Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 13th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 9th Nov., 1888
We, WILLIAM COOPER, Neptune Engine Works, Engineer, and JOHN HOLDSWORTH,
27 John Street, Traveller, both of Hull, in the County of York, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
To a two, three, or four wheeled vehicle suitable for the conveyance of the fire hose,
and other implements, we add a super-structure as follows;-A number of square, or
other shaped frames, of wood or metal, are jointed on to a set of legs or supports, of
any desirable length, and material, each set of legs carrying 2, 3, or more frames, the
number of legs depending upon the shape of the frames employed, viz.: If a triangle,
3 legs, if a square or oblong, 4 legs, if an oval or round, 3 or 4 legs, and so
forth.
A sufficient number of these combinations of legs and frames are jointed together,
to attain, when in a vertical position, any desired altitude and the legs to lie, when
the apparatus is not in use, in a horizontal, or inclined position, the frames then
resting inside, or on each other.
'
To raise the apparatus; a rope, or chain is made fast to the top frame, then reeved
through pulleys attached to each series of frames and legs, at the ends opposite to
each other; the operating rope or chain thereby following a zig-zag course down to
a winch affixed to the vehicle.
To start, and assist each series of frames and legs, to rise from a horizontal, or
inclined position on the winch being turned, we provide to one frame in each series,
another smaller frame or brackets, carrying a couple of rollers, and extending below
the main frame, at a right, or other suitable angle, to any convenient distance, for the
purpose of landing on, and depressing the operating rope or chain from the pulley in
the next lower series, when the apparatus is being closed, the effect of which, is to
raise each series from the horizontal, without extra strain at the commencement of
the motion.
The apparatus assumes a zig-zag motion when being raised or lowered, and we
or wire or other ropes,
provide suitable "stops" to each joint similar to a "knee;"
or chains crossing each other from opposite corners of the frames, to prevent each
series from being pulled beyond the perpendicular, or any desired inclination-These

page_text: «
stops" of rope or chain, also contribute largely to the rigidity of the entire structure,
through the winch exerting a strain against them-The winch is provided with a
pawl, and raises the whole fabric, with one continuous motion, in a few seconds; and
holds it in position.
For the rescue of persons; we provide a light crane of any suitable type, but
preferably with a jib pivotted at, or near its centre, on the crane post; the operating
rope, or chain passing over a sheave, or through a block at the jib and tail ends, thus
producing a counterbalance.
The rope, or chain may be worked by a small winch, or by hand round a clect; a
light cage, or a basket being employed, in which to lower the rescued.
We also provide a light jointed ladder, of wood or metal, or of iron or other rope,
to open out, and fold up with the apparatus, for the use of the firemen, or of such of
the rescued, as may be able to descend by it.
On completion of rescue work; the crane, and rope runner or chain (minus the cage
or basket) are intended for use in pulling up the fire hose, and other requisites, to the
firemen, already posted on the various frames, or stages, which may afford them the
greatest points of vantage over the fire.
The machine is lowered by the winch, and requires a slight start (if each section
be set up to the perpendicular), for this purpose, we employ a light line reeved in the
opposite direction to the operating rope or chain.
It being preferable to lower the apparatus by the upper sections first; we provide
another light line, made fast to a frame in each section, and passing through a block
or pulley on tho next lower one; in the same direction as the main or operating
chain or rope These lines do not require attention until it is desired to lower the
machine, they then are made fast to cleets, or other arrangements on the car, before
the winch is released from the pawl-These lines hold the whole erection in position
independently of the winch, which is now used for lowering one section after
another as its respective line is cast off from its cleet.
For general scaffolding & staging purposes, also in dry docks &c.; the same
descriptions apply, with the exception, that the "Invention" be considered, as not being
attached to any vehicle ; that when it is being used in public thoroughfares, for
painting, plastering, and like purposes, the lower frame be of sufficient height from
the ground, to allow passengers to pass under it, and that the main winch be
removeable.
By throwing the operating rope or chain, clear of the rollers previously described,
that series of frames and legs to which such rollers are affixed, will not rise from
the horizontal, with the other parts of the structure, which may thereby be caused to
assume various forms in its general outlines, forms which may be adopted with
advantage, for spanning any intervening obstacle, such as area railings &c. &c.
If unnecessary to elevate the apparatus to its full capacity; any one or more series
of frames & legs may be secured by suitable bolts or catches, to prevent them rising
with the rest.
This principle may be also used as a suspended means of ascent and descent, fixed
to the cieling, or under the eaves of Theatres, and other large buildings, thus, on its
being let down, affording communication with the different tiers of boxes, galleries &c.,
inside the building, or with a line of windows outside; suitable steps or ladders being
provided, and so jointed as to close up, and open out, with the apparatus.
Dated this with d
Naomben 1007

