Improvements in Flexible Ladders and Fire-escapes, and in the Means and Apparatus for Making the same.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Dec., 1898
Complete Specification Loft 8th Sont 1830
secanted 14th not
1903
Improvements in Flexible Ladders and Fire-escapes, and in the
Means and Apparatus for Making the same.
I, JAMES HARGREAVES, of Farnworth, in Widnes, in the County of Lancaster,
Chemical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
To form the steps of the said ladders I employ metal tubes. The ends of the
said tubes are made of elliptical section, or of other such shape as will prevent
the steps from turning round in the wires which form the sides of the ladder.
The ends of the said tubes are also expanded in such manner that the said wires
shall be held in their proper position.
To form the said tubes as aforesaid I heat the ends thereof in a suitable
furnace. The cover of the said furnace consists of a series of blocks with per-
forations through which the ends of the said tubes are passed. The said blocks
are advanced so as to bring the tubes in succession closer to the hot end of the
furnace, as the heated tubes are removed, while the tubes to be heated are
supplied to the cooler end of the furnace. To obtain a higher temperature and
economise fuel I heat the air and gas by the waste heat of the escaping gases
and also by the heat from the walls of the furnace itself. The ends of the said
tubes, are compressed by suitably formed dies, while a plunger, actuated by a
toggle-jointed lever is forced forward so as to expand the extreme ends of the
tubes in the manner, and for the purpose herein before described.
The sides of the ladder are formed of wire, which is passed through one of the
said tubes and then hent so as to form the sides of the ladder, and I attach the
succeeding step by folding the wire around the ends of the said succeeding step.
A further continuation of the wire also serves to form the projecting spurs
which are hereinafter referred to. The wire is heated before folding it around
the succeeding step so as to grip it firmly on cooling.
To heat the wire without requiring to move the ladder about during con-
struction, I employ a portable furnace of a form which allows the wire to be
rapidly heated. To economise fuel and time, I heat the gas and air used in the
said furnace by means of the waste products of combustion and by the radiant
heat from the furnace itself.
To ensure a firm foothold, I in some cases cause spurs to project from the
sides or from the steps of the ladder, in such manner as to prevent the steps
from coming into contact with walls and the like. For this purpose I use a con-
tinuation of the wire, which is caused to project, and after bending the end back
is secured to the sides or step of the ladder. To enable the ladder to be readily
folded I cause the said spurs to be bent at such an angle that each spur is held
slightly to one side, of the succeeding spur when the ladder is folded.
To construct the ladder, I employ a frame in which two of the said tubes are
held firmly at a suitable distance apart, so that the steps can be attached in suc-
cession one after the other. When one step is secured it is removed to the
opposite end of the said frame, and a new tube fixed in its place and so on in

page_text: succession until a ladder of sufficient length is obtained. When spurs are added,
I place a forming-block in a suitable position, so as to form spurs of equal size
and shape. To heat the ends of the wires which require to be firmly coiled around
the sides and steps of the ladder, I employ a gas blowpipe with suitable deflector
to concentrate the heat upon the point which requires to be heated.
Dated this Ninth day of December 1898
Improvements in Flexible Ladders and Fire-escapes, and in the
Means and Apparatus for Making the same.
I, JAMES HARGREAVES, of May Villa, Farnworth, in Widnes, in the County
of Lancaster, Chemical Engineer, 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, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings:-
This invention relates to ladders which can be folded up into a small compass
and has for its object to construct such ladders in a simple manner and so that
they shall be very strong and not liable to become deranged in use or by being
folded up.
Fig. 1 is a plan of a portion of a ladder constructed according to my invention,
Fig. 2 is a side elevation and Fig. 3 is an end view. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional
detail views of the end of a tube which forms the step.
To form the steps of the said ladders I employ metal tubes a the ends of which
are made of elliptical section as shown at a¹ or of such other shape as will prevent
the tubes or steps from turning round in the loops of the wires which wires
form the sides of the ladder. The ends of the said tubes are also expanded as
shown at a² in such manner that the said wires shall be held in their proper
positions and prevented from slipping off the tubes.
To form the said tubes as aforesaid I heat the ends thereof in a suitable furnace,
such as shown in Fig. 6 which is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas furnace
for heating the tubes. The cover of the said furnace consists of a series of blocks 2
with perforations through which perforations the ends of the said tubes a are
passed and rest on the floor 4 of the furnace. The said blocks are advanced so
as to bring the tubes in succession closer to the hot end 5 of the furnace as the fully
heated tubes are removed, while the tubes to be heated are passed through perfora-
tions in other blocks and supplied to the cooler end 6 of the furnace. 2" is a block
from which fully heated tubes have been removed and 2b is a block into which
tubes to be heated will be inserted when the series are advanced towards the
end 5 of the furnace. To obtain a higher temperature and economise fuel I
heat the air and gas used as fuel by the waste heat of the escaping gases, and
also by the heat from the walls of the furnace itself. 7 are the walls and bottom
of the furnace of suitable refractory material. 8 is the gas supply pipe which
passes along a hollow space 9. 10 is an air supply pipe leading from a chamber 11
surrounding the waste gas pipe 12 to the inlet 13 to the furnace. 11" is a supply
pipe to the chamber 11. The end 10" of the pipe 10 forms an annulus surround-
ing the end of the gas supply pipe so that the force of the issuing, gas draws in
air through the pipe 10. 14 are tubes passing across the waste gas passage 15
and leading from the atmosphere to the hollow space 9 so that air is drawn along
such hollow space and into the furnace by the force of the gas from the pipe 8.
