Improvements in and relating to Fire-escape Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 20th Feb., 1890-Accepted, 22nd Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Fire-escape Apparatus.
I, JOHN CROSS, 498 Edgeware Road Maida Hill, London, W. Builder, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
For the purpose of my invention, I, at any suitable station preferably in the middle
of a thoroughfare hang on pegs or otherwise attached to lamp-posts or other uprights,
ladders of differents lengths. On an alarm of fire being given the person in charge
removes the ladders from the pegs on to a truck similar to those used in timber yards
it is then wheeled where required. The ladders corresponding in height to the storeys
are placed against the windows. To the rungs at the top & bottom of the ladder are
affixed at both ends bent pieces of metal, wheels, or other suitable appliance on theso
bent pieces works an endless rope to any part of which is attached a hook, belt, or
other suitable appliance. When the ladder is placed against the window the people
escape by attaching themselves to the hook and are steadily lowered to the ground.
Dated this 8th day of June 1889.
GRAHAM & GRAHAM,
Agents for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Fire-escape Apparatus.
I, JOHN CROSS 498 Edgeware Road London in the county of Middlesex Builder
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:-
For the purpose of my invention, I, at any suitable or fixed station preferably in or
about the middle or centre of a public thoroughfare or thereabouts, provide
suitable ladders of different or varying lengths forms and proportions according to the
object of my invention and by preference propose that they be kept or placed and
supported on a light iron or steel framed cycle or two wheel hand truck or car so as
to be always ready in position at the fixed station points as may be allotted and
necessary ready to be started and fully equipped for use without a moments delay, on
the alarm being given, for the scene of fire; it is then capable with the slightest aid
of being driven or wheeled with great rapidity wherever required. I propose to employ
in most cases three ladders :-one a fairly stout and strong parallel ladder of about
medium length or height also one as a main or extension ladder of greater length or
height than the former and in proportion slightly lighter altho' of great strength and
yet very portable and rigid for its particular use; and an additional or third light
small hand ladder for general or ordinary purposes. In the case of the main fire or
extension ladder, 1 affix or attach bent or framed pieces of metal at or about the rungs
or rounds of the top and bottom portions thereof, and at the fore or top leading end of
same, I fix and provide a couple of wheels, one at each side of the fore end of the said
main or extension ladder and supported and worked upon a horizontal cross bar or
spindle so as to enable this ladder when used and required as an extension ladder to
be wheeled or run up the wall or face of the house or building in manner hereafter
described. When the entire apparatus is brought into action and ready to reach high
elevations as the occasion may require, the medium size parallel and stouter built
ladder is at once brought into requisition and planted at a suitable angle, as circum-
stances may permit against the face of the wall or building and the main or light
portable extension ladder is then carried and shifted into position in front of the
medium size parallel ladder, up which one man would then proceed, and take hold of the
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upper portion and steady same, also assist in its being placed for raising, he would then
hastily descend, and assist the other helper or parties beneath and with the aid of his
shoulder power aided by a short leather yoke or band which fits over the shoulders,
and having metal eyelet holes on either or both sides of chain attachment ends, which
are hitched or linked to the ends of the metal cross bar provided at the foot of the
ladder, thus giving great purchase and lifting power, and leaving the hands entirely
free in going up the lower strong ladder step by step and so lift and raise up the
main or extension ladder until the desired height is reached when the bent hooks or
grip portions or catches of metal as provided on a cross bar secured at the lower
portion of the ladder and so arranged, as to be permitted or caused to take and grip or
cling onto one of the upper horizontal rungs or rounds of the medium or stouter lower
ladder, securely placed and bearing against the wall. And in practice it is found that the
man in charge, by going up, or descending, step by step of the lower ladder, can with
facility "pitch" or cause the main or extension ladder to be raised or lowered at will
to any practical limit level, and the end of same to be securely stepped and fixed when
wished to any of the rungs or rounds of the stouter parallel ladder beneath. The
lower stouter medium parallel or fixed wall ladder, being as it would ordinarily be
placed, at a further acute angle to the building than that of the main or elevated
ladder, and the greater the amount of extension given to the latter, the lower stout
ladder would further in proportion act as a strut or lever support in the down thrust
given, and rigidly support same. I provide at or about the leading or fore end of the
main or extension ladder and just beneath the running or bearing wheels fixed thereon,
and at or about the fourth or fifth round or rung of the upper portion thereof, a metal
cross bar having a sheave or pulley working freely upon same, with a light bent rod
or guide cover formed on a frame with the cross bar. A rope is provided which I
designate as an endless life line, which works within the bent or guide rod from the
base and over and around the said pulley or sheave toward the base or foot of the
ladder below, and would then be so handled from the ground and regulated as at
request to either "hold hard," "give" or "lower as the case may be. For elderly
or nervous persons or invalids in connection with the life line just referred to, and
that of my main ladder attachments just described, I provide a form of girth and sling
combined, made of leather or leather and canvas or of other suitable material with
necessary adjustable fittings, so as to encompass the waist and lower portion of the
body of the person under rescue, and having a snap hook attachment with ring
connections to adjust and fix to the life line. In lowering a person, a form of
Sshaped hook would be provided on one of the rungs or rounds of the lower part of
the main or extension ladder at an arranged height, through which the life line is
roove into and passes around same to act as a brake, in steadily and rapidly lowering
those under rescue. The hanging bar or metal frame pivoted on the metal cross bar,
fixed on the top of the main or extension ladder would as soon as "pitched" in
position to the window cill or opening of the room or floor, and the rescuer reaches
