Improvements connected with Trap-doors.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 20th June, 1895-Accepted, 3rd Aug. 1895
Improvements connected with Trap-doors.
We, ERNEST INGLEDEW DIXON, of 46 Lowther Street, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Accountant, and HAROLD BRADBURY SLEIGH of 9 Duke
Street, Liverpool, aforesaid, Chemical Manufacturer, 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 has reference to trap-doors in floors, by which access is had to
spaces, such as cellars, beneath them; and it has more particularly for its object,
to provide means by which protection against persons falling down them, may be
afforded, when they are open; as for instance, in the case of the application of
the invention in connection with trap doors behind the bars of public houses and
hotels, and under analogous cases, means are provided to prevent the attendants
behind them from falling down through the open traps.
According to this invention, the means by which immunity against accidents of
this kind is afforded, consists of a rising and falling guard which is automatically
moved up into position by the door as and when the door is being opened.
An illustration of this means and the modification according to this invention, is
given in the accompanying drawings; and this is hereafter fully described in front
view and side elevation, in Figs. 1 and 2 to enable the invention to be practically
carried into effect.
e,
In this example, the rising part connected with and moved by the door consists
of a horizontal bar a, having vertical standards b, by means of which a is raised
and lowered. The standards b are guided in their movement up and down by
and
tubular guides c, which are fastened to the beams d supporting the floor
they are connected to the trap-door f by means of a cord or chain h, one end of
which is fastened to the door at i, and the other to the standards 6 by the bar b
connecting these two standards together; whilst intervening between these points
pullies and 3 are provided by means of which, although the upper end of the
rope is fastened to one corner of the door f, the pull or tension on the guard is
centrally and vertically applied. In the example given, a weight k is connected
with the guard by means of a rope k¹, by which the weight of the rising part is to
a greater or less extent counter-balanced. Short chains indicated by the dotted
lines marked 1, connect the upper part of the bar a or standards b with the two
corners of the door, either of which may be unhooked when using the trap. This
guard shewn may, in some cases, if desired, be used unconnected with the
trap door.
When the trap door f is closed, the guard and parts connected with it take the
position shewn in the drawings, i.e. lie below the floor; whilst when the door is
open, and the guard comes into action in the act of opening the door, that is
moving it upon its binge, the rope / is pulled up, and consequently the standards b
and guard rail a are raised and take the position shewn in dotted lines in the
drawings; by which it is seen, that the opening so uncovered by the opening of
the door, is guarded on one side by the bar a (and its standards b) and on other
two sides by the chains 1. In the action of closing the door, the guard falls of its
own weight below the floor, and so automatically moves out of the way into the
space beneath the floor.
The example herein given as illustrative of this invention, and providing one
construction according to it by which it may be carried out into effect, constitutes

page_text: a simple and inexpensive apparatus and may be therefore used with advantage.
It is however to be stated that modifications hereunder, differing in various ways
from this particular example, may be made and used without departing from the
main or controlling characteristic of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improvement substantially as herein described connected with trap doors,
that is to say, the combination with a trap door of a guard connected with such
door and adapted to be automatically raised, or raised and lowered thereby; for
the purposes set forth.
2. The guard device for use in connection with trap doors adapted to be raised
up into a position above the floor, and to be lowered below its level, through the
opening of the door, and disposed at the side of the opening opposite the hinges of
said door, for the purposes set forth.
3. The automatic trap door guard arranged, and adapted to operate, as set forth
with reference to and shewn in the drawings.
Dated this 19th day of June 1895.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicants' Patent Agents.