An Improved Fire-escape or Lowering Apparatus.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Fire-escape or Lowering Apparatus.
1, HENRY ARROW of Waipawa in the Colony of New Zealand, Settler, 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:
My invention relates to an improved lowering apparatus in which the object to be
lowered is both the motive power and also the regulator of the speed of the falling
body. The apparatus is inexpensive and can be fixed in position with rapidity and
ease.
In order that my invention may be most easily understood I will now proceed to
describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the accompanying sheet of
drawings on which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the
figures.
Fig. 1 is an elovation shewing my apparatus as attached to the side of a window or
aperture of a building.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of the sliding part of the apparatus drawn to a larger
scale.
Fig. 3 is a section of the same.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the same.
(a) is an ordinary rope which may be made of any usual material or may be rendered
uninflammable in any usual manner. This rope is provided with an eye or hook (a. 1)
by which it is attached to a bracket (b) in any convenient position, but (by preference)
to the side of a window.
(c) is an elastic clasp or tube formed of one or more pieces of tubing which surround
or nearly surround the rope (a) when in position for use and are held in this position
on the said rope by the straps (c. 1) & (c.). This clasp or tube I prefer to line with
strips of leather or other suitable material, not easily fusible, placed at such intervals
and at such angles that they may most effectually cause friction on the rope (a) during
the descent of the load.
(c. 3) is a flange or rest to prevent the object slipping off the tube during the
descent.
(d) is a guy rope passing over a pulley in any convenient place so as to raise the
apparatus again after it has been used.
is a stirrup and strap, attached (by preference) to the lower part of the elastic
clasp and in such a manner and position as to assist to support the foot of a person
descending; this stirrup may also be attached to the strap (c. 2) and threaded through
the elastic clasp in such a manner as to produce an increased pressure of the clasp
upon the rope when required.
It will be seen from this description of the several parts and by reference to the
drawings that my improved apparatus consists of a rope attached to a building in a
convenient manner down which an object or person may be caused to descend; that
to this rope is attached a clasp surrounding it which being elastic or capable of being
pressed against the said rope by the action of the hands of the person descending acts
as a brake varying with the weight of the person or the pressure applied causing him
to descend with regularity and safety; that to the said clasp may be attached a stirrup
or other convenient support which bearing a part of the weight and being attached to
a connection bearing on the rope may be made to still more effectually prevent the too
rapid descent of the object.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention and
how the same is or may be carried into effect I wish it to be understood that I do

page_text: not confine myself to the exact details for the clasp may be made of indiarubber or
any suitable material which will adapt itself for the purpose.
A cage might also be
attached instead of the stirrup and the several details may be varied without departing
from the principle of my invention but I declare that what 1 claim is :-
1. In a fire escape or lowering apparatus the use of an elastic tube or its equivalent
acting as a protection to the bands of the descending person and at the same time
forming a brake to prevent too rapid a descent substantially as described herein and
llustrated in the accompanying drawing.
2. In a fire escape or lowering apparatus the use of a tube acting as a protection
for the hands in combination with a foot support substantially as described herein and
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
3. In a fire escape or lowering apparatus the use of an elastic tube acting as a
protector for the hands and at the same time forming a brake combined with a
Foot brake substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying
Irawing.
Dated this 8th day of Dasamban 1000
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.