An Improved Life Saving Belt.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1891-Accepted, 22nd Aug., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Life Saving Belt.
I WILLIAM BEDDOES of 15 Long Cross Street Roath Cardiff in the County
of Glamorgan Wales Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention
(a communication to me from Frederick William Woods of Melbourne Victoria
Inventor) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This my invention relates to an improved life saving belt, and the object of my
said invention is to provide a belt for the purposes of saving life from drowning
which shall be instantly available for use when required in the event of emergency
may be readily and easily adjusted by the wearer and which shall possess sufficient
buoyancy to allow the wearer to remain for a very long time in the water without
sinking. In carrying my invention into effect I form two cases of duck canvas or
other suitable (preferably woven) material and insert therein cork or cork shavings
or parings (or other buoyant packing material) which in addition to their buoyancy
possess the advantage of being inexpensive extremely light in proportion to its
bulk and being vermin proof.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood, reference should be
made to the accompanying drawings wherein like letters indicate corresponding
parts in both of the figures and in which,
Fig. 1 shews my improved life belt extended, and
Fig. 2 shews the belt and the position in which it is adjusted by the wearer when
required.
As will be seen in Fig. 1 my improved belt consists of preferably two cases A
and B which may be made of any suitable material as before described the said
cases being joined together by means of a flexible hinge or connection . The
said cases are filled with cork shavings, or other buoyant packing material, which
will render them capable of sustaining a considerable weight when immersed and
at the same time extremely light and portable. The stuffing may be secured in
position by the use of leather tabs or buttons and stitches in the manner usually
employed in upholstering. Attached to the upper edges of the before mentioned
cases A and B are two loops 6 of strong webbing tape or other material which
suspend the belt upon the shoulders of the wearer when the belt is in use as shewn
in Fig. 2. Other strips or tapes care attached to the ends of the belt for ticing
round the body. By the use of these tapes all buckles are dispensed with, and
there is no complication in fitting the same upon the body.
As will be seen from the drawing the upper side or edge of each of the cases is
hollowed in the centre or curved so as to leave the arms free and permit the wearer
of the belt to freely use same in the event of an emergency. In adjusting my belt
it is immaterial whether it is put on from the back or the front as the belt is
reversible. Another advantage of my belt is that it does not retain the water any
length of time. As soon as it is removed from the water it dries readily.
Upon the immersion of the belt the water will cause the cork to expand to a
slight extent thereby causing the belt to fit inore closely to the body and rendering
it less likely to become displaced.
The thickness of my improved belt when folded may be conveniently that of an
ordinary mattress in a ship's berth so that the belt may be employed as a bolster
or as an extension to the mattress or it may be employed as a seat cushion and will
also be found useful in other situations.
The cases of the belt may be waterproofed or painted if required to preserve the
material

page_text: 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. In a life belt the combination of cases having their upper edges formed in the
shape of a hollow curve, the said cases being stuffed or filled with cork parings or
shavings, or other buoyant packing materiel, said cases being provided with tapes
or bands for suspension from the shoulders and tapes or bands for securing the
belt round the body the whole substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this Fourth day of June 1891.
WILLIAM BEDDOES.
By his Agents,
Horn & Son.
WILLIAM BEDDOES.
By his Agents,
Horn & Son.