Improvements in and relating to Fire-escapes and Ladders adapted for Fire-brigade Purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after-
Amendment (under Section 18 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883), as allowed by
the decision of the Comptroller General of the 16th day of April 1896.
Date of Application; 15th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left; 15th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 11th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Fire-escapes and Ladders adapted
for Fire-brigade Purposes._
We, GEORGE BRAY, of 440 New Cross Road; in the County of Kent, and
JAMES SEXTON SIMONDS, of the Fire Station, Southwark Bridge Road, in the
County of Surrey, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
'
Our invention relates to improvements in fire escapes, and in ladders adapted for
fire-brigade purposes..
The principal object of our said invention, is to construct an improved fire-escape
apparatus in which an extensible ladder,. mounted on large travelling-wheels, is
provided with a fore-carriage or limber arranged to lock and adapted to carry
tools, hose, or other appliances, and men.. The fore-carriage is so constructed that
it may be used alone, at any time,. as, an independent vehicle, apart from the
extensible ladder. The said apparatus is fitted with improved means whereby
the fore-carriage or limber may be readily, coupled, with or uncoupled from, the
extensible ladder, as may be desired..
Other objects of our said invention are, to provide the perch or other portion of
the fore-carriage or limber with an extra wheel or wheels and with novel mechanism
for raising; and lowering; the said extra wheel or wheels, for a purpose. hereinafter
set forth; to construct improved, means; forming part of the fore carriage, and
adapted to support a portion of the weight of the extensible. ladder; to construct
ladders for fire-brigade purposes; in such a manner that their rungs. may be, very
easily and rapidly removed and replaced ;, to provide ladders with novel, and simple
means whereby they may be readily "plumbed," that is to, say, given lateral adjust-
ment to enable their lower ends to, rest on. sloping, surfaces without risk of lateral
overturning; to provide improved means whereby the sliding portions of extensible
ladders can be pulled downward, in case; they should jam; and to provide improved
means for raising and, lowering, extensible ladders and for adjusting them on the
frames on which they are. carried.. Our said invention also includes, further, details
hereinafter referred to.
According to our invention, we provide the fore-carriage or limber, with a long
perch. At the rear end, of the: perch are, jaws which engage, with the axle of the
travelling-wheels of the extensible, ladder. The, said rear end is also provided with
a. bolt or with bolts which, when they said jaws are engaged, with the axle. of the
extensible ladder; can, be moved by suitable mechanism: operated. from, the driver's
seat, to close or unclose the opening of the said, jaws, in order. to, permit, or, prevent,
[P8
Mac

page_text: as the case may be, the disengagement of the said axle therefrom. The said bolt
or bolts may be arranged to be operated manually for uncoupling and automatically
for coupling.
A wheel or a pair of wheels. is provided at the free end of the perch, and inclined
or curved surfaces are provided upon the perch so that when the fore-carriage is
uncoupled from the extensible ladder, and moved away therefrom, the said inclined
surfaces will slide over the axle of the said ladder and cause the rear end of the
perch and the wheel or wheels to descend gradually to the ground, without excessive
shock; moreover the said surfaces facilitate the coupling together of the two parts
of the apparatus. Or the said curved or inclined surfaces may be provided upon a
suitable portion of the frame which carries the extensible ladder, so that the free
end of the perch will siid thereon.
As an alternative the wheel or wheels at the end of the perch may be carried on
an arm or arms hinged thereto and arranged to be operated to raise or lower the
said wheel or wheels, by a lever and connecting-rod, screw, toothed-gearing, a worm
and worm wheel, or other suitable mechanism.
