US1090222A

US1090222A - Truck-ladder.

Info

Publication number: US1090222A
Application number: US72872212A
Authority: US
Inventors: William Mcmane; Benjamin F Carpenter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1912-10-30
Filing date: 1912-10-30
Publication date: 1914-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 1931-03-17

Description

W. MUMANE & B. P. CARPENTER.

TRUCK LADDER.

APPLIOATION HLBD ooT. ao. 1912.

1O90,222. Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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W. MoMANE & B. I'. CARPENTER. TRUCK LADDER.

APPLIATIN FILED OUT 30, 1912. 1,090,222. Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

4 SHEBTB-SHEBT 2.

W. MOMANE & B. E. CARPENTER.

TRUCK LADDER.

APPLIOATION FILED 001230, 1'912.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. MGMANE & B. P. CARPENTER.

TRUCK LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED 00TI 30, 1912.

Patented Mar17,1914.

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NITEI) STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM MOMANE AND BENJAMIN F. CARPENTER, OF SUMMIT, NEW JERSEY.

TRUCKLADDER Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

Application led October 30, 1912. Serial No. 728,722.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that we, WiLLiAM MoMAnE, residing at 9 South street, Summit, Union county, New Jersey, and BENJAMIN F. CAR

rnN'iiin, residing at 22 Elm street, Summit, Union county, New Jersey, both citizens of the United States, have invented cert-ain new and useful Improvements in Truck-Ladders, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a partl of the saine.

The present invention relates to alcounterbalanced aerial safety ladder and truck combined with means for supporting a hose upon .an extension ladder and turning the same in any direction. This is effected in the present invention by mountino' a turntable for the ladder in an elevate( position upon the side-frames of the truck, which frames are trussed to give them the requisite strength.

To facilitate the manipulation of the ladders and the hose if attached thereto, the ladder is fully balanced by means of an extension-foot which projects downward through the turntable when in use and is weighted to balance the ladder and provided with means for increasing the weight to balance the hose and firemen when required.

To permit the ladder when in an inclined position, to swing around the entire circle, the side-frames of the truck have open arches beneath the turntable so as to clear the Yweighted foot of the ladder when itis inclined and turned in various directions.

The elevation of the turntable brings the fulcrum of the ladder` a considerable distance,as ten or twelve feet, above the ground, which permits the foot to project this distance from the fulcruin, and gives the counterbalance weight a great leverage, so that less Weight isnecessitated to balance the ladder.

The turntable rests upon anti-friction bearings so that it can be easily moved by hand-gearing to any required position, andas the ladder .is balanced it can also be tipped by hand-gearing to any desired angle. The turntable is fitted to an annular seat upon the top of the side-frames, the seat having a gap upon the middle line ofthe truck, andv may be effected wholly by the influence of the weighted foot.

A great advantage 4in the adjustment of the hose is secured by attaching it near its nozzle to the extreme end of the extension ladder, and providing supports upon the main ladder through which the hose can slide when the extension ladder is projected.

To facilitate the movement of the turntable when the ladder' is inclined, the hose is preferably extended through an aperture in the turntable to the ground upon which sufficient coils may be arranged to permit the projection of the extension ladder, and the end of such coils connected to a hydrant or fire-engine. The extension ladder is coniiiioiily projected while the main ladder is in an upright position, and such arrangement of the hose when empty permits the projection of the ladder and the inclinin` and turning of the ladder to any require position for using the hose.

The mechanism for turning the turntable, for inclining the ladder, and holding it in such inclined position, are thus enabled to operate without any great stress and are thereforenever in danger of breaking. The counterbalance thus affords security in the manipulation and use of the laddei', which is the most important consideration iii the use of such a device, with persons upon it.

Braces upon the truck are arranged, when the ladder is erected for use, to project materially beyond the sides of the truck and thus greatly extend its base, and edectually brace it against all danger of overturn by extending the base well beyond the center of gravity of theelevated ladder and combined weights.

