Improvements in and relating to Life Saving Appliances.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Mar., 1887
Complete Left, 8th Dec., 1887
Complete Accepted, 13th Jan., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Life Saving Appliances.
WILLIAM SCHERMULY 326 Burdett Road Limehouse, E. :: Day Watchman" East
and West India Dock Company's Police do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:
That the Life Buoys & Drags in use in Docks and on waterside premises can, with
my invention be used with greater facilities for saving life, by any person, and at any
ime (daylight or dark) and at less expense than the present system, one line, only,
being used for both Life Buoy and Drag, and that one line, under cover when at rest.
It consists of a portable drum or roller, on which the line is contained that answers
for both Buoy and Drag, one end is made fast to the drum the other end being fitted
with a
spring hook. The ends in which the female parts of the bearings are embedded,
forms a support for a covering (the covering in its turn being the means by which the
ends are held in position) which is directly over the roller when the apparatus is at
rest, but, when in use is turned round (by means of two rings that work on a traveller,
fitted on the ends of the covering) so as to leave the roller entirely free in front, the
line unwinding its self as soon as the pin is drawn that passes through the end of the
covering and the end of the drum, by which the drum is held fast untill the required
moment. When at rest the apparatus is suspended on two pegs, by a short line that
is fastened to the rings on the travellers above mentioned. The line for the Buoy and
Drag is wound tightly on the drum allowing about two inches slack. The Buoy is
fitted with a ring and connected to the line by means of the spring hook and rests on
a third peg at a convenient height, the Drags hang on a fourth peg, arranged so as
to allow the hooks of the Drag to hang clear of the Buoy. The whole is suspended
against a bright red background. When in use the line by which the apparatus is
suspended is placed over the rescuer's head the left arm being put through at the
same time, thus bringing the drum to the left side, the Buoy is lifted off its peg with
the left hand, and the Drags taken in the right hand the rescuer is then ready to
proceed to the scene of action, where if he finds he has arrived too late for the Buoy
to be of use, through the drowning person having sunk, he can immediately drop the
Buoy off the spring hook and put the Drags on.
By using my invention there is no danger of having to contend with foul ropes.
Daia h. 1...
1007

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Life Saving Appliances.
1, WILLIAM SCHERMULY of 19 Three Colt Street, Limehouse London, E. "Day
Watchman East and West India Dock Company's Police, 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:-
That the Life Buoys and Drags as at present in use in Docks and on Waterside
premises can with my Invention be used with greater facilities for saving life by any
person and at any time, either in the day or night, than by the present system, one
line only being used for both Life Buoy and Drag, and that one line entirely under
cover when not in use or at rest.
My Invention consists of a portable drum or roller on which the line is contained
that answers for both Buoy and Drag to be connected thereto, one end is made fast
to the drum and the other end of the line is fitted with a spring and swivel hook.
The portable Drum or roller has fitted to the centre of each end a stud or spindle the
ends of which take into bearings or supports formed and provided in a caseing or
covering in which the drum is contained and freely works, or the said spindle or stud
at either end may work in a metal cup let in at each inner end of the covering or
case which is in part directly over the roller and line coiled thereon, which it protects
from damp and rain when at rest, but when in use it is turned round by means of two
rings outwardly attached, that work on a traveller or guide provided and fitted on the
ends of the case or covering, so as to permit of the roller and the line thereon working
entirely clear and free in front and the line then is instantly ready to unwind itself
as soon as the drum is released or permitted to revolve, or as before when not
required or at rest it is held fast in a suitable and convenient manner either by means
of a pin or in practice, I may prefer instead to instanily or automatically release the
Drun when required in use, to arrange on the inner side or end of the drum and of a
smaller diameter of the same a band forming a ratchet or toothed or spur wheel into
which a pawl or cluich is caused to take which secures the drum in position when at
rest, but upon being canied or tilted over when put into action that it instantly
releases itself and then permits of the drum freely rotating and of the rope or line to
give or unwind therefrom with great freedom.
When at rest the apparatus should be suspended on two pegs or supports by means
of a short line or rope connections fastened to the rings on the travellers or guides at
each end of the case or covering of the Drum.
The running rope or line for either the Buoy or drag to be at its end connected to,
is wound tightly on the Drum allowing just a small amount of slack. The Buoy is in
each case fitted with a ring and connected to the line by means of the spring hook
and rests on a third peg or support beneath the drum and may be connected to the

