Improvements in Life Belts.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Life Belts.
I, FRANCIS FAWCUS, of Tower Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland, Gentleman, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention for improvements in life belts has for its object an improved
construction of belt to be worn when bathing, swimming or in case of danger,
whereby the wearer is supported in the water.
According to this invention a circular tube of suitable flexible and air-tight
material is placed round the body under the armpits and two other tubes are con-
nected thereto and pass over the shoulders the two tubes crossing both at the back
and front. A valve is fitted in front whereby the whole can be inflated with air
either by means of a pump or in case of emergency by placing the valve to the
mouth. The wearer is thus prevented from sinking.
The belt may be worn next to the body or over a suitable costume. It may be
worn by those engaged in occupations where there is danger from an inrush of
water and can be inflated in a few seconds.
For bathing, the belt is preferably not inflated unless required, but for swim-
ming it is inflated.
The circular and crossed portions act to retain the belt in position.
Improvements in Life Belts.
I, FRANCIS FAWCUS, of Tower Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland, Gentleman, 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 follow-
ing statement:
This invention for improvements in life belts to be worn when bathing, swim-
ming, or in case of danger, whereby the wearer is supported in the water.
According to this invention a circular tube of suitable flexible and airtight
material is placed round the body under the armpits and two other tubes are con-
nected thereto and pass over the shoulders, the two tubes connecting both at the
back and front. A valve is fitted in front whereby the whole can be inflated with
air either by means of a pump or in case of emergency by placing the valve to
the mouth. The wearer is thus prevented from sinking.

page_text: In order that the invention may be more clearly described reference is had to
the accompanying drawing which shows in perspective a life belt constructed
according to this invention.
The tube A is adapted to be passed round the body under the armpits. To the
tube A two other tubes BB are connected and adapted to pass over the shoulders
of the wearer. The two tubes B Bare connected at the back to a back tube C in
communication with the rear portion of the tube A. The tubes A, B, B¹ C are
all hollow and formed of suitable flexible and airtight material. The tubes B B₁
are preferably in communication one with the other and distinct from the tube A
although they may be all connected together'if' desired."
To place the belt in position, the tubes B B are placed over the shoulders and
the tube A placed round the body, the two ends being connected together by
means of the tapes or strings a or by other suitable means, the ends being in the
front. The tube C fits at the back..
At the front a tube D is fitted to the tube A and the end is provided with a
non-return valve d. This tube D is formed of the two tubes d d of which the
tube is in direct communication with the tube A while the tube is carried
round and into the shoulder tube B.
It will therefore be seen that if air is forced into the tube D the whole of the
tubes A B B C are inflated the tube A being supplied by means of the tube d!
while the tubes B B C are supplied by the tube . It will therefore be seen
that if by accident one portion should be punctured the other will serve to sup-
port the wearer.
The air may be forced in either by fitting an air pump to the valve d or in
case of emergency by placing the valve to the mouth. When the belt is inflated
it is sufficient to support the wearer in the water and prevent him from sinking.
To allow the air to escape to deflate the belt a valve E is provided. .
The belt may be worn next to the body or over the ordinary clothing. It may
be worn by those engaged in occupations where there is danger from an inrush
of water and can be inflated in a few seconds.
For bathing the belt is preferably not inflated unless required, but for swim-
ming it is inflated.
The circular and shoulder. portions act to retain the belt in position.
'ד
The tubes A B B C may be, made of indiarubber covered with strong canvas
so as to be water tight and airtight.
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 what
I claim is:
(1) An improved life belt comprising a tube adapted to be placed round the
body, shoulder tubes and a back tube all connected together, and a valve and
tube by which the whole can be inflated, either by means of a pump or by placing
the valve to the mouth substantially as described and for the purposes specified.
(2) An improved life belt comprising the tube A adapted to be placed round
the body, shoulder tubes B B and a back tube C all connected together, tube D
formed of the two tubes, non-return valve d and valve E by which air can
be allowed to escape, substantially as described with reference to the drawing
and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 29th day of November. 1898
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.