PORTABLE EXTENSION LADDERS AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN REMOVING OCCUPANTS FROM BURNING BUILDINGS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS of the firm of Harris and Mills of
23 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention for PORTABLE EXTENSION LADDERS AND
APPARATUS FOR USE IN REMOVING OCCUPANTS FROM BURNING BUILDINGS AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES A communication to me from abroad by Lorens Swenson of
Cresco, Howard County, State of Iowa in the United States of America, Mechanic,
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 portable extension ladders and apparatus designed
principally for use in removing occupants from burning buildings but which is also
applicable to other purposes.
The Invention consists principally in a ladder composed of two or more sections
secured to each other and adapted by suitable mechanism to be extended one
beyond the other any desired distance the whole mounted upon a truck having
suitable running gear and wheels whereby the apparatus is made portable.
It consists further in a drum secured to the base of the ladder section and caused
to revolve by the resilient action of a coiled spring or springs, said drum having
wound upon it the lower portion of the hose pipe (the outer end of said pipe being
secured to the outer end of the top section of the ladder) whereby the elevation of
the hose is performed automatically with the raising and extension of the ladder.
It consists, further, in combining with the extension ladder, a fire-proof safety
basket or cage operated by a windlass at the lower end of the ladder whereby an
additional means for the escape of persons as well as their effects is provided in
addition to the steps of the ladder.
It consists, further, in a cogged segment secured to the lower end of the ladder
and operating in connection with a pinion on a shaft mounted in the truck-frame,
whereby provision is made for raising the ladder and in connection with a pawl
and ratchet wheel, holding it at any desired angle.

page_text: It consists, further, in a windlass or drum secured to the lower end of the ladder
having pinions which mesh with gear wheels on the axle of the hose drum,
operated by a key or crank and controlled by suitable pawls and stops, whereby
the sections of the ladder may be extended and the hose-pipe unwound from its
drum by hand instead of automatically.
It consists, further, in a spring secured to the lower end of the ladder and acting
against a stop. on the truck-frame whereby to cushion the ladder in its closed
position and assists in overcoming the weight of said ladder when raising the same,
as will hereinafter appear.
It consists, finally, in certain details of construction and arrangement of the
several parts employed to produce an organized, operating machine, as will be
hereinafter more fully set forth in the specification and pointed out in the claims.
The object of this invention is to so construct a fire escape ladder that it shall be
easily portable or conveyable from place to place; may be extended or lengthened
any degree in order to reach either high or low positions; may be raised and
extended automatically or by hand as desired; may be extended and held in either
a vertical or an inclined position and which shall, at the same time that it is being
extended, uncoil a section of hose-pipe and elevate the same so as to bring the
discharge end of said pipe in suitable position for manipulation of the stream of
water by the fireman.
These desired objects are accomplished by the invention forming the subject
matter of this application.
Referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar letters of reference
indicate like parts in the several views.
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a combined extension fire escape ladder
and hose elevator, constructed in accordance with this invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same opposite to that shown in figure 1.
Figure 3 is a rear elevation partly in section.
Figure 4 is a sectional plan view, in illustration of the different mechanism
employed to raise and extend the ladder, raise the hose-pipe and safety basket.
Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the ladder in its closed position upon the
truck.
Figure 6 is a section longitudinally through the hose drum, and
Figure 7 is a section at right angles to that shown in figure 6, taken adjacent to
the coil spring of the drum, on the line x, x of figure 6 and with the ladder as
resting upon the truck.
Figure is an inverted plan or view of the underside of the ladder with its
operating mechanism.
Figure 9 is a sectional side elevation on the line y y of figure 8.
Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the ladder as composed of three or more
sections with the mechanism for elevating the same as detached from the truck.
A, A, represent the frame and B, B, the wheels of a truck for supporting and
carrying the ladder. This truck may be of about the same length as the lower
section of the ladder and it may be provided with shafts or pole for the attachment
of a team of horses and a seat C, for the driver. Transversely across the frame A, A,
near its forward end is mounted an axle D which passes through the side bars of
the lower ladder section and forms the bearing for the entire ladder as well as the
hose drum G. This ladder may be composed of two sections E, F, as shown in
Figures 1, 2, 5 and 8 or three or more sections as shown in figure 10.
Each succeeding section of the ladder is smaller than the other so that they may
be arranged to slide one within the other and they are secured in this position by
the following means.
