Improvements in Apparatus to Facilitate Window Cleaning, Escape from Windows in case of Fire, Raising and Lowering Materials, and the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application. 19th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 19th Jan., 1891-Accented, 28th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus to Facilitate Window Cleaning, Escape
from Windows in case of Fire, Raising and Lowering Materials,
and the like.
JAMES PRIDE, 17, James Street, Paddington, London, W., Builder's Manager,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
I provide what I call a purchase rod viz. a longitudinal bar of iron or steel or
other suitable material which may be polished, nickel plated or cased with brass or
otherwise, as may be required, it may be of any shape preferably round & is made
of any length to suit window opening or other opening for which it may be required.
The said purchase rod may be made to pass through or into or affixed to a bolt or
bracket or if convenient might be fixed in the wall or window lining at side of
window. The aforesaid bracket or bolt to be of any suitable material is formed
at one end with an eye to admit purchase rod, or may be affixed to the said
purchase rod, these bolts may run through the wall or be affixed thereto or
may be screwed into the window back or sill or otherwise as may be desired.
This invention also relates to means whereby the said purchase rod or bar
may be supported and secured by what I call my wall Lewis. It consists of one
or more pieces of iron, steel or other suitable material which may be cast or put
together in such a manner as to form a frame which may be oblong, and which
I call the Lewis box through which a shaped hole is formed one side of which may
be saw tooth shaped or otherwise to form receiver for Lewis. The Lewis in this
case being substituted in lieu of the bolts. The Lewis box may be built in, or let
into the wall below the window sill or otherwise. I may also provide what I term
a key piece which may be made of any suitable material & is purposed to secure the
Lewis when in position. I have various modes of forming the Lewis, which may
be with spring, thumb screw, wedge shaped, or otherwise as desired. For window
cleaning purposes I provide a folding seat or stage which may be wholly or partly
formed of malleable iron, crucible steel, wood or other suitable material, the bottom
of which may be supported & secured to two what I term shafts which may be
formed at one end hook shaped the hook of which is designed when placing the
chair or the like in position to grip or pass over or under the purchase rod in such
a manner so that when the seat is opened out on to the window sill it becomes most
rigid & secure, at the same time it can be moved at pleasure horizontally along
the purchase rod. The seat is also supported from the external sill thus making
the seat or the like doubly secure.
I sometimes dispense with the purchase rod and substitute an eye or the like
formed on the internal end of the shafts to pass over a bolt & fix the same with a
nut or other means provided for that purpose, of course the shafts would be
extended downwards for this purpose or they may be returned to fit into Lewis box
and may be affixed thereto with a key or otherwise. I also provide a stage which
may be used for decorative purposes & the like. Also a folding crane, fire escape, &
rope ladder which are part of my invention & would be affixed in a manner similar
to the aforesaid chair.
Dated this 19th day of April 1890.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus to Facilitate Window Cleaning, Escape
from Windows in case of Fire, Raising and Lowering Materials,
and the like.
I, James Pride of 17 James Street, Westbourne Terrace, W., Builder's Manager,
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 relates to appliances for obviating the danger involved in window
cleaning, decorating and repairing the outside of houses and for facilitating escape
from windows in case of fire, and for raising and lowering materials and other
similar purposes.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
in which
Figure 1 is a vertical section through the lower part of a window showing, in
full lines, the window cleaning chair out of use and folded up and hanging inside
the room and in dotted line the chair in position ready for use.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the chair when in position ready for use and as seen
from the inside of the room and showing also by way of example two different
forms of attachments to the window or wall.
Figure 3 is a view generally similar to Fig. 1 but showing the chair folded up
while resting on the window sill, and provided with different means of attachment
and an automatic device for retaining the chair in its extended condition.
Figure 4 is a vertical section of the lower part of a window and a scaffolding or
stage such as may be used for effecting external repairs to a house.
Figure 5 is a view of the scaffolding or stage as seen from the interior of the
room and
Figure 6 is a similar view of the stage closely folded up.
