Life Saving Apparatus in Case of Fire.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 14th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Life Saving Apparatus in Case of Fire.
I, MICHAEL SCHWARZ of Basel, Switzerland, Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This apparatus consists of a rope (one end of which carries a hook by means
of which it is attached to the window beam or other convenient place, while the
other end carries a weight) a body strap connected to a guiding piece sliding
on the rope, a combination of rollers to reduce the velocity of the descent, a
braking device to regulate such velocity as may be desired, and a spiral spring
surrounding the lower part of the rope in order to take up the blow of the
guiding piece in case the person saving himself should reach the ground at a
dangerous speed.
The upper end of the rope carries a safety hook by means of which it is
attached to any convenient beam, loop etc. To the safety hook is also attached
an open hook, which may be used in case of very great urgency instead of the
safety hook. The other end of the rope carries a weight on which is attached a
strong spiral spring surrounding the rope.
Above this spring slides a guiding piece to which is connected a body strap or
belt by means of a rectangular ring.
Above the guiding piece there is arranged on the rope a roller combination
and brake mechanism. The same consists of a metal casing to the back of which
are fixed the pins carrying the two rollers or pulleys which have grooves corre-
sponding to the diameter of the rope. The small rollers serve to guide the rope
on the pulleys. The front of the casing is attached to the latter by means of
hinges and is kept in a closed position by means of a revolving catch to facilitate
inspection and removal of the rollers.
To the lower part of the casing is attached a metal tube through which the
To the tube is also
rope passes and on which is situated a wooden handle.
attached a V shaped presser by means of a spring. A brake roller is pivotted
on a pin in the lugs of the presser turned towards the tube. This brake roller
enters through a slot of the tube and lies against the rope passing through the
tube. The presser passes through the handle by means of a slot in the latter.
If a pressure is exerted against the presser so as to force it towards the rope,
the rope is pressed between the roller and the inner wall of the tube and con-
sequently the velocity of the rope may be adjusted according to the force of the
pressure exerted.
This improved life saving apparatus may be placed in the rooms of hotels,
dwellings etc. and in the case of factories a certain number may be placed in
each shop or on each floor. The length of the rope viz. the distance between
the hooks and the knot carrying the adjustable weight must be regulated according
to the height of the floor so that when the apparatus is being used the weight
is a distance of from 1.10 to 1.30 metres from the ground.
When the apparatus is not used it may be suspended from a hook of the room
by means of a safety hook, the rope being coiled so that the apparatus shall occupy
as little space as possible.
When the apparatus is to be used the person desiring to save himself fastens
the belt round his or her body, attaches the upper end of the rope to the window
frame or other convenient place by means of the hooks and throws the weight
out of the window so that the rope hangs down the wall of the building. The
person then climbs over the window sill, clasps the handle with both hands and
glides down the rope and by means of more or less pressure on the presser

page_text: regulates the velocity of the descent.
The spiral spring prevents the guiding
piece striking against the weight and counteracts any shock before the feet reach
the ground.
Dated this 12th day of March 1891.
FELL & WILDING,
!, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.
•
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Life Saving Apparatus in Case of Fire.
I, MICHAEL SCHWARZ, of No. 11 Albrecht Strasse, Dresden, Saxony, in the
Empire of Germany, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention consists of a rope, line, chain or cord, fitted with a sliding brake
and other apparatus, together forming a handy means of escape from fire.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of my invention.
Fig. 2 is another elevation at right angles to Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, at right angles to Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a section on the line 1-2.
Fig. 6 is a section on the line 3—4.
Fig. 7 is a section on the line 5-6.
Fig. 8 is an elevation showing the invention in operation.
a is a rope, line, chain, or cord formed of any suitable material, and hereinafter
called a "rope." bis a double hook, consisting of an open hook band a snap
hook. This hook is secured to the rope, as shown. c is a weight attached to the
free end of the rope, secured by a knot in the rope, as shown in Fig. 3, or by other
suitable means. d is a coiled spring resting on the weight c, for reducing the
momentum of a person coming down the rope, on nearing the ground.
One
The
The brake apparatus consists of a cylinder e, surrounding a portion of the rope.
The cylinder has an external casing of wood with a metallic liner. The upper end
of this cylinder is fitted with a case f, of the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4.
side is made to open for examination of the rollers and other purposes.
cover is hinged at f and secured by the fly-nut and bolt f³. 9, 9, 9 are three
rollers fitted to the back plate of the case, round which the rope is placed, as
shown in Fig. 3. These rollers may be otherwise arranged. A hand brake k (the
block of which is grooved to fit the rope) is fitted in the cylinder e, pivoted at i and
fitted with a lever handle h. By means of this brake additional friction may be
applied to the rope a, when necessary and the descent checked or entirely arrested.
m is a bracket attached to the cylinder e by means of a ring n. o is a belt which
is secured to the body of a person using the apparatus as an escape from fire.
When using the apparatus the hook bor b is fastened to a bar, balcony, or other
suitable fixture. The weighted end of the rope is lowered. The belt o is secured
to the person, who can then lower himself at a safe speed to the ground, by grasping
the handle h and thus obtaining the necessary brake power in addition to that of
the three rollers g, g, g. When nearing the ground the spring d secures a safe
landing, in case the momentum is much increased by descending.
In fitting the apparatus to windows or other openings in buildings, the length of
the rope is made to suit the height of the window above the ground, so that the
weight c may be just clear of the ground when hanging down.
When out of use the cord is wound up in any suitable manner, and the apparatus
is kept in a convenient position ready for use.

page_text: 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 :-
:―
1. In a fire escape, the combination with a suitable rope, of a brake apparatus,
capable of sliding upon the rope at any suitable speed; the said rope being fitted
with a weight and coiled spring for checking momentum, substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. The improvements in life-saving apparatus substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by the drawings.
Dated 12th December 1891.
GEO.
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent.