Improvements in and relating to Fire-escapes or Firemen's Ladders.
Year: 1889

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Fire-escapes or Firemen's
Ladders.
1, EVERETT BRUCE PRESTON, of No. 23 Delaware Place in the City of Chicago in
the County of Cook and State of Illinois United States of America, Manufacturer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the samo is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to extension ladders mounted upon wheeled trucks and
designed for use by fire departments in Cities.
The object of my invention is to provide an extension Indder truck of a simple,
efficient and durablo construction, which may be quickly raised and extended and
which when raised may be turned or directed to any point or part of a building
desired, and the raising mechanism of which may be operated in whatever position
the ladder may be turned in relation to the truck.
In my invention the ladder is pivotally supported upon a turn table mounted upon
a truck. Three ladders are employed, one sliding or telescoping upon another and
combined with suitable mechanism for extending them. The main ladder which is
pivotally supported on the turn table is raised to any desired elevation or inclination
by a screw. This screw has right and left hand threads and is furnished with two
nuts or threaded bars, to one of which the main ladder is pivoted, and to the other of
which is pivoted a connecting link so that as the two nuts or threaded bars approach
each other by revolving the screw the ladder will be raised. The screw is furnished
with a beveled gear at each end which mesh with bevel gears on crank shafts extending
out each side of the truck in convenient position for operation in whatever position
the turn table may be turned in respect to the truck frame. The screw serves not only
The extension
to raise the ladder but to hold it in any position desired for use.
ladders are furnished with friction rollers, so that they may slide easily on each other.
My invention consists in the novel devices and novel combinations of parts and
devices herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, and in which
similar letters of reference indicate like parts, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a turn table
extension fire ladder truck embodying my invention; .Fig. 2 is a detail or diagram
view showing the rope or tackling connecting the main ladder and the two extension
ladders; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view showing the driver's seat thrown forward,
in the dotted lines, in position for raising the ladder; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged
cross sections on lines 4-4, 5-5, and 6-6 respectively of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detail
side elevation of the fifth wheel and turn table and springs showing the means for
Fig. 8 is
clamping or securing the fifth wheel rigidly to the front axle of the truck.
a plan view of the truck; Fig. 9, is an enlarged side elevation showing the mechanism
for raising the main ladder and Fig. 10 is a plan view of the same. Figs. 11 and 12
together show a plan view of the truck frame, the former showing the front half and
the latter the rear half of the same; Figs. 13 and 14 are enlarged cross sections on
lines 13-13, and 14-14 of Figs. 11 and 12, respectively. Figs. 15 and 16 are
enlarged side elevations of the front and rear ends respectively of the truck frame.
Fig. 17 is a cross section on line 17-17 of Fig. 15, showing the side step. Figs. 18
and 19 together show a side elevation of the main ladder, the former showing the
lower and the latter the upper end of the same. Figs. 20 and 21 together show
a plan view of the main ladder, the former being the lower and the latter the
upper end of the same. Figs. 22 and 23 together show a side elevation of
one of the extension ladders, the former being the lower and the latter the
upper end of the same. Figs. 24 and 25 together show a plan view of one of

page_text: the extension ladders. Fig. 26 is a vertical cross section of the truck frame
taken on line 26-26 of Fig. 16. Figs. 27 and 28 are enlarged views illustrating
the friction roller for the extension ladder. Fig. 29 is an enlarged view of the
nut or threaded bar at the rear end of the screw to which the connecting links
are pivoted. Fig. 30 is a similar view of the threaded bar or nut to which the
main ladder is pivoted. Fig. 31 is a side elevation showing the latch or safety
hook with which the extension ladders are provided. Fig. 32 is a plan view
showing the brake connecting mechanism. Fig. 33 a side elevation of the brake
operating lever and Fig. 34 a side elevation of the brake shoe. And Figs. 35,
36 and 37 are detail views of the mechanism for locking the rear fifth wheel in
position.
