US138051A - Improvement in fire-escapes - Google Patents

Description

r.A H. SH. Fire-Escapes.

Patented Apri! 22, 1873.

No. 138,05]v

smrnn Strains` PATENT Prien.

GEORGE n. SHAW, on PHELPs, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-ESCAPES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 138,051, dated April 22, 1873 application iiled February 11, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. SHAW, of Phelps, in the county of Ontario and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Self -Lowering Apparatus, adapted for use as a hre-escape, in painting church-steeples, inspecting bridges, and other like purposes; and the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such 'that others skilled in the art may make, and any person of ordinary intelligence may use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure lis a perspective view of my invention, illustrating the application and manner of using the same. Fig. 2 is a central section, showing the block, the manner of attaching it to the suspending web or cord, the clamp or brake, and the attachment thereto of the suspending sling or harness. Fig. 3 is a front or top view.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, portable, safe, and economical device for travelers and others, by which any person may without danger lower himself from an elevated position to the ground, or to any point between the startingpoint and the ground, and then stop, having, if desired,.the hands free for any purpose, as circumstances or convenience may require.

Referring to the drawing, A represents a hook by which to attach the upper endofthe line to any secure part of a building, and B represents the suspending cord or web. C represents the block, having three cross bolts or connections, around two ot' which the suspending-cord is reeved, as shown, the third formin g the support and means of attachment for the sling. One of the cross-bolts is slight ly grooved, as shown, so that the clamp or brake may be effectual with light pressure. In the inside of the checks of the block,

extending down to the top cross-bolt, aregrooves, in which the ends of the clamp-bar D work. Across the top of the block is securely fastened a cross-plate, E, in which afemale screw is cut, and having athumb-screw, F, working therein, by which the clamp is operated. The bottom of the thumb-screw is provided with a knob or disk working in a suitable recess shown, so that in turning the said screw backward the clamp is raised by positive form away from the cord or web. The

body and cross-pieces of the block are made, by preference, of a single piece of cast metal. The example illustrated in this case is adapted to the' use of webbing for the suspending-cord, which is preferred, as the required strength can be obtained thereby with less weight and bulk of material. It is obvious, however, that the cross-pieces and clamp may be grooved and a rope or round cord used with substantially the same results. A hook is also represented for fastening, but it is obvious that the cord may be tied or fastened in any convenient manner. above described I make a sling substantially such as shown in the drawing, with slipbuckles, with a strap for the seat or around the hips to be fastened in front, andanother to support the back under the arms. particular sling is provided so that a child, invalid, or other person may be so fastened that it will be impossible to fall out by any accident caused by fear or otherwise, and as an easy seat when used for painting, inspecting bridges, and the like. The slip-buckles are for the purpose of making the sling adjustable to the size of the person using it. It is obvious that theblock and sling may be drawn up and the line drawn at a given time through it, and several persons saved by a single device.

The operation is, rst, to secure the end of the cord, clamp the block thereto, get into the sling, and swing off or out of a window; then slightly loosen the clamp just so that the block will move on the cord, and the occupant of the sling will slip gently to the ground without further effort on his part; or the device will operate practically for an adult without a clamp, as the occupant, by grasping and exerting a slight force upon the line below the block, may control his downward movement as desired; or a slight pull at the bottom of the cord operates in the same way. Thus a child or invalid may be gently let down, by having assistance on the ground, `without effort or without the ability to operate the setscrew to control the clamp.

Having thus fully described my invention,

In connection with the block This what I claim as new, and desire to secure by In testimony that I claim the foregoing I Letters Patent, ishave this 10th day of February,-A. D. 1873,

The block G, having grooved cross-bolt a, hereunto subscribed my name.

friction-bolt b, and clamp-piece D, controlled GEO. H. SHAW.

by the thumb-screw F, adapted to be used in Witnesses:

Ycombination with the strap A and sling Gr, WARREN C. STONE,

when arranged substantially as set forth. A. G. STONE.

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