In one modification of our improved apparatus I provide the perch with a
hooked portion adapted to engage with the axle of the extensible ladder; and
we arrange the arin or arms carrying the aforesaid wheel or wheels in such a
manner that the wheel or wheels when forced into contact with the ground
will effect the lifting of the perch so that its hooked portion rises clear of
the axle of the ladder; conversely, the raising of the wheel or wheels effects the
lowering of the perch. Or, by connecting suitable mechanism with the said arm
or arms and hinging hooked claws to the perch, the arm or arms will operate to
raise or lower the hooked claws to engage or disengage the said axle. In either
instance a suitable bolt or other appliance is provided which slides in bearings on
the perch and is adapted to pass below the ladder axle to prevent the perch from
rising therefrom by accidental jolting or from other cause. The said bolt is
operated automatically by the action of a lever or other mechanical device in
connection therewith and with the arm or arms hinged to the perch, or with the
hinged hooked claws, and so arranged that the bolt or other appliance will pass
under or engage the axle immediately the hooked claws or hooked portions of the
perch are engaged therewith, and will pass from under or will disengage with the
axle on the disengagement of the said hooked claws or hooked portions therefrom.
The said bolt or other appliance is automatically locked at either extreme of its
movement, by a spring catch or by a gravity pawl or other means, operated by a
hand-lever or by a treadle to unlock the bolt or other appliance when it is to be
moved.
In a further modification of our invention, eyes, instead of hooks, are provided
upon the perch, which is extended to rest upon the axle of the extensible ladder.
Upon the said axle, hooks are fixed to engage with the said eyes upon the perch.
Each of the hooks is curved to a circular arc the centre of which is coincident with
the centre of the said axle. To engage or disengage the said hooks from the eyes
the ladder and axle must be turned bodily in the bearings formed by the travelling-
wheels of the same, so that the hooks will be brought into or out of engagement by
the movement of the axle.
The brake for the travelling-wheels of the extensible ladder may either be
carried by the perch or may be carried by the frame upon which the said, ladder is
supported; in the latter case, connection between the lever or other appliance by which
the driver operates the brake from the fore-carriage, is made with the brake gear on
the said frame by means of a flexible connection, one end of the said connection being
secured to the said lever or other appliance and the connection being passed therefrom,
around a pulley on the brake-operating arm and back to a tripping-device on the fore
carriage, which is so coupled with the mechanisin which operates the bolt or bolts
hereinhefore referred to, that when the said mechanism is operated to release the
fore-carriage, the trip is simultaneously operated to release one end of the flexible
connection so that the said connection may offer no obstacle to the separation of
:

page_text: the two parts of the apparatus. The wheels of the fore-carriage may be provided
with any suitable arrangement of brake gear, either independent of or connected
with the means by which the brake-gear of the ladder wheels is operated.
In cases where the locking-plate of the fore-carriage or limber is situated below
the body of the same we provide a suitable bolt for the purpose of securing the
locking-plate rigidly to the said body when the same is released from the extensible
ladder.
Preferably the said bolt is also operated by gear connected with the aforesaid
mechanism by which the fore-carriage is released, so as to be automatically operated
simultaneously therewith..
As an alternative we arrange the locking-plate above the body of the said fore-
carriage or limber and connect the perch to the locking-plate, so that the whole of
the fore-carriage turns, in its locking movement, relatively to the perch. In this
instance the portion of the fore-carriage or limber by which a share of the weight
of the extensible ladder is borne, is pivoted to the fore-carriage so that the same
may turn thereunder. The said pivot is concentric with the perch-pin about which
the perch turns. The perch, in certain cases, is hinged to the fore-carriage or is
jointed and arranged to turn in a vertical plane about a horizontal hinge, so that
when the fore-carriage or limber is uncoupled from the extensible ladder the said
perch can be folded or turned up, so that it may not project rearwardly for an
inconvenient distance. The perch, when in its folded or turned-up position, is
retained in that position by any suitable means.
Where shafts are not applied to the fore-carriage or limber and a folding or hinged
perch is employed an extra wheel or pair of wheels is applied to prevent the limber
from tilting when it is uncoupled. The said wheel or wheels is or are placed at the
end of arms adjustably hinged or fixed to the vehicle so that the wheels are supported
a suitable distance from the ground. The means for adjusting the said arms may
be similar to those herein before described with reference to the adjustment of the
hinged arms of the perch.