Figure 7 is a vertical section and
Figure 8 a plan showing means by which the scaffolding may be extended or
folded or closed up.
Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the application of a fire-escape to a
window in accordance with my invention and
Figure 10 is a section showing a slightly modified form of the apparatus illustrated
in Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a view showing the manner of fixing the rungs of the fire-escape
ladder.
Figure 12 is a side view of my improvements as applied to the raising and
lowering of goods.
Figure 13 is a view of the same apparatus folded up and
Figure 14 is a view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 12 as seen from the outside of
the building.
Figures 15 and 16 are views of one form,
Figures 17 to 21 of another form and
Figure 22 of a third form of Lewis box constructed according to this inven-
tion and
Figures 23 to 30 inclusive are views of other forms of fastenings which may be
used instead of the before mentioned Lewis boxes.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, A is the purchase rod which may be constructed
of iron steel or other suitable material and either solid or tubular. This rod may
either be permanently fixed in position inside the window frame B as shown in
Figs. 1 and 2 by two or more rigid brackets A' secured to B or to the wall B¹ to
which it may also be built or cemented or it may be rendered removable by two or
more of the Lewis box appliances shown in Figs. 15 to 22.

page_text: in Figs. 15 and 16 C is an arm rigidly secured by boss C¹ to rod A and of such
size as will enable it to be readily inserted in a socket D which is built in the
wall B' having a flange D' to give it a better hold in the brickwork. The socket D
is provided with teeth D2 and the arm, C is provided with a spring-controlled
lever catch C2 C3 the catch C³ of which engages with the teeth D2 or may be
disengaged therefrom by depressing the end C². D³ is a pin or stop for
preventing the arm C from being pushed farther than is necessary into the
socket D.
In the arrangement shown in Figs. 17 to 20 the arm C is itself provided with
teeth C which engage with the teeth D3 of the socket D and any disengagement
of the teeth C4 from D2 or withdrawal of C from D is prevented so long as the
key or plug D is kept in the position shown in Figs. 17 and 19; when however
it is desired to withdraw the arm C from socket D so as to remove the purchase
rod A from its operative position, the key D is first drawn out of the socket then
the arm C may be raised so that its teeth are liberated from the teeth D2 and the
said arm may be drawn out of the socket D. The key D is formed with an end.
D' which serves to close in the open end of the socket D when said key is inverted
and pushed "home" as shown in Figs. 17 and 19 the shank portion or key proper
being wider than the arm C so that it may be supported in grooves or guides De
as shown clearly in transverse section in Fig. 21. D' is a loop or ring to which a
chain may be attached to enable the key to be kept always in position ready
for use.
The Lewis box shown in Fig. 22 is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 17
to 21 but instead of being provided with teeth C and D2 the arm and
socket D are tapered. It will be readily understood that so long as the key D
and arm C occupy the positions in which they are relatively shown in Fig. 22
the arm C could not be withdrawn from the socket which can only be effected
after removing the key D so as to allow the arm C to be moved clear of the
inclined wall of the socket D.
As shown in Fig. 1 the two lower bars E' of the folding seat E (which bars in
my Provisional Specification 1 termed "shafts ") are provided with eyes E2 which
preferably slide easily over the rod A and which may be moved longitudinally
along the same until stopped by the brackets A Figs. 1 and 2 or arms C Figs. 15
to 22 or by either side of the seat coming in contact with the window frame
this provision however is sufficient to enable the seat to be moved to suit the
convenience of the user. Beneath the bars E' are pivoted feet E³ which may
be held at any desired angle from the bars E' by means of a pivoted perforated
bar E and a pin or screw passing through it and the foot as shown in dotted
lines in Fig. 1 or by a toothed or ratchet bar E' and pawl E as shown in full
lines in Figs. 1 and 3 both of which arrangements will be well understood without
further description. The feet E³ are adapted to rest on the window sill B2 and
the level or height of the bottom of the seat (or, it may be scaffolding as herein-
after described) above the sill is adjustable by the devices last described which
devices are also arranged so as to fold against the bars E' when the seat is out of
use as shown in full lines in Figure 1.
