Suspending Persons at Work on House-fronts.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1887
Complete Left, 25th Nov., 1887
Complete Accepted, 30th Dec., 1887
Suspending Persons at Work on House-fronts.
I, HENRY FRANK DALE of 15 Strand, London, W.C., Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide an appliance, whereby to allow of the
escape of the inmates of a burning house, said appliance being also applicable to other
purposes, such for instance as cleaning windows, repairing, painting or decorating the
fronts of houses.
In carrying out my invention, 1 provide a shallow rectangular or oblong case or
box, preferably of cast metal, perforated with holes to receive spindles upon which
revolve three or more sheaves or pulleys. Said metal case or box is pierced on the
top and bottom with holes, to allow of the introduction of a rope or line of any
suitable material, but preferably of steel wire. It is also provided upon the top and
bottom with a stout ring. To the top ring is attached a cord for suspending the
appliance in any suitable position, when not in use, and to the bottom ring is attached
a loop of cord, which, when in use, is passed under the arms of, and so as to suspend
the person using the apparatus; or, if preferred, a wooden seat may be substituted
for the loop.
When using the apparatus, the metal rope, which is interlaced with the sheaves or
pulleys, is safely secured to a suitable fastening in the wall of the house, or to the
window sill, and, the loop having been adjusted, the rope is firmly grasped, either by
the hands, or by a suitable gripper provided for the purpose, below the case or box,
by the person using the appliance, whereupon the weight of said person exerts a
sufficient tension upon the rope, to prevent the descent of the user. The speed of
descent being effected and regulated by the degree of tension brought to bear upon
the metal rope above referred to.
Dated thi. 20th day of Anom 1887
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: An Improved Independent Fire-escape, Applicable also for
Suspending Persons at Work on House Fronts.
I, HENRY FRANK DALE of 15 Strand, London, W.C. 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 :-
Reference being also had to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1
represents an elevational view of the appliance according to my invention; Figure 2
a sectional view of the same drawn on line A, B Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional
elevational view of the 'gripper' or speed check; and Figures 4 and 5 represent a
hold-fast to be hereinafter referred to.
The device or appliance in accordance with my invention comprises a shallow
enclosing case or box A Figures 1 and 2, preferably of wrought or cast iron, provided
with strengthening ribs a, and bored or otherwise perforated with holes into which
take the spindles 6 of a number of small sheaves or pulleys B, with which a rope or
cord C-preferably of steel wire is interlaced. One of the centre sheaves or pulleys
is mounted upon a slide D capable of lateral movement and adjustment between
ribs c, by means of the thumb-screw d. The object of this lateral movement is to
allow of the apparatus being used by persons of different weights and muscular
strength, inasmuch as, although the speed of descent is regulated by the tension to
which the cord or rope is subjected, a person of considerable weight, but of reduced
or inferior muscular power, would find it difficult to attain, what might be considered
a comfortable speed, but, by means of the movable sheave or pulley B', the angle
may be increased or diminished to any desired extent to meet this requirement,
independent of extraneous aid, such as would be obtained from the use of the gripper
above referred to.
To a projecting ring or eye E with which the lower end of the enclosing case A is
provided, is attached by any suitable means a 'gripper' or speed check F formed of
two metal bars G, G₁ channelled in their length and hinged together at e and furnished
with plates of wood 1 corrugated or otherwise, so as to form a handle. The bar G is
indented or recessed at f, and upon the bar G₁ is formed a projection f¹ which,
bearing upon the metal rope C as it passes through the gripper before entering
the enclosing case A at the orifice, tends to press said rope Cinto the recess f of the
bar G, by which means the tension of the rope C upon the sheaves or pulleys B may
be regulated with the greatest ease.
'
To the second projecting ring or eye H at the lower end of the enclosing case or
box A is secured by a split hook, bolt, link or equivalent, a sling which may comprise
merely a loop of rope, webbing or the like, or, if desired, it may have a seat, cage,
basket or other contrivance attached thereto, for the convenient suspension and carriage
of the users of the device.
To the ring or eye E¹ formed upon the upper end of the enclosing case A is

page_text: attached by any suitable means, a device for securing my improved Fire-escape at and
desired height, when it is required for use upon work on the outer walls of a building.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a type of 'knuckle grip' or holdfast which is well adapted
to the purpose above mentioned of firmly gripping the rope or cord C, and sustaining
therefrom a weight nearly equal to the breaking strain of said rope. Said grip J is
made up of a number of metal plates l, m, n, o and p, preferably of wrought iron of
suitable size, and pivoted together as shown; the upper ends of the plates n and o
however, are broader than the lower ends, and are pivoted to the plate at the
have a
points n¹ and o¹. The inside edges of the rounded points n" and on
semicircular or other shaped groove or channel formed thereon, which grooves or
channels are milled or toothed, so as to bite or grip the rope firmly.
In using the knuckle grip above described, the plates n and o being opened out to
their fullest extent are so placed as to allow the rope to enter therebetween, when the
plates may be pressed together so as to grip the rope; then, on gently bringing the
weight of the user to bear thereupon, the lower points n" and o" of the jaws press
firmly upon said rope C, the grip being proportionate to the degree of strain brought
to bear upon the device.
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-The improved Fire-escape which is applicable also for suspending persons
at work upon house fronts substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Second-The mode of and means adopted for giving lateral motion to one of the
centre sheaves or pulleys substantially as herein set forth.
Third-In the device herein described and referred to in the first claim, the
adaptation thereto of a gripper' or 'speed-check' substantially and as for the
purpose herein described and set forth.
Fourth In the improved Fire-escape the adaptation thereto and combination
therewith of a hold-fast for sustaining the weight of a person at any desired height
when employed on the front or outer walls of buildings substantially as herein
described and set forth.
Fifth :—The utilisation of a steel wire rope in combination with the improved Fire-
escape substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dated this Twenty fifth day of November 1887.