AN INSTRU- MENT OR MACHINE TO TAKE AND CONVEY PERSONS AND GOODS FROM HOUSES, AND FROM THE WINDOWS THEREOF, AND OTHER BUILDINGS, WHEN ON FIRE, AND CONVEY THEM TO THE GROUND WITH SAFETY; AND ALSO TO RAISE AND CONVEY FIREMEN AND OTHER PERSONS, GOODS, AND MATERIALS FROM THE GROUND TO WINDOWS, AND TO THE TOPS OF THE PARAPETS OF HOUSES AND OTHER BUILDINGS, OR TO ANY PART OR PARTS OF THE FRONTS THEREOF, AND TOGATHER FRUIT FROM TREES, AND HOIST OR RAISE PERSONS TO CUT AND PRUNE THE SAME, WITHOUT THE HELP OF LADDERS OR SCAFFOLDS
Year: 1783

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
WHATMORE, of Marshwood House, in the County of Wilts, Esquire, send
greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, by
His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Third day of May, in the twenty-third year of His reign,
did give and grant unto me, the said Edward Whatmore, His especial licence
that I, the said Edward Whatmore, during the term of years therein ex-
pressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within Eng-
land, Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and all other His Majesty's
Dominions, Colonies, and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "AN INSTRU-
MENT OR MACHINE TO TAKE AND CONVEY PERSONS AND GOODS FROM HOUSES, AND
FROM THE WINDOWS THEREOF, AND OTHER BUILDINGS, WHEN ON FIRE, AND CONVEY
THEM TO THE GROUND WITH SAFETY; AND ALSO TO RAISE AND CONVEY FIREMEN AND
OTHER PERSONS, GOODS, AND MATERIALS FROM THE GROUND TO WINDOWS, AND TO THE
TOPS OF THE PARAPETS OF HOUSES AND OTHER BUILDINGS, OR TO ANY PART OR PARTS
OF THE FRONTS THEREOF, AND TO GATHER FRUIT FROM TREES, AND HOIST OR RAISE
PERSONS TO CUT AND PRUNE THE SAME, WITHOUT THE HELP OF LADDERS OR SCAFFOLDS;"
in which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso obliging me, the

page_text: said Edward Whatmore, under my hand and seal, to cause a particular
description of the nature of the said Invention, to be inrolled in His
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within four callender months after the
date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same (relation being
thereunto had) may more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Edward Whatmore, do hereby declare that the said instrument or machine is
described in the several Plans thereof hereunto annexed.
acco
What case man and provided.
Inrolled the Twenty-fifth day of August, One thousand seven hundred
and eighty-three.
EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWING MARKED E. WHATMORE, A, HEREUNTO
ANNEXED.
A, the grand wheel, divided into four quarters by pieces of wood framed
from the ring on one side of the wheel to the ring on the other side thereof,
leaving a cavity the exact dimensions of the thickness of that part of the pole
which goes into the wheel, to admit it to pass through the same, the shaft
whereof is cut through for the same purpose, as appears by the Drawing
thereof marked B, which cavity is made that the lower end of the poles may
be drawn from one side to the other, as occasion may require. This wheel is
made of iron and wood.
C, the pole, to be of any length as the heighth of the buildings may require,
which is prevented entering farther into the wheel than its proper place by a
shoulder at 1, at which place an iron bolt is put through the pieces that goes
from one ring of the wheel to the other, and through the pole, that the whole
weight of the pole and its lading may rest on that bolt when the pole is
perpendicular.

