IMPROVEMENTS IN LIFE SAVING RAFTS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LIFE SAVING RAFTS."
A communication from abroad by Maria Beasly, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at tho
Office of the Commissioners. of Patents on the 19th April 1880.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LIFE SAVING RAFTS." A communication from abroad by Maria Beasly,
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
The object of the Invention is to furnish a fire proof, compact, safe, and readily
launched raft which can be made instantly available when required. The nature
of the Invention consists, first, in a system of hollow metallic rectangular floats
having the ends bevelled on the underside, and being so united by hinges that they
may be folded together when stowed or spread out flat when in use; second, in
combining with said system of floats, bars, and hooks a railing or guard hinged
thereto so as to fold compactly parallel with the floats when stored, and when in
use fastened at the corners so as to enclose the deck or surface of the raft and
furnish support for the thwarts or seats and rowlocks furnishing fulcrums for tho
oars in rowing; third, in combining with the raft formed of parallel rectangular
floats and guard rails thwarts and rowlocks or equivalent oar supports provision
receptacles which can be kept continuously ready for any emergency of shipwreck.
Some or all of the floats composing the raft are made hollow for receiving provisions
which may be introduced through a top opening closed by a plug. For laterally
stiffening the raft when the floats are spread out side by side, two bars (or other
suitable number) are hinged to the top of a float, and two or more of the remaining
floats are provided with hooks for retaining the bars when laid horizontally across
the raft. Upon the sides of the outer floates are binges attaching a grated railing
provided with a strong upper rail with row locks thereon; at the opposite end of
each of the said railings are hinged gates made also of gratings, which fastening to
the other end of the opposite railing or grating forin a complete rectangular
enclosure.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 19th
October 1880.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVE
MENTS IN LIFE SAVING RAFTS." A communication from abroad by Maria Beasly,
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
The object of the Invention is to furnish a fire proof, compact, safe, and readily
launched raft which can be made instantly available when required. The nature
of the Invention consists, first, in a system of hollow metallic rectangular floats
having the ends bevilled on the underside, and being so united by hinges that they
may be folded together when stowed or spread out flat when in use; second, in
combining with said system of floats, bars, and hooks a railing or guard hinged
thereto so as to fold compactly parallel with the floats when stored, and when in
use fastened at the corners so as to enclose the deck or surface of the raft and furnish
support for the thwarts or scats and row locks furnishing fulcrums for the oars in
rowing; third, in combining with the raft formed of parallel rectangular floats and
guard rails, thwarts and row-locks, or equivalent oar supports, provision receptacles
which can be kept continuously ready for any emergency of shipwreck. I will now
proceed to particularly describe the construction and operation of the Invention,
referring in so doing to the Drawing annexed and the letters of reference marked
thereon. Figure 1 shows the Invention in perspective as when in use; Figure 2
shows the Invention as folded for stowing; Figure 3, a float in middle transverse
section. A are flat rectangular metallic floats having the lower side of the ends
bevelled; these are fastened to each other by hinges B. In some or all of these
floats A are formed cavities or chambors C provided with a stopper D for holding
provisions; bars E are pivoted upon the upper side of the float and engage in
hooks F fastened firmly to the upper sides of the other floats, and when engaged in
the hooks F the bars É hold the floats in the same flat plane, and when turned
in parallel position with the floats A the bars E make no impediment in the folding;
of the raft, the positions of the pins of the hinges B being in such relation to the
upper surface of the floats A that a space adequate to receive the bars E and
hooks F is provided when the floats A are folded. Upon the sides of the outer
floats are hinges G attaching a grated railing H provided with a strong upper rail J
with row locks K thereon; at the opposite end of each of the said railings H are:
hinged gates L made also of gratings, which fastening to the other end of the
opposite railing or grating H form a complete rectangular enclosure. When folded
the railings H and gates L lie in parallel position with the floats A. Seats or
thwarts M are placed across the raft, resting when in use on the meshes of the
gratings H, and when stored are placed parallel with the floats A and gratings H.
A flag staff N is placed in rings O and P in one of the gates L. The Hagstaff N,
together with oars and a boat hook, are placed parallel with the thwarts when the
rait is stored. The provision receptacles being airtight provisions can be safely
stored therein without deteriorating from drying up or by encroachment by vermin.
I am aware that life rafts have been made by flexible connecting hollow tubes.
Such rafts do not afford a flat deck, are objectionable for that reason, and are hereby
disclaimed. Also that life rafts have been made consisting of two floats adjustable
at variable distances; this I also disclain. Also that sectional folding life rafts in
which floats hinged to and folding around a central keel have been made, which I
disclaim as any part of this Invention, and are objectionable on account of their

page_text: bulk when folded and for want of stiffness when extended, not having when
extended, as in this Invention, flat surfaces of the sections so presented to each other
as to prevent the accidental closing of the raft by force applied laterally.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of October, A.D. 1880.
H. J. HADDAN. (L.S.)