loose but when the
shutter is open to its full width the chains to check it from sliding off roof, the
shutter to be raised or lowered by two strong steel wire ropes or chains one end
of which is to be made fast to roof and the other to the shaft C and attached
to shutter with a single strong pulley at each end by this arrangement the weight
of shutter will be releived one half on the shaft.
If the blinds are to be used for existing roof it will only be necessary to remove
the slating and boarding and fix sunk gutters at ends and roller resting on the
rafters the whole length. At each end of roller a cog wheel and a rack will be
required with a loop eyed cotter at ends for attachment of rope, the roller will be
attached to the shaft C by two steel wire ropes or chains in the same way as

page_text: suggested for shutter, but there is provided two additional ropes or chains for
checking fixed to roof and so arranged that when the roller is down the chain being
out to its full length to check same so that roller cannot go further but when the
roller is up in its place the chain is coiled round ends of roller the shaft C may
be of wood or metal securely fixed on proper bearers and the whole length of the
shutter or blind and connected at each end to both shutter and blind by the ropes
and chains as before specified and by its being released both is at the same time let
down this is accomplished by fixing on shaft a large and a small drum fixed side by
side the sizes of which must be varied according to the weight required to be dealt
with by the counterweight of the shutter and blind the small drum to be used for a
counterweight to regulate the working of shutter and blind, the large drum D is so
arranged that by connecting same with a strong rope to a single purchase crab or
barrel fixed on floor so arranged that it can be thrown out of gear and left to ratchet.
wheel & pawl.
F shews Blind when open G G shows blind & shutter closed.
Having thus particularly described my said invention and the manner of performing
the same I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise details herein
described or delineated but that what I believe to be novel and original and claim is,
1. The arranging or combining together of the parts of ventilating apparatus
substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described.
2. The connecting of the blind and shutter to the shaft is so arranged that they
can be opened thus, the shutter one half the roof and the blind the whole of the roof,
or two shutters, or two blinds may be used.
Dated this 30th day of October 1888.