MENTS IN WINDOW CLEANING CHAIRS APPLICABLE ALSO TO PLATFORMS FOR THE USE OF PAINTERS AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors
6 Lord Street Liverpool in the county of Lancaster Fellow of the Institute of
Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN WINDOW CLEANING CHAIRS APPLICABLE ALSO TO PLATFORMS FOR THE
USE OF PAINTERS AND OTHER PURPOSES (a communication from Anna Dormitzer,
of the city county and state of New York United States of America), to be as
follows:
This invention has for its object a simplification in the construction of the
window cleaning chair or platform for which letters patent have been previously
granted for the inventions of Anna Dormitzer and in the devices employed for the
firm and secure attachment of the chair or platform upon a window-sill.
The invention consists in fitting to the under side of the chair or platform an
adjustable brace or clamp adapted to engage the outer face of the window-sill
constructed with a wide base to afford a firm and rigid support to the clamp, so
that it may not yield when made to bear against the sill, said base being left free
to be moved back and forth for adjustment against the sill by means of a screw
rotating in fixed bearings and engaging a travelling nut connected to the clamp.
It consists also in combining with the adjustable clamp sliding inclined-faced
blocks adapted to travel under the two side bars of the chair or platform and made
to move in unison with the clamp by means of a transverse rod coupling them
thereto,
It consists furthermore in detaching the auxiliary step which has heretofore been
hinged or otherwise coupled with the main front step of the chair and fitting it
with tenons to enter mortices in the chair and front step so that said auxiliary
step may be used interchangeably either in connection with the inner or the outer
end of the chair and be also stowed away on the step when not in use. Both steps
may however be dispensed with.

page_text: The chair or adjustable platform is thus reduced to the simple form of a seat or
stand made to fit over and project from the sill, a fixed stay-frame adapted to drop
from the seat, on the inner side of the sill to bear against the inside wall and which
may or may not be furnished with a step by which to mount upon the chair, an
outer clamp to fit against the outer edge of the sill and bind the chair firmly in
position, and inclined-faced blocks moving in unison with the clamp to rest on top
of the sill and supply an adjustable even bearing for the chair thereupon.
This apparatus will be also useful as a balcony to sit on, to watch processions or
to keep plant pots or window gardens upon.

page_text: I WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors
6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Fellow of the Institute of
Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN WINDOW CLEANING CHAIRS' APPLICABLE. ALSO TO PLATFORMS FOR THE
USE OF PAINTERS AND OTHER PURPOSES A communication from abroad by
Anna Dormitzer of the City, County and State of New York, and United States
of America, 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 a simplification in the construction of the
window cleaning chair or platform for which Letters Patent have been previously
granted for the inventions of Anna Dormitzer and in the devices employed for the
firm and secure attachment of the chair or platform upon a window-sill.
The invention consists in fitting to the under side of the chair or platform an
adjustable brace or clamp adapted to engage the outer face of the window-sill and
which is constructed with a wide base affording a firm and rigid support to the
clamp so that it may not yield when made to bear against the sill (said base being
left free) and is moved back and forth for adjustment against the sill by means of a
screw rotating in fixed bearings and engaging a travelling-nut connected to the .
clamp.
It consists also in combining with the adjustable clamp sliding, inclined-faced
blocks adapted to travel under the two side-bars of "the chair or platform and
made to move in unison with the clamp by means of a transverse rod coupling
them thereto.
It consists furthermore in detaching the auxiliary step which has heretofore been
hinged or otherwise coupled with the main front-step of the chair, and fitting it
with tenons to enter mortices in the chair and front-step so that said auxiliary
step may be used interchangeably, either in connection with the inner or the outer
end of the chair, and be also stowed away on the step when not in use. Both steps
may however be dispensed with.
The chair or adjustable platform is thus reduced to the simple form of a seat or
stand made to fit over and project from the sill; a fixed stay-frame adapted to
drop from the seat on the inner side of the sill to bear against the inside wall and
which may or may not be furnished with a step by which to mount upon the
chair; an outer clamp to fit against the outer edge of the sill and bind the chair
firmly in position; and inclined-faced blocks moving in unison with the clamp
to rest on top of the sill and supply an adjustable, even bearing for the chair
thereupon.
In the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the under side of the chair, when opened
out ready to be placed in position in the window.
Figure 2, a sectional side-elevation of the chair adjusted in position upon the
window sill, with the auxiliary step in position on its inner end, the position of the
step both when on the outer end, and when stowed on the main step, being
indicated by dotted lines, and
Figure 3, a transverse, sectional view in line x, x, of Figure 2 looking outward
towards the clamp.

