US636984A

US636984A - Fireman's apparatus for saving life.

Info

Publication number: US636984A
Application number: US71895499A
Authority: US
Inventors: William E Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1899-06-01
Filing date: 1899-06-01
Publication date: 1899-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 1916-11-14

Description

No. 636,984. Patented Nov. I4, |899. W. lE. HARRIS.

FIREMANS APPARATUS FUR SAVING LIFE.

(Application led June 1, 1899.] (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l,

33 w INVENTUM? VVIVNEEEEA @i Y mf PFI-TI] RNEY cams varias cry PHO No. 636,984. Patented Nov. I4, |899.-

W. E. HARRIS.

FIREMANS APPARATUS FOR SAVING L|FE (Application led .Tune 1., 1899.) ,(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shoot 2.

www2? Willm-JLSHMMA/ -M/wzfmm -g HTT RNEY N0. 636,984. Pa'nted Nov. I4, |899.

W. E. HARRIS.

FIREMANS APPARATUS FDR SAVING LIFE.

(Application led June 1, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

@WWIIIIIIIIIII'IIHIII@I|||IIIIIIIHHl-lllllmllmm" s 7 y/f No Model.)

2 4 8 f7 z2 ma) WITNEEEEE INVENTIIR M/jyfy/ Tir L l HTTDRNEY N0. 636,984. Patented Nov. I4, I899. W. E. HARRIS.

FIREMAN'S APPARATUS FOR SAVING LIFE.

(Application filed. June 1, 1899.)

ATTDRNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

f WILLIAM E. HARRIS, 0E NEw YORK, N. Y.

FIREMANS APPARATUS-FOR SAVING LIFE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 636,984, dated November 14, 1899. Application liled J'une l, 1899. Serial No. 718,954. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom t may concern.:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Firemens Apparatus for Saving Life, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in lifesaving apparatus, and is designed to be used chieiiy by firemen for the purpose of rescuing people from burning buildings or other lofty and dangerous places, Ithe object being to provide means whereby persons may be removed from the buildings and safely and rapidly lowered to the ground, the device being especially applicable in the cases of very high buildings or other places where it would be difficult or impossible to use the means now existing for that purpose.

To this end my invention consists of the application to the aforesaid purpose of the principles, combination, and construction of parts which are hereinafter described and set forth.

Referring to the several figures, which form a part of this specification, Figure lis a plan View of a truck or vehicle uponwhich my invention is mounted. Fig. 2 is a side elevation 0f same. Fig. 3 is afront view of Fig. 1, showing some of the parts broken away and fragments in section. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation. Fig. 5 shows, on a larger scale, a cage which is one of the features of the invention. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the cage. Fig. 7 is a perspective View and shows theapparatus in the position which it will occupy at a fire. Fig. 8 shows more clearly the telescoping or extensible frames or arms and the preferred means for extending them. Fig. 9 is an end view of Fig. S. Fig. 10 is a detail. Fig. 1l is a positional view of parts shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 12 is a side elevation of Fig. 11.

In the following specification like reference characters are used to designate similar parts.

Referring to the several figures, l is the body cfa truck or vehicle and is shown mounted on the wheels 2 2 2 2. The front wheels 2' 2 are on the centrally-pivoted steering-axle, to which are secured

theA poles

3,3 inthe usual manner.

axle, but may also be on a pivoted axle and The rear wheels 2 2 are on a fixed' arranged to assist in steering the truck. Sup ported on the truck-body are the U-shaped members or supports 4 4, upon the top of the upright arms of which is fastened a circular track or ring 5. (Shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, and 7.). The turn-table 6, same figures, rests on the ring 5 and is provided with an annular iiange projecting downwardly and tting against the outer periphery of the ring. Fastened to the under surface of the turn-table is the U-shaped member 7. (Shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 7.) The bevel-gear 8 is bolted to the member 7 and rest-s and is centrally pivoted on a turret or raised portion 9 on the iioor of the truck-body. In mesh or engagement with the gear 8 and supported fast on a shaft 10,- journaled in a bearing and supported on the truck body, is the bevel pinion-gear 11. (Shown in Figs. 2 and 3.) Fastened on the shaft l0 is a crank l2.

