US334237A - Fire-escape - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

W. G. KETCHUM.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 334,237. Patented Jan. 1.2.1886.

N PETKRS. Pnow-Limogmpher. washington. D. C.

IlNrrn STATES WILLIAM G. KETOHUM, OF AUGUSTA, ILLINOIS.

Fl RE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 334,237, dated January 12, 1886.

Application filed December 3,1888. Serial No. 113.486.

To all whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. KETOHUM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Augusta, in the county. of Hancock and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a firemans ladder or tire-escape which may be easily and quickly applied to buildings of any height and rmly supported upon and secured thereto, which will be light, strong, and compact, and may be easily carried about and handled to place it in position upon or remove it from a building, and which may bev erected within a narrow compass and at the same time have a sufficient inclination to be easily ascended and descended with celerity and perfeet safety, and to permit the use of suitable guards which facilitate descending it with coniidence and safety from great heights.

The improvement consists, generally, in a series of ladders suspended at their upper ends from the windows, corniees, or other openings or projections of the walls of a building, and supported at their lower ends in an inclined position by inwardly-projecting base-supporting arms or platforms which rest against the upper end of the ladder immediately beneath; to provide a series of ladders arranged one above the other and similarly inclined to eX- tend from story to story; in providing means for passing from the upper end ofthe ladder to the lower end of the adjoining ladder; in

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providing a platform beneath each of the ladders and each of the windows, vupon which persons ascending and descending or mounted upon the ladders may stand securely; in providing outwardly-projecting guards or platforms at the foot of the ladders for arresting the fall of persons therefrom and for their support thereon; in providing means for folding the platforms and guides against the sides of the ladder; in providing means for locking the lower end of the ladder to the upper end of the adjoining ladder and for locking the platforms in their folded positions; in pivoting the suspension-hooks to the upper ends of the ladders and providing means for driving them through the windows or wood-work and withdrawing them therefrom to attach or detach the ladders; in providing a novel device (No model.)

for securing a pulley-block and hoisting-rope to the windows, openings. or projections of the building in an elevated position to raise or lower the ladders to or from their working position, and in certain details of construction hereinafter more fully set forth, and specifically indicated by the claims.

Figure l is a sectional elevation of a building with two of my improved ladders and the ladder-elevating device in working position, and with a third ladder in position to be lifted to its place against the wall; Fig. 2, a perspective of a ladder-section constructed in accordance with my invention, showing by dotted lines the grappling-hooks in the positions occupied by them before they are driven into the windows; Fig. 8, an enlarged side elevation of the device for raising and lowering the ladders to and from their position upon the building; Fig. 4, an enlarged sectional detail of the end of the inner platform or basesupport of a ladder and the rail of an adjoining ladder, with a novel device for locking the ladders together, shown by full lines in its closed position and by dotted lines in its open position; Fig. 5, an enlarged elevation of a fragmental part of the ladder, rail, and end of the inner platform folded upon it and locked thereto by my improved device; Fig. 6, an enlarged plan of a guard or outer platform with the flooring partly broken away.

In describing in detail the construction of the parts constituting my invention it must loe borne in mind that its distinguishing feature consists in the employment of a number of ladders, A A A2, each of which will answer the same description, and which will be herein designated by similar letters. These ladders provide separate sections complete in themselves, to be independently elevated, supported, and lowered, b ut which may be joined together to form a continuous ladder formed of separate flights, for each story of a build` ing,'with a landing or platform between each section.

The ladders A A A2 are each separately suspended by hooks B, secured to their upper ends, and supported in inclined positions against the side or face of a building by a base-support, G, secured to the lower end of the ladder. The ladder eonsists'of side rails, a, and steps c', joined together in the usual wcll-known man ner; but in this instance steps at the lower end ofthe ladder are cut away, and short projecting pins or sub-steps a2, secured to one of the side rails, or to both of them, if preferred, provide an open passage between the side rails at the foot of the ladder, through which persons may pass from one side to the other side of the ladder with perfect safety, and thereby be enabled to pass to or from a platform, or to or from the upper end of an adjoining ladder to a platform, in ascending and descending a series of the ladders.