Upon the inner faces of the upright bars of the lower sections is formed a groove
or channel as at e figures 1 and 10 and at the end of the next section above, is
formed a tongue f which fits within said groove and thereby securely holds and
guides the said section in its proper course. This tongue fis formed by making
the lower round c¹ of, the ladder section E, longer than the other rounds c or so as

page_text: to project at each side from the vertical side pieces. To prevent the forward or
rearward displacement of each section of the ladder, a front and rear brace as at g
and g figures 1, 2, and 5 is provided, which also act to brace the top end of the
ladder and form bearings for the rope pulleys as will hereinafter appear.
The mechanism for extending the sections of the ladder consists of the following
parts namely: Upon the lower end of the lower section E of the ladder and upon
the inner edge thereof are secured straps H, H, figures 3, 8, and 9, having journal
bearings h at the outer ends, through which passes a shaft or axle I. The outer
ends of this shaft I project beyond the sides of the truck frame A and are key
headed to receive a crank or key J. Upon this shaft are secured flanges as ati i
figures 3 and 8, to form guides for the hoisting rope K, which rope is attached to
said shaft between said guides i i and at one end of said shaft, a ratchet wheel as
at L, is secured, controlled by a pawl L. Also upon this shaft I are keyed two
small pinions as at m, n figures 3 and 8, for the purposes hereinafter referred to.
The rope or chain K, after being attached to the shaft I passes upward and over a
pulley o figures 2 and 10 secured to the top of the lower section E of the ladder,
and is then attached to the lower round or tongue bar c¹, of the next highest
section F of the ladder as at d figures 1 and 10. By this means, by turning the
crank J, so as to wind the rope K, upon the shaft 1 the upper section F of the
ladder, owing to the elevating rope being secured thereto, at the bottom thereof, is
drawn upward or extended until the tongue bar c¹ reaches the upper limit of the
slots e, in the lower ladder section E. If desired, two drums having separate cords
wound upon them may be employed upon the shaft I, as at, M, N, figure 10 and
the ropes K made to pass over the pulleys o which in this instance are attached to
the top outside ends of the lower section of the ladder, and then be secured to the
lower ends of the next succeeding section instead of operating from the centre as
in figure 1.
In case three or more sections are employed in the ladder as shown in figure 10
a cable or chain K¹ is secured at one end to the rear upper cross-brace g₁ of the
lower section E of the ladder as at k it thence passes over a pulley o' secured to
the upper rear cross brace g³ of the second ladder section F, and thence down to
the tongue bar u of the upper section F1 of the ladder where it is secured. As
will be seen the cable K' is secured at one end to the lower or fixed ladder section E
then, after passing over a pulley fastened to the top of the middle, moveable section,
is secured to the lower end of the top section, thus as the middle section is moved
forward or extended by the action of the hoisting ropes K through the intervention
of the drum shaft I and carries with it the pulley o¹ on the top of said middle
section, the said pulley is drawn against the rope K¹, one end of which being
secured to a fixture and the other to the moveable top ladder section, said top
ladder section is caused to move forward or to be extended in the same manner as
the middle section but at an increased rate of speed, which is so regulated by the
construction and arrangement of the parts that the several sections will reach the
limit of their upward movement simultaneously.
This completes the construction and operation of the mechanism for extending
the ladder sections by hand. To hold the parts in this position, the pawl operating
in connection with the ratchet wheel L, keyed to the shaft I is provided and
through the intervention of which, the turning of said shaft I, may be prevented
when desired. The ladder sections may therefore be extended either their full
height or to any desired degree.
The mechanism employed to raise or elevate the ladder to a vertical position
consists of the following parts namely: Upon the lower end of one or both of the
rails of the lower section of the ladder adjacent to the truck frame A, is secured a
toothed segment P, having its centre or axis upon the shaft or axle D. Immediately
in front of this axle D and on the same plane therewith is a shaft Q carrying &
small pinion q figures 4 and 8 which meshes with the segment P. The outer ends
of this shaft Q, are key headed and supplied with a crank or key R. A ratchet
To raise
wheel S, is also keyed upon said shaft which is controlled by a pawl 8.

page_text: the ladder to a vertical position, therefore, all that is necessary is to operate the
crank R which causes the pinion g to revolve and by its meshing with the segment P,
which is rigidly secured to the end of the ladder section, the said ladder is caused
to be elevated as is apparent. Through the intervention of the pawls and ratchet
wheel S, the movement of the shaft Q, may be stopped and so held at any point
and therefore the ladder can be held at any desired degree of elevation or
inclination.