A central tie or reach connects the ends of the truck below the turntable, thus keeping the arches effectively from spreading under the load upon them. Such provision for increasing the base of support is of great iinportance, as the irregularities of street surfaces and the diliculty of finding secure positions for the placement of such an apparatus, especially in the confusion and urgency of a dangerous conflagration, render it often impossible to secure a level place for the location of the truck.

By fully counterbalaneing the ladder, it is enabled to safely reach great heights and great horizontal'distances, so as to meet the most urgent cases; and the construction is such that all the movements as to heights and positions are under the` control of one showing the ladder adjusted horizontally for transportation. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the top of the cushioned ladder-support, with ladder resting thereon; Fig. 4 is a cross section of the truck aty the center of the turntable; Fig. 5 is al plan of the' turntable with the cap-ring omitted, and one edgey of the turntable broken away adjacent to the gate; Fig. 6 is an edge view of the turntableseat with its gate; Fig. 7 is a. side view of the gearing for working the ladder-slanting device; Fig. 8 is a front-viewA of the idebox for the side-brace; Fig. 9 is a 'il an of the same in section on line 9-9 in ig.` 10;

. Fig. 10 is a section' on line 3--3 in Fig. 8;

and Fig. 11 is a section ony line 4 4 in'Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a cross section at the center of the turntable, showing the ladder inclined transversely to the truck-frame; and Fig. 13 is a cross section of the truck-frame where the lifter-yokes are pivoted thereon. Fig. '14 shows the hose-connections to the ladders.

The truck is shown with side-frames ha ing level ends a, a connected by an arch formed with sloping sides b, bf and topbeam e. The sides and top of the arch are trussed by beams d andbraces d'. The sideframes are connected by cross-bars a2 and stifened by diagonal braces a3, and the arches are trussed and prevented from spreading by a central tie-bar or reach o which connects the ends ot the truck across the middle of the. arch, and is held as near the ground as is practicable by struts 02 projected downward from the tie-beams a2 nearest the base of the arch.

Wheels A, A. are shown under the ends a, a of the truck, and the wheels used .for steering are preferably made to turn under the ends of the truck-frame. Hand-wheels B and B are shown upon the opposite ends of the truck-frame to be used for steering. The truck may be propelled by any desired means.

The turntable e is mounted upon an annular seat f upon the side-frames at the top of their arches, and the main ladder C is pivoted to the turntable on pivot-bearings e at opposite sides of'a ap g through which the foot-C of such ladiler can'swing downwardly upon its pivot. rlheV foot has a weight C2 to counterbalance the ladders, when not extended. The extension ladder upright position.

nceaaaa D 'may be'arranged to slide upon the main ladder C in any convenient manner and extended by any suitable means, as the usual rope and a windlass c". The seat f has a corresponding gap g. on the axial line .of the truck, and the space between the side-frames of the truck is unobstructed next such gap Y'so that the foot of the ladder can swing downwardly between the frames to attain an The` `seat f is rovided with anti-friction rolls 7' beneath t e turntable and with rolls 7" at its periphery, and a cap-ring h is secured upon the seat f and provided withv anti-friction rolls 1'2. The turntable is thus supported by rolls against strain in every direction. v

The seat f at each side'of the gap is rabbeted to receive ears lc, lc upon the ends of the gate f4, the ear le being pivoted by boltz' to form a hinge upon which the gate can be swung outwardly, as indicated by the full lines f* inFig. 1, so as to whollypen the gap. The ear lc is secured, when the gate is in use, by a removabley bolt j.V

The gate completes'the annular structure of the ring and is rovided with` the rolls 1', r and r2; and its ower inner edge is provided, like the remainder of the annular seat, with cog-.teeth l, 'to which a pinion l is fitted for turning the turntable. The g5 shaft of the pinion extends upward. through the turntable 'and a bearing 2, and is provided upon the top with a hand-Wheel Z3.

