Improvements Connected with the Saving of Life from Fire in Dwelling Houses and similar Places.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Nov.. 1888
Complete Specification Left. 30th July, 1889-Accepted, 7th Sept., 189
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements Connected with the Saving of Life from Fire in
Dwelling Houses and similar Places.
I WILLIAM ELLWOOD of 2 Washington Terrace, North Shields, in the County of
Northumberland, Saddler and Harness Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the saving of life from fire in dwelling houses and
similar places, the apparatus used being very simple, and so constructed that it may
be stored away in a very compact manner.
According to this invention the apparatus is contained within a recess specially
formed in the wall under the window to which the invention is to be applied. Within
the said recess two vertical iron or other suitable rods are built into the wall, or
otherwise affixed thereto. A horizontal shaft works in bearings forming part of the
said vertical rods. This horizontal shaft carries two discs on to each of which two
winding handles are affixed.
On to that part of the shaft which is between these two discs, one end of a ladder
is affixed, and by means of the handles, the said ladder is wound upon the horizontal
shaft between the discs and lies close between the said discs. This ladder is made of
metal chain, with wrought iron or steel rungs. A lid or door is placed in any convenient
part, so that the same can be opened when the ladder is required for use.
Dated this 30th day of November 1888.
"
CASTLE SMITH,
Per F. W. Golby,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements Connected with the Saving of Life from Fire in
Dwelling Houses and similar Places.
I, WILLIAM ELLWOOD, of 4 North Street, South Shields, in the County of
Northumberland, Saddler and Harness Maker, 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 has for its object the saving of life from fire in dwelling houses and
similar places, the apparatus used being very simple and so constructed that it may be
stored away in a very compact manner.
According to this invention, the apparatus is contained within a recess specially
formed in the wall under the window to which the invention is to be applied. Within
the said recess two vertical iron or other suitable rods are built into the wall or
otherwise affixed thereto. A horizontal shaft works in bearings forming part of the
said vertical rods. This horizontal shaft carries two discs on to each of which two
winding handles are affixed. On to that part of the shaft which is between these two
discs, one end of a ladder is affixed and by means of the handles the said ladder is
wound upon the horizontal shaft between the discs, and lies close between the said
discs. This ladder is made of metal chain with wrought iron or steel rungs. A lid or
door is placed in any convenient part so that the same can be opened.
And in order that my invention may be well understood and carried into practice,
1 will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which similar letters are used to indicate corresponding parts throughout.
Figure 1 is an elevation of part of a wall into which my invention is built, taken
from the interior of a room or other place, the lid or cover Q being open and the

page_text: ladder rolled up in the closed position; Figure 2 is a part elevation of the outside of
the same wall, and Figure 3 is a similar view showing the escape open ready
for use.
A is the recess formed in the wall underneath the window B. Within the said
recess two vertical iron or other suitable rods C are built into the wall D or otherwise
rigidly secured thereto. E is a horizontal shaft working in bearings F on the
vertical rods or brackets C. This horizontal shaft E has two discs G rigidly secured
thereon and each disc is provided with two or more winding handles H constructed
integral therewith or securely fastened thereto. - On to that part of the horizontal
shaft which is between the two discs G one end of a ladder J is secured (see
Figure 3) and the said ladder may be wound upon the horizontal shaft E by rotating
the handles H attached to the discs G. K are the metal chains forming the sides of
the ladder and L the iron or steel rungs. M is a ratchet fixed on the shaft E,
and S is a pawl gearing with the ratchet M for securing the ladder when wound up.
The pawl S is in the form of a lever pivoted to the side of the recess or to one
of the vertical rods C so as to be normally in gear with the ratchet M.
pawl is released by means of a cord or chain attached to its other arm, the
said cord passing over pulleys or attached to bell crank levers or other equivalent
means and actuated by a knob or handle P fixed in any position convenient for
quick manipulation. N is a plate or cover affixed to the end of the ladder
for closing the aperture on the outside of the wall when the ladder is wound up.
This plate N fits into rebates in the metal frame R built into the recess and on
the outside of the wall (see Figures 2 and 3) so that when the escape is closed,
the plate N is flush with the front of the wall.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
The
When it is desired to lower the escape in the case of a fire or other cause the
knob or handle P attached to the cord or chain O is pulled or otherwise manipulated
so as to release the pawl S from the ratchet M, as soon as this occurs the plate N
by its own weight falls outwards pulling with it the ladder which continues to
uncoil itself from the horizontal shaft E until the plate N reaches the ground or other
landing place, where it can if desired be secured by any person below and the
occupants of the house can descend the ladder. One, two, or more steps T may if
required be built in, or secured to the wall of the building to which the escape is
attached, between the bottom of the window and the escape, so that persons
escaping from the window may descend until they reach the rungs of the ladder.
When it is desired to replace the escape it is simply necessary to grasp the
winding handles H and turn the discs G affixed on the horizontal shaft E the
return action being prevented by means of the ratchet M and pawl S. The
winding up is continued until the plate N closes the opening or recess under the
window B.
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 :-
The combination and arrangement of the various parts forming my improved
fire escape, constructed and operating substantially in the manner and for the
purpose hereinbefore set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of T..1.. 1000
CASTLE SMITH,
Per F. W. Golby,
"Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.