Improvements in Fire Escapes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Feb., 1893--Accepted, 8th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL DIEUITICATION.
Improvements in Fire Escapes.
I, ROBERT WHITBY 49 Cranmer Road Forest Gate Essex Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:---
"
This invention relates to an improved form of a fire escape whereby the occupants
of a house or other building may be rapidly transmitted therefrom to a place of
safety in case of fire.
To carry out my invention I provide a suitable cage or receptacle for the
occupants of the building on fire. To this cage, I secure one end of a convenient
length of cord, while the other end of this length of cord after passing through a
runner ring or over a pulley which is secured to a bar (the said bar being telescopic
and for the purpose of making fast the pulley over which the hauling line runs)
passes through a second guide ring or over a pulley to the fireman or person below.
A second cord is attached to the said cage for the purpose of pulling or steadying
the cage when loaded and descending. To one end of the said bar attached to the
cage a weight is secured by means of a piece of cord which is thrown up to the
occupants of a burning house to enable them to establish the necessary connection
by making the bar (to which is attached the aforesaid pulley) fast.
The action is as follows.
The weight connected with the hauling rope being thrown from below into the
window, the aforesaid bar is pulled up and extended full length and placed across
the window frame. Communication is thus established between the fireman below
and the occupants. The cage is now hauled up by the person in charge by pulling
the free end of the hauling rope, the cage sliding up the said hauling line which
runs over a pulley the said pulley being attached to the aforesaid bar.
When the
cage is full, the hauling line is let out and the cage descends being steadied and
guided by the guiding rope before mentioned.
TL0011 May 1900
E. EATON,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Escapes.
1, ROBERT WHITBY 49 Cranmer Road Forest Gate Essex Engineer 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 :-
This invention relates to an improved form of a fire escape whereby the occupants
of a house or other building, may be rapidly transmitted therefrom to a place of
safety in case of fire.
To carry out my invention I provide a suitable cage or receptacle for receiving
the occupants of the building on fire. To this cage, I secure one end of a
convenient length of cord, while the other end of this length of cord, after passing
through a runner, ring or over a pulley which is secured to a bar (the said bar
being telescopic and for the purpose of making fast, the pulley over which the
hauling line runs) passes through a second guide ring or over a pulley to the
fireman or person below. A second cord is attached to the said cage for
the purpose of pulling or steadying the cage when leaded and descending. To one
end of the said bar attached to the cage, a weight is secured by means of a piece
of cord which is thrown up to the occupants of a burning house to enable them to
1 Unins Q17

page_text: establish the necessary connection by making the bar (to which is attached the
aforesaid pulley) fast.
The action is as follows.
The weight connected with the hauling rope being thrown from below into the
window, the aforesaid bar is pulled up and extended full length and placed across
the window frame. Communication is thus established between the fireman below
and the occupants. The cage is now hauled up by the person in charge by pulling
the free end of the hauling rope, the cage sliding up the said hauling line, which
runs over a pulley, the said pulley being attached to the aforesaid bar. When the
cage is full, the hauling line is let out and the cage descends, being steadied and
guided by the guiding rope before mentioned.
Referring to the annexed drawings
Fig. 1. is a side elevation of my invention in operation.
Fig. 2. view of cage when collapsed and used as an article of furniture.
Fig. 3. sectional view of telescopic bar..
Fig. 4. plan of cage with lid on.
Referring to Figure 1.
is the cage which may be made in two pieces one sliding within the other to
which is conveniently attached at b the pulley c. d is the telescopic bar to which
is attached the pulley e by means of a short length of chain p & a ring engaging
on the hook is the rope passing round the pulleys aforesaid. Attached to the
bar d is a cord of sufficient length wound upon a ball or reel n.
Referring to Figure 3.
The rod d is screw jointed at h, the sliding portion d' is hollow and is provided
with the loop i to which the cord j is attached. A wire or the like m is attached
atk and & maintains the portion d' from leaving the tube d. f is a hook attached
to the bar d to which the pulley e is attached.
When it is desired to employ the apparatus the telescopic bar d is pulled out and
placed across the open window upon the inside thereof the pulley e is attached to
same by hook f& the cage may be lowered by paying out the rope g. either from
the room or by throwing the same to some one below. In the event of the
apparatus being used from the street the ball n is thrown up into the desired
window and the bar d & pulley e is then drawn up by the cord attached to same,
the bar dis extended & thus communication established the cage may then be
drawn up by the rope g. & the occupants passed to the ground. By constructing
the receptacle a in two parts one sliding within the other, it will be seen that it
may be made of such a size as will when opened out in use shield the occupants
from the flames & when not in use and collapsed serve as a dressing table or the
like as shown in Figure 2.
A lid is provided, in the edge of which is a slot o in which the chain p engages
so that the ring 9 is kept in readiness for use when the cover is on the receptacle
or cage.
The bar d is unscrewed & collapsed and placed in the cage when not in use & the
lid placed in position.
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. The combined arrangement of the various parts substantially as described.
2. In fire escapes a collapsing cage or receptacle attached to a block and rope,
said rope passing round a second block, detachably secured to a telescopic or
jointed bar to which is attached one end of a ball or reel of cord, all in combination,
substantially as described.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1802