A bracket m is extendedy downwardly from the turntable to sustain a rack-bar or other 100 pusher for controlling the movements of the ladder after it is moved to an upright position by the counterweight.' j

A windlass upon the bracket controls certain movements of the ladder as hereinafter 105 described.4 The'v'bottom of the bracket is provided with a journal n ttedmovably 1n a bearing n. upon the reach, Ito resist the i strain upon the windlass and pusher.

A rack-bar m 7, actuated by a pinion m2 connectedy .with a hand-wheel m3 above the turntable by gearing m4. The axle m5 of the pinion is fastened in the bracket m and the pinion turns thereon withthe last cog-wheel of the gear- 11a ingl m4. A yoke m having rolls l therein guides the rack-barin its movements. The yoke enables the rack-bar to tip in an ,inclined position to which it islmoved by the upward swinging of the foot. v

rlhe rack-bar has a hook m' upon its front end toengage a coupling-pin m8 on the ladder, and has a button m9 to hold it thereon, and it thus moves the foot when the rack is propelled by the pinion m2 and hand 12s wheel m3. When adjusted, the ladder may be locked by a screw l in the lbearing Z2. The rack-,bar furnishes a positive connection to the ladder as shown in Figs. 7 and is shown in Flgs. 1, 3 and 110 v.

from the vertical; the side-bars of the main ladder having a notch o to clear the truckflrlames, when the ladder is lowered any fart er.

Each side of the ladder is strengthened by an iron-plate o2 shown in Figs. 2 and 3, where the pivot is inserted and the notches are cut out. A hose y may be carried on the truck and extended as shown in Fig. 14, through the rap in the turntable at the under side of the ladder, and through one or more clamps y upon the main ladder to a clamp y2 near the outer end of the extension ladder, where it is furnished with a nozzle y?. The hose hangs in a, loop between the clamps 3/ and t 2, (as shown in dotted lines 1/4 in Flg. 14) until the 4extension ladder is projected.

A branch fixture is applied to the hose on the ladder C, and a branch-hose y with a nozzle is extended from such fixture for use by an operator independently of the nozzle supported upon the extension ladder. A cock y cuts otl' the branch-hose when not required for use. When the ladder 1s extended over the axis ot the truck it can be lowered to a horizontal position by opening the gate f4 of the turntable-seat; and duringr such lowering movement the ladder is moved by reducing the counterbalance and is controlled by a rope ai' secured to the main ladder, as shown in Fig. 2, and let out or dra wu in by an operator having it wound several times around a stationary bar 'n4 to give it a frictional resistance. When the ladder reaches an upright position, the rack-bar is coupled thereto and its movements thereafter are positively controlled by the rackbar at anyangle within 115 or 50 degrees of the vertical.

A windlass a2 is journaled upon the lower end of the bracket m and a rope a3 is extended therefrom and connected to the foot C.

The windlass shaft is provided with two cranks Z so that two men are enabled to operate it at once, and its axle is furnished with a ratchet-wheel Z4 and a movable pawl Z3 by which the windlass may be locked when it is necessary to hold the ladder in any required position by the rope n3 withl the ladder D extended.

The hand-wheels Z3 and m3 are journaled upon the turntable, where an operator can stand and manipulate them. and at the same port p is hinged to the portion a of the truck-frame, so that it can be moved to clear the foot C of the ladder when the main ladder is elevated, as shown in dotted lines.

Rubber cushions g2 are shown in Fig. 2 in the top of the support p between the cheeks y, and these cushions are so support ed that they press the under side of the ladder at its foot elastically when the ladder is lowered.

Cushions g3 are supported adjacent the turntable against which the lower side of the main ladder o presses when lowered thereon.

By pulling uponvthe rope m, the ladder may be pressed down upon the springs q and Q3 to permit the cushions in the support p to be crowded beneath the foot C', after which the three cushions or springs operate jointly to hold the ladder firmly in transportation.

