Improvements in Diving Apparatus.
Year: 1896

page_text: This Print is in accordance with the Original Specification as it stands after
Amendment (under Section 11 of the Patents, &c. Act, 1883) as required by
the decision of the Law Officer of the 7th day of August, 1897
Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1896-Accepted, 28th Nov., 189
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (AMENDED).
Improvements in Diving Apparatus.
I, CARRICK PAUL, of Carrington Avenue, Hurstville near Sydney, in the Colony
of New South Wales, Civil Engineer, 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 relates to diving apparatus specially devised for very deep
submarine work, such as pearl fishing, so as to be practically safe and easy in
operation. The diving apparatus to which the invention relates is of the kind in
which the operators are enclosed in a shell or casing which is in communication
with the atmosphere above the level of the water and the present improvements
have been specially devised to give the operators control over the lowering and
raising of the shell and to provide the operators with tools or grippers easily
manageable.
According to this invention besides the shell for containing the operators, there
is a second shell which can be moved telescopically upon the inner shell to lessen
the displacement, so that the apparatus will sink, or to increase the displacement
so that the apparatus will rise. The joint between the inner and outer shells is
practically air tight and water proof and the outer shell is in communication with
the supply to the apparatus. In combination with the main shell there is arranged
a sliding dead weight so that the centre of gravity of the apparatus may be altered
at will to suit its level or inclination to the operations performed.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood reference is made to the
accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the apparatus shewing the outer
telescopic shell in its closed-in position, and showing it in dotted lines in its
extended position. Fig. 2 is a view of the one end. Fig. 3 is a cross section on
line a a of Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 is a view of the other end.
A is the main shell having a dome or chest A' with a door or cover A³ tightly
jointed thereon.
Outside of the shell A and air tightly fitted to slide telescopically thereon is
the second shell B.
Through the door or cover A pass telescopic pipes C and D the former C being
connected with the air pump for supplying the necessary fresh air to the shell
through a regulating cock or tap C. The pipe C is connected to a three way
cock or valve C opening into the shell B and also into A. The cock C³ may be
turned so that the full supply of air, except that passing through the cock C¹ may
be turned into B tending to move it outwards, or connection may be made through
the cock C between the shells A and B so as to allow the shell B to be drawn
inward. The pipe D extends up to the surface of the water allowing escape of
the vitiated air from A and at the same time protecting the pipe C. In the
shell A are gauges E and E¹ the former E for indicating the pressure of the water

page_text: upon the apparatus and the latter E for indicating the pressure of air within
the shell B.
In the shell A is a weight F sliding on a rod which is held by stanchions or
pillars F; the weight F can be easily shifted to or fro by means of an endless
wire or rope F3 running around pulleys F. Connected to the end of B and
passing through a nut G fixed to Aisia screw spindle G; and passing through
both the ends of A and B and through stuffing boxes H2 and H³ is a shaft or
spindle H having on its outer end a screw or propeller H. The inner ends of the
screw G and of the propeller shaft H have bearings in a cross stay J the ends J¹
of which slide in guides J.
The inner ends of the screw G and the shaft H are squared to receive a crank
handle by which the propeller can be worked to move the apparatus backwards
or forwards, or the screw G can be turned to extend or to draw in the shell.
An air-tight door B¹ is provided to give communication when required between
the shells A and B.
Where necessary the shell A particularly in its front end has ports or light
holes K.
The lifting and operating appliances comprise an outer pipe L a ball L' seated
on the end of the nozzle piece L2 and retained by the pressure of the water on an
india rubber sheath L3 between which and L is interposed a conical spring L the
sheath forming a practically air-tight joint around the pipe L.
In both the inner and outer ends of L are stuffing boxes L surrounding a
pipe M through which passes a rod M.
The outer end of M' terminates in a nut M2 through which passes the screwed
end of the rod M. The inner end of M has a stuffing box or other air-tight
joint M³ and a handle M, the rod M terminates in a handle M³. On the nut M²
are jointed the claws N.
Passing through slots in the claws are the ends M of a crosshead on the
outer end of the rod M. By the manipulation of the two handles M and M5 as
allowed by the flexibility of the india rubber cone L³ and spring L the claws N
can be operated to pick up anything within reach of them and can be drawn
together or separated by the revolution of the rod M in the nut M³.
The operators enter the shell A through the door A2 which is then tightly
closed.
To sink the apparatus they open communication by the cock (3 between the
shells A and B and then turn the screw G so as to close B in upon A and thus
reduce the displacement of the apparatus until it sinks. When at the bottom
the operator regulates the "set" or inclination of the apparatus by manipulating
the cord 3 so as to place the weight F' where required. The quantity and
pressure of the air supply is regulated by the cock C. To pick up pearl shell or
other objects the handles M and M are operated as above described and the
articles held by the claws N are released over a basket or receptacle (not shewn)
which hangs from the working station above.
To move the apparatus backwards or forwards the spindle H is turned revolving
the propeller H. In order to ascend, the cock C2 makes communication of the
air supply pipe C with the interior of B and the screw G is turned to extend the
shell B and when the displacement exceeds the weight the apparatus rises to
the surface whereupon the operators are released through the door or cover A².
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I am aware that
it has been proposed to lengthen or shorten a submarine or torpedo boat for the
purpose of varying its displacement, I therefore make no general claim to this
method of varying displacement but what I claim is :-
1. In diving apparatus having a shell containing the operators a second and
telescopically sliding outer shell for lessening or increasing the displacement of
the apparatus substantially as herein described.

page_text: 2. In diving apparatus of the kind above referred to, a sliding weight arranged
and operating substantially as herein described.
3. In diving apparatus of the kind above referred to, the ball jointed tube and
stuffing boxes, the rods for claws and the flexible cone substantially as herein
described.
4. In combination with the shells A and B the screw G nut G¹ bearing G³ the
spindle H stuffing boxes H3 and H propeller H' cross stay J and guides Ja
substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 21st day of October 1896.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.