Improvements in Fire Escapes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1892
Complete Specification Left; 7th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 14th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Escapes.
I, ALBERT EDWARD BAYLEY of 42 Newington Causeway in the County of
Surrey, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
As at present constructed, fire-escapes require several men to raise and operate
them, and the object of this invention is so to simplify the construction, that the
escape may be operated by one man, if necessary.
In carrying out my invention, I employ a framework consisting of an upright
portion and a more or less horizontal portion, the two portions being suitably
strengthened by stays or otherwise.
This frame I provide, near the angle, with a pair of wheels of small diameter,
and also support it on a pair of wheels of the ordinary size. About half the height
of the upright portion, I provide a roller or rollers, against which the ladder rests,
and which act as the fulcrum on which the ladder is raised.
The foot of the ladder is connected to the horizontal portion of the frame by
clips, or other means, capable of sliding on the side bars thereof.
Attached to the foot of the ladder are chains, which, after passing round guide
pulleys on the upright portion, are attached to and wound upon a spindle or drum
provided near the outer end of the horizontal part of the frame.
This spindle or drum is provided with a winch handle, on turning which, the
chains are wound up, and draw the foot of the ladder inwards, thus causing the
ladder to assume a more or less perpendicular position.
Extension ladders of any convenient arrangement may be adapted to the main
ladder.
In the new form of fire escape, the weight is evenly distributed at all times, and
all fear of the ladder tipping is obviated.
The four wheels will rest always on the ground, and by giving an extended base,
will serve to keep the apparatus steady.
Dated this 7th day of December 1892.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fire Escapes.
I ALBERT EDWARD BAYLEY of 42 Newington Causeway in the County of
Surrey, Gentleman 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 :-
As at present constructed fire escapes require several men to raise and operate
them, and the object of this invention is so to simplify the construction, that the
escape may be operated by one man if necessary.
In carrying out my invention I employ a framework consisting of an upright
portion and a more or less horizontal portion that is to say more or less ☐ shaped
in side view the two portions being suitably strengthened by stays or otherwise.
This frame is provided with a pair of wheels of small diameter or bearing wheels
and also with a pair of running wheels of the ordinary size. On the upright
portion, I provide a roller or rollers, against which the ladder rests and which act
as the fulcrum on which the ladder is raised.

page_text: >
The foot of the ladder is connected to the horizontal portion of the frame by
clips or other means capable of sliding on the side bars thereof.
Attached to the foot of the ladder are chains which after passing round guide
pulleys near the angle of the frame are attached to and wound upon a spindle or
drum provided near the outer end of the horizontal part of the frame.
This spindle or drum is provided with a winch handle, on turning which the
chains are wound up and draw the foot of the ladder inwards, thus causing the
ladder to assume a more or less perpendicular position.
Extension ladders of any convenient arrangement may be adapted to the main
ladder to be hoisted in the ordinary manner.
In the new form of fire escape the weight is evenly distributed at all times and
all fear of the ladder when raised tipping over is obviated.
The four wheels will rest always on the ground and by giving an extended base,
will serve to keep the apparatus steady when in position.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an escape constructed according to this invention,
and
Fig. 2 is a back view.
Figs. 3 and 4 represent details which will be more particularly referred to
hereafter.
A A¹ is the frame of the escape which in side view is 1 shaped the longer arm A
representing the horizontal portion. The two arms A A are connected together at
the angle by angle pieces and stays rods B B with wire stays B' are employed to
give strength and rigidity. The two sides of the frame are braced together by
tie rods.
The arms A¹ are provided with a carriage for the running wheels C and in
any suitable position on the arms A small bearing wheels C' are secured.
D are plates to receive the main ladder E and are mounted on the tie rod at the
end of the arms A¹. These plates are provided with lugs d which overlie the
ladder and are further provided with plates d* which carry the axles of friction
rollers d'. The ladder E works between two sets of these rollers d' as will be seen
from Fig. 2.
The main ladder E is connected at its foot to a spacing bar F which is provided
at its opposite ends with a plate F¹ on which a pair of friction rollers ƒ is
mounted.
The plates F¹ span the arms A of the frame and the friction rollers run on the
top and underneath the arms or side bars as will be seen in the enlarged detail
views Figs. 3 and 4.
G is an endless chain or its equivalent attached to the rod F and passing over a
guide pulley H mounted on a cross bar at or near the angle of the frame and
round a drum J mounted at the outer end of the arms or side bars A. and provided
with a pawl and ratchet device and a winch handle J¹ and gearing in the
usual way.
When the ladder is required for use the handle J' is turned which causes the
drum by winding it up to pull on the chain G. The foot of the ladder E is thus
drawn forward, the plates D acting to guide the ladder turning on the pivot rod
which thus forms the fulcrum on which the ladder is raised.
E is the extension ladder which may be secured to the main ladder in any con-
venient manner 80 that it will slide thereon under the influence of a chain
and winch.
When it is desired to lower the ladder E the drum J is turned in the reverse
direction and by the chain G pulls the foot of the ladder towards it.
It will be obvious that the same arrangement of ladder may be adapted to a
four wheel trolly as shewn in diagram at Fig. 5 the fore carriage being placed at
the outer end of the arms A which will form practically the frame of the trolly.
In this case the winding drum may be placed at the opposite end.

page_text: 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 :-
1st. A fire escape constructed arranged and operating substantially as herein
shown and described.
2nd. A fire-escape in which the ladder bearing in its length on a fixed point is
raised or lowered by drawing the foot inwards or outwards substantially as
set forth.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.