The back E' of the seat E is pivoted to the bars E' at E10 at which point
also the adjustable stays E are pivoted to the bars E'. At E¹ the lower
ends of the supports Es are pivoted to the bars E¹ the upper ends of these
supports being pivoted at E to the forward ends of the arms E" whose rear
ends are pivoted.at E to the wings or projections E" secured to or formed in
part with the back E. The front end of each of the stays E" is provided with
a handle Els and a notch or recess (not shown in the drawings) which fits over
one of the pivots E" so as to retain the seat in its extended condition as shown
in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and this recess is disengaged from the pivot E when it
is desired to fold up the seat in the manner shown shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 3.
The wings or projections E" are provided so as to support the pivot E some
distance away from the back E' as shown because without this the said back

page_text: would not fold down close on to the seat proper nor the arm El close against the
bottom of the window frame or wall opening as shown in Fig. 3.
If desired the stay E may be permanently pivoted to the support E" and
arm E and the notch or recess may be formed in its rear end so that it may be
engaged with or disengaged from the pivot E.
Instead of the seat or stage E or other apparatus hereinafter described being
attached to the purchase rod A by means of eyes E2 as shown in Fig. 1 it may be
attached by means of hooks E as shown in Fig. 3 these preferably being so
shaped and the rod A of such section that the seat or other apparatus cannot
become detached from the rod while in its operative position but must first be
turned down into a position such as that shown in full lines in Fig. 1 before it can
be detached from the rod; or instead of this arrangement each bar E' may be
directly hinged to a bracket A' by means of a thumb-screw or ordinary screw
bolt held in place by a winged nut Es as shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 2.
By releasing these nuts Es and withdrawing the bolts the seat may be removed
from the window opening.
more
In Figs. 4 to 8 F represents an extensible framing or scaffolding surrounding
the stage F on three sides and each side of the framing consists of one or more
pairs of lazy-tongs F2 the outer pivoted joints F³ of which are guided in
horizontal slots F in the frames and the framing is held in its extended
condition by means of adjustable struts F which are pivoted to the lazy-tongs
at F7 and may be temporarily attached to the lowest of the frames F' by a pin
or bolt F8 The framing F may be extended directly by hand but a
convenient way is to employ mechanism such as that illustrated in Fig. 8. This
consists of three rods G joined together by chains G' passing around pulleys G²
and a
screw G working in a nut G'secured to or formed in part with one of
the rods G. The pulleys G2 are mounted on studs secured to preferably the
floor of the stage and the screw G³ is mounted in bearings G secured to or
formed in part with the framing of the stage in such manner that it may be easily
rotated by means of the winged head G while at the same time it is prevented
from being displaced longitudinally. The rods G are each attached at G to
the lower end of one member or lever of one set of the lazy-tongs so that by
turning the screw G so as to move the rods G³ in the direction indicated by
the arrows in Fig. the scaffolding will be extended and by turning the screw
in the opposite direction the scaffolding will be allowed to assume its closed
condition. In this last described arrangement the struts F are dispensed with
because the screw will afford all necessary support. The lower ends of the
lower sets of levers not connected to the rods G are provided with pins F³
which are guided in slots F in the framing of the scaffolding as has already
been explained in the description of Figs. 4 and 5.
6
In Figs. 9 and 10 H represents a frame engaged with the purchase rod A by
hooks E as before explained. H' are feet which in Fig. 9 are shown as resting
on the sill B2 and in Fig. 10 against the outer face of the wall B' so as to take the
chief part of the weight of the ladder J and strain to which it may be subjected.
The frame H may itself be formed with one or more rungs or cross bars H2
and may be jointed so as to enable it to be packed away into a comparatively
small space. The sides J' of the ladder J are made of rope and the rungs J2
preferably of metal these rungs as shown in Fig. 11 being tubular and advan-
tageously secured at each end to one of the rope sides J' by means of two spiked
or roughened clamping plates J3 J4 the former secured to the end of the rung
and the other drawn against the outer side of the rope and towards the rung by
means of a screw J which passes through the outer clamping plate J* and
rope and screws into a nut J which plugs up one of the ends of the rung.
