Improvements in and connected with Fire-escapes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Aug., 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1800
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Fire-escapes.
We, JAMES BROOKS COOPER, residing at 720, 14th Avenue S. Minneapolis, U.S.A.,
Book-keeper, and LEWIS WILLIAM CAMPBELL, residing at 1100 S.E. 5th Street,
Minneapolis, U.S.A., Miller, 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 and accompanying drawings
:-
The invention relates to movable fire-escapes, and has for its object the production
of suitable devices for suspending fire-escape ladders from the upper portions of
buildings, and for enabling them to be shifted from point to point along the front or
sides of the building. The improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
in which
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a building provided with the improved fire-escape;
Fig. 2 is a view of the upper portion of the ladder showing the track on which it
runs and the means for supporting and guiding it;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the devices as they are arranged at the corner of a building,
and
Fig. 4 is a detail of the upper portion of the ladder.
In the said drawings 1 designates a building and 2 a fire-escape ladder of iron or
any suitable material." A horizontal track 3 is supported a short distance out from the
wall of the building by brackets 4. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the track extends only
across one wall, but it may be made to extend around two or more sides, by making
it of curved form at the corners, as shown in Fig. 3. On very high buildings a
second track may be provided, between the upper track and the ground, to afford
additional support to the ladder. This is not illustrated because it would be merely a
duplication of parts.
The upper portion of the bars of the ladder, 2, are bent horizontally toward the
building, as at 5, thence downward, as at 6, and thence lateral arms 7 extend toward
the building. At the under sides of the horizontal portions 5 are secured hangers 8
in which are mounted wheels 9. These wheels have grooves 10 by means of which
they engage the track 3. Suitable means may be provided for preventing the wheels
from leaving the track when the apparatus is in use.
In using the apparatus on low buildings the ladder can be moved along the track
by force exerted against its lower end. On high buildings it can be operated by means
of a cable in the manner shown in the drawings. A cable 11, connected with winches,
or equivalent devices, 12, at opposite sides of the building, and running on pulleys,
extends across the building and through slots 13 formed in the arms 7 and has means
for engaging the arms to move the ladder. Thus the ladder can be moved in either
direction by winding the cable on one winch and permitting it to run off the other.
To enable the ladder to be moved around the corners of the building the track is
curved as shown in Fig. 3 and the rungs of the upper portion of the ladder are hinged,
as shown at 14 in Fig. 4.
An extension ladder 15 is connected with the upper end of the ladder 2 and can be
hoisted to the roof of the building. The lower portion of the ladder 2 is hinged, as
shown at 16, so that it can be folded upward and secured to the main portion when
not in use.
To enable articles to be hoisted or lowered pulleys.17 are provided and are carried
by hangers 18 having grooved wheels 19 mounted on the track 3. Cords 20 running
over the pulleys extend to the ground.
A stand-pipe may be attached to one of the hangers 18, and can thus be conveniently
moved to different points along the walls of the building.

page_text: 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 :
1. In a fire-escape, a suitable ladder, wheels connected therewith, and a track,
whereby the ladder may be moved along the track, substantially as set forth.
2. In a fire-escape, a suitable ladder and wheels, a track therefor, a cable and means
for operating it to move the ladder along the track, substantially as set forth.
3. In combination with a building, a fire-escape comprising a track at or near the
top of the building, extending around two or more sides thereof and in a curved form
at the corners, and a suitable ladder supported by wheels on such track and having
hinged rungs, substantially as set forth.
4. The combination in a fire-escape, with the track and the ladder adapted to move
thereon, of the series of pulleys and cables for hoisting and lowering articles, sub-
stantially as set forth.
Dated this Twenty-eighth day of July 1800
JAMES BROOKS COOPER.
LEWIS WILLIAM CAMPBELL.