Improved Apparatus for Saving Persons from Drowning.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improved Apparatus for Saving Persons from Drowning.
I, JAMES JOHNSON, of No. 16 Dyott Street, Bloomsbury, in the County of
Middlesex, Machinist 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 and accompanying sheet of drawings :-
In accordance with my Invention I produce a flexible life saving apparatus or
appliance in such a manner as to allow of same being readily adapted for use either as
what is generally known as a life belt or as a life buoy for supporting drowning
persons, and which, whilst occupying no more stowage space than applies in the case
of ordinary life belts or life buoys, the buoyancy thereof is considerably in excess of
that possessed by the latter. Said device also being easily adjusted and utilised
whenever an emergency arises.
The apparatus or appliance aforesaid is made up of a number of hermetically sealed
vessels or cells corrugated or otherwise, so that a number of said vessels or cells
being attached together by means of a belt of webbing, strap or equivalent, I am
enabled to produce a flexible and buoyant life belt or buoy, the vessels or cells
aforesaid forming a series of water tight compartments, and the same may
contain either atmospheric air only, or they may be charged with gas of light
specific gravity.
Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 represents an elevational view of my device
made up ready for use as a life belt, the mode of attaching or connecting up a series
of the vessels or cells above referred to, being further illustrated by the horizontal
sectional view Figure 12. Figures 2 to 9 inclusive shew various types or formations
of vessels or cells; thus, Figures 2 and 3 are formed without corrugations; Figures 4, 7,
and 9 have spirally formed corrugations; Figure 8 shews a portion of a vessel or cell
to an enlarged scale partly in section with the corrugations disposed or arranged
horizontally. Figures 10 and 11 are detached views of strengthening stays, shewn in
position at 6 Figures 4, 7 and 8, for preventing said vessels or cells from being
bruised or indented; Figure 5 is an elevational view partly in section and Figure 6
is a horizontal sectional view of a rectangular vessel or cell with vertical corrugations
shewing more particularly at 6' the method of strengthening same.

page_text: Referring to Figure 1 I prefer to form the cells A A of sheets of copper, Delta
metal, or any material possessing great strength and lightness and corrugated
throughout the length thereof either horizontally or spirally, so as to afford a large
area for the enclosed air or any gas of low specific gravity contained within said
vessels or cells. To allow of the latter being joined together to form a life belt or
buoy, I attach cleats a a Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12 of wire or other suitable
material in such a manner that the belts of webbing or straps B may be rove
therethrough, said belts or straps being also provided if desired with buckles or other
equivalent means of fastening, to facilitate the wearing of said life belt or buoy. A
cross belt or strap is also provided for the purpose of adjustment over the shoulders
of the person using the device.
In making up a life belt or life buoy according to my Invention the whole of
said vessels or cells may be of the same configuration, or they may be dissimilar
in form.
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,
Firstly The improved life saving apparatus or appliance for saving persons
from drowning substantially as herein set forth and shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
:
Secondly In connection with the device last above mentioned the formation of
corrugations upon the vessels or cells of which said device is made up, and which
corrugations take either a horizontal or a spiral direction, the ends of said vessels or
cells being formed with corrugations corresponding with those on the main portion
thereof, substantially as herein set forth.
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.