page_text: line ready for use. The Drags are hung on a fourth peg or support and arranged so
as to allow the hooks of the Drags to hang clear of the Buoy and line. I would
propose to have the entire apparatus and connections hung or suspended against a
bright red background or otherwise prominently placed.
When in use the line or rope by which the apparatus is suspended is taken and
slipped over the intending rescuers head, the left arm being put through at the same
instant, thus bringing the drum to the left side; the Life Buoy is then lifted off its
peg or support with the left hand, and the Drags taken in the right hand, the rescuer
is then ready to hastily proceed to the scene of action, and should he find he has
arrived too late for the Life Buoy to be of use through the drowning person having
sunk, he can immediately slip off the Buoy by means of the spring hook or coupling
and put on the Drags and so set to work as a last resource; and it will be evident
that every freedom and facility is given when in use to throw or cast the Buoy with
accuracy and if not successful to be hastily withdrawn and re-cast again, and there is
no danger or complication by this Invention of having to contend with foul ropes and
further the line or rope being coiled in manner described upon the Drum and when
not in use is well protected from the weather and will consequently last much longer
apart from being effective and always ready for action at each and every station or
point wherever they may be fixed, and indication in every case should be prominently
given as to their position and being so easily handled may be used by anyone
on the spot.
For use in Docks, Landing Stages or Piers, Wharves, Canals, Locks, and all other
riverside stations or works would be found very effective and highly instrumental in
saving Life, and on board River or Ocean going Steamers or Vessels would likewise
be found of great value from its portability and handiness.
In the accompanying Drawing, Figure 1, I exhibit a general or side view of my
apparatus in position at rest, and suspended from either a wall or frame as the case
may be, and having the Life Buoy connected in position for immediate service. In
which A is the Drum or barrel upon which the line or rope B is at one or the extreme
end secured to the same and suitably coiled around it. C, C¹, is the swivel and spring
catch in and to which either the Buoy or Drag loop connections are slipped thereon
as may be required. E, is the case or covering which may be made of light sheet
metal connected onto or with the two circular ends F, F1, and into which the spindle
or studs G, of the Drum work into suitable metal caps provided within them so as to
enable the drum and the line upon it to run out freely and rapidly and to be likewise
re-coiled back upon it when wished. H is the small circular disc or hub of the drum
having teeth or slots formed thereon into which a hinged pawl or catch J, takes and
keeps the line and Drum A, at rest when not in use and suspended, but when required
by simply reversing the position of the Drum, the pawl or catch J falls out of gear
from the slot or toothed wheel H and so permits of the drum A and line attachment B
to act freely. K, K are the guides or travellers and L, L, the rings to which the short
line or rope attachment M, is connected which acts both for the purpose of suspending
the apparatus upon the pegs N, when not in use, and when required by simply
detaching it from the pegs and being slipped over the shoulders by the party requiring
its use and upon reaching the scene of action it is then canted or tilted over and so
causes the pawl to release it as before described, but the release of the drum may be
effected in any suitable manner. P and Q are pegs for supporting the buoy and drags
when at rest.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:-
Firstly. The general arrangement of the Apparatus so as to give every facility for
rescuing persons from drowning and providing a very portable and efficient arrange-
ment whereby the Life Buoy and Drags may be instantly taken to the scene of action
and either of which may be used at discretion in manner as herein illustrated and
described.

page_text: Secondly. In providing a Drum or barrel for the purpose of containing the line
or rope thereon so as to be held in position when at rest and under cover and to be
free to revolve when required by means of the Travellers or Guides and rings and by
the pawl or ratchet and wheel or other similar means in combination to release the
same when desired to be put in operation, also that one line is only necessary for
working either the Buoy or Drags.