AN IMPROVED PORTABLE FIRE ESCAPE
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JAMES IMMS Window Blind Manufacturer 79, Alma Street Aston Birmingham
do hereby declare the nature of this my invention for AN IMPROVED PORTABLE
FIRE ESCAPE to be as follows:-
The Improved portable fire Escape is an Invention constructed for the purpose of
providing Inmates of a burning dwelling an easy safe and rapid exit. It is in
inost respects a folding Ladder with stout wood rungs, being attached to and kept
at equal distances apart by two strong girth Webs one on each side. The Webs
are provided with loops through which the rungs are sliped and securly fixed.
Both ends of the rungs are tenoued into wood folding cross bars, the folding bars
being securly fastened together by means of Iron bolts.
The upper end of each web has a strap of stout leather to which is attached an
Iron ring these rings being sliped over two strong hooks fixed to the inside of the
Window frame Making the Machine perfectly secure it is then gradually lowered
by Means of a stout line passing over a pully at top and running through rings at
the back of each rung until the whole has been paid out to the ground as shown in
fig. 1. of Drawing.
Attached to the bottom of Machine are two folding frames as shown in fig. 1. of
Drawing one of these frames is fastened by a long bolt passing through the ends of
frame and through two Iron staples or eyes permanently fixed in the wall of
Building a few inches from the ground and is used for pressing out the Machine
from the Building. The other frame acts as a strainer when pressed downward the
Machine is by this means made as stiff as an ordinary Ladder.
Fig. 2. of Drawing shows Machine when closed with strainer frames unattached.
An ordinary Machine when closed Measuring but a few inches and weighing only
a fiew pounds while it is sufficiently strong to enable the most robust to decend
without risk.

page_text: I, JAMES IMMS 79 Alma St Window Blind Manufacturer Aston Juxta Birmingham
in the County of Warwick do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN
IMPROVED PORTABLE FIRE ESCAPE and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The said invention is an apparatus or Machine in the form of a folding Ladder
to provide a means of escape from a burning dwelling and when in uso fastened to
the Chamber Window and gradually lowered to the ground.
The apparatus or Machine is in most respects a folding Ladder with stout wood
ruugs being attached to and kept at equal distances of 10 or 12 inches apart by
two strong girth webs one on each side the webs are provided with woven loops
through which the rungs are sliped and securly fixed, both ends of the rungs are
tenoned into wood folding cross bars, the folding bars being securly fastened
togather by means of Iron bolts and by which they fold up.
The upper end of each web has a strap of stout Leather, to which is attached an
Iron ring and when required for use the rings are sliped over two strong hooks
fixed to the inside of the Chamber Window Making the machine perfectly secure,
it is then gradually lowered by means of a stout line passing through rings at the
back of each rung until the whole has been paid out to the ground as shown in
Fig. 1. of drawing. Attached to the bottom of Machine are two folding frames
Fig 1. of drawing one of these is fastened by a long bolt passing through the ends
of frame and through two Iron staples or eyes permanently fixed in the wall of
Building a few inches from the ground and is used for pressing out the Machine
from the Building, The other frame acts as a Strainer when pressed downward, the
machine is by this means made as stiff as an ordinary Ladder but may be used
without them Fig. 2 of drawing shows Machine when closed Fig 3. shows
Strainer frames unattached. An ordinary Machine when closed Measuring about
18 inches by 10. and about 18 lbs in weight while it is sufficiently strong to enable
the most robust to decend without risk.
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 the apparatus or Machine as a whole including the two strainer frames
attached to the bottom or lower end of same and for the use of said Machine for
the purpose and in the manner herein described.
Dated this 11th day of December 1884.