The heat from the furnace walls and bottom raises the temperature of the gas

page_text: and air in the pipes 8 and 10 and hollow space 9 and also air in passing through
the tubes 14 becomes heated by the waste gases from the furnace flowing
through the passage 15 to the waste pipe 12. The gas supply may also be heated
by the waste gases in a similar manner if desired.
In order to form the ends of the said tubes of elliptical or other section they
are compressed by suitably formed dies, while a plunger actuated by a toggle
jointed lever is forced forward into the tubes so as to expand the extreme end
of the tubes as before described.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation. Fig. 8 is a plan and Fig. 9 a cross section at AA
on Fig. 8 of apparatus for forming or shaping the ends of the tubes. 16 is a
table carrying a slotted piece 17 for receiving the tube a. 18 is a die formed in
two halves one carried on the table 16 the other carried on the lever 19 pivotted
at 20. The heated end a¹ of the tube is placed on the lower half of the die the
upper half is by means of the lever brought down on the tube and compresses it
to the desired shape. While the tube is held by the die 18 a plunger carried
on a block 21 free to slide in guides 21 is caused, by means of the toggles and
lever 22, to move forward into the end of the tube and expand the extremity a³
thereof into the form as shown in Fig. 4.
The sides of the ladder are formed of wire b see Figs. 1, 2 and 3, which is
passed through one of the said tubes, and then bent so as to form the sides of
the ladder, and I attach the succeeding tube or step by folding the wire round
the ends of the said succeeding tube or step. The wire is then twisted round
itself as shown at b¹. A further continuation of the wire also serves to form the
projecting spurs which are hereinafter referred to. The wire is heated before
folding it around the ends of the succeeding step so as to grip such step firmly
on cooling. The elliptical portions a' being thus firmly held by the wires the
tube cannot turn round.
To heat the wire without requiring to move the ladder about during con-
struction, I employ a portable furnace of a form which allows the wire to be
rapidly heated. To economise fuel and time I heat the gas and air used in the
said furnace by means of the waste products of combustion and by the radiant
heat from the furnace itself.
Fig. 10 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 11 is a cross section at BB on Fig. 10
and Fig. 12 is an end view all of a gas furnace according to this invention for
heating the wire. 23 is the gas supply pipe and 24 is an air supply pipe both
passing along a hollow space 25 in the walls 26 of the furnace by which means
both the air and gas are heated by the radiant heat from such walls. The air
supply pipe may also be coiled as shown by the dotted lines at 24" so that the
air is heated by the waste products of combustion. The gas may also be similarly
heated if desired. 27 are passages in the walls through which a further supply
of air is induced by the force of the air and gas issuing from the pipes 24 and 23.
The air in flowing along the passages 27 is heated by the radiant heat from the
walls. The combustion chamber consists of a narrow space 28 sufficient to
receive the portion of wire to be heated. The furnace is suspended from a rope
or chain or in other desired manner so that it can readily be moved about to
the part to be heated.
To ensure a firm foothold, I, in some cases, cause spurs to project from the
sides or from the steps of the ladder, in such manner as to prevent the steps
from coming into contact with walls and the like. For this purpose I use a
continuation of the wire, which is caused to project preferably in a V shaped
form as shown at 62 see Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and after bending the end back is
secured to the sides at b3 or it may be secured to the tube or step a³ of the ladder.
To enable the ladder to be readily folded, I cause the said spurs to be bent at
such an angle see Figs. 1 and 3 that each spur is held slightly to one side of the
succeeding or adjacent spur when the ladder is folded, so that they do not foul
each other. When the spurs are not required the ends of the wires are finished
at the twisted portions b¹.

page_text: To construct the ladder, I employ a frame in which two of the said tubes are
held firmly at a suitable distance apart, so that the steps can be attached in
succession one after the other. When one step is secured it is removed to the
opposite end of the said frame and a new tube fixed in its place, and so on in
succession until a ladder of sufficient length is obtained. When spurs are added
I place a forming-block in a suitable position, so as to form spurs of equal size
and shape. To heat the ends of the wires which require to be firmly coiled around
the sides or steps of the ladder, I employ a gas blow-pipe with suitable deflectors
to concentrate the heat upon the point which requires to be heated.
