An Improved Fire Escape.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 30th June, 1893-Accepted, 30th Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Fire Escape.
I WILLIAM SALES GRATWICK of 149 Hamilton Road West Norwood in
the County of Surrey Laundryman do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
-
My invention is designed to provide an improved apparatus to be applied to
dwellings houses, hotels, schools and other dwellings to facilitate the escape of
persons and to save property from burning buildings without being dependent upon
the ordinary fire escapes now in general use. For this purpose according to my
invention this fire escape apparatus consists of a light iron portable folding cage or
carriage with a well attached to same, so that occupants may sit or stand in the
same, the whole cage or carriage and well is covered with fireproof covering
whereby the persons inside cannot in case of faintness fall out or see where they are
going the whole cage or carriage folding into small compass can be carried
and fixed instantly or be permanently fixed at any part of building having an
opening. The said cage or carriage travels or two ropes or wires with cyes at top
end to receive bar or rod, the said "bar or rod is placed across the window or opening
and when the escape apparatus is required to be brought into use the ropes or wires
are lowered out of window or opening to the ground below. The cage or carriage
is now ready for decent the person or persons being lowered can arrange the speed
of decent by means of a guide rope attached to the cage or carriage and running
round block or sheave attached to bar inside window or opening, when the cage or
carriage gets to the ground it is received by springs attached to the ropes or wires
whereby if the decent is to speedy is checked, and cage or carriage collapses, by
means of springs, cage or carriage can be immediately re-opened and sent back to
receive other persons or property by means of the same guide rope used for steading
decent and the cage or carriage can be stoped at any opening directly under where
the wires or ropes are fixed over. When not in use the whole apparatus folds in
small compass & can be kept in box ready for immediate use.
Dated this 30th day of August 1892.
WILLIAM SALES GRATWICK.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Fire Escape.
I, WILLIAM SALES GRATWICK of No. 149 Hamilton Road, West Norwood, in
the County of Surrey, Laundryman 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 an improved fire escape for use in dwelling houses, hotels,
schools and other buildings to facilitate the escape of persons in case of fire,
without being dependent upon the ordinary fire escape now in general use.
In order that my invention and the manner of operating the same may be the
better understood I have appended the accompanying sheets of drawings in
which,
Fig. 1. is a general view of the apparatus when in use.
Fig. 2. is a sectional elevation of the cage or carriage.
Fig. 3. is the plan view of supporting frame or bars.
Fig. 4. plan view showing cage folded up.

page_text: In carrying my invention into effect I provide a light portable folding cage or
carriage A, with a well B. attached to same, and containing a seat C. so that
occupant may sit or stand in the cage A. The cage or carriage A is covered with
fire proof covering D. the person inside cannot fall out in case of faintness, or
nervousness from any cause, and the fire proof covering D, protects the occupant
from harm during descent, the cage or carriage A, is collapsable and is constructed
of a jointed open framework, of iron or other suitable material, having parts E, F, G,
connected by bolts H, and jointed stiffeners K, attached to the frame work is the
fire proof covering D, thus forming a cage or bag, a seat C, is provided also a
footboard K, the cage or carriage A, can be folded into a very small compass by
placing footboard K in the part F & hinging part E down upon it, as shown
in Fig. 4.
The supporting frame see Fig. 3. consists of a bar L, passing loosely through two
tee pieces M, M, attached to a bent bar or frame N, carrying a loose sheave or
pulley O. The cage or carriage A. travels on two or more ropes, wires or chains P
by means of eyes Š through which the ropes or chains pass these ropes or chains
have
eyes Q. at top ends to receive bar or frame N, or bar M the bar or rod M is
placed across window or opening in the inside of building and the supporting frame
or bar N is turned outwards so as to clear coping, the person or persons descending
can regulate the speed of descent by means of a guide rope R, attached to cage A
and passing over sheave or pulley O. on bar or rod N. when the cage or carriage A
reaches the ground.it may be received on springs attached to ends of the ropes, the
guide rope
R is used to return cage or carriage A to receive more persons or goods,
and can be stopped at any window or opening directly under where the ropes, wires
or chains P are fixed.
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.
First. In an improved fire escape the collapsable cage or carriage A substantially
as described and shewn by Fig. 2. in the accompanying drawings.
Second. In an improved fire escape the supporting frame, substantially as and
for the purposes herein set forth and shewn by Figs. 1 and 3 in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 30th day of June 1893.
WILLIAM SALES GRATWICK.