IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Sawyer, of Forston Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, and Samuel Middleton, of No. 38, St. John's.
Lane, Smithfield, in the City of London, Manufacturer, for the
Invention of 16 Town FCAND
Sealed the 3rd August 1866, and dated the 8th February 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Sawyer and
Samuel Middleton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 8th February 1866.
We, JOSEPH SAWYER, of Forston Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, and SAMUEL MIDDLETON, of No. 38, St. John's Lane, Smith-.
field, in the City of London, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES," to be as
follows:-
The said improvements consist chiefly in the mode of constructing and
supporting the ladder of a fire escape, in the means of elevating, adjusting,
and securing the said ladder in any required position, and in the con-
struction of and mode of operating the raising and lowering apparatus.

page_text: The ladder is constructed in separate sections or lengths, one of the said
sections being firmly fixed upon the travelling carriage of the apparatus,
which is supported upon wheels in any convenient manner. The other
sections of the ladder are arranged to slide one over the other and so
extend the ladder to any required height, each section being so secured to
the one immediately below it as to be firmly and steadily supported thereby
when the ladder is extended. The fast or stationary section of the ladder
is secured to a strong frame of metal or wood, between which the sliding
sections also rest when the apparatus is not in use. The upper ends of the
sides of this frame are provided with pullies over which ropes or chains are
passed. One end of these ropes or chains takes hold upon a pin or other
connection secured in the bottom end of the lower sliding section of the
ladder, the other end of the said ropes or chains being, by preference,
wound over a rail or pulley at the side of the frame or secured to one of a
series of hooks attached to the said frame. Other pullies are also carried
by brackets projecting from the top of each of the sliding sections of the
ladder, each pulley having a rope or chain running over it whose end is
secured to a hook in a similar manner. By these pullies and ropes the
sections of the ladder are caused to slide out one over the other, and the
said ladder can thereby be extended to any desired height, to reach the
windows, roofs, or other lofty portions of dwelling-houses, warehouses, and
other structures.. A pin or bolt is fixed between the sides at the upper
end of the top section of the ladder. This pin carries a grooved pulley,
over which a rope or chain passes for supporting the shield or cage in which
persons or weights are raised or lowered from the top to the bottom of the
ladder. This shield is, by preference, formed of a strong frame of metal or
wood covered with canvas. The bottom of the said shield is provided with
curved slides or runners which rest upon the rounds of the ladder and run
over them in the passage of the said shield up and down the ladder. The
shield is protected and guided by the sides of the ladder, between which it
travels. Instead of being supported by ropes or chains wound over the
pulley above mentioned; this shield may be raised and lowered by means
of ropes passing over two sets of pullies, one set being fixed to the top of
the ladder, or to a hook or other suitable fastening secured to any part of
a dwelling-house or other structure, the lower set of pullies being arranged
to travel up and down with the shield or cradle: These pullies turn on
suitable pins carried in strong frames, which instead of being constructed
to support all the pullies on one centre in the manner of ordinary blocks or

page_text: sheaves, are formed to carry each pulley on a separate centre. By this.
arrangement the friction of the ropes over the said pullies is greatly
lessened and there is no possibility of the said ropes being caught and
jammed between the pullies and sides of the frames. A barrel or reel is
arranged to turn in suitable bearings fixed in the shield or cage. One end
of the rope from the pulley frames is wound over the reel or barrel, and by
turning a handle attached thereto a person can raise or lower himself in the
said shield at pleasure. A locking wheel is fixed on this barrel by means
of which the shield can be safely held at any required height. This locking
wheel may be fastened by means of a bolt passing into suitable holes formed
through the wheel, or by means of a spring catch taking into teeth formed
on the side of the said wheel. The ladder is jointed at its lower end upon
hinges or trunnions fixed on the travelling carriage. A bracket is fixed to
one side of the ladder carrying a pulley over which passes a rope or chain.
One end of this rope or chain is secured to the bottom of the carriage, the
other end being wound over a barrel fixed on an axle arranged to work in
bearings secured below the said carriage between the wheels thereof. The
said axle is provided with a suitable handle, by turning which the rope is
wound over the barrel. By this means the ladder can be elevated or
depressed to any required position, according to the circumstances under
which the escape is to be employed. A locking wheel is fixed to one end
of this axle, having a number of holes formed therein at regular intervals.
near its periphery. By passing a bolt or pin through either of these holes
the ladder can be secured at any required angle. Instead of having these
holes the wheels may be formed with teeth on the side thereof, and held in
the required position by means of a spring catch secured to the carriage.
The ladder may be still further secured if desired by bolts passing through
holes in the sides of the said carriage. A fraine is attached to the front of
the ladder, extending out therefrom to the front of the carriage, which
frame forms a counterbalance to the weight of the ladder, the two sides of
the said frame being connected by a cross bar. By taking hold of this
cross bar when the ladder is nearly in a vertical position the said ladder can
be easily turned on its trunnions without the aid of the lifting device above
mentioned. Counterweights are provided and attached to the travelling
carriage of the apparatus in order to prevent the overbalancing of the same
when the ladder is extended without being supported at its upper ends.
The apparatus can be constructed to be pushed along. by hand or to be
drawn by a horse. It can be safely and quickly conveyed along the streets,