The improved means by which the fore-carriage or limber supports a portion of
the weight of the extensible ladder are arranged as follows:-
The ladder rests upon a pair of bearers, faced with rubber or other material which
will afford a suitable bearing surface; the said bearers, which may, for example, be
anti-friction rollers, are pivoted at the opposite ends of a swing-beam which at the
middle of its length is in turn pivoted to turn about a pin or pivot supported by the
fore-carriage in, preferably, a horizontal position parallel with the length of
the ladder. The movement of the bearers about their pivots at the ends of the
swing-beam allows the rear end of the ladder and its travelling wheels to rise and fall
freely in travelling over inequalities of the road, and the movement of the swing-beam
about its pin or pivot gives the ladder the necessary freedom to tilt sidewise.
The arm or arms by which some of the wheels of the perch are caused to rise and
fall are in certain cases provided with a rod pivoted thereto and passed through a
guide pivoted to the perch and provided with a spring bolt, or a detent, adapted to
engage with holes in the rod to retain it and the arm or arms in the position to
which they are adjusted.
We provide a similar pivoted rod and pivoted guide on the "lever" or frame
binged to the bottom of the ladder, and on the said ladder respectively; to facilitate
the adjustment of the said "lever " or frame relatively to the ladder.
دو
As an alternative we pivot a rod to the ladder and shape the free end of the said
rod to enter a socket on the "lever or frame. A link or loop is hinged to the said
rod and so arranged that when the end of the rod has entered the said socket the
link can be turned to engage with a projection on the socket, to prevent the rod
from rising out of the same.
Two or any other number of the aforesaid pivoted rods and the adjuncts thereto
may be employed, as may be necessary.
To enable fire ladders to be readily "plumbed" we provide upon the lower enda
thereof, extensions which may be moved in or out to lengthen or shorten either of

page_text: the side frames of the ladder. The said extensions are provided with a pawl which
has a spring applied thereto and is adapted to engage with the surface of the side
frame of the ladder or with teeth thereon. The said extensions are so arranged
that they can be pushed out by the foot of the fireman and are automatically
prevented from returning by the engagement of the said pawl with the teeth on the
ladder. A projection or treadle upon the said pawl is provided, so that the fireman
by pressing thereon with his foot can move the pawl against the resistance of the
spring, and bring it out of engagement with the aforesaid teeth, to allow the
extension to slide in.
In improved ladders constructed according to our invention we provide metal
sockets which are adapted to receive the ends of the rungs and to support the under-
sides of the same. The inner sides of the side bars of the ladders are cut away or
rabbeted and semicircular or other recesses are cut in the rabbets to receive
circular portions of the said sockets, which are provided with ribs which rest upon
the ledge formed by the rabbet. The said ribs have studs or projections formed
upon opposite sides of the same. After the rungs are placed in the sockets and the
sockets are placed in the rabbets, locking bars, recessed like the side bars, are
forced into the rabbets and bear upon the sockets so as to hold them in position
and so that the projections on the ribs of the sockets are forced into the locking-
bars and into the side bars of the ladder. The locking bars are then secured in
place by screws or by any other suitable means. The rungs can be removed at
any time, simply by removing the locking bars, lifting out the sockets, and sliding
the rungs out of the said sockets.
In extensible ladders constructed according to our invention we provide a wire,
chain, or rope for the purpose of pulling down the extensible portions, in case their
weight alone should not be sufficient to ensure their return movement, as, for instance
in the event of the occurrence of jamming. The said wire, chain, or rope is arranged
to pay out from the customary drum as the ordinary elevating wire or rope is wound
thereon, so that by reversing the direction of movement of the drum the elevating
wire or rope will be slackened and the rope, wire, or chain for pulling down will be
tautened.
"3
The elevating and pulling down may be effected by an
"endless rope, wire or
chain, given several turns round a grooved or other drum, wound over a pulley at
the head of the extensible portion of the ladder, and attached to the lower end of an
extensible portion sliding upon the said inextensible portion.
