IMPROVEMENTS IN HEAT RETAINING AND LIFE SAVING DRESSES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred William Ward, of Kilburn Baths, Kilburn, in
the County of Middlesex for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN HEAT
RETAINING AND LIFE SAVING DRESSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred William Ward at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th June 1883.
ALFRED WILLIAM WARD of Kilburn Baths Kilburn, in the County of Middlesex,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN HEAT RETAINING AND LIFE SAVING DRESSES
"
The object of this invention is the production of a waterproof dress, the various
parts of which are so constructed that they may be easily and expeditiously
combined on the body of a person, and when thus combined or put together they
form a water and air tight covering enabling the person to retain the animal heat
even through a prolonged submersion or partial submersion in water and thus for
instance enable sailors fishermen, or shipwrecked people to float about and remain
for a longer time in the water without being exhausted than has been possible by
any means hitherto used for the purpose.
The dress itself is made of a suitable waterproof material and covers the whole
of the body up to the neck and is provided with an aperture for the introduction
of the body, said aperture to be afterwards closed with laces or any other
suitable fastening.
To render the closing of the aperture quite watertight, a tongue is inserted
which can be brought up so as to be secured over the front of the collar of the
dress after the aperture is closed.
The collar, whereby the dress is securely fastened to the neck, can be made of
metal, and provided with a snap or other fastening, the said collar being made
concave, or grooved in order to allow of a hood or head covering to be secured
upon it, by the passing round of a cord or elastic band; the grooved or concave
form of the collar preventing the cord or elastic band from slipping off
The collar may also be made of india rubber tubing, which when inflated
will press gently on the neck and prevent the water from entering

page_text: The hood or head covering is provided with eye glasses and respirator and may
be made to open at the sides down to the shoulders, which opening, after the
proper adjustment of the dress, is closed and secured by one or more snaps.
If preferred; the hood and dress can be made in one piece, on the hood and body
part in one piece, and the trousers and stockings in another piece, the several
parts being securely jointed by means of concave metal rings and suitable elastic
bands.
The respirator above mentioned consists of a mouthpiece which can be unscrewed
when required for the purpose of taking refreshments &c which mouthpiece is
provided with a templet of india rubber which gently presses against the lips
and prevents the admission of water inside the dress, even when the mouthpiece
is submerged in the water.
The dress as aforesaid can be made in one piece or in any separate parts and
when sleeves and gloves are used they must be secured by elastic bands over the
cuffs of the dress.
For long immersions in the water and exposure to the weather a convenienco
is inserted in the dress which can be opened or closed by a screw valve.
When desired a receptacle for excrements can be provided.
By combining the hood with a suitable cape or shoulder covering it forms a first
rate protection for such men as Cabmen, Omnibus drivers and Coachmen or other
persons exposed to wet and cold.
The complete dress when folded up occupies a space of about 12 in x 6 in x 4 in.
and is thus suitable to form part of a travellers outfit or may be used as a cushion
in emigrant and other ships, when in the event of shipwreck, persons attired in
these complete dresses would retain the animal heat for a very considerable time!
and be enabled to withstand the wet and cold and consequently many lives might
be prolonged and ultimately preserved.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred William Ward in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th December 1883.
ALFRED WILLIAM WARD of Kilburn Baths Kilburn, in the County of Middlesex.
" IMPROVEMENTS IN HEAT RETAINING AND LIFE SAVING DRESSES."
"
The object of this invention is the production of a waterproof dress, the various
parts of which are so constructed that they may be easily & expeditiously com-
bined on the body of a person, and when thus combined or put together, they form
a water and air tight covering, enabling the person to retain the animal heat even
through a prolonged submersion, or partial submersion in water, and thus for
instance enable sailors, Fishermen, or shipwrecked people to float about and
remain for a longer time in the water without being exhausted, than has been
possible by any means hitherto used for the purpose.
The dress itself is made of a suitable waterproof material and covers the whole
of the body up to the neck and is provided with an aperture for the introduction
of the body, said aperture to be afterwards closed with laces or any other suitable
fastening.
To render the closing of the aperture quite watertight, a tongue is inserted,
which can be brought up so as to be secured over the front of the collar of the
dress after the aperture is closed.
