AN IMPROVED APPARATUS OR RESPIRATOR TO ENABLE PERSONS TO BREATHE IN AN IMPURE ATMOSPHERE
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Bent Ball, of Blaenavon, Pontypool, in the County
of Monmouth, Doctor of Medicine, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED
APPARATUS OR RESPIRATOR TO ENABLE PERSONS TO BREATHE IN AN IMPURE
ATMOSPHERE."
Sealed the 21st May 1878, and dated the 21st November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Bent Ball at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st November 1877.
CHARLES BENT BALL, of Blaenavon, Pontypool, in the County of Monmouth,.
Doctor of Medicine. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS OR RESPIRATOR TO ENABLE
PERSONS TO BREATHE IN AN IMPURE ATMOSPHERE."
The object of this Invention is to enable persons to breathe freely in an atmosphere
strongly impregnated with noxious gases, and it will be found useful in fiery mines
and collieries, and where smoke would otherwise prevent the entrance of firemen
into dwelling places on fire.
The apparatus consists of a face piece, which fits tightly over the nose and mouth
of the wearer, secured in place by straps and buckles; this is connected with a
chamber which is partially divided into compartments in order to extend the surface
over which the vitiated gases are to pass. That portion of the chamber nearest to
the face piece contains a perforated tube leading from a reservoir of compressed
oxygen suspended from the shoulders, and provided with a suitable stop-cock to
regulate the flow of gas. The outer chamber communicates with the vitiated air by
means of a gauze diaphragm.
By means of a series of valves the respired air is caused to pass through a dessicator
and thence to a lamp.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Bent Ball in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st May
1878.
CHARLES BENT BALL, of Blaenavon, Pontypool, in the County of Monmouth,
Doctor of Medicine. "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS OR RESPIRATOR TO ENABLE
PERSONS TO BREATHE IN AN IMPURE ATMOSPHERE."
The object of this Invention is to enable persons to breathe freely in an atmosphere
strongly impregnated with noxious gases, such as carbonic acid, after damp, choke
damp, black damp, and which are met with in mines and collieries, where they form
a prolific source of danger and fatality.
The Invention is also applicable to the protection of firemen and others to enable
them to enter dwelling places and other buildings, wells, breweries, or other places
where the condition of the atmosphere would otherwise prevent respiration in con-
sequence either of the presence of noxious gases or the absence of the requisite
amount of oxygen.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, and if necessary
carried into practical effect, I will now proceed to describe the same more particularly,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and figures
marked thereon.
The apparatus consists, firstly, of a gas reservoir or oxygen holder; this by pre-
ference consists of a series of strong metal cylinders containing the gas in a highly
compressed state.
Figure 1 represents a side view of one modification of the gas holder; and Figure 2
is a plan or front view of the same.
In this modification the mahogany base piece A has affixed to it by metal bands
and screws the four metal cylinders B; these are by preference made of copper, and
of sufficient strength to resist an internal pressure of from at least 250 to 270 lbs. on
the square inch. The gas cylinders communicate with each other by the connecting
tubes C, which are secured by union joints or other equivalent means. One of the
cylinders is provided with anoutlet tube, union, and stop-cock D, by which it is con-
nected to a suitable force pump to charge the chambers with the required quantity
of oxygen. When so charged the gas holder may be carried froin place to place, and
so kept in readiness for use for any period of time. When it is required to bring it
into use the holder is strapped to the mine explorer's back by the straps E. He is
also furnished with a safety inhaler or mouth-piece, to which he can admit the pure
oxygen as he finds it required. This part of the apparatus is shewn in side view at
Figure 3. It consists of a rectangular chamber F, made of leather or other suitable
material, the front part of which is formed of fine wire gauze, or a woven fabric
or other suitable material, as shewn at Figure 4. The air inhaled by the miner
passes through this fabric, and when necessary he can mingle with it a stream of
oxygen so as to render the most impure air capable of respiration. The inner part
of the chamber F is divided by vertical partitions, as shewn by the dotted lines, so
as to present a larger surface to the current of vitiated air, and to prevent the escape
of oxygen.
The air flows from the chamber F to the mouth-piece G, which is made of an oval
figure at the front part, and so as to fit closely to the miner's face. To ensure this
more particularly the part of the mouth-piece next the face is made of india-rubber,
and forms an air chamber, as shewn at H; this part is inflated to the required
degree by the small tube I. The oxygen from the gas holder flows through the
tube J, and this is connected to a pressure gauze K, so as to enable the miner to
judge the quantity of gas at his disposal. The tube J is also furnished with a gas
chamber L, and an adjusting screw valve L³ for regulating the inflow of gas to the
chamber of the mouth-piece. The tube J may also be furnished with an additional
stop-cock and tube so as to give a supply of oxygen to any person found overcome
with the noxious gas.

page_text: On the upper part of the mouth-piece is secured the india-rubber tube N; this
tube serves to convey the respired air to the lamp, which is carried by the miner.
This tube is furnished at any convenient part with an india-rubber chamber O,
which forms a receiver for any condensed moisture, and if necessary it may be
supplied with any suitable dessicating material.
The valve chamber M is fitted with a light spindle valve, which permits the free
outlet of the respired air to the lamp, but prevents any return, and a corresponding
valve is fitted to the inlet from the chamber E.
The lamp which is shewn in section at Figure 5 is made with an air chamber P
above the oil cistern Q, and the respired air is conveyed to it by a lateral tubular
opening, which is fitted with a stop-cock R.
The respired air escapes through the perforations in the plate S outside the glass
chimney T, and the lamp draws the air required for its combustion under the
chimney T. The upper part of the lamp is made of wire gauze, as in the Davy
lamp. By this construction the lamp is made the index to the amount of oxygen
required, as follows:-As long as the lamp burns well the man requires no oxygen,
but as soon as it begins to fade he turns on the tap L', and next the lamp tap R,
and then as the lamp burns' brightly or the reverse he alters the tap L¹, and by
this means he insures a sufficient supply of oxygen for himself without wasting the
gas.
The mouth-piece is secured to the head by the straps U, and by means of the
valve L¹ the mine explorer is enabled to supply himself with oxygen just as it is
required, and from the quantity which is stored in the gas cylinders it is possible to
remain for several hours in an atmosphere which would otherwise be instantly fatal.
By these means the most dangerous pits may be explored with safety, or succour
promptly rendered to miners who may unhappily have been overcome by noxious
gases.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is or may be carried out in practice, I wish it to
be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of the arrangements
I have herein-before described and shewn in the accompanying Drawings, but what
I believe to be novel and therefore claim under the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,-
First. The general arrangement, construction, and combination of parts forming
the portable gas holder, containing a large supply of oxygen, and thus enabling a
mine explorer to remain for a lengthened period in an atmosphere that would other-
wise be instantly fatal, as herein-before described and shewn in the accompanying
Drawings, or any mere modification of the same.
Second. The general arrangement, construction, and combination of parts forming
the apparatus, by means of which a miner is enabled to breathe in a vitiated
atmosphere, and to supply himself with the necessary quantity of oxygen, as herein-
before described and shewn in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification
of the said arrangement.
Third. The arrangement and construction of the safety lamp so as to consume
the respired air, and act as an index for the amount of oxygen required by the
miner, as herein-before described and shewn in the accompanying Drawings, or any
modification of the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Bent Ball, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
sight hundred and savantroireht
CHARLES BENT BALL, M.D. (LS.)