Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-07-25

tdiA instance tIllltd
ton has been made for patent in order
10 retain these devices for the use of
the people without the payment Of roy,
atty and 10 prevent any commercial
concern from gaining monopoly in
their manufacture.
Perhaps the most important Of the
inventions that are to be dedicated to
the free use OF the people relate TO i'm
provements in the rescue apparatus
worn by miners following disasters
This apparatus, which supplies oxygen
TO the rescuer, permits him to enter
poisonous gases and carry on his work
for a period of two haGrs. In the bu-
reau OF mines experience with this
device three rescuers have lost their
lives, and in each instance il is be
lieved their deaths were due to certain
defects In the apparatus. This led to
a desperate attempt upon the part of
the engineers to construct an appara-
tus that would be reasonably safe The
engineers found considerable difficulty
In the absorption of the poisonous mat
ter OF the breath in the apparatus, and
also in the reduction of the high pres
sure oxygen carried in the tanks on
the back of the rescuers. Both prob
lens were submitted to William T.
Gibbs, consulting engineer of the bu-
reau, and after research covering sew
eral months the solution of both prob
lens is announced in applications for
patents. The caustic soda which is
used in the apparatus IN taking up the
poisonous exhalatioUs of the breath
has been so adjusted as to permit a
continuous flow of the expired air A
series OF successful experiments have
already been made upon this device.
The second problem-the reduction
of the oxygen pressure of 1000 pounds
to the square inch to the proper
amount needed by the rescuer-has
been accomplished BY the invention of
a new type of valve. The apparatus
at present reduces the oxygen pres
sure, but supplies the oxygen at a con
slant rate, no matter how much the
wearer needs With the new valve, the
supply Of oxygen is regulated by the
demands of the wearer of the appara-
tus and no oxygen goes to waste
through a relief valve as in the de-
vices now in use. In making these i'm
provements for safety. Mr. Gibbs has
succeeded in reducing the weight of
the breathing apparatus fully 40 per
cent. The apparatus at present weighs
40 pounds, which proves a serious
handicap to the rescuer in his work
A third invention is that of a col
lapsible mine cage for use in rescue
work following a mine disaster. Often
the mine cage is SO badly shattered by
the effect of explosions that it cannot
be operated In such instances. it is
claimed, the collapsible cage would
save hours of delay in rescue work
and perhaps be the means of saving
many lives. The designer of this cage
is George s Rice, the chief mining en-
gineer of the bureau Of mines
J. w. Paul. engineer in charge of the
mine rescue work of the bureau of
mines, is the inventor Of an electrical
signaling device for use in shafts. es-
pecially following disasters With
this device person descending a shaft
will be able to signal the hosting en-
gineer. If the man on the cage is
overcome and the apparatus falls from
his hands, a circuit is Immediately
closed and a gong in the engine house
gives a sudden warning. Such a de-
vice. it is claimed by Mr. Paul, would