USE AS A LADDER
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1886.
Complete Left, 2nd Mar., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 3rd May, 1887.
CHARLES COUTTS, DAVID NOTMAN COUTTS, and JOHN COUTTS all of Abbey Road
Barrow in Furness, Coachbuilders, do hereby declare the nature of the invention for
A FIRE ESCAPE, APPLICABLE FOR GENERAL USE AS A LADDER to be as follows:―
Cog wheel and Ratchet movement to move Ladders backwards and forwards on the
Carriage to facilitate transit of same. The same movement to be used in raising the
Ladders into an upright position for use at Fires with movable Drop platform attached
to Ladders to assist Firemen and other people in the rescuing of human lives also
applicable to any Ladders in existence at the present time.

page_text: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fire escape provided with the improvements according
to our Invention. For convenience of space the Figure is shown in two portions.
This view illustrates the fire escape in position-for transit.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the firo escape shown at Figure 1 extended and
reared up for use. This Figure is also shown in two parts for convenience of space.
Figure 3 is a plan of the drop platform.
Figure 4 is an end sectional view taken at XX Figure 1 and shown to an enlarged
scalc.
Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the device for locking the top ladder in position.
Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing the device for focking the bottom ladder and
the carriage in position.
The fire escape shown in the Drawings has an under ladder A and an upper ladder B.
The upper ladder B sliding over and telescoping into the under ladder A as shown in
the Drawings and as common to fire escapes of this type. The ladders are also
provided with the usual stays and with a winch gear for extending the upper
ladder B. In ordinary fire escapes the carriage D and wheels E are fixtures at the
end of the ladder A, namely in the position shown in Figure 2.

page_text: According to our Invention the position of the carriage D and the wheels E in
relation to the ladder A can be altered so that the ladders A and B can be balanced
and thus facilitate their transit from one place to another. The movement of the
carriage D raises the ladders, or fire escape into the upright position ready for use.
We also provide the outer end of the upper ladder B with a drop platform 1.
In the example of a fire escape with our improvements applied thereto illustrated
in the accompanying Drawings and which shows a convenient construction, cach side
bar a of the under ladder A is provided with a rack which is formed of bars fitted
between an angle bar a' and a plate a³. The frame of the carriage D is provided with a
horizontal shaft c on which there are two toothed wheels or pinions d which gear into the
teeth of the rack band two anti friction rollers e on which the side bars a of the ladder A
run and which carry the weight of the ladders A and B. The carriage D is also
provided with side brackets which carry rollers g which guide the top of the ladder A.
h is a secondary shaft fitted on the carriage and having pinions i which gear into the
toothed wheels so as to gain power in moving the ladders A and B backwards and
forwards on the carriage. The secondary shaft is provided with hand wheels k for
operating the toothed wheel gear and thereby moving the ladders. The carriage D
is mounted on the axle E¹ of the wheels E by springs and the under bar 7 of the
carriage is provided with hinged struts m and with a screw clamp n whereby when
the struts m are turned down in the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 4 the
carriage D can be bound rigidly to the axle E' and the elasticity of the springs j
rendered inoperative. When not in use the struts m are held up by the spring
catches m¹.
2 (see Figure 6) is a toothed bar which is hinged on each side of the carriage D
and so as to engage with the teeth of the rack and thereby hold the ladder A and
the carriage D together in any required position. The bar p is worked by the screw
rod and hand wheel r.
The upper ladder B slides between the side bars a of the ladder A and is provided
with anti friction rollers & which run in grooves in the side bars a. The side bars a
are also provided with brackets a³ which carry rollers a to guide the upper ladder B
when being run out and in. The upper ladder B is provided with the usual stop
catch (see Figure 5) to hold the ladder B in position when run out on the ladder A.
The drop platform F is hinged to the end of the ladder B so as to constitute when
turned down as shown at Figure 2 a means of readily gaining access to the ladder
from a window. The end of the ladder is provided with two bars t upto and against
which the platform is held when not in use by the catch and forms part of the
ladder B.
A fire escape ladder provided with the improvements according to our Invention
possesses the following advantages. By reason of the carriage D being made adjust-
able to the ladder A as above set forth the position of the ladder A in relation to the
carriage D can be such (see Figure 1) that the ladders are balanced and thus the fire
escape is easily wheeled from one place to another and to erect the ladder, the carriage
affords a fulcrum for tilting up the ladder and raising it to an upright position. The
drop platform F at the end of the ladder B affords a means of gaining access to tho
ladder from the windows of houses and also provides a scaffold for fire-men to
stand upon.
Although we have described our Invention more particularly as a fire escape, we
would have it understood that it is available for other purposes such as painting
buildings, fixing over head electric wires.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is
First. The construction of apparatus as herein set forth in which the carriage and
ladder are capable of adjustment in relation to one another.
Second. In apparatus of the type herein set forth the use of a rack and wheel, or
equivalent gear by which the position of the carriage and ladder in relation to one
another can be altered, as and for the purposes set forth.

page_text: Third. In apparatus of the type herein set forth the use of a strut, or struts and a
clamp, or an equivalent device by which the elasticity of the springs of the carriage
can be rendered inoperative as set forth.
Fourth. In apparatus of the type herein set forth the use of a drop platform at the
end of the ladder as and for the purposes set forth.
Fifth. In apparatus of the type herein set forth the locking device herein described
and shown in Figure 6 of the Drawings.
Sixth. The particular construction and arrangement of apparatus herein set forth
and shown in the Drawings.