IMPROVEMENTS TAT Å OTTIMIN TINTING Cran
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Boyd Thornton, of Edinburgh, Scotland, India
Rubber and Waterproof Manufacturer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
TAT
Å OTTIMIN TINTING
Cranma
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Boyd Thornton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd July 1880.
GEORGE BOYD THORNTON, of Edinburgh, Scotland, India Rubber and Waterproof
Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AQUATIC LIFE SAVING AND SPORTING DRESS
OR APPARATUS."
My Invention consists in the combination of a buoy or float of cork, or other
suitable material, with a waterproof dress, in such a manner as to enable the body
of the wearer to be floated waist high in the water, and, if necessary, to support
four other persons in the water. The dress or apparatus consists of a waterproof
dress with the buoy or float to encircle the waist of the wearer,
Within the buoy
or float, and next the body of the wearer, are fitted two separate air-tight chambers
of india rubber cloth, which are thus protected by the buoy or float in case of
coming in collision with wreckage or other obstruction. The air tight chambers
form a ridge all round below the buoy or float, which serves to steady the same in
the water as in the case of a boat. The body floated waist high, as stated, can be
propelled with the hands, and on the float is fitted an apparatus for working a
small pair of oars or paddles. Four persons, as well as the operator, can be
supported on the float without overbalancing it. For duck shooting, where the use
of a boat would disturb the birds, the dress or apparatus would enable the
sportsman to approach almost insensibly, carrying his gun horizontally fixed on to
the float by suitable fittings which protect the gun. This dress or apparatus is also
adapted for use in deep river fishing, crossing rivers, navigating, and exploring
purposes,

page_text: pieces of wood or other suitable material fitted thereto, in such a manner as to
enable the wearer to grip or lay firm hold on the water.
On the float or buoy B is fitted apparatus for fixing and working a small pair of
oars, and also an apparatus, as shewn at E, in Figures 1 and 3, for attaining
greater speed by means of screw propellers F, worked by handles G at the top of
the buoy or float B in a similar manner to ordinary screw propellers.
There is also fitted on to the lower part of the legs and feet of the dress foot
propellers H (shewn in Figures 1 and 5), which are in the form of web feet, and
fill with water in working the foot as in the act of walking, thereby catching the
water and preventing its escape, and producing a forward motion. These web
feet are made of waterproof cloth, or other suitable material, with ribs or light
jointed framework of cane or other suitable material adapted to give them the
action of web feet.
The entire dress is made of india rubber cloth, or other suitable material, and the
buoy or float is made either attached to the dress or separate therefrom, and of
various sizes and shapes.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what I claim as of my Invention
is, first, the combination of a buoy or float constructed, as described, with a
waterproof dress, such combination being adapted to float the body of the wearer
waist high in the water, and furnished with foot propellers, as hereinbefore
described.
And, Secondly, The same combination, with propelling apparatus of the kind
described applied thereto.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Boyd Thornton, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
ALEX. J. GUTHRIE,
31, Broughton Place,
Edinburgh,
Clerk..
GEO. B. THORNTON. (L.S.)