An Improved Fire-escape.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 5th Dec., 1890-Accepted, 10th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Fire-escape.
1 JOSEPH HENRY WILLINGALE of 25, Broadley Terrace, Blandford Square,
London, N.W. in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
I construct of wood, metal, asbestos or canvas cloth and asbestos or hempen ropes,
a fire escape, by means of which it can be attached or detached in three or more parts,
and can be raised from 10 feet to 40 feet, also when detached it can be carried on a
light carriage by one man, and taken through narrow gateways, and when attached
and raised to the required height it forms a continuous ladder, with a shoot attached
to enable people to slide down to the ground in safety.
I construct this fire escape in three parts, the first or top part I make by taking
two pieces of wood, about 17 ft. in length, about 3 in. in depth and about 2 in. in
width, these I call supports (as shown in Fig. 1 marked (). I make these two supports
a fixture, by morticing to the inside about 1 ft. from the top, a short piece of wood,
about ft. 5 in. in length, about 34 in. in depth and about 2 in. in width (as shown
in Fig. I marked A). I next fix by morticing, a piece of wood about 3 ft. in length,
about 3 in. in depth and about 2 in. in width. to the inside of supports, about
4 ft. 6 in. from the bottom, (as shown in Fig. 1 marked B) the supports now form an
angle (as shown in Fig. 1).
I next make a metal bar frame, which I call a guard, this I bend and fasten to the
outside of the supports by nuts and bolts, (as shown in Fig. 1 marked D) at the
ends of guard frame I fix wheels about 3 in. in diameter, (as shown in Fig. 1
marked E).
I next fix at the bottom of supports, metal sockets, these I fasten with nuts and
bolts (as shown in Fig. 1 marked F) the centre bolts I make with rings attached to
fasten the rope ladder thereon (as shown in Fig. 1 marked G).
I next make an asbestos or hempen rope ladder, about 15 ft. in length and about
9 in. in width, with ends to fasten on to the ring bolts, (as shown in Fig. 1 marked G)
the rope to be about in. in thickness, the steps to be about 18 in. apart, and the top
and bottom steps to be made of metal, and kept in their place by knots fastened in the
rope, (as shown in Fig. 1 marked H). I fasten the tops of this ladder to the guard
frame, (as shown in Fig. 1 marked J) and the bottom part of the ladder I fasten to
the metal ring bolts (as shown in Fig. 1 marked G).
I next take asbestos or canvas cloth, about 15 ft. in length, and about 3 ft. in
width, each side of this I turn over about in. and place metal eyelet holes, through
these metal eyelet holes I fasten rope loops or metal rings, (as shown in Fig 2
marked K) this asbestos or canvas cloth I fasten by means of the rope loops or metal
rings to the rope ladder, to form a shoot for people to slide down (as shown in Fig. 9
marked K).
I now inake the second part by taking two pieces of wood, about 17 ft. in length,
about 4 in. in depth and about 24 in. in width, these I call supports, (as shown in
Fig. 5 marked L) the top part of these supports I make to fit into the metal sockets
of the first part, (as shown in Fig. 1 marked F).
I next fasten to these supports by nuts, bolts with rings attached, about 3 ft. 4 in.
from the top (as shown in Fig. 5 marked M). I also fasten at the bottom of these
supports, metal sockets, I fasten these with nuts and bolts (as shown in Fig. 5
marked N) the centre bolts to have rings attached (as shown in Fig. 5 marked 0).
I next fasten to the inside of the above supports, about 4 ft. 6 in. from the bottom
a metal bar, about 4 ft. in length, bent at one end to form a hook to fit into a metal
socket at one end, the other end of the bar to be fastened to form a hinge, (as

page_text: position.
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LIIS Dar when let down is to hold the supports in
I now fasten to the metal ring bolts, an asbestos or hempen rope ladder, about 12 ft.
in length, and about 9 in. in width (as shown in Fig. 5 marked M and O) the rope to
he about in. in thickness with steps about 18 in. apart, the top and bottom steps to
be made of metal, and held in position by knots in the ropes, (as shown in Fig. 5
marked Q).
