Improvements in Apparatus for Facilitating the Escape of Persons in Case of Fire.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 31st Jan., 1891
Improvements in Apparatus for Facilitating the Escape of Persons
in Case of Fire.
I, WILLIAM ALLEN of Barnham Street, Tooley Street, Southwark, London, S.E.
Collector, 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 certain means and appliance for facilitating the escape
of persons from houses and buildings when "fire" takes place.
The means employed consists, broadly, of a cage securely fixed to the wall of the
building in position close to a window or other opening. Within the cage will be
contained a ladder specially made of webbing with steps and guards. In conjunction
with the cage there is an opening in the side thereof covered by a door and within
the cage pulley and ropes will be provided so as to lower and raise the ladder.
In order that the invention may be well understood there is annexed hereto a
sheet of drawings illustrative thereof wherein―
Fig. 1 represents in elevation a building with the appliance in position, a being
the cage showing the lower door b, opened and lying back against the wall, and
the ladder c let down to the ground. is a chain to release fastening of a side
door d of the cage.
When this door d is released the bottom b of the cage will be
freed so allowing for the descent of the ladder. The side door d as will be seen by
the drawings opens so as to rest upon the window sill whereby any person may
conveniently step into the cage from the adjacent window or opening. d' is a
strap to aid in support of the door d. e indicates a bell crank lever which will be
operated by the depending chain c', to release the clip or catch e¹ of the side door d
of the cage. The cage will be made of wood, zinc, sheet or corrugated iron
and will be securely attached to the wall with supporting brackets such as are
indicated at f
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the cage showing the side door d and clip fastening el
closed.
Fig. 3 is a view of the cage detached.
Fig. 4 is plan of top of cage.
Fig. 5 is view of under side of cage with side door d let down upon window sill or
such like support.
Figs. 6, and 7 show details of the ladder construction Fig. 7 being drawn to
about one-eighth scale.
The steps g may be of wood, pine for example, and webbings h form the vertical
supports of the ladder steps. Metal straps i are provided to the ladder for security
of persons using the escape. The ladder when drawn up into the cage will lie close
and be at all times available when required. The application of the raising and
lowering rope and pulley for the ladder will be as convenient and arranged within
The metal bars or guards i, will in case of stopping places or other
window openings at distances apart in the length of the ladder, be omitted as also
will they be at the foot of the ladder.
the cage.
The ladder applied and made as described may be shrouded with textile material
such as canvas sail-cloth or the like in which case fewer of the guard bars i will be
required.
In fitting new buildings any convenient opening may be arranged instead of
using a window opening and a guard rail or guard straps may be applied for security
of persons stepping into the cage.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. The improved means for facilitating escape from fire having the cage and
ladder construction arranged and operating as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
2. In fire escape appliance the ladder as herein specified having the webbings h,
steps and guard straps i as and for the purpose herein specified.
g
Dated this 13th day of December 1890.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.