Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd July, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 11th Mar., 1889
1 WILLIAM VERO Junior of 94 Union Street Borough, Cork Helmet Manu-
facturer in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to a new and improved method of manufacturing out of
Sheet Cork of any desired substance Life Saving apparatus with air Chamber or
Chambers.
The process hitherto employed in the making of Life Saving Apparatus or buɔyant
garments by the natural substance known as Cork, has been to use Cork in a
granulated condition or in solid Cork-blocks shavings or strips of Cork.
The universal idea being to fill pockets or bags of any approved shape, with
granulated cork shavings, cork Blocks or strips of cork, trusting alone to the natural
buoyancy of Cork to obtain the object in view.
The value of Cork as a natural buoyant substance has long been justly appreciated;
by my invention 1 claim to greatly increase the buoyancy the buoyancy of Cork also
to add immensely to its strength and durability; by the means of making airtight
cork chambers from Sheet Cork, built ply upon ply by the means of adhesive
waterproof solutions which is new and novel when applied to Cork, in the manufacture
of Life Saving appliances or buoyant garments.
Air tight chambers have been made out of Metal, Paper, and India rubber; but,
not by the means of the natural buoyant substance Cork for the purposes of this
invention which I accomplish by useing Cork cut into sheets, of any desired size,
shape, or substance firmly fixing together with Marine Glue or any sufficiently
adhesive waterproof solution. Herein is the novelty and efficiency of my invention.
I also claim to manufacture solid Cork shapes of any design from Sheet Cork,
firmly built together ply upon ply with adhesive waterproof solution.

page_text: 1st. To use Cork cut into sheets of any size or substanco.
2nd. This Sheet Cork to be cut into any pattern or shape needful for the article
being made.
3rd. Whatever article I make I require a Wood or Iron Mould or Block in one or
more pieces the exact shape or counterpart of the article I am making and upon this
mould or shape I huill my Cork structure.
4th I now place over my block or mould a tight cotton covering or waterproofing
of any description, making the covering to tightly fit my Block, or mould. I now
Coat the Cotton or Waterproof cover over the surface with Marine Glue, Indiarubber
Solution or any sufficiently waierproof adhesive substance.
5th. I now skive the edges of my Sheet Cork.
6th. I now spread with a brush over the surface of the Sheet (ork, the same kind
of waterproof solution that I have spread over the covering upon my Block or
Mould.
7th. I now place upon the lining which is upon the Block or Mould-the Sheet
Cork which has been solutioned-placeing the two solutioned surfaces together,
malletting or hammering together and placeing the Sheet. Cork on peice by peice until
the whole of the surface is covered.
8th. I now cut the surplus cork away at the joints and rasp-with a rasp the
surface until it is level.
9th. I now re-solution over again the Cork surface which I have now firmly fixed
upon my Block or Mould.
10th. I now solution over another set of Sheet Cork.
11th. I now place the second ply of Sheet Cork, upon my block or mould placeing
the two solutioned surfaces together and malletting them together as before-that is
the second ply of Cork upon the first ply of Cork which is upon the block or mould
and by the same opperation as the first ply of Cork was attached thereto repeating
this process until I have fixed together, ply upon ply, the exact quantity of plys of
Sheet Cork desired.
I do not restrict myself as to the number of plys or the substance of Sheet Cork
used in some cases 1 use to strengthen my structure by placoing between one or
more of the Cork plys woven fabrics, or any suitable material for this purpose.
12th. To construct my air Chambers in some cases, 1 place ribs of solid thick Cork,
cut to any required shape, & fix with Marine Glue, or waterproof solution upon the
Cork Framework now built upon the Block or Mould, this Cork rib I place down,
or in the center of my structure 1 also place solid cork around the odgos of my Block
ord ould and also attach more solid ribs of Cork upon my shape if deemed
necessary.
13th. I now strain over the entire upper surface waterproof material or other
suitable woven fabric.
14th. I now proceed to place upon the upper surface of my structure, ply upon
ply, of Sheet Cork in the same manner as before described-until I have the weight,
substance and strength required.
15th. Aftor my air chamber Cork Structure is made-in most cases I cover the
whole with any suitable material-Oiled Canvass-or Waterproof of any description in
some cases attaching thereunto Straps, Cords, or Laces for fixing or holding
purposes.
16th. I do not limit myself to this mode of construction in every detail I in somo
cases build my cork shape upon a Wood or Iron Mould the Mould or Block being
the exact substance of Air Chamber or air capacity required. In this case I place
my tight fitting Canvass or Waterproof lining over the whole surface-back front,
sides, and ends and now build over the whole surface excepting the top end which
would be left temporally open for the purpose of removing the Block or Bould
which would be made in one or more parts as required My Sheet Cork and system of
working would be substantially the same as before described.

