IMPROVE- MENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES FOR PUBLIC OR FIRE BRIGADE USE
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Benjamin Wilkins, Firemaster, of the City of
Edinburgh, in the County of Mid-Lothian, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES FOR PUBLIC OR FIRE BRIGADE USE,"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION loft by the said Samuel Benjamin Wilkins at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st April 1879.
SAMUEL BENJAMIN WILKINS, Firemaster, of the City of Edinburgh, in the County
of Mid-Lothian. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES FOR PUBLIC OR FIRE BRIGADE
USE."
These improvements refer more especially to fire escapes having one or more
ladders on the telescope or sliding principle.
$
One improvement consists in constructing a telescope escape with one or more
sliding lengths and one main length; each length is formed of a central trough and
a ladder on either side. When the escape is extended the trough will be continuous
from top to bottom, altho' in some cases I only place the trough to one or two
lengths. I construct the trough sometimes of metal plates bent to the desired
shape, as semicircular or V-shaped, this latter form presenting less resistance to the
wind, or sometimes of chain or wire running longitudinally to the escape, and kept
in position by iron rings or semicircles placed at intervals, and having holes drilled
in, thro' which I pass and attach the wires or chains; or I construct the trough of
wire netting of fine or coarse mesh, or of louvre plates so arranged that they are
closed when in use but open when travelling, in order to present as little resistance
to the wind as possible. When the escape is shortened the sliding-ladders and
troughs slide one on the other down to main-ladder, and assume a form convenient
for transportation. Within the trough I arrange a canvas shoot firmly fixed to the
top end of trough. At the bottom end the shoot may be drawn away from front of
escape and curved so as to retard the descent of a person using it; also it may be
formed with detachable lengths, to allow for the varying heights at which the
escape may be used, or transverse slits may be formed in the shoot at convenient
places to allow persons being taken out of it without passing down the entire
length; these slits are closed by laces or straps when not in use.
When necessary

page_text: I construct a handrail on the outer sides of the ladders. In another arrangement I
construct the escape with telescope ladders, and a trough running side by side with
I attach a canvas
all or some of the ladders, or in some cases only the top one.
shoot to the top end of the trough on highest ladder, and also to the bottom end of
this trough, so that in case the canvas in this part of the trough were scorched the
metal trough would carry a person to the continuation of canvas-shoot below the
trough. The canvas shoot is worked from front of escape, and can be curved out to
retard a person's descent, as in the escape previously described. The trough can be
constructed with plates, chains, wires, or louvres, as already described, the shoot
having means for giving persons convenience of exit. In another arrangement I
have a telescope escape with a ladder in one main length, and one or more sliding-
lengths; to the top of highest length I attach two arms projecting from sides of
ladder, and bent up at right angles to face of it; at the end of each arm there is an
eye, through which slides a spindle having at its centre, between the arms, a ring
formed, to which I attach the canvas shoot which runs the whole length of escape;
this ring forms a mouthpiece to the canvas shoot. Sufficient play is allowed between
this ring and the arms on ladder to admit of the ring, and with it the canvas shoot,
being moved from one side of the ladder to the other, allowing the shoot being
worked from the front of escape, or from either side which may be most convenient,
also giving room for the fireman to ascend the ladder whilst the shoot is being used.
A loop is attached to ring, and slides on the top round of ladder, preventing the
ring from tilting when a person enters the shoot. I protect the canvas shoot by a
casing of plates or an arrangement of wires or chains, etc., similarly as I have
previously described, this protection extending a part or the entire length of shoot.
I also provide a self-acting paul attached to the bottom of side of sliding ladders,
which catches on each round of main ladder, or the ladder on which it slides when
the escape is being extended; this prevents the sliding ladders falling should the
lifting tackle give way. The paul can be disengaged by means of a cord from the
ground. I also arrange a wheel which revolves on a swivel like an ordinary castor,
and is carried on iron stays fitted on back of main ladder and supported by hinged
brackets. When the machine is travelling the swivel wheel is forward of the
carrying wheels, and is held by the hinged brackets firmly in position, thus forming
a base for the escape to stand on without further support, and a great aid when
moving the escape about. The swivel may carry one or more wheels, also springs.
can be applied. The hinged brackets fold up when necessary, and carry the swivel
wheel or wheels close up to main ladder. Arrangements are made for lengthening
or shortening the iron stay, to alter the inclination of escape. I also arrange that
the swivel wheel and guide spindle can be removed from the iron stays and placed
in a socket at the top of main ladder when the escape is travelling horizontally. I
construct the escape of iron or wood, or combine the two materials where necessary.
Modifications of the swivel-wheel arrangement may be applied to other escapes than
those mentioned in this Specification.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Samuel Benjamin Wilkins in [the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th November 1879.
SAMUEL BENJAMIN WILKINS, Firemaster, of the City of Edinburgh, in the County
of Mid-Lothian. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES FOR PUBLIC OR FIRE BRIGADE
USE."
