IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING APPARATUS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Baptistin Carmagnolle, of Marseilles (Bouches de Rhone),
France, and Pierre Bonaventure Berlandier, of Barbentane (Bouches de Rhone),
France, both temporarily of 22, Buckingham Street, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING APPARATUS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Baptistin Carmagnolle and
Pierre Bonaventure Berlandier at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents
on the 7th February 1878.
BAPTISTIN CARMAGNOLLE, of Marseilles (Bouches de Rhone), France, and PIERRE
BONAVENTURE BERLANDIER, of Barbentane (Bouches de Rhone), France, both
temporarily of 22, Buckingham Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex.
IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING APPARATUS."
"
This Invention has for its object improvements in diving apparatus.
In the construction of diving dresses there are two important requirements,
whose solution presents difficulty; first, the diver should be enabled to breath easily;
or, in other words, he should be relieved of undue atmospheric pressure, and be sur-
rounded with a current of free and not compressed air, as the effect of subjecting him
to the continued action of compressed air would be to cause his death; secondly, the
pressure of the water should be removed from the diver in order to permit of, if not
all the various movements of the body, at any rate those most essential to the
accomplishment of his task.
Our improved appliance complies with these two requirements. In this respect
it possesses, over such other systems as are known to us, the great advantage of
allowing the diver to remain under water as long as he likes, the time being,
limited only by his natural wants. It also permits of his descending to a depth
greatly exceeding what has been accomplished in practice with apparatus such as
heretofore employed.
A set of apparatus comprises three distinct portions, namely, the air pump, the
nines and the dress

page_text: Our improvements have reference to the dress. We may however state that we
use by preference a double-acting air pump with two cylinders; it may be of
ordinary construction, being so arranged as to cause a continuous flow of air.
We would also remark that the air pipes should be made capable of with-
standing the water pressure as is well understood, and should have the same density
as the water,
If the pipes were heavier than water when the diver was at a great depth they
would in time weigh upon the joints so as to cause accidents; on the other hand if
they were lighter they would buoy up the diver.
The pipes are of course made up in suitable lengths, which may be connected
together as required.
Our improved dress consists of a novel combination of armour with water-
proof covering, the whole constructed and arranged substantially as herein-after
described.
The armour is divided into four principal portions. One of these portions
extends from the waist to the feet, includes the shoes, and will be called the
trousers; two other portions, which we will call respectively the right shoulder
piece and the left shoulder piece, extend from the waist to the top of the shoulders,
including the arms. The helmet completes the armour, and constitutes the fourth
portion.
All these portions are connected together by bolts, which screw into fixed nuts
rivetted or fixed to the armour plate, and we have found it convenient to use two
bolts behind and one in front to unite the two shoulder pieces; four to connect the
shoulder pieces to the trousers, and four others to unite the helmet to the shoulder
pieces.
The shoulder pieces have flanges, whereby they are joined together. To make a
tight joint a tongue projects froin the one portion or shoulder piece, and there is a
recess in the other portion or shoulder piece.
Between these india-rubber is
interposed in such a way that on bringing the shoulder pieces together, and
tightening up their flanges by suitable nuts, the india-rubber is pressed between
the flanges, and is forced into the recess by the tongue, thus forming a water-tight
joint. Similar joints connect the shoulder pieces to the trousers.
Around the upper or neck portions of the shoulder pieces is a flange forming a
collar, and there is a groove lined with india-rubber, on which the helmet rests.
The neck of the helmet is itself flanged, and is fitted round the flange of the
shoulder pieces on a washer of india-rubber.
Four nuts tighten the helmet on the shoulder pieces, forming a water-tight
joint.
The trousers, the shoulder pieces, and other portions are constructed in parts, as
herein-after explained, which parts are jointed in such manner as to permit of
ample movement, suitable flexible waterproof material being applied as a covering
to each set of articulated plates or rings in such manner as to render the apparatus
water-tight without impeding the action or movement of the wearer. We will
premise our general description of the construction of the apparatus by stating that
the intermediate annular plates or rings, berein-after referred to, are made some-
what curved, the curves being struck from the axes of motion of the respective rings
or plates.
The shoes are attached to the trousers by an articulation at the instep, and there
is an intermediate annular plate or ring at this joint for affording a greater play
to the foot.
