Improvements in Fire Escapes and Ladders.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 24th Feb., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Escapes and Ladders.
I, GEORGE WILLIAM MELVIN, of The Fire Appliances Manufacturing
Company, of 9 Moorfields, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved arrangement for actuating the ladders upon
a fire escape, in combination with improved means for carrying hose, tools, or other
articles thereon; and also to an improved method of constructing telescopic ladders.
The first part of the invention relates more particularly to small fire escapes, of
the class described in the Specification of my Letters Patent No. 3810 of
3rd March 1891, but its application is not necessarily confined to an escape having
the precise details of construction therein specified.
In carrying out this part of my invention in practice, the ladders are arranged to
slide on the carriage frame, and may be actuated by a lever, as described in my
aforesaid Specification No. 3810 of 1891, or by other suitable means. Underneath
the ladders, I provide a box formed in two parts, the division between the said
parts being situated at, or about the axletree. One portion, preferably the smaller,
of the said box, is fixed to the framing in front of the axletree, the other portion,
preferably the larger, is hinged to the axletree, and is so connected to the ladder
that it acts as a counterpoise to assist in moving the ladder forward on the framing.
This object may be partly attained by simply attaching a rope by one end to the
front part of the box, passing it over a pulley on the frame and fixing the other
end to the heel of the ladder, but as the amount of movement of the ladder along
the framing necessary to bring it from the horizontal to the vertical position is
greater than that required to drop the box to a convenient position, the said box
would only act as a counterpoise during a portion of the movement of the ladder,
and I therefore prefer to employ an arrangement which will render it operative
throughout the whole of the said movement. To this end I may employ a
differential drum journalled in the framing, having one part of its length of greater
diameter than the other, a rope attached to the heel of the ladder is wound on the
larger diameter of the drum, in one direction, and a rope attached to the box and
passing over a pulley, is wound on the smaller diameter, in the opposite direction,
the two parts of the drum being so proportioned that the box falls during the whole
of the movement of the ladder, and thus materially assists in bringing it into the
required vertical position, while when the ladder is being returned to the horizontal
position, the said box acts as a check upon its movement and enables it to be so
returned without causing any jar or shock to the machine. If desired, a helical or
suitable coiled spring, may be provided within the roller to further assist in moving
the ladder forward.
In place of the differential drum and rope arrangement above described, I may
provide a rack on the underside of the ladder engaging through suitably
proportioned gearing with a toothed sector on the box.
The box or boxes aforesaid may be arranged to contain hose, tools, or other
desired articles, and when the movable box has descended, as before described, it is
preferably arranged to be then in a horizontal position, convenient for the removal
of the hose, or other articles therefrom.
By means of this part of my invention, I render it possible for one man to
operate a heavier ladder than in cases where no counterpoise or mechanical

page_text: assistance is provided. In place of a box, as aforesaid, hinged to the axletree, I
may hinge a frame thereto carrying a hose reel, and the said hose reel will act as a
counterpoise in a similar manner to the said box. The said hose reel may be of
the ordinary construction and capable of removal from the frame when required,
but I preferably employ a hose reel constructed in the following manner.
The part of the reel upon which the hose is wound is of the usual, or any con-
venient pattern, and is fixed upon an axle; exterior to the sides of the reel, I
provide two wheels running loose upon the projecting ends of the axle, and
sufficiently larger in diameter than the reel sides to enable the device to travel
upon them on the road, when removed from the machine. Upon each of the said
wheels, I provide two folding legs, sliding bolts, or other similar suitable devices,
and when the reel has been removed from the machine, and it is desired to wind or
unwind the hose, the said legs or other devices are extended so that the apparatus
stands firmly upon them and the reel can be rotated by hand or by means of a
handle adapted to fit on the end of the axle. The said handle can also be used to
rotate the reel when it is in place on the machine.
The telescopic ladders used on the machine may consist of a series of two, three
or more ladders constructed in any suitable manner, but in practice, I prefer to
construct them in accordance with my present invention, which consists of the
following arrangement..
I affix, by means of screws, rivets, or other suitable devices, on the inner side of
each side of the main ladder, a strip of iron or steel, which in cross-section is
formed with a U shaped channel, having a flat piece on each side.
