Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Oct., 1887
Complete Left, 5th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 6th Jan., 1888
JAMES GREGORY, Concert Hall Manager Ennerdale Trafalgar Road Moseley
Birmingham FRANK GILFORT, Engineer & Machinist No. 10 A.B. Row Coleshill
Street Birmingham. We do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
We take a piece of hard wood of any description 2 inches square and 4 inches
long and turn it in a lathe to a circular form to the shape of a Dumb Bell or
Weavers Bobbin to about 3 inches in circumference & leaving a space between each
end of about 2 inches. A hole is bored through each end of Tundish shape (the
edges rounded off to prevent their cutting) & in a slanting direction. Each hole to
come out on the inner side to form a slight curve. Across the thinner or what we
term the handle part of the dumb bell shaped piece of wood another hole is bored to
take a pin or screw of any thickness.
We then form a Round Metal Tube or Cylinder the same length as the wood and
sufficiently large to allow the wood to fit easily in, this is to strengthen it and form
a covering. A hole is drilled on each side of this Cylinder to correspond with the
hole in the wood.
We then form a Shakle made out of Iron or Steel of any thickness and form it as
near as we can describe the capital letter U the extreme ends being tapered and bent
outward to allow a Rope being thrown over each end and so form either a single or
double Brake, before the ends are bent outward a hole is drilled through each side to
allow the screw or pin to pass easily through, and in a corresponding direction to the
holes in the wood and Cylinder.
We then make a Steel or Iron headed pin and tap it in a screw plate. Also a
Small Nut with screw to fit on the aforesaid pin and the invention is complete.
To use it. We take a rope of any material and strength, chemically prepared to
withstand fire and of any length, it is passed through the one end of the wood from
the outside twisted one or Two Turns round the thinner part and out at the other end
the Metal Cylinder is put on and the whole secured to the Shakle by the pin and the
nut screw'd on. When the whole is together the centre will work easily round like
a Globe on its own Axis.

page_text: In case of Fire, the short end of the rope is securely tied or hooked to a Bedstead
or any article in the Room of sufficient strength to hold and the long end of the
Rope is thrown into the street. A Belt or Belts with a strong steel Swivel or Hook
is secured round the person wishing to decend and the spring end fastened to the
Shakle, he or she may then leave the window at their leasure and decend. Should
the person be desirous of stopping in the decent at any given window, by placing the
slack rope round the tapered ends of the shakle (which acts as a double brake) he has
his hands and arms free to assist and take down any persons he may desire, or a
basket of wicker or any other material may be constructed a whole family let down
and the last to follow without any danger or injury.
We claim for the invention Automatical action, Safety, Durability Portability and
Cost, the whole with the single exception of the rope weighing under 1 lb.
Dated this 12th day of October 1887.

page_text: JAMES GREGORY Concert Hall Manager Ennerdale, Trafalgar Road, Moseley
Birmingham FRANK GILFORT Machinist and Engineer 10 A.B. Row Coleshill Street,
Birmingham 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 :-
We take a piece of hard wood of any description 2 inches square and 4 inches
long as A, and turn to a circular form to the shape of a Dumb Boll or Weavers
Bobbin to about 3 inches in circumference leaving a space between each end of about
2 inches as B.
A hole is bored of Tundish shape through each end, the outer and inner edges
rounded off to prevent the Rope from cutting, each hole is bored in a Slanting
direction to form a slight curve and allow the rope to run easily through as C.
Another hole is bored across the thinner or what we term the handle part of the
dumb Bell shaped piece of wood to take a pin of any thickness as D.
We then form a Round Metal Tube or Cylinder, the same length as the wood, and
sufficiently large to allow the wood to fit easily in. A hole is drilled on each side of
this Tube to correspond with the one bored in the wood as E and F.
We then form a Shackle made out of Iron or Steel of any thickness and form
it as G the extreme ends are tapered and bent outward to allow a rope passing over,
(either end or both,) and so form either a single or double Brake, before the ends are
bent outward a hole is drilled through each side to allow a screw or pin to pass easily.
through and in a corresponding direction to the holes in the wood and cylinder,
as H.
We then form a Steel or Iron headed pin and tap it in a screw plate also a small
nut as I.
To use the machine. We take a Rope of any material strength or length
chemically prepared to withstand Fire, and made waterproof, it is passed through
the one end of the wood from the outside, twisted one or Two Turns round the
thinner part, and out at the other end as D & the metal Cylinder is put on and
secured to the shakle by pin and nut as J.
In case of Fire the short end of the rope is securely fastened to a hook or other
appliance and the long end of the Rope is thrown into the street. A Belt or Belts
with a strong steel swivel or Hook is secured to the person wishing to decend and
the spring end fastened to the shakle, he or she may leave the window at their leisure
and decend. Should the person be desirous of stopping in their decent at any given
spot or window by placing the slack rope round the tapered ends of the shakle either
a single or double Brake is acquired and a stoppage may be made at any required
distance, the person being lowred having the hands free either to assist or take down
any one desired.

page_text: By fastening the Machine to a Hook by the shakle end either on the inner or
outside of the window any number of persons may be lowred into the street by
hooking them on by the Belt to a noose on the short end of the rope, the person in
charge of the longer end in the room gradually letting it out through the apparatus
and so regulate the speed.
On the descent of each person the machine can be reversed without unhooking the
shakle which brings round the short end of the rope for the next person to be
fastened on.
The construction of the Apparatus and mode of application is precisely the same
(as above set forth) for the lowering of other bodies or weight such as for mercantile
purposes.
We would observe in conclusion that we do not limit ourselves to the precise details
here given as to the size of the Apparatus, or the prcise method of useing it, but that
we may vary or modify the same while not departing essentially from the principle of
the said invention.
Having now particularly described the nature of our said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is.
1st. The construction of the form provided with holes as B and C, for receiving
and regulating the rope when lowering as in connection with the shakle for
binding or holding as a Brake as shewn at G H, J, K with Cylinder the said parts
being connected by means of the screwed pin as H. J. K for the purpose hereinbefore
described and set forth.
2nd. The general construction combination and arrangement of parts as above
described and set forth and illustrated upon the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, the
whole forming Improved Portable Apparatus to be employed chiefly for lowering and
saving life at fires but also applicable to the lowering or suspending of other bodies
or weights.
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