Between the instep and the knee there is an oblique articulation, which permits
of a turning motion from right to left, and vice versa.
The knee is jointed with two intermediate plates or rings, which permit of
forming with the thigh and calf an angle of 90 degrees.
The two legs are connected at the height of the fork to the part called the breech.
They are articulated at this point with an intermediate plate or ring. This
articulation serves for making the step, that is to say, the two legs, although con-

page_text: nected to the top of the thigh, are independent of each other, and are capable of
dividing simultaneously, one going in front and the other behind, and also of
forming an angle of 45 degrees.
The breech is articulated at the height of the hip, and carries an intermediate
plate or ring. This articulation permits of the body bending forward as if to pick
up something from the ground; it describes an angle of 45 degrees, which angle,
and that of the thighs, form together an angle of 90 degrees.
Another joint between the breech and the waist serves to make the bend of the
loins, and to increase the inclination of the body on the belly. This piece, which we
will call the belt, forms a top to the trousers, and has a groove or recess for making
the joint with the shoulder pieces in the manner described above.
The shoulder pieces being (as already stated) made to serve respectively one for
the right and the other for the left, the same description will serve for both.
Each shoulder piece is articulated in such a manner as to permit of the usual
movements of the arms at the junction of the shoulder on two pivots placed one
above and the other below the arm.
This arrangement allows of making the back to front motion, as when the arms
are crossed on the chest.
Three intermediate plates or rings permit of making an angle of 90 degrees, with
a line passing through the centre line of the shoulders.
The third plate or ring supports the articulation, which allows of the upward
and downward movement, which articulation acts on two pivots placed transversely
with the pivots of the first movement. The said third plate should therefore be
stronger than the others, since it has to support the load which bears upon the
section of the arm, or on the pivots of this articulation.
The two joints combined permit of the arms being moved in any direction.
Between the elbow and the arrangement described above there is an oblique joint
with an intermediate plate or ring. This joint serves to permit of a turning
movement, as in striking. In order to effect this movement the elbow must be
bent.
The elbow joint carries two intermediate plates or rings; the forearm forms with
the upper part of the arm an angle of 90 degrees.
The cuff joint is preceded by a tube which enters the tube of the fore arm, and
serves to lengthen or shorten the gauntlet to so adjust the parts that the diver's
fingers may just about reach the ends of the glove fingers.
A flange or projection prevents the tube of the cuff piece from entering too far
into the tube of the fore arm.
The joint comprised between the tube of the fore arm and the flange of the cuff
piece is closed by a sleeve of waterproof material, such as india-rubber cloth tightly
compressed on this joint, which india-rubber cloth is kept in place by means of a
ligature on the tube of the fore arm in such a way that the gauntlet cannot become
separated from the fore arm.
In order to elongate the fore arm a metal sleeve, of sufficient length for the
diver's hand to be conveniently inserted in the gauntlet, is placed in the tube of
the cuff and against the flange. Between the joints formed by this metal sleeve
an india-rubber collar is placed in each joint, in such a way that the pressure
intending to cause the sleeve to enter the tube of the fore arm tightens the two
india-rubber collars and makes a water-tight joint.
The gauntlet is articulated to the cuff piece, the hand piece is articulated at
the middle of the palm, and the fingers are articulated at each bone joint.
Such is the general arrangement of the articulations of the principal movements.
We will now describe the parts of these articulations, and the manner in which
the movements of the annular plates or rings are effected.
The plates or rings work on pivots or pins. Each pivot or pin is fixed and
passes through a sort of hinge piece, which is formed with as many spaces as there
are plates or rings on the pivot or pin, thus the plates or rings are kept at a
suitable distance apart with freedom of motion on the pivots or pins.
J

page_text: The hinge piece is suitably fastened in each case on to a portion of the armour,
surrounding the particular series of plates or rings to which it pertains.
The pivot carries on the inside of the cuirass a flat head, which scarcely rises
above the last partition of the hinge piece, and also carries a small boss or part in
the last cheek of the hinge piece in such a way as to render the pin immoveable.
The outer end of the pivot is screwed to fit a cap, nut, or socket. This nut or
socket is fixed to the armour on the portion to which the hinge piece is fixed. The
cap or end of the nut or socket, with the aid of the waterproof material, prevents
the entrance of water through the screw threads of the nut or socket and pin.
