Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 27th July, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 31st Aug., 1888
I, WILLIAM BERTHOLD INNE of 26 Old Hall Street, Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
This Invention has for its object to construct folding ladders so that they will fold
up into a very small compass, be light and portable, and shall be applicable for use as
a fire escape, and for building, and other purposes.
According to my Invention I construct a ladder of articulated side pieces, and rungs,
(preferably of steel). The side pieces, between the rungs, are each in two parts
jointed to each other, and to the rungs, so that the ladder will fold up into a very small
compass. The jointed side pieces are so constructed that they will fold up under, or
into, the rungs. Thus the space occupied by the ladder when folded is only that of the
thickness of the rungs and folded side pieces, or the rungs.
A folding ladder according to my Invention when applied as a fire escape is provided
with a means for attaching the ladder to a building, or structure, for example the top
rung of the ladder may have a chain or chains, and staples for driving into a wall, to
which staples the chains are fastened. A hammer is also provided for driving the
staples into a wall, for example the staples may be driven into the wall inside a room
underneath the window sill and the ladder connected to them and then turned out
through the window and allowed to unfold, thus providing a means of egress from the
room.
In construction the ladder is preferably made with rungs having a flat tread double
the width of the side pieces or the rungs may be of. duplex form. The side pieces are
jointed to the rungs and to each other so that they will fold up between or into the
rungs alongside of each other. Thus they occupy a space equal to their own thickness
or that of the rungs only. The rungs when flat are made with slots in their tread so
that persons using the ladder can obtain a firm hold of the rung.

page_text: Instead of the rungs being flat as above described they may be of round, square,
or other section having end pieces to which the side pieces of the ladder are jointed.
The side pieces in this case however will take up more room when folded as they will
fold up under each other instead of alongside of each other.
Dated this 26th day of October 1887
I, WILLIAM BERTHOLD LANE, of 26 Old Hall Street Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
This Invention has for its object to construct folding ladders so that they will fold
up into a very small compass, be light and portable, and shall be applicable for use as
a fire escape, and for building and other purposes.
According to my invention I construct a ladder of articulated side pieces, and
rungs (preferably of steel). The side pieces between the rungs are each in two parts,
jointed to each other and to the rungs, so that the ladder will fold up into a very
small compass. The jointed side pieces are so constructed that they will fold up
under or into the rungs. Thus the space occupied by the ladder when folded is only
that of the thickness of the rungs and folded side pieces, or the rungs.
A folding ladder according to my invention, when applied as a fire escape, is pro-
vided with a means for attaching the ladder to a building or structure, for example, the
top rung of the ladder may have a chain or chains and staples for driving into a wall,
to which staples the chains are fastened. A hammer is also provided for driving the
staples into a wall; for example, the staples may be driven into the wall inside a room
underneath the window sill, and the ladder connected to them and then turned out
through the window and allowed to unfold, thus providing a means of egress from
the room.
In construction, the ladder is preferably made with rungs having a flat tread double
the width of the side pieces, or the rungs may be of duplex form. The side pieces
are jointed to the rungs and to each other, so that they will fold up between or into the