A groove is cut in the ladder side to receive the said U shaped channel and the
flat pieces are preferably sunk flush with the remaining surface, holes are formed
in the flat part for the screws, rivets, or other fastening devices. The said strip is
usually not made the full depth of the ladder side, in order to leave room for the
ladder rounds to be affixed directly into the wood, and these rounds may, if desired,
be let half their depth, or thereabouts, into the upper edges of the sides. If the
strips be the full width of the sides, holes, or notches must be formed in them to
receive the ends of the rounds.
Metal projections, corresponding in form to the aforesaid channels, are affixed
on the outer sides of the second or sliding ladder to engage with the said channels,
and these channels therefore form the guide or slide, within which the second
ladder works.
The sides of the second ladder have plain iron or steel strips fitted on the inside,
but if a third sliding ladder is employed, the second ladder is provided with
channeled strips in the same manner as the main ladder, and so on in accordance
with the number of ladders employed.
These channel strips may be rolled of very light section, and by reason of their
form impart such stiffness and rigidity to the sides, that the amount of wood
therein may be considerably reduced, while stay lines and struts are rendered quite
unnecessary, thereby simplifying and cheapening the construction, and rendering
the ladder more convenient to handle.
The channels and projections aforesaid form very simple and efficient guides.
This part of my invention is not only particularly valuable in the construction of
telescopic ladders for the purpose described, but is equally applicable to telescopic
ladders of any other description.
Dated this 5th do of Amil 1000

page_text: I, GEORGE WILLIAM MELVIN, of The Fire Appliances Manufacturing Company,
of 9 Moorfields, in the County of Middlesex, 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 an improved arrangement for actuating the ladders upon
a fire escape, in combination with improved means for carrying hose, tools, or
other articles thereon, and also to an improved method of constructing telescopic
ladders.
In the accompanying three sheets of drawings, which form part of this
Specification, and in which similar letters of reference denote similar parts
throughout;
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of part of a small fire escape, having my invention for
actuating the ladders applied thereto.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same.
Fig. 3 is a similar view to Fig. 1, shewing the escape with the ladders
erected.
Fig. 4 is a detached view of a device to be used in combination with the
arrangement for actuating the ladders.
Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 1, shewing the combination of an improved
hose reel with the ladder actuating mechanism.
Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the same.
Fig. 7 is a detached side elevation, to an enlarged scale, of the improved hose
reel.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a modified form of the said reel.
Fig. 9 is a full sized cross-section of part of a set of telescopic ladders,
constructed in accordance with my invention.
The first part of my invention relates more particularly to small fire escapes,
of the class described in the Specification of my Letters Patent No. 3810 of
3rd March 1891, but its application is not necessarily confined to an escape having
the precise details of construction therein described.
In carrying out this part of my invention, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, the main
ladder H, supporting the telescopic ladders H', H2, is arranged to slide on the
carriage frame J, and may be actuated by a lever, as described in my aforesaid
Specification No. 3810 of 1891, or by other suitable means. The said lever and its
connections are not shewn in the drawings. Underneath the ladders, I provide a
box, of similar shape to the box usually provided with machines of this description,
but formed in two parts, or rather as two independent boxes 2 and 3.
The division between these boxes is situated, as shewn, near the axle-tree B.
The box 2 is fixed to the framing in front of the axletree, in the ordinary manner.
The other box 3, which is preferably the larger of the two, is hinged to the
machine, and is so connected to the ladder H that it acts as a counterpoise to
assist in moving the said ladder forward on the framing. In the arrangement
shewn in the drawings, the box is attached to arms 4, 4, which are hinged at 5 to
the underside of the fixed box 2. Ropes 6, 6, are attached to the top of the box 3.
one at each side and pass over guide pulleys 7, 7, to a drum 8, journalled in
bearings on the frame, and upon the ends of which they are wound. Upon the
centre of the said drum a third rope 9 is wound, having its end hooked into a down-
wardly projecting bracket 10, under the heel of the main ladder H. 11, 11, are
hand-wheels fixed on the ends of the spindle of the drum 8. Now if one or
both of the said hand-wheels be rotated in the direction shewn by the arrow in
Fig. 1, the rope 9 will be wound in, causing the ladders to move forward on the

page_text: framing, while at the same time the ropes 6, 6, will be let out and the box 3
lowered until the parts assume the positions shewn in Fig. 3. By this means the
said box will act as a counterpoise, and materially assist in moving the ladders,
and if the box be loaded with a sufficient weight of hose, tools, or other articles, it
may automatically move the ladders, merely by its descent, without needing any
assistance at the handwheels.
