An Improved Apparatus for Facilitating the Cleaning or Painting of Windows Outside, also applicable as a Fire-escape.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 20th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 6th Aug., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for Facilitating the Cleaning or Painting
of Windows Outside, also applicable as a Fire-escape.
JOHN JAMES KENNEDY of 11 Great Brunswick Street Dublin Ireland
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object an improved apparatus for facilitating the
cleaning or painting of windows.
In carrying out my invention I take in the first instance a suitable bar or piece
of tube provided with eyes or holes at each extremity for the reception of thumb
screws. This bar I propose to arrange horizontally across the interior of the
window to the architraves of which it is secured by the thumb screws just
mentioned.
From a ring sliding on the bar is suspended a short piece of rope carrying on its
end a hook for the purpose presently described.
I next take a suitable piece of wire rope provided with a running loop at one
end and an eye on the other end.
The apparatus as thus arranged is used as follows-
The bar having been secured horizontally across the interior of the window, the
operator passes the looped end of the detached wire rope round his waist and:
securing the eyed end to the hook suspended from the horizontal bar proceeds with
the operation of cleaning or painting as the case may be.
While engaged thus-especially on the outside-it is obvious that a permanent
communication is established between the operator and the horizontal bar and no
serious accident can befall the former should he loose his foothold.
It is understood that the rope is sufficiently long to allow the sashes to be moved
up and down freely.
A platform for the operator may project from the window sill and be held in
position by means of two loops of wire rope attached to the interior horizontal
bar.
As a further security a second bar may be carried outside the window by two
independent loops of rope proceeding from the interior bar-the outside bar
resting against the outside surface of the wall.
In case of fire the improved apparatus would be useful since a suitable rope
may be attached to the horizontal bar and the inmates conveniently dropped to
the ground outside.
Dated this Third day of August 1895.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9 Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.

page_text: An Improved Apparatus for Facilitating the Cleaning or Painting
of Windows Outside, also applicable as a Fire-escape.
I, JOHN JAMES KENNEDY of Number 11 Great Brunswick Street, in the
City of Dublin, Ireland, Gentleman, 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 aud by the following statement:-
This invention has for its object an improved apparatus, for the purpose of
preventing accidents to those engaged in cleaning or painting windows outside, or
the like, and as a convenient auxiliary, always at hand, for the inmates to escape
in case of fire.
In carrying ont my invention, I take in the first instance two suitable pieces of
bar or metal tube a, b, on Sheet No. 1. The metal tubes should have steel-chain
or wire-rope F, F running through them (either will do) and each should reach one
inch beyond the architraves when placed horizontally across the window.
I then screw a metal plate No. 5 on Sheet No. 2 on each side of the architrave,
near the top, just in a line with the top bar of the sash, each plate No. 5 having a
hole a for the bar or tube a to pass through and keep it in position, and at the
bottom of the window, exactly in a line with the bottom bar of the sash, I screw
on each side of the architrave similar plates to those above.
I then take the two pieces of tube a and b having the weldless chain or wire-
rope F, F running through, put the ends through the said plates No. 5 at the sides
of the architrave, and screw a nut on each end to prevent them coming out. Το
make them doubly safe and secure I put a thumb-screw, or screw and bolt through
one of the links of the chain at each end, and screw it to the side or front of the
architrave. If I use a wire-rope I have an eye fastened to it at each end of the
tube, and secure it in the same way. My object in using the chain or wire-rope,
is, that either in itself would be a safeguard and sufficient to sustain the person,
even if the tube broke. To prevent the friction of the bar or tube a, b injuring the
painting I put a thick rubber ring c. c ou each end.
I next loop on each tube a, b one end of a suitable length of weldless chain, No. 6
on Sheet No. 2 having it to slide easily along. To the top chain which is hanging,
I hook into one of the links about three feet below the bar, a series of loops No. 8
made of wire-rope or other suitable material, for the person cleaning or painting
the window outside to hold by. These loops have a spring hook No. 8 attached,
for the purpose of raising or lowering them to any height, by simply hooking
them to the desired link. I then pull down the top sash a little and push the
chain having the loops attached to it over the top, letting it hang down below the
window-stool. The loops should hang a convenient length down for the person
cleaning or painting to hold by.
