GIVING PERFECT SECURITY AGAINST LOSS OF LIVE FROM FIRE
Year: 1885

page_text: I FREDERICK HARRIS, Journeyman Jewel Case Maker of 67, Westbourne Road,
Barnsbury, in the county of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of my Inven-
tion for GIVING PERFECT SECURITY AGAINST LOSS OF LIVE FROM FIRE to be as
follows:--
The Domestic Fire Escape is of basket shape, made of galvanised iron wire.
At each corner near the top a ring is fixed, & through these rings a chain is
passed, one on either side. At one end of each chain is a strong hook to grip the
window sill securely, and at the other end a steel spike to be driven into the
ground. A third chain (endless) is passed through a stout ring fixed in the window
sill runing through a ring at the back of Escape near the top, enabling the
occupants to lower themselves gradually, & by means of which the Escape is
returned to the window above, either by the people in the street, or by those still
left in the room above.
A loose chain attached to one of the side chains, carries the hammer, which is
used by the people in the street, to drive the spikes firmly into the ground. The
Escape runs on the chains, as a car runs on wheels, with this difference, that a car
runs on wheels at the bottom, while the Escape is suspended from the top, and the
entire weight being under the chains, the Escape cannot tilt or upset. The length
of the chains, of course, must be determined, by the height of the window from
which the Escape is to be used.
I, FREDERICK HARRIS Journeyman Jewel Case Maker of 67, Westbourne Road,
Barnsbury London N. do hereby declare the nature of my invention for GIVING
PERFECT SECURITY AGAINST LOSS OF LIFE FROM FIRE and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The "Domestic Fire Escape," is in the form of a basket running on chains,
fastened to the window sill, by means of two hooks the other ends of the chains
being firmly fixed in the ground by two steel spikes (Fig. 1).

page_text: The Escape basket, will be made of galvanised iron wire, and will be of a light,
and ornamental character. The bottom of the basket and for about half way up,
will be lined with sheet iron. The basket will be fitted with rings two on each
side, through which the chains pass, as shewn in drawing, those in front, being
placed about half way down, while the back ones, are near the top, the object being
to keep the basket level, no matter at what angle it is descending.
In the centre of the basket at the back, is another ring for the return chain to
pass through, and in the lid a slit is made, for the purpose of securing it to the
window of the room from which it is used (Fig. 2).
The chains, are the means of connection, between the window and the ground,
the length of these chains will of course depend on the height of the window from
the ground. It is intended that these, like the basket, shall be of galvanised iron,
to prevent rust. Each chain is fitted at one end with a hook to fasten on the
window sill, and at the other end is a strong steel spike. A loose chain carries a
hammer, by which the spikes are driven firmly into the ground. On these chains
the basket will pass to and from the window to the ground as often as required
(Fig. 3).
The "mode of operation," is as follows:
All
We will suppose an alarm of Fire, and one of these Escapes, is in the room.
the occupants have to do, is to open the window, and suspend the basket on the
window sill by means of the hooks, (Fig. 4.) (which are kept ready for use,
through the rings) throw out the chains, and they are at once connected with the
ground, and one of the bystanders having securely driven in the spikes, the
occupants have only to get into the basket, release it from the window, and
lower themselves in safety, regulating the speed of the descent, by means of the
chains.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim, is, that
The novelty of my invention consists, in placing the means of escape, in the
hands of those, who are in danger, without the delay of waiting for the arrival of
the ordinary Fire Escape, a delay which in too many cases has proved fatal.
Another feature of novelty is, that it gives the public, outside, a means of
rendering assistance which under the present arrangement is entirely lost sight
of, and lives are frequently lost, in sight of those who are powerless to render
assistance.