Extension-ladder and truck therefor.

(Application filed Apr. 26, 1902.) (No Model.) 2 Slieets-Slieet

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THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTO-LITHO., WASHINGTON. D. C.

No. 709,402.

Patented Sept. 16, 1902.

E. A. HERNDON.

EXTENSION LADDER AND TRUCK THEREFOR.

(No Model.) (Application filed Apr. 26, 1902.)

Sheets—Sheet 2.

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THE NORRIS PETERS ¢0, PNOTO-t.lTHCV WASHINGTON. 0. C.

United States Patent Office»

EDWARD A. HERNDON, OF LAGRANGE, GEORGIA.

EXTENSION-LADDER AND TRUCK THEREFOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,402, dated. September 16,1902.

Application filed April 26,1902. Serial No. 104,866. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, Edward A. Herndon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lagrange, in the county of Troup and State of 5 Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension-Ladders and Trucks Therefor; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable io others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in extension - ladders and running-gear therefor, and has particui; lar application to devices of the class commonly known as “fire-trucks.” The invention has in contemplation the provision of means wbereby'the ladder or the sections composing the same may be easily 2o and quickly extended into operative position.

A further object of the invention is to provide devices whereby when the ladder is in its extended position it may be turned in any desired direction.:

The invention further contemplates the construction of an apparatus which shall be positive in operation, simple and durable in construction, one which can be operated with comparatively fewer men than the fire-trucks 30 now in use, and one which shall do away with the use of cog wheels and gears, thus avoiding the danger of derangement and accident at critical times. ~

To the attainment of the above-recited ob35 jects and other objects not mentioned, but which will be apparent from a reading of the following specification the invention consists in the. peculiar. construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be herein40 after described in the specification, illustrated in the annexed drawings, and set forth in the claims.

While I have herein illustrated and de^ scribed my preferred form of apparatusjit 45 will of Course be understood that there can be deviation and modification in minor details and the relative arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit, of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages 50 thereof.

To a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein—

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is 55 a front view of an apparatus of my improved type, showing the ladder-sections elevated vertically relative to the truck-body. Fig. 3 is a side view of a portion of the truck-body and the accompanying ladders, showing the 60 latter elevated and partially extended. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the ladder-supporting bracket.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 indicates any suitable truck, which forms a 65 support for the mechanism of the present improved apparatus.

Mounted on the top of the platform or body of the truck is the ladder, composed of two sections 10 and 11. These sections are exten- 7c sible, the section 11 being movable longitudinally relative to the lower section 10. A windlass, as at 12', is positioned on the lower ladder-section and has a rope or Cable 12 secured at one end thereto, the said cable pass- 75 ingover a bearing block or roller 13, arranged near the upper end of the section 10. The other end of the rope is secured to the lower portion of the ladder 11. To prevent lateral movementof the said ladder-sections relative 80 to each other, I have provided brackets, as at 14 and 15, which are cut away, as at 16% to form a hose-rest.

At the lower end of the ladder 10 is mounted a bracket or hanger of substantially the shape 85 and formation illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. It will be observed on reference to the aforesaid Fig. 4 that this hanger is formed of two arms 16 16, converging into one main extension or depending portion 17. 90 This hanger is preferably formed of metal, and near the point where the two arms converge into the depending extension is formed with a compound curve, as shown, for the purpose of allowing the ladders to rest flatly 95 upon the truck-body when not in use. The arms 16 16 may be secured in any suitable manner to the sides of the section 10 and are designed to rest upon the truck-top 9 when the ladder is in its elevated position. The 100 portion or extension 17 passes through an orifice 18 in the forward end of the truck,

709,402 and such extension has an eye or looped portion, as at 19, formed at the lower end thereof. On the under side of the body portion 9 of the truck is mounted a windlass or winding-drum 5 20 for the cable 21, one end of the said cable being fastened to the eye 19 of the portion 17. It will be seen that when the rope 21 is wound by the windlass 20 such action will tend to bring the hanger from a horizontal to io a vertical position, thus raising the said section 10. Directly beneath the front axle of the truck is a bearing-roller 22 for the aforesaid rope 21. When the ladder is elevated, it may be turned in any direction, the arms 16, 15 in conjunction with the body portion 9 of the truck, forming a simple turn-table. A bearing-bracket, as at 23, is secured to the front end of the truck for the purpose of acting as a guide and retainer for the hanger, operat20 ing to prevent the latter from moving in a direction not desired. _x

The operation of my improved device will be readily apparent. On reaching the scene of the fire the windlass 20 is operated, thus 25 bringing the hanger of the ladder-section 10 from a horizontal to a vertical position. The desired angle of elevation having been attained, the windlass or winding-drum on the section 10 is operated, causing the section 11 30 to move longitudinally relative to the section 10. When the section has been extended the desired distance, the entire ladder may be turned upon its axis to any position and then allowed to fall or rest against the build35 ing ready for use.

At the sides of the truck-body, as at 24, I have provided platforms for the operators to stand upon, and the truck may also be provided with tool-boxes and receptacles for the 40 fire-axes and other implements.

The many advantages incident to a structure embodying my improvements are too evident to necessitate dwelling upon the same here in detail.