Life-net.

Application filed. November 6, 1911. Serial No. 658,895.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Alfred R. Berger. a citizen of the United States, and Henry Reymond and Fredrick P. A. Horn, sub5 jects of Switzerland and Germany, respectively, residing at Springfield, county of Hampden, and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Life-Nets, of which the following is a sped10 fication.

This invention relates to life nets onto which persons may jump from a burning building and its object is to provide a device for the stated purpose which may be 15 readily brought to a small compass when not in use and quickly distended to a relatively large area when needed for service. This stated object and other incidental objects which will appear as the description of 20 the invention proceeds are attained in such an apparatus as is illustrated in the ’accompanying drawings and; the invention resides in certain novel features which are pointed out in the claims at the end of the following 25 description.

In the annexed drawings, which show the preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus in its collapsed condition ; Fig. 2 is a side ele³⁰ vation of the same; Fig. 3 is a plan view on a reduced scale showing the relative arrangement of the. parts when the net is distended; Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views in plan and side elevation, respectively, of the ³⁵ joint by which the members of the spreaders are connected.

In carrying out our invention, we employ a supporting frame composed of telescopic sides 1 and ends 2 which are rigidly secured ⁴⁰ to corner brackets 3, these several parts being preferably of tubular formation. Each side and end consists of tubes of graduated diameters and the number of tubes may be varied according to the dimensions of the ⁴⁵ net employed. The smallest tubes are secured to the corner brackets and extend into the several outer tubes to support the same while the outermost tubes 4 extend in both directions from the center point of the side ⁵⁰ or end and fit over the intermediate tubes, the diameters of the several tubes being so graduated that they may slide easily and smoothly upon one another while, at the same time, providing a firm support for the net. The ends of all the tubes are beveled or tapered, as shown at 5, whereby they may readily enter and pass through the rings 6 secured to· the edges of the net, indicated at 7, and thereby support the net in both its extended and folded positions. The corner 60 brackets 3 are preferably right angular in form and are provided with inwardiv pro: jecting shelves or attaching plates^-' 8 to which the binding cords or ropes 9, forming the edges of the net are firmly secured. As 65 clearly shown in Fig. 2, the telescopic sides and ends with the corner brackets are duplicated in upper and lower sets, the upper and lower corner brackets being rigidly connected by posts 10 so that great strength 70 will be imparted to the frame. The lower brackets are provided with depending studs 11. on their under sides upon which are swiveled yokes 12 having carrying wheels 13 journaled in their lower ends, the said 75 studs, yokes and wheels being preferably located inward from the sides of the frame to conform to the usual traffic gage of vehicles. Draft devices 14 may be attached to the brackets at either end of the appa- 80 ratus to facilitate the hauling of the same to the point of use.

It will be readily understood that the apparatus is drawn to the scene of the fire and may be quickly placed at any advan- 85 tageous position to furnish a landing for persons who may jump from the building inasmuch as the swiveled mounting of the wheels will permit them to caster freely and swinging of the net around a fixed, point 90 will not be necessary. The net having been brought to the desired position, the frame is drawn out so as to distend the net and present a large landing surface.

The frame may be drawn out and col- 95 lapsed by hand but we prefer to use mechanical spreaders by which the work may be more easily and rapidly performed and which may also be utilized to maintain the apparatus, in its. adjustment. In the illus- 100 trated arrangement the spreaders each consist of levers 15 having their outer ends pivoted to the corners of the frame and their inner ends pivoted to links or pushers 16, it being understood that a spreader is pro- 105 vided for each side and for each end of the frame. The outer end of each lever 15 is provided or- formed with an eye 17 fitting around a fixed fulcrum or hinge pin 18 secured in and extending between the upper HO

1,038,717 and lower shelves 8 whereby the inner end of the lever is pivotally mounted. It will be readily seen and appreciated that if the links 16 be drawn inward or toward the 5 center of the net, the levers 15 connected thereto will be swung out of alinement and their outer ends : caused to approach, as shown in Fig. 1, thereby collapsing the frame and folding the net whereas if the 10 links be moved outward, the outer ends of the levers will be moved apart thereby extending the frame and spreading the net, as shown in Fig. 3. It will also be readily understood on reference to Fig. 3, that when 15 the link is pushed outward to the limit of its movement, it will be in alinement with the levers so that a brace will be provided to prevent causal collapsing of the frame.

The links and levers are preferably of 20 tubular form with internally threaded ends engaged by threaded stems of coupling members 19, 20 which-are joined by a pivot or hinge pin 21 whereby the links and levers are pivotally connected. Each link is pro25 vided with eyes or loops 22 and 23 on its opposite sides and on the central tubes 4 at one side and one end of the. frame are mounted pulleys 24 and 25. A rope. 26. is secured to the eye 22 on the outer side of 30 each link and passes beyond the frame, one of said ropes passing around the pulley 24 and then across the frame so that both ropes may be operated from one side or end of the apparatus to draw the links outward 35 and spread the net. Ropes 27 are connected to the eyes or loops 23 and similarly arranged, one of them passing over the pulley 25, so that by pulling on said ropes the net may be folded.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that we have provided a simple, strong, durable and easily, operated apparatus which will be found highly efii45 cient for the purposes for which it is designed.