The turn-table 6 is provided with an elon gated aperture 13, Figs. l and 7, and supported on the table on each side of the aperture and projecting upwardly are the Walls or members 1414. The frame I5 in Figs. l and 2 is supported near its front end by the shaft 16, secured thereto by the brackets 17 17, and upon the shaft, outside of and fastened to the frame 15 by the screws I8 18, are the gear-wheels 19 I9. The shaft 16 is journaled in the upright walls 14 14 of the turntable. The frame 15 is supported while out of use on the bridge l' on the rear end of the truck-body. Shafts 2O 20 in Figs. I, 2, and 3 are journaled in and passthrough the said .walls 14 14, and fastened on the inner ends of each are pinion-gears 2l 21, in engagement with the frame-gears 19 19, and outside the walls the ratchetwheels 22 22 are fast on the shaft, as are also the cranks 23 23. Rawls 24 24 are pivoted to the upright walls 14 14 and are pressed against the ratchets by springs 25 25. At the rear of the turn-table, Figs. l, 2, and 7, fastened and supported on a shaft 26', journaled in the rearwardly-extending arms 6 6' of the turn-table, is the flanged sheave or drum 26, the said shaft at one end, outside Vthe supporting-arm, bearing a crank 27, and upon the opposite end of the shaft a fast pulley 28, adapted to be rotated by a belt. The frame l5 consists of two long side'bars or members 15' 15', arranged parallel and IOO grooved on their inner sides and rigidly connected at the front ends, Figs. 1 and 2, by the cross-bar 15" and near the other end by the cross-bar 15". Supported between and journaled on brackets 30 30 on the frame 15, near the gears 19, is a flanged sheave or drum 3l. The shaft 3l thereof (shown clearly in Figs. 7, 8, 11, and 12) is secured rigidly to the drum and has an end projecting through the bracket and a portion thereof squared or made noncircnlar and adapted to enter a correspondin gly-shaped aperture in the detachable crank 32. The frame cross-bar 15" is mortised out, and a grooved pulley-wheel 33 is pivoted in the said mortise, and a rope or other iiexible device 34 is fastened at one end to the sheave 3l, and the said rope then passes backwardly and through the mortiscd frame bar and around the wheel 33, then forwardly, and is secured to the cross-bar 35" of the inner frame 35. This inner frame 35 is longitudinallyadjustable on the outer frame l5, and has the .side bars 35 35', arranged parallel, which are provided on their outer edges with tongues or ribs adapted to tit into the grooves in the outer-frame side bars, and the inner sides or edges of said inner-frame side bars are grooved out.

The cross-bar 35" is securely fastened to the rear ends of the inner-frame sides and is mortised out to receive the pulley-wheel 36 and the rope 37. At the front end the inner frame is connected by the cross-bar 35. The inner arm 38 is mounted and is longitudinally adjustable in the inner frame 35 and is furnished with tongues or ribs on opposite sides or edges which arev adapted to enter the grooves in the inner frame, and the rear end is formed with an enlarged semicircular part that is bored through and formed to constitute the female part of a hinge. The arm 38 is grooved out to receive a part of the jointed brace 39, one end of the said brace being pivoted in the groove, and that part of the brace between the said end and its central joint or hinge rests partly in the groove while the brace is folded, as shown in Fig. 2. A rope 37, Figs. 8 and 11, or its equivalent is fastened at one end near the front end of the said inner arm 38, and the rope is passed forwardly and through the mortise in the cross-bar 35" on the inner frame 35 Vand around the pulleywheel 36 and then rearwardly, and the other end is made fast to the outer-frame crossbar 15.

The upper overhanging arm 40 is hinged near the rear end, Figs. 1 and 2, to the inner arm 38 and on the rear end carries the grooved Wheel 41, and on its lower edge is grooved out to admit the upper member of the brace 39. The end of the brace is pivoted in said groove, and the brace is hinged about midway of its length. The hinged ends are formed with stops or shoulders 39 39' on each member, adapted to engage with each other and to prevent the brace from closing or the arms thereof swinging together in the opposite direction or position to that shown in Fig. 2 further than is necessary to prevent the brace from being closed or folded by the longitudinal pressure or thrust caused by the weight on the overhanging arm 40 when the said overhanging arm and brace are opened to the position shown in Fig. 7. About midway on the arm 40 and supported in an aperture therethrough is a grooved wheel 42, Figs. l, 2, and 7, and at a suitable distance away from the said wheel a rope or other flexible device 43 is fastened to the arm and passed downwardly and around grooved rollers 44 44 on the cage 45, then upwardly through the aperture in the arm and over the wheel 42, and then passes backwardly and downwardly over the rear roller 41 and is then extended to and is fastened on the sheave or drum 26. This rope 43 is used for raising and lowering the cage 45. The said cage 45 carries the rollers 44 44 on its upper end, and at one side and hinged to the lower end or floor is the door 46, to which are secured the segmental arms 47, Figs. 5, 6, and 7, and a cross bar or rib 46', arranged laterally near the swinging end. This cross-bar 46 is intended to engage with the wall of the building and assist insteadying the cage while in position for receiving passengers, asillustrated in Fig. 7. The arms 47 pass through slots in the back walls of the cage and are joined together by a cross-strip 47', and a rope 48 is fastened to the said crossstrip and another rope 49 is fastened to the cage-door. Both of the said ropes are of sufcient length to be reached by men on the ground when the cage is elevated, and they may be used to assist in locating and controlling the cage and to open orclose the door.

