Improvements in Apparatus for the External Cleaning of Windows and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 5th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 1st June, 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the External Cleaning of Windows
and the like.
I, THOMAS EDMOND, of Minicoy, Plashet, in the County of Essex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for the external
cleaning of windows and the like, and has for its object the absolute safeguarding
of the person so employed against all risk of falling, and at the same to so arrange
the apparatus that it may be portable and require no particular skill in adjustment
to any window or the like.
In carrying my invention into effect, I employ a platform, in some cases made
of wood, with a hinged flange which may be raised vertically at right angles, or
approximately thereto, the platform as aforesaid. Said flange carries sockets, into
which are fitted the vertical members of a hand rail, which suitably jointed at
each culminating angle. The sash frame of the windows are preferably fitted with
eyes or books, so turned and arranged that no accidental disconnection can occur
when the apparatus according to my invention is in use. That is to say, the hooks
and eyes are relatively disposed with relation to each other, that any outside
pressure directly imposed upon said platform tends to bind the hooks and eyes
together, to the better securing of the whole. The two corner vertical rail posts,
drop into the sockets aforesaid, and are connected by a transverse link.
Two or
more links leading from said uprights or the link or links connecting them are
hooked or otherwise connected to eyes or the like firmly attached to the sash
frame.
In the case of a large building or a number of buildings, the requisite sash frame
fittings may be fitted, so that one or more of the apparatus may coincide therewith,
and I may use iron, steel, or other metal webbing, with suitable framework so that
the whole may be collapsible and easily transported from place to place, where
buildings are arranged to receive them. According to my invention it is impossible
for a workman to fall and the easy manner in which it can be placed in position
renders it an indispensable item in the furnishing of any building.
Since the angles of the two side rods may be varied without detriment to the
general strength of the device, it is evident that the same apparatus may be
adapted to any window, of whatever size.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to any substance or
material in making the device, nor to the details comprising its possible
collapsibility the essential feature of my said invention is in the combination of a
platform with an adjustable railing, exactly as described, using proper resilient
cushions in cases where valuable stonework may be damaged by abrasion.
Dated this 4th July 1894.
FREDK. WALKER,
73, St. Stephen's Road, Upton Park, London, E.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for the 'External Cleaning of Windows
and the like.
I, THOMAS EDMOND, late of Minicoy, Plashet, now of Plashet Cottage Plashet,
in the County of Essex, Civil Engineer 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 certain improvements in apparatus for the external
cleaning of windows, and has for its object the absolute safeguarding of the person
so employed against all risk of falling, and at the same time to so arrange the
apparatus that it may be portable, and require the exercise of no particular skill in
the adjustment to any window or the like.
'
In order that my invention may be the better understood, I have appended the
accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Figure 1 is a plan view of the device, shown as fixed in position, and Figure 2 is
a front elevation, and Figure 3 a side elevation of the same.
Figure 4 is a view of the kind of hook employed, shown detached, and drawn to
a larger scale.
Figure 5 is a view of the framing folded up for transport and detached from the
platform.
The letters of reference correspond throughout.
In carrying my invention into effect, I employ a platform A, in some cases, but
not necessarily made of wood, with a hinged flange i which may be raised vertically
at right angles or approximately thereto by means of the hinges g g', connecting it
to the platform A, or any other suitable pivotting or other means for attachment
thereto. Said hinged flange i carries sockets ff into which are fitted the vertical
members' k k of a hand rail, which is jointed at each angle d d', where the side
bars and the front bar e are coupled to said vertical members k k'. The sash
frame C and B of the window is fitted with eyes or hooks h¹, c c', preferably
turned and arranged as shown by Figure 4, so that no accidental disconnection can
occur when the apparatus according to my invention is in use.
That is to say, the
hooks and eyes are so disposed relatively to each other that any external pressure
upon.the platform A or the hand-rails tends to biud the hooks and eyes together to
the better securing of the whole.
In placing the apparatus in position, two, hooks a a¹ shaped as herein before
described, are fitted to the platform, A, and serve to attach the latter to the sash
frame by engaging with the eyes c c¹ aforesaid. The bars, and hand rails, folded
as shown by Figure 5, is passed out through the opening of the window, and
attached to the platform A by fitting the lower ends of the vertical members. kk¹
into the sockets ff and hooking the free ends of the side bars 66' into the eyes; h h¹.
In cases when there is no projecting window sill to support, the platform, A; I may
use a chain, link or, bar. n n' from a point m or n¹ on 5 b' to, the extremity: of, the
platform A, or from any other point or points so that, the same effect may be
attained. A supplementary hand rail, chain or the like o may be added for
additional security, and I may add as many of these as may be considered
necessary. The dimensions of the apparatus are such as to afford every facility to
a person standing upon the platform A for window cleaning purposes.
In the case of a large building, or a number of buildings the requisite sash frame
fittings as hereinbefore described may be fitted to each window so that one or more
of the apparatuses may be in use, the hooks thereof being made to coincide with
the fittings aforesaid. I may construct the platform A of metal webbing,

page_text: collapsible links or the like so as to be compactly arranged for transport from
place to place.
By the use of the apparatus constructed according to my said invention, it is
impossible for a workman to fall while cleaning windows, painting or the like, and
the easy manner in which it can be placed in position renders it an indispensable
item in the furnishing of any building.
Since the angles of the two side bars b' may be varied without detriment to the
general strength of the device, it is evident that the same apparatus may be adapted
to any window of whatever size.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to any substance or
material in constructing the device, nor to the details of the rails and supports, and
I may make such additions as resilient cushions for the protection of carved or
other delicate work, or like accessories where required without departing from the
essential features of my said invention.
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;
First. The combination of parts forming an apparatus for the external cleaning
of windows, substantially as herein described and shown by the appended
drawings.
Second. In apparatus for the external cleaning of windows, the combination of a
platform A, hinged flange i vertical bars k. k side rods 6 61 and hooks and
eyes, h h', cc, substantially as herein described and shown by the appended
drawings.
Third. In apparatus for the external cleaning of windows, the construction and
employment of tie bars n. n', or flexible equivalents thereof substantially as herein
described with reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this 2nd of Annil 1005
FREDK. WALKER,
73, St. Stephen's Road, Upton Park, London, E.,
Agent for the Applicant.