My improvements refer more especially to fire escapes, having one or more
ladders on the telescope or sliding principle. One improvement consists in con-
structing a telescope escape, with one or more sliding lengths and one main length;
each length is formed of a central trough and a ladder on either side. When the
escape is extended, the trough will be continuous from top to bottom, although in
some cases, I only place the trough to one or two lengths. I construct the trough
sometimes of metal plates bent to the desired shape, as semicircular or V shaped.
this latter form presenting less resistance to the wind; or sometimes of chain or wire
running longitudinally to the escape, and kept in position by iron rings or semi-
circles placed at intervals, and having holes drilled in, through which I pass and
attach the wires or chain, or I construct the trough of wire netting of fine or coarse
mesh or of louvre plates, so arranged that they are closed when in use but open
when travelling, in order to present as little resistance to the wind as possible.
When the escape is shortened, the sliding-ladders and troughs slide one on the
other down to main ladder, and assume a form convenient for transportation.
Within the trough I arrange a canvas shoot firmly fixed to the top end of trough.
At the bottom end the shoot may be drawn away from front of escape, and curved
so as to retard the descent of a person using it. Also it may be formed with
detachable lengths to allow for the varying heights at which the escape may be
used, or transverse slits may be formed in the shoot at convenient places, to allow
persons being taken out of it without passing down the entire length; these slits
are closed by laces or straps when not in use. When necessary, I construct a hand-
rail on the outer sides of the ladders. In another arrangement I construct the
escape with telescope ladders and a trough running side by side, with all or some of
the ladders, or in some cases only the top one. I attach a canvas shoot to the top
end of the trough on highest ladder, and also to the bottom end of this trough, so
that in case the canvas in this part of the trough were scorched, the metal trough
would carry a person to the continuation of canvas-shoot below the trough. The
canvas shoot is worked from front of escape, and can be curved out to retard a
person's descent, as in the escape previously described. The trough can be con-
structed with plates, chains, wires, or louvres, as already described, the shoot
having means for giving persons convenience of exit. In another arrangement I
have a telescope escape with a ladder in one main length and one or more sliding
lengths; to the top of highest length I attach two arms projecting from sides of
ladder, and bent up at right-angles to face of it; at the end of each arm there is an
eye through which slides a spindle, having at its centre, between the arms, a ring
formed, to which I attach the canvas shoot which runs the whole length of escape;
this ring forms a mouth-piece to the canvas shoot; sufficient play is allowed between
this ring and the arms on ladder, to admit of the ring, and with it the canvas shoot,
being moved from one side of the ladder to the other, allowing the shoot being
worked from the front of escape, or from either side which may be most convenient,
also giving room for the fireman to ascend the ladder whilst the shoot is being used.
A loop is attached to ring, and slides on the top round of ladder, preventing the
ring from tilting when a person enters the shoot. I protect the canvas shoot by a
casing of plates or an arrangement of wires or chains, etc., similarly as I have
previously described, this protection extending a part or the entire length of
shoot. I also provide a self-acting paul attached to the bottom of side of sliding

page_text: ladders which catches on each round of main ladder, or the ladder on which it slides
when the escape is being extended. This prevents the sliding ladders falling,
should the lifting tackle give way. The paul can be disengaged by means of a
cord from the ground. I also arrange a wheel which revolves on a swivel, like an
ordinary castor, and is carried on iron stays fitted on back of main ladder, and
supported by hinged brackets. When the machine is travelling, the swivel wheel
is forward of the carrying wheels, and is held by the hinged brackets firmly in
position, thus forming a base for the escape to stand on without further support,
and a great aid when moving the escape about; the swivel may carry one or more
wheels, also springs can be applied. The hinged brackets fold up when necessary,
and carry the swivel wheel or wheels close up to main ladder. Arrangements are
made for lengthening or shortening the iron stay, to alter the inclination of escape;
I also arrange that the swivel wheel and guide spindle can be removed from the
iron stays, and placed in a socket at the top of main ladder in such a position that
it will carry that end of ladder when the escape is travelling horizontally. I
construct the escape of iron or wood, or combine the two materials, and truss the
parts where necessary. Modifications of the swivel wheel arrangement may be
applied to other escapes than those mentioned in this Specification.