When a movement is made the plates or rings turn on their axes, moving out-
ward on one side of the articulation and moving inward on the other side. Those
parts which are spread out present somewhat the appearance of a lobster's back, or
from one point of view the appearance of a fan when opened, the outer edges of the
plates separate from each other and describe angles more or less obtuse, according
as the two portions forming the lines of the angles are opened more or less.
On the closing-in side these plates or rings arrange themselves one under the
other.
Each plate or ring carries at the inner portion a flange or projection, which
serves as a stop to the plate or ring which it covers in such a way that the opposite
side of the covered plate or ring also remains covered for a short distance by the
plate or ring above or external to it. The diver wears an inner dress, provided
opposite the joints of the armour with pieces of hard pressed leather, which serve
to prevent the metal plates or rings from pinching the clothes or the skin of the
diver.
The metal plates or rings being arranged a short distance apart, as described,
room is left between them for the waterproof covering and to permit of its folding
and unfolding as the plates or rings open out or close up.
It is unnecessary here to enter into any further description of the parts of the
articulations, suffice it to say that they all work in the same manner, differing one
from another only in (1) the number of spaces in the hinge pieces, which corre-
sponds in each case to the number of plates or rings of which the articulations are
composed; (2) in the dimensions of the pivots or pins which are in relation to
the load they support; and (3) in the attachment of the hinge pieces to the
armour.
The
Each articulation or set of pivotted, hinged, or jointed annular plates or rings
has a superposed covering of flexible waterproof material, which is fastened at its
extremities by suitable adhesive substance and by a ligature to the armour.
intervening portion covers, but is not stuck to the moveable plates or rings. It is
however attached by sewing to the outer edge (only) of each moveable plate or
ring.
The helmet is in form an ovoid sphere, its largest diameter forms the top of the
head, and its smallest diameter is truncated by the opening at the neck sufficiently
large to allow the head to pass through.
The helmet is rivetted to a collar, having a flange for fitting on to the shoulder
pieces to form the joint herein-before described.
The front of the helmet and its sides are provided with polished glasses, so placed
that two of them will always be in the centre lines of the two eyes of the diver.
These glasses are of conical form, the base of the cone being outwards, so that the
pressure of the water shall tend to fix them more securely in their seats. They
are fixed with minium cement, which hardens in water and is also impermeable by
water.
The cups, rings, or seats which carry the glasses may be soldered to the helmet ;
a flange retains them in position.
The cups, rings, or seats and the glasses are flush with the inside of the helmet.
One of the glasses opposite the diver's mouth is removeable, its moveable ring,
seat, or frame being screwed into another and fixed cup, ring, or frame, which in
turn is fitted to the helmet. The joint is made tight by a washer.

page_text: By unscrewing the moveable glass when the diver is above water he is enabled
to speak or break through the opening, thus obviating the necessity of removing
the helmet.
The helmet carries a connection which is screwed to the air inlet pipe and com-
municates inside with a receiver, whence the air is distributed through the helmet,
passing in front of the glasses. This arrangement prevents the air breathed from
becoming condensed on the glasses and making them dull. In the helmet there is
also a contrivance with a sponge or pad for clearing off the drops of water which.
dull the glasses, and for drying them.
The vitiated air escapes by a suitable orifice in connection with the air outlet
pipe.
The waterproof covering employed may be composed of sheet india-rubber
between two rubber cloths. A single piece extends from the feet to the waist, a
second piece from the fore arm to the top of the shoulder, the top of the body'
and the chest are not so covered.
The gloves are covered entirely, and the covering is longer than the tube of the
gauntlet, so that it can be closed by a ligature on the covering of the arm.
In order that water may not be able to enter at the end of the covering, between
the rubber cloth and the armour, each covering is coated with liquid india-rubber,
and stuck on to the armour in such a way as to leave no particles of air between
the metal and the cloth.
In addition, and for increased safety, a strong ligature of copper wire binds the
waterproof cloth or material at its end to the cuirass. A spiral or projection
soldered or fixed to the armour retains this ligature and prevents it from slipping,"
so that even if the cloth did not adhere sufficiently to the armour the ligature in
question would prevent the water from penetrating under the covering. A similar
ligature of copper wire fastens the cloth at the angular portions of the armour, so.
that the covering cannot be unfastened owing to the strain caused by the draught.