page_text: The seat or platform of the chair is designated by the letter A It is constructed
of a strong frame covered by preference with a sheet of light veneered stuff.
The frame is reinforced at its outer rear edge by a strip, B, which projects up
above the level of the frame and serves to give support to the lower edge of a
back-piece or guard, D, hinged to the seat to fold down inwardly thereon between
two side-guards, E E which are each hinged to a side-strip on the edge of the
platform high enough to allow of their folding inward upon the top of the rear
guard D, when it lies flat on the seat. When turned up, the side guards are
supported by the interposed rear. piece D, which in turn receives support at its
upper end against lugs projecting slightly from the rear inner edges of the side
guards E, E, near the top thereof.
The inner edge of the seat or platform is likewise reinforced by a transverse
strip G firmly secured thereto. The upper cross-piece of a stay-frame H H is
pivoted to the under side of the seat, so as to bear against the inner side of this
transverse strip, G, and receive support therefrom when the frame is opened out at
a right-angle to the seat, as shown in Figure 2.
This stay-frame, H, H, when thus opened out from under the seat, is adapted to
serve as a stay for the same against the inner face of the wall on the inside of the
window. Its length is such as to give a wide, firm support to the seat which will-
effectually prevent it from tipping outward as it rests upon the sill.
This inner stay-frame or support .H, H, is furnished on its inner side with
inclined-faced blocks H, H¹, which are cushioned or faced with leather or other soft
material to serve as pads to prevent the marring of the wall by the pressure of the
stay-frame against it.
A step H³, is hinged to the lower or outer end of the stay-frame H, and is
supported when it attains a position at right angles to the frame by means of
jointed folding braces, H³ H³ pivoted to the frame and step.
Upon the under side of the seat or platform and on each side of its central bar b,
two plates K, K, are fitted to embrace the sides of the bar b and slide longitudinally
thereon To these sliding-plates, wide, bracket-plates K¹ K¹ are secured to project
at right angles therefrom and between these brackets, a clamping-plate or
support K is rigidly secured by means of screws to project at a right angle with
the seat, as shown in Figure 4 The screws permit the clamp to be readily removed
for packing The slides K K not only permit the clamping-plate K³ to move for
adjustment to and from the front of the seat, but by their length, in connection
with the bracket-plates K' K¹ afford an extended base or bearing for the inner
end of the clamp against the under side of the seat. The outer end of this
clamp K is preferably curved, or bent inward, toward the front of the seat, to give
it a firmer hold against the wall or window-sill when applied thereto, and a
'block K³, is made to project from the inner face of the clamp near to its upper end
'to furnish an additional bearing which may rest upon the outer edge of the
window-sill. The clamp is adjusted by means of a long thumb-screw L, led
through the middle of the front reinforcing strip G, to extend thence parallel with
the central bar, b, of the seat, to a hanger, d, on the under side of the bar near its
'rear end in which it is journalled to rotate freely. This thumb-screw engages a
traveling-nut S, which is coupled by two rods S¹ S¹, to the inner face of the
clamp K³, and which travels in a way formed between two lateral strips ƒ ƒ.
Upon either side of the frame of the seat or platform A, plates or blocks M, M,
are fitted to slide longitudinally upon its side-bars and to project downward
therefrom. They are confined upon the side-bars as they travel thereon by means
of plates N, N, secured laterally to the upper edges of the blocks M, M, on both
'sides thereof, and whose upper ends are bent inward to enter longitudinal grooves
or ways cut in the side-bars parallel with the lower edge thereof, as shown in
Figure 1 of the drawings.
The lower face of each block M, is made to slope upward towards the inner end
of the seat, and the two blocks are united so as to move simultaneously in unison

