A New or Improved Combination Dress Stand and Fire Escape.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 28th May, 1892-Accepted, 2nd July, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Combination Dress Stand and Fire Escape.
I, MATILDA STEWART BARRON, of Swanmore, East Molesey, in the County
of Surrey Spinster 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 a new or improved combination dress stand and fire
escape and has for its object so to construct and adapt the stands for holding ladies
dresses as now generally made use of in almost every household, as to render them
of service and utility as a means of assisting persons to escape from houses or
tenements in which an outbreak of fire has occured.
The want of a ready means of exit from burning buildings has long been felt
and many attempts have been made to devise successfully an efficacious apparatus
for the purpose; but none have come into general use, on account of many requiring
special structural contrivances, and others being costly and liable to get out of order
and not workable at the critical moment.
Now in accordance with this invention a simple and efficient means of escape is
provided at a positively nominal outlay the main portion of the apparatus the dress
stand being almost a necessity.in every household and in order that this invention
may be fully understood and readily carried into effect reference to the accom-
panying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a combination dress stand and fire escape constructed
in accordance with this invention, in which a is a framework of wire or wicker or
other suitable substance or material and covered if desired with canvas, sacking or
other material and taking the general shape of a ladies skirt so that when not
required as au aid to escape from the house in the event of fire, it performs the
usual functions of a ladies dress stand. At the top of the stand a are fixed eyes or
hooks b for attaching to a rope, cord or chain c for the purpose of lowering the
same out of the window as a means of escape when desired. The other end of the
rope, cord or chain is attached or fixed to a ring d placed in any convenient position
of the floor or wall. The stand a is provided with a bottom or foot board d¹ of
wood, metal, or network, to allow of a person being held therein when being
lowered. The upper part of the stand a is formed with an opening and if desired
fitted with a hinged or otherwise attached cover or flap a' and when in use for a
dress stand the rope, cord or chain may be conveniently coiled and contained in
the interior. The one end of such cord chain or rope being always attached to the
permanently stationary eye or staple in the floor or wall. The dress stand a con- .
structed as described may also serve as a linen basket if desired. When the cords
are used as the lowering means a convenient arrangement is to employ three such
cords knotted together at intervals of about 22 inches at the loose ends of 2 of the
ropes, snap hooks c' are attached the hooks take into the eyes of the dress
stand a and support same and the centre cord is for the person in the escape to hold
for security and steadying.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation and Fig. 3 a rear elevation of the combination
dress stand and fire escape in which similar letters of reference refer to like parts
as in Fig. 1.
By the use of this means of escape one person may effect an exit by throwing
the same through the window and climbing down the rope the knots at intervals
affording a secure holding. When more than one person is escaping, the lower end
of the rope with dress stand attached is lowered out of the window gradually with
its human burden and the same is easily hauled up for again letting down.

page_text: 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 combination dress stand and fire escape consisting of the framework or
basket a constructed and arranged as herein described and shewn and provided
with eyes or rings 6 for attachment to lowering ropes cords or chains provided and
fitted at their one end to a ring or staple fitted in the floor or wall.
Dated this 28th day of May 1892.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for Applicant.