The gate f* is swung backwardly as shown in Fig. 1 to elevate the ladder, and the support 7; moved to clear its foot.

When the ladder D is not extended the weight. is suilicient to elevate the ladder to an upright position, the ladder being con trolled by the rope 'mf' while elevating. The rack-bar is then coupled to the foot, the gate f closed and the turntable may thereafter be turned in any position and the ladder tipped to any required angle.

The bracket. m with the rack-bar and windlass n2 more with the turntable and operate upon the ladder in any position of the turntable. The ladder Dis extended when in an upright position and such extension changes the center of gravity of the combined ladders, and overweights the free end of the same so that it tends to descend by its own weight when tipped. Such effect is increased by the added weight of the hose which is `carried up by the ladder D when extended.

The inclining of the ladder from an upright position is controlled by the rack-bar within an angle of 45 to 50 degrees, and when a farther lowering of the ladder is required the rack-bar is detached and the. control is maintained by the rope n3 and the wiudlass n2. The balancing of the extra weight may be effected in any desired de- `aree by an extension-foot C2 carried upon the ladder-foot C and adapted to be extended therefrom, as shown in'Fig. 12, when additional weight is required upon the foot to counterbalance the extended end of theV ladder. l

In Fig. 12, the extension-foot is shown supplied also with an auxiliary foot C"l adapted to be extended beyond the end of the foot C3, so 'that weights C5 placed thereon may exert a greater leverage to balance the extension-ladder D, or any load thereon. The extension-foot C3 is shown as a trame pressing upon it when temprary weightY is required to elevate or balance the ladder. As the truck is usually placed parallel with. the wall of the building upon which lthe ladder would be used, an inclination of degrees .such as is shownin Fig. 12' is more' than suliicient to bring the ladder against the wall of the building, and all movements of the ladder not exceeding 45 degrees can be positively effected by the rack-bar m.

To increase the stability of the truck when the ladder is in use, adjustable side-braces S are provided, and litters, as hydraulic jacks T; both of which are hinged upon the frame of the truck; so that they can be turned into an operative posit-ion, or lifted and turned to an inoperative position when in transportation. Thc braces have each a lineally extended head with lateral cars s, and guideboxes S are secured upon the outside of the truck-frames and have grooved edges S adapted to hold the feet movably. The flanges forming the grooves have notches s2 vadapted to admit the head. and the feet may thereafter be slid up and down in the .guideboxes and locked therein by the engagement cfa pawl s3 with rack-teeth .s4 in the back of the guide-box. A hand-screw a5 is threaded in the head to hold the pawl when en gaged with the rack-teeth. A guide-rod S2 is secured at its ends to the truck-frame' at one side of each guide-box, and vthe foot of the brace has slotted ears s fitted movably to the guide-rod to permit the Withdrawal of the ears s from .the boxes S', and t'o support' the brace when the head is disengaged Yfrom the guide-box. The brace may then be turned parallel with the side-frames of the truck and supported upon the same to clear the ground while the truck is in transportation, as shown at the right' side of the 'truck-arch in Figs. 1 and 2. At the left side of the arch; one of the braces is Shown eX- tended in Figs. l and 2.

When it is desired to brace the truck, the

` head of the brace is inserted in the guidebox and lowered until the brace touches the ground. The pawl is then engaged with the rack-teeth' in the guide-box and secured by the screw si. .One of. the braces in such adjust-ment-isshown in Fig. 4, and widens the base of support so'as to greatly increase the stability of the truck and ladder.

