SAVING OF LIFE FROM FIRE, BY GETTING PEOPLE FROM HIGH ELEVATIONS TO THE GROUND
Year: 1885

page_text: JOHN WOOLVEN of 57 Wordsworth Street Hove Sussex Jobbing Builder do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for SAVING OF LIFE FROM FIRE, BY
GETTING PEOPLE FROM HIGH ELEVATIONS TO THE GROUND, to be as follows:-
The apparatus is run and supported upon two wheels upon axle. When wanted
for use it is spiked to ground by chain and steel spikes. A rocket case is pivoted
upon iron frame at top over a box to carry small line, under this box is another to
carry tools, the whole supported by iron frame perpendicular from axle-upon this
frame is slung the rope, blocks, cradle, bar, and other requirements for working
apparatus, upon going to a fire with apparatus. 1st The rocket case is elevated,
and a rocket fired with line attached over roof of building. The line is swung in
to people at top. By this line the person or persons draw up a wooden or steel
bar with pully block attached with small line rove through-the person or persons
place this bar across the window inside, the height of the top sash, the bar having
upon either end a steel point that when pressed burys itself into wall upon either
side and keeps bar in position. This being done the firemen by aid of small line
and pully block in centre of bar, pull up and through pully block a large rope,
upon end of which is another pully block with double line rove through This last
pully block is pulled up close to pully block upon centre of bar-A small purchase
of two pully blocks and small rope is attached to large rope from axle of apparatus
and by this the large rope is pulled tight from the window to the apparatus.
Upon this large rope runs a pully block, with a wood and network cradle sus-
pended therefrom. This cradle is pulled from the ground up to the window and
lowered from the window to the ground by means of the double rope through pulley
before mentioned. The cradle is constructed nearly square and will carry from
any elevation, from one to three persons.

page_text: JOHN WOOLVEN Jobbing Builder 72 Westbourne Street, Aldrington Sussex,
I do hereby declare the nature of my invention for SAVING LIFE AND PROPERTY
AT FIRES 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 apparatus for saving life and working fires, con-
structed on wheels as shewn by fig. 1. back elevation, fig. 2 front elevation,
figs. 3, 4, 5 & 6 side views of apparatus in working, fig. 7 portion of part of
apparatus used for inside of window, fig. 8, that portion used for outside of window,
fig. 9 configuration of rocket.
The tubes A for discharging rockets are in three compartments, joined by steel
bands, with a pivot bar V for altering its position, on each side are two pivot slots,
through which quadrant bars D pass, controlled by thumbscrews F; a side eleva-
tion is obtained by means of pivot plates X. On each compartment of the tube is
a cap U on hinge; in front is a door fig. 2 letter T, which covers a slot, on lifting
up cap this door T falls open to allow line on tail of rocket free exit. On back of
tubes are covering plates letters P. T. with connections for discharging percussion
or friction tubes through a small hole. Letter B shews store tubes for carrying
surplus rockets with spring lids. Letter C shews roller & brake for controlling
descent of cradle, this is obtained by means of two cheeks projecting from back of
apparatus; upon the ends of each cheek is a slot in which the roller is inserted,
the brake is formed by a steel bar pressing down on wheel by side of roller.
Letter E are spikes for fixing apparatus into position as shown fig. 3. Letter G,
belaying pins for fixing ropes. Letter R, pivot bar for taking turns out of hawser
line Y. Letters H and I are snatch blocks, forming a purchase for drawing
hawser line Y tight. Letter S, box for carrying necessary tools. Letter M shews
box in three compartments for rocket lines, each being fitted with pegs, from these
pegs the lines are carried away on firing of the rockets. Letter N shews grapnel
hook & small pulley blocks, this hook has four projection on the one shank, shaped
similar to claws, from the said hook is suspended a small chain, at the end is a plate
that divides the small pulley blocks; by means of these blocks the bars and lines
are tripped out of window thus saved from being burnt. Letters L, the bars for
spanning window & keeping lines in position; the first of which is provided with
steel bands & chain with two pulley blocks Q attached, upon the second bar are
fixed two steel swivel bands with eyes, through which the hawser line Y is con-
nected. Letter P shews two pulley blocks connected to purchase & suspension
blocks O for raising & lowering cradle (see figs. 4 & 5) by means of purchase lines J
figs. 3 & 5. Letter K. is cradle figs. 2. 4. 6. & 8. Figure 9 letter Z is rocket with
endless tail & spring book connection.
The manner of working the apparatus is as follows:
A rocket with line attached in one of the compartments M is fired over house
from rocket tube A, by means of a percussion or friction tube as shewn PT; upon
end of rocket line is attached grapnel hook & pulley blocks N, being pulled up &
firmly fixed inside of window as shewn fir 7 letter N this enables the onerator to

page_text: raise a bar L by means of cords passed through pulley blocks N; this bar fig. 7
letter L, having chain & pulley, blocks attached with small lines, rove through, is
placed across window as shewn fig. 7, enables the hawser line Y to be drawn
through pulley blocks Q thereby enabling second bar to be raised & placed as shewn
fig. 8 Letter L; upon this second bar are purchase blocks P, with lines rove
through, also through purchase & suspension blocks O, this enables the cradle to
be raised or lowered by the lines J, the descent is regulated by means of the roller
& brake fig. 1 letter C.
To enable this apparatus to be worked in narrow thoroughfares the cradle &
bars are detached & carried up to an opposite window, communication is obtained
by heaving a line across, it can then be worked in a similar manner and as before
described, also shewn fig. 6.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is:
The apparatus with the rocket tubes, and means of obtaining with rockets,
ropes, blocks, bars and cradle, persons or property, from any desired height, as
substantially described in the accompanying drawing.