The detachable hoisting apparatus shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 consists of
two bars Keach hooked at one end to the purchase rod A in the same manner
as that before described and at the other end pivoted by a bar K' to one arm
or lever L' of a series of lazy-tong levers L the other corresponding arm L' of

page_text: which is provided with a bar L³ which is capable of sliding along a slot K' in
cach of the bars K and at any desired part of which slot the bar L³ may_be
retained by means of a ratchet bar or rack K³ pivoted at K to bar K. The
bars K' and L³ extend from one side of the apparatus to the other and at each end
perform similar functions the ratchet bar K³ also being in duplicate. The end of
each of the arms L' terminates in a foot L for resting against the outer face of
the wall B' as shown in Figs. 12 and 14. The apparatus at each side may be
constructed with two or any other desired number of sets of lazy-tong levers one
side being similar to the other and at the final point of meeting or intersection of
the levers is mounted a shaft L' which extends from one side of the apparatus to the
other as shown in Fig. 14. Centrally on shaft L' is secured a sheave pulley L' and
at each side of the pulley at a suitable distance away from it is secured a collar L'.
Ls are sleeves each capable of sliding on the shaft L between one of the collars
L' and the pulley L. L' are stays each pivoted, at one end to one of the
sleeves Ls and at the other end to a lug L formed on the pivot L" (Fig. 12)
of the lazy-tongs.
These stays prevent any bulging outwards of the lazy-tongs
when the hoist is extended and supporting a load and when the hoist is folded up
the sleeves L8 slide along the shaft L until they abut against the pulley Le so
as to lie close against the shaft L'.
It will readily be understood that the distance to which the pulley L projects
beyond the house-front may be varied by either raising the rack bar K and
pulling the bar L³ inwards or by merely pushing the bar L' outwards the
rack bar K being automatically raised when the bar L³ is pushed in that
direction.
Figure 13 shows the comparatively small space which the hoisting apparatus
will occupy when folded up.
Figures 23 to 30 illustrate various modes of securing the before described
apparatus without employing a purchase rod A..
According to Figures 23 and 24 the bar E¹ which is the equivalent of the before
named bars E' H and K, is formed with an opening adapted to fit over a staple M
secured in the wall or window frame and through which is afterwards passed a
pin M' to prevent the bar from becoming disengaged from the staple.
According to Figures 25, 26 and 27 the bar Eis formed with an opening N and
bent so as to present a heel N¹ which when the bar E' is in its operative position as
shown in Figure 26 bears against the back of the point of the hook N2 over
which the opening N is passed. According to Figures 28, 29 and 30 the bar E' is
bent at O and at its extreme end is formed with a heel. O¹ which when in the
position shown in Figure 30 may be passed through an opening or recess in or over
the edge of a fixed plate 02 so that when the bar E' is in its operative position as
shown in Figs. 28 and 29 the heel O' will bear against the back of the plate O².
None of the forms of bars E' shown in Figures 25, to 27, or 28 to 30 can be
disengaged from their fastenings until they are raised from their operative position
to positions somewhat similar to those shown in Figures 27 and 30 respectively.
Although it has only been stated that the before described apparatus is fitted to
windows it will at once be apparent that it may equally well be applied to other
wall openings such as doors.
Instead of the rods G, I may use a continuous length of chain having links all
of equal length. Besides this however there are various other ways in which I
may vary the before described apparatus without departing from the essential
features of my invention for example I may insert the means of attachment and
secure the purchase rod A to the seat or other apparatus to be attached and secure
the eyes E or hooks E' to the wall or window frame or equivalent.