page_text: with each other and with. the central clamp K³ by means of a transverse connecting.
rod P, which is made fast centrally to the inner face of the clamp K³, as shown in
Figure 1, and whose ends engage notches in a bar P¹, fixed upon the inner face of
each block. The ends of the rod are sufficiently elastic to admit of being sprung
from one notch to the other so as to admit of an adjustment of the blocks M, in
relation to the central clamp K³.
In the use of the chair thus simply constructed, the platform or seat is placed
upon the window-sill, and its front support or stay-frame H, H, let down at a
right angle thereto, is made to bear against the inner face of the wall under the
window on the inside thereof, a firm bearing being obtained against the wall
irrespective of the inward projection of the sill beyond its face, by means of the
pad-blocks H H₁ (see Figure 2) The clamp K, and the side-blocks M, M, moving
with it, are then drawn inward by turning the thumb-screw L until the side-blocks
obtain a firm even bearing on the window-sill and the lower end of the central
clamp is brought to bear against the outer face of the sill or wall. The operation
of the screw will permit the clamp to be so tightened up against the wall as to
lock the chair firmly and securely to the sill.
The step H facilitates the ready use of the chair, and the folding guards D, E, E,
being turned up, supply a complete back to the chair, adding to the safety of its
use by preventing the accidental fall therefrom of a person seated thereon.
To facilitate its use in reaching the extreme upper portion of the window when
required, I supply therewith a detachable step R, whose ends are hinged to the
body to fold down thereon. The four lower corners of these ends are provided
with projecting dowels or tenons adapted to fit into counterpart mortices or
recesses in the side-bars of the platform, both at its inner end to admit of the use
of the auxiliary step within the window (see Figure 1) and also at about the contre
thereof to admit of its use on the outside (see dotted lines Figure 2).
The side-bars of the frame H H are fitted with lateral catches T, T, to engage
the ends of the auxiliary step R so that when the chair is folded up, this auxiliary
step may be fitted against the frame and there secured by means of the engagement
of its ends by said catches, and folded away with the main step under the platform
or seat of the chair.
The equipment of the chair for domestic use is completed by means of a vessel U,
divided into two compartments, one higher than the other, and adapted, the one to
hold water, and the other wash-rags, etcetera, for cleaning the window. This
convenient vessel is adapted to hook on to the side-guards of the chair or upon a
rod V, which fits in a series of sockets V, V, formed about the edge of the seat
frame.
The chair or platform is furthermore rendered useful as a means of escape from
upper windows in case of fire by attaching thereto a rope-ladder to depend therefrom
to a similar platform at the window next below, or to the ground. This rope-ladder
may be secured to the chair by means of rings affixed to the ropes to slip over rods
fitted into the sockets V, V.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1st An unyielding clamp traversing in ways upon the under side of the platform
of a window-cleaning chair, at a right angle to the seat, in combination with its
stay-frame, a thumb-screw extending under the platform from its front rearwardly,
and a travelling-nut upon said screw coupled to the clamp, substantially in the
manner and for the purpose herein set forth.
2nd The combination with a central clamp, adapted to traverse upon the under
side of the platform of a window-chair in a direction from front to rear, and to
engage the outer face of the sill or wall and which is provided with a thumb-screw
adapted to produce an adjustment of said clamp, of lateral, inclined-faced blocks,
traversing longitudinally upon the sides of the platform to rest upon the window-

page_text: sill, and a transverse connecting-bar coupling said blocks with each other and the
central clamp so that the three shall move in unison, substantially in the manner
and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dated this 10th day of November 1884.