An Improved Domestic Fire Escape.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Jan., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Domestic Fire Escape.
I, JOHN EMPSON of 30 Annandale Road Chiswick in the County of Middlesex
Carpenter, and Joiner do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention is for the speedy lowering of persons from any story of a burning
building without any trouble of fixing an apparatus. The apparatus is portable &
can be easily moved from room to room. It is in the outward form of a box & stands
in front of a window & may be utilized when not in action, as a window seat or
dressing table.
In case
It consists of a box or case A made of wood or any material suitable of one
or more compartments, which is secured to the floor of room by means of bolts
or straps C and by a sufficient length of cords or chain B to permit the box
to hang level with the outside of window cill S as shewn in Figure 1.
of fire the lower sash is thrown up and the box lifted out of window the box
being held in position by the two cords or chains B fastened to the floor-in
putting the box through the window the lid falls open and the contents fall into
position for immediate use-these are a bag E which may be made of canvass
or asbestos cloth or other suitable material the back of bag may be lengthened
sufficiently long to reach the ground-which would be rolled round a drum or
reel or roller-or the bag may be attached to the roller by means of bands, cords,
straps or chains. The roller D which may be made of wood or metal is constructed
in two halves screwed or bolted together-one end of the roller is fitted with a
lock K and break I these are worked by a cord or chain H either by the occupant
of the bag, or from the window, or from below, and can be so manipulated that
either person can lower the bag as rapidly or slowly as desired or stop altogether.
At the other end of the roller is a rope or chain G for raising the bag again and
this operation can also be performed either from above or below.
Dated this 7th dex of January 1893
JOHN EMPSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Domestic Fire Escape.
I JOHN EMPSON, of No. 30 Annandale Road, Chiswick, in the County of
Middlesex, Carpenter and Joiner 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 :-
This invention is for the speedy lowering of persons from any story of a burning
building without any trouble of fixing. The apparatus is portable and can be
easily moved from room to room. It is in the outward form of a box, and stands
in front of a window, and may be utilized when not in action as a window seat or
dressing table.
It consists of a box or case (A) of one or more compartments, which is secured
to the floor of the room by means of bolts or straps (Y) and by a sufficient length
of cord or chain (B) to permit the box to hang level with the outside of the
window sill (S) as shown in Figure 1.
In case of fire the lower sash is thrown up and the box lifted out of window, the
box being held in position by the the two cords or chains (B) fastened to the floor
joist (C). In putting the box through the window the lid (N) falls open, and the

page_text: contents fall into position for immediate use (the bag being held open by bar (L)
these are bag (E) which may be made of canvas or asbestos cloth or other suitable
material. The back of bag may be lengthened sufficiently long to reach the
ground. The back of the bag can be made with holes to act as a ladder in case it
is necessary to go up to the window. The rope (G) is fixed to a wooden roller
which works the reverse way to the back of the bag, therefore when the bag runs
down the rope runs up, and the lower the bag goes down the slower it goes, as the
roller gets smaller, therefore the bag has less purchase, and the rope (G) winds up
and gets larger therefore it has more purchase and the bag almost stops before it
gets to the bottom. The screw (U) can be regulated for any weight. The bag
at the back also passes over a roller (W) which is fixed on the brake (V). When
the weight is in the bag it pulls down the roller (W) and puts brake (V) on
roller (D). (G) and (H) pass through roller (0) so when the weight is in the
bag it brings the bottom (Q) horizontal, which turns the roller (0) with canvas (P)
which is fixed to the wood bottom, by doing so it twists the cord (G and H). By
the occupant (0) of the bag pressing down the handle (M) can stop themselves.
The handle (M) is fixed to the roller (0) at the ends, so when roller (0) turns
round it brings the cords (G and H) up to the handle (M) and by pressing
down (M) you can stop the bag or let yourself down at any speed required.
The cord (H) which is fixed to the brake (I) when pulled down will be held so
by the roller (O). If you wish to stop at the window below you can do so by
pulling the cord (H) up, which will lock (K) when the weight is in the bag. The
lever on brake (J) is made with a joint so as to close it in the box when not in use.
(C) shows the joists where the straps are fixed. The roller (D) which may be
made of wood or metal is constructed in halves screwed or bolted together.
(F) is a guard bar to protect any one getting into the bag. When the lid (N)
opens, which is attached to cord (R) it pulls out the lever (Z) which the cord (G)
passes through. (X) are springs which can be made of rubber or any other suitable
material, and help to regulate the weight on the brake, also takes the brake off
when the bag is being pulled up.
The upper figure on Sheet 4 is section
round roller (D) also shows hooks fixed to
sill, which can be used if found necessary.
weight is on the rope (G).
of box showing the rope (G) passing
the box, and bolts fixed to the window
(Y) is to hold the lever (Z) when the
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 :
No. 1. The box and its contents and the construction and the working of same.
My method of making a box and contents also the way in which it is worked.
No. 2. My invention of making and fitting the bag brakes and box and for such
purpose as described above.
No. 3. The original invention of fitting all the parts and the whole of the
apparatus complete and the sole right to produce the whole and any part or parts
of the said apparatus and any of the manufactured articles mentioned in my Speci-
fication and the sole right to dispose of and supply the whole apparatus or any part
or parts thereof and fitting the same to any building as a fire escape within the
jurisdiction of the British law.
Deted this 5th day of Ontahan 1202.