Fig. 13 is a plan and Fig. 14 is a side view partly in section on the line CC
on Fig. 13, of apparatus under my invention for constructing the ladders. f is
a table carrying rests c, f¹ is a pillar on the table carrying rests d. These parts
form a frame in which two tubes a, a, are held in position at a suitable distance
apart. The method of constructing the ladder is as follows. A tube a is placed
in the rests c and is clamped therein by a clamp c¹. Another tube a³ is placed
in the rests & and clamped therein by the clamp d. The rests are adjustable
on the pillar f' and are secured in position by set screws or like devices d² so
that the distance between the tubes a, may be varied and thus ladders with
steps various distances apart may be constructed. The wire b is threaded through
the tube and is then bent at both sides into the position shown by the dotted
lines the ends being bent round forming-blocks e to form the V shaped
spurs. The forming-blocks e are attached to an adjustable piece e¹ secured in
position on the table f by set screws e according to the distance between the
steps. When the spurs 63 are formed the wire is lifted up and bent half round
the ends of the tube a³ the wire is then removed from the tube a³ and the bent
portions are heated by inserting them into the combustion chamber of the
furnace 26, before described, the heated portions are then placed again on the
ends of the tube a³ and twisted or folded twice round such ends the contraction
of the wire when cooling holding the tube a very firmly. The wire is next
twisted round itself as at 61 and finally the extremity 6 is heated and twisted
round the sides as at 63 or such extremity may be twisted round the tube a³ if
desired. After one step is formed the tube a³ is removed to the rests c another
tube is placed in the rests d and the operation is repeated until the desired length
of ladder is obtained.
Fig. 15 is a view showing a convenient method of fitting a ladder to a house
in readiness for use. is the ladder folded up and resting on the hinged flap or
bottom 29 of the box 30 fixed to the wall near the side of the windows. The
top of the ladder is secured by a chain to a bracket 31 fixed to the wall 32. A
catch or trigger 33 holds the flap 29 in position as shown. When the ladder is
required for use the catch 33 is withdrawn by the lever 34 and rod 35 the flap 29
swings downwards and the ladder is free to unfold and extend its full length
downwards to the ground so that persons can reach it from any of the windows
alongside which it passes. The rod 35 is carried through as many floors as
desired so that the ladder can be released from any of them. A bell or other
alarm may be employed in any convenient manner to give notice when the ladder
is being released.
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:-
First. In the construction of flexible or folding ladders the use, for forming
the steps, of tubes having portions thereof of elliptical or equivalent section,
and expanded ends substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. In the construction of flexible or folding ladders the use, for forming
the steps, of tubes having portions thereof of elliptical or equivalent section,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Third. For heating the ends of tubes for the steps of ladders a furnace provided

page_text: with a cover consisting of a series of movable perforated blocks and with means
for heating the air and gas supplied for combustion substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
Fourth. Apparatus for forming the ends of tubes used in constructing flexible
ladders consisting of compressing dies and a plunger for expanding the ends of
such tubes all constructed and operating substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
Fifth. A flexible or folding ladder formed of tubes having portions thereof of
elliptical or equivalent section and expanded ends and having wires threaded
through such tubes the ends of the wire passing through one tube being twisted
round the elliptical portions of the next succeeding tube substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
Sixth. The method of constructing folding ladders consisting of threading
wires through tubes and bending such wires round other tubes held at fixed
distances apart by rests and clamps in the manner substantially as described.
Seventh. In the manufacture of flexible ladders of wires and tubes, heating
the wires before twisting them round the tubes substantially as and for the pur-
pose set forth.
Eighth. As means for heating wires before twisting them round tubes to form
flexible ladders, a portable furnace constructed and operating substantially as
described under Figs. 10, 11, and 12.
о
Ninth. A flexible or folding ladder formed of tubes having portions thereof
of elliptical or equivalent section and expanded ends and having wires threaded
through such tubes, the ends of the wire passing through one tube being twisted
round the next succeeding tube and then round the wire itself substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
Tenth. A flexible or folding ladder formed of tubes having portions thereof of
elliptical or equivalent section and expanded ends and having wires threaded
through such tubes, the wire passing through one tube being twisted round
the next succeeding tube and then round the wire itself, the ends of the wire
being arranged to form projections of spurs, substantially as and for the pur-
poses set forth.
Eleventh. Apparatus for constructing flexible or folding ladders consisting of
rests carried on a frame for receiving tubes, and clamps for holding the tubes
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Twelfth. Apparatus for constructing flexible or folding ladders consisting of
rests carried on a frame for receiving tubes, clamps for holding the tubes, and
shaping pieces for shaping the ends of the wires substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
Thirteenth. The process of constructing flexible or folding ladders consisting
in heating the ends of tubes, shaping such ends in dies, placing two tubes in
rests at fixed distances apart, threading wires through one of such two tubes,
heating portions of the wires, and twisting such heated portions round the ends
of the other of the two tubes all substantially as described.
Dated this Sixth day of Septembe- 1900
W. B. JOHNSON,
4, Clayton Square, Liverpool, Agent.