page_text: 17th. Another way to build my Cork Shape is to make a light wood Frame and
to build my Cork Structure upon this, and allow this to be part and parcel of the
structure.
18th. It will be obvious from my process of manufacture, that any shape or design
of Life Saving appliances can be made most readily.
19th. In some cases I should employ ribs of cork in others I should not.
20th. At the present time Life-Boats Men wear as there Life Saving Cork
Uniform, simply a quantity of solid, natural Cork Blocks fixed in a mass together
making a congregated mass of solid Cork, encircling the front and the back of the
wearer whereas my Life Boat Mens suits would consist of
No. 1. A cork structure with air tight Chamber, or Chambers made from Sheet
Cork as before described and be in the shape of Ancient Armour encircleing the back
and the front extending from a little below the neck to the waist with a flat surface
at the bottom the whole encased in Oilcloth or Waterproofing and strapped upon the
body.
No. 2. Life Boats Mens Cork Uniform will be precisely the same size, and shape
as now used but instead of being congregated solid Blocks of Cork this would be
congregated Cork Air Chambers of any approved shape or design, Round, Square,
Triangular, or-and of any diameter or air capacity.
By this means there will be an increase of buoyancy equal to one pound weight
in overy three pounds with a reduction of about 50 per cent. in the weight of the
apparatus.
21st. Life buoys, I make in various designs. No. 1. A Circular Cork Air Chamber.
No. 2. A circular Cork Life buoy with Air Chamber or Chambers made in two or
more sections, and held together by means of strong canvass at the back then
straped upon the body in front. One cork air tight section under each arm.
No. 3. Square Cork Air Chamber Floats with Ropes attached at the four ends;
any size required or air capacity.
Air Chamber Cork Collars in two sections or more, strapped upon the neck.
Air Chamber Cork Belts made upon strong canvass or webbing foundations
covered with Cork Sheets in sections air tight or otherwise with Cork Air Chambers
Round, Square or Triangular, fixed transversely upon the belt.
22. Air Chamber Cork Vests or Jackets covered with Cloth-or Dress Materials
suitable for Ladies or Gentlemen made in sections upon the principle hereinbefore
described.
23rd. I claim as new and novel cork air chambers, of small or large air capacity,
with ribs or without ribs, and of any size, strength or shape, made of any length,
and attached in any number-preferred-to any kind of garment desired as worn
by Gentlemen Ladies or Children.
The Cork Air Chambers being stitched upon the garment or each section air
chamber, placed one over the other in Pockets or bags and to be placed in any
preferred part of the garment to be inade buoyant which garment may be made of
waterproof materials or any other material.
24th. My Cork Air Sections in some cases I stick upon garments by means
waterproof solutions.
25th. By means of this invention any garment may be made buoyant to a great
extent and in most cases without destroying the outward appearance of such
garment in many instances it would add to the gracefull appearance of the same.
I claim for this invention new and advantageous results.
A. Cork Sections built with air capacity are 50 per cent. lighter than a mass of
Cork, granulated or block Cork, and of equal bulk.
B. Cork Sections with air capacity are 35 per cent. more buoyant-than
granulated, or Block Cork, of an equal bulk.
C. Cork Sheets built together ply upon ply upon the principle herein described,
made in any size, or shape, with air Chamber, or otherwise with Waterproof Solutions-
gives to the Cork shapes or structure an enormously increased strength.

page_text: D. Air tight Chambers made of Metal, Paper, or India Rubber have the con-
siderable disadvantage of not being in themselves naturally buoyant substances
consequently the same air capacity of any of these or similar substances will not
support in water an equal weight as any article of equal size, shape, & air capacity
when made from Sheet Cork and waterproof adhesive solutions upon the principle of
this invention, moreover in case of accident to the Air Chamber Cork is safe when
the other substances would naturally become a sourse of danger.
26th. The Process I havo described may be modified without departing from the
peculiar character of my Invention.

page_text: WILLIAM VERO Junior 94 Union Street Borough London S.E. in the County of
Surrey, Cork Helmet Manufacturer I do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a new and improved method of manufacturing out of
sheet cork of any desired substance life Saving Apparatus with air chamber or
chambers the process hitherto employed in the making of Life Saving Apparatus or
buoyant garments by the natural substance known as cork, has been to use cork in
a granulated condition or in solid blocks, shavings or strips of cork, placeing the same
in pockets, or bags, trusting alone to the natural buoyancy of cork to obtain the object
in view; by my invention I greatly increase the buoyancy of cork by means of cork
manufactured into air tight chambers, besides; reducing the weight by about
one half.
The value of cork as a natural buoyant substance has long been justly appreciated.
By my Invention 1 not only increase buoyancy, but add considerably to the strength
of the cork structure by means of air tight chambers and waterproof solutions-
which is new and novel wher applied to cork structures for Life Saving Appliances.
Air tight chambers have been made in metal, paper, and india rubber, but not by
the means of sheet cork-and adhesive solutions, herein is the novelty and efficiency
my Invention.
of
I hereby declare my process to be.-
1st. To employ cork cut into sheets of any size or substance.
2nd. The sheet cork to be cut into any pattern or shape needful for the article being
made.
3rd. Whatever article I make I require a shape or mould upon which to build my
cork structure, this may be accomplished in various ways. 1st. A canvas bag, of any
shape or size-made air tight by solutions, waterproof or otherwise then hlown out to
its shape by means of air or gas-tightly to its full extent-fixedly cementing the
same. 2nd. Another way would be to make my mould, or shape by the means of
vulcanized rubber or pure India rubber air tight shapes blown out by means of air or
gas as preferred-cementing the same. 3rd. Another way would be to employ a wood
or iron block or mould in one or more parts, the exact counterpart of the shape I desire
to make, and upon which 1 build my cork structure.
4th. Upon the blown out bags or shapes-I at once coat over with India rubber
solution marine glue or any waterproof substance sufficiently adhesive-Whereas upon
my wood or iron block or mould 1 would put a cotton covering or lining or waterproofing
of any description-making the same to tightly fit my block or mould.

