Improvements in Extension-ladders.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 7th Mar., 1891
Improvements in Extension-ladders.
We, RICHARD SWAYZE ADLEY, 58, Apple Street, Muskegon, in the State of
Michigan, one of the United States of America, and FRED ARTHUR BURTON,
Merchant, 148, Pine Street, Muskegon, in the State of Michigan aforesaid, do
hereby declare the nature of our said invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to an improvement in that class of devices denominated
ladders" and particularly to that division of the class known as "fire-ladders,"
the object of our present improvements being to simplify, perfect, and cheapen the
construction of extensible fire-ladders and enable the same to perform more valuable
and useful service than heretofore; and the invention consists in the construction,
arrangement, and combination of parts, substantially as will be hereinafter described,
and then more particularly pointed out in the ensuing claims.
In the accompanying drawings, which assist in more clearly defining and pointing
out the character of our present invention,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of our improved extensible fire-ladder.
Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional plan view on the line
of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail side view of a portion of the upper ladder.
Fig. 4 is a sectional end view at the top of the device.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail side view of the upper end of the upper ladder.
Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional plan on the line y y of Fig. 1.
Like letters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout all the different
figures of the drawings.
Our improved fire-ladder consists, essentially, of two main parts, one of which
slides within the other, so that the total length of the ladder may be made longer
or shorter, as desired. This total length will of course vary with different ladders,
and will depend upon the length of each section. For instance, a ladder having
each of its sections or main parts twenty-five feet long would when said parts are
extended form a ladder having a length of fifty, and when the parts are closed
obviously the length of the ladder would be but twenty-five feet.
The proportions and size of the main ladder-section, as well as of the other
constituent and incidental parts, may vary at the pleasure of the constructor and
user of the ladder, and we are limited to no precise form or size.
The lower ladder-section consists of side bars made hollow or with grooves to
receive the upper ladder-section when the two parts are closed together. These
side bars have the side portions A A, provided with the right-angled flanges or
sides a a. By referring to Fig. the construction of these side bars will be clearly
seen, and it will be evident that they afford guideways within which the upper
ladder-section may slide. The said side bars are connected together by means of
a series of parallel horizontal rounds A', secured to the outer faces of the flanges
or sides a d, as indicated.
The upper-ladder-section is constructed similarly to the lower ladder-section. It
likewise has side bars composed of flat sides B B, which are provided with the
sides bbat right angles thereto so that these side bars are connected together by
a parallel series of horizontal rounds B', which are bolted or otherwise securely.
fastened to the flat sides B B. (See Fig. 2.)
The upper ladder-section is located within the lower ladder-section so as to slide
conveniently and smoothly therein, it being arranged, as shown, with the sides bb
of the side rails located contiguous to the sides A. A of the side bars of the lower
ladder-section, so that in reality it may be said that the side bars of the, lower
..'.מ

page_text: section have a construction the reverse of that of the side bars of the upper ladder-
section.
In order that the upper section may move freely and quickly and that friction
may be avoided, we provide rollers located at suitable distances apart.
The upper ladder-section is provided with one series of rollers and the lower
ladder-section with another series of rollers.
CCC indicate the rollers with which the lower ladder-section is provided.
They are located in slots in the flanges or sides a a on the upper side of the ladder,
supposing the same to be in the inclined position of Fig. 1. Said rollers CC have
their spindles journaled in suitable bearings formed on the top faces of the sides a a,
by which the rollers are carried, and the peripheries of the rollers projected within
the side bars, so as to be in contact with the faces of the sides, belonging to
the side bars of the upper ladder-section. Furthermore, said upper ladder-section
has its rollers D. D. D located in slots in the lower sides bb, the spindles of said
rollers being held in suitable bearings on the face of said sides, and the
peripheries of these rollers D D projecting through the slots wherein the rollers
are located, so as to come into convenient contact with the lower flanges or sides a a
of the side bars of the lower ladder-section, all of which is clearly represented in
Fig. 2 of the drawings. By this arrangement it will be seen that the upper ladder-
section moves between these anti-friction rollers, and hence the ladder is capable of
being extended with ease and promptness.