The base-support or platform C is preferably formed of arms C', pivoted at Cl toplates a3, secured to thelower ends ofthe side rails in such manner that the said arms C may be folded closely against the lower ends of the side rails, a, when theladder is not in use, or when it is desired to carry it from place to place. rIhe arms C may be connected by cross-strips C3 to form a platform,C, which will project from the inner side ofthe lower end of the ladder, to provide a landing forpersons ascending or descending the ladder, or for the support of firemen engaged in their work. It is obviousthat the platform forms an integral part of the arms C', and will fold with the arms against the lower end of the ladder.

rlhe swinging ends of the arms C are provided with clamps D,of novel construction, as hereinafter described, for securing them to the upper ends of the rails of an adjoining ladder when two or more ladders are connected together, as shown in Fig. l, and also for securing the swinging ends of the arms C to the rails of the ladder to which they are pivoted, when it is desired to fold said arms and platform out of the way. A guard or platform,E, preferably formed of an`iron frame, e, pivotally connected to the plates a3 by projecting ends e', and covered with a wire-netting, e2, which latter is provided with a canvas cover, e3, to provide a light semi-elastic stretcher or extension at the foot of the outer side of the ladder, and is supported approximately at right angles thereto by links or rods E', which extend downwardly and diagonally from the side rails, a, of the ladder. rThe guards E will thus provide an extension to arrest the fall of persons from the ladder, will provide a landing or platform upon which persons may stand in helping others down the ladder, or in performing the work of firemen,and will also provide a safe footing for persons in passing up or down the ladders and from the lower end` of one ladder to thc upper end of another adjoining ladder.

The presence and sight of the guard and platforms above described will give to timid persons greater assurance, so that they may pass down the ladders with increased safety, and without danger of stepping oft' the ladder or hurriedly descending below the foot of the ladder-section upon which they are mounted. Firemen may conveniently stand with their feet, respectively, upon the outer and inner platforms, and hold onto `the side rails of the ladder while engaged in helping persons to descend with safety, and pass them through the opening at the foot ofthe ladder to the int ner platform, and from thence to a secure support upon the upper end of the next succeedng ladder-section.

The outer guard or platform, E, and the inner platform, C, may both be folded together andopened jointly by means of suspension rods E', connecting the swinging end of the platform E, and a similar rod, C, connecting the swinging end of the arms C'with a sliding block, F, supported upon a guide-rod, F', secured to the outer side of the ladder rail. When the block F is raised upon the guide rod, the platforms E and C will be folded against the lower outer and inner sides of the ladder, and may be together clamped in their folded position by the clamp D, secured to the swinging end of the arm C, as shown in Fig. 5. The clampD is formed of the side plate or jaw, ci, firmly bolted to the outer side of the swinging end of the arms C', and of a plate, d', pivotally secured at d2 to the inner side of said arms O', immediately opposite the jaw d, and which will,together therewith,embrace the opposite sides of the rails a of an adjoining ladder. A locking-jaw, d3, is pivotally secured to the slotted swinging end of the plate d', and is provided with a projecting ear, d4, which affords convenient means for operating the jaw d3. A spring-catch, d5, is secured to the face of the jaw d3, and projects through the slot d in the swinging end of the jaw d and engages with vthe outer edge of lsaid slot to lock the jaw'cl"i in its closed position across the rai] of the ladder, and hold the said rail securely between the plates d d and to the swinging end of the arm C. The locking-jaw di, upon releasing the catch d5,may be swung back to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, to release the rail of the ladder from between the plates d or d', and also to permit the plate d to be swung upon its pivot dl when the arm C is folded against the lower end of the ladder, and projects alongside of and to the front of the rail a of the ladder. `When the arm C', plate d, and locking-jaw d3 are thus placed, the locking-jaw d3 may be swung upon its pivot IOO IIO

across the front side of the rail of the ladder,

and held in this position securely by the catch (Z5, to lock the swinging arm C and the parts connected therewith in their folded positions. The suspension-rods E' C4, sliding block F, and

platforms E and C are all thus held in their 4 raised or folded positions by a single instrumentality-Viz., the clamp D-and the said clamp also serves to hold the base-support securely t-o the rail of an adjacent ladder. By

means of the connecting-rods and block abovev dow-frame andl casing and overlook the window-sill and inner side of the wall, as shown by full lines in Figs. l and 2, to thus provide asecure support for the upper end ofthe ladder and admit of its complete suspension therefrom. A cross-bar, b, connects the middle portion oi' the hooks B, and has a staple, bt', secured thereto midway of its length. An endless cord, B', secured to the staple. cxtends downwardly the entire length of the ladder upon the outer side of the steps and back again upon the inner side of the steps to the cross-bar of the suspension-hooks.