page_text: D, D, a chain, with a large strong square collar fixed in the middle thereof,
on the upper side, through which the end of the pole passes, and which said
pole is cut forked at the end thereof, sufficient to stride, as it were, the under
part of the chain, and permit the lower end of the pole to pass from side to side
of the wheel. This chain may be made of iron or steel, and the rollers which
the chain goes round, marked 2, 2, and 3, 3, are wood, bound with iron, and
are fixed between the arms of the grand wheel on each side at E, and are
turned round by iron or wooden lavers; therefore, when the pole is fixed in the
upper part of the wheel (by the bolt at 1, herein-before described) by drawing
the lower end of the pole to one side of the wheel, regulates the same to lean
over areas, and draw it upright again, as occasion may require. The lavers
are made less at one end than at the other, that the small ends may pass
through the roller into the ring of the grand wheel, to stop and fix it at any
place, as occasion may require.
F, a roller, also made of wood, and bound with iron fixed between the arms
of the grand wheel on each side, one of which will be used to raise the tub
marked G higher, or let it lower, for the purpose of persons getting into it or
loading it with goods without difficulty or loss of time, which, as soon as
loaded, the handle or wainlas that turns the roller may be gently let back,
which will let the tub come close to the pole, and the more easily hang on
the same.
H, an iron bar, on which the tub is to hang on at one end, and the rope
that regulates it on the other, which is done by turning the last-mentioned
rollers.
I, the top bar, which is fixt to the pole on which the upper tubs are to
hang.
4, 4, 4, 4, 4, holes through the pole, for the conveniency of raising the lower
tub higher or lower, or to fix more tubs to the poles, as occasion may require.
On the top of each pole at K are fixt two hooks or crooks, one of which on
each pole is to fix the end of rope, which is to extend from the top of one pole
to the top of the other, to be drawn tight or let slack, as occasion may require;
for which purpose a chain about two feet long, with short links that will fix
on the said crook at the top of one of the poles, and on the other hook or crook
at the top of each pole, as before mentioned, is to be fixt a rope or cord to reach
the ground, whereby people may raise the poles or let them down when loaded
with people or goods with the greatest expedition and safety.
L, cogs or teeth, fixt all round the grand wheel on the outside ribs on each
side thereof, to be made brass, iron, steel, or wood.
M, the spindle and pinions that works in the grand wheel, with a handle or

page_text: windlas at each end thereof, is fixt in the carriage or frame in a piece of wood
at 5, 5, which shifts it to work in the wheel or not, and is marked 6, 6: :
7, 7, are iron staples, with keys to keep the pieces of wood!before mentioned
from shifting, and also. fixing the spindles and pinions to or from their working
the grand wheel, as required.' >
N, N, N, N, are jacks to turn down to 'fix the frame or carriage at each
corner. more steady than it would stand on the wheels when at. work, and also
to raise the carriage when necessary to take off two of the wheels at one end
of the same and fix them on the middle-iron axletree, the more easily.to turn
a corner-when-wanted; and it is here to be observed two of the jacks work by
turning a wheel winch, and two are worked by a common handle or wainlas.
They are made of iron and wood..
17
0, 0, 0, 0, are iron cranes to turn out, as represented in the section P, 'to
receive boards to make a stage for people to stand on to work the spindle on
which the pinion is fixt to turn the grand wheel, and on which also the poles
may be carried from place to place, as likewise on the tops of the four corner
pieces of the frame or carriage.
8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, are plates of iron to cramp the frame together to prevent its
wrecking, when drawing from one place to another.
Q, the wheels to the carriage, made of wood, with six-inch fellows, and
strongly bound with a double tier of iron, as appears by both sections.
R, the carriage or frame to, place the machine on, which may be made in
different modes and with different sorts of wood; and cramped with. iron, as
the place where it is to be used will consequently point out.
S, a cavity, framed for poles or lavers to pass to the like cavity 'on' the op-
posite side, to prevent the carriage from oversetting when necessity requires it
to lean more than the thickness of the grand wheel and jacks would otherwise
admit of with safety.
i
T, the axletree to the wheels, which appears drawn behind them, is to shew
it is necessary for this axletree to be turned downwards, as in the section P is
represented. It being necessary to leave a cavity between the bed of the
carriage and the axletree equally to what it is turned downwards, so that
when either wheel of the carriage passes over a stone, or crosses a gutter, the
frame-and-machine-may-have proper-bearings, and not be wrecked. This
axletree is fixed to-nothing more than the wheels, and it slides easily between
the uprights of the frame or carriage marked 9, 9; therefore by adhering to
the section Pit will easily be seen that the circular pillar marked 10, will
always rest the weight of the frame and machine on three bearings only,
notwithstanding it has four bearings on the ground, whereby no wreck can