page_text: and from its lightness and compactness can be easily introduced into.
narrow courts or other places where fire escapes as hitherto constructed
could not enter.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Middleton in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 8th, August 1866.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOSEPH
SAWYER, of Forston Street, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, and
SAMUEL MIDDLETON, of No. 38, St. John's Lane, Smithfield, in the City of
London, Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the twenty-ninth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto us, the said Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Middleton, Her special
licence that we, the said Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Middleton, our
exécutors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Middleton, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE ESCAPES," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that we, the said Joseph Sawyer and Samuel
Middleton, our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under our, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Middle-
ton, do..hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings forming a part of this Specification:-

page_text: The said improvements consist chiefly in the mode of constructing and
supporting the ladder of a fire escape, in the means for elevating and
adjusting the said ladder and securing the same in any required position,
and in the construction of and mode of operating the raising and lowering
apparatus by which firemen ascend, and by which persons or objects are
let down from the top of the ladder or from elevated portions of buildings.
Figure 1 is a plan of the top of a fire escape; Figure 2 is a side
elevation, partly in section, of the said fire escape with parts adjusted for
travelling; Figure 3 is a front elevation of the said fire escape with the
ladder and other parts adjusted for use; Figure 4 is, a vertical section of
the same on the line x, x, Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of the
apparatus by which persons or objects are raised and lowered; Figure 6 is
a plan of the shield or cage forming part of the said apparatus. Like
letters refer to corresponding parts in each of the Figures.
The ladder A, which is by preference formed of ash or other equally
tough wood, is constructed in separate sections or lengths a, a, a, a³, a'.
The lower section a is firmly attached to the travelling carriage B which
is supported upon the wheels C. The upper sections a¹, a, a, a, of the
ladder A are constructed and arranged to slide one over the other, so that
the said ladder may be extended to any required height, as represented in
Figures 3 and 4. Each sliding section of the ladder A is secured to the
section immediately below it, and all of the said sections are constructed and
connected together in such a manner as to be steadily supported when the
ladder is extended. The lower section a of the said ladder is secured
between the sides of a strong frame D of wrought iron or other suitable
material, between which the other sections also rest when the apparatus is
The frame D is attached to the carriage B by strong hinges
or trunnions b. The steady support required for the several sections of
the ladder A when extended and while being adjusted is obtained by
providing the top of each section with the cleats or projections c, and by
extending the lower rounds d of the ladder, or forming other equivalent
guides thereon, which project into the guideways e, formed in the sides of
each section of the said ladder. The frame D is provided at its upper
ends with pulleys f, over which the ropes g are passed; one end of these
ropes is attached to one of the rounds of the ladder, or other suitable

page_text: connection secured in the bottom of each side of the lower sliding
section a¹ of the ladder A, and projecting through the aperture or guide-
way e formed in the frame D. The other end of the said ropes is by
'preference wound over the reel or barrel E, which turns in suitable bearings
formed in the sides of the carriage B, and is provided with a handle i, or
the said ropes may be secured to one or more of a series of hooks attached
to the frame D; instead of the ropes g, chains may be employed. Other
pulleys, ff, are carried by brackets ; projecting from the top of
each of the sliding sections of the ladder A, each pulley having a rope or
chain running over it whose lower end is wound over one of the reels or
barrels E, E, E³, the spindles of which turn in bearings formed in the
sides of the frame D and project through the curved apertures / formed
in the sides of the carrlage B. The handle is by preference made to fit
each of the said spindles, and is removed from one to the other thereof as
each section of the ladder is wound up. Instead of reels or barrels E¹, E³, E³,
hooks or other similar connections may be employed to secure the ends of
the ropes. By means of these ropes or chains and the barrels and pulleys
over which they run the different sections or lengths of the ladder A are
caused to slide one over the other, and the said ladder is thereby extended
to any desired height to reach the windows, roofs, or other lofty portions
of dwelling-houses, warehouses, and other structures. A pin or bolt F is
fixed at the upper end of the top section a* of the ladder A, between the
sides thereof. This pin carries a grooved pulley G, over which a rope m
or chain passes. The said rope supports the shield or cage H, in which
persons or objects are lowered from the top to the bottom of the ladder A.
In this cage also the firemen or others in charge of the fire escape can
ascend quickly to any desired position, and are thereby enabled to render
prompt assistance to persons endeavouring to escape from the windows
and other portions of burning buildings. The said cage or shield is by
preference formed of a strong frame of metal or wood covered with canvass.
The bottom thereof is provided with curved metal slides or runners n,
which rest upon the rounds d of the ladder and run over them in the
passage of the cage H up and down the ladder A, the cage being guided
and protected by the sides of the said ladder during its passage up and
down thereon. Instead of being supported by the rope or chain m wound
over the pulley G, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cage H may be raised
and lowered by ropes passing over two sets of pulleys, as represented in
Figure 5. One set of these pulleys I is attached to the top of the ladder A