page_text: rungs alongside of each other.
Thus they occupy a space equal to their own thick-
The rungs when flat are made with slots in their
tread, so that persons using the ladder can obtain a firm hold of the rung.
ness or that of the rungs only.
Instead of the rungs being flat as above described they may be of round, square,
or other section, having end pieces to which the side pieces of the ladder are jointed.
The side pieces in this case however will take up more room when folded, as they will
fold up under each other, instead of alongside of each other.
My invention is hereinafter fully described and its novel features defined in the
claiming clauses concluding this specification.
In the drawings which serve to illustrate my invention-
Figure 1 is a front view of a portion of a ladder according to my invention in
its extended position.
Figure 2 is a front view of the ladder in its folded or closed position, and
Figure 3 shews the ladder in a partly closed position.
Figure 4 is a front view of a portion of a ladder, being a modification of the ladder
shewn at Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a front view of the ladder shewn at Figure 4 in a partly closed
position.
Figure 6 is a front view of a portion of a ladder being another modification of the
ladder shewn at Figure 1.
Figure 7 is a front view of the ladder shewn at Figure 6 in a partly closed
position.
Figure 8 is a front view of a portion of a ladder according to my invention, shewing
the treads and links arranged to fold up side by side.
Figure 9 is a plan of the ladder shewn at Figure 8 in a folded state.
Figure 10 is a plan on a larger scale of the ladder shewn at Figure 1, taken in the
plane indicated by the letters X X in Figure 1.
Figure 11 is a plan on a larger scale of the ladder shown at Figure 1, taken in the
plane indicated by the letters YY in Figure 1.
Figure 12 is a plan on a larger scale of the ladder shown at Figure 6, taken in the
plane indicated by the letters X X in Figure 6.
Figure 13 is a plan on a larger scale of the ladder shewn at Figure 4, taken in the
plane indicated by the letters X X in Figure 4.
Figure 14 is an elevation of a modified construction of ladder when extended.
Figure 15 is an elevation of same partly closed.
Figure 16 is an elevation of same wholly closed.
Figure 17 is a cross section through X X Figure 14.
Figure 18 is a cross section through X X Figure 16.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1, 2, 3, 10 and 11 of the drawings, a
designates the treads of the ladder formed of two bars, and are the side members.
a² is a coupling ferrule. The side members constitute links and may be in two
pieces, as shewn in Figures 1 and 3, or in four pieces as in Figures 6 and 7, or more;
but by preference I construct them of two pieces and jointed. When in use the ladder
is supported by a chain e connected to the topmost tread of the ladder, and is
suspended from any suitable object. The treads a are formed of two bars and spaced
apart, and the links are hinged to pins &¹, and lie between the said bars. The
distances apart at which the links are placed within the said bars in the successive
treads are different, and these different distances are maintained by ferrules d. This
condition is rendered necessary in order to allow the links to lie between the bars of
the treads and to clear each other when the ladder is folded, and assumes the form
shewn in Figure 2. In this Figure it is seen that the treads of the ladder when folded
up touch each other, consequently the whole height of the ladder when folded, is equal
to the sum of the depths of each tread. In Figures 10 and 11 this difference of the
position of the links between the bars of the treads is most plainly shewn.
The joints where the links are connected together are of the ordinary kind.
To keep the ladder at a distance from the surface or body against which it bears
when it is suspended and extended, I form one of the bars of the treads a with a
a,

page_text: prolonged portion a¹, that is, one of the bars projects beyond the point at which the
links bare hinged to the bars and is bent over as illustrated. It will be evident that
when the ladder is placed, say against a wall, these bent ends will keep the treads
away from the wall and will so enable the treads to be grasped by the hand by persons
ascending or descending. I am aware that means for keeping a ladder of the folding
type away from a wall or other surface, has heretofore been proposed, but the con-
struction herein set forth of this provision is a more simple and efficient one than such
others.
In order to give an example of the size of the ladder, I will specify the dimensions
of the parts of a ladder made of steel, suitable for use as a fire escape. Let it be
understood that ladders according to this invention are not confined to the exact.
following dimensions, these being merely given as sizes of steel sufficiently strong for
the purpose. The width of the treads may be 12 inches between the centres of the
joint pins of an inch deep; and the thickness of each bar is of an inch. The
extreme width of tread over bars is of an inch. The links are each 53 inches between
centres of joints, so that the treads will be 11 inches apart between centres or pins 6¹.
By these dimensions a ladder of 51 treads will, when fully extended, be 48 feet
long nearly, whereas when the same is folded as shewn in Figure 2, its length will be
19 inches. Hence the space occupied by the ladder without the ends a¹ would, when
folded, be 12 inches wide by 19 inches long by inch broad, and would weigh
with the ends at about 30 pounds. The space occupied by the ladder with the ends a¹
would be in inches 15 wide; 19 long and 1 broad. It will be evident that either
of these sets of dimensions of space are such that the ladder can be carried about in a
portmanteau, or trunk of moderate dimensions. It can serve as a portable fire escape,
and persons can thus provide themselves with private fire escapes when staying or
living at hotels or rooms. In the case of this being done the ladder would be provided
with the chain c and accompanied by an ordinary staple and hammer. In putting the
ladder into operation the staple could be driven into the wall, or other part near a
window of the room occupied by the person or persons, as the case may be, and the
hook c of the chain fastened to the staple and then put out of the window. The
weight of the treads and links of the ladder will then cause it to open. out to its
fullest extent. The descent can then be made.
C
When the ladder is used as a permanent thing in the rooms of hotels, houses and
other buildings as a fire escape, it is preferred to have it permanently fixed near a
window frame or other aperture, so that it can upon any emergency be at once put out
of the window, or other aperture as above specified, and used.
In Figures 1 and 10 designates tubes preferably of steel, which can be applied
under the ends at as shewn. In this way the ladder can be used as an ordinary
lean-to one, and so rendered useful as an ordinary ladder. The ladder in this case
would be secured to, and suspended from, the upper part of the tubes. This will
keep the ladder extended the same as would occur when it is suspended by
the chain c as above described. The tubes may be made in any lengths and
fixed together in any of the well-known ways. In the drawings a screwed joint g
is shewn:
The modification of the construction of ladder shewn in Figures 4, 5 and 13
consists of a different length of the side members b which are nearly the length of
the treads as shewn in Figure 13, and in folding, cross each other as shewn in
Figure 5. In this case the length of pitch of the treads is increased, and to enable
the side members to fold into the treads, the coupling ferrule a is dispensed with.
The ends a are, in this example, made straight instead of bent, and are splayed out
to have a greater bearing distance, and the inner member of the tread a is riveted
at a to the outer member, by which a very strong construction is afforded.
The modification of the construction of ladder shewn in Figure 6, 7 and 12 consists
merely of a different relative length of the distances between the pins of a tread
and the length of pitch of the treads. In the ladder set forth with reference to
Figures 1 to 3, the dimensions of which are above stated, these relative distances are
nearly equal; but in this modification the length of the pitch of the treads is about