As is well known, the power necessary to start a load or lift a weight is greater
at first or until the inertia of the object is overcome. To compenate for this and
at the same time serve other useful objects, a spring T, of the desired tension is
secured to the lower end of the ladder section as at t and of such length as to
project beyond the end of the ladder and impinge beneath a brace or cross bar A¹
of the truck frame as shown in figure 9. In the closed position of the ladder, the
spring is compressed or bent as shown in said figure 9 therefore the tendency of
said spring is to raise the ladder consequently much of the weight or exertion that
would be otherwise necessary to effect the elevation of the ladder by the shaft and
pinion connection alone, just above described is overcome by this spring and in
addition to this the said spring acts as a cushion to the ladder and prevents much
of the jarring and consequent injury to the ladder when upon its truck that would
otherwise result.
This completes the description of the devices employed, first, for raising and
holding the ladder in an elevated position and second for extending the sections of
the ladder by hand. The next point of improvement relates to the mechanism
employed for elevating the hose pipe and effecting an automatic extension of the
ladder sections. This consists of the following parts namely: Upon the shaft D
which supports the ladder, is keyed a drum G upon which is wound the hose pipe U.
At one side of this drum G, is formed a flange g and at the other side, also upon
the shaft D, are two cog wheels V and W. These cog wheels as well as the drum G,
are keyed to the shaft D and turn therewith, and these wheels V, and W, mesh
with the small pinions m and n on the shaft I for the purposes hereinafter described.
Under the shaft D, at the opposite end from the wheels V and W, is secured one
end of a coil spring X the other end of which is made fast to the cross bar A¹ of
the truck frame as at x figures 8 and 9.
This spring is rigidly secured at one end to the shaft D, and is coiled by said
shaft as shown in figure 7 and at each side thereof are arranged flanges Y, Y, to
hold the coils of said spring in place as it winds and unwinds upon said shaft.
The object of this spring is after being wound upon the shaft D to act by its
resiliency to turn the drum G and unwind the coil of hose pipe thereon. Also by
reason of the said spring acting upon the shaft D, which in addition to carrying
the druin G carries the cog wheels V, and W, the said wheels V, and W, are caused
to revolve and meshing with the small pinions m and n on the shaft I, said shaft is
turned and the hoisting rope K, wound thereon which causes the extension of the
ladder sections. These parts therefore constitute the means by which the simul-
taneous extension of the ladder and elevation of the hose pipe is effected auto-
matically, that is to say; By reason of the meshing of the gear wheels V and W on
the shaft D with the pinions m and n on the shaft I, when the said shaft I is
turned by the crank J, to wind the hose pipe upon the drum, the spring X is
tightly wound upon the shaft D. This is the normal position of the parts when
the ladder is not extended and rests upon its truck as seen by reference to figure 5
that is with the hose pipe coiled upon the drum and spring upon the shaft D,
which relative positions of the parts are maintained by the locking of the pawl Z
with the ratchet wheel L on the shaft I. If therefore it is desired to automatically
extend the sections of the ladder and at the same time uncoil the hose pipe and
permit the same to be elevated as the said ladder extends itself, all that becomes
necessary to do to accomplish this, is to release the pawl & from the ratchet wheel L,
-when the resiliency of the spring X exerts itself to turn the drum G and thereby
uncoil the hose pipe U, and acting through the intervention of the intermeshing

page_text: gear V, W, and mn before explained, to turn the shaft I and coil the hoisting rope K
upon said shaft and thus extend the several sections of the ladder one above the
other.
One end of the hose-pipe is secured to the drum G, as at p figure 3 and is
furnished with suitable means for effecting a coupling or union between it and a
fire plug or engine and the other end of the hose is carried upward and passes over
a pulley Z, attached in suitable housings z at the back of the top of the lower
section of the ladder, from thence it passes to the top of the top section of the
ladder, where it is permanently secured by a loop as at z¹ figure 1 fastened to the
top round f¹ of the ladder. The outer end of the hose pipe is supplied with a
suitable nozzle and by reason of the fast position of the pipe relative to the ladder,
as said ladder is extended, said pipe is drawn out therewith and is therefore
always in proper position for immediate use by the fireman.
As heretofore shown, the extension of the sections of the ladder may be effected
automatically as just shown, or by hand by simply using the crank shaft I. Or,
if desired, a crank or key may be applied to a key head D2 formed on one or both
ends of the shaft D and the said shaft turned by hand, which will act to turn the
hose pipe drum G, and also the drum or shaft I of the hoisting rope K.
These devices form a simple and effective means for operating the ladder and
the result is that no delay is occasioned to manipulate complicated and difficult
mechanism as has heretofore been done. All the movement necessary after
elevating the ladder by turning the crank R, is to release the pawl / when the
extension of the ladder and elevation of the hose are effected in short order.
