Improved Fire Escape.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 14th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Fire Escape.
I, WILLIAM BARRETT Clemenstone Bridgend Glamorgan, Gentleman do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of an improved fire escape and the same is carried out in
the following manner. I provide two arms of equal length, which are hinged
together, upon each of these arms I provide a revolving drum around which is
wound the necessary cord to enable the cage to descend. Supported between these
hinged arms are two or more gripping rollers over which pass the cord wound
around the drums and which regulate the speed of descent according to the
downward pressure exerted upon, the two arms, in which case the rollers are
brought close together, and the cord is jammed between the rollers. These grip
rollers are preferably made of hemp and are capped at their ends. Suitable
pressure springs are employed in conjunction with the gripping rollers. To
prevent the drums from revolving until required, I employ in connection therewith
a paul & ratchet or a bolt which checks the action of the drums until withdrawn by
the occupant of the cage. The cage is conveniently suspended by cords, or in any
other convenient manner, from the hinged arms which descend with the cage as
soon as the drums are set free.
The action is as follows. The free ends of the rope which is wound around each
of the drums after passing over the gripping rollers is made fast to any convenient
object, and the occupant being now in the cage, takes hold of the two hinged arms
upon which a suitable pressure is exerted, which jammes the rope between the
gripping rollers and thus the paying out of the rope from off the drums is regulated
& hence the speed of descent of the cage according to the pressure brought to bear
upon the rope between the gripping rollers.
Dated this 4th day of October 1892.
E. EATON,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Fire Escape.
I, WILLIAM BARRETT Clemenstone Bridgend Glamorgan, Gentleman, 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:-
This invention consists of an improved fire escape and the same is carried out in
the following manner, I provide two arms of equal length which are hinged
together, upon each of these arms I provide a revolving drum around which is
wound the necessary cord to enable the cage to descend; supported between these
hinged arms, are two or more gripping rollers over which pass the cord wound
around the drums, and which regulate the speed of descent according to the
downward pressure exerted upon the two arms, in which case the rollers are
brought close together and the cord is jammed between the rollers. These grip
rollers are preferably made of hemp and are capped at their ends. Suitable
pressure springs are employed in conjunction with the gripping rollers. To prevent
the drums from revolving until required, I employ in connection therewith a paul
and ratchet or a bolt which checks the action of the drums until withdrawn by the
occupant of the cage. The cage is conveniently suspended by cords or in any

page_text: other convenient manner from the hinged arms which descend with the cage as
soon as the drums are set free.
Referring to the annexed drawings, I provide two arms of equal length a. a.
which are hinged together at b upon each of these arms a I provide a revolving
drum o around which is wound the necessary end d to enable the cage o to descend.
Supported between these hinged arms a. a. are two or more gripping rollers f
secured to the arms by spring bearings e over which pass the cords d wound around
the drums and which regulate the speed of descent according to the downward
pressure exerted upon, the two arms a in which case the rollers are brought closer
together and the cord is jammed between the rollers. A spring hook g is attached
to one arm a & when the arms are brought into their operative position said hook g
engages in the catch piece h having inclined surface i. This catch piece is retained
in position by a coil spring j. At each end of the arms a a lever k is provided.
Attached to this lever is a pawl 7 engaging in teeth or ratchets n on the said drums.
A spring m retains the pawls l in engagement with the said teeth n. o is the cage
attached to the arm at p. The cords & terminate in safety spring hooks J. The
working is as follows-When it is desired to use the escape the same is attached to
a secure support by the hooks q. The spring hook is connected to the catch
piece when the arms a are brought in a straight line. The person sitting in the
cage o grasps with the hands the levers k & releases the pawl from the teeth by
tightening the grasp of the hand which overcomes the strength of the spring m &
thus withdraws the pawl 7 from engaging with the teeth n. The operator now raises
the outer ends of the arms a by exerting the pressure of the hands thereon, thus
separating the gripping rollers between which pass the ropes thus allowing the
same to unwind from the drums c. The arms may be hinged as shewn to separate
pieces by hinges 6 the ropes d d passing up through a central space therein. The
grips are composed of hard hemp and have an ordinary brass cap secured to them
at each end. This cap fits tightly into a piece of metal such as steel having a
semicircular opening to receive same. The bearings are attached to the arms by
means of screws or the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
(1) The combined arrangement and construction of the fire escape substantially
as shewn in Figure 1 & 2 in the accompanying drawings and referred to in the
Specification hereto.
(2) In fire escapes the employment of two hinged arms carrying drums for
containing the cord and provided with two or more gripping or friction rollers
for regulating the paying out of the cord, substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.
Dated this 14th dow of November 1000
E. EATON,
Patent Agent.