IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES, THE SAME BEING SUITABLE FOR ASCENDING AND DESCENDING MINES OR OTHER DEEP PLACES AND AT OTHER TIMES CONVERTIBLE INTO A PIECE OF FURNITURE SUCH AS A COUCH, OTTOMAN, CHAIR, TABLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLE
Year: 1867

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Scott at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th July
1867.
I, JOHN SCOTT, of Oxford Street, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES,
THE SAME BEING SUITABLE FOR ASCENDING AND DESCENDING MINES OR OTHER DEEP
PLACES AND AT OTHER TIMES CONVERTIBLE INTO A PIECE OF FURNITURE SUCH AS A
COUCH, OTTOMAN, CHAIR, TABLE, OR OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLE," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, first, to certain improvements which are applicable
to fire-escapes of the character partly described in the Specification of my
former Patent, dated 31st October 1866, No. 2816, and described further
in the Provisional Specification of an Invention for which a Patent has been
applied for by me, dated April 18th, 1867, No. 1139.
In combination with my present improvements I employ the portable
fenced frame or platform projecting from the window, as described in the
above-named Specifications, modified as follows:-I make the two pairs of
arms portable by putting in their places two strong iron bars, each of which
being passed through a tube or through eyes, rings, or other similar con-
trivances at right angles with the projecting frame and across the window
openings rests in the said tube, eyes, or rings, and when required serves the
purpose of the fixed arms described as part of my previous improvements,
viz., to hold the projecting platform in position for pressing against the sides
of the window frame inside the house; or I dispense with one pair of the

page_text: fixed arms, and make the frame with one pair only, or I dispense with one
of the portable bars and use one bar only. The portable bar or bars I
prefer to construct at one or both ends so as to serve the purpose of a crow-
bar, a bammer, spike, screwdriver, wrench, boring instrument, or other tool
which may be useful in the house or elsewhere should a fire occur, or the
said bar may be left perfectly plain, or it may be notched or toothed on its
surface near the ends like the fixed arms of the frame before referred to in
order to enable it to bite the window frame or wall against which it is
intended to press whilst sustaining the projecting platform.
Secondly, I modify the said platform by so constructing it that it may be
used as a couch or sofa, an ottoman, a bed or bedstead, a table, a chair, a
chest, a go-cart, so that by combining these useful qualities it is cheapened
as a fire escape and brought more within the pecuniary means of all classes.
Thirdly, I substitute when desired for the said platform a simple frame
consisting of two or more strong longitudinal bars connected by cross bars,
and having between them either free or sliding one or more rings, frames,
or sockets to hold the ring or frame which is attached to the mouth of the
long open sack described in the Provisional Specification before referred to.
This last supporting fire escape frame possesses the following advantages, viz.
the sliding socket renders the escape more applicable to casement or other
windows where one part of the window being immoveable an escape cannot
be fixed in the centre of the window, and where that part of the window
which opens is not wide enough to allow the fenced platform previously
mentioned to pass through it. Another advantage is its being less costly and
more simple, and occupying less space for storing and conveyance.
It may
also be used to enable persons to descend into mines, wells, or other deep
places, and ascend therefrom with ease, safety, and expedition, as is often
required in case of sudden emergency or accident, whether from fire or
otherwise, when the ordinary means of descending or ascending may be lost
or interrupted. When used for descending the frame would lie flat across
the pit's mouth, resting at each end on the pit bank, or in or upon some
other prepared support. When used to escape from windows the said frame
would not lie flat, but be placed on edge, having its longitudinal bars one
above the other, the said bars pressing at each end against the sides of
the window frames being supported at each end by a hook, staple, spike,
eyelet, or other similar stay.
I also employ in combination with my present improvements the long
open sack described in the Provisional Specification before referred to,
together with the other improvements therein described. I add to the

page_text: fenced platform at its outer end a rod or bar with hook or eye, or I add some
other suitable strong projection to serve two purposes, first, to extend the
bearing for the squab of the couch, sofa, or seat beyond the length of the
platform, and so form a longer and better proportioned seat or other piece
of furniture. Also to supply a ready means of fastening a rope, chain, or
other appliance to the front of the platform in order to facilitate ascent or
descent thereby. This arrangement is especially useful for lowering invalids,
the lame, and the paralysed.
Another of my improvements consists in making the front part of the
fenced platform several inches lower than the back part for the purpose of
giving a more secure bearing to the said platform by causing the lower part
thereof to rest upon or press against the window sill or other external part
of the house. Also when deemed desirable for economical or other reasons
I dispense with that part of the fence which is in the front of the platform,
or with part of that on the sides, by causing each of the longitudinal fence
rails to descend from the back of the frame and join the front thereof on a
level or nearly so with the ring or socket into which the mouth of the sack
fits. This arrangement forms a cheap, strong, and simple side fence.
The projecting fenced frame or platform described in my previous Patents
may also be made or used if desired without any or either of the arms or
rods inside the house, and in that case I should sustain the said platform in
position by a chain, rope, or rod connected with its inner end and fastened to
the floor or wall, or by means of one or more pins, bolts, or screws so fixed
as to keep its inner end from rising or running out of its proper position
in the window.