IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES FOR ENABLING PERSONS TO ENTER PLACES FILLED WITH SMOKE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Griffith Brewer, of Chancery Lane, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS AND
APPLIANCES FOR ENABLING PERSONS TO ENTER PLACES FILLED WITH SMOKE."
A communication from abroad by Bernhard Loeb, of Giessen, Germany.
Sealed the 12th May 1876, and dated the 23rd March 1876.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Edward Griffith Brewer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd March 1876.
EDWARD GRIFFITHI BREWER, of Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES FOR ENABLING PERSONS TO
ENTER PLACES FILLED WITH SMOKE." A communication from abroad by Bernhard
Loeb, of Giessen, Germany.
The object of this Invention is to enable persons in case of fire to enter places
filled with smoke without hurt to health or limbs for the purpose of saving life and
property, and for getting close access to the fire for extinguishing same.
Without
such apparatus this is impossible under ordinary circumstances. One part of the
appliances consists in a lantern for lighting the smoke filled space, and thus
facilitating the accomplishment of the object aforesaid.
According to this Invention the smoke is filtered through a smoke absorbing body
or material, and air reviving and strengthening vapors are supplied to the breathing
organs of the wearer of the apparatus. Although these filtering media may be
known the purpose and mode of applying them as herein described are believed to
be new.
And in order that this Invention may be fully understood I will now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the annexed two Sheets of Drawings.
On Sheet 1 are shown two apparatus constructed according to this Invention,
and a lantern used with the apparatus, on Sheet 2 is represented a modified
arrangement of apparatus.
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a front elevation of an apparatus or smoke helmet; Figure 2
is a section on line A, B, Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side elevation; and Figure 4 a
section on line C, D, Figure 1, through the respirator and sponge.
a is the cap or helmet forming the chief part of the apparatus, it is formed of
strong but not too heavy material, and is made somewhat large so as not to rest on
the head in the usual manner, but by means of elastic bands crossing each other

page_text: or webbing a¹; it does consequently not press on the head with its edges, and
it wards off the heaviest blows from above. To the brim is attached the
sheet metal mask G, which carries the viser E in front, consisting mainly of the
window c, grating b, wiper d, and made air tight by hemp packing steeped in
glycerine, the grating is necessary to prevent the wearer from breaking the
apparatus by knocking against something; even though the lantern is used it is
made to swing up as shown in dotted lines on Figure 2, for enabling the wearer to sec
better, and for enabling him to wipe off the dew on the window; F, F¹, is a double
respirator mainly consisting of two metal sheet tubes projecting right and left,
shewn in section at Figure 4, the ends are closed by netting f, and by alternate
layers of cotton wool steeped in glycerine and of well burnt charcoal ƒ³.
Both respirators terminate in the chamber e, which by means of the passage es com-
municates with the internal space, so that the air drawn in from without passes
through the said layers, and at last through the chamber c² and fluo e comes to tho
interior space and to the breathing organs of the wearer. The two respirators
fulfil the object of filtering away the particles of smoke and gases, the smoke
cannot enter any other way, because the helmet or mask is kept closed around the
neck of the wearer by a band i and protecting cape H, which latter may be kept
damp. In order to protect the filtering layers from the deteriorating influence of
the atmosphere when out of use small covers f attached by chains may be put on,
and only removed in the moment the apparatus is to be actually used.
g, Figures 2 and 4, is a sponge steeped in strengthening essences, concentrated
ozone water, or other suitable fluids; the evaporation of them serves to invigorate
the wearer, it is so arranged that his nose always is in contact with the sponge, and
by taking hold of and turning the double respirators new parts of the sponge are
presented to the noze. In order to produce a refreshing air draught the elastic air
ball h is so placed in front of the respirator that the air therein when compressed
is pressed through the passage e¹, space e², e³, past the sponge into the mouth of the
wearer, there is thus produced a certain circulation of air involving again a more
lively evaporation of the fluid in the sponge, and a pleasant refreshing sensation to
the wearer.
The helmet is fastened to the head by means of strap which is fastened to the
back of the belt ; the overbalancing weight in front keeps it in place. To a
second belt is by means of a ring & attached a guide rope, serving to secure the
wearer a safe retreat from the smoke filled space; his freedom of movement is not
hindered thereby as the ring can slide all round along the belt. The signal
whistle applied to a large india-rubber ball J serves to give a signal in case of need.
Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, illustrate another form of this apparatus; Figure 5 is a
front elevation; Figure 7 a section through line A, B, of Figure 5; Figure 6 a side
elevation; Figure 8 back elevation and section through line C, D, on Figure 7; and
Figure 9 is a mouth piece for the apparatus in half full size. The leading features are
here the same, but the arrangement of the parts is somewhat different; there is also
here special means for disposing of the vitiated air, which is an important improve-
ment upon the apparatus just described. The helmet proper is arranged and fastened
as before described, E is the ocular part with grating and wiper as before; F and F¹,
the laterally projecting respirators, having filtering layers f, f, f³, as before, but
separated from one another, and each terminating in a chamber g, with sponge
steeped as before; the two chambers are parted by the middle chamber e, into
which is inserted the mouth piece n, shewn at Figure 9. in plan, front elevation,
and section through A, B.
As the head can move freely in the whole apparatus or mask it may either rest
against the mouth piece taking the piece n into the mouth and filling the opening n¹
with the nose, or the head may be drawn back in which case the internal air com-
municates with all chambers. The chamber e is closed below by ball valves c¹
opening upwards forming suction valves, and above by ball valves m³ opening
upwards into the tube m forming delivery valves. The tube m is closed by grating
and glycerine steeped cotton wool ml. The space under the suction valves e¹ com-

page_text: He
All the other
municates with the tube L containing a vertical respirator K charged similarly to
the other respirators described. The annular space between the respirator K and
the tube is filled with pieces of sponge which may charged with aromatic or
strengthening fluids from without through the inlet 12. The cleansed air passing
into the space L will thus become charged with vapors from the said fluids. As
long as the person holds his face away from the mouth-piece n he breathes through
the respirators F and F', as with the first described apparatus, with the difference
that when through breathing the air in the space becomes somewhat stronger, the
delivery valves open and some vitiated air is expelled. As soon however, perhaps
through exhalation of too much air, as the air becomes bad in the apparatus, the
wearer takes the mouth-piece n into his mouth and with the nose closes the whole
inner space so that mouth and nose then only communicate with the chamber c,
while the chambers and the respirators F and F are closed; when he breathes
through the mouth-piece he will draw in purified and strengthening air through
the respirator K, space L, and valves e', expelling the used air through the valves m²
and grating m, and reviving and strengthening the air as well as himself.
has thus double means for obtaining fresh wholesome strengthening air, now in one
way, now in another, and during the time that he inhales and exhales through the
mouth-piece n the increased circulation thus engendered will also purify and im-
prove the air in the other chambers making it suitable for fresh use.
parts, such as signal whistle, guiding rope, &c., are the same as before described.
On Sheet 2 is shown a modified arrangement of apparatus, in this is used a
mouth-piece a, which has already been applied to inhalation apparatus, and is
therefore not claimed as new in itself; it forms here a principal part. It is covered
with india-rubber or horsehair cushions, and has below an opening c closed by a
suction valve, and forming the connection with the three respirators. The two
lateral respirators b and b meet below the mouth-piece a in a chamber d filled
with a saturated sponge as before described for charging the air drawn in through
the respirators with nerve strengthening vapors; e is an exhalation-tube closed by
means of wire gauze and saturated material, or by valves, or by both. The first
arrangement with straight air chamber c without valves is shown, for instance,
in Figures 8 and 9; Figures 1 and 2, however, show in front and side view an appa-
ratus having the grating window and wiper as before, but with valves as shown at
Figure 3, which is a section through A, B, Figure 1, and at Figure 4, which is half
section through C, D, Figure 2, and half back view of the apparatus; Figure 5 is a
side elevation; Figure 6 front elevation, and Figure 7 half section and half back
view of an apparatus without side respirators, of course not so good an arrange-
ment, but still tolerably useful. It will also be observed that Figures 1 to 7, show
apparatus in which the helmet or cap part is left out, being made as a separate
piece to be placed on the cape or mantle passing over the head, but still similar to
those before described.
