An Improved Fire-ladder and Fire-escape Combined.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 28th June, 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Fire-ladder and Fire-escape Combined.
WILLIAM DAVISON of 12 Ashcroft Road, Grove Road, Mile End Road in the
County of Middlesex, Color Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved fire ladder and fire escape combined. I
construct the framework similar to the present escapes, and make it of wood, upon
the upper part of which I mount a ladder of any required length, upon each side of
this ladder, I fix two metal rods, tubes, or guides, by any suitable means, these tubes
forming a guide for an escape box, or safety cage, the tubes or guides may be
telescopic as required, these rods or tubes extending up to and are fixed on the upper
or sliding ladder, where I, make use of the sliding ladder the rods being fixed to it
are taken up with it working in the lower tubes, this extending ladder has two
brackets, one on each side to hold the tubes firmly, and other stays or straps may be
used where necessary.
I place on each side of the fixed ladder a metal rod for the sliding ladder to
work upon by means of clutches, the sliding ladder is raised or lowered by means
of a steel rope running over a pulley fixed to the top of the stationary ladder, and
being wound upon a winch windlass or drum, these being fixed to the lower frame-
work which supports the fixed ladder.
I also construct an escape box or safety cage having a hinged side, which is raised
or lowered by means of a steel rope, which opens or closes the hinged side auto-
matically, this escape box, or safety cage is made to work up and down the tubes or
guide rods, and kept in its place by means of clutches or any other suitable means,
the escape box or safety cage is raised up and down by means of a steel rope over a
pulley, which pulley is fixed to the upper part of the sliding ladder, and passes
down to a second winch or windlas, which is fixed to the framework at the lower part
of the escape.
At the basement of my escape I, arrange an extending or moveable stage which
can be drawn in or out by means of a steel rope which is fixed to a windlass,
which is placed on to the front part of the escape, and which also forms a front rail
for propelling the escape along, to the front part of the moveable or extending stage
before mentioned I fix springs the other ends being fastened to the main axle of the
escape, so that when the stage is drawn in the springs extend with it, so that when
the windlas is unwound the extending stage is drawn out by these springs.
I, also arrange a wire ladder at the back of the fixed ladder for the purpose
of the fireman giving assistance to any persons getting into the escape box or safety
cage.
Respecting my escape box or safety cage, I provide two springs for the same to rest
on at the basement of the escape. I also provide a pad at the basement under the
springs to prevent jarring at the end of the extending stage I provide two small
wheels, to the main carriage of the escape I provide two large wheels similar to our
present fire escapes, and two small wheels in front. I also provide new kind of
springs on the main axle under the carriage of the escape, which are made as follows,
a large circle of steel with a small circle of steel within it so that the two circles give
together.
I, also provide a small ladder from the basement up to the stage where the fixed
ladder commences.
I also arrange two struts or supports, extending from the extending stage up to the
sides of the fixed ladder. I also arrange two small rods from the front of the escape

page_text: down to the bottom part of the main carriage, for the extending stage to travel on
with under clutches.
I have wheels at the top of the back part of the extending ladder, for the
purpose of running against the wall of a house, while the extending ladder is being
run up.
I also arrange two chains one at each side of the main carriage with rings at the
end for the purpose of locking the main driving wheels when necessary.
1, sometimes use two or more sliding ladders in addition to the one I have already
described.
I also have wire supports in front of the escape from the basement to the top of the
fixed ladder.
Dated 31st of August 1889.
-
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Fire-ladder and Fire-escape Combined.
WILLIAM DAVISON of No. 12 Ashcroft Road, Grove Road, E. Color 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 and accompanying drawing :-
My invention relates to an Improved Fire Ladder and Fire Escape Combined which
consists of a frame or body suitably formed or constructed at its lower portion of
wood or other suitable material and of sufficient strength to secure rigidity at the base
or lower portion, to which the two main wheels are secured at each side by means of
a shaft on which they work having two or more springs of a concentric or C form
placed as it were one within the other at either side and securely connected thereto
and to the frame or body of the machine so as to give elasticity, strength and
lightness while in motion. To and from the upper portion of the said frame or body
I connect and securely provide a ladder of about say 40 feet in height inclined to a
suitable angle having two struts, bars, or supports tied or framed together by a cross
bar at the upper part and fixed to the said ladder at or about half its height, the lower
portions of the same being secured to the under carriage or frame of the machine at
or towards its base, having two sinall running or bearing wheels at its end as also
at the fixed or front portion of the body or frame. I also provide an extending
stage to give increased base surface and so to bring the guide rods parallel with
the front of a house, close to any window and which will help considerably to
ascend or descend a hill.
