Improvements in Combined Extension Ladder and Hose Carriage.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1888
Specification Accepted, 1st June, 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Extension Ladder and Hose Carriage.
I, CHARLES BERNARD SCHUMANN, of the City of South Norwalk, State of
Connecticut, United States of America, Mechanic, 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 has for its object to combine in a single machine for use at fires
the functions of an adjustable extension ladder, a fire escape, and a hose carriage.
With these ends in view I have devised the novel construction, of which the following
description, in connection with the accompanying drawings is a specification, numbers
being used to denote the several parts.
Fig. 1, is a side elevation of the device complete and ready for use, the ladder carrier
being shown in dotted lines in a partially raised position.
Fig. 2, a plan view.
Fig. 3, a longitudinal section.
Fig. 4, an end elevation showing the slides extended and the fire escape in use,
another position being shown in dotted lines.
Fig. 5, a detail plan view of the turning mechanism, the table being removed.
Fig. 6, a detail sectional view on the line in Fig. 3.
Fig. 7, a cross section of the ladder carrier and slides on the line y y in Fig. 8.
Fig. 8, a longitudinal section at the inner end of one of the slides on the line u, u,
in Fig. 7, the slide being reversed.
Fig. 9, an enlarged side elevation; and :'
Fig. 10, a front elevation partly in section of a portion of the ladder.
Fig. 11, is a plan view of a sliding brace to be used under certain circumstances,
or example when the fire escape is used upon a building having a porch, as shown in
lotted lines in Fig. 4.
ind
Fig. 12, an enlarged plan view of the table, and the operative parts carried thereby ;
Figs. 13, 14, and 15;'are detail views illustrating the arrangement of the lifting
opes.
1, denotes framework of any suitable construction, 2, denotes the ladder carrier
which consists essentially of side pieces 2*, connected by cross pieces 2b. 3, denotes

page_text: castings, approximately circular in form which are rigidly secured to or made integral
with a shaft 4, journaled in brackets 5, on opposite sides of the table, which is
denoted by 6. 7, denotes a double brace for imparting rigidity to the ladder carrier,
the lower or inner ends of which are rigidly bolted to the lower side of casting 3,
as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. 8, denotes brackets bolted on opposite sides of the
framework and 9, a lifting lever pivoted between said brackets about mid way its length.
The forward end of this lever is bifurcated as shown in Fig. 2, and its ends are
provided with rollers bearing upon the under sides of double brace 7. 10, is a
rope or chain, preferably a wire rope, one end of which is secured to the inner end of
the lifting lever, passing thence under a roller 11, journaled between brackets 12, on
opposite sides of the framework. The opposite end of this rope is attached to a winding
drum 13, journaled in brackets 14, on opposite sides of the framework. One or both
ends of the shaft of the drum are provided, with gear wheels 15, engaged by a pinion
or pinions 16, operated by a crank or in any suitable manner. A ratchet 17, is also
provided upon the sbaft which is engaged by a.pawl 18, to lock the parts in any
desired position. When it is desired to raise the ladder carrier, the first portion of the
operation is accomplished by winding rope 10, upon drum 13, until the inner end of
lifting lever 9, is drawn nearly down to roller 11. It should be noticed that in addition
to the pawl 18, and ratchet 17, which prevent. backward movement of rope 10,
ratchets 19, are provided near the opposite ends of shaft 4, one only being shown..
Pawls 20, engage these ratchets and lock the ladder carrier at any point to which it
has been raised. When the parts are in this postion, rope 10, is slackened slightly by
lifting pawl 18, and roller 11, is removed. This allows lifting lever 9, to be swung to
the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, by continued winding of rope 10, upon
the drum, which raises the ladder carrier to the position also shown in dotted lines in
said Fig. The object of this portion of my invention is to apply the lifting power to
the ladder carrier at the moment of the greatest strain, that is, in starting it, at a
distance from its fulcrum, so that I am enabled to exert great lifting power with little
expenditure of force. Should it be desired to raise the ladder carrier still higher, that
is, more nearly to the vertical plane, it is accomplished by means of winding pinions 21,
which engage circular racks 22, on castings 3. This construction allows me to raise
the ladder carrier to a vertical position if necessary. In order to give additional
length to the ladder carrier so that the ladder proper, which. I shall presently describe
may be carried to any desired height within reasonable limits, I provide a suitable
number of slides capable of being extended to form a continuation of the ladder
carrier. In the present instance for convenience in illustration, I have shown two
slidės only, which are designated by 23, and 24. These slides consist in practice
simply of side pieces supported and made rigid by cross pieces. They are both
constructed in substantially the same manner as the ladder carrier. The first slide
lies just within the side pieces of the ladder carrier, and the second slide just
within the side pieces of the first. Having raised the ladder carrier to the desired
angle, the required height for the ladder support is secured in the manner I will now
describe.
