IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS APPLICABLE AS A FIRE-ESCAPE, SCAFFOLD LIFT, OR OTHER BUCH LIKE USEFUL PURPOSE
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by William Henry Prior at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th
February 1866.
I, WILLIAM HENRY PRIOR, of the Strand, in the County of Middlesex,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
MACHINERY OR APPARATUS APPLICABLE AS A FIRE-ESCAPE, SCAFFOLD LIFT, OR OTHER
BUCH LIKE USEFUL PURPOSE," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements in machinery or apparatus
more especially applicable as a fire-escape or for elevating firemen to a height
from the ground in order that they may be enabled to direct the hose more
effectually into the upper floors of a burning building.
The Invention is also applicable as a scaffold or lift, and to many other
useful purposes.
I propose to construct a platform or stage and frame and to place the same
on wheels so as to form a carriage, at each corner of the frame an upright or
standard is fixed of a height about equal to a first floor room, or such height as
may be otherwise necessary, and these standards are secured together by a frame
and platform at the top. Within these standards a second set of uprights is
contained braced together at their lower extremities, and passing through
apertures in the platform of the outer standards about the height of a second
floor window, and containing also a platform or stage on their top; this inner
portion of the apparatus is caused to move vertically within the outer portion
by the following means:-Grooved bearings or rollers are formed or applied
to the surfaces of the standards in the line of their contact, and the lower

page_text: platform or stage is furnished with a winch and crank handles. On the winch
are coiled ropes or chains which pass up to and over pulleys under the frame
and platform of the outer standards, and thence down the sides of the apparatus
to the lower framework of the internal standards.
By these arrangements it is evident that the upper stage can be raised by
turning the winch, and thus the level of a second or third floor window may
be reached by firemen who stand on the apparatus, a rail or stands and chains
may be applied for protection on the edges of the platform. Attached to the
outer frame is a ladder extending from the carriage platform to the level of
that on the outer standards, and within this ladder a second ladder is applied,
suspending from the uppermost platform, and rendered capable of sliding up
and down the fixed ladder by means of loose clamps keeping the two close
together. By these means when the uppermost platform is raised the firemen
can ascend by the ladders,. or be lifted with the upper platform to both plat-
forms, and so direct the stream of water from the hose as required. A tube
or tubes of india-rubber or leather or metal may be attached to the vertical
standards, and the main hose from the engine or engines attached to their
lower end or ends. The firemen may then connect their hose, hand pipes, or
directors to the upper ends of the tubes, and thus relieve themselves of the
inconvenience and weight of a long length of loose hose. The apparatus may
be drawn by a pole and handles by men, or it may be drawn by horses,
according to the dimensions of the apparatus.
The apparatus may be constructed of wood or angle-iron, and so that the
upper platform may work within the lower standards or uprights; for a fire-
escape, ladders and platforms of iron can be attached to the several floors or
platforms, and to bring the apparatus perpendicular, from any irregularity of
the level of the roads or pavement, a piece of timber or iron is suspended on
each side under the lower stage, and would by means of small jacks or screws
be moved downwards sufficiently low to make the apparatus upright.