"
For extensible ladders which are adjustable longitudinally on their carriages, we
arrange a pair of separate winding drums on the "lever" or frame, and provide
suitable gear wheels on each. We employ one of the said drums for the rope or
other means by which longitudinal adjustment is effected, the other drum being
employed for the rope or the like by which the ladders are raised and lowered.
Upon the said " "lever or frame we arrange a driving shaft provided with a handle
or handles and adapted to slide end wise in bearings so that it may be put into gear
with either of the said drums and we provide clutches or detents which operate to
hold either drum while the other drum is being operated. The said clutches or
pawls may be thrown into or out of operation by the endwise movement of the
driving shaft.
T

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in and relating to Fire-escapes and Ladders adapted
for Fire-brigade Purposes.
We, GEORGE BRAY, of the Castle Hotel, Woodford, in the County of Essex,
Engineer. formerly of 440 New Cross Road, in the County of Kent, and JAMES
SEXTON SIMONDS. of the Fire Station, Southwark Bridge Road, in the County
of Surrey, Engineer, 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 :—
Our invention relates to improvements in fire escapes, and in ladders adapted for
fire-brigade purposes.
The principal object of our said invention is to construct an improved fire-escape
apparatus in which an extensible ladder, mounted on large travelling-wheels, is
provided with a fore-carriage or limber preferably arranged to lock and adapted to
carry tools, hose, or other appliances, and men. The fore-carriage is so constructed
that it may be used alone, at any time, as an independent vehicle, apart from the
extensible ladder. The said apparatus is fitted with improved means whereby the
fore-carriage or limber may be readily coupled with or uncoupled from the extensible
ladder, as may be desired."
Our said invention also includes further details hereinafter referred to.
In order that our said invention may be clearly understood we will now proceed
to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein
Figure 1 is a side elevation of our improved fire-escape apparatus, partly in
section, with the near-side wheels removed.
Figure 2 is a plan of the fore-carriage of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are views of details of Figures 1 and 2.
Figures 6 to 14 are views of alternative constructions of such details.
Figure 15 is a view of the lower end of one side of an improved ladder-plumbing
device constructed according to our invention, and
Figures 16 to 21 are views, hereinafter particularly described, of our further
improvements relating to ladders.
Like reference letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
In the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 we provide the fore-carriage or
limber A with long extensions B. At the rear end of each extension are jaws C
which engage with the axle D of the travelling-wheels E of the extensible
ladder F F is the "lever "of the ladder. Each said rear end is also provided
with a bolt B which slides in guides in the underside of the extension, and when
the said jaws are engaged with the axle of the extensible ladder, can be moved by
suitable mechanism operated from the driver's seat, to close or unclose the opening
of the said jaws, in order to permit or prevent, as the case may be, the disengagement
of the said axle therefrom. Each said bolt may be arranged to be operated
manually for uncoupling and automatically for coupling, but in the present instance
the bolt is operated mechanically and automatically by the action of mechanism
hereinafter described.
A pair of auxiliary wheels G is provided at the rear end of the extensions of the
fore-carriage.
Each of the wheels at the rear end of the extensions is carried on an arm H
hinged thereto and arranged to be operated to raise or lower the said wheel by an
arm H¹ and connecting rod H2. Each arm H¹ is connected to a transverse shaft 1
carried in bearings at the rear end of the perch and having a toothed quadrant J
fixed thereto, operated by a worm K which is fixed on a longitudinal shaft K'
carried by the fore-carriage and geared by sprocket wheels L and a chain L', to
an operating-shaft M at the side of the fore-carriage.

page_text: We arrange the arms H carrying the aforesaid auxiliary wheels in such a manner
that the wheels when forced into contact with the ground will effect the lifting of
the rear end of the fore-carriage or limber so that its hooked portion rises clear of
the axle of the ladder; conversely, the raising of the wheels effects the lowering
of the fore-carriage or limber. The two positions of the wheels, arms, and operating
mechanism are shown, in full and in dotted lines, in Figure 1. The bolts B₁ which
slide in bearings on the extensions and pass below the ladder axle to prevent the
extensions from rising therefrom by accidental jolting or from other cause, are
operated automatically by the action of connecting-links B' coupled therewith
and with arms H' hinged to the extensions, and connected to or arranged to op rate
simultaneously with the arms H, so that the bolt will pass under or engage the axle
immediately the hooked portions of the perch are engaged therewith, and will pass
from under or will disengage with the axle just before the disengagement of the
said hooked claws, or hooked portions, therefrom.
