IMPROVE- MENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES
Year: 1884

page_text: I WILLIAM DAVISON of No 117 Antill Road Bow in the County of Middlesex
Color Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES to be as follows:-
.
"
This Invention relates to "Improvements in 'the ordinary or present fire escapes
I construct the frame work similar to the present escapes and make it of wood
upon which I mount a ladder of any length required, upon each side of this ladder
I fix two metal rods tubes or guides by means of brackets or otherwise-These tubes
forming a guide to or for the second or extending ladder.
This extending ladder has two brackets fixed at each side of same at convenient
distances apart which brackets encircle the rods or tubes aforesaid so that this
ladder is made to slide upon the said tubes Sometimes I prefer to have an
additional strap extending round the back of the fixed or lower ladder and fixed
to the extending ladder or I may make use of an additional strap embracing the
sides of the fixed ladder or any or other combination of straps or guides.
I support the top of the fixed ladder by means of two pivotted struts mounted'
upon a sliding framework or base by extending this framework and supporting it'
from the ground I get a greater base to work upon.
I extend the sliding ladder by means of a chain or rope running over a pulley'
(this pulley being fixed to the stationary ladder) and being wound upon a Winch
or drum.
Sometimes I use an escape box to rescue people from any height that the ladder
is made to extend to, in this case I construct a box having a hinged side and made
to close by any practicable means; this box is elevated by means of a chain or
rope fixed to it and then running over a pulley or roller supported upon a suitable
framework upon the top of the extending ladder and thence down to a Winch or
drum I guide this box by means of two stays rods tubes or wires each having the
necessary mechanism to enable them to be adjusted as to length.
Dated th18 17 CD
OI Uctober 1884
WILLIAM DAVISON.
Witness,
ARTHUR P. RODYK,
Solicitor,
Mincing Lane, E.C.

page_text: I WILLIAM DAVISON of No 91 Fairfield Road Bow in the County of Middlesex
Color Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES 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 improvements in the ordinary or present Fire Escapes,
in making my said Escape I make two side posts or uprights with cross pièces
forming an ordinary ladder, about forty feet long, and about two feet wide or of
any other convenient length, and width,, which frame I hereinafter refer to as
frame No 1 to the bottom of this ladder I fix a square frame slanting in the 'same
way, which forms a support to the same, and is made of wood or any suitable
material, about five feet six inches high, and about five feet wide, on this frame-
work I place two rollers, on suitable bearings, one for the purpose of winding up
the moveable ladder, and the other for winding up the Escape box, N° 3 the
moveable ladder N° 10 is constructed in the same way as the stationary ladder N°1
and works upon the surface of N° 1 sliḍing easily up and down, and kept in its
place by means of two clutches fixed to the moveable ladder, and sliding on two
rails fixed to the stationary ladder N° 1 on N° 1 ladder about half way up I fix
two moveable supports, these supports are attached at the base to a moveable
stage No 2 this stage can be extended or drawn in, and is intended when drawn
out to give a firm support to the Escape, and can be extended about five feet, the
whole is supported on a carriage similar to the present kind of Fire Escape, with
the usual large and small wheels, and projecting rail which is used for the purpose
of pushing it along. Supported on this rail I have a small ladder leading to the
top of the square framework N° 4. for the purpose of access to the ladder N° 1 the
moveable stage when drawn in can be fixed to the projecting rail by any ordinary
means.
At the top of ladder N° 10 I fix a projecting iron rail similar to the present
Fire Escape with small wheels about nine inches diameter for the purpose of
running against the wall of a house when the Escape is being used.
Attached to the top of ladder N° 10 is a small pulley over which passes a steel
rope to which is attached an escape box which is guided up and down by means of
two tubes, for the purpose of steadying it in its ascent and descent., This escape
box can be made of wood or iron or any other material which is found most suitable,
and is about three feet six long and two feet eight wide.
At the back part, of the moveable stage N° 2 I fix a moveable leg or support
which can be lowered down or drawn up by a small lever, for the purpose when
lowered down of giving a firm standing to the moveable and extended stage,
I claim
First, a sliding ladder upon rails, with clutches, or any other suitable method,
being drawn up and down by steel rope or any other suitable method.
admas

page_text: Secondly, the lowering of people by means of an escape box running upon
guide rods and tubes, the rods being inade to fit the tubes so as to be capable of
being drawn out the full height of the sliding ladder, or by any other suitable
means.
Thirdly, the moveable stage or platform for the purpose of getting a firm
support for the Escape, also for the purpose of giving sufficient support for the
Escape to be used when necessary, without resting against a wall or any other
support.