TWhere the ground slopes laterally asshown at A2 in Fig. 12, or is so uneven that the wheels of the truck do not bear uniformly, the truck may be leveled and supported firmly by hydraulic jacks T or equivalent lifte'rs which are carried by yoke t pivoted to an extended vertlcal plvot M imdway between the side-frames. Such pivoting permits the yoke to be swung outward.

transverse to either 'one of the side-frames of the truck to lift or steady'the saine, and when not in use to be swung 1n between the side-frames and lifted clear of the ground Y for transportation. v fThe yokes are constructed to carry the foot or ram of the hydraulic jack T close to the ground when the yoke's are extended in contact with the under side of the truckframes a or a', as shown in Figs. l and 12.

A vertical screw in the end of the yoke would of course, operate thesame as the ram of the hydraulic lifter, and the lifter whatever its nature would thus be operated to press upon the ground and raise or `hold either of the side-frames rigidly in the desired position; Such operation of hydraulic jacks is shown in Fig. l2, where the ram of one is projected so as to lift one side-frame, to hold the truck level upon a side-sloping pavement.

The vertically extended pivot permits the yoke when itis not in use, to be swung in between the rameswhen lifted, and when.

thus lifted it may be supported upon the vhook 'as upon the `side-frames, or by'other suitable means. The lifterV may be swung under eitherside of the frame where its thus enables the rack-har to control itsv movements with ease and vcelerity.

The movements ofthe turntable are made almost frictionless, bythe provision of anti-v friction rolls upon all its bearing surfaces,

and the elevation of the hand-wheels upon the turntable lenables the operator to stand upon the turntable- While manipulating the hand-wheels'and thus to control the inclina' tion and the tipping of the ladder with the l utmost certainty.

The 4abilityy to counterbalance the ladder effectively atiall angles and while inclined in any direction by rotating the turntable, is dependent, of course, upon the arched form of the side-frames which permit the foot of the ladder to swing clear of the frame throughout the entire circle when elevated 4.5 or degrees.

The counterbalance is made effective by the great elevation of the fulcrum above the pavement which supports' the truck, and permits the foot of the ladder to be extended, say ten feet, beyond the fulcrum, and thus make each. pound of the counterbalance weight more elfective than Where the ladder and its foot rotate wholly above the turntable, as in many previous constructions. The elevating of the fulcrum thus increases the leverage of the counterbalance Weights, While the arched form of the frame permits the long foot of the lladder to swing around the entire circle Without interference.

It is also an important feature of the in vcntion that the rack-bar or other pusher has a positive connection with the foot of the ladder and holds it rigidly in any position to which it is moved byI the hand- Wheel m3.

The screw Z5 shown in Fig. 4 may be made to grip the shaft or sleeve of the hand- Wheel and thus lock it from displacement, which operates to hold the pinion rigidly and to maintain the ladder at any angle to Which it has been adjusted. A pinion-stop u is provided at the rear end of the rack m to limit its movement, and as the gearing is constructed to give the hand-Wheel a very great leverage over the pinion so as to effectively control the ladders movements, such leverage would be liable to overstrain the pinion or break the teeth of the rack, and to avoid such overstrain several teeth are omitted from the rack adjacent such stop, so that the pinion may revolve freely when it reaches the stop. A spring u is applied to the stop to throw the pinion again into mesh with the teeth whenever its motion is reversed to retract the rack-bar.

The attachment of the hose to the extension ladder D enables this extension ladder and truck to perform some of the functions of a water-tower, in carrying the hose automatically to any point which the operator can reach by the ladder. By elevating the hose automatically, much time and strain on the part of the operator is avoided, as he can ascend the ladder when it is adjusted at the desired point and then manipulate the nozzle in the manner desired.

The construction differs from a Watertoivcr vand has certain advantages over the same, in its ability to carry the hose-nozzle to the side windows of a building Where the sides of the building itself are not accessible to a truck, and could not therefore accommodate a Water-tower in front of such side Windows. Such arelation of the ladder to side windows a of a building z', is shown in Fig. 14, Where the truck is shown located at the end of a building (as upon one street), and the ladder projected past the slde of the building, as through an alley or passageway, so thatv the operator may direct the hose into the windows a. The connection of thehose with the extension ladder thus enables it to operate Where a water-tower cou-ld not gain access to a window.