But if a permanent fitting for securing the horizontal bar or tubes a. b. to each
window is preferred, I have a strong board d. to fit exactly across the top of the
architrave. I then take a suitable piece of weldless chain or wire-rope having
a spring-hook at each end and fasten it along the top of said board, taking care
that when the board is put up and secured, the hooks or chain will hang down each
side of the architrave to within five inches of the bottom of the window, for the
purpose of holding the bar or tube a. in position. This arrangement d. would do
away with side fittings No. 5 as the tube or bar can be fastened to the desired
height, by simply passing the spring-hook into the desired link on each side.
This last arrangement of the chain d. hanging down each side of the architrave
can be utilized as a fire-escape by taking the end of the chain at each side, hooking
them across the window and fastening a suitable length of weldless chain or rope
for the inmates to let themselves down by.

page_text: Where the window-stool is dangerously narrow, use a platform No. 7 made or
strong, wide board part of which rests on the window-stool. It has an iron hook
or eye K, bolted at each outside corner, and is secured in position by simply
hooking on to the said hooks or eyes K, two loops of chain or wire-rope, F. F, that
These will keep it perfectly rigid
are attached to the horizontal bar b. inside.
and secure when the person is standing thereon.
The apparatus thus arranged is used as follows;
The person engaged to clean the window takes a loop made of chain or wire-
rope, either will do, having a spring-hook attached thereto, and hangs it round
his neck, the hook hanging in front just below the waist.
He then takes the piece of chain with the spring-hook at each end, brings it.
round the waist rather tightly and fastens it by pressing one of the links into one
of the spring-hooks, taking care that the book hanging from the loop round the
neck is caught underneath.
He then pushes up the window and takes hold of one of the loops, No. 8, that
are hanging outside, takes the end of the chain that is secured to the lower inside
bar or tube and goes outside, stands up straight and pulls the chain tightly,
holding it exactly opposite to the hook hanging from the loop round the neck, and
slips one of the links into this hook taking care that the chain is sufficiently long
to enable him to work with perfect freedom and still to have a slight tension.
He then takes the hook that is attached to the chain round the waist and slips
it on one of the opposite links of the chain that is hanging from the upper bar or
tube, a, using the same precaution re tension &c.
It is obvious that permanent communication being established between the two
horizontal bars, a, b, inside, and the operater, it would be impossible for any
He can therefore
accident to befall the latter even should he lose his foothold.
do his work much quicker and better.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in the manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;
First. The combination of parts forming an apparatus for the external cleaning
and painting of windows, substantially as herein described.
Second. The apparatus for the cleaning and painting of windows outside, or the
like, the combination of horizontal bars or tubes crossing the window inside,.
weldless chains, wire-rope, spring-hooks, loops, and the way the platfor.n is secured,.
substantially as herein fully described.
Third. claim the way the loops are adjusted round the body as they
are a perfect safeguard and act as a double check and protection on the operator,
as the moment he leans backwards a tension is put on the chain attached to the
bar below. It then acts as a tell-tale and puts a check on the loop round his neck
which pulls him in.
Fourth. I claim the loops and the way they are attached to the chain, for the
person to hold by when cleaning or painting the windows outside.
Fifth. I claim the horizontal bar or tube across the window and the chain,
having a hook at each end hanging down each side of the architrave for the
purposes herein described. They could also be utilized as a safe and reliable
auxiliary in case of fire, as by simply pulling the two chains across the window and
hooking them together a chain or rope to reach the ground could be attached
A similar length of
thereto, by means of which the inmates could easily escape.
chain or rope could be attached to the horizontal bar or tube and either would be
perfectly safe.
LOL Jof March 1896
JOHN J. KENNEDY,
11 Great Brunswick Street, Dublin..