The top ends of the side bars of the lower ladder-section are provided with dogs
or catches ac, pivoted to said upper ends of the side bars, as indicated in Fig. 3,
and adapted to enter notches, located at convenient distances apart on the face
of the side bars of the upper ladder; hence the upper ladder is by means of these
dogs held at any desired point to which it may be extended. In order to cause the
dogs to engage the upper ladder, it is simply necessary to throw them into engage-
ment with the notches or indentations just referred to. These dogs are severally
provided with a spring consisting of a flat piece of steel of suitable size and strength,
one end of which is fastened to the side bars of the lower ladder. The other rests
upon the dog at a suitable point near the end which engages with the notches or
indentations just referred to, by means of which springs the dogs become self-acting
and enter into engagement with the notches or indentations just referred to be the
force exerted by the steel springs. As the ladder is extended, these dogs pass
over the notches with a sharp forcible click induced by the steel springs, and as
points of the dogs engage with the notches or indentations the ladder is held firmly
in position at any point or degree of extension.
In order to extend the ladder and cause the upper section thereof to ascend, we
provide the horizontal shaft E, located in bearings e e, affixed to the side bars
of the lower ladder-section, said shaft being provided with the crank-handles E' E³,
one at each end of the shaft. On the shaft E are two gears E¹ E, which engage
rack or toothed bars dd, secured to the edges of the upper ladder, as shown; or
there may be a single gear which engages a rack or toothed bar secured at the
middle of the rounds of the upper ladder. It is evident, therefore, that if the
handles E E² are grasped and the shaft E rotated the gear or single gear, as
the case may be, being in mesh with the toothed bars or bar, as the case may be,
will operate to lift or depress the upper ladder, as the case may be. In this manner
the upper ladder is easily extended to the desired limit, at which it is held as long
as desired by causing the aforesaid dogs to properly engage the upper ladder.
addition to these dogs there is a ratchet-wheel on each end of the shaft E, into which
a dog or pawl plays and assists the dogs cc in keeping the ladder at the desired
elevation and in preventing it from slipping or falling, and in holding it firmly in
position at any point or degree of extension. The last named ratchet-wheels
are so arranged on the axle as now to engage the dogs simultaneously, but
alternately.
In
The upper ladder is provided at its upper end with a horizontal shaft F, journaled
therein and carrying at each end a wheel or roller F F¹. These two wheels F¹ F¹

page_text: secure grasp.
are of considerable size say, preferably, about a foot or more in diameter and they
are capable of revolution on the shaft F, which carries them. These rollers are
each formed with two sharp peripheral edges, resembling in form somewhat two
saucers placed face to face. The purpose of the sharp edges on the rollers is to
enable the ladder to be held firmly against the wall which supports it, so that all
slipping thereof upon the wall may be prevented and that it may have a tight and
Furthermore the rollers or wheels are made of considerable diameter,
so that they may readily pass over projections of the side of the house, such as
window-sills and other similar projecting parts. As the ladder is being elevated
and its upper end is mounting along the side of the building, said end might be
abruptly brought in contact with these projecting parts, and the same might be
damaged or the ladder might be injured or impeded in its movement were it not
for the provision of these guide-rollers. They permit the ladder to have an easy
ascending motion along the side of the building, so that when projecting parts are
encountered they easily ride upon the same and thus the upper end of the ladder is
guided freely and accurately toward the point of destination. Furthermore, the
top portion of the upper ladder is provided with a platform J, which is hinged to
the side bars, as indicated in Fig. 5, and which is supported by ropes j.j, fastened
to the platform near its outer edge, and fastened likewise to the side bars of the
upper ladder. This platform will be in a substantially horizontal position when
the ladder is in position against the side of the building, and it serves to enable the
person ascending the ladder to mount upon the roof of the house more easily, and
obviates the difficulty of getting onto the roof after the upper end of the ladder
has been placed beneath the cornice or eaves of the building. The platform extends
out, say about three feet or so, and by its use the facility and ease with which the
action of the fireman or other person may work are greatly enhanced.