The use of the said drum and handwheels will take the place of the lever
arrangement shewn in my aforesaid Specification No. 3810 of 1891, but if it be
preferred to employ such lever arrangement, the drum and handwheels will not be
required, nor the rope 9, the ropes 6, 6, being in such case led directly from the
pulleys 7, 7, to the heel of the ladder H, or a single central rope may be employed.
By hinging the box 3 as shewn, it has sufficient fall to serve as a counterpoise
during the whole movement of the ladders, but if from any cause it be found
inconvenient to give so much motion to the said box, then a differential drum,
journalled on the framing, in place of the drum 8, may be employed. The said
drum has one part of its length, say the central part, of greater diameter than the
ends. A rope attached to the heel of the ladder H is wound on such larger
diameter, while ropes attached to the box and passing over pulleys are wound on
the smaller parts, the two diameters of the drum being so proportioned that the box
falls during the whole movement of the ladder.
Handwheels similar to those above described may be combined with such
differential drum, if desired.
When the ladder is being returned to the horizontal position, the said box acts
as a check upon its movement and enables it to be so returned without causing any
jar, or shock to the machine. If desired a helical, or other suitable coiled spring
may be provided within the drum 8 to further assist in moving the ladder forward.
In place of the drum and rope arrangement above described, I may provide a
rack on the underside of the ladder engaging through suitably proportioned gearing
with a toothed sector on the box.
The boxes 2 and 3 may be arranged to contain hose, tools, or other desired
articles, and when the movable box 3 has descended, as before described, it is
preferably arranged to be then in a horizontal or nearly horizontal position, as
shewn in Fig. 3, convenient for the removal of the hose, or other articles therefrom.
Means are preferably provided for securing the box 3, when in the position shewn
in Fig. 1. A convenient arrangement for this purpose is illustrated in Fig. 4.
A bolt 12 sliding in sockets 13, 13, on the framing, enters an eye 14 on the box,
and so takes the weight. A lever 15, fulcrunimed at 16 engages with the end of
the bolt 12 and a pin 17 fixed on the side of the ladder H, on the first movement
of the ladder, strikes the lever 15 and thus automatically withdraws the bolt 12,
leaving the box free to descend. On the return of the box, the bolt is replaced by
hand. This device should be applied to each side of the box.
In place of a box 3, as aforesaid, I may employ a frame, or arms 4, 4, (see Figs. 5
and 6) hinged as before described, and carrying a hose reel, such reel acting as a
counterpoise in a similar manner to the said box.
The said reel inay be of the ordinary construction, and capable of removal from
the frame, when required, but I preferably employ a reel constructed in the
following manner.
The reel proper 18, upon which the hose is wound, is of the usual or any
convenient pattern, and is fixed upon an axle 19; exterior to the sides of the reel,
1 provide two wheels 20, 20, running loose upon the projecting ends of the axle 19,
and sufficiently larger in diameter than the reel sides to enable the device to travel
upon them when removed from the machine. Upon each of the said wheels, I
provide suitable devices, so that when the reel has been removed from the machine,
and it is desired to wind or unwind the hose, the said devices are operated to cause
the apparatus to stand firmly upon the ground, and the reel can then be rotated by
hand, or by means of a handle adapted to fit on the end of the axle 19. The said
handle can also be used to rotate the reel when it is in place on the machine.

page_text: A convenient device for this purpose, shewn in Figs. 5 and 6, but most clearly in
Fig. 7, consists of a pair of arms 21, 21, braced together and hinged to each
wheel 20, at 22, 22. These arms are pointed at their lower ends to enter the
ground, and when not in use are folded up against the wheel, as shewn by the
dotted lines in Fig. 7, and secured by a spring clip 23, or other suitable device.
In Fig. 8 an alternative device, consisting of two pointed bolts 24, 24, is shewn.
They are forced inwards by springs 25, 25 and are held in their extended position
by pins 26, 26, passing through holes in them.
Any convenient form of handle may be fitted to the axle 19, for use in running
the device over the ground.
As described in my Provisional Specification, the box, or reel may be hinged to
the axle tree of the escape, but such arrangement is inferior to that described, as
it would interfere with the action of the springs, and would not give so wide a
range of motion to the box or reel.