page_text: by the link p or other suitable means of connection, the lower set J being
connected to the box or cradle H, with which it travels up and down, and
which takes the place of the shield or cage H, shown in Figures 3 and 4.
The pulleys I and J turn upon pins on studs q carried in strong frames I'
and J. These frames instead of being constructed to support all the
pulleys on one centre in the manner of ordinary blocks or sheaves are
formed to carry each pulley on a separate centre, as clearly shown in
Figure 5. By this arrangement the friction of the ropes r in passing over
the pulleys I and J is greatly lessened, and there is no possibility of the
ropes being caught and jammed between the said pulleys and the sides of
their fraines. A barrel or reel K is fitted to turn in suitable bearings
fixed on the sides of the cradle H, and over this barrel or reel one end of
the rope r is wound. By turning the handle or lever L, any person sup-
ported in the cradle H₁ can raise or lower the said cradle, and ascend
or descend therewith at pleasure. A locking wheel M is fixed on the
barrel K, and is provided with the metal strap N connected to the lever O,
which locks into the notched sector P. By means of this strap and lever
the cradle can be arrested and safely held in any desired vertical position;
or the locking wheel may be fastened by means of a bolt passing into
suitable holes formed in the side of the said wheel, or by a spring catch
taking into teeth formed thereon. The hinges or trunnions 6, by which
the frame D is connected to the travelling carriage B, allows the ladder A
to be adjusted to any required incline. The sides of the said frame are
extended in front of the ladder, a bracket Q being secured to the said
sides which carries the pulley R; a rope s or chain passes over this pulley,
one end of which rope or chain is attached to a bar w or other connection
fixed on the bottom of the carriage B, the other end of the said rope being
wound over the barrel S, whose axle S¹ turns in suitable bearings t secured
on the under side of the said carriage between the wheels C. The axle S
is provided with a handle S, by turning which the rope s is wound over
the barrel S. By means of this rope, barrel, and axle the ladder A can
be elevated or depressed to any required position against the walls of
dwelling-houses or other structures according to the circumstances under
which the fire escape is being employed. A locking wheel T is fixed on the
axle S; the said wheel is provided with a series of holes or perforations u
formed at regular intervals near its periphery. By passing a bolt or pin
through either of these holes the ladder A can be secured at any desired
incline; or the said wheel may be formed with teeth on its side and locked

page_text: in any desired position by a spring catch secured to the bottom of the
carriage B or other suitable means. The ladder may be still further
secured by a bolt or bar U placed through the holes or perforations v, and
extending across the carriage B, as shown in Figure 3. A projecting
frame D¹ is attached to the frame D and is extended to the end of the
carriage B, its two sides being connected by the cross bar D'. This
projecting frame forms a counterpoise to the weight of the ladder A when
the latter is extended. By taking hold of the said cross bar when the
ladder is in a vertical position, or nearly so, the said ladder can be adjusted
on its hinges or trunnions 6 without the aid of the lifting device above
described. Counterweights are provided and attached to the travelling
carriage B, in order to prevent the overbalancing of the same when the
ladder A is extended and is unsupported at its upper ends. The apparatus
can be constructed to be easily pushed along by hand or to be drawn by a
horse. It can be safely and quickly conveyed along crowded streets and
other thoroughfares, and by reason of its lightness and compactness can be
easily introduced into narrow courts and other confined spaces where
ordinary fire escapes could not enter. When the escape is not in use the
whole of the parts occupy but little space and are protected from injury by
the cover B¹ secured upon the carriage B.
Having thus described the said Invention, and shown how the same may
be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, we wish. it
understood that we do not confine ourselves to the exact details herein
described and illustrated; be we claim,-.
First, constructing the ladder of a fire escape in sections arranged to
slide one over the other for the purpose and substantially in the manner
set forth.
Second, uniting the frame D (in which the lower section a of the said
ladder is supported) to the carriage B by the hinges or trunnions 6 for the
purpose and substantially in the manner set forth.
Third, elevating and supporting each of the sliding sections of the
ladder A by means of ropes or chains passing over pulleys arranged
substantially in the manner described.
Fourth, adjusting and supporting the ladder A (when the same is
extended) by means of ropes or chains connected to suitable winding
apparatus arranged and operated substantially in the manner set forth.
Fifth, constructing the frames I', J', in such a manner that each pulley
therein turns upon a different centre, substantially in the manner set forth.

page_text: Sixth, the combination of the pulleys I, J, with the cage or shield H',
aving a winding apparatus connected by ropes or chains to the said
pulleys for the purpose and arranged and operating substantially in the
manner set forth.
Seventh, the construction of a fire escape with parts combined and
operating substantially as herein set forth and illustrated.
In witness whereof, we, the said Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Middleton,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eighth day of August,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
Witness,
JOHN BELL MUSCHAMP.
JOSEPH SAWYER.
(L.S.)
SAMUEL MIDDLETON. (L.s.)