Near the lower part of the lower ladder is a drum or roller H, mounted on an
axle H, turning in bearings hh, carried by the side bars of the lower ladder, said
axle H' being provided at one or both ends with a crank-handle H2, whereby it is
manipulated. Said shaft or axle H' carries also a ratchet-wheel i, which is engaged
by a pawl, pivoted to one of the side bars. Around this drum or roller H is
wound a rope I, which runs upward and passes around a grooved pulley G', carried
by a shaft G, the ends of which are journaled in bearings g g on the side bars of
the upper ladder near the upper end of these bars. The rope I, after passing
around this grooved pulley or sheave, passes downward behind the ladder, as
indicated in Fig. 1. This windlass-and-rope arrangement will serve many valuable
uses in connection with the other parts of our improved fire ladder. By it objects
may be lowered from the top of the ladder without requiring the person to carry
them down by a descent upon the rounds or steps thereof. It may be used as an
elevator to carry up tools or fire-extinguishers, or anything else that may be
required, or to elevate a box into which children or infirm people may be put and
lowered to the ground. In many ways it may be brought into useful service.
P. denotes a rod secured at its upper end to the lower section of the ladder at a
point near the upper end thereof. This rod P is of a convenient length and size,
consisting, preferably, of gas-pipe of suitable size, plugged with wood and provided
at its lower end, preferably, with a wrought-iron point. It is designed as the ladder
is raised to rest at its lower end upon the ground, and to gradually change its
position, and thus keep it from swaying at any point or degree of ascension.
K denotes the base of the ladder, consisting of a suitable bleck, to which the
ladder is attached for use. This base is intended to be carried on the front of a
wagon used by the fire department, or it may be used in the street, upon which to
place the lower end of the ladder when it is to be elevated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
-
1. In a ladder, the combination of the lower ladder-section having its side bars

page_text: composed of a flat side provided with right-angled sides, the upper ladder-section
having its side bars located within the side bars of the lower ladder-section, and
similarly constructed with flat sides provided with right-angled sides, said side bars
of the two sections having their recesses or cavities located toward each other, and
the devices for sliding the upper ladder-section, and thus extending the length of the
ladder.
2. The combination of the lower ladder having side bars consisting of flat sides
provided with sides at right angles thereto to form grooves, the rounds secured to
the right-angled sides of said side bars, the upper ladder having its side bars
composed of Hat sides provided with right-angled side, and the rounds secured to
said flat sides of the side bars, the series of rollers arranged in the side bars of the
lower ladder and in the side bars of the upper ladder to give said upper ladder a
free and easy movement when being manipulated, and the devices for manipulating
the same as described.
3. The combination of the lower ladder having its side bars composed of sides
provided with right-angled pieces, the upper ladder having its side bars composed
of sides provided with right-angled pieces, said side bars of the upper and lower
ladders having their grooves or recesses, located toward each other, the series of
rollers arranged in the side bars of the upper ladder, the operating-shaft carrying
gears engaging toothed bars on the upper ladder, and the dogs for holding the
upper ladder in its extended position, as specified.
4. The combination of the lower ladders with its hollow side bars provided with
a series of rollers, the upper ladder with its hollow side bars located within the side
bars of the lower ladder, and thus presenting its cavity or recess opposite that of the
lower ladder, and similarly provided with a series of rollers, the shaft with its
gears engaging racks on the side bars of the upper ladder, the large guide-wheel at
the upper end of the upper ladder, and the dogs for holding the upper ladder when
extended, as specified.
Dated 30th January 1891
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicants.