US931702A - Traveling fire-escape. - Google Patents

Description

L. OTTER. TRAVELING FIRE ESCAPE. APPLICATION FILED 0M. 12, 1908.

931,702. Patented Aug. 17, 1909. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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L. OTTER.

"TRAVELING FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 12, 1908.

931,702. Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fig. 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUISE OTTER, OF SOHNEIDEMUHL, GERMANY.

TRAVELING FIRE-ESCAPE.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUisE OTTER, whose maiden name is Hanna, a citizen of Germany, residing at Schneideiniihl, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Traveling Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fire escapes or devices for rescuing people from burning buildings and the like.

The new device is such that several people can be saved at one and the same time, and it consists in a frame mounted on wheels carrying collapsible and expansible platform arrangements thereon.

In the accompanying drawing the invention is illustrated diagrammatically in one form of construct-ion.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus extended for use. Fig. 2 is an end view. Fig. 3 is a plan.

On the frame a of the vehicle Z) four sets of lazy tongs 0 are arranged, their lower ends being attached to blocks (Z formed as nuts to be engaged by right and left hand screw threads on spindles 6. These spindles are connected together and to an actuating shaft. 7' by means of chains 9 or the like. The shaft f carries a hand wheel h which when turned drives the spindles 6 so as to cause the blocks (Z to approach or recede from one another, by which means the lazy tongs are extended as shown, or collapsed on to the vehicle frame.

On the lazy tongs a number of platforms 2' to i are provided, having suitable handrails, and when the lazy tongs are extended these platforms come approximately to the heights at which the different floors or stories of a building would be. On the uppermost platform i two shafts 7c are provided with rope pulleys m thereon, over which pass ropes 0 or the like carrying a sort of lift cage n. The ropes 0 are attached to a winding drum 7) at the bottom, which can be turned by means of a crank q or any suitable hand wheel or the like. Two of the ropes 0 run direct to the drum 79, while the two others are carried over guide pulleys r as shown.

The cage 12 is guided by means of eyelets over two ropes w for example which are attached to the upper platform, and the lower ends of which are fastened to a second drum w.

The platforms 6 are provided at the sides Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 12, 1908.

Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

Serial No. 457,358.

of the vehicle 6 with gangways 8 having hand rails at each side, these gangways being formed with hook shaped projections 25 at their lower front edges. These hooks are forced into the window openings of the burning building and thus serve to hold up the escape framework. This latter is further supported by means of rods 14 which may be attached for example to the platform 2 Additional rods can be screwed on to the rods a for the purpose of connecting the separate platforms one with another so that a rigid framework may be produced.

The walls of the lift cage n at each side of the vehicle are preferably also made to open out so that it shall be easy for anyone to enter and leave the cage. Finally on one or both sides of the framework (1- of the vehicle 6, steps y are provided.

The device above described is used in the following manner. Normally the framework of the escape is folded up; in order that the height of the escape when so folded may be as small as possible, each of the higher platforms is smaller than the next below it, so that it will fit into the one next below it. In use the vehicle is brought as close as possible to the burning building so that its side stands parallel to the wall of the building. The vehicle is locked stationary by applying the brakes (not shown) or in any other suitable manner. The hand wheel h is now turned so that the lazy tongs 0 are extended to the position shown in the drawing while the guide ropes 'w are simultaneously allowed to unwind from the drum w. The platforms 2' now stand approximately opposite to the different floors of the building. The firemen open out the gangways s of the platform 2' and thrust them into the window openings of the building where they are held by their hooks t; the rods 16 are spread out and the guide ropes w are stretched by turning and fastening the drum 00. The firemen make their way into the burning building and save the people who are in danger, bringing them on to the platform 2' from which they can be lowered by the lift to the bottom framework a of the vehicle Z) in order to reach the street or the like by passing down the steps 4;.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

A portable fire escape comprising in com- 5 same a plurality of platforms spaced apart from each other Vertically and mounted on said structures, said platforms having railings being of successively increased size from the lowermost to the uppermost platform to 10 )ermit the u 3 )ermost alatform to restu )on 1 ll 1 l and fit within the railing of the next lowermost platform when the structures are lowcred said platforms having side portions provided with hooks adapted tobe opened and engaged with the building, a lift car movable vertically through said platforms, ropes for guiding said car, lifting ropes for said car, and a winch for operating said lifting ropes.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence 0 two subscribing witnesses.

LUISE OTTER. lVitnesses HENRY HASPER, VJOLDEMAR HAUPT.

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