In the drawing A represents the wheels of the truck, A" the axles, A² the
springs, A the spider or frame to which the lower ring A4 of the fifth wheel A'
is secured. B is the truck frame having steel side bars 6 furnished with cross
brace arms and diagonal brace rods 62. The fifth wheel rings A are rigidly
secured to the cross bars b₁.
To securely clamp the two rings A' and A' of the fifth wheel together when
the ladder is elevated or in use, clips a are provided, as shown in Fig. 7. And
to fix the truck frame B rigidly to the axles A' so that the ladders when raised
will not be made to vibrate by the yielding of the springs A³, I provide clips a³
which fit over the axle A¹ and are pivotally connected at a³ to the spider or frame A².
The clips are furnished with a turn buckle a for tightening them after they
are placed on the axle, as shown in Fig. 7. When the ladder is not raised or in use
the swinging clips a are supported by a link a attached to the spider A³.
The truck frame B is furnished with truss rods ³, and also with side steps B¹
supported on dependent brackets b*.
The truck frame is also provided with vertical standards B2 having cross bars B³
for strengthening and bracing the same and upon which the main ladder D rests.
The standards B are also furnished with rollers or revolvable bars B upon which
the hand ladders are supported. The rollers B should be furnished with a rubber
hose or other similar covering B³ to prevent marring the hand ladders as they
are pushed or pulled out. By supporting the band ladders on revolving bars or
rollers I am enabled to remove the hand ladders from the truck very quickly and
easily. The cross bars B³ which support the main or pivoted ladder are arranged high
enough on the standards B2 to give room for as many hand ladders between the truck
frame and the main ladder, as may be desired.
The rear axle A' has the same fifth wheel connected with the truck frame as the
front axle. The pole or tongue A is connected in the usual way to the front axle,
and the fifth wheel of the rear axle is furnished with a steering mechanism hereinafter
described.
For the purpose of locking the rear fifth wheel so that the two rings A* A³ can not
turn on each other I provide the rings A A with holes a' a" which register together
when the rear wheels are parallel with the truck frame, in which holes a locking
bolt A fits. This locking bolt A' has a rounded or conical point and is actuated
automatically by a coil spring A8 which fits in a case A' attached to the upper ring A'
of the fifth wheel.
The locking bolt A' is lifted so as to release or unlock the two rings of the fifth
wheel and leave them free to move by means of a pivoted lever A10. The free end of
this lever fits in a guard a which is provided with a hook a' for holding the spring
locking bolt A' in its retracted position.
This locking bolt serves to hold the fifth wheel in position and renders it unnecessary
for the steersman to hold the steering wheel when the truck is persuing a straight
course. It is also a matter of convenience especially in running the truck out of the
engine house and on occasions when no one can conveniently be spared for operating
or holding the steering wheel.
When it is desired to lock the fifth wheel all the operator is required to do is simply
to release the lever A10 from the hook a' and then when the rear wheels
are turned

page_text: parallel with the truck frame the spring actuated locking bolt A' will enter the
bole a' and lock the two rings of the fifth wheel rigidly together.
The upper ring C of the turn table upon which the main ladder is pivoted turns on
the lower turn table ring C which is secured by suitable brackets C to the truck
frame B.
The movable ring (of the turn table is furnished with bearings C in which the
screw E is journaled. The screw E is furnished with right and left-hand threads e e¹,
and it has two traveling nuts or threaded bars F, F, furnished with friction guide
rollers at each end which travel in guide bars G G, which are rigidly secured to the
turn table C. The guide bars G have slots g the width of which equals the diameter
of the friction roller f, and the friction rollers have collars which fit on each side
of the guide bars G. The guide bars G are also furnished at their middle with a
stop block g against which the friction rollers fit when the ladder is raised perpen-
dicular.