I next take asbestos or canvas cloth, about 17 ft. in length, and about 3 ft. in
width, each side of this cloth I turn over in. and place metal eyelet holes, through
these eyelet holes I place metal rings or rope loops (as shown in Fig. 3 marked K)
this asbestos or canvas cloth, I fasten to the rope ladders by the metal rings or rope
loops, (as shown in Fig. 9 marked K) at the top ends of the asbestos or canvas cloth,
I fasten metal hooks, (as shown in Fig. 3 marked R) these hooks are used to fasten
the asbestos or canvas cloth to the steps of the rope ladder to form a continuous shoot
for people to slide down, (as shown in Fig. 9 marked R).
Inext make the third part by taking two pieces of wood. about 17 ft. in length,
about 4 in. in depth and about 24 in. in width (as shown in Fig. 6 marked S) the top
ends of these I make to fit into the sockets (as shown in Fig. 5 marked N) of the
second part.
I next fasten to these supports by nuts, about 2 ft. 6 in. from the top, and about
4 ft. from the bottom, metal ring bolts, to these bolts I fasten with metal rings a rope
ladder (as shown in Fig. 6 marked T).
1 next fasten to the inside of the above supports, about 2 ft. from the bottom a
metal bar, about 5 ft. 6 in. in length, bent at one end to form a hook to fit into a metal
socket (as shown in Fig. 6 marked U) the other end to be fastened to form a hinge
(as shown in Fig. 6 marked U) the use of this is to keep the supports in
position.
I next make an asbestos or hempen rope ladder, about 10 ft. in length, and about
9-in. in-width, with-ends-to-fasten-on-to-the-ring-bolts (as shown in Fig. 6 marked T)
the rope to be about in. in thickness the steps of the ladder to be about 18 in. apart,
and the top and bottom steps to be made of metal, and kept in position by knots in
the rope (as shown in Fig: 6 marked W). I fasten this ladder to the ring bolts (as
shown in Fig. 6 marked T).
I next take asbestos or canvas cloth, about 17 ft. in length, and about 3 ft. in
width, each side of this cloth I turn over in. and place metal eyelet holes, through
these eyelet holes I fasten metal rings or rope loops (as shown in Fig. 4 marked K)
at the top ends of this cloth I fasten metal hooks, these I use for attaching the
asbestos or canvas cloth to the steps of the rope ladder of the second part (as shown
in Fig. 9 marked R) to form a a continuous shoot for people to slide down from a
burning building. When this fire escape is fully extended by connecting the parts
together, (as shown in Fig. 9) it forms a continuous ladder with a shoot attached to
the height of 40 ft., measuring about ft. at the top and about 5 ft. at the bottom.
I next make the carriage for carrying the fire escape when disconnected, I take two
pieces of wood, about 5 ft. 2 in. in length, about 9 in. in depth and about 2 in.
in width, these I call side pieces (as shown in Fig. 7 and 8 marked ✗). I next
take two pieces of wood, one about 3 ft. 6 in. in length, about 4 in. in depth and
about 2 in. in width, the other piece about 3 ft. in length, about 4 in. in depth,
and about 2 in. in width (as shown in Fig. 7 marked ) these I fix by morticing
to the inside ends of the side pieces (as shown in Fig. 7) to form a frame of
about 3 ft. 6 in. at one end and about 3 ft. at the other, to hold and fit the top
length of fire oscape when detached (as shown in Fig. 8) I also place the other
parts (as shown in Fig. 5 and 6) when detached and rolled up on the top of the
above part (as shown in Fig. 8) for conveyance.
I next fasten on the angle to the above frame, with screws, four metal bars (as
shown in Fig. 8 marked Z) these I also fasten with screws to the axle-tree.
I next fasten to the axle-tree in the usual way, two light wheels of about 4 ft.
in diameter (as shown in Fig. 7 and 8 marked ①).

page_text: And the improvements and advantages claimed for this, my invention, are
theso: That by means of the three short shoots being attached to the rope ladders
they can be formed into one continuous shoot to enable people to slide down from
a burning building and also the fire escape can be raised to the height required
by being attached to the wooden supports, these forming about five times at the
bottom, the width of the top when fixed together with metal sockets, also the fire
escape when not in use can be taken into three parts and carried on a light
carriage, this fire escape is a auxiliary escape to stand in public places.