Fig. 14 shows the hose extended through the 'gap g of the truck, and this is also represented by a section of the hose y extendlng through the gap in Fig. 5. The hose extends downward through the .gap to the ground where coils y are shown which Would permit the elevation of the hose with the extending laddcr, and the end y* of the hose would be connected with the water-supply. The ladder is extended before the water is turned in the hose, and as the weight which would be ,produced by the Water could be known by experiment the Weights may be supplied to the extension-foot or auxiliary-l foot c* to balance the same, so that the ladder Would'still be balanced when the hose is in operation.

The chief difficulty in manipulating such aerial ladders has heretofore lain in the insuilicient balancing of such ladder, which can only be obtained economically by the construction shown herein where the turntable is greatly elevated above the ground Y creasing the Weight.

Having thus set forth the nature of the invention what is claimed herein is:

1. In a counterbalanced aerial safety ladder and truck, the combination, with a truck having a frame With elevated arch at each side, of a turntable sustained upon the fiames at the top 4of the arches and having a gap in one side, the framing of the truck having also a corresponding gap, and a ladder having a horizontal fulcrum upon the turntable and an extended foot movable in the said gaps to an upright position and Weighted to balance the said ladder, and the truck-frame ,thus permitting such ladder and the eX- tended foot to revolve to any point ofthe compass.

2. A counterbalanced aerial safety ladder and truck having arched side-frames with an annular turntable-seat upon such frames, a turntable fitted to such seat, the seatand turntable having each a gap in one side, and a ladder having a horizontal fulcrum upon the turntable close to the same and having an extended foot movable through the said gaps and weighted to balance the ladder.

3. In a counterbalanced aerial safet ladder and truck, the combination, Wit the'w truck, of an annular turntable seat sustained upon the same with gap in one side, a turntable fitted to the said seat and provided' with gap at the middle extending through one side, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable with extended foot movable through the said gaps andfweighted to balance the ladder, and a section of the seat litted removably to the gap in the seat to complete the support for the turntable when the ladder is erected. i

4. ln a counterbalanced aerial safety ladder and truck, the combination, with the truck, of an annulat turntable-seat sustained upon the same, with gap in one side, a turntable fitted to the said seat and provided with gap at the middle extending through one side, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable with extended foot movable through the said gaps and weighted to balance the ladder, and a section of the seat 'fitted removably to-the gap in the seat to complete the support for the turntable when the' ladder is erected, and the turntable-seat, including the removable section, provided with anti-friction rolls to support ,the turntable against upward, downward and lateral thrusts.

5.-]'11 an extension ladder and truck, the combination, withv the truck, of an annular turntable-seat sustained upon the same with gap in one side, a turntable fitted to the said seat and provided with gap at the middle extending through one side, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable with extended foot movable through the gaps and Weighted to balance the ladder, a stand for an operator upon the turntable, and separate trains of gearing arranged for the operator to rotate the turntable and also to move the/ladder upon its pivot. l 6. In an extension ladder and truck, the combination, with the framing oi. the truck, of a turntable sustained upon the same with gap for the passage of the ladder through the same and an extension ladder having a horizontal fulcrum upon the turntable and foot extended through the gap and having an arm extensible below the turntable and provided with means for supporting weights to balance the ,extended section of the ladder. 72 In an extension ladder and truck, the. combination, with the truck having sideframes, of a turntable sustained upon the same with gap in one side, the truck having between its side-frames a corresponding gap, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable and having an extended foot movable through the said gaps and Weighted suficiently to elevate the ladder to an upright position, and means for tipping the ladder positively from such.l upright position to any desired angle.