Lastly, as already mentioned, the covering is sewn to the overlapping parts of the
outer plates or rings, which are pierced with small holes for the purpose, so that the
covering may not get out of place.
We have already mentioned that between the plates or rings there is a small
space; into this the cloth may be folded back so as to be doubled over at the joints.
The water thus enters and passes to the bottom of the fold, and owing to the.
pressure which it exerts forces the cloth to remain between the plates, and also
presses it against the plate which it covers.
In order to thoroughly judge of the action of this joint it must be borne in
mind that the plates turn upon their pivots at the exact middle, in such a manner`
as to present to the pressure of water equal surfaces at opposite sides.
When a movement is given to the plate or ring it at one side of the joint comes
out, and at the other side goes in under the next plate or ring.
The water which presses against the bottom of the fold, covering the plate which
comes out, presses with the same force on the bottom of the fold; covering the plate.
which goes in as the surfaces are equal. Thus the resistance to be overcome in the
movement of the plates or rings is reduced to their friction on their pivots, and this
resistance bears relation to the load which the plates or rings support. Such is
moreover the play of the waterproof cloth covering that as one side of a plate or
ring moves inward the cloth follows it up owing the pressure of the water, thus
the cloth becomes doubled over the side of the entering plate as well as over the
plate covering it.
In the reverse movement the waterproof cloth becomes rolled over the plate as
it comes out, the portion of cloth which was over the under side of the covering
plate being unrolled in such a way that when the plate has finished its travel, only
a very small portion of cloth remains between the two adjacent plates.
The foregoing applies to all the articulations.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Baptistin Carmagnolle and Pierre Bonaventure Berlandier in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th July 1878.
BAPTISTIN CARMAGNOLLE, of Marseilles (Bouches de Rhone), France, and PIERRE
BONAVENTURE BERLANDIER, of Barbentane (Bouches de Rhone), France, lately
temporarily of 22, Buckingham Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING APPARATUS."
This Invention has for its object improvements in diving apparatus.
In the construction of diving dresses there are two important requirements whose
solution presents difficulty; first, the diver should be enabled to breathe easily,
or, in other words, he should be relieved of undue atmospheric pressure, and be
surrounded by a current of free and not compressed air, as the effect of subjecting
bim to the continued action of compressed air would be to cause his death; secondly,
the apparatus should keep the diver free from the pressure of the water, and permit,
if not all the various movements of the body, at any rate those necessary for the
accomplishment of such work, as attaching a rope, picking up anything from the
bottom, or other operations of nearly the same nature.
Our improved appliance fulfils these two requirements. In this respect it
possesses, over such other systems as are known to us, the great advantage of
allowing the diver to remain under water as long as he likes, the time being limited
only by his natural wants. It also permits of his descending to a depth greatly.
exceeding what has been accomplished in practice with apparatus such as heretofore
employed.
A set of apparatus comprises three distinct portions, namely, the air pump, the
pipes, and the dress.
Our improvements have reference to the dress.
Our improved dress consists of a novel combination of armour with waterproof
covering, the whole constructed and arranged substantially as herein-after
described, and illustrated in Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the armour dress taken in the line A, B, of Fig. 4.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a section at right angles to, and
taken in the line C, D, of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a side elevation at right angles to
Fig. 2.
The armour is divided into four principal portions. One of these portions
extends from the waist to the feet, includes the shoes, and will be called the
trousers, two other portions, which we will call, respectively, the right shoulder
piece and the left shoulder piece, extend from the waist to the top of the shoulders,
including the arms. The helmet completes the armour and constitutes the fourth
portion.
All these portions are connected together by bolts 1, which screw into fixed nuts
2, rivetted or fixed to the armour plate, and we have found it convenient to use two
bolts behind and one in front to unite the two shoulder pieces, four to connect
the shoulder pieces to the trousers, and four others to unite the helmet to the
shoulder pieces.
The shoulder pieces 3, 4, have flanges 5, whereby they are jointed together. To
make a tight joint a tongue 6, shewn to a larger scale in Fig. 7, projects from the
one portion or shoulder piece 4, and there is a recess in the other portion or shoulder.
.piece 3. Between these, india-rubber 7 is interposed in such a way that on
bringing the shoulder pieces 3 and 4 together, and tightening up their flanges 5, by
suitable nuts 1, the india-rubber is pressed between the flanges and is forced into
the recess by the tongue 6, thus forming a water-tight joint. Similar joints connect.
the shoulder pieces to the trousers, as shewn in Fig. 10.
