Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Apr., 1886.
Complete Left, 28th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 28th July, 1887.
!, GEORGE BRAY, of 54 Princes Street, Deptford in the county of Kent, Wheolwright,
do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in various parts of fire-escapes and scaling
ladders, certain of such improvements referring to the improved fire escapes for which
Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date 10th January 1884 and numbered 1165
and for which Letters Patent were applied for on the 8th April 1885, No. 4347 the
complete specification of the said application having been accepted.
In fire escapes having three sliding ladders, constructed according to my aforesaid
patent No. 1165 of 1884 and application for patent No. 4347 of 1885, when the
ladders are extended, and not supported by leaning against a building, a strain is
thrown upon the ladders, but more especially upon the centre ladder tending to bend it
downwards. To obviate this I affix a slack wire rope to the ends of each side of the
centre ladder, such ropes running over pulleys in the looped ends of hinged struts at
the top of the main ladder. As the ladders rise the struts are automatically lifted up
at right angles to the ladders and the aforesaid slack ropes are thus drawn taut and
effectually stay the centre ladder.
As the ladders descend, the struts of their own accord drop into their former
position.
This arrangement may also be applied to the top ladder, or to one ladder if only one
sliding ladder is used.
In cases where the ladders slide upon the top of each other, as hitherto constructed,
only a straight stay line underneath has been employed, which is insufficient to bear
the strain when the ladders are extended against a building and supporting a weight,
but by applying any aforesaid improved arrangement to the undersides of such ladders,
I provide them with an effectual stay and support.

page_text: If desired any suitable device may be used to bring the struts into position to tighten
the wires by hand, instead of automatically as above described.
To secure the lever on the main frame in position, I joint to each side of the main
frame a metal strut, having the outer end finished with two shoulders and a flat piece
with a hole through it.
Sockets with holes in them are fixed on the lever, to receive the ends of the
struts.
Inclined faces are formed on the said sockets against which the aforesaid shoulders
abut, so that the act of forcing the struts into place forcibly tightens the guy lines
from the end of the lever to the top of the ladder, and pins being then passed through
the aforesaid holes, the lever is held securely in place.
The handspikes on the lever are united by two or more cross bars, or trusses, so that
they form one complete frame, hooks are provided on their outer ends to engage with
the outer crossbar of the lever and slots are formed in their inner ends working on
studs fixed to the lever, to allow sufficient longitudinal motion for hooking or
unhooking from the said cross bar. They are also connected to the lever by chains in
the usual way, so that when unhooked they stand at right angles thereto.
When the ladder sides are formed in one piece of timber, in place of securing the
rounds according to the method described in my aforesaid specification No. 1165
of 1884, I sometimes prefer according to my present invention to form a shallow
circular recess in the ladder side to receive the end of the round, which is left full size
and a long screw passing through the side and into the end of the round, secures it
firmly in place.
•
This mode of fixing the rounds may not only be applied to the main and sliding
ladders, but also to the hand ladder or hand ladders which may be carried on the
escape, and I also construct such hand ladders in an improved manner by providing
them with struts and wire stays, so that less timber may be used in their construction
while their strength is increased.
To prevent overwinding of the ladders, I affix upon the rounds at the lower part
of the centre ladder a stop of the required length which abuts against the cross bar at
the top of the main ladder, when the ladders are extended to their extreme length.
In escapes and ladders provided with a winding gear similar to that shewn and
described in my aforesaid specifications, No. 1165 of 1884 and No. 4347 of 1885, I
provide a hinged piece which can be turned down to abut against the winch and to
prevent unintentional or accidental rotation of the same when the ladders are
elevated.
Another part of my present invention relates to an improved form of winding gear
according to which I provide a drum running loose upon the axle tree of the escape or
ladder upon which the wire ropes which raise the ladders are wound.
This drum is rotated as follows, a shaft is carried in bearings upon the main frame
in front of the ladders and provided with a winch at one or both ends.
A chain wheel is fixed upon the said shaft and another chainwheel upon the drum
and the two being connected by a chain, the rotation of the winches will raise and
lower the ladders.
The chain wheel upon the shaft is preferably smaller in diameter than that on the
drum to give increased power, and a ratchet wheel and pawl are provided on the drum
'to hold the ladders when raised.
In some cases instead of carrying the said drum upon the axle tree, I may provide a
separate shaft for that purpose and the shaft with the winch handles may be affixed to
any part of the escape or ladder that is most convenient.
In the case of a fire escape provided with shoots, as the said shaft would be in the
way of persons making their exit therefrom, I prefer to provide chain wheels at each
end of the drum connected by chains with two small chain-wheels carried on two short
independent shafts each fitted with winches and journalled in bearings on each side of
the main frame.
The advantages of the employment of this chain driving gear over spur wheel gear,
are, that the power required to raise the ladders may be readily adjusted by placing a

page_text: larger or smaller wheel upon the winch shaft and that as the chain drives equally well
whether slack or taut, by keeping it slack the play of the springs which connect the
axle tree with the main frame does not interfere with the winding gear in any
way.