In order to enable the fireman wearing the apparatus to breathe fresh air without
taking off the apparatus means are provided which are represented on Figures 10 to
16; Figure 10 being a front elevation, Figure 11 side elevation, Figure 12 showing
the opened slide; Figure 13 a section through line J, K, on Figure 10; Figure 14
section through line L, M, on Figure 10; Figure 15 front elevation and part section
through line R, S, on Figure 16, and Figure 10 a section through line O, P, on
Figure 15. The two last Figures show the slide combined with outlet valves. The
slide e is here placed straight and may be with or without valve; it works along
guides on a surface g covered with cloth and with a free opening g', see Figure 12;
when the slide is open air can enter freely to the man's breathing organs. But if
the slide is placed as shown at Figure 10, it is before this opening and closes it, and
the apparatus is then ready to operate as before. The same modification but with
straight instead of rising tube and outlet valve is shewn at Figures 15 and 16.
Figure 7 is a back view and part section, and Figure 9 is a vertical section of an
arrangement for leading the air in a better and more direct way to the mouth. It
consists mainly of two small pipes x and y, the former for the direct outlet from the

page_text: mouth and the latter for the direct inlet of the air filtered through the respirator.
The nose inhales and exhales through spaces between the tubes x and y, and the
opening e¹ and c.
The apparatus aforesaid are fastened air tight by means of india-rubber or horse-
hair cushions applied to the mouth mask, and by tying the fabric round the neck,
see Figures 1 and 2, or round the forehead and chin (the ears being free) and round
the neck, see Figure 11, or without mouth mask by cushioned face mask about fore-
head and chin (the ears being free).
It has also been found by actual experiment that the apparatus described with
reference to Figs. 1 to 9, Sheet 1, with but slight modifications can be applied to a
face mask, the cars being left free.
Figs. 10, 11, and 12, Sheet 1, shows a lantern which facilitates the use of the
aforesaid apparatus as the operator is not only enabled to remain in a smoke filled
space, but also to see therein and work so much quicker.
Figure 10 is a vertical section, Figure 11 a plan, and Figure 12 an elevation of same.
It consists mainly of a glass body A, in which the candle burns, the candle is like
those in carriage lamps pushed up by a spiral spring. The glass body is closed by a
cover e which is pressed down on to the glass body by spiral a spring e¹. The air is
supplied in two ways either from below through the filtering layers a saturated
with glycerine, or from above through the filtering layers saturated with glycerine,
which close the tubes d, and terminate near the flame in the tubes b and b¹. The
smoke particles are thus filtered away, and the entering air does not darken the
flame but enables it to burn as in the open air. The products of combustion pass
out through the cylinder i and the two flues f and g, which latter also have filtering
layers to keep the smoke out, h is a movable handle for carrying the lantern by,
and the grating m hanging in a chain m¹ serves to protect the glass and the whole
lantern that it does not get broken by knocking against some object.
And having thus fully described the nature of this Invention it must be observed
that the Inventor does not restrict himself to the various materials named, nor to
the particular dimensions, nor to any other known mechanical equivalent arrange-
ment of details, but right is reserved to modify the arrangements according to
different requirements. Saturated sponges have before now been used to hold
before the mouth or respirators in spaces filled with smoke; ball valves have also
been used for inhalation and exhalation in inhalation and other apparatus, but what
is here claimed as and of the herein-before described Invention is,
First. A series of elastic bands a' crossing cach other and applied as and for the
purpose described.
Second. The respirators F, F', and b, 61, in combination with sponge G saturated
as set forth.
Third. The elastic india-rubber ball for producing a refreshing current or
draught in the apparatus as described.
Fourth. The sponge g which can be shipted in position from without, and thus
always present fresh places to the nose of the wearer.
Fifth. The construction of the respirator K with annular space for reception of
the sponge, which can be saturated from without as set forth.
Sixth. The two chambers g' wherein the respirators terminate for reception of
saturated sponge, as set forth.
Seventh. The belt 3 with ring k and guide rope, as and for the purposes set
forth.
Eighth. The application of a lantern in smoke filled places, the air for same being
filtered as described with reference to the respirators on Sheet 1, and the products
of combustion passing off through filtering layers, which hinder the entrance of
smoke, all as and for the purposes set forth, without restriction to any particular
form.
Ninth. The application of a movable grating for protection and easy cleaning of
the glass.

page_text: Tenth. The construction, combination, and mode of operation of apparatus
constructed as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Griffith Brewer, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord Onc
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
E. G. BREWER. (L.S.)