Around the upper or neck portions of the shoulder.pieces is a flange 8, forming a
collar, and there is a groove lined with india-rubber, the same as Fig. 10, on which
the helmet rests.

page_text: The neck of the helmet is itself flanged, and is fitted round the flange of the
shoulder pieces on a washer of india-rubber.
Four nuts tighten the helmet on the shoulder pieces, forming a water-tight
joint.
The trousers, the shoulder pieces, and other portions are constructed in parts, as
herein-after explained, which parts are jointed in such a manner as to permit of
ample movement, suitable flexible waterproof material being applied as a covering
to each set of articulated plates or rings in such manner as to render the apparatus
water tight without impeding the action or movement of the wearer. We will
premise our general description of the construction of the apparatus by stating that
the intermediate annular plates or rings herein-after referred to are made some-
what curved, the curves being struck from the axes of motion of the respective
rings or plates, as will be understood on reference to the Drawings.
The shoes are attached to the trousers by an articulation 9 at the instep, and
there is an intermediate annular plate or ring 10 at this joint for affording greater
play to the foot.
Between the instep and the knee there is an oblique articulation 11, which
permits of a turning motion from right to left, and vice versa.
The knee is jointed with two intermediate plates or rings 12, 13, which permit
of forming, with the thigh and calf, an angle of 90 degrees.
This
The two legs are connected at the height of the fork to the part called the breech.
They are articulated at this point with an intermediate plate or ring 14.
articulation serves for making the step, that is to say, the two legs, although con-
nected to the top of the thigh, are independent of each other, and are capable of
dividing simultaneously, one going in front and the other behind, and also of
forming an angle of 45 degrees.
The breech 15 is articulated at the height of the hip, and carries an intermediate
plate or ring 10. This articulation permits of the body bending forward as if to
pick up something from the ground; it describes an angle of 45 degrees, which
angle, and that of the thighs, form together an angle of 90 degrees.
Another joint, between the breech and the waist, serves to make the bend of
the loins, and to increase the inclination of the body on the belly. The piece 17,
which we call the belt, forms a top to the trousers, and has a groove or recess for
making the joint with the shoulder pieces, in the manner described above and
shewn in Fig. 10.
The shoulder pieces 3 and 4 being (as already stated) made to serve respectively,
one for the right and the other for the left, the same description will serve for
both.
Each shoulder piece is articulated in such a manner as to permit of the usual
movements of the arms at the junction of the shoulder, on two pivots 18 and 19
placed one above and the other below the arm.
This arrangement allows of making the back to front motion, as when the arms
are crossed on the chest.
Three intermediate plates or rings 20, 21, 22, permit of making an angle of 90
degrees, with a line passing through the centre line of the shoulders.
The third plate or ring 22 supports the articulation, which allows of the upward
and downward movement, which articulation acts on two pivots 23, 24, placed
transversely with the pivots of the first movement, as shewn in Fig. 7, which is
an enlarged horizontal section of the arm joint, taken in the line E, F, of Fig. 1.
The said third plate 22 should therefore be stronger than the others, since it has to
support the load which bears upon the section of the arm, or on the pivots of this
articulation.
The two joints combined permit of the arms being moved in any direction..
The elbow joint 24 carries two intermediate plates or rings 25, 26; the fore arm
forms, with the upper part of the arm, an angle of 90 degrees.
Fig. 8 shews to an enlarged scale, partly in section, the double jointed obliquè

page_text: elbow joint 24 to allow the fore arm both upward and downward and backward
and forward movements.
The cuff joint is preceded by a tube 27, shewn to an enlarged scale in Fig. 9,
which enters the tube 28 of the fore arm, and serves to lengthen or shorten the
gauntlet, to so adjust the parts that the diver's fingers may just about reach the
ends of the glove fingers.
A flange or projection 29 prevents the tube of the cuff. piece from entering too
far into the tube of the fore arm.
The joint comprised between the tube of the fore arm and the flange of the cuff
piece is closed by a sleeve 30, of waterproof material, such as india-rubber cloth
tightly compressed on this joint, which india-rubber cloth is kept in place by means
of a ligature 31 on the tube of the fore arm, in such a way that the gauntlet cannot
become separated from the fore arm.