Should the spring X not act promptly or to the full extent desired, the shaft I
may be operated by the crank J, and thus a positive means of extending the ladder
is secured. Although the spring may not be sufficient to extend the ladder to its
full height, yet it will act to assist in this movement and greatly lessen the power
necessary to accomplish this result. Also by reason of the spring T, the power
necessary to raise the ladder from its bed is reduced to a minimum.
When therefore the parts are constructed and arranged as herein shown, the
operation of manipulating the ladder is rendered simple, easy and in a positive
manner.
As an additional means of escape to that afforded by the steps or rungs of the
ladder, which is mainly intended to form a base of operation for the fireman, it is
proposed to provide a safety basket or car as follows:
Upon a windlass 1 journalled upon the front lower portion of the lower ladder
section as at 2, is a rope 3, which passes up to the top of the top section of the
ladder and over a pulley 4, secured to the top rung f¹ thereof. To the outer
end of this rope a basket car or simply a platform as at 6, is secured by stay
ropes 7.
Whether a car, basket or platform it is proposed to coat it with some fire proof
material such as asbestos in order to prevent burning said vessel.
When desired
for operation, the truck can be stopped at the side of the street opposite the fire,
the ladder raised to the desired height and inclination, and then the truck moved
forward or backward as the necessities of the case require. Or the truck can be
run up quickly to a burning window, a person or persons be taken on the basket
or platform and the truck run quickly back and the basket or platform then
lowered without the danger of descending past the lower windows. Again when
the hose is placed in this position, the fireman or pipeman at the top of the ladder
can direct the water without effort to any particular point, this being done by the
men at the cranks and truck who can change the inclination and position of the
ladder very quickly. If the basket or platform is not needed, it can be disengaged
from the ladder.
The ladder may be raised at once vertically or at any desired angle of inclination
the pawls and stops before described may be thrown into engagement with their
respective ratchet wheels at any desired point and the ladder held in that position.
Upon the release of the pawls, the ladder sections will descend of their own weight,

page_text: which causes the shaft D to be turned so as to wind the hose thereon and again
wind the spring ready for use. After the closing of the sections of the ladder
together, they are then turned or folded back upon the truck frame as seen in
figure 5.
Thus it will be seen that all the cumbrous methods of raising fire ladders are
dispensed with. The several parts are not complex or liable to get out of order
and the device is easily moved from place to place.
If desired the wheels B of the truck may be dispensed with and the ladder
merely supported upon the frame A or a similar support, but the truck frame with
the wheels as herein described and illustrated in the drawings is the preferred form
and arrangement of the parts.
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:
1. The combination in a portable extension fire escape ladder, with the running
gear truck A, B, of the ladder composed of two or more sections E, F mounted
upon an axle D, journalled within said truck frame at the forward end thereof,
said ladder sections sliding one within the other and adapted to be extended by
suitable mechanism one beyond the other, substantially as herein shown and
described and for the purpose set forth.
2. The combination in a portable exten-ion fire-escape ladder with the portable
frame A of the ladder sections E, F mounted upon an axle D, journalled within
said frame at the forward end thereof, said sections formed with the longitudinal
chanuels or grooves e, tongue bars f and cross braces 7 and g', whereby said
sections are held together and adapted to slide one within the other, and suitable
mechanism for extending and holding said sections in an extended position, sub-
stantially as herein shown and described and for the purposes set forth.
3. The combination in a portable extension fire escape ladder composed of
frame A and two or more extensible ladder sections E, F, journalled at one end
within said frame, with the said ladder sections adapted to slide one within the
other, of the crank-axle I. J, journalled at the lower end of the ladder section,
having one or more drums, hoisting rope or ropes K, wound upon said drum and
after passing over a pulley o at the top of the lower ladder section, secured to the
lower end of the next highest ladder section, and suitable mechanism for locking
the said shaft I and preventing the same turning, whereby the ladder sections may
be extended any desired degree and so secured, substantially as herein shown and
described and for the purposes set forth.
M
4. The combination in a portable extension fire escape ladder composed of the
frame A, and two or more extensible ladder sections E, F journalled at one end
within said frame upon an axle D with the said ladder sections adapted to slide
one within the other, of the crank shaft I. J, journalled to the lower end of the
lower ladder section, hoisting rope K, attached substantially as shown, of the
ratchet wheel L and pawl or stop whereby said shaft I may be held at any point
for the purposes of securing the ladder sections in their extended positions, sub-
stantially as herein shown and described and for the purposes stated.
5. The combination in a portable extension fire escape ladder composed of the
frame A and two or more extensible, ladder sections E, F journalled at one end
within said frame, with the lower ladder section and axle D upon which said
section is journalled, of the toothed segment P, secured to the lower end of the
lower ladder section, crank shaft Q, R, pinion q, and pawl ratchet S 8, all combined
and adapted for operation substantially as herein shown and described and for the
purposes set forth.
