IMPROVEMENT IN FIRE-ESCAPES
B. B. OPPENHEIMER
Patented November 18, 1879
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, Benjamin B. Oppenheimer, of Trenton, in the county of Gibson and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and Improved Fire-Escape, of which the following is a specification.
The accompanying drawing represents a side view of a person with my improved fire escape or safety device, by which a person may safely jump out of the window of a burning building from any height; and land, without injury and without the least damage, on the ground; and it consists of a parachute attached, in suitable manner, to the upper part of the body, in combination with overshoes having elastic bottom pads of suitable thickness to take up the concussion with the ground.
Referring to the drawing, A represents a head -piece, constructed in the nature of a parachute, and made of soft or waxed cloth, awning-cloth, or other suitable fabric. The parachute is about four or five feet in diameter, stiffened by a suitable frame, and attached by a leather strap or other fastening, in reliable manner, to the head, neck or arms.
In connection with the head-piece or parachute applied to the upper part of the body are used overshoes
B, with elastic soles or pads C, of suitable thickness, that take up the sudden shock on arriving on the ground.
The parachute serves for the purpose of buoying the body in the air after the person has leaped from the window of the burning building, while the padded shoes secure the safe landing on the ground.
Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patents-
A fire-escape consisting of a parachute attached to the upper part of the body, and o thickly padded shoes applied to the feet, substantially as described.
BENJAMIN B. OPPENHEIMER
Witnesses:
John H. Glass
W. P. Northcoes
Lewis Glass