Improved Construction of Apparatus for Saving Life from Fire, applicable also for Lowering Goods.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improved Construction of Apparatus for Saving Life from Fire,
applicable also for Lowering Goods.
1, EDWARD AUGUSTUS BULL, of St. Paul's Vicarage, Hounslow Heath, Middle-
sex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
The object of my invention, is to construct an apparatus for saving life at
fires or for lowering goods from the upper part of buildings, or for other similar
purpose at an uniform rate of speed, such apparatus or part of same being
adjustable to suit the varying weights to be lowered.
For the purpose of my invention, I form a framework carrying on an axle
three or more pulleys or drums, the centre of which has the wire or other cord
to which the person or goods to be lowered are attached either direct or to a
sling or seat, this pulley or drum is secured to the axle, and the others, one on
each side, run loose in one direction and are in connection with the cord pulley
for movement in the other direction by ratchet and pawl, or other device, the
outer pulleys or drums being under control of band brakes which can be
tightened or loosened on the pulleys by screw or other means.
The axle is arranged in a loose bearing of the framework, so that the weight
of the person or goods being lowered will cause the pulleys to act upon the band
brakes, the end or ends of which are secured to the framework, so that the rate
of speed is regulated more or less, a perfect regulation being secured by the
tightening or loosening of the band brakes on to the pulleys.
The appliance may be secured to the house or building in any desired manner.
In action, the lowering or paying out of the cord causes the ratchet and pawl
or other device to carry the brake pulleys along with the cord pulley and accord-
ing to the weight to be lowered, so the grip of the pulleys on the brake straps is
ensured, the degree of friction being further determined by the movement of
the adjusting appliances on the band brakes but the band brakes may be set
to positively control a load of, say, between 7 and 12 stone, or other desired
weight.
The axle is provided, or in connection, with a handle for re-winding the wire
or cord on the pulley ready for allowing the apparatus to be used again.
DL: 15th dorreof December 1897

page_text: Improved Construction of Apparatus for Saving Life from Fires,
applicable also for Lowering Goods.
I, EDWARD AUGUSTUS BULL, of St. Paul's Vicarage, Hounslow Heath, Middle-
sex, 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: —
The object of my invention is to construct an apparatus for saving life at
fires, or for lowering goods from the upper part of buildings, or for other similar
purpose at an uniform rate of speed, such apparatus or part of same being
adjustable to suit the varying weights to be lowered.
In the annexed sheet of drawings, Figure 1 is part sectional elevation, Figure 2
a side view of my device, I form a framework A which by its axle B carries
three pulleys or drums C, D, E, the centre of which D has the wire or other
cord to which the person or goods to be lowered are attached either direct
to the clip hook G or to a sling or seat therefrom, this pulley or drum D is
secured to the axle B, and the others C, E, on each side run loose in one direction
and are in connection with the cord pulley D for movement in the other direction
by ratchet H and pawls I, I, or other device, the outer pulleys or drums being
under control of leather lined band brakes J, J, which can be tightened or
loosened on the pulleys by screws K, K, or other means.
The axle B is arranged in slots M, M, or loose bearings of the framework A,
so that the weight of the person or goods being lowered will cause the
pulleys C, D, E, to act upon the band brakes, the end or ends of which are
secured to the framework A, such as by the metal plates N, N, so that the rate
of speed can be regulated more or less, a perfect regulation being secured by the
tightening or loosening of the band brakes J, J, which really take the weight
of the descending body by their drop permitted by the loose fitting of the axle B.
The appliance may be secured to the house or building in any desired manner
but preferably by the eye P, the wire cord being rove through the central hole Q
of the bottom crossbar of the frame.
In action, the lowering or paying out of the cord causes the ratchet and pawl
or other device to carry the brake pulleys with the cord pulley and according
to the weight to be lowered so the grip of the pulleys on the brake straps is
ensured.
The axle B is provided with a handle for re-winding the wire or cord on the
pulley ready for allowing the apparatus to be again used.
It is important that the cord be wound up in one direction only, and to prevent
an error the axle is screw threaded for the handle to engage for wind up purposes
and to unscrew if turned in the reverse direction when its collar can abut against
a spring plate, a nut being secured to prevent the handle becoming lost.
The drums C, E, are mounted loosely on central block R, and to give freedom
to rotate I arrange a hard metal band S between it and the pulleys.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A household fire escape, consisting of two loose brake pulleys, one inter-
mediate fast cord pulley on drum carried by axle arranged loosely in the slots
of frame to drop and bear on brake bands when lowering, substantially as
specified and shown.
2. An apparatus for saving life, consisting of framework A, axle B arranged

page_text: in slots M in said framework A, block R fixed on axle B, band S surrounding
block R, fixed drum D, and loose drums C, E, arranged around band S, teeth H
formed on side of drum D, spring actioned pawls I on inner sides of drums C, E,
engaging teeth H, adjustable brake straps J, J, secured to framework A and
encircling drum C, E, and carrying drums D, C, E, and axle B, block R and
band S, rope F secured to drum D, substantially as described and as shown on
the annexed drawings.
The 0th day of June 1908
R. CORE GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London.
Agent for the said Edward Augustus Bull.