AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SCAFFOLD FRAME AND SHIELD FOR THE PROTECTION OF FIREMEN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
CONSTRUCTION OF SCAFFOLD FRAME AND SHIELD FOR THE PROTECTION OF
FIREMEN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by
William Murray, of Vicksburg, County of Warren, State of Mississippi, United
States of America.
Sealed the 2nd November 1877, and dated the 18th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th June 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery. Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SCAFFOLD FRAME AND SHIELD
FOR THE PROTECTION OF FIREMEN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." [A communica-
tion from abroad by William Murray, of Vicksburg, County of Warren, State of
Mississippi, United States of America.]
This Invention consists of coupling joints and pipes for quickly erecting frames
for scaffolds, and for supporting plates to protect firemen from the heat of a burning
building, the object being to enable them to approach closer to a burning building,
and to afford protection to other buildings by being set up between them and the
burning buildings.
According to this Invention it is proposed to take gas or other suitable tubing, in
sufficient size for strength, and of all required lengths, and erect scaffold frames for
supporting curtains of metal plates to be hung on them, the said tubes being con-
pected together by couplings of two or more socket ends, according to the number
of tubes to be connected, the said couplings being, when necessary, made in two
parts, to be clamped on rods already set up and coupled at any point that may be
desired, the said parts, being bolted together through holes provided for that purpose.
The tubes will be fastened on the couplings by pins, and for allowing the applica-
tion of couplings at different points the tubes will be bored with pin holes at
suitable intervals apart. Some of the tubes will be bent to allow the rods to run
obliquely from the point of connection as when employed for braces, and for the

page_text: connection of scaffold supports, and the like. At the lower ends of the upright
tubes and braces steel points will be attached for entering the ground to obtain firm
support, and these steel points will have projecting from their sides studs on which
to place wheels for convenience in moving the screen or shield. The curtain plates
are hooked on the rods and connected together by hooks, which are detachably
connected. These plates will also be used for scaffolds for the firemen to stand on.
The plates are coupled from centre to centre, so that any one can be turned to open
a space, through which a nozzle may be inserted to play on the fire. The curtain
plates may be hinged to the frame either horizontally or vertically.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th
December 1877.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF SCAFFOLD FRAME AND SHIELD
FOR THE PROTECTION OF FIREMEN, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communica-
tion from abroad by William Murray, of Vicksburg, County of Warren, State of
Mississippi, United States of America.
This Invention consists of coupling joints and pipes for quickly erecting frames
for scaffolds, and for supporting plates to protect firemen from the heat of a burning
building, the object being to enable the firemen to approach closer to a burning
building, and to afford protection to other buildings by interposing a screen between
them and the burning building..
In the Drawings,-
Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the improved apparatus; Figure 2 is a transverse
section taken on the line x, xc, Figure 1.
Figures 3, 4, and 5 are views of different forms of couplings to be used in con-
necting the tubes of which the frames are made.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
According to this Invention it is proposed to take gas or other suitable tubing A,
in suitable size for strength, and-of-all required lengths, and erect scaffold frames for
supporting curtains of metal plates B to be hung on them, the said tubes. A being
connected together by couplings of two or more socket ends, according to the
number of tubes to be connected, the said couplings being, when necessary, made in
two parts, to be clamped on rods already set up and coupled at any point that may
be desired, the said parts being bolted together through holes provided for that
purpose. D represents a coupling of two socket ends for connecting two pipes in a
right line; E, one of three. ends; F, one of five ends; G, Figures 3 and 4, one of
six ends; and H, Figure 5, one of thirty ends. Those of six and more ends are
made in two parts, which join together on the line I, and are bolted together at J,
in order that they may be applied anywhere on pipes, already set up, for connecting
other pipes for extending the frame in different directions to support scaffolds, and
for other purposes. The tubes will be fastened on the couplings by pins R, and for
allowing the application of couplings at different points the tubes will be bored
with pin holes Lat suitable intervals apart. Some of the tubes, will be bent, as
at M, to allow the rods to run, obliquely from the point of connection as when

page_text: employed for braces, and for the connection of scaffold supports N, and the like.
At the lower ends of the upright tubes and braces steel points O will be attached
for entering the ground to obtain firm support, and these steel points will have
projecting from their sides studs, on which to place wheels for convenience in
moving the screen or shield. The plates B are hooked on the rods and connected
together by hooks P, which are detachably connected. These curtain plates will
also be used for scaffolds for the firemen to stand on. The curtain plates are
coupled from centre to centre, so that any one can be turned to open a space
through which a nozzle may be inserted to play on the fire. The curtain plates
may be hinged to the frame either horizontally or vertically.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. The combination of tubes, couplings, curtain, and scaffold plates, substantially
as shown and described.
2nd. The curtain plates, coupled from centre to centre, as described, for passing
the hose nozzle between them, substantially as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
A. M. CLARK. (LS)
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)