In order to elongate the fore arm, a metal sleeve, of sufficient length for the diver's
hand to be conveniently inserted in the gauntlet, is placed in the tube. of the cuff,
and against the flange. In the joint formed between the flange of the cuff piece
and the fore arm are placed alternate washers of india-rubber and metal 32, to allow
for lengthening or shortening the cuff piece. The india-rubber sleeve, which
serves to connect the gauntlet with the tube forming the fore arm piece, is
stuck to the tubular portion attached to the cuff piece. The part 27 is provided
at 29 with a shoulder which serves to retain the part 28 of the fore arm.
.
At the
point of contact of these two portions it is necessary to insert therein an india-
rubber ring, in order to make a joint for preventing the water which might
find its way by the ligature 31 from getting into the dress; and as many india-
rubber rings must be inserted, as there are joints between the parts added for
lengthening the cuff piece (29*).
The gauntlet is articulated to the cuff piece at 33. The hand piece is articulated
at the middle of the palm at 34, and the fingers are articulated at each bone
joint.
Such is the general arrangement of the articulations of the principal move-
ments.
We will now describe the parts of these articulations, and the manner in which
the movements of the annular plates or rings are effected.
The plates or rings work on pivots or pins 35. Each pivot or pin is fixed and
passes through a sort of hinge piece 36, which is formed with as many spaces as a
there are plates or rings on the pivot or pin; thus, the plates or rings are kept at a
suitable distance apart, with freedom of motion on the pivots or pins.
The hinge piece is suitably fastened, in each case, on to a portion of the armour
surrounding the particular series of plates or rings to which it pertains.
The pivot carries, on the inside of the cuirass, a flat head, which scarcely rises
above the last partition of the hinge piece, and also carries a small boss or part 37
(shewn to an enlarged scale in Figs. 5 and 6, which are respectively a plan and an
end view of the top hinge piece 18, Fig. 1) in the last cheek of the hinge piece, in
such a way as to render the pin immoveable.
This nut or
The outer end of the pivot is screwed to fit a cap nut or socket.
socket is fixed to the armour, on the portion to which the hinge piece is fixed. The
cap or end of the nut or socket, with the aid of the waterproof material and of a
cap nut (see Fig. 12) prevents the entrance of water through the screw threads of
the nut or socket and pin.
When a movement is made, the plates or rings turn on their axes, moving out-
ward on one side of the articulation, and moving inward on the other side.
Those
parts which are spread out present somewhat the appearance of a lobster's back,
or, from one point of view, the appearance of a fan when opened; the outer
edges of the plates separate from each other, and describe angles, more or less
obtuse, according as the two portions forming the lines of the angles are opened 5
more or less.

page_text: On the closing inside, these plates or rings arrange themselves one under the
other.
Each plate or ring carries, at the inner portion, a flange or projection 38, which
serves as a stop to the plate or ring it covers, in such a way that the opposite side of
the covered plate or ring also remains covered, for a short distance, by the plate or
ring above, or external to it. The diver wears next his skin a garment woven of
wool, which serves to preserve him from the cold, while at the same time it allows
perspiration to take place. This garment also serves to attach pieces of stout
leather at the knees, between the legs, and at the bend of the arms. These leathers
serve to prevent the plates of the joints in bending, from pinching the clothes or the
skin of the diver. For the arrangement, see Figs. 13, 14, and 15 on the Drawing
appended.
The metal plates or rings being arranged a short distance apart, as described,
room is left between them for the waterproof covering, and to permit of its folding
and unfolding as the plates or rings open out or close up.
It is unnecessary here to enter into any further description of the parts of the
articulations; suffice it to say, that, they all work in the same manner, differing
one from another only in (1) the number of compartments which corresponds to
the number of plates or rings of which the articulations are composed; (2) the
dimensions of the pivots or pins, which are proportioned to the load they support;
and (3) the attachment of the hinge pieces to the armour.
Each articulation, or set of rivetted, pivotted, hinged, or jointed annular plates or
rings, has a superposed covering of flexible waterproof material composed of sheets
of india-rubber between two cloths, which is fastened at its extremities by a suitable
adhesive substance, and by a ligature 39 to the armour.