The side bars of the ladder D are furnished with bent ends or arms d at the lower
extremity of the ladder, and preferably extending at about right angles to the ladder,
so that when the ladder is raised to the vertical position these arms d may rest flat
upon the turn table C and thus give the ladder greater rigidity in its vertical position.
The arms or bent ends d of the ladder are pivoted to the threaded bar or nut F, the
The threaded bar or nut F¹ at the opposite
same fitting outside the friction roller f.
end of the right and left-hand screw E is connected to the ladder through the pivoted
links D¹, one end of these links being pivoted to the ladder at d¹ by the pivot bar d³
and the other end of the links D¹ being pivoted to the threaded bar F. The links D'
fit outside of the side bars of the ladder. By turning the screw E the nuts F F¹ will
approach each other and the ladder will be raised from a horizontal position to any
desired inclination.
The threaded bar F¹ may be simply turned down at each end to form a
spindle for the friction wheels or rollers f and for the connecting links D'. A
nut secures the links D' in place.
As the side bars of the ladder D are rigidly framed together so that the threaded
bar F could not be thus put in place between them I provide the nut F with
removable threaded spindles f³ which may be inserted through the side bars of the
ladder and the friction roller fand then screwed into the threaded bar F, as shown
in Fig. 30.
The screw E is furnished at each end with bevel gears E¹ which mesh with
bevol gears h on the crank shafts H, H, H, H which extend out laterally at right
angles to the screw in convenient position for the firemen to operate the same by
the cranks H. The cranks H₁ fit removably upon tho crank shafts so that when
not in use they may be hung in place on the truck frame. The crank shafts H
are journaled on suitable brackets secured to the turntable C. The main ladder D
is furnished with a main truss rod 3 supported on suitable struts d. The truss
rod d extends from one end of the main ladder to the other, and at the lower end
of the ladder it is furnished with a branch connected thereto by a coupling º.
The main ladder is also provided with a series of brace or truss rods d'extended
between each pair of struts d', as is clearly shown in Fig. 18.
The main ladder D is further provided with pipes D³, preferably of brass,
extending along each side rail under the rungs of the ladder. These pipes are con-
nected together at each end of the ladder by branches D³ D'. These pipes may be
connected at the top to a nozzle D', or to a length of flexible hose which may be
carried by the firemen to any desired height on the extension ladders P and Q. The
apparatus thus serves not only as an aerial ladder, but also as a stand pipe for con-
veying water to a height and directing the stream. The same mechanism which
serves to raise the ladder to any desired inclination for use and to turn or direct it
to any part or window of a burning building as may be required from time to time,
also serves to elevate and direct the stand pipes or water pipes D³ D².
The main ladder D which is pivoted on the turn table is furnished with cross
arms or guides K at intervals, having projections k which fit over the side bars

page_text: of the extension ladder P. The side bars of the ladder P fit between these guide
projections and the friction rollers or wheels on the main ladder D. The
friction rollers upon which the side bars of the ladders P ride may be mounted
upon the rungs of the main ladder D,. and they serve to materially facilitate the
raising or extension of the ladder P. Secured to the extension ladder P are similar
guide bars M, having projections m which fit over the side bars of the final extension
ladder Q, which ride upon the friction rollers m³ mounted on the rungs of the
ladder P.
The two extension ladders P and Q are simultaneously and equally extended by
means of a windlass N journaled on the main ladder D near the lower end thereof,
and having a cable N₁ secured thereto which passes around a pulley n at the top of
the main ladder and which is secured to the extension ladder P by a book n near
the lower end thereof. The movement of the extension ladder P on the main
ladder D simultaneously extends the fly ladder Q on the ladder P by means of a
cable N connected at one end by a hook n² to the main ladder D and passing
around a pulley N³ at the top of the ladder P and secured at its other end to the
ladder Q by a hook n near the lower end of said ladder Q. The cables N and N
are preferably wire cables, though ordinary ropes or chains may be used. The
windlass N is revolved to extend the extension ladders P and Q by means of a crank
shaft having a gear n meshing with a gear n' on the shaft of the windlass N.