page_text: 5th. I now coat the canvass, or waterproofing material; air tight shapes, or linings
upon wood, or Iron moulds, with India rubber solution, marine glue, or any waterproof
substance sufficiently adhesive.
6th. I now take iny sheot cork after having skived its edges and cover the sheet
cork over with the same waterproof adhesive substance that I have done my shape over
with.
7th. I now place upon the mould or shape whichever way formed the sheet cork-
placing the two solutioned surfaces together-placing the sheet cork on peice by poico
until the whole of desired substance is covered.
8th. I now cut off the surplus cork at the joints, then rasp and sand paper the sur-
face level-more or less as desired.
9th. I now solution over again the cork surface upon my air shape, mould or block.
10th. I now solution over another set of sheet cork, then I mallet the second ply of
cork upon the first ply of cork upon the air bag; block or mould, in precisely the same
manner as the first ply, and so on until I have the number of plys or substances of cork
upon the air bag, block or mould I desire.
11th. I do not restrict myself as to whether there shall he only one substance, or ply
of cork in my structure, or any number of plys, the number being regulated only by tho
requirements of the case.
12. In some cases I place solid cork ribs or crude cork cut into any shape, so as when
the various segments of block cork are joined together by marine glue or any suitable
waterproof solutions I am enabled to construct any article, small or large with air tight
capacities as may bo desired covered by any suitable fabric.
13. I wish it to be clearly understood that I do not limit myself to these modes of
construction in every detail.
14. For example I could build my cork structure upon a wood or even a slight card
board frame and allow this to be and remain part and parcel of my article.
15. I would cover the whole with any suitable material oiled cloth, or waterproof
material of any description attaching thereunto straps, cords, or laces to affix the same
in accordance with the article made.
16. It will be obvious from my process of manufacture that any shape, or design of
Life Saving Apparatus, can be made most readily-At the present time life boats men-
when employed at their most dangerous calling, wear as their Life Saving Cork
Uniform, simply a quantity of solid cork blocks, strung or corded together-making a
congregated mass of solid cork encircling the front and back of the wearer.
17. Whereas my Life Boats-mens Cork Suits would consist of 1st. An air tight
chamber, or chambers, made from sheet cork as before described in the shape of a
breast plate to cover both front & back. In the shape of ancient armour extending
to nearly the waist. 2nd. My Life Boats-mens Cork Uniform would be in precisely
the same size & shape as at prosent worn-but would have one third greater buoyancy.
18. Instead of congregated solid cork block,-mine would be congregated cork air
chambers of any approved shape or design, square octagon, triangular, or of any
diameter by this means there will be an incronsed buoyancy, equal to I lb. out of every
three pounds, with a considerable reduction of weight.
19. Life buoys No. 1 circular I shall make in various designs. Life buoys No. 2,
circular cork air chamber made in two sections and to be held together by means of
strong canvass at the back, and straped tightly upon the body in front-one cork air
section under each arm.
No. 3 square cork air chamber floats with ropes attached at 4 ends, any size desired,
or air capacity.
20. Air chumbor cork collars in two sections or more.
21. Belts made upon strong canvass foundations covered as required with cork air
chambers of any design.
22. Air chamber cork sections attached upon overalls blouses or vests, covered with
dress materials for ladies, children or gentlemen made upon the principle hereinbefore
described.

page_text: 23. Having now particularly described and assertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is.
A. Crude sheet cork, or split sheet cork, manufactured into air tight chambers for
the purposes of this Invention of any substance or weight.
B. Cork air sections are 35 per cent. more buoyant than granulated, shaveings or
block cork, also less in bulk lighter in weight besides adding to the strength.
C. My waterproof solutions makes the cork absolutely impervious to the least
absorption of water.
D. Air tight chambers of metal, paper, or India rubber, have the disadvantage of
not being in themselves natural buoyant substances-consequently the same air capacity
of any of these or similar substances will not support an equal weight in the water, as
any article of equal size and air capacity when made upon my principle, out of sheet
cork, crude or split and marine glue or waterproof solutions. Moreover cork is
inperishable whilst other substances employed speedily decay.
E. It will be apparent that in case of accident to air chamber, that cork is safe,
when the other substances would add greatly to the dangers around.
The process may be modified without departing from the peculiar character of my
Invention.