The adhesive substance
which serves to stick the covering to the cuirass is liquid rubber. The intervening
portion covers but is not stuck to the moveable plates or rings. It is, however,
attached by sewn seams to the outer edge (only) of each moveable plate or ring, as
shewn by the dotted lines x, Fig. 10.
The helmet is, in form, an ovoid spheroid, its largest diameter forms the
top of the head, and its smallest diameter is truncated by the opening at the
neck, sufficiently large to allow the head to pass through (22 centimetres = 9
inches).
The helmet is rivitted to a collar, having a flange for fitting on to the shoulder.
pieces, to form the joint herein-before described.
The front of the helmet and its sides are provided with polished glasses 40, so
placed that two of them will always be in the centre lines of the two eyes of the
diver. These glasses are of conical form, the base of the cone being outwards, so
that the pressure of the water shall tend to fix them more securely in their seats.
They are fixed with miniun cement, which hardens in water, and is also imper-
meable by water.
The rings or seats which carry the glasses may be soldered to the helmet; a flange
retains them in position.
The rings or seats, and the glasses, are flush with the inside of the helmet..
One of the glasses 41, opposite the diver's mouth, is removeable; its moveable
ring, seat, or frame being screwed into another and fixed ring or frame, which in
turn is fitted to the helmet. The joint is made tight by a washer.
By unscrewing the moveable glass, when the diver is above water, he is enabled
to speak or breathe through the opening, thus obviating the necessity of removing
the helmet.
The helinet carries on the nape of the neck a connection 42, which is screwed to
the air inlet pipe. The connection communicates inside with a receiver 43, whence
the air is distributed through the helmet, passing in front of the glasses. This
arrangement prevents the air breathed from becoming condensed on the glasses,
and making them dull. In the helmet there is also a contrivance with a sponge or
pad, for clearing off the drops of water condensed on the glasses, and which serves
to dry them.

page_text: The vitiated air escapes by a suitable orifice 44 in connection with the air outlet
pipe.
Fig. 16 shews a vertical section of the helmet; and Fig. 17, a horizontal section
thereof on the line G, H. 44 is part of a circle, which is pivotted to the top of the
helmet, and carries on the right a strap for holding the sponges. It is welded to
the circle 45, which serves to preserve the proper distance of the two branches of
the circle, or of that portion of the circle which carries the sponges. 46 is a small
projection, which can be taken in the mouth, for giving to the circle 44 the
necessary movements. 47 is a stop to prevent the spring 48 from being drawn too
far. 40, 40, are the glasses. The vertical section is taken from behind.
The waterproof covering employed for the various joints of our apparatus is
composed of two sheets of india-rubber between two cloths.
The covering, which we call the "envelope," and which serves to make the joint
between the plates, consists of a sheet of india-rubber between two cloths, like the
rest of the covering. The india-rubber (or sheet of india-rubber) and the two
cloths are stuck together, forming one substance or compound body. The cement
used to fix the covering to the cuirass and to the fixed parts, and that used to stick
the india-rubber between the two cloths, is liquid india-rubber. The top of the
body and the chest are not covered.
•
The gloves are covered entirely, and the covering is longer than the tube of the
gauntlet, so that it can be closed by a ligature on the covering of the arm, as shewn
in Fig. 9.
In order that water may not be able to enter at the end of the covering between
the two cloths and the armour, each covering is coated with liquid india-rubber,
and stuck on to the armour in such a way as to leave no particles of air between
the metal and the covering.
In addition, and for increased safety, a strong ligature of copper wire binds the
covering by its end to the cuirass. A projection soldered or fixed to the armour, as
shewn at 39, Fig. 7, retains this ligature, and prevents it from slipping, so that
even if the covering did not adhere sufficiently to the armour, the ligature in
question would prevent the water from penetrating under the covering. A similar
ligature of copper wire fastens the covering at the angular portions of the armour,
so that the covering cannot be unfastened owing to the strain caused by the
draught.
Lastly, as already mentioned and shewn at x, Fig. 10, the covering is sewn to the
overlapping parts of the outer plates or rings, which are pierced with small holes
for the purpose, so that the covering may not get out of place.
We have already mentioned that between the plates or rings there is a small
space, as shewn clearly in Fig. 7; into this the covering may be folded back, so as
to be doubled over at the joints. The water thus enters and passes to the bottom
of the fold, and owing to the pressure which it exerts forces the covering to remain
between the plates, and also presses it against the plate which it covers.