And I now declare that I claim as my invention is a fire escape made according to
the design of my drawings, and in the manner described in this my Specification.
J
• Dated this 14th day of March 1890.
J. H. WILLINGALE.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Fire-escape.
1 JOSEPH HENRY WILLINGALE of 25, Broadway Terraco, Blandford Square,
London, N.W., in the County of Middlesex, 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 and by the following statement:―
My invention relates to fire escapes, ladders and shoots, and consists in the
employment of canvas shoots attached to rope ladders, theso ladders are fixed to
wooden supports and raised to the required height by the use of metal sockets.
This auxiliary fire escape is of light construction, being considerably under 200 cwt.
in weight, calculated to stand a strain of 4 or 5 cwt., the separate parts weigh
between 50 and 60 lbs. apiece, they can be lifted over hedges and walls, taken
through narrow ways and fixed in a few minutes, it has a great advantage over the
present cumbersome street fire escapes. As a life saving means, the heavy street
firo escapes are unavailable and useless in country and suburban districts.
ADVANTAGES.
1st. It can be conveyed to a fire by one man, the present heavy escapes
require three.
2nd. It can be taken through a house in parts and raised at the back, which is
impossible for the present fire escapes to accomplish.
3rd. Any number of persons, invalids, children or otherwise can slide down the
shoot to the ground as rapidly or as slow as required.
4th. The advantage of the auxiliary fire escape over household escapes are
these-
-When the alarm of fire is raised people in the house get bewildered and lose
all presence of mind and forget to use them, whereas the auxiliary escape can be
used by cool headed people from outside the building with success.
I construct this fire escape in the following manner :-1 make this escape in two or
more parts, the first or top part I make by taking two lengths of wood about 15 ft. in
length, about 3 in. in depth, 2 in. in width, these 1 call supports (as shown in Fig. 1
marked a) I make these two supports a fixture by fixing them to metal bars, with
nuts and bolts (as shown in Fig. 1 marked band c) the supports now form an angle
(as shown in Fig. 1) I next make a metal frame and fasten this to the outside of
supports with nuts and bolts, about 2 ft. from the top of supports (as shown in
Fig. 1 marked d) at the ends of this frame I fix wheels, about 3 in. in diameter (as
shown in Fig. 1 and 9 marked e).
I next fix at the bottom of supports, metal sockets, about 6 in. in length; 2 in. in
width, 2 in. in depth and about 2 ft. apart, these I fix with nuts and bolts (as shown
in Fig. 1 marked) the use of these sockets are for raising the escape, by placing
the ends of supports (as shown in Fig. 2 marked m) into them, I next fix to the
supports about 1 ft. 1 in. from the bottom, ring bolts, these I use to fasten the rope
ladder thereon (as shown in Fig. 1 marked 9).

page_text: I next make an asbestos, hempen or metal rope ladder, about 13 ft. in length,
about in. in thickness with ends to fasten on to the ring bolts (as shown in Fig. 1
marked g) the steps of this ladder I make about 18 in. apart, and the top and bottom
steps I make of inetal, these I keep in place by knots in the rope (as shown in Fig. 1
marked) I fasten the top ends of this ladder to the metal bar (as shown in Fig. 1
marked b).
I next take asbestos, canvas cloth or of any material applicable for this purpose,
about 13 ft. in length and about 4 ft. 6 in. in width, the sides of which I hem and
place metal eyelet holos about 18 in. apart, through these eyelets I fasten rope loops
or metal rings (as shown in Fig. 4 marked k) this asbestos, canvas or other material
I fasten by means of the loops or rings to the rope ladder, to form a shoot for
people to slide down (as shown in Fig. 8 marked s).
I now make the second part of the escape by taking two lengths of wood about 15 ft.
in length, about 3 in. in depth and 2 in. in width, I call these supports (as shown in
Fig. 2 marked a) the top parts of these I make to fit into the sockets of the first
part (as shown in Fig. 1 marked f). I next fasten to these supports about 2 ft. 1 in.
from the top, metal bolts with rings attached as shown in Fig. 2 marked g). I also
fasten metal bolts with rings attached, to the supports, about 1 ft. 2 in. from the
bottom (as shown in Fig. 2 marked g).