While out of use, the apparatus may be folded and adjusted to the compact position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The parts may be adjusted to working position by first raising the overhanging arm 40 until the hinged brace 39 is opened to an approximately-straight position, and then by turning the cranks 23 23 and the pinions 22 22, connected thereto and engaging with the fixed gears 19 19 on the frame 15, the said frame may be caused to swingupwardly at its rear end to any desired angle and carry with it the inner frame 35 and the

arms

38 and 40. Then by placing a crank 32 on the drum-shaft 3l and by rotating the drum or sheave 31 the rope 34is taken up on the sheave and, as may readily be seen, causes the inner frame 35 to slide upwardly in the outer frame 15. The upward movement of the pulley-wheel 36 on the inner frame acts on the rope 37, one end of said rope being fast to the inner-,arm 38 and the other end fastened to the outer frame 15, and causes the inner arm 38 to slide upwardly simultaneously and at a proportionally-equal speed and distance relative to the inner frame 35 as the inner frame slides upon and moves relative to the outer frame 15. As may be seen,thes`e three members-the

frames

15 and 35 and the inner arm 38-constitute an exten- IIO sible or telescoping arm and may be adj usted or extended to nearly three times the length of either member. When the said telescoping arm is adjusted to the desired height, the truck may be moved or the arm further tilted or inclined, and the end of the overhanging arm 40 may be brought int-o contact with the building, as shown in Fig. 7 ,for the purpose of steadying the apparatus. The cage 45 may be raised by the rope 43, and when in place the door may be opened and held convenient for the passengers by means of the rope 49. The said door forms a bridge by means of which the passengers may easily reach the cage. When the persons are in the cage, the door may be closed by means of the rope 47, and the cage may then be lowered to the ground. The pulley-wheels 44 44 are placed a suitable distance apart on the cage, and the rope 43 is secured to the overhanging arm at a point sufciently remote from the wheel 42 to prevent the cage from revolving while it is suspended on the rope and is being raised or lowered. The sheave 26 may be operated either by the hand-crank 27, or other power may be applied, such as an electric motor, which may be connected to the pulley 2S. By turning the crank 12 the pinion IO, acting on the gear 8, will cause the turn-table to revolve, and the members supported on the turn-table may be brought to any desired adjust-ment.

Having thus illustrated and described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a iremans apparatus of the class described the combination of aportable support, an upright arm mounted thereon, an overhanging arm hinged on the upright arm, a brace hinged at one end on the upright arm and the other on the overhanging arm and provided with a joint intermediate of the two ends, a cage suspended from the overhanging arm and means for elevating and lowering the cage, substantially as described.

2. In a remans apparatus of the class described the combination of a portable base member, an extensible arm pivoted near one end thereon and adapted to be swung to an upright position and an overhangin g arm hinged on the upper end of the extensible arm; a brace consisting of two parts hinged together, one of which is hinged to the overhanging arm and the other to the extensible arm, a cage suspended from the overhanging arm, means for extending and adjusting the extensible arm and means for elevating and lowering the cage, substantially as described.

3. Inatiremans apparatus the combination with avehicle, and a turn-table thereon, of a telescopic extensible arm hinged on the turntable and arranged to be adjusted to an upright position,and an overhangin g arm hinged and adapted to be folded on the extensible arm; a brace secured at one end to the extensible arm and at the other end to the overhangin g arm and adapted to support the overhanging arm in a lateral position relatively to the extensible arm and means for folding the brace to allow the overhanging arm to fold upon the extensible arm, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a base member, of an upright arm supported thereon an overhanging arm carried from the upper portion of the upright arm, and a cage suspended on the overhanging arm and adapted to be elevated and lowered; a door hinged at its lower edge to the front of the cage; a frame consisting of two segmental side bars and connecting end bars, secured at one end to the door and extending rearwardly and through apertures in the rear wall of the cage; and ropes or such connected with the segmental frame andthe door and adapted for opening or closing the door, substantially as described.

5. In a life-saving apparatus substantially as described the combination with a vehicle, having a sheave thereon, of an upright arm supported on the vehicle, an elevated overa hanging arm carried thereby, a cage suspended on the overhanging arm; a pair of pulleywheels on the top of the cage; a pulley-wheel midway on the overhanging arm; a rope or such secured near the end of the overhanging arm and extending downwardly and around the pulleys on the cage and then upwardly and over the pulley on the overhanging arm and then rearwardly and downwardly and connected to a sheave on the vehicle, the distance between the pulleys on the cage and the distance between the pulley on the arm and the point on the arm at which the rope is attached being far enough to allow the weight of the cage on the rope to assist in preventing the cage from revolving while suspended, substantially as specied.

6. In a remans apparatus the combination with a portable member, of an upright arm supported thereon,an overhanging arm on the upper portion of the upright arm and a cage suspended from the overhanging arm; a door hinged at its lower edge to the cage; a crossbar secured near the upper end of the door and adapted for engagement with buildings and for steadying the cage; means for opening and closing the door and means for elevating and lowering the cage, substantially as described.

Signed by me at New York, N. Y., this 31st day of May, 1899.

l/VILLIAM E. HARRIS.

Witnesses:

HENRY STANDEN, JOSEPH L. A. MQMENAMIN.

IOO