In order to thoroughly judge of the action of this joint, it must be borne in
mind that the plates turn upon their pivots at the exact middle in such a manner
as to present to the pressure of water an equal surface at opposite sides of the
pivots.
When a movement is given to the plate or ring, it at one side of the joint comes
out, and at the other side goes in under the next plate or ring.
The water which presses against the bottom of the fold covering the plate that
comes out presses with the same force on the bottom of the fold covering the plate
which goes in, as the surfaces are equal. Thus the resistance to be overcome in the
movement of the plates or rings is counterbalanced or reduced to their friction on
their pivots, and this resistance is proportionate to the load which the plates
support. Such is moreover the play of the covering, that as one side of a plate or
ring moves inward the covering follows it up, owing to the pressure of the water;

page_text: thus the covering becomes doubled over the side of the entering plate, as well as
over the plate covering it.
In the reverse movement the waterproof covering becomes unrolled over the plate
as it comes out, the portion of the covering which was over the under side of the
covering plate being unrolled in such a way that when the plate has finished its
travel only a very small portion of cloth remains between the two adjacent plates.
The foregoing applies to all the articulations.
We may state that in connection with our improved apparatus we use by pre-
ference a double-acting air pump with two cylinders. It may be of ordinary
construction, being so arranged as to cause a continuous flow of air.
Great attention must be paid to the construction of the pipes, which must be
sufficiently light to be of the same density as water. This point is of great
importance, because if the pipes were heavier than the water they would in time,
when the diver was at a great depth, weigh upon the joints at the point marked D,
in Fig. 11 of the Drawings, and cause accident. On the other hand, if they were
lighter they would buoy up the diver.
The pipes are necessarily made up in suitable lengths, which may be connected
together if required in the manner we are about to describe with reference to
Fig. 11, which shews a joint on the system which we have adopted.
The arrange-
ment of this joint will be understood on a mere examination of the Drawing, but
in order to a thorough understanding of the method of constructing it a few words
are necessary. In the first place there is a zine tube three or four inches long, in
the middle of which a collar is soldered, serving to allow of the tube being inserted
in the two ends of the pipes to be united without fear of its being inserted farther
in one than in the other. Before inserting the tube care is taken to coat it with
liquid india-rubber, to cause it to adhere to the insides of the pipes. When this is
done, a cloth coated with india-rubber on both sides is rolled round the pipes thus
united. This cloth is coiled round as many times as are necessary to render the
joint as strong as the pipes under a tensile strain. The whole is then bound with
galvanized iron wire.
Another point of importance is the method of folding the tubes which serve to
supply air to the diver, and those which bring back this air to the surface. These
tubes should be rolled on a wooden drum 24 to 32 inches in diameter. The shaft
of this drum is hollow, and divided into two by a small transverse partition. This
arrangement is made to serve one side for the introduction of the air into the pipes,
and the other for the escape of the air coming from the helmet. The side for the
introduction of the air is connected with the pump, and this connection is so
arranged that the drum shall revolve without turning the pipes which are connected
with the pump. The other side serving for the escape of the air coming from the helmet
turns with the drum, and is simply open at the end; it is from this place that the
diver is heard speaking. Sheet 2 of the Drawings will serve to render the arrange-
ment. of this drum more intelligible (see Figs. 18, 19, 20, and 21). Without this
arrangement one would be obliged to coil up the tubes in the same way that a
cable is coiled up on the deck of a vessel.
If the tubes were coiled up like a cable, it would be necessary to turn the diver
round in one direction while rising, and in another while descending, in such a way.
that the tubes and the safety rope would become twisted and entangled. This
must be avoided, as it would also inconvenience the diver, and, besides this,
twisting might cause the tubes to become unscrewed, either from the helmet or at
the joints, et cætera.
Having described the nature of our said Invention, and explained the mode of
carrying it into practical effect, we hereby declare that what we consider to be
novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us under the
Letters Patent herein-before in part recited is, the constructing diving dresses, sub-
stantially as herein-before described with reference to Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive of the
accompanying Drawings, and particularly the method herein-before described of

page_text: applying flexible waterproof material as covering at the joints formed by the sets
of articulated plates or rings, so as to render the apparatus water-tight.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pierre Bonaventure Berlandier, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of July in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
D
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DEDI ANDIED
11