AN IMPROVED FIRE ESCAPE
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Smith, of Leeds, in the County of York,
for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED FIRE ESCAPE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Smith at the.
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
26th March 1872.
I, THOMAS SMITH, of Leeds, in the County of York, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED FIRE ESCAPE," to, be
as follows:
The object of my Invention is to produce a light portable apparatus
whereby in case of fire persons with their goods may escape from the
windows of upper stories, and be let down to the ground in safety, all
as hereafter described.
I provide a light frame, which, by preference, I make of wrought iron
or steel, and I partially cover it with wire gauze or othe similar fire-
proof network, thereby forming a platform. To this platform another
adjustable shorter frame is attached. These frames are hinged together

page_text: in such a manner that the shorter frame may be opened or closed on
the top of the platform, or be placed at any required angle thereto, and
retained in that position by suitable chains of check ropes. In a suitable
position at the outer end of the platform framework I provide two
pulleys, over which a rope or chain is passed to a cage or box, which I
make very light and by preference square. The cage or box consists of
an upper and lower frame of angle iron; these frames are connected
together at each of the four sides by wrought-iron or steel straps jointed
in the centre. To make the cage or box complete a wooden or network
floor is provided, supported by the lower, frame, and the sides thercof
covered in with canvas or other flexible sheeting. The cage or box
constructed in this manner may be closed up flat, and takes up very
little room when not in usc.
I attach to the upper frame of the cage a check lever, which is so
constructed as to bind upon the ascending rope when required, whereby
the cage can be retained in any position or lowered gradually at the
will of the person or persons in the cage or box.
r
In case of fire the window of the building is opened as wide as possible,
the platform is passed out of it to a suitable distance, the short frame is
turned upwards and at a suitable angle, and held in that position by the
side chains or check ropes, the cross bar at the top (which projects
laterally at the outer end of the short frame) rests against the inside of
the window, preserving the platform perfectly steady and level; also
assists in supporting the weight passing over the platform to the cage.
The platform is made sufficiently long to avoid the flame that might
ascend from the lower parts of the building.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 26th September 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
SMITH, of Leeds, in the County of York, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of March, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give

page_text: and grant unto me, the said Thomas Smith, Her special licence that I,
the said Thomas Smith, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Thomas Smith, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and..no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED FIRE ESCAPE," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Smith, my exccutors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Scal. Patent.
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date.
of the said. Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Smith, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, that is to
say:
The object of my Invention is to produce a light portable apparatus
whereby in case of fire persons with their goods may escape from the
windows of upper stories, and be let down to the ground in safety, all
as hereafter described.
In order that my Invention may be more completely understood refe-
rence is given to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Figure 1 is a cross section, Figure 2 a front elevation, and Figure 3,
a plan of apparatus; Figures 4, 5, and 6 shew arrangements of rope
check.
I provide a light framework. a which, by preference, I make of
wrought iron or steel, and. I partially cover. it with wire gauze or other.
similar fireproof network b, thereby forming a platform. To this plat-
form another adjustable shorter frame c is attached. These frames b
and c are hinged together by means of the studs or bolts d.in such a
manner that the shorter frame.c may be opened or closed on the top. of.
the platform, or placed at any required angle thereto, and retained in
'

page_text: that position by suitable chains or check ropes e.
In a suitable position
at the outer end of the platform framework I provide in suitable
bearings ƒ and g the two pulleys h and i, over which a chain or rope J
is passed as shewn. I by preference make the pulleys conical, though
not necessarily so. By being made conical the descending rope or chain
is retarded in its progress downwards. I attach one end of the rope or
chain J at or near the middle of a box or cage k, which I make very
light and by preference square. The cage or box / consists of an upper
frame and lower frame m formed of angle iron. These frames / and
m are connected together at each of the four sides by wrought iron or
steel straps or bars n jointed in the centre, as shewn at o. By this
arrangement the box or cage may be closed up into a very small
compass when not in use. To make the cage complete a wooden or
network floor p is provided supported by the lower frame m, and the
sides of the cage covered in with canvass or flexible sheeting q. I attach 1
to the upper frame of the cage a check arrangement which binds upon
the ascending end of the rope when required, whereby the cage can be
retained in any position or lowered gradually at the will of the person
or persons in the box or cage,
The check arrangement is constructed as follows, and is shewn at a
Figures 4, 5, and 6-To the upper frame 7 I attach the bracket r
through which the rope J passes. On the stud s carried in the bearings t
I mount the check lever u, which when required is brought in contact
with the ascending rope at v by pulling at the outer end. The part v,
which is brought in contact with the rope, is hollowed out, as shewn, to
fit the lay of the rope, and thus to obtain a better grip upon it. The
spring wis a self-acting arrangement tending to withdraw the end v
from the rope.
In case of fire the window of the building is opened as wide as possible,
& the platform is passed out of it, as shewn, to a suitable distance.
The shorter frame c is turned upwards to a suitable angle, and held in
that position by the said chains or check ropes.e; the cross bar x at the
top (which projects laterally at the outer ends of the shorter frame) rests
against the inside of the window, preserving the platform steady and
level, also assisting in supporting the weight passing over the platform
to.the cage. y is an adjustable.stop: to.keep. the platform, in its position..
The platform is made sufficiently long to. keep off the flame that might
ascend from the lower parts of the building.

page_text: Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, I would remark in
conclusion that I do not limit myself to the exact details, limits, and
configuration of parts I have explained and shewn, as the same may of
course be varied or modified without in any way departing from the
nature and principle of my Invention; but what I do claim and desire
to be secured to me by Letters Patent is,-
1st. The arrangement and combination of the several parts constituting
the machine or apparatus in the manner substantially as shewn and
described.
2nd. The combination of two frames jointed together, one of them
forming a platform, all substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
3rd. The application of the cheok arrangement to the ascending rope
or ropes of fire-escape cages.
4th. The application of the two conical pullies to fire-escape cages.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Smith, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two.