Improvements in Apparatus for Releasing Life Buoys and in Signals therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 17th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 3rd May, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Releasing Life Buoys and in Signals
therefor.
WILLIAM BALCH Pensioner Royal Navy of 7 Field View London Fields Hackney
Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to cans for containing inextinguishable light composition such
as phosphide of calcium or sodium, and cases for protecting the said cans with
appliance for letting go Life Buoys and cans and for automatic igniting the com-
positions. According to my said Invention I provide cans of the most suitable shape
for containing the compositions the cans to be made air and water tight and in the
centre of each end of the case I make one or more holes, through which is placed a
small rod of metal & each end of the rod projects outside the ends of the cans.
A washer of slight metal or other material is secured to the ends of the rods just
outside the cans, the said washer or other material is secured to the ends of the cans
thus making the cans air and water tight. One end of the rod has an eye for securing
it to a chain for hanging the cans.
At each end of the cans is secured a piece of
wood or cork with a hole through the centre through which is placed the portion of
the end of the rods which projects fron the end of the cans. The said wood or cork
to be of the most suitable shape for resting on the Life Buoy when stowed on board
or resting at the ship's side or elsewhere.
A small buckett is secured to the most suitable part of the cans for securing the
line attached to the Life Buoy.
The cases I employ are for protecting the cans and are secured to the side or stern
of the ship, and are stationary. The cases are made the same shape as the cans, but
without any bottom and with a lid for placing the cans in. At the top of the cases I
have a small hole through which the portion of the rod where the eye is placed (above
mentioned) is put through, for securing the chain attached to the ship for hanging
the cans.
In some cases where the rods that runs through the cans are not practical
I employ a rubber band for covering the holes that are in the end of the cans, (or the
holes may be at the side of the cans) I attach a ring or other suitable appliance to
the rubber band for securing it to the letting-go purchase or for a person to get a
hand hold for tearing off the band so as to clear the hole in order to allow the water
to come in contact with the composition enclosed. Where the rod is used it is pulled
out, thus leaving a hole at each end, and the cork or wood or other buoyant arrange-
ment being at each end enables the cans when overboard to float in such a position
that the holes are about awash with the water thus allowing a good supply of water
which enables a double light to burn at the same time. The holes are clear of being
closed by the composition.
The appliance for attaching the cans and Life-Buoys are a pair of slings in the
shape of braces the lower end being secured to the ship. The Life Buoy is then
placed between the braces and the ship the cans resting on the top of the Buoy or
other convenient place and is kept into position by the braces. The upper end of the
braces are secured to bucketts by a pin or toggle thus keeping the Buoy and can in a secure
position. The pin being attached to a purchase block; where also is secured the ring
or eye; for cleaning the holes of the cans. The lower end of the purchase block is
secured inboard and the end of the purchase rope is placed in the most suitable part
of the ship such as by the man at the wheel etc., in case a man falling overboard, by
pulling the rope it frees the Buoy and at the same time releases and fires the light.
Dated this 13th day of June 1889

page_text: 1
Improvements in Apparatus for Releasing Life Buoys and. in Signals
therefor.
I, WILLIAM BALOH of 7 Field View, London Fields, Hackney, London, Pensioner,
Royal Navy, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
This invention is designed to supply an improved floating inextinguishable light for
use in case of shipwreck or distress at sea.
The apparatus consists of five main parts namely (1) the outer case which is fixed
to the ship and serves to support and protect the floating light and floats; (2) the
floats which sustain the light in the water when released from the ship; (3) the can
which contains the combustible composition (4) the arrangement for releasing the can
and float and causing them to leave the outer case and fall into the sea; and (5) the
combustible composition consisting of phosphide of calcium or sodium, to which I add
a small quantity of zinc, either granulated, or in the form of plain strips inserted
edgeways in the composition, or as a perforated plate secured above the composition.
The advantage of this addition is that the zinc being consumed in the flame of the
composition increases the brilliancy of the light.
My improvements also relate to the cans for containing inextinguishable light
composition, and the cases for protecting the said cans, with appliances for releasing
the same, and for automatically igniting the composition.
In carrying out my said invention I provide cans of the most suitable shape,
rectangular preferred, for containing the composition, such cans to be made air and
water-tight.
