Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1894-Accepted, 3rd Mar., 1894
A communication to me from FRANZ JULIUS LEOPOLD STOLPE, Soap
Manufacturer, of Glogau, Silesia, in the Empire of Germany.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 35, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 drawing, that is to say :-
The present invention relates to improvements in sliding pieces for rope fire-
escapes. The object of the improvements is so to construct the sliding piece that
the insertion into it of the cord can be effected extremely easily and quickly as the
cord itself keeps the apparatus locked, whilst the latter prevents the cord from
slipping.
In the annexed drawing, Figure 1 illustrates the manner in which a fire-escape
provided with a sliding piece of the improved kind is to be used. The sliding piece
itself is shewn in two different positions in Figures 2 and 3, whilst Figures 4-7
represent details of the apparatus.
The cord a of the apparatus is to be kept in a pocket or case b, Figure 4, and is
fastened to the cross-beam e of the window, Figure 1, by means of a wood screw d,
Figure 5, provided with a handle c for the purpose of facilitating its screwing into
the wood.
A strap fis arranged below the shoulder, and a second strap g is put round the
hip of the user of the apparatus. Preferably the upper one of these two straps
(connected to each other) is inserted into the lower eye h of the sliding piece.
The latter consists of the above-mentioned eye h, a connecting bar i, and an upper
eye k.
This bar i is divided longitudinally into two equal parts, each part being made in
one piece with one part of these two eyes. But while both parts of the eye h are
connected together by means of a joint 1, the end of one part of the eye k catches
into the end of the other part in such manner, that the separate parts of the bar
may be turned round this joint l. After the two eyes h and k have been opened in
this manner the cord a can be put into the eye h, then be wound more than once
round the compound bar, the parts of it being kept spread open, and finally the
cord.a is put into the upper eye k. The two eyes are then closed by folding
together the two parts of the bar, and the cord is hauled taut to make the sliding
piece ready for use.
The cord a is preferably wound round a drum m Figures 6 and 7 whilst it is not
being used. This drum is made of sheet metal, and preferably of a flat oval shape
so as to render it as small as possible.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the uature of the said inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
A sliding piece for fire-escapes consisting of two eyes h, k, each divided into two
parts and each of these parts being made in one piece with one half of a bar i
divided longitudinally, the parts of the eye h being connected by a joint l, so that
both eyes are opened by separating the parts of the bar i, these parts being held

page_text: together by the cord a wound round them and passing through the eyes h, k,
substantially as set forth, and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 25th day of January 1894.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.