Year: 1899

page_text: I, JOHN GEORGE DIXON, of Don Villa, Penistone, in the County of Yorks,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a new or improved portable fire escape, and has for
its object the provision of means for escaping from the upper storeys of buildings
with such apparatus as may conveniently be carried in the pocket of a coat or
small bag.
In carrying my invention into effect I construct a rectangular frame formed of
two plates with ordinary distance pieces and set studs. The lower part of said
frame carries a drum upon which is wound a certain amount of wire or like
flexible material. Said drum being mounted upon an arbor or spindle so that it
may freely rotate according to the tension of the wire or the like wound upon it,
is controlled by a screwed sleeve, which by compression against the tension of a
spiral spring, or independently thereof admits of a brake or speed and power
check being applied at the outset. Said screwed sleeve carries a plate or disc
which bears upon the drum itself, or an annular ring fixed thereon or forming
part thereof, and the amount of brake power thus applied may be graduated
according to the weight of the person or persons depending upon the frame in its
descent. Upon the drum aforesaid, is wound a wire, single, stranded or flattened,
one end being firmly fixed to the drum, and the other provided with a loop
or the like for firm attachment to any fixture in a room, or heavy furniture. The
upper part of the frame hereinbefore described, carries a bobbin or reel which has
an inwardly curved face, and acts as a pulley, or roller guide. A single or
stranded wire is passed under said pulley and the free end wound upon a bobbin
or in a ball is thrown out of the window of the fired building. In order to facili-
tate the fall of this, and its reception by the bystanders, a roll or ball of twine
or tape with a weighted end may be added to the end of said wire, hereinafter called;
the guide wire."
"
In using my invention in case of fire the end of the guide wire is passed under
the guide pulley, and fastened to any point of fixture, also the free end of the reeled
wire or the like upon the drum. The frame thus forms a carriage upon the guide
wire, which is presumably drawn taut by the bystanders or firemen. The person
using the device clips one wrist or arm in the circlet provided for it, dependent'
from the frame, and having previously set the brake to correspond to the weight,
depends upon the carriage supported by the guide wire, and safely descends, the
wire gradually unwinding from the drum. A saddle or stirrup carrier may be
provided instead of the suspension before described, and this may be so hinged or.
pirotted that the whole may be sufficiently portable for ordinary purposes in the
pocket or hand bag.
The essential feature of my invention is in the provision of a guide wire and
travelling carriage with a check or brake action rendered adjustable according.

page_text: to the weight carried, the whole being capable of packing within a small compass
and being also easy of access when the emergency for use occurs.
Dated this with day of February 1899
FREDK. WALKER.
73, St. Steplien's Road, Upton Park, E.,
Agent for the Applicant.
I, JOHN GEORGE DIXON, 55, Norfolk Street, Sheffield, formerly of Don Villa,
Penistone, in the County of York, Engineer, 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 invention relates to a new or improved portable fire escape and has for
its object the provision of means for escaping from upper storeys of buildings
with such apparatus as may conveniently be carried in the pocket of a coat or
small hand bag.
To carry out my invention I construct a frame formed of two plates with
ordinary screwed distance pieces or studs between them.
In the centre of said frame I carry a drum upon which is wound a certain
amount of wire or like flexible material.
The said drum is mounted upon an arbor or hollow spindle so that it may
freely rotate thereon. The tension of the wire or the like material wound thereon
is controlled by a screwed sleeve, which by compression against suitable friction
washers forms a brake or check, and may be varied to suit the load to be lowered.
The said screwed sleeve carries a plate or disc which bears upon the flange of
the said drum, through the medium of a leather or other washer and is adjusted
to correspond with the weight it has to lower. The opposite end flange is graduated
and marked with registering weight figures from zero to twenty stones.
The head of the central screwed stud forms a pointer to indicate the weight being
automatically lowered. Upon the said drum is wound wire or rope firmly fixed
at one end to the drum and the other end provided with a loop for firm attachment
to any fixture in a room.
A reel or bobbin carries sufficient guide wire to be passed from the upper storey
to an attendant outside, who may fix it or hold it whilst the descent is made.
A loop upon the top the first named frame, through which the guide wire
is passed, allows the descent to be accomplished without contact with the burning
building.
A clip or wrist strap or loop is attached to the lower part of the said frame;
or a small basket in lieu thereof when used for rescuing children or valuables, may
be used. The person escaping by means of this apparatus launches himself free
of the building holding the aforesaid loop; which with the drum commences
to slide down the anchored taut rope.
In order that my said invention may be better understood I have furnished
herewith two plates of drawings with letters of reference.
Sheet 1. Fig. 1 shews my apparatus in side elevation partly in vertical section
and partly with the outer cover removed.
Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the drum.
Fig. 3 is an outside elevation shewing the registering plate and index.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the anchor reel and attachment frame and hook,
Also set screw for braking the drum when paving out cord.

page_text: Fig. 5 is a front view of same. The like letters refer to the same parts in all
the figures.
Fig. 1. A, A are the two outside plates forming the frame work.
B is the friction rope drum.
Cis the screwed centre adjusting stud with thumb indicator at the outer end
and is screwed in the body part into the hollow arbor A' cast with the outer
Hange A.
Dare the four distance studs for holding the frame together.
E is the loose friction plate held by the cover plate A by means of studs A³.
Fare loose leather friction washers.
G is the guide loop through which the anchored wire passes.
His the hand loop, strap or basket for lowering the load.
1 is the coiled rope on drum.
A is the indicator plate.
Figs. 4 and 5, side and front elevation of rope bobbin. J is the hook, L the
frame M the bobbin, K the set screw for braking the speed of M to prevent the
rope unwinding,
Sheet 2. Fig. 6 shews the anchor and lowering drum in action. The loop Gis
shewn sliding down the taut rope R secured to a bed post Y and anchored on the
ground at Z. The screw Chaving been set to the registered weight the descent
is now made.
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:-
First. The combination of a drum mounted loosely upon a hollow internally
screwed arbor with leather or like friction washers and a central screwed stud
forming an adjustable brake or controlling force easily regulated to the load being
lowered, substantially as illustrated and described.
Second. The combination of a rope reel and wire guide and lowering drum so
as to be capable of being carried in the pocket or in a small hand bag substantially
as described.