Improvements in Life Belts and other Life Saving Devices for Aquatic Use.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 10th June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 10th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 11th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Life Belts and other Life Saving Devices for
Aquatic Use.
I, WILLIAM RAISBECK HARGREAVES of 88 Oxford Road, Waterloo in the
County of Lancaster, Cotton Salesman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object an addition to the dress for yachting and other
purposes whereby the dress shall become to a considerable extent boyant without
the disagreeable appearance of having to wear an ordinary life-belt.
The invention consists in forming parts of the dress of a hollow waterproof half
round or equivalent section so that while the side next to the body lies flat (or
nearly so, the surface can be corrugated) against it, the outer portion bulges out in
such manner that it is difficult for it to catch on any extraneous object.
For instance a belt can be made of the same material as the clothes but water-
proofed and half round in section, a light buckling device being fixed preferably in
front. On other portions of the dress where at present padding or unnatural.
fulness occurs, a waterproof padding of this nature, as already described can be
formed.
Dated the 9th day of June 1892.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Life Belts and other Life Saving Devices for
Aquatic Use.
I, WILLIAM RAISBECK HARGREAVES of 88 Oxford Road, Waterloo in the
County of Lancaster, Cotton Salesman, 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 has for its object an addition to the dress for yachting and other
purposes, whereby the dress shall become to a considerable extent buoyant without
the disagreeable appearance of having to wear an ordinary life belt.
The invention consists in forining parts of the dress of a hollow, waterproof, half
round, or equivalent section, so that, while the side next to the body lies flat or
nearly so against it (the surface can be corrugated if desired) the outer portion
bulges out in such manner that it is difficult for it to catch on any extraneous object.
For instance, a belt can be made of the same material as the clothes but water-
proofed and half round in section, a light buckling device being fixed preferably in
front.
The two air chambers are made of somewhat larger section in front than behind
and one is larger than the other. This causes the body to turn on the back, the
most favourable position for prolonging life when in the water.
In the accompanying drawings—
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the belt; and
Figure 2, a fragmentary elevation of the same.
In these figures, A is the belt of a hollow half round or crescent section, the side
next the body lying flat or nearly so against it, while the outer portion bulges out.
B is a lacing for securing the ends of the belt together; and C, a nozzle and valve
for enabling the belt to be inflated with air. This belt can be worn as an ordinary

page_text: garment waist belt, and, when upon the water, the wearer can inflate the belt,
which then serves as a life belt.
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. As an improved article of manufacture, a body belt, formed of a hollow
waterproof half round or crescent section, and provided with a nozzle or valve for
inflating with air, and a fastening device for connecting the ends, the said belt
being adapted to be worn inflated as a life belt or deflated as an ordinary waist
belt, substantially as set forth.
2. As an improved article of manufacture, a body belt, formed with one side to
lie flat against the body, and the outer portion to bulge out when inflated with air,
in combination with the inflating nozzle or valve C, and fastening device B for
securing the ends, substantially as set forth.
Dated thin oth
2000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, and London, Patent Agents.