An Improved Fire Escape.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Sept., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 30th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 5th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Fire Escape.
I, JOHN WILLIAM PALMER of 63, Marcia Road, Old Kent Road, London, S.E.
Wharf Foreman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an Improved Fire Escape, which can be fixed inside the
windows of dwelling and other houses, and placed in position instantly when
required.
The escape consists of a ladder of special construction, which when not in use is
placed in a box of suitable size and shape fixed inside the window underneath.
One end of the ladder is connected to two stout hooks fixed in the wall or other
suitable part, the other end being free, and the ladder collapsed or rolled up so
that it will be completely in the box.
The ladder is of iron, the sides being formed of links of the usual chain or other
form. At a suitable distance apart the rungs are provided consisting of iron bars,
a special form of link being employed at these points. These links have each a
cross piece to which the rungs are fixed, or they may be formed in one piece with the
rung. The parts are made as light as possible in order that the ladder may be
easily manipulated. A roller may be employed if preferred in the box, so that the
ladder can be rolled up, but I do not consider this necessary. A cover may also
be provided for the box when the ladder is coiled up. The ladder after being
thrown out, could if necessary be held away from the side of the house by a rope
or other means.
:
Dated this 26th day of September 1893.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
J
An Improved Fire Escape.
I JOHN WILLIAM PALMER of 63 Marcia Road, Old Kent Road London S.E.
Wharf Foreman 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 relates to an Improved Fire Escape, which can be fixed inside the
windows of dwelling and other houses, and placed in position instantly when
required.
The escape consists of a ladder of special construction, which when not in use is
placed in a box of suitable size and shape, fixed inside the window, underneath.
One end of the ladder is connected to two stout hooks fixed in the wall or other
suitable part, the other end being free, and the ladder collapsed or rolled up so
that it will be completely in the box.
The ladder is of iron, the sides being formed of links of the usual chain or other
form. At a suitable distance apart, the rungs are provided consisting of iron bars,
a special form of link being employed at these points. These links have each a
cross piece to which the rungs are fixed or the latter may be formed in one piece
with the link. The parts are made as light as possible in order that the ladder
may be easily manipulated. A roller may be employed if preferred in the box, so
D •
.

page_text: that the ladder can be rolled up, but I do not consider this necessary. A cover
may also be provided for the box when the ladder is coiled up. The ladder after
being thrown out, could if necessary be held away from the side of the house by a
rope or other means.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood reference is had to
the accompanying drawings in which
Figs. 1 and 2 are elevations of the apparatus viewed respectively from the
interior and exterior, and
Fig. 3 is an elevation of part of the ladder to a larger scale, and
Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a link with rung attached.
A is the box which as shewn in Fig. 1 is placed inside the room against the wall
and immediately.below the window.
The chain ladder B is attached by means of staples b or otherwise to the wall
side of the box A, so that on throwing the ladder out of the window it will be
firmly retained at its upper end.
A lid a is provided on the box, hinged at one end, enclosing the ladder when the
latter is collapsed and allowing the box to be used as a small table if desired.
The lid is furnished with a number of ledges a¹ on its inner face, which when the
lid is opened, as shewn in Fig. 1, serve as steps to allow the person using the ladder
to get out of the window more easily.
At intervals the chains of the ladder are furnished with special links B' each
having a cross piece to which a rung b¹ can be fitted. The rung and links may
be formed in one piece if desired or the rung may be screwed or riveted to the
link.
This escape can be fitted to the back room of houses where the ordinary brigade
escape cannot be taken to, thus affording a safe exit at those parts. In using the
escape, about six feet of it are played out, the weight drawing out the remainder.
Communication may be obtained automatically by bells or otherwise between
various rooms, in a house, on throwing out the ladder.
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 :-
.
1. An improved fire escape consisting of a chain ladder with rungs formed from
metal rods, fitted in a suitable receptacle to be placed inside a room, and fixed at
its upper end, substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
2. An improved fire escape consisting of a ladder formed by means of chains
having at intervals special finks provided with cross pieces to which metal rods
forming rungs are fitted, the ladder being fitted to and contained in a suitable
receptacle to be placed inside a room, substantially as described and shown and for
the purposes specified.
Dated this 30th day of March 1894
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.