An Improved Apparatus for the Cleaning and Painting of Windows Outside and the like, and also applicable for a Fire-escape.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Apparatus for the Cleaning and Painting of Windows
Outside and the like, and also applicable for a Fire-escape.
I, JOHN JAMES KENNEDY of Number 11 Great Brunswick Street in the City of
Dublin, Ireland, Gentleman 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 :-
My invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for the external cleaning
and painting of windows and the like and has for its object the absolute safety of
persons employed against all risk of falling. It is very portable and is easily fitted
to any window.
In carrying my invention into effect I first bore a hole a in the centre of the top
board or soffit of the architrave just a few inches from the window-sash allowing
room for the roller and blind to work.
I then bore a hole b in the centre of the frame or woodwork called the sill about
two inches below the bottom sash, taking care that the hole when through will be
fully an inch above the window-stool outside, and for strength I screw over each of
these holes, both inside and outside, a metal plate having a similar sized hole in
the centre.
I then take a suitable piece of wood c, bore a hole in the centre, pass a short piece
of weldless chain d having a hook at one end up through it, and to prevent its
being pulled out I put a spring-hook and screw through two of the links and fasten.
down.
I next put this piece of wood c lying along on the top board or soffit of the
architrave, pass the hook and piece of chain d hanging down from it through the
hole a already made in the centre of the soffit and let it hang down a few inches, or
in some cases a hook or eye secured above to this piece of wood with a screw and
nut could be substituted for the said chain and hook. These are intended as
permanent fittings for each window.
I then hook or loop on the said chain d or hook hanging from the centre of the
soffit a suitable length of chain e having a spring-hook at each end, I pull down the
top sash and pass this chain e over to the outside. It should reach within three or
four inches of the hole b in the window-sill below.
The person engaged to clean the window takes a suitable length of weldless or
other chain having a spring-hook at cne end, holds the hook in one hand, brings the
chain round his waist and slips one of the links into the said hook to form a tight
yet comfortable loop round his body, there should then be four or five feet of chain
hanging down.
He hangs round his neck a loop of chain, wire rope or other suitable material
which should just reach below the chest, lifts the end of the piece of chain hanging
from his waist and puts it through this loop.
He then pushes up the bottom sash takes the end of the chain hanging from his
waist puts it through the hole b in the window-sill from the outside till he gets the
desired length of chain to enable him to stand on the window-stool and work with
perfect freedom, and yet to have a slight tension.
He then takes a spring-hook and hooks it into the link nearest the hole b on the
inside of the window-sill to secure it and prevent it from being pulled out when be
stands outside.

page_text: He next takes the chain e hanging from the soffit, pulls it tight and hooks it into
one of the links near the hole b in the window-sill outside. He then sits on the
window-sill, takes hold of the chain e hanging down in the centre, gets outside and
cleans or paints the window with perfect safety, having two perfect safe-guards to
depend on, one at the top and one at the bottom."
In case of fire the chain hanging from either the soffit or the window-sill as before
described would be found a convenient auxiliary as a means for the inmates to escape
as by simply taking a suitable length of chain to reach the ground, pushing one end
of it up through the loop formed round the body, as before described and then
booking it to either the chain hanging from the soffit or from the window-sill, they
will then have a safe means to be let or let themselves down by, and any person
below, by simply raising the end of the chain a few feet from the ground could
prevent them touching as they would then be suspended by the said chain running
through the loop round the waist.
Having now particularly described the nature of my invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is,-
First. The combination of parts forming the apparatus for the cleaning, painting
or the like of windows outside.
Second. I claim the weldless or other chain and hook, and the position and way
in which it is attached and secured to the piece of wood c_above the soffit, as
herein described. I also claim this piece of wood which I place lying along
the top of the said soffit which has for its purpose a double security for strength
to hold the said chain in case the soffit was weak or defective.
Third. I claim the hole running through the window-sill and the weldless or other
chain running through it and the quick and easy way by which this chain is
secured inside, and to the person outside for the purpose as before described. I also
claim the chain hanging down from the soffit, which is attached to this chain as a
double security for the operator.
Fourth. I claim the way the loops are adjusted round the neck and body as it
will be seen that they act as a perfect safeguard and as a double check on the person
outside, as the moment he leans back a tension is put on the chain running through
the hole in the window-sill, it, in its turn, puts a check on the loop round the neck
and pulls the person forward.
Fifth. I claim the weldless chain for all the purposes herein described as from its
peculiar make it is very strong and very reliable, particularly as a means of escape
from fire.
Sixth. I claim the chain in preference to a rope for the inmates to escape by in
case of fire, as they can have a more secure hold and not so much danger of slipping
when being let or letting themselves down. I also claim the way in which it is
passed through the loop round the body and the purpose for which it is intended as
herein described, and then the quick and easy way it can be secured to the chain
hanging from the soffit or the window-sill.
Seventh. I claim the spring hooks and the chain attached thereto for the purposes
herein described as being a quick and easy means of forming the aforesaid loops and
attachments used for my said invention.
Dated this 8th day of Angust 1896.
JOHN J. KENNEDY,
11 Great Brunswick Street, Dublin, Ireland.