The frame H of the fire escape may be formed as or provided with a box into
which the ladder J or other form of escape may be folded when not in use at which
time the said box may hang downwards from the bar A inside the room or wall B¹
but when required for use it may be turned through the wall opening so that the
escape will fall into its extended condition.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what [
claim is :-
1. For the attachment to a window, door or other wall opening of a seat, stage
or scaffolding, fire escape, hoisting or other apparatus the combination with said
opening of a purchase bar or rod such as A. substantially as described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
2. For the attachment to a window, door or other wall opening of a seat, stage
or scaffolding, fire escape, hoisting or other apparatus the combination with said
opening of a Lewis box substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16
of the accompanying drawings.
3. For the attachment to a window, door or other wall opening of a seat, stage
or scaffolding, fire escape, hoisting or other apparatus the combination with said
opening of a Lewis box substantially as described and illustrated in Figs. 17 to 21
of the accompanying drawings.
4. For the attachment to a window, door or other wall opening of a seat, stage
or scaffolding, fire escape, hoisting or other apparatus the combination with said
opening of a Lewis box substantially as described and illustrated in Fig. 22 of the
accompanying drawings.
5. For the attachment to a window, door or other wall opening of a seat, stage
or scaffolding, fire escape, hoisting or other apparatus the combination with said
apparatus of a bar such as E' terminating in an eye E or hook such as E' for
engaging with a purchase bar such as A. substantially as described and illustrated
in the drawings.
6. In a folding seat or chair for attachment to a window, door or other wall
opening the combination with the back 1 and an arm such as E" of a wing or
projection such as E secured to or formed in part with the back and carrying
the pivot by which the arm is jointed to the back substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
7. In a folding seat or chair for attachment to a window door or other wall
opening the combination with a bar such as E' and a support E13 pivoted thereto
of a stay such as E" pivoted to the support E3 or bar E' and adapted to retain the
support in its opened or extended position substantially as described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
8. The combination with a seat or stage or equivalent apparatus adapted to
be attached to a window or other wall opening of an adjustable foot such as
E3 E or E E and E' for regulating the level and height of the apparatus
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
9. For the attachment to a window or other wall opening an extensible framing
or scaffolding consisting of a floor F' and three walls composed of lazy-tong
levers such as F2 and frames such as F F substantially as described and illus-
trated in the accompanying drawings.
10. The combination with an extensible framing or scaffolding such as that
claimed in the last preceding claiming clause of one or more struts such as F
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
11. The combination with an extensible frame or scaffolding such as that
claimed in the seventh claiming clause of a screw such as G³ chain such as
GG and pulleys I G2 substantially as and for the purpose herein described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
12. For attachment to a window or other wall opening an extensible hoisting
apparatus consisting essentially of lazy-tong levers such as L L' L' carrying
at the outer or higher part a pulley L and at the inner or lower part provided
with a bar K to which said levers are adjustably connected substantially as
described and illustrated in Figures 12, 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings.
13. For the attachment to a window or other wall opening of a fire escape
the combination with the ladder of a frame such as H H having feet such as H¹

page_text: substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated in Figures 9 and 10
of the accompanying drawings.
14. For the attachment to a window or other wall-opening of a fire escape the
combination with a purchase bar such as A of a ladder the sides of which are of
rope and the rungs of metal secured to the rope sides by clamping plates such as
J3 J4 and screws Jo substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
15. For attachment to a window or other wall opening a box adapted to
contain a fire escape and hang inside a room when not in use and to be swung
through a wall opening when required for use so that the escape may be suspended
therefrom substantially as described.
16. For the attachment to a window or other wall opening of a seat, stage or
scaffolding, fire escape, hoisting or other apparatus the combination with a bar
such as E' forming a portion of said apparatus of an opening N and heel such
as N formed in or on said bar and a hook such as N2 secured into the wall or
equivalent substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 25, 26 and 27 of
the accompanying drawings.
17. For the attachment to a window or other wall opening of a seat, stage or
scaffolding, fire escape hoisting or other apparatus the combination with a bar
such as E' forming a portion of said apparatus of a bend and heel such as O
and O on said bar and a plate such as 02 secured to the window frame wall or
equivalent substantially as described and illustrated in Figures 28 29 and 30 of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of January 1801