At or toward the base of the frame or lower body which I form by preference
in an upward or sloping direction and at each end I fit or provide brackets having
the necessary bearings provided to permit of a pulley, winch or drum to work
freely therein having either a chain or steel wire rope Y attached to & wound
upon the same which are likewise attached & connected to the sliding or moveable
portion of the frame J to enable it to traverse outwardly in a horizontal direction
assisted by elastic tension springs of any suitable form or material, which cannot
be seen in the drawing when the stage is extended. Between the fixed stage or
frame and the end of the moveable frame, so that when released or uncoupled as
may be required by means of turning the handles of the winch or drum (as shewn
in drawing Fig. 2 K) it is run out in advance of the fixed or main frame or body
giving a greater base or leverage for the apparatus to work upon. At each side
of this said moveable stage or frame I fix two vertical or nearly vertical metal
rods, tubes or guides at a suitable distance apart and to about the same height as
the vertical or fixed ladder and firmly secured or framed at the top or upper part
of the same and may be further stiffened or supported throughout to any necessary
extent in the downward direction by means of light brackets or bracings. The
said tubes or guide rods having a further internal metal rod or tube working
within each of the same fixed hollow rods which act as guides for them the internal

page_text: or sliding metal rods being connected to the upper portion of the extending ladder
which is caused to freely work in a suitable manner as against the face or back
of the fixed or vertically inclined ladder, or I may prefer to arrange for a series
of small rollers arranged upon the fixed ladder to enable the extension ladder to
freely traverse either upward or downward.
It may therefore be seen, that I entirely dispense with the lever or other form
"throw up" extension ladder as in ordinary use and thereby avoiding the difficulty
in manipulating in narrow thoroughfares where great height has to be reached.
At the top of the sliding or extension ladder which is held in position by means of
side rails on fixed ladder and clutches on extending ladder I fix a projecting iron rail
curved outwardly so as to support two small bearing wheels for the purpose of running
against the outside of a house or building when the escape is in position or being raised
I likewise fit or provide at the top of the said sliding or extension ladder a pulley or
sheave over which passes a rope of steel or other material which is led through guides
secured at one end to a winch or windlass fitted and worked from the fixed base or
frame and at the other or lower end to the top or upper portion of a cage or box which
I specially provide so as to be capable of being instantly raised and lowered at
will to almost any practical height to the extent of both the fixed and extension ladder
combined. The said cage or fox would be lightly made of metal frame and of wire
gause or of any fire-proof material and capable of carrying at least 3 or 4 individuals
if nee led. I further provide at each side of the said cage or box suitable guides to
assist and steady the same when in use. These guides are working or sliding against
the vertically inclined telescopic rod or tube and that within when extended at the same
time as the sliding or extension ladder when raised, which is effected by means of a
further winch or windlass which may be fitted on the fixed main frame or base and
worked therefrom just above the windlass previously referred to having a steel wire or
other rope connected to the same and led over and arround a small pulley fixed to and
working freely at the upper part or sides of the fixed ladder and led and connected to
the lower part or side of the sliding or moveable ladder or any other suitable equivalent
manner or other means for the purpose employed. Each winch or windlass would be
suitably fitted with sufficient brake power and a steel band may be employed arround
a drum to act as a brake lever or other suitable means adopted, so as to effectually and
instantly check the action or progress or in hoisting or lowering the safety cage or box,
likewise the extension or sliding ladder a ratchet or toothed wheel and pawl or ratchets
or toothed wheels and pawls or other means employed that in either case the weight
is supported at any height required and upon releasing the pawl or brake it freely
permits under the control of the fireman or conductors hand or foot to regulate the
descent as rapidly as possible consistent with safety especially in the case of the safety
cage or box being lowered when releasing or saving life. I further provide when it
is necessary to lower the cage or box rapidly that on taking the ground to prevent
any sudden shock that it alights upon an elastic bed provided to receive it. At the
top corners of the front door of the safety cage or box which may be made about or
nearly square, (and which is hinged at the lower part) I connect a small guide rope or
chain shewn as a¹ on drawing which is led towards a cross bar of the cage box having
a small pulley thereon. To the said small rope or chain connections the steel wire
rope or chain is made fast after passing under the cross bar 6. When the weight of
those suspended on descent is released from the said wire rope being slacked down the
door at once opens automatically and releases those within it. The safety cage or box
will be found very useful and effective apart from saving life in the case of fire, but in
the first instance of running up hose, spare gears or other requirements, likewise
additional hands when needed and at command. Also in the case of an outbreak of fire
that as soon as the escape is in position that the man in charge may in some cases be
speedily raised or elevated by means of the cage or box so as to enable him to inspect
the position of affairs and to the whereabouts of outbreak of the fire and give instruc-
tions accordingly. I provide wherever practicable additional light tie rods of steel
wire or rope so as to steady the apparatus from the upper part of the fixed ladder to

page_text: the lower part or body on either side. 1 likewise give an additional light hand
ladder C from the base of the frame or body to the top or inner part of the fixed ladder
to assist in the ascent or descent, also a light side hand ladder from the ground to
just above the top of the frame or body. Provision would also be made to lock or
secure the main driving wheels when required by means of a small chain or other
means and the front portion or cross bar of the lower winch or windlass would give a
good hand grip and space for pushing the machine rapid y forward. In some cases I
may propose to employ instead of one vertical moving or extension ladder, an addi-
tional ladder. the working of which would be provided for and might be effected in
somewhat similar manner as that therein referred to.