The collar, whereby the dress is securely fastened to the neck, can be made of
metal, and provided with a snap or other fastening, the said collar being made
concave, or grooved, in order to allow of a hood or head covering to be secured
upon it, by the passing round of a cord or elastic band, the groove or concave form
of the collar preventing the cord or elastic band from slipping off.
The collar may also be made of india rubber tubing, which when inflated, will
press gently on the neck and prevent the water from entering.
The hood or head covering is provided with eye glasses and respirator and may
be made to open at the sides down to the shoulders, which opening after the
proper adjustment of the dress, is closed, and secured by one or more snaps.
If preferred the hood and dress can be made in one piece or the hood and body
part in one piece, and the trousers and stockings in another piece, the several parts
being securely jointed by means of concave metal rings and suitable elastic bands.
The respirator above mentioned consists of a mouthpiece which can be unscrewed
when required, for the purpose of taking refreshments &c.
The mouthpiece is provided with a templet of india-rubber which gently presses
against the lips and prevents the admission of water inside the dress, even when
the mouthpiece is submerged in the water.
The dress as aforesaid can be made in one piece or in any separate parts and
when sleeves and gloves are used they must be secured by elastic bands over the
cuffs of the dress.
For long immersions in the water and exposure to the weather a convenience is
inserted in the dress which can be opened or closed by a screw valve.
When desired a receptacle for excrements can be provided.
By combining the hood with a suitable cape or shoulder covering it forms a
first rate protection for such men as Cabmen, Omnibus drivers, Coachmen, and
other persons exposed to cold and wet.
The complete dress when folded up occupies a space of about 12 in. × 6 × 4
and is thus suitable to form part of a travellers outfit, or may be used as a cushion
in emigrant and other ships, when in the event of shipwreck persons attired in

page_text: these complete dresses would retain the animal heat for a very c
and be enabled to withstand the wet and cold, and consequently many lives might
be prolonged and ultimately preserved.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. I shows a dress covering the body up to the neck, A. denoting the tongue
to the aperture, and B. the collar to which the tongue is secured.
Fig. I a. & b. show respectively the aperture in the dress, the tongue, and the
metal collar of concave or grooved form, for the securing of a hood by cords or
elastic bands; and c. & d. respectively denote the collar made of india-rubber
which can when desired be inflated and thus prevent the water from entering the
dress at the neck.
Fig. II shows the dress covering the whole of the body combined with hood
opening at the sides, said hood being furnished with eye glasses and respirator.
Fig. III shows side view of the hood and cape secured to the collar.
Fig. III. a. b. c. & d. show views of the respirator, consisting of mouth piece A
and templet B, similar letters of reference in these figures indicating corresponding
parts.
Fig. IV shows form of hood, without face covering, combined with body, to be
provided with concave metal rings and elastic band, for being secured to the upper
part of combined trousers and stockings.
Fig. V shows trousers and stockings combined.
Fig. VI shows dress for trunk of the body, which can be combined with hood,
sleeves and gloves &c. the other parts being secured to each other by means of
concave metal rings and bands or.cords as above described.
Fig. VII shows combined sleeves and gloves.
Having now described the nature of my said invention and the manner in
which the same is to or may be performed, I would have it understood that what
I claim is:
First. The dress to neck fitted with tongue and concave metal or hollow, rubber
collars as shown in Figures I and I a. b. c. d.
Second. The complete dress and hood combined with opening at the sides of the
hood down to the shoulders as shown in Figure 2.
Third. The combined hood & cape as shown in Figure 3.
Fourth. The respirator consisting of detachable mouthpiece and fixed templet ns
shown in Figures 3 a. b. c. d.
Fifth. The hood without face covering and body combined as shown in Figure 4.
Sixth. The trousers and stockings combined with metal concave ring for securing
same to Figure 4.
Seventh. The dress for the trunk of the body with or without hood, sleeves, or
gloves as shown in Figure 6.
Eighth. The use of the concave metal or hollow rubber collar in connection with
any of the above combinations.
Nineth. The combination by means of concave or grooved metal rings, and cords or
bands, of any of the above mentioned parts of waterproof dress sub-
stantially as herein described and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Alfred William Ward have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Twelveth day of December in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
TOD
WTT TTAM ADD
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