Equipment for Infantry.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 6th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Equipment for Infantry.
FRANCIS PATRICK STAPLES, Brigade Surgeon Lieutenant Colonel (retired),
19, Granville Park, Blackheath, London, S.E., do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement; —
..
The
This invention is based upon two main principles, (1) hygienic, viz., by arranging
the different accoutrements so as not to interfere with the processes of respiration,
and by distributing the weight in due proportion between the hip bones and
those forming the upper aperture of the thorax, while (2) the articles of the
"kit" (necessaries) are separated, so that the soldier is never left without a
modicum of them, and when the knapsack is not worn (vide Fig. (1), for example,
on picquet duty or in a decisive battle, the ammunition can be greatly increased.
The belt is placed in the usual manner upon the waist, but its power is much
amplified by placing upon it (vide Fig. (1) the reserve ammunition case."
latter (cide letter a on Fig. 1) is concavo-convex in shape, antero-posteriorly,
level at the top and bottom and straight at the sides, and is made to fit the
waist and sacral region. It is intended ordinarily to contain the minor-articles
of the kit necessaries as they are called-and in addition to support the
knapsack, but when the latter is not worn as in the instances already mentioned
it can be made to hold a large reserve of ammunition. It is prevented from
slipping downwards by its shape, the concavity being decreased at the lower edge
(ride letter b on Fig. (4) secondly by the belt being passed through its anterior
surface (vide Fig. 4) while additional power in this regard is obtained by
attaching it with straps and a buckle to the ring of the braces (ride letter c on
Fig. 1).
The braces commencing from the ring above mentioned, and which is placed
high up between the shoulders, are made somewhat after the manner of a collar
(cide the letters e e on Fig. 1) and rest successively on the upper dorsal spine,
the posterior part of the first ribs and in front (eide letters ff on Fig. 2) on
the inner ends of the collar bones; the object of this arrangement being to
remove them from off the blade bones and outer part of the shoulders, pressure
on these structures if continuous being inevitably followed by impeded respiration.
They are, at a point a little below the collar bones, attached to, and as it were
interrupted by two metal D' which are kept in position by a breast strap and
buckle (ride letter g on Fig. 2) while two other straps pass downwards and out-
wards and connect with the waist belt behind the ammunition pouches.
connection is made by means of brace ends having a buckle above and a D with
a running loop upon the belt so that their position can shifted. The object of
this arrangement of the braces in front is to remove them from off the cartilages
of the ribs and diaphragm so as to permit of free respiration, and as well to
relieve pressure on the hip bones otherwise liable to be caused by the belt. If
it is desired at any time to put greater pressure upon the upper part of the body,
so as to relieve the waist and hips in a long march, it can readily be done by
The

page_text: tightening the breast strap, but this is not recommended except as a temporary
measure.
The knapsack (vide Figs. 3 and 5) is curved from above downwards and from
side to side especially at the bottom, so as not to interfere with the expansion
of the ribs posteriorly, to provide for ventilation, and to permit of its resting
upon the reserve ammunition case, except the flaps it should be stiffened to shape.
It is entirely supported by the reserve ammunition case, (ride Fig. 3) but for
the purpose of keeping it in its place it is provided with two straps (cide Fig. 5)
which are fastened to buckles on either side of the collar part of the braces, (vide
Fig. 1), while behind the outer flap is similarly attached to the reserve am-
munition case (ride Fig. 3). It can either be made large enough to contain the
canteen within itself as in Fig. 3, or of smaller size when the canteen should
be carried on the top to loops provided for the purpose (ride letters H, H on Fig. 5).
There are two other loops (ride letters jjon Fig. 5) to which the great coat can
be strapped if wet, and in this contingency the canteen should be placed
inside.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I
claim:
―:
(1) That it is based upon scientific principles, that have not been previously
defined or made applicable to the carriage and use of equipment for infantry.
(2) That the different articles constituting the equipment viz. the
ammunition case," the braces" and the "knapsack are made in conformity
with these principles, and that these designs are original.
Dated this Ninth day of January 1809
reserve
1. P. STAPLES,
Bde. Surgn. Lt. Colonel, M.S., retd.
F. P. STAPLES,
Bde. Surgn. Lt. Colonel, M.S., retd.