Improved Fire Escape Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 17th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 26th Nov., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Fire Escape Apparatus.
I, THOMAS FERRIER GELLATLY Gordon House, 79 East India Dock Road
London E. Master Mariner do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
A cage of iron or steel wire, or wicker-work or part both, of any size that may
be required, fitted with wire or hemp ropes in such a way, that the cage may be
hoisted up to a window, any height, by the people outside. The window to be
fitted with a cross-bar of wood or iron on brackets inside; and another such bar
to be fitted outside, by attaching it, by iron rods or chains and hooks, to the inside
bar, if necessary; and to which two iron blocks may be attached, or hooked,
through which the ropes are to be led.
One end of the ropes is to be fastened to the side of the cage nearest to the
burning house; the other ends are rove through the blocks on the bar, and then
down through fair leaders or bulls-eyes fitted to the top and bottom corners of the
cage, furthest from the building; and by which means the cage is kept square
and travels on its own hoisting ropes; and can be worked from the opposite side
of the street. The cage to be covered with canvas or not as required, and also
to have a single rope as a downhaul.
A small heaving line for throwing from the window, whereby the blocks may be
pulled up, to be attached to cross-bar inside the house, or portable, if necessary.
The cage and all the gear, will be of sufficient strength to lower any person to
the ground, or two or three children if necessary, at a time; without any possi-
bility or fear of their falling out. It will also be of such weight that it may be
conveyed to the scene of a fire, by any vehicle, such as a hansom &c. or carried
easily by two men.
I believe this invention will be of great use to the public; and the means of
saving many lives.
Dated this 10th day of October 1892.
THOMAS FERRIER GELLATLY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Fire Escape Apparatus.
I, THOMAS FERRIER GELLATLY of "Gordon House" 79 East India Road
London E. Master Mariner, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
The nature of this invention is for the purpose of facilitating the escape of
persons from any burning building, by safe exit from one of the upper windows, and
salving property.
The inside frame of the window or walls thereof to be fitted with iron or other
metal brackets, one on each side, as shewn in drawing A. A Figure 1. A bar of
wrought iron tube, or other metal, or wood, fitted with bands and eyes; of any
length according to the width of the window; which can be placed in the brackets
as shewn in drawing B. B. Figure 1. The bar also to be fitted with a pin at
each end to prevent it from sliding out of brackets, and a heaving line for throwing
to the people outside.
Another bar of wrought iron tube, or other metal, or wood; fitted with bands

page_text: and eyes, and rods and hooks, as shewn in drawing Figure 2. (enlarged) which may
be used for hooking on to inside bar if necessary, see drawing, Figure 3. outside of
window with bars fitted.
A cage of iron or steel wire, 4 ft. deep by 2 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. (open at the
top) or smaller or larger size, but for the same purpose. The cage to be fitted
with hemp or wire ropes, one end of each of the ropes to be fastened to two
of the upper corners of the cage, or near thereto. The other ends of the ropes
to be rove through two blocks, of wood or iron, and then down through fair-
leaders, of wood or iron, or part both, fitted to the top and bottom corners of
the opposite side of the cage, as shewn in drawing D. D. D. D. Figure 4. By
means of a heaving line thrown from the window, the blocks, with ropes rove,
can be pulled up and hooked on to the bar, as shewn in drawing E. E. Figure 3.
Or, by fitting the inside bar with a block, and a heaving line rove through it
of sufficient length that both ends can reach the ground fully; the firemen or
people outside, can then reeve one of the cage ropes; by which means a man
can be pulled up to the window in a sling chair, and thus gain access to the
appartment the outside bar and second block can also be sent up by the people
outside. After hooking the outside bar, and blocks, the apparatus is in working
order, and persons can be lowered down with facility and safety, by the people in
the street.
The cage travels up and down on its own hoisting ropes, and is guided by them
at any angle, C. C. C. C. above Figure 4 in drawing.
The cage also to be fitted with a single rope for pulling it down, and a cover of
canvas or other material round the sides and bottom when required.
The cage to be constructed with wires closer or further apart as may be deemed
necessary, and similar to Figure 4. of drawing, or crossed.
The whole of the apparatus to be of sufficient strength for the purpose intended,
and of such weight that it can be conveyed to the scene of a fire, in any light
vehicle.
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 I
claim is:
1. My method of fitting brackets and bars to the windows or walls, and of fitting
the bars with bands and eyes, and rods or screws, and hooks, and blocks, in such a
manner, and for such a purpose as I have described above.
2. My invention of making and fitting a cage with fairleaders, and ropes rigged
and rove in the manner, and for such purposes as I have described above.
3. The original invention of fitting all the parts and the whole of the apparatus
complete as described above. And the sole right to produce the whole, and any
part or parts of the said apparatus, of any of the manufactured articles mentioned
in my Specification. And the sole right to dispose of, and supply the whole apparatus
or any part or parts thereof, and of fitting the same to any building or buildings,
within the jurisdiction of the British law.
Dated this 17th day of October 1892.