IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING APPARATUS, AND APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR WORKING IN DEEP WATER
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Alexander Kobitzsch, of Bucharest, in
Wallachia, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING APPARATUS,
AND APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR WORKING IN DEEP WATER."
Sealed the 3rd October 1862, and dated the 5th April 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Alexander Kobitzsch
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
5th April 1862.
I, RICHARD ALEXANDER KOBITZSCH, of Bucharest, in Wallachia, do hereby.
declare, the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING APPARATUS,.
AND APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR WORKING IN DEEP WATER," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in diving apparatus and:
apparatus to be used for working in deep water. For this purpose I employ,
diving apparatus which is constructed in a manner to permit the diver to.
remain in it for many hours under water shut out from all communication with;
the atmosphere, also to protect him from the pressure and coldness of the,
water and allow of his moving about freely in all directions...

page_text: The construction of the apparatus is as follows:-The apparatus proper,
that is to say, the hood surrounding the space in which the diver and the con-
trivances for the purposes stated are placed, consists of the body and cases for
the arms and legs. The body is made of iron or steel and the cases for the
arms and legs are made of several thicknesses of leather and waterproof
material, with iron rings, plates, and articulations, the diver within the
apparatus is thus able to walk about freely on the bottom, and to use his
arms to effect any work required; the metal rings or plates in the dress
keep the pressure of the water off the limbs of the diver. The aperture
of entry is made to screw on and off. The respiratory process is main-
tained as follows:-The carbonic acid exhaled is neutralised by driving the
air with bellows worked by the diver into lime water and the oxygen
consumed is replaced by oxygen artificially generated within the diving
apparatus or in apparatus connected therewith, or by oxygen taken down
in a condensed state. A manometer indicates to the diver the density of
the air in the apparatus. Another manometer communicating with the water
indicates to the diver the depth which the apparatus has reached. Two
or several large cylinders for taking in water and contrivance to remove
the same again, serve to put the apparatus in equilibrium with the water
displaced and accordingly to make it. sink. Two small cylinders also for
taking in water, and with contrivances to remove the same again, are intended
to increase or diminish to a slight degree the weight of the apparatus so as to
allow it gently to rise or sink or keep it suspended at a certain depth under
water. Two or several metal weights with long lines to them may be left
down or wound up on rollers, in this manner the diver may on the weights
reaching the bottom, keep, himself suspended at any desired depth. A case with
double covers or doors to be opened or closed by screws from within or without
serves to enable the diver to take things into the apparatus from, the sea or to
put them out. As motive-power to enable the diver to move about when at a
distance from.the bottom, the screw or oar may be employed and actuated by
the diver- within the apparatus. Implements and other objects placed outside
the apparatus are fastened to chains and rings. The apparatus has windows
and the known arrangements for lighting. The apparatus may be made. to
contain several divers if desired, and in this case it is made with several sets
of cases or flexible coverings for the limbs of the divers, there being a complete
set of such cases or coverings for each diver. I also according to my. Invention.
employ auxiliary apparatus for sinking or lifting weights; this apparatus
consists of two cases, a large one filled with water and with an aperture at

page_text: bottom, and a smaller one filled with compressed air and with an aperture at
top, connected with the opening of the upper one. The upper case is attached
to the object which is to be raised, the aperture of the lower case is opened
when the air rushes into the upper case, drives out the water, and thus enables
the apparatus to lift its burthen. The same apparatus will serve equally
for sinking, but the manipulation is varied.