An Improved Domestic Fire-escape.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 13th ec., 1890-Accepted, 17th Jan., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Domestic Fire-escape.
WILLIAM FURNELL BOLDEN 12 Leigh Street Red Lion Square High Holborn
Bookbinder do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:―
The object of my invention is to slide down a rope or line by a sling seat or stirrup
attached to the rope by a mechanical arrangement, which the operator may control the
speed of his decent.
He shall also be able to return the sling or stirrup to the window or opening from
whence he has decended, by pulling the ground end of the rope tight and suddenly
slacking it, thus he will continue to act until the mechanical attachment holding the sling
or stirrup will by a series of bounds or jumps return to the window or opening in
readyness for another person to avail himself of its use.
My invention consists of three parts. A. B. C held in their position as shewn with a
spring D.
The rope I which is secured at F is passed over and under the wheels G. G. G. as
indicated by dotted lines.
I is a break screw by which the rate of decent can be controlled.
When the loose end of the rope at I is pulled tight it will draw away the arm C. as
indicated by the dotted line at K.
The rope however will not slip on the arm Chaving to pass over the two wheels G. G.
consequently the increased distance between K and H causes the rope to pass over the
wheel on the arm A and the arm A to slide up in the direction of the point F, suddenly
slacking the rope, causes the spring D to pull the arm C, up in the direction of F
bringing the arms A & C in their normal position.
It is obvious by continuing to tighten and slacken the rope, the mechanical
appliance A. B. C. will return to the point F.
20th day of March 1890.
WILLIAM FURNELL BOLDEN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Domestic Fire-escape.
WILLIAM FORNELL BOLDEN 12 Leigh Street Red Lion Square High Holborn
London, Vellum Binder 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
The object of my invention is to slide down a single rope or line by a sling seat or
stirrup, attached to the rope or line by a mechanical arrangement, with which the
operator can control the speed of his descent, by simply pulling the slack end of the
rope which acts as a powerful brake.
When on the ground the person can also return the machine with sling or stirrup
attached, to the window or opening from whence he has descended, by simply pulling
the ground end of the rope or line taut, and then suddenly slacking, which causes the
machine to take a step or bound upwards; continueing thus for a few seconds, the
machine will be returned to the window or opening, in readiness for another person or
persons.
My invention consists of a piece of flat iron or other suitable metal about 8 inches
long, 14 inches wide, and slightly thicker than the rope to be used, as shewn at B,
and rounded off at one end this piece forms a kind of back-bone.
:
Two more pieces of the same size, but only about 1½ inch thick are place: one each

page_text: side of the top end of the back-bone at right angles as A A and rivetted, brazed, or
otherwise fixed as at K.
Two more pieces of the same dimensions are placed as at C C Fig. 1, a hole drilled
through and a pivot inserted with a shackle attached as at M.
The rope J which is secured at L. is passed between the sheave E (which is grooved
and covered with a stout flexible indiarubber band,) and the screw adjustment as shewn
at H Figs. 1 & 2 and N Fig. 3, from which it passes round F and over G (which
are grooved sheaves covered with indiarubber bands) and then under the fixed
shackle 1.
D is a strong steel spiral spring connected to the fixed arms A A, and the moveable
arms CC by rivets which also act as pivots for the spring D.
To use the machine,―
The person in danger places the part of rope at L. Fig. 1 on a hook previously fixed
to top of window, and throwing the remaining portion of rope into the street, sits in
the belt attached to the shackle M, and then descends at leisure.
Should the person desire to stop at any given spot or window, a slight pull upon the
loose rope J immediately acts as a brake.
When the person has reached the street, he can return the machine to the window
or opening in a few seconds, by pulling the rope taut, which acts as a lever in passing
under the sheave F and over the sheave G which acts as the fulcrum, thereby forcing
the other parts of machine upwards as in Fig. 2. When in this position the rope is
gripped by the parts E & H sufficiently tight to hold the weight of machine till the
rope is slackened, which allows the spring D to draw the arms C C into their normal
position, ready for another step or bound,
The machine, which is shewn in drawing about half size, can also be used for the
lowering of other bodies or goods, such as parcels &c.
1 do not limit myself to the exact size as set forth, though this does not cause any
deviation from the main principles of the invention.
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
1st. The construction of the parts as indicated at A A and B, also the moveable
arms as C C and connected by a spring as D to the fixed arms A A.
2nd. The position of the grooved sheaves, covered with indiarubber as F & G, which
causes the rope to act as a lever and powerful brake combined; and the sheave E with
indiarubber band, which, with the appliance H Figs. 1 & 2 and N Fig. 3 acts as a grip
for the rope when machine is returning to window.
3rd. The construction and combination of parts as above described which form a
portable improved domestic fire escapo, which the operator may return in a few seconds
along a single rope or line, to the window from whence he came, in readiness for
another person.
Dated this 13th day of December 1890.