somewhat similar manner as that therein referred to.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING.
In the drawing hereunto annexed
Fig. 1. is a front elevation of my improved fire ladder and fire escape combined.
Fig. 2. is a side view of the same.
Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.
A A is the frame or body of the apparatus. B B are the driving wheels working
on the shaft D. E are concentric or C shaped springs connected to or arround the
shaft D and the back of the frame or body A.
F is the fixed or main ladder securely framed at its end fitted to the carriage frame
or body A. G. G. are struts or supports, tied or framed at the upper portion by the
cross bar H and secured to the fixed ladder F at a suitable height for its support the
lower portion of the said struts being secured to the under moveable or sliding carriage
or frame J. K is a winch or windlass to enable the said under or moveable carriage
to be extended outwardly when wished to give increased base when run out.
LL are
the two vertical metal rods or tubes which are suitably stayed at intervals to preserve
rigidity within these 2 fixed hollow vertical metal rods or tubes. Two further metal
rods or tubes M M of suitable length are caused to work or slide freely within each of
the vertically disposed hollow rods L. L. telescopically.
The top or upper portions of the said metal rods or tubes are framed together and
connected to the moveable or extension ladder N by means of bracing or curved
framing as shown. O. O. are two small bearing wheels to run against the outside of
the building and help to assist and support the extension ladder N and the tubes or
rods M M whilst being run out and when in position. P is a sheave or pulley
over and arround which the steel wire rope Q works it being secured or connected
to one end of the safety cage or box R in manner herein describe.l.
DESCRIPTION OF FIG. 2.
S are guides or bearings provided to act against the vertically inclined hollow
rods or tubes L L and the extension rods or tubes M M to steady the safety
cage or box and keep it in position. T is a winch or windlass to which steel wire
or other ropes U U is connected and works upon the same and over the pulleys V, V
working on each side of the fixed ladder on the upper part of the fixed ladder F
and when wound or unwound thereon causes the sliding or extension ladder to be raised
or lowered which is connected to a bolt or eye at the lower part of the extension
ladder N. X is a small pulley or guide for the steel wire rope Q to run freely round
and through guides from the winch or windlass P¹ towards and round the pulley and
connected to the safety cage R.
Y&Z are small running or bearing wheels to enable the entire apparatus to be run
into position and the small or hind wheels Y¹ works with the under moveable or
sliding carriage J when extended outward. It will be seen that immediately the
fire escape when in use is pitched against a building that the small bearing
wheels may be run against or just under the window sill of any room and
the safety cage brought to the level of the same to enable the person or persons
in danger to enter the cage with ease and confidence and even without assistance.

page_text: 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 :-
1st. The sliding ladder or ladders with the novel action and connections, with
rods and tubes, and side rails, and clutches made to travel on front or back of
fixed ladder as described in specification.
2nd. The tubes and sliding rods working telescopically together also side rails and
clutches working connected as described in specification.
3rd. The safety cage or escape box made to work up or down between the tubes
and rods, with its self acting door as described in specification.
4th. The extending stage, also its back wheels, also its pad, or cushion, with
spring or elastic action to prevent jar to safety cage as described in specification.
5th. The small side ladder fixed to main carriage, also the oval or double
C shaped springs, fixed to main carriage, and fixed to axle tree or main driving wheels
as described in specification.
T 1
T1800
WILLIAM DAVISON.