8. In' an extension ladder and truck, the

xcombination, with the truck having sideframes, of a turntable sustained upon the same with gap in -one side, thetruch having between the side-frames a corresponding gap, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable' and having an extended footmovable through the said gaps and weighted suticiently to elevate the ladder to an vupright position, a bracket projected ldownwardly i from the turntable, a pinion supported rotatably thereon, a wheel upon the turntable with connections for an operator to rotate the said pinion, a rack-bar itted to the pinion and a coupling adapted to connect one end of the rack-bar detachably' to the foot of the ladder, whereby the rotation of the said pinion inclines the ladder upon its pivot.

9. In an extension ladder .and truck, the

combination, with a truck having trussed and arched side-frames, of a turntable sustained upon the frames above the arches and having a gap in one. side, the truck having between the sideframes a. corresponding gap, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable with Weighted foot movable through the said gaps, an elastic support secured upon -the truck to sustain the upper part of the ladder when lowered, and a support movable upon the truck to Wedge beneath the said foot' at such time, to press and hold the ladder rigidly upon the truck.

10. In an extension ladder and truck, the combination, with a truck having arched side-frames, of a turntable sustained upon the frames above the arches and having a gap in one side, the truck having upon its center line acorresponding gap, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable with Weighted foot movable through the said gap, a support secured upon the truck and provided with an elastic cushion to sustain the upper part of t-he ladder when lowered, an, elastic cushion upon the turntable to also Contact with part of the main ladder when lowered, and a support movable upon the truck to wedge beneath the said foot at such time, and provided with an elastic cushion, whereby the entire ladder is elastically supported for transportation.

11.v lnan extension ladder and truck, the combination, with a truckl having trussed and arched sideframes, of a turntable sustained upon 'the frames above the arches, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable, means for elevating the ladder, bracket-braces having pivotalv connection with the sideframes and movable vertically thereon, and

means to lock the braces when adjusted in contact with the ground.

v 12. An extension ladder and truck having arched side-frames with sloping sides to the arches, a turntable sustained upon the lOl frames above the arches and having a gap in one side, a ladder pivoted uponl the turntable with. foot movable through the gap and Weighted tol hold the ladder upright,

and means movable with the turntable for tipping the ladder, the inclined sides of the arches clearing the ladder when the ladder is held in an inclined position and the turntable rotated.

13. In an extension ladder and truck. the combination, with the truck having sideframes, of a turntable sustained upon the same with gap in one side, the truck having between its side-frames a corresponding gap, a'. ladder pivoted upon the turntable and having an extended foot movable through the said gaps and weighted sufficiently to elevate the ladder to an upright position, a bracket projected downward from the turntable with a pushersupported movable thereon, a wheel upon the turntable with connections to operate the pusher, a coupler on the pusher, and a coupler on the ladder to connect one end of the pusher detachably to the foot of the ladder to move the same through a limited arc, and a windlass upon the bracket with rope connected detachably to the foot of the ladder for controlling its movement beyond the said arc.

14. In an extended ladder and truck, the combination, with the truck, of a turntable sustained upon the same with gap in one side, the framing of the truck also having upon its center line a corresponding gap, a ladder having horizontal pivot upon the turntable and an extended foot movable in the said gaps to an upright position and weighted to counterbalance the ladder, and a windlass and rope attached to the ladder on the side opposite such foot to control the i elevation of the ladder to an upright posi- Y tion.

15.- In an extension ladder and truck, the combi.nation,'with the truck, of a turntable sustained upon the same with the ladder pivoted thereon, vertical guide-boxes upon the sides of the frame provided with guides for the head of a brace and a rack to lock the same in the guide-box, braces having each a head movable in the guide-box and detachable therefrom, and having a pawl to engage the rack in the guide-box when the brace is in contact with the ground.

