US275905A - Fire-escape ladder - Google Patents

Description

FIRE ESGPE LADDER.

Patented Apr.17,1883.

WITNESSES dwfw) n. rnzns. Pme@ ogmpmf, washington. D.:

(No Model.) 2 SheetS--Sheet 2. L. HAMLIN.

PIRE. ESCAPE LADDER.l

UNITED STATES PATENT, (larice.

LUCIUS HAMLIN, OF SEBAG() LAKE, MAINE.

FlRE-ESCAPE LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 275,905, dated April 17', 1883.

Application filed December 22, 18.52.

To all whom fit may concern:

Beit known that I, LUoiUs HAMLIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sebago Lake, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful Fire- Escape Extension-Ladder, of which the following is a specication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improved extension-ladder that is designed to also serve -as a tire-escape; and it has for its object to provide a simple, durable, inexpensive and efficient device that will operate independent of the building, and will not necessarily be supported against the same or have anyother connection therewith.

The invention consists substantially in an extensible frame mounted on a suitable portable or stationary platform and carrying a flexible ladder. The frame is provided with mechanism by which it may be quickly and conveniently extended, so as to support the flexible ladder when the device is in use.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved tire-escape ladderin position for transportation. Fig. 2 is a like view of the same extended for use. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the device when contracted. Fig. et is a vertical transverse sectional view of the device in like position. Fig. 5 is a detail top view of the extensible frame. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional detail view taken through the extensible frame on the line z La, Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a platform for supporting the extensionladder mechanism. This platform may be of any suitable construction, but is preferably constructed as shown in the annexed drawings, and comprises longitudinal beams B B, united at their ends by cross-beams C (l, and mounted upon wheels D,whereby the apparatus can be transported from building to building, as may be required.

E designates the extensible ladder-supporting frame, which comprises several telescoping sections, F, F2, and F3.. The side pieces f f of the lower section, F, are pivoted near their lower ends to the beams B B ofthe supporting-platform, and are united at their tops by parallel cross-pieces G- G, between which (No model.)

the side pieces f2 f2 of the next section, F2, slide. The side pieces j'zf2 are connected at their lower ends by parallel crosspiecesHH, that extend and embrace the side pieces ff, and are also connected at their tops by parallel cross-pieces I I. The side pieces ffof the top section, F3, are connected by extended bottom cross-pieces,J J, and top crosspiece, K.

The means for extending the frame E comprises the following mechanism: A drum, L, is xed on a shaft, M, arranged transversely to the said frame E, and journaled in bearings N-N in cross-pieces O O, that are supported on the beams B B. This drum-shaft M is provided with a crank, P, by which it may be operated, and to the drum are secured ropes or cables Q Q, that extend from the drum in opposite directions. Each rope Q passes under bearings R at the lower portion of the side pieces ff, from which it extends up over bearings S at the top of' said side pieces, under bearings T at the bottom of the side pieces f2 f2, up over bearings U at the top of the latter side pieces, and is secured to the lower ends of the side piecesff3 ofthe top section, F3. By turning the crank P the ropes QQ are caused to wind on the drum L to extend the frame E. The extensible frame may ofcourse be provided with any desired number of telescoping sections, as described.

The beams B B are provided with a lateral extension, V, in rear of the pivot W of the side pieces ff, against which extensions the lower ends of the latter abut to limit forward swing ofthe frame E on the pivots W W. To the beams B B, in rear of these extensions V, is pivoted an arm, X, that may be thrown forward to a horizontal position, when it will rest on the extension V and abut against the side pieces ff, to prevent rearward swing of the frame E. Thus by means ofthe extensions V, which prevent forward swing of the frame E, and the arms X, which prevent rearward swing, the frame E can be locked in vertical position when desired.

At the front end ofthe platform A a drum, A5, is iixed on a transverse shaft, B5, having 'au operating-crank, C5, and to this drum are secured the ends of the bottom of a flexible ladder, D5, that is arranged to wind on the said drum, and has its ends at the top secured IOD to the cross-piece K. ',Therefore, as the frame, E is extended the ladder unwinds from the drum and is carried up by the extensible frame which then supports it while in use. After use the extensible frame may be drawn down by winding up the ladder on its drum, and when all the sections ot' the said frame have telescoped it is laid over to a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings, so that it can be conveniently transported, and will pass under the door of the engine-house or other building, where it may be stored.

The herein-described flexible ladder may be constructed of rope or any other suitable material, and to render it tire-proof it may be formed of wire or other metallic strands. For the same reason the extensible frame may be formed of metallic tubin fr.

E5 E5 designate horizontal swinging arms, that are pivoted one on each side to the beams B B, and are provided at their outer ends with downWardlyextending stakes F5. rlhe function of these laterally-swinging arms '1s to obviate any liability ot' the device falling over laterally after it is extended and in position.

The operation and advantages ot' my invention are obvious.

The device is very simple and convenient, and when desired need only be far enough extended to reach to a lower story of the buildlng.

l. In an 'extension-ladder, the combination ot' a base or platform having lateral extensions, an extensible frame hinged or pivoted thereto in front of the said extensions, so as to swing rearwardly, a drum journaled and arranged transversely in front of the frame, and a iiexible ladder arranged to wind on this drum and having its top ends secured to the top ot' the extensible frame, as set forth.

2. 1n an extension-ladder, the combination of a base or platform havinglateral extensions, and arms pivoted in rear of these extensions, an extensible frame hinged t0 the platform in front ofthe latter, and adapted to be retained in position by the said arms and extensions, and a flexible ladder arranged in front of the said frame and secured thereto, as set forth.

ln testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUCIUS HAMLIN.

\Vitx1esses:

NATHAN GLEAVES, AUGUSTUS R. WRIGHT.

Images