I next fasten to the inside of the above supports, about 4 ft. from the bottom, a
metal bar about 2 ft. 6 in. in length, hent at one end to form a hook to fit into a
socket, the other end to be fastened to a hinge (as shown in Fig. 2 marked i) the use
of this bar, when let down is to hold the supports in position.
I next fasten to the bottom of these supports, metal sockets in the same manner
(as shown in Fig. 1 marked) the use of these sockets are for raising the escape by
placing the ends of the next supports into them, (as shown in Fig. 8 marked f).
I now fasten to the metal ring holts an asbestos, hempen or metal rope ladder
about ft. 6 in: in length, in in-thickness-with-ends-to-fasten on to the ring bolts
(as shown in Fig. 2 marked g) the steps of the ladder I make about 18 in. apart and
the top and bottom steps I make of metal, these I keep in place by knots in the rope
(as shown in Fig. 2 marked h).
I next take asbestos, canvas cloth or of any material applicable for this purpose,
about 15 ft. in length about ft. 6 in. in width, with eyelet holes (as shown in Fig. 5
marked at the top ends of this canvas I fasten two hooks (as shown in Fig. 5
marked o) the use of these hooks are for attaching one short length of canvas shoot
to the other so as to be continuous for people to slide down (as shown in Fig. 8).
I make the third part by taking two length of wood about 15 ft. in length,
about 3 in. in depth and 2 in. in width, I call these supports (as shown in Fig. 3.
marked a) the top ends of the e I make to fit into the sockets of those marked f
Fig. 2, 1 ext fasten to these supports about 2 ft. from the top and 4 ft. from the
bottom, metal ring bolts (as shown in Fig. 3 marked g) to these ring bolts I fasten a
rope ladder (as shown in Fig. 3) I next fasten to the inside of the supports about 2 ft.
from the bottom, a metal bar about 3 ft. bent at one end to form a hook to fit into a
metal socket, the other end to form a hinge, (as shown in Fig. 3 marked n).
I now fasten to these supports a rope ladder about 8 ft. 10 in. in length, about in.
in thickness with steps about 18 in. apart, I attach this ladder to the metal ring bolts
(as shown in Fig. 3 marked g) the top and bottom steps of this ladder are to be
made of metal and kept in their places by knots in the rope (as shown in Fig. 3
marked h).
I next take asbestos, canvas cloth or of any material applicable for this purpose,
about 16 ft. in length and about 4 ft. 6 in. in width, the sides of which I hem and
place metal eyelet holes, to these eyelet holes I fasten rope loops or metal rings (as
shown in Fig. 5 marked k) to fasten the canvas cloth or other material to the steps
of the rope ladder to form a shoot for people to slide down (as shown in Fig. 8
marked s) at the top ends of this canvas I fasten two hooks (as shown in Fig. 5
marked o) these I use for attaching the shoot to the step of the rope ladder of the
second part.

page_text: When this fire escape is fully extended by connecting the parts (as shown in
Fig. 6 and 8) it forms a continuous ladder with a continuous shoot attached, to the
height of 10 ft., measuring about 1 ft. at the top and about 3 ft. at the bottom.
I now make the carriage for carrying the fire eacape when disconnected, I make
the body of this carriage an angle frame about 2 ft. 6 in. in length, about 2 ft. in
width at one end and 2 ft. 3 in. at the other, to fit the supports (shown in Fig. 1
marked a) after the wedge principal, I fix to this body a pair of light springs, and
also in the usual way a pair of light wheels of about 3 ft. in diameter (as shown in
Fig. 7 marked w).
When the parts of the escape are disconnected, parts (shown in Fig. 2 and 3) are
made to collapse together and can be packed and carried (as shown in Fig. 7).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is:
A fire escape made in three or more parts and that the whole is constructed
substantially in the manner above described, and for the purposes stated in this my
Complete Specification.
Dated this 5th day of December 1890
JOSEPH HENRY WILLINGALE.