25, denotes winding drums carried by a shaft 26, concentric with shaft 4. These
drums are operated by hand wheels 27, and their backward movement is checked by
pawls engaging ratchets 28, made rigid with the drums. 29, denotes ropes or chains;
preferably wire ropes, one end of each being attached to one of the drums. These
ropes extend forward and pass around pulleys 30, at the forward end of the ladder
carrier, thence backward again and are attached to the inner end of the first slide at
the point on each side denoted by 31. 32, denotes similar ropes or chains, one end of
each being attached near the outer end of the ladder carrier, and passing thence
forward and around pulleys.33, at the outer end of slide 23, thence inward again, the
other end being connected to the inner end of slidé 24, at the point denoted by 34.
In order to throw out the slides, shaft 26, is rotated by means of the hand wheels,
winding ropes 29, upon the drums, and throwing out slide 23, slide 24, being at the
same time projected beyond slide 23, by means of ropes 32, which pass around
pulleys 33, and are connected to the inner end of slide 24, the outward movement of

page_text: slide 24, being of course just twice as great as the movement of slide 23. 35, sce
Fig. 11, is an adjustable brace which may be used as an additional support for the
ladder carrier in, the manner indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, and is especially
important under certain circumstances when the device is used as a fire escape, as will
5 be more fully explained. The line 36, in Fig. 4, indicates the side of a high building
against which the ladder is resting. The details of construction of the ladder carrier
and slides are clearly illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and S. The slides are connected to the
ladder carrier and to each other by metallic dovetails 37, engaging corresponding
grooves. In order to lessen the friction, especially at the inner ends of the slides,
1. provide rollers 38, which engage the flanges of the dovetails as clearly shown in
Figs. 7, and 8. 39, denotes longitudinal strips secured to the cross pieces of both.
ladder carrier and slides which serve as a support for the hose, as will presently be
explained. 40, denotes the hose reel or drum which is journaled upon shaft 26. This
drum is provided with handles 41, for convenience in winding. At the outer end of
slide 24, I preferably provide a number of cross pieces or rings 42, upon which a fire-
man may stand when the machine is in use, and to which the nozzle 43, is attached when
the machine is not in use, by a catch as indicated at 44, in Fig. 2, the hose being denoted
by 43°. In use the table may be rotated to place the ladder in any desired position by means
of mechanism contained in a housing 45, said mechanism being clearly illustrated in
Fig. 3. 46, denotes a vertical shaft which is suitably supported in the housing, and to
which the table rigidly attached. 47, denotes rollers in the top of the housing upon
which the table rests. 48, denotes rollers journaled in brackets 49, on the under side
of the table which bear against the housing as the table is turned. 50, is a supporting
wheel rigidly secured to shaft 46, which bears against rollers 51, journaled in suitable
brackets 52, within the housing. 53, is a beveled gear upon shaft 46, which is engaged
by a beveled pinion 54, on crank shaft 55. In order to turn the table in either
direction it is simply necessary to rotate crank shaft 55. In use the ladder carrier is
ordinarily raised first, then the table is turned to place the carrier in the desired
position relatively to the wall of the building and then the slides are extended.
The table may be turned, however, in either direction with perfect safety when the
slides are extended. The ladder is niade up of independent parts 56, and 57, and
cross pieces or rungs 58. Parts 56, and 57, are made in any suitable manner,
ordinarily of metal strengthened by wire. Each piece is provided at one end with
an eye or loop 59, parts 56, being provided at their opposite ends with snap hooks 60,
and parts 57, being provided at their opposite ends with rings 61. The rungs or
cross pieces are preferably made hollow and are screw threaded at their opposite ends.
The parts of the ladder are held together by means of screws 62, each of which
passes through the loop of a part 56, and a part 57, and engages one end of the rung,
as clearly shown in Fig. 10.
The ladder is then completed by engaging each hook 60, with one of the rings 61,
s clearly shown in Fig. 10. It will of course be understood that any ordinary or
referred style of flexible ladder may be used in connection with my novel ladder
arrier and extension slides, although I preferably use my improved ladder as just
escribed. 63, denotes a shaft journaled in brackets 64, depending from slides 24.