Each said bolt when not connected with the wheel-raising gear is automatically
locked at either extreme of its movement, by a spring catch or by a gravity pawl
or other means, operated by a hand-lever or by a treadle to unlock the bolt or
other appliance when it is to be moved; or, for instance, a suitable hook can be
attached to the fire-escape axle in such a manner that it is brought into and out of
engagement with the bolt by the action of turning the fire-escape axle in the
operation of raising and lowering the escape when connecting it with or disconnecting
it from the fore-carriage.
The brake N for the travelling wheels E of the extensible ladder F is carried by
the extension B and operated in the usual manner. It may be carried by the
frame upon which the said ladder is supported; in the latter case the connection
between the lever or other appliance by which the driver operates the brake from
the fore-carriage, is made with the brake gear on the said frame by means of a
flexible connection, one end of the said connection being secured to the said lever
or other appliance and the connection being passed therefrom, around a pulley on
the brake-operating arm and back to a tripping-device on the fore carriage, which
is so coupled with the mechanism which operates the bolt or bolts hereinbefore
referred to, that when the said mechanism is operated to release the fore-carriage,
the trip is simultaneously operated to release one end of the flexible connection so
that the said connection may offer no obstacle to the separation of the two parts of
the apparatus. The wheels of the fore-carriage may be provided with any suitable
arrangement of brake gear, either independent of or connected with the means by
which the brake-gear of the ladder is operated.
The improved means by which the fore-carriage or limber supports a portion of
the weight of the extensible ladder are arranged as follows:-
The ladder F rests upon a pair of bearers O, preferably faced with rubber or
other material which will afford a suitable bearing surface; the said bearers which
may for example be fitted with antifriction rollers are pivoted at O' at the opposite
ends of a swing-beam O' which at the middle of its length is in turn pivoted as
at O³ to turn about a pin adjustable in holes in the standard 0% on the fore-carriage,
said pin being held in, preferably, a horizontal position, or approximately parallel
with the length of the ladder. The movement of the bearers O about their pivots
at the ends of the swing-beam allows the rear end of the ladder and its travelling
wheels to rise and fall freely in travelling over inequalities of the road, and the
movement of the swing-beam 03, about its pin or pivot at 0³ gives the ladder the
necessary freedom to tilt sidewise. 0° 0' are springs attached to the standard 01
and to the swing-beam to restrain the oscillations of the latter. A view of the said
apparatus, at right angles to the position which it occupies in Figure 1 is shown in
Figure 5.
PP' are links which are provided at each side of the ladder. They are hinged
to the ladder F, to the lever F and to each other, as shown. The said links P¹
are forked at one end. The said forked ends extend past the point of junction of
the links with each other and are aligned with the links P when the lever F" is at

page_text: right angles to the ladder; P1 P2 are collars, which encircle the links P, and
which when the said links P and P₁ are in line and the ladder is in the working.
position, will automatically slide down over the forked ends aforesaid, to prevent
the links from getting out of line with each other and thus to prevent movement
of the lever relatively to the ladder. This device is shown in side elevation in.
two positions, in Figures 1 and 3, and a cross-section of the joint of a pair of the
links is shown in Figure 4 and forms no part of this invention.