that point, he would at once throw or fold it over the cill, and being of metal and
hinged, it would by its own weight fall over and cling or attach itself within the room
thereby creating further steadiness and support to the extension ladder, as well as
giving confidence to the person or persons about to be rescued. For the purpose of
steadying or balancing the carrying weight and to facilitate the whole arrangement
upon the light cycle, truck or other form of portable arrangement of vehicle, which
would be made of a light metal angle frame or support with springs upon the axis
and with india rubber tyred wheels; I so arrange that each ladder is before hand
balanced and the position they should occupy is distinctly guaged and marked on
each, and a vertically fixed rod as part of the carriage frame is provided over which
they are placed, and enters between the rungs or rounds of each ladder where so
marked it likewise keeps them in position and from shunting while in transit, and
easily lifted off from same when required. A danger or signal lamp may be fitted to
go into the top of the said vertical tube of the cycle or light truck to denote its position
at night when at rest (or otherwise) at the fixed station point. Provision would be
made in the case of the endless life line when the two ends of the rope meet for a

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short length of metal chain to be interposed and a short branch of line would be
coupled to this short piece of chain by a ring and furnished with a snap hook at the
other end to connect the girth and sling combined to, which will aid and prevent the
endless life line from " kinking" especially as would be the case in wet or damp
weather. In some cases when the escape ladders are brought to a building on fire
the height of which may not render it necessary to run up the main ladder as an
extension ladder upon the medium stouter ladder, in which case it would be
pitched against the wall by itself and used as an escape and to mechanically
lower persons in danger therefrom in manner before described. Side lines are
provided from the lower part and fixed toward the upper part of the main or extension
ladder to help it forward when to pass over copings, window cills or other parts that
might be in the way when it is being raised upwards. In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1, is an elevation of my improved main or extension ladder with the attach-
ments and connections complete ready for use. Figure 2 exhibits an elevation of my
entire apparatus and light carriage or cycle complete and ready in position to be
started off directly a call is made. Figure 3 is a side view shewing the medium
length and stouter parallel ladder placed against the face of a building and the main
or extension ladder run up in the front of same to a certain height and secured in
position. Figure 4 is an enlarged view shewing the grip portion or metal catches,
hinged or coupled on to an iron horizontal bar and when required are thrown over and
downward and so arranged that when the main or extension ladder is being elevated
they do not interfere with the rungs or rounds, but when it is desired to secure and
safely fix the ladder, they are instantly caused to grip around one of the rungs or
rounds of the lower ladder and it is so held and supported. Fig. 5 is an enlarged
view and shews the attachments I provide and fix to the upper or top portion of the
main or extension ladder, where I fit a cross bar or spindle upon which two wheels
are placed and work, one at each side, to enable the main or extension ladder to be
easily run up the face of a building. I also shew in this view the hanging bar or
metal frame pivotted on to the metal cross bar as shown, and when the main ladder is
in use and got into position this is thrown or folded over the cill of the window into
the apartment, and helps to further keep the ladder steady and secure. Figure 6
exhibits the form of girth and sling combined which I propose to use in connection
with the endless life line and that of my main or extension ladder attachments. In
figures 1 to 5, the same letters of reference indicate like or corresponding parts. A, is
the main or extension ladder. B the medium, stouter ladder. C the small ordinary
hand ladder. D and D¹ are metal fittings and cross bars or spindles at the top and
bottom of the main or extension ladder. E. E are a couple of wheels to assist the
machine being run up the face of buildings. F, is the hanging bar of metal to go
over the cills of windows and to help steadying the ladder. G is the metal sheave or
pulley with guard attachment G', for the life line H to work in and around. Kare
the grips or metal catches fitted at the end of the machine to hold and secure the main
or extension ladder at the height desired when raised. L are the side lines for
steadying and pulling forward the upper part of the main ladder when occasion
requires. M, is the S shaped hook for the life line to be rove in and to act as a brake.
N, is the light iron or steel framed cycle or other form of portable carriage. O is the
central metal rod of the cycle or carriage, the respective ladders A, B, C, fitting over
and regulated in position by same. P, is a signal lamp on the central metal rod removable
at will. Figure 6 exhibits the combined girth and sling which is intended to be used
in conection with the life line of the apparatus in manner previously referred to; and
will be found more particularly applicable for the rescue of elderly or nervous persons
and invalids. It consists of a belt or girth a and connections, capable of being readily
or self adjusted (according to the size of the person) around the mid portion of the
body. c c are slings with a cross connection or attachment d, wherein the lower or
posterior portion of the body would rest and be seated securely therein and held in
position. The slings c, c, are connected to the belt or girth a by swivel con-
nections e e; fis the snap hook and ring for the end of the hook or catch provided at
the end of the life line to take into.

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 1
claim is :-
Firstly. The use or employment of a ladder such as described, having a method of
attaching an endless life line and girth and sling connection for rescuing life and in
working same, and of an arrangement of guard to fix or attach to the cill of the
window on the inner side, and in the further use and employment of the main ladder
as an extension ladder to an auxilliary ladder and to which it may be readily coupled
and secured when raised thereon to the elevation or desired height.
Secondly. In providing a cycle or light iron framed wheeled truck to receive the
main or extension and auxilliary or other ladder or ladders in a very compact bandy
and portable manner and always ready for immediate use to be transported to the site
of the fire with great rapidity.
Thirdly. In the form of a combined girth and sling or support to fix on to and
secure persons to and to be steadily lowered with safety.
Dated this 20th day of February 1890.
GRAHAM & GRAHAM,
Agents for Applicant.