R is the driver's seat mounted on the turntable at the front end of the truck. It
is pivoted to the standards R on the turn table so that it may be turned down into
the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 3 and thus be out of the way of the
ladder in the raising of the same. A removable pin which passes through a hole
in the standard R and a similar hole in the leg or shank of the seat serves to
hold the seat in its upright position. R2 is the foot rest mounted upon a bracket R³
secured to the standards R¹. It will be observed that as the main ladder D is
raised the threaded bar F to which the ladder is pivoted moves away from the rigid
seat standards R' so that it is not necessary to remove these standards in order to
raise the ladder, which is a matter of great convenience as well as saving of time,.
the latter being frequently of the utmost importance in the practical operation of
fire apparatus. S is the brake operating lover which projects in convenient position
for operation by the driver. It is connected to the brake levers S¹ S₁ by means
of a cables passing over or around pulleys sands. The cables is connected
to links which are connected to the brake levers S' S¹. This is clearly shown in
Figs. 32 and 34.
The rear spider or frame A* which is connected to the rear axle A' is furnished
with a gear t which meshes with a gear t' on the operating rod or shaft T, so that
by revolving the shaft T the rear wheels may be turned or steered in any direction
desired. The shaft T has a squared end and fits removably in the socket piece (2
to which the gear is rigidly secured. The removable shaft T serves to hold the
hand ladders in place on their racks or supports on the standards B². T is the
steering wheel by which the shaft T is turned. The shaft T has a squared tapering
end which fits in a socket on the shaft of the hand wheel T. The hand
wheel T or its shaft is journaled in or on the frame V, pivotally connected at one
end at to the standards B so that this frame V may be turned into an upright
position when it is desired to raise the ladders. The frame V is secured to the
standards B on opposite sides by a latch connection or pin v¹ which passes through
a slot in the opposite end of the standards B2. A handle or projection V₁ on
the cross bars or frame V serves as a step to hold the frame V in a vertical position 5
when it is turned up out of the way. The steerman's seat V2 is mounted on this
same pivotal or swinging frame V, so that the act of swinging the steering wheel
frame out of the way of the ladders also removes the seat V2.
The squared end of the steering shaft T is made tapering, as indicated in Fig. 26,
so that the pivotal or swinging frame V on which the steering wheel is 5
journaled will permit the steering wheel shaft and the shaft T¹ to properly
engage.

page_text: To prevent difficulty of extending the extension ladders P and Q due to the
friction of the side bars of the ladders on each other, I provide the side bars of the
ladders D, P and Q with vertical friction rollers L L mounted in suitable recesses L'
on the inner face of the side bars of the main ladder D near the top thereof, and on
the outer face of the side bars of the extension ladder P near the bottom thereof;
and also on the inner face of the side bars of the ladder P near the top thereof, and
on the outer face of the side bars of the ladder near the bottom thereof. This is
clearly shown in Figs. 21, 24 25, 27 and 28. It will be observed from Figs. 4, 5
and 6 that the side faces of the side bars of the ladders D, P and Q fit against each
other, and these friction rollers L are designed to give the ladders in connection
with the rollers m¹ a free and easy movement on each other so that they may be
raised quickly and easily.
Each of the extension ladders P and Q is furnished with safe guard hooks W
having a pivoted latch w actuated by a spring wol to prevent the hooks from engaging
the rungs of the ladder when the extension ladder is being lowered. The hook W
has a projection w² against which the spring latch strikes, so as to close the hook.
The hook W also has a nose w³ to adapt it to ride over the rungs of the main
ladder as the extension ladder is raised. To lower the extension ladder it is neces-
sary to first raise it slightly into the relative position indicated in Fig. 31, so that
the spring latch to will clear the rung marked x, and thus move into the position
shown in Fig. 31, care being taken not to raise the extension ladder high enough to
cause the hook W to slip over the rung marked x¹. These safety hooks W, engaging
the rungs of the lower ladder, serve to support the extension ladder independently
of the cable N or N2 while the ladders are in use, and thus to render the apparatus
more safe and secure.