6. The combination in a portable extension fire escape ladder composed of the
frame A and two or more extensible ladder sections E, F journalled at one end
within said frame upon an axle D, with said lower ladder section E, axle D and a
stop formed on the truck frame as at A¹, of the spring T secured at one end to the
'lower end of the lower ladder section and resting beneath the brace A' of the

page_text: frame A whereby to assist in raising the ladder and cushioning the same when
closed upon its truck, substantially as herein shown and described and for the
purposes set forth.
7. The combination in a portable extension fire escape ladder composed of the
frame A and two or more extensible ladder sections E. F, journalled at one end
within said frame upon an axle D with said axle D, of the drum G to which is
secured one end of the hose pipe U, and coil spring X, said drum and one end of
said spring being keyed upon the shaft D, substantially as herein shown and
described and for the purposes set forth.
8. The combination in a portable, extension fire escape ladder composed of the
frame A and two or more extensible ladder sections E, F, journalled at one end
within said frame upon an axle D, with the said axle D, hose drum G, and spring X
of the gear wheels V and W, keyed upon said shaft D, crank shaft I, J, journalled
to the lower end of the ladder section and carrying two small pinions m and n
which mesh with the gear wheels V and W, and suitable ratchet wheel and
pawl L,, on its end, all constructed and adapted to operate substantially as
shown whereby the extension of the ladder sections and the elevation of the
hose pipe may be simultaneously performed by hand, through the intervention
of the crank shaft I, J, or automatically by the action of the spring X.
9. The combination in a portable extension fire escape ladder composed of the
frame A and two or more extensible ladder sections E. F journalled at one end
within said frame upon an axle D, with the said ladder sections and axle D of the
toothed segment D crank shaft QR pinion q and pawl and ratchet S, s drum_G,
spring X gear wheels V and W crank shaft I, J, hoisting rope K. pinions m and n
ratchet wheel L and pawl and the hose pipe U, attached at one end to the
drum G, and at the other to the top of the top ladder section all constructed,
arranged and adapted for operation substantially as shown and described whereby
the simultaneous lifting of the ladder from the frame the extension one beyond the
other of the sections of the ladder and the elevation of the hose pipe may be
accomplished simultaneously either by hand or automatically.
10. The combination in a portable extension fire escape ladder composed of the
frame A and two or more ladder sections E, F journalled at one end within said
frame, with the said ladder sections journalled upon the shaft D and suitable means
for extending the sections of said ladder, substantially such as herein shown and
described of the fire proof safety basket or car 6 stay ropes 7 and hoisting rope 3.
crank shaft or windlass 1, journalled upon the lower end of the lower ladder
section and pulley 4, attached to the top end of the top ladder section substantially
as herein shown and described and for the purposes set forth.
11. The combination in a portable extension fire escape ladder with the frame A
and ladder sections E, F, mounted upon an axle D at the lower end of said frame,
said ladder sections formed with the channels e and tongues f and having an
extension rope K, secured thereto so as to adapt said sections to slide one within
the other and be so held of the hose pipe U, fastened at one end to a drum G, and
at the other to the top end of the top ladder section and fire proof safety basket 6,
with ropes 3 and 7 and windlass 1, and mechanism substantially such as described
and shown for elevating and holding the ladder in an elevated position, and
winding the hose pipe all constructed arranged and adapted for operation sub-
stantially as herein shown and described, whereby the ladder is elevated, the
sections thereof extended, the hose is unwound and carried up in position ready for
use at the same time with the ladder sections and the fire escape basket is raised
in position ready for use.
12. The combination in a portable, extension fire escape ladder, with the frame A
and ladder sections (two or more) E, F, adapted to slide one within the other and
be extended by a rope and windlass situated at the bottom of the lower ladder
section of the toothed segment P, secured to the lower end of the lower ladder
section, operated by pinion q on crank shaft Q, R and spring T, secured to the

page_text: lower end of the lower ladder section and engaging beneath a cross brace. A¹ of the
truck frame, whereby to raise the ladder by hand substantially as herein described
and shown.
13. The combination in a portable extension fire escape ladder, with the truck A
mounted upon wheels B, of the ladder sections E, F, and F¹, sliding one within the
other and pivotted within said truck frame substantially in the manner described,
cables K, K, pulleys o and of crank shaft I, J, and suitable stop mechanism L, all
constructed, arranged and adapted for operation substantially as herein shown and
described and for the purposes set forth.
DL:
1004