Vhen the ladder is to be raised in position to secure it to the side of the building, the suspension-hooks are thrown back to the position shown by dot-ted lines in Fig. 2, the said movement being effected by pulling upon the portion of the cord outside ofthe rungs of the ladder. W'hen the upper end of the ladder has been placed directly opposite a window or other convenient place for its suspension, the portion of the cord inside of the rungs of the ladder is pulled quickly and forcibly, and the suspension-hooks are thereby swung with great force to break through the shutters, casing, windows, or other destructible portion of the building with which they may be brought in contact, and which will provide a secure means of attachment for the upper end of the ladder.

When ladders are to be suspended from points above convenient reach, and when a .series of ladders are to be erected upon the side of a building, it is preferable to employ an implement for elevating or hoisting the ladders up to the position in which they are to be placed, and so support them until they are securely coupled together and the suspension-hooks properly secured to the building. lThe elevator employed by me for this purpose is shown in working position upon the building in Fig. l and in enlarged detail in Fig. 3, and consists in a grappling-hook, G, pivotally secured to the end of a rod, H, at h, and a pulley-block, I, suspended by a link, l, from the shank end of the grappling-hook. A cord, K, is passed over the pulley-block I, and is provided with a hook, L, by which it may be attached to one ofthe steps of a ladder. One end of the cord K passes through a staple or loop, h', on the lower end of the 'rod H, and

is pulled on by a person from the ground to raise the ladder, while the other end of the cord K may be held to guide and steady the ladder during its ascent or descent. The lower end of the rod H is firmly held by a person mounted upon a ladder secured in position until the next succeeding ladder is raised to its proper height and rmly connected to the building by means of the suspension-hooks. rlhe rod H and its connections may be removed and the lower end of the ladder last raised is securely placed and held in an inclined position against the wall of the building by locking the swinging ends ot' the basesupports C to the upper ends of the rails or" the ladder immediately below, and previously secured in position, as shown at Fig. 1.

rlhe grappling-hook G may, because of its shape, and also because of its pivotal connection to the rod H,be driven completely th rough a window-casing, and be securely hooked upon the window-sill or other Vconvenient portion of thebuilding, and will provide asecure support, and means for suspending the pulley block and tackle therefrom.

A crooked rod has heretofore been employed `for bracing the lower end oi' a suspended ladder, but no means were connected therewith to hoist a ladder in position upon the wall above a ladder already secured thereon. I am also aware thata rod provided with forks or prongs, and with a block and tackle secured to its upper end, has been employed to raise and lower articles and persons from a burning building; butin this last-named device no means are shown for suspending the tackle from the building, as in my device, and both the object desired and means employedl in the devices referred to are essentially different from that embodied in my invention.

rlhe ladders are light and strong, and may be easily handled and raised and lowered from their positions upon the building in the following manner: Aladder, M, of ordinary construction, is iirst placed against the side of the building to extend from the ground to the first-story windows, and said ladder is ascended and the rod H carried up and secured 'to the second-story cornices. or windows. The first escape-ladder, A, is then hooked onto the cord K and hoisted to position. rlhe suspension-hooks of the ladder are then driven into the window or'cornice by means ofthe cords B, and the base-supports C are unfolded and secured by means of the clamp D to the rails of the ladder M. The ladder A is then ascended and the rod H is elevated and hooked onto the cornice or window of the third story, and the cord K is secured by means of the hook L to the rung of the second ladder, A', which is raised into position as was the ladder A, previously' described, the ends of the cord K being held or strained in opposite directions to guide the second ladder and direct it past the projecting lower end of the ladder already in position. The second ladder, A', is then secured to the building and to the upper end of the iirst ladder, A.

The operation of lowering and disconnecting the ladders from the building is the reverse of that above described for elevating and connecting them.

