IMPROVED APPLIANCES FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY IN WATER AND FACILITATING SWIMMING
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Allan Backhouse Lockett, of Barrow-in-Furness, in the
"
County of Lancaster, Bank Manager, for the Invention of IMPROVED
APPLIANCES FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY IN WATER AND FACILITATING
SWIMMING."
Sealed the 13th February 1877, and dated the 21st August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Allan Backhouse Lockett at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st August 1876.
ALLAN BACKHOUSE LOCKETT, of Barrow-in-Furness, in the County of Lancaster,
Bank Manager. "IMPROVED APPLIANCES FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY IN WATER
AND FACILITATING SWIMMING."
This Invention consists in providing (in the form of braces for trousers with a
belt) floating apparatus, which will be useful both as a life-saving apparatus, and
as an aid to swimming, though in swimming the belt should be dispensed with, as a
man cannot swim very well with it because he is apt to overbalance himself, but
with the brace he can lie on his face having head and arms and feet out of water,
or on his back, and in fact, place himself in any position he may choose.
The braces, which outwardly resemble those usually worn, are in reality tubes
of india-rubber or water and air proof material with mouth-piece to allow same to
be inflated. The belt is of similar construction. Each brace may be made either
in one or more compartments, or so that one tube inflates the whole.
The belt may also be made with one or more compartments, or may be inflated
from one tube, which is the arrangement I at present prefer to adopt. If made in
separate compartments, or each brace separate, a tube should be affixed, either as a
separate tube in each compartment, or as one small tube suitably connected to each,
so that by just pushing a small pipe back each compartment is shut off.
Instead of having the braces inflated over the shoulder I may have them
uninflated at that part with a suitable connecting pipe. The braces can, whenever
desired, be used independently of the belt.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Allan Backhouse Lockett in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
February 1877.
ALLAN BACKHOUSE LOCKETT, of Barrow-in-Furness, in the County of Lancaster,
Bank Manager. "IMPROVED APPLIANCES FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY IN WATER
AND FACILITATING SWIMMING."
This Invention consists in providing, in the form of braces for trousers or other
apparel, or without any wearing apparel, and with or without a belt, floating
apparatus, which will be useful both as a life-saving apparatus, and as an aid to
(or in learning) swimming, though in swimming the belt may be dispensed with, and
with the braces a man can lie on his face having head, arms, and feet, out of water,
or on his back, and in fact, place himself in any position he may choose, but with
the belt additional security will be given.
The braces, which outwardly resemble those usually worn, but may be of any
other pattern, shape, or design, are in reality tubes of india-rubber, or water and
air proof material, with mouth-piece to allow same to be inflated. Each brace may
be made either in one or more compartments, or so that one tube inflates the
whole.
The belt may be also made with one or more compartments, or may be inflated
from one tube from connection with the braces. If made in separate compartments,
or each brace separate, a tube should be affixed, either as a separate tube in each
compartment, or as one small tube suitably connected to each, so that by just
pushing a small pipe or valve back each compartment is shut off.
Instead of having the braces inflated over the shoulder I may have them
uninflated at that part with a suitable connecting pipe or other appliance. The
braces can, whenever desired, be made and used independently of the belt.
Having thus far described and ascertained the nature and object of the said
Invention, and incidentally intimated in what manner the same is to be performed,
I will now procced, aided by the accompanying Drawings, to further and
particularly describe and ascertain in what manner the same is to be performed or
carried out in practice, that is to sav.

page_text: shewn by the Drawing, or otherwise, and this obviates the necessity of inflation at
the shoulders.
In Fig. 6, I have shewn the braces spread out, and not fitted as shown by
Figs. 1 to 5. The same letters apply as in the other Figures. The braces in this
Figure form part of the belt which encircles the body, but the belt may in some
cases, as before described, be separate from. same, in which case a separate valve for
inflation would be used.
In the Drawings the braces are formed in one compartment, but it is to be
understood that more than one compartment may be used, if desired.
Fig. 7 shews view of the braces applied without 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 Appliances for
Supporting the Body in Water, and Facilitating Swimming," substantially, as the
same is herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Allan Backhouse Lockett, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Nineteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
) Witness,
JOHN CHORLEY,
2, Hall Street,
Barrow-in-Furness.
ALLAN BACKHOUSE LOCKETT. (L.S.)