Improvements in Portable Fire Escapes.
Year: 1894

page_text: VAIT UMID SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Portable Fire Escapes.
We,
JOSEPH JOHNSON, of Myrtle Villas, Leyton, Essex, THOMAS COLE and
WILLIAM LAWES COLE, of St. Ann's Road, Burdett Road, Bow, London,
Engineers, 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 :-
This invention relates to Improvements in Portable Fire Escapes, and has for
object to provide such a fire escape which shall be simple in construction, extremely
effectual in use, and from its lightness and compactness is easy of carriage, and in
fact may be put in the coat pocket, or when travelling carried in a hand bag or
other convenient receptacle.
Our invention will be clearly understood by the annexed drawings.
Figure 1 is an elevation of the apparatus with side cover removed.
Figure 2 an inside view of a half box for indicating the position of the brake
lever.
Figure 3 an edge view of the article.
Figure 4, a section thereof.
Figures 5 and 6 perspective views of the guard wheels.
Figure 7 is an outside elevation of the complete apparatus.
A, A, are two half boxes, capable of being connected by bolts B passed through
lugs C, C, and screwed up tight. D is a metal tape, each end E, F, of which is
rolled over a pin G, H, and bent back to be kept plain, or to be rivetted, as
desired.
I, I, are segmental hubs on the inner faces of the guard wheels J, J, said hubs
having a slot and hole K therein for the reception of the rolled end E of the
tape D.
L, L, are brake levers pivoted at M and having a hole N for the lodgment of
the axle P which passes to the outside, as shown.
The hole in each half box in which the axle P lodges is elongated, or of slotted
formation, and allows the axle to rise sufficiently for the edges of the wheels J, J,
to press against the inside of the half boxes.
All the levers are free for movement, as per dotted lines, Figure 2.
The wheels J, J, and segmental hubs together constitute a reel, on or in which,
the metal tape D is wound.
The brake levers L, L, are coupled and arranged one on each side, as shown
more particularly in the sectional view, Figure 4, with a strap and buckle, a
cord, or other device W attached which is passed through the link V and
terminates preferably in a waistband, to or by which a person desiring to descend,
can be secured.
The weight of a person so suspended draws the link V to the position shown by
dotted lines in Figure 7, and puts a strain upon the coupled brake levers L, L, to
draw same to its dotted line position, and lift the wheels J, J, into frictional
contact with the inner periphery of the half boxes A, A, said frictional contact
being sufficient to prevent any rotation of the wheels J, J, and consequent lowering
of the person suspended until the pull cord, or other suitable device U is pulled to
move the coupled levers Q downwards for their noses to bear against the levers L
at the part T thereof and prise them upwards to release the frictional grip of the
wheels J and allow them to rotate and let out the tape to lower the person
attached.

page_text: The free end of the tape D is affixed to an eye S for attachment to any article
of furniture, or to a hook next a window, or other fastening from which a person
has to lower himself.
The drawings show the apparatus and detail parts in full dimensions, the tape
being about 50 feet in length, or any desired length.
It will be understood that any person desiring to descend, first slips the device W
which is preferably a strap and buckle, under his arms, so that he can hang
therefrom, when by pulling the cord U he releases the brake, and can lower
himself at will.
The tape can be wound upon the reel by turning the key X.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An apparatus as a portable fire escape consisting of two half boxes united by
lugs and bolts, and containing a reel and metal tape controllable by levers which
can jamb the reel, and be released therefrom by the person in the descending
operation, as and in the manner described.
2. As a fire escape, the combination and arrangement of the several parts, as
shown on the annexed drawings, operating for temporarily sustaining a person who
can by a simple pull on a releasing appliance lower himself, as described.
Dated this 27th day of March 1894
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said Joseph Johnson, Thomas Cole,
and William Lawes Cole.