Improvements in Collapsable Buoyant Articles for Life-saving and other Purposes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 15th June, 1893-Accepted, 26th Aug., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Collapsable Buoyant Articles for Life-saving
and other Purposes.
CHRISTOPHER PILKINGTON, Artist 27 Hamfrith Road, Stratford, London, E.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention which relates to self acting and portable apparatus for life belts,
life rafts and such like objects, also for portable boats, pontoons &c. &c. consists of
a spiral spring of any suitable material, size, or shape, which is covered by a bag
of suitably shaped waterproof material, in some part of which is an inlet for air,
closed by a valve if required. When the spring is compressed the waterproof
covering folds with it all going into a very small space and is there held by any
suitable catch. On this catch being released the spring instantly expands carrying
with it the waterproof cover, air entering by the inlet, and the whole forms a very
The spring may
efficient life belt or raft &c. according to size and use intended.
be of any shape, round, square, or boat shaped &c. &c. according to use intended.
The waterproof material may be outside or inside the spring. Or the spring may
It will
be placed between two coverings for strength as may be found convenient.
When expanded the
be seen that the action is not inflation in the ordinary sense.
whole forms a hollow vessel which would stand rough usage and even holes pierced
without losing efficiency.
1000
C. PILKINGTON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Collapsable Buoyant Articles for Life-saving
and other Purposes.
I, CHRISTOPHER PILKINGTON, of 27 Hamfrith Road, Stratford, London, E.
Artist 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 :—
This invention which is applicable for self-acting and portable apparatus, as life-
belts, life-rafts, and such like objects, also as portable boats, pontoons, ship-raising
etc., etc.; consists of a spiral spring of any suitable, material size or shape, which
is covered by a bag of a suitably shaped waterproof material, in some part of
which is an inlet for air closed by a valve if required. When the spring is
compressed the waterproof cover folds with it, all going into a very small space
On the release of this catch the
and being there held by any suitable catch.
spring instantly expands carrying with it the waterproof cover, air entering by
the inlet, and the whole forms a very efficient life-belt, life-raft, etc., etc.,
according to the size or use required. The spring may be of any shape, round,
square, or boat shaped etc., etc.; according to the use intended and the waterproof
material may be outside or inside the spring, or the spring may be placed between
It will be seen that the
two coverings for strength as may be found convenient.
action is not inflation in the ordinary sense. When the spring etc. is expanded the
whole forms a hollow vessel, which would stand a great deal of damage, and even
holes pierced without losing its efficiency.

page_text: dotted line F expanded spring inside. B is the air inlet shown in this instance at
the end of the bag, but it may be in any position. CC are the loops to attach
the belt to or around the person.
Fig. II shows the apparatus folded, the same letters applying.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The whole arrangement as applied to collapsable, buoyant articles, for
whatever purpose required.
Dated this 15th day of June 1893.
C. PILKINGTON.