US113329A - Improvement in fire-escapes - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE H. NICHOLS, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT iN FIRE-ESCAPES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 113,329, dated April 4, 1871.

To all whom it may concern Be it known thatI, GEORGE H. N IoHoLs, of Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification: 4

The nature and object of the invention is to provide a portable metallic brake, which, together with a rope, may forma portion of every travelers outfit, and enable from one to four persons at once to descend from the highest Window with ease and safety.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my fire-escape, or of one embodying my improvement.

A is a curved tube, about one-half inch diameter. B is a brace, to strengthen and support the tube, and forms, at lower end of same,

a tongue, on which is hinged the handle C U, so constructed and arranged that the rope which passes through the tube may also pass through between two handles, and allow the person descending to gripe the handles together lupon the rope, lthese handles being hinged, as shown, to permit sufficient motion to gripe and loosen the rope. E is a rope passing through the tube and open handle.

Fig. 2 is also a side elevation, with half the` tube removed to show the rope E. Fig. 3 is a plan, full size, of lower end, where the handle is hinged. Fig. 4 is full size of lower end and handle, in two parts, C C.v Fig 5,

one-half of handle, showing outside. Fig. 6, one-half of handle, showing inside, with cavity for rope. Fig. 7 shows waist-belt, F crosshead fastening, and G loop, the whole made of brass or malleable iron, as is fully eX- plained by the drawing.

The rope is passed through the tube by attaching a ball` to a small cord, which serves to draw the larger rope after it.

To operate my invention secure the upper end or eye of rope, pass the belt around the waist, the cross-head F through the loop G, and then through the hole H in the brake; with one hand iirmly hold of handle C O you'may safely swing off upon the rope, and commence the descent at will, by relaxing your hold upon the handle; regulate the speed of descent by the pressure upon the handle retard or stop the descent by a continued hard pressure on the handle.

I do not claim` the whole of this arrangement, as a part has been used before my invention.

What I do claim is-A The bent tube, suitably strengthened, as shown, and provided at its lower-end with the hinged handles, the whole being adapted to the rope, and operating as set forth.

GEO. H. NICHOLS.`

Witnesses: l

ANDREW JINKINs, W. P. LAWTON.

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