By employing three ladders D, P and Q, the two latter being extended simul-
taneously, the main ladder D may be made much shorter and consequently can be
raised much more easily and quickly by the raising screw mechanism than can be
done where only one extension ladder is employed.
A guide bracket M¹ having a friction roller m² is secured to the extension ladder P
at the lower end thereof and engages the main ladder D on the inner side thereof to
properly secure the ladders together when the ladder P is extended.
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 :-
1st. The turn table truck fire extension aerial ladder, herein shown and
described.
2nd. The turn table truck fire extension ladder having a main ladder pivoted
to the turn table, and screw mechanism for raising the same, substantially as
specified.
3rd. The turn table truck fire extension ladder having a main ladder pivoted to
the turn table, screw mechanism for raising the same and a windlass and cable for
extending the extension ladder or ladders, substantially as specified.
4th. The turn table truck fire extension ladder having a main ladder pivoted: to
the turn table, screw mechanism for raising the same, and water pipes D2 D² secured
to the main ladder and connected together by branches, substantially as specified.
5th. The combination with a turn table truck having a frame B connected to the
axles A of the wheels by fifth wheels and a turn table mounted on the truck frame,
of slotted guide bars G, G secured to the turn table C, right and left screw E, nut
bars F F, main ladder D having bent ends d pivoted to said nut bar F, and pivoted
links D connecting the main ladder and said nut bar F, substantially as specified.
6th. The combination with a turn table truck having a frame B connected to the
axles A' of the wheels by fifth wheels and a turn table (mounted on the truck frame,
of slotted guide bars G G secured to the turn table C, right and left screw E, nut
bars FF, main ladder D having bent ends d pivoted to said nut bar F, pivoted
links D¹ connecting the main ladder and said nut bar F', said screw having beveled

page_text: gears on its ends and crank shafts furnished with beveled gears meshing with beveled
gears on said screw, substantially as specified.
7th. The combination with a turn table truck having a frame B connected to the
axles A¹ of the wheels by fifth wheels and a turn table mounted on the truck frame,
of slotted guide bars G, G secured to the turn table C, right and left screw E, nut
bars FF, main ladder D having bent ends d pivoted to said nut bar F, and pivoted
links D connecting the main ladder and said nut bar F¹, a driver's seat secured to
said truck frame, steering mechanism and a steersman's seat and steering wheels
mounted on a hinged or pivoted frame V, substantially as specified.
8th. The combination with a turn table truck of right and left screw E journaled
upon the turn table, threaded nut bars FF, furnished with friction rollers, and
slotted guide bars G, main ladder D pivoted to said nut bar F, and links D¹ pivoted
to said main ladder and to said nut bar F, substantially as specified.
9th. The combination with a turn table truck of slotted guide bars G having stop
blocks at the middle thereof, right and left-hand screw E, nut bars F F, and
links D, substantially as specified.
10th. The combination with a turn table truck of a right and left screw E,
traveling nut bars FF, ladder D having bent arms & pivoted to said nut bar F,
and
links D pivoted to said nut bar F1, said bent arms resting upon the turn table
when the nuts F F¹ are screwed together near each other thus giving a broad
base for rigidly supporting the ladder in its elevated position, substantially as
specified.
11th. The combination with a turn table truck of a right and left screw E,
traveling nut bars F F¹, ladder D having bent armed pivoted to said nut bar F, and
links D pivoted to said nut bar F', said bent arm d resting upon the turntable when
the nuts F F are screwed together near each other thus giving a broad base for
rigidly supporting the ladder in its elevated position, and slotted guide bars G secured
to the turn table, substantially as specified.