I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which Fig. 1 shews an elevation of the outer case, shewing bolt f, on top and
fittings, for attaching case to the ship. Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1. Figure 3 is an
elevation of the float shewing the slit in back of canvas to admit of the staple k,
coming through. Figure 4 is a plan of Figure 3 shewing slit in top to admit of
Shook passing through to engage with bolt f. Figure 5 is a side elevation of the
can x, showing staple k, with loop p, to which the spring hook 9, of the life-buoy
chain is attached. Fig. 6 is the end elevation of the can . Fig. 7 is a plan of the
can, as shewn in elevation in Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 8 shows a vertical section
through the whole apparatus when complete and in place. Fig. 9 shews the relative
position of the apparatus to a Navy-buoy attached to the stern of the ship.
In the centre of one or both ends of the can I make one or more holes, through
which is placed a small bent strip of metal so as to form a small staple a, at the end
of the can.
To protect the metal or staple a, which is lightly fixed to the can,
attach two projecting strips of tin b, one on either side, and I also provide a small
loose cap or cover c, to pass over and connect the two strips of tin, and thus further
protect the said staple from injury.in transit or before being employed. The space d,
around the staple a, between the two tin strips b, can be filled up with marine glue,
in order to further protect the said staple, and also to furnish smoke to the flame for
a signal used in daylight. When the can is required for use, I place on the said
staple a, a ring or Shook e, to suspend the can on a small horizontal bolt f, attached.
to the case.
This bolt has a thumb-bit or knob, g, which turns down and locks in
front of a small stud h, placed conveniently on the case. In addition to the holes
occupied by the staple, other holes can be formed if desired in the side of the can, and
covered by an elastic band so as to be readily uncovered in case of the staple failing
to come out of both the holes at the end of the can. A float i, formed of wood, cork
or any hollow material is placed around the can, and is covered by or connected with
waterproof canvas, so as to form an enclosure for the can with one open end and side.
To secure the float to the can, a staple or becket k, with a loop p, is strongly attached

page_text: to the can and projects through a slit in the canvas. A slip-hook can thus grip this
loop and so hold both can and float together. The said float is formed of any suitable
shape for resting on the life-buoy when stowed on board or resting at the ships side
or elsewhere.
case z,
The case I employ as shewn by z, in Fig. 1 serves to protect the can, and is
intended to be secured to the sides or stern of the ship and be stationary. The case
m, for
is made the same shape as the can but without a bottom, and with a lid or door
admitting the can and with lugs v, for fastening to the ship. At the top of the case
I have a small slit n, through which the ring or S hook e, on the can, projects, and the
bolt f, before-mentioned, is put through this ring for securing the can to the case.
When the buoy and light are required for use, the can a, is pulled away from the
the staple a, being left on the bolt f, thus leaving two holes at the end of the
can; and the float i, being on each side enables the can when overboard to swim in
such a position, that the holes are about on a level with the surface of the water, thus
allowing a good supply of water, which enables a double light to burn at once.
holes are preserved from being closed by the composition, by reason of the heat of the
flame. The release of the buoy is caused by freeing a slip or tumbler in the usual
way, and the can being secured to the buoy by a line, is pulled suddenly out of its
case, and falls with the buoy into the water, leaving the staple behind as aforesaid,
and thus having the two holes occupied by the staple torn open for admitting the
water to ignite the composition.
The
When used for a circular buoy the buoy is first untoggled and the can then pullod
out of its case, thus freeing the holes for ignition as before stated.
My improved floating signal is applicable to every description of buoy or raft for
saving life at sea.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed; I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In an automatic inextinguishable floating-light, the can z, containing a small
quantity of perforated or other zinc in addition to the usual burning compositions,
also the outside float i, the staple a, forming when separated the holes for ignition ;
the cover c, and projecting strips, b, and with or without the marine glue packing
described, also with or without a rubber band, and apertures underneath the same, on
one side of the can, for affording additional ingress to the water; also the side
staple with loop, p, for securing the can to the buoy as herein described and set
forth.
2. In combination with an automatic inextinguishable floating light the fixed
case, z, with the suspending bolt f, the door m, and the lugs v, as herein described
and set forth.
D
7th day of L
1000
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.