Improvements connected with the Balconies of Houses, Theatres, Hotels, and other Private or Public Buildings.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Sept., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 14th Mar., 1895--Accepted, 4th May, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements connected with the Balconies of Houses, Theatres,
Hotels, and other Private or Public Buildings.
I, HENRY THOMAS GEORGE WYBROW of 62, Reservoir Road, Edgbaston,
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Tailor, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
:-
My invention has for its object to make the balconies which run along in front of
houses, hotels, theatres and other buildings, serve a double purpose, namely besides
I also construct them
the ordinary use to which they are put, that of standing on.
so that they will contain or form a ladder, or staircase, which can be let down and
be-used as a means whereby persons can get out of the buildings; in cases of fire,
for instance, my invention will be found exceptionally valuable as my combined
balcony and staircase then provides a ready and effective means of escape.
I prefer to provide the buildings to which this invention is to be applied with a
balcony as usual excepting that it has no bottom and to the inside of this balcony,
or false balcony, I fit a ladder or staircase.
This ladder or staircase is hinged at its end next to the window, and its other
end is suspended by means of a chain or chains to a pulley or wheel, situated at a
suitable point of the building. The pulley or wheel is provided with a crank
whereby the staircase can be raised and brought up inside the balcony, whilst on
releasing the pulley or wheel the staircase will practically descend of its own
weight.
I prefer to make the ladder or staircase with hinged or pivotted steps or treads,
moving in guide ways. When the staircase lies inside the balcony, the steps or
treads all lie horizontally and form a bottom for the balcony, when the staircase
however has been let down the steps or treads, by the raising of a rail to which
they are connected, turn in their guide ways and come into the proper position
for use.
When the ladder or staircase is of considerable weight hydraulic or other
means may be made use of for raising it instead of simply depending on the hand.
Birmingham, September 25th 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & CO.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements connected with the Balconies of Houses, Theatres,
Hotels, and other Private or Public Buildings.
I, HENRY THOMAS GEORGE WYBROW of 62, Reservoir Road, Edgbaston,
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Tailor, 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 has for its object the making of balconies fixed to the front, or
any other part, of houses, theatres, hotels, and other private or public buildings
serve a variety of purposes, besides that of being walked upon as now, namely

page_text: I construct such balconies so that the floor and other parts of the same can be let
down and form a safe and complete staircase.
In cases of fire my invention will be found invaluable, as it immediately provides
a safe, ready, and effective ineans of escape. It will also be found most advantageous
for general purposes.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will describe it by means
of the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Fig. 1 is a front view of a building fitted with my invention.
Fig. 2 is a side view and Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the balcony-
staircase hereinafter more fully described.
I prefer providing buildings with a balcony-staircase A and I make a portion B
form a staircase hinged at C for the purpose of lowering, the end D being supported
and suspended by a steel-wire, or by other strong ropes or chains, E. These ropes
or chains will be fixed on either side of the balcony-staircase at X X and will
pass over wheels at Y. The outer rope or chain passing through a curved tube F,
then running over wheels at Y into the building on to a pulley or drum provided
with a crank, whereby the balcony-staircase can be raised or lowered at will, or
be made level with the remaining (or fixed) portion of the balcony. On releasing
ropes or chains E the balcony-staircase will practically descend of its own weight
and so providing at whatever angle it may be lowered a perfect tread.
I prefer to make the balcony-staircase with pivotted steps or treads G (as shewn
in Fig. 3) and the bannisters L move in guide ways for the purpose herein
specified.
H H are the pivots of the treads G turning within circles at given distances in
the threads I, which are at each side of the balcony staircase B.
The band rails J also on each side of the balcony staircase are provided with
slots or recesses K at given distances forming guide ways of requisite size and
shape for the upper ends of the bannisters L to adequately perform their necessary
functions. The lower ends of the bannisters L are fixed rigidly to the treads G
whereby the bannisters and treads are always perpendicular and horizontal
respectively.
When the balcony-staircase is closed the treads remain in proper alignment
towards one another through the upper ends of the bannisters resting against the
interior of slots or recesses K, the edges of the treads being adjacent and so
forming a perfect floor. M M are brackets for supporting the balcony-staircase
and are secured to guides of building.
When the balcony-staircase is lowered, the treads turn on their pivots and come
into proper position for use as a staircase, (their movement, as will be understood
from the foregoing, being limited by the guide ways of the slots or recesses K.).
When the construction is of considerable weight hydraulic or other means may
le used for working in lieu of hand power.
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 :-
I. A balcony-staircase of the kind stated, with a hinged and suspended part B
the floor of which part B is formed by strips G all substantially for the purposes
specified.
II. In a balcony of the kind specified in Claim One providing the treads G with
pivots and limiting their movement by guide ways for the purposes specified.
III. The general construction of balcony-staircases for houses, theatres, hotels,
warehouses, factories and other private and public buildings substantially as
herein before described and shown.
Birmingham 13th March 1805