Instead of winding the ladders down by the winch handles, I may provide a strap
brake or brake of any other suitable construction, upon the drum, so that the ladders
may be allowed to descend slowly by their own weight.
T: 013-
T1 132
AMBROSE MYALL,
Agent for the Applicant.
I, GEORGE BRAY of 54 Princes Street, Deptford in the County of Kent, Wheel-
right, 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
My invention relates to improvements in various parts of fire-escapes and scaling-
ladders, certain of such improvements referring to the improved fire-escapes for which
Letters Patent were granted to me bearing date 10th January 1884 and numbered
1165 and 8th April 1885, numbered 4347 respectively.
In order more clearly to explain the nature of my invention I will describe the
same by reference to the accompanying drawings.
Similar letters of reference are used to denote similar parts throughout the said
drawings.
In fire-escapes having three sliding laders, constructed according to my aforesaid
patents No. 1165 of 1884 and No. 4347 of 1885, (that is to say one main ladder fixed
to the framing of the machine and two ladders sliding behind the said main ladder)
when the ladders are extended and not supported by leaning against a building, a
strain is thrown on the ladders, but more especially upon the centre ladder, tending to
bend it downwards. The main ladder can be stayed in front in the usual manner to
guard against this strain, but the sliding ladders being behind the main ladder and
each other cannot be so treated, therefore to obviate this, I employ the arrangement
shewn in Figures 1 and 2, which are respectively a side sectional elevation of a
set of three ladders closed and a side sectional elevation of the same ladder when
extended.
A is the main ladder, B the centre sliding ladder and C the top sliding ladder.. Dis

page_text: a wire rope affixed to the inside of the ends of the side of the centre ladder B, this
rope passes over a pulley in the looped end of the strut E which is hinged to the top
of the main ladder A. When the ladders are closed the rope D is slack and the
strut E hangs downwards, as shewn in Figure 1, but when the ladders are extended
the said strut E is automatically lifted up till it abuts against a suitable stop and
stands at right angles to the ladder A and the aforesaid slack rope D is thus drawn
taut and effectually stays the centre ladder, as shewn in Fig. 2.
It will be understood that this arrangement is in duplicate, beng applied to each
side of the centre ladder. As the ladders descend, the struts E of their own accord
drop into their former position, as shewn in Figure 1.
It is obvious that this system of slack wire stays and hinged struts may also be
applied to the top ladder, or to one ladder, if only one sliding ladder is used.
In cases where the ladders slide upon the top or front of each other, as hitherto
constructed, only a straight stay line underneath has been employed, which is
insufficient to bear the strain when the ladders are extended and leaning against a
building and supporting a weight, but by applying my said system of slack wire
stays and hinged struts to the undersides of such ladders, I provide them with an
effectual stay and support.
Figures 3 and 4 represent in sectional side elevation a telescopic scaling-ladder, or
fire-escape, with the ladders sliding in front of each other and stayed in the manner
above described. Figure 3 shews the ladders as closed and Figure 4 as extended. The
description of Figs. 1 and 2 will also apply to Figures 3 and 4.
If desired any suitable mechanical device may be used to bring the hinged
struts into position to tighten the wires by hand, instead of automatically as above
described.
In Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 only such parts of the escape are shewn as are necessary
to illustrate this part of my present invention.
Figures 5 and 6 represent in side and front elevation respectively my improved
arrangement for securing the lever on the main frame in position. I joint to each
side of the main frame K a metal strut F having the outer end finished with two
shoulders F F and a plat piece F2 with a hole through it. Sockets H with holes
in them are fixed on the lever L to receive the ends F2 of the struts F. The
sockets H are formed with inclined edges, as shewn in Figure 5, against which the
shoulders Fabut, so that the act of forcing the struts F into place, forcibly tightens
the guy lines J, which extend from the outer end of the lever to the top of the main
ladder, and pins H', secured by short chains to the lever L, being then passed
through the holes in the ends F and sockets H, the lever L is held securely in
place.
Figures 7 and 8 represent in side and front elevation respectively, my improved
arrangement of handspikes on the lever L. The handspikes M, M are united by two
or more cross-bars or trusses M³, M³, so that they form one complete frame.
Hooks M² are provided on their outer ends to engage with the outer cross-bar N
of the lever L, and slots M³ are formed in their inner ends working on studs M' fixed
to the lever, to allow sufficient longitudinal motion for hooking or unhooking from
the cross-bar N. The handspikes M are also connected to the lever L by chains M³,
in the usual manner, so that when unhooked they stand at right angles thereto, as
shewn by the dotted lines in Figure 7.
When the ladder sides are formed in one piece of timber, in place of securing the
treads according to the method described in my aforesaid specification No. 1165
of 1884, I sometimes prefer, according to my present invention, to secure them as
shewn in Figure 9. 00 are shallow circular recesses formed in the ladder sides
A A, to receive the ends of the treads P, which are left full size, and long screws P¹
passing through the sides A, A, and into the ends of the treads P, secure them firmly
in place.
