US31248A - Fire-escape - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

J. ALBION LANV, OF MEREDITH, NEW' YORK.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 31,248, dated January 29, 1861.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. ALBION Law, ofA

Meredith, Delawarev county, New York, have invented a new and useful and Improved Fire-Escape Ladder and Safe-Guard; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof and of its construction and mode or manner of operation, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

The general nature of my invention consists in producing a fire escape, which is simple in its arrangement, always ready for emergencies, easy to be applied for use, and which furnishes both a firm and reliable ladder for descent and ascent, and also a conductor for conveying children, valuables &c. with safety from burning buildings.

Figure l, is a view of my fire escape secured to a burning building and ready for use. Fig. 2, is a side view of the reel supporting the ladder &c., and of the fastenings to attach and support it from the building. Fig. 3 is a view of the foot of the ladder and trough, and showing a method of fastening it, so as to make the ladder firm. Fig. Il, is a view of the whole, when rolled together, and stowed under a window.

My invention consists of an iron or metallic reel A, the axle a, of which revolves, and

to which are fixed strong hooks B, B, Fig.Y

2, which are so shaped as to clasp over and under any window sill, and thus secure a firm and reliable support for the reel and the various parts connected to and, with it. As will also be noticed the form of these hooks or fastenings is such, that the reel can be quickly and securely fastened to any window sill, or to a strong bar placed against the inside of the window casings, and that it can be easily so attached by any person of ordinary intelligence. To the axle of this reel is fixed a ladder C, the sides of which for convenience of rolling will bestbe made of chains, and the rungs c, c, of which may be of strong wire or wire rope, and to the bottom of such ladder are attached strong hooks D, D, Fig. 3, to fasten to staples or rings inserted in the curb H, or to any firm support on the ground. These parts D, D, may however be rings to drop over hooks at the ground, it being only desirable that their form should be such as to furnish an easy means of fastening the foot of the ladder at the ground. To the end of the axle of the reel are fitted the arms E, E, so as to give convenient means to turn it, and it is retained in any desired position by the dog 1, falling into the ratchets 2, 2. A similar ratchet wheel and dog may be placed at each end of the reel.

To the ladder C, there is also attached, by strong rings or fastenings cl, d, so that it shall always be connected to the ladder, a strong canvas bag or tube F, (which may be so saturated with any preparation that shall render it fire proof) which furnishes a secure and ready means of conveying from a burning building children, who can not pass down the ladder O, and even grown persons, and also passing down valuables or goods of any kind.

In the case of fire, or when required for use, it is only necessary to fix the hooks B, B, over a window sill, and let down the ladder, by the arms E, E, down which, (should there not happen to be any one in the street or on the ground to fasten the lower end) any person may descend, and place the hooks D, D, in the rings or staples provided for them, or otherwise fasten them, and then the ladder may be made tight and firm by turning the axle A, and placing the dogs in the ratchet wheels. A secure means of descent is thus quickly provided, and also a means of ascent to persons from below and from outside of the building; helpless children, and fragile articles can also be passed down with safety.

My invention thus provides for every dwelling possessing it a sure means of escape, and such a one as it is the especial object of all hook and ladder companies to provide, and it can be ready for use before even an alarm could bring the nearest ladder company to the place of danger; and by being so arranged, that it can be fastened and tightened, it secures a firm and steady pathway of escape for those within the dwelling.

The length of the reel is about the width of the window, but the ladder is only about half that width, so that the ladder and tube may both be used at the same time, and so that there shall be room upon the reel to wind both the ladder and the tube. The

.as shown in F ig. 4, or deposited in'sonie convenient place ready for use, as occasion may require.

I do not claim generally the arrangement of a chain or flexible ladder in combination With a shaft or roller to carry it, vand on which it may be Wound; nor do I claim attaehing such ladder and roller to or placing it in any part of a building; but

hat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A fire escape ladder, Constructed substan tially as described, so that it can be secured or made fast at both ends, and strained and held firm and tight, for the purposes inentioned.

2. In combination with a ladder so constructed and arranged, the use of the bag or tube F, substantially as set forth.

J. ALBION LAIV. lVitnesses S. D. LAW, JOHN I-I. BIRD.

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