An Improvement in Fire Escapes.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 15th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 15th June, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improvement in Fire Escapes..
We JAMES WILLIAM WILLS Hill View North Road Bishopston Bristol
County of Gloucestershire Gentleman, and EDWARD SEYMOUR Cabinet Maker
43 Marlborough Street St. James' Bristol County of Gloucestershire, do hereby
declare our said invention relates to improvements in the construction of a self-
acting fire proof fire escape,-referring to drawings accompanying Complete
Specification.
For this purpose we fix a platform 1. movable on the trycycle principle.
A column 2. is fixed with a hinge to raise or fall. This column is composed of
many parts to give any height. 3. a cap fits all the insertions also the side of a
window. A box attached to 1. within are fitted a drum 5. with a small cog-wheel,
and each side is placed two cog-wheels three inches diameter with axles one
inch 6 & 7. The drum 5 revolves ten times while 6 & 7 turn once. We attach
two springs to platform with chains fixed to axles 6 & 7. There is a cradle 8. with
a socket in centre which encircles the column 2. with a spring to catch on top and
the same at bottom. Attached to 5. is a chain which runs up through the cap 3.
then runs down. 2. hooks on to socket 8. when the springs 6 & 7 are wound up,
the cradle 8. will ascend while springs give out, and when the cradle is liberated at
the top, the weight descending winds them up again.
There is also an engine and hose attached; our invention is light and can be fixed
to any building, stationary or be used for fire brigades.
19th January 1895
J. W. WILLS.
E. SEYMOUR.
JAMES WILLIAM WILLS, Gentleman, Hill View North Road Bishopston
Bristol, County of Gloucestershire EDWARD SEYMOUR Cabinet Maker
43 Marlborough Street St. James Bristol Gloucestershire do hereby declare
the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
1. a platform movable on the trycicle principle. Attached to the front of the
platform 1 is a column 2, composed of a number of insertions, light hollow steel
tubes, the dimentions according to the size of the machine, such insertions are fitted
like a sweeps brush, each one measuring six feet or more these are fixed together
making a sufficient length to reach the window, from which people wish to come
down.
The cap
3. is fixed on the top of the last insertion the V shaped end of cap, is to
fit the side of the window which prevents the column 2 from slipping.

page_text: Before the column 2 is hauled up, a rope or chain attached to the drum 5. is
rieved thro the cap 3. over the pulley wheels, and brought down and attached to
the cradle 8. A rope or chain is now fastened to the end of the cap 3, and
attached to winch which hauls the column 2 into position at the window.
The working of the drum & springs. First wind the rope or chain on drum 5
from left to right with more than suffient rope, the cogs working in one direction,
hook the chains that are attached to springs A. A. to axles 6 and 7, the end of the
rope or chain is carried to cap 3, and rieved through wheels of cap 3. down outside the
column 2, and hooks on cradle 8, which is secured by brake; by pulling the rope
thus it unwinds portion of rope off drum 5 and winds down springs A. A. with
sufficient tention to take the cradle up with a man in it, to the required height,
the brake is released the cradle ascends the column 2 which does not move so fast
as it approaches the top of column 2 as the springs give out, when it arrives at the
top of column the brake is applied and the people who are being rescued step into
cradle 8 the brake is released, the cradle 8 descends, with the weight in cradle 8
at the same time bringing the springs to the tention required to take up cradle 8
again, the longer the column the more tention on the springs A. A.
The engine would only be used with large fire brigade machines either for
pumping water or attached to machinery.
The platform is worked on the trycicle principle but has four wheels with brake
and is guided from the rear of platform 1.
The insertions are carried on platform 1.
The chains from springs A A wind around axles 6 & 7 in the same direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is,
The above amended means of a fire proof fire escape for saving and taking
persons from burning buildings.
Dated this 21st day of January 1895.
JAMES WILLIAM WIELS.
EDWARD SEYMOUR.