IMPROVED FIRE ESCAPE
Year: 1885

page_text: I, WILLIAM COOPER of 70 St Mary's Road Faversham in the county of Kent
Carpenter do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVED FIRE
ESCAPE to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide a ready means of escape from windows
at any altitude in buildings such as Hotels, large Institutions, Hospitals, Factories,
as well as for dwelling houses of all sizes. I fix in the sash cill and on the head
of sash frame two iron lugs A bracket in the form of a small crane fits into the
sockets made in these lugs. This bracket may be a fixture or removable at
pleasure and is so fitted that the arm may be swung out of the window, leaving
a clear space between the wall and the end of the arm of the bracket. On the
end of the arm is fixed a small sheave-block or pulley-block to which are attached
cords or chains, and another pulley block for convenience in raising and lowering
a chair of special pattern. This chair hereinbefore mentioned is made with a seat
and back which doubles up and only opens out on the chair being suspended.
The arms are made with slots which work over pins secured by a nut and these
opening out and the bottom of the chair falling into position when the chair is
suspended afford a safe and firm seat. In the case of old people, infants, or
helpless persons they can be readily secured to the seat, and lowered with safety
by persons outside the building.
LULMAN & Co.,
Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Fire-escape.
I, WILLIAM COOPER of 70 Saint Mary's Road Faversham in the county of
Kent Carpenter and Joiner 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:-
The object of my invention is to provide a ready means of escape from windows
of any altitude in buildings such as Hotels, large Institutions, Hospitals, Factories,
Improved Fire-escape.
I, WILLIAM COOPER of 70 Saint Mary's Road Faversham in the county of
Kent Carpenter and Joiner 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 :-
The object of my invention is to provide a ready means of escape from windows
of any altitude in buildings such as Hotels, large Institutions, Hospitals, Factories,

page_text: and the like as well as for dwelling houses of all sizes. In this my improved form
of fire-escape I fix in the sash cill and on the head of sash frame two iron lugs.
A bracket in the form, of a small crane fits into sockets made in these lugs. The
bracket is preferably a fixture but it may be removable at pleasure. It is so fitted
that the arm may be swung clear of the window leaving a clear space between the
wall and the end of the arm of the bracket. On the end of the arm is fixed a small
sheeve block, or pulley block to which is attached, cords, or chains, and another
pulley block for convenience in raising and lowering a chair of special pattern.
This hereinbefore mentioned chair is made with a seat and back which doubles, up
and only opens out when the chair is suspended The arms are made with slots
which work over pins secured by a nut on one end thereof, or the said pins may be
of iron or any metal turned with the head attached thereto and rivetted into
uprights for the slotted arms to work thereon. The arms moving in the manner
described, by means of the slots, open out when the chair is suspended and afford
a safe and firm seat. The bottom and back of the chair may be of light wire
work, or of thin wood, and if found necessary the whole appliance may be coated
with asbestos or other fire resisting paint or composition. I also provide a cupboard
fixed in a convenient position near the window for the reception of the apparatus
or part of the same. One advantage of my improved appliance is, that when used
for old and infirm people infants or helpless persons they can be readily secured
to the seat and lowered with safety by persons from inside or outside the
building.
In order that my invention may be better understood I append drawings in
which Fig. I is a view of the chair or seat which is passed through or out of the
window opening and in which the persons escaping may be lowered in safety.
A is the frame or backbone shewn also at A fig. 3 in front elevation. B is the
back and C the seat. D D are arms with slots as described working on the pins E E.
Similar letters in other figures refer to similar parts. In Fig. 2 a sectional view of
wall and window is shewn F. F. being pulley or shieve blocks by which the seat
is raised and lowered. The crane G is shewn with the arm H slung outwards
through the opening at the top of the window caused by the sash being lowered
Similar letters in fig. 3 refer to similar parts of the appliance. In Fig. 3 is shewn
the appliance as closed and stowed in the cupboard I where it remains always
ready for use.
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
I. A Fire-Escape arranged with cupboard, folding seat, pulleys, Crane, and
suspending gear, as described and illustrated, substantially and as set forth,
Dated this 24th day of August 1886.