page_text: ollow, let the ground be ever so uneven on which this machine may
occasion to pass.
have
U, the bottom of the frame of the carriage of the machine when made in
this manner, to which are fixt the three necessary iron axlėtrees, the dots re-
present the iron bolts that fix the axletrees to the frames, and are marked 10.
11 are bolts for strengthening the frame, and firmly fixing it together.
The frame is made of wood and cramped with iron.
12, 12, are the gudgeons or axis whereon the grand wheel turns, and 13 are-
little wheels fixt on the gudgeons which run on brass collars fixt on the frame
to prevent its spreading, so that if the wheel should be worked when out of an
upright it may turn round free, and the end of the shaft not rub against or
touch the same. It is to be observed, this gudgeon bears very little weight
when the wheel is working, for the pinions when worked take the management
of the machine on themselves, for the grand wheel turns only the quadrant of
a circle when worked with two poles. It is also to be observed, that the
properties of the pinions as they change alternately are to elevate and depress,
therefore they take the whole weight of the machine on themselves, supported
by the frame or carriage on which they are fixed; and even when they take
upon them to work with one pole only, for the purpose of carrying people or
goods from one side of the street to the other, or take either into safety the
whole length of the pole, their acting and property are nearly the same.
V, the shafts, to which horses are to be fixed for the purpose of drawing or
conveying the machine from one place to another, are to be put in at either
end of the carriage by an iron pin and staples, in such a manner that the
horses may draw in a single or double line, as occasion may require.
W, the end of the shaft of the grand wheel, shewing a cross of iron bolted
through the solid part of the shaft to the opening in the same for the poles to
pass through, in the centre of which the great gudgeon; of the main sliaft
passes, and likewise through another piece of iron in the said opening, which
is fastened by nuts or bars screwing on the same.. The gudgeon is to be made
of iron or steel; the shafts of wood.
X, a collar or rim of iron round the shaft at each end thereof, the end of
the said shaft being first reduced to a circle; which said collar or rim is to
prevent the shaft from spliting.
Y, section through.the shaft of the grand wheel.
EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWING MARKED E. WHATMORE, B, HEREUNTO ANNEXED.
A, the grand wheel divided into four quarters by pieces of wood framed
from the ring on one side of the wheel to the ring on the other side thereof,

page_text: leaving a cavity the exact dimensions of the poles, to admit it to pass through
the wheel, the shaft whereof is cut through for the same purpose, as appears
by the Drawing thereof, B; which cavity is made that the poles may be drawn
from one side of the wheel to the other, as occasion may require. This wheel
is made of iron and wood.
C, the pole to be any length, as the heighth of the buildings may require,
which is prevented from entering farther into the wheel than its proper place
by a shoulder at 1, at which place an iron bolt is put through the pieces that
goes from one ring to the other, and through the pole; that the whole weight
of the pole and its lading may rest on that bolt when the pole is perpen-
dicular.
D, a piece of iron or brass for the lower end of the pole to pass through,
and through which there is a nut made for the screw marked E to pass;
which said piece of brass and screw are made to run in a grove made in two
pieces of wood, which are fixed on the pieces that goes from one ring of the
grand wheel to the other, with iron bolts, screws, and bars; which said screw
is made to receive a handle or wainlas at each end, and is to be placed across
the wheel, and an iron plate with a brass box or socket for the ends thereof to
pass through; which said screw is also shouldered at each end, to prevent
its moving from side to side, and that the screw may not come out any farther
than is necessary for the purpose of fixing the handle or wainlas to the same.
The pieces or plates of iron are fixed to the grand wheel by iron bolts with
nuts and bars fastened to the arms thereof, and also to the ends of the pieces
of wood groved for the reception of the nut and screw as aforesaid, at F.
This screw and nut is so fixt, that by persons turning the screw round with
the handle or wainlas, will draw the bottom part of the pole, when in its
place, to be worked from side to side in the same manner as it is done by the
chain and rollers in the Drawing marked E, Whatmore, A; and it is intended
that this screw and nut and its apparatus shall be made use of as a substitute
in its stead, if the person or persons that orders a machine to be made shall
prefer it, the chain, rollers, and lavers in the Drawing, marked E. Whatmore,
A, as aforesaid.
G, the frame on which the grand wheel or machine is fixt to be conveyd from
place to place; it may be made in different modes and with different sorts of
wood, as the place where it is to be used will consequently point out.
H, a roller of wood bound with iron fixt between the arms of the grand
wheel on each side thereof, one of which will be used to raise the tub
marked I higher or let it lower, for the purpose of persons getting into it or
loading it with goods without difficulty or loss of time, which, when loaded,