By means of this part of my invention, I render it possible for one man to
operate a heavier ladder, than in cases where no counterpoise or mechanical
assistance is provided.
The telescopic ladders used on the machine may consist of a series of two,
three, or more ladders, constructed in any suitable manner, and extended by means
of a winch T, provided with the usual rope arrangement, but in practice I prefer
to construct the ladders in accordance with my present invention, which consists of
the following arrangement, shewn in Fig. 9. I affix by means of screws 27, rivets,
or other suitable devices, on the inner side of each side H of the main ladder, a
strip of iron, steel, or other suitable metal, which in cross-section is formed with a
U shaped channel 28, having a flat piece 29, 29 on each side. A groove is cut in
the ladder side to receive the said U shaped channel, and the flat pieces are
preferably sunk flush with the remaining surface, holes are formed in the flat parts
for the screws, rivets or other fastening devices. The said strip is usually not
made the full depth of the ladder side, in order to leave room for the rounds to be
affixed directly into the wood, and these rounds may, if desired, be let half their
depth or thereabouts into the upper edges of the sides. If the strips be the full
width of the sides, holes or notches must be formed in them to receive the ends of
the rounds.
Metal projections 30, corresponding in form to the channels 28, are affixed on
the outer sides H' of the second or sliding ladder, to engage with the said channels,
and these channels therefor form the guide or slide, within which the second
ladder works. The sides of the second ladder have plain iron or steel strips fitted
on the inside, but if a third sliding ladder is employed, the second ladder is
provided with channeled strips in the same manner as the main ladder, the third
ladder H, having plain strips 31, and so on in accordance with the number of
ladders employed.
These channel strips may be rolled of very light section, and by reason of their
form impart such stiffness and rigidity to the sides, that the amount of wood therein
may be considerably reduced, while stay-lines and struts are rendered quite
minecessary, thereby simplifying and cheapening the construction and rendering
the ladder more convenient to handle.
The channels and projections aforesaid form very simple and efficient guides.
This part of my invention is not only particularly valuable in the construction
of telescopic ladders for the purpose described, but is equally applicable to
telescopic ladders of any other description.
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 :
1. In a fire escape having ladders sliding upon the carriage, a receptacle for
hose, or other articles, hinged to the said carriage and connected with the said
ladders in such manner as to form a counterpoise to their movement.

page_text: 2. In a fire escape having ladders sliding upon the carriage, a box hinged to the
said carriage, and connected by a rope, or ropes, passing over a pulley, or pullies,
to the heel of the main ladder, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In a fire escape having ladders sliding upon the carriage, a box 3 hinged to
the said carriage, a drum 8 with handwheels 11, 11, on said carriage, ropes 6, 6,
passing over pullies 7, 7, connecting said drum with said box, and a rope 9,
connecting said drum with the heel of main ladder H, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
4. In a fire escape having ladders sliding upon the carriage, a box hinged to
said carriage, a differential drum on said carriage and ropes connecting said drum
with said box and said ladders respectively, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
5. In a fire escape having ladders sliding upon the carriage, the combination
with a plain or differential drum as aforesaid, of a helical or other suitable coiled
spring, substantially as and for the purpose described.
6. In a fire escape having ladders sliding upon the carriage, arms 4, 4, hinged
to said carriage and connected with main ladder H in any one of the methods set
forth in Claims 2, 3, 4 or 5, and carrying a detachable hose reel, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
7. In combination with a fire escape a detachable hose reel, having travelling
wheels running loose on its axle, and means for converting said wheels into fixed
standards, substantially as described.
8. In combination with a fire escape, a detachable hose reel 18, having an
axle 19, wheels 20, 20 loose upon said axle and arms 21, 21, hinged to said wheels,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
9. In combination with a fire escape, a detachable hose reel 18, having an
axle 19, wheels 20, 20, loose upon said axle, and spring bolts 24, 24 upon said
wheels, substantially as and for the purpose described.
10. In telescopic fire ladders, metal strips having U shaped channels 28 and flat
parts 29, 29, affixed to said ladder sides and projections 30, engaging with said
channels 28, substantially. as and-for the purpose described.
Dated this 5th day of January 1894.
AMBROSE MYALL,
2, Lancaster Place, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.