16. In an extension ladder and truck, the combination, with a truck having` upright truss-frames upon the Sides, of vertical guide-boxes secured upon the outer sides of the frames with vertical guide-rods adjacent thereto, braces having feet mov-a le in the said guide-boxes and removable therefrom, and slotted lugsl upon the braces embracing the guide-rods, whereby the braces may be swung inwardly upon the guide-rods when their feet are removed from the guide-boxes.

17..In an extension-ladder, the combination, with the truck, of a turntable sustained upon the same with ladder pivoted thereon, vertical guide-boxes upon the sides of the frame, braces having feet movable in the said guide-boxes, rack-teeth in the back ot' the guide-boxes, a pawl upon each of the braces t-o fit such rack-teeth and a Screw adjacent to the pawl to hold it in the rackteeth when the brace is adjusted.

1S. In an extension ladder and truck, the combination, with the truck, of an annular turntable-seatI sustained upon the same with a lgap in one side, a turntable fitted to the said .seat and provided with a lateral gap, anti-t`riction rolls supported upon such seat. internal rack-teeth upon the inner edge of the seat, a gate fitted removably to the gap and provided also with anti-friction rolls and with a corresponding section of the internal rack, a pinion journaled upon the turntable and meshing with the said internal rack, and a hand-wheel above the turntable for turning such pinion.

19. In an extension ladder and truck, the combination, with the truck, having a turntable sustained upon the side-frames and a ladder pivoted upon the turntable, of the vertical pivot nl supported midway between the side frames of the truck, the yoke t pivoted thereon and extended when turned outwardly under and beyond the side frame, and a lifter affixed to the end of the yoke, and operable to press upon the ground and to crowd the yoke upwardly against the under side of the side frame.

Q0. In an extension ladder and truck, the combination, with the truck having a turntable sustained upon side-frames and a ladder pivoted upon the turntable, of an extended vertical pivot supported between the frames of the truck, a yoke pivoted thereto and movable vertically thereon and extensible under and beyond the side-frames, a lifter aliixed to the end of the yoke to press upon the ground, and means for hanging the yoke and lifter upon the frame when swung within the same and slid upwardly upon the pivot.

. 2].. In an extension ladder and truck, the combination, with a truck having sideframes with level ends a, a and arches connecting the same, of a turntable sustained upon the frames above the arches, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable with weighted foot movable downwardthrough the turntable, and a flight of stairs extending from the level portion of the truck to the said turntable.

22. In an extension ladder and truck, the combination, with the truck having sideframes. of a turntable sustained upon the same with gap in one side, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable, a hose having its nozzleend attached to the ladder, and the hose extended through the gap in the turntable for connection to the water-supply.

23. In an extension ladder and truck, the combination, with the truck having sideframes, of a turntable sustained. upon the same with gap in one side, a main ladder pivoted upon the turntable, and having an extension ladder-D movable thereon .and an i extended foot movable through the said gap f and weighted sufcientlyto elevate the laddcrs toanl upright position, mechanism fortipping the ladderpositively from such upright position, a. hose attached to the egctension ladder, and supports upon the mam ladder to hold the hose and' permitits extension-'with the extension ladder. v

241` In an extension ladder and truck, the

combination', with a truck having sideframes With-ends `a, a and arches connecti ing the same, of tie-bars connecting the sidefraines, a 'turntable sustained upon the frames, above the arches, a ladder pivoted upon'the turntable with Weighted foot movable downward through the lturntable and Jl a reach connecting the ends of the truck below the turntable to brace the arches of the truck.

Loodaaa 25.* lln an extension ladder and truck, the comblnat-lon, with a truck having sideframes with ends a, a and arches connecting the same, ortie-bars connecting the side-- frames, a turntable 'sustained upon the framesr` above the arches, a ladder pivoted upon the turntable with weighted foot Inovable 1- downward through the turntable, a

reach connecting the ends of the truck belowv A the turntable to brace. the arches of the y truck, and a bracket -'extended downward 4 from the turntable and having a bearing Witnesses:

EUGENE C. Pmnson', Lenoir A. Gines.