In the modification illustrated in side elevation in Figure 6 the jaws C are open at
the rear of the extension, instead of at the underside, and the bolt B¹ which
normally retains the axle D of the travelling-wheels of the escape in place, is.
arranged to be raised and lowered vertically, instead of horizontally. The
auxiliary wheels G are carried by brackets H fixed to the ends of the extensions B,.
and inclined or curved extensions Q are provided upon the extension so that when
the fore-carriage is uncoupled from the extensible ladder, and moved away
therefrom, the said inclined surfaces will slide over the axle of the said ladder and'
cause the rear end of the extensions and the wheel or wheels to descend gradually
to the ground, without excessive shock; moreover the said surfaces facilitate the
coupling together of the two parts of the apparatus. Or as an alternative the
said curved or inclined surfaces may be provided upon a suitable portion of
the frame which carries the extensible ladder so that the free end of the extensions
will slide thereon. In a further modification of our invention such as is illustrated
by a sectional elevation in Figure 7, eyes R instead of hooks, are provided upon the
extensions B, which are extended as at R' to rest upon the axle of the extensible-
ladder.
Upon the said axle, hooks D' are fixed, to engage with the said eyes upon the
perch. Each of the hooks is curved to a circular are the centre of which is
coincident with the centre of the said axle. To engage or disengage the said hooks.
from the eyes the ladder and axle inust be turned bodily in the bearings formed by
the travelling-wheels E of the same, so that the hooks will be brought into or out.
of engagement by the movement of the axle.
Figure 8 is a side elevation partly in longitudinal central section of an alternative-
arrangement for raising and lowering the wheels G. In this example the said.
wheels are carried in bearings at the lower ends of spindles G₁ which are arranged.
to be raised and lowered by bevel gear as shown. The upper part of the spindle G³
is screw-threaded and upon the screw-threaded portion the nut G2, formed as a
bevel wheel, is placed. The said nut is held between the top side of the extension B
and the underside of a lug S attached thereto, and is geared with a bevel-wheel G
which is fixed upon a transverse shaft G journalled on the extensions and operated
by chain gear G as shown. By rotating the handle G the wheels G are raised
and lowered by the rotation of the shaft G+, which, by means of the bevel gear
aforesaid, screws the spindles Gup or down as required. The bolts B₁ are in one
piece with the spindle G' so that by the raising and lowering of the latter, the
bolts are simultaneously operated.
In the modification shown in side elevation, and partly in section, in Figure 9,
the spindle G is in one piece with the bolt B' and is toothed to gear with a
pinion G' carried upon a transverse shaft G, which latter is operated as in.
Figure 8.
In another modification, illustrated in Figure 10, the spindle and bolt are operated
by a lever T pivoted to the extension B, connected to the said spindle and bolt by
the link T' and maintained in the position to which it is adjusted, by the quadrant T
attached to the said extension.
In the further modification illustrated in Figure 11 the auxiliary wheels G are
carried at the ends of levers H pivoted to the extensions B as shown, and.
operated by a link H' connected to a rack U which is caused to slide in guides on
the underside of the extensions, by a pinion U¹ geared therewith, and supported by
bearings on the fore-carriage. The bolt B' is operated simultaneously with the

page_text: operation of the lever H, by means of a link B' connected to both. Suitable means,
not shown in the drawing, are provided for locking the rack U at either extreme of
its travel.
Figure 12 illustrates to a larger scale, a construction of the extensions of the
fore-carriage, provided with hooks or claws Chinged at C to the extensions B
and coupled by a link C to a lever H carrying an auxiliary wheel, so that when
the auxiliary wheel is raised the hooks or claws Cengage with the axle D of the
extensible ladder and vice versa. It will be seen that the immovable tongue V is
here employed in substitution for the bolt B' hereinbefore referred to. The hooks
or claws can be operated manually or by any suitable mechanism independent of
that by which the auxiliary wheels are raised and lowered.
In Figure 13 we illustrate in side elevation an alternative construction of fore-
carriage A which is provided with a hinged perch W forming the connection
between the fore-carriage and the escape and arranged to turn up, as shown, out of
the way, when the fore-carriage and escape are disconnected.
In this type of fore-carriage we may either employ auxiliary wheels G indicated
in dotted lines arranged and operated substantially as in the other examples
aforesaid, to prevent the rearward tilting of the said fore-carriage when the said
fore-carriage is uncoupled from the ladder, or, instead thereof we may adopt the
screw bolt X to lock the sweep plates X' together, as shown, to prevent the road-
wheels A from "locking"; in such a case we fit the fore-carriage with shafts, and
use it, when disconnected from the escape, as a two-wheeled vehicle.