page_text: the handle or wainlas that turns the roller may be gently let back, and will let
the tub come close to the pole the more easily to hang on the same.
K, an iron bar on which the tub is to hang at one end, and at the other is
fixed the rope that regulates it to a proper heighth, which is done by turning
the last-mentioned rollers.
L, the top bar, which is fixed to the pole on which the upper tubs are to
hang.
At 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, are holes through the poles for the conveniency of raising
the lower tub higher or letting it lower, or to fix more tubs to the pole, as
occasion may require. On the top of each pole at M is fixed two hooks or
crooks, one of which on each pole is to fasten the end of the rope marked N,
and is to extend from the top of one pole to the top of the other; which said
rope is to be drawn tight or let slack, as occasion may require, for which
purpose a piece of chain is put of about two feet long, with short links that
will fix on the crook at the top of one of the poles; and also on the other
hook or crook at the of each pole, as before mentioned, are to be fixed the
ropes or cords marked O, to reach the ground, whereby people may raise the
poles or let them down when loaded with people or goods with the greatest
expedition and safety.
P, cogs or teeth fixt all round the grand wheel on the outside ribs on
each side thereof. The cogs may be made of brass, iron, or any other hard
metal, or of wood.
Q, the spindle and pinion that works the grand wheel with a handle or
wainlass at each end thereof, which is fixt on the carriage or frame in collars
5 of brass or any other hard metal, which must be made very strong for the
spindles to work in; which said spindles is to be slipt out of its work by lifting
up a pall fixt to the frame on the inside thereof, so that by shifting the spindle
that the pinion may touch, the side of the frame or carriage will clear it from
the tooth or cogs of the grand wheel, and prevent its working or receiving
. damage by travelling. The before-mentioned spindles and pinions are fixt in
collars of brass fixt on the carriage or frame at 2, 2, and the spindle must
be made of iron or steel, and the pinions of iron, brass, or any other hard
metal, or may be made in wood.
Rare jacks to turn down to fix the frame or carriage at each corner more
5. steady than it would stand on the wheels when at work, and also to raise the
carriage when necessary to take off the wheels. The jacks work by turning a
common handle or windlas, and stages are to be made and fixt to the frame or
carriage at 3, 3, for people to stand on to work the spindle on which the
pinions are fixed and by which the grand wheel must be turned.
::..

page_text: The poles may be carried from place to place by fixing them on the corner
posts of the carriage or frame at 1, 1.
..
S, the wheels to the carriage are made of wood with six-inch fellows, and
strongly bound with a double tier of iron, as appears by both sections.
T, the bottom frame of the carriage, whereon the machine rests to carry it
from one place to another, is made of wood, to which is fixed the bussels and
wheels made of wood and iron, and are to be at each end of the carriage alike,
as appears from the Plan thereof marked U. From Z, Z, to each end, are
two places the depth of the size of the frame, made like carts, wherein the
ropes, wainlases, tubs, &c. are deposited for the conveniency of carrying them
about. The wheels are six inches thick, as before observed, and the axletrees
are iron.
The black dots marked 5, 5, represent the bolts that fix the axletrees and
bussells to the bottom of the frame, to take out and put in to prevent the
wheels from locking or not, as occasion may require.
6 is the main pin to the carriage.
:
7 are the shafts for drawing and guiding the carriage; they are always to be
on at each end, that no time may be lost in turning the same.
8, 8, are the gudgeons or axis whereon the grand wheel turns; and 9, 9,
are little wheels fixt on the gudgeons, which run on brass collars fixt on the
frame to prevent its spreading, so that if the wheel should be worked when
out of an upright it may turn round free, and the end of the shaft not rub
against or touch the same. It is to be observed, this gudgeon bears very little
weight when the wheel is working, for the pinions when worked take the
management of the machine on themselves, for the grand wheel turns only
the quadrant of a circle when worked with two poles. It is also to be
observed, that the properties of the pinions as they change are to elevate and
depress, therefore they take the whole weight of the machine on themselves,
supported by the frame or carriage on which they are fixed; and even when
they take upon them to work with one pole only, for the purpose of carrying
people or goods from one side of the street to the other, or to take either into
safety the whole length of the pole, their actings and property are nearly
the same.
V, the end of the shaft of the grand wheel, shewing a cross of iron bolted
through the solid part of the shaft to the opening in the same for the poles to
pass through, in the centre of which the great gudgeon of the main shaft
passes, and likewise through another piece of iron in the said opening, which
is fastened by nuts or bars screwing on the same. The gudgeon screws and
bolts are to be made of iron or steel and the shaft of wood.

page_text: W, a collar or rim of iron round the shaft at each end thereof; the end of
the said shaft being first reduced to a circle, which said collar or rim is to
prevent the shafts spliting.
✗, screws or nuts of iron, to cramp the frame together to prevent its wrecking
when drawing from one place to another.
Y, section through the shaft by the grand wheel.