US150888A - Improvement in firemen s ladders - Google Patents

Description

P. PORTA.

Firemens Ladders.

'No.l50,888, Patented May12,1874.

WITNESSES'.

'UNITED S'IA'IFsQ PAOLO PORTA, OF MILAN, ITALY, Assicnon 'ro MICHAEL UDA AND MARY PA'FEN'I` OFFICEo BELLE SCOTT UDA.

IMPROVEMENT lN FIREMENS LAD'DERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 150,888, dated May l?, 1874; application filed February 9, 1874.

` To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAOLO PORTA, of the city of Milan and Kingdom of Italy, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Flying Ladders; and declare the following to be such a full, clear, and exact description thereof as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which make a part of this specification.

lVIy invention relates to improvements in what I term flying ladders. l

In the drawings, Figure l represents a side elevation, showing the ladder extended and in its operative condition, Fig. 2, a view showing the ladder folded or in its inoperative con dition; Fig. 3, a plan view of the swinging rear brace or supporting-frame.

My invention consists of the various devices and combinations of parts, as hereinafter specied and claimed, whereiny A representsthe lower section of the ladder, secured to the axle b of the wheels B. At the lowerend of this section A, and extending at a slightly obtuse angle from the same, is a platform, C. Sliding in grooves or slots in the top edges of the sides of this platform C are counterbalanceweights c, which, by their adjustment, counteract any tendency of the ladder to tip over. The front part of the platform G is supported either on the feet cl,or by the adjustable caster D, by which adjustable caster the angle or tilt of the ladder may also be regulated. A' represents the top section of the ladder, joined to section A by means of strap-loops e on the ends of the sections, halved into each other and keyed by the flat key E, which key forms one of the rungs of the ladder. Situated near the ends of each section A A are posts f f 1, provided with spurs f2, on which spurs the ends of the dierent braces are placed and held by pins f3. The lower sectionA of the ladder is braced and held in position by the bar K, which extends from the platform C to the topl of the lower section, and is held by posts f g. K1 is a tierod which unites the outer ends of the two posts f f1, and K2 a diagonal straining-rod exA tending from the top end of the post f to the base of post f1. These rods, in connection with the bar K, form a rigid and continuous brace for the ladder. Attached to the lower section' A near its top end, and projecting rearward, are posts or supporting-legs, E, to the crossbar E of which is hinged the swinging rear support F. This rear brace or support consists of a frame-work, Fig. 3, provided at its lower end with adjustable feet F. 't' is a bar, pivoted at its center to this frame work, which, when the ladder is raised and the frame or support F secured in position by the braces j, forms a handle by which to turn or adjust the position of the ladder. I is a brace extending from the top of the ladder to the ends of cross-bar of the posts or legs E. These braces, in connection with the swinging support F, form a rigid rear support for the extended ladder.

When the ladder is not in use, and it is intended to be moved from place to place, the machine is lowered, and rests on the legs or posts E, Fig. 2, the top section removed and placed on top of the base section, as shown, the rear support F folded up and secured by hooks m. The machine is now in the form of a pushcart,7 and may be moved `to any desired place. h is thehandle or bar by which the machine -is pushed or handled.

When it is desired to put the device to use, the top section is removed and properly attached to the lower section, the rods and braces adjusted, and the ladder raised by pulling down on the platform C, which raises the ladder up, Fig. l. The caster and the adjustable feet F are then adjusted to any desired degree, and the machine is ready for use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The ladder A, provided with a rigid augular lever-arm, G, and adjustable counterpoise c attached thereto, the whole poised upon the axle of a two-wheel truck, B, substantially as set forth and shown.

2, In combination with a ladder, the underneath support, composed of posts or legs F, the hand-bar t', pivoted to the brace F, as E, removable brace I7 adjustable brace F7 and `and for the purpose set forth.

stays j, substantially as set forth. In testimony that I claim the ibregoing, I

3. The adjustable brace F7 composed of the hereunto set my hand.- adjustable legs Fl and swinging stays j, sub- Witnesses: PAOLO PORTA. stantially as and for the purposes described. BARTHELMY GRAILLE,

4. In combination with the adjustable brace DOMENICO CROJA OYTO.

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