My Invention is clearly represented in the accompanying Drawing, in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2, a front elevation of a telescope fire escape,
with one sliding length (A) and one main length (B), although there may be more
than one sliding length if necessary. Each length is formed of a central, semi-
circular, or curved trough (C) of sheet metal, or wire netting of fine or coarse mesh,
and a ladder (D), (D), on either side. When the escape is extended the trough (C)
is continuous from top to bottom, tho' if requisite it may be only to one or two
upper lengths. Fig. 3 is a front elevation, and Fig. 4, a section of a sliding length
(A) and a main length (B) of a telescope fire escape, with a central trough of V
shape, and a ladder (D), (D), on either side, the sides of trough being made of
sheet metal or wire netting. Fig. 5 is a front elevation, and Fig. 6, a section of a
sliding length (A) and a main length (B), with a central trough (C) and a ladder
(D, D,) on either side. The trough (C) is formed of semicircles of iron (E) or irons
bent V shaped, placed at intervals and having holes (F, F,) drilled in, through which
chains or wires (G) are passed. Within the trough (C) I arrange a canvas shoot (H),
firmly fixed at the top of trough (C). In Figs. 1 & 2 the lower part is shewn curved
away from front of escape, in order to retard the descent of a person using it. The
shoot (H) is shewn to have transverse slits (I, I,) through which persons may be
taken out without passing down the entire length of shoot (H). The slits (I) are
closed by laces or straps when not in use. Also the shoot (H) may have detachable
lengths, to allow for the varying height at which the escape may be worked. A
hand rail (K) can be placed when necessary on sides of ladders (D,D,). Fig. 7 is a
front elevation, Fig. 8, a side elevation, and Fig. 9, a section of a main or sliding
length of a telescope escape, formed of a ladder (D) and a screen (L) of louvre plates
running by the side of it. The screen (L) may be on all or some of the ladders (D).
I attach a canvas shoot similar to (H) to the top of screen (L) on highest ladder,
and also to the bottom of screen (L) on same ladder, so that in case the shoot (H)
were schorched at this part, the screen (L) would carry a person to the continuation
of canvas shoot below screen on highest ladder. Levers (M) & links (N) are fitted
to louvres on screen (L), in order to open louvres when travelling so as to present
as little resistance to the wind as possible. When in use the louvres are closed.
Fig. 10 is a front elevation, Fig. 11, an end elevation, and Fig. 12, a plan of the top
of highest ladder of a telescope escape having a central ladder only. (a1, a2) are
arms projecting from sides of ladder (D), and bent up at right angles to the face of it.
At the ends of (a¹, a²) are eyes (61, 62,) through which slides a spindle (c¹) with a
frame or ring (d') at centre, to which I attach the canvas shoot (H). The ring (d')
forms a mouthpiece to the shoot (H). Sufficient play is allowed between the ring
(d) and arms (a¹, a²) to admit of the ring (d'), and with it the shoot (E) being
moved to either side of ladder (D). The shoot (H) can then be worked from that

page_text: part most convenient, also giving room for fireman to ascend escape whilst shoot
(H) is being used. A loop or hook (el) is attached to ring (d'), and slides on top
round of ladder, to prevent ring (d) tilting when a person enters shoot (H). The
top end of shoot (H) is protected by a casing of wire netting, or an arrangement of
rings of iron surrounding shoot (H) placed at intervals, and through which wires or
chains running longitudinally or spirally to shoot (H) are passed. This protection
nay extend the whole length of shoot (H), or a part only. When it extends only a
part, the shoot (H) is attached to the top, and also the bottom ring of protecting
casing. In Fig. 1 is shewn in side elevation, & Fig. 13 in front elevation, an
arrangement of swivel wheels (f), with pin and jaw (g) carried by a spring (h'),
through which it passes. The ends of spring (h) are jointed to stays (k,) which
hang from a pin (1), passing through an eye in bracket (m²) fixed to main ladder
(B) at about the centre of its length. Folding arms (n¹) attached to stays (k¹, k²)
and also to part of frame of main ladder (B) when extended hold the swivel wheel
(f) in position shewn in full lines, and form a third wheel for escape to run upon
when travelling vertically, and a support when running out escape. The swivel wheel
allows the escape to be turned about in any direction. When the wheel (f¹) is not
required, the folding arms (n¹) can be doubled up, and the stays (k,) and wheel (f)
brought up close to body of escape, as shewn in dotted lines. A stay (o) ou stays
(k, k) carries the upper end of swivel pin (g). When the escape is required to
travel horizontally, the swivel wheel (¹), spring (h'), and pin and jaw (gl) can be
removed from stays (h, k) and attached to a bracket (p) at head of main ladder
(B), where it acts as a support and swivel wheel in that position.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of this Invention, I declare
that I claim,-
1st. A telescope escape, having the main or sliding lengths, or both, formed of a
central trough and a ladder on either sides, the trough being formed and arranged in
the ways described.
2nd. The arrangement of slits and detachable lengths in and to canvas shoot, as
described.
3rd. A telescope escape, having a screen with louvre plates running at the side of
a single ladder, as described.
4th. The arrangement of arms, sliding spindle, and frame fixed at top of highest
ladder of an escape, to enable the shoot being worked from either side, and giving a
free passage up ladder in the manner & for the purpose specified.
5th. The protecting casing of canvas shoot.
6th. The swivel wheels, arms, & stays for supporting & carrying the escape
whilst travelling or running out, and capable of supporting head of escape when
travelling horizontally, all as described and illustrated, this arrangement being
applicable to escapes other than those here described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Benjamin Wilkins, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, this First day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
SAMUEL BENJAMIN WILKINS. (L.S.)
Witness,
WILLIAM HENDERSON,
Chief Constable of Edinburgh.