In cases where it is desired to obtain a firmer foothold, I make the treads flat and
secure them to the ladder sides by a modification of the arrangement shewn in
Figure 9, as shewn clearly in Figure 10.

page_text: The modes of fixing the treads shewn in Figures 9 and 10 may not only he
applied to the main and sliding ladders, but also to the hand ladder or hand ladders,
which may be carried on the escape, and I may also make such hand ladders in an
improved manner by providing them with struts and wire stays as shewn in side
elevation in Figure 11 so that less timber may be used in their construction, while their
strength is increased.
To prevent over winding of the ladders I employ the arrangement shewn in front
elevation in Figure 12 and in sectional side elevation in Figure 13. I affix upon the
rounds at the lower part of the centre ladder B, a stop Q of the required length,
which abuts against the cross-bar Q at the top of the main ladder A, when the
ladders are extended to their extreme length.
r
In escapes and ladders provided with a winding gear similar to that shewn and
described in my aforesaid specifications No. 1165 of 1884 and No. 4347 of 1885, I
provide a hinged piece R Figure 14, which can be turned down to abut against the
winch R', as shewn in dotted lines, and so prevent unintentional or accidental rotation
of the same when the ladders are elevated.
Another part of my invention relates to an improved form of winding gear, shewn
in side and front elevation in Figures 15 and 16. According to this arrangement I
provide a drum S, running loose upon the axle-tree S' of the escape or ladder, upon
which said drum the wire rope or ropes S2 which raise the ladders are wound. This
drum S is rotated as follows: a shaft T is carried in bearings upon the main frame K
in front of the ladders and provided with a winch T at one or both ends. A chain
wheel U is fixed upon the shaft T and another chain wheel U₁ upon the drum S, and
the two wheels being connected by an endless chain U2, the rotation of the winches
will raise and lower the ladders.
The chain wheel U upon the shaft T is preferably smaller in diameter than that on
the drum S, as shewn, to give increased power and a ratchet wheel and pawl V are
provided on the drum to hold the ladders when raised.
In some cases instead of carrying the drum S upon the axle tree S', I may provide
a separate shaft for that purpose and the shaft T with the winch handles T₁ may be
affixed to any part of the ladder or escape that is most convenient.
In the case of a fire-escape provided with shoots, as the shaft T might be in the
way of persons making their exit therefrom, I prefer to provide chain wheels U¹, U',
at each end of the drum S connected by chains U2, U2, with two small chain-
wheels U, U, carried on two short independent shafts T, T, cach fitted with one or two
winches T, and journalled in bearings on each side of the main frame K, or in each of
the struts F.
The advantages of the employment of this chain driving gear over spur wheel
gear are that the power required to raise the ladders may be readily adjusted by
placing a larger or smaller wheel or wheels upon the winch shaft or shafts T, and that
as the chain drives equally well whether slack or taut, by keeping it slack the play of
the springs, which connect the axle-tree with the main frame, does not interfere with
the winding gear in any way.
Instead of winding the ladders down by the winch handles T.I may provide a strap
brake X, or brake of any other suitable construction upon the drum S, so that the
ladders may be allowed to descend slowly by their own weight.
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 :-
:-
I. In a telescopic fire-escape or scaling ladder, the arrangement of stay lines and
hinged struts for the sliding ladders, substantially as and for the purposes herein
described and shewn with reference to figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying
drawings.
II. In a fire-escape or scaling ladder, the combination with the lever L of the
struts F, sockets H and pins H', substantially as herein described and shewn with
reference to figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: III. In a fire-escape or scaling ladder, the combination with the lever L of the
improved construction of handspikes M, substantially as herein described and shewn
with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings.
IV. In a fire-escape or scaling ladder, the improved method of attaching the treads
to the sides. substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to figures 9
and 10 of the accompanying drawings.
V. In a hand scaling ladder, the combination therewith of stay-lines and struts,
substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to fig. 11 of the
accompanying drawings.
VI. In a telescopic fire-escape or scaling-ladder, the improved stop to prevent
overwinding, substantially as herein described and shewn with reference to
figures 12 and 13 of the accompanying drawings.
VII. In a telescopic fire-escape or scaling-ladder, the combination with the winding
gear of a hinged stop, substantially as herein described and shown with reference to
figure 14 of the accompanying drawings.
VIII. In a telescopic fire-escape or scaling-ladder, the arrangement of chain
winding gear for raising and lowering the ladders, substantially as herein described
and shewn with reference to Figs. 15 and 16 of the accompanying drawings.
IX. In a telescopic fire-escape or scaling-ladder, the arrangement of chain winding
gear with two chains and two or more independent winches for raising and lowering
the ladders, substantially as herein described.
Dated this Twenty-eighth day of January 1887
AMBROSE MYALL, C.E.,
Agent for the Applicant.