Figure 14 illustrates one form of a device hereinbefore referred to, which is
designed for the purpose of retaining the bolt B' in position to secure the fore-
carriage to the axle D of the extensible ladder. In this arrangement a hook Y
is firmly secured upon the axle D in such a manner as to engage with a projection B*
on the bolt B' when the bolt is shot home and the escape is resting upon the
fore-carriage. The said hook cannot be moved out of engagement with the
projection B except by raising the whole of the extensible ladder, therefore
accidental slipping back of the bolt is very effectually prevented.
c'
To enable the ladders to be readily "plumbed on a sloped or uneven surface,
we can employ known means, for example we may provide upon the lower ends
thereof, at each side, devices for varying the length of either side-bar or frame of
the ladder; such as is illustrated in Figure 15 wherein a is one extension, which
may be moved in or out to lengthen or shorten the side frame b of the ladder. The
said extension is provided with a pawl c which is pivoted thereto, and which has a
spring applied thereto and is adapted to engage with a toothed rack d secured to
the side frame of the ladder. The said extension is so arranged that it can be pushed
out by the foot of the fireman applied to the projection a¹, and is automatically
prevented from returning by the engagement of the said pawl with the teeth on the
ladder. Thus, the ladder is "plumbed" by being held in the desired upright position,
and is prevented from overturning laterally, by varying the length of the side frames
in accordance with the slope of the surface on which the ladder is placed. A pro-
jection or treadle upon the said pawl is provided, so that the fireman by pressing
thereon with his foot can move the pawl against the resistance of the spring, and
bring it out of engagement with the aforesaid teeth, to allow the extension to
slide in. Instead of arranging the extension in the manner herein before specified
we can construct it so that it screws in and out through sockets at the bottom of the
ladder, at each side.
In improved ladders constructed according to our invention we secure the rungs
in place in such a manner that they may be readily removed, when necessary,
without pulling the ladder to pieces. We will now describe this part of our invention
with reference to Figures 16, 17 and 18 of the accompanying drawings.
Figure 16 is a view of one of the side frames of the ladder with a part removed.
Figure. 17 is a central section of the ladder on a plane passing through the rungs
Figure 18 is a trausverse section. through one side frame on the line of

page_text: Figure 17. In these views e is a rang. is a tubular socket, which is placed upon
each end of the rung; that part of the socket adjacent to the extreme ends of each
rung is flared outward.
e is a wedge driven into the rung, to expand its ends into the flared portion of
the socket. Each socket, is provided with a rib f¹ extending therefrom as shown.
The side frames 6 of the ladder are cut away or rabbeted as at 6, and semicircular
or other recesses 6 are cut in the rabbets to receive the tubular sockets. The
ribs rest upon the ledge formed by the rabbet and are provided with bored
lugs at one side, through which screws 9 are passed. Lugs h, opposite to the
lugs enter the wood of the rabbeted side frame b when the sockets are placed in
the recesses in the ladder. The said sockets are retained in place by bars a³
which fit into the rabbets as shown, and are provided with recesses b² and bear upon
the sockets; the said sockets are held in position by the screws g which pass
through the bars a³ and then through the lugs into the side frame 6 of the
ladder. By the removal of the bars as any of the sockets can be lifted out of place,
and the rungs can be removed from the said sockets with facility.
In extensible ladders constructed according to our invention we provide means
for the purpose of pulling down the extensible portions, in case their weight alone
should be insufficient to ensure their return movement, as for instance in the event
of the occurrence of jamming. Figure 19 is a side elevation of a telescope ladder
having three sections g g' g' and being fitted with our improvements. In this view
a spindle rotatable in bearings upon the section has two drums secured thereto.
One drum, i, is the ordinary drum for operating the raising-wire, the other drumj
is for operating a wire j¹ connected to the section g³ for use as a hauling-down wire.