page_text: the same as in the other case, namely, 11 inches the pins 61 however, are only
6 inches apart. This proportion necessitates each link being made in four pieces, so
that when the ladder is folded the links may all close up and allow the treads to touch
each other.
The modification of the construction of ladder shewn in Figures 8 and 9 consists
in constructing the ladder so that the treads a and the side members & fold up along-
side of each other in a horizontal plane. The ladder when so folded as shewn in
Figure 9, is placed upon a sliding tray e, the front edges e¹ of which are cut away
so that when the tray e is pushed out into the position shewn in dotted lines in
Figure 9, as the ladder is pushed out, the treads a, the ends a' and the
.connecting links will fall clear of the tray e and extend down as shown in
Figure 8.
With reference to Figures 14 to 18, the modification therein illustrated constitutes
a ladder capable of being used as an ordinary ladder, that is, instead of it being
necessary to suspend it as set forth with reference to the above Figures, it can be
rested upon the ground and used as a rigid ladder. The side members in this
instance are made of wood by preference, of the strength of ordinary ladders, and
each half member is made of a length sufficient to touch or nearly touch, the members
above and below it. The ends of the members are bevelled as shewn, and the inside
of the rungs a are recessed at their ends, so that when fixed in position ready for use
the rungs lock the side members in position as shewn, and the whole structure is
rendered rigid. It will be seen that when the ladder is extended the bevelled ends
of the side members lie under the ends of the rungs, and they are by this means
supported by the rungs, when lateral stresses are put on the ladder. When the
ladder is being folded, and when it is folded, the rungs take the position shewn
in Figures 15, 16 and 18, and assume the same position as the ladders already
described.
To allow the ladder to be folded or extended, the inner surface of the rungs a must
be opened out, so that the space between the staves forming a rung must be a little
wider than the depth of the side members. This I effect by providing the joint
pins as screws or bolts, by which the said staves may be extended or brought
nearer to each other. Two constructions are shewn, by which this may be
accomplished; one on the left hand side of Figures 17 and 18, in which the pin 61
is a right and left hand screw bolt; and the other on the right hand side in
Figures 17 and 18, in which it is a screw bolt, having a thumb nut and is provided
with a spring.
In the first instance, by turning the screw one way or the other the staves will
be caused to approach cach other, or be separated from each other, as the case
may be whilst in the other case by screwing up the nut 7 the staves will be
caused to approach each other, and by unscrewing the nut the springs will press
them apart.
Where the ends of the pieces of the ladder are hinged in the pins b¹, 1 may bind
or provide them with metal of any suitable kind or form, to render them stronger, and
to prevent them from becoming split.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I would state in conclusion that
I am aware that prior to my invention, folding ladders or fire escapes have been
constructed, and such ladders have been supported by a chain or rope, and used in the
manner herein set forth; and for these I make no claim, but according to my invention
the ladder is so constructed, that when folded up it occupies the same space in breadth
and width as when extended, the length only being diminished; and what I claim as
my invention is :-
First. In a folding ladder the combination of treads a and articulated links b, such
links be jointed in the treads at right angles to the line of length of the treads, whereby
the links can be folded up in the vertical plane of the ladder, substantially as set forth
for the purposes specified.

page_text: Second. In a folding ladder the combination of treads a consisting of two parallel
bars and articulated links b, said links being arranged to lie between the said bars,
and jointed thereto by pins and arranged at different distances apart on the
said pins in the successive treads of the ladder, whereby the said links can fold
up within the space between the bars when the ladder is folded, substantially as
set forth.
Third. A folding ladder of the type herein described having articulated links b,
constructed of such length and arranged to overlap each other when folded, substantially
as set forth.
Fourth. A folding ladder constructed, arranged and operating substantially in the
manner set forth, with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 10 and 11, or Figures 4, 5 and 13,
or Figures 6, and 12, or Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings.
Fifth. A folding ladder of the type herein described, having links b and rungs a,
constructed in such a manner that when extended and fixed, it is rendered rigid,
substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 14 to 18.
Sixth. The particular constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts of
ladders specified and illustrated in the drawings.
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