Year: 1897

page_text: connected by means of a small chain s to the handle of the 'hoop aforesaid and when
the apparatus is applied to the coffin this bolt is shot through an opening in the rod d
and through corresponding openings in the pipe d whereby the rod is stopped
relatively to the slide h actuated by the spring and hence if the ball at the lower
end of the rod were to meet with an obstacle when introduced in the stays fixed to
the cover of the coffin, the apparatus would not become disconnected. When the
apparatus has been fixed in position, the fly nuts are released, the hoop r is with-
drawn from the box c and the bolt t is shot out of the rod and of the tube d, the
mechanism being now ready to operate. The removal of the bolt could not be over-
looked on account of its connection with the handle by means of the chain.. The
openings for the bolt t are formed at or near the centre of the pipe d so that they
are hermetically closed by a sufficient quantity of earth removed while filling the
grave, and hence no noxious gases can escape.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
:―
1. An arrangement or mechanism for saving persons buried alive characterized by
.a reflector P fixed to the lid or cover c¹ of the box containing the same and which
when the said lid flies open in a vertical position assumes forthwith that of an angle
of 45° and reflects within the coffin through the pipe d either day light or the rays
from a lamp adjustable vertically and arranged at the opposite side of the
said box.
с
2. The carrying out of the above claimed arrangement characterized by a hoop r
fixed to the angle irons u of the box c and provided with handles to increase its
portability and to render its manipulation easier a bolt being connected by the aid of
a chain s to the handle so that while the apparatus is being applied to a coffin this
bolt is shot into corresponding openings of the rod fand of the pipe d so as to prevent
any unauthorized disconnection.
Dated the 27th of January 1897.
GEORGE BARKER,
77 Colmore, Row, Birmingham, Agent.

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 2:th Mar., 1897
Apparatus for Saving Persons Buried Alive.
I MICHAEL KARNICKI of 12 Mazowieka in Warshaw, Land Owner, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
For safely rescuing people buried alive or interred in a state of lethargy it is of
the utmost importance that a sufficient amount of light should be forthwith shed on
the awakening person so as to prevent that in consequence of the anxious feelings
caused by the darkness life should be entirely extinguished this exhibition of light
taking place by night as well as by day.
In the arrangement described in the Specification of the English Letters Patent
No. 13,590, A.D. 1896, this condition could only be absolutely fulfilled when by
releasing the apparatus and sounding an alarm or bell the attendant summoned by
the latter, was able to cause rays of light to be reflected from a suitable lamp into the
pipe d placed inside the coffin while he spoke words of consolation and of encouragement
to the ex-moribund. In the meantime there occurred forcibly an interval between
the awakening and the appearance of the attendant which might prove fatal to the
said ex-moribund. In order therefore to obtain absolute safety in that direction, there
is arranged, according to this invention, a reflector which assumes automatically an
angle of 45° as soon as the lid flies open and reflects inside the coffin either in the
day-light or at night time the light from a lamp placed at the opposite side of the
box of the apparatus. Moreover this arrangement being provived with handles can be
readily transported and can be prevented from being inconsiderately set going when
attached to the coffin by a stopping contrivance for the rod.
In the accompanying drawings which shows the manner of carrying the invention
into practice,
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus disconnected.
Figure 2 is a plan of the box c when the lid is closed and
Figure 3 is a side view showing the hoop fixed to the box and provided with
handles and the stopping arrangement for the rod f.
As shown in Figure 1 a reflector p is fixed to the lid or cover c¹ by means of a
hinge in such a manner as to automatically assume when the lid flies open in a vertical
direction, an angle of 45° and to remain fixed in such a position. Opposite this
reflector a lamp q is so secured by an arm q' to the wall of the box that it can be
shifted in a vertical position, this lamp casting its rays of light in the reflector where
from these rays are cast back at night time through the pipe d into the inside of the
coffin, which is so lighted, as had been proved by experiments, that it is quite easy to
read a book. The conditions required for this purpose are fulfilled in the most
thorough manner.
Figures 2 and 3 show that angle irons u u are arranged at the two opposite sides of
the box c under which fits a hoop r provided on both sides with a handle ¹. This
hoop is firmly fixed to the box c by means of the fly nuts so that this box can be
readily transported and can be moreover readily manipulated in order to apply it to
the coffin or to remove it from the grave mound. Moreover this hoop prevents the
lid of the box from flying open from any cause whatsoever which would tend to
release same when the apparatus is removed from the grave side and hence noxious
gases could not in any way escape, immediate proximity to the workinen. A bolt t is