Inasmuch as the movement of the section g' is much faster than that of the raising-
wire, the diameter of the drum j must be proportionately greater than that of the
drum i. Obviously instead of employing druins of different diameters, drums of
equal size, suitably geared together can be used.
The hauling-down wire is arranged to pay out from the drum as the ordinary
elevating wire or rope is wound on the drum i, so that by reversing the direction of
movement of the drum the elevating wire or rope will be slackened and the rope
wire or chain for pulling down will be tautened.
For extensible ladders which are adjustable longitudinally on their carriages, we
employ the improvements illustrated in the side elevation, Figure 20, of a carriage
and ladders and in the plan, Figure 21, of the ladder lever. That is to say, we
arrange a pair of separate winding drums k k¹ on the "lever" or frame F and
provide suitable gear wheels on each. We employ the drum k, for the rope ko
or for other means by which longitudinal adjustment is effected, the other drum k¹
being employed for the rope or the like by which the ladders are raised and
lowered. Upon the said "lever" or frame 1 we arrange a driving shaft m
provided with a handle or handles and adapted to slide endwise in bearings in the
frame so that it may be put into gear with either of the said gear wheels by means
of the pinions n n therein and we provide clutches or detents o o¹ which operate to
hold either drum by gearing into ratchet wheels p p on the telescopic spindles of
either drum while the other drum is being operated. The said clutches or pawls
may be thrown into or out of operation by the endwise movement of the driving
shaft m, which has collars thereon not shown in the drawing, and is provided with
the usual device for retaining the shaft in gear with either one of the wheels 11.
The rope or its equivalent, is connected to the carriage at q¹ so that hy hauling
on the said rope the ladder is drawn in the direction of its length on to the
carriage.
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
clain is :-
1. The combination with a fire-escape having road-wheels, of a wheeled vehicle
provided with means for sunporting a portion of the weight of the fire-escape.

page_text: means for connecting the said vehicle and the fire escape, and auxiliary wheels
adjustable upon the said vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described, for the
purpose specified.
2. The combination, with a fire-escape having road-wheels, of a wheeled vehicle
provided with means for supporting a portion of the weight of the fire escape,
means upon the said vehicle for engaging it with the fire-escape, auxiliary wheels
carried adjustably upon the said vehicle, suitable mechanism to adjust the auxiliary
wheels, and bolts to engage with the fire-escape axle and connected with or inde-
pendent of either the said mechanism or the supports, substantially as hereinbefore.
described, for the purposes specified.
3. The combination with a fire-escape having road-wheels, of a wheeled vehicle
provided with means for supporting a portion of the weight of the fire-escape,
means upon the said vehicle for engaging it with the fire-escape, auxiliary wheels
whose supports are rigidly connected to the said vehicle, and cam-plates or
extensions to control the ascent and descent of the rear end of the said vehicle
relatively to the fire-escape, substantially as hereinbefore described for the
purposes specified.
4. The combination with the said vehicle, of folding or hinged perches and
auxiliary wheels adjustable relatively to the body of the said vehicle, substantially
as hereinbefore described, for the purposes specified.
5. The combination with the said vehicle of claws hinged thereto and apparatus
for operating the said claws, substantially as hereinbefore described, for the purpose
specified.
6. The improved ladder with divided side members, and sockets for the rungs,
substantially as hereinbefore described, for the purposes specified.
7. The means for adjusting extensible ladders longitudinally upon their carriages,
substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 20 and 21 of the
accompanying drawings, for the purposes specified.
8. The means for simultaneously adjusting the auxiliary wheels and the bolts,
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or
Figure 8, or Figure 9, or Figure 10 or Figure 11 or Fig. 12 of the accompanying
drawings, for the purpose specified.
:
9. The devices and arrangements whereby the fire-escape and fore-carriage are
retained in connection during transport, substantially as hereinbefore described with
reference to Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings, for the purposes
specified.
10. The improved apparatus forming a novel engine or appliance for fire-
brigade use, substantially as herein before described with reference to Figures 1, 2,
and 5 of the accompanying drawings for the purposes specified.
Dated this 15th day of August 1893.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C. Agents for the Applicants.