12th. The combination with a turn table truck of a right and left screw E,
traveling bars F F1, ladder D having bent arms d pivoted to said nut bar F, and
links Di pivoted to said nut bar F, said bent arms d resting upon the turn table
when the nuts F are screwed together near each other thus giving a broad base for
rigidly supporting the ladder in its elevated position, and slotted guide bars G secured
to the turn table furnished with stop blocks g¹, substantially as specified.
13th. The combination with a turn table truck of a right and left screw E, traveling
nut bars F F¹, ladder D having bent arms d pivoted to said nut bar F, and
links D¹ pivoted to said nut bar F¹, said bent arm d resting upon the turn table when
the nuts F F are screwed together near each other thus giving a broad base for
rigidly supporting the ladder in its elevated position, and slotted guide bars G secured
to the turn table furnished with stop blocks g¹, said traveling nut bars F F¹ having
friction rollers ff substantially as specified.
14th. The combination with a turn table truck of screw E, traveling nut bar F,
ladder D pivoted to said nut bar and pivoted links D¹, said nut bar F having
removable journal bolts ƒ³ extending through the side bars of the ladders, substantially
as specified.
15th. The combination with a turn table truck of the driver's seat standards R¹
secured rigidly to the turn table, a screw, a traveling nut bar and a ladder pivoted
to said traveling nut bar so that the act of raising the ladder moves the ladder away
from the seat standards thereby permitting the ladder to be raised without removing
the seat standards, substantially as specified.
16th. The combination of the main ladder and extension ladder, the side bars of
the latter fitting within the side bars of the former, and friction rollers for the meeting
side faces of the ladder side bars to bear against substantially as specified.
17th. The combination with the main ladder, extension ladder, of guides for the
upper and lower edges of the ladder side bars to fit against, said guides being furnished
with friction rollers, substantially as specified.
18th. The combination with a turn table truck of a main ladder pivotally mounted

page_text: on the turn table, a screw for raising the same, two extension ladders P and Q, a
windlass N connecting cables N' and N simultaneously raising said extensions ladders
whereby the length of the main ladder may be shortened and the time and force
required for raising it be diminished, substantially as specified.
19th. The combination in a turn tablo having a truck framo B, furnished with
standards B, provided with hand ladder supports b, the rear axle of said truck
having a fifth wheel connection with the truck frame, and a removable steering
shaft extending up through the hand ladders to hold them in place, substantially
as specified.
20th. The combination in a turn table truck having a truck frame mounted upon
fifth wheels, a steering mechanism, a removable steering shaft T, a steering wheel T',
having a socketed shaft engaging the end of said steoring shaft and a pivoted frame V
on which said steering wheel is journaled, said pivoted frame V being pivoted to
upright standards on one side of the truck frame so that it may be swung out of the
way of the ladders when they are being raised, substantially as-specified.
21st. The combination in a turn table truck having a truck frame mounted upon
fifth wheels, a steering mechanism, a removable steering shaft T, a steering wheel T',
having a socketed shaft engaging the end of said steering shaft and a pivoted frame V
on which said steering wheel is journaled, said pivoted frame V being pivoted to
upright standards on one side of the truck frame so that it may be swung out of the
way of the ladders when they are boing raised, said pivoted frame V being furnished
with a steersman's seat V2, substantially as specified.
22nd. The combination with a turn table extension ladder truck having a main
ladder pivotally mounted on the turn table, a screw raising mechanism, of water
pipes secured to the side bars of the main ladder, one on each side, and furnished
with branches connecting the same at top and bottom, substantially as specified.
23rd. The combination in a turn table truck of a rear fifth wheel consisting of
rings A A with a truck frame mounted in the upper ring of the fifth wheel, a
steering mechanism, and a locking bolt engaging said rings A* A* substantially as
specified.
Chicago. :-Marsh 22-1 1880
EVERETT BRUCE PRESTON.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.