US1546399A - Fire life net - Google Patents

Description

July 21, 1925. 1,546,399

W. J. MQYLAN I FIRE LIFE NET Filed July 26, 1924 2 sheetsshet 1 5'2, LEE] INVENTOR. "(J/Fitzy1601 i ATTORNEY.

July 21, 1925.

W. J. MOYLAN FIRE LIFE NET Filed July 26, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fKJ/Hoylaze,

ATTORNEY.

Iii)

Patented July 21, 1925.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM J. MOYLAN OF ABILENE, TEXAS.

FIRE LIFE NET.

Application filed July 26, 1924. Serial No. 728,423.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM J. MOYLAN, a subject of the King of England, residing at Abilene, in the county of Taylor and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire Life Nets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to life saving apparatus and pertains particularly to the class of fire life nets.

The primary object of this invention lies in the provision, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, of a life saving net adapted to be quickly spread across the face of a building, to receive therein anyone leaping from a window thereof.

Another object of this invention is the provision, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, of a life net intended to be permanently kept in a folded condition at the front of a building and so attached thereto that it may be quickly and easily unfolded and spread out across the face of the build ing in the event of a fire and the cutting off of all other means of exit except the windows of the building.

A still further object of this invention is the provision, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, of a life net having means for engagement with a supporting bar adapted to be permanently fixed across the face of a building so that the same may be held outwardly therefrom at an angle to receive therein any person who might jump from a window of the building.

A final object of this invention is the provision, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, of a life net of inexpensive character, strong, durable, easily and quickly arranged in working position, and inexpensive to manufacture and set up in position.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, with the understanding that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device embodying this invention shown as applied and spread ready for use.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the device showing the same folded and in position within the protective housing provided therefor, the housing being shown in longitudinal section.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective View of a portion of the device showing the manner in which the same is connected to the supporting bar carried across the side of the building.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the net and associate parts thereof, taken when the net is in spread position.

Figure 5 is a View showing the use of a cable support for the net instead of a rigid bar support shown in the other views.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings, a building of any ordinary construction is indicated at 1 having the usual complement of, windows 2 and door 3.

Secured across the face of the building at about the height of the second story thereof, is a series of spaced right angular brackets 4 the vertical portion thereof being secured to the building by means of bolts or screws 5, and the outwardly extending portion carries across the upper side thereof the bar 6. This bar, as shown in Figure 1, extends across the face of the building andacross the top of the horizontal portion of the bracket and is secured thereto by means of bolts or rivets 7 At one end of the bar 6 is a housing 8 having a roof 9 thereover and extending, as shown, from; a point above the bar 6 to the ground. The bar 6, as shown, extends into the housing 8 directly beneath the roof 9, and this side through which the bar 6 extends has a hinged closure 10 therefor. The other three walls of the housing are securely closed against the weather. It will be seen that the closure 10 does not extend the entire distance from the ground to the roof 9, but when closed there is a space 11 left between the top of the closure and the under side of the roof 9. The door or closure 10 is thus free to swing without interference by the rod 6.

Supported upon the bar 6 is a life net 12 which not may be constructed or woven of any suitable material, and this net-is of a width suflicient to extend a substantial distance out from the face of the building when drawn out from the supporting bar 6. The edges of the net 12 are turned over as at 13 and have passed through the turned over portions strengthening ropes or cables 14 The upper longitudinal edge of the net 12 has at spaced intervals, cutout portions 15 toexpose the reinforcing cable 14, and these exposed portions of the cable 14 each has engaged thereover onehooked end 16 of a spiral spring 17. The other hooked end 18 of the spiral spring 17 engages a looped end 19 of a link 2O, the other end of which is hooked as at 21 to engage over the bar 6. As before stated there is a series of these springs and hooks along the upper longitudinal edge of the net to engage over the bar 6.

At each end of the net 12 upon the outer longitudinal edge thereof, there is secured a pair of holding ropes 23, by .1 e-ans of which firemen or other persons may hold the net out from the building to catch a person jumping therefrom. 1

When the net 12 is not in use, it is folded in the housing 8, by sliding the hooks 21 along the bar 6 into the housing which will thus automatically fold the net in position 0 and when the same is wanted for use it is only necessary to open the housing, grasp the forward edge of the net and draw the same out across the face of the building, the hooks 21 acting as guides as they, slide along the bar 6.

If desired, the rigid bar 6 may be replaced by the flexible cable 2d shown in Figure 5, this cable may be supported across the building through the loops 25 carried by the member 26. This construction would give a more resilient action to the net and assist the springs 17, relieving some of the strain which would be placed thereon when a body landed in the net.

From the foregoing description it may be seen that a very novel and useful fire net is provided which is always handy and ready for use and does not require the large number of persons to handle the san'ie as is required by the fire nets at present in use and further, the entire side of a building is covered by this net so that-there would. be no chance of a person failing to land in the net after leaping from the building,

Having thus described my invention what 1 claim is:

In a fire escape of the character set forth, a rigid bar adapted to extend across the face of a building, a life net of substantial length to extend acrosssaid building, hook elements secured along one edge of said net and adapted to engage over and slide along said bar when the said net is drawn across the face of the building for use, bracket supports secured to said building and supporting said bar from its underside to allow said hook elements to pass freely therealong, and

spring elements interposed between said hooks and the edge of said net.

In testimony whereof, I an X my signature hereto WVILLIAM J. MOYLAN.

Images