IMPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FOR LIFE BELTS, WHEREBY THEY ARE RENDERED ALSO AVAILABLE AS PILLOWS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Mesny, of Great Portland Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Officer in the Imperial Chinese Government Service, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FOR LIFE BELTS, WHEREBY THEY ARE
RENDERED ALSO AVAILABLE AS PILLOWS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Mesny at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th February 1878.
WILLIAM MESNY, of Great Portland Street, in the County of Middlesex, Officer
in the Imperial Chinese Government Service. "IMPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FOR
LIFE BELTS, WHEREBY THEY ARE RENDERED ALSO AVAILABLE AS PILLOWS."
By this Invention a belt is produced of india-rubber or caoutchouc or such like
pliable and water and air proof material, which will be similar to an air mattress.
Air compartments are provided (usually four) dividing the life belt for con-
venience in folding it into a pillow when desired to use it as such. These air com-
partments communicate with each other by small air channels, and a flexible tube
with mouth-piece is used for inflating the belt.
Belts and buckles for fastening around the waist are provided, and suspenders to
keep the belt well up under the arms; also a button-hole and button to keep the
belt folded for use as a pillow.
Between the divisions is a space to allow for the thickness of the divisions in
folding up the belt.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Mesny in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th August
1878.
WILLIAM MESNY, of Great Portland Street, in the County of Middlesex, Officer in
the Imperial Chinese Government Service. "IMPROVED ARRANGEMENTS FOR LIFE
BELTS, WHEREBY THEY ARE RENDERED ALSO AVAILABLE AS PILLOWS."
By this Invention a belt is produced of india-rubber or caoutchouc or such like
pliable and water and air proof material, which will be similar to an air mattress.
Air compartments are provided (preferably three) dividing the life belt for con-
venience in folding it into a pillow when desired to use it as such. These air com-
partments communicate with each other by small air channels, and a flexible tube
with mouth piece is used for inflating the belt.
Belts and buckles for fastening around the waist are provided, and suspenders to
keep the belt well up under the arms. Also a button-hole and button to keep the
belt folded for use as a pillow.
Between the divisions is a space, to allow for the thickness of the divisions in
folding up the belt.
In order that my Invention may be fully understood, I will now proceed to
further describe same with reference to the accompanying Drawing, which shows
my combined life belt and pillow opened out.
In the Drawing A, A, A, are three air compartments, each measuring, say eleven,
twelve, or thirteen inches in length by, say eight or ten inches in breadth, according
to the size of belt. B, B, buckles, and b, b, belts, to fasten the life belt around the
body. C, C, spaces between the compartments A, to allow one of them to fold
inwards, and the other outwards on the centre compartment, thus forming the
pillow. The lines drawn across the spaces C, C, represent the channels of commu-
nication between the compartments. D, D, suspenders to keep the belt well up
under the arms if necessary. E, inflating tube or mouth-piece for filling the life belt
with air.
The thickness of the life belt when inflated is, say from 1'/, to 2 inches, according
to the size of the belt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, I hereby declare that I claim the Invention of "Improved Arrangements
for Life Belts, whereby they are Rendered also Available as Pillows," substantially
as the same is herein-before set forth and described, the important point or feature
being the arrangement of life belt and pillow made of water and air proof pliable
material, and provided with inflatable air compartments communicating with each
other by small air channels or suitable means.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Mesny, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
W. C. NICHOLS,
19, New Street,
Guernsey.
W. MESNY. (LS.)