Vhere long ladders are employed upon buildings having low stories, a single ladder may be made to extend past several stories, as the lower end of the uppermost ladder may be connected to any part of the ladder beneath it. A portion of one ladder will thus be made to overlic the adjoining ladder and form an outer guard-barrier to prevent persons from fallipg 'from windows immediately opposite said overhanging ladders, and thus enable persons to pass out of the windows and take their positions upon the ladders with safety.

I claim as myinvention and desire to secure by Letters Patentil. A lire-escape ladder provided with hooks secured to the upper end of the ladder, and adapted for fasteningits upper end toa building, in combination with a base-supporting piece hinged to its lower end, wherebyit may project from or be folded up against the lower end of the ladder, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A fire-escape ladder formed in sections, each section provided with fasteninghooks at its upper end, in combination with a platform secured to the lower end and inner side of each section, whereby each section is held in an inclined position, with its upper end to the wall of the building,and its lower end outside of the upper end of the section below it, sub stantially as and for the purpose specified.

d. A fire-escape ladder provided with fastening-hooks for securing its upper end directly to a window, in combination with a .platform extending inwardly therefrom at its lower end, upon which persons ascending and descending the ladder may stand, substantially as described. 4. A fire-escape ladder adapted to be held in an inclined position by means of fasteninghooks secured to its upper end,in combination with a section or platform hinged to its lower end/to project from and fold against the inner side thereof, substantially as described.

5. In a iire-eseape, the combination, with the ladder-sections having partial steps at their lower ends, of fastening-hooks secured to the upper end of each section, andbase-supports secured to the inner sides and lower ends of each section, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. A fire-escape ladder provided at its upper end with means for suspending it, in combination with a guard or platform hinged to the lower end of the ladder, to project from and fold against the outer side thereof, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. A'iire-escape ladder provided at its upper end with means for suspending it, in combiiiation with a folding guard or platform hinged to its outer side, and a folding plat-- form or base-support hinged to its inner side at the lower end of said ladder, substantially as described.

8. A fire-escape ladder provided at its upper end with means for suspending it, in combination with a guard or platform hinged to its outer side, a platform or base -siipport hinged to its inner side, and suspension-links supported upon guiderods on the yrails of the ladder, to operate the outer and inner hinged portions jointly, substantially as described.

9. rIhe combination, with a fire-escape ladder, ofthe hinged sections C E, links C* E', guide-rail F', and sliding block F, all arranged for joint operation, substantially as d ascribed.

10. A fire-escape ladder provided at its upper end with means for suspendingit, in combination with a base-support secured to its lower end, and a locking-clamp secured to the base-support, substantially as and for the purpose described.

11. A fire-escape ladder, in combination with a base-support or platform hinged to the lower end of the ladder, and 'a clamp for securing said base-support or platform to the ladder, substantially as described.

12. A fireescape ladder, in combination with a base-support or platform hinged thereto,to fold against the lower end thereof, and a clamp affixed to the swinging end of the basesupport, and adapted to lock it when in its folded position, and secure it to another ladder when in its open position, substantially as described.

13. The combination of the jaws d cl,adapt ed to be secured to the swinging end of the base-support, the pivoted locking-jaw d3, and spring-catch di", all combined and arranged to operate substantially as described.

14. In combination, in aireeSCapeladder, a suspension hook pivot-ally secured to the upper end of the ladder, a cord secured to the hook and located at the outer side of the lad-l der, by means of which the hook may be pulled backward and downward, and another coid secured also to the hook, but located at the other side of the ladder, or sidenext the building, by means ofl which-the hook may be thrust forward with force to engage it, substantially as described, and for the purpose specied.

15. An implement for elevating fire-escape ladders, consisting of the combination,with a suspension-hook, ofa rod for elevating said hook, and a cord and pulley secured to said hook, these parts being combined and arranged to operate in the manner and for the purpose described.

16. The combination, in a ladder-elevator for fire-escapes, ofthe rod H, the suspensionhook pivotal] y connected therewith, and a cord and pulley secured to tlie suspensionhook, substantially as and for the purpose described.

VILLIAM G. KETCHUM.

Witnesses:

S. A. STIENBARGER, R. J. GRIGsoN.

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