This shaft carries sprocket wheels 65, which are engaged by the rungs or crosspieces.
f the chain. The sprocket wheels are held against backward movement by pawls
nd ratchets 66, and 67, shown on one side in Fig. 1. 68, denotes a similar shaft.
ournaled in brackets 69, at the inner end of the ladder carrier. 70, denotes sprocket
heels similar to wheels 65, carried by this shaft. 71, denotes pulleys on opposite sides
the machine on shaft 68, and 72, friction straps adapted to engage these wheels,
nd held in contact therewith by levers 73, suitably pivoted to the ladder carrier
at 74.. These levers are preferably connected by a cross piece 75, which is
ovided with handles for convenience in operation. When not in use the outer
d of the ladder is engaged upon sprocket wheels 65. The inner end passes over
rocket wheels 70, and lies coiled under castings 3, between brackets 5. . The ends
the folded links being shown clearly in Fig. 1, sufficient chain being of course
rried with each machine to meet any possible emergency. In use at a fire, the

page_text: ladder carrier is first raised, then the table is ordinarily turned if necessary, to place
it in position, and the slides then extended to give the desired height to the ladder,
the outer end of the ladder being still connected to sprocket wheels 65. If the
ladder is required for the ascent and descent of firemen only in managing the hose,
it is aiready in place as soon as the ladder carrier is raised and turned to "place, or if
preferred, the end of the ladder may be drawn down by rope 76, sec Fig. 1,.one end
of which is attached to the outer end of the ladder, and the other end coiled upon
the framework. When the end of the ladder to which. the rope is attached has been
drawn down it is connected to the opposite end by means of the hooks and rings,
thus making a continuous or. double ladder.
When it is desired to use the ladder as a fire escape it is drawn under roller 77,
journaled in brackets 78, upon the table, and connected as before. It will of course
be understood that pawls and ratchets 66, and 67, hold the ladder against backward
movement, but permit it to move forward readily. When used as a fire escape, the
person or persons who wish to descend simply have to place themselves upon the
outer portion of the double ladder and travel downward with it to the ground,
the movement being controlled by levers 73, and the straps engaging pulleys .71.
This is an important feature as it does away with all necessity for climbing on the
part of the person using the fire escape. A firm footing is provided, and it is simply
necessary to hold on and travel downward with the ladder. Pulleys 71, are made
large, and the straps which are of course of metal, broad enough so that by means
of the friction upon the pulleys, the rapidity of the descent is wholly within the
control of the firemen operating the machine. In order to give a more nearly
vertical line of descent if necessary when the la.lder is used as a fire escape, I provide
a brace 79, the outer end of which engages the curbing as indicated in Fig. 4, and
the inner end engages table 6. This brace carries a sliding block 80, adjusted by a
set screw.
81, denotes another brace, the outer end of which rests against the
building itself, or any suitable solid object as indicated in Fig. 4, the inner end
passing through block 80, and secured there by a set screw or in any suitable manner.
82, denotes a roller journaled in bearings 83, which slide on brace 81, and are locked
in any desired position by pins or in any suitable manner. When the device is
used as a fire escape upon high buildings where it is desirable that the descent should
be as nearly vertical as possible, the ladder is passed under roller 82, and over
roller 77, and is then connected to the opposite end as before, the ladder being made
continuous whenever the device is used as a fire escape, it being of course understood
that the ladder may be lengthened or shortened as may be required almost instantly
by connecting or disconnecting parts by means of the snap hooks and rings. When
the slides have been extended and it is desired to return them to their normal position, -
the pawls are lifted from ratchets 28, and drums 25, are turned backward, which
unwinds ropes 29, thus allowing the slides to move inward. Should the slides stick
or bind from any cause they may be readily drawn inward by affixing the crank to
shaft 68, and turning it backward. This will cause sprocket wheels 70, to draw the
ladder inward, and as the outer end of the ladder is firmly connected to sprocket
wheels 65, upon slide 24, which are held against backward movement, it follows that
both slides must be drawn inward thereby." In order to reduce the friction to the
minimum in moving the slides in and out, and to provide an additional support for
the slides to prevent displacement, 1 provide an antifriction roller 84; upon the
ladder carrier, over which slide 23, passes, and a similar roller 85, upon slide 23,
over which slide 24, passes. Having returned the slides to their normal position,
the carriage is turned so as to place the ladder carrier in proper position parallel with
the framework. The ladder carrier may then be lowered to about the position'
indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, by means of pinions 21, engaging racks 22, cranks
being provided by which to operate the pinions. Having reached the position shown
in dotted lines, the ladder carrier is lowered until it rests upon a support 86, by
lifting pawl 18, from ratchet 17, and turning drum 13, backward so as to unwind
rope 10. As shown in the drawing, support 86, is preferably made to fold down
upon the framework when the machine is in use, so as to be wholly out of the way.
