US247801A - Fire-escape - Google Patents

Description

(No ModeL) R. ASHIELL.

FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented Oct. 4, 1881.

UNITED STATES PAT NT OFF CE.

RUDOLPHUS S. DASHIELL, OF GREENSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,801, dated October 4, 1881. Application filed February 14,1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RUDoLPHUs S. DA- SHIELL, of Greensborough, in the county of Guilford and State of North Carolina. have invented certain Improvements in Fii'eFsc'apes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of fire-escapes which constitute in part permanent fixtures upon the building, and has for its objects to permit access to any portion of the building, to prevent the apparatusfroin becoming inoperative should portions of the walls giveaway,

and to secure absolute and-efficient control of the apparatus.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plain diagram, illustrating the mode of securing the supports to the building. Fig. 2 is a perspective View, showing the building with the device both in and out of use. Fig.3 is an end view of the truck.

Heretofore in securing to buildings the sup-' ports used for fire-escape appliances it has been common to attach supporting-brackets to the walls of the buildings. If, therefore, any portion of the wall gives way, it carries the brackets with it and destroys the means of escape. To prevent this result I form the projecting supports or brackets a as parts of a frame connected and extending completely across the building, near the top. For instance, the frame may consist of the cross-bars A A, extending diagonally through the building, and, if necessary, tied or braced together in any suitable manner.

To the projecting ends a of these bars are connected wire ropes or. rods d, upon which run double blocks D, wire ropes e passing round the lower sheaves, and when not in use being secured to cleats f, arranged at such distance from the groundas to be accessible by a ladder. Other ropes, 'i, may extend from each block to eyes or pulleys on the brackets and hung down, so as to permit a person on the ground to pull the block in either direction. In connection with these devices I use a truck, H, carrying a Windlass, I, provided with a handle, pawl and ratchet, and with a brake device, J. When a fire breaks out the ropes c are detached from the cleats f, and one end of the rope may be drawn by hand, or it may be attached to the Windlass I, and the other end to a basket, hose, or other object to be elevated. The block D is then drawn to one side by the ropes c or 1' until it is vertically above the windows to be reached, and the rope is then pulled by the Windlass or by hand either to draw up the basket or hose, lower the same, or run it to the right or left, as may be necessary.

By the use of the truck and Windlass all danger resulting from careless or inefficient handling is avoided, steady yetrapid movements are secured, and the parts maintained in proper relative position.

To secure greater steadiness the truck may be loaded, and for the same purpose it may be provided with extensible arms m, which may be turned or carried outward to afl'ord a wide bearing when in use, and may be made of the L shape shown, so that when turned inward the legs 1" will constitute standards between which to arrange andhold ladders,hooks, baskets, and other articles.

It is proposed to have one block arranged permanently upon each rope or way d. Other blocks constructed to be applied temporarily may be used in addition.

I provide the Walls of the buildings above or below the windows with staples or brackets n, to which the ends of horizontal or vertical ropes or other appliances may be temporarily secured, if necessary, by a person raised with the basket by means of the rope c, as described.

It will be apparent that Where a person cannot descend directly from one portion of the building the block can be carried to another portion by pulling on the rope e or z", and that should a portion of one of the walls fall the frame will support the brackets a, still permitting the means of escape to be employed. The fireman can thus pass along the entire front of the building, even after a portion of the walls have fallen.

I claim-- 1. In combination with the building, a metallic frame arranged within the same, extending across and having ends projecting beyond the sides of the building, said ends supporting fire-escape appliances, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the frame A, project ing from the corners of the building, ropes or I In testimony whereofI have signed my name rods d, supported thereby, and blocks and ropes, 1 to this specification in the presence of two subas set forth. scribing witnesses.

The combination, with the truck and its RUDOLPHUS S. DASHIELL. 5 windlass,of extensible arms 122, having the legs Witnesses:

1 at right angles to the arms, and arranged to be W. D. TROTTER,

folded upon the top of the truck, as set forth. A. P. ECKELS.

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