IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING SWIMMING AND DIVING
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Bradley Pumphrey, of the City of Baltimore, in the
County of Baltimore, and State of Maryland, one of the United States of
America, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR
FACILITATING SWIMMING AND DIVING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Bradley Pumphrey at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th June 1876.
ROBERT BRADLEY PUMPHREY, of the City of Baltimore, in the County of
*IM-
Baltimore, and State of Maryland, one of the United States of America.
PROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING SWIMMING AND DIVING."
This Invention relates to improvements in means or apparatus for facilitating
swimming and diving, and it consists in applying to a textile net or wirework
body or frame (adapted to be affixed on either the legs or arms of a swimmer, or
both,) of a series of propellers, which may or may not be connected together to
insure their co-operation. The propellers are connected to the body or framing by
hinges of other equivalent means, and are provided with stops to limit their
movement.
But that my Invention may be fully understood I will describe the same more
in detail by reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side
view of my improved swimming apparatus. Figure 2 is a transverse section.
Figure 3 is a detached perspective view of one of the propellers, and Figures 4
and 5 are modifications thereof. Figures 6 and 7 show two other slight moditica-
tions of my Invention. Figure 8 is a sectional view of part of Figure 7. In each
of the views similar letters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding
parts wherever they occur.
A represents the body or frame, to which are attached at suitable distances, by
means of hinges, eyes, or other suitable connections b, b, the propellers B, B.
61, 6, are stops applied to the propellers B, B, to limit their forward movement to
an angle transversely with the longitudinal axis of the body or frame A.
In Figures 1, 2, & 3, I have shown the propellers applied to a reticulate wire-
work frame or body.

page_text: Figures 4 and 5 represent the body A secured over a textile or other suitable
material. In this arrangement the propellers are connected together in longitudinal
rows by cords c, c, or other suitable means to ensure their joint action.
In Figure 6 a slight modification is shown, in which the body A is formed of a
series of strips, which are connected together by hinges, laces, or other suitable
means in order that the parts may be brought more compactly together for
transportation or storage.
Figure 7 shows another modification, in which the body A and propellers B are
formed of textile or other suitable material, the propellers B in this case being
formed out of a series of folds of the material, in each of which is applied a float or
distending piece B¹.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Bradley Pumphrey in the Great Scal Patent Office on the
6th December 1876.
ROBERT BRADLEY PUMPHREY, of the City of Baltimore, in the County of
Baltimore, and State of Maryland, one of the United States of America.
IM-
PROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING SWIMMING AND DIVING."
This Invention relates to improvements in means or apparatus for facilitating
swimming and diving, and it consists in applying to a textile net, wirework, or
other body or frame (adapted to be affixed on either the legs or arms of a swimmer,
or both,) of a series of propellers, which may or may not be connected together
to insure their co-operation. The propellers are connected to the body or framing
by hinges or other equivalent means, and are provided with stops to limit their
movement.
But that my Invention may be fully understood I will describe the same in
detail by reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side
view of my improved swimming apparatus. Figure 2 is a transverse section, and
Figure 3 is a detached perspective view of one of my propellers, and Figures 4 and 5
are modifications thereof. Figures 6 and 7 show two other slight modifications
of my Invention. Figure 8 is a sectional view of part of Fig. 7. In each of the
views similar letters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts
wherever they occur.
A represents the body or frame, to which are attached at suitable distances, by
incans of hinges, eyes, or other suitable connections b, b, the propellers B, B., ¹,
are stops applied to the propellers B, B, to limit their forward movement to an
angle transversely with the longitudinal axis of the body or frame A.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3, I have shown the propellers applied to a reticulate wire-
work fraine or body.
Figs. 4 & 5 represent the body A secured over a textile or other suitable
material. In this arrangement the propellers are connected together in longitudinal
rows by cords c, c, or other suitable means to insure their joint action.
In Figure 6 a slight modification is shown, in which the body.A is formed of
a series of strips, which are connected together by hinges, laces, or other suit
able means in order that the parts may be brought more compactly together for
transportation or storage.
Figure 7 shows another modification, in which the body A and propellers B are
formed of textile or other suitable material, the propellers B in this case being
formed out of a series of folds of the material, in each of which is applied a float
or distending piece B', or the propellers B may be formed hollow of any suitable
material so as to give increased buoyancy to the swimmer. The body A may
be made of india-rubber, gutta percha, or compounds thereof, or other suitable
material.

page_text: Having thus described my Invention, I would have it understood that I do
not confine myself to the exact details shown and described so long as the peculiar
character of my Invention be retained substantially as described; but what I do
clain is an apparatus for facilitating swimming or diving constructed with a frame
or body A having a series of propellers B arranged to operate substantially as
described.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirtieth day
of October, in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-six.
Witnesses,
Jos. R. EASON,
COLBORNE BROOKES.
ROBERT BRADLEY PUMPHREY. (L.S.)