page_text: We, WILLIAM COOPER, Neptune Engine Works, Engineer and JOHN HOLDSWORTH
27 John Street, Traveller, both of Hull in the County of York 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:
To a two, three, or four wheeled vehicle A. suitable for the conveyance of the fire
hose, and other implements, we add a superstructure as follows; A number of square,
or other shaped frames of wood or metal (marked C.) are jointed on to a set of legs
or supports B. of any desireable length and material, each such set of legs being
jointed to each other at 1. 3. & 5. and to the car at 7. and carrying one, two, three or
more frames C. the number of legs depending upon the shape of the frames
employed viz.: If a triangle 3 legs, if a square, 4 legs, if an oval or round 3 or 4 legs,
and so forth. A sufficient number of these combinations of legs and frames are
jointed together to attain, when in a vertical position, any desired altitude, the legs
assuming when the apparatus is closed, a horizontal or inclined position (Fig. 2) the
frames then resting inside of, or upon each other.
To raise the apparatus, a chain, or a wire or other rope, (marked E in four places),
is made fast to the top frame at E¹ then reeved through pulleys attached to each
series of frames and legs, at the ends opposite to each other, the operating rope, or
chain thereby following a zig-zag course down to a winch R. affixed to the vehicle-
To start, and assist each series of frames, and legs to raise from a horizontal, or
inclined position, on the winch being turned, we provide to one frame in each series,
another smaller frame, or brackets carrying one, or a couple of rollers, and extending
below the main frame, at a right, or other suitable angle, to any convenient distance
(each marked N.) for the purpose of landing on, and depressing the operating rope
or chain E. from the pulley in the next lower series, when the apparatus is closed, the
effect of which, (on the winch being turned to raise the structure) is to lift each series
from the horizontal or inclined position without extra strain at the commencement of
the motion.
The apparatus assumes a zig-zag motion when being raised or lowered, and we
provide suitable "stops" to each joint, similar to "knees"; or preferably wire or
other ropes, or chains (marked G, in four places) crossing each other from opposite
corners of the frames in one section to those in the next section, and in the opposite
direction to the lead or "reeving" of the operating rope or chain E thereby preventing
each series being pulled beyond the perpendicular, or any desired inclination, also
contributing largely to the rigidity of the entire structure, when fully raised, through
the winch exerting a strain against them.
The winch is provided with a pawl, and raises the whole fabric with one continuous
motion in a few seconds, and holds it in position.
For the rescue of persons, we provide a light crane of any suitable type, but

page_text: preferably with a jib pivotted at, or near its centre, on the crane post (marked D.) the
operating rope or chain passing over a sheave, or through a block at the jib, and tail
ends, thus producing a.counterbalance.
The operating rope or chain P. P may be. worked by a small winch Q. or by hand
round a cleet; a light cage, or basket 0-being employed in which to lower the
rescued We also provide a light jointed ladder of wood, or metal, or of iron or other
rope (marked M) to open out, and fold up with the apparatus for the use of the firemen,
also of such of the rescued as may be able to descend by it. This ladder may be
hidden from view by a screen of thin canvas, linen, or other suitable material. On
completion of rescue work, the crane, and chain or rope runner P. P. (minus the cage
or basket) are intended for use in pulling up the fire hose, and other requisites to the
firemen already posted on the various frames or stages, which may afford them the
greatest points of vantage over the fire-The machine is lowered by the winch, and
requires a slight start (if each section be set up to the perpendicular) for this purpose
we employ a light line (marked H in four places) reeved in the opposite direction to
the operating rope or chain E.
It being preferable to lower the apparatus by the upper sections first, we provide
another light line made fast to a frame in each section (marked I. K. L.) and passing
through a block or pulley on the next lower one, in the same direction as the main
or operating chain or rope E.
These lines do not require attention until it is desired to lower the machine, they
then are made fast to cleets, or other arrangements on the car (as shewn at I. K. L.),
before the winch is released from the pawl. These lines hold the whole erection in
position independently of the winch, which is now used for lowering one section after
another as its respective line is cast off from its cleet.
For general scaffolding, and staging purposes; also for use in dry docks &c. the
same descriptions apply, with the exception, that the Invention be considered as not
being attached to any vehicle, that when it is being used in public thoroughfares,
for painting, plastering, and like purposes, the lower frame be of sufficient height from
the ground to allow passengers to pass under it, and that the winch R. be removeable.
By throwing the operating rope or chain E. clear of the rollers N., that series of
frames and legs, to which such rollers are affixed, will not rise from the horizontal with
the other parts of the structure, which may thereby be caused to assume various
forms in its general outline; forins which may be adopted with advantage for
spanning any intervening obstacle, such as area railings &c.
The use of these rollers is more particularly described as follows, viz.: Through
being situated below the frames C. they drepress (when the machine is closed) the
operating rope or chain E. between the winch R. and the pulley at 5 in Fig. 1. in the
first instance; between the pulleys at 5 & 3 in the second instance, and so forth-It
therefore follows that, on the winch being turned to raise the machine, a vertical or
lifting force is exerted, to start each section from a horizontal, or acutely inclined
position such assistance continuing in proportion to the length of the brackets
carrying the rollers-On the fabric being raised to a certain extent, the rollers become
unnecessary and are left behind by the operating rope or chain, see Fig. 1.
If therefore, the operating rope or chain be diverted past, instead of passing under
any particular pair of rollers that section of frames & legs to which they are attached
will not rise with the rest, hence the various forms of general outline previously
noted On lowering the machine, the same effect takes place with inverted action, and
the apparatus is thereby gently closed.
If unnecessary to elevate the apparatus to its full capacity, any one, or more series
of frames and legs may be secured by suitable bolts or catches to prevent them rising
with the rest. This principle may be also used as a suspended means of ascent, and
descent, fixed to the ceiling, or under the eaves of theatres, and other large buildings;
thus, on its being let down, affording communication with the different tiers of boxes,
galleries &c. inside the building, or with a line of windows outside, suitable steps, or
ladders being provided, and so jointed as to close up, and open out with the
apparatus.

page_text: Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of our invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is;
1) The method of raising, and lowering, a combination of jointed legs, columns, or
supports, and frames or platforms from, and to a horizontal position by means of one
continuous rope, or chain, in connection with rollers working in frames or brackets
below the frame or platform to be raised or lowered as previously described.
2) The method of raising and fixing such a combination in an irregular or zig-zag
form by throwing the operating rope or chain off some of the rollers as described.
Dated this Eleventh day of August 1888.
WILLIAM COOPER.
JOHN HOLDSWORTH.