وا
44

page_text: 87, denotes arms, hinged to fold under the side of the framework which may be used
in connection with a vertical bar 88, to form a side support to hold the machine
steady when the slides are extended and the fire escape in use as shown in Fig. 4.
Arms 87, are swung out until their outer ends just cross, and the vertical. bar is,
passed through corresponding openings at the ends of the bars, a shoulder, (not shown)
being provided on the bar which is thus made to support any weight that can possibly
be thrown upon it, and upsetting of the machine is rendered practically impossible.
It will of course be understood that I do not limit myself to the exact details of
construction shown and described, as they may obviously be greatly varied without
departing from the principle of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is.:
1st. The framework and ladder carrier, in combination with a lifting lever pivoted
to the framework whose forward end' bears against the ladder carrier at a distance
from its pivotal point, a rope 10, attached to the rear end of said lever, and a
winding drum for the rope, whereby when said rope is wound the rear end of the
lifting lever is drawn down and the forward end raised, thereby lifting the ladder
carrier.
2nd. The ladder carrier, the pivoted lifting lever and rope 10, in combination with
a winding drum for said rope, and a pawl and ratchet to prevent backward movement
of the drum.
3rd. The combination with the ladder carrier, the lifting lever, rope 10, and the
winding drum, of castings 3, to which the ladder carrier is attached, and which are
provided with racks 22, and winding pinions engaging said racks whereby the ladder
carrier may be raised to any desired position.
4th...The combination with the ladder carrier, the lifting lever, rope 10, the winding
drum and roller 11, of castings 3, to which the ladder carrier is attached, and which
are provided with racks 22, and winding pinions engaging said racks.
5th. The combination with the ladder carrier, the lifting lever, rope 10, and the
winding drum, of castings 3, to which the ladder carrier is attached, and which are
provided with racks 22, winding pinions engaging said racks, and pawls and ratchets,
whereby backward movement of the ladder carrier is prevented.
6th. The combination with castings 3, having racks, winding pinions engaging said
racks, the ladder carrier secured to the castings, and lifting mechanism, substantially
as described, of slides 23, and 24, winding drums 25, ropes extending from said
drums passing over pulleys and connected to the rear end of slide 23, and ropes 32,
one end of each of which is connected to the ladder carrier, passes thence over a pulley
on slide 23, and is connected to the rear end of slide 24, whereby when ropes 29, are
wound, said slides are extended.
7th. The combination with the ladder carrier and slides 23, and 24, of winding'
drums 25, and ropes 29, and 32, substantially as described.
8th. The combination with castings 3, lifting mechanism substantially as
described, and brace 7, of slides 23, and 24, ropes 29, and 32, and winding
drums 25.
.
`9th. Shaft 4, castings 3, rigidly attached thereto, and the ladder carrier secured to
the castings, in combination with slides 23, and 24, ropes 29, and 32, for extending
said slides, shaft 26, carrying winding drums 25, for ropes 29, and a hose reel
journaled on shaft 26...
10th. The ladder carrier, slides 23, and 24, and rungs 42, at the onter end of
slide 24, in combination with ropes 29, and 32, and winding drums 25.
11th. The ladder carrier, slides 23, and 24, and rungs 42, on slide 24, in combination
with a hose reel journaled at the lower end of the ladder carrier, the hose and nozzle,
and a catch 44, for securing the latter to the rungs.
12th. The ladder carrier and slides 23, and 24, in combination with sprocket
wheels 65, journaled at the outer end of slide 24, sprocket wheel 70, journaled at

page_text: the inner end of the ladder carrier, and a flexible ladder carried by said sprocket
wheels.
13th. The combination with the ladder carrier and slides 23, and 24, of sprocket
wheels 65, and 70, a flexible ladder and a rope 76, connected to the outer end of the
ladder, as and for the purpose set forth.
14th. The herein described jointed ladder consisting of parts 56, having hooks, and
parts 57, having rings, both of said parts having eyes at their other ends, rungs 61,
over the opposite ends of which the loops of a part 56, and a part 57, are passed, and
screws engaging the ends of said rungs, whereby the parts are held in place.
15th. The combination with the ladder carrier and sprocket wheels 65, and 70, of an
endless ladder consisting of rungs 61, and alternate parts 56, and 57, provided with
hooks and rings, so that a double ladder of any desired length passing over said
sprocket wheels may be formed by adding or removing links and connecting the
opposite ends.
16th. The combination with the 'ladder carrier and the table upon which it is
journaled, of a shaft 46, to which the table is rigidly secured, gear 53, upon said
shaft, and a pinion engaging said gear, whereby the table may be rotated to place
the ladder carrier in any desired position.
17th. The table, shaft 46, gear wheel 53, and supporting wheel 50, in
combination with pinion 54, and rollers 51, against which the supporting wheel
bears.
18th. The table, shaft 46, and gear 53, in combination with housing 45, rollers 47,
upon which the table rests, and rollers 48, carried by the table, which bear against
the outer side of the housing.
19th. The housing having rollers 17, and 51, in combination with shaft 46, carrying
the table and having gear wheel 53, and supporting wheel 50, engaging rollers 51,
and a pinion 54, engaging the gear wheel.
20th. The combination with the ladder carrier and slides 23, and 24, of dovetails 37,
on the ladder carrier, and slide 23, and grooves in both slides having rollers 38, which
engage the dovetails, and ropes 29, and 32, arranged as described, whereby the slides
are extended.
21st. The combination with the ladder carrier having cross pieces 2b, of the hose
reel and hose, and longitudinal strips 39, secured to the cross pieces by which the hose
is supported.
22nd. The combination with the ladder carrier, slides 23, and. 24, and ropes 29,
and 32, by which they are extended, of sprocket wheels 65, and 70, pawls and ratchets
to hold wheels 65, against backward movement, and a flexible ladder carried by said
sprocket wheels, whereby when sprocket wheels 70, are turned backward, the ladder
may be drawn inward to return the slides to their normal position.
23rd. The ladder carrier and slides 23, and 24, in combination with sprocket
wheels at the outer end of slide 24, sprocket wheels at the inner end of the ladder
carrier, a continuous chain carried by said sprocket wheels and friction pulleys 71,
and straps 72, whereby the movement of the chain is controlled when used as a
fire escape.
24th. The ladder carrier, slides 23, and 24, and ropes 29, and 32, in combination with
sprocket wheels 65, and 70, an endless ladder passing over said sprocket wheels, a pawl
and ratchet to prevent backward movement, friction pulleys upon the shaft of wheels 70,
straps engaging said pulleys, and levers to operate the straps to control the movement
of the ladder.
25th. The ladder carrier, slides, and sprocket wheels, in combination with an endless
ladder carried by the sprocket wheels, braces 79, and 81, and rollers 77, and 82.
26th. The combination with the table, ladder carrier, and slides, of turning
mechanism; substantially as described, arms 87, pivoted to the framework, and a
vertical brace 88, engaging the outer ends of arms 87, whereby the machine is
prevented from upsetting when the slides are thrown out.
27th. The combination with the table, ladder carrier and slides, of an endless
ladder, sprocket wheels by which it is carried, pawls and ratchets for preventing

page_text: backward movement, friction pulleys and straps for controlling the forward
movement, and pulleys 77, and 82, for guiding the ladder.
28th. The combination with the table, ladder carrier, slides, and endless ladder,
of brace 79, secured to the table and carrying sliding block 80, brace 81, engaging
said block, and a roller 82, carried by sliding bearings 83, upon said brace, over
which the ladder passes, substantially as described.
29th. The combination with the table, ladder carrier, and slides, of an endless ladder
and a brace 35, for supporting the parts in use.
30th. The ladder carrier, rack, pinion, and lifting lever, for raising it, the slides,
having rollers 38, and the sprocket wheels, in combination with an endless ladder
carried by the sprocket wheels, and pawls, ratchets, and friction straps whereby its
movement is controlled when used as a fire escape.
31st. Shaft 46, and the table carried thereby, in combination with a pinion and
gear for turning the table, and the ladder carrier, slides, and endless ladder carried
thereby.
32nd. The ladder carrier, slides, and endless ladder, in combination with castings 3,
to which the ladder carrier is attached and which is provided with racks 22, and lifting
lever 9, rope 10, and pinion 21, whereby the ladder carrier may be raised to any
desired position.
33rd. The table, ladder carrier, slides and ladder, in combination with the lifting
lever, rope 10, and racks and pinions for raising the ladder, and a pinion and gear
for rotating the table, substantially as described.
34th. Shaft 4, the ladder carrier, slides and ladder, in combination with the lifting
lever, rope 10, winding drum 13, a pawl and ratchet to prevent backward movement
of said drum, racks 22, on shaft 4, pinions engaging them, and racks and pinions to
hold said shaft against backward movement.
35th. The table and a rack and pinion for turning it, and the ladder carrier
journaled on said table, in combination with a lifting lever and rope, and racks and
pinions for raising the ladder carrier, substantially